Part 10
About forty-five minutes later the agents have reached their campsite.
"How do you know this is the right one?", asks Scully. Mulder points to a #42 sign nailed to a tree.
"Let me guess, you requested this one for a reason", says Scully.
"Well, it does create good Karma", says Mulder shrugging.
Their gear is stacked neatly in the center of the site next to a campfire circle. Scully looks up to see their food provisions hanging up in a tree by a rope that has been staked into the ground.
"Lets just hope that bear isn't around, because I'm really starving", says Scully.
Mulder pulls the bundle down and they make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with lemonade. They sit down on a fallen log and eat their lunch. They say little as they each enjoy the quietness that the forest offers them in comparison to their busy, hectic lives in the city.
"You've got to admit it Scully, its pretty refreshing out here", says Mulder taking a bite of his sandwich.
"It is Mulder. No cars, no pollution, no meetings and no CSM. At least I hope so", says Scully turning around and scanning the surroundings.
"Didn't you recognize an amazing likeness in that bear?", asks Mulder. "Maybe CSM rented a bear suit."
"I would hope that he had better things to do Mulder. Like planning some global conspiracy or infiltrating people's e-mail", replies Scully.
After they are finished with their lunch Mulder replaces their provision bundle in the tree and the agents turn to the gear on the ground.
"The first thing we should do is set up the tents", says Scully. Mulder and Scully each grab a green tent.
"Just follow the diagram Scully", says Mulder screwing two poles together.
Twenty minutes later Scully has her tent completely assembled. Mulder is sitting on the ground turning the diagram around. He scratches his head. "I think there is a part missing from this tent Scully."
Scully comes over and sits down next to him. She takes the diagram from him and glances at the twisted pretzel-like structure that Mulder has attempted to build. "Just take it apart Mulder. Its wrong", says Scully.
"It is not wrong Scully. Theres something missing", says Mulder defensively He gets up and kicks the tent.
"Breaking it is not going to help Mulder", says Scully. She gets up and walks over to the tent and starts to take it apart. Ten minutes later she has it assembled.
"I never knew how good you were with your hands Scully. You amaze me", says Mulder. Scully laughs to herself at the double meaning.
"Well for safety I think we should arrange the tents closely", says Mulder dragging his over next to Scully's. "Just in case you need me during the night." He grabs his backpack and then crawls into his tent. Scully leans over and observes him doing this.
"Two weeks of this", says Scully to herself as she grabs her own backpack and sleeping bag. She crawls in her own tent and then comes back out.
"Mulder?"
"Yeah", says Mulder parting the flaps of his tent and sticking his head out.
"You forgot your sleeping bag", says Scully throwing it at him. He barely catches it and falls back into his tent.
"Thanks Scullee", Mulder moans.
After fixing their respective tents Mulder and Scully start sorting the rest of the supplies. "There is a note here from Kate. She says that she'll be back in a couple of days to give us a lift back for showers", says Mulder.
"Oh God. I totally forgot about that", says Scully. She self consciously pulls her shirt forward and sniffs herself. She is relieved that her hike hasn't caused her to smell bad. She looks up and Mulder is giving her an amused look.
"She says we can clean up daily in the river that is just over the bend", says Mulder looking at his compass and pointing it in a Westerly direction.
"A river? How rustic are we going to get Mulder", asks Scully.
"Isn't it great?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah, just great Mulder. You're really getting your ya ya's out aren't you", Scully replies.
Mulder nods and smiles. He pulls out a collapsible fishing pole out of a bag. "I'm off to catch our dinner Scully", announces Mulder.
Scully raises her eyebrows at Mulder. "Mulder you aren't serious? Fishing?"
"There is another pole if you want to join in", replies Mulder.
Scully thinks for a moment - she truly wants to change her image of being unapproachable. She wants to please Mulder. How bad could fishing be?
"Sure. Why not", says Scully getting up from the ground.
