Title: Things That Make Mulder Wonder or The Enigma That Is Dana Scully
Category: X-Files (MSR)
Summary: A whole pile of post-eps for episodes in season 6 and 7 (not necessarily every episode), revolving around Mulder's thoughts, particularly about Scully.
Rating: PG-13 – mentions of sex
Spoilers: Spoilers up to seasons 6 and 7. You'll know if you read the title of each chapter which episode it pertains to.
Disclaimer: Not my characters, and I make no money off of this, but they would look great doing this.

For the record, I don't actually believe that 'all things' was the first time Mulder and Scully slept together, but don't ask me why I wrote it like that. I actually believe they did earlier, either after the failed IVF (which I pinpoint around Millennium) or shortly after. By the time 'Goldberg Variation' rolls around they both have goofy smiles that scream mutual orgasm ;)

Here is the next chapter. I feel like the tone has shifted in the story, but again, I left it as is.

Thank you so much to all who continue to comment. They mean a great deal to me, and I definitely acknowledge and appreciate each one of you! I secretly stalk the regular commenters, checking out their stories and profiles. You are a talented bunch out there!

Brand X

He still couldn't believe it. Maybe he never would. He was in Scully's bed, she was lying naked beside him, sleeping soundly and peacefully. She was safe and he was safe, neither in danger, and both *well* sated. That thought brought a grin to his face.

"What are you smiling about?"

Her voice startled him.

"Your eyes aren't even open, how did you know I was smiling?"

"One for the X-Files. Why are you smiling so early in the morning?"

"Let me make you breakfast, Scully."

"What?"

"Let me make you breakfast."

"You don't know how to cook, Mulder, and I'm not big on breakfast."

"Then let me stir your bee pollen into your yogurt for you."

"Is that a euphemism of some kind?"

"Scully, we had sex last night."

"I know. I was there."

"No, I mean… we had *sex.* We made love, Scully. I don't know if it's ever been so good before. Did it feel good for you? I mean, did it feel really, extraordinary good."

"Yes, Mulder," she said, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close, flush against her body, "it felt wonderful. Can we sleep for a little while longer?"

He didn't say anything more, but the smile never left his face. He stroked her hair and watched her settle against him, her features soft and sleepy, her skin practically glowing in the sunlight that came through the blinds.

While he would never say it out loud, and he barely admitted it to himself, he was nearly in tears with relief that Scully wanted him almost as much as he wanted her. Scully, who could rightfully have any man she desired, who had the support of a loving family, Scully, whose talent and intelligence surpassed most, that Scully had decided that she wanted him. And though he wondered how it could be, he very much hoped it was for the rest of their lives.

If he were certain she would say yes, he would ask her to marry him.

But he was not sure she would say yes. He knew once upon a time she was engaged, and he also knew it was her that called it off. On the other hand, she'd never asked another man to father her child, so perhaps it wasn't a lost cause.

Truth be told, if it wasn't for his dedication and desire to find his sister, he wondered if he could stop all of this madness and start a new life with Scully. He wondered if they could have a life that didn't land one or the other or both in the hospital so often. One that didn't result in dead daughters and medical rape. One in which they could actually stop and smell the roses once and a while.

She stirred in her slumber, and he held her close, stroking her bare back. He had been protective of Scully always, but now… now he had everything to loose.

His cell phone ringing stirred him from his thoughts, and he very reluctantly let go of a perturbed Scully to find it.

"Mulder."

"Mulder, it's Skinner. I need you and Agent Scully to come to North Carolina. I have an issue here."

XxX

At a mid-morning meeting, while Mulder struggled to keep from coughing and bounced his knee furiously as a subconscious side effect of nicotine withdrawl, Skinner gave them the rest of the week off to recover. Scully had specific instructions to keep a medical eye on Mulder, as the doctors had not yet cleared him for work, despite the fact that he was in that morning.

"This is stupid," he complained, letting out a little cough.

"Mulder, you nearly *died.* They were going to cut your ribs open and cut your lungs open and remove hundreds of insect larvae that were choking you to death from the inside. It was horrible to see, Mulder. You would never have survived a surgery like that, not in your condition. You could have died, Mulder, I almost…."

She let her sentence die off and Mulder turned quickly to look at her, to see her eyes fill with water as she took in a deep breath to calm herself.

"Hey," he rasped, desperately fighting a cough, "hey, I'm sorry, Scully."

"I'm sorry, Mulder, I shouldn't… we can't let this get in the way of work."

"It's okay, Scu-"

"It was horrible, Mulder. I honestly thought that this was how I was going to lose you, not by some unseen force, not by an assassin's bullet or while you're off on your own, but right there, in front of my eyes, being painfully drown by bugs and I couldn't do a thing to stop it."

He knew how she felt. He'd felt the same once, watching her wasting away, day after day in a hospital bed.

"You saved me," he rasped out, his throat burning.

"Don't talk, Mulder. You'll just irritate your vocal chords. I'm going to take you to my apartment so I can watch you tonight."

He knew she was upset. He knew it was quite a leap of faith for her to begin a relationship with him. Over tea and dizzy with jet lag he listened as she told him of Dr. Daniel Waterston. She said she'd repeated her mistakes with him when she began a relationship with Jack Willis.

"It's hard to be with someone you work with in that way."

There was no one she worked with closer than him. He wondered if she was rethinking them. The thought was terrifying.

In her apartment, she was careful to measure out his cough suppressant, then set about making a broth for supper. She gave him strict orders not to speak and parked him in front of the tv, which he wouldn't have minded all that much except she wouldn't speak to him either. She puttered about in the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards, chopping things and banging pots. He smelled something delicious and closed his eyes. He was in Scully's apartment. He was safe and she was safe, neither of them was in danger.

He stood up quickly, went to her desk, got a pen and a pad of paper and sat down. When he was finished, he went to the kitchen and before she could say a word, he handed her the note and kissed her head. She arched an eyebrow at him and unfolded it.

"Scully. I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to get hurt, and believe me, it HURT. I know you were hesitant to start something romantic with me, and I'm sure this incident has you wondering whether or not we are doing the right thing. Just know, Scully, that I believe we are so much better together than apart. I hate that the nature of our jobs means that we risk our lives, but it's what we do and it's who I am. You know that about me because you know me better than anyone in this world. I promise I'll take better care of myself because I want you to promise the same. Now, can we forget about the stupid broth and cuddle a bit? It will make me feel a lot better. I promise I won't say a word."

She tried to hide her smile and failed, and he smiled back trying to catch her eyes.

"I'm okay," he whispered. "You're okay." He wrapped his arms around her. "Let's celebrate."

"You promised not to say anything," she said. "And you're not allowed to tax your lungs. You take the bed. I'll take the couch. After you eat, you're going to sleep."

After a bland dinner, he convinced her that sleeping in the same bed would be fine. He wondered how soon he could convince her that lovemaking was probably not too strenuous to try, and even if it was, it was worth the risk of re-admittance to the hospital. What a wonderful way to go.