By Sara Lynn

*DO NOT ARCHIVE*

SUMMARY: Following BIRTHDAY SURPRISE -- The Mulders begin their new life together

SPOILER WARNING: Reading BIRTHDAY SURPRISE will definitely be of help.

Set after the episode Tempus Fugit (timewise; no spoilers). Of course, it’s a post Memento Mori. If you don’t know Scully has cancer, you do now.

TITLE EXPLANATION: The title of the series comes from a graphic novel by Joyce Brabner (Sweet, sweet woman) and Harvey Pekar.

RATING: Not for children under 17

CONTENT WARNING/CLASSIFICATION: S, MSR is mandatory. Please, They’re married!

DISCLAIMER: Fox Mulder & Dana Scully are creations of Chris*t* Carter (According to Creative Loafing) and owned by Twentieth Century Fox. Anyone else I mention in here probably isn’t mine. The Franks are based on friends of mine and therefore don’t belong to me.

FEEDBACK: I won’t get better unless you write and tell me what you do or don’t like about my story. It’s as easy as hitting reply. Please don’t flame. Those aren’t very nice.

* * *

"That’s the last . . . box." He said with a groan. The final piece had been placed on the soft carpeting of the living room. Fox Mulder wiped his brow with the bandana around his hand to remove the sweat of hauling the boxes up. He brushed the piece of cloth over his bare chest and let out the breath of air he had held for the longest time.

After this moment, it was official; Dana Scully-Mulder and her husband were finally living together in their Brentwood townhouse. Within only a span of a two weeks vacation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, they had gotten married and moved in together. It had been sheer bliss for them and only promised to be heaven for the agents.

Dana walked in behind her husband, sorting through their mail. Fox turned to watch her as she closed the wooden door with a curved hip. Dana’s shapely legs showed toned and milky white under the khaki shorts. The denim work shirt she wore was oversized being one of Fox’s to begin with. For some reason it looked even better on her and rather sexy in his eyes.

Fox regarded his wife’s body as she turned around and placed the envelopes on the table. She made a half turn back towards him, reading one letter that seemed to liven her spirit. Fox came closer, gazing over her shoulder to see what had made her so happy. "Ellen wrote me. She says congratulations. I can’t wait for you to meet her and Trent. . ." Dana tried to turn her head towards him, but his firm hands had a hold on her neck. His fingers brushed the strands of crimson aside, his lips bending to touch the peach skin on the nape of her neck just above the gold chain bearing her cross.

"Fox," She said with honey dripping from her voice. "What are you doing?" She tried to look up in the small mirror next to the door. Fox was looking back at her and winked. Dana was not use to this side of her partner, lascivious and lurid, but it was always appreciated.

"You, Mrs. Fox Mulder, and I are going to christen every room in this house." Fox’s hands landed squarely on the cotton shoulders and moved down to meet the curve of Dana’s breast. She shivered at the deliberate slow motions Fox regarded her with. She closed her eyes, taking part of her lower lip in-between her front teeth.

Palms patted close to the round weight, pushing each side to the level of viewing through the vee of Dana’s shirt. She could feel the occasional passing of a thumb over the exact spot where her nipples jutted out. It had been a mistake she realized not to wear a bra that day. . . or maybe it hadn’t been.

Fox turned her around, dropping his head to her chest. She felt as the crest of his hair brushed over the top slope of each side. He could smell the baby powder she cover her skin with still lingering. His lips clamped down on the collar of her shirt to hold his position. She let her head roll around and find the wall behind her.

"Fox. . ." He pulled away and licked his lips at the site of his wife before him. Her top was in disarray. One side fell open to reveal the silky skin of one full breast. Her shorts were tightening, the wet stain at her crotch making them more uncomfortable. Fox leaned over her body with one hand balancing him, his other moving down to feel her warmth grow. Thumb and forefinger were able to disable the buttons barricading him from her body.

"Mmmm . . . Dana." His knees grew weak at the mere thoughts of his wife’s form bared to his touch. Fox began his descent down, leaving no button fastened as he knelt before Dana. Burning kisses marked exposed skin as he ventured to curved hips.

