Chapter 2: Seeing you
Washington DC
Tad O'Malley leaves Mulder and Scully in the same place where they meet, but Scully is not in the mood, first Mulder shames them in the car, then Sveta seems to have an important connection with him, something that she doesn't like, and then he seems to be jealous of Tad, definitely this first meeting was not what she expected.
But she can't deny that Mulder looks very good, is not as thin as before, he looks healthy and attractive, that reassures her.
He looks at her with those hazel eyes full of hope - So Scully, what do you think? - she wakes up from her thoughts and looks at him thoughtfully - I'm sorry, what? - great, now he will ask if she's ok and will be worried - Are you ok Scully? - There it is.
She sighs and face his gaze, nothing has changed, he is looking at her as always, with those eyes that shout a thousand words to her, those eyes that always express everything he feels - I'm fine, Mulder - he looks at her with concern - I just want to go home, it's been a long day -
He looks at the ground and squeezes his jaw - So, are you going to check Sveta's DNA? -
There's that name again, there's something in that girl that she doesn't like, but he's asking if he can count on her, if she's not going to leave him
- I will Mulder, when I have the results I'll call you - he nods biting her lower lip and she can't help but feel her heart beating faster, they stare at each other for a while until she can't hold his gaze anymore and looks away pretending to look for her SUV - Will you call an Uber or you need a ride? - Damn, she should not have said the last line and she immediately regrets.
He notices her expression and stops a smile - Uber is fine Scully, don't worry - he looks at the SUV and looks at her again - I like your new car, it's awesome, do you reach the pedals? -
She laughs and hit him lightly on the arm as she used to - Shut up Mulder - He laughs too and feels he hasn't stopped seeing her for a single day, their chemistry is still intact.
- Drink a coffee with me, would you? - he smiles waiting for an answer, she sighs and gives him half a smile nodding - There is a cafeteria nearby that you will like, walk with me Scully - she agrees and they walk close to each other, their hands rub against each other in a moment and they get scare, Mulder puts his hands in the pockets of his jacket and although Scully was going to do the same she slows down when she sees that he does it first, he sees that she was going to do the same and looks at the ground nervous, things seem to be more difficult between them now, maybe time and distance has affected them after all.
He begins to cross the street and she follows him letting him go a little ahead and take the opportunity to look at him well, he is definitely in shape, maybe he has been training, he turns to look at her and catch her gazing his butt, she immediately looks away ashamed, he looks back to the front and smiles pleased so she doesn't see him, she blushes and hide her hands in her pockets embarrassed.
- Do you want to sit out here or do you prefer not to be seen? - She looks at him, wetting her lips with her tongue and meditating on his proposal, he looks at her lips and tense the muscles of his jaw, she smiles a little looking at him, Mulder and his jokes.
- It's fine here outside - she says finally surprising him, he nods and goes inside - Hey, do you know what I want? - she asks raising her eyebrows.
- I think I do - he smiles at her and keeps walking, she clasps her tongue and choose a table, after ten minutes he comes outside with two decaf cappuccinos with extra latte and two croissants, she looks at the purchase and raises an eyebrow - The croissants are for me Scully, but if you want one, it's yours - he says with a smirk
She smiles and denies with her head - I'm fine, thanks! - she takes the coffee and looks around.
He looks at her more closely, has shorter hair than the last time now adorned with beautiful waves, is thinner, but more beautiful, that pencil skirt has always been his weakness, she is like a good wine, improves with the age. She turns to look at him and he sighs smiling - You look great Scully, I'm very happy to see you -
She smiles sadly and looks him straight in the eyes - You look good too Mulder, I think getting away was good for both of us - He lowers his eyes and bites a piece of croissant, she recoils awkwardly in her seat and tries to change the subject - And what's new in your life? - He looks at her again and then looks up pensively
She laughs and takes another sip of coffee - Not much, watching Jimmy Kimmel and Oprah - she laughs out loud and he looks at her smiling - Ouch, thanks for your sincerity Scully, but those programs are very educational - she rolls her eyes smiling and puts a strand of hair behind her ear, he stares at her tenderly - I missed you Scully, thanks for doing this with me - she blushes and looks at her coffee
- As you said I had no choice - he nods a little sad - But I'm glad to do this with you Mulder, there's no one else "out there" who can actually invite me to do things like this, I guess the X files will always follow us - he smiles and close his eyes, she swallows feeling maybe she is giving the wrong impression even it's too late for that
- You're right - there's an awkward silence so she decides is time to go, but she stills look at him for a couple of seconds and smile, why deny the truth to herself, she can't be happier right now, have a normal conversation and feel the time didn't past makes her feel alive again
- I gotta go now, I need go back to work - he nods and finish his coffee, then walks with her back to her car - I'll call you to give you the results -
He smiles and hugs her, she feels a bit uncomfortable but supposes that it is normal for a couple of old friends, and corresponds to his hug a bit stiff - I'll be waiting Doc - he moves away and crosses the sidewalk, she gets into the car and doesn't start it until his transport arrives.
She doesn't go to the hospital, her apartment is close so she decides to go home but she can't stop thinking about Mulder, he has been living alone for five years, in that time they have only spoken seven times, in new year's eve and birthdays, his vice of celebrating her birthday in dog's years, she smiles just thinking about it. Leaving Mulder was the most difficult decision of her life but it isn't time to think about it, now she should only discover if Sveta has alien DNA.
Mulder arrives home and goes straight to his studio, opens his laptop and looks for all the possible information about Tad O'Malley, the boy is intelligent and a true believer, maybe he will be able to discover truths next to him that he couldn't discover by himself, but an impulse forces him to open the drawer of his desk and take out a folder of letters and photographs, the correspondence with Scully, the photos of their life together, very soon they will see each other again, maybe this case will rejoin them, he never lost hope and never will.