Work is resumed after our life changing few weeks and before I know it, we're off to Michigan to deal with a case of what Mulder thinks is poltergeist. I think it's the family's middle child creating chaos for affect.

"Mulder, you are meant to be filing," I had commented as he was submitting the paperwork for us to head to Michigan.

"I'm fine, Scully. Ask my doctor. She gave me a full examination this morning," I mock glare at him to which he throws me a lopsided grin.

"Well, we won't be cleared, because that was an unofficial medical check," I love our banter. I've always loved it but now we're together, it almost feels taboo to banter at work.

"I guess I better fire my doc, then," He scribbles his signature and fixes me with that puppy dog stare.

"Okay. But this better be a case of mistaken identity and you better hope it's the kids screwing around." I tip the paperwork from him and march from the office, with my pre-filled in form for his medical review.

So now, here we are, in another dingy motel in Michigan and I'm feeling like crap. The tiredness and fogginess I'd dealt with after Mulder's injury has subsided a little but now I feel like something's seriously disagreed with me.

"You look a little green," My unhelpfully observant partner comments as I return to the room that's technically mine but we've agreed to share. I don't normally advocate this whilst on assignment but what can I say, he's brought out the rebel in me.

He's laying flat on the bed, feet on his pillow, the case file propped on his chest. "You okay, Scully?" The look of concern that has replaced his flippant comment melts my heart as I lay beside him.

"I think that fish I had last night has turned my stomach. Then flying half way across country to chase some ghosty, has probably not helped." I swallow the nasty taste that throwing up has left behind and he nods, stroking a finger through my hair.

"You're a little clammy," he comments, dropping the case file off of the side of the bed and wrapping his strong arms around me.

"I feel cold," I murmur into his laundry soap scented shirt and his chest rumbles a sound of genuine concern now.

"Do you need a doctor?" I pull back from him and shake my head.

"I'll be fine. Can you do the preliminaries yourself?"

"Of course," He kisses my forehead and rolls off of the bed. "I'm going to get you some supplies before I go."

He returns an hour later to find me under the quilt, in my PJs and shivering a little.

"Gingerly, a hot water bottle filled courtesy of the grumpiest house keeper I've ever met," He's tucking the hot water bottle at my feet as I look up at him.

"Even more so than that strange little man in the circus case?"

"Oh I'd repressed my memories of him. But yeah, this guy seriously needs to get out more. Some chocolate for when you're feeling better and some Evian and Gatorade."

"Thanks," I smile up at him and he leans down for a kiss.

"Am I the best fiancé or what?" I chuckle and kiss him in agreement.

"I'll be here," I allow him to throw an extra blanket on me and before he's closed the door, I'm falling into sleep.

What seems like only minutes later, Mulder's gently shaking me.

"Hey, you okay? It's nine PM," His eyes are filled with concern now. "You sure you don't need a doctor?"

"I'm feeling much better. Is that pizza?" I ask and he visibly relaxes as we tuck into the mixed meat and veggie pizza.

"So, poltergeist or no poltergeist?" I make the mistake of asking and as I suspected he would, he continues to tell me of his theories of why it is legitimately a poltergeist.

"We'll see," I smile indulgently and he chuckles rubbing my back. "You look less peaky," He comments warmly and I nod.

"I still feel tired. But I'm going to take a bath and get an early night. And no, Mulder. I don't mean that kind of early night."

"I wasn't even suggesting it," He grins mischievously and I know with him, it's never an expectation. For the first time in my adult life, I don't feel pressured into being someone I'm not or have unrealistic expectations placed upon me.

Sex was fantastic with this man. The old cliche of "we just fit" really felt real to me. But it wasn't the centre of our universe. We had a healthy sex life but I felt Mulder and I fit so well in so many areas of our relationship.

"Chocolate?" He comes into the bathroom after I've been soaking for about ten minutes. And with one look at the candy in his hand, I lurch for the toilet.

"Scully?" He's calling my name as I come to on the bathroom floor.

"What happened?" I blink to clear my vision.

"I was hoping you would tell me," His hazel eyes are flecked with green and gold and worry. "You just chucked up most of your dinner."

