The follow up to 'Think' and 'Think Again', will probably not be as
good, but we'll see. Will descend into cheeze, but I promise it will
not be government cheeze. Only the best Brie '86 for my devoted fans!
The spawn of a whole new series. Has nothing to do with that Barenaked
Ladies song. Really! 

Disclaimer: See 'The Disclaimer of All Disclaimers"

Rating: Hmm, this time I really *am* not sure.

One Week
by 
Tamani R. Green

    It's been a week since I told him. And we've been dancing around
each other at work. The steps of which are more delicate and intricate
than the most convoluted of ballets. It's D-day. I'd already reached my
solution about the whole thing. I'd decided to keep them. My children.
My girls. 
    I know they're girls. I had Dr. Sullivan run blood screens to make
sure they were ok. So far everything has checked out. The tests came
back with the results of the babies' sex. It only confirmed what I knew
to be true.
    My little Joe and Chuck. 
    The morning sickness is getting to me. Like throwing up was ever a
pleasant experience, but to do it everyday? How did my mother ever get
through ONE pregnancy, let alone four. But it's not merely morning
sickness, it's morning, noon, and night sickness. I hate it. But the
doctor assures me once my hormones stabilize, it should stop. I know, I
*am* a medical doctor, but I wish I could take some dramamine and stop
it. But I can't. Drugs are off for the rest of the pregnancy.
    I've become evil tempered and mean spritied since I can't have my
morning jolt of caffeine. Tea is off, too. It's nothing but water, milk
and juice now. Great.
    And now it's Monday morning once again. I walk into the office.
Mulder's sitting there with a case file and the bandage on his nose 
shining bright and white against the tan of his face. It still makes 
me smile. To think, lil' ol' Agent Scully, punching big, bad Fox in 
the nose.
    The whole building's had a nice laugh at Mulder's expense over it.
I've gotten a lot of thumb's up signs, winks and smiles. Hell, I passed
Colton in the hallway and he applauded me.
    I admit I find it amusing. Even though I really don't want Mulder
to become the butt of anymore jokes. I really *am* a dog in the manger
about him.
    See, I can talk about him or make fun of him, but nobody else 
better say anything, dammit. And that includes you, Mulder.
    He looks up at me when I enter the office. *Damn* he looks good. 
    "Morning, Scully."
    "Good morning, Mulder." And I smile a genuine smile at him. The 
kind I know will melt his heart. He grins back at me. I sit at my desk
and wait for what is to be on today's agenda.
    He closes the folder with the file. Gets up and closes the door to
the office. 
    "Scully, its been a week, and I asked you to give me this time to
sort it all out."
    "Well?" I ask.
    "I think this should be an answer." He pulls out a small black
velvet box. Oh, God. Let it not be a ring and I'll light candles
everyday.
    He opened it and the contents were not a ring. Thank you for small
favors. But instead was the one of the most beautiful pieces of 
jewelry I'd ever seen.
    It was a golden mother and child pendant on a box-link chain. But
it wasn't a traditional pendant. Instead of one child with the mother
in a heart, there were two babies. Jesus, Mulder. I had no idea you 
had that much insight.
    "It's beautiful."
    "I just want you to know that I want these babies. And I will be
the best father to them that I know how to be."
    "Thank you."
    "No. Thank you."
    "Would you mind putting this on for me?"
    He takes the necklace out of the box and fastens it around my 
throat. It hangs right below my cross. Perfect. And when he leans over
to fasten the clasp, I see it. 
    Gleaming golden through the open collar of his shirt. A small star
of David and hanging next to it an alien's head with little onyx eyes.
Leave it to Mulder. An affirmation of faith coexisting with belief in
otherworldly beings. Very much like him. I certainly approve.
    I choose to say nothing at this point. Although it will certainly
come up at some time in the future. 
    "I don't know what to say except thank you again."
    "Don't worry about it." He gives me that lop-sided grin I've come
to lo-. Can't think that, now. But then again. He had the guts to tell
me all those months ago and I haven't had the guts to say anything in
way of reply except 'Oh, brother'. I knew he wasn't delirious. But I 
had to say something to cover the moment. And shrugging it off seemed
like the thing to do. But deep down I believed it. Still believe it.
Who would've thought that Dana Katherine Scully would turn out to be
a chicken? Damn. He hasn't said it since, but it's out there now. 
Dangling in the wind between us. 
    He gets up and goes to sit behind his desk. I feel the watchful
gaze of everyone on the back of my head. I know they're wondering what
