TITLE: The Fight
AUTHOR: Debbie Cullen
	  djc45@hotmail.com
RATING: PG
CLASSIFICATION: MSR
SPOILERS:
SUMMARY: After having a huge fight with Mulder, Scully goes into labor and 
asks Frohike to find him for her.
FEEDBACK: Please! How else is a girl supposed to know whether or not she's 
doing a good job?
DISCLAIMER: Anything X-Files I may have used do not belong to me. They 
belong to Chris Carter and 1013 Productions as well, of course, as David and 
Gillian who made Mulder and Scully who they are really are. No infringement 
intended.

THE FIGHT

	Scully picks up the phone and dials. It rings three times
before it's answered.
	"Hi. It's me. Turn the tape off, Frohoke."
	"Hi, Scully. How are you?"
	"Not so great at the moment."
	"What's wrong?" he asks concerned. Something in her voice
worried him.
	"Do you have any idea where Mulder is?"
	"I haven't talked tohim in a few days, but hold on for
minute," he says as he puts his hand over the receiver.
	When he comes back on the line he tells her that neither
Langley nor Byers have talked to him recently either.
	"I NEED to find him. We had a terrible fight and he walked
out. I'm about to go the hospital. I really NEED him!"
	"Is something wrong?" he asks, worried.
	"Not really. I"m pretty sure I'm in labor," she tells him.
	Frohike immediately goes into overdrive. "Don't worry. I'll
find him and I'll kick his sorry ass for upsetting a beautiful woman
like you."
	"We BOTH said some horrible things."
	"He may be angry, but I know he'd want to be there. He loves
you Scully!"
	"I just pray I didn't push him too far. He's the best thing
that ever happened to me. I love himm so much and it frightened me.
I've never had feelings like that before. Maybe that's why I
overreacted."
	"Don't worry your pretty little head, Scully. I'll send him to
the hospital as soon as I find him."
	"Thanks, Frohike," she says somewhat sadly and then they hang
up.
	She is so afraid that she has driven him away, pushed him
beyond the breaking point.
	She loves him and has never even told him so. Before she was
afraid to tell him and now she desperately NEEDS to tell him.
	She picks up her overnight bag by the door and walks out.

**********

	When she arrives at the hospital, Scully is examined. She was
right. She is definitely in labor. She is admitted and put in a room.
	Once she is settled, Scully phone sher Mom. Maggie tells her
that she'll be right there.
	It isn't too long before Maggie shows up. Scully is really
happy to see her.
	Maggie can tell that her daughter is really worried about
something.
	"Dana, what's wrong?"
	When she looks at her Mom, a single tear cascades down her
cheek. "Mulder and I had a terrible fight!" she says, her voice
quivering.
	"What about honey?" she asks seeing the pain in her daughter's
face.
	"I couldn't let him in. I had to prove I could do everything
myself. I'm afraid that I may have really blown it this time. Frohike
is trying to find him, but ...."
	"Dana, it's going to take a lot more than a fight to separate
you two,"  Maggie tells her.
	"I sure hope so. I was so angry and frustrated with the whole
situation. I was angry at myself for not being able to tell him how I
really felt about him. I took that anger out on him. It's not his
fault. I was frustrated with the way our relationship was going. I
can't lose him, Mom!"

