TITLE: Taking It Slow (1/2)

AUTHOR: Marlen

E-MAIL: crmv@aol.com

RATING: PG-13

KEYWORDS: MSR, UST, RST, Alternating POV's

CLASSIFICATION: Vignette, Romance

SPOILERS: Anything before Requiem

SUMMARY: Scully plans a day of relaxation. Mulder
has other plans. There's food, a challenge and a
first time for our duo.

DISTRIBUTION: I'll submit to Gossamer. Otherwise,
just drop me a note so I can visit!

DISCLAIMER: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully do not belong to
me, they are the property of CC, 1013 productions and
FOX.

AUTHOR NOTES: This story is a little something I wrote
in the aftermath of my story Coming Back To You. This
is a prequel of sorts. I just wanted our agents to
have some fun before the angst feast. Hey, if George
Lucas can do it, why can't I?

WARNING: Reading this when you are hungry will only
instill a greater craving for food.

I have to thank my wonderful betas Georgia and Brandi.



Now on with the show!



Taking It Slow (1/2)
By Marlen
Completed: July 27, 2000


It's the same thing day after day.

I get up as soon as the alarm sounds. I start the
coffee machine, take a quick shower, dress, have a
plain bagel, toast or the occasional bowl of cereal
with my coffee, and dash out the door to start another
day of chasing after monsters, ghosts, vampires,
Mulder, you name it.

But today is Saturday and I don't feel like having
something perfunctory.

I feel like taking it slow.

I feel like turning off the alarm and sleeping in.

I feel like taking a nice long bath instead of a quick
hop in the shower.

I feel like forgoing my make-up.

I feel like letting my hair dry in its natural curly
state.

I feel like putting on the oldest, softest jeans I
have.

I feel like wearing an equally old T-shirt.

I feel like drinking freshly squeezed orange juice.

And I feel like making breakfast from scratch.

I walk into the kitchen and look into the
refrigerator. Mulder and I just came back from a
weeklong case in another small 'you name it' town, and
I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping yet.

I try to keep it well stocked; I can't stand it when
I'm hungry at Mulder's. He never has anything in his
fridge that's seen the light of day since the Bush
administration.

I shudder just thinking about it.

We always order take out when I'm there. No matter
what time of day you can always predict what it will
be. The choices are simple: Chinese, Pizza, deli, or
greasy burgers. If it weren't for my constant
exercising, I would weigh 300lbs. That's if I don't
die first from clogged arteries and high cholesterol.

But not today.

I'm not ordering from a phone.

It's not delivered to me in a box or bag.

And it's not going to have questionable ingredients.

I see that I'm out of a few things, so I grab my keys
and head out the door to the market around the corner.

I'm back in a flash and start my preparations.

I place the ingredients I need on the counter. Eggs,
ham, American cheese, shallots, butter, cream,
oranges, salt and pepper to taste.

I grab the juicer out of the cabinet above the fridge.
It's brand new. Bill gave it to me on Christmas years
ago, when I was in my 'juice everything' phase. It
didn't last long before I realized how easy it was to
just buy the damn things.

I'm not in the mood for anything processed or
pasteurized. There's nothing quite like freshly
squeezed orange juice in the morning.

When I'm done squeezing the life of these things, I
pour it into a glass pitcher and put it in the fridge.

I crack some eggs and put them in a bowl along with a
little salt and pepper.

I chop up some shallots and put those into the bowl.

I add little cream to the mixture and mix it with a
whisk and put it aside.

I take some ham and cut it up into little squares
while I heat up the pan.

I pour the egg mixture into it. After a few minutes,
I top one side of the omelet with ham and cheese, wait
another minute, then fold the untopped side over and
take it out when I see the melted cheese oozing out.

It smells divine. I pour myself a glass of the juice
I just made and take it along with my omelet to the
table. I'm about to dig in when hear a loud knock at
the door.

I sigh. I knew this peace and quiet was too good to
be true.

I drag myself over to the door and open it without
hesitation.

*Gee, big surprise.*


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"Hey Mulder." She says without looking up. *Doesn't
she know how dangerous it is to do that? I could be
anyone and she just opened the door.*

"Scully, what if I was an attacker ... "

But then I see what she is wearing and I lose my
capacity for speech.

I can't believe my eyes.

She's wearing a very worn pair of jeans, which have a
rip displaying her very lovely knee. I can also tell
the fit is a little snug on her.

She is also wearing her old Michigan T-shirt, which I
have seen her wear numerous times, but I've never seen
her in those jeans before.

