From: Sara Brocious Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 11:48:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Title By Author Source: direct Title -- What Is This Love Author -- Agent S E-Mail address -- AgentSx42@ameritech.net Rating -- PG-13 to NC-17 Category - SRA Spoilers - None Keywords -- Mulder/Scully Romance, Alternate Universe Summary -- After being made to go their separate ways, a married Mulder and a single Scully meet again after 3 years. Disclaimer: I wish! No, they all belong to God, or as he is more formerly known as, Mr. Chris Carter. Author's note~ I know, I know, the idea of Mulder and Scully being separated by the bureau doesn't sound all too tasty, nor does the idea of Mulder being married to another woman other than his true love, Scully, (I said no comment, you no-romos! Why would you be reading this, anywho?) but bear with me! And I should mention that I've NEVER been to Martha's Vineyard, so I do believe I made up a few places... Am I forgetting anything? I understand that my story will never be as great as the ones by the great Dasha K. and Leyla Harrison and Analise (my favorites!), but oh well. Oh, and if you feel the need to feed, feedback is consumed with Reddi Whip. *g* (If you ever get the chance, listen to the song "What Is This Love" by Blue Rodeo and Sarah MacLachlan!) ^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Unfaithful By: Agent S *^*^*^*^*^*^* October 15, 1999 Some old building on Lake Erie "Don't give me that look." "What look?" "The patented 'Scully look', the one that says, 'Mulder, what in the hell are we doing here?'" Mulder stated, making odd gestures that only raised the eyebrow higher. The truth was he had dragged her along with him to some old abandoned warehouse on the Lake Erie shore of Ohio. And as the story goes, one of Mulder's anonymous informants had tipped him, telling him of some alien cover-up conspiracy rooting in warehouse in a Lake Erie harbor. Scully had nearly fell over from laughing hysterically when Mulder informed her of their next big field trip. Oh yes, and the main problem: this was most definitely illegal. It was against the law to break in and enter a condemned building without a warrant. And a warrant was one thing with which they were not equipped. Mulder had lied to Skinner, told him that he and Scully were going to visit imaginary family of his in Cleveland. He had paid for the expenses himself. There would be no field report to be turned into Skinner, and there would be no record at the bureau of them being in the field on this particular case. But it wasn't a case. It was what Scully referred to as a wild goose chase. And she had been sucked into it and was forced to hunt down the goose. "I don't know what you're hoping to find here, Mulder. I mean, if you do know what you're looking for, that is," Scully said sarcastically. "When I find it, I'll let you know," he retorted. "I could lose my job. I could lose everything if someone finds us here," she reminded him. "This is illegal, Mulder. You're just being used as a pawn to do someone's dirty work. Let's go while we still can. We've been here for over two hours and what have we come up with? Nothing." Mulder turned to her and looked at her for a moment, studying her expression. Her eyes held his gaze and he saw it. Fear. She was afraid for once in her life. Fear mixed with a little bit of guilt, but that was there everyday. He thought about it for a moment, thinking about what could possibly be there for him to find, and then made up his mind. "Okay Scully. You win. Let's go home." Scully opened her mouth to say something but was rudely interrupted by a loud humming sound. It was a helicopter. A helicopter with a really, really bright light attached to the front of it. The building quaked beneath them and it was obvious that the chopper was close to the ground. Suddenly, a voice boomed out of a megaphone. "We've got the place surrounded! Come out slowly, with your hands up!" the voice ordered. "Oh shit," Mulder muttered. "Oh this is good. Bravo, Mulder!" Scully bellowed as they made their way to the door. The light only got brighter and the propellers on the helicopter created a gust of wind so strong the doors almost wouldn't open. When they did, however, Mulder and Scully stepped out calmly with their arms raised above their heads. Five or so men in S.W.A.T uniforms immediately rushed them. They were escorted to another helicopter that magically appeared and boarded it. