alone

TITLE: Alone
AUTHOR: Gaia Less
RATING: PG13
SPOILERS: Biogenesis
SUMMARY: Post-biogenesis (season six finale). Mulder and Scully are finally reunited, but everything is NOT all right.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mulder, Scully, or anyone else you might recognize from the series. They are owned by Chris Carter, 1013, and Fox. I dont own them. No copyright infringement is intended. I didn;t create em, I'm just playing with them. I'll give them back when I'm done. Promise!! Please don't sue me...

Archive anywhere, but please get my permission first :) tis as easy as emailing me and saying, Yo, Gaia, I wanna put your fanfic, [title here], on my site, okay? You can even simply cut and paste that sentence into an email document! I will reply with something along the lines of Hey, that's cool. Promote me! Yeah! Sweeeeet. See? Tis VERY easy :) Wowwww. Hehe

notes and such at the end

NOTE: Point of view changes at the [*****]s

**This story is dedicated to Shira. Thank you sooo much for
all of your help on this story!!**

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

ALONE
by Gaia and Shira
Part 1/2

Alone.

Why do I always end up feeling totally alone?

I sit on the couch in my apartment, staring blankly at the
muted TV, remote control in hand. My apartment echoes with
an awful, lonely silence, but I don't turn the sound of the
TV back on. Instead, I think back to the events of today,
of the past few months.

Those days and months turn into years. I think about
everything that has happened in this career, between me
and my partner. The numerous times I have risked my life...
and his. My abduction, Melissa's death, my cancer... Emily.
And now, the loss of Mulder, at least for the time being.

I don't know how or when he is going to be able to come
home, to get out of that *damn* hospital... he's not as
crazy as they think. Sure, he acts crazy sometimes, but not
this time. If I know Mulder, he isn't just *hearing* things. They're
there. We've been through so much together... and
for him to be lying about this, for me to disbelieve what
he says as I have so many other times... I would be the
crazy one.

As I sit and wonder about what the future will hold...
and how alone and empty I feel without him here... I am
startled back to today by the ringing of the phone.

I wearily pick it up.

Dana Scully, please? the woman on the other end says.

This is she, I reply.

I'm calling from Georgetown Memorial Hospital.

A million thoughts run through my head before she can say
another word. Georgetown Memorial Hospital... Mulder! Has
something happened to him? Is he okay? Are they
finally...

Ma'am? Hello -- are you there? the woman interrupts
my sudden reverie.

Yes, I'm sorry, I answer, somewhat absently, still lost
in my thoughts.

All right... I'm supposed to forward a call to you--from
a Fox Mulder?

Mulder! Um, yes, all right, put him through. I try to
hide the excitement in my voice, but I don't think it
works.

All right, Ms. Scully, hold on.

I close my eyes, waiting to hear Mulder's voice on the
other end. I haven't talked to him since Diana Fowley
admitted him to the psychiatric ward... no one has allowed
me to.

There is a pause, and then I hear a click on the line.



I let out the breath that I didn't realize I'd been
holding. Mulder! Are you all right?!

Yeah, I'm okay... They put me in a regular room, Scully.

Oh, god. Thank god. Are you...

I'm okay. They are keeping me here for a while... to
make sure that... *they*... *it*... doesn't come back.
There's another pause.

I understand his unspoken message, and answers before he
even says it. I'm on my way there, right now. I'll... be
right there.

Mulder says. I can tell he's happy. A pause, and
a click as he hangs up.

I hang up as well, and wipe my face, realizing for the first
time that it's wet with tears.

*****
I hang up the phone. God... Scully. I'm so glad to finally
hear her voice. I don't know how long I've been here, but I
know it's been too long. Definitely longer than any other
time I've been in the hospital.

What probably made it seem so long, is that every other
time I've been in the hospital since March, 1992, Scully has
been there, waiting at my bedside for me to come out of
whatever it was that was wrong. I haven't seen her since a
few days before I got here... and that has to be over a month.
Probably longer.

