DATE:  March 25, 1997
TITLE: NEW: Coast of Marseilles 1  1/3
AUTHOR:  Marsha Bare-Taylor
EMAIL ADDRESS:  barelyhere@email.msn.com
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT:  Archive where ever you would like, just keep my name
with it.
SPOILER WARNING:  None really.  This story does make mention of several
episodes.
RATING:  PG
CONTENT WARNING: This is a MSR/Scully other/MSR
CLASSIFICATION: S,R,A
SUMMARY:  After NA, MM. Love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, separation,
reuniting, emotional healing, finding something lost, and a little Phoebe
bashing make up this story.  You have to read the whole story to understand the
first part.  Most of this part takes place in the Mediterranean.

DISCLAIMER:  The X-Files and characters belong to FOX, Chris Carter, 1013.  I
am not making any money from this story.  I am just borrowing these characters
for fun.  Please don't sue me.  If you do, I'll make you a deal on two dogs,
three cats and a slightly used husband.   I'm also borrowing two songs, one
from Jimmy Buffett, and one from Patty Loveless.    No infringements are
intended.

Bill Jacobs is mine (I wish), Cheryl Skinner, Girard & Glenda Timmons, etc. are
also my characters although the names are of real people.  Well Bill isnt, he
is strictly my fantasy.

This is the first story I have ever written using only what comes out of my
brain. (My second posting.) So english experts please don't burn me too badly.

PERSONAL COMMENTS: After the third season, NA, MM,  I really wanted Scully to
come out better than she normally does.  She deserves better.  She seems to
take hits all the time -- she gets a tattoo, cancer, attacked by Ed Jerse, ovum
stolen, etc. -- so this time she comes out rather well.  Don't get me wrong, I
am not bashing Mulder here, I love him.  I just believe he needs to learn a
thing or two.  As well as Scully.  So, I invented the most perfect man in the
world -- Bill Jacobs.  I know no where in the world there could be a man this
wonderful, but a girl can dream cant she?  Relationshippers fear not you will
be happy with this one too.  You non-relationshippers (what a boring life you
must have)the first part may make you gage, maybe not.

The second part will start with the actual business of exposing the *powers to
be*.

I hope this story is different from others you have read.  It does take place
in a totally different area and with a different plot.  If you want to view the
yacht Scully cruises around on, it is on the internet under the name mentioned
(Motoryacht) in the story.  Thanks for reading it.  Your comments on this part
and suggestions for the second part are welcomed.

Thanks to Cheryl and Mac for reading this and giving me input.   You two are
the best.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I sat there on the Coast of Marseilles
My thoughts came like wind through my hand
How good it'd be to feel you again
How good it would be to feel that way again

Jimmy Buffett

Please let me know you think.  E-Mail me at marsha.taylor@USINY.mail.abb.com

Coast of Marseilles 1  
By:  Marsha Bare-Taylor

Cost of Spain
June 2002

Mesmerized by the stunning sunset saying good-bye to the day as it had for the
past week, Dana listened to the activity around her not really paying much
attention.  She sat in the warmth of the Mediterranean breeze trying to decide
what she should do with her current situation.
She could not believe how her life had turned out as it had so far.  Part of it
seemed like a dream, while the other a nightmare she never wanted to face
again.

She felt fortunate to have experienced the things from her past.  Well almost,
there was that Flukeman thing.  She smiled remembering the conversation with
her ex-partner about the Flukeman incident in that room in Tennessee.  One of
the cases she would rather forget.

A smile formed on her lips as happy memories filtered through her thoughts.
The memories of her partner, her friend.  Memories of their first meeting <No
one down here but the FBI's most unwanted>.  She should have refused the
assignment in the first place, but her curiosity and will to succeed would not
allow her to back away from a challenge.

She could honestly say she had not really regretted her days as Mulder's
partner.  Even though it had ended badly, she learned so much from him.  He was
challenging and intelligent with a unrelenting pursuit of the truth matched by
no one.  She felt warm thinking of his smile, wit, outlandish theories.

Her mouth turned down a bit as she also remembered what a stubborn, pig-headed
jerk he could be sometimes, so unaware of truths in front of his face.

How many times that attitude had hurt her and made her believe less of herself
and in her abilities to perform her job.  Not that he meant her harm or
consciously treated her like a subordinate  -- ordering her around, treating
her theories as though they went in one ear and out the other.

No, she would never regret their partnership.  Well, most of it.  Even the
years they have been separated, she still missed him and loved him more than
she could ever love anyone.  She pushed the pain aside knowing he couldn't feel
the same for her.  Not after what she had done to him.  She thought it ironic
how simple betrayals and anger could dissolve four years of trust and
partnership in a matter of hours.

The sun sank lower on the horizon.   She could see the lights on the shore
flickering to life.  From her home-on-the-water she had enjoyed many different
sunsets.  How fortunate she was to be able to afford such luxury.

A sad smile came across her face remembering her husband of over four years.
Bill had been a savior to her.  His love for her had given back the life she
had lost with the X-Files.  Dana would have liked to say she loved him
completely.  He was so giving, kind, loyal, patient and trustworthy.  Traits
she had forgotten a man could possess.

Bill made her life seem like a dream.  He was extremely intelligent, handsome,
successful, charming, patient, loving.  Dana still was confused why he had
picked her to lavish his unlimited love and kindness on.  She smiled, in the
retreating sunlight, remembering the first time they had met.

*************
April 15, 1997
American Embassy United Kingdom

Dana Scully walked into her office at the American Embassy trying to  think of
a reason she could to get out of another dreadful dinner party with boring
dignitaries.  She sat down behind her desk with a sigh not thinking of a single
good argument for not attending.

 When Dana left the bureau, suddenly, accepting a lofty promotion as a liaison
between the American Embassy and Scotland Yard she had hoped these type of
functions were not going to occupy much of her time.  At the bureau, she did
not like the functions where everyone dressed up and kissed ass for several
hours.  She and Mulder dodged as many of those types of functions as they
possibly could.  Mulder, she almost wished he were here to help her get through
yet another boring evening.

Dana was still was not sure why she had been given the promotion.  At first she
was shocked by the offer.   Paranoia immediately set in from years of working
with Mulder.  'Why did they want to move her so far away from the X-Files.'
She though as she listened to the facts, from Skinner, about her achievements
blah, blah, blah, and that it was an excellent opportunity.......

Her decision to finally accept the promotion was partially due to the tension
she and Mulder had experienced for sometime, ups and downs that never seem to
level out -- it seemed like the only answer.  He became so distant,
overbearing, sometimes violent with suspects, constantly ditching her and then
Marita.  That, coupled with the cancer, crazy date turned violent and secret
fears of fleeting childbearing years, wanting a home, husband, children and dog
made her decision almost easy.   She believed she could never have those things
with one Fox Mulder.  His quests were his family.

It had been difficult to move across the Atlantic to a place she knew so little
about to begin a new chapter of her life.  Leaving her family and friends --
what few she still had due to the extent of her travel with Mulder and the
X-Files.

It was extremely sad how their partnership had ended.  The angry words, revenge
from her to hurt him as much as he broke her heart time and time again --
Aspion, and Marita.  God, why were men drawn the women like that.

Dana was interrupted from her reverie by a knock at her door.  There, before
her, stood a very tall, sandy blonde hair man with a concerned look on his
face.

"Are you okay, you look a thousand miles away on a sad trip?"  The stranger
asked.  She could feel the blush rising to her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, can I help you?"  Speaking to the stranger with a professional cool
voice.

"My name is Bill Jacobs and I'm looking for the Ambassador's office, but I seem
to be lost."  He said sheepishly.

"Oh, well I can take you there I have a meeting with him in five minutes.  "
Dana said rising from her desk.

"What a coincidence, so do I."   He said with a slight smile on his lips.

"Please excuse me, my name is Dana Scully, I am the ......,   She was
interrupted from her statement as Bill lifted his hand to stop her from
speaking.

"Oh yes, Dr. Dana Scully from Washington DC, I have been brief on everything
publicly known about you."   He said with almost a leer in his voice.

"Oh really."   She answered with a puzzled look on her face.  I didn't know my
personal history was so interesting."   She said, then murmured to herself.
"Or readily available."

Dana picked up her notes and Bill allowed her to precede him out the door into
the hallway towards the Ambassador's office.

As they walked down the hall to the Ambassador's office, Dana noticed as they
were passed by a part of the female staff their eyes would be raking over the
very handsome, exquisitely dressed man accompanying her.  She smiled thinking
of how many female personnel at the bureau had wanted to get their hands on
Mulder too.  She recognized the look from these women as the same look she and
Mulder received when they walked down the hallway at the Hoover Building.

Mulder never seemed to notice, mostly because he was thinking through some
paranormal case to bother with the flirting eyes of the women.  When she would
point this out to him, he just shrugged his shoulders and kept walking.

Dana had not realized she had a "smirk" look on her face when Bill said.  "What
is so amusing."

"Huh-Um nothing, it's interesting to me that no matter where you go in the
world some things never change."  She said shaking her head.  Bill wanted to
inquire what she meant when they arrived at the Ambassador's office.

Dana was greeted by the Ambassador's Administrative Assistant, Jackie Ramos.
Jackie looked briefly at Dana and then gazed at Bill.  Dana spoke up.
"Jackie, this is Bill Jacobs we have a meeting with Gerald."   Dana checked her
watch. "Right now."

Dana hoped the spell Jackie seemed to be in, at the moment, would be broken as
she spoke.  Her words seemed to have worked.  "Oh."   She picked up the phone
and spoke to the Ambassador quietly.  "He will see you now."   Jackie said
smiling at Bill as they walked away from her desk and through the door.  Dana
once again snickered.  Bill still didn't have a clue.

"Dana, Bill have a seat.  Have you been properly introduced?"

"I don't know how proper, but yes, we have been introduced."   Dana said
directing her attention to Gerald.

"Good.  Dana, Bill is the head of a research facility dealing with 'Genetic
Carding'.  Since you have a background in medicine, I want you to provide the
support he needs to continue his research."  Gerald declared and  looked for
her reaction.

"Sir, what kind of support can I provide.  I don't have a background in this
type of  research.  I am sure there are more qualified research assistance."
Dana stated with a puzzled look on her face.

"You won't do the actual research Dana, you will provide Bill with the
resources from the Embassy he needs.  This is a partially government funded
program that has been given to me by Washington.  You will have very little to
do with the actual research, just help Bill with the usual government
'paper-work', etc.  And if your medical expertise could help him, then I am
sure he would welcome the assistance."  Gerald spoke the words, but Dana felt
there had to be a hidden agenda somewhere.

Dana looked at Gerald then Bill.  "I'll do my best, but I still don't
understand why I ...."

Gerald help up his hand in front of his face to stop her, "Bill will fill you
in on the particulars.   After he explains your involvement I think you will
understand."

The conversation was interrupted by the phone.  "Sir, your next appointment is
here."  Jackie's voice sounded over the intercom.

"Oh, yes."  He sighed.  "I know, it's my favorite weekly meeting with the
budget crunchers.  Send them in."  He looked up as he hung up the phone.
"Dana, Bill I will see you both tonight."

With that Dana and Bill stood up and walked out of the room passing the team of
account staff holding their ledgers.   Dana mused to herself that they in fact
did look just like the types that would be accountants.

"Well, Bill would you like to have lunch and *fill me in* on what I am suppose
to assist you with?"

"Sure, what did you have in mind."   He asked raising an eyebrow and smiling.

'That is a dangerous look.' Dana thought.  A very strange since of deja vu hit
her.

"I haven't been here very long so I am not familiar with the local
restaurants."  She confessed.

"Please allow me, I am very familiar with this part of London.  I've spent
quite a bit of time here.  What would you like to eat?"

"I'm not particularly hungry, maybe a salad or pasta.  Just enough to make it
through the day so I can tolerate the usual *embassy* dinner tonight."

"Dana, don't you like mingling with the upper governmental society?"   He said
with a British accent that wasn't half bad.

Dana laughed.   "No, I have attended two already since I've been here.  They
are all the same."

They walked out to the street, the air for spring was quite warm.  Bill hailed
a cab.   They slipped into the vehicle, he gave instructions to the
restaurant.  When the cab stopped, it was in front a of all things,  TGI
Fridays.

"I didn't realize this chain was over here."   Dana said as she was ushered
through the front door.

"I knew you probably would like to eat at a more traditional English
restaurant, but for lunch and a salad this will do."  He said as they
approached the hostess.

"No this is fine, I have been a little homesick of late, this is familiar."
Dana said with a half smile remembering times with friends in places such as
this.

Bill gave their names to the hostess and joined Dana on the bench in the
waiting area.  The restaurant wasn't too busy so the wait wouldn't be long.

"How long have you been here?"  Bill asked as he turned to look her straight in
the eyes.

"Only over a month, but I am missing my family and friends."  'God, he has nice
eyes, green as the sea.'   She thought.  Thank God their not hazel.

"Any *special friend* your missing in particular?"   He asked with a guarded
expression.

"What? Do you mean do I have a bow?  No, no one like that."  Dana stopped
herself from  thinking of Mulder at that moment.  No, she wasn't going to ruin
this day with sadness of the past.

"What about you, Bill?  Do you get homesick when you travel for lengths at a
time."  Dana asked looking into his green orbs.  'Two can play at this game.'
She thought with an innocent smile forming on her lips.

"No, I gave up on pets.   My family is scattered.  My parents live in Florida
off the coast of Tampa.  I visit them from time to time.  My father has a
business in the Bay area."  He stated casually.

"Oh, what type of business?"  Dana asked.  Though she rarely asked such
personal questions to a practical stranger.   But she was feeling home sick and
he was easy to converse with.

"He owns several different businesses, pharmaceutical research, financial
consultant, computer software for medical research.  I can't keep up with all
of it."  He said nonchalantly as if everyone's father did the same.

The hostess approached them,   asking them to follow her to their table.   They
followed her to a table by the windows.  Bill allowed Dana to step in front of
him and he put his hand at the small of her back to guide her down the isle to
their booth.  Dana felt, a not so much an old warm feeling, but a familiar one
which eased her homesick feeling.

As they sat down, a perky young blonde bounced over to their table
acknowledging Dana and directed her attention to Bill.  Noticing this, Dana
just smiled as she looked at the menu pretending to ignore the flirting looks
the young lady threw at her lunch partner.

Dana found herself admired Bill's physical appearance.   There was something so
familiar about him.  Bill looked up from his menu and caught Dana's gaze.  She
looked away embarrassed.

"What?" he asked.

Dana looked up from her menu and said.  "There's something about you that is
familiar."

"Oh, is it my witty charm or good looks."  He said in a teasing voice.

Now, she did blush.

'Thank goodness.'  She thought when the waitress bounced over to take their
drink order.

After they ordered, Dana decided to set the mood for the lunch before it got
out of hand or she was further embarrassed.

"So, tell me about this *Gene Card* project.  And, how do expect me to assist
you?"   Dana asked easily reverting back to her professional mode.

"I'm familiar with parts of it.  I don't know where I fit into your needs,
unless you just require a contact at the Embassy."  She said straight forward.

"I guess I might as well confess my intentions.  I know this is going to sound
pretty strange, but bare with me until I finish.  I promise I will explain
everything."  He said shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

"I've known about your work in the X-Files for a couple of years now.  I
requested your transfer here to assist me with the further study of this
program."  He knew the next statement was going to cause suspicion, but she had
to learn to trust him.  With a sigh he stared at the table and said.  "And the
effects the experiments being conducted on test subjects."

Dana's eyebrow lifted and a concerned look crossed her face, but she said
nothing.

With a wry smile Bill continued.  "I bet you thought X-Files were only in the
US."  He hurried along with the speech he had practiced several times knowing
he would have to face a formidable Dana Scully, who would not like being kept
in the dark or misled.

He could sense she didn't not trust easily.  "Dana, as you know from the
X-Files, there is Genetic test subjects being submitted to experiments they
have not volunteered for.  I know that you are one of those subjects.  I have
been working undercover for the past two years here and in DC trying to
infiltrate  this organization.  You are part of that cover.  Bill paused to
gauge her reaction, then continued.

"We will be a team looking for *Genetic Defects* in the program.  What we will
actually be doing is looking for the *power source* of the program and
eventually putting an end to this heinous testing.  I know this is a lot for
you to process and I can't blame you if you are angry, but I want you to think
about this, and to know that you are very important to the project".  He
finished his confession.

Bill sat back waiting now for an answer.  He noticed her furrowed brow and
chewing on her bottom lip.  Then, almost like a fresh wind blew through the
room she looked him in the eye and said in an even voice.

"Bill, I appreciate your honesty.  I want to make it very clear from here on
out that honesty and communication is imperative if we are going to be a team.
My last partner trusted me, but often left me in the dark.  He respected me as
a partner, but lacked in communication and information when he thought I would
be in danger."  She sighed and looked at her menu. "Or when he had a secret
informant that would *only trust him*.  It caused us a lot of grief and
eventually...... well, I won't get into that."  She finished her sentence in a
whisper.  She wouldn't not reveal too much to a stranger.

She looked up at Bill and continued. "I will work with you on this, I too would
like to put an end to this testing and abduction of innocent people."  She
ended her statement with a smile assuring him she was being sincere.

"How much do you actual know about me?  Now I feel like I'm at the disadvantage
here." she said lightly.

"I wouldn't worry about it, we have plenty of time to explore each other's
personalities."   He said with a mysterious grin like her was hiding a secret
only he knew.

The waitress came back to take there orders.  Dana ordered a Caesar salad, Bill
ordered the same with soup.

"Dana, would you like to accompany me to the dinner tonight?  Unless you have a
date already."  Bill said giving her an almost puppy dog look like Mulder's.

'Sheesh, do all men do this or just all my partners.'   She thought as the
words formed in her mouth.  "No, I don't have a date, and yes I would like to
accompany you.  Thank you for asking, I was really dreading this one.  There is
a particular Ambassador, from Ireland,  that will not take *no* for an answer.
Do you mind if I use you for the night?"  Dana said with a coy look.

Bill laughed and said with a flirtatious voice. "You can use me for anything
you like Dana."

She blushed again.

*************

7:00pm
Dana Scully's London Flat

Looking in the mirror, Dana admired the dress she had purchased for the
occasion.  The outfit was black, floor length with a slit up the back above her
knees.  It fit snugly to her frame, but not too tight, with spaghetti straps
rounded neck and low cut back and a short jacket in case it became chilly.  The
dress was complimented with black heels, hose and clutch purse.  The diamond
earrings were a gift from her mother a couple of years ago.  Her faithful cross
hung around her neck.

A knock on her door interrupted thoughts that she knew she didn't want to
relive tonight.  She opened the door and almost gasped when she looked at her
escort.  'Oh my God, I must be dreaming.'  She thought as she raked, yes, she
let her self rake over her date for the evening.  Dressed in a black tux with
black tie and white shirt.

"Hello Bill, come in."  She could manage to say.  'Come on Dana, pull yourself
together, don't go down this road again.  What is wrong with you anyway.'   she
asked herself as he stepped in the door.

"You look beautiful Dana, I hope I don't have to kill anyone tonight.  What is
the Irish Ambassador's name again?"  He said while admiring how Dana's
appearance was causing the temperature to rise in the room, at least for him.
'Geez, what a stupid thing to say.'  He felt a blush starting over his face and
quickly said. "Are you ready to go?"

She could not meet his eyes fearing that she would embarrass herself by gazing
at his handsome features like a girl on a dream prom date.

"Yes."  She said.  Bill offered her his arm which she took gladly.

She followed him out the door.

****************

8:00pm
Ritz Hotel London

Dana was amazed how beautifully the hotel was decorated.  She held onto Bill's
arm as they strolled through the atrium.  "The bureau could never afford a
place like this, the tax payers would revolt."  She said with a laugh.  "This
place is amazing."

"Yeah it's nice, I stay here occasionally."   He said casually.

Dana didn't know if he was serious or just kidding.  Not knowing him well
enough to start a banter with him over the statement, she allowed it to pass.
She knew if he worked for a government agencies like she did, there was no way
he could afford it.  'Must be trying to impress me.  Won't work!'  She thought
proudly.

They reached the ballroom where they were escorted to their table.  When
seated she noticed the table card next to her was for the Irish Ambassador.

"Oh no."  Dana groaned with dread in her voice. "He's right next to me."  She
almost whined.

"Don't fret Dana."   Bill said as he rose and moved the Ambassador to the
opposite side of the room and placed his card next to the Northern Ireland
liaison.  When he returned to their table he said.  "I'm sure the two Patties
will have a lot to talk about."

Dana put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.  "Thank you, I
didn't want to have to use my gun on him tonight."  She whispered Bill.

Gerald and his wife approached the table.  "Good evening Dana, Bill this is my
wife Mary Anne."   Mary Anne extended her hand to Dana and then to Bill.  Bill
took her hand in his and bent over to plan a kiss on the top of her knuckles
then let it go.

"Gerald, you didn't tell me about this charming man."   She was almost
purring.

The Ambassador chuckled, "I didn't know either".

Dana smiled to herself.

************

The conversation, dinner and even the evil stares from the Irish Ambassador
went well for the next hour.  Everyone's attention turned to the stage when the
band began to play soft dance melodies.

"May I have this dance Dana?"  Bill said standing and reaching for her hand.

She smiled shyly,  without a word took his hand.  Before she knew what was
happening she felt a strong arm wrap loosely around her waist, the other
holding her hand as he glided her across the dance floor.

"You are quite good, where did you learn to be so graceful?"  Dana said as he
whisked her around the other couples who stared at them.  They were graceful
and flowing together as one.  Dana thought.  'I must be dreaming, there is no
way this could actually be happening.'

"My mother made me take dance lessons as a child."   He said matter of factly.
"I've kept practicing over the years."

'Thank you mom.' Dana thought.  'Where did that come from?  What am I doing
here, this isn't me.  Not the "Ice Queen" image from the bureau.'

But she wasn't at the bureau anymore, she reminded herself, and she had a right
to enjoy herself.  She relaxed as Bill glided her across the floor toward their
table as the song came to an end.

"You two make a very handsome couple."  Mary Anne said admiringly.

Bill pulled out Dana's chair seating her.  He turned to Mary Anne. "Would you
care to try the dance floor?"  He asked extending his hand to her.  She took
his hand rising from her chair and walked to the dance floor where she was
immediately whisked as graceful as Dana was, but not held as tightly.

"Sir,  may I ask you a question?"  Dana look into the eyes of the Ambassador.

"Of course, what would you like to know?"  Gerald said innocently.

"How long has this been planned, with me in mind?  And who else knows about
this?" Dana intently looking him in the eye for an answer.

"For less than a year more than six months.  And the only one who knows about
this is Assistant Director Skinner.  When we approached him with the proposal
of borrowing you he was not happy with the situation.  He also was
uncomfortable about splitting up his best team.  But, he is an ally and agrees
with us that this testing has to stop!"  Gerald said watching Bill spin his
wife around the dance floor.  He returned his attention to Dana.

"Sir, how did you choose me?"  She asked never taking her eyes from his
searching for answers only he had to give.

"Bill chose you.  He read your file, observed you with your partner and alone.
This is a very dangerous and top secret mission.  Bill decided you were a the
best candidate with your background in medicine, experience with the X-Files."
He lowered his eyes and continued. "And he believed with your past abduction,
you would have the courage to find the truth no matter how dangerous the
mission became."   His voice became quite.

"You see Dana, Bill needs someone who will go all the way like you always did
with Fox Mulder.  Even when you went to jail to protect him.  That impressed
Bill the most.  Your loyalty, courage, determination, intelligence."  Gerald's
face softened when he said.   "Besides, he has a soft place for petite
redheads".  His voice matched the playful smile on his face.

Dana felt heat rise from her neck to cover her face.  She suddenly felt warm
and needed to get some air.  "Excuse me, I'll return in a moment."

She stood up and made her way to the door.  She wavered a bit and felt shaky.
She barely made it to the bathroom before she collapsed onto the sofa sitting
in the middle of the room.

'Must be too much dancing, too much information.'  Dana thought.

"Are you okay madam?"  The restroom attendant asked her looking concern.
"Should I call someone?"

Dana looked up.  "No, I'm fine, too much excitement for one day.  I will sit
here for a few minutes and rest."  Dana closed her eyes and felt herself
relax.  In a few minutes she was feeling better until she heard *THAT VOICE*.

"Why Agent Scully, what a pleasant surprise. Is there something wrong, you look
absolutely ghostly".  Dana looked up at her worst nightmare.  Phoebe Green
stood over her looking as exquisite as usual.

Dana was determined, no matter how weak she felt, she would not let this
*woman* get the better of her.

"Hello Phoebe, what a nice surprise."  Dana said with all the sweetness she
could exude with out loosing her dinner.

Phoebe always knew Dana Scully was stronger that she could ever hope to be so
she had to use her only defense, her charm.  "Why are you here, is Fox with
you?"  She almost purred his name.

Dana calmed herself as she spoke sincerely.  "No, he isn't.  I have left the
X-Files and I now work for the American Ambassador here in London.  I'm
surprised I haven't seen you before now, don't you frequent the Embassy
often?"  Remembering Mulder's explanation of Pheobe's antics during their last
meeting.

Phoebe felt the stinging comment, but not about to let it show she held her
head high and almost purred.  "Agent Scully, I'd love to stand here and talk
over old times, but I have to be leaving you now, I have important people to
see."

She said as she finished refreshing her lipstick.  "I hope we do run into each
other soon, if you speak to *Fox* please give him my love".   She exited the
restroom as if she were the Queen herself.

Dana shook her head and sighed.  'I wonder who she has her claws set for
tonight, poor sucker.'  She thought pitying Pheobe's prey.

Feeling better, Dana stood and walked back towards the ballroom.  She entered
the room and almost lost the strength she had regained before Phoebe entered
the restroom.  There was Phoebe standing a little too close flirting with
Bill.

Dana thought, for only a second, to just leaving and save herself the
humiliation of having Phoebe work her charms on Bill in her presence.  She had
already seen that show with Mulder.  But her pride would not allow her to be
humiliated.  She walked over to where they were talking with her head held
defiantly high.

Bill caught sight of her as she approached them.  With a smile he reached out
for Dana's hand drawing her close enough to him to put his arm around her.

"Phoebe Green, this is Dana Scully."  Bill said pulling Dana close to him.

Dana could almost see Phoebe turn green with envy, but would not dare let it
show to Bill.  "Yes, Agent Scully and I are old friends."   She said as sweetly
as if it were true.  Dana could almost read the word *bitch* as it screamed
from Phoebe's eyes.  No, it must be *lucky bitch* that's it.

Dana smiled sweetly as she hugged closely to Bill's side.   "Yes, Phoebe and I
were speaking in the restroom just minutes ago".   She said enjoying every
moment of Phoebe squirming in discomfort.

Phoebe saw her chance to point out Dana's flaws. "Are you feeling better Dana,
you must take better care of yourself".

Bill looked down at Dana with a furrowed brow.  "Dana are you feeling okay?  Do
you want to go home?"  Bill asked sincerely.

'If I had my gun I would shoot that *bitch*.' Dana thought.  Your not going to
win this one.'  She thought and turned to her escort.

"Bill, I think I've had too much excitement for one evening, would you take me
home now?"  Dana spoke to him with a silky voice that visible slapped Phoebe
and made Bill's breath catch in his throat.

"Anything for you Dana."  He said slipping his arm around her waist as he
smiled adoringly at her.

"Phoebe, we'll see you later.  Please keep in touch.  We will have to have
lunch sometime soon."  Dana purred as Bill ushered her away leaving a very
stunned Phoebe Green.

They said their good-byes to Gerald and Mary Anne.  With her purse in her hand
they left the ballroom.  Bill leaned close to her ear as they waited for their
cab and said.  "You'll have to fill me in on that cat fight.  It sounds like a
good one."   He chuckled as he opened the door to the taxi.

"Yeah, one day I will, but not tonight."  Dana said with a smile as they
settled in the back seat.

