Title: Stars in the Sky II
Author: Erin M. Blair
E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net
Classification: SRA - Story, Romance, Angst
Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. Doggett/Scully Friendship.
Time Span/Spoilers: Requiem. Within/Without. Patience. Set in Season 8.

Rating: PG

Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, Xemplary, Ephemeral, Legacy, FanficX, Basement Office Archives. Other archivists - please ask me first.

Disclaimer: They're not mine; Chris Carter owns them.

Summary: Scully and Doggett search for Mulder under the stars,waiting for Mulder; Scully reunites with the man she loves - Mulder. Sequel to "Stars in the Sky" written by Erin M. Blair.)

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Stars in the Sky II
Written by: Erin M. Blair
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Coming back to the scene of his disappearance was difficult enough, but it was something Scully felt she should do.

Something told her this was the day Mulder's coming back.

This was the day, long ago, she stared at the stars. It reminded her of an early time with Mulder and Samantha.

The day she knew what her future held.

* * *

"Scully," said Skinner, into the cell phone. "Where are you going?"

With a glance at John Doggett who was loading the car with the infrared equipment - the same utilities which Mulder took with him and Skinner - several months ago, Scully knew Skinner would already know what she was planning on doing. She's going to find Mulder.

She has to.

Scully's lips drew into a small, confident manner, and her blue eyes looked at John who was finished putting the gear into the car. "Sir, we're going back to the scene to find Mulder. All the indications I've received from the Lone Gunmen tells me he's coming back within a certain time frame," said Scully with the 'don't mess with me; I know what I'm doing' tone.

"Let me remind you you're not an active duty since last month," said Skinner with a sigh. He knew how Mulder always wanted to make sure Scully's all right, and he felt he owed it to him to keep her safe. "I don't want you to do this alone."

"I'm not alone," replied Scully. Her eyes grew misty in remembrance of Mulder and it only strengthened her resolve. It didn't slow her done. "Skinner, I appreciate your concern. I really do. I do have John as my backup."

Skinner said something about good luck finding Mulder, and after awhile, she closed the connection.

* * *

Scully felt a twinge in her stomach, knowing the baby was about as excited as she was.

"Are you sure you're ok, Agent Scully," said an anxious looking John Doggett. He noticed the worrisome look flitted across her face. They were walking in the forest near where Mulder disappeared. Although four months came and left without a clue, without a crumb, to go by. He came to adore Scully, not as a potential lover - he knew he couldn't have her - but as a good friend.

"I'm fine," said Scully.

John didn't want to press the issue further. Their relationship was still very much tiptoeing on egg shells, especially when it concerned about her pregnancy. "You know I love the woods."

"You do?"

John nodded. "I used to sleep in the outdoors with my sister and a good friend."

"I've done that too."

"Really?"

"Yes, with Mulder and his sister, Samantha. We've known each other growing up and we've slept outdoors whenever we could. It stopped when Samantha was abducted and after that, my family moved."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault." Scully laid down her stuff carefully on the ground. Her eyes glanced above the stars - she knew Mulder could see her below. Her red hair was styled in the same way as it's always been - shoulder-length, brushed back to the side. They were both going to sleep under the stars tonight - it might be several hours before they get any readings of any paranormal activity. "According to the X-File, Mulder was doing this when he was abducted, looking at readings when it occurred."

"I already memorized the file, Agent Scully," said John, as he was laying down his own equipment for the night. "How long should we wait?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't lead me here on wild goose case, Agent Scully?"

Scully's lips lifted into a huge grin and began to laugh softly. "You know, that's exactly what I said to Mulder in our second case. Now I understand what he must have went through, dealing with me."

"Although I don't share in his theories, Mulder does sound like an interesting guy. I'm sorry for what I said about him a few months back." John took a few moments to himself, thinking what to say. "From knowing you, I can only tell he loves you very much."

* * *

The air was crisp and cool as the day turned into night.

Scully pulled herself up from her sitting position on an old sleeping bag, and saw the red, digital lettering on the infrared lighting equipment she set up during the earlier hours. She turned towards John and shook him slightly. He was asleep in the sleeping bag. "You've got to see this!"

She knew he didn't hear her.

This was obviously her chance to see what Mulder had wanted her to see all this time. Of course, this wasn't her only time she'd seen this.

Those were other times she couldn't recall without a regression tape.

Like the time when she was on the bridge with Cassandra Spender, and a witness to the flames around her - innocent abduction victims being burned alive.

Scully looked up from the digital read outs and she knew this was it. The moment she was waiting for since Mulder's abduction. For the past four months were filled with false leads, false hopes, and it was enough to put her on edge, with the possibility of never finding him. Still, it never deter her from finding Mulder. She always believed, with all of her heart, that he'll return to her.

What she saw; she couldn't believe.

Not at first.

All of Mulder's theories and beliefs had confirmed what she could only try to explain with her scientific explanations.

An alien space ship.

"Oh my God," said Scully in awe. She wasn't fully stunned as she thought she would be. Scully saw this before, she knew she did, but seeing it with her own eyes was powerful. Her heart was filled with hope as the bright light surrounded her.

She wasn't being abducted, as Mulder and herself was, but this time was much different.

"Mulder?"

Scully saw Mulder walking towards her and she knew he noticed the bulge of her stomach. "Scully!"

"Mulder, you know how we thought before you left -- "

Mulder nodded. "You're pregnant."

"Yes, with *our* baby. I found out the day after you were abducted."

Mulder closed his eyes for a minute and he wished he was there for her. "I'm so sorry, Scully."

Scully decided to change anything. "Do you remember anything?"

"No."

They were starting to walk past the infrared lighting] which Mulder remarked, "These are still up?"