**********

	Frohike checks out all the places he knew where Mulder might
have gone if he was angry and upset.
	He didn't have much luck, except for a couple of places
telling him that HAD been there.
	O'Grady's, a bar down the street from Mulder's apartment said
he had been there about an hour ago. The bartender told him that he
might want to wait before he confrtoned him about anything. He was
drunk and very combative when he left. Frohike tells him that he can't
afford to wait -- he's about to become a proud papa!
	Being as she was right here, Frohike decided to go and try his
apartment.
	There was no response when he knocked, but he didn't let that
stop him. He took out his handy dandy lock pick and was inside in a
minute.
	At first glance, nothing looked amiss, but Frohike decided to
look a bit further. As soon as he walked into the bedroom, he saw
Mulder sprawled out on the bed. He was either asleep or passed out.
Judging from what the bartender at O'Grady's had told him, he assumed
the latter applied.
	Frohike went over and gently shook him, but there was no
response.
	Then he went and got some water and splashed it his face.
	He moaned and swung his arm. Luckily, Frohike managed to get
out of it's way.
	He slowly opened up his eyes. When he sees Frohike, he rolls
onto his side.  "Leave me the hell alone! Let me die in peace!"
	"Not a chance," Frohike says, smiling and shaking his head.
"Time to get up. You have a date to keep."
	"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about."
	"The fair Agent Scully ..."
	Mulder cuts him off. "Let me tell you," he says almost
shouting. "She's never going to want to look at me again and I don't
blame her."
	"Well that's kind of funny," Frohike says, "since she's the
one who asked me to find you."
	"What? Mulder says as he sits up suddenly. He gets a sharp
stabbing pain in his head and the room starts to spin. He quickly
falls back down on the bed.  "She must have a few more names she
forgot to call me."
	"Mulder, you really under-estimate her. She wants to see you."
	"I can't imagine why she would."
	"She called me on her way to the hospital. She was worried
about you."
	As soon as Mulder hears the word 'hospital' he feels the panic
rising from his gut.
	"Is she okay? Did something happen to her? ... or the baby?"
he asks terrified. If he hadn't been so pig headed, Scully would be
okay.
	"Nothing happened that we weren't expecting."
	Mulder looked perplexed. "What are you talking about?"
	"God, you can be dense sometimes Mulder ... she's in labor!"
	"Oh my god," slips out of his mouth involuntarily.
	"She wants you there, Mulder, so I suggest you take a shower
and pull yourself togehter."
	He gets up off the bed and heads towards the bathroom, but
stops at the door. He turns back and looks at Frohike.
	"How can I ever face her? After what happened, she'll never
forgive me!" he says sadly.
	"You're going to have to figure that one out for yourself I'm
afraid. I only know that she asked me to find you for her. I'm not
going to let her down and you better not either got it?"
	He shakes his head lightly and proceeds to the bathroom.
	Frohike tells him that he's going to put on a pot of coffee
and then he'll be on his way. He might want to consider a cup or two
before he goes to the hospital.
	Once the coffee is made, Frohike slips out of the apartment.
Mulder was still in the shower.
	As Mulder stands under the warm spray from the shower, he ran
over their argument in his mind. He had said some really terrible
things. He could hardly believe that she still wanted him there. But
if she wanted him there, he'd be there. Then he promised himself that
he wouldn't waste any time apologizing and telling her how he really
felt.

**********

	A while later, Scully casually looks up and sees Frohike
standing in the doorway.
	"Why are you standing out there?"
	"I didn't want to disturb you," he answers as he slowly walks
into the room.
	Scully swallows deeply and says a silent prayer that he was
successful.
	"Did you find him?" she asks, suddenly feeling desperate.
	"Yes, I did. He was in his apartment. He'd turned his cell
phone off. It seems he really tied one on after your fight. I don't
know what you guys fought about, but it must have been bad. I've never
seen him like that before."
	Terror races across her face and Frohike spots it immediately.
	"Don't worry. He's okay. He's just cleaning up a bit so he
doesn't scare you to death."
	"He's coming then?" Scully asks anxiously.
	"Of course he is. He thought he'd ruined everything with you.
He couldn't believe you still wanted him here. He's SO sorry!"
	"Thank you, Frohike, I'll never be able to thank you enough."
	"I was glad I could help, but I really should get going," he
says as he turns and head for the door. Before he leaves, he says, "If
he doesn't show, I'd be more than happy to go and kick his ass again.
Just let me know."
	Scully smiles. "Thanks. He'll be here." To herself she says.
<He just has to be!>

