Part 37
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?", asks Howie turning around to glance at Mulder as he drives the van along.
"I have no idea", says Mulder looking out the window. "So much has happened so fast and I guess I just got taken up in the moment. Scully probably won't ever speak to me again."
"Oh I'm not so sure about that. Son, let me give you some advice. First, do you really love her? You're not confusing your feelings for something else?"
"Yes, of course of love her", says Mulder looking annoyed at being viewed as someone who needed advice on relationships.
"Your love for her has to be so strong that you would do anything for her. As farfetched as it sounds you have to be willing to go to the ends of the earth for her", says Howie.
"Does Antarctica count", asks Mulder. Howie gives him a strange look but continues.
"Love is a strange thing Agent Mulder. You may only find true love once during this path we call life. That love may last a lifetime, or it may last a few years, or a few days, maybe even a few hours or even minutes. Then there are those rare instances where its love at first sight. Somehow you glance at a person in a park or restaurant and something flickers, but it wasn't meant to be at that time. Never underestimate the power that it holds and how your whole path will be guided by the decisions you make. I urge you to think hard and realize that life is short and you need to live each day as though it is your last. My Nadine and I were only married for five years. We got married when we were just twenty-two years old. I had just graduated college and had accepted a journalist position at the LA Times. Yeah, I'm surprised that I once worked there too." He glances at Mulder's surprised but intrigued face. "One day my Nadine complained of a headache. We didn't think much of it. She took some aspirin and thought it would go away. It didn't. We thought it was just migraines, but we went to the doctor anyway. Cancer, he said. Nothing we could do. Those six months were the worst of my life. She was my world and even now I just can't see how I could ever love anyone like that again." He glances in the rearview mirror and at the mention of the word cancer Mulder bites his lip and cringes as he looks out the window.
"Turn around", says Mulder without looking at Howie.
"Thats what I hoped you would say", says Howie making a u-turn.
Part 38
"Agent Scully, you didn't answer my question?", says Skinner staring at her. "What is in that package?"
"My whole life", says Scully quickly stuffing the box into the fed-ex package and averting her eyes from Skinner. "Kate, is there any way that you could drive me to the airport? I need to get back to DC as soon as possible."
"Well sure I guess I could", says Kate looking reluctantly up at Skinner. "Get your suitcase and I'll pull the jeep around."
Scully turns to go retrieve her suitcase from outside her trailer, but Skinner reaches out and catches her by the arm. "There is no room for petty squabbles in the FBI Agent Scully. If Mulder and you have had a misunderstanding you should inform me. Partners need to rely on each other and obviously they can't when they don't see eye to eye."
"We are not fighting", says Scully. "I need to go get my luggage." She walks out the door and toward the trailer. Skinner watches her go and then turns back to the map.
Kate pulls up in the jeep and Scully throws her suitcase in and then hops in next to Kate. They pull onto the dirt road. "Is there a shortcut or something we could take?", asks Scully. "I don't want to miss that flight to DC."
"Not really", says Kate. "Once we get off this dirt road though and get on the main road we should make some good time."
Scully nods in disappointment.
"Walter was right back there wasn't he? You and Agent Mulder had a falling out didn't you?", asks Kate.
"Its complicated", says Scully looking out the window.
"I know that you probably aren't comfortable talking about it with a stranger, but sometimes it helps to get it out in the open", says Kate. "If you're worried that I will tell Walter about it, I won't. Some things are best left private. Especially personal issues that need not be discussed in the workplace."
Scully snorts. "Thats just it Kate. Let me quote, 'Rule #12 of the FBI Special Agent Obligation Manual - You shall not be romantically involved with your fellow agents. Any intimate relationship with a partner will be grounds for immediate reassignment. Second offense will result in immediate dismissal."
"Thats harsh", says Kate looking over at a quiet Scully. "Thats not realistic of real life. Things may happen to change people. How long have you been in love with him?"
