The Date
Mulder walked in the dimly lit restaurant. He couldn't believe he was going through this all over again. It had been so long since he had gone out, it took him about an hour to get dressed after he finally settled for a complete black attire, consisting of a long sleeved shirt and long dress pants. Dana had always told him that color brought out his eyes. He smiled at the thought of her. It had been 5 and a half months now that he hadn't seen her. He missed her terribly; Which was probably the reason he felt so guilty now…
The agents around the Bureau had pushed Mulder so hard to go out again that they had even arranged him a date, because as they said: "You need to get laid Mulder…and fast".
He didn't like the idea at all. Having to sleep with someone, just for the pure pleasure of it, didn't seem like something he would do. He just didn't picture sex being that way.
A few moments later, a tall blonde beauty, by the name of Heather Preston walked in the restaurant door.
Heather: Sorry, I just had to go get my bag…shall we?
Mulder: Let's…
He forced a smile. She wrapped her arm around his as they entered, so he would usher her as a man would always do in this cases. But Mulder was a bit oblivious. "I don't remember dating being so hard…" He mused as they themselves were being ushered to their table.
As they walked to their table, there he saw her…
Mulder: …Scully?
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Scully waited patiently at her table for her date to arrive. She had fully dressed up for the first time in 6 months and looked stunning, wearing a black spaghetti-strap dress that feel a little bit higher above her knee. She sighed. "8:15...still not here…" They had arranged to meet at the restaurant at 7:30 sharp…better to say he had arranged for them to meet at that time and place.
Richard G. Marshall had kept his eyes on the redheaded beauty for a long time; since she had joined the Bureau, to be more specific. Of course, knowing that Mulder had beaten him to the goal, he had retreated… but not for long. As soon as he knew about the unfortunate break up, he quickly stepped in, usually giving the newly divorced agent, pep talks and what not. Scully knew exactly where he was going with this and for that same reason, and many others, she postponed the thought of going out with this man. After months of him insisting, and her own friends advising her to move on with her life, she decided that, if the man had waited this long just to go out with her, she should just give him a try…and she did.
And now here she was, sitting at the table…waiting. Waiting till he decided to arrive or, maybe just call her to say he wasn't coming. "Ugh! Why do I even kid myself?…I should have just stayed home…it would have been as equally productive as sitting at this table alone, waiting for someone to arrive…" She took out her cell phone…no calls. She sighed. "Don't worry…he'll call. He said he'd call. He wouldn't have been after you for months just to leave you waiting in a restaurant looking like an idiot…could he?" She began to doubt herself, it was now a new habit. Ever since she knew about what Mulder had done, she doubted her self of ever doing anything right…and she hated it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her name in a familiar voice. She turned around in her chair.
Scully: Mulder?
Mulder: Hey…
He couldn't help it but smile at her. She looked amazing. She smiled back.
Scully: What are you doing here?
Mulder: That was the same thing I was just about to ask you…
Scully: I'm…I'm waiting for someone…
It felt so awkward to be saying this in front of him. But she had to. She needed to let him know that she had a life after him, even thought deep inside she was still breaking.
He was a bit shocked at her statement. Even though he himself was there for the same reason.
Mulder: Oh…that's great. So, how have you been?
Scully: Well I…
At that moment Heather walked up to both of them, once again wrapping her arms around Mulder's bicep, interrupting Scully's thoughts and words in the process.
Heather: You weren't gonna leave me now, where you? Oh…and who's this?
She smiled. Scully did the same.
Mulder: Oh, um, Scully this is Heather. Heather this Dana Scully my…um…well…
Scully: …Ex-partner.
He had to admit that in a strange way, he like the way she put it, it was cunning and clever. And yet, it felt so foreign to him all at once.
Heather: Oh, hi! Pleased to meet you.
Scully: Like wise.
Heather: Well, I'll be on my way. Fox, I'll be at our table.
