Fox Mulder pondered the answer to this, wondering if he would ever know. Great, another question in the never-ending questions that once ruled his life.

The X-Files were not shut down, but made even bigger. Now that the Truth had been uncovered, the FBI started to pay more attention to unexplained cases. So, they put him and Scully in a nice office on the second floor and increased the agents working on the X-Files from two to eight. It was definitely a start.

And now, as he sit in his darkened apartment, he thought back to the things that happened to him and Scully over the past seven years. Her abduction. Her cancer. The implant in the back of her neck. The virus. Antarctica......The hallway before...Scully's loyalty to him and his search.

Which confused him. Why didn't she leave? Why isn't she leaving?

It was then that the phone rang. Mulder went to pick it up.

"Mulder."

"Hey, Mulder, it's me," Dana Scully said on the other end of the line.

"Hey Scully. How are you holding up?"

"Ok I guess. So would you like to come over to celebrate?"

"Celebrate what?" He thought that she was going to say that the search was over, that the pain had ended, her freedom ensured. But she said the LAST thing that he could think of.

"To celebrate the return of your sister and the end to the pain it caused you! It'll do you good!"

"Scully, you really don't have to do that! It's not your concern, or your problem-"

She cut him off. There he goes again. Pitying himself, yet cunningly covering it up with his unselfishness. "Mulder, I wanted to. Look, it's apparent what kind of suffering that you have been under. And personally, as a friend, I was worried. So now that it's over, I believe a little partying is in order, don't you, Agent Mulder?"

He couldn't argue with that. "Well, alright. This is one of the few times that you ARE right." He could just imagine the expression she had on her face. That was something that intrigued him about her. He could read her like a book, and yet, there were things that remained hidden, things he wanted to know.

Well, he was right, because she just rolled her eyes. "Well, Mulder, I'll let that one slide. Anyway, why don't you come here in about a half hour?"

"Ok. I'll be right there."

"See you then, Mulder."

"Ok." He hung up the phone and started to get ready to go over there. He then grabbed his keys and left his darkened apartment.

As Scully hung up the phone, she laughed to herself, not being able to wait for the expression on Mulder's face when he stepped into her apartment. This was going to be good, she thought.

Her living room had changed a bit so it could handle a bigger amount of people. The furniture was moved over to the walls, which led open space for a makeshift dance floor. The ceiling was covered with colored streamers and a sign over her head read "Congratulations Mulder." She had arranged his surprise party all last week, inviting Skinner and his wife, the Gunmen, Scully's mother, and Samantha, her husband and her stepdaughter. Nine other people who are close to him. Perfect.

And as she stood patiently waiting for him to arrive, she looked to the stepdaughter and husband of Samantha that she had got to know a little. His name was Ralph Angiolini, a short but young-looking dark-haired man with brown eyes and a killer smile. He owned a bakery downtown. His daughter Nicole was from his previous marriage to an Italian girl he met in New York. Nicole seemed to cope with their parents' divorce, even though it was six years ago. She had wavy brown hair, brown eyes like her father and slightly resembled Sophia Loren. They were extremely nice people. Mulder would love them, she thought.

Scully looked out the window for the umpteenth time. Lo and behold, she saw Mulder's car pull up. She smiled, the excitement building within her.

"Ok, everyone! He's coming!! Quick, Frohike, turn off the lights! The rest of you hide!" Scully said conspiratorially, yet loud enough to be heard.

Everyone walked quickly to find a hiding spot and whispered to the others. Once everyone was settled, Scully gave Frohike the cue to turn off the lights.

Darkness covered her living room as the ding of the elevator and Mulder's footsteps were heard down the corridor. All of a sudden, a knock was at the door.

Before answering, Scully looked through the peephole. Sure enough, there was Mulder with a goofy looking smile on his face. She opened the door.

"Hey Scully, how come you-"

But his sentence was cut short due to the collective yell of "SURPRISE!!" uttered by everyone.

