Once again, I forgot to update. Sorry. I'll try to get a bit more consistent.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a review. Your comments are so wonderful to hear. It means a lot to know when I'm hitting the nail on the head.


…Part Three…

She was quiet; that was one thing he couldn't believe. Through planes and airports, cars and shuttle busses, she endured it all in silence. Albeit he did have to give her some leeway on small whimpers and slight shrieks. Outside of that the girl watched the world move and didn't dare utter a word to stop it.

He was thankful for her silence, thankful for her understanding that he did not understand her. He spoke to her as they moved. Every step of the way he whispered what they were doing, where they were going and what was going to happen next. Mulder told Danica about Washington D.C., Alexandria, his apartment and most importantly he told her about Scully. Only quietly did he tell the little girl about his partner, as though he didn't really want her to hear his words. He didn't know why he constantly jabbered to the little girl but it calmed his nerves and when she looked up at him with large wide eyes, expression looking almost as though she understood every one of his words he knew he was doing the right thing.

She suffered quietly, he noticed. Nightmares stalked the edges of her dreams but Danica didn't dare cry out. He wished that she did, so he knew when to help her but when the lights were out in hotel rooms and sleep was ebbing at his mind he didn't hear the small child tossing and turning in her sleep. He was learning fast, Mulder had to admit, he listened for every noise, every sign of distress in the girl as she slept and by the time the final plane touched down at Dulles he was alert when it concerned her suffering.

He carried her off the plane, the girl somewhat sitting on his bent arm as she watched the passengers slowly mull off the aircraft. Had it been four days ago Danica would most certainly have her face buried in his shoulder. Now, she was embracing the world openly, still nervous, but it was as though she recognised the shift in her worldly placement. Danica was no longer in Russia, the fear could melt away from her shoulders.

Between Pulkovo airport, St Petersburg and Dulles International, Virginia Danica had transformed into a very different little girl. She was calmer in America and Mulder didn't know if it was the journey they had endured together or the easier going, less abusive accent. No one here was screaming the Russian words that haunted her nightmares. Her mind was at ease, if only temporarily.

It was dark when they finally arrived at Mulder's apartment, shopping bags in hand. They'd travelled enough but a few more stops were needed before Mulder knew he could head back home. Food was a crucial one of those stops.

Danica walked behind him quietly, his arms full of shopping bags as they walked the hallway of his apartment block. Her little shoes clapped against the floor as she followed the man who was struggling to fish his keys out of his pocket. 'Do you need a hand, Mr Mulder?' A young voice just a little further down the hall caused Danica to jump setting her nerves on edge enough that she instantly wrapped her arms around Mulder's legs.

'Balance is what I need, Amy. But thank you.' He smiled at the young girl. Amy Whittaker, Mulder mused, she was sixteen-years-old and lived with her Grandmother in the building. Everyone knew Amy, she made her weekend rounds up and down the hallways helping out for a little bit of extra cash. Mulder had to admit, she was a good kid, fed his fish a few times when both he and Scully were out of town. Amy managed to keep them all alive, which was more than he could say for himself.

Wobbling as he tried to bend around his own ribcage in reach of his keys Mulder stumbled backwards effectively tripping over the little girl who'd surgically attached herself to his leg. 'Damn it, Danica!' He cursed in frustration causing the little girl to yelp and Amy to stare at him in shock.

'Who is this?' With wide eyes and a slightly agape mouth Amy stepped forward, tender expression crossing her face as she stepped towards the tiny child. Danica, herself, was in the process of backing herself against a wall, her bottom lip quivering with the fright of the loud teenager. Mulder was fast to explain Danica's particular attachment to the German language and her lack in understanding the English as he gave in with the contortion act and dropped the bags.

Crouched down to Danica's level, her hands resting on her knees, Amy beamed. 'Perfect. I needed some practice anyway.' She looked up at Mulder, smile still in place as she explained her classes for that school year. AP German was one of them.

'Hallo, Mausi.' As soon as the words slipped from the teens lips Danica's face beamed, her eyes moving up to catch that of the girl in front of her before she looked up at Mulder, astounded. The whole world started spinning for the little girl, understanding overwhelming her, that someone else could speak her language.

'Hallo.' She squeaked back, still unsure but happy to have someone who understood her. Mulder gaped at the brown haired girl on the floor, it was the first time he had heard an actual word out of Danica's mouth rather than a squeak. She spoke, actually spoke. It was only a single, simple word, but it was something.

