sg10

TITLE: Savage Garden Chapter Ten: Crash and Burn
AUTHOR: Gaia Less
RATING: PG13
SPOILERS: everything through season seven

SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully's marriage is tested by a twist of fate.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mulder, Scully, or anyone else you might recognize from the series. They are owned by Chris Carter, 1013, and Fox. I dont own them. No copyright infringement is intended. I didn;t create em, I'm just playing with them. I'll give them back when I'm done. Promise!! Please don't sue me...

All songs belong to Savage Garden.. yeah they rock.. and I'm just borrowing THEM too.. yeah hehe

Archive anywhere, but please get my permission first :) tis as easy as emailing me and saying, Yo, Gaia, I wanna put your fanfic, [title here], on my site, okay? You can even simply cut and paste that sentence into an email document! I will reply with something along the lines of Hey, that's cool. Promote me! Yeah! Sweeeeet. See? Tis VERY easy :) Wowwww. Hehe

notes and such at the end




Chapter Ten
Crash and Burn
by GL

=============
February 8th, 2004
2:57 pm

Lexie calls from her bedroom.

What, sweetheart? I call from my room down the hall. I walk into her room.

Mama, I wanna hold the baby, she tells me.

I smile. Lexie has loved being a big sister. She doesn't mind that she doesn't get as much attention as she used to. She seems to understand that the baby needs a little more attention.

And she loves her sister, too. She just thinks it's so much fun helping Fox and I take care of Samantha. Or at least pretending to help. She's still pretty little, she'll be three in just a few days. It's so cute... when she tries to say Samantha,' it comes out as Amantha.' It sounds almost like Amanda. She mostly just calls her Sam though, because it's easier to say, and because Fox has taken to calling her Sam, too.

Well, I don't know, sweetie. I think she's sleeping right now.

I take Lexie's hand and we walk into Sam's room. To my surprise, Sam is lying flat on her stomach, with her head up, looking around the room curiously. Oh! Well, good morning, sleepyhead, I say cheerfully, lifting her up. Normally, she cries when she wakes up. Why don't you go downstairs and sit on the sofa, sweetie? I tell Lexie.

She scampers downstairs.

I hold Samantha for a few more moments, smiling at her. She grins her toothless smile back up at me. I tickle her tummy for a second, and she giggles.

I carry her downstairs, to the living room, where Lexie is seated on the couch. I sit down beside her and carefully hand her the baby. Lexie smiles down at her, and rocks her a little back and forth. Know what, Mama?



A real baby is so much funner than a dolly, she says.

I chuckle. When I was pregnant with Samantha, Lexie played with her dolls every single day, taking care of them, and saying that they were either her little sister, or her baby.

I kiss the top of her head just as the door opens, and Fox comes into the room. Honey, I'm home! he says jokingly, seeing me on the couch. He loves saying that... and I think it's hilarious too. I take the baby back from Lexie and stand up to give him a kiss.

Lexie squeals, running up to him.

Fox picks her up and gives her a bear hug. Hi, Lexie! he says.

I missed you, Daddy! she cries.

I was only gone two days, he says.

I missed you, too, I say.

He leans over Samantha to give me a kiss. I hate being gone so long. Two days seems like an eternity to me now.

I sigh. He's been working out of a nearby FBI field office, and normally he doesn't have to be gone too long. But occasionally, he does, and even though it's only for a day or two, it seems like so long. We spent an hour on the phone the night before, but it still seemed like he was a million miles away instead of just across the state.

~*~

10:00 pm

I sit alone in bed, staring at a book that I'd started reading the other day. But I wasn't really reading it. I was thinking again, about the wedding.

We'd set the date. We were getting married on May 19, 2004. Only two and a half months left... I'd been waiting almost a year for this already. Hell, longer than a year, longer than four years. I had been waiting almost *twelve* years!

I call.

he comes out of the bathroom, wiping his hair with a towel.

Do you realize we've known each other almost twelve years? I ask him, setting my book down.

Twelve years... he mouths. Geez, has it really been that long?