"Really?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah", replies Scully.
Mulder pulls another pole out of the bag. He hands it to Scully and they head out to the river.
"One condition Mulder", says Scully. "You bait the hook."
Mulder stops in his tracks and looks at Scully. "You do autopsies and you can't bait a hook?"
"I don't like worms", says Scully.
"With everything we have seen you can't handle worms? What about Ice Cape, Alaska?", asks Mulder.
"That was necessary", replies Scully.
"But Scully..", continues Mulder.
"Mulder shut up. I'm off duty and if I want to be a little girlie on this trip I will be", says Scully walking ahead of him.
"Okay whatever...Miss Dana", replies Mulder jogging to catch up with her.
He gives her a sideways glance which Scully returns with a smile and flirtatious look in her eye. She looks forward again.
"Whats gotten into her?", Mulder thinks to himself. "She agreed to come here. She hasn't really argued with me, has let me do guy things for her, let me share her bed and whats the deal with that teal colored teddy? Could it be true? Is she using this trip to seduce me?"
Mulder smiles and accidentally speaks aloud. "Oh yeah!!"
"Oh yeah what?", asks Scully.
"Oh, umm oh yeah I should have brought the camcorder", replies Mulder.
"Why?", asks Scully.
"To have proof if something happens", replies Mulder.
"Nothing is going to happen Mulder", says Scully.
"You sure about that Scully?", asks Mulder as they reach the edge of the river. Mulder gathers worms and baits Scully's hook and then picks up his own. He is baiting the hook when it slips and the hook pierces his finger. "Sh*t", he exclaims. Scully comes over quickly and takes his hand. She examines the cut and then pulls a tissue out of her pocket. She wraps his finger in it and squeezes it. Finally it stops bleeding.
"You'll live", says Scully.
"Thank you Mom", replies Mulder.
Scully sighs and gives Mulder a funny look. "Come on Mulder, lets fish."
The two agents sit down side by side and Mulder teaches Scully how to cast her line.
Part 11
"Hang onto it Scully! You've got it", yells Mulder as Scully struggles with the large fish on the end of her line. She holds the pole with both of her hands as she digs her feet into the river bank. The pole is bent completely over and she can hardly keep it from flying out of her hands.
"Start reeling it in before he snaps the line", says Mulder dashing over to her.
"I can't risk letting go to put my hand on the reel", says Scully as the fish jumps out of the water.
"Did you see the size of that fish Scully? Thats going to be dinner for tonight and tomorrow", says Mulder.
"There won't be any dinner Mulder if I end up losing this", says Scully as she suddenly gets pulled closer to the edge of the river. A few seconds later she is up to her ankles in water. "Mulder, don't just stand there, help me", says Scully looking over her shoulder.
"You're asking for my assistance Ms. Scully?", asks Mulder.
"Yes!", says Scully. Mulder reaches out and starts to turn the reel for her. The fish has tired out a little bit, but just when it looks like the end for the finned creature a new burst of energy radiates from its slimy body. It jumps back out of the water and then heads full force back across the river away from the agents. Scully can't hold on and starts to fall. Mulder lets go of the reel and in a desperate last attempt grabs Scully from behind around the waist. He holds on with all of his strength, but the fish is cunning by stopping and then suddenly starting up again. Scully bends her knees trying to avoid landing in the water, but its no use. All of sudden she loses her balance falling face down in the foot deep water, taking Mulder with her. He lands on top of her pinning her under the water.
"Sclubbee!", yells Mulder swallowing a mouthful of water.
Scully wrestles to get out from under Mulder. "Moldarrr glet loff mlee", gulps Scully as her head rises to the surface of the water.
Mulder quickly pulls himself and Scully out of the water. "Are you okay Scully?", Mulder asks as he puts his arm around her.
"Yes I am fine", says Scully as she bends over and starts coughing. Mulder pounds her on the back. She looks up and across the pond. "Damn it. I lost the fish and the pole. I guess we won't be getting our deposit back for that lost equipment."
