Kelsey Scully's niece, Kelsey, comes to visit and an accident lands Scully and Mulder in a fight for her life and their own. Slight romance warning. This is #1 in my M&S saga. The series is called OUR LIFE. All comments should go to Ecryptocat@aol.com Hope you enjoy it. Any titles relating to the X-files belong to Chris Carter and 10 13 productions and Fox television. No copyright violations intended. **** Mulder sat at his desk reading files. Scully sat across from him typing a report for Skinner. Mulder looked down from his papers and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He sighed and looked at the clock. 5:36. Mulder closed the files and shut down his computer. "What time is it Mulder?" Scully asked not taking her eyes off her computer. "5:36," Mulder said. "I've got to go," Scully said quickly shutting down her computer. "Where are you going in such a hurry? Got a date?" Mulder said sarcastically. Scully looked at him and gave him a 'you smart alec' look. "Actually I have to pick my niece up from the airport," Scully explained putting on her coat. "Your niece?" Mulder asked. "Yeah my older brother's daughter. My sister-in-law died last year and Bill is in Ireland for some ..thing. They asked my mom but mom is going to visit her sister and Kelsey wanted to stay with Aunt Dana." "Doesn't she have school?" Mulder asked. "She's like some musical prodigy. She is tutored," Scully answered. "How long is she staying?" Mulder asked. Scully was getting ready to ask if this was twenty questions or something. "A week," Scully answered. Mulder decided to cut the questions. "Why don't you go out with us tonight. I'd love for you to meet her." "Me? Um....sure why not," Mulder asked shrugging his shoulders. Meet us at my house at 7:30. Is that OK?" Scully asked holding the doorknob in her hand. "Sure see you then," Mulder replied. Scully smiled and walked out the door. **** Scully stood at the airport and jumped to see if Kelsey was coming off the plane and in the mists of all these tall business men and young women walked a little 13 year old. She was short for her age. She had medium length dark brown hair and big brown eyes. She was dressed like something out of a GAP ad. She wore a denim skirt and a red sweater with white tights and black shoes. She walked right up to Dana and exclaimed. "Aunt Dana," She said wrapping her arms around the Dana. Dana bent down slightly to meet the embrace. "Hey sweetie." Dana said. Kelsey let go. Dana smiled at her. They walked down the stairs talking about her dad and mom and grandma (Scully's mom). They arrived at the baggage claim. Kelsey pointed to the bag that was hers. "No violin case?" Scully asked hoping she had brought it because she had never heard Kelsey play. "No! I'd like to get away from that thing for at least one week," Kelsey exclaimed. "I thought you loved it?" Scully asked. "I do but everyone needs a break every now and then," Kelsey said. Scully smiled to herself because of Kelsey's statement. They walked out of the airport and to Scully's car. Then they drove to Scully's house. **** Scully took her bag into her spare bedroom. "Aren't we going out to eat?" Kelsey said. "Yes but someone else is going with us," Scully said cryptically. "Who?" Kelsey said with a confused look on her face. "My partner....His name is Mulder," Scully said. "He had cruel parents," Kelsey said thinking his first name was Mulder. "No his last name is Mulder, his first name is Fox but he hates that so just call him Mulder," Scully explained after laughing at Kelsey's comment. "OK," Kelsey said. She paused in thought, "Is he cute?" Kelsey asked with a serious expression on her face. "Kelsey!" Scully exclaimed. "Well it's a legitimate question," Kelsey asked. "So...is he?" Scully smiled. She was not sure what to say. "Um.......He's handsome," Scully said giving in. Mulder had said on numerous occasions she was pretty so what would this hurt. Kelsey nodded. The door bell rang and Scully got up and Kelsey followed. Scully opened the door and saw Mulder standing there. He had changed suits. Scully opened the door and let Mulder walk in and closed the door. "Hi Scully," Mulder said walking in. "Hi Mulder, this is Kelsey," Scully said urging Kelsey forward. Kelsey walked forward and extended her hand. Mulder took her small hand and shook it. Mulder thought she was a very beautiful child. "Nice to meet you, Kelsey," Mulder said trying to speak to her like a little girl because he was