She thought.  'Not tonight, that experience was too good to share right now.'
She wished Mulder could have been there to see Phoebe's face.

**************

11:30pm
Dana Scully's Apartment

Bill walked her to the door.   Dana unlocked the dead bolt and the bottom lock
and looked up at Bill who was standing just a little too close.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening."   She said looking into pools of green.

Bill leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek.  "The pleasure was all mine
Dana.  Are you sure you are feeling okay?"  He touched her cheek, blue met
green.

She reached up and squeezed his hand touching her cheek and smiled. "Yes, I'm
just tired."

He dropped his hand and stepped back.  'Get out of here before you embarrass
yourself.'  He told himself.

"I'll see you tomorrow then at the Embassy."  He turned and walked down the
hallway.  He turned his head and said. "Goodnight Dana."  He smiled the
familiar smile she had witnessed ever since he met her this afternoon.

Dana opened her door walked inside closed it and leaned heavily on the wood.
'Oh my, you are in trouble, big trouble  -- six foot, sandy blonde hair, green
eyed trouble.'  Dana, get a grip.

She pushed herself away from the door and walked to her bedroom to change for
the night.

***********

2002 Coast of Marseilles

Yes, that memory would be with her forever.  Not just the Phoebe triumph, but
the whole evening always made her smile.

From the start, Bill seemed comfortable to her.  Like a favorite pair of
expensive shoes.  They fit together, worked well together.  Honest, open,
fearless, self-confident were only few words to describe Bill Jacobs.

Dana stood on the deck of her yacht.  She walked to the railing and leaned over
looking at the almost clear blue water.  Memories flooded her mind.  The
thought of her mother crossed her mind.  She missed her mother and looked
forward to the day when she could contact her again.  She hadn't seen her in
six months.

She smiled again, remembering the first time Bill met Margaret Scully.


May 1997
Washington DC Airport
7:30am

"Dana, Dana!"  A voice called out in the sea of people.

The redhead turn around searching the crowd for the familiar voice of her
mother.  A smile plastered her face when she saw the equally smiling woman
waving her hand vigorously making her way towards her.

"Mom, it's so wonderful to see you.  I have missed you so much."   Dana said as
she enveloped her mother in a fierce hug.

"I've missed you too honey."  Mrs. Scully said not letting go of her only
daughter.

Mrs. Scully looked up from her daughter's shoulder where her chin rested while
hugging her.   She noticed a tall, handsome man standing very close, looking a
little too interested in their exchange.  "Dana, there's a man staring at
us."   Her mother whispered in her ear quietly.

"Is he 6 foot tall, sandy blonde hair, green eyes?"  Dana said trying to keep
from laughing.  Her mother had gotten as paranoid as her over the years.

Ms. Scully broke the hug and looked at Dana's amused face.  "How did you know,
is her dangerous?"  She asked with a concerned look on her face.

Dana turned toward the man and said. "Bill Jacobs, meet my mother, Margaret
Scully."  Bill stepped up to Margaret and extended his hand.

"Please to meet any of Dana's relatives."   He said with his charming voice.

"Don't worry Mom, he's harmless, I work with him at the Embassy, he lives here
in DC.  We flew over together."  Dana was trying to ease her mother's million
questions she could see forming in the older woman's mind.  Dana looked at her
with pleading eyes asking her mother not to embarrass her.  Mrs. Scully
complied.   She just smiled at Bill and said.

"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Jacobs, I do hope you will come out to house
for dinner while Dana is home.  I would like to know the people Dana is working
with so far away from home."

"I'd like that.   And you can call me Bill."  He said with his heart warming
charming smile that seem to win every female from here to England over to do
most anything he wanted.

"Sheesh, he's doing it again."  Dana murmured to herself.

"Honey, I have my car outside.  Bill, do you need a ride?"  Mrs. Scully was
trying to be nice, but Dana knew the mothering instinct was taking over.  She
sighed in relief when Bill refused saying he had a car waiting for him.

They exchanged telephone numbers and gave their good-byes and went their
separate ways.

"Dana, who is that charming man?"  Mrs. Scully asked with a curious voice.
"Mom, he is just an associate I'm working with on a project at the Embassy."
Dana said in an exasperating voice rolling her eyes.  'Maybe I should have
rented a car to avoid the matchmaking of my mother.'   She thought as they
exited the airport and headed to the parking garage.

*************

Margaret Scully's Home
12:00 noon

"Dana, telephone."  Mrs. Scully called upstairs where Dana attempted to
unpacking her clothes.

"Who is it?" Dana yelled back to her.

"Walter Skinner, he wants to speak with you."  Margaret answered.

"Okay, I'll take it up here, thanks.  Hello, Sir."  Dana said with an official
tone to her voice.

"Agent Scully, thank you for letting me know you were coming home.  I hope I am
not disturbing you."  AD Skinner said with his normal professional tone.

"No, I was just unpacking.  What can I do for you Sir?"  Dana asked still
taking clothes out of her suitcase and putting them in her old dresser.

"Could you come down to the bureau tomorrow, I need to speak with you."  He
asked.

"I don't know if that is such a good idea..........."  Dana wasn't allowed to
finish her sentence.

"Agent Mulder isn't here, he is on a case out of town."   Skinner said trying
to ease her mind about a confrontation with her ex-partner.

She thought for a moment then relented.  "Yes, Sir I will be there at 10:00am?"

"That will be fine Agent Scully, I will see you then."  He hung up in normal
Skinner style.

Margaret Scully walked into her room and found her daughter sitting on her old
bed staring at the phone.  She hesitated asking Dana what was wrong, but then
the mother took over again and she spoke.  "Dana, is there something wrong, has
something happened to Fox?"

Dana felt a sudden pain in her chest return that had lessened in the last of
couple of months.  She felt wary of the Hoover Building not wanting to stir up
memories that needed to stay dormant.  She had not planned to go anywhere near
the Bureau on her vacation.  She wanted this to be a joyful time filled with
happy visits with family and to attend her cousin's wedding.  But now to go
back into her old office would be stressful.

She questioned her fear.  'What was she so afraid of?  Was it Mulder.  Skinner
said he was out of town.  When she left two months ago she planned to put it
behind her.  But how could she?  Maybe she should have skipped the wedding and
stayed in her safety net several thousand miles away.'

"Dana, are you okay?"  Margaret Scully sat down and took her hand.  Dana raised
her face and smiled as to not worry her mother and avoid to many painful
questions.  "Yes Mom, I'm fine.  Just tired, the plane ride, time change and
airplane food has made me feel a little weary."  She sighed and said almost
sorrowfully.  "Now Skinner wants me to come down the Hoover building tomorrow
for a meeting.  I wanted to avoid anyone from the bureau on this vacation.."
She smiled and squeezed her mother's hand.  "I think I'll lay down for a bit
and rest.   Would you call me in a couple of hours?  I want to have plenty of
time for the dinner with Shannon tonight.  What time are we suppose to meet
them?"  Dana said trying to avoid the subject of Mulder and steer the conver
sation in a different direction.

"We are suppose to meet them at 7:00pm at "Ruth=E5s Chris'".  Margaret Scully
knew not to press her daughter.  Dana would talk to her when the time was
right.  She patted Dana's hand and rose from the bed helping Dana remove the
suitcase and remaining clothes cluttering the bed so she could lay down.

As she turned to leave the room she stopped as she grabbed the door handle.
She turned around and looked at Dana laying on the bed with love in her eyes
she said.  "Dana, your going to have to talk to someone about what happened
with Fox.  I hope you will trust me enough to let it be me.  I love you, and I
know you are hurting.  I can't promise you, the mother in me will allow you to
keep this secret pain you have been living with for very long.  You'll
understand how I feel when you have children of your own."  She slipped out of
the door and closed it behind her.

'Oh baby, what ever it is, please don't let keep it inside.'   Margaret thought
with a pained, sorrowful look on her face as she walked down the hall and
stairs to the lower level.

Dana laid on her old bed thinking how safe she felt being in this room.
Wishing secretly that she never had to leave the safe confines of this room and
her mother's love.  Tears began to form in her eyes as she slumbered and
dreamed the nightmare of her last meeting with Fox Mulder.

************

April 5, 1997
Fox Mulder's Apartment
10:30 pm Friday Evening

Dana Scully stood outside Fox Mulder's door very nervous about how she could
tell her partner of over four years she was leaving.  How she had been given a
promotion she would not turn down.

The door opened and Mulder squinted at her due to the dark apartment and the
sudden light from the hallway.

"Scully?  What are you doing here?"  He asked with a slight panic in his voice
as if he knew something was wrong.

"Can I come in?" Scully asked not quite meeting his eyes.

He moved back and opened the door the allow her in.

"Please sit-down."  Mulder said motioning to the couch.  She seated herself and
he put his gun down and sat next to her, but with space between them.

"Mulder."  Her breath was low and she was struggling for the right words to
say.  She was still furious with him for what she had seen in New York City,
but he didn't know about that and she felt it was the best thing to do not
mentioning it.

"Mulder, there's something I have to tell you, and I'm not quite sure how to
say it".  She was speaking straight ahead not looking at him.  If she wanted to
get through this she couldn't look him in the eye.  Not yet.

"What is it Scully, you can tell me anything.  What are you so afraid of?  I
know there has been something bothering you for the last few weeks.  I didn't
know if I had done something or you were just having a long PMS attack."   He
said trying to lighten the mood.

It didn't work, her nerves were already raw and that comment did not bode well
with her at all.  She stood up and started pacing in front of the window trying
to make her temper subside.  Dana Scully was determined to stay under control
and get through this without showing vulnerability to the man watching her pace.

"Why is it always some type of female flaw men bring up to answer questions
they can't figure out answers to themselves?"  She said evenly hoping the
pacing would keep the dam from bursting inside her heart.

He was on his feet and standing behind her as she stopped her pacing and looked
window at the clear late winter night.  "Scully......Dana, what is wrong,
please you can trust me, I am your friend along with your partner."  His caring
voice and closeness was not helping her train of thought and somewhere her dam
burst.

"TRUST YOU, TRUST YOU Mulder.  That's a very interesting word you throw out
when it suits your need."  She said, but never turned around.  Dana steeled
herself by balling her fist wishing she had never come there.   Maybe she
should have written him a letter and left it on his desk.  No that's the
cowards way out.

She gasped as she felt his hands on her shoulders and she froze.  'Oh God, no
don't.  This is too hard.'  Then she steeled her nerves and gained control of
her racing heart and aching head as he turn her around to face him.

She did not meet his gaze.  He lifted her chin with his finger and when their
eyes locked she could see the confusion and questions in his eyes.   But there
was something else there that she could not recognize.   'He can be such as
dope when he wants to be.'   She thought as she looked him straight in the eyes.

"Scully, I don't understand."  He said with a quiet, almost defeated voice.
"Of course you can *trust* me."

Before she could draw her senses back into control, her revengeful hurt took
over and she came to the conclusion that since this was their last night
together she would have what she wanted once and for all.  With that thought,
she leaned into him and kissed his lips.

Their kiss was gentle at first, but soon became more demanding and intense.
Passion, suppressed desire, a hunger took over her mind and body.  When their
lips broken Mulder rained kisses down her face to her throat.  Dana was lost
now.  Her mind screamed for her to leave, but her body wouldn't move, she was
paralyzed by the feel of Mulder's kisses on her.

She put her hands around his neck and drew herself close to him to feel his
warmth.  She almost forgot her pain lost in the depths of Fox Mulder's
embrace.  But what ever little self control she had left she kept her walls
built firmly around her heart which fueled her anger and made her more
determined to finished what she had started.  She knew revenge would not yield
her relief and she would hate herself for doing this as well as would Mulder.
But the betrayal, hurt and passion she felt clouded even her most controlled
thoughts.

Mulder picked her up by the waist never stopping the tender kisses he was
raining on her face and throat and walked with her to his bedroom.

With tender whispered words Fox Mulder fell into the captivating trap Dana
Scully  so well orchestrated and played out.

*************

2:30 am
Fox Mulder's Apartment

Dana Scully awoke confused by her surroundings.  She looked around without
moving, she could feel the warm breath on her neck and the warm body wrapped
around her nakedness.  'Well Dana, you should be feeling pretty pleased with
yourself.'   She chided herself as she tried to figure out a way out of the
mess her clouded sensibility had gotten her into.  She didn't intend to end up
making love to Fox Mulder, especially not for three hours.  She was exhausted
and ashamed.

It had not been what she expected.  Not that she didn't expect it to be
wonderful as it had been.  She did not expect the feelings to merge so deeply
between them.  Dana felt she would never again feel such a oneness with anyone
like she experienced with Mulder.   Even through her anger, she felt a fire
that would not be cooled while he made love to her.   His words seduced her as
he whispered endearments to her.  But, he never once said that he loved her.
She wished again her rational mind would have saved her from this dreaded
blessed mistake.

She knew she had to get out of there before regret  settled over her and she
would not have the courage to leave.  All she wanted to do was snuggle closer
to Mulder dream of things that could have been.  A life out of reach because he
didn't love her.  She felt dirty suddenly.  She loathed herself for allowing
feelings she kept hidden deep down for so long to surface and hurt both of them.

Dana made her walls surface again.   She forced herself to think she wasn't
anything to him more than Marita.  He gave quite a show.    Otherwise, she
would loose all her resolve and  melt into his caresses.

Dana gently detangled herself from him and moved off the bed.  She looked at
him still sleeping and thought how innocent he looked and that she would never
love anyone as much.  She quickly abandoned those thoughts and picked up her
discarded clothes, putting them on while she moved to the living room.

Dana sat on his couch slipping her shoes on when she heard him walk down the
hall clad only in his boxer shorts rubbing his eyes.

"Dana, where are you going?  Come back to bed."  He said approaching her.  She
hurried with her shoes panicking now.   How was she going to explain this and
get out of his apartment.

"Mulder, I have to go. I......I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen.."
She said with a shaky voice.  She wouldn't look at him as she gathered her keys
and purse.  Dana noticed his key on her key ring and slipped it off while
gathering her will to leave.

"What the hell is going on here Scully?  You come over here announcing you want
to tell me something, you accuse me of not trusting you, we make love for three
hours and you say *Sorry Mulder it was a mistake*!"  He said as his voice rose
in anger mixed with confusion.

"Forgive me, but I've missed something somewhere.  Would you mind filling in
the blanks for me?"  He said moving closer to her as she edged to the door not
wanting it to end like this.  This is not at all what her revenge was suppose
to feel like.  Dana thought  she  would feel vindicated.  All she felt was
betrayal to the man she loved deeply.

Then his words turned so cold. "What is this Scully some sort of game with you?"

She could not control what came out of her mouth.  "Game, is that what you
think this is?  What a fool you are Fox Mulder, this is no game.  But you never
have been a quick study when it comes to the reading me."  She knew she was
lying, the female tigress took over and she was not going to let her walls
down.

"Mulder, I saw you in New York City with her, Marita.  I was sitting in the
hotel bar with my friends.  Oh course you wouldn't have known I was in the city
because you never bother to ask me anything about my life."  It's always Scully
cover my ass while I'm gone to who knows where."   She was waving her hands in
the air.

"Scully make a phone call.  You ditch me like a bad date and I'm left to pick
up the pieces you leave everywhere and try to put you back together.  You leave
me in the dark no matter how far I go to protect you, or at what lengths I go
to give you all I have to give."  Scully looked him directly in the eyes with
fire as she shouted.

"I tried to tell you about the women in Allentown.  You blew me off like it
wasn't important.   I tried before you went on vacation in the office, but all
you could talk about was the *damn desk*.  I am an FBI Agent, but I am also a
person with feelings.  No matter how many *Ice Queen* jokes you hear, I do have
feelings and I do want a life."  She was shouting back at him her blue eyes
threatening tears, but she would not let them fall, not in front of him.

She could tell he was shocked hearing that she had seen him with Marita.  Dana
could swear she saw his eyes winch, but his anger took control.

"That's my personal life Scully.  I don't follow you around interested in dates
you have and what your doing with them.  Although the last date you had, you
ended up with a tattoo and almost killed.  Maybe you do need a chaperone."
Mulder spat out.  His words were taking a viscous turn.  She could sense he was
confused and angry at the seemingly rejection.

"So what is this some type of revenge?"  He shouted sounding so completely
confused, betrayed and sad.  "Tell me Scully, all of this was........was
REVENGE?"  He looked at her for an answer.

They were silent for a few minutes.   Each trying to bring their tempers under
control.  Dana bent over and put his key on the table.  With a quiet controlled
voice she said. "I came here to tell you I'm leaving the X-Files.   I have
accepted a promotion in London at the American Embassy. "  She drew in a deep
breath.

"This isn't working with us anymore.   No matter how I try not to feel
betrayed, I can't make myself accept your lack of trust and respect for me as a
person or partner.  I'm very sorry if you think I don't ....... if  I did this
.........."  Her voice trailed off as she opened the door to leave.

Mulder stood there staring at the floor not moving an inch.  She looked back at
him one last time.   "Good-bye Mulder, take care of yourself."   She said as
she quickly closed the door and ran down the hallway before she could turn back.

*************

Dana woke with a start, looking around a bit confused feeling the same
sickening feeling from the night she had just dreamed about.  She quickly got
up and ran to the bathroom where she convulsed over the porcelain receptacle.
Her tears fell as the familiar pain flooded over her again.  She had hoped the
time away would have eased the pain she felt.  But being this close to where it
originated had not done anything but caused it to flair up again.  Her mother
was right, she had to talk about it with someone before it killed her heart as
well as her soul.

She heard a knock at the door.  "Dana, are you all right?"  Margaret Scully had
been in her room when she heard Dana move quickly from her room to the
bathroom.  Then she heard her daughter heaving and needed to see if she was
okay.

"Yes, Mom I'm fine."  She said in a level voice not wanted to upset her
mother.  Her mother opened the door as Dana was splashing water on her face.

She smiled a weak smile. "I haven't been feeling well.  I've put off going to
the doctor.  I think I will go see Dr. Johnson tomorrow and find out if I have
an ulcer.  Dana  hoped the answer would ease her mother's worried look.  She
had put it off with the fear of the cancer still in her mind.

'What if it has shown up somewhere else?'  The question Dana rolled over in her
mind over and over.  She kept an eye on the nasal tumor, it hadn't grown any
larger.  But knowing of other areas the unknown tests touched frightened her.

"Good, maybe this move and stress of a new job has taken its toll on you."
Margaret Scully said with a furrowed brow.  "You have kept an eye on your tumor
haven't you?"  She asked hopefully, but always fearing the worst.

"Yes, I have been careful.  Stress, your probably right, I'll go tomorrow.
Now, I have to take a shower and get dressed so we can meet everyone by
7:00pm."  She said quickly changing the subject.

*****************

10:30am
Dr. Johnson's Office

Dana sat on the table reading the latest edition of Woman's Day magazine.
Mostly her mind wandered about the tests the doctor should be finishing soon.
Killing time waiting for Dr. Johnson made Dana uneasy.  She had been lucky
enough to fill in a canceled appointment.  She grew more nervous not really
concentrating on the magazine.  The door opened and Dr. Johnson, the family
doctor for several years, walked in with a warm smile on his face.

"Dana...."  Before he could say anything Dana interrupted him.  "Cancer?"  She
said bravely.  He could see the fear in her face.  He put his hand on her
shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.  "No, nothing like that."   She let
out a sigh of relief.

"Dana, I don't know how to tell you this but, your pregnant."  He said with a
warm smile.

Her eyes grew enormous and she felt like she was going to faint.  "I am what?
There must be some mistake."  She closed her eyes when the sickening feeling of
just what her reckless loss of control revenge had cost her.  She opened her
eyes to see Dr. Johnson looking at her with a furrowed brow.

"Is this a surprise Dana?  Is this unwanted?"  He asked.  She couldn't speak,
all she could do was laugh.  She laughed until she cried.  She laughed at how
ridiculous this situation had turn out to be.   She laughed to keep from crying
not know what she was going to do now.

"Yes, Dr. Johnson, this is very much a surprise, but not unwanted."  His
worried expression softened as she brought her emotions under control.  "I'll
write you a prescription  for vitamins and you need to make an appointment with
an OB GYN  soon.  When do you think this happened?"  He said as he wrote out
the prescription.

"April 5th."  Was all she could say without looking at him.  She took the
prescription, shook his hand.  Dana smiled sincerely as she gathered her things
to leave.  "Thank you Dr. Johnson, I appreciate you seeing me."

"Good luck with your new job and with the baby Dana."  He said as she left the
room.

**************

1:15pm
Margaret Scully's Home

Dana walked in the door not paying attention to anything around her.  She
wanted to go to her room and think.  She had to make plans about what to do
about the baby.  Would she tell Mulder?  How was she going to tell her mother.

'Oh God, what have I done?'   She thought.  But, even with the confusion and
fear she felt there was a hidden joy she could not explain.  She had wanted a
child for a while.  An instant memory flooded her mind.  "I never saw you as a
mother before."  Mulder had said to her in Home, Pennsylvania.

She would have rather had a husband, home and all the trimmings, but..........
A glowing smile crossed her face as a thought floated through her mind.  'This
is Fox Mulder's child.'   All too soon the happy thought faded as uncertainty
took over.

Dana was lost in thought as she walked to her car and drove back to her
mother's house.

"Dana, is that you?" Mrs. Scully called from the kitchen.  "Yes Mom, I'm
back."  She answered.

Margaret Scully came out of the kitchen wiping her hands with a towel.  When
she saw her daughter she knew immediately that something was wrong.  "Honey,
what is it are you sick, what did the doctor say, is there anything I can do?"
The questions were like one long sentence run together.

Dana knew she had to tell her mother right now.  "Mom, can we sit down for a
minute there something I need to tell you."  She walked to the living room and
sat down.  Her mother seated herself next to her.

"Mom, before I left."  How was the best way to tell her about Mulder?  She
tried to form an easy explanation in her mind not wanting to upset her mother
who was fond of Mulder.  "Mom, this is not going to be easy to tell you."  She
looked in her mothers eyes and all she could see was compassion and a mother's
love.  'I hope I am half the mother you are Mom.'   She thought.

"Mulder and I had a fight before I left.  I did something really out of
character.  I lost control.   I was very angry at him.   Now.... now it's come
back to haunt me.  Well, not haunt me, slap me is more like it."  She said as
she rocked forward with her arms around her stomach and chewing her bottom lip.

Margaret interrupted her.  "Dana, I have known since you left that something
terrible had happened.  That you were holding in a sadness that had to come out
before it killed you inside.  You can tell me, I won't think any less of you
for whatever it is that happened between you and Fox."

With a sigh Dana told her the whole story of what happened in New York.   The
past came flooding out of her with the tears.  When she came to the point of
the fatal night she began to cry harder.

"Oh Mom, I was so consumed with jealousy, confusion, anger and revenge.  I
wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt me.  I slept with him............. and
now, now I pregnant."   She said barely above a whisper while staring at her
hands.

"Dad would be so ashamed of me for what I have done.  I'm glad he isn't hear to
bare this burden."  She leaned into her mother and sobbed.  Margaret drew her
shaking daughter close to her.

"Oh baby girl."  She pulled Dana into a tight hug and rocked her back and forth
while Dana cried.  As Dana's tears subsided she was comforted by the gentle
brushing of her hair by her mother's hands.
"Mom, he never once said *I love you*."   She spoke into her mother's
shoulder.  "He must really hate me now."

Her mother was silent for a minute and then said.  "Are you going to tell
him?"

Dana was silent for a long time, comfortable in her mother's arms.  She raised
her head looked her mother in the eye with a defiant look and said.  "No, I
won't be humiliated by his rejection.  Women have babies everyday without a
husband and I am strong enough to do it too."  She had made up her mind and
nothing could change it.  Her mother recognized the look and said no more.

Margaret loved her daughter, but detested her stubbornness sometimes.  The
pride Dana carried so well could be admired most of the time, but at times like
this one, it could be so destructive.  She would not go against her daughter's
decision although she believed Dana to be wrong.  She believed Fox did love her
daughter.  Margaret believed Dana would find that out if she would only tell
him about the child.  'Groveling a little wouldn't hurt either, at this
point.'  She thought.

"Mom, I'm going to lay down for a while."  She was glad she had rescheduled her
meeting with AD Skinner for tomorrow.  "Are we entertaining anyone tonight?"
Dana asked as she climbed the stairs.

"No, but tomorrow is the rehearsal dinner we have to be at Claire=E5s by 6:00pm.
Did you ask Bill to come to the wedding?"

Dana froze as she climbed the stairs.  She had forgotten all about Bill.  "Yes,
he should be calling sometime tonight.  Would you please give the directions
and make an excuse for me.  I don't think I can talk to him right now."  She
continued up the stairs and disappeared into her old bedroom.

Dana tried to focus what her next step would be, but exhaustion took over and
she fell into a deep sleep.

Dreams of a light -haired little girl and dark haired boy.  "Mommy look!"  Both
called as they played together in an opened field.  She smiled at them so much
in love with her offspring.  She called them to her.  Dana hugged them tightly
as they returned to her.

The trio sat on a blanket, blowing bubbles  and laughing.  Dana could feel the
presence of someone was behind them.  She turned around and locked eyes with a
very sad Fox Mulder.

"Why didn't you tell me Dana?   How could you hurt me so much?"  He said
holding out his hands, but seemed to be fading a way.  "Oh Fox, I'm so
sorry."   Was all she could say as he faded away.

Dana woke with a start.  Looking at the clock, she was surprised to see three
hours had passed.  She knew what she had to do.  She would not tell Fox Mulder,
but she would make arrangements in case anything happened to her in the
future.  She picked up the phone receiver and dialed the number of Mulder's
trusted, but paranoid friend.

"Lone Gunmen" Langley said.  "Hello Langley." Dana said cheerfully.  "Dana
Scully, am I dreaming or what?  I thought you were in London running the
Embassy by now."   Langley said in a teasing, but semi-serious voice.  "No not
yet, but I'm working towards that.  Is Byers there?  I need a favor from you
guys, can I come over in about an hour?"  "Sure, Byers will be back by then,
Frohike is out of town, boy will he be bummed that he missed you."

Dana smiled thinking of the comments Frohike made to her while she worked with
Mulder never hiding his admiration for her.

"Okay, I'll see in an hour."  Dana hung up the phone and got out of bed.  She
wouldn't tell her mother where she was going.  Just as she couldn't tell her
about the project she and Bill were working on.  But the Gunmen may be able to
help her with Mulder and the project.

*****************

She arrived at the Lone Gunmen at 5:30pm.  Dana  couldn't help feeling a little
nervous coming so close to Mulder's haunts.  She felt relieved he was out of
town and hoped she would not run into him while she was on vacation.

She changed her meeting with Skinner to lunch at a neutral spot, away from the
Hoover building for tomorrow.  She had several questions she needed to ask him
about the project.  She knew if they were away from the Hoover building he
would be more relaxed about what they would discuss.

Dana knocked on the door.  When it opened she was greeted by Byers.  "Dana!" He
said grabbing her hand and shaking it with enthusiasm.  "It's nice to see you
again.  Come in,  Langley said you needed our help?  Does Mulder know your
here?  I thought he was out of town.  Man, is Frohike going to be sick he
missed seeing *the beautiful Dr. Scully*."

Dana had never seen him so friendly.  "It's nice to see you too Byers.  Can you
take a ride with me I need to talk to you about something and I would feel
better not being where anyone might hear us."  She said pleading with her
eyes.

"Let me get my jacket, I'll be right with you."  He disappeared in the next
room.  "Where's Langley?"  She said curiously.  "He had an errand to run, he
told me to tell you he is sorry he missed you, but your know how it is,
deadlines and conspiracies wait for no one."   He said with a smile while
shrugging on his jacket.  Closing and locking the door behind them.

*************

6:00pm
Reflection Pool

Dana and Byers sat in front the Reflection Pool making small talk.  He asked
about  London, her job, so on and so forth.  Dana couldn't help remembering how
she and Mulder would meet at this very spot.  A sense of sadness assaulted
her.  Dana pushed it down, she had pressing issues to attend to.

