Scully woke slowly, the warmth of the morning sun creeping through the curtains and resting softly on her skin. She blinked, the softness of the bed and the presence of a familiar, comforting weight around her making her pause. Her eyes shifted toward Mulder's face. He was still asleep, his arm draped across her, his breath steady. Her heart swelled—this was right. After everything they had been through, this moment felt like a quiet, beautiful beginning.
For a moment, she simply reveled in the tranquility of it all, a rare and precious sense of peace that settled deep in her chest. She let herself enjoy it, just for a little longer.
But then it came—the familiar cramping sensation. A dull ache that quickly grew, gnawing at her. Scully's smile faltered slightly as she shifted, instinctively pressing a hand to her stomach. Her body tensed.
"Oh no," she muttered quietly, eyes darting to her own body in growing concern.
The realization hit her like a cold wave—her period had started. With an internal groan, she stiffened, the discomfort amplifying as she tried to sit up. She moved carefully, trying not to disturb Mulder, but panic began to rise in her chest as she felt something warm that shouldn't be there.
Her eyes widened in horror. The linens, Mulder's sheets, were soiled.
Her heart dropped. She hadn't been prepared for this, hadn't anticipated the suddenness of it all. She glanced down, then back at Mulder, who was still blissfully unaware.
She hesitated for a moment, the world seeming to close in on her. The last thing she wanted was to cause him any distress—especially over something so... personal. But the evidence was there. It wasn't just an inconvenience; it felt like a betrayal of the very moment they'd shared. The last thing she wanted was to ruin what had felt so right.
Mulder's peaceful slumber shattered with the sound of Scully's soft, strained gasp. His eyes snapped open, instantly alert. His heart stuttered as he saw her sitting at the edge of the bed, her face drawn tight with discomfort, one hand pressing firmly against her stomach.
For a split second, his mind went to the worst possible place.
"Scully?" His voice was rough with concern as he pushed himself up on one elbow, his pulse hammering. His gaze dropped to the sheets beneath her—and his breath caught.
Blood.
Dark, unmistakable stains bloomed against the pale fabric. Scully's complexion looked even paler in contrast, amplifying the panic rising in his chest. His mind raced, each thought more frantic than the last.
Did I—did I hurt her?
His stomach twisted. They had been intimate for the first time, and the idea that he could have caused her pain—real, physical pain—made his throat tighten. His body tensed, his hands instinctively reaching for her but stopping just short, afraid of making things worse.
"Scully, what—what happened?" His voice wavered, thick with fear. "Did I… was it something I did?"
She didn't answer right away. Her fingers dug into her abdomen, her expression tight with both discomfort and something else—hesitation, maybe? Embarrassment? Mulder's heart pounded as he reached for her again, fingertips grazing her arm in the lightest of touches.
"Scully?" His voice softened, pleading.
Finally, she met his gaze, her blue eyes wide, filled with an emotion he couldn't quite place. For a moment, she only looked at him, her lips parting, but the words stalled. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she swallowed and spoke, voice barely above a whisper.
"It's… my period."
Mulder blinked.
"It's nothing," she continued, though her voice wavered. "Just… bad timing."
Her gaze dropped, as if she couldn't quite meet his eyes, and her hands moved to her sides in an attempt to ease the ache.
Mulder exhaled, a sharp rush of air, his hand raking through his hair as relief settled over him—but only for a second. Because now that the panic had ebbed, he could see the strain in her posture, the way she winced when she shifted. Her knuckles had gone white where she clutched her stomach, and there was so much blood.
His brows furrowed.
"Scully, are you sure it's just your period?" His voice was gentler now, but still laced with concern. "This… this seems like a lot."
A flicker of something passed over her face. She hesitated, her jaw tightening ever so slightly.
"I'm pretty sure it's just my period," she said, almost too quietly.
Mulder frowned, unsatisfied with that answer. He could see the tension in her frame, the way she braced against the pain. Helplessness clawed at his chest, but he refused to let it win.
Without thinking, he leaned forward, wrapping her in a careful, grounding embrace. He could feel the slight tremor in her muscles, the way her body unconsciously curled into his warmth.
