Part 7
Mulder gets into the bed with Scully. He can't believe that she is actually willing for him to share the bed with her. He sits up straight up and thinks to himself how he doesn't know if he is going to be able to sleep knowing that she is only about a foot away from him. Although the light is off he knows that she is still awake. What do you talk about when you are nervous as hell? He doesn't have to wonder long as Scully speaks up first.
"Mulder?", she says.
"Yeah."
"Did you love Diana?", she asks.
"What?!", Mulder exclaims. He is really shocked at her choice in subject matter. The furthest thing from his mind at the moment is Diana Fowley.
"I just wondered why you two didn't continue with the X-Files together. I mean I wondered if your personal relationship ruined your working relationship", continues Scully.
"Where is this coming from Scully? I don't want to talk about Diana. She is dead and all of this is in the past. I told you not to dwell on the past and I don't want to either", says Mulder running his hand through his hair. He hated talking about Diana because it made him uncomfortable.
"I just wondered", says Scully.
"I'm only going to say this once Scully. Diana and I were not good together. She was controlling and she sometimes treated me as an inferior. You met her. She was manipulative in every way."
"But she was a kindred spirit when it came to pursuing your quest. She truly believed didn't she?", asks Scully.
"Yeah, she believed in the work", says Mulder..
"Would you rather have someone like her by your side? Would you be happier if I had been more like her?", asks Scully.
"Scully, how could you ask such a ridiculous question? You offer an alternate approach to everything that I encounter. I wouldn't want it any other way." He thinks to himself how he would just like to drop this conversation. There were other things that he would have liked to be doing right now.
Scully had been facing away from him, but she then sits up and looks at him. "I'm sorry for being nosy."
"No, your're not being nosy", says Mulder. "You have a right to some answers. I only wish I could truly express to you how sorry I am that I treated you so badly when Diana was around. I wouldn't listen to you about how I was being used. Scully, I was used. The only reason Diana knew to give you that book and keycard was because she was at the actual procedure that they did on me. She actively participated with Cancer Man. She let me be experimented on. That is not someone that I should have been trusting. It was you that found me and saved me. It may be too late for me to say this, but you are the only one I trust. I've told you that before, but I just want to remind you how important you are to me. You are my very best friend in the whole world."
Scully looks down. "I thought I would never find you. I didn't think that you were going to wake up." Mulder puts his arm around Scully and pulls her to his chest.
"I'm here now and I promise you that I'll always be there for you. If you someday feel that your path in life has suddenly taken a wrong turn I'll understand. The X-Files is my life and it shouldn't be yours. When we go home I want you to take some time to yourself and worry less about me", Mulder says softly. He kisses the top of her head. He knows that she won't say anymore about the subject, but he knows she is crying as he has felt a teardrop fall unto his neck. He wishes he could tell her everything that is penned up in his heart at this moment. He wants to tell her that he has been a fool for seven years and that he loves her. He loves her more than anything....even the X-Files.
He glances down. He can't see her face as the moonlight isn't falling in the right direction, but he can hear her steady breathing and he knows she sleeps. He sighs a breath of relief. He doesn't want to answer anymore questions unless she comes clean too. He closes his eyes and sleep overtakes him as well.
***************************
At about 2:00 A.M. Scully wakes up to find herself snuggled up against Mulder. He is sleeping and she can't help watching him. She knows he was absolutely shocked that she allowed him to stay with her, but she wanted him to know she was open to new things. Although nothing had happened between them it felt right lying next to him. He was hers and she was his. It was unspoken, but assumed. She continues to stare at him. She wishes that she had enough confidence to lean up and kiss him right on the lips, but what if he got mad. I don't want his opinion of me to be lowered she thinks. His respect for me depends upon my strict rationalization and predictability. She compromises instead and leans up and gives him a very soft and lingering kiss on the cheek. She leans away and is not surprised to see his eyes open.
"What was that for?", he asks giving her a hint of a smile.
"Just because", she smiles back.
