Author's Notes:

Well, I have another week under my belt, as I have jumped back on the saddle. Thank you to the continued encouragement! While this chapter has not quite been proofread and doesn't end exactly where I want it to, it does set up for things down the road. I do reference Scully's origin novel quite a bit again, so once again, you have been warned.

While I know that those novels had mixed reviews, I felt like Scully's really gave me some insight into things that frequently happened to Scully, but were never fully touched on in the series. Particularly in regards to religious visions and communication with the dead. I had to laugh when both reviewers of the YA novel and people on social media after the latest premier were all up in arms about Scully having visions, and all I could say was, "I am sorry, have we been watching the same show? Girl has been seeing and talking to dead people all over this series!" Granted, I was not a big fan of the whole, "Let's play off last season's cliffhanger as a vision" plot device, among many other things.

Anyway, I digress, it's just having this extra piece of Scully's canon, fit in so well to what I originally saw for this story, so I needed to make sure it was appropriately worked in early on. I hope you enjoy. I SWEAR, next week we will really be moving into things.

-Luna

Royal Motel

Ironwood, Michigan

March 14, 1992

5:02 PM

Scully watched as her older sister exited the the office of their latest attempt for overnight lodging with a broad grin and triumphant wave of her arms that sent a set of, what Scully assumed to be, room keys onto the pavement. The golden hour was approaching, as the day began to wind down, and between her warm breath against the cold air and the orange light, Missy's auburn curls appear to be a halo of fire as she stooped to retrieve the keys before bounding across the parking lot to hop into the driver's side of the Gunmen's VW.

"Success! Finally! I thought we were all going to have to sleep in here tonight. Not that this would be the first time I have camped in a van, but it's definitely pretty cold in these parts" Missy beamed at her sister, "Two rooms: one double and one single with a pull-out. The manager inside needs to see IDs for everyone and take down information. Ready to wake the beasts in the back?"

Scully turned to see Mulder and Byers' sleeping forms. Byers had done a lot of the driving during initial leg of the boys' trip from D.C. to Chicago and had only been sleeping most of the several hour drive north. It was the fact that Mulder was actually sleeping that surprised her the most. He had offered to drive most their trip together, but a couple of hours ago, he had willingly taken Missy's offer to take over at a gas station. Given his flirtatious advances, she initially thought it was to get in some time snuggling next to her, but Byers apparently was a heavy sleeper, who had since sprawled out taking up more of the back than necessary. Nobody had the heart to move him, so Scully moved to the front to keep her sister company. They had only just passed into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when they finally found a sign that said "Vacancy." They all had agreed that there was no way they would make it to their final location before dark, and everyone needed a break from travel and time to discuss next steps before moving on. Scully nodded to her sister and they both climbed out the of the van to the back throwing open the back doors letting light and cool air pour over Mulder and Byers.

Byers grumbled and rubbed at his eyes, "Where are we?"

Missy pulled one of their packs out of the back next to him, while Scully climbed in to kneel next to Mulder.

"Just made it into Michigan. Dana and I found a motel for us to hunker down in for tonight. We have to get everyone checked in," Missy responded as she offered Byers a hand to help him up.

Scully looked over at her sister and Byers before looking down at Mulder. Part of Byers' "disguise" was to shave his beard, which was Scully was still getting used to. Shaving his beard also had shaved probably a good decade off his age. He looked like awkward teenager next to her confident, statuesque sister.

Below her was Mulder, who had actually trimmed up his hair even more, but had let his own bead grow in. She was never sure how she felt about him with a beard and recalled the last time he had a beard. How he thought it funny to try and tickle and scratch her with it when the spooned.

"Hey, have I died and gone to heaven, because I am seeing angels," he said in a playful, gravelly voice, a trademark grin across his face. He even waggled his eyebrows at her for punctuation.

Scully groaned, and then upon further inspection of Mulder found herself smirk as her eyes landed on his groin.

"Mulder, you don't need to be pitching any tents tonight. We found a motel to stay in," she whispered playfully.

