Mulder drove through the vast desert landscape deep in thought about all that had transpired in the last few months. He never would have thought he'd be in this position, he hadn't been looking for love.

But isn't that when we find it?

Love wasn't on the radar since… well, since the last time it was. And it was nothing like this, he knew that now.

"Fox, you are ridiculous, at what point are you going to grow up and stop chasing this idea that you can save everyone?" Diana yelled from the bathroom. "It's not your responsibility, I'm …we are your responsibility."

"Diana don't be silly, this is my life's work, this is who I am."

"No, who you are is my boyfriend and I need you to be present at all times," stepping out of the bathroom with a stunning black dress on that hugged every curve of her voluptuous body. Mulder was sitting on the bed, his hands rubbing his face in defeat. Diana made her way toward him, pulling his hands from his face and running them under her black dress. "Fox, get dressed we are going to be late, but before we go…. fuck me now."

Mulder could tell she was already wet, she wasn't wearing any underwear and would likely keep it that way throughout their evening. He knew this is what she liked, she would control him and he would let her. He couldn't help himself, he was trapped. Diana straddled him and he hiked up her dress. He was hard and she didn't waste any time, pulling his pants down from under her and sliding on top of him. When he was inside of her, she moved up and down- controlling every aspect. She placed his hands on her breasts and when he went to kiss her, she moved her face "It will ruin my makeup. Now make me come, Fox.. harder." And as if on cue she reached her peak, with him following close behind. Patting his cheek at completion, she dismounted him, "Now let's go. You know I love you, I just want what's best for you." Mulder stood and pulled his pants up then made his way to the bathroom, thinking at some point he would have to deal with the toxicity of their relationship.

But residency was so overwhelming and Diana did offer some form of relief and distraction. He felt guilty for staying and guilty for wanting to leave.

The irony of the situation was deafening considering at the time he was a Psychiatry resident responsible for patient psychotherapy care. But Mulder wasn't one to linger in the past, especially if it had been dealt with. He knew now that his relationship with Diana had not been healthy, and at certain points down right toxic. They weren't right together, but there was enough physical attraction to muddy the waters between love and hate.

When Mulder finally ended it, with the help of Melvin, he sought out therapy and got healthy. He had needed to unpack his emotions and more than anything move forward, tracking his emotional patterns toward health and wellness.

With Scully things had been so easy, so natural. They didn't always see eye to eye, but mutual respect and admiration cemented their behavior toward one another. Of course as soon as he laid eyes on her that first day in her office, he was instantly drawn to her but it was her mind that sealed the deal for him.

He hadn't told her about Diana, more out of embarrassment than anything. How could he tell her that even with all his degrees and years of counseling and psychotherapy of others, he became a victim of his own self doubt. Losing sight of what mattered most in the relationship, himself. He would tell her eventually, of course, but now wasn't the time. He wanted to enjoy the months they had left together to include every moment from the mundane to the extraordinary and everything in between.

Mulder pulled up to his RV and put his car in park. He stepped out of his car throwing his keys several times and catching them in his hand then placing them in his pocket. He walked to the trunk, popped it open and gathered the bags of groceries he needed for the week, a bouquet of flowers for Scully, and a black turtleneck sweater he had picked up at a local clothing store. He had a couple of hours to get ready and he decided to take a quick nap. He put the groceries away and set the flowers in a glass of water. He sat down on the couch, kicked his shoes off and stretched down the length of the couch. Feet dangling off, he drifted to sleep.

He woke to his phone alarm. He set it for an hour and was surprised he actually slept the entire time. He sat up and picked up his phone then sent a quick text to Scully.

Did you make it home okay?

He put the phone down and headed to use the bathroom. When he walked back into the living room he checked his phone,

Yes, Albert encouraged me to leave early to get ready for our date. How was your day?

Good, I'm looking forward to seeing you. I will be over in an hour to pick you up.

Actually, I was thinking about coming over now. I am dressed and ready, Is that okay?

Would love it. See you soon. The door will be open.

Scully knocked briefly then opened the door to Mulder's RV. The space was tidy and clean. His RV was much smaller than her trailer. The living room and kitchen were one big room and to the left was a short hallway that led to the only bedroom and bathroom. She could hear the water running in the shower and she couldn't help but imagine Mulder naked in the shower. She closed her eyes and smiled at the thought. She took a seat on his couch and tried to get the image out of her mind but her impulse for Mulder only intensified throughout the day and it seemed to be coming to a fervent pitch. The water stopped and a few minutes later she heard the bathroom door open. Mulder called from the hallway,

"Scully? Are you here?"

Clearing her throat, she croaked, "Yes.. Mulder, I'm here."