Mulder stood in the doorway with a look of unbelievability written on his face. Scully took his hand and led him inside while all the guests in attendence applauded him and started singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Once inside, Mulder took a glance at the changes in Scully's living room. He turned to her, awestruck, with the rest of the party as their audience.

"Scully, how did you...when...why?"

She laughed. "Mulder, I planned this last week, had the Gunmen make your banner and invited all of your closest friends. I did it because I wanted to. You've suffered enough these past years, this is the least you deserve," she said sincerely.

He smiled from ear to ear. The look in his eyes was that of happiness, fulfillment, and...something else...something that she couldn't put a finger on...nor could he.

"Scully....thank you." He then gathered her into his arms for a warm embrace. The rest of the party sighed in one big "aww..." and then started the festivities.

Mulder and Scully still continued to hold each other, oblivious to the rest of the people in the room. They stayed like that for quite a while until Scully pulled away, reluctantly.

"Mulder, I invited someone who I think you would like to see." With that, Samantha and her family came to greet him.

"Sam?" he asked, still not believing what he was seeing.

"Hello. Fox," Sam said to him. Mulder gave his sister a firm embrace. "It's so good to see you..." he uttered.

"I know, Fox. I wish I could have seen you before, but *they* wouldn't let me....they wouldn't even let me contact you! Even when I started a family of my own..." Sam's family then stepped forward.

Mulder noticed Sam's husband-short, dark, but young-looking and quite handsome. Sam then introduced him.

"Fox Mulder, meet my husband, Ralph Angiolini." Mulder did a collective eyebrow raise on that last name, then shook the man's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you," he told Ralph.

"Likewise. Mr. Mulder, I'd-"

"No, call me Mulder. No need for formalities. We ARE brothers-in-law, aren't we?"

Ralph smiled at that remark. "Why yes Mulder. But I do have a question. Why don't you like to be called by your first name?"

"Well, Sam always called me that and I never really liked it, so I don't like it to be spread around!" The two men laughed. Samantha was glad that they had gotten along.

"Anyways, Mulder, I'd like you to meet my daughter-your sister's stepdaughter, I had her with my first wife. Her name is Nicole."

Mulder smiled out of pure joy. A niece!! The girl in question stepped forward. She was a very pretty girl-very Italian like her father. She even looked a little like Sophia Loren. The girl stepped forward and introduced herself.

"So, you're my uncle, eh? I'm Nicole," she said, extending her hand.

Mulder took it. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Nicole. You can call me Uncle Mulder if you like."

"No problem! We're family now, right?"

Mulder nodded. He knew that he would have to get to know his niece and Sam's husband a little better, but now he just wanted to celebrate.

During Mulder's greeting by his sister's family, Scully was busying herself by giving out drinks and talking with the Gunmen and Skinner. She looked over at Mulder, in the middle of talking with Sam, and he met her gaze. She gave him a smile, to which he returned.

Samantha picked up on this gesture made, and commented on it. "Fox, I have to say that I think your partner is great. We talked a little after you found me, and we got to know each other better right before you came. I think that you two should really consider...becoming, well, a couple."

Mulder just snorted at her comment. "Why? We have never shown any desire to take the friendship any farther, so why would she want to start now?"

Sam couldn't believe how dense his brother was at times. "Because the conspiracy is over and you don't have any threats or protocol rules anymore. In a sense, big brother, you're free!"

"But Sam, we STILL work for the Bureau and we STILL have protocol!"

"That doesn't matter," Sam argued. "I can see it in your eyes. You love her. And, just by talking with her, it obvious that the feeling is mutual."

"I doubt it."

"Fox, you never know. Follow your heart. You'll be surprised to see where it leads you." With that word of wisdom, she left to mingle with the others.

Scully then walked over to him. "Hey, Mulder. What was that about?"

