Weeks passed and we eased into a working relationship at work and a lovers delight once we'd clocked off. He often spent Saturday nights at mine and we'd make love into Sunday morning. A man who I had thought was potentially crap at dating, turned out to be not so bad at it in the slightest. I had always known he was playful, and that translated into our personal relationship. He brought out the playful side of me which had been hidden so deep under my scientific professional air for so long but it was a welcomed rediscovery.
Sitting in my kitchen in late November, the week before thanksgiving, my cell phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered, cleaning my gun on the table.
"Hey, it's me," His voice was warm. "What you doing tonight?"
"I don't know," I mused teasingly. "I was hoping some tall, dark man would enter my life with a passion and I could run away with him," I laughed and he scoffed dramatically.
"Well, tall, dark, man, I fit those descriptions. I'm cooking dinner tonight. At my place."
"For who?" I inquired in mock curiosity.
"For a beautiful red head," He murmurs seductively and I try not to giggle.
"Lucky lady," I smile. "Let me know how it goes."
"I will. In detail," he laughs and I giggle for real now. "About six?"
"I'm there," I promise and hang up.
I head into my bedroom and fling open the closet. What to wear? I have a new black dress that I am dying to wear but it seems a little too much for dinner at home. I select a midnight blue sweater and a pair of navy dressy slacks. The winter is starting to take hold and I've discovered pantyhose are problematic when you're in the throes of passion. You cannot whip them off without laddering them to within an inch of their existence.
Changing, I blow dry my hair and leave my apartment before turning back. Am I staying the night? I. Quickly head back to my room and pack a spare set of panties and my toothbrush and hair brush, just in case. I always have deodorant in my bag and if I'm not staying, it won't be obvious I wanted to.
Then I smack my head in idiocy. There is always an overnight bag in my car. Emptying the extras back into their relevant places, I hurry out and drive over to Mulder's apartment.
My cell phone rings as I wait in traffic, the rain soaked side walk glittering beneath the street lights. The sky has been overcast all day and the rain streaks across my windshield. My phone rings on the passenger seat.
"Scully?" I answer, waiting at a stop light.
"Hey, Dana. Its mom. Are you busy?"
"I'm, er, going over to a friend's. You OK?"
"Just wondering what time you'll be here on Thursday?" I frown in confusion before she adds, "Thanksgiving."
"Ah, yes," I nod to myself. Of course it's thanksgiving this week.
"About three?" I suggest, knowing she'll try get me there earlier.
"Let's say two," She smiles, knowing my ways too well. "Are you bringing anyone?"
"Erm, no," I wonder why she's asking this. "Why?"
"I just live in hope," She sighs and we say goodbye. I wonder then, what Mulder will be doing on Thursday. Seeing his mom I should imagine.
Locking my car, I head into the building and up to his fourth floor apartment. The bottle of wine in my hand is cold and I shiver with temperature and anticipation.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Opening the oven door, I check on the baked potatoes. They're almost done and the chicken in white wine sauce is resting on the counter as the vegetables steam. I have cleaned the place up a bit, although the kitchen looks like a tornado ripped through it. The rain falls down the windows in rivulets and I hear the knock at the door.
Checking everything looks decent, I head to the door and there she is. Small, red hair slightly frizzed from the rain, eyes sparkling with joy and a bottle of white wine in her hand.
"Hey," she smiles and I take in her outfit.
"You look great," I kiss her squarely on the mouth and she steps in handing me the bottle.
"Smells good," She walks beside me as we head into the kitchen. "Wow! You had a clean up." Her impressed look is worth the morning scrubbing and tidying. I put the wine in a ice bucket and retrieve the one I had already stowed in there.
"Wine?" I offer, pulling out a chair at the newly erected table in the kitchen area. She nods and I pour a glass of chilled wine for her. Heading back to the stove, I turn off the vegetables and begin to plate up the food.
"You've certainly been busy," She notes, looking so relaxed in her chair. The glow about her is new and I realise it's the openness we are both sharing now in this relationship.
"I have," I say carrying the plates to the table. A small bunch of roses are next to the wine and I offer out my glass for a toast.
