Mulder loved the sun.
Not the 124 degree heat he'd dealt with when he was hiding in New Mexico almost 15 years ago. But, the feeling of the sun on his face and the vitamin D that he had deprived himself of when he'd been too afraid to leave the basement. So, whenever it was sunny in the city, he walked everywhere and did as much as he could. He'd been to the beach multiple times, so often in fact that he was much darker and fitter than he'd been in previous years. Sometimes he went on jogs, although his aging body was protesting more and more as time went on.
So, today he had chained his bike to a rack and decided to walk as much of Central Park that he could. Maura had messaged him and said she was finished packing and could use a good distraction, so he'd invited her along as well. Plus, she was bringing Jo Friday so that made Mulder even more excited to see his friend. It felt weird to be saying goodbye to someone he very likely would meet again. Plus, they hadn't really known each other for more than 6 months. But, sometimes you meet people at the worst times and become the best of friends.
He checked his phone while he waited. An independent publishing company that Maura had contacted was very interested in his book and had promised a quick response to his manuscript. He'd finished it, gotten the okay from Maura, and sent it in for a final review within the same week. It was strange to think that soon he could tell people that he was a writer instead of sidestepping the question with a generic "I used to work for the FBI" answer. His release date was set for early December and Skinner had even sent them a bunch of photos to use for the cover. When he'd seen them he truly realized just how much he'd changed since that ridiculous basement office consumed his life. He didn't have high expectations for his book, but it was about time he'd focused on something with purpose. Besides, if even one person could be convinced of the horrible truths that the Federal Government was guilty of, it made everything worth it. All of it: his father's murder, his mother's indiscretion, Melissa Scully's demise along with Emily's tragic life.
He'd also been thinking about Scully. Well, he always thought about her but moreso he'd been thinking about how and when he should go back. He'd made the decision hastily when his apartment flooded but actually acting on that promise was proving difficult. Truth be told he'd only been gone six months but it truly felt like years. So much had happened since he'd left that he didn't even know if Scully would still love him.
"Is this seat taken?" Mulder jumped at the voice. He turned to face Maura and smiled. She looked like she was ready for the derby. He'd never understood how she could work long hours in heels and a dress. She'd explained it all to him and even shown him photos of her job in Boston. Once he'd realized that Scully had done that and chased after perps, his respect for that entire gender had multiplied profusely.
"Sorry for the delay, Jo doesn't like car rides so I had to make a few stops. Most dogs equate travelling with being nauseous due to Vet visits so they-"
"I get it, Maura. Thank you." Mulder chuckled.
"Sorry, I ramble when I'm nervous. Old habit." Maura sighed and pulled at the large-brimmed hat she wore. "Jane used to call me 'Googlemouth'."
"I think it's endearing, truly. What's making you nervous?" Mulder patted the space next to him and smiled when Maura and Jo sat down next to him.
"Jane. I'm leaving for Boston in 15 hours, Mulder. We've talked on Skype every night since I sent that letter but I'm just so scared to see her. It's irrational, I know. I was planning on going back in September but I bumped it up to July because I miss her so much." Maura wrung her hands.
"Would it make you feel better to have a travelling companion?" Mulder asked.
"Jo Friday? She's my carry-on."
"No, me?"
"You? You want to go to Boston with me?" Maura's eyes were wide but Mulder swore he could see a smile in there somewhere.
"I think I do. It's time for me to go back. The City's been good to me but it's time for me to go home."
"Well!" Maura jumped up, startling Mulder and Jo. "This calls for a celebration!"
"Like what?"
"Street tacos! I never let myself eat them due to their high amounts of sodium but I think today is special. Besides, I might be able to eat from a truck in Central Park ever again since I'm - we're leaving soon!"
Mulder laughed at the sheer joy on his friends face. Her eyes were sparkling as she grabbed at her hat while the wind blew. Jo Friday was still sitting on a bench. He could see how people were jealous of Maura. She was brilliant and beautiful, but most of all she was appreciative of the small things in life. Some of her most endearing qualities were a lot of the reasons he'd fallen in love with Scully. Sometimes he needed a reminder that simple things could bring happiness as well. Back when he and Scully would celebrate after a case, their outings seemed like a reward. There was just something about sharing a meal with someone you loved and appreciated.
As they walked around the park, Mulder was reminded of all the times he and Scully would relax after their cases. After a week of risking their lives, they would always take a day on the Bureau's dime to decompress and eat at some of the most podunk establishments the USA had to offer.
Jo barked and Mulder looked to see her and Maura waiting patiently and looking at him pointedly.
"Come on, Mulder. We only have 12.6 hours left until we have to be at the airport." Maura used a fake voice and lifted the dog's paws as if Jo was talking to him.
"Well, Jo Friday, you're very impatient for a dog that takes an hour to pee." Mulder shot back.
"Oh, that was a low blow. Wasn't it Jo?" Maura faced her dog.
Jo barked in response.
Later, after walking through the Conservatory Garden and the Zoo, they were walking towards the large carousel and Maura's eyes lit up.
"It's beautiful." she whispered.
Mulder had to agree. The sun was low in the sky and the bright lights of the machine illuminated everyone's faces with a myriad of stained glass colors.
"Ever been on one?" He asked Maura.
She shook her head slowly, "No, I wasn't around any as a child and even as an adult the amount of bacteria alone on the -"
"Let's go!" Mulder scooped up Jo and got in line. "Forget about bacteria for just a minute. Live a little."
"I'm not sure. I have Jo to watch and-"
"Nope. I'll hold her. She's pretty tired anyway. Come on. I'll even let you purell the bench."
Maura seemed to ponder that for a moment. Mulder tried his best to look like a sad puppy and smiled brightly when she eventually nodded. When she walked over to him, she grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"Thank you, Fox."
Mulder raised his eyebrows at his first name. "What for?"
"I'm not very articulate when it comes to human emotions but you've been nothing by helpful and supportive of me since we met. What would have happened if I'd never been eavesdropping on you back at the diner. What we would have missed? I know that I'm odd and not like most people, but I do think I've come ages from the Maura who was cold and uncaring."
"I think you're articulate in your own way, Maura. Just because you may have missed a lot growing up, doesn't mean you're somehow defective now. You're so generous and caring, especially since I know that I'm not exactly easy to be friends with. Besides, we both have hot ladyfriends in Boston so maybe we're more alike than you think." Mulder said with a wink and a nod.
Maura seemed stunned for a moment. "That's so sweet. I'm actually getting emotional."
Mulder clapped her on the shoulder. "C'mon friend, let's go stew in bacteria."
Maura laughed at that. Mulder handed the worker the money and they loaded themselves into one of the benches. Jo seemed to not care as she curled up on Mulder's lap and fell asleep. Mulder relaxed once the ride started moving and turned his focus onto Maura who was staring out into the crowd with watery eyes. It was a picturesque sight, especially as the sun went down. It was a good way to bid farewell to the city and surrounding area that had housed him for so long. He'd had his fun and his spiritual healing but goddamn it was time to go home.