Mulder's brow furrowed, a deep concern still evident in his eyes as he pulled back slightly from their embrace, his fingers lightly grazing her arm. "What do you need?" he asked softly, his voice steady but tinged with worry.
Scully's lips parted as she took a deep breath, still feeling the lingering ache in her abdomen. She gave him a small, almost apologetic smile before glancing at the sheets again. "I just need to get up and put your sheets in the washer before the stain dries," she said, her tone practical despite the discomfort she felt. She didn't want to linger on the mess, but it was still on her mind.
Mulder shook his head, his expression firm. "I don't care about that right now," he said, his voice gentle but insistent. "What do you need?"
Scully paused for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly. She hadn't expected him to push her to focus on herself so directly. For a brief moment, she felt a surge of vulnerability—something she rarely allowed herself to experience. But she didn't want to make him worry more than necessary.
"I need to get a tampon from my purse," she explained quietly, the words coming out a little more clipped than she intended. "And maybe a painkiller. Really, it's not a big deal." She forced a nonchalant tone, even though the discomfort was still gnawing at her.
Mulder didn't seem to accept her dismissal. His gaze softened, though, and a quiet intensity filled his eyes. "It seems to be one," he said, a faint frown tugging at his lips. "I've never seen you like this."
Scully sighed, a small, resigned smile tugging at her lips. "Every so often, I get cramps like this. I usually can tell which periods are going to be difficult—it's the ones preceded by pimples and tender breasts," she said, her voice almost embarrassed by the admission. "Hm, sorry. I'm oversharing, aren't I?"
Mulder chuckled softly, and she could feel the warmth of it wash over her. "No, it's good," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I want to know these things about you."
His words, simple and without a hint of discomfort, touched her more than she expected. His genuine care made the situation feel a little more manageable. It was a strange feeling—being so open about something so personal, yet here he was, accepting it without any judgment.
She leaned back against the pillow, letting out a small breath, feeling something within her relax. She realized, for the first time in a long while, how much she appreciated the fact that Mulder was trying to understand her, even in moments like this, when things were imperfect and vulnerable.
Mulder rose from the bed, his movements slow but purposeful. "I'll be right back," he said, his tone soft. She watched as he walked out of the room and into the living room, retrieving her purse from the living room.
Scully closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself sink into the quiet stillness of the room. Mulder's absence felt oddly soothing, and she allowed herself the rare gift of truly feeling supported. She hadn't realized how much she needed that until now.
When Mulder returned to the bedroom, his footsteps light, he handed Scully her purse with a soft, reassuring smile. "As I always say," he said, trying to lighten the mood, "I can't go through a woman's purse until I'm at least three blocks away."
Scully didn't respond with her usual playful retort. Instead, she was lying on her side, her hand still pressed against her stomach. The pain was evident on her face, and Mulder's heart ached for her. His joke fell flat, the weight of the situation becoming more apparent as he observed her discomfort.
He hesitated for a moment, standing beside the bed as he watched her, but then he took a deep breath. He couldn't just stand there. She needed help, and he was determined to give it to her.
"I'll—uh—I'll look for your tampon in your bag," Mulder said, his voice gentler now, trying to shift the focus back to something more practical.
Scully didn't protest, her eyes closed, her face still strained. Mulder opened the purse carefully, not wanting to disturb its contents too much. He rummaged through it, his fingers brushing against a few familiar items before he found the tampon tucked in one of the pockets. But as he pulled it out, his face scrunched up in confusion.
It was covered in dust. And it didn't look fresh—quite the opposite, actually. The tampon was grimy, like it had been in there for far too long.
Mulder's brow furrowed, and his voice was filled with disbelief as he held it up. "Under no circumstances are you putting this inside of you," he said, his tone more serious than usual. "You'd get a major infection."
Scully, still holding her stomach, opened her eyes and looked up at him, too exhausted to even argue. She didn't seem surprised by the state of the tampon, though she was clearly embarrassed.
"I forgot I had that in there," she said softly, her voice tinged with a quiet frustration. "It's been in my bag for… a while. It should be fine though. I won't use it long. Only until I get home. I have more supplies at home."
Mulder shook his head, his worry deepening. "No, no way." He placed the tampon aside carefully, moving with purpose. "You don't need to deal with that."
