TITLE: The Ring AUTHOR: Erin M. Blair E-MAIL: eblair@sonic.net FEEDBACK: Yes, please. DISTRIBUTION: OK to Gossamer, Ephemeral, MSR Cheerleaders Archive. RATING: PG CATEGORIES: SR -- Story, Romance. KEYWORDS: Mulder/Scully Romance. AU. SPOILERS: Millennium. This story is set before Closure. DISCLAIMER: Mulder and Scully belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions, and the FOX network. The rating of "PG" is trademarked by the MPAA. I'm not making any money off this story. SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully enjoying the moments of bliss. NOTES: I was inspired by a picture of Scully wearing a ring in "Closure." I would like to thank Devin for our marathon chat, friendship, and help with this story. I would also like to thank Jen for her continous support of my writing. This story is for the both of them. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The Ring by Erin M. Blair + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Mulder woke up to find Scully sleeping next to him. He brushed the wisps of her red hair away from her eyes. Tears welled in his eyes. This was the moment that he always wanted to have and his mind was finally at ease with the knowledge that she was finally his. He caressed her jaw line and planted kisses on the nape of her neck. He pressed his lips against hers to feel the warmth of the connection between the two of them. She was coming out of her sleep and she smiled at him. "Good morning, Mulder." "I knew that would wake you up and then some," he said, smiling at her. He got up from the bed to walk to the dresser to grab a black velvet box. His smile was larger than it was before and it was a like a goofy grin. He was enjoying this moment of bliss with Scully. "What's this?" "This is what I was trying to give you, but then..." "I know. We were making love." "Right. I just couldn't stop kissing you." He opened the box to show Scully a diamond ring. "Scully, I know we haven't been together all that long. I know you wanted to take things rather slow, but I was wondering if you would like to marry me." "I'd never thought that you would ask me. We've been partners for years, Mulder," she said. She got up from the bed and went towards him. She gave him an embrace. "Is that a 'yes,' Scully?" "Of course, it's a yes, Mulder!" She stood up on tiptoe to give him a kiss and smiled through her tears of joy. "I will marry you!" Mulder was a bit startled, but he was now smiling and crying at the same time. It wasn't tears of sorrow; it was the happiest moment of his life. This was what he had dreamed his whole life. He placed the ring on her finger. "Scully, you don't know how happy you've made me." "Oh, I think you do. You've made me the happiest woman in the world right now." She paused. "I know there's still so much that we have to discover, but I'm glad that I'll be sharing the journey with you." "You could have walked away from me, but you never have." "I have always been in love with you, Mulder. That's why I never wanted to leave you. I treasure our journey so much over the years and I never knew what surprises were along the way until I became your partner." Mulder and Scully linked their hands together and both looked at the ring, which was firmly on her finger. They gazed into each other's eyes, smiling with the knowledge that they were now going to be partners for life. ~~~~ The End ~~~~