Hi everyone! Whoo, I managed to get a longer chapter sorted this time yay! Thank you so much to everyone that's reading and for the really nice reviews! :) Hope this part is OK :)

Mulder was not really surprised when a gentle knock rang out through his small apartment the following night. Smiling to himself slightly before admonishing himself for being so stupid, he pulled the door open to reveal a nervous looking Scully standing on his doorstep.

"Hi," she said, looking up at him, Mulder noticing instantly that a slight twinkle was back in her eyes again since the last time he saw her.

"Hi," he replied, leaning against the door and watching her curiously.

"Can I come in?"

Standing back with a nod, Mulder watched as she slipped past him, taking his time to regroup as he shut the door behind her. Seeing Scully here of all places so out of the blue had really thrown him. When he turned back again, he saw that she was standing tensely in the middle of the living room, watching him with a mixture of hope, love and sadness on her face. His heart beat painfully against his chest for a moment. He had never seen her so not composed before.

Sitting down gently on his sofa, he gestured for her to take a seat. "Do you want something to drink?" he asked eventually, seeing her shake her head.

"I wanted to come because..." she cut off for a moment, frowning slightly as she looked down at her hands. "We have to talk, Mulder. We have to sort this out before I leave," she blurted, looking up to see the surprise on his face.

He didn't answer for a moment, sitting back on the sofa and looking sadly at Scully as she leant forwards on her knees, her hands clasped together.

"I must admit, Scully, I'm surprised you went to all this effort to find me when I was so careful to cover my tracks."

She smiled gently back at him. "I just don't work without you. I had to find you." She paused. "I looked everywhere for you when you left, but I never gave up hoping that I'd find you one day."

He nodded at her, sighing sadly. "I can't be hurt like that again, Scully because it nearly killed me."

Sensing that he was unwilling to go further down that route, she leant back, crossing her legs easily. "What have you been doing with yourself all this time, Mulder?" she asked, watching as he smiled genuinely at her, wondering how she had caught his train of thought so easily after everything that had passed between them.

"Well, I've been working. I work on a farm, and my boss is great. I love being outside, it's just a complete change, Scully. It's just what I think I needed."

She nodded. "So I see," she replied with a teasing smile, nodding at his muscled arms. He blushed slightly, chuckling.

They chatted for hours, both of them relaxing more and more in each other's company. They were both surprised that the other seemed so pleased to be with them again, both brains working overtime to understand what it all meant. Scully felt so much better, not having laughed or just talked about nothing since Mulder left. Eventually, though, the tiredness in her eyes got the better of her, and she stifled a yawn, standing up. She might have imagined it, but she was sure she saw a sadness in Mulder's eyes telling her that he didn't want her to go.

"Well, it's late, Mulder, and I'm afraid I'm still tired from the journey," she told him gently, moving towards the door.

Mulder stood and followed her with a nod. "It's the heat, it takes a bit of getting used to."

Turning around, Scully opened her mouth to say something, her eyes meeting Mulder's deep brown ones looking at her softly, and the words left her mind. The connection that she had missed for such a long time was obviously just as strong as it had once been, as she found her body moving naturally towards him, noticing that Mulder was doing the same. Not wanting to lose the trust that she had just established, she stopped herself suddenly, pulling her eyes away with difficulty.

Reaching up, she cupped his cheek gently, her thumb running over the soft skin tenderly. He leant into her touch unconsciously, wanting to feel her nearer but his mind just in enough control to remind him it was a bad idea. Standing on tiptoes, she pulled his head down, carefully kissing his forehead, her lips lingering just a moment longer than was strictly necessary as she didn't want to leave.

"Goodbye, Mulder," she whispered, smiling lovingly at him before turning and closing the door behind her. She leant against the cool wood for a moment, willing her heart to slow and her legs to stop shaking before she stepped off his porch, heading towards her hotel.

