This disclaimer business is really old now. X-Files and all its characters belong to others, not me. Hmm...could they be Chris Carter, Fox and 1013? I am borrowing and making now money for my efforts. I wouldn't dream of stealing. This is a Post Momento Mori story set some point in the future. I am going to rate it a strong R, although if anyone wants to change it to NC17 feel free to do so. The one sex scene is quite mild by today's standards. Although the scene is there, it isn't what the story is about. The story is about love and part of it harks back to One Breath. Feel free to archive it anywhere and take note, non-shippers will hate it. Part One was finished on March 26, 1997. Summary: Scully secretly begins a new experimental treatment for her cancer and Mulder brings her a tempting gift. Strawberries and Chocolate by Macspooky Fox Mulder was a very worried man. His partner had not been to work in several days. When he called her, she claimed to have a mild case of the flu, but in his heart he knew better and he wasn't certain what to do. She needed friends and family now and she was pushing everyone away. She was so determined to be strong, to handle everything herself, and although he admired that trait in her, he also feared that the stress of it would send her to her death sooner than it was really time for her to go. She had cancer, and although it was a condition that she could not share directly, there was no need for her to handle it alone. Loneliness, he had learned since meeting her, was sometimes worse than death. He wanted....no, he needed to be there for her, and he was not ready to lose her yet. He needed her in his life. He loved her. He leaned back in his office chair and closed his eyes remembering another time when Dana Scully had been close to death, the time she had been returned from her abduction in a coma. He had gone to lunch with Margaret Scully...... He gazed at the older woman who sat across from him wondering where she found her strength. He didn't entirely understand why she had wanted to share a meal with him, why she seemed to find his presence comforting. He was after all, an outsider, just her daughter's partner....nothing more. He couldn't see that she had come to love him for his goodness and rely on his strength. He considered himself neither particularly good nor strong. He watched as the exhausted looking woman forced herself to eat a grilled cheese sandwich admonishing him to do the same. These days he didn't eat much and he never really slept. What she said made sense....that Dana didn't need them weak, but it was hard. He was so filled with guilt for what had happened to her that it was consuming him from within. "Fox," she finally said softly, "I wanted to apologize to you." Maggie looked at him thinking that he had beautiful eyes. If she were a younger woman, she could lose herself in those eyes that gazed at her with such sadness and compassion. Bill had had eyes like that, not Fox's devastatingly good looks, but the same kind eyes. It wasn't fair. This man should have become her son in-law one day. Now it would seem that it wasn't going to happen.....ever. "For what, Mrs. Scully? I don't understand." "I know you disagree with me about the decision I made in turning off Dana's respirator." "I don't condemn you for it, Mrs. Scully." He didn't. He disagreed with her, but he understood her decision. She loved and respected her daughter. So did he....respect her....but he wasn't ready to let her go yet. "I know that." She stared at her hands for a moment. "Fox, I told you yesterday that it was a moment for family....but that you could come. That was harsh. I shouldn't have said it. No one has done more to fight for my daughter than you have. Her own brothers haven't even come although they do have families and are far away," Margaret sighed and continued. I'm sorry." "Perhaps I was wrong for not going in with you," he sighed quietly. "Maybe it is me who should apologize. I never meant for an instant when I said your daughter should be studied to treat her like a piece of evidence or meat. Melissa was very angry at me for that." "Melissa doesn't know you the way I do," smiled Margaret gently. "The sisters are so different......" For an instant tears sprang to her eyes and she forced them away. "I remember one year when Dana was a little girl....somehow I managed to scrape together enough money for a vacation at Ocean City. It took two years of saving. It was difficult raising four children on Navy salary." "I can imagine," he replied gently although in reality he couldn't. Money had never been a worry for the Mulders. Even now, he had a comfortable trust fund to fall back on. He wondered how his mother would have coped. In truth, she probably would not have been able to. "We were all walking along the boardwalk when Dana saw something she had never seen before....strawberries...dipped in chocolate....on a stick. My little girl seldom asked for anything....Dana could entertain herself for hours with free books from the library or playing kickball with the boys... but that day she asked for strawberries. With four to buy for, it was out of the question and I said so. They were just too expensive, Fox. Her little face screwed up and she turned away. She never liked to cry in front of anyone....not even then. Bill couldn't resist her though, his little Starbuck, so he bought one stick....four berries....I was annoyed. He gave one to each child...." Margaret closed her eyes wondering why she was even telling this story. The memory was a treasured one. Could a young man who had no children even begin to understand what went on in a mother's heart? "The boys wolfed theirs down barely tasting them. Melissa liked hers and whined for more. Dana......Dana....started to take a bite out of hers and then....she stopped and held the berry out to me.....You don't have any mommy. If you cut it and half, you and daddy could share...." Margaret grabbed the paper napkin on the table and dabbed at her eyes. "I love my children.....all my children....the best, but Dana was always very unique and very special. She was such a good little girl except the time she thought she put one