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ "Please state your name, Sir." "Special Agent Fox Mulder with the FBI." "And your female friend?" "Special Agent Dana Scully, also with the FBI." They were in an interrogation room. They were separated, of course. "Please explain to me why you were illegally in a condemned building," the man demanded. Mulder looked him straight in the eye. He dreaded this moment. Not only was he going to lose his job in DC, but he also was going to make Scully lose hers. "I was tending to the rat infestation." "I'm not kidding around. It's a federal crime to break and enter. You know that, right? I mean, you're an FBI agent for Christ's sake. What in the hell did you think you were doing? That building was condemned in 1975 due to sanitary problems," the man explained. "What was it used for before that?" Mulder queried. "That's not what we're here to discuss. Your ass is on the line. You're about to lose your job and so is your partner," explained the man. He was standing over the table at which Mulder was seated. "Don't go digging around in business that isn't yours." "You're hiding something," accused Mulder calmly. "Damn straight. Now get the hell out of my station," he ordered, pulling Mulder to his feet. After having his handcuffs removed, Mulder joined Scully in the lobby. She was sitting in a lobby-issued chair, her head hanging, her face shielded by her fiery red hair. Mulder just stood above her, waiting for her to acknowledge him. He was going to have to wait a very long time. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. She was ready to sit him in a chair, stretch his long legs out, and bash his knees in. Damn him all to hell. But instead, she kept her composure, something at which she was skilled. She lifted her head to look at him. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she bottled them up inside and decided better on that call. After looking at him in the eye for several moments, she dropped her head again and rested her elbows on her knees. "Someday, Mulder, you're going to run out of 'I'm sorry's," she said calmly, almost patiently. It was then that she let a solitary tear fall to the floor below. She stood up, sniffled, and then looked him straight in the eye. Neither said anything; what was there to say? 'Scully I'm sorry I just ruined your entire life'? A few moments that seemed like hours later, Scully turned and walked away. She requested that they ride in separate police cars, cars that would escort them to Cleveland, where they would fly back to DC. Their luggage had been gathered and brought to the police station, where they had previously been held for questioning. Now it was time to face the music. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Washington DC The Hoover Building October 18, 1999 Scully unconsciously crossed and uncrossed her legs several times. It was a nervous habit, she supposed. And she was nervous. She and Mulder were sitting side-by-side in their usual spots in front of Skinner's desk. He was royally pissed. And now it was time for a royal ass whooping. AD Skinner ceremoniously removed his glasses from his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He exhaled a long breath that he had been holding and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he began to shake his head. "Why? Why, Agent Mulder, would you lie to me like this? To the bureau for that matter?" Skinner asked. He raised his hands as he spoke. "This doesn't concern the concern the rest of the bureau, Sir," Mulder stated. He sat with his hands clasped in his lap. Scully hated the way he looked to calm, cool, and collected. "The hell it does! I had a lot of faith in the two of you. I didn't think you would do something so rash," Skinner bellowed. "With all due respect, Sir, this was Agent Mulder's doing. It was his idea. I just tagged along," Scully said, trying to fend for herself. Mulder glanced sideways her, not believing what he was hearing. Then he turned his head completely and stared at her. "You were there, were you not?" Skinner dug deeper. Defeated, Scully hung her head. "Yes." "There you have it," Skinner declared. Mulder took the opportunity to speak up. "Sir, Agent Scully doesn't deserve this. She's right, this is my fault." "You're right, Agent Mulder, Scully doesn't deserve this. But it was you who asked her to come with you and she complied," Skinner reminded him. Without picking up her head, Scully asked, "What does this mean for us?" Skinner looked down at his desk, thinking about how to say it. There was only one way to tell someone that they may never come back to work. "Suspension indefinitely affective Friday, October 22." "But Sir!" Mulder began, standing up. "Did I in any way not make myself clear?" Skinner