Chapter 2
"I assume you've cleared this with Medical?" The desk clerk gazed at her indifferently.
"Yes, Dr.Scully is aware."
"I'm going to need to see your file please." He limply held out his hand to receive the medical file Adrian slipped from her satchel. He flipped through the papers. She new he was making note of her name, her weight, her height, the date of her last medical exam (yesterday), her parents, her blood type, and…
"Wait, this can't be right." He paused to read a line again and looked up at her. "You're not an Immune."
"I'm aware of that fact Sir." Adrian replied. Her voice had more bite than she had intended. "As you can see, I've been granted special permission by Dr. Scully herself due to the unique nature of my assignment."
The clerk gazed at her intently. She wasn't sure if it was pity or annoyance contained in that gaze. Maybe a combination of the two. He took a few more moments to check through her file, maybe weigh his choices. Then he pulled a rubber stamp and ink pad from under the desk.
"This is highly unusual," he brought the stamp down hard on the ink pad "but, of course, I defer to Dr. Scully's expert judgment in this case." The sound of the stamp hitting the top of her file echoed in the empty cavern. "The Wall opens at 9:00 Ms. Dogget. Your pass will be ready and waiting for you there."
The clerk handed Adrian back her file. She clutched it a moment before looking at it. This was it. This was actually happening. "Approved" stamped in red on her file. HER file. She was out. She was off. She was free.
It seemed a lifetime ago that Dana had told her of her plans. Adrian had never anticipated this. She had thought herself a girl without a future. She had thought them all without a future. She took each day for what it was. She tried to appreciate every second she had, not knowing which would be the last one. Sometimes it was tiresome. Waking up and staring at the same thing every morning. Going the same places everyday. Seeing the same people. She and Dana had had plenty of tiffs. Adolescence combined with the confinement had not been pleasant. For either of them.
It was those times that she sought out Mulder. She wanted to hear stories. Stories of his life, of his work at the FBI. He had been to Russia. Where was Russia now she wondered? Mostly, he liked to talk about baseball. He'd drawn home plate on the floor of their bunker in chalk. He taught her where to stand, and to relax and bend her knees. He taught her not to choke the bat. There wasn't enough room to actually swing, but they both enjoyed it none the less. It felt real. It felt normal, learning to play baseball.
Dana had come sweeping into their bunker an evening 3 months ago. She was breathless and could hardly contain a hopeful smile that played across her lips.
"I've gotten news." She'd said, gasping. "News about William."
At this Mulder simply glanced up from his reading, as if she'd just told him we were having string beans instead of broccoli at dinner. "And?" he said.
Dana's face fell only for a moment, and then she was back and bustling. Showing him the papers she had in her hands. "It's a message, from one of the Riders." She was pointing at the page now. "He says that there's a young man, at Camp Raleigh, that fits William's profile."
"Scully…" Mulder whispered hopelessly, looking down at her. Adrian felt like she wasn't even in the room. They were speaking volumes in that look, they just weren't speaking to her.
"I know, I know Mulder," she was racing now, "just hear me out."
She'd gone on to tell them that this man, "William", had come to Camp Raleigh alone. He was an Immune. He'd not offered any explanation for where he had spent the last 9 odd years, only that he was 22 years of age and his parents were both dead. The Rider had only noticed him because he had been the Medical Clerk who had received the package. It had been updated instructions on Vaccine production. Someone who worked with William told the Rider something he couldn't ignore. He said that they had had a man come in. He'd broken his ankle. It was an odd hour and they were understaffed. The Doctor asked William to hold the man down while he set the ankle. William wouldn't touch the man. Dana read from the paper. "The Doctor insisted, and William did as he was told, grabbing the man's arms at the wrist. Doctor gets ready to set the ankle but the foot's completely normal. Not a twist. The patient stopped screaming and all is well with the world. Well, when the Doctor goes to ask William what the hell happened, he's already out the door."
Dana was hopeful. So hopeful. She was glowing. Adrian could count on one hand the times she seen Dana like this. Adrian was glancing back and forth between the two of them, trying to pick up on something of their unspoken communication. Instead they had withdrawn to their own cabin. They were deciding their future. Adrian's future. Adrian only wished they would let her in on it.
