Seasons VI: Vernal Equinox  by Jude Dettmann


Part 1


	Rae felt herself falling down the ravine as though in slow
motion. She watched her hands waving and felt twigs and brush slap
against her face. She saw the sky and ground interchange as she
tumbled end over end.

	She managed to tuck herself into a roll and attempted to grab
on to the passing branches. But she wasn't falling in slow motion.
The same moment she made a grab for a branch it was out of reach.
She rolled, gaining momentum until, with a sickening crunch and a
flash of stars before her eyes she came to a crashing halt against a
large tree. A searing pain shot up her arm and she tried to call
out, but slid into unconsciousness.

...............

	Rae's wailing cry echoed through the silent woods and ripped at
Walter's heart. The sound was similar to her passion-filled love
cry, the rising howl of her climax, but twisted by pain and fear.
Her voice pulled on him, reaching inside and yanking as though it
were a physical force. It was his lover, his mate and she needed
him. It touched a primal instinct deep within that was covered by
the thinnest veneer of civilization.

	He looked down the embankment briefly, assessing the surface
and pitch. He saw the slithery path that Rae's tumbling body had
made and dropped lightly to the ground beside it. He could make it
down quickly, so long as he went carefully, but it was steep. He
heard no more sound below and hoped desperately that she wasn't
hurt.

	"Anders, get some rope. You may need to help me bring Rae back
up. Scully, bring your med-kit, she may be hurt, " he called over
his shoulder as he skittered down the ravine.

	In the dim, misty light he could make out a form below and his
chest began to hurt. It was Rae, laying against a tree; ragged, wet,
muddy..... and not moving. Horrible visions of his haunting
nightmares: Rae's crushed body rising from the melting snow flew
before his eyes. He plunged the rest of the distance.

	He clawed himself to a stop, prone in the mud by her side. He
held himself still, feet braced against a young tree, listening
intently. He heard her breathing, ragged and shallow, but alive and
he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.

	He gently moved her hair aside to find her pale, scratched
face. There were dark circles under her eyes and her full, sweet
lips had a bluish cast. He pressed his lips to her forehead and felt
the chill of her skin. Walter removed his leather jacket and lay it
over her. He wanted to wrap himself about her, to warm her as he had
last November, their last night together. He knew, however that he
daren't move her just yet. He stroked her face tenderly with his
fingertips and was rewarded by a fluttering of her eyelids, a soft
moan, a slight turn of her head. He nuzzled his mouth close to her
ear and whispered to her gently.

	"Is this Pewaukee or Paradise?"

	Rae heard the warm, emotion-filled voice as though in a dream.
So often she had heard her lover's voice, calming and deep, only to
waken and find herself cold and alone. She wanted so much, needed so
much for that voice to be real, but she was afraid to open her eyes.
Afraid that reality would crash down upon her yet again and that she
would wake to find not Walter, her love, but Al.

	Then the pain shot through her. Blinding pain, not from her
abdomen, but her arm. 'Oh no.....please no.....' She began to get
up. She had to keep moving, had to ....

	"Lay still, honey. Let Scully take a look at you."

	Again the warm, deep voice. So loving, so caring. Her heart
ached for it to be real and a sob escaped, to be quickly controlled.

	"I have to keep moving." She told the phantom voice that she
knew was *not* real. "I have to get home." Again a sob tore loose
and she very nearly gave in to despair. She was so cold, so tired
and it hurt to move. "I want Walter."

	"I'm here, honey. I'll take you home. I promise I'll take you
home. Just lay still for a few more minutes."

	"No!" She began to fight against the gentle pressure on her
shoulders. He was trying to pin her down..... he was going to hurt
her, or her baby....."No! Please, Al please let me go home. I'm
*not* staying here. I want to go home. *Let me go*!" Cold trembling
began to wrack her body. She was so cold......so cold.......

	"Rae, *please*. Honey lay still, please"

	"Ms Craine, let me look at you arm."

	Rae's eyes flew open and she saw two people hovering over her.
Two? She blinked and tried to lift her hand to rub the fog from her
eyes, but was shot through with pain that made her nauseous.

	"Ms Craine, is it your right arm?" It was a familiar voice. A
woman's voice full of concern.

	Rae's eyes focused on Dana Scully. She reached out to her with
her left hand and discovered she was real. Tears flooded Rae's eyes
as the realization dawned that she wasn't imagining the voices.

	Dana held Rae's hand and looked over her head at Skinner. It
was as though a mask had been torn away to be replaced by naked
emotion. Joy, fear, love, exhaustion all warred in his handsome
features.

	"Walter......? Is Walter here?"

	Walter lay his hand on Rae's forehead. "I'm here, honey, right
here...... Lay still!"

	Rae struggled to sit up and turn, the pain in her arm dizzying.
Large hands steadied her and she looked up the muscular arms to the
face that she had longed for all the long winter. She burst into a
rain of pain and exhaustion-induced tears at the sight of her
lover's face, real and near. All she could say was his name over and
over in a voice grown hoarse and cracked.

	Walter gathered her against him, turning her face into his
chest. He held her tightly, as tightly as he dared with her injuries
and felt the gentle swell of her abdomen. His tight lipped control
broke and tears of relief streamed down his face. He murmured to
her all the soft words of love that he never thought he'd be able to
say again.

	Scully and Anders backed up the slope a ways to give them some
measure of privacy. Scully was certain that her superior would be
acutely embarrassed to have her witness his tears. Scully felt a
rush of gratefulness as she touched the tiny gold cross at her
throat. She vowed silently to never say a word about the tender
scene before her.

........


	The big truck and van pulled away as fast as their drivers
dared. The road was dangerous in spots and the heavy trucks
sluggish. The two RCMP offices that were left took up positions
outside, near the door. Mulder spoke with them briefly, then went
back in.

	Mulder looked around the room, noting the furnishings, the
supplies. He walked over and pushed the rocking chair, watching it
move on its uneven rockers.

	"Take that with you when you go. It's Rae's."

	Mulder looked up finally at the man sitting cross-legged on
one of the beds. Krycek was pale and his eyes dull. His skin was
nearly the color of the bandage Scully had wrapped around his head.
Mulder had to hand it to Rae. It must have taken alot of guts to
rise up and slam Krycek with than frying pan. Mulder couldn't even
imagine what she must have gone through here with him all winter.

	"Why?" Mulder looked him in the eye.

	Krycek knew that Mulder's question was not about the chair. Of
all the seemingly unfathomable things he had done in his life, of
all the unfeeling murders and beatings Krycek could understand how
his one act of kindness could be misunderstood. He rubbed his
forehead and his fingers encountered the bandage. It had been so
like her to care for him before she ran. So kind and telling of her
nature that she had taken those few moments to see to his wound,
make sure he was warm before escaping. How could he explain to
Mulder that *this* was why he'd done it? This kindness that reached
out even to the person who was keeping her away from home and lover,
the person who was supposed to destroy her. How could he explain to
the man whose father he had killed, that he had taken Rae to save
her? Such words to Mulder would have sounded ludicrous.

	So he resorted to his old bluff, the type of behavior Mulder
would understand. "Because I wanted her. And she was good, Mulder,
really good. Skinner doesn't realize what a tiger he has there. But
then, he's a tired old man he wouldn't know how to handle a wild
one." The grin was back and the swagger. "Maybe all she needed was
somebody who could keep up with her, give her......"

	Mulder slapped him and Krycek punched back. While Mulder was
regaining his feet Krycek dug into the watch pocket of his jeans for
the spare key to the cuffs. He threw them off and lunged at Mulder.
They wrestled, both scrabbling for Mulder's gun, which had flown
free of his holster. They punched viciously, bloodying each other
until, when he pulled his hand back for another blow, Alex's hand
lit on the skillet Rae had hit him with. He clamped his hand around
it and brought it down on Mulder's head.

	"You'll just never understand a woman like that, Mulder. I hope to
god that Skinner does." He whispered hoarsely to Mulder as he lost
consciousness.

	Krycek finished dressing and pulled on his deep snow boots -
Rae had taken his lighter ones. He threw some supplies in a canvas
bag and climbed through the window at the back of the cabin. He
could make his way back to the logger's path from his trap lines to
the north.There were other cabins further up, even more remote with
no access to the road. He would hole up for a week or so, then make
his way out of the country.

	As he slogged down the forest track he began to admire the irony of
the situation. Just when she was about to be reunited with Skinner
Rae decides to escape. Krycek shook his head, wondering what the
tender scene of their meeting was like. He had seen her face when
she spoke of him........

	Krycek stopped dead in his tracks, tilting his head to the side,
listening. Was that a scream?

.......

	"Sir, I have to stabilize her arm so that we can get her up the
slope. We have to get this coat off her." Scully was apologetic as
she came back to Skinner. She didn't like the blue tint to Rae's
skin. "We have to get her up to the van so that we can warm her up."

	Skinner wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He kissed his
lady's brow and murmured softly. Scully couldn't hear the words.

	"Of course, Scully. Tell me what you need." Skinner maneuvered
Raelene onto his lap and sat with his back to the tree.

	"We have to get her arm out of the coat so that I can see it."
She turned to Officer Anders. "Can you find something that I can use
as a splint? We'll need blankets, too and something to use as a
stretcher."

	"I'll call up the utility truck, they have more medical
supplies aboard." Anders looked at the shivering woman on Skinner's
lap. "Hot food, too."

	"That will be good. But bring down whatever you can right away,
please."

	During their exchange Walter took out his pocket knife and cut
Rae's clothes from neck to wrist on the right side. Her skin was
cold and dimpled and her forearm had a sickening bend.

	Rae gasped at the shock of cold, damp air on her bare skin.
Snuggling against Walter's warmth had momentarily stilled her
trembling. Now it began anew and more intensely than before. She
felt the cold even more deeply.

	Scully turned back to examine Rae's arm. "I don't have any
anesthetics that I can use safely in your condition. All I can do is
stabilize the break so we can transport you to the nearest emergency
facility." She looked at Anders as he knelt beside her. "How far is
that, officer?"

	Anders began to wrap Rae's legs in a blanket. "Sultan is only a
small community. They only have a physician on a rotating basis. The
closest ER is in Sault Ste Marie - nearly two hours." He indicated
the supplies he'd brought. "I didn't have to call for the truck,
they're already here, along with most of the other personnel. Agent
Mulder and two of my officers stayed behind at the cabin with the
suspect. I brought down some inflatable splints and a portable
stretcher. But I think we'd be better off trying to carry her up on
our own, Mr. Skinner."

	"Dana." Rae's soft voice broke into the discussion. "Just do
what you have to do. I'm getting colder, and I know that's not good
for the baby." She looked at Scully and Anders and squeezed Walter's
arm with her good hand. "Please, just do it and get it over with.
I'll try to hold still." She leaned back against Walter's strong,
warm body.

	Dana nodded solemnly and gave the men instructions on
restraining her. Anders sat across Rae's knees, pinning her lower
body to the ground. Walter wrapped one arm across her chest and the
other over her right shoulder, holding her tightly against him.

	Dana braced her feet and leaned back against the break, pulling
slowly. She just had to straighten it enough to prevent further
damage during transport. But Rae was tense; frightened and cold and
her muscles resisted the pressure. A shrill cry broke the stillness.

	In later months Rae was never able to describe what she
felt. Nothing she had experienced could have prepared her for it.
Not even Tom's most vicious beatings even came close. Nauseousness
swarmed in waves over her and she leaned over, nearly falling out of
Walter's grasp, stomach heaving. She lay there gasping and felt
something wet on her cheek.

	She straightened to look into Walter's tear-filled eyes. It
hurt him to see her like this, that was plain. She tried to smile,
tried to reassure him, but the forest began to fade. Trees blurred
into the gray mist as voices grew dim. She fought to speak but heard
only Walter's words, "It's okay, honey. It'll be okay...." as she
faded into gray unconsciousness.

	All three people felt her body go slack and were grateful. No
longer fighting her tense muscles, Dana made quick work of setting
the arm. Anders helped her put on and inflate the splint. Asking
Anders to turn away Scully asked Skinner to cut away the front of
Rae's clothing so that she could bind the injured arm across her
chest. As he did this she performed a quick, cursory examination of
Rae's abdomen, and was pleased to find no cuts or contusions. She
was also most pleased to feel the baby stir. This done she zipped
Rae into Skinner's leather jacket for the trip up.

	After a few moments of discussion, Scully went back up to the
top and came back with a rope. This was hooked up to the winch on
the utility truck. Anders and Walter fastened Rae into the
stretcher, then attached the rope. That way, if one of them slipped
Rae wouldn't go crashing down the slope.

	Still, with the rope and winch it took them nearly fifteen
minutes to get Rae up. They went slowly so that no one would fall
and so that she wouldn't be bounced about too much. Those who had
remained above piled blankets and quilts into the van to make a bed
and warmed them with chemical gel-packs.

	Skinner lay her in the van beside the bed and got his bag from
the back. "Would you excuse us for a few minutes?" He asked the
assembled crew.

	As Scully, Anders and the rest went to the utility truck for
hot coffee Skinner gently stripped off Rae's sodden clothes. He
threw them, including Al's boots into a heap on the ground and
pulled soft towels from his bag. He rubbed her gently, drying her
until her skin glowed pink. He chaffed her feet with his hands until
he felt the warmth returning. Then he dressed her in one of his
new FBI sweat suits and pulled lofty woollen socks onto her feet and
hands. When he was satisfied that she was warm and dry he lifted her
on to his lap.

	Rae's eyes opened looked up at him. The pain in her arm was
down to a throb, deep but not as sharp as before and she was warm.
She felt very tired and rubbed her cheek sleepily against Walter's
chest.

	"They have some hot soup in the other truck. Why don't I get
you some before we leave?" His voice was laced with tears and he
held her tightly. He stroked her still-damp hair and pressed his
lips to her forehead.

	Rae reached up to caress his chin, running her fingertip
lightly along the cleft. Her eyes were deep and blue, like the
summer sky.

	"Please don't leave me." She wrapped her good arm around him
and pressed her face to his chest. "Stay, Walter.
Please..."

	Her soft plea was too much for him. His arms tightened around
her and he buried his face in her hair. "God, Rae I was so
firghtened for you. I'll never let you go again... Never."

...............

	Rae and Walter both slept most of the way to the hospital. Finally
warm and secure Rae relaxed completely in her lover's arms and slept
as trustingly as a child. Walter dozed, waking occasionally at bumps
in the road.

	The trouble wasn't over, he knew. He would have a lot to
account for when they got back to the States: members of three
different agencies in two states in a personal project, involving
members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the rescue, the use
of both domestic and international resources..... and that just for
starters. There was still the matter of how he was going to pay for
it all and support his wife and child now that he had quit the FBI.

	'But,' he looked at the sleeping face as it rested on his
stomach, 'I wouldn't change a thing.' She had slipped down and was
draped across his lower body, the thick quilt covering her to the
chin. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair tousled and dirty. But
her weight was nothing to him for the lightness and wholeness that
were restored to his heart. For the first time in months Walter
Skinner, late of the Federal Bureau of Investigation felt alive.

	His musings were interrupted by Agent Scully. He heard her and
Officer Anders speaking softly in the front of the van. They were
close to the hospital and were discussing the best way to waken the
couple in the back of the vehicle.

	"I'm already awake, Agent Scully. I'll make certain that Rae is
ready. How far are we?" His voice was tired, but easy, as though he
had no worries whatsoever.

	"Only about a mile, sir," Anders replied. "The traffic is a bit
heavy, but we should be there any minute."

	Skinner looked at his watch. It was only 10 AM.To him it felt
as though an entire day had passed. He felt a presence and saw Rae's
eyes open and upon him. He smiled gently at her.

	"How did you sleep?"

	"Did I sleep? I don't feel like it." She yawned deeply and
felt a deep throbbing in her arm. "How bad is the break?"

	"Scully didn't say. We're almost to the hospital, though.
They'll have more options to make you comfortable. Then, when we get
home we'll call Gale and let her know what's happened. She wanted me
to get in touch with her service as soon as I found you."

	Before she could respond they pulled up to the emergency
entrance of a modern hospital. Anders went for a wheelchair while
Scully opened the door and helped Rae climb out. Walter grabbed his
duffel and unfastened his weapon. He wouldn't need it in here.......
he hoped.

	Rae was hustled into an exam room where she was dressed in a
gown and interviewed about the accident. Walter remained at her
side, refusing to be led away by the duty nurse. She had no wish to
argue with the big, stern-looking man, so she left him alone. He
stood aside and remained quiet enough, so the nurse couldn't really
object, but he made her nervous.

	When they first walked in the door Walter had begun referring
to Raelene as his wife. He showed his driver's license to the nurse
briefly and stayed near Rae as he filled out the admittance
questionnaire. Neither Anders nor Scully made any comment about
their relationship.

	When the young resident arrived Walter also seemed to make the
him nervous. Walter hovered near, listening to every word and
occasionally making a comment. When the doctor asked about Rae's
fall she looked over at Walter. He told a quickly concocted story
about hiking and a fall, which caused the doctor to become even more
suspicious. This group wasn't dressed for hiking, no boots or
equipment, so what were they doing out there?

	"Mr. Skinner, I'm going to have to have you fill out some forms
at the admitting desk. We'll need information about your insurance
and so forth." He waved to the nurse. "Ms Bartlett will show you the
way." He took Walter's elbow and began to show him out the door.

	But Walter wasn't budging. He planted himself firmly, unwilling
to leave Rae's side. "Can't I do that later? I don't want to leave
her alone." He looked at Rae; she looked so fragile to him just now
in the hospital gown, pale skin beneath the streaked mud on her
face. He couldn't stop drinking in the sight of her.

