Mulder made his way to Scully's office late Thursday afternoon. He noticed the lights dimmed slightly, a sign that her day was wrapping up. When he stepped inside, she was putting files into her briefcase and reaching for her coat.

"Agent Mulder," she said, her tone polite but clearly signaling that she was about to leave.

Mulder suddenly remembered that Scully didn't usually stay too late. "Don't worry, I won't be long." He hesitated for a moment, took a big, steadying breath, and then plunged ahead. "Actually, Dr. Scully, I'm here because… I wanted to ask you if you'd like to have dinner with me. Tomorrow or Saturday… evening. Dinner in the evening, of course."

Scully paused mid-motion, slightly taken aback by his nervousness but also a little endeared. "I don't know, Agent Mulder."

Mulder tried to mask his disappointment, nodding as if it was no big deal. "I thought I'd ask. You've done so much for me lately, and I just…"

Scully tilted her head, arching a brow. "So this is a business dinner?"

Mulder straightened, quickly shaking his head. "No. No, it wouldn't be." He smiled faintly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I thought we could have dinner somewhere and then… I guess the classic idea is a movie, but I was thinking of something less stereotypical. If you say yes, that is."

Scully looked at him thoughtfully. "Agent Mulder, I'm a single mother."

Mulder smiled gently. "And there's something in the secret handbook for single mothers that keeps them from going out?"

Scully laughed softly despite herself. "No, there isn't. Listen, Agent Mulder, I'll see if I can get a babysitter. If I can, then… okay. But," she added with a pointed look, "nothing over the top or involving aliens or UFOs."

Mulder's face broke into a beaming smile. "Okay, I promise. You'll call me when you know?"

"I will," Scully said, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as she slipped on her coat.

"Great," Mulder said, stepping aside as she walked past him, her briefcase in hand. As he watched her leave, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope and anticipation.