To those of you who dropped me reviews, THANK YOU! Flattery will get you everything, including more of the story, maybe even faster! Do you any of you know someone willing to proof read? I'm terrible at proofing my own work. Thanks!
It certainly felt a bit strange to be driving Mulder around all the time. Over the years, I had gotten used to be being a passenger and allowing him to have that control. It made me feel like we had obtained a level of equality never before imagined. But, that was silly, he couldn't drive. It occurred to me that after Mulder fully recovered, I would most likely be back in the passenger seat. That thought, along with a quick glance at the lanky form to my right warmed me. I put out my hand and rested it gently on Mulder's knee. He looked up at me with tired eyes and the corner of his mouth turned up.
"Mulder, there are some things I need to share with you. We need to talk about…" I was surprised when he interrupted me.
"I know we do, Dana," his tone was one that I hadn't heard from him in the last week and the sound made the warmth of my musings dissipate. "I've had enough of talking for the day. I need some time alone."
I pulled my hand from his knee, but before I could return it to the steering wheel, he snatched it up in his big grasp. "I'm not pushing you away. I'd never do that." Oh wouldn't you? I thought. "I think I just want to sit and be for a while: by myself."
I briefly squeezed his fingers before extricating my hand so that I could maneuver the car to the curb outside his building.
"I understand, Mulder. I do. But we should…" the ringing of my cell phone made both of us jump. We laughed at each other as I fished the phone out of my jacket pocket.
"Scully, "I intoned in my normal FBI business fashion. But, it was Frohike and he was on a roll.
"Hey, how's Mulder? Is he good? Good. I can't wait to see him, but boohowdy do I some stuff for you. What are you up to? Can you come over? When can we see Mulder? He would be interested in this stuff too, guaranteed." I had opened my mouth to answer several of the little man's questions, but didn't have an opportunity to speak until after his last statement. I rolled my eyes in Mulder's direction which was met by a quizzical cock of his eyebrow.
"Okay, Frohike. One: Yes, Mulder is fine. Did you realize that I didn't actually answer you? Two: I'm dropping Mulder off at his apartment. Three: Not now, maybe later. Four: Same as three. What do you have for me?" I heard Langley in the background, which tipped me off that I was on speaker with the Lone Gunmen.
"Damn she's good, Frohike!" I smiled and returned the speaker phone favor.
"You're on with both Mulder and me. So, what is it?"
"Satellite images from the last week and a half."
This was great news. And anticipation immediately bubbled up in me.
"Do they show UFO activity?"
"Well, Scully, I wish I could tell you I had pictures of UFOs for you, but they don't show up on satellites. What I do have, though, are indications that a UFO may have been present in several locations over that time period." I glanced at Mulder and he looked very interested in the prospect of learning about this revelation. I had already made up my mind that this couldn't wait, but I recalled Mulder's plea for time to himself. There was no way I was going to leave him out of this, though.
"Frohike, I could kiss you. My place at six."
"I'm gonna hold you to that kiss, my fiery G-woman. Will there be food?" I laughed. Of course, if one wanted favors from the Gunmen, one must produce proper enticement.
"I'll spring for pizza. But, it's BYOB. I don't want to hear you whine about how I don't keep cheap beer in my fridge."
"We'll be there!"
Langley cut in again, "Hey, Mulder, it's good to have you back, man!" Then the line went dead. Mulder was staring at me while slowly shaking his head back and forth.
"Interesting friends you have there, G-woman," he said with a laugh.
"Not mine: yours."
….
I arrived home, sans Mulder, with a few hours to spare before my much anticipated company was due to arrive. I really wanted to put on sweatpants and a t-shirt, but I couldn't quite bring myself to be frumpy when I knew Mulder was coming too. It was strange. He had seen me in (and out) of a variety of get ups over the years. But, suddenly, I was shy about what he would think of my choice in clothing. I opted for my favorite jeans and a cami with yet another button up. I was debating about whether or not to take a shower when my phone rang.
