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Title-  Once Upon a Time: Welcome Home

Author- Meaghan McScully

Feedback- Framed at ILoveFoxyMulder@hotmail.com

Archiving- Sure, go ahead, just keep my name attached and let
me know.

Spoilers- Set in Season 6, before they get the X Files back.

Rating- PG-13

Category- R, A, S

Keywords- Pre-XF Mulder/Other.  Mulder/Scully Romance, All
around angst.

Summary- A man looses his daughter, and gets her back under
horrible circumstances.

Disclaimer 1-  I don't own 'em or get money from 'em.

Disclaimer 2- Rose Marie is my own creation.  If, for some
reason, you want to use her, please ask me first.  I'm
not very hard to reach.  E-mail me at
ILoveFoxyMulder@hotmail.com .

Disclaimer 3- The poem read at the funeral is not mine.  I
found it on a website and was unable to contact anyone about
it.  If this is your poem, or you know who wrote it and you
do not want it used, please let me know.  Thank you.

**Dedicated to James Engh**

Author's Notes:  At End.

Thanks:  Oodles and oodles and oodles of thanks to Ro, my
beta, for answering stupid questions like "Should they go
to the bathroom and then talk?  Or talk while looking for
the bathroom?" and without her insistent IMing me with
"fic!?" and "WRITEWRITEWRITE!  MOREMROREMROEMORE!", this
thing would have never been done.  Many more thanks to
Batman for channeling Ro when she was in Naples (hehehe!)
and telling me that she would become as bad as Ro.  Even
more thanks (Wow, I'm just wearing myself out here!) to
Rina, without whom, I would have never changed the hospital
and the thing, and she knows what I'm talking about.  Many
thanks to my two best non X-Phile friends, Kate and Bina,
for just putting up with my ranting and actually reading
this thing.  Even MORE thanks to Meaghan, for.. well,
just being Meaghan and nagging me for more..  Any my final
thanks go to Liz, for helping me with some of the diologe.

And now, without further ado

Once Upon a Time: Welcome Home

~~~
Wednesday, June 13, 1990
1:21 AM
10 13th Street, Georgetown, VA
Fox and Anne Mulder Residence

"How could you Anne?  How could you!?  I'll never see her
again, thanks to you!  HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!?" Fox
Mulder screamed at his wife.

"It's very simple, Fox.  I just told the judge that you were
a danger to her, and to me.  And her believed me.  HE
BELIEVED ME, YOU FUCKING BAST--"

The soft padding of little feet made both Anne and Mulder
stop and look towards the kitchen door.  Mulder smiled at
his 4 year old daughter.  She carried her teddy bear and
rubbed her eyes as she ran over to Mulder.  "Daddy!" she
said happily, reaching to be picked up, despite the early
hour.

Mulder glared at Anne and grinned at Rose as he bent to
pick her up.  "What are you doing up at this hour, Rosebud?
Did we wake you up, honey?  We're sorry."  He said
quietly into her soft brown hair.  "Come on, lets get you
back to bed.  It's very late."

"'Kay." Rose answered, holding onto her father's neck as
he moved out of the kitchen and up to her room.  He
walked into The pink room and put her into the ivory
colored canopy bed with kittens covering all the fabric.

"Sweetie, I want to talk to you for a minute, okay?"  He
asked, sitting down on the edge of her soft bed.  "Rosebud..
Sweetie, I have to..go away for a while, honey."  He said,
his voice faltering.  "And I, uh..won't be able to see you,
or talk to you, Sweetie."

"Why Daddy?  Why do ya gotta go 'way?  I don't want you to
go.  Please don't go Daddy!  Please?  I don't want you to."
Rose Marie said, tears running like raindrops down her face.

"Oh, Rosie..Rose, Sweetie, don't cry.  Honey..please Rosebud,
don't cry." Fox picked up his little girl and started to
slowly walk around her room, rubbing her small back as he
did so.  She started to calm down, and Mulder put her back
into bed.  "Do you feel better honey?  Do you want to go to
sleep now?" He asked, her blue eyes wide and glistening with
tears.

She yawned, tears drying on her cherub-like cheeks.  Hugging
her beloved teddy bear, Teddy, closer, she said "Sing me a
song, Daddy?"

"Sure sweetheart."  Mulder said, softly kissing his daughter
on the forehead.  "Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top.  When the
wind blows, the cradle will rock.  When the bough breaks, the
cradle will fall, and down will come baby, cradle and all."
His soft alto voice sent his beautiful daughter into a peaceful
slumber.  Kissing her forehead for the last time, he stood and
quietly walked out of her room.

