Title: The Triangle Author: L. M. Shard E-mail address: lsshard@earthlink.net Rating: PG-13 Category: S, R Spoilers: Everything up to Medusa Keywords: Scully/Mulder, Scully/Doggett Disclaimer: No infringement intended. I am simply borrowing these wonderful characters. Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox own them. Feedback: Please! I love it and respond to all! Summary: Scully is caught in a love triangle. Author's Note: I am pretending that Scully was never pregnant. It would complicate my story too much. On a side note, I am a total shipper and pray that CC does have Mulder and Scully get together and profess their undying love for each other, but I do really like the Doggett character. Therefore, just for fun, I am making a little competition between him and Mulder. THE TRIANGLE By: L. M. Shard It had been about six months since Agent Fox Mulder was released from his alien abductors. He had gone through unspeakable pain and torture on a daily basis. Needles, probes, drills, drastic climate changes, endurance tests...you name it, it was done to him. And then one day they just released him, no explanation, like yesterday's trash. As far as Mulder was concerned, he didn't care why they let him go he was just so grateful to be out of that living hell. His single thought, the only constant that kept him sane throughout his ordeal, was Scully. She was his anchor to this earth, his anchor to his soul. He loved her more than he could ever say. And that was just the problem: he didn't say, he hadn't told her that he loved her. He had been back on this earth for six months after having gone through the worst experience of his lifetime and he still hadn't told her that he loved her. Agent Dana Scully was thrilled when Mulder had been returned. Her prayers had finally been answered. She spent weeks nursing him back to health. Her joy of his return was eminent in everything she did. Although it was unlike her in the past, she now smiled at the world, going through life as if she were on some sort of happy drug. But like all drugs, the high started to wear off. With each passing month and not a word of love from Mulder, Scully was starting to think that maybe Mulder didn't love her in the romantic sense afterall. Her heart was heavy with the realization that he may never say those three little words to her. But who was she to talk? She couldn't admit her feelings to him either. With a love so great, the risk was just too enormous. So when Agent John Doggett asked her to dinner, she accepted. She was hesitant at first, felt almost guilty for accepting, but decided she couldn't put her life on hold any longer. Afterall, what harm could one dinner do? Scully hated Doggett at first and resented that he was made her partner in Mulder's absence. She couldn't imagine a partner other than Mulder. But slowly she grew to admire and trust him. His respect for her and his fervor in his search for Mulder, made Scully realize what a good man Doggett was. Although she was loath to admit it, she was excited about her dinner date with Doggett. It had been a long time since a man had asked her out. And since Mulder wasn't showing any signs of being interested in her in the romantic sense, she had nothing to lose. Her heart had been broken long enough in her unrequited love for him. It was time to start mending it. At 5:00 sharp Scully grabbed her coat and purse and headed for the door. "See you tomorrow, Mulder." "Going home so soon, Scully?" Mulder asked with surprise. She usually never left work before 7:00. "Yes. I've got a date," she stated matter-of-factly, wondering if this news would upset him in the least. Mulder was stunned. Not that someone would be interested in her -- she was gorgeous in every way -- but he had always hoped she was saving herself for him. "Yeah, eight years, you idiot. How long is she supposed to wait for you to ask her out?" He scolded himself, angry at his own cowardice. "Have fun," he croaked out, hiding the envy in his voice. "I'm sure I will," she said, and flashed him a big smile. Scully spent an hour trying to decide what to wear, all the while thinking about how unfazed Mulder sounded at her news of her date. She wanted to make Mulder jealous, if that was at all possible. Maybe seeing that someone else was interested would make him take some action toward a romantic relationship with her. Or maybe it would just push him further away. She just couldn't keep her personal life on hold any more. Perhaps that was why she was taking so long in trying to decide what to wear. She finally settled on a tight midnight blue sheath dress that showed some cleavage, but wasn't too revealing. Promptly at 7:00 the doorbell rang and Scully opened it up to find Doggett standing before her. Her first thought upon seeing him was that she found him rather attractive, something she hadn't thought about before. He was a tall, lean man with clear blue eyes and a chiseled jaw. Very handsome indeed. Not as handsome as Mulder, but, of