"Spooky Mulder..." she heard some girls saying as they passed. Dana had often heard the name, but didn't know him at all.

Strange.

"Hi Jack, it's Dana!" she said into the phone.

"Dana, hi," he responded.

"Well don't sound so happy to hear from me. I haven't talked to you in five months!"

"Yeah, I know," he said just as listlessly as before.

"So how's life going?" she asked, determined to be cheerful.

"It's going. Listen, Dana, I was on my way out. I'll give you a call later, okay?"

"Yeah," she said. "Talk to you later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Three months later...

Dear Dana,

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you have to know. Jack is dead. He'd been suffering with a form of cancer for almost eight months. He didn't want you to know. I'm not sure why; I think he wanted you to remember him from before. He was depressed, Dana, I wish I had told you. His funeral is next Friday at 10 at St. Margrets. Call me.

Love,
Terry

FBI Building

Dana had been dreading working with Spooky. After all the rumors she'd heard at the Academy, who could blame her? She loved her job now, and was having fun. But since Jack she didn't want to let people near her. She didn' t want to be hurt like that.

She knocked on the basement office door. "Sorry, nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted!" came the voice from within.

Walking in, she had to call upon all her old drama lessons to mask her shock.

He looked just like Jack.

His now was slightly larger, the jaw more defined, and Jack didn't wear glasses. But even still...

This could be even harder then I thought.

Cemetery

"Billy Myles? The boy in the hospital? The vegetable?" Dana, or Scully as she was becoming accustomed to, laughed.

She thought back to Billy Hero, Missy's first boyfriend. He might as well have been a vegetable after Charlie and Bill were done with him. After all, she hadn't sworn not to tell her brothers.

After a bit more of laughing in the rain Mulder said, "C'mon, let's go."

"Where we going?" Dana said teasingly, leaning against him a little bit.

With that Scully realized something. She trusted Mulder. As crazy as it was, she even liked him! She didn't want to debunk his work for the damn bureau. She wanted to for her. She wanted to throw it in his face, to laugh at him, to have him laugh with her. And if by some bizarre twist of fate he was right, she wanted to be able to laugh about that, then try again on the next case.

She thought back to high school years, competing with Jack about science grades. It was the same thing.

They're so much alike, but yet...there's something more in Mulder. This job is suddenly getting to be very interesting.

Mulder's Hallway

"Why did they assign me to you in the first place? To debunk your work. To rein you in, to shut you down!"

The words sounded hollow to her own ears. That hadn't been true since the cemetery. Why did THEY assign her? That was bull. She didn't do it for THEM. She did it for her. For him...them. Not THEM, but them, Mulder and Scully, the FBI's most unwanted.

As Mulder said how she had saved him, she knew she could throw the words right back at him.

Caught up in the moment, Scully was sorry they didn't kiss. But she quickly changed her mind. She didn't want her and Mulder to end up like her and Jack. New Year

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year!" Scully gazed at the television, smiling slightly. Mulder stood next to her, his gaze fixated on the same object. Scully sensed him turn his gaze on her instead a moment later. She turned to face him, just as he bent down towards her.

They kissed.

Not a wild, passionate kiss, but not a quick peck of friendship either. No fireworks, or flashing lights. It was a soft, pleasant feeling. It make Scully well aware of just how good friends they were, how much she trusted him.

When they broke apart a few seconds, well more then a few seconds, later, Scully couldn't help but smiling. She asked him with her eyes why.

Mulder shrugged as if to say 'why not?' "The world didn't end?" he questioned. The double meaning was clear. After years of sexual tension, finishing the kiss they'd almost had years before, Mulder was checking. He wanted to make sure it hadn't been a mistake. Maybe they could ignore it if it had been. Not that they'd be talking about it anyway.

"No, it didn't." she replied softly.

They averted their gazes to the floor.

"Happy New Year, Scully," Mulder said.

"Happy New Year, Mulder," she responded shyly.

He put his arm around her in a friendly manner as they left the room. It remained there comfortably until they reached their cars.

About a year later...

"I'm going to leave Mulder. The split us up, and I really can't see them reopening the X-Files."

Mulder stared at his now ex-partner. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

Scully was surprised. She'd expected a fight, a plea to stay. She half hoped for it. "I don't know. I have an offer to teach at Quantico. I might take that."

"Oh," he said glancing at his desk.

"Mulder, I just can't deal with this anymore. I'm bored to death with the desk work. We've been split up for three months. We've found Samantha. The X-Files are closed. I want to get back on my feet, get my hands dirty. You're profiling, you have to admit this job was built for you. But I can't do this anymore."

"You don't owe me an explanation," Mulder said.

"I do!" Scully told him, becoming frustrated with his lack of emotion. "The tables are turned. I'm ditching you, Mulder, why don't you care?"

