Scully sat in a rocking chair looking out the window. As she stared out the window, she picked up her cross necklace and played with it between her fingers. It was this particular item, which had been responsible for sending Jeremy away and protecting her. And it had been placed around her by the one man she was thinking about now. The man she had opened herself up and given herself to. The man who she had contemplated deep feelings about before she had left for her mother's. But after his recent behavior, she wasn't sure what to think. She had isolated herself for the past few days, not wishing to speak to anyone. She had taken all of her meals from her room and spent the rest of her time alone. Luckily, her mother respected her wishes due to what she had been through lately. She heard a knock at the door and turned her head. "Come in."

Margaret Scully opened the door and smiled. "I brought you some soup and sandwiches."

Scully gave a half smile. "Thanks, Mom."

Margaret placed the plate down on a table in front of her. "I do what I can to take care of my daughter." She reached up her hand and touched the side of Scully's face. "How are you doing?"

"I'm…I'm ok."

"You know I hate seeing you shut yourself away like this, Dana. I understand you have been through a lot these past few weeks. But…I feel so helpless when you can't talk to me. Please, help me to understand so I can help you?"

"There is more going on then you realize, Mom."

Margaret took a seat on the floor in front of Scully. "Then tell me, Dana."

Scully sighed. "I made a choice and I'm not sure if it was the right one, now."

"What kind of choice?"

"I've been alone for so many years, not wanting to get close to anyone. I've….let my career basically consume me and not allow anything else." She shook her head. "Gosh, I'm starting to sound just like…"

"Fox?" Margaret asked with a smile. "I think you and Fox are more alike in some ways then you realize. Actually I was surprised you didn't try and contact him these past few days. You know he really cares for you, Dana."

"He…he told me he loved me, Mom." Scully whispered.

Margaret's eyes widened. "He…he did?"

Scully nodded. "He told me shortly after the first time I was in the hospital."

"Oh, Dana."

"He told me that it was ok if I didn't feel the same way and he didn't want to pressure me."

"So, what did you tell him?" Margaret asked as she shifted slightly on the floor.

"I told him….that I wasn't sure yet and that I needed some time."

"And now you're wondering if you made the right choice in telling him that? Dana, there is nothing wrong with contemplating something serious like love. Love is not just something you toss around. In my opinion it's a huge step. You have absolutely nothing to…"

"I slept with him, Mom."

"What?"

"When he brought me home from the hospital after my…..experience we made love." She closed her eyes. "And it was…..the most wonderful thing I have ever felt in my life, Mom. I felt as if I were floating out of my body and ascending into the heavens."

"What you shared with Fox is a very sacred thing, Dana. You speak of it as a very moving and special thing and yet you contemplate if you should have done it now? Why?"

"Because he changed."

Margaret looked back up at Scully from the floor. "What do you mean?"

"For the first few days it was wonderful. We spent every waking moment with each other and made love like there was no tomorrow. He was so….tender and loving toward me. I would love it when I would wake up in his strong arms and for the first time in years….I wasn't lonely anymore. For the first time in years I felt…loved and special."

"And how did he change, Dana?"

"When I was getting ready to leave with you, he told me he didn't want me to go."

"Well, I really think that's understandable after what happened between the two of you, don't you?"

"It's more then that, Mom. He…he started kissing me and pressuring me to have sex with him while I was trying to pack. He…he grabbed my wrist and it hurt. He was acing like a completely different person just before I left. And….up to that point I was contemplating my feelings about him. But…after he started acting that way…."

"Do you love him, Dana?"

"After the way he treated me just before I left? No."

"But before that happened, did you?"

Scully nodded her head slowly as a tear trickled down her cheek.

"Oh, Dana." Margaret rose up enough from the floor so that she could embrace her daughter warmly. "Why didn't you tell him?"

"Because I was afraid."

"Afraid?" Margaret asked as she stroked the back of Scully's head. "Afraid of what, sweetie?"

"Afraid that once I admit I love him that I will somehow lose him. That he will leave me and I will be hurt again just like with Jack and Daniel."

"Dana, you can't compare Fox to the other men you've known in your life. Each man you've known is different in his own way and….it's those reasons that drew you to him at that time. Fox, is the same way but you have known him much longer then Jack or Daniel. You and Fox….have shared experiences that no one else has. You have risked your very lives to help one another. If that isn't love, Dana then I don't know what is. But…in my opinion it's beyond the typical love between a man and woman, it's something much deeper."

