Lucy Vincent Beach - Chilmark, MA 

The joy and laughter was minute compared to the sound of the ocean slapping against the shore, but it encompassed the group as they relaxed and were enjoying a time of renewal. Gone was the oppressive veil that had smothered them for so long. Today, they were going to forget it all - put it all behind them and seize the day. 

Frohike, Langly, Byers and Grant sat in a semi-circle, a game of poker holding their attention. They cheated constantly and were regularly caught, revealing hidden cards and stacked decks, but it didn't matter. It was all in fun, and among this group - expected. 

Will, Gibson and Lewis tossed a football about, scrambling in the sand to outsmart the imaginary team they faced - hiking, passing and intercepting - scoring amazing touchdowns in the final seconds of every game they played. Their laughter was contagious. 

Skinner and BJ manned the portable gas grill they'd hoisted down to the beach, cooking burgers and hot dogs while talking with Mulder and Scully who readied the plates, napkins and condiments. 

"Come and get it!" Skinner called out, bringing the boys in quickly from their game. 

Through the scuttle for food, chips and drinks and when every beach chair, blanket or cooler supported a body, Skinner banged the tongs against the grill, calling everyone to attention. 

"I'd like to propose a toast," he announced and raised his drink in the air. "To friends." 

"Here, here," the shouts went up, and everyone drank. 

"Can I say something?" Lewis asked to nods of approval. "Cheers to my best friend and major geek, William Mulder, aka... Loser!" he gave Will the finger. 

"You'll regret that!" Will took off after Lewis who was already making tracks towards the water, trying to prevent Will from pouring his cold drink down the back of his shirt. 

"You think they know?" BJ asked, looking from one to another. 

"Know what?" Langly asked. 

Frohike bounced an ice chip off the top of Langly's head. 

"I think William... Will does," Scully corrected herself. 

"It's not the end of the world," Byers spoke up. "So they won't be next door neighbors." 

"He's right," Mulder added. "I mean, look at us," his eyes searched the group. "More than twenty years now, and we're still friends." 

"Speak for yourself, Mulder," Langly joked. 

"It hasn't been that long for all of us, but it's been a real honor to be counted among this group. You people are special... incredible in your will to survive and in your dedication to one another. Maybe that's why you were chosen." 

"As were those we lost," Skinner added in tribute to Doggett, Sam and Jeremiah. 

The consensus was mutual around the circle. 

"One day, it'll be their battle," BJ pointed at Will and Lewis who were still chasing one another. "It's up to you," he directed Mulder and Scully, "to ensure they're given every opportunity to remain friends... to stay close... to nurture the connection that's already strong between them. It's that way for a reason." 

"But no pressure," Gibson said, slapping Mulder's shoulder. 

"No pressure," Scully smiled. 

"Speaking of pressure," Skinner pointed out, "I'd like you all to meet the newest member of the bureau... Grant will be helping me identify the super-soldiers who've infiltrated the bureau for starters and then we'll move on to other positions of leadership and so forth. My office will be monitoring certain cases whose MO lead us to believe super-soldiers may be involved. An investigation will ensue on a case-by-case basis. But it's not going to happen overnight. It'll take years." 

"Nothing like a little job security," Langly nudged Grant. 

"My people will take over once they're identified," BJ added. "We've been working on a procedure to return them to pre-replacement condition. We're not sure yet if it's possible, but it's worth the effort." 

"Where's that leave you, Gibson? You have any more classes on exotic gravity currents lined up?" Mulder teased. 

"No, but I went ahead and signed you up." 

"Good because I really think I missed something in the pay-per-view version." 

"Gibson will be helping us out as well," Skinner advised. "After all, there's nobody better suited to identify super-soldiers. No need for a physical exam when he can tell simply by their thoughts." 

"Working with the big boys now, Gibson. Welcome aboard," Langly high-fived him. 

"The Gunmen are already working on identifying the military installations where the apiaries have been set up. To date, we've ordered the destruction of over thirty. Most have been in remote locations, but we're not taking any chances. Every military installation must be checked and quickly. We can't afford anyone being stung, or we'll have an epidemic on our hands with only a four-day window to address each victim." 

"Good thing we have a living, breathing vaccine among us," Mulder teased Scully. 

"That's my first order of business once I start back up at MVH, which..." she rolled her eyes, "is rapidly approaching. I was hoping for some real time off but if I want to keep my job, I'd better not push it." 

"What will you be doing, Mulder?" Grant asked. 

"Well, I thought I'd try out for the Olympic swim team. I hear there's a new category... protecting the family jewels in shark-infested waters. I recently qualified, so I figured, what the hell." 

The group erupted in laughter. 

"Mulder's going to pursue a book deal with one of the publishers in Boston," Scully announced proudly. "The woman's left him a dozen messages over the past two months." 

"I told you it had nothing to do with my writing, Scully. She couldn't take her eyes off my ass," he teased. 

"What were you doing, Mulder?" Langly asked. "Waving it in front of her face?" 

"He obviously wasn't sitting on it," Skinner joked. 

"Whatever it takes to get that book on the rack," Frohike joined in. 

"Go on. Laugh it up," Mulder warned them. "And I'll make sure you all get cut out of the movie deal." 

More laughter - along with balled up napkins, ice cubes, plastic silverware and a couple of paper plates flew in Mulder's direction. 

"Come on, Scully," he said, holding out his hand for her. "I know when we're not wanted," he feigned hurt feelings. 

