Location: Apartment No. 35, 3170 West 53 Rd, Maryland

Time: 6.27 pm

She hummed a happy tune as she adjusted the salt and pepper of the pot of pasta that she was cooking. Usually, she would have preferred a pizza or an oriental take out but today she preferred the comfort of home-cooked Italian cheesy goodness. Having Mulder for a home-cooked dinner sounded good as it tasted. Her lips smirked; two months into a whirlwind romance, she felt like a teenager expecting her date to come to pick her up for prom.

Surprisingly, the past couple of months were a slow but a remarkable transformation for them. The release of the emotional stress between them was slow but comfortable enough for her to get used to being more than just work partners.

She closed her eyes for a moment. Like most of the other birthdays she has passed in her adult life, she had to drag herself to work. Obviously there wouldn't be anyone to wish her or to ask for a treat other than Mulder, but her instinct was neither a positive nor an encouraging one to be on the spot-light, even for a day. There was nothing new or fancy other than a touch of Cherry Blossom perfume she has gotten herself as a birthday treat. Of course she was eagerly waiting to come home to soak in a warm bath of coordinating bubble bath.

Location: Basement, J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, DC

12.30 hours earlier

It was all as usual until she hurried to the basement with her breakfast and a tall coffee. As she expected, Mulder was there, waiting for her, but with a charming grin other than any mischievous I-know-something-that-you-don't kind of a look.

"Hey…" He stood up as she walked in and placed her stuff on the table.

"Hi Mulder…" she smiled back as if she is trying to pretend that either it's not her birthday or that she had forgotten that it's her birthday. She knew he was already behind her as she turned to face him.

"Dana Katherine Scully, very happy birthday to you!" He whispered with sparkly eyes as he looked straight into hers.

"Oh thank you Mulder" she graced him with a faint smile as her eyes are now glowing with tears for no reason. She walked into his embrace as his generous arms wrapped her tiny frame with a tight hug.

Till now Fox Mulder had only experienced time loss either during a UFO sighting or when there was an alien presence. He never thought that a morning hug, with this bewildering little lady and a heavenly aroma which he didn't really, couldn't identify as much he managed with all the alien relating stuff could make him unaware of how time can slip away this easily of his control.

He didn't truly care as he held her. Every inch of his body fused with hers was soothing his soul as a harmony. He didn't ever want to let her go until she stirred with a heavy sigh.

"Hey.." he traced the sides of her face as if he is trying to read an invisible line of braille engraved on her skin. "Are you ok.."

"Yea…yes I am Mulder" She smiled as his gaze locked with hers.

"Any plans for the evening?"

"No, not really… you want to come over for dinner"

"Yea…I would love to Scully"

"Right…I will see you tonight then" she whispered as her hands reached to entwine with his. He reached and kissed her forehead as he let her go to start her work.

"By the way..is that a new perfume or something..its nice and fancy and...flowery" he remarked as he turned to face her again.

She smiled "it's the fragrance of the cherry blossom Mulder"

"Hmmm...I see..I wouldn't mind smelling like one for the rest of the day!" he smirked as he reached his desk.

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