	"She won't be alone, Mr. Skinner. I'm just going to examine her
arm and order some x-rays. I'll let you know before we move her
anywhere. Please, go with Ms Bartlett."

	But still he didn't budge. His dark eyes narrowed and a dangerous
look crept over his features. "I'm *not* leaving Raelene, Dr.
Spranger, not for a moment. So you can just bring those papers in
here and I'll...."

	"It's okay, Walter. Dana can stay close to the door, she'll be
nearby if I need to get you for anything." She reached for him
with her left hand. She felt the tension in his arm, the power
flowing through him. "Go on and fill out the forms and you can bring
me back some chocolate." Her smile was wan, but sincere.

	Walter hesitated another few moments, giving the young doctor a
baleful glare. He was not willing to let Rae out of his sight, not
after so many months. He stood holding Rae's hand to his lips. He
had the distinct feeling that this doctor was deliberately trying to
get him out of the room, but he couldn't understand why. He had a
tight feeling deep in his gut that this man thought that there was
something more wrong with Rae than he was telling.

	"I don't want to leave you, honey." His eyes softened
immediately when he looked at her. "I want to stay close in case you
need me."

	Rae stroked his cheek, thinking how much she loved this big,
tender man of hers. "Then have Dana and Anders stay close. If
something happens and I need you Dana can send Anders to get you."
She held his eyes, pouring all her feeling for him into hers. "Go
and get yourself something to eat, have some coffee and bring me
some chocolate." Her smile turned into a grin. "You know that
chocolate heals all wounds."

	He managed a soft chuckle and kissed her on the forehead.
"Well, if that's an order, I guess I must obey. I won't go very
far." Before leaving the room, though he shot another dark look at
the doctor. "Not far at all."

	Rae and the doctor exchanged a look after the door closed on
Walter's tall form. "Okay, what do you want to say?" She asked him.
It was obvious to her that he had some suspicions about her
injuries.

	"Mrs. Skinner, I want to assure you that you are safe here,
that you will not come to any harm." He held her good hand and
looked directly into her deep blue eyes. "Mrs. Skinner is your
husband in any way responsible for your injuries?"

Chapter 2


	Rae's eye grew huge with disbelief. "What?" She wasn't sure she'd
heard him	correctly.


	"Mrs. Skinner, your husband is a large man and quite powerful.
It's very possible that he could injure you without even realizing
or meaning to. But if he has abused you in any way, I want to help
you. Our social advising staff is very good. They can get you to a
place of safety or come by to talk to you, if you wish. "

	"Doctor..." Rae's voice was measured and patient, but with a
distinct edge. "I don't know where this is coming from, but I assure
you that Walter *is not* responsible for my injuries."

	"Mrs. Skinner, you needn't be afraid to speak frankly. No word
of what we discuss will ever be communicated to your husband. I
assure you that you have nothing to fear. Our security personnel
will escort you to a safe house and from there, you can make your
way back to your family." He lay his hand gently on Rae's shoulder.
"Please, Mrs. Skinner. Don't let him abuse you any further....."

	Rae swallowed hard. She felt as though she were in a movie
where the action and sound were out of sync. "Doctor Spranger, I
don't know how to make this any clearer: I am not now and never have
been abused by Walter Skinner."

	The doctor shook his head sadly. Why wouldn't accept help? Then
he was struck with an idea. "Perhaps you would feel more comfortable
talking to a woman about this. I'll call the counseling center and
get someone right away."

	"How dare you make this kind of judgement about a person you've
never met?" Rae pushed herself off the table and stood toe-to-toe
with the doctor, backing him across the room. "Listen closely to me.
I *am not* going to speak to any social advisor. I *am not* going to
speak to any counselor. I came here to have my arm taken care of,
not to have some stranger accuse my husband of such a heinous act!"
Her blue eyes blazed and she was flushed. She was tired, hungry,
dirty, she hurt and her patience was nearly worn out. She poked her
finger into his chest. "So either you set my arm now or step aside."

	Doctor Spranger took several steps back and backed into a tray
of instruments. He was sure of his suspicions, but his training
didn't take into account such an extreme reaction from the victim.
"Please, Mrs. Skinner, sit back down. I'll go and order the portable
x-ray machine straight away. I'd also like to perform an ultrasound,
to make certain the baby is okay." His tried to keep his voice
soothing. He took another look at her wide, angry eyes and turned to
the door. "I'll be right back. Please stay put."

	Rae took a deep breath and leaned against the table. It took
her several moments to calm her anger. She was absolutely incensed
that anyone could think Walter capable of such a horrible act. "How
*dare* he?" She asked the empty room.

	But as she calmed she began to appreciate the doctor's concern.
What might have happened ten years ago if some stranger had showed
such concern? What if, years ago an emergency room doctor had been
trained like this to look for signs of spousal abuse? If someone had
been this insistent then could she have escaped Tom sooner? Could
she have saved her baby?

.........

	Dr. Spranger wasn't sure how to proceed. He would certainly see
to her arm and he would keep her the night for observation, but
after that.....? After sending down the orders for the x-ray and
ultrasound equipment he called down to the counseling office. While
on hold he looked up to see at least a dozen people milling about
the waiting room. The sight struck him as odd since Mrs. Skinner was
the only patient on the board.A tall, blonde man and a petite
red-haired woman broke from the group and came up to him.

	"Doctor, will Mrs. Skinner be all right?" The man spoke first,
his voice rich and well-modulated.

	"I'm sorry, but I can't release any information."

	Anders held up his ID badge. "I'm an officer with the RCMP, Dr.
Spranger and I'm the Canadian representative on this rescue team.
Anything you tell me will go into my official report."

	The doctor held up his hand. "Pardon me, Officer..... rescue
operation?"

	Anders and Scully exchanged a look. Scully turned to Dr.
Spranger. "Didn't AD Skinner tell you that his wife had been
abducted?"

	"AD Skinner?" Dr. Spranger set the phone back in the cradle.He
was becoming more astounded by the moment.

	"Yes; Assistant Director Skinner, Federal Bureau of
Investigation. His wife was abducted in December from her home in
Wisconsin and has been held in a cabin north of here. We had just
pinpointed her location yesterday and assembled the rescue team. But
Mrs. Skinner had taken matters into her own hands before we arrived
and escaped, only a few hours before we arrived." Scully purposely
left out many of the details; these were things that this man didn't
need to know.

	"Then you can verify that Mrs. Skinner has not been abused by
her husband?" As soon as the words were out he saw the same angry
flare come into this woman's eyes as had been in Mrs. Skinner's.

	Anders saw the flush rise in Scully's face and put a hand on
her arm. But she wasn't going to be stopped. " You had best be sure
of your facts before you make such an assumption, Dr. Spranger."
She held up her ID. "I've been working on this case since the
beginning and I've seen the torture that the Assistant Director has
been through over his wife's disappearance. Believe me, he would
never harm her. In fact, both Officer Anders and myself witnessed
Raelene's fall."

	Anders nodded. "Doctor, I strongly recommend that you *do not*
mention these suspicions to either one of them. It would upset both
of them to no end, and that would serve no purpose. In fact, for
Mrs. Skinner it might make her condition worse." Anders and Scully
proceeded to tell the doctor of the mornings events and the
condition Rae was in when they found her.

	The doctor flushed deeply. He had never been so embarrassed or
astounded. All his training had pointed to abuse: the way the man
hovered over her, reluctant to leave her alone, answering for her.
They were classic signs of a possessive spouse, and often pointed to
an abusive relationship. But this time he was wrong.

	"I've already spoken to her about it. My god, I owe her an
apology. Everything I had been trained to look for was there;
the possessivness, speaking for her, reluctance to leave her alone
with me."

	"If you mean his protectiveness, that's just a natural reaction
to finding her again after such a long, harrowing separation. The
man who took her is a murderer and traitor. He has been extremely
worried over her safety, and that of the child. It's no wonder that
he'd not want to leave her alone. As for answering for her, most
likely he didn't want to reveal too much about the circumstances, no
official reports have been filed as yet."

	Spranger turned to Scully. "Has Mrs. Skinner had any pre-natal
care, then?"

	"I doubt it, doctor. She was held in a remote area, an old
logging cabin and never taken to town. I examined her briefly in the
field and found no obvious injuries, but it was only a cursory exam.
Our main objective was to stabilize her arm and get her warm. She
was soaked through and shivering."

	He was very impressed by the care that Rae received in the
field, under such conditions and was wholly amazed that she had the
wherewithal to escape at all. He had been totally wrong in his
assessment of the situation. She was not a victim, she was a
survivor.

	They looked up at a large presence nearby and saw Skinner,
holding a small bunch of flowers and a bag from the gift shop. His
step was lighter than it had been in months and a ghost of a smile
lit his face. Rae was safe, they would soon be home and snuggling in
their own bed together.

	"I know it's probably against all sorts of hospital rules, but
can my wife have something to eat, doctor? I'm sure that all she's
had is the soup I gave her after her fall, she's bound to be
hungry." His face grew more serious. "She never eats right when
she's under stress and I don't want her to loose any more weight."

	"Certainly, Mr. Skinner, I'll order a meal for her. In the
meantime she may have a snack. It won't interfere with the x-rays."
The doctor looked at his pen for a moment, then back at Skinner.
"Mr. Skinner, Officer Anders and Agent Scully here have told me the
story of your wife's abduction and escape. I apologize for trying to
separate you before. I had no idea that you had been apart for so
long."

	Skinner nodded and looked solemn. "She's safe now and that's
all that matters. She'll feel better once we get home and after
she's had a chance to talk to her family." He turned and headed back
to the exam room, speaking over his shoulder. "Just take care of her
arm, doctor and make sure she's okay. If you do that, I won't have
any quarrel with you."

...................

	Rae got up off the exam table and began to pull on her clothes.
'Walter's clothes,' she thought, smiling ruefully. This doctor
didn't believe that she was telling the truth about Walter and
didn't seem to trust her judgement, so she was going to go home and
call Gale. She would get everything done with a minimum of fuss,
just as she always did and she wouldn't try to keep Walter away from
her.

	But just as she was attempting to pull Walter's sweat pants on
with one hand he opened the door. He quickly set the flowers and bag
on the table and grabbed Rae around the waist to steady her.

	"Just what do you think you're doing?" He wasn't really
surprised that she was trying to dress herself, just that she didn't
seem to want to wait for help. "Are you cold or something?"

	"No. I just want to go home." She stood still for a moment,
then noticed the items on the exam table. "What's that?"

	"Sit down and I'll give them to you." She gave him a look and
reached for the bag with her left hand, but Walter stopped her and
steered her toward a chair. "Uh-uh. Sit down here first and tell me
why you're so hot to leave." He gently, but strongly pushed her into
the chair, then knelt to help her with the pants.

	Rae shifted her arm, it was beginning to throb and she felt the
pounding right up to her temples. "I just don't want to stay here. I
want to be back in Pewaukee. I want to have my own doctor, not
someone who......." She bit her lip, not wanting to elaborate on her
reasons. She knew how it would upset him to discover that a
stranger could imagine him capable of hurting her.

	Walter looked at her, seeing her troubled frown. "What?"

	She looked away from him and reached out to pull the pants up.
But he wasn't going to let her ignore him. He held her wrist with
one hand and tilted her chin up with the other, forcing her to look
into his eyes.

	"What is it, honey?"

	"He..... he thinks you did this to me," she said very softly.
Her eyes were filled with pain, but not only from her arm. She had
known physical abuse from a man and had experienced several sad
stares from doctors in emergency rooms. But none of them had even
suggested that she get help, much less offer to get her to safety.
Those memories rushed back, heightened by her months of captivity
and her harrowing morning.

	Walter felt as though he had been punched in the chest. How
could he believe that.....? What kind of man did this doctor think
he was that he could break his wife's arm? His pregnant wife?
Granted that, in reality Rae wasn't his wife yet, not legally at any
rate but Walter was still appalled that any man could believe him
capable of such a horrendous act. He felt anger beginning to rise in
his throat when he looked up at Rae and saw the haunted look in her
eyes. She was remembering Tom, the baby, the scar......

	Walter cupped her face gently in his hands and stroked her
cheeks with his thumbs. "I'll go have a talk with him...."

	"No." Rae touched his cheek. She saw the hurt in his face, the
disbelief. "He was only doing his job, Walter. He only wanted to
protect me from harm." She reached her hand around his neck and
pulled his face closer to hers. "I'm glad that he's trained to look
for that sort of abuse. He might save some woman someday. Please
don't be hurt, love. He just doesn't know you, that's all." She
kissed his cheek lightly.

	Walter put his arms around her and held her close, yet mindful
of her arm. 'Yes, ' he thought. 'Perhaps if someone like this
doctor had been around ten years ago you might have been saved
yourself, love.' He blinked quickly and swallowed hard as his anger
dissolved. She was right, of course. Someday a woman might need
help and this doctor might just be the one to give it to her.

	"So does that mean you're going to stay and let them take care
of your arm?" He sat back on his heels and kissed her good hand.

	"I guess. If you promise not to make a fuss with the doctor
when he comes back." She was smiling now, though her eyes still
reflected pain.

	"Who, me?" He rose and got the bag and the flowers from the
table. "The doctor said you could have a snack. He's going to order
a meal for you, but have this in the meantime." He held out the
small bunch of mums. "These are supposed to cheer you up."

	Rae grinned at the contents of the bag: two Snickers (R) bars,
one Hershey (R) with almonds and a bag of jelly beans. "I thought
you said this was a snack? What're you trying to do to me, make me
fat?"

	"No. Just trying to fill out your curves again." He rested his
hand on her belly. "And make sure our little tadpole here gets
enough to eat."

	Rae opened her eyes wide. "Where did *that* come from?"

	"What?"

	"That word, 'tadpole'? When did you start calling the baby
tadpole?"

	"I don't know. I never really referred to it as anything but
'baby' before. Why?"

	"Because that's what *I've* been calling it all winter." She
smiled and lay her hand over his. "I've been calling it a little
tadpole because of the way its been flopping around. Funny you
should say it, too." She felt a prickle creep up her spine.

.............

	Walter stayed close to Rae for the rest of the morning. He and
Scully  watched carefully that the technicians took proper care of
her during the x-rays and he hovered protectively near as the doctor
casted her arm. The set that Scully had done in the field had lined
the bone up perfectly so that the doctor didn't have to re-position
it, but he did inject a local anesthetic so ease the pain while he
applied the cast.

	He pulled supplies off the shelf and arranged them on the table
while he kept up a light stream of conversation. When he turned
again he was holding several boxes of casting material. "So what's
your favorite color?"

	Raelene began to chuckle when Walter chimed up, "Purple. She'll
probably want to be married in a purple dress." He blushed
immediately when he realized that he'd blown his story.

	The doctor looked up at him. "For what its worth, I never
believed that you were married." He held up Rae's left hand. "No
ring."

	While the cast was setting the doctor went to check on the
ultrasound equipment. An aide came in with two meals and set them on
the exam table. Walter pulled up two chairs and they sat down to
eat.

	But their peace was short lived. They heard a commotion in the
hallway and a bloodied Mulder burst into the room.

	"Sir. Krycek's escaped." He was breathing heavily, as though
he'd run all the way. "We got into a fight and he knocked me out."

	Walter rose. "You were supposed to guard him Mulder, not fight
with him. Where did he go?"

	"I don't know, sir. He climbed out a back window, so the RCMP
officers didn't see him. They stayed back to get all of Ms Craine's
things from the cabin. I came ahead with our van."

	Skinner looked at Rae. He wasn't worried about Krycek coming
after her again. He also wasn't concerned about the other members of
the elusive 'Association' trying to harm her again. The one concern
that he did have was that Raelene feel safe, knowing that Krycek was
at large.

	She looked up at him and held his hand for a moment. "It'll be
okay, Walter."

	He nodded at her and took Mulder out into the hallway. "Let it
go, Mulder. He'll leave the country, he'd be a fool not to." He
looked back at the exam room door. "We've got what we came for. Let
it go."

	Mulder was about to protest when he saw the look in Skinner's
face. He wasn't about to launch a search for Krycek right now, and
maybe he was right. This wasn't the time. But someday....

	After their meal the doctor returned. "Well, I have bad news. I
didn't get the request in for the ultrasound equipment early enough
and I won't be able to get it until tomorrow. I'll arrange for a
room for you Mrs. Skinner. Mr. Skinner you might want to get a hotel
for the night..."

	"That's alright, doctor. I'll contact my doctor as soon as we
get home, she'll do the ultrasound. If we leave now we can be in
Pewaukee before seven." She stood and looked at Walter. "Then I can
call Greg's before the kids go to sleep."

	"Mrs. Skinner, I'm still admitting you for the night. You've
been through a lot today and I'm not entirely sure that you don't
have internal injuries. I can arrange for you to make a long
distance call, or Mr. Skinner can call from his hotel. But I want
you to stay here tonight, just to be safe."

	"Well, I appreciate that, doctor, but I'm not staying. You
didn't find any injuries during your exam, so there's no reason to
keep me. My arm has been set, I don't have any head or spinal
injuries and I'm of sound mind. I'm going home."

	"Mrs. Skinner...."

	"I said that I'm going home." Her voice began to get tense.
Both Walter and the doctor saw her body begin to tighten.

	Walter put his hands on her waist. "Honey, it's just for
tonight. It would be better to be safe, wouldn't it?"

