HOME AGAIN

CHAPTER 8



Epilogue …



Scully sat and waited patiently until Mulder was finished then she threw her head back and roared with laughter.

"So what is this; the plot to some novel you're writing?"



"It's true, Scully. I swear. Every word is true."



"Yeah, and I'm five foot nine and all those Victoria's Secrets models that you love so much are naturally endowed!" Scully scoffed.



"I knew you'd never believe me so I asked them to see if I could take you up there."



"And they're waiting outside to … what … beam me up to their spaceship?" Scully grinned.



"They are going to speak with the Elders and see if they can get permission. You'll love it, Scully, it's beautiful."



"So exactly where were you, Mulder? Shacked up with some flight attendant?" Scully fingered the belt on her robe.



"I swear to you, Scully. Every word I said to you was true."



"Go home, Mulder; and sleep it off. I've got to get some sleep."



"OK. I'm going. I am really tired and anxious to get home. But be prepared to take a little trip. Oh and one thing more …" He stopped at the doorway and turned back to take her in his arms and kissed her.



"What was that for?" she asked, a little flustered.



"I'm just happy to be alive; happy that you're alive, and that Walter and Alex are both alive and well. And I've been thinking; maybe you and I ought to think about getting married."



"Married?" Nothing he had said could have surprised her more.



"It's something to think about." He grinned and with another quick kiss, he left.



Scully stood, rooted to the floor, her finger tips touching her lips where Mulder's had just been. With a happy smile, she went to bed.





~*~*~



The next morning as she hurried to get ready for work she was annoyed when the door bell rang. She grabbed her purse to leave and opened the door to find a delivery man standing there with a huge bouquet of red roses. She took them and closed the door. She fumbled for the card, found it and read, "Are you thinking about it?" and it was signed F.M.



She sat the large crystal vase on the coffee table and forgot for a moment that she was going to be late for work if she sat much longer. She leaned over and gave the roses

a long sniff and inhaled deeply. Heavenly; she thought to herself then read the card again.



She had just about convinced herself that Mulder's late night visit was all a dream but this proved that it wasn't. Was Mulder really asking her to marry him? And would he do it this way? It's not like she would expect him to do anything in a traditional way; but wild stories in the middle of the night and then roses?



Reality dawned on her again and she hurried off to work. She didn't hear anything from him for the next three days then when she got home for work he was waiting on her door step.



"Well hello there," she said as she walked up to him, leaning against her door.



"Hi. I brought you something." Mulder said handing her an envelope.



"Come on inside. Have you been waiting long? I would have been here sooner but there was a tie-up on the freeway and …"



That's all she got out before he turned her around and kissed her. She stared at him in shock. "Mulder, are you feeling all right? I mean, I've never seen you like this before; roses and kisses?" She tried to hide her skepticism and nervousness. Was this what she really wanted? She had certainly dreamed about it often enough but with the real thing facing her, did she really want to complicate their relationship with marriage? A thousand questions passed through her mind while she closed the door and deposited her coat and purse on the couch.



"I'm fine, Scully; better than I can ever remember being. Come here." He took her hand and they sat down on the couch together. "I know I should have called or something, but if you don't have anything planned for the evening, I'd like to talk. I mean really talk, just you and me. Could we do that?"



Scully took in a deep breath and thought, here it comes! "It's Friday, Mulder, and I don't have anything planned at all. What about us did you want to discuss?"



"First I want you to open that envelope. Then we'll talk."



"OK." She smiled a little nervously as she slid her fingertips under the flap and opened it. She pulled out a card and on it was a neatly printed invitation to a wedding; Walter and Alex's wedding.



"Oh my God! Is this real? The seventh; that's tomorrow. Is this some kind of joke?"



"It's no joke, Scully. I can hardly wait for you to see them. They came down this afternoon for a visit and gave me this to give to you."



"I still don't believe it, Mulder. Skinner and Krycek? I mean, come on." She got up and walked into the kitchen for a glass of water; a little disappointed. She shouldn't have gotten her hopes up. He followed her and took a seat at her kitchen table.



"Scully, every word I said to you the other night was true. They live together, they work together, and they love each other. Ten minutes with them and you'll see for yourself. This is your chance to see that everything I said is true. Will you come? Will you let me take you up there?"



Scully leaned against the counter sipping her water. This was not what she expected; not at all.



"And just how do we get there?"



"They'll come for us. They're going to call in a little while. I told them I needed to talk with you first."



"So this is what you wanted to talk with me about?" She took a seat opposite him.



"That and a few other things." Mulder looked down as he fiddled with a crease in the table cloth.