over on us by smoking my cigarettes in the back yard. I gave up smoking then.....I realized what a bad example......" She couldn't continue. Fox squeezed her hand. No words were necessary. The memory of Dana handing her the strawberry was one that Margaret obviously treasured above others. It was a noble gesture for a little girl. He bet that Margaret had told her to eat the berry herself. The waiter came with the check which he insisted on paying. Before Margaret Scully had left him, she had hugged him close. "Your mother is a lucky woman, Fox Mulder," she had said. "I only hope she realizes it." "I'm glad you think so....." he smiled. It felt good to be loved if only for just an instant by a woman such as Margaret Scully. It felt good to be hugged in a way that his own mother hadn't done since he was 12 years old and had sat paralyzed while they came and took his sister. "I know what you did, Fox. The nurses told me how you have been coming every morning and caring for her....bathing her....You are a special man..." With that, the woman had turned and left. Dana had never known about that. He had certainly never told her and by unspoken agreement, neither had Margaret. It would have embarrassed her, but the staff had been so overworked and Mrs.. Scully too proud to accept the offer of funds for private nurses that Fox had made. She had spent most of her time at the hospital but no one could spend 24 hours a day, and somehow it had seemed important to Fox that when Margaret came, her daughter's hair should be combed and she would appear cared for. It was awkward, but he did what he felt he had to do. He hadn't wanted anyone to know really. It was part of the reason that he had been so furious with his partner later on when she had gotten that ugly tattoo. He had come to know her body intimately in a unique kind of way, and it had angered him when she had disfigured herself in such a manner. He hadn't been able to explain of course. He had snapped at her and had been cruel and sarcastic. He had been amazed that it had been him that she had called when the diagnosis of cancer was made. He still cringed at the thought of his tiny partner in bed with Ed Jerse, a homicidal maniac. Mulder shook his head and brought his mind back the rest of the way to the present. He hadn't gotten a thing done all day. Skinner was going to be pissed if he didn't get his reports soon. Without Scully, the paperwork always suffered. And, somehow is partner had a way of making even his insanest theories sound reasonable enough to pass bureaucratic muster. The phone rang. "Mulder." "Fox, it's Margaret. I went to see Dana this morning. I'm very worried about her. Do you think you might drop by and try to induce her to eat something? She won't listen to me....just keeps telling me she's fine." The woman spoke rapidly. She was obviously alarmed and didn't know who else to call. Once, he knew, it might have been Melissa, but Melissa was dead. "I'll go right now, Mrs. Scully," he promised quickly. How coincidental that on his way to Scully's apartment, he passed a confectioners shop and on display in the window were strawberries dipped in chocolate. He went in and bought two pounds of them for Dana....perhaps not the best thing for her to eat, but something that he might entice her with. They weren't on a stick, but that was okay. In the years that he had worked with her, he had come to know Dana in so many little ways. She loved chocolate, at some times more than others. He had learned to predict her cycles by the candy bars she carried, most of which ended up being eaten by him anyway. After awhile, she had started bringing at least two on stakeouts, and they had joked about it in a way that was probably more intimate than most married couples joked. His and Hers Chocolate Bars, she called them and they always enjoyed sharing. He approached her door with trepidation. If Dana Scully was in stubborn mode, she might not even let him in. She had never hesitated to say what was on her mind either. How many times had she called him crazy, a sucker? He smiled at the thought. Sometimes he missed the verbal sparring of their early days together. He raised his hand to knock, but the key to her apartment was handy. Dana looked at herself in the mirror. She had lost far too much weight, she knew. Her figure looked frail in the pale yellow nightgown she wore. She knew she should force herself to eat. Well, at least she had finally managed a shower. Three days of throwing up had left her very weak. It was ironic that it really had nothing to do with the cancer. Dana Scully....done in by a stomach virus..... She felt very lonely, but wanted no company. She didn't know whether or not she had been wrong in not telling anyone about the treatment she was receiving at Johns Hopkins. It was the experimental clinical trials on a new drug. Injected directly into the tumor, it ate cancer cells. Up until this point it had only been used on the sickest people with phenomenal results. An old friend from medical school had gotten her into the next round of testing, but she hadn't want to build up anyone's hopes including her own. As a rule, the drug had few side effects, but somehow she had managed to pick up a stomach virus while she had been in for the treatment. Hospitals were terrible places for picking up diseases. It was not something she wanted to share although there were times, she thought, when Mulder had aggravated her enough that she might wish it on him. She smiled slightly at the thought of her partner. There was a knock on the door. She didn't really want company, but the knock was familiar and she knew if she didn't answer, he would use his key and come in anyway. She had been fortunate to keep him away until the contagion passed. Slowly she opened it to reveal her partner standing there with a white box in his hand. "Hi, beautiful," he said with a smile, "Can I come in?" "Okay, Mulder," she agreed. It occurred to her then that he might not have believed her when she said she had the flu. Had he thought the cancer was making her ill? "I rented a film at Blockbuster. It's a sci fi classic....and I've brought dessert....." "I'll make coffee...." she