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Mulder and Scully stood silently, side-by-side, looking at and listening to their superior. The hallway outside the waiting room of AD Skinner's office was quiet, deserted. Next to their boss stood a stranger in a dark suit.

"What I'm trying to tell you, agents, is that even though the X-Files have been closed again, you CAN stay in the FBI. In other sections."

"WE want to stay. But we want the X-FIles re-opened," Mulder said.

"Agent Mulder, you and I both damn well know that isn't going to happen," Skinner replied.

"Hey, I have an idea! Why don't we just re-name them something else, like the W-Files? No one will know the difference but us," Mulder suggested flatly.

"Mulder." Scully's warning tone cut through the air. "Will Mulder and I be able to work together if we're re-assigned?" she asked.

Skinner opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted.

"No," came the sudden response from the mysterious man. "I'm afraid that's not possible."

"Then forget re-assignment," Mulder said quickly.

"Agent Mulder, you and agent Scully have been given full advantage here. You've both been offered top positions in the psychological and scientific departments of the Bureau. Surely you don't want to miss that opportunity. And you wouldn't want to resign, would you? That would be such a waste of your unique talents."

Mulder and Scully glanced at each other. Mulder stepped away from Scully and the two men before her.

"Then I guess my decision is made."

Scully looked up at him, distraught, her blue eyes pleading for an answer for her as to what to do.

"It's up to you, Scully," he said, voice and eyes soft.

"Head of the Bureau's science unit, Agent Scully. Think of it. Doing what you want. Not babysitting Mulder anymore," the man said.

Mulder glared at him with a harsh bitterness, the same icy cold stare Scully was giving the stranger now. She looked down, thinking. After a few moments, she looked up at her partner, then to the men in front of her. He read the sadness and guilt in her eyes and body language. He started to feel sick. Scully silently stepped forward and extended her hand to AD Skinner. Mulder's heart dropped below sea level. It was official. Scully had left him. He was alone. She's gone, he thought sadly, he head dropping to his chest.

"Its been nice working with you, sir."

The sound of Scully's voice was music to Mulder's ears. His head shot up. Skinner nodded, and she smiled at him, just barely, and turned to Mulder. His jaw dropped partially. She walked to him, looking up at him, resting her hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go home," she said softly, and ran her hand down his chest as she walked past him.

Mulder looked at Skinner. His boss only gave him a simple nod, and Mulder returned the gesture, then turned and walked down the hall. He turned the corner and saw Scully waiting for him. They approached one another without a word. Mulder was the first to reach out and pull her into his arms, closing his eyes.

"Scully...you don't have to do this. Please, don't do this if you don't want to."

"Mulder-"

"I don't understand. You could have gotten away from me. No more dealing with me ditching you, no more bumps and bruises, no more risking your life or reputation for my own stupid quest," he said, pulling back, gripping her shoulders. "You could have been the best damn head of the science department like you deserve. Like you've probably always wanted. Why didn't you take the offer?"

Scully gazed at him.

"Because I don't work well alone," she said. "And I only work with you."

She smiled at him slightly. He smiled back and held her close to him again. He suddenly felt himself being choked up. He was so grateful, but he felt such guilt.

"Scully?"

"Hmm?"

"We're both unemployed now."

"Yup."

"We're going to regret this later, aren't we?"

"We might. I'm not thinking about that right now."

"What are you thinking about right now?"

She pulled back and kissed him.

"That's about all I can think of right now."

"You know, Scully, we're not officially partners anymore."

"Mulder, we'll always be partners. Just....we can be partners in new ways now."

He looked at her, understanding what she was implying, and he couldn't help but be shocked. She smiled at him, taking his hand. Silently, they left the J.Edgar Hoover Building for the last time. Together.