Now I know, I shouldn't have to rely on my partner to sit
and wait for me in the hospital, but she always does. And
it makes the time seem shorter, even if I'm unconscious.
But now... Since I've been here... I just feel alone. And
empty.

One is the loneliest number.

I sigh, and look at my hands as I wait for Scully to
arrive.

*****
I rush into the psych ward of Georgetown Memorial Hospital.
I pause at the desk. I'm looking for Fox Mulder, I tell
the receptionist impatiently as I hurriedly sign in as a
visitor.

She looks at her computer screen and types something. She
sure takes her sweet time with it. His room is just down
this hallway, she says after a moment, pointing. Do you
want me to page his doctor?

No thanks, don't worry about it, I say, and rush down
the hospital corridor before the receptionist can even give
me the room number.

I check all the doors for Mulder's name until I get to the
end of the hall. There is a window looking into his room from
the hallway, and I see him sitting on the bed, alone. He sees
me, and looks up and smiles.

Oh my god.

I let myself into his room, and give him a hug. I'm trying
to control my emotions, but almost instantly I begin crying
into his shoulder.

I've been so worried about you! I sob. I pull away from
him and smile through my tears. I've been so worried.

They said I can go home soon, Mulder says, taking my hand.

I wipe my tears away with my other hand. I'm so glad you're
all right.

It's amazing how being away from someone extremely close
to you for three months can do to you.

I squeeze his hand, not sure if *I'm* all right yet or
not.

*****
We sit there, silent, just thankful for each other's
company, for a while, I don't know how long. Neither of
us know just what to say, or how to say it.

There's a knock at the door, and it opens. Skinner. He walks
over to the bed, glancing at Scully momentarily. Agent
Mulder. How are you? he asks, looking stern as ever.

I nod, and then say, I-I'm okay, as if I'm trying to
assure myself of that fact, trying to get myself to believe
that I'm all right.

He needs some rest, Scully says, glancing at me. I nod;
she's absolutely right. It's late, it has to be after
midnight. She's not crying anymore, her eyes aren't even red.
I wonder how long she's been here. I'll stay here with him.

Skinner nods. I'm glad... that you're getting better, he
says. He turns to leave, pauses at the door, starts to say
something, changes his mind, and walks out the door. He
watches us as he walks past the window.

Scully smiles at me and squeezes my hand again. I'll stay
here with you, she whispers.

*****
He's asleep.

I sit at his bedside, reading a day-old newspaper. Glancing
at my watch, I realize that it's already six in the morning.
I didn't realize I'd been there *that* long. Mulder called
at around eleven last night, and I'd been there almost immediately.

Skinner had brought me a cup of bland coffee from the
hospital cafeteria a while ago. It's now sitting on the
nightstand, cold and half-full.

Cold and half-full. That's how I felt without Mulder here
with me. It's strange how someone can become such a huge
part of your life... and how empty you can feel without that
person.

I listen to the silence of the room for a moment, comparing
it to the silence of my apartment last night. It was so
different. Last night, I had felt lonely, scared, worried,
but now, I felt... so different. I'm not sure how, exactly,
but it was different nonetheless. I had sat at his hospital
bedside numerous times, lonely, scared, and worried, but
now, I felt warm, comforted. I was so glad he was all right.

Now I listen to his quiet, rhythmic breathing, before
setting my paper down. I yawned. If I was going to stay
awake, I was going to need some help. I was now content on
getting some new, *warm* coffee. I tiptoe out of the room,
so as not to wake Mulder.

When I get back, I sit down in the chair by his bed and take
a sip of my coffee. I reach to pick up the paper again, and
glance at Mulder. The moment I look at him, his eyes open.

I whisper. I move from my chair to sit on the side
of his bed. How are you feeling? I try--unsuccessfully--
to hide another yawn.

I'm okay... He pauses, and looks at me critically. Scully,
have you slept at all?

I shrug. I think I got a little sleep.