Mulder: Uhhh, sure…
He cringed at hearing his name coming out of Heather's mouth, not because he despised her, he barely knew her, but because he like his name to be said only by people close to him.
Scully had a slight reaction to the same account. She didn't like how Heather pronounced his name, she didn't like how any other woman said his mane, only she should be allowed to say his name. She snapped out and came back to the reality of things…
Mulder: Well…
Scully: Well…
Mulder: You look amazing…he's one lucky guy.
Scully: Thanks.
She smiled and he smiled back, wishing it were him he was talking about.
Mulder: Well, I'll leave ya'…have a nice evening.
Scully: You too…
Mulder slowly retreated back to his table, where Heather awaited, unfolding her napkin and placing it on her lap.
Heather: So…
She inquired as he sat down…
Heather: She your ex-partner then?
Mulder: Yeah.
Heather: Why do you still call each other by your last names?
Mulder: I liked to be called by my last name…It's a habit…
He smiled as she gave him a quizzical look before returning her eyes to the menu.
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An hour and 15 minutes later Dana still sat her table unaccompanied. Mulder would glance occasionally, just to see her sit there…all alone. The sight of her sitting there, just waiting, a cup of water that had been refilled 3 times in her hand, just sickened him. He began to think about all the times he had made her wait like that, unaware of her condition. How many times had he ditched her in the middle of a case just so he could find the truth? How many times had she called him worried in the middle of the night, just to know that he was still breathing and he was okay? How many times had she sat, just like that, in their living room couch, just waiting for him? He remembered a night where she had probably been waiting up for him that same way…
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Dana sat at her living room sofa, waiting for the door to open. It was 4:15 am, and Mulder still wasn't home. She had called him a few times but would always get his answering machine.
She knew that there would have to be some adjustments when they got married, that they wouldn't be able to work together the whole time, but they had accepted that. She would work in Quantico, doing her autopsies while Mulder would continue his work on the X-Files. She would still be the one person who he would trust on doing any autopsy or any other medical work for him, so they would regularly see each other. But somewhere, a little later after their first year of marriage, Dana began to have strange feelings about what was going on. Mulder would start having impromptu trips to other states, leaving her, sometimes days ,sleeping in a lonely bed. The rumors in the Bureau weren't helping either…
It was 4:20 am when he walked thought the door. He had a facial expression of surprise once he saw her awake sitting at the couch.
Mulder: Hey you…why are you up at this hour?
She got up from the place where she was sitting and walked up to him, a concerned look spread out through her face.
Scully: Mulder, where we you? I've been calling you for hours…I was worried sick.
Mulder: I'm so sorry. My phone fell in a puddle and died.
He pulled the lifeless cell phone out of his pocket. She looked at him ,fear in her eyes, but he couldn't make out what he saw in them.
Scully: Mulder…I've been waiting up…it's 4 in the morning.
Mulder: Well I'm here now…
He gave a her a reassuring smile. She wasn't pleased.
Mulder: You can go to bed…
Scully: That's it? That's all you have to say?
Mulder stood perplexed.
Mulder: Umm, I'm sorry…?
Scully: Mulder, you can't be coming home like this at this hour…with out even mentioning where your going first hand.
Mulder: I left you a post-it by your office. Babe, you shouldn't worry…I'm Okay. How long have I've been doing this?
Scully: A post-it doesn't count. Mulder, you can't keep doing this. We're married now. I worry about you. I worry when you don't call, when you don't tell me where you are…All these images go through my head and I just can't stand it.
Mulder: Scully, you know I'm fine…as I said how long have I been doing this? 3...4 years? I think I know what I'm doing…you were there with me, you know how it was.
Scully: That's exactly why I worry Mulder…Because I was there and I knew all sorts of things that could happen to you. How many times were we at the verge of death? How many times did I have to sit with you in a hospital room, waiting till you eventually woke up to know you were okay?!
