A few days later, Mulder decided to swing by Scully's office. He had an idea for the weekend that he was certain would delight Maddie, and he was eager to pitch it to her.

When he arrived at her office, though, Scully wasn't there. One of the lab techs noticed him looking around and said, "She's in the courtyard. Probably needed some air."

Mulder thanked the tech and made his way to the courtyard. He spotted Scully sitting on a bench, her posture tense, her gaze distant. As soon as she noticed him approaching, she quickly wiped at her face, trying to disguise her tears.

"Are you okay, Dana?" Mulder asked gently as he neared.

Scully forced a tight smile. "I'm fine. What brings you here?"

Mulder hesitated, suddenly rethinking his plan to pitch the weekend idea. Instead, he took a step closer and lowered his voice. "You don't look fine. Do you want to talk about it?"

Her expression hardened, and she shook her head briskly. "I'm fine," she snapped, her tone sharp. "I have to get back to my office."

Before he could say another word, Scully stood and brushed past him, heading toward the building with quick, determined strides. Mulder stood there for a moment, watching her retreat, concern etched on his face.

Later that day, Scully walked with purpose toward the bullpen, her mind still lingering on the difficult case she'd just dealt with. When she arrived at Mulder's desk, he wasn't there. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the divider between his desk and the next, where Maddie's colorful alien drawings were pinned, their vibrant colors standing out against the otherwise dull workspace.

She stood there for a moment, just staring at the sketches. Her fingers brushed over the paper lightly, her heart swelling with pride. She was proud of Maddie, proud of her imagination. It warmed her to know Mulder had kept the drawings, a small but meaningful gesture that made her heart ache in a good way.

Suddenly, she felt a familiar hand on the small of her back, the touch gentle but grounding. The memory of it brought her back to the first time he had put his hand there, guiding her through a crime scene, yet eager to have her insights on his case.

"She's quite an artist, isn't she?" Mulder's voice broke the silence, and Scully turned to find him standing behind her, his trademark easy smile lighting up his face.

"She certainly has a lot of imagination," Scully replied with a small smile of her own. Mulder grinned.

"And an open mind," he added. "I mean, she had no objections to drawing aliens."

Scully chuckled, the tension in her shoulders easing for a moment. But then, her smile faltered slightly, and she took a deep breath, her expression turning more serious.

"I'm sorry about earlier," she said, her voice sincere. "I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Mulder shook his head, but there was no mistaking the concern in his eyes. "It's okay."

"No, it's not," she said, her voice tight. "You didn't deserve that."

She glanced away for a moment, her heart heavy. She could feel the weight of the emotional barrier she'd built up all day, and now, standing in front of Mulder, it seemed almost impossible to keep it intact.

"I had to perform a rape kit earlier," she said quietly, her hands coming to rest on the edge of the desk as she tried to steady herself. "The victim had been given a date rape drug. Cases like that... I find them very hard."

Mulder's expression softened, and his hand lingered briefly on the small of her back before falling to his side. He said nothing at first, sensing that she needed the space to open up.

Scully sighed, running a hand through her hair, frustration clouding her thoughts. "It's irrational, really. I find them harder than autopsies, which is stupid because at least the victims in these cases are alive."

Mulder tilted his head, his voice gentle but firm. "It's not stupid. An autopsy is clinical. A case like this... it's personal. There's still hope, but it's tied up with so much pain. It's human."

She glanced up at him then, her lips pressed together as though she might say something more but stopped herself. She didn't want to burden him, not with the deep, unspoken parts of herself she wasn't yet ready to face.

There was a quiet pause between them, and Scully suddenly shifted the conversation. "Why did you come to my office earlier?" she asked, her voice a little too casual. "Did you need anything?"

Mulder hesitated for a moment, but then the hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "Actually, I was thinking about the weekend," he said. "I thought we could take Maddie to the zoo tomorrow. The weather's supposed to be nice, and I heard there's a new polar bear cub."

Scully raised an eyebrow, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Sounds good. Are we still on for dinner tonight?"

Mulder nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I'll pick you up at seven."

Mulder arrived home, the weight of a long day lingering on his shoulders. He had been looking forward to his dinner with Scully—hoping to smooth over some of the tension between them. But as he tossed his keys onto the counter, the answering machine blinked, and he hit play.

