2018

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself," Scully said, turning to smile at Mulder as he came out of the diner.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"My plans?" she asked with a chuckle. "Well, I was thinking of going home, taking a bath, maybe reading a book… oh wait… I can't. What with the explosion at my place and all."

"Huh… well…" he said, taking the keys from his pocket. "I suppose you could, but I think it might be awkward doing that, what with the group of men working there at the moment."

"I don't know," she said, walking toward the car. "It would be nice to have admirers."

"Hmm," he hummed, his arm brushing against hers. "Never knew you to be an exhibitionist." She tried to hide her smile, but failed miserably.

"Pretty sure I'd stay covered up. Although, all those men…" He scoffed and she smiled again, bumping his arm lightly. "What are your plans?"

"I have none. I'm free as a bird."

"Must be nice," she said, catching his eye as she walked around the back of the car toward the passenger door. When she heard the click of it unlocking, she opened the door and got inside.

"It is nice," he said, getting in beside her.

"Hmm," she hummed, putting on her seatbelt.

"You know," he said, putting his seatbelt on as well. "You packed a bag as you can't go back there for a few days."

"I do know."

"You don't have a hotel booked."

"Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder," she said, unlocking her phone and opening her search engine. "I could find a place now."

"Well, now," he said, putting his hand over the screen and pushing her phone down gently. "That wasn't what I was thinking."

"No?" she asked, knowing full well what he had meant.

"I was simply stating," he said, taking her phone and locking it before setting it in the cup holder. "Your bag is packed and in the back of this car. You mentioned taking a bath. Maybe reading a book."

"I did," she said, nodding slowly.

"I… well…" He turned his hands palms up and shrugged, giving her a lopsided smile. "You don't need a hotel when all of those amenities are at our… my… place. Plus free use of all areas of the house and food."

"You have food? Because last time I was there, all that was in the fridge was orange juice, iced tea, and condiments. I don't know about the cupboards."

"We could stop and get some things. Whatever you'd like, no charge to you."

"Hmm," she hummed, tapping a finger to her chin. "No charge for food. No charge for the room. And access to all areas of the house… this is sounding like a pretty deluxe deal."

"It is."

"Do you have WiFi?"

"The best WiFi," he said with a grin.

"Chocolates on the pillow?"

"If that's what you would like, I'll speak to the manager." He nodded, still grinning.

"I don't think I can pass this up."

"I don't think you should."

"Are there other patrons?"

"No," he said, shaking his head, his fingers gently tapping the top of her thigh. "Just me."

"Hmm," she hummed, glancing at his lips and then looking back into his eyes. "So it's a two bedroom?"

"It is, but…" He let out a gentle sigh, his fingers now swirling gently against her thigh. "The choice will be yours where you want to sleep."

"I'll take it," she whispered. His swirling fingers paused and then he was squeezing her leg softly as he nodded. "I mean, the house is going to be expensive to repair, so getting freebies where I can will be helpful."

"It will," he agreed, moving his hand, but she caught it.

"And I'll take whichever bed is the biggest."

"What if that's my bed? Or the one I sleep in, I mean?" he asked, their fingers intertwining.

"I'd be okay with that." She smiled and he smiled back, squeezing her fingers gently.

"Okay," he whispered before letting go of her hand to start the car. "Good."

"Mmhmm," she hummed, turning her head to look out the window.

They stopped at the store for some food and she smiled as she saw him add a bottle of the bubble bath she liked as well as some individually wrapped chocolates. He winked as he paid the bill and she smiled as she shook her head.

At the house, he made a show of letting her enter first, informing her of the amenities offered. She just smiled and nodded, falling further in love with him.

He put her bag in their bedroom, glancing at her with questions in his eyes. She nodded, running a hand down his arm and squeezing his forearm.

"I'll go get the bubble bath if you'd like to take a bath now."

"I'd like that," she said, looking around the room that had not changed since she had left.

"Be right back," he said and she nodded as he walked out of the room.

Choosing to not dwell in the past, she entered the bathroom and turned the water on to begin filling the tub. When it was at the desired temperature, she placed the plug and dried her hands on her pants.

"Hey," he said, walking back into the room and handing her the bottle of bubble bath. "Here you go. Come down whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," she said, holding his gaze as their fingers brushed.

"Yeah," he said softly with a nod. "Enjoy your bath."

"I will."

He nodded again and turned to leave. Turning back around, he stepped closer to her and placed a hand on her cheek.

"Thank you for deciding to come here instead of going to a hotel."

"It's for the amenities," she whispered and he laughed through his nose as he nodded again.

His thumb stroked her cheek as her eyes fell to his lips once more. He stepped one step closer and she drew in a deep breath.

"I'm glad they were to your satisfaction," he whispered, his lips pressing to hers so softly it made her ache. She opened her mouth, but he kept the kiss chaste, leaving her stumbling forward as he stepped back with a smile. "See you soon."

"Yeah," she breathed, licking her lips and tasting his kiss. He smiled and turned around, closing the door behind him. She shook her head and drew in a deep breath. "Hoo boy."

After her bath, she dressed in yoga pants and a long sleeved shirt. She brushed her hair and wrapped it up in a towel, leaving the bedroom to go find him.

He was on the couch, watching a movie they had watched at least ten times. Sitting down, she put a pillow against his leg and then laid down. He placed a blanket over her and rubbed a hand up and down her arm.

"Feeling better?"

"Hmm," she hummed, closing her eyes as she suddenly felt exhausted. "Much."

"Good."

She woke up sometime later to the sound of Mulder snoring. She smiled and closed her eyes as the scent and sounds of home filled her senses.

Not moving until he woke up, they got up together and made a late lunch, eating it on the porch. They did not speak much, happy in the silence.

She perused the library of books they had collected over the years and picked a favorite, sitting in one of the room's overstuffed chairs.

"Oh, that's a good one. Read it to me," Mulder said, coming into the room a few minutes later and sitting in the other chair.

And so she did, both of them laughing at the more humorous bits.

Dinner was forgotten as neither felt hungry. Instead they decided to go to bed early, the previous evening finally catching up to them.

He took a shower as she brushed her teeth and applied her nighttime face lotion, the familiarity of it not lost on her.

Walking out to the bed, she smiled at the sight of the single, golden wrapped, chocolate lying on her pillow. Glancing at him, he winked as she laughed quietly.

"Only the best for our patrons," he said and she laughed again.

"I'll enjoy it tomorrow," she said, moving it to the nightstand as she pulled the covers back and got into bed.

He shifted beside her, his arm going around her and pulling her to him. She closed her eyes, letting his scent wash over her.

"I'm sorry your fancy house blew up," he said softly, his fingers running gently over her stomach.

"How sorry?"

"At the moment?" he asked, pulling her closer. "Not too sorry."

"Hmm," she hummed with a chuckle.

"I love you," he whispered and she froze, the words so simple and easily spoken. "I know that we're not-"

"No," she whispered, turning over and placing a hand on his cheek. "Not tonight."

He moved his hand from her hip and covered her hand on his cheek.

"Not tonight," he agreed.

"No," she confirmed. He smiled and she let out a breath. "I love you too. So very much."

Her thumb brushed across his lips and he kissed it tenderly. She moved closer and pressed her forehead to his as they both drew in a deep breath and released it.

And for the moment, it was enough.