Title - Second Chances II - A Two Way Street
Author - Henle Girl
Rating - PG
Category - Mulder/Scully Romance, Alternate Universe
Summary - Sequel to Second Chances. AU. Just because a woman
has a child, that doesn't make her a mother.
Disclaimer - The characters don't belong to me. I'm just
borrowing them for my own therapeutic purposes. They will be
returned relatively unharmed to Chris Carter, or whoever wants
to borrow them next, when I'm done.
Feedback: PLEASE!!! Henle_Girl@hotmail.com
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 2
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Serena pushes her apartment door open and enters, leading Mrs.
Scully with an armful of a very happy Samantha into her home.
"You can put her in the playpen over there, Miss Maggie," Serena
says affectionately, calling the woman by the name she's gotten
used to over the past few weeks.
"Mimi," Samantha cries, using her own special name for Mrs.
Scully, and raises her arms towards the woman to voice her
displeasure at being put down.
"Sami, let Miss Maggie have a moment's peace. She can't hold you
all day," Serena laughs, giving the baby a few toys to play with
to keep her occupied. She turns to Mrs. Scully and gives her a
look. "You have definitely spoiled that child rotten. You're
almost as bad as Fox."
"She's such sweet child, Serena. So easy to love. You've done
such a good job with her."
"Thanks," Serena smiles. "It wasn't easy for a long time. But
now that I've found my brother, it's like we're finally a part of
a family."
"Fox adores you both. I don't think I've ever seen him so
happy," Mrs. Scully notes.
"I think that has more to do with Dana," Serena adds with a
laugh.
"And you. And Samantha. That poor man has known nothing but
hurt his whole life. I did my best loving him the best way I
could since his mother couldn't seem to do it." She frowns when
she realizes what she just said. "No offense, Dear."
"Believe me. None taken. You're talking about a woman who gave
me up at birth because of my skin complexion. And then who still
refuses to acknowledge me even though this is the 21st century."
"It's almost criminal the way that woman treats her children,"
Mrs. Scully says, shaking her head. "I just don't understand it.
I mean, her own flesh and blood . . . "
"I know," Serena nods, taking Mrs. Scully's hand and squeezing it
gently. "But that's because you're such a good mother. You've
been so good to my brother. I can see why he loves you so much."
In the middle of their moment, everything happens at one time.
The kettle on the stove goes off for their tea. Samantha lets
out a loud scream. And the doorbell rings.
"I'll get the baby, you get the door," Mrs. Scully suggests,
rising to go check on Samantha.
Serena nods, but runs to the kitchen first to turn off the stove.
She makes it to the door just as her impatient visitor rings the
bell again. She's surprised to see who's standing there.
"Mrs. Cooper," she says, almost questioningly when she opens the
door. It's Remy's mother. Serena hardly remembers the last time
the woman came to her door. "What are you doing here?"
"Just visiting my grand baby. Do you have a problem with that?"
the woman asks, pushing her way inside the apartment.
"Of course not," Serena says, pasting on a smile. "She's right
this way."
Serena points her in the direction of the playpen and can see the
tension thicken in the room.
"Mrs. Cooper, this is Mrs. Scully," she says by way of
introduction. "Mrs. Cooper is Samantha's grandmother. Her
father's mother," she adds, as if it needed explaining.
"It's nice to meet you," Mrs. Scully says cheerfully to the
woman, sticking out her free hand to shake.
"Same here," Mrs. Cooper says, the ice practically dripping from
her tone.
"Well, I'm going to leave you all to your visit," Mrs. Scully
says, noticing the strange vibes coming from the other woman.
She hands the baby to Serena, giving her one last kiss before she
goes.
"Mimi, Mimi," Samantha calls after her, trying to get to the
woman.
"Mimi has to go, Sweetie," Mrs. Scully tells the baby, grabbing
her hand and placing another little kiss there. "I'll see you
soon, Precious."
"Bye, Miss Maggie." Serena gives the woman a hug before walking
her to the door. She watches the woman go down the hall and get
on the elevator before taking a deep breath to face her company.
She's never had a good relationship with Remy's mother. Only
after the woman found out about how much money she had did she
even attempt to feign friendliness.
