Title

Title: Deciding

Author: Anne Milne

Date: October 25, 2006

Spoilers: S6 up to One Son

Disclaimer: Anyone you recognise doesn't belong to me. They've just come over to play for a while. They'll be back home by the time it gets dark, I promise. Really.

Category: Angst

Rating: PG13

Feedback: Pleeeeeeeeeease!

Archive: Go for it

Thanks: Sara B., for always giving encouragement.

Summary: What or who will he choose?

Other stuff: Can't stand Fowley, but she seems to want to be involved. Go figure.

It was approaching 4pm on a Friday, and Dana Scully was glad that the weekend was approaching. She and her partner, Fox Mulder, had decided to go away for the weekend to relax and recover from the events of the last few months. She looked over at Mulder, and wondered why he was being a whirlwind of action.

"Mulder?" When he looked up at her, she continued, "Are you as excited about the weekend as I am?"

"Hell, yes,' he replied. "Diana wants me to go to Kentucky with her to investigate an X-File that she swiped from under Spender's nose. She says that it has all the hallmarks of an abduction. How cool's that?" he concluded. The whole time he was talking, he hadn't looked at Dana, and how her expression had changed from happy to guarded. He looked up at her, and said, "Well? What do you think?"

"I think that you've forgotten what our plans were." At his puzzled expression, she reminded him. "Nag's Head, North Carolina? A fully-catered cottage by the beach? Two days of relaxing. . .you forgot, didn't you?"

Mulder had the grace to look ashamed as he answered, "No, Scully. I didn't forget." Scully's eyes started to blaze, and Mulder jumped in before she could let loose. "We can go next weekend. This case can't wait."

"We're not allowed within fifty feet of an X-File, Mulder."

"That's why we're doing it on our own time."

Scully refused to be mollified by his explanation. "You really can't see what Diana Fowley is doing, can you?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's trying to come between us. To weaken our partnership. And you're letting her."

"What's the matter, Scully? Jealous?" Mulder couldn't resist taking a jab at her.

"No, Mulder, just concerned for you." He shrugged, and started to pack up his things. "Promise me you'll be careful, please? Come back in one piece," she said with a small smile, to let him know she would be okay with the situation. He nodded, and had opened his mouth when a voice came from behind him.

"Ready, Fox?"

"Sure, Diana. Let's go." Turning to his partner, he said, "See you Monday morning, Scully."

Dana Scully saw the self-satisfied grin on Fowley's face as she waved to Mulder. Please be careful, Mulder, she thought.

He hadn't been gone half an hour when Assistant Director Kersh came up to her desk.

"Agent Scully, where's your partner?"

"I believe he's getting an early start on the weekend, sir. I know that he came in early today so that he could leave early, "Scully replied. Well, she thought, that's almost correct.

"That's too bad. You'll have to run this surveillance on your own, then," he said, handing her a note. It had an address written on it.

"What time do you want me in place, sir?"

"You'll relieve Johnson and Wayne at 10.30pm. Be on time." Kersh walked away, leaving Scully thinking of ways to torture Mulder when he returned.

******

By 11.45, Scully was bored. She had done a crossword, taken all of the tests in Cosmo, and had surfed through the radio stations three times. She was seriously thinking about taking out her weapon and tattooing the inside of the car with her initials when she felt more than saw a movement outside. Too late she realised that she had been set up as she was dragged from the car by the obligatory pair of goons. Crap, she thought, not again! She was blindfolded and pushed into the back seat of a black sedan, which then sped off to a midnight rendezvous.

"Agent Scully, how lovely to see you again," came the Smoking Man's greeting as Scully was pushed through the door. "Please, have a seat. We have a lot to discuss."

"I have nothing to say to you," Scully replied as she looked around the room. She nodded to herself when she spotted the camera in the corner near the ceiling. "Taping our conversation, I suppose?"

"Clever. I've always enjoyed our battles," he said lightly. Then he got down to business. "How do you feel about Agent Mulder, Dana?"

"Why ask me a question that you already know the answer to?"

"Clever, as I said. Because I want to show it to Mulder later on. How do you feel about him?"

Dana shrugged, and answered, "You want the truth?" At the Smoker's nod, she said, "I have a condition."

"You aren't really in a position to make demands, Dana."

"Then I won't answer." The Smoker acquiesced, and she went on, "Mulder gets shown the entire tape, unedited. In return, you, and he, get total honesty. Agreed?"

Spender thought for a few moments, and finally agreed. "Alright, Dana. Mulder will see the whole tape, no editing or additions. Now answer the question."

