From: Ariel 'xfilesx' <vmfiles@hotmail.com>
          Date: Fri, 22 February 2008 8:34:27pm PST
          Title: The Talk: Saturday Roll (6/7)
          Author: Ariel 'xfilesx'
          Rating: Not Rated
          Spoilers: None
          Keywords: MSR Married
          Disturbed on: Gossamer, Ephemeral and
          Veronica Mars Files
          
          Intro: In this story season 8 and 9 don't
          exist. Although I did enjoy those seasons,
          they don't exist in this universe, and
          very little of season 7. Everything XF
          happened except for the extraction of her
          ovas.
          
          Summary: An AU version of married life
          with Mulder, Scully and their son William.
          I know they might seem completely out of
          character but its married life.
          
          *See part one*
          
          Disclaimer: The characters and situations
          of the television program "The X-Files"
          are the creations and property of Chris
          Carter, Fox Broadcasting, and Ten-Thirteen
          Productions. No copyright infringement is
          intended.
          
          My Beta: None
          
          Note: Please don't repost this story
          without author's permission.
          
          >>>>>>
          Saturday had rolled upon them in a flash.
          The family was at home, with Scully doing
          last minute preparations. She had done the
          cake days earlier and was making side
          dishes for William and his twenty-five
          friends, including parents and David from
          next door. Scully hoped Karen would be
          making an appearance, along with her
          husband, Dave. Mulder was being a
          gentleman, not that he wasn't already. She
          just really stopped and took notice at how
          together he was. How together they both
          were. It made her smile.
          
          She was making her homemade seasoned
          chicken which her husband and her son
          seemed to enjoy. She couldn't believe she
          had forgotten the most important thing, or
          things. Mulder was out and about gathering
          those things while William was still
          asleep. They were going to wait until he
          got up before doing anything birthday
          related. It was the last one. It had to be
          special and sentimental, at least for
          Scully. She seemed to be very emotional
          lately as well too. Must be those
          pregnancy hormones again, she thought.
          Moment later, Mulder breezed in, multiple
          plastic bags in hand.  She was in the
          kitchen tossing a salad for her self,
          while waiting on the chicken. He settled
          the bags on the dinning room table, right
          beside the kitchen. He started taking the
          items out one by one. Scully had forgotten
          a whole lot of things.
          
          "Need any help?" He offered, glancing at
          his pregnant wife while continuing his
          task. She laughed at the offer.
          
          "It's just like you to offer your
          'assistance' when I'm only doing one
          thing." She said, he let out a breathily
          chuckle because it was true, very true.
          
          "Well... do you?" He asked hopeful, with a
          smile and a look as bright as day.
          
          "Of course not." She replied with a crease
          of her rosy lips and just enough arch in
          her brow to abduct his little heart.
          William was still very much asleep so he
          didn't have to watch his parents get mushy
          on each other which he hated and found to
          be gross.
          
          "Is the birthday boy still asleep?" He
          asked, putting the extras away in the
          cabinet near her. She was taking her time
          preparing the salad to her liking.
          
          "Yeah, he sorta had a late night. It
          shouldn't be too long though." She
          answered, leaning back, looking into the
          living room at the wall clock. It was
          still fairly early so she wasn't expecting
          him up anytime soon. Maybe another hour or
          so, he'd rise to the occasion in his name.
          The day his mother gave birth to him, that
          cold night at Georgetown Medical, he came
          into the world and was named William,
          after his father. Her reminiscent thoughts
          were pulled to a halt as the phone began
          to ring. Scully looked at Mulder,
          knowingly, for him to answer it. He
          stopped his task, taking in her look and
          answering the phone.
          
          Whatever he was talking about on the
          phone, he tried to get out of it. From the
          heightened stress patterns in his voice,
          she could tell it wasn't good. It was
          probably something he didn't wanna hear.
          It was most likely something she didn't
          want to hear. He stayed on the phone for a
          little over 6 minutes. She was watching
          him instead of making her salad. Scully
          couldn't decipher whatever it was Mulder
          was trying to put off, this being a one
          way conversation in all. He sighed into
          the phone, hesitantly hanging it up. She
          turned to him, right hand on hip. He
          couldn't meet her gaze.
          
