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Part 30

Tricks of the Wicked

Thunder clapped as lightning struck causing Dana Scully to jump from her dream. She had been tossing and turning for as long as her head had been on the pillow. Mulder stalked her sleep; nightmares that wouldn't let her completely rest. She was awake when the thunder clapped, a small scream escaping her mouth as she shot up in bed as best she could around her large stomach. Her brow was drenched with sweat; she didn't pay it any mind as she let her hand stroke her stomach to calm herself and the child that had been giving her nightmares.

Taking in the dark room, lightning flashed again, illuminating the shadows for a split second. She swore at the thought of the storm, knowing that Danica's foot falls could usually be heard by now. The house was silent. No sound of the girl. She pulled herself out of the bed slowly and steadily, only six-months through her pregnancy Dana Scully was starting to find mobility tough.

She padded down the hallway, cautious with her steps once she reached the girl's room. If Danica managed to sleep through a thunderstorm then Scully didn't want to be the one who woke her. Pushing the door open softly Scully was greeted with yet another lightning flash that revealed an empty bedroom. No Danica and no Polly. She knew that wherever the girl would go the kitten would surely be close behind. If the cat wasn't around Scully was worried. Turning she walked back down the hallway, checking the master bedroom and the nursery as she went.

As a child she had learnt to count when lightning stuck to tell how far away it was. That wasn't a habit that was easily shaken. She took the stairs slowly counting silently for the next time lightning struck. When it did the house was filled with white light that streamed through the blinds very quickly before it disappeared again, but it was enough for Scully to see the little cat slipper that could only have been left behind by Danica in Mulder's quasi-library. She took her steps slowly from there once she noticed the soft light coming out from the ajar office door; she didn't want to frighten the girl who was out of bed. "Danica, you in there?" She spoke with a small knock on the doorframe before she pushed it open.

The young girl had been in her own world, she hadn't heard her mother's voice or knock on the door. She was spread out on the floor, lying on her stomach beside her father's old leather sofa. A large book was open in front of her, her little elbows propped up on the rug while she held her head in her hands, the little golden cat was curled into a ball on Danica's back, one eye cracked open to stare at the woman who had invaded their sanctuary. When Scully called her name again Danica heard her and turned her teary eyes to her mother. "Sorry." She mumbled as she climbed up onto the sofa, Scully joining her while Polly climbed underneath it unimpressed at her interrupted sleep. "I found that." She pointed to the large book on the floor. "It's all about the stars." Her voice was far off and filled with wonder. "I heard the thunder and I didn't want to wake you. I really just wanted Papa, so I came down here. I miss the sound of his seeds." Scully looked at the girl, confused and curious as to what the girl was talking about. "His peanut butter seeds."

"His sunflower seeds." Scully corrected as she ran her hand though the girl's hair. Mulder had once spoke about his childhood, that he knew he was okay at night because he could hear his father crunching down on sunflower seeds. It wasn't even genetic musto, yet somehow that security blanket had been passed down to the adopted child without neither one realizing. It hadn't surprised her when Danica liked the seeds so much yet couldn't remember the name, she and Mulder always had a special connection beyond anything she had witnessed before.

Their bond had no break in it. There was nothing that could tear them apart, nothing but literally tearing them apart. It hurt to watch the girl seem so lost in this large world without her father, but Scully knew exactly how she felt. '

The girl curled herself tightly around her mother as best she should. "Do you think Papa's up in the stars?" She asked quietly, alerting the woman that her sudden interest in astronomy perhaps wasn't going to be just a silly little fling.

"I think Papa's probably creating the thunder because he is mad that he can't get back to us." The little girl smiled sleepily.

"I like that." Scully nodded, agreeing with the girl. Slowly, but surly it got easier to talk about Mulder, it still hurt and they still hated that he wasn't there, but they were learning to talk about him and that was a good thing.

Scully tapped the little girl's side softly as she moved to sit up. "C'mon, I can't carry you to bed. You have to walk." The girl nodded willingly as she got up slowly and walked in front of her mother, little Polly trailing patiently at her feet. With Danica tucked into bed and fast asleep ten minutes later Scully left the room with every intention to return to her own fitful sleep. She was caught at the bedroom door by the sound of her ringing phone; startled that anyone would be calling at such an hour had Scully running for the cellular device. Skinner's voice broke through the line the minute she accepted the call. He was calm although she could hear the disbelief in his voice as well as the internal struggle he was facing on whether or not to tell her the daydream news. She hadn't believed him at first and had the older superior repeat his words several times before she was rummaging through the closet trying to find something to throw on.