"I care," he insisted half heartedly.

"Okay, Mulder. Fine. Bye." It wasn't like Scully to get so irritated and act so cold, but she couldn't understand why he was blocking her out.

She turned to leave, but he stopped her. "Scully."

"Yes Mulder?" she responded cool, turning back to him.

"I..." he shut his eyes, briefly, sighing, before continuing.

"I don't want you to go. But I can't ask you to stay. I know your job sucks. It wouldn't be fair for me to remain unhappy for me. I wouldn't want you to."

Scully let go of some of the bricks from her wall. "Since when have you cared about fair?"

He shrugged. "Sometime during the last eight years."

She walked over and sat on the arm of his swivel chair. "You could make me stay," she confessed.

He looked at her, surprised. "Could I?" She nodded. "Damn, should've take n the opportunity when I had it," He joked.

Scully rolled her eyes and stood. "I'm gonna go pack up my stuff."

"Then you're gone." It was more of a statement then a question, so Scully didn't answer. She caught sight of his forlorn face and started to laugh at him. "What?" he asked indignantly.

"You. I live a half hour away. You're my friend, and that's not going to end because I get a new job!"

"I thought you were ditching me," he said, and Scully realized how her comment had hurt him.

"Never," she told him earnestly. He rose, and they hugged, holding on tightly.

Mulder pulled back slightly, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

She pulled him close for another second, before finally leaving.

"Bye Mulder," she whispered, fighting back tears.

Two years later...

"Hello?" Mulder asked as he picked up his home phone.

"Hey stranger," a lilting voice replied from the other end.

"Um..." Mulder paused. He knew this voice. But who was it?

"Mulder, its me," the voice said, less excitedly.

"Scully? God, the last time I heard you sound like that was almost 10 years ago! What's up?"

"Have you gotten your mail yet?" she asked him lightly.

"No."

"Well, go get it."

"Okay, hold on a few minutes." As Mulder quickly made his way to his lobby, he was overcome with curiosity. Over the past two years Scully and he had remained good friends, even if they didn't talk to each other as much as they used to-usually only a couple times a month. They had different lives. Scully taught at Quantico and loved it, Mulder was still a profiler. Scully was involved with a man named John. Mulder never was in a relationship that lasted long, but at least he had a life.

He pulled out his mail and walked back to his apartment, flipping through it. Billy, bill, junk, magazine... As he pulled open his door, he wondered what Scully had wanted him to see.

"Hey Scully, I got it," he said into the phone. He took a look at the last envelope. It was from Mrs. Scully. "Oh, I've really got it,"

he told her quickly.

"Well open it!" she told him.

"Okay, okay." He tore it open, reading the ecard out loud without really comprehending what it said. "You are cordially invited to attend the holy matrimony of Dana Katherine Scully and John William Skye at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. on... Scully!

You're getting married?"

"Yeah, she replied cheerily. It's kinda a spur of the moment thing.

I mean, we just decided to do it, we didn't want to wait."

Mulder slumped onto his couch with a small smile. "I just, I guess I didn't expect it."

"Well, aren't you going to congratulate me?" Scully asked.

"Congratulations," he tossed out at her. He glanced at the invite again. "He has the same middle name as me," Mulder pointed out.

"Maybe the name turns me on," she said flirtatiously.

"Ooh, Scully..."

Scully laughed, and Mulder's grin widened. Even now, when Scully was much less rigid, the sound made him happy. "You're coming, right?"

she asked him.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied honestly.

"Great. I have a huge favor to ask of you though."

"Shoot."

"Well, Bill doesn't particularly care for John-"

"Big surprise."

"Shutup Mulder. And Charlie-"

"Your brother right?"

"Yes. Well he's never met John, and isn't exactly the friendliest person, so I was wondering...Would you give me away? Along with my mother?"

Mulder sighed, cradling the phone. "I'd be honored to. But how am I better then Charlie. You know I'm not exactly Mr. Sociable, and I've never met John either."

"Do I need a real good reason, Mulder? Why can't I just-"

"Calm down! You know I want to. Just curious-"

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"I'm not starting with the hurling of the clichés again!"

Scully laughed again. "Okay, if you say so. Seriously, I'd feel more comfortable if you did. You're my best friend, Mulder. I'd be honored to walk down on your arm."

"Okay, Scully. Thank you."

"Also, most of the wedding party is going to be staying in a hotel nearby my apartment." Scully mentioned.

"I'll be there," he promised. "Tomorrow."

"Great, thank you so much Mulder." Scully paused. "This isn't going to end up like My Best Friend's Wedding, is it?"

"I never saw it," he told her.

"Well, we'll have to fix that," Scully said. "But I've got to go now, Mulder. Planning a wedding isn't easy you know."

