Mulder slowly crept into the morgue, knowing immediately that this is where Scully would have retreated. He didn't have a plan, he just knew they finally needed to talk.
The card said he had two options, which he did. It was either continue onto another date with Sarah, or tell Scully how he feels if she was the reason he refused. He couldn't just continue pretending that he didn't care about her, and he wasn't interested in Sarah that way. She never really even stood a chance. He exhaled deeply and pushed the door open gently. He could see her buried in her work, avoiding her own emotions.
"Hey, Scully, can we talk?"
"About the case?"
"Uh, not necessarily."
"Then there's nothing to talk about. I'm really busy, Mulder. Can we do this another time?" She asked with a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, sure." He turned, beginning to leave her alone. He was being a coward, but she clearly had no interest in the matter. That was why she was avoiding it, she didn't want it to be true...or so he thought.
In her mind, she assumed that he had chosen Sarah. That him moving so quickly with her was what made her 'special to him.' This wasn't what she had hoped for, and she wanted to be happy for him, but she couldn't face that just yet. She knew that dismissing him was treating him unfairly, but she wasn't ready to have the conversation that they needed.
"Maybe we can meet for a drink after work?" She said in a small voice, barely audible to him as he was halfway out the door. His head popped up excitedly, this was his chance.
"How about dinner and a drink? I'll come find you when it's about time to leave." He only hoped his voice didn't betray him, giving up how desperate he truly was for her. She nodded with a shy smile touching her lips.
The day dragged on for both of them, anticipation rising. He paced in front of the morgue door for a good 5 minutes before entering again. She was coming from the back after changing from her scrubs, and he couldn't help but smile at the unruly curls peering out from her loose ponytail. It was the little glimpses of her like this that he loved to see.
"Just about ready to go?" He finally spoke, causing her to startle.
"Jesus, Mulder. You scared me." She huffed out, fixing her hair.
"Sorry." He said with a small chuckle.
"I'm just finishing up, I need to drop off this report on my way out."
He nodded, following her up to the main floor. They were both nervous about the non-date that this may or may not be. This was ridiculous, they both felt it, but neither was ready to concede. Mulder didn't want to just lay it all out there until he knew there was a sliver of hope from her.
"Oh, good, you're both still here. There's been another murder." Collins said as he rushed by them towards the conference room. "Meeting, now."
They both looked at each other, apologetic smiles exchanged. She let out a heavy sigh, exhausted already from her long day, knowing it was nowhere near over. They settled themselves in the meeting room, the other agents already bustling around.
"This one is the most brutal we've had yet. He's escalating." Collins explained as he began displaying the crime scene photos.
"No, he's done. She was the final victim." Mulder said under his breath, completely lost in thought. The other agents turned their attention towards him, knowing he was doing what he does best.
"What makes you say that?"
"It's personal. She could have been the reason for the start of the whole thing, but he saved her for last. He's either going to kill himself next, or go insane after finally realizing what he's done. Now that it's over, he won't know how to handle it. He's on the edge, we need to find him, now." Mulder explained.
"Alright, this victim was on vacation with her family in Martha's Vineyard. He followed her there to execute his plan. Agent Mulder, Doctor Scully, I'm sending you both out there to the crime scene. Johnson and Lewis, you'll interview her family who just flew back this morning, and her friends. We need to find the connection between these victims. Ask about the church, look in her room for anything similar." Collins said as he dismissed the agents.
Mulder snuck to the front of the room before Scully could talk to him, and was curious about the conversation he was having with Collins. Not only was this day dragging on, but now she had to go out of town, with the very person she was trying to avoid. It wasn't fair to him, she knew that, but things didn't go according to plan, and she didn't know how to handle that.
"Looks like our flight is booked for tomorrow. Instead of them having to pay some ridiculous amount for a hotel out there, we're staying at my house. Uh, if that's okay with you." He said suddenly, realizing how the whole thing sounded as he said it. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, it was just the best plan he could come up with on short notice.