	"Walter, I want to go home. Gale can do the test. I want to
sleep in my own house, on our bed. I feel fine." She tried to smile,
to lighten the mood. "After all it's not like I'll be walking all
the way to Pewaukee."

	"But if he wants you to stay...."

	"I'm *not* staying." Her voice had a dangerous edge to it now,
measured and tense. "I'm going home."

	"Well I'm not taking you." Walter's own voice was laced with
steel. He wasn't going to take any chances with her safety. He put
his hands on her shoulders. "Rae, please just think..."

	"I *have* thought. I've had all winter to think. I've thought
about my family and my friends, I've thought about my house and my
classes...... and I've thought about you. I *am not* staying here!"
She shrugged off his hands and turned toward the door.

	"I'm not going to let you go." Walter reached for her shoulder,
but she spun around, eyes blazing.

	"You're not going to *let* me? Just how do you propose to stop
me?"

	"I'll tie you to the bed if I have to!" He grabbed her upper
left arm, his strong fingers closing inexorably around it.

	"Nobody's ever going to tie me again!" She brought her casted
arm down on his hand and pulled away. Then she elbowed him in the
ribs and flung open the door.

	"Dana! Dana!" She looked down the hall and saw Scully talking
with Anders. "Dana, will you please take me home?"

	It took him a moment to recover from the shock of her
reaction, but Walter followed her as soon as he regained his wits.
He shot a firm look at Scully. "The doctor wants her to stay the
night."

	Rae never turned. "I'm not staying. I can take responsibility
for my health care and I'm going home."

	Dana's voice was gentle, trying to calm the situation. Rae
looked dangerously close to hysteria. "But the doctor must have a
good reason, Rae. After all you've been through don't you think it
would be better to be safe?"

	Rae's eyes grew huge and she clenched her jaw, speaking through
her teeth. "After all I've been through all I want to do is go
home." She saw Mulder come out of the Men's room and turned to him.
"Fox, will you please take me home?"

	Now the doctor joined the group in the hall. He deeply
regretted starting this, but it was against his better judgement to
release her. He only hoped that one of this group would be able to
reason with her.

	Mulder looked distinctly uncomfortable. Skinner was shooting
daggers with his eyes, but Rae was clutching his arm, pleading. He
didn't know what started this whole scene, but he didn't want to
cross Skinner where his fiancee was concerned. "I'm sorry, Rae. If
the doctor wants you to stay, then maybe you should."

	Rae pulled back. She felt as though everyone was deserting her.
She looked around at the carefully neutral faces, then back at
Walter. His soft brown eyes were full of fear and concern, but they
were also firm in his resolve. "Fine. Then I'll take a bus. I
remember my Master Card (R) number, I can charge a ticket."

	"Rae...." Walter reached out to her, his voice utterly tender.

	"I want to go home." Her voice began to break and she cleared
her throat harshly. "I won't stay anywhere that I don't want to.....
ever again." A sob burst from her lips. "I won't let anyone keep me,
or tie me up, or ..... or....." Tears began to roll down her face as
she looked up at Walter, now standing very close. "You said you'd
take me home. Please, Walter....please let me go home...." She
dissolved into wracking sobs, her body trembling.

	Walter wrapped her into his arms, holding her close against his
chest. "Oh, honey. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I just didn't think." He
stroked her hair and whispered to her. "I'll take you home, honey.
You won't have to stay anywhere that you don't want to again. We'll
go home."

	"Now. I want to go now..." She buried her face in his shirt.
She couldn't seem to stop crying.

	Even the doctor saw it now. Of course she would want to go home
after her long captivity. She needed the security of familiar
surroundings and the freedom to come and go when she wanted. He
realized now how wrong he had been to pressure her to stay. He
should have realized that pregnancy and injury combined with stress
and pain would make her overreact. He now realized that her calm had
been incredible control just waiting for the right conditions to
snap. Perhaps if she had been rested, or in less pain, or if she had
not just escaped her captor she would have been more willing to
listen to them, but.......

	He met Walter's eyes over the sobbing golden head and nodded.
"I'll get the discharge orders."

	Skinner's eyes sought Mulder. "Please load all of Rae's things
into the van. We'll go as soon as the doctor has the orders." He
slipped one arm around Rae's shoulders the other under her knees and
lifted her effortlessly. He carried her to a sofa in the waiting
room and sat with her on his lap, cuddling her close and trying to
calm her.

	The rest of the group broke up, giving them some privacy. Two
RCMP officers and two FBI agents posted a guard outside the waiting
room door. Mulder and Anders went out to transfer Rae's belongings
into the American's van, Scully accompanied the doctor to get
medication for Rae's pain and instructions for her care until she
could reach Gale.

	Scully looked at the clock. It was only 1 pm. If all went well,
weather and traffic permitting, they would have Rae in her own home
again by eight.

Chapter 3

	Rae and Walter said very little on the trip back to Pewaukee.
They were content to cuddle in the back seat of the van making only
occasional comments. Walter drifted off to sleep, his arms around
Raelene. Even in sleep he held her tightly, as if assuring himself
that she was really here, safe with him.

	Rae watched the landscape roll past her window. From the warm
nest created by the quilt and Walter's arms she looked for familiar
landmarks: there was the turnoff to Green Bay and Door County, there
the joining of Highway 41, there was the farm where she had stopped
to buy sweet corn with Becky..... All of her memories tied to the
land she called home. When they passed the turnoff to Sheboygan she
rose gently from her seat, not wanting to disturb Walter.

	"Do you know how to get to my house from here, Fox?" She asked
him. She kept her voice low.

	"All I can remember is how to get there from I-94. I've never
been any other way," he smiled over his shoulder at her. Scully was
dozing in the seat beside him. "You should be resting. I can go
through Milwaukee."

	"I'm not sleepy. All that sugar Walter fed me is keeping me
awake. Besides, I want to see everything." She saw the mileage sign
and pointed. "Turn off on Highway 'J' and go south. Just stay on
that and you'll come to the hind-end of Pewaukee. It's another 40
minutes at least. Then turn right on Ashton, then three blocks and
left on Lake Drive, that's my street." She watched him navigate
the van along the highway, confident even on the unfamiliar roads.
"Fox, just how did Al manage to get away from you?"

	He grinned and glanced over at her. "He pulled a 'Rae Craine'
on me." When she looked quizzical he continued. "He shined me with
that frying pan you left on the floor. You couldn't have been gone
for more than an hour when we arrived. He was just coming to." He
recounted to her the scene when they went into the cabin, Krycek's
reactions and their subsequent fight. "I'm just happy that he didn't
hurt you. From what he told me I wasn't sure."

	"Fox, there's one thing that I just don't understand. He told
me about why he was supposed to hurt me, about what it was supposed
to accomplish, but - why? What is this thing that makes you such a
danger?"

	"It's better if you don't know that." It was Walter's sleepy
voice from the back seat. "Agent Mulder's investigations are nothing
you should be concerned with, Rae. The less you know about them, the
better."

	Rae felt a current underneath Walter's words. He was saying
this more for Mulder's sake than for hers. He not only didn't want
her to know, but he was going to make absolutely certain that Mulder
said nothing. It galled her a little because it made her feel as
though he was trying to take control of the information that she
would have access to, yet she also realized that it sprang from his
deep need to protect her. No doubt he felt as though he had failed
her somehow, it would be so like him to take responsibility for
something that was not his fault. Rae sighed and sat back against
the seat. They would have to have a long talk, she and Walter. 'But
tomorrow, after we've both had a chance to sleep...and love each
other,' she thought and blushed.

	She couldn't stop her traitorous mind from wondering if he
would still want her. After so many months and with her belly really
beginning to show now, would he still find her attractive? Would he
still want her? Or would he think her fat?

	Walter heard the sigh. 'She looks so tired,' he thought. 'And
she needs to put on some weight.' He wondered what she was thinking.
He leaned forward and stroked her cheek gently. "Come back here and
sit with me...." he whispered.

	She smiled and slid back into the seat beside him, snuggling
close to his warmth. She wondered if she would ever really feel warm
again. She turned her face up to look at him and was pleasantly
surprised by the dark look in his eyes. She rubbed herself against
him rather suggestively and saw the look deepen.

	Walter felt his desire grow as Rae rubbed her body against his.
His hand followed willingly as she guided it toward her breasts and
he tightened his hold on her. In the waning sunlight her eyes glowed
deep and blue, the color of the evening sky. Her lips were moist and
soft, just waiting for him to claim them once again. He wanted to
wait until they were in the privacy of their home, until he could
get her alone and properly show her how he felt, but she was so near
and her eyes wanted him so that he indulged. A small kiss, a swift
welcome home to my arms.

	But it wasn't small or swift. The moment their lips met they
were lost in the months of unfulfilled passion, the constant worry,
the crushing loneliness. They put their hearts into that kiss and
felt the communion of souls that had kept them going through all the
long winter months. Walter felt his heart complete it's final thaw,
felt the walls he had erected with will and steel crumble in their
final demise, to be given up to Rae. And Rae felt once again whole,
filled with love for her man, secure in the knowledge that he still
wanted her and happy.... oh, so happy to be home, for Rae knew that
her only true home was here in Walter's arms.

	Mulder saw the kiss in the rear view mirror. He watched for an
instant then, embarrassed he flipped the mirror up and kept his eyes
glued to the road.

...............

	They arrived at Rae's little cottage at 7:40 pm. The sun was
lowering in the sky and painting all the neighborhood gold. Rae knew
she would never forget that sight: her little golden house,
welcoming and familiar. Fox pulled into the driveway and as Rae
hugged Walter tight he pulled his keys out of his jeans pocket.

	"Why don't you go in and turn some lights on, honey. We'll
bring your things in," he whispered into her ear. He was rewarded
with a bright-eyed smile as Scully opened the door.

	They watched her walk slowly across the deck, looking around,
savoring every sight. Her lips were still curved in a smile when she
disappeared through the door. Soon soft lights appeared in the
windows as she wandered from room to room.

	Mulder picked up a box and prepared to follow when Skinner put
a hand on his arm. "Let's give her a few minutes."

	Mulder was surprised at the grin that lit his superior's face.
It was as if years were falling away. He looked younger somehow,
more vibrant and alive and brimming with power than he had in
months. This was a new Skinner yet again; a man who had a home, a
family, a life. A man who had a purpose and suddenly Fox Mulder felt
like a shadow in his presence.

	After a bit Skinner moved toward the door. Mulder and Scully
held back to let them have a quiet moment together.

	Walter found her in the living room, gazing out the front
window and holding the seal replica from San Francisco. Her
expression was a mixture of happiness, sadness, content, memory and
quiet. She was a study of thoughtful beauty and Walter admired her
before moving close. When he did he wrapped his arms around her from
behind, putting his hands over hers.

	"Welcome home, Rae," he said softly. His deep, rich voice
filling her ear. "Regrets?"

	"About what?" She sounded genuinely puzzled.

	"About getting involved with such a dangerous character. About
letting me know where you were staying in Berkeley. About accepting
this." His fingers stroked the head of one of the stone seals.

	Rae set the figure back in its place and turned in his arms.
She looked up into his eyes with love and trust. "Absolutely none."

	Walter buried his face in her hair, simply holding her. He
stood for a long moment, quiet and serene. Then he heard the rumble
of a cough from the archway and looked up to see his agents, looking
distinctly uncomfortable. Walter stroked Rae's cheek with a
fingertip. "Hungry?" She merely nodded and hummed her agreement. He
looked over at Mulder and Scully. "I'll order pizza. Are you two
okay with pepperoni and black olives, or would you like something
else?"

	They exchanged a look before Mulder spoke up. "We were going to
get a hotel room, sir....."

	"Fine, Mulder. But I was asking you what you wanted on your
pizza. I'm buying."

	"And there's no reason for you to go to a hotel. I have a guest
room...." Rae began, but Walter cut her off.

	"They'll be better off in a hotel, Rae." She opened her mouth
to protest, but he held up a finger. "Trust me - let them get a
hotel." His eyes had a playful sparkle, even though he wasn't
smiling.

	Rae grinned and nodded, then turned to Scully. "Dana, perhaps
you can help me come up with something to cover this cast so I can
take a shower? I really feel grungy. It wasn't possible to take a
real shower in the cabin, just sponge baths."

	Dana smiled, enjoying the byplay flying around the room. "I'd
like sausage, mushrooms and peppers, if you don't mind, sir. " She
turned to Rae and looked at the cast. "Hefty (R) bag and duck tape
ought to do it. Where do I find them?"

	As Dana and Rae went up the stairs to find the necessary
supplies to waterproof her cast Walter called for the pizza and
Mulder arranged the boxes near the stairs. He set the uneven rocking
chair near the window and pushed it quizzically, just as he had in
the cabin. Walter watched him after hanging up and Mulder met his
eyes.

	"Krycek asked me to bring it. He said that it was Rae's, but I
don't remember it being here."

	"It wasn't. Krycek made it for her at the cabin. While she was
being x-rayed she told me about her Christmas and how Krycek said
that a pregnant woman should have a rocking chair. She seemed
relived later when I told her you'd brought all her things."

	Mulder nearly couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He *made*
it for her? You mean he actually *built* this?"

	"Apparently. From what Rae told me he was quite handy." Walter
related other stories Rae had told him about Krycek's rabbit trap
line, his other hunting and his carving talents. "Somewhere in the
things you've brought is a series of little wooden animals that he
carved for the baby. Rae said that they are quite good."

	Dana re-appeared from the stairs and they all heard water
running. "She decided not to wait until after dinner. She excused
herself and hoped we wouldn't mind if she washed now." She smiled at
both men as she passed on her way to the kitchen. "I'm sure she'll
feel better after a nice hot shower, but I'm not sure what she'll
find to wear. Do you have anything, sir?"

	Walter nodded and headed for the stairs. Before going up he
pulled two bills out of his pocket. "Here's the money for the pizza,
just in case. Please make yourselves at home and I'll be right
back." He bounded up the stairs two at a time.

	Mulder told Scully the tales of Krycek's talents and she looked
as surprised as he. She sat in the little rocking chair, admitting
that the uneven rockers had a certain comfort, but still couldn't
bring herself to believe that Krycek, the man responsible for so
much mayhem had built it. It just seemed inconceivable that he could
be that kind or thoughtful.

	Upstairs Walter got a pair of soft cotton drawstring pants and
a tee shirt out of his bag. He was sure that they would be
comfortable for Rae. Tomorrow they'd go get her some maternity
clothes. He grinned: maternity clothes..... for Rae..... for his
baby...... He went into the bathroom and spoke to her over the
splash of the shower. "Do you need anything, honey?"

	"No thanks. I'm almost done." The water went off and she peeked
around the curtain, hiding her body with it. "Can you hand me a
towel, though?"

	Walter stood a foot back from the tub and held a towel up. "Why
don't you come and get it?"

	Rae snatched it out of his hands and snapped it at him. "Why
don't you go see if our guests need anything, like something to
drink?"

	He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "Okay. We'll have
plenty of time later. I put some clothes for you on the bed, and a
pair of socks. Don't worry about being casual right now, I think
everybody understands." He sauntered out of the room in his easy,
confident way and Rae watched him, thinking about later.

	'You bet we'll have time later, Mr. Assistant Director, sir. I
have plans for you.'

............

	They sat companionably together, sharing food and stories. Rae
found out how they had come to find her at all: the lucky finding of
Anders and the report of the young fire spotter. How all the pieces
rapidly fell into place and in a matter of days her position was
pinpointed and a rescue mounted. It occurred to her that there was a
little too much luck involved and something about the entire tale
made the hackles on the back of her neck rise.

	Walter broached the bottle of sparkling cider that he had put
by for this night and they drank toasts. The four of them took the
opportunity to relax and enjoy the company they were afforded after
the long grueling winter. Although stressful for each in a
different way, it had nonetheless been difficult for all. But now
they could rest, recuperate and regroup.

	Rae called her family and spoke briefly to each member. She
promised that they would stop by later tomorrow and that she would
answer whatever questions she could. She still wanted to call Char
in California and Terry in Seattle, but she was beginning to yawn
and her eyes kept drifting shut. She was warm, relaxed,  replete
with food and drink and safe in her own home. Soon she would be in
bed with her man, asleep in his arms after loving him and that would
be the perfect end to such an eventful day. If she could only keep
her eyes open 'till then.

	Walter saw her sleepy expression, her smile of happiness and
grinned himself. At long last he had his mate back. She had been
right so long ago when she had told him that what they had was
beyond love, beyond commitment. They were true mates, both in body
and in spirit. Alone they were incomplete, but together they made a
whole that nothing could break apart. They were connected, as his
father had said. But just now, his lady looked on the verge of
sleep, and Walter nudged her as she sank against his shoulder.

	"Come on, sleepyhead. I think you ought to get your behind up
those stairs and into bed."

	She smiled softly up at him, mindful of their company and
whispered very softly, "Is that an invitation, Mr. Assistant
Director, sir?"

	"More like an order, Mrs. Assistant Director. Go on up, I want
to talk to Mulder and Scully a moment about their report." Once
again there was an undercurrent in his voice that Rae couldn't
pinpoint.

	But her brain was too muzzy to contemplate it just now.
She wanted a nap, so that she could be fully awake and aware when
Walter came up to bed. She rose and made her excuses to Fox and
Dana. "I really am sorry. I was hoping to visit for a while longer.
I hope you can stay through the weekend and maybe come to a barbeque
at my brother's house." She smiled softly at Fox, knowing that her
next words would garner a reaction from her man. "Are you sure you
want to go to a hotel? I'm sure we can make you comfortable here on
the couch, Fox. And Dana I know that you'd like the sofa bed
upstairs....." Her eyes began to twinkle when she heard Walter cough
behind her.

