CHAPTER 20

June 27, 2013
2:48 AM MST

"Mulder."

"Mmm?"

"Sorry, you were sleeping."

"I'm alright, Scully. What's wrong?"

Scully propped herself up on her elbow as she rested on the couch in the den. She blinked slowly as she tried to adjust her eyes to the darkness, seeing the profile of Mulder's face below her come into focus. "Nothing," she admitted. "I ... I just ..." She paused; she immediately felt Mulder's gentle touch on her waist, his large hand warm and comforting, urging her to continue. "I guess I just don't know what we'll be facing and it's frightening after what we've seen today."

"Yeah," Mulder agreed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "It's very frightening."

"Where will it end, Mulder? Will it even end?"

"I have to believe it will, Dana. I have to believe that there's hope."

"The children?"

He nodded. "Somehow, I feel like they are the key."

"William has stirred he revelution in the people," Scully noted.

"And he'll need to continue to do so," Mulder agreed. "His wisdom will guide the people. But the undoing will be because of Max and Emma."

"It's so dangerous, Mulder."

"I feel like despite that, they can overcome this."

"Yes, but how much danger are William and Cara willing to expose them to? I think if anything else happens, William will have a complete breakdown. I can't see him surviving any other tragedies."

"I don't think there will be any for right now," Mulder explained, gaining Scully's attention. "I mean, they've failed to do what they set out to do with Cara-"

"Mulder, she's far from out of the woods," Scully objected.

"Yes, but even still, she's fighting, Scully," Mulder reminded. "She's still got the will to fight, which is what the Black Lunged Bastard is trying to destroy. If we can all keep our wills to go on, then we retain the power. That's what William needs to rally the people to do."

"How will he rally them without exposing Cara or the children?"

"He managed to do it once," Mulder noted. "I'm sure he can do it again."

"But how?"

Mulder sat up fully and drew Scully close, kissing her, the taste of her lips the only thing in the world that could soothe his weariness, heal his brokenness and give him back his power. "He will," he whispered, rejoining his lips to hers, she willingly moving under him with desire.

"But," she whispered, "how?" She was still confused, her breath soft against his face as she kept her mouth close.

He wove his fingers into her russet hair, admiring the way the years had graced her so sensually with maturity yet her nature was still young, questioning, longing for answers, seeking the truth. "Love," he whispered. He adored the way her eyebrow lifted, his fingers supporting the back of her head as they massaged her scalp.

"Faith ..." Scully began, her voice soft with realization and recognition. "Hope ... and love ..."

"But the greatest of these is love," Mulder murmured against her mouth.

8:19 AM MST

Cara stirred against Will, who immediately woke from the slight disruption. He had felt on edge and was barely able to sleep, his concern for her as well as for the war that was being waged seeming to grow faster than he could reasonably handle. He had just returned back to bed only an hour or so before after taking in another broadcast from the Censure with reluctance. "Will?" she murmured, her eyes opening gently.

"Yeah?" he asked, his arms still wrapped around her as they had been all night.

"What's wrong?"

He laughed. "You woke up to ask me what's wrong?"

"Well, I was going to ask what time it was, but seeing your face, I'd rather know how you're doing."

"I'm alright."

"Sure," Cara muttered.

"I am ... I'm alright. How are you?" Will asked.

"Better. I feel human at least. I know I'd feel even more normal with a shower."

"I bet. Me too, actually."

"Will, who is the woman with Cyrus?" Cara asked quietly.

"Ahh, we get to the heart of things now," Will teased, kissing her cheek.

"No, I-"

"I'm teasing," he assured. "Her name is Christina Harrison." He paused, waiting for Cara's reaction that came quickly after she processed the information.

"Seriously?" she gasped. "The same Chrissie ... that was Tess' ...?"

"Yeah," Will replied. "The same one."

"God, what are the odds of that?"

"Slim, I'd imagine."

"Where did you find her?"

"Cyrus and Dad found her on a campus we stopped at while you were out. We were trying to track down a source for the vaccine."

The virus, the bees. "Will, have there been any more deaths?"

He nodded grimly. "Many, according to the broadcast early this morning," he said with bitterness.

She looked up at her husband, reaching for her face to stroke it gently. "How do we stop them?" she whispered.