course, in her mind, no one was as handsome as Mulder. "Hi, Agent Scully. You look beautiful," Doggett said admiringly. She really was stunning. He felt so lucky that she had accepted this date. "Thank you," she replied, her face reddening. "Please call me Dana." "Shall we, Dana?" he asked, extending his arm and giving her a big smile. "Yes, let's go." She took his arm and they headed to the restaurant. The evening turned out to be more wonderful than she ever could have imagined. Doggett was charming and funny and he showed great interest in everything she had to say. He opened up to her about his past in the Marines, on the police force, and some of his childhood days. She found it very easy to talk to him and felt completely comfortable, as if she were talking to an old friend. She talked of her past as well, yet made an effort to keep Mulder out of the conversation. They left the restaurant about three hours later, laughing and giddy from the wine. Arriving at Scully's apartment, Doggett walked her to her front door. "I'd invite you in, but being a work day tomorrow, I really have to get some sleep," Scully said as she fumbled for her keys. "I understand," Doggett said, disappointed. He did not want the night to end; he was having so much fun with her. "I had a wonderful time with you, John. It's been a long time since I have laughed so much. It felt really good," she said, looking straight into his blue eyes. "I had a great time too. Maybe we could do it again some time?" "I'd love to." "Great," he said. God, she was so beautiful! Why Mulder hadn't snapped her up was beyond him. "Well, I'd best be going..." he said, really not wanting to move away from her at all. His eyes held hers, searching. "Yeah..." she breathed, not wanting him to go either. Maybe the wine was getting to her. He thought he saw a flicker of permission in her eyes and he slowly lowered his lips to hers. He was surprised when she didn't move away, but rather met him half way. Her lips were sweet and soft and it was all he could do not to intensify the kiss. He didn't want to overstep his bounds. They parted for a moment and again he looked into her eyes. He hoped they mirrored his own. Their lips met again, but this time the slow, chaste kiss turned deeper and more passionate. Their tongues came together in an arousing dance. She tasted like wine and honey and his knees started to buckle from his sudden intense emotions. He couldn't believe he was actually kissing Dana Scully, a woman he thought was off limits to him, a woman he desired since their first encounter. Scully surprised herself by thoroughly enjoying this kiss from a man that was not Mulder. Her passion grew and for a moment she lost herself in it completely. She wrapped her arms tightly around his firm body and pressed him closer, weaving her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. But then she suddenly felt an overwhelming pang of guilt and hastily pushed Doggett away. "I'm sorry," she stuttered, with her hand on his chest. "I've got to go," she said quietly, unlocking the door and shutting it quickly behind her. She leaned against the back of the door, her heart racing wildly, the blood rushing in her ears. All her emotions had hit her at once: intense lust and attraction for a man other than Mulder, which brought about onerous feelings of shame and guilt. She felt like she was betraying Mulder and the love she thought -- hoped - they shared. But in reality she didn't know how Mulder felt about her. She could only guess. But she couldn't live her life on assumptions anymore. Doggett stood there confused, hurt, and a bit embarrassed. Perhaps he had overstepped his bounds afterall. He must have read her wrong. Unless she really did have a thing for Mulder. He had long suspected that the two of them shared something. The way they looked at each other and were so protective of each other. They had to be in love. But he never saw any signs of a romantic love. Slowly, he turned to leave. Just then the door opened and Scully stood in the hallway. "John," she called in a wavering voice. He turned around and walked back to her. She looked distraught. "I'm sorry --," he started. "No, I'm sorry," she interrupted. "I enjoyed this evening with you and I enjoyed your kiss. It's just..." she looked down at her feet as her words trailed off, not sure of how to continue. "Mulder," he said. Scully looked up at him, surprised that he would bring up his name. Yet he hit it on the nail. "Yeah," she admitted in a small voice. "You're in love with him, aren't you?" Doggett asked, fearing the worst. "Yes," she said looking down again. Doggett's heart sank. "And he's in love with you?" Doggett asked. "I'm not sure." She paused, not knowing how much she should tell him. Then she just blurted it out," I don't know if he is interested in me in that way." Doggett was silent for a while and then gently put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. He looked right into her eyes and said, "Well, I'm