After the Future 7 - Part 1 (PG13)

Mulder moved her back to their home when she was able to stay awake for thirty minutes at the time, foregoing his duties to the group that had assembled around him. He took care of her and the baby nearly full time, though Maggie, Beth, Mary or Anne were usually within calling distance.

He’d never felt more necessary and for Scully to accept his ministrations without protest, at least at first, was an incredible feeling to him.

He came out of the bedroom to get her lunch. She was awake a lot more recently and her appetite, while not good, was returning. At least the IVs were gone now. Mary was in the kitchen and he greeted her. "Smells good, what have we got here?"

When she didn’t speak he looked over at her and was surprised to see the tears on her face. "Mary? What? What’s wrong?"

She shook her head, but he moved closer taking her arm and seated her at the counter. "What is it Mary?" He hadn’t spent a lot of time with her; things had exploded into activity so soon after she arrived. Her help in caring for Scully and Katy had made her an important part of his life though and he’d never seen her cry.

"Are the kids okay? Charlie?"

"I can’t . . . I can’t talk to Charlie about this."

"I can’t imagine anything you can’t talk to Charlie about. I’ve seen you two together." He said gently.

"This is too much, I can’t put this much more pressure on him."

Mulder touched her arm again. "Then tell me."

She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful; "I’m pregnant."

"Mary, that’s wonderful news. I know Charlie will be happy." He was bending down to see in her eyes now.

"I know he will, but the pressure . . . He’s already so worried about whether or not we have the supplies to get through the winter. He doesn’t need – "

"He’s worried about the supplies?" Mulder interrupted her. "I haven’t been pulling my weight around here, have I?"

Mary looked up surprised. "Are you kidding?" Mulder just looked at her, she didn’t sound sarcastic but he didn’t know her that well. "You’re Fox Mulder. You’re the reason we’re all here. If you sat on a rock out front and just spoke to the people as they walked by you’d be more than pulling your share."

Now Mulder drew back, staring at her. "You don’t know." She looked at him wonderingly. "Mulder if you hadn’t sent Walter for us, we’d probably be dead by now. You saved us. I guess you don’t realize who the population around here is, the people that have congregated around you. Are you aware that you were famous, in a cult sort of way, before any of this happened? I’ve talked to the others. They’re here because of you. They feel safe because of you."

"You’re not serious." He was shaking his head. She was delusional, she had to be.

"I’m deadly serious. If we were still in Ohio instead of here with you and Dana, Charlie would never know about this baby. I wouldn't have it, I wouldn’t dare. Not there."

He sat there dumbfounded. Famous? Him? People wanted to be here because they thought he could – what? Protect them? It wasn’t true, look how well he’d protected his wife and his daughter.

Now her hand came up to touch his arm. "Take Dana her soup. You’re right, I need to go find Charlie." After a moment, "Are you okay, Mulder?"

He looked at her and shook his head. She smiled gently, "Sorry to catch you off guard like this. I guess I thought you knew. But it is going to be okay and you’re right, Charlie will be happy." She took a deep breath. "Thanks."

Thanks? She was thanking him? Her family had come through for him and his family so much more than he had for theirs. She stood and after a second’s hesitation, hugged him. "Go feed Dana, I have things to do."

He nodded dumbly and stood as well. He had a lot to think about.

Scully opened her eyes when he entered the room, carrying her tray. Still awake, she was getting stronger. He smiled broadly at her. No worry was allowed in this room. After he arranged her in the bed, he placed the tray over her lap and began to spoon the soup to her mouth.

"I should be able to do this." She sighed.

"Later, woman. I’ll have you peeling me grapes and rubbing my feet in no time. Oh, I have some news." She looked up and smiled. This was her favorite time, just the two of them alone together. She didn’t even mind that other people were looking after Katy at times like this.

"What?"

"Mary’s pregnant. You have to keep quiet, she hasn’t told Charlie yet."

She smiled and her eyebrow rose. "But you know? Should I be jealous?"

"Insanely. Actually she was a little upset and I walked in on her so she told me. That surprised me a little, I’m not sure we’ve ever talked before, but I think she feels better about it now."

"You have that effect on all the women." She was only half teasing and he caught it.

"Why do you say that?" He moved the bowl away and stretched out beside her, taking her in his arms.

"Because you make people feel safe. Especially me."

He didn’t respond, he couldn’t keep anyone safe – he never had. He took her tighter into his arms. She pulled back slightly suddenly. "It’s a girl."

"What?"

"Mary’s going to have a girl."