"I must have eaten too soon," I sit up slowly so the room doesn't spin. I'm naked and dripping from my bath.

"I'll grab you a towel," He stands and walks to the closet and finds the fluffiest towel he can. Wrapping it around me, he helps me into my pyjamas and back into bed.

"I'll go fill this hot water bottle up. You're shivering," Judging by the stance he's adopted, he's not looking for my approval. I lay back and decide if I'm no better in a few days, I will make an appointment.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I told you it was a poltergeist," He's leaning against a bedroom door in a house that could easily have been taken from any network crappy horror movie and I gulp as we stare at the toy car, not clockwork or motorised moving toward us. Something smashes in the kitchen below and I feel like I'm going to have a coronary any minute.

"There's got to be an explanation for this," I whisper and his eyes widen in mock horror.

"Really? Seriously, Scully, does this poltergeist have to…" But he stops mid sentence and reaches for me.

"What?" I say but he grasps me protectively to his chest as the book case that had been behind me, topples.

"Okay. Let's go," I feel the panic rise and he nods, unusually compliant. Either his recent injury or my near miss with a piece of Ikea's craftsmanship has got him running.

At his insistence, we go to a woman who waves a load of smoking sage around and endeavours to clear any negativity from us.

She smiles at me as we're leaving.

"It's alright. No need to worry," And I nod, wondering if I was demonstrating any worry. I had been amused when Mulder had suggested this diverted trip on our way to the airport but I went along with it for his peace of mind.

"Well, that was more eventful than I hoped," I comment as we're taxiing down the runway.

"Me to," He smiles and flips open his paper.

"I did say…"

"Okay, Scully. You were right. But at least we're both okay," He looks a little sheepish and I decide to let it drop.

"So what's next?" I ask as the plane takes off.

"Back to filing, I think," He chuckles and I know we'll be back on a plane or in a car off to find something else again before too long.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Did you hear?" I walk into the office which we've given a bit of a spring clean whilst I've been benched the past few weeks.

"Diana's left the country again," Scully beams half hopeful. I quirk an eyebrow and shake my head.

"Holly and Danny are dating," She offers another guess and I shrug.

"No, but that would be cute. No, we have a case."

"Right," she smiles, sitting down on my desk, crossing those perfectly slim ankles as she settles in for the new case.

March had passed seamlessly into April and the spring sunshine was mixed with April showers but life seemed to have evened itself out again. Beth and I had cleared the air, although as far as I was concerned, we were fine.

"What's this new case, Mulder?" She asks, pushing her glasses up onto her nose to peer at the case file in my hands.

"Well," But before I can utter another word, the phone rings on the desk beside her.

"Hold that thought," she smiles and answers the phone.

"Scully?" She says into the receiver.

"Hi, Agent Reyes. How are you?" I stare across the office. Why was Agent Reyes calling?

"Yes, I believe assistant Director skinner just handed mulder the case file… We'll be there in fifteen."

"Be where/" I ask as she slips off of the desk and grabs her coat.

"The shrunken head. Apparently, Agent Reyes has had this case taken from her but they've left a few things out in these reports," She hands me my leather jacket and I follow her down the corridor toward the elevator.

Swiping our security cards out at the atrium, I smile across at Scully who is chatting with Eddie, the old security guard who mans the front desk. He always has a smile for the female agents. He'd once told me, it was well overdue that ladies got a place within the bureau. They were, in his words, "Just a bit smarter than you fellas". I nod and smile as I walk by and Eddie raises his hand in farewell.

"Did you know his daughter's applied for the Academy?" Scully says as we walk out into the warm spring air.

"Rachel?" I laugh gently as I remember the dopy teenage girl who had come with him on a daughters at work day several years before.

"No, of course not. She's a beautician. Melodie," Scully steps down off of the kerb and I pull her back as a black sedan speeds toward us.

"Shit!" She gasps and leans back into me.

"You okay?" I ask and she nods.

"Thanks to you. What the hell? The lights were red," I nod and take her hand as we cross the street.