Mulder stood rooted to the spot, his hand moving unconsciously over his cheek where her small, delicate hand had been only moments before, telling himself that this was not some kind of dream. His mind desperately sought for something concrete to go on, the mix of emotions washing over him confusing him. He was undeniably still completely in love with her, but the hurt still stood out strongly. Pushing away the thought of how comfortable he felt around her, Mulder wandered through to his bedroom, determined to push all thoughts of his former partner from his mind and to come up with an action plan tomorrow when he was better able to think clearly.

Scully paced around her room, wringing her hands as she tried to answer the question of whether to go and see Mulder again and talk about what she really came here to say, or whether to give him some space. Sighing, she stopped, her eyes falling onto the Apollo key-ring that Mulder had given her so long ago. Grabbing it with a smile, she walked to the door, quickly slipping out and walking the now familiar route to Mulder's apartment.

Knocking at his door, she was surprised when no answer came. Knocking a bit louder, she wandered around to the side of the house, peering through the windows.

"Won't be no good, love, he left," came an accented voice from behind her, and Scully span around, facing a young man who respectfully removed his cap for her. "I's under strict instructions not to open that there room for anyone but your good self."

"He left? Did he say where he was going?" Scully asked desperately as she stood aside to let the man open the room.

"Can't say that he did, ma'am. He just up and left, just as sudden as he came all them there weeks ago."

Rushing into the room as the door opened, Scully felt her heart break again as she found it empty. Her head fell into her hands, and she fought back the tears that were threatening to fall, wondering how this man could wound her so deeply every time.

"There now, girl. I'm sure he'll give y'all a call when he gets back."

She nodded numbly, wandering around the unfamiliar room as if a lead weight had been tied around her neck. Glancing up, her eyes rested on an envelope with her name on it again in Mulder's unmistakable handwriting. Picking it up gently, she slid it into her pocket, nodding sadly to the young man who watched her in concern.

"Hell, don't leave in this state! Come back for a coffee if you like?" he offered, seeing her shake her head.

"No, I have somewhere to be. Thanks."

Wandering away, she walked out onto the country lane that she had walked down with Mulder before, the happy, cosy feeling of the place lost without him. Seeing a bench in front of her, she sat down, taking out the envelope. She turned it over in her hands a few times, not sure that she had the will power to open it. Sighing, she finally ripped it open, unfolding the piece of paper that she found in it.

Scully

By the time you read this, I will already have left. But I wanted you to know that I feel exactly the same. I don't work without you either, and I have missed you so much these long weeks that I thought my heart was going to break. I'm glad that you came, and that we got to share this time together again, and it reminded me of happier times. But I can't risk my heart again, and being around you reminded me that I still love you. So please forgive the formality of a letter, but I knew I could never leave if I saw you again.

My love with you always, Scully, and take care of yourself. Have the good life you deserve.

Mulder

She jumped as the tears running down her face dropped onto the paper, wiping her face and folding the precious letter carefully away again into her coat pocket. She let her head fall into her hands, sobbing without the hope of anyone giving her comfort.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Mulder. I don't know if I can let you walk away," she sobbed to nobody, wishing that she had pushed the conversation the night before and forced Mulder to listen, but hoping that she would have more time with him. Not caring that the sun was going down and a chill was starting to settle in the country air, Scully sat alone on the bench, letting all of the emotions she had pushed down out as she cried for the man she may never see again, but who she would always love wholly and unconditionally.

Months passed slowly, as Mulder settled into another community, and another farm. He was surprised when his usually silent phone rang one night as he sat enjoying a beer on his porch, watching the stars glinting peacefully and enjoying the freedom of the country.

"Mulder," he said gently, his heart pounding without reason as he wondered who could have gotten his number.

"Mulder dude! Long time no speak!" came the friendly voice of Langley, making Mulder grin happily.

"Langley? God, it's good to hear from you guys! How are you?"

"We're good Mulder, still doing the work for the greater good. Listen, we need to set up a meeting for you with Skinner."

Mulder frowned slightly, clearing his throat. "I don't work for the FBI anymore, Langley, and I'm not interested in coming back."

He heard Langley sigh uncomfortably on the other end. "You're gonna want to take this meeting, Mulder," he told him sadly, almost hearing the confusion on the other end of the phone.

