Amorem Animalem

Joy to the World

Four hours later, the duo found themselves in North Carolina at a truck-stop diner, ordering breakfast.

"I'll have egg whites and whole wheat toast," Scully said as she folded her menu and handed it to the waitress.

"Yeah- and I'll have two sunny side up eggs, a side of bacon, a side of sausage, oh, and throw in a stack of pancakes, please," Mulder said as he read the menu like his own personal bible. "Wait, actually make that an order of french toast. No. Pancakes. Definitely pancakes." He scratched his chin.

"I'll put those orders in." The waitress said awkwardly as she walked away shaking her head.

"Mulder," Scully said as she sipped her coffee,"You seem a bit tired, would you like me to take the next stretch of road?"

"Me? Tired? Scully, c'mon. You're talking to the one man on earth that doesn't need sleep to survive." He said as he raised his coffee to his lips.

"Mulder, you ordered four shots of espresso in that coffee and poured half of a red bull in it. You'll be seeing sounds before we make it to Raleigh. Let me drive. Save your strength for the case." Scully said as she placed a gentle hand on his. She looked into his tired, hazel eyes and he returned the gesture. He flipped his hand palm up and began to wrap his fingers around her tiny hand.

Just as the sparks began to fly in front of their noses, the tender moment between the two agents was quickly interrupted when two plates of hot food were slammed down in front of them.

"Egg whites and toast and whatever the hell this is." The waitress said as she refilled their coffees.

"Thank you. Looks great." Dana said with a smile.

"Thanks." Mulder smiled too.

The waitress said nothing, rolled her old eyes and walked away shaking her head like she did the first time.

"Anyways, Mulder," Dana said as she poked at her egg whites, "I have to apologize for being so aloof at the office yesterday. I am quite excited for this case."

"No need to. I know you only act that way to get a rise out of me." He grinned.

Dana blushed a bright red and wiped her mouth with a white paper napkin. She cleared her throat and said,

"This case reminds me of the fortune teller murders we investigated a few years back in St. Paul."

"Me too. Except that case didn't involve the cruel reality of true love. Excluding you and Mr. Bruckman, of course." Mulder laughed as he shoveled a forkful of his concoction of a breakfast into his mouth.

"Mulder, you're awful," She said as she pushed his shoulder from across the table. "Plus, Mr. Bruckman died a tragic death. Have a little respect." She said as she ate her breakfast.

"Sorry, Scully. He had a good sense of humor, why not try to keep it alive?" He said smiling.

"Well, I suppose that I agree. He was a very charming man."

"There it is." Mulder smiled and chuckled.

"Oh, you know what I mean," Scully said shaking her head, trying not to laugh.