------------------------------------------------------------------------ This post was forwarded to atxc from the X-Files-Fanfic mailing list at the request of the author. Please send feedback to the author at the e-mail address in the message body. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Title- Once Upon a Time: Welcome Home Author- Meaghan McScully Feedback- Framed at ILoveFoxyMulder@hotmail.com Archiving- Sure, go ahead, just keep my name attached and let me know. Spoilers- Set in Season 6, before they get the X Files back. Rating- PG-13 Category- R, A, S Keywords- Pre-XF Mulder/Other. Mulder/Scully Romance, All around angst. Summary- A man looses his daughter, and gets her back under horrible circumstances. Disclaimer 1- I don't own 'em or get money from 'em. Disclaimer 2- Rose Marie is my own creation. If, for some reason, you want to use her, please ask me first. I'm not very hard to reach. E-mail me at ILoveFoxyMulder@hotmail.com . Disclaimer 3- The poem read at the funeral is not mine. I found it on a website and was unable to contact anyone about it. If this is your poem, or you know who wrote it and you do not want it used, please let me know. Thank you. **Dedicated to James Engh** Author's Notes: At End. Thanks: Oodles and oodles and oodles of thanks to Ro, my beta, for answering stupid questions like "Should they go to the bathroom and then talk? Or talk while looking for the bathroom?" and without her insistent IMing me with "fic!?" and "WRITEWRITEWRITE! MOREMROREMROEMORE!", this thing would have never been done. Many more thanks to Batman for channeling Ro when she was in Naples (hehehe!) and telling me that she would become as bad as Ro. Even more thanks (Wow, I'm just wearing myself out here!) to Rina, without whom, I would have never changed the hospital and the thing, and she knows what I'm talking about. Many thanks to my two best non X-Phile friends, Kate and Bina, for just putting up with my ranting and actually reading this thing. Even MORE thanks to Meaghan, for.. well, just being Meaghan and nagging me for more.. Any my final thanks go to Liz, for helping me with some of the diologe. And now, without further ado Once Upon a Time: Welcome Home ~~~ Wednesday, June 13, 1990 1:21 AM 10 13th Street, Georgetown, VA Fox and Anne Mulder Residence "How could you Anne? How could you!? I'll never see her again, thanks to you! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!?" Fox Mulder screamed at his wife. "It's very simple, Fox. I just told the judge that you were a danger to her, and to me. And her believed me. HE BELIEVED ME, YOU FUCKING BAST--" The soft padding of little feet made both Anne and Mulder stop and look towards the kitchen door. Mulder smiled at his 4 year old daughter. She carried her teddy bear and rubbed her eyes as she ran over to Mulder. "Daddy!" she said happily, reaching to be picked up, despite the early hour. Mulder glared at Anne and grinned at Rose as he bent to pick her up. "What are you doing up at this hour, Rosebud? Did we wake you up, honey? We're sorry." He said quietly into her soft brown hair. "Come on, lets get you back to bed. It's very late." "'Kay." Rose answered, holding onto her father's neck as he moved out of the kitchen and up to her room. He walked into The pink room and put her into the ivory colored canopy bed with kittens covering all the fabric. "Sweetie, I want to talk to you for a minute, okay?" He asked, sitting down on the edge of her soft bed. "Rosebud.. Sweetie, I have to..go away for a while, honey." He said, his voice faltering. "And I, uh..won't be able to see you, or talk to you, Sweetie." "Why Daddy? Why do ya gotta go 'way? I don't want you to go. Please don't go Daddy! Please? I don't want you to." Rose Marie said, tears running like raindrops down her face. "Oh, Rosie..Rose, Sweetie, don't cry. Honey..please Rosebud, don't cry." Fox picked up his little girl and started to slowly walk around her room, rubbing her small back as he did so. She started to calm down, and Mulder put her back into bed. "Do you feel better honey? Do you want to go to sleep now?" He asked, her blue eyes wide and glistening with tears. She yawned, tears drying on her cherub-like cheeks. Hugging her beloved teddy bear, Teddy, closer, she said "Sing me a song, Daddy?" "Sure sweetheart." Mulder said, softly kissing his daughter on the forehead. "Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, and down will come baby, cradle and all." His soft alto voice sent his beautiful daughter into a peaceful slumber. Kissing her forehead for the last time, he stood and quietly walked out of her room. ~~~ Hoover Building March 6, 1992 Fox Mulder was having a bad day. He missed his daughter terribly and had just been informed he was being partnered with some scientist from Quatntico. Mulder picked up the picture of his daughter and smiled as he remembered the day it was taken. The first major snow