Title: Mother and Child Reunion

Author: J.D. Rush

Series: Big Things; follows 'Confessions Part 1'

Rating: mild PG for language

Pairing: Frohike/Scully

Summary: During the honeymoon, Frohike spies on Scully and William.

Disclaimer: FOX, 1013, CC. . .I think we know the song by now.

MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION

Sunday, October 14, 2001

What a wild, wacky week this one turned out to be. To say it was a period of adjustment is a serious understatement.

I finally got the rest of my stuff moved in on Monday, and spent that day and the next fixing up the spare bedroom to my liking. Dana had taken a week's personal leave to be with me, and help me get settled in, something I felt really bad about. I mean, in effect, it was her honeymoon week, and she was just going to spend it in her apartment, cleaning and dusting and doing laundry? That just wasn't going to fly with me. On Wednesday morning, I greeted her in bed with a nice breakfast of fresh fruit and a cup of tea, then announced that we were taking a little trip. 

She shot me one of those classic Scully 'looks', and gasped, "A trip? Where?"

I smirked, "You'll see when we get there. Just eat up and I'll get William ready."

A couple of hours later we were holed up in a little cabin on the shores of North Beach. It may have been a bit cold for the seashore, but the view was stunning and it was very peaceful this time of year without all the tourists hanging around. I thought it'd be nice for Dana to get away for a little while before she was due back at work on Monday, and once she saw where our 'mystery trip' had ended, she completely agreed. We spent three wonderful days just walking along the shoreline, talking and laughing and playing with William. I'm sure it wasn't quite the romantic honeymoon of Scully's dreams, but it seemed to fit our relationship--very quirky.

Of course, a lot of those laughs came from embarrassing situations, like when I wandered into the living room one night in just my socks and boxers--usual bachelor 'watch TV' wear--and she was sitting, open-mouthed on the couch. (Her only comment? "My, you're a hairy one, aren't you?" Why doesn't the earth ever swallow you up when you want it to?) Or the time I tried to impress her with my culinary prowess, only to end up almost burning down the kitchen. (Thank God for that pizzeria down the street. . .it's all we ate for those three days) Or the frequent times I left the seat up--an offense she said is punishable by castration if I do it again. (I hope she was kidding.) 

But I guess all those pale compared to when I accidentally walked in on her one day as she was breast-feeding William. I suppose it wasn't something I had counted on when I signed up for this gig. She was just sitting in the rocking chair in the living room, gently rocking William, and humming to him as he nursed. It was, without question, the most incredible moment I have ever witnessed--so natural, so perfect. She had looked up startled as I entered the room; I truly think she had forgotten I was in the cabin with her. I mumbled a hasty, "Sorry," and scurried from the room, reminding myself to be more careful in the future.

Oh, I was careful all right. . .from that point on, I made sure that when I spied on them, Dana didn't know. Please understand, I got no sexual thrills out of it. None whatsoever. Only a serious pervert would get turned on watching an act so pure and loving. And I guess that's why I couldn't stop myself. This was a woman I had never seen before, one so tender and adoring and giving--the epitome of the fabled 'earth mother'. I had always seen the professional Scully: an intelligent, lethal beauty with a core of pure steel, surrounded by an impenetrable wall of stoic scientific logic. Occasionally, her vulnerability would come through, but those times were so rare, as if she were afraid to show any weakness.

However, alone with her son, sharing the most intimate of mother/child bonding, she could let her guard down, and be the woman she spent all her time trying to keep hidden from the world--and I found myself falling deeper in love with her each time she made an appearance.

So there I stood, watching the nightly ritual that had already turned into an addiction to me, when she suddenly called out, "Are you going to stand there all night, Frohike, or are you going to join us?"

I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. "How. . .how'd you know I was here?" I stammered.

"Your cologne," she chuckled. "Remind me to get you a new kind for Christmas."

"Hey!" I pretended to be offended. "We've been married less than a week and you're already trying to change me?"

She tossed her head back and let loose one of those belly-laughs that I absolutely lived for. "Will you get your butt over here and keep us company?"

