Scully sat outside Mulder's apartment, swallowing down her tears. Over and over, she cleared her throat, trying to break up the lump that sat there, no matter what she did.

Taking one last deep breath, she got out of the car and walked into the lobby. Pushing the button for the elevator, she took deep breaths until it arrived and on the journey to his floor, her tears threatening to fall at any moment.

When the doors opened, she stepped out and walked down the hallway, every step feeling heavy and awkward.

He was leaving, going back to Oregon in the morning, and it felt like he was heading to his end; by death or simply just away from her forever. She knew it sounded absurd, even to her own thinking.

But, God… She stopped walking, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she felt it like a weight inside of her. Something was going to happen, and there was nothing she could do to stop it, he would go no matter what she said.

He had to. There he would find the proof he had been searching for for so long.

Taking the last few steps to his door, she raised her hand to knock, when it was opened and Mulder stared at her in surprise.

"Oh! I thought I was coming to your place?" He smiled and she felt the tears building in her throat again. "Scully?"

"No," she said forcefully as he raised his eyebrows. "I said I would come here. And stay. So…" She forced a smile and he frowned before he nodded.

"Where's your bag?"

"What?"

"You're staying?" She nodded and he smiled. "Didn't you bring a bag?"

"I… it's in the car. I guess I… I forgot it. Shit. I'll be right back." She turned around and he stopped her.

"How about I get it?" He took her keys, squeezing her hand as he did, his other hand on her shoulder. "You pick out a movie or something. I'll be back in a few minutes." He smiled and she watched him run to the stairs, the door squeaking as he opened it.

Turning around, she looked into his apartment and entered it in a zombie-like state; stumbling and unsure. His bag was by the door and she shook her head, not wanting to see that right now. Walking into his living room, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose.

It smelled of him: his cologne, the leather couch, and the specific scent of his apartment. When she left and went home, after hours spent at his place working or watching a movie, she could smell his apartment in her clothing and her hair. Sometimes she would purposely not shower, choosing instead to fall asleep with the scent of him everywhere.

Opening her eyes, she looked around the room, as though memorizing it. How it was when he was there, the feeling it had, like electricity waiting to spark. Shaking her head, her eyes filled with tears and she could no longer stop them. A great sob wracked within her and she covered her face with her hands, her tears falling fast.

The door closed, announcing Mulder's arrival, and she could not stop her tears and pretend that things were fine. Not now.

"I got your bag. Did you find a movie? Scully?" She did not turn around and above her soft cries, she heard him walking toward her.

"Scully?" he whispered, and this time she did turn, walking straight into his arms.

She heard him whispering into her hair, words she did not understand, as she cried against his chest. She shook her head, trying to calm down, knowing she was overdramatizing things, but still her fears lingered.

He stroked her hair and kissed her head, and she took a deep breath. Pulling back, she took two steps away and kept her head down, embarrassed by her tears.

"What's going on?" he asked softly. Shaking her head, she did not answer, now angry at herself for breaking down. "Scully, talk to me."

"Mulder," she breathed, shaking her head again. Looking up, the concern she saw on his face broke her heart. "Mulder…" She stepped back and wrapped her arms around his waist.

He took a deep breath and she felt it against her chest and heard it in her ear. They said nothing as they stood there, her eyes closed, as she listened to him breathing and the steady beat of his heart.

"I can't ask you to stay, I know I can't," she whispered and his breathing paused. "But, I'm scared, Mulder. Scared you'll get hurt, or… and I won't be there. Mulder…" She began to cry again and he held her tighter.

"What if you're wrong?"

"What if I'm wrong about what?"

"Abductees are being taken, yes, but…" she pulled back to look at him and shook her head. "What if I'm not in danger? What if you are?"

"I don't…"

"What if… I don't know. I just… I was there and it didn't take me. Why?"

"It doesn't matter. I won't let that happen again. I can't… Scully I can't lose you. Even if I'm wrong…" He stared at her, holding her face in his hands and he sighed. "I don't want to take that chance, Scully. I can't." He shook his head and she nodded as she held his forearm.

