The ring on her finger glistened under the office lights as Scully filed another case away. Mulder was busy typing at the computer, trying to finish the latest paperwork. Occasionally he would steal glances at his partner, his eyes never taking in their fill. There was too much to her to take in.

They had promised to keep things strictly professional at work but Mulder found this quite challenging. Scully was absolutely irresistible and the more he couldn't have her the more he wanted her. More often than not, it was Scully who kept Mulder under control. There were times, however, when neither one could resist the temptation.

When finished filing, Scully sat in her customary seat across from Mulder. In all the years she worked down in the basement office, a desk was never produced for her use. She sat there for a moment, staring at nothing and then pulled something out from her briefcase. Scully spread the small square papers in front of her, admiring all the detail of each card.

"We're at work, Scully. Whatever happened to leaving personal business at home?" Mulder said teasingly.

"I am working, Mulder. Just not on the right thing."

"Still hung up on the invitations?"

"I can't choose."

Mulder pushed back his seat and patted his lap. It was obvious that he wouldn't be getting any work done either. That didn't seem to matter though. Their work load was surprisingly light over the past few months and often they found themselves goofing around, taking longer lunches, and leaving earlier.

Scully took Mulder's cue, picked up the cards, and sat on his lap. Mulder put his arms around her as she spread out the cards again.

"I like the last one," Mulder said.

The card he picked was simple but elegant. The letters were gold and engraved into the small card. A somewhat flowery design made the boarder and pulled everything together.

"It's the most expensive. What about our budget?"

"You imposed that budget upon yourself."

"I know but…"

"But what? You forget. I'll do anything for you."

"Anything can be dangerous."

"Anything is worth it."

Mulder rested his head on Scully's shoulder and closed his eyes. His lack of sleep was finally catching up on him. Scully, on the other hand, entertained herself by playing with Mulder's unruly hair. She was more than willing to stay in their current position if it allowed Mulder a moment of peace.

Their silence was interrupted by the sound of footsteps that echoed through the hall. They quickly untangled themselves and returned to their normal seats. Mulder and Scully's engagement was only made known to those who needed to know. They simply left their fellow agents to their rumors.

The sound was made by the mail carrier. He was only a teenager, probably working this job for extra cash. He shifted through the kart and pulled out a large envelope and handed it to Scully. She smiled at him cordially and he left the two agents alone.

"Who's it from?" Mulder asked as Scully began to open the large envelope.

"I don't know. There's no return address."

She reached into the envelope but felt nothing. Scully turned it over and a ring fell out into her palm.

"Someone I should know about?" Mulder inquired with a playful look in his eye. Scully, however, was not amused this time and dropped the ring to the floor as she stood up.

"Dana, what's wrong?" He quickly got up from his chair and went to Scully. He put her arms around her and felt her tremble. She too put her arms around Mulder and wept into his chest. He lovingly stroked her hair and felt her breath regain normalcy. There was no doubt that she felt safe in his arms. It was as if he alone could shield all the evil that sought to destroy her.

When Scully regained her composure, Mulder picked up the ring from the floor and looked carefully at it. It paled in comparison to the white gold, diamond engagement ring he bought Scully but he knew that it held a special meaning. It was tarnished with age but the jewel in the middle still sparkled against the light. It was a small amethyst stone and the square edges were rounded by force rather than the gentle hand of its maker.

Mulder ran his fingers around the small object and felt some engraving on the inside. He lifted the ring in the light but still could not make out the words. It was obvious that though the ring was not as impressive as other it once held a special meaning - a special meaning that Scully knew.

"Per sempre in uno," Scully whispered.

"What?"

"Forever in one." Scully was in a daze. Mulder's eyes were directly upon her, but her eyes avoided contact. She was hiding something.

"Scully, what does this mean?" He knelt down by her side.

"I can't. Please, don't make me remember." Tears escape Scully's eyes once more and her body found a home in Mulder's embrace.

For the rest of the day, they worked in silence with Mulder occasionally stealing a glance at Scully to make sure that she was okay. The ring was on both of their minds the entire day. Scully remembered the past and Mulder thought about what it meant for their future. He knew that she was keeping something from him, but he learned that in time everything would fall into place. It was just another obstacle they had to face.

"Mulder, I want to go home."

"Okay, just let me finish up here and we'll go."

"I'll just…go to the car and wait for you there."

"Okay." He handed the car keys to her and watched her leave the office. Mulder finished what he was doing and turned off the computer for the day. On his way out, the ring caught his eye. Not wanting to leave it in the office, he quickly pocketed it.

Scully walked into the parking complex unaware of her surroundings. Those who passed by her saw a walking zombie - her eyes out of focus and her mind in some far off land. As she opened the door of the car, a man approached her. His hair was brown like Mulder's and his height almost the same but everything else was different.

The man had a heavier build and a beard covered his face. His eyes were green like jade. At a first glance, it would have been easy to tell that he was an outdoorsman. Scully's head popped up when she saw him.

"Randy?"

He moved closer to her. Scully's breathing became heavy and tears swelled her eyes. Her hand reached for the man.

"Scully?"

Mulder's voice broke her concentration. She turned her head to look at him and when she turned back the man was gone.

"Where he'd go?"

"Where did who go?"

"There was a man, standing in front of me. Now he's gone."

"Scully, there was nobody there. I think that maybe you're just exhausted. You need some rest."

"Mulder, I know what I saw. Randy was just there!"

"Who's Randy?"

"No one," Scully sighed. "No one."