He looks at me for a moment, and says, Scully, go home and
get some sleep.

It's spooky how someone can know you so well to read your
mind, know what you are thinking. He somehow knew how tired
I was. But I take his hands and tell him, No, Mulder. I'm
not leaving. I couldn't. Not now. Not ever.

*****
After three-and-a-half-months, I'm finally going home.

I had to spend another week in the hospital, just to make
sure that I really am okay, but now I'm free to go.

As Scully and I walk out to her car, we notice Skinner
pulling into the parking lot. He parks his car, starts
toward the hospital, sees us, and walks toward us. He has
a very grim expression on his face.

he says in greeting.

Sir? What's the matter? Scully asks. She sounds concerned
again.

Skinner looks around nervously. Come with me, he says,
heading toward the building again.

We follow him, curious as to what he's here about. We're
both silent for a moment, and then realize we're being led
to the morgue. Sir, what's going on? I ask.

He pauses. I was called to identify a body. An FBI agent,
he says slowly.

We get down to the morgue, and stop. Agent Scully, come
with me please. Mulder, you stay here.

Both Scully and I are surprised.

Just... stay here, Mulder. Skinner and Scully enter
the morgue, and I sit on a bench just outside.

I can't figure out why I'm sitting here all alone. Why
couldn't I go in? What don't they want me to see?

I sigh, and realize I'm being paranoid. Maybe they're just
being protective. I've been in the hospital for so long, maybe
they just think I should take it easy for a while.

I look up through the small window at the top part of the
door. I can't see the body, but I do see Scully and Skinner
talking--arguing?--about something. Skinner moves a few
steps, and Scully stares down, presumably at the body. I can
see her mouth, Oh, God, before turning away and closing
her eyes. Something's wrong. Skinner nods, and he and Scully
turn and walk towards the door.

Scully sits down on the bench next to me. She isn't crying,
but she has a strange look on her face... not quite grief but
not far from it.

What's wrong? I ask. She doesn't answer, instead she turns
her head from me. What, Scully?

she stutters. Whatever it is that's wrong must be
pretty bad, for Scully not to be able to tell me.

Skinner walks out of the morgue a moment later. I stand, and
ask him quietly, What is it, sir? Whose body did you have
to identify?

Skinner says nothing.

Who is it?! Why won't either of you tell me?

He takes a deep breath and walks a few feet down the hall.
He doesn't look at me when he says, Diana. It was Diana
Fowley.

*****
Oh, god.

What have I done?

I sit alone on the bench and watch as Skinner tells Mulder
the news. Mulder just short of has a heart attack. I sigh
and lean back against the wall. I stare at the ceiling, and
the events of last week come flooding back into my head as
clear as day.

I was driving--I don't know where exactly... I heard shots.
I got out of the car to see what was going on... I saw
someone lying on the shoulder of the road, in a pool of
dark red blood. The man wasn't dead but he was in deep
trouble. He'd obviously lost a lot of blood. I checked his
pulse; it seemed pretty steady, for the time being. I looked
around for the shooter... and heard the tires squeal. A black
sedan sped down the road, kicking up dust everywhere. I
couldn't see the driver clearly, but I heard shattering glass
and more shots. I shouted for them to stop, but they didn't.
I fired my gun at the car and watched as it swerved off
the road. It burst into flames only seconds later. And oh,
god... it was Diana...

Skinner told me in the morgue--after he positively
identified Diana--that they knew I was there, they had
evidence. In shooting my gun, this case could be opened as
a murder investigation. *Murder*. They think I purposely
killed her.

Oh, god.

What have I done?

*****
How could she?

What the hell was she thinking?!

Skinner just told me the whole story. I don't know what to
think. He had to leave... he went back to FBI Headquarters.
Now it's just me and Scully, still here at the hospital.

I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do.

Scully's sitting there on the bench, staring at the ceiling.
She lowers her gaze to me, stands up. She walks over to me.
She doesn't say anything for a moment. Come on, lets go,
she whispers hoarsely.

