Scully rose from his seat the moment he saw Helzeny walking through the restaurant door. She didn't look made up except for that gloss on her lips. She had gone to the restaurant straight from River's place because she knew if she went home to change then meet him there, she'd be late. Also, she didn't know him that well, so she had no intention of impressing him in any way.
That's the difference; Scully found her the prettiest like that. He went to pull her chair back and Helzeny sat like luggage. Quickly he rushed to his side of the table and sat too. He was excited. It was finally happening.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me.", Scully began.
"Well, Zydal begged me to do this. I'm here because of that.",
"I hope you won't regret it.",
The waiter approached their table and took their order. They both ordered something light because truthfully no one had an appetite.
"Before you say anything, I want you to know that I'm scared of you.", said Helzeny,
"Is this about the photoshoot? I'm sorry. I'm just like that when I'm working.", he defended himself,
But, "I'm not a mind-reader so I don't know if it's the truth or not. But what are you hoping to get from this? What are you looking for?",
"Love.",
"No, no, that's not what I mean. Are you looking for marriage?",
"Oh.", Scully leaned back, "You turned 23. I don't think marriage is something you're looking for now.",
"Are you?",
"Yeah, but I don't want to bring it up until you do. You still have so much to accomplish.",
"So, what are you trying to say?",
"I want us to get to know each other.",
The waiter came back with their drinks and walked away. But nobody touched their glass.
"When you love someone, or like someone, automatically you get the urge to want to take care of them, doing anything to make them happy. When you look at me, Scully, do you get that urge?", Helzeny asked again. She had an imaginary notebook full of questions sitting beside her.
"I do.",
"I feel like you're just saying that.",
"I really mean it.",
Helzeny huffed as she shook her head. All her emotions were enclosed. She wasn't there open-heartedly.
"You see me now, Scully? I'm happy. I'm at peace. I don't need somebody to take care of me. I can take care of myself.", she explained, "If I give you a chance, it'll be because I want to, because I feel like it. Not because I need you.",
That was an ouch for Scully, but he took it like a man.
"I hear you.", he nodded with a smile, "You know, the more we grow, the lonelier life gets. You get to a point where you can tolerate the shittiest job in the world as long as in the evening you get to go home to the love of your life. All the hardness of your day just evaporates the moment you get into her arms. I'm at that point in my life right now.",
"I'm going to be a sophomore next year.", Helzeny explained, "I'll be living in the university dorm, studying, mingling and fucking around. I'm just 23. Maybe to others that's the age to take it very seriously, but I just want to have fun. I want to go on a million dates, vacation with my friends, make mistakes and graduate. I can't be acting like somebody's home, not right now, not yet.",
Scully listened to her and actually got her point. At her age, he was also busy running around making mistakes. That's how he figured himself out.
"You need to find another girl, who first of all isn't your sister's friend. She should be closer in age or older than you. Maybe you'll share the same goals. I love Zydal with all my heart but that's the extent I can go for her. I can't date her brother, no matter how handsome or successful he is.",
"I understand", Scully said, "Thank you for being honest with me.",
"Sure.", she nodded, "Thank you for understanding.",
She finished her drink and knew it was wise to just leave. She only went there to say that, and now that she did, she left. Scully's heart was broken. He didn't even get a chance to tell her how he felt. He knew that her mind was already made up, but it hurt him that she left without hearing the whole truth.
***