AN: I forgot to note this in the first chapter, any crossover story tends to lean a bit in one direction as it is difficult to completely balance the story for both sets of characters. The first story in this series, "The Ghost Files" leaned a bit more towards the X-Files. This, the third story in this series, "A Stitch in Time" leans a bit more towards "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" series. The stories after this are a bit more balanced. I just wanted to let everyone know in case that affects your reading of this story.
I will be posting additional chapters for this story at least every other week - but don't worry - the story is complete. And when this is done I have two other stories in this series ready to go as well!
And one chapter up and you guys are giving me reviews? You are so awesome! Thank you so much!
Chapter 2
Mulder and Scully exchanged a long look of disbelief, unwilling to accept what just happened.
"There must be something we can do," she whispered into his ear.
"Yeah, I think so too, but I have no idea what. I mean what happened to him? Where did he go? Can we get him back?"
"We just have to find him again," Will said with a yawn, but was ignored by his parents. He walked over to Carolyn, and gently removed her hands from her face, and wiped away her tears. "Aunt Carolyn, it's okay, he's not gone forever."
She pulled the boy to her and hugged him for all he was worth, until he squeaked and pushed her away so that he could look into her face.
"He's not gone, Aunt Carolyn. He'll be back."
"Oh, Will. Thanks for saying that, but…"
"It's true. I don't know where he is yet, but I'll find him for you."
"That would be wonderful, William."
"You can find him, Will?" Mulder and Scully knelt beside their son.
"Yeah, I think so, but not until I sleep some more. I'm tired," he said and crawled into his mother's arms.
"Carolyn, can we use the guest room? Maybe we can figure this out if we stay together."
"Please, you know you are more than welcome."
"Thanks," Scully said and picked up her son. "Mulder, why don't you stay and help out Carolyn?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," he said and gave Scully a 'what do I do now?' look.
"I'll be back after I get Will down for his nap."
Mulder nodded as Scully left and he offered his hand to Carolyn who got up off the floor. He searched her face and could see the tears in her bright green eyes and pulled her to him in a comforting embrace as she sobbed against his chest.
"Shh, it will be all right, Carolyn, we'll find a way to get him back."
"How can we get him back when we don't even know where he is? And what if he's not anywhere? Or worse, what if Will's wrong and he's gone forever," the tears were running freely down her cheeks.
"Hey, don't give up. I believe Will, I believe that he's somewhere, or will be. Once we figure that out we can put a plan together, okay?"
"Okay," she pulled back at him and he gently wiped the tears away from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Fox, I didn't mean to…"
"Think nothing of it. After what you and Danny have done for us the least we can do is to help with this, to help get him back. We may not have an immediate answer, but we'll come up with something."
"How can you be so sure?" She drew away from him and stood up straight.
"Scully and I have had a lot of practice in the paranormal events as well as being trained investigators. Will might have some ideas too. And as we continue to find out, he does have some pretty amazing abilities." He was still hanging onto her arms, so he gave them a squeeze. "Now, would you like something to drink? I could make coffee, ice tea?"
"I think a shot of whiskey might be more appropriate," she said and marched over to the side table where a decanter of Daniel's favorite whiskey stood on the table. She poured herself a glass and looked over at Mulder who nodded. When she finished pouring she walked back across the room and handed one to him before she took a sip from her glass.
"Damnit! Where are you?" She said turning to look at his portrait.
Mulder could only stare helplessly at his portrait and hope that his favorite ghost would be found and brought home.
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The truth was that Captain Daniel Gregg had no idea where he was. It was a small, dark confined space with no light. And his head hurt, so much so that he was doubled over in agony, trying to get a handle on the pain he was feeling, pain he realized he hadn't felt for a vast number of years.
What was going on? What happened? Where am I?
He rubbed his head and groaned.
Well at least he did still exist, somewhere and somehow, and that in itself was good news. Maybe he could find some way to get back to Carolyn. Though that was problematic as he didn't know where he was, and most certainly didn't know how he got here, wherever here was.
He opened his eyes, or he thought he did, but everything remained black, and he had the oddest feeling, that he was someplace familiar.
Suddenly there was light, and he was aware that his eyes were blinking open, only he had no control over them. His body stretched, yawned and he saw that he was on a ship, and he recognized the Captain's quarters as his. It had been almost two hundred years since he had been on his ship, just what in the hell was going on?