~~~
Hoover Building
March 6, 1992

Fox Mulder was having a bad day.  He missed his daughter
terribly and had just been informed he was being partnered
with some scientist from Quatntico.   Mulder picked up the
picture of his daughter and smiled as he remembered the day
it was taken.  The first major snow of winter had fallen, and
he and Anne, before things got bad, had taken Rose out to the
park in her little pink snow suit.  They had started a snowball
fight, Anne and Rose against him.  Anne had thought to bring
the camera, so after the fight, she had taken a picture of
Rose throwing a snowball at Mulder's face.

He stopped, putting the picture down, and getting back to work.
There was no telling when this new "partner" would be showing up.
It was a good thing he  had gotten back to work, for not five
minutes had passed, and there was a knock on the door.
"Nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted." He had said,
not bothering to look up from the pictures he was  examining.

"Agent Mulder, I've been assigned to work with you."

~~~
1st Ave. and 86th Street, Manhattan
8:13 AM
Tuesday, February 23, 1999

"Jackass!!  What the fuck are you going on the road!?" Anne
yelled  out the window of
her new BMW convertible.

Rose sighed.  "Mom, why don't you calm down.  It's not his
fault there's another traffic jam.  It is the mid--"

"You just shut up, young lady!  I've had quite enough of
you already." Anne snapped, focusing all her attention on
the 13 year old girl seated next to her, and not on the
gigantic tractor trailer speeding along behind the car.

"Mom!  Look out!" Rose screamed as she looked in the
passenger side mirror of the car.

Anne looked in the rearview mirror and tried to maneuver
the car out of the way of the on-coming truck, which seemed
oblivious to the cars in front of it.  They were trapped.
There was no opening on either side of them.  Time seemed to
slow down as the monstrous truck beared down on them.  Anne
and Rose looked at each other, fear evident in both their eyes.
Rose closed her eyes and starting praying silently.  The last
thing she knew was her mother reaching out to grab onto her hand.
Then it all went black.

~~~
Hoover Building
9:15 AM
Tuesday, February 23, 1999

"Happy birthday, dear Scully.  Happy birthday to you!" Mulder
finished as Scully blew out the candle on the cupcake.

Scully laughed.  "At least you didn't have the entire waitressing
staff come out and sing, Mulder."  Mulder grinned and handed her
a small, neatly wrapped box.  "Oh, Mulder.  You didn't have to get
me something." Scully said, while opening the box.  "This is from
that jewel--ohmigod!  Mulder, you did NOT get those earrings..
Mulder, you did.  Oh, Mulder...thank you so much." She said, her
eyes tearing.  Mulder blushed and looked down as she stood from
her chair to hug him.  "Mulder, you didn't have to get me that."

"I know I didn't Scully.  I wanted to.  You admired them so much,
and they bring out the blue in your eyes so well.." He trailed
off as his cell phone rang.  "Mulder." He answered.

"Fox Mulder?" The woman on the other end said.  From the
background noise he guessed the woman on the other end
was at a hospital.

"Speaking."

"Mr. Mulder, I have you listed as the emergency contact for a
Rose Marie Anderson." The nurse said, her voice calm.

"Rose?  What's wrong?  What's happened to her?" Mulder said,
panic seeping into his voice at the mention of his daughter.
Scully studied Mulder carefully, noting the worry lines that
crossed his face.

"The car she was in was hit by a truck.  The woman with her,
an.. Anne April Anderson, was killed instantly..."  Mulder
sat down heavily in his chair, tuning out the nurse for a
moment. "...hit the dashboard and has a rather nasty
concussion that's left her unconscious."

"Yes, uh.. thank you.  What hospital is she in?" Mulder
asked, in shock.

