She's not wearing her heels, for once. Her sock-clad feet are propped up against his table, legs covered in worn-out jeans.
Mulder sits next to her. If she focuses, she can feel the side of his hip against hers. He's leaning more towards her than she is leaning towards him.
"Here we go," he says, handing her the bowl of popcorn. He leans forward, buttery fingers (this time, he got to choose the flavor-- Scully can feel the fatty taste on her tongue, already) grasping after the remote.
He zaps until he reaches the right channel.
"Ready?" he asks, taking back the bowl of popcorn and eating a mouthful.
Their toes touch as he leans backs.
"I guess. I just don't see why we have to do this."
"Shh, Scully. You're ruining it."
He offers her a hand filled with popcorn, eyes locked to the television. She shakes her head. No, thanks.
Cops, the screen states. Brand new episodes on Thursdays.
Scully is possibly itching.
The theme starts.
Bad boys, bad boys, Mulder hums.
Scully cringes.
Wetzel appears on screen. Mulder nods in recognition.
He goes on for a few minutes, talking about his work, his career. Scully remembers the closet-- the werewolf.
"A lot of drug activity in this district," he continues, glancing over his shoulder. "We're probably looking at somebody rattling doorknobs trying to steal some money for a quick fix. Usually they're not the stealthiest of criminals so maybe we'll get lucky and sneak up on 'em.."
Scully feels a strong and sudden need to rub her temples.
A minute passes. Two. Three. She presses her lips together. It doesn't get any better.
And then-- Then, they appear.
She looks pissed. She's not surprised.
Cops Mulder looks wary, almost. He ducks away from the camera, shields himself. Unsure.
She looks over at him -- the real Mulder -- carefully. He's not wincing, but he is working his bottom lip.
Funny. She didn't remember it that way.
She returns her eyes to the screen, shifts. Her elbow nudges his.
"See the claw marks here? Someone tried to get in," Cops Mulder explains, now aware of the cameras-- there's a different hint to this eyes; amusement, flattery.
Scully resists the urge to smile.
Cops Mulder shows the camera men the marks, proud.
Cops Scully hides behind the door.
Well, she thinks, reaching out to grab a fistful of popcorn,
--that about sums it up.