Scully doesn't answer right away. She still isn't sure if she should even be discussing this with anyone, but she can't resist the caring tone of Kate's voice. "Seven years", she says flatly.
"Seven years? Really? How long have you been partnered together?"
"Seven years", says Scully blinking back tears.
"You've loved him since the beginning?"
"Since I first walked into his basement office", says Scully laughing at the irony.
"Oh you poor dear. You've gone on all this time resisting the urge to speak your heart? Does he know how you feel?"
"Yes and the truly amazing thing is that he feels the same way. Even I though it couldn't be possible with the hermit life he has led since I've known him."
They pull onto the main road and Kate waves to Howie returning with the van. "That was a quick trip", says Kate. "That doesn't make sense. There wasn't enough time to go to the airport and back."
Scully looks as they pass the van and sees Mulder sitting hunched down in the van. "Kate, its Mulder. He didn't go to the airport.", says Scully whipping around in her seat. "Catch that van!"
Kate is about to turn around, but the van has stopped and backs up until the two vehicles are facing each other. Both agents jump out and approach each other from opposite sides of the road.
"Mulder.."
"Scully.."
"I'm sorry for leaving", says Mulder softly.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you", says Scully.
"Did you open the package", asks Mulder looking at his hiking boot as he scrapes it along the pavement.
"Yes and if you had stayed around long enough you would have realized that although risky for our careers, I would have to say that the suggestion is quite agreeable for me."
"Are you saying that you would jeopardize your career Agent Scully to marry me?", ask Mulder looking her in the eye.
Her blue eyes grow misty as she replies, "My career is worthless to me if I don't have you in my life, so I guess the answer is yes I would give up everything, but only for you Mulder."
Mulder nods and smiles at her. Kate approaches them. "Here is your baggage Agent Scully. You're going to need it if you are going to catch that flight to DC." Scully takes her suitcase and looks from Kate to Mulder. "Who said anything about going to DC?" She winks at Kate who winks back. Kate walks back to her jeep and drives off.
Mulder notices the fed-ex package sticking out of Scully's shoulder bag and pulls it out. "Now that we finally agree on something, can I seal the moment with a proper proposal?" He pulls the ring box out of the package and opens it. Taking the ring out he gets down on one knee. He takes her left hand in his. "Its been seven years and I wouldn't have traded one day of it, except for only the days that you were taken from me or that you were sick. But thats all behind us now and I don't want to live another day without you, therefore I ask you today Agent Dana Scully..will you marry me?"
Scully smiles with her eyes brimming with tears. She nods as she is speechless. After a couple of moments of looking down into Mulder's hopeful eyes, she nods and says, "Yes, of course I'll marry you Mulder." He gives her a huge smile as he slips the ring on her finger. He takes her hand and kisses it and then says, "Thank you for making me a whole person."
She says, "Thank you for finally offering me a normal life."
Mulder laughs. "Can I please get up now? My knee is killing me."
"Only you Mulder could take a romantic moment and squash it", says Scully still smiling as Mulder gets up and embraces her. She leans up and kisses him. After a moment Mulder places his forehead to hers. "So now what? We've got our luggage."
"Hows the weather in Vegas?", asks Scully flirtatiously.
"Sunny and hot", replies Mulder with a grin.
"Well I say we take advantage of our time off and hit the slots", says Scully.
Mulder releases her and picks up her suitcase. He leads her over to the van where Howie is still sitting in the driver's seat. "On to the airport Howie", says Mulder throwing the suitcase in and helping Scully in.
"You know Scully at some of those wedding chapels in Vegas you can get married by Elvis."
"Mulder!"
Part 39
Kate arrives back at the trailer park to find several police cars surrounding her office building. She walks in to find Skinner on his cellphone. He turns to face her and gives her a thumbs up. Shortly after he hangs up. "It looks like someone sited the fugitive", says Skinner to Kate. "Five miles west of here. Unfortunately, he is holding a woman and a small child hostage in their cabin and he is threatening to kill them if we don't give him what he wants."
"And what does he want", asks Kate.
