MONDAY
Linda took Jane back to the workout area and went over the treatment plan and goals while Scully changed clothes. Once Jane felt comfortable with their routine, Linda and Scully said their good-byes and left Jane to take over.
When they were finished, Scully brought out large glasses of ice water and they sat out on the back porch to cool down. Scully was out of breath, her body damp with perspiration.
Jane, her brow furrowed, stared at her closely, assessing her condition. "We didn't overdo it, did we, Dana?"
"Absolutely not," Scully quickly assured her, as she stretched carefully. "It was wonderful - I feel great." A grimace of pain belied the accuracy of her statement, however.
"You don't look great," Jane stated, matter of factly, but Scully brushed her concern aside.
"I don't know if Linda had a chance to tell you, but I'm a medical doctor as well," Scully told her. "Besides, I've already learned my lesson and I don't intend to do anything to jeopardize my recovery." She lowered her voice, conspiratorially, "I've got a wedding to plan."
Jane's eyes lit up. "No kidding! When?" She dropped her gaze to Scully's left ring finger, noticing for the first time, the engagement ring that Scully was wearing.
"Well, we really haven't set a date yet," she answered vaguely, fingering the diamond band. "We wanted to get through all this first."
Jane nodded in understanding. "Well, with everything happening so quickly, I didn't get a chance to read your history, as you know. So, how did 'all this' come about? Was it in the line of duty?"
Scully smiled. "So you do know I'm in the FBI?"
Jane blushed. "Well, yeah. That was kind of the ace in the hole for Linda to get me on board. See, I'm trying to become a romance novelist and obviously after my breakup and subsequent downtime, I ended up with a lot of material to work with and wanted to get started. But Linda said she was desperate and that you worked in the FBI. I realized that I might be able to get a whole lot more material."
Scully couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't realize that my job would have that much appeal." She stopped abruptly, her expression turned serious. "Surely you wouldn't base a character on me or my life, would you?"
"Oh, no, not if you didn't want me to," Jane hurriedly assured her. "Besides, I've got a whole box full of manuscripts, each with their own rejection slip. I've never even been published." She couldn't hide her disappointment when she admitted her failures.
"Well, at least you're trying," Scully consoled her. "Think of all the people out there with a dream that never even take the first step."
Jane changed the subject, sensing Scully's unwillingness to
discuss the nature of her injuries. Maybe another time. "So,
tell me about this man of yours. I want all the juicy
details: good-looking, tall, dark, handsome, old flame or co-
worker - come on, I want to know it all."
Scully opened her mouth to reply but was abruptly cut off.
"Say! Where is everyone?"
Both women jumped at the unexpected shout.
"On the porch, Mulder!" Scully called back, as she pulled herself to a standing position.
"Mulder - " Jane murmured quietly. She stayed where she was, a faraway gaze on her face as Scully rushed inside.
Mulder met her halfway and she flung herself into his open arms, panting, a smile bursting forth at the last moment before she pressed her cheek against his chest. He clutched her tightly as she caught her breath, feeling her torso rise and fall, feeling her ribs slide up and down under his hands. He thrilled to have her in his embrace, so alive, delicate yet strong when she hugged him. Everything about her was firm to the touch, smooth with a woman's softness, but sound and toned. He lifted her easily for a brief moment then set her back on her feet.
Scully spoke first. "So, how was the lecture?"
"Oh, the usual," Mulder replied as he looked down at her legs. "Tell me, how does it feel to lose the cast?" he asked her.
"Like I'm a prisoner who's just been set free!" Scully announced happily. "And if I never have to wear a cast again, it'll be too soon for me."
"Are you sure, because I thought you were beginning to like it," Mulder teased her.
Scully snorted derisively. "Yeah, right." She remembered Jane waiting on the porch. "Listen, abrupt change of plans. Brad got a job at the University of Kentucky and they have to leave right away, but Linda was able to find a replacement therapist. We had our first session today and I think she'll work out well. Besides, the doctor said I'd be able to be on my own in three or four weeks. Come on, she's out back, I want you to meet her."
Scully led Mulder back to find Jane staring out at the lake. "Jane" Scully called and the woman turned. "I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Fox Mulder." Jane began walking slowly towards them, shaking her head, a look of shock on her face. "Mulder this is Jane - oh, I'm sorry, I don't even know your last name - " She noticed the look on Jane's face and stopped.