demanded. He stood up as well, ready to take on Mulder in necessary. Mulder, knowing that he had lost this fight, lowered his gaze like a puppy who had just been scolded for tracking mud onto the freshly mopped floor. "No, Sir." "Please excuse yourselves," he requested. Crushed, Scully stood up and Mulder led the way out of the office. Kim, Skinner's secretary, looked up as she saw Mulder storming out of the office, Scully closely at his heels. Kim thought. "Agent Scully," Kim said, getting Scully's attention. Scully turned to the woman sitting behind the desk. "I'm sorry for your loss. You're a good person, don't forget that." Scully was taken aback for a moment by the words that she had just heard. She looked at Kim. "Thank you. At least somebody thinks so." Meanwhile, in the hall, Mulder waited for Scully outside of Skinner's office. As Scully walked out the door, Mulder grabbed her wrist. "Scully wait, please," he pleaded. This was the first time they had spoken to each other since Ohio. He looked down into her eyes, waiting, hoping. "Mulder don't, please. I can't deal with this right now. Just go," she begged, trying to free her arm from Mulder's fingers of steel. "Talk to me, just talk to me. Tell me how I can fix this. I don't want to lose you forever," he whispered. Scully was still trying to free herself as she thought about what he said. Scully, without realizing it, began to cry. "It doesn't matter, Mulder does it. The damage has been done. Let me go. All of me. Just let me go." Mulder began to realize what she said. She wants him to let her go, to free her from this hell he put her in. His hand began to shake, and he felt like he was going to cry. he thought. He held her wrist and gaze a moment more and then let go. Of Scully. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ October 22, 1999 Mulder's Apartment With the last box finished, Mulder sat down on his black leather sofa. He watched the fish for a moment, thinking about how he would have to transfer them to a different container for the move so that the fish tank could be moved easily. He was moving. He was moving away from DC, away from the FBI...and away from Scully. His heart broke in two at the thought. He had devoted 7 long years to her and only her. And now to not be able to call her up and ask her to come over before he left only made him cry harder. He was crying? When had this happened? It must have been sometime between feeling guilty for being an ass and feeling like an ass for ruining Scully's career and her life. Mulder was moving back to the Vineyard. He was going to live in his parent's old house. He thought it impossible to go back there after the death of his mother, but he was going to do it anyway. He was going to open an office and become a full time psychologist. Hell, he may even get married and start a family. At least he knew his wife would want him around. But he had no set plans for that just yet. He knew he should give up on Scully. Shoulda-woulda-but couldn't. She probably had, and now he knew that there was no turning back. He couldn't change what he did. But he couldn't just give up on Scully. No she was too much to give up. She was everything to him. She was everything. Before he knew what he was doing, Mulder picked up the phone and dialed Scully's home phone. It rang once, twice, three times, before the answering machine picked up and Scully's alto voice spoke. "Hi this is Dana Scully please leave a message at the tone." "Scully? I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving. Surely you don't care where I'm going, so I won't say, since it won't make a difference. I'm so sorry I hurt you...but now you can carry on with your life. Thanks for being apart of mine." And that was that. A knock on the door brought Mulder back to the present. "Mr. Mulder your stuff is ready to go." ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* October 22, 1999 Scully's Apartment She was done crying over him. His message on the machine had broken her heart in two and for a millisecond, she wished she could call him back and apologize and tell him that everything was okay and make everything okay. It wasn't as simple as that. Where was he going? Why wasn't she going with him? Oh yeah, she's terribly upset over him and at him because he ruined her life. She's jobless, hopeless, and just plain sick and tired of being that way. Screw Mulder. He put her in suck a crappy mood and should feel sorry and guilty. Oh hell what was she saying? And where the hell was he going? she thought. Oh well at least she got a bit of good news today. She had gotten a call from the hospital saying that they accepted her application. Ok so she wasn't so jobless after all, but the job didn't go into effect until next Tuesday. Scully got up off of her couch and waltzed over to the phone. She picked up the phone to call her mother but found she was dialing Mulder's house. She quickly hung the phone up after it rang once and began to sob. Again, trying not to think of Mulder, she dialed her mom. After two rings, Mrs. Scully answered. "Hello?" she said. "Hi, Mom, it's me. I need to talk to someone." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ October 15, 2002 Martha's Vineyard Fox Mulder sat at the kitchen table of his house, reading the paper. It was going to be a beautiful day, or so the weather report in the paper said. Behind him, making breakfast, was his wife of two years, Sara. She was humming a tune...what was it? "Let It Be" by the Beatles. Why she was humming that song Mulder didn't know, but it sounded beautiful coming from her. Mulder took a second to think about his wife and his life. He thought about how they met. They were at a barbeque one of his new friends was having. The barbeque was a big summer picnic thing, complete with the swimming pool and DJ package. Mulder had been swimming when his buddy who was throwing the party, Carter asked him to pick something up by the edge of the large in-ground pool. Mulder, being wet from swimming, asked one of the pretty ladies with short brown hair and blue eyes to hand him is towel. She brought it to him, bent down in front of him, and complimented him on his good looks and beautiful body. They went out on a couple of dates after that, and things got serious. Mulder asked her to marry him and she said yes obviously. On October 15, 2000, Fox Mulder wed Sara West in their backyard. He thought about how lonely and lost he still was when he asked her to marry him. Still, she made him happy and he made her happy. A forbidden thought of Scully popped into his head. How was she? Where was she? What's she doing now? No, he wouldn't think of Scully. He had a wife now, and a new life. And Sara loved him. "I love you," Mulder told his wife. Sara turned around and faced him. She was still wearing her cami and matching shorts pajamas. Mulder was still wearing his boxers. "I love you," Sara said, smiling gently. She was beautiful, she really was, but she wasn't Scully. She was taller then Scully, a good 5 inches taller. She had brown hair that always smelled clean. And her complexion was darker than that of Scully's Irish ivory skin. Their eyes were the same hue of blue. Mulder thought Sara's eyes were so beautiful that when he went with her to get her new contacts, he asked that she not get colored one, but get clear ones. The gesture in itself made Sara's heart melt. If only she knew. She made her way to her husband wrapped her arms around him from behind. His skin was so soft and she adored in the way it felt against hers...like when they made love. "Happy anniversary, Sara," Mulder said, turning his head and nuzzling her neck. "Happy anniversary, Fox," said Sara, and she let go. "Oh don't leave me hanging," Mulder pleaded as she went back to her task of baking eggs and bacon and toast. "Oh-ho-ho trust me you're hung pretty well," she said, and looked seductively over her shoulder at her husband. Mulder got up and went to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him. She giggled but then got very serious. "Uh-uh. I've got bacon grease and I'm not afraid to use it!" she threatened. At this, Mulder backed away and put the face on. The one where that full bottom lip protrudes and begs to be worried. "Don't start, Fox." "Don't forget to finish what you start, Sara," he reminded her as he left the kitchen to get dressed. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Later that evening Carro's Restaurant Mulder sat across from his wife in the dim-lit restaurant where they had their first date. Carro's was a local favorite, famous for it's wine and cheese. It was a little pricey, but you'd go out of your way for the person you love, wouldn't you? They had just ordered when Sara had to use the restroom. She excused herself and was out of sight in seconds. Mulder sipped his wine languorously and relaxed for a moment. He was taking in the environment, seeing new faces...one new face stuck out the most. Was that? No...it couldn't be. It was Scully. Mulder could pick her out of a crowd of hundreds, even thousands. It was her hair, her pouty lips, and her radiant eyes, which made her, made her stand out. It was what made her a beautiful human being. Realizing she was being ogled, Scully looked up to see who it was that was