said suddenly glad he had come. A "giant bug that ate the world" movie might be just the thing to keep her mind off reality. "You'll do no such thing. You get the VCR ready and I'll make you some tea and get myself a beer...." She popped the tape in and waited for him. She felt very weak suddenly and what she really wanted to do was go back to bed, but he had come and his eyes had been so filled with concern, that she couldn't drive him away. If she fell asleep, he would understand. He sat with her and they watched the film for awhile. He watched as she got up to go to the bathroom. She walked slowly. She had barely touched the tea he had made for her although she had taken a few sips which was a good sign. When she returned, he couldn't stand it anymore. The look of vulnerability that she had in the pale yellow nightgown broke his heart. He took her hand and pulled her into his lap. Her frail body stiffened for an instant, but he pressed her head against his chest. "Shh....pretty girl," he said softly, "Let me hold you. I need to hold you." He felt her relax and settle against him with absolute trust. He slipped his hand into the box and pulled out a strawberry. "I've brought you something special. Please try to eat something, Dana. I've been worried to death about you." Dana didn't know quite what to say. She had always loved chocolate covered strawberries since that day Ahab and bought her the one in Ocean City when she had been a little girl. She wondered how he had known and suspected her mother's work here. She had had no appetite, but suddenly the smell of the chocolate made her mouth water. As he held the berry, she took a bite and then another. Somehow, she had never tasted anything quite so delicious. She ate it and then another. Then she looked up at him. His eyes were filled with love for her, a love he had never spoken of, but which she had known was there. She felt stronger for it. Dana only intended to kiss his cheek briefly, but somehow her lips had brushed against his, and then they had locked. It had been her doing, she knew, but didn't know quite when the decision had been made to break boundaries. She could taste the beer he had been sipping along with the chocolate and the berries. Suddenly, she could smell him, that scent of cleanliness and aftershave and him....uniquely him, a scent she had grown to know and love. She twisted in his lap and pushed him down on the couch with a strength she hadn't realized she still possessed. He didn't entirely understand what was happening. He knew she had started out to give him a peck on the cheek, and then suddenly, their lips had been joined and their tongues were setting each other on fire. She sat astride him and undid his zipper. A shiver went through his body. Whatever was happening, he felt powerless to stop it. Then she looked at him, her eyes asking permission to do what it was that she wanted to do. And how could he deny her? He closed his eyes briefly as she became one with him surrounding him with her most intimate parts. He had often wondered what it would be like to make love to her, but never had he thought it would happen at all no less like this. Never once did she take her eyes off of him as she made love to him on her couch. They locked on to his. No woman had ever made love to him like this before, giving all, asking nothing in return. No woman had ever made him feel like this. Finally, he could endure the pleasure no longer, and his body shuddered in ecstasy while at the same time, he felt her fulfillment happening around him. Only then did she relinquish his eyes. She stretched out on top of him on her stomach, the side of her face resting against his chest as though she were entranced with his heartbeat. Not a word had been spoken. He pulled her nightgown down and covered the rest of her with an afghan that she kept over the back of her sofa. Then he wrapped his arms around her back thinking of forever. "I love you, Fox," she finally said softly. As she had sat on his lap, she had realized that she had become an emotional cripple, afraid to betray her feelings....afraid to be seen as weak, afraid to rely on anyone, and worse, afraid to give and she had realized as the juice from one of the berries had dribbled down her chin, that she did not want to die this way. If her time came, that was alright, but she didn't want to leave this earth unloving and unloved. "I love, you, Dana," he whispered rubbing her back gently. "Will you do something for me, Fox?" Her voice was soft and sleepy. "Anything," he replied. "I've started a new course of treatment. Will you take me to Johns Hopkins tomorrow?" She didn't hear his answer. She had already fallen asleep." End of Part One. Here is part two of my story. See part one for disclaimers. They still apply. I forgot to put it in Part One, but if anyone wants to e-mail me I can still be reached as macspooky@erols.com. "Strawberries and Chocolate" Part Two of three (or maybe four) by Macspooky Fox turned over slowly on the couch. He had been in the throws of a pleasant dream and didn't want to wake up. Something felt out of place. It wasn't the feel of leather beneath him. He was covered with something soft that had a hint of a pleasant scent....Dana, he realized. It smelled faintly like his partner. Why would the couch smell like her? The TV was not on and he suddenly smelled....what....bacon and coffee......Had he died and gone to heaven? Was he still dreaming? He realized that he was definitely alive by the pressure that suddenly asserted itself his bladder. It was a painful reminder that he was not dreaming either, but he was also not at home. Slowly he opened his eyes as the memory of the night before assailed him. It had a wonderful surreal quality about it, Dana in his arms, Dana on top of him, around him, blue eyes gazing into his as she brought him ecstasy. The thought crossed his mind that they had not practiced safe sex, but he didn't care. He chuckled mentally at the thought that it was the first time in his life he had done it without a condom and wondered if that constituted the true loss of a man's virginity. The pressure on his bladder was growing worse and reluctantly he rose to