"Like what?" A little spark flared stubbornly inside of her.



"Like maybe if you saw how happy the two of them are together … it might give you ideas." He finally looked up at her.



"Ideas?" She prompted.



"Like maybe you might want to get married too. I mean, don't you think it would be kind of nice to be with someone; to have that someone there for you all the time?"



She smiled at him then and reached over and covered his hand with hers. She knew this was probably as close to an actual proposal that she was ever going to get from him and it was enough.



"Yes; I think that would be very … nice."



"You do?"



"Uh huh."



"Then you have been thinking about it?" Mulder asked eagerly.



Only every waking moment since I first met you, she thought but said just, "Yes, I've been thinking about it."



"You think it's a good idea then?"



"The institution of marriage is an old and valued tradition. It's one I've been brought up to admire and respect. I always hoped that one day it would happen to me. I just never imagined it quite this way."



"You mean not with someone like me? You expected it to be a doctor or a lawyer or some nine-to-five business man?"



Mulder's phone sounded then and he pulled it out quickly.



Scully sighed and got up. She made her way into her bedroom and stood taking off her ear rings, watch and jacket. She was thoroughly confused. Was she being proposed to or not? With Mulder you could never be sure of anything and with this phone call he might just be on his way to Antarctica. She brushed her hair vigorously trying to make sense of things when he walked in and placed both hands on her shoulders and massaged.



"How long before you'll be ready to go? I told Skinner an hour. Is that OK?"



She turned to him then, "You serious? Skinner's coming here in one hour?"



"Uh huh. Is that enough time?"



"Time for what?" A little bit of panic was beginning to set in.



"Time to get ready. Didn't I tell you? We're invited up there for the weekend. Just throw a few things in a bag and we'll be all set. I got my bag out in the car. I'll go get it while you pack." He started for the door.



"Wait, wait, wait! Just exactly where is it we're going?" She stood with hands on her hips.



Mulder just pointed up.



She grinned an indulgent grin and shook her head. "I need to know where we're going exactly so I know how to pack. Are we going to the mountains, the sea shore, the desert? I need to know, Mulder." She was now assuming he was going to whisk her off to romantic place and propose in a more traditional manner.



"The temperature is climate controlled up there. Bring whatever you're comfortable in. Nothing too fancy; it's pretty informal. Or you don't have to bring anything at all. We can get whatever you need up there."



"Up there? We're going to the mountains?" She was still trying to guess.



"Dana, haven't you been listening at all? We're going up to Walter and Alex's place; up there, in orbit."



"In orbit?" She asked, not really believing those words came out of her mouth. "Well, what does one wear to a wedding in orbit?" She asked with just a touch of sarcasm.



"It doesn't really matter. You'll look beautiful whatever you wear. You always do." He came over to her and caressed the side of her cheek then turned and headed out the door.



She shook her head, totally bewildered, and headed for the shower. When she finished she decided to follow Mulder's lead. He was dressed in jeans and a sweater so she put on a pair of brown slacks and a dark blue sweater. She threw a few things in her bag that she thought might be appropriate. She still had no idea whatsoever where they were going or what Mulder had on his mind. Was there really going to be a wedding between Skinner and Krycek or was this just some foolery that Mulder cooked up; and planning a proposal himself? Whatever it was, she had nothing planned for the weekend and she could do with a bit of fun.



She walked out into her living room carrying her bag and Mulder was sitting on her couch, dozing off. Well, this was romantic! She sighed and sat down on the chair opposite him and waited; she wasn't sure what for until someone knocked at the door. She was a bit apprehensive about answering it; fearing something or someone was about to ruin their weekend.



Mulder stirred and roused up as Scully opened the door. She was shocked to see Skinner and Krycek standing there all smiles.



"Are we too early?" Skinner asked after seeing the look on Scully's face.



"No, you're right on time." Mulder answered over Scully's shoulder. "Come on in."



Scully stood aside and they came into her apartment.



"Did you tell her?" Alex asked Mulder.



"Uh huh. But she doesn't believe me. Maybe she'll believe the two of you."



"Sir? What's going on here?" Scully asked once everyone was inside and the door closed.



"First of all, can we dispense with the 'Sir' please? I'm no longer your boss and my name is Walter." Skinner grinned at her and went on. "Didn't Mulder tell you that Alex and I are getting married tomorrow?"



"He did mention it, along with a whole long story about a space ship or something or other." Scully shook her head in disbelief. "I just didn't actually believe him."



"Well, it's all true, Dana. And if you're willing to take a little trip with us, we can prove it to you."



