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Title: Sarah Summary: A visit. Comments gratefully received at the above address. He gazed at her across the table, and smiled with pleasure. She was quite beautiful. He took in her dark eyes, with their long lashes, the sprinkling of freckles across her nose and her perfectly shaped mouth. Her thick, dark hair curled around her shoulders, and he leaned across to tidy away an unruly strand. When she smiled back at him, her whole face lit up. Sarah was exquisite, with small hands that carried long, slim fingers. She had inherited her striking looks from her father - he could see nothing of her mother in her at all. Taking his napkin, he leaned across the table and tenderly wiped the corners of her mouth. He knew that his life had changed forever the day that Sarah had come into it, five years earlier. There was no doubting the fact that she was the love of his life - he loved her with a passion that even he couldn't really understand, and that love was unconditional. She felt safe when she was with him - he would always protect her and take care of her. He glanced at his watch. It was getting late, and Sarah was looking tired. It had been a long day, a wonderful day, but now they could both use some sleep. He paid the check, and they left the restaurant. Sarah liked this part the most, when she could stay over at his place for the night and have him completely to herself before returning to her own home in the morning. He watched her sleeping - her expression calm and peaceful, her slumber seemingly free of the nightmares that punctuated his own sleep night after night. Again the realization hit him - that of all the things he had done, of all the decisions he had made, Sarah was the only thing in his life that had ever come out right. Sarah lived with her mother on the other side of town. They made the journey in silence - parting was always difficult. He pulled up outside the house, and they sat talking in the car for a while before getting out. He retrieved Sarah's overnight bag from the back seat, and together they walked hand in hand up to the glossy red front door with its shiny brass knocker. Sarah's mother was, as always, impeccably turned out, just like her daughter. Sarah gave her mother a hug and a kiss, then the older woman turned to him and said, "Won't you come in, Fox?" Fox Mulder declined, saying, "I have to get back - I have some things to do." It was a lame excuse, and they both knew it, but there was always an awkwardness between Fox and Sarah's mother. She laid a hand on Sarah's soft hair. "Sweetheart, say goodbye to Daddy." Fox hunkered down and wrapped his arms around Sarah. She hugged him fiercely, her soft cheek pressed against his rough one. He looked up, but Sarah's mother had melted silently away - she knew how much this hurt them all. "I love you, Sarah," said Fox softly. "I love you too, Daddy," she replied, her lower lip trembling. He gave her his best smile. "Same time next week?" Sarah Mulder nodded. He gave her one last kiss on the cheek, then walked swiftly to the car without looking back. He keyed the ignition, then with a final wave, he was gone. The End
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