"We're?" she questioned but stood to join him anyway. 

Hand in hand, they started away from the group, passing by Will and Lewis who were just heading back to finish up their burgers. 

For some time, they walked in silence, listening to the ocean and sea gulls, enjoying the peace and distant laughter. Both were absorbed in thought, quietly reflecting on what was behind them and what lie ahead. 

"Scully?" 

"Yeah, Mulder?" 

"What would you say if a stud muffin asked you to marry him?" 

Scully thought about it briefly, a smile making its way to her face. 

"Pretty loaded question, Mulder." 

"Hypothetically speaking," he reassured her. 

"Well, in that case... I'd have to ask... whose definition of stud muffin?" 

Mulder considered the implications of answering her question. 

"Scully?" he tilted his head in her direction. 

"Yeah, Mulder?" she smiled again. 

"What would you say if an old fart asked you to marry him... hypothetically speaking" 

"Of course," she acknowledged. "Well, in that case... I'd have to ask how old? I mean, are we talking older than dirt or someone who's just starting to get those annoying AARP mailers?" 

Again there was silence as Mulder bit his lower lip. 

"Scully?" he asked, moving in front of her and walking backwards, unable to contain the boyish grin on his face. 

"Mulder?" she countered with her own grin that was impossible to hide. 

"What would you say if... Chris Pine asked you to marry him?" 

"Chris Pine?" she laughed. 

"Jim Caviezel?" Mulder shrugged. 

"Wow..." she stopped, bringing her hands to her hips. She shook her head. "I guess I'd have to tell them that... I'm holding out for David Duchovny." 

"Agh!" Mulder exclaimed, performing an exaggerated one-eighty before he started walking away. 

"Mulder?" Scully called after him. 

He stopped in his tracks, dropped his head and turned around, giving her that small potatoes expression of defeat. Scully walked up to him and rested her forearms atop his shoulders, gently locking her fingers behind his neck. 

"Is there something on your mind?" 

His expression perked up. 

"You mean like sex?" 

Scully lowered her head, shaking it gently back and forth as a smirk formed on her lips. After a brief pause, she looked up at him and cocked her head to one side. 

"No, Mulder... something other than sex." 

"You take all the fun out of it, Scully," he furrowed his brow intentionally. 

"Let me ask you something," she stated rather than questioned. "What would you do if Chris Pine or Jim Caviezel asked you to marry them?" she teased. 

"Is this a trick question?" 

"No, not at all. It's... hypothetical." 

Mulder shook his head and moved within inches of Scully. Reaching out, he took her hands from behind his neck and held them in his own. His expression grew serious. 

"I don't know how to tell you this, Scully but... they just don't do it for me." 

They stood in silence, their expressions leaving the playful teasing behind. A peace they knew only between them settled into place. It was a peace free from the darkness as their eyes locked on one another. 

"Scully?" 

"Mulder?" she whispered as her heart began to pound more rapidly when his hand moved to her cheek, brushing a strand of her hair aside. 

"You're beautiful," he spoke softly. 

Scully blushed like a school girl hearing the words for the first time. How could she even find the strength to respond when she was circling the edges of Mulder's eyes, unable to stop from falling deeper into them? 

"I fell in love with you that first day in the X-Files office," he continued. She blushed again, a hint of that young FBI agent showed in her features. Mulder immediately picked up on it, and smiled. "That's the smile. That's the smile that took me in... that stole my heart and forced me to learn how to breath all over again," he said, trying to convey the words that were in his heart. He closed his eyes. Lowering his head in shame, his expression saddened. "All those years, Scully." 

"What about them?" she sensed pain behind his statement. 

"I was afraid. Afraid to love anyone after Samantha was taken away." 

"Oh, Mulder," Scully tilted her head, her lips tenderly kissing his hand. 

"I'm not afraid anymore," he rose up. "I'm not afraid because no matter what... you're here," he gently pulled her hand to his heart. "You're right here, and nothing can take you from me," he leaned towards her, his forehead coming to rest against hers. "I feel like I've loved you all my life and yet... it's not enough," he moved and gently kissed her forehead. "When I thought I lost you... I wanted to die. Nothing else mattered... until now," he looked down, touching the gold cross at her neck. "This... William... you... all give me hope and a reason to live." 

Scully's lips trembled as Mulder spoke his heart to hers. Her eyes filled, spilling over their lids and down her cheeks. He brushed the tears aside. 

"I told you once... you're my touchstone," he whispered. "I meant it. You're so much more than I deserve." She tried to respond but found it hard to catch her breath. "Scully?" he said, his fingers tracing her lips. "Do I really have you big time?" 

Neither moved for a moment as they stood gazing at one another before Mulder lifted her into his strong embrace and kissed her long. As they moved into a hug, Scully once again whispered in Mulder's ear. 

"Always, Mulder. Forever," she said, finding peace at last. 

They hugged for a long time, sharing the security of a lifelong love. After a time, Mulder took her hand in his, and they continued to walk along the beach enjoying the relaxing pace. 

"Hey, Scully?" Mulder asked as they moved away. 

"Yeah, Mulder?" 

"Now can we talk about sex?" 

Scully swiveled her hip and lifted her foot, kicking his butt from behind. He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her as they continued on their way. 

*** 

Nearby, a small cluster of white morning glories grew wild along the embankment. As Mulder and Scully passed them by, two small bees alighted on the flowers. A third bee joined them and began to move around the flowers in a frenzy, dancing an all too familiar dance that spoke about blood.