his feet to go and do something about it. "Where," he wondered, "would they go from here, and what would happen next?" He went into her bathroom and couldn't help but smile once again. She had laid out a razor for him, and a sweat suit. He had wondered where it had gone. Apparently, it must have ended up in one of her bags after a case and she hadn't yet brought it back. Once his bladder was empty, he thought about ignoring, however, he decided that probably wasn't fair to her. The physical aspect of their relationship was a little too new to subject it to a bad case of morning breath. Showering and shaving quickly, he went into the kitchen. "Morning, Mulder," she said a little shyly. She was already dressed in jeans and a shirt, but her feet were bare and her hair hung loosely and casually. She wore not makeup and looked pale, but ever so pretty in a natural way. Her face was questioning, as though she didn't know what to do. "Hi, beautiful," he said. Then, suddenly, he knew what to do even if his partner didn't. He walked over and kissed her on the forehead. "That sure wasn't what you were calling me last night." "Well, forgive me for getting carried away," she smiled. "However, lest you think it had anything to do with your...um...obviously well endowed anatomy, remember it had been three years." His touch had felt so good. She hadn't wanted to get up and leave him earlier, but mother nature had called and she had been forced to answer. "Three years?" He grinned like a fool. "Three years? Hey, that means you didn't sleep with........" He stopped. Maybe he better not say anymore. "Um, is that bacon for me?" "I thought you'd never wake up." She smiled at him again. "I'm starving this morning. I guess that virus has finally passed." "Then it really was the flu?" he asked, his voice full of hope. "Yes," she replied. "I'm sorry, Fox. It never occurred to me that you and mom would think otherwise. Of course, I was feeling pretty sick at that moment and not thinking too clearly about anything." "Bowing to the porcelain God will do that to a person." As she sat across from him, he took her hand and smiled. "I love you, Dana." He watched, gratified to see her eating toast and scrambled eggs and even a slice of bacon although she avoided coffee and drank tea instead. "I have to finish getting dressed," she said finally. "Thank you for taking me up to Baltimore today." "That reminds me. I'd better call in and tell them I'm taking a personal day," he said. "Let me know when you are ready to go." "Skinner is going to wonder what you are up to. You never take personal days unless they force you." She remembered all too well having a stupid case dumped in her lap when he had been forced to take a vacation. It had gotten her into a heck of a lot of trouble. The silence in the car was a little bit uncomfortable. He had a million questions for her, but she was being extremely quiet. Finally, he could bear it no longer. "So, Dr. Scully, what about this treatment you are undergoing?" He tried to sound like her partner investigating a case rather than prying into her personal business. Everything felt suddenly fragile. She explained briefly, then lay her hand on his leg as they stopped for a light. "I can't lie to you, Mulder. The tumor has started to grow. If this doesn't work.....well......" "It's going to work, Dana," he said with quiet determination. "Now more than ever, it's going to work." He wanted to change the subject, to lighten the moment. "Say, did I ever tell you I saw ET?" "Oh yeah? Where?" She smiled. She had always thought ET was kind of cute. When she had finally seen the movie with her niece on video one day, little Drew Barrymore had brought out her latent maternal instincts. "After that plane crash where Max was killed.....In the lake....I saw it Scully....I did. It was dead beneath the water, but divers with bright lights came before I could...Hell...I didn't have my underwater Polaroid....I never have my damned Polaroid when I need it .... and at that moment escape seemed the most logical course of action." He didn't know why he had decided to tell her now what he hadn't told her when the case was over. "Mulder, you were diving at night in deep water...which I might add you shouldn't have been doing alone. If divers came and shined bright lights on you, how can you really know what you saw?" she demanded. "That's my girl," he grinned giving her a mock punch in the jaw. "As long as you keep telling me I'm nuts, everything will be alright." Perhaps that was why he had told her. He wanted to hear her rebuttal. Sometimes he missed those early days where she had gotten in his face and told him just what she thought of him and his theories. He hadn't liked her much at first, but it had been kind of fun to egg her on until he got a rise out of her. She had been so green then and naive and had taken her assignment to spy on Spooky and keep him in line very seriously. In retrospect, it had been kind of cute. "Mulder, you're nuts," she laughed. The truth was, that she did believe him, but now was not the time to admit it. Maybe it would never be time. Arguing was a part of their relationship. Of late, she had been doing a lot of thinking and wondering. The idea of aliens was frightening, but what if they weren't the bad guys in all this? What if they were just observers who had crashed only to have the darker forces of humanity begin to exploit their advanced technology? The treatment was rather gruesome, but somehow having Mulder by her side made it easier. He wouldn't leave her, not for an instant. Dr. Mers, the attending physician made note of the change. Last time she had come alone, alone and depressed, and this morning, in spite of a bad bout of gastroenteritis, she appeared to glow.....She had a serenity that hadn't been there before. The man she was with obviously loved her and that, along with the treatment, might give the woman the edge she needed to beat the odds. Her reputation as a forensic pathologist was not unknown to him. Dana Scully was one of the best, and he hoped that this new treatment would give her a long and healthy life. A few hours later, she was ready to go. The treatment didn't make