Saving time
February, 2018
It was a quiet and ordinary Wednesday. Mulder watched as the first sunrays invaded the bedroom of the unremarkable house. Silence was still making itself present in the surroundings, birds and squirrels waiting for the cold night air to dissipate in order to start their journey and daily symphony. But that morning, he woke up with a different perception of the world – for a moment, it became brighter, happier and a peaceful place to live in.
The FBI agent had a smile playing on his lips as he felt a warm body clung to his left side and a soft breathing tickling his bare chest. Covered with a blanket and enjoying that cosy atmosphere, the reason for his joy slept peacefully next to him. Her red hair, which had recently received a new bob cut, was haphazardly spread over his shoulder. Although he needed glasses to read the small letters on the display of his cell phone, Mulder could easily catch sight of each freckle on her face and on the arm that rested across his stomach and commit it to memory.
It was one of her many lovely features that always endeared him, since from day one, when a young bright-eyed doctor crossed the door of that basement office and introduced herself as his new partner. Twenty-three years later, she was still his entire world. There had been darkness throughout their journey; but there was also light, just like that moment.
Two days before that very morning, inside St. Mary's Church, Scully had told him that she wanted to give her leap of faith forward with him – together. He joined her prayers and both left the church with the certainty that whatever their future held, they were ready to embrace it holding each other's hands.
After the explosion at the smart house, Scully's things were kept in boxes until the necessary repairs were made. But she would not put everything back in cold shelves disposed in an characterless living room, as now she had a home to move back to.
The previous afternoon and evening were spent tidying up and reorganising her belongings at the unremarkable house as its other resident was finally back. Mulder's side of the wardrobe had been empty since she left and fresh tears were shed as she started to replace her clothes back where they belonged.
The three last drawers of the chest across from the bed were also hers and she found out some of her pants and shirts had been there already – her presence in the house grew more and more intense since that day when they walked hand in hand along the lot talking about finding a common language. Finaly, the few family objects she carried with her after her mother had passed away were displayed on the new shelf in the living room.
Thanks to the Perlu attack a couple of months before, they had gone together to Ikea to buy some new furniture, as if destiny itself was taking control of the next events, preparing the couple of agents to finally rejoin in their home – a new and more beautiful version of it.
When they finished, the night had already fallen on Earth. Tired but so very happy, they ordered food. On Scully's insistence, they scheduled the wine for another occasion as she prudently reminded him that they had to work on the following day. Talking led to kissing, and kissing quickly turned into a making out session on the floor of the living room. When a few clothes started to fall, they understood it was time to move to their room, also on Scully's request.
"…or we could stay here and 'christen' our new carpet, Scully!" He whispered in her ear, kissing her earlobe and causing shivers to run down her spine.
"Some other day, Mulder. Today, I want our bedroom…" She replied, with a hint of emotion in her voice.
He stopped his caresses for a moment and looked in her eyes, aware that what she was asking had a deeper meaning. They were soon in their room, Scully smiling at Mulder right before he'd captured her lips and they gave in to each other's caresses.
That night would be etched in their minds forever as it somewhat sealed a new beginning to both of them.
But Skinner had kindly granted the couple of FBI agents with only one day off, much due to the development of the latest X-File in New York: the discovery of the creepy cult led by a former actress who remained with the same appearance over the years by feeding with human body partes.
Mulder and Scully saw that day off as a good opportunity to arrange Scully's moving back to the unremarkable house. But now they would soon have to wake up for one more working day.
A piercing ringing disturbed Mulder's secret contemplation and he cursed low, stretching his arm up to the bedside table to pick up his cell phone. A quick look at the display showed him that it was their boss calling.
"Hey Skinman…" he said, with a deep sigh and still looking at his beautiful sleeping partner.
"Mulder, I need you two at the office earlier this morning. The Bureau wants to ask a few questions about the latest travel expenses."
Mulder scoffed at that piece of news. "What?! You gotta be kidding me!"
"Be here at 7."
Mulder looked at his watch, also left on the side table: it was ten past six.
"Great…" he mumbled, but before they could say something else, a muffled voice reached their ears.
"...humm…Mulder…we forgot to turn off the television…"
Finding it funny, Mulder watched as Scully inched a bit closer to his torso, as if seeking for its warmth and totally unaware of the conversation.
