Scully stuck the keycard into the lock and opened the door. Mulder followed her in and closed the door. "Im going to order breakfast from room service, you want anything?" he asked

"As long as there's coffee I don't care what you get." She said with a smile as she walked into the bathroom.

He heard the shower turn. He picked up the phone and pressed the button for room service. He ordered coffee, waffles, bacon and fruit. He was confident she'd be happy with his choices.

With a smile he walked toward the bathroom, deciding he would hijack her shower.

Almost twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

Mulder and excited the bathroom wearing the white fluffy robe supplied by the hotel. Mulder went to answer the door.

Their breakfast was wheeled in on a cart. "You can just stick it anywhere" Mulder said to the room service attendant.

The room service attendant handed Mulder a leather bound folder that had their bill, along with a pen.

Mulder signed it and handed it back to him, and he saw the man's attention was directed towards the windows. Mulder turned and saw that he was staring at Scully as she came out of the bathroom tying her robe. .

Mulder glared at the man, and said "That will be all, Thank you"

The man realizing he'd been caught, hurried out of the room.

"We got coffee" mulder called

"You're my hero" She replied with a dramatic tone. She walked over to the table "Mulder, you got all kinds of goodies"

"I aim to please" he replied.

Mulder poured two cups of coffee and placed them on the table in front of the windows. "Want some waffles?" he asked her

"Yes, you know I can turn down waffles" she said with a smile.

"That is why I ordered them" He said walking to the table with two plates in his hand. "wanna grab the syrup and the butter?" he asked

An hour later

Mulder was flipping through the TV channels with the remote.

Scully was curled up next to him holding her coffee cup in one hand and her other hand resting in the space between them.

He picked up her free hand and brought it to his lips. He rested their joined hands on his thigh. "You're awfully quiet. You ok?" he asked

She turned to look at him and smiled. "Im ok" she replied.

He let go of her hand and put the palm of his hand against her face. He ran his thumb across the dark circle under her eye. "You really need to get more sleep" he said

"I know, it must look awful. I didn't get a chance to cover them up yet," she replied.

"Im not saying to cover them up. Im saying Im worried that you don't sleep enough," he replied "I think we need to have a chat." He patted his lap "Come here"

She got up and put her cup on the table, and took the hand he held out to her and sat down across his legs. "I know what you want to talk about" she said with a nod.

"Im worried about how you're dealing with yesterday" he said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear

"Mulder, Im going to be completely honest with you. One hundred percent honest, Even though I am ashamed and deeply embarrassed about what Im going to say" she said

"Don't be. You don't have to be ashamed of anything you say to me." he replied

"Well, maybe you'll feel differently after you hear what Im going to say. Yesterday was a wonderful day. It started off amazingly. I never thought anything could ever make me feel closer to you, and when you asked me to marry you I did. I can't explain it. Im not trying to say I needed that to feel closer to you. I hope your not thinking that now." She said her expression starting to turn to alarm.

"No, no, no." Mulder began. "I know exactly what you're trying to say. I feel it too. Its sort of weird, but I really like it." He replied

She reached out and ran her hand down his face stopping on his lips. "Exactly, Im glad you did it when you did. I get to have your name now, your free, cleared. Before we would've had to hide it" She said

"You know Im still sort of shocked you want my name." he replied

"Why?" she asked brow furrowed

"Well, it just does. You're not the old fashioned type of girl, very independent. You do things your own way. No one tells you what to do," he replied.

"Mulder, the whole point of marrying someone is to take their name. You love me enough to share it with me, and I love you enough to want it to be my own." she said

"But then, what do we call each other? We've always just done the last name thing." He asked

"It can stay exactly the same. I love that you call me Scully. No one else does, so thats what makes it special. Things wont change for us, it'll be for everyone else. Professionally as long as we work together, Im sure you'll still be Mulder and I'll still be Scully" she said "But, back to what I was saying, we can discuss this more in length later"

"Now you're going to tell me when yesterday got worse?" he asked

"Yes I am, I think you know exactly where Im headed" she began. When Father Ybara called us in it really stressed me out, but after I felt such relief. He really made my life hell at the hospital. Then I felt guilty, because I knew it messed up the case, and then seeing..." her mouth clenched

"Seeing Diana?" he asked

She nodded. Looking away.

"Hey" he said gently pulling her face back towards him. "What ever you have to say I will not think less of you, and you have no reason to feel ashamed and/or embarrassed. Just tell me."

