"I just have to figure out how to ask him." That was the understatement of a century. Sure, they were friends, quite possibly best friends who'd been on a couple of dates. And maybe those didn't even technically count as dates.

Yes, they were close, but asking him if he would have a child with her? That seemed a little presumptuous. They had never talked about the exact status of their relationship, but this seemed a poor time to spring this discussion on Mulder. She felt as if she were crossing some unsaid, invisible line. Hey, Mulder, I know we're work partners or friends or something more, but how do you feel about having a kid with me because I'm running out of time and there's no one else for me to ask? She kicked herself mentally. How could she have ever thought that this would be at all appropriate? She wouldn't blame him if she asked him and he turned around and walked out of her life forever. It was a lot to spring on the guy.

She placed the wine glasses carefully on the coffee table in front of her couch. He did like red, right? She tried to remember how she knew that. Had she ever actually seen him drink red wine, or was it just her own personal preference talking? Don't be stupid, she told herself, the wine's not what you're worried about.

She jumped about a mile high when she heard his soft knock at the door. She opened the door, feigning nonchalance, and welcomed him in.

"You could have just let yourself in, you know."

"I know. But since you asked me to come over, I figured it would be polite to allow the hostess to invite me in." He kissed her cheek, an unusual show of affection.

"We can sit. I poured some wine. Is red okay?" She asked, fidgeting ever so slightly with the leg of her pants.

"Yeah, red's great. Thank you," Mulder grinned, a little uncertain. "Why so nervous, Scully? You invite me over here to try and poison me? I figured once we'd gotten through the first six years we were golden." He chuckled and took a sip of his wine.

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Actually, Mulder, I asked you over to discuss something of personal interest to me."

He nodded, his expression turning serious. "Okay, shoot."

Who are you kidding, Dana, you can't just drop something like this on him! "You know what, I'm just being stupid, forget I ever said anything. It's not important."

"Scully, don't lie to me. What did you want to talk to me about? May as well spill, I'm already here." His hand found her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever it is, I promise I'm not going to judge you."

"It's not that, Mulder. I'm scared you'll want to leave if I ask you to do this." She wouldn't look at him anymore, instead focusing her stare on the carpet.

"Let me be the judge of that, Scully. I think you forget, I've seen aliens. I'm a big boy, I can take it. What's got your goat?"

She huffed and let her face fall into her hands for a moment. Then she rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. He panicked for a second, thinking maybe her cancer was back, until he calmed himself down enough to remember that she was okay. She hadn't had a nosebleed in two years.

"Mulder, I, uh, I got a second opinion on the sample of my ova that you recovered two years ago. The doctor that I've been seeing has informed me that they could be viable, but not for much longer. If I want a chance of conceiving a child, now is my only chance. They've offered me genetic counseling if I decide to pursue a sperm donor, but I wanted to talk to you first. I wondered if you might be willing to be my donor." She again fixed her gaze on the floor.

Mulder sat next to her in stunned silence.

"I realize that this is an unexpected request, and I want to give you time to consider. You don't have to give me an answer now, but I do need one soon. It's okay if the answer is no, I'll understand." A tear ran off her nose onto the fabric of the couch.

He nodded faintly. "Can I have tonight to consider?" His voice was little more than a whisper.

"Yeah, yeah, of course. Take all the time you need."

"Thank you," he tenderly brushed his fingers over her hand and left.