Originally I wasn't intending to post a "morning after" chapter following on from the previous one, but your reviews convinced me otherwise. Here you go!

Spoilers for Beyond the Sea still.

When Mulder woke the next morning, the last thing he expected was to find someone sat on his bed, watching him. He most certainly didn't expect that person to be a hyperactive four year old girl.

"Good morning", Ashley exclaimed, grinning as she realized he was now wide awake.

Mulder squinted up at her as she scooted closer towards him. His eyes darted towards the door, but it appeared Ashley had made her own way into the bedroom – Scully was nowhere to be seen. He glanced over the clock on Scully's bedside table, mentally groaning as he noticed it was barely 5am. No wonder his partner wasn't around. "What are you doing awake?" he rasped, licking his lips. Water, he needed water, though he wasn't sure his little friend was going to let him up.

"I couldn't sleep. I woke mommy up but she told me to go back to sleep, so I came to find you instead".

"Your mom's got the right idea. It's early".

"I'm not tired", she replied seriously.

"Of course you're not", Mulder remarked dryly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"You slept in my mommy's bed".

"I did. Your mom slept in your room, you remember?" For a moment he felt as though he was being put on trial by a four year old.

She nodded. "How's your leg?" Ashley suddenly asked, reaching out to touch it. Mulder intercepted her, well aware that her bedside manner was like her mom's, and left a lot to be desired.

"It's not too bad". It wasn't really a lie. He felt a dull ache in his thigh, and often a short burst of pain when he moved, but other than that, as far as bullet wounds went, it wasn't too painful.

"Can I see?"

"Not right now. Maybe when it's all healed".

"Do you have a band-aid?"

"I have a big band-aid".

Ashley looked suitably impressed. "Is it pink?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "No, no it's not pink".

"My mommy gets me pink band-aids".

"Your mom is cool".

The youngster nodded in agreement. "She can get you some band-aids".

"I don't think pink is my color. I'm a boy".

Sitting back, Ashley studied him hard. "No you're not".

"I'm not?"

"You're Mulder. You're not a boy".

"Aaah of course".

"And boys stink".

"They do sometimes", he admitted with a grin. Stretching, Mulder glanced to the left of the little girl, noticing a book discarded on the bed. "What are you reading?"

"Snow White".

"You like fairy tales, huh?"

She nodded. "I want to be a princess when I'm a big girl".

"A princess?"

"Uh huh. I wanna wear a pretty dress and have my hair all curly and wear a crown. And have lots of servants to bring me candy", she added as an afterthought.

Mulder smirked. "You've got it all figured out".

"I just need to marry a prince".

"You know what? How about you wait a while before doing that?"

Ashley chewed her lip, as though she was seriously considering his words. "Maybe next year?"

"Or maybe the year after".

"But soon".

"Of course. Maybe just get the servants first. The Prince can wait a while". He had no doubt Ashley would have people running around after her – he was already at her beck and call.

Ashley suddenly picked up the book and stretched out on the bed, scooting closer so she rested her head on Mulder's torso. He tensed, unsure what to do. "Will you read to me Mulder?" she asked, lifting the book up into the air.

"You should be sleeping", he admonished half-heartedly, already well aware he was going to do as she requested as he took hold of the book and lifted his arm to let her get comfortable.

"I can't sleep".

"Your mom will be wondering where you are".

"My mommy's sleeping. I wanna stay here with you".

Mulder knew she'd won the battle. "I guess I could read a little bit". He opened the book onto the first page. "Once –"

"Mulder?"

"Hmmm?"

"Did you know my Grandpa?"

He stilled, not quite sure what to say. "I didn't", he said, settling for the truth. "I never met him".

"He died".

"I know he did. I'm very sorry about that".

"Why did he die?"

"Because…" he wasn't quite sure how to answer. "Sometimes people die, if they're very very ill –"

"My mom said my grandpa was".

"He was", he agreed. "He was very sick".

"Why didn't the doctor make him better?"

"The doctor tried, but sometimes, in very very rare circumstances", he stressed, not wanting to upset or scare her. "It's not always possible".

"I miss him".

"I know you do".

"My mommy does too. I heard her crying last night".

"You did?" Ashley nodded against him. "She's bound to be very upset, but it's ok to cry. It's ok to carry on too though. Your grandpa would want to see you happy".

"I'll be happy when you read me Snow White".

Mulder huffed out a laugh. "Alriiiight", he said, taking the hint and flicking to the first page. "You know, your grandpa would be so proud of you. You and your mom. You've both been so brave".

"You think so?"

"I know so. I'm proud of you both".

"I'm proud of you too Mulder".

"You are?" She nodded. "Are you trying to butter me up so I get on with the story?"

"Uh huh".

"Ok. Once upon a time, there lived a little…"

"Don't forget to do the voices".

Mulder glanced down at the little girl who was staring up at him with such expectation. "The voices?"

"The voices".

"Right". He cleared his throat and tried again. "Once upon a time, there lived a little girl…."

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mulder blinked sleepily as he heard rustling the other side of the door. Moments later, it creaked open and Scully peered into the room, shaking her head bemused as she noticed her daughter fast asleep in Mulder's arms, the book long forgotten. "I wondered where she went", she remarked dryly, tucking an errant strand of hair back behind her ears. Mulder concealed a smile as he took in his partner's appearance. It was very rare he got to see her as anything but Agent Scully but here she was, clad in a white bathrobe having no doubt just woken up.

"She's been keeping me entertained".

Nodding, Scully padded in the room, stopping shy of the bed. She glanced down at her daughter with a small smile on her face. There was so much love in her gaze that Mulder felt his throat tighten. "I hope she wasn't bothering you".

"Never. We've been reading. I did the voices", he added, and Scully caught his eye.

"I'm sure Ashley gave you constructive criticism in return".

"My wolf voice needs work apparently".

"It happens".

"I'll get working on it before next time".

"Thank you", she said, her voice strained. Mulder gave her a questioning look. "I heard you guys talking earlier. About my father". Scully paused as she took a deep breath. The pain over losing her father was still so fresh and raw. "I appreciate what you said to Ashley".

"I meant it". Mulder looked down at the little girl. "I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you both right now. But you're going a great job".

"I don't feel like I am".

"You are Scully, believe me. And if ever you need someone to talk to, or to put on silly voices for overexcited four year olds, just give me a call".

She gave him a watery smile, tears clouding her eyes. "Thank you", she whispered.

"Overexcited and ticklish four year olds".

"Pardon?"

Mulder gestured down to Ashley with his eyes. "Something tells me this little one isn't quite asleep". Sure enough the youngsters shoulders moved as she struggled to hold in a laugh. "I think the real test is to see if she's ticklish, don't you?"

Her grin widening, Scully perched down on the edge of the bed. "Oh she is ticklish", she agreed. "Especially…here!" Her hands darted out to Ashley's stomach and she began tickling her. Sure enough, the little girl's eyes immediately opened and she let out a giggle.

"Noooo!" she exclaimed, cackling as Scully tickled her while Mulder held her in place. "I'm awake, I'm awake!"

"Unfortunately so's the Tickle Monster", said Mulder, grinning as he took in the scene, glad to see both mom and daughter finally smiling after all they'd been through in the past week.

"Careful sweetheart", warned Scully, as Ashley started wriggling. "Mind Mulder's leg".

"I'm good", he said, not wanting to spoil the fun. "I'll be ok. And so will you", he said, regretting his words the instant Scully paused in her ministrations. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. She caught his eye, and after a moment nodded. "I know", she said, then in a move that surprised him, reached down and squeezed his hand. "I know".