She started walking with him toward the building. "This is already more than I could have asked for as a birthday. You've even surpassed my family for birthdays even before we get to the door."

"I feel special now," Mulder said as they walked into the restaurant. Music of Mozart poured from theorchestra as the place hummed with waiters walking about and many guests sitting at tables. "Wow," he said in awe.

She followed his glances. "Oh, Mulder." She breathed. "Are...are we really here?"

The matire'd walked up to them. "Ah, hello and welcome to O'Riley's. We're glad you've joined us. Name?"

"The reservation is under Mulder."

"Ah, yes, Fox Mulder. Carlos has told us you wanted the table outside, correct?"

"Yes, please."

The matire'd smiled and grabbed two menus. "Then, right this way."

She looked up at Mulder. "A table outside?"

"Yeah, on really nice nights they have tables outside where you can eat under the stars. I was told to give that a try."

She couldn't believe all this was happening and they hadn't even sat down yet! "I...I think it sounds wonderful."

They were led outside and found their table under the starry sky. Two candles were lit under their table.

"Oh, Mr. Mulder, you're very lucky to get this table tonight."

"Looks nice," he answered as they sat down.

"We'll give you a few moments." They were then left alone.

She turned to him. "I can't believe this!" She whispered. "It's...it's so beautiful out here. Mulder, you have truly thought of everything."

"Thanks," he said as he began to look through the menu.

She picked up her menu and began glancing at it. "Oh my. I uh...think some of the entrees on this menu cost as much as a week's pay."

"Order whatever, Scully. It's fine."

"Mulder, did you see the prices on here? I mean...no offense but someone who has such a small apartment paying for this? You have to let me help you pay for this."

"No, really, Scully, don't worry about it." He looked up from the menu. "I won't go hungry for a week just to pay for this."

"But how can you afford it?"

"I'm not a poor FBI agent…when I save some of my paychecks back."

She looked back at him. "You mean....you've been saving up for this? For...for tonight?"

He nodded his head.

"Then...you've had this planned for quite some time."

"Yes, I have."

"How did you know I wouldn't say no?"

"Then I could have used the money to…well, doesn't matter. If you had rejected my offer, it would…well, be devastating."

"Devastating? Mulder, it's just a dinner it..."

"Yeah, and that would mean that the money that could have went to buying the tapes that are not mine could have been used sooner," he said jokingly.

She could sense that he was obviously nervous about something. He had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange just a simple dinner like this. What was he hiding? She decided not to dwell on it for the time being. "Yes, I uh thought you might use the money for that." She grinned.

The waiter came to their table. "Good evening. Have you decided on an order?"

"Um, I guess we'll start with some red wine…and I'll have the um…Chicken Alferdo, please," Mulder answered.

Scully looked down at her menu having totally forgotten about it. "Uhhh..." She glanced at the menu items and knew she had to pick something and quickly. She didn't want him to know she hadn't been paying attention to the menu the whole time but rather her partner instead. "I'll uhh....I'll have the quail."

"Excellent choices. I'll be back with your order." The waiter left and took their menus.

Mulder looked at Scully. "Do you like it so far?"

Why the hell had she ordered quail? She had never eaten it in her life! Not to mention she ordered one of the most expensive things on the menu! She put down her menu slowly. "Yes, it's....it's very nice."

The waiter returned with their bottle of wine and poured their glasses. "I hope you enjoy tonight's Mozart and Beethoven pieces." He gave them a smile and walked away.

After he had left, Mulder picked up his glass. "I propose a toast."

She was still thinking about what she had ordered. "A...a toast?"

"Uh huh. Happy birthday, Scully. Here's to a night that hopefully is filled with happiness."

She raised her glass. "Right, happiness. Uh cheers." She clicked glasses with his and then took a sip of the wine. "Mmm...very...very good."

He took a sip of wine. "You still look tense. Relax, Scully."

"You know I'm thinking maybe I should change my order."

"Why? Don't like it?"

"I just think I may have been a little.....impulsive."

"If that's what you want for dinner, then hey, have it."

So now if she changed it, it would look even worse. "Well...yes. I uh....had it once...years ago." She quickly took another sip of wine.

He noticed she was nervous and that's not what his intentions were. He heard a familiar piece and smiled. "Would you dance with me?" he asked her.

She nearly choked on her wine and coughed. "Da...dance?"

"Yeah."

"Mulder that one time we danced I nearly killed your feet."

"No, you didn't. And remember, I think you had fun that night we saw Cher." He got up from his seat and offered her his hand to dance.

"But this...this is different."

"Yeah, this time there is no Cher and no audience. Just you and me this time." He took her hand.

"I'm telling you I have two left feet."

"I don't care, you can step on them." He pulled them from the table as he took her hands and began to dance slowly.

"Where....where is Cher when you need her?" She asked as she felt herself tremble. "Think the orchestraknows Walking in Memphis on the cello?"

"Just relax, Scully. You're so tense over nothing."

"We aren't dancing because we're on a case this time, Mulder."

"Didn't we agree we were going to be friends tonight and not worry about previous cases?"

"Friends....dance like this?"

"They can."

"Do friends shake like I am?" She could feel her hands sweating.

"Scully, just relax. You're so afraid of me right now."

"This makes absolutely no sense to me. I mean....why would I be afraid of you? I trust you more than anyone. I've risked my life and career for you..."

"Just breathe, Scully. Relax…it's your birthday."

She took a deep breath as she moved with him. She was having a hard time around him. And the reason was because of how he looked. Any woman would have been lucky to be in her situation right now. "You're....you're actually a good dancer."

"Thanks. You're not so bad either." Mulder smiled as he twirled her and pulled her back to him.

She gasped, as she looked back at him, much closer than when they first started. "I....I don't twirl very well."

"Just takes practice." He heard the waiter clear his throat. "Your dinner is served."

"Oh, okay…thank you," Mulder answered as he looked back at Scully.

"Maybe....maybe you can teach me then?" She blinked her eyes. "I...I mean we should eat."

"I'll teach and then we'll eat." He cleared his throat. "When the guy is getting ready to twirl you, take a step out, spinning slowly with your hand in his…" As he spoke, he did this with her. "As you twirl come back to him and take his hand back where it was when you were dancing."

She followed his directions to the letter and twirled. She let out a laugh before she was brought back to him again right where she had been a few moments before. "Like....like that?" She whispered.

He smiled. "Perfect."

He has such a nice smile. "We'd....we'd better eat now." She took a swallow.