Comments, complaints and just plain talk to sheryl_martin@tvo.org
Summary: Mulder and Scully watch a holiday display... what, you want Keats?
UST, warm fuzzies, etc... I'm just a hopeless romantic...blame it on Wookie therapy...
Fireworksby Sheryl Martin
The sky exploded into light; the multicoloured bursts shattering the darkness with brilliant displays of pyrotechnics. The children in the crowd oohed and cried and laughed, as did their parents. No one noticed the lone man sitting on the far park bench; his hands tucked into his pockets as he stared upwards into the night sky, his face covered with more than just appreciation at the show.
Leaning back against the wooden slats; he watched the fireballs explode over his head, drowning out the faint starlight as the crowd cheered. A sigh escaped his lungs; unheard by the masses.
"This seat taken?" Fox Mulder's head snapped to one side; the momentary look of panic leaving his face as he recognised his partner.
"Not yet." He returned his gaze skyward. She sat down beside him, mimicking his pose as they both watched the small explosions follow one after another.
"What do you see?" The redhead asked quietly. Amid all the music and yelling, Mulder alone heard her - automatically attuned to the sound of her voice. He turned his head towards her, resting it on the back of the bench.
"I wonder what aliens would think of all this." He smiled, seeing her return it with interest. "What would they think, seeing us celebrate with shows like this?"
"I thought you'd be with the Lone Gunmen. They seem the type to set off things like this."
"Nah." His eyes twinkled in the darkness. "Last time they set up their own display China registered a protest at an above ground nuclear test."
Scully chuckled. "Why do I find that totally believable?"
Rolling his head back up to the colourful display, Mulder nodded. "So what do you see up there?"
She paused, suddenly shuddering beside him as she looked into the night. "I'm not sure..."
Simultaneously they recalled the top of the mountain where they had both stood separately; one a captive of unknown forces, the other a captive to his heart. The bright lights, the noise...
A string of firecrackers went off nearby, making Scully tense momentarily. Instinctively her hand leapt across the small space between them; holding, seeking comfort in the only way she knew how.
He felt the tremor in her grip; felt the shaking fade away as the moments passed. The hand slowly relaxed to fall into his reassuring grip with a surprising lack of resistance.
She didn't turn to look at him; didn't want to make that final connection that would betray her. And he silently agreed with her.
They both continued to stare upward; holding hands long after the last burst of colour and roll of thunderous explosion filled the sky. Long after the crowd had disappeared into the night they stayed there on the bench, staring at the stars.
**************"In order to live free and happily, you must sacrifice boredom. It is not always an easy sacrifice."Richard Bach - "Illusions"