Sarah lay in bed and glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table. 2:47 a.m. Fox was over two hours later than he usually was and she missed him. Since they had started living together, she had trouble falling asleep without him beside her, even though she knew he rarely got very much sleep himself.

Perhaps, Walter had gotten drunk again. She'd told him not to bring him here if he did, and she knew Fox, he wouldn't just leave Walter home alone when he was too drunk to function. His caring sensitivity to people was one of the many reasons she loved this man, and one of the many reasons he could not love her completely in return.

Suddenly, she heard a noise at the door. Who would be banging on the door at this hour of night. She quickly pulled a robe around herself and called through the wooden door, "Who's there?"

"It's Walter Skinner."

Skinner. Just Skinner. Oh, God, something happened to Fox. Sarah quickly undid the latch, and was relieved and appalled all at the same time, for there was very sober Walter Skinner, supporting a very drunk and somewhat depressed Fox under the arms.

"Oh God! What happened to him?" Skinner just stared at her.

"I think that it's blatantly obvious!" He answered back and then checked himself. It wasn't right to talk to a lady like that. Even though Krycek was more of a lady than Sarah was. He smiled to himself imagining Krycek in a dress and then quickly removed it as he saw Sarah staring at him like he was mad. Mulder was still mumbling to himself and Skinner prayed that he wouldn't mention Scully's name until he was safely out of the door. Out of reach from that nice little vase perched by Sarah's side.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. He had a few too many drinks. I didn't want him to drive and I knew he'd never make it up here by himself."

"Thank you, Walter," she said, if somewhat coldly, "I'll take it from here."

Mulder wasn't really sure of what was happening. He opened his eyes wider and saw his apartment. He was home, Walter must have brought him. The his eyes fell on a gentle pair of feminine hands that were trying to remove him from Skinner's strong grip. They were beautiful hands, but too large to be Scully's. They were...they were...whose were they? Oh, Sarah, right, his new lover. He slapped at her intruding hands. Those weren't the hands he wanted to hold him, he wanted Scully, needed Scully, loved Scully.

With Skinner's help, Sarah got Mulder settled on the sofa, then she turned to face him, as if waiting for him to leave.

"Are you sure you can handle him like this? I mean, the last time he was this drunk was right after Dana was diagnosed with cancer and she started to undergo treatment."

"I don't want that name said in this house."

"You know, Sarah, Dana was a big part of Fox's life for a long time and it would serve you well to remember that once she meant something to him. Constantly ridiculing her and your completely insane and unfounded hatred and jealousy of her is not helping Fox get over her."

"Well, Walter, he should all ready be over her we've been together long enough, she's been gone long enough. She wasn't there for him after he recovered from...from...whatever it was he said he had."

"Neither were you. I was the one who cared for him in that time, me, not you. The hostility, the hatred, the complete denial of the fact that he had a life before you it's tearing Fox apart inside. He told me as much. Sarah," he said, softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder gently as if to convey his seriousness, she jumped but did not pull away, "Let him tell you about her. Let him talk, let him have closure, he needs that. You'll see if it doesn't make all the difference."

Sarah didn't answer him and he turned to leave, "I'll call you in the morning to see how he is."

"Don't bother. I'll have him call you."

Skinner sighed as he heard the door close behind him. That woman was all wrong for Fox, she was cold, selfish, and had an evil streak that turned his blood cold. However, Fox needed the female companionship, he always craved the feminine touch and as long as there was Scully, he had what he needed. Now, however, he didn't have her and Sarah was his acceptable alternative.

Mulder felt himself be dragged up and tugged to the bedroom. His head was thumping and it felt like he had wildebeest running around his skull.

"Oooh my head hurts." Mulder groaned.

"I'm not surprised!" Snapped Sarah. She was fed up of all of this. This whole shenanigan. Every thing revolved around that women! He still loved her and that dug deep into her heart. He belonged to her. She didn't want to be constantly looking over her shoulder, making sure that he wasn't going to be taken away from her.

"Shhhh." Mulder mumbled. "My head!" He pointed at it just in case she hadn't gotten the message. She was so stupid at times! Damn women!

Sarah pulled him onto the bed and shoved him down so he was laying on his back. She promptly removed his shoes and tugged the cover over his chest.

"When did you start getting so heavy?" Sarah complained.

Mulder only grunted his response. She wasn't going to get anything out of him tonight. That she knew, she never did when he was like this.

He was asleep all ready, snoring softly. She might as well change and get into bed. There was no talking to Fox tonight.

She got into bed and snuggled close to Fox, taking comfort in his warmth. She dozed off into a fitful sleep.

A few hours later Sarah awoke to Fox in a cold sweat, he was thrashing about in the bed in the throes of a nightmare.

"Fox, come on, wake up. It's only a dream, just a dream," she kept her voice soft and stroked his damp brow.

Mulder's arms encircled her and held her tight, "Scully, oh God, I thought, it was about when Duane Barry, oh, God, darling, don't leave me again, please. Please."

Before Sarah could respond, she felt Mulder go lax in her arms a fall asleep. She turned around and let out a sigh. She did not however fall back to sleep, instead, she pulled her knees into her chest and cried.

The Next Morning

Mulder awoke with the worst hangover he'd ever had. It felt like he had a damn drum and bugle core in his head. Something hard hit him on the leg.

"Call Walter and let him know you're alive, Sarah instructed. Boy was she pissed.

"Sarah, honey, listen..."

"Ooh, honey, not darling. That's what you called me last night."

"I'd never call you darling..."

"You'd never call me Dana, either, at least not consciously. Is that what you called her, darling? Is it?"

"Yes," he shouted, ignoring the pain in his head, "All right, yes, I called her darling, and sweetheart, because she was. She was the sweetest person I've ever known. She was the best friend I'd ever know and the best lover."

"Some best friend. She left you Fox. She's gone. She's off somewhere living a life without you in it. She probably never gives you a second though. She does not care about you, she never did. I don't see how anybody could.

"Listen, Fox, you called me Scully, you begged her not to leave you, but she did and I'm here. Let her go, forget about her."

" No! You don't understand! You never could. She meant more to me than anything. More than the search for the truth, hell even more than the search for my sister. You could never understand."

"What couldn't I understand! I hate hearing that! That is all you ever say to me!" Sarah stared at him breathing heavily.

"I'm gonna phone Walter." Mulder pushed past her and headed towards the phone. His feet fell heavily on the wooden floor. He picked up the phone and dialed.

After three rings Skinner picked up.

"Hey Walter." Mulder called.

"How are you feeling?" Answered Skinner kindly.

"How am I feeling? Like shit but that's not the matter."

Skinner started to up his guard. Mulder wanted something. He couldn't quite work out what yet though....

"Listen. I KNOW you know where Scully is. I need to know dammit!" He was aware of Sarah's laser eyes boring into the back of his skull.

"Mulder, i can't..." rambled on Skinner

"WHY NOT!" Shouted Mulder

"Because you're just gonna stir up old memories that shouldn't be stirred..."

"Stop talking about my life likes it's a cup of tea! Just tell me where she is." Mulder felt like getting onto his knees and begging though it wouldn't help as he didn't have a television screen on his phone.

Skinner sighed. "She's in Oklahoma. I'm not gonna tell you anymore because you'll ruin both of you lives. Mulder? Mulder?!" He held the phone to his ear and heard the dial tone. Skinner sighed.

"Well, here goes," he thought to him self, and braced himself for what he knew was going to be a "bumpy ride" both for Mulder and himself.

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Feedback please! (I'm begging on my hands and knees.) Or no chapter 4! grins evilly I hold the power! Mwhahahaha! Nah I love you all really....