"Ok. Well, the first time she was around was horrible. We fought alot, and barely talked, felt like we were strangers almost. You had this history with her that I could never compete with." she started

"That's not..." Mulder interrupted.

"Please. just let me finish, ok?" she asked

He nodded and she continued. "I felt, insignificant next to her." she reached up to wipe away a tear that was at the corner of her eye and Mulder beat her to it. Seeing it he reached up and brushed it away, taking her hand into his. "She made me doubt myself, she made me..." she closed her eyes again.

"Scully?" Mulder questioned with concern. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

"Im ok." she answered "She made me feel like I had no place. I feel so insecure around her. It infuriated me the way that she used you and led you around, and more so even now, because I thought she was the one that helped me find you that time, when she was the one keeping you from me. I know she was your friend, and if you still want to be friends with her I don't know how Im going to handle it. I have maybe said 5 words to her in total, but she has made me feel awful with her little remarks and her flirting with you, and if she keeps doing it eventually I am going to have to kick her ass, and she's taller than me and she maybe stronger, but I will put up a good fight"

At that last part, Mulder couldn't help but laugh. "Just to interject on that last point there, I will address the rest as well, but I think you can take her" He said with a nod. His expression getting serious again.

"Mulder, I do not like the way she is making me feel already. Maybe I have just finally lost my mind, because it feels like I have, with all thats been going on, I just feel like I don't need this right now" she said

"finished now?" he asked

"For now." She said with a nod.

"First, I want to thank you for sharing that. My history with her is the past. Now that I look at it, it was a lie, a fraud. I have a history with you that she has no place in. You have never been insignificant to me, never. There is no comparison between you and her. You have my heart and she has no place in my life. You are my life."

Hearing the last part brought her to tears again "And you are mine" she said burrowing her head between his shoulder and his ear.

"She has made you feel all this stress on top of everything else?" he asked

"Honestly, I would not have even reacted to anything else yesterday but her." she replied pulling her head back up

"Wow, that is making me feel ashamed about my intense hatred and dislike of having to work with Ritter." he said

"I guess, it'll be an obstacle for us both" she replied

"Yes, it will. Let me offer some insight on Diana. She is toying with you. Don't let her. Fight back, don't be timid around her." he said stroking her hair.

"Im not being timid." She said shaking her head " I just don't have the energy to deal with her right now"

"I just want to know what her connection to all this is. It's more then her undercover case. There's a reason why she is here" he said

"Mulder? I can tell you what the reason is." she said looking up at him "She is here for you"

"Well she is not going to get me." Mulder said. "She doesn't even have a remote glimmer of a chance"

Scully chose that moment to let a yawn loose. "Im so tired all of a sudden" she said

Mulder rubbed her back. "Why don't you go and take a nap."

"No, I don't think I'll sleep" she said shaking her head.

"Well right don't you just lay down right here, and watch TV and maybe you will. I'll stay right here with you"

"Ok, just as long as you don't make me watch soccer again" She said

"Hey, Soccer is actually the world's most popular sport!" he exclaimed

"Then it still will be if I don't watch it" She said

"well Im sorry it's not baseball season yet" Mulder said. He had developed a fondness for soccer having gone to college in England.

She smiled. "Its only 19 days until spring training" she said

"How come you never let on you had such a thing for baseball? Remember when I took you to the batting cages for your birthday?" He asked

"Seriously Mulder, you didn't get why I was pretending?" She asked "Besides, I didn't completely lie. Pitching was my strength" she said

"And you never told me you were a star pitcher, that went to college on an athletic scholarship. If i have known that the first day I met you I would have made a pass at you" He said shaking his head

She laughed. "There is more to me than just my brain" she said

"I didn't believe you were that good until you showed me too. My hand hurt for the rest of the day from your fastball." He said with awe in his voice

"Mulder, If I had told you I was a Red Sox fan way back then you wouldn't have given me a second glance" she said poking him in the chest.

"Thats not true, and they won the world series what twice in how many years? How many did the Yankees win in that time span?" He asked poking her back

She got up off his lap and said "Yeah, but one Red Sox World Series win is worth 25 Yankee world series wins" She said looking down at him. She walked towards the bedroom.

