Chapter Three:

Julia put her plan in motion when Mulder announced that he had to go to the bathroom. She waited a few minutes before she told Scully that she wanted to get another candy bar; Scully only nodded in response and Julia left the office.

Mulder exited the bathroom a little later and was immediately attacked by the younger woman who Scully had warned him about. She gave him a sweet smile and moved her hands in behind her back.

"You know Mulder, I'm here to learn more about police work and I must say that your section really has me intrigued."

"Why thank you, most people actually find it a bit… spooky", Mulder responded and Julia giggled.

"Would you like to go and grab a cup of coffee after work, so that I can find out more about what it is that you really do", Julia said in an innocent tone and Mulder thought back about what Scully had said to him. But then he decided that this was no big deal, the girl just wanted to know about paranormal activity.

"Okay sure", he therefore said and then asked. "Will Scully join us?"

"No I believe she's busy this afternoon but we'll do just fine on our own", Julia said and together they walked back to the basement office where Scully sat, still typing on her computer.

She looked up a bit suspicious when she saw the two entering together but she didn't say anything about it. Mulder continued with the case report he had been reading and Julia once again busied herself with painting her nails.

When it was almost five o'clock, Scully started gathering her things and smiled at Mulder.

"I'm sorry, I have to go and run an errand at the bank."

"That's okay, I'll just see you tomorrow", he replied and smiled at her. Scully made her way to the door before she seemed to realize that something, or someone, was missing.

"Julia, are you coming?"

Julia shook her head and nodded towards Mulder. "We're having coffee."

Scully's jaw dropped and she just stood there, staring at Mulder for a good minute or two before she got back her ability to speak.

"Why are you having coffee with her", she asked Mulder in an icily tone, who looked a bit embarrassed.

"She wanted to know a little more about our work. We're just gonna talk that's all", he explained but Scully still looked very angry. Julia was starting to get a little annoyed that they acted like she wasn't in the room with them.

Scully couldn't seem find anything else to say so she walked out of the office, slamming the door shut after her. Mulder winced and sighed.

"Think she took it the wrong way", he asked and Julia nodded. "Oh yeah."

"But never mind. I'll talk to hear when I get home", she continued and Mulder nodded slowly, but still a bit uncertain. A part of him felt that he should run after his partner while another part knew that it would only make things worse. But before he had a chance to think it over some more, Julia grabbed her handbag and gave him an impatiently look.

"Let's go then", she said and Mulder hurried to pack up his things.

They sat down at a nice looking café few hundred meters away from the FBI building and Julia ordered a cup of coffee while Mulder settled with an ice tea.

"So what do you wanna know?" Mulder asked and took a sip of his drink. Julia waited for him to swallow before she answered.

"Well I was sort of wondering if you have a girlfriend."

Mulder stared at her in disbelief and thought to himself that Scully was right after all. He had been such a fool believing that she only wanted to talk about police work. He was quite good looking after all. But then Julia interrupted his egotistic thoughts.

"I want to know how you feel about Scully, and don't try to deny it because I have seen the way you look at her."

This was the last thing Mulder had expected and he couldn't find anything to say for a couple of minutes. Julia did not say anything else; instead she waited patiently for his respond. Finally Mulder opened his mouth to speak.

"Well not that it's any of your business but no I don't have a girlfriend."

"What about Scully then?" Julia asked and Mulder cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable.

"We see each other as very good friends, it's strictly professional."

Julia looked very disappointed but tried to hide it. Mulder still felt very embarrassed and they finished their coffee and ice tea in silence. After a while Mulder made an excuse and left. Julia remained seated in the café for a few more minutes, in deep thought.

A/N: Oh my gosh. I don't even have an excuse. Well I do, I have had so much with school and I sorta had a write block but now when school's almost over I hope to get this fic back on the tracks again. Please review and let me know what you think; you know you want to, lol. :D