"So, it's been awhile," Serena says nervously to Mrs. Cooper.
"Yes, it has. Look at this girl. She's gotten so big. Hi
Samantha," the woman starts, holding her arms out for the baby.
Serena can't miss the irritated look on her face when Samantha
turns away from her. "The girl don't even know her own grandma.
Something's wrong with that."
"She's hardly seen you," she reminds the older woman. "You
didn't exactly approve of me and Remy's relationship. You
weren't ever around. She doesn't know you." Besides, she adds
to herself, you've never done anything for me or the baby. Why
start now?
"Well, she should know her own people. People who look like her.
Not like that white woman that was just here, acting like she
this baby's grandmother."
"Samantha loves Mrs. Scully and she loves Samantha," Serena
argues. "A child needs a lot of love, no matter who it comes
from. Besides, my mother is white. So Mrs. Scully is like
Samantha's 'people' as well."
"I'm just saying. She should know the people who looks like
her," the woman grumbles, trying again to reach for the baby.
And again being brutally rebuffed.
"She'll warm up to you as she gets to know you," Serena assures
her, although she's not too sure it's actually true. She's not
sure anyone could warm up to this woman.
"How is she going to get to know me if you keep her here all the
time? Or with those . . . other people," she says, changing from
what she really wants to say.
"Samantha's so young. She doesn't like being away from home too
much. But you're always welcome here to visit here, Mrs.
Cooper," she politely invites, hoping secretly the woman won't
take her up on her offer.
"Hmm," the older woman huffs, as if offended. "Give a sista a
little money and she gets all stuck up. Just admit it. You
don't think her father's family is good enough for her to know.
But that woman who was just here gets to love all over my grand
baby."
"Mrs. Cooper, this is not about money. Or about race. It's
about my child and who she's comfortable with," Serena yells,
trying to keep calm for the baby's sake. "And it's about me and
who I'm comfortable with. You have never liked me. You barely
spoke to me before you found out how wealthy I was. Even then,
you never came to see the baby. Why should I feel like you care
anything about her? I'm not trying to keep her from *her people*
as you like to call the African American side of her family. She
sees *her people* every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at church.
We go to Greater St. James with your cousin Ella. And Ella's
daughter keeps her for me sometimes during the week."
"I suggest you watch your tone of voice with me, Young Lady," is
all Mrs. Cooper has to say in response. "In my day, we were
taught to respect our elders."
"Well, then I suggest you leave. Because in this day, we're
taught to expect to be respected in own homes." She stands and
marches to the door, holding it open for the woman.
"You'll be sorry for this," Mrs. Cooper simply says as she storms
out the door. It takes everything in Serena not to slam the door
behind the woman. But she knows that would only scare the baby
more. At the same time, Mrs. Cooper's words continue to haunt
her. If the woman is anything like the son she raised, then
Serena knows to expect trouble.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Scully wearily closes the door to her hotel room, kicking off her
shoes as she barely steps inside. It had been a long, hard week.
A tough case that took a lot out of Mulder. And in the process,
it took a lot out of her. She just needs a few minutes to wind
down. But knowing Mulder, he won't give them to her. She's not
even surprised when she hears him at the door.
"Knock knock," Mulder says, sticking his head through the doorway
connecting the two rooms. When they were out of town on a case,
they still booked two separate rooms, although sometimes only one
got used.
"Come in," she sighs, rolling her head around on her neck to
loosen it up. "You ready to grab some dinner or something? We
can go out or order in. I'm too tired to care either way." She
sinks down onto the bed, showing him just how tired she really
is. Instead of understanding, she sees a guilty look cross his
face and wonders what he's up to.
"I was thinking," he starts, biting his lip nervously. "And I
totally understand if you don't agree with me. I know you're
tired and everything, but . . . "
"Just spit it out, Mulder," she says, trying not to sound too
exasperated with him.
"I was kind of hoping we could head home tonight," he finally
says, cringing at the look she inadvertently allows to cross her
face.
"Mulder! It's a five hour drive. We won't get home until well
after midnight," she tells him, even though she's sure he
realizes this fact.
"I know," he says quietly. "I just . . . " He shrugs his
shoulders and lets out a sigh. Instantly she regrets giving him
a hard time. Something else is clearly bothering him.
