A/N: I apologize for the VERY LONG wait, I've been battling a bad spout of migraines and haven't quite figured out all my triggers yet. I've also started college a few weeks ago and updates will be slow again :( I've started writing more chapters of this so don't worry! Thank you for your patience. This chapter is kind of slower, kind of a welcome back to the story. This chapter is a little bit longer than the last few, I'm going to try and make future ones longer! Anyways, enough rambling, enjoy!
Dr. Walter Bishop, somewhat of an odd character yet his intelligence set him apart from everyone. He's managed to cross over into the parallel universe and ultimately save the world. Of course nobody would believe him, except the two most important people in his life. Peter and his newest girlfriend, Olivia. Peter met her almost a year ago. She was the most memorable because she genuinely cared about Walter and that was one of the things both Peter and Walter admired about her.
Peter had been accepted into the most prestigious universities in the world; Harvard, MIT, Oxford, even Kyoto. He chose MIT, for the longest time Peter couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why he fell in love with MIT. Yes, the campus was beautiful and he'd been awarded a full ride scholarship for his thesis on the Big Bang Theory vs. The String Theory his teacher had sent to the university but he couldn't reason his sudden attraction to it. When he got his acceptance letter from Oxford he was ecstatic, it was his first choice college. Weeks had passed and he received his acceptance letter from MIT and received a full ride. He was utterly shocked considering he'd bullshitted his thesis.
He'd chosen MIT. He'd settled into his dorm quite nicely and his first class of the day went smoothly. Peter walked out of his class and he saw these two junior assholes harassing this quirky classmate of his. He rushed over to her.
"Is there a problem here? Are these guys harassing you?" Peter interjected.
"Why do you care poindexter? You her boyfriend or something?" She looked over at him with fear in her eyes.
"Yeah, I am. I'd suggest that you back off or I'll have you thrown out of here faster than your buddy Travis. Apologize to my girlfriend." The two boys looked at him horrified. They quickly apologized and ran. She was picking up some papers that fell from her bag. He bent down to pick them up.
"I'm sorry about that." She whispered to him.
"If anyone should be sorry it's me. I shouldn't have said you were my girlfriend." She blushed slightly. They both got up and he held out his hand. "Peter Bishop, college freshmeat."
"Olivia Dunham. I'm a sophomore transfer from the University of Maryland."
"What brings you to MIT?"
"I don't know, it's like something pulled me here. Almost like I was supposed to be here in this moment. That sounds totally stupid." Olivia shrugged and fixed her glasses.
"It's not stupid. It's kind of the same reason I'm here, some unexplained force pulled me here I guess." She grabbed his hand and tugged him.
"So boyfriend, tell me about this Travis you used against those guys."
"Well from what my father told me. Travis Samson was this snobby, rich football player that was thrown out of school using steroids and cheating his drug tests. He thought he was invincible because his father was a hotshot, scumbag lawyer. What time does your next class start?"
"In twenty minutes, when does your class start?"
"Twenty minutes. What class do you have?"
"It's a weird one.. Uh"
"There's More Than One Everything: Exploring the Parallel Universe and Fringe Science." He answered.
"How did you know?" She sounded surprised.
"Because girlfriend, not only am I in that class but my father teaches it."
"Why didn't I put two and two together?!"
"It's okay. I do have to warn you though, is a bit of a nut job."
"The good ones always are."
Walter remembered that day so vividly because it was the first day in a long time that Peter had really smiled since his mother's passing. Peter was so ecstatic about her, he was truly happy with her and she with him. Since the, Dr. Bishop lived a somewhat of an isolated life. He taught his classes and went straight home, not bothering to stay if any of his students or peers need help. Walter could stand in front of a lecture hall with five hundred students and faculty members staring at him who asked him questions but the simplicity of a student asking him a question after class gave him anxiety. It was an odd phenomenon.
Mr. Mulder and his son sat in on one of his lectures one day and Mr. Mulder was absolutely astounded. After this particular lecture, Walter started having social anxiety because of Mr. Mulder's rather aggressive approach towards him. Mr. Mulder asked him if he'd like to join him in an experiment on the usage of LSD and its effect on the human brain and told him it wasn't really a request. Walter reluctantly accepted even though it meant he would have to take a break from teaching. After these experiments, he was never the same.
When Walter received the call from Fox Mulder, he immediately jumped at the chance for someone to pick his brain for good rather than destruction. He loved challenges and he knew this was his biggest challenge yet. Walter needed to call Peter.
"Walter do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Why yes it is precisely 6:30am, is Peter there?"
"Dad." Peter groaned in the phone.
"Oh, hello Peter. I need you to watch my cactus while I'm away."
"Woah, woah Walter where the hell are you going?"
"I have to go to Washington DC for work, why do you ask Peter?"
