A couple hours later, Scully glanced at her watch. 11:38. Three hours had passed and she'd barely noticed.

"Wow is that really the time?" Michael had looked at his watch also.

"Yeah," she replied with a smile as she stood up. "I really should be going. I've got to visit my mother early tomorrow." Michael stood also, helping her with her coat before slipping into his own.

Stepping into the cold night was quite a shock after the warmth of the bar. Scully shivered slightly and pulled her coat tighter around her body.

"Where's your car?" Michael asked, his breath forming in clouds.

"I walked. My apartment's only two blocks away."

"Then I'll walk with you. A lady shouldn't be walking the streets alone at night. Besides, I need the exercise."

"You look in pretty good shape to me," Scully replied, and blushed slightly when she realized what she'd said. "What about your car?" She changed the subject quickly.

"It's in the shop. I got a cab here. So there's no excuse." Scully smiled and the pair began walking in the direction of Scully's building.

They walked mainly in silence, enjoying each other's company. When they reached Scully's building they both stopped.

"How did you know this was the right building?" She asked.

"Lucky guess I guess," he replied with a smile that she returned. He took a step closer to her and touched her arm gently. "I really enjoyed tonight Dana, you're really good company and I'm really starting to like you. A lot."

"If I'm honest I'm starting to like you a lot too." She smiled and looked into his eyes. There was something about them that she couldn't quite put her finger on, but she ignored it for now. She was thoroughly enjoying the moment. He cupped her cheek gently with his hand and rubbed his thumb across it. Scully closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying his touch. She opened her eyes and they locked with his. He leaned in slowly until he captured her lips in a soft, tender kiss.

Scully's first instinct was to pull away; she hadn't been kissed by anyone since Evan. But Michael was so nice, she felt sort of comfortable with him and she hadn't been comfortable with a man except Mulder since it'd happened. So instead of pulling away, she kissed him back. After a few moments he pulled away and she opened her eyes.

"I'll call you soon," he said before turning around and walking down the steps to the sidewalk. Scully turned to her door and unlocked it before stepping inside, a smile on her face. She felt like a teenager coming home from a big date. And she liked the feeling.

From his spot in his car across the street he'd seen everything. He'd seen them stop outside her building, talk for a bit. And then it'd happened. The guy had kissed her. He didn't know why, but he'd felt a slight twinge of jealousy. He'd watched as they'd broken away and she turned and went inside. Then he made his move. He got out of the car and crossed the street to where the guy was walking.

"Excuse me," he called and the guy stopped walking and turned around to face him.

"Can I help you?" He replied. There was something in his eyes that was a little strange, bordering on slightly unnerving. How could Scully like this guy?

"Yeah I think you can. I'm a friend of Dana Scully's…"

"Well does she know that you're spying on her?" That got Mulder's back up a bit.

"I'm merely looking out for her."

"I think she's old enough to look out for herself."

"You don't know her, she's not always as strong as she seems." The guy didn't have an answer for that one. "Look I can't tell her what to do, she's her own person and if she wants to go out with you that's her business. But I swear to God, if you hurt her or mess her about you'll have me to deal with. Are we clear on that?"

"Crystal," he replied, an arrogance in his voice that really rubbed Mulder the wrong way. Then, after shooting Mulder a look he turned on his heel and walked down the street. Mulder shook his head as he crossed the road back to his car. Why did Scully always date assholes? He couldn't understand what attracted her to them. With this thought in his head, Mulder started his car and drove off down the street.
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Hey guys sorry it's been so long but I've been uber busy. New York was fab, but then I had to come back to mock exams in all my subjects, only one of which I knew about beforehand :( Now we're really getting into the swing of coursework, which really sucks, but brightside, it's only about a week til my birthday!!!!!!!! And I've passed my driving test so I have freedom!!!!!! Get in!
At least this post was a bit longer than the last. I know people have been saying that my posts aren't long enough, so I'm working on that, as you can see lol.

Anyway, better go, I've rambled long enough hehehe.
Oh and one more thing, don't forget to review!!!!
Lily
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