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“Let’s get you home, Mulder,” said Scully as they walked out of the hospital and out into the darkness of the parking lot. They could still hear people in the neighbourhood cheering and shouting as they rang in the new year.
As Scully started the black FBI rental for the long drive back to DC, Mulder closed his eyes. Yes, he was tired, and he had lost a lot of blood as the zombie had mangled his arm, but mainly he was trying to burn into his memory the experience of his first real kiss, and maybe his last, with Scully (he didn’t count the time on the ship in the Bermuda triangle because that was … well, was it really Scully?). Anyway, although Scully didn’t seem to mind him kissing her as the clock struck midnight, it could have been interpreted as simple friendship and maybe that was all she wanted from him. He certainly wanted their relationship to be romantic as well as friendly and professional, but he just wasn’t sure if Scully wanted that too, and above all he had respect for her and her wishes. It meant he might never have another opportunity to kiss her, though. As the miles passed on their way back into the city, Mulder listened to Scully humming off-key to the radio she had turned on to keep herself awake, and just enjoyed this time – the two of them together in a car like they had spent so many hours of the past few years.
Eventually the car came to a stop in front of Mulder’s apartment and Scully lightly touched his arm, thinking he was asleep.
“We’re home, Mulder,” she said quietly.
Mulder opened his eyes, and smiled at her.
“Thanks for driving, Scully, and thanks yet again for saving my life, or at least for making sure I didn’t become one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”
Scully laughed softly, “You’re welcome Mulder. I guess I have a whole new millennium for rescuing you from life-threatening situations brought about by your…”
“Technically, Scully, the new millennium doesn’t start until 2001. You have a whole year left of this millennium to save my life.”
“I thought you said nobody likes a math geek, Mulder.”
“Well I guess I’m an exception to that rule,” he smiled and moved closer to her to try to convey his meaning that there was one math geek that he really did like, and it wasn’t a member of the Lone Gunmen.
There was a moment of silence. Then Scully looked up at him and moved her face closer to his. She whispered hesitantly, “I know it’s crazy and stupid and breaks about a million FBI protocols, but I want you to kiss me again.” She reached her hands behind his head to pull him closer. Mulder could feel her fingers in his hair, and he reached his one good arm around her.
Just as their lips first brushed each other Mulder whispered, “We’ve broken so many FBI protocols by this point I don’t think one more will matter.” He could feel her lips turn upwards into a smile and then they were kissing. A kiss of mutual desire but also respect.
When they came up for air they were a little breathless with what had just happened, with big grins on their faces. Mulder couldn’t resist a teasing remark, “You know, the back seat would be much more comfortable.”
Scully laughed and then replied, “I’m not getting in the back of an FBI rental car with you, Mulder. You better get some sleep. Skinner will want to see our report tomorrow morning and I have no idea what we’re going to tell him about what happened in that basement. Other than that I saved your life, of course. And that the world didn’t end.” She gave him a significant look.
Mulder chuckled and then touched her cheek softly. “See you in the morning, Scully.”
She took hold of his hand, and seemed reluctant to let go, but eventually said, “Good night, Mulder.”
As Mulder fumbled for his keys to open the door of the building, he looked back and saw Scully smiling back at him. His heart rejoiced at the possibilities of what was to come.