Fox Mulder woke in unfamiliar surroundings. He hadn't opened his eyes yet but he could still tell he wasn't on his couch or in his own bed. The smell was fresh, clean, not the usual stale air that seemed to cling to his room. Sounds of children playing outside on the street with a bouncing ball floated in through the open window caressing him in warm currents of air.
In one of his hands he could feel hers, slender fingers interlocked with his bigger digits. In his other hand her hair threaded through his fingers, her scalp feeling warm and soft. Reluctantly he pried his eyes open to confirm his suspicions, her head rested on his shoulder and one lazy leg draped across his knee. Her chest was moving slowly taking deep contented breaths as it pressed against his torso. Glancing around the room he saw her suitcase still packed and leaning against the wall, a few personal belongings spread out on the dresser beside it. He smiled at the open window recalling her face at the sight of him leaning against it.
Screams of injustice could be heard from the kids outside shaking him from his revere as another wave of warm air washed over him. His contented sigh surprised him and he could almost feel himself snuggling deeper, but his bladder had other ideas.
As he shifted his hips to get more comfortable in his constricted space the extremity of his need became alarmingly clear. A dull throb began to pulsate just above his groin and he bit his lip hoping it would fade.
"Shit," he muttered, admitting defeat and through gritted teeth he eased his leg out from under her heavy limb and released her hand. Carefully drawing his arm out beneath her head he held still for a moment to make sure she was still asleep before shuffling off the end of the bed. Grabbing his sneakers and creeping out of the room he was amazed she didn't wake up when he seemed to hit every creaky board in the floor. Leaving the door ajar he slipped on his sneakers as he walked across the hall to the bathroom and quickly locked the door behind him. Finally his release was granted and he couldn't help the sigh of relief.
He flushed and turned to the sink where he washed his hands and face. Glancing up at the reflection that watched him back he scratched the stubbled chin and decided a shave would have to wait. Besides he recalled wistfully, he recalled leaving his bag at the bottom of the trellis last night.
With a smile he walked out of the bathroom looking down and bumped into Bill.
"Oh sorry."
"You?" Bill exclaimed looking him up and down, recognising the signs that Mulder had just woken up. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I eh, I came to see Scu-.eh, Dana."
Bill stood taller and was in the process of crossing his arms when Margaret Scully emerged from another room.
"Ahh Fox your up."
"Just."
"Great you can help me with breakfast."
Mulder hesitated for a moment loathing to leave Scully to wake alone, more so not to feel her body lying next to his but he saw the gesture as an offer to escape Bills glare so he accepted.
She took the crook of his arm and they walked down the stairs into the kitchen.
"How are you at scrambled eggs?" she asked releasing him and collecting ingredients from the fridge.
"Not bad." She passed him the eggs and milk.
"You start on that then and I'll get the bacon done."
Silently he worked on beating the eggs adding milk to the mixture as he went. She had a pan preheated on the hob so he poured the mixture in and tossed it against the heat. He added a pinch of salt and a small knob of butter for taste and she smiled at his concentration.
"How is she?" she asked suddenly piercing the silence with a thick question.
"She's fine." His reply was quick, quick enough for her to see through.
"I'm worried. She usually bounces back quicker than this."
"She usually has something to bounce back to. But with this forced holiday she's finding it tough."
He felt bad confiding in her mother but he figured she wouldn't mind. He knew Scully was real close with her mother and all she was asking for was reassurance.
"I'm so happy you decided to come." She squeezed his arm and he smiled shyly.
"Me too."
"I brought your bag in last night. I left it in the living room."
"Thanks."
They resumed the cooking and were setting the table when Tara arrived in with Mathew. She smiled at Mulder before sitting the child into his chair and fixing a bib around him. Mathew protested but only mildly as he knew it mean breakfast wouldn't be long coming.
"Hello Mulder."
"Hi Tara, how are you doing?"
"Fine Mulder fine." She mixed the child's breakfast adding a little more milk so soften it up and sat it in front of him, giving him a small plastic spoon. "Did you sleep ok?"