her feel miserable like the one in Allentown had. She hoped she had found her miracle. They left the hospital. Mulder wanted to get the car, but she told him she'd rather walk. It wasn't a long way. The weather was pretty and when they got home, she promised that she would take it easy and let him baby her. She had been giving some consideration to taking a leave or to asking for light duty. With this treatment, there was a good possibility that she could return at full swing, and this she wanted to do very much, well rested and at peak performance levels. Although she had not allowed it to show at the time, she had not taken Pendrell's death lightly. She had found his crush on her somewhat amusing and vaguely annoying, but he hadn't deserved to die the way he had and he had cared about her. She hoped to find the men who had set up that shooting and with Mulder's help, kick butt in a big way. Mulder slipped an arm around her. It felt nice. Although he had always been a toucher, now it was even more special. The boy walked along the street. Life was good. He still missed his mom a lot sometimes and it saddened him when he went to visit his dad who would probably never get out of the mental hospital, but Social Services had placed him in a wonderful foster home. Aunt Esther and Uncle Martin were terrific people. He still had occasional bouts of bleeding, but oddly enough they didn't frighten him any longer. His foster parents were Catholic and they completely accepted it, the first people to do so. They even had a name for it....stigmata. In their own calm way, with a serenity based on faith, they had quietly told Kevin that every human being was special in God's eyes and that as time went on, His plan for Kevin would be revealed. All he had to do was to wait and keep an open mind, and try to be a good person. They built his faith and his confidence in himself and in God. They had tapped into their own funds to put him in a Catholic school although of course he had not been baptized in that faith and for the first time, he had made real friends. He enjoyed the company of both the brothers, in this case Jesuits who considered themselves warriors of God after a fashion and the lay teachers. There was consolation to be found in the lives of the saints, and inspite of the bleeding, he felt normal and accepted for the first time in his life. He saw the redheaded woman and the tall man and thought that there was something familiar about them. Then he realized that it was Dr. Scully and her partner. The partner had been very skeptical, but the woman doctor had believed. It wasn't that she said it. It was just something that he had sensed. The two looked different. The man had his arm around her. Kevin had always known he would once again meet the woman who had saved his life. "Dr. Scully.....Dr. Scully...." he called out and raced to greet them enthusiastically. Of course he tripped. He sometimes had trouble with his size, and blushed. Aunt Esther and Uncle Martin had told him that was normal too and he would outgrow it. Dana looked up at him trying to place his face. "My God," she smiled recognition dawning, "Kevin Kryder.....I know young men hate to hear it, but look how you've grown!" Instinctively she knew he was turning into a fine young adult. There was something special in the light in his eyes and the way he stumbled and blushed. She noticed the blazer with the name a good Catholic high school in Baltimore. Perhaps Kevin had found acceptance there. "Nearly six feet tall," he grinned. "Hello, Mr. Mulder." Mr. Mulder, he suspected, was probably a pretty cool guy beneath his skeptical exterior. The little boy in him had always found the guns the two packed kind of neat despite the fact that he knew in his heart that violence was wrong. At least these two used their weapons to protect the good and to try to put the bad guys in jail. "Hello, Kevin," replied Fox. It was then that Kevin realized something was wrong. There was something inside Dr. Scully's head that was killing her. He didn't know how he knew and for a moment he felt panicky. Then he remembered Aunt Esther's words about accepting God's gifts and His plan. Once, when he was a young boy, the neighbor's dog had been hit by a car. Somehow, he had known that the animal was bleeding to death inside. He had laid his hands on the animal, crying and prayiing that the dog wouldn't die. The dog had been his friend. A strange warmth had suffused him then, and suddenly the bleeding had stopped. It had scared him and he never spoke of it to anyone, not even his mom. He reached out and touched Dr. Scully's head. Her eyes looked up at his face. She didn't move. The same warmth suffused him this time. Then it grew to a flame. Quickly he let go. He wasn't certain what was happening, but he didn't want to do anything to hurt her, and perhaps it would be arrogance to think that he could help her simply by touching her and praying like he had the day he had helped old Shep as he lay in the road. "I....I just wanted to thank you for saving my life that time, Dr. Scully...and you too Mr. Mulder," he added once again the awkward adolescent trying to be polite. "Judging by the way you've turned out, Kevin," Dana said softly, "I can only say it was my pleasure." Dana blinked wondering what had just happened. There had been something in the boy's touch.....as though he had known what was growing inside her and wanted to help fight it. "If you ever want a career in the FBI, or if you ever need anything, just get in touch. I have a feeling you might make a fine doctor one day." She handed him one of her cards. He walked off. He had just remembered. Aunt Esther was baking brownies and if he went quickly he might be able to get some while they were still warm from the oven. Dana watched the boy go and suddenly felt a little dizzy. She leaned into Fox. "What's wrong? What is it?" he asked her. "I don't know. My head feels funny. I think I'm in for a terrible headache. When Kevin touched me, it felt strange...like....I don't know....It's nothing." She didn't want to start sounding crazy. Mulder had thought she was insane when he had realized that she felt that God had called on her to protect the boy. She had never been able to talk about it with him either. Mulder took her home. It was his intention to make her take a nap, but when he had gone into the bedroom he had found her lying naked on her bed seductively as though she was waiting for him. She was on her stomach and when he saw the tattoo on her back he winced visibly. She had seen his look and quickly turned over covering herself, the expression on her face filled with pain. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to hurt her, especially not now. He had sat beside her and turned her over and had then kissed every part of the tattoo whispering words of love to her, and finally making love passionately but gently. She still felt frail, still felt vulnerable. This time, she let him take the lead and then they drifted off to sleep. He sent out for Chinese later that evening and they curled up on the couch to watch a movie. He knew they were going to have to talk about the future soon, but it was Friday night, and he was happy just to be with her for the moment. He knew that he wanted to live with her, but it would probably be too dangerous. He had called Dana's mother and told her what was going on, except of course the part about the tumor growing, and well, also about what they had done the night before, while Dana had been asleep, and now he was glad just to be with her. Suddenly, she cried out. It was a cry of pain, and he saw that her nose had started to bleed heavily. "My head....my head....it hurts...." It was not like Dana to cry out or complain about pain. She endured quietly as a rule never wanting to display weakness. He felt terrified. He got towels, and finally when he realized that the bleeding wasn't going to stop he called 911. He didn't hesitate to give his badge number in the hopes of rushing things along. Although Dana lived in one of the better sections of DC, waits of a half an hour were not uncommon. There were not enough EMT's and a lot of the time the vehicles were in the shop for weeks at a time waiting for the city to come up with the money to buy parts or for a contractor stupid enough to give them credit. They took her to the public hospital because it was where they were ordered to go despite his protests that she needed to go to Georgetown. It was the Friday night knife and gun club down there. More likely than not, several of the patients in the ER would be people he had helped to arrest in the past. Still, they rushed her into the emergency room where the trauma team shouted questions at him while they went to work. Although they all looked overworked and exhausted, they appeared competent and dedicated. To work in that hospital you had to be. Only heroes worked in the ER. Suddenly her small body began to convulse violently. Fox Mulder stood and watched helplessly as they turned his beautiful partner on her side and tried to keep her from swallowing her tongue. She was dying. He just knew it. It was sickening to watch her foam at the mouth and lose control of her bodily functions. It wasn't fair. It shouldn't be happening....not to her....not now...not ever. He also knew that he was going to go home and swallow his gun that night. He did not want to live without her, not after what they had had together during this past 24 hours. Suddenly she struggled free and sat up looking around her frantically, the seizure apparently over. "Kevin......" she cried out. She sneezed violent and a blood clot of tremendous size flew from her body along with the packing they had started to put in her nose. Blood sprayed everywhere. She collapsed into the arms of one of the ER nurses and passed out. They had admitted her, and now Fox Mulder sat by her bedside. The overworked staff had been kind, cleaning her up, and trying to make her comfortable. In the morning, if he could, he would have her transferred to the oncology section at Johns Hopkins in the hopes that they could do something. for her. He would bring her her own nightgowns and he would take a leave and stay with her day and night. For now though, she was hooked up to all sorts of monitors, but according to the ER doctor who looked as though he hadn't slept in 36 hours and was one day out of med school, all the fancy equipment showed was that she was asleep. She was not really in a coma. All her vitals were fine, and her brain waves were normal, but they couldn't seem to wake her up. Mrs. Scully came rushing in. "Fox, oh my God, Fox....what happened?" she asked seeing her daughter once again hooked up to all kinds of equipment. Fox had just told her that she was getting better and then this call had come from him that she was in the DC Public Hospital. "We aren't exactly sure, Mrs. Scully," he said quietly. "Sit down and I'll try to tell you what I know." The woman did so, then reached out and took her daughter's hand. It felt warm and alive. She looked at Fox. He looked so tired and worn out with dark circles under his eyes. The poor man. He loved Dana so much and he had sat too often at her bedside like this. "Tell me, Fox," she said softly. "Tell me everything." He did so....well, almost everything, not about them making love of course and not about Dana telling him the tumor had started to grow. It was too difficult...too downbeat. "This sounds so strange," said the woman, "And who is this Kevin....." "He was a boy we met on a case. He seemed to suffer from what Catholics call stigmata......a lot of nonsense in my opinion, however, your daughter seemed to believe in him. She was really happy to see him yesterday and we were so hopeful that this treatment would work...." He stopped unable to say any more. She told me later she would like to have a son like him one day. Margaret didn't know that it wasn't going to happen. She didn't know about the experiments and the clones and the eggs. Neither did Dana. He hadn't told her yet....hadn't known how. A tall very black man entered the room. He was of noble bearing, greying around the temples. "I am Dr. Mutambe," he said in English that sang with the rhythms of West Africa as both Fox and Margaret got to her feet. "I am an oncologist." He studied Mulder with quiet dignity. There was something about