TITLE: "The Galaxy Box" BY: Ten E-MAIL ADDRESS: kristena@ocean.com.au CATEGORY: V, A, H, MSR RATING: PG-13 SUMMARY: A few hours after the final scene of "Redux II", Scully makes a discovery that opens up a whole new universe of possibilities for herself and Mulder. TIMESPAN/SPOILER WARNING: "Gethsemane" and "Redux I & II". ARCHIVE INFO: It goes to Gossamer through xff. Can be archived anywhere as long as my name, addy and disclaimer stay intact. FEEDBACK: Love it. THANKS TO: The Usual Suspects (otherwise known as The Gang Which I Annoy But Who Doth Not Complaineth). DEDICATED TO: Lisa, as thanks for everything in the past year and to make up for the accidental irony of dedicating a UST to you last time, when you're one of the biggest shippers I know! DISCLAIMER: The X-Files and the characters of Mulder and Scully belong to Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and Fox Broadcasting, and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended, no profit will be gained. The X-Files: "The Galaxy Box" By Ten, January 1999, posted Feb Scully's hospital room: The room was at last clear of people. Father McCue had left earlier, along with Skinner. Scully blushed when she remembered how she had accused her boss of betrayal at FBI Headquarters. Bill and her mother had gone five minutes ago, and now Scully was lying in bed, free of doctors, nurses and a lot of the hardware she had been attached to just a few days ago, as well as free of being so close to death. And she waited, watching the door. It was night-time, and there was no bustling in the corridor. Her room was in dimness, but the staff had forgotten to pull the curtain closed, so she could still see out the window. /Where are you, Mulder? Perhaps he's waiting a few more minutes to make sure that Bill isn't coming back. Please, Mulder, I want to see you, I want to talk, I want your hand in mine again and I don't want to have to let it go this time, I want to be with you, I want another kiss, I want.../ Time passed. A nurse, Suzi, came in, boosting the lights. "Still not asleep? Perhaps a sedative..." "NO!" A frightening half-dream hovered in Dana's mind, of Mulder collapsed by her bedside, crying, but she was too drugged to comfort him. She knew the nurse would not force her to take a sedative, but nevertheless would like her to sleep because she had been so ill. "No, I'm fine. Has...have you seen my partner hanging around? He doesn't really like hospitals." Mulder had only visited a few times before her remission - but that was because of his 'death' and sssearch for answers & her cure and the Pentagon scavenger hunt and hearings with Blevins. But each time the nurses had seen the effects of the visits on both partners, the elation and devastation, and it was their main topic of conversation. "Julie said he was sitting outside your room earlier, looking pretty upset," Suzi said. "Then he bolted. Haven't seen him since." "He ran?" "Yeah. Don't worry, Miss Scully." Scully didn't correct her. When you get a second (or third) chance at life, why quibble about a title? Plus, she was more concerned about Mulder. Suzi continued, "When a loved one is so sick and then suddenly in remission, emotions can be very confusing and intense. He'll be back tomorrow - maybe even sooner if he wants his suit jacket back!" "What do you mean?" "He left in such a hurry that his suit jacket was still draped over one of the chairs out there." "Can you bring it in here, please?" At the nurse's look, Scully said hastily, "It'll save cluttering up the nurses' desk, and I have to check it - he may have left his cellular in a pocket. Or his ID - it isn't the sort of thing you want lying around. It'll be safer with me." The nurse hesitated. "All right." Dana was relieved. She could hold the material and be close to him, smell his smell, and feel secure. Maybe even sleep. The wait would be unbearable otherwise. Soon Suzi returned with the jacket and Scully reached for it eagerly. She patted down the pockets as the nurse turned the lights up a little more. No ID. No cellular. But there was something bulky in the inner breast pocket. A small box, with an envelope attached to the lid bearing the word: "SCULLY". Suzi noticed the card, which was battered at the edges. "Well, that should perk you up a bit. I'll put the jacket over the back of this chair. Okay?" Scully nodded absently, holding the gift. The nurse left. All thoughts of curling up with Mulder's jacket had also left. Dana fingered the box. A brooch, perhaps? Or another keyring? She knew that she shouldn't, but she wanted to open it now. She wanted to see his present and read his words and, in that way, be close to him. Her soul craved him. The box wasn't tied up or wrapped. She could lift the lid and then shut it again, and Mulder need not know that she'd peeked. For the first time in a long time, she felt eager, excited. She hesitated, then raised the lid. Then nearly dropped the lot. It was a ring. A silver ring full of small diamonds, like a starfield. And a single pearl was deep-set in the middle, like the moon. It was beautiful. It was them. A ring full of promise and love. And a vow. Dana's hand was shaking. /Is this a friendship ring, an I'm-so-grateful-you're-alive ring... ...or an engagement ring?