Disclaimer:  Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, the X-Files, and associated
characters are property of David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Chris Carter,
Ten-Thirteen Productions and Fox Broadcasting Corporation.  They are used
without permission and no copyright infringement is meant.

Any elements not recognized as being taken from the show copyright
Christina Shuy. 

Comments and other things sent to cshuy@netcom.com are much appreciated. 

Info:  MSR, rated G, S, no spoilers
Summary:  Michelle Mulder's leaving for university, neither parent is 
taking it well, and Mulder's got separation anxiety. *grin*

This takes place before "Michelle II".
   
The Beatles Files:  "She's Leaving Home"
by Christina Shuy
cshuy@netcom.com

     "It's today, Mulder..." Dana Scully's voice cut through the light 
doze Fox Mulder had managed to slip into.  He sighed, making a soft 
whining noise. "I hope you're up for everything."
     "I still kind of wish she wasn't going." he mumbled.
     "You haven't slept all night, have you..."
     "No..."  His voice was half-muffled by pillow.
     "Mulder, you haven't done that since the morning of the wedding when 
you had to spend the night at your old apartment-"
     "My apartment had nothing to do with it.  It was not being in bed 
next to *you* that did it." He turned and took her into his arms.
     "I'm still here... Michelle's the one going to college."  Dana 
Scully leaned down to kiss her husband.

  "Wednesday morning at five o'clock as the day begins
   Silently closing her bedroom door
   Leaving the note that she hoped would say more
   She goes downstairs to the kitchen clutching her handkerchief
   Quietly turning the backdoor key
   Stepping outside she is free."

	In Michelle Mulder's bedroom, the clockradio started up.  
Groaning, she turned over and turned down the volume.
	Moments later, there was a soft knock on the door.
	"Michelle, honey?  Are you awake?"  her father's voice drifted 
through the solid wood of the door.
   
  "She (We gave her most of our lives)
   is leaving (Sacrificed most of our lives)
   home (We gave her everything money could buy)
   She's leaving home after living alone
   For so many years. Bye, bye
   Father snores as his wife gets into her dressing gown"

    The knock at the door came again, slightly louder this time.
    "Michelle, honey?  Are you okay in there?"  Again, her father's voice.
    "Yeah, Dad... I'm ok." Michelle dragged herself out of bed to go 
open the door.

  "Picks up the letter that's lying there
   Standing alone at the top of the stairs
   She breaks down and cries to her husband
   Daddy our baby's gone."

     Mulder knocked on the door again, hoping to be able to rouse his 
sleepy daughter.
     The bedroom door opened and Michelle stood there, bathrobe pulled 
around her, looking sleepily at her father.  Mulder couldn't help but 
smile at the image.
     "Dad... do you know what time it is?" Michelle yawned.
     "Time to get up, hon.  Or must I remind you about the fact that it 
takes four hours to drive up to Massetchsetts?"
     "Yeah, so?  Aren't you staying at Grandma's place?"
     "Hon, we still have to load the car, drive..."
     The music drifting out of Michelle's room gave him pause to smile.

  "Why would she treat us so thoughtlessly
   How could she do this to me.
   She (We never though of ourselves)
   Is leaving (Never a thought for ourselves)
   home (We struggled hard all our lives to get by)
   She's leaving home after living alone
   For so many years. Bye, bye"

     "Hey, Pop, what's with all the noise?"  The door to David's room 
opened and an unruly mop of red hair stuck its way out.
     "David, don't call me 'pop'." Mulder turned to face his son.  "It's 
rude."
     "You're gonna help me load the car, twerp."  Michelle said.
     "Says *who*?" David answered.
     "Says me!"
     "Oh yeah?!  You and what army?"

  "Friday morning at nine o'clock she is far away
   Waiting to keep the appointment she made
   Meeting a man from the motor trade.
   She What did we do that was wrong
   Is having We didn't know it was wrong
   Fun is the one thing that money can't buy
   Something inside that was always denied
   For so many years. Bye, Bye
   She's leaving home bye bye"

     Dana walked out of the bedroom she shared with Mulder and looked as 
their children were getting involved in a shouting match.  Mulder looked 
as if he was trying *very* hard not to laugh.
     "Mulder, what did you do?"
     "Nothing!  I knocked on Michelle's door, trying to see if she was 
going to wake up or not, and woke David up too... Michelle said something 
about David helping load the car, and... well..."  Mulder looked sheepish.
     Dana laughed.  Mulder did as well.  By this time, Michelle and 
David, who were both about six feet tall, were standing about three 
inches from the other's face having a glaring contest.
     "You know, Mulder, we have the silliest children on this planet."
     "I think we were probably worse, though, Scully."
     "You're probably right!" she laughed.
     "You *know* I'm leaving for college today!  Why can't you be nice to 
me for once?" Michelle upped the stakes.
     "Maybe because you're never nice to me?!" David shouted back.
     "I asked you yesterday and you said you would!"
     "I wish you'd go away and never come back!"
     Suddenly, it became very UNfunny.
     "Children!" Mulder and Scully spoke at once.
     Both turned and looked at their parents.
     "I warned you before *never* to say that!"  Mulder's voice held more 
than a note of pain.
     "Sure.  Fine.  Whatever." David grumbled.
     "Just for that, young man, you ARE going to help your sister load 
the car and without a complaint." 
     "Aw, Dad, do I have to?"
     "Yes, you do.  I've told you several times already never to say 
something like that.  I said something like that to your Aunt Samantha 
and have regretted it ever since."
     "Really, Dad?"
     "Yes, I have.   Now, I apologize for waking you up."
     "Well, since we're all awake now, let's get started." Dana suggested.

-the end (unless I can come up with an idea on continuation)-