She asked so casually and if Mulder hadn't caught the look she exchanged with Margaret he would have thought it an innocent question. But he saw their little altercation and succumbed to the light blush that curled up his neck and tainted his cheeks.
"Eh, fine." He managed to stammer out a few words before turning his full attention back on the scrambled eggs.
"Is Bill ready?" Margaret asked Tara as she set a stack of toast on the table.
"Yeah, I'll just go get him. Will you watch Mattie doesn't try to redecorate the kitchen with his food."
Margaret took the seat next to the child and cooed him as he struggled with his breakfast the newly found co-ordination still fighting with him.
Mulder spooned the eggs from the pan into a dish and set it next to the bacon and toast. He wondered for a moment what else to do before grabbing the juice from the fridge and returning the rest of the eggs and milk that weren't used. The phone rang loudly in the hall and Margaret stood wiping her hands on a dishtowel.
"Mulder could you watch him?"
"Sure."
She went to answer the phones persistent call and Mulder hesitantly took the seat next to Mathew. The child eyed him curiously; unsure if he liked his new dining partner.
"Eat up Mathew!" Mulder urged in a cheery high-pitched voice hoping the kid couldn't smell fear like an animal. "Good boy."
Slowly Mathew dug a large dollop of cereal onto the small plastic spoon and carefully took it up to his waiting mouth. Mulder held his breath and felt his own lips parting as his mouth opened in anticipation, willing the child to get it in without making a mess.
The small spoon touched Mathew's lips and he clamped them down fast and tight catching some food in his mouth and sending the rest off in an impressive arc around him.
"Well done!" Mulder said laughing and ruffling the child's hair. He pulled his hand up to his mouth where a lump of breakfast had landed on his wrist and spotted Scully leaning against the doorframe.
"Morning." She smiled a strange smile behind hooded eyes and he froze, his lips still curled on his wrist.
Clumsily he took his hand away licking his lips to remove any traces of the cereal that could have remained.
"Morning."
"Hey Mattie." Finally she tore her gaze away from him and she moved her sleek frame away from the door, walking over to the child kissing him on the top of his head.
"Sleep okay Scully?" he asked resettling himself in the chair to watch as she crossed the room to the kettle and switched it on.
"I did. You know I did."
"Yeah."
She was facing out the window so he couldn't see her face but he was hoping there was a contented smile creasing her lips. The kettle announced it was boiled with a sharp whistle that must have been louder than Mulder thought as at that moment Bill, Tara and Margaret Scully walked in. He started to get up to let Tara sit down but she pushed him back down with an arm on his shoulder and sat on the other side of the child. Bill sat at one end and Dana on the other with Margaret directly across from him. For a moment Mulder thought they were going to say grace but Margaret Scully just pulled her chair in closer to the table with a smile.
"No point in letting it go cold!" She took two slices of toast and dropped a spoonful of egg on top of it, passing the dish around when she was done.
Soon all the food had made the rounds and the room was filled with idle chatter. Tara spoke of a fight that had broken up the night before at the street party at the same time feeding Mattie the egg off her plate. When all the egg was gone she tried to coax him with toast but he was more interest in Mulders egg.
"No Mulder you don't need to do that."
"I don't mind."
Tara continued with her story as Mulder fed him from his plate. The child giggled and laughed as Mulder made faces and dodges the spoon out of his reach before feeding him. Scully looked away from the heart-warming scene and saw the scowl on her brother's face but she just rolled her eyes at him and looked away.
After breakfast Mulder was ushered into the living room and given the TV remote but he took his bag up to Scullys room and changed into fresh clothes. Not bothering to shave he put on a clean pair of faded blue jeans and a light grey tee shirt. He pulled a black light sweater over his head and returned to the living room feeling much better for the change of clothes.
Flicking through the stations Mulder looked out the window at the kids in the street. Raucous laughter from the kitchen distracted him and the door burst open making him jump.
"Sorry Mulder didn't mean to scare you."
He smiled, as she seemed to bounce across the room landing on the couch beside him with a whoosh of air.
"You seem to be in a good mood," he mused aloud.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I dunno Scully."