He blushed a little, hoping it was undetected by Scully. "Oh, nothing much. Just Samantha giving me a little sisterly advice."

"You love it that she's finally safe, don't you?" Scully asked.

"Yes. Scully, I don't know how to describe it, but it's like a big weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I feel free." He looked at her a bit more seriously before continuing. "I couldn't have done it without you, Scully. Thanks for everything."

The unshed tears started to well up in Scully's eyes. "Anytime, partner." He then took her into his arms and breathed a sigh of relief.

An hour and a half later, the party was still in full swing, and it showed no signs of letting up. Mulder was laughing and talking to everyone there, but the person that he talked to the most was his niece, Nicole. She was a lovely girl that Mulder liked a lot. And after talking with Ralph, he knew that Sam picked a wonderful guy that was very much in love with her.

At that point, the makeshift dance floor was being used to it's fullest. The stereo played music from the radio that everyone was dancing to. Skinner was seen doing the Twist while the Gunmen did their impression of the Village People "without the leather guy," Frohike pointed out. Nicole and her father, being Italian, loved to party and not be ashamed making a fool of themselves. They had influenced Sam to be a little crazy, too.

After the crazy antics, Nicole changed the station to "Love Dedications," a show chock-full of slow, romantic songs. The song this time was one by Elton John. Naturally, Ralph and Sam were the first ones on the dance floor. Followed by Skinner and his wife, Byers and Mrs. Scully, and, before Mulder could, Frohike asked Scully.

"Miss Scully, may I have this dance?" Frohike asked.

She smiled. "Sure, Frohike. My pleasure!"

Mulder, Langly and Nicole were on the side watching the couples dance.

It was then that Nicole asked her uncle.

"So, Uncle Mulder, what's the story with you and your partner?"

Mulder laughed. "You know, your mother asked me the same thing. Are you guys trying to tell me something?"

"Naw, I just wanted to know if you two were...an item."

"No, we're not."

Nicole's shocked expression was of pure disbelief. "What?! And you guys act like that around each other ALL the time?"

"Explain to me what *that* is," Mulder asked, a little vague on the meaning his niece was trying to get across.

"Well, you two can OBVIOUSLY not keep your hands off one another! Or were those embraces 'friendly?'"

"Well, Miss Nosy, I am not at liberty to say!" Mulder replied, not giving Nicole the pleasure of substantiating that with an answer.

"Oh, you silly! Just ask her to dance when the next song comes!"

"Yeah, Mulder," Langly said, suddenly entering the conversation. "Ask her already!"

Mulder started to get annoyed with his matchmaking friends. "Well, I WAS going to until the Troll came and got there first! So, you guys can keep basking in curiosity, because I will ask her next."

"Good." Nicole answered, looking pleased.

The song came to a close and the dancers dispersed, but another slow song started up again. This time it was Hall and Oates' "Sara Smile." Perfect, Mulder thought. he strode over to Scully, who was talking with her mother, and held out his hand.

No words needed to be spoken. She took his hand willingly as he led her to the dance floor.

Mulder held Scully tightly as the lyrics and the easy melody wafted from the speakers:

"Baby hair, with a woman's eyes, I can feel you watching in the night. All alone with me, while we're waiting for the sunlight. When I feel cold, you warm me, and when I feel I can't go on, you come and hold me. It's you and me forever-Sara Smile"

Mulder wrapped both his arms around her waist while hers were laced behind his neck. They melted into one another as the song continued: "If you feel like leaving, you know you can go, but why don't you stay until tomorrow? If you wanna be free, all you got to do is say so. When you feel cold, I'll warm you, and when you feel you can't go on, I'll come and hold you. It's you and me forever-Sara Smile"

Mulder loosened his hold on her a little to look in her eyes. "You know I would, Scully."

"Would what?"

"You know, warm you when you're cold, hold you when you're down-standard best friend stuff."

"I know, Mulder. I would, too."