"I'm really uncomfortable here", says Mulder. "My back is killing me. I've got to lie down." He slides down to lie flat on his back but doesn't make a move to push Scully away. In actuality he tightens his hold on her. She tucks her head up under his chin and he rests his head on it. He smells the shampoo in her hair and thinks how he has always loved that smell.
The two of them fall asleep thinking of one another.
Part 8
At 6:00 A.M. Mulder awakens and sees the early morning sunrise through the window. He knows its time to get up and start on their adventure. He looks down and sees Scully still asleep. He wishes that he doesn't have to wake her, but if they are going to get anything out of this trip they have to take advantage of the daylight. "Scully? Scully, are you awake?", he asks softly.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm awake. Don't tell me its time to get up already", says Scully not opening her eyes.
"Rise and shine. Its time to go find the Sasquatch", he says.
Scully sits up and pushes her hair behind her ears. "Was it Kate that told you where we could rent some gear?"
"Actually she rents out the gear. She has so many tourists coming through here looking for Bigfoot that she got into the side business of renting stuff out a couple of years ago", says Mulder sitting up and stretching. He walks into the bathroom and uses the very cramped shower. A few minutes later comes out dressed in jeans and a grey t-shirt. Scully is asleep again with her face in a pillow. "Come on Scully! Up and at em'!" He slaps her on the butt. Scully immediately sits up and gives him a glare.
"Mulder, technically we are on vacation. We have two full weeks to hunt Bigfoot. You said that you were going to slow down a little bit." Scully gets out of the bed and pushes by him to walk into the living room. She pull out a pair of jeans and a lavender t-shirt and goes into the bathroom. "This shower is made for a midget!", she exclaims.
"Oh, come on Scully. I managed. I'm sure you'll have no problem", says Mulder outside the door.
About twenty minutes later Scully emerges looking beautiful as usual. She walks up to her suitcase. "How am I going to take all of my stuff? I didn't think of that Mulder", says Scully.
"Lets go see Kate and see what we can rent from her. Then we'll decide what we are going to take and what we'll leave behind for her to watch for us", says Mulder opening the trailer door. Scully steps down and they walk to the office where Kate is already sitting at the counter drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning newspaper.
Scully notices the headline, "Tourist Couple Missing, Feared Dead".
Kate looks up. "Good Morning Folks. Did you sleep alright?"
"The accommodations weren't exactly what we had been anticipating, but we managed", says Scully looking away from Kate.
"Actually we're here to see what we will need for our campsite", says Mulder glancing at Scully.
"Well you will need a tent, sleeping bags, some flashlights, a compass, a radio, food, lighter fluid....". Kate continues to list the items out.
"We're going to need a camcorder. Do you rent those?", asks Mulder.
"No I don't, but I tell you what. I'll let you use mine for a deposit, okay?", says Kate.
"Great", says Mulder. "We're also going to need some smaller dufflebags or something. My partner brought a lot of unnecessary stuff. She didn't realize we would be really roughing it. Could we leave some of her stuff behind and get it on the way back?"
"Sure no problem. I've got backpacks that you can use. It'll be a lot easier for you", says Kate.
"We're going to need two tents", says Scully. "Last night was an exception to the rule, but sharing a tent is really against bureau policy."
"Okay. I'll see what I can round up", says Kate.
Half an hour later they have all the gear they need. Kate has also put together food and water supplies for them to last for the entire two weeks.
"You know folks I think maybe I should drive out and drop off all of this stuff for you. There is just too much for you to carry out to the campsite. You can take your backpacks, but with all the food, supplies and tents you just can't carry it all", says Kate.
"Thats really generous of you Kate", says Mulder. "We'll go pack up Scully's stuff and start on the trail. We'll follow the map you gave us and I understand that campsite #42 is ours?"
"Yes, and please take this." She hands him a compass. "Do you know how to use this?"
"Sure, my father and I were Indian guides", says Mulder smiling at Scully who rolls her eyes.
