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

(46/?)

Day 248 (continued)

Mulder blinked at her for a moment. "Are you sure?"

Scully gave a short nervous laugh. "Yes. Mulder, I’m sure." She gestured to her now wet pants.

The moment the panic set in was visible on Mulder’s face. "Lay down." He ordered, walking over and moving her feet up on the bed. His mind quickly going through the many pages of labor instruction he had read.

"Mulder, relax." She said, trying to do just that herself. "I’ve had one contraction-"

"The labor process speeds up the moment water breaks." He recited, as he gently pulled off her pants. Keeping his voice calm and even was by far one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. Scully was in labor. Actual labor. His mind was still struggling to catch up with its surroundings.

Scully took a deep breath, trying to ease the nervousness in her stomach as she shifted to rest herself comfortably on the bed. She watched for a moment as Mulder moved to get her a clean pair of pants. "What you doing?"

He glanced over his shoulder quickly. "You just need to put them on for a minute while I get you to the Medical Room." For months he had the plan of how this event would go worked out in his head. Part of him believed that if it went how he had pictured, nothing could possible go wrong.

"We can’t go there." Scully said quickly. "Skinner is still there."

Mulder paused as he kneeled down to help her into the pants. "He can go back to him room, Amanda can take care of him in there."

"No." Mulder looked up at her, shocked to see she looked like a frightened animal. "I want to stay here." Scully crossed her arms protectively over her belly. The thought of walking into that room, anywhere, and meeting up with someone made her heart pound even harder in her chest. Not many people had seen Scully when she was scared, truly scared. Mulder was the only person out of those few that was still alive that she knew of. Scully had no plans to add to that list.

"Scully-"

"No. I want to stay in the room, Mulder. I don’t want to leave. I’m staying."

He didn’t know how to respond to her defensive and determined tone. "Ok…" Mulder said slowly, looking around the room. Cautiously he brought his gaze back to her. "Are you sure I can’t take you to the Medical Room?" Mulder immediately held up his hand to ward off her protests after the angry look she shot him. "I have to go get a few things then." Suddenly his plans were turned upside down, but he was determined to shift through the rubble and get through this.

Nervously Scully ran her hands over her belly. "Ok." Her throat went painfully dry at the thought of spending even a minute alone.

Mulder moved to her upper body and began to pull off her shirt. "Let’s get you a little more comfortable, ok?"

She nodded and raised her arms she he pulled the first layer of her shirts over her head. She lowered her arms with a sharp gasp, immediately turning it into deep practiced breaths. It shocked her how quickly her instinct took over and made her breathe evenly, even though she wanted to double over in pain. But just after the first cleansing breath her body relaxed some, the pain leaving with the air.

Gently, as to not distract Scully too much, Mulder pushed her hair away from her face as it started to stick to the thin sheen of sweat. "That’s it." He said gently as she breathed through her second contraction.

Scully let out one last long breath. "These are coming fast." She said weakly. Suddenly she wished the wives tale of a woman’s first labor taking hours upon hours was true. Scully didn’t feel ready for this. Her body: yes, her mind: no.

Mulder just nodded as he pulled off the rest of her clothing quickly. "Here, lets put this on." He pulled a large short sleeved shirt over her head. "Are you warm enough?"

Scully nodded quickly.

Giving her a reassuring smile, Mulder picked up her hands and kissed them lightly. "I’m going to go, I’ll be right back. Ok?" A little part of him wished she would say no, that he couldn’t leave her. Even for a minute. Because he didn’t want to. Mulder wanted to climb into bed with her, wrap his arms around her body and take away some of her pain.

She nodded and tugged his hands close to her. Mulder met her half way and gave her a gentle kiss. "Hurry, please." Scully whispered.

Mulder quickly stood. "Trust me, I will." Without another look, for fear he wouldn’t be able to tear himself away from her, he left the room. It was all he could do not to run down the hallway, but there was nothing he could do to stop his jog. Throwing open the door to Medical Room he stumbled upon Skinner and Amanda talking quietly.