"I don't understand. What could Skinner possibly want to tell me that he can't tell me over the phone? Obviously you guys had no problem finding my number."

Langley laughed. "It's all those pizza orders that gave it away. Just trust us on this one, you really need to speak to him."

Bemused, Mulder rubbed his face in confusion. "Fine, tell him to meet me at the cafe on the corner of Long Road tomorrow at twelve. I'm assuming you guys already know where that is?" he asked, hearing Langley tut at him.

"Of course we do. What do you take us for, amateurs?"

"Hey, Langley, how come you guys never got in touch with me before if you could have found me?"

He heard him shuffle uncomfortably on the other end of the phone. "Scully begged us for months to track you down, Mulder, but you made it pretty clear you didn't want to be found. You know how she is, we can't lie to her. So we thought if we honestly didn't know where you were, then she wouldn't be able to make us tell her."

Mulder nodded, suddenly uncomfortable. "OK. Well I guess I'll be speaking to you soon."

"Yeah, keep it cool, Mulder."

He replaced the phone on the cradle carefully, all of his senses on alert as he realised that it had to be something serious for the Lone Gunmen to finally agree to contact him. And his heart leapt painfully as he guessed that it would have something to do with Scully.

Skinner smiled up from over his coffee as he saw Mulder appear in the cafe. He headed straight over, nodding to the waitress who soon brought him his usual order over.

"It's good to see you, Mulder. You're looking well," Skinner said, not missing the slightly haunted look that Mulder still had now that Scully was out of his life again. He shrugged.

"Thanks, you too, sir," Mulder replied, half amused at his slip, still calling Skinner sir.

"So, where have you been all this time?" Skinner asked, stirring his coffee and looking up and Mulder, who was scrutinising him carefully, noticing the strain on his superior's face.

They chatted idly for a while, catching up on what had been happening in their lives since Mulder had left. Eventually, Mulder sighed and looked up straight into Skinner's eyes.

"However nice it is to catch up again, sir, you didn't come all this way to ask me what I've been doing. What do you really want?"

He was surprised when Skinner took off his glasses, rubbing his face tiredly. "I need your help, Mulder."

"I have no interest in working for the FBI anymore," he replied stubbornly, seeing Skinner sigh patiently at him.

"I think you might change your mind when you know the circumstances."

On edge, Mulder willed his heart to slow down, swallowing painfully. "I don't understand."

Skinner sighed sadly, not really knowing how Mulder was going to take the information he was about to give him.

"We have a problem with Agent Scully," he started, seeing Mulder close his eyes as if he were in pain, Mulder wishing that he had been wrong in that assumption. "I...I don't know who else to ask, Mulder. I have no idea how to help her."

"Is she alright?" Mulder asked him, seeing him nod reassuringly, reaching his hand out to calm him at the raised tone in his voice.

"Physically, she's fine." He sighed again, knowing he had reached dangerous territory. "She's not doing well, though, Mulder. She was kidnapped on a case recently. Nobody knows what happened to her while she was there, she refuses to talk about it, but she hasn't been the same since. I think this was the final blow. She's been struggling ever since you left."

He saw concern and anger cross over Mulder's face in equal amounts. Rubbing at his face, Mulder fought back the emotions that were raging through him.

"She vanished recently, but we managed to trace her to the house where she grew up. I'm here to ask you to come back with me, Mulder, no strings attached. But I honestly think that you are the only person who will be able to reach her now."

Mulder's face was the picture of grief as he looked back at Skinner, for once everything that he was thinking showing clearly on his face. He cursed himself for not helping her when he had the chance, even though he knew that he had no way of knowing that she would be in trouble then.

"Sir, you know I'd do anything to help Scully, no matter what's happened between us. And I would gladly come back with you for her. But I honestly think I am the last person that Scully would listen to right now."

He stopped as Skinner held his hand up, smiling gently at him. "I thought you might say that, Mulder. Look, I know that something happened between you two, but I can tell you without a doubt that she never stopped loving you, Mulder, not for a second in all this time that you've been gone."

