Chapter Fourteen
One week later
The parking lot was packed. He really struggled to find a space.
He managed to find a place on the far left, near a wall. He grimaced awkwardly as he edged the car into the space, careful not the nip the side of it and have the FBI pay an excess on the insurance. That would piss Skinner off.
He looked over to his passenger seat and saw it was empty, except for a bunch of flowers. He stifled a small smile. They weren't anything particularly special, averagely priced. He didn't want to appear to be trying too hard.
He reached over and grabbed the bunch, then slipped out of the car in the small space between the car door and the wall.
Adjusting his tie nervously, he locked the car and the horn sounded twice. He slipped his keys into his pocket and made his way towards the elevator. He felt his breathing get quicker, why was he nervous?
But that was stupid question.
He made his way up to the 9th floor. He was well aware of the burst of colours in his hand that contrasted against the bland metallic inside of the elevator. Staring at the illuminated buttons he racked his brain for the information he had been given.
9th floor Apartment 110
The block was large, and very modern. It must have only been there for a couple of years, if that. The floors went up to 30. He let out a small nervous breath of air and shifted on his feet as the elevator stopped and a smartly dressed man joined him.
'Going up?' The business man asked. Mulder nodded and looked down at the bunch of flowers, feeling his heart race. He suddenly felt slightly foolish. What if she didn't like them? What if she took it the wrong way?
'Glad it's Friday night right?' The businessman asked again with a friendly smile and reached over to press the number 20. Mulder returned the smile and nodded. He was grateful. This week had been so long and tedious without Scully in the office. He had gone to see her a couple of times after work and she had helped him with his case report, but being without her in the FBI building just felt wrong. He had missed her dearly.
'Yeh.' He muttered politely.
'You live here?' The man pressed again. Mulder was surprised by his openness.
'No, no. Just visiting.' Mulder said. The man nodded.
'I get it. Going on a date?' He asked with a sly smile and glanced down at the flowers. Mulder let out a surprised laugh.
'No.. just going to see a friend. She's been sick.'
'I see.' The man said and shifted his briefcase into his other hand. 'What happened?' He asked.
'Long story.' Mulder said awkwardly. The man raised his eyebrows and got the message not to pry further. The elevator arrived at floor 9 and the door opened.
'Have a nice evening.' The businessman said as Mulder stepped to exit. Mulder gave him a small smile and stepped out into the unfamiliar corridor.
He looked at the wooden doors and their silver plated numbers.
68, 70, 72
He remembered sitting outside her hospital room, sick with worry. He hadn't slept for two days straight.
91, 93
The vision of her lying in the bed came back to haunt him. She had looked lifeless and weak after her surgery.
98, 100
He took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Something about coming to Scully's apartment felt wrong, like it was a betrayal somehow. He couldn't believe this was where she had been all this time, since the break up. He wondered when she had put the deposit down on this apartment, had it been straight away? Had she been planning her exit for some time? He felt sadness wash over him as he imagined her lying in the bed beside him, awake, looking at apartments on her Ipad.
And he had never noticed.
He wanted to kick himself for being so blind to her needs. He could have stopped this from happening, he could have made things right… or at least tried…
He took another deep breath to try and compose himself. The door numbers stared at him questioningly. Taking one last look at his flowers he knocked on the door, his heart racing.
The door opened quickly and her face appeared. He felt his body relax at the sight of her. She looked well, a lot better than she had the other night when he had come to visit her. He noticed she was wearing comfy clothes, loose sweat pants and a green v neck sweat shirt. He couldn't help but smile, and she returned it.
'Hi Scully.' He said in a boyish tone, grateful to see her.
'Mulder.' She gushed, then motioned for him to come inside. 'Come in I was just about to…' She started, then caught sight of the burst of colour in his hand. Her eyes widened in surprise and colour rose to her cheeks. 'Are those…'
'For you?' Mulder finished for her. He felt his heart skip a beat at her reaction, he wasn't sure what she was thinking. 'Yes, they are. I hope that's not….' He started awkwardly, handing them over to her. Scully let out a breath and grabbed them from him appreciatively.
'No, no…' She exclaimed, her heart rising in her chest. How could he be so adorable? 'Thank you, that's so sweet of you.'