The agents go back to the trailer and Scully finally narrows her belongings down that they fit into the backpack that she has been assigned. They strap on their backpacks and hit the trail. Mulder picks up a walking stick and hums to himself as he walks along. He carries the camcorder in his hand. Scully walks along behind him. After a half an hour Mulder turns on the camcorder and starts narrating. "It is Tuesday, April 17th, 2000 and Agent Dana Scully and I have entered the world of the Sasquatch in Bluff Creek, California. We are determined to discover the truth regarding this mysterious but gentle creature. At this time I will give an overview of our surroundings. The forest is very thick and sunlight is average. We have traveled about two miles and have about three more to go. Agent Scully is holding up splendidly." Mulder turns and starts filming Scully trudging along with her backpack. "Agent Scully, how have you found the trip so far?"
"Mulder, I'm sweating my a** off. Get that camera off me."
"As I said, Agent Scully is doing splendidly. Morale is high", continues Mulder walking backward. Not seeing a large branch across the path Mulder walks into it and flips backwards falling over it.
Scully walks up to him. "Are you all right Mulder?"
"Yeah my a** broke my fall", says Mulder sitting up.
He gets up and retrieves his camera. Just then he hears something crashing through the woods. His eyes meet Scully's and he sees that she too has heard it. Without warning he turns and starts running toward the sound.
"Mulder! What are you doing?" Scully runs to keep up with him. After about five minutes they have reached the place where the sounds were originally coming from.
"I think it came from over there", says Mulder getting his camcorder ready. He walks forward through the bushes and Scully follows close behind. "Stay here", he tells her.
"You always say that", mutters Scully.
Not three minutes later Mulder comes running back with his panicked look on his face. "Mulder, whats wrong", asks Scully concerned.'
He grabs her hand and pulls her through the woods. "Scully, get those little legs moving. In other words.. run!!!!"
"Mulder, why are we running", pants Scully as she is pulled through the woods.
"Because of that!", screams Mulder as she turns at the sound of a huge roar. "BEAR!!", screams Mulder stopping at a tree and grabs Scully pushing her up the tree.
Part 9
Scully is halfway up the tree when she looks down and sees the bear rapidly approaching. "Mulder, hurry up!", she yells.
Mulder starts climbing and barely makes it before the bear gets there. The bear stands up and claws the tree just missing Mulder's foot as he scrambles to another branch. Scully observes from a higher branch as Mulder climbs up and sits on the branch across from her.
"Mulder, bears can climb trees can't they?", asks Scully wrapping her arms around the trunk of the tree and trying not to look down.
"Yeah, but we should be okay as long as we aren't carrying any food. You aren't carrying anything right Scully?", asks Mulder looking at her. Scully doesn't answer for a moment.
"Scully, you aren't carrying any food right?", Mulder asks again.
"I have an apple and some crackers", says Scully quietly.
"Drop em'", says Mulder
Scully lets go with one arm and manages to get her backpack off and pulls it in front of her. She starts to unzip it, but almost loses her balance. Mulder grabs onto one of the loops on her jeans, but she catches herself. She nervously exhales and looks at Mulder who is wiping sweat off of his forehead. She tosses the apple down and then opens a sleeve of crackers. They rain down onto the ground. The bear immediately attacks the food pushing it around with his nose. Mulder and Scully watch as the bear finishes, looks up and licks his chops.
"Looks like we're next", says Mulder trying not to appear scared.
"Mulder do you have any food on you?", asks Scully.
"No, nothing", replies Mulder.
"Not even any sunflower seeds?", asks Scully.
"Well the package isn't even open yet", says Mulder.
"Drop em'", replies Scully trying not to laugh.
Mulder almost falls too as he tries to take off his backpack. Scully grabs the back of his grey t-shirt, but he falls forward. Luckily he grabs the branch and hangs arms and legs wrapped around the branch. Scully closes her eyes and exhales again. Mulder pulls himself up and finally gets his bag of sunflower seeds out. He rips the bag open with his teeth and looks at it sadly.
"Don't think about it Mulder. Just do it", says Scully.
Mulder nods and pours down the seeds to the bear who has assumed his up on hind legs position and the seeds pour neatly into his mouth. Mulder tosses down the empty bag and the bear gets down and sticks his nose into the bag. Finally he just sits down and leans against the tree. Mulder turns to Scully. "Why don't you sing something Scully? He may get scared and run away."