"Mhmm, I don't know Walter. You call me out of the blue and ask me to watch your cactus, which can go without water for a few days which would mean that you'd be out of town for more than a few days. Why are you going?" Peter was growing furious.
"A dear friend of mine is in dire need of my assistance. I must go to him at once!" Peter held the phone away from his ear.
"Walter there's no need to shout at this hour. Don't go anywhere, I'm coming with you."
"No, no my son that won't be necessary. I can get to Boston by myself."
"Walter, we're in Boston. You're going to Washington DC? See, I'm coming with you."
"Okay, hurry up Peter. I'm already at the airport!"
"What time does the flight leave?"
"8:30! Hurry Peter!"
"I'll be there in forty-five minutes. Liv wake up we have to go.." Walter hung up the phone. He sat at his gate patiently, waiting for them.
Forty-five minutes later
"Why hello Peter, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Walter asked.
"What do you mean Walter? You called me this morning and told us to meet you here. Do you not remember that?" Peter was puzzled.
"Oh Peter don't be silly, of course I remember that! Come on they're starting to board." Walter looked passed him and saw Liv. "Hello Olivia it's so good to see you. How are you feeling my dear?"
"Hello Walter. I've got a migraine. How are you doing today?" She sounded exhausted.
"I'm quite alright my dear. A friend of mine called me and told me his girlfriend was sick and needed my assistance but other than that, I'm alright. I've got some Imitrex if you need some."
"Is it safe?" She was hesitant.
"Yes dear, it's like a benadryl for allergies." Walter held out the pills for her. "Take half of one for now. Now, I must warn you that you may have some chest pain if you do, don't take anymore. If you don't, take the other half in two hours. If that doesn't help. Take a full one the full one and try to get some rest and sit in a dark room. Sleep on the plane, drink plenty of water and cover your eyes. Also if it's not too uncomfortable try and put headphones on but don't play anything."
"Thanks Walter." Walter walked over and kissed her forehead.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Peter interjected.
"I do believe Ms. Scully has a rare form of cancer but I will need to see her X-rays and blood work up in order to provide an accurate diagnosis."
"Wait, Dana's sick?" Olivia questioned somberly.
"You know her?" Peter inquired, she nodded her head slowly.
"Unfortunately, I'm sorry Olivia." Walter spoke softly.
Now boarding Flight 2178 from Logan International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. We would like to welcome our Gold Sky Members and Elite Sky Members. Followed by boarding zone one and those who need a little extra time settling into their seats.
"That's me. What seats are you guys in?"
"4A and 4B. You?"
"4C, would you look at that." Walter was satisfied. "Alright let's go."
University of Maryland Medical Center hours later.
"Hello my name is..." Walter was interrupted.
"Dr. Walter Bishop. I'm Dr. Robert Chase. It's an honor." He spoke with a thick Australian accent mixed with a British accent. They shook hands.
"Oh nonsense, the honor is all mine. Your father was an excellent physician, I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I don't mean to be rude but where is Dana Scully."
"She's right this way." The walk to the room was eerily silent even though they were in a busy hospital. The only thing they could hear over muffled voices that roamed throughout the hospital wing were the sounds of their shoes hitting the floor as they walked to Scully's room.
When they got to her room they noticed Scully wrapped in Mulder's arms. She looked so small and delicate. Dr. Chase knocked on the door. "Ms. Scully? I hope you're up for some visitors. I'm Doctor Chase and this is Doctor Walter Bishop, he's a professor at MIT."
"Hi." She spoke hoarsely.
"Hey Dana." Olivia stepped into view.
"Oh my god, Liv what are you doing here!"
"Well, I came with Walter. How've you been?"
"You two know each other?" Mulder asked.
"Yeah, we met in a French course at the University of Maryland. Then this one decided that she was going to transfer to MIT and leave me for a cute guy named Peter."
"Hey!" She playfully slapped her arm. They all laughed, Scully's laugh was so beautiful. Mulder didn't want the laughter to stop.
"That's okay, she met me." Mulder winked at Scully, she laughed again.
"Spooky Mulder." Peter spoke this time.
"Hey man."
"How do you two know each other?" Olivia was the one to ask this time.
"Well when your parents are renowned professors you're bound to cross paths at some point." Peter sarcastically fired back.
"I don't mean to break up this reunion but I would like to discuss her condition and treatment options. If you guys could give me a moment with her." Dr. Chase pipped in.
"They aren't going anywhere." Dana stated firmly.
"Okay then. So your X-rays show a large mass, without an MRI I can't accurately place the mass but based on your blood work I would say it's in your Nasopharynx. In the throat." He paused momentarily to let her soak in the information.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"I can't make an infinitive diagnosis just yet. I would like to do a PET Scan. Do you have any metal in your body?"
"I think the screws in my ankles are."