"Then why did he act that way toward me before I left, Mom?" Scully asked raising her voice slightly. "Why did he act so cold?"

"Well, did you think that maybe he acted the way he did because he didn't want you to go? That…he came across the way he did because he didn't know how to completely convey those feelings to you? Men are different then we are, Dana. They don't always show emotion the same way that we do. Maybe…he came across to you that way because he didn't express things the way he wanted? I honestly don't believe he intended to hurt you and make you feel like you are now, Dana."

"Why is that?"

Margaret pulled back from Scully and looked at her. "Because when you were in the hospital, Fox was putting his career and reputation on the line in regards to what happened to you. He was almost tried for shooting the man who raped you, for murder, Dana. He would have lost his job and gone to prison but he didn't care. As far as he was concerned, your rapist was dead and that was all that mattered to him. I found him…many nights at your hospital bedside, kneeling with your hand in his own. If he could have, he would have stayed there the whole time until you woke up from your coma. And you should have seen the look on his face when I agreed to let him take you in. He was just like a little boy on Christmas morning. You would have thought I had given him a gold bar." She smiled. "That is how I know he didn't mean to hurt you and make you upset, Dana. Did you ever think that he didn't want you to leave because he is afraid that something might happen to you too? That..maybe in the back of his mind, he is afraid that you may leave out that door and never come back?"

Scully shook her head. "No, I…I guess I hadn't thought of that." Her eyes sparkled slightly. "Did…did he really spend all that time at my bedside when I was in the hospital?"

Margaret nodded. "I wouldn't lie to you, Dana. He loves you."

Scully placed her head in her hands and cried. "Oh, god. I was such an idiot to think he would hurt me."

Margaret reached forward and touched the side of Scully's face. "You have both been through a lot, Dana. Stress is bound to make things happen. Remember how he acted to you before you left. Hold onto that for making your choice."

Scully took her hands from her face. "I've already made that choice, Mom."

"And?"

"I….I love him." Scully whispered.

Margaret smiled and took her hand. "Do you, Dana?"

"I can't believe I just actually admitted that after all this time. And I didn't hesitate as much either." She paused. "I love him. There I said it again." She looked at Margaret with a new life in her face. "I love him, Mom! I love, Fox Mulder!" She then burst out laughing before hugging her mother tightly.

"I'm so glad you admitted your true feelings, Dana." She pulled back and looked at her. "So, what are you going to do now?"

"I….I need to go back and tell him." She wiped the tears from her face. "Oh god, I…I have to pack!"

Margaret smiled. "You eat your soup and sandwiches and I'll take of your packing."

Scully reached forward and hugged Margaret tightly. "Oh, thank you Mom! Thank you for helping me to see what I was afraid to!"

"Anytime, Dana." Margaret pulled back. "Now, let's see about getting you packed and headed back to Fox, shall we?"

Isabelle lay on her bed with her wrists handcuffed to a post. Her legs were spread and being held forcefully by Mulder who was on top of her. She could hear his moans and grunts as he pushed himself into her again and again. The first time they had made love, she had liked it. She hadn't even minded the slight roughness that Mulder had used in his technique. She was always up for something different when it came to the sex department. Besides, afterwards the cuddling and quality time they spent together made it worthwhile. It had been forever since she had nice dinners and walks with a man. The last few days for her had been wonderful and up to then, she was glad that she had met, Fox Mulder. But that had all changed today. He had been adding different kinds of techniques to their sex sessions. First starting with something simple like handcuffs and blindfolds but now he was starting to get into the more rough bondage. She wasn't quite sure what to think of it at this point.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Mulder shouted as he pounded into Isabelle. "You like that, bitch don't you?"

Isabelle winced as Mulder grabbed her ankles firmly and pulled her legs up higher above her head. "Ow, Fox. That….that's hurting."

Isabelle's pleas fell onto deaf ears as Mulder continued slamming into her. He then cried out and shuddered as he released into her. "Fuck!" He closed his eyes and panted.

"Fox, please….please let go of my legs now."

"Yeah, sure." Mulder replied before letting go of Isabelle's ankles and letting her legs lower to the bed. He moved off her and to the side. "Damn, that was the best one yet."