deceived by her looks and thought she was around ten. "Nice to meet you too," She smiled and was slightly insulted by Mulder's voice. She was sick of people mistaking her for someone 3 years younger. They made small talk and then left for the restaurant. **** They entered a nice but not too nice restaurant. Mulder sat in between the two women. They ordered. "So Kelsey...What instrument do you play?" Mulder asked trying to start another conversation. He and Kelsey had talking non-stop since they met. "Violin," Kelsey said cheerily. "Do you like it?" Mulder asked remembering playing the trumpet for a year and hating every second of it. "Yeah but it can get old every now and then," Kelsey said. "Well then what else do you like to do?" Mulder asked. Scully sat and watched the two talk. "Computers," Kelsey said glad to finally get on a topic that appealed to her. "Oh I have some friends that are computer geniuses," Mulder said referring to the Lone Gunmen. "You are not taking her anywhere near Frohike," Scully said protectively. Frohike...just the thought made her skin crawl. "Frohike?!" Kelsey exclaimed. "That's his name?" "Yeah actually it's a nickname but he won't tell you his real name," Mulder explained. Their conversation continued through dinner. "What do you actually do at work?" Kelsey asked Mulder. "We handle strange and un-explained cases," Mulder explained in the simplest terms he didn't want to tell her they chased aliens and UFOs. Kelsey nodded. They continued to talk forever. Scully was ready to go and thought Kelsey should go get in the bed. "Well sorry guys I think we need to head out," Scully said. Kelsey and Mulder looked at her with disappointed looks on their faces. "Come on Aunt Dana, just a little while longer," Kelsey pleaded with a sad expression painted on her face. Mulder mimicked Kelsey's expression. Scully laughed at the sight of Mulder with a sad-lost-puppy look on his face. "OK, 15 more minutes," Scully warned and both of them smiled and the trio sat and talked for a few more minutes. They piled in the car and Mulder paid after a fierce argument with Scully about who should pick up the tab. Mulder drove and Kelsey sat in the back and fell asleep. When they pulled into the driveway Scully turned and saw Kelsey sleeping soundly in the backseat. She knew she was tired it was her maternal instinct at work. "Should I wake her up?" Scully asked. "No," Mulder said. They both quietly shut their doors and walked around to the other side. Mulder opened the door and unbuckled her seatbelt gently. He picked her up. Her arms laid limply at her sides and she never stirred. He walked towards the front door with Scully following. Scully opened the door and directed Mulder to her spare room. Scully laid back the blankets. Mulder gently laid Kelsey in the bed and Scully removed her shoes and pulled the covers over her. They both left. "So...did you like her?" Scully asked after they reached the living room. "Yes! She's a sweet kid," Mulder said. Scully beamed. "Well, goodnight Scully." Mulder headed towards the door. "Good night Mulder," Scully said sweetly. Mulder left and Scully went to bed. *** "Damn," Scully exclaimed slamming the phone down. She looked over at Kelsey. Her mother had decided to stay an extra day and today she had no where to leave Kelsey. "Aunt Dana. Don't worry about it. I'll be fine here by myself," Kelsey said. "Are you sure?" Dana said unsurely. "Yes. I am sure. Go on," Kelsey urging Dana out of the door. "OK. Call me if you there are any problems," Dana said and pecked her on top of the head. "Bye," Kelsey said. "Bye angel," Dana said. Dana looked at Kelsey in the door. She had a weird feeling about leaving her alone. Kelsey walked into the house and closed the door. Dana pulled out of the garage. *** Kelsey spent the day just hanging around the house not doing anything in particular. She jolted at the sound of Mulder and Scully arguing about something. She walked into the kitchen to see the two of them talking. "Hey I invited Mulder to dinner," Scully said. "Good," Kelsey said happily. Scully began dinner and Kelsey sat next to Mulder on the couch fighting about what television show to watch. He wanted to watch the Knicks game and she argued profusely. Finally they sat and watched Friends. Mulder actually thought it was funny. Scully glanced into the living room every now and then to see what they were doing. Finally dinner was ready. They ate and discussed different