"We're staying over night?"
"Just tomorrow. We'll head out there, look over the crime scene, maybe take some witness statements, and then head back the following day."
"Oh, okay. That's fine." She said with a tightlipped smile. If this didn't force them to talk about things, he didn't know what would. If he admitted to himself, his suggestion to stay was more to benefit him than anything.
The next morning Mulder picked up Scully and they made their way to the airport. He was nervous about returning home, but with her by his side, it didn't seem so bad...even if they weren't exactly talking. There's very little that he disclosed to her about his life, and this little excursion was just going to open new questions that he wasn't sure he was ready to answer.
When they arrived to the Vineyard, she was in a world of awe, this being her first time there. She'd traveled enough in her childhood through moving as a Navy brat, but never had a chance to do her own vacationing. Mulder loved the look of pure bliss in her eyes, the water surrounding them as they made their way to his childhood home.
"This is your house? You seriously grew up here?" She asked in disbelief as they pulled up to the gravel driveway. It was the first real conversation they'd had since they were assigned to come here.
"Yeah, it's not exactly my style, but I got the house after the divorce. I rent it out as a summer home most of the time. I haven't really been back for a while." His voice drifted off into a memory. There was a softness in his eyes, a moment of vulnerability that she could see in him.
"Mulder, this house is incredible." She said as they entered, setting their things down.
"I pay people to take care of it throughout the year, at least I know I'm getting my money's worth." He huffed out a small laugh.
"Did, uh, Collins give us a list of witnesses in the area that we're supposed to be talking to as well?" She shifted gears, steering away from anything more personal. She still wasn't ready to face that, and him bringing her to stay at his childhood home felt intimate in a way she couldn't describe.
"Yeah, we can head down to the crime scene, local authorities know we are coming today. We'll have access to everything at the precinct, and you'll have full authority in the lab. I can do the interviews while you run whatever tests you may need."
"Oh, yeah okay. Let's just head over there and we can examine the crime scene, see what needs to be done. If your profile is right, it's going to be pretty horrific if she's the last one." She said in a small voice. She was hoping they'd at least be working more together being stuck here.
"Jesus, Mulder, what could possibly make someone do something this gruesome?" She was in shock by the crime scene, the reality of it hitting her harder than the initial pictures.
"I don't know. I hate these cases, the profiles always mess me up the most. I'm going to look around the area more, let me know if you find anything specific." He said as he left her there. He was being distant, and she didn't like it.
The day dragged slowly for both of them, working separately on their own part of the case. She was locked away in the lab, her nose buried in her work. It was her small piece of solace in this mess that she and Mulder had found themselves in.
"Hey." He said quietly as he walked in. She looked up and gave him a tightlipped smile, nodding at is presence.
"Hey. How'd the interviews go?"
"Dead end, from what I can tell. No one saw anything other than her leaving with some boy from a party. Her friends here said it happens all the time when her family is here for vacation, so they never questioned it."
"The crime scene seems like it's in a pretty open space, how is it possible that no one was able to see anything?"
"Around here, everyone's a little self obsessed. If it doesn't concern them, or profit them with some good gossip points, they turn a blind eye." He said with a shrug.
"They should put that in the welcome brochure." She said with a slight smirk. He chuckled, both relaxing for the first time in a few days.
"Hey, I believe I still owe you a dinner and a drink. What do you say we head back and enjoy at least some of our time here."
"Sure. I'd like that." The smirk on her lips growing. They were both walking around this cautiously, neither sure how the other felt. Mulder knew she read the card, even though she never admitted it. It was a tricky conversation to just bring up, given the nature of this specific task.
When they arrived back at the house, he didn't really have a plan. There were few places on the Vineyard, all nicer than anything he would have originally picked for them to have a casual evening together. Rosie popped into his head, and he knew just where to go. Her favorite restaurant, right on the water. He only hoped Scully loved it just as much.
"I, uh, don't know what you brought with you, but the place I have in mind is a little on the dressy side. Not anything too extravagant, but I guess-" He was stammering. She could see the nervousness in him, it was absolutely endearing.