I follow her out to the car. We don't say anything the
whole ride. At first, I have no idea where we're going. But
I soon realize that we, too, are going to the FBI
Headquarters. We walk into the building, and split up so I
can get myself a clearance badge. Scully heads towards
Skinner's office, and as soon as I get clearance, I go
that way too.

Skinner's office is quiet when I enter. His secretary
glances up at me and nods. They're waiting inside for me.

I sit numbly in a chair next to Scully. I listen as she tells
Skinner what happened... and don't believe it. I know that
Scully has always hated Diana, why shouldn't I believe that
she killed her?

When Scully finishes, none of us say anything for a long,
uncomfortable moment. I look down at my hands, then I say:
Scully... why?

Why what, Mulder? Scully looks puzzled.

I take a deep breath, and then stand and lead Scully to
the back of the room. Skinner stands up and leaves the
room, so me and Scully can speak in private.

Why did you do it? I whisper fiercely.

Mulder, I... Scully's voice cracks. I didn't know it
was her. And besides, she shot at me! What was I supposed
to do, let her kill me, or defend myself?

I squeeze my eyes shut. I don't know whether to believe her
or not. I *should* believe her... I've always trusted her...
but for some reason I don't know what to say to her.

Finally, I say, Scully, you... And I have no idea what I
was even going to say.

Mulder, I'm sorry. I--

I just... don't believe you, I cut her off. I don't know
why I said that. It was a stupid thing to say.

Scully's eyes fill with tears. She looks up at me and storms
away from me. I watch her go, wanting to call her back, but
I can't find my voice. She pushes past Skinner and rushes
out of the office.

Skinner walks into the office slowly. What the hell is
going on here, Agent Mulder?

I shake my head sadly. To tell you the truth, I'm not
sure myself.

*****
I swear, I didn't mean to hurt Mulder. Or even Diana. Okay,
so I've hated her since I met her a little over a year ago,
but not to the point that I'd intentionally kill her.
Because I knew it would hurt Mulder more than anyone else,
and he's the one person I would never, ever want to hurt.

And now, Diana's dead. I killed her. I *killed* her.

And today, of all days! I just got Mulder back, and now,
already, he's not speaking to me!

But then again, he wouldn't even listen to me back in
Skinner's office. He wouldn't believe me. He thinks I killed
her purposely.

Oh, god.

I go into my apartment and throw my coat on the couch. I
walk into my bedroom and immediately collapse on my bed,
sobbing.

End Part 1/2

ALONE
Part 2/2

Beepbeepbeepbeep...

I reach over and slam the snooze button on the alarm. It's
5:30 A.M. I must have fallen asleep.

I sit up on the bed and look at the wall. My face still
hurts from crying last night. I glance at my reflection in
the mirror. I am *not* going to work this morning. I can't.
I have to get away from here. I have to leave, I have to just
be alone for a while.

Without another thought, I flop back down on the bed and
quickly fall back asleep.

The next time I wake up, it's almost nine. My answering
machine is blinking, and I hit the play button.

Hi. You there, Scully? It's Mulder. Great. I'm sure he
wants to yell at me some more. Scully, it's eight o'clock,
where are you? There's a long silence, and then a
click.

No, I'm not, I say softly. I pick up the phone and start
to dial Mulder's cell phone, then change my mind. I hang up,
and walk back into my room.

Before I know what I'm doing, I'm throwing clothes into a
duffel bag. I take the bag out to the car and start driving.
I don't know where I'm going, I just drive.

I drive west through Virginia, and before I know it, I'm in
West Virginia. Still I have no destination, I just keep
driving.

*****
Ten o'clock.

And Scully's still not here.

She's never been this late before. I know this has a pretty
bad experience for both of us, but she should at least come
in to work.

I sit on the couch in Skinner's secretary's office, staring
at the clock and tapping my foot impatiently. My cell phone
rings, startling me.

I say, hitting the on button. Scully, is that
you?

a woman's voice says. It takes me a moment to figure
out who it is. Then I realize, it's Scully's mother.

