35.

Washington DC

8pm.

Mulder sat in the living room listening to the news. He watched himself on the screen. That smiled he'd flashed at the camera was aimed at Scully. He'd heard her voice; he'd been so sure she knew about the trial, so sure. It was his way of telling her that he had heard her words of support from wherever she was. He didn't know how it was happening but it was. The TV had shown the repeat of his trial result on every news broadcast since he'd been released. His favourite part was coming up. Just after he'd smiled at Scully he had picked up Samantha and kissed her lightly on the nose before hugging her close to him. He saw for the first time his being a Father and how natural it had been to do that. He hadn't thought about the gesture. It happened without a second of consideration. Finally he was a Father. He knew it for certain now. The court had altered Samantha's birth certificate and now it was official he couldn't be happier. Well, he could, but he had to wait for Scully to return of her own accord.

No one knew where she was. Every line of investigation had been exhausted. Doggett and Reyes had tried their best as had Skinner but nothing. He felt awful for Samantha having to learn to be a daughter to him and he had to learn to be a Father.

He had to provide for her now. Thankfully the job at the university started in a few days time. They had celebrated by ordering in a pizza. Samantha was now tucked up in bed with the doll he had once given to Scully, when she was pregnant with William.

Every time he looked at Samantha he was reminded of what Scully had given up; their son. She hadn't exactly had a choice. There was no way she could protect him, no matter how hard she tried. It had been her one regret and he knew it. She hadn't blamed him but Mulder felt it was his fault. Had he returned sooner then she would not have had to give away their son. In thinking that he wondered, if, she had kept William would they have had Samantha? He didn't think so. It was a mixed blessing.

Picking up the diary he read one of the penultimate entries.

April 28th 2008

Mulder,

It's been nearly six year since you left me. I have to say that I can't believe you have been gone this long. I've decided that if you do ever return that I don't want you anymore. It's been too long. I loved you, I believed in you but you couldn't have trusted in me enough to return. I swore to wait for you no matter what and have kept myself faithful to you. Nothing else ever mattered to me, but you, and our daughter. Right now I hate you more than words can express. If only you knew how much I've given up for you. The normality of life, the kind of life I deserve but never have received. The chance to have other lovers, but I gave those chances away for YOU and in return I have nothing but a cold bed and the knowledge you must be dead or damn stupid. I told Skinner some years ago never to tell you about Samantha and I am proud of that decision. I stand by it every moment of every day. You do not deserve to be a Father if you cannot be bothered to get in contact with me. God damn you. Let him damn you for leaving me, for not realising I am strong enough to cope with anything but your silence and let him damn you for making me believe that you loved me.

Dana.

Mulder let out a deep sigh. He didn't blame Scully for the harsh words but in them he could still feel how much she really loved him. She was denying it to herself but he could tell. Even after this length of time apart he knew her inner most thoughts. He could see them clear as crystal.

Australia.

19th July 2008

Scully wasn't surprised when the clone was born gasping for breath. #1 demanded an autopsy. Scully had realised he would and had mentally prepared herself for the opening up of a child. She examined every part of the clone thoroughly but noticed contusions upon the lungs. Little blister like bubbles had appeared upon the lungs.

"God!" she said out loud "looks like a severe allergy to something." Clone lungs usually were a pale green but these were blacker than tar with swollen red blisters, which were ready to burst. She looked at 3791 a question poised in her mind.

"What is the atmosphere like on Zigoran? In particular, what do you breathe? It's not oxygen is it?" Scully asked.

"Zigoran is a nitrogen based planet. Why?"

"There is severe bruising and blisters which could be seen as an allergy to Oxygen. If the Zigoran people breathe in Nitrogen then that's what explains it. We'll have to see whether the same happens to 8495's child."

"Do you think it'll happen again?"

"I hope not but I have a strong feeling it will."

Scully looked in awe at the lungs. It was not natural by any means for the lungs to look that way. When the room was silent and empty she couldn't help but think about whether she had caused this massive allergy to occur. The poor thing had suffered for five minutes. What made it worse was the fact she gave the clone oxygen to 'help' it breathe. She knew it wouldn't work but had to look like she was doing something productive. In fact, Doctor mode had happened without her consent. Had she thought about it, Scully wouldn't have reacted as perfectly as she had. When Doctor mode kicks in every action is as natural as blinking.

#1 stepped into the room as Scully cleared away the autopsy items.

"What happened?"

"I think the clones are allergic to Oxygen. Which means every time one is born it'll just die like this one." Scully pointed to the clones' body, which was covered in green operating sheets.

"What do you suggest we do then?"

"Either get me nitrogen gas cylinders to help the clones breathe or… I don't know…  you could consider returning to Zigoran. It's the only way for them to survive."

"You don't think it was a fluke."

"It could be. I just don't like the thought of losing any more clones. That is my fifth loss and it heartbreaking for me and the 'Mother' it isn't fair to either of us."

"I understand."

"We could see what happens with 8495's child if you want?"

"I think we should, don't you? If it happens again we'll have to return to Zigoran. We can't keep failing like this."

"8495 is due in three days."

"Right. We'll see how it goes. Thank you."

#1 turned and left the room.

Scully was alone once more with her thoughts of Mulder and how he was coping. She assumed correctly that he'd be fine and she was right. Since the trial everything between him and Samantha had levelled out. They were the perfect Father and daughter combination.