This contains spoilers for The End, and also hints of Diana Fowley. I apologize.

Scully eyed the man opposite her, frowning as he took another gulp of whiskey. She sat across from him in the booth, taking small sips of iced tea, waiting for him to speak. It seemed though that he wasn't in a chatty mood. Not that she could blame him – she'd received a call from him earlier that morning telling her that they'd been a fire in their office, that their work over the past five years was now reduced to piles of ash. She'd finally dragged him out of the wreck that had once been his office and into her car, intending to drive him home. But as they'd passed a nearby bar, Mulder had insisted she pull over. Not willing to leave him alone just yet, Scully followed him into the bar and watched him slowly get drunk. "I think you've had enough", she commented, as he slammed the now empty glass onto the table.

"I think I need another", Mulder replied defiantly. Things had been tense between them for a few days now, ever since Mulder had introduced her to Diana Fowley. She wasn't entirely sure who this woman was, but already she was making her feel like an outsider. She was Mulder's partner after all, she hadn't walked away from him like Diana had. But now wasn't the time to bring that up. "Mulder, it's 2pm".

"It's happy hour somewhere I'm sure. Besides", he added bitterly. "Time doesn't matter when you have no job to go to".

"I have to pick Ashley up shortly".

"Well don't let me stop you".

"Mulder", Scully warned. "This is not my fault, so stop acting like it is".

"I know". Mulder slammed his fist on the table, startling Scully and the waitress who was passing by. Scully smiled reassuringly at the woman, indicating all was fine, when in reality it was anything but. "God damn it I know that Scully. But it's alright for you, you can walk away from this, go get yourself a better life. Everything we've worked towards has been my life, and now I've got nothing".

"We can rebuild it".

He waved off her comments dismissively. "I'll rebuild it".

"Listen Mulder, you're not the only one who's sacrificed a lot for the X-Files and you know it. It's as much a part of my life as it is yours, so don't you dare try to shut me out now". She'd already felt like a spare part since the arrival of Diana Fowley, and wasn't going to let Mulder ditch her yet again.

"You should get away from me Scully. I'm bad news".

"Don't even start Mulder, it's the alcohol talking". It wasn't and they both knew it. "We're a team. I'm staying and that's the end of it. We'll get the X Files back. Together".

"Together", Mulder repeated. If only he meant it.

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A weary Mulder opened the door to his apartment, scowling as he recognized his partner and her daughter. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Not now Scully", he pleaded, but still stood back as the two of them entered his apartment. Closing the door behind him, he turned and watched as Scully took a grocery bag into the kitchen, while Ashley stood before him, eyeing him sadly. Not up for much conversation, Mulder padded on over to the couch and flopped down, rubbing his face. He was tired and already could feel a hangover forming - he wanted to go to sleep, wake up and pretend none of it had happened, but he knew that wouldn't be the case. When he looked up, Ashley stood in front of him, chewing her lip nervously. "I'm sorry your office was on fire Mulder", she said, placing her hand on his arm. He looked down at where she was touching him, and he swallowed hard. "But I'm glad you didn't get hurt. I couldn't bear it if you got hurt". Her compassion was Mulder's undoing, and his hard exterior crumbled. Pulling her in towards him, Mulder wrapped his arms around Ashley, so grateful to have her in his life. She went willingly into his arms, moving to sit next to him.

"I'm ok", he replied against her, touched by her compassion. "How about you? How was school today?" Any excuse to change the subject, to try and draw his mind away from the destruction in his office.

"It was good", she answered, still wrapped in his arms. I got top marks on my spelling test."

"You did?"

"Uh huh. And I got invited to Ryan's birthday party next week."

"Ryan huh? Mulder replied in a teasing tone, pulling back to smile down at her. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"He might be".

"Do I need to have words with him? Talk to him man to man?"

"Mulder", Ashley scolded, giggling. "Don't be silly".

"Ok, well you just tell this Ryan to treat you like a princess or else there'll be trouble".

"Ok". They both looked up as they realized Scully was in the room, listening into their conversation. She smiled thoughtfully, silently proud at her daughter for trying to make Mulder feel better. She knew Ashley thought the world of Mulder and dreaded the thought of him getting hurt or even being upset. It was a good idea of her daughter's to cheer him up, she thought to herself. "Ash and I thought you might be a bit sick of takeout, so I've decided to cook for you. Is pasta ok? I figured you might need sustenance after earlier".

"Pasta's great", Mulder replied gratefully. "Do you need any help?"

"No thank you, the position of Assistant Chef has already been filled".

"I'm helping mom tonight", Ashley spoke up.

"I thought you were telling me about your day?"

"I did".

"That's all that happened?"

"Well no, but I'll tell you at dinner".

"I'm sure I can handle dinner by myself if you want to stay with Mulder?"

"Mulder needs a shower", replied Ashley adamantly. "He stinks".

"I stink?" Mulder hadn't even thought about his appearance that day; he'd had much more pressing matters on his mind. Looking down at himself, he realized, he was still wearing the same clothes from that morning, that if he concentrated he could still smell smoke mixed in with stale whiskey. He was a mess. "You're right, I stink. If you girls can cope without me for ten minutes, I'll go freshen up".

"We've got this", Scully smiled. "You go".

He showered and changed in no time, feeling better for freshening up. By the time he headed back out into the kitchen, Scully had almost finished with dinner. Her Assistant Chef had apparently quit barely minutes into her task, and was now sat on the sofa watching cartoons. "Do you need a hand?" Mulder asked, his stomach rumbling as he caught a whiff of the pasta sauce simmering on the stove.

"Do you want to grab us some drinks? Ashley set the table before she got distracted".

"Sure". Grabbing some glasses from the cupboard, Mulder headed over to the sink and began filling them up with water. "Thanks for this Scully".

"It's no big deal".

"No", he said, placing the glass he was holding onto the counter and turning to cup her cheek. "It is a big deal, and I'm grateful".

Before Scully could respond, or even register the butterflies floating through her stomach, they were interrupted by the shrill ringing of the telephone, before Ashley's voice rang out. "Mulder! It's the phone".

Mulder grinned. "Glad to hear her observation skills are still on top form".

Returning his smile, Scully turned her attention back onto the food in front of her. "Don't be too long. I'll be serving up in less than two minutes". No sooner had Mulder left the room, Scully retrieved plates from the cupboard and began serving up their dinner, leaving the used saucepans in the sink to soak. As she turned to carry two of the plates out in the direction of the dining table, she startled when Mulder appeared in the doorway. One look at his face and she knew her evening plans had been ruined. "That was the hospital", he explained nervously. "Diana's come round and she's asking for me".

*Of course she is*, Scully wanted to reply, but instead she forced a smile. "Right".

"I'm sorry Scully, but visiting hours finish soon".

"Of course. Go Mulder".

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Ashley and I will clean up after ourselves and go home. I'll leave you some leftovers".

"Thanks". Mulder hesitated momentarily, as though debating whether to change his mind and stay. Scully hoped he was going to change his mind and stay. But then, after smiling apologetically, he turned on his heel and headed back out into the living room to grab his jacket, ditching his partner and her daughter. And it wouldn't be the last time.