"I don't believe it," Jane said in hushed amazement, her eyes locked on Mulder, ignoring Scully completely. "After all these years, I just don't believe it."
"I'm sorry," Mulder said, baffled. "Do I know you?"
Jane grinned. "Not as well as you knew my brother."
"Your brother?"
"Thomas. Thomas Houndeford." She waited to see if Mulder's reaction showed as much surprise as she'd felt. She wasn't disappointed.
Mulder's mouth dropped open and he stared at Jane in utter disbelief. "Janie? You're Janie Houndeford?"
Jane laughed aloud. "Yep. It's me."
Mulder stepped up to her and hugged her. Jane laughed some more. "Gee, Fox, as I recall, you and Tommy were never this happy to see me."
Mulder laughed too, as Scully watched them, a bemused expression on her face. Mulder stepped back, still shaking his head.
"Scully, Jane is the younger sister of my best friend, Tommy Houndeford. I haven't seen her since I graduated from Oxford."
"Small world," Scully commented lightly. "So, where is Tommy now? I don't think I've ever heard you mention him."
Jane and Mulder grew somber. It was Jane who answered after exchanging looks with Mulder. "Tommy was killed by a drunk driver two weeks before his wedding."
Scully's hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Mulder spoke quietly, remembering. "Yeah, it was pretty traumatic for us all. First Samantha and then Tommy. It was years apart, but he was like family and had really helped me after Samantha disappeared. Mom called me. I had just gotten back from Oxford to get fitted for my tux. It was the first time I had ever been asked to be a pall bearer." He stared over at Jane. "I couldn't believe it."
"Yeah," Jane said quietly. "I don't really remember much about that time. I don't think I saw anyone at the funeral - Mom wouldn't stop crying and she just held on to me and wouldn't let me go. If I went to the bathroom, I had to go straight back to her. Don't even ask about nights."
The three grew quiet, the mood solemn and it was Jane who finally broke the spell.
"Hey, enough of this," she said briskly. "Tommy wouldn't want this. Not now, not after so many years."
"You're absolutely right, Jane," Mulder stated firmly.
"I'd rather talk about the happy times," Jane told them.
"Hmm, well, I guess that wouldn't be when Tommy kidnapped all your dolls, locked them in his closet and held them for ransom," Mulder taunted her, "Or when he pretended to be a monster outside your bedroom window. As I recall, Tommy said you had nightmares for weeks."
Scully gasped as Jane burst into giggles. "Fox Mulder! You talk as if you had nothing to do with all that."
"Mulder!" Scully exclaimed, her hands on her hips. "You didn't!"
"Oh, Dana, Fox and the Hound - that's what everyone called them back then - were notorious. They were inseparable and more like brothers than some brothers I know. Everyone thought that they were related. Samantha and I didn't stand a chance. Not that we didn't try, mind you, but, well, you know that old saying about paybacks. We learned that when those two got together, we just had to stay out of their way."
Scully put a sympathetic arm around Jane's shoulders. "I know exactly what you went through. I had two older brothers myself and they were just as bad."
"Hey, wait a minute, you two," Mulder protested. "You're not going to gang up on me - two against one isn't fair."
"Funny," Jane commented, "you two didn't have a problem with that back then."
Mulder shut his mouth with a snap. "Oh yeah," he muttered. After Samantha disappeared, Jane was on her own. He remembered how he and Tommy would tell Jane to go off and play with her dolls whenever she showed up. "Well," he said sheepishly, "I don't think I can make up for anything, and I know we were pretty cruel but I can apologize."
Jane smiled broadly. "Good enough for me, Fox. Besides, I forgave you years ago. After years of therapy, of course." She winked at Scully.
"Well, that's a relief." Mulder said, eager to move to another subject before he felt a flood of guilt for his childhood behavior. "Now, who's hungry?"
"Oh, not me, " Jane replied quickly. "I still have a lot to do at home." She moved to gather her things and Scully walked her out as they planned for the upcoming weeks. Mulder came up behind Scully as she stood on the driveway and put his arms around her as they watched Jane get in her car. With her window down, Jane had no problem hearing Scully's next words, as she backed the car slowly away.
"Mulder, I want to get started on our wedding."