Fox’s hands pulled the shorts down leaving the open shirt and a tiny pair of panties on the flushing body of his wife. The skin on her thighs was hot as his mouth licked at the salty flesh. A broken moan was the only reaction he got as his fingers moved aside the wisp of panties to kiss her mound.

His tongue was not dormant as the scent of arousal hit Fox’s nose. He furiously began his assault on Dana and refused to give up. The noises she made encouraged and drove Fox deeper. The changes in pitch only made Fox speed up his motions.

Dana’s hands sought out something more to grab in the height of passion. Fox’s hair had to do. Fistfuls of hair bunched as she finally felt the warm release of her climax come over her. The gentle lapping of his tongue let her down easily as his hands reach her hips. Her knees had long given way and Fox’s hands were all that held her up.

The female body slid down to meet the masculine chest bare from square one. Fox hugged the shaken form of his wife to his beating chest. She had tears and a short sob as her body clung to his. "Baby, do you think we’ve properly christened of living room?" He laughed, getting her to join him. The sigh left his lips, happy that his wife was enjoying herself. His neck bent to look at the soft feature on her face and quickly noticed the red line under her nose jutting out prominently on the pure white skin. "Dana, your nose."

She looked up, touching the skin on her upper lip with tentative fingers. One glance confirmed that in fact her nose had begun bleeding. Dana jumped out of Fox’s hold and ran into the bathroom. Small steps carried him to the door left ajar for him to enter. Dana stared into the mirror, blotting the spot under her nose.

"Sorry I scared you, Fox. I’m fine." she said automatically. Her body moved stiffly as she rid herself of the sweat-covered shirt and soaked panties and wrapped herself in a familiar white robe. It was only when she tried to leave the confines of the sterile white room that she hit the wall of her husband’s body and broke down in tears.

Fox pulled her into his hold again, the tears beginning to well in his eyes also. "Dana, you can’t lie to me. You are not fine." He leaned down, gathering the shaken form of his wife in his arms. They moved through the hall into the master bedroom. The small length of Dana was swallowed up in the gray material of the sheets. Her stubby ponytail laid under her head making her face open to Fox’s hands and eyes. "Dana, I am not just your partner at work anymore. I am your husband. The least I deserve is not the usual line of ‘I’m fine’. Do not feed me that line just to appease my inquiry. I truly do worry about your health. You’re my baby." His head laid down on the hill of her breast, listening closely for a heartbeat. He shut his eyes, stopping the tears. They would only upset Dana further.

"Fox," she said in a sob. She waited until their eye connected once more before continuing. "I’m scared. This cancer thing scares me to death. I’ve finally found you and I don’t want to leave you." She opened her arms, holding him as he cried. She realized this was scary for him as well. She was just so thankful she wouldn’t be alone during the rough times ahead.

* * *

Sleep had come over them so easily that nether noticed until the knock at the door awoke them. Dana just laid on her back, letting Fox have the pleasure of answering it. He noticed the gapping of her robe and planed to explore it once his visitor had been identified.

"Who is it?" he asked the door.

"Mrs. Frank from apartment 23." Fox tentatively opened the door to the thin, blonde woman waiting in the hall. She held a plate of cookies in her hands and a smile on her rounded face. "Hi. Welcome to the building. I brought over some homemade cookies. May I come in?"

The woman was a soft speaker, exuding an aura of friendliness no one could turn away. Fox let her in, watching for any strange movements. She moved towards the kitchen placing her plate on the Formica counter. Turning around, Fox noticed that she was very young and quite beautiful.

"I’m sorry I haven’t properly introduced myself. I’m Alyssa Frank. I live just across the hallway with my husband Nick. And you are?"

"Fox Mulder." Fox shook her hand. The naive nature of her conversation was slightly comforting. She couldn’t have been much older than he and Dana were.

"Do you live in this large apartment all to yourself?" Alyssa looked at the various boxes around the place. She smiled softly awaiting his reply.

"No. My wife and I just got married and decided to move here for more space."

"Congratulations! Is she here right now?"

"Dana’s asleep. She hasn’t been feeling well."