'Well, you know me..' Mulder said with a shrug, relieved that she was impressed. He felt happiness flow over him and felt a lot more at ease. She opened the door wider and he stepped over the threshold and into her front room. He was immediately struck with the presence of her personality, in the décor, the furniture, the art on the walls – a lot which was familiar to him – a few lamps which he recognised from when she had had her own apartment all those years ago. He pulled off his coat as she walked towards the open plan kitchen to get a vase.
'You came straight from work?' She called to him. Mulder nodded and looked around for somewhere to hang his coat.
'Yeah.' He called back. He saw her run the water for her flowers and made his way towards her. 'So, how are you?' He asked softly, noticing that she was a little slow on her feet. She lifted a beautiful crystal vase from the cupboard and placed it on the worktop. 'You want me to do that?' He asked, reaching towards her.
'No – it's ok.' She said, facing the sink. She filled the vase and placed the flowers in it. Taking a step back she smiled at Mulder again, and saw his face smiling back at her lovingly. She swallowed nervously. It was strange having him here at her apartment, where she had gone immediately after the break up. He wasn't supposed to be here – she never really expected him to ever have the need to come. The memories of her crying on this kitchen floor for weeks after she had left him came crashing back to her mind.
'Scully?' He spoke softly and placed a hand on her shoulder. She was back in the room.
'Yes?' She asked breathlessly.
'Are you sure you're ok? Are you tired? Do you want me to come back tomorrow or…'
'No, no Mulder. I'm sorry. I'm just…' She started, unable to speak the words she wanted to. She blushed again as she felt his body inches from her own. She blinked and realised he was still holding his coat. 'Oh, let me hang that up for you.' She said, changing the subject and held out her arms for him to place the coat in them. He nodded and handed it over and she went over to the coat cupboard to hang it up.
'Take a seat, I'll be through in a minute.' She said as she closed the cupboard door. Mulder nodded and smiled an awkwardly again at her. Why was this so hard?
'Do you want a drink?'
'Yeah sure, a coffee please.' Mulder replied and made his way over to the sofa. He sat down on it and closed his eyes for a moment as she rushed around the kitchen. He wished that she would stop and let him do that. 'Scully… let me do that you need to rest..' He called over to her and she stopped and gave him a look.
'Don't be silly, I'm fine.'
'Ok.' He muttered under his breath, knowing that she wouldn't let him help. He sank back into the sofa and had another look around the room. She had made this place her own. He was scared that she would never want to come back to the cabin with him ever again. Not now she had her independence.
'Here we go.' She said, carrying the hot coffee cups over to him. He reached out and took his from her and she sat down next to him on the sofa. She placed her cup on the coffee table in front of them. 'So…' She started, trying to break this icy atmosphere. 'How was the case report?'
'Skinner seemed pleased with it, all things considered.' Mulder replied, looking over at her. He studied her expression and felt her beautiful blue eyes bore into his soul. She nodded and reached over to place some cushions behind her back. Mulder frowned with concern as he noticed her wince slightly as she moved. He reached over and did it for her, placing the cushions behind her before she sat back slowly.
'Thank you.' She said with a grateful smile.
'That's ok.' He studied her face again as she rested. 'How are you feeling now?'
'I'm still a little sore. My stitches are driving me crazy.' She said softly. 'But I feel much better than I did.'
'Just make sure you take it easy.'
'Mulder, I'm coming back to work on Monday.'
'Scully are you sure?' He asked softly, not wanting to offend. 'You only got out of hospital today..'
'Mulder, I appreciate your concern, but I have been going insane this week in that hospital bed. After everything that happened to us on that case, I just wanted to be well again.' She said, looking over at him with an exasperated expression. Mulder nodded in agreement.
'Ok but, no cases. Just paperwork… ok?' He asked carefully. Scully let out a small laugh.
'Ok.. whatever you say.' She said, and closed her eyes for a moment. Mulder stared at her and felt compelled to act. He reached over and placed his hand on hers. She blinked in surprise and looked down at their hands. He held it there. 'Mulder…'
His heart raced with passion. He needed to tell her. Now was his chance… he was just going to go for it.
'Scully. I need to talk to you about…' He started, but was rudely interrupted by the sound of the door entry system buzzing. Scully pulled her hand away from his quickly. He felt his heart fall.
'Oh… that'll be my delivery.' She said, edging herself up from the cushions. Mulder frowned in confusion.
'You ordered food?' He asked.
'Yeah - Pizza.' She said, gritting her teeth as she pushed herself up. Mulder stood up with her and placed his hands on her arms.
