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. Rating: PG for language, MSR, Angst Spoilers: Up to "Kitsunegari" Summary: Mulder and Scully deal with the aftermath of Linda Bowman and Robert Patrick Modell. The song, of course, belongs to Celine Dion and is from her 1997 CD of the same name. It was written by Bryan Adams, Jean-Jaques Goldman, and Elliott Kennedy. Note: this is a continuation of the series I started with "Raining Sleeping Bags". It and its followups (When it Rains it Pours, and Another Door Opens) can be found on Gossamer... eventually. "Let's Talk About Love" by Christina Shuy cshuy@netcom.com "Then why do I feel like I've lost?" Mulder said. Assistant Director Walter Skinner had no answer for his agent. He simply looked at him as Mulder turned and walked out, shoulders drooping. There was something he'd noticed between Mulder and his partner of late but was not inclined to talk or ask about it as they were doing their own best jobs of keeping the situation silent and discrete. Mulder walked out of the office after realising the AD had nothing else to say. He was already feeling lower than low. He'd put himself and his partner in danger yet again... and didn't even listen to his own advice regarding Modell. He'd put hims elf into danger again, and disregarded the warned he himself had given. He'd almost gotten both of them killed... and he would have been responsible for Scully's death. And not just Scully's. An innocent child's life also hung in the balance." "Mulder? Are you alright?" He looked up to see his partner standing there, concern in her eyes. "I'm fine, Scully." he answered, softly. "Come on, Mulder. We're going now. We have to talk." "Sure. Fine. Whatever." he murmured, still caught up in his own guilt. Dana Scully looked at him, and sighed, as she led him out of the office for the rest of the day. She'd already had it okayed with Skinner. Things had not gone well and she knew he needed to clear things up in his mind and she was determined to help him do it. But not at the office. What was between them was far too personal for that. She did have an idea of what she could do to help cheer him up, though. Mulder and Dana walked into the restaurant and were seated almost instantly. It was a slow night. She'd called ahead on her celphone and ordered already so all that was left was to wait to be served. What was set down in front of her was a plate of fettucine alfredo and eggplant parmasagna with sausage, and Mulder had lasagne. Looking at his pl ate, he sighed, pushing his food around with a fork, only attempting to eat it. Dana Scully was already hungry, so she began to nibble on her food while gathering her thoughts in order to speak to Mulder. His shoulders drooped again. More and more guil t was piling on him. She knew she had to say something before he cracked. "Mulder, we really have to talk about this." "Talk about what, Scully? I nearly lost you today! You and the baby... I mean... I almost shot you for crying out loud! I almost shot you *again*... and this time it wouldn't have been just you... I almost killed our child. Maybe we shouldn't be married... or even involved." He shook from the effort of holding back whatever emotions he was holding back. Scully had a pretty good idea of what those emotions were, most likely. "Fox William Mulder, look at me." When he didn't, she lifted his chin up to align her eyes with his. "Look at me, Fox. I'm alive. So is our child. We survived this, and we will do so again. I know we will." "How can you be sure, Scully?" "Fox, I *know* this. You and I together can take on anything. I do still want to be your wife. And we are supposed to do that within the next few months. I still want you for my partner and my husband. As well as the father of this child. After all we've been through together, do you really want me to walk away now? I won't, even if you say so." "Even after-" "Mulder, yes, even then. I still love you, remember?" The restaurant had a dance floor, and the selection that was quietly playing caught both of their attention. By this time, they'd both finished the food which had been set down on the table. They traded looks, question asked and answered. Silently , they got up and walked over to the dance floor. Mulder took Scully into his arms and they swayed softly to the music. At the same time, the waiters came over and started clearing the table and setting dessert, only neither of them noticed. "Everywhere I go, all the places that I've been Every smile is a new horizon on a land I've never seen There are places around the world - different places different names But there's one true emotion that reminds me we're the same... Let's talk about love." The first verse brought a smile to both of their faces, but the second caused tears to fill Mulder's eyes and fall quietly into Dana's hair as he held her tightly in his arms and continued to dance with him. "I love you, Fox. Never forget that." Dana murmured into his shoulder. "From the laughter of a child to the tears of a grown man There's a thread that runs right through us all and helps us understand As subtle as a breeze - that fans a flicker to a flame From the very first sweet melody to the very last refrain. Let's talk about love Let's talk about us Let's talk about life Let's talk about trust Let's talk about love." "You're the only one I have ever trusted, Dana." "I know. And aside from my mother, you are the only one I trust." "I am so grateful that you are going to be my wife, and have my child." Dana Scully looked into her fiance's eyes and knew the emotions in her eyes were reflected in his right for hers. "It's the king of all who live, and the queen of all good hearts It's the ace you may keep up her sleeve - til the name is all but lost As deep as any sea - with the rage of any storm But as gentle as a falling leave on any autumn morn" They both knew that the emotion they shared between them was just like the song said. It was strong, deep, passionate yet gentle, and ruled lives and hearts with the best of them. "Let's talk about love Let's talk about us Let's talk about life Let's talk about trust Let's talk about love." "You and me, Fox. You and me. I do love you and I want us to be a family. There is nowhere I would rather be than in your arms and in your life." "But, Dana, what about the cancer? Or the Bureau?" "Well, I am in remission, remember? As for the Bureau, we will work something out." "Everywhere I go, all the places that I've been Every smile is a new horizon on a land I've never seen There are places around the world - different places different names But there's one true emotion that reminds me we're the same... Let's talk about love. Let's talk about love - It's all we're needin' Let's talk about us - It's the air we're breathin' Let's talk about life - I wanna know you Let's talk about trust - And I wanna show you Let's talk about love. The song faded quietly away and Mulder was left holding Dana in his arms as she rested her head on his chest as they still swayed to the music. "I think dessert is ready, Mulder..." she murmured. "Probably. Thank you, Dana." "For what, Fox?" "Reminding me of what is important. Speaking of which, weren't we supposed to be planning this wedding thing with your mother?" "Tomorrow, Mulder. Tomorrow. Tonight, let's just go home. I think we've earned a night in each other's arms without interruption." "So... dessert?" Mulder grinned. "Oh... YES!" she smiled, as they walked back to the table. The table was set with a piece of cheesecake and raspberry sorbet each. The cheesecake had no bottom or side crust and the sorbet was in a small crystal bowl that resembled a rose Dessert was eaten quietly, and they seemed to be lost in each other during that time. They finished in silence and made preparations to leave. As they were walking out of the restaurant, Scully turned her head and mouthed a 'thank you!' to the staff. Langly, Byers, and Frohike, each of them dressed in black ties and tuxes, turned to each other and smiled before waving to the departing coup le. Mulder and Dana walked out of the restaurant and the sign over the door read 'Chateau des Lone Gunmen'. Mulder hadn't even noticed. -The End- "The Truth is Out There. Trust No One."- from "The X-Files" Pursuing a BS (Electrical Engineering)-Winter Quarter 1998(Phil380,EE210) "You jump, I jump, right?" Jack Dawson/Rose DeWitt Bukater "Titanic" Looking for work and a place to live... somewhere in the SanFran Bay Area. "The name sounds familiar, but I can't quite place the face." Winnie the Pooh