He was dumbstruck. He had never seen this side of her and it made him concerned.
Mulder: Scully…all I can tell you is that I'm fine…I'm here right now.
She sighed. It's like he didn't get what she went through.
Scully: Just…try and not do that again, okay?
Mulder: Scully…I can't promise you that…you know that. It's my job. Things come up and I have to attend to them.
Now she was dumbstruck. How could he say such a thing? A few months ago, she was the only thing that mattered and now…since the rumors…she noticed she wasn't. That was it…
Scully: Sure…well maybe, you shouldn't come home at all…
Mulder turned to see her. Did he hear right?
Mulder: Scully?
Scully: By what I hear you already have a place to stay…
Mulder was confused, he didn't know what she was talking about. His stomach turned at the sound of her voice.
Mulder: Dana…what are you talking about?
Scully: You pretty darn well know what I'm talking about! Just make up your mind and
Mulder: Scully I…
Scully: Just make up you mind…
Dana turned her face away from him. He didn't understand. "What was she talking about?" Scully began walking towards the bedroom. He went up to her, now concerned at what was going on. He held on to her arm gently turning her to face him.
Mulder: Dana, what are you talking about? Please talk to me…
Scully: I want to go to bed…I think it be best if you stayed here, in the living room tonight.
Mulder's eyes went wide. He was starting to get really worried, there was defiantly something different in the way she looked at him. Before, she would have the look in her eyes of admiration and love, now…now it seemed to be of disappointment and disgust. She started to scare him. He wanted to know… he wanted to fix whatever it was fast. But it couldn't be tonight…not tonight. She needed time and he understood.
Mulder: A-all right. I-I'll stay here tonight.
He smiled softly at her.
Scully: Thank you…
She turned to leave, but before she did, he stopped her and leaned in to kiss her forehead. He held her close for a while.
Mulder: Dana…I love you…you know that right?
She softly lifted up her head to meet his gaze. She smiled softly.
Scully: I hope I do…
She cupped the back of his head and pecked him slightly on the lips, before she headed to her bedroom. She still had hope that everything she had heard was a lie…and that when she woke up the next morning, everything would be over.
Mulder sat back down in the sofa. He replayed her words over and over in his head.
" 'You already have a place to stay' Why would she say such a thing?" Unbeknownst to Scully, Mulder was telling her the truth. His phone had indeed fallen on a puddle of water and died while he was trying to get into the car in a rain storm. Out of all days this had to happen to him.
Mulder sighed. He just wished the next morning everything would be fine…it was, but it wouldn't be for long.
.. … .. … … .. … … … … …. …. .. …
Heather: Fox?
Mulder: Huh?
Mulder snapped out from staring at Scully and from his memory and back to the restaurant. He hadn't noticed he had dosed off while Heather was still talking to him.
Heather: You didn't hear a word of what I just said, did you?
Mulder: I'm sorry…I'm a bit off tonight.
Heather: Yeah. Tell me about it…
He had been staring at Scully the whole night and she was beginning to think that she wasn't as interesting as the lonely woman in the other table.
Mulder: Sorry…what were you saying?
Heather: Umm, excuse me…I have to use the bathroom. Would you mind?
Mulder: No, of course not.
Heather stood from the table and left and as soon as she did, Mulder's eyes went back to lonely Dana. He couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and walked over to her table.
Dana stared aimlessly at the glass in her hand. She felt like a stream of tears wanted to burst out of her eyes; but she was to stubborn to let them. She was a bit startled when Mulder came to sit beside her on the table.
Mulder: Hey
He smiled as friendly as he could. She tried to do the same back.
Scully: What are you doing here?
Mulder: thought I'd give you some company.
Scully: I'm fine, Mulder…as I said, I'm waiting for someone.
Mulder felt his heart break, "How could someone do this to her? She deserves better than this" He wanted to kill the asshole who had stood her up.