Scully's voice filled the quiet room. "Hi, Mulder, it's me. I'm really sorry, but I have to cancel tonight. Maddie has a fever. I'll keep you posted. I hope we can reschedule soon."

For a moment, Mulder stood frozen, the disappointment washing over him before it was replaced by worry for Maddie. She wasn't the one who had canceled the date, but hearing she was sick made his concern surge. He could feel his plans slipping away, but Maddie's health was more important.

He quickly changed into some comfortable clothes, not wanting to waste time. With a resolve forming, Mulder headed to the diner—Maddie's "special place." It seemed like the right move. Even if Scully had to cancel their dinner, he knew he could at least bring some comfort to the situation.

At the diner, Mulder ordered a variety of comfort food: matzo ball soup, mashed potatoes, and pancakes for Maddie, a colorful salad for Scully, and a turkey club for himself. It wasn't much, but it felt like the right mix to help soothe both of them.

After paying, he left the diner, carefully balancing the bags of food. As he drove to Scully's, he focused not on the date that had fallen through, but on the simple comfort of being there for her—just as she'd been there for him so many times before.

When he reached her building, Mulder knocked softly on the door, hoping to bring her some peace, even if just for tonight.

Scully was pacing her living room, keeping an ear out for Maddie's soft breathing from the bedroom, when the knock at her door startled her. Her exhaustion and worry instantly turned into irritation. She sighed, walking to the door with a furrowed brow, wondering who would come by unannounced at this hour.

She swung the door open, and there stood Mulder, carrying several bags of takeout. For a moment, she was speechless. His presence was unexpected, and his shy expression made her wonder if he regretted being there at all.

"Hi," Mulder said, his voice softer than usual.

"Hi," she replied, clearing her throat. "Didn't you get my message?"

"I did."

"Then what are you doing here?" Her words came out sharper than intended, and she instantly regretted them.

Mulder hesitated, the corner of his mouth twitching as he glanced at the bags in his hands. "I brought some food. I thought..." He trailed off before regaining his nerve. "It's matzo ball soup. Nothing clears a fever better than the soup of my people. And mashed potatoes—they taste like fries, but you don't overexert yourself chewing. Oh, and some pancakes for when she feels better."

Scully, still on edge and drained from the day, crossed her arms. "So you're not here to check if I really canceled because Maddie is sick?"

The assumption hit Mulder like a slap, his face betraying his hurt before he could hide it. "I can leave," he said, his voice quiet but steady.

Scully blinked, realizing how unfair she was being. Her voice softened as she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It's just... the day care didn't call. They just handed me my daughter, and she's running a fever. I'm..."

Before she could finish, Maddie's small, sleepy voice called from the bedroom. "Mommy?"

Scully turned instinctively toward the sound, but Mulder stepped into her space, his presence warm and calming. "Go," he said, his tone gentle. "I'll put some soup in a bowl for her."

Scully met his gaze, seeing the quiet understanding in his eyes. She nodded, murmuring, "Thank you," before disappearing down the hall to Maddie's room.

Mulder set the bags on the counter, carefully unpacking them. As he ladled the soup into a bowl, he found himself smiling faintly, glad he hadn't let his earlier doubt stop him from showing up.

Mulder carefully cut the matzo balls into bite-sized pieces, making them easy for Maddie to eat. Balancing the bowl in his hands, he made his way to her room. The door was ajar, and through the opening, he saw Scully sitting on the edge of Maddie's bed, cradling her little girl in her arms. Maddie's face was flushed, her eyes glassy with tears.

"You'll feel better soon, Cookie. I promise," Scully murmured, brushing Maddie's hair away from her damp forehead.

Mulder knocked softly on the doorframe, not wanting to intrude. Maddie's tired eyes fluttered open, and when she saw him, a weak but genuine smile spread across her face. "Mr. Fox."

Mulder stepped inside with a warm smile of his own. "Hey, Maddie. I brought some soup for you. It's really good. Are you hungry?"

Maddie nodded slowly, though her movements were sluggish.

"Can you hold the spoon by yourself?" Mulder asked gently.