"I think I have something. I'll be ready in about an hour?" She said quietly. She packed something extra, knowing what she's heard about Vineyard. It was on a whim, more wishful thinking than anything.
She retreated upstairs to the guest room that she was staying in. The deep green velvet dress peeping out of her bag made her smile, glad she brought this one. She had never warn it, and bought it while she was out shopping one day with her mother. It was nothing like she had in her closet, and that's what made her love it even more.
Making her way back downstairs, she didn't see Mulder anywhere. She retouched her lipstick in the downstairs mirror, waiting for him to appear. He slowly came in from the kitchen, smiling at the sight before him. He loved catching her in these off-guard moments. Before he could take another step, he realized what she was wearing, everything around him coming to a halt. The dress was smooth, and fitted, falling just above her knee. It silhouetted her small, fit figure perfectly. She had never looked more beautiful, he was awestruck.
"Do I look okay?" She asked timidly. The look in his eyes would tell her the answer to that question, but she was feeling suddenly modest under his intense gaze.
"You look, yeah. Perfect, you look beautiful. Uh, we should get going." He managed to get out. He felt like he was in high school all over again, awkward and unable to talk to beautiful girls. She smiled at him timidly before nodding and making her way outside.
When they arrived to the restaurant, she was immediately taken back by it's quaint beauty. It was small, and intimate, and she wondered what he was expressing by bringing her here. They were seated right away since it was a quiet time for the Vineyard, other than the occasional murder.
"Mulder, did you used to come here?" She was dazzled by the twinkling lights illuminating their dining setting.
"Uh yeah, sometimes. This was Rosie's favorite place. She loved the waterfront, and I just got dragged along for the company." He said with a sheepish smile.
"It's amazing. I can see why she favored it."
"Yeah, we-"
"Oh my god, Fox Mulder. I knew I recognized that face. It's been years!" A busty brunette squealed as she threw herself into his arms as he stood to greet her.
"Cecilia, it's great to see you. I didn't realize you still lived on the Vineyard."
"Well I don't, but I'm here vacationing for a few weeks. Some alone time without the husband and kids. You look great, are you seeing anyone?" She said in a sultry voice that made Scully roll her eyes. It didn't go unnoticed by Mulder, and it made him smile.
"I'm just here on a work case actually, this is my partner, Dana Scully." He said craftily avoiding the question. They made casual pleasantries, Cecilia finally leaving them alone.
"Sorry about that. I honestly didn't think I'd run into anyone here. I ran far enough away as soon as I could." He explained with an apologetic smile.
"It doesn't seem so bad, just those small town vibes. I wish I was in a place long enough for people to know my business."
"Trust me, it's better to be invisible." He said in a distant voice. There it was again, that vulnerability in his eyes.
"Can I ask-" Her voice was cut off by another woman appearing by their table. She mentally groaned, they were never going to have a proper conversation.
"Fox Mulder, right?" The perky waitress asked. He gave her a puzzled look, until realization set in. The card that suggested he bring her here before, was never chosen, but whatever Rosie had planned for it was never cancelled. His eyes grew wide, scared for whatever this could lead them to.
"Uh, yeah..."
"This is for you." She said with a smile, handing him a small, rectangular box. Now he was even more confused that before. If it was Rosie's style, she would have some immaculate plan laid out for him to make this date perfect. Nothing that he would have to ever find in a box.
He nodded as the waitress walked away, holding the box in his shaking hands. Catching Scully's gaze, she had a million questions in her eyes. He didn't know how to explain this one, considering he didn't know what he was holding. He gently removed the ribbon, lifting the lid to reveal and shiny silver chain. There was a small fox charm on the end, causing him to smile.
"I bought this for her, Rosie, when I left for college."
"That's really sweet, Mulder. Who knew you had a soft side." She teased. There was a small glimpse of something sticking out from under the box. She furrowed her brow in curiosity, reaching forward to grab it. "There's something on the bottom."