"Forget it", says Mulder. "We've got enough fish with those two fish I caught. Lets head back to camp. It's almost dusk and we've got to start up the campfire and get out of these wet clothes." Mulder retrieves his fishing pole and fish and leads Scully back to the campsite. They are both totally soaked and miserably cold.
Scully goes into her tent and changes into her pajamas. She drags her sleeping bag outside and discovers Mulder has already built up the fire and apparently he is in his tent changing too. She gets inside her sleeping bag and wraps herself in it. She is freezing and her teeth start to chatter. Mulder comes out of his tent with his own sleeping bag. He has put on pajamas bottoms but no shirt. He steps in his own sleeping bag and sits down next to the fire across from Scully. He cleans and cooks the fish as Scully watches and the two of them feast on the meal. Darkness falls and Scully is feeling much warmer now. Mulder pulls a deck of cards out of no where and scoots around the fire to Scully. "You want to play go fish?", he asks smirking.
"Very funny. Lets play poker", says Scully.
"Poker? Strip poker? Thats not fair Scully. I'll lose the first bad move I make", teases Mulder.
Scully's face turns just a tinge of pink. "No not that type of poker Mulder. I think we should play truth poker."
"Whats truth poker? Is this truth or dare? Are you going to ask me to kiss a tree or something?", asks Mulder.
"No. Everytime you lose a round you have to answer a question I ask you", says Scully.
"And if you lose I get to ask you a question?", asks Mulder.
"Yes", replies Scully grabbing the cards from his hand and shuffling them.
"This could get really interesting", says Mulder.
The agents start playing and Scully loses the first round. "What is your favorite color?", asks Mulder.
"Green", replies Scully.
The next round Mulder loses. "Okay, whats your favorite color?", asks Scully
"I can't really answer that. I'm color blind remember?", replies Mulder.
"No, I don't remember that you ever told me that", says Scully. "I guess that can count as your answer."
Scully loses the next time. "What was the scariest thing you ever saw?", asks Mulder.
"The flukeman", replies Scully.
Mulder loses again and so he answers, "The scariest thing I ever saw was the inside of that rubber room at the sanitarium."
Again Scully loses. "What did you think of me the first time I met you?", asks Mulder leaning on his elbow as he shuffles the deck. "And tell the truth. All of it."
"I thought you looked a little nerdy in those glasses", replies Scully. Mulder gives her an amused look. "But, then you know what they say 'smart is sexy'", says Scully. "What did you think of me when you first saw me", asks Scully.
"No fair. Thats a free question", says Mulder.
"I don't care", says Scully stretching out and laying out on her back. She yawns. "Just answer the question." She closes her eyes and waits for his answer.
"I thought you were the prettiest little spy I had ever encountered and I had wished I had met you under different circumstances when you had joined the bureau two years earlier", replies Mulder staring at the relaxed Scully. 'God how I wish I could just tell her how I really feel.' He stares at her beautiful face and soft lips. He wishes he could just lean over and place his lips against hers, but then he may end up with a fist in his face. However, maybe it wouldn't work that way. He decides to be good.
"Scully, its been a long day. You're really tired. Why don't you go get snug in your tent and get a little shuteye", says Mulder. He tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Hmm. Yeah you're right Mulder", says Scully sitting up. She gathers her sleeping bag up and starts to turn toward her tent. "You know Mulder that when I first walked into your office, that wasn't really the first time we met."
Mulder stares at her. "Of course it was. I never met you before that."
Scully smiles. "Quantico 1991. I was coming from a introductory criminal profiling class and I turned the corner really fast. One of my instructors was talking to a an agent that was returning to get an opinion on something. When I came around the corner I slammed into this guy and I dropped my book on his foot. I felt really stupid, but he bent over and picked up my book for me and said that if I had as good aim with a gun as that book that I was a pint sized menace to society."
