Alright, last chapter. I don't think I can drag this on any longer. Thank you all for following and reviewing! MUCH LOVE!
After our rude awakening, I did a quick stretch and looked over at Mulder. He had a slight flush to him, no doubt embarrassed about being caught acting like teenagers. His hair was ruffled and he looked exhausted. We stayed up well past one o'clock talking. I don't regret it at all. Mulder and I had discussed our feelings for one another. We hadn't confessed our love, in so many words. But, for us, it was a big leap. We now know where we stand with one another. There is no doubt in our minds that we belong to one another.
I felt Mulder tuck of piece of hair behind my ear. I realized I had been lost in thought. "Penny for your thoughts," Mulder asked. "You're going to need a lot of pennies for my thoughts," I toss back at him. He smiles at me and pulls me off the couch. "Come on, Mrs. Spooky, it's time for our big day."
We slowly made our way into my old bedroom. I saw Mulder beeline it for the bathroom, look back, and smile at me. I just gave him a shrug and waved him off. I wasn't in the mood to wrestle over the bathroom. I went into my bag and grabbed my yellow sun dress. I threw it on quickly, not wanting to be caught by Mulder. No sooner had I pulled it around my waist, the bathroom door swung open. "Woah, that was close, Scully," he chuckled. I turned a bright red, no doubt. "Are you finished with that bathroom. I would like to get in there and get ready," I asked, ignoring his smugness. "Yes, but I still need to shave and brush my teeth. Do you think we could share the bathroom?" I suppose it would be quicker if I let him share the bathroom with me. We only had twenty minutes and I knew I would take at least ten to get ready. "Yeah, but don't get in my way," I shot back at him. "Hey, who was the one that spit toothpaste on my hand last night," he threw back. "Well, you were in my way, obviously. That was your own fault," I try to state my point, giving him a tight lipped smile.
After our little squabble, we made it to the bathroom. I was putting the finishing touch on my hair, and Mulder was rinsing his face. I always loved when he shaved. It made him look younger, more innocent. All we had left to do was brush our teeth. "Alright, this time, warn me before you spit. Let's work together this time," Mulder teased me. I just rolled my eyes. We finished brushing our teeth, without any hiccups.
While we were getting ready, I realized we were an old married couple. Maybe it was because we work together, but getting ready was a piece of cake. It was as if we had done it for years. There was something so comforting about that. It made me feel safe and secure, like I had nothing to worry about.
"Scully, have you seen my shoes," Mulder cuts into my thoughts, looking around. "Yeah, they are in the living room, under the coffee table, right where you left them." I suddenly widen my eyes. I sounded just like my mother. Hell just froze over. I cannot let her know about this. "Oh, that's right. Thanks, Partner."
Soon enough, we were in the car, heading to the local coffee shop. "So, are you feeling confident," I hear Mulder question me. "Yeah, I think so. How are you feeling, Mulder?" He nods his head. "It shouldn't be too hard. I just have to walk you in, get a coffee, and walk out," he pouts. "You know, Scully, I don't think it would hurt for me to at least kiss you on the cheek. I mean, it would definitely get the point across." He looks at me, giving me the puppy dog eyes. "Mulder, do you have to?" I wanted him to kiss me, but I didn't want it to look dramatic. I didn't think that he needed to play a huge role, especially since I was going to explain to Marcus that I wasn't in his league any longer. "Well, if you don't want me to, then that's fine with me," he says, sounding wounded. "That's not how I meant it, Mulder. I just don't want to give ourselves away. But, if you want to, I won't object," I smile back at him. "You look beautiful in that dress, Scully." He didn't say whether he was going to kiss me or not. Instead, he gave me a compliment, derailing me from the original topic.
"Turn right up at this stop sign, " I direct Mulder. "Okay, it's that coffee shop over there, Sacred Grounds. You're going to love their coffee," I tell Mulder, happily. I always loved this place. It was better than any Starbucks. "Well, I wouldn't object to a good cup of coffee."
"I think that's his truck over there," I point out. "Are you ready, partner," I take a deep breath. I don't know if I am ready. I always broke out in a weird rash when I lied. My chest always produced hives. But, I wasn't exactly lying today. At least, that's what I told myself. I still felt guilty for putting on this little charade. This wasn't my style. I was stronger than this. But we were already here, and we already planned everything out.
I walk over to Mulder, and he immediately grabs my hand, gently holding my fingers, rather than encasing my tiny hand in his larger one. It was gentle and felt familiar. I felt the electricity and a tiny squeeze, something that always comforted me. Together we are unstoppable. It's been proven over and over again. He holds the door open, and I walk through, Mulder following right behind. We stand close next to each other. Mulder drops my hand and now has his hand on the small of my back. He's always done this. It's his way of claiming me as his, as my mom eloquently put it.
