The next morning Mulder awoke with a start at the sound of his phone ringing. He glanced at the LED display on his alarm clock. It read 7:44. Swearing under his breath he sat up and answered the phone before it could ring for a third time.
"Hello?"
"Hey Mulder it's Byers."
"Byers hey. What did you find?" He was instantly more awake.
"Absolutely nothing. This guy obviously knows what he's doing; he didn't leave us anything. He didn't lick any of the envelopes and we couldn't even get a trace on the make of glue he used on the notes. We're sorry Mulder. Maybe you'd be better going to the Bureau on this one. I've sent Langley over with the photos and notes. I didn't trust Frohike with them." Mulder laughed. By this time he was out of bed and dashing around his bedroom, trying to get his clothes together.
"Thanks for trying anyway Byers."
"That's ok. I just wish we could've been more help. Bye." Mulder hung up and was just heading for the bathroom when there was a knock at the door.
"Just push them under the door Langley," he called out and watched as he obliged. After calling out a hasty 'Thank you', Mulder ran into the bathroom. He was running so late.
He was just stepping out of the shower when he heard it. A faint noise coming from his living room. Wrapping a towel around his waist he walked through his bedroom, picking up his gun on his way. Cautiously he stepped forward and quickly rounded the corner into his living room, gun pointed out in front of him.
"Freeze!"
"You wouldn't shoot an unarmed woman now, would ya G-Man?" Scully took a couple of steps towards him, hands held up. Mulder lowered his gun, trying to get his breathing back to normal.
"What are you doing here?"
"You were late and I had nothing else to do so Skinner sent me to see what the hell was keeping you." She looked him up and down, eyeing his current state of undress. "Looks like you had a bit of a lie in." Mulder blushed slightly and turned to go back into his bedroom.
"Give me 5 minutes," he called over his shoulder.
Scully smiled to herself as she sat down on his sofa. Mulder's apartment was hardly the tidiest in the world. Empty pizza and take out boxes littered the coffee table. Dirty dishes filled the sink. She had no idea how he managed to live like this. Glancing around, the envelopes by his door caught her eye. Scully shook her head and sighed to herself as she crossed the room and stooped to pick them up. There were three, all addressed to Mulder and all opened. Brow furrowed with confusion she slipped a hand inside one. The contents were half out when a hand grabbed them from her grasp.
"What the hell..?" she asked, meeting Mulder with a shocked look.
"These are private," he replied turning away. He was offering no more explanation. Scully stared at him incredulously.
"Mulder what the hell is with you?"
"Nothing!" He shouted, whirling back round to face her. "Nothing is up with me. I wish you'd stop asking me that!"
"Well excuse me for being concerned!" She retorted angrily, her infamous temper flaring. "Your behavior hasn't exactly been normal lately has it?"
"I'm ok," Mulder replied, a little calmer than before. "Haven't we got to get back to the Bureau?"
"Don't change the subject. Something's troubling you, something that you won't tell me. You never know Mulder, maybe I can help."
"You can't," he said quietly, picking up his jacket.
"You don't know that."
"Believe me, I do," he replied as he brushed past her and opened the door. He drew in a quiet breath. There was yet another envelope on his doorstep. Quick as a flash, Mulder scooped it up and pocketed it, then proceeding to walk down the hall. Scully had seen this, but chose to ignore it. She would catch him off guard. Then she'd find out what he was up to.
"Hey hot shot, aren't you going to lock your door?" She called after him and saw him stop. She couldn't help but smile slightly as he backtracked towards her and locked his door.
"Not quite the smooth getaway I was hoping for," he said sheepishly and she laughed out loud as they walked down the corridor to the elevator.