From robert.nichols@anu.edu.au Mon May 26 03:52:36 1997 Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: NEW: "That Is Mine To Do (1/1)" By Vanessa Nichols From: Vanessa Nichols -------- 'That Is Mine To Do' By Vanessa Nichols (MargiK@Hotmail.Com) Another little one from me. I've always been intrigued as to how Mulder got his name, I mean how many people do you know who are named after fluffy little forest creatures? Anyway I was looking through this reference book and I saw this Indian saying and thought about it, then I was rewatching Anasazi; The Blessing Way; and Paper Clip and thought, yeah ok, this could work... Disclaimers: I own none of them, CC, FOX, 1013 does. The Indian saying belongs to all Native American's and I mean no infringment for anything. Rating: G -- everybody can read this. Classifications: S Summary: Mrs Caroline Mulder muses briefly about her life and meets an associate of her husbands who will affect her and her as yet unborn baby... BTW: This is *not* action, adventure, romance yada yada yada... it's just a meeting that, well, read on to find out! :) Comments To: MargiK@Hotmail.Com *~*~*~*~* That Is Mine To Do By Vanessa Nichols (MargiK@Hotmail.Com) © Copyright Vanessa Nichols; April 1997 *~*~*~*~* September 11, 1961 Farmington, New Mexico Sweat trickled down her spine only to be absorbed by the fabric of her thin sundress as she massaged her aching back in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure. Holding a hand up to her eyes, she shaded her eyes from the brilliant sun as she stepped out of the motel room and surveyed the scene before her. Heat, dust, red... she was in desert country alright. Letting out a breath that was half pant, half sigh she carefully made her way down the rickety stairs before her and began to walk towards the cafe Bill had told her about when they'd arrived late last night. A snake was dozing in the sun near the corner of the building as she approached and she swallowed her fear and made her way past it cautiously. Pushing open the door of the cafe she sighed in relief as the cool air rushed against her. Small fans dotted the room, pushing the almost solid hot air around the room in an attempt to cool the patrons. A couple of people sat at the counter, a few more in the booths -- nearly all were of Indian heritage -- and three laughing, dark skinned boys were playing happily towards the back. Easing herself into one of the booths she picked up the menu and perused it disinterestedly -- food still didn't hold much of an appeal for her, but for her husbands sake and that of the child she was carrying in her, she forced herself to keep eating regularly. A pretty girl in an apron, her black hair plaited over one shoulder and wearing a loose brown shift with red, brown and gold motifs on it came over to stand near her. "Can I get you something?" she asked. Caroline nodded, one hand absently rubbing her swollen stomach. "Tea..." she thought for another moment and looked at the menu once more. "And some toast." The girl nodded as she jotted it down, and then moved away. Sighing, Caroline looked out the window, seeing little or no movement outside. Where was Bill? she asked herself, knowing that she would not know until he returned, and even then she would not know where he *had* been. Them's the breaks, she thought, hearing her father's voice say the words and seeing his eyes twinkling with repressed laughter. He'd died when she was eight, and her mother had passed on when she was twenty. For six months she'd been alone... until Bill. Wonderful, kind, caring, loving Bill. He'd rescued her, rescued her from a life of solitary existence. He'd given her a home, anything she wanted, a child -- she smiled down at her stomach -- and the only thing he ever asked was that she didn't ask questions about his work. She'd asked one question though, and only one, in response to that demand -- was it legal, his work, was his work legal? He'd looked at her, a sad smile on his face and said that what he did was for the good of mankind, and nothing less. She never asked him anything about it again, though sometimes, like now, when he was gone and she didn't know where or why, she did wish she could ask him and have him answer. The girl reappeared with her breakfast and Caroline smiled her thanks. Stirring some sugar into the tea she continued to stare out the window absently. At least Bill had let her come with him this time, one last getaway together before the little one arrived, he told her. She grimaced slightly, it would've been better though, if they were actually together and somewhere a little cooler -- eight months of pregnancy hanging on her slight frame was not a bonus in the late summer heat of New Mexico. Then she shook her head, she couldn't hate Bill for anything, not even if she wanted too. He loved her as much as she loved him, she knew that without a doubt. And it certainly was better, lying beside him at night -- no matter how hot the air was -- then lying alone back in Massachusetts whilst he was here alone as well. Laying the teaspoon on the saucer she raised the cup to her lips and sipped the steaming liquid, feeling better as the caffeine hit her -- a little bit of caffeine always made her feel better. Out the window she saw a car speed down the road and then stop outside a non-descript building that she knew housed the sheriff's department. She watched as Bill, a friend of his who she'd met several times over the past two years now -- he always made her slightly uncomfortable though, with the smoke from his cigarettes shrouding him continually and the way he looked at her as though he knew what she looked like naked -- she shuddered and focused on the other occupant of the car. He was a relatively tall, Indian man, with a proud face that wrinkles had not even dared to mar, and even from this distance she could see that his eyes were sharp, the way they took in