Title:  David 

Author: Jade  (CmdrJade@aol.com) 

Rating: PG 

Spoilers: none, although I'd recommend reading the first two chapters. 

Category: A little 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: 

Author's Notes:  I've gotten a few emails asking questions about this story 
and I realized I've made some of these parts unclear.  For example, in the 
second chapter, their child hadn't been born yet.  There are certain amounts 
of time that pass between each part and I didn't fill it all in.  I'm kinda 
leaving it up to the reader to fill in the time with whatever they think 
might have happened.  Or maybe it'll be resolved some time later.  Anyway, if 
anything's unclear, please let me know. 

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

                                  *************************************** 
                                   a little less than 2 months later 


John Doggett walked into the office to the sight of Fox Mulder sleeping on 
his desk.  His clothes were rumpled and his hair unkempt.  He had found 
Mulder like this more and more as the weeks went by.  John shook his head and 
nudged Mulder firmly.  Mulder looked up at him with bloodshot eyes. 

"Hey, man, you gotta snap outta this," John said, giving his own cup of 
coffee over to Mulder.  Mulder stared at it blankly as John sat by the 
computer.  He watched Mulder from the corner of his eye while he worked on 
his report.  

For at least ten minutes, Mulder didn't move.  Then he suddenly stood up, 
picked up the coffee cup, and flung it at the wall.  It splashed everywhere 
and some rained on Mulder's paperwork.  This seemed to irk him even more so 
he pushed half the junk off his desk, aiming for the trash can.  Of course, 
nothing made it in, so he kicked the trash can across the room for good 
measure.  After a moment's pause, he fell slowly to his knees, his head in 
his hands. 

John watched it all, an expression of pity on his face.  Mulder looked up at 
him, the pain so evident, John felt like crying for him. 

"I threw it all away, John.  I lost everything I had," Mulder said.  "My son 
was born a month ago, but he doesn't live with either of his parents.  
Because of me.  I haven't even seen him yet.  What kind of father am I?" 

John didn't answer right away.  "Maybe you can still make amends.  Go see 
your son after work.  Call Scully." 

Mulder snorted.  "You think I haven't already?  I've called, written, left 
messages, all that and more.  No response, save for one written note.  All it 
says is 'I'm fine.'  In other words, leave me alone," he said. 

John shrugged.  "Maybe after some time has passed, she'll come around.  Maybe 
you guys can at least be friends," he said.  "For now, take today off and 
spend some quality time with your son." 

Mulder nodded.  "Thanks," he said, standing up.  He paused in the doorway.  
"Oh, yeah, sorry about this mess," he said, waving his hand around the room.  
John shrugged it off. 

Mulder walked out of the office, leaving John to clean up. 

                                                    ******** 

Mulder lay on Maggie Scully's living room carpet.  His son was laying across 
from him.  Mulder stuck his finger in David's hand and the tiny hand wrapped 
around it.  Mulder grinned. 

"Fox, I've got tons of stuff to eat.  Help yourself," Maggie called from the 
kitchen. 

Mulder looked at his watch.  "Lunch time," he said to David.  He picked him 
up quickly and David let out a little laugh.  Mulder grinned at him.  "You 
like that, huh?" he said, lifting him high above his head and twirling him a 
little.  David laughed again.  Mulder jogged into the kitchen and plopped the 
giggling boy into his highchair.  Maggie sat his lunch on the tray while 
Mulder made his own.  

Both adults sat at the table in relative silence; David made his own little 
noises.  Mulder was the first to break it. 

"So, um... have you talked to Dana lately?" he asked.  Maggie smiled. 

"Yes, I have.  She comes to visit David a lot," she said.  Mulder winced.  
This was his first time with the little guy. 

"How's she doing?" he asked. 

"She says fine, but I know she's not.  She's a doctor in New York City now, 
says it's good working with people who can talk and-" 

"In other words, alive," Mulder interjected wryly.  Maggie gave a patient 
smile. 

"Do you really believe she resents you after all the years she spent loving 
you?  Just because you parted on bad terms doesn't mean it ruins all the 
great years," she said.  Mulder picked at his lunch.  Maggie put her hand on 
his.  "She still loves you, Fox.  She never stopped."  Maggie stood up, 
taking her plate over to be washed.  "She comes here almost every day after 
work," she said over her shoulder.  "Maybe you could see her again one of 
these days."  Mulder nodded and brought his plate over. 

"Maybe," he said.  "I've gotta go."  He gave her a kiss and walked to get his 
coat.  He came back to kiss David and then left the house.  Maggie sighed and 
sat back down with David, who whimpered.  

"Don't you worry, I'm working on them," Maggie said in response. 

                                *****************************************