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The Frame

I stand up and stretch my legs. After sitting in one spot for nearly four
hours straight it will be nice to get home and relax. I look over to say
good night to Agent Scully and notice that she is looking at that photo
again. I walk over to her and kneel next to her chair. ÑDana, IÇm sorry.â I
say quietly.

Today marked the fourth anniversary of when Mulder left her and their
newborn son William, who is now four. It took three years for AD Skinner and
I to get the truth out of her. Mulder had left only to protect Agent Scully
and Will. I donÇt see how it helps, but neither one of them have been
threatened by anyone since he left.

The longer heÇs been gone it seems, the more frequently I see that photo. I
gently pull it from her hands and look at it. In all the years that I have
been faced with the glossy back of that photo-only a few rare occasions have
I been able to get a glance at the actual picture itself. It looks like a
banquet or party. Some bureau function. I know this because I can see
recognizable faces in the background. But the two people the photographer
were focusing on were Mulder and Scully. Both smiling happily in nice dressy
clothes. Their bodies very close together-as if one. On the back in neat and
precise script- I immediately notice as ScullyÇs it states, December 24th,
1999.

I gave the photo back to Agent Scully and knew exactly what to do. I say
goodnight to her and tell her to say hello to Will for me and left.

~*~*~

The next morning I walk into the office relieved that Agent Scully hasnÇt
arrived yet. I do what I need to and soon Agent Scully was here. She me and
puts her stuff on her desk. I watch as slowly a smile creeps onto her face.
Knowing what she was smiling about, I shimmed in, ÑThat picture doesnÇt
deserve to be hidden in a drawer somewhere. It should be on your desk where
you can look at it anytime. You shouldnÇt be ashamed of you guysÇ love,
Dana.â

She picked up the frame and held it tight. ÑYou donÇt know just how much
this means to me, John. Thank You.â

On the frame below the photo, a caption read:
Mulder and Scully
December 24th, 1999

After arranging a few things on her desk, the frame and photo contained
found itÇs new home on Agent ScullyÇs desk where it would be for a long time
to come.