"To us?" I inquire and the beaming smile on her face sends my stomach into a happy rollercoaster.
"To us," She clinks her glass against mine. We eat in silence for a few moments before she compliments the food.
"I'm glad you like it," I take a sip of wine and lean back in my chair. "Did you catch the game earlier?"
"Yeah, we were robbed," She looks down at her plate. "And what was the deal with they're hitter?" I nod, finishing my mouthful.
"He's up against it. They're threatening action," I reply. Baseball is the one sport she and I share. Although, I'm probably slightly more obsessed than she is.
"I was also reading about this new therapy they are trying on athletes to make them more efficient with energy," She wipes her mouth as we both finish dinner. "It's fascinating. They're isolating genes that seem to enable people to have stronger, longer stints of energy. And using something called Reiki, pushing for the athletes to find their optimum performance."
"Reiki's a chakra healing therapy," I say, dealing into my ever ending mind bank of information.
"Yes, it originates in Japan, where they believed that by using symbols a healer gives the patient the ability to heal themselves, via the therapist, right?"
"Well, the modern idea of Reiki certainly seems to originate there. But the practice of healing in this way can be found in many ancient cultures. Persia have a similar healing technique known as pranah. Whilst in pagan belief systems the use of the hands is often symbolised as a healing entity. But science meets holistic therapy, impressive."
"I thought so," She gets up with her plate.
"Leave it," I take it from her and head to the sink.
"I'll dry," She offers and grabs the clean tea towel from the counter. I watch her through the reflection of the window as we wash and dry the dishes. It's a comfortable, companionable quiet before she grins playfully.
"So who did you pay to clean the apartment?"
"I will have you know, Miss Scully, I slogged away cleaning this pit all day, just for you," I kiss her nose and she laughs, ducking down to pick up her towel. I lay the last dish on the drainer and begin to wipe down the counter tops.
"See, Mulder," She turns to me, mischief on her face. "You can do it."
"I can! Doesn't mean it's my biggest desire. I would have had mom down to do it but she was busy." The roll of the eyes, which I knew was coming delighted me.
"I'm worth it," She quirks an eyebrow and I shrug dismissively to which she throws the sodden tea towel at me.
"Oh, it's like that, is it?" I fling the wet dish cloth in her direction and she giggles and ducks before it hits her.
"Your aim is as pitiful with a dish cloth as with your gun," She laughs and squirms out of reach as I aim to grab her.
"I just like to make you feel better about being so short you can't hit tall things," I mock and she glares at me, flinging a cushion from the sofa which I promptly catch.
"Nice catch," She jumps onto the sofa as I fling the cushion back in her direction but it makes landing on her stomach.
"Ow," She grabs her stomach and I rush to her side, feeling the weight of guilt fall on my shoulders.
"Scully, I'm sorry, you ok?" And as I reach down to check her she hits me over the head with the cushion, laughing at her deception.
"You little minx," I enfold her into one arm and tickle her relentlessly with the other. She wriggles and laughs delightedly which is the biggest turn on. Our eyes meet as I pause and the kiss and passion that follows is hot.
Laying her down on my clean bed, kissing her deeply, feeling her respond gratifyingly to every touch, I hear the phone ring and for the first time in my working life, ignore it.
"You wanna get that?" She breaths shallowly as I kiss her neck.
"No!" I growl into the softness of her. She reaches for my belt and I trail my hands down her breasts and stomach. Clothes are so problematic when you don't want to interrupt the connection with your lover, but soon we were hot naked and exploring again.
Reaching over to the night stand, and pulling out a condom, I realise I better buy some more soon. I've not had to do that for a while. She takes it from me and carefully, seductively rolls it into position.
Gazing into her eyes, the fire of passion lit there, I kiss her lips tenderly as I enter her with the precision and familiarity we have come to enjoy. And it was familiar but never mundane. We just fit!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I stand at the sink, drinking from a glass of water as the thunder rumbles outside. I'm wearing one of Mulder's T-shirts but I shiver as the temperature has dropped. The clock on the microwave says it is three aM. My legs are aching happily with the love making. My core felt liquid with the satisfaction. I'd left him in bed, a peaceful smile on his handsome face. A knock resounds through the apartment. Putting down my glass, I head to the door and slip the chain into place.