I nod slowly. I can't believe it either. I also can't believe that it took us that long to get here.

Better late then never, he says, stretching out next to me on the bed.

I trail off. It's just that... I'm starting to feel *old.*

Old? You, Dana? he smiles. You don't look a day older than... the day you left.

Ha. Sure I didn't. I looked almost four years older. I was going to be forty-one at the end of the month, and I had two young daughtera and a fiance. My hair was even starting to turn gray... But if Fox thought that I didn't look old, then so be it.

He didn't look so old either, about the same as he had when I left him. His hair was starting to gray too... but it made him look good.

Twelve years, Dana... and I loved you more every single day. So imagine... twelve years... the number of days in there... I just love you so much. More than I could ever tell you.

Four thousand, three hundred eighty, I whisper.



Twelve years, I reply. Four thousand, three hundred eighty days.

Nobody likes a math geek, Scully, he says, smiling. Somehow that phrase sounded vaguely familiar... I know he'd said it before, but I couldn't remember when.

*Well,* I hoped, *it would never be over between us again. Ever.*

~*~

a tiny voice whispers.

I roll over and bury my face in the pillow. It was the first time that I'd gotten more than three consecutive hours of sleep in weeks.



I sigh, defeated. What is it, Lexie?

I can't sleep.

Sure you can, I say, opening my eyes and looking at her forlorn expression. What's the matter?

Sam's crying, she tells me.

No she's... I hear a soft, almost inaudible, cry coming from Sam's room. I stand up from the bed and take Lexie's hand. On the way out of the room, I glance back at Fox, who is still sound asleep on the bed.

I put Lexie back in her bed, and tuck her back in. Go back to sleep, sweetheart. I'll go take care of the baby.

She closes her eyes, and I stand up, and close the door.

Then I walk across the hall into Samantha's room. She isn't crying so much anymore. Someone is standing there, holding her.

Is she okay, Fox? I ask him, squinting in the dim light. He doesn't respond. Fox? Is she okay?

He turns around, and stares down at me with a sad look on his face.

It's not Fox.

It's David.

*****
A scream wakes me up. I sit up in bed. Another scream, followed by Samantha's crying. I notice that Dana isn't next to me.

I call, worried. I run down the hallway to Samantha's room, and find Dana sobbing on the floor, and Sam next to her, also crying.

I drop to my knees. Dana, what happened?

she chokes out, throwing her arms around me.

I hold her tightly for a moment. What happened? I repeat. Are you okay?

I--no! I saw--I saw-- she stutters.

I let go of her a moment later and pick up Samantha. The baby is shaking. I rock her to stop her from crying, and then I put her back in the crib. Then I kneel back down on the floor with Dana. She's not crying so hard anymore, and I take her hand to pull her to her feet, and lead her back to our bedroom.

Dana, please, tell me what happened, I beg, standing close to her.

She takes a deep breath. I don't know, she whispers. Lexie came in, and told me the baby was crying... and when I went into Samantha's room, I saw David holding Samantha.

Oh... oh, Dana... it was just a bad dream. It's okay.

I thought he was going to hurt her, she says hoarsely. I thought...

Shh... Dana, no ones going to hurt her. No one's going to hurt you, ever again. David's gone... he's not coming back. I shake my head slowly, and then lead her back over to the bed. Everything's all right.

She nods. I know... but David... when I was with him, I was always so afraid, that he was going to hurt Lexie or something... but when I saw him in there just now, or thought I saw him, I was afraid that he'd come back to hurt Samantha.

But he's not. I'm here now... it was just a bad dream. It's all over now. Okay?

She nods. I know. I'm just so afraid of him.

Don't be. He can't hurt you anymore. Even if he was still alive, Dana, I tell her, I wouldn't let him hurt you.

Thank you, Fox.

I love you, Dana.

