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Scully sat on the swing, feet brushing lightly against the rocks. The moon was out tonight, full and bright. The clouds made a golden iridescent glow enveloping the moon in comfort. It was a perfect night.

She loved the tree that held her weight, suspended in the air. The tree was pitch black and it seemed to blend with the dark blue sky. It leaned towards the beckoning sea, lured by the voice of the waves. Its powerful and full of wisdom, growing old and intelligent through each emotion felt.

Mulder walked up behind Scully silently, not wanting to disturb the way the light and shadow danced upon her face. The spell was broken when she turned around, her eyes trying to put a name to the familiar feeling. "Mulder," she said softly as she extended her hand.

He took it gently as if it would break at the slightest touch and planted a kiss on the top of her wrist. Scully closed her eyes briefly. They fluttered open dawning upon Mulder's face. He gave her a warm smile.

"Turn around," he said.

"Why?"

"Just turn around." He put both of his hands on the small of her back.

"Are you coming on to me?" she said with a slight smirk. Typically, that would be Mulder's line.

"Hang on tight and trust me." Slight pause. "Close your eyes and focus on nothing but your thoughts."

Mulder gave her a slight push and sent Scully flying. She didn't mind that the wind was blowing her hair straight across her face. It was clarifying, her mind numbing into equilibrium. Never mind the fact that she was dangling close to the edge of the sea. This was her freedom. The feeling stopped when the swing came to a stand still. Scully opened her eyes and adjusted to the realities of the world.

"Do you ever just stop and..." Mulder paused to find the right words.

"Yes I have." Scully got off of the swing and stood behind him. She wanted to reach out and touch him but thought against it.

Mulder stood transfixed. Not turning around he said, "I haven't. Standing still and taking in my surroundings seemed to... take up too much time. I've spent my life frantically searching for Samantha. I was fine for a long time, but after I discovered the X-Files... I don't know. It just gave me a reason for her disappearance and that's all that mattered." Tears welled up in his sad, sad eyes.

Scully touched his shoulder, filling the space between them. Mulder turned around gazing deep into her blue-green eyes. She put a finger to his lips. "Ssh..."

Now it's time for you to trust me. You gave me my freedom, let me give you yours. Just listen to the silence of the world and imagine that you are the only one left, grand and powerful. She could feel him about to protest, but stopped before he said anything.

They stood like that together for minutes... hours... time in that moment could not be measured. Statues marblized in their glory. For what seemed like eternity Scully opened her eyes. Mulder was still in his own world, brows furrowing and them relaxing. Scully turned away to leave him in peace.

"You know, I read from somewhere that the sea is a luring force to all souls because it's where we came from and that's where we will return." Mulder's words startled her, but only briefly. "It came to me all of a sudden while I was listening to myself. I don't know where it appeared or how I remembered."

"It's said that to get to know one's self you must live in solitude. Your heart is forced to come into play because there's nothing else out there besides your own thoughts." Scully interjected softly. "Is that what you found, Mulder, solitude?"

"No all I found was a place to escape from it all... besides I'm not alone." He turned his face partly towards her. "I have you."

Nothing more was said because they both knew each other's thoughts. They loved each toher and nothing would change that.

The sea was calm that night. The white capped waves were travelling for awhile as if lost, then distinguishing. They extended into the dark horizon now and forever.

Mulder and Scully sat under the soaring tree branches. Her head rested in his lap and he entwined his fingers in her auburn hair. They breathed into each other until their hearts beat in the same rhythm. They embraced hand in hand in silence until the sun rose orange, glowing, and beautiful.

THE END