interested. Let me know if you are." With that he gave her a quick, soft kiss on the lips and left. Scully stood there in shock just watching him walk away. She had just admitted to this wonderful man that she was in love with another man, yet he had the courage to tell her that he was interested in her anyway. If only Mulder had half the courage to speak his heart as Doggett did, they might now be together. "Enough "if onlys" and "what ifs"," she thought to herself. She made the decision right then and there to continue dating Doggett. Mulder had his chance. He had had eight years of chances! The next morning she arrived at work to find Mulder already at his desk. "Good morning," she said, cheerily. "Good morning," he replied, then asked as nonchalantly as he could, " So, how was your date?" "It was great! We really had a fun time together." She wondered if he was jealous. "Anyone I know?" He asked, again trying hard to sound casual. "John Doggett." "Doggett?" he repeated surprised. "Yes, Doggett," she said. "Doggett?" he couldn't help but repeat the name again. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" she asked, starting to get angry. "No, no," he said quickly and then fell quiet. He was in shock. Doggett. She was dating another agent! Apparently she didn't care about protocol afterall. How could she? What did Doggett have that he didn't? Mulder's heart ached. He didn't know what to do. So he threw himself back into his work, saying nothing more. Scully noticed how uncharacteristically quiet Mulder had become. Had she hurt his feelings by going out on a date with Doggett? Maybe he didn't like him. But why would he care whom she dated? It's not like he was interested in dating her himself. Or was he? She wondered. Could he really be jealous? She didn't know what to say either, so she said nothing and kept herself buried in paperwork. After hours of working in silence with only occasional small talk, she made another decision. If Mulder wasn't going to be interested in her romantically, she wasn't going to miss out on possible romance or love elsewhere. She picked up a file and walked to Doggett's office. "Agent Scully," Doggett said, seeing her standing in his office doorway. "Can I help you?" He was thrilled to see her, even if she had only come to discuss business. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked. Her hair was pulled back exposing the delicate features of her face more fully, and her cheeks were flushed. She took a deep breath. "I have a file you might find interesting," she said, walking towards his desk, hand outstretched. "Thank you." He took a quick peek at the file. "This should shed some light on the case I'm working on." He looked up at her and their eyes locked. Moments passed and neither spoke. Then Scully turned and took two steps toward the door before gathering her courage and turned to face him again. She looked him straight in the eye and simply said, "I'm interested." Giving him a killer smile she turned to go, but before she reached the door, Doggett's hand was on her arm. He had a huge smile on his face and looked more handsome than she had ever seen him before. His Caribbean blue eyes gleamed. "Will you go out to a movie with me tonight?" "If you throw in dinner, I might say 'yes' ", she said playfully. "You got it: dinner and a movie," he said with a laugh. "Pick you up at 6:00?" "Sounds good." She smiled, happy with herself that she had made this step. They talked and laughed a bit more until they heard, "Excuse me." They turned around and saw an almost depressed looking Mulder standing in the doorway. "Here's that file you needed, Doggett," he simply said, handing the file to the agent. He turned to leave, but Scully touched his arm and he turned to look at her. "Are you okay, Mulder," she asked in a whisper, referring to the sadness in his eyes. "I'm fine," he replied, using her favored response. Then he walked away in silence. But he wasn't fine. In fact he was in shock. He couldn't believe what he saw developing before his eyes. The woman he loved more than anything in the world was starting to fall for Doggett. He saw how happy she was after her date with him. And, moreover, he had just observed first-hand the chemistry the two had together. They were so comfortable with each other, joking and laughing, yet there was an unmistakable attraction between them. Mulder's heart stopped, and as the realization of what his eyes had seen sunk into his brain, he felt the most unbearable pain thoughout his entire being. If he didn't do anything soon, he was going to lose her. Maybe he had already. He had to get out of there. His mind screamed and he left the building for home. It was already almost 4:00; no one would miss him. Scully definitely thought she saw sadness in Mulder's eyes and she decided she would go to his place after her date. Hopefully he would tell her what was troubling him. He'd been very quiet all day. