A/N: So here it is. Chapter 14... can that be right? Wow. So Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. AK is giving up watching X-files so I have to give her stuff to read. I'm giving up Energy Drinks/Coffee you have NO idea how dependant I am on that crap.

Dedication: To AK, cause she needs stuff to get her through Lent. And to Baby cause.. just cause, she's meh Baby and pfft you who don't understand.

Disclaimer: I do not own them, Sam I Am, I do not own them, freakin' damn

Dana Scully sat in her computer chair, tapping her barefoot to Nickelback's newest c.d. She wore sweat pants, an old softball shirt and her glasses, her red hair curling around her face. She finished her English assignment and stuck it in her book bag for the following day, if she had to analyze one more fact about the Epic Of Gilgamesh she was going to shoot something. She ran her hand through her hair, she hadn't been able to focus since Mulder had left last weekend. It was Wednesday and he was still in Indianapolis. Samantha was really sick and weak, they weren't sure if she was going to make it. Mulder sent her the occasional text, but Scully knew where his focus rest and that was fine.

With a sigh, she opened up her e-mail and began to write a letter to Melissa. Her sister was her confidante and now she lived so far away.

Dear Missy,

Where can I even begin? I'm e-mailing you, cause we all know the walls have ears and those ears are named Charles. Mulder's in Indianapolis... at Riley. They found Samantha, they aren't sure if she's gonna make it.
I don't know what to say Missy, I mean what words of comfort do I say to them? To Mulder? I'm his girlfriend and I am at a complete loss. I hoped and I prayed they'd find her, that Mulder would finally get some peace, but she still might die. If she dies, it WILL kill Mulder.
Monica is staying in Bill's room. She's actually at, uh, John's right now. Yes, she's pregnant, but we're not talking about it. She needs a place to crash, you know Mom. I guess her and John are engaged, but everyone is so closed off.
I, Dana Katherine Scully, Miss everything is fine even when it's not, is wishing someone would say SOMETHING! Cause I am dying here!
How do I make this better!?
I want to fix it all, even though I can't. I love Mulder so much, Melissa. I love him so much it makes me insane. It's physically hurting to be so far away from him. I sound pathetic Missy.
UGH!
I am sick of myself.
HELP
I love you.

XOXO,
Danes

Scully hit send and placed her head in her hands, she turned up the radio and tried to drown out the world. She needed Mulder. Pulling out her phone she sent him a text, "I love you." was all she said and then she hit send. Her phone vibrated in her palm and she opened it, "Hello?"

"I love you too." Mulder said and Scully grinned, jumping up she turned down the music.

"Hey." Scully smiled, falling down on her bed.

"Hey. So I have news."

"What's that?" Scully asked.

"They're gonna transfer Samantha to Greene County tomorrow. Which means, I will be home tomorrow."

"REALLY?" Scully exclaimed, "How is she? How are you?"

"Samantha is fine. She's starting to remember. She asked for you. Well she asked for the girl I was in love with." Mulder chuckled.

"God I have missed her." Scully couldn't' stop the tears from spilling.

"She's not out of the woods yet, but she's stable enough to transfer. They're gonna transfer her by Helicopter tomorrow. So I was, actually, I was hoping you could be at the hospital when she gets there. Cause Mom wants to see her off. Which means we should hit Jasper around seven tomorrow night." Mulder explained.

"Of course. What time should I be at the hospital?" Scully asked grabbing a sticky pad, writing it down, even though there was no way she would forget.

"Right after school. Take Charlie with you." Mulder said, "She's here Scully. I can see her. She's back." Mulder said and though it wasn't audible, Scully knew he was crying.

"Oh Mulder. I told you." Scully wanted to kiss him, to hold him.

"She's home. She's not dead." Mulder's voice cracked.

"I know baby. I knew you were right all along. She's gonna be fine." Scully whispered.

"It has to be okay." Mulder whispered and Scully knew that was true, this had to be okay.

"I love you Mulder." Scully said and that was the only reassurance she could give him.

"I love you too Scully." Mulder breathed, "I'll see you tomorrow night, okay?"

"Yeah." Scully said and they both hung up.

'Never Gonna Be Alone' played on the stereo and Scully turned on her side, drifting into the state of unconsciousness, but not quite sleep. She remembered the morning she woke up, her mother had shaken her till she opened her eyes, it was four in the morning. They had to go to the Mulder's was all Mrs. Scully would say, so 11 year old Dana Scully stood in front of her best friends house in her pajamas, she recalled the feeling in her gut, like something was so wrong, eternally wrong. When she saw Mulder, still standing in his school clothes from the day before, when she heard him utter the words, 'Samantha. They took Samantha.' She knew that her life had changed for forever.