the man.....something unique and special. Yes....he knew what it was...."You have seen the Teliko and lived," he said softly. Sometimes white patients didn't react well to him. Racism ran deep within American culture. And in truth, he didn't treat many in this hospital. This was a place for the poor and forgotten, most of whom were dark in hue in this city, not quite as poor and forgotten as his people back home, but the ones that had been left behind some how even in this rich land where he now studied and worked to increase his skills. Instinctively he knew that racism would not be a problem here with these two. They were good people frantic about the woman who lay in the bed. "Yes," replied Fox wondering how the man had known. "And this woman," he said glancing in Dana's direction. "She is the warrior queen who slayed it." Margaret didn't have the slightest idea what the man was talking about, but she remained silent. "Yes," smiled Fox ever so slightly. "Queen Nzinga with hair of flame." The doctor smiled. Then suddenly, he got down to business. "I have been in touch with Dr. Mers at Johns Hopkins," he said. "Alas, he was on his way out of town, but he was able to fill me in on Dr. Scully's condition before he left." "But what could have happened?" asked Margaret. "In truth, he has not an idea. An astute lab technician, a fellow countrywoman of mine who was in the ER saved the blood clot. I requested that she analyze it. As it turns out, it was a malignant tumor. " "What?" demanded Fox. "You mean she sneezed and an inoperable tumor came out?" "It would appear that way. Perhaps your European God has been good in return for defending my people against the evil of Teliko. We have not such fine instruments in my country, but I have ordered an MRI for the red-haired Nzinga. She deserves the best. They will be here to take her in a few moments. You may accompany her if you wish, and I will personally read the results." "Why won't she wake up?" asked Margaret. She hadn't a clue as to who Queen Nzinga was or what made her a warrior, and didn't particularly care about something called a Teliko. She only knew her daughter was dying. The rest she would find out later. "Perhaps her body is tired and her soul is demanding rest. Keep faith," said the older man. He approached the bed where Dana lay and touched her head gently. She was beautiful, this white Nzinga. "In my land I have seen many miracles." He turned and left quietly. "What an incredible man," said Margaret softly looking after him. "There is something almost mystical about him." Mulder nodded. He dared not hope for a miracle, and yet he had seen so much. Soon, the nurses came and transferring Dana to a stretcher, they went to the room where the MRI would be performed. Maggie and Mulder followed. End of Part Two See Part One for disclaimers. Alas, they still apply. All feedback can be sent to macspooky@erols.com. I enjoy e-mail. "Strawberries & Chocolate" Part 3/3 by Macspooky They brought Dana back from the MRI room still not conscious. The nurses transferred her to her bed and reconnected monitors. Ever so gently Fox pulled the hospital gown down over her legs and her mother pulled up the sheets as he placed the pillow under her head in a way that he hoped she would find comfortable. The two of them settled down to wait. "Fox, I know what you did arranging for this private room," said Maggie quietly, "And I want you to know that I appreciate it." "So long as I am alive and have money in my pocket, Mrs. Scully, she is going to have the best," he said softly. His heart had made a commitment to her, a commitment that he would never break. Maggie knew then what had changed. They had finally become lovers. Raised as she had been, she should have been appalled, but somehow she found it hard to believe that God would frown upon their actions considering the dangerous way they lived. Marriage for the two of them would probably be out of the question at least for now. She was no one's fool. She sensed that there were things going on here that were best not discussed, but she also knew that she had gained a son just as certainly as if they wore gold bands on their left hands. "Don't you think it's time you started to call me Maggie?" she asked with a smile. "I'm kind of partial to mom, but you aren't the sort of man that a woman pushes." He swallowed. He was deeply touched and didn't know what to say. He had come to love this older woman so much. He turned his head toward Dana and watched her breath. "I'm going to go get some coffee and sandwiches," said Maggie finally. "I don't think either of us have eaten. I'll be back in a few moments." She sensed that Fox wanted some time alone with Dana and she didn't resent it. He nodded and as soon as she left, he went to Dana's bed and sat on it. Ever so gently he stroked her hair and finally bent over and kissed her. "Hey, sleeping beauty," he whispered, "your prince is here and it's time to wake up. Of course, maybe I'm really a frog in disguise. I love you, Dana. I love you so much and I don't want to live without you." He kissed her again and then sensing a presence looked up. Walter Skinner stood in the doorway. He felt himself blush deeply. "Agent Mulder," the man stated. Fox nodded. This was the last thing he needed to deal with right now. "How is Agent Scully doing?" he inquired. Skinner determinedly ignored what he had seen. In fact, if anyone asked, he hadn't seen anything. He had known how deeply these two cared about each other. He was not about to interfere in their private lives at this point. Later if...if there was going to be a later....he would deal with it if he had to. "She won't wake up, Sir," was all he could manage to blurt out. Fortunately Maggie returned at that moment and rescued him. "Mr. Skinner, it is good to see you again," she said. "I've brought some extra coffee. Please sit down if you have time and wait with us for awhile." "I'm sorry to be here under these circumstances again, Mrs. Scully," he said sitting down. He had gone to Melissa's funeral because he had felt obligated to do so under the circumstances. It had been horrible. An outsider, he had watched the family rally and had been