~*~

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned it's back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild, wild heart
I know you feel like the wall are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold

When darkness is upon your door
And you feel like you can't take anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I will break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn you're not alone

When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You call it a one way street
With the monsters in your head

When hopes and dreams are far away
And you feel like you can't face the day

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I will break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn you're not alone

Cause there has always been heartache and pain
And when it's over you'll breathe again
You'll breathe again

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I will break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn you're not alone

~*~

May 19th, 2004

Dana didn't have anymore bad dreams about David in the next three and a half months. In fact, she even seems to smile a lot more than she had before.

Now, finally, the day that we'd been waiting for has arrived. And we were both ready.

*****
Mom and Tara help me with my dress. I'm beginning to feel sort of nervous. Neither Fox or I had spoken to Bill since they came into town, but I'm assuming Tara did. I hope he listened to her.

I look in the mirror. I can't believe I'm seeing myself. I never pictured getting married again... Is this really me in the reflection, wearing a beautiful wedding dress? Is this really *my* wedding day? Am I really marrying Fox Mulder?

A tear rolls down my cheek. I can't believe it. The answer to all those questions is yes.

Dana, don't cry! Your mascara will run! Tara says, rushing over to me. She hands me a kleenex.

I say with a smile. I just can't believe that this is really it. It's the real thing.

Ohh, I'm so happy for you two! she cries, giving me a hug.

I say again.

My mom comes into the room. Dana, you look so beautiful! she cries. She looks ready to cry. I don't know if it's from the wedding, or remembering her and dad's wedding. But it's the same look she got the first time I'd gotten married. She comes over and gives me a hug. My baby girl...

Mom, don't make me start crying! I say, my voice wavering.

I'm sorry. But even when you married David... she says. I always thought you'd end up marrying Fox. And I'm so happy you finally are.

Oh, Mom, I say.

I glance at the clock. Still another twenty minutes until the wedding begins. I can't wait.

I never imagined that I'd be getting married again. Ever since I met Fox... at first we had been just friends. But then I fell in love with him. It was so hard for me to tell him how I felt... how I'd always felt, but never expressed. But I'm so glad I did. He has gotten me out of so many predicaments, whether or not they were life-threatening. I owe him my life for that... or, at least, my love.

I sit and think about the last thirteen years that I'd known Fox, and the four years that I'd been without him... and then these last few months. My mom's voice shatters my reverie. Dana? It's time.

I stare up at her. Then I take a deep breath and stand up and follow her and Tara out of the room.

It's finally happening. Fox and I are finally getting married.

The doors of the church open, and I see Fox standing at the end of the aisle. He smiles at me, and I begin to walk down the aisle toward him.

The ceremony goes by like a dream. I still can't believe this is really it. We exchange rings, and vows, and before I know it, the priest says, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

My veil is lifted and Fox kisses me. I can hear my mom crying from her seat in the front. He smiles at me and we walk back up the aisle and out of the church.

I can't believe it. It's finally happened.

~*~

May 26th
6:11 pm



We're home!

Mama! Daddy! Lexie comes running, and jumps up and down until I pick her up. Mama! Did you have fun?

Yes, I did. Did you have fun with Gramma?



I pass her over to Fox when my mom comes into the room. She passes Samantha to me, and she gives me her one-toothed grin, and says, She's only seven months old, but she's already starting to talk. Lexie was the same way.

Hi sweetie! I say to her, bouncing her up and down a little. She giggles, and then Fox puts Lexie down, and I pass Samantha over to him.

I walk over to my mom. Thanks so much for watching the kids while we were gone. We really appreciate it.

Well, it's my pleasure, Mom says with a smile.

Were they good for you?

Of course! They always are! And they're getting so big, too!

Bye-bye, Gramma! Lexie says, waving.

Bye-bye, Lexie, Mom replies, putting on her coat. She gives me a hug and a kiss, and then hugs Fox, too. I'll see you later.

Bye, Mom, I say, taking the baby again from Fox. Gosh, I'm hungry, I say. We hadn't eaten anything since lunch, which was hours ago.

So am I, Fox agrees.

Are you hungry, Lexie? I ask. She nods. I sigh. I don't feel like cooking.

Let's go out, we could pick up some fast food or whatever.