Mulder looks astounded as he remembers. "That was you?!"
Scully nods. "I happened to call my sister that night and she asked me how everything was going at the Academy and if I had met anyone interesting. I told her that everything was going great and that joining the FBI had indeed been the best decision I ever made. I mentioned that I had bumped into this guy that day and she asked me what he was like. I said, 'I don't know anything about him Melissa. I've never seen him before, but all I know is that he is a real fox." Scully turns toward her tent. "Good night Mulder."
Mulder stares after her. "Good night Scully."
Part 12
The next morning Scully awakens to the sound of birds singing. She sits up and stretches. Her body is sore after being cramped into the tent for so many hours. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, there is no comparison to her soft bed at home. 'Twelve more days of this' she thinks to herself. She dresses herself in a pair of jean shorts and a white t-shirt with her sneakers and crawls out of the tent. She hears a snore coming from the tent next to her and is surprised that Mulder has not awaken yet. Being an insomniac it seems that he never sleeps. She walks up to the tent and noticing that his bare foot is sticking out of the opening. She just can't help picking a nearby fern and running it along the bottom of his foot. He jumps up a mile and the next thing she knows she is looking down the barrel of a gun.
"Mulder, its me", says Scully.
"You can't just sneak up on a guy like that Scully. I could have shot you", says Mulder looking at her with concern.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would startle you so much. I was only teasing", says Scully looking down as she walks away.
Mulder dresses in a pair of khaki hiking shorts and a tan t-shirt with his hiking boots. He grabs the camcorder and crawls out of his tent. Scully has pulled down the food provisions and is eating a danish with a bottle of spring water. She tosses one of the sealed pastries to Mulder who catches it. "Ah, Scully you made me breakfast", he says sarcastically.
"Only for you Mulder", says Scully taking another bite of her danish.
Mulder opens his danish and walks toward Scully. "I think we should go for a hike today and see what we can find", says Mulder. Scully picks up her bottle of water and raises it to her lips to take a sip. Mulder grabs it from her hand instead and chugs down half of the bottle and then hands it back to her. He wipes his mouth on his arm and sits down next to her.
"Mulder, just because we are currently living in the forest you don't have to act totally like an animal", says Scully handing him a paper towel.
The agents finish up their breakfast and then hit the trail walking side by side. Once again Mulder starts narrating. "It is April 18th, 2000 and Agent Dana Scully and myself have ventured into the forest in search of that creature called Bigfoot. Although this creature is known for its timid nature I am indeed armed in case of an emergency."
"As I am as well", says Scully bringing Mulder's attention to the holster that she has attached to the waistband of her shorts.
Mulder continues. "We survived the first night feeding on the bounty of the land and despite a near drowning Agent Scully is feeling quite chipper this morning." He swings the camera to face Scully who turns her head. "Agent Scully although feeling chipper does not wish to be photographed on this trip. She is afraid that someone may mistake her for being a believer and that couldn't possibly be true because that would mean she would have to agree with her crazy partner, reportedly nicknamed Spooky Mulder."
"Mulder, turn the damn camera off", says Scully putting her hand over the lens. "This feels like that documentary we did with those cops."
"You are ruining my vacation", says Mulder turning the camera off.
"Your vacation? What about my vacation?", asks Scully.
"I told you what we would be doing on this trip. What did you think we would be doing?", asks Mulder stopping to stare at her.
"Hiking and looking for Bigfoot, but I didn't know you would have a camera on me the entire time", says Scully.
"I just want documentation of your beautiful presence on this trip Scully", says Mulder giving her the puppy eyes. Scully rolls her eyes at him.
"Flattery can only get you so far Mulder", says Scully.
"Really Scully? How far will it get me if I say how smart, beautiful and caring you are?", asks Mulder.
"Not if it were raining sleeping bags", says Scully walking away.
"I love it when she teases me", says Mulder following her.