"We've received some reports of UFO activity in the area," said Scully. "My new partner and I decided to check it out." She saw a little smile on Mulder's face. "You'd be surprised what happens in four months."

"Besides your pregnancy?"

Scully nodded. "Yes, Mulder, there's been some changes at the FBI."

"I've become the more...believer of the paranormal, Mulder."

Mulder's lips turned upward and he began to laugh. "I would love to see that, Scully."

"It's true. Kersh is a Deputy Director and he put Special Agent John Doggett in charge of your disappearance."

"Kersh - that snake hated me guts! Is this John Doggett your new partner?"

"Yes."

"He's not like Krycek, is he?"

"So far, not from what I can tell. You'll meet him soon enough," replied Scully. She saw John Doggett, who noticed Mulder, in the distance.

"I'm sure this Agent Doggett will ask me a lot of questions."

"Yes, he will," said Scully, as she noticed John approaching. "John Doggett, meet Fox Mulder."

"Are you really Fox Mulder?"

"Yes, of course, I am. I've guessed you had dealings with the alien bounty man."

"Yeah," said John. "I thought he was you falling over a cliff."

"I'm a bit more careful than that. Right Scully?"

"Hmmm. Let me think of this one."

"Scully!"

Scully decided to change the subject. "Mulder, you're always careful but sometimes you're not. Anyway, I'm sure Agent Doggett will want to ask you questions."

"I sure hope all of you can answer some questions for me," said Mulder. "Like who won the World Series?"

"New York Yankees won over the New York Mets," said John.

"Damn! I missed it!"

"I'm sure they will be in the next World Series," said Scully, compassionately. She remembered how it felt losing three months of her life.

"So, Agent Mulder, where were you?"

"I was alien abducted."

"We can't say that, Mulder."

"Why not? It's the truth."

"Kersh will end our careers if we mention 'alien abduction' in our reports."

"Is he serious?" inquired Mulder. "That would really ruin the X-Files."

"Mulder, he's serious. However, Kersh put John to become my new partner."

Mulder nodded thoughtfully as held Scully in his arms. "Well, it looks like in a few months, Agent Doggett will share the load." A long pause. "Anything else I should know about?"

Scully slowly nodded. "We - Agent Doggett and I - "

"We arranged the office. Don't worry, Mulder, there's a way it can fit two desks."

Scully looked at Mulder's face and it didn't faze him. "I was *meaning* to buy Scully a desk."

* * *

AD Skinner's Office
One day later

"Mulder, I'm glad you're returned," said Skinner. He got up from behind his desk and he embraced the recently found agent. "I was very worried about you."

Scully watched Skinner sitting back down and sifting through Mulder's case file. She knew Mulder was going to be asked a lot of questions from both Skinner and Doggett. She reached out to hold Mulder's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Me too," said Mulder, who was seated in between Scully and Doggett. "I understand that we can't mention anything about an alien abduction."

"Kersh has us under our thumbs on that one," said Skinner with a nod.

"I could say I was lost in the Pacific Northwest for four months, but I don't think anyone would believe me."

"Mulder, that's no way to hide the truth," said Scully with a frown. "I don't like lying..."

"I don't want you to hang your career, Scully. I still don't remember anything about my abduction," said Mulder. He bit his lip in frustration. "It must have been frightening since I probably blocked it out."

"Sir, what's the status of myself on the X-Files? I was the one who headed the team to search for Mulder but since he's here," John let his statement hang like a fluffy white cloud in the distance.

"I'm sure Mulder and Scully wouldn't mind to have a third agent on their cases. Besides, Scully's pregnancy will make it possible for you and Agent Mulder to go out on the cases."

That was the end of the meeting, and Scully watched as Mulder to help her out of the chair. "Thanks Mulder."

They were walking towards the X-Files office.

"You know, last night, I remembered something."

"What?"

"How we used to gaze at the stars," said Mulder.

"I know; I remember, Mulder. That's what kept me going through out the time you were gone. I missed you so much, Mulder."

"I know. I missed you too."

"I could sense what was happening to you. I remembered what they did to me."

"I know what they did to you. You don't have to go into the gory details." A pause. "What we went through - it's not worth it. There has to be an end somewhere."

"I know."

"Scully, we have to think of the future. After all, we have a baby on the way."

"What do you have in mind?"

"You'll see."

Few Months Later
Mulder Residence

"Desk duty. You can't be serious, Mulder."

"Scully, you're very close to your delivery date."

"In two months."

"I was there at your last doctor's appointment, Scully, and he said how you need to take it easy. Doggett and I will do the cases," said Mulder. "I want us to be safe especially since we have a baby coming."

"I know," said Scully. She could feel Mulder's hazel eyes gazing at the diamond engagement ring. She closed her eyes when she recalled Mulder's proposal.

"Scully, will you marry me?" inquired Mulder, he was carrying a small blue box.

Scully saw a brilliant, shiny diamond ring in the box, and her eyes glistened with tears as she nodded. "Yes, I will marry you, Mulder."

Mulder's lips turned up in a beautiful smile as he placed the ring on her finger. "You don't know how happy you'd made me."

"I think I know, Mulder," said Scully.

Finally, they were together.

That's all it mattered.


End of Story


Feedback: Much appreciated. Send to: eblair@sonic.net

Author's Notes: I have been thinking of a sequel for "Stars in the Sky" - the Pre-XF vignette I've written several months ago. After watching last season's finale, "Requiem" and the first three episodes of this season, I thought it would be fitting for Mulder's return story.

I know some of you don't have the hopes for a good season, but maybe reading this will change your mind. Of course, I had my doubts but after writing this story, I don't.

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- Erin Blair
- eblair@sonic.net
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