Disclaimer: Chris Carter and 1013 Productions blah blah woof

Written by: Emily Shevlot and Hailee McElroy

"Scully, would you think of this as well…maybe a date?

The hope surfaced in his puppy dog eyes. Her face flustered and she melted inside. "I wish yes, but no for the sake of our friendship." Her head told her. "Oh god yes!" Her heart exclaimed! She tried to look collected and calm on the outside. Her eyes pleaded with him to take back the question.

"Well…uhm..I'm not quite sure. I kinda see it as my best friend and I hanging out. I mean not like that's all you're ever going to be to me…" She stopped before she made herself look any stupider. She tried with desperation to let him know without words the she loved him and wanted him to be more than just her best friend. But she knew inside they couldn't let it get between their 'partnership'.

"Oh well okay…just wondering, I mean and of course that's not how I always want…I mean will…see you."

Her eyes flickered in pain. They both knew he hit that spot deep down beneath all her layers where she kept her feelings. She felt like crying. She couldn't deal with it now. She doubled her defenses and put on her best masquerade.

"Yeah, yeah I…I know." She mentally slapped herself. Why didn't she just say yes or no. That's all that would've been said and they could get back to there date…no outing…whatever.

He looked to her in desperation but she turned away and rubbed at her coat in anxiety.

"I think we should go back out on the ice," She blurted out awkwardly.

He smiled and pushed away all the talk from before. "Well then I guess I need another lesson or two before I kill myself, " he laughed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey! Hey Scully! I think I got it!" He skated over to her and did a small twirl trying to impress her.

"Watch it Mulder! If you're not careful we might-" She had spoken too soon. They went crashing to the ground as her skate caught on his. She lay on top of him, their skates entangled in one another's. Accident of accident?

"Oh God. Uh - sorry Mulder. I-I didn't mean to honest." Her face flared red with embarrassment.

"No you're fine where you are."

Scully's eyes widened in a glare but inside her heart melted with joy.

"Oh wow…did I just say that out loud?" She glared at him once more as she stood up and straightened out her jacket.

"Well. I'd say I'm just about skated out, how about you Mulder?"

"Yea only if you are," he said standing up with a contempt look on his face. He knew she had enjoyed that fall and she knew he had enjoyed it just as well.

"Yes I'm definitely done. Let's go turn in our skate and get back to the office." She skated over to the benches and started untying her skates. They turned in their skates and were heading out the door when Mulder made a grim discovery.

"Uh Scully. You wouldn't happen to have your keys would 'ya?" She patted her jacket. She felt a small bulge but pretended to not notice.

"Nope…is there any particular reason as to why I would need them?" She walked over to him, eyebrow raised arms folded across her chest.

He fidgeted with his jacket zipper uncomfortably though he dared no take his eyes off her for fear she would strike him to the floor. He hated when she gave him that look. "I uh can't seem to find mine."

He made his best pathetic face and she couldn't help but giggle at him. "C'mon let's go back to my place and watch a movie or something," Mulder said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the car. She had wanted to hold his hand like this for so long that she didn't mind as he pulled her along.

TBC…

R&R! plz!