Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or The X-Files, only the storyline.
Chapter 3: Monday Night
After going back to Scully's flat to wash the cream of their faces and clear away the small amount that had somehow got into their hair, the pair were back in Mulder's car going to the movies.
"Are you sure you don't mind going to see Mamma Mia." Scully asked him.
"Well I wouldn't choose to go and see it myself, but we did make a compromise Scully. One movie each." He replied.
"OK but I cant help thinking what movie you're going to pick when we get back to your apartment to punish me for this!" She said sarcastically.
"I have a fair few in mind." He told her with a wicked grin on his face. "Uh oh." She said.
"What?" Mulder asked in quite a high pitched voice.
"That smile, I know it means trouble." She said in a serious voice, making him laugh. He momentarily took his eyes off the road to give her a gentle push.
She laughed and said "You know Mulder they say the more a guy hit's a girl, the more he loves her."
"I know." He muttered back, his full concentration back on the road.
'Oh my god! I was expecting him to defend himself, say whatever, But no! He says "I know." Does that mean he loves me. God why do I always have to analyse everything. Mulder says I need to believe, believe that there are other plausible explanations than those based on scientific observation, that I have to open myself to extreme possibilities. Maybe he's right….'
"Scully, you ok?"
"Fine" She replied.
They were silent for the rest of the journey, wrapped up in their own thoughts. Scully stared out of the window feeling a little lost. She cared about Mulder a lot and she knew he really cared about her, of course they did, they were best friends. But were they anything more? She definitely felt a spark between them, but she wasn't sure if he felt them same. Their friendship, that they had spent years developing, could be ruined by a bad romantic relationship. 'I don't know if I want to take a risk.' She thought to herself.
As he concentrated almost too hard on his driving the same thoughts were going through Mulder's mind. 'She's my best friend, I care about her so much. I love her, I just don't want to hurt her if everything goes wrong. I want to take a risk, but does she feel the same. Hell I know my sexual innuendo puts her off, but I've seen her looking at me and apparently I "gaze" at her. Is our friendship worth the risk. I'm sure we've made it through worse things, Duane Barry springs to mind, but would we make it through this. I just cant tell.'
'Maybe we should talk.' They thought in unison.
"Mulder?" "Scully?" They both gushed at once. Scully blushed, Mulder chuckled softly.
"Ladies first." He said softly.
'Trust him to be polite now!' She thought to herself.
"Mulder," She began tentatively, "I think that recently we've become closer, possibly closer than friends…"
"I think so too." He replied in barely a whisper as he carefully parked his car.
The swivelled round in their seats so they could look at each other, and stared deep into each others eyes. Mulder slid his hand into Scully's soft curls and caressed her cheek with his thumb. She blushed a pale pink colour, but smiled softly.
"Dana, have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes?" He asked.
"No. But thank you Mulder. Lets go and get in line before there are no tickets left." He nodded and they got out of the car and headed into the building.
He purchased two tickets for them which he handed to Scully as the went to join the queue for food.
"What can I get you Sir?" The spotty teenage boy asked when the pair reached the desk. "I'll have two Cokes and a large popcorn, no butter." He added giving Scully a knowing smile which she returned. "Here you are Sir, Miss. Enjoy the movie." The boy replied monotonously as he handed them their popcorn and drinks.
They handed their tickets to the usher who told them which theatre to go to.
The pair settled down next to each other in seats up the back of the movie theatre reading each others mixed and on Scully's part nervous feelings, just in case anything were to happen between them. Mulder passed he a coke and held the popcorn on his knee as she rested her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her exposed arm affectionately returning her subtle gesture and he kissed her on top of her head.
The both munched on the popcorn as the pre movie ads ran. When the movie started Scully stirred lifting her head briefly to loop her arm through his before resting her head on it's previous position. Mulder smiled liking this newfound closeness between them.
The singing started and Scully began to hum along softly. As the movie progressed the other people in the theatre began to get up to sing and dance along. They both sat up to watch the scene around them.
"C'mon Scully!" Mulder said enthusiastically as he carefully pulled her up and into the isle. They began to dance hand in hand jumping to the beat of the music and smile broke out on both of their faces.
"You are enjoying this!" Scully accused.
"Ah part of it's the company, the other part is the stunning young actresses in the film." He joked and received a slap on the arm in return, but they both kept smiling.
"That was fantastic!" Mulder exclaimed as they bounded it of the movie theatre hand in hand.
"It was fantastic I just didn't expect you to like it!" She admitted.
"Maybe you'll enjoy what I like to call my revenge movie." He grinned.
"I know it's going to be some horrible alien film or a tasteless cop movie. I'll have to live with it. It's just luck you liked my movie." She said appearing to shrug it off.
The both grinned at each other and jumped into Mulder's car to drive back to his place. It was a silent drive back but the smiles stayed on their faces the full way back. The pair were content in each others company and didn't have the need to say anything to each other as similar thoughts were running through their heads. Mulder took one hand off the steering wheel, reached over and gently squeezed Scully's thigh, she squeezed his hand in return which only made them smile wider. He pulled up outside his flat and they headed up.
"OK Scully you sit down I'll put the movie on. I've decided not to be too hard on you. It's a comedy I know you'll like it." He told her sincerely.
"I'll believe that when I see the movie!" She smirked as Mulder put the DVD in.
The menu came up on the screen and Mulder selected play. "Want a beer?" He asked.
"Sure why not?" She replied casually.
Mulder collected two beers from the fridge, passed one to Scully and settled on the couch beside her as the movie began.
"Hot Fuzz?!" She raised an eyebrow sceptically.
"It's a comedy!" He shrugged, trying to look innocent.
"A POLICE COMEDY!!!" She yelled.
"Gee Scully I didn't know you could yell that loud, take a chill pill!" He told her taking a large sip of beer.
"FINE!" She said in defeat. "I guess it cant be that bad!"
It was Mulder's turn to smirk.
As the movie progressed they inched closer and closer to each other so by the last ten/fifteen minutes Scully was snuggled into Mulder's torso, her head rested on his chest. He had casually slipped his arm round her shoulder and was sipping a second beer with his free hand.
However Scully did not pay much attention to their close proximity as she was intrigued in the movie.
"Thought you said you wouldn't like it?!" Mulder sniped smugly.
"SSSSHHHHHH!!!" She hissed and gently slapped his arm that was around her shoulders. He grinned gently.
"Stop! Or the ginger-nut gets it!" The character in the movie, Mr Skinner yelled as he grabbed the red head child. Scully's mouth hung wide open.
"I think the ginger-nut just did get it by the look on your face Scully!" He laughed.
"Shut-up." She retaliated.
"Don't you worry Scully you're MY ginger-nut, and I wouldn't have you any other way." He said softly.
She smiled. "Thanks Mulder."
And they watched the rest of the movie in silence. When the movie was over Mulder noticed Scully had dozed off, still laying on his chest. He smiled softly and carefully adjusted her position on the couch so she would be comfy. He placed a cushion under her head and laid a blanket over her.
He stroked her loose curls away from her face, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and whispered, "Sweet dreams Dana.", then headed off to bed himself.
AN: Apologies as I haven't updated for so long! Thanks to all who have reviewed and who are sticking with the story! Debbie x