'Danica.' The little girl spoke again, hesitantly, as Amy asked for her name. Her name, as she said it, came out with delicate ease. The letters stretched along her tongue, her accent tinting them with colour as they passed through her lips. Her gentle name built up to a sharp 'eez' before ending on a crisp 'ka'. Mulder's chest swelled with admiration and pride, he was already falling head over feet for the little girl. His time spent in her quiet company before they reached American soul was spent, on the girl's behalf, wrapping herself around every part of his soul; stitching herself into his patchwork heart. It had worked, the girl was irrevocably glued into his life. He treasured her little soul.

Amy's hand reached out to poke Danica's bear in the belly, a question flowing in German between them as to the name of the bear. Danica had flinched away from Amy's touch, still unsure of the girl. With her head half turned into Mulder's leg, the bear pulled up over her face, she answered 'Schatz'.

'The bear has a name!' Mulder laughed, genuine smile on his face as his fingers tossed the shy girl's hair. Danica didn't look up at him, instead she pushed herself a little further against his leg, the plush animal completely covering her face.

Amy pulled back from the girl, a small pout tugging at her lips as she pushed herself into a stand. 'Gran will be waiting for me,' she spoke, nonchalant as she brushed off the little girl's cold shoulder. Mulder nodded, apologising to Amy he positioned Danica on his hip. Hands clapped together in front of her, Amy shrugged. 'Fox,' she started, hopeful smile igniting her eyes. 'I could help you brush up on your German if you'd like. I'll cost you though.' Her grin was full blown. Mulder couldn't help but chuckle as she turned with a wave to the shy girl and disappeared down the hall.

Mulder let the door click shut soundly behind him as he carried Danica into the apartment, shopping bags already having been tucked inside the door. His apartment wasn't much, a realisation he came upon as Danica observed her new surroundings from his shoulder. He was embarrassed, internal guilt knowing that he could give her more; that she deserved more. Danica wiggled on his hip, silently asking to be set down, it was with that motion that he relaxed about his small, inadequate apartment. Danica was comfortable. The home was big enough for the two of them, but small enough to leave them close together. The somewhat clingy girl was comfortable enough to leave his side knowing the distance was not too great.

Danica followed behind him closely as he unpacked the shopping, stopping for a moment every now and again to ask the girl for help. Handing her a small item, he pointed to the cupboard it belonged in. It should not have taken as long as it did with Danica, to put away the shopping but Mulder wasn't one to complain. The girl was his first excuse to stack his cupboards practically since he had moved out of home.

He was in the kitchen, ladling out pumpkin soup after they had finished with the groceries. His ears were attuned in the direction of the bathroom, soft sounds of Danica splashing in the shallow water informing him that the child was alright. He had washed her hair thoroughly with baby shampoo and was content to leave the child to prune so long as she desired. Occasionally he heard Danica shout, his heartbeat would rise as his feet carried him hastily to the bathroom, the girl would only smile when he turned up in the doorway as though she was expecting him, testing that he was truly within shouting distance.

He dressed her in mustard yellow footed pyjamas with white stars scattering the fabric after she was dried from her bath. From there they sat quietly at the small dining table, a towel draped over her new, clean clothes. He made a mental note to change the order between bath and dinner, to prevent a repeat performance of a hasty bath.

She was not as tense in his apartment as she had been in the several hotels they perched at. With each new stop the quiet girl turned inward, her actions short, her eyes never once meeting his. She was a metaphorical doll as they passed through security gates and boarded yet another plane. She slept, still as a board, her little hands clenched by her sides, refusing to have the blankets cover her. But as they stepped off their final plane, Mulder's feet carrying her out of the airport and into a waiting taxi. Her heavy shoulders lightened and her gaze met his again.

Mulder was tucking Danica into his bed, Schatz the bear nestled beside her as a knock reverberated through his apartment, rattling itself through the little girl's tiny form. Danica was shaking instantly, her little arms pushing herself up into a stand on his bed as she followed his steps, her little feet wobbling on the mattress while he moved for the door. She thought he was about to leave her in the dark when his foot stepped over the bedroom threshold but a quick shaky squeak from her throat pulled him back.

Danica was standing on the end of his bed, her little body swaying unsteadily in her haste to get up and follow him. She whimpered when he didn't move towards her, Schatz dangling from her right hand. Easily she held her arms out for him, her hands unclenching and clenching, Schatz fell to the mattress in her desperation. Silently she asked to be picked up, to go with him, to not be left in the dark. He was apprehensive that the person on the other side of the door might not be there for good. It was not unusual for him to receive unwanted visitors in the dead of night. He could not expose Danica to the Truth, to the dangers of his job; he would not forgive himself if she herself became a victim of the X-Files and his crusade.