"Do you remember who performed the surgery?" Walter added.
"Dr. Ariana Zaharia. Why?" They heard him shout "Yes" and throw his fists in the air.
"Because my friend, she was the first doctor to use biodegradable screws and plates. They should be gone now. I'm going to schedule you for a PET Scan in approximately one hour and a half. In the meantime I'm going to have Debbie give you what's called a tracer. It's this horrible tasting dye that will light up all your insides for the scan." He scrunched his nose just talking about it.
"Well thanks doc." Sarcasm oozed from her.
"No problem" he winked at her. "Alright Ms. Scully I will see you in an hour and a half and Debbie will be in shortly. Goodbye everyone. Walter if you would like to join me."
"Why yes. I'll be back." Walter said with a single finger pointed to the ceiling.
There was a pregnant silence that filled the room for a second. No one knew what to say because it was a shock to them all. Dana is Liv's best friend and the thought of losing her starting tearing at her. Deciding she didn't want to think about it anymore she decided to ask the question. "So Dana, how did you meet this hunk." She raised her eyebrows quickly.
"Well this hunk was practically drooling when I stepped into the Psychology lecture hall nearly two weeks ago. We went out for coffee on the first day and I was late to my dance class because we talked, almost like we were old friends catching up." Olivia gave her a look. "Yes Liv I know I shouldn't be taking dance but I need to do something because I can't skate anymore."
"I know I'm just scared that you'll get hurt again, that's all. I'd hate to see something happen to you again." Dana grabbed Liv's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"It scared me too." Mulder spoke. "I met her outside the studio and nearly lost my shit."
"Do I need to remind you that you followed me there? You didn't have to find out that way."
"Damn, spooky. Stalker much?" Peter laughed.
"I didn't exactly follow her-"
"You hacked the University's records!" She bellowed with laughter.
"I know I'm sorry." Mulder hung his head for a moment and then gave Scully a smile followed by a wink. Before anyone could interrogate another, Nurse Reynolds walked in.
"Dana are these folks bothering you?"
"No they're my friends." They all laughed.
"Are you sure?" She eyed them suspiciously.
"Positive." She was nearly in tears from laughter.
"Okay sugar, here's the gross part. I'd suggest you plug your nose and down it as fast as you can." She handed Dana the tracer. "Are you guys going to introduce yourselves or just sit there staring at me like a bunch of fools?" She smiled.
"Oh right, I'm Olivia and I'm a junior at MIT."
"What's MIT?" She looked at her wide eyed and confused.
"Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It's-"
"A college for nerds. I'm Peter and I'm a sophomore at MIT." Peter waved his hand at her and she winked and waved back.
"And I met you yesterday but again, I'm Mulder and I'm a junior at University of Maryland."
"And how did two nerds and a psychology geek meet a pretty girl like Dana? Yes I know some of your parents." Dana nearly choked on the tracer at the nurse's comment.
"Because us nerds have to stick together." Peter high fived Mulder for his retort.
"Y'all a bunch a freaks, you know that? Anyways, I have to make my rounds. You take care of yourself now sugar. I'll be back in a few hours."
"Thanks Debbie." She called back. There was that silence again.
"When we break you out of this joint, we should go to a bar or something. I know a great place in Baltimore."
"I've always wanted to sing karaoke at a bar even though I can't sing for shit. We should totally do it. It'll cross one thing off my bucket list." Dana mentioned.
"You have a bucket list Dana?"
"Yeah, you never know when the opportunity of crossing something off comes up or when your life comes to a screeching halt."
"What else is on this bucket list of yours?"
"Skydiving, get married, vacation in the Maldives, discover an alien race, figure out why people call you Spooky…" She grinned at Mulder.
"Well when I was twelve my sister and I were playing a board game and we heard a strange noise outside and there were some colored lights that also got our attention. So we ran outside and saw something hovering in the sky then there was this bright light. My sister went missing after that." He paused for a moment. "We looked for hours to find her, the sun had just risen and we gave up. We all walked back into the house and my sister was sitting on the floor finishing her turn of the game we started last night. She was covered in dirt and there was a red spot on the back of her neck. I was totally convinced that it was aliens but everyone else thought it was some sick pervert."
"Damn Mulder, I'm so-"
"Alright, Ms. Scully we're ready for your scan." Nurse Reynolds always had the best timing.
"Okay guys, here goes nothing!" Dana threw her hands in the air.
"Wait!" Mulder stood up and gave her a kiss, "For luck?"
"You're so cheesy but thank you." Dana pulled him closer. "I actually really needed that, thank you. Really thank you." She kissed him again.
"You're welcome, Scully. We'll be here when you get back." he whispered softly.
I do love reviews, once again sorry this took so long to write. I apologize for any grammatical errors on my behalf. I quickly went through, I was excited to get this one uploaded for you guys!