Skinner sighs and runs his hand over his forehead. "You. He wants you, but we aren't going to give him that. Its too dangerous. If we can trick him into thinking we will go along with him we can do a rescue. I don't want to risk your life Kate, but I'm going to have to ask you to come with myself the other agents and police to the cabin. That way Bobby will see you and maybe will be willing to deal.
Kate shudders at the thought of having to see Bobby again after all these years, but she thinks of the poor woman and child who have become victims in their own home. She can't let anyone suffer anymore. "I'll do it", she says.
***************************************
Meanwhile in a small log cabin:
"You aren't going to get away with this, my husband is coming home in an hour and my neighbors saw you force me in the house with that gun. There are going to be police here any minute", says Jean Foster to Bobby who is helping himself to her refrigerator.
"He'll be sorry if he interferes", says Bobby pulling a fried chicken leg out and taking a bite out of it. "I'm in far more trouble than you realize ma'am. The police may be after me, but the FBI is doing the dealing. They know what I want and when I get her you won't have to worry any more." He pulls back the curtain to glance outside.
******************************************
Meanwhile on a plane to Vegas:
"Mulder, we shouldn't have left Skinner to take care of that fugitive", says Scully holding his hand.
"Scully, we're on leave and Skinner told us, no ordered us to get out of there. He has been in the bureau almost three times longer that we have. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Nothing I suppose. I'm just not used to this leisure time that we have been granted Mulder. I'm usually the one to be telling you that we need not save the world every time."
"When have we been given the opportunity to save the world Scully? I'm still waiting for that date with CSM that is going to tell me that the aliens are finally on their way. Only then will I be able to truly save the world."
Scully turns to Mulder. "You are sounding like an arrogant, conceited jerk", says Scully.
"Scully, I am deeply wounded that you would call me those offensive names. You know I couldn't save the world....alone that is. I would need the assistance of one certain redheaded, sexy little pathologist."
"Thats much better", says Scully putting her head on Mulder's shoulder.
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?", asks Howie turning around to glance at Mulder as he drives the van along.
"I have no idea", says Mulder looking out the window. "So much has happened so fast and I guess I just got taken up in the moment. Scully probably won't ever speak to me again."
"Oh I'm not so sure about that. Son, let me give you some advice. First, do you really love her? You're not confusing your feelings for something else?"
"Yes, of course of love her", says Mulder looking annoyed at being viewed as someone who needed advice on relationships.
"Your love for her has to be so strong that you would do anything for her. As farfetched as it sounds you have to be willing to go to the ends of the earth for her", says Howie.
"Does Antarctica count", asks Mulder. Howie gives him a strange look but continues.
"Love is a strange thing Agent Mulder. You may only find true love once during this path we call life. That love may last a lifetime, or it may last a few years, or a few days, maybe even a few hours or even minutes. Then there are those rare instances where its love at first sight. Somehow you glance at a person in a park or restaurant and something flickers, but it wasn't meant to be at that time. Never underestimate the power that it holds and how your whole path will be guided by the decisions you make. I urge you to think hard and realize that life is short and you need to live each day as though it is your last. My Nadine and I were only married for five years. We got married when we were just twenty-two years old. I had just graduated college and had accepted a journalist position at the LA Times. Yeah, I'm surprised that I once worked there too." He glances at Mulder's surprised but intrigued face. "One day my Nadine complained of a headache. We didn't think much of it. She took some aspirin and thought it would go away. It didn't. We thought it was just migraines, but we went to the doctor anyway. Cancer, he said. Nothing we could do. Those six months were the worst of my life. She was my world and even now I just can't see how I could ever love anyone like that again." He glances in the rearview mirror and at the mention of the word cancer Mulder bites his lip and cringes as he looks out the window.
"Turn around", says Mulder without looking at Howie.
"Thats what I hoped you would say", says Howie making a u-turn.
Part 38
"Agent Scully, you didn't answer my question?", says Skinner staring at her. "What is in that package?"