He quickly moved to the bathroom, returning with a hot water bottle, which he tucked beside her, hoping it would ease the cramps. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed some painkillers from the counter and handed them to her.
"I'm going to Walgreens and get you some real tampons," he declared firmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You shouldn't have to go through this without what you need."
Scully, still feeling the dull ache in her belly but touched by his care, gave him a small, tired smile. "You don't have to go out, Mulder. It's not a big deal—"
"It is a big deal," he interrupted softly, shaking his head. His tone was gentle but unyielding. "I'm not letting you sit here in pain or have to deal with that. I'm going. Stay here and relax. You need it."
Scully was about to protest again but stopped herself. The warmth of the hot water bottle against her side, Mulder's insistence, and the genuine care in his eyes made her realize that, for all the times she'd pushed him away when he wanted to help, she could just let him do this for her this time.
"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice softer now. "I appreciate it."
Mulder smiled, a small, reassuring smile that spoke volumes. "Anything for you, Scully," he said, his voice a little less playful now but all the more sincere.
Then, without another word, he left the room to grab what she needed, determined to make her feel as comfortable as he possibly could.
Mulder stood in the feminine hygiene aisle at Walgreens, feeling more than a little out of his element. The shelves stretched endlessly, lined with various brands and types of tampons, pads, and other products, each one seeming to have an overwhelming number of choices. He picked up a box, squinted at the label, then put it back, unsure whether it was the right choice or not.
As he stood there, scratching his head, he noticed a young shop assistant nearby. She looked eager, almost overly so, as she caught his eye and approached him with a bright smile.
"Can I help you, sir?" she asked, her voice friendly but with a hint of curiosity. Mulder, feeling slightly self-conscious in the moment, cleared his throat and straightened up.
"My partner… uhm… my girlfriend… I mean, I don't think that's what I should call her at our age… My significant other… she needs some tampons," he said, savoring the words as he said them, a quiet warmth blooming in his chest at the simple but meaningful declaration. The idea of calling Scully his partner in every sense of the word, after everything they had been through, still had a certain sweetness to it.
The shop assistant nodded enthusiastically, a little too much so, and quickly pointed to a few brands on the shelf. "These are really good, sir," she said, practically beaming. "They're comfortable and absorbent. Great for when you need something reliable."
Mulder nodded, trying to take mental notes as he scanned the products she recommended. He picked up a box of the brand she pointed out, carefully inspecting it, though the whole situation still felt a bit surreal to him.
"Great. Thanks," he muttered, his eyes flicking back toward the assistant. He hesitated before continuing, then decided to ask a question he wasn't sure he would've asked anyone else.
"So," he began, his voice a little more tentative now. "What else could I do for my… significant other? You know, to help make her feel better?"
The shop assistant paused, her eyes lighting up as if she were ready for this kind of question. "Well, snacks are always a good idea," she said with a grin. "Maybe some chocolate? Or, like, ice cream? Most women appreciate a little treat when they're feeling rough. Some women crave savory treats though. Do you know what your significant other likes?"
Mulder blinked, processing the suggestion. Snacks. It was simple, but it made sense. He was still a little out of his depth, but he understood the value of comfort. "Chocolate, huh?" He murmured to himself. "Ice cream…"
"Yeah, and maybe some hot tea or a cozy blanket to go with it," the shop assistant added, clearly in her element. "You know, make it all extra nice. A little pampering never hurts."
Mulder smiled, finally feeling like he was on solid ground again. He made a mental note of the snack ideas, knowing they were a surefire way to show Scully that he cared about her comfort. A part of him felt almost giddy about doing something so small, but meaningful, for her.
"Thanks," he said to the young woman with a nod, feeling a sense of clarity that had eluded him when he first entered the store. "I'll grab those, then."
The assistant nodded, still smiling brightly. "No problem at all, sir. You're a good boyfriend. I'm sure she'll appreciate it."
Mulder paused for a moment, still enjoying the unfamiliar joy of being able to refer to Scully as his girlfriend. He turned to head down the aisle, picking up a few more items, his heart lighter than when he'd first walked in.