of winter had fallen, and he and Anne, before things got bad, had taken Rose out to the park in her little pink snow suit. They had started a snowball fight, Anne and Rose against him. Anne had thought to bring the camera, so after the fight, she had taken a picture of Rose throwing a snowball at Mulder's face. He stopped, putting the picture down, and getting back to work. There was no telling when this new "partner" would be showing up. It was a good thing he had gotten back to work, for not five minutes had passed, and there was a knock on the door. "Nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted." He had said, not bothering to look up from the pictures he was examining. "Agent Mulder, I've been assigned to work with you." ~~~ 1st Ave. and 86th Street, Manhattan 8:13 AM Tuesday, February 23, 1999 "Jackass!! What the fuck are you going on the road!?" Anne yelled out the window of her new BMW convertible. Rose sighed. "Mom, why don't you calm down. It's not his fault there's another traffic jam. It is the mid--" "You just shut up, young lady! I've had quite enough of you already." Anne snapped, focusing all her attention on the 13 year old girl seated next to her, and not on the gigantic tractor trailer speeding along behind the car. "Mom! Look out!" Rose screamed as she looked in the passenger side mirror of the car. Anne looked in the rearview mirror and tried to maneuver the car out of the way of the on-coming truck, which seemed oblivious to the cars in front of it. They were trapped. There was no opening on either side of them. Time seemed to slow down as the monstrous truck beared down on them. Anne and Rose looked at each other, fear evident in both their eyes. Rose closed her eyes and starting praying silently. The last thing she knew was her mother reaching out to grab onto her hand. Then it all went black. ~~~ Hoover Building 9:15 AM Tuesday, February 23, 1999 "Happy birthday, dear Scully. Happy birthday to you!" Mulder finished as Scully blew out the candle on the cupcake. Scully laughed. "At least you didn't have the entire waitressing staff come out and sing, Mulder." Mulder grinned and handed her a small, neatly wrapped box. "Oh, Mulder. You didn't have to get me something." Scully said, while opening the box. "This is from that jewel--ohmigod! Mulder, you did NOT get those earrings.. Mulder, you did. Oh, Mulder...thank you so much." She said, her eyes tearing. Mulder blushed and looked down as she stood from her chair to hug him. "Mulder, you didn't have to get me that." "I know I didn't Scully. I wanted to. You admired them so much, and they bring out the blue in your eyes so well.." He trailed off as his cell phone rang. "Mulder." He answered. "Fox Mulder?" The woman on the other end said. From the background noise he guessed the woman on the other end was at a hospital. "Speaking." "Mr. Mulder, I have you listed as the emergency contact for a Rose Marie Anderson." The nurse said, her voice calm. "Rose? What's wrong? What's happened to her?" Mulder said, panic seeping into his voice at the mention of his daughter. Scully studied Mulder carefully, noting the worry lines that crossed his face. "The car she was in was hit by a truck. The woman with her, an.. Anne April Anderson, was killed instantly..." Mulder sat down heavily in his chair, tuning out the nurse for a moment. "...hit the dashboard and has a rather nasty concussion that's left her unconscious." "Yes, uh.. thank you. What hospital is she in?" Mulder asked, in shock. "Beth Israel Medical Center- Singer Division, East End Ave. between 87th and 88th." She replied, her voice never changing from a serious monotone. "Yes.. thank you. I'll be there as soon as possible." He said, quickly hanging up the phone. "What was that about, Mulder? And who's Rose?" Scully asked, with curiosity. "It's a long story, Scully.. one you'll hear soon enough. I have to go up to NY.. there's been a.. family.. emergency. I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on." Mulder said, half hoping that she would just let him leave and half hoping she would go with him. "Mulder, do you want me to go with you? If you do, I will.." Scully said, looking into his hazel eyes. "Scully, I can't ask you to do that...it's your birthday.. you have plans.." Mulder said, secretly glad she cared enough to wanted to come. "With my mother, Mulder.. if it's some sort of emergency, she'll understand.. we can re-schedule dinner." He knew it was useless to argue with her. Mulder sighed, and looked down. "It's uh...it's a long story.. I'll explain on the shuttle up to New York." At her nod, he stood from his chair. "I'll pick you up in an hour, then." They got their things together and walked down to their respective cars in a comfortable silence. As Scully was getting into her car, Mulder said "Thanks Scully." She smiled at him, knowing that whatever it was, they would get through it. Together. ~~~ American