"Who is it?" I call out. No good comes from three aM knocks at the door.
"Diana Fowley," a familiar voice deadpans on the other side of the door. I slip the chain off and open it to her. She stares at me, looking me up and down and I realise she is shocked to find me there.
"Agent Scully?" she asks, a moment of dismay on her face. She's dressed in a mini red dress and knee length black boots.
"Night out?" I ask bitterly. This woman had almost come between me and Mulder both professionally and personally less than six months before. She and Mulder's half brother had taken over the X-files before Jeffrey realised that we were the only agents to succeed with the x-files. I didn't trust her and liked her even less.
"Yes," I smile the sweetest smile I can muster.
"Working late?" She acidly responds. My smile gets deeper.
"Well, you should know," I cast a disparaging look at her outfit. "Can I help you? It's just, I really need to get back to bed. It's kind of cold tonight and I wouldn't want to leave him to get too chilly."
"I need to speak to him," She glares at me and I shrug.
"So call him, Monday at the office," I start to close the door.
"You think you have it all now, don't you? But the one thing you will never have, is his heart," She sneers and I feel the insecurity rear its ugly head. Is she right about that?
"Why is that, Diana?" He's behind me and reaches a hand to touch my arm.
"Fox," She gives him her most winning smile but I glance to him and he's glaring at her.
"You better come in," He reluctantly steps back into the apartment and I follow, allowing her to follow me.
"Dana," He smiles quietly and hands me a robe to wrap around myself. I take it gratefully as I sit on the couch and he joins me as she stands opposite us.
"What do you want, Diana?" His tone is cold and I know he's not quite forgiven her for all that she's done. For the allegiance to his biological father.
"Can we speak privately?" She casts a scathing look to me.
"Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Scully. She's my partner."
"This is personal, not work related," She begins but he makes a slashing movement with his hand.
"Same applies," He is firm and my heart leaps.
"So you're not just fucking her?" The venom is stinging but he stands angrily.
"It's none of your business!" He rages and she steps back.
"I still love you," her voice is pitiful and if she was a nicer person and not a scheming snake, I might have felt a twinge of pity for her.
"And I don't love you, Diana. I told you months ago we cannot be anything to each other. And you went behind my back. Not to mention, I ." He trails off and glances over at me with fire in those hazel eyes. I shudder under his gaze and my heart skips a bit. As a medical doctor, I know that is an overreaction but as a woman falling deeply in love, it felt so real to see in his eyes reflected back my own feelings. He turns back to her, waving a hand dismissively and clears his throat. "Now, please, get out!" She looks like tears may come and she turns to me, hurt in her eyes. She, like I realised what he was about to say and the anger, hurt and despair on her face clouds her prettiness.
"If you think you can change him, make him into something he's not, you are sorely mistaken."
"Why would I want to change him?" I ask flatly and she shrugs.
"You will!" She promises and storms out of the apartment. He goes to lock the door and retreats to the bedroom. I sit on the couch for a few moments, reeling from this incident and head back into his bedroom, where he is sitting, still clad in his PJ bottoms, head in his hands.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that," He says through his fingers.
"Don't apologise," I sit beside him and take his hand. I know why he's feeling embarrassed. He almost let his walls down completely and although Mulder is usually good at expressing himself, blurting out his love for me in a moment of anger would definitely not have sat right with him. We'd not shared too much about how we felt yet. I rest my head on his shoulder and kiss his neck gently. "Mulder?"
"Yeah," He sighs, sounding so depressed.
I want to ease this for him but I know Mulder. He wouldn't want to be backed into a corner to express his heart's feelings.
"Come back to bed," I increase the pressure of my lips on his neck and the animalistic lust in his groan spurs my prediction to new extremes.
Quietly, in the middle of the darkened bedroom, after his ex tried to come between us once again, he and I reconnect physically and wordlessly in love.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Watching her peaceful face lay on the pillow beside me, the sun slanting through the blinds and highlighting her red hair to make it glow, feeling the warmth of her beside me, I never want to leave the cocoon of my bed. She stretches and murmurs as she stirs.