She looked from Skinner to Krycek then back to Mulder. "Are you sure about all this? This could be some sort of trap."



Mulder locked the door, gathered his and her bags and brought them over and dropped them at their feet. "It's no trap, Scully. Are you ready?"



"Who knows?" she shrugged her shoulders and Mulder put an arm around her waist to steady her then nodded to Skinner.





An instant later they were in the transporter room. Walter and Alex stepped down off the platform but Scully stood rigid, unable to move. Mulder tried to urge her on but she couldn't move.



"It's all right. Come on." Mulder said taking her arm and trying to lead her.



"Where are we? What just happened?" Scully was visibly shaken. She was not one to be clingy but this time she clung to Mulder's arm like the very floor might at any minute fall out from under her. In a way, it just had.



Mulder kept one arm around her and held her hand tightly with the other. "Come on. It's all right. Let me show you around."



She came down off the platform slowly and walked towards a grinning Walter and Alex.



"I know it's a bit frightening the first time, Dana, but you get used to it after a while." Walter said as he beckoned them out into the next room. "Would you like for Mulder to just show you around or are you ready for dinner?"



"I don't know about you, but I'm starved," Mulder said as they followed them out. "I didn’t have lunch and I only had a piece of cold pizza for breakfast." He kept a strong arm around Scully's waist.



"Whatever you want, dinner's fine." She agreed easily as she gazed around taking in everything.



Once they were down the hall and at the railing, she nearly fainted. "Oh my God! It's exactly like you said! It's huge!"



"This place is incredible, Dana. Just wait until you spend a little time here; you'll love it!" Walter enthused as they walked on and headed down the first ramp.



"This is amazing! Simply amazing! And all these people work for the Resistance?"



"That's right." Alex answered. "They're all Resistance in one way or another?"



"One way or another?" Scully questioned.



"They are all either agents for the Resistance, agents in training, retired agents or family of agents."



"I just can't believe this. And we're actually … in orbit?"



"Uh huh" Walter acknowledged.



"The whole thing is screened so it can't be seen. And it's movable; they can go where ever they're needed." Mulder added.



"It's so beautiful! Just look at all the beautiful trees and flowers and I know I'm hearing birds from somewhere." Scully gasped.



"The aviary is over in that direction," Alex pointed out. "Some of the more exotic specimens are located around the area in different, nearly invisible cages among the foliage."



By then they had bottomed out in the courtyard and headed for the dining area.



"What do you feel like eating? We have all different foods available." Alex asked.



"I don't care." Scully answered and she didn't. She was much too excited, her head swiveling around with every step trying to take in everything at once.



"How about The American Café?" Mulder asked. "It's quiet and small and we can talk."



"Sounds good to me," Walter agreed.



They walked in and took a booth and Mulder instructed her how to put in her order on the table top menu. A waitress appeared immediately and brought them glasses of water then disappeared again.



When she raised her head up from the menu she was a little shocked to see Walter nuzzling and whispering something into Alex's ear. Alex was looking down and grinning.



"They're going to be married tomorrow." Mulder said by way of explanation.



"Sir … er … Walter, can you explain all this to me?" She asked when he finally looked over at her and caught her eye.



"Sure. What would you like me to explain; the menu, how it works? I haven't a clue; but whatever it is, I like it."



"No; I mean … is there really going to be a wedding?" She glanced back and forth between Walter and Alex.



"Absolutely! I can hardly wait." Walter answered.



She couldn't see it but it was obvious that they were holding hands underneath the table as they glanced lovingly at one another.



"I think she means that she's shocked that it's between you and me." Alex offered.



"Exactly!" Scully said emphatically.



Before he even got a start on explaining, their food was delivered and they dug in. Walter continued on between bites and finished his story about the same time as he finished his meal. Scully had barely taken a few bites of her club sandwich and Mulder and Alex were deciding what dessert to order.



"And you've been with the Resistance all this time?" Scully asked Alex.



"That's right. I was born here; my parents were both agents. It's what I always wanted to do." Alex answered as he pressed the tabs ordering a chocolate milk shake for dessert.



"And they … replaced your arm in some sort of … re-generation tank?"



"That's right."



"It's amazing, Dana. You should see it." Walter said.



"I would like to and I'd like to know exactly how it works." Dana said.



"Well, you can see it, but I wouldn't have any idea about how it works and I doubt if Jeremiah will tell you. Heck, he might not even know himself. I asked him once and he said it's always been there for them to use. He doesn't know how long it's been here or who built it."



"Such technology should be shared. There is such a need for the ability to re-generate limbs." Scully insisted. "Just think of all the good it could do."