The minute the line broke with Walter Skinner, Scully was pressing the number for her mother's speed dial. She could hardly breathe with the news that was handed to her and she hardly wanted to expose the girl to holding her breath any longer for the final truth.

She waited impatiently for her mother's drowsy arrival, her foot tapping on the floor with her anxiety to get out of the house. She couldn't believe it. In a way she didn't want to believe it. The news even if truth wasn't going to bring her any good. She had just managed to fix a broken and lost little girl and now, now Skinner calls to tell her that Mulder isn't dead.

Mulder's not dead.

It can't be.

The words swirled in her mind, catching her breath yet again. She flinched when headlights illuminated the foyer. Her mother's car had pulled into the driveway and with that she was out the door. "Dana, what's going on?" Her mother called as she rushed past her for her own car.

"I," She stopped at the car to look at her mother through the dark. "I can't tell you right now. I just, I have to go, I have to see him." For not being able to tell her mother Scully knew she had given it away just from the perplexed look across her mother's face. It was going to be hard to explain if what Skinner said was true, she just needed to make sure that he was awake and okay before she confirmed it and furthermore; tried to explain it. It hadn't been an easy few months for herself or Danica. The girl faced the end of all the problems and was forced to endure watching her mother go through a difficult pregnancy, a miracle she should have been enjoying and a saving grace Danica should have been reveling in. But they were scared, both of them for different reasons. But the fear was still there.

It was still dark out when she reached the naval hospital, but the lightning had ceased or at least decided not to follow her. Her body was exhausted and simultaneously wide awake with the adrenaline that was still madly pounding through her veins. She hit the ground running the minute her car was stationed; she walked at a steady pace, trying to prevent herself from waddling through the front doors. The air whipped past her face as she moved with as much speed as she could gather, Walter Skinner turned his attention towards her as he heard the doors open, her astonished face was laced with concern and fatigue. "Is it true?" She came at him.

He stepped in front of her, obstructing the woman in her path. "Slow down." He warned, his face softening. She hadn't had the best of times the last six months the last thing he wanted was her exhausting herself to the point of collapse. He knew it had been a bad idea calling her, but he didn't honestly think she would leave the house that very minute. Obviously it was a rookie mistake when dealing with Dana Scully's passion for the madman she had been tasked with for years.

She shook her head as she tried to push past him. "No." Her voice lowered a hint of pleading and desperation coming out to play. "I want to see him."

He nodded, "I know you do …" But he had to make her understand. He didn't want her hopes to soar only for them to come crashing back down harder than ever.

She tried to get passed him with a frenzied urgency. "No, I need to see him, damn it!" Skinner put his foot down, she wasn't going in there. He didn't want to see the pieces shatter again, especially if his assumptions were true. It would all fall on his head. He held onto her arms, preventing her from getting past him. "Tell me it's true." Her voice dropped to a desperate whisper. "Tell me." Her eyes pleaded with the man in front of her, he couldn't call and then leave her hanging he should not have called her under false assumption anyway.

He lowered his head with a huff as he stepped away from her. He really didn't know he couldn't comprehend it; perhaps that was why Agent Doggett was in there with the doctor rather than himself. John Doggett had strangely found himself understanding the inexplicable.

Scully's face fell when he shrugged his shoulders with a second huff, she moved to lash out at him when the door creaked open and her hand found its usual place against her protruding belly. Her face lifted again at the sight of Doggett, stepping towards the large man, her body tired she had never felt so small and vulnerable before, never had she felt to weak and naked. But that was just what Mulder managed to do to her, he stripped away her strength while simultaneously leaving it there for her to think she could bare life without him, but in reality he had marked her, made her unable to stand the thought of existence without his stupid face. "What did they say?" She asked him quietly, her head craned to look him in the eye. His silence caused tears to blur her already desperate vision. "I need to see him."

His eyes drifted, "I know … but I wish you wouldn't." To be honest John Doggett was just sick of the pain this woman was causing herself and her children for this man. Deep down he hated Fox Mulder for putting himself in such jeopardy that almost had him killed, selfishly thinking about his "quest" over his family. He watched the courageous woman as she bit her lip in front of him before pushing her way into her partner's room. He left her be as the door closed behind her softly, he thought briefly of the little shadow that followed him through the office on occasion and wondered where she was before he realized that he needed to give Dana Scully credit for not telling the impressionable young girl, just yet.

