"Hello my name is Mulder, and I'm here to teach psychology. I will introduce you to contemporary research into social, development, cognitive and biological dimensions of behaviour. As part of your studies, you'll look at the applications of psychology in a wide range of areas - from understanding the nature and causes of mental illness to investigating decision making in real life situations. As part of your course, you'll conduct your own research." Mulder's eyes locked with Scully's instantly and she felt, even in a room full room of people, they were the only ones there. He carried on speaking, his eyes never leaving hers. She was meant to be listening to him, but instead, she was mapping his face and body in great detail for purposes she wasn't willing to accept yet.

The lecture lasted just about an hour and eventually, Scully managed to write down a few notes to get the general idea of the class. When the lights flicked on, she grabbed her notepad and pen and threw them in her bag. Moving past some people, whom she didn't care were staring directly at her, she got out of the classroom as quick a possible. She left Serah sitting there, they would meet back at their room. Scully couldn't breathe, her chest felt constricted. They had only met a couple of times but that teacher had an effect on her. She had had never felt this type of influence, this type of attraction. With one look he could turn her world on its end.

Scully arrived at her room, she managed to control her breathing and emotions once she was alone lying on her bed. What was she going? She really liked him, but he was a teacher. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice that Serah had slipped into the room until she felt her bed dip.

"So, Dana, are you going to explain why you ran out of there like your hair was on fire?" Serah was concerned for her friend. She had never seen her act this erratic before. She looked at her friend lightly touching her arm, for comfort, to let her know that she was there for her.

"I don't know where to start." It was an honest statement. Scully looked at her friend trying to offer some explanation to her. But she was at a loss. She stood up and started pacing the room, from window to door, back and forth.

"The beginning is always a good start." Serah watched Scully pace and thought 'Something's really bothering her now'

"That's just it, I don't have a beginning. It isn't really an issue, it's all probably in my head anyway."

"Just calm down and talk to me, I'm here to listen." Serah stood up and placed both her hands gently on Scully's skin to stop her rapid walking. "I know I'm not the ideal person, but you said Melissa was touring Europe and isn't reachable."

"Honestly, I'm overreacting. It's nothing. I'm fine."

Serah looked at Scully. She knew when her friend had set her mind to something there was no changing it, no getting her to open up. So she changed the subject. "I'm going to a party later and of course you're invited. It'll do you good."

/

Mulder had just finished his lecture and he wanted to talk to the pretty redhead he kept bumping into throughout the day. He was intrigued by her, captivated by her beauty. He normally wouldn't even look at a redhead, he was more of a brunette kind of guy. But he wanted her badly, and he wanted to find out more about her. All he knew was her name was Dana and with just one look from her, he could have an instant problem in his trousers. He nearly had an incident in a room full of students as soon as his eyes locked onto hers.

He was walking through the hallways. He knew he shouldn't, but he needed some outside help. As soon as he got to the ICT department, he realised he should have known that all three of his friends would be there. They seemed to be working on their new newspaper article for two weeks time. It was called the Lone Gunman. The three men sat arguing about the next conspiracy and cover up. They tried to find some credit every now and then, there was news portraying the school.

"Ahh hem…" Mulder stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, looking casual with a 100 watt smile on his face. He was laughing inside.

All three men jumped and went silent. Turning away from the computer monitor and towards the sound they heard, they let out a breath they didn't know they were holding when they saw who was stood there.

"Mulder, my man! How are you?" Said the small bald man.

"I need you to do some extracurricular computing for me," Mulder moved away from the door and into the room and found a seat.

"No problem, we're always happy to help. Now, what can we do for you?" The man replied, leaving some space for him. He looked happy at the prospect of his friend asking for help, it wasn't something he did very often.

"Well, Frohike, I need you to look into some files for me."

"And what files might that be?" Frohike gave him a questioning look but he knew he'd help him anyway.

Mulder spoke in a hushed tone now and moved his chair closer to his friends "I need you to look into a students file for me.

"Is this one of your flings? You have never asked us to look into any of them. So why now?"

"It doesn't matter, can you do it or not?"

"Of course we can, we just need a name." The blonde long-haired man replied quickly.

"Her name is Dana Scully, Langly. She is a redhead." He said the last part in a whispered voice and all three men gave him a look, because they all knew his type was definitely not redheads.

Frohike and Langly got to discussing the best way to quietly hack into the school's system and Mulder started talking to the third man.

"Byers, how's computer science treating you?"

"Half my class seem to be more into phones than computers but I do have some promising students in my class"

"That's great news."

Mulder and Byers carried on with the small talk about work, home life, the simple stuff. Half an hour had passed before Frohike and Langly managed to get the information Mulder wanted.

"Mulder! We have her information: her name is Dana Katherine Scully, she 5ft 3in. She has one older sister and two brothers, one older one younger. She comes from a military family and she has moved around a lot. Her father is in the navy, a Captain. She is studying a bachelor's degree in Medicine, this is her second year. She seems like a high achiever, so seems to be aiming for high marks."

If she is aiming high it will be easier to lure her into his little trap, Mulder thought, but did not voice his opinion "Thank you guys, I appreciate it."

With that said, he nodded at his friends and walked out going about the rest of his day.

