CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

Three Days Later

Scully pulled her knees up to her chest then hugged them. She closed her eyes as her heart ached for William, the heartbreak was so overwhelming. They had exchanged messages today and William had told her that today was his adoptive parents funeral. She had wanted to be there with him so much, to hold him close and comfort him. He had been upset and it had broke her heart that she was unable to be with him.


Mulder was standing on the balcony, looking out into the night sky. He leaned against the banister and took a deep breath, his own heart aching with pain. Today had been the first strained day that they had had since returning from the base. Scully had been upset and he had tried to comfort her, but she wasn't letting him in.

Mulder took a final sip of his cup of coffee then turned back to look through the door to check on Scully, and his heart sunk when he saw that she was crying. Mulder wanted to go to her, but he stopped himself momentarily as he knew that she would probably want him to leave her alone. He watched her sadly, his own eyes pricking with tears as he felt the same pain she did. They just wanted to see their son again.


The Next Morning

"This is Fox Mulder."

Mulder answered the house phone after it rang loudly, waking them both from their sleep. Scully groaned in frustration and turned over in the bed, pulling the sheet up to her face. She had only just got to sleep, and the phone had woken her up..

"Sir!" Mulder exclaimed in shock, and Scully's mood changed instantly as she realised who was calling. She jumped up in bed and leaned in towards Mulder who was now sitting up on his side of the bed, the phone to his ear. She tried to listen to the conversation. Mulder gave her a reassuring look.

"Mulder, how are you both?" Skinner asked anxiously.

"We're all right. How about you Sir?" Mulder asked. Scully leant closer towards Mulder, her face almost touching his as she listened.

"It's done. Scully is now officially alive, much to the Colonel's disbelief." Skinner said with a slightly amused tone. "We have kept it all classified. The Colonel couldn't believe it when I told him, that she had actually still been alive and that we had managed to resuscitate her but that we had kept her recovery a secret for her own safety. I told him that it was due to a secret assignment. He couldn't ask any more questions after that, its official FBI business."

"That's a relief." Mulder said. "What happens next?"

"William's Aunt is now aware that you are both alive and well. William kept it all a secret as planned, he has done well. Now we just need to try and make an arrangement with her." Skinner said. Scully felt her heart racing as they discussed William but she felt proud that he had managed to keep the secret from his Aunt, as difficult as that must have been for him. "She doesn't know about his abilities, and I think we should keep it that way."

"Have you seen him? Spoken to him?" Mulder pressed, reaching his free arm around Scully who he now sensed was getting emotional. He pulled her closer as he saw her eyes glisten with tears. "We want to see him so badly."

"I know you do." Skinner said. "And yes, I have spoken to him on the phone, but I haven't seen him. Don't worry. His Aunt is looking after him well."

"We don't doubt that." Mulder said in a soft voice, pulling Scully closer.

"I am trying to arrange a meeting. Perhaps they could come to you? I would be able to pay for their transport and get them there safely." Skinner asked. Scully looked up at Mulder with wide eyes, begging him to agree. But Mulder was already nodding.

"Yes, that would be great." Mulder said with a smile, his heart beating faster in anticipation.

"All right. I will let you know when I have a date. Scully is now free to go back to her apartment, if you wish."

Mulder paused, his heart dropping for a second as he heard the words. Scully was silent as she looked at him, unsure of what to say. She wanted to go back to her apartment, but only to collect her things. She knew that Mulder would be worried that she would stay, but she had hardly anything in the house...

"All right." Mulder said finally in a small voice, unable to read Scully properly for the first time in a while.

Skinner said his goodbyes and Mulder put down the phone silently, still holding on her. Scully took a deep breath and blinked back a tear that ran down her cheek. She was so happy that things were moving forward, but the waiting was like torture.

"Do you want to go back to your apartment?" Mulder asked suddenly, turning her thoughts back to the awkward topic. She sighed and looked into his eyes and they looked frightened and fearful. She felt her heart ache for him. Raising her hand to his cheek she ran her thumb over his stubble and smiled a sad smile.

"Mulder, I have to go back there - but only to collect my things. I promise." She said gently, her voice soft and reassuring. Mulder nodded silently, still battling with his own demons as he found it hard to believe her. "I promise." She repeated again, raising her hand to his hair and brushing her fingers through it. Mulder closed his eyes as she touched him and he felt a wave of comfort rush over him.

"I want to go with you." He said with difficulty.

"We will go together then, tomorrow." She said with a smile. Mulder leant towards her and kissed her gently on the lips. Scully closed her eyes with pleasure and as he pulled away he pulled her into a tight embrace, not wanting to let her go.


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