Airlines Flight 245 11:54 AM "So, Mulder, you said you'd explain what's going on when we were on the plane.. we're on the plane.." Scully said lightly, her tone conversational. "Yes, I uh.. I did. Scully.. please forgive me for not telling you sooner.. it just never seemed like the right time." Mulder said, hoping to prolong the inevitable. "Mulder, you're stalling." "I know, I know...did I ever tell you I was married Scully?" He said. Best to start direct, thought Mulder. Scully was stunned. Mulder was married? "Uh.. no, Mulder. You never mentioned that." She said, her surprise showing. "I was married to Anne Anderson in October of 1985. We.. thought we were in love, but we weren't. You know how it is. But uh.. the honeymoon got Anne pregnant, and uh.." Mulder broke off, his eyes filling with tears, his voice breaking. Scully laid her hand on his arm, hoping that her presence would reassure him. "We had a little girl, Rose Marie. She.. she was verything to me, Scully, everything. Anne and I had stopped trying to get along by the time Rose was two. We were trying to not fight.. but we wanted to stay together for her... Eventually, Anne filed for divorce and used my job against me. She uh.. she got complete custody of her.. I didn't even get visitation rights. She took my daughter away, Scully." "Mulder.. I'm so sorry.." Scully trailed off, not knowing what to say. "What happened in New York, Mulder?" "They were in a car accident.. Anne was...she was.. killed, and Rose got a bad concussion.." "Please buckle your seatbelts, we are about to land. Thank you for flying American Air." The stewardess announced. Scully grabbed his hand and squeezed, trying to convey her presence. ~~~ Beth Israel Medical Center- Singer Division 1:46 PM "Rose Anderson. She was brought in with a concussion. What room is she in?" Mulder asked again, his patience running out. "Are you family?" The nurse asked, exasperated. "I'm her father." "All right then. She's in room 12-37." "Thank you." Mulder walked over to the row of elevators, and pushed the up button, his face a mask of stone. Scully stood beside him as they waited for the elevator to arrive. Mulder turned to Scully and asked "Do you think she'll remember me Scully?" "I truly don't know, Mulder. She might and she might not." Scully was heartbroken when she saw the look at her face. "She probably will if she has your memory, Mulder." Mission accomplished, she thought as the corners of his mouth turned up. The gratified look on his face made glad she had said the last thing. The elevator finally arrived, and Mulder and Scully stepped into the steel cage. They rode up to the 12th floor in silence, both engrossed in their own inner monologues. The elevator arrived at the floor with a ding. Stepping out of the elevator, they walked down the hall silently, to room 37. Mulder paused in front of the door, glancing back at Scully for a moment. When their eyes met, he nodded, telling her that it was all right for her to follow him. He gently pushed open the door, eyes trained on the singular bed occupying the room. Mulder slowly walked over to a chair next to his daughter and sat down, taking one of her small porcelain hands in both of his much larger ones. Scully stood at the foot of the bed, silently reviewing her medical charts. Mulder was startled when he felt a slight movement under his hands. "Rose? Sweetie, it's Daddy. Can you hear me?" A squeeze this time. "That's good, Rosebud, come on now, open your eyes for me, all right? You can do it Sweetie." There was a slight twitching of her eyelids before they opened halfway. She groaned, her head moving ever so slowly towards Mulder. Mulder glanced back at Scully, silently asking her to give him this time with his daughter. Scully slipped out the door, quietly going to fetch the doctor. Mulder turned back to Rose, a sad smile gracing his lips. "Hi there, honey. How are you feeling?" He asked, gently brushing a lock of hair out of her pale face. She tried to speak, but her voice failed her, a small sound of frustration escaping her lips instead of the intended words. Mulder spooned some ice chips into her dry mouth. She nodded when she had consumed enough, and tried speaking again. "Hurts, Daddy." She squeaked out, her voice a whisper of sound. Mulder squeezed her hand lightly. "I know it does Rosebud, I know it does. The doctors couldn't really give you anything because you have a rather nasty concussion." As he finished, the door opened revealing a young resident and Scully. "Hello, I'm Dr. Highland. You must be Rose's father." The resident said, holding his hand out. Mulder nodded and rose and shook his hand. "It's good that you're awake, Rose, we can see if the concussion did any damage." He went about asking her questions, having her perform the usual tasks. "Good, she's doing very well. She can probably leave on Thursday or Friday. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more rounds to make." He made a hasty exit, white coat flapping behind him. "Rosebud, why don't you try and get some sleep, all right? Sleep's the best thing you can have right now honey." Mulder said softly, standing and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll be here honey, so don't worry about anything." Rose smiled weakly. "'Kay Daddy." She said, closing her eyes. When it was apparent she was asleep, Scully sat next to Mulder. "Mulder, that.. that.. that child.. they have treating her has no business even being in a hospital! He has no bedside manner, he-" "He's just like you were right outta med. school, Scully." He smiled. "That's not the point! He...argh...I'm gonna go get us some lunch, what would you like, Mulder?" Scully stood and looked expectantly at Mulder. "Whatever you see that looks appetizing.. wait, let me re-phrase that. Whatever you see that looks greasy and fatty and appetizing." Scully chuckled, and shaking her head, walked out of the hospital room. Fifteen minutes later Scully returned, holding a McDonald's bag and 2 drinks. I got you a Big Mac, fries and a Coke, Mulder." She said, handing him the bag. He smiled and opened it as the girl in the bed groaned. "Rose?" Mulder stood and sat down again on the edge of her bed, grabbing her hand as he did so. "Rosebud, are you awake Sweetie?" He asked her softly, brushing a piece of hair out of her eyes. Rose opened her eyes and looked about the room with bleary eyes. "Daddy?" She said. "Yeah Sweetie? I'm right here." "What am I doing here? What are you doing here? Who's she?" She said looking over at Scully, "And where's Mom?" She asked, her voice soft and slightly raspy. Mulder glanced up at Scully, swallowed, and answered. "You were in a very bad car accident a few hours ago, Rose. We, uh, flew up as soon as we heard. This," He said, motioning to Scully to come over, "is Dana Scully, and she's a very good friend of mine." He answered, half hoping she'd forget her last question, but knowing that she wouldn't. "What about Mom? Is she all right?" Her hazel-green eyes stared, seemingly unblinking, at Mulder. "Uh.. She, uhm...Rose, she um," Mulder said, shaking his head, unable to finish the sentence. Scully touched Mulder's shoulder, silently asking if he wanted her to finish what he couldn't. He nodded and moved to a chair so the bedside was free. Scully sat on the bed next to Rose and gently took her hand. "Rose, honey, uhm, your mom didn't.. she didn't make it, sweetheart." Scully said, heartbroken she had to delieve the news to the poor girl lying in the bed. Rose shook her head and sat up, unbelieving, at her words. "No.. no, she's not dead, she can't be dead! It's not fair! She's not sup-" Rose gasped, quickly regretting sitting up. Scully quickly grabbed her shoulders and gently lowered her back down to her pillows. "You shouldn't be sitting up at all, Rose. That damn resident should have told you that.." Scully trailed off and looked at Mulder, who was sitting hunched over in his chair. Scully rubbed her shoulder soothingly. "It'll all work out, Rose." ~~~ St. Mary's Cemetery Friday, February 26, 1999 "Sweetie, are you sure you want to do this?" Mulder asked, tightening his hold on his unsteady daughter, who was softly crying into his dark trenchcoat. "Yeah, Daddy, I.. I do." She answered, sniffling and wiping her eyes. Mulder nodded and walked Rose over to the make-shift podium that had been set up next to Anne's grave. He made sure she was able to support herself, and quietly stepped to the side, letting Rose recite the memorized poem. "Thank you for being here on earth Every moment of my eternal life Thank you for being a beautiful role model How can I tell you of the depth breath width and height to which I soar Just knowing you exist And always will in my soul You are a prayer that is silent As well as spoken aloud You are a tear that soothes my soul" Though sobs threatened to consume her, she took a deep breath and went on. "You are each laugh Each pure thing that God has let me behold You are my wealth and all that are of you You are my tenderness You are as water to a thirst A royal purple rose You are the precious gift of God Called Mother Mommy Mom You are so wonderful I cannot explain How much you mean to me Believing in me when only a saint or holy trinity knew whom I could be Praise God the Holy Spirit and Lord Jesus For I've got a large piece of heaven in you" Rose stopped, tears freely spilling down her face as she turned toward Mulder. He stepped up and hugged her reassuringly before helping her back to their spot in front of the grave. Rose dissolved into sobs as the minister read from the Bible. Mulder pushed the hair out of her eyes. "Rosebud, I'm gonna take you back to the limo, all right? We'll sit together until you feel better." He whisper just loud enough to let Scully know where they were going. They slowly walked over to the large black limo. Mulder opened the back door, helped Rose into the seat, and sat down next to her. Rose leaned against Mulder, burying her face against his shoulder, sobbing. He tried his best to comfort her, but to no avail. 