A silence fell between them and Dana took a breath.  "Byers, I need two favors
from you.  I can't tell you how important, as well as confidential, this
information is to me.  I need your help, but I need you to keep this only to
yourself no matter how hard it is for you to do so.  Your the only one, besides
my mother I can ask to keep this secret.

Byers was fidgeting in his seat, this sounded too serious.  "Dana, I swear I
will never tell anyone if that is what you want from me.  How can I help you?"
His voice was soothing to her frayed nerves.

"Have you ever heard of the *Human Genome Project, Gene Carding*?"   She
asked.  Byers looked at her and recited everything he knew about the project.
Which was considerable more than Dana knew when she was introduced to it by
Bill Jacobs.

"I can't tell you exactly what I am going to be doing with this project.  But,
I am working with a man named William Scott Jacobs, resident of DC."  She
looked over the pool.

First, I need you to investigate his background for me.  I guess all the years
of working with Mulder has me paranoid of almost everyone."  She smiled and
continued.  "This project Bill and I are going to be involved in could be
extremely dangerous.  We are working under the blanket of the Embassy, but it
is tied into much more below the surface."

Byers nodded his head.  "Background check, is that it?  Do you want me to
research anything on the HGP?"  Scully thought for a minute and shook her
head.

"What we are going to do can't be disturbed by someone searching for
information that might raise suspicion.  Please, don't tell Mulder about this.
I can't risk his possible intrusion."  Byers acknowledged her request by
nodding his head again.

"The second thing..........." Dana hesitated before continuing.  "I don't know
if Mulder  said anything to you about what happened between us when I left."
She looked at Byers with sadness in her eyes.

"No, we haven't seen much of Mulder since you left, he has kept to himself and
most of the time looks like hell when we do.  If you don't mind, could you tell
me what *did* happen between you two?"  He looked at her with sympathy and
concern.  Not only for Dana, but for his friend Mulder too.  They had not been
able to reach past the dark part of Mulder that had surfaced and would not let
him go.

She pulled a strand of hair behind her ear and stared at the Reflection Pool
trying to find the courage to share part of her transgression with Byers.

"Mulder and I........ had a disagreement........ no, a fight.  He hurt me and I
wanted to hurt him just as much, so I took my revenge on him in the worst way.
I betrayed his trust in me.  I cold heartedly hurt him.  I have regretted it
ever since I left his apartment that night, but what is done is done.  I can't
change time and I can't take it back.  Byers what I'm going to tell you is very
personal and must be kept between you and I.  The only reason you can reveal
this to Mulder is if something happens to me during this project."  Dana paused
and looked at Byers who was completely baffled, but she saw something in his
eyes that told her he knew.

"I'm pregnant Byers.  I'm not going to tell Mulder, he probably hates me anyway
and this will just add to his burden."  She said with that
I'm-strong-enough-to-handle-this-on-my-own look that Byers knew so well.

"Dana, I'm so sorry this has turned out so badly."  He said turning to look at
the reflecting pool and was silent for a few minutes.  "This is going to be
very difficult to keep from Mulder.  He is my friend."  He turned to look at
Scully.  She had fear in her eyes.  He continued. "But, Dana you are my friend
too and I will keep this between us."  He could visible see her relax.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it giving him a smile of gratitude.  Then her
expression turned serious.  "If I ever need you I will send you a message from
*S* and mention a song in it, that will be your clue.  With the dangerous
situation this project could place me in, I need to make sure if something
happens to me Mulder will have the opportunity to take care of our child.  If
he isn't willing, then my mother will be my second choice.  I believe I owe
that much to him for the pain I have caused him.  I hope maybe one day I can
make it up to him.  I know now I should have........... I wish I could
have........"  She was on the verge of tears and could not complete her
sentence.  He nodded his head and reached over and squeezed her hand to
reassure her of his commitment.

"I have to say Dana, on behalf of Mulder, you must know he *does* love you.  I
know he can be pretty dense when it comes to showing it.  He is usually running
after an UFO or EBE most of the time, but he does love you.  I wish you would
tell him yourself.  It might hurt him more if he found out from other sources
in case you die.  I think that would kill him faster than anything."  Byers
said hoping to drive a splinter through the thick wall of protection Dana
Scully had put around her heart.

"No Byers, you don't know what he looked like when I told him I was leaving the
X-Files.  And ......."  She swallowed hard to keep from breaking down.  "And
more or less that it meant nothing to me."  She confessed to him almost as if
he were a priest.

"Did it mean nothing?"  A simple, but direct question unexpected from Byers.

"Never, I've loved Mulder for years.  I tried to show him in so many ways..  But
the quest for Samantha and the truth always got in the way.  He will be okay
eventually.  I know he is angry and hurt with betrayal right now.  But I pray
he will forgive me in time and find someone to fill that empty space in his
heart that I could not seem to grasp and fill.  Sometimes love isn't enough."
She said in an even toned voice not wanting to sound defeated or cause Byers to
feel pity on her.

"Please look out for him for me and don't let him brood too long.  He'll shut
off the world if no one tries to pull him out of the darkness that he allows
himself to take comfort in.  I have to take care of this baby, I can't worry
about his well being too."  She said putting her hand on her stomach."

Byers could swear her face turned from sorrow to glowing at her next
statement.   "I have been blessed, for some unknown reason,  to be carrying a
gift which I will love enough for the both of us.  Mulder need not be tied down
with this type of responsibility that will  hinder his search for Samantha."
She looked at Byers for his approval.  He gave a slight nod and let her hand go.

"I will have the information of William Scott Jacobs tomorrow.  When and where
do you want to meet me?"

"Could you drop the information by my mother's house?  I have to attend my
cousin's wedding tomorrow.  Will that be enough time?"  She asked.

"Yes, that will be sufficient time to do the research.  I will leave the
information in a brown envelope.  Now, I must be going."  He said standing up
preparing to walk away.  "Do you want me to drive you back to the office?"
Dana began to rise from the bench.

Byers turned to her with a mysterious smile.  "No, I'll get back on my own."
With that he walked away.

Dana sat staring at the pool for a long time thinking about what to do next.
She knew many decision had to made.  But the only thing she could think about
was the dream her mind replayed of Mulder.

Tears spilled down to her cheeks as she cried for him not being able to watch
her stomach stretch to accommodate the child she carried for them.  She cried
for the pain she had caused him and her self and then cursed herself for
loosing control about Marita and allowing her weak female emotions take over
the controlled Dana Scully she had trained herself to be.  She cried for her
unborn child that would not know his/her father.

She was so lost in her sadness that she did not notice the man approach her and
was now standing beside her.

"Dana...... what's wrong?"  She looked up into the kind eyes of Bill Jacobs.
She only stared at him as he seated himself next to her.  She saw in his eyes
strength, compassion, understanding.  Though he was almost a stranger to her he
made her feel comfortable in his presence.  She suddenly leaned into his chest
and cried uncontrollably.  He wrapped his arms around her and murmured.  "Its
okay, everything will be fine."   Bill spoke soothing words into her hair as he
held her.

She felt his strength.  Then she felt guilty about asking Byers to check up on
him.  'Another betrayal Dana?  No, just precaution.'  She tried to soothe her
conscience.

Her crying lessened into hiccups as she grew embarrassed by her out burst.
Loosing control, yet again, now in front of a man she barely knew.  Her
hormones were really raging causing uncontrolled emotions.  She lifted her head
from his chest rubbing her eyes.  "I'm sorry Bill.  What are you doing here?"
She didn't look at him waiting for his reply.

"Looking for you."  Was all he said.  "How did you know where I would be?   Are
you following me?" She asked looking at him with swollen wary eyes.

"I told you when I met you, that I had observed you for quite a while.
Remember you said you had seen me before?"   He questioned her.   Dana did
nothing but stare at him waiting for an explanation.

"I was in the senate hearings when you were incarcerated for protecting your
partner.  You walked by me when the guards escorted you out of the court
room."  He could see a flicker of remembrance in her eyes then they grew wider
as their eyes locked.

"Yes, now I remember, you were there.  Have you been following me everywhere?
I can't believe Mulder never noticed it much less me."   She said disbelieving
their abilities to know when they were being watched.  Hell, they knew they
were almost always being watched.  But still, this was almost too *spooky*.

"That still doesn't tell me how you knew where I would be *today*."    She said
still looking into his green eyes that look full of mystery.

He smiled and looked out over the pool.  He looked almost embarrassed.  "I know
you like to come here and think.  I've watched you for hours wanting to talk to
you, but not able to break my silence.  Then, there was your partner too."  His
voice trailed off.  He could see the pain in Dana's eyes at the mention of
Mulder.

"Come on Dana, let's walk.  You look like you need to move around."  He stood
and took her hand to help her up.  As she stood he didn't let go of her hand
and Dana didn't pull hers away.  She needed this closeness right now.  Whether
it was her hormones raging or just needing someone to give her comfort.  She
thanked God that he was here to give her the undeserving comfort she was
receiving.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes.  "Are you hungry Dana?"
Bill broke the silence first.

"Yes, I am.  But, I need to call me mother, she must be worried."  Dana said
looking around for a phone.  She didn't have a mobile phone with her.

Bill reached in his coat pocket and pulled out his phone.  "Here, never leave
home without it."   He said with a warm smile.

"Thanks."  She dialed her mother's number.  It range twice.

"Hello."  Margaret Scully answered.

"Mom, it's me.  Bill and I are going to get something to eat, can we bring you
anything?"

She could hear her mother sigh with relief knowing her daughter was safe with
the man she met at the airport.  "No, I'm fine and I'm glad you are okay too.
You are okay aren't you?"  Her mother needed reassuring.

"Yes, I think I will be."   Dana said not wanting to reveal much to the man
holding her hand, just yet.  "I'll see you later Mom.  Okay, I will.  Bye".
She punched the End button and handed it back to Bill.

"Where to?" Bill asked.

**************

9:00pm
Margaret Scully's Home

"Mom, I'm back."  Dana called out to her mother as she walked down the hallway.

"In here Dana."  Margaret called to her.  As Dana walked into the kitchen she
was surprised to find A.D. Skinner sitting with her mother talking over a cup
of coffee.  Dana looked at her mother then Skinner.
"I'll leave you two to talk alone.  Walter, it's nice to see you again."  Mrs.
Scully rose from her chair and put her cup in the sink.  She gave Dana a peck
on the cheek and told her goodnight as she left the room.

"Sir, is there a problem?"  Scully seated herself opposite of her former
superior.

"No Agent Scully, I thought it might be better to speak with you here."  He
looked at his coffee and then his eyes rose to hers.

"I wanted to talk to you about the assignment and tell you as much as I can
about it."   He looked back at his cup of coffee and continued.  "Bill Jacobs
is a fine man and agent.  He's trustworthy.  I want you to feel secure with the
assignment.  I would not have approached you with the promotion if I didn't
believe you were right for this task.  He has a passion to find answers to
questions, but he isn't as reckless as Agent Mulder."   His voiced trailed off
almost too quiet to hear as he spoke her ex-partner's name.

"Sir, although I would have liked to known what I was being setup for, I am
doing checking of my own about William Scott Jacobs."  Dana said proudly.

Skinner smiled and nodded his head.  "I expected you to.  You will find he is a
straight arrow.  But, let your sources find that out so you will rest assured
he is not a threat to you."  Skinner said as his smile turned serious and he
looked Scully in the eye to let her know he was confident in Jacob's integrity.

"I accepted this assignment after Bill told me what he hoped to accomplish.  I
believe you chose the right agent for the job.  So don't worry Sir, I *will* be
fine."  She noticed the tension drain from his face as his shoulders relaxed.

Dana looked down at her hands and said.  "How is Agent Mulder?  I can imagine
he was very angry about my leaving so sudden."  She said not look up from her
hands.

"Yes, he was how do you say, *Pissed*.  I thought he was going to punch me in
the face like he did before.  But, he calmed down, stormed out of my office."
He said as he straightened his glasses.

 "I found him in a bar not far from the office.  I talked to him for a few
minutes, but he ignored much of what I had to say.  He asked me if  I was
trying to shutdown the X-Files again.  I reassured him I wasn't.  But, I wasn't
able to tell him anything about this assignment due to the security risk."

He looked at Dana with a wry smile and said. "You know Mulder, if he thought
you were in any danger, he would not let it go.  We both know that."  He paused
when Scully let out a huffed snicker.

"I don't know Sir, we didn't part on very good terms.  I believe Mulder would
rather face Tooms again than me.  I won't tell you what went happened,  it's
too personal.  But I will tell you that I don't regret working with Mulder and
I hold him in the highest regard."  She lifted her eyes to look at Skinner's
face and said without reservation. "I can say I miss his recklessness and crazy
theories."  She smiled as she seemed to remember better days.  Her smile faded
as a concerned look took over.

"Sir, please look out for Agent Mulder.  Right now I know he is probably acting
out of character, but maybe in time.........." she trailed off.

"Time heals all wounds Agent Scully, remember that.  Agent Mulder will be
fine."  He tried to reassure her.  He didn't want to worry her with the
darkness that held Mulder in its grasp and wouldn't let go.  He had become more
cynical, closed off, trusting no one and refusing another partner.

"I hope so.  I wish him no harm.  I hope he finds what he is looking for one
day -- Samantha, the truth."  Dana felt tears threatening the back of her
eyes.

Breaking the sudden heaviness that seems to have encompassed the room, Skinner
pushed his chair back and stood as he said. "Well Agent Scully, I have taken up
enough of your time.  I miss seeing you around the office.  You are a fine
agent and the bureau feels your absence as do the   X-Files."  He extended his
hand preparing to leave.

"Sir, why did you come here instead of meeting me for lunch tomorrow?"  Dana
asked with questioning eyes.   A.D. Skinner shook his head knowing he lost an
excellent investigator when he agreed to let her go.


"Agent Mulder came back today, I didn't want you to have an unexpected
encounter with him on your vacation."  He confessed.  She understood his
sympathy for their situation and appreciated his respecting her privacy in the
matter.

"Thank you Sir.  It was nice seeing you again."  She said as she walked him to
the door.

As he walked outside he repeated himself.  "Time heals all wounds Agent
Scully.   Allow them to heal."  Skinner walked to his car and slide behind the
wheel.  Scully watched him until his car drove away.  She always admired her
ex-supervisor, his strength and character matched by no one.

*****************

12:00 noon 
St. Pias Church
Washington DC

All the bridesmaids were gathering outside the closed doors waiting for the
door to open permitting them to walk down the isle.  Dana's cousin was about to
faint.   Dana stood on one side and Shannon's father on the other trying to
keep her upright.  The doors opened and Dana took her place hoping Shannon
could make it down the isle.

As Dana walked down the isle she smiled at her relatives as she passed.  She
noticed how the kids had grown so much since she had not seen them in a long
time.  She smiled at Bill as she passed by him and he raised an approving
eyebrow at her which almost caused her to laugh.  Then she saw her mother and
the adoring look she gave her.  She hoped again that she would love her child
as much, and; be as strong as her mother had always been for her.

She took her place at the front of the church.  The bridal march began.   As
everyone rose to their feet, Dana looked at the groom.  What a handsome man
Shannon chose to marry.  She watched Shannon walk slowly down the isle taking
deliberate steps to keep her unsteady legs from stumbling.  The last thing Dana
knew her cousin wanted was to fall flat on her face in front of her fiance, his
family and friends as well as her own.  She had a radiant smile on her face as
she scanned the crowd.  Dana knew she probably wouldn't remember a soul there
because she seemed to be on auto pilot.

Somehow, Shannon made it all the way to the alter without mishap and joined her
husband-to-be.  As Dana turned to face the front she caught sight of Bill
staring at her like she was a prize at the fair.  She gave him a smile and he
returned acknowledge her with an almost embarrassed look that she had caught
him gazing at her.

The wedding reception began to drag.   Dana enjoyed visiting with her
relatives, friends she hadn't seen in a long time.  As it goes with Catholic
weddings, it would be a long affair.  She was shifting from one foot to the
other showing signs of growing tired and restless.

Bill noticed her uneasiness and leaned over close to her speaking softly. "You
want to blow this joint sweethaaart?"  In a bad Humphrey Bogart accent.

Dana smiled.  "What do you suggest?"  She asked with a curious voice.

"I have a few ideas."  He said in a mysterious voice lifting his eyebrows while
opening his green eyes widely.

"I'll say my good byes and we can go.  This party looks like its going to last
well into the evening."  She said, then walked toward her mother.

Dana told her mother good-bye assured her she would be home early.  Dana kissed
her cousin Shannon and wished her luck.  Shannon was so dazed by the days
events and champagne that she hugged Dana back and promised they would have to
get together soon.  Dana smiled and agreed.  She gathered her belonging and
slipped out the door with Bill close behind her.

They drove in peaceful silence to a place Bill liked to hang out on a warm
evening.  He wanted to enjoy the outside with his beautiful escort.  They would
return to the drab weather of London too soon.

Bill took Dana to a quaint place where it was nice to sit and enjoy each
other's company, not too loud or too crowded.  He lead her to a table over
looking Washington DC's skyline.  They sat in comfortable silence for a few
minutes.

Dana spoke first. "This city is beautiful at night.  From here you would think
it is the safest place to live."

Bill chuckled. "Sometimes looks can be deceiving."

Dana looked at him with a embarrassed smile. "Your right, that was pretty
stupid."

"No it wasn't stupid.  This town is beautiful from the sky at night or from a
view such as this.  But, there is not view as beautiful as what I'm looking at
right now."  He said looking at Dana with sincere eyes.  "You were as beautiful
or more so than the bride."

Dana blushed and looked down at the table with an appreciative smile. 'What is
it about this man that seems so endearing?  You don't know anything about
him.'  She reminded herself.

"Thank you."  Was all she could say.

The waitress came to take their orders.  Bill ordered an import beer and Dana
ordered club soda with a lemon twist.  She left to get there drinks.  The
silence was became uncomfortable.  Dana knew Bill wanted to know what made her
so upset the day before, but had respectfully not asked her yet.

"Dana."  he started to say.  She interrupted him.  "Bill, I know you want to
know what I was crying about yesterday.  I promise, I will tell you when I can,
but right now can you just not press me about it?  I appreciate you coming to
my rescue, but this is such a personal matter I can't discuss it with you.  I
hope you understand."  She looked at him with pleading eyes.

He smiled and said. "Well, I was going to ask you if you were hungry, but
thanks for the little speech too.  Now, are you hungry?"

She blushed again.

"Yes, I believe I could eat something light."  She said with a lopsided smile
feeling really foolish, but glad that the *little speech* was out of the way.

"Good, I'm starving.  How come at most weddings they pay an extreme amount of
money for such poor quality food?"  Dana was smiling again thinking how easy it
was for him to lighten the mood of a conversation.  He seem to have a natural
talent for easing her mind.

They talked and ate for a couple of hours.  Dana was becoming tired, but was
enjoying the conversation so much she found herself not wanting to leave.  She
wondered why she had never known about this place before.

'That's easy, you never went anywhere to find a place like this.  You were
always working.'  She thought, but quickly put it out of her mind not wanting
to continue with that thought process.

Music began playing.  It was an old tune she had heard before, but couldn't
place the title or artist.  Bill stood up and extended his hand.  "Dance with
me Dana."  Bill asked.

She hesitated a second,  then looked up into the warm green eyes of the man
before her.  She stood taking his hand walking inside to the dance floor where
a few couples had gathered.

Bill put his arm around her waist and took her hand in his.  Dana placed her
hand on his upper arm and they began to move slowly to the music.   Dana felt
at ease with this man she knew so little about.  She found herself wanting to
feel his warmth.  She drew closer to him, placing her head on his shoulder as
they swayed to the music.  She felt his arm wrap tighter around her waist to
draw her closer like he was protecting her from an enemy.  He placed a kiss on
the top of her head and rested his chin there.  They did not speak through the
entire song, just enjoyed each other's warmth and closeness.

When the song was over a new tune began.  They started to stay for another
tune, but the spell was broken by someone in the corner of the bar laughing
extremely loud.  Bill moved his chin from the top of Dana's head and looked
around.

"I think it's time to go.  I know your tired."   He said looking in her warm
blue eyes.  She nodded.  They separated from their embrace and walked to the
door.

When they arrived at the car Bill opened the door.  As Dana seated herself in
the car Bill spoke up.  "I left something on the table, I'll be right back."
Dana looked puzzled as the retreating Bill Jacobs hurried back towards the
restaurant.  She was so tired she closed her eyes and leaned her head back on
the head rest.

The next thing Dana knew Bill was opening the door and slipping into the seat.
He looked at her with a warm smile and said.  "Ready?".

"Yeah, I must have fallen asleep.  I more tired than I thought."  She yawned
and looked at her watch it was 11:00pm.  No wonder she was tired, it had been a
long day.

"What was all the commotion in there?"  Dana asked with her head leaning back
on the head rest and eyes closed.  Before he could answer.  "Nothing
important."  She was gone again.  Bill smiled and started the car pulling away
easily so not to wake his sleeping beauty.

Dana became conscious as she felt herself being lifted out of the car by strong
arms and carried up the steps of her mother's home.  She slipped her arms
around Bill's neck and laid her head on his shoulder.  "You know, I can walk."
She said with a sleepy voice.  He chuckled as he rang the doorbell.  The lights
were still on so he knew Margaret must still be awake.

In a few seconds her mother opened the door.  "Is she okay?"  Her eyes were
large with fright.  "Yes, she's just exhausted.  Which way is her bedroom?"
Bill asked Mrs. Scully with a questioning expression.

She pointed up the stairs.  "Second door on the right."   Margaret answered.

Bill climbed the stairs with the half asleep Dana Scully.  Dana knew she should
have made him put her down and allowed her to walk on her own.  She felt like
five years old again and Ahab bringing her up stairs after a long day at her
grandmothers.  But, she didn't care, it was nice to be cared for like this.
She believed that was part of the problem with Mulder.  She never wanted to
seem vulnerable or weak.  This was not being weak, but allowed comfort from a
friend.

He sat her down on the bed.  She looked at him with a mischievous smile.  "I
think I can take it from here Bill.  Thanks.  I had a wonderful time today."
He bent down and kissed her cheek.  "Good night Dana, I had a great time too.
Thanks for inviting me to the wedding.  I'll see you tomorrow."  He turned and
left the room closing the door behind him.

Bill joined Mrs. Scully in the living room for a few minutes.  Dana heard him
leave as she  undressed.  'Dana, you are definitely in trouble.'  She thought.
She knew Bill was fond of her, he didn't try to hide the affection he felt for
her.

But, she was too exhausted to think about it right now.  She needed sleep.
Sleep free from Bill, Mulder, babies everything.

************

Coast of Spain
June 2002

Dana Scully Jacobs was brought back to the present by small hands rocking her
back and forth.  "Mommy, Mommy wake up."  Dana turned to look in the eyes of
her almost four year old son.  His hazel eyes pleading for her attention.

"What is it Will? " She asked holding her hand out to him.  He gave her his
hand and she pulled him into her lap.  She thought how much he looked like
Mulder.   She would never be able to escape the haunting likeness he had of the
father he had never met.  She kissed his head as he snuggled closer to her.

"Where are we going?  Can we go on land tomorrow?  Can we go swimming?"  Will
fired questions faster than Dana could process them.

Of course he was a brilliant child, just like his father again.  He learned to
speak sentences a little over one year old.  He had his father's photographic
memory.  If he was promised something he remembered it forever or until the
promise was kept.  He was a loving child and ended up sleeping with Dana more
than in his own bed.  She didn't discourage him because she knew he missed
Bill.

Bill had been a wonderful role model for Will and a wonderful father.  All
through pregnancy, birth, hourly feedings, colic, diapers Bill was there always
ready to help.  Will followed him around constantly.  Mimicking Bill's moves,
watching what the older man watched on TV with interest, even though most of
the time he didn't have a clue about the subject matter.  But, it was so cute
to watch her two men sitting there mesmerized with the flickering of the TV
waves.

Another set of hands appeared in her view.  She looked on the other side too
see a petite auburn hair, gray eyed girl.  Dana thought about how her eyes seem
to change with her moods.  Right now her eyes were looking at her mother
demanding equal time on her lap.

Dana reached her free hand to her daughter.  "Hey Sarah honey, you can sit here
too.  Although, both of you are getting a little big to sit on my lap at the
same time."  Dana said with a mother's smile as Sarah climbed up on her lap
shared with her brother.

They sat is silence for a few minutes.  Dana combed her fingers through both
child's hair to soothe them.  They often sat in calm silence watching the moon
and stars flicker off the water.  It was almost a communing of their souls in a
reverent ritual the three of them had begun when Bill was killed.  Safe, loved,
together.

It was after 9:00pm and time for them to go to bed, but she enjoyed this
special time sitting on deck of their expansive floating home, research center,
laboratory, safe haven.  She was thankful their floating home was as large as
it was so the children had many levels to explore occupying their time and not
drive her crazy.   She also had adequate space for planning about the situation
she was thrown into a month ago.

Dana felt the presence of someone behind them.  "Dana, do you want me to put
them to bed?  I've already put Katie down."  Asked the woman.

"Yes, I would appreciate your help.  These two are more than I can handle when
it comes to putting them to bed.  Will never likes to go to sleep."  Dana said
as she kissed both children on the head and eased them down on the warm deck
floor.

"Come on Sarah, I'll help you put on your nightie."   The tall woman said
holding her hand out to the little girl."  Sarah took her hand and walked with
her down the hall to where she and her brother shared a bedroom.  Their bedroom
was next to Dana's.   She slept easier keeping an ear out in case they needed
her.

After they were tucked in and their even soft breathing told Dana they were
asleep, she got up quietly from her rocking chair and padded softly out of the
room closing the door.   She turned on the monitor that matched the one on the
night stand next to Will' bed.

Dana walked down the hall the main salon.  She looked around the room.  She
never got over how beautiful the room was with its hardwood floors, dark
varnished wood and briars.   The quality joinery and high-glossy finishes were
so elegant, but comfortable.  The overstuffed sofa in the middle of the room is
where she spent many evenings going over notes for the research she and Bill
had muddled through in their search for the truth which had led to his demise.
After his death, she spent countless hours sitting in the room trying the
accept what had happened to him.

She came to this room tonight to form a plan to finish the work she and Bill
had started.  She had two choices:

a) Leave this part of the world and never look back, not finishing the mission
they had started over three years ago.

She could live an easy life with the fortune Bill left her.  She could sail
around the world for the rest of her life with her children.  He was very
insightful when he made the arrangements with his contacts all over the world
so his family could hide forever in case something went wrong.

*Hide forever*.  Dana knew she could not live like a thief in the night always
looking over her shoulder and worrying every time her children were out of her
sight.  So her other only option would be acceptable.

b) She had to finish the mission, bring to justice the powers that took her
husband's life and kept her in hiding.

Dana knew she could not do this alone.  She also knew that her precious
occupants needed protection.  She had learned, with Bill's understanding and
kindness, that she wasn't an island.  That it isn't shameful to be vulnerable
and ask for help or to admit she was not invincible.

Dana needed someone she could trust.  She could only think of one person she
could trust who would have an interest in keeping her family safe.

She reached for her laptop and opened it up.  This wasn't going to be easy and
she feared what would happen when Fox Mulder knew what she was keeping from
him.  But, she had no choice.

Another thing she learned about herself in the past few years was facing her
emotions and not hiding from them.  Fear, love, insecurity, frustration were
not locked up in her body like a time bomb waiting to explode anymore.  She
still did not trust very many people.  But she had learned to trust Bill and he
in-turn had helped her to open up to herself and not lock away her emotions.

She had many things to thank Bill Jacobs for, but now was not the time for
reminiscing.  She had a message to write and she needed help.  She remembered
her conversation with Byers years ago.  "If you receive a strange message from
me..........".  She hoped he remembered.

When the computer booted up she began her letter:

Dear Byers,

DO NOT READ THIS OUT LOUD, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS LISTENING!  (Even at your
place.)