"Danes, over here," I hear Marcus shout out. I grin, trying to hide my disgusted face. Mulder leans into me and says, "go get him, Tiger," making me giggle. Before he pulls his head away, I feel him give me a tender kiss on the cheek. I pull away, warmly smile at him, and realize Marcus is coming up towards us. Crap! Mulder is going to get his way, anyhow.
"Mr. Mulder, it's nice to see you again," I hear Marcus strain his voice. Obviously he wasn't thrilled to see Mulder. "You as well," he replies, " I am going to get a coffee, but call me when you're ready, Scully." With that, Mulder walked away and went to stand in line for coffee.
"Good morning, Dana. I already got you a coffee. I hope you don't mind. I remembered what you drank." I did mind, a little. It felt like my independence was being snatched away from me. But, I didn't let it bother me, too much. "That's fine. Thank you. Let's go grab a seat."
We walked over to a corner table, and sure enough, my coffee was waiting for me. I took a sip, and I felt the coffee touch my soul. It felt fantastic. I immediately felt less edgy. "So, why did your boyfriend drop you off, Danes," he teases me. "Uh, we had to run a couple of errands for my mom this morning, so I figured it would just be easier to meet afterwards." Yes. Nice recovery, Dana. I mentally congratulated myself.
"I guess I could see that. So what is with you guys, anyway. It's clear that he hates my guts," he asks. I raise my eyebrow. Finally we were getting somewhere. Nothing like getting right to the point. "What do you mean, Marcus?" I tried to relax myself. I felt my adrenaline course through my veins. "What do you think I mean? Are you guys dating? Are you just friends? I can't tell. And to be honest, usually I can get a good reading on these things. But you two are a scientific marvel. Let's not forget to mention how possessive he was just now, and that he addresses you by your last name," he spouts off. I can't help but smile. This is going swimmingly.
"Well, I don't think I can honestly answer that. We are partners. I feel like the term can hold so many different meanings." I tried to go slow. I wanted it to sound realistic. "He wasn't being possessive. That's just how Mulder and I are. And my surname has become somewhat of an endearment," I try explaining. "But, we aren't official, if that is what you are asking."
"OK, are you two sleeping together," he asks. Woah, curve ball. I tried not to let my surprise face surface. "Marcus, that isn't any of your business," I try to sound confident. The last thing I needed was hives.
"Well, explain to me, what you are then. I would like to know," he raises his voice. Everyone in the coffee shop looks at us. "Marcus, lower your voice. Why do you care anyway?" The real Dana Scully started to surface, and she is pissed.
"I am just curious Danes." This was my moment, my golden opportunity. "Fine. If you must know, we aren't dating, because Mulder isn't quite ready for a relationship. But, I love him. I am in love with him, actually. And I am positive he feels the same way. It's just not the right time to start a relationship." I explain to him, in the best way possible. His face is priceless. It's a mix between disappointment and excitement.
"So what, you're just going to wait around for him to be 'ready'?" He uses air quotes, and I want to break his fingers. "You can't wait forever, Dana. You deserve to be happy. Your brother tells me about your work. That isn't any place for a woman. You should be at home, raising a family." I was fuming at this point. How dare he think that little of me.
"Or, I could have opened my own business, living in the town I grew up in, still single, obviously miserable, and yearning for my ex. It seems to me, Marcus, that you haven't come very far in life. But I have worked hard, studied hard, earned the respect of men and higher-ups. The last thing I am going to do is live a mundane life, being man handled." I let my Irish temper get me. Damn.
"Don't be so cold, Danes. I was simply stating my opinion. I am just old-fashioned. A woman belongs at home, raising a family, and taking care of the house. You knew that when you first met me." He tries to calm me down, but he is only making things worse.
"Yes, I remember that Marcus. I also remember how you treated me. You belittled me and chose drugs over me." I try to throw facts in his face.
"Danes, I was younger then. I am different now. I don't do those things. You should give me a chance. I know it would please Bill. Bill has told me about Mulder, and frankly, I don't know what you see in him." Ugh, I knew Bill was a part of this somehow.
"Believe it or not, I am not trying to please Bill. Do you really want know what I see in him?" I see him nod his head, gesturing me to continue. "Fine. Mulder respects me, treating me as an equal. He doesn't try to plan my life for me. I don't work for him, I work with him. Even though we think differently, he is always appreciative of my opinion. Never once, would Mulder suggest that I belong at home, taking care of a man. He'd do anything for me and expect nothing in return." That was just the beginning. I had so many more reasons why I loved Mulder, but I didn't feel like confessing my love to Marcus. It would be a bit awkward.