She watched as he looked down and quickly adjusted himself.

"Hey now, I am still adjusting this young, spry body. Cut a guy some slack, Scully," Mulder replied as he tried to further adjust himself.

"And it's Byers that is doing you in?" Scully felt her eyebrow rise with this sides of her mouth.

Mulder looked in the direction who was now hoisting his own pack as he spoke to Missy and shrugged, "I don't know, Scully. With that shaved, baby face, he's not a bad looking guy."

Scully stood up as much as she could in the back of the VW and shook her head. "Alright, well you can try to make your move tonight, after we get settled, Romeo. We need to go into the office to finish check-in."

Royal Motel Office

5:17 PM

"George and Katherine Hale," the motel manager said slowly, in a deep, nasally draw, as he looked over Mulder and Scully's fake licenses and took down their names on a typed form in a worn binder, "I am going to assume the two of you will taking the double."

"Yes!" Scully heard her sister excitedly reply from behind her, causing both her and Mulder to turn around and look at her questioningly. Missy only winked back, "My friend and I are fine working out the single. Besides this is like their honeymoon. We are just heading up into the Porkies for some skiing together."

"No kidding," said the manager with a shrug, "Whereabouts you folks staying after tonight?"

After pausing a beat, Mulder spoke up, rolling with Missy's story, "Just a small place off of Superior that some family friends aren't using over the winter and invited us to use it for the week while we enjoyed the great Northwoods. Perhaps you can point us in the best direction to get there?"

The older gentleman looked up from the form as he handed the four of them back their IDs and pushed a pair of dated, plastic framed glasses up the bridge of his nose. He sniffled before continuing, "Well, I guess that depends on where you going and what you are driving." They watched as he pulled a map from under the desk and spread it out for them.

Scully watched as Mulder leaned over the map and decisively pointed a ways away from their final location on the map, "I believe it is around here."

The man frowned. "Well George...by the way, I am sorry, my name is Joe," Joe said as he offered his hand to Mulder, who shook it, "most of the roads around here are closed this time of year. As you folks saw, we still have a good two feet of snow on the ground, and it could snow again at any time. I don't think you would make it too far in what you pulled up in. However, if you are interested, I gotta guy who can rent you all a couple of snowmobiles. That's the best way to get around here. Not that there aren't any brave souls who snowshoe or ski their way into the mountains from here, but I wouldn't recommend it."

Mulder looked at her and then Byers and Missy, "What does everyone think?"

Byers nodded and Missy spoke up with a saccharine smile, "We would really appreciate that, Joe. How soon could you get us set up with the rentals? We were really hoping to get out there as soon as possible tomorrow and make the most of our day."

As Scully had expected, Missy had clearly charmed this man earlier, and he beamed at her with a large smile beneath a thick mustache.

"Well, miss, I would be happy to put that call in for you folks tonight. The owner is a friend of mine, and he owes me a favor. I bet we can getcha set up first thing tomorrow morning?" Joe replied.

Missy reached over to the counter and put her hands over his and looked into his eyes, "That would be so kind of you, Joe. We truly appreciate it," Missy lifted her hands, "Now, where can we get some good food after we get settled? We are all starving."

8:23 PM

Scully watched as her sister went to the door for the single room, with Byers, as they ran from the van to the motel to escape the quickly dropping temperatures.

"What are you doing?" Scully said as Mulder came up behind her.

Missy cocked her head at Byers, "John and I talked when we got here. We are fine in this room. We wanted to give you two a chance to just rest and catch up."

Byers nodded, "I have to call Langley and Frohike and check-in with them. Make sure calls will patch through correctly while we are up here. Your sister said she would help me check over our equipment. I have slept plenty today anyway..."

"And I am fine to stay up too," Missy piped in, "You two just go. The last few days have been intense. I am not negotiating this, Dana."

Scully was ready to open her mouth, but Missy stood firmly with the same look they both got from their mother, than meant there would be no room for debate. She felt a hand on her elbow and heard the door next to her unlock.