The song finally began to wind down, but Mulder and Scully were oblivious to it. They stayed like that for the next two songs.

The party finally was wrapped up. Everyone said their goodbyes, with promises of get togethers and phone conversations. Nicole left her uncle with an "I told you so," and the Gunmen said they would save some huevos rancheros for him. Skinner departed with a "don't work too hard," and Mrs. Scully expressed her contentment. Now it was just Mulder and Scully, sitting on the couch, drinking the last of the champagne.

"Scully, that was a great party. Thanks."

"It was nothing, Mulder! It was my gift to you."

"Aw, Scully! You don't need to do that! I owe you everything, and you owe me nothing, remember?"

She smiled at the thought of that fateful night-the hallway, the declaration, the love, the electricity when their lips oh-so-lightly brushed one another....good memories.

"Well, since we're here together, I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow afternoon. I'm taking that vacation I needed to take but couldn't after my cancer's remission. I'll be gone for three weeks."

Mulder widened his eyes. "Paris?? Wow, Scully, you're pulling out the stops, aren't you? Well, you really needed it. It'll be good for you!"

"Yeah, I can't wait!" She added.

"Hey, Scully, let me drive you to the airport. I'm going to have to say goodbye before you go!" Mulder stated.

"Ok, great. Why don't you come here at about ten? My plane dosen't leave till twelve-forty-five."

"Ok great. I'll be here. Well, I better be going now," Mulder announced, even though quite reluctantly.

"Yeah, I guess I'll clean up now," Scully replied, standing up with him.

Before Mulder left, he lifted her chin up to meet his so he could look into her eyes. "Scully, you have been a great friend, and I can't imagine how I would have gotten past these years without you. Thanks for everything you've done."

"Mulder, I wanted to. That's why I never left you. Call it loyalty, but I wnated to stand by you. If I didn't who would?"

"Yeah, that's true. I'm just so grateful that you did." Mulder took her in his arms for the third time that evening. He kissed the top of her head before releasing her and walking out the door.

Suddenly, Dana Scully was wishing for tomorrow.

"Attention passengers. Air France flight 598 service to Paris is now boarding at Gate 24," the flight attendant droned mechanically over the PA system.

Mulder and Scully were standing in front of the gate, standing across from each other, saying their final goodbyes.

"Scully," Mulder said, looking into her eyes, "I hope you have a good time in Paris. Remember, don't let those Frenchmen disrespect you bacause you are American, and a woman, or an American woman, which reminds me of a song-"

She cut him off. "Mulder, thank you for your concern, but I believe that I'll be quite alright. I will miss you, though," she confessed.

"I know, Scully. So will I."

He then took her into his arms and held her. The rest of the people in the airport seemed to fade away, like water cascading over the land. All life, all noises stopped as they stood there, oblivious to the world around them.

He bent down and kissed her forehead, then her cheek. "I've never done three weeks without you, Scully! This will be interesting..."

She laughed. "Just make sure you feed your fish! I'll be back before you know it, Mulder." She gave a squeeze of his hand before she turned toward the gate and walked away.

Mulder stood there, watching her walk away, feeling a void in his soul that only she could fill. But, like the other feelings he had for her, he buried it deep in his heart and left the airport.

A week had gone by, and Mulder had what he seemed was the longest week of his life. He got a postcard from Scully telling him what she saw and did, and she called him twice to ask him about things happening back in DC. But, even though they kept in touch, Mulder missed her more than he thought.

And now he was roaming around the Reflection Pool on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon with no intent other than to sit there and try to get his mind off of Scully. But, the more he thought of her, the more saddened he got because she wasn't there. He knew this was ridiculous, since she was coming home in two weeks, but he just counted on her so much that it was hard to imagine life without her. The void that he felt came back again, and this time, he knew why.

It's because I'm missing the 'one', or the true love of my life. Maybe if I had that I would be fulfilled. But now I guess I should count my blessings. He did know EXACTLY who he wanted as the "love of his life," so to speak. But she was 6,000 miles away in France.

