From: fallonrose@gmail.com   
      
   Rated: PG   
   Reviews: sugarbullet@mail.com   
      
      
   I wrote this little ficlet for challenge 6, and the end is somewhat inspired   
   by Millennium. I also used it as an outlet for a headcanon that’s been on my   
   mind the last few days. Enjoy!   
   The sun shone brightly in DC for once, and Dana Scully was determined to enjoy   
   her salad in peace. Sitting alone at a bistro overlooking a busy street that   
   happened to be slightly less teeming with the annoying presence of cars that   
   day, she took a good    
   look around and stabbed her fork into a cherry tomato.   
   She closed her eyes, enjoying the taste of French dressing, when suddenly,   
   someone walked up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder.   
   She turned around, and of all people, it was Mulder standing there behind her.   
   “Mulder! What the hell are you doing he-“ she began, but then stopped   
   herself.   
   Normally, if he did something like this, she would go off on him in a somewhat   
   friendly, but also angry, rant. But, this time, she noted a fear-strangled   
   look on his face that could only mean bad news.   
   “What is it?” she asked, trying to recover from being startled.   
   Mulder was staring down at his shiny, black shoes for what seemed like forever   
   before he spoke up. “Why don’t you guess?”   
   Scully looked annoyed once again. “What are we doing, Mulder? Playing 20   
   questions?” She held in a sigh.   
   “No, no,” he replied, somewhat reassuringly. “It’s just that I   
   didn’t get back my tax return this year, Scully.”   
   The sigh could no longer be held back. “Mulder, why is that my problem, may   
   I ask?”   
   “It’s not your problem. But you’re smart with these things, so I was   
   hoping you could call one of your friends at the IRS and sweet talk them into   
   paying my dues.”   
   “What makes you think I have friends at the IRS?”   
   “I bet you’ve dated someone who worked at the IRS.”   
   “No, I haven’t, but it’s nice to know what boring company you think I   
   keep.” She smirked, adding, “Says a lot about you, now, doesn’t it?”   
   Mulder let out a hearty laugh. “I guess it does. I was just kidding.”   
   “Well…” Scully began, “I did know a girl at the academy who’s cousin   
   worked for the IRS. But that doesn’t count.”   
   “I knew it! It totally counts.” Scully rolled her eyes when he said that.   
   “I’m not calling anyone Mulder,” she finally said. “You’re going to   
   have to live without your tax return this year,” she added, grinning   
   mischievously.   
   “Well, then what am I supposed to do?”   
   “Let’s see, Mulder. How about you come over to my apartment and we order   
   Chinese food or something.”   
   “Sounds good.”
**   
   On the drive home, just before Scully pulled her car into the driveway of her   
   apartment building, Mulder took a look at himself in the dashboard mirror.   
   “Holy crap, I haven’t shaved in a long time. Why didn’t you tell me?”   
   “I didn’t think you’d mind. I certainly don’t. It looks nice on you.   
   “Really?”   
   “Yeah,” she replied casually, wondering if she should steer the   
   conversation in a different direction.   
   They got out of the car and walked into the hallway outside the door to   
   Scully’s apartment. Just as she was fumbling with her key in the lock,   
   Mulder’s phone rang. He answered it without speaking, then hung up.   
   He frowned. “Hey, Scully?”   
   “Yeah?”   
   “That was Skinner. I forgot to turn in my case report on time.   
   I’ve…uh…I’ve got to go.”   
   She looked a bit disappointed then smiled. “It’s okay.”   
   He paused. “Scully, can I ask you something?”   
   “Go ahead.”   
   “Can I…kiss you goodnight?”   
   She laughed, half thrilled and half surprised. “Of course you can, Mulder.”   
   He leaned in really slow at first, meeting her half way. When their lips met,   
   he coted how soft and warm she was. Her lips parted slightly, allowing him   
   entrance. Overall, it was sweet and passionate, but he didn’t want to push   
   his luck, so he pulled    
   away.   
   “Good night, Scully. See you tomorrow.”   
   “Good night, Mulder.”   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)