/ Because it sure looked like the latter. Scully pulled it gently out of the black velvet bedding and examined the inside of the band. No inscription - the band was too narrow for that. The diamonds winked at her. Just like Mulder did occasionally. /What does this mean?/ Scully tried to calm her breathing. /The card!/ She carefully put the ring back in the box and pulled the card off the lid. She couldn't open the envelope without tearing it, but at this point she didn't care about Mulder finding out. She had to know. Rip. The card was free, a simple, white rectangle of paper in her hand. The date was four months ago. "Dear Scully, I bought this ring when you first told me of your condition. And by that I'm not saying that I did it because I felt sorry for you. It just brought home a lot of things to me. This ring is whatever you wish it to be. It represents everything; my deep respect for you, what our friendship and partnership means to me, how grateful I am that you are a part of my life. Truth, trust and love. Yes - love. It's guaranteed to sparkle no matter what finger you decide to put it on, just like you do and will - on whatever path you choose - with me or without me. But if you put it on a certain finger of your left hand, I will be more than happy to travel that path with you. I keep carrying it around, trying to work up the courage to give it to you. One of these days I am going to. I hope that today is the day... Love, Mulder" Scully cried. Tears of happiness and sadness poured out, for all that they had endured and in wonder of how many times Mulder must have carried the box with him. She read the note over and over and clutched at the box, mind reeling. * * * * * * * * * * Mulder did not want to be here. Or rather, he didn't want Scully to be here. But she was, /and she's in remission, she's in remission/ he chanted to himself, /and I have to see her,/ so he was able to endure coming into the building again. His head and heart still ached from Scully and Bill and Sam and Cancerman - Mulder had taken home the blood-spattered childhood photo Skinner had returned to him. The nurse smiled, not telling Mulder off for the late hour. "Oh, your jacket is in Miss Scully's room." He nearly went to say 'Agent Scully', but he wasn't sure if she would be much longer. If she would want to stay. He'd forgotten about his jacket. For the last few days he'd been hovering between overwhelming numbness and desperation. No room to feel cold or hot. But now it was all catching up with him. Scully was asleep. He didn't want to wake her. He took in the sight of her - the fuel that he ran on. /Just one touch, just one touch and I'll be able to sleep for a few hours tonight myself./ It would be a change from the last endless months. He reached over and gently stroked her hair. The red on white kept beckoning, but he made himself stop. He'd just grab his jacket and go - Scully turned over, eyes open. Mulder jumped, startled and guilty. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to wake you..." She was smiling. "I've been waiting for you. I knew you'd come." Feeling awkward, Mulder went to kiss her cheek as he had on every other visit here, but he hesitated. It felt different now that she was away from the edge. He wanted to kiss her, but would she let him? It was the sort of thing they reserved strictly for life-and-death situations. What about now? Her hand stole out into his, and he grasped it firmly in grateful relief. Just as good as a kiss, only more...'proper'? They just watched each other intently, happily, him still standing by the bed. It took a few minutes for him to realise that something was strange. Scully's hand felt different. /Well, she has lost a lot of weight and -/ She was wearing a ring. /Huh? Scully never wears rings./ Mulder looked down. She laughed at his expression and turned her hand over as he opened his fingers. There, resting on his palm, was Scully's hand, wearing a ring. It took him a few seconds to realise that it was *his* ring. And a few more seconds after that to realise that it was on the ring finger of her left hand. He stared. And slowly full comprehension of the implications trickled into his brain. She smiled. She was wearing his ring. She was glowing. He had never seen anything more sweet or more sexy in his life. /Though if those were silk sheets instead of hospital cotton.../ "You...you