**********

	Dr. Livingston enters the room at the end of a particularly
difficult contraction.
	When it is over, she says, "Well, Dana, how are things going?"
	"Okay I guess. The contractions are getting somewhat stronger
now."
	"Well let's have a look and see how things are coming along."
	"Okay."
	Dr. Livingston conducts the examination and tells her that she
is not quite 5cm. Still a while to go.
	"Actually, I'm just as glad of that. Mulder's on his way. I
rreally don't want him to miss this."
	"Does that mean you have worked everything out?"
	"No. It just means that I intend to work it out and if he
shows up, I guess he want to too. I'm sure he's going to show up."
	"You seem pretty confident."
	"I am. I'm going to tell him how I feel. No holds barred. I'm
pretty sure he feels the same. We have to rely on our feelings to get
us through."
	"I hope everything works out for you, Dana."
	"Thanks. I'm determined to make it work."
	"I've got to go, but I'll be back to check on you in a little
while.
	Scully shakes her head affirmatively as she lays back and
closes her eyes.

***********

	After a couple of cups of coffee and a quick shower, Mulder
heads for his car.
	He is so nervous and anxious. All the way to the hospital, he
keeps replaying their fight in his mind. He acted like such an idiot!
How could she ever forgive him?  Wait a minute. This is Scully -- she
seems to be able to forgive me just about anything. Please let this be
one of those times.
	He loved her SO much. Her and the baby were his whole life.
Without them he was nothing and he had nothing. How could a person
treat someone they love like that? He wasn't good for anything. Maybe
she was better off without him. Maybe he should just turn around and
go home. He actually pulled the car over to the side of the road and
seriously considered returning home.  When he saw the pain in Scully's
eyes, he knew he couldn't do it, so he kept on driving.
	By the time he arrived at the hospital, he had made up his
mind that he was going to beg her to give him one more chance. He
needed her -- needed them!
	He could be a better father than his had been -- not that that
would be difficult. Besides, Scully would never let him do any of the
things his father had done to him. She would never let him do the
things to this baby that his mother had allowed his father to do to
him.
	When he arrived at the hospital he parked the car and head
inside.
	He stopped at the front desk and asked where to find labor and
delivery. He was given directions and head there immediately.
	On the elevator, he said a silent prayer that she would be
able to find it in her heart to forgive him.
	The elevator doors opend and he stepped out.
	<Now where was it Frohike sia dher room was ... that's right
... first room on the left, past the nurses' station. A hand comes out
of nowhere and grabs his arm. He stops and turns to see who has
grabbed him.
	Looking back at him is a very large black nurse.
	"I'm sorry, sir, but you can't just wander around here at
will. If this is how you get your vicarious thrills, you'll have to go
elsewhere!"

