Chapter 10

Her eyes registered surprise for a moment before she said in his ear "We'll talk about it later when it's not so noisy, okay?"

He put her back on her feet. "Sure."

He watched the rest of the game. Now it was Scully's turn to wonder if she had said something wrong. She sighed softly to herself as she kept her hand in Mulder's the rest of the game. The Knicks won, but by only one basket.

"So did you have fun?" He said as they walked to the car from the stadium.

"Yeah, it was great." She smiled. "Did you?"

"Mm hmmm." he said unlocking her door and helping her in.

"So we have about forty-five minutes before our reservation," Scully told him as he got into the driver's seat.

"So back home to change?" Mulder inquired.

"You got it. I wouldn't mind a shower or a bath. I'm sweating like a pig." That little voice in her head inquired. Are you sure that's not because you're with Mulder? Scully visibly shook the thought away as she turned her attention to the window.

"I'm sure you can squeeze that in." He said as he laid his hand on her knee.

"I'm not like some people," she managed a teasing grin. They got back to his apartment.

She smiled as he opened the door for her and headed straight for the bathroom to shower and change. She carefully removed her dress from the closet and took it with her.

He was sitting on the couch. He picked up the remote and flipped the channel to the news. There was a clear lump in her throat as she closed the door behind her. Not because of regret this time...but because she didn't want to leave him again to go back to her apartment.

Fifteen minutes later, she wiped the tears off her face and opened the door. She called as she walked into the bedroom. "I'm done with the shower if you need it."

He was changed already. "We don't have time." He handed her a deep red rose.

"What's this for?"

"Because I love you."

She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, stupid question." She leaned up to kiss his lips. "Thank you." Her eyes lingered on Mulder's long enough for him to be able to see what she had been thinking about in the shower. Then she forced herself to look away and smile. "I'll just be a minute."

He stood at the door watching her. "You wouldn't have to go back...if you'd...never mind."

She put the brush down, looking over at him. "What were you going to say?"

She walked over to him.

"Marry me...but that's fine if you aren't ready...just let's live together...under one roof." He got out all in one breath.

Scully's eyes filled with tears. "Are you ready for marriage?" was the predictable question.

"Since the day I fell in love with you."

Scully's eyes searched Mulder's before agreeing. "We fight like we're married already," she teased.

He grinned. "That we do."

"Well, at the risk of sounding like a wife, we gotta go. I just gotta grab my shoes."

He pulled her back to him. "Be my wife."

She pulled his lips down to hers, kissing him softly as tears ran between them.

"Yes," she whispered. He picked her up and slowly spun her around all the while kissing her deeper.

"I love you so much. Forgive me for not saying it sooner?" she whispered in his ear when the kiss broke.

"Forgiven...let's go; we don't wanna be late." He took her hand and kissed it. He slid an antique ring upon her finger.

"Right." Scully sighed reluctantly and put her shoes on. As she brought her hand back up, the glint of her ring caught her eye, making her smile. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." He said taking her hand and leading her to the car.

Scully didn't know why, but she had the sudden urge to climb on top of Mulder's apartment building and shout from the rooftop that she was engaged.

The restaurant was romantic...dim lights, soft music, everything just perfect. "You planned this all?"

"You sound surprised, baby." Scully tentatively tried out the name on her lips.

The maitre d' greeted them with a polite smile. "Reservations for two. Under Dana Scully." Scully told him.

"Soon to be Mulder," he added while smiling at her. "That is if she doesn't want me to become Fox Scully. Because I'd do it for her if she asked."

"Maybe we better stick with Dana Mulder." Scully got tingles down her spine thinking about it.

The maitre d' only smiled and led them to their seats.

"Think he is bored with us?"

"I hope not." I'm not even drunk and already I'm babbling. Gotta get a grip! Then she sighed contentedly. But I can't. Too deliriously happy.

"I like seeing you this way." He said quietly.

"What way? Relaxed?"

"So happy, I can tell you are losing control...God, Dana, I want to be the one that makes you lose control." His breath was hot upon her neck.

"When we get home," she promised, feeling Mulder shudder.

Scully and Mulder were ushered to their table. A waiter was pouring wine into glasses. He offered Mulder one to taste. He tasted it and smiled. "Good." The waiter nodded and poured more.

The maitre d' helped Scully with her chair.

He sat once she was seated. "Very nice here, isn't it?"

Scully nodded in agreement. He reached across to take her hand. He ran his finger across the ring on her finger. He liked the way it looked on her. "Angel Eyes" by the Jeff Healey Band began to play.

"Dance with me?" Scully took his hand and they went to the dance floor. He pulled her close to him and she rested her head against his chest.. He laid his cheek against her head. "I love you, Dana." he whispered unsure whether she heard him or not.

"I know," she whispered back. "I love you, too."

She leaned into him and closed her eyes as the words of the song floated down to them.

Particularly 'How did I ever win your love? What did I do? What did I say to turn your angel eyes my way?'

At that moment their eyes met. Mulder lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss had them stopped in the middle of the dance floor with everyone watching.

"Don't worry about them," Scully whispered into his ear. "Just look at me." She could sense that he was growing self-conscious.

He looked deep into her eyes. "Okay, I won't." When the song was over, he dipped her slowly and kissed her mouth gently.

Scully wrapped her arm around his waist and they went back to their table where the order was waiting. He helped her with her chair this time. "You are the most beautiful woman in the world." He whispered into her ear.

She smiled at him as he sat down across from him. She reached over for his hand.

"Eat up, baby."

She released Mulder's hand and began eating her shrimp and pasta.

He just spooned the last of his meal into his mouth. He was watching her eat. "What else do you have planned for my birthday?"

Her soft eyes looked up at him. "I thought I might give you your other present."