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he was jealous. Doggett picked Scully up at 6:00 and drove them to the movie house. They choose a romantic comedy called "Return to Me" about a man who falls in love with a woman who has his late wife's heart. The theatre was only half full, so they choose a seat towards the back and made themselves comfortable. Scully noticed that the main male character had a striking resemblance to Mulder. Both men were definitely incredibly attractive. She thought of Mulder and his odd demeanor that day and hoped he was okay. She was worried about him and was anxious to get in contact with him, so she decided that she would call him after the movie ended. They lost themselves in the world of the film, laughing at times and shedding a few tears at others. At one point Doggett put his arm around Scully and drew her close to him. She laid her head on chest and felt a wave of comfort and peace wash over her. This felt so right. Although little pangs of guilt surfaced in her mind from time to time, she admonished herself for feeling them at all, considering she was doing nothing wrong. Mulder just wasn't interested, or else he would have made a move long ago. Having resigned herself to this thinking, she allowed herself to feel more and more in tune to the man sitting beside her. Doggett was in his own personal heaven having Scully nestled on his chest. Her hair smelled like flowers and was softer than silk. He had to make a conscious effort not to steal a kiss from her and lose himself completely. For the first time since his tragic turning point in life, he felt that he could let go and love this beautiful woman. Since then he had not been able to let anyone in his heart. But he could let Dana Scully in; he already had. The movie ended and before the credits stopped rolling Scully excused herself and went to the restroom. There she called Mulder from her cell phone. To her dismay, she got the machine. "Hi, Mulder, it's me. You seemed a little down today, really quiet. I hope you're okay. I'll stop by later tonight. Bye." Why did she feel so bad? She had a nagging little guilty feeling in her brain as if something she had done had made him sad. But what? The only thing she could think of as to why he was down was the only thing she could rule out. Back at his apartment, Mulder sat in the dark on his couch, his face in his hands, listening to Scully's message. How could she not know why he was depressed and in pain? It was a normal reaction when you see the woman you love so intimate and at ease with another man. But, then, of course, that was what she didn't know. He was in love with her. He could kick himself for not telling her before. Why didn't he at least tell her the moment he was released from the alien ship? He was such a coward when it came to feelings. He wiped away his fresh tears and grabbed another beer. Lucky for him, he had stocked up the day before. Scully pushed the confusion all out of her mind and joined Doggett in the lobby. They drove to a cozy, intimate Italian restaurant and ate in the glow of candlelight. The meal was delicious and the two agents enjoyed themselves immensely. Their conversation was open and free. It felt good to be so honest and uncensored. "So, you haven't said much about the movie," Scully said, realizing they had talked about almost everything but that. "Wasn't your style? Too much of a chick flick?" Doggett smiled. "No, actually I liked it. It makes you think about the blessings you have in your own life and how you don't want to take them for granted." "Yes," she agreed. "I don't know what I would have done had I been in Bob's shoes, losing his wife, the love of his life," Scully mused with empathy. "You somehow survive," Doggett replied with a slight quiver in his voice. Scully noticed the quiver and the sudden somber tone. "Are you speaking from experience?" she asked hesitantly. "Let's get out of here and I'll tell you at my place, if that's alright with you?" He said soberly. "Sure. Let's go," she replied. They left the restaurant and drove in silence to his apartment. Scully was not uncomfortable in the silence, but a little concerned about what he was going to tell her. Up until they had started dating, Doggett was a very private man. He had told her almost nothing of his past. On their first date he did open up to her about his childhood and former jobs, but he had never mentioned anything about his personal adult life. Perhaps he too suffered from an unrequited love as Scully did. His apartment was stark, but immaculate. It seemed like everything had its place. Most of the furniture was in either black or white with an occasional plant giving the place a burst of green. The kitchen was clean, not a dish in sight. She wondered if he even had food in the refrigerator or if he just lived on delivery pizza like Mulder. She noticed two framed photos sitting on the fireplace mantel. It is to these two photos that Doggett walked. Scully followed. He took down the one of a beautiful woman with large brown