Scully stares at him. "Me? What about you?"
"You don't want to hear me sing Scully", says Mulder.
"Whats fair is fair", says Scully. "Last time I sang remember?"
"This is going to be really bad", says Mulder.
"Its supposed to be. Thats the whole idea", replies Scully.
Mulder takes a deep breath and starts singing his impersonation of Elvis singing none other than "Teddy Bear". Scully can't help smiling and finally laughs out loud as the bear looks up, gives a big growl and then runs into the woods. The agents wait another twenty minutes before Mulder climbs down and then helps Scully as she reaches the bottom of the tree.
They backtrack to the trail, finding the camcorder on their way. Once they are heading back in the right direction Mulder starts narrating again. "It is April 17, 2000 at approximately 11:30 A.M.. Agent Scully and I were detained for a short time by a bear, however despite a near death experience we are trudging on in our quest to pursue the truth. We were forced to relinquish our minimal supply of food, however due to my ingenuity I was able to single handily frighten the bear off, thus saving myself and the fair Agent Scully." He swings the camera to Scully who has stopped to remove a rock from her shoe. He continues taping. "We have approximately 1 1/2 miles to go and Agent Scully has been a trooper thus far."
Scully leans up from adjusting her shoe. "Mulder, shut up and please shut off that camera. You're going to waste all the tape and when you want it you won't have any to use."
"Oh, so you're saying you actually believe that we may find something out here?", asks Mulder.
"I am not willing to inflate your ego by agreeing with you Mulder. If we see something you'll know I agree. Until then I'm not saying a word", says Scully walking to his side and looking up at him.
"Thanks for coming with me Scully. I know you probably had much more exciting plans for these two weeks, but it means a lot to me that you forego your free time to spend time chasing after Bigfoot with me." He looks down at her with affection. Scully reaches out and takes his hand and squeezes it.
"Theres no where I would rather be", Scully replies and smiles. Mulder nods and smiles back. "Come on Mulder, lets find that campsite! I am starving!" She leads him down the path tucking her arm through his.
Mulder gets into the bed with Scully. He can't believe that she is actually willing for him to share the bed with her. He sits up straight up and thinks to himself how he doesn't know if he is going to be able to sleep knowing that she is only about a foot away from him. Although the light is off he knows that she is still awake. What do you talk about when you are nervous as hell? He doesn't have to wonder long as Scully speaks up first.
"Mulder?", she says.
"Yeah."
"Did you love Diana?", she asks.
"What?!", Mulder exclaims. He is really shocked at her choice in subject matter. The furthest thing from his mind at the moment is Diana Fowley.
"I just wondered why you two didn't continue with the X-Files together. I mean I wondered if your personal relationship ruined your working relationship", continues Scully.
"Where is this coming from Scully? I don't want to talk about Diana. She is dead and all of this is in the past. I told you not to dwell on the past and I don't want to either", says Mulder running his hand through his hair. He hated talking about Diana because it made him uncomfortable.
"I just wondered", says Scully.
"I'm only going to say this once Scully. Diana and I were not good together. She was controlling and she sometimes treated me as an inferior. You met her. She was manipulative in every way."
"But she was a kindred spirit when it came to pursuing your quest. She truly believed didn't she?", asks Scully.
"Yeah, she believed in the work", says Mulder..
"Would you rather have someone like her by your side? Would you be happier if I had been more like her?", asks Scully.
"Scully, how could you ask such a ridiculous question? You offer an alternate approach to everything that I encounter. I wouldn't want it any other way." He thinks to himself how he would just like to drop this conversation. There were other things that he would have liked to be doing right now.
Scully had been facing away from him, but she then sits up and looks at him. "I'm sorry for being nosy."
"No, your're not being nosy", says Mulder. "You have a right to some answers. I only wish I could truly express to you how sorry I am that I treated you so badly when Diana was around. I wouldn't listen to you about how I was being used. Scully, I was used. The only reason Diana knew to give you that book and keycard was because she was at the actual procedure that they did on me. She actively participated with Cancer Man. She let me be experimented on. That is not someone that I should have been trusting. It was you that found me and saved me. It may be too late for me to say this, but you are the only one I trust. I've told you that before, but I just want to remind you how important you are to me. You are my very best friend in the whole world."