"My whole life", says Scully quickly stuffing the box into the fed-ex package and averting her eyes from Skinner. "Kate, is there any way that you could drive me to the airport? I need to get back to DC as soon as possible."
"Well sure I guess I could", says Kate looking reluctantly up at Skinner. "Get your suitcase and I'll pull the jeep around."
Scully turns to go retrieve her suitcase from outside her trailer, but Skinner reaches out and catches her by the arm. "There is no room for petty squabbles in the FBI Agent Scully. If Mulder and you have had a misunderstanding you should inform me. Partners need to rely on each other and obviously they can't when they don't see eye to eye."
"We are not fighting", says Scully. "I need to go get my luggage." She walks out the door and toward the trailer. Skinner watches her go and then turns back to the map.
Kate pulls up in the jeep and Scully throws her suitcase in and then hops in next to Kate. They pull onto the dirt road. "Is there a shortcut or something we could take?", asks Scully. "I don't want to miss that flight to DC."
"Not really", says Kate. "Once we get off this dirt road though and get on the main road we should make some good time."
Scully nods in disappointment.
"Walter was right back there wasn't he? You and Agent Mulder had a falling out didn't you?", asks Kate.
"Its complicated", says Scully looking out the window.
"I know that you probably aren't comfortable talking about it with a stranger, but sometimes it helps to get it out in the open", says Kate. "If you're worried that I will tell Walter about it, I won't. Some things are best left private. Especially personal issues that need not be discussed in the workplace."
Scully snorts. "Thats just it Kate. Let me quote, 'Rule #12 of the FBI Special Agent Obligation Manual - You shall not be romantically involved with your fellow agents. Any intimate relationship with a partner will be grounds for immediate reassignment. Second offense will result in immediate dismissal."
"Thats harsh", says Kate looking over at a quiet Scully. "Thats not realistic of real life. Things may happen to change people. How long have you been in love with him?"
Scully doesn't answer right away. She still isn't sure if she should even be discussing this with anyone, but she can't resist the caring tone of Kate's voice. "Seven years", she says flatly.
"Seven years? Really? How long have you been partnered together?"
"Seven years", says Scully blinking back tears.
"You've loved him since the beginning?"
"Since I first walked into his basement office", says Scully laughing at the irony.
"Oh you poor dear. You've gone on all this time resisting the urge to speak your heart? Does he know how you feel?"
"Yes and the truly amazing thing is that he feels the same way. Even I though it couldn't be possible with the hermit life he has led since I've known him."
They pull onto the main road and Kate waves to Howie returning with the van. "That was a quick trip", says Kate. "That doesn't make sense. There wasn't enough time to go to the airport and back."
Scully looks as they pass the van and sees Mulder sitting hunched down in the van. "Kate, its Mulder. He didn't go to the airport.", says Scully whipping around in her seat. "Catch that van!"
Kate is about to turn around, but the van has stopped and backs up until the two vehicles are facing each other. Both agents jump out and approach each other from opposite sides of the road.
"Mulder.."
"Scully.."
"I'm sorry for leaving", says Mulder softly.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you", says Scully.
"Did you open the package", asks Mulder looking at his hiking boot as he scrapes it along the pavement.
"Yes and if you had stayed around long enough you would have realized that although risky for our careers, I would have to say that the suggestion is quite agreeable for me."
"Are you saying that you would jeopardize your career Agent Scully to marry me?", ask Mulder looking her in the eye.
Her blue eyes grow misty as she replies, "My career is worthless to me if I don't have you in my life, so I guess the answer is yes I would give up everything, but only for you Mulder."
Mulder nods and smiles at her. Kate approaches them. "Here is your baggage Agent Scully. You're going to need it if you are going to catch that flight to DC." Scully takes her suitcase and looks from Kate to Mulder. "Who said anything about going to DC?" She winks at Kate who winks back. Kate walks back to her jeep and drives off.