ogling her. Oh, my, God. She nearly dropped her wine glass when she saw that it was indeed Mulder. They stared at each other for a while, that is, until Sara returned to the table. It was then that Mulder put his left hand into the air. It was then that Scully almost passed out as her heart broke. He's married now. The solid gold band on his left hand and the gorgeous one-carat Tiffany diamond on her left hand confirmed it. However, Scully wasn't going to let that stop her from seeing Mulder or talking to him in the future. After Mulder and Sara were done eating, they sat and talked for a while. They talked about a lot of things...things such as how they met, how much they enjoy being married to each other and waking up to each other every morning...being in love. Just then, Mulder noticed out of the corner of his eye that Scully wasn't sitting at her table anymore. It was then that a woman rudely brushed past him and dropped a folded sheet of paper on his lap. Then it dawned on him: it was Scully. The paper remained in his lap until he and Sara got up to go home. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Later still Sara was in the bathroom washing her face and brushing her teeth. Mulder was in the bedroom, frantically trying to find that paper he shoved in his pant pocket earlier during dinner. Upon finding the paper, he quickly unfolded it before his wife emerged from the bathroom. The words "5:00 Carro's Bar Tomorrow" were scribbled onto the paper in distinct Scully writing. Mulder almost wept at the site of her handwriting. It brought back memories that he couldn't and wouldn't dare indulge in since his wife finally emerged from the bathroom. She was wearing a robe, oddly enough. Mulder put the paper in the nightstand drawer next to his bed and shut it a little too quickly. Luckily, Sara didn't notice. He sat up and put his back to the headboard and watched as his wife approached him. He watched as she dropped her robe and watched as it pooled on the floor at her feet. He watched as her naked body crawled onto the bed and over him. He tried to put himself back into his body but he was thinking of Scully. Sara noticed he was distracted and kissed his neck, his chest, his rock-hard stomach, making her way down to something that wasn't so rock-hard. She managed to remedy it and also managed to make him moan, telling her that she had his most undivided attention. After making away with his boxers, she settled over him and moved. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* October 16, 2002 Carro's Restaurant Mulder sat at the bar at Carro's at exactly 5:00. He had been there for little over 20 minutes and had already downed 4 tequila shots, trying to dilute himself for the reunion of him and Scully. He closed the office early that day; he was usually open until 6:30 and Sara thought he was still at work. He ordered a scotch on the rocks now. But the next time he looked up, she was standing next to him. Dana Scully was standing next to him and they were looking eye to eye at each other. "Scully." "Mulder." Mulder reached a hand out and touched her cheek, making sure it really was Scully. Her skin was so soft... She backed away, unsure of what he was doing. She wasn't ready to just fall into his arms and forgive him for everything he did. Scully sat down next to him but did not look at him. She swallowed hard. The lump in her throat didn't help matters. She asked the bartender for a martini. Dry with three olives. Then she began. "Why didn't you tell me?" "You didn't ask," Mulder replied calmly. "Mm-mmm." She sipped her martini. "What are you doing here?" Mulder asked, still staring at her. Scully wouldn't look up. "Vacationing," Scully replied, looking straight ahead. "You still in DC?" he asked. "Yes." "I'm sorry." "How's your wife, Mulder?" "I never meant to hurt you." "What's her name?" "Scully..." "How long have you been married?" "Scully look at me." "She's beautiful. Where'd you meet her?" Mulder grabbed Scully by the shoulders and turned her toward him. "Will you just look at me and talk to me and be honest with yourself, Scully? I said I was sorry and I don't know what else I can possibly do to make you understand!" Now she was looking him in the eye and on the verge of tears. "You got married, Mulder," Scully said softly, holding back sobs. "Yes," he replied, almost as though he regretted being married. "Do you love her?" Scully queried. "Of course I love Sara." "Are you in love with her?" Scully asked. Mulder looked away from Scully for a moment, then back. They gazed at each for several moments. he thought. "Yes." "You've always been a bad