          "What is it?" She asked, preparing herself
          for what was to come. He knew she wouldn't
          like it one bit and of all the days,
          today. He finally met her eager stare.
          
          "That was Tammy. She rescheduled my
          appointments for today by mistake. I can't
          get out of this one." He told her. She was
          pissed, instantly at the name Tammy. She
          turned away from him, continuing her work.
          She started to mutter obscenities to
          herself about the situation until they
          became audible. She opened the cabinet for
          the croutons, angrily slamming the door.
          Mulder looked on, not believing what he
          was seeing. It's not like he wanted to go.
          They needed to make money some way.
          
          "I can't believe you, and of all days! I
          can't win for losing." She hissed, shaking
          the contents onto her halfway completed
          salad. He was afraid to approach her
          almost. There was no telling what she'd do
          in the state she was in. Five months
          pregnant or not, she was viral, hell,
          scary even. He worked up the courage and a
          few reassuring lines. Even if he wasn't
          sure how long these few appointments would
          take him. He finally reached out, grabbing
          her hands and stilling them from her task.
          He spoke in the softest tone that calmed
          her almost immediately. She couldn't stay
          mad at him now.
          
          "It's not like I want to go. But I have
          too." He said.
          
          "But why? This-this-this Tammy sees you
          more than your own son. And what about
          me?" She croaked with her voice slightly
          breaking. She was upset, she couldn't look
          at him.
          
          "This is for you. For *us*. All of us. And
          if I didn't have to go, I wouldn't." He
          confirmed with a squeeze to her hands. She
          knew that but was still upset. He brought
          his hands up to cup her face, and leaned
          forward, kissing all her worries away. She
          stood there, letting him kiss her,
          caressing her cheeks as he did so. She opened
          her mouth to him, accepting his
          reassurance. He pulled away after a few
          moments, resting his forehead against
          hers. She sighed, eyes closed. She still
          couldn't look him directly in the eyes
          until he tipped her head up to meet his
          gaze.
          
          "Mulder---" She started to say as he did
          so but then he cut her off.
          
          "I'll be back later. Don't forget to tell
          the birthday boy to wish big." He said,
          letting go. She nodded, as he grabbed his
          dress coat from the hall closet to put on
          top of his non-working attire. He was
          almost out the door.
          
          "Mulder." She called, hand on her stomach.
          "Just--- be careful." She told him. He
          nodded his okay, leaving their home on a
          day of remembrance and new memories.
          
          **
          On his way to his office, he was hoping
          his patient was in desperate need of
          guidance since he was practically yanked
          from a family event. Not just any family,
          but *his* family. The only family he had.
          His father was gone and his mother, also
          gone. He took pride in his family and was
          thrilled when Scully welcomed him to hers
          with open arms. But now, this was how he
          showed his appreciation? By running off to
          work instead of simply saying no or
          canceling. But he couldn't. It was up to
          him to make sure his patient's stayed sane
          members of society. He couldn't turn his
          back on them. As soon as he got there, he
          noticed the blinds on the building were
          slightly cracked, letting light seep in
          from all directions. He jogged to the
          door, not knowing what to expect.
          
          When his assistant called him, she told
          him about one of his tricky patients.
          Michael Barrister was his name. He didn't
          like being alone, he had detachment issues
          and was very needy along with various
          other things which was understandable. He
          hadn't seen his daughter in ages and it
          was very upsetting for him when Mulder
          brought her up in any of their sessions.
          He had to break that wall down. During
          sessions when he thought he had a
          breakthrough, the defensive walls were up
          high once again. Tammy was at the lobby
          desk. As soon as she saw him she jumped up
          from the desk.
          
          "Fox!" She yelped. Oh brother, she's
          calling him by his first name again. He
          blatantly ignored it
          
          "Where is he?" He asked.
          
          "In your office. I--"
          
          "You left him alone!?" Good gravy, she
          left his problem patient all by himself.
          He probably thought he wasn't going to
          show. And he told her what she should do
          if a patient showed up and he was
          unavailable. Stay by their side and make
          sure their calm and collected before
          contacting him, especially if they didn't
          want a repeat of the knife incident. It
          scared Scully to death, especially at the
          sight of his appearance the night he
          returned home. He certainly didn't want a
          reenactment of that day. He reached his
          office door as she followed suit.
          