"I don't know what to say, Dana. I won't lie. I had every intention of bringing you to coffee, to try to win you back." At least he was honest. "Marcus, that isn't going to happen. Even if I didn't love Mulder, I don't belong here. I have a career, an apartment, a life that I cannot just leave. I can't ride of into the sunset like some sort of fairytale." It was a lie, of course. If Mulder asked me to leave on a whim, I would do it in a heart beat. " I am sorry, but I choose Mulder, and I would choose him every single time."
"It's too bad, Danes. I really wanted us to start over. But I can see that's not going to happen." I felt bad. Maybe I was too hard on him. No. No I was not. He's a male chauvinistic pig. "You'll find your house wife, Marcus, but that isn't me. I don't want a white picket fence." He nodded his head, obviously agreeing with me. I was never going to win any kind of house wife awards, that wasn't a big secret.
We sat and had coffee for a bit after the air had been cleared. We caught up on each other's lives. I still thought he was an asshole, but I looked past it. It was like having coffee with a colleague, just as Charlie said it would be. After a while, I told him I was ready to go and that I was going to call Mulder. He offered me a ride home, but I declined. I was ready to get away from him. It was just a matter of time before he said another snarky comment about women's rights.
I called for Mulder, and he was there within five minutes. I laughed to myself. He was probably circling the block. "It was good to see you again, Danes. I am sorry things can't work out between us." He sounded so smug. I wasn't sorry at all. I was actually relieved. He went to go hug me, but at that moment, Mulder walked in calling my name. I always loved his impeccable timing. He never failed to save the day. Mulder was a modern-day hero. "Do you think he would mind, if I hugged you," Marcus asked. Honestly, Mulder would break his arms. "Uh, I wouldn't risk it," I say, smiling back at him.
He shakes his head, understanding. "Alright, well. I guess I will see you when I see you. Thank you for having coffee with me. Take care, Danes."
"Yeah, I will. You too," I say, waving him off.
"So, how did it go? Did you let him have it?" Mulder tries prying information out of me, obviously giddy. We walk to the car, once I get in, I fill him in on the coffee date. I tell him every detail. I watched his face go from angry, to happy, to annoyed. After I told him everything, he sat there lost in thought, nodding his head. "That's my girl! I knew you could do it," he says proudly.
"Anyway, that was my morning," I release a sigh. "Well, Scully, I think this will be one for the children." I look over at him, and try suppressing a giggle. "No," I shake my head. He looks over at me, heartbroken. "We will never discuss this topic to the children, or anyone. This was one of my most despicable moments. I am not proud of myself. Look at this rash that is forming on my chest, Mulder." I point out my chest. I wasn't feeling proud at all. I was actually feeling guilty.
"Scully, calm down. You didn't lie to him. You stretched the truth. Which part was a lie?" He looks at me deeply. I mull over the coffee date. I guess I didn't really lie at all. "Unless you left something out, I don't believe you lied at all. Except the part where you threw me under the bus."
"What! I had to make it look legitimate. I mean why else wouldn't we be together. It was a good enough reason," I said honestly. He nodded his head, obviously agreeing. "I guess that is just another thing we are going to have to talk about, Scully." And we all know how I feel about talking. "Let's save that for another day, shall we," I offer.
"I don't see why not," he relents, letting the topic drop. "Why don't we go home and play some basketball, one-on-one, you and me." He sounded like a school boy. Obviously the little coffee date was long forgotten. "Okay, but if I beat you, you can't be a sore loser, Mulder," I quickly warn him. I've beat him at cards before, and he isn't used to losing. "Scully, you know me better than that. But, just in case, maybe we should be placing some bets." I was feeling pretty confident, but I didn't want to risk it. "No. We play for fun, no more betting," I put my foot down.
He puts the car in drive, and heads for my mother's house. He grabs my hand, pulling it over the console, and brings it to his lips.
"It never fails to surprise me," he begins, and I raise an eyebrow in question. "It's just, we deserve an Oscar, Scully. We should be the instructors for the Team Building Seminar." I just nod my head, laughing and completely agreeing with him. "Yeah, but I think we would teach it too well. Every male and female agent would end up like us, head over heels for one another." He looked over at me, smiling. "Yeah, you're probably right."
This weekend was fantastic. So much had happened, and I was sad to have to go home. "Mulder, how do you feel about staying one more night at my mother's?" I wasn't ready to go home just yet. It felt nice being away from our normal environment. "Can we share the bed this time," he pushes. "I am sure we can work something out," I offer up. "Well, than I have no objections. Let's drag this little vacation out as long as possible."
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