10 minutes or so later, there was a soft knock on the top of the limo, and the door was opened to reveal Scully. "The minister's looking for you Mulder. Would you like me to bring him over here?" She asked, her voice quiet and calm, yet strong. "No, no. I'll go talk to him.. would you mind sitting with her while I talk with him, though?" He asked Scully, smiling sadly. "I really don't want to leave her alone." "Of course not, Mulder. Scoot out." Mulder got out of the car and smiled his thanks to Scully before walking over to where the minister was standing. "Rose? Sweetie, how are you doing?" Scully asked Rose softly. Rose sniffed and looked up at Dana as there was another knock on the limo top. Scully smiled and opened the door to reveal to girls. "Hi, uh.. Mr. Mulder said Rose was--" The girl stopped as Rose poked her head out of the limo. "Oh, hey guys.. uh, Dana, would you, uh.." Scully got the meaning, smiled at Rose and her two friends, and slid out of the car to allow the two girls access to the seat. "Thanks Dana." "Rose, oh my gosh, are you all right? How are you doing?" Sabina and Katrina asked at the same time, making them both start to giggle and making Rose smile. "I'll be fine in about a month or so, the doctor said. I can't really walk in a straight line, so I look like a drunk." The three girls giggled. "But, uh, I'm glad you guys are, uh, here, 'cause uh, my dad lives in Virginia.. so, uh.. I'm gonna go with him, and, uh, we're leaving soon, so this is kinda.. goodbye." Rose sadly hugged her two best friends and they talked a little more, before their parents came over and told them they were leaving soon. "I'll keep in touch guys, I promise." Rose said quietly after her friends. ~~~ LaGuadia Marriot Hotel Room 21-11 3:03 AM "Rosie, you know how much I love you. How much I'll always love you. And you know that I will always, always, always be with you. I'll be with you when you fall in love, when you graduate, when you get married. I'll be with you when you have your children, and I'll always be with your children. I'll be with you when you're sick, when you're well. You won't be able to see me, or feel me, Sweetheart, but I'll be there. I'll be with you when your husband dies, when you die. I'll be here waiting for you, Sweetie." Anne pushed an errant strand of hair out of Rose's face. "No, Mom.. Mommy, please. I don't want to live without you, please. I wanna stay with you, I don't wanna stay here, I wanna stay with you. Please? Please Mommy? please?" Her soft cries cresendoed into uncontrollable sobs. Anne tried to calm the frantic sobs coming from the girl. Suddenly, another voice came, softly calling her from a great distance. "Rose? Rosebud, come on now, wake up. You're just having a bad dream, Sweetie. It's all right, wake up now. You're safe." The voice said, its soothing and calm, low and melodic sound rousing her just a tad. "That's it, Rosebud, wake up." Rose opened her eyes and looked around the room, disoriented. She focused on Mulder. "D.. daddy? What am I doing here?" Mulder smiled a little. "We're in the hotel, remember? We're gonna stay for the rest of the night and then leave sometime tomorrow morning, remember Sweetheart?" "Oh, right.. what uh, what time is it?" Rose moved to sit up, only to find herself being gently pushed back to the bed by large gentle hands. "It's almost three. Do you think you could get back to sleep, Rosebud?" Mulder pushed a piece of hair that still clung to her tear-stained face back. Rose nodded and turned towards Mulder, tightly clutching the stuffed bear Mulder had found sitting on her neatly made bed when he had boxed up everything in her house. He kissed her forehead. "You sleep now, Sweetie. It's late." ~~~ I95 12:16 PM Saturday, February 27, 1999 "Do you think it's worth it to wake her for lunch, Scully?" Mulder asked quietly, quickly glancing at Rose in the back seat before focusing on the road once again. "Yeah, I'd like to check on her soon, so we might as well make it one large stop." She said, her tone as soft as Mulder's was. Mulder nodded, and concentrated on getting over a lane so he would be able to get off at the next rest stop. When they came upon the next one almost 10 minutes later, Mulder quickly pulled into a spot near to the door. He glanced once again at his daughter sleeping in the backseat before getting out, opening the back drivers side door, and sliding in next to Rose. "Rose, Sweetie, wake up, it's time for lunch." Mulder said quietly, gently rubbing her arm. She woke almost immediately, and sat up slowly from her curled position on the seat. "Daddy?" She yawned and stretched a little. "Where are we?" She asked, slowly sliding out after Mulder. "Somewhere in