"Where you going?" he asked

"I'll be right back" she said with a smile. She walked into the room and went to her suitcase. She'd show him all right. She pulled out her Red Sox t-shirt and opened her robe. She put the shirt on under her robe, and letting it hang open she walked back towards Mulder laying on the couch.

"You gotta be kidding me!" He sat up and exclaimed when he saw her walking towards him. He scrunched his eyes shut and placed his hands over his heart. "Woman, you wound me"

"What can I say Mulder? You got me in the mood" she said

He smiled at her and swung his legs back on the couch. He reached his hand out to her.

She took his hand. He pulled her down so she was nestled again the back of the couch and his right side. She laid her head on his chest.

"I love you, you know" he said stroking her hair. "Red Sox shirt and all"

Dr. Ranswell sat back in his chair and smiled. He was in control here, everything was going just the way he wanted it, and thing's were only going to get better.

Even though he would barely have anytime to himself, with all his responsibilities. He had his work at the hospital, and the demands of the Russian, Dimitri Kozlov, were not demands he could ignore, even though he was married to his niece Nadiya, he would still have him killed for disobeying.

The man would give him a list of the organs he needed, as well as the pertinent information needed for blood and tissue typing. He would give him a few days to find them on his own, then after the few days, he would supply him with information on where he could get them.

He never left traces, and very rarely did he leave bodies behind when the organs didn't come easily. All his evidence was left in the hospitals medical waste.

Sometimes when he was in a rush, he had to use rather messy methods, such as the nurse he'd taken the heart from in the garage, but he was faced with a dire situation in that case. That day, he didn't think he'd make the deadline. Coincidentally, during one of his surgeries, two nurses had a conversation involving blood types, and both had announced their own blood type. A quick little check in the database the hospital kept, confirmed what she said, so he followed her when she was leaving and everything worked out.

When Father Ybara cut Dana Scully's hours he immediately knew it would be a problem. He needed her around, she would help him with the perfect cover story. He would be the ever thoughtful colleague, that stepped in when his co-worker was stricken with horrible migraines and had to time off. A smile graced his lips as he looked at the 5 vials lined up on his desk. More of the migraine inducing drug he'd slipped her before.

He knew the effects all varied on the amount that was given. He could vary the doses, from an annoying headache, to the incapacitating migraine like she had before. He would have to play around with it later on today, and use the staff that was scheduled today. Due to the long hours and stressful work, medical professionals got headaches on a regular basis. It would not be suspected. He knew just the tiniest drop would cause a normal headache.

Something was telling him he needed to keep an eye on her. Why would a former FBI Agent work here of all places? He would soon know all there was to know about her and her boyfriend. The two of them could be no threat at all to him, he just really needed to be sure.

The next few hours went by uneventfully. Mulder was sitting at the desk using the computer, and Scully was curled up on the couch reading a book.

She looked over at him and smiled. He was wearing his glasses, holding a pencil in his teeth, staring intently a the screen. She brought her eyes back to her book and read a few more pages before she heard him curse and throw the pencil down on the desk and he ripped his glasses off his face.

She closed her book and set it on the cushion next to her. She got to her feet and walked over to him. "What's wrong?" she asked as she leaned on the back of his chair. Reaching out she smoothed down the spots where he repeatedly ran his hands through his hair and then she brought her hands down to his shoulders and started to massage them.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "Im frustrated" he said

"Why?" she asked as she continued to massage his shoulders

"I just can't get a feel for this guy." he said with a sigh "Maybe I lost my touch"

"No you didn't" she said removing her hands from his shoulders and coming around to stand in front of him.

"Well, I got nothing" he said reaching out for her hand

She took his hand and let him pull her into his lap. "You just need more time. You'll figure it out." She said reaching out to fix a section of his hair that stood up that she'd missed, and running her hand down the side of his face.

"Yeah, maybe your right." he said grabbing her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Do you want to go get something to eat?"

"Ok, sounds good to me" she said

"Anywhere you want to go?" he asked

"hmmm not really." she said with a shrug "Anywhere is fine with me"

"Want to go to the crepe place in the mall you like?" he asked

"Sure, if that's what you want, it's fine with me." she said

"Ok, want to go now?" he asked

"Yes, just give me five minutes." She said getting out of his lap. She still wore the robe over her t-shirt.

He was already dressed in jeans and watched as she went into the bathroom, he turned back to the computer. It was amazing how quickly he went from being a wanted man to being someone no one would look twice at. It was like nothing had ever happened. All his old bank accounts and other assets were still untouched.