About forty-five minutes later the agents have reached their campsite.
"How do you know this is the right one?", asks Scully. Mulder points to a #42 sign nailed to a tree.
"Let me guess, you requested this one for a reason", says Scully.
"Well, it does create good Karma", says Mulder shrugging.
Their gear is stacked neatly in the center of the site next to a campfire circle. Scully looks up to see their food provisions hanging up in a tree by a rope that has been staked into the ground.
"Lets just hope that bear isn't around, because I'm really starving", says Scully.
Mulder pulls the bundle down and they make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with lemonade. They sit down on a fallen log and eat their lunch. They say little as they each enjoy the quietness that the forest offers them in comparison to their busy, hectic lives in the city.
"You've got to admit it Scully, its pretty refreshing out here", says Mulder taking a bite of his sandwich.
"It is Mulder. No cars, no pollution, no meetings and no CSM. At least I hope so", says Scully turning around and scanning the surroundings.
"Didn't you recognize an amazing likeness in that bear?", asks Mulder. "Maybe CSM rented a bear suit."
"I would hope that he had better things to do Mulder. Like planning some global conspiracy or infiltrating people's e-mail", replies Scully.
After they are finished with their lunch Mulder replaces their provision bundle in the tree and the agents turn to the gear on the ground.
"The first thing we should do is set up the tents", says Scully. Mulder and Scully each grab a green tent.
"Just follow the diagram Scully", says Mulder screwing two poles together.
Twenty minutes later Scully has her tent completely assembled. Mulder is sitting on the ground turning the diagram around. He scratches his head. "I think there is a part missing from this tent Scully."
Scully comes over and sits down next to him. She takes the diagram from him and glances at the twisted pretzel-like structure that Mulder has attempted to build. "Just take it apart Mulder. Its wrong", says Scully.
"It is not wrong Scully. Theres something missing", says Mulder defensively He gets up and kicks the tent.
"Breaking it is not going to help Mulder", says Scully. She gets up and walks over to the tent and starts to take it apart. Ten minutes later she has it assembled.
"I never knew how good you were with your hands Scully. You amaze me", says Mulder. Scully laughs to herself at the double meaning.
"Well for safety I think we should arrange the tents closely", says Mulder dragging his over next to Scully's. "Just in case you need me during the night." He grabs his backpack and then crawls into his tent. Scully leans over and observes him doing this.
"Two weeks of this", says Scully to herself as she grabs her own backpack and sleeping bag. She crawls in her own tent and then comes back out.
"Mulder?"
"Yeah", says Mulder parting the flaps of his tent and sticking his head out.
"You forgot your sleeping bag", says Scully throwing it at him. He barely catches it and falls back into his tent.
"Thanks Scullee", Mulder moans.
After fixing their respective tents Mulder and Scully start sorting the rest of the supplies. "There is a note here from Kate. She says that she'll be back in a couple of days to give us a lift back for showers", says Mulder.
"Oh God. I totally forgot about that", says Scully. She self consciously pulls her shirt forward and sniffs herself. She is relieved that her hike hasn't caused her to smell bad. She looks up and Mulder is giving her an amused look.
"She says we can clean up daily in the river that is just over the bend", says Mulder looking at his compass and pointing it in a Westerly direction.
"A river? How rustic are we going to get Mulder", asks Scully.
"Isn't it great?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah, just great Mulder. You're really getting your ya ya's out aren't you", Scully replies.
Mulder nods and smiles. He pulls out a collapsible fishing pole out of a bag. "I'm off to catch our dinner Scully", announces Mulder.
Scully raises her eyebrows at Mulder. "Mulder you aren't serious? Fishing?"
"There is another pole if you want to join in", replies Mulder.
Scully thinks for a moment - she truly wants to change her image of being unapproachable. She wants to please Mulder. How bad could fishing be?
"Sure. Why not", says Scully getting up from the ground.
