Hi everyone, well I've been reading all your fics for a long time and I think every single one I've read has been superb! I guess I decided it was time I gave it a go, so sorry it's probably not up to the same standard but it'd be great if some of your out there read it and let me know what you think. It's my first X-files fic so any feedback is welcome!

One

Mulder stood bouncing his basket ball unenthusiastically. Sighing, he looked around his apartment for any idea of something to do. The last case had been difficult, and Skinner had signed him and Scully off for the rest of the week, leaving Mulder bored and frustrated. Still scanning as he bounced the ball, Mulder's eyes fell onto the phone that sat on his desk. Smiling to himself, he headed straight over and dialled the familiar number.

"Scully!" came the enthusiastic answer, and he felt a grin stretch across his face again at the sound of his partner's voice, berating himself for letting his feelings get away from him.

"Scully, it's me," he started, thinking how best to phrase his proposal.

"Oh, hi Mulder. What's up?"

"Well, I just wondered if you were busy. Fancy a pizza and movie?" he asked, feeling himself hold his breath as he waited for the answer, and hoped that it was the one that he wanted.

"Sure, I'm not doing anything anyway. Just let me get ready and I'll come straight over."

Letting out the breath that he had been holding with a smile, Mulder put the phone back on the cradle, heading off to the kitchen to try and find the latest pizza menu. Stop it he told himself as his thoughts wandered back to why he had called Scully to come over. You're bored, that's all. Yet however many times he told himself that, he couldn't explain the way his heart felt bigger and he couldn't stop smiling knowing that he would be spending the evening with Scully.

*

A brief knock sounded through the apartment as Mulder wandered around his bedroom, looking for a decent shirt to wear for the evening. Looking across at the clock, Mulder's grin widened when he realised that Scully must have rushed to get there that quickly. Checking his appearance briefly in the mirror and telling himself that it was a natural thing to do, and not because he wanted to look alright for Scully, Mulder headed over to the door.

Pulling open the door enthusiastically, the witty retort that he had ready died on his lips along with his smile as he came face to face with an unknown man rather than the small form of Scully.

"Can I help you?" he asked, impatient for the man to go. His instincts started to kick in when the man gave him a malicious smile, before pushing him backwards into his apartment, kicking the door shut behind him.

Mulder was shocked as a hard punch caught him clean in his face, making him lean away from the man. Struggling back around, Mulder went to hit him back, only to have his punch blocked and another hit catch him in the side, causing him to gasp as all of his air was pushed out of his lungs and he doubled over in pain. Seeing that Mulder was down, the man kicked him in the face, knocking him flat on his back as he walked over and picked him up by the shoulders, banging his head painfully on the floor.

Flicking out his leg on instinct, Mulder was relieved when the man fell over backwards, allowing Mulder the chance to get the upper hand. Pulling himself to his feet on an adrenaline rush, Mulder hit him hard, pleased when the man seemed to respond to the pain. Pushing his arm into the man's throat, Mulder waited until he heard the sounds of choking.

"Who are you? Who are you working for?" Mulder asked, pushing harder onto the man's throat. "Answer me!"

Hearing a gurgle that could be some kind of speech, Mulder released the pressure from his arm, hearing air rush into the man's throat. He waited for the answer that he knew was coming, only realising his mistake when the same malicious grin appeared again, and the man threw him off, pulling out a knife and advancing on him.

Grabbing Mulder by the arm, he threw him back against the wall, making Mulder groan from the force of the impact. Holding the man's arm on instinct, Mulder tried desperately to force the knife away from him, gritting his teeth as he pressed with all his strength against the man who was obviously stronger.

"Give it up, Agent Mulder," the man hissed, the knife inching closer and closer as Mulder watched helplessly.

Suddenly, the man stamped on Mulder's foot, causing Mulder to cry out. His hand slipped on the attacker's knife hand, and he twisted as best as he could, managing to keep it away from his main body, but shouting again as the metal sliced into the flesh on his arm. Spinning away with a hiss, Mulder's hand pressed down on his arm, trying to stop the flow of blood coming from his arm.

Looking up, Mulder felt himself give up the fight as the man moved towards him again, the knife still in his hand. He half-heartedly tried to grab at the knife, readying himself for the moment when it all would end and wishing that it had been different.

A loud bang made Mulder jump as he watched the man before him with no emotion. He was even more surprised when the man suddenly crumpled to the floor, the knife falling uselessly from his hand. Mulder bent over, the pain from various places finally hitting him when the adrenaline had finally worn off. Gathering the last of his strength, Mulder looked up to see the small form of his partner standing looking coldly at the man at her feet, her gun still pointed in his direction.

"Are you OK, Mulder?" she shouted over, her eyes flickering from the man at her feet for a moment to see Mulder's pale face, as he slid to the floor, unconsciousness washing over him.