He noticed that the bathroom door was open, He looked in and seeing it empty figured she was in the bedroom.

He saw her standing in front of the mirror, she was wearing dark blue jeans and a bright cobalt blue sweater, that had a deep v-neck in the front, and she had on black boots, with a thick 3 inch heal.

Her hair was down, and he noticed she covered up the bags under her eyes, but other than that wore very minimal makeup.

She was putting the diamond earrings in that he bought her, when she finished with those she reached for the necklace and reached her hands to the back of her neck to fasten it.

He stepped forward to help. She jumped when she saw him appear in the mirror. "Sorry" he rumbled into her ear "So, your not much of a diamond girl huh?"

"Well, that changed when you gave me about 8 carots worth in just under a week, and besides they're new and i like them" she said with a smile.

He pulled her back against him. "It was nothing, besides I had the ring for a lot longer so that dose not count."

She met his eyes in the mirror. "It does count Mulder. You got a free pass on valentine's day, my birthday, and christmas too." she said

"Nope, I don't think so. I told you, I have not been able to spoil you in such a long time that Im going to do it every chance I get. I have a lot of time to make up for." He said looking back at her

She turned in his arms. "Mulder, you don't have to make up for anything." she said leaning forward and wrapping her arms around him.

He held her against him tight. "You all set? Ready to go?" he asked

"Yup, lets go." she replied pulling away. She picked up her cell phone off the bureau and slid it into her pocket, she grabed her wallet and slid it into the other pocket.

"I like the sweater, is that new?" he asked

"Yes it is. Didn't realize it was so low cut in front." She tried to adjust the sweater, but it as soon as she dropped her hand it fell back in place.

"It's fine, you pull it off well, and i'll pull it off later." he said with a grin.

Mulder walked into the other room and grabbed his leather jacket off the back of a chair, and slipped it on.

"I've always loved you in that jacket" Scully said with a smile as she reached down for his hand.

"I know" he said with a smug smile

They were still holding hands when they exited the elevator in the lobby. Mulder let her hand go, and draped his arm around her shoulders.

He spotted Diana and Ritter walking in the lobby doors. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Don't even look in her direction, just ignore her" he said. "Diana's coming up on the left" He lowered his hand to rest on her hip

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"Just trust me" he whispered leaning closer to kiss her cheek. Just as Diana and Ritter were within a few footsteps of them, he his hand up a few inches from where it rested on her hip and wiggled his fingers into the spot below her ribs knowing how ticklish she was.

It had the desired effect and she broke out into giggles as she tried to pull from his grasp.

He held on and steered her steady until they walked out of the doors leading into the mall.

He stopped his assault on her side, and brought his arm back up across her shoulders. "I have a theory, Scully. Diana wants us to pay attention to her. We are not going to unless we have too" he said

"I would rather not pay attention to her at all" She replied.

"Did I not help with that?" He asked letting his arm drift back down and once again digging his fingers into her side.

"Mulder!" she exclaimed. Pulling away, she reached her hand out and pinched his stomach.

"Hey!" he yelped grabbing the area she pinched.

"That's pay back" she said in response "be grateful I didn't aim lower" she said her eyes drifting down to his belt buckle.

He looked at her incredulously. "You wouldn't" he said

"You sound so sure" she replied grinning.

He brought his lips close to her ear "Just remember, if you do something that makes it so I have to go onto the injured list, you'll regret it" he said

"Im sure I can call someone up from the minors, or if all else fails I always have a designated hitter." she replied

He stopped and looked back at her in shock. His lower lip beginning to protrude in a pout.

She stopped and burst out into laughter. She reached up to touch his cheek and said "Awww Mulder, don't pout. You know your the only player on my team" She said

A smile played across his lips. "I do know that, but should you ever be forced or should you feel the need to play alone, that's something I wouldn't mind seeing." He said watching as a slight blush spread across her cheeks.

For a second she was speechless, as she felt the warmth spreading scores her face. He placed his arm back around her shoulders and they began walking again.

She smiled, her comeback finally came to her. "Mulder, if your tired you can just say so, i'll understand" she said

He leaned in close to her ear again "Want me to show you how tired I am?" he asked

Half an hour later they were seated in the busy food court, the remains of their lunch in front of them.

Mulder reached across the table and grabbed her hands. "So, anything you want to do with the rest of today?"

