Found it just hanging there. there's also a bracket in my hand so I know it mounts somewhere.

 

Looks like the underhood lamp connector.

 

+1
It should clip to the hood right above it, and the wire plugs into the underhood light..............
I imagine a bunch of XJs never came with the hood light, but the harness is there for all of them.............
Or your light it just missing............Get the lamp assembly from the junkyard.

 

thank you guys for your help. thank goodness it wasn't nothing important.

 

Double negative. That must mean it was important. LOL