Mulder notices the fed-ex package sticking out of Scully's shoulder bag and pulls it out. "Now that we finally agree on something, can I seal the moment with a proper proposal?" He pulls the ring box out of the package and opens it. Taking the ring out he gets down on one knee. He takes her left hand in his. "Its been seven years and I wouldn't have traded one day of it, except for only the days that you were taken from me or that you were sick. But thats all behind us now and I don't want to live another day without you, therefore I ask you today Agent Dana Scully..will you marry me?"
Scully smiles with her eyes brimming with tears. She nods as she is speechless. After a couple of moments of looking down into Mulder's hopeful eyes, she nods and says, "Yes, of course I'll marry you Mulder." He gives her a huge smile as he slips the ring on her finger. He takes her hand and kisses it and then says, "Thank you for making me a whole person."
She says, "Thank you for finally offering me a normal life."
Mulder laughs. "Can I please get up now? My knee is killing me."
"Only you Mulder could take a romantic moment and squash it", says Scully still smiling as Mulder gets up and embraces her. She leans up and kisses him. After a moment Mulder places his forehead to hers. "So now what? We've got our luggage."
"Hows the weather in Vegas?", asks Scully flirtatiously.
"Sunny and hot", replies Mulder with a grin.
"Well I say we take advantage of our time off and hit the slots", says Scully.
Mulder releases her and picks up her suitcase. He leads her over to the van where Howie is still sitting in the driver's seat. "On to the airport Howie", says Mulder throwing the suitcase in and helping Scully in.
"You know Scully at some of those wedding chapels in Vegas you can get married by Elvis."
"Mulder!"
Part 39
Kate arrives back at the trailer park to find several police cars surrounding her office building. She walks in to find Skinner on his cellphone. He turns to face her and gives her a thumbs up. Shortly after he hangs up. "It looks like someone sited the fugitive", says Skinner to Kate. "Five miles west of here. Unfortunately, he is holding a woman and a small child hostage in their cabin and he is threatening to kill them if we don't give him what he wants."
"And what does he want", asks Kate.
Skinner sighs and runs his hand over his forehead. "You. He wants you, but we aren't going to give him that. Its too dangerous. If we can trick him into thinking we will go along with him we can do a rescue. I don't want to risk your life Kate, but I'm going to have to ask you to come with myself the other agents and police to the cabin. That way Bobby will see you and maybe will be willing to deal.
Kate shudders at the thought of having to see Bobby again after all these years, but she thinks of the poor woman and child who have become victims in their own home. She can't let anyone suffer anymore. "I'll do it", she says.
***************************************
Meanwhile in a small log cabin:
"You aren't going to get away with this, my husband is coming home in an hour and my neighbors saw you force me in the house with that gun. There are going to be police here any minute", says Jean Foster to Bobby who is helping himself to her refrigerator.
"He'll be sorry if he interferes", says Bobby pulling a fried chicken leg out and taking a bite out of it. "I'm in far more trouble than you realize ma'am. The police may be after me, but the FBI is doing the dealing. They know what I want and when I get her you won't have to worry any more." He pulls back the curtain to glance outside.
******************************************
Meanwhile on a plane to Vegas:
"Mulder, we shouldn't have left Skinner to take care of that fugitive", says Scully holding his hand.
"Scully, we're on leave and Skinner told us, no ordered us to get out of there. He has been in the bureau almost three times longer that we have. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Nothing I suppose. I'm just not used to this leisure time that we have been granted Mulder. I'm usually the one to be telling you that we need not save the world every time."
"When have we been given the opportunity to save the world Scully? I'm still waiting for that date with CSM that is going to tell me that the aliens are finally on their way. Only then will I be able to truly save the world."
Scully turns to Mulder. "You are sounding like an arrogant, conceited jerk", says Scully.
"Scully, I am deeply wounded that you would call me those offensive names. You know I couldn't save the world....alone that is. I would need the assistance of one certain redheaded, sexy little pathologist."
"Thats much better", says Scully putting her head on Mulder's shoulder.