Mulder shrugged, looking moodily down at his coffee. "She never loved me in the first place, sir. That's what the problem is. Was."

"She was afraid to love you, Mulder! For someone who is so smart, sometimes you're so stupid! But that hasn't changed how she feels." He stopped, seeing Mulder look up at him in surprise and confusion. "Look, if you'll come with me, I'll prove it to you before you leave to find her."

Mulder nodded slowly. "OK, I'll try. No matter what happened between us, I'll always help her in any way that I can. But I still think you have the wrong man."

Skinner sighed at Mulder's stubbornness, throwing some money onto the table and standing up to usher Mulder out of the cafe before he could change his mind.

They stopped in DC on the way to Scully's old house for Mulder to pick up a car. Skinner ushered him through the security in the FBI building, heading up to his office.

"Go to your office, Mulder. There's something there you need to see."

He smiled. "It's not my office anymore, sir."

"You might change your mind once you realise," Skinner told him, stepping into the elevator that he just arrived and nodding at the stairs for Mulder to head down.

Pushing open the door, Mulder smiled happily at the familiarity of the place where his life's work had always been. He had to admit, it felt good to be back, no matter if it was briefly or under the current circumstances. Looking around, it suddenly hit him that absolutely nothing had changed since the moment he had left the office, even down to his name plate and mug still sitting in his usual place. The only things that stood out in his photographic memory were two lists pinned onto the board on the back wall. It looked as though Scully had been expecting him to walk through the door at any moment the last time she had been there.

Heading over to the piece of paper, Mulder felt his heart beat painfully at what he saw. One was a list of sci-fi conventions, and other likely places that Mulder would have gone, written in Scully's neat handwriting. Red lines had been drawn through at various stages, where Scully had obviously gone to look for him, and he had not been there. He jumped as the door opened and a man he had never seen before stood in the doorway.

"Agent Mulder?" the man asked in surprise, heading over to him and shaking his hand. "God, it's good to finally meet you!"

"Just plain Mulder now," he replied, smiling at this friendly man. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are."

"John Doggett. I'm Agent Scully's new partner."

Mulder nodded. "Pleased to meet you."

"Not as pleased as I am, I can tell you! We looked everywhere for you these past months, and I have to admit the only reason I didn't give up was Agent Scully's insistence that she would find you eventually. And, well, you probably know better than any of us that she ain't a person it's a good idea to argue with."

Opening one of the filing cabinets, Doggett replaced a file and pushed it shut, smiling at Mulder. "Can I get you a drink or something?"

Mulder shook his head. "I'm not staying, I just stopped by." He picked up his mug with a smile from the desk, seeing Doggett watching him curiously. "Actually, I'm a bit confused. Nothing's changed in here."

Doggett smiled and chuckled. "That would be because Agent Scully nearly killed the last couple of people that tried to move anything in here. The boss came for you name plate and she threw such a hissy fit that he gave up and left it."

Mulder smiled at the idea of Scully throwing a 'hissy fit'. "Why didn't she want anything moved?"

Doggett sighed sadly. "Well, she told me that she wanted everything to stay how you liked it for when you got back." He smiled at the shocked man in front of her. "She never did give up hope that you'd come back. She had it in her head that there was something she needed to explain to you, though she never would tell me what it was."

Skinner poked his head through, secretly pleased that Mulder had had the chance to meet Doggett, who was blunt enough to tell Mulder what he needed to know.

"Ready to go?" he asked him, seeing Mulder nod.

"Good to meet you," he said to Doggett, seeing him nod back.

"Likewise. Good luck finding Agent Scully, Mr Mulder. We need her back here, and, well, you're the right guy for the job. I'd swear the only thing I've heard since I got here is your name."

Mulder nodded in surprise, smiling before following Skinner out of the room.

Mulder looked in surprise at Skinner as he pulled up in front of Scully's apartment. He nodded back at him.

