Chapter Seven
Jay's Diner
8:03PM
They sat opposite each other in a blue booth with a white table between them. They were both downing their second cup of coffee when a squeal from the seat behind Mulder made Dana glance up to inspect. A little boy no older than three was standing on the seat, waving his arms happily in the air. The mother looked haggard as she kept trying to calm the hyper child down.
Mulder swiveled around to be face to face with the cheerful toddler. A wide grin spread across Mulder's face and he leaned forward. "Hey there, sport." The boy only laughed, titling over. "Maybe you ought to sit down or otherwise you won't be able to eat those delicious looking pancakes."
The little one picked up one of his pancakes and held it out for Mulder.
Mulder shook his head, raising his hands in a friendly gesture to show that he wasn't going to take the offered food. "No, no, you eat it."
The boy giggled, stuffing what he could of the hot cake into his mouth. His mother reached over and ripped off the piece that wouldn't fit. She then took hold of his tiny legs and slid him down onto his butt. She flashed Mulder an apologetic smile. "He has more energy than the sun."
Mulder chuckled politely and returned his attention to Dana. He caught the despondent look before she had the chance to hide it.
"Mulder," she peered down at her hands then, back up at him. "What do you think of adoption?"
Mulder took in the hope shimmering behind her cool exterior. "I think it's a wonderful idea." He snorted with amusement. "However, I'm not sure if the adoption board would think so. A FBI agent who goes around the country searching for notorious killers, deranged kidnappers, aliens, vampires…You, though, they may consider." He gave her a wink.
Dana sighed. "No. They would never in their right mind give me a child. Even if I went to Quantico to teach."
"Probably not. Soooo," he placed his left hand over hers. "I guess we'll just have to try and have our own." He cringed, his cheeks turning crimson. "I didn't mean that the way it came out. I meant we would have our own kids, but separately. I mean, with different people."
Dana was speechless. Then, she laughed good-naturally. "You're so cute when you're flustered," she teased.
He wrapped his arms securely across his chest. "No, I'm not."
"You're not cute or you're not flustered?"
"Both."
"I beg to defer."
"Wait a minute…you think I'm cute?"
"What heterosexual female or homosexual male wouldn't," she quipped, licking the spoon she had used to stir her cream.
Suddenly the lightness of the situation seeped from the room and he stared openly at her mouth. His voice was thick and husky when he whispered: "You're beautiful."
She lowered the spoon and ducked her head, clearing her throat. "Let's order our food. I thought you were hungry."
"I am."
Her eyes snapped up to his for the sound in his voice suggested something entirely different from food. Sure enough, his eyes were sparked with unashamed desire that caused a little bit of her to melt. "I…I…like this diner: let's you order breakfast all day. That is a rarity."
Mulder broke his gaze, his wall stacking up quickly. "Yeah, it's great. I think I'll have the cheeseburger special with a side dish of French toast."
"Gross. Those foods aren't meant to be together."
"Apparently a lot of things aren't," he murmured before waving the waitress down.
Dana glanced away. "What do you mean?" She knew damn well what he meant, but she wanted to hear him say it.
"Us."
"Do you want there to be an 'us'?"
"Yes."
She was taken back by his blunt, quick response. "Me, too," she whispered.
Mulder leapt from the booth, grasping her hand and dragging her out of the diner, past the baffled waitress. Dana protested, confused by the turn of events. He led her to the parking lot, turning around when they reached his car and taking both of her slender hands into his. "Dana…"
"Yes?"
"Marry me."
It wasn't a demand, but it wasn't entirely a question either. She stood there, stalk still, unable to think beyond the two words ringing in her head. Marry him? MARRY HIM?
"No," she blurted.
"No? Why…why not?"
"I don't know. I just don't feel ready."
He gave her a goofy smile. "I'm not asking you to run off to Vegas with me."
"I…I can't."
"All I'm asking if you will marry me…later…in the future."
"I…that's a big step. Here we are talking about marriage and we've never even kissed!"
He gazed tenderly at her before bending down to cover her mouth with his, but just as their lips grazed she pushed him away.
"No, Mulder. This is too much too soon."
He seemed to ponder that a moment before staring her straight into her eyes. "Do you love me," he asked casually.
"What?"
"I love you. Do you love me?"
Ah, the moment of truth. Do I or don't I? If I say yes then I'll be placing myself at his mercy. If I say no, I risk shattering him and any future chance to be with him. I may be even sacrificing our friendship. I can't loss his friendship.
"It's a simple question, Dana. Either you do or you don't." He tried to make his voice calm, but his eyes were pleading.
"Yes."
A smile began tugging at the corners of his mouth and slowly worked its way into a full-grown grin.
END STORY
DD: You're no bother at all! I've enjoyed your coughing. Lol.
Keys: I've given up hope on Tiffany. She is a lost cause. smile
Danielle: Go for it! X-files is a great fandom – anything is possible in the X-realm!
Crazie: I don't know. She's one tough chica. I, personally, could never walk away!
Brennan: I thought you X-philes would get a kick out of that! sigh If only I were her…
Csm: sigh…don't you just love UST?
Ceilid: It is quite a-o-k. You are forgiven. Anyway, thanks for the compliment!
Samantha: I say we should make it a law. Lol.
Hope: In light of you being the 50th review…uh…well…the story is over. Um…HERE! Chapter Seven can be your honorary chapter.