Dana took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and looked directly into the lens of the camera. She began to speak, quietly and clearly. "How do I feel about Mulder? He is the most intelligent man I have ever known. He's compassionate, driven, and brave. I have seen him at his best and at his worst. I respect him more than anyone else. I trust him with my life. He is the best friend I will ever have." She paused to draw a breath, and finished, "And I love him, and am in love with him." She then looked at Spender, and asked, "Satisfied?"

He nodded. "Thank you for that, Dana. You see, I'm going to give Mulder a choice. I'm going to offer to give him back the X-Files, and the truth about Samantha."

"And the price is going to be me."

"You always were a quick study, Dana. Yes, you are the price. What would you advise him to do?"

"I would advise him to follow his heart, and take the X-Files. Samantha is all that matters to him, and not having the X-Files is slowly killing him."

"So you think he would give you up?"

"I know where I stand in Mulder's life. And, I will not be the reason that Mulder doesn't get the X-Files back. As much as I want to be with him, I couldn't do that to him."

"I wonder if Fox knows what a gem he has in you," Spender mused, more to himself than to Scully. Then to her he said, "Do you have anything else for the tape?"

"Yes." She looked back at the camera and spoke clearly, "Mulder, I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love you. Follow your heart, and do what you feel is best for you." One crystal tear started to track down her cheek as she finished with, "Be safe, Fox Mulder. May God bless you and keep you."

Then to Spender she snapped, "Turn off that damn thing!" The camera shut off at Spender's nod.

"Thank you, Dana."

"Don't thank me yet, Cancerman. Now I have a price to demand."

"Still making demands?"

"Yes. Don't show the tape to Mulder for twenty four hours. That way, I'll have enough of a start to be able to disappear. I know that Fowley is there to seduce Mulder. If I'm not around, she'll have more of a chance."

"Why would you do this for Mulder?"

"Because I want him to be happy. Because I love him." Spender nodded again, and Dana finished with, "Just don't hurt him. You've hurt him too much."

"Very well, Agent Scully. You have twenty four hours. Don't waste them."

"How do I know that you'll do as you say?"

"You don't. But this once, you can have it your way. Goodbye, Agent Scully." Spender motioned to the goons to take Dana Scully back to her car.

******

"Lone Gunmen. Who the hell is this at 3.30 in the morning?" Byers slurred through the phone.

"It's me Byers, turn off the tapes."

Byers snapped into full wakefulness at the urgency in Scully's voice. "What's the matter, Agent Scully? What's Mulder done now?"

"It's what's going to happen to Mulder in about 22 hours' time. I'm pulling up in front now, so open the door."

By the time Byers had the door open, Scully was through and had the door closed in seconds. She had her medical kit with her, and opened it as she spoke.

"Right. This is the plan. You take the chip out, and I'm going to disappear. If I do, Mulder gets the X-Files back, and the Smoker will tell him about Samantha."

"I can't do that. What about the cancer? It'll come back," Byers said in a hurried whisper.

"What none of you know is that I've been doing tests. That injection that Mulder gave me in Antarctica didn't just cure the virus; it got rid of the cancer completely. I think that if you check the chip's radiation level; all it's doing is tracking me."

Byers nodded, and checked the chip's output with a wand. It was essentially reading zero, and he looked at her with wide eyes. Scully handed him a scalpel, and after cleaning the area, he cut the skin and removed the chip. He then butterflied the cut closed, and took the chip. He placed back into deionised water in the original stainless steel storage tube, and placed it in a safe. He looked at Scully, and said, "Just in case." She nodded, and Byers went on. "How can you be sure that the Smoker will keep his end of the bargain?"

"I don't, which is why I had you take out the chip. He's going to offer Mulder the X-Files back, with Fowley as his partner. I'm the price."

Frohike came stumbling out into the lab. When he realised that there was a lady present, he pulled his t-shirt down over his body, and asked, "What brings you by, Scully?"

"Byers can explain later. I've got to go."

"Is this about Mulder doing a try before you buy with Fowley? Is that why you're leaving?"

"No, but I know that Fowley is in Cancerman's pocket. She'll get her wish now."

Frohike started to ask another question, but Scully cut him off. "I'm out of time. This is what I need. New identity, name is Linden Irene Halliday. Date of birth is April 14, 1962, birthplace is Wheeling, West Virginia. Make up the parents' names and let me know later. Clean credit and access cards, plus a passport and social security number.'" Dana continued rattling off details, and both Byers and Frohike were having trouble keeping up. "In the photos, make me blond and my eyes brown. I can't change my height or weight, so that'll have to do. Can I use your bathroom?"

Twenty minutes later, Dr Linden Halliday was leaving the Gunmens' quarters. She promised to call in 12 hours with an approximate location. She had given each of the guys a heartfelt hug, and had made Frohike's year by kissing him on the cheek.