"Dana?" Monica stuck her head in the room.

"Hey." Dana's head snapped up, suddenly she was back in the present.

"Wassup? Why are you crying?" Monica sat down on the bed, resting a hand on Scully's leg.

"Samantha is coming home tomorrow. Well they're transferring her to Greene." Scully explained, Greene County Memorial was the local hospital.

"That's great, isn't it?"

"It is, it's just, everything is still up in the air. Mulder wants me to be there when she gets here tomorrow, cause they'll still be driving back." Scully explained.

"Hey, it's okay to cry." Monica told her, "Remember what you told me? You've been dealt a sucky hand, it's alright to get emotional."

"I guess." Scully took a deep breath and wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, "So what'd you and John do?"

"A whole lotta nothing." Monica laughed.

Scully smiled, "Fun."

"Always, though I think we've finally settled on a name." Monica rested her hand on her small bump.

"Oh, tell me." Scully was excited.

"Okay, for a girl, Brittney Lynn." Monica smiled.

"Awww." Scully gushed.

"And if it's a boy, Thatcher Daniel." Monica said and Scully gave her a look, "I'm banking on a girl. That was John's choice anyways."

"Well I hope my God-child is a girl, for it's sake." Scully chuckled. Monica hopped up and changed the c.d. to The Killer's 'Day & Age'.

"I was listening to that!" Scully threw a stuffed bear at her.

"And while I respect the amazingness that is Nickelback, this kid is gonna love The Killers." Monica smiled and tossed the bear back at her. Scully scooted over on the bed and Monica sat down beside her.

"So, how is John taking all this?" Scully wondered, Monica rested her head on Scully's shoulder and Scully rested her head atop Monica's.

"As well as can be expected I guess." Monica sighed, "I don't think either of us are prepared for this, but we wouldn't change it either."

"Yeah." Scully whispered, Scully desk lamp dimly lit the room and it gave the room a softer feel. The two best friends sat their in companionable silence, they didn't need words, "Mon?" Scully whispered a short while later, but Scully glanced down and noticed that Monica was asleep on her shoulder. Scully chuckled, climbing out of the bed, she tucked Monica in and then went down stairs.

"Dana, are you up?" Mrs. Scully asked from couch.

"Yeah." She walked over to her mother and sat down beside her on the couch, grabbing the throw from the back, she pulled it over herself and curled up against her mother's side.

"What's wrong Dana?" Mrs. Scully traced circles on Dana's ear, a technique that used to lull her to sleep when she was a child.

"Samantha's getting transferred to Greene tomorrow afternoon. Mulder wants me and Charlie to meet her there tomorrow after school. Cause they won't be back till supper time." Scully yawned.

"That's fantastic news." Mrs. Scully smiled.

"Yeah, I'm just tired Mommy." Scully drew her knees to her chest and curled tighter against her mother's side.

"I know you are Dana." Mrs. Scully kissed the top of her daughter's head.

"Monica stole my bed." She mumbled, "..threw...panda...." She trailed off as she fell into a deep slumber. Mrs. Scully stopped stroking her ear after awhile and tucked her into the couch, before going upstairs to sleep herself.

The next morning, Mrs. Scully woke Dana up first. Scully ran upstairs, taking a quick shower and grabbing her book bag, her parents had gotten her a car since she had gotten her license. She and Monica drove Charlie to school before going to school themselves. This morning was no different.

"Charlie, I will pick you up right after school lets out. So be waiting right outside after basketball practice, okay?" Scully reminded him.

"Mmkay. Bye Mon, Bye Danes." Charlie said and grabbed his Batman book bag, sliding out of the car and running into Jasper Township Elementary.

"Sorry I fell asleep on you last night." Monica said as she turned up the radio, 'Untouched' by The Veronica's played.

"It's fine." Scully shrugged and turned the music up louder, pulling out on the main drag, she headed to the drive thru coffee stand on the highway, "Frappe?"

"I'm craving fruit. Strawberry Smoothie." Monica decided as Scully joined the line of cars. The elementary started nearly an hour before the High School, so they had plenty of time to kill. When they finally got to the window, Scully ordered a White Chocolate Frappe for herself and a Strawberry Smoothie for Monica.

"This is heaven on earth." Monica said as she sipped her drink.

"I'm glad." Scully chuckled as she sipped her highly caffeinated drink.

"I'm serious." Monica held the drink out as Scully stopped at the light, "taste."

Scully sighed, leaning over she tasted it, "Oh my God. That's like crack."

"I know." Monica grinned and took another long sip. Scully reached for the drink, but Monica wacked her hand.

