Scully couldn't believe it. Here she was, with her arms around Mulders neck, his down around her waist. Their bodies were less than an inch apart, and she could feel the heat radiating off him.

She didn't know how it happened. One minute they were standing on the edge of the dance floor at her cousins wedding, with Mulder looking rather vacant, the next, they were moving slowly over the dance floor.

The song playing finished, and she was about to pull away when the next one started. It was Bonjovis' 'I will love you, always'.

As the first verse started, Mulder suddenly pulled her closer, putting his cheek down on her head, which now rested against his chest. Then he started singing along with the song.

'This romeo is bleeding,
but you can't see his blood.
It's nothing but some feelings,
that this old song kicked up.

It's been raining since you left me,
now I'm drowning, in the flood.
See I've always been a fighter,
but without you, I give up'

She was barely breathing as she contemplated the way those words corresponded to their life. She had been increasingly distant lately, with her cancer, after which she had decided to open up more, let people in. But then Emily.... that had crushed her anew.

So she bottled up more, not wanting to talk to anyone about it, not wanting anyone (especially Mulder..) seeing her weakness. Those virtual brick and mortar walls shot straight back up into their old, familiar positions. She had to be strong. But these words.. she had never realised that maybe Mulder actually *wanted* her to talk to him, to bestow upon him that final piece of her trust.

He had always been such a fighter. After his sister was taken, his whole life had been a fight to find her. But, if he was actually singing these words to her (which was ridiculous... wasn't it?) it seemed that he actually needed her. But why would he need her?

'Now I can't sing a love song,
like the way it's meant to be.
Well I guess I'm not that good anymore,
but baby that's just me'

Oh, but he could, he could sing a love song. The effect his voice was having on her was nothing short of phenomenal. It was making her shiver with just barely restrained passion.

And if he thought that he wasn't the best, he was right. He was obstinate, stubborn, over-protective, self-destructive.... considerate, funny, gorgeous, caring (loving...). Damnit. He was all she was looking for.

'And I, will love you,
ohhhh... always.
And I'll be there,
forever and a day,
always.

I'll be there till the stars don't shine
till the heavens burst,
and the words don't rhyme,
even when I die, you'll be on my mind,
and I'll love you always..'

A thousand emotions swirled thorough her... but the strongest were love and hope. Love for the man who held her so tenderly, and hope that he meant these words that he was whispering in her ear.

Then his hand came up to rest on her cheek, and he pulled back so that he could see her face. And she saw his eyes.

And she knew.

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Eeeeep!! Please don't flame me for the soppy sentimentality.
Jessica (G-Woman#1)