Most would be startled at seeing a loved one in such a condition but by now Scully was used to it, especially when it concerned Mulder. But the silence of the room and the sound of the machines made it feel like a whole new world, a different universe where she was being granted a second chance. She approached him slowly her steps cautious as she moved; scared to make the faintest of sounds. With her hand on his chest she felt her whole body relax beyond anything she had felt for months. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt his faint heartbeat drum against her fingertips.

Scully heaved a sigh as she fought to hold a steady breath. Slowly she leant to embrace his stiff body, something she thought she would never be able to do again, and vowed to do it a lot more once he awoke. The control she had been trying to hold onto broke as a tear slipped down her cheek and landed on his hospital gown. Her mind wouldn't accept it, surely this was all a dream and the man under her cheek was simply a phantom. She refused to leave his room on that belief; she kept vigil in fear that if she moved he would be gone. Her fingers curled around his as she sat in an uncomfortable hospital chair, her free hand resting on her belly. She fell asleep like that after the doctor's second appearance to fill her in when he left no one but nurses on shift disturbed her until morning.

It was Doggett whose timing coincided with her eyes fluttering open for the morning. The pity on his face was clearly evident when he walked in finding her in the same position she had been in all night. "You can't do this to yourself." She stated softly, his voice laced with concern.

She was cool with her response, calm and collected her voice even. "You asked me to come in here, Agent Doggett. I hope you're not asking me to leave." He noticed the change this man's reappearance brought on her instantly and he was glad for a glimpse at a somewhat completely happy Scully, but not this way, not while she was destroying herself for the full effect.

"Concern's for your well-being, Agent Scully." He stood his ground, hands behind his back, feet evenly apart. He was sick of watching the same old story play out on her face; he couldn't have the tape worn before there was a chance at a different ending. "That's all it's ever for. I felt this was a bad idea from the start. I told the Assistant Director so. Worrying about the effect it might have on you and Danica. I called the house by the way. Just to let them know you were with me, Danica wants to know what's going on. This isn't good for her either."

She raised an eye brow, her fingers still gripping to Mulder's. "You mean finding Mulder alive?" Her mind was clouded. That was the only thing that mattered at that point in time.

"I know you came in here with the doctors. I'm sure you must have asked them what his chances are." She let go of her partner's hand as she moved to stand, her face was etched with anger as she stepped towards the lofty man but her voice was low as she spoke.

"Agent Doggett … However I felt about you when we first met, you changed my opinion with the quality of your character and of your work. Now, I am thankful to know you and I am thankful for your concern … But no matter what Mulder's chances are the choice to not open up that grave was wrong. And not because of me personally or the little girl who wants him back more than anything but as my partner on the X-Files. Now, the Truth may hurt but it's all that matters."

His face shifted. "What truth?"

Doggett could have sworn there was a flicker of a smug look that flashed across her face. "About what caused this." The air between them grew silent as they stared at each other and wondered at the possibilities and the ambiguity beyond it all.

A nurse stormed through the door panting as she tried to catch her breath, "You've got to come quickly! It's Billy Miles." Throwing a look at Scully Doggett follows after the astonished nurse. So far as they knew Billy Miles was in the same state as Mulder, only his skin had bloated due to water damage. But there he was, walking the hallway of the Annapolis naval hospital looking completely normal, only a little bit lost.

[…]

She had pushed Billy Miles to the back of her mind by the end of the day; having caught Skinner unplugging Mulder's medical equipment, Doggett's shifty behavior towards something he was unwilling to tell her about and rushing Mulder unto the ER with the promise to have a miracle cure, but said cure hadn't come and instead they had managed to level out his temperature.

It hadn't mattered, the day was behind her, and she could not change it now. Instead she kept vigil after calling Danica for the night, assuring the girl that all was good in the world and leaving out the fact that she was sitting by her father's bedside.

She sat next to him, her fingers curled around his own as her thumb stoked small circles across the top of his hand. She was fighting sleep as she stared at the bland white walls. His hand twitched against her own causing the grown woman to jump. She turned her attention to him immediately as he shifted his head slightly. Leaning in with an open mouthed wonder she whispered his name. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked over at her. The redhead before him was on the verge of tears and most likely a bit of laughter. Her lips quivered as she searched his face for the right words. "Hi." She whispered mentally cursing herself for all she could come up with.