**********

	Scully had been dozing between contractions and she was slowly
awoken by a commotion out in the hall. It takes her a minute to
realize that it's Mulders' voice she's hearing. He sounds very upset.
	<If she sends him away, I'm gonna kill her!> Scully thinks to
herself.
	"Sir, this is labor and delivery. It's not like a regular
ward. You can't just waltz in here whenever you please ... "
	Everytime he tries to speak, she silences him with a glare
that could kill.
	Afraid the nurse is about to tell him to leave, she calls out
"Nurse!  Nurse! I need to speak to you right now!"
	The nurse pokes her head in the door and says, "As soon as I
resolve this problem, I'll be right there."
	"I can solve the problem for you if you'd just listen."
	She turns her attention back to the hallway and says, "You,
stay right there!" Then she walks to the foot of Scully's bed.
	"Miss Scully, I really don't see ..."
	Scully cuts her off ignoring the sarcasm in her voice.
	"The man you are arguing with out there came to see me."
	"He still can't just march in here whenever he wants!"
	Scully feels another contraction starting and really isn't in
the mood to argue with her right now.
	"He is the father of my baby and I would really appreciate
your sending him in here -- NOW!" she shouts as she drops her head
back on the bed and concentrates on her breathing to get her through
the contraction.
	The nurse looks at her quizzically, not quite sure that she
believes her.
	"Please!" Scully begs. Either the nurse decided to believe her
or she wasn't going to fight anymore, because when she went out into
the hallway, she sent Mulder in.
	Scully didn't care why. She was just glad that he was there,
but had no idea where he was. She wanted to call out to him, but the
contraction demanded ALL of her attention.
	When it was finally over and she slowly opened her eyes,
Mulder was all but glued to the wall just inside the door. He had a
look of terror on his face.
	Her heart went out to him. She wasn't sure if it was their
argument or watching the contraction that frightened him more.
	She beckons for him to come closer. He slowly moves over
beside the bed.  He is obviously uncomfortable. They just look at each
other for several minutes, neither one having the words to express
what they're feeling.
	Finally she reaches out for his hand. Hesitantly he takes her
hand, holding it very loosely.
	When her action doesn't elicit any response, she goes to pull
her hand away, but he doesn't let go.
	When she looks up in his face she saw a look that she couldn't
ever remember seeing there before. It was deep and abiding love.
	"Thanks for coming," she says so quietly he can barely hear
her. "Did you really think I wouldn't?"
	"After the fight we had, I wasn't sure of anything."
	"Scully ..."
	"Please just listen to me. There are a couple of things I need
to say.
	First of all, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted the way I
did. I was angry and frustrated with myself and I took it out on you.
You didn't deserve that."
	Mulder tries to interrupt, but Scully puts her finger to his
lips to keep him silent.
	"There's something I should have told you a long time ago. If
I had we wouldn't have had that fight. I refuse to waste anymore time
... Mulder, I love you."
	He looks kind of surprised, but he doesn't say anything. She
gives it a few minutes to sink in and then she continues.
	"When I asked you to be my baby's father, I was completely
honest with you.  Yes, I wanted a baby, but more than that I wanted
YOUR baby."
	Now he definitely look shocked.
	"Scully, I never ..." Before he can finish she grabs his hand
again as another contraction begins.
	Mulder feels very awkward. He knows she's in a lot of pain and
he desperately wants to help, but he doesn't know what to do.
	When the contraction is finally over, Scully looks at him and
instantly sees the fear in his eyes.
	"Don't look so scared Mulder. I'll be okay ... will you staY?
she asks, hoping against hope that he will.
	He doesn't say anything for several minutes.
	Scully begins to get a bit worried. She can tell by the look
on his face that he's carefully considering what he's about to say.
	"Scully, this is a lot to take in all at once. I'm still kind
of trying to regain my balance ... I love you, too. I have for a very
long time."
	With that all the tension and worry drained out of her face.
She knew that as long as he loved her too, they could get through this
and anything else they wanted to throw at them. She reached out and
took his hand and pulled him to her. Then she reaches up and threw her
arms around him.
	They remained like that -- wrapped in each other's arms -- for
several minutes, neither of them saying a word.
	Finally Scully whispers in ear, "I don't believe you answered
my question."
	When she pulls back a bit, she sees the huge tears in Mulder's
eyes. Just seeing him like that brings tears to her eyes, but she is
determined to hold them in.
	"What's wrong?" she asks as she reaches up to wipe away the
few tears that have started to fall down his cheeks.