eyes and long burgundy hair. She looked as if she were in her early thirties. He stared at the photo for a long time in silence. Then he spoke in almost a whisper, "This was my wife, Nicole. She died five years ago in a plane crash. And this," he reached for the other photo, "this was my son, Kevin. He was five. He died with his mother in the same crash." Scully was stunned and overwhelmed with empathy and sorrow. She had had no idea that this man had suffered so much. "John," she said, her voice trailing off. "I am so sorry." She put her hand on his shoulder. Doggett replaced the photos on the mantel and turned to face Scully. "I loved them so much. They were my life. I would have done anything to trade places with them." Tears formed in his eyes and Scully gathered him into her arms. She held him for a long time, her heart breaking for him and the pain he had suffered through and also for herself and the loss of her daughter. Her pain after losing Emily had been so great and she had only known the child for a short time. She couldn't imagine the pain Doggett must have gone though losing his wife and son all at once. After a few minutes he released her and wiped away the moisture from his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he said referring to the tears. "Don't be sorry," she said quietly, stroking his cheek with her hand. "It's just, you're the only one besides family that I've ever told. It's still very hard to talk about it." "Don't feel that you have to tell me anything that you aren't ready to. But if you do want to talk about it, I am here for you," Scully said, then added, "I lost my daughter as well. I only knew her for a few days, but I died inside when I lost her." Doggett looked deep into her eyes. They were flooded with tears from the memory. "I know. I read the case file when I was first assigned to the X-Files," he said softly. "She was a beautiful girl, your Emily." They embraced each other again, each in their own world of pain. Then Doggett released her and cupped her face in his hands. "I feel that I can be open and honest with you, that I don't have to hide my past or anything from you. I haven't let anyone in my heart since she died. I haven't wanted to, until now," he said, hesitated, then continued, "I know we have only been dating recently, but since we met about a year ago, I have been very much attracted to you. With each passing day, I care more and more for you. I love your strength, your determination, your independence, your compassion, your inner beauty, everything that is you." She was surprised and touched with his heart's outpouring. She had had an idea that he had feelings for her, but it wasn't until he actually said them that she realized she had feelings for him as well, yet she wasn't ready to say those three little words to him quite yet. Mulder was still in her heart as well. "John..." she started. "Don't say anything, Dana. I know you are not ready to." "Then let me show you," she said and pulled him into a soul- baring kiss. She let her emotions pour into the kiss and it became passionate, untamed, and unguarded. She wanted it to convey all the emotions she had for him that she could not yet verbalize. She wanted his pain to disappear as well as her own. She wanted to wipe the slate of life clean so love could blossom anew without hindrance. He devoured her mouth with hunger and abandon. It was pure, it was true, it was raw. His excitement mounted and he was rock hard against her thigh. He took every ounce of control he could muster and pulled away from her. He knew she was not ready for the next step yet and didn't want the passion to lead her to do anything she would regret in the morning. He wanted her more than anything, but only when she was ready to give herself to him completely and without restraint. "John," she said, breathlessly. She could feel the love and desire in his kiss. "Don't pull away. I want this." "I want this too, believe me! But I know deep down you are not ready yet. Resolve your feelings for Mulder and I will be here waiting for you." His heart was beating wildly. He had just let this gorgeous woman go, and there was a good chance she wouldn't come back to him. "Alright, I'll go," she said reluctantly. "Will I see you tomorrow?" "If you want," he said simply. He had to let her come to him. She smiled. "I do. I'll give you a call in the morning." She gave him a final kiss: slow, sensuous, and yet profound. "I do care for you, John, very much." He grabbed her again, before she turned around, and kissed her deeply for what he hoped would not be the last time. She smiled and left his apartment. Scully drove to Mulder's apartment thinking about the day's tumultuous events. She was definitely falling for Doggett, perhaps falling in love with him, but she loved Mulder too. "Well, this is a no-brainer, girl! John has deep feelings for you and shows his interest and Mulder doesn't. Be with John. He's a good man," she thought to herself. "Loving both will