The door opened and what seemed like a very young and energetic Jared stuck his head through the opening and stared at his Captain. "Danny, up and at 'em. This is our last port before we head home."
"Home. I'm looking forward to that. It's been a very long journey." His voice rumbled without him making any conscious effort at speech.
"You look tired," Jared observed.
"I am. More than usual. Perhaps I need to consider cutting back on these trips," his other self-answered with words that he remembered speaking in the distant past.
"You? Danny? Are you all right?"
"I will be, once I get home and get some time to rest."
"You need a good woman, you know?"
"Do not start on that old tirade, I do not want to hear it. I have not met the right woman and that is the end of it."
"Oh, Danny, don't be so picky. There are plenty of wonderful women out there, you should know, you've met a great deal of them."
"Quantity is not the same as quality," he said with a raised eyebrow, "you know that."
"Aye, I do, and it's just as I've always suspected. The reason you meet so many is you keep hoping to find the love of your life."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "I think we are done discussing my love life, or lack thereof."
"Cheer up, oh Captain of mine, it could be that you will meet her soon. Maybe you just haven't been in the right place at the right time yet."
"Perhaps," Daniel studied his friend thoughtfully. "In any event this ship won't sail itself and it's time for a shift change."
"I hope the weather holds as we are so close to home."
"Schooner Bay. I'm looking forward to staying in my new house for an extended period of time," he told Jared with a weary smile.
Oh, no.
He suddenly realized what time he had fallen into; he was on his last journey home. When they docked at Schooner Bay he would leave his ship in Jared's capable hands, and retreat to Gull Cottage to rest where he would fall asleep and inadvertently cause his own death.
No, no, no! Not now!
What happens if I live through that again? Will I be sent back as a spirit to the future with my beloved wife Carolyn? Or will I cease to exist altogether when this version of myself passes on? Or am I caught in some endless loop? Bloody Hell! How do I get out of this, so I can get back to where I belong? How can I let them know that I'm trapped her, within myself?
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The house is so empty without Daniel, Carolyn thought as she wandered from room to room. It had always been a large house with plenty of room for her, Daniel and the children, but when the children had grown up and left the nest or flown the coop as he liked to say in jest, the house had gotten bigger and emptier.
Carolyn soon found that if her Captain was with her, she could relax into the new normal for them and was happy to settle back into Gull Cottage in a more independent fashion. The house hadn't felt this lonely in years.
And he was truly gone, she couldn't feel him anywhere and she had been over every inch of this house, every nook and undusted cranny, all the places she knew he liked to hide when he wasn't visible. She smiled to herself, both knew that he couldn't hide from her even if he wanted to as she could always feel his presence. Except for now. Now he was gone, maybe forever. And she didn't know how she could bear it. What good would being young again do her? She would have to live another entire lifetime, only this time without his love. The idea was heartbreaking.
At last she sat down on the loveseat in front of the fire, losing herself as she stared into it. She looked up a short time later after hearing a short knock on the door and Dana let herself into the Master Suite.
"Carolyn, I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude," Dana said, stopping in front of her friend, "but we're worried about you."
"Don't be."
Dana bit her lip as she studied the woman before her, realizing this was someone she hardly recognized. Carolyn had short blonde hair, clear green eyes, beautiful unmarred skin, and a figure that would make men wild and women envious. She was a very beautiful woman. But even her beauty couldn't disguise her anxiety and sadness.
"Carolyn," Scully knelt before her friend. "I know how I felt when Mulder was taken from me and there wasn't anything I could do to get him back." Scully squeezed her friend's hand as the sad memories overwhelmed her. "So, I want you to know, that I do understand."
Carolyn gave Dana's hand an answering squeeze and closed her eyes for a long moment, collecting herself. "I can't live without him. Either I have to find him or…"
"Or?" Scully gave her friend a worried look.
Carolyn shrugged but said nothing, she didn't need to, her hopeless expression said it all.
Scully got off the floor and sat down beside Carolyn, realizing words were no longer necessary. As they settled against the back of the seat, Carolyn let out a long sigh, and after a few moments allowed her head to rest against her friend's shoulder.
