The bare-chested stableboy had been awfully cute, Scully thought as she unwrapped her chicken sandwich, until Mulder walked up and showed her the difference between a boy and a man. Her partner was living, breathing masculinity personified, and for the first time Scully realized that she was, and had been for years, measuring every other attractive male she saw against him. No matter how handsome or muscular or charming, none of them came close to him in the end. So why was she even trying?!

She looked over at him as he tore into the turkey leg, his eyes on a quartet of musicians playing on an open stage nearby. He'd taken his hat off and she studied his profile, thinking that while he wasn't, perhaps, classically handsome, he was probably the best-looking man she'd ever personally known. Though she had recently sidetracked their journey towards intimacy, it didn't mean they couldn't get it back on track, she realized. She'd already decided some time ago that she wanted him as more than a friend; what was she waiting for?

Lost in thought she ate mechanically, sipping at her Coke and barely aware of the object of her musings across from her until he slid a wax-paper-wrapped cookie in front of her and jolted her out of her thoughts. "For you," he said softly, lifting his own to his mouth with his other hand, "because you can't not have some good things in life."

She met his serious eyes and felt a jolt rip through her body deeply enough to make her shiver; normally she would have looked away and let the moment pass, but this time she didn't and met his unremitting gaze steadily. Licking her lips nervously, she took the cookie from beneath his hand, just letting her fingers brush his, and then smiled a little. "Thanks, Mulder," she said, finally tearing her eyes away from his mesmerizing hazel ones. Was she showing her heart on her sleeve like he was? she thought with a moment of panic, then calmed herself with an effort. Even if she was, who cared other than them? Everyone around them probably assumed they were a couple, which they were undercover as, so where was the problem? "I'll have it later," she murmured, putting the wrapped cookie in her reticule at her waist. She knew she couldn't eat it now; it would stick in her dry throat and choke her.

I can change what's between us right now, she realized. Lifting her eyes to his again, she was caught in his intense gaze like a mesmerized mouse in front of a hypnotic snake, and this time she couldn't look away. Her heart was pounding and she felt her lips parting involuntarily, for the first time really welcoming his attentions and wishing they were somewhere more private rather than in the middle of a rather rowdy, noisy, crowded food pavilion at a very public RenFaire. Why now, all of a sudden? she wondered in the back of her mind, but barely had time to dwell on it before Mulder was abruptly rising, scooping up his hat, stuffing it on his head, gathering up their trash and then taking her by the hand. One moment they had been kidding and joking around, the next she felt like he was making love to her with his eyes. What was going on here, exactly?

Scully felt as if she was in a daze as she followed him without argument while he dumped their garbage in a can and all but dragged her towards the back of the "village." "Where can we go to be alone?" he growled, slowing and turning to look down at her with smoldering eyes, darkly shadowed and narrowed to intense triangles beneath the wide brim of the rakish black hat. "We need to talk about this, now."

She knew exactly what he meant; their telepathy, thankfully, did seem to be working well today. "Ah, over there, behind the building being worked on," she said, pointing as they walked. She didn't argue as he pulled her behind the scaffolded, empty structure, which was separated from the others with two large construction dumpsters on either side. The crowd was very thin in this location, less than a dozen or so people passing through on the way to a more populated area. Almost before she knew it, without coherent thought on her part, she was in his arms with his face descending towards hers.

"Fuck talking," he murmured, closing his eyes as his lips touched hers; she left hers cracked open, wanting to see his face as they shared their first real kiss, more than the friendly one from last New Year's Eve. His lips were soft, smooth, warm, non-demanding; tasting and testing her, she realized. Seeing how she'd react.

A surge of deep affection for this incredible man flowed through her, and she deepened the kiss, opening her mouth and touching his lips with her tongue, her eyes falling shut despite herself as she tightened her arms around his waist. He groaned deep in his throat, causing another jolt in her belly, as he met her tongue with his soft, warm one. She let out a muffled exclamation as her back hit something solid and he pressed his hard body against hers, one hand sliding up to cup the back of her head and protect it from whatever the hard surface was, most likely the back of the building.

I've got to see him kissing me, she thought hazily, and cracked her eyes open again to see his long lashes fanned out on his upper cheek. Then she saw something move in her peripheral vision and both eyes popped open to see that it was a human figure creeping up behind him holding some type of wide, vaguely gun-shaped weapon in its hand—pointed right at them.

