Mulder and Scully were still staring at each other, just relishing in the looks they exchanged. Mulder was wondering why he was still so jumpy. It was almost as if the incident in Diana Fowley's office had taken most of the trust he had in people and now poor Scully had to mend his "wounds".

The ringing of the phone interrupted his thoughts. Dana Scully hesitated a moment before getting up to answer her phone. She went to the kitchen and Mulder could hear her talking but was incapable of making out the words.

After five minutes, Scully returned.

"It was Skinner", she said with a distant shiver in her voice. "They finally found Spender and Fowley." She saw how Mulder flinched at the mention of their names. She almost had the feeling he was flinching more for Fowley's name than for Spenders.

"Fowley has been reassigned back to Europe and Spender, well, they're still contemplating but he won't be wearing an FBI badge for a long time, that's for sure. Maybe he won't even wear one ever again."

She knew it was hardly any consolation, but at least it was something. Mulder kept quiet, but Scully knew his mind was working unremittingly.

Scully sighed.

"Mulder, I'll make breakfast now. And then we're to meet Skinner in his office. He wants to see you!", she informed him.

Mulder looked up at her. "He wants to see me?", he asked incredulously.

"What's so unusual about that? He's your superior.", Scully replied puzzled.

"Maybe you're right, Scully... maybe he just wants to give me some flowers with a card that reads, get well, spooky", Mulder stated sarcastically.

Scully looked at him seriously. "Maybe he wants to do just that, Mulder!", she then said with a solemn voice.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Skinner's office, 2 hours later

Skinner had been talking alone to Mulder for the last twenty minutes. When Scully was called in again, Mulder gave her a pleasant smile.

Scully sat next to her partner while Skinner quickly went outside to instruct his secretary with something.

"And?", Scully whispered.

"You were right – so far", he whispered back. "He wanted to know how I feel and offered me to take some time off to recover fully."

"Told you so", she smiled contentedly.

"I told him I'm doing fine and don't need more time off.", Mulder continued matter-of-factly.

"WHAT?", she whispered, appalled. "But you're not even half way fit for work, Mulder!"

"Scully, the only way for me to get back to a normal life is to go on with my work."

"Normal life?", Scully snapped.

He frowned.

Scully felt a little guilty about snapping but also somewhat offended. The way he said it it sounded like their time together was counting for nothing.

He seemed to guess what she was thinking.

"Scully", he said sincerely. "I appreciate everything you've done for me. You keep my feet on the ground, you're the rock that makes my life solid. But I have to do what I have to do, do you understand?" He wasn't sure if he made sense to her.

She understood. She nodded at him, managing a smile. She was about to reply when Skinner returned to the room.

"Agent Scully", he greeted her with a nod.

"Now that you're both here and Agent Mulder has agreed to go back to work, I've got something for you. Just routine work, don't worry", he said the latter looking at Scully. "I know he must start easy!"

"So what is our routine assignment?", Mulder asked.

"You're going to Nevada for some research work", Skinner said without much ado. "You're leaving tomorrow!" He handed the agents the file. "See you back here next week!"

THE END

As you might have picked up I'm letting them slide right into the episode "Drive".

Feedback is welcome!!! Hope you enjoyed it!