"Bitch!" Scully said and shook her now sore hand.

"You don't mess with a pregnant lady's cravings." Monica glared.

"You can only use that excuse for another six months." Scully reminded her.

"So let me enjoy it, will you?" Monica asked and Scully relented, pulling into the junior parking lot. She parked next to Mulder's empty spot and sighed, placing the car in park.

"He'll be back tonight." Monica reminded her as they climbed out of the car.

"It's not fast enough." Scully decided as they crossed the road and walked into the high school, "Where's John?"

"He had a physical for Track. He'll be here around lunch." Monica shrugged. Scully nodded and parted ways with Monica, still drinking her frappe. She stopped at her locker and grabbed her things for English and US History.

"Hey Freak. Where's Fox?" Diana Fowley paused, snapping her gum.

"Get lost Diana." Scully said as she slammed her locker shut.

"C'mon Red, what's with the 'tude? I just wondered where Foxy is." Diana said following her through the crowded hallway.

"Diana, bug off." Scully repeated as she picked up the pace, heading for the backstairs, praying there would be crowded enough she could lose her.

"Fine, be that way, Bitch." Diana spat.

"Diana, I swear to God, just BACK OFF." Scully said in an icy tone.

"Is there a problem here?" The Visual Communications teacher, Mr. Tenney asked.

"No." Diana said as she twirled a piece of hair around her finger.

"No, Sir." Scully said and looked at her feet, she turned and sprinted up the steps. She went straight to her English class, collapsing into her seat, the classroom was basically empty apart from the teacher, Mrs. Bechtold.

"Dana, are you alright?" Mrs. Bechtold sat on the desk in front of Scully.

"I'm fine. Just drama."

"Right. I remember high school. How's Mulder?" Mrs. Bechtold asked, she was one of the rare teachers who not only taught, but genuinely cared about her students and their lives.

"He's fine. I'm heading over to Greene with Charlie after school." Scully explained, "Samantha's getting transferred today. Mulder and his parents should be back around seven."

"Are you excited?"

"Thrilled." Scully smiled.

"That's what I like to hear. Now, wow me with that Gilgamesh paper." Mrs. Bechtold held her hand out. Scully grabbed the paper from her book bag and handed it to her, "Remember Dana, it's just high school."

"Thanks Mrs. B." Scully smiled as the rest of the class filed into the room when the bell rang. Mrs. Bechtold collected all the papers and they were handed a study guide for their test the following week.

Scully's next two classes were easy enough, US History and Gym. She took a quick shower after gym and rushed to the cafeteria. Making her way through the lunch line, she grabbed a salad and water, not really hungry, but she knew Monica would chew her out if she didn't at least eat something.

"Hey Dana." John said and Scully smiled, sitting down opposite him and Monica.

"Hi John." Scully said, "Hey Mon."

"Hey Danes." Monica said as she dug into hamburger number two.

"Maybe I should buy you a gym membership for a baby shower gift." Scully muttered and Monica flipped her off.

"So Mulder's coming home tonight?" John asked and Scully nodded as she chewed aimlessly at a bite of lettuce.

"Yeah." Scully said as she swallowed, "He should be back around seven. I think he is coming straight to the hospital." Scully explained.

"Good. It will be good." John said, they all felt it. With Mulder missing, a link from their group was missing.

"Yeah." Scully second, "So how'd your physical go?"

"Doctors are sadistic." Was all John said as he popped a fry in his mouth.

"Fascinating." Scully said and chuckled.

"You have no idea." Monica laughed and John shot her a look, "You know I'll just tell her later."

"Let me live in denial." John pleaded.

After lunch, Monica and Scully made their way to the Spanish portable. Scully sighed, starring out at the parking lot, "Mon... I'm..."

"Go. Get out of here. I'll get a ride from John." Monica urged, Scully stood silently for a moment, "RUN" Monica urged.

Scully didn't need to be told twice, she sprinted across the senior parking lot, her books in her arms, purse on her shoulder, racing across the street and to her car. Gasping for air, she climbed inside, tossing her things on the passenger seat, she put the car in gear and peeled out of the parking lot.

"What am I doing?" Scully muttered and turned onto the highway, she headed away from the city and towards the middle of nowhere. She had four hours to kill, the student in her was screaming 'Turn around, claim you left something in your car'. Another part of her, said 'Fuck the consequences'. She listened to the latter. She drove till she reached the rest area, pulling into the lot, she parked. Walking to the out building, she used the facilities and got a Wild Cherry Pepsi. Scully dozed off for awhile, but woke up when Monica texted her during seventh period.

"Where'd you go?"