"Not really." she said "Aren't we meeting with everyone later?" she asked

"Maybe, I have not heard anything yet." he replied with a shrug.

"Let's go get some coffee, and I'll tell you more about …." she was interrupted by her phone ringing from her pocket. She let go of one of Mulder's hands and reached into her pocket. She pulled it out and looked at the display Her brother Bill was calling her. She furrowed her brow in thought. She could have sworn her Mother said he was currently overseas.

"It's my brother Bill" she said to Mulder "Hello?" she said bringing the phone to her ear

"Dana, How are you?" Her brothers voice filled her ear

"Im Good Bill how are you?" She replied

Mulder looked on curiously. Wondering to himself if she had already told her family of their engagement. Maybe this call was the reaction. He squeezed Scully's hand and she looked over at him, he pointed towards a kiosk in the center of the food court that sold candy, magazines and lottery tickets.

She nodded understanding what he meant.

He got up from the table and walked towards the end of the line, looking back at her once.

"I, as well as mom received a detailed letter from Walter Skinner explaining your absence" he said

"You did?" she asked surprised

"Yes, you sound a little shocked, were you not aware of this?" he questioned

"No I was not, I did not know he was going to do that." she replied

"That's not the only reason Im calling, but I just thought you would like to know. Listen, I need to see you and Mulder as soon as possible." he said

Even though her brother's tone was not condescending, and he had yet to insult and berate Mulder she had a feeling it was coming. "Listen to me Bill! I love Mulder, He is a very important part of my life and I don't care what you think!" she said through clenched teeth

"Dana….." He started in response

"No, your going to listen to what I have to say. I love him and I will not tolerate you saying mean things abut him. Just so you know He asked me to marry him and I said yes. I don't care what you think, I am a grown woman and I can make my own decisions." she said

"Dana listen to me. I am not calling to say anything mean about Mulder. Congratulations on your engagement, I am very happy for you both." he said

She was not expecting that. "You are?" she asked

"Yes, I am. I came onto some information that changed my perspective on the man. I have seen some things I can't explain and found some information I would like to share with you both. I have been a complete ass to him the entire time I have known him and I am sorry. I was wrong about him, very wrong." he said

She was in shock. Was this her brother saying these things? "Billy, I can't tell you how long I've wanted to hear you say that. It makes me feel so happy. What information?" she asked

"I can't get into that now over the phone." He replied

"We are not staying at the house now, we are actually staying at the Westin and are about to start work on a case." she said

"I know about what your working on." he said

"You do?" she asked. She began to feel nervous. She didn't even know why. It started like butterflies in her stomach. She brought her free hand up to her hair and began twisting strands in her fingers.

Mulder stepped away from the kiosk and stuck the bag of sunflower seeds he had purchased into his pocket. He walked back towards the table Scully was at. He took note of her body language immediately. She was sitting very straight, twisting her hair in her left hand, a nervous tendency she has had as long as he'd known her. Her phone still to her ear in her right hand.

"Yes, I do. Is Muder with you can I speak with him? I promise you I'll be nice" He asked

"Billy, I don't think that's such a good idea. Mulder is well aware of how you feel, uh I mean felt, and this sudden change of heart is a little….ah sudden" she replied

"Come on D, you have my word i'll be nice. Please? I promise you I will be. I just need to say a few things to him." he said

She was uncertain about Bill talking to Mulder at first but she could her the sincerity in her brother's voice. "Ok Billy. He's walking towards me now" she replied

"So, did he give you a big honking ring?" he asked

His question immediately brought a smile to her face. "Oh yes he did!" she replied

Mulder had quickened his pace walking towards her, but slowed when he saw her smile.

"Did you tell mom yet?" Bill asked

"Not yet, So you probably should keep it to yourself for right now" she replied

Mulder sat down smiling at her.

"Hold on" she said into the phone

She smiled back and reached for his hand. "My brother would like to speak to you." she said reaching out and holding her phone out to him.

Ok, so a few changes. Nothing to take away from the story line though. Im sorry for the readers that read the older version. Im thinking of bringing back a few more characters. I am in the midst of an X-files marathon, and I am considering adding the lone gunmen to my cast of characters. I think they could add to where my story is going in the later stages. Head up, this isn't going to be a short story, as most of you already know. Im thinking of a sequel already. I had to make Scully a Red Sox fan, I just couldn't resist. :)