"Relax Mulder, I knew it was you."

She stands there as I take her in. She's not wearing
an inch of make-up. I can see her barely noticeable
freckles across her cheeks. It makes her look years
younger.

And that hair! I knew her hair wasn't naturally
straight but I never knew how curly her hair really
got when she doesn't blow dry it.

Her voice disrupts my musings. "Mulder? Earth to
Mulder. Are you coming in? My food is getting cold."

*Food?* I sniff and smell an aroma that couldn't come
from a box. Scully's cooking? And it's not burning?
I walk in to her apartment. "Scully, are you cooking
something?"

"Yes."

"What's with." I motion my hand up and down her body.

"I just felt like taking today slow and relaxing."

A smile tugs at my lips "Kind of like *snow day* when
you're a kid, uh?"

"Yup, kind of like that." She smiles at me and I know
I've been busted. She turns and starts to walk
towards the kitchen and I can't seem to get my eyes
off her ass. *My God, does she know what she's doing
to me?*

Okay, I need to focus on something else "What's that
ya making there Scully?"

"Omelets."

*Omelets? Scully knows how to make omelets? Scully
can cook? Since when? What's with her today?*

"Mulder I have enough for one more if you're
interested."

As if I could refuse, "Sure, I mean, if it's no
trouble." I don't want to sound eager.

She smiles "No Mulder, it's no trouble."

She pours the rest of the mixture into the pan then
hands me a glass of orange juice, and it's good. Very
good. "This is good. Where did you get this juice
Scully?"

"From oranges Mulder." She deadpans.

"Very funny." Smart ass.

"It's freshly squeezed." She says as she hands me the
omelet. "What's up Mulder?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you here?"

I look around her apartment "I thought I would take it
slow too."

She gives me this 'you're so full of shit Mulder'
look, but nods her head and says "Ah, taking it slow
is good to do once and a while."

I don't think she and I are thinking the same thing.

Maybe I can change that.

"This is really good Scully. Where did you learn to
make this."

"Mulder, believe it or not I can actually cook. I
just never have the need to. With it just being me
and all."

"Hey, you can cook for me as much as you like."

"Is that an invitation?" She's got a neutral look and
I can't tell if she's kidding or not and my defenses
go up.

"I know you must have a story to go with these omelets
of yours." She smirks a little. Am I that
transparent?

"Actually there is. When I first got to college I
befriended a guy named George. We ended up in the
same classes together. I thought at first he was
stalking me or something. It was too much of a
coincidence that he had the same schedule as me, but
that's all it was. Anyway, his parents wanted him to
become a doctor just like mine did."

"Kindred sprit, eh?"

"Yea, I developed a crush on him and really wanted to
go beyond the friendship thing."

I hate the thought of anyone with her besides me of
course, but curiosity gets the better of me "Did you
guys date?"

"We did for a bit, but nothing really developed. We
were better as friends."

*I hope she doesn't think about us that way.* She
must have seen my disappointed look because she then
says, "It was for the best. It never would've worked
out."

"What happened?"

"He fell in love with someone else." She says in a
matter-of-fact kind of way.

"Let me guess, he was going out with you and another
girl at the same time."

"Something like that. It doesn't matter. I wasn't
his type."

*Oh Scully don't sell yourself short.*

"You might be his type though."

*Oh, now I get it.*

"Anyway, he was a great cook and made the most amazing
dishes. He taught me how to make omelets; I adjusted
it to my own tastes. I was more upset that I would be
losing a personal chef than a boyfriend, when we
broke-up"


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"Whatever happened to him?"

"Last I heard, he confronted his parents with his
lifestyle and while he was at it added the fact that
he didn't want to be a doctor. As expected, they cut
off his financial support. He wanted to be a chef and
got a full scholarship to The Culinary Institute of
America, he transferred there."

"It must have been tough for him to confront his
parents back then." He says as he helps me clear the
dishes and stick them into the dishwasher.

I nod. "I'm just glad he had Aiden for support. I
don't know what happened to him after that."

With breakfast finished, we settle on the couch when I
realize Mulder distracted me from my question.

With a puzzled look "Mulder, why did you come over
today?"

"I told you."

"Uh, no. No you didn't."

He scoots a little closer to me so we are shoulder to
shoulder. I can feel his burning skin next to mine.
It's enough to be my undoing. He's wearing a gray T-
shirt and jeans. It really shows off his best assets.
"I'm hurt Scully. I thought we were friends as well
as partners. Do I need an excuse to stop by and say
hi?"

