“Déjà Vu”
by Andra Marie MuellerPart3
FBI HEADQUARTERS
In the basement office he now occupied alone, Mulder was sorting through a file on his desk when he heard the approach of familiar footsteps, and greeted his visitor without looking up.
“Come to pay homage to the FBI’s most unwanted, Doctor Scully?” he asked lightly.
Scully smiled as she stepped into the room. “How did you know it was me?”
“After eleven years together I’ve learned to recognize your footsteps,” Mulder replied, and at last glanced up at her. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a teaching seminar at Quantico.”
“Three of the professors came down with food poisoning so it was cancelled,” Scully told him. “So I thought I’d come over here and see how you’re doing.”
He frowned. “How I’m doing?”
“Flying solo,” Scully clarified, and settled into a chair in front of his desk. “This is the first day you’ve officially been back here since we lost John and Monica. I imagine you’ve got some ghosts keeping you company.”
Mulder reflexively glanced at the other two desks in the room, now conspicuously empty, and a flicker of sorrow passed across his handsome face. “The silence takes getting used to,” he allowed. “Most of the time the three of us were having polite disagreements over whatever case we were working on, and it was always amusing to see which of the two of us would wind up siding against the third. When it was John and Monica against me, I usually pulled rank as founder of the X files and forced them to go along with my theories. But right now I’d give anything to hear Monica call me ‘General Spooky’, or have John tell me I’m an arrogant ass. I miss them, Scully.”
“So do I, but we both know that neither one of them would want us to cause ourselves more pain by dwelling on their deaths.”
“Easy for you to say,” Mulder countered. “It’s not your fault they’re dead.”
Scully paused. Mulder had told her what had transpired between he and Jessica the day Burlinksi had been brought in for questioning, and as much as she loved her husband, she could not entirely absolve him of responsibility for what happened. But she also knew that Mulder would have died himself before intentionally allowing his colleagues and friends to come to harm.
“She’s still grieving, Mulder, and along with her grief comes anger. She’s not necessarily mad at you; you’re just a convenient target.”
“Trust me, Scully; my sister is pissed at me.”
“Even if she is, it won’t last forever. Give her some time and space. Maybe with enough of both you can mend the rift between you.”
“She’s right, you know. I do have blood on my hands. How many people would still be alive right now if I had left well enough alone after Samantha’s abduction? Instead of developing my obsession for proving the existence of extraterrestrials, I should have listened to my parents and the police and everyone else who said she was only another victim of a random kidnapping.”
“You loved your sister, Mulder, and you were following your heart. No one can fault you for that.”
“My other sister does.”
The petite redhead allowed herself a faint sigh. “Instead of looking at the glass as half empty, Mulder, look at it as half full,” she suggested. “Yes, some innocent people were unfortunately killed as result of the work you’ve done. But how many more would have been if you hadn’t chosen to expose the truth? And how differently would the world we know have turned out? Spender would still be ruining lives; Samantha’s fate would still be unresolved; Jessica would not be part of your life; you and I wouldn’t be together, and William wouldn’t exist.”
He met her gaze. “So you don’t blame me for what the X files has cost you?” he prompted.
“I’m a grown-up, Mulder. Whatever has happened to me has been a result of my own choice to stay by your side, and it has brought me my soul mate and my son. How can I not be grateful for that?”
Mulder flashed her an affectionate smile. “Have I mentioned lately that I love you?”
“I love you too, General Spooky.”
Just then Mulder’s cell phone rang and he retrieved it from his coat pocket. “Mulder.”
“Mulder, its Byers. We just got your message. What’s up?”
“I need you guys to do some research for me,” Mulder said. “I need to find out if a Death Certificate was ever filed for a man named Frans Stuckhold, some time between the fall of 2003 and the summer of 2004, either in Germany or any other European country. Can you do that?”
“We’ll give it a shot,” Byers answered, “but it’s going to take some time. Isn’t Stuckhold the creep who kidnapped Captain Doggett three years ago and was killed by Agent Doggett?”
