A/N: Here's chapter 13. Please, enjoy it! The weekend in Lincoln Landing is nearly over.

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Katherine Scully's house

"… and for I'm the mayor of Lincoln Landing, it is my duty to take care of order and the compliance of laws, you understand? And that's why Kitty .." The mayor's view trailed over to Katherine Scully.

Mulder sipped at his punch and had to smile as he heard the nickname Kitty. That was definitely a strange name for a woman of her age. Since 15 minutes, he was caught in this conversation with Lincoln Landing's current mayor Frederic Burton and Mulder hasn't been able to at least say one single word. The way in which Frederic talked about Lincoln Landing gave Mulder the impression that he had been mayor of this litle township since more than one judicature. And he definietly looked like he could have been one of Lincoln Landing's founders – snow white hair, a long Santa Clause like beard and lots of wrinkles around his eyes. But his age didn't seem to prevent him the least from his constant talking and telling.

"… since Kitty introduced you to me, I just thought, okay let's use this opportunity and ask an experienced FBI agent about the best methods of fighting crime. So, I assumed, since you're a federal agent you're somekind of a specialist concerning the combating of crime." Silence. Frederic Burton had actually stopped talking and was now waiting for Mulder to form a reply.

Somewhat caught off guard unexpectedly, Mulder choked on a fruit while sipping his punch, as suddenly Scully appeared by his side and answered for him.

"Mr. Burton, we don't know anything about that." She replied with a charming smile on her face and patting Mulder on his back, for he was still coughing a little.

"But … Kitty told me you two were working for the FBI and …"

"Yes, we do … but we're working in a totally other department! Would you please excuse us?" She asked decently and then maneuvered the still slightly coughing Mulder towards the open veranda doors and out, where she placed him on a chair and finally took a sip of her own punch. "It seems, I can't leave you alone, now can I? I just look away for one minute and you're captured by a pensioner."

Mulder grinned and leaned his back against the comfortable chair. "Hey, this is the south. It's like an invasion of pensioners around here, so I didn't have a real chance. I mean, what were my odds?" He answered with an infectious smile. "But anyway, thanks for the redemption!"

Scully nodded and performed a little curtsey, before taking a seat on top of the veranda's bannister and making herself comfortable, while taking another sip of her punch.

It was then that Mulder finally noticed her outfit. She wore a light and silky, knee-length skirt, which fitted perfectly to the blue-grey of her v-neck top. The freshly tanned skin of her arms, face and cleavage suited her more than well and she looked very healthy. Her hair was loose and slightly blown by the breeze. "You … simply look gorgeous." He said, while still staring at her.

Dana frowned slightly and gave him an insecure smile. "Sorry?"

"You are more than stunning today." Had he gone too far by mentioning how he saw her?

"Thanks!" She replied shyly and carefully smiled at him. What was going on? His look, his posture. Scully's heart did a little extra throb and she turned to see the night sky, just to avoid looking at him a little longer. It made her nervous. She was sure that she had turned a little read in reaction to his compliment and his look. This look!!! She thought and had to suppress a sigh. Although the sun had tanned her face, he would be able to see her blushing. Oh come on, Dana, pull yourself together! He is still the same man. Nothing has changed. This is Mulder. Your partner! Even if she tried to convince herself of all these things, it wasn't really working. She was nuts about him. Nuts about her colleague, her partner, friend, whatever. And she was in love really too long.

Mulder still examined her. Every move and gesture. And she had become very quiet. I've gone too far. Surely. And that's when he started getting nervous. "Uhm … do you want to eat something?"

Scully nodded and turned to face him again. Hopefully, the blushing has vanished! "Yeah, I'd like to."

Mulder nodded, stood up and retreated back into the house to grab something to eat. Giving her time and space to calm or think about all the things that were spinning around in her mind.

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15 minutes had passed and Scully looked down at her watch. Even Mulder didn't need that much time to simply get something to eat. She got up, placed her punch glass on the bannister, straightened herself and stepped into the house. The first familiar person she saw was her mother. "Mum, have you seen …"

Her mother approached her with a smile and answered: "The last time I've seen him, was over by the buffet, darling."

Scully nodded and continued her way through the masses of party guests. He had to be somewhere. And as some people in front of her parted, she saw him. Right in the middle of a normal conversation with her brother Bill. Scully swallowed and couldn't believe her eyes. A volatile smile passed her face and she speechlessly leaned against the wooden pillar next to her. Mulder and Bill? Talking? She couldn't tell what made her heart beat so fast.

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He couldn't really believe what was happening just now. He was talking to William Scully jr., Bill Scully. It was a miracle. As Bill had approached him at the buffet, Mulder was sure, he would take a swing at Mulder's face any second. But he simply wanted to talk. And since then he hasn't made even one derisive remark and he had been a really pleasant and interesting person to talk to. This was more than unbelievable. Mulder nodded and laughed and let his view trail a little around the room, as he spotted her leaning against a pillar. Her eyes told him more than 1000 words could have done. They were so blue and huge, somehow nearly not real. He smiled and as if her face was a mirror, she smiled back. "Uhm, Bill … would you please excuse me?"

Bill observed Mulder's face and followed his line of vision, which lead to his sister. Knowingly, he nodded. "Well, of course. It was a pleasure!" He said honestly and reached out to shake hands with Mulder.

A/N: Thanks so much for still reading the story! That's it for chapter 13. But there's one more chapter to come, before we have to leave Lincoln Landing. Hope, you still like it. Take care, Kat.