Before he could stop her, she pulled the note attached and brought it up to read. Her breath caught in her throat, any ounce of hope diminishing.
'She's special to you, give her the bracelet so you're always with her.'
Scully licked her lips anxiously, placing the note down gently. He had never been more terrified in his life. This wasn't helping the situation, forcing her into something he believed she didn't want.
"I think the note's for you. I'm actually exhausted from the day, do you mind if we take the food to go?" She said in a small voice.
"Yeah, sure." He conceded. He should have never roped her into this, making her obligated to be by his side through this. That's why he didn't want to complete this task, it was too complicated.
Scully's mind was whirling around, thinking she read something that should have been an intimate moment between him and Sarah. She felt like she was intruding on their new relationship.
The car ride back to the house was quiet, neither knowing how to start that conversation. She wanted to make a point to let him know that she wouldn't stand in the way of him and Sarah. That as much as it may kill her to lose this fight, she wouldn't make him feel guilty about it. She did set them up after all. Mulder was lost in his own thoughts on the matter, thinking that she just really didn't want anything to do with this anymore. He didn't want to constantly force her into these situations that was bringing them closer together. As much as he wanted to be with her, he didn't want her to reciprocate those sentiments off an obligation.
"Scully, I think we need to talk now." They barely made it through the front door, her stopping with her hand on the staircase, one foot on the first step.
"There's nothing to talk about, Mulder."
"No offense, but that's bullshit and you know it." That did it. She whipped her head around faster than he could even take another breath. There was a fire burning in her eyes.
"What do you want me to say?"
"I know you read the card, and I'm sorry."
"Wh - what are you apologizing for?" She didn't know if she was more confused, or just wanted him to admit about his growing relationship with Sarah.
"I just didn't mean to force all of this on you. I know you got roped in to whatever this mess is, and I didn't want you to feel like you had to complete my tasks. That's why I wasn't sure about finishing this card..."
"Wait, Mulder-"
"And when I had to choose, there really wasn't another option. I couldn't imagine just giving this up, whatever this is. I'm sorry that you got dragged into it, and I-" He paused, taking a deep breath. He looked up to see her eyes wide and blue. He froze, realizing he admitted way more than he planned to.
"Y - you chose me?"
"Well, yeah. My two options were to either continue on another date with Sarah or tell you how I feel about you."
"And, uh, how do you feel about me?"
"I don't want to force anything, that you don't want."
"Do you honestly think that I'm not my own person to walk away and not help you with this if I didn't want to?" She was annoyed, that much he could tell. He began to open his mouth, but thought better against it. She wasn't finished.
"Scully, I didn't mean-"
"And just so we're clear, maybe I want to be here with you. I'm not doing this because I feel bad for you, or obligated. If you remember correctly, I agreed to a simple date with you before I knew about the cards. I went because I wanted to. That's why I'm still here. I thought this card was referencing Sarah, and I just-"
He smiled at how flustered she was becoming. She was jealous, and he found it absolutely adorable. The thought never occurred to him, that she wanted to just be with him, no task necessary.
"I didn't know."
"You never asked. You just assumed and took on this unnecessary guilt." She said in a small voice as she stepped towards him. He inched his way to her as well, slowly closing the gap between them.
"What can I say? My self opinion is rather on the low side. I just would never imagine that someone as amazing as yourself would want anything to do with me."
"Your flattery is getting better." She teased, both inching closer. They could feel the other's body head, still just far enough away to not touch.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't just upfront about everything. I shouldn't have tried to hide the card from you."
"It, uh, said that you chose this option, because I was, uh..."
"Special to me."
"Right."
"You are. I don't know what this is, or isn't, but I would be lying if I said I didn't hope it would become something...more."
"More?" She asked, turning her face up to linger just below his. She could practically feel his breath on her lips.
"I think I'm failing the card, I'm not really good with words here."