"I intended to call Scully to let her know," Skinner kept on talking with the same solemn voice, "but I can see that you'll be able to do it yourself. Don't be late."
The line went mute on the following instant and only then Mulder turned his full attention to his partner.
Removing the strands of hair from her face and then softly stroking her temple, he spoke again, now with a smile back on his face. "'Morning, sunshine…" He whispered, receiving a low moan in reply. "That bed nice and comfy?"
He felt her thigh rubbing against his and her lips curved in a sleepy smile as she spoke in a low voice. "It is..."
Highly amused, Mulder breathed in the sweet perfume of her hair and took her hand in his, kissing her fingers with tenderness.
"Was it the phone?" Scully wanted to know, still with her eyes closed but more alert now and thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being in his strong arms.
He let out a small disappointed sigh. "Yeah. Skinner wants us to go to the Bureau earlier. Auditors want to interview us about travel expenses."
Scully's eyes immediately opened and she lifted her head from his comfortable chest, blinking a few times and frowning with confusion. "What…What's going on? What day is today?"
Visibly having fun with her state of confusion, he bent over and kissed her forehead. "We're in the middle of the week and now you'll take three times more to get to the FBI building."
"Jesus!" She exclaimed, now fully awake.
"We need to be there at 7." He added, now stroking her back up and down through the fabric of the t-shirt she was wearing – his t-shirt.
"Then we need to hurry, Mulder! I won't let you be interviewed all by yourself. I still remember what happened the last time!" She said, finally disentangling from his arms.
He moaned in protest, not ready to let her go yet, the joy of their first morning as two people living in the same house – in a home, spoiled by some son of a bitch questioning about their using separate motel bedrooms. Well, at least now they would gladly inform they would occupy only room.
"And we're already late!" She said, looking at his watch and sitting up. "C'mon, Mulder!"
Propped on his elbow, he tried to reach her but she left the bed before he could. "Scully, we don't need to be there, this is bullshit, we-''
"C'mon. We can share the shower to save time." She said it in a way that didn't imply any second intentions but the words reached his heart immediately and he stopped his protests a little taken aback.
His lips curved in a goofy grin a second later, when she removed her t-shirt, and he still got a quick glimpse of her naked back before she entered their bathroom suite.
His chest rose with a deep contented sigh. "Thanks, Skinner!" He whispered with amusement as he started to leave the bed.
"Mulder, are you coming?" He heard her saying, starting the shower.
Finally on his feet, he shook his head, the pleased smile never leaving his face as he thought about the many ways to answer that question. "Oh, Scully…"
X
A minute later, Scully's voice could be heard along with the sound of running water.
"Mulder, is this supposed to save time?"
"Oh it is, Scully."
"Hum…" Came the short reply, filled with skepticism.
"Here, let me help you …" His voice, on the other hand, held a mix of tenderness and mischievousness.
X
Two minutes later, she spoke again.
"Should I remind you we're on a schedule here, Mulder?"
Although she tried to remain neutral, now there was a slight hint of amusement in her voice.
"Oh, don't worry, Scully. We'll get there. Together. I promise."
A soft sigh could be heard, followed by her voice, now a little lower and with a whispered tone.
"Ah, Mulder..."
X
J. Edgar Hoover Building
FBI Headquarters
07:00 AM
Skinner sat on his chair having two auditors with unfriendly expression on their faces sitting opposite from him. Two other chairs were vacant at the table and the FBI Assistant Director tapped the tip of his pen with visible annoyance while they waited in silence. It was then that the office door was open and the secretary quickly announced the newcomers.
"Agents Mulder and Scully, sir."
Scully entered first, closely followed by Mulder, who kept his hand on her lower back. As usual, they were elegantly dressed – Mulder in a black Armani suit and Scully in a combination of skirt and navy-blue blazer, along with the three-inch heels she loved so much.
Their faces were neutral and formal as they walked up to the table and took their seats.
"Good morning." Scully spoke, with indifference, while her partner remained quietly staring at the two men who were there to question about how they did their job.
"Thanks for coming, agents." One of the auditors spoke, the tone of his voice a formal one.
It was then that Mulder's expression turned into a sarcastic one. "Our pleasure."
Skinner could detect a certain irony in this reply, while Scully bit her lower lip and raised her eyebrows just a little, her face serious and neutral as usual.
The end.