Chapter Three

                                    

                                          
Mulder was staring out the large floor to ceiling windows at the cloudy sky that was stained a soft pink from the residual sunrise. Scully sat next to him too busy to notice, as she took the time to read over the files he had lent her when they arrived at the gate. Mulder wanted to poke her to share this experience of gazing out at the sky, but figured he was on thin ice considering she hadn't brought up their New Years kiss. He didn't want to come across as expecting anything more than a friendship from her, but he also wanted to see if she would initiate something first. Then he would really know she wanted him. Needed him. That's all he could think of when he was interrupted by the intercoms overhead.
"Attention, passengers of flight 307 headed to Burnsville Minnesota is now boarding at gate J."
Hearing this Mulder and Scully sat up and headed towards the gate door. Mulder ushered Scully once their tickets were stamped and placed his hand on her lower back to issue reassurance as they walked down the boarding ramp together and into the narrow jet. As they found their seats they sighed relief noting that Skinner had bought them side by side First Class tickets. Scully insisted that Mulder take the window seat, which he happily obliged to not knowing that Scully was simply just afraid of heights. She also felt safer and less vulnerable when she was on the isle seat, closer to the washrooms too. That was always a bonus, she wouldn't have to worry about climbing over Mulder each time she had to go. That could lead to awkward touching of parts of their bodies that could bring unwanted attention. Once they had taken off mulder shut his window and turned over to Scully. 
"It's pretty obvious how tired you are. I can see it in your eyes. Try and get some sleep Scully it's a seven hour flight." Mulder said to her with a soft smile.
"You're not wrong. Are you gonna try to sleep too?" She replied.
"Maybe, I want to read over this case file some more, there's something here Scully I can feel it, something missing but visible between the line-" Mulder started.
"Right, no you were right. I am tired and your voice reminded me of just why." Scully interrupted but threw him a look that showed him she meant it with care. 
Mulder just looked up, slightly nodded and shoved her playfully then turned back to his reading, as Scully dipped her head down and nuzzled her chin into the swell of her shoulder. They both stayed like this for about two and a half hours when Mulders deprivation of sleep had started to catch up to him. He quietly closed his file so as to not wake his sleeping partner, and tucked it safely into his briefcase sitting on the floor beside him. He turned to his left and looked over at a sleeping Scully and unknowingly began to smile. He had seen her doze off at times before when they would go on missions together,  but in some way this was truly the softest he had seen her. He stared at her for a few minutes. Taking in her relaxed face, her soft pout on her lips that he had kissed only days prior. He studied her eyes and noticed her eyelashes twitching as she showed signs of being in a dream. He noticed how her hair fell so perfectly around her glowing skin. He stopped when he heard a faint hum come from her nose. He thought it was nothing but then it came again louder and more forceful. Her head then began to toss and her breathing grew faster and heavier. Mulder watched this and realized that she must be having a bad dream. Overcome with concern he reached over and gently shook her shoulder to wake her up, and out of this nightmare. It took a few good shakes and for him to call her name for her to open her eyes and meet his with fright. 
"Mulder! I- what. Where- oh" She managed frantically. 
"I looked over and noticed you  freaking out a bit Sculls so I wanted to make sure you were okay."  He said partly lying. "I figured it was a bad dream so I wanted to get you out of it. Do you think you'll be able to fall back asleep, I'm really sorry if I screwed you up." Mulder finished sounding guilty and concerned. 
"Oh, no thank you Mulder, that was really nice of you actually." Scully said with a smile. "I think i'll be okay but I am finding it a little uncomfortable and I don't want to get a sore neck.." 
"Awe c'mon Scully don't beat around the bush here, I know you want me." Mulder said teasing her as he lifted the armrest between them and threw his arm around her shoulders. 
"Mulder!" Scully said giggling. 
He pulled her right up close to him and let her place her head on his chest. Though neither one of them could say anything at this moment, they both felt so happy and safe in each other's embrace. Scully inhaled threw her nose and took in Mulders sent and smiled once more into his chest. "He smells good" She thought to herself and slowly drifted off to sleep once more feeling one of the most comfortable she's ever been. Mulder looked down again at Scully and once he was sure she was asleep bent down and kissed her forehead with a sense of prideful ownership over the beautiful agent using his chest as a pillow. Soon enough he drifted off to sleep as well resting his head on hers, thinking about the following days they would spend together.