Without thinking she reacted automatically, shoving Mulder to the side, and then a horrible shock rippled through her and the next thing she knew, she was lying curled on her side with pain shuddering through every nerve ending. "Scully—Scully, are you all right?" Mulder's voice, close and alarmed, yelled.

She opened her eyes, groaning, to see his concerned face bending over hers. "What the…?"

"He shot you with a Taser but I took him down and got the leads off you almost right away, don't worry," he said, carefully helping her sit up with her back against the wooden wall. Lifting one hand to show his cell phone in it, he added, "I've already called for backup, should I have an ambulance come too?"

"No, I'll be fine—just give me a minute," she said as the shuddery ache receded, gingerly rubbing her lower sternum which was still tingling. It was almost the exact same place she'd popped Mulder with her elbow earlier—was that some kind of cosmic justice or what? she mused.

"I think your vest helped deflect the Taser and you didn't get too bad of a jolt," Mulder said, crouched next to her and tracing the outline of where the two spikes had entered the leather just below the V of the bodice's neckline, just below and between her breasts. Then he turned and looked over his shoulder, and Scully followed his gaze to see the suspect, cuffed both hand and feet, curled in the dirt a short distance away. He appeared to be unconscious, one side of his face darkening into a purple bruise, and there was a smear of blood at the corner of his mouth; for once it looked like Mulder had gotten the upper hand. She was relieved to note that he matched the description given by the four previous rape victims right down to the mysterious disabling weapon that no one had been able to figure out. Mulder turned back to her, tracing the side of her face with a gentle finger. "I just wish you hadn't gotten hurt in order to catch him."

"Could have been worse," she pointed out. "I'd rather be Tasered than shot or raped. Once all the effects of the shock have worn off I'll be all right."

"You have a point there. I'd better go watch for the police," Mulder said regretfully. "Can you get up, or do you want to stay here?"

"I'll stay here and keep an eye on him," she said. "I still feel a little unsteady, but I'll be fine."

"That better be a real fine, not an 'I'm pretending to be fine' fine," he said, smiling at her. She raised a brow at him and his smile turned into a grin.

Standing up, he leaned over and picked up his jaunty hat which was in the dust nearby, and she finally got to see his ass in the tights—the wait had been worth it, she thought. But then something occurred to her and she said, "Mulder, dragging me off back here and that kiss had better not have been part of the assignment."

He turned back to her, his eyes intent and serious. "It wasn't. I just knew that this was the time and place when you looked at me that way—like you had finally seen me as a man and not just your partner," he said, brushing off his hat and straightening out the crooked feathers before plunking it on his head again. He leaned over and kissed her gently, then stood and looked down at her with uncertainty written on his expressive face. "We are going to pick up our, ah, discussion where we left off after all this is over, right?"

"You can count on it, Mulder," she stated, smiling close-mouthed up at him. "Just try to get out of it."

His grin rivaled the sun shining overhead.

***

They walked out of the Beckley police station four hours later, tired but satisfied. Their prisoner had, indeed, been the roving Renaissance Festival serial rapist whom they'd been brought in to catch. Skinner had even called Mulder's cell and congratulated them when he'd heard, and let them know that they didn't have to report back to work until Tuesday if they wanted to take an extra day. Little did he know what a gift he was giving them, Mulder thought, if Scully's earlier smile and response to his kiss promised what he hoped it did. He'd been waiting years for this chance and was not going to miss it no matter where they were.

Heading for their rental car, which was parked in the cops' lot, Scully said casually, "So, are we going back to the motel or what?"

"Actually, Scully, I'd like to go back to the festival if you don't mind," he said, getting in the driver's side and unlocking the passenger door for her. "Trust me, I have good reason."

She raised a brow at him, brushing a fiery lock out of her face, and then buckled herself in. Her hair had finally come down out of the bun, and the material thing that had covered it and the golden tiara were presently in the back seat with his hat, as well as her bow and quiver. Otherwise they were still wearing the rest of the costumes, which had amused everyone in the station to no end. "If we're going back there so you can have another fried turkey leg, I may have to hurt you," she said dryly.

He laughed and reached over to take her hand, feeling the pressure as she held it in return, their linked hands resting on the console between them as they drove. "In that case you'd have good reason to hurt me," he agreed. "No, there's just something I want to do before we're done with the festival."

"Well, we do need to turn in these costumes and retrieve our clothes," she said thoughtfully.