"Really?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah", replies Scully.
Mulder pulls another pole out of the bag. He hands it to Scully and they head out to the river.
"One condition Mulder", says Scully. "You bait the hook."
Mulder stops in his tracks and looks at Scully. "You do autopsies and you can't bait a hook?"
"I don't like worms", says Scully.
"With everything we have seen you can't handle worms? What about Ice Cape, Alaska?", asks Mulder.
"That was necessary", replies Scully.
"But Scully..", continues Mulder.
"Mulder shut up. I'm off duty and if I want to be a little girlie on this trip I will be", says Scully walking ahead of him.
"Okay whatever...Miss Dana", replies Mulder jogging to catch up with her.
He gives her a sideways glance which Scully returns with a smile and flirtatious look in her eye. She looks forward again.
"Whats gotten into her?", Mulder thinks to himself. "She agreed to come here. She hasn't really argued with me, has let me do guy things for her, let me share her bed and whats the deal with that teal colored teddy? Could it be true? Is she using this trip to seduce me?"
Mulder smiles and accidentally speaks aloud. "Oh yeah!!"
"Oh yeah what?", asks Scully.
"Oh, umm oh yeah I should have brought the camcorder", replies Mulder.
"Why?", asks Scully.
"To have proof if something happens", replies Mulder.
"Nothing is going to happen Mulder", says Scully.
"You sure about that Scully?", asks Mulder as they reach the edge of the river. Mulder gathers worms and baits Scully's hook and then picks up his own. He is baiting the hook when it slips and the hook pierces his finger. "Sh*t", he exclaims. Scully comes over quickly and takes his hand. She examines the cut and then pulls a tissue out of her pocket. She wraps his finger in it and squeezes it. Finally it stops bleeding.
"You'll live", says Scully.
"Thank you Mom", replies Mulder.
Scully sighs and gives Mulder a funny look. "Come on Mulder, lets fish."
The two agents sit down side by side and Mulder teaches Scully how to cast her line.
Part 11
"Hang onto it Scully! You've got it", yells Mulder as Scully struggles with the large fish on the end of her line. She holds the pole with both of her hands as she digs her feet into the river bank. The pole is bent completely over and she can hardly keep it from flying out of her hands.
"Start reeling it in before he snaps the line", says Mulder dashing over to her.
"I can't risk letting go to put my hand on the reel", says Scully as the fish jumps out of the water.
"Did you see the size of that fish Scully? Thats going to be dinner for tonight and tomorrow", says Mulder.
"There won't be any dinner Mulder if I end up losing this", says Scully as she suddenly gets pulled closer to the edge of the river. A few seconds later she is up to her ankles in water. "Mulder, don't just stand there, help me", says Scully looking over her shoulder.
"You're asking for my assistance Ms. Scully?", asks Mulder.
"Yes!", says Scully. Mulder reaches out and starts to turn the reel for her. The fish has tired out a little bit, but just when it looks like the end for the finned creature a new burst of energy radiates from its slimy body. It jumps back out of the water and then heads full force back across the river away from the agents. Scully can't hold on and starts to fall. Mulder lets go of the reel and in a desperate last attempt grabs Scully from behind around the waist. He holds on with all of his strength, but the fish is cunning by stopping and then suddenly starting up again. Scully bends her knees trying to avoid landing in the water, but its no use. All of sudden she loses her balance falling face down in the foot deep water, taking Mulder with her. He lands on top of her pinning her under the water.
"Sclubbee!", yells Mulder swallowing a mouthful of water.
Scully wrestles to get out from under Mulder. "Moldarrr glet loff mlee", gulps Scully as her head rises to the surface of the water.
Mulder quickly pulls himself and Scully out of the water. "Are you okay Scully?", Mulder asks as he puts his arm around her.
"Yes I am fine", says Scully as she bends over and starts coughing. Mulder pounds her on the back. She looks up and across the pond. "Damn it. I lost the fish and the pole. I guess we won't be getting our deposit back for that lost equipment."