liar. You can't fool me. I can see it in your eyes." "Meet me again, Scully, please." "Oh but you're married and you love your wife. In fact, you're in love with her, remember?" Scully said mockingly. "Scully..." his tone of voice was almost threatening. "When? Where?" She caved. "Here. Tomorrow. Same time." She looked at him again. "Fine." "When do you go back to DC?" Mulder asked, genuinely curious. "Friday the 18th." "What time?" "I have a night flight at 8." "Then, too." "Mulder..." "Scully..." "All right then. Tomorrow and Friday." He smiled. "Thank you." Scully smiled too, which was something that she didn't do often. "I have to go. Good night, Mulder." "Good night, Scully." And with that, she left. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ October 17, 1999 Carro's Restaurant The day had gone just as the previous. Sara wasn't the least bit suspicious, which was good. Today Mulder had arrived at Carro's at exactly 5, when Scully arrived. He escorted her in, his hand resting comfortably on the small of her back. They ordered drinks and talked. They talked about Mulder and his marriage, they talked about Scully and her job, Mulder's job...how he met his wife, etc. finally it came down to one thing. "I missed you, Scully," Mulder declared. "I didn't for a couple of months. Then my job began going smoothly, I began making money, and I was almost happy. But then I think I started to miss your quirks. I started to miss you," Scully admitted. He reached over and pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was electric and made Scully stop dead in her tracks. Noticing how she tensed up at his touch, he took his hand away quickly. "It's a quarter after. I have to go." Mulder stood up and grabbed his jacket. "Ill see you tomorrow?" "Yes." And he turned to go. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Later that night The Mulder Residence "Oh no," Sara mumbled. Mulder perked up from the book he was engrossed in. "What?" "That was my dad. We have to go away on business on Wednesday for a week." "We?" Mulder asked. He wasn't particularly fond of his brother-in-law. "My mom and dad and brother and I," she reassured him. "Oh. Where to?" "San Francisco. Actually, we're flying out Tuesday night... You won't be too lonely, will you?" she asked teasingly. "I don't think that'll be a problem." ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* October 18, 1999 Carro's Restaurant "Sara is going away for a week on Wednesday to San Francisco." "You're not going?" Scully asked, somewhat surprised. "No." "Why the hell not?" "Because I'm going away also." "Where are you going to go all by your lonesome, Mulder?" "I don't know, but when I get there, I'll tell you." "Mulder I have to go back to my hotel and get my luggage. My plane is leaving in two hours." She got up and Mulder helped her into her coat. "I'm really, very, very glad that I got to see you. I hope, that someday, I get to see you again." "You will, trust me. Thank you for vacationing here." He smiled. So did she. "Good-bye, Mulder." "Good-bye, Scully." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^ October 23, 2002 Scully's Apartment Mulder grabbed his bags from the trunk of his car and headed for the front door of the apartment complex in front of him. He was home. Inside, Scully was putting on her pajamas after taking a long, hot, relaxing bubble bath. She picked out a gray camisole, a pair of matching pink and gray checkered boxers, and the hell with panties. She was just going to go to bed. Or so she thought until she heard a knock on her door. She wasn't seeing this. Mulder was on the other side of her door. She opened the door wordlessly and that's how he entered her apartment. There was no need for words. She stepped back and he stepped in. Mulder put his bags down by the door, next to each other and then turned to face Scully. He put his hand to face and caressed the soft skin there. He pulled her to him and she went willingly. She looked up at him and after several moments, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Nothing more, nothing less. Scully took his hand and led him to her bedroom. It was dark and the only light was coming from either the candle in the far corner or the moonlight streaming in through the windows. They stood next to the bed, not speaking, just gazing. Mulder moved his hand to her shoulder and pushed the strap of her cami off, exposing smooth skin. He gently kissed the softness of her flesh, and repeated his ministrations on the other. Scully removed his jacket and threw it on the floor. Mulder placed his hands on the bottom of the shirt and pulled it up