Title: Nova

Author: Angel

Feedback: Please! I love every but of it!

Classification: MSR, Colonization fic.

Spoilers: All the way up to 7^th season finale but NOT including even though nothing much is really mentioned.

Rating: NC-17 (for some parts-very mild consensual sex- but to be safe!) Others are probably PG-13 or so for naughty words and implied naughty stuff =).

Summery: The inevitable happens. Mulder has planned ahead and now does everything in his power to keep Scully safe.

You MUST read all parts to understand! Available at Ephemeral and my home page.

Disclaimer: You know the drill. Characters are property of Fox, 1013, ect. No money is being made. No infringement is intended. A few poems and songs are used without permission, names of authors are given. Prayers which I did not write, and I don’t know who wrote are included in some areas.

Homepage: (to find missing parts and sooner or later the completed version, also posted at Ephemeral)

A HUGE thanks to Evie my beta reader! Nova would never be doing this well, or going as fast, without her help! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! Umm… one more! Thank you!

Note: Want Nova updates in the mail? Just let me know!

"Baby don’t look up, the sky is falling." Tori Amos

(33/?)

Day 197

"There she is." Scully said gesturing discretely towards Amanda as she walked into the Medical Room.

Mulder let out a long breath. "I really think you should let Skinner and Amanda work it out for themselves. It’s really none of our business."

"Mulder." She said in a decisive tone. "I told Skinner I would talk with Amanda when I saw her. She must have realized it because she has been avoiding me for days. Now before she manages to get out of sight again, I’m going to see her. Will you wait here for me?"

With a defeated sigh Mulder leaned against the wall by their pile of firewood. "Yeah."

"I’ll try not to take too long." She called as she walked across the Main Room.

Hearing Scully enter the room Amanda looked up from where she was putting a book away. "I was just leaving." Amanda said quickly.

Scully stayed in the doorway. "Amanda, I wanted to talk with you for a moment."

"I really have things I need to do." She said trying to side step Scully, not being rude enough to push her aside, but she wouldn’t let her pass.

"It will just take a moment." At Amanda’s reluctant nod Scully shut the door and gestured towards the table for Amanda to sit with her.

"I suppose this is about what happened." Amanda began, not making eye contact with Scully. "About what my father was trying to do. I’m sorry, I really am." She began to speak quickly. "I should have warned you about him. About what he would try to do if you didn’t return his affection."

"Amanda." Scully said firmly to stop her rambling. "It’s not about that. I don’t want to talk about that any more then you do. This is about Skinner."

Amanda visibly cringed. "I… I don’t really want to-"

"I understand that." Scully interrupted. "But you need to think about what this is doing to Skinner. I have known him for a long time, and this is the first time I have ever seen him happy. He loves you, I know you know that. You need to think about him."

"I do, trust me. I think about him often, even when I try not to."

"Well tell him that." Scully said with a slight laugh. "He feels like he is going to lose you."

"I’m scared I’m going to lose him." Amanda whispered as she studied the grain on the tabletop.

"Don’t let it happen then." Scully gave Amanda a reassuring smile when she finally looked up. "Talk to him. Do whatever you have to do so that you don’t lose each other."

Day 200

Scully quickly looked up from her book and froze Mulder with an accusing stare. "Why do you keep looking at me?"

Mulder opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He just shook his head stupidly.

"Well stop it." Scully grumbled looking back down to her book. "You are starting to freak me out."

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking down only to glance up at her again under his lashes.

"Mulder." Scully warned.

"I’m going for a walk before bed." He said jumping up suddenly.

Scully looked up at him quickly. "I’ll go too."

The thought of telling her that he needed some time alone entered his mind, but left just as quickly. "All right." Mulder handed her a heavy sweater to add to her clothing. "We’ll stay in Nova. It’s too cold for you to be walking outside at this time of the night."

"I’m not going to freeze, Mulder." Scully was ceaselessly amused by Mulder’s over-protective streak. She hadn’t found it funny when they were partners, but now, away from the censorious eyes of OPR and their other detractors, she allowed his pampering, without any protest. Well, not much anyway.

"I know that but…" He trailed off, with no plan to elaborate on his thoughts. "Ready?"

Scully reached up and turned down the last of the lamps to a very dull glow. "Yes."

"Let me know when you get tired."

Scully smiled at him as he shut their door. "I will. Walking might help my back." She added aimlessly.