"It also said that you could...show me." Her mouth turned up just slightly, her breath tickling his throat. He gulped, not really sure what to do in this moment. It took one look into her eyes for all his questions to be answered.
He leaned down, gently grazing his lips over hers in the softest of kisses. There was a small hum of pleasure that emitted from her throat, causing him to deepen the kiss. Her hands immediately went to cradle his face, his arms wrapping around her tiny waist. It was the perfect first kiss. Gentle, yet promising. He reluctantly pulled away to catch her gaze, almost as if he was asking if that was okay. She flashed him a coy smile, resting her hands on his chest.
"I think, I understand now." She said as the smirk began appearing on her face.
"If you needed more of a demonstration, I'd be happy to oblige." He leered at her. They weren't sure which barrier they just crossed, but they were enjoying this new step of intimacy between them.
"I will definitely take you up on that, soon." She patted his chest, stepping further out of their embrace. He sighed, nodding in understanding. "Goodnight, Mulder."
He watched her walk upstairs, smiling at whatever step this was for them. At least she didn't have any doubts about how he felt anymore, and now he knew that she reciprocated those feelings. If only she knew how truly enchanted by her he really was.
The next day they avoided talking about their kiss, keeping in casual conversations and discussing the case. After they conducted a few more interviews, they made their way back to the house to pack up their things and make their way to the airport.
"Mulder, don't forget this." Scully said distractedly as she grabbed the small box off the table by the front door.
"Oh, right. Uh, technically, I think I was supposed to give that to you." He smiled sheepishly at her.
"No, I couldn't. That's-"
"It was supposed to be yours, if I brought you here for our second date."
"You were supposed to bring me...here?"
"Well, it's a little more complicated than that." He exhaled deeply, not sure if she was ready to hear this. "In the card, it said that if I really liked you, then I should bring you here. That's why this was waiting for us, because there's not really an expiration date on the cards."
"Oh, okay." She said in a small voice. She had a million follow up questions, but somehow couldn't form words to ask them. She dipped her head and snuck past him to the car. He sighed and grabbed the box with a little more force than he intended. He knew she wasn't ready.
The trip home was filled with a heavy silence, even their own thoughts sounded loud in their heads. He was worried that he pushed her too soon, only finding solace in the fact that she was here because she wanted to be. She was fearful about how he truly felt, it was a tricky situation.
He pulled up outside of her apartment building, a sudden awkwardness and nervous energy surrounding them. He opened his mouth to apologize profusely, for what he didn't know, but it seemed like a good idea.
"Why didn't you take me there for our date?" It just came out, she couldn't stop it. It was her biggest question.
"I - I didn't know if it was too soon, and you said you had plans that weekend, and-"
"So, it wasn't because you didn't like me...like that?" God, this conversation was one she's sure she had in high school. He did that to her, made her completely off her game.
"That was definitely never the issue." He said as his lips began to curve up. Her self doubt was absolutely adorable.
"Okay. I guess, I was just wondering. I'll see you Monday." She said as she quickly escaped the car. She gave him a coy smile before disappearing into her building.
He didn't know what came over him, but he jumped out of his car and followed her into her apartment. He saw the door close, and waited a whole minute before knocking. She opened with a puzzled look on her face, a slight smile appearing on her lips in anticipation to what his presence meant.
"Did you forget something?" She asked as her eyebrow began to arch, smirk appearing on her lips.
"I - uh, yeah. I was wondering if you would join me for a date, next weekend. With just me, no cards. It doesn't have to be anything big, or it can be-" His hands were tucked in his pockets, toeing the floor in front of her apartment door nervously. She smiled, stepping forward to place a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I'd love to." She whispered, still lingering just before his face. He smiled and returned the kiss. It was gentle, hopeful. He nodded, and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out the bracelet.
"This, is still for you." He said, handing it to her and leaving with no room for arguments. She held it in her hand, as if it was the most delicate flower. She looked down, smiling at whatever this new development was between them. They both were anxious about the next card, but if it was anything like this one, it could only bring them closer together, or so they hoped.