"What is it?" she asks, her demeanor much softer. "Something's
bothering you. Tell me."
"This is going to sound crazy, Scully." He stops and gives her a
smile when he catches the 'eyebrow' she tosses his way. "Okay,
so I guess you're used to my crazy ideas by now."
"A little," she smiles, reaching out to take his hand. She gives
it a gentle squeeze to encourage him to go on.
"Okay, the truth is that I don't know exactly why I need to get
back home. I just know that I do. I tried calling Serena
earlier and couldn't get an answer. I just feel kind of . . .
unsettled."
"I'm sure she's fine, Mulder. She's probably being the daughter
my mother always wanted," she jokes.
"Your mother has been pretty terrific with Serena," he smiles.
"I hope it's okay with you. You know, that she gives my sister a
lot of attention."
"Mulder, are you kidding me? There's plenty of my mother to go
around. I wouldn't begrudge you or Serena or anyone a little bit
of that Maggie Scully charm. Besides, my mother loves her. And
Samantha. She's so happy to finally have a pseudo grandchild she
can spend every waking minute with. She hardly sees Charlie's
kids. And almost has to rely on pictures from Bill and Tara to
even know what Matthew looks like. Trust me, your sister and
niece are doing my mother just as much good as she's doing them."
"So they're probably alright, then?"
"I'm sure they are. I trust my mother. But I also trust your
instincts. And if you want to go home, then we'll go."
"You mean it?" he asks her, sighing his relief. He pulls her
into a brief hug and gives her a little kiss on the forehead.
"I'm just about packed. I'll go check out and meet you back here
in a few minutes."
True to his word, he's back just as she's finishing putting the
last of her things into her suitcase. She goes into his room and
sees that he's forgotten to pack his toiletries and throws them
in her bag as well.
"Ready?" he asks, lifting the heaviest of her bags along with his
own. He follows her to the car, carefully packing the trunk. He
starts the car, impatiently waiting on her to get settled.
"Do you want me to drive any?" she offers, trying to hide her
exhaustion.
"I got it," he assures her, placing a kiss on her lips. "You
rest."
He watches her get comfortable in the passenger seat before
pulling out carefully into traffic. It's going to be a long trip
home, but he's not worried. Something is pulling him home. And
he knows he won't be able to rest until he gets there.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Another police car races past him, the fourth in the past ten
minutes, and the uneasy feeling in his stomach swells to point
where it starts to choke him.
"I wonder what's going on," Scully yawns, finally commenting on
all the activity.
"Try calling Serena again," he pleads, hearing his own voice
break at the end. He didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but
he couldn't shake the ominous foreboding growing more and more
with each passing second.
Scully can see how wound up he is and complies with his wishes,
just to placate him. She prays silently for Serena to pick up
and to relieve Mulder's worry. But when the phone is picked up,
her own worry grows.
"He-hello? Who is this?" she asks when the strange voice picks
up the phone. "I'm trying to reach Serena Bradford."
Mulder watches with curiosity as Scully listens to the phone
call. All the blood drains from her face and he knows something
is wrong. He unconsciously increases his speed, knowing now that
he has to get to Serena's apartment.
"What happened?" he asks warily when she hangs up the phone.
"Mulder, slow down," she says quietly, placing her hand on his
thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We need to get to
Serena's, but you don't need to get into an accident. Her street
is only about three blocks away. We're almost there."
"Scully?" he asks again, this time fearing the worst. Scully has
that 'I have really bad news for you and I'm going to say it in
such a way that you don't flip out' tone to her voice. Mulder
knows it well. And he knows he's not going to like whatever she
has to say. "Just tell me. I don't want to be blindsided when
we get there. Is it Serena? Has something ha-happened to her?"
"Oh, Mulder. Serena's fine," she assures him. She watches him
sigh in relief, knowing that he was worried about losing yet
another sister. But she holds back her tears, knowing that what
she has to tell him, may be worse in a way. "She really needs
you right now, though."
He looks at her, about to ask why when the look in her eye tells
him.
"It's Samantha, isn't it?" he tearfully asks. She nods, allowing
her own tears to fall as well.
"Someone broke into the apartment. Mulder, they took Samantha.
Samantha is gone."