"You didn’t tell me your back was bothering you." Mulder looked her up and down as if that would explain her aliment.

Scully shrugged. "Nothing much. Just a little achy." They walked in a comfortable silence for a while, only giving brief greetings to the few people making their nightly trips to the woodpile or the water source. "Mulder?"

"Hmm?" He glanced at her for a moment. He was enjoying the silence. It gave him time to think. About nothing in particular, just to let his mind wander and decompress.

Scully’s speech faltered for a moment. "Do you want a boy or a girl?"

Mulder let out a nervous laugh. "I… I don’t know, Scully."

She looked at him in disbelief. "Yes you do."

"Scully, no matter what I say it won’t be the right answer. This is a trick question."

"There is no right answer." Scully insisted.

Mulder let out a tense breath. "Ok, I’ll tell you. But don’t ask me to explain why or anything, ok?"

"Deal." She said excitedly.

He looked at her with an unidentifiable smile. "Girl."

"Really?" At his nod she made a soft intrigued sound. "I figured you would want a boy."

"Why’s that?"

Scully shrugged. "I don’t know. The father’s usually want a boy. You know, to play football with-"

"We don’t have a football." Mulder interrupted with a grin.

Rolling her eyes, she continued. "And the mother’s want girls to dress up and play with their hair."

"Are you saying you want a girl?" He asked quickly.

Scully thought about it for a moment. "Not necessarily… I really don’t know what I want."

"Yes you do." Mulder used her words against with a mischievous smile.

"No, really. I don’t."

Mulder shrugged. "Fine. Don’t tell me, it’s ok." He looked at her with his kicked puppy face.

Scully laughed softly, taking his hand and sandwiching it between both of hers. "Seriously. I don’t know. That’s why I asked you. To see if it would motivate direct thinking in one particular way." Scully studied the differences in their hands for a few moments. "It didn’t though." She smiled up at him. "I still don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter."

"I know it doesn’t. I would like a baby girl. But a boy… Well, as you said, male pride in a male offspring. But the thought of a little girl, as beautiful as you... That’s a wonderful thing too."

Scully blushed slightly as he directed her back into their room. She has no idea how long they were walking for, she barely remembered passing the main fire quite a few times. Her feet now ached slightly, but the rest of her body felt refreshed. They both stripped away most of their clothes, without turning up the lamps and settled into bed. Mulder gently rolled Scully on to her side, facing away from him. Scully smiled sleepily as Mulder pressed the heel of his hand against the base of her spine applying pressure.

"This good?"

"Mmm." She sighed softly. "A little higher. Perfect." Scully said as he found the right spot. She fell asleep before his hand left her body.

Day 203

Mulder jolted awake to the pounding at his door.

"Mulder! Mulder there’s a fire!"

He stumbled from the bed, the sheets tangled around his waist slowing him down. "I’m coming!" Mulder yelled as he pulled on his jeans and shoes.

"Mulder?"

"Go to the Medical Room." He told Scully as he pulled open the door to the hallway, the acid smell of smoke was still light in the air, but strong enough to send another rush of adrenaline through his body. Out of the corner of his eye Mulder saw Scully nod. "Where is it?" He asked a panicked Eric once he stepped out the door.

"Jane’s room, right next to mine."

Mulder nodded and they made their way down the hall at a gallop. "Is she still in there?"

"No, but her son is." Eric said softly between huffs of the thickening air.

Mulder’s stomach dropped. Jane had a five year old son, James. Her husband was killed during the first attacks when most of their house collapsed on them. She had made the hike to Nova alone with her young boy.

"She left him to get firewood, she started talking with someone. Jane says he was asleep." Eric continued.

Rounding the slight curve in the hallway, Mulder struggled not to completely double over as the smoke filled his lungs. Squinting in the gray haze he saw Skinner and a few other people struggling to control the flames with buckets of water. "Is he still in there?" Mulder called to Skinner as he crouched by his side at the doorway, trying to look in amongst the flames and smoke.

Skinner nodded grimly as he coughed.

"Should we start moving people out?" Kevin asked as he threw another bucket of water into the room.

"No." Mulder said with a quick look down the hallway, people had started to gather, forming an assembly line to pass water quickly. "It shouldn’t spread beyond this room. It’s too cold to have people standing outside if it’s not necessary." Water was continually poured into the room, it began to be difficult to hear anyone over the sizzles and pops of the fire. "I’m going to go in there." Mulder said suddenly.