Mulder looked at her, not sure she was serious. "Well, great. Katy will have someone to play with."

She relaxed against his chest again, resting. The slightest exertion still sapped her strength. She spoke against his chest. "Beth’s pregnant too."

Now he pulled back to see her face. "Beth? Frohike!" She nodded, smiling back at him. "When did she tell you?"

"She doesn’t know." He just looked at her then, and she shrugged.

"Boy or girl?" He finally asked.

"Boy." She was looking him straight in the eye now.

"They called you Mrs. Spooky because you hung out with me, not because you were the spooky one."

"I don’t know how I know it, but it’s true. We can test it if you like. And you need to have a little conversation with Melvin about responsibility. You need to ask his intentions toward Beth."

"Me? I’m not her father."

"Yeah Mulder, you kind of inherited that role here." She nestled back against him.

"Come on Scully, Walter, Kevin and Charlie do a much better job of running this place than I ever could."

"I’m not going to really argue about that. They are good at the organization of things, but a community is more than that and you’re the one that makes it a community."

"Have you been talking to Mary?"

"Not about anything specific, why?"

"She just said something like that. I don’t believe you."

"You just don’t want to believe because you don’t think you’re worthy of it. Think about Kevin, tracking us down because of his ties to you. He’s not the only one."

"What are you talking about? I never met most of these people before they got here."

"I know, but you touched their lives anyway. They had read about you or knew someone you had helped. They came here to be near you. It’s a good thing I’m not the jealous type."

He squeezed her lightly, careful not to hurt her. "I wouldn’t worry too much about that Scully. You and Katy being the only two women in the world probably isn’t a coincidence."

"Good answer."

"Take your nap Scully. I’ve got some things to think about."

When Maggie came over later he reluctantly pulled himself away to head over to the office. Kevin looked up startled as he entered and started to rise. "Is everything okay? Scully? Katy?"

"Has it been that long since I’ve been here?"

"No, no I didn’t mean – " He was flustered at that.

"It’s okay Kevin, and it’s true. I haven’t been around. Is Walter here?" Kevin nodded and Mulder headed for the door.

Walter too looked up when he entered, "Is everything – "

"Everything is fine. Maggie’s with Scully so I thought I’d check in, see what I could do. Is Charlie here?" He glanced around the small office.

"No, Mary came for him. You’re sure everything’s okay?"

"Yeah. Whatever Mary and Charlie are talking about is their news."

"News?" Mulder just grinned at him.

"Okay, I’ve been shirking my duties around here. You want to bring me up to date? Why is Charlie concerned about the supplies?" He perched on the edge of the desk.

"Where did you hear that?"

"So it’s true? You don’t have to protect me."

"That’s not it. You had other priorities – very understandable ones."

"I know and thanks, but I need to get back to work too. If my family’s going to go hungry . . . " Mulder was looking him straight in the eye. No evasions would be tolerated. He rose and headed for his chair.

"It might get close, but I don’t think it’s as bad as Charlie fears. He had a really bad time before they came here. We’ve built a couple of greenhouses. We’re working on two more. Our population has grown over the year, but everyone has pitched in. The people that have come here have come to work. They’re not going to let you down."

"Me?"

"Well you’re the reason they come."

"Now damn it, don’t you start that." Mulder stopped in his tracks before he could reach his desk.

"What?"

"This fantasy that everyone’s here because of me." Walter stared at him, not bothering to speak. Mulder finally moved again and took his seat. "Do people think they’ll leave us alone because of me?"

"Some of them do. Others assume you’re leading the resistance."

"Does anyone realize I just want to live here with my family? I don’t miss the intrigue, the paranoia. I have Scully and Katy. I have you as a father-in-law, Maggie, hell I have nephews! I just want to be left alone."

Walter shrugged. "I’m not disagreeing with you. Having Maggie in my life - hell I have grandchildren! Not an easy thing when you’ve never had children. But the boys think of me that way and Katy . . . " Now he was grinning. "I’m not disagreeing at all, but think about it. Even the guys and I came here looking for you. What did we want? I guess stability would have been my goal and to be with people I care about. There weren’t many in DC."

"That’s different, we were friends before. These people are strangers to me, or they were."

"Yeah, but you weren’t a stranger to them. You were a goal and they reached it. They’re happy to be here and they want this place to succeed."

Mulder slumped in his chair. How in hell had he become an icon?

"You don’t have to do anything Mulder. They’re not asking that, they just want to be here. Nothing has to change."