only bring you a lifetime of heartache." When Mulder didn't answer after having knocked on his door several times, Scully let herself in with the spare key he had given her. She found Mulder sitting in the dark on the couch. There were several empty beer bottles on his coffee table. He looked a mess. "Mulder," she called to him, worried. "Mulder, are you okay?" "Okay? Okay!" He screamed, shocking her. "How can I be okay?" "What's wrong? Why did you leave work early today? Why didn't you return my call?" He stood up and looked her straight in the eye. "Do you really have to ask, Scully?" Taken aback, she said, "Yes." "Well then I'll spell it out for you!" He spat, the alcohol getting the better of him. "You were with Doggett! You two went on a date and you loved it!" "Why does that bother you?" She asked confused. "Why? Why! Dammit, Scully, you know why!" He yelled, his anger mounting. "I don't, Mulder. Tell me," she said quietly. He took her roughly by the shoulders and looked into her blue eyes. "Because I love you, Scully! I love you!" With that he pulled her towards him and crushed her mouth to his in a bruising, feral kiss. She fought him, but that just made him more persistent and almost violent. He intensified the kiss even more, and as his anger subsided and was replaced by passion, she responded in kind and opened herself up to him. They drank from each other as two people who had gone without water for days, trying to quench a thirst that had gone on for eight long years. Finally they had had just enough to sustain themselves for a moment to catch their breath. He looked at her again and repeated, "I love you, Scully. I love you so much!" "I love you too, Mulder." Finally she had said those sweet words to him. She had felt them for so long. But somehow her love for him felt different. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "I thought I had lost you to Doggett." For a brief moment she thought of Doggett and all they had shared tonight. But before she could complete her thought, Mulder was kissing her again, this time with such tenderness and love, she melted on the spot. The kiss grew into one of great desire and need and Scully lost herself in the sheer pleasure of it. Mulder's lust was evident as he pressed himself even closer to her, his hands roaming her body. "I want to make love to you," he whispered urgently in her ear. She had wanted to hear his desire for her for so long, but something made her push him back a bit. "Mulder, you're drunk. I better go." She ran her thumb over his swollen lips then removed herself from his arms. He looked at her with pained eyes as she left the apartment. At least he had finally told her about his feelings. But he wasn't so sure she returned them. He threw himself onto the couch and sleep overcame him. Neither Scully, Mulder nor Doggett slept well that night. Each was in his or her own anguish. The following morning Scully made some phone calls. The first was to Skinner to ask for a couple of days off. Then next was to Mulder to make sure he was alright and to tell him that she would be gone for the next couple of days to think things through. He did reiterate his love for her. He wanted her to know that it was not the booze talking. The last call was to Doggett to tell him of her time off so she could think through this emotional mess. She promised him and answer upon her return. Scully spent the next two days at a friend's cabin, away from the city. It was good to be alone. She desperately needed time to sort through her conflicting emotions. The sereneness of the nature around her gave her troubled heart some peace. She had been in love with Mulder close to eight years now. She had long considered him her soul mate and had hoped that one day they would be lovers, even husband and wife. But she had waited so long for him to finally declare his love for her. Maybe too long. She thought of the kisses she shared with him, how needy, lusty, then tender they were. Perhaps it was just a thirst that had to be quenched and now that it was, the romantic love turned to platonic love. She did want Mulder and had he not been drunk, she might have even considered losing herself in him and consummating that lust and love. But the feelings she had when kissing Mulder compared to the ones she had when kissing Doggett were very different. This surprised her greatly, because she never thought that she would be interested in anyone but Mulder. Kissing Mulder was like a conclusion to all she had fantasized about for the last several years, but kissing Doggett was like the beginning of a lasting, romantic love. With Doggett she did not only feel the lust, though that was definitely there, but also the depth of true, unhindered love. Love that would be there for a lifetime. Funny, because that is what she always felt about Mulder, but over the many years of denial, some of that was lost. She cried at this realization, cried for what she and Mulder could have had, cried for never acting on the