Thanks to BrittanyLS, midheaven, jenforvel, LanaJoy, justawriter, and meesh26. I love all of you guys for reviewing!
Okay, last chapter. FYI, the title of this one means "End and Begin" in Latin. I thought that was appropriate as the title of the story is in Latin too…
Anyway, hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 12 – Finis et Initium
Scully yawed drowsily as she woke in her bed. The light that filtered in through her closed eyes made it seem like morning, but she was still too tired yet to fully awaken.
Something drifted and danced at the corners of her mind, something important, but she couldn't quite bring it into focus. There were just vague images: a field, horses, armor, a witch, arrows, a dress, kissing Mulder, waking up next to him…
Even in the privacy of her room, Scully blushed at this last thought. She had been trying to keep those feelings under wrap for a long time…
A dream, she decided. It was all a dream.
She moved to stretch when her hand suddenly brushed something warm. She froze. She sat up and quickly opened her eyes to find Mulder lying next to her, still sleeping. Her head spun. But that was just a dream, I would remember if he came here.
Tentatively, she leaned over him. "Mulder?" she whispered, not wanting to startle him. "Mulder! Wake up."
He slowly blinked his eyes open. "Scully?" he said sleepily. "But I thought we were dead…"
"What?"
"We were shot, with the arrows…"
The dream suddenly became clearer in her mind. "Yes, yes, but that was only a dream. And, wait, that was my dream. That's odd… More importantly, though, Mulder, what are you doing here?"
"Actually, Scully, I'm not quite sure." His voice was clearer now, more awake, but the confusion in it was evident. "I pretty clearly remember falling asleep in my chair in the office."
"Yes, and I most definitely fell asleep here, alone."
"Weird…"
"Mulder, don't start…"
"Paranormal, even…."
Scully sat up and crossed her arms in annoyance. "So, what are you saying? That we actually were transported through time? There has to be a reasonable explanation for this, Mulder."
He rolled his eyes at this. "Come on, Scully. Something weird happened. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. My question is: did time really pass? Did we really travel back there? I mean, it makes sense, in a way. I knew there was something about that water. Maybe drinking it got us back… But why were we there in the first place."
A moment of silence passed. Then, Scully looked up and said in a tone of mild amusement, "You know what? I have absolutely no clue. But, Mulder, you're still in my bed."
He reddened and was moving to rise when the phone rang. Instinctively, he reached over and picked it up. "Hello?"
Skinner's voice was tinged with confusion as he asked, "Agent Mulder? What are you doing at Agent Scully's house at four in the morning?"
"Umm… Actually, Sir, I'm not quite sure."
Mulder could almost hear Skinner raise an eyebrow at this. "Right. Well, whatever you discover that you are doing there, just don't let it affect anything at the office, okay?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Good. I was just calling after getting no answer at your house – your jacket and briefcase are still sitting in the X-files office, and the lights are on and the door is unlocked. I found that just a little odd."
"I find that odd, too, Sir."
"Well, get down here and rectify it before everyone else starts getting here, okay?"
"Yes, Sir."
"And, Agent Mulder?"
"Yes, Sir."
"If anyone asks, I will deny that I ever said this, but from me to you both, congratulations."
He hung up quickly after this, leaving Mulder holding the phone. Scully, who had heard every word, leaned over him to hang it up.
They looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. When they had calmed, Scully cocked her head contemplatively. "He said 'congratulations', Mulder."
"Yes, he did."
"I guess that's his way of giving us permission to explore this… this thing that we have going on between us."
"Which is what, exactly?"
"I can't define that, Mulder. Not any better than I can explain what we're doing here together in the first place…"
"Maybe they're connected, Scully. You know Jung's 'everything happens for a reason'?"
"Oh, so there was a reason that we were purportedly flung through time and space, only to be killed and wake up in a different way than we fell asleep? That makes me feel much better."
"Don't be facetious, I mean it. Now, in this time, we never would have taken that step. We needed to be in completely different circumstances before either of us worked up the courage to actually deal with our feelings. And the fact that we did…
Well, I'm happy about it, for one. And I don't want to just forget about it and let it go. I don't want to move on with our lives denying that there's anything more than friendship between us. I can't do it anymore…"
"Mulder, I know. We shouldn't have to. There are just so many considerations… But, I guess if Skinner gave his approval…"
She smiled tentatively and turned to face him. Mulder returned her smile. He moved slowly towards her, cupping her face in his hands, giving her time to change her mind, to pull away. But she surprised him by raising her lips to meet his.
Mulder broke this kiss a little later to murmur, "Would you mind being just a little late to work today, Scully? Come on, just once…"
Scully laughed. "I never could resist those eyes, Mulder. I think that might be okay."
He smiled and kissed her again.
In the back of her mind, it occurred to Scully that, just maybe, time travel might be possible. After all, there are some things that just can't be explained…
These thoughts drifted away, however, as she decided to for once let herself get caught up in this moment, and not worry about any others, past or future. Right now is enough.
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Thank you all for reading; I hope you enjoyed the story. And, one more time, I ask you to please, please give me some feedback!