Scully looks down. "I thought I would never find you. I didn't think that you were going to wake up." Mulder puts his arm around Scully and pulls her to his chest.
"I'm here now and I promise you that I'll always be there for you. If you someday feel that your path in life has suddenly taken a wrong turn I'll understand. The X-Files is my life and it shouldn't be yours. When we go home I want you to take some time to yourself and worry less about me", Mulder says softly. He kisses the top of her head. He knows that she won't say anymore about the subject, but he knows she is crying as he has felt a teardrop fall unto his neck. He wishes he could tell her everything that is penned up in his heart at this moment. He wants to tell her that he has been a fool for seven years and that he loves her. He loves her more than anything....even the X-Files.
He glances down. He can't see her face as the moonlight isn't falling in the right direction, but he can hear her steady breathing and he knows she sleeps. He sighs a breath of relief. He doesn't want to answer anymore questions unless she comes clean too. He closes his eyes and sleep overtakes him as well.
***************************
At about 2:00 A.M. Scully wakes up to find herself snuggled up against Mulder. He is sleeping and she can't help watching him. She knows he was absolutely shocked that she allowed him to stay with her, but she wanted him to know she was open to new things. Although nothing had happened between them it felt right lying next to him. He was hers and she was his. It was unspoken, but assumed. She continues to stare at him. She wishes that she had enough confidence to lean up and kiss him right on the lips, but what if he got mad. I don't want his opinion of me to be lowered she thinks. His respect for me depends upon my strict rationalization and predictability. She compromises instead and leans up and gives him a very soft and lingering kiss on the cheek. She leans away and is not surprised to see his eyes open.
"What was that for?", he asks giving her a hint of a smile.
"Just because", she smiles back.
"I'm really uncomfortable here", says Mulder. "My back is killing me. I've got to lie down." He slides down to lie flat on his back but doesn't make a move to push Scully away. In actuality he tightens his hold on her. She tucks her head up under his chin and he rests his head on it. He smells the shampoo in her hair and thinks how he has always loved that smell.
The two of them fall asleep thinking of one another.
Part 8
At 6:00 A.M. Mulder awakens and sees the early morning sunrise through the window. He knows its time to get up and start on their adventure. He looks down and sees Scully still asleep. He wishes that he doesn't have to wake her, but if they are going to get anything out of this trip they have to take advantage of the daylight. "Scully? Scully, are you awake?", he asks softly.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm awake. Don't tell me its time to get up already", says Scully not opening her eyes.
"Rise and shine. Its time to go find the Sasquatch", he says.
Scully sits up and pushes her hair behind her ears. "Was it Kate that told you where we could rent some gear?"
"Actually she rents out the gear. She has so many tourists coming through here looking for Bigfoot that she got into the side business of renting stuff out a couple of years ago", says Mulder sitting up and stretching. He walks into the bathroom and uses the very cramped shower. A few minutes later comes out dressed in jeans and a grey t-shirt. Scully is asleep again with her face in a pillow. "Come on Scully! Up and at em'!" He slaps her on the butt. Scully immediately sits up and gives him a glare.
"Mulder, technically we are on vacation. We have two full weeks to hunt Bigfoot. You said that you were going to slow down a little bit." Scully gets out of the bed and pushes by him to walk into the living room. She pull out a pair of jeans and a lavender t-shirt and goes into the bathroom. "This shower is made for a midget!", she exclaims.
"Oh, come on Scully. I managed. I'm sure you'll have no problem", says Mulder outside the door.
About twenty minutes later Scully emerges looking beautiful as usual. She walks up to her suitcase. "How am I going to take all of my stuff? I didn't think of that Mulder", says Scully.
"Lets go see Kate and see what we can rent from her. Then we'll decide what we are going to take and what we'll leave behind for her to watch for us", says Mulder opening the trailer door. Scully steps down and they walk to the office where Kate is already sitting at the counter drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning newspaper.