everything. But unlike Bill's friend, what he saw didn't seem to make him nervous or cautious, he seemed to enjoy the sight, the way the heat rose to swim one's vision, the dark red rocks that rose into mountains and dipped into caverns, the thick dust that clung to everything... The baby kicked suddenly and she jolted, a little of her tea spilling onto her hand. Setting the cup back down into the saucer she extracted a serviette and wiped her hand and then rubbed it soothingly over her stomach, trying to settle the youngster who already seemed to be all limbs -- and long ones at that. When she looked up again, the trio of men had already disappeared into the building. She glanced a look at her watch, and then began to pick at the toast before her. *~*~*~*~* Wiping her hands on her serviette she drained the last of her tea and then stood, leaving a handful of money on the table top as she left the cafe, feeling like penguin as she waddled slightly. The heated air hit her like a freight train, literally stealing the air from her lungs as she went to step outside and she swayed momentarily, her eyes drifting shut, only to find herself steadied by a strong hand on her arm. "Are you alright?" came a concerned, Indian accented voice, from beside her. Caroline opened her eyes and nodded to the man she'd seen with her husband earlier on. "Yes... thank you." He smiled pleasantly at her. "The heat, it tends to hover more over women with child." he said and she smiled. "So it seems." she agreed. They stood in silence for a moment and then the man said. "He will be a fine child, eager to learn, eager to seek." Caroline looked at him in surprise as he murmured something in Indian that she couldn't understand. And how did he know what sex her baby would be? "Excuse me?" she asked when he'd finished. He smiled. "Old Indian saying. 'I am a Fox. I am supposed to die. If there is anything difficult, if there is anything dangerous, that is mine to do.'" He nodded towards her belly. "I see that in your son." Her hands covered her belly instinctively. "My son is not supposed to die." she said horrified. He shook his head. "You misunderstand. It is not about death, it is about bravery. The Foxes were the bravest of all. They seek the most difficult, which is usually the most dangerous, and then they overcome it, win it... they know the worst outcome could be death and even that does not fear them. They fear nothing, they set out to achieve all that is difficult, with bravery as their guard." Caroline nodded slowly, still watching the man carefully. "Your son," he said again. "He will be brave. He will want to learn everything about everything, and when it is difficult he will excel, for he will have no fear about danger, or difficulty, only bravery." The man wiped his hand on his already dusty jeans. "Forgive my manners," he said holding out his hand. "Albert Hosteen." Caroline smiled. "Caro--" that was all she got out, just then Bill appeared, smiling happily. "Darling, come, it's time to go." he called to her, approaching quickly. She turned to face her husband. "We're leaving?" she asked. Her husband nodded. "Yes, the work went quickly. We shall leave now and stop over in New Orleans on our way home... I know how you wanted to visit there." Caroline smiled broadly as he reached her and placed a gentle hand in the small of her back. This was one of the reasons why she loved this man, he was so considerate to her wants. "Albert." said Bill with a sharp nod with his head to the man still standing there as he guided Caroline away. Albert inclined his head as he watched them leave. He watched as the woman turned back and smiled at him just before they entered their motel room and saw her mouth a 'thankyou' to him. He smiled in reply and then turned and entered the cafe. *~*~*~*~* October 13, 1961 Chilmarc, Massachusetts Slowly she fluttered her eyes open, and winced slightly as her body reminded her of what it had gone through several hours ago. "Hey..." came a soft voice from her side and she turned and smiled at her husband. "Hey yourself." she replied softly. "What time is it?" "Almost ten." he replied. He paused. "You were wonderful." he whispered after a moment. "He's beautiful." She smiled. "Where is he?" Bill stood up and moved over towards the small crib that had been wheeled into the room whilst she was resting. Gently he reached down and lifted out his son. Carefully he carried him back over to the bed and placed him in his wife's outstretched arms. "He is beautiful, isn't he?" she said as she stroked his soft baby skin. Bill nodded. "Fox." she whispered. "Fox William." Bill looked up in surprise. "That's what you want to call him?" he asked. She looked up. "Yes... would you mind?" Bill shook his head slowly. "I don't see why not... but why Fox?" his brow creased in confusion. "It's very unusual... he'll probably get into strife about it from school mates when he's older..." Caroline smiled gently at her new born son. "He'll survive." she said. "He'll overcome the difficulties..." "But why?" asked Bill again. "A friend..." she replied. "A friend told me of it..." Bill sighed and shook his head ruefully. "Fox William Mulder." he said, liking the way it sounded a little more each time he said it. He looked down at his son just in time to see him yawn widely and try to stuff his baby fist in his mouth. Caroline ahhed unconsciously and Bill smiled. His son was going to be quite the heartbreaker... quite a fox... "I am a Fox I am supposed to die. If there is anything difficult, If there is anything dangerous, That is mine to do." -- Indian saying *~*~*~*~* The End. Well, I hope you liked this. Not one of my best, but still enjoyable I think, and a nice theory if I do say so. The younger Albert Hosteen helps name Mulder before his birth and then helps to bring him back to life later on in life. Wow! Please send comments and whatnot to: MargiK@Hotmail.Com Vanessa.