After the Gunmen packed up their trays and absurd party favours, Mulder lingered behind, helping Scully clean up the remnants of their little party. The apartment felt oddly quiet after the laughter had died down, but he could see a hint of peace in her eyes that had been missing for weeks.
He smiled, thinking of Frohike's comment from a while ago. The "love of his life." The words had struck him, not just for their honesty but for the way they stirred something in him he could no longer deny. Yet, tonight wasn't the time to act on it. After everything Scully had endured, she needed time and, perhaps more importantly, a sense of normalcy.
"It was a nice evening," he said, leaning against her kitchen counter, watching her carefully as she packed away the last of the finger foods. "I'm glad you're back, Scully. Really back."
She looked up at him, a vulnerability in her expression. "Did you ever believe I really tried to… end things?" Her voice was quiet, hesitant.
He took a long breath, searching for the right words. "I don't know. Maybe. Sometimes I feel like I know you better than I know myself, and other times… you're a mystery to me, Scully. But I hope if you ever do feel like there's no other way out, you'll come to me. You'll let me help you through it."
She held his gaze, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips as she nodded. "I would."
They stood there in a brief, comfortable silence before she finally broke it. "Do you think we'll ever find out what that facility was really for?"
"I don't know," he admitted, the determination in his voice unmistakable. "But I'll do everything I can to come as close to the truth as I possibly can."
She nodded, eyes already softening with the fatigue she couldn't quite hide. Mulder watched her for a moment longer, then stepped forward, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Have a good night, Scully," he murmured.
As he turned to leave, Scully's soft "Goodnight, Mulder" followed him to the door, a quiet warmth filling the space between them.
Mulder stood by his car, about to settle into the driver's seat, when he heard his name called softly from behind. He turned to see Scully standing there, wrapped in the light of her building's entryway. She looked small against the night, arms wrapped around herself, her expression tentative.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
Scully hesitated, glancing down at the sidewalk, before lifting her gaze to meet his. "It's… so quiet in my apartment," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Could… could you stay just a little longer, please?"
Mulder's heart caught in his chest, hearing the vulnerability in her request. She was reaching out, asking him to stay. After everything, she was choosing not to be alone. And in that moment, he didn't hesitate. "Of course," he said gently, stepping forward. "I can stay a little longer. I can even stay the night, if you want."
Scully nodded, her eyes softening as she met his steady gaze, and for a moment, he saw a sense of relief flicker in her expression.
Without another word, he reached into his trunk for his overnight bag. As he did, he kept his voice low, reassuring. "You don't have to be alone if you don't want to."
He slipped his arm around her shoulders, guiding her back toward the warmth of the building. Together, they walked in silence, a sense of quiet understanding settling between them. When they reached her door, he gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze before stepping inside, knowing that tonight, his presence was exactly where she needed it to be.