As soon as the tears built up in her ice blue eyes his mind was made; Mulder stepped forward and scooped the little girl up, settling her easily on his hip as he reached down to collect her already beloved bear in the process. He was sure she was falling asleep on his shoulder, her heavy head resting in its claimed place as he held Schatz tightly between them.

Mulder stopped at the door, a long breath expanded his lungs, pushing out his chest before he exhaled. Bracing himself for the worst Mulder stiffed when his guest knocked again, louder. His eyes flicked to the watch on his wrist, 8:32pm, it was a reasonable hour but still one marked with uncertainly. He leant forward, eyes closed as he pulled the door open.

Dana Scully's face was a bank mask of undistinguishable shock. Wide eyes, just like that of the little girl's stared at him, her mouth poised closed, teeth biting down on her tongue. Silently he stood, hand tightening its hold on Danica as he stared right back at the woman in front of him, guilty expression painted across his face.

He had not expected his partner to show up at 8:32 on a Saturday night with a box of pizza in her hand and the application for "most stunned expression" on her face. Had he known, he would have warned her. She was frozen for what felt like hours before she shook her head and took a double take.

The man before her was clad in pyjamas, his face drawn with exhaustion. The man, her partner, the person in which she knew the most about, stood in the doorway to his apartment with a sleepy eyed girl on his shoulder. A sleepy girl, her mind amended, that had not previously existed.

'I'm sorry,' Scully started, her voice unsure and her face compelled. 'You must be the other Fox Mulder that lives in this building.' She freed a hand from the pizza box to rub at her face. The sudden surprise was making her head ache.

'Scully.' Mulder's voice almost sounded like a whine as he reached for her, jostling Danica. 'I can explain.' She raised her infamous eyebrow as she willingly let him pull her into his apartment, intrigued as to how he would explain himself through his current situation.

With added company Danica was suddenly wide awake and on high alert, Mulder had left her to sit on the couch, Scully standing in the archway, watching her silently. As soon as he moved away she clambered off, moving to hide beside the television set while the adults stared at each other, the tension reaching a low simmer.

Mulder was the first to move, offering Scully a drink and chasing out of the room to get her one. 'What are you doing, Mulder?' She snapped quickly as she cornered him in the kitchen.

'Getting you a drink?' He offered, his arm extended, beer in his hand as a peace offering. 'She needs my help,' he sobered. Only silence greeted him. 'I had to bring her here, Scully. She wasn't safe. They were going to kill her. I don't know why, I don't know who, I just know that I acted on impulse and it was certainly not the wrong thing to do.'

'You kidnapped her?!' She heard the whine in his voice before he even spoke her name. Mulder could be irrational at times, but not so much as to kidnap a child without good reason. She just prayed it was a good reason. 'Who is she?'

He shrugged, 'I don't know'. Scully crossed her arms over her chest. 'Her name is Danica,' He offered her the only thing he could.

'You only know her name' He knew her birthdate too. She asked, leaving Mulder to nod before he quietly and shamefully added;

'She only speaks German.' Mulder shifted his weight nervously, teetering from toe to toe like an anxious little boy, awaiting his father's belt. Scully's disapproval hovered over him, but he did not flinch.

Raising a manicured hand to her temple Scully sighed. 'What have you done?' Ridicule was harsh in her voice, almost hissed words and an angry tone, but she was still soft with him. Gentle as though he were glass. The strain he forced upon her, in needing to tease out intricate details showed in a tick on her jaw. The muscle flinched but her eyes remained calm. 'I just – Mulder, a two-year old,' She stopped, exasperation making her pause. 'How is this going to work with our job, with our lifestyle?' Her inclusive language was not intended in sharing the girl between them. But in the shared, tiresome, stressful and dangerous lifestyle his endless crusade thrust upon them.

Mulder shrugged and Scully couldn't help but roll her eyes at the man-like behaviour. He was all action and no thought. 'It has to work, Scully. I have to protect her.' His words were honest and urgent. He had to make her understand the urgency. Danica's life was in danger.

'Are you sure it's the right thing to do here?' Mulder nodded without hesitation. 'You removed this girl from her home, from her family and obviously something a lot deeper than you or I properly understand. What if someone finds out that you are lying about who she is? What if she's taken from you, Mulder?' Diverting his eyes Mulder didn't answer, he couldn't answer. His throat closed tight. He could not lose another young girl. He would die before she was taken, pulled away by sinister hands.