To be continued . . .
Author - Henle Girl
Rating - PG
Category - Mulder/Scully Romance, Alternate Universe
Summary - Sequel to Second Chances. AU. Just because a woman
has a child, that doesn't make her a mother.
Disclaimer - The characters don't belong to me. I'm just
borrowing them for my own therapeutic purposes. They will be
returned relatively unharmed to Chris Carter, or whoever wants
to borrow them next, when I'm done.
Feedback: PLEASE!!! Henle_Girl@hotmail.com
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 2
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Serena pushes her apartment door open and enters, leading Mrs.
Scully with an armful of a very happy Samantha into her home.
"You can put her in the playpen over there, Miss Maggie," Serena
says affectionately, calling the woman by the name she's gotten
used to over the past few weeks.
"Mimi," Samantha cries, using her own special name for Mrs.
Scully, and raises her arms towards the woman to voice her
displeasure at being put down.
"Sami, let Miss Maggie have a moment's peace. She can't hold you
all day," Serena laughs, giving the baby a few toys to play with
to keep her occupied. She turns to Mrs. Scully and gives her a
look. "You have definitely spoiled that child rotten. You're
almost as bad as Fox."
"She's such sweet child, Serena. So easy to love. You've done
such a good job with her."
"Thanks," Serena smiles. "It wasn't easy for a long time. But
now that I've found my brother, it's like we're finally a part of
a family."
"Fox adores you both. I don't think I've ever seen him so
happy," Mrs. Scully notes.
"I think that has more to do with Dana," Serena adds with a
laugh.
"And you. And Samantha. That poor man has known nothing but
hurt his whole life. I did my best loving him the best way I
could since his mother couldn't seem to do it." She frowns when
she realizes what she just said. "No offense, Dear."
"Believe me. None taken. You're talking about a woman who gave
me up at birth because of my skin complexion. And then who still
refuses to acknowledge me even though this is the 21st century."
"It's almost criminal the way that woman treats her children,"
Mrs. Scully says, shaking her head. "I just don't understand it.
I mean, her own flesh and blood . . . "
"I know," Serena nods, taking Mrs. Scully's hand and squeezing it
gently. "But that's because you're such a good mother. You've
been so good to my brother. I can see why he loves you so much."
In the middle of their moment, everything happens at one time.
The kettle on the stove goes off for their tea. Samantha lets
out a loud scream. And the doorbell rings.
"I'll get the baby, you get the door," Mrs. Scully suggests,
rising to go check on Samantha.
Serena nods, but runs to the kitchen first to turn off the stove.
She makes it to the door just as her impatient visitor rings the
bell again. She's surprised to see who's standing there.
"Mrs. Cooper," she says, almost questioningly when she opens the
door. It's Remy's mother. Serena hardly remembers the last time
the woman came to her door. "What are you doing here?"
"Just visiting my grand baby. Do you have a problem with that?"
the woman asks, pushing her way inside the apartment.
"Of course not," Serena says, pasting on a smile. "She's right
this way."
Serena points her in the direction of the playpen and can see the
tension thicken in the room.
"Mrs. Cooper, this is Mrs. Scully," she says by way of
introduction. "Mrs. Cooper is Samantha's grandmother. Her
father's mother," she adds, as if it needed explaining.
"It's nice to meet you," Mrs. Scully says cheerfully to the
woman, sticking out her free hand to shake.
"Same here," Mrs. Cooper says, the ice practically dripping from
her tone.
"Well, I'm going to leave you all to your visit," Mrs. Scully
says, noticing the strange vibes coming from the other woman.
She hands the baby to Serena, giving her one last kiss before she
goes.
"Mimi, Mimi," Samantha calls after her, trying to get to the
woman.
"Mimi has to go, Sweetie," Mrs. Scully tells the baby, grabbing
her hand and placing another little kiss there. "I'll see you
soon, Precious."
"Bye, Miss Maggie." Serena gives the woman a hug before walking
her to the door. She watches the woman go down the hall and get
on the elevator before taking a deep breath to face her company.
She's never had a good relationship with Remy's mother. Only
after the woman found out about how much money she had did she
even attempt to feign friendliness.
"So, it's been awhile," Serena says nervously to Mrs. Cooper.
