PART 28

Despite things looking up for Mulder and Scully, they still had the matter of certain people that wanted them out of their way. CSM and the ABH were trying to sort things out for getting rid of the people in the forest for good. They weren't telling Diana or Krycek anything. Which left them to come up with their own ideas.

"I don't appreciate you hanging around me like flies around dirt Krycek."

"Oh, is Miss Fowley too good for mixing with her fellow workers? We're partners now you know, we're all a team."

"I am in a partnership with Smoking Man, no one else. We have an agreement."

"Oh what, that he'll get Mulder for you and you can live happily ever after? I mean, think about it, where have you just sent Mulder? Straight into the arms of Scully. You think he'll thank you for leading him to her? He'll just be mad at you for being involved in her disappearance and not helping him out sooner. And Smoking Man? If you're so friendly, why is he in there while you're out here? That's not a partnership, he'll say jump you'll say how high."

"You're wrong."

"About which part?"

"Both!"

"So you do still think you and Mulder are meant for each other?"

"Scully will never know Fox like I do. Not ever."

"She already does. You think that they're just friends? They're with each other 24/7 how can they not realise sooner or later that their affection for each other runs deeper than friendship? You don't stand a chance. When Mulder could have Scully, why would he pick you?"

"You are multi talented aren't you? Going into relationship analysis as well as a cold blooded murderer?"

"You know I'm right Diana. You want Mulder, but you've sent him straight into the loving welcome of Scully's embrace as they meet up after their time apart. You've done him a favour, maybe now he'll get his head out of his ass and tell Scully how he really feels."

"He doesn't feel anything for her but respect."

Krycek laughed and Diana was getting furious with him, and herself for getting so easily wound up by him.

"Maybe it's you that needs to get your head out of your ass Fowley, because you sure as hell aren't seeing the truth with your head down there."

As Diana thought of some comebacks to get him back for what he'd been saying, a door opened and CSM and the ABH came out and stood in front of them.

"We have made some decisions. Decisions that I think you'll be most interested to hear. Maybe you'd like to sit down?"

"Gees, cut the crap will you? You keep us hanging around here and then expect us to obey you like this?"

Diana stood forward to stop Krycek putting his words into actions.

"Krycek! We're listening."

Mulder and Scully had a lot of catching up to do, but as they sat in the quiet on nothing but a thin blanket on a cold floor they were just silenced by the fact that they were together again. But there was so much to be said, so much that they had decided they needed to tell each other. But they didn't know where to start.

"Are you ok Scully?"

"Yeh, I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"When I left your apartment that night I agreed to help you, I was followed by Krycek, then he got in my car and we drove. We just drove for miles, I didn't know where we were going, and I don't know where I am now. But we just kept going. I was scared Mulder."

"Did he hurt you?"

"Mulder...I can take care of myself."

"I know that Scully, but I need to know did he hurt you?"

"Yes. He...he pushed me down a flight of stairs, that was the worst. It was just general

intimidation..."

"Scully? Are you ok?"

"Yeh."

"You're crying. Come here."

He put his arm round her and she leaned into him, her curves fitting perfectly with his. He held her softly but securely, and Scully felt safe at last.

"What are we going to do Mulder?"

"Well, we have to get these people out of here by dawn."

"I meant what are WE going to do."

Mulder sat Scully up and cupped her face in his hands; he studied her face that he'd been desperate to see for days.

"Scully, when I thought I'd never be able to see you again I thought I'd die. I couldn't live without you by my side, my partner, my friend. I told Skinner I'd quit the X-Files unless I had you by my side."

"You'd do that for me?"

"I'd do anything for you Scully, you should know that by now. I don't ever want to lose you again. I need you. And as I finally found you I realised that the speech I'd prepared to say to you would be a waste of time. Because all I needed was three little words."

"What..."

"I love you. I love you Scully. I always will."

"Oh Mulder."

As their faces drew closer their hearts beat like crazy, the adrenalin was pumping around their bodies. And as their lips met their lives became one life. One life full of love and commitment. And it wasn't a "Happy New Year" kiss. It was a real kiss, a kiss full of reassurance and true love. As they parted, Scully rested her head on Mulder's and they held each other close.

"I love you too Mulder, and I think deep down I always have."

As Mulder tried to reply they suddenly heard a scream coming from the next room. They both jumped up and Mulder pulled out his gun.

"Mulder..."

"Stay here Scully."

"Mulder wait."

"Scully stay there! You don't have your gun, it'll be safer."

"Be careful."

"Don't worry."

And with that, he left a love stricken Scully abandoned as he went to play the hero. Big mistake...