Coffee is an acceptable peace offering. Although she's punctual to a fault, she isn't a morning person by any means-- it's willpower and duty that gets her out of bed. Though today there's a certain excited restlessness, too-- the anticipation of a new assignment, her first case in the field.

"I have the case history to review on the plane," she answers evenly. Overstuffed file folders full of dead teenagers over airline breakfast-- who wouldn't be excited?

"Did you mention extraterrestrials in your 302, Agent Mulder?" She's half-joking but doesn't sound it.