	"It's just that I can't believe this actually is happening!"
he tells her very seriously.
	The intensity of the moment almost bowls her over. She
attempts to lighten the mood a little by saying, "Mulder, this is the
usual result of being pregnant, believe it or not." Then she smiles
broadly.
	"Scully! That's not what I meant! I mean this is pretty
overwhelming too, but ... I just never dreamt that you could possibly
love me too. I wished for it ... god knows I prayed for it ... but I
never really believed it could happen! I knew you were my friend and I
knew you cared about me, but never ... "
	Scully looks up at him and tells him to sit down beside her on
the bed.  Once he is settled, she reaches up and gently kisses him. "I
do love you, Mulder. Believe it!"
	He doesn't know what to say, so he just pulls her to him. He
can feel that familiar tingle in his groin. <God, not now!> he thinks
to himself.
	As he pulls her against his body, he feels her tens up. He
immediately lets go and jumps up off the bed.
	<My God, what the hell is wrong with me? She's about to have a
baby and I'm getting turned on. She's going to be furious with me this
time and she has every right to be.> He drops his eyes to the floor.
It's too embarrasing to look at her.
	She reaches out and clasps his hand in hers. "No, Mulder. It's
just another contraction ... Stay right here!"
	He still can't bring himself to look at her. He remains silent
until the contraction is over.
	"I'm sorry. I think I'd better go."
	"Why?" Scully asks, hurt.
	"You don't need this right now."
	When she looks at him to ask what he's talking about, she
notices the rather obvious bulge in his pants. NOW she understands
what's wrong.
	She takes his hands and pulls him closer. "It's okay Mulder.
Don't worry about it."
	"Waht the hell is wrong with me? How can I feel this way?" he
exclaims.  "You must be furious.
	"No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think it's a
compliment. I mean, look at me, I'm not exactly at my best and this is
how you react to a kiss.  It boggles the my mind to think of the
possibilities there."
	"Scully, it's the first time we ever kissed that ... that ..."
	"That we knew how each other felt and that it wasn't a kiss of
friendship."
	He looks at her, amazed. "You really do understand," he says.
	"Don't you think I felt the same thing? It's just a lot easier
for a female to hide it."
	He smiles. "God, I love you, Scully. Soon, I promise. Soon I
will SHOW you exactly how much I love you."
	She smiles back at him. "I'm going to hold you to that!" He
leans down and kisses her.
	A moment later, Dr. Livingston walks into the room. "So, how's
it going, Dana?"
	"Terrific!" she says as she squeezes Mulder's hand.
	Dr. Livingston kinds of looks at her strangely. "I haven't
seen too many women in labor that are that happy and enthusiastic."
	"I think I can explain that simply enough." She raises their
clenched hands. "This is Mulder."
	"Well, that definitely explains a lot."
	Mulder stands there, kind of embarrassed. Obviously she knew
whe he was, but he didn't know who she was. <What has Scully told her
about me?> he wonders.
	He'd barely finished the thought when Scully looked up at him
and said, "It was all good Mulder, I promise!"
	MUlder and Dr. Livingston both grin.
	"Dana, I think I'd better check and see how you're doing,
okay?"
	"Sounds good." she says as she rolls over onto her back.
	"I'll just wait outside," Mulder says as he turns towards the
door.
	"Not a chance, buster," Scully says as she refuses to let go
of his hand.  "I'm not ready to let y ou out of my sight yet. I might
wake up and find out this was all a dream."
	"It's no dream, Scully. It's very real. You want me to stay,
then I stay."  She smiles radiantly at him.
	Dr. Livingston proceeds with the examination. When she is
done, she looks concerned. Scully notices immediately. She feels a
lump forming in her throat and tears pooling behind her eyes.
	When Mulder notices this, he puts his aarm around her in an
effort to comfort her.
	"Wh-a-a-t's wrong?" she asks, fear flooding her body and mind.
	"Nothing really. I just would have expected you to be farther
along by now."
	"Is that serious?" Mulder asks, anxiously.
	"Nothing to worry about right now ... Dana, I want you to get
up and walk a bit. Sometimes that helps to move things along more
quickly. You walk a bit and I'll be back to check on you, okay?"
	"Okay, doc," she says.
	Once Dr. Livingston has left the room, Mulder helps Scully to
get up. As soon as she's on her feet, she feels a contraction start.
She tries to slump back on the bed, but Mulder won't let her. He holds
her to him. When the contraction finally subsides, they walk hand in
hand out into the hall.
	The contractions are coming very regular now. since they have
been walking, the contractions have become much stronger and more
intense.
	Each contraction almost sends her crumbling to the floor.
Mulder just holds her tightly. She can literally feel the love seep
from his body to hers. She isn't sure she could do this alone.
