Mulder could probably make jokes about animal magnetism, maybe even mesmerism - but the truth is, he has no idea why Scully's so drawn to his particular charisma. Theirs has always been a synchrony without much logic to it beyond opposites attract. Sure, the balance of science and what some people call pseudoscience, normal and paranormal, is there - but they're uniquely suited to each other in disposition as well.

He thought so, anyway. He's back to hoping it might be true.

"It's not." That part is easy: Scully's always entitled to know how he's doing, even when the answer is something like I feel lost without you and I'm angry that we have to be apart. Maybe especially then - some part of him would have liked to have lashed out. He knows better, sure, but those early days were hard. The first November without her felt like dying. Dipping a fry in some ketchup, he goes on, "I don't know how to do this halfway, Scully. If we're not together but we're talking - you're going to have to be the one who hits the brakes."

Not a fair thing to ask of her, but a true one.