Scully notices the headline, "Tourist Couple Missing, Feared Dead".
Kate looks up. "Good Morning Folks. Did you sleep alright?"
"The accommodations weren't exactly what we had been anticipating, but we managed", says Scully looking away from Kate.
"Actually we're here to see what we will need for our campsite", says Mulder glancing at Scully.
"Well you will need a tent, sleeping bags, some flashlights, a compass, a radio, food, lighter fluid....". Kate continues to list the items out.
"We're going to need a camcorder. Do you rent those?", asks Mulder.
"No I don't, but I tell you what. I'll let you use mine for a deposit, okay?", says Kate.
"Great", says Mulder. "We're also going to need some smaller dufflebags or something. My partner brought a lot of unnecessary stuff. She didn't realize we would be really roughing it. Could we leave some of her stuff behind and get it on the way back?"
"Sure no problem. I've got backpacks that you can use. It'll be a lot easier for you", says Kate.
"We're going to need two tents", says Scully. "Last night was an exception to the rule, but sharing a tent is really against bureau policy."
"Okay. I'll see what I can round up", says Kate.
Half an hour later they have all the gear they need. Kate has also put together food and water supplies for them to last for the entire two weeks.
"You know folks I think maybe I should drive out and drop off all of this stuff for you. There is just too much for you to carry out to the campsite. You can take your backpacks, but with all the food, supplies and tents you just can't carry it all", says Kate.
"Thats really generous of you Kate", says Mulder. "We'll go pack up Scully's stuff and start on the trail. We'll follow the map you gave us and I understand that campsite #42 is ours?"
"Yes, and please take this." She hands him a compass. "Do you know how to use this?"
"Sure, my father and I were Indian guides", says Mulder smiling at Scully who rolls her eyes.
The agents go back to the trailer and Scully finally narrows her belongings down that they fit into the backpack that she has been assigned. They strap on their backpacks and hit the trail. Mulder picks up a walking stick and hums to himself as he walks along. He carries the camcorder in his hand. Scully walks along behind him. After a half an hour Mulder turns on the camcorder and starts narrating. "It is Tuesday, April 17th, 2000 and Agent Dana Scully and I have entered the world of the Sasquatch in Bluff Creek, California. We are determined to discover the truth regarding this mysterious but gentle creature. At this time I will give an overview of our surroundings. The forest is very thick and sunlight is average. We have traveled about two miles and have about three more to go. Agent Scully is holding up splendidly." Mulder turns and starts filming Scully trudging along with her backpack. "Agent Scully, how have you found the trip so far?"
"Mulder, I'm sweating my a** off. Get that camera off me."
"As I said, Agent Scully is doing splendidly. Morale is high", continues Mulder walking backward. Not seeing a large branch across the path Mulder walks into it and flips backwards falling over it.
Scully walks up to him. "Are you all right Mulder?"
"Yeah my a** broke my fall", says Mulder sitting up.
He gets up and retrieves his camera. Just then he hears something crashing through the woods. His eyes meet Scully's and he sees that she too has heard it. Without warning he turns and starts running toward the sound.
"Mulder! What are you doing?" Scully runs to keep up with him. After about five minutes they have reached the place where the sounds were originally coming from.
"I think it came from over there", says Mulder getting his camcorder ready. He walks forward through the bushes and Scully follows close behind. "Stay here", he tells her.
"You always say that", mutters Scully.
Not three minutes later Mulder comes running back with his panicked look on his face. "Mulder, whats wrong", asks Scully concerned.'
He grabs her hand and pulls her through the woods. "Scully, get those little legs moving. In other words.. run!!!!"
"Mulder, why are we running", pants Scully as she is pulled through the woods.
"Because of that!", screams Mulder as she turns at the sound of a huge roar. "BEAR!!", screams Mulder stopping at a tree and grabs Scully pushing her up the tree.
Part 9
Scully is halfway up the tree when she looks down and sees the bear rapidly approaching. "Mulder, hurry up!", she yells.