Her smile was soft as she refused to take her eyes from his silent questioning hazel ones. His voice was course when he spoke, his face covered in complete confusion. "Who are you?" came out of his lips causing Scully's face to fall and her heart to plummet. Within a second a smile spread across his lips a devilish cheeky smile even she had missed.

A sob left her throat with relief. "Oh, my god. Don't do that to me." Tears streaked her face. He gave her a soft smile as a gentle apology. "Do you know" She paused "Do you have any idea what you've been through?" She asked him softly, her thumb still running circles over his hand.

He shook his head softly, his eyes searching hers for an explanation, the pain he found there was no pleasant. "Only what I see in your face." She hadn't known it, but her expressions always held the answers for him, she tried not to let emotion though but he could find it, well, most of the time. She lifted her hand to stoke his hair as she pressed her face into his chest her ear finding his steady heartbeat as she held him tightly scared that she would wake from this wonderful dream. "Anybody miss me?" He asked her cheekily causing his partner to laugh through her tears as she moved to kiss his shoulder.

Scully refused to let go of him as the two of them sat there, she caught movement past the sliver of window. When she raised her eyes to see who it was she finds an expressionless Doggett, she didn't have anything to say to him although a thank you could have been in order but she didn't want to leave Mulder and she sure as hell wasn't ready to explain what had conspired over the last six months, not when he had just awoken. When Doggett left she tucked her head into Mulder's shoulder her body relaxing more than she realized she was capable of. Her eyes flittered shut as she let his comfort slip over her. "I should call Danica." She whispered into the silence as she listened to his breathing even out.

His hand ran over her hair as he hummed. "I want to see her, really. But can we wait until morning?" He asked softly, his voice fragile and she couldn't help but to agree. He was right though, Danica would be ecstatic, more that Scully thought Mulder realized. She would also be bounding with energy that neither adult could handle at that moment.

They had fallen asleep like that no worries in their world until Mulder woke the next morning to find Scully stretching beside him, something very different about her. She had reached back, her arms over her head, her back arched only a little as she found hat yet again her spine was certifiably in place and that twinge in her lumbar was going to have to wait to be relieved. "Morning." She whispered to him with a soft smile as she sat herself properly in the chair. "What?" She asked when he hadn't removed his stare from her stomach … and then she realized.

Mentally Dana Scully cursed as she stared back at her partner, she had forgotten about the baby, about the uncomfortable position she was always in with his awakening and it all managed to slip her mind. "I've been gone a lot long then I thought, haven't I?" His tone was sour. She shook her head but didn't have time to explain when there was a tap at the door. She moved to open it slowly allowing for a little orange head to pop though.

"Papa?" A child's voice whispered in disbelief as his Danica stepped around her mother, older than he last remembered. "That's my Papa?" She looked up at Scully for confirmation, when her mother nodded Danica took steady steps towards her father's bedside, not believing it was all true.

He smiled at the girl beside him, his hand ran the length of her face before he cupped her cheek. "Hey," His grin grew broader as her bottom lip quivered at the touch of his hand. "Don't cry." He told her softly as he tried his best to lift her up onto the bed, leaving the little girl to partially climb.

A tear ran loose down her face. "But, Mama said you were dead. We buried you. I had to say goodbye." She stared at him for a minute before looking back at her mother for answers. Both adults looked at each other, how were they supposed to explain this to a seven-year-old.

"Sometimes people change their mind, or they think they know something where in fact they're wrong. I can't explain how this happened Danica, I don't understand and I don't ever want to give you false information." She nodded; it was enough of an explanation for her. "I promise, I am never going to leave you again." The girl wrapped her arms around his neck as she held onto him tightly

"Did you, did you forget about me?" She asked, her voice stammering. Mulder kissed his daughters nose.

"How could I? You're the prettiest little thing ever, you mean everything to me Danni, I could never forget you, ever."

She pulled back from her father and used the back of her fist to wipe away her tears. "Never ever?"

Mulder nodded his head as he bopped the tip of her nose. "Never ever." Danica's grin after his confirmation was infectious. For now he couldn't remember what happened to him, but he could remember how much he wanted to get back to her and to make her smile like that again.

Sorry it's not right, I have to go to work in ten minutes and I'm still not ready.

Until next week,

A