Author's notes: Okay, this one was sorta out of the blue, don't know where it came from. When it speaks of love I see it as a plutonic love that goes beyond romance or passion. Simply put, I am a friendshipper. Thus, this work reflects my views, romance folks, you're warned!

Disclaimer: Here gang, let us all say it together! This isn't written for profit of any form, other than the hopeful enjoyment of the reader. Besides, I'm in college, broke doesn't quite describe it fellas. The characters of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions, FOX Television, is that it?

The silence between them had been growing more and more oppressive since they had returned to their shared office. They had both been through hell in the previous months, and it seemed as if neither knew where to go from there.

Without a word he got up and left her sitting alone, staring at her computer. He drifted aimlessly down the hall, not looking where he was walking, just walking. Realization struck finally when the cold winter air slapped his face. The Jefferson Memorial, he needed to go there to think, clear his head.

She looked for a long time at the empty doorway her partner had just left through, possibly expecting him to return shortly. When twenty minutes had left with no sign of the wandering agent, it crossed her mind that she might need to go look for him. She knew where she could probably find him. Grabbing her coat, the only sound in the basement was the repetitive click of her heels on the hallway floor.

Shivering from the cold, having left without even his suit jacket, he continued walking toward his destination. When he arrived, it was crowded with the usual tourist types. Just wanting to hide from humanity for the moment, he altered his path and walked in the direction of a well-known park bench. He collapsed onto the bench, and placed his head into his hands. The bench held so many memories, of a time not so long ago in his life. Sitting there, any of the passer-bys might have taken him for a lost and distressed soul, and they wouldn't have been very far off from the truth. For it was the anniversary of the last time he had sat on that bench with his best friend before she had been taken away, and her lifehad started down a twisted and dangerous path. A path he felt at fault for.

It was nearing the beginning of the lunch rush when she approached the park along the Potomac. During the times they were forced to be apart, this is where they had come to talk, or to just think. She felt this was where he had escaped to now. She just hoped he would allow himself to be found this time. Pushing her hair out from her eyes, she finally spotted the solitary figure huddled on the bench that she had taken to calling their bench.

He didn't move as a figure approached him from behind, and quietly sat beside him. He didn't bother to look up, he knew who it was; if he hadn't known the familiar coat, he would have placed the mannerisms and walk anywhere. She didn't look directly at him as she sat there, instead her gaze found itself focusing out across the water. They sat like that for a little while, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

When he finally moved to sit up straight, she turned her head towards him. She was taken aback at the sight before her. His hazel eyes were brimmed with tears, and his breath shook as if he was having to force his lungs to do the job. To him, it was the moment he had dreaded come to surface, facing her like this. In a gesture of support, she placed her hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes.

"What is it Mulder?" she questioned. He stood, breaking away from her touch. "What could have you so upset? It couldn't be because your birthday is coming up, could it?" She knew it sounded lame, even to herown ears, but it was easier than the other events that crossed her mind when she thought about Octobers past.

"No," he breathed. "There have only been two birthdays in my life that upset me. One, the first after Sam was taken. The other, well, that was only a few years ago. When you . . . When you were taken." His shoulders slumped; he turned away from Scully's gaze, focusing out across the water. "Do you realize what today is the anniversary of, Scully?"

Taken aback by his question, she couldn't recall anything happening on exactly that date. His mention of her abduction shook her; she had been doing her best to not think about what had happened around that time. Although, her partner had obviously done otherwise.

"No, no I don't remember. What is it? What's troubling you so?" she asked of him. The look she saw in his eyes frightened her, he seemed so lost standing there. He was standing right before her, but he could have been a million miles away.

He shuffled his feet, shifting his weight back and forth several times before he finally spoke. "Back after they shut down the X-Files, this is where we met. They wanted to keep us apart, but we didn't let them. That is, not at first anyway." He closed his eyes, not wanting to look into her understanding blue eyes. He couldn't stand to see compassion right now, but he needed to finish what he was saying.

"Today is the exact date of the last time we met at this bench before you were taken." He said the words so softly, that she had to strain to hearthem above the persistent October wind. When he opened his eyes, they were again brimming with unshed tears.

Damn his perfect memory, she thought, it only helps to cause him more pain. "Mulder," she sighed, rising to stand beside him. "It wasn't your fault. Any of it . . ."

He interrupted before she could finish. "Yes, it is, Scully. Don't you understand? You're life would have been so much better had you never met me. Think about all of the horrible things you've endured simply because of your work with me. I don't know what might become of me without you in my life, but you would be so much better off without me in yours."

It was Scully's turn to interrupt Mulder, she wanted to shut him up before he said something even more absurd than what he already had. "Mulder. Fox, my being taken wasn't something you did. Don't you understand that my life would be incomplete without you in it? You are my best friend, and one of the most important people in my life." She searched his eyes with her own, seeking comprehension in the depths she found there.

Instead he shook his head, defiant until the last. "What about Melissa? You lost her because of working with me. And I'm so sorry, sorrier than you could ever imagine for costing you your only sister." As he spoke, he collapsed down onto the bench.

At the mention of her sister, her eyes had glazed over. Believing he was finally seeing the blame he felt he deserved, he propped his elbows on his knees, and rested his head in his hands. Even with his face shielded,Scully could hear the near silent tears that were streaking down his cheeks. Then she heard his next muffled words. "See? It was plain on your face how you feel. If you hadn't been sent to spy on me, then your sister would still be alive." He raised his head as he said, "I'm so sorry." His were eyes pleading, not caring that he was crying in public.

Scully kneeled down in front of him, placing her hand on his knee. "No, Mulder. It wasn't that. Not at all. Thinking about Missy brings back so many memories that sometimes it's a bit overwhelming. I don't blame you, I never did." She used her hand to reach up and wipe the remaining tears from his cheek. Her voice was almost a whisper when she asked, "Okay, partner?"

"I love you, you know." He was gazing at the ground, not meeting her eyes. At his words, she blinked, but understood what he meant. "You're the best friend I've ever had. I think you mean more to me than life itself." Actually, of this fact he had no doubt. He couldn't explain the connection he felt they shared, but he treasured it. It extended far beyond the mere expression of passion, to a different plane almost.

When he met her gaze again, she still had tears in her eyes. However, she had a brilliant smile on her face. "Why, Fox Mulder, I do believe that was a declaration of something I've known for a long time." She stood, and leaning close to his ear, whispered, "I love you too, partner."

"I'm sorry about wigging out on you here, Scully." He said,rising to stand beside her.

"Isn't that what best friends are for, Mulder? To catch you when you fall?" Placing his hand at the small of her back, they began the walk back to work, and whatever might lie ahead.

fin

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