Oct 1997
She's still weak and he's worried about her going out in the chilly night air but she fights him on it, complaining that she can't stand the inside of her apartment any longer.
"It's only the cinema," she assures him over the phone, "I'll be sitting down the whole time. It's not like I'm planning to climb Everest." She may as well be for all he worries.
"I'm bringing a blanket," he tells her.
"You are not," she hisses back, "I'm not an invalid Mulder."
"Three weeks ago you were on your death bed," he reminds her, "I'm not taking chances."
"I'll wear a big sweater OK?" He shakes his head and sighs.
"Fine."
He gets to her apartment and she's dressed in an old Quantico sweatshirt that's seen better days. She was a little chubbier back then and as she's still gaining back the weight eaten away by her cancer the sweater hangs off her and makes her look even tinier than usual. He wants to sweep her into a hug and insist they stay home and watch a movie here but she's already past him and heading for the car before his body can catch up to the idea. They drive in silence but it's not awkward, they just don't feel the need to fill every moment with chatter, they know each other so well now. On arrival they divvy up duties. Scully buys the popcorn: extra large with butter, Mulder buys their tickets. There's nothing much on this week but Scully has a thing for horror movies so Mulder picks out one that looked halfway decent, at least it has that girl from Buffy in it. They take their usual seats and settle down for the film. It's not half an hour in before Mulder realises Scully has fallen asleep against his shoulder. He pulls her down against him and she unconsciously settles into a comfy position. He knew it was too soon for her to be out and about but he just can't say no to her. He brushes his lips onto her hair and relaxes a little for the first time in months.