	"They can get a hotel room, Rae. They'll be far more
comfortable there. I know *I* will be." He rose and took Rae's
elbow, guiding her toward the stairs. He leaned close to her ear and
whispered, "Besides I don't want any witnesses."

	A blush crept over Rae cheeks and she turned her head back to
the embarrassed agents. "Thank you both for all you've done. You'll
come to dinner tomorrow?" She waited until she saw Dana nod, then
turned to the stairs. She was really feeling sleepy now. "G'night,
then."

..............

	Walter turned after she disappeared upstairs. He sat back on
the couch and picked up another slice of pizza. He wanted to tell
them, to prepare them for what was waiting for them back in DC. But
how.....? How do you tell someone that you can't take the risk any
longer? That, finally there's something in your life worth living
for and that you won't take a chance with her ever again?

	After contemplating his next words, Skinner looked at both
Mulder and Scully. "I agree with Rae and hope the two of you can
stay through the weekend. I know she'll want to visit some and I
.... I'm hoping that you'll be able to attend the wedding."

	Mulder's eyes flew open and a grin spread over Scully's face.
"Congratulations, sir," she said warmly. "When is it going to be?"

	"Just as soon as we can arrange it. I'm going to ask Gale to do
the blood tests tomorrow, and we'll get the license. Rae knows a
judge who lives here in Pewaukee and her family's already here. I'll
get my folks to come up from Indiana. It'll be small and *very*
informal, but I don't think Rae will mind." He smiled at the
thought. He knew that he was taking a chance by discussing this with
his agents before broaching the subject with Rae, but he didn't
think she'd mind this time.

	"When will you be coming back to Washington, then?" Mulder knew
that Skinner would want to have some time alone with Rae before
returning to the Bureau. He'd been gone since February, though and
the AD's who were helping with his divisions were little or no help
as far as Mulder was concerned. Skinner was his only ally in the
Bureau. Without his backing the X-FIles could very well be
closed.... permanently.

	But Mulder couldn't mistake the troubled look on Skinner's face
just now. He got a sinking feeling in his gut as Skinner sat forward
on the sofa and looked at his hands. 'He's not coming back....'

	"Mulder, this winter has been a terrible one for me, and for
Rae. We've been put through things that nobody should have to
endure. The emotional and psychological tolls can't even be
measured. I don't know if Rae will ever be able to trust a stranger
again, or even a friend and I know that I can no longer trust in the
Bureau." He looked up at them both, profound sadness filling his
brown eyes. "I won't be returning to Washington. I've resigned."

	"But, sir you can't give up. With Krycek gone they've lost a
valuable tool. If he's given you any information, or told Rae
anything...."

	"I won't involve her in any way, Mulder. She's been through
enough. The decision is made, I've already turned in my resignation
to Andrews. All I have to do is finalize it."

	"But sir, without you....."

	"Without me they may shut you down. Don't you think I'm aware
of that, Agent Mulder?" Skinner looked the younger man directly in
the eyes. "I'm *not* going to take another chance with Raelene's
life, or our child's. There is nothing on earth more precious to me
then the two lives that are up those stairs. And I...." he looked
once more at his hands, "....I just don't know if I believe
anymore."

	The silence that filled the cozy little room was deafening.
Each person, lost in their thoughts could hear the echo of voices;
Scully heard her family, her sister and she wondered what would have
happened if it had been her, Dana to arrive at her apartment that
night; Skinner thought about Rae and heard Andrews telling him that
he was shutting down the investigation; Mulder heard Samantha
calling to him in fear, begging him to help.

	Mulder understood Skinner's reasons. He truly understood that
there was a larger world for Skinner now, a world with more at stake
that just his own life. A wife, a child; these were the things that
a man like Skinner would live his life for and would die to protect.
An ideal, however was another matter. No ideal could keep you warm
at night, could comfort you after a difficult day, could run to your
arms and call you daddy.

	Dana was also saddened by the news, but for far different
reasons. True, they would lose a strong advocate in the Bureau, but
they would also lose a friend. She had grown to trust AD Skinner
during their tenure under his care. She had been looking forward to
working with him, perhaps getting to know Rae and to watching their
children grow. So many of the other AD's had families, they had
parties and get-togethers with others in the Bureau. She had been
looking forward to watching the Skinner's grow together through the
years and being a part of their lives.

	"I hope you'll be able to reconsider your position, sir.
Perhaps after talking it over with Rae...." Scully's voice was sad.
All of the things she was going to miss plain in her inflections.

	"I won't be discussing this with Rae. The decision has been
made." He found it in him to utter a rueful chuckle. "She'll
probably get angry over not being included, but I have to do this
for the three of us."

	Mulder and Scully nodded. What else could they say? If he
wouldn't even discuss it with Rae then there was little hope that
either of them could sway him. They rose sadly and collected their
coats.

	Skinner took the menu from the pizza and wrote the phone number
on it. "This is the number here, in case you didn't write it down
before." He looked at their morose expressions. "The invitation
stands." But he fell into uncomfortable silence. There was simply
nothing else to say......

Chapter 4

	Walter wrapped up the leftover pizza and picked up the living
room and kitchen. He stacked the dishes in the dishwasher, then
checked on the alarm system. When he was satisfied that all was well
he turned out the lights. But, before going up the stairs he stepped
out on the front porch and leaned against the railing for a moment,
looking up at the stars.

	He couldn't help but wonder if he was doing the right thing.
When his resignation became final that cigarette-smoking jerk could
do whatever he wanted with Mulder and the X-Files. He could shut him
down cold, or he could make his life miserable. The AD that they
would put in his place would be a puppet, dancing to the piper with
Mulder paying the fees.

	Walter looked at his hands, realizing that he was clenching the
railing so hard that his knuckles were white. He rubbed his hands
together, easing the imprint of the metal on his palms. 'Of course
I'm doing the right thing. Rae will be happy to stay here. She'll be
able to have the baby with her family near, she'll be at home. I've
got alot of experience......... I can find another job.' He picked a
leaf off the climbing rose on the trellis and tossed it into the
yard. 'I'm doing the right thing....' He went back into the house
and locked it tight.

	He peeled off his sweatshirt as he climbed the stairs, a smile
creeping across his lips. His lady was waiting for him, soft and
warm. He paused on the landing, realizing that he was nervous. 'It's
been so long...... ' and with that thought he felt a stirring, a
wild flash of excitement burning through him. She still wanted him,
she had shown it in the van, in her teasing about having Mulder and
Scully stay the night, in her whispered invitation when she came
upstairs..... and he wanted her so much that he knew he wouldn't be
able to hold back. He took the rest of the steps two at a time.

	But he paused at the bedroom door. Rae was laying on the bed on
her side, like she always did when she was waiting for him. She had
removed the soft cotton pants, but not pulled up the covers and her
shapely legs lay tempting on the smooth sheets. His T-shirt
covered her bottom just enough to let him know that she wasn't
wearing anything underneath. He leaned against the door jamb,
admiring her, feeling the love and desire flowing through him.

	He began to unbutton his jeans when the smile began to fade
from his lips. He didn't want to hurt her....and he'd never be able
to lay beside her without making love to her.... but....the
baby..... would the baby be okay?..... she'd already had one
miscarriage, he didn't want to be the cause of another......

	He leaned his head against the door frame, watching her
shoulders rise and fall with her breathing. 'We should check with
Gale before.....' Pulling himself by sheer force of will he turned
into the guest bedroom and tossed his sweatshirt onto the chair.
Quietly, so as not to waken Rae, he set his suitcase on the floor
and pulled open the sofa-bed. He grimaced at the squealing protest
of the long-unused springs, but got it open with a minimum of fuss.

	He sat down, bending over to untie his hiking boots when he saw
a pair of bare feet. He followed the delightful line up, past nice
ankles, well-turned calves, sexy, scarred knees to the hem of a blue
T-shirt. His eyes caressed the small roundness of her abdomen and
appreciated the swell of her firm breasts before finally arriving at
her face. 'I've forgotten how beautiful she is,' he thought silently
as he took in the curving smile on her sweet lips and the twinkle in
her deep blue eyes.

	Rae leaned against the door frame and crossed her ankles,
pointing to the open bed. "I thought you sent Mulder and Scully to a
hotel?"

	"I did. I thought we'd all sleep better if they were out of the
house." He grinned up at her and felt a stirring between his thighs.


	"Then why ........"

	Walter looked sheepishly at the little bed on which he sat. Of
course it looked ridiculous, his large frame on this short, narrow
sofa-bed. "I just thought you'd like to get a good night's sleep,
that's all." He returned to removing his boots. "After all you've
been through today and we're both really tired, I figured we should
get some sleep."

	Rae moved close to him, nearly standing between his thighs. She
reached out with her good hand and stroked his cheek. "We'll have
plenty of time to sleep, won't we?" She raised his face with a hand
beneath his chin. "Right now I need something else...." She trailed
her hand down his throat to his broad chest and let her fingernails
gently stroke through his hair.

	Walter closed his eyes, allowing her sensuous touch to wash
through him. Then he put his hands firmly on her waist and put her
back, at arm's length. "I think that a woman who's pregnant and
who's just broken her arm ought to get some rest, eh?" He tried to
keep his voice light, but he couldn't mistake the confusion on her
face.

	Tears stung at Rae's eyes. She felt more hurt than she could
have imagined. He'd never before acted so distant and, once again
her mind turned traitor: 'It's because he doesn't really want to
make love with you now that you're fat. You're not attractive
anymore to him.....' But she couldn't find her tongue to express
what she was feeling.

	Walter looked away. One way or another he was bound to hurt her
tonight, this seemed to be the smallest way. "You'll feel better in
the morning, honey. Then, after we talk to Gale we'll have a clearer
picture of what we should do."

	She nodded silently and bit her lip. Her entire body ached for
him, for his touch. "I won't hold you to the rule, then. Unless of
course, you want me to."

	He looked puzzled. "What rule is that?"

	"The one that says that you don't sleep in this house unless
you sleep with me...... remember?" She gazed straight into his soft
brown eyes, willing him to pull her tight into his arms and
kiss her with all his heart and soul.

	"Do you want me to go to a hotel?" His voice was flat,
carefully without expression. He would go if she wanted him to,
but....... but.......

	"*NO*!" She took a step back. "I want *you*. But, if you don't
want me anymore, it's okay. I won't hold you to any part of ......"

	"*What*?" It was Walter's turn to be incredulous. "Is *that*
what  you think? That I don't want you?"

	"What am I supposed to think? Walter, all winter I've been
dreaming about being with you again: to hear your voice and feel you
hold me, to make love with you again. Then I'd wake up in that cabin
with Al staring at me as though he knew exactly what I'd been
dreaming about. You're my man, my mate.... I ..... and now you won't
even touch me. You won't put your arms around me and you push me
away. Exactly what am I supposed to think?"

	"But.... but ... Rae ..... I ....that's not the reason why...."

	"Then *tell me* the reason, Walter. Tell me why you pushed me
away just now, why you decided to try sleeping on this awful old
sofa-bed instead of in our bed, in my arms. Why?"

	"Because I don't want to hurt you!" His voice tore free. He
hung his head, ashamed to face her. "Not because I don't want you.
God Rae, I can't think about anything else. Don't you know that
that's the reason I wanted my agents out of the house?"

	Rae stood right in front of him and lifted his chin once more.
"Walter, you won't hurt me. I know that. Why do you doubt yourself
now, when we both need each other so much?"

	"Because, honey I don't know what to do. I don't know *how* to
make love to you. I can't even imagine what I'd do if I hurt you or
the baby." His eyes glistened and he lay a gentle hand on her
abdomen. "I've never made love to a pregnant lady before."

	Tears began to flow as Rae flung her arms around him and pulled
his head against her chest. She cradled his face against her and
murmured loving words softly in his ear. Then she pulled his head
back by his ears and lay her hand on his cheek, stroking her thumb
gently over his lips. "Then that makes us even, don't you see? I've
never been a pregnant lady being made love *to* before." She set her
knees on either side of him, climbing astride his thighs and lowered
her lips to his.

	After a few sweet kisses, Walter pulled his head back and gazed
at her. Her deep blue eyes..... ah, he could drown in those blue
eyes... were fiery with desire. But he still hesitated. "Honey, I
don't want to be like him..... I don't want anything to happen..."

	"Love, you can't hurt me or the baby by making love with me."

	"But..... "

	"Walter, he didn't love me. He raped me, then beat me and
that's what caused the miscarriage. You are not and never will be
anything like Tom." She kissed him, and allowed her words to warm
his lips. "I love you, Walter and I want to make love with you." She
looked into his eyes. "Please........ don't make me sleep alone
tonight." She guided one of his large, warm hands to her hip, the
other to her breast as she claimed his mouth once more.

	Walter gave in, kissing her fervently, eagerly, the flames
rising in him. He slid one hand under her shirt and caressed her
smooth, firm bottom. He supported her back with his other hand as
his lips found their way slowly down her throat to kiss her breast
through the shirt. He heard Rae's voice begin to moan, gasping his
name with each excited breath as she squirmed on his lap.

	Once again her fingers trailed down over his magnificent chest,
caressing his soft, dark, curly hair. Her fingertips teased and
stroked his nipples erect and he groaned against her breast. She
lowered her lips to his shapely ear and flicked her tongue along the
curve, gently nipping the lobe with her teeth. She whispered and
moaned into his ear, repeating words of love and desire. She leaned
back just a little and, with one smooth motion pulled the T-shirt
over her head.

	Walter looked at her body, his eyes darker than the night
outside the window. Her breasts were fuller and heavier than before
and the pink tips had turned a deeper rose. Her lovely pale skin was
radiant, flushed now with the excitement of her need. Her waist was
only slightly thickened, but her abdomen was definitely larger. She
was five months pregnant now, and she would definitely need
maternity clothes.

	But Walter wasn't thinking about clothes. He wrapped one arm
across her back to support her and slid his big hand underneath her
bottom. He planted his feet flat and rose with his knees, picking
Rae up with him. She, in turn wrapped her legs around his hips and
locked her ankles together at the small of his back, digging in with
her heels. She held onto his neck with her good arm and kissed and
nibbled every spot that she could reach on his neck and shoulders.

	When he reached the bed, instead of laying her down, he climbed
up onto the mattress, carrying her along with him. He lay down, with
Rae beneath him and began suckling and nibbling her breast in
earnest. His passion flamed suddenly bright, his need for his mate
burning in his throat. He whispered her name against her silky skin,
his breath hot. His stubbled cheek left a trail along the delicate
surface, and he soothed it with his tongue, tasting her.

	Rae writhed under the treatment of his lips and tongue. She was
thrumming like a violin string, arching her back to him and aching
for satisfaction. With her uninjured hand she clawed at Walter's
back and shoulders, running her fingernails lightly down his spine.
She felt the shivers that passed through him at her touch and she
continued her journey, sliding her hand under his jeans to fondle
his hard, tightly muscled buttocks. She hooked her fingers in the
waisbads of both his jeans and shorts and pulled them down below his
hips, then carefully keeping her casted arm on the mattress at her
side, she slid her hand around his slender hip to cup and caress his
already large erection. She felt Walter's hand likewise caressing
her, probing gently with his finger to make certain that she was
ready for him.

	"Oh, Walter..... my Walter, I want you now..... ohhhhh,
Walter..... now...... " With a sure hand she guided him into her,
tangling the fingers of her casted hand into the sheets and crying
aloud as he entered.

	Walter moaned her name as he felt her accept him, enclosing him
in her warmth. Her thrusts nearly lifted her the bed so Walter
took a pillow and slid it under her hips for support. He held still,
waiting for her to calm down. He kissed her deeply, his tongue
languidly gliding along hers and she opened her eyes.
		
	Pulling back to look at her, he smoothed the hair from her
face. She was glowing, eyes and face lit from within with glittering
passion. "I adore you, my Raelene." He bent to kiss her again,
murmuring as he did so, "I promise you that we'll never sleep apart
again. I'll always be here to love you..... and comfort you....." He
made his way along her jawline to her ear. He began to move slowly,
thrusting long and deep with each stroke. He looked deep into her
sparkling eyes. "And to excite you......"

	With that he picked up the pace a little, starting a rhythm
that Rae kept up with effortlessly. Their moans filled the little
room, echoing around the corners, lifted by the ceiling fan. The old
bed frame creaked with their activity, adding its voice to the
mixture of sounds.

	Rae's voice began to rise in pitch as she felt the climax begin
to race along her limbs. Shocks and pulses converged in a tight ball
at her center until she felt as though she was going to tear in two.
Then, suddenly with a wailing cry the ball burst and every muscle in
her body clenched.

	"Oh, Waaaaaaallllllttttteeeeerrrrrr!"

	He watched her, holding still for a moment, letting her howl
enter his soul. Her breasts thrust high and her throat bared to his
gently grazing teeth as she bolted up against him. Inside he felt
her power as her muscles bore down, nearly strangling him with their
strength. He held onto her tightly, suckling her firm breasts and
willing himself to remain still until he felt the wave carry her on.
Then he began again, faster, more urgently. He had controlled
himself for as long as he could, he had no will left.

	Rae felt another climax roiling within, edging ever closer to
the brink. But this time she felt Walter joining her. She felt the
short, hard pounding strokes and heard his gasping breath on her
skin. She planted her feet flat on the bed and reached down along
his back with her uninjured hand. She lay her fingertips against the
small of his back, working them in a tight circle. She was rewarded
by a deep-throated howl as Walter's movements became jerky and
rough. She tried to continue, to give him as much pleasure as she
was able, but, with his yell her body tipped over the edge and her
voice joined his in a primal, ecstatic wail.