It was then that he saw a couple on the other side of the pond. They looked like they were teenagers. The guy was tall and dark, the girl had brown hair. He then noticed the girl turn around in the guy's embrace and look at him. It was Nicole. She was there with her boyfriend. She waved to him, and then pulled her companion in the direction of Mulder, as she walked up to meet him.

"Hey, Uncle Mulder! How are you?" she asked, as he stood up to give her a hug.

"I'm doing pretty good, Nicole. How are you?"

"Well, I'm just relaxing by the pond with my boyfriend. Here, lemme introduce you." She turned to the guy she was with. "Uncle Mulder, this is David. David, this is my Uncle Mulder, my mother's brother."

The two guys shook hands. "It's nice to meet you, David," Mulder said. "I have to tell you that you got the best gal in DC! You certainly have good taste, young man."

David and Nicole laughed. "Well, she's great, Mr. Mulder," David replied. He then turned to Nicole and said that he was going to get himself an Italian ice, and would she like one?

"Yes, please, David. Thanks, hun!"

He smiled at her pet name for him. "Ok. I'll be right back." He then gave her a kiss on the cheek before searching for the desired refreshment.

This gave Mulder and his niece time to catch up. "So," He said to her, "I like him, Nicole. A classy guy. How did you meet him?"

"We go to school together. He's in a lot of my classes, and he asked me out last week."

Mulder made a face. "Well, that's nice, but make sure he doesn't try anything!"

She laughed. "Uncle Mulder, you sound like my dad!"

"Well, that's my job-to be the honorary father!"

"Yeah, well, you've earned it!" She said. There was a comfortable silence after that for a while until Nicole got the conversation going in a different direction. "So, how's that partner of yours?"

Mulder, a little shocked to hear this, answered her in the most un-suspicious way that he could. "She's having a really good time in Paris. She says it's beautiful and relaxing."

"She called you?"

"Yeah," Mulder replied, blushing a little.

"Wow, I guess she's in love with you too!"

Mulder avoided her gaze and looked out toward the water. "Why is that so interesting to you?"

"Uncle Mulder," she said matter-of-factly, "The fact that she calls you long distance from a foreign country tells me that she misses you, even if she claims to be calling for a legitimate reason! Plus, by your mannerisms today, such as sitting here alone, looking a bit saddened tells me that you miss her just as much. Do you?"

"Well, I won't lie to you but, yes, I do," Mulder answered, looking at his niece, then looking in front of him again, hoping Nicole wouldn't catch on to the emotion in that statement.

Well, she did. And she decided to ask the $64,000 question. "You love her, don't you?" she asked, looking at his profile.

Mulder concentrated on the question that she brought up, closing his eyes in the process. He thought about it for a second: Why should he lie to her and himself? What would that accomplish? He needed to face the truth as much as he could. He was a man who dedicated his life to finding the Truth with a capital "T," but when it came to his life, he couldn't handle it. It was a hypocrisy, he thought to himself.

He needed her. Here he was, only a week without her, and he felt lost. Their connection ran deeper than need, though. They had their own form of communication that was intricate and intimate that even some married couples didn't have. A lot of people he came in contact with had picked up on this, even Nicole and Sam, but for some reason he didn't; or maybe it was just that he didn't WANT to. Denial was a powerful thing-a hole that was hard to dig out of. He wanted out.

Nicole was still waiting patiently for his answer. "Well?" she reiterated. "Do you love her or not?"

"Yes. Nicole, I love her so much, it scares me sometimes."

His niece smiled from ear to ear when she heard him make this confession. "Well, what are you going to do about it, Hotshot?"

"I gotta tell her," he replied.

"Well, there's only two weeks left until she comes back-"

Mulder cut her off. "No. I can't wait that long."

Nicole looked confused and vague. "So what are you going to do? Fly to Paris and confess your love in..." She stopped.

