Date sent: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 14:32:04 -0500 Subject: The Parting by Miranda From: miranda119@juno.com (Miranda K Parsons) Title: The Parting Author: Miranda Rating: G Category: SA Spoilers: fifth season Keywords: Mulder/Scully UST Summary: Author's imagination explores what could happen soon. Scully quits the FBI. Disclaimer: These wonderful characters and the X-Files belong to a very cool guy named Chris Carter who would never sue a poor little X-Phile who is just having a little non-profit fun as she awaits the next episode. Note: This is only my idea of what the most recent episodes might be leading up to. Scully leaving the FBI. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Scully, glad you're here. You will not believe the lead I just got about this guy who can control the weather with his thoughts..." Mulder entered the office as Scully stood at the desk, a box of odds and ends nearly full in front of her. She took a deep breath, and interrupted him. "Mulder," she began quietly, avoiding his eyes that she could feel suddenly boring into her own. She could not say anything else; the words would not come. But he saw the box held by her trembling hands, and made his own deduction. His face twisted in disbelief and disappointment. "You're leaving." he accused dully, his voice wavering with emotion, his eyes still burning like a laser beam into her own. She sighed, staring at her fidgeting hands, then nodded. "I don't understand..." he shook his head as the words caught in his throat. There was a lengthy silence. "I don't expect you to. But I don't want you to think it's about you." she picked up the box and walked to the open door, then hesitated a long moment. "You are the only thing that kept me here this long." Then she left the little office they had shared for well over five years. Mulder only watched after her a second before hurrying after her as she made her way down the abandoned hallway. Without speaking, he quickly pulled the box from her grasp and enveloped her urgently within his embrace. She was stiff and unresponsive for a moment, willing herself not to make this parting any more difficult than it already was. But who was she kidding? This had already torn her heart in two. She allowed herself to relax against him, her arms surrounding his waist and pulling his body tighter against her own. She gave one single tear admission to fall gently down her cheek. Finally, he pulled back, his own eyes wet with moisture. "I don't think I can go a day without you, Dana." he whispered. She caught the use of her first name immediately. He never called her "Dana" unless he wanted her complete attention. And it always worked. "You can." she swallowed and managed in a husky voice. "You will. Mulder, I need to go." He shook his head, searching for the words to change her mind. In his sudden desperation, he lowered his head closer to hers and covered her lips with his, the urgency of his mouth pressing against hers in a final plea for her reconsideration. Shocked by the sudden gesture, she tried at first to pull away, but finally gave in to the gentle yet firm pressure of his kiss. So much feeling. So much passion in his caress that fear overwhelmed her senses. The same old fear that had caused her to run away from anything that had ever meant anything to her. Fear rooted in her incredible terror associated with death. With pain, and dying, and with loss of someone to the inescapable clutches of its sting. Still, the undeniable presence of a love she had sensed from the day she began to work with this man warmed her throughout, and she could not at first escape his kiss, she must respond. And she did, gently caressing his full lips with her own, parting her mouth slowly and feeling his hot breath as his mouth opened against hers. Suddenly the fear won out over need, and she stepped back with a gasp. "No..." she shook her head. "I...I have to go now." She didn't want to look into his eyes. But she owed him that much. He deserved at least a glance before she was gone. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to his. She saw the tears, the confusion, the fear. She could see the image of a child in his features, a child denied the only thing he ever wanted. No, the only thing he ever needed. She quickly looked away. She must look anywhere except into those eyes. "Don't...Don't go." he shook his head, his tears falling unashamed. "Goodbye, Mulder." she turned abruptly and walked down the hall. He was quiet as he watched her until she was gone from his sight. There was nothing left to say. She held her breath until she was in the parking garage unlocking her car door. It was then that she could no longer stand the grief and the acute pain of separation from one who certainly must be adjoined to her very being. She let her head fall into her hands, and, leaning against the car door for support, she gave into the sobs. The End _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]