"Rest area. Mi Mrkr 15"

"kwl"

Scully climbed in her car and headed to pick up Charlie from practice. She couldn't believe that she had skipped school, but she was completely useless without Mulder, he was her touchstone. He kept her focused. She sighed and joined the line of cars at the elementary school. She turned on Coldplay and waited for Charlie to come out of the school. Nearly ten minutes later, Charlie ran out of the double doors and hopped in the car.

"How was practice?" Scully asked as Charlie fastened his seat belt.

"Awesome. I'm on the blue team. We had a scrimmage. I shot a three pointer." Charlie rambled and Scully smiled.

"That's great, Bub."

"So we're gonna go see Samantha?" Charlie asked as he placed his Spiderman backpack on the seat beside him.

"Yup." Scully said and turned left onto Oak Street, heading towards the hospital.

"Will she know who I am?" Charlie asked, Charlie had been four years old when Samantha disappeared.

"I'm not sure, Charlie. Mulder said she was remembering bits and pieces, but even if she doesn't. I'm sure she's gonna think you are super cool." Scully pulled into the hospital parking lot, "But she might be really tired and sleepy, so take your homework with you." Scully explained, parking. She climbed out of the car. Swinging her tote bag over her shoulder, she took Charlie's hand and lead the way into the hospital.

"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"We're here to see Samantha Mulder." Scully explained, her hand resting on Charlie's shoulder and Charlie leaning into her side.

"Name?"

"Dana and Charles Scully."

"Alright. Go up to the third floor. She's in room 212." The lady directed, "Do you know where the elevators are?"

"Yes Ma'am." Scully said and they walked down the hall, she had been here plenty of times. She had two brothers after all and she and Melissa were extremely klutzy.

"Danes?" Charlie looked up at her.

"Yeah, Charlie?" Scully glanced at him as she pushed the elevator call button.

"Isn't that part of the floor for isolation?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, Bud. It's probably just to make sure she has privacy." Scully explained, "After all, Mr. Mulder could probably clear the whole floor for her if he wanted."

"Yeah."

They stepped off the elevator on the pediatric floor, pausing at the admit desk, so the nurses knew they arrived. They paused outside of room 212, Scully squeezed Charlie's shoulder and stepped inside. Samantha Mulder was thirteen years old, but she didn't look much different than she had at age eight. She had grown a few inches, her eyes had lost some of their life and she was incredibly pale, other then that she still looked like Samantha.

"Samantha." Scully said quietly, the young girl was watching Degrassi and looked over.

"Dana!" She smiled and held out her hand.

"How are you feeling, Sweetie?" Scully walked over, taking Samantha's hand.

"Good. Tired. My medicine makes me really sleepy." She shrugged, "I feel good though, even if they won't let me walk."

"Well they're just trying to keep you safe." Scully reminded her, "Do you remember my brother Charlie?"

"No. I'm sorry."

"Hey, that's alright." She motioned Charlie over and the boy stood close to his sister, "Charlie this is Samantha. Samantha, this is Charlie."

"Hi Charlie." Samantha smiled, she had the same smile as Mulder.

"Hi Samantha." Charlie said and smiled back.

"When's Fox getting here?" Samantha asked.

"I'm not sure. I'll find out." Scully smiled, "Charlie will you stay with Samantha? I'm gonna go down to the lounge really quick and call Mulder."

Charlie nodded and sat down on the doctor's stool that was beside the bed, "K." Scully smiled and ducked out the door.

"Do you like Spiderman?" Charlie asked Samantha.

"What's Spiderman?" Samantha asked, she hadn't been allowed to do much, let alone watch TV.

"Spiderman is only the coolest Superhero EVER!" Charlie said and began to explain to Samantha all about the radio active spiders and how Spiderman saved everyone, particularly M.J.

"Is he talking about Spiderman again?" Scully asked as she reentered the room, sticking her phone in her pocket.

"Yes. I find it fascinating." Samantha said, turning her attention back to Charlie. Scully chuckled, sitting in the arm chair, she pulled out her History homework. Her cell phone vibrated and she pulled it out, a text message from Mulder.

"How is she?"

"Falling in love with Charlie."

She replied. Scully glanced up and smiled as Charlie pulled the chair closer to Samantha's side, they reminded her of how she and Mulder used to act.

"Hey Charlie?" Samantha yawned, turning to face the little boy.

"Yeah, Samantha?" Charlie scooted closer.

"I don't have my teddy bear, so do you think you could hold my hand?" Samantha asked.

"A'course." Charlie smiled and took her hand.

"Keep talking. I like it." Samantha whispered as she closed her eyes, drifting off. Scully smiled as she finished her homework, Charlie telling Samantha about everything under the sun.