“That was his son,” Mulder explained. “Frans is the one who collaborated with my father, Spender and Edward Caldwell all those years ago to try and create the super babies. I can’t get into the specifics just yet, but I think that he may have been behind the explosion that killed John and Monica.”
Byers snorted in disgust. “What – is it his family’s goal in life to kill every member of yours?”
“I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out before he takes another shot at Jessica or the kids.”
“Right. We’ll get on it ASAP and contact you when we find something.”
“Thanks, John.” Mulder replaced his phone in his pocket and met his wife’s questioning gaze. “What?”
“I thought you were going to let this alone,” Scully said. “Didn’t Jessica all but ask you to?”
“She didn’t exactly ask, and I certainly didn’t agree..
“Frankly, Mulder, I don’t think it’s going to score you any points with her even if you do prove Stuckhold is involved in this.”
“It’s not about trying to mend fences with my sister, Scully; it’s about reciprocity. Five years ago when I was missing and everyone thought I was dead, John stepped in and kept you and Will safe until I was brought back to you. Now he’s dead and it’s his family that’s in jeopardy. I owe it to him to protect his the same way he protected mine.”
“For argument’s sake let’s say Spender is behind the explosion. Do you really think you can track him down and bring him to justice? You’d have hell to pay getting Kersh to sign off on an arrest warrant.”
“If Stuckhold is involved in all of this than he’ll get what’s coming to him one way or another,” came the ominous reply.
“If I didn’t know better I’d think you were intimating that you intend to kill him yourself,” Scully said carefully.
Mulder offered no response.
*******************************
SENATE BUILDING
Elizabeth Caldwell and her personal assistant Sydney were in the midst of drafting her speech for an upcoming fundraiser when her private line rang, and Sydney shot her a questioning glance.
“I thought you were going to turn that off while we worked on your speech?”
“I wanted to,” Elizabeth allowed, “but I’m expecting a call from President Bush’s personal secretary to confirm his presence at the dinner next month.”
Reaching across her desk, Elizabeth picked up the receiver. “Elizabeth Caldwell.”
“Good afternoon, Senator,” a familiar voice greeted. “I trust I’m not disturbing you.”
Elizabeth froze in recognition of the voice, and ignored the chill that suddenly went down her spine as she glanced at her assistant. “Sydney, would you please excuse me for a moment? I need to take this call in private.”
“Of course.”
Sydney gathered her papers and exited the Senator’s office, closing the door behind her. Once she was gone, Elizabeth addressed her caller.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing calling me at the office?” she demanded. “Don’t you realize all of the calls in and out of this building are monitored?”
“Paranoia doesn’t become you, Elizabeth,” Stuckhold chided.
“What do you want, Frans?”
“I was calling to find out if you’re responsible for the fact that your son-in-law is now in the French clinic receiving the benefits of our research to save his life,” Stuckhold replied. “Apparently he was miraculously rescued from the fire at the clinic in D.C. and flown by a private jet to an airstrip just outside of Paris, and from there was delivered to Laurent and his staff. Now instead of being nothing more than a bad memory, he’ll quite likely survive and be more of a nuisance than ever.”
“I warned you after Dieter had Jessica abducted three years ago that I would not stand idly by while your family played God with mine. My only son is dead, and Jessica may as well be given the state of our relationship. Did you really think I would allow you to take out John?”
“You forget, Elizabeth, that the man of whom we speak is the partner of Fox Mulder. The agents of the X files are a never ending threat, one which I intend to eliminate in any way possible. Unfortunately the only one I have managed to kill was the least imposing of the group, and now Mulder is more determined than ever to uncover the truth behind the clinics. Should Doggett recover enough to return home, the threat will increase exponentially.”
“What do you want from me?” Elizabeth asked.
“As tempted as I am to exchange his life for yours, unfortunately that is not an option. Your status in Washington puts you exactly where the Syndicate needs you to be. So I am going to allow Laurent and his staff to continue their work with Doggett and see just how much of a miracle their specialized DNA can perform. But be forewarned, Elizabeth, that there will be no second chance. Should you interfere with our plans again you will pay the price.”