"It's up to them to decide when and if they choose to share it, Dana." Mulder added.



Scully sighed and had to agree with them. It did seem selfish to her though.





After dinner Walter and Alex excused themselves and Mulder and Scully finished the evening with a long stroll around the place and some time in the observation deck watching the stars and Earth standing out brightly in its orbit down below. It was there, sitting on the grass and gazing at the incredible view that Mulder finally worked his way up to saying what was on his mind.



"I found something up here, Scully. Something I never thought I would. I found answers. I no longer need all the details of my previous life; I know all I need to know about it. They are all gone now anyway and all I have is memories of them. I can choose to relive the painful memories or the happy ones. I choose the happy ones."



"I like the sound of that, Mulder. You've come a long way." Scully said as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the grass.



"It's true, you know, what they say. We can either choose to be happy or not. I have decided I'd like to try and see what it feels like to be happy. I want to be happy, Scully. Happy like Walter and Alex are."



"They do seem happy."



"They are. And I want to be too."



"It sounds like you've made some momentous decisions."



"I have. I have decided to be happy and there's only one thing that makes me really happy and that's being with you."



Scully swallowed hard. Was this it? She didn't want to get her hopes up. She'd been disappointed before.



"What makes you happy, Scully? I mean, are you happy when we're together?"



"Yes I am; except, of course, when I've had to stitch you up or something similar."



Mulder smiled in the semi-darkness and reached over and took her hand. "I've been thinking a lot about that too and I was wondering, do you think I could teach?"



"Teach? Of course you could! You've got a brilliant mind and you know how to talk to people to get your point across. I think you'd make a great teacher. Are you seriously thinking about changing professions?"



"I am. I no longer have anything to prove to anyone or to myself. My heart's not in it any more. I know that now. I was thinking about something a little more mundane. Do you really think I could do it or would I die of boredom?"



"You could teach something that was of interest to you and you could make the classes as interesting as you wanted." She was really interested now and liking where this conversation was going.



"Of course, I wouldn't be bored if I had someone to come home to each evening. I mean I really hate that apartment I'm living in. It has too many bad memories."



"There are vacancies in my complex." She offered.



"I was thinking, more or less, about a house. With the folks gone, I have that big old house and it's just sitting there. What if you and I moved in there and had a bunch of kids?"



"You serious?" She turned to face him then.



"I am. It's such a shame, that big old house just sitting there empty like that. I think it needs a family. You know; a man and woman, some kids, dogs, cats; all that stuff." He turned to face her. "Would you be interested in something like that; a husband that came home every night at six o'clock and actually eating meals at dinner time at our own table? Does any of that appeal to you?"



"I'm a lousy cook," she warned with tears in her eyes.



"So am I; maybe we could learn together if we took the time to practice a little."



She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.



"Is that a 'yes' or an 'I'll think about it'?" he asked.



"It's a definite YES!" she said and kissed him again.



"I'm liking this already!" He whispered as they tumbled back into the grass and rolled over and over laughing.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



A last minute flurry of plans and the wedding went off perfectly. Evie made the most beautiful little flower girl, Aaron was Alex's best man and Mulder stood in as Walter's best man. The entire courtyard was filled with garlands of flowers and ribbons and notes proclaiming good wishes were hung up all over the place. All the women were fussing around in their fancy best and the men were grumbling about ties and vests and dinner jackets.



The ceremony was short but sweet as the two of them stood there; Skinner all in white, suit, shirt, and shoes; and Alex all in black, suit, shirt and shoes. It was over before they knew it and Elder Eli who preformed the ceremony was wheeled back to his quarters.



There was music and dancing and champagne and no one even noticed when the two grooms slipped away and made a bee line for their quarters for a private celebration.



Mulder and Scully danced slowly, her head resting on Mulder's shoulder. "It was a beautiful wedding. I'm so glad they invited us."



"So now you believe me; everything I told you?" Mulder kissed her temple.



"I do. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. This place … it's magnificent! I've never seen Walter so happy and I don't think I've ever even seen Kry …Alex smile before. He's really quite handsome."



"Uh uh."



"You don't think so?" She pulled her head back so she could look into his face.



"You shouldn't be thinking about how handsome another man is when you just accepted a proposal of marriage." Mulder teased.



"Oh please! Don't tell me you're going to be that kind of husband!"



"I'm going to be the kind of husband that puts a smile on your face, every single day of our lives. That's a promise." Mulder smiled down at her.



"I can live with that," She smiled back at him and they danced on.





THE END (Really!)