Sounds like a plan to me. I yawn. We had gone to a quiet Indonesian Island, Lauren for our honeymoon, and we were *very* jet-lagged. I had gotten a little sleep on the plane, but I was still exhausted.

Aren't you exhausted? he asks me, reading my mind.

I smile.

I'll get dinner. McDonald's sound okay?

Sure. Doesn't matter.

All right. He gives me a kiss goodbye, and I smile.

Love you, I whisper, standing close to him for a moment.

He smiles down at me. I love you too. I'll be back in a half-hour.

Okay. Bye.

Bye, Dana.

I watch him walk out the door, and then I take the kids upstairs.

~*~

Fifteen Minutes Later

As I'm changing my clothes, I get a sudden chill. *Something's wrong.* As soon as I'm done dressing, I rush down the hallway into Samantha's room. She's playing happily in her crib. I turn around, and see David standing in the doorway. Oh, God... I squeeze my eyes shut. *He's not there, he's not real...*

The phone rings. I open my eyes. David's gone.

I rush down the hall to my room, and I pick up the phone.

It's Ann. She sounds upset.

What? Ann, what's the matter?

Dana, you'd better get down here. It's Fox... There's been an accident.

~*~

I've never driven so fast.

I run up the hospital frantically, carrying Samantha, and with Lexie trying to keep up, holding on tightly to my coat. Ann meets me on my way in. I cry. She rushes up to me. Is it... is it bad? I ask her, on the verge of tears.

I don't know. He's unconscious, but he's got a steady heartbeat. He's breathing on a ventilator. I-I really don't know, Dana.

I want to see him, I tell her.

Ann nods and leads me to his room.

Oh, God, I whisper, once inside. I rush to his side, and I find his hand and hold it to my cheek.

I've never seen him look so bad. Cuts and bruises cover his face. One eye is swollen shut.

Why?

Oh, God, why?

I kneel by his bed, sobbing. I barely even notice that my mother comes in to take Lexie and Samantha.

Please, Fox... don't leave me. Not yet. I kiss his hand. Not now. I put my head down on the side of his bed. Fox. I know you can get through this. I have faith in you. I *believe* in you. I shake my head sadly. And I don't think I could live without you, I whisper.

*****
I scream for help, but no one listens.

Dana?

What's the matter?

Don't cry... don't cry. What's wrong, Dana?

Dana? Can't you hear me?

Dana?!

Dana... what happened to me? Why am I here?

Who's that... behind you, Dana?

Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?!

*****
I don't know how long I kneel there for, but suddenly, a presence fills the room.

I hear the door shut.

I slowly turn away from Fox, and I see David standing in the doorway.

I sputter. You're not real, I manage to choke out.

David says.

Go away! I cry. I stand up and walk around Fox's bed, trying to get as far away from David as I can, without leaving Fox's side.

Dana. I'm sorry.

No you're not! I shout. No you're not! If you're so damn sorry then why are you doing this? Why are you here?!

Dana, I loved you--

You're lying! You never loved me!

I did, Dana. He takes a step forward.

Get the hell away from me! I clutch Fox's hand and kneel down on the ground, trying to make myself as small as possible.

I loved you, Dana. Maybe I didn't always show it, but I did. I do. And that's why I'm here. Because I love you. And... I want you to be happy. He lays a down on Fox's chest. But maybe you never loved me.

Tears fall from my eyes. I close my eyes and brush them away. When I look up again, David is gone.

Ann rushes into the room. I heard screaming. Dana, are you okay?

I say, shakily standing up. I look down at Fox.

His eyes are open. He looks up at me.

I cry. Oh, my God! His mouth moves as he tries to speak. No, don't, I tell him, touching his lips with my fingers. You're on a ventilator. But don't worry--you're going to be okay. I look up at Ann with tears in my eyes. She has an amazed, awed look on her face, and then leaves the room, presumably to go get help.

I knew you'd pull through, I whisper, sitting on the side of the bed. He squeezes my hand, and still tries to speak. Do you--can you write it down? I ask him. He nods. I pull out a piece of paper and a pen, and he writes, slowly and carefully, one word before handing me the paper.