"Poor baby. Would she care for some homemade chicken soup? I can make some up for her in no time. It’s my mother’s recipe and always made me feel better when I was sick."

"Thank you." Fox said sincerely. His old neighbors wouldn’t care if their neighbor had been shot much less be sick and offer to cook soup for them. This woman seemed very happy to help. He led her to the sofa in the center of the living room, wanting to talk a little more.

"So, what do you do for a living?" Alyssa crossed her legs, actually looking interested in whatever Fox was about to say.

"Dana and I work in law enforcement. What do you do?"

"I’m a veterinarian. Are you and Dana FBI agents? I’ve never met real FBI agents. Do you really do all those fun things like on that TV show?"

"No, It’s not always as easy as they make it seem." Fox looked up and saw Dana in the doorway looking back at Fox and their visitor. "Alyssa, this is my wife, Dana. Dana, this is Alyssa Frank. She lives across the hall with her husband." Alyssa turned to shake hands with Dana. Just as Fox had, Dana sensed an aura that made you trust her.

"Fox said you were feeling under the weather. Would you like some chicken soup. My mother’s recipe is guaranteed to make you feel better no matter what ailments you have."

"Thank you very much but that’s not necessary." Dana sat in-between Fox and Alyssa. She placed her hand on Fox’s legs showing possession. Fox noticed this movement for what it was and pulled Dana close to his body. He understood the fear she had at the sight of her husband talking to a very beautiful lady neighbor.

"I know I’m being more forward than you expect, but it’s been difficult for Nick and I to find people our own age in the building. There are a few elderly couples and lots of single tenants, but finding a young married couple has been hard on us." Alyssa smiled, glancing down at her watch. "Oh goodness, Nick’s shift will be over soon. It was nice meeting you two. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask." Alyssa jumped out of her seat and started for the door. "Welcome to the building."

Fox locked the door as Alyssa left, looking back to his wife with the question in his eyes.

"She’s a very nice woman." She answered. "I never had neighbors that were so caring and loving."

"What about a husband?"

"Oh, I’ve definitely never had a husband that caring." She used her index finger to call Fox into her kiss. The touching of lips that stoked the fires of passion.

* * *

Wore out by absolutely nothing, Fox raised his head off the pillow to notice the shifting of the mattress. Dana sat up, facing the window and the Saturday morning sunrise. Her white tee let the thin, emaciated figure show through. The sight opened Fox’s eyes wide. His wife was sick and dying, but still managed to arouse him like nothing else.

Barely a month since they discovered the tumor residing in Dana’s head had elapsed. In only the few weeks, they had admitted their love of one another, gotten married and made all demons disappear in the walls of their Brentwood apartment.

"Baby," Fox said tentatively, moving on hands and knees to his wife’s side. "Baby, is it another nosebleed?"

"No, Daddy." She said with a laugh. Fox came in front of her and could see everything clearly now. Her mouth was a line, letting her breath escape. Her eyes were shut and almost staring out the closed curtains. "The sun feels good." She shivered slightly as a hand began it’s trail down her arm.

"So do you. Could I coax you into the bathtub with me?" Fox didn’t wait for any answer. His arms cupped her body to his and he moved around the bed to enter the cool bathroom. Dana for the first time that day opened her eyes to see her husband. The azure eyes were so pure in color that Fox believed they were jewels. She blinked into a smile as he turned to perch her on the counter. "Can you and I just soak for a while?"

Dana nodded, holding up her arms up as he slipped her shirt off. The air had the familiar chill of a bathroom with an electric heat that warmed her all over. "That sounds nice." He touched her hardened nipple with a fingertip. She jumped at the feeling. "Fox, I think it’s time that you and I need to talk."

"Of course, My Dana." She looked up and saw that he had already discarded his boxers and was pulling her legs around his waist. As one figure they stepped into the bathtub and turned on the water to engulf them. Dana did not turn around, just laying with her head comfortably on Fox’s chest. His hands were on her back just rubbing circles into the skin moving above and below the water line.

"Fox, how are we going to do this? What doing to happen when *They* find out that we’re married." Dana lifted her head to see Fox’s eyes. What was he thinking?