Adrian imagined how the conversation went. Mulder would tell Dana not to get her hopes up, that they couldn't afford another wasted effort. Dana would tell him that the Mulder she knew would never give up. He would look at her sadly and say something cryptic like "I'm not the Mulder you knew." She would get glassy eyed and eventually win him over to her side. Dana could win anyone over to her side. Adrian was jolted out of her reverie when they came rushing out of their bunker only moments later.
"No. NO Scully." Mulder was after her like a shot. "It should be me that goes. ME." Dana snipped over her shoulder at him. "For god sakes Mulder, you're 60 years old." This had sobered him for a moment. Dana had eyes only for Adrian now.
"Adrian." She was staring intently into the dark, wide pools of Adrian's eyes. "I want you to go. I want you to find him for us."
Adrian's mouth had opened a little. She didn't blink. She stuttered hopelessly. She looked to Mulder for help, but Dana took her chin in her hand and turned her to face her. She knew Adrian would do anything to please him. "Look at me Adrian, it's you and me now." Dana's eyes were blue circles of resolve. "You're ready, Adrian. You think I don't know you want to get out of here?" Adrian felt a breath she didn't know she was holding escape her. "Adrian, I know you. You can do this. You're the only one who can do this. And we can't protect you forever."
"We can. We CAN protect her." Mulder's voice was loud and cracking. "She needs the shots, how is she going to get the shots?"
"I can figure it out." Dana had said calmly. Her hand had left Adrian's chin and now she was gripping Adrian's fingers.
When Adrian finally spoke, it was soft. Soft but with a determination she'd never heard in her own voice. "I want to do this. I want to do this for you. I can. I can and I will."
"You're not going anywhere." Mulder was charging at her.
"Mulder…" Dana was trying to soothe him. He glared at her, he wasn't playing today.
"No! I said NO. Samantha is not going ANYWHERE!"
A terrible silence had fallen over the room. It was thick and unbearable. Dana's head drooped and she brought her hand to her temples.
"Adrian." Adrian had said hoarsely, "I'm Adrian."
Mulder's expression was pained when he'd looked at her, his chest heaving with emotion. He was frustrated with the fact that he had again reduced himself to this. Dana moved to him and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Her stoic calm was the only stabilizing force in the room. He was all frayed edges and feeling, this dark and brooding man Adrian had grown up with. So unlike her own father. Yet, she loved him just as much. Just as dearly.
Adrian wondered how long it had been like this. How long he had completely relied on Dana for his own strength. Surely there had been a time when she had needed the strength. Dana was not all ice and stone. Adrian knew that. Dana had played with her hair at night to help her sleep. Kissed her forehead when she'd had bad dreams. Dana had laughed heartily at Adrian's description of her date with Kenneth Roman, "and then he said 'what, you don't want a piece of THE KEN?'" They had laughed for what seemed like forever, and had tears running down their cheeks by the time Mulder had wandered in. He had been happy to see them like this. He'd come up behind Dana and pinched her sides. She'd giggled and gave him a playful smack. He'd stooped and kissed her on the top of her head. Adrian's heart had been so full at that moment.
Mulder and Dana had retreated to their cabin then, for the night Adrian supposed. As Dana guided Mulder through the curtain, she glanced back at Adrian, her lips turned up in a half smile. "We'll talk about it more tomorrow." She said quietly, "when everyone's had time to think."
The next three months saw Mulder coming around to the idea. He had realized, whether he wanted to or not, that he had to pass the torch to Adrian. That she had to be strength for both of them. Dana was needed at the camp, continually making and working on improvements for the vaccine.
"Why didn't you look for him sooner?" Adrian had nervously asked Mulder this while they were working on the best route to Camp Raleigh. He didn't look up from the map.
"We did." He'd said matter of factly. "Before we even found you." He looked up at her and smiled warmly, nostalgically. "We turned up nothing. Then, about 3 years ago, we'd heard he went to…the other side. I guess that's the best way to say it."
"And you believed that?" Adrian was incredulous.
"Well," Mulder sighed "It's a long story, but it seemed entirely possible at the time."
Adrian made a note to ask to hear that long story later.
The next months were a blur of files. Adrian read everything that Dana and Mulder provided for her. Everything they had rescued from the X-Files. She had heard most of this before. Dana and Mulder had always been open with her about William…and about the Aliens and the abilities they both possessed.