"But I can't lose you either, Mulder. I can't. I love you," she said, with no hesitation, completely sure and needing him to hear it. He smiled softly as his thumbs stroked her face.

"I love you too, Scully," he said so quietly, tears filled her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him again, breathing in his scent, his heartbeat once more bringing her comfort.

They lay in his bed, neither of them sleeping, the minutes ticking ever closer toward the preset alarm. Holding tightly to each other, they were both silent and then words were said in a rush, tumbling from their mouths, unable to be held back.

He kissed her and within minutes they were naked, his hands trailing up and down her body as she slowly made love to him, his eyes holding hers as she rose up and down.

Limbs tangled, hearts racing, she cried again, feeling as though it was the last time they would be this way; just them alone together, as the world was held at bay.

"I love you, Scully," he whispered and she burrowed closer to him, whispering it back, wishing they never had to move from his bed.

The alarm rang though, shattering the silence, the sky outside still dark. Reaching over, he shut it off and kissed her softly, before he got up and went into the bathroom.

Lying in his bed, she listened to him moving around, quiet this morning, not singing as he sometimes did. She sat up and sighed, walking naked across his room to grab her bag by the front door.

Coming back into his room, she fixed the blankets, not quite up to Scully standards, but definitely up to his. Smiling faintly, she stared at the bed, thoughts of so many happy moments spent there presenting themselves to her.

She sighed, setting her bag on his bed and walking into the bathroom. She used the toilet and then stepped into the shower, surprising him. Washing each other, they shared kisses under the warmth of the water before they got out, dried off, and dressed in near silence.

She dried her hair as he brushed his teeth and fixed his hair. Applying minimal makeup, she sighed as she looked at him in the mirror. He smiled and she answered with a small one of her own.

"It's okay, Scully. You being safe is all that matters to me. I'll be back here, driving you crazy with my theories, before you even have time to miss me," he teased and she turned around to look at him, not his reflection.

"Does it count, if I already miss you?" She smiled sadly as he laughed quietly, caressing her cheek and kissing her softly.

"I have to be gone for you to miss me," he said with a smile, walking out of the bathroom with his toiletry bag.

"No. You don't," she whispered, closing her eyes and sighing.

The drive to the airport was quiet, his hand holding hers the entire time. Her heart hurt with every mile they travelled.

He was leaving her.

Leaving.

Pulling up to the curbside drop off, she stopped and let go of his hand to put the car in park. Taking her hand back, he kissed each finger before he stepped out of the car. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, turning off the car, and stepping out herself.

He took his bag from the backseat and she glanced to the left, seeing Skinner standing some distance down by the airport doors. He nodded at her and she turned away with a sigh, her head down.

"There's Skinner," he said.

"Mm-hmm."

"Scully," he breathed and she looked up with another heavy sigh.

She heard his bag drop as she felt it hit her feet. His hands came up to cradle her face, staring deeply into her eyes, and shaking his head.

"I love you," he whispered and she scrunched her chin, trying not to cry.

"I love you," she whispered back and he smiled.

"I'll be home soon," he said and she nodded, though it felt like a lie. "Give you some time to miss me."

"Mulder," she said with a shake of her head. "Don't…"

"I'm sorry," he whispered and she gave a shaky sigh. "Goodbye, Scully."

"I'll see you soon," she said forcefully and he nodded.

"I'll see you soon, Scully."

"Yes, Mulder, you will."

He smiled and kissed her softly, not caring that Skinner was most likely watching them. She held onto his shirt, kissing him thoroughly and memorizing the feel of his lips.

He laid his forehead against hers and whispered goodbye, kissing her once more. Bending to pick up his bag, he smiled, squeezed her hand and walked away. When he reached Skinner, he turned around and waved goodbye. She smiled and lifted her hand, her stomach roiling with anxiety.

They walked inside the airport and she exhaled, her arms around her middle as she took a deep breath.

He was gone. Just inside the airport and only feet away from her.

She missed him already.