After another round of contemplation, Mulder finally settled on a big pack of assorted tampons. The box was practical, offering a variety of sizes, and—he smiled to himself—a little clutch purse that came with it. The idea of Scully being able to store her tampons neatly in her handbag, without them getting lost or dirty, made him chuckle internally. For all her precision and order in every aspect of her life, he had to admit, it had been a huge surprise to him that those tampons in her purse definitely didn't follow any kind of system. It was almost amusing to think of how her usually meticulously organized world sometimes left little room for such… chaotic objects.
With the tampons now securely in his hand, Mulder wandered through the aisles, picking up a few other items: some chocolate, a bag of salted nuts, and, with a moment of hesitation, a cherry Coke. He grinned a little, knowing how Scully typically abstained from the soda for health reasons. But he knew she liked it—especially during those moments when she just wanted something sweet and refreshing. He couldn't resist.
At the register, Mulder placed his items on the conveyor belt, the tampons, the chocolate, the nuts, and the cherry Coke forming a quirky combination that made him smile. He was genuinely excited to get back to her, to deliver these small comforts that he knew would mean something to her, even if it was just a simple act of care.
The cashier rang up his items with a friendly smile, and Mulder, feeling a bit out of his element but proud of his thoughtful haul, handed over the money. As she bagged the items, he couldn't help but feel a slight satisfaction.
"Have a nice day, sir," the cashier said, and Mulder nodded, giving her a quick, warm smile as he gathered the bags.
When Mulder arrived back home, bags in hand, he stepped inside and was immediately struck by the sight of Scully. Despite still looking pale and obviously unwell, she had taken the time to change the linens and had placed a towel under herself. The effort she had made to not be a burden, even when she was clearly in pain, made his heart twist. Scully always had this quiet, resolute strength, and seeing her push through even when she wasn't feeling her best made him love her even more.
He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of her, before he crossed the room and set the bags down gently on the table.
"I brought you some things," he said softly, his voice tinged with affection. He pulled out the pack of assorted tampons, the little clutch purse included, and held them out to her. "I figured this might help."
Scully's eyes softened as she took the package from him, a small, appreciative smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you," she said quietly. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot to her that he had gone out of his way to do something so thoughtful. It made her feel cared for in a way that only Mulder could.
The smile he received in return made him feel genuinely happy—more than he'd expected. Mulder watched as she turned the tampons over in her hands for a moment, then set them beside her, the small clutch purse giving him an amused, almost fond look.
After she placed the items down, Mulder gave her a moment of quiet before offering something more.
"You want to eat something?" he asked, his tone gentle but laced with concern. "Do you want a hot or cold breakfast? Sweet or savory? Red meat, maybe? I read somewhere that women crave red meat when they're on their period."
Scully couldn't help but smile at his earnestness. She felt warmed by his care, even if the suggestion of red meat for breakfast made her laugh inwardly. It was such a Mulder thing to say, but she could tell he was just trying to help.
"Red meat?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "But not for breakfast, Mulder," she said with a little chuckle. "Just make what you would usually eat in the morning. I'll be fine."
Mulder looked at her with a playful, yet affectionate grin. "Alright, alright. No steak for breakfast. I can do that," he teased, his voice light, but his eyes filled with understanding. He was so used to taking care of her in his own way, and he appreciated that she wasn't looking for grand gestures—just his presence, his attention, and a simple meal.
"I'll make you something easy. You should rest." He turned away, heading toward the kitchen, feeling a quiet sense of purpose.
As Scully stood in the bathroom, tidying herself up and inserting a tampon, a familiar self-consciousness crept in. She had been in relationships before—short-lived, mostly, and never quite right—but one thing remained consistent: men always seemed awkward when it came to her period.
Boyfriends had either ignored it completely or made her feel like it was something to be tiptoed around, something inconvenient. Some had reacted with discomfort, others with barely concealed disgust. She had learned to keep it to herself, to handle it quietly and efficiently, never letting it be something that they had to deal with. And because of that, she had always felt a little… embarrassed by it, like it was something that made her less desirable, less feminine in a way men wanted her to be.
But Mulder—Mulder was different.