There's a lyric in a song by JB that says "My thoughts came like wind through
my hand."   This is where I'll be in one week.  URGENCY is utmost important as
well as CONFIDENTIALLY.  I need you to give the enclosed letter to the person
we spoke of years ago.

S

She printed the letter.  Then on a new screen she began the most difficult
letter she would write.  With a deep resigning sigh she began:


June 2002

Dear Mulder,

REMEMBER ME

I know it has been a long time since I spoke with you.  I also know that I am
probably the last person you want to hear from, but I need your help.  You are
the only one that I trust to help us.  I have answers and a package you've been
seeking.  I also have a bonus package you didn't know about.  I'm telling you
now about part of it because I need you to sort out your feelings while you
travel.  I need your level headed assistance.  I can't tell you how important
this is and how careful you must be making your way here.

I have given Byers a clue to where I will be in one week.  Please do not bring
any unwanted attention to your departure and take careful steps to cover your
tracks.  I am not certain how long this will take so arrangements need to be
made with your loved ones.

This must seem like an X-File case so no one will be worried by your absence.
I only hope that your loved one will understand.  I believe you can trust
Skinner, but I'm afraid he will be watched and monitored carefully.  I
reiterate, be very careful, you don't want to loose the packages I am caring
for for you again.  If you are not here in one week, I will float away like a
dream and I will not be able to contact you again for quite sometime.

I promise every question you have will be answered.  I am writing this in a
cryptic format in case it is intercepted by those pursuing us.  Look for the
clues and I am positive you will find the answers.

I can only hope to make up for some of the pain I have caused you by giving you
the answers you seek.

DS

Dana printed the file and erased it.  She folded the paper and picked up two
pictures sitting on the table beside her.   She put them in a separate envelope
along with cash for Mulder's trip.  She picked up her *D* brass seal in one
hand and applied warmed wax with the other hand on the tip of the flap of the
envelope.  She pressed the stamp into the wax.  She then slipped it inside of
the first letter and sealed it in another envelope with another wax "D" seal.
Along with the letter to Byers she slipped them into a Federal Express
envelope.

She hoped the delivery would seem to any person as an article for the Lone
Gunmen magazine.   She opened her address book and copied the address.  Dana
hoped they hadn't moved their offices.  She wanted to call, but was afraid they
were being monitored too.  So she took a chance Mulder's paranoid friends were
located at the same address.  If they had moved there would be no return
address.

She stopped writing and picked up her telephone.  She dialed the number with
shaking fingers.  "Lone Gunmen."   Came over the line.  'Langley.'  She
thought.  She hung up the phone quickly.  'Dana you are way too paranoid for
your own good.'   She thought as her shaking hands replaced the phone receiver
in the cradle.  At least they had the same phone number, maybe her luck would
hold out just a little while longer.

She also hoped the clues weren't too hard to figure out.   If it did fall into
the wrong hands, she would have time to move on before they figured it out.
Timing was everything.   Even if they did intercept the package and traced it
back to this area, she would be gone to her next destination.  She hoped.  She
fingered the cross that hung at her neck and offered a prayer that her plan
would work.  Not just for her, but for all involved.

Bill had taught her well how to cover her tracks.  She also learned that with
enough money you can do most anything needed to disappear from sight.

Dana powered down her laptop.  She picked up the package, stood and walked out
of the room turning off the light as she made her way to her room and much
needed sleep.  She would travel into the city tomorrow and send the package, do
some shopping and exploring.  Then they would move to a new destination.  Even
though this vessel was enormous in size, it did become a floating prison after
a while.

She looked in on the children.  Will and Sarah were peacefully sleeping.  She
reached the next door and opened it quietly.  Katie was sound to sleep with the
covers pulled up to her neck.

She started for her room, but noticed a light under her guest's door.  She
knocked lightly.  "Come in."   Was the answered.  Dana opened the door and
smiled at her guest reading a book.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"  Her guest patted the bed beside her for Dana
to sit down.  "I'm going on shore tomorrow, do you want to come?  I think you
will like Cape Corse it is a beautiful city."

The long haired brunette hesitated as she spoke. "Do you think it is safe?
I....I mean for Katie and me?"  Dana could see the almost fearful look on her
face.

"We've been careful this last month about covering our trail.  The captain has
changed the name of the boat twice and all records pertaining to the original
boat owners have been destroyed and rewritten.  I think we are safe.  We won't
stay too long, but I have to send a package to the states."  Dana showed her
the envelop.

The woman looked up with wide eyes.  "Are you sending it to Fox?"  She asked
with anticipation.

"Yes, I need his help.  He is the only one I trust."   She said matter of
factly.  Dana continued with a sigh.  "I can't finish this without his help.  I
won't endanger the twins or you and Katie by believing I can do it on my own."
A silence fell between the two women.

Dana looked at her hands feeling the fear in her heart of how Mulder would
react when he learned about his children and that she was sailing around Europe
with Samantha and her daughter for the past month.  Samantha Mulder reached for
Dana's hand and squeezed it.

"He will be shocked I'm sure.  But, if you explain the situation to him, as you
have explained it to me, he will understand."  She said smiling a reassuring
smile to ease Dana's tension clearly seen in the red-haired petite woman
sitting next to her.

Dana snickered. "You don't know how angry he was the last time I saw him.  And
when he finds out it took me a month to contact him after finding you and that
I have a set of almost five year-old children that belong to him.  He may shoot
me!"  Dana looked into Samantha's eyes.  She continued with a grin on her
face.  "It's only fair, I shot him once already."  Samantha's eyes widened.

"You shot my brother?"  She asked sounding a bit confused.

"It's a long story.  I had to keep him from killing the man who shot your
father or he would have been framed for both murders.  I will tell you all
about it later, I have to go to bed."  As she rose from her seat and headed for
the door she turned around with a mischievous smile. "Don't worry, I was a good
shot.  Or a bad one, depends on how you look at it."  She said as she left the
room and closed the door.


DATE:  March 25, 1997
TITLE: NEW: Coast of Marseilles 1  2/3
AUTHOR:  Marsha Bare-Taylor
EMAIL ADDRESS:  barelyhere@email.msn.com
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT:  Archive where ever you would like, just keep my name
with it.
SPOILER WARNING:  None really.  This story does make mention of several
episodes.
RATING:  PG
CONTENT WARNING: This is a MSR 
CLASSIFICATION: S,R,A
SUMMARY:  After NA, MM. Love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, separation,
reuniting, emotional healing, finding something lost, and a little Phoebe
bashing make up this story.  You have to read the whole story to understand the
first part.  Most of this part takes place in the Mediterranean.

DISCLAIMER:  The X-Files and characters belong to FOX, Chris Carter, 1013.  I
am not making any money from this story.  I am just borrowing these characters
for fun.  Please don't sue me.  If you do, I'll make you a deal on two dogs,
three cats and a slightly used husband.   I'm also borrowing two songs, one
from Jimmy Buffett, and one from Patty Loveless.    No infringements are
intended.

Bill Jacobs is mine (I wish), Cheryl Skinner, Girard & Glenda Timmons, etc. are
also my characters although the names are of real people.  Well Bill isnt, he
is strictly my fantasy.

This is the first story I have ever written using only what comes out of my
brain. (My second posting.) So english experts please don't burn me too badly.

Three Days later
Lone Gunmen Magazine

The Federal Express trucked pulled up in front of the unmarked building.  The
driver exited the truck and walked to the door marked only by a small sign that
read *Lone Gunmen Magazine*.  He knocked four short strokes then waiting the
door was opened.

"Package for you Byers, must be important to send it so quickly.  Maybe another
conspiracy solved for your next issue."   The Fed Ex employee said with a smirk
handing the electronic signature board to Byers.

Byers signed the board took the package and said. "Thanks."   Without
acknowledging the comment.  He closed the door and opened the envelope.

"Hey you guys expecting an article for this month's issue from *Spain*?"  Byers
said as he read the airbill.

Langley and Frohike walked into the room.  "No, I haven't."  Langley said
taking the airbill from Byers.

"Is it in a plain brown wrapper?"  Frohike said with a wicked smile on his
face.  "Those Spanish women, oooooowwwww laa laa!"  Byers looked up in disgust
then back down at the letter he had unfolded.

"Oh my God."  Byers said as his breath caught in his throat.  He handed the
letter to Langley and Frohike looked over his shoulder.  "This is a surprise.
What does that mean?   We're too smart for anyone to hear us.  Right guys?"
Langley looked at Byers and Frohike for reassurance.

"We need to find where these lyrics are from."  Byers said as he looked further
in the envelope.  When he pulled out the sealed envelope he touched the stamp
on the back.  He had wondered about Dana Scully from time to time.  Even though
Mulder never once mentioned her name and neither did they in his presence, he
still knew Mulder missed her.  "I will make the call while you try and research
the clues."  Byers motioned to the two standing beside him as he picked up the
telephone.

************

Basement Office FBI Headquarters
10:30 am

Fox Mulder was reading his new case file.  He was concentrating so intently on
the paper before him that he barely heard the telephone ringing.  He picked up
the phone not taking his eyes off the paper before him.

"Mulder."   He said in a gruff voice.  "Mulder, I have something to show you
that might interest you on your next case."  Byers tried to sound level, not as
panicky as he felt.  Mulder took off his glasses and pinched his nose.

"Byers, I have to leave this afternoon, I don't have time for any riddles."
Mulder had not seen the Gunmen in quite a while.  He had become a virtual
loneman on his own.  Though the years had lessened the pain of what happened
with Scully, the pain of distrust had not.  He *trusted no one* and lived by
the rule everyday.  He kept his work professional as he could.  He stayed busy
always on another case.  Skinner tried to force him to take time off.   Mulder
would use vacation to look for yet another dead end that would lead to
Samantha.  She had become his only reason for living now and he would not rest
until he solved her case.

He sighed.  "I'll come by on my way out of town."  He hung up the phone, put
his glasses back on and continued to read the case file before him.

*******************

Two hours later
Lone Gunmen Magazine

The knock at the door was answered quickly.  Fox Mulder walked past Byers and
stood in the middle of the room filed with computers and various equipment.

Byers noticed that his stooped  posture and the hallowed look on his face.  He
looked exhausted like he hadn't slept in days, weeks, maybe years.  He had a
sad expression on his face that never seemed to leave his sharp features.
Byers always felt kind of sorry for Mulder, and guilty for not telling him
about Dana being pregnant.  'Now is the day of reckoning.'  He thought as he
closed the door.

Mulder could hear music from an artist he couldn't recognize in the other room
which was turned a little louder than normal.  The noise was making him
irritable as was going out of his way.  He had very little patience anymore,
even for his paranoid friends.

Byers handed him the letter. "We received an important message today."
Remembering Dana's caution, he handed Mulder the first note that was addressed
to him.  Mulder read the note and looked at Byers in shock.  He looked at the
letter again.  Byers handed him the sealed envelope.

"What is this Byers?"  He asked narrowing his eyes.

"We're trying to figure out the clues Mulder.  It took us over an hour to find
the artist and song the lyrics belong to.  That's what the noise is about in
the other room, Langley and Frohike are looking for the song."  Byer's motioned
with his head to the other room.

"Luckily, Langley had an acquaintance who knew the artist.  We located CD's of
the artist and now they are looking for the song.  There are quite a few CD's
to search through, but Langley's acquaintance narrowed it down a bit.  Why
don't you read the letter while we find the lyrics."

Byers wanted to leave Mulder some privacy knowing the news was going to disturb
him.  He also didn't want Mulder to see the guilty look on his face that would
squeal on him at any moment.

Fox Mulder sat heavily in a chair and turned the letter over.  He touched the
seal with his fingers.  "D" Dana Scully.  He was so shocked to hear from her it
took him a few moments to break the seal and open the letter.  As he unfolded
the letter, he noticed the second sealed envelope and put it aside.  He began
reading.

Mulder read the letter three times before picking up the other seal envelope.
He opened it with shaking hands and pulled out two pictures.  One of a
beautiful light auburn haired girl sitting next to a  dark haired boy that
mirrored his image.  They were sitting on the deck of a boat grinning from ear
to ear.  On the back of the picture it read June 2002, Sarah Elizabeth and
William Christopher, born December 15, 1997.

His breath caught in his throat and he felt like he was going to faint.  The
other picture was of the children standing next to each other waving at the
camera.  Mulder felt tears forming in his eyes as he stared at the pictures in
his hands.  He couldn't move, frozen in total shock.  He didn't notice when
Frohike and Langley screamed "We got it!" from the other room.  Byers hand
brought Mulder back from his shock induced trance.

"I think they found the song, do you want to hear it?"  Byers asked in a low,
sympathetic voice.  Mulder didn't look up.  "I think I can hear it from
here."   He couldn't trust himself to say anymore with the threat of years of
sadness creeping into his voice.

Jimmy Buffett's melody came through the doorway and into Mulder's ears.  He
closed his eyes as he listened.

I sat there on the Coast of Marseilles
My thoughts came like wind through my hand
How good it'd be to feel you again
How good it would be to feel that way again

Would you be remembering me
I asked that question time and again
The answer came and haunted me so
I would not want to think it again
No I would not want to think it again

You make it so hard to forget
I haven't stopped loving you yet

When I left the Coast of Marseilles
I hadn't done what I come to do
I spent all of the money I saved
I still did not get over you
No I still did not get over you

Mulder envision the man sitting on a shore line as he felt the haunting sadness
his heart had lived with for too long.

Byers brought him out of his reverie by touching him on the shoulder.
"Mulder."  He looked at his friend not knowing what to say.  "This letter is
already three days old, you only have four days to find them."  Mulder took out
the money in the envelope with the pictures.  His eyes widened when he counted
$3,000 in cash.

He looked at Byers and handed him the pictures and the letter.  "I have
twins!"   He said with affection in his voice, then cleared his throat.  Byers
looked at the photos and read the letter.  Frohike and Langley joined them from
the other room.

Frohike took the pictures from Byers and said. "Who are they?"  His eyes
widened as he realized the boy was a younger image of the sullen man before
him.  Frohike smiled as he could see the likeness of Dana Scully in the little
girl.

"Congratulations Mulder, I wish I had some cigars."  Langley said trying to
lighted to thick  mood in the room.

All of a sudden, like a light had come on in his head, Mulder stood.  "I need
your help.  Do you still have the alias identifications you made for me a
couple of years ago?"  He looked at Byers who nodded and left the room.  He
returned in moments with a passport and driver's license in the name of <David
Kratz of New York City.>

"You should be able to use these, they are still active."  Byers said handing
the items to Mulder.

Mulder looked at the letter again.  "What do you make of this?"  He pointed to
the line <If you are not here in one week, I will float away like a dream>.

Byers, Langley, Frohike all thought.  Langley said.  "A statement was made in
the song   <would you be remembering me>  do you think it has a connection?"

Mulder took the letter out of Frohike's hands and the pictures out of Byer's.
He looked from one to the other then at the three men standing before him.  "I
think I figured it out."   He said as he stood.  "I have to go, thanks for your
help."

Byers called out to him as he hurried out of the office.  "Mulder, call us if
you need anything."

Mulder ran out of the office.  Once he reached his car he flew through the
Washington DC streets towards the airport.  He had to think of a plan to reach
Marseilles without causing undo notice to his travel.  He pulled his cell phone
out of his jacket pocket and dialed the familiar number.

"AD Skinner's office."  Mulder recognized the AD's Administrative Assistance
voice.  "Amy, this is Mulder, can I speak to Skinner."  He said urgently.

"One moment Agent Mulder."  Amy recognized the urgency in Mulder's voice and
quickly buzzed her supervisor's phone.

The next voice Mulder heard was his authoritative supervisor.  "Skinner."

"Sir, I am on my way to the airport, I just received important information on
the case we discussed yesterday.  My plane leaves for New Jersey in 25 minutes
when I know more I will contact you."  Skinner knew by the information Mulder
was relaying there was more to what he was saying, but was afraid of <listening
ears>.  He had no meeting with Mulder yesterday and his next case was in
California not New Jersey.  He accepted Mulder's explanation knowing his rogue
agent would give him the details when he could.

"Very well Agent Mulder, I'll wait to hear from you."  Skinner hung up the
phone.  He had heard there had been problems with the Gene Card Project and
that Bill Jacobs had been killed.  The information was sketchy at best and he
knew if Dana Scully had anything to do with this phone call he would accept
Mulder's information and wait.  He knew Scully had disappeared after her
husband's death and she was being sought by the Consortium for the information
she and Bill had stumbled across.  Which is probably what got him killed, but
Skinner wasn't sure.  He had thought several times of involving Mulder, but
knew that Scully would have to be the one to give him her location.  He wished
them well.  Then he turned back to his paperwork.

************

Mulder boarded the flight to LaQuardia.  He hoped the incorrect information he
spoke to Skinner would give him time to leave without company.  He scan the
crowd as he walked back to his seat hoping to identify any unusual suspects
that might be following him.  No one looked particularly interested in his
presence.  He took his seat and prepared for take off.

When the plane leveled off he pulled out the pictures of the children he knew
nothing about.  As he stared at the happy faces before him his mind drifted
back to the night they were conceived.

**********
April 5, 1997
Fox Mulder's Apartment

Fox Mulder laid on his couch trying to watch the basketball game on the
television.  His mind was not on the game as much as it was on the puzzle he
was putting together in his mind.

His partner, Dana Scully, was the most complicated puzzle he ever tried to
assemble.  For the last few of weeks she had been withdrawn, closed-off most of
the time a thousand miles away.  He had tried to talk to her about what was
bothering her, but her favorite "I'm fine Mulder" was all she would say to
him.

Their cases out of town were strained.  She made excuses not to join him for
dinner most of the time and barely spoke to him other than work.  She made a
point to not sit by him on planes making the excuse that the travel department
must have made them at separate times.  He knew she was stretching the truth,
but couldn't understand why.

Car trips were silent except for the radio which she seem to turn up louder
than normal and slept when she wasn't driving.  When she did drive, she
concentrated so hard on the road he couldn't break the focus.

There were no more late night talks on the phone.  Hell, he couldn't even get
to answer the damn thing.  When he asked why, she would shrug it off with a
lame excuse of not being at home or not hearing the phone.

He rolled over in his mind the events that led up to the beginning of the
problem, but nothing made sense.  For the life of him he couldn't figure it
out.  Even with his psychology background women were just a mystery to him --
especially Dana Scully.

Since their painful conversation in February and her tattoo episode that almost
got her killed, their relationship had slowly improved.  Though he still didn't
know why she put herself in that kind of danger in Philadelphia.  Then the
cancer scare had brought them closer and he thought they were back on track
partners and friends.

He never tried to pry into her personal life, even though he had acknowledged
her birthday and had given her a key chain as a present.  He respected her
privacy, but mostly because he did not want to allow himself to admit his love
for her.  Keeping her at arms length seem to allow him the comfort from feared
rejection and commitment.

'Maybe she was seeing someone and doesn't want to tell me.'  He thought, but
pushed it out of his mind.  He knew that their work kept her on the road an
enormous amount of the time.

'Maybe she's angry that the X-Files keep her from having a normal life.'
Another explanation played in his mind.  After Ed Jerse he didn't think she
would welcome a date too soon.  He didn't want to think of Scully with another
man, it pained him too much.

Maybe that could be the problem, she was still upset of the events that had
taken place and couldn't talk to him.  Maybe it was time to pry into her life
and finally find out what the continuing problem could be.  He knew he was a
self-absorbed man with little insight to the female mind and emotions.  His
psychology education was nothing when dealing with a woman's mind.

A smile came to his face remembering old conversations they had.  He felt warm
when he remembered the closeness they had felt in the hallway of the hospital
in Allentown.  He believed she felt the same way about him as he for her.
Mulder was glad he had never revealed his love for her if now she had a life
with someone else.  ' She deserves better than I could ever give her.'   He
thought wanting his head to believe if his heart wouldn't.

'If you love her so much then why are you involved with Marita?'   A pesky
little voice sounded in his head.  'Where the hell did that come from?'   Came
another voice.  'Maybe Scully knows.'   The voice continued.  This silent
conversation was taking his concentration from the game totally as he stared
unseeing at the screen.

'How could she know, I've been careful to keep it quiet.'   He assured
himself.   He knew the tryst with Marita was purely selfish.  An empty
substitute for not having a life and not having the courage to tell Scully his
true feelings.  Marita was easy and confidential.  'Women just know.'  The
voice continued.

He was brought out of his thoughts by a knock at his door.  'Who would be here
at 10:30pm on Friday night?'  He rose to his feet and found his gun on the
table.  Looking out of the door he was surprised to see Scully standing there.
Mulder opened the door allowing her into his apartment.

"Sit down, please."  He motioned to the couch.  He noticed Scully seemed
anxious, nervous.

"Mulder."  She said not looking at him.  "Mulder, there's something I have to
tell you, and I'm not quite sure how to say it."  She spoke focused straight
ahead.

"What is it Scully, you can tell me anything.  What are you so afraid of?  I
know there has been something bothering you for the last few weeks.  I didn't
know if I had done something or you were just having a long PMS attack."  He
said trying to lighten the mood.

That was the wrong thing to say because, although he could only remembered part
of the conversation from there, she began yelling about trust.

"Scully, I don't understand."  He said with a quiet, almost defeated voice.
"Of course you can *trust* me."

She was staring out the window as he walked up behind her.  Mulder was
desperate to find out what she was talking about.  She stiffened when he put
his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him.  She looked him
in the eyes and the next thing he knew she was kissing him.

'God, it was like heaven.'  He thought.  Tender and warm just like I had always
imagined.

Then, as if her attitude changed, she kissed him with more passion and hunger
circling his neck with her arms drawing him tightly against her.  Mulder
matched her passion by deepening the kiss.  He never knew the love he could
feel for someone as was unleashed in him at that moment.

He picked her by the waist, she was so light, and took her to his bedroom.  He
couldn't stop planting kisses on her face and throat.  They undressed each
other in a frenzy of clothes flying everywhere.  Her warm body next to his was
like coming home and he knew he loved her.  That he couldn't deny it anymore.

When he woke, he was alone.  Mulder laid there for a few minutes thinking how
lucky to experience the feelings they had shared for the last few hours.  His
head was spinning with emotions.   He could hardly believe the love awaken in
his heart and soul.  He looked around for Scully and she wasn't there.  Mulder
got out of bed and put my boxers on and padded into the living room looking for
her.

"Dana, where are you going?  Come back to bed."  He said approaching her.  She
was putting on her shoes.  He was still half asleep and confused as hell.

"Mulder, I have to go. I......I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen.  It
shouldn't have happened."   She couldn't look him in the eye as she gathered
her keys and purse.  Rejection settled on Mulder like death.  He wanted to
understand, but his temper flared.

"What the hell is going on here Scully?  You come over hear tell me you have
something to discuss me, you accuse me of not trusting you, we make love for
three hours and you say *Sorry Mulder it was a mistake*!"  He said as his voice
was mixed with confusion and hurt.  He couldn't believe this was happening.
Just a moment ago, he was reveling in the wonderful love he felt and believe it
was mutual between them, now he was facing dreaded rejection.

"Forgive me, but I've missed something somewhere.  Would you mind filling in
the blanks for me?"  He asked moving closer to her as she edged toward the
door.

>From somewhere inside the hurt was beginning to take over his heart.  He asked
her. "What is this Scully some sort of game with you?"

She looked at him with stone cold, ice blue eyes and said.  "Game, is that what
you think this is?  What a fool you are Mulder, this is no game.  But you never
were a quick study when it comes to the reading me."    She hesitated then
continued.

"Mulder, I saw you in New York City with her, Marita.  I was sitting in the
hotel bar with my friends.  Oh course you wouldn't have known I was in the city
because you never bother to ask me anything about my life.  It's always Scully
cover my ass while I'm gone to who knows where."   She was waving her hands in
the air.

"*Scully make a phone call*.  You ditch me like a bad date and I'm left to pick
up the pieces you have left everywhere and try to put you back together again.
You leave me in the dark no matter how far I go to protect you, or at what
lengths I go to give you all I have to give."  He noticed her shaking, but
wouldn't move toward her.

Scully looked him directly in the eyes with fire as she shouted. "I tried to
tell you about the women in Allentown.  You blew me off like it wasn't
important.   I tried before you went on vacation in the office, but all you
could talk about was the *damn desk* and that it was your life.  I am an FBI
Agent, but I am also a person with feelings.  No matter how many *Ice Queen*
jokes you hear, I do have feelings and I do want a life."  As she shouting, he
could swear he saw her blink back threatening tears in her blue eyes.

'Marita, she saw me with Marita.'  He thought.  Damn, what a jerk he was.  He
felt like a deer in headlights waiting to be hit by a truck.   His mind said
apologize explain, but  his wounded heart spoke instead.

"That's my personal life Scully.  I don't follow you around interested in dates
you have and what your doing with them.  Although the last date you had, you
ended up with a tattoo and you almost killed.  Maybe you do need a chaperone."
He hissed.

Mulder knew he was being cruel as he spat out the angry words, but the thought
of  Scully betraying him was killing his soul.  His words were taking a viscous
turn.

" So what is this some type of revenge?" Mulder was shouting now.  "Tell me
Scully,  all of this was........was it REVENGE?"  He looked at her expecting an
answer.   Maybe he was hoping for a reprieve or hoped she would allow him to
apologize, allow him to tell her how much he loved her.

Silence prevailed for a few minutes, then she bent over and put his key on the
table.  With a quiet controlled voice she said.  "I came here to tell you I'm
leaving, I have accepted a promotion in London at the American Embassy.  This
isn't working with us anymore.   No matter how I try not to feel betrayed, I
can't make myself accept your lack of trust and respect for me as a person or
partner.  I'm very sorry if you think I don't ....... if I did this
.........."   Her shaky voice trailed off and she shook her head as she opened
the door to leave.

Mulder couldn't move, he there staring at the floor.  Before he could look up
she said.  "Good-bye Mulder, take care of yourself."   She quickly closed the
door and ran down the hallway.  He heard her rapid footsteps as they became
fainter and then silent.  He slumped down on his couch and wept.

************

"Sir, would you like something to drink?"  Mulder was brought out of his
thoughts by the flight attendant.

"No, thanks."  He forgot he was holding the pictures of the twins.  "Your
children are beautiful.  How old are they."  Mulder was stunned for a moment.
'My children!'   He thought.  "Uhm, they're almost four."  He said clearing his
throat in order to answer her.

He put the pictures in his pocket.  Four years old.  He had missed their lives
for four years.  He could feel his temper starting to rise.  He had a million
questions to be answered.  He didn't understand why Scully had kept them from
him.  He knew she had married Bill Jacobs only a few months after she left the
states.  If she had been pregnant with *his* children than why did she marry so
quickly.  Unless she feared for the children's lives.  Maybe she believed they
would face the same danger she experienced by being his partner.

Did she love him?  Did she marry him to hide the shame of conceiving out of
wedlock?  His thoughts rolled over this questions seeking a motive for this,
the worst betrayal of all.  He wondered how Bill Jacobs treated his children.
Did they call him *Dad*.  Mulder felt an instant pain of jealousy and sadness.
He should have been with Scully for the last four years sharing his children's
lives.

He wondered how they would feel about him?  Did Scully tell them about him.
Did they believe Bill to be their father?  He examined his own feelings?  How
did he feel about being a father?  A Daddy?  Would he feel the bond a father
would feel for his children?  His heart had been so empty for so long, he
didn't know if these two creatures could fill the bottomless hole he lived with
daily.  What would he say to Scully, and her husband.

Mulder remembered the only meeting he had with Bill Jacobs.

***********

It was a warm night for spring,  Mulder decided to walk to one of my favorite
watering holes of late since Scully had walked out of his life and taken his
heart with her.  He had not seen her since the night she had come to his
apartment April.  He had not tried to contact her.  Mulder felt so emotionally
dead, everyday seemed the same.

Mulder sat at the bar and ordered a beer.  There was a basketball game on the
TV,  he half way paid attention to it.  After three beers, and the beginning of
a slight buzz,  he started looking around the bar.