Pennsylvania, honey." Mulder put an arm around her shoulder to support her. Rose swayed a little and clutched at Mulder's T-shirt. Mulder tightened his grip and walked slowly towards Scully, who was standing by the door to the McDonalds. "You girls wanna go 'primp' while I order?" Mulder grinned at Scully's smile. "I could use a bathroom break. Do you need to go, Rose?" Scully asked, still smiling. "Yeah Dana, I kinda do." Rose replied, smiling a little for the first time since the funeral. "What do you girls want me to order? Your usual, Scully?" "Yeah Mulder, that's fine.. get me a Coke with it? Thanks." Mulder grinned and nodded. He looked at Rose, the grin still in place. "And what do you want, honey?" "A Crispy Chicken Sandwich and a vanilla shake, please Daddy." She answered, quietly. "And a small fries." "Will do. Mulder made sure Rose was able to stand up, and walked over to the order line. Scully smiled and took hold of her arm. "Come on, lets find the bathroom, shall we?" Scully asked, starting toward a sign that said restrooms. "So, uh, Dana, what's.. what's my dad like? You seem to know him best.." "Well Rose, he's.. he's a good man. He's very intense, very.. passionate, but he's one of the most caring, gentle people you'll ever meet." Scully smiled a little. "He's a walking contradiction, basically." They both giggled. "Are you two.. ya know, an item?" Rose asked, studying her Scully's face intently. Scully instantly blushed. "No, Rose, we're not.. we're best friends.. we have been for about 7 years, now." "But you're in love with him. Every time you talk with him, you get this little smile on your face." Scully didn't say anything, intently studying her shoes. "Oh look, here's the bathroom." Just in time, she thought, holding the door open. They both finished, washed their hands in silence, walked out of the bathroom, and walked over to where Mulder was still standing in line. "We'll go get a table, all right, Mulder?" Scully said softly. "Sure, that'd be great," Mulder answered, moving up a little in line. Scully and Rose slowly walked over to a corner booth and sat down. Rose put her head down on the table top and closed her eyes. "You all right, Sweetheart?" Scully asked, suddenly concerned. "Yeah, fine.. my head just hurts.. a lot." She answered, never moving her head from its resting spot on the table. Scully checked her watch. "Oh, geeze, you should have had your medicine an hour ago. Your dad will be here in a minute, it looks like he's about to come over, and I'll run out to the car and get the medicine for you, all right Rose?" Scully said, rubbing her shoulder lightly. "'Kay." Mulder walked over with a tray filled with their lunches. "Mulder, I'm going to run out to the car and get Rose's medicine, all right? Can I have the keys?" Mulder nodded, put the tray down, and fished the keys out of his pocket. "Here you go." As Scully ran off, he slid in next to Rose and put an arm around her shoulders. "You all right Rosebud?" "Yeah, I'll be all right, Daddy." She answered, still not moving her head from its spot on the table. Scully came back, holding a bottle of pills. "Here you go Sweetie, take this." She handed Rose the pill and grabbed Mulder's soda from the table and handed it to Rose. "Your shake is too thick to swallow a pill with, Rose, so you'll have to use this, all right?" Rose brought her head off the table, took the pill and soda from Scully's hands, and swallowed it in one large gulp. "Thank you." She said, looking up and into Scully's eyes. ~~~ Residence of Fox Mulder Alexandria, VA 3:01 PM When they finished their lunches, Mulder went to the bathroom and met Scully and Rose outside by the SUV they had rented to bring most Rose's belongings down to Alexandria. Scully drove the rest of the way, glancing back at Mulder and Rose as they reacquainted themselves, Mulder finding out about school, her friends, and her mother, and Rose finding out about the X Files and learning about Scully. Scully pulled up in front of Mulder's building, turned off the engine, and looked back at Rose and Mulder. "We're here." Mulder turned to Rose and smiled softly. "Welcome home." ~~~ Fine. More to come soon, I promise! ~~~ Authors Notes: For a long time before I started writing fic, I Role Played. Sometimes I'd play Mulder, sometimes Scully, sometimes Skinman.. (Though Mulder was my fav.) One day, I was being creative, and I decided to make up a character, Rose Marie. Rose Marie had been alive and kicking for almost 2 years, when I decided it was about time to write a story based on her life. Out of the story of one little character spawned millions of ideas for future stories, so this is defiantly not the last you (or I!) will see of Rose. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For information about the X-Files-Fanfic mailing list, visit: http://www.x-philes.com/lists/xff/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------