Title: There and Back Again Author: Decoyly Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully aren't mine...blah, blah, trust no one, the usual... :) Rating: PG Classification: MSR Summary: Just a little thing inspired by our newest XF2 set picks... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "Scully wait--" But she was out the door before he could stop her. Knowing he couldn't let her leave upset, Mulder headed out into the early morning cold. He caught her just before she could get the car door open. "Scully it was just an accident. The roads were bad, I'm sure it has nothing to do with--" When she turned to face him he was shocked to see tears in her eyes. "Mulder, you and I both know if we help with this Investigation..." she trailed off, unable to look at him. She didn't have to finish her sentence, he already knew exactly what she was thinking. He'd thought the same thing when they'd approached him yesterday asking for his help. He and Scully had already lost enough, had been on the run too long. Things were finally starting to settle down into as close to a normal life as they'd had in five years. "Hey..." he said softly, cupping her cheek so she'd look at him. "Nothing's going to happen to me. I promise." At Scully's look, Mulder took her hand, brushing across the ring on her finger. "We've made it this far Scully. I'm not about to jeopardize it now." Scully searched his gaze for a long moment. He could see the internal fight she was suffering with herself. He'd been through the same thing yesterday. "Mulder, if they find out..." "They're not going to find out." He smiled, brushing back her hair and squeezing her hand. Scully looked so sad it was tearing him up inside. "Trust me." The words seemed to have a deep effect on her and when Scully looked like she was about to protest again, Mulder cut her off the only way he knew would prove he wasn't about to let anything happen to either of them. He proved it with a kiss. When Mulder pulled back, he knew Scully--however much she might be opposed to taking this job--understood why he had to. He also knew she was on his side no matter what. That she may argue with him and try to talk him out of everything they were about to do every step of the way, but she was sticking by his side. And when he really thought about it, wasn't that how it always was? Wasn't that all that mattered? "Okay?" he asked quietly, unwilling to let her go just yet. He didn't care if they were standing freezing there in broad daylight, he needed to know Scully was really all right with this. If she wasn't, he'd drop it in an instant. Scully stared up at him, then down at the ring on her finger. Finally she let out a soft sigh and met his gaze again. "Okay." The relief he felt was more than he was expecting, and Mulder pulled her into another hug. "You'll see Scully, it'll turn out to be nothing." "Just another nice trip to the forest?" she asked, a hint of a rueful smile gracing her lips as she pulled back to look at him. He grinned, opening the car door for her as he placed her briefcase in the back seat. "At least the cold will keep the bugs away this time." Scully did not disappoint. She gave him The Look, then smiled despite herself and got in the car. "Just promise me you won't go running off until I get back?" His grin deepened. "Cross my heart and hope to--" "Don't say it," she quickly interrupted, turning the key in the ignition. "With our luck you'll be jinxing the whole thing." Mulder laughed and stepped back to let her go. She was halfway down the drive when he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, hey, Scully?" She stopped, waiting for him to reach the open window. "Yes?" "Could you pick up some milk on the way home? We ran out last week and I keep forgetting to get some more." Scully looked like she was about to roll her eyes, but just said, "Milk. Good. Anything else?" Mulder thought about the nearly empty refrigerator and decided not to tell her he'd forgotten pretty much everything else she'd sent him out for yesterday. Instead of risking The Look again, he merely grinned and said, "Nope I think that's it." Knowing Scully she would come home with everything else he'd forgotten anyway. Mulder watched her drive off then headed back towards the house, thinking what the next few weeks might bring. A cool breeze slid through the trees and he paused a moment to let it wash over him. Whatever happened, they'd get through it as they always did--with each other. Mulder took in a deep breath and sighed. It felt good to be back. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Whew! It DOES feel good to be back again! I haven't written in so long I forgot how much fun it is! :) I'm so happy Mulder and Scully are finally BACK!! Whoohoo!