Chapter 5

Scully could have sworn that there had never been a morning as long as that one. She could feel Mulder's eyes on her from time to time, and she couldn't help but feel the heat spreading through her body. At noon she needed to leave the office, to breathe. The charged air in the basement room was almost suffocating. She stood up, grabbing her wallet.

"I'm going to get some lunch." Scully looked at Mulder, questioning with her eyes whether he wanted to join her.

"I think I'll stay. I need to finish up a few things."

Scully looked at him more closely; she had seen that look before, and in that moment she knew that whatever he needed to finish wasn't work related.

5 weeks before

A month ago, being a Federal Agent was pretty much Scully's whole life. She didn't complain about the amount of work, or how much time she spent in the field. However, as a result of the changes of the past few weeks, Scully caught herself cursing her superiors for assuming that she didn't have a personal life.

She and Mulder had been on a case for the past ten days that had put an end to their plans for the previous weekend. Scully knew it'd happen sooner or later and was okay with it, in theory.

She had looked forward to enjoying the coming weekend with Mulder by her side.What's more, she wanted to be with him. They had planned on spending Saturday on the beach, eating sea food, walking on the sand, and enjoying each other's company. It was almost amusing how much Scully had come to long for those stolen moments. It was new and exciting. It had been such a long time since she had something to look forward to, that the feeling was overwhelming sometimes.

So, the beach was the plan, but at the end of Friday Scully had been called to Skinner's office. He had an autopsy for her to do the next day at noon, when the body would be arriving. She tried to talk Skinner into letting someone else handle the post-mortem, but it seemed that they were short of personnel in Quantico.

What Skinner "forgot" to mention was there wasn't only one body waiting for her, but three. Spending the afternoon, and most of the night, doing autopsies was enough to put Scully in a very bad mood.

She got home exhausted around 11 p.m. and found two messages on her answering machine. Mulder, no doubt. She hit the "play" button and waited for her partner's voice to make her at least feel a bit better.

"Hi, Scully, it's me. If you get home early, call me. We can have dinner or something."

Scully sighed; she'd have loved that.

The next message wasn't quite as hopeful. "Well, I'm guessing you won't be home anytime soon. I'm going to see the guys. If you want to talk when you get home, you know where to find me."

At least someone was having fun tonight, Scully thought. She debated with herself whether she should call him. She was so tired, she'd love nothing more than to take a hot shower and go to bed. Scully decided to call later when she was in bed lying down, and walked to the bathroom to take her shower.

Scully was only half awake when she entered her bedroom again. She clumsily put on her pajamas, and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When Scully woke the next day, she could feel the muscles on her back, tense and aching. She groaned, and silently cursed Skinner again.

Scully was still mustering the will to leave her bed, when the phone rang. She extended her arm, and picked up the receiver.

"Hello."

"Morning, Sunshine."

"Morning."

"Did I wake you?"

"No, but almost."

"Bad day at Quantico?"

"You could say that."

"I was wondering if we could still go to the beach today, but from the sound of your voice I think you're too tired for that."

"I am. I'm sorry, Mulder. I don't even know if I can stand up. My back is killing me."

There was a silence, then Mulder asked almost tentatively, "Would you mind if I came over? I could take care of you today."

Scully felt her lips curving in a smile. "I'd like that."

"Really?" He sounded incredulous, and Scully had to stifle a laugh.

"Yes, really."

"Okay, then. I'll bring breakfast."

"Good, because I'm in no condition to prepare anything."

"See you soon."

They both hung up and Scully looked at her watch. It was a little after 10 A.M. She should get up and change at least, but she was feeling too lazy to move. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, Mulder was sitting on her bed, looking at her and smiling.

"You really are tired, aren't you?"

Scully sighed, and tried to sit up, wincing at the movement. Mulder helped her, putting some pillows behind her, and she looked at him gratefully.

"Mulder, I had to do three autopsies yesterday. And after ten days of field work, I guess it's really gotten to me. I feel like an old lady.

Mulder looked at her affectionately, and kissed her forehead.

"I brought you breakfast." He leaned over the side of her bed, and she noticed he had a tray with what she'd call a feast.

"You're going to eat, too, right?"

"Of course."

She patted the other side of her bed, and he took his shoes off, walked around, and sat at her side, leaning against the headboard.

While they ate, Mulder told her about his visit with the Gunmen. She always found it comical how much they behaved like boys when they gathered to play video games.

After they finished, Mulder put the tray on the floor, and turned to Scully. "Why don't I run you a bath, and while you soak in the tub, I'll wash the dishes.

"Mulder, you don't have…"

"I know that; I want to. You said I could take care of you."

"In that case, I'll take you up on your offer."

"Great."

"You do know I'll probably stay in the tub for a while, don't you?"

"I know. Don't worry, I need to take care of a few things."

"What kind of things?"

Mulder only looked at her, and smiled. He turned, and made a move to stand up, but Scully's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

He looked at her puzzled, but realized what she meant after a moment.

"Happy birthday, Scully." He leaned over and gave her a soft, chaste kiss on the lips. He ran his hand over her hair, and whispered, "I'll be right back."

She followed him with her eyes. God, she had missed this. Their little game was becoming addicting. After each new encounter, she'd catch herself yearning for more. Scully didn't know how much longer they'd be able to keep things as innocent as they were at the moment. She only knew that before the day was over, she'd have a real kiss from Mulder.

End of chapter 5