Okay, so I want this to be a real X-file. Canon, in character, no AU, very little MSR (beyond what you would see in the show), no slash (well, come on, we all know how Frohike feels about Mulder), no smut (so sorry to my loyal smut readers), not just a one-off…..maybe some creature of the week or mythology….probably a longer-term project than what I'm used to writing. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I would really love some ideas from fanfic authors about how to continue.

As usual, I own nothing but the DVDs.

Between a rock and a hard place

"It's just a rock, Mulder," said Scully, rolling the lumpy grey nugget around in her hand.

Mulder pursed his lips and glared at Scully. He reached out and grabbed the rock out of her hand.

"It's more than that, Scully," he murmured, mesmerized by the object in his hand. "It's much more than that."

Mulder slowly looked up at his partner, who had her arms crossed and was half perched on his desk. They remained silent for a moment. "Fine, I'm all ears; tell me about," she said, uncrossing her arms and grasping the edge of the desk.

Mulder didn't know where to begin. It was a Monday morning and he hadn't seen his partner since Friday, but it seemed so much longer than a mere couple of days. Scully had left a little early for her weekend and the phone rang just as he was heading out the door. He hesitated, his hand on the doorknob and his eyes on the phone. He was hungry. Maybe it was Scully inviting him over for pizza. He listened to it ring a couple more times before he slowly walked over and picked up the receiver.

"Mulder," he said curtly.

"Hey, big guy."

"Frohike, what the hell do you want? I was just heading out the door."

"Hey, hey, what's with the blasting in my ear, man? I was just calling to give you a tip."

Mulder paused and eyeballed the pencils sticking out of the ceiling for a moment. Sighing heavily, he said, "Sorry, Frohike, it's just that I was about to head home for my weekend ….. and was looking forward to watching a few new videos I just received in the mail …. in plain brown wrappers."

Mulder heard chuckling on the other end of the line. He realized Frohike was using speaker phone when he heard a couple of other snickers in the background.

"Well that sounds like a fun times, buddy, but I think we have something you'll find just as, ahhh, titillating," said Frohike.

"I really doubt that," Mulder drawled, "but let me have it."

Mulder heard muted mumblings and a small crash before Frohike spoke again. "Ah, geez, Mulder, I think you're gonna want to come over here. We've got something to show you."

Mulder picked up a pencil off his desk and propelled it toward the ceiling. He watched it strike awkwardly and tumble onto the floor behind his chair. He puffed out his cheeks and sighed again.

"Well, Frohike, I'll tell you what; you throw in pizza and you've got a deal."

"Excellent, Mulder. We'll see you soon then." Mulder heard a crackling click and then the dial tone.

"Great … Friday night at the geek club," he murmured, hanging up the phone.

Mulder headed back to the door and locked it as he left the office for the weekend. It was drizzly and chilly on the way to his car and he pulled his overcoat tight around him. He got into his car and sat behind the steering wheel for a few minutes, staring out into the gray Washington sky. Mulder reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He could just call the guys and say something came up … and then call Scully and see if she'd like him to bring over a pizza. There was still time to back out on the Gunmen. Three dorky guys versus his attractive partner. He stared at the phone, his finger poised over the speed dial button for Scully's cell.

"Shit," he spat, shaking his head and shoving the phone back into his pocket.

Mulder pulled out of the FBI parking lot and headed out to meet the Lone Gunmen.

XxXxXxXx

Off to Chapter 2….Please review!