and over as Scully raised her arms. She made short of his shirt and it joined the jacket. He pulled her shorts down over her legs, tugging so she stepped out of them. She fumbled with his belt and with his help, removed his constricting jeans. His boxers followed. She bent down to carefully remove his socks, leaving his feet bare. Finally they both were equally naked. Mulder picked Scully up and placed her on the bed. Her legs fell open and he crawled over her body, covering it with his. His weight was so welcome to her. She almost couldn't get close enough to him. His eyes never left hers. He brushed away a strand of hair, the same strand he had replaced when she was at the Vineyard. Finally, he leaned in and kissed her passionately and carefully and demandingly and delicately that it was hard to tell who was enjoying it more. When they broke for air, Mulder smiled a small smile. Scully followed and he kissed her gently again. This time, there was no smile, but there was understanding. Mulder sank into Scully's warm, wet recesses slowly, as not to hurt her. They both gasped at the sensation and Scully arched her back incessantly. Silent tears filled her eyes and a precious duo slipped from her eyes. He set a slow, steady rhythm that was fulfilling for both of them. Mulder placed his hands under Scully's back to hold her to him. Meanwhile, her hands found his back and were making great use by massaging the strained muscles. "You're...so...beautiful..." Mulder told Scully as he watched her face contort with passion. The pace increased, and Mulder reached down to where their bodies fused. He slipped a finger between her folds and found her powerful bundle of nerves, swollen and throbbing against his hand. His finger brushed past it and that was all it took to push Scully over the edge and into oblivion. "I love...you..." Mulder said between thrusts. "I...know..." Scully responded, coming down from her glorious high. Mulder finally came and filled her with himself, his essence. His head dropped and his teeth sank into Scully's shoulder, marking her, branding her his. He collapsed on top her, his head resting in the crook of her neck. She traced lazy circles on his back while they tried to breathe again. Mulder almost forgot how. When they regained consciousness, Mulder picked his head up to look at Scully. "I love you, Mulder." "I'm in love with you," Mulder told her in response. Another tear threatened to fall from her eyes. She nodded and smiled weakly. It was too much. Mulder rolled off of her and pulled body close to his, still not wanting to break contact. He kissed her shoulder and soon they were fast asleep. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^* October 28, 2002 Scully's Apartment Scully awoke slowly, taking in her surroundings. She was wrapped in her gloriously naked lover's strong arms and she was safe. Today he was leaving, though. She rolled over in his arms and watched him sleep. He was so beautiful, and he looked so peaceful and so much younger when he slept. And he made love to her. Four times. He stirred, finally waking up. "Mm-mm...what are you doing?" he asked groggily. "Watching you sleep." "You need a hobby," Mulder suggested. "I already have one." She kissed his broad shoulder. "Yeah, but your hobby is leaving today." "You'll be back. I love you." "And I love you, Scully." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* ~Epilogue~ After finding out that Mulder could no longer make love to his wife, he filed for divorce in January 2003. He moved back to his apartment, #42, which was vacant, and reopened the X-Files. Scully also got her job back. On Scully's birthday, February 23, 2003, Mulder and Scully got married. It turns out that the stork visited Scully. In December of 2002, Scully found out that she was pregnant. Mulder was the father. On July 23, 2003, Scully gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Madelaine Grace Mulder. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ OK, for those of you who have never heard the song on which I based this fic, here it is. What is this love That I leave behind How can I turn From the tears in your eyes What is this world Where we always pretend That it is worth it Worth it in the end What is this life we share That I just throw away Is this love That causes so much pain What is the promise That I leave behind Why can't I Just lie beside you again What's going on How'd it get so wrong What is this dream That I'll never find What is this prayer That's stealing my mind What is this deal That I've made with fate And I wonder If I have left it too late "What Is This Love" -Blue Rodeo