"No, I don't. But I'll see you in a while, Scully. You can explain it then."

They hung up simultaneously without saying goodbye. Some things never change.

The next night...

"She got gypped!" Mulder exclaimed as the movie faded out. Scully shot him a look. "Did you like it though?" she asked. "Yeah, I did.

But we can't end up like that you realize."

"Why? I mean, completely discounting the fact that we're well over 28, you're not hopelessly in love with me, I hope, and John isn't a blond?"

"Because that would make Skinner gay," Mulder commented in all seriousness.

Scully smirked. "And it would make you a desperate broad with a huge smile."

"Ouch, that hurt Scully."

"I try."

Mulder grabbed a pillow and tossed it at Scully. With a small yelp, she quickly retaliated by grabbing a pillow of her own. Within moments the usually quiet room was enveloped in laughter.

The next day...

Scully grabbed her fiancé's hand. "C'mon John, Mulder's waiting upstairs." He climbed out of his car and kissed Scully quickly on the cheek.

"I'm coming," he said. "How do I look?" he joked, giving a quick twirl.

Scully sighed impatiently. "Oh, c'mon Dana. I'm just joking." He put his arm over her shoulder as they walked up to her apartment.

"Yeah, I know," she said, leaning against him. "I'm just a little nervous, I guess, about you two meeting."

"So am I," he confessed. "I mean, after all I've heard about this guy I'm scared I won't measure up."

Scully sighed again, this time wearing a slight grin. "Don't worry.

I love Mulder, but I'm in love with you."

"Well, I would hope so, we're getting married in less then two weeks!"

Scully walked into her apartment, John following close behind.

Mulder had been flipping through a magazine, but when he saw the couple he quickly stood. Scully hung back slightly, letting the men introduce themselves.

"Fox Mulder," Mulder said, holding out his hand.

"Jack Skye," said the other man, firmly shaking the extended hand.

"Nice to meet you," they said simultaneously. Scully laughed from behind them.

John took a seat on a chair, and Scully sat next to Mulder on the couch. The small distance between them did not go unnoticed by John.

"Hey, Scully, I thought you were marrying a John, not a Jack."

"I just prefer John," she said quietly, ducking her head.

Mulder shot John/Jack a look, and he shrugged, indicating he didn't know why either.

"So, um, Mulder, do you have any interesting stories about my Dana?" John asked with a small smile.

Mulder returned the smile. "Nine years working together, of course I do."

With that, they began to discuss their common interest: Dana Scully.

One week and four days later...

Scully glanced at Mulder nervously. "You ready?"

"Whenever you are," he replied. Scully took his arm, and together they proceeded down the aisle.

She looked exquisite. Her dress was simple: low cut, fitted bodice with thin straps holding it up. The skirt flowed out gracefully, trailing behind her. Instead of the traditional veil, she had opted for a wreath of small white flowers. He bouquet was only one rose, white with purple edges. John's eyes were fixated on her.

The reached the end of the aisle and Maggie Scully proudly kissed her daughter's cheek. Mulder stared into Scully's eyes for a second.

Scully knew he really felt as if he was giving her away. She did too.

After so many years of protectiveness, it was almost as if he was handing the position over to someone else. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she didn't even know the exact reason why. Mulder gently kissed her cheek.

"Love you." They whispered the words together, but another word lingered between them.

Mulder retired to his pew, and Scully turned to John, smiling for all she was worth. This was it.

Three years later...

"Hey, Jessie, calm down!" Dana called to her adopted five year old daughter.

"When's Tessa coming up?" she yelled, asking about her babysitter.

"Any minute!"

"Then I'll calm down any minute, Mommy!" Dana glanced at her watch.

John was over a half hour late. Her, Mulder and John were all planning on having a nice dinner. But it seemed she and the dinner were the only ones on time. John had been due home at seven, Mulder there at 7:30, and Tessa at 7:35. It was 7:42. The doorbell rang.

Dana went to answer it, and found both Tessa and Mulder there.

"Jessie hon! Tessa's here!" she yelled, gesturing for both of them to come in.

"Yea!" the little girl called. She ran out to meet her. "Hi Mulder!" she yelled, giving him a hug.

"Hey Jess!" he said.

Dana turned to Tessa. "Are you sure you don't mind Jess staying at your house tonight?"

"Not at all!" Tessa said. "It's just across the street. Don't worry, Ms. Scully."

"I'll try," Dana laughed. "I'll pick her up tomorrow around eight."

"That's fine. Bye, Ms. Scully. Nice to see you again, Mr. Mulder."

They left.

"So, Scully, where's John? Mulder asked.

"I don't know," she admitted. "He should have been here."

"He'll show," he assured her.

They sat down, talking. Scully kept glancing at her watch or the clock Mulder noticed.