"Not change? How can things not change? I’m supposed to be everyone’s . . . what? Father? Spiritual advisor?"

"How about leader, Mulder? Just like you were yesterday."

Mulder looked over at him and away again. Then he straightened up, shaking it off for now. It wasn’t true and he had work to do. "Let me see the inventory."

They settled down to work. Mulder could see where Charlie was concerned, but they had done good work, not relying on any outside resources to feed them. He needed to put in some time helping with the construction of the greenhouses, but he was going to leaving the canning and other preserving to the women who seemed to know more about it.

He was about ready to head home to check on Scully when the door opened and Charlie entered. He looked at his brother-in-law and grinned. "You okay?"

Charlie faced him with a bemused expression on his face. "I think so."

"What’s going on?" Walter joined the conversation, watching both men carefully.

"You didn’t tell him?" Charlie glanced back at Mulder.

"It’s your news."

"What news?" Now Walter was on his feet, ready to assert his authority if necessary.

That seemed to cause even more amusement between these two "sons" of his. He opened his mouth to speak again.

"Okay, Dad. It seems you’re going to be a grandfather again."

Walter’s mouth fell open for a second. "Mary?"

"I should probably be insulted that you would think it could be anyone else."

"That’s not what I – " Then he made a noise that Mulder could only call a growl. "No one warned me of the breeding capacity of Scully’s when I married into this family!"

"You just remember, I’ve been the baby in the family for over 30 years and I want warning if that’s going to change."

Walter went beet red and Mulder lost it, collapsing back into his chair, laughing as hard as he could. Damn he liked this family, a father and a brother he could kid with like this. A family that cared this much about one another, he shook his head. And to think that the aliens he’d fought all his life were responsible for his happiness . . .

He was still grinning when he got home until he saw that she was not in the bed. His heart rate soared until he spotted her in the chair across the room.

"What the hell – "

"I’m fine Mulder. I had help getting here. Don’t worry so."

"Don’t – what are you doing out of bed?" His fear made his voice harsher than he meant it to, but his hands were shaking.

"Mulder, come here." She held out her hand to him. "I’m trying to build up some stamina. I’m going to need it. I have two pregnant patients I need to watch and I’m going to have to deliver the babies."

"Beth can deliver Mary’s"

"If she’s not in labor herself, or gave birth the day before. Mulder their due dates are on top of each other. Unless you want to deliver them." She managed to suppress her smile but her eyes were twinkling.

He refused to be sidetracked. "Scully, I won’t take the risk. You are not going to push yourself and possibly do permanent damage." He lifted her into his arms, his gentle touch belying the tone of his voice.

"I didn’t mean to upset you Mulder, but I’ve been like this for so long. I’m tired of being an invalid."

"Scully," He settled her back in their bed, "It hasn’t been that long. You have made remarkable progress."

"Mulder I want to do more than just lie in your arms."

That took him a second to translate. "I want that too. You know I do. But I waited years before and I can wait as long as I need to now. Having you in my arms is more than I deserve."

"I’m married to an idiot." She buried her face in his neck.

"Yeah, but an idiot who adores you." He realized she had fallen asleep already and he gently lowered her to her pillow. He let himself out of the room and checked on Katy, then started getting dinner ready.

Her comment had led him down a train of thought he’d avoided lately, and he found himself reliving some incredible moments in her arms. Thank goodness for his memory, it would be a while before she was able to participate like she had once done, but it would happen.

He fed and changed Katy, a chore he found he enjoyed immensely though he’d probably never admit it to anyone, then checked on Scully.

He was surprised to find her awake again. "You should be resting."

"I am. Is Katy up?" He tried to look stern, but nodded and brought her in, helping Scully hold the baby close to her.

"You know I didn’t tell you about my day earlier." She looked up at him, the question in her eyes. "Mary told Charlie about the baby. I didn’t tell him it was a girl, you can handle that. I was there when he told Walter. That was a scene. Walter thinks Scully’s are too fertile, and then Charlie told him he wanted to remain the baby of the family. I thought we were going to lose Walter on that one."

Scully chuckled, imagining the scene. "You know, I better talk to Mom about birth control. I’m not sure it couldn’t happen."

"Really? I don’t think Walter could handle that at all." She shrugged and he decided to change the subject. He just wasn’t comfortable with those particular visuals. "Did you miss me when I went over to help out this afternoon?"

"Of course, but Mom and I snapped beans for canning. Mulder, it’s going to be an early spring. We need to be careful, but we have enough supplies." He had been taking Katy from her but now he stiffened slightly.