"We're keeping them—my present to us, as souvenirs of one of the best days of my entire life so far," he said, glancing over at her. "Unless you don't want to keep yours."

"I do, and I was thinking about it anyway, but you don't have to pay for mine," she said as he turned into the festival's parking lot, which was beginning to empty out as the Faire closed in less than two hours.

"Uh-uh. My treat. And there's something else I want to get you, no arguments," he said firmly, driving over the bumpy grass to the employee parking area off to one side. "Although if I get a turkey leg to go I won't get hit again, will I?"

She laughed as they got out and headed for the gate, waving at Matt in the ticket booth as they went by. The peace-keeper stationed at Mulder's old spot stopped them, but waved them along when Scully pulled her staff badge out of her waist-pouch. Once inside he led her to the clothiers and paid for their costumes, making sure that she didn't see the astronomical amount that pushed his Visa to the limit, and they walked out with their street clothes in paper bags.

He took her hand casually as they strolled along through the reduced crowds, but didn't say a word as he slowed and looked over every jewelry stall. He was beginning to think he wouldn't find it when he spotted the perfect necklace: a rainbow-hued, faceted crystal about the size of his thumbnail suspended from a finely braided, black-and-red leather thong. It looked like it had been made to match her dress. Once he was sure Scully didn't dislike it despite her demurrals that he shouldn't buy it for her, he did and she stood waiting patiently while he put it on her.

"That's the ticket—perfect," he said as she turned away from the mirror towards him, smiling. "The outfit just needed that final touch, is all."

"When are we ever going to wear this stuff again, Mulder?" she said as they left the shop. "All this money spent for what?"

He shrugged, taking her hand again. "There are more RenFaires we can attend this year. And maybe we'll find a costume ball to go to at Halloween."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You never fail to amaze me, Mulder. Every time I think I know you, you display a new side."

"And you always, always keep me guessing," he grinned down at her, squeezing her fingers gently. "So, you up to continuing our discussion from earlier?"

One auburn brow lifted, blue eyes sparkling up into his. "And just where would we do that?"

He considered giving her a leer or eyebrow wiggle, but didn't want to spoil the mood with something he might do just kidding around when he really wasn't. Instead he led her to the far end of the "village," passing the construction site where they'd had their first real kiss and captured the suspect, to the jousting area. This late in the day it was long-abandoned, and he took a quick look around before leading her into the furthest-away of the fairly roomy knights' changing tents, letting the flap fall behind them.

Dropping the bags, he turned to her and brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles lightly and looking down at her upturned face over their linked hands as he spoke against her skin, feeling her shiver when he did so. "Think this is enough privacy to continue our, uh, discussion for now?"

She looked around, shook her head, and smiled brilliantly up at him, reaching up to cup the side of his face. "For the time being, but I think we might want something more substantial around us very soon, Mulder."

Oh, God. His belly jolted, crotch stirring to life as her words sunk in and, once again, almost without knowing how it happened, they were in each other's arms. Though he hadn't planned to do anything more than a bit of making out and, maybe if she was amenable to it, a well-timed grope or two, Scully took it to a whole new level in a very short time.

He had no idea why she appeared to be fascinated with his ass, but he also wasn't about to question it.

***

To finally be in Mulder's arms after so many years of yearning and desire drove Scully right past her usual reservations, especially those about making love in a 6x8 tent where anyone could walk by and hear them or, God forbid, lift the flap and expose them to the entire Faire. But, she reasoned through the fierce haze of desire, there were few left at the festival this late and it was unlikely anyone would think to look in the tents since the jousting had ended hours ago. Plus they were in the farthest, most remote tent behind the judging stands, and who said they had to get totally undressed, anyway?

Enough rationalizing, her mind spoke up sternly. On to getting laid at long fucking last!

They were all over each other like a pair of randy teenagers the moment she let him know that she was open to more physical expression, which she did by reaching down and grabbing his ass and grinding herself against him while her tongue boldly invaded his mouth. When she made up her mind to do something, Scully never wavered in her determination until she accomplished—or, in this situation, got—what she wanted.

Mulder's reaction was all she could have wished for; his tongue met and matched hers, dueling between their lips, his hands roved up and down her body to finally land in her hair, cupping the back of her head and holding it as he kissed her breathless. She clearly felt the large, hard lump of his erection against her lower belly through their layers of clothing and rubbed herself against it, loving the groan that he let go into her mouth. Finally she tore hers away and gasped, "Now, Mulder—I want you and I'm not in the mood to wait."