******

Fox Mulder was beginning to see what Scully had been trying to tell him about Diana Fowley. She was sitting too close to him, and making suggestions about activities that didn't involve investigating any case at all. Maybe Scully is right, he thought. Maybe Diana is the jealous one, not Scully.

Mulder was lying on his bed at 6.30 am when there was a knock on the motel room door. He levered himself up from the bed, and was walking over to answer the summons when the door was forced in. The same two goons who had monstered Scully came in, and pushed him back onto the bed. The Smoker followed them in.

"Good morning, Fox. I trust you slept well."

"What do you want with me now?" Mulder queried him.

"I'm here to make your dreams come true, Fox."

"How? By giving me Samantha and the X-Files?"

"That is exactly what I am here to offer you."

Mulder looked at him through narrowed eyes. "What's the catch?"

"Scully is transferred, Diana takes her place, and you leave me alone."

"No. The X-Files are as much a part of Scully as they are me." He thought for a few moments, then said, "Diana's been working for you all along, hasn't she?" At Spender's nod, Mulder added, "Then I don't want her to be a part of anything to do with me."

Spender seemed happy enough with that. He had been looking for a way to ease Diana Fowley out of the way gracefully, as he felt that he owed her something for all her years of service. This was a good opportunity to do so.

"I have something for you to watch, Fox. It's unaltered, and it makes interesting viewing." He motioned to one of the goons, who put the tape into the VCR, and pressed 'Play'.

Mulder watched Dana Scully agree to the terms. He could not believe at first that she thought that he would choose the X-Files over her, but he knew why she would feel that way. Then he watched her as she quietly and clearly told Mulder of her true feelings towards him. Scully loves me? He thought. She's doing this for me. Doesn't she know that I'd give up the X-Files for her? Then the realisation struck him, that no, Scully didn't know that, because he'd never really declared himself. He sat on the bed in his sweat pants, watching the screen and thinking about his life without Dana Scully, and realised that a life without Scully was only half a life. As the thoughts and feelings washed through his mind, he didn't notice that Diana had entered the room until she spoke.

"Fox. Come back to the X-Files as my partner. You'll be the department head again, and Mr Spender will give the department legitimacy. You'll be respected by your peers, and you'll have me to support you."

"You know, Diana, I had never really seen what you're truly like until now. Scully has been right about you all along."

"I'm sure that a place can be found for Dr Scully on the other side of the country," Diana said. "She can go be a doctor, as you have always wanted her to."

Mulder's eyes were opened about Fowley at last, and he didn't like what he was seeing. "No, Diana. I don't want the X-Files back if Scully isn't with me. And regardless of what else happens, I don't want anything to do with you. I'm sure that your smoking friend will have another assignment for you."

Spender merely shrugged, and sat back to watch Diana's reaction to Mulder's rejection. He was not disappointed.

Fowley's facial expression went from smug to hard as she realised what Mulder had said. "You can't mean that, Fox. You know that we see the extreme possibilities, where the Ice Queen sees only the scientific explanation. I'm a far better partner for you on the X-Files, and you know it."

Mulder had started shaking his head while Fowley had been talking. "You don't get it, do you? Your cover is blown, and you can't lead me around by the dick any more. You want to know what I see when I look at you?" Fowley shook her head, and Mulder continued on. "I see a woman who has spent the best years of her life deceiving those around her, including those who once loved her. I see a woman who was once a good FBI agent, who is now just going through the motions in order to keep her masters happy. I see a woman that I never want to lay eyes on again." Then to Spender, Mulder asked, "How soon can former Agent Fowley be reassigned?"

The Smoking Man considered what Mulder had said, and answered, "Her reassignment papers will be on her desk by 8 am Monday morning." Mulder looked satisfied with that, but Fowley was not impressed.

"You can't do this to me!" she shrieked. "I have done everything that has been asked of me, including pretending to love him," she said, pointing at Mulder. Mulder wasn't too surprised at that revelation, and Fowley continued ranting at the Smoker, until Spender finally said,

"That's quite enough, Ms Fowley. Deacon, will you escort Ms Fowley to her next assignment?" One of the goons approached Fowley, and taking her arm, led her out of the room. Once she was gone, Spender turned to Mulder and said, "So, Fox. Now that you're rid of Fowley, what do you plan on doing?"

"My job." He paused for a brief moment to consider what had just happened. Looking at Spender, Mulder commented, "This is what you wanted to have happen all along, isn't it? You wanted a way to get Diana out of the FBI, and away from me. You want Scully and I to work together, but you needed an excuse to get Fowley to play along."

"You always have been a quick study, Fox."