"Morning," I whisper into the stillness of my bedroom and she pops open an eye to greet me. Leaning on an elbow, I bend to kiss her tenderly.
"Morning," She smiles happily at me whilst rolling onto her back.
"Breakfast?" I ask as she rolls onto her side toward me.
"Yes, please," She runs her hands down my chest and I feel the hardness stirring. She feels it to and the smile of delight tells me this is what she wants.
Our love making is thorough and by ten AM, I can hear her stomach rumble as she lays across my chest, panting after round two.
"Will this ever end?" She asks hoarsely. I stroke her hair and chuckle.
"I hope not," kissing her and lifting her gently, I sit up. She's collapsed onto the pillows and I touch her cheek with a finger.
"I love you," I murmur and she opens her eyes and we share a glance. The emotions that flit across her face are of joy, relief and pride. My heart slams into my ribs as she takes a breath and I get ready for the rejection.
"I love you, to," She sits up and wraps her arms around my neck, her breasts resting against my back. "I never thought I could be in a position to say that to you. But now, I can, it feels like the answer I didn't know I was asking the question to."
"I hear you," I turn and kiss each soft breast. "Bagel?" I ask and she nods, releasing me.
"Oh, Mulder," She lays back on the pile of pillows, breasts exposed deliciously to the morning air, sweat gleaming in the valley between.
"Hmm?" I turn back from the door.
"What happened to the water bed?" She looks mischievously at me and I grimace.
"I don't even know where that came from and it was crap and leaked all over the damn place."
"Well, I like this bed," She stretches langurously under the blue comforter. I tear myself away from her and head into the bathroom.
Heading into the kitchen, I relish at the feel of her lingering all over me. Her kisses, her womanhood. I sigh contentedly. My heart swells with love for her. Not only did she not push the issue last night when I'd almost blurted out my feelings in front of Dianna, she comforted me in her Scully way and we still arrived at that wonderful path of no return. Scully loved me and she knows I love her now to.
The sun is streaming through the windows and it reflects how my heart is feeling. Setting up the coffee machine, I hear her leave the bathroom and emerge into the kitchen.
"I'm going to my car to grab my bag," She smiles, dressed in the clothes from last night. I nod and she picks up my keys and heads out.
The phone rings then and I see it's my mom calling.
"Hi, Mom. You OK?"
"How did you know It was me?" She always asks this question, despite me telling her time and time again the phone tells me.
"I saw your name come up, mom. You okay?"
"Yes, fox. I was wondering what time you could be here for on Thursday?"
"Two, three?" I ask, knowing I am expected at her place earlier than that.
"Eleven. Then you can watch the games," She tells me and I nod with acquiesce. Scully returns and smiles, pointing toward the bathroom and I nod. She's going to take a shower.
"Okay, mom. Eleven," I agree. "Do you need me to bring anything?"
"No, that's alright," she tells me and asks how my week has been. I'm distracted though, hearing the shower and knowing my beautiful, sexy partner is now naked in my shower.
"Mom, I'll call you Wednesday to confirm everything. I have to go, speak soon!" I don't let her finish before hanging up and heading toward the bathroom.
"Scully?" I call out and she responds with a thoughtful, "Mmmm?"
"Do you need anything?" I ask seductively feeling my manhood come more alive than it's been in years.
"Actually. I forgot my shampoo. Do you have any?" I can hear the smile in her voice and push open the door. The steam temporarily screens her from view but once the door is shut behind me, the steam settles and I see her leaning against the back of the shower, legs slightly splayed and hands rubbing a fruity shower gel gently around her breasts.
"Oh," I mock shock and she grins at me.
"This okay?" I hold up a bottle and she nods, moving her hands down her body with more sexual tension than a football team deprived of female company for six years.
"Do you need a hand?" I ask, cocking a smile at her.
"I think so," She breathes headily and I lose my PJs and open the shower door, taking the shampoo bottle with me.
Taking the shower gel from her and opening the shampoo, I pool some into my hand and rub it gently over her hair. She moans quietly but the sound of it rings in my ears and within my loins.