Dana got up to take the chicken out, when the phone rang. "Grab that, Mulder?" she called from the kitchen. "It's probably John."

"Hello, Scully-I mean Skye-residence."

"May I please speak to Mrs. Skye?" a male voice asked gruffly from the other end.

"Hold on a moment," he told the man. "Scully! It's not John, but he wants to speak to you....I don't know who it is," he added, anticipating her question.

"Take a message," she replied with disappointment.

She began slicing the chicken, ignoring Mulder's muffled voice.

Where the hell was John?

Mulder slowly walked into the kitchen. "Come here, Scully," said taking her arm.

"Let me finish cutting up this bird," she replied in a strained voice. From the look on Mulder's face she thought she knew what was coming. She didn't want to face it.

"Scully..." he said softly. Placing down the knife, she walked into the living room, allowing Mulder to guide her gently with his hand on her back

They sat together. "Who was on the phone?" she asked lightly. Or tried to.

"Scully...John was in an accident. A drunk driver hit him."

"Well, what hospital is he in? I gotta go visit him." Dana tried to stand, but Mulder restrained her.

"He was D.O.A."

Dana slumped back on the couch. Somehow she had known it was true, but actually hearing the words made her feel it. She turned to stone, not even reacting. She just sat there, not thinking or feeling.

"Scully...?" Mulder whispered. That's when she felt it for real.

I'm Scully now. Nobody's going to be here to call me Dana. I'm not John's Dana anymore, I'm Scully. Mom will call me Dana, as always.

But who's going to kiss me, hold me, all the while saying 'I love you, Dana?' if not out loud then silently. Nobody. Nobody's going to say my name like that again.>

That's when she fell into Mulder, crying.

~*~

Eleven years later...

"Hi Mom!" Scully heard her daughter call from the living room.

"Hey Jess! Come in here for a second." Scully placed her book down when her sixteen year old daughter came into the room. Though she was adopted, they still held an uncanny resemblance. Jessie's fine hair was a pale shade of red, dropping below her shoulders. Her eyes were the same sparkling blue, although Scully's were slightly muddled by sadness and age. However, Jessie was 5'7, towering over her mother.

"How was the party?" Scully asked, propping herself up on pillows.

"Oh, it was pretty good," Jessie answered casually.

"Any highlights?"

"Kevin was looking hot-as usual- and Ashley Malone was about to fall out of her dress, but that's it."

Scully smiled a little. "Okay, well, I'm glad you had a good time.

I'm going to sleep now. Don't stay up too late."

"I won't, Mom. G'night." Jessie gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek and was almost out the door before being called back.

"Jess, please tell me that is not alcohol I just smelt on you."

She thought she heard her daughter curse under her breath, but chose to ignore it.

Jessie tried to brush it off casually. "Oh, some kids were passing around a can of beer and I took a sip."

"Don't pull that on me, Jessie. I worked with Mulder for almost 9 years. I'm used to being fed bull."

Jessie had to smirk. "Okay, Mom, I admit it, it was more then a sip. I had, like, a can. Sorry. It's not like I was drunk."

Scully sat up cross-legged on her bed. "First off, thanks for being a little more truthful. But don't tell me you weren't affected by it at all, You're my daughter; I can tell when you're lying."

"Thanks for all the trust you're showing me, I really appreciate it," Jessie snapped sarcastically. There wasn't really a reason. Maybe because she knew that Scully was right. "Maybe I was a little...happy.

Sue me."

"Don't start this," Scully warned. "I'm not condemning you for trying a drink."

"You're not?" Jessie asked, genuinely surprised.

"No. It's not as though I could expect you to never drink your whole life."

Jessie began to relax visibly.

"However, I know you drove home with a buzz. That I can condemn you for."

"Oh, c'mon. How was I supposed to get home?"

"You could've called me," Scully pointed out.

"Yeah, right." "You should have! You know damn well that I'm against driving under the influence."

"I know."

"No you don't! Jessie, your father died because of it. I'm not going to let you do the same thing!"

Jessie felt a pang of guilt. Her dad was her mother's first real love. After nine years of having no life, finding someone was completely unexpected, but a blessing. They had been married only four years before his death.

"Okay, Mom, I get your point. I'm really sorry...What's my punishment?" Jessie sighed.

"I don't know yet. I'll tell you in the morning."

Jessie sighed gain. "Okay, then. 'Night, I love you."

She left the room.

Scully lay back down. She knew she could've been a lot harder on Jessie. Probably should have. But the whole episode didn't really anger her, just made her sad.

Sometimes her marriage seemed like a dream, just like her cancer and Emily. Had they actually happened? She had links, of course.

Jessie to John. Mulder to, well, almost everything. But Jessie only vaguly remembered John, and her and Mulder never went back. It was one of their many unspoken rules.