................................

	It took Walter a long time to realize that he had collapsed on
top of Raelene. He didn't know how long it had been, but he knew
that itwas too long. His weight wastoo much for her small,
pregnant frame, he had to move. But... Rae's soft, strong legs were
still wrapped around his hips, her arms holding him, one hand
tenderly stroking his head. His cheek was pillowed upon her chest,
face burrowed into the hollow of her neck. Slowly he raised his
head, lips trailing kisses along her neck until he could look into
her eyes.

	Those eyes, deep and incredibly blue were soft and sated. Her
face had the look of a well-loved and satisfied woman and a small
grin flittered at the corners of her mouth. Walter kissed her
smiling lips, teasing at the corners with the tip of his tongue.
Then he pulled his weight up, onto his hands and gazed down at her.

	Her skin was flushed and damp with a glittering sheen of sweat.
Even holding himself like this her belly brushed against him. Soon
it would be too large for them to make love like this. He smiled
softly, 'But there are other ways.....'

	"What are you grinning about?" Her purring soft voice broke his
thoughts.

	"I was just wondering what we're going to do when you get too
big." His grin widened. "We're going to have to start being more
inventive."

	He felt her soft quiver as she chuckled. "I'm sure we'll think
of something."

	Walter finished pushing himself up and sat on the edge of the
bed. Looking down he realized that he'd never finished undressing.
'Geez, you'd think I was a sex-crazed teenager." He felt her
fingertips trail down across his back and raised his eyes to the
window. He knew he had to tell her, and soon. He heaved a sigh.

	"What?"

	Not turning he spoke softly, trying mightily to keep a cheerful
tone in his voice. "How would you like to stay here to have the
baby?"

	Rae's eyes opened wide and she rolled onto her side to look up
at him. "Is that possible? What about your job? I don't want you to
commute all that way...... and I *don't* want you to stay in DC
during the week. How?" She couldn't keep from sounding excited. It
meant that her family would be near, that Gale could deliver the
tadpole, that she wouldn't have to be alone in a strange place.....

	He smiled and turned, stroking her face with gentle fingers. "I
wouldn't ask if it wasn't possible. Would you like it?"

	"Of course I would. Oh, Walter it would be so nice. But, what
about the FBI?"

	"Don't worry about that."

	"But, I don't want you to get in Dutch with Andrews on my
account. Heavens, all those people we owe already....."

	"It doesn't matter, Rae. Andrews doesn't have anything to say
about what I do anymore." He looked at the window again, unable to
stop the feeling of sadness that swept over him. "I've resigned,
Rae. I'm not with the FBI anymore."

	Rae blinked, unsure she had heard him correctly. "What do you
mean? If you're not with the FBI, then where did all those people
come from who helped to find me? When did you leave? Why?"

	"None of that matters. You're home, we're together and we can
stay here if you want to." He looked at his hands.

	"But, Walter - why? Why did you leave?" Something in her told
her that this might be the most important conversation they would
ever have. She couldn't let it go, no matter what.

	"It doesn't matter...."

	"Yes, it does." She sat up more and lay her hand on his
shoulder. She could feel the tension running under his taut skin.
"It makes a great deal of difference in how we live our lives from
now on, where we live and how."

	"Rae, I'm a grown man, you know. I'm capable of making a
decision about my own career." His voice began to get edgy and
rough.

	"Of course you are, I'm not debating that...."

	"Then leave it alone. The decision has been made - end of
story."

	"But I want to understand....."

	"I said - leave it alone!" He pushed himself up and fastened
his pants. He stalked out of the room and Rae heard him descending
the stairs heavily.

	She sat, quiet and confused. She was certain, somewhere inside
that there was more to this than just a simple change of careers.
Walter was hurting, deeply hurting and it was because of the past
few months. She couldn't let him go through this alone. She knew he
was a private man, a man who told few people his inner feelings or
revealed his softer nature. But..... he was *her* man and she had to
help him through this, even if it raised his ire, even if it upset
him, even if he never wanted to speak to her again...........


Chapter 5

	After stomping down the stairs Walter headed for the kitchen,
but he was too restless to make coffee. The filters kept slipping
out of his fingers and he threw them back into the cupboard
frustratedly. They scattered about, falling on the counter top and
sink and Walter just stared at them, resting his head against the
cupboard door. 'Why can't she just let it go? Why does she want to
make me go through it all again? Doesn't she understand that I
*can't* tell her.......?' The thoughts kept running through his
mind.

	He wearily picked up the coffee filters and set them on the
counter in a pile, then wandered back to the utility room. He opened
the back door and stood, looking out into the yard. The moonlight
frosted the new growth that was beginning to spurt out of the
ground. Blades of tulip leaves and iris swords were beginning to
push their way up and sedum, already green was extending its fleshy
leaves. Soon the yard would be a riot of color as all the early
bulbs bloomed.

	But this meant nothing to the tall man standing in the doorway.
He didn't see the young, growing things just now. His mind was too
occupied with wonder and worry: How was he going to support his
family? How was he going to pay for the expense of rescuing Raelene?
How was he going to pay the hospital bills for the baby? What could
a 46 year old former FBI Assistant Director do? And, perhaps most
important: how was he going to explain to Rae why couldn't go back?
He took the chance of destroying any faith she had left.

	Rae crept quietly down the stairs, wrapping herself in her
satin robe. 'At least this still fits,' she thought absently as she
looked about the darkened living room. She cocked her head to the
side, listening and was rewarded by the sound of a soft latch
opening.

	She passed through the kitchen and saw the unruly pile of
coffee filters. In his normal state Walter would never have just
left them like that, he was far too ordered and organized. 'He's
more upset than I thought.' She rested her hand beside the white
paper baskets for a moment, composing herself. She had to get him to
talk to her, had to get him to open up. If he kept this inside it
would eat at him and he'd become discontent, unhappy and moody. He
would be the stern AD that she had heard about from various
employees at the Bureau, and she would become Sharon, relegated to
the fringes of his life.

	She wouldn't allow that to happen, but she had to do this
right. She loved Walter more than anything she'd ever experienced
before. To lose him now, over this would be inconscionable; to keep
him silent and edgy, however would be intolerable.

	Rae proceeded through the kitchen to the utility room and saw
him. He had opened up the inside door and was looking out to the
yard through the storm door. The moonlight frosted his magnificent
shoulders, highlighting their well - developed and defined
musculature. One large, strong hand rested on the door frame, level
with his ear, the long fingers draped gracefully along the molding.
He had thrown his weight on his right foot, leaning against that
raised hand. A stranger would have thought it a relaxed pose, just a
man gazing at his domain, but Rae recognized the tension in the set
of his shoulders and their tightness. She could see the tendons in
his neck and the working of his jaw muscles.

	Rae walked up softly, sensing his tension increase as she
approached. She stood close to his back and pressed herself against
him, feeling the warmth of his skin through her robe. She pressed a
series of small, soft kisses across his shoulder blade, then lay her
cheek against him. She felt his muscles relax some, heard his breath
come a little easier.

	"Please don't be angry, Walter. I'm not trying to make you
change your decision, or telling you that you have to go back. I'm
just trying to understand you. Please talk to me," her voice was
soft, but firm. Her determination was evident in the inflections and
quiet sureness with which she spoke. She was neither whining nor
demanding, simply asking for information.

	But Walter didn't want to talk. He wanted to keep her safe and
free from worry, wanted to restore her trust. If he told her how
betrayed he felt she wouldn't feel sure about anything again.
Besides, he had begun to see the rashness of his decision; leaving
so abruptly without working out any details. Yet he was determined
to stand by it. When he called Andrews tomorrow it would be to
finalize his resignation and to let him know when he would be in to
gather his things. He couldn't tell Rae these things, they were his
to deal with. He had told her precious little about his work, just
that one short trip to the office and now, just as he had with
Mulder, he would not allow his work to taint their life together.

	"There's nothing you need to understand, Rae. It's over. After
I get my things from the office I'll whip my resume into shape and
start looking for a new job. You won't have to worry about anything,
honey. I'll be able to support us." He tried to make his voice
reassuring, but succeeded in making it flat, forcing himself to
speak unnaturally.

	Rae straightened a little, raising her head. "I'm not
worried about income, Walter. I may not make as much money as an FBI
Assistant Director does, but I can certainly support us. Do you
really think it's money I'm concerned with when you're standing here
in the middle of the night?" She wrapped an arm around his middle
and hugged him as best she could. "It's *you* that I'm worried
about, darling. Please tell me about it."

	He sighed heavily. He realized now that he had picked the wrong
time to break his news. She wasn't going to let this go easily. "I'm
fine, honey. Why don't you go on back to bed? I'll be up in a little
while and....."

	At that Rae stood straight up and stepped back a pace. "Walter
Sergei Skinner don't you dare tell me to be a good little girl and
go to my room! If we're going to be married then we're going to be
partners. You wouldn't keep vital information from your partner,
would you?"

	"This isn't an investigation, Raelene and the information is
'eyes only'....... my eyes!"

	"But you've made a decision that is important to us both and to
our lives together. Don't you think I deserve to know the reasons?"

	"No! This doesn't concern you...."

	"Like hell it doesn't. I'm not some little tart you picked up
on a street corner. If it involves our lives, then it certainly
*does* concern me."

	Rae saw the knots grow in his back, saw the muscles working.
She heard his sharp intake of breath and saw his hand ball into a
fist. Inwardly she flinched, even though she knew that he would
never lash out at her. For Rae it was a reflex, born of the years of
abuse she had suffered at her first husband's hands. But, even the
knowledge that she was physically safe didn't blind her to the
dangerous territory through which she was treading. This was a
vital, powerful man she was dealing with; a man unaccustomed to
sharing his decisions. How could she get him to open up?

	Walter felt his anger and frustration rising like a bitter
wave. Rae's continued questioning was beginning to get to him. He
wished she would just stop and go back up to bed. He needed to
think, needed quiet. He heard her breathe in deeply, as though
marshaling her arguments. But he stalled her before she could get
out a word. "I just can't talk about it, Rae. Don't you see that?"

	"No, Walter I don't. I thought relationships and marriages were
supposed to be about sharing. But you seem to think that I'm the
only one who's not supposed to keep anything back. You kept after me
to tell you about Tom, right from the beginning. You kept on and on
until you got it all out of me, until I had not one secret left to
hold. But now, when you have something that's disturbing you, I'm
just supposed to 'go back to bed'? It don't work that way, babe."

	"Leave it alone, Rae." His voice was becoming dark and
dangerous. "I can handle this."

	"Like you handled it with Sharon?"

	"Damn it, Rae I said drop it!" Walter pounded his fists into
the storm door, causing it to fly open, nearly bursting the hinges.
His rage bubbled in his gut and he stalked out onto the deck. He
paced to the railing and brought his tightly held fists onto it.

	Rae blinked once and swallowed hard. She realized that she was
trembling, but didn't let it stop her. She walked through the still
open door and quietly closed it behind her.

	"Talk to me, Walter. Tell me what's wrong." He just stood there
shaking his head. "This isn't just about quitting a job. I have
eyes, I can see that there's more to it than that. Did someone tell
you something about Alex..... or about what they thought he was
doing to me? Walter... *talk to me*!" She put a firm hand on his arm
and he shook it off. "Walter......"

	He spun around to face her, flushed, eyes glittering with rage
and pain. "They cut me off, Rae. They shut down my investigation and
told me that I couldn't use Bureau resources to find you. They
wanted to throw you away, throw our baby away and my life!" He
clenched his fists and looked at the clear, cold sky. "They told me
that your life meant nothing, and that you weren't worth the effort
to continue the search." He looked back at her, his breath was
beginning to break and come in great heaves. "Mulder had just
re-issued the Interpol bulletins, he'd just gotten confirmation that
you had been taken north, to Canada. Three days, just three days
before! I began to hope again, to feel that I'd really get you back.
I stopped having the terrible nightmares...... I ......" He looked
helplessly at her, eyes filled with tears. "Rae..... I......"

	Rae said nothing, just pulled him against her. She was shocked,
but it explained much of Walter's behavior since they left the
hospital; his sudden silences and occasional anguished looks.  Tears
trickled out of her own eyes as she listened to his tortured,
wracking sobs. "Oh, my love, I'm so sorry. I didn't know, Walter. I
didn't know...." She crooned to him softly, stroking his neck and
head with gentle fingers.

	It took a long time for Walter to calm, and Rae was reminded of
November, the night before Gramma Alton's funeral; the night she'd
told him the worst about Tom. It was another time he had cried out
his rage and frustration. That time it had been for her, this time
it was for himself.

	Soon his voice came quietly, close to her ear. "I feel
betrayed, Rae. As though the last, it's close to twenty years....
have been wasted. I feel like there's nothing I can trust anymore."

	"That's where you're wrong, Walter." She placed her hands on
either side if his face and raised it to look at her. "You can trust
me, and our families, and our little tadpole." She stroked his
cheeks gently and smiled softly. "You're not alone anymore, Walter.
You don't have to shoulder this all by yourself. After all you're
the one who's always after *me* to open up and I have. Don't you
think I want the same from you?" She kissed his cheek and snuggled
against him.

	Walter held her close and nuzzled his face against her hair. "Oh,
honey I've forgotten what it's like to talk to you. I'm just trying
to protect you, to keep your trust. I don't want you to ever feel as
disillusioned as I do."

	"Love, I know who I can trust and exactly what they mean to
me." she looked up at him, resting her chin on his broad, hairy
chest and grinned. "I've got my arms around the biggest one and
squishing between us is another. Our families, a few friends; that's
who I trust. I don't give a fig who you work for, how much money you
make, or where we live. As for being disillusioned, love, you're the
one who gave me *back* my trust, and I want to do the same for you"
She trailed her fingertips up to his jawline and stroked it
tenderly. "You know, Walter, Al really did do a wonderful thing."

	His confusion showed in his deep brown eyes. "How so? By taking
you away from me and our families? By causing all of us worry and
fear?"

	"No, of course not that. But he kept me safe, jeopardizing his
own life in doing so. He went squarely against the people he worked
for and now he has to spend the rest of his life in fear, running
from them." She lay her cheek back against his chest and was quiet
for a few moments, just listening to the deep, sonorous beating of
his heart.

	Walter knew that she was right. Krycek *had* kept her safe and
had provided him with enough information to help her remain safe for
a long time to come. Although he hadn't had the opportunity yet to
examine the notebook, Walter was certain that he could hold at least
some of the information it contained as a bargaining chip with the
'Cancer Man'.

	Rae's voice was thoughtful when she spoke again. "Walter, would
you consider something for me before you make your final decision
about the Bureau?"

	"I thought I told you that the decision *was* final."

	"Then Andrews just let you go without a fight? He accepted your
resignation without any comment?"

	"No, he didn't accept it at all. He says I should call....."

	"Then listen to me for a moment....."

	"Rae......"

	"Walter, please." She placed her fingers over his lips. "If you
quit now, if you leave the FBI someone else will be put in charge of
Mulder and the X-Files, right?" He kissed her fingers and nodded.
"And the men that Al worked for, the ones who wanted to hurt me to
get at Fox through you will put someone else in your place,
right?" Again a silent nod, but his eyes were beginning to
understand her tack. "And they'll be able to do anything they want
to Fox and Dana without you there to protect them. They'll have
won."

	"But, darling, don't you see that I have something more
important to protect now? How will I take care of you and the
tadpole if I have to worry about Mulder?"

	"We'll do it together, Walter. There are things I can do to be
more careful..... "

	He was shaking his head. "I don't want to take any chances with
either of you. I need you far too much to risk you again. When I
think of what he might have done to you....." He squeezed his eyes
shut against the horrible visions that sprang to his mind: Rae
terrorized and bleeding, the baby gone, fear forever pursuing her.
"No, honey. I just can't"

	Rae felt the finality in him, the sadness and the loss. She
tightened her arms about his waist, hugging him, laying her cheek
against his warm skin. "Okay, love. I won't argue the point with
you. But you needed to tell me, I had to know so that I can help you
and so that you know you're feelings are safe with me." She kissed
his shoulder, rubbing her cheek against him. "Why don't we go back
in, now darling. It's a little chilly and you don't have any socks
on."

...................

	Rae drifted slowly up from sleep feeling Walter's warmth
pressed close to her back. They had cuddled up like spoons and
Walter had wrapped his warm, strong body around her. Now she felt
soft kisses in a trail across her shoulder, making their way toward
her earlobe. She felt the tickle of his tongue against her flesh and
shivered slightly. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile and
she murmured, "Morning."

	He hummed against her skin, reaching around to kiss the corner
of her mouth. "Morning."

	Rae rolled onto her back as Walter continued to kiss her. She
felt his hand rest upon her swollen belly. "This is a nice way to
wake up. Much better than I've had in a long time."

	"Mmmmm, this is the way you're going to wake up from now on,
honey." He raised his head to look at her, brown eyes rich with
emotion. "Even on the days that I have to go to work I'll wake you
with kisses." He chuckled deep in his chest. "Then you can go back
to sleep."

	"I doubt I'll be sleeping very late with a baby in the house.
In fact, I'll probably be up before you, feeding and changing." She
stroked his chin gently.

	"Well, I'll get the baby for you if that will help. I'll even
change it before I bring it in."

	Rae grinned. "Well, you *are* the early riser of this duo....
you mean you'd really do that?"