the two renegades are doing now. One is going to tattle to Kersch, I
just know it. I'll beat them to the punch. He's going to find out 
sooner or later. And so will *They.* A chilling thought. I push it
away.
    "Mulder?"
    "Hmm?" He's immersed in some chat room. The green light is shining
on the lenses of his glasses.
    "I'm going up to see Kersch."
    "Why?" He looks up at me.
    "I have to tell him. I have to arrange for lighter duties and 
leave."
    "Do you want me to come with you?"
    "No. It's ok."
    "All right." I walk out and head to the elevator. Crowded as usual.
The people on it are looking at me curiously. Damn, these people have 
long memories. Why don't they just go on to the latest bit of gossip.
I forgot. *I* will soon be the latest bit of gossip. Shit. I am not
here for your amusement, people. The elevator stops and I get off 
quickly. Kersch's blonde bimbo of a secretary is giving me the evil 
eye as usual. Don't be jealous, bitch. I know you want Mulder. Having
had him that once whet your appetite, didn't it? Guess what? It wasn't
him. The smile that thought produces crosses my face. She tells Kersch
that I'm here waiting to see him. 
    I go in and he's sitting at his desk like a big lump. The bastard.
He didn't have to be such an asshole. And seeing Cancerman in his 
office that day blew me away. I wonder is he really working for them,
or does he have his own agenda. No matter. If Cancerman had been in
his office today, I simply would've walked right back out. If I ever
see that prick on the street, I swear I'll kill him. It's that simple.
    As it happens, Cancerman wasn't there. So I go up to him and 
instead of the stuttering, apologetic Scully he's come to know, I am
confident and straightforward. He looks down his nose at me while we
talk about lightening up my case load and arrange for my maternity
leave. I almost want to go on leave right then and there, but I don't
think I could stomach the thought of sitting at home doing nothing for
nine months. Well, eight and a half, now. And so I am resigned to desk
work. It's better than nothing, I suppose. 
    I leave his office, deciding to take the rest of the day off. 
I go back to Mulder and tell him I'm leaving for the day. He is 
instantly concerned. Good boy.
    I want to give him a pat on his head. But that would start even
*more* tongues to wagging and I'd just as soon avoid that right now.
He promises to come by later and check on me. I roll my eyes at him 
even as I smile. I gather up my things and leave.
    While I drive, I think about my mother and what her reaction to 
all this will be. She'll be shocked, to say the least. What can I say,
Mom? I think I'll wait until Easter to tell her, just because the 
whole family will be here. Even Charles will be on leave. Then I won't 
have to tell it but once.
    Bill will shit a brick. The thought of his wrath and thunder is
enough to make me smile and wince at the same time. He'll make a fuss,
that's for sure. Oh, well, Billy-boy. This is my life. Not yours. And
you're not Dad. 
    Charles should be happy. I wish Melissa and Dad were here to see
this. I'm still resentful and angry at the fact that my children won't
get to know their weird and wonderful and exasperating aunt. 
    That makes me think of Samantha. They'll never have her either.
And they won't have grandfathers. And that makes me think of Mulder's
mother. What will be her take on all of this? I know she and her son
are not close. But will she be happy that he is to be a father? I just
don't know, but I sense that it will be an uphill battle on that front.
    I pull into a parking lot and get out. I'm at a baby store. I walk
in and see the racks upon rack of baby clothes. The tiny socks and 
shoes and dresses and hair things and shirts and pants enchant me to
no end. I move through the store in a daze. I see the most adorable
blue velvet dresses. And on an impulse, I buy them. They are adorned
with white lace at the collar and cuffs and the have little matching 
hats. 
    Getting back into the car, I decide to go crib hunting. I know it's
early, but I can't resist. I'm glad I had the foresight to move to
a bigger apartment. The office I've made for myself out of the spare 
bedroom will have to move to somewhere, I don't where. I'll need all 
the space I can get. I'll probably have to move after the lease is up.
Not a thought I treasure. Another move in less than seven years. This
time it'll be permanent. I'll get a small house somewhere close to the
city. Maybe in Annapolis. I really liked that area.
    These babies are already affecting my decisions. I think I can 
handle it. And when I'm looking at all the cribs and bassinettes and
all the other crap that babies need, I'm not so sure. At least Mulder
will be there. Most of the time.
    And, I think, that's what matters.