Mulder texted her again, "WHAT!? Charles and I are gonna have a talk."

Scully giggled out loud and then Charlie shot her a glare and she silenced, texting him back, "Good luck prying him away from her."

"SCULLY DO SOMETHING!"

"Mulder, he's 9. It's cute. STFU."

"I'll be there in an hour. -.-" Scully laughed, Mulder was so protective of Samantha, which she understood, but it was really humorous more than anything. She stood and stretched, her back popping.

"Where you going?" Charlie whispered as he glanced at her.

"To get a soda, want one lover boy?"

"SHUT UP" He whispered harshly.

Scully laughed as she left the room, walking down the hall and into the lounge, she put the money into the machine, getting two Wild Cherry Pepsi's and she also got a package of cheez it's for Charlie.

"Here Brat." She handed the goodies to him.

"Can you open them?" Charlie asked her.

"Suuure." Scully said and moved to do as he asked.

"I can't let her hand go." Scully grinned and handed him his soda, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Scully grinned, pursing her lips and fighting back a chuckle. It was too cute.

A half hour later, a voice cleared in the doorway, Scully's head jerked up, "MULDER!" She whispered and jumped up, she hugged him tightly.

"Hi Beautiful." Mulder whispered and kissed her lightly.

"Hi. I've missed you." Scully said and held him tightly, being selfish with him for a minute.

"I've missed you too." Mulder kissed her forehead, "How has she been?"

"Fine." Scully smiled, "She feel asleep around your last text. And Charlie's been playing guard dog ever since."

"Day-nuh!" Charlie made a face.

Mulder chuckled, "My parents are at home. Dad's getting ready to leave for a business trip. And Mom is tired." He rolled his eyes, he kissed Samantha's head and smoothed her hair.

"Well... you're here. And I bet that's what really matters to her." Scully smiled.

"Yeah."

"Hey, Charlie, let's go to the cafeteria and grab some food so Mulder can hang with Samantha." Scully suggested.

"No." Charlie said simply.

"Charles." Scully said again.

"I'm not hungry." Charlie protested.

"Hey Charlie." Mulder kneeled in front of the boy, "I REALLY appreciate you looking out for Samantha. That's really cool of you dude. Go get some food with your sister, you had basketball practice, so you must be STARVED. Samantha isn't going anywhere and she probably won't even wake up."

"I told I'd hold her hand." Charlie protested.

"Well whoever said Chivalry is dead...lied." Mulder deadpanned.

"Well, Mulder, will you go get food with me?" Scully asked.

"Sure." Mulder shrugged, he kissed Samantha's forehead again and ruffled Charlie's hair.

"I think it's gonna take the Jaws of Life to get him to leave her. He wouldn't open his own soda, cause he wouldn't let go of her hand." Scully laughed, Mulder wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Mmm. Well I guess if someone had to get attatched to her, your little brother isn't the worst person." Mulder shrugged.

"Yeah." Scully yawned, "I skipped school."

"What?" Mulder paused to look at her.

"I left after lunch. I couldn't think. I needed you. So I went to rest stop, drank a soda and slept till it was time to get Charlie." She explained as they stepped on the elevator.

"Scully?" Mulder couldn't believe it.

"You're never allowed to leave me. EVER again. I turn into a crazy woman." She demanded.

"I'll have to make sure that happens." Mulder said. They went to the cafeteria, buying several premade sandwiches and sodas.

"FOX!" Samantha exclaimed as they reentered the room, hand in hand.

"Hey, you're awake." Mulder smiled.

"Yeah. Charlie was telling me more about Spiderman." She smiled, the two were still connected at the hand, the nurse had been by to give Samantha her medicine and her food tray sat on a stand, she ate with her free hand.

"Spiderman?" Mulder looked at Charlie, who nodded, "Nice choice my man!" Mulder gave him a thumbs up.

Charlie fell asleep shortly before visiting hours ended, Mulder and Scully said good night to Samantha, with a promise to be back the next day. They then set about the task of extracting Charlie's firm grasp on Samantha's hand. Mulder carried Charlie downstairs to Scully's car and then the two stood between her car and his truck, their breath visible in the air.

"Don't leave me again?" Scully asked, pleaded.

"Never."

"I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you too." Mulder whispered, kissing her fully. When they separated, he held on a moment longer, "I'll see you in a few hours. Leave the window open this time."

A/N: Longest chapter I've EVER written. Over 4,000 words. I feel so happy. SO you guys BETTER REVIEW. I want to know your thoughts on the Charlie/Samantha friendship. What would you guys like to see next? Scully skipped school, give me your opinions!