A few people he recognize and acknowledged.  He broadened his observation
scanning the restaurant.  A nice looking brunette walked his way.  'Why not
Mulder.'  He thought as she sat next to him.  Mulder turned to throw a line her
way when he spotted two people walking to the dance floor.  One was a tall
light haired man, nothing unusual, but the woman was petite and....  'Oh my
God, its Scully.'  He thought as his breath caught in his throat and his heart
seem to stop beating.

His body froze with his mouth open, he could only stare at the couple swaying
together on the dance floor.  The tall man kissed her head.   She was beautiful
dressed in a formal gown with her hair pulled up on her head.  Mulder's heart
clenched in his chest.

The man took her in his arms and glided her across the floor like she was
lighter than air.  She was smiling at him.  'Oh God, kill me now.'   His heart
screamed as it started breaking all over again.

Mulder felt a hand on his arm and turned to see the brunette woman looking at
him with a concerned look on her face.  "You look like you just saw a ghost."

He looked at her and then back to the couple dancing and started laughing, it
wasn't funny, but his body was responding by laughing louder than he thought
possible.  Everyone looked at him, but he couldn't make himself stop.  When he
looked up again they were leaving.

He turned around to the bartender.  "Check please."   Mulder had to talk to
her, he couldn't let her leave again.  He stood up and walked to the door,
desperate to reach her.   As he made his way to the door Dana's escort met him
at the door.

"Mr. Mulder, I'm Bill Jacobs."  Mulder didn't care who he was, he wanted to see
Scully.  As he tried to walk past the intrusive man he grabbed Mulder's arm.

"What the hell do you want?"  Mulder said in a sarcastic voice.  He looked him
in the eye and said.

Bill Jacobs said with a threatening voice.  "Leave Dana alone, she doesn't need
your pain and sadness in her life anymore.  I'm going to marry her and give her
a happy life.  I have love you couldn't show her.  I'm asking gentlemen to
gentlemen.  If you care for her at all, you'll not burden her anymore."  He let
go of Mulder's arm.

"You don't know anything about me."  He spat with more deadly venom in his
mouth than  any dangerous reptile.

Bill Jacobs grunted. "I know all about you Mulder.  I know your obsessions,
your self-centered, single-world attitude that has caused Dana Scully enough
pain over the years.   I know about her abduction, her illness, how many times
you have endangered her with your carelessness.  You've been lucky enough to
know and work with her, but you have mistreated her faithfulness and now she
needs to find a life for herself.  I can help her find the answers she needs to
save her life.  You had your chance.  You threw it away, I don't plan to make
the same mistake."  He turned and walked out the door.

Mulder stood there for a few minutes, stunned by the words the stranger had
spoken to him.  He turned back towards the bar and somehow made his way to the
seat he had left a few minutes before.  He could feel his heart clench as the
words ran threw his mind again.

'You had your chance.  You threw it away.  I don't plant to make the same
mistake.'  Yes, he had made mistakes Mulder admitted to himself.

He remembered the night they made love.  Was that a mistake?  Where had he gone
wrong?  He'd treated her with tenderness as they joined as one that night.  He
could still feel her skin as he ran his hand over her body.  He could taste her
lips and smell her essence planted firmly in his memory.

Then it hit him like a bolt of lightening. 'I never told her I loved her.'  He
closed my eyes chiding himself for being so stupid.  Stupid enough to loose the
woman that made his life complete.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  'There is still a
chance, I could.............'  He thought again about the words the man had
said to him.  He agreed, anyone could give her a better life than he could.  It
was true, he had endangered her life too many times.  Defeated and broken
hearted again, he slowly turned on the bar stool and motioned to the
bartender.

"I'll have a double scotch on the rocks."  He said with a sorrowful voice.
Maybe the amber colored liquid would dull the ache in his heart and numb his
mind enough not to think of what he had lost.  He accepted the glass of liquid
and drained it quickly.  "Another."  He motioned to the bartender.

"Are you driving sir?"  The bartender asked with an authoritative voice.

"What the hell do you care, give me another damn drink."  Mulder grew angry
now.

"I'll drive him home."  A soft voice said close to him.  When he looked to his
right the brunette woman was still sitting there.

"My mother warned me not to take rides from strangers."  He said to her as a
joke.

"My name is Cheryl Skinner and you are?"  She waited for him to respond.

"Fox Mulder."  He wanted to say something witty, but my heart wasn't in it.  He
just looked back at his drink.

"Well, Fox Mulder, I guess we aren't strangers anymore."  She smiled warmly at
him.  Mulder felt nothing buy emptiness inside, but he didn't want to be alone
so he played the game.

"Will you tuck me in too?"  He flashed her a sly smile.

She snickered "That's a new line I've never heard before."

"I have many more where that came from."  He fired back at her.

"Pay your bill, what should I call you?   Fox?  Let me take you home before I
need assistance from someone to carry you to my car."  She stood and helped him
to his wobbling feet.

The bartender said. "Miss, are you sure you can handle him?"  Cheryl smiled a
confident smile. "He looks pretty harmless, especially in the shape he's in.
I'll manage."

************

"Flight 467 to LaQuardia will be landing in 10 minutes.  Fox Mulder was again
brought back to the present.  He buckled his seat belt and thought of his next
move.

Mulder left the plane and walked calmly to the baggage claim area.  He picked
up his bags.  He was glad he had packed extra clothes thinking this case may
last longer than expected.  He was right.  Although they weren't for tropical
weather, he would purchase appropriate clothing when he arrived at his
destination.

He walked into the men's room choose a stall, closed the door and began quickly
changing his clothes.  He stuffed his suit and shoes in the carry on bag
without care of wrinkles.  In case anyone was watching him outside of the
restroom he wanted to disguise himself as best he could.

Mulder put on jeans, black button down and sneakers.  He put his NY Knicks cap
on and pulled it down as low as he could.  When he exited the stall, he noticed
a group of college students, he guessed, leaving.  He joined the group blending
in dressed similar to them.

Mulder made his way to the transportation shuttle to JFK airport.  He had
checked and there was a flight leaving in two hours for Heathrow Airport in
London.   From there he would travel to Paris and then to find the best way to
Marseilles on the coast of southern France.

He settled himself on the shuttle bus in an isle seat, looking outside the
window to see if he had been followed.  No one looked unusual.  The bus was
filling up now, the supposed college students filed in one after the other
chatting with each other.

As the bus driver climbed in her seat and closed the doors Mulder looked out
the window once more.  There he saw two men looking anxiously in the bus
windows.  'So you bastards did follow me.'  He thought as he sank down in the
seat wanting to be less visible.  Mulder watched as the two men walked away
talking to each other waving their hands to check the other buses.

'The *Fox* won this one.'  He congratulated himself.  Now if he could just
board the plane to Heathrow before they found him.

Mulder anxiously sat in the waiting area for the flight to England.  He relaxed
a little when they started boarding the flight.  Scully had sent him enough
money to pay for his plane fair.  He had to fly coach, but he didn't want to
draw anymore money out of his account causing unwanted  attention to himself.
He knew they could track him by watching his accounts.  He would contact the
Gunmen so they could transfer funds from a secret account he set-up in case
something like this happened.

He wished he could send a message to Scully that he was on his way.  He put his
bags in the overhead compartment and sat down by the window.  Mulder pulled the
letter Scully had sent to him and the Gunmen.  He reread the contents of the
letter and turn the clues over in his mind.

Frohike had written down the lyrics to the song by Jimmy Buffett.   He had
heard of the artist, but never listened to his style of music.  He wondered
when Scully had changed her taste in music.  He ran them over in his mind again.

 I sat there on the Coast of Marseilles
 My thoughts came like wind through my hand
 How good it'd be to feel you again
 How good it would be to feel that way again

Mulder wanted to allow himself the luxury to think she did care for him.  But,
he knew she was married and the feelings they once shared were no more.

 Would you be remembering me
 I asked that question time and again
 The answer came and haunted me so
 I would not want to think it again
 No I would not want to think it again

Anger, resentment, he had nursed them so long unable to understand totally why
she threw away over four years together.  Why couldn't she have talked to him
about it.

The weird thing nagging at him was the lack of anger and resentment he felt
right now.  He should be furious with her.  He should despise the thought of
seeing her.  Every time he looked at the pictures of his offspring, the
harbored thoughts lessened.

You make it so hard to forget
I haven't stopped loving you yet

'Was it true?  No, it couldn't be.'  He reminded himself she married and has
lived with the man for the past few years.  And the one time he had met Bill
Jacobs, he seemed very determined to take care of Scully forever.  'It must be
a coincidence.'  He consoled himself.

When I left the Coast of Marseilles
I hadn't done what I come to do
I spent all of the money I saved
I still did not get over you
No I still did not get over you

Why this song?  Why Marseilles?  These were questions he wanted answers to.  He
knew what he wanted the answers to be, but would not allow such hope to enter
his mind.

Mulder knew he was going to the Coast of Marseilles, but where would Scully
be?  What did 'float away like a dream' mean?  A boat?  Scully on a boat with
two children, now that he had to see.  Maybe a sailboat.  The first place he
would check would be the harbor.  But, what would the boat look like?  What
could the  name be?   How was he going to locate a petite redhead, two small
children in a foreign speaking port?  He looked at the letter again.  REMEMBER
ME, it was a long shot, but knowing Scully, it made sense.

Mulder closed his eyes feeling tired, anxious, confused.  He remembered the
clone at the fertility clinic telling him Scully was barren.  He smiled
thinking.  'You bastards didn't succeed with her like you did the other women
you abducted.'

Mulder had kept the ovum he retrieved from the clinic and had a friend freeze
them in case Scully was barren she could still have children.  He had not share
this with her.  He wanted to spare her any additional grief since she was still
facing the cancer residing so close to her brain.

A sudden panic hit Mulder as he thought. 'God, what if she's dying.'  No, he
would not allow himself to think that way.  It had been four years.  She beat
them by not being infertile, surely she could have beaten the cancer too.  He
remembered Bill Jacobs words to him the night he warned him to stay away from
Scully.  "I have the means to save her."  Mulder hoped he was right.

Mulder placed headphones over his ears the flight attendant handed him when he
boarded.  He wanted to relax enough to sleep and stop this train of heart
breaking thought.

After a little channel surfing his attention was grabbed by a strands of music
and a female singer he didn't recognize.  The soft crooning of her voice caused
him to pause his surfing.  He closed his eyes and listened to the melody.

 He brings her flowers
 They talked for hours
 But he never really says what's in his heart
 The way he needs her
 The way he wants her
 It's a miracle to feel that way at all

 Oh I can't tear myself away
 From where the rose petals fall
 Down the path to yesterday
 I was lucky to feel that way at all

 The way he learned it
 The way she turned it
 Beyond his wildest dreams to have earned it
 It was exciting everything riding
 On whether that one star would keep on shining

 Oh I can't tear myself away
 From where the rose petals fall
 Down the path to yesterday
 I was lucky to feel that way at all

 The way he needs her
 The way he wants her
 It's miracle to feel that way at all

The voice told him. "That was Patty Loveless off her Trouble with the Truth CD."

Mulder pondered the words he heard.  He remembered the withered rose pedal on
his desk so long ago.  He wished he had bought her flowers, as he had in the
hospital in Allentown,  more often.  Thanking her, in a small way, for all the
times she followed him into the depths of danger willingly.

He remembered long conversations, but it was true, he never revealed what he
felt in his heart.

*Beyond his wildest dreams*, the night they shared together touching, loving
each other.  That memory could still warm and break his heart to this day.  He
had never felt the same way since then.

He vowed to himself, given the chance again, he would not let it slip away.  If
he had learned anything in these last four lonely years, it was to go after
what he wanted and not hide behind fearful walls.  The same walls that stole
Scully away so long ago.

Mulder relaxed in his seat and fell asleep.  He had a long way to go and needed
all the strength he could get.

************

Two Days Later
Coast of Marseilles

An exhausted Fox Mulder slowly climbed out of the taxi he had taken from the
airport to the port where passenger vessels were docked.  He hadn't slept since
the flight from JFK to Heathrow Airport.  He had changed planes, airports so
many times he almost forgot where he was some of the time.

He had contacted the Gunmen in Paris and asked them to contact Skinner and let
him know what was happening, but not where he was going.  The Gunmen wired him
$2,500 from his account.  He exchanged enough currency to make his way to the
coast.  He strolled past several boats looking at the names on the stern.

He noticed an attendant fueling a rather large sailboat.  He approached the man
asked him if he spoke English.  The man nodded his head yes.  Mulder was
relieved since he didn't speak much French.

"Have you seen a boat called *REMEMBER ME*?"  The man nodded his head with
enthusiasm.  "Oh, yes it is the very fine and mysterious vessel in the harbor.
No one knows who it belongs to, maybe a King.  It must be someone very
important, it is quite magnificent.  No one is allowed near it.  When it was
fueled a guard stood beside the boat with a gun not permitting anyone near
it."  The man stopped as if thinking of something unusual.

"But, in the evening when I am working, I see a woman sitting for hours on the
deck.  She just sits there as the sun sets.  Her hair is like the sunset, red
as fire.  I've seen small children and a rather tall woman on board too.  They
came ashore this morning, but I haven't seen them return."

The man lifted his hand over his eyes.  He said.  "There, out there."  He
pointed to the yacht sitting alone in the middle of the harbor far enough to
require a launch to reach it.

"My God!"  Mulder gasped as he gazed on the 195-foot Codecasa Motor Yacht
complete with helicopter landing.  "Damn Scully, you have done well for
yourself."

Mulder looked around.  "Is there a boat for hire?  I'm a friend.  They are
expecting me."  The man he was speaking to looked surprised.  "I can take you
if you like.  My boat is over there."  He began to walk towards a service
launch tied up next to the boat he was fueling.

"Thanks, I will pay you."  Mulder said pulling out his wallet.  "No, no need, I
am exited to know someone on that vessel, and to be able to get a better look
at it.  Come, come let's go."

He jumped onto the floating motor boat and took Mulder's bags.  Mulder jumped
on the boat and steadied himself.  They untied the boat and jerked forward as
the boat broke the waves in its wake toward the enormous yacht.

As they powered their way through the calm water, Mulder's hair flew in all
directions.  Amazed at the beauty of the vessel he leaned toward the captain of
the small boat they were in.  "How much would you say one of those yacht
cost?"  Mulder yelled over the boat motor noise to the man stirring the boat
closer to his future.

"Maybe $30-35 Million US dollars.  "WHAT?" was all Mulder could say.  He felt
weak for a moment.

As they approached the yacht a man with a machine gun came on deck.  When they
were pulling along side the armed man yelled. "What do you want?"

"I'm looking for Dana Scully, my name is Fox Mulder."  He took his sunglasses
off and raised his hand over his eyes so the man could see his face.  The man
lifted a picture and looked at it then back at Mulder.  He lowered his gun and
smiled.

"Come aboard Mr. Mulder, I am glad to see you.  We've been waiting for you.  We
were going to leave in the morning if you didn't arrive tonight."  The man said
with a friendly smile.  He helped Mulder with is bags.

Pulling his launch way from the yacht, Mulder's new acquaintance waved as he
turned the back towards the dock.

"Thanks for the lift."  Mulder called out to him.  The man lifted his hand in
farewell as he departed.

"Mr. Mulder, let me show you to your room.  Everyone is in town.  They get
claustrophobic after a while on this floating home.  They will be back
tonight.  Can I get you anything to eat?"  The man asked as he led Mulder
upstairs to the upper deck quarters.

"No, I ate earlier. Thanks anyway."  Mulder answered following his guide to the
stairs.

"My name is Girard, my wife, Glenda, and I are captain and crew of the boat."
He explained as he stopped in front of a door and opened it.  His *room* could
take up half his apartment.

There was a king size bed, sofa, dresser and chest of drawers.  There was a TV,
VCR, CD player and a bathroom off to the side.  The room must have been
professionally decorated with varnished wood and matching everything.  Mulder
could only stand in the middle of the room and gaze at the elegance of his
surroundings.

"I hope this is satisfactory Mr. Mulder, Dana thought you might be more
comfortable up here.  Her quarters are on the main deck.  Please, make yourself
at home.  The galley is on the lower deck.  If you are hungry come down and my
wife will fix you anything you would like to eat.  Dana gave her an idea of
what you favor."  Girard walked to the door.

"If you want to explore the rest of the boat, be my guest.  Dana said that you
are her special guest and to accommodate you anyway you desired."  Girard
closed the door and walked away leaving a stunned Fox Mulder standing in the
middle of his room.

After he recovered from the initial shock, a very tired Mulder could not pass
up the opportunity to snoop.  He took a shower, then changed into a pair of
shorts and tee shirt he had purchased before arriving at the dock.  He felt
better even though he had not slept in 48 hours.

Mulder walked down the stairs to the main deck.  He wandered from room to
room.  The main salon was larger than his apartment.  He could stay here for
ever he thought,.  'With cable of course.'  He walked past the salon and down
the hallway to the bedrooms and opened the doors to peek inside.  He felt like
an intruder, but what the hell, no body would know.  Girard had told him to
make himself at home.

The first room was larger than his.  It was furnished Scullyish so Mulder knew
he must be in her room.  He looked at the pictures on her dresser.  Several of
her and the children, her mother holding the infants, a Christmas picture of
the children.  No pictures of she and Bill.  He wondered why.  He moved to her
closest.  He opened the door and touched her clothes as if they were sacred.
He closed the door and strode into the bathroom.  'Jacuzzi tub, very nice.'
Mulder thought.  He found her robe on the back of the door and breathed in her
scent.

"I've missed you Scully."   He said out loud recognizing the familiar scent
that was embedded in his photographic memory.

He moved to the next room.  It had two beds, one on each wall with a night
table in between.  The walls were painted with rainbows and sunsets.  Mulder
recognized they were professionally painted.  He looked at the pictures on the
walls.  Various pictures of the two children from birth up to present age.
They seemed very happy.  Then he saw a small framed picture of he and Scully on
the dresser.

He picked it up and sat on the bed that looked more male than the pretty pink
bed on the other side.  'This must be *my son's* bed.'  Mulder thought as he
laid down on the bed and breathed in the smell of his offspring.

He held the picture in his hands as he stared at it.  Tears welled up in his
eyes as he allowed his exhausted emotions to roll off his face.  He didn't
realize when he stopped weeping and fell asleep.

************

Fox Mulder opened his eyes to see a dark-hair boy looking at him with furrowed
brows.  Mulder's breath caught in his throat.  He froze not wanting to scare
the child as much as he was at that moment.

"Your sleeping on my bed.  Are you Mr. Mulder?  My Mom is looking for you."  He
said matter of factly.  "MOOOOMMMM, I found him."  The boy ran to the door
yelling as he went.  Mulder sat up and placed the picture back on the dresser.
He wiped his tear crusted face.  When he looked back at the door a beautiful
little girl with bright eyes stood there staring at him from the door.  Mulder
could do nothing but gaze in amazement at the beautiful little girl, *his
daughter*.

"Hi."  Mulder could manage no more, afraid the weariness and his raw emotions
would cause more tears.  He didn't want the first meeting with his children
seeing their father blubbering in tears.  She smiled a shy smile and ran out
the door.

Mulder walked to the door and out into the hall.  He made his way to the salon
and was greeted by Dana walking in from the deck.  They stared at each other
for it seemed like an eternity.  Neither could move feeling the thick tension
flowing between them.  Dana didn't know what to say.  Mulder couldn't manage to
speak.  Their spell was broken as a third little girl appeared in the salon.

"Aunt Dana is Uncle Fox here?"  The little girl looked at Mulder.  "Samantha?"
Mulder  breathed as he sat down heavily on the sofa.  He felt like he would
faint any minute.  The little girl walked up to him and said.  "I'm Katie Anne
Mulder, and your my Uncle Fox.  My mom has told me all about you."  She said
warmly.

Mulder stared at the girl that looked just like the clones in Canada at the
farm where Jeremiah Smith had taken him.

"Your my niece?  Where's your mother?"  His voice was shaking.  He thought he
was going into shock.

"Here I am Butt Munch."  Mulder looked up and gazed into the eyes of his sister
Samantha.  He rose, as a reflex, moving quickly to her pulling her into a
fierce hug.  She looked like the woman he traded for Scully years before.

Mulder could not stop the tears from coming -- sobs of joy.  He hugged her
tight as if he would not let her go ever again.  Samantha was crying too,
hugging Mulder as tightly as she could.

"How.... where.... did you come from?  I've looked for you for so long. "
Mulder whispered to Samantha as he hugged her tightly.  He pulled back a bit
and looked at her thoughtfully.  "It is you isn't it?"  He questioned.

Samantha gave him a reassuring smile.  "Yes, Fox, it's really me."  He hugged
again.

Dana stood in the corner with Will and Sarah shedding her own tears.  Tears of
joy and sadness.  She was pleased that she could give Fox Mulder what he had
searched for so many years.  She cried for the sadness that he had missed the
first years of his children's life.  She wept for herself too not knowing how
this was going to end.  But, right now only joy was allowed in this room and
she wasn't going to allow sadness to enter.  This was Fox Mulder's moment of
complete peace and she would not rob him of it.

She motioned for Katie to follow her out of the room.  She ushered the twins
and Katie to the deck below for dinner.  It was getting late and they needed to
eat before they prepared for bed.  They had spent the day exploring Marseilles,
buying Mulder presents from everyone, clothes (as best Dana could remember) and
provisions preparing for their trip.  She would allow Mulder and Samantha as
much time as they needed.  She knew she would have to face him soon enough.
And if she knew him, he had a million questions to ask her.

"Mommy, why was Mr. Mulder so upset?"  Sarah asked her mother with a sad look
on her face.

"He's not upset, he's happy.  He hasn't seen Aunt Samantha in a very long
time."  Dana explained as she placed their food on the table in front of her.

"Mom, is he Aunt Sam's brother?  Is he our uncle too?"  Will asked in his
innocent voice.  Dana didn't quite know how to respond, she had thought about
telling the twins the truth, but she wanted to make sure Mulder was present
when the secret was revealed.

"Will, we can talk about this later, okay?"  She said quietly.  Will thought,
then began eating satisfied with his mother's answer.  Dana exhaled a small
breath of relief that inquisitive son had given up so easily.  She knew he
wouldn't forget.  She was beginning to feel like a cornered animal. She needed
a plan and quickly.  The shock Mulder was experiencing would soon wear off.
All of the rehearsed speeches had gone blank.  She needed to think fast.

When they finished eating Dana decided she needed to talk to her children
alone.  "Katie, will you check on your mom for me?"  Katie nodded her head and
stood up to leave.  "Katie, I'm going to give Sarah and Will a bath in my
bathroom.  "Okay Aunt Dana, I'll tell my Mom."  She left the room.

"Okay guys, let's go."  She stood up and waited for the children to do the
same.

"Can we take a bubble bath?"  Sarah said with bright eyes.  Dana smiled, her
children were her lifeline.  "Yes, with lots of bubbles."  She answered.

They avoided the salon on their way back to her room.  Dana stopped in the
twin's room to retrieve clothes and toys for their bath.  She ushered them into
her room closed the door.  She did not want to be disturbed while she tried to
explain the her children about their father.

Dana turned the water on to fill the large tub.  She opened the bottle of
bubble bath, kept for the kids in her bathroom, because they enjoyed playing in
her large tub with the Jacuzzi running.  She also enjoyed watching them splash
around.  Although it was a major cleanup job when they finally emerged looking
like prunes.

Will and Sarah stripped quickly and climbed the steps to the elevated Jacuzzi.
Dana was thankful for the mirrors which lined three walls around the tub --
mirrors were easy to wipe down after the Mulder children storm passed through.

Immediately Will began to splash in the tub, putting bubbles on his head like a
hat.  Sarah cupped a hand full of bubbles and put them on Dana's cheeks like
rouge.  "Mommy, your soooo pretty."  She cupped another handful and did the
same with her cheeks.  She squealed with joy and jumped in the water causing
quite a wave of water.  Dana turned the water off and turned on the jets.  Both
children screamed with delight, moving to float in front of a jet spray.

Dana knew the quietness wouldn't last long so she took advantage of the silence
to begin her explanation.  "I need to tell you something and you may be
confused at first."  She hesitated for a moment.

"Remember when I told you Bill had adopted you when you were born?"  She looked
for confirmation from the two young children looking at her.

"And remember how I talked about Mr. Mulder to you after Bill went to heaven?"
The children nodded their heads very interested in what their mother was trying
to tell them.

"Adopted means that you accept children to love even if they aren't your by
birth.  That's what Bill did, he loved you both even though you were not his
children by birth."  They did not say anything.  Dana wasn't sure this was
going too well.  She couldn't tell if they understood or not.  She decided to
take another tack.

Dana stuttered, unsure of how to say the next information.  She shifted from
her position on the floor becoming uncomfortable with her lack of communication
with her children.

"Uhm, Samantha is your Aunt because she is Mr. Mulder's sister.  Mr. Mulder is
your real father."  There she had said it.  Dana exhaled.  Even thought they
were young both offspring were incredibly intelligent, understanding far more
than normal children their age.

Dana looked at her children who took this in with thoughtful silence.  Dana
could tell Will's mind was running like a computer.  There was not doubt he is
truly his father's son.

"Mommy, do we call him Daddy or Mr. Mulder?"  Will asked.  Dana smiled and
relaxed a bit.

"You have to ask him."  Dana reached her hand into the water and flicked water
in Will's face.  He squealed and a splashing fight erupted with Sarah joining
in.

When the splashing stopped, the floor, mirrors and occupants were all soaking
wet.  No one noticed the Mulder standing in the doorway observing the giggles
of the wet people both in and out of the tub.

"Come on, I think you two are turning into prunes."  Dana said retrieving the
towels from the vanity.  She took Sarah out and dried her.  Will still splashed
in the Jacuzzi with a toy submarine.  His hair was wet and sticking up
everywhere as he waged his imaginary war.

Dana stood on her knees as she dressed Sarah.  When she was finished she hugged
and kissed her precious child.  Sarah said.  "Can Mr.....  ahh Daddy read us a
story before we go to bed?"  She asked with hopeful eyes.

"I'm sure he would love that."  Dana said as tears threaten to spring from her
eyes.  She thought.  'Trusting babes'.  If her own feelings could be sorted out
as easily, she could calm the anxiety she was feeling knowing she had to face
their father alone.

The anxiety didn't disturb her as much as the old pattern of hiding feelings
resurfacing.  She hated reverting to old habits she believed were conquered.

Sarah sat on a dry space on the floor as Dana turned back to retrieve Will from
the now tepid bath water.  "Okay, little man out with you."  He pulled the
lever up to allow the water to drain and waded back to where his mother held a
towel to accept him into her arms.

Dana pulled him out of the water with a grunt.  "You are growing up too fast
William."  Will looked at his mother with a furrowed brow.

"How can I grow too fast Mommy?"  Dana laughed and hugged her child tightly.

When she finished dressing Will, Dana dried his unruly hair.  She clicked the
hairdryer off and combed the dark cowlicked hair as best as she could.   Dana
smiled at the stray hairs that would not be tamed by heat or manipulation.

"I think we should give your Dad the presents we bought him today, what do you
think?"  She looked at her children's reflection in the mirror, as they stood
on her chairs making faces at each other in the mirror.  With wide eyes they
looked at each other then Dana and nodded their heads vigorously.  They climbed
down from the chairs and ran towards the door.

Dana called after them.  "I have to clean up this mess.  Ask Aunt Sam to help
you with the packages.  I'll be out in a minute."  She surveyed the bathroom
and sighed.  "Or an hour."  She murmured to herself.

Sam and Mulder were sitting in the salon.  The twins ran in excited with a
secret.  They stopped and looked at Mulder with curiosity, then moved to stand
next to Sam.  Sarah whispered to Sam and they ran out of the room towards their
bedroom.  Sam smiled and rose to her feet.

"We'll be right back."  She smiled at Fox and walked in the direction where the
wild little people disappeared.

