2 months later:

I haven't seen Mulder since that night, I didn't know how I would act if I did. I convinced Brad that it was time for a change, that we should move somewhere. So, in a week were moving to California, a town just outside of San Diego that needs a new District Attorney. I haven't told anybody yet. With the exception of work and mom. None of my friends know, and I know Charity is going to hate that im moving. Seeing as she'll lose both her cousin and now best friend.

The hardest part for me is going to be telling Mulder. If I even do. I might just have mom tell him, I know its very insensitive of me, but I just don't think I would be able to say goodbye to him. Maybe I'll write him a letter.

Yeah, a letter that'll do.

But what will I write, "sorry Mulder, I love you but im married. I wish I could stay but I can't bear living near you. Please forgive me?" Maybe I can send him the letters I wrote when I had my cancer, that would clear a lot of things up. Maybe I'll do that, wait a couple of weeks after I move then send him the letters.

I just hope he won't come after me.

~**~**~**~

4 weeks later

I sent the letters off last week. I explained to Mulder how I felt and that I would've stayed if it had been a choice, but I did still love Brad, even if it wasn't on the same level I loved him. He hasn't returned the letters yet and I've asked Charity to check up on him, but she said he was on a case. So I guess I'll just have to wait until he gets home to hear from him.

~**~**~**~

1 week later

I still haven't heard from him, although Charity says he came back from his case 6 days ago. Maybe he doesn't know what to say. I know I had a hard time finding the words. Maybe he understands that it would be extremely hard for me to know exactly how he felt, and it would case problems for me. I was trying to start a new life, I couldn't have the reason I left my old one haunting me.

But that's what he was doing. Haunting me. I saw him everywhere, I'd be walking down the street and I would swear he was walking in front of me, or a patient would be brought into the hospital and I would see him. I never did get to treat him as a patient.

"Dr. Turner, your needed in the ER." Nurse Billows says when I walk out of my office.

"What's the problem?"

"FBI agent got shot."

My heart skipped a beat, but then I came crashing back down to earth, there are field offices all over California, this person could be anybody…it's most defiantly not Mulder.

And I was right, Special Agent Peterson was shot on a steak out, he was fine, bullet hit his clavicle, it could've been much worse.

Well, looks like moving didn't help as much as I thought it would. I might not be tempted to go see him everyday now, because I can't, but he still is all I think about.

This is pathetic.

~**~**~**~

1 ½ years later:

Brian and I broke up, well got a divorce. He claimed I was too distant, and I claimed he spent to much time working. He stayed here in California, I moved back to Georgetown. Strange thing is I moved into the same exact apartment I had occupied before. Mom and I just went the O'Brian's. She'd never been before and I was secretly hoping to run into Mulder.

I was surprised to find that the same bartender worked there.

"Hey, it's the AD's wife. I thought you guys moved."

"AD's former wife, actually. And we did move, but I moved back."

"Oh, that's a shame."

"No, not really. Im much happier now."

"So, no vodka on the rocks?"

"No, no vodka on the rocks. It'll just be the usual beer."

"Got'cha. And what about your friend?"

"My mom you mean? Just give her the same."

We sat at the bar for God knows how long sharing stories of Missy and she nearly died when I told her of Missy's musical talents. The bartender joined us for that conversation. Mom only had the one drink so she drove us back to my apartment, where she took her car and drove home. I shifted around my apartment remembering the first night I spent here all those years ago, and how horrified I had been when Missy drove up at O'Brian's. I never in a million years would've thought it would become my safe haven--O'Brian's I mean.

I couldn't sleep that night. On a whim I took out my cell phone and dialed Mulder's. Remembering all the times he'd told me he was an insomniac I was praying he wasn't asleep, but at the same time I hoped I got his voicemail.

I got the shock of my life when a woman picked up, "Diana."

Wait, isn't that his former partner. "Oh, im sorry. I must have called the wrong number."

"Do you know what time it is?"

"Excuse me?"

"It's after 2 in the morning."

