Title: Nova

Author: Angel

Feedback: Please! I love every but of it!

Classification: MSR, Colonization fic. (If I say anymore I’d give it all away!)

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

(44/?)

Day 238

"He’s not mad at you." Mulder breathed in Scully’s ear as he leaned over, bracing a hand on either side of the doorframe, trapping Scully between the door to the Medical Room and himself.

Scully hung her head slightly, leaning back against Mulder’s chest. "But I’m mad at me."

His released breath stirred Scully’s hair. "I know. And I know there is nothing I can say to make you feel better. I’ve tried." Mulder laughed softly, trying to keep the lingering stress of the situation at bay. "But I think you will feel better after you talk with him."

Rubbing her hands over her arms, Scully nodded. "You’re probably right."

"Are you cold?"

"A little." She said with a shrug.

Without another word Mulder unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, revealing another long sleeved shirt underneath.

"Now you’ll be cold." Scully argued weakly as he turned her around to face him and gestured for her to put the shirt on.

Mulder pulled her arm through the sleeve as if he was dressing a toddler. "I’ll be fine."

Scully just raised her eyebrows letting him finish buttoning the shirt. Just to procrastinate from talking to Skinner. "Look at this." Scully said with a frown as she poked at the way the shirt tented over her belly.

With a soft laugh Mulder leaned over and kissed Scully’s cheek before reaching behind her to open the Medical Room door, forcing her in. Scully turned to see Amanda sitting on the edge of Skinner’s bed, talking softly to him. They both looked over as Mulder clicked the door shut behind her.

"Hi." She said weakly.

"Dana." Amanda said in surprise, raising from the bed to walk over and hug her gently. "How are you feeling?" She asked as she pulled away, trying to look discreetly at Scully’s bruises.

Scully turned her head away slightly, ashamed. "I’m better, thank you."

"It’s good to see you on your feet again, Scully." Skinner said with an honest smile.

"I’ve got some things to do." Amanda said quickly. "I’ll see you both later." With a smile towards Skinner she left the room.

Scully turned tensely towards Skinner.

"Come sit down." He said, gesturing a hand to the chair beside his bed.

She did as asked. Immediately bursting into tears. "I’m so sorry." She whispered around a hand over her mouth.

"It’s ok." Skinner said gently. Hesitantly he placed a hand on her arm, squeezing. "Amanda fixed me right up. Don’t worry about it." He said lamely.

"Don’t worry about it?! I could have killed you." Scully couldn’t bare to look at him so she plucked at the buttons of Mulder’s shirt.

"But you didn’t" He ran his hand down her arm and pulled her fidgeting fingers into his. Moments passed where neither said a word until Skinner broke the thick silence. "I believe everything happens for a reason. Don’t you?"

After a moment’s thought Scully nodded. The more she thought about it, and the more that happened in her life, it only seemed logical. Life was too complicated, too many choices and options for one thing not to lead to another, for them all not to be connected in a certain way. Fate maybe.

"Well I was shot and that lead to Amanda and I… Amanda and I being together again. It set that right."

Scully looked up at him uncertainly. After a moment she looked down to their embraced hands. "It doesn’t make me feel any better."

Skinner chuckled. "Honestly I’m not surprised. If I was in your situation I… I actually have no idea what I would be thinking."

For some reason that made Scully feel better. Looking up she held his eyes for the first time with a smile.

Somehow people were able to sense that Mulder was there to talk. Without uttering one word he stood in the Main Room and people joined him. Gathering around they all spoke at once in a soft concerned tones. "Is Dana all right?" "We haven’t seen her in days, is everything ok?"

Mulder smiled appreciatively at them. It still amazed him that this many people, all strangers only a few months ago, cared so much. These simple charms that adorned each and every neck in this complex system of catacombs immediately made a person an ally. Every week new people would arrive, weak, thin and freezing from their journey. They would be brought into the warm walls of Nova, given a room, small and drab but compared to the snowy ailments they come from very inviting. Supplied with more food then they had seen in months. With fresh milk, and meat when available. The comforts of a constant fire, a soft bed, and new clothes. And most importantly instant friends. Of course the initial judgements were passed, it was basic human nature. This person came from a pampered life, that person isn’t a Christian, that person isn’t Jewish, this one has such a large family-they will expect more then their fair share. But words were always kind, rumors where rumors. And they never lasted long. Walking the halls late in the evening Mulder would catch bits and pieces of conversations with the newcomers. All of which were intellectual and friendly.

Mulder had never experienced something like this. People consistently being good natured. He had to wonder if it was the surroundings or the situation. But it didn’t really matter, as long as it stayed like this. He believed that as long as people were arriving and there was work to be done and good people to do it, nothing would change.

"She is going to be ok." Mulder said with an involuntary smile.

Relieved murmurs and bright smiles were his replies.