          "I didn't know what else to do. I---" She
          was trying to say but he waved it away
          with a hand.
          
          "It's ok." He said, retreating to his
          office with his waiting patient. Tammy
          went back to the lobby desk, still wearing
          those revealing outfits.
          
          Mulder's patient was frantically pacing
          his office. Touching various things, all
          the long while, whispering to himself,
          panicking almost.
          
          "Michael." Mulder said in a calming tone,
          his patient still pacing the room, biting
          his nails in anticipation.
          
          "Doctor Mulder... I didn't think you were
          coming." Michael Barrister blurted out
          frantically through a mouth full of
          fingers and nails. He was still pacing the
          office until Mulder suggested he calm down
          and take a sit, directing him to a chair.
          Mulder went to his desk, pulling out a
          readied tape recorder and starting it. He
          gently gestured for him to tell him what
          was on his mind.
          
          "I've been having suicidal thoughts. I
          held a knife to my wrist a few times
          before calling. Nothing in my life is
          going right. I can't take it." The man
          said, putting his head between his legs,
          practicing the breathing exercises Mulder
          told him to do when he felt life had
          cheated him.
          
          "Life is life. Not everything is perfect.
          You've got to learn to deal, for your
          daughter. I know you want to see her
          again, and she wants to see you." He
          informed him in his soft doctor's tone
          reserved solely for his patients. Here, he
          was another person. Nothing here would
          follow him home. He hoped anyway. Michael
          Barrister screamed at that, beating
          himself in the head with closed fists.
          
          "No! I can't-- I can't." He yelled,
          beginning to cry. This man was trying to
          be tough for everyone until one day; he
          broke, shattering into a million pieces.
          And now is where he is, trying to piece
          himself back together. He was broken.
          
          "Yes, you can. But only if you believe
          it." Mulder said in a meaningful voice
          that stopped his patient hard. He opened
          his bottom desk drawer, sliding a box of
          tissue across the top to him.
          
          **
          A long while later
          
          Michael Barrister was long gone. After
          having a meaningful talk, Mulder was sure
          this was the breakthrough he had been
          searching for. He offered to call a
          specialist for double treatment. He
          quickly agreed. Their session was over but
          he still had a lot of healing to do. He
          showed him to the door and told him to
          call if he felt those thoughts were
          becoming to strong and graphic for him to
          face alone.
          
          Mulder was filling out a patient referral
          form for him. He wanted him to see one of
          his psychologist friends for further
          evaluation. He missed a large portion of
          his son's birthday and felt terrible he
          couldn't be there. He was flying through
          the form, faxing copies of Barrister's
          file over to his friend. He had talked to
          his friend over the phone, convincing him
          to take part of his case load. He agreed
          with Mulder thanking him for taking it.
          
          Tammy walked in a short time later with a
          sack of files she had organized. She
          placed the files in alphabetical order in
          Mulder's filing cabinets. She hadn't
          spoken since earlier until now.
          
          "I'm sorry... about earlier. I thought I was
          following procedure." Tammy said quickly
          yet quietly, opening up different drawers
          on the cabinet. Mulder looked up from his
          desk task to acknowledge her.
          
          "You were. And it's okay. I'd just like to
          get home." He said, going back to his
          report. Mulder wanted to get home and
          fast. Spend all the time he could with his
          son. And make it up to Scully. She was
          pregnant and needed him at this time and
          look where he was. Tammy sighed turning
          back to the files.
          
          "What's going on at home?" She asked,
          looking over her shoulder.
          
          "Believe it or not, my son turned 9
          today." He sadly announced, quicken his
          writing hand. He wanted to get this done
          before nightfall which was peeking over
          the horizon.
          
          "At least let me make it up to you." She
          offered. He hadn't looked up again since
          she came in. The lights in his office
          suddenly went out. Mulder dropped his pen
          on his work, exasperated that he couldn't
          finish. He finally looked up and couldn't
          believe what he was seeing. He rubbed his
          eyes trying to assure himself that it
          wasn't what he thought he saw. His
          assistant had unbuttoned her shirt. He
          realized she was standing by the light
          switch. He couldn't move. He was
          completely stunned. She started to sway
          toward him, rubbing her bra covered
          breasts as she moved.
          
