**NOTE** The timeline of events is slightly manipulated in order for the story to make sense in later chapters.

Chapter Two

AD Mulder made arrangements to be away from the office for a week, though he doubted this ordeal would take him that long. He would leave tomorrow morning. So that he would still be prepared for the audit that was less than a month away, Mulder had requested all expense reports dating back to last April to take with him on his trip. His agents would be in touch.

That night, Mulder packed his medium-sized suitcase as he thought about how he and Scully had said their farewells. It was far from typical. Or cordial. Though he did not remember the exact wording, Scully had told Mulder to go to hell, and he had replied with a classy 'fuck you.'

Mulder sighed. For the life of him he could not remember what they had fought about, he just knew that it was petty, at least for one of their arguments. After all, they had been through a lot. Maybe that was the underlying reason of their separation. They had battled Scully's abduction, her "terminal" cancer, her sister's murder, his fake suicide. She left shortly after his bout with insanity six years into their partnership.

"Maybe Diana was involved in our fight," Mulder mused aloud, trying to piece back the memories he would rather have just left forgotten.

They kept no contact whatsoever. Mulder had not even asked the Lone Gunmen to keep tabs on Scully's whereabouts, so Byers' email was just that much more of a shock to him.

So much has changed since he last talked to her. "So much," he breathed. How could he even begin to reestablish contact with her? "Hey Scully, I haven't talked to you in five years and the last words I spoke to you were, and I quote, 'fuck you,' but a little birdie told me that I needed to come save you."

He could just imagine her response, "Well thanks, Agent Mulder, but I don't need any self-righteous Prince Charmings right now, I'm fine."

And of course, he would not-so-politely correct her, "That's Assistant Director Mulder, now." Emphasis on the 'Director.'

Mulder slumped down on the floor beside his luggage. He knew it would not be easy to face her again. He had so much explaining to do. Why he did not bother to call her. Even at the times when he made a huge breakthrough in discovering the truth through the X Files, he did not call her. He knew that even after everything that happened between them, she had a right to know of the discoveries. After all, she had devoted almost six years to the cause.

"Daddy!" a young boy stumbled into Mulder's bedroom.

Mulder smiled and opened his arms; the giggling boy jumped into his embrace.

"Bear hug!" Mulder growled, squeezing the boy in his arms. This earned a squeal of delight from the boy. Mulder let the boy go and watched him walk over to the other side of Mulder's suitcase.

"Is Sesame Street over, Sam?" Mulder asked the four-year-old.

"Uh-huh," the boy replied. Then, after staring thoughtfully at the suitcase before him, trying to piece things together, he looked back up at his father, "Daddy, going away?"

Mulder picked his son up and carried him into the kitchen, "Only for a couple days. Daddy has to meet a friend."

"Sam go, too?"

Mulder set him in his booster seat at the kitchen table, "Not this time. Daddy hasn't seen this lady in a long time. Maybe later you can meet her."

"Sam go with Uncle 'Hickey?"

Mulder reheated leftovers from last night's dinner, "You want to stay with Uncle Frohike?"

"Yeah. Hickey buys me pizza."

"Okay. Well, Uncle Frohike said you could stay with him, so we'll go tonight after dinner," Mulder finished just as the microwave indicating dinner was ready.

The two boys ate a dinner of reheated mashed potatoes and meatloaf before Sam went into his room. Out of the corner of his eye, Mulder watched Sam drag Mulder's largest suitcase into his room. Mulder smiled, then crept to the door to Sam's room. Sam, unknown to him that he had an audience, proceeded to dump half his toys and a toothbrush into the suitcase.

"Ready!"

Mulder made his entrance, "You sure you don't want to pack any clothes?'

Sam nodded.

"Well, just in case, I have a bag already packed for you. Waddaya say we leave these toys here and only take one? That way, you won't lose any."

"But I want all my toys!" Sam protested.

"You have toys over at their house."

Sam pouted.

"Sam.." Mulder said warningly.

"Okay."

"Good, you ready to go?"

"Uh-huh."

When they arrived at the Lone Gunmen's headquarters, Sam ran ahead of Mulder and pounded on the door.

"Guys, it's me! Lemme in!" Sam hollered. He learned quickly.

Byers greeted them at the front door, "Hey Sam! Hey Mulder, you ready to go?"

"I don't know…"

"Well, I made reservations for you at Holiday Inn under your name. Check-in is at 12:00. Is that all right?"

"Yeah, thanks Byers. I'm not leaving until tomorrow, but it'll be easier to get out early if I don't have to drop Sam off. The drive is a good four or five hours, depending on traffic."

Sam stood solemnly on the other side of the door jamb, "Bye, Daddy."

"Sam, I'm going to go now, are you okay?"

Tears welled up in Sam's big brown eyes. "Can I go?" his voice cracking.

Mulder kneeled down in front of his son. "I'll call you everyday. You know you have to stay here. Will you help Uncle Byers take care of Langly?"

Sam hiccuped his protest.

"C'mere and give Daddy a hug before I leave," Mulder said gently. Sam ran into his father's open arms. "I love you, Daddy," Sam cried. "I love you, too, Buddy."

Frohike came into view out of the kitchen, donning an "Kiss the Cook" apron and a chef's hat. "Hey, Champ. I made too many peanut butter cookies and I need somewhere to put 'em. Where should they go?"

Sam turned around with a goofy, lopsided grin (obviously an inherited trait) and lifted his T-shirt. He proceeded to stick out his belly and point to it.

"Well," Frohike pretended to contemplate, "I guess Uncle Langly could eat them…"

Sam ran into the kitchen, his protests drained out by his fits of hysterical giggling. The fact that his father was leaving was no longer of any concern. Mulder took this as his cue and silently waved to Byers before slipping out into the night.

A/N: I absolutely LOVED writing this chapter. Please review. It becomes less la la happy land as it goes on. After all, a fic without angst is hardly a fic at all.