"Just need to fetch some things for you to take to Agent Scully," he offered in explanation, leading Mulder up to the all too familiar apartment and opening the door with a key that he had got from somewhere.

Wandering through to the bedroom, Mulder took the opportunity to look around while he was alone. He was surprised to see how messy the place was for the usually neat and tidy Scully. Nothing much seemed to have changed, which was reassuring.

Looking across, he noticed that the answer machine was flashing with hundreds of messages. He swallowed painfully as he realised that she must have avoided contact with so many people since he left. Pressing the play button, he waited patiently for the first message to play.

"Dana, this is your mother again. Listen, I don't know why you're not taking my calls anymore, but we have to talk. This is getting ridiculous, Dana! Fox isn't coming back, and you're going to have to find a way to deal with this. We're all here for you honey, but wishing alone just isn't going to work, and I hate to see you so sad. Please call me back so I know that you're alright. Love you."

He was surprised when he heard the beep signalling the next message. He swallowed the lump that had appeared in his throat painfully.

Hi Dana, this is Sally. Did you forget our meeting last night? I'm a bit worried because your mom told me what happened with your partner. Listen, I think we need a girly night OK? I'll maybe try you again a bit later. Speak to you soon, take care Dana!"

He pressed the stop button, his hand pressing against his eyes as he heard enough. Skinner reappeared with a bag in his hand, noticing the change in Mulder's mood instantly.

"What's up, Mulder?" he asked, seeing the younger man look up at him behind his hands, his eyes sad.

"I'm an idiot. I can't believe I didn't realise how she felt. I was just too caught up in what had happened to see."

Skinner patted his shoulder awkwardly. "Don't beat yourself up about it, Mulder. Scully didn't want you to know how she felt."

"I asked her to marry me," he blurted out after a moment, seeing the surprise on Skinner's face and knowing that Scully hadn't told him. "I asked her to marry me and she said no. Can you explain that?"

Skinner thought for a moment, before looking up at Mulder sadly. "No, I can't, but there's no reason I would be able to. Did you ask her to explain it herself?"

Thinking back, Mulder shook his head with a groan, closing his eyes. Skinner clapped him on the back.

"Well, now's your chance to get your answers."

Mulder nodded. "If she wants to talk to me after I've been such an ass, which I doubt."

Skinner held out a bag to him. "Mulder, she travelled half way across America to see you. I think you'll find a way to get her to listen." He paused, seeing Mulder smile. "This is some clothes and things she'll probably need. And I put something in there that might help you that I think she probably misses."

Mulder looked at him in confusion, seeing him smile reassuringly. Taking the bag, he wandered to the door, everything seeming to have hit him all at once and turned his world upside down. Determined to make this right, he practically ran to the car, Skinner struggling to keep up with his now fully prepared agent, hoping he had been right in his assumptions about the pair.

Mulder stopped at a diner part way to the house where Scully was thought to be staying. He had left Skinner back at Scully's apartment, who had wished him luck and on a personal note had asked him to bring Scully back, as he was fond of the little agent. Mulder sighed, having no idea what he was going to do once he got there, but determined to make her listen any way that he could.

Reaching across, he opened the bag that Skinner had given him, wondering what the mystery object was that Skinner had thought would help and that Scully would miss. At first, he thought that it was Scully's FBI badge that he found slipping between her clothes, but then he realised that was just Skinner's brand of wishful thinking. Digging further, his hand closed around a photo frame, which he pulled out.

He had no idea who had taken the picture or when, but it showed him and Scully laughing together at something. Even in the still picture his heart raced at the happy twinkle in her eyes, cursing himself that he caused her to lose that. She was looking at him so lovingly through the smile, and he knew that he was doing the same, even though he didn't look at his own picture.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, vowing again to make her listen to him. Heading out of the diner, he didn't even notice that he had hardly touched the coffee he had just ordered, determined to reach Scully's house as soon as possible.

So that's the next bit done! Hope that it was OK, and thank you so very much for reading! Please let me know what you think! Thank you for your patience with all the mistakes and plot holes and that - I'm still learning! :)