Mulder starts climbing and barely makes it before the bear gets there. The bear stands up and claws the tree just missing Mulder's foot as he scrambles to another branch. Scully observes from a higher branch as Mulder climbs up and sits on the branch across from her.
"Mulder, bears can climb trees can't they?", asks Scully wrapping her arms around the trunk of the tree and trying not to look down.
"Yeah, but we should be okay as long as we aren't carrying any food. You aren't carrying anything right Scully?", asks Mulder looking at her. Scully doesn't answer for a moment.
"Scully, you aren't carrying any food right?", Mulder asks again.
"I have an apple and some crackers", says Scully quietly.
"Drop em'", says Mulder
Scully lets go with one arm and manages to get her backpack off and pulls it in front of her. She starts to unzip it, but almost loses her balance. Mulder grabs onto one of the loops on her jeans, but she catches herself. She nervously exhales and looks at Mulder who is wiping sweat off of his forehead. She tosses the apple down and then opens a sleeve of crackers. They rain down onto the ground. The bear immediately attacks the food pushing it around with his nose. Mulder and Scully watch as the bear finishes, looks up and licks his chops.
"Looks like we're next", says Mulder trying not to appear scared.
"Mulder do you have any food on you?", asks Scully.
"No, nothing", replies Mulder.
"Not even any sunflower seeds?", asks Scully.
"Well the package isn't even open yet", says Mulder.
"Drop em'", replies Scully trying not to laugh.
Mulder almost falls too as he tries to take off his backpack. Scully grabs the back of his grey t-shirt, but he falls forward. Luckily he grabs the branch and hangs arms and legs wrapped around the branch. Scully closes her eyes and exhales again. Mulder pulls himself up and finally gets his bag of sunflower seeds out. He rips the bag open with his teeth and looks at it sadly.
"Don't think about it Mulder. Just do it", says Scully.
Mulder nods and pours down the seeds to the bear who has assumed his up on hind legs position and the seeds pour neatly into his mouth. Mulder tosses down the empty bag and the bear gets down and sticks his nose into the bag. Finally he just sits down and leans against the tree. Mulder turns to Scully. "Why don't you sing something Scully? He may get scared and run away."
Scully stares at him. "Me? What about you?"
"You don't want to hear me sing Scully", says Mulder.
"Whats fair is fair", says Scully. "Last time I sang remember?"
"This is going to be really bad", says Mulder.
"Its supposed to be. Thats the whole idea", replies Scully.
Mulder takes a deep breath and starts singing his impersonation of Elvis singing none other than "Teddy Bear". Scully can't help smiling and finally laughs out loud as the bear looks up, gives a big growl and then runs into the woods. The agents wait another twenty minutes before Mulder climbs down and then helps Scully as she reaches the bottom of the tree.
They backtrack to the trail, finding the camcorder on their way. Once they are heading back in the right direction Mulder starts narrating again. "It is April 17, 2000 at approximately 11:30 A.M.. Agent Scully and I were detained for a short time by a bear, however despite a near death experience we are trudging on in our quest to pursue the truth. We were forced to relinquish our minimal supply of food, however due to my ingenuity I was able to single handily frighten the bear off, thus saving myself and the fair Agent Scully." He swings the camera to Scully who has stopped to remove a rock from her shoe. He continues taping. "We have approximately 1 1/2 miles to go and Agent Scully has been a trooper thus far."
Scully leans up from adjusting her shoe. "Mulder, shut up and please shut off that camera. You're going to waste all the tape and when you want it you won't have any to use."
"Oh, so you're saying you actually believe that we may find something out here?", asks Mulder.
"I am not willing to inflate your ego by agreeing with you Mulder. If we see something you'll know I agree. Until then I'm not saying a word", says Scully walking to his side and looking up at him.
"Thanks for coming with me Scully. I know you probably had much more exciting plans for these two weeks, but it means a lot to me that you forego your free time to spend time chasing after Bigfoot with me." He looks down at her with affection. Scully reaches out and takes his hand and squeezes it.
"Theres no where I would rather be", Scully replies and smiles. Mulder nods and smiles back. "Come on Mulder, lets find that campsite! I am starving!" She leads him down the path tucking her arm through his.