amazed at the strength of the woman who now sat before him. Scully had come from strong stock. "I was sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. If there is anything I can do......" Mulder thought that she was such an incredible lady. With her, the social graces seemed so sincere. Just as she was admonishing him to eat the sandwich she had brought, Dr. Matambe entered the room. They all rose quickly as Skinner introduced himself. "I have excellent news for you," said the African man with great dignity, "The MRI indicates that the tumor is completely gone." Mrs. Scully and Fox exchanged looks and Maggie began to smile. Skinner's expression softened. He admired Dana Scully a great deal and he was coming to see where she had gotten her graciousness and grit. "But what happened?" asked Maggie, "I mean......." "Well, I am positive that Dr. Myers will think it was his treatments," smiled the gray haired man, "And I for one will not argue. It would be politically incorrect to do so." "I don't believe I understand," said Walter. Cancerman had told him there was not cure...that perhaps if he sold his soul, a way could be found to buy time. He had almost bought into it, would have bought into it in the future, not now they were saying she was cured. "None of us do, Sir," said the elderly doctor. "However, there have been cases documented of tumors vanishing. The blood vessels in that area are very delicate right now. I suspect she will have nosebleeds for awhile, but perhaps we can cauterize the most damaged and prevent it." "But why isn't she awake Dr.?" asked Maggie. Suddenly Dana let out a moan. She wasn't entirely certain where she was or that she was quite ready to wake up and her nose felt all stuffed up. She did know that she was not home in her own bed and that Fox was not with her. Her fuzzy mind thought that it wasn't fair. She wanted to be in Fox's arms feeling his naked body next to hers. Her eyes opened and he was there looking down at her. She opened her mouth to try to say something, but nothing came out. Her throat was so dry and hospital sounds were beginning to register. He bent over her and kissed her. This was something she could deal with and she brought her arm up around his neck and parted her lips. Then, from the corner of her eye she realized there were others in the room, Walter Skinner, her mother, and a black man. She released him quickly. "Welcome back Nzinga with hair of fire," said the dark man with a gentle smile. "I will leave you with your family now and come back later when we will talk doctor to doctor." With a bow, he left them. "I'm going to leave too, Agent Scully," said Skinner. "I'm glad you are better. Mulder, keep me apprised of her condition. You are on medical leave right now, Agent Scully and we will discuss your return date in a few days. Agent Mulder, I have approved that request for vacation days that you did not make yesterday." He surprised everyone then including himself. The tough ex Marine winked at his wayward agent. "Mrs. Scully....." He bowed slightly too and left them. "I'm thirsty," Dana whispered. Quickly Fox poured her water. She sipped it through a straw slowly. "What happened?" she finally managed looking between the two people she loved most in the world. "My head feels....empty....." Rightfully, the fact that she had bled so heavily and was in the hospital should have meant that she was dying, but she didn't feel as though this was the case. "A miracle," said Margaret, "And it is. I'll let Fox explain. I'm going to your apartment Sweetie. I'll be taking a nap and then bringing you some things." "Okay, mom.....I love you," she said turning her attention to Mulder. Maggie left smiling. Her daughter only had eyes for Fox. He took her hand and quietly began to explain. She listened silently her mind functioning on two levels, the scientist/doctor and the little girl who had been taught that miracles happened. She wasn't sure what she believed or that was what she tried to convince herself. She still felt very tired. If what they said was true, then her nightmare was over. She had been cured. Soon she would leave this hospital and be able to continue with her work side by side with the man she loved. In her heart of hearts though, she believed it was Kevin. There had been something started when he touched her....... "I'm still very tired, Fox," she said softly, her eyelids drooping already. "Go home. Get some sleep. Maybe I'll be able to come home tomorrow." "Okay," he said softly knowing that it was good advice. He bent over and kissed her. "I love you, Nzinga." "I'll love you forever." Her eyes closed as she wondered idly what an Nzinga was. For a moment he watched her deep regular breathing. He was a happy man. Then he turned to go knowing if he didn't rest soon he would collapse. His leather couch would feel empty, but soon Dana would come home and they could be together. The tall man watched from a distance. He rubbed his fingers together nervously. He was not comfortable without the cigarette in his hand but it would have made him stand out in the hospital. Something had happened here, something that had not come about as a result of the program. He didn't know what it was and he didn't like that fact much. He would have to find out. The cancer was not supposed to be curable. By rights, Scully should be dead or dying and Mulder checkmated, a broken man....alive but harmless. He would have kept his promise to Bill and eliminated a major threat. Now he wouldn't even have anything to hang over that bastard Skinner's head, not a good thing since Albert Hosteen was still very much alive and well and teaching a new group of oral historians at this very moment. There was nothing more he could do here right now. The man turned and left. When he had returned to the street, he stopped and lit a Morley. And just who the hell was this Nzinga person that damned African doctor person had been rambling on about? He supposed he'd have to do some research and find out about that too. One never knew what sort of supposedly trivial crap might prove useful in the future when dealing with one's enemies. The End with the possibility that I may add another part.