I answered why my customary, "Scully," and was pleasantly greeted by mom.
"Dana, honey, how are you? I haven't heard from you for days. Tell me how Fox is holding up." I sat down on my bed and prepared to tell my mother about the events of the last few days. She listened intently as I told her of Doggett's bullheaded behavior, Skinners odd silence toward me. We hadn't spoken much at all since I brought Mulder home. I told her of our appointment with Dr. Cenetta, but of course, not about my dream. There are limits to what mothers can tolerate.
"I'm so sorry. This must be awful, for you. I think I like that psychiatrist. This is the most you've actually shared with me in a very long time. You should keep seeing her. Mothers like to know how their children are really doing, not just a cursory, 'I'm fine, Mom.' I smiled and lay down crossing my feet at my ankles and feeling rather smug. I was getting good at sharing and feelings, thank-you-very-much.
"Mom, there's something that Dr. Cenetta told me that I'm honestly not sure how to approach and she doesn't want me to tell Mulder." I understood why. It made sense. If he made wonderful memories during this dissociative state, he wouldn't want to lose those memories. It seemed like a no-brainer to me that Mulder would rather have all the rest of his life back and available to him rather than the few days (well now getting into weeks) he was without those memories.
"It's just unfair. The human brain is capable of things never seen before in nature. But one man can't have memories of returning to me and memories of our past. The doctor is especially concerned because she feels that Mulder doesn't trust who he was. He doesn't seem to like the idea of his great quest to find the truth at all costs. Dr. Cenetta is concerned that his desire to not return to that lifestyle may prolong this dissociative fugue. And she's concerned that if he knows that he likely won't recollect anything from this period of time, he'll be reluctant to truly recover." I finished my explanations and stated concerns of my own. I hoped my mother had something comforting, if not useful to say. Turns out it was both.
"Dana, if Fox is concerned about this, you should tell him that the two of you are going to make wonderful memories together no matter what. When two people care for each other as deeply as you do, the past doesn't matter nearly as much as the present and the future. The future that you two have together with the baby is more important than any of the terrible things that have happened in the past." It was exactly what I needed to hear.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Now, Dana, when is your next OB appointment? I want to go."
Well apparently when you start sharing feelings, people tend to just move right into your life, no questions asked other than when? I smiled to myself as I realized I was truly looking forward to having a closer relationship with my mother, even if it was completely unavoidable. I'd have her only grandchild closer than 3,000 miles. I let the smile show through my voice.
"It's next week sometime. I'll check my calendar and let you know," I paused for a second then added, "I love you, Mom. I'll talk to you soon."
There was an equally long pause on the other end, I had surprised her. Then in a thick voice my mother said, "I love you too, Dana."
Feeling newly energized I swung off my bed and began stripping my skirt suit off. I could get used to this warm and fuzzy feeling, I thought. I had closed myself off from everyone for so long. It was refreshing to open up and realize that having close relationships was a very real possibility.
As I began dressing, the warm and fuzzy feeling intensified. I couldn't button the bottom button of my shirt nor my jeans. Oh, my favorite jeans, our love affair was over. With a gap of a full inch between button and hole, it would be a long, long time before we met again. I folded them up and stuck them in the top of the closet to await our reunion.
I was all of a sudden feeling rebellious. I ditched my feelings of self-consciousness and threw on a pair of gray yoga pants and a white t-shirt that belonged to Mulder. I ordered the pizza (Mulder's favorite) and was considering adding a pair of fuzzy socks to my ensemble when there was a knock at my door. After a glance through the peep hole I opened the door wide to admit the Lone Gunmen who were loaded with the accoutrements of their indescribable profession: laptops, brief cases, a poster tube, and a case of Miller Highlife.
Langley stepped in the door and enthusiastically declared, "Let's get this anarchy party started!"
….
I'm going to start a "Next Up" section down here at the bottom of chapters. Wish I had thought of it before.
Next up... The Lone Gunmen to the Rescue and Doggett has some 'splainin' to do to Kersch.