mutual love they shared. The pain was like a death in her heart, but with every death, there is new life elsewhere. And that new life was John Doggett. She had made her decision and vowed to pursue it with fervor, hoping it would end in lasting happiness. Two days later, Scully returned home. She unpacked, called Mulder, then drove to his place. "Hi, Scully," he said as he opened the door for her. He was so glad to see her, hopeful, yet nervous about what her decision would be. "Hi, Mulder," she replied and fell into his arms in a tight hug. They held each other for several minutes, neither talking, just tuning in to the beating of each other's hearts. She released him and looked deeply into his eyes, not sure of how to start. "I love you, Mulder. I have almost since I met you. I trust you completely, I would give my life for you, and you are my touchstone as you say I am yours. I have wanted your love - your physical and emotional love - for so long. I fantasized about how it would be to kiss you, to make love with you, to hear you say those three little words. I wanted it. But it never happened. We were both too scared to admit our deepest feelings to each other, and now that we have, there is something between us." "Doggett," Mulder whispered, choking back the tears that threatened to overflow. "Yes," she said quietly. "I think that all these years of waiting for our declaration of love, slowly chipped away at that love, and when a new person came into my life and showed me the interest and attraction and love that I had been craving for, it took over my heart." By now tears filled Scully's eyes. She hated to hurt Mulder like this. But she couldn't string him along. He deserved much better. Mulder was devastated. He felt completely empty. "I've lost you, my beautiful Scully. I've lost you," he said in despair. "You haven't lost me," Scully said. "I will still always be there for you, if you want. I still want to work with you on the X-Files, our passion. I will still always be your best friend. And I will still love you with all my heart. So the only thing that has really changed is that our unrequited love for each other will be unrequited forever." A tear tricked down Mulder's cheek. He could hold it back no longer. Scully leaned towards him and tenderly kissed it away. Mulder closed his eyes at the touch then took her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing her palm. He loved this woman so much. He didn't know what he would do now. But he wanted her happiness most of all and if she found it with Doggett, then he was not going to stand in the way. "I want your happiness more than anything, Scully. I hope you find it with Doggett." She embraced him again. Upon parting, Mulder gently brushed his lips to hers in a goodbye kiss. They lingered lips to lips until they both slowly started moving and caressing each other's mouths. It was a bittersweet, lingering kiss, one of utter tenderness and love. A goodbye to things that could have been, but never were. With that, Scully left in silence. She held back her tears as she drove to Doggett's apartment, but as soon as she had parked her car the tears came spilling down her cheeks in a river. It hurt so much. She suddenly wasn't sure if she had made the right decision, but then she thought of Doggett and her heart filled with love. She took a few moments to collect herself and dry her eyes, then walked to Doggett's front door. Doggett opened the door to find Scully before him. He had hoped she would stop by today, though he was anxious as to what she would say. Her eyes looked slightly puffy and red and her cheeks were tear-stained. "You've been crying, Dana. What is it?" He asked with great concern. "Just hold me," she said in a whisper. He took her in his arms immediately. His large body encircled her tiny one, trying to shield her from whatever was causing her pain. They stood there and held each other for the next few minutes, saying nothing. Finally Scully spoke. "I was just at Mulder's," she started, looking directly into his eyes. "I told him that I loved him as my best friend, but that I am in love with you." She loved him! Doggett couldn't believe what he was hearing. His heart burst with sheer joy. She had given up Mulder to be with him! This gorgeous, passionate, strong woman standing before him had chosen him over someone she had loved silently for almost eight years. He smiled and pure bliss radiated from his eyes. She saw his happiness and felt a wave of overwhelming love flood her heart. Then he swept her into a fiery kiss, his mouth devouring hers, sealing their love. It was an intense, all- encompassing kiss of passion, hunger, lust, and love. A lovers' kiss, the kind that blocks out the rest of the world. Breathless, they parted for a moment and Doggett cupped her face in his hands. Looking deeply into her vibrant blue eyes, he spoke his heart, "I love you, Dana." Scully smiled, finally completely happy and at peace, and said, "I love you too." THE END