Rating: M for adult situations to come in later chapters

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are all the property of Chris Carter.

Summary: Post-ep for Hollywood A.D.

Chapter 1 – "Want to Go See a Movie?"

When he felt her hand slip into his, Mulder was momentarily surprised. He covered it quickly, squeezing her small, soft, warm hand gently, but his mind kept racing and his heart thumped erratically. Scully had actually reached for his hand! She normally never did that. It was typically the other way around. He was consistently the one reaching for her - whether it be placing his hand on her back to guide her into a door or touching her face, stroking her soft skin, and soothing her cuts and bruises, or, recently, something more. He had been the first to lean in for a kiss after the ball dropped last New Year's. She had been willing, he didn't doubt that, but he had had to initiate the contact. Even the night that they spent together several weeks ago but had not spoken of since, he had been the one who reached for her. She had given him the "go ahead" sure. Actually, she was the one who suggested it. But he had been the one who had to get things going. With most women, he couldn't have cared less. But with Scully, it was different. She could be hard to read, and their relationship (whatever it was) was literally everything to him. More than she even seemed to realize. He didn't want to push her away by being too aggressive, too forward.

Scully glanced at Mulder out of the corner of her eye. Her chest felt full of self consciousness and his uncharacteristic silence was intensifying that sensation. His hand felt so warm and strong wrapped around hers. She marveled at the sense of security she felt even in this simple gesture. Despite that comfort, her mind raced. Was he holding her hand out of duty, because she had reached for it? Or was he as content and happy as she was when they were close? His face gave away nothing, but his silence worried her as they walked off the sound stage. Speeding up his stride to get there first, Mulder deftly grabbed the handle to the glass door of the studio, holding it open for her, but, Scully noted with delight, not letting go of her hand.

Outside, the evening was cool. A soft wind ruffled fallen leaves, skimming past the agents' shoes as they walked down the rows of cars in the studio parking lot. The silence between them was awkward, both lost in thoughts of one another, but neither wanting to acknowledge it.

Mulder unlocked the door of their rental car and held it for Scully. He released her hand, moving his to the small of her back, guiding her into her seat. His hand was warm even through her jacket and she felt a stab of annoyance at the fluttering in her stomach. Partner, partner, partner, she kept chanting, as if to remind herself. It was hard, given all they had been through, to see him only that way. Visions of the night they spent together flashed through her mind. The feeling of his strong body against hers, the way they seemed to fit together so naturally, how intense the sensations and emotions had been. Scully had had sex before, but nothing like that. Nothing that intense. When she had offered herself to him, she had done so for relief mostly, at least that is what she was telling herself at the time. To end the sexual tension that had been driving her crazy for longer than she cared to admit. She had gotten to the point where she had to know how he felt, how he tasted . . .

Despite the intensity of their lovemaking that night, they had not spoken of it in the following weeks. She had left before he had woken, dreading the potential for awkwardness if they woke up together in the morning. When they saw each other at work the next day, he acted as if nothing had happened. Part of her was hurt by that, eager for some acknowledgement that the night had meant as much to him as it had to her. Another part of her chastised herself for even thinking that, reminding her that that had been what she wanted. Before they had made love, she had told him it was just a way to help them satisfy a mutual need, to help them relax. While desire filled his eyes and was mirrored in hers, she had repeatedly emphasized that she did not want that night to change their relationship, ruin the friendship they had. He had assured her that it wouldn't, and he had been true to his word. How could she then fault him?

Mulder closed the car door after her and walked quickly around to the driver's side, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. It wasn't like this was a date or anything. They were just going out to spend some of the Bureau's money, money they had earned over 7 years of blood, sweat, and tears. Sliding into the driver's side, he tried to block the hot images of their night together from his mind.

"Sooo. ..," his voice came out hoarser than he had hoped, and he was forced to clear his throat before continuing. "Where to?"

"Want to go see a movie?" Scully grinned widely and evilly, lighting up her whole face. He felt his heart jump as he groaned loudly, unable to stop himself from smiling to match hers. She was heart breakingly beautiful when she smiled. Here, in close proximity to her, he was reminded of how feminine she really was. Her soft, delicate features, her scent. When caught up in a case, he sometimes forgot that, consumed by his demons and obsessions. Now, sitting beside her in the car, with an evening stretching out before them, he was hyper aware of it.

Reaching into her purse, Scully drew out the Bureau credit card, waving it in front of his eyes. "At least money is no object," she giggled.

"How about grabbing something to eat then?" Mulder asked, starting the car and slowly putting it into gear. "We could go to that fancy place down by the beach you pointed out last time we were in town."

Scully considered that, biting her lower lip as she thought. Mulder fought the urge to reach over and capture that bottom lip between his. "No, that's okay. I know that's not really your scene, even if it is Bureau subsidized. How about McReedy's?

Mulder let his eyes drift softly from her face, down the soft curve of her neck, then slowly scan over the rest of her body, stopping briefly on her legs as they peeked out from under her dress. Involuntarily, she felt herself flush.

"What???"

"You're dressed a little fancy for McReedy's Scully."

"Well so are you!"

"I want to be able to enjoy my meal, not have to worry about pulling drunk bankers off you all night."

Scully laughed and Mulder was again stunned by her beauty. She had a piece of shiny red hair dangling in front of one eye, and he had to stop himself from reaching over and brushing it out of her eyes, letting the back of his finger trail over the soft porcelain skin of her face. She saved him from having to fight the urge for long by brushing it away herself and gracing him with another gorgeous smile.

"Okay Mulder. McReedy's it is.'