"You sure you're okay?" I murmur into her hair as I open the pub door for her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," She looks up at me with a reassuring smile but I see she is shaken.

The pub feels cold and almost soulless as we enter. I've only come in here occasionally during the day and I am reminded why.

"Hi," Monica Reyes stands, her long dark hair plaited neatly. "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully. Good to see you again."

"What's this about agent Reyes?" I ask, sitting beside Scully in the booth.

"Ad Kirsh came to me last month and asked if I would like a transfer. Except I had to keep it quiet. I agreed and began working on this case with another agent, Agent Dogget." We both nod. "You know him?"

"We've come across him," Scully offers and Monica smiles.

"Well, Agent dogget was taken two weeks ago. I tried to find him. But I can't. All that is missing from that file, I presume. As is one of the testimonies from a witness. Name, Cassandra Spender."

"This is an X-file. Why were we not given it? And Spender? You mean Geoffrey Spender?"

"Yes."

"Wait, Cassandra Spender is alive?" Scully looks at me and I shrug. I had no idea either.

"She was," Monica's eyebrows pinch and I shudder.

"When you say Agent Dogget was taken. You mean abducted?" I ask, flipping open the file.

"Yes. At least, that's what Cassandra lead us to believe was happening."

"I don't understand why this case wasn't given to us," Scully looks at me and the bemusement in her face is surely mirrored on mine.

"You said Spender, just Spender?"

"I don't know," Monica replies, flipping open the case file I'd laid on the table. "Is that important?"

"Well, we are the X-files team," I chuckle and she looks up at me.

"This case was meant to be given to you. An agent named Diana Fowley had requested you both be put on this case. But Agent Spender vetoed it due to the fact he wanted you to have no contact with his mother. Any reason?"

"He thinks I brain wash her," I half joke but she gets the picture.

"Where was Dogget last seen?" Scully asks, worry on her face.

"A forest in Oregon," agent Reyes replies. "I've got the other pieces of paperwork."

"Mulder, can I speak with you?" Scully interrupts and I nod, seeing the worry on her face and the panic in her normally calm blue eyes. We stand and head to a corner where we won't be overheard.

"Let's not take this case on," Her demeanour is worrying me now. "The fact Diana wanted us on this case. Where has that come from? Who is she working for?"

"I know Diana has tried to screw things up for us but…"

"This isn't about our relationship. Not directly. Mulder, I think she's working with CGb Spender. Why all of a sudden has this case landed on skinner's desk? And Dogget has been taken? Abducted from the same place we had our first case six years ago. Think Mulder. Please!"

"Okay. I see your points. How can we refuse an X-file? And what about this agent Dogget? We can't just leave him out there. I'll go."

"No!" She's holding my arm tight now. So tight I know there will be bruises. "I can't lose you! Please!"

"Scully…"

"They don't want me anymore. They did all the tests they could. Why are they taking men? Why Mulder?" I look at my normally rational partner and consider.

"Okay. What do you suggest?"

"I don't know," Tears are pooling in her eyes and I look down at her hand tightly holding mine now.

"Let's take the data to the gunmen. We will not go to Oregon. How does that sound?" She nods but still looks unconvinced.

"We have the kitson/Landry wedding in two weeks. Then we fly to England at he beginning of June for my Uncle's birthday. We can do what we can and maybe send this file back across Skinner's desk. My question, maybe one Agent Reyes can answer is, why are the bureau not doing more to find Agent dogget?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The fear I felt for both Mulder and I was insurmountable. I couldn't even begin to explain it to myself let alone anyone else.

The thought of him being lost to me was so intense. I wouldn't even let him wheedle out of dinner with my mom and brother that night.

"It's done, Dana. I've promised you we won't deal directly with this case," He's understandably a little annoyed at me. I'm acting like a clingy girlfriend and it's completely unlike me.

"I know. I'm sorry. I can't explain it," I root through my purse for a tissue. My eyes are watering again and I feel like an emotional whirl pool.

"Look, let's drop it. I've sent the gunmen the files Reyes handed us. Hopefully they'll be able to figure something out. Now, can we try and enjoy your mom's company and food?" I know he's trying to lighten the mood but the feeling of dread just won't dissipate.