"Yes, it has. Look at this girl. She's gotten so big. Hi
Samantha," the woman starts, holding her arms out for the baby.
Serena can't miss the irritated look on her face when Samantha
turns away from her. "The girl don't even know her own grandma.
Something's wrong with that."
"She's hardly seen you," she reminds the older woman. "You
didn't exactly approve of me and Remy's relationship. You
weren't ever around. She doesn't know you." Besides, she adds
to herself, you've never done anything for me or the baby. Why
start now?
"Well, she should know her own people. People who look like her.
Not like that white woman that was just here, acting like she
this baby's grandmother."
"Samantha loves Mrs. Scully and she loves Samantha," Serena
argues. "A child needs a lot of love, no matter who it comes
from. Besides, my mother is white. So Mrs. Scully is like
Samantha's 'people' as well."
"I'm just saying. She should know the people who looks like
her," the woman grumbles, trying again to reach for the baby.
And again being brutally rebuffed.
"She'll warm up to you as she gets to know you," Serena assures
her, although she's not too sure it's actually true. She's not
sure anyone could warm up to this woman.
"How is she going to get to know me if you keep her here all the
time? Or with those . . . other people," she says, changing from
what she really wants to say.
"Samantha's so young. She doesn't like being away from home too
much. But you're always welcome here to visit here, Mrs.
Cooper," she politely invites, hoping secretly the woman won't
take her up on her offer.
"Hmm," the older woman huffs, as if offended. "Give a sista a
little money and she gets all stuck up. Just admit it. You
don't think her father's family is good enough for her to know.
But that woman who was just here gets to love all over my grand
baby."
"Mrs. Cooper, this is not about money. Or about race. It's
about my child and who she's comfortable with," Serena yells,
trying to keep calm for the baby's sake. "And it's about me and
who I'm comfortable with. You have never liked me. You barely
spoke to me before you found out how wealthy I was. Even then,
you never came to see the baby. Why should I feel like you care
anything about her? I'm not trying to keep her from *her people*
as you like to call the African American side of her family. She
sees *her people* every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at church.
We go to Greater St. James with your cousin Ella. And Ella's
daughter keeps her for me sometimes during the week."
"I suggest you watch your tone of voice with me, Young Lady," is
all Mrs. Cooper has to say in response. "In my day, we were
taught to respect our elders."
"Well, then I suggest you leave. Because in this day, we're
taught to expect to be respected in own homes." She stands and
marches to the door, holding it open for the woman.
"You'll be sorry for this," Mrs. Cooper simply says as she storms
out the door. It takes everything in Serena not to slam the door
behind the woman. But she knows that would only scare the baby
more. At the same time, Mrs. Cooper's words continue to haunt
her. If the woman is anything like the son she raised, then
Serena knows to expect trouble.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Scully wearily closes the door to her hotel room, kicking off her
shoes as she barely steps inside. It had been a long, hard week.
A tough case that took a lot out of Mulder. And in the process,
it took a lot out of her. She just needs a few minutes to wind
down. But knowing Mulder, he won't give them to her. She's not
even surprised when she hears him at the door.
"Knock knock," Mulder says, sticking his head through the doorway
connecting the two rooms. When they were out of town on a case,
they still booked two separate rooms, although sometimes only one
got used.
"Come in," she sighs, rolling her head around on her neck to
loosen it up. "You ready to grab some dinner or something? We
can go out or order in. I'm too tired to care either way." She
sinks down onto the bed, showing him just how tired she really
is. Instead of understanding, she sees a guilty look cross his
face and wonders what he's up to.
"I was thinking," he starts, biting his lip nervously. "And I
totally understand if you don't agree with me. I know you're
tired and everything, but . . . "
"Just spit it out, Mulder," she says, trying not to sound too
exasperated with him.
"I was kind of hoping we could head home tonight," he finally
says, cringing at the look she inadvertently allows to cross her
face.
"Mulder! It's a five hour drive. We won't get home until well
after midnight," she tells him, even though she's sure he
realizes this fact.
"I know," he says quietly. "I just . . . " He shrugs his
shoulders and lets out a sigh. Instantly she regrets giving him
a hard time. Something else is clearly bothering him.