I stare at the paper, and gasp.

There is one word that is written on the paper.

DAVID.

~*~

June 29th
9:59 pm

I still don't understand it. None of the doctors do. Ann hadn't wanted to tell me then, but she said that she was sure that Fox was never going to wake up.

I didn't explain to her what happened in the room, just before Fox woke up.

I've told him. He doesn't understand it, either. He doesn't remember much, but he does remember seeing David in the room.

I think it was a miracle.

One other thing I don't understand is why it had to happen. We had been home for all of fifteen minutes... and coming home from our honeymoon, too, of all things. And why did David come back, and heal Fox? Whatever it was, whether it really happened or if it was a figment of my imagination, I don't understand any of it.

And today, Fox finally gets to come home. We're on our way there right now. I glance at Fox, who is staring out the window. What's the matter?

Hmm? Oh. Nothing, he says, turning to me and smiling. Just thinking.

About what?

he says with another smile.

I smile back, and pull the car into the driveway. I'm so happy you finally get to come home. It hasn't been the same without you there.

I'm glad I get to be home, too, he says, leaning over to give me a kiss.

I love you, I whisper, closing my eyes and returning the kiss. We part, and get out of the car. We walk up to the house, hand-in-hand.

As soon as the door is opened, Lexie comes running. she cries, running into his arms. Are you gonna stay at home now?

Of course I am, he answers, hugging her. Say hi to your Mom.

Hi, Mama! she says happily, coming over to give me a hug.

I give her a hug, and see Samantha's head poke out from the side of the couch. She crawls toward us. Fox smiles and goes to pick her up. He's never seen her crawl before. she squeals, giggling.

Fox says with a grin.

Lexie, what are you doing up still? I ask her.

Gramma said I could stay up until you and Daddy got home, she says matter-of-factly.

Oh she did? I ask with a grin. Well, I think it's just about time to get to bed.

Okay, Mama, she says, starting up the stairs.

I turn to Fox. Would you put Samantha to bed? I'm going to go say hi to Mom.



I'll be upstairs in a few minutes. I'm really tired.

Okay, I'll see you in a few then. He turns and heads upstairs too.

I call. I walk into the kitchen, where Mom is cleaning up the dinner dishes.

Hi, Dana. I heard you come in, she says.

Were the girls okay?

Yeah. I'd better get going, it's getting late.

Okay, Mom. Good night.

Good night, Dana, she says, closing the dishwasher. I'll talk to you later.

I turn off the lights in the kitchen and head upstairs. Did you put both of the girls to bed already? I ask Fox.

he replies from the bathroom. He turns off the water and comes back into the bedroom.

Thank you, I smile.

Well, the sooner they're asleep... --he takes a step toward me and puts his arms around my waist-- ...the sooner we're alone, he whispers.

I say. I think I like the sound of that... We're both silent for a moment, and then I add, I missed you so much.

So did I. It felt like... all those years that we were apart, all together in a month.

I came to visit you every day... but it still wasn't the same. We're silent again, just standing there in the middle of the room, holding onto each other. I'll be right back. I'm going to go get ready for bed.

he says as we pull apart.

I come out of the bathroom a few minutes later. Fox is watching TV, and he's already half-asleep. I shake my head and smile. Then I tiptoe silently to the bed and crawl into his arms. He opens his eyes and smiles at me. he whispers.

I stare at him.

You, you are the one thing I know I can't live without, Dana.

I open my mouth and begin to say something, when all of a sudden Samantha starts to cry. I sigh and give Fox an apologetic look. I'll be right back, I tell him, rolling out of bed.

As I walk down the hallway to Samantha's room, I notice that her crying has stopped. I crack the door to Samantha's room and see Lexie standing next to the crib with her arm through the bars, patting her sister gently on the top of her head. Don't cry, Sissy, she says. Don't cry. It's okay. Know why? Daddy's home now.

I step into the room and kneel down next to Lexie. What are you doing, sweetie? I ask her.

Sam was crying, she tells me. But she's not now.

Oh, Lexie, I say, giving the little girl a hug. Thank you for helping me with your sister.