The look on Mulder's face told her enough.

"Well," she stated, "You must really love her then."

"It's not even that, it's just that...I was denying myself happiness. After I found your mother, I thought that my life was fulfilled. But I realized that it wasn't. I was missing something. That thing was Scully. And now, I realize that I can't let another minute go by without letting her know."

Nicole's expression was one of satisfaction. "You're a smart man, Uncle Mulder. A little dense, but smart."

"Thanks, Nicole. Well, I better be going back now. Tell your boyfriend that I said bye," Mulder added as he hugged Nicole goodbye and stood up.

"No problem! Oh, and I hope to be a bridesmaid at the wedding!"

Mulder just gave her a big smile. "You can count on it!" With that he left.

Nicole sat back down on the bench, laughing happily.

"Fox, where are you going?" Samantha asked Mulder over the phone.

"I'm going to Paris for a few days. I have some...business I gotta take care of."

"Does that business include you and a small redhead on the top of the Eiffel Tower, taking advantage of the "city of love?"

"I don't have to tell you anything." He quipped.

But Sam knew better. He saw right through her brother. "I knew you would come to your senses!! I couldn't be more happy for you!"

Mulder smiled into the receiver. "Well, I just did what you told me. I followed my heart. I needed to do that sooner or later. You just kinda pushed me into it!"

"Well, considering that you two are madly in love with one another, that's all that you needed!"

"You know something, Sam? You were right."

"Well, big brother, I'm glad to hear it! You better hurry if you wanna catch your plane! And make sure I'm a bridesmaid at the wedding!"

Mulder laughed. "You and your daughter both! No problem, sis. Wish me luck!"

"I don't need to. She loves you, too. But good luck anyway!"

"Thanks. Bye, Sam. See ya when I-I mean, WE come back!" Mulder hung up the phone, grabbed his bag and car keys and headed out the door.

Dana Scully was roaming the streets of Paris. She was having a good time so far...he went to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower a couple of times, down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de Concorde, and she even took a relaxing boat ride on the Seine River. But as she went down to the many fountain and parks, she kept thinking of what it would be like if Mulder were there. She wanted him to be a part of this so much that it was almost pathetic.

She knew a long time ago that she was in love with him, but she chose to keep it a secret. The problem back then was if she had said anything, not only would their friendship be doomed, but the Bureau would split them up or *they* would get the upper hand. But now, as she looked back on that, she wished that she could have said something sooner. It would have made them both a LOT happier.

Maybe that was what it all boiled down to-happiness. That's why Mulder had been searching for Samantha all these years. he wanted to know that she was safe so that he could be happier and fulfilled. But maybe he was wrong. Maybe what he was looking for was love. Love from his parents, friendly love among his peers, and romantic love with Scully.

And now, as she solemnly roamed down near the bank of the Seine, she wished that Mulder was here to share it with her. It was truly breathtaking. The night sky served as a backdrop for the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in the distance and the lights on the bridge and lighting the pathway. Across the river, there were small townhouses packed together, making the area look a lot like Venice, Italy. The moonlight was also big and bright and glistened on the water. She was in awe of her surroundings.

She sat near the edge of the water and continued to look across the bank. There was an elaborately set table with a white lace tablecloth and two candles on it. Next to the table was a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket. Nobody was there. She decided to get up and check it out. But, as she was getting up, she noticed a solitary red rose that she missed lying next to her. There was an envelope with her name written on it. She took the rose and the envelope from it's place on the ground and sniffed the sweet-smelling fragrance of the flower. She then opened the envelope and read the message. It read: "Come on across. I'm waiting."

It wasn't signed. Who could this be, she wondered? Well, she was determined to find out, so she crossed the bank to the table. On the table read another note: "Close your eyes."

