Title: Borrowed Time
Author: Skinfull
Rating: NC-17
Classification: MSR/MT Uber MT
Spoilers: NOPE
Disclaimer:Not mine, no profit, no harm.
Summary: This story is the third part of a trilogy. Funnily enough I wrote part 2 first, then part 1 and this beauty has been languishing on my hard drive for quite some time.
You can find the other parts on . In the name of the Father and Pleasure in Pain.
Authors Notes: This is for you. You know it's there when you need it.
Borrowed Time
By Skinfull
Scully's Apartment.
Friday
25 Dec. 10.05AM
"Do you want me to call him?"
Mulder glanced up at her, his eyes skimming the slice of toast she was holding uneaten in front of her full lips, the lips he'd wanted to kiss since he walked through the door last night. Slowly they made their way up her face to connect shakily with her wide cool blue eyes.
For a moment he basked in the smell of the coffee and toast, the tang of the marmalade on his tongue and the sight of her sitting across the table. The Sonics tee shirt she was wearing disguised her curves but the black shorts she wore made up for it. It was almost as he thought it would be. Except for the torment he felt in the pit of his stomach, the barely contained rage, the all consuming shame and worst of all, the pity seeping from her glistening eyes.
"No," he muttered. "I'll do it." Finally he tore his eyes away and dropped the remains of his toast onto the plate before him. Bringing the plate to the sink he left it down with a clatter and walked to the bedroom.
Scully watched him walk out of the room with his head lowered and let out a constricted breath. It was Mulder who'd brought up Skinner's name, as he waited for the toast to pop but his voice had trailed off. It had taken two slices of barely buttered toast and a cup of strong black coffee before she had the courage to mention it again.
Stifled conversation and stolen shameful glances burned his eyes so she looked away and concentrated on her own measly breakfast. Her stomach churned with the enticing smell but her body didn't seem willing to eat. Giving up she cleared away the dishes and wiped the table down in time to see a fully dressed Mulder walking around the couch to grab his coat.
"You're going out?" she asked surprised.
"I'm going over to the Gunmen. See if the airport sent my luggage over there."
"Oh. Okay." Nervously she ran her fingers down the front of her top. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No. I'd really rather go alone. Can I borrow your car?" He avoided her eyes as he concentrated on buttoning up his jacket.
Confused Scully couldn't move for a minute. He turned to face her with pleading eyes and she saw without trouble the tears there. She wanted to reach out to him, hold him, touch him sooth his pain but her body refused to comply.
"Scully?" his voice broke through her reverie.
"Sorry…they're over there. On the counter." She pointed out the keys that lay on the kitchen top and he wandered over to grab them. Walking back to the door he opened it, but hesitated. Glancing back at her he ducked away from her gaze and left.
It was snowing outside. Heavy and thick it covered the ground in big icy clumps that made him slip as he crossed the lawn to her car. The cold air stung his lungs and he cursed himself for running like this again.
Christmas eve in DC. He'd forgotten how cold it could be. His fingers fumbled with the bunch of keys as he neared the car, but something stopped him. Soft footfalls announced her running up behind him before she got close, but he kept his back to her as her hand closed around his arm.
"Mulder…" her voice was a whisper stolen by the rising wind. "Don't."
He kept his back to her, refusing to turn back to her eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes that glistened with sorrow. All the emotions he felt, all the reasons he'd left in the first place four years ago came flooding back with vengeance, screaming I told you so. He never wished to see the sorrow or pity in her eyes but it seemed since he woke up that was all he saw there.
"I need to get my stuff," he said weakly still without turning back to her.
"Then come inside. Please. Wait for me to get dressed and I'll come with you."
Slowly he turned and was surprised to see her standing behind him, dressed in only his Sonics shirt and a small pair of black shorts.
"Scully, you'll freeze." Mulder pulled his jacket off and draped it around her shoulders. He pulled it closed over her chest and rubbed her arms vigorously. Her lips shivered and her teeth chattered in the icy weather, but she seemed determined to make him wait. "Lets go back inside."
He rested his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close against him as they walked back to her apartment. He sat on the couch and waited for her to change, but when she came back fully dressed he didn't move.
"Mulder?"
"You can't follow me everywhere every minute of the day." He was sitting forward on the couch with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands interlocked before him. When she didn't reply he continued. "Are you afraid I'm going to run again?"
"Can you blame me?" she blurted before she could stop herself.
"Truthfully? No I can't blame you. But you have to trust me."
"Trust you." Slowly she walked around the couch and sat next to him. "I am trying to Mulder but…"
"I know. It's hard."
"Mulder," she moved to sit on the table in front of him, mirroring his position from the night before. "Look, there is a lot you need to do. And I will only be able to help you with some of it. I know a lot of it you'll need to face on your own."
He nodded, still avoiding her eyes.
"But you came here. You asked me for help. Are you going to let me help you?"
Slowly his head bobbed but she wasn't satisfied. She waited for him to look up, to articulate his agreement.
"Ok. I'm sorry." His eyes darted up to her's for a second but quickly moved away.
"Don't be sorry Mulder. It's hard and it's going to get a lot harder. Just promise me one thing."
"Anything," he said quietly and he meant it.
"Don't run away from me."