Title: Sharing Losses Author: Michelle Kai Category: V, D-POV Classification: DSF, mid-ep Empedocles Distribution: anywhere, please let me know so I can visit! Spoilers: Christmas Carol/Emily, Empedocles Author's note: (at the end) "Agent Doggett" Her voice has the effect nothing else has on me anymore. So even though I was trying to get out of the hospital, go home to sort out all these new possibilities that Mulder and Reyes have been trying to get in my head, I still stop. "Agent Doggett" again, louder now. I look into her room. She is looking much better than the last time I came to see her. "Agent Scully, how are you feeling?" "I'm doing okay, I should be released tomorrow. How are you?" "Me? I'm okay..." The affirmation sounded hollow even to my own ears. She gestured the chair beside her bed where Mulder have been keeping vigil any time he was not on the case. I hesitated only for a second, but then eased myself down. "Is Agent Reyes okay?" "Yeah. She took a pretty nasty blow to her head, but she'll be fine." I'm grateful to deflect the spotlight from myself. "Agent Doggett, Mulder told me a lot about the case..." she wavered, unsure whether to continue. Realizing that there is no escaping this conversation, I sighed and then plunged ahead. "Yeah. It hits a little too close to home." I hope she didn't notice how my voice sounded rougher all of a sudden. "My son... " "I know," she said gently. I look up to meet her eyes, trying to read what she is thinking. "I've lost a child before too." I was caught totally off guard. I've read all the files, and there was no mention of a child. In fact, I remember reading that she is barren as a result of her 'abduction'. Unless this child was born before that... "Her name is Emily. I only met her days before she..." Her eyes looked faraway, for a second oblivious to my presence. Softly, she asked, "Would you like to hear about Emily, Agent Doggett?" I can only nod, still in shock at her revelation. With infinite tenderness, she told me of a Christmas 4 years ago. "I was so angry, at the meaninglessness of it all. Why would anyone bring a child into the world, only to serve their cruel agenda? But Mulder said that maybe she was meant to meet me, for me to love her if only for a few days as well." Her voice trailed off. When I found my voice again, I surprised myself at my question. "Where do you think they go, Agent Scully? I mean, do you believe in heaven? An afterlife?" I was expecting an arched eyebrow, or at least a questioning look, but she merely smiled. "Have you ever heard of walk-in's?" Throughout her account of how Agent Mulder finally found his sister, I discounted each detail in my head as she presented them. Premonitions? Starlight? A fantasy, all a dream for people who can't face reality. When she finished her story, I just nodded. I know that it is all b.s., but somehow, I feel better. ********************************************************************** author's note: thanks for reading! I really want to write a good S/D walk-in fic, but I'm so stuck. If you've read a good one dealing with Luke Doggett, please send it my way: Thanks!