NEW: Title: The Seventh Commandment Author: aka "Jake" Rating: G Classification: 500-Words; Pre-XF; Teena Mulder POV Spoilers: any eps that posit CSM as Mulder's father Summary: A conversation between Teena Mulder and CSM Disclaimer: Do these characters really belong to Chris Carter, FOX and 1013 Productions? If so, no copyright infringement intended. Fun, yes. Profit, no. Authors Notes: This story was written in response to Haven's "Having My Baby" 500-Word Challenge. The Seventh Commandment By aka "Jake" "Bill says there's going to be a child." He strikes a match and lights his cigarette. The smell of sulfur pricks her sinuses; smoke invades her lungs. She twists a striped towel in nervous fingers while the breakfast dishes air dry. Peripherally she worries about spots on the juice glasses. "Yes, the doctor confirmed it yesterday." He holds his cigarette between index finger and thumb. "When?" "October." Smoke sifts from his nose and swirls ceilingward. It takes him only seconds to count the months. "In that case, congratulations are in order." Arrogance twitches his mouth. She should ask him to leave, but she has a weakness for him. He is dashing and powerful, a man of influence. She is no match for his charm, just as she was no match three months ago when he flirted with her at the Officer's Social, then wooed her from the dance floor, away from her husband, and into a parked car, where he made love to her in the chilly back seat. "Bill seems pleased at the prospect of fatherhood," he says. His focus slides to the windowsill above the sink, where she set her wedding band before taking steel wool to skillet. The blackened pan still soaks in the dishwater, which has grown cold and murky, stained by Bill's burnt eggs. "Are you pleased, Teena?" "Of course," she lies. "Really? That's the truth?" He talks to her as if she is a muddled child, not a grown woman who broke her marriage vows and God's commandments for his sake. Bitterness spills from her. "What do you know about the truth?" "More than you might imagine. For instance, I know you're in love with me." "I hate you." Another lie, to cover her hurt and confusion. "You aren't going to tell Bill, are you?" "About us? Hmm." The sound hums in his throat. His face is hidden behind a veil of smoke. "A baby changes things--" "He is my husband," she states the obvious. Panic seizes her and she loathes its familiar feel. "You know how fond I am of Bill." Ash drips onto her polishedfloor. He offers her an apologetic smile. "He's an admirable man, a principled man. He inspires envy in those who are less honorable." This man doesn't love her. He doesn't even like her, she realizes. He never did. He only wants what Bill has. He duped her and now she's carrying his baby. She's been a fool. "Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets," he says. "I can keep yours, too, if you like." His calm demeanor infuriates her. "Get out of my house." She turns away and thrusts her hands into the dishwater. She intends to scrub the skillet until it shines as brightly as her abandoned wedding ring. Gilded by April sunshine, the ring glows like the halo of her paramour's lit cigarette. Daylight blazes beyond the window and stings her eyes; through unshed tears, the world appears to burn. THE END