"Beth Israel Medical Center- Singer Division, East End
Ave. between 87th and 88th." She replied, her voice
never changing from a serious monotone.

"Yes.. thank you.  I'll be there as soon as possible."
He said, quickly hanging up the phone.

"What was that about, Mulder?  And who's Rose?" Scully
asked, with curiosity.

"It's a long story, Scully.. one you'll hear soon enough.
I have to go up to NY.. there's been a.. family.. emergency.
I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on."
Mulder said, half hoping that she would just let him
leave and half hoping she would go with him.

"Mulder, do you want me to go with you?  If you do, I will.."
Scully said, looking into his hazel eyes.

"Scully, I can't ask you to do that...it's your birthday..
you have plans.." Mulder said, secretly glad she cared
enough to wanted to come.

"With my mother, Mulder.. if it's some sort of emergency,
she'll understand.. we can re-schedule dinner."  He knew
it was useless to argue with her.

Mulder sighed, and looked down.  "It's uh...it's a long story..
I'll explain on the shuttle up to New York."  At her nod, he
stood from his chair.  "I'll pick you up in an hour, then."
They got their things together and walked down to their
respective cars in a comfortable silence.  As Scully
was getting into her car, Mulder said "Thanks Scully."
She smiled at him, knowing that whatever it was, they would
get through it.  Together.

~~~
American Airlines Flight 245
11:54 AM

"So, Mulder, you said you'd explain what's going on when we
were on the plane.. we're on the plane.." Scully said lightly,
her tone conversational.

"Yes, I uh.. I did.  Scully.. please forgive me for not telling
you sooner.. it just never seemed like the right time."  Mulder
said, hoping to prolong the inevitable.

"Mulder, you're stalling."

"I know, I know...did I ever tell you I was married Scully?"
He said.  Best to start direct, thought Mulder.

Scully was stunned.  Mulder was married?  "Uh.. no, Mulder.
You never mentioned that."  She said, her surprise showing.

"I was married to Anne Anderson in October of 1985.  We..
thought we were in love, but we weren't.  You know how
it is.  But uh.. the honeymoon got Anne pregnant, and
uh.."  Mulder broke off, his eyes filling with tears,
his voice breaking.  Scully laid her hand on his arm,
hoping that her presence would reassure him.
"We had a little girl, Rose Marie.  She.. she was
verything to me, Scully, everything.  Anne and I had
stopped trying to get along by the time Rose was two.
We were trying to not fight.. but we wanted to stay
together for her...  Eventually, Anne filed for
divorce and used my job against me.  She uh.. she
got complete custody of her.. I didn't even get
visitation rights.  She took my daughter away, Scully."

"Mulder.. I'm so sorry.." Scully trailed off, not knowing what
to say.  "What happened in New York, Mulder?"

"They were in a car accident.. Anne was...she was.. killed,
and Rose got a bad
concussion.."

"Please buckle your seatbelts, we are about to land.  Thank you
for flying American Air." The stewardess announced.

Scully grabbed his hand and squeezed, trying to convey her
presence.

~~~
Beth Israel Medical Center- Singer Division
1:46 PM

"Rose Anderson.  She was brought in with a concussion.  What
room is she in?"  Mulder asked again, his patience running out.

"Are you family?" The nurse asked, exasperated.

"I'm her father."

"All right then.  She's in room 12-37."

"Thank you." Mulder walked over to the row of elevators, and
pushed the up button, his face a mask of stone.  Scully stood
beside him as they waited for the elevator to arrive.  Mulder
turned to Scully and asked "Do you think she'll remember me Scully?"

"I truly don't know, Mulder.  She might and she might not."
Scully was heartbroken when she saw the look at her face.
"She probably will if she has your memory, Mulder."  Mission
accomplished, she thought as the corners of his mouth turned
up.  The gratified look on his face made glad she had said the
last thing.

The elevator finally arrived, and Mulder and Scully stepped into
the steel cage.  They rode up to the 12th floor in silence, both
engrossed in their own inner monologues.