Sometimes, just every once in a while, she wanted to break the rules. To go back. To stop remembering a dream.

Five years later...

Dana had given up on the past. Well, she tried to anyway. She had regular friends now, mostly parents of Jessie's friends. Her and Mulder were still friends, of course. And although she lived with reminders of the past every day, she lived for the day.

Why she decided to visit the FBI Building she didn't know.

She walked through the metal detector, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She was used to just walking in, even after all these years. The guard was an unfamiliar one, as were most of the agents walking around. She paused for a second, smiling ever so slightly to herself. She wondered how many of them were on their way to the basement. Probably not many, if any at all.

"Scully?" The voice was accompanied by a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face the person. Skinner.

"Good afternoon, sir," she addressed him.

"Agent, I mean-"

"Just Dana now."

"Scully, what are you doing here?"

She studied his face before responding. He looked almost exactly the same. "Just visiting."

"I can show you to Mulder's office if you want..." he trailed off, unsure of if they were still friends or not.

"Oh, no, I just...well, I don't know. Not to sound disrespectful, but are either of you ever going to leave?"

Skinner smiled, a rarity. "This is my last year, Scully. Mulder will probably be here until his death."

"Well, he'll die happy then." There was a small pause before Skinner commented "I'd like to talk to you some more, Scully, but I do have work to do, and I'm sure you didn't come here to talk with your old boss. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Actually, do you think you could escort me to the basement. I'd like to take a look at our old office...I mean, if nobody else is down there?"

"Go right ahead, I'm sure no one will stop you. Unless of course you forgot your way..." Dana smiled. Skinner, joking? The idea had never occurred to her. "I may not

have Agent Mulder's memory, but I still know this building like the back of my hand."

"Good. Well, I really do have to go-I'm late for an expense meeting."

"Well, maybe I'll see you around, sir."

"Maybe. Goodbye, Scully." He touched her shoulder again, before walking way leaving Dana with a smile on her face.

"Bye, sir." Old habits die hard.

She walked down to the basement stairs, before being stopped.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're not allowed down there," the guard said.

Dana stopped, flustered. "Oh! A.D. Skinner said I'd be able to get down..."

"You mean the Deputy Director Walter Skinner?"

"Well, yes, I guess so.

"I'm sorry ma'am. May I ask your name?

"Dana Scully. I could just come back with Skinner later, I guess..."

"Scully...why do I know that name?"

"I used to work here, if that's any help."

"I remember now! Skinner told me about you and Mulder. You worked in the basement, right? Your name's on the door and everything."

"My name's on the door?" Dana asked confused.

"Yeah. Well, I guess I could let you down," the guard said cautiously.

"Thank you." She smiled as she walked by him and proceeded down the stairs.

She reached to door and stared at it, shocked. Fox Mulder. And below it, another plaque that read: Dana Scully, M.D. "Did he put a desk for me in there too?" she wondered out loud, slightly sarcastic and not at all serious. She opened the floor. "No." The office looked the same. File cabinets, the poster, UFO pictures, the cluttered desk. Cases were spread all over. She glanced through them. There was Donnie Pfaster, the Flukeman, The Great Mutato, Comity...some of their most memorable cases. She caught sight of a picture and drew it out. It was her, the picture predicting her death. She shuddered at the memory. She noticed two framed photos. Mulder and Sam. Also

one of her, John and Jessie when she was about four. Dana picked up the picture, examining it. She vaguely recalled it being taken. Sitting in the familiar setting, files strewn about, John in her hand, she couldn't stop her eyes from welling up.

"Hey Scully," Dana looked up at the soft voice from the doorway.

"Hey Mulder," she responded. She quickly shut her mouth after realizing her voice had cracked. He gently put down the picture and leaned back in the chair. She hoped Mulder hadn't noticed her face, and didn't dare wipe her eyes to draw attention to it.

"You okay?" he asked, walking towards the desk.

She quickly wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine.

He nodded, pretending to believe her. "What are you doing here?"

"I don't really know," she admitted. "What about you? I know you don't work here any more then I do."

He shrugged and stood in front of the desk. "You know me, I live in the past." He halfway sat on the edge of the desk.

"My name wasn't on the door in the past," she pointed out.

"Yeah, well half of me is a dreamer."

She stood up and examined the bulletin boards. "These are new," she commented, gesturing to a few articles.

Mulder took a seat in the desk chair. "Not really, they're a few years old.

There were a couple of sightings in California a while back that I checked out. There were nothing, but it felt good to be doing some paranormal again.

I've been using this place as kind of a safe spot since then."

"Oh," Scully said.

"Still have no idea why you're here?" Mulder prodded.

"Well, sort of. I have all along in a way." He stared at her, silently asking her to continue.