"Im sorry, I called the wrong person. Who I was calling wouldn't care what time it is. Obviously I reached the wrong person."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just what I've been saying, wrong number. Goodnight." I hung up the phone. Somehow I found it hard to believe Mulder would ever be with somebody like that. But, I didn't expect him to mourn over not being with me forever, I knew in my heart he would move on. I just wish I hadn't wasted so much time. But Mulder said to me once that there's no use dwelling on what might have been, because we will never know. I guess that's true.

I drove by his apartment the next morning, and I saw a brunette walk out of the building and leave in a dark blue car. She looked like a bitch, so I concluded that she was Diana. Smart of me huh? Well, anyway, I just keep driving. If Mulder had moved on why couldn't I?

Because it wasn't that easy.

I drove to my old church and spent close to 2 hours in confession. I had to tell the priest that it had been so long since the last time I confessed I didn't even remember. I couldn't even tell him the year I had last confessed. But, I talked and talked and talked. I felt a little better afterwards, but that gnawing feeling in my stomach was still there, I didn't think it would ever go away.

It was months before I saw Mulder again.

~**~**~**~

3 months later

Here I am, my Saturday ritual…drowning my sorrows at O'Brian's. I never have more than two beers, because I no longer have somebody who can take me home. I've gotten countless phone numbers, but I throw them all away. Nobody measures up to Mulder, nobody ever will. I order my second drink and the bartender--who's name I learned recently is Adam--gives me a vodka on the rocks.

"This isn't what I ordered."

"But it's what you want. Your in depress mode. What's wrong?"

"Among other things, it's the 5th."

"The 5th is a vodka day because?"

"My sister was shot on the 5th. In my house, because of me."

"Now I find it hard to believe your sister was shot because of you."

"She was, the bullet was meant for me. I pissed the man off. She'd never even met the guy."

"Dana, now listen to me because im only going to say this once. God doesn't make mistakes. Maybe that bullet was meant for you by that man's standards, but by God's it was meant for your sister. You go when he's ready for you to go, not before or after. Unless you take matters into your own hands, then it's up to you."

"Thanks Adam, that makes me feel a bit better. But no vodka on the rocks. Just give me the regular."

"Alright, don't want you driving home drunk do we?"

"No, we don't."

He went to get my beer and somebody sat down next to me. I glanced over briefly, and then took a double take. I nearly fell out of my seat, and I think I did for a second there. "Mulder?"

"Scully? What are you doing here? I thought you moved to Cali?"

Oh God this is awkward. "I did, I moved back a little while ago, I called you. Some woman answered."

"A woman answered? I don't see how that's possible."

"No, her name was Diana. She got an attitude with me because I called so early."

"When was this?"

"Oh, about three months ago."

"Ah, I see. Three months ago I left my cell phone in Diana's car. She works on the x-files again, we'd just gotten back from a case."

"Oh."

"So, how's Brad?"

"Hell if I know."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I showed him my hands, "we got divorced. It got to the point where we barley saw each other. And when we did it was long enough to say 'hi honey have a good day at work.' And then the fact I wasn't in love with him kind of put a damper on the relationship, I guess I finally admitted to myself that it wasn't working, and he did too."

"So, does he still live in California?"

"Yeah. He loved his job there, and Memorial offered me my old job back. So, I've been here for the past three or so months."

"You live in Georgetown again?"

"Yeah, actually, the same exact place as before, same apartment and everything."

"That must be nice."

"Yeah, it is." I looked at him for a second, "why didn't you write me back?"

"I don't know for sure. I think it was because I didn't want to ruin your new life."

"God Mulder, I would've left him in a heartbeat, all you had to do was ask."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

We sat in silence for a second before he turned to me once more, "you want to get out of here?"

"Oh God, do I."

We went to his apartment, and ordered Chinese. Then we spent the whole night talking like we use to, he told me all of his new adventures on the x-files and he got a scared look when he asked me if the cancer had returned. He looked extremely relived when I told him that it hadn't. When I told him about Emily he was shocked.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"She was dying, there was nothing anybody could do about it."

"Don't you find it odd you had a child, and didn't give birth to it?"

