"Scully."
Dana had just left her office and was walking briskly through the corridor when her phone rang. It had been a busy day, and she couldn't wait to get home and relax in a hot bath with a glass of red wine and a good book.
"Scully, it's me!" a familiar voice rang through the speaker, and Scully smiled.
"Oh hey, Mulder." She replied, passing a couple of her colleagues, who waved her goodbye.
"Is this a bad time?"
"No, not at all! I'm actually just leaving work."
"Lucky you! I'm sitting here at my desk with a month's worth of paperwork my partner decided not to bother with."
Scully chuckled sympathetically, as she stepped outside the building and onto the quiet London street at the back of the hospital.
"How are you doing?" Mulder proceeded to ask.
"Oh, you know. I'm good. Busy. Very busy. But I can't really complain. How about you? I mean aside from cleaning up after Franklyn, yet again."
"Yeah, things are good. Good..." His voice drifted off for a moment, before he continued. "I actually have some news." He sounded a little nervous, and Scully was taken aback and stopped in her tracks.
"What news? Is everything ok?" she asked, sounding more concerned than she intended.
Mulder gave a short laugh. "Everything's fine. It's nothing serious—in fact, it's rather exciting!"
Scully moved out of the way, letting a group of chatting students pass, and leaned against the lamppost next to her.
"Skinner wants me to take my vacation days. He's been practically begging me." "Oh no! What a tragedy!" Scully interjected sarcastically and smiled.
"Well, I have now officially booked my vacation and guess what—I am finally coming to visit you in good ol' London town!" for the last part, he mockingly used a poorly faked cockney accent, which Dana ignored.
"You're joking! That's great! When are you coming?" she didn't even try to hide her euphoria. It had been two years since she last saw Mulder, two years since she had moved to London after being offered the position of head-physician at one of London's best hospitals.
"Soon, actually," Mulder replied, "Next Friday, for a total of ten days." "That is soon. Like I said, things are quite busy at the moment... But I will try my best to get at least a few days off. And naturally, we can always meet up before or after work, whenever you want." Mentally, Scully had already started moving around her shifts.
"That sounds perfect. Don't worry too much about it. We'll figure something out.""I'm sure we will."
"Oh and I am staying at a hotel near..." Scully could hear the sound of rustling papers, "between Blackfriars and St. Paul's." he eventually concluded.
"That is not so far from the hospital." Scully started walking again. "But you do know that you can stay at my place. I'd love to have you over! There's really no need for you to spend hundreds of pounds on a lousy hotel room."
"It's not that lousy. Thank you for the offer, but that's ok." Mulder replied awkwardly. "Well, if you change your mind, my guest room is ready for you." That was strange, Scully thought. There was no reason she could think of for why he'd rather stay at a hotel than in the private comfort of her home.
"But I'll definitely pick you up from the airport on Friday. When's your plane getting in?""Some time in the early afternoon. But you really don't have to do that." "Nonsense! Don't be silly," Scully chortled, "Taking the tube with luggage is such a bother. I can leave work early, that way we can already catch up over a late lunch.... Or an early dinner, I guess." Scully suggested, making a mental note to find someone to take over for her that afternoon.
"No, really. It's no problem at all. But how about we meet up after work? At a pub or something. That's what you Brits do, don't you?"
"Scully rolled her eyes in amusement. "Alright," she replied, albeit a little perplexed, "I'll give you a call when I get off work then. Just text me your number.""Perfect. Will do." Mulder replied, smiling audibly.
"And I'll let you know once I've arranged my days off, so you can plan your stay a little better." Scully had just reached her front door.
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing you. Soon." She added softly."Me too. Can't wait."