Still a little baffled by the note, she did as it was told. Once she did so, she felt a presence of someone else near her. She continued to keep her eyes closed, though. She then heard a slow, romantic song being played close by: "Cherish is the word I use to describe all the feelings that I have waiting here for you inside. I don't know how many times I wished I could have told you, I don't know how many times I wished that I could hold you, I don't know how many times I wished that I could mold you into someone who would cherish me as much as I cherish you."

While the rest of the song was being played, she felt rose petals touching her face lightly, and soon came to the conclusion that someone was caressing her cheeks and eyelids with a rose. She then felt someone very familiar come closer to her and whispered in her ear: "Open your eyes."

She did as she was told, not actually believing what she was seeing. There, in the middle of Paris 6,000 miles from home, was Fox Mulder. He was wearing a tuxedo, and looking damn sexy in it! His hair was slightly tousled by the gentle breeze, and his soulful hazel eyes gazed lovingly into hers. She was speechless.

She tried to form words, but none came. Mulder just smiled, handed her the rose, and stopped her efforts to speak with a finger to her lips. "Shh.," he said.

Finally, she was able to speak. "Mulder, how did you find me? Why did you come here? I'm a-"

"Shhh, Scully. Don't speak. Just dance with me."

Scully acquiesced to his offer, wrapping her arms around his neck while his were around her waist. They held each other close, listening to the rest of the song: "...There isn't the right word with the right amount of letters to tell you how I feel... I could tell you that I need you, but then you soon would know is that I really want you, just like the other guys would tell you that they love you, when all they wanted was the chance to let them touch your face, hold your hand and gaze into your eyes..."

He spun her and dipped her as the song continued. He held her close, feeling so much love for this woman who he traveled 6,000 miles to be with. As the song wound down, he loosened his grip on her to look into her blue eyes.

"Scully, I came here for a reason," Mulder began. "I wanted to see you. I really started to miss you, and I came here because I need to tell you something that I couldn't wait two weeks to tell you."

"Mulder, I think I know....It's what I always wanted to hear..."

He smiled. "Well, that makes it a whole lot easier. Scully, for the past seven years we have hunted down aliens, monsters, and shadowy informants. But nothing scares me more than what I am about to tell you, partly because I doubted it all this time. But the truth is that...I love you. I have always loved you, ever since that first case in Oregon. I needed to say this as soon as possible, Scully, so I wouldn't be wasting any more time. Plus, this IS the most romantic city in the world."

Tears started to well up in Scully's eyes along with a giggle caused by Mulder's last sentence. "Mulder, you know how long I've waited for you to say that? I've always loved you."

"Well, then, Agent Scully, let's not waste any more time." He then pulled her closer to him, lowering his face down to hers. They slowly brought their lips closer to one another. "I have been a fool all these years, and that stops right now," Mulder stated right before the final distance was closed and their lips met tenderly.

The kiss was gentle, sweet and soulful. Mulder pulled away, all too soon after planting tiny kisses on her lips.

It was then that he looked at her. Her whole face was illuminated by the moonlight and her red hair was shimmering. He was breathless at the sight of her. "Scully, you look more beautiful than you ever did."

She smiled up at him. Grabbing the lapels of his jacket, she said to him: "Well, you are also looking quite dapper and handsome tonight. And incredibly sexy." The fact was, he did. She forgot how good he looked in a tux, and the moonlight along with the glistening river seemed to heighten the experience. She suddenly started to feel lightheaded.

It was then that he kissed her again. But this time, the kiss was passionate, hungry, and a release to all the sexual tension built up over seven years. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer (if that was possible) and she threaded her hands through his dark hair. The desire and the electricity in that kiss was overwhelming. It left the two breathless and hungry for more.

They broke apart, breathing heavily. Mulder was the first to break the silence. "I want to show you something," he said. "Something that will take your breath away."