The elevator arrived at the floor with a ding.  Stepping out of
the elevator, they walked down the hall silently, to room 37.
Mulder paused in front of the door, glancing back at Scully for
a moment.  When their eyes met, he nodded, telling her that it
was all right for her to follow him.  He gently pushed open the
door, eyes trained on the singular bed occupying the room.
Mulder slowly walked over to a chair next to his daughter and
sat down, taking one of her small porcelain hands in both of
his much larger ones.  Scully stood at the foot of the bed,
silently reviewing her medical charts.

Mulder was startled when he felt a slight movement under his
hands.  "Rose?  Sweetie, it's Daddy.  Can you hear me?"  A
squeeze this time.  "That's good, Rosebud, come on now, open
your eyes for me, all right?  You can do it Sweetie."  There
was a slight twitching of her eyelids before they opened
halfway.  She groaned, her head moving ever so slowly towards Mulder.

Mulder glanced back at Scully, silently asking her to give
him this time with his daughter.  Scully slipped out the door,
quietly going to fetch the doctor.  Mulder turned back to Rose,
a sad smile gracing his lips.

"Hi there, honey.  How are you feeling?"  He asked, gently
brushing a lock of hair out of her pale face.

She tried to speak, but her voice failed her, a small sound of
frustration escaping her lips instead of the intended words.
Mulder spooned some ice chips into her dry mouth.  She nodded
when she had consumed enough, and tried speaking again.
"Hurts, Daddy." She squeaked out, her voice a whisper of sound.

Mulder squeezed her hand lightly.  "I know it does Rosebud,
I know it does.  The doctors couldn't really give you anything
because you have a rather nasty concussion."  As he finished,
the door opened revealing a young resident and Scully.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Highland.  You must be Rose's father." The
resident said, holding his hand out.  Mulder nodded and
rose and shook his hand.  "It's good that you're awake,
Rose, we can see if the concussion did any damage."  He went
about asking her questions, having her perform the usual tasks.
"Good, she's doing very well.  She can probably leave on
Thursday or Friday.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more
rounds to make."  He made a hasty exit, white coat flapping
behind him.

"Rosebud, why don't you try and get some sleep, all right?
Sleep's the best thing you can have right now honey." Mulder
said softly, standing and pressing a soft kiss to her
forehead.  "I'll be here honey, so don't worry about anything."

Rose smiled weakly.  "'Kay Daddy." She said, closing her eyes.

When it was apparent she was asleep, Scully sat next to Mulder.
"Mulder, that.. that.. that child.. they have treating her has
no business even being in a hospital!  He has no bedside manner, he-"

"He's just like you were right outta med. school, Scully." He smiled.

"That's not the point!  He...argh...I'm gonna go get us some
lunch, what would you like, Mulder?" Scully stood and looked
expectantly at Mulder.

"Whatever you see that looks appetizing.. wait, let me re-phrase
that.  Whatever you see that looks greasy and fatty
and appetizing."  Scully chuckled, and shaking her head,
walked out of the hospital room.

Fifteen minutes later Scully returned, holding a McDonald's bag
and 2 drinks.  I got you a Big Mac, fries and a Coke, Mulder."
She said, handing him the bag.  He smiled and opened it as the girl
in the bed groaned.

"Rose?" Mulder stood and sat down again on the edge of her bed,
grabbing her hand as he did so.  "Rosebud, are you awake Sweetie?"
He asked her softly, brushing a piece of hair out of her eyes.

Rose opened her eyes and looked about the room with bleary eyes.
"Daddy?" She said.

"Yeah Sweetie?  I'm right here."

"What am I doing here?  What are you doing here?  Who's she?"
She said looking over at Scully, "And where's Mom?" She asked,
her voice soft and slightly raspy.

Mulder glanced up at Scully, swallowed, and answered.  "You were
in a very bad car accident a few hours ago, Rose.  We, uh, flew up
as soon as we heard.  This," He said, motioning to Scully to come
over, "is Dana Scully, and she's a very good friend of mine." He
answered, half hoping she'd forget her last question, but knowing
that she wouldn't.

"What about Mom?  Is she all right?" Her hazel-green eyes stared,
seemingly unblinking, at Mulder.

"Uh.. She, uhm...Rose, she um," Mulder said, shaking his head,
unable to finish the sentence.