"Not at all, im barren now from whatever those men did to me, they must have taken my eggs and used a surrogate mother."

"You don't believe that do you?"

"No, but it's the only scientific theory I can come up with."

"Was Brad mad when you told him you couldn't have children?"

"No, he never wanted children in the first place. I think his job came before his family. Im just surprised it took so long for me to see that. I wanted to adopt and he turned the idea down as soon as I suggested it. He said that we were never home, how could we raise a child? When the truth is if I had a child to take care of I would cut down on work or even quit."

"You'd be a great mother Scully."

"Thanks, and you wouldn't be such a bad father yourself."

We talked until 8 in the morning. I finally said that I needed to go home and get at least a few hours of sleep, and I was very hesitant to leave. Mulder walked me to his door and I turned around and faced him before I left. "I missed our talks Mulder, I missed them the most of all."

"I did too."

"I really wish you would've come after me, but I guess that's my fault isn't it? But then again Adam said something to me last night that made a lot of sense."

"Adam?"

"The bartender, we've become friends. Anyway, he said that God doesn't make mistakes. So, what's going to happen will happen when it's meant to."

"In other words, fate."

"Yeah, in other words fate."

I turned to leave and he grabbed my arm gently and turned me around. I faced him once again and before I knew it his lips were on mine. It was a short kiss, not at all like the one that we shared in his apartment more than a year ago, but it was filled with love and certainty. When we broke apart I smiled sheepishly at him. "I'll see you later Mulder."

"No more avoiding me?"

"No more avoiding you. I promise."

I drove straight to mom's where I told her what happened. She was extremely happy for me and after we talked for about an hour the fact that I had been up for over a day finally hit me. I asked her if I could sleep upstairs in one of the guest rooms and she gracefully accepted. I fell asleep with a huge smile on my face.

Things were starting to look up for me.

~**~**~**~

6 months later

Mulder and I have gone out on many dates. And not dates limited to weekends either, we go out any day of the week, either I just show up at his place or he just shows up at mine. I've spent many nights over at his place as well, and I know Missy would tell me I told you so if she was alive. How I wish she was here to share this with.

I go to her grave a lot, and just blabber on about my life. About Mulder and I, and our relationship, how Charity's doing--which, by the way, Charity got married 2 months ago. I was her maid of honor--and how mom's been holding up.

Bill and Charlie have met Mulder, for mom's birthday them and their families came to spend the weekend with her and Mulder came with me. Bill doesn't like him, he blames the fact that Brad and I broke up on him. Although I tried to tell him I never really loved Brad in the first place. Bill is just too stubborn to listen to anybody…I don't know how Tara puts up with it.

Other than that Mulder and I have been very happy…and mom has been ecstatic. She's already got wedding bells in her eyes. Although, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

He showed up not to long ago and told me to put on something nice, we were going out. I wasn't to shocked, even though it's a Thursday night, and I changed into the little black dress that he loves and did my hair and make up quickly. I walked out my room to find him watching baseball on my couch, his feet propped up on my coffee table.

"Just who do you think you are mister? Take those feet down now."

"You sound like your mother."

"Well, I am her daughter. It wouldn't be a good thing if I didn't sound like her."

He looked me over, "you look wonderful Scully. That dress never ceases to amaze me."

I smiled, "you don't look half bad yourself, you even brushed you hair. We must be going somewhere important."

"You joke, but you love me anyway."

"Against all my better judgment." I wink, "so where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

~**~**~**~

He ended up taking me to a Italian restaurant down the street, very classy. I'd been there once or twice before, but Mulder had reserved the best seat in the house.

"You know what today is Scully?"

"No, it can't be our 6 month anniversary, that was last week."

"No, no not the 6th month anniversary. This is the anniversary of the very first time we met."

"Am I suppose to remember that?"

"No, but I have a photographic memory, and one never really forgets getting shot…or a pretty face."

"I'll admit, you're a smooth talker Fox Mulder, but you've used that line before."

"Looks like im not the only one with a good memory. Your right, I have used that line before. But, it's true."