"Dana, It doesn’t matter. *They* know you and I are dangerous together. They expect us to be falling apart at this time because of your cancer and they’ll do anything to control us because of it. I can’t let them do that. You and I are going to fight this tooth and nail and there is no other way to do that other than to be happy together. We can’t turn back. I can’t lose you. Beside officially there is no rules about married couples working together. . . it’s as difficult as being an agent with cancer. We’ll just have to proof ourselves to the bureau."

Dana sniffed, not letting the tears begin. Fox want so much and like usual it was her place to tell him the truth.

"You know what we’re going to do?" Dana looked up, shaking her head as Mulder wrung the washcloth to wet her hair. She smiled at the unexpected downpour of water. "You and I will find a way to get rid of this cancer. We’ll find a way for you to get pregnant, then we are going to run away to the south of France and hide from everyone." Dana had to laugh at that last statement. She turned in the tub so Fox could wash her hair as he talked. "No matter what, my Dana, everything will work out."

"Do you even think there’s a chance I can get pregnant?" She looked up to see his smiling face. She sighed knowing that she was the one to put it there.

"Only if you believe."

"I want to believe." Dana felt the legs move around her waist, pulling her closer to Fox.

That was his baby girl.

* * *

Dana lay on her stomach, trying to stay awake as Fox kneaded her shoulders into supple flesh. Normally crude hands moved with a purpose over the peach skin turning it a deep shade of pink. Blue eyes were fighting the lethargy caused by strong hands and tried to remember things that were quickly being forgot.

Fox straddled Dana’s hips, trying not to place any excess weigh on her. Her bare skin touched his at all possible places. The tiny sighs and mews coming from in-between her lips let him know that she was doing perfectly fine.

"Baby," He whispered in her ear. "What would you like for me to do?" She couldn’t answer, her eyelids had grown heavy and she was half-asleep. Fox moved off of Dana and turned her on her back. She opened her eyes in tiny slits and looked at his face.

Dana could not imagine her life without Fox. His convictions drove him to be so much and he always forced his life to the crisis. The love for Dana was so apparent on his face. He never let his fear show. Now in light of having a limited life together, he wanted nothing more than to give her everything in the world that she ever deserved.

"I want a baby."

Fox moved so he could lay his head next to Dana’s. It was such a soft voice she requested it with. Dana wanted nothing more than to leave this world with her husband having the greatest reminder of love from his wife. She sat up in the bed, looking down at her husband.

"I know the chances of me getting pregnant are slim-to-none but I want a baby, Fox."

"Honey, There is only one way you’ll ever be sure." Fox’s arm had snaked behind her and pulled her to his chest and his kiss. She blended her lips to his and moved over his body to lay on top of him. Her body slipped down his, taking him in as she went. When she felt him in the bottom of her spine and he was buried deep inside her, she let out a groan that only made him shake.

Fox lay on the pillow, eyes shut and control next to none. She had no clue what she was doing just sitting on him. His hands, of their own volition, reached up and caressed Dana’s cheek. The soft skin of her face played with his fingers and she let out a sigh. Hands trailed down her neck and stopped at rounded breasts.

Dana pulled herself up and sunk down on Fox making his eyes roll back in his head. The slow motions were driving Fox nuts and he turned the tables quickly. His rush of zeal flipped Dana on her back. He thrust hard into her, bumping his pelvic bone into hers. Sounds Fox had never hear from Dana’s throat filled the room as her inner muscles clenched him tightly and brought about his climax.

A pliable neck dropped the heavy head onto the comforter next to Dana’s as they rolled onto their sides. Breathing was even difficult for Dana. Her muscles still ached from the orgasm and she smiled secretly at the thought of Fox’s labored breathing as well.

"Damnit, Dana. If that what it takes to make a baby, we’re going to work at it. I don’t care how long it takes, we’re going to try until we get it right." Fox managed to get out before collapsing onto Dana’s chest to join her in laughter. They still had a week left of vacation and they had already changed their lives.

THE END

COMING SOON: Fox and Dana return to work.