Skinner grabbed his arm forcefully. "No you aren’t"

"I have to." Mulder pulled his shirt up over his mouth after wetting all his clothes down until he was soaked. "The fire is over in that corner." He pointed to the direct right where Jane said the dresser and lamps were. "I’ll check the bed which is over there." The far left side of the room.

"I can’t let you do it." Skinner said.

"Scully would go in herself if she was able." Mulder said with firm contact with Skinner’s eyes. He knew Skinner was thinking about Scully, so was he. "I’ll be in and out. Just like that." Mulder snapped his fingers before ducking his head and crawling into the heat. The moment the flames surrounded him Mulder felt a panic, starting deep in his chest and spreading every where. His fingers to his toes. And he froze.

For how long he didn’t know. Time stood still as he felt his clothes heat and begin to singe on the edges. A hot ember sparked and landed on the back of his hand. Mulder jumper and flicked it from his hand. With a deep burning breath he forced his body forward. Ignoring the fear and focusing on finding the young boy somewhere in the small but smoke filled room.

Barely making the bed out amongst the thick air, Mulder made his way towards it, all the while struggling to get enough air into his lungs. Behind him he could hear the sizzle and sputtering of the fire as it was doused with water. Boiling drops of condensation fell from the ceiling onto his skin. He could feel where blisters were beginning to form on his partially exposed arms. But he was finally at the bed. Feeling his way around he hoisted himself up onto the edge. It was impossible to see through the steamy haze. Mulder felt around the bed. His stomach started to knot more with each inch he reached and did not encounter James. Finally, reaching the furthest corner he found the warm bundle of flesh curled into the sheets. He tried to call out to him, but only choked on the smoke. Mulder tucked the boy under one of his arms and dropped back down to the floor. Judging by the suddenly decreasing brightness of the room the fire was almost out, but the smoke still made it impossible to see. Dragging James as best he could, Mulder made his way toward where the door should be. He could hear Skinner calling his name, but could only cough and wheeze in response. Mulder inched his way along the floor, cringing as the tender skin on his palm came in contact with the remaining embers and hot water.

Suddenly James was pulled from under his arm and someone grabbed Mulder by the collar, hauling him out of the room and down the hall into cleaner air. Mulder lay coughing and gagging for a few long moments as James was carried off to the Medical Room. Finally, being able to breathe, Mulder lay on his back, eyes closed, and let the cool air burn his lungs.

"Mulder? Are you all right?" Skinner asked, kneeling by his side.

He just nodded numbly.

"Ok. Scully is with James now. He was breathing when you pulled him out, burned pretty bad in some places. Can you get up? Scully is going to want to take a look at you."

Mulder just nodded again. After another moment’s rest he rolled over onto all fours, letting himself catch his breath again before Skinner helped to his feet.

"Oh she is going to kick your ass." Skinner said with amusement as he dragged Mulder down the hallway. After a long slow walk Skinner opened the door of the Medical Room and deposited Mulder on the nearest cot.

Scully glanced up from where she was tending James with an obvious look of relief to Skinner as he gave a slight nod and left to start cleaning up the damaged area. With a final check on James, Scully walked to Mulder and pulled a chair in front of him. "Are you ok?" She asked cupping his jaw in her palms. Mulder nodded tiredly. "Do you think you can talk?"

Mulder thought for a moment. Judging by the pain that just breathing caused he wasn’t in a hurry to try speaking. So he shook his head slightly.

Scully nodded and tugged on his tee shirt until he raised his arms so she could pull it off. Next she unbuttoned his jeans and motioned for him to lie down so she could pull his shoes and pants off. Once left in only his boxers she bought a tub of water over and a soft cloth. Mulder let his eyes slip shut as Scully washed the soot from his face. Scully frowned at the frequency of his cringes when she hit a tender or blistered area. "You have a lot of burns." She said softly. "None look to bad, nothing a little aloe and bandaging won’t take care of."

Mulder made a soft agreeable noise in the back on his throat. A moment later he let out a hiss as Scully began to carefully clean the large burns on his hands and arms.

"This will only take a minute, then you can get some rest." She said softly. After wrapping what spots could be, Scully ran her hand through his hair. "You’re hair is pretty singed too." She said with an amused smile.

