October 30th 10:20 p.m.

The two walked around for a bit, looking at different games, trying to find a good place to sit down and eat. This time, Scully guessed because his friends weren't around, Mulder didn't try to hold her hand. But she wanted him to. She debated over and over if she should or shouldn't, what would happen if she did or didn't, etc. Finally the two started getting really hungry, and Mulder suggested they head toward the front, where most the restaurants were. On their way there Scully still debated until she felt Mulder slip his hand into hers. She froze for a minute. She didn't know if she should hold back or just let him hold on to her. She came to a conclusion finally but it was too late and he let go of her hand.

"Here," Mulder pointed out. They sat at a table outside, among others, where a dance floor was. After they snacked a little bit Mulder stood. Scully frowned as he came around next to her, "Want to dance?" he asked shyly. Scully got up smiling, setting her napkin down, then following him to the dance floor. The music was slow, like it had been all night.

At first she felt uncomfortable, but once he wrapped one arm around her and folded his fingers into hers with the other she felt relaxed. As the song went on she stood closer. Just as a new song started she laid her head on his chest, they were barely moving now. Mulder moved the hand on her back to her neck. He rested his hand there, not wanting her to leave her position, and she had no plans off doing so. She closed her eyes finally and it felt as though they were on a cloud.

Mulder shut his eyes soon after, he didn't need to know where to dance around, they were practically just standing anyway.

"Scully," Mulder finally said, his voice vibrating into her body.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry I dragged you here, and I'm sorry I said you were my girlfriend. I always wanted to impress these guys, and I couldn't impress them more by having you here. But it was selfish…"

"Mulder, I know you wanted me here to impress them. I know that. And its ok, I would have used you just the same," she smiled as she lifted her head from his chest with a smile. He smiled back.

She wanted more then anything to lay her head back on his chest, but she had looked at a large clock near one of the restaurants and if they didn't go they'd miss the air show.

October 30th 11:00 p.m.

Mulder had grabbed on to Scully's hand again as he led her through the stadium, going to seats he obviously liked. They had grabbed a blanket from the office, which they sold for cheep, and they sat on it.

Scully turned to Mulder, "I thought it started at twelve." Mulder nodded, "it does, but they usually do a small fun show before hand." She nodded. They had to wait for fifteen minutes or so and meanwhile she had sat closer to him. He wrapped his arm over her shoulders and she rested her head on one of his. It really felt like they were a couple.

Finally a man in a dark suit came out on the stage with a microphone and a wand. His assistants brought a box with blades. The man then spoke, "Welcome ladies and gentleman, ghost and Gould's, monsters and witches! Welcome to El Carnival! I will be your host and before we get started with our air show," the audience cheered, "we will be performing a fun magic trick!"

A man in a costume stood off stage waiting for his q, when Jim approached him, "Pick the woman in seat A23" The man nodded, then ran off on stage when he heard his q. It was his job to find an audience member to be sliced on stage. He ran up and down isles in his scary costume until he reached Scully. He reached out to her and she grabbed onto Mulder. The man grabbed her wrist and as he brought her down stage with him, she pulled Mulder along too. Mulder laughed as did Scully.

When they reached the stage the monster-man ran off and Scully stood next to Mulder with a large smile on her face, and her arm wrapped around his. "Welcome Miss Red head!" the host greeted him, "What are your names?"

Mulder spoke for her, "I'm Fox and this is Dana." The host smiled, "ah! Very nice! Fox and Dana. Are you two married? Have Kids?" Scully shook her head, "no".

The host nodded, "Well it looks like we have two fiancés!" the host thought that's what Scully meant. "Well not yet," Mulder smiled as he spoke into the microphone.

"Not yet?" the host looked out into the audience, "maybe we should listen to what Fox has to say…" The host stood closer holding the microphone near the two. Mulder turned to Scully, and Scully grew wide eyed. She didn't think it was a good idea to propose or anything in front of everyone, especially as a joke.

Mulder took Scully's hands in his, looking up at her finally. "Dana, we've been together for only a few months, dated only a few times… but even so, I can't help but feel you fill a need in me… We've gone through many hard times, with the loss of both of our parents, with your illness, with my sister…" Scully's smile went away and she looked at him differently now. She heard the conversation change from boyfriend-girlfriend into partners.

"…The only thing stopping us from taking this last step is ourselves, but we've past the test. We've proven we can't do with out, and we can only survive together… Dana… will you marry me?" Mulder asked. Scully's heart stopped. Even though this was fake, even though it was all a charade, it felt so not-what-she thought it'd feel like.

This time she tightened her fingers that intertwined with his. She felt a shortness of breath, but the audience, the host, the stage, the carnival, the dance, Halloween Eve, the candy, the children, her apartment, her lap top, their partnership, their history… it all faded. Now it was just her and him. Everyone waited in patience as she whispered, "Yes."

Mulder took a step closer, sliding his hands from hers, onto her hips. She looked up at him and he tilted his head slowly. Scully licked her lips once before Mulder pressed his against her. The kiss became passionate soon, and the audience remained quiet.

She longed for him to be inside of her and now he was. His tongue curved inside of her and twisted. She shut her eyes as did he, and she moved her arms around his neck. This kiss wasn't a charade, this kiss wasn't a joke, it wasn't boyfriend-girlfriend, it wasn't fiancées, it wasn't getting married, it wasn't something they wanted… it was what both of them needed.

Finally the two separated as reality kicked in. Soon the audience started to cheer, Scully could even see some women shedding tears in the front rows. She looked away and up at Mulder, he looked at her. Then, as the host began to address the audience about how great this was and it was a first in this carnivals history, Scully slowly reached her hand out to Mulder's. He looked down at their hands and as she curled her fingers through his, he held on to her too. The host was now getting ready to do the magic trick but Mulder pulled Scully off stage. Some of the audience could tell what was going on and smiled, the host finally got it and let out a real laugh.

Mulder knew the grounds and he knew the quickest way out of the carnival. Scully struggled to keep up, but wouldn't let go of him. They rushed to her car and he quickly put the key in the engine. The only thing Scully was afraid of was that by the time they got to her place her thoughts would stop her from what she wanted to do most. Mulder drove fast, afraid of the same thing.

When they pulled up to her apartment they moved even quicker. Before they even reached her door Mulder pulled off her jacket. He pushed her up against her door, standing as close as he could. He dove his tongue into her rougher now, and she struggled with the keys in her hand. He started to undo her top while he caressed her neck. She finally found her key and pushed it in the slot. Her door opened and they fell in. It was a hard fall, especially since he fell on her. But she smiled and he softly put his hand on her forehead, moving a strand of hair from her face.

"I don't think I made myself clear earlier…" Mulder stated as he kissed her neck gently. Scully started to undo his shirt now as he continued to talk into her, "I don't love my girlfriend, I love my partner who's been there every step of the way for me. I love the red headed woman who's beaten the toughest, scariest monsters in everyone's life combined. I love you Scully," he told her as he pulled away from her neck and looked her in the eyes. She wrapped her arms around him again, and slowly she pulled him closer, "I love you two, Mulder. I always have."

TBC… Chapter 6 on its way!