John Doggett. His name burned through her mind. The arrogant bastard left a bitter taste in her mouth. She couldn't believe he was assigned to Mulder's disappearance. Even if she had told him what had really happened, he wouldn't have believed it.

So now here she was left all alone and without anyone to back her beliefs of what had happened. And to top everything off, she was pregnant.

Scully sat in silence as Doggett spoke. His words passed over her in a haze as she fought back any emotion. Shaking back her thoughts, she looked gingerly up at John as he asked her a question.

"Agent Mulder's medical records-- recent stuff, over the last year. Did you know about a medical condition? Either of you?" He waved a file at her.

Hiding her emotions, Scully shook her head. Skinner shook his head as well.

"A year ago, Agent Mulder was hospitalized. Ring a bell? Something to do with his brain?" Doggett pried.

Her sky blue eyes scanned the files in front of her as though she were looking at them for the very first time, "His temporal lobe."

"An un-diagnosable condition, it says; irregular brain activity." John continued.

"All right, but he recovered. There was a full recovery." Skinner narrowed his eyes.

"Was there?"

Skinner turned to Scully, searching her eyes, "You know Mulder; he would've told us if there was anything."

Interrupting Skinner, John spoke again, "Would he? Would he tell you about this? About his headstone?"

Scully stopped staring at the papers and looked up at Skinner, "Mulder was dying."

Scully sat in Skinner's office thankful that John wasn't there. She had had enough of his snooping for one day. She was furious that the bastard had gotten a hold of Mulder's file.

"What do you make of this, Scully?"

She closed her eyes for a second, before she took a deep breath and spoke, "I knew he was dying."

He focused on her, "What?"

"I knew about his sickness." She was near tears trying to sputter the words out.

Skinner spoke no words but stared at her.

"I found out about his illness about nine months ago. He asked me not to tell anyone," a sob choked out, "When I asked you to set up that meeting…"

Skinner interrupted her, "You didn't!"

Scully's head dropped down and she nodded slightly, "I told him I would give anything…" As more sobs escaped past her lips, she exhaled, "He told me to make sure Mulder knew about his mother's suicide."

Skinner shook his head slowly, "I assume he never gave you what you wanted?"

She shook her head swiftly, "I betrayed his trust and for what! I've gotten nothing." Scully became very quiet, "The last time Mulder had been to the doctor…they informed Mulder that he only had weeks to live." She broke into sobs, "Even if we find him…"

"He won't be alive." Skinner finished softly.

3 months later

Her blue eyes traveled across the room. As she gazed over the filing cabinet, the pegboards and the "I want to believe" poster, she realized none of it meant the same to her as it had before. Three months had passed since Mulder had disappeared. The time had left her tired and weary. Even with all the science she had seen, she still couldn't shake the belief that he would come home to her. And while at first she hated him; John had become her number one ally.

In the weeks immediately following Mulder's disappearance, Scully had been wary of Doggett's intentions but as time proved he was nothing but an ally. She trusted him with her life as he had proved on more than one occasion. He had even forgiven her for not telling him about her pregnancy.

Her pregnancy. It was a bitter suite subject for her. Unbeknownst to everyone, she grieved the loss of her unborn child's father, Mulder. Knowing that Mulder would never see his child she carried tore her up inside. Scully spent most nights just trying to come to terms with the truth. The truth she carried.

"What is it?"

Skinner looked solemnly her, "It's Mulder."

Scully's eyes widen as she pushed past him out towards the compound door. She bound out towards the agents in the field. She frantically blinked as she tried to break through the group. As she sprinted, Doggett caught her suddenly. His arms physically held onto her.

"Where is he!" Her voice choked out.

Doggett held on to her, "Agent Scully, he's over there."

"How bad is he!" She twisted, trying desperately to escape his grip, "How bad is he!"

Doggett stared into her eyes trying to plead with her.

"How bad is he hurt!" Scully broke free and rushed to Mulder's side. She swallowed hard. His body was covered in horrible scars. His bluish body lay lifeless wrapped in blanket. Scully brought her fingers to his face. His skin was ice to the touch.

"No. No. No. He needs help! No!" Scully sobbed as she caressed him.

Doggett bent over and pried her from him, "It's too late."

"He needs help!" Scully broke free from his grip again and turned on heel and ran towards the compound.

"Agent Scully!" Doggett called out to her.

Scully ran as fast as her body would go. Her heart pounded in her chest. Choking for breath, Scully came towards the compound. Her eyes suddenly became blind with brightness as a light shined above the compound. Then it was gone. She rushed into the room where she had left Jeremiah. It was empty.

"Jeremiah." Scully fell to the floor on her knees, "No…no… this is not happening!" Scully screamed out in stifled sobs. Mulder was dead.