"You ok, Mulder?" Skinner asked as he looked Mulder up and down. His face was flushed, from his run to the room and an intense mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"Scully’s in labor." He said in a breath.

Amanda jumped up from the bed. "Do you need help?" The truth was she had no idea what to do, she had barely read anything about childbirth. But she was willing to try.

Mulder was busy gathering together the items he had organized for this moment last month. "No, thanks."

"Wait a second." Skinner said, sitting upright more on the bed. "Who’s delivering the baby then?" He had been so wrapped up in his life with Amanda, or lack there of, for the past few months he missed details like this.

Straightening up, bounty in hand, Mulder smiled nervously. "You’re looking at him."

Amanda let out a surprised laugh. She figured she would have better luck then Mulder. Then again, the man never ceased to amaze her.

"Listen." Mulder said lightly making his way towards the door. "I would love to stand here and talk about how unqualified and scared to death I am about doing this. And how much I wish I could hand this responsibility over to someone else so I can start pacing and wait for the baby to be born. But the pregnant lady said I’m doing it, so I’m doing it."

"If you need any help come and get me." Amanda said as she opened the door for Mulder so he wouldn’t have to jungle his armload.

Mulder nodded gratefully. "I will, Thanks." Though he prayed he would have no need to.

"Good luck." Skinner called as Mulder hurried down the hallway, stopping only to add a bucket of water to his already heavy load.

Somehow he managed to open the door to his room without dropping anything. "Everything alright?" He asked Scully the moment he stepped inside.

Scully nodded, looking worried. The few minutes she was alone ticked by like years.

Depositing his items on the table he sat beside her with a damp cloth in his hands. "Lean back a little." Mulder whispered, placing the cloth over her forehead as she did. "Did you have another contraction while I was gone?"

"No." She said softly. Her heart pounded in her ears so loudly she could barely hear herself speak. Before she went into labor and thought about the whole process she was frightened. She knew it would be painful, hopefully not too long, and probably the most emotional experience of her life. The moment she went to into labor she could think of nothing else other then the fact that after some very severe pain she was going to be responsible for a new life. The care, the nurturing, the education, the love, the list went on and on.

Mulder smiled brightly at her, stroking her flushed cheek the back on his fingers. "Relax."

"This is coming from the man who began to fidget nervously every time you thought of this moment. What’s with the sudden air of nonchalant?"

He shook his head clueless. "Adrenaline maybe. Or the fact that it is actually happening so I better just deal with it."

Scully opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it as a strong contraction went through her body. Shutting her eyes tightly she squeezed Mulder’s hand to the point of pain.

But he did not utter a word as she breathed through her own, more pressing pain. He watched as the tension melted from her body in one last breath. "Ok?"

She nodded, a tear slipping from the corner of her closed eye.

Mulder leaned forward to kiss it away. "You are doing great." She nodded, finally opening her eyes. "You can do this." He said softly. "We both can."

"Yes, we can." She agreed with a smile. They had no choice, it came down to that.

"Ok." Mulder said looking around. "Let’s get you set up, this is happening a little faster then either of anticipated and I won’t want to be rushed later on."

"Where do you want me?" Scully asked, letting him take control of the situation, her mind wasn’t nearly as together at his seemed to be.

"Slide closer to the foot of the bed, so that I can kneel at the bottom. Here, I’ll help you." Gently he helped her wiggle down a few feet, pilling pillows up for her to lean back on. "Do you want to sit up?"

Scully was quiet for a moment. She hadn’t thought about these slight details beforehand, which surprised her. She had felt fairly prepared, now she was flustered and nervous. "I think so."

Mulder nodded and set more pillows up for her. "Lean back and tell me if that is ok."

"Perfect." She said softly.

With a nod he slowly moved down to her feet, trying not breaking physical contact with her if not necessary. Mulder moved everything to the foot of the bed, so that he wouldn’t have to move far away from Scully and the baby. "How do you want your legs?"