"Come on, Scully," Mulder said as he guided her into the room, "Goodnight, Missy. Byers."

He shut the door behind them, and she stared at him.

"Mulder," she sighed in exasperation.

"Scully," he parroted. "What? Am I that bad of a roommate?"

She looked up at him and then fell into his chest. "No," she murmured as she felt his arms wrap around her. This was what she missed so much when they were apart. This feeling of safety when she was in his arms. She felt them over to the edge of the firm, low motel bed and pull both of them down onto the mattress with a thud.

Raising her chin, Scully looked up at Mulder through pieces of hair that had escaped the french braid her sister had put in earlier that day. He brushed them out of her face and with a deep, low voice, "You look beautiful, Scully."

She felt herself blush and the heat between the two of them intensify, but she knew she just didn't feel ready to reenter this territory with Mulder. Especially given the circumstances.

"You look silly," she said as she rolled off of him, but not before she saw the disappointment quickly cross over his face. "It's that beard on this Mulder's face."

"This beard," he said as he rolled back into her and nuzzled her neck.

"Mulder, stop," Scully said as she playfully pushed him away before turning serious, "I am not ready for us to go there yet. We still should talk. We can't just play everything off like it never happened because of where we are or when we are. I need to know that you are okay. That I am okay. That we are okay."

"I know, Scully, and I want you to know that I feel okay," he said as he looked at her deeply. She knew he was telling the truth.

She leaned up on her elbow again and staring back at him, "Mulder, I know when I left, I hurt you, but I just couldn't… I am sorry, and I just can't do this with you, not yet."

"I understand, Scully, and honestly, I am the one that should be sorry. I told you that I would stop allowing myself to descend into darkness, to stop dragging the both of us down. I broke that promise," his tone was rich and earnest, and to her relief, she could not filled with sadness. He sounded accepting.

Scully looked down and attempted to cover his large hands with her petite ones. "But it's not like that is something you could have helped, Mulder. Depression is a serious thing. It wasn't a choice."

"Yes, but Scully, it was a choice to not do things that could have helped the situation. That could have helped me. Helped us. There were still a lot of choices that I have made over the years that were not in anyone's best interest," Mulder said as he rubbed his thumb across her hands, looking up at her. Then he grinned, "Besides, I should have known better by then. You are always right. I should have followed doctor's orders."

"Are you trying to sweet talk me again, Mulder?" She cracked at him with a smile before turning serious. While she did want to give their relationship another chance, she just wanted to be careful given the situation. There were too many variables in play, and Scully wanted to make sure they were both on the same page. She lied back down next to Mulder, hoping to convey the same serious in both her tone and her eyes as she stared into his.

"I am not going to change my mind that quickly. We need to take things slowly. We don't know what we are up against yet, and what if this," she gestured between them, "is permanent? What if it is not? I just don't want to get us into any predicaments."

She watched a plethora of emotions move across Mulder's face, as he sighed and rolled onto his back, "I know, and if it means it's going to take another seven years or twenty years or one hundred years to get there, Scully, you know I will wait. I don't ever want to lose you again, because then I am just lost too."

His last comment warmed her heart, and she snuggled herself in close to him as he deftly moved his arms around her. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "Thank you, Mulder."

They rested there, a sleepy tangle, on the creaky, motel bed in silence for a few quiet moments. The smell of must hung in the air and metal heater against the front window rattled as it fought against the cool draft piercing the old doors and windows. In those moments, Scully could tell Mulder's thoughts had shifted elsewhere. If all of their years together had taught her anything, it was how to read the silence of the other. Clearly, Mulder was trying to work something out in his head.

"What is it?" Scully prodded.

"Mmmmmmh?" Mulder mumbled in a noise that Scully presumed to be a, What?

"You are trying to figure something out in that head of yours, Mulder. What is it?" She pressed.

She watched as he paused and rubbed at his scruffy, partial beard with his hand that was not wrapped beneath her. He was clearly choosing his words, which made her even more curious.