Mulder: Dana…I don't think he's coming…
She held back the anger. She had been stood up, and right in front of Mulder.
Scully: He's just running late is all.
Mulder: Dana…it's 10:13...I don't think he's coming.
She couldn't hold it anymore.
Scully: Damn it…why do I even kid myself…
Mulder: Don't be so hard on your self.
Scully: How could I be so naïve? I'm such an idiot. Even you can get a date and go on with your life! And I can't even do something as simple as that.
His chest felt a sharp pain. He wanted to the son of a bitch who had broken her tonight, even if he had to look all over D.C.
Mulder: Oh, don't think about it. The idiot probably doesn't know what he's missing. Look, I'll buy you a drink.
Scully: No, it's okay Mulder…
Mulder: I insists…waiter…
She smiled slightly as he made the order. He would always try and make her feel better no matter what.
Scully: Thank you, you shouldn't have.
Mulder: I had to…
They both smiled.
Mulder: Now tell me, you didn't answer before, how have you been?
They began talking and remained talking for an indefinite amount of time. It was the first time neither of them had to care about what the other person thought about them and vice versa. They didn't have to care about what had happened before; they both missed times like these. It was probably the first time in months Dana had laughed and Mulder loved it. He loved to see her smile. He had missed her so much, and so had she him.
After a few moments, Dana pointed out something very peculiar…
Scully: Mulder?
Still gazing in her blue eyes…
Mulder: Yes…
Scully: Didn't you have a date?
He suddenly remembered.
Mulder: Yeah, she's in the bathroom…why?
Scully: Mulder…that was half and hour ago.
Mulder looked back at the table. It was completely cleaned out and there was no sign of Heather. He chuckled a bit.
Mulder: I guess I was stood up too.
They laughed in unison at the irony of things. She wished she hadn't looked at the time.
Scully: Oh Great…
Mulder: What?
Scully: It's late. I have to get going.
Mulder: Oh…
She smiled in his eyes.
Scully: Thank you…for everything.
Mulder: Your welcome.
He slid his hand to touch hers in the center of the table. She looked at him intensely, so did he, as they made contact. His hand was warm against her skin. She wished she could stay there, that everything would just fix itself in a flash and that everything would be perfect again. But that wasn't reality… and as much as it hurt she had to accept it.
She stood up from the table breaking the gaze…
Scully: I, uh, I'll go pay the check now…
Mulder: No, I'll get that.
Scully: Mulder…
Mulder: Scully I insist…you came here so some one would pay a meal for you, I'll do you the favor, it's my pleasure.
Scully: Thank you…well I have to go then…Goodnight Mulder. It was nice to see you again.
Mulder: Me too…Goodnight.
She walked to the exit opened the door and disappeared from his sight. It had been great to see her. He couldn't believe he missed her already. Who was he kidding, he had always missed her.
He paid the check and made his way outside the restaurant to find Scully still hailing a cab.
Mulder: Hey…you hailing a cab?
Scully gave him an ironical smile.
Scully: Yeah, what does it look like?
Mulder: Let me give you a ride home.
Scully: Mulder you've done enough.
Mulder: C'mon…I'll take you home. You'll save yourself some cab fair and the fact that you won't have to smell that unsanitary place.
She had to admit, she hated cabs. She thought about it for a while…before thinking "What's the worst that could happen?"
Scully: Alright…
She smiled as he placed his hand at the small of her back, as he always had done in the past. They got in the car and drove to the apartment…like they had done many nights before…
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A/N: Sorry for the wait! I blame college! Hehe. This chapter was preety long, there was a flashback here too. :D Oh, its 10/13 HAPPY B-DAY MULDER!! and Chris Carter :)! Thankx for the reviews everyone, you guys rock! OH and for those of you that still didn't know, the title 'The Ecrovid' Is the word 'divorce' backwards, but you probably already knew that! LOL Thankx for reading! Ill Try to post faster next time. thank you for reading! plz review ;)