PART 31

Scully was quiet throughout the journey they all had to make through the forest. She didn't say a word, as all she could think about was Nacelles, and how she felt like it was her fault she'd been taken away. Where could she have gone and why? There were so many answers that she wanted to find, but she didn't stand much chance of finding them. As it got to about 4/5 o'clock in the morning, everyone was getting tired.

They'd rested for two hours and slept a little but most tried to keep their energy and spirits high by staying awake and helping others. Scully didn't sleep and neither did Mulder. They sat away from the others and just enjoyed the peace and quiet. Mulder tried to convince Scully there was nothing she could have done to stop Nacelles being taken away, but she was having none of it.

"Mulder, I was her friend, I was supposed to be watching her, making sure she was ok."

"And you were."

"How can you say that? The evidence is quite clear that I wasn't!"

"What evidence?!"

"Well where is she?!"

"Look Scully, I don't want us to argue."

"Why? Afraid it'll stop you from getting anywhere with me?! There are no beds out here Mulder, or do you not need one?!"

Mulder looked at Scully and shook his head. He stood up and headed away from her, she followed him shouting him back, but he was not impressed.

"I think, I hoped, you know me better than that Scully."

"Mulder wait please."

"Get some sleep."

"I'm sorry!"

"I really don't think we should get into this anymore while you're so tired! I think you need some time alone."

"I don't want to be alone! Don't you see? That's what's happened to me my whole life, I close myself off from people and when I do want them close they just push me aside. Please Mulder, don't leave me."

He walked over to her and took her in his arms, he kissed her with a passion that Scully had never thought existed in him, she'd never pictured him as a man that could put so much passion into a kiss that it made her heart melt straight into his hands. He held her heart and he always would, she was more than happy to give it to him.

"I'm sorry Mulder. I don't know why I said what I did."

"It doesn't matter Scully. You're under a lot of pressure."

"But I shouldn't have been so heartless."

"Scully I love you and if you were heartless that wouldn't be possible, because I hope you love me too."

"Of course I do."

"So, lets get some sleep, even if it's only half an hour, it'll do us both good."

"Well I said that we should meet up at 5am, it's only four fifteen. If we sleep for half an hour what could we possibly do for the other fifteen minutes?"

"Oh I'm sure I could think of something."

"Really?"

"Yeh, and you were right, I don't need a bed, all I need is you."

As Mulder and Scully went back to rest in their quiet corner away from the others, they didn't see someone watching them in the trees behind them, they didn't see Krycek, Diana, CSM and the ABH all standing, waiting for the right moment to make their presence felt by all of the others in the forest. They watched and waited, and they checked they were prepared for what the dawn would bring them, for them the dawn of the new day would be pleasant, for everyone else the new day would be their last day.