Isabelle trembled and pulled on the cuffs. "Can you please…"

Mulder looked down at her. "Why? I kind of like you all chained to the bed." He touched her hair. "Makes you look like a helpless little kitten."

"Please, the cuffs are hurting my wrists."

"You'll get used to it after a while." Mulder answered before reaching over to the nightstand and retrieving the key to the handcuffs. "Your toleration will get better as time goes on." He took the key and unlocked Isabelle's wrists from the cuffs.

Isabelle brought her arms down to her side. She could feel pain coursing through her body from being restrained for so long. She then glanced at her wrists and could see the red marks on them. Now, she knew it had been too rough. But at least she would have some cuddling to make her feel better.

Mulder was lying on his side when he heard his cell ring. He reached over and answered it. "Yeah?"

"Mulder? It's…it's me."

"Scully?" Mulder asked as he sat up on the bed.

"Yeah."

Mulder rose up from the bed and walked over to a corner. "I thought you weren't speaking to me anymore?"

"A person can make a mistake, can't they?"

"I suppose. So, what did you want?"

"Well, I've been doing some thinking these past few days and….well I want to come back."

"Now?"

"Please, Mulder. I really need to talk with you. And….I'm sorry about how I treated you when I left."

"Yeah, well you hurt me pretty bad, Scully."

"Can't..can't we just talk?"

Mulder sighed. "All right. Come on over and we'll talk." He then hung up his cell and walked back over to the bed. He placed his cell on the nightstand and grabbed his boxers and jeans.

Isabelle sat up in the bed and pulled the sheet around her. "Fox?" She watched as he put on his clothes. "What is it?"

"I have to go." Mulder answered as he buttoned up his jeans.

"What? Now? But…..I thought you were going to stay and maybe we could…"

"Well, there's been a change of plans now. Besides, you got what you wanted, right?"

Isabelle looked back at him as if she had just been slapped in the face. "Is that….what you think? That the only reason I am with you is for a good fuck?"

"Let's not kid ourselves, Isabelle."

Tears came to Isabelle's eyes as she grasped onto the sheet. "I….I can't believe you are saying this. Is that all I mean to you? That I'm just a convenience whenever you need it? Who was that on your cell?"

"Isabelle, I really can't talk about this right now." Mulder answered as he put his shirt back over his head.

"What's happened to you, Fox? You used to be tender, almost romantic and lately you don't want to cuddle anymore. The only time you come over here for is to have sex with me." She looked at him as a tear trickled down her cheek. "I mean…what's happened to us, Fox?"

Mulder sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed. He took her hand gently. "Isabelle, I do care about you. I've just…been going through a lot of things lately." He moved his hand to her face. "Look, I promise when I get back that I'll make up to you ok?"

"But….why do you have to go?"

Mulder paused. "An old friend of mine is dealing with a situation. His….mother committed suicide and…"

Isabelle gasped. "Oh god."

"Yeah, so he needs to just see me and talk about some things."

Isabelle smiled. "I understand, Fox. It's important that you help him."

"I promise that I'll make this up to you, I swear."

"I know you will." Isabelle rubbed his cheek gently. "Go to him, Fox."

"You're sure?"

"I'm positive. That's what friends are for, right? Don't worry about me, I'll be here when you get back."

Mulder leaned forward and kissed Isabelle passionately. He then pulled back. "I'll call you." He then kissed her again before moving off the bed and heading to the door. As he stepped out into the hallway, he shook his head. What was happening to him? It was Scully he loved right? If so, then why was he just with Isabelle? He then started walking to the elevator to head back to his apartment.

NOTE: First of all, I would like to apologize for it taking so long to update this fic. RL has been VERY stressful for me lately making it difficult for me to concentrate on my writing. It truly meant a lot for me to receive the emails from people who were enjoying this fic and asked for me to continue it. Yes, I also admit that some of the comments I was receiving were upsetting me BUT those of who you emailed me to counteract that, helped so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I guess it's just that I am dealing every day with people in RL who make me feel like a lesser person and the LAST thing I need are people doing the same to me here. So, I have one thing to say, if you DON'T like what you are reading here, then don't read it! If you think you are such a critic then why don't you try writing this! You think it is EASY coming out with these chapters?YEAH RIGHT! Not to mention the fact that I am writing Fox Mulder the way I am and it kills me! So, anyway, thank you again to those of you who continue to read this. I will try and keep updating as much as I can. Thank you for understanding.

Dana