"A few years ago-this is starting off like your story, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"How come you never told me about the case? I would've come with you."

"Shit happens," he shrugged. Scully wondered what shit he was talking about.

The Smoking Man's death? John's death? She brushed it off.

"A few years ago, told myself I would stop with the past. Give it up. And I did. But when the past is never resolved, it's return is inevitable. I thought that coming here might resolve it."

Mulder looked vaguely hurt. "What's wrong with the past?"

"Nothing. But I don't want to live in it. I'd rather it be a memory then reality."

"Oh," Mulder sighed. "I thought you were trying to forget it, that you wished it hadn't happened."

Scully smiled. "You know me better then that. How could I forget John?

You?"

"Oh well, I know you couldn't forget me. I just thought you might want to."

"Never. We've had too many good times."

Mulder gestured to the files on the desk. "Good times? Killers, monsters, insanity, government conspiracies? That's good times?"

She nodded. "Good times. Trust, fun, latex, hugs. That's good times."

Mulder grinned. "You have a point...yeah, you're probably right."

"I know I'm right...Hey, do you want to come over for dinner tomorrow night

with Jessie?"

"Of course," he replied.

"Good. Well, I better get going. See you tomorrow night."

"Six o'clock?"

"Sounds good," she said, over her shoulder walking out.

The next night...

"Good meal, Mom," Jessie said, finishing up her steak.

"Yeah, it is," Mulder agreed. "I didn't think you liked red meat, Scully."

"Sure I do. It's just a bitch to cook."

"Mom!" Jessie gasped, feigning shock. "Watch your mouth."

"Want me to bring out the ice cream?" Mulder asked, standing.

"Such a gentleman," Jessie joked.

"No, he's just hungry," Dana corrected.

They laughed as he left the room. "Turn on the radio!" Dana called. A second later "Lady In Red" was playing softly.

After they served ice cream, Jessie turned to Mulder. "I didn't know that you were coming tonight.

Dana interrupted before Mulder could answer. "We were just talking, and I though he might like something better then takeout for once."

Jessie nodded, accepting, and they ate in silence for a minute. Mulder stood up, and walked over to Scully. Silently, he held out his hand. Mother and daughter looked at him quizzically. Dana then caught the opening music.

Smiling, she clasped his hand and, laughing, they began to dance while Jessie looked on grinning.

"Put on my blue suede shoes,

And boarded the plane.

Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues, In the middle of the pouring rain..."

Five years later...

"Ready Jess?" Dana asked

"Yes," she responded softly, smoothing the skirt of her dress. "Are you?" First she looked at her mom, the Mulder. They both nodded.

"I'm getting such a sense of deja vu," Mulder commented.

"Why?" Jessie asked?

"It's just like giving Scully away."

"I forgot about that!"

"It really was the happiest day of my life," Dana added.

"Mulder, will you please tell me about it?" I love you, Mom, but Mulder has a better memory."

"I know," Dana said.

Mulder smiled. "Come over here. I don't want Scully to get an ego,"

he joked.

Dana watched them walk over to a corner where the bridesmaids were huddled. Jessie had a soft smile on her face, listening to Mulder talk. Dana was swept back into memory.

She may not have a photographic memory, bust she still could recall that day's events with perfect clarity. Her happiness, John's grin..."

"C'mon Mom, we gotta go." Dana had been so deep into her memory she hadn't even noticed Mulder and Jessie's conversation had ended.

"So what did he say?" she asked as the three started down the aisle to Matt, Jessie's smiling fiancé.

"That it was the happiest goodbye he's ever not spoken."

Dana nodded in perfect understanding, and continued the slow steps down the aisle.

15 years later...

"Come in," Dana called at the doorbell. She knew it was Jessie, Matt and her grandchildren.

"Hey Mom," Jessie said, walking to the couch where she was reading.

"Hi Dana," Matt said, giving her a peck on the cheek. "How's everything going?"

"Pretty good. How are you two?" she asked, turning to Danielle, 14, and Ashley, 10.

"Okay," Ashley responded quietly sitting on a chair. Danielle sat on the floor in front of her sister. "I'm doing good Nana."

"What have you been up to, Mom?" Jessie inquired.

"Not much. Reading, walking, talking to Mulder...the usual."

"How long have you and Mulder been friends?" asked Danielle suddenly.

"I've lost track of the years. It feels like forever. It was before I met John-your grandfather."

"Long before," added Jessie. "I remember Dad used to joke that by the time they reached their tenth anniversary Mulder would still know more about you then he did. It takes a while for things like that to build up."

"You remember that?" Dana said to her daughter.

"Yeah," she shrugged. Dana resolved to talk to Jessie about what else she remembered about John.

"So I guess you and Mulder hit it off right away?" Danielle said curiously.

