A few weeks later.

Mulder and Scully sat in the courtroom, waiting for the judge and jury to come back. This was the second week they'd been out, and neither Mulder nor Scully knew if that was good news. Finally, the judge walked in, followed by the members of the jury who took their places. The judge turned to them and spoke.

"Would the foreman please rise." A woman slightly older than Scully stood. "Has the jury reached a verdict upon which you are all agreed?"

"Yes your Honor."

"Would the defendant please rise." Evan stood and turned to the jury. As he did, he snuck a backward glance at Scully making her shiver involuntarily.

"Would you please read the verdict?" There was a slight pause as the woman unfolded a piece of paper.

"We the jury find the defendant, Evan Michael Chandler, guilty of all charges." Scully couldn't believe her ears! Guilty! She looked at Mulder who smiled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tender hug. She sank into it, burying her face in his shoulder. Tears of relief pricked her eyes, spilling over the edge and landing on Mulder's jacket. It was over; he was going to be out of her life for good.

He turned to watch her reaction to the verdict, saw the relief wash over her stunning features. Hurt stabbed through him like the bullet from that sonofabitch's gun. How could she be happy that he was going down? The woman he loved was pleased that he was going to jail, or worse. Anger and overwhelming jealousy coursed like fire through his veins as he watched her turn to him, watched him wrap his arms around her slender body and pull her towards him. He wanted to march over there and rip them apart, scream at that bastard that she was his; that she always would be. Instead he stood there, a statue among the chaos. His eyes never left them as he was led away, and the image played on his mind while he waited to be called back for sentencing.

The next day they were back in the courtroom, Evan stood in front of the judge. There were a few moments of silence before the judge began to speak.

"Evan Michael Chandler, taking into account the seriousness of your convictions and the fact that your assaults were against an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, I have decided that a suitable punishment shall be for you to remain in prison for the rest of your natural life. Is there anything you'd like to say before you're taken down?'

"Yes. Is there any chance I could get some of my photographs back?" The judge looked at him in disgust before replying,

"Never. Bailiff would you take him down." As he was being led away Evan turned round to where Scully was sat next Mulder. She looked up and he stared into her eyes, holding her gaze. He mouthed the words 'We will be together' before he disappeared through the doors of the court.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok guys, the next post will be the last one :( Hope you've enjoyed the story.
Lily
-x-