It matters her to her immensely that Mulder has always treated her with impeccable professional respect. Sometimes he's a complete asshole when they disagree, but he's just as much of an asshole to other men they encounter. He never insists she's wrong just because of her sex, never mistrusts her expertise, always backs her up when she's right. All of that matters.

There have been rumors, she knows, since the day she set foot in that basement office. No one dares call her Mrs. Spooky to her face, but she knows. When she was younger it bothered her more, truth be told. It rolls off her back easily now; those people don't understand the half of their relationship.

And here she is in his bathroom, splashing water on her face and trying to smooth the wrinkles out of slept-in clothes. Six years of not sleeping with a guy and you end up rumpled in his bed anyway. It almost makes her laugh.

She's not quite up to her usual standard when she emerges, but it could be worse.

"Some places might give Gembonded credit," she suggests. "I could spot you for small stuff."

She could... probably spot him for larger stuff. But she'd rather not say so.