Scully looked at him, asking the silent question to what it was. He then preceded to take her hand and walked toward the Eiffel Tower. Once there, he continued to lead her inside to the elevators. They rode the elevator to the very top of the tower, and once they were there, he led her to the edge and she looked in front of her. There, in majestic splendor, was Paris. The lights of the city twinkled and sparkled as much as the stars above did. The Seine have the city an intimate feel to it, and the moon shone brightly above them. Mulder came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, looking at the spectacular sight in front of them.

Mulder was right. The view left her speechless. She turned around in his arms and looked at him, gazing into his eyes, finding love and happiness mirrored there.

"Scully, I do have one more thing to ask you," he said tentatively. Presently he got down on one knee presenting a small velvet box in his hand.

"Dana Scully, I love you more than life itself. You ARE my life. I couldn't even imagine life without you in it. My love for you will NEVER die. I am certain that you are the one with whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. If you would let me, I would be honored to be your husband. Will you marry me?"

Scully gasped in surprise. The tears of joy fell silently down her cheeks, and she nodded. "Mulder, you have given me so much. I love you and only you. Yes, I will marry you, because only you could make me happy."

He smiled the most radiant smile that he could muster. He then opened the box and presented her with the ring. It was simple, with a platinum band and a center diamond with little diamonds right next to it. He then slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Oh, Mulder, you have made me so happy!" Scully exclaimed. She practically flew in to his arms and held on to him tight. She then turned her head and kissed him.

"I love you, Mulder."

"And I love you, Scully."

He spun her around in his arms, feeling completely fulfilled. Now his life was whole.

Epilogue

six months later

The organ music flowed within the confines of the church as the bridesmaids mad their way down the aisle. Mulder watched in awe as the girls proudly marched down to the altar. He spotted his sister, Samantha and his niece, Nicole in the procession. Sam gave him a wink and Nicole gave him a smile.

Then the opening bar for the bride's procession started. "It's Showtime," Byers, his Best Man remarked. The other Gunmen were disappointed they lost the coin toss for Best Man, but they couldn't have been happier for the groom and his bride.

Mulder nervously looked to the back of the church, seeing any sign of his would-be-wife waiting for entry.

And then he saw her.

She was wearing a simple white gown that was off the shoulder and had a bodice decorated with lace. The skirts of the gown gathered around her, and her small veil covered her face with a transparent white. her hair was piled on top of her head with white flowers tohold it in place. As she headed toward him, her love for him shone in her eyes like a thousand diamonds. And he was sure as hell that he looked at her the same way, too.

Finally, she reached him, taking hold of his hand to signal the beginning of the service......

"Fox Mulder, do you take Dana Scully to be your lawful wedded wife; to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part for long as you both shall live?"

He looked at her and simply said, "I do."

"And do you, Dana Scully, take Fox Mulder to be your lawful wedded husband; to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part for as long as you both shall live?"

She looked up at him and answered: "I do."

"Then, by the power invested in me by the laws of the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

He pulled back her veil. His eyes were filled with love, as were hers. He gently touched her face with his hand and kissed her gently yet lovingly.

The congregation burst with applause. The Gunmen all murmured to themselves a collective "It's about time," while Skinner and his wife smiled happily at the couple. Nicole and Sam were crying openly, blowing their noses on Kleenex.

That moment, that one single millisecond in time was one moment that should have been paused and kept in a jar, only to be taken out again. The whole world seemed to be created for them. Their quest may have ended, but love goes on. And their love for each other stood by beneath the ailiens and conspiracies they faced. Their love kept them going, kept them strong. No one would ever break it.

This was the best of times.

-FIN

Well, sorry it was a bit long there at the end, but I couldn't help not culminating the whole kit n kaboodle! With a wedding, nonetheless!! Now, I am off to Summer camp for about a month so I'll be away from my computer for a while. Anyhoo, I hoped you enjoyed it!

Don't forget feedback!! email at: Hippydud11@aol.com

Ciao!

Later. Hippydud11:) E-mail me if you want to

"I had enough, so I said 'when'"