"So what do you want to do today?"
"I don't mind. It's your holiday, I'm just here for the ride."
Standing she walked over to the window and leaned against the sill in thought. Mulder took the opportunity to admire the shorts she was wearing. The blue tee shirt was simple and plain and hugged her figure deliciously. The trainers without socks making her legs seem longer than he knew them to be.
"How about a game of one on one?"
"I know I have way too many good come backs to that one."
"Basketball Mulder."
"Against you?" He laughed loudly clutching his side as if it were hurting.
"Yes against me. C'mon." She walked behind the couch and slapped him playfully on the back of his head. "Or are you too chicken?"
"Alright Scully, you asked for it."
He followed her out to the garage as she searched for the ball but he had to look away at the sight she presented. Leaning over a few large cardboard boxes with one leg stuck out behind her for balance she was all but doubled over so he walked towards the front yard for his own conscience to be saved.
On the street in front of the house a group of kids played with a tennis ball. Mulder counted six kids ranging in age from eight to fifteen he guessed as they stood in a circle. They spread their legs out and joined their feet to their neighbour, making it as wide as they could. One kid, the tallest Mulder noticed, held the tennis ball out into the centre of the circle and counted to three out loud before dropping it.
The group laughed and jostled as the ball bounced in the middle of the circle holding their feet still until it rolled between someone's legs. The kids dispersed immediately but Mulder kept his eye on the one that grabbed the ball from beneath his legs. Scully appeared by his side as he threw the tennis ball hitting a younger boy in the small of the back making him fall to the ground. But instead of crying out in pain the small boy scrambled for the ball and chased his attacker, shouting in victory when he hit him in the leg.
"It's called three lives. Get hit with the ball three times and your out."
"Looks vicious." He looked down at her non-chalant expression as she idly bounced the basketball.
"It's a good game."
She walked up the drive still dribbling the ball and turned and tossed the ball towards the basket Mulder just noticed was over his head. The ball sank through the hoop and he caught it with a hint of a smile.
"Got game, Scully?" He walked towards her dribbling the ball. "Do I sense a challenge?"
"Still chicken?"
She took the ball from him and bounced it clumsily on the tarmac between them. He laughed huskily as he hunched over to get ready but before he could do anything she turned on her heel, using her body as a shield, sidestepping him and threw the ball through the hoop.
"Weh heh hey!" he exclaimed looking after her as she fetched the ball.
"Making it easy for me Mulder?" she teased strutting back to him.
"Not anymore."
They played all morning making shot after shot. Her legs ached and she knew he was letting her make more baskets than she normally would but in the interest of a good game she said nothing. She couldn't resist the tie score at twenty points and his leer when he told her the next shot would win.
He had discarded his jumper about ten points ago and was now bent over double bouncing the ball low to the ground whistling the globetrotters theme. She had her back to the basket but she knew it would take her exactly five steps back to stand directly beneath it.
"Right Scully, the game is tied at twenty all, there are three seconds left on the clock, Fox Williams for the Knicks steps up to the mark eyes his opposition.he fakes left, he fakes right."
Mulder leaned left and right with his words but she stayed in the middle laughing at his mock serious expression. Watching his legs she noticed how he stepped onto the balls of his feet and was about to jump around her but instead he yelled out in pain and dropped the ball. He reached around and clutched his back and arched over pressing a fist into his spine as a kid from the street walked over sheepishly.
"Sorry.I was aiming for Michael!" he said intertwining his fingers. It was then that Scully saw the tennis ball roll down the garden path.
"You okay Mulder?" she asked as he stood up straight.
"Yeah." He winced as she turned him round and lifted his shirt to see the round red mark at the base of his spine. Mulder bent to pick up the tennis ball and gently tossed it to the kid who was waiting for it back.
"Here ya go."
"Sorry mister, I didn't mean for you to loose your game."
"Huh?"