"What is it?" she asks, her demeanor much softer. "Something's
bothering you. Tell me."
"This is going to sound crazy, Scully." He stops and gives her a
smile when he catches the 'eyebrow' she tosses his way. "Okay,
so I guess you're used to my crazy ideas by now."
"A little," she smiles, reaching out to take his hand. She gives
it a gentle squeeze to encourage him to go on.
"Okay, the truth is that I don't know exactly why I need to get
back home. I just know that I do. I tried calling Serena
earlier and couldn't get an answer. I just feel kind of . . .
unsettled."
"I'm sure she's fine, Mulder. She's probably being the daughter
my mother always wanted," she jokes.
"Your mother has been pretty terrific with Serena," he smiles.
"I hope it's okay with you. You know, that she gives my sister a
lot of attention."
"Mulder, are you kidding me? There's plenty of my mother to go
around. I wouldn't begrudge you or Serena or anyone a little bit
of that Maggie Scully charm. Besides, my mother loves her. And
Samantha. She's so happy to finally have a pseudo grandchild she
can spend every waking minute with. She hardly sees Charlie's
kids. And almost has to rely on pictures from Bill and Tara to
even know what Matthew looks like. Trust me, your sister and
niece are doing my mother just as much good as she's doing them."
"So they're probably alright, then?"
"I'm sure they are. I trust my mother. But I also trust your
instincts. And if you want to go home, then we'll go."
"You mean it?" he asks her, sighing his relief. He pulls her
into a brief hug and gives her a little kiss on the forehead.
"I'm just about packed. I'll go check out and meet you back here
in a few minutes."
True to his word, he's back just as she's finishing putting the
last of her things into her suitcase. She goes into his room and
sees that he's forgotten to pack his toiletries and throws them
in her bag as well.
"Ready?" he asks, lifting the heaviest of her bags along with his
own. He follows her to the car, carefully packing the trunk. He
starts the car, impatiently waiting on her to get settled.
"Do you want me to drive any?" she offers, trying to hide her
exhaustion.
"I got it," he assures her, placing a kiss on her lips. "You
rest."
He watches her get comfortable in the passenger seat before
pulling out carefully into traffic. It's going to be a long trip
home, but he's not worried. Something is pulling him home. And
he knows he won't be able to rest until he gets there.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Another police car races past him, the fourth in the past ten
minutes, and the uneasy feeling in his stomach swells to point
where it starts to choke him.
"I wonder what's going on," Scully yawns, finally commenting on
all the activity.
"Try calling Serena again," he pleads, hearing his own voice
break at the end. He didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but
he couldn't shake the ominous foreboding growing more and more
with each passing second.
Scully can see how wound up he is and complies with his wishes,
just to placate him. She prays silently for Serena to pick up
and to relieve Mulder's worry. But when the phone is picked up,
her own worry grows.
"He-hello? Who is this?" she asks when the strange voice picks
up the phone. "I'm trying to reach Serena Bradford."
Mulder watches with curiosity as Scully listens to the phone
call. All the blood drains from her face and he knows something
is wrong. He unconsciously increases his speed, knowing now that
he has to get to Serena's apartment.
"What happened?" he asks warily when she hangs up the phone.
"Mulder, slow down," she says quietly, placing her hand on his
thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We need to get to
Serena's, but you don't need to get into an accident. Her street
is only about three blocks away. We're almost there."
"Scully?" he asks again, this time fearing the worst. Scully has
that 'I have really bad news for you and I'm going to say it in
such a way that you don't flip out' tone to her voice. Mulder
knows it well. And he knows he's not going to like whatever she
has to say. "Just tell me. I don't want to be blindsided when
we get there. Is it Serena? Has something ha-happened to her?"
"Oh, Mulder. Serena's fine," she assures him. She watches him
sigh in relief, knowing that he was worried about losing yet
another sister. But she holds back her tears, knowing that what
she has to tell him, may be worse in a way. "She really needs
you right now, though."
He looks at her, about to ask why when the look in her eye tells
him.
"It's Samantha, isn't it?" he tearfully asks. She nods, allowing
her own tears to fall as well.
"Someone broke into the apartment. Mulder, they took Samantha.
Samantha is gone."
To be continued . . .