Maddie shook her head, her ginger curls bouncing around her face.

Mulder hesitated for a moment before starting to hand the bowl to Scully, assuming she would feed her daughter.

But Maddie surprised him, her small voice piping up. "Can you feed me, Mr. Fox?"

Mulder glanced at Scully, unsure, but her soft smile and faint nod encouraged him.

"Of course," he said, moving closer and sitting on the edge of the bed beside Maddie. "Let's see if we can make this soup disappear, okay?"

Maddie nodded again, leaning into her mother's side as Mulder carefully scooped a small amount of broth and matzo ball onto the spoon. He blew on it before holding it up. Maddie opened her mouth, accepting the bite.

Scully watched the interaction, her heart swelling at Mulder's tenderness and how effortlessly he fit into this moment with her daughter.

Once Maddie had drifted back to sleep, Mulder and Scully tiptoed out of her room and quietly made their way back into the kitchen. The dim light over the counter cast a soft glow, and the silence between them felt both heavy and oddly comforting.

Scully let out a sigh, leaning against the counter. "I'm sorry about earlier. I..." She trailed off, running a hand through her hair.

Mulder shook his head, brushing off her words. "It's okay. You're worried. I get it."

But Scully shook her head more forcefully, her auburn hair flying much like Maddie's had earlier. "It's not okay. You're being so nice to me, and I'm such a bitch to you."

Mulder raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe you're just hangry," he teased, pointing toward the takeout bag on the counter. "I brought you something, too."

Scully blinked, caught off guard. "You... did?"

"Yeah. A salad for the health nut I know you are," he said lightly, "and some mashed potatoes, just in case you need comfort food, too. Thought it'd cover all bases. I might even share my turkey club with you, if that makes you feel any better."

Scully stared at him for a moment, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. A small, grateful smile appeared. "I'm so sorry. I'm not sure I can handle this—Maddie, you..."

Mulder cut in, his tone mock-serious. "Are you breaking up with me? Think about it: I can feed myself, and I don't have a fever. How about you consider, just for a moment, dumping the kid?"

Scully let out a startled laugh at his ridiculous joke, shaking her head.

Mulder softened, his voice quieter now. "I know she'll always be number one in your heart." He paused, holding her gaze. "I get it. Really. I'm not here because you canceled tonight and I needed to check if you told me the truth. I trust you. But I can imagine being a single mom with a sick toddler is hard. So, I thought bringing you some food..." He trailed off, shrugging a little.

Scully was touched by his words, her throat tightening. She took a step closer to him, her voice soft but sincere. "Thank you," she whispered, her eyes glistening.

Mulder smiled gently, his usual teasing tone replaced by something deeper. "Anytime, Dana."

They stood there for a moment, the warmth between them speaking volumes as the quiet settled back in around them.

Mulder broke the silence, his tone careful. "She's doing better, though, isn't she?"

Scully nodded. "I think so. The fever broke already. I gave her some meds when we got home. It's just hard to see her like that. She never asks if she can go to bed. We got home, and I had to carry her to her bed." She paused, her voice breaking slightly. "I know it's not the bubonic plague, and kids get fevers, but..."

She stopped herself, unable to continue, and took a step forward. Without thinking, she hugged him.

Mulder wrapped his arms around her without hesitation, holding her close. His voice was quiet but steady. "Kids are resilient. She'll be back to her usual self in no time."

Scully stayed in his arms for a moment longer, letting herself absorb the comfort he offered. When she finally pulled back, her smile was soft, but it reached her eyes. "Thanks, Mulder. I'm glad you're here—and not just because you brought food."

Mulder's grin returned, playful but warm. "I'm just here for the eye candy, I know."

Scully laughed, her shoulders relaxing even more.

Mulder's expression turned earnest, his voice gentle. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else tonight."

After eating, Scully quietly slipped away to check on Maddie again. The fever medication had finally kicked in, and Maddie was resting peacefully. Feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders, Scully returned to the living room and flopped down onto the couch next to Mulder.

She exhaled slowly, her head resting back against the cushions. "Of all days, it had to happen today," she murmured, her voice heavy with fatigue. "As if that date rape case hadn't already done enough of a number on me."

