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Sitting in the HR reception area, his hands neatly folded in his lap, he’s taken back to 20 years ago when they were doing this for the first time.
Today is the day when they let the FBI know that Mulder and Scully are back together – not just as FBI partners, but as life partners. He hasn’t told Scully, but he’s ordered muffins – vegan, of course – to celebrate later. He’s even willing to share with other agents. If they play nice. He’s just too excited that this is happening. Again.
Scully isn’t here yet and he trusts her, so her getting cold feet doesn’t even cross his mind. Not until she’s ten minutes late, that is. His phone is quiet and he can’t help but worry. The secretary is eyeing him and he can’t blame her.
“Agent Scully will be here shortly,” he says, tapping his phone. The young woman just nods and pretends to return to her work.
He quickly types a “where are you” into his phone and waits for her to answer. This wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t gone their separate ways this morning. Scully assured him that she didn’t need him to come to her house to pick up the last few things. Moving back into their house was a swift affair; she was leaving most of her furniture behind and it was just personal belongings that she was bringing over. Mulder would have personally carried over anything she wanted to have in the house. All he wants – and needs – is her.
“Do you want to postpone?” The secretary asks him.
“No,” Mulder says quickly. “She’ll be right here. I promise.” He tries to give her another smile, but she’s already looking away.
Even HR isn’t what it used to be anymore. There are new forms to fill out. Back in the day, it was enough to just let HR know they were in a romantic relationship. Now they have to put it in writing. It’s going to be official.
Maybe Scully got cold feet after all.
Just as he’s about to postpone the appointment – if for no other reason than to flee from the secretary’s scary glances – Scully comes through the door, breathing hard.
“I’m sorry,” she says to Mulder and the secretary. “I know I’m late.”
“No problem, Agent Scully.” Mulder doesn’t question why the secretary is suddenly super nice. People can’t be mad at Scully for too long. He knows that feeling all too well. When the other woman disappears, Mulder turns to Scully.
“Did anything happen? I was worried.”
“Just traffic,” she says, but the way she’s avoiding his eyes, he knows there’s more. This is neither the right time nor place to probe. So he just puts his hand on top of hers.
“Ready to make it official?” he asks, hoping to ease the moment.
“Hmm.”
“Scully?”
“I’ll be right back.”
And just like that, she’s gone again.
Of course, the secretary chooses this exact moment to return. Her smile slips from her face when he sees Mulder sitting there all alone.
“You can go in now,” she says, trailing off at the end. “Is Agent Scully not joining you?”
“She is,” he says, walking toward the open door. “She just needed the bathroom.”
He hopes he’s not wrong.
*
They fill out the forms, Mulder glancing over at Scully as though trying to compare their answers. They match. They’re both entering this relationship on their own free will. Nothing about their partnership will change. Scully changes her address back to their house and it makes his stomach somersault.
His smile is goofy when they leave HR behind – their relationship once again FBI official.
“How do you feel?”
“Tired,” Scully says.
“I meant about having made it official.”
“Oh.” She chuckles, squeezing his hand. “Good. I feel good about us, Mulder.”
“Should I be worried about you being tired?” he asks as they make their way down to the basement.
“It’s just been a few long days. I’m fine, Mulder.”
He waits for her to say more, but she doesn’t, and the nagging worry in his stomach remains.
He can’t focus on work. He’s focused on Scully. She, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be worrying about anything. She’s wearing her glasses – a different source of distraction – and immersed in research. Their caseload is light at the moment. He doesn’t want to pester her; definitely not at work. They’re supposed to keep their romantic life out of the office. It’s just more difficult than he imagined.
“I’m going to pick up the muffins,” Mulder says, taking his coat. “Do you want anything else?”
“Muffins?” She looks up at him, her expression hungry. It makes Mulder smile.
“Celebratory muffins. Vegan chocolate.” They’re her favorite. He watches her lick her lips in anticipation.
“I love you, Mulder. In case you didn’t know.”
“I did know, but I’m always happy to hear it again. Give me ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?” She raises an eyebrow.
“For you, I’ll make it five.”
He hears her laugh as he sprints out the door.
*
In the end, he’s gone longer than ten minutes. He stops at the water cooler, sharing some of the muffins out of sheer goodwill and joy.
He should have known better.
