Mulder hadn't seen Scully in nearly a week. It wasn't intentional; it was far from it. Along with being caught up in trying to catch up with bill payments and office work, Mulder received a call from Mrs. Scully asking him not to visit yet. She was vague with details but stated that Dana was constantly asleep. Mrs. Scully sounded worried though she tired to cover it. Nonetheless, Mulder obeyed the elder Scully's plea until he could no longer stand it.

He showed up Mrs. Scully's front door unannounced. Bill answered the door and he immediately began to turn Mulder away, he would not hear it. Mulder pushed his way in where he encountered Mrs. Scully.

"I need to see her."

Mrs. Scully looked Mulder directly in the eye and saw his pain.

"All right."

"Thank you."

Mrs. Scully lead Mulder to Dana's makeshift room. She knocked on the door before entering. Scully laid on the bed, her head turned sideways, apparently sleeping.

"Maybe you should come back …"

Scully suddenly turned her head with her eyes wide open.

"Mulder?"

Her breathing increased and she livened up.

"What took you so long?"

Mulder quickly eyed Mrs. Scully, whose face was turning a slight red.

"I'll leave you two alone."

Mrs. Scully slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her. Mulder then sat down by Scully's side, immediately seizing hold of one of her hands.

"I've been busy."

"You're lying. Mulder, I know you better than that. It was my mother wasn't it?"

"Yea, but she means well, Scully. She says that you've just been sleeping the days away."

Scully stared at their clasped hands. She lifted up her hand and Mulder's followed. She brought them in closer and kissed Mulder's hand.

"Lay down with me."

Scully moved towards one side of the bed, creating room. Mulder took his place then turned to face Scully.

"Scully, what's wrong?"

"You can see it too?"

Mulder used his free hand to push away the hair that covered Scully's face.

"I can feel that something's wrong with me, Mulder, and I can't explain it. I think … Butch … did something to me."

"Scully, did he …"

Mulder couldn't bring himself to say it.

"No. He didn't. But he did something, I know it. I just feel so tired, Mulder."

"You just need to rest."

"Mulder, I've been resting. I've been sleeping nonstop and I just can't get enough of it."

Scully was breaking down. She stopped for a brief moment to compose herself then started talking again.

"But there's something else that's been on my mind."

"Scully, what is it?"

"There's something I want you to have."

"Scully …"

"Mulder, please, you're not making this any easier."

Up to this point, Scully had brilliantly fought back the tears, but she could no longer. The water leaked from her eyes as her face contorted. Mulder did his best to wipe away the tears with his free hand. It was the only thing he could do. He had never seen Scully cry.

"There's a closet in my hallway and in it are some Christmas presents. There's a box addressed to you. I want you to take it. I want you to open it."

"Scully, you didn't have to …"

"Mulder, please promise me. Promise me you'll take it because I don't know how much longer I can go on like this."

"Oh Scully …"

Mulder moved closer to Scully. She finally let go of his hand, but only so he could wrap his arms around her. Mulder could feel her sobbing against his chest. He was at a loss of words, so instead, Mulder said Scully's name over and over again, as if it had become a mantra. Eventually, Scully fell asleep. Mulder carefully freed himself from her and kissed her on the cheek before leaving.