Date sent:        Sat, 14 Mar 1998 11:01:34 -0500
From:             "Shannon O'Connor" <soconnor@mindspring.com>
Subject:          NEW -- Trilogy III: Like I Love You -- VAR -- PG

TITLE: Trilogy III: Like I Love You
AUTHOR: Shannon O'Connor
E-MAIL: shannono@iname.com
DATE: 4 March 1998
DISTRIBUTION: Please send to ATXC; sending to Gossamer; let me
know, please, before sending it elsewhere
CLASSIFICATION: VAR
RATING: PG
SPOILERS: US5 through "Chinga"
KEYWORDS: Mulder/Scully romance
CONTENT WARNING: Song story, with romance on the horizon ...
SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully try to work things out.
COMMENTS: This is a three-part series of vignettes which can sort of
stand along but form one story. I have set them in May, based on rumors
that Scully will decide to quit the bureau at the end of this season.
But I'm putting my own spin on this possibility -- after all, if she
leaves for good, there won't be much of a show, now, will there? <g>
DISCLAIMER: M&S and their stories aren't mine, but this story is. My
only payment comes in the form of feedback (hint, hint). "Like I Love
You" is by Amy Grant.

**********
Trilogy III: Like I Love You
By Shannon O'Connor


Alexandria, Virginia
Friday, May 22, 1998
10:17 p.m.

Scully pulled up at the curb outside Mulder's apartment, disappointment
piercing her heart. His car was gone; no lights were visible in his
apartment. She had no idea where he could be.

She sighed, lowering her head to rest on her hands where they gripped
the steering wheel. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe their fate
was already decided.

If only she believed in fate.

Lifting her head, she smiled softly. So Plan A didn't work out. So she'd
go for Plan B.

She wasn't letting this go that easily.

**********

Annapolis, Maryland
Friday, May 22, 1998
10:21 p.m.

Mulder stopped the car and looked up and down the street one more time.
Still no sign of Scully's car. He didn't know where she might have gone
at this time of night.

He shut off the ignition and sat for a few minutes, considering. He
*did* still have a key to her apartment, but after the way the past week
had gone, he didn't know if she'd appreciate him letting himself in.

But, then, he didn't have any other ideas ...

Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "Here goes nothing," then climbed
out of the car and headed upstairs.

Once inside, he looked around and was surprised to see no signs of
packing. He knew she had only a week left at the bureau, and her new
job, he'd learned, started just a week after that. He'd expected half
her belongings to be packed up by now.

But he was glad they weren't.

Slowly, he began moving through the rooms, brushing his hands over the
photographs and small items hanging on the walls and sitting on the
tables. If she threw him out when she got home, he'd at least have
these pieces of her ingrained on his mind.

Completing his circuit of the apartment, he came to a stop before the
entertainment center, where he noticed a light glowing on the stereo.
Apparently, she'd been listening to CDs just before she left.

Curious, he hit "play," and listened:

>>Why do lovers drift apart and how does love fade away?
When do pieces of a broken heart mend again?
You've been crying in the dark and you've been feeling alone
Don't be scared of what you'll find when you turn the light on

Ain't nobody gonna say goodbye
No, ain't nobody gonna walk away
This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you
Ain't nobody gonna make you cry
No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you
Like I love you

What sad memory of yesterday, what terrible scare
Keeps you gathering pices of your shattered heart
There was once upon a time when hope was living within
I know there will come a time when you can believe again

How long have you been feeling lonely?
How long have you been feeling sad and blue?

This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you
Ain't nobody gonna make you cry
No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you
Like I love you.<<

Mulder's eyes had closed just a few lines into the song, and he stood
with his head tilted back, letting the music flow over him and the
words through him. By the time the last chorus had finished, tears
were sliding down his face.

God, he loved her.

He reached out and set the song on "repeat," then sat down to wait for
her.

**********

Scully's apartment
Friday, March 22, 1998
10:40 p.m.

Scully inserted her key in the lock, then stopped as she heard sounds
from the other side of the door. Pausing, she listened intently.

Music. She must have left the stereo playing.

Sighing, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, turning to close
and lock it. She started to turn back toward the CD player and froze
as a shape loomed in the low light before her.

Then she relaxed. It was him. She knew his shadow better than her own.

He didn't speak, just looked at her, as the music played in the
background. Slowly, so slowly, he lifted his right hand and held it
out to her.

And she took it.

He drew her close, his eyes still on hers. His left hand moved to her
waist, and her free hand slid to rest on his arm. 

And, as the song began again, they began to move.

And to heal.

>>Why do lovers drift apart and how does love fade away?
When do pieces of a broken heart mend again?
You've been crying in the dark and you've been feeling alone
Don't be scared of what you'll find when you turn the light on

Ain't nobody gonna say goodbye
No, ain't nobody gonna walk away
This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you
Ain't nobody gonna make you cry
No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you
Like I love you

What sad memory of yesterday, what terrible scare
Keeps you gathering pices of your shattered heart
There was once upon a time when hope was living within
I know there will come a time when you can believe again

How long have you been feeling lonely?
How long have you been feeling sad and blue?

This time, baby, I'm learning how to love you, love you
Ain't nobody gonna make you cry
No, ain't nobody ever really tried to love you
Like I love you.<<

Their eyes remained locked throughout the song as they danced.
Apology, forgiveness, gratitude, and love flowed between them.
They had never needed words, and they didn't need them now.

As the notes began to fade, though, Mulder knew the time had
come for words. So he spoke.

"I love you."

So simple. So complicated.

So true.

His answer was a smile. He drank it in greedily, still fearful
it would be the last.

But then she spoke.

"I love you, too ...

"And I can't leave you."

Sealed with a kiss.

**********END**********