He is right. Our relationship has progressed from
partnership to friendship to ... what are we now? I'm
not sure if there is a name for it, but I know that
the next step is inevitable. The pull between us is
constant and I know that the time for us to converge
is coming soon.

I try to act nonchalant "No, you're right, we are
friends. It's just usually you have a case or
something else to discuss."

He leans down close to my ear and whispers "I'll let
you in on a little secret Agent Scully. It's always
an excuse to see you."

I can't help but smirk and make a smart-ass remark,
"Tell me something I don't know." I turn my head and
he doesn't pull away. He's so close I feel his breath
tingle my ear. He's looking at my lips and I suppress
a shutter.

I wonder if we're thinking the same thing?

His lips are so close to mine. I can't handle it any
more and start to move towards those beautiful pouty
lips of his, but then he pulls back. *Ahhh!* He
grins and I can tell the wheels are turning in his
head *Bastard* "I can cook too you know."

I try not to show my surprise and disappointment
"Well, I can't wait to witness your cooking abilities
Agent Mulder. I didn't know you had any."

His eyebrows move up and down in a leer "I'm full of
surprises, Agent Scully."

"You're full of something alright." I mumble under my
breath.

"What did you say?" I know he heard me.

I ignore his question and I say sarcastically "I
thought it was a challenge just to pick up the phone
and call for takeout."

Swiftly, he gets up, grabs his jacket and heads
towards the door.

*What the hell?* "Where are you going?"

With the most adorable grin that makes my insides melt
and want to hit him at the same time, he turns towards
me and says, "I never back down from a challenge."

Puzzled I say, "But it's only 11:30!"

"If I'm going to do this right, I need time to
prepare." He turns back around and when he opens the
door to leave he makes one more statement "Be at my
place at eight sharp."

I'm extremely curious as to what exactly he has
planned. I get up and start my own preparations for
the evening ahead.


End of part 1

Did I mention feedback is good for the soul?

Crmv@aol.com





Taking it Slow (2/2)
By Marlen

See disclaimer in part one.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


I close the door behind me and walk down the hall. My
gleam turns into gloom. I just had to open my mouth
and tell her I can cook. *Shit* I've really backed
myself into a corner, haven't I?

I've got to think.

Think Mulder think.

Who can I call to help me?

Can't call Frohike, he'll be all over me with
questions. Who is it you're entertaining Mulder?
Would it be one delectable little redhead? You guys
finally do the wild thing Mulder?

I've got it!

I'll call her mother; she likes me and already knows
how I feel about her daughter. I think I can trust
her not to spill the beans on my inability to cook
anything resembling food.

I grab my cell and dial.

"Hello, Mrs. Scully? It's Fox Mulder ... no, Dana's
okay ... okay, Maggie ... I'm sorry to bother you, but
I was wondering if you could help me with something
..."

We converse for a while and with a plan already in
progress, I get into my car and head home.

I walk into my apartment and realize another challenge
awaits me. My place is a mess and I don't know where
to start.

I start in the living room, picking up my discarded
jogging shirt and pants from the couch, a sweatshirt
on my computer chair and the matching pants on the
coffee table. I walk over to the bedroom and see that
I have heaps of clothes everywhere. I pick up the
clothes and go to put them in the hamper when I notice
the hamper is already overflowing. Which I believe is
a big sign that I have to do laundry. I put my
clothes into the laundry basket and go down to the
laundry room.

With my clothes washing, I decide to clean up the
kitchen. I walk in there and shutter at what I see.
Dirty plates and glasses since I don't know when are
piled up in the sink. I think for a moment on how
easy it would be to just throw it all away into the
garbage, but I don't. I'm surprised to find
dishwashing liquid in the cabinet. I wonder if Scully
bought it for me as a hint, because I don't remember
buying it for myself. I put the plates in the machine
and turn it on.

After I wipe the counters down, I attack the
refrigerator. When was the last time I threw anything
out of here? I can't remember. I throw out anything
past its prime, which is pretty much everything.

With my clothes cleaned and put away, I look around
the apartment to see the progress I have made. *Not
bad, not bad at all!*

I start thinking about Scully. I really wanted to
kiss her when I was at her apartment this morning and
I'm pretty sure she wanted to kiss me too, but a plan
started to form and I wanted to surprise her with my
unknown abilities. So unknown, I didn't even know I
had it. So what if I haven't cooked for someone in a
decade. How hard can it be? Besides, maybe if
everything works out tonight, she'll let me make her
breakfast as well?