Mulder turned to see Scully standing directly beneath the hoop bouncing the ball and smiling wickedly. He lunged for her but as soon as he moved she jumped a little off the ground and threw the ball up hitting the backboard before it dropped through the hoop. Mulder reached her and grabbed her with both arms around her body, trapping her arms down by her side. He swung her round and dropped her away from the basket and tried to stop the ball from going through but it was already bouncing on the tarmac by his feet and rolling down towards the street.
The kids picked it up and cheered for their local hero as she bowed to them in victory and walked over to their small cluster.
"You are such a cheater Dana Scully," Mulder said smiling.
"Me? Sounds like a sore looser doesn't he kids?"
"Yeah!" they all chimed in chorus.
"Okay.one more go.this time no free shots." He walked over to them and held his hands out for the ball.
"Free shots?" she kept the ball holding it behind her back. "No way."
"C'mon one more go. First to 21." He waved his fingers trying to get her to pass the ball.
"Can we play?" one of the kids asked.
"Sure, half with me the other half with Scully."
"Dana. Her name is Dana." Mulder looked down to see a small girl with brown curls tumbling around her face scowling up at him, her hands locked onto her hips.
"Sorry.half of you with me and the other half with Dana!"
"I had better be on your team, keep my eye on you," she said in such a serious tone that Mulder looked up at Scully in surprise and she was smiling back at him with out disguise.
After a little scurry the kids divided up into two teams and the game began. From the bay window in the living room Mrs Scully could hear all the commotion and leaned against the frame to peer out. Her smile transformed into a laugh when she watched Mulder pick up little Sarah King from next door so she could slam-dunk the basketball. Her curly hair bounced around her face as she jumped up and down in his arms after scoring.
"I'm trying to get Matt to sleep. I wish they would keep it down."
"Oh Bill hush. Let your sister have some fun."
Bills only response was a gruff snort as he left the room, bounding up the stairs away from his mothers glare. Margaret Scully ignored him and turned her attention back to the game. Scully passed the ball to Robert the tallest kid on her team who depressingly enough came up to her nose she noticed, and he dribbled the ball eagerly up to the hoop.
"Charge!" Mulder shouted as he spotted the boy racing up the driveway but before he could make it very far Scully lunged at him, pulling him back with all her strength. Laughing he turned the tables quickly spinning in the circle of her arms he reached down and lifted her up with one hand below her knees and the other around her shoulders he raced over to the other kids.
"Foul!" Scully shouted in protest. "Put me down, foul!"
"No foul, no foul."
Robert jumped up almost reaching the ring and easily dropped the ball into the net. Some of the kids jumped and bounced in victory while the others kicked the ground.
"You cheated again," Mulder said still holding her in his arms.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but you seem to be holding me? Wouldn't that make you the cheater?"
"Well I am holding you but my team lost. So I couldn't have cheated."
"You mean it doesn't count as cheating if you don't win?"
"Something like that."
"You can put me down now, my team and I need to celebrate."
Mulder released her both loving and hating the way her body pressed to his as she slid to her feet. He could have put her down differently but then the exquisite torture wouldn't be felt so intensely
Pausing for only a moment at on the ground in front of him she didn't miss the darkening of his eyes as she moved against him but she turned to the kids at the sound of them chanting her name.
"Dana! Dana! Dana!" they said punching the air in time with their cheer while the members from Mulders team stood sombrely around them.
"You win this round Ms Scully," he said in a menacing tone his eyes shut to mere slits and one of his eyebrows arched upwards. "We'll be back for more tomorrow wont we guys!"
"Yeah," his team agreed aggressively. Scully laughed and was still smiling when the kids dispersed for lunch.
"So what do I win then?"
"I wasn't aware that we had made a bet."
"So I get nothing? For beating you twice? Twice Mulder. I bet you twice."
"What would you like?"
"I suppose I could let you take me out to dinner."
"Sounds fair." They walked back into the house where Scully poured them both large glasses of cold water from the jug in the fridge.
"Did you win Dana?" Mrs Scully asked as she walked through the kitchen to go out the back door.
"Of course mom!"
"That's my girl."
"Even if you did cheat."
"You're still buying me dinner."
