51.

A week later – August 21st 2008 1.49pm

Scully awoke from her afternoon rest to hear Mulder talking incessantly upon the phone. Groggily she moved out of her bed stumbling aimlessly to the bathroom, she felt sick. Despite knowing it was the baby making her feel this way she still felt awful. Part of her assumed it was psychosomatic. She hadn't really felt ill before she had found out. Scully threw up her lunch. She hated this part of her day. She hated being sick. Slowly Scully composed herself and after brushing her teeth she headed for the bedroom door.

"Listen… I'll try and get out for an hour or so but I can't promise anything. I know… It's important I see you too. I'll call you when I'm on my way." Scully's interest was piqued. "Yeah sure… How can I repay you? …I see… I'm sure I can handle that." He laughed.

Scully supported herself upon the stair rail as she eased her way down the stairs. She felt so weak after being so ill. It was unnatural… Mulder was positively glowing and flirting with someone on the phone. He hung up as he saw her and smiled affectionately at her but his appearance was of someone who had something to hide. She had seen it often enough. She didn't have time to think about it because he swept her into the air in his arms.

"I love you so much, Dana."

"I figured that… Who was on the phone?" she asked suspiciously.

"It was no-one important." Scully raised her brow. "Honestly. Don't worry your pretty little head about it."

"Okay, now put me down you loon you'll make me sick again!" She teased as Mulder carried her to the sofa and put her down. He didn't even respond to her 'loon' comment. There must be something wrong, something he was hiding.

"You rest up. Do you need anything?"

"No. I'm alright… Are you going to collect Samantha, she did ask you?"

"Yeah… I have to run an errand first. If I go now I'll be able to get to the school on time."

"Sure." Scully laid her head back against the sofa as he grabbed the car keys.

"Will you be okay? I can get your Mom over if you want?"

"Fox, I'll be fine now get going." He kissed her deeply upon the lips and with a smile he headed out the door. Scully lifted herself from the sofa and looked out the window. She saw him on his cell phone as he got into the car. She felt a wave of hurt flood her system. It was strange, the way he was acting following that phone call. He was heading to see another woman, she was sure of that. It was someone whom he liked a lot. He had the same look on his face the day after he had first slept with her. Devastated Scully headed to the phone and picked up the receiver. She hit redial and let it ring once before hanging up. She couldn't face knowing if it was true. It was too much. She didn't think he would want someone else but his behaviour and the look he had given her when he had seen her descending the stairs was like a frightened rabbit. Surely he didn't have someone else? A solitary tear trickled down her cheek.

+++

The baby's kicking woke Scully from her second nap that day. She smiled softly as it continued with its exercise. She heard chatter and laughing from the kitchen. It was Mulder and Samantha. She hadn't heard them come into the house and she had been asleep on the sofa. She had meant to watch an old Shirley Temple movie but that idea vanished when she passed out within the first two minutes. Carrying children zapped the majority of her energy but it didn't stop her mind running. Scully couldn't fathom who Mulder had been talking to on the phone in such a 'friendly' manner but it must have been important. She wouldn't quiz him about it because it was bound to be entirely harmless. Instead she would act perfectly normally. Everything was fine. Mulder wouldn't jeopardise everything he had just got back, would he? She placed a hand over her belly as she walked to the kitchen. Something was cooking and it smelt excellent.

"Mommy, you look tired. Are you okay?" Samantha asked walking over to hug her Mom.

"I'm okay Sweetie, the baby is making me tired, and that's all." She stroked Samantha's hair as she looked at Mulder. He was wearing a paper hat and white apron as an attempt to look like a chef.  She smiled softly at him as he announced the menu for that evening. He blew a kiss at her and she couldn't help her heart doing a somersault in the same respect she couldn't help but think he was doing it to keep her sweet because he had something to hide.