Yeah, hi.

Fox, have you seen Dana at all this morning? Mrs. Scully
sounds worried. I tried calling her at her apartment, and
on her cellular phone, and she's not answering.

No, I've been wondering where she is, too, I admit. I
called her this morning when she didn't show up at work...
but I haven't talked to her since last night.

I hear Mrs. Scully whisper, Oh, god... I wonder if she's
heard about... what happened. I figure that if she hasn't,
this isn't the time to say anything.

I'll, uh, tell her you tried to reach her, if I see her,
I say.

All right. Thank you, Fox, she says.

Sure. No problem. I hang up the phone, becoming more and
more worried about Scully.

*****
I drive all day, through the mountains. I turn down a rural
road (well, of course it's rural, I'm in West Virginia for goodness' sake!) and before long come to an old, abandoned
cabin. I knock on the door, and call out, Hello? Is anyone
here? There's no answer, so I go into the house. It's dusty,
but all the furniture is covered with sheets. I look at my
watch, and realize for the first time that it's after nine
pm. I yawn, and realize that I'm exhausted.

I pull the sheet off of one of the couches, and sit back. I
look over to a side table. There's a lamp there, and I reach
over to see if it works. It does. The room is filled with a
warm, somewhat comforting light.

I wonder what Mulder's doing right now.

I wonder if he's worried. After all, I just kind of left,
without any warning. Maybe I should have given him a call,
or at least left a message on his answering machine.

I pull out my cell phone and turn it on. It beeps once, and
the screen flashes No Service.'

I whisper. I look around for a phone in the house.
There is one, in the kitchen. I pick it up, and realize that
it doesn't work. Now I'm starting to get angry. Then I get
an idea--I could try to plug my laptop into the phone line
and e-mail Mulder.

I run out to my car and get the laptop out. I take it back
inside and turn it on. Luckily, the line works. I get online,
but don't bother to check what mail I have. I open up a new
mail document and begin typing.

I type out a long message to him, and sigh and reread what
I wrote. God, I hope he believes me. I brush back a tear
and click send.'

*****
It's been 24 hours since I last heard from Scully.

Damn. I hope she's okay.

I finally decide it's time to head home. It's been a long
day, even though I haven't really done anything.

As soon as I walk into my apartment I glance at the
answering machine. Damn. I forgot to turn it on this morning.
If Scully called, I'll never know.

Then I get an idea: maybe she thought to e-mail me. I
quickly sign onto my computer and check my e-mail. Sure
enough, there's an e-mail from her account. I open it and
read it.

-----------------------------------------------
To: FMulder@fbi.gov
From: DScully@fbi.gov
Subj: I'm Sorry

Mulder,

I'm sure you're wondering by now where I've been all day.
I had to get away, I've been so stressed out lately about
everything... and the fact that I'm involved in this whole
situation is extremely overwhelming right now. I'm sorry to
just leave like this, but honestly, I couldn't take it
anymore. I can't tell you where I am right now, but to tell
you the truth I really have no idea. I just got in my car
this morning and started driving. I'll be back soon, as soon
as I can get everything straight and take it easy for a
while.

I suppose I do have some explaining to do. And you have to
believe me. I wouldn't lie to you, even if I had to. You
just have to trust me.

I was driving down a road somewhere... just driving around,
trying to collect my thoughts... wondering when you were
going to be better, wondering about work, about everything.
I heard shots... I saw a body lying on the side of the road.
I didn't know who the person was or why they had been shot
to death, and before I knew it, a car was speeding toward
me, shooting at me. I couldn't see who it was, and I used my
weapon in self-defense and shot at the driver of the vehicle.
The car swerved off the road and burst into flames.

I know it seems kind of strange that I left the scene so
quickly, and I don't even know why I did. But it wasn't
because I didn't want anyone to know I was involved, it was
probably mostly because I was afraid.