mean..." "Yes," she whispered, with a big, radiant, alive grin. "Yes, Mulder." "Yes?" "Yes. This path. This is where this ring belongs. And us." "The Consortium? The Bureau?" He had to ask. He was willing to risk their collected wrath but he wanted her to be sure. When he bought the ring he had decided that in some matters it was best to feel and act rather than just think and worry and therefore never take the chance. Though then he'd never gotten around to giving it to her, more nervous about her reaction than of their enemies. /Typical./ She gave him a look, and he realised that she was wondering if he was backing out. He gave her a burst of their silent communication. Her eyes widened slightly in understanding. Scully bowed her head and looked at the ring and their hands. Her voice was husky with tears. "I'm not going to waste another day of hiding what I feel for you or this. They've done their worst already." She looked up at him again. Seeing the ring on her hand was suddenly not as important as seeing the love on her face, unhidden. Their disagreements, their enemies, Sam, the last few days and the last terrible year all retreated into the background. Mulder leaned forward and hugged his partner fiercely. She hugged back, but as soon as Mulder's head cleared, he loosened his hold a bit, worried that he was being too heavy-handed. For a while, all was quiet, and some healing tears slipped down. "Mulder?" "Hmmmm..." he whispered into her hair. Her voice sounded strange. "An engaged woman has certain...rights..." He pulled back, staring at her in puzzlement. "What?" There was an edge to her smile that he'd only seen a few times before. Like when he'd wiped the barbecue sauce off her mouth years ago... "This." Scully leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Mulder expected it to be a gentle kiss, a promise of things to come when she was stronger. For two seconds it was just that, wonderfully sweet - then she pressed harder and her tongue was in his mouth and boy, was she checking it out! For a second he was shocked, then he wanted to laugh, then he responded. Now he knew what to label that smile. Sultry Scully. They kissed passionately for a nice long time. Then Mulder gently eased away while he could still vaguely recall his own name. "The nurse is gonna have my head. You get some sleep, and I'll be back first thing in the morning." "Okay." She held out her left hand. The galaxy gleamed on it and was born again in the glow of his eyes. He held her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry that I snooped in the box, Mulder - well, not SORRY sorry, I couldn't regret this outcome, but... Are you angry that I -" "Do I look it? I'm so happy that you did. Oh - should I...y'know, ask your mother for permission to marry you?" Then he thought, /Oh God, she's not going to get me to ask Bill, is she?/ Scully gave a mock-affronted look. "Why, are you planning on marrying my mom? It's a sweet thought, Mulder, but I think my permission is enough. And I don't give a damn what Bill thinks of the matter." Mulder breathed again. /My little mindreader./ Suzi came in. She took in the pair of red and teary yet happy faces before her and smiled. "So much for not disturbing her," the nurse said to Mulder. "Miss Scully - " "Mrs Mulder-to-be," Dana corrected her calmly and held her hand out on show. "Cut him some slack, I just got engaged to this stud." "That's wonderful, Miss Scully. I'll leave you two in peace, but you might want to consider getting some sleep. He looks even more tired than you, and that's saying something..." Mulder found two gazes firmly analysing him. "Hey, knock it off!" "She's right," Scully declared. "You need to get some rest." "Yes, ma'ams..." The nurse left to spread the news at the desk. Mulder ran his hand possessively through Scully's hair. "I'll sleep really well tonight," she said. He grinned, gave her hand a final squeeze, and went to leave. "Mulder - jacket." He grinned sheepishly at Scully's reminder and grabbed it up, then turned again. "Mulder." Her voice was more commanding and insistent. "Kiss." He delivered, this time not treating her lips and body like they were eggshells. "You're learning. I can't wait until you don't have to leave me of a night." "I could get used to this fiance thing - if I'd known this is how you'd react, I would have given you a ring ages ago!" Her look and words and voice were intoxicating to him. He couldn't believe how changed he felt from the almost-wreck of a few hours ago. Things would be all right. He may have lost his sister again - if it was her - but the gains... "First thing in the mornnning, I'll be here. I promise." Finally Mulder left the room, laughing silently. Neither of them had bothered to correct the 'Miss Scully'. Mrs Mulder...now that would be even better than Agent. THE END.