Title: Breakaway (Part 2 of Series)
Author: NightBloomingJasmine
Plot: After experiencing a rough break up with Mulder, Scully "breaks away" on her own. What follows can only be explained as life. SPOV, SA, UST in Scully's head and SO.
Timeline: Everything up until season 7 happen, then I throw my own twist into things.
Spoilers: Season 7 and 8
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters that credit goes to CC and Fox, but the story is all mine.

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It had been one whole vacant month since the end of the beginning. I hadn't heard from him since the night he showed up at my mother's door step. I'd learned through the grapevine, that meaning the Lone Gunman, that he'd taken the transfer to L.A. He'd left practically the next day and 48 hours following his departure, I handed in my letter of resignation to AD Kerse. He'd almost looked relieved somehow, maybe it was do to the fact that he was finally getting ride of the both of us. I guess it doesn't matter now anyway.

Mom meet with AD Skinner a few days ago, I know completely what it was for. She hadn't spoken much about the meeting only that he wished me the best and that I would be missed. I knew there was more to it then that, but I'd really rather stay ignorant to those facts for now. The less I know the better off I'd be and the easier it will be to forget. I didn't inquire anymore about it.

As I sit in my empty apartment packing the last of my belongings that are to be sent to Philadelphia, I recall all the memories, good and bad. I'll miss this place, but mostly I'll miss the memories and the 'what could have been."

I found this picture of Mulder and I can't even remember when or where the picture was taken, most likely by mom or Frohike at some gathering or other, but we're standing next to each other and he's smiling, we're both smiling. His hand is on the small of my back. He'd always placed his hand there. I came to expect it, to crave it. A guide through a doorway, up the stairs, around a dance floor. It never matter for what or when, his palm and slim fingers always found their way to my back, supporting me somehow unconsciously.

"Danes, are you ready to go?" It's Charlie he must be done with packing the car and is now checking up on me.

"Yea, I was ahh..I'm just packing the last of my things."

"You okay?" I caught you daydreaming, I hope? He takes a seat next to me.

"I'm fine, just getting this stuff together... you know…I was just thinking?" I show him a smile, hoping that he'll accept that for right now. I try to hide the picture, shoving it under some picture fames.

"Whatcha got there?" He reaches for my hand and picks the picture out from between two of the frames. He studies the picture then looks over at me. It's then that I realized that he'd never meet Mulder, until recently Charlie, Katie, is wife and the boys lived in Seattle. They've just recently moved back east. I'll be moving to Philadelphia, well outside of the city, with them until I find a job and apartment. It shouldn't be that hard considering my background. He driven down a few days ago to help me get everything in order. We've become closer since Missy passed and even closer this past month.

"That's him huh?"

"Yea, that's him" He stares at the picture a bit longer before handing it back to me. I fingering the picture through my fingers, staring at Mulder's laugh lines.

"It's okay to miss him Danes, you should keep that, you never know."

"You think that's a good idea?" I ask him raising an eyebrow to meet his raised eyebrow.

"Dana, it will get better, I promise. You just need to disentangle yourself from all of these memories. Besides I'm really glad that your coming to stay with us. The kids miss you, Katie misses you, and most of all I miss you." He squeezes my shoulder and holds out his hand. I take his and he pulls me up gathering me into a hug before stooping down to pick up the last of the boxes. He isn't my bratty little brother anymore, he has this compassion about him that I've only begun to realize, almost like Mom's and Missy's

"Come on, let's go, Starbuck, you have some seas to sail." I smile at him, maybe this is what's best for me right now.

As I descend this stairs one last time I've come to the conclusion that I do indeed want to pursuit my own white whale for once. Instead of sitting here dreaming of what could be and if I'd ever end up happy, maybe I'll just take my chances and dive into this world feet first, praying to god that the waves of humanity and change bring my feet to a landing which is of my choosing and of my risk. Maybe I'll meet Mulder again maybe I won't, but I can't walk about afraid of it happening or not. I have to close my eyes and just live for me for once.

So what do you guys think? It is jus the beginning there is way more to some