	"Of course I will. After all to quote someone very special:
we're partners and I want to be a good husband and dad. I'll do
whatever I can." Suddenly his hand literally leapt off Rae's
stomach. "Woah! What was that?"

	Rae began to giggle. "Do you have any place kickers in the
family?" She pointed up at the poseter of Brett Favre. "Maybe we
should name the baby Jacke....."

	"No way. No Packer names!"

	"Well, at least I didn't want to name it Boniol!" Rae dissolved
into giggles and lay her head on his shoulder as Walter flopped onto
his back with an exasperated sigh.

	"Geez, Rae. Don't corrupt the kid with football while it's
still in the womb. At least wait until it's born will you?!" Walter
began to kiss down her shoulder, working his way down to her
stomach.

	Rae rolled obligingly onto her back and enjoyed his
ministrations. But she began to laugh almost uncontrollably when
Walter reached her abdomen and began to whisper, his lips gently
tickling.

	"Be quiet, little tadpole. Stop kicking your mommy. Daddy loves
you both, but right now he and mommy have something to do." His
large hand began to caress her inner thighs. "Right now your daddy
wants to make your mommy feel very, very good." He continued to kiss
and caress and whisper until Rae was gasping and giggling and
writhing under his touch. He began making a southward journey with
his lips and tongue. He relished her, licking and nibbling,
listening to her moans, feeling her twist beneath him.

	He inserted two fingers into her, pleasuring her. He felt her
climax begin and heard her screech. She beat on the mattress with
her casted hand and twisted the sheets into the fist of her
uninjured hand. He paused, letting her ride the crest of excitement
to the fullest. He raised his head to watch her, laying close to
feel her. He removed his fingers and caressed her gently, listening
as her vocalizations decreased and her breath smoothed into long
sighs.

	He lay beside her, stroking her tenderly, just looking deeply
at her. He ran a hand over her belly, feeling the smoothness of her
skin. He wanted to lose himself in the depth and blueness of her
eyes, to sink into the warmth of the love that shone there. His
thought went unbidden to the big white house in Maryland and how he
had hoped to make a home there with her.

	"Honey, how would you feel about moving to Maryland after the
tadpole comes?" He watched the sparkle in her eyes, waiting to see
if it would change. To his surprise her whole face lit, her eyes
glowed even brighter. "I mean, I bought it for us, for our family.
If I stay with the Bureau that's where we'll live. Would that be
okay with you, hon?"

	"Walter, does that mean you're staying with the FBI?"

	"I thought about it a while before I fell asleep last night and
.... well, there's really nothing else I know how to do. And you're
right about Mulder and Scully. I'm not claiming that I'm the any
sort of protector, but things could be very different if someone
else were in charge of their investigations. Mulder may be
irritating and the whole division is a nuisance, but I can't just
hang him out to dry. I have to do whatever I can....." his voice
trailed off, unable to articulate the rest of his thought. But
Walter knew, somehow that words weren't necessary. He knew that Rae
understood him and trusted his judgment.

	"I think I'd love to see my big new house in Maryland. It is
mine, right?" Her grin lit the room and Walter wrapped her into his
arms, kissing her soundly.

	"You bet, honey. The only furniture is what I took from my
place in Crystal City. Even the walls are white, just waiting for
you to make them warm and lovely. It's just waiting for you to make
it a home." He kissed her again then laughed as he heard the sound
of Rae's stomach growling. He swung his legs off the bed and reached
for his sweats. "I nearly forgot how you need food after sex. I'll
go make breakfast." He turned back before leaving the room. "Why
don't you call Gale and see when she wants to see you?"

Chapter 6


	Walter came up the steps and heard a disgusted, frustrated
grunt then saw a sweatshirt fly across the bedroom. He peeked in to
find Rae sitting on the bed naked, with clothes strewn all about
her. Her face was flushed and she looked upset.

	"What's wrong, honey?"

	"I can't find anything to wear! I can't get a single pair of
pants on over the tadpole! I guess I'll have to wear your sweat suit
again."

	Walter grinned and put the tray on the bedside table. He held
up a finger in a classic 'wait a minute' pose and went into the
other room. He returned momentarily with a bag and knelt on the
floor in front of her.

	"You missed a few things while you were gone. Try this on for
size."
	
	Rae opened the bag and began to laugh. She pulled out a green
sweat suit emblazoned with 'Green Bay Packers Superbowl Champs'.
There was also a t-shirt commemorating Brett Favre's second NFL MVP
award and a video tape with highlights of the 'super season'. Rae
hugged the gifts to her chest, and tears broke from the corners of
her eyes.

	"Oh, Walter I missed it! I knew that this was going to be the
year and I missed it." She wiped her face and looked at her lover.
"Thank you so much for this."

	Walter brushed the tears from her cheeks. "Nick has taped every
game for you and Becky make a scrapbook of clippings. Greg even went
to one of the autograph signings and got a few autographs on a
Superbowl program for you. We all thought about you all winter and
did everything we could to capture as many memories as we could for
you." He sat beside her on the bed and put his arms around her.
"We spent the winter collecting things so that you wouldn't
feel too left out."

	Rae beamed at him, "If I know my Walter it was all his idea,
too."

	"Well, everyone wanted to do something. I just made a few
suggestions." He kissed her temple. "I know how much it means to
you..... after all, you're the one who wants to name the baby after
a Packer...... any Packer." His grin was sparkling and sweet, making
him look boyish and young. "Speaking of *our child* - when does Gale
want us to come in?"

	"Two o'clock. When I told her that you were making breakfast
she said that she'd give me ample time to be spoiled. But I'm the
one who spoiled our breakfast. It's cold isn't it?"

	"Not too cold. I think it's still edible." He handed her a
plate. "Do we have to bring anything along to Gale's office?"

	"You mean other than the tadpole?" Rae grinned.

	Walter picked up a pillow and thumped her with it. "Like
records, insurance cards, etc?"

	They talked the morning away, making plans for their first
visit together to the doctor. Walter made a list of questions and
they discussed the possibility of going to the licensing bureau and
Greg's house. They decided to ask Gale to draw the blood for the
needed tests and Rae called over to Peter's shop to ask them both
over for dinner. They agreed to try to have the ceremony on Sunday,
providing Walter's family could make it.

	"And I suppose I should invite Andrews and his wife."

	"Do you want to go down and call him, Walter? That is, if
you've made your final decision." Rae lay her head on his shoulder.
Walter was leaning back against the headboard and Rae lay close
beside him. They shared their warmth and touch, reaffirming their
bond.

	But instead of answering Walter picked up the bedside phone and
dialed FBI Headquarters. When Andrews assistant answered he replied
quietly. "This is Walter Skinner. Is Director Andrews available?"

........................

	Walter and Rae sat nervously in Gale Cassidy's waiting room.
Walter was full of apprehension for Rae, for the pain in her side
and her long months without proper care. He couldn't help but wonder
if, had she had proper care, she would be having this baby at all.

	The same thoughts were running through Rae's mind. She thought
of all the things that could go wrong, of things that could be wrong
with the little life growing inside her, or if the weak spot on her
left side would be able to withstand the difficulties of childbirth.
She was afraid that Gale would tell her to have a c-section, or
....'No,' she thought, 'I'm not even going to think it.'

	They were led into an exam room by the same nurse Rae had known
for years. Jeanine chattered while she took Rae's temp and BP,
talking about the doings of the area and telling them about her
kids. She kept glancing over at Walter as he sat nervously in the
small, blue plastic chair.

	"Maybe I should take *your* blood pressure, Mr. Skinner." The
chubby little nurse chuckled. "Relax, will you? After all *she's*
the one who's pregnant."

	Walter blushed and raised his warm, brown eyes to Rae's. He
thought that she looked incredibly beautiful in her Packer sweats,
which hung loosely from her shoulders at the moment. In another two
months the shirt would 'fill out' more as her abdomen grew larger.
He had been reading books on pregnancy during the winter, preparing
himself for the inevitable changes that he would see in Rae. He
expected the larger belly and breasts, the stretch marks, and
occasional tears. What he hadn't expected was that she could be this
heart-stoppingly lovely and sizzlingly sexy.

	Not that she hadn't been these things before her pregnancy,
but.... Walter couldn't put his finger on it. He had been putting it
down to missing her so terribly for so long. To his uncertainty
about her safety. It was those things, to be sure, and more. She
glowed when she looked at him. She was transparently happy in his
presence. Her touch was gentle and thrilling, her voice soft and
adoring. Even during their argument last night, given her
frightening history, she had remained calm and caring, giving him
just the right amount of push to stay with her. To not turn in on
himself, to not shut himself down.

	After Jeanine had left Walter went to stand close to Rae. He
slid his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead gently. "Do
you want me to help you undress?" He asked softly as he picked up
the soft cotton gown.

	But before Rae could answer there was a knock and Gale stepped
in. Her tall, sturdy frame was a comforting sight for Rae and her
warm, caring voice helped to calm both of them. "God it's good to
see you... all three of you!" Gale came over to the table and hugged
both Rae and Walter in turn, then gently rubbed Rae's abdomen. "How
do you feel? Can you tell me where you've been and if you've had any
care at all? How did you break your arm and did you bring the
records?"

	Rae laughed through Gale's questions and answered them with
liberal additions from Walter. Between the two they filled Gale in
on the past four months while the doctor exclaimed and shook her
head.

	At first Gale Cassidy was uneasy about Rae and her broken arm.
She wondered about Walter and if he had anything to do with the
injury. She was concerned that she might have to get Rae to a safe
place, or that she might not be able to talk in front of the big
man. Gale hadn't realized that Walter was such a sizeable fellow,
since they had only had telephone conversations. Such a large man
could injure unconsciously. If she had known it her thoughts were a
nearly perfect reflection of the doctor in Sault Ste Marie.

	But, seeing Rae and her lover made Gale relax immediately.
Watching their gentle teasing, listening to the way their voices
complimented each other and seeing the looks they exchanged allayed
the doctor's fear. She was more experienced than the young resident
had been and recognized the loving give and take of a pair that was
complete only when together.

	"Okay, Rae here's what's going to happen today. I'm going to do
a very gentle internal exam and an ultrasound. I'm going to have
Jeanine in to take blood and she'll give you a cup for a urine
sample. Since you've been out of touch for so long, I'm going to to
the full battery." Gale was all business again, writing on Rae's
chart and setting out her instruments.

	"Can Walter stay during the exam?"

	"Aw, honey, you probably want to be alone with your doctor. I
mean...... you might have.... you know... things to talk to her
about," Walter sounded embarrassed. He was blushing furiously, right
up to the tips of his ears.

	"What's the matter, Walter? Squeamish?" Gale grinned at the big
man.

	"No... ah.... of course not. I just thought that you two might
want to.... well..... oh hell." He looked helplessly at his lady,
hoping that she would bail him out of this mess.

	Rae laughed softly. "It's okay, love. You don't have to stay
for the internal. Believe me, I know how much fun they aren't." She
grinned broadly at his discomfiture. "But you will come back for the
ultrasound, won't you?"

	"That's the one where we get to see the little tadpole?"

	"Tadpole?" Gale looked at him questioningly. "Never mind right
now, you can tell me when we take the pictures. Yes, dad, that's the
one where you see the baby and you get your first.... um, tadpole
tape." Walter looked startled and Gale laughed out loud. "Video
tape. Photos, too. Go on and sit in the waiting room and read Sports
Illustrated (r). Pay particular attention to the 'Superbowl Center'
article on Frankie Winters. You might find yourself in a similar
position in a couple months." She patted Walter on the shoulder and
ushered him out of the room.

	Walter heard a soft laugh as the door closed and went to find
the article in question. 'Center?' He thought. 'What can she
possibly mean by center?'

................

	"Okay, Walter. You can come in now." Gale waved him back into the
exam room about a half hour later. "We're all set to see the
tadpole."

	From her position on the table, Rae reached out for Walter's
hand. The pair and Gale were joined by Jeanine, who gently rubbed
Rae's abdomen with the conducting gel and began the scan.

	Walter sat on a stool close by Raelene's side, held on to
her hand and gazed intently at the screen. In the quiet, darkened
room the fuzzy image gradually grew clearer to the couple as Gale
pointed out various characteristics. As the tiny fists, feet, legs
and arms were observed a look of wonder spread across Walter's face.

	He leaned close to Rae's shoulder, eyes wide and mouth agape.
His whispered "Rae, look at that!" punctuated the room, as did an
occasional sniffle from Rae as tears slowly trickled down her
cheeks.

	Gale asked Jeanine to pause over a spot. She used her pen to
point at the screen."This is the spot I'm worried about." The area
in question was dark and looked thick, irregular. "This seems to be
the problem. I think I'm going to want you to take it easy, Rae. I
don't want you to do any heavy lifting, any climbing or hiking. I
don't mean stairs, but no rock climbing around Devil's Lake, okay?"

	"God, Raelene," was Walter's soft exclamation when the lights
finally came back on and he was allowed to wrap his arm around her
shoulders. He helped her to sit and held her, kissing the tears from
her cheeks.

	Gale watched them for a moment as they looked deeply at one
another. Any doubts she may have harbored about Rae's safety or
happiness vanished. There was no mistaking the adoration on Walter's
face when he looked at her. "Why don't I let you help Rae get
dressed, then you both can join me in my office. I've collected
some materials, articles and bibliographies to help you catch up to
where you are now and to help you through the next few months.
I'll also go over some guidelines for your physical activity, Rae."

	"Ah, Gale?" Walter's voice was filled with emotion. Gale turned
back, eyebrows raised. "Can you do the blood test for the license?"

	"Sure," she smiled in reply. "I'll have Jeanine come back in
with the tray and we'll send it right out this afternoon. Do you
have a date?"

	Walter looked straight into Rae's eyes, sinking into their deep
blueness. "As soon as possible."	

....................

	After a their visit with Gale they make a stop at Greg's to
visit Rae's family and reassure them that she was alright. Nick and
Becky hurtled themselves at her the moment she got out of the car.

	"Hey, guys be careful! You Aunt's pregnant, you know," Walter
admonished gently.

	"Wow. Aunt Rae, this is really cool!" Nick exclaimed.

	Becky hugged her aunt and then backed to arm's length. "Is
that.. the baby?" Her hand hovered over her Aunt's abdomen. "Can I?"

	Rae smiled warmly at the tall girl and pressed her hands
against the baby. "Feel it? It's doing a flip, just like you do."
Becky's eyes were huge and a smile stole across her lips.

	In the house Greg folded his sister into his arms and hugged
her. His eyes teared and he whispered into her hair, "We're so happy
that you're home safely."

	The kids ran to get Rae's Christmas presents and Greg pulled
out the box of videotapes that they had made for her. Everyone tried
to talk at once making a wild cacophony of excited voices. Rae
somehow managed to sort them all out and responded to all the
questions that she could.

	Greg fired up the grill and wouldn't take no for an answer.
Walter went out to join him as he cooked the brats and Rae visited
with the kids.

	"Is she all right, Walter?" Greg asked. He poked at the coals
with a stick and drank from his beer bottle.

	"Other than the arm she's fine. Gale says that the baby is
strong and will probably be big." Walter grinned.

	"Just so long as it's not a ten-pounder like mine were. We
didn't have babies, we had toddlers!"

	Inside Rae was listening to the kids and looking at all the
photos from Christmas and birthdays. She told Cheryl as much as she
could and began to ask questions about being pregnant and having
babies. Nick left the room, disgusted with the turn of the
conversation, but Becky listened, laying against Rae. Their
connection renewed itself, communicating by touch and glance all the
time that they had missed.

	During dinner the status quo was very nearly restored. Rae
joked with the kids as Cheryl talked to Walter and Greg tried to
restore order. But the celebration was somewhat subdued. Part of the
reason for the quietness of the celebration was the fact that Rae
and Walter were both still tired. Part was due to the family's fear
of saying the wrong thing.

	They talked for a while after dinner, but Rae seemed tired so
Walter suggested they go. During their goodbyes Becky clung to Rae
for a moment, leaning her head on her Aunt's shoulder. Rae stroked
her head tenderly, murmuring softly.

	"Why don't you come out to my house this weekend, sweetie? You
can help me pick out some things for the baby."

	Becky looked up at the tall man who stood close by. "Can I
Uncle Walter?"

	"Sure you can, Becky. You and Aunt Rae can pick out colors and
wallpaper for the nursery. We'll go and check out some pattern
books, and the two of you can shop till you drop." Walter grinned
and put his arms around both of them. "I'd ask you to come along
right now, but we have to go and get Aunt Rae some clothes." He
kissed Rae's temple. "Much as she'd like to she can't wear this
sweat suit for the next four months."

..................

	Rae and Walter walked around the mall looking into windows and
talking about how they were going to decorate the house in Maryland.
Somehow Walter had gotten Andrews to agree to let him take a limited
duty leave. He would work online from Rae's house in Pewaukee and go
in to his office in DC once a week. Rae didn't ask how he'd done it,
she wasn't sure she wanted to know, but she was very happy that
she'd be able to have the baby here, with her friends and family
close by.

	At the largest of the three maternity shops Rae began to look
through the racks. She had a list that Cheryl had helped her draw
up, but beyond the basics she was on her own.

	"Honey, why don't you shop here for a while, get what you need
and I'll walk around a bit." He handed her a charge card. "Use
this..."

	"Walter I can pay for my own clothes." She pushed his hand
away.

	"Let's not discuss this right now, Rae. If you weren't pregnant
you wouldn't need new clothes. Since I'm partly responsible for
that, I should pay for them, okay?" He leaned his forehead against
hers. "Is that logical enough for you?"