Dana smirked. "Your mom was right, that it takes a long time to build a friendship like ours. We completely clashed at first."

"You still do," commented Ashley shyly.

The family grinned, because everyone could recall at least one argument that Mulder and Scully had had.

Just as Matt opened his mouth to say something, the doorbell rang.

"I'm taking bets its Mulder," Jessie proclaimed. Nobody argued with her as Dana rose to answer the door.

She came back in, Mulder trailing behind.

"Hi everyone," he greeted the family, Jessie and Matt quickly scooted over on the couch so Mulder could sit with them. Ashley scurried over to sit on the arm of the couch next to Mulder, and Danielle promptly took the chair.

Mulder smiled at the homey scene before speaking. "So, what did I interrupt?"

"We were just talking about you and Nana," Ashley contributed.

Mulder didn't seem surprised. "Don't let me stop you."

"Well, I was just about to comment on the fact that you two don't argue too much," Matt said.

"Besides, when you do it's about something silly like UFO's or aliens," Danielle added.

Both Scully and Mulder looked at her, deeply offended. "You think aliens are silly?" Mulder asked incredulously.

"Yep. They don't exist," she pointed out.

Dana smiled at the girl. "You are definitely my granddaughter.

"She'll learn," her friend predicted. "Just like you did."

"You know, Mulder and I used to argue a lot more."

"Yeah, just about every day," Mulder said, taking the change of subject in stride.

"Over what?" Matt asked, curious.

"Everything under the moon and sun-"

"And then whatever lies beyond that," Dana finished for him.

"Specifically?" Danielle prompted.

"Oh, parasitic worms, psychics, God, aliens, the government..."

Mulder replied casually.

"Parasitic worms?" Ashley repeated. "Ew."

"Yeah," Dana said. " 'Ew' just about sums it up."

Her and Mulder exchanged glances, silently laughing over what was.

Two years later...

Dana awoke with a start, wondering why she was awake, sweating and gasping for her breath. For an hour she tried to sleep, but couldn't.

Then, about one a.m. the phone rang. "Hello?" asked Dana.

"Dana Scully, my name is Garrett Seely, I'm from Washington Memorial." said the voice gruffly.

"What is it?" she asked worriedly, clenching the phone tightly.

"I found your number in Fox Mulder's wallet. He was brought in about an hour ago with multiple gunshot wounds. We did everything we could, but were unable to save him. I'm sorry ma'am, but he's dead."

"Thank you," she replied weakly, and hung up the phone. She scarcely had time to comprehend it before her eyes burned with tears.

She shook her head. She didn't want to cry. And, by some sheer force of will, she managed to fall asleep.

The next morning when Dana woke up, the first thing she noticed was that the empty feeling in her gut wasn't hunger.

She sat up, and reached for the phone. "Hi Ashley. Can I talk to your mom?"

"Sure," Ashley said. "Hold on a sec....Mom!" Dana heard her yell.

A few seconds later Jessie picked up. "Hey Mom, what's up?"

"Jessie, um...I've got some bad news."

"I'm okay. It's Mulder. He, um, he died last night, hon. About midnight."

"Oh my God...Are you- do you want me to come over?"

"No, I'm...I'm okay. God, Jess, I can't even bring myself to say 'I'm fine.'"

"Mom, are you sure you don't want me to come over?"

"No. You have to tell Matt and the girls."

"Yeah..." Dana heard tears in her daughter's voice. "Okay, I'll call l you later. Take care."

"I'll try. Bye Jessie, I love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

They hung up, and Dana crawled out of bed. She went into the adjoining bathroom. She turned on the shower and undressed slowly, trying to think of anything but Mulder. She though of her bills (they were all paid), groceries (didn't need any), and books (just finished one).

As she showered, her mind jumped from one mundane topic to the next, continuing as she dried off and dressed.

In her bedroom she looked into her full length mirror. She was still the same. Petite with icy eyes, a light shade of red hair only slightly streaked with grey, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.

Mulder's sweatshirt. It was huge on her, a dark shade of green and it reminded her of everything.

Gazing into the mirror, she saw herself decades earlier, walking into the office to see Mulder for the first time. Over and over images played in her mind's eye. Too many of them to count. But every single one involved him.

She saw herself with him the night John died. That was when she turned away. That night I cried because there was no one to call me Dana. But now ... Two people in my life have called me Scully on a regular basis. Skinner and Mulder. Skinner as my boss, but Mulder as something else. As my friend. My best friend. And to him Scully just wasn't a name.

And...Fuck it all! I don't care if I never hear him say 'Scully'

again. I don't care that I'll never feel his hand at the small of my back. That I'll never smile at him, or that he'll never smile at me. I don't care if I never laugh at another theory of his.