"Holy shit, Scully, you don't waste any time!" his voice was low but strong, his eyes, smoke-dark in the dim light, gleaming with passion, boring down into hers. For a split second she was afraid he was put off by her boldness, and then he grinned, beaming with admiration, sinking to his knees, drawing her down with him so that she straddled his hips, hands on his shoulders. "So, uh, whatcha wearing under that?"

"The same thing you are under your tights," she smiled back, feeling his shudder at her words. Though she hadn't been commando all day, the shock of the Taser had caused her bladder to release a little, which was not unusual, so she had tossed her panties and cleaned up at the police station. She let her smile fade; as their lips met, the wild passion took her over again and when she felt his hands working his way beneath her skirts she sucked in her breath with anticipation. A few moments later he found his target and she moaned into his mouth, reminding herself not to let any sound escape—easier said than done when one big, warm hand was cupped around her ass and the other gently but thoroughly exploring the soft dampness between her legs.

"Sweet Jesus," he breathed, breaking the kiss so that they both gasped for breath.

"You're surprised that I want you, Mulder? Hell, I've wanted you for years, and how I need you now." Leaning back a little, she reached beneath the bottom of the doublet and managed to work her hand inside the elastic band of the tights, but was unable to push the material aside. "Dammit, I can't get you out of there!"

"Stand up for a minute," he rasped, moving his hands from beneath her skirts as she moved away. With no further ado he lifted up slightly and slid the tights down to his knees.

She stared; it had been years since she'd seen a live, aroused man, and the sight filled her with pure lust. Everything below her waist, as well as her breasts, was on fire, stimulated to a level of arousal she'd never attained before. "Oh my God, Mulder, I want you so badly," she repeated huskily, finding his hands already pushing her skirts up out of the way as she took hold of his shoulders again. He moved his hands underneath her bottom, helping to support and move her. Her feet, still incased in three-inch heels, rested on her toes on the ground, her knees bent and gripping his hips on either side.

It had been so long, but she found out that this was something that was never totally forgotten.

Some time later they slowly relaxed together, Mulder moving his hands from beneath her skirts to wrap his arms around her waist and hold her close. She could feel his heart pounding against hers, and when she felt her neck could hold the weight of her head again she lifted it, swiping her lips across his lightly-stubbled cheek and murmuring, "That was even better than I'd dreamed, Mulder."

"For me too." He shuddered, exhaled, and then turned his head to meet her mouth with his. They shared a long, sweet, loving kiss without the frenzied energy and manic desperation of the previous ones, gently licking and sucking at each other's lips and tongues. "Bet your legs are getting tired," he finally murmured, then captured her mouth again briefly before adding against her lips, "Want to move this party to a more comfortable—and secure—place?"

She chuckled as he helped her stand then got up beside her, staggering slightly; if his legs were half as rubbery as hers, she thought, it was a miracle that either of them could stay on their feet. "Thought you'd never ask," she said, starting to reach for the bags containing their street clothes when he stopped her, gathering her back into his arms and holding her loosely around the shoulders.

"Scully…" his serious hazel eyes stared down into hers as his voice trailed off, the final 'e' of her name fading away. She tilted her head, raising her brows slightly, for the moment unable to tell if what was coming was good or bad. "I, uh, am not quite sure how to say this after your reply the last time, but—"

"I love you too," she said, smiling up at him, reaching up to pull his face down to hers. She kissed his forehead in their special caress, then moved down to his mouth and let everything she felt for him into it.

Some time later when they came up for air, he grinned down at her. "That certainly wasn't the same response I got last time, and I haven't even said it yet."

"You'd better!"

His grin softened into an affectionate smile. "If you don't know how much I love you by now, I'm not sure what else I can do to reassure you. Want me to joust a knight for your affections?"

She rolled her eyes at him, smiling in return; some things never changed. Just then they heard someone calling for the last round, adding that the Faire was closing in fifteen minutes. "C'mon, you; let's get out of here before they come looking for us," she said, opening the bag that held her clothes, digging around a bit, remembering, and then pausing. "Oh, damn, Mulder, my underwear aren't in here." She figured that a little white lie was preferable to the truth which, while understandable, wasn't something she really wanted to share with her best friend even if he now was—or especially since he now was—her brand-new lover. "They must have fallen out when I was putting everything in the bag, and I need to wear something until we get back to the motel." Or I'll be leaving a trail behind myself all the way back, she thought, but judged it best not to mention that, either.

