Title:  Surprises 

Author: Jade  (CmdrJade@aol.com) 

Rating: PG 

Spoilers: 8th season, pretty much 

Category: Some more angst in this one. 

Archive: Anywhere, please let me know where so I can visit. 

Disclaimer: Almost all the characters mentioned don't belong to me, with the 
exception of a few.  I'm not making money off this, don't sue me. 

Summary: Scully gives Mulder the surprise of his life. 

Author's Notes:  This is second in my "Coping" series.  Although not entirely 
necessary, it would be best if you had read the first one.  This one takes 
place a few months after the first chapter. 

Feedback:  Please!  It will help determine if I'll continue posting each 
chapter!  Any type of feedback is read, appreciated, and responded to!!  :) 

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Dana Scully let the phone ring.  This was the fifth time in three minutes 
someone was calling.  It was obviously Mulder, calling to apologize.  The 
machine picked up and Mulder left yet another message. 

"C'mon, Scully, pick up."  There was a slight pause and Scully stared at the 
machine.  "Scully, look, I'm sorry.  It won't happen again, I promise.  You 
know I'd never hurt you.  Give me another chance," he finished and hung up.  
The silence that followed was deafening. 

Scully laid on the couch, drawing her knees to her chest.  This was not the 
first time she had been scared of Mulder.  Not since his return.  His 
occasional outburst had sent her running for a couple weeks now.  But she 
always forgave him.  She always went back.  Just as she knew she would this 
time. 

                                                ***************** 
                                                  Weeks later 

"You're WHAT?!"  Mulder shouted.  Scully cringed.  She sat on his couch, 
nervously chewing her lower lip.  Mulder was fuming in the doorway.  She held 
back the tears that were threatening to fall. 

"I think it's for the best, Mulder," she said quietly, looking out the window. 

"For the best?" he asked, incredulous.  He smiled snidely.  "For the best.  
You think it's a good idea for you to move to New York." 

Scully nodded, the tears falling freely.  Mulder didn't seem to notice or 
care as he went barging on. 

"And, to make this great plan even better, you've decided that I should stay 
here.  In DC.  No way to contact you or my son," he finished.  She nodded 
again, looking at him tentatively.  "What a great idea," he whispered.  
"Leave your child fatherless." 

"He'll be here," Scully interjected.  "My mom will take care of him."  Mulder 
widened his eyes, mocking her. 

"Oh, *wonderful* idea, Scully," he said.  "So he'll grow up without parents 
at all." 

"Mulder I'm doing that for you!  So you can still see him.  He's taking your 
name and he'll be closer to *you*!"  Scully said, raising her voice.  She 
stood up.  "This is why I'm leaving Mulder!  You've gotten worse and worse 
ever since you came back.  You've become almost unbearable to be around!" she 
yelled.  She walked past him, pausing at the door.  She turned halfway to 
face him. 

"I still love you, Mulder, and I always will.  But I can't live with you 
becoming increasingly violent.  I can't take that risk and I won't put David 
in danger," she said softly.  "Good-bye."  She closed the door and Mulder 
almost fell to his knees at the pain of having his heart ripped in two. 

He stood in shock for a moment then opened the door.  He saw Scully get in 
the elevator and he reached deep in his pocket, stepping into the hallway. 

"I loved you, too, Dana Scully!" he shouted, throwing the object from his 
pocket into the elevator. 

It slid in before the doors closed.  Scully picked it up and opened it to 
find a beautiful diamond engagement ring.  She put a hand to her mouth as if 
to suppress the sobs that started soon after.  She slid down the elevator 
wall, broken and crying.  And the only one that could put her back together 
was one she had left behind. 

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