"I should only be a moment, make yourself at RV. "

Scully heard him chuckle, no doubt a self acknowledgement to his poor quality joke. She laughed, leaned her head back against the couch and waited patiently for the man she had been thinking about all day. She was completely captivated by him and food wasn't really what she was hungry for. She fidgeted with her sweater while she waited. She wore a form-fitted maroon turtleneck with her favorite black suit pants and on her feet were a pair of black Jimmy Choo pumps. She had purchased them online weeks ago. She smiled at herself for making the purchase.

Mulder walked into the living room and Scully stood up. She stared at him and took inventory, he was wearing a black fitted turtleneck sweater and dark jeans. His hair was still a little wet from his shower and he left his afternoon stubble intact. Just the sight of him made her blush.

"Hey," he said and before he could say anything else Scully walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, inhaling his scent, she leaned her face into his chest and noted how much she liked the way they fit perfectly together. She looked up at him,

"I missed you today, and I didn't think I realized how much until just now when I saw you."

Without a word, he cupped her face in his hands and bent down, meeting her lips with his. She opened her mouth to his warmth and instantly his kiss felt safe and familiar but a mystery at the same time. When they broke from each other, Scully grabbed his hands with hers. She wanted to speak, to tell him how she felt. From the moment she saw him, she was drawn to him. The words were only a formality but she felt like she needed to say them. I love you.

"Mulder I…"

He interrupted her, "Scully. I missed you as well, and I couldn't wait to see you again."

They stood there holding hands, inches apart neither one moving. Scully broke the silence but decided to hold off on her declaration, "I guess we should get going?"

They took Mulder's car and he held her hand most of the way to the restaurant. He couldn't help but gaze at her several times during their drive into town.

"You look amazing tonight, by the way." He said as they reached their destination; a small restaurant outside the neighboring town. He heard about it from a local he met in line at the grocery store. He stepped out of the car, made his way around the passenger side and opened Scully's door for her. As she moved her way out of the car she grabbed his hand with both of hers and leaned into his arm with her entire body.

"Oh, I almost forgot." She said, " We have a visit next week from HQ. It's nothing to worry about, it's a routine check on our mission outcomes," She continued moving in sync with his walk, "We've been so good about paperwork, that I'm not worried. I actually think they will be impressed with us."

As they walked to the restaurant entrance, she smiled up at him and his heart melted. "In fact," she continued, "I think we make a fabulous team, they might make us permanent partners." She said with a wink.

Mulder opened the restaurant door with his free hand and gently removed his hand from both of hers and placed it on the small of her back to usher her inside the cozy eatery.

He chuckled at the idea, "Is that so? You mean a package deal, huh? I like it."

Diana Fowley finished packing and sat down at the foot of her bed. She looked around her room thinking about her upcoming trip. She had stumbled across his name while reviewing active sites in the continental US. It didn't surprise her to see his name on the clinic roster, he was altruistic at heart, but it certainly took her breath away. It had been over ten years since the last time she saw Fox Mulder. Their relationship started off as a fiery connection but to her the ending was the most puzzling loss she had experienced.

They met at a party in grad school. She was finishing her Ph.D. in health policy from Harvard and he was in his first year of residency at Boston General, a recent Harvard medical graduate, he traveled some of the same circles as she did and a few of his friends were acquaintances of hers. She spotted him right away, sitting alone with a beer in his hand. There was something about him that drew her in, and she didn't waste any time making her way toward him through the crowded room of party goers.

"Hi, I'm Diana," reaching her hand to shake his. He had kind eyes and a strong jawline. And he was incredibly handsome.

"Hey. Fox Mulder," meeting his hand to hers.

They hit it off right away, and within an hour of spending time with him she knew two things: one, she was taking him home tonight and two, she needed him in her life. She thought he was charming and sexy but his charm came from his lack of self-awareness which made him even more desirable.

She shifted her thoughts back to the present. Diana got what she wanted that night, and the rest was history. But the relationship didn't last, and she wondered in this case, if history could repeat itself.

She recently took a new position at Doctors Without Borders as Director of Human Resources. The travel and flexibility attracted her to the position and it permitted her to continue her tenure at Harvard as a professor of healthcare management and policy. When she ran across Mulder's name she took a personal interest in the Navajo reservation site and would conduct the standard evaluation herself.

She had an agenda and she wasn't afraid to admit that to herself. She had always known what she wanted in life, and this was no different. He was the one that got away and to her this was an opportunity to correct that.

Mulder woke to his left arm numb and a warm body pressed against his. And suddenly everything came rushing back to the forefront of his mind. He looked down and saw a beautiful display of tousled red hair and milky white skin intertwined through his cotton blue bed sheets.

He hadn't dreamt it.

Scully was lying next to him naked in a deep slumber, her head rested between his arm and chest with one leg draped over his legs. He began to think of last night and the events that transpired which led him to this very moment.

He wanted to remember it all, every detail.