Mulder just murmured wordlessly.

"Get some sleep." She pulled a few blankets over him. "I want to stay here with James tonight, so you might as well to."

Opening his eyes slightly Mulder tugged on Scully’s hand, trying to pull her down in bed with him. She shook her head slightly and leaned down to kiss his forehead. "I want to clean James’ burns again in a little while. Then I will go to sleep. I promise." She rubbed his cheek until his eyes closed again and his breathing evened out.

Day 204

At Mulder’s painful groan Scully walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." He groaned louder. "You look like hell." She said good naturally, rubbing her hand over the center of his chest.

"I feel like hell." He whispered hoarsely as he struggled to sit up. "How’s he doing?" Mulder gestured to James asleep on the other side of the room.

"Good." Scully tilted his face each way to look at the burns. "His mother will be back in a few minutes, then, since you are awake we can go back to our room. I want you to rest for another few days." With a sigh she let go of his face and leaned in close. "I hope you realize what you did was really stupid."

"But very necessary."

"I know." She mumbled.

"How are you?" Mulder asked softly, placing his hand on her belly.

Scully put her hand over his. "Good. I’m tired though. I didn’t get too much sleep last night." The door opened and Scully smiled over her shoulder at Jane.

"Oh, Mulder." Jane ran and wrapped her arms around his neck, oblivious to his wince of pain. "Thank you so much. I… There aren’t any words to express…."

"It was my pleasure." Mulder said slightly uncomfortably when Jane stepped back.

Scully stood, sensing Mulder’s uncertainty on how to handle this. "Well Jane, if you need anything I’ll be in my room."

"Yes, of course. You both get some rest."

Scully helped Mulder to his feet, the best she could and they slowly, but determinedly left the room.

Mulder glanced at Scully nervously out of the corner of his eye as they walked down the hallway. Opening his mouth to speak every few seconds, but changing his mind and clamping it closed again.

When they reached the doorway of their room Scully stood in front of it, hands braced on the frame to block it.

"Scully… What are you doing?" Mulder wasn’t sure if he should be concerned that this was some reaction to the hormones raging in her body or if she had finally had enough of his stupid stunts and was kicking him out.

"We aren’t going in until you tell me why you keep looking at me like that, and what it is that you want to say but can’t seem to work the guts up to." She smiled at him as he turned his head away from her in embarrassment. "Come on Mulder, you know you can’t pull one over on me." Scully laughed softly.

"I…. It’s nothing. It can wait."

"No it can’t." She said, still smiling at him. She knew she had him now. "I want to know what has you so preoccupied lately."

Taking a deep breath Mulder met her eyes. "Ok….I um…" He trailed off.

Raising her eyebrows Scully waited, with a small smile. "Spit it out." She said after he struggled for a moment.

Flashing her a nervous smile, Mulder focused. "Ok…. Will you marry me, Scully?"

Scully laughed, Mulder wasn’t sure what to think about that. "Sure, Mulder. I’ll marry you." Scully continued laughing as she turned to open the door, Mulder caught her around the waist and turned her back to him.

"Scully… I’m serious."

Leaning her weight back against the door she smile up at him. "Mulder, there is no marriage in Nova. We both know that. I’m not going anywhere so you don’t need to give a meaningless title to us."

Mulder let out a long breath, turning his eyes away from her.

"What?" She asked losing her smile. "Mulder, why are you acting like that?"

He suddenly laughed, an embarrassed and nervous laugh. "The other day I… I talked to Father Ryan…."

"Mulder?"

"He um… He said he will marry us. Of course there won’t be any papers or anything… but I know a religious wedding would have something you wanted…" Mulder trailed off, shaking his head at his stupidity.

"You would do that for me?" Scully asked softly in disbelief.

He nodded. "You know I would do anything for you." He paused, gauging her reaction. "So… how about it?" Biting his lip he leaned down slightly to her level. "Will you marry me?"

Scully smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, I’ll marry you."

Notes: Hi again everyone. Sorry for the wait, things are slowing down around here so posting should be getting better. You all owe Evie a huge thanks for telling me to make this one part! I was going to stop at the mentioning of the fire and make you wait, but I was nice =). And to all you readers who were begging me for a wedding, you didn’t convince me, I’m sorry to tell you. I’ve had this planned for a long time. Hang in there! I’m trying to write faster!