Welcome, Mama.

Fox comes into the room behind me. Everything okay?

Yeah. Lexie helped Samantha stop crying.

Fox smiles, and I stand up and pick Samantha up. Lexie, why don't you go back to bed.

she says with a yawn. Fox follows her out of the room. I smile and watch them go. Then I sit down in the rocking chair with Samantha in my arms and gently rock her back to sleep.

*****
Lexie gets back into bed, and I tuck her in. Good night, Lexie, I say, giving her her favorite teddy bear.

She sits up and gives me a hug. Love you, Daddy.

I-I love you too, Lexie, I say, giving her a kiss on her forehead. She lays back down and falls asleep with the stuffed animal under her arm.

This was the first time Lexie ever said she loved me on her own. It was strange. I wasn't even her father, and I'd only known her for about a year, but she referred to me as Daddy,' and now she said she loved me, without being prompted by Dana or Mrs. Scully.

I stand up and walk back down the hall, pausing at Samantha's room, where Dana has put the baby back in the crib. She stands there, looking down at the sleeping baby.

I walk up behind her and put my arms around her. Look at her, she whispers.

She's beautiful, I tell her. Both of them are. They look just like you.

She sighs. Let's go to bed.

I reply.

She takes my hand. Come on. I follow her out of the room and to our own room.

*****
Fox sits down on the bed, and I cross to the other side and sit down too. He moves closer to me, and we sit there together, silent. Then Fox says, I've been meaning to talk to you about something.

I ask, concerned.

Don't worry, it's not bad. It's... He pauses, searching for words. It's the girls. Your daughters. I love them so much, Dana. I love them as if they were my own daughters. But... it's strange, knowing that they *aren't* my own. And... I'm not saying that... He pauses again.

What, Fox? I ask him.

Well, I was wondering if you'd... be objected to having any more children.

I think about Lexie and Samantha, and how close Fox is to them, and how much he loves them. I smile. No. I wouldn't be objected.

he asks me.

Really. I would love nothing more than to have another child... with you. I whisper the last two words. I love you so much, Fox.

Thank you, Dana, he whispers back. Thank you.

~*~

~*~EPILOGUE~*~
*****
May 19th, 2005
6:19 am

It's our first anniversary.

And it seems that every time an important date comes around, we find ourselves back in the hospital.

But not always for the worse.

Dana is asleep in the hospital bed, and I sit next to the bed, holding her hand, and holding Samantha on my lap.

A nurse comes into the room, carrying the small bundle. Mrs. Mulder? she says quietly. Dana opens her eyes, and turns to smile at me.

Samantha cries with a grin, pointing at her new little sister. She sits up and cranes her neck, watching as Dana takes the tiny baby into her arms.

Mrs. Scully comes into the room, taking Samantha from me. We'll leave the three of you alone, she whispers with a smile, walking out of the room and closing the door behind her.

Dana smiles at me, and hands me the baby. I look down at her, smiling. This is *my* daughter. Mine, and Dana's. Ours. As much as I loved Lexie and Samantha, this was a whole new thing to me. I was *really* a father this time.

Hi, Emily, I whisper to the baby. She's so beautiful, Dana.

She has your eyes, she tells me.

My eyes. Lexie and Samantha, they'd never look like me. They looked like their mother, and even a bit like David. But Emily... she looked like me.

I smile again at my wife, knowing that we'd been a family for the past two years, and finally feeling that way.

~*~THE END~*~

Author's Note:
AND THAT'S IT! Whew. This is a long one. Heh.. hopefully if you're reading this now, it means you stuck it out until the end... on my word processor, this is over 100 pages long. My novel ::grin:: My greatest work.

I really hope ya enjoy this... I'd like to thank Lauren and Robbie and all the other random people that put up with me through the editing process and such... you guys rock... and I'd like to thank you, the reader, for reading my fanfic... that's a miracle. Thh. I got a little longwinded on this one, and I apologize. I hope you enjoyed it!

Comments, praise, flames, and such to: GaiaScully42@yahoo.com

~fin~