XxXxX Epilogue XxXxX A light February snow is falling as I leave the hospital. I take this as a sign that I should stand in the parking lot and watch while the silent flakes glide around in the yellow beam of the street lamp. This snow could have been falling on my grave. Instead, my oncologist has just shaken his head at my latest round of tests and said he wished he was in as good shape as I was. Just hearing the words again in my head makes me stick out my arms and twirl around with a laugh. I hope that Morley-sucking bastard is watching. After another few minutes in the brisk winter air, I climb into my car and contemplate my destination. Mulder had been at the hospital earlier for his check-up, I know. He'd even offered to car pool. But I'd been wound tight as a spring all week, just anticipating this day, and hadn't wanted to bear the stress of his anxiety as well. If it had been bad news, I would have needed some time to figure out how to tell him. Now, in the chilly confines of my dark car, I feel strangely bereft. It was a clean bill of health so amazing I should have wanted to shout the news from the rooftop. But there is only one person I really want to tell. Warming my engine, I decide I'm craving red-curried chicken from The Green Papaya. Which just happens to be three blocks from Mulder's house. "Scully, come in." He gives me such a pleased smile that I am instantly contrite about shutting him out earlier. Maybe next time I will muster enough strength to let him hold my hand in the waiting room. "I brought food," I say to assuage my guilt. "Smells like curry," he answers with an appreciative sniff. "I'll get the plates." "Make it fast or I might eat your share here in the living room. As it was, there was a near miss in the elevator." I bring the bag to the table, and as I'm removing the piping hot containers, he calls back to me. "So how did it go?" Such a casual question. So careless and unconcerned that he has to ask it with two rooms between us. "Fine, Mulder. Completely and absolutely fine." For once, I don't think he minds the word. "That's great!" he blurts, and I hear a dish hit the floor. "Um, really wonderful, Scully." "Mulder, do you need a hand in there?" "No! I'll be right out. Hey, why don't you dig some candles out of the bedroom? We can celebrate in style." In his room, I see there are fresh sheets on the bed and realize Mulder's celebration does not end with dinner. I grin as I retrieve the candles from his bookcase. On my way out, I catch a glimpse of his wall of boxes and stop short. One has been opened. The lid is still off, and the contents have clearly been rifled. Even more intriguing, there is a map of Texas pinned tacked on the wall. Squinting, I can just make out a circle around the name "Chaney." Very interesting indeed. Mulder is waiting with the table set and the wine poured when I return. He lights a match, and the candles cast our table in a warm glow. His eyes darken to match his sweater. The view is so distracting that it takes me a moment to remember the food in front of me. After two bites, I remember something else. "Mulder, how did your appointment go? What did the doctor say?" He shrugs. "There's some lingering damage in my left lung, but that should go away in the next couple of months. I'm healing." "That's really good to hear," I say, squeezing his hand. He kisses my knuckles. "A toast," he says, raising his glass. "To being healthy at the same time." "I'll drink to that." We clink the rims together and swallow. "So Mulder," I say a few minutes later. "What's in Chaney, Texas?" The edges of his mouth curve in a mysterious smile. "In the morning," he replies. "I wouldn't want to waste my slides." As he nudges me under the table with a sock-clad foot, I can feel a familiar tingle starting in my spine that has almost nothing to do with his tickling toes. Mulder has slides. XxXxX Zee End Thanks to my wonderful beta team: Alicia, Jerry, Jintian and Gwen! I owe them and many others for kind words and continued support over the last few months. Like Mulder, I have some "slides" with which to better illustrate. :-) http://www.omniscribe.com/thanks.html I've learned a lot from this story and hope you've enjoyed the ride, too. All types of feedback are welcome at syn_tax6@yahoo.com (the right address this time ) Thanks for reading! Syntax6