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William slept quietly on the bed, hardly moving a muscle, his face relaxed, his quiet snores filling the room. Mulder watched, envious of how easily sleep came to his son. An insomniac most of his life he couldn't sleep well until he slept with Scully. Thankfully, his son had none of those problems. He had settled into their lives and seemed content to forget the past, happy to be with his parents. And Mulder was so glad for that. His son should be able to live a peaceful life despite the chaotic lives that he and Scully had lived.
He hated the thoughts he was having, he knew how special his son was, he knew he had abilities that he hadn't seen in anyone else. And he knew that if anyone had a chance to find Danny it was his son, but somehow, he felt that he was using him and that just wasn't right.
It's okay, Dad, came the soft voice inside his head and he just barely managed to not scream at the intrusion. He relaxed at the sound of his son's quiet laughter. He looked down to see a smile on his son's face and Scully's blue eyes stared back at him. God how he loved this kid.
Why don't you try talking this way?
"I can't."
Yes, you can. Try.
Amused, Mulder closed his eyes and concentrated, thinking about connecting with his son, willing himself to communicate telepathically.
You're trying too hard.
What do you mean? Mulder thought and blinked in surprise when he heard will chuckle again. You heard me?
Dad! Yes.
How is this possible? He looked at his son in wonder.
You just never tried before.
You mean I could have…
William nodded. Someday I'll show Mom, but she's not ready yet. She's more…closed than you.
Wisely, Mulder did not comment, even to his son.
Can you find Uncle Danny?
The small boy scrunched up his face and through for a moment. I can try.
That's all I can ask. When can you start?
I can do it from here if you stay with me.
Me? Why?
You can help, like before.
Oh, like being a battery?
William nodded. And you can do this too.
What?
Look for people with your mind.
How?
I can't explain but you can follow.
How do I do that?
Just hang onto me and keep talking to me.
Uhh, okay. Mulder got off the chair and laid out on the bed, pulling William into his arms. Is this okay?
Yeah. Just hang on Dad.
Okay, can we start to look for Danny now?
William nodded and closed his eyes again settling back against his father.
Let's go.
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An hour later Mulder led a tired little boy into the living room where he women were sitting and talking. They both seemed relaxed and calm, Mulder noted, and for that he was glad. William ran over to Carolyn and after hugging her, climbed into her lap.
"William! It hasn't been that long since I saw you last," she said and hugged him tight.
"I know, but I thought you needed a hug."
"You're too smart for your own good."
"I know." He gave her a smug smile and they all laughed.
"You look tired, Will. Didn't you sleep well?" His mother asked.
"Yeah, but Dad and I were looking for Uncle Danny."
"You were what?" Carolyn asked. "You know he's alive?"
"I know he's still out there," William said. "I think we can find him, me and Dad."
"Dad?" Scully gave Mulder a long look and he shrugged.
"Apparently, I have some of the abilities of our child, the one produced by you and me, the fruit of our loins, the…"
"Enough!" Scully said and blushed, trying to shush her husband, who only grinned at her.
"In any event he is showing me that I can be more than a battery. I can actually learn some of this stuff!"
Mulder's eyes twinkled in anticipation and Scully groaned, placing her face in her hands. "What have I done to deserve this?"
"Dana?" Carolyn asked.
Dana looked at her friend and shook her head. "I's hard enough to keep up with Will, but Mulder too? And he's worse."
"Hey! I've barely started. Why are you complaining?"
"Because I know you and I know the trouble you can get into!"
Carolyn just chuckled. "Welcome to my world. You will have a man of your own with amazing abilities."
"She already does," Mulder said.
"Mulder! Stop, please," she said but was torn between anger and laughter.
"Come on, you love me, you know it," he eased over and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, and she sighed.
"You're incorrigible."
"Yes, and you love it." He said and kissed her again.
Carolyn cleared her throat before they could get too carried away.
"Yuk. They always do that!" William snuggled against Carolyn and closed his eyes.
"So, Fox, tell me what you and William were doing?"
"Yeah, Fox. What were you doing?" Scully pushed him away from her.
"Will showed me how to help him look for Danny, he says he is still out there somewhere, but we have to find him."
"And soon," William muttered sleepily.
"Why soon, Will?" Carolyn asked.
"I don't know, just that it has to be soon… or we will lose him again."
"Then we'd better get a plan, don't you think?"
"Let's get started," Scully agreed.