They took their time in the shower, soaping each others bodies and running their hands over smooth wet skin.

Scully dressed quickly in leggings and t-shirt, then pulled on a long sweater that came down to her knees. She called to Mulder who was still in the bathroom shaving, "I'm going down to make some breakfast Mulder…and before you say it, yes sex makes me hungry too!"

Mulder called back, "Great, because I'm starving!"

Scully smiled and quickly popped her head around the door to kiss a patch of skin that he'd just shaved, "Then you'd better hurry up, 'cause I'm not waiting for you!"

Scully walked down the stairs and into the kitchen collecting clothes as she went and flushing slightly at memories of the night before. She walked through to the utility room, deposited the clothes into a laundry basket and then made her way back to the kitchen to start breakfast.

She decided to make waffles, they were Mulder's favourite and they had recently discovered a new and very stimulating way to burn off calories.

She searched through the fridge and cupboards carefully filling the kitchen counter with everything that she would need, along with maple syrup and butter. The witness protection fairies were very generous.

Just as she began mixing the batter she was shocked by a knock at the kitchen door. On the other side of the door stood a lady in her mid-sixties, she wore a long patterned skirt and a green silk blouse and waved at Scully enthusiastically as if they were old friends. Scully wrapped her sweater across her body and went to unlock and open the door.

The lady quickly entered the kitchen, "Good morning love! I hope this isn't too early? Is it? We arrived home last night to find out that you'd moved in and I left it as long as I could bear before coming to meet you! Oh I'm sorry my dear, my name is Peggy, I live next door with my long suffering husband Frank…at least he has claimed to be long suffering for so long that I'm starting to believe him…"

Scully stood listening to the monologue quietly stunned, what was happening?

Finally finding her voice Scully spoke, "Erm hello Peggy, it's very nice to meet you…" she looked down at her outfit then back up at her unexpected house guest, "I'm very sorry for my state of half-undress, I wasn't expecting…"

Peggy led Scully back to the kitchen counter, "Oh hush now, don't be silly. Here I am invading your house first thing in the morning, you can wear whatever you want in your own home can't you Claire?"

Scully nodded numbly.

"So what are we making?" Peggy smiled broadly and placed the wicker basket she was carrying on the kitchen behind them.

"Erm…waffles?"

"You don't sound very sure Claire, is that because you don't know what we're making? Or are you still a bit shocked by my kitchen invasion?" Peggy laughed brightly and Scully smiled.

"We're definitely making waffles Peggy, they're M…mmm…David's favourites."

Peggy lifted the lid on her basket, "Excellent news, that means my housewarming gift can be put to good use." She lifted three punnets onto the counter, one containing raspberries, one blueberries and one strawberries. She looked at them proudly and explained, "We grow them ourselves in the greenhouse at the back of the garden."

"Oh Peggy, that's very generous and they're perfect!"

"So how about I help you make these waffles before I push off home? There no better bonding exercise than baking!" Peggy reached for a spoon and started mixing the batter. "So how are we cooking these Claire?"

Scully smiled, went to retrieve the waffle iron and plugged it in. Just as she was adjusting the settings she heard Mulder's voice as he came walking into the kitchen.

"I'm ready gorgeous, feed me!"

Scully looked up and burst out laughing as she saw Mulder standing there in just a pair of boxers. He looked at Scully then registered Peggy and his jaw dropped. "JESUS CHRIST!" he shouted as he spun around quickly and shot out of the door and back upstairs.

Scully grinned, "I'm sorry Peggy he obviously didn't know that you were here!"

Peggy's turned with laughter in her eyes, "Nothing to apologise for sweetheart, I haven't had a thrill like that for years…that is quite a man you've got there Claire, reminds me of my Frank when we were younger..." Peggy winked and in that moment Scully knew that they would be friends.

After a minute or so Mulder reappeared wearing sweats and a t-shirt…and looking rather sheepish. He looked at Scully and smiled in embarrassment and then walked up to Peggy, "I'm very sorry if I startled you before, I had no idea…"

Peggy held her hand up and stopped him, "Please don't apologise. You must be David?"

Mulder nodded still looking a little awkward.

"Well I'm Peggy, my husband Frank and I live next door and I came around to meet you both and bring you a little gift," she nodded to the berries on the counter. Sensing his discomfort she continued, "Honestly sweetie don't worry yourself, if I'd known was going to get a show I'd have worn my glasses!"

They all laughed then and Mulder visibly relaxed.

"Listen I'm going to push off, I know when three is definitely a crowd...but we wondered if you'd like to join us for a BBQ this afternoon? Frank would love to meet you both."

Mulder looked at Scully and she nodded happily so he replied, "We'd love to Peggy and I promise to arrive suitably attired."

Peggy walked to let herself out of the kitchen door, "I can tell I'm going to like you two, it's about time we had a bit of fun in this neighbourhood!"

Mulder walked to sit on a kitchen stool and dropped his head to the counter. "Well that's one way to meet the neighbours…" he murmured with slight humour in his voice.

Scully walk behind him and kissed the back of his neck, "Don't worry about it sexy you made her day!"

Mulder looked up at Scully with his jaw slightly dropped, she blew him a kiss and started making their waffles. He shook his head and smiled, he was loving domestic life with Scully.