Hours passed and night fell. Mulder walked to Scully's apartment door nervously as he took in a deep breath. He was just taking her out for her birthday. This couldn't be too difficult. Why would this be any different than going out on a case or being in the office? He cleared his throat as he knocked on the door.

"No, Mom I don't know what he has planned tonight. He just said he wanted to take me out to dinner for my birthday." She put her earrings on as she cradled the phone on her neck. "Yeah, I know it's to one of the nicest places in town but that doesn't mean anything. He said he wants to make up for all the birthdays he missed. Would you please stop reading into this? I'm nervous as it is!"

Mulder knocked on the door. "Scully?" he called out.

Scully turned hearing the knock. "I'll be right there!" She then turned back to the phone. "Mom, I have to go. Yes, he's here. I have to go. Yes, I promise I'll let you know later. I love you too, Mom. Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye!" She hung up the phone and sighed. Walking over to the mirror she looked at herself in the blue strapless cocktail length dress she wore. She couldn't even remember the last time she had worn something like this. It was probably before Missy died. "I still can't believe I'm going through with this." She whispered. "I'll right, let's get this over with. That way if anything goes wrong I have a place to stop at and get some chocolate ice cream on the way back." She took one final look before heading to the door and unlocking it. "I'm sorry, it took me so long I was on the phone."

He stood in front of her wearing a black tux he had rented and held a bouquet of red roses in his hands. He smiled when she opened the door and was amazed by her dress. "You look great."

She looked back at him completely spellbound. She was used to seeing him in a suit but not a tux. She had seen him in one once but that was for such a brief time. And it was when he had been with Phoebe Green. But now he was dressed like this for her and he looked handsome and sexier to her than she could have ever thought possible. "I..uh...thanks. So...so do you."

Mulder handed her the flowers. "This is for you."

She took the flowers. "Oh, Mulder they're.....they're beautiful." She took a smell of them. "Thank you." She looked back at him with a smile as she lowered her head.

He lifted her head. "Hey, what is it?"

She shook her head. "It's nothing. Uh, would you like to come in while I put these in some water?"

"Sure, thanks." Mulder walked inside her apartment and looked around. He wondered what was bothering her but let it go.

She closed the door and then headed to the kitchen in search of a vase. "I actually bragged a little today."

"You did?" he asked.

She opened a cupboard and pulled out a vase from it. "Yeah. There was some talk about O'Rileys and how people couldn't get in. And well, I kind of let it slip that I was going tonight." She filled the vase with water.

He smiled a little. "What did they think about that?"

She leaned on the counter. "Well, I have to admit that I normally don't like being the envy of other people. Or rubbing other people's noses in something. But....I truly felt like I was on cloud nine because I was going and they weren't. Is that silly or what?" She picked up the roses and placed them in the vase.

"I'm glad that you're going with me," he told her. "I was afraid you wouldn't agree and I would be left with the reservation. Hear they have good food and there is always a live band."

She walked back from the kitchen."Well, I hope you don't mind but...I couldn't tell them who I was going with due to the fact they were FBI Agents." She cleared her throat wondering how good that would go over. "A...a live band you say?"

"Yeah, I think they play classical music."

"Classical? Well, I'm used to just hearing it on a radio or CD player." She answered jokingly.

Mulder smiled. "Well, come on. Let's go."

Why hadn't he said anything? "Mulder, you're not upset that I didn't tell them who I was going with are you?"

"No, why would I be?" he asked.

"Well, I just thought you would be. Maybe you thought I was ashamed to admit it or something? I...I don't know."

Mulder shrugged. "It doesn't bother me."

"It doesn't? Well, good because...I'm not ashamed that you are taking me. That isn't true at all. I 't tell them because you're my..."

"Partner?" He walked up to her. "Listen to me. Just for tonight, let's forget the FBI, let's forget about cases and the paranormal and just celebrate your birthday as friends."

She let out a sigh. "Ok, I'm....I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Just relax, okay?" He gave her a smile.

"As friends. Ok, I got it." She paused. "So, what do I call you tonight? Or doesn't that change anything?"

"No, you can call me Mulder." He tugged at her arm. "Come on, you're overanalyzing everything."

"Did I already mention how nervous I am?"

"No, but you don't need to be. It's your birthday…you're the birthday girl."

"So being the birthday girl I'm not supposed to worry?"

"You're supposed to enjoy your day." Mulder smirked. He was amused that she was so nervous.

She reached out and took his arm. "I hope this dress is ok for tonight? I...I didn't have a gown or anything."

"You look great." He led her out the door. "Now, come on. Let's go."

"And why are we so impatient Agent Mulder....errrr.....Mulder sorry."

"I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise? Is it....the pony I wanted when I was a little girl?"

Mulder laughed. "Maybe."

"That's the one birthday present I never got you know."

"Well, it might not be a pony, but," Mulder led her to the car, "I have something else in mind."

She let out a laugh. "Like I would have time for a pony now anyway much less ride it. Then again I am 5ft 3 so..."

He opened the car door for her. "Maybe your present will be better than the pony, huh?"

"As long as it's not a file with an X on it." She smirked before stepping into the car.

He got into the car. "It's not that."

She put on her seatbelt. "Good. Cause I want to have one night of not dealing with those."

"You won't have to worry." Mulder took off toward O'Riley's.

"So, does Byers know that you're taking me tonight?"

"No, it's just you and me," he told her.

"Then how did you get that reservation?"

"I went to his friend one day after work. I didn't want the guys to know…no interruptions during dinner, you know?"

"Why you think they would show up and try to crash it?"

"Frohike would be jealous…he would try and show up or something just because I was with you tonight."

"Frohike?"

"He has a sort…of crush on you." Mulder glanced over at her.

She returned his glance. "I thought that was just a joke?"

"Oh, it's not a joke."

She laughed and cleared her throat. "Frohike....has a crush on me?"

Mulder smirked. "Yes, he does. He thinks you're hot."

"But he's....Frohike."

"Yes, he is." Mulder glanced at her.

"He does know that I can kick his ass right?"

He laughed. "Yes. He knows we both can."

"And you of course told him that I'm not interested in him in that way, right?"

"Of course I did but he's convinced he can win your heart." Mulder pulled into the parking lot of the crowded restaurant. "I think I can do it another way."

"Does his winning involve getting me drunk or injecting me with tranquilizers?" She paused. "I'm speaking in regards to Frohike, not you. Unless of course....that was your agenda?"

"Not exactly." He turned and looked at her.

"Well, now you definitely have me intrigued." She replied with a smile.

Mulder got out of the car and walked to the other side to open her door for her.

She looked up at him before stepping out. "I always knew you were a gentleman."

He smiled as he took her arm. "Shall we, Miss Scully?"

"I would be delighted, Mr. Mulder." She answered back as she walked beside him.