          "Oh god." He whispered, still stunned. He
          just looked on. He couldn't move. He felt
          frozen, constricted. He couldn't believe
          it. He thought it was just his imagination
          getting the best of him. She climbed into
          his lap, running her hands over him,
          grinding her pelvis area into his crotch.
          He couldn't believe it, yet he was still
          frozen in place. He hadn't moved and
          couldn't stop it. This wasn't want he
          wanted at all. He tried to fight her away
          as she tried to kiss him.
          
          "I'm gonna make you forget all about her.
          You don't know how long I've wanted you."
          She breathed against him, still trying to
          kiss him.
          
          "No. No. No." He repeated over and over
          again but it wasn't registering with her.
          She started on his shirt buttons, trying
          to unveil his soft, smooth skin. He didn't
          want to hurt her, but he didn't want this
          either. He couldn't cheat on his wife.
          Never would he do such a thing. He was
          still paralyzed.
          
          "Yes... yes." She said, her tongue shooting
          out over his neck. He pushed her off of
          him and to the floor, quickly standing
          from his seat at his desk.
          
          "I said no!" He clamored, putting his
          hands over his face. She was stunned by
          his actions, pulling her legs open then
          closed; revealing herself and what he just
          missed out on. She pulled her shirt closed
          along with her legs, still on the floor.
          He tried to calm down and collect himself
          before speaking again.
          
          "Why would you want her when you could
          have all this? She can't pleasure you the
          way I can. Especially not with the way she
          looks now. What could you possibly see in
          her? Why do you want that thing?" She bit
          out.
          
          "Because I *love* her!" He shouted over
          Tammy's bitter monologue. That shut her up
          then. He rubbed the bridge of his nose,
          frustrated and confused. He didn't need to
          tell this woman that. What he should have
          been doing was telling his wife that he
          did. He sighed, looking to the ceiling for
          some sort of guidance.
          
          "Look, this isn't working out. I'm gonna
          have to ask you to leave. I-I'll mail you
          your check." He said, evenly, now in total
          control.
          
          "Are you firing me?" She asked, standing
          up, still working her buttons back down.
          
          "If that's what it sounds like to you then
          yes." He said, with conviction, taking her
          by the arm and tossing her out of his
          office.
          
          "Hey!" She yelled as he threw her out. She
          angrily kicked the closed door. He turned
          his back to it, sliding to the floor. What
          just happened, he knew he had to tell
          Scully. He finally heard the front door
          slam. He lightly banged the back of his
          head against the half wooden door. He let
          *it* go on for what seemed like ages. Even
          if he didn't do anything with Tammy,
          Scully would probably never forgive him.

          He prepared himself for his journey home.
          The sun had settled behind the glossy
          night sky and he was done. He faxed over
          the last sheet from the Barrister file,
          wiping at his neck with his sleeve which
          felt tainted to him.
          
          **
          Tell Scully and maybe she won't kill you,
          he thought, gripping the stirring wheel in
          his car awfully tight. He arrived home to
          a hallway lit house. He snuck in quietly,
          softly settling his briefcase on the wood
          floor. He son came around the corner from
          their room in his PJs. He spotted his dad
          and ran toward him in excitement.
          
          "Dad, you missed it!"
          
          "I know. And I'll make it up to you." He
          told him making William frown, crossing
          his arms in front of him. He was so cute
          when he was trying to be serious. "I
          promise." Mulder assured him, making
          William brighten a bit.
          
          "It was great and the whole neighbor came.
          And it well--- it was fun until mom fell."
          William said looking away. Now it was
          Mulder's turn to frown.
          
          "Your mother fell?" He queried at his son
          for him to tell every detail now but he
          simply shrugged.
          
          "Yeah, sort of... she'll have to tell you."
          He said, shrugging once more. "So what'd
          you get me?" He asked hopeful. Mulder
          kneeled down to his son's level.
          
          "It's in the closet." He said, his eyes
          moving over the closet door. William just
          about zoomed away to it until his dad
          grabbed him.
          
          "Uh-uh. Hold it right there. And?" William
          knew what he was asking. He wasn't crazy,
          they didn't raise him crazy.
          
          "I brushed my teeth." William said,
          showing him his brushed teeth. His dad
          looked making sure he did. Okay good next.
          
          "And?" He asked once more.
          
