Author's Note: Close chapter posting happening now. Please make sure you've read the previous chapter (unless you don't like it when Mulder pines for Scully, then you might just want to skip that one... oh, wait, if you're reading this, I'm assuming that does not apply to you). Thanks for reading and being patient with the short chapters. Thanks to my beta reader IAmLoisLane. And, of course, thanks for any reviews you feel like leaving. I think reviews are like tips for fic writers-but like a billion times more value :)

"Come again?" Skinner asked.

"Mulder and I were on a double date that night."

"You were on a date… at a hospital?" Skinner asked dubiously.

"We were originally at the hotel across the street." When Scully saw Skinner's eyes narrow, she quickly added, "At a fundraiser."

"So you're telling me you and Mulder were on a date at some kind doctor party?"

"Yes. But then Mulder… wasn't feeling well so… we left early."

"Agent Scully, you're aware that the Bureau isn't necessarily supportive of intra-office romance, correct?"

"I thought it was strictly prohibited."

"I've put my ass on the line more than a few times for the two of you—over things far more controversial than this… so I'm not saying I'm not willing to look the other way here, but the surveillance team—"

"Wait just a minute, Sir. You—and the surveillance team—realize Mulder and I weren't on a date with each other, right?"

"But you said—"

"My mother previously set me up with Nathan… then he and I arranged for Mulder and Meredith to—"

"Uh huh. I see. So why was Mulder over here all weekend?"

Scully stared at Skinner. Where the hell was Mulder? He always knew what to say to either ease the worries of his superiors or piss them off so badly they got off his case. Scully, on the other hand, always felt obliged to be honest. She glanced toward the front door, willing Mulder to return in the nick of time, but to no avail. Her last best hope was to just go at this like he would.

"I told you. He wasn't feeling well," Scully finally replied.

"And you were, what? Nursing him back to health?" Skinner asked with suggestive sarcasm.

"I'd prefer 'doctoring' him back to health," Scully said with a straight face, though she had to admit that Mulder's elusive approach to questioning was kind of fun.

"Why were you taking his clothes to be dry cleaned—"

"I was returning his rental tux, actually."

"Whatever. I'm asking why you were doing this, Agent Scully."

"Because if the tuxedo wasn't back by Saturday at noon, Agent Mulder would incur a fifty dollar late charge."

"Uh huh." Skinner scoffed and Scully could see him grinding his teeth. "Why was he taking out your trash at three in the morning?"

"Because the bag was full."

"Agent Scully—"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'm not trying to be difficult," Scully lied.

"You could have fooled me."

Looking at Skinner's red and frustrated face, Scully felt bad. "It's just that… you're making it seem like Mulder and I have been attempting to conceal something regarding the FBI's investigation into Nathan and Meredith, and that's simply not true."

"Then it's just something personal you're trying to conceal," Skinner concluded.

"I can assure you," Scully told Skinner, "There is absolutely nothing like what you're thinking between Mulder and me. He's my partner. He may very well be my best friend, but I promise you it doesn't—and would never—go beyond that."

Skinner regarded her for a long moment before speaking. "I'd think you were lying if you didn't sound so damned disappointed."

"Excuse me?" She tried for indignant, but knew it was really just shock she felt. Was she that obvious?

"Forget it. Get on with the story. You left the party because Mulder was feeling sick. Sick how?"

"Okay," Scully nodded. "I'll tell you this because I trust you, but you've got to promise that it doesn't go down in any official report."

"I can't guarantee—"

"Not in the official report and not outside this room."

Skinner scowled as he considered. Finally he smiled and shook his head as he chuckled to himself. "Okay. It's a deal. Now, spill."

Scully closed her eyes, pushing away the waves of discomfiture. If Skinner wanted the whole story, she'd give it to him… with a few properly placed redactions, of course.