	After walking for a little over an hour, just as they are
approaching her room, she feesl another contraction begin, but this
one feels different somehow. At first she doesn't realize why and then
suddenly she feels the urge to push.
	"I gotta push!"
	Mulder goes into panic mode, but luckily there is a nurse
behind her and she jumps right in.
	"just relax," she says as she hurries around the counter.
"Don't push, just breathe."
	She goes around to the other side of Scully and they start to
help her back into her room. By the time they get over by the bed, the
contraction is almost over.
	Mulder isn't taking any chances. He scoops her up and places
her on the bed. She hugs him briefly as he sets her down on the bed.
	Just then Dr. Livingston enters the room.
	"Okay, lets see what's happening," she says as she proceeds
with the examination.
	"I think this is it, Dana. It's time!"
	When the doctor says it's tiem, Mulder freezes! His eyes show
abject terror!
	Scully reaches over and puts her hand on his arm and squeezes
reassuringly.  "Don't worry, Mulder. It'll be okay."
	"It just I ... I don't know what to do ... how to help!"
	"Mulder, you're here and you love me. That's all I need from
you."
	"I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere," he says
nervously. He takes her hand in his and they just stare into each
other's eyes.
	"Okay, Dana," Dr. Livingston says. "I think we're about ready.
On the next contraction, I want you to take a deep breath and blow it
away. Then take another breath, hold it and push as hard as you can!"
Scully nods her head, understanding.
	Dr. Livingston then turns her attention to Mulder.
	"Mr. Mulder, there's a job for you, too. We need you to count
to 10 out loud ... Dana, you need to push until he reaches ten." Now
they both nod their heads to acknowledge their understanding.
	Mulder is SO scared, he probably couldn't get a single word
out. Even though he's scared -- mostly that he won't be able to help
her -- he knows he doesn't have a choice. He HAS to be there for her.
He CAN'T let her down now!
	When she feels the next contraction, she grabs Mulder's hand.
	"Okay, Dana. Deep breath. Blow it away. Another deep breath.
Hold it and PUSH!" Dr. Livingston instructs her.
	Mulder immediately starts counting squeezing her hand all the
while.
	Scully pushes as hard as she can and screams out as she feels
the baby move down.
	"come on, Dana, again!" Dr. Livingston says.
	After pushing for almost an hour, Scully is exhausted.
	"What's wrong?" she begs.
	"Nothing Dana," she says emphatically. "Just, PUSH!"
	Scully tries, but she is really tired.
	Mulder does everything he can to encourage her, but she's just
SO tired!
	Finally the baby's head is delivered. Dr. Livingston
encourages her by telling her that it's almost over.
	"Keep pushing, Dana! Come on, you can do it!" While the head
has been delivered, there doesn't seem to be much progress beyond
that.
	When the next contraction comes, Dr. Livingston realizes what
the problem is. The shoulders are too wide for her to easily deliver.
	"Isn't there anything you can do to help her?" Mulder pleads.
	She looks straight at him and says, "Listen to me carefully.
This is not going to be easy. It seems the baby's shoulders are too
wide. I'm going to have to help pull the baby out as well as have a
hurse try to push the baby out."
	Mulder turns as whitte as a ghost and gulps deeply.
	Just then a nurse enters the room and takes up a position
beside the bed.
	"Dana, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. I't snot
going to be easy, but try and hang in there. We'll do it as quickly as
we can."
	Scully shakes her head affirmatively, just as she feels the
contraction coming on.
	She anxiously reaches out for Mulder. He takes her hand and
then moves up by the head of the bed.
	"Come on Scully," Mulder encourages.
	She takes a deep breath and pushes as hard as she can. Dr.
Livingston tries to maneuver the baby's shoulders out while the nurse
tries to physically push the baby down.
	Then Scully lets out an absolutely blood curdling scream.
	Mulder turns extremely pale and leans up agains the head of
the bed to avoid passing out.
	"The baby's out!" Dr. Livingston says triumphantly. Mulder is
so grateful that it's finally over. He leans down and gently kisses
her.
	"It's a girl," Dr. Livingston announces.
	Mulder gazes into Scully's eyes. She reaches up and gently
touches his cheek as tears start to flow.
	Mulder's head starts to clear as Dr. Livingston asks him if he
wanted to cut the cord. He felt so honoured to be involved in such an
awesome experience.
	He handed the scissors back to t he doctor and then turned and
threw his arms around Scully.
	"She is absolutely gorgeous! I love you!" he says as he kisses
her again.
	"I love you too, Mulder."
	"Scully ... promise me one thing?"
	"What?"
	"Let's not ever fight like that again."
	"Yeah, Let's not," she says as the doctor hands the baby to
her.
	Scully cuddles the baby to her. Mulder puts his arms them and
leans down and kisses his daughter on the top of the head.

THE END