TITLE: Autumn Falls
AUTHOR: Erin M. Blair
E-MAIL: FEEDBACK: Yes, please.
DISTRIBUTION: OK to Gossamer, Ephemeral,After the Fact, MSR Fanfic Cheerleaders Archive.
RATING: PG CATEGORIES: SRA -- Story, Romance, Angst.
KEYWORDS: Mulder/Scully Romance.
SPOILERS: Season Seven. Small spoilers from Tooms, Little Green Men, Duane Barry, Ascension,
One Breath, The End, etc.
DISCLAIMER: Mulder and Scully belong to Chris Carter.
SUMMARY: Scully reflects on what Mulder had told her years ago. Will this bring them renewal of their relationship?
NOTES: Special thanks to Devin and Jen for the beta. :) I'm very grateful for your help.

Scully had always loved autumn -- the ever-changing leaves falling on the ground; the crisp, cool air; knowing that winter would arrive sooner than you thought it would. One leaf on the ground caught her attention and she couldn't help but pick it up, to get a closer look at its golden brown color. She remembered her mother telling her that autumn brought hope and reflection for the soul.

"Scully?"

She turned to face Mulder, still holding the leaf in her hand. "Mulder," she asked, not yet willing to look at him fully. "Do you remember what you said a few years ago...about how things were going to change for us?"

He was obviously confused about where she was going with this but instead of questioning he just answered. "I remember."

Scully looked into his hazel eyes. "I think there was something more to that."

"Oh?"

His tone begged her to continue. "I know you were mostly speaking about professionally..."

"I was thinking about the huge possibility that they would separate us," Mulder said slowly. "They almost succeeded."

Scully nodded. "I know. But there was something more -- wasn't there?" After a brief pause, she added, "I never wanted to be away from you..."

"I know," he murmured. He gently kissed her lips and then he gazed into the pools of her blue eyes. "There was more to it. I was thinking of how much I wanted you, Scully. Even then you meant the world to me."

She gently smiled at his words, they meant a great deal, especially after the recent events with Diana Fowley. It wasn't as though she was insecure in their relationship, but sometimes she needed to hear the words.

"Mulder, I couldn't live without you in my life. I never want to know how that would be. You once told me that you owe me everything and that I owe you nothing. The truth is... that you are everything to me." She could feel the warmth of both of their bodies holding each other.

"And you're everything to me, Scully..." he whispered, gently stroking her cheek.

Scully's smile broadened. Autumn really did bring hope and renewal from the fallen leaves.

The End