Maggie guided Scully into the powder room and sat down on one of the sofas provided there. She took her daughter's hand between her own two and dipped her head down so that she intercepted Scully's gaze, which was fixated on the floor.

"Why Dana...why did you say no honey?"

"Mom he doesn't want to marry me."

"Dana how can you say that? Did you not see his face in there? He loves you so much and you just brushed him off."

"I know he loves me mom...but he doesn't want to marry me."

"Honey, why would he ask if he didn't?"

"Because he thinks it's what I want...what you want. It wasn't because it's what he wants."

"I don't understand Dana..."

"I told him when we were coming home from the doctors that you would most likely bring up the subject of marriage. I'm actually surprised you didn't...but then maybe you did take it up with Mulder - convinced him that he had to propose to me."

"I didn't do any such thing Dana...why would I?"

"The baby mom...because of the baby. I knew you wouldn't want it to be born illegitimate. So I figured once you found out about the fact that we were pregnant you would want us do something about it. I don't want to get married to Mulder just because of the baby. I didn't want him to propose just because he thinks that he owes it to me, or something. That's why I said no. ...He'll understand."

"Oh Dana..."

"What mom...would you want me to get married to someone who was only doing it for the baby I was carrying?"

"No honey...I suppose not but..."

"But what mom?"

"Fox wasn't proposing because of the baby."

"Yes he was mom...I told you, he thinks it's what you and I would want him to do."

"No Dana...that's not why. He's been planning this since Wednesday - he even came and asked for both my permission and approval before he did anything else about it."

"What?!"

"That's what he was doing all those times he went away to do something in secret - he was at the jewellers choosing your ring when you phoned him from the doctors office. He had decided to propose long before you knew you were pregnant - had organised the where and when before you even made the doctor's appointment."

"God mom...what have I done?!"

Scully stared at her mom in horror as the reality of the situation sunk in. She realised just what she had done to Mulder - how badly she had hurt him and she let out a noise that was half gasp, half sob. Burying her face in her hands, she sank down onto the seat beside her mom for a brief moment before springing back up quickly and starting off towards the door. Maggie caught her arm just as she pulled the door open and she pulled her round to face her.

"Where are you going Dana?"

"Where do you think I'm going mom? I have to find Mulder and tell him I'm sorry...I have to tell him that it was all a mistake and that I do want to marry him. I need to know if he'll forgive me and take me back mom."

"Of course he'll forgive you Dana...that man would do anything for you. That doesn't mean that you don't have to apologise and give him a proper explanation though Dana. What you did hurt him very badly and it's up to you to set things straight and make everything alright again."

"I know mom...I know."

With that Maggie let go of her arm and the two of them made their way through the crowded hall of partygoers until they came to the door out to the foyer. Before they could get through the doors though, they were halted by another hand on Scully's arm. Frustrated, Scully tried to just shake it off without turning around but the person kept a tight grip on her until she was forced to turn and face them.

"Charlie...let me go Charlie. Please, I have to go get Mulder."

"You might want this then Day...I rescued it from the middle of the dance floor."

Charlie held out the engagement ring to his sister who took it gratefully. She turned it round in her hand to examine it properly since she hadn't got a close look at it before. She gasped at its beauty and fresh tears sprung to her eyes as she imagined Mulder picking it out in the shop and then being called away by her for what he thought was going to be bad news. When she spoke again her voice was hardly above a whisper.

"Thank you Charlie."

"No problem Day...I thought you might need it by the way you were hurrying across the hall."

"I do...I will. As soon as I find him."

"He left the party Day...he got in a cab and drove off. I asked him where he was going but he just said he was going away from here."

"He could be anywhere by now...but I need to find him."

"You know him best Dana...you'll know where he would go so go get him."

With that all three of them made their way out into the foyer where they met up with Bill. He was still standing in the same spot as Charlie had left him, still pondering what he had told him. When he turned round and saw his sister standing there he smiled at her and walked over to stand beside her.

"Glad you finally came to your senses Dana and refused him...maybe now you won't have to be bothered by him again. I'm so happy you realised that you are far too good for the likes of him before you made it official, before you..."

Bill stopped speaking mid-sentence when Scully swung around to face him. His mouth dropped open and he didn't have time to react or duck before her fist made contact with the right side of his jaw. His head snapped sideways and a small amount of blood sprayed out of his mouth having bitten his tongue at the moment of impact. Maggie stifled a gasp but didn't even try to reprimand her daughter since she agreed with the sentiment behind the blow even if she didn't agree with the blow itself.

"What the hell was that for Dana?"

"That was for telling me that Mulder wasn't good enough for me...for telling me that the father of my unborn baby isn't worthy to be your brother-in-law. Well I have a news flash for you Bill...he IS going to be your brother-in law, just as soon as I find him."

"Wh...what?"

"I've had it with you Bill...if you can't accept the fact that Mulder and I are going to be together for as long as we are able...then I want to have nothing to do with you anymore. Now if you'll excuse me...I have to go find Mulder now and I don't have time to waste to listen to your bullshit."

As Bill watched his sister stalk off to find Mulder, realisation crossed his face as it dawned upon him that if he kept up his attitude towards Mulder then not only would he lose his sister...but also his niece or nephew. He watched her get into her car and pause to compose herself at the wheel, wiping tears from her eyes and clenching her fists to stop them from shaking, and at that moment he understood how much Mulder really meant to her.