"Forget it", says Mulder. "We've got enough fish with those two fish I caught. Lets head back to camp. It's almost dusk and we've got to start up the campfire and get out of these wet clothes." Mulder retrieves his fishing pole and fish and leads Scully back to the campsite. They are both totally soaked and miserably cold.
Scully goes into her tent and changes into her pajamas. She drags her sleeping bag outside and discovers Mulder has already built up the fire and apparently he is in his tent changing too. She gets inside her sleeping bag and wraps herself in it. She is freezing and her teeth start to chatter. Mulder comes out of his tent with his own sleeping bag. He has put on pajamas bottoms but no shirt. He steps in his own sleeping bag and sits down next to the fire across from Scully. He cleans and cooks the fish as Scully watches and the two of them feast on the meal. Darkness falls and Scully is feeling much warmer now. Mulder pulls a deck of cards out of no where and scoots around the fire to Scully. "You want to play go fish?", he asks smirking.
"Very funny. Lets play poker", says Scully.
"Poker? Strip poker? Thats not fair Scully. I'll lose the first bad move I make", teases Mulder.
Scully's face turns just a tinge of pink. "No not that type of poker Mulder. I think we should play truth poker."
"Whats truth poker? Is this truth or dare? Are you going to ask me to kiss a tree or something?", asks Mulder.
"No. Everytime you lose a round you have to answer a question I ask you", says Scully.
"And if you lose I get to ask you a question?", asks Mulder.
"Yes", replies Scully grabbing the cards from his hand and shuffling them.
"This could get really interesting", says Mulder.
The agents start playing and Scully loses the first round. "What is your favorite color?", asks Mulder.
"Green", replies Scully.
The next round Mulder loses. "Okay, whats your favorite color?", asks Scully
"I can't really answer that. I'm color blind remember?", replies Mulder.
"No, I don't remember that you ever told me that", says Scully. "I guess that can count as your answer."
Scully loses the next time. "What was the scariest thing you ever saw?", asks Mulder.
"The flukeman", replies Scully.
Mulder loses again and so he answers, "The scariest thing I ever saw was the inside of that rubber room at the sanitarium."
Again Scully loses. "What did you think of me the first time I met you?", asks Mulder leaning on his elbow as he shuffles the deck. "And tell the truth. All of it."
"I thought you looked a little nerdy in those glasses", replies Scully. Mulder gives her an amused look. "But, then you know what they say 'smart is sexy'", says Scully. "What did you think of me when you first saw me", asks Scully.
"No fair. Thats a free question", says Mulder.
"I don't care", says Scully stretching out and laying out on her back. She yawns. "Just answer the question." She closes her eyes and waits for his answer.
"I thought you were the prettiest little spy I had ever encountered and I had wished I had met you under different circumstances when you had joined the bureau two years earlier", replies Mulder staring at the relaxed Scully. 'God how I wish I could just tell her how I really feel.' He stares at her beautiful face and soft lips. He wishes he could just lean over and place his lips against hers, but then he may end up with a fist in his face. However, maybe it wouldn't work that way. He decides to be good.
"Scully, its been a long day. You're really tired. Why don't you go get snug in your tent and get a little shuteye", says Mulder. He tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Hmm. Yeah you're right Mulder", says Scully sitting up. She gathers her sleeping bag up and starts to turn toward her tent. "You know Mulder that when I first walked into your office, that wasn't really the first time we met."
Mulder stares at her. "Of course it was. I never met you before that."
Scully smiles. "Quantico 1991. I was coming from a introductory criminal profiling class and I turned the corner really fast. One of my instructors was talking to a an agent that was returning to get an opinion on something. When I came around the corner I slammed into this guy and I dropped my book on his foot. I felt really stupid, but he bent over and picked up my book for me and said that if I had as good aim with a gun as that book that I was a pint sized menace to society."