things. After dinner they sat on the couch and talked and Kelsey kept falling asleep. "Kelsey are you ready for bed?" Scully said. Kelsey nodded and Scully went and put her to bed while Mulder flipped through the television channels. Scully re-entered a few minutes later. "She asleep?" Mulder asked. "Out like a light," Scully said standing in her slacks and blouse. She had shed her jacket a few hours ago. Scully walked to the kitchen and began removing plates from the table. "I'll help," he said running over and helping her. She smiled. "Thanks," she said and he took plates off the table as she put them in the dishwasher. He caught himself watching her. He never would have guessed she was so domestic. He laughed quietly. "What are you laughing about?" she asked. "I never could imagine you being so domestic," he said grinning. "Well Mulder what do you think I did, let the dishes pile up to the ceiling," she said. "I dunno you don't seem like the June Cleaver type?" he said. She stopped and looked at him. "Mulder just because I can cook and load a dishwasher doesn't mean I'm up for mother of the year," she said returning to the dishes. "Well the way you are with Kelsey and.....I dunno it was just sweet," he said blushing slightly. "Thanks...I guess," she said smiling back at him. They looked at each other and then their gaze was disturbed by a scream. "KELSEY!" Scully screamed and they both ran for the bedroom. They saw a bright light from under the door. Her screams ran from the room like scattering spiders. Scully struggled with the doorknob and it was locked. "It's locked?" Mulder yelled. "Yeah," Scully said. Mulder took her place and fidgeted with the lock. He stepped back drew his gun and blew the lock off. Scully rushed into the room and Mulder grabbed her arm. They both froze at the sight before them. Kelsey was hovering over the bed. Her screams had stopped and her face was plain. Her eyes closed. A white light covered the whole room and the window on the wall was open and the curtains blew in the breeze. Scully ran out of Mulder's grasp and grabbed Kelsey's leg. Mulder watched her. It was just like Samantha. Finally he was snapped back to reality by Kelsey's scream. Kelsey fought the force holding her and wrapped her arms around Scully's neck. Scully wrapped her arms around Kelsey as they were both dragged towards the source of the light. Mulder ran to them and wrapped his arms around Scully and clutched Kelsey. Scully was trapped tightly between the two of them. Kelsey still held Scully with one arm but gripped Mulder with the other. Mulder pulled them back away from the window. The sight looked just like Samantha. Kelsey buried her face in her aunt's shoulder and her legs still remained in mid air being dragged towards the window. Scully gripped Kelsey tightly feeling Mulder pulling them away from the window. Suddenly all three of them were thrown back. Mulder hit the floor and Scully fell back on him and Kelsey landed on the floor and Scully's legs. The window slammed shut and the light stopped. Scully looked up and grabbed Kelsey and hugged her. Mulder reached around and patted Kelsey's back. "Are you OK?" Mulder asked. Scully pulled back so Kelsey could lift her face. Kelsey nodded and Scully pulled Kelsey to her shoulder again. "Come on," Mulder said pulling both of them to their feet. Mulder walked both of them back to the living room. *** Two hours later Kelsey was asleep on the couch and Mulder and Scully sat with Skinner and a few other agents explaining what happened. Skinner seemed to be a little perturbed with the fact that Mulder was over at Scully's place on a not so professional basis. "Mulder I guess you suspicions have been confirmed," Skinner said. "Yes sir," Mulder said. Scully got up and went to the living room to check on Kelsey. "Mulder? Do you see any relationship in this and Agent Scully's abduction?" he asked. "I really don't know," Mulder said and looked at Scully. Skinner slumped back in his chair. "Then Mulder I don't know what to tell you," Skinner said. "Listen I'll stay here and take care of them," Mulder said looking down at the table. "I don't know what else to do." *** Mulder closed the door to Scully's bedroom. He left it cracked enough to where he could see them. Scully slept with Kelsey on her arm. Mulder had watched them fall asleep and now he was going to the living room. He finally fell asleep with Tales From the Crypt playing on his face. He woke to the sound of a