Scully touched Mulder's shoulder, silently asking if he wanted
her to finish what he couldn't.  He nodded and moved to a chair so
the bedside was free. Scully sat on the bed next to Rose and gently
took her hand.  "Rose, honey, uhm, your mom didn't.. she didn't
make it, sweetheart." Scully said, heartbroken she had to delieve
the news to the poor girl lying in the bed.

Rose shook her head and sat up, unbelieving, at her words.  "No..
no, she's not dead, she can't be dead!  It's not fair!  She's not
sup-"  Rose gasped, quickly regretting sitting up.  Scully
quickly grabbed her shoulders and gently lowered her back down
to her pillows.

"You shouldn't be sitting up at all, Rose.  That damn resident
should have told you that.." Scully trailed off and looked at
Mulder, who was sitting hunched over in his chair.  Scully
rubbed her shoulder soothingly.  "It'll all work out, Rose."

~~~
St. Mary's Cemetery
Friday, February 26, 1999

"Sweetie, are you sure you want to do this?"  Mulder asked,
tightening his hold on his unsteady daughter, who was softly
crying into his dark trenchcoat.

"Yeah, Daddy, I.. I do." She answered, sniffling and
wiping her eyes.

Mulder nodded and walked Rose over to the make-shift podium that
had been set up next to Anne's grave.  He made sure she was able
to support herself, and quietly stepped to the side, letting Rose
recite the memorized poem.

      "Thank you for being here on earth
      Every moment of my eternal life
      Thank you for being a beautiful role model
      How can I tell you of the depth breath width and height to
        which I soar Just knowing you exist
      And always will in my soul
      You are a prayer that is silent
      As well as spoken aloud
      You are a tear that soothes my soul"

Though sobs threatened to consume her, she took a deep breath
and went on.

      "You are each laugh
      Each pure thing that God has let me behold
      You are my wealth and all that are of you
      You are my tenderness
      You are as water to a thirst
      A royal purple rose
      You are the precious gift of God
      Called Mother Mommy Mom
      You are so wonderful I cannot explain
      How much you mean to me
      Believing in me when only a saint or holy trinity knew
        whom I could be
      Praise God the Holy Spirit and Lord Jesus
       For I've got a large piece of heaven in you"

Rose stopped, tears freely spilling down her face as she
turned toward Mulder.  He stepped up and hugged her reassuringly
before helping her back to their spot in front of the grave.

Rose dissolved into sobs as the minister read from the Bible.
Mulder pushed the hair out of her eyes.  "Rosebud, I'm gonna take
you back to the limo, all right?  We'll sit together until you
feel better."  He whisper just loud enough to let Scully know
where they were going.  They slowly walked over to the large
black limo.  Mulder opened the back door, helped Rose into
the seat, and sat down next to her.  Rose leaned against
Mulder, burying her face against his shoulder, sobbing.
He tried his best to comfort her, but to no avail.

10 minutes or so later, there was a soft knock on the top of the
limo, and the door was opened to reveal Scully.  "The minister's
looking for you Mulder.  Would you like me to bring him over
here?" She asked, her voice quiet and calm, yet strong.

"No, no. I'll go talk to him.. would you mind sitting with
her while I talk with him, though?"  He asked Scully, smiling
sadly.  "I really don't want to leave her alone."

"Of course not, Mulder.  Scoot out."

Mulder got out of the car and smiled his thanks to Scully
before walking over to where the minister was standing.

"Rose?  Sweetie, how are you doing?"  Scully asked Rose softly.

Rose sniffed and looked up at Dana as there was another knock
on the limo top.  Scully smiled and opened the door to reveal
to girls.  "Hi, uh.. Mr. Mulder said Rose was--" The girl
stopped as Rose poked her head out of the limo.

"Oh, hey guys.. uh, Dana, would you, uh.."  Scully got the
meaning, smiled at Rose and her two friends, and slid out of
the car to allow the two girls access to the seat.  "Thanks Dana."

"Rose, oh my gosh, are you all right?  How are you doing?"
Sabina and Katrina asked at the same time, making them both
start to giggle and making Rose smile.

"I'll be fine in about a month or so, the doctor said.  I can't
really walk in  a straight line, so I look like a drunk."  The
three girls giggled.  "But, uh, I'm glad you guys are, uh,
here, 'cause uh, my dad lives in Virginia.. so, uh.. I'm
gonna go with him, and, uh, we're leaving soon, so this is
kinda.. goodbye." Rose sadly hugged her two best friends
and they talked a little more, before their parents came
over and told them they were leaving soon.  "I'll keep
in touch guys, I promise." Rose said quietly after her friends.