"I don't know," he replied, sighing. "I think we still have to rally the people together to gain their trust and strength."

"They'll panic with this new infection."

"Actually, think about it, Cara. I think the Censure did one too many things with this latest move." Will adjusted so he could see Cara better as they laid together. "I think people are going to get suspicious if they aren't already."

"How do you figure?"

"Well, consider this - why, with every 'sudden' illness there is does the Censure alone seem to have the answers, and so quickly at that?"

Cara nodded slowly, agreeing. "You're right," she whispered. "We could expose them through their greed."

"That's what I'm hoping," Will whispered. He kissed her forehead, sighing against her skin. "I'm so glad you're alright," he said, his hands sliding over her back lovingly.

"I know what everyone did to help me must have been far greater than I can comprehend," she admitted. "No one moreso than you, though."

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"I know you would. It scares me."

"Then stay away from bees, alright?" Will teased.

"Sure," Cara grinned. "I've got no problem with that."

It was a little while later when the entire group gathered, enjoying showers and breakfast at leisure while they caught up with each other or aquainted themselves with the Hosteen clan as Cyrus and Christina needed to. John Hosteen was anxious to meet with them without the presence of the children, though the rapid growth of the little ones did intrigue him.

"Mommy," Max said, seeing his mother still leaning on his father, the strength not fully back in her body just yet. "Why can't we talk with Grandpa John?"

"He wants to talk to you and Emma separately," Cara explained. "He's got something important to share with both of you."

"Really?" Max asked, excited.

"Really." Cara smiled. "Why don't you and Emma go in River's room and have some fun, okay?"

"Okay!" Max agreed, taking his sister's hand. "Come on, Emmie!" he urged as they followed an excited River into the room down the hall, the door shutting quickly.

"Shima," John said, smiling at her with pride. "You are a wonderful mother, as we all knew you would be."

"Thanks," Cara murmured, looking down slightly to avoid his eyes.

"Why do you doubt it?" John asked.

"I ..." She sighed. "I just ... Their lives have been so incredibly hard. I wish for better for them."

John nodded. "You and Young Fox will make it so," he agreed. He saw her meet his eyes curiously. "You remember the story of the Sun, the Changing Woman, and the twins, Monster Slayer and Born of Water, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, allow me then to remind you of the twins' power, the lightning they carry."

"The lightning?" Will asked. "You mean the lightning that will strike from coast to coast?"

John nodded. "Yes. This has been told for many, many generations as being a sign of the end." He smiled widely. "But for us, it will be the sign of a new beginning, a new earth that will grow strong and be rich in abundant fertility." His eyes fell on Christina, his gaze warm. "You have much faith, young lady," he complimented. "It is this faith that has kept you alive. The heavens will shower down many voices of wisdom - it is up to all of us to listen to the advice they give." He shifted his gaze to Cyrus. "Many of us doubt, or harbor anger for what cannot be changed. The creation of this new world depends on our ability to adapt and adjust, to change our weaknesses into powerful strengths."

"What of the lightning?" Mulder asked.

"Ah, yes," John smiled. "Just like Fox to want the heart of the story." The others who knew him well laughed softly, knowing it was Mulder's nature like John had said. "Well, Fox, our story begins with thunderbirds - powerful, supernatural creatures who live on the top of mountains, existing to serve The Sun." John nodded to Will at the reference. "Thunderbirds are large birds capable of creating storms and thundering while they fly. Clouds are joined together by their wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by their wings clapping. Lightning is the light flashing from their eyes when they blink, and individual lightning bolts made by the glowing snakes that they carry around with them.

"Thunderbirds represent power, provision, expansiveness, transformation, divine dominion, indomitable spirit and unquestioned authority, and they carry messages from the otherworlds. They are an omen of war, a sign of the spirits warring in the skies. They foretell victory when ritual ceremonies are reverently adhered to.

"Thunderbirds are a symbol of creation - they mark the separation between the heavens and the earth. They are the dominating force of all natural activity and must be honored and appeased at all cost. They are the bringers of life-giving water.

"I've been told stories of the thunderbirds waging constant battle with a massive water serpent. This horned serpent is said to be very evil and wishes ill-will against humankind. To battle it, the thunderbirds dive into the waters, seeking out the serpent to rid it from the waters to protect the humans. The battles between the thunderbirds and the serpent are what make the waters rage and what causing storms to come to be."