"And you'll find that Jeffrey won't be able to handle the X-Files without Diana. Give them back to me and Scully."

"No, Fox. I won't do that. You can go back to the X-Files with Jeffrey, or you can stay where you are on Domestic Terrorism with Scully. That's the only choice you have."

Without hesitation, Mulder said, "Then I choose Scully."

"Then you'd better hurry if you want to stop her disappearing. I said I'd give her 24 hours head start. She's had five. If you can find her, good luck to you." Mulder started to gather his things together to get dressed when Spender interrupted him. "Fox, Scully is a gem. I wonder if you have ever stopped to think about that?"

"All the time, and not as much as I should."

Spender took a long drag on his cigarette, acknowledged Mulder with a nod, and left the room. Mulder ran into the bathroom. He needed to find his Scully.

******

Dr Linden Halliday had been in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, for a couple of hours. She had parked outside the realtor, and had been directed to an older home for rent that overlooked the ocean. The realtor had been kind enough to give her a list of addresses and telephone numbers to help her feel welcome. Linden had also paid a visit to the local doctor, and enquired about working part-time for him. Dr Major had been welcoming, and had promised to talk with her further after office hours had finished.

Linden was feeling quietly confident that she had escaped Cancerman's clutches. With the chip removed, and the most obvious things about Dana Scully gone, she felt that she had a chance to remake her life. The biggest regret she had was Mulder. Linden knew that she would always love Fox Mulder, but she also was content that she had done all she could to not be the reason that he couldn't get the X-Files back. Be well, Mulder, she thought. Be happy.

She knew that she needed to contact the guys, to let them know that she had found a safe haven. Linden was surprised to hear Mulder's voice in the background at the Gunmen's place.

"Frohike, it's Linden. What's Mulder doing back from Kentucky?"

"Hi Linden, can you just hold on while I change locations?" At her assent, Frohike went into one of the bedrooms and closed the door before he resumed speaking. "Mulder got here about fifteen minutes ago, and he's really hassling Byers to try to find where you are."

"What? What happened in Kentucky?"

"Mulder had a visit from the Smoking Man, too. He offered him the X-Files and Fowley, and Mulder refused."

She was stunned for a few moments, then asked, "Why?"

"You can't be serious, Scully. He told us what had happened, that Fowley was dirty, and that she's being reassigned to who knows where. He chose <you>, Dana, not the X-Files. He said that a life without you was only half a life. How does that make you feel?"

"Overwhelmed. I knew the Mulder had feelings for me, but I have never been sure about how deep those feelings were."

"I have to ask. Can I tell Mulder where you are?'

"Okay." Scully gave Frohike directions, and hung up, after thanking Frohike for everything that he and his friends had done for her.

When Frohike went back into the lab, Mulder was becoming more upset. "You have to tell me where she is. I need to find her!"

"Hey, Mulder?" Frohike asked. When Mulder looked at him, he said, "Have you ever heard of Old Orchard Beach in Maine?"

"No. Why?"

"I think that you might find the scenery quite refreshing. Why don't you check out this address here? Ask for Dr Halliday."

Mulder looked at Frohike, then at the address. As the awareness of what he held in his hands dawned on him, Mulder said a hurried thanks, and was out the door before Frohike could say, "You're welcome."

******

The blond hair was dyed back to a vibrant red, and the brown contact lenses had been placed in a lens case. Dana Scully sat on a small grassy rise that overlooked the ocean. The afternoon had just become evening, and she was enjoying the changing sounds of the sea, when she heard a car coming up the driveway. It stopped, and she heard the door open and close as the driver got out.

"Nice view," Mulder said as he came up beside her and sat down on the grass.

"Mmm, it is, isn't it? I've always loved the ocean, in all of it's' moods."

He reached over and gently turned her face towards him. "I wasn't talking about the ocean, Scully," and he watched her gaze turn shy. She let out a tiny giggle.

"I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again, Mulder."

"Why? Were you so sure that I'd choose the X-Files over you?"

"Not just the X-Files, but Agent Fowley as well."

"You gave me the best piece of advice on the tape that Cancerman showed me." At her expectant look, he continued, "You said for me to follow my heart, and do what I feel is best for me. How could I ever choose anything but you, Dana? You are half of my soul."

"I was willing to walk away from you so that you could have the chance to be back on the X-Files."

"Why would I want to be on the X-Files if I'm not with you?" he asked as he pulled her into his arms. They sat, hugging each other for a few minutes, then he asked, "Dana?"

"Yes, Mulder?"

"How about we start our weekend away here and now?"

"What a great idea," Dana replied. Mulder stood and helped her up, and they turned and walked into the old house. Together, always.