Without giving Elizabeth a chance to respond, Stuckhold ended the call.
*****************************
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Five months later, life in the Doggett household remained unchanged. Following their exchange at the Bureau the day of Burlinski’s interrogation, Jessica and Mulder had not spoken beyond brief greetings when their children were together. The resilience of youth was allowing the twins to adapt to Doggett’s loss faster than Jessica, and she still awoke each morning hoping John’s death had been nothing but a bad dream. The emotional strain from her continued grief was beginning to manifest itself physically as well; she was underweight for being in her third trimester and her insomnia was depriving her of the rest she and the baby needed to remain healthy.
Early one Saturday afternoon, Jessica was in the backyard watching the twins play with the dogs when the doorbell signaled the arrival of unexpected guests. Stifling a sigh at having to heave her seven and a half months pregnant self out of her chair, the captain struggled to her feet and made her way through the house. Opening the door, she was surprised to discover the Gunmen standing on her doorstep.
“Afternoon, Captain,” Byers greeted. “I hope we’re not disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” Jessica assured them. “What brings you guys all the way out here?”
“We haven’t seen much of you and the twins for a while so we decided it was time for a visit,” Frohike said. “And given your condition we figured it would be easier for us to come to you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but I guarantee Matthew and Grace will be thrilled that you did. Please come in.”
She stepped aside to allow them entry, and swung the door shut as the Gunmen wandered into the living room.
“So how are you and that future menace to criminal society you’re carrying feeling these days?” Byers asked.
“’Future menace to criminal society’?” Jessica repeated in amusement. “You guys have been spending way too much time with Mulder.”
“Maybe you ought to try it sometime,” Frohike remarked, earning him annoyed glares from his friends.
“That was subtle,” Langley remarked.
“Stow it, Frohike,” Byers admonished.
“It’s all right,” Jessica assured them. “Something on your mind, Melvin?”
“Yeah, now that you mention it,” Frohike allowed. “What the heck is going on between you and Mulder?”
“It’s complicated,” Jessica evaded.
“You blaming him for Agent Doggett’s death seems pretty straightforward to me,” Frohike countered.
“I appreciate your concern, but it’s really none of your business.”
“Well you and Mulder are my friends so I’m making it my business,” Frohike responded. “What happened to Agent Doggett and Agent Reyes wasn’t Mulder’s fault, Captain.”
“If it hadn’t been for his damn X files John and Monica would never have been in that building in the first place. The way I see it that makes him at the very least an accessory.”
“And nobody feels worse about it than he does. Mulder may be the most annoying person on the planet, but his heart’s in the right place. When it comes to the people he cares about, he’d walk through hell and back whistling. Do you have any idea how important you are to him, Captain? He spent almost three quarters of his life searching for the sister he lost as a child, only to discover the one he never knew he had. Outside of Scully and Will, there’s no one he cares about more than you.”
“That’s not the issue here…” Jessica began.
“Then it should be,” Frohike interjected. “I understand your grief and your anger, Captain, and naturally you want to blame somebody. But don’t make it Mulder. You’ve both lost enough all ready without adding each other to the list.”
There was no denying the truth, and the captain felt some of her anger fade away. “Maybe you’re right,” she allowed at last.
“Of course I am.”
Any response from Jessica’s was prevented by a sudden sharp pain in her side, and she winced in pain as she lifted a hand to rub her stomach.
“You okay, Captain?” Langley asked.
“I’m not sure,” Jessica replied. “I just got a sharp pain in my side.”
“Maybe we should take you to the hospital,” Byers suggested.
“That’s really not….”
Her protest was aborted in mid-sentence when the pain returned, stronger than before, and Jessica doubled over in agony. Langley and Frohike quickly grabbed her arms and helped her over to the couch.