Mulder cleared his throat after a moment. "I’m sure you are all wondering where we stand on the chip subject, so I will tell you. Scully is leaving it in." Ignoring the mumbling Mulder continued. "After a long discussion Scully and I both feel it is for the best at the moment. There is too much at stake if she was to remove the chip at this time. Besides, she was able to warn Nova once about an attack, I think this is a precious gift that we need to hang on to as long as everything stays under control." Mulder paused and looked out at everyone. "I’m very sorry if anyone has a problem with how we are dealing with this. I ask you to put yourself in our position. As far as we know this is the only thing keeping Scully alive at the moment. The only thing enabling her to keep this baby alive." Immediately the scattered grim faces softened. "It may be our only hope for knowing what the aliens are planning. In my opinion I don’t think there is much room for debate." Mulder’s hopes were too weak, too unsteady, to stand and wait for someone to argue them. Quickly he nodded to the crown, bowed his head slightly and walked away leaving the rumors to begin as he knew they would.

Day 240

Mulder glanced over at Scully from his seat at the table. She lay, like she had for the past hour, staring into the fire. Rising slowly, Mulder walked over and sat by her, rubbing his hand up and down the side of her thigh.

Scully looked away from to fire to his eyes with a soft smile.

"What you thinking about?"

She blushed a little and ran a hand over her stomach.

With a knowing smile Mulder moved to lay down behind her, covering her roaming hand with his own.

Scully rolled over with a grin. "So are you ready?"

He gave her a confused look.

"To deliver the baby?"

With a groan he lowered his head to bury it between her breasts. "Why do you like teasing me with this? You do realize I’m scared to death, don’t you?"

She kissed the top of his head. "I’m sharing my fear."

Mulder quickly looked up at her. "If you would rather-"

"No." She said quickly. "I’m just scared of the actual labor process, pain has never been my strong suit." She touched his cheek tenderly. "But having you there will make it much better."

"I would be there even if I wasn’t going to deliver the baby, Scully, you know that."

She nodded and ruffled his hair playfully. "I know. But for some reason having you being the only other person with me helps."

Mulder pulled back slightly. "You don’t want anyone else in the room? What if I need help? Scully…." He said uneasily.

"It will be ok." She said gently with a shrug. "I just don’t want anyone else there. Don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t." She laughed softly at herself. "I’ll blame it on hormones."

Frowning, Mulder set his head on the pillow next to Scully, staring at her uncertainly.

She pouted slightly. "Please, just trust me on this. It feels right."

"I don’t understand you one bit." He said in a tone that made Scully know he had agreed with her.

With a brilliant smile she leaned forward and kissed his nose.

"You know I can’t say no you to." He grumbled with a smile.

Scully hummed happily and settled herself close to Mulder, with her head under his chin. "Good night, Mulder." She said sweetly. The moment the words were out of her mouth a loud knock sounded at the door. "Ignore it." She quickly told Mulder, wrapping an arm around his waist and borrowing her face in his neck.

"You know I can’t do that." He groaned shifting his way out of bed. Mulder swung the door open the be greeted by Langly, Frohike, and Byers all grinning madly. "What the-?"

"Coming through." Langly announced at they pushed their way into the room.

Scully sat up on the bed with a look of shock. "Where in the world did you get that?" She asked as they lugged a freshly painted wooden crib into the far corner.

"We made it." Byers proclaimed.

Mulder’s jaw dropped open. "You’re kidding?"

"Oh my God… Thank you." Scully said hugging each man in turn, trying to hold back the grateful tears.

"Consider it our baby present to the both of you." Langly said patting the railing proudly.

"How did you build that so fast?" Mulder asked suspiciously.

Frohike frowned at his disbelieving tone. "We work well together."

Byers tactfully grabbed the other men by their elbows and dragged them to the door. "We can tell you two were just getting off to bed. We just wanted to bring it over as soon as we finished it."

"Bye!" Mulder and Scully heard called as the door was shut.

For a moment they just stood, staring that the new piece of furniture.

Scully walked up and ran her hand over the semi rough wood. "I hate to ask… but is it safe?" She laughed softly.

Mulder bit his lip and shrugged. Leaning down he picked up the small mattress and placed it in the crib. "It’s a tight fit." He muttered trying to press the mattress down. Scully walked up next to him and helped push.

There was a slight crack, then a clatter as the far side of the crib near the wall fell off and landed on the ground.

Scully slapped a hand over her mouth trying to hold in the laughter.

"Whoops." Mulder said as he took Scully by the shoulders and lead her back to bed. "I think that is a bad omen." Laughing he tucked the blankets around Scully. "We’ll fix it in the morning." Turning off the lamps he crawled back in bed next to a still giggling Scully.

"We won’t tell them that happened. The poor guy’s hearts will be broken." With one last laugh she rested her head on Mulder’s shoulder. "That was sweet of them though."

Nodding in agreement Mulder turned his head and kissed her forehead with a fond smile. "Night, Scully."

Notes: I don’t really have anything to say…. How odd! =)