Chapter 1

The basement office was dimly lit by a single light on the large desk, just off-center of the room. Seated behind the desk, his head bowed, he couldn't believe the words that would fall next from her mouth.

"I don't feel that way about you," she said calmly without reservation.

He looked up at her, wetness beginning to fill his eyes, threatening to fall. "Why, Dana?" he asked incredulously. "I thought we shared something, meant something to each other. All this time we've spent together, things we've seen and talked about, and it means nothing?"

She looked away from him, not wanting him to see the lie that was in her eyes. "I'm sorry, it was only a work relationship; nothing more." God, this was hard. "I never meant to hurt you or lead you to believe otherwise." She was looking at him again. "I was here to do a job. We have to accept the assignments we are given."

"You, of all people…" Now it was his turn to look away. A tear fell from his face and splattered on the desk. She did not fail to see this, and she almost died inside. "I don't know if I can accept this," he mumbled. "I cannot accept that you could be used this way; that you would use me…." He was clearly emotional.

Gathering her purse, she turned to the door of the office and opened it to walk out, pausing just before the threshold. And without looking back, she uttered the two words that would seal Mulder's fate: "Goodbye, Fox."

Xxx

Agent Dana Scully, six year veteran of the FBI Paranormal Division, walked with purpose into the outer office of the Assistant Director. Taking the stairs had given her the opportunity to avoid cursory glances by other agents. The elevator would have been faster, but she had been through enough drama for one day. She needed to make it through this. Dana hoped that her face didn't betray what she was thinking. The A.D.'s secretary greeted her warmly. "Morning, Agent."

Agent Scully gave her a cursory nod. "Good Morning, Arlene", she said. "Is A.D. Skinner in? I need to speak with him."

Arlene thumbed through her Day Timer until she came up with the correct information. "He's in, but a conference is about to start. Is it important?"

'I'll say', Dana thought. "Yes." Arlene lit up the intercom.

"Agent Scully to see you, Sir," she intoned into the speaker.

'Send her in' the speaker crackled in response.

Dana smoothed the lapels of her Donna Karan jacket, grabbed the door knob and passed through. Skinner was waiting for her.