"Well, uh, you can wear mine—they're mostly clean," he said. "I only had them on about an hour before we got here."

A short time later they strolled hand-in-hand through the mostly-deserted Faire, some vendors closing the doors and shutters of their stores, others unrolling and securing tent flaps. Scully was doing her damndest not to giggle to herself like a teenager, feeling the short legs of Mulder's blue plaid boxers brush against her upper thighs and thinking how incongruous they would look against the seriousness of her costume if anyone could see them. As they passed the food court where they'd had lunch, a young man in a half-apron and chef's hat hailed them from the pickup window. "We've got some turkey legs left over, want to take a few home? No charge," he said, gesturing to a pile of the large poultry drumsticks wrapped in foil and stacked on the ledge.

Mulder grinned down at Scully, handing her the bags, and she thought he looked no more than ten years old in that moment. "Thanks, we'll take one," he said, grabbing a drumstick and saluting the worker with it as several more people moved up to the window to take advantage of the free offer. He let go of Scully's hand and partially unwrapped it, still grinning as he exposed the top of the meaty joint. "Scully, you will at least try a taste of this, won't you?"

She looked up at his bright, hopeful eyes and teasing smile and could refuse him nothing. When she did take a bite she made sure it was a big one, using one hand to push bits of the turkey—surprisingly tasty and not the least bit greasy—into her mouth. "Hey, that's not bad," she said when she'd finished the mouthful as they continued walking. "Let me have another bite."

He hugged her to him with one arm, laughing. "You never fail to keep me guessing."

They walked out of the Faire with his arm around her shoulders, sharing the turkey leg, Scully swinging the bags with their clothes in one hand and thinking that, of all the cases they'd been on, this one had the most satisfying ending…in more ways than one.

EPILOGUE – three months later

"Mulder, does this look right?"

Déjà vu, he thought as he peered around the wall of his bedroom into the living room. "Looks great, Scully," he said, giving his poufy, multicolored sleeves a yank so they hung correctly—and covered his watch—as he walked into the other room. "We about ready?"

She stood arrayed in the snug red and black huntress outfit, although per his request she'd left her hair down rather than put it back in the bun, the golden filigreed sunburst tiara covering her forehead. The sense of déjà vu was even stronger as she was twisting around in front of the mirrored closet doors trying to see her back. "Is something screwed up back there?"

He went over and straightened the rucked-up piece of material, then ran his hand across her ass to make sure she was wearing his boxers beneath. "That better be what I think it is," he said, adding a light slap before moving away from expected retribution.

Eyes narrowed, Scully pursed her mouth and put hands on hips. "And if it's not?"

"If it's not, then I go put something on under these tights because it's still damn uncomfortable," he said, turning his back to her and lifting the tails of the Italian doublet.

"I said it before and I'll say it again: Mulder, you look damn good in tights," Scully laughed from behind him. He turned to see her grinning, picking up the woven black pouch and tying it to her wide leather belt. "I'll show you just how much when we get home from the party—if I do it now we'll never go."

He went over and straightened the sparkling crystal necklace that hung just below the base of her throat, letting the backs of his fingers rest gently against the bare upper swell of her breasts; she'd had the dress beneath the bodice altered to show cleavage, although the leather bodice still carried the marks of the Taser. She called them her battle scars and refused to have them fixed, saying that damage gave authenticity to the costume. "I'll keep you to that promise," he said, leaning down and brushing a light kiss over her full, deep red lips, barely enough to muss her lipstick.

"You know, Mulder, there are going to be a lot of people shocked that we're actually going to an FBI event, although I'm sure no one will be surprised that we chose the Halloween costume party," she said as he inserted a plastic Bowie knife, which matched hers, into the sheath at his side. He'd wanted to try a sword again but she'd vehemently argued against it, and then they'd found out that no real edged weapons were allowed at the hall anyway. "Still, I bet the rumor mill will be in full force Monday morning. We might even get a visitor or two in the basement, what do you think?"

He moved behind her, turning her shoulders so they both faced the full-length mirror. "I think we are going to win the contest, that's what I think," he said, leaning over to pick up his jaunty black hat from the coffee table and setting it at a rakish angle on his dark hair. "And that the first time we wore these costumes was one of the best days of my life."

"Mine too." She smiled up into his eyes in the mirror and, perfectly in step with him, left the apartment.

finis