Hours Later

I'm floating through the darkness that so often dwells within me. The past few months it has gotten considerably worse. Days have gone by where I feel as though I'm completely fine and then the darkness returns. Mulder is always there in my dream world.

Memories of us and of our son are always present every time that I close my eyes. When it rains I feel as though the Heavens are weeping for me and I desperately want to go into my world of memories.

I remember the first day that I met Mulder, I remember everything that we did together and I wish that I could go back to then. Back to a time when it was so much easier. Back to before the unresolved sexual tension was too much and I couldn't wait to go to work everyday. Those were the times that I loved walking into the office ready for our daily dose of bantering between the two of us.

Where did the time go? But then again, I don't think I would have wanted to miss out on having a son, our son. A child that was formed out of a mutual bond of love, respect, and deeply rooted in friendship.

So much to think of when I find myself floating aimlessly in a world of nothing.

I don't even remember where I'm at.

A bright light burns my eyes. If this is supposed to be the prophetic 'bright light' then I'd rather retreat back to my dark world. At least it doesn't hurt as much and I have my boys there.

"Dana--"

That voice is so familiar. Whose is it?

"Dana, honey, open your eyes," she whispers. It's my mom.

Slowly I open my eyes staring up at her, questioning my surrounding almost immediately.

White. Everything's white.

I'm in a hospital room. Who's sick?

My eyes start to focus in more and I realize I'm the one who's sick. I'm the one that is in need of medical assistance and I don't remember why.

"How'd I get here?" I ask still in a haze.

"You passed out in the hallway six hours ago," she says quietly stopping abruptly. She has more to say, but she won't say it.

And then I remember.

"Mulder. Where's Mulder?"

The pained expression on her face tells it all. He was never here. I must have dreamed the whole thing. In my pregnant state of delirium, I thought that Mulder called me and then he was found on the side of the road after three months of being presumed dead.

Heavy feet echo outside my door and slowly the heavy wooden plank opens. Doggett walks through the door wearing a somber expression upon his face.

"Mrs. Scully, can I have a minute?"

My mother nods and gets up from her bedside vigil.

"I'll be right outside if you need me," she says in a motherly tone.

Silence passes between us as I stare at Agent Doggett. The number of questions running through my head is infinite.

"What's going on?" I finally inquire, my gaze piercing into his.

Doggett clears his throat and nervously tugs at his tie. "Agent Scully, I hate to give you this bad news, but the man that we found is in serious shape."

"Is it Mulder?"

Again, the silence.

"John, answer me," I tell him forcefully.

"I can't."

"I need to know."

"I don't want to see you go through this again," he starts.

"John, if that man is Mulder then I have a right to find answers, I have a right to know," I tell him angrily.

A long uncomfortable pause passes between us. Goddamn it. I hate the silence. Always have, probably always will.

"Its Mulder," he finally utters.

"I have to see him," I whisper.

********

TO BE CONTINUED

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