Scully closed her eyes and held her face up into the sun, after a few minutes she looked over at her mom and smiled, "I don't think I've ever felt more like a tourist, it's easy to forget how beautiful D.C. is…"
Maggie nodded and looked down the mall towards the Lincoln Memorial, "Especially when the weather is like this…it is hot though."
Mulder walked to join them holding three ice creams, "We can go inside for a while…" he said hearing Margaret last comment.
Margaret smiled, "Lets just moved onto a bench in the shade."
They walked and sat on a bench facing the reflecting pool. Scully licked her ice cream and then scowled at Mulder, "I said fat free…"
Mulder grinned, "We're on pre-vacation Scully, besides you don't need to watch your figure, that's what I'm here for."
Scully shook her head a smiled as she licked her cone, "You won't say that when I'm fat Mulder…"
Mulder looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, "Firstly, even if you were 'fat' you would still be the most beautiful women I've ever seen. And secondly, you're never going to be fat - you exercise too much," he winked subtly at Scully and she blushed slightly, "…and you eat far too much rabbit food!"
Margaret laughed happily, pleased that Mulder was encouraging her daughter to live a little. "So Fox…who is looking after your fish while you and Dana are away?" Margaret asked.
Scully covered her mouth and gasped, "I forgot all about them!"
Mulder laughed, "I'd thought of the little guys…I'm going to get another one of those block feeds and go and swap it in this evening."
Scully smiled, "So you do care…"
Mulder rolled his eyes, "I did buy them Scully."
"Do you want me to check on them?" Margaret asked.
"I can't ask you to do that, it's miles out of your way Margaret." Mulder objected.
"It's not that far, I could just go a couple of time…check the filter is working…" She insisted. "You could leave me a key and I'll just go when I can. Unless you don't feel comfortable…"
Mulder was quick to reply, "No of course I'd feel comfortable with you having a key you're practically family!"
Margaret smiled and Scully reached to quickly squeeze his hand. "How about I leave mom my key to your place? She can go and check if and when she has time…and it's would be safer for someone to has access while we're away." Scully suggested.
Mulder nodded, "That sounds good, when I go to feed the fish tonight I'll add Margaret's name to the list my super has…then she won't have any trouble visiting."
Scully pondered quietly for a few minutes, "We're going to have to research how to move fish at some point Mulder…that can't be a straightforward operation..." She said casually.
Margaret smiled at Mulder's shocked face and chuckled silently as she broke up her cone to feed to the geese.
After several minutes Margaret looked over at her daughter, "I'd love a nice could drink Dana…"
Mulder automatically went to stand up, "I can go…"
Margaret smiled and held on to his arm, "Dana can go and get a drink for her mother…I think I'd like a chat with you for a few minutes."
Scully looked at her mom with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Don't worry Dana, Fox is quiet safe with me…you take you time." Margaret sat looking at Scully pointedly until her daughter got the message and quietly walked away.
As she walked she suddenly heard a scream and turned quickly to see her mom throw her arms around Mulder's neck and then pull back to chatter excitedly…she raised her eyebrows but continued in the same direction.
The next morning Scully stood by the door to her apartment surrounded by luggage. "You're really not going to tell me yet?" She asked impatiently.
Mulder laughed as he walked over and leaned to kiss her, he ran his tongue along her bottom lip, "I love you...and you're hilariouswhen you're frustrated."
Scully groaned, "That is not answering my question Mulder."
He grinned as he bent to pick up some of their bags. "The cab will be here in a minute…"
"Mulder…I know you told my mom yesterday…I want to know!" She actually stamped her feet and Mulder shook his head as he opened the door and held it open while Scully picked up her assignment of bags and begrudgingly walked through.
"We're on the way to the airport Scully, you'll find out there…" He strolled behind Scully as she walked sullenly to the elevator. "Scully, we're going on vacation…" He pointed out.
Scully turned and smiled, "I know…and I am excited…" she rolled her eyes and lifted a bag to tap Mulder on the ass as the elevator door opened. "Come on move it I'm dying of anticipation here!"
As the doors closed Scully grinned up at Mulder, "This had better be good!"
They arrived at Dulles and Mulder looked around to find their flight, seeing it on the board they walk towards the check in desk and looked back to see Scully's face.
She looked astounded.
"We're going to…DUBAI?" She asked.
"We're going to Dubai…to get our connecting flight…" Mulder said smiling.
