See chapter one for all that usual stuff.
A/N: I have no excuse for the delay except my recently diagnosed condition of I'mreallylazyitis. It's a real problem. Sorry.
10:17. Her partner was never late getting to the airport or a crime scene. Never. But once all things paranormal were out of the equation, it would be a miracle if he showed up at all. Scully sighed and sat down on the couch, turning the TV on to find out what the weather was going to do. Mulder was likely to have made plans for a day outside without first checking to see if it was going to rain. He never seemed to think things through, at least not to her satisfaction. And to call and assume the she didn't have any plans for the weekend was just selfish. Like she couldn't do anything without him.
She sighed again. She wasn't being fair. They'd been through a lot in the past 7 years. They'd been through a lot in the past 7 months. He always had her back, and most of the time he had her best interests at heart. He deserved the benefit of the doubt.
There was a knock on the door and she ran a hand through her hair before answering.
"Sorry I'm late. I stopped to get coffee and the line was about 50 miles long. You're mad."
"I'm not mad, I'm perturbed."
"I tend to do that to people. Sorry."
"It's okay. Let's go."
She locked the door behind them and followed him out to his car. The radio was tuned to her favorite station, and she sighed, turning it off.
"Okay Mulder, what's going on?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The coffee and the radio and the phone call last night and the chocolate the other day. What's wrong?"
"I'm just... being nice."
"I realize that, but why all the sudden?"
"I went to reform school. Didn't I tell you?"
"Mulder be serious. Is there something going on that I need to know about? Are you trying to butter me up?"
"No, I'm not."
"What's going on?"
He sighed.
"I just feel like we're not connected anymore."
"Why? We've been getting along just fine."
"I know, but we've barely been talking. And I mean real conversations. Sometimes I look at you and I have no idea what you're thinking."
"Mulder, for the last time, the ability to read minds is not neurological milestone."
"You know what I mean."
"Okay, so things have been a little disjointed lately, but that's to be expected. Maybe it's the seven year itch, or maybe we've been through a lot that we never talked about or maybe it's just one of those things. But we're not fighting or hating each other or avoiding each other, so I think we're doing pretty darn well."
"You know I love you, right?"
"Oh gag."
"I'm being serious."
"Yeah, I know you love me. And I love you too. Sometimes it's really hard, but I manage to do it."
He pushed her gently and she smiled.
"So, how many apples do you think we should get?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I don't know. About 2 buckets probably."
"That's a lot for one pie."
"I know, but apples cook down a lot. Besides, I'm not going to have fresh apples and not make apple crisp too."
"So your real motivation is to make me fat."
"Bingo."
They were quiet for a while.
"Scully can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
""If you got married, could you live in a place like the Falls?"
"Arcadia? Probably not."
"Why?"
"Because. Two people don't need a house that big. I like rules, but the ones they had there would infringe on the way I live. I think it would drive me nuts. And I wouldn't even be able to have you come over and visit. You'd cause great destruction."
"We'd still be friends?"
"Of course we would. Why not?"
"Because. If I was married and my wife had a friend like me… I don't think I would look on that too kindly."
"A friend like you?" she clarified, lifting an eyebrow.
"We spend a lot of time together. More time than most married couples."
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that."
"Yeah."
"So we couldn't be friends if one of us got married?"
"Nope."
"Well… I don't have any prospects, but thanks for depressing me."
He chuckled.
"Sorry. But if and when you find someone, you won't miss me anyway."
"What are you talking about? Of course I would."
"You wouldn't know I was gone," he said, hoping his tone of voice would keep the conversation light. Her face told him that his tone wasn't working.
"Mulder, stop talking like that. You're making me sad."
"Well…"
"I don't want to hear it."
"I'm just calling it like I see it."
She scowled in his direction.
"Are you mad?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to talk about this."
"Ok."
"Why are you so sure I would forget you?" she asked suddenly after a long pause.
"Scully, it was theoretical."
"Don't all theories have their basis in reality?"
He was quiet, not certain if he should speak his mind or let her keep questioning him.
"Fine," she grumped, crossing her arms and staring out the window.
"Don't be mad."
"It's okay. I'll forget about it eventually."
"Scully," he chuckled, reaching over to touch her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't think this would bother you so much."
"How would you feel if you were on my side of the conversation?"
"Okay, I get it."
"You always have a place in my life. I try to make that clear to you, but I guess I wasn't doing a good job."
"Scully, come on. I know all of that, I promise."
"Swear?"
"Cross my heart."
"Okay. But we're not allowed to talk about this anymore."
"It's a deal. I'm sorry for upsetting you."
"Why do we always have to have conversations like this in the car where I can't escape?"
"Because you can't escape."
"Just so you know, you're the most difficult person I have ever met in my life."
"Isn't it rewarding to deal with something difficult?"
"Jury's still out on that and it doesn't look good for you, buddy."
He smiled and laced his fingers in with hers and they drove on in silence.