"I don’t know." Scully said suddenly feeling tired. Mulder had everything under control, she saw that and her body responded how it wanted it, with lethargy. Maybe it was human nature, suddenly slowing down to store energy for the actual birth, or maybe her adrenaline wore off.

Mulder ran his hands up and down her calves after he bent them so her feet were flat on the mattress. "This ok?"

She nodded dully.

With one last look around, Mulder felt everything was ready, he just had to wait on the baby now. He was becoming anxious, while Scully was the complete opposite. He moved from the foot of the bed and sat slightly behind Scully, running his hands over her shoulders and arms. "Comfortable?"

"I think as much as I can be, yes." Scully leaned her head back onto his shoulder. "I’m feeling tired."

Mulder kissed her temple lightly. "Go ahead and rest. Just let me know when you feel like you want to push as the contractions get closer."

"I know." She said with a smile. "I am the doctor after all."

"Not tonight you aren’t. Dr. Mulder is here to take care of you." He said with a snicker.

Scully made a small whimpering noise as another contraction started. Mulder quickly moved to take her hand, letting her breath through it. Instinctively he wanted to help her breath, to coach her through it. But they had decided beforehand that he wouldn’t do that. Not when he would have to be focusing on the baby.

"They are getting stronger." She said breathlessly after a few moments rest.

"That’s good." Mulder hugged her gently from behind. "Fast labor means less pain I would assume."

Scully nodded enthusiastically. "Less pain in a very good thing." She sucked in another quick breath.

"Another one?" Mulder asked in shock.

She nodded as she released a long breath.

Reluctantly Mulder slid away from her and down to the foot of the bed, making a quick stop to retrieve one of the pans of hot water he had on the stove. Washing his hands quickly but thoroughly he gently lifted the sheet tenting Scully’s lower body, just as she relaxed back into the pillows.

"I’m not ready to push yet." She informed Mulder in a slightly panicked tone.

"Ok." He said gently. "Don’t try to rush anything, Sweetheart." Mulder expected to feel a little odd examining Scully in the way he was, but he didn’t. It felt completely natural for him to be checking the progress of the birth of his child. "Everything looks text book so far." He said in relief, covering her again.

With a tired hand Scully wiped sweat from her brow.

"Here, let me get that." Mulder said moving to dampen the cloth. Placing it gently on her forehead he tucked her damp hair behind her ears. "You’re doing great." He whispered honestly in her ear. The pain was obvious, but Scully had kept her usual brave face.

"This is happening too fast." She whispered.

"That’s good." Mulder reassured, tenderly rubbing her belly. "I’m going to miss this." He said with a soft laugh. He loved her pregnant body. So full and healthy. She was so alive. His thoughts were interrupted by another contraction hitting Scully. He waited it out with her. Wiping away the damp streams on her cheeks and kissing her face lightly. "I think it’s time you start to push. Maybe another contraction or two, but these are coming fast and strong."

"Oh God." Scully whispered, panic settling deep in her chest.

Mulder moved down the bed once again. "It’s going to be ok, Scully. Do you think you are ready to push?"

With a clenched jaw she nodded, feeling another contraction coming around the corner.

"This one?"

Scully quickly shook her head. She wasn’t ready. She needed another moment to collect her mind. This was actually happening. She was about to give birth to her child.

Mulder squeezed her knee as she breathed through the pain with one hand, and lifted away the sheet with the other. "The baby is crowning." He said with a twist of nervousness in his stomach.

Scully nodded. "I’m ready."

"All right." An intense wave of adrenaline passed over Mulder. With a long released breath from Scully, Mulder watched as her face twisted with concentration and pain. "You’re going great, Scully." He said softly as he guided the baby’s head out her body. "Keep pushing, Sweetheart."

She stopped as the contraction ended, panting and struggling to wipe the sweat from her eyes with a tired hand. "Are the shoulders out?" Scully asked breathlessly.

"Just about."