Scully lifted her bags on to the ramp and dutifully answered the questions and showed her passport when asked.
As they walked away without their luggage Scully turned and grabbed Mulder's arm; with a pleading voice and begging eyes she pulled on his arm like a small child asking for candy. "Please Mulder you're killing me…"
Mulder smiled down at her, "We're going to get our connecting flight in Dubai…for Alexandria, in Egypt."
Scully's yaw dropped, "Are you serious? You can't be serious?"
Mulder grinned now, "We have a week in Cairo, taking in the sights, visiting the Pyramids. Then we're getting another flight to Naples where we have a hotel booked on the Sorrento coast for a few days of relaxation…although we will be going to see an old archaeologist friend of mine who has promised us a private tour around Pompeii…we finish the week off with two nights in Rome."
Scully was staring at him like he had grown a second head, "You're actually serious aren't you? You're taking me to Egypt…andItaly?"
"We have many holiday's to make up for Scully…but don't worry there'll be plenty of time to rest and just spend time together, I told the Travel Agent that we didn't want a crazy schedule…"
Scully smiled at him and shook her head slowly; "You're taking me to Egypt…to see thePyramids…"
"I am…" he smiled lovingly, "Now come on Scully get those little legs moving, we have a plane to catch!"
Scully leaned up to kiss him before slipping her hand into his and walking toward the security check point.
"If I'd known I'd get a trip to Egypt out of it I'd have shown you my stockings years ago Mulder…" she said with a sly smile. She looked up at him and smiled brightly, "I love you."
Mulder laughed and squeezed her hand, "Me too partner."
As they walked Mulder thought about the engagement ring he had hidden in the pocket of his suitcase. He thought maybe the Pyramids…or possibly a secluded beach in on the Sorrento Coast…or maybe he should just wait until Rome…
Scully closed her eyes and held her face up into the sun, only this time when she looked down and opened them she was sitting on the deck of a cruise boat on the Nile.
She reached her hand out and Mulder instinctively met her half way, taking her hand in his before turning his face towards her and smiling. "Happy?" He asked.
"Happy doesn't even start to cover it. Two weeks ago I spent Sunday cleaning my bathroom…now I'm on a cruise on the Nile, heading towards three days in Cairo…and you are right here with me. I'd think I was dreaming, but not even my subconscious could create this."
"It is pretty magical…" Mulder smiled.
"You did all this, I can't believe it. We travelled half way around the world to make my dreams come true…on three days notice…and to think two weeks ago I didn't even think I was your type."
Mulder laughed, "YOU are everyone's type Scully. You're stunning, you're smart, you're sexy as hell and I think everyone at the Bureau fancies you…even most of the women, including the married ones!"
Scully gave him a look that suggested she thought he'dfinally lost it, "Now you're definitely delusional…but as long as you think so then I'm happy."
"When we get back from this vacation I am going to be the envy of the Bureau…" Mulder said quietly as he ran his fingers up the inside of her arm, tickling the sensitive skin just the way she liked.
"Planning on making an announcement in the bullpen Mulder?" She asked laughing.
"I'm thinking about getting you a sign saying Property of Agent Mulder to wear to work," he said with a smirk thinking of the engagement ring.
Scully smiled and closed her eyes listening to the water while Mulder quietly laced and dancing his fingers through hers…
When they arrived in Cairo they checked into the Conrad Hilton. Mulder had booked a king-sized room with a balcony and a view of the Nile. They dropped their bags and Scully went to open the doors leading out to the balcony.
She leaned on the doorframe and smiled, "It's perfect Mulder…"
Mulder sat on the bed and smiled, "Why don't you ring your mom while I have a quick shower? I was thinking we could order in tonight? It's getting late and we have a lovely view, it would be a shame not to make to most of it."
Scully nodded and turned to face him, "It's OK the ring mom from here? It won't cost a fortune?"
"They have people here on business Scully, it can't cost that much to make international calls…beside your mom it well worth it." He smiled and walked over to kiss her temple before digging out a wash bag and going into the bathroom.
After a few minutes Scully heard the shower being turned on and that promoted her to make the call.
"Hello…"
"Hi Mom, it's Dana!"
"Dana, I didn't expect to hear from you…" Margaret said excitedly.
"We've just checked in to the hotel in Cairo, Mulder's gone for a shower and he suggested that I give you a call."
