********************************************************************* This author's e-mail address has changed to: xanaduxf@yahoo.com ********************************************************************* ***DISCLAIMER***: All "X-Files" elements and references in this story belong to Fox Broadcasting, Chris Carter, and 1013 Productions, and I am making no money from it. "Like I Love You" is by Amy Grant. ========== Trilogy III: Like I Love You by shannono shannono@iname.com Vignette, Angst, Mulder/Scully Romance Rated PG Spoilers through "Chinga" Summyar: Mulder and Scully try to work things out. Part three of three. ========== Trilogy III: Like I Love You by shannono Alexandria, Virginia Friday, May 22, 1998 10:17 p.m. Scully pulled up at the curb outside Mulder's apartment, disappointment piercing her heart. His car was gone; no lights were visible in his apartment. She had no idea where he could be. She sighed, lowering her head to rest on her hands where they gripped the steering wheel. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe their fate was already decided. If only she believed in fate. Lifting her head, she smiled softly. So Plan A didn't work out. So she'd go for Plan B. She wasn't letting this go that easily. ********** Georgetown Friday, May 22, 1998 10:21 p.m. Mulder stopped the car and looked up and down the street one more time. Still no sign of Scully's car. He didn't know where she might have gone at this time of night. He shut off the ignition and sat for a few minutes, considering. He *did* still have a key to her apartment, but after the way the past week had gone, he didn't know if she'd appreciate him letting himself in. But, then, he didn't have any other ideas ... Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "Here goes nothing," then climbed out of the car and headed upstairs. Once inside, he looked around and was surprised to see no signs of packing. He knew she had only a week left at the bureau, and her new job, he'd learned, started just a week after that. He'd expected half her belongings to be packed up by now. But he was glad they weren't. Slowly, he began moving through the rooms, brushing his hands over the photographs and small items hanging on the walls and sitting on the tables. If she threw him out when she got home, he'd at least have these pieces of her ingrained on his mind. Completing his circuit of the apartment, he came to a stop before the entertainment center, where he noticed a light glowing on the stereo. Apparently, she'd been listening to CDs just before she left. Curious, he hit "play," and listened: >>Why do lovers drift apart and how does love fade away? When do pieces of a broken heart mend again? You've been crying in the dark and you've been feeling alone Don't be scared of what you'll find when you turn the light on Ain't nobody gonna say goodbye No, ain't nobody gonna walk away This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you Ain't nobody gonna make you cry No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you Like I love you What sad memory of yesterday, what terrible scare Keeps you gathering pices of your shattered heart There was once upon a time when hope was living within I know there will come a time when you can believe again How long have you been feeling lonely? How long have you been feeling sad and blue? This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you Ain't nobody gonna make you cry No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you Like I love you.<< Mulder's eyes had closed just a few lines into the song, and he stood with his head tilted back, letting the music flow over him and the words through him. By the time the last chorus had finished, tears were sliding down his face. God, he loved her. He reached out and set the song on "repeat," then sat down to wait for her. ========== Scully's apartment Friday, March 22, 1998 10:40 p.m. Scully inserted her key in the lock, then stopped as she heard sounds from the other side of the door. Pausing, she listened intently. Music. She must have left the stereo playing. Sighing, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, turning to close and lock it. She started to turn back toward the CD player and froze as a shape loomed in the low light before her. Then she relaxed. It was him. She knew his shadow better than her own. He didn't speak, just looked at her, as the music played in the background. Slowly, so slowly, he lifted his right hand and held it out to her. And she took it. He drew her close, his eyes still on hers. His left hand moved to her waist, and her free hand slid to rest on his arm. And, as the song began again, they began to move. And to heal. >>Why do lovers drift apart and how does love fade away? When do pieces of a broken heart mend again? You've been crying in the dark and you've been feeling alone Don't be scared of what you'll find when you turn the light on Ain't nobody gonna say goodbye No, ain't nobody gonna walk away This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you Ain't nobody gonna make you cry No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you Like I love you What sad memory of yesterday, what terrible scare Keeps you gathering pices of your shattered heart There was once upon a time when hope was living within I know there will come a time when you can believe again How long have you been feeling lonely? How long have you been feeling sad and blue? This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you Ain't nobody gonna make you cry No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you Like I love you.<< Their eyes remained locked throughout the song as they danced. Apology, forgiveness, gratitude, and love flowed between them. They had never needed words, and they didn't need them now. As the notes began to fade, though, Mulder knew the time had come for words. So he spoke. "I love you." So simple. So complicated. So true. His answer was a smile. He drank it in greedily, still fearful it would be the last. But then she spoke. "I love you, too ... "And I can't leave you." Sealed with a kiss.