PART 25

Mulder knew he was driving way too fast, but he didn't care as he sped down the roads searching for Scully. He drove around the surrounding area of DC all day looking for her, he was desperate to see her. He knew he may not find her that first day, but he didn't care, he would find her. This was his first clue; this was the beginning of the end. He longed to see her, to hear her voice, to hear her say his name in that way that told him she thought he was crazy. He pined for the safety and comfort of her standing by his side. He needed her, he couldn't get through his life without her, and when he found her he was going to tell her something that he

realised he should have told her a long time ago.

Meanwhile Scully was left with the job of getting over 500 people into safety. She'd been left alone for the day, nobody disturbed her, nobody asked her any questions or demanded any answers from her. Which at the time was good because she didn't have any. She tried and tried to think about how to save these people's lives, to keep them alive. If they died it would be her fault, she'd never be able to live with the guilt. Occasionally she caught a glimpse of one of the women looking at her from the corner of her eye, but she daren't look at them, what would she do? Smile, look away? She had no answers, and time was running out. One person who wouldn't leave her side was Nacelles; she remained with Scully the whole time.

"Are you tired?"

"No..."

"Yes you are, I saw you yawning."

"I'm not sleepy."

"Come here."

She pulled her onto her lap and Nacelles put her arms around Scully's neck and rested her head on her shoulder as they sat on the arrangements of blankets that were keeping them warm and comfy.

"Why do they look at you like you need to give them something?"

"Well, you're too clever for me at five years old. You should rest get some sleep so you're ready for action tomorrow."

"Why? Where are we going? Are we going away?"

"Maybe, you just get some sleep sweetie."

"Will you sing to me?"

"Oh I can't sing, I really can not sing a note."

Scully thought back to the time she was with Mulder in a forest in Florida. He'd asked her to sing then so he'd know she was awake, and she did. Even after she'd warned him she couldn't carry a tune. She never understood why she sung; perhaps because it was Mulder, she'd do anything for him, even die for him. She missed him. He wasn't there, and she wanted him back.

"I'll tell you a story."

"A nice story? With a fairy and a princess?"

"Of course."

Scully began her story as they lay down to get some rest. But as she began her happy ending story, she didn't get to finish it but fell asleep. One of the other women came in to cover them over to keep them warm, and although Scully had woken up she kept her eyes shut and listened to what she said.

"Like a mother with her daughter. So beautiful, but so sad."

And as Scully was left alone again she looked at Nacelles and tried to hold back the tears that had got so good at pouring down her cheeks. And suddenly, she had an idea. She knew how they could get out, all of them; she couldn't believe she'd not thought of it before. But as doubts aroused in her mind, Nacelles reached for Scully's hand and held it tight, and as Scully held her small hand within her own, she took it as a sign that by some miracle things would work out for the better.