"Is that why we're here? Because this is the day we first met?"

"Well, partly."

"What's the other part?"

"You'll see after dinner."

I raised my eyebrow but didn't press the subject any further, knowing I wouldn't get an answer out of him. I just ate my dinner and waited for the other part of his reasoning. When we left the restaurant he took me to a baseball filed. There was a little boy waiting for us there.

"You every throw a baseball Scully?"

"No, I can't say that I have."

"I thought so. You want to learn?"

"In this dress?"

"Yeah, in that dress. You afraid of a challenge Scully?"

"Me? Ha. Never. I laugh in the face of danger. Ha ha ha ha." I chuckle. "Alright, now how do I do this?"

He placed the bat in my hand and wrapped his arms around me, and placed them on the bat as well. "Not a bad piece of ash, huh Scully?"

I shot him an evil look that sad don't-you-even.

"The bat, I meant the bat."

He went on with showing me the technique, of 'hips before hands' which is basically like showing a girl how to play pool, or golf, just another excuse to me less than an inch apart. I pretend as if I didn't lean the concept after the third time, and Mulder and I hit baseballs off into the night's sky. After he paid the boy for his work he lead me to the middle of the field where there was a telescope.

"What's all this Mulder?" I said motioning towards the telescope.

"Well, its another part of the surprise."

"And, that would be?"

"Look in the telescope."

I did, "there's nothing but stars Mulder."

"Yeah, I know. But, one of those stars belongs to you."

I looked at him, "you named a star after me Mulder?"

"Yes I did. It's at 54 degrees 3 minutes north, 43 degrees 5 minutes west."

"Mulder, this has to be the sweetest thing anybody has ever done for me." I placed a firm kiss on his lips, "thank you so much. I love it."

"The surprise isn't over." He pulled something out of his pocket, and then to my surprise kneeled on one knee.

Oh, God. He was proposing to me.

"Scully, I've wanted to ask you this since we met, well for the second time. I was so miserable when you got married to Brad, and even more so when you two moved away. I can't imagine a life without you, so Dana Katherine Scully, will you make me the luckiest and most envied man on the planet and marry me?"

"Yes." I squealed, it was all I could say. I pulled him up off the ground and into a hug, when he broke the embrace he took the ring out of its box, it was a gold band with three diamonds on it, the largest in the center and two slightly smaller ones on the outside, they were circle cut. There was an engraving on the inside and I strained a bit to see it, it read, 'to Dana: my one in five billion.' I remember when he said that to me, he was in the psych ward at the time, but I never doubted that it wasn't true.

"Oh, Mulder. I love you so much." I said hugging him again.

"I love you too." He said into my hair.

~**~**~**~

2000

Scully residence

6:15am

'BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!'

God it's Saturday, why didn't I turn the damn alarm off.

'BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BE-'

There, now there is no more noise. What a dream that was, and God did it seem long. I've only been sleeping now for less than 6 hours. What a dream though. I liked that dream, some things I would've changed about it, but dreams are our desires coming to us subconsciously right?

I smiled at the end of my dream, I wonder what would happen if Mulder and I ever got married, not that it's going to happen anytime soon, but what if it did?

Why am I thinking about this at 6:15 in the morning?

A protective arm drapes over my stomach and I scoot towards the body it belongs to. Mulder mumbles something into my hair and I can't help but smile at the fact I've learned over the past few months that he talks--very frequently--in his sleep. Some nights I stay awake just to hear him have conversations in his dreams. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're anything but pleasant.

Back to my dream…maybe I had it because of what I was thinking about before I went to bed. I wonder if that would have actually happened had I not joined the FBI.

You know they say all roads lead to Rome, what if all my roads lead to Mulder?

I like that thought.

~**~**~**~

I shall be telling this with a sigh,

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood and I--

I took the one less traveled by;

And that has made all the difference.

~**~**~**~

a/n: I would've made this a one part story, but it was too long for my computer to let me do that. So i had to break it up in threes. Anyway, i was just reading this poem one day and the idea for this story popped up, so i ran with it. Hope you liked it, please review

~Brittany~