"If he's anything like me, he's going to need proof." Dana had said handing Adrian another file. "I've included DNA test results, baby photos, the adoption records…" Adrian was flipping through the file Dana handed her.
"Where's Mulder's DNA tests?" she asked. Dana looked down at the table, stopping in mid-sentence, and nibbled her lip. "I didn't include those."
"Why not?" Adrian was confused.
Dana took a moment and said haltingly "I'm not sure they'd match…and there's no need to cause additional confusion."
Dana looked at Adrian. Her eyes were pleading, no more questions.
"Alright." Adrian said breaking they're gaze. "Alright."
They hadn't been as open with her as she thought. This was a painful realization.
Adrian wound her way back from Main Camp to her bunker. Dana and Mulder were awake and waiting.
"I've packed 5 doses of Vaccine. That's more than enough to last you until you reach Camp Raleigh. The injection method we talked about, you understand it, I'm sure. They'll be plenty there for you when you arrive. We've sent word ahead." Dana handed Adrian a satchel. The bottles clanked angrily against each other. "Now, you know you have to hold the mechanism…"
"I know, Dana. I've shot myself up for 10 years now." Adrian said, half laughing.
"Right. Of course." Dana let go of the satchel. "Just remember that it expires. You have four months."
Adrian moved to the bed and began shoving the three shirts and two pair of pants she'd laid out into her satchel. She could hear Mulder gathering her paperwork. Maps, letters of assignment for the Postal Route Stations she'd be stopping at along her way. William's file. Adrian wondered if he knew that Scully hadn't included his test results. They'd been keeping things from her about William. Why not from each other? Why would they think he'd abandoned their cause and joined the invading forces? Adrian hoped it would all be made sense of once she returned with William. And she would return with him.
After she'd packed the clothes, she double checked the front pocket for the compass and took the papers from Mulder's hands, stuffing them neatly in the bag.
"I went to the Hall and got you some provisions. They'll feed you well at the Route Stations…I just thought you might want a little something…you know…for in between." Mulder handed her a paper bag. She glanced inside. Two apples, three oranges, some Astronaut Food, as she called it, and her favorite, sunflower seeds. There was also an enormous jug of water.
"Mmmm, freeze dried steak." Adrian looked up smiling. "You really know how to impress a gal."
Mulder laughed in spite of himself. That breathy half chuckle he allowed himself every once in a while.
"Well. I guess that's it. The Wall opens at 11." Adrian's hand flopped to her sides. She looked at the two of them standing there. Adrian wasn't sure when it had happened, but they'd gotten old. She felt hot tears begin to well up, but she choked them down. Not today.
"I want you to have something." Dana was unfastening the necklace at her throat. "It will let you know that…that…even in our loneliest and most fearful hour, we can have faith." She brought the gold cross around Adrian's neck and began to fasten it. "Faith in the fact that the people who love us, never truly leave us."
Adrian looked down at the small charm and held it between her fingers. She was so deeply moved. That was when she heard it. A choking sob. Dana was crying. No, she was sobbing. She drew Adrian close to her and clutched wildly at the back of Adrian's khaki jacket. Adrian robotically wrapped her arms around Dana and felt the huge, wrenching sobs rattle her tiny frame, and the warm tears soak through her coat. This woman loves me. Adrian knew it then. Maybe knew it then for the first time. And her shock at this overwhelming display of emotion melted away and she held Dana as hard as she herself was being held. Mulder put his hands on Dana's shoulders and gently pulled her away from Adrian. The world seemed colder to Adrian now that Dana was no longer in her arms. Mulder drew Dana into his chest and wrapped her up in the cocoon of his arms. His eyes were glistening but he was calm and collected. It was Dana's turn. So he had to be strong.
Adrian looked up at him and he down at her. He smiled warmly and their eyes memorized each other, preserving this memory as a snapshot to reference when they were missing each other. He didn't say anything. Adrian turned, grabbed her things, and left the bunker without looking back. Her walk was brisk and determined as she headed for the Wall. There was no turning back now. And she would not return empty handed.
These two people. Who had rescued her from certain death, and raised her to be strong and brave. Less than parents, more than guardians. It didn't matter that she couldn't label them. They were hers. And they were all she had. And she wouldn't fail them.