Hey guys! SO SORRY It took so long! I have been so overwhelmed with School (Junior year, blah!) and other stuff, I haven't had any time to write ): Here you go, I really like this chapter, I hope you guys Enjoy! I know its a tad short but trust me I ended it where I needed too :P
xx Kelsey
As they waited to be seated, Mulder stood behind the detective running his hands through his hair. He felt like a teenager who'd snuck out, and he kept trying to convince himself that he had no reason to feel guilty. Except for the fact he ditched Scully.
Woah, he thought. Did I really just admit to myself that I ditched her? Mulder knew that he should've told her, that if he really only liked Scully on a professional level that he wouldn't of felt the need to lie to her in the first place. But no, he had fallen for her, and, in a way that only Mulder could do, he took a feeling that was supposed to be amazing and had twisted it into guilt.
Scully grabbed her coat and stuffed the folder into her briefcase. Well not exactly stuffed. More like quickly placed it neatly into the slot so that the corners wouldn't bend. Not bothering to turn off the lights of the morgue, she jammed her fingers around in her purse searching for her car keys. Her mind was racing, theories were flying, and for the first time that day, Mulder on a personal level was off her mind. Instead, she was focused on getting to the station and showing the detective and him what she'd found.
A smile crept onto her face as she raced up the stairs towards the exit. She'd cracked open the case, and the detective would see why SHE was Mulder's partner. Her blue eyes gleamed with excitement, and her skin didn't even react when she stepped into the chilly outside Colorado air. She was focused and determined, two qualities she'd perfected growing up with her brothers and her father. Her hands remained steady as she slid the key into the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot.
Scully had always been a good driver under pressure. Whenever she went out with friends, she was automatically the designated driver. Not because she didn't drink (She definitely had some wild nights) but because she was able to drive well even if her mind wasn't exactly 100% focused. So driving on the Colorado Springs highway was no big deal, and she pumped the gas and accelerated, risking getting pulled over in order to get there faster.
Mulder had left his phone in the detective's car unknowingly, so he did not hear Scully's calls as she drove. Mulder's lack of answer did not bother her; it actually encouraged her to get there faster. So when she finally saw the exit sign that indicated where she needed to get off the highway, Scully felt the excitement build inside of her as she maneuvered her car into the turning lane.
Pulling into the precinct, she didn't even bother to park in a normal spot. Nope she put her car right in front, knowing nobody would dare and tell an FBI agent otherwise. Briefcase in one hand and keys in the other, Scully pushed open the doors of the building and averted her eyes towards the detective's office. To her surprise, it was empty and the lights were off. She checked around the precinct, but she did not see any familiar faces.
Maybe it was because her mind was so focused, or because it'd happened so many times before, but Scully did not feel threatened or mad. Instead, she concluded that they'd found nothing and that the detective had gone home. Mulder would be at their hotel, probably showering or charging his phone, waiting for her to meet him.
"Agent, can I help you with something?"
Scully glanced to the receptionist, who's eyes were focused on her small figure.
"Uhm, I was just looking for my partner, but he's obviously left."
The receptionist nodded in agreement. "He went to grab a bite at the Mount Riley Restaurant.."
Scully cut her off with a nod and a thank you. Once again, Mulder going to a restaurant was not surprising. He'd most likely told the receptionist so that she'd tell Scully. Scully would then meet him there, as usual. She didn't bother asking for directions, as she'd seen the sign for the somewhat classy restaurant on her drive to the morgue. Although a slightly unusual choice for Mulder, Scully's mind was still focused and filled with the case and she did not think twice about it as she walked quickly back to her car.
As she drove the 10-minute drive to the restaurant, Scully did indulge herself a little. "Maybe he chose a nicer restaurant for a reason, maybe he's making up for this morning," she thought as she continued down the road. Now filled with both happiness and anxiety, the agent was relieved and nervous as she spotted the sign and pulled into the parking lot. Perhaps it was because of her blissful state that she completely missed the familiar sight of the detective's vehicle fairly close to her own.
Mulder picked at his chicken salad, which although appealing to his eye, did nothing for the pit he was feeling inside of his stomach. A pit of guilt, he concluded miserably. He found him self-nodding absent-mindedly as the Detective talked about one of their old adventures back in Cali. He didn't even notice the fact that she was rubbing his left hand, or that she'd inched herself closer to him, allowing their faces little personal room. No, his thoughts were exclusively on Scully, and how he'd make up the earlier morning to her. She was such a good partner, as well as friend, and he knew that he didn't deserve her or her loyalty. The thought of his redheaded partner warmed him inside, and was the cause behind the small smile that had formed on his face.
The detective must of thought that it had been intended toward her, as she reached her hand out and caressed his face, saying, "Fox, I'm so glad we did this."
Before Mulder could respond, the sound of a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. Oh no he thought. His eyes darted to the front of the restaurant, and sure enough, Scully was standing there, obviously asking for him. She didn't look mad, he thought, which made it so much worse. She thought he was alone. Waiting for her.
Mulder watched in horror as she turned, her eyes meeting his, and for a second, gleaming with happiness and adventure. But suddenly, they turned dark and her mouth gasped. He didn't have to be close to see tears building, and he stood up, shouting, "Scully, wait!"
