Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did....well I just don't- is the point.

Summary: Another songfic. M/O turned MSR. = )

Notes: Follows no storyline or timeline. If you don't like it- don't read it. = )

This is a second part to The Doctor, which I highly suggest you read. It really does kinda play a big role in this, so, let's just say- read TheDoctor because this story can't stand alone.

- - - -

It's one hundred and nine degrees in this crowded room
No room to breathe with walls as cold as a gallery
This is no place for me
Such hard faces in smoke
The smell lingers in my clothes

It's a bad night to be alone

But that's the way it goes

-A Fine Frenzy

; Think of You

It had been almost one year since Dana Scully had decided it was time for a break. Or, more like it was decided for her. One year ago she had gone on a 5 month vacation to break from the pedestal her partner had put her on, only to find out that-not only had she been taken off the pedestal, she had been kicked out[off] completely.

Mulder had never told her in direct words that she had been cast-out. He simply moved on, and she had let him. It had started at work, she had asked for a transfer and he had let it go. Asking her to keep in touch, but never asking her to stay. Of course, she kept in touch for the first few months. They met for coffee at least once a week, and Lilly joined then at least once a month. That had lasted a total of 4 months before their meetings were reduced to once a month, and then, almost 7 months later, was reduced to a phone call once a month.

Little by little that comfortable silence had turned into an uncomfortable one, and then one day, the calls simply stopped. Scully never called him because of two reasons. He was either never there when she called those first few months, and when he was, it was Lillian who answered.

Scully had to admit that through her eyes, Lillian had done nothing wrong. She encouraged Mulder to see Scully and to keep the friendship, it seemed to Scully that it was Mulder who had effectively cut the communication cords.

She still lived in her apartment, still worked for the FBI. She still walked those hallways at the Hoover building, subconsciously avoiding the times she knew Mulder would walk them. Mulder, who, in general, hadn't changed, was now a bit more on time, usually arriving with Lillian. At first, there was awkwardness when they had bumped into each in the halls. Scully remedied this by arriving later on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She now mostly worked doing autopsies, and sometimes field work, never venturing out to do more work. She was taking the time to get her life back in order.

She went out a few times a week, now that she worked a solid 9-5 job she could take the luxury of making plans.

- - -

Lillian was taking a shower and Mulder was trying to find his tie. He wanted to wear the blue and black stripped one because he knew it was one of Lillian's favorites.

They had both decided that once a month they should get all dressed up and go out to dinner. Although they did it more than once a month, it was now the second week into the month and they hadn't gone out. The case they were currently working on, had taken more time than they had estimated, but a week later and no real injuries, they both decided it was time to go out.

Mulder heard the water stop and he called out to Lillian, asking where the tie would be.

After having successfully choked himself with the tie, Lillian came out to help him.

"I leave for 20 minutes and you try to kill yourself? Really Mulder?"

Mulder laughed and grabbed her hand, walking toward the living room.

"The couch is getting awfully lonely. It needs some warmth and only one set up cheeks."

He raised his eyebrow and Lillian laughed as she walked away from him to the front door.

Mulder followed and grabbed their coats. It was a warm night, but he kept the coats in the car, just in case.

Once they were in the car Lillian looked out the window and let a comfortable silence settle in between them.

As she looked out the window, she wondered, as she often did, how Scully managed not to fall in love with Mulder. She never liked to dwell on these thoughts for long because she always came to the same conclusion. Scully must have fallen for him. The question was- had Mulder fallen for her? And if he had- was she keeping him from Scully? As she looked out the window, she let her thoughts go to other places, places that didn't hurt as much as the thought of Mulder loving someone other than herself.

Quick notes: Sorry it took so long. I went on retreat. My beta did wonders working on this though lol. I'm getting much better thanks to her ; )