"Everything ok?" Scully barely got the words out before she had to push again.

"Perfect, Scully. Just keep pushing." He answered, half his attention on her and half on the new life he held partly in his hands.

Scully collapsed back into the pillows. "Mulder." Said softly, not in question, just as a statement.

Mulder pressed his lips to the inside of Scully’s knee. "You’re going great. One more push, ok?"

Her nod quickly segued into her last push.

In a moment the silent room filled with the cries of their baby. With a sob, of relief and joy, Scully fell back against the pillows. "Mulder?" Her exhausted voice called.

"She’s beautiful, Scully." He said is awe as he quickly cut the umbilical cord and cleaned the crying baby slightly. Never before had Mulder held something so precious, so amazing in his hands. He was looking at a true miracle.

"She?" Scully said, forcing her limbs to cooperate enough to sit up.

Cradling the wet baby against his chest, Mulder made his way over to Scully. At the moment he finally understood why Scully wanted him to deliver their baby. Knowing that he was the first person to touch their child, and that Scully would be the second… it just seemed right. It was how nature intended. Mulder eased the child, still wet from birth, onto Scully’s chest. "She is beautiful." Scully whispered as the baby quieted slightly due to Scully’s comforting stroking. She ran her hands over her whole, small body. Counting fingers and toes, tracing her plump cheeks, tiny hands, and rosebud mouth.

Mulder watched Scully hold the baby for a moment, his arms wrapped around her and his forehead against the side of her head. "I need to clean her up so she doesn’t get cold." He said after a few more moments.

"Ok." Scully said softly, reluctantly letting Mulder lift the child from her arms. She turned onto her side to watch him carefully carry the baby to the table to set her down a pile of blankets, gently washing her tender skin. Once cleaned he dressed her quickly in a cloth diaper and a simple cotton one piece to ward off chills.

"Mulder, I want to hold her." Scully called as he moved to set her in the crib.

"So do I." He said with a smile as he made his way back over to the bed. "But I need to clean you up too."

As he gently washed her, Scully looked longingly over to the other side of the room.

"Arms up." Mulder said, breaking her out of her daze. He quickly pulled a clean shirt over her head and helped move her to the top of the bed. "I’ll go get her." He pressed a long kiss to her forehead and moved to get the baby just as she began to cry. "Shh." He cooed softly as he wrapped a blanket around the small bundle and sat beside Scully.

Scully held out her arms expectantly.

"What should we name her?" She asked after a few moments of silence.

Mulder lifted his head slightly from where he was leaning back against the wall, Scully’s head resting on his shoulder. He ran his hand up and down the baby’s leg. "Any ideas?"

Scully’s eyes slowly began to close without her control as she leaned into Mulder’s warmth. "You wanted a girl so you must have something thought up." She smiled up knowingly. "Please share."

Mulder blushed a little. "I’ve always loved the name Aeryn."

Looking down at the baby, Scully smiled. "That is beautiful, Mulder. And it fits her for some reason. Aeryn it is."

Mulder felt a surge of pride at being able to name their daughter. "You pick a middle name."

Scully bit her lip. "I think…" She said slowly. "It would be fitting if we named her Hope."

Pressing his lips to Scully’s temple he let out a whispered. "Yes." Pulling way he looked down at the baby in Scully’s arms, Aeryn’s fingers had wrapped around his index finger without his even knowing it. "That is prefect."

"Aeryn Hope." Scully whispered softly. "Welcome to the world."

Notes: *sniffle* Need…tissue… *sniffle sniffle*

Ok, enough of that. Now wasn’t that a nice part? I didn’t do anything mean to you =). If I was smart I would end it right there, but I never said I was a smart person. Plus my muse isn’t don’t yet =). Almost there though, I swear.

Well thank you to all who sent in names. The reason this took so long is I couldn’t decided. Evie had to deal with me changing my mind every four seconds, Shell had to listen to me whine for a few nights. But in the end Shell came up with the name. Yay, Shell!!!!