I didn't even know it was Diana until the day you got out
of the hospital, when Skinner asked me about it. This is the
same story I told him, and he believed it. I will have a
hearing soon, of course, but Skinner told me he's positive
my story will check out.

Mulder, you have to believe me. You once told me that I'm
the only one you trust, and now I need you to trust me, more
than ever.

So, until I see you again, I'm sorry. And besides your trust,
I'm hoping more than anything that you will forgive me.

-Scully
-----------------------------------------------

I read it, twice, three times. She's right. Oh god, I feel
so guilty now. Not only for blaming her for killing Diana
*on purpose*, but for everything else that has ever happened
to her. Why did I yell at her like that? It wasn't right, I
shouldn't have ever jumped to conclusions so quickly as I've
done so many times.

I open up a new e-mail... I have to apologize. Now.

*****
I slept on a dusty couch in the dimly lighted front room
that I'd first entered. I wake up ten hours later, not
knowing where the hell I am, or how I got here. I quickly
remember what happened, I'd run away, and come here.

Then I remember something else--my e-mail to Mulder. I go
into the kitchen where I'd left the computer, and sign on
again to check my mail.

I open up the one piece of mail left in my inbox. I almost
start crying at what I read. Immediately after reading it I
get in my car and start driving again... back toward home.

-----------------------------------------------
To: DScully@fbi.gov
From: FMulder@fbi.gov
Subj: RE: I'm Sorry

Scully,

I'm should be the one to be sorry. I feel so bad for
yelling at you like I did... for blaming Diana's death on
you. It wasn't your fault, if she was shooting at you,
she's as much to blame. You had every right to defend
yourself, and I'm glad you did. I forgive you, and I will
say this again--you're the only one I trust.

I guess I don't blame you for leaving, either. I also
remember telling you once, that you should get as far away
from me as you can. All that ever happens to you when you're
around me is that you get hurt. And it's my fault. If you
were never assigned to debunk the X-Files, you would have
never had to go through anything... you would have probably
had a much better life without me anyway. I don't blame
anything on you... if anyone's to blame for everything, it's
me.

I'm sorry too, Scully. I overreacted when we found out about
Diana. I know you, Scully, and you would never do that.
Ever. Don't come back until you're ready to. I wouldn't want
to hurt you again.

-Mulder
-----------------------------------------------

*****
I don't know why, but I tried Scully's phone again. Still
no answer. I hope she's okay. And I hope she listens to
me... that she stays away for a while. She needs it, maybe
more than she realizes. And as hard as it'll be around here
without her... I know it's for the better.

I can't believe that I thought for a second that Scully
killed Diana intentionally. Sure, she admitted she hated
Diana, but I know she would never kill her. And even though
it's difficult to deal with her death, I have to realize
that what Diana and I had... it was a long time ago. I just
can't believe how blind I was to actually think that.

I sit down on my couch at my apartment and close my eyes for
a moment, trying to hold back my emotions. I take a deep
breath... and soon I fall asleep. I don't know how long I
sleep for, but I am woken up by a knock on the door. I run
my fingers through my hair and get up to answer the door.

I open the door... and Scully's standing there, a look mixed
with sadness, guilt, and perhaps even fright on her face.
she whispers, after a long moment of silence. She takes
a step forward and I give her a hug, telling her without
words how sorry I am. She's crying, and soon I feel a tear
run down my cheek as well. We just stand there in my doorway, holding each other as if we'll never let go.

*****
The circumstances of Agent Fowley's death are not clear to
me, Agent Scully, the assistant director leading my hearing
says sternly.

I try to sit up straighter, hoping that my explanation will
be somewhat. believable.

I don't know the details of Agent Fowley's presence on the
country road that evening, but I believe the reason was not
related to an FBI assigned case, I say slowly. The man that
she shot, Michael Andrews, was not a criminal, and as far as
I know, not doing anything illegal of any sort. I questioned
him shortly afterward... he told me he didn't know why Agent
Fowley was shooting at him. However he suffered minor head
injuries and the details of the situation may have been
blurry.