/

A few hours had passed and Serah had convinced Scully to go to the party and take her mind off whatever was bothering her, which she still wouldn't talk about. Scully didn't have anything to wear, so Serah lent her one of her outfits. It wasn't Scully's style, it showed too much skin for her liking but she went with it. It was a short black dress with a square neck cut and it had an open back.

Scully was just putting the last touches on her makeup, she wanted to look feminine and sexy, something she didn't do very often. In her mind, it was a great distraction from Mulder.

Serah walked in the room wearing some dark black shorts and deep red crop top. Her hair was down and in soft curls. Scully thought she looked stunning and wondered if she could never wear something like that herself.

They left and walked toward the frat party. It was a nice gentle walk, the sun hung low and the air was warm. Scully was slightly apprehensive about the whole thing. She was nothing like her friend, who was outgoing and a party girl. She had always been the little nerdy girl who would work through the night to get a good grade. The one that preferred to stay in and read a book on a Friday night. Serah kept talking to her, trying to keep her calm and get her excited about actually getting ou. If she was honest about herself, it was working, if only a little bit.

They got to the house and the music was blaring, the party was in full swing. Serah entered first followed by Scully. Serah got them both drinks, making sure they weren't spiked, and then she went migling.

Time flashed by and Scully eventually had quite a few shots and couple beers. She even found a guy to talk to. Well, technically, he had found her. His name was Daniel and he was doing the same degree as her. He was flirting and putting on the charm. Scully was enjoying the attention. He was touching her, placing his hands on her hips, bumping and grinding with her in time with the music. The feeling of skin against skin as they danced was nice but her mind kept wandering to the tall dark and handsome man named Mulder. How his body would feel against hers, dancing with her, grinding against her. The feeling of his muscles that she had seen earlier tense under her touch. Would he have a small package, as they say, or would he fill her completely?

She was soon brought out of her thoughts when she felt Daniel's hand try and move in between her legs. She stopped dancing immediately and pushed him away. Only then she realised how drunk she was and her imagination and inhibitions were lowered. But there was one thing she was certain of: it was not Daniel she wanted right now. It was Mulder, no matter how bad it seemed. This party was meant to get her mind off him, but that had not worked at all. She quickly said good night to Daniel and found Serah. Prying her off the guy she was necking onto, they walked back home together.

XXXXX

Scully woke up not as early as she would normally do. Her head was throbbing and the sun was not helping. She knew the party had been a bad idea but at least for a little bit she had enjoyed herself before her mind got the better of her. Serah was moving about the room as quiet as possible but she soon noticed Scully was awake.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Welcome back to the land of the living. How are you feeling?" Serah stopped pottering about and sat on her bed. She was dressed in some jeans and tank top ready for the day.

"Uhg, I drank too much last night. My head is killing me. How come you don't look or feel like me right now?" Scully sat up on her bed trying to shield her eyes from the sun shining through the window. She looked at her friend and generally could not believe how awake and happy she looked.

"I don't get hangovers," Serah replied smiling. "I have set two advils and a glass of water on your bedside locker if that helps, and you can borrow my sunglasses for the day."

Scully moaned again. "What time is it, anyway. You've never been a morning person."

"It's a little after 10."

Scully gave her a look and then flopped back down in the bed. She was thankful for the lie in and thankful that her first lecture of the day wasn't till one.

"I will see you later Dana. I got to go to class." She left the room locking the door behind her.

"Bye!" Scully replied but Serah was already gone.

xxx

The weeks flew by. Mulder paid close attention to Scully in every lecture but trying not to make it too obvious that it was her that he had his eyes on. They had met several times at the gym but neither speaking a word to each other.

Scully was apprehensive about that day because everyone had their first assignments handed in. Today was the day of truths of sorts. Whether it was her imagination running wild with all sideways way glances at her or the chemistry she had felt between them across the room, she didn't really know. Whenever she spoke, he would unconsciously lick his lips. She was wondering if he was actually going to pick her for his little side project.

So, there she was, sitting next to Serah and Mulder was walking around the room handing the papers back to his students. There were happy faces and sad faces and suddenly he was standing in front of them. He handed Serah her paper, which Scully glanced at and was impressed with her friend's score of a B. Then Mulder moved in front of her and handed her her assignment back. Their hands brushed and lingerd and she swore she felt a physical spark between them. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to bounce out of her chest. She knew it was impossible but it didn't feel that way. Her stomach was doing flip flops and the nerves were making her feel sick. But she kept her face calm and stern, trying to show no emotion.

Their eyes locked, she loved the colour of his hazel eyes. They could pull you in and make you forget about everything. He didn't say a word to her and he let go of her hand and carried on moving around the room. That's when she finally tore her gaze off him and looked at her score on her paper: it was a C. Next to it, there was a little sticky note attached with his handwriting 'See me in my office tomorrow at 7.30pm'.

Serah looked at her. As she saw the note she smiled. Her eyes said 'I told you so' so loudly she almost heard it. Scully didn't know whether to be happy about the fact that her feelings were reciprocated, at least she wasn't going crazy. Or maybe she should be scared by the fact that he had feelings for her and wanted to see her after hours. One thing was for sure she needed her sister more than ever, she needed to talk to her. Before committing herself to anything.