I realize time is ticking away and boot up my computer
to print out the recipe Scully's mother graciously
sent me. She offered to make the meal and bring it
over, but I insisted that I make it. I could hear her
smile as she said, "Okay dear, but feel free to call
me if you need any help." As soon as it comes out of
the printer, I grab it and head out the door to the
grocers.

It takes me an hour to find all of the ingredients
plus a couple of extra things to enhance the mood of
the evening.

After I bought the groceries, I stop by a wine shop
and can't decide on what to get. Wine isn't my strong
suit, so I ask the manager if he could recommend
something. After telling him what kind of food I
wanted it to go with, he recommends a Chardonnay and I
buy it.

I also pass by a flower shop and have to get a single
red rose. I'm pulling out all the stops.

According to Mrs. Scully the recipe should be easy to
follow. Even for someone like me. *I wonder what
Scully told her about me?*

I get to my apartment and start my preparations.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mulder left to make dinner. I laugh at the thought of
it. He has never, and I mean NEVER lifted a single
finger to make anything. I doubt he even knows how to
use the oven. Does he even KNOW where the oven is?

I once snuck a bottle of dishwashing liquid under his
sink to see if he would ever use it.

He hasn't.

Knowing him, he'll go out to some fancy restaurant and
order something outrageous and claim it as his own.
Until I make him confess anyway. I'm confident that I
can get it out of him.

As part of my 'taking it slow' day, I decide to pamper
myself. As I am coming back from my manicurist at the
mall, I leisurely walk past a window and something
catches my attention. It's the most gorgeous sweater.
It was baby blue and has a V-neck. I go in to try it
on. It hugs my body perfectly. A wicked smile
crosses my lips as I imagine Mulder's reaction when he
sees me in it.

*Oh, I think he'll confess now.*

I decide to go for 'the casual with an underlying
sexuality' look to drive Mulder over the edge and try
on a pair of black fitted pants.

I don't think of myself as attractive, but I'm not
stupid. I try to stay in shape and I'm pretty sure
Mulder likes what he sees. I look at myself in the
mirror *Oh, ya! This is going to be fun.*


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


I'm finishing the final touches when I hear a knock at
the door. As predicted, she's right on time. I go to
open it. "Hey Scully." I didn't think anything could
top 'casual Scully' until I am met with what I've just
named 'Kill me now cause I've just gone to heaven
Scully' I may name it more appropriately later, when
the blush I'm pretty sure I am wearing goes away.

"Mulder?"

I never realized how evil Scully can be until I laid
my eyes on her. She is wearing a sweater that matches
the color of her eyes. I can't help but look at
how low her V-neck goes. And I think I would remember
those pants.

"Mulder."

Her hair isn't as wild as it was this morning; it
looks like it did when we were on that Arcadia
assignment. It was hard staying away from her then.

"MULDER!" I look back at her face. She is trying to
look as serious as possible, but I can tell by her
eyes how much she is enjoying this.

Is she trying to torture me? "You're right on time
Scully, come on in."

"Smells good in here Mulder."

"Thank you."

"Anything I can help you with?" She starts towards
the kitchen, but I stop her. I want to surprise her
with what I have done. The expression 'slaving over a
hot stove' applies here. "No, I've got everything
covered. Make yourself comfortable Scully."

She looks flustered and I wonder why, until she looks
around the room. There are candles all around and
soft classical music in the background. Her face
softens and she smiles a little. She concedes,
heading in the direction of the couch.

I get the chicken out of the oven. I'm surprised it
turned out so well. I prepare our plates and put them
on my table and light the candles.

I motion for Scully to come over and I pull out the
chair for her to sit in. "Madam your feast awaits
you."

"Aren't we being chivalrous." She quips and then
looks down at her plate. From the look on her face, I
think she's impressed by the meal in front of her.

I leave the room and come back with the wine I had
purchased earlier. With a pop, I open it and pour it
the wineglasses I also got at the wine shop.

She takes a bite "This is really good Mulder."

"Thank you." It pleases me to no end that she likes
it.

"What do you call it?"

"It's Lemon-Rosemary Chicken."

We are having a really nice time having small talk
about anything other than work. I take a good look at
her as she sips her wine. She really does look
radiant tonight.

She puts her glass down, stares right into my eyes and
says in a playful voice "Okay Mulder, fess up!"

She surprises me out of my thoughts.

"What do you mean?"


