Title: Western Blaze Author: Jade (CmdrJade@aol.com) Rating: PG Spoilers: Takes place after "The Truth" Archive: You can take this anywhere, just let me know first :) Disclaimer: Since CC and the gang can't take proper care of them, I officially give the responsibility of ownership to the fans. Summary: A large break in the monotonous life of Mulder and Scully, now continuously on the go. Feedback: All kinds are appreciated! ********************************* By all accounts and according to every record, they were dead. In actuality, they roamed the western United States, changing hotels and using cash for everything. Skinner had emptied their bank account during Mulder's trial and they now carried it in the duffel bags that also held their clothes, toothbrushes, deodorants, and other various things. Sometimes they walked. Sometimes they drove, careful to switch cars occasionally. Everything was so hard now, Scully thought to herself as she waited for Mulder to come out of the grocery store. Without being able to contact their few friends or family, without the Lone Gunmen's help to fake documents, without William. She just wanted to stop this damn car and live a normal life. That's all she ever really wanted since the moment it became apparent she would spend the rest of her life with Mulder. Yet the thrill of adventure kept calling. "Here ya go," Mulder said, hopping into the car and breaking into her thoughts. He dumped the toothpaste and new deodorant stick in her lap. "And something special," he added, grinning at her. He brought an ice cream cone from behind his back and handed it to her. She smiled and took it. "Thanks, Mulder," she answered. "I figured we'd just keep going northeast from here. We'll stop somewhere around midnight," he said, starting the car up and backing out. Scully nodded. Hours passed and the sun sank into the horizon, casting a glow over the snow capped mountains. Soon the scenery plunged into darkness and the car into silence, leaving its occupants to their own thoughts. Scully's turned toward William. Almost a year had passed since she had given him up. He was almost two years old. She had missed so much of her son. She was going to miss so much more. As tears threatened to fall from her eyes, Mulder slowed the car and leaned forward slightly. "What is it?" she asked, trying to regain composure and keep the panic from her voice. "I'm not sure..." he said, stepping on the gas and going faster than he had been. "I think there's a fire up the road." He flew down the dirt road until he came to a mailbox and a long, winding gravel driveway that disappeared into thick woods. The sky was orange and this seemed to be the location of the fire. Mulder turned down the driveway and pushed the car to its maximum speed. "Damn, they live way out here," Mulder commented. Suddenly they burst into a clearing and saw a great fire that had nearly consumed a house and was trying to spread to the woods. Mulder slammed on the brakes and leapt out of the car, Scully close behind him. They ran towards the house, but the heat from the blazing inferno stopped them from getting too close. "Hello?" Scully shouted, all the time wondering if this stop was a good idea. "It's too late," Mulder answered, pointing. Two bodies lay in the doorway, charred almost beyond recognition. "Let's get out of here." They were walking back to their car when a cry pierced the air. It was coming from an old pickup truck a few yards in front of their car. They glanced at each other. "You go back to the car. I'll check it out," Mulder said, jogging in the direction of the pickup. Scully nodded. Mulder reached the truck and glanced in the driver's window. A child, strapped in a car seat, sat inside crying. Mulder opened the car door and climbed inside. He unstrapped the child from its seat and picked it up. Bringing it out of the car, he turned it towards the light of the fire. A little boy, with his pacifier around his neck. Mulder put it back in his mouth and the child quieted. He turned the boy back towards him. And almost dropped him in realization. Stunned, he turned and grabbed the carseat, jogging back to Scully. He opened the back door first, throwing the seat in recklessly. He then got into the driver's seat and handed the boy to Scully, trying to be as casual as when he handed her a new toothbrush. "Mulder, we can't..." she began as the boy turned to her and grabbed her hair. Her mouth dropped open. Eyes filling with tears, she hugged him to her tightly. She began to sob and Mulder pulled the car around and left the fire behind. Scully murmured William's name, stroking his dark brown hair that Mulder thought was a little too long. "Mulder, how?" Scully asked, finally turning to him. He turned and smiled at her, tears shining in his own eyes. "Never give up on a miracle." ********************************************** The End What'd ya think? Please feedback me!