“You guys stay with her,” Byers instructed. “I’m going to call 911. Frohike, get on your cell and call Mulder. Tell him to meet us at the hospital.”
“Right.”
********************************
HOOVER BUILDING
Inside Skinner’s office, Mulder was finishing a meeting with the A.D. when his cell phone rang. Smiling apologetically at his superior, he pulled it out of his coat. “Fox Mulder.”
“Mulder, its Frohike.”
“Now’s not a good time, Melvin…” Mulder began, but his friend quickly cut him off.
“Jessica’s been taken to Inova Alexandria Hospital with severe abdominal pain,” he told him. “The paramedics think she might be hemorrhaging internally and/or having a miscarriage.”
“I’m on my way.”
Mulder replaced his phone as he rose to his feet, and Skinner could tell from his expression that the call had not been good news. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Jessica’s been rushed to the hospital,” Mulder told him. “They think she’s losing the baby.”
“Son of a bitch…” Skinner muttered. “I’ll call Scully and have her meet you at the hospital.”
“Thank you, sir,” Mulder responded, and bolted out the door.
******************************
INOVA ALEXANDRIA HOSPITAL
Some time later, Mulder was trying not to fidget as he anxiously awaited word on his sister. Frohike had stayed behind to watch over the twins, so it was only an equally worried Langley and Byers that greeted Mulder upon his arrival at the ER. Scully had shown up less than ten minutes later, and as the medical expert of the group had sought out the attending physician to get what information she could about Jessica’s condition. After a brief consultation with the chief resident, she had informed Mulder that Jessica had suffered a complete abruption of the placenta from the uterine wall and was hemorrhaging internally. Immediate surgery was needed to save her life as well as the baby’s, and when the surgeon had asked which was life was to be given priority should it come down to one or the other, an angry Mulder had responded “Save them both.”
After donating blood for Jessica, Mulder had returning to the waiting room to pass the time until she came out of surgery. At her husband’s request, Scully had gone to the OR with the surgical team to supervise Jessica’s surgery, and ensure that every possible measure would be taken to save both her life and the life of her unborn child. Three hours later, Scully had yet to return, and Mulder began to fear that her absence was an omen of impending tragedy.
Please don’t let anything happen to Jessica or the baby, he pleaded silently. They’ve suffered enough as it is.
“Mulder?”
He glanced up at his name to see Byers standing beside him brandishing a cup of hot coffee. Giving his friend a faint smile of gratitude, he accepted the cup and took a tentative sip as Byers settled beside him.
“She’ll be okay,” Byers declared. “They both will.”
“I hope so,” Mulder said.
“She’s a fighter, Mulder,” Langley interjected. “Death’s all ready taken one prize from her this year; if he comes calling again Agent Doggett’s ghost will kick his ass back to Hades.”
Mulder’s smile widened at the image. “Given how possessive John was of her I wouldn’t put it past him,” he allowed. “He and I may have been at odds most of the time, but I never doubted how much he loved my sister.”
“Then trust that he’s pulling strings with the Man upstairs to keep her safe,” Byers replied.
“I admit that I’ve been calling in a favor or two myself.”
“Hey guys,” a familiar voice greeted, and they looked up to see Scully standing in front of them.
The men quickly rose to their feet as Mulder glanced anxiously at his wife. “How’s Jessica?” he asked.
“Exhausted, but otherwise doing well,” Scully told him. “The doctors were forced to do a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding, but after a week or so of complete bed rest, she’ll be fine.”
“What about the baby?”
Scully smiled. “Your new nephew is a little small, but otherwise he’s in perfect health. They’re going to keep him under observation in the NICU for twenty-four hours to make sure he doesn’t suffer any complications from his early arrival, but if all goes well he and Jessica should be reunited tomorrow.”
Mulder briefly closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer of gratitude heavenward before embracing Scully in a fierce hug. “Thank you,” he whispered.”
“I didn’t really do anything,” Scully demurred, “but you’re welcome.”