"Your sister told me something today. Something...interesting, and that I guess knew...but didn't know?" Mulder replied in a tone that she seemed uncertain to her.

His words, demeanor, and uncertainty caught her further off guard, and Scully felt herself frown. "What did she tell you?"

Instead of answering her questions, he deflected with his own, "What happened after your family moved to Maryland when you were a teen, Scully?"

Scully felt herself freeze, her pulse quicken, and the hairs on the back her neck stand. Suddenly an onslaught of deeply buried and unpleasant memories were trying to swim free from their tethers in the deep recesses of her mind. While there were many memories from her teen years that she cherished and remembered with great fondness, these memories were some she preferred not to face in their entirety.

Quickly she pulled herself up again, "Why does it matter, Mulder?"

"What happened?" He pressed her again, which only turned the chill she had felt into a simmer.

"It was a turbulent time. I was a teenage girl with a lot of pressures at home and school who had just moved to across the country to a community where some terrible things had happened. Anything that Missy has told you has probably been grossly misinterpreted," she insisted.

"Are we really going to play this game, Scully?"

She knew what he was talking about, but she didn't want to talk about it. Scully felt let out a breath as she defeatedly sank back onto the bed to stare at the ceiling, "Mulder, I don't know what Missy all told you about that time. However, I do know that I have seen, felt, and experienced things in the time you and have been together, that may have been similar the the experiences I had then, and you wrote them off. So, if a man, who would believe almost anything, didn't believe that I saw and spoke to the dead or angels or demons or whatever it was that I saw or thought I saw, then why should I believe them either? Why would I not question myself and the memories of those visions, and why does it matter now?"

Scully wasn't sure if any of what she said made any sense to Mulder, since she barely explained what had happened to her as a teen, and she did not know what Missy had all told them. She also realized that some of what she had said was a low blow, but it was true. There had been multiple times where she had seen and experienced things that Mulder was quick to write off, much like her father and others had been when she had brought up what she saw after a series of murders had happened in the town they had moved to. However, she had expected those responses from her father and the like, but not Fox Mulder. Therefore, she had spent much of her adulthood, just as she had spent much her teens: making excuses, and attempting to ignore or reason away the visions and dreams she had. When she really thought about it, it was why she had probably been so adamant on not always believing the things they had witnessed in their work. While she had always been logical in nature, she had built up a habit of trying ignore the fantastic, even when it looked her in the face, because it just always seemed to be accompanied by painful memories.

She didn't know how long the silence had stretched between them when she heard Mulder speak again.

"I know," he said quietly, "I know, that I have dismissive of many things you experienced in the past, Scully, but maybe what has happened to us and this ability are linked."

It felt like her head and chest were swimming in a sea of emotion and confusion. Could Mulder be right? Had she somehow caused this? Her immediate reaction was to fight him on his comment. To shout, "NO!" To pick a fight. Instead she just sighed. She was mentally and physically exhausted. The long day had finally caught up to her, and she was still getting used to the fact that she was almost occupying another person's brain and body. It was still disorienting at times, and she didn't understand how Mulder seemed to be coping with it so well.

"Mulder, I don't know, but I do know that I am depleted of any more energy to put into thinking about any of this. I promise I will tell you what happened tomorrow, but as for whatever we are experiencing right now, please, let's just wait until we get to where we need to be tomorrow. If we don't find our answers there, then you can pick apart my brain," she said in defeat.

She felt Mulder roll back into her and gently twist her face so that she was looking back at him. As he done so many times in their future together, he planted a kiss on her forehead and simply said, "Okay."

Before she knew it Scully let sleep capture her in Mulder's arms. That night, she dreamt that she had left her body to ascend into heavens, where she felt herself move through time and space back to the bridge and time they had left behind. There she saw her older self desperately trying to help Mulder, but then behind her appeared an angel, an angel she knew from another time and place to be the devil. He was reaching out for Mulder, and she knew he was trying to take him away from her. Before she could shout out a warning to herself to turn around and stop him, another being appeared on the bridge, and in a flash of light, they all disappeared.