"Don't do that!" I admonish and she giggles, knowing the effect it is having on me.
"It feels so good," She whispers sexily. Putting down the shampoo bottle and rinsing my hands, I open the shoer gel and begin rubbing some on each of us.
Running my hands down her chest, stomach, I find the way to her secret spot and feel the wetness as though she has an internal shower spraying out liquid.
"Oh, Dana!" I moan into her now wet hair. Turning her toward me, I lift her and she wraps her legs around my waist and her core around my manhood. We both start to move in unison and before I know what's happening, we're on the floor of the shower, panting like we'd just ran a marathon.
"You are going to be the death of me," I pant, feeling the spray cooling above us.
"We've got a lot of time to make up for," She points out and stands up. "I believe I was promised a bagel?" I nod and heave to my feet.
Switching the shower off, I kiss her swollen lips that glisten with the water from our shared experience and step out, handing her a towel and grabbing one from the cupboard for me.
We head into my room and dry and change companionably.
"Mulder?" Her look is thoughtful as she turns her blue eyes on me. "You realise we didn't use a condom, right? I mean, I know I can't have children and I have been checked over from women's health in recent years, but…" I know she can't directly ask me and I smile and nod.
"Periodically get checked. But in truth, it's been a while since I have entertained a woman. Certainly been checked since then." She nods and opens the drawer where the condoms are kept.
"Well, I'd say don't worry about replenishing your stock, then," Her smile is pure gold and I nod. No man in his ever feeling body wants to adorn a jacket when exploring but he does it for protection against disease and unwanted pregnancy. Seen as the latter was a moot point and we've both been responsible sexual partners, I can't help but feeling a slight relief. I instantly slap my mental mind as my selfish manly pleasures come at the cost of her bearing children.
We eat breakfast in the sunny kitchen and decide to watch the baseball on TV. She's snuggled into my side, my arm around her shoulders and her head resting on my chest.
"You OK after last night?" I know I need to ask and she turns her pale, porcelain face toward me.
"Me? I'm fine. You?" I know she must have wondered.
"I didn't sleep with her. She wanted to but I was feeling so messed up. My heart was with you but my history kept drawing me to her. I know I didn't apologise enough for turning away from you, Scully. I have to say how sorry I am for it now."
"Does she show up often dressed like that at three aM?" She asks a perfectly reasonable question, her eyes flashing dangerously though.
"That must be the third time she has done it. She's stepped foot in once and was quickly told to leave. She betrayed me. She betrayed the X-files." She nods and snuggles in again.
"Mulder, I don't want to change you. Although, flitting off to the four corners of the country on a weekend when we're supposed to be not working may have to be addressed."
"If I get to spend my Sunday mornings like this every week, I may be able to get on board with that plan, Agent Scully." She laughs sweetly and I wrap my arms around her tightly, kissing her silky locks.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I leave Mulder's apartment around three as I am meeting my friend Jess, who I trained with at medical school for dinner. Mulder's off to partake in some poker and pizza with the lone gunmen instead of their usual Saturday plans.
Stepping foot into my apartment, I realise how bereft I feel alone inside these perfectly clean and tidy walls. He's chaos! And I should stay clear of him but my heart has so long needed him and maybe my logical mind has warranted a little chaos to.
Changing into a calf length skirt and a scoop neck sweater, I gather my things and prepare to head to downtown DC to meet Jess. She's a gynaecologist and runs a small surgery Sunday until two. My dash clock reads four fifty eight as I insert my keys into the ignition and pull out into the already darkened evening.
Jess is already at the Italian restaurant we have selected to meet at. She's tall, heavy set with beautiful raven coloured hair. Her eyes always reminded me of brass coins, that golden metallic shine with an intelligence always lighting up her soft features.
"Dana! So good to see you!" she stands and pulls me in for a big hug. I don't have many girlfriends and work prevents a lot of meetings like this but somehow, Jess has popped up from time to time.
"I'm good. How are you?" I smile, taking my seat… feeling a genuine glow of joy to be in this lady's company again.
"I'm well! Busy with work. Still have no life. You?