I care that he's not going to be here to say my name, to touch my back, to smile or smile at. I care that he's never going to be able to think up another outlandish theory.

I care that he's gone and isn't coming back.> A few days later...

"I once heard," Scully started the eulogy calmly, looking out at the few faces on the beach. "That the number one fear among people is public speaking. The second is death. Does this mean that I'd rather be in the urn then up here giving the eulogy? Well, maybe I would.

"What would Mulder have wanted? Would he rather be speaking then dead? I really don't know. But that's okay. Maybe he wouldn't care either way. Because, thankfully, Mulder was completely different.

"Death is the ultimate adventure. I'm sure that's how he saw it. A scary, uncharted one, but aren't those the best type?

"I could stand up here for hours, talking about al Mulder did with his life, and what a great person he was. And he was. Throughout it all he was strong and kind and usually honest. Just about his whole life was committed to finding the Truth. He had a skewed path, perhaps, but a noble one.

"I can't imagine a universe without Mulder. I don't want to. And I have never been more certain of the afterlife then I am right now. Because without Mulder..." Scully's voice trailed off, and she turned around to look at the crashing ocean in silence.

Eight years later...

"Mom, it's a boy!"

"I'll be right down."

Dana smiled to herself. She'd seen many things in her life, from mutants to miracles. But nothing beat the feel of new life coming into the world. The only thing that compared to the emotional high was having a friend die. And that was a definite low.

She'd seen far too many people die. Her father, Jack, sister, mother, Skinner, John, Emily and countless strangers. And, of course, Mulder.

Her life had been hard. She thought about the pain and deaths she'd endured every day. The dreams woke her every night. She'd become far too contemplative in her old age. But all the hurt was pushed aside as she went to the hospital to see her new great-grandson.

"So, what should he call you, Nana?" Danielle asked, grinning at the swaddled baby in her arms.

"How about we decide who 'he' is first?"

The whole room-Jessie, Matt, Ashley, Danielle and Danielle's husband, Jeff-chuckled.

Danielle and Jeff had been attempting to come up with a name for nine months.

"Ok, Nana, you name him," the new mother challenged.

She thought for a moment. "William."

"William..." the younger woman said, testing it out. "Definitely."

"Where'd you get that from, Nana?" Ashley asked.

Dana smiled. "William was Mulder's middle name. And John's, for that matter. Also my fathers name."

"Why not name him with Mulder's first name?" Ashley asked, in some ways still an innocent girl.

"Sister, dear," Danielle started sweetly sarcastic. "Do you remember Mulder's first name? Fox. And as much as I loved Mulder, and still do, I am not naming my son Fox."

Ashley grinned sheepishly. "Oh, yeah."

"So, what's William gonna call you?" Danielle asked.

"Hey, do I have to do everything?"

As the family laughed and debated the differences of Grandma and Nana, Dana felt strangely removed rom the conversation. She sat down, watching the discussion, and slowly smiled.

Five years later...

"Mom, what is it?" Danielle asked, scared to death by Jessie's face. She shifted four year old Will on her hip. "What's wrong?"

Jessie slowly sat down, her face pale. "Mom died last night."

"What?" Danielle asked quietly.

"In her sleep...around midnight."

"Oh my God..." she set down her child. "Will, go play honey."

The little boy looked at his family, confused by the tears and fear that lined their faces. "What happened to Grandma, Nana?"

Tears ran down the woman's face as she reached for her grandson.

"Come here, honey."

"You remember how we told you about Grandma's friend?" Jessie said after a brief pause.

"Yup! I was named after him," Will announced proudly.

"Right," she agreed, rumpling his hair. "Well, Grandma decided to go stay with him."

"Where is he?" Will asked quizzically.

"He's in Heaven, sweetie."

"Oh. When she coming back?"

"She's not Will. She hasn't seen her friend in a really long time, and now she doesn't want to leave." Jessie struggled to control her cracking voice.

"Can we go see her?" he asked, his voice tainted with sadness.

"No, we can't. Not for a very long time."

"Well, I'll wait!" he proclaimed.

He won a small, wavering smile out of his Nana, but when he looked towards his mother, she was still struggling to hold back tears.

He crawled over to the other side of the couch and into his mother's lap.

"Don't cry, mommy," he said innocently. "You'll see Grandma again."

"I know baby, but I'll miss her until I do." She planted a kiss on his cheek. "You'll keep me company though, right?" she asked, trying to brighten.

"Right!" he exclaimed importantly. But a tear escaped Danielle's eye, and he sobered.

"Mommy..." he said quietly, hesitating. "Grandma wouldn't want you to cry."

There was a pause, and for a long moment Will thought he had said something wrong. "You know, you're right," Danielle finally said. Some strength had seeped into her voice. "Don't worry," she told William with a hug. "I'm fine."

-the end-