As I had hoped my Mother did not wake up until well after 8. She made no mention of any noise and carried on about the kitchen as per usual. I was relieved to say the least.

I sat at the breakfast bar, absently stirring my cereal. Mulder still hadn't come down stairs, I figured he probably needed the rest or he wanted to give me time to compose myself and to really imprint into my Mother's mind that we'd slept in our own beds.

I couldn't help but blush at what had happened. I knew that it was always a possibility with us. Our relationship had never been like the usual kind. So sex between us seemed inevitable for a long time. It actually happened. I'd only ever imagined what being intimate with Mulder would be like.

It was a surprisingly bold thing for me to do this morning. I doubt that Mulder is complaining but I'm sure he was just as surprised as I was. Honestly I'd never actually had shower sex before. I always found the idea extremely erotic, but was never brave enough to initiate it in past relationships and it was never offered.

Though I shouldn't be surprised, those relationships aren't anything like the relationship I share with Mulder. We have this bond, almost indescribable, it is more than just sex, it is emotional attachment bound by years of mutual respect and love.

I suppose the big question really is why now, I mean I know I was having nightmares, I seem to have got over them quickly with Mulder's attention but I have never seen Mulder so forward and so honest about the way he feels for me. He really wants a relationship?

How could something like this between us really work, away from the FBI it's like being in our own little world, but when Mulder's obsessions take over I'm afraid of what it will do to the new aspect of our relationship. I know of course that it is silly to be thinking of these things now, it has been done. We have crossed a line that we cannot take back. If I admit to myself that I don't want to go back I have only to see that I am in denial about the whole thing.

The answer is simple. I love Mulder. I am in love with Mulder. I cannot help that fact. I have had no other relationships in the past five years. Mulder knows that. He knows that I love him. My Mother even seems to think that she knows it, and she is right.

I don't want to have to hide from her that we are together. Even though she will tell me 'I told you so', I feel as though it only proves how private and secret my life has become. Where my own Mother cannot know my life or my lover. . .

"Dana? Is everything alright?"

"Hmmm? Yes! Yes, everything is quite alright, I was just thinking" I reply slowly.

"Morning all!" Mulder smiles as he enters the kitchenette.

"Good morning Fox, how did you sleep?" Maggie Scully inquires.

"Perfectly Maggie, I don't usually sleep this late, but I guess I was just really exhausted" he eyed me closely and I turned my gaze away embarrassed by what he was implying.

"Well, why don't you let Dana here fix you up something to eat, I'll be out in the garden this morning, you two feel free to join me if you feel like it" she parted with us and went off toward the annex to the garage where she kept her gardening tools.

Mulder watched Maggie leave and when she was finally out of sight he came round the counter to the breakfast bar where I sat and whispered in my ear.

"Morning Scully" and kissed me about the side of my head.

I didn't respond, or move for that matter, time didn't seem to be moving. I was still caught up thinking about this new aspect of our partnership.

"Scully?" he sounded concerned.

"Mulder, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that this is so awkward. I'm not very good at this" I sighed deeply.

"I know this has been a strange time and place to express what we feel Scully and it's made it more complicated to sort through. I don't regret it though. The only regret I have is not being able to lay with you in my arms and reassure you of things. You've no idea how badly I wanted to come back in there with you this morning after -. Well you know" he blushed.

"Oh Mulder" I spun around on my stool and stepped into his embrace. "I wanted you there too, I just...I don't want my Mother having a heart attack and as happy as I'm sure she'll be this is just so knew and I want to enjoy it without having her knowing eyes on us and without feeling restrained because we are being so sneaky" I whispered into his shoulder.

"I know what you mean Scully, we clearly had a relapse this morning but it seems we got away with it did we not?" he questioned.

"Yes, Mom seems none the wiser on that count" I blushed.

"I don't know how I am supposed to keep my hands off you Scully" he whispered in my ear seductively.

"Mulder, we probably don't realise but my Mother pointed out to me many times that you and I are very touchy feely for a couple who are not together. Perhaps she won't think anything of it if we continue to invade each other's space. She tends to think that we are together and that we just don't acknowledge it as anything anyway" I smiled.

"What? So you're saying we can just act like a happy couple in love and she won't say anything at all?" he said disbelieving.

"Well, not exactly I mean if you plan on kissing me or touching me in a 'we're in a relationship' kind of way she will definitely question it but she won't embarrass you Mulder. She'll save it for when she gets me alone to find out all the details. Especially when I've told her before coming here that we were only friends" I sighed.

"You were telling her the truth Scully. Even though I have considered you the woman in my life for years, we've never acted on our attraction, on our love for one another" he stated simply.

"That's true, but then she'd definitely have to wonder about how this change in our status has occurred and the way you hold me Mulder how could she believe otherwise that we've not been intimate. No parent wants to think of their child as sexually active Mulder" I explained.

"Who is this embarrassing more Scully? Your Mother or yourself?" he chuckled.

"I'd say both, but I suppose in being fair it is more that I have a problem with my Mother knowing about us when I feel like I barely know 'us' yet" I finally stated truthfully.

"Scully, I love you. You love me. We've both known that for a while. Yes, the sex is a new added benefit but it doesn't really change anything" he promised.

"I know rationally speaking Mulder that what you say is correct; it's just, I haven't been in a sexual relationship for a long, long time. I'm not exactly a virgin but I still feel inadequate and unexperienced, Mulder, I feel extremely shy about this" I admitted my real worry bashfully.

"Scully, I understand. Honestly, you are a reserved person yes. However, I saw something in you last night and this morning that wants this as bad as any other lustful female. Its instinct Scully, not experience that matters. You show me what you feel and we feel good together, that is all that matters" he kissed me slowly and I rapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back.

"Thanks Mulder" I smiled.

"Oh, and Scully?" he whispered.

"Yeah?"

"You are far from inadequate. You have an amazing body, your touch is like fire, and you are a fantastic kisser" he finished with a peck on my lips. "Now get in there woman and make me a sandwich!" he smiled lamely.

I laughed.