Mulder chuckled. Having resumed a more casual stance, Scully had again asked him to detail his supposed fantasy. 'You wanted to know about my fantasies?'

'I'd like to associate this moment in my professional career with anything other than one of your naked high school dreams, yes.'

The sounds of the crooks were dying down. Several had already left and the half dozen or so that remained were dropping like flies. They didn't have much time to figure things out before they left and never spoke of it again.

'Being stuck in a closet is not one of them.'

Scully looked back, surprised.

'It is, however, a twisted version of scenarios that play out in my head often.'

'What sort of scenarios?' His hands, which had dutifully stayed at his side once again found her waist as he leaned in. 'You.' His right hand worked up to her arm and grabbed it tightly, 'At the mercy of my desire.'

Scully's heart pounded out of fear and excitement and she had to open her mouth to get enough oxygen. But her mouth responded with sarcasm, her usual coping mechanism kicking in when things got too serious. 'So you're kinky. I could've easily guessed that.' Teasing Mulder about his lustful and perverse preferences was part of their normal relationship. She realized she was trying to find some familiar ground.

Suddenly Mulder released her arm and sighed. 'There has to be only a few left awake. I only hear three voices. We could take em.' He changed the subject abruptly. Why was this so difficult? Scully thought.

'And risk casualties and have to report this?' She swallowed. 'Besides, you didn't finish.'

'You don't want me to. Hell, I don't want me to. You deserve so much more than to be some sick man's play thing, so much more than to end up in a closet all night on an illegal search of a house looking for poltergeists.'

'You don't think that much of me if you don't think I can make my own professional decisions.' She turned her head over her shoulder and breathed into his neck, 'Mulder, I can look out for myself.'

Mulder fought the urge to devour her and delicately reached an arm around to hold her chin in his hand. He thought about his response and, rubbing his thumb along her jaw said, 'Not if I'm the one you need protection from.'

'Why would I need protection from you.'

He turned her head forcefully forward and whispered in her ear, 'You don't know what I'm capable of.' With his other hand on the door frame, the hand on her chin held her more tightly and his body leaned in, pressing her against the door.

Scully sucked in a breath of air and put her hand over the one on her chin, bringing his thumb to her bottom lip. 'You don't know what I'm capable of, either, Mulder.' Her tongue played with the tip of his thumb while her lips wrapped around it.

With a deep groan, Mulder's hand tore from her face and gripped her waist again, this time with more aggression than comfort. He buried his face in the back of her neck and pulled her into him so hard it hurt. His voice, deep with arousal, sent vibrations through her chest. Moans mixed with 'we can't' and 'I won't' while his hands kneaded her waist made her legs weak and her head feel hazy with the rush of blood.

If there had been room for Scully to turn around, she would have, hitting him full force. Instead, she tried to breath as he pressed her uncontrollably against the door. All she could manage was 'please Mulder' and a pleading whimper. At the sound, Mulder froze. Both hands were on the frame and his breathing was ragged. Scully felt hurt and Mulder mumbled a breathless apology as he tried to compose himself.

'I didn't mean please stop.' Scully said, frustrated but trying to be gentle.

'I know. I just, didn't want you to agree to something out of arousal rather than reason.'

Scully noticed she didn't hear anything but Mulder's heavy breathing and her own pounding heart and that they could attempt an escape.