He hadn't flinched when he saw the blood. He hadn't made her feel gross or awkward. He had simply asked her what she needed, then went out and got it, without making a big deal of it. He had looked for tampons in her purse, noticed the old, dusty one, and instead of pretending he hadn't seen it, he'd decided she deserved better and gone out to buy her some. And now, here he was, making breakfast like this was just another normal morning.
She finished up in the bathroom and walked back to the kitchen, where Mulder was tending to the stove, the scent of eggs and coffee filling the air. When he noticed her, he didn't give her a scrutinizing look, didn't ask if she was okay in a way that felt overly cautious or patronizing. He just offered her a warm smile, like this was all perfectly normal.
"Feeling better?" he asked, his voice light but genuinely concerned.
"A little," she admitted, the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks for everything."
She moved toward the kitchen table, intending to sit, but Mulder shook his head, stepping toward her.
"No, no. You need to rest. Go back to bed. I'll bring your breakfast to you."
Scully hesitated, instinctively wanting to insist that she was fine. That she didn't need to be taken care of. That she could sit at the table like she always did.
But then she saw the way he was looking at her—not with pity, not with discomfort, just quiet insistence, like it was the most natural thing in the world to want to take care of her.
"You've been pushing yourself all morning," he added, softer now. "I'm not going to argue with you, Scully. Go back to bed. I'll bring it to you, okay?"
She studied him for a moment, searching his face for any sign that this was just something he felt obligated to do. But all she saw was sincerity.
He didn't think she was weak. He wasn't treating this like an inconvenience. He just wanted to help, because he cared.
And maybe that was the difference.
Maybe that was why, for the first time, she didn't feel awkward about this.
She let out a small breath and nodded. "Okay," she said softly. "I'll go back to bed."
Mulder smiled, clearly pleased she wasn't fighting him on it. As she turned to go, she heard him moving around the kitchen, finishing up breakfast.
Scully lay back down, pulling the covers around her, and closed her eyes. And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she had to handle everything on her own.
After finishing the simple but thoughtful breakfast Mulder had made for her, Scully set the tray aside and lay back down, exhaling slowly. The warmth of the food, the painkillers, and the hot water bottle were helping, but the deep, twisting ache in her lower abdomen still lingered. What she really needed now was sleep—just a short nap to let the meds fully kick in.
As she shifted onto her side, Mulder, without hesitation, slid in beside her. He didn't try to talk her out of resting, didn't fidget like he was eager to get up and do something else. He just pulled the covers over both of them and wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.
His chest was warm against her back, his breath steady and calming.
Scully let herself sink into the comfort of his presence, but after a few moments, a small wave of self-consciousness washed over her again. This wasn't how she had imagined this morning going. And she was sure it wasn't how Mulder had imagined it either.
She sighed, her voice quiet and tinged with apology. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you didn't imagine our first morning after to be like this."
Mulder made a soft, thoughtful noise behind her, like he was considering her words. Then he tightened his arm around her just slightly, pressing a kiss to the back of her head.
"Scully," he said, his voice low and certain, "I don't care."
She swallowed, feeling the warmth of his breath against her hair.
"I mean," he continued, "I did imagine our first morning after. And, sure, it was a little more…" He chuckled. "Energetic. A little less, you know, medicated."
Scully let out a small, tired laugh despite herself.
"But," he went on, his voice turning softer, "this is still you and me. It's still waking up with you next to me. And if that means making you breakfast in bed and holding you while you wait for the painkillers to kick in, then honestly… I think I still win."
Scully felt something tighten in her chest—not from pain, but from emotion.
Mulder always had a way of disarming her, of making her feel things she wasn't used to feeling. And right now, he was making her feel safe. Cared for.
She turned slightly, just enough to rest her forehead against his chin. "You're really okay with this?"
He sighed, exasperated in that fond Mulder way. "Scully, I want to be here." He kissed the top of her head again. "I like taking care of you."
She closed her eyes, finally letting herself relax fully against him.
Maybe this wasn't the morning either of them had pictured. But maybe… it was still kind of perfect.
Mulder's hand moved gently over her back in slow, absentminded strokes. "Now, sleep," he murmured. "I'll be right here."
And for once, Scully didn't fight him on it.