Mulder, sitting beside her, didn't push for details. He simply turned slightly, giving her his full attention as he waited patiently.

Scully hesitated, drawing a shaky breath before continuing. "It just... reminds me of how Maddie was conceived. And when she's sick, and it's just me taking care of her... it hits me like a ton of bricks."

Mulder's calm expression shifted slightly, his brow furrowing. He felt as if a weight had just dropped onto him, the gravity of her words taking hold. "What are you saying?" he asked carefully.

Scully turned her head to look at him, her eyes clouded with emotion. "Maddie… her father," she began, her voice faltering. "We went on a date. One date. I had one drink. Just one." Her voice tightened. "The next morning, I woke up in his dorm, half-naked. I had bruises and… barely any memory of what had happened."

Mulder's jaw tightened, but he didn't interrupt.

"He told me I wanted it. That I was into it. That I'd enjoyed it…" Scully swallowed hard, her words trailing off into silence. She looked down at her hands, then back at Mulder, her expression weary and conflicted. "Yet… I know I didn't. I didn't want that."

She paused, taking a deep, uneven breath. "I shouldn't just spring this on you," she said softly. "It's not fair."

Mulder's voice was steady, though there was a weight to it. "Dana…"

"A few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant," she continued, her tone subdued. "It was my last year of medical school. I was scared out of my mind."

Mulder looked at her, searching for the right words. "And you kept the baby," he finally said, a mixture of awe and admiration in his voice. "Dana, you're such a strong person. I don't even know what to say."

Her lips quirked into a faint, sad smile. "You don't have to say anything, Mulder."

But he shook his head. "I'm saying it anyway. Maddie's lucky to have you. You've built a life for the two of you, despite… everything."

The sincerity in his voice made her look at him more closely, and she could see the emotion he was holding back. For the first time in what felt like hours, the tension in her chest eased slightly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Mulder sat silently for a moment, his arm now wrapped around Scully's shoulders. He felt the weight of everything she'd just shared and wanted to tread carefully.

"Have you ever thought about trying hypnosis? To recover the memories?" he asked gently.

Scully shook her head almost immediately. "I don't want to bring those memories back," she admitted, her voice firm but tinged with vulnerability. She turned her gaze up to him. "I like what we have going on here. I like us. I don't want to risk it by dredging up those unwanted memories."

Mulder's hand gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I like us too. I like you." He paused, his voice softening. "But I'd rather you work through those memories than have them come to the surface at the worst possible moment."

Scully blinked, surprised by his response. "You'd be willing to wait even longer?"

Mulder nodded, his expression unwavering. "Yes. I have no doubt about that." He tilted his head, his eyes meeting hers with quiet conviction. "If you want to try to get those memories back... I'll support you in any way I can. But it's your choice."

Her lips parted slightly as she absorbed his words. No one had ever been this patient, this understanding. She felt an unfamiliar warmth in her chest, a mix of gratitude and something deeper.

Scully couldn't help herself, her voice softer now as she teased, "Regis was right, you really are a good guy."

Mulder, clearly embarrassed, laughed lightly, his face flushing. "Please tell me he didn't try to talk me up?!"

Scully grinned, amusement dancing in her eyes. "He did. He tried to play cupid. I think it was really cute. He had a lot of nice things to say about you—although I already knew all this about you."

Mulder raised an eyebrow, a playful edge to his tone. "I didn't ask him for that, and I didn't ask you out because he suggested it."

Scully chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I should hope so."

Mulder shrugged slightly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Are we talking about my boss now so we don't have to talk about the hypnosis?" His voice dropped to a more serious tone. "I'm telling you, that lady, she's a really good therapist. It helped a lot to get some of the memory of my sister's abduction back."

Scully nodded thoughtfully, her gaze softening as she considered his words. "I believe you. I'll think about it," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mulder nodded again, his hand squeezing her shoulder gently as he pulled her a little closer. "That's all I ask."

She leaned into him, her exhaustion catching up with her. "Maddie will be so disappointed that we're not going to the zoo tomorrow," she murmured, her voice heavy with guilt.

"We'll go another day," Mulder reassured her, his voice calm. "She'll understand. We'll see how she feels tomorrow."

Scully closed her eyes, letting herself rest against him.