I love the friction in this story, too. And I think it's supported in canon. I think Scully always has been more interested in having a life than Mulder. I keep thinking about the conversation in "All Things."
SCULLY: Look, we're always running. We're always chasing the next big thing. Why don't you ever just stay still?
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SCULLY: Look, we're always running. We're always chasing the next big thing. Why don't you ever just stay still?
MULDER: I wouldn't know what I'd be missing.
Mulder is a restless guy.