Mulder watched this scene still in shock from so many surprises of the day.  In
one day he found his sister, met his children and a niece.  But, he still
hadn't talked to Scully.  He would make an effort to talk to her before the
evening was over.

Mulder wasn't sure what to say to her.   The questions running through his mind
while he traveled came to a halt when their eyes met.   He felt an old stirring
in his soul.  As much as he wanted to hold onto the anger and resentment he
harbored for her, the sight of her seem defuse them somewhat -- not totally
though.

Scully's radiant beauty still effected him as he remembered.  The scene in the
bathroom of  happy children squealing and splashing water on their mother
warmed his heart and saddened it at the same time.

Mulder knew it would take a few days to adjust.  He felt a desire for his
children to know him.  He wanted them to love him as he would grow to love
them.  Being virtually alone for three years, he had grown accustom to not
caring if anyone loved him or that he felt the need to love anyone in return.
The revelation of the children caused him to evaluate his solitary life over
the last few days.  He had truly become a lone wolf only existing through life
instead of living it.  Mulder felt like he had been given a second chance to
enjoy his existence and he vowed not to take it lightly.

He hadn't realized what a bleak lonely life he forced himself to lead until
now.  The happy faces of children, his children, woke a need in his body to
experience love again.  A bonding love that he had missed with his parents when
Samantha was taken.  He wondered how his parents could have turn from him.  He
only knew of his children for a few days, but the pull of bonding with them was
strong.  He didn't want to make the same mistakes of his parents.  He vowed to
take care of the children and protect them with his life.

His thoughts were interrupted as two enthusiastic children ran into the room
and jumped on him carrying packages.

"Here Daddy, we bought you presents.  Can we call you Daddy?  Will you read us
a story when we go to bed?"  The questions came quickly from Will as he looked
expectantly in Mulder's eyes.

"Thank you, yes you can call me Daddy and yes I will read you a story."  He was
struggling to keep the emotion out of his voice.   Mulder's feelings for these
small strangers effected him stranger than any X-File he ever investigated.
Though he never thought much of having children, being consumed by his search
for Sam and the elusive truth, he surprised himself with the desire to bond
with Will and Sarah.  The feelings that assaulted him when he first looked at
the pictures of these two excited children before him were indescribable.

He gathered the packages and his children in his lap.  Sarah reached up and
kissed him on the cheek.  "Mommy said you had to leave your home in a hurry and
would need these."  Sarah pulled out a brightly colored shirt and white
shorts.  "Mommy let me pick it out.  Do you like them?"  She looked at her
father with hopeful eyes.

"They are very nice."  He said sincerely as he pulled her tightly against his
chest.  "Thank you."   He whispered in her ear.  She giggled as his breath
tickle her ear.

Will open his parcel and pulled out a pair of sunglasses and put them on
rocking his head back and forth.  "Mommy said you needed a good pair of
sunglasses, I picked these out."  Will took the sunglasses off and put them on
Mulder's face.  Both children giggled.

"How do they look?"  Mulder asked.

Will and Sarah looked at each other and said. "Cool!"

Mulder couldn't help but laugh as he hugged his children close.

Dana observed the scene silently. She left without a sound allowing Mulder the
opportunity to become familiar with his children.

Dana was amazed how easily the twins had taken to Mulder.  She was positive it
was  because of Bill's absence and need for a male role model.  Or it could be
instinct.  Their children were quite intelligent and loving.  She had spoken of
Mulder often to them since Bill had died.  She would tell them stories she
remembered Mulder had told her about his childhood.  Samantha also helped by
spinning tales of their short childhood together.  Dana believed it was much
easier for them to become a custom to him rather visa versa.

"Sam, would you help Mulder with the children, they want him to put them to
bed?  I need to talk to Girard."  Dana asked Samantha as she passed her in the
hallway heading toward the stair case.

"Sure.  But are you avoiding my brother?  You might as well stop delaying the
inevitable.  You are going to have to talk to him.  This boat, though very
large, but it isn't that large.  You can't hide for long."  She said with a
teasing smile.

"I'm really not avoiding him...... well maybe I am.  Will and Sarah asked if he
would read them a story and I want to give him as much time alone with them as
possible.  The confrontation between your brother and I can wait."  Dana said
reassuring herself as much as Samantha.  She turned and continued down the hall
descending the stairs to the deck below.

"Girard."  Dana said as she knocked on the door to he and his wife's room.
"Come in."  Girard called out.  Dana opened the door and stepped in shutting
the door behind her.

"Hi Dana, I understand Mr. Mulder has joined us."  Glenda said as she sat on
the sofa reading the weather report for the area.

"Yes, he is recovering from the shock of sister, children, niece.  It is
overwhelming, but he will be fine.  Haven't you met him yet?"  Dana asked.

"No, I will meet him after has time to settle in."  Glenda answered.

"Girard, I think we should leave the area tonight.  We've been here several
days and I'm becoming anxious.  If you and Glenda would like, I will take the
helm for the first part of the trip so you two can rest."  Dana reached for the
weather report Glenda was scanning.  Glenda handed it to her.

"That will be fine.  Where do you want to go next?"  Girard asked.

"There is an island approximately 300 miles from here called Palma de
Mallorca."  She reached for the map book to show Girard for him to feed the
coordinates into the navigational system.

"We have to finish what Bill and I started.  If we don't, we will be running
forever.  That is why Mulder is here.  Don't be concerned about him.  You can
trust him."  Dana reassured her captain and his wife.

"But first, we're going to have some fun so Mulder can adjust, as well as the
rest of us. There is a festival this weekend, we can all use a break.  We'll
spend a few days in Palma.  I'll find accommodations for us.

"Very well Dana, we will leave at mid-night.  I will navigate the course Palma
de Mallorca in the Baleares Islands.  I'll see you at the helm and go over
everything with you then."  Girard said.

"Thank you Girard."  Dana walked to the door and put her hand on the door.
Girard nodded in confirmation.  Dana smiled at the couple, stepped out of the
room and closed the door behind her.  She felt blessed to have the couple who
had been long-time friends/employees of Bill's.  She had grown to love them and
appreciate their sacrifice to keep her safe.

**********

"Daddy, what are you going to read to us?"  Sarah asked Mulder.  The trio were
stretched out on his bed.  Mulder was flanked by the two small bodies.

"What do you want me to read?"  Mulder asked enjoying the closeness that seemed
so natural to him even after the short time they had known each other.  "How
about if I make a story up?"  Mulder looked at both the children their eyes
wide with excitement.

"Is it going to be scary?"  Will asked snuggling closer to Mulder's side.

"Will it have a fairy princess in it Daddy?"  Sarah asked him in her little
girl voice as she too snuggled close to his side opposite her brother.

"I suppose it could have both."  Mulder thought for a minute trying to remember
any part of children's books he had read when he was a child.  He smiled and
began speaking.

"There once was a beautiful princess named Dana..........

************

Dana sat alone on the upper deck of her floating home staring at the stars.
She once again enjoying the lights of another coastal shore.  She could hear
the faint sounds of tropical music played for the tourist in the local
establishments.

She heard Mulder telling the children a story and left them to their privacy.
She hoped that the time with her, *their* precious children would ease the ill
feelings Mulder probably held for her in his heart.  She turned her head when
she heard footsteps.  Samantha sat down beside her in one of the empty chairs.

"Fox has the children almost asleep with one of his stories.  I'd forgotten
what a wonderful mind he has."  Sam said with a smile visiting old memories.
"Dana, Fox and I have discussed the events of my being here.  I told him what
happened to Bill."  Sam said quietly.

Dana shifted in her chair not wanting to discuss this now.  "Sam, I have a
number of things to discuss with Mulder.  I am allowing him the freedom to
absorb everything  right now.  We have time to discuss the past, present and
future."  Dana smiled at Sam and turned to face the lighted shore.

She sighed and said. "I've been very fortunate to have survived the closeness
of death many times.  I have learned that everything will work out in time.  AD
Skinner, that's my ex and Mulder's current boss, said to me <time heals all
pain>,  I hope he is right."  Dana turned back to Sam and smiled then she
turned back to her focal point.

Sam stood up and patted Dana on the hand.  "I will help you as much as I can
Dana, but something's you have to work out alone and together.  He is confused
by many things, but he is open and willing to understand."  She said carefully
and quietly.  She stood and walked down the stairs to her room.

*************

Fox Mulder woke up with the sunlight in his eyes.  He felt the gentle rock of
the boat and heard the hum of the engine.  They were moving.  He looked down at
the two warm sleeping bodies draped across his body.  He had slept without a
nightmare that night.  'Must have been exhaustion.'  He thought as he tried to
untangle himself from the sleeping forms.  Sarah moaned, but turned over on her
side not waking.  Will was not as easy.  He had clasped his hands on Mulder's
shirt in a death grip as if he were scared to let go.  Mulder tried to pry his
small fingers from his shirt, but Will held tight.  Mulder smiled as he looked
at his younger mirrored image sleeping so peacefully.

Will eyes fluttered open.  He looked confused at first, as if he didn't quite
know where he was and who this man was smiling at him.

"Hey."  Mulder ran his hand over Will unruly hair.  Clearing from his sleepy
fog he smiled at Mulder.

"I have to go to the bathroom."  Will said in a sleepy little voice.

"Okay, let's be quite so we don't wake Sarah.  Will nodded his head.  Mulder
slipped of the bed and scooped Will in his arms.  "I have to go too."  He said
with big eyes.  Will giggled as they went into the bathroom.

Mulder and Will wandered into the galley sleepy eyed.  Mulder could smell the
aroma of fresh coffee.

"Morning Mr. Mulder, would you like some coffee?"  A dark haired woman, Mulder
judged to be around 45 years old, asked him holding up the pot of coffee with a
cup in the other hand.

"Yes, thank you.  I'm sorry, we haven't met."  He extended his hand as she put
the coffee pot down and accepted his hand.

"My name is Glenda Timmons, Girard's wife.  We are Captain and crew of this
vessel."  She said proudly.  Mulder gave her a warm nod of understanding.  As
he shook her hand he said.

"It's nice to meet you, I guess you already know my name.  But, you can call me
Mulder.  Mr. Mulder was my father's name.

Glenda turned her attention to the small sleepy boy sitting at the table.
"Will do you want some juice?"

He said sleepily. "Yes, please."  As he yawned.  Then he added.  "Can we have
pancakes this morning?"  His voice rose a notch as he looked at her with
hopeful eyes.   Glenda smiled and patted his head after fetching the juice.

"Yes sweetheart, you can have pancakes, but we will wait for Sarah and Katie
okay?"  He nodded his head and yawned.  "Why don't you take your juice and show
your Dad the upper deck.  I'll let you know when breakfast is ready."  Glenda
refilled Mulder's coffee cup and put a lid on Will plastic cup.  Will accepted
the cup and grabbed Mulder's hand leading him out of the galley toward the
stairs.

When they arrived on the upper deck they were greeted by Samantha drinking
juice and reading a book.  She wore a wide brim hat and sunglasses.  Her shorts
and tee shirt were decorated in rather loud colors.

"Good morning, you two look like a sight.  Fox he looks like you did when you
got up in the mornings at Chilmark."   Mulder looked at her puzzled. "How would
you know you weren't even around when I was his age."

"Pictures my brother, I remember the pictures Mom had of you on Christmas
morning."  She said rolling her eyes at him.

Mulder sat down in a lounge chair and Will climbed on top of him settling
himself next to him.  He moved so his son would fit comfortably.  "Where's
Scully?"  Mulder asked Sam.

Sam didn't look up from her book as she replied.  "She sailed most of the
night, I would imagine she is in bed sleeping."

"She drove the boat?  Scully?"  Mulder said with surprised voice.  Sam
grunted.  "Yes Fox, she is a big girl and this is a pretty high tech vessel.
It's not that hard.  I've sat with her before when she's at the helm."  Sam
looked at him with a *pullleeaseeee Fox girls aren't helpless you know* look.

Mulder just looked at his coffee cup and smiled.  He should have known Scully
could handle anything.  She hadn't changed over the years.  Well not in that
way.  He had been so busy with Sam and the twins he hadn't even spoken to her
yet.  He knew Scully was giving him time to adjust to being a father and having
Sam back safe and sound.  He had planned to talk with her the evening before,
but he was so exhausted he fell asleep cuddled by his offspring.

"This is nice."  Mulder said looking around feeling the breeze pass through his
hair as the boat sped along.  The sun felt good and he felt strange somehow.
He closed his eyes and lifted his face toward the morning sun.  He was trying
to recognize the strange feeling he had never experienced.  It was almost
tranquil.  He smiled.   'Peace.   He was at peace for the first time in his
life.  And it felt good.'  He thought.

Mulder opened his eyes to a sleepy eyed little girl with tangled hair staring
at him.  Her bottom lip was out slightly in a pout.  "Can I sit with you too?"
She asked.

"Sure, come here."  Mulder pulled her down onto his lap and she snuggled to him
drawing her legs up as if she were going to go back to sleep.

Sam smiled.  She too felt at peace since she and Katie had been rescued from
the research facility by Bill and Dana.  For the past month she had been the
guest/comforter of Dana.  She and Dana had become close, even as the cautious
scientist Dr. Scully performed DNA test and other test on her to be certain she
was in fact Samantha Mulder and not just a clone.

They spent a lot of time talking about her childhood, as she remembered events,
to prove she was Fox's beloved sister.

When Dana was certain she was genuine, she warmed up to Sam and confided in her
about her pain of loosing Bill.  She cried for days after he died -- silently
alone.  Samantha could only allow her the grieving time and assisted with the
children to lift some of the burden Dana felt.

As her grieving lessened, Dana discussed Fox with her.  Dana told Sam what had
happened and the events leading to the twins being conceived.

She confided in Sam that trusting others was not something she did easily. Bill
had helped restore her faith in trusting again.  She did not trust freely, but
she did trust others more readily.  Although Dana warmed up to her slowly, Sam
could tell that it was a genuine comfort Dana felt around her.  She was glad to
be there for Dana, and had grown to love her like a sister she never had in a
short time.

The peaceful silence was broken by Will stomach making a hungry sound.  "Sarah
is up, can we eat now?"  He started climbing off the lounge chair.

"I think that can be arranged.  Sarah, are you hungry?"  Mulder looked down at
his little girl who seemed to be more alert.  She lifted her head with tangled
hair, and smiling face.

"Are you going to eat with us Daddy?"  Mulder moved Sarah off his lap and stood
picking up his coffee cup.  "Yes, honey I think I could eat a horse."

"Ewww Daddy, a horse."  Sarah said with a disgusted voice making a face.

Mulder laughed and followed his children as they headed for the stairs.  "Are
you coming Sam?"  He turned and looked at her.  She put the book down and got
to her feet.

"Yes, I want to check on Katie first.  We'll be in soon."  She left in the
opposite direction to fetch her own child.

Sam looked in Dana's room.  Dana was curled up on her side sleeping
peacefully.  Sam closed the door and walked down the hallway to Katie's room.
She opened the door and went inside.

"Katie, are you going to sleep all day?"  She sat on the little girl's bed and
rested her hand on her daughter's cheek.  Katie turned on her back and yawned.
"No, I'm awake, just resting."  She opened her eyes then rubbed them.  "Well,
everyone is in the galley, we need to join them for breakfast."  Sam said
standing up and moving to the door.  "I'll be there in a few minutes Mom."  She
pushed the covers back and slipped out of bed.  She walked toward the bathroom
and disappeared behind the door.  Sam could hear water running as she exited
the room.

***********

She was running through a foggy corridor.  Farther and faster she ran into
nothing.  She was alone, running from an unknown assailant.  Her lungs hurt
from panting so hard as she struggled to keep up her pace.  What was she
running from?  Where was she running to?  She entered a room where three doors
lined the wall in front of her.

She stopped suddenly bending at the waist trying to catch her breath.  She
studied the doors.  They all looked the same.  It seemed to be her only
escape.   She turned around to run back down the corridor.  It was gone, only a
solid wall.  She studied the doors again, which would she choose.?

Dana opened the first door.  Bill Jacobs stood in an open field greeting her
with a warm smile on his face.  "Bill!"  Dana gasped.   She began to move to
him, but he stopped her.  "This is not to right door Dana, you have too choose
again."  He said lovingly.

 "What do I have to choose?"  She asked confused.  "You have to choose the
direction of your future, your destiny.  I'm in your past.  I wish I were in
your future, I miss you and love you."  He said with a sorrowful look on his
pale face.

"I miss and love you too Bill.  I'm uncertain of my future."  She said with
tears in her eyes.

"You will know when you have found the right door Dana.  Grab your destiny and
don't look back.  Everything will work out all right.  Don't worry about me
Dana, I'm fine."  Bill said as he faded in front of her eyes.

"Nooooooo don't go, what do you mean?  When will I find it?"  Dana was standing
in the corridor again in the fog.  She began to run again.  Faster and faster.

"Mommy, Mommy wake up."  Dana woke gasping for air.  She looked around
disoriented for a moment.  Her focus settled on Will standing by her bed
looking afraid.

"Will, I'm sorry if I scared you.  I had a bad dream."  Dana tried to erase the
frightful look on her son's face.

"Are you getting up now?  Are you hungry.  Glenda made us pancakes.  She told
me to come and ask you if you want some too."  He was bending over the bed with
his elbows on the bed eye level with Dana.

"No, I think I will pass on the pancakes.  If you will have her bring me some
coffee I would appreciate it.  I'm going to take a shower."  Dana touched Will
nose with her finger.  He giggled and stood up.

"Okay Mommy, coffee."  He opened the door and ran out of the room.

'What time is it?'  Dana thought as she rolled over and looked at the clock.
9:00am she had only been asleep since 4:00am.  She wanted to just go back to
sleep and wake up much later, but she didn't want to continue the dream.  'What
a strange dream.'  She thought.  Shaking the sleep from her mind Dana slipped
out of the bed and looked out the window.  'Palma, festival, distraction.  Just
what she needed.'  Dana thought as she walked into the bathroom.

"Mommy doesn't want any breakfast.  She just wants coffee.  Can I have more
pancakes?"  Will asked as he seated himself at the table once again.

Glenda poured coffee into a white carafe.  She placed it on a tray with a cup,
spoon, cream.  "When I return, I'll cook you another.  You are hungry this
morning aren't you?"  She smiled and picked up the tray.

"I'll take it to her."  Mulder stood up and reached for the tray.  Glenda
hesitated for a moment and studied Mulder.  She shrugged her shoulders and
handed the tray to him.

Mulder climbed the stairs to the main deck and padded to Dana's room.  He
knocked on the door, no answer.  "Scully, can I come in?"  Mulder called
through the door.  No answer.  He opened the door with one hand and balanced
the tray with the other.  He noticed her bed was empty.  He put the tray down
on the coffee table and sat down on the sofa.  He heard the water running and
decided to wait for her to come out of  the bathroom.

Dana stood under the warm water trying to wake up.  As much as she loved her
floating home, she would be glad to stay in a *stationary hotel room*.  She
shampooed her hair, rinsed it and finished with her shower.  She wrapped a bath
sheet around her and a towel around her head and walked out of the bathroom
into her room.

She was startled when she saw Mulder sitting on her sofa with a leering smile
on his face.  "Scully, are you going to avoid me forever?  I know this yacht is
enormous, but you've got to talk to me sometime."

He watched as she changed from ridged shock to a resigned calmness.  She walked
to her bed and picked up her robe.  He recognized it from the day before while
he was *exploring*.

"I'm not avoiding you Mulder, I was giving you space to adapt."  She said with
a level voice walking towards her bathroom.  She closed the door pulling off
the towel and putting on her panties and bra then her bathrobe.  She was
extremely nervous, but resigned herself to the fact that this conversation was
inevitable.

She opened the door to the bathroom and emerged with damp hair dressed in her
robe.  She sat on the opposite end of the sofa from Mulder.   Dana bent over
and picked up the coffee cup and filled it from the pot adding cream.  She sat
back and looked at him as she drank her first sip of hot brew.

"How have you been?"  She tried to sound innocent in her inquiry.

Mulder exhaled a combination of exasperation and humor shaking his head he
raised his eyes to meet two pools of blue.  "Scully, do you really want to know
how I've been?"  He asked with a raised eyebrow.  She swallowed her coffee and
looked away.

"Mulder, I .... you don't understand I know, but."  She didn't have time to
finish.

"Do I understand why you left the X-Files, me and not tell me you were pregnant
with *my* children.  Marry someone only a few months after you left. Finding my
sister without even allowing me the opportunity to help.  Keeping her from me
for a month and then contacting me asking me for help?  No, Scully I really
don't understand.  But, you said you would answer my questions, I have it in
writing."  He said with an edge of anger in his voice.

Dana wanted to defuse this path of conversation.  She stood up walked to her
closet and pulled out a photo album.  She walked back to the sofa and handed it
to Mulder.

"I kept pictures of the twins from birth to present for you.  A story book of
their life."  He took the book laid it on his lap.  Scully returned to her seat
and picked her cup up again leaning over to refill it.  "I made home movies on
VHS tapes too.  I know it can't make up for the lost time you missed, but I
knew one day they would mean something to you."  She hoped this would defuse
the Mulder time bomb.

He didn't open the book, he wasn't letting her off the hook that easily.  He
knew what she was attempting to do, but he had thought about this for far too
long to be distracted now.

"Answer, me dammit."  He looked at her with dark eyes.  Dana sighed and looked
at her coffee cup then she put it on the coffee table.  She stood up and walked
to the window wanting to put her thoughts in order.   After a few uncomfortable
moments she began in a calm even voice.

"Mulder, I was dying inside back then.  Not just physically, but emotionally
too.  Like I told you, our lives weren't going in a circle just one long
endless straight line.  We tried to find answers to the questions, but every
time we turned around there was another road block, or answers stolen from us.
It was stealing my life, my soul."  She sighed.  "My heart."  She searched the
horizon for a focal point to keep her thoughts straight.

"When I told you about having cancer, the thoughts I had were worry about you
continuing our quest without me.  I felt guilty that I had some how allowed
myself to let this out of my control.  Control has always been my defense
against everything.  I believed that if I could control my life and the
environment I lived in, I could survive."  Dana shifted from one foot to the
other and continued.

"After we shared the tender moments in the hospital corridor, I honestly
believed we would be healed by the truth as you said.  I was confident we had
crossed a bridge with each other and that slowly we could work into a more
meaningful partnership.  Maybe.....maybe even......more."  She blushed with the
embarrassment she felt revealing her deepest feelings to an almost stranger
now.  She breathed deeply and continued.  Mulder just stared at the photo album
as he listened.

"I worried about dying.  I didn't want you to know, I was scared to death.  I
knew that if I kept going and kept the control over my life, in tact, I could
survive.  But, it just slipped a little every day.  It took all my energy to
work and keep my walls up.  I knew the time was fleeting away, I not only
needed answers, I needed a life.

When Pendrell was killed, I realized just how short our existence really is.
He was an innocent party caught in a cross fire -- kind of like me.  It helped
me make a decision to live outside of the X-Files and buearu. "  She thought
instantly of the young agent,whose first name she didn't know, untimely and
unnessary death.

"So, one weekend I went to New York with some friends.  You had become distant,
preoccupied.  I was disappointed and hurt.  But I loved you and I accepted your
elusiveness, comforting my emotions by not wanting to push you.  I know now
that I should have pushed you alittle, maybe this would have turned out
differently."  She turned and looked at him with the corners of her mouth
upturned up a bit.  Then she turned back to the window.

When......when I saw you with Marita in New York, my heart stopped.  I couldn't
understand how you could share such a precious time with me and then treat it
so .........."  She could not finish the sentence.  She stopped for a moment to
allow her emotions to calm down before continuing.  Even though it had been
several years ago, it still effected her.

"Remember when you came in the office after I saw you in New York.  I asked you
what you had done for the weekend?  I wanted to know if you would lie to me.  I
was hoping you would have at least told me you had gone out of town.  But you
blew me off.  You *lied* to me.  I trusted you more than anyone in the world.
I couldn't let it go.  It ate at me everyday and night.

Skinner called me in his office and offered me the promotion.  I didn't want to
leave the X-Files or you.  I tried to put it behind me and concentrate on
finding answers  -- the endless search of elusive answers."  Her voice grew
quiet.  Then she raised her head and continued.

"But, I felt I would not survive the cancer in my head as well as my heart and
soul.  So I accepted the promotion."  She stopped and looked at Mulder.  He was
tracing the edge of the book with is index  finger.  He was not looking at her.

"I really didn't intend for what happened between us to happen.  I planned just
to tell you and leave.  But when I was so close to you, I stopped thinking
rationally.  All I wanted to do was hurt you as much as you had hurt me.  My
rational mind  was overtaken by my aching heart.  I more or less lost control.

I knew I would hate myself as you would hate me but I didn't care at that
moment.  It's ironic how you can love and hate someone at the same time.  I am
sorry for what I did Mulder.  I am so sorry I hurt you......  and me."  A tear
fell from the corner of her eye.  She wiped it away and stared unseeing out the
window.

She didn't know if she should continue because the next information would hurt
him.  She looked at him and he looked at her with eyes of encouragement to
continue.  She nodded her head and turned back to the window again.

"When I began working at the Embassy in London, I was approached by Bill
Jacobs.  I learned, the position with the Embassy was a disguise for the real
reason I was chosen for the position.  Bill Jacobs was in charge of
investigating the  *Gene Card or Human Genome* project.

He hand picked me after studying us for several months.  He knew everything
about me.  He wanted me to help expose the testing that caused my cancer.  He
also wanted to bring the people in power causing this atrocity to innocent
people to justice.  In a way, I saw a part of you in him --  The Truth
Seeker."  She tried to smile at Mulder, but he wasn't looking at her.

"The first time I returned to Washington DC from England I found out I was
pregnant.  I was happy, sad, scare all at once.  I decided not to tell you
because I was still emotionally raw.  I couldn't face you.  I didn't know if
you wanted anything to do with me or a child."  Dana said almost ashamedly
dropping her eyes to the floor.

"You should have asked me."  Mulder interjected locking his eyes with hers.

"Your right.  My mother told me I was wrong.  But at that time I did the only
thing I thought was rational.  I am sorry for that too."  She said dropping her
eyes in shame.  She breathed deeply and continued.

"After my abduction, I went to my OBGYN doctor for my annual exam.   The doctor
told me it would be a miracle if I could ever conceived at all.  There was
damage to my ovaries.  One was completely destroyed."  She looked towards
Mulder he looked up at her.

"I guess it's fate.  These may be the only children I can have.  Bill and I
tried to conceive for over a year with no success."  Dana could see the hurt
mentioning Bill as her husband.

Mulder swallowed and looked as if he wanted to say something, but remained
silent.    He dropped his eyes again to the book.  Dana continued.

"I had Byers do a background check on Bill when I came home for my cousin's
wedding.  His profile was very impressive and clean.   Skinner came to visit me
at my mother's home.   He told me Bill was a good man and that I could trust
him.  I can reassure you that I didn't just throw myself at him.  But....... he
was so honest and knew exactly what he wanted.  He gently pursued me with a
vengeance."  She looked out the window and smiled to herself remembering her
beloved husband.

"When I told him I was pregnant, he never missed a beat.  He asked me to marry
him.  I weighed my options, I had nothing to loose, although I didn't love him,
I believed he would keep me and my child safe.  You will learn Mulder, when
children are involved you take on a whole knew perspective on life.  It is not
just *your* life that's being affected.

Bill was a God send.  He picked me up and helped me find myself for the first
time ever.  He showed me what a real life was meant to be."  Dana knew this
would hurt Mulder, but he wanted honesty and she did not hide behind faults
fronts anymore.  But, not wanting to sound cold hearted she needed him to
understand these were not accusations, only insight into her inner self she
seldom allowed anyone to see.

With a sorrowful tone to her voice she said.  "We weren't living Mulder.   We
were mice in a maze running into dead ends looking for some substance to keep
going and getting no where.  I was tired and I wanted to go in another
direction to find answers, Bill assured me were out there."  She looked once
more at Mulder who looked up from his focal point raising an eyebrow as
reassignment that he half way understood.