	She punched him gently with her fist. "Oh, stop. Get out of
here while I buy some underwear! Go on." She pushed him away and
turned back to the rack.

	He gave her a firm squeeze from behind and headed for the
doorway. As he walked past the counter he looked over at one of the
clerks, herself very pregnant. "Make sure *my wife* gets everything
she needs, okay? I want her to have enough." They smiled and nodded,
waving to him as he threw Rae a mock salute. She stuck her tongue
out at him and he left, laughing.

	The pregnant clerk came over to help Rae make her selections.
"My name is Caroline, can I give you a hand?"

	Rae nodded at the doorway. "He thinks that being pregnant
affects the brain cells."

	Caroline chuckled. "Most men do. But that's okay, it can be
kind of nice to be spoiled a little when you feel lousy!."

..................

	Walter wandered through the mall, hands in the pockets of his
jeans and a smile planted firmly on his lips. If he had been in the
least aware of his surroundings he would have realized that he was
the object of several appraising stares from women of all ages. His
tall, lean figure was quite a sight especially as he was now:
relaxed and obviously happy. His eyes were glowing softly and his
step was more of a saunter than a stride.

	But Walter Skinner was not aware of the stares of other women
anymore. His thoughts were only of the woman who would soon be his
wife and the little tadpole that grew inside her. He looked up,
suddenly cognizant of his location. He was standing in front of a
toy store...... 'Well, why not?' ..... He looked in, hesitating only
a moment and went in.

	After the toy store he wandered further and came to a lingerie
shop. He remembered how Rae had thought that she wasn't attractive
to him anymore. Of course it wasn't true, but he felt the need to
reassure her. Gale warned him in a brief private moment that she may
be feeling a little fragile or unlovable because of her shape and
that he would have to remind her that he cared deeply. Not only that
he wanted her, but that he loved and cared for her.

	Coming out of the lingerie shop with yet another package he
glanced at his watch and decided to head back to the store where he
had left Rae. When he was married to Sharon it never ceased to amaze
him just how fast a woman could reach the limits of her spending
budget. He figured that Rae must be close to hers by now.

	He passed a little nature shop on his way and a bin of little
toys caught his eye. He picked one up and began to laugh. He paid
for it, the smile still crinkling in the corners of his eyes, and
moved on.

...................

	Rae was chatting to Caroline and Erin while she waited for
Walter. It turned out that Erin was also expecting and the three
were deep into a discussion of feeding when Walter crept up behind
Rae.

	"Hey, lady. Are you done already?" He leaned his elbow on the
counter beside her and looked up into her face.

	"Yup. I'm ready to go home. My feet are kind of aching." She
ran her finger along his hand and he caught it with his own.

	"Okay, where's your bag?" Caroline handed him a largish bag
over the counter. It was heavy, but not bulging. "What, this is
all?"

	"Well, yes. I don't need alot. Just some basics.... Walter!"

	Walter opened the bag and began rummaging through the it,
looking at her purchases. "But you only have one package of these
and there are only three in here..." He held up a bag of panties.
"And I'm sure Gale told you to get at least three of these," he
reached in and produced a nursing bra. "Why don't you get a few
more? And what about a nice dress or two, we might want to go out to
dinner or something. In fact we have the wedding dinner coming up
and....."

	"Walter, I have enough. Please, just put those back in the
bag." She reached over to take the packages from him and return them
to her shopping bag. She was blushing furiously. "It's not like we
live in the boonies y'know. We can come back any time."

	"But, honey I don't want you to have to chase around when we're
here now. I also don't want either of us to have to worry about
laundry every day. Don't you want to get another sweat suit? How
about a dress or two? You can't possibly have gone over the limit
with just these few things."

	Rae's blush extended to her ears. "I reached *my* limit, okay?
Now can we please go?" She began to pull on his arm.

	Walter set the bag down on the counter and walked over to the
rack of underclothes. "What size was that?" He picked up four
packages of the brand Rae had bought and set them on the counter.
Then he went to the dress rack and began to flip through the
hangers. "My sister always said that I was good with colors, except
when it came to my ties. You always look nice in blue...."

	"Walter..... stop!"

	He looked over at her and finally saw her discomfort. He went
over and put his hands on her shoulders. His voice softened and he
spoke gently, tenderly rubbing her collarbone with his thumbs.
Caroline and Erin made themselves busy elsewhere in the shop. "I
guess I'm getting a little over enthusiastic?" She nodded mutely. "I
just want you to be comfortable and to have enough to wear. You're
right, of course. We can come back when you're more rested."

	"But I really have enough here. I mean, I'm not exactly going
to stay the same size for the next four months. And this was all
I.... " She bit her lip. 'Oh no.... I can't tell him I wrote a
check!' She lowered her head and changed tacks. "Anyway, it looks
like you've done enough shopping for both of us. Are you a mall rat
or something?"

	He knew exactly what she was doing, but decided that they'd
discuss it quietly at home. He took the bag from her and nodded
toward the clothes racks. "You'll see when we get home. Just get a
few more things.... so we don't have to go out again too soon. I'd
like the chance to stay at home for a couple days. Okay?"

........................

	They got home rather later than they had wanted. Rae dozed in
the car on the ride and she was exhausted by the time Walter pulled
into the drive. The last few eventful days were taking a toll on
them both and even Walter's eyes felt dry and scratchy.They went
directly up the stairs. All either of them could think about was the
bed - and sleep.

	While Rae was washing up, Walter took out the acquisition he
had gotten at the lingerie shop and laid it on her pillow. Then he
put the other little gift on the bedside table. He knocked softly on
the bathroom door. "I'm going downstairs to set up the coffee pot.
You want anything?"

	"A cup of tea would be nice, thanks."

	She heard him going down and came out of the bathroom. Even
though she was assured of his desire, she was a bit shy of her body.
She hadn't had a belly for a long time and it reminded too much of
her fat years for comfort. She stood for a moment in front of the
full length mirror in the hall and rubbed her hand over the gentle
curve. The baby was safe, she was home with her lover, who would
soon be her husband.

	'Husband....' The word drew a wealth of conflicting feeling out
of her. Her brothers were good husbands. Her father had not been,
nor her first. But Walter? How would it be with him when there was
no excitement? When it was just the day-to-day stuff? Would he get
tired of her after a few years, as her father had done with her
mother?

	She shook her head. 'No,' she thought. 'I am *not* going to do
this to myself. If I have to have doubts now, after all I've put him
through then something's wrong.... and it's not with him, either.'
She went into the bedroom and was about to pull a t-shirt out of the
drawer when she spotted the bundle on the pillow.

	She sat on the bed and opened the bag. Out tumbled a pretty,
short, lacy gown. It was cut generously, she would be able to wear
it for weeks yet. It was just a simple little thing: a full circle
of lace that fell from a scoop-necked yoke in a pastel orchid.
'Purple. My favorite....' She slipped it on and went back to the
mirror. It was perfect, just like him. Her doubts vanished as she
realized his kindness. It was these little touches, the small
thoughtfulnesses that made her realize all over again that she was a
very lucky woman.

	She turned to see him standing behind her, two mugs of fragrant
tea in hand and a plate of cookies. She smiled shyly and flicked her
hand along the line of the gown, dropping into a small curtsey. He
beamed at her and carefully bowed. Then he nodded his head toward
the bedroom door. After setting the dishes on the bedside table he
sat and held his arms out to her.

	Rae sat on his lap and snuggled against his chest. He kissed
her softly and reached over for the little toy that had caught his
eye. He handed her the little blue object and watched her eyes begin
to gleam. "I thought you could squeeze him during... uh... labor or
something."

	Rae began to giggle. The object in question was a little blue
balloon with glued-on eyes and hair. It was filled with something
soft and squishy and could be formed into different shapes. The tag
that was still attached said "Hi. My name is Walter!"

	"Well, he might be good to squeeze at other times, too." She
looked up at him and her eyes were aglow.

	"Uh-uh." He took the little ball from her hand and tossed it
across the room. "At those times there's going to be only one Walter
you're going to squeeze!" He kissed her laughing lips and lay her
down on the bed.

Chapter 7


	Rae picked up her bag and prepared to leave the house. It
seemed very strange to her to be leaving her home again, after
having returned so recently. But she was going to stay at Jim's
tonight, the night before her wedding.

	Jim and Peter had arranged everything: the judge, the flowers,
the music and the food. The only thing Rae had to do was her dress
and the reservations at her favorite restaurant for the reception
dinner. Even the dress resided at Jim's house, so that Walter
wouldn't catch a glimpse of it.

	Walter had taken care of his suit, of course and had gotten
Rae's ring. She didn't know about the simple, thin gold band that
would ride on her finger alongside the carven hands. He had gone
back to her friend to buy it, to make certain he got the right
thing. He also handled Nick's and Bob Gaines' suits.

	It was with a certain humorous relish that Walter had called
Bob and Terry to tell them that he was marrying 'their' sister. Even
more so when he asked Bob to stand up with him.

	Bob Gaines couldn't say that he was surprised by the turn of
events. After all, the heat the was evident between these two people
at their first meeting last July could only escalate into one of two
ultimate outcomes. They could either run afoul of each other and
wind up with a fine case of mutual loathing or they could wind up as
they were now: totally in love and ready to spend their lives
together. Bob was pleased and proud to have played even a small part
in their meeting, but he had the feeling that they would have made
it even without him.

	Right now, however Walter was following Rae down the stairs,
trying to wrest the bag from her grasp and laughingly pleading with
her to stay. "But..... but I haven't slept alone since you've been
home. What am I going to do in this big house all by myself?"

	"Stop it." Rae pulled the strap away from him and took her
sweater off the rack. "Nick and Greg will be here in a couple hours
to keep you company. And Bob is flying in later tonight, so you all
can watch x-rated movies, or have a stripper, or....."

	Walter grabbed her by the waist and pulled her tight. "I don't
want a stripper."

	"Yeah, right. I suppose you and Greg and Bob are going to play
poker all night. Just don't come to the wedding with a hangover."

	"I only play strip poker, and I only play that with you." He
grinned suggestively. "Sure you don't want to stick around for a
couple of hands?" He began nuzzling her neck.

	Rae set down her bag and slowly unbuttoned Walter's shirt. She
pulled it apart and gently bit his collarbone, then sucked on the
spot. When she raised her head to look at his face his eyes were
dark and his cheeks were flushed. She smiled suggestively at him,
then reached around and pinched his rear. "Don't bet on it, darlin'.
I'll see you in the morning, Jim's house, 10 am. Don't be late or
you're going to miss the chance of a lifetime." She pulled his head
down by his ear and captured his lips with a smile.

....................

	Leon Skinner pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and
stopped the car. He sat for a moment, reaching up along the ceiling
and stretching his back. It had been a long drive and he was looking
forward to a hot bath and a nice bed to share with his wife. He
looked over at Dorothy as she rummaged in her purse for a comb.

	She wasn't happy about this trip. When Walter called and asked
them to come to Pewaukee for his wedding Dorothy had been shocked.
She had stammered and stuttered about being rushed, about how Walter
should wait for a while. She had been unwilling to make the trip on
what she called extremely short notice and it was only when Leon
told her that they would miss their only son's wedding that she
agreed to go.

	But she had been silent and uncooperative on the drive. It
hadn't taken long, about ten hours with regular stops for food and
rest areas. In the beginning Leon tried to keep up a light banter,
talking about Lisa's new baby and how her husband was doing with the
store. But Dorothy was unresponsive. When he began to speculate on
what their new daughter-in-law was going to be like, Dorothy was
absolutely cold.

	Ever since Christmas Dorothy was unwilling to discuss her son's
relationship with Raelene. Often Lisa or Leon would bring the
subject up, wondering if she was okay, if she and the baby would be
returned to Walter and how quickly they would get married. The only
comment Dorothy would make would be an icy look and a curt "He's
made mistakes before."

	But now it was here. Walter was getting married tomorrow and
Dorothy didn't even want to attend the ceremony. Leon tried to
convince himself that she was simply being protective, that she
would meet and like Walter's fiancee. But Dorothy was famous in the
family for her stubbornness, it was where Walter came by his. If she
wanted to dig in her heels, nobody, except possibly her son could
move her.

	Leon looked over at his wife, still lovely to him after 46
years of marriage. He took her hand gently and leaned over to kiss
her cheek. "You don't need a comb, sweetie. You'd look beautiful no
matter how your hair was arranged."

	"Hrmpf. Just tell that to the desk clerk. I hope this hotel
isn't very expensive. Of course it's just the one night..."

	"I know you don't like hotels, but I'm sure you'll be more
comfortable when we stay at Rae's friend's house after the ceremony.
Walter tell me that Rose and her husband are nice folks."

	"I don't know about that, Lee. I think we should just stay here
the night, then head for home. By all accounts the wedding is going
to be over in a matter of minutes, hardly even worth coming all this
way for...."

	Leon took his wife's hand. "But, I thought we were going to
stay the week..... get to know Raelene and her family, visit with
our son. It's been a long time since we've been able to have a nice
visit, Dorothy."

	"Walter's not going to have much time for *us*, Lee. Not with
his new wife and all her family here. I think we should wait until
they can come to Indiana and visit. After all, if Walter's not going
back to work full time until after the baby's born they'll have
plenty of time to see us." Her disapproval of the situation was
evident in her voice and the set of her shoulders. Dorothy felt that
Rae was taking advantage of her son, and she didn't like it, not one
little bit.

	"But, sweetie....." Leon tried to touch his wife's cheek, but
she turned to open the car door.

	"We'd better go in and register. It's getting late."

..................

	"Did he eat anything?" Jim asked Bob Gaines when he called at
seven am. The two men were comparing notes on spending the night
with the bride and groom. The grin on Jim's face threatened to split
wide open.

	"Not much. Just coffee and toast. He fixed an omelet, but
didn't eat a bite. Nick wolfed it down instead. Walter's just
wandering around the house with this stupid grin on his face and
checking every clock in the house. He's been up since five!" Bob
chuckled as he spoke. Unlike his previous wedding day, Walter wasn't
full of dread or fear. Rather he seemed to be anxious and expectant;
happily awaiting his joining to Raelene Marie and eager to begin
their lives together.

	"She tried, but nothing stayed down. She said she was over
being sick, so I think it's just nerves." Rae and Jim had stayed up
late into the night, reminiscing and talking. Although looking
forward to being Walter's wife, Rae was also a little scared at the
prospect of becoming wife and mother in such quick succession. She
worried about being good at either when both roles were so new.

	"Well, try to get something else into her. We don't want her to
faint when Judge George asks her if she does!" Walter wandered into
the room in his dress trousers, shirt unbuttoned and tie hanging
around his neck. "Gotta go, Jim. Here comes Walter with another
disaster...." Laughing Bob hung up the phone and turned to the big
man as he helplessly held out his wrist.

	"Geez, Bob! Can you help me with these cufflinks? My hands are
shaking so bad I can't get the blasted things in!" Walter's eyes
were aglow and a grin curved his lips.

....................

	Flustered, Rae slammed down the brush and a queasy feeling rose
once more in her throat. She couldn't get her hair right and she was
shaking so much that it was hard to manipulate the brush through the
honey-colored lengths. She had wanted to put it up so that the
lovely flower-wreath that Peter had made her would sit properly. But
the hairpins wouldn't stay.

	Becky looked over at her aunt and saw her hands shaking. She
uncoiled from the bed, her tall, graceful form towering over her
short aunt. "Let me help, Aunt Rae. I can put your hair up like I
did Tanya's for the dance...." With gentle, sure hands Becky took
the brush and worked Rae's golden curls into a loose chignon that
sat low on her skull. Then, with a deftness beyond her years she
used the curling iron and teased a few soft tendrils into wispy
curls around Rae's face, ears and neck. Finally she placed the
wreath of tiny pink roses, mint, chamomile and baby's breath on her
head and anchored it with just a few pins.

	Rae beamed at 'her girl' in the mirror and held her hand for a
moment. "Thank you, Becky. It's perfect. You didn't even have to use
many hairpins and your Uncle will be very pleased about that." She
leaned back for a moment, resting against her niece's sturdy frame.
"Goodness, but I'm nervous!"

	"Why are you nervous, Aunt Rae? Don't you *want* to marry Uncle
Walter?" Becky sounded genuinely puzzled. All Rae had talked about
for the last two days was her wedding, now she seemed to be afraid.
"Are you afraid that he'll be like...... like...."

	"No, Becky. That's not why I'm upset. I'm not afraid, just
nervous. I just want to be the best wife that I can be for your
Uncle and the best mother when the time comes."

	"You will be, Aunt Rae. I mean, you and Uncle Walter are so
nice together, like mom and dad are. I like him and he makes you
laugh. *He* never did that." By the tone of her voice, Rae knew that
the last 'he' of which Becky spoke was not Walter. "You always
seemed sad with *him*. But with Uncle Walter you're always so
happy."

	With the innocence of her age Becky allayed Rae's fears in one
fell swoop. She smiled warmly and turned to pull the tall girl into
a firm hug. "Aw, Becky, what would I do without you?" She lay her
forehead on Becky's and grinned into her eyes. "You're right, of
course. I adore your Uncle Walter and I'm going to be his wife. As
Martha says, " Becky's voice joined her aunt's:

	"It's a good thing!"

	The two of them dissolved into giggles and Rae finished
dressing.

.................

	Although all of Rae's students wanted to take part in the
ceremony, Gary could only have a group of four. Gary Boyer, Rae's
substitute teacher for the semester had asked for volunteers from
all her groups and had posted a sign-up sheet to sing for the
wedding. When all 45 of Rae's students crammed their names on the
paper, and added a second of band and orchestra volunteers he nearly
admitted defeat.