"Your wish is my command, m'lady." I joined them on the couch, taking care not to avert my eyes so I wouldn't sneak an accidental peek. We sat there, side by side, an uneasy silence descending upon us, as William continued to feed. Figuring if someone didn't talk soon, I'd go insane, I blurted out, "So?"

"So?" she answered. And we again fell silent. After another agonizing minute, I tried again.

"Well?"

"Well?" she repeated, and I heard the amusement in her voice. Fine. Two could play at this game.

"How 'bout them Yankees, eh?"

She burst into giggles, effectively breaking the ice. "You're not very good at small talk, are you, Mel?"

"Okay, YOU pick the topic."

She paused a moment then said, "Tomorrow's a big day, huh?"

I knew what she was talking about: her first full day back at the F.B.I, on the now permanently Mulder-less X-Files. "Yeah. You up to it?"

Giving a couple of small nods, she sighed, "Yes. It's time to go back. I miss my work, but. . ." She ran a light caressing hand over William's sandy-brown hair, "I'm really going to miss this little fella."

"Don't worry, Dana. I'll take good care of him."

She smiled, faintly. "How are the guys taking it?"

I shrugged. It was still a bit of a sore point with them that they hadn't been invited to the wedding, but I knew from the few phone calls I had made to them this past week that they were starting to accept the idea of Scully and me together. "Actually, they're kinda excited. Langly especially. He loves babies."

"They really don't mind that you'll be watching William?" It was one of the terms of our 'agreement'--I'd take care of the baby during the day while Dana was at work. Not only would she save a bundle on day-care, but she could also be assured that he'd have consistent nurturing and constant supervision. That was very important to her. . .and me.

"Nah. No problem," I assured her. "It'll be fun to have the little guy around."

"And he won't interfere with your work?" she asked, anxiously.

"Dana, honey--I thought it all through when I proposed to you. Don't worry about it. There's plenty of work I can do right from headquarters--research, layout, editing. I just won't be so hands-on, that's all."

"Won't you miss the excitement? The adventures?"

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Are you kidding me? Miss waiting in a van for three days in sub-zero temperatures? Or kidnapping chimps from research centers? Or impersonating Nazi offspring?"

"You never told me about that one," she teased. "Sounds like a good story."

"I'll save it for another day. Point is, I'm getting too old for that shi-i-i. . ." I censored myself in front of the child, ". . .that STUFF anyway."

"Well. . .if you're sure? I mean, I can probably still get mom, if there's a problem."

"Dana, I'm sure. Everything will be fine." As if sensing his big moment, William pulled away with a gurgle. Without a second thought, I grabbed the small towel off the coffee table and threw it over my shoulder. "Here. . .give 'im to me. I need the practice."

She handed me the sated child, then went about re-buttoning her blouse so efficiently I barely got a glimpse of white skin. Not that I was looking--I had my hands full. This wasn't my favorite duty where the kid was involved, but starting tomorrow she was entrusting his care to me completely--and I wanted to get it right. I placed him over my shoulder and started patting him gently on back. Dana scrutinized my technique for a few moments and nodded, approvingly.

"I'm quite impressed, Frohike," she said. "Where did you learn to handle babies so well?"

Oh, man, if she could have only seen my ineptitude with that senator's kid a few months ago! I had certainly learned a lot about babies in just those couple of days. I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could and replied, "Eh, it comes with the territory."

"All I know is whoever taught you, taught you well." <Yeah, right, like I was ever going to tell YVES that! The girl's got a big enough head as it was!> Knowing her son was in competent hands, Dana bounced off the couch and announced, "I'm going to make myself a cup of herbal tea. . .can I get you anything?"

"Nah, I'm okay," I replied continuing to pat young William on the back, getting a loud burp for my efforts.

"You're better than okay," she giggled as she leaned down and kissed me on the forehead, planting one on William's head for good measure. "I'm really glad I made the right choice." And she headed off to the kitchen.

I sat there stunned for a moment, so proud I was ready to burst. Dana was happy she had married me--and I was going to make sure she stayed happy. I turned to the young child slung over my shoulder and told him, "You know, William, you're mom is a very special lady. You're a really lucky guy." And as I listened to the lovely lady moving about the kitchen, still humming as she fixed her tea, I added, "Actually, we're both pretty lucky."

THE END