***
It was still warm when they left the house. Bill had graciously handed over the keys to his car and they drove off the base with the sunroof open, in the early evening light. He glanced over at her but looked away quickly. When she had walked down the stairs wearing the pale blue sleeveless top with the low cut back and neck he stared for a moment unsure whether he knew what he was getting into. Part of him wanted to know why she had packed such a revealing top but the rest of him was so glad she had. It must have been new because he had never seen it but he was still remarkably happy for the summers evening that encouraged her to wear it.
"Where did you book?" She fixed the edge of her black skirt with her fingers, touching the hem along her knee making him glance at her legs this time.
"Jade Garden, on Moore Street."
"Oh I love that place."
"A little bird told me," he smiled at satisfaction forcing his eyes to keep to the road ahead instead of wandering the length of her body again. She navigated him through he streets and showed him the car park entrance. Waiting for her by the trunk of the car he placed a light arm around her touching her back with the merest hint of sensuality, a touch lower than the spot he normally claimed. A uniformed doorman who pointed them in the way of the maitre dee held the door open.
"May I help you sir?"
"I have a reservation for two."
"Name sir?"
"Harrington, Rex Harrington."
He felt Scully nudge him with her elbow but ignored her as the maitre dee searched the list of bookings.
"Ahh yes, table for two seven pm. This way." He plucked two menus and a wine list from the shelf on the wall and meandered his way through the dinning guests. The table was secluded more than the others and sat by a large window that lined the outer wall of the restaurant. Running along the window at ground level was a fishpond filled with large goldfish.
Mulder stood by his chair until scully sat down and then took the menu that was offered. The wine list was left standing in the centre of the table blocking his view of her.
"Your waiter will be along shortly."
As soon as he was gone Mulder took the wine list and held it with his menu. She fiddled with her menu for a moment before glancing up at him catching his eye. He was smiling openly at her and she blushed under his ponderous gaze.
"What is it Mulder?"
"I was just wondering if you'd have a spring roll or a wonton." She laughed openly and freely, his obvious attempt at a lie only showing her the depth of his thoughts but not the content. The waiter arrived then and took their orders, returning in moments with a bottle of white wine. After Scully tasted it she nodded her approval so he poured her glass full and Mulders before leaving the bottle between them.
"My dad used to take us here on special occasions," she said wistfully, hers eyes faraway and her voice low and secretive. "The last time I was here was after I got accepted into the FBI."
He didn't say anything. He couldn't. He was too afraid to break her spell and stop her thoughts.
"I still miss him you know."
He was shocked by her admission. Not the fact that she missed her father, he already knew she did, but the open statement itself.
"Sometime I even reach for the phone, to tell him about a case we've solved or anything.just to talk to him.and then I realise."
Her voice trailed off and her eyes fell down to the delicate glass she twirled in her fingers. He urged to reach across the table to take her hand in hers, offer her a reassuring squeeze but he was unsure of how she would take the personal intrusion.
But as he contemplated his next move their starters arrived. They had ordered a platter of mixed food to share and Mulder sighed internally as she smiled at the sight of the spare ribs. Finger food was always a delight to eat with Scully he thought as she picked up one of the ribs and bit into it. She didn't mind getting her fingers messy, as she ate the sauce soaked food and he had to pry his eyes away before his reaction became more carnal. He bit a spring roll and looked up as she sucked the tips of her fingers relishing the taste of the rib sauce. He had to bite down on his tongue to hold back the urge to taste the sauce himself.
"Scully.I know you said you didn't regret joining the FBI."
"Yeah."
"But don't you wish you could just get rid of all the crap that goes with it?"
"What do you mean?" she took a carrot slice from the plate and bit it in half while he rolled his question around his tongue to try to explain it better.
"Regular field assignments."
"You mean get off the Xfiles?"
"No.well yes.what if you were never on the Xfiles?"
"Wouldn't know what I was missing," she said with a wry smile.
"Or who." he added softly.
"What are you trying to say Mulder?"
"We still have a week of vacation left.a week of no consequential actions.no repercussions."
"Yeah a whole week." Her voice had a challenging lilt and he couldn't help but smile at her loose tongue. The words were the same but the tone was different. "You got something planned?"