"Whose been talking to you about this?"

"No one. Everyone is following your orders and protecting me." She watched him settle the sleeping baby in her crib.

"That’s not - "

"Yes it is, but I forgive you. I don’t know how I know, but as far as winter, we’re going to be okay. What I’m worried about is the virus. Mulder I want to start working on a vaccine. I know I don’t have the medical facilities I –

"No. You are to concentrate on getting better, not wearing yourself out experimenting – "

"Mulder. Stop. I have to do this. I’m not talking about standing of my feet for hours at the time. I know I can’t do that. Byers can help me. But look at these people, our people, I can’t just let those other two babies come into the world without trying to protect them the way Katy is. Byers and I can test the people here, see what’s different about you, Katy and me than the others. We can use Katy’s stem blood to give a mild dose to Mary and Beth. It won’t hurt the babies and then we’ll have more antiviral to work with."

"They used Katy’s stem blood on you."

"Only half. I still have enough to - "

"Half? Wait a minute, you’re telling me that they didn’t give you everything they could - " She could see the outrage taking over his body and took his hand wanting to calm him.

"They held back some in case I needed a second dose. I didn’t, so it’s still available."

"Held back, why didn’t they talk to me?"

"I understand you were in no shape to listen." She could feel the shudder as his memories of that time were suddenly in front of him. "I’m okay now Mulder. I’m getting stronger every day and I intend to continue that. You have to trust me."

He looked away for a minute. He did trust her, but that didn’t mean she always knew what was best for her.

"Let’s change the subject Mulder. Did you talk to Frohike?"

"Well, no. Scully I don’t know what to say. They’re both adults. I can’t ask the man’s intentions."

"Yes, you can. But I suppose I should talk to Beth first. After all, she doesn’t know yet either."

"You’re really sure?"

She nodded, "But maybe I should run some tests, for her sake. I don’t want to ‘spook’ her. Why don’t you ask her to come over? We can do the testing here. But then you have to talk to him."

"Why can’t she tell him?"

"She’ll be afraid he’ll think she tried to trap him." She looked up at him; "She didn’t by the way."

He looked up startled, "I never said . . . "

"I know, but it crossed your mind."

"Scully what’s going on? How do you know I had that thought? Why are you so sure Mary’s baby is a girl and that Beth is pregnant?"

"I don’t know. Ever since I woke up I’ve had little flashes of it. You’re the only one I’d had whole thoughts from, but I know what spring looks like this year. I’ve seen those babies. It’s not when I’m asleep. I’m not dreaming. Mulder, you believe me don’t you?"

"Don’t get upset Scully. Of course I believe you, it’s not that. I want you to get well, that’s my top priority – your health. If knowing these things, seeing what’s coming interferes with that, I - "

"It’s not. This can help us Mulder. I can be a help again, to you."

Mulder closed his eyes, pulling her close to him. "You have never stopped being a help to me Scully. Don’t you know you’re the only reason I’m still alive? That’s the kind of help I get from you, the will to live. Anything else is more than I deserve. Enough." He interrupted before she could speak. "You need to rest now. I’ll ask Beth to come over later."

"We’re going to finish this talk." He kissed her and pulled a blanket up over her, not committing to the conversation. Her eyes were already closing.

"And Anne, I need to talk to Anne too." She rolled to her side and drifted off.

Anne? Good lord, she wasn’t pregnant too was she? There was no way he could have a father-son talk with Todd. Now Walter was close to him, maybe he . . . Mulder shook his head. He was getting ahead of himself. Scully wanted to talk to Anne, that’s all.

The woman in the kitchen when he emerged was one of the women he wasn’t as familiar with and he had to think for a moment before her name came to him. "Kelly, hi. Did they force kitchen duty on you? Why does no one around here believe I can cook?"

"Maybe the wild tales of pizza box towers in your apartment?" She grinned at him, then leaned over to remove a dish from the oven. Her sweater was cut rather low and he couldn’t help but notice as she bent forward. Hadn’t she been one of the women here when they were planning Maggie’s wedding? She’d arrived with a small group just at the end of summer. Yeah, three men and one woman - he remembered Frohike’s comment at the time.

Frohike. Damn, he did not want to talk to him. "Kelly, will you be here for a few minutes?"

"Sure. What do you need?"

"Scully wanted to talk to Beth. I could run get her, but I don’t want to leave Scully alone with the baby."

"No problem. I can stay as long as you like."

"Thanks." He slipped on his coat and headed out, his mind going over different ways to approach the subject.

*****