John paused. "Fox, Dana, Shima, Christina and Cyrus - each of you are the thunderbirds that have been chosen to create the storm of change. You each have a unique wingbeat, each joining together to create the storm that will overtake the serpent. Knowing this, it is each of your responsibilities to follow the Sun in his journey to spread light over the nation, protecting him and carrying out his will for the battle."

John leaned back in his seat. "Your beautiful children, William, are the lightning bolts which will defeat the serpent once he is drug up from the depths of the water he hides in. Their destiny is to slay the serpent, the monster that roams the earth and kills the people, healing the water and cleansing it for the generations to come."

"How?" Cara asked softly.

"In the same way young Maddox heals the good, he will destroy the evil. And in the same way young Emma destroys the evil, she will heal the good."

"Are they in danger?" Will questioned, a worried look spread over his face as he clutched Cara's hand.

With a smile, John shook his head. "Not so long as the thunderbirds are ready for the battle," he replied. His eyes shifted to the rest of the group. "There is a darkness that needs to be quelled in order for the destiny to be fulfilled in one here. There is forgiveness that needs to come in order for the power, the union to be great." He looked back to Will. "The Sun is responsible for pouring light, not masking it or taking it." He looked over at Cyrus. "The thunderbird is responsible for carrying that light, and is trusted to keep it."

The two young men looked at each other with hesitence, each unwilling to erase the vivid memories of their past encounters. "Change cannot begin if there is no healing in those going to heal," John warned. "The past must be cleansed in order for the future to be prepared."

John's laugh was musical, warmer than any sound they each ever heard. "There is great love among each of you. The future is fertile in the ground that is being prepared." His eyes fell over the women slowly. "Some soil is more fertile than is realized." Each of their faces shifted with contemplation, fairly certain they knew what John was insinuating but uncomfortable with the possibility. "There is no shame in it," John assured. "It is natural and desired. It is part of the future as much as anything else."

There was a quiet hush over the group as they thought on the things John so wisely shared with them. "I think I know what needs to be done," Will announced, everyone's ears perking up. He looked first to Mulder, then to Cara. "We need to bring the fight to the enemy. We need to bring the people to the truth." Will looked over at Cyrus, giving him a small nod. "I need as many thunderbirds as I can get," he noted with respect, silently letting him know he wished to bury the hatchet.

Cyrus understood, giving him a genuine nod of agreement. "I'm with you all the way," he replied. The interaction made Cara smile; she squeezed Will's hand in happiness.

"Christina," Will said gently, "I know ... you haven't barely even known any of us-"

"It's okay, William," Christina interrupted with a smile. "I've known my destiny was to fight against evil for all of my life. I'm behind you and your family no matter what." Will's smile of gratitude didn't distract her from feeling for Cyrus' hand under the table, catching the way he held his breath as he slowly tightened his grip around hers. They exchanged a quick look, Cyrus' darkness rising within as he remembered what Christina was yet unaware of, the guilt paining him deeply.

"Mom ... Dad ..." Will looked to his parents, who laughed with soft smiles on their faces for their son.

"What, you think we're too old to fight?" Mulder teased.

"I know Mom is fine," Will teased, "but it's you I'm worried about."

Mulder snorted. "Hah! I've been doing this for longer than you've been alive."

The mood was light as Will looked at his wife next to him, raising her hand he held to his lips and kissing it. "Cara," he whispered, his eyes closing with struggle.

"No, Will," she whispered, Cara's hand finding Will's face. "I said until death do we part - and I meant it." She kissed his cheek. "It's high time you let me be your partner again, anyway."

Will grinned. "I've missed you next to me." They kissed gently. "There's no one better for the job."

"Then it's settled," Mulder announced with a nod. "We're taking the show on the road."

"A regular Partridge Family," Cyrus teased.

The group took a deep collective breath, each person contemplating what waited for them ahead at the last leg of the journey to the end. They knew there would be struggle, they knew there would be joys among pain.

What they didn't know, what they couldn't prepare for, was the impact their battle would have over the fate of mankind. The future was in each of their hands - now it was time to fight for it.

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE FINAL BOOK
"BELIEVE"
COMING SOON!