"I'm Fine (I)" . . . Detective Bocks and Mulder walked out of the jail, with Scully lagging behind. Almost hesitantly, she called out to her partner, "Mulder, can I have a minute with you?"

      Mulder and Bocks both stopped and turned around. Softly, Mulder murmured, "sure" as he gazed attentively at her.

      She sent an apologetic look in Bocks' direction, silently asking for some privacy. Picking up on it, Bocks spoke up, "oh, I'll wait out front," as Mulder looked curiously at Scully. Glancing quickly at Bocks, Mulder spared a moment for him before returning his attention back to his partner, silent and watching the detective leave.

      There was a slight level of discomfort in her stance and when she spoke it was with an unsteady voice, "I think I might better try this case if I could focus on the evidence."

      Mulder took a step closer to her, "what are you suggesting?"

      "That I might take the body back to Washington. I could run it through the lab there. You know those guys, they can pull a--"

      Mulder interrupted suddenly, concern strong in his voice. "Scully, if you're having trouble with this case, I want you to tell me."

      Automatically she responded, "I'm not having trouble, Mulder," but her voice was softly defensive and he continued in the same vein.

      "I can understand," he leaned in close to her. "I mean, it's not exactly easy to stomach."

      She smiled up at him, "I'm fine," she assured him, although something was obviously wrong with her. "Really, I just think we're a long way from catching this guy. If we could get a print, we'd have something to focus on, but right now, we're at a standstill."

      Nodding his head, Mulder was clearly aware that she was using forensics and lack of evidence as an excuse for whatever was truly bothering her. And it bothered and worried him that she wasn't confiding in him, but if she wasn't ready to disclose whatever it was that was disturbing her, he wouldn't push.

      "I think it's a good idea," he offered tenderly, but felt compelled to add, "I just don't want you to think that you have to hide anything from me. I've seen agents with twenty years field experience fall apart on cases like this." He paused and solemnly revealed, "I have."

      Reaching out, he laid a hand on her shoulder as she repeated softly, "I'm fine." She smiled, "I can handle it." Quickly she moved away from his touch and walked out the door. Mulder was silent a moment, just watching her leave, concern written across his face.

     "The Therapy Session (I)" . . . Scully sat in the office of the Employee Assistance Program across from Dr. Karen Kossoff. "You're a very strong person," Dr. Kossoff was saying. "You probably always felt that you could handle any problem by yourself."

      Dana was reflective, and sadness lingered on her face. "But, you feel vulnerable now. Do you know why that is?" Dr. Kossoff wondered.

      Scully shook her head and responded, her voice thick with unshed tears and barely above a whisper, "no."

      "Is it your partner?" the doctor returned.

      Dana looked at her, surprise lighting her features at this question. She began to shake her head as Dr. Kossoff continued, "is there a problem with trust?" This time, a look of almost amusement crossed Dana's face at the suggestion of distrust between she and Mulder. A slight smile graced her lips and she replied with utter confidence.

      "No, I trust him as much as anyone." She paused and then finished, her voice strong with conviction, "I trust him with my life."

      "Can you talk to him about the way you feel?"

      Swiftly shaking her head, a slight look of pain flashed across Scully's face. She was silent for a long moment before responding, "I don't want him to know how much this is bothering me." She paused. "I don't want him to feel that he has to protect me."

     "Always" . . . "Are you staying on there, Scully?" Mulder asked his partner over the phone. She responded with a quick burst of energy and determination in her voice. "No, I'm coming back tonight."

      "Look, I know this is pretty horrific case . . ." he was hesitant and his voice trailed off, wanting to give her an out if she needed one. Obviously she didn't by her quick response.

      "I'm okay with it, Mulder. Anyway, you could use my help."

      Sure and confident, without the slightest hesitation and with the utmost assurance, Mulder offered promptly, "always."

      And across the phone line, Dana Scully smiled.

     "Pretty Woman" . . . A desperate Mulder nodded his head as he listened to the cell phone plastered to his ear, while Detective Bocks sat at his desk relaying car information. Mulder's attention focused completely on the phone as his voice rose sharply, "Nothing?" he demanded into the phone. "No one saw her leave the rental agency? There was no attendant in there?"

     Receiving a negative answer in response, he clicked the phone off in frustration and complained to Bocks, "you know, people videotape police beatings on darkened streets, they manage to spot Elvis in three cities across America every day, but no one saw a pretty woman being forced off the road in a rental car."

     "The Embrace" . . . With concern in his voice, Mulder hovered over his partner, "sure you don't want to sit down, Scully. Have someone look at you?" Obviously fighting back tears and perhaps even hysteria, Scully refused to look up at him, into his eyes.

      "I'm fine, Mulder," she replied with trembling patience, although clearly she was not.

      He continued gazing down at her and then without saying a word, he gently lifted her chin with his fingers so that she had no choice but to look him in the face. She didn't fight his movement, but she did keep her eyes firmly looking down and they shone with unshed tears. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she did lift her gaze and upon seeing the tender concern in his own, her lips began to tremble and her eyes began to water.

      She moved into his arms, seeking the comfort that she had denied herself for so long. Burying her face into his chest, her head tucked under his chin, she began to sob.

      Mulder held her in his arms, a look of slight shock upon his face. That this was Scully, in his arms -- crying and releasing her pain and her fear -- was something he could barely fathom. She was so strong, the strongest person that he knew. And so brave. Still, if this was what she needed, he would be here for her and he would provide whatever comfort she allowed him to.

      He reached up a hand and gently soothed her hair down. His arm moved about her back as she wrapped her arms tightly about his waist. Planting a kiss on the top her head, he quietly whispered, "it's all right."