"I might do."
"Oh how decisive of you."
"What about you?" he laughed. "Any plans?"
"Me? No. I'm just enjoying the show."
He vague words and unfamiliar tone ran delicious shivers up his spine and he felt all the hair on his head standing on end. A stray hand rasped through the fine locks in an effort to still them but he couldn't tear his eyes off her. The meal passed with little effort and they chatted idly about the ball game that morning.
She declined desert and they both decided against coffee wanting instead to be out in the fresh warm air. He wanted more to be alone with her to say what was on his mind, to let his hands trace the patterns on her back that he'd been thinking of all night, to let his lips taste the dark red lipstick she was wearing.
"We'll have to raise the stakes for the game tomorrow."
"Oh? Over confident are we?" He took the credit card receipt and slipped into his pocket before helping her from her chair and leading her out into the car park.
"Are you able to drive?" she asked.
"I only had a glass of wine. You finished off the bottle." She smiled at him and remembered him refilling her glass every time it was nearly empty.
"Were you trying to get me drunk?"
"Drunk Scully? No."
"What then?"
They arrived at the car but instead of getting in he sat on the bonnet and turned to face her. He took her hands and pulled her closer to him so she was standing between his legs. Her smile was still on her face, still diluting the wide pupils in her eyes and he was almost afraid to scare it off. But the need to taste her lipstick propelled him closer, made him pull her hands to his neck joining them behind his head. She leaned forward as he tugged on her hands and she was almost pressing against him. He left her hands joined and trailed his hands down her arms.
The goose bumps he could feel rising on her arms delighted him even more when he felt the velvet skin of her shoulders and down her back as far as the low cut top would let him reach.
Their eyes locked and slowly her smile faded but it was replaced with a look of expectancy, almost fearful expectancy but Mulder held her gaze, stilled his hands on her lower back in a locked embrace that kept her from moving.
"No repercussions?" he whispered and she shivered at the sensation of his hot breath against her face. The sweet smell of the sauce from his dinner treated her to a glimpse of how he would taste.
"None we don't deserve."
He let her words sink in and it was as if an internal struggle began two voices speaking two minds all wanting to be heard all needing to be obeyed. But instead of listening to them he shut them down, listening at last to the faint whisper that rang throughout his body. A faint whisper of desire that he had always ignored or pushed away. At last its voice was being heard, its need was being fulfilled.
Her lips were warm and soft the lingering taste of her dinner clung to them threatening to pierce the sensation but in the end only made it seem more real. One hand moved up her back laying flat between her shoulder blades pressing her against him as he leaned forward against her breasts. Her lips parted with an audible sigh and he slipped his tongue into her waiting mouth. He was surprised at her eager greeting as if she was ready for him and more so when her hands left his neck and buried into his hair pulling his closer kissing him roughly.
Another kiss changing from the platonic caress he was almost expecting to one of raging desire he daren't hope for. His lungs burned with the need for more oxygen but he ignored it wanting instead to kiss her, to keep kissing her to kiss her where his fingers pressed into her back at the base of her spine and at the top of her shoulders and all the space in between. But finally they broke apart their breaths mingling in the warm night air as their eyes locked and challenged each other.
The silence between them threatened to ruin the moment, to push it past amazing into the awkward sense it almost deserved but Mulder fought to retain the wonder in the air.
"Scully." He stood up from the car taking her with him, holding her close against him. Music from the restaurant could be heard sifting through the air, the faint rhythm moving their bodies without volition. He lowered his head to the crook of her neck gently brushing his lips on the bared shoulder. "No repercussions?"
"No Mulder."
Her heart stopped. The fast erratic rhythm it had danced to the moment they left the restaurant suddenly stopped, catching her breath. A holiday fling? Was that what he wanted? Her mind reeled with the possibilities the questions piling up waiting to be addressed but swaying in his arms, the warm air caressing her skin along with his stroking fingers she wasn't ready. To throw it all away would be to loose what little of it she could have. She just needed to decide if it would be enough.