Silence resinated through the small apartment as Mulder stared at his kitchen floor, contemplating how long it had been since he last looked at it while Scully bore holes into his head. 'I guess we're not going to eat that now.' Mulder muttered quietly, his head shifting to look at the pizza box Scully had abandoned on the counter.

Scully stopped him as his hand wrapped around the edge, her own stealing a slice before she allowed him to pull away. He turned to his now partially stocked fridge, the door open, the cool air slipping out and kissing his toes. It was there, his back bent, his head almost in the fridge he contemplated were to slip the box, cursing his now full kitchen and lack of pizza storage. Mulder turned to his silent partner, the woman licking the remnants of pizza sauce from her fingers. 'Could you go check on her for me, please?' He asked softly, not looking at her as he played live Tetris in the fridge.

'Mulder,' his name came out on a quiet sigh. 'I don't think that's a good idea.' With her arms crossed Scully stood her ground. She didn't want to meet the girl, not properly. She did not want to entice and promise a connection to a child whose current whereabouts was not where she belonged. She would allow Mulder to do what he thought was right but she would not follow in his path.

Pulling his head away from the white good appliance Mulder turned large hazel eyes on his partner, his hand stuck somewhere in the abyss. He fluttered his eye lashes at her a comment that he didn't like leaving the girl alone sliding from his lips as he did so. The girl had been quiet, she reasoned, the dark light from the window making her cave easily as she wondered on the girl's quiet behaviour.

Slowly she entered Mulder's living room, her steps full of caution as she kept her eyes peeled for the pyjama clad girl. The child was nowhere to be seen. 'Danica.' She whispered into the room, waiting for something out of the ordinary to move.

Hair made of dark shadows poked out from behind her partner's black leather couch, a pale face accompanying the deep colour. She was startlingly beautiful for a little girl, Scully had to admit, even with her malnourished limbs and distant pain in her tired eyes. She was falling to pieces like a cracked porcelain doll, her beauty still intact regardless of the tiny cracks. It hit her suddenly, like whiplash from a sudden stop. She felt the need to protect the girl. Like with the garden snake from her youth, Dana Scully wanted to hold the little girl and will the life back into her.

Lowering herself to Danica's level, Scully dropped down to her knees as she slowly approached the hint of little girl. A whimper filtered into the air along with the sound of scuffling feet struggling on smooth wooden floors. Scully sat still, treating the girl like a frightened animal, she waited for her to calm momentarily before scooting a little closer. She found the little girl, in full view now, jammed between Mulder's couch and the wall, the space was cramped, barely big enough for the girl and her bear. Yet, Danica remained, Schatz trapped between her chest and her knees, her little eyes blown wide with fright.

It had been a few years since Scully utilised her college German. More than a few, but the words still stuck in the back of her head, all crammed there years ago in the need to be remembered. There wasn't much that required college German, but now, as the words swirled around in her mind Scully was thankful towards her younger self for enduring the classes. Easily, she whispered to the child, reassuring words, promises of protection, things she knew an innocent, scared, little girl would believe. Things she knew Mulder would want her to know.

Danica turned her eyes towards Scully, confused recognition burning in her ice blue irises. She shifted, her hands connecting with the floor almost as though she was going to climb out of her hiding space. But she didn't. Instead the child let out a scared whimper, her tiny bottom lip fluttering with the sound. Scully continued to speak to her softly, her hand outstretched, waiting for the girl to make a move. When tears bubbled in Danica's eyes she dropped her little head letting her forehead fall flush against the cold floor. Her body sagged with a heavy exhale, her hands held over her head, the bear still locked in her tiny grip. Scully watched for a moment, silently, patiently, waiting. When Danica didn't move, aside from the rise and fall of her shuddering breaths, Scully reached into the girl's hiding place, her hands taking purchase under Danica's arms. Gently she guided the girl out, Danica limp under her hands, adding to her already barely there weight. She protested quietly, her eyes boring into Scully's as she struggled for a second before her body sagged against the warmth and kindness of another.

Danica sighed again, her head tucked against Scully's chest as the woman held her tightly, one hand splaying over her hair as she continued to whisper her stuttered German promises. She nestled further against the rhythmic sounds of Scully's heartbeat as the woman rocked her softly.

It was Danica who pulled back first, her arms curled protectively around her bear as a tear dried on her cheek. She watched Scully from her place in the woman's lap, her eyes wandering across her face, taking in the gentle features and caring eyes. 'Dana,' Scully whispered, her hand resting on her chest as she locked eyes with the small child. She saw recognition flash in Danica's eyes, as she watched a reflection of herself swim there.