blood curdling scream. He looked up and saw a blond being chased by a crazed maniac and then the decaying Cryptkeeper signing off. Mulder turned off the television and then relaxed back in the couch. Then he realized that the scream wasn't the blond bimbo, it was Scully. She ran into the room. She grabbed him by the shoulders. "Mulder she's gone....I can't find her....she's gone," she said. Mulder stood up and took Scully by the hand. He ran to the front door and threw open the door. A bright light hit the walkway in front of Scully house. Mulder ran out still holding Scully's hand and looked up at the flashing lights above him. Then the lights disappeared. Scully looked at the sky. "Mulder, they have her," she said. Mulder hugged her and walked her slowly back to the house. He closed the door behind them as Scully still clung to his chest. He walked her over to the couch. "Mulder what if they hurt her?" she asked. She began to cry. Mulder held her to his chest as she cried. "It's OK....Scully I promise...it's OK...we'll find her," he said. *** Mulder sat this time next to Scully on her couch. His arm was around her as Skinner sat sleepily in front of them. He rubbed his forehead and looked over his notes. "Don't worry Scully I'm sure we'll find her," Skinner said and left. *** It had been three days and no sign of Kelsey. Scully hardly slept. Mulder had begged her to lay down. Scully sat across on her couch forcing her eyes open. "Scully, please go to bed," he begged. "No I'm fine," she said and stared ahead at the wall. Mulder watched her as her eyes drifted closed again and she suddenly popped them open. "That's it, you are going to bed," he said and got up and picked her up off the couch. "No," she said weakly. "Listen to me Scully, you are tired and wearing yourself down won't help Kelsey or anyone else," he said and lifted her into his arms. She relaxed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He laid her gently in her bed. She released his neck and watched him as he took a quilt from the end of the bed and covered her. She smiled and he stroked her head. "Just go to sleep....everything will be OK," he said as she closed her eyes. "Mulder, stay here with me don't leave," she said. She was scared that was why she didn't want to sleep. "Scully no one will hurt you I promise," he said. "But Mulder they took her right out of my arms....they could get me too....please stay with me," she begged. "OK...just sleep I'll be right here," he said and she smiled closed her eyes. Mulder stroked her hair as she fell asleep quickly. Mulder laid his head on Scully's arm and was woken by a loud sound. Scully and him both shot up. Mulder grabbed her hand and led her out her front door. The same bright light omitted off the pavement up to Scully door. The flashing lights shown overhead and Mulder and Scully shielded their eyes and stared as something moved down from the 'UFO'. Then it hovered 6 feet above the ground and dropped. It was Kelsey in fetal position. The light stopped and sped into the distance. Scully ran to Kelsey. "She's alive," Scully yelled as she took her in her arms. Mulder bent down next to her. How much he wished that could have happened with Samantha. He was shook from his thoughts by Scully talking to Kelsey. "Kelsey can you hear me...it's Aunt Dana, talk to me," she said slowly. Kelsey opened her eyes. Mulder reached out and touched Kelsey's face. "Hey," Kelsey said. Scully smiled and hugged her to her chest. Mulder smiled and hugged them both. "Thank God," Mulder said and picked Kelsey up out of Scully's arms. He carried her to the house and Scully walked closely to them. Mulder laid Kelsey on the couch and Scully hovered over her as he called an ambulance, then Skinner. *** Mulder entered Scully house and was suprised when Kelsey ran to him and he hefted her into his arms. She was leaving today. Scully smiled to see Mulder embracing Kelsey. He was usually uncomfortable around little girls and especially anyone who resembles Sam. Mulder dropped her back down to the ground. Just then Bill walked in. "Hey pumpkin," he said. Kelsey ran over and hugged him. After a few words Bill and Kelsey left. Kelsey remembered nothing of the abduction and Bill demanded she be left alone and which Mulder and Scully agreed, this had caused enough emotional strain for all of them. No one knows where Scully was or why she was gone but they all have their theories especially Mulder. THE END Next up- Is It her?