Disclaimer: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, the X-Files, and associated characters are property of David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and Fox Broadcasting Corporation. They are used without permission and no copyright infringement is meant. Any elements not recognized as being taken from the show copyright Christina Shuy. Comments and other things sent to cshuy@netcom.com are much appreciated. Additional disclaimer: The idea to split the Xfiles, and department names, I *believe*, are originally Juliettt's. Either that or something close to it. Also Juliettt's idea originally is the separation of Mulder and Scully before they get married. however, the twist put on it is mine. The song belongs to Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and the other Beatles. I am merely borrowing it. If I've inadvertently taken an idea someone else had before me, I apologise. I did not do so deliberately. Rating: G, MSR, no spoilers Summary: A new start for the X-Files. This story is a direct sequel to "Yesterday". The Beatles Files: "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by Christina Shuy cshuy@netcom.com "I have some good news, and some bad news..." Skinner said, looking at Mulder and Scully. "What's the bad news, sir?" Mulder asked. "The X-Files are going to remain open but you both will be getting new partners." "What's the good news, then?" Mulder's voice was on the edge of panic. "I'm keeping the X-Files open, but splitting them into two separate departments allowing for interdepartmental swapping. Agent Desmond Jones will be assisting Agent Scully in the Paranormal Sciences department, and Special Agent Molly Richards will be assisting Agent Mulder in the Unusual and Unexplained Phenomenon department. As I have said, though, the departments are to be interdependant." "Exactly why are we being split up,sir?" "Well, according to all reports, as well as some very confirming visual evidence, you and Agent Scully have a relationship that goes beyond merely professional." "What visual evidence?" "The engagement ring on your finger, Agent Scully." "Sir, I wasn't aware that my personal business was cause for a separation between myself and Agent Mulder. I have friends who aren't involved with anyone wear a ring on this finger. It is, to use a phrase I heard on television once, used to keep away unwanted suitors." Skinner handed her a folder, which she opened. Mulder, looking over her shoulder, flushed from embarassment. The first of several photos showed the two Agents in a close embrace. While that would not be damaging, the kiss that was clearly evident between them was. "Now you see why you have to be split up." "Sir, who do we report to, in that case?" Scully asked. "Me, Agent Scully. That much has not changed." A spark of recollection crossed Scully's face. "Jones and Richards? Sir, why are you splitting them up? They are a good team too." "For about the same reason you are, except they hid the facts better than you did. Agent Jones married Agent Richards about six months ago, but kept it secret. Both came in this morning with that news, transfer requests for both of them into the X-files Division, and the news that Agent Richards is expecting." Before Skinner could continue, the phone rang. "Skinner..." Mulder and Scully traded looks, smiling. Both were thinking the same thing. "Desmond has a barrow in the market place Molly is the singer in a band Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand. Obladi oblada life goes on bra Lala how the life goes on Obladi Oblada life goes on bra Lala how the life goes on." Mulder remembered how they had met their friends. It was karaoke night at their favourite hangout, and Molly had a good singing voice. Desmond Jones had complemented her on it and she'd blushed. Over the course of the next few months, they'd seen Desmond and Molly together more and more often, then on a case, they'd seen how the two other agents closeness enhanced their partnership even more. "Desmond takes a trolley to the jewelers store Buys a twenty carat golden ring Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door And as he gives it to her she begins to sing. Ob-la-de, Ob-la-da, life goes on, bra Lala How the life goes on Ob la de Ob la da life goes on bra La la how the life goes on." Scully remembered the day she and Mulder had gotten the invitations to Desmond and Molly's wedding. It gave them hope that it was possible for them to be together and still work together. "In a couple of years they have built A home sweet home With a couple of kids running in the yard Of Desmond and Molly Jones. Happy ever after in the market place Desmond lets the children lend a hand Molly stays at home and does her pretty face And in the evening she still sings it with the band. Ob-la-de, Ob-la-da, life goes on, bra La la how the light goes on Ob-la-de, Ob-la-da life goes on, bra La la how the light goes on. Happy ever after in the market place Molly lets the children lend a hand Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face And in the evening she's a singer with the band. And if you want some fun-take Obladi Oblada." "Alright. Send them in." Skinner's setting the phone down on the base startled them into looking back to him. "Sir? Are we dismissed?" Mulder was the first to speak up. "Not yet. You have to meet your new partners." The door opened and in walked a tall, slender, African-American woman, her hair smoothed back, accompanied by a tall, somewhat imposing man with hair far redder than Scully's and intense, dark blue eyes. "Please come in, Agent Jones, Agent Richards. Do have a seat." They pulled up chairs next to where Mulder and Scully sat and sat down, their body language doing all the talking for them. "I just explained to Mulder and Scully what will happen for all four of you. Agent Richardson, Agent Jones, I would like to welcome you to the X-Files Division. You will be reporting to Agents Mulder and Scully, respectively, who then report to me." "Uh... sir, I hate to ask this, but where are we going to get more room in the basement office to fit four agents? Right now, we barely have enough room for two." Skinner smiled. "I forgot to mention that you all will be moved up to the fifth floor and each of you will get your own office space. You will also have an office assistant assigned to you who will help with reports, though not write them." "Thank you, sir." "As I figure you want to get to know one another, you are all dismissed. Oh, and Agents Mulder and Scully?" "Yes, sir?" they both answered together. "Congratulations... both on and off the record." Skinner's facial expression still remained neutral, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. They all walked out of Skinner's office and proceded to shake hands and grin. Mulder and Scully had met Desmond Jones and Molly Richards during a case several years back. Desmond was more of a lab technician who did field work as well, and Molly was the ambitious field agent. Though trust was slow in coming, Richards and Jones had gradually proved themselves to Mulder and Scully while they had been working in tandem on a few cases. When Desmond and Molly had decided to get married, Dana and Mulder had been invited to the wedding. They all stood outside the Assistant Director's office trading silly smiles. "Who is partner'd with whom?" Desmond Jones' accent was Boston with a hint of Britain. "You are going to be my partner, Desmond. Molly's going to work with Mulder as a partner, though we are all going to be working together in the same department." Scully smiled as they headed for the basement. "Hey, Molly, congrats on the baby... Skinner told us. Keeping your wedding a secret wasn't easy... glad we don't have to anymore." Mulder said. "Mulder, why did Skinner congratulate you?" Molly Richards Jones asked. "We're engaged..." "That's wonderful! How long has it been? And why didn't you tell us sooner?" "Well, we were afraid to get in trouble, but since we slipped up, it doesn't matter anymore." Mulder had the good sense to look embarassed. "Come on, then. Let's go to lunch. My treat." Desmond smiled. The End for now. "The Truth is Out There. Trust No One."- from "The X-Files" Pursuing a BS degree(Electrical Engineering) - Electronics is my forte! "In the moment that you think you can't, you'll discover that you can." - Celine Dion - "Power of the Dream" "Let's get Dangerous!" - Darkwing Duck. Looking for work and a place to live... somewhere in the SanFran Bay Area.