“We’d better get back to the house and tell Frohike what’s going on,” Byers said. “Do you need us to stay with the twins tonight?”
“Thanks for the offer, but after I check in on Jessica we’ll swing by Margaret’s house to get Will and then head over to Jessica’s to keep an eye on them. “
“Good enough. We’ll see you guys later, then.”
Bidding the agents farewell, Langley and Byers exited the hospital as Scully and Mulder made their way to Jessica’s room. Not wanting to upset Jessica in her condition, Mulder waited outside her room while Scully went inside and made sure she was willing to see him.
“Hi, mom,” Scully greeted softly. “How are you feeling?”
“A little woozy,” Jessica responded, “and I don’t think I’ll be entering any sit-up contests any time soon. How’s my son?”
“Your son is doing very well,” Scully answered. “They’re keeping him in NICU overnight for observation but then they’ll bring him up to you in the morning.”
“But he’s really okay?”
“He’s perfect,” Scully assured her. “If you’re feeling up to it, there’s someone waiting in the hall to see you.”
“Let me guess; a certain federal agent with an unusual first name and an obsession with little green men?”
“That’s him. Should I send him in?”
“Please do.”
Scully smiled, and placing a hand on her sister-in-law’s arm, gave it a gentle squeeze. “Get some sleep, and I’ll make sure your son is being taken care of.”
“Thanks, Dana.”
Scully exited the room and motioned for Mulder to go inside. He entered the room and flashed Jessica a small smile as he approached the bed.
“Hey stranger,” she greeted wearily.
“Hey yourself,” Mulder returned. “You gave us quite a scare, little sister.”
“I gave myself one,” Jessica admitted. “I’d been having minor pains off and on for about a week, but I didn’t think much about it. I was too busy dwelling on my grief over losing John, and unfortunately it took almost losing our son to force me out of my misery.”
Mulder knew her pain was still fresh and wisely changed the subject. “Have you thought of a name yet?” he asked.
“Yes. In keeping with the Doggett family tradition, his name is Samuel John Doggett.”
“Let’s just hope he resembles his mother,” Mulder remarked dryly.
Jessica gave him an admonishing look. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that it’s bad manners to speak ill of the dead?”
Mulder shrugged. “I spoke ill of him when he was alive,” he pointed out.
She shook her head. “Some things never change,” she said, then grew serious. “But other things should, starting with the distance between you and me. I was wrong to blame you for what happened to John and Monica, and I compounded the issue by cutting you out of my life. I shouldn’t have done that, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s perfectly understandable given the situation,” Mulder deflected. “You were angry and hurt and you needed to lash out at somebody. I was just the most convenient target.”
“But you were the wrong one,” Jessica countered. “You and I have had our differences, Fox, but it was never because I didn’t care about you. You’re my brother, and I love you. Please don’t ever doubt that.”
“Only if you promise not to set your dogs on me next time I come over to baby-sit.”
“I had nothing to do with that. Ever since John was killed and I discovered I was pregnant, they haven’t let anyone but the twins within fifty feet of me.”
“Well Spooky at least should show some respect for his namesake,” came the droll reply.
“I’ll mention it to him when I get home.”
“See that you do.”
***********************************
Four days later, the doctors had finally cleared Jessica to return home. She had just finished feeding Samuel when she received an unexpected visitor.
“Good morning, Captain.”
Jessica glanced up at the voice to see Skinner hovering in the doorway, and gave him a friendly smile. “Mister Skinner,” she greeted. “This is a surprise.”
“May I come in?” Skinner asked.
“Of course.”
The A.D. stepped into the room and walked over to stand at the foot of the bed. “That handsome little fellow must be Samuel,” he replied. “Mulder was in my office Saturday when he got Byers’ call,” Skinner told her. “I’m glad to see you and the baby are both all right.”
“Thank you. You’re welcome to hold him.”
Skinner smiled. “I’d like that. Thank you.”
Walking around the bed, he gently took Samuel from Jessica and cradled him in his arms. “Hey there little soldier,” he said. “Welcome to the world.”
