My Struggle Part II (A Silver Lining)

Ready to Walk Away

     Scully returned Mulder's smile, skipping lightly up the steps and leaning back to sit on the porch railing, crossing her arms.
     "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Mulder asked, joining Scully on the railing. She inched closer to him, looking up at his dark eyes and running a hand through his messy hair.
     "God, Mulder. It's after one o'clock. You look like you just woke up." Her genuine concern was mixed with playful scolding.
     "You look great, as always," Mulder replied, removing her hand from his hair and gently holding it in his. Scully looked down at their hands, their fingers intertwined, and let out a sigh of relief. She had had her reservations about revisiting this quest with Mulder, this part of their lives she had worked so hard to bury. She was afraid of what the tension would do to their working relationship, and what effect consistent, close proximity would have on their feelings for one another. She had left for a reason, and was scared of where this road would lead.
     Luckily, it didn't take long for them to pick up right where they left off. Their problems, however significant, seemed to fade away, disappearing in the cross beams of light, in the energy of a case, in the sound of gunfire and adrenaline of a chase.
     She was right to be concerned about their spark reigniting; it happened every time they were together. This time, however, their connection was even more profound. They had deeper conversations than ever before, about love and loss, about their son. The bond between them had been forged in the fire of sacrifice. Now, she found herself once again looking at Mulder's stern yet sweet face, hoping to share a future with him rather than fight one alone.
     "Skinner wants to know if you're coming back to work on Monday," she spoke softly, raising her eyes back up to meet Mulder's. He returned her gaze.
     "What's the point, Scully? To what end?" He shook his head and chuckled, standing up and turning his back toward her. "Over 20 years, and we've never even 'solved' a case! I'm the worst FBI agent of all time!"
     "I know you don't believe that."
     "I'm tired of fighting monsters, tired of being lied to." He turned back around, walking forward and placing his hands on Scully's shoulders. "Tell Skinner and the FBI to find another errand boy. I'm ready to drop it, ready to walk away, for good."