'Dana,' the child parroted, her little hand coming out lay atop Scully's. 'Danica,' she whispered too quietly, as though she were scared to utter the name in the quiet of the apartment. She had already introduced herself to one new person that day, a second was quite irregular. He copied Scully's movements, putting her hand on her chest a smile ticked at the corner of her mouth but she pushed it away, her head downturned before Scully could catch the emotion.

'Schatz.' Danica's attention switched as she held the bear in front of her face, slowly encouraging Scully to take it. Accepting the stuffed animal, Scully sat him on her lap, holding his back with one hand she used the other to look over the bear, tightening the ribbon around his neck and to bend his fluffy limbs. She whispered something to Danica, the girl smiled faintly, her face close to Scully's as she watched the woman intently study her bear.

'See, it was a perfectly good idea.' Mulder's voice greeted them from the doorway where he stood, grin on his face as he watched Scully sit on the floor, noses nearly touching with the little girl. Danica wasn't afraid, in fact, to Mulder, she looked content in trusting Scully.

'What happened to her, Mulder?' She asked, eyes moving from the bruise on the girl's neck, slightly hidden under her pyjama collar, to meet Mulder's in the doorway. She met his eyes for a second, translating the worry behind her words before they flicked back down to the little girl where she fussed with straightening out her hair.

Mulder shrugged in the second of eye contact Scully had given him. 'I really don't know too much.' He explained coolly of the coordinates printed neatly on a sticky note, sitting in wait for him four days prior. He left in haste; sure that whatever they lead to would not be there much longer. He was right, of course. The coordinates lead him to Danica, to the village that was burning down around her, to the people being shot in the street. Had he left the next day, or even an hour later he would have wandered upon a vastly different place. Danica would have been dead. He explained the site in Russia to Scully in lurid detail, knowing she needed to see the scene in her head to understand. Knowing that she would put herself in his shoes, see what he saw and would want to wrap the young child in bubble wrap until she was properly safe and sound.

He watched as Scully's hands fluttered around the little girl, brushing across her shoulders, sweeping across her hair, fixing creases in her pyjamas, as he spoke. The little girl's story unfolded, opening itself like a blooming flower to the woman who wasn't quite ready for the truth. She tucked Danica into her embrace, holding the girl to her chest she rested her head on brown waves as she stared at Mulder's fish tank, his story spiralling on as he spoke about the trauma he had observed in his four days with her.

'She's fallen asleep.' Mulder's tone changed, his voice falling soft, light humour tinted his words. Scully flinched, her eyes blinking as she dragged her head to look at the man, confused for a moment before she registered what he had said. He had moved closer, his hands outstretched and his back bending to collect the child in her lap.

Pulling away from his hands Scully mumbled, 'I've got her.' Struggling to her feet she didn't scold Mulder when his hands found purchase on her hips, his grip helping her find balance as she finally stood straight. He led her through to his bedroom where the blankets were pulled back on the right side, already awaiting Danica's return.

The room was bathed in a warm honey haze from the street light outside. The warm tones of Mulder's barely used bedroom were set on fire in the light. Scully lowered the girl easily onto the mattress, finding a problem when she tried to move away. Danica had wrapped one scrawny arm around Scully's tightly and in her heavy sleep she refused to let go. Mulder chuckled behind her, a utterance of 'death grip' slipping past his teeth as he pried Danica's bony fingers off Scully's arm. Thanking him quietly she settled Schatz next to the girl, tucking her arm around the bear before pulling the covers up to the little girl's chin and tucking her in tight. Pushing the bangs off her warm forehead Scully pressed a kiss to Danica's hair whispering, 'Gute Nacht, Liebling,' before pulling away. The endearment for sweetheart rolled off her tongue naturally as a maternal thrum ached in her chest.

Scully escaped the room quickly, knowing, thanks to Mulder, that the precious little girl was haunted by nightmares. Had she heard them, witnessed them first hand like her partner, Scully knew she wouldn't leave. Scully knew, without hesitation that she would slip off her shoes and curl around the little girl. She was prepared to fight her demons for her.

She didn't stop until she reached the front door, Mulder following behind her closely, his hands buried in his pockets as he let his head hang low. 'For what it's worth,' She kept her voice a whisper, 'I think you're doing the right thing'. Her mind argued that he had other options; that someone needed to know this girl was now residing in America under false names and instances. But, for who they were, for what they had known and experienced she knew he was doing his best. That Danica, for the most part, was safe.

She paused at the door for a second, her hand hovering over the handle. 'Don't turn her into an X-File, Mulder. She doesn't need that life.' She didn't look at him, just kept her head down and disappeared out the door.