His full stomach making him drowsy, Samuel responded to Skinner’s greeting with a wide yawn, and gazed at him sleepily with eyes that were all ready the same ice blue as his father’s.
“He looks like John,” Skinner observed
“Fox will be crushed to hear you say so,” the captain responded wryly.
Just then the door opened to admit Sarah Caldwell, who flashed Jessica a smile of greeting before addressing Skinner. “Hello, Walter,” she said. “I missed you when I woke up this morning.”
“Sorry about that,” Skinner apologized, “but I had an early morning meeting. I’ll make it up to you over dinner tonight.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Sarah responded.
From the bed, the captain was watching their brief exchange and trying to cover her surprise that her sister-in-law was not only dating Skinner, but obviously engaged in an intimate relationship with him as well. Looks like I’ve missed a quite a bit during my five month pity party, she mused.
“As long as I have both of you here, I’d like to ask you a favor,” Jessica said. “I’d like the two of you to be Samuel’s Godparents.”
Sarah and Skinner exchanged a surprised look before the former replied, “I assumed that Dana and Mulder would do the honors.”
“They got two for the price of one when John and I made them the twins Godparents,” Jessica responded. “John cared about you both very much and I know he would approve of my asking you to do the honors for Sam.”
“We’d be honored, Jessica,” Sarah said at last.
“Good.”
“How are you feeling by the way?” Sarah asked. “Are you in any pain?”
“I’m a little uncomfortable,” Jessica allowed, “But it’s manageable. I just want to get home and introduce Grace and Matthew to their new baby brother.”
“Do you need a ride?” Sarah offered.
“Thanks for asking, but Fox is going to take me home.”
As if on cue, the door opened yet again and Mulder strode inside, glancing in surprise at the other people present and the sight of Skinner holding Samuel.
“I think he’s a little young to be recruited for field work, sir,” he deadpanned.
“Very funny, Mulder,” Skinner responded, and carefully handed Samuel back to his mother.
Mulder walked over to place a light kiss on his sister’s cheek and smiled down at his nephew. “Good morning, little man,” he greeted, and glanced at Jessica. “I thought we agreed that he was going to look like you, but he’s the spitting image of John.”
“It could be worse,” Jessica returned. “He could look like you.”
“Ouch.”
“Well I’ve got patients to see so I am going to get to work,” Sarah said. “If you need anything, Jessica, you call me.”
“I will, Sarah.”
“Walter, care to walk me out?”
“Of course. Good to see you again, Captain Doggett. Congratulations on your son.”
“Thank you.”
Sarah and Skinner exited the room, and Mulder waited until the door had closed behind them before addressing his sister. “What am I missing here?” he asked.
“Apparently the same thing I did,” Jessica responded. “It seems Sarah and A.D. Skinner are involved.”
“Involved?” Mulder echoed. “As in they’re seeing one another casually or they’re sleeping together?”
“The latter.”
“Really…are you okay with that?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“She is Scott’s widow.”
“Yes, but she’s been faithful to his memory for almost five years,” the captain pointed out. “I think it’s long overdue for her to start dating again, and if Skinner is the man she chooses to be with, so be it. He’s a good guy.”
“Easy for you to say,” Mulder responded. “He’s not your boss.”
“If you’re through delving into your boss’ personal business, I’d really like to get home.”
“Right.”
Wrapping Sam securely in his blanket, Mulder tucked him in the crook of his arm and extended his free hand to help Jessica out of bed. She grimaced slightly as the movement pulled on her sore abdominal muscles, then once she was steady on her feet Mulder handed her Samuel and they left the room. After a brief stop at the nurses station to sign off on her release papers and convince them she didn’t need a wheelchair, Jessica and Mulder stepped into the elevator and made their way to the main floor. As they exited the hospital, they did not notice the person observing them from the marginally open tinted window of a parked car several yards away, his labored breathing identifying him as the man who had been outside of Doggett’s room at the Paris clinic.
***************************************