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Does he think I'm stupid? The meal was too good to
come from him. "Come on Mulder. I know you got this
from somewhere. I mean, you don't know how to saut‚
asparagus, do you?"

He looks taken aback and I doubt the comment I made.
Did he really cook this meal himself? His looks
change to a smile "Scully, I'm flattered that you
think my food is worthy of fine dining status."

I sit back in the chair and think for a second before
responding. "Are you telling me you went out, bought
the ingredients and made this meal all by yourself?"

"That's what I did."

He gets up, takes our plates to the kitchen. I'm
still not convinced and I follow suit.

He starts up the coffee and as I walk into the
kitchen, I see the evidence of someone who actually
cooked a whole meal. Pots and pans recently used on
the stove and ingredients spread on the counter.

Mulder turns towards me "Scully, I'm not finished
yet."

"Mulder you made this amazing meal. The least I can
do is help clean up."

"Out!" he scoots me out of there.

I settle on the couch and he comes back with a fresh
cup of coffee and a plate of dessert. He's full of
surprises today. "Mulder, you made dessert too?"

With a sheepish grin he says "No, this I bought."

I look at what he gave me and smile; "You know what I
like."

He looks at it and waves it in front of my nose so I
can smell it. "It's a New York style cheesecake topped
with strawberries and sauce."

I look around. "Where's yours?"

"I thought we could share." I wonder if he can see
the blush on my face, but I'm not about to refuse.

I guess this outfit worked better than I thought.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


I take her silence as a yes. I proceed to take the
spoon, scoop a piece of the cheesecake on it along
with some of the strawberry sauce and feed her. She
watches me do this and as I put the spoon in her mouth
she closes her eyes savoring the flavor. I take a
strawberry and place it in her mouth, she takes a bite
of it. It is the single most erotic thing I have ever
seen. "Mmmmm." She groans and it's taking all of my
will power not to grab her right now. She's teasing
me and I immediately feel the effect she has in my
groin.

She opens her eyes and licks her lips. "It's very good
Mulder, you should try some." Without breaking eye
contact, she grabs the spoon and scoops some of the
cheesecake and sauce. She slowly places the contents
in my mouth. I don't know if it's the cheesecake or
her making it so delectable. I think it's the latter.
She then darts her eyes to my mouth and gives me an
evil grin. I realize some of the sauce is dripping
down my chin. She moves towards me. I'm frozen by
her boldness. Her concentration is focused on the
spot the sauce has claimed. She's closer and I feel
lightheaded. She closes her eyes. Before I know it,
she's licking the sauce off my chin.

I take that as a sign. I take my hands, cup her face
and bring her lips to mine for a long, deep, sensual
kiss. We part, glance at each other and come together
again in hungry kisses. We're groping each other like
teenagers now. I can't get enough of her. I want her.
Not just right now, but for as long as she'll have me.
She stops me and I think she doesn't want this as much
as I do. "Mulder." She says breathlessly.

I'm disappointed, but respect her decision "Scully, I
understand."

"You do?"

"Yes, I do."

She gets up and so do I. I assume she's leaving, but
then she grabs my hand and proceeds to walk towards
the bedroom. "Scully?"

She stops, turns and gives me a sympathetic look.
"Before you ask, it's what I want. Is it what you
want?"

"If you only knew for how long."

I notice her eyes darken significantly, she clasps my
hand with hers and pulls me again towards the bedroom.

Our clothes drop along the way and we stumble into the
bed. I'm constantly touching and examining her,
making sure she is real. That this is really
happening. I don't want to wake up and realize it was
only a fantasy.

Our lovemaking is everything it should be, soft and
passionate yet at the same time intense and exciting.

My fantasy has turned into reality.

Scully is asleep with her face on my shoulder. I gaze
at her beautiful face, touch her lips with my fingers
and say in barely a whisper "My Scully". I'm amazed
on how comfortable and natural that sounded coming
from my mouth. It's like we've been together like
this for years. It's nice. Very nice!

We are entwined, not only in sheets that surround us,
but in our souls as well and I know that no matter
what the future has in store for us we can handle it,
together.

I tighten my hold on her, kiss her head and think
about what I should make for breakfast in the morning.



~End~


AUTHOR NOTES: The omelet part came to me when I was
making omelets one morning and a light bulb suddenly
appeared over my head. I figured I would just follow
my muse and see where it would take me!

As my boyfriend so assiduously pointed out (rolling
eyes-he's a chef), the omelet featured in this story
is my own creation and not the actual way to make a
traditional omelet.

If you enjoyed it, please let me know at crmv@aol.com