          "And I did everything. Please?" He wanted
          to get to that closet. His dad let him go,
          letting the other and slid. He was very
          excited to see what was in it. He ran to
          it, opening it up. He saw nothing. He gave
          his dad an appalled look. Telling him he
          wasn't very happy at what he saw in the
          closet, nothing. Mulder sighed, getting up
          from his kneeling position to go to the
          closet. He moved some jackets over to the
          side that unveiled a white bag with a big
          box in it. William got excited all over
          again and jumped inside, dragging the bag
          out with him. He ripped all the paper off
          of the box, with Mulder looking on with a
          smile of happiness and pure joy. He got it
          open and stopped dead in his tracks.
          
          "Oh, this is awesome. Thank you so
          much!" William said, giving his dad a
          great big hug, he hugged back, absolutely
          glad that he liked his gift to much. It
          was that game he was trying to buy online a
          while back along with a new system and a
          few more games inside.
          
          "Happy birthday kiddo... sorry I missed it
          earlier." He said. They pulled away,
          eyeing the gift.
          
          "Now go to bed."
          
          "But I--" He wanted to play the game.
          
          "No. In the morning." He suggested.
          William frowned, taking the system into
          his room.
          
          "Here. Mom wanted some ice. Goodnight." He
          said, handing his dad a towel.
          
          "Goodnight." Mulder said, as William made
          it to his room, closing the door. Mulder
          sighed, going to the kitchen for ice.
          
          Scully was in bed wondering why it was
          taking her son so long to get some ice.
          She was trying like hell to reach her
          throbbing ankle but her belly was in the
          way of it all. It definitely taught her
          not to host a birthday party while
          pregnant again.
          
          "Wil--" She was about to call until Mulder
          walked into the room with the ice.
          
          "What are you doing here?" She asked him,
          quirking her brows up at him from the bed.
          
          "I live here." He answered. Not really
          sure what to make of her question. She
          rephrased instead.
          
          "No. I mean what are you doing home at
          this time? I wasn't expecting you until
          later." She said, looking at his
          appearance. His shirt was unbuttoned a few
          more than when he had left the house and
          his shirt wasn't tucked in like it was
          earlier.
          
          "I wasn't expecting *me* until later
          either." He retorted. She looked away for
          a moment then back at him, she noticed he
          had the towel she gave William.
          
          "Is that my ice?" She asked.
          
          "It is." He replied, walking toward her
          and perching on the edge of the bed.
          
          "And where do you need this *requested*
          ice?" He emphasized.
          
          "On my ankle." She answered, making a
          pained sound. She gestured for him to
          either put the ice on the spot or give it
          to her. He uncovered her covered ankle,
          revealing a slightly pink and purple
          bruise around the paleness of her skin and
          ankle bone. He ran a finger over the spot,
          looking intently at it then at her.
          
          "Now how did this happen?"
          
          "I sorta fell." She said.
          
          "Yeah, I know just as much. But how?" He
          said, placing the frozen ice on her ankle.
          She barely even made a sound.
          
          "I tripped over our flowerbed as the kids
          were running around. Luckily Dave was
          standing near me and he caught me before I
          made contact with the cement." She
          informed him.
          
          "I just wish I was there to catch you."
          
          "Well... you weren't. And it's okay. I also
          think it's time we talk."
          
          "That's good because I need to talk to
          you." He was about to start, not exactly
          meeting her eyes. He had prepped himself
          on his way home on how to approach the
          Tammy situation with his wife.
          
          "No, no... let me get this out." She
          suggested. He quieted down, letting her
          say what she wanted to say.
          
          "I know you're a good man. You're hard
          working and sometimes you have to do what
          ever it is you need to do. But I get
          lonely, needy and jealous all the time.
          And I try to stay positive always but it's
          just hard when you have to run off
          somewhere every two seconds. I know you
          mean well. I really do. I just don't know.
          I feel-- sometimes I feel like we've lost
          that spark in our marriage. Like we're at
          the point of something that could turn
          ugly... quickly and I don't want that for
          us. I want more. And I don't mean more
          gifts or jewelry, none of that. I just
          want you." She told him. 

          That was the longest and most meaningful 
          thing she said to him in months and he 
          wanted to take her just then but she was 
          in pain and thought better of it. He smiled 
          at her instead, taking in the moment.
          