~~~
LaGuadia Marriot Hotel
Room 21-11
3:03 AM

"Rosie, you know how much I love you.  How much I'll always
love you.  And you know that I will always, always, always
be with you.  I'll be with you when you fall in love, when
you graduate, when you get married.  I'll be with you when
you have your children, and I'll always be with your children.
I'll be with you when you're sick, when you're well.  You
won't be able to see me, or feel me, Sweetheart, but I'll
be there.  I'll be with you when your husband dies, when you
die.  I'll be here waiting for you, Sweetie."  Anne pushed
an errant strand of hair out of Rose's face.

"No, Mom.. Mommy, please.  I don't want to live without you,
please.  I wanna stay with you, I don't wanna stay here, I
wanna stay with you.  Please?  Please Mommy?  please?"  Her
soft cries cresendoed into uncontrollable sobs.  Anne tried
to calm the frantic sobs coming from the girl.

Suddenly, another voice came, softly calling her from a great
distance.  "Rose?  Rosebud, come on now, wake up.  You're just
having a bad dream, Sweetie.  It's all right, wake up now.
You're safe." The voice said, its soothing and calm, low and
melodic sound rousing her just a tad.  "That's it, Rosebud,
wake up."  Rose opened her eyes and looked around the room,
disoriented.

She focused on Mulder.  "D.. daddy?  What am I doing here?"

Mulder smiled a little.  "We're in the hotel, remember?  We're
gonna stay for the rest of the night and then leave sometime
tomorrow morning, remember Sweetheart?"

"Oh, right.. what uh, what time is it?"  Rose moved to sit up,
only to find herself being gently pushed back to the bed by
large gentle hands.

"It's almost three.  Do you think you could get back to sleep,
Rosebud?"  Mulder pushed a piece of hair that still clung to
her tear-stained face back.