Once sat in my mom's living room, hand in his, Bill's glowers aimed in our direction, I strangely felt much better.

"How's work?" He spits out with the venom I've got used to.

"Works fine," I smile and glance over at Mulder who offers nothing more. The sideways smile he sends my way makes me want to giggle though. He's winding my brother up more by not answering the poinient questions.

"How are tara and the kids?" Mulder goes for the less formal approach.

"They're fine. Tara couldn't come as the kids are in school and preschool at the minute," Bill relaxes and I stare between these two men, both so important in my life and yet one who treats me as an equal whilst the other still sees me as his kid sister.

"Good," Mulder glances down at his vibrating pocket and excuses himself. The worry grips me again like an iron fist.

"What is it, Dana?" Bill looks concerned now and glares toward the hallway.

"Just some work stuff," I fidget, like I was in the principal's office, in trouble again.

"Dana, can you help me with the roast potatoes?" Mom pops her head around the door and I nod, smiling, standing and heading past Mulder who looks like the conversation is an intense one.

"Scully?" He finds me at the kitchen counter, glazing the roast potatoes in mom's rosemary signature butter a few moments later.

"What is it?"

"You were right. Your instincts to have us both come here tonight. Someone's shot up both mine and your apartments. Skinner was on the phone. Someone's clearly after us and they used an FBI Service weapon. He'll know whom it belongs to later. He wants us to leave the country. He's got both our passports and a private jet waiting at Washington airfield." I feel weak and steady myself on the counter top.

"We have to leave, tonight?" I feel the icy fingers of fear trail down my neck and the nausea hits me. He catches me before I fall and he nods, holding me close.

"You were right, dana. We'd both be likely mortally injured at best if we'd not come here. Skinner's driving over here to take us to the airfield in an hour."

"I have nothing," I look at him.

"I know. Me either," I feel the panic rising but his calming hands are rubbing circles on my back.

"I know where we can go in England. Or in fact, an old college buddy of mine has a lodge in the highlands of Scotland." He's whispering now, I know in case of bugs in my mom's house. I shiver to think she's n danger but he grasps my hand.

"We can't tell your mom or brother where we are going. Please, Dana. Skinner will be here any second. We need to make an excuse."

"Mom," I call after a quick look into my partner's fearful eyes.

"Something's come up and we need to go. I'm so sorry."

"Is everything okay?" My mom's kind face is pinched with worry but I chuckle and shrug off her concerns.

"It's just something we need to attend to quickly.

In a flash, we're on a private jet, our phones left with Skinner and heading across the Atlantic. We've been given diplomatic papers and new identities.

"I never thought we'd have to enter into protective custardy." I say as I look down my background story. A nurse from Connecticut, Mulder's a professor in Psychology. Close enough to our real jobs we won't screw up.

We are now, Ella and Nick Cross. A married couple starting a new life in the highlands after a mental break down by Nick.

"I'm scared," I snuggle into Mulder's arms and he sighs heavily.

"Me, to."

The sky is dark outside of the plane's window when we land at an airfield in the North East of England. Mulder, rather than Nick rents a car that will take us as far as Invernes where we will catch a ferry to the Isle of Sky. We've purchased a cottage there in a remote area.

"We just have to lay low," Mulder tells me as he drives on the left side of the road.

"I'm sure glad you've done this before," I comment wearily. I feel so out of sorts and all I want is a long soak and sleep in a comfortable bed.

We see no people when we arrive at our small cottage that has a few acres to boast about. The sky feels low with clouds and it reflects my sombre mood. If I hadn't made him come with me to mom's the previous evening, what would I be doing now? Not opening a door to a quaint cottage in Scotland with him at my side.

The rooms are chilly but with a practiced building of fires, we soon have the tiny place cosy.

"I've run you a bath. You look exhausted," He places a tender kiss on my head and I hum a thanks as I stand and head to the bathroom.

"We'll be okay, scully," He smiles gently and I shrug a noncommittal response. I have no idea if we will be but I'll do my darnest to ensure we are.