          "Have I told you how much I love you
          lately?" He stated, tickling her calves.
          
          "Nope. I don't believe you have. But we
          can start fresh today." Smirking and
          laughing as he did so. She playfully
          slapped his hands away. "Stop that." She
          said, and he did.
          
          "Now what was it you wanted to tell me?"
          She asked him sweetly as he caressed and
          rubbed her swollen ankle.
          
          "Just that I feel the same way. From now
          on I'm going to try and work from home so
          I can be here for you and for William." He
          told her. Tammy didn't seem like the thing
          to bring up at that point so he placed it 
          on a backburner.
          
          "I would love that. But could you do me a
          favor?" She asked of him with a side ways
          smile.
          
          "Anything." He informed her. Whatever it
          was he'd do it for her.
          
          "Could you, you know... massage...?" She
          pointed at her milk heavy breasts. They
          were hurting her and nothing she was doing
          was working. She figured she could ask but
          didn't think he would want to do it if
          they weren't going to make love. He
          hesitated for a few minutes and she
          recognized his discomfort.
          
          "I'm sorry. You don't have to." She told
          him.
          
          "No. I want to." He told her, pushing her
          back in a laying position. He took the ice
          from her ankle and placed it on the
          nightstand. He probably should have tossed
          it in the sink knowing it would melt right
          through the wood. She closed her eyes as
          he reached up and pulled her housecoat
          open, loosening a few buttons on her
          pajama top. He moved the fabric over to
          unveil her beautiful, milky skinned
          breasts. They had gotten quite large over
          the last few months, with Mulder
          pretending he hadn't noticed. He took her
          left breast in hand, left to him but it
          was her right, rubbing and needling it
          gently. She let out a deep sigh and
          seconds later a groan at the touch. He ran
          his thumb over her milk stiffened nipple,
          caressing it and surrounding skin. Her
          breasts were the only ones he'd dare
          touch. She was perfect in everyway and he
          silently thanked god that she was created
          for him. In all her presences and beauty,
          mixed with the love he felt for her,
          together they made William, their son.
          
          "Mmm, that feels wonderful." She sighed.
          He was satisfied with that response and
          moved over to it's twin. Giving it the 
          same treatment he had performed on the
          other just moments ago. A few minutes
          later, her breath had evened out and she had
          fallen asleep while he was doing this to
          her, for her. He stopped, pulling her top
          back closed. He moved her underneath the
          covers to sleep.
          
          He arose from the edge of the bed, taking
          the ice into the bathroom with him. He
          emptied the frozen water into the sink to
          thaw and dissipate. He couldn't look at
          himself in the mirror. He was sure he'd
          wouldn't like what he'd see. He quickly 
          stripped off his clothes, putting them 
          all inside the clothes hamper. He didn't 
          even wait for the water to heat up as he 
          stepped inside. Feeling completely 
          disgusted with his self for not stopping 
          it sooner, for letting it go as far as it 
          did. The water was hot and cold against 
          his skin, but he didn't care because it 
          was how he truly felt inside. 

          Scully was going to either find out on her 
          own or he'd have to tell her. He knew she'd 
          appreciate it more if he personally told her 
          but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He 
          couldn't watch her heart shattered into a 
          billion pieces in front of him again and 
          because of something he had done. It was 
          something that could have been avoided at 
          the beginning if only he had listened to
          Scully. Damn woman's intuition.
          
          He was out of the shower a while later as
          clean as he was going to get and in a
          plain white t-shirt and pajama bottoms. He
          opened the closed bathroom door for bed.
          Scully was on her side, all warm and
          snuggly underneath the sheets. She looked
          content, peaceful. Something Mulder wished
          he could experience as well. He left their
          room to check everything just as he had
          always done and to make sure William was
          asleep. He was asleep alright, with the
          game system in bed with him. Mulder
          chuckled, prying it out of his sleepy grip
          and settling it on the floor. He closed
          his son's door, placing all his weight
          against the hallway wall, completely lost
          in thought. He was so confused.

          Psychologists were supposed to have their
          lives together but not Mulder. He closed
          his eyes as though he were about to sleep
          against the wall. Tonight, thought was all
          he had.
          
          The End.
          
          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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