The other agents – all so much younger than him and Scully – treat him like a peer, smile, and thank him for the treat. As soon as he’s out of their sight, but not earshot, he realizes that some things never change.
Including gossip.
“Did you hear about Agent Scully?”
“No, what?” someone asks, their mouth full of muffins. Mulder presses himself against the wall. He knows he shouldn’t eavesdrop; nothing good has ever come out of it, but he can’t stop himself.
“I heard that she’s having an affair – with AD Skinner!”
“No way!”
That makes Mulder chuckle. He has to tell Scully that one.
“Yes way! There’s more. Trish will kill me for this but… she was in the bathroom with Agent Scully today and…”
And what? Mulder wants to scream, all the humor suddenly gone.
“Trish was washing her hands, and Agent Scully ran past her and then got sick.” Mulder hears gasps and he’s certain one of them is his own.
“Agent Scully is having a baby with AD Skinner,” one of the young agents says. “I feel almost sorry for Agent Mulder. Didn’t they just get back together?”
“I’m not sorry,” a female voice says. “I’d be happy to dry his tears and more.” A round of laughter follows and Mulder knows he’s heard enough.
*
Back in the office, Scully greets him with a smile, and once again, he’s just staring at her, struggling to return her smile.
“You were gone a while,” she says.
“Thought I’d share some of these babies.” It’s meant to be a joke, but she winces. He doesn’t believe any of the rumors he’s just heard. But he knows Scully ran out of the office earlier. He knows that she was late to their appointment and that she hasn’t wanted to talk about why.
The pieces fit together – even though they shouldn’t.
“Guess what?” he says, peeling off the paper from one of the muffins. Scully is already chewing on one, solidifying his theory. When has he ever been wrong about a hunch?
“What?” she asks with her mouth full, already halfway through her treat.
“I heard another rumor.”
“About us? Aren’t we too old to be interesting to these people?”
“We’re legends, Scully.” He’s grinning at her and it has nothing to do with them being water cooler fodder. “So, you and Skinner, huh?”
“Excuse me?” She looks like a chipmunk with her muffin-filled cheeks.
“Allegedly you and Skinner are having a sordid affair.”
“Mulder you know that’s ridiculous.”
“I know,” he says with a chuckle, “but you might want to dispel the rumor if, um… well.”
“What else did they say?” she asks, sounding decades younger.
“You weren’t alone in the bathroom this morning,” he says softly.
“Shit.”
“Is that- what the other Agent said. You’re not sick, are you?” He knows she isn’t. It’s a gut feeling. A hunch. Her complexion is healthy. It’s rosy. He’s seen her like this before. Once. Back then, he hadn’t put two and two together, and the next time he saw her, she was ready to pop.
As unlikely as it is - and Mulder can’t quite believe it at their age - but everything points to Scully being pregnant.
“I wanted to tell you at home,” she murmurs. “I’m not even sure that- Mulder, logically it can’t be true.”
“Have you taken a test?” She nods and it all makes sense. This is why she was late. He’s by her side in an instant. His knees will hate him later and into next month, but he’s crouching in front of her, his hands on her knees.
“Hey,” he says, making her look at him. “Guess there’s another meeting with HR in our future soon, huh? Disclose the new situation.”
“Aren’t you at all worried?”
“No,” he says honestly.
“Mulder, we’re old. We don’t know- there are so many things that could…”
“I believe in us. Yes, we’re older. This might be a crazy idea and Scully, I will be with you all the way. Whatever decision you make. How are you feeling? Emotionally? Physically?”
“It’s all just so overwhelming. I feel fine – really fine. Today was the first time I experienced morning sickness. I’m tired, but… I’m feeling good.” He smiles at her, relieved. “I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow,” she continues, glancing at him. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course.” He picks up her hands and kisses them, knuckle by knuckle.
“Why do people think I’m having an affair with Skinner?”
“No idea.” He grins. “Skinman is a good-looking guy.”
“You have the affair with him then.”
“I’m happy with what I have,” he says. “We’ll be the number one topic at the water cooler again.” He’s grinning, happiness flooding him. A baby. A second chance at all of this.
“You really think they care about us that much?”
“It’s always been you and me, babe,” he says and she laughs. No matter what will happen tomorrow, or the day after, whether there will be another baby or not, they’ll be just fine.