Chapter 3

A/N: See? I'm trying really hard! I came home from school rather than kill two and a half hours before drumline and immediately thought, "hey, I should really post the third chapter so that the people on fanfic don't kill me." So here we are! The third chapter is fairly anti-climactic. Chapter four will be a lot of fun, and probably a longer chapter, but enjoy this little tease! Thanks for all the reviews, thanks to Jen, even though I haven't been bugging you to beta (I know you're busy) and thanks to X Files for being so damn cool. I love the files for I am a phile. Haha. It's a weird day; don't ask!

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Scully returned home to her apartment, her hair in perfect curls; dress and bags in hand. She'd had a fun day with her partner, shopping and styling, and now she had an hour and a half before he'd return to pick her up for the ball.

Stepping into her living room was like waking up from a dream and being disappointed to find only your pillow and sheets. Her place was a mess...there were dirty dishes, clothes strewn about...It barely looked presentable, let alone like the fantastic visions that were floating through her head.

She started on the bedroom, making her bed and cleaning and straightening. She then moved on to the rest of the house. She didn't want Mulder seeing it such a mess and she wanted it to look nice to keep up her illusion of royal grandeur. She'd never get a chance to go to a ball or wear a gown again, so she needed to enjoy this.

By the time she'd gotten the apartment into shape she was late for getting dressed and doing her makeup.

Scully put on her slip and placed herself in front of the mirror, starting from the base up with her makeup. She carefully selected her eye shadow, lipstick, and everything she would need to look her best.

She smiled as she remembered Mulder's shock at the fact that she wore any makeup at all. It was one morning at the office when she was running late. He'd said something about it and he looked genuinely surprised. He told her that she was always beautiful, and somehow she knew that he wasn't just blowing smoke.

She got up and unwrapped the gorgeous dress that he'd selected for her, fingering it lightly as she pictured a real countess getting ready in her chamber. Scully saw her maids and attendants in her mind's eye, helping her into the gown and standing back to admire their beautiful lady.

Gazing into the mirror at herself, she was startled to hear Mulder's familiar knock at her door.

Damn... "Come in!" She yelled, needing to finish up getting dressed.

"Scully?" She heard Mulder's voice coming from her living room.

"Give me just a minute...sit down and I'll be right out," she called back, scrambling for her jewelry box.

She had the perfect earrings in mind for the occasion. Her mother had given them to her one Valentine's Day long ago, but she'd never had an opportunity to wear them.

The earrings were delicate outlines of a heart. They were made of fine gold and had a row of dainty, sparkling chains hanging from them. They were tiny and beautiful; perfect for the Valentine's ball but she couldn't find a necklace to match. Grabbing two possibilities and her shoes, Scully entered the living room.

Mulder gaped at the sight of her. He'd seen the dress, and he'd seen the hair. He was with her when she purchased her shoes and some other things, but he'd never seen them all put together in the stunning combination that stood before him. It was Scully herself, the central element of all the beauty, who brought everything together and set it off. She was unbelievably beautiful, and absolutely radiant.

"You look...incredible," he breathed, still stunned by her appearance.

Scully blushed. Mulder was sitting on her couch, but the tux still brought out his incredible features. Her eyes scanned him head to toe, taking in his dark hair and eyes, which went well with his wonderful tux. He looked amazingly handsome.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Mulder," Scully said, smiling, then biting her lip. "You clean up nicely," she teased.

Mulder returned her smile, his hand resting in his jacket pocket. "I try."

Scully approached him with her two necklaces. "I need a fashion consultant...and since there aren't any around, I'm going to ask you," she paused for his light chuckle at her pathetic humor.

Mulder grinned, removing his hand from his pocket. "Can I offer a third suggestion?" He asked, presenting her with the velvety jewelry box that had been enclosed in his hand.

"Mulder..." Scully exclaimed, smiling. "You didn't have to..." she trailed off.

Mulder handed the box to her. "I had some extra time after I dropped you here...and a bureau credit card." He winked.

Scully opened the box and examined the beautiful necklace within. Like her earrings it was gold, the outline of a heart, only this had a tiny diamond fixed on its upper right.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, placing the other two chains on her living room table. "It's perfect too; it even matches my earrings!"

Mulder looked up and realized that they did indeed match. "I swear I didn't go through your jewelry box...I just thought it was pretty and Valentines-day-ish..." He felt uncomfortable at having bought her a present, but something had compelled him to the act. "Do you like it?" He asked, worried that she felt equally uncomfortable.

"I love it!" Scully exclaimed. "It'll be so perfect for tonight." She fumbled a couple times with the clasp.

"Here, let me help you," Mulder offered, standing up. It made his tux look even better on him to see him at his full height.

Mulder carefully took the necklace from Scully and stood behind her. He could see her bare shoulders and every muscle in his body urged him to place his hands over them and run them down her fair arms.

Scully could feel her partner's warm breath on her neck as he hooked the necklace. His fingers grazed the back of her neck right before he pulled away.

Scully walked over to a wall mirror and smiled. The necklace went perfectly with her dress and earrings.

"It looks great on you," Mulder said, enjoying her happiness.

Scully blushed again. "Thanks...and thank you for the necklace. I love it."

Mulder let the words fall to silence before asking, "So, are we ready?"

"I just have to put on my shoes," Scully said, heading for the couch. She sat down and put on her small heels as quickly as she could, not wanting to keep her prince waiting.

"Ready, Cinderella?" He asked, offering his arm to her as she stood up.

She smiled at his allusion to the fairy tale. "To the ball!" She said, leading him arm-in-arm to the door.

To be continued....

Chapter Four coming soon (-er, or later...) to a fanfic site near you....most likely this one. Review this and I'll love you forever! You guys make me feel so special when you do!