Summary:
An unexpected and uninvited guest shows up at Mulder's apartment.
side note:
sorry this took so long. Life got in the way.
"Okay, what about the couple over there?" Scully said, using her eyes to point in the direction of an older couple sitting two tables away from them.
She smirked, then took a sip of her beer. Mulder took a moment before nonchalantly glancing over in the direction her eyes had guided him in.
"Married, I'd say at least ten years." Mulder continued, shifting in his chair as he spoke, "It's not an anniversary dinner. To casual of a setting. Most likely, it's a recurring event. Like a monthly date."
"I think that's sweet," Scully said, smiling at the thought of the couple making an effort to stay connected.
Mulder nodded in agreement and Scully continued, "My parents used to go to church bingo together once a month. They volunteered their time. Dad would call the numbers and Mom would serve in the kitchen. I think it was their way of getting a break from us kids," she finished.
Sarcastically, he asked her, "Bingo at a church? Isn't that sacrilegious or something?"
Scully quipped back, "Nah, bingo was invented in churches across America as a respectable indulgence."
Mulder laughed and she joined him. His smile had a way of melting her defenses. She felt at home and safe when his eyes and the corners of his mouth almost connected. His entire face lit up and she was pretty confident she was the object of his admiration.
Her cheeks betrayed her self-indulgent thoughts and with a sigh, she quickly shifted the conversation back to him.
"What about your parents?" she asked him.
He took a sip of his beer and leaned back in his chair. "My parents are a different breed. I knew they loved each other. But they always seemed to be holding back when it came to expressing feelings and showing affection. Maybe they thought it was a weakness, or maybe it was a product of how they were raised. But it was noticeable to me the older I got."
"Hmhmm, I'm sorry," Scully said empathically.
"There is nothing to be sorry about. It's fascinating, really. The human condition isn't defined by one moment or one event. Take birth for example. Everyone is born. The act of birth is a shared experience, but the circumstances around being born dictate the beginning of a unique human experience."
"Even the most text-book cases of childbirth start with two distinct variables. The parents." Scully added.
"Yep. All that to say. I get to use that information to figure out why people do what they do. If I'm lucky, anyway."
"You mean if the FBI is lucky?" Scully corrected with a warm smile.
Mulder returned his own smile, and a comfortable silence settled between them. For a moment, he was sure he saw more than a girl he had started dating.
He saw his future.
He cleared his throat, breaking the stillness that enveloped them. "Do you want to come over and watch a movie?" A wide grin stretched across his face as he finished. Scully crossed her arms and leaned back.
"What movie did you have in mind?"
"I have a few favorites. But I'd like to surprise you," Mulder returned, quickly adding, "Only if you want to, of course."
"Yes, I want to," without hesitation. Her cheeks blushed at her quick response. Mulder's grin grew; he stood up and reached his hand out for hers.
"What are we waiting for then?"
Scully reached out, taking his hand, ready to follow him anywhere.
"Okay, before you come inside, Remember, I'm not much of a decorator."
He stood between his apartment door and Scully, blocking the entrance. He continued to expel his words nervously. "And another thing: I haven't been grocery shopping for several weeks. I might have some orange juice and beer."
Scully giggled, leaned in, and put her hands on his forearms.
"Mulder, I don't care about any of that. I just want to spend time with you. I promise not to judge your homemaking skills if you promise not to judge my lack of movie knowledge."
She giggled and he took her by the waist. "I promise," he said, closing the distance between them with a tender kiss.
Mulder turned around and unlocked the front door. Then Stepping inside, he granted Scully access with a motion of his hand. The small apartment was sparsely furnished; a couch in the form of a loveseat and an old recliner chair were the only seating options available in the living room.
Mulder stood in the center of the room, about to speak, when a sound from the bedroom caught his attention.
"I didn't know you had a roommate." Scully said as she took a seat at the kitchen bar.
"I don't."
A hint of worry hijacked his face. He motioned for Scully to get behind him, and she did so quickly.
Before either of them could move, the bedroom door opened, and out stepped Diana. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and she was wearing nothing but an oversized Oxford sweatshirt.
Mulder's face fell. He couldn't take his eyes off the horror that stood in front of him.
"Fox! You're home. I hope you don't mind. I took a shower while I waited for you." She said it casually, as if her being in his living room were a current, everyday occurrence.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had company."
Mulder was in shock; his mind was racing. Was it even possible that this was happening?
"What in the fuck's sake are you doing here, Diana?" His voice rose. He almost forgot Scully was with him until she reminded him.
"I have to go," Scully said calmly. A slight hitch in her voice revealed the weight of the situation to Mulder. His brain started to process ways to remedy the problem he knew could damage what he had established with Scully.
Mulder turned to her. His hands clasped together with a fervent plea, fingers entwined.
"Scully, this is not what you think it is." He then returned his sight back to Diana with a voice filled with rage.
"Damn it, Diana! Why are you here?"
Diana's face tightened at his question. Her eyebrows raised and wide-eyed, she answered with a low register that made Mulder's skin crawl; he only imagined what it did to Scully.
"I'm sorry, Fox; I didn't think you would mind. I was…" but the sound of the front door slamming cut her off.
Mulder jolted into action.
"You," he said, waving his pointer finger directly at Diana. He continued, "I want you gone by the time I get out. And take off my sweatshirt!"
Mulder rushed toward the door, leaving Diana in the middle of his living room.
Scully was only a couple of feet in front of him but she was walking fast enough that Mulder had to lengthen his already wide stride.
"Scully, please. Let me explain."
As soon as he said it, he realized that it sounded exactly like every other douchebag that had been busted by his girlfriend for cheating.
Not a good start, he thought to himself.
In a curt tone, "Save it, Fox." But something else was present. Something more raw.
Please don't let her be crying.
"Scully," he said as he easily caught up to her. He wasn't ready to match her walk, so he stayed slightly behind her. He didn't want to push too much but also wanted an opportunity to explain.
Explain what? His brain responded; he didn't even understand what Diana was doing at his apartment.
"I don't want to talk. I've seen this play before. I've lived it. And I'm sure as hell not going to live it again!" She stopped suddenly. And Mulder almost bumped into her.
The street light cast down on her and he could see tears running down her cheek.
Shit. It was exactly what he had feared.
Tears.
"Please Scully."
He wanted to wrap his arms around her. But he knew better. This wasn't the time.
Scully sighed. She wiped her tear-stained cheeks and shifted her eyes toward the ground. He knew she was avoiding his eye contact. He knew it because he could hardly blame her.
His mind was racing, trying to piece together all that had transpired. He only hoped she would give him the opportunity to explain.
"Fine. You have five minutes."