I take a deep breath and give Mulder a sidelong glance across
the room before continuing. When I heard the gunshots, I
got out of my vehicle to find out what was going on. Agent
Fowley, who I was unable to identify at that time, drove
by the victim and myself, and fired five more shots. At this
time, I had also pulled my own weapon and shot... I believe
four times. An autopsy showed that I did not hit her, but
the shot must have startled her enough to drive off the road.
The car was quickly engulfed in flames. I called for help
on my cellular phone, and left the scene after.

I close my eyes, knowing for certain what the next question
would be.

Why did you leave the scene, Agent Scully?

I reopen my eyes, and reply, I went to the hospital with
Mr. Andrews. I had wanted to ask him what had happened.

Maybe I should reword that: Why didn't you talk to police
about the situation?

I... I don't really know. I'm sorry. There is an
uncomfortable pause, and I decide to make an excuse.
Hopefully it won't look desperate. With all the stress that
I have been under lately, sir, I guess that I had
forgotten.

One of the ADs opens her mouth to say something, but I
continue. I know I should have talked to police, but later
the same evening I got a call from Agent Mulder in the
hospital. As you know I had had no contact whatsoever with
him in the past three months, and I-I guess everything else
seemed unimportant to me at that moment than to go see
Mulder, and make sure he was all right.

I sigh and look at the table. This is all true, but
probably didn't sound quite believable. I fold my hands in
my lap, hoping that they would believe me.

There is a silence as the six assistant directors seated
in front of me for my hearing converse quietly among
themselves. Then someone speaks up. Agent Scully, you may
be excused so that we may come to a final decision.

This actually surprises me. I was sure they would think my
excuse to be false, or at least very weak. And I know that
this doesn't mean that I'm not in any trouble. But I
follow the instruction and get up from my seat and leave
the room.

*****
Scully looks like hell after her questioning. She walks
slowly out into the corridor, and I follow her out.

In the hall, she sits on the bench and props her head in
her hands. I sit down beside her. I hope as much as she does
that she gets out of this okay.

She leans against me and I put my arm around her, comforting
her. She sighs and looks at me.

Shh. It's okay.

We sit there and wait for a long time, about a half-hour,
before Skinner comes out of the hearing room. We both stand
up, knowing that the decision may have been made.

Skinner takes a deep breath, and says, They've made their
decision, Agent Scully. You can... go back in. Scully nods
and walks back into the room.

I'm experiancing deja vu. About a year ago, we were in a
similar position, right here, after the bombing in Dallas
that lead to so much. They had split Scully and me up last
time, and they could do it again this time. Not that they
really had as much reason to. But there *was* the grim
possibility that Scully's story didn't cut it and she could
lose her job.

I sit back down on the bench. Skinner watches me, and says,
Mulder, it looks okay for her.

I look up at him. I ask hopefully, even though I
know he would tell the truth about it.

Skinner pauses. And let me tell you, I was behind
her one hundred percent. It was the other ADs that weren't
so sure.

Thank you, sir.

Skinner nods and goes back into the hearing room, leaving
me alone in the hall.

Scully comes back out a few minutes later. She's not
smiling, but she looks much relieved. What did they decide?
I ask.

They believed me that it was in self-defence, so I'm not
charged with murder. They want me to talk to the man Diana
shot again, to get his clear story. But his story and mine
both were generally the same, from what he knew, so they
believed me.

Thank god, I said.

We stood there in the hallway for a moment, and then Scully
said, Come on, Mulder. Let's get out of here.

And then she smiled.

End Part 2/2

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

NOTE: This is the first fanfic I ever wrote. I'd like to
thank my friend Shira for all her help with the story, and
for her constructive critisim,' lol. Other people I'd like
to thank: Lauren, Molly, Robbie, and all the other people
that helped me to write the fanfic, gave me ideas for it, and
of course, helped me build my X-Files obsession to where it
is today. Thanks y'all!