"You should know, he continually encouraged me let you know about the
children.  I tried several times after I returned from the states to call you.
I dialed your number, but when your answering machine clicked on or your
answered I froze and hung up.  Before we married, Bill bought me a journal.  He
said it would be therapeutic for me to write my thoughts to you.  He told me to
give it to you one day when I thought it appropriate."

Dana walked over to her night stand opened the drawer and pulled out a thick
journal.  "I wrote every thought and feeling I had from that time.  Here, I
want you to read it.  Maybe you will understand better after you do."  She
handed him the book and walked back to the window and resumed her place staring
out over the water.

"I did call you once and bravely decided to talk to you."  She stopped and
looked in Mulder's direction, he was looking at her questioning her in
silence.

"I called your apartment about one month before I delivered.  A woman answered,
she said her name was Cheryl, I think.  She indicated that you were fine and
that I need not contact you again because it would only make you unhappy.  When
I hung the phone up I cried for several hours.  But I was determined to not
allow it to defeat me."  She stopped to shove her emotions back down.  She
sighed again allowing control to return.  Dana could feel Mulder's eyes boring
into her, but she did not look at him.

"You should glad you missed all the, sometimes, unpleasant baby stuff that
comes with infants.  Will was terrible with sleeping and cholic.  It wasn't all
fun and games.  I walked a hundred miles with both of them at times.  Bill had
an alarm system set-up in case the kids get up in the night and wander on the
deck.  It is so sensitive that birds landing on the deck would set it off in
the night.  If it woke up the twins they were up most of the night and grumpy
the next day."  She laughed remembering the first time the alarm went off
scaring her to death.  Dana could tell by Mulder's tense shoulders this was not
a good story to interject.  She continued with her original thought.

"Bill helped me to find the strength I had lost.  But, the strength I found in
myself was not of control or being controlled.  It wasn't approval from an
authoritative figure like my father or even you.  It's strength that comes from
being allowed to live and accept vulnerability not as an enemy or considered
weakness, but an emotion that allowed me to be strong in my weakness.  I can be
controlled steel when needed, but I am not ashamed if the steel cracks
occasionally.  I accept myself for what I am, and like what I have turned out
to be."  She said proudly.

"I wish you could have known Bill.  He was very special."  She spoke with
quietness.  'Enough of this.'   She thought and changed the subject.

"Anyway, we continued with our research into the project.  Bill's father is a
very successful scientist.  He has patents on several medicines and medical
procedures.  Bill followed in his footsteps and became an expert in oncology.
He worked tirelessly to find a cure for my tumor.  We failed many times, but
Bill never gave up.

He knew of a doctor in the rain forest that did research for cancer cures.  He
spent a month with him in the rain forest following him around searching for
answers the doctor had lost in a fire.  The doctor had found the cure for
cancer, but all was lost when a wild fire destroyed all of his notes, equipment
and research facility.  Bill's father donated money to setup the lab again and
continue the search of the cure.

The doctor discovered it wasn't always necessary to weakening the body with
radiation and kemo therapy to destroy the invading disease.  He believed in
attacking only the tumor and eliminating the problem.  The doctor discovered
that an enzyme from bugs that he found in the tops of tall flowering trees gave
the ingredient for a successful cure.  He and Bill found a combination of
natural ingredients that seem to attack the cancer cells in the lab.

After the children were born, I started the treatments."  She looked at Mulder
who was staring at her expecting the worst.  She smiled.  "The tumor is gone,
I'm fine."  The mood in the room instantly lightened.

Mulder jumped to his feet and quickly moved to where Scully was standing.  He
pulled her to him in a comforting hug.  He placed her head under his chin and
rested it there giving as much comfort as he could offer.

Dana couldn't deny the comforting feeling being close to him again.  She
returned the warm hug.  When Mulder pulled away he had tears of relief in his
eyes.

"I'm sorry, Scu....Dana.  I didn't know.  I was so wrapped up in my own selfish
crusade that I didn't see your pain.  I am so sorry."  He hugged her tightly
again.  She nodded into his chest not moving from his embrace.

She spoke in his chest.  "We were going to patent the formula when we got back
to the states."  She allowed him to untangle himself from her.  He returned to
the sofa to allow her to finish her explanation.

"During our research for answers about the experiments being conducted on
others like myself, we went to many different places searching for clues.  We
knew the <Human Genome Project> was based in Iceland at the Weizmann Institute
of Science Genome and Bioinformatics.  With Bill's contacts we arranged a visit
under the assumption that we were observers for the Embassy.  It was quite
exciting to work undercover.  Bill and I were researchers in the field of
Intelligent Amplification.

We took an interpreter with us so they wouldn't suspect that anything was
uncontrolled.  Bill spoke three different languages -- one being Danish."  She
showed a bit of excitement in her features as remembered the past.

"We stumbled on information linking our government with this project.  Bill
hacked into their computer and downloaded the information.  Kind of like the MJ
Files.  They couldn't track the source, and before they could stop it, we had
the information we needed."  Mulder looked at her with a questioning furrowed
brow.

"Our lab is in the lower level of this yacht.  It's one of the reasons Bill
bought it.  He felt safer on this vessel than on land.  It is quite high-tech.
The Lone Gunmen would love it."  She smiled thinking about her former
acquaintances.

"They shut down while looking for the *breach in security*.  We were not
allowed back into the institute.  Bill was so understanding.  It was almost
funny how he played them."  She smiled remembering how smooth he handled the
dangerous situation.  "They even invited us back when they *corrected the
problem*."  She looked at Mulder who had a smirk on his face trying to summon
the scene in his mind.

"When we downloaded the files and translated them, we had stumbled onto their
facility in Truro, Great Britain.  We weren't sure what we would find when we
arrived.   While translating the files Bill noticed references to cataloging
patients by small pox vaccines.  It peeked our interest.  But, what tipped us
off was the mention of Samantha's name in the catalog listings.  Mulder, I
almost fainted when Bill read her name."

Mulder spoke up.  "Why the hell didn't you call me Scully?"  His eyes were
narrowed and angry.

"Mulder, if I would have contacted you before we were certain of the facts, how
would you have reacted?"  She paused and looked at him with an arched eyebrow.
He understood what she was getting at and settled down to continue listening.

"When you found the clones in Canada, they moved the whole operation
underground as far as they could.  Samantha confirms this.  You were very close
to her when you found those children -- too close."  She studied Mulder's
reaction.  He almost winced.

"Bill and I knew we could not show up at the facility after being in Iceland.
One of his contacts found away to breach the compound that was disguised as a
military base.  They found Samantha in one of the <Officers Quarters>.

With a little persuasion she agreed to try and leave, but she would not leave
without Katie.  Bill planned the breakout down to the minute.  Everything
needed to happen in a certain order.  While leaving the compound a guard came
back a little too early and spotted Bill.  He shot him in the back.  He only
lived for two hours after that."  Dana's voice trailed off not wanting to cry.

She steeled her emotions before continuing.  "I don't even know what happened
to Bill or where he is buried.  His contacts said they would take care of
him."  A tear fell from her face.  "They told me they would contact me as soon
as they could."  She raised her head with a brave face she look at Mulder not
wanting pity from him.

Dana slowly continued turning back toward the window.  "All I know, is he gave
his life for someone he didn't even know."  She smiled as she said.  "That's
just the way he was."  Mulder caught her eye and she could see the gratefulness
and the sadness for her loss on his face.  He gave her a weak smile.

"We've been on this yacht ever since.  We sailed around the coast of France to
Spain and into the Mediterranean.  The yacht has a cruising range of 6,500
miles at 17 knots so we escaped quickly.  We changed the name of the boat twice
and the registration is a couple in Greece.  The original paperwork is in
Bill's father's safe in Tampa."

Scully wrapped her arms around her body as a self comforting motion.  "The
reason I didn't contact you right away is because I wanted to be sure this was
the *real* Samantha Mulder.  Not another clone.  I had hurt you so much
already, I couldn't bare contacting you with false hope.

I knew they would break the compound down again and move to a different
location.  I also knew they would be looking for us.  So I did test in the lab
and spent a couple of weeks questioning her about the experiments, her
memories, etc.  When I was convinced she was genuine, I was afraid they would
be watching you too."

She looked again at Mulder their eyes locked.  She wanted him to believe her
and that she didn't deceive him purposefully.  The look on his face told her he
accepted her explanation.  Not that he approved, she was sure.  She didn't turn
away as she continued.

"I sent the Federal Express package from Spain.  I guess we're lucky the
package arrived untouched.  The seals weren't broken were they?"   She looked
to Mulder for confirmation.  He shook his head as a *no*.   She gave a relieved
sigh.  "Good, sometimes hiding in plain view is safest."

"I told Byers a few years ago that if I ever needed you I would send him a
quirky message with mention of a song.  The rest you know."  She said with a
shrug as she moved to the sofa exhausted after her long confessional.

Mulder didn't say anything.  He didn't know what to say.  He hadn't expected an
explanation like this.

He turned back to the photo album and journal in his lap.  He didn't know what
to say.  So many questions he had stored in his mind for so long.  But right
now his thoughts were blank.  He wanted to further explanation of their night
together.  He wanted her to tell him how she felt.  He could do nothing but
trace the edges of the book.  Maybe he would wait for another time.  She looked
too weary to be bombarded with more emotional questions.

Their silence was interrupted by noises of happy children coming down the
hall.  They looked in the direction of the noise.  The door opened and their
two children stormed in.

"Mommy."  The two Mulders cried together as they hugged her tightly.  "Where
have you been?"  Sarah asked holding her mothers face in her hands.  Dana
smiled and reached one hand to draw Sarah to her and kissed her on the
forehead.  Sarah put her arms around Dana's neck and kissed her on the cheek.

"Mommy, can we go to the water park now?"  Will said with excited pleading
eyes.  Dana reached around him with her other hand and drew him close to her so
she could kiss him on the forehead too.  "Yes, as soon as we get everything
together, we're staying on land tonight."

Will pulled away from her jumping around.  "Yippee, come on Sarah."  He ran out
of the room followed by Sarah.  Mulder laughed as he heard them merrily running
down the hallway to their room.

"I guess we can continue this conversation later.  There are a few more things
I would like to discuss with you -- alone."  Mulder stood up holding the books
to his side.  "What should I bring for this excursion?"  He asked with a
playful look on his face.

"Did you bring a bathing suit?"  Scully asked as she walked to her closet.

"Why no, I didn't.  I guess I could get one in town.  I didn't return to my
apartment after I left the Gunmen."  He stated.

"I didn't think so.  She pulled a parcel out of the closet.  "Sam and I bought
you a few things."  She handed Mulder the package.  He touched her hand as he
took the bag.  He held on to it softly and their eyes locked.  Scully felt
uncomfortable and excited at the same time.

"Thank you."  He said only above a whisper.  Scully thought he would say more.
But he released her hand and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

Dana exhaled a deep breath.  'Round one wasn't so bad.  Maybe everything would
be okay after all.'  Then she grunted with a smirk.  'This is Mulder I'm
talking about, definitely there will be more.  This wasn't over yet.'

She opened her closet and pulled out her overnight bag.  'Now what to take.'
She definitely wanted to make a good impression.  Why?  He obviously had
someone else now.  She had heard from Skinner about that a year ago -- he was
engaged.  She hadn't had the time to ask about his significant other.

'What a shame we can't be a............'.  She wouldn't not allow those
thoughts now.  She didn't want anymore pain right now.  Loosing Bill was
painful enough.  Even though her heart had always belonged to Fox Mulder.
Love, respect and admiration belonged to her beloved husband.

He knew when he married her that he could capture her love, but not her heart
and soul.  That only belong to one person.  He accepted that and loved her
anyway.  Such love still confused her.  To love so freely and openly had set
her free from many demons that possessed her past.

If Mulder were free, she would not let the opportunity to confess her feelings
for him go by again.  She had learned that from Bill.  To grasp the moment and
not let fear paralyze her.  He had taught her that rejection was only a door
closing allowing an even better window to open somewhere in the future.

She would always have a special bond with Mulder -- their two beautiful
children.  If that was all she could have from him,  she would be happy knowing
they could share the lives of two such lovely offspring.

She gathered clothes and toiletries putting them in the bag.  Closing the bag
she walked down the hall to find Sarah and Will.


DATE:  March 25, 1997
TITLE: NEW: Coast of Marseilles 1  3/3
AUTHOR:  Marsha Bare-Taylor
EMAIL ADDRESS:  barelyhere@email.msn.com
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT:  Archive where ever you would like, just keep my name
with it.
SPOILER WARNING:  None really.  This story does make mention of several
episodes.
RATING:  PG
CONTENT WARNING: This is a MSR 
CLASSIFICATION: S,R,A
SUMMARY:  After NA, MM. Love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, separation,
reuniting, emotional healing, finding something lost, and a little Phoebe
bashing make up this story.  You have to read the whole story to understand the
first part.  Most of this part takes place in the Mediterranean.

DISCLAIMER:  The X-Files and characters belong to FOX, Chris Carter, 1013.  I
am not making any money from this story.  I am just borrowing these characters
for fun.  Please don't sue me.  If you do, I'll make you a deal on two dogs,
three cats and a slightly used husband.   I'm also borrowing two songs, one
from Jimmy Buffett, and one from Patty Loveless.    No infringements are
intended.

**********

Washington DC
AD Skinner's Office

"Mr. Skinner, do you know the where abouts of Agent Mulder?"  The man asked
exhaling smoke in front of the marine straight Assistant Director.

"Agent Mulder is on assignment in New Jersey.  He called me and said he had a
lead on the case and he would contact me as soon as he could.  Why?"  He asked
with an innocent sterness.  It was the truth, he did go to New Jersey and he
did call him.  In case they had him under surveillance too.

"I have reason to believe Agent Mulder is not in New Jersey and that he maybe
putting himself in danger with his investigation."  He took another drag from
his cigarette and blew it out.

The tall man stood and snuffed the cigarette out in the ashtray he placed on
the AD's desk.  "If you should hear from him, please let me know."  He left the
room never looking back.

A.D. Skinner smirked and picked up the ashtray depositing it in the trash can.
"When hell freezes over,  I will."  He murmured under his breath.

Skinner turned back to the papers on his desk and began reading a case file.  A
smile formed on his lips as he thought how good it would be to rid himself of
the black lunged bastard once and for all.

**************

Villa Italia
Puerto de Andraitx
Palma Spain

"Wow, this is unbelievable."  Sam said as she entered the "Suite Royal" of the
Villa Italia.  The room was exquisitely furnished with the highest degree of
luxury elegant, period furniture and marble floors.  A large terrace gave a
magnificent panoramic view across the bay of Andraitx to the yachting harbor
where they could keep an eye on the yacht.

The children filed into the room and began to explore.  Katie shrieked from one
of the rooms and she ran out with excitement on her face.  "Momma, the
bathrooms are huge with marble tile and the biggest bath tube I've ever seen.
We can swim in it!  Come see."  She pulled on Sam's hand dragging her in the
direction of the bathroom.

Dana entered the room with a brochure in her hand reading the information given
to her at the front desk.  She and Samantha went in together and left the rest
of the family and Mulder in the car so as not to bring unnecessary attention to
themselves.

"There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fireplace in each bedroom."
'How romantic'.  She thought.  She sighed.  'Oh well, not this trip.'  She
thought.

Mulder came into the room carrying luggage.  He plopped them down with a huff.
He looked around with a sense of surprise.  "Scully, this must be expensive."
He looked at her as she read the brochure.

She looked at him as she folded the brochure.  "It's the off season.  I wanted
us to all be together, call me paranoid."  She shrugged her shoulders.  "You
can have any room you want.  If you want the master suite your welcome to it.
I'm sure Will will not let you sleep alone.  He loves company when he sleeps.
I must caution you though, he moves around a bit.

"Is there a couch?  I could sleep there."  He looked around.

"No you don't Mulder, we have others in this suite that do not want to see a
form camped out on the sofa.  You can sleep in a bed like everyone else."
Scully looked at him with a defiant look and her hands on her hips.

He relented.  "Okay, okay, I'll sleep where ever you want me too."

Scully could have sworn she saw a leer in his eyes.

"What are we doing today?"  Mulder asked.

"There's a water park I promised Will and Sarah I would take them to."  Dana
answered pulling the brochure out of her purse and handing it to Mulder.

"Fun in the Sun."  Mulder murmured to himself getting up off the sofa and
picking up his bag following everyone down the hall to claim their rooms for
the next few days.

************

AQUACITY
Palma Spain

"Daddy, Daddy watch me."  Will squealed as he slid down the slide and into the
pool at the bottom.  He came out of the shallow water running his hands over
his face then running to the top of the slide again.

"This is still a bit to get use to Sam.  I'm somebody's Dad."  Mulder smiled
and shook his head.  The two were sitting on chairs watching the children from
an observation point out side of the pool.

"I know Fox, but they are precious children.  They seemed to have taken to you
almost immediately.  As if they knew who you were when they met you.  Dana has
raised them to be loving, and respectful.  Will is so extremely intelligent it
scares Dana sometimes.  She isn't sure if it is the strange DNA in her blood or
a combination of your genes and the DNA.  He learned everything at an early
age.  She wants to start him in school when we go home.  Sarah is intelligent
too, but Will is special."  Sam spoke while watching Katie and Sarah splash
each other in the shallow pool.

Dana took pictures of the event.  She wanted Mulder to have pictures of their
first outing together.  She took pictures of Mulder and Will sliding down the
slide together with their mouths wide open and eyes as big as half dollars.
She took pictures of Sam and Mulder.  The picture of Mulder with Sarah on his
shoulders was quite adorable.  Dana felt her heart would burst with joy for the
man who's miserable past didn't seem haunt him at this time.  He seemed 10
years younger with a joy she had never seen in his eyes and face.

She turned her camera on Mulder and Sam and they stuck their tongues out at
her.  "Such grown-ups."  Dana said to them as she walked over and seated
herself next to Mulder.

Mulder grabbed the camera and handed it to Sam.  He scooped Scully up in his
arms and walked over to the edge of the adult pool.  Scully struggled in his
grasp.

"Mulder what are you doing?"  She saw where he was walking to.  "No, don't you
dare............."  She struggled to get down, but he jumped in the pool still
grasping hold of her.

"Ahhhh!"  Dana yelled as they hit the water and went under.  When they surfaced
Sam was standing over them snapping pictures.  "Muuuuldderrrrrr!"  Scully
yelled and reached for him.  She plunged his head under the water only to be
dragged under herself.  Sam was laughing as she took pictures of the drowned
rats before her.

Mulder got out of the pool and helped the soaked Scully climb out.  She walked
behind him and before he knew it was pushed back into the pool.  But before she
could step away he grasped her wrist and back in the pool she went with him.
Sam was rolling now.

Katie, Will and Sarah ran up beside her and looked at her with questioning
eyes.  She snapped a picture of them and then turned back to the scene in the
pool.  "Look kids, this is how grownups act when their frustration levels are
too high."  Sam laughed as she snapped pictures of Dana and Fox battling it out
trying to drown each other.

Will, Sarah and Katie laughed too, even though they had no idea what Sam
meant.  They thought the battle going on before them was just funny.  Then they
turned and went back to their little island to resume their fun.

"Ready to give up Scully?"  Mulder wiped the water out of his eyes to see the
soaked red-haired fiery eyed Scully looking defiantly at him.

"Give up Mulder?  It's not even in my vocabulary."  She went under the water
and disappeared.  Mulder looked around the water.  She had vanished.  The next
thing he knew she had kicked his legs out from under him from behind and he
ended up gulping water.  She scurried to the side and pulled herself out before
he could recover.  Sam was still snapping pictures and laughing.

Sam thought how good it felt to be so relaxed and happy.  To be free, reunited
with Fox and meet her niece and nephew.  And most of all to be able to know
Dana.  She marveled at the strength, kindness and love Dana had for she and
Katie in the short time they had been together.  Dana explained to her how she
felt like she knew her already with all Fox had told her about their lives
before her abduction.

There were still many barriers to break before they could enjoy a normal life,
but she was enjoying life as it came.  She felt so fortunate to have been
rescued by Bill Jacobs whom she owed her life.  She felt guilty for his death.
Though Dana had assured her it was his decision to free her in order to expose
the project.  She couldn't help but feel if he hadn't tried to rescue her he
would still be alive.  She felt an enormous gratitude for she and Katie's
freedom.  Especially for the dark haired little girl that gave her hope every
time she looked in her eyes.  She was grateful for the one kindness they had
given her in her time of captivity -- Katie.

Sam was brought out of her reverie by Dana screeching and running towards the
kiddy playground.  Fox pulled himself out of the pool and wiped his face.  He
coughed up pool water from his last dunk.

"She got you good huh butt munch?  Shouldn't mess with such a strong woman."
She mused as he tried to bump the water out of his ears turning his head to the
side and tapping his head.

"That she is, that she is....."  He laughed as they walked back to where the
kids were still playing.

***********

8:00pm
Villa Italia

Three tired children laid sprawled on the sofa watching TV.  They couldn't
understand the words, but the cartoons were still the same.  They were so tired
they didn't care anyway.  They were all fighting a loosing battle of slumber.

"Looks like they are fading fast."  Sam said as the three adults sat on the
terrace enjoying the warm night.

"This place is magnificent.  How did you find it Dana?"  Sam asked looking out
over the water from the terrace railing.  The lights from the harbor and the
roll of the water on the shore below were soothing.

"Internet, where else?"  She said joining Sam at the railing.  "When I looked
for places large enough to accommodate all of us I ran across this place.  The
picture and description of the hotel was perfect."  She took a sip of wine from
the glass she was holding.

"This place is beautiful, so peaceful.  I always loved the sea.  I am fortunate
to have spent so much time enjoying the lure of the sea.  I never feel alone
when I am on the water.  I feel my father's presence, and its very
comforting."  She said almost reverently.

Mulder joined them at the railing.  "I think we have three exhausted children
asleep on the couch."  They all turned around to see three very tired and
peaceful children sound asleep.

"We need to put them to bed.  I'll get Sarah, Mulder would you help me with
Will?"  Scully asked as she walked past him.

"Sure, where do you want him to sleep?"  He put his wine glass down and
followed both women in the living room.

"We can put them together in the middle bedroom, but don't be surprised if you
wake up and he's in bed with you."  Scully said as she picked up her sleeping
daughter and walked toward the bedroom.  Sarah, Will and Katie didn't stir as
their parents carefully placed them in their beds.

In the hallway Sam yawned and said. "I think I'll turn in too.  Goodnight."
She padded down the hallway to her room and closed the door.

"I guess that leaves you and me."  Mulder said with a grin.  Scully blushed
slightly feeling strangely shy.  "I guess so."  She answered.

They walked onto the terrace.  Scully stood by the railing gazing at the full
moon as it shimmered on the rippling water below.  She felt confused by her
feelings for the man sitting in the chair so close behind her.

Scully felt guilty because of the feelings of excitement since she laid eyes on
Fox Mulder when he arrived.  She felt as if she were betraying Bill's memory.
The memory of a man who gave everything including his own life and asked very
little in return.  She hoped he had been happy with her.  She gave him all the
love she could.  Bill knew how much Mulder meant to her.

Scully tried to forget the man she loved so long ago, but looking at their
children everyday only refreshed her memory continually of how much she missed
their partnership and friendship.  Dana Scully didn't have a photographic
memory, but she remembered every second of the night of passion they shared.  A
night that has haunted her dreams ever since.  She hid it from Bill, at least
she hoped she had.

She felt Mulder as he closed the gap between them.  He bent over the railing
leaning on his arms.  "Beautiful night isn't it?"  He tried to sound neutral
even though his desire was to enfold Dana Scully in his arms and smother her
with kisses.  But he remembered all too well the night they shared that ended a
dissolved partnership and spawned two children.

In the harbor he saw the yacht resting on top of the water.  He still couldn't
believe how Dana's life had changed.  He felt happiness for her that she had
met a man like Bill Jacobs.  Even his selfishness wouldn't deny that the man he
only met once had help Dana regain her life as well as rid her of a deadly
disease.  A disease that he was to blame for in the first place.

At the same time it pained him to know she had been happy.  The dark side of
his personality ached to know she had not spent the last several years alone
for the most part with unanswered questions, painful memories of the night they
had spent together to be rejected by the only woman he could ever love.  He
wanted to ask her if she hurt as much as he did.  He wanted to know if there
had been any love for him.

The silence became more than he could stand.  "Do you worry about leaving the
yacht with no one on board?"  He said knowing it was a neutral subject to end
the uncomfortable silence.

"No, it's equipped with state-of-the-art  electronic alarm.  Bill was quite
careful about alarms and security.  He spent thousands of dollars and a
considerable amount of time making sure no one could disarm the system without
having to spend hours trying to figure it out.  He hired some of the best
thieves he could find to try and break the system.  They all failed.  Besides,
Girard and Glenda aren't far.  Girard is an expert in security.  Bill met him
through his contacts."  Dana said as she smiled remembering the frustration of
the men that tried to break into the system and how amused Bill had been with
their lack of success.

Mulder knew this wasn't going to be easy to hear, but he had to know.  "Tell me
about him Dana.  About Bill.  What was he like?"  He asked honestly.

Dana recovered quickly after the shock of his question.  She didn't understand
why he wanted to know, but she would answer him honestly.  Another thing Bill
had allowed her to learn.  Hiding and running away from fears, emotions,
rejection only allowed the inevitable to be stalled for a while.  Facing the
problem head on was the only answer to peace of mind whatever the outcome would
be.

"What do you want to know?"  She asked.  Mulder shrugged his shoulders and
said.  "I guess, I would like to know about the man who spent the first years
of my children's life taking care of them."

That stung clear to Dana's soul with instant guilt.   She pushed down the
anxiety rising in her chest.  'Is he trying to hurt me?  Did he know how hard
it was to be away from him for so long?  *No, you have never told him.  Maybe
it is time to grovel alittle.*'  Announced her annoying little voice in her
head.   She resigned herself to tell the truth  no matter how much it might
hurt.  She could not lie.  It would not be fair to Mulder or Bill.

"Bill was a man of integrity.  He balanced his life with driven ambition,
strength, compassion, honesty, caring, giving.  He reminded me a lot of my
father.   Dana said as she smiled staring out at the moonlit water.  Ahab,
Bill Jacobs, Mulder, she had known some great men in her life.

"Mulder, I just want you to know he never tried to take your place with the
children.  They called him Bill, not Dad.  He felt like you should receive that
honor.  We were going to return to the states after we finished the project.
He insisted I contact you about Sarah and Will.  We agreed you were important
to them and it would be your choice to want to be part of their lives or not."
She stopped and looked at Mulder.  "You know he reminded me a lot of you.  But,
there was a quality Bill had that you never could allow yourself to
experience."  She looked at him willing him to look her way.

Mulder lifted his eyes from the water and looked into her blue depths.  "What
would that be?"  He asked with great interest.

"He knew how to stop and enjoy life.  Remember when we discussed me not having
a desk?  Remember you were going on the first vacation in over four years?
Well, Bill knew when to stop and take pleasure from life.  He wasn't afraid of
life.  He met every confrontation head on.  He taught me not to run from myself
or others.  I don't lock my emotions down anymore.  I mean, I don't run around
like a lunatic, shouting from the roof tops.  But, I have learned that
emotional honesty is healing in itself.  It causes less pain than hiding behind
walls built to protect you from the very people who can bring you joy, freedom
and most of all peace of mind."  She kept her eyes locked with Mulder's to make
him understand what she wanted to communicate.

"You, Mulder were captured behind those walls as well as I.  We hid from each
other in plain sight and ended up often reeling hurtful comments, angry words
that never should have been said.

I never knew where I actually stood with you Mulder.  You only allowed certain
areas to be known.  You controlled and manipulated our partnership.  There was
a double standard always present and in control.

After a while, it began to steal my soul.  I lost piece by piece every time I
followed you in some endless search for a ghost.