Mulder looks astounded as he remembers. "That was you?!"
Scully nods. "I happened to call my sister that night and she asked me how everything was going at the Academy and if I had met anyone interesting. I told her that everything was going great and that joining the FBI had indeed been the best decision I ever made. I mentioned that I had bumped into this guy that day and she asked me what he was like. I said, 'I don't know anything about him Melissa. I've never seen him before, but all I know is that he is a real fox." Scully turns toward her tent. "Good night Mulder."
Mulder stares after her. "Good night Scully."
Part 12
The next morning Scully awakens to the sound of birds singing. She sits up and stretches. Her body is sore after being cramped into the tent for so many hours. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, there is no comparison to her soft bed at home. 'Twelve more days of this' she thinks to herself. She dresses herself in a pair of jean shorts and a white t-shirt with her sneakers and crawls out of the tent. She hears a snore coming from the tent next to her and is surprised that Mulder has not awaken yet. Being an insomniac it seems that he never sleeps. She walks up to the tent and noticing that his bare foot is sticking out of the opening. She just can't help picking a nearby fern and running it along the bottom of his foot. He jumps up a mile and the next thing she knows she is looking down the barrel of a gun.
"Mulder, its me", says Scully.
"You can't just sneak up on a guy like that Scully. I could have shot you", says Mulder looking at her with concern.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would startle you so much. I was only teasing", says Scully looking down as she walks away.
Mulder dresses in a pair of khaki hiking shorts and a tan t-shirt with his hiking boots. He grabs the camcorder and crawls out of his tent. Scully has pulled down the food provisions and is eating a danish with a bottle of spring water. She tosses one of the sealed pastries to Mulder who catches it. "Ah, Scully you made me breakfast", he says sarcastically.
"Only for you Mulder", says Scully taking another bite of her danish.
Mulder opens his danish and walks toward Scully. "I think we should go for a hike today and see what we can find", says Mulder. Scully picks up her bottle of water and raises it to her lips to take a sip. Mulder grabs it from her hand instead and chugs down half of the bottle and then hands it back to her. He wipes his mouth on his arm and sits down next to her.
"Mulder, just because we are currently living in the forest you don't have to act totally like an animal", says Scully handing him a paper towel.
The agents finish up their breakfast and then hit the trail walking side by side. Once again Mulder starts narrating. "It is April 18th, 2000 and Agent Dana Scully and myself have ventured into the forest in search of that creature called Bigfoot. Although this creature is known for its timid nature I am indeed armed in case of an emergency."
"As I am as well", says Scully bringing Mulder's attention to the holster that she has attached to the waistband of her shorts.
Mulder continues. "We survived the first night feeding on the bounty of the land and despite a near drowning Agent Scully is feeling quite chipper this morning." He swings the camera to face Scully who turns her head. "Agent Scully although feeling chipper does not wish to be photographed on this trip. She is afraid that someone may mistake her for being a believer and that couldn't possibly be true because that would mean she would have to agree with her crazy partner, reportedly nicknamed Spooky Mulder."
"Mulder, turn the damn camera off", says Scully putting her hand over the lens. "This feels like that documentary we did with those cops."
"You are ruining my vacation", says Mulder turning the camera off.
"Your vacation? What about my vacation?", asks Scully.
"I told you what we would be doing on this trip. What did you think we would be doing?", asks Mulder stopping to stare at her.
"Hiking and looking for Bigfoot, but I didn't know you would have a camera on me the entire time", says Scully.
"I just want documentation of your beautiful presence on this trip Scully", says Mulder giving her the puppy eyes. Scully rolls her eyes at him.
"Flattery can only get you so far Mulder", says Scully.
"Really Scully? How far will it get me if I say how smart, beautiful and caring you are?", asks Mulder.
"Not if it were raining sleeping bags", says Scully walking away.
"I love it when she teases me", says Mulder following her.