AN: Thank you for keeping up with this fic! I hope you enjoy!

Washington 6:53pm – Mulder POV

Today had been one big ugly mess. Anything could have happened to Scully. Why didn't I stay by her side? She doesn't need a guardian angel, just someone to be there for her. To stop people like Bowman hurting her.

I don't know how long I was sat in that chair in Scully's house, but when she began to stir in her sleep, my eyes snapped open. She began to mumble something inaudible and her eyes started flickering. I stood from the chair, kneeling down beside her. I didn't want to wake her, she needed to sleep. I just wanted to be there for her.

Suddenly, she sat up, letting out a sharp scream. Her body was shaking and beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. I took hold of her hand and she turned to me, wide eyed.

"Shh, it's ok Scully, I'm here."

She visibly relaxed when she saw me, shaking her head gently as if she was mentally scolding herself. I didn't know why. She had always tried to hide her emotions from me. But I could see right through her.

I sat down on the sofa beside her, pulling her closer to me, wrapping an arm around her. She rested her head on my shoulder, curling her legs beneath her. I stroked her hair gently, not wanting to push her for answers about the nightmare. She'll talk when she's ready.

After a while, she looked up at me, her eyes glazed over. I continued to stroke her hair in comfort. For her or myself, I didn't know. Perhaps both.

"It was the same nightmare. It's always the same." She said quietly.

"Your father?"

"Yes." She nodded a little, placing her head back on to my shoulder.

"You should see someone about it, Dana."

I was as surprised as her when her forename left my mouth. I never called her 'Dana', she was always 'Scully' and I was always 'Mulder'.

"I don't need a shrink, Mulder."

I could tell even in those short moments that she was getting irritated. I hadn't known her very long, barely six months, but I had already picked up on her habits. She lifted her head off my shoulder and turned her body to face me.

"I'm fine Mulder, really." She sighed.

"I'll get you some water." I said, standing up and heading for the kitchen.

I knew my way around Scully's house like it was my own. I had spent countless nights there making sure she was ok. Whether it was for my reassurance or not, I don't know.

I returned to her with a glass of water but by that time, she had already fallen back to sleep. I smiled slightly, placing the water down onto the coffee table. I stayed with her for a little while longer before leaving. I wrote her a little note and placed it next to the water. After planting a soft kiss on her forehead, I left the house, locking the door behind me.

On the drive back to Quantico I had a brief call from Skinner. After the day Scully and I had had, he told me to go home. I refused, telling him I had some things to finish up in the office, which was true in a sense, I just didn't feel like going back to the cold lonely place I call home.

On arriving at Quantico, I avoided everyone on my way to my basement office. I needed solitude and that's what I found there, among the crime scene photos covering my desk. I sat down, sighing to myself.

Perhaps I should have stayed with Scully. But I knew deep down, she wouldn't want me fussing over her. She is the strongest woman I know, although I'd never tell her that. Perhaps you should.

I shook my head gently before turning on my computer. I did have a lot of work to do. A field report was one of those things. Tedious, but necessary.

My fingers began thumping away at the keyboard in front of me as I watched the words appear on the screen. I tried to keep my mind off Scully, I really did, but it was difficult. She was so different, so bold yet cautious, strong with a hint of weakness she wouldn't let anyone show.

Samantha would have approved, I think. At the thought of Sam, I smiled. She was such a beautiful young girl. My smile soon turned into a frown. She left us too soon. I believed she was still alive. I had to. However, no one believed me on the fact she was taken by aliens. That's probably where I got the name 'Spooky Mulder'.

I sighed to myself again, blinking hard as I focused back on to the screen in front of me. The sooner you get this done, the sooner you can leave. But that was it; I didn't know if I wanted to go home. I had no one to go home too. At least here I had the familiarity. I had spent a lot more time in the office than at 'home'.

Suddenly the phone on my desk began to ring.

"Mulder."

"Agent Mulder, it's me." Skinner said on the other end of the phone. "I have a case for you."

My brow furrowed. If Skinner had a case for me, I know it must have been abnormal. It was very rare I got a 'normal' case anymore.

"Go on?"

"The body of a girl was found dead in a recently abandoned house in West Virginia three days ago."

"Cause of death?"

"Unknown."

So short with your answers. What aren't you telling me?

"When do you need me to fly out?"

"As soon as you can."

"Anything else I need to know?" I asked, already beginning to search for flights to Virginia.

"You'll be given the details when you arrive. I want your report on my desk when you get back."

"Yes Sir." I said, hanging up.

So it begins.