"Well I'm over the moon to hear from you, I would have loved to see your face at the airport!"
"Oh mom, I can't believe it…I can't believe he brought me to Egypt!"
"That man loves the bones of you, I could see that the first time I met him…it's just taken you both a while to see it yourself."
"I wish you'd said something mom…"
"No Dana, you needed to find out in your own way...in your own time…when you were both truly ready. If you had tried to force something earlier you would not have the relationship you have now, deep down you know that."
Scully sighed, "I guess I do, I'm just so happy and to think he was waiting right there the whole time…my best friend…"
"Don't look back Dana, enjoy what you have now." Margaret said firmly.
Scully laughed, "You're right mom…as always."
"So what the itinerary? Fox did have time to tell me much…"
"Well we've just finished a cruise on the Nile…" Scully said dreamily, "…tomorrow we're going the museum and around the old city…on Thursday we're going to the Pyramids and then on Friday we're going to see Khan al-Khalili, an history market place."
"Wow…"
"I know…on Saturday we fly to Naples for a few days on the coast before spending the last couple of nights in Rome!"
"Oh Dana…it all sounds amazing…"
"It's overwhelming, in the best possible way, but I'm happy to say tonight we are ordering room service and spending the evening on our own little balcony overlooking the Nile…"
"Dana stop! I'm green with envy…" Margaret laughed joyfully, it was about time her daughter was spoiled rotten and she knew Fox Mulder was just the man to do it.
Just at that moment Mulder walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Sorry Scully, I didn't realise you were still on the phone."
Scully smiled and looked at the receiver, see a hands-free option she pressed it and dropped the phone to the bed, "Mom say hi to Mulder, he's just got out of the shower…"
"Hello Fox! Are you having a fantastic time?"
"Amazing thanks Margaret, how are you?"
"Absolutely green with envy after listening to Dana tell me about your plans, but otherwise great. You must be tired though?"
"It's amazing how tiring being on vacation is Margaret." Mulder smiled as he rubbed a second towel in his hair. "It will be nice to have a break this evening, as Scully probably told you we have a busy few days coming up, but then some down time in Italy."
"I'm looking forward to seeing some photos when you get back…"
"It'll be good to see you too…" Mulder said genuinely as he walked back towards the bathroom, "I'm going to change, I'll talk to you soon?"
"Bye Fox, take care…"
"You too mom…" He said as he walked into the bathroom.
Scully smiled at his slip and picked up the phone, pressing the button to return to hand-held she lifted the receiver, "It seems my partner has adopted you mom…"
She could hear the laugh in Margaret's voice, "I would be proud to be that man's mother…in fact I will be proud…actually I already am…"
Scully unexpectedly felt tears come to her eyes, "Thank you mom, that means a lot...to both of us."
"He means a lot to both of us Dana…the rest is easy. Now go and enjoy your evening with Fox and I'll talk to you both soon."
"Bye mom, I love you."
"Love you too Dana."
After a few minutes Mulder came out dressed in a pair of shorts and a white linen shirt.
"Mulder did you realised you called my mother, mom?" Scully smiled.
Mulder looked shocked, "I didn't? I'm so sorry Scully…your mom wasn't offended was she?"
"Why would she be offended?" Scully laughed.
Mulder shrugged awkwardly, "I don't know…I just…"
"Mulder she said she would be proud to be your mom, in fact she said she was already proud…"
Mulder smiled sadly, "I wish…I mean I love my mom…I really do…but it would be nice…"
"I think you can consider yourself adopted Mulder…" Scully laughed.
Mulder pulled a face, "Scully, if your mom adopted me we would be brother and sister!"
Scully laughed, "I really didn't think that through…"
"No…" Mulder said with a smile as he leaned down to kiss the side of her neck, "I can think of another much more satisfying way to officially make Margaret my second mom."
Mulder murmured as he nuzzled her shoulder and pushed her shirt down with his lips. Scully smiled dreamily, "Oh can you…" she said without thinking and then suddenly came to her senses. "You can?" She said with a more urgent tone.
Mulder smiled and kissed her lips softly, "You get your shower…or take a bath if you want…I'll order some food to arrive in about an hour. Do you want anything special?"
"No…" Scully said still shocked, "Whatever you think…I'll go and get my shower."
Scully picked out he bag from the luggage and walked towards the bathroom.
She stopped in the doorway and turned with a bright smile, "Mulder, you just keep unfolding like a flower…"