	He selected two girls who knew a song that Rae had talked about
having at her ill-fated December ceremony and two boys that could
harmonize with them. The rest made a tape and a card and were
promised pictures as soon as they were developed. So Gary played the
piano for the small group and the two girls played guitars softly
while the guests arrived.

	Walter walked about on a cloud, greeting guests, hugging his
parents and smiling from ear to ear. Marshall Andrews and his wife
and daughter were there, as were Mulder and Scully. Officer Anders
had gotten special permission to take a two-day leave to attend and
he brought young Officer Long from the fire-tower.

	Walter's sister Lisa and her husband and kids were in
attendance. Bob and Kathy Gaines were there as well. Terry and Paula
couldn't make it on such short notice, but they sent much love.
Neither could Dave and Char attend because Char was in the hospital
at UC-Berkeley. She was in a pilot program for MS research and
couldn't leave. But, if all went well Walter and Rae would visit all
their west-coast relatives before Walter returned to the Bureau full
time.With Rae's friends Rose, Aleta and Gale Cassidy with her
husband and son the group was as complete as it could be.

	Walter stood by Judge George (an old friend of Rae and Jim's
from high school) with Bob and Nick close by. He watched the
stairway with anticipation, his heart thumping so hard that he was
sure the whole room could hear it.

	Greg was standing at the bottom step and nodded at his daughter
as she walked by him. When the singers took up the soft strains of
the song "The Power of Two" Greg looked up and smiled.

	Rae descended the stairs and took her brother's hand lightly.
She raised her eyes in brief acknowledgement of the assembled crowd,
then looked directly at Walter. A look of mingled love, trust,
desire and hope overspread her features as she looked into the soft
brown eyes of her lover, the father of her child...... her mate.

	If Walter had been asked to describe Rae's dress on that day,
or the color of her flowers he would have to look at a photo. He saw
nothing but the look on her face; the love shining from her eyes for
only him and the completion of a promise that he had made to himself
on a hot July day nearly a year ago. As he watched the bus carry her
away from him for the summer, speeding through the dust and humidity
he silently vowed that someday....... he knew not when but someday,
he would find her and make her his own.

	Now, as Greg gave her to him, as they joined hands for the
official recognition of hearts already given, they placed complete
trust in each other and spoke the promises that lay deep in their
hearts. The simple words that they spoke to one another, impromptu
as they were, were trusts to remain unbroken. The promises to be
faithful, to care for and love were in the ceremonial words that the
Judge made them recite. but the promises to mate for life were in
the vows that each spoke from their hearts. Their bond went deeper
than marriage or love; they were two parts of a whole and were only
complete when they were together.

	Possibly it was Bob Gaines who saw it most clearly at that
moment, although it would become clear to all who met Rae and Walter
in the future. That what began as a chance meeting, with so many
variables hanging in the balance was really destiny and today's
formalities were just that: formalities. The day of their marriage
was bound to happen because the day of their second meeting could
only have come after both had been scarred and tempered by
experience and pain. Their first meeting had been too soon, coming
as it had at Bob's wedding nearly twenty-five years ago. Rae had
been too young then to recognize the man for whom she had looked her
entire life and Walter was still too damaged by his war experiences
to have seen her. But now they were ready and, to their credit, they
knew it.

	When they finally exchanged the kiss that united them as
partners they heard the sigh of joy that murmured through the
crowd. Separating to gaze deeply at each other they smiled and the
assembly began to applaud. Eyes were dabbed and folk gathered around
the couple to hug and kiss, to handshake and to congratulate. And
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Skinner grinned.

................

	"A toast to Assistant Director and Mrs. Skinner!" Mulder raised
his glass to the couple. It was his third glass of champagne and he
was feeling slightly off balance. He felt Scully tug on his
coat-tails and, unable to compensate he thumped back down into his
seat.

	The meal had been lovely. Rae's favorite restaurant had done
itself proud by decorating the little pub room and preparing a
delightful meal. The entrees were luscious: Rae's favorite duck
l'orange and a nice beef Wellington, the vegetables superb and they
had even prepared a small wedding cake. There was no dancing, no
band or deejay, but a small, impromptu performance popped up by
anyone who could carry a tune. They made a game of singing love
songs to the new couple, the joke being that; every time the word
'love' came up in a song Walter and Rae had to kiss. A duty which
Walter carried out with relish.

	Rae and Walter sat at a table with Walter's parents and Greg
and Cheryl. Leon was charmed by his new daughter-in-law. Her ready
smile and her adoring looks at Walter made Leon very happy for his
son. He had walked quietly with Walter to the bar for a refill and
told him how lucky he was.

	"She's a gem, son." Leon patted Walter's broad shoulder. "You
make sure that you take good care of her and of that baby."

	Walter grinned, thinking about their life to come. "Oh I will,
Dad." Walter's eyes gleamed with mischief. "I'll take care of her
alright!"

	Leon laughed."You've already done *that*, son. That's not
exactly the sort of 'taking care' I was meaning."

	Back at their table Rae tried valiantly to include Mrs. Skinner
in the conversation. Leon had made it very clear from his first
embrace that she was to call him 'dad'. He said that he simply
wouldn't answer to anything else. But Mrs. Skinner had made no such
request, leaving Rae feeling slightly uncomfortable and unsure. She
didn't feel any approbation from her new mother-in-law and it made
her uneasy.

	"And I just love your dress, Rae. Where did you find it on such
short notice?" Rose was asking. She was stroking the lace sleeve of
Rae's simple, loose fitting ivory lace dress.

	"I actually found it on Thursday at the mall with Becky. We
rushed it right over to Jim's house and she helped me with the hem."
Rae turned to Mrs. Skinner. "I didn't want Walter to see my dress
before the wedding. I didn't want to take *any* chances." She smiled
warmly at the older woman.

	But Dorothy Skinner didn't smile in kind. "When Walter married
Sharon they were apart the entire week before the wedding. Of course
things are different now." Her voice was chilly, leaving no doubt
that she didn't approve of Rae or of the hurried little wedding.

	Rae felt tears sting her eyes, but blinked them back. "Well, we
couldn't help seeing each other." She kept her voice bright, trying
to ignore Mrs. Skinner's implications. "After all, my house is too
little for two people to live in without bumping occasionally." She
looked at her two friends for support. "Of course, when we get to
Maryland we'll have a bigger place." She began to tell them about
her big, new house.

	"My, it sounds huge. Leon and I raised both children in a two
bedroom house in Clearview. In fact, Walter took a room in the
basement later on so his sister could have some privacy. We didn't
need a big, fancy place." Was Mrs. Skinner's reply.

	Rae was about to get up and go out of the room for a moment to
regain her composure when Walter and Leon returned with filled
glasses. Walter handed Rae a flute of a sparkling drink, which she
accepted gratefully.

	Mrs. Skinner looked at her with open disapproval now. "You
shouldn't drink, dear. It's not good for the baby."

	Rae opened her mouth, but Walter spoke first. "It's not
alcohol, Mom. It's sparkling grape juice." He looked lovingly at his
new wife. "We always have some around the house. Rae doesn't drink
much anyway, but we like to have something on hand for
celebrations." He stroked her cheek with a fingertip.

	Leon watched his wife purse her lips. He couldn't understand
why she was still so upset. To his mind all questions about Rae had
been answered. She had talked easily and openly with them about her
feelings for their son, and Lisa had taken to her immediately. Leon
simply didn't know where this hostility of Dorothy's was coming
from.

	"Would you like another piece of cake, love?" Rae asked Walter
as she rose. She turned to the others at the table."Anyone for
seconds?"

	"I couldn't eat another bite and Walter *never* has seconds of
dessert, do you, dear?" Walter's mother turned to her son and lay
her hand on his arm.

	The sting was nearly too much for Rae, but Walter took her hand
and kissed it, smiling softly. Like his father he didn't understand
why his mother was determined to cause friction. "Of course I do,
when it's a good dessert....and especially if it's Rae's cherry
pie."

	"But, Walter you must watch what you eat now, you know. Your
health and your weight...."

	Walter turned to his mother finally, trying to remain calm.
"Rae *does* watch what I eat, Mother. She's an excellent cook and
makes very healthy meals. That's precisely the reason that I can
indulge once and a while, because she takes such good care of me."
His words were measured and slightly strained. It was obvious to
everyone at the table that he was trying desperately to hold his
temper.

	Dorothy stood up, as though rebuked. "Of course, dear. She's
your wife now, after all. I'm only your mother. Will you excuse me,
please?" She glared at Rae briefly before leaving the room.

	"Mom......?" Walter was baffled. He looked up to see the tears
in Rae's eyes. His mother's rejection of her hurt both of them
deeply. All the more so because it was so puzzling. Walter held
Rae's hand and turned to his father with a look of entreaty. "Dad,
what's wrong?"

	Leon rose. "I don't know, son, but I'm going to find out." He
enfolded Rae into a hug and whispered into her ear. "Don't worry,
dear. Just give Dorothy a chance. She just needs some time to get
used to you, is all. Once she gets to know you everything will be
alright, you'll see." He cupped the young woman's face in his big,
scarred hands and kissed her forehead.

	Rae met his eyes and smiled weakly. They were such kind eyes,
so like Walter's, soft and full of tenderness. Rae slipped her arms
around her father-in-law and hugged him. "Thanks, Dad. I guess I'm
feeling a little over-emotional myself. Please tell her that I'd
like another chance."

	But the chance wasn't going to come tonight. When Leon found
Dorothy she was sitting by the front door with her light coat on,
purse in hand. "I'd like to go home, Lee."

	"Sure, sweetie. It's been a day, what with the long drive
yesterday and all. You'll feel better after a little rest. Then when
we go over to Walter's house in the morning....."

	"I mean *home*.... to Clearview. I don't want to stay here."

	Leon was shocked. "Well, I'm sorry sweetie, but I don't want to
drive that far tonight. I've had a couple drinks and so have you.
We're both tired and we should get some sleep before we head for
Indiana." He lifted his wife's hand, holding it despite her efforts
to pull it away. "And we own it to our son and his wife to say
goodbye to them before we leave. If you're still set on leaving in
the morning, then we'll stop by there on the way out of town. But we
are not sneaking out tonight."

..................

	Walter padded sleepily down the stairs, barefoot and dressed in
his soft cotton pajama bottoms. In the end Rae had been so tired
that they had cuddled and kissed and eventually fallen asleep
without making love. Walter didn't mind, they had the rest of their
lives for lovemaking. He realized that Rae was feeling sad over his
mother's coldness toward her and they had talked long into the
night. Finally, wanting to believe in his reassurance that his
mother just needed time, Rae had drifted off in his arms, her head
resting on that special spot on his chest, the length of her smooth,
warm body pressed against his.

	Now that he was reasonably awake and aware, Walter began to
have doubts that he was entirely truthful with Rae. She had wanted
so much for their wedding day, small and hurriedly arranged as it
had been to be perfect. The food was wonderful, Jim's house
decorated beautifully, the music lovely and the couple tenderly shy
as they voiced their promises before friends and family.

	But the day had not been quite perfect. Although Walter had
told Rae that his mother would 'come around' and grow to love her,
he had serious doubts. Her behavior last night had been extremely
atypical and bordered on possessive. She had always been protective
of him and especially so since the war, but he was a grown, mature
man now and she had to accept the fact that he was ready to share
his life with someone.

	He was scrambling eggs for an omelette and thinking about how
to resolve the situation when he felt a pair of warm arms steal
about his waist. Felt the soft, smoothness of a body pressing
against him and moist, tender kisses upon his shoulder blades.

	He pulled a small, sturdy hand to his lips and let them linger
against her palm. "Morning, wife."

	"Morning, husband." He felt her smile against his skin. "You're
up awfully early for a newly-married man."

	"Well, my wife needs her sustenance and it's my job to make the
breakfast in this family." He went on beating eggs and turned on the
gas to warm the pan. "And since we have company coming this
afternoon for the gift opening, I figured I'd get an early start."

	Rae slid her hands to his back and rubbed her palms flat across
his muscular shoulders. She kneaded gently, feeling warmth suffuse
the skin at her touch, then slid her hands down to his firm, tight
bottom. "Mmmmm, well then wifey must do her part to reward husband
for all his hard work." She bit his shoulder blade lightly. "So why
don't I make the fruit salad?" Her laughter was like wind chimes and
Walter groaned.

	They kept up their light banter while they prepared the meal.
But, just as they were ready to sit the doorbell rang. Walter
grabbed his t-shirt off the chair and headed out of the kitchen.
"I'll go, hon."

	From the archway Rae heard him greet the visitors and she
forced herself to be cheerful and warm. It was his parents.

	"Hi, Dad... Mom. What brings you over so early?" Walter patted
his father's shoulder and reached out to hug his mother. "We weren't
expecting you until later."

	Rae noticed that his father was holding a gift and that his
mother seemed slightly abashed to catch them in their pajamas. "We
won't be here later, dear. Your father and I are headed back for
Clearwater. We just stopped to say goodbye and to....."

	"But why are you leaving so soon? I thought you were going to
stay.....?"

	"Well there alot to do, dear. Your father....."

	"Mom, Tim runs the store now. Dad is retired and you can't have
anything so pressing that you can't stay for a few days at least."

	Rae listened for a moment, then moved into the room. "Good
morning. Please, won't you come in and have some coffee? Walter just
made the pot, and you know how good his coffee is." She smiled at
her in-laws and gestured toward the sofa. "We haven't had a chance
to have our breakfast, yet so, would you join us?"

	"We've already eaten...." Walter's mother began.

	"But we'd love some coffee, Rae dear." Leon finished. "Walter,
why don't you go put on some pants and show me around this pretty
little town of yours, eh?" He took hold of his son's arm and began
to force him up the stairs.

	"But, Dad....." Walter turned in his father's grasp, looking
over his shoulder at Rae and his mother.

	"No buts, son. Let's get out and get a little air." He pushed
Walter's broad back ahead of him up the stairs, Walter protesting
all the way.

	The two Mrs. Skinners looked at each other a bit warily. Rae
was about to offer Dorothy a cup of coffee when she winced, then
smiled wanly. She placed a hand on her belly, feeling the baby's
kick dissipate.

	"The baby?" Mrs. Skinner asked. Her eyebrows went up and she
looked at her daughter-in-law appraisingly.

	"Yes. It hates to have me be quiet. The little tadpole likes it
best when I'm busy." Rae grinned ruefully. "Makes it kind of hard to
sleep sometimes."

	"Babies like activity; noise, movement." Despite herself Mrs.
Skinner was curious about the child inside this woman, the child
that Walter had wanted so desperately for so long.

	"Is that what it is? I always thought babies liked quiet. It's
funny, though, Walter can calm it right down. He rubs my stomach in
big circles and talks to the baby. It's almost like the little
tadpole knows it's daddy's touch already." She looked at the older
woman. "Do you think that's because he's calming me down, too?"

	For the first time Dorothy Skinner smiled at her
daughter-in-law. "That probably has something to do with it.
Walter's like his father, he can calm just about anybody." Dorothy
looked at her hands for a moment and, when she spoke next her voice
was very soft. "Rae...... I'm so sorry that I spoiled your wedding
day. I don't know..... no, I *do* know why. I've always been very
protective of Walter, especially after the war. He seemed so lost
after that. Sharon tried, but she didn't seem to know how to help
him. They always seemed so distant from one another. And there was
the fact that she didn't want to have children. Walter's always
wanted a family, wanted children of his own."

	Rae murmured, "I know. That's what almost drove us apart." She
told Dorothy about sending Walter away, about her fear that she
wouldn't be able to give him his family. She left out the parts
about Tom and the beatings, but Dorothy put together Rae's story
with what Walter told them at Christmas and got a good picture of
what had happened.

	Dorothy went to sit beside Rae on the sofa. "He upset and
worried me at Christmastime because he was so sad and desolate. My
son isn't a man who's very open with his feelings, Rae. He's a very
private person. But when he visited us in Clearview he was nearly
disconsolate. He would cry as I hadn't seen him do since he was a
boy." Dorothy couldn't meet Rae's eyes. "And I blamed you for his
hurt. Last night Leon and I stayed up nearly all night, talking
about the two of you and why I felt so hostile. Come right to it I
thought that you'd hurt Walter again, and I didn't want to stand by
and watch that happen. He's still my boy, Rae..... my son, and he's
very precious to me." Dorothy's eyes were glittering with tears as
she looked at her daughter-in-law.

	Rae saw the silent plea, the entreaty of forgiveness in Dorothy
Skinner's green eyes. It touched Rae to the heart, partly because
she couldn't bear to see someone in pain and partly because of the
life within her. Someday she might be in Mrs. Skinner's shoes and
have to ask forgiveness for wanting to protect her child.
Impulsively Rae put her arms around the older woman and hugged her
tight.

	They cried on each other's shoulders, healing tears that would
help to mend the breach that had arisen from misunderstanding.
Through her sniffles Rae whispered. "He's precious to me, too, Mrs.
Skinner. I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have found your
son."

	Dorothy kissed Rae's wet cheek and smoothed the wispy tendrils
off her forehead. "Let's start over, shall we?" Rae nodded, swiping
her hand across her wet eyelids. Neither of them saw Walter and Leon
peeking around the corner of the room from the stairs. "To begin
with, why don't you call me mom?"

	The men exchanged grins and descended the stairs to join in the
hugs. Walter pulled Rae up into his arms and kissed her deeply. He
had his heart's desire all in his hands; his wife and their child
and Walter Skinner was deliriously, joyfully happy.