I couldn't face my abduction, nor my possible future.  I was afraid, but could
not allow myself comfort.  When I found out about my illness, I concentrated on
it instead of the draining partnership we shared.  I tried Mulder, I really
did."  She felt her voice cracking.  She stopped to regain control.

"That's what I meant about Bill saving my life.  I hope with all I have learned
I can teach our children how to live normal, balanced lives so they won't
suffer the pain and unconscious destruction we experienced."  She finished her
sentence and turn back toward the water.

Mulder could only keep silent.  He didn't know what to say.  Had he been so
terrible?  He wanted to contemplate these thoughts before answering her
charges.  "Dana, I hear what you have said.  But I don't have an answer for you
right now.  I wish I could tell you everything I am feeling, but you know I am
not comfortable with *emotional freedom*."  He felt hurt, confused and didn't
want to talk anymore.  He walked away from her.

"Mulder, I didn't say those things to hurt you.  You asked me a question and I
tried to tell you as honest as I could.  Don't withdraw into your emotional
cocoon and shut me out.  We have done that too many times.  For our children's
sake, as well as our own, we need to find a common ground to share their lives
and their love."  She said softly.

He didn't answer, just walked back into the hotel suite and disappeared into
his bedroom.

Feeling a bit relieved, but sad that she hurt him yet again, Dana walked back
into the hotel room from the terrace, turned off the lights, locked the door
and went to bed.

********
2:00am

Mulder awakened with the presence of a warm body snuggling next to his.  He
opened his eyes to find Will had indeed climbed in bed with him.  Mulder pulled
the covers over the small body as he pulled his son close to him.  He found
comfort in the closeness of his child.  He kissed the top of Will's head
feeling the freedom to show, without hesitation, love.   Maybe this is what
Dana meant *finding common ground*.  Mulder felt the bond so new, but familiar
somehow.  He would allow himself the pleasure.   He would seek the peace Dana
tried to explain to him for his children's sake.  He closed his eyes, loosely
clutching his son and fell asleep.

**********

Morning arrived as peaceful as the evening faded.  Dana stood on the balcony
observing the peacefulness as the early morning light increased its intensity.
It promised to be a warm day.  She lifted her eyes to the cloudless sky.  'A
good day for a festival.'  She thought drawing her eyes back down to the
water.  She saw Girard on the deck of her floating home and smiled.  'He
doesn't leave you for long does he girl.'  Dana smiled with thoughts of how
fortunate she counted herself to be with friends such as Girard and Glenda.
They felt as close as family.

Dana heard footsteps coming from the interior of the hotel suite.  When she
turned she found a sleepy little  girl rubbing her eyes.  Dana held out her
arms and Sarah gladly allowed her mother to lift her up and hug her tightly.

"Good morning sweetheart.  I love you."  Dana murmured as she kissed her
daughter.  "Where's your brother?"  She asked quietly.

"When I woke up he wasn't there."  Sarah said in a little girl voice.  Almost
as if she were a bit afraid.

"I'm am sure he is sleeping with Mul...... umh your Dad."  Dana stuttered a bit
still not totally familiar with saying the word *Dad*.

Dana sat down in one of the chairs and rocked her child slightly allowing her
to awaken slowly.  She cherished times such as these.  The closeness of the
twins gave her peace and she found comfort in their bonding.

Dana hummed as she rocked Sarah.  Sarah sat quietly enjoying the time alone
with her mother.  Neither noticed Mulder standing near by enjoying the
beautiful sight of mother and daughter.  He felt a stirring of emotion never
unleashed before in his body.  He slipped unnoticed back into the suite wishing
to allow the two their privacy.

Walking into the kitchen Mulder smelled coffee.  Rounding the corner he saw Sam
sitting at a table sipping a cup of coffee.  He smiled at her so happy to have
his sister back.

"Can I have a cup?"  He asked.  She looked up and smiled at him.  "Sure, join
me."  She answered.   Sam got up and pulled a cup from the cupboard filled it
with black liquid and handed it to Mulder now sitting across from her.

"It is so peaceful here.  I never imagined mornings could be so serenely
quiet."  Sam said almost dreamily.

"What was your life like Sam?"  Mulder asked not really wanting to know the
answer, but needed to know.

"They tried to make life as tolerable as they could most of the time.  I grew
use to being watched all the time.  I studied every book I could find.  I found
an outlet with reading.  I bet I have read 10,000 books.  My guards slipped
magazines, books, paint supplies, poetry books."  She took a drink of coffee.

"I read newspaper articles to keep up with current events.  I was allowed to
watch only certain television programs.  Mostly educational programming.  The
goal of these people included a well rounded mind to go along with the
superhuman body they invented.  I think to main thing I missed most was love.
I grew up without the closeness of people to care for.  That's one reason they
allowed me to keep Katie.  They knew I could not survive my whole life without
the emotional bond.  She became me focus.  I spent all my energy making her
feel the closeness and balance I missed."  She looked at her brother and
noticed he seemed to withdraw seeing the hurt in his face.

"Fox, look at me."  She said reaching for his hand.  He looked up at her with
pools of unshed tears.  "It wasn't your fault.  Don't blame yourself for
something devised and carried out by our father and his merry band of
comrades.  I will not allow you to take the burden upon yourself.  It was out
of your control."  She said firmly with compassion.  She could see her brother
still possessed the undying devotion he always had for her.  She felt at home
when she looked in his loving face.

"Fox, you need to let go of the demons from the past.  I had to let go along
time ago.  I was angry for quite a while not understanding why no one came for
me.  I knew you were looking for me.  I believed you would never stop."  Sam
reassured him with her eyes and warm smile.

"When Bill found me and explained who he was, it seemed like a dream.  Finally,
I would be able to see you again.  The hope I harbored in my heart for so many
years.  Sometimes it was the only thing that kept me sane.  So brother, don't
blame yourself, let it go and let's grasp the future and live out our lives in
peace."  She squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

"I will try Samantha.  I want to make the men pay for what they have done to
you, me, Dana even, even Bill Jacobs.  The truth has been my obsession for so
many years.  I sacrificed my life trying to find it and what happened to you.
Now that I have you back, I don't know where to begin again."  He walked to the
coffee pot and poured himself another cup of coffee.

"Scully kept me focused when she was my partner.  But after she left I was lost
for a long time.  I always thought you were my main concern Sam.  But, when I
lost her everything kind of stopped.  The realization that my single-focused
search for you and the truth had not only robbed me of life, but robbed me of
the one woman I would ever love.

I pushed her away time and time again.  I kept telling myself in the future,
maybe tomorrow.  It's okay, Scully will never leave me.  I could continue
looking for you and she will always be there."  He took a drink of his coffee
as he sat down.

"Then she wasn't.  Everything seem to close up.  I couldn't find you, I
couldn't have her.  It took me a long time to see past my self damning mistakes
I made.  I feel I have failed you as well as Dana.  I want to make it up to
both of you.  I need your help for that Sam."  He clasped her hand and looked
into her eyes.  She smiled and nodded her head.  "I'm not going anywhere Fox.
I love you, you know."  She struggled to say, due to the emotion building in
her chest.

Mulder put down his cup.  "I love you too Sam.  I always have."  He said in a
low voice.

Their conversation was interrupted by Katie shuffling into the room seeking her
mother.  She rubbed her eyes as she climbed into Sam's lap.

"This is my sunshine."  Sam said has she cuddled her sleepy daughter and kissed
her on the cheek before settling her against her chest.

Mulder smiled at the sight.  He found it amusing that he shared her feelings,
remembering Will snuggling to him last evening.

"I'm going to take a shower."  He announced as he stood and walked over to the
coffee pot filling his cup before leaving the kitchen.

*************

Palma was buzzing with sounds and life.  People lined the streets to watch the
small parade down the main street of the town.  Smiling faces of children and
adults enjoying the festival under bright cloudless sky.

Dana and company spent the day eating, drinking the local favorites.  Though
sometime the children didn't appreciate the food as much as the adults.  They
bought native hats, souvenirs to remember their enjoyable day.  Several rolls
of film were taken.  Dana made sure Mulder appeared with children in many
shots.  She was even dragged into a few with Mulder and the children.  The
festival seem to allow the group to forget the problems that lay behind and in
the future.  They laughed, danced until night fall.

At dinner, Dana could tell the children were fading fast, but were trying to
hang on for the fireworks.  Dana, Sam and Mulder were as exhausted as the
children so dinner was enjoyed with little discussion.

After finishing dinner, the group settled themselves on a grassy area to enjoy
the fireworks.  Dana held Sarah, Mulder acted as chair to Will and Katie
enjoyed Sam as cushion.  The children squealed as the first loud boom exploded
against the sky.  Sarah hid her eyes in Dana's chest then peeked through her
fingers to view the next explosion.  "It' okay honey, we're safe."  Dana spoke
to Sarah in a comforting voice.

Will's eyes were as large as they could possibly be.  He jumped in Mulder's
lap.  Mulder acted fast protecting himself from assault of small feet.  Will
clapped his hands and turn to look at Mulder with amazement in his eyes.

"Do you like the fireworks?"  Mulder asked with a smile appreciating such
simple joy.  Will nodded vigorously and squealed again as the next boom and
flash of lights went off.  "Will, you are going to hurt me if you don't quit
jumping up and down."  Mulder said trying to hold his son still.

Sam laughed.  "Fox, if you want more children perhaps you should change
positions."  Mulder's face reddened at her words.  Before he could answer her
another flash of light made Will squirm again.  Mulder decided to stand up with
his son, it seemed safer that way.  Will jumped up and down twirling around
every time a new blast went off.

When it was over, they drug the exhausted children back to the villa and put
them to bed.  The adults were right behind them with very little communication.

End of Part 9

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Coast of Marseilles 1 10/10
By:  Marsha Bare-Taylor


Dana dreamed again.  She was running down the same endless corridor struggling
through the fog.  She kept running and running.  Dana stopped when she arrived
in the large room once more with the doors in front of her.

Dana opened the second door this time.  Ahab stood inside of the door.  "Hello
Starbuck."  He greeted her.  Dana ran to her father and hugged him.

"Dad, I've missed you so much.  Where are we?  Why am I here?"  She asked
letting go of her father.  She noticed he was pale almost transparent.

"As Bill told you before, Starbuck, you must choose your destiny."  He said
with affection.

But Ahab, I don't understand.  Help me to understand."  She pleaded with him.

"Starbuck, you have always made sound decisions.  I raised you to not fear the
future.  When the time is right, you will know what to do.  You will feel the
peacefulness of the right decision."  He said as he cupped her cheek and looked
adoringly in her eyes.

"I must go.  Don't be afraid of the unknown Starbuck.  Life is an adventure,
never fear the future."  He said as he faded away.

Dana was standing in the corridor yet again.  She began to run again.  Faster
and faster.  "Noooooo.  Ahab comeback!"  She didn't realize she was screaming
until a pair of strong hands clamped onto her shoulders and she woke with a
start.

Her eyes flew open.  Mulder was holding onto her shoulders with a look of
concern in his eyes.  She focused on him and relaxed.  He gathered her into his
arms holding her tightly.  "Shh, its okay."  He soothed her with his soft
words.  Dana held onto him until she fully recovered from her nightmare.

Dana relaxed and breathed in Mulder's scent.  She enjoyed the Mulder-essence
she missed over the yearsas he moved his hand up and down her back to soothe
her.

"Bad dream?"  He asked propping his chin on her head.  Dana nodded as her face
lay on his chest.  "Want to tell me about it?  You were screaming Ahab."

"I don't really know.  This is the second dream I've had like this.  The first
one with Bill, this one I saw my father.   They both told me I needed to find
my destiny.  I keep running down a foggy corridor.  It's dark and there is a
fog that closes around me like a tomb.  I run and run......"  She trailed off
as tears flowed down her cheeks.  Mulder increased his grip on her.

"Your safe now Dana.  I'm here.  You don't have to run anymore."  He reassured
her or was it himself.

He thought a lot about what she said to him the night before.  No matter how
angry he wanted to be with her for abandoning him for so many years, she had
been right.

As he held her he thought back about the times he ditched her, ignored her
warnings, held back his feelings.  He had been a singled minded ass many
times.  He agreed with Dana that their lives had been going in a straight
endless line.  To his dismay he didn't know how to break away from it.  It had
been his normal way of life for years before and after Dana Scully came to be
his partner.

"You want to sit outside for a while?"  He asked softly still holding her close
to him.  Dana pulled back from him and wiped her eyes.

"Yes, I don't think I'll sleep anytime soon."  She said looking into soft hazel
eyes.

Mulder looked deep into her azure eyes.  He felt his chest tighten.  'I want to
kiss you Dana.  I've missed you for so long.'  Thoughts clouded his rational
mind.  He started to lean closer and remember her taste from so long ago etched
in his memory.  He stopped, feeling her uneasiness.  He wouldn't take advantage
of her vulnerability no matter how much he wanted her.  He let go of her and
stood extended his hand to helped her stand.  She walked in front of him into
the hallway.

"I want to check on the children since I'm up."  She said turning toward the
kid's room.  She opened the door quietly and peeked in.  Both children were
sound a sleep.  She smiled and closed the door quietly.

Dana padded down the hall and through the door leading to the terrace where
Mulder stood against the railing looking out over the water.

"Dana, I'm sorry about Cheryl telling you not to call me.  I didn't know.  She
never mentioned it to me."  He said feeling anger for his former girl friend.
"I met her the night Bill confronted me in the restaurant."  He wanted to say
more and Dana interrupted.

"What do you mean when Bill confronted you in the restaurant?  What
restaurant.?"  She asked confused.

"I happened to be in the same restaurant as you and Bill.  I spotted you on the
dance floor with him.  Before I could make my way across the floor you were out
the door.  I walked toward the door and Bill met me right before I reached the
entrance.  I wanted to talk to you.  I needed to make an attempt to put things
right between us."  He turned slightly and looked at her as he spoke.  "He
stopped me and told me to stay away from you.  I had caused you enough pain and
he intended to marry you give you a new life.  Then he left."  Mulder turned
back to the water and sighed.

"I met Cheryl that night.  In fact she took me home.  We dated for over a
year.  I wanted to marry her.  I bought the ring, planned out what to say,
practiced it over and over."  He glanced at Dana to test her reaction.  She
stared at the rolling waves below not looking at him.  He continued.

"When the time came I couldn't do it.  I tried several times.  Finally, I broke
it off with her."  He put his hands on the railing and leaned on them hanging
his head down.

"Why, Mulder?  Why couldn't you ask her?  Didn't you think you deserved
happiness?"  She questioned him.

He let go of the railing and turned to her locking their eyes.  "You want
honesty Scully?  Do you really want to know why I couldn't do it?"  He asked in
a husky voice.  She nodded her head, but never took her eyes from his.

"Because there will never be anyone for me but you.  It wouldn't have been fair
to Cheryl.  She had an incredible amount of love to give.  She didn't deserve
left overs from someone who could not love her unconditionally."  He felt a
weight lifted off his shoulders.  Maybe Dana was right.  Seeking the truth and
not hiding from the truth do go hand in hand.  Then the crashing fear of
rejection began to grip his whole being.  He remembered what he just said.

Dana noticed his eyes widened.  She could tell he expected her to reject him
again.  So she did the only thing she could do to convince him she wouldn't run
from him again.

She reached up placed her hands behind his neck and pulled his face down to
hers and kissed him.  Mulder didn't respond at first, she was afraid she had
read his feeling incorrectly.  But, when she tried to pull back he wrapped his
arms around her and pulled her tightly to him and kissed her passionately.
Just like he did so long ago.

Mulder felt light headed as Dana responded to the kiss.  She tightened her arms
around his neck to draw as close to him as she could.  They met each other
equally with enough passion to ignite a fire.  Mulder's hands moved up and down
her back.  He felt himself grow hard at the contact.  Engrossed in their
passion prevented Dana from hearing the first cries from within the suite.

Dana unwrapped herself from Mulder abruptly.  "What?"  Mulder asked wanting to
continue.

"I hear something."  Dana said.

When she heard the second cry she shot out of Mulder's arms and into the living
room.  She ran down the hallway searching for the source of the screams with
Mulder close behind.  They stopped at his bedroom door.  Standing in the middle
of the room was Will looking ever lost in the darkness.  Dana rushed to him and
picked him up kissing his head trying to comfort him.

"What's wrong Will?  Did something frighten you?  Honey it's okay."  She spoke
soothingly to the little boy sobbing and shaking in her arms.

She sat on the bed rocking him back and forth until his crying subsided.
Mulder seated himself next to the pair and ran his hand over his son's hair
kissing the top of his head.

"Do you want me to lay down with you?"  He whispered to Will.

Will looked up from his hiding place with tears in his eyes and nodded
confirmation.  Mulder took him from Dana's arms and crawled in bed pulling the
covers over them both.  The little boy, now feeling safe from the nighttime
terrors, clutched his father's shirt and relaxed into sleep.  Mulder ran his
hands through his hair and down his back to comfort the sleeping boy.

Dana relaxed as she observed the loving tenderness Mulder gave to their son.
She did not know what had promoted Will night terrors and why he would wake up
and crawl in bed with her almost every night lately.  He seemed to take great
comfort in Mulder's presence.

She sat on the bed next to Mulder.  He looked at her and moved the boy over
asking her with his eyes to join them.  Dana hesitate for moment.  The kiss was
wonderful, but this closeness also made her uneasy.   She thought of Bill.
Then she thought of her dream and his advice.

She reacted before her fear could take over and crawled under the covers and
laid down.  She felt Mulder's warmth as she settled herself close to his back.
She relaxed feeling safe and serene.  Dana reached over Mulder and smoothed
Will's hair.

"I don't know why he wakes up in the middle of the night."  She whispered in
Mulder's ear.  "He use to never wake up.  Cannons going off couldn't rouse
him."  She said in a low voice.

Mulder thought for a moment.  "Has he done this since Bill's been gone?"  He
asked.

"Yes, not long after Bill died he began to wake up and crawl in bed with me.
He wouldn't be crying or afraid.  Sometimes I didn't even know he was there
until morning."  She added.

"He probably feels abandoned due to Bill's absence.  Did he spend a lot of time
with Bill?"  Mulder asked feeling a bit of jealousy.  Dana nodded as she rested
her hand on Will back.  She could feel his even breathing signifying the night
terror was over and he was sleeping peacefully.

Mulder picked up Dana's hand and kissed it softly.  "I love you Dana.  I've
loved you forever it seems.  I'm sorry I never said it the night we made love.
Maybe if I had, all this would have turned out differently."  He whispered
turning as much toward her as Will would allow still clutching his shirt.

"Mulder, we can't change the past, but we can plan for the future.  I want you
in our future.  I love you too."  She whispered softly in his ear squeezing his
hand and entwining her fingers with his.

Mulder felt a ton of weight lifted from his shoulders.  He smiled in the dark a
radiant smile that almost lit up the room.

"You don't know how long I waited to hear you say those words.  I dreamed about
you saying them for a long time.  Please tell me again."  He pleaded.

"Mul...Fox, I love you and want you with me for the rest of my life.  I know
you still have questions, I hope the journal will answer.  I know we have
issues between us to address.  But, I don't ever want to be separated from you
again.  I need you, we need you.  I want to spend my time sharing our children
with you.  I want to make love to you again and again to recapture the feeling
I have never forgotten when we made love the first time.  I know our lives
won't be easy, but I believe we have learned a great deal about relationships.
I'm willing to try if you are.  I do love you so much."  She finished
whispering her soft words of love in his ear.  Then she touched his face with
light kisses everywhere she could reach from her position.

Mulder's mind clouded with raw desire for the woman cradled to his back
whispering soft words of love to him.  He couldn't describe, if his life
depended on it, how much happiness he felt at this moment.  It was like he
stepped out of his dreary existence into a fairy tale.  Almost a dream.  Except
the dream was alive and kissing his face at this moment summoning arousal from
deep within his core.

"Dana, I don't think this is the right time or place for what I want to do with
you ."  Motioning his head toward the peaceful little boy fastened to his
clothing.  Dana chuckled and settled behind him.

Mulder felt her kiss the back of his neck and whisper.  "Soon Fox, I promise
I'll show you soon.  We have a lot of time to make up for."  She murmured to
him.  Fox heard her breathing even out and knew she had fallen asleep.  He
closed his eyes not expecting to sleep, but soon joined the other two occupants
in his bed.

**************

"Oh my, aren't we cozy."  Mulder heard the teasing voice of his sister from the
door way.  He opened his eyes to see her grinning from ear to ear at the three
of them cuddled together.

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled a wicked smile.  Sam grunted and closed
the door, moving toward the kitchen.

Sam put coffee on to brew and walked out onto the balcony.  She breathed in
deep breaths enjoying her peaceful morning.  She loved the quiet.

Sam could hear the waves lightly breaking against the rocks below.  She looked
around the harbor and caught sight of  Girard sitting on the upper deck
enjoying the morning as she was.  She waved at him.  He looked up and waved
back.  She breathed deeply allowing the salt air to fill her lungs.

Padding back into the kitchen she pulled a cup from the cupboard and filled it
with coffee.  Holding her coffee cup she walked back onto the terrace where she
seated herself and picked up a book she had started a couple of days ago.
Peaceful happiness, she never dreamed it possible.    She wondered how they
were going to find freedom to enjoy the rest of their lives.  She wanted
selfishly to keep this peaceful serene feeling she was experiencing.  She would
fight till death to stay this way.

***********

Dana heard the door close and opened her eyes.  Her body felt the warmth and
movement of Fox as he stroke Will hair.

"Wake up sleepy head."  Fox whispered to his son.

"What's wrong Fox, too much closeness?"  She said with a teasing voice.

"No, I have to go to the bathroom."  He said.  Dana noticed a little discomfort
in his tone.

Will opened his eyes to see his parents staring at him.  He smiled and blinked
a couple of times trying to chase the cobwebs of sleep away.  "Will, you have
to let go, I have to get up."  Fox explained looking down at his son's hands.

Will let go of his shirt.  Fox moved out from between Dana and Will quickly and
headed for the door.  Dana scooted next to her son and pulled him to her chest
kissing him on the forehead.  "You okay honey?"  She asked softly.  "You had a
bad dream light night."  She said with a soothing voice.   He didn't answer.
He just snuggled close to her and whispered faintly.

"I love you Mommy."  Dana felt tears threaten her eyes at the emotion this tiny
confession of love stirred in her.  Truly there must not be a more special love
than that of a child.  She thanked God he had allowed her these precious
gifts.   Then she hugged Will a little tighter.

Fox padded back into the room and shut the door.  He crawled behind Dana this
time and pulled the covers back over them both.  He kissed her neck and wrapped
his arms around her.  He hoped this would be a regular event waking up wrapping
Dana's body.  He calmed the desire that threatened with the touch of her hand
on his thigh.  He put his on top of hers and squeezed her hand.  He drew close
to her ear and whispered in a low seductive voice.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"  He knew it was silly, but he
couldn't think of a better line to use.

Dana laughed softly.  She recognized the line from a classic song, but enjoyed
it just the same.  Fox kissed her ear and propped his head on his hand looking
over Dana to the small boy awake, but not moving.

"Will, are you okay?"  He asked with a fatherly tone.  Will nodded his head,
but stayed close to Dana for comfort.

The door opened and they were soon joined by Sarah who seemed to look as if she
were left out of the party.  Fox motioned for her to come to him which she
did.  She climbed in between Fox and Dana causing Dana and Will to have to move
further over to accommodate her body.

Fox kissed his daughter and hugged her.  "This is cozy, isn't it?"  He asked
Sarah.

"Uh huh."  She answered settling down into the warmth of her parents.

All too soon Will lifted his head and said. "I'm hungry Mommy."  Dana smiled at
her son.

"Why does that not surprise me."  She said as she tickled him.  He squealed and
squirmed.
Sarah laughed at the sight of Will's situation.

"Oh, you think that is funny?"  Fox looked at his daughter with an evil smile.
He proceeded to tickle her and she joined her brother laughing and squirming.

Will broke away from Dana's grasp and jumped out of the bed running into the
hallway.  Sarah followed him as Fox allowed her to escape.  Dana and Fox
watched as their routy children ran out of the room to avoid being tickled
anymore.

Dana collapsed back onto the bed.  Fox looked down at her thinking he'd never
seen such beauty before.  He bent down and touched his lips to hers.  Dana
wrapped her arms around his neck and met him kiss for kiss.  Fox pulled her
closer as the kiss deepened relishing the closeness he had only dreamed about.

"Mommy, Daddy!"  The sound of innocence interrupting yet again.  Fox smiled as
Dana rolled her eyes in exasperation.  "Remember, they're precious."  He said
teasingly.  He let go of Dana and they rolled off the bed and reluctantly moved
toward the door leading to the hallway.

"You better walk in front of me."  Fox said quietly in her ear.  Dana smiled
knowing what caused his request.

"What's wrong Fox?"  She teased him.

"I'd like nothing more than to show you."  He said seductively.

Dana felt flushed at the thought.

**********

The children sat around the table, still tired from the previous two days'
activities, eating quietly..  Dana, Fox and Sam ate on the terrace enjoying the
serene morning.

"When we go back to the boat, I have to show you the lab.  We need to get down
to business and review the information Bill collected about the project and the
consortium."  Dana said as she sipped her steaming coffee looking at Fox.

"What type of information exactly do you have?  How can it be used to stop the
testing?  From past experience Dana, you know they can cover up anything they
deem threatening to their mission."  Fox stated.

"Ah, but we also have Samantha."  She answered smiling at her friend who looked
up from her book at the mention of her name.

"Let me explain.  We have the facts about the project.  But, we also have names
of the consortium.  Whether they are their true names or not, we have enough
information to expose them and hopefully stop the testing.  Sam is our
confirmation.  She also has information of her testing."  She explained.

"How do you intend to distribute this information?"  Fox asked.

"That's where you come in.  I was hoping you could involve the Gunmen."  Dana
said seeking Fox's eyes for confirmation to her plan.

Fox smiled.  "I think they would be willing to help.  I'll contact them."  He
said rising from his chair and gathering his cup and dish.  Dana copied his
actions and they walked into the suite and towards the kitchen.

With breakfast completed and everything packed up they were ready to make their
way down to the dock.  "I want to call the guys before we start out again."
Fox said as he piled the last of the luggage at the door.

"Do you think it is safe?"  Dana asked uneasily.

"I believe they are pretty well protected.  I won't reveal too much from our
conversation."  He assured her.  "The only problem I see is the travel
expense."  He thought out loud.

"Don't worry, I can reimburse them.  As long as they don't get carried away."
Dana said with a laugh.

Fox walked onto the terrace holding the hotels cordless phone.  He dialed the
familiar number of his friends.

"Lone Gunmen."  Byers answered.  "Byers turn off the machine."  Mulder
ordered.  He heard a click and knew they had done as he requested, at least
once.

"Mulder, are you okay.  Did you find what you were looking for?"  Byers asked
not wanting to reveal details in case someone happened to pickup on the call.

"Yes, I hit the jackpot."  He announced proudly.

"I may have article for you to put in your next newsletter.  Are you
interested?  Would like to take a trip?"  Fox asked.

"We'll decide.   Where, when?"  Byers asked.  Fox could hear the click and knew
he had been put on the speaker phone.

"Guys remember the line of the song?  There in three days.  I can reimburse you
the cost of the trip.  But, guys, don't fly first class okay."  Fox grunted and
smiled.

"Also, be extremely careful, whatever you have to do to avoid being followed."
He cautioned.

"Okay Mulder, where will we meet you?"  He inquired.

"I'll find you.  Afternoon flight.  See you soon."  Fox finished the cryptic
message and hung up the phone.   He knew they would all show up.  He had no
doubt they all wanted to participate in this activity.

*************

LONE GUNMEN OFFICE

"Okay, who wants to go?"  Byers asked his companions.  They looked at each
other, and said in unison.  "We all go!"

END CHAPTER 1

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I sat there on the Coast of Marseilles
My thoughts came like wind through my hand
How good it'd be to feel you again
How good it would be to feel that way again