Rose nodded and turned towards Mulder, tightly clutching
the stuffed bear Mulder had found sitting on her neatly
made bed when he had boxed up everything in her house.
He kissed her forehead.  "You sleep now, Sweetie.  It's late."

~~~
I95
12:16 PM
Saturday, February 27, 1999

"Do you think it's worth it to wake her for lunch, Scully?"
Mulder asked quietly, quickly glancing at Rose in the back
seat before focusing on the road once again.

"Yeah, I'd like to check on her soon, so we might as well
make it one large stop." She said, her tone as soft as Mulder's
was.

Mulder nodded, and concentrated on getting over a lane so he
would be able to get off at the next rest stop.  When they
came upon the next one almost 10 minutes later, Mulder quickly
pulled into a spot near to the door.  He glanced once again at
his daughter sleeping in the backseat before getting out, opening
the back drivers side door, and sliding in next to Rose.

"Rose, Sweetie, wake up, it's time for lunch." Mulder said
quietly, gently rubbing her arm.

She woke almost immediately, and sat up slowly from her curled
position on the seat.  "Daddy?"  She yawned and stretched a
little.  "Where are we?" She asked, slowly sliding out after
Mulder.  "Somewhere in Pennsylvania, honey."  Mulder put an
arm around her shoulder to support her.  Rose swayed a little
and clutched at Mulder's T-shirt.  Mulder tightened his grip
and walked slowly towards Scully, who was standing by the
door to the McDonalds.

"You girls wanna go 'primp' while I order?"  Mulder grinned
at Scully's smile.

"I could use a bathroom break.  Do you need to go, Rose?"
Scully asked, still smiling.

"Yeah Dana, I kinda do." Rose replied, smiling a little for
the first time since the funeral.

"What do you girls want me to order?  Your usual, Scully?"

"Yeah Mulder, that's fine.. get me a Coke with it?  Thanks."
Mulder grinned and nodded.

He looked at Rose, the grin still in place.  "And what do you
want, honey?"

"A Crispy Chicken Sandwich and a vanilla shake, please Daddy."
She answered, quietly.  "And a small fries."

"Will do.  Mulder made sure Rose was able to stand up, and
walked over to the order line.  Scully smiled and took hold of
her arm.

"Come on, lets find the bathroom, shall we?"  Scully asked,
starting toward a sign that said restrooms.

"So, uh, Dana, what's.. what's my dad like?  You seem to
know him best.."

"Well Rose, he's.. he's a good man.  He's very intense, very..
passionate, but he's one of the most caring, gentle people
you'll ever meet."  Scully smiled a little.  "He's a
walking contradiction, basically."  They both giggled.

"Are you two.. ya know, an item?"  Rose asked, studying her
Scully's face intently.

Scully instantly blushed.  "No, Rose, we're not.. we're best
friends.. we have been for about 7 years, now."

"But you're in love with him.  Every time you talk with him,
you get this little smile on your face."

Scully didn't say anything, intently studying her shoes.
"Oh look, here's the bathroom."  Just in time, she thought,
holding the door open.

They both finished, washed their hands in silence, walked
out of the bathroom, and walked over to where Mulder was
still standing in line.

"We'll go get a table, all right, Mulder?"  Scully said
softly.

"Sure, that'd be great," Mulder answered, moving up a
little in line.

Scully and Rose slowly walked over to a corner booth
and sat down.  Rose put her  head down on the table
top and closed her eyes.

"You all right, Sweetheart?"  Scully asked, suddenly concerned.

"Yeah, fine.. my head just hurts.. a lot." She answered,
never moving her head from its resting spot on the table.

Scully checked her watch.  "Oh, geeze, you should have had
your medicine an hour ago.  Your dad will be here in a minute,
it looks like he's about to come over, and I'll run out to
the car and get the medicine for you, all right Rose?"
Scully said, rubbing her shoulder lightly.

"'Kay."  Mulder walked over with a tray filled with their
lunches.

"Mulder, I'm going to run out to the car and get Rose's
medicine, all right?  Can I have the keys?"

Mulder nodded, put the tray down, and fished the keys
out of his pocket.  "Here you go."

As Scully ran off, he slid in next to Rose and put an arm
around her shoulders.  "You all right Rosebud?"

"Yeah, I'll be all right, Daddy."  She answered, still not
moving her head from its spot on the table.

Scully came back, holding a bottle of pills.  "Here you go
Sweetie, take this."  She handed Rose the pill and grabbed
Mulder's soda from the table and handed it to Rose.  "Your
shake is too thick to swallow a pill with, Rose, so you'll
have to use this, all right?"  Rose brought her head off
the table, took the pill and soda from Scully's hands, and
swallowed it in  one large gulp.

"Thank you." She said, looking up and into Scully's eyes.

~~~
Residence of Fox Mulder
Alexandria, VA
3:01 PM

When they finished their lunches, Mulder went to the bathroom
and met Scully and Rose outside by the SUV they had rented to
bring most Rose's belongings down to Alexandria.  Scully drove
the rest of the way, glancing back at Mulder and Rose as they
reacquainted themselves, Mulder finding out about school, her
friends, and her mother, and Rose finding out about the X Files
and learning about Scully.

Scully pulled up in front of Mulder's building, turned off the
engine, and looked back at Rose and Mulder.  "We're here."

Mulder turned to Rose and smiled softly.  "Welcome home."

~~~
Fine.

More to come soon, I promise!

~~~

Authors Notes:  For a long time before I started writing fic, I Role
Played.  Sometimes I'd play Mulder, sometimes Scully, sometimes
Skinman.. (Though Mulder was my fav.)  One day, I was being
creative, and I decided to make up a character, Rose Marie.
Rose Marie had been alive and kicking for almost 2 years, when
I decided it was about time to write a story based on her life.
Out of the story of one little character spawned millions of
ideas for future stories, so this is defiantly not the last
you (or I!) will see of Rose.
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