A/N: Okay, so if you've ever read anything I've done, you'll know that I am incredibly influenced by music. I mean seriously, look at the titles of my stories. Okay, so I was listening to Randy Travis (the ONLY country music star I actually like, apart from Mary Chapin Carpenter) and this chapter appeared in my head. Bear with me! The song is called "Too Gone Too Long."

RATING: Some language ahead, so look out!



A few days later, Mulder sat on his couch, once again contemplating the meaning of his life. Fuck it, he thought. I don't have a life. He glanced at the television set, wondering if 11:34 on a Sunday morning was too early for the porn channel to be in full swing. Over the past few days, he had talked to his new friend online every night. It was a breath of fresh air to talk to someone who wasn't interested in cyber sex or something odd like that. He didn't know if "BeyondDSea1122" was even a man or a woman, for they had never even exchanged names. They had only talked about work or hobbies. Nonetheless, it was nice to have someone to talk to.

A knock on the door brought him out of his reverie, and Mulder sighed in relief. He had never been so bored in all of his life. Including that time he went and saw Billy Ray Cyrus in concert. "Who is it?" he called, hoping he knew who it was.

"Mulder, it's me." Ah, that was what he wanted to hear.

"Come on in, it's unlocked." He so did not feel like getting up. He smiled as she entered his home, every hair in place, and her eyes shining. There was no question in his mind: she was beautiful. "Howdy, partner. How's life treatin' ya?"

"Mulder, have you been listening to country music again?" Scully smiled at him. "Let me guess... Garth Brooks." She plopped down on the couch next to him.

He shook his head, wondering again how she knew him so well. "Randy, sweetheart." She looked at him, as if questioning what he had meant by that. "Randy Travis. He's my man." She nodded.

"Scully?"

"Hmm?"

"May I serenade you?"

"Absolutely not."

He nodded, and then burst into song. "You've been too gone, for too long! It's too late to come back now!"

Scully, laughing, reached over and put her hand on his mouth. "Please, Mulder, there's only so much I can take." She smiled at him.

He grinned back. "So, to what do I owe this extreme pleasure?"

"Well, Mulder, it appears you aren't the only one who has to take some time off. When Skinner realized that you were calling me everyday at work to give me some piece of information or whatever, he told me it would be in my best interest to join you. So, I thought we could start the week getting a late breakfast or early lunch. What do you think?"

"Yeeee-haw! Let's go, G-Woman, I'm starving." Mulder stood and extended his hand to her, which she took as she stood up. "So, where to?"

That night, Mulder eagerly sat down at his computer, rubbing his hands. It was 10:00, which was the understood meeting time of he and his online friend. He had decided to ask name and gender tonight, simply because he was curious. The day had gone very well, something that was alien to him. He and Scully had spent the whole day on the town, eating brunch and enjoying the sun at the park. He had even insisted that she sit on the swings so he could push her. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. But there was something that Scully wasn't willing to do with him: talk about their relationship. They had taken the next step by sleeping together, but both of them had silently decided that it had only confirmed how much they belonged together. There had been no giant epiphany, just a quiet confirmation. In fact, Mulder had thought that there was no need to talk about what happened, not because it was awkward, but because it hadn't changed anything. But now, he wasn't sure how he was feeling. His day with Scully had seemed so normal, like they were just two people who happened to be in love, taking in the city. He wanted more days like them.

The pinging sound of an instant message tore his attention away from his thoughts and brought him back to the present.

BeyondDSea1122: Long day?

SpookyDoo1013: howd u know?

BeyondDSea1122: intuition. There r some things I want to know

SpookyDoo1013: like...

BeyondDSea1122: whats ur name?

SpookyDoo1013: I was gonna ask the same thing... my names (He paused, not sure what he should tell her. 'Fox' sounded so fake.) Will. U?

BeyondDSea1122: Katherine

SpookyDoo1013: that's a pretty name

BeyondDSea1122: thanks, so y was ur day bad?

SpookyDoo1013: o, not bad, I just have some things on my mind

BeyondDSea1122: like wat?

SpookyDoo1013: this woman... im pretty sure im in love with her, but she doesn't want to go there

BeyondDSea1122: well, I think its fate that we met, cuz im havin the same problem, except with a guy

SpookyDoo1013: wel, maybe u can give me some advice... we've been friends for years, so I don't want her to think im just being a friend to her when I take her out, u know?

BeyondDSea1122: yeah,, id say 1 thing: woo her. Theres no way she can mistake ur intentions whrn u r very clear about them

SpookyDoo1013: i c wat u mean.... For u: I would talk to the guy, u'd be surprised how much we actually want to talk about things tha mean a lot to us

BeyondDSea1122: hmmm, ill keep that in mind {yawn}

SpookyDoo1013: haha, tired or bored?

BeyondDSea1122: tired, unbelievably so... u mind if we call it a night?

SpookyDoo1013: of course not, thanx so much for ur advice

BeyondDSea1122: and thank u... talk to you tomorrow?

SpookyDoo1013: wouldn't miss i.... toodles

He signed off, satisfied. Tomorrow was going to be very interesting.

This one's short too, I know, im so busy!!! PLEASE REVIEW, I LOVE REVIEWS!!!