'Woah.. slow down there partner..' He said gently, as she swayed on her feet. 'Let me get it.'
Scully shook her head and started to refuse but he stopped her.
'No, no, no Scully. You sit back down.' He said, in a slightly forceful way and helped her back onto the cushions. He wanted her to take it easy. Plus he wanted to see the Pizza guy for himself.
Mulder took his wallet out of his pocket and walked towards the door. He glanced back at Scully as he remembered their old private joke – wondering if she would play along – if she would remember. To his delight he saw that she was looking over at him with a sheepish grin.
'Wait.. this isn't the same Pizza guy is it!?' He asked with a mock shocked face.
'No. This one is different Mulder.' She said, glee dancing inside her. She loved this banter between them. Mulder glared at her and shook his head. Scully couldn't help but let out a giggle. He opened the door and came face to face with a shockingly handsome middle aged man. He felt the shock hit him for real as he worried if she was actually telling the truth now. How could the Pizza guy be better looking than he was? Seriously?
'Hi!' The man said as Mulder opened the door. As he saw Mulder's face his smile dropped in confusion. 'Oh.. erm.. I'm sorry is Dana Scully in?'
Mulder swallowed nervously. He was shocked. How did he know Scully's name?
'She is.' He barked protectively. The pizza man raised an eyebrow at his tone.
'Ok.. I'm sorry man it's just that I usually deliver to Dana at this address that's all.' He said, handing the pizza over to Mulder, who snatched it off him. 'That'll be 30.85.'
'30.85?!' Mulder exclaimed, looking down at the pizza box in disbelief. 'What kind of pizza is it? Has it actually been flown over from Italy?'
'I erm.. I'm sorry dude I'm just the delivery man..' The pizza man stumbled. Mulder sighed and looked back at Scully, who was now cupping her face in her hand in embarrassment. He handed over the money and said good night, closing the door behind him.
'Here's your golden pizza.' Mulder said jokingly as he made his way back towards her on the sofa. Scully gave him a sideways glance and let out another giggle.
'Mulder why did you have to act like that?'
'30.85 for one pizza Scully!' He exclaimed. Scully shook her head as Mulder opened the box.
'You embarrassed me!' She said. Mulder paused and frowned.
'How come he knows your name?' He demanded, then regretted it as her reaction was a mixture of shock and defensiveness. 'But anyway.. why would you be embarrassed in front of him Scully… unless..' He started, his eyes opening wide in mock shocked expression. 'Unless you really ARE dating the pizza guy nowadays…'
He wasn't sure if this was still a joke or not. He really hoped it was.
'Oh for gods sake.' She sighed. 'He's cute though right?'
Mulder stared at her, trying not to show his disgust. She knew what he was thinking and let out another giggle.
'Mulder are you going to get some plates or what?'
But Mulder kept his gaze on her. She felt herself blush again, as his loving gaze caught her by surprise. She noticed that he even looked a little hurt. She suddenly felt guilty.
'Mulder I'm sorry.' She said in a low voice. He looked away from her for a moment. She frowned with concern. 'I'm not seeing anyone. I promise.' She whispered.
There was a silence between them, until Mulder nodded, keeping his gaze away from her and walked towards the kitchen to get them some plates. Scully shifted awkwardly on her seat as she watched him walk away. May be him coming here tonight was a mistake.
'Here you go.' He said, arriving with two blue plates. Scully smiled a little as she took it from him.
'How's your arm?'
'It's nearly healed. I just have to keep this support on it.'
'Good.' She said, relieved. She winced again as her stitches in her back twinged. Mulder noticed, as he always did.
'You ok?' He asked, his eyes full of concern again. Sometimes his focus and attention on her was blinding. She took a deep breath.
'I'm ok.. I just need some more of my meds.' She said in a low voice, the pain starting to surface again.
'I'll go get them.' He said, rising again from his seat.
'You won't know where they are…' She said with gritted teeth.
'Tell me.'
Scully paused. He was going to have to go into her bedroom. She felt her heart skip a beat at the thought.
'On my bedside dresser. Through there, in the bedroom.' She said pointing towards the door on the far left.
'Ok. Be right back.' He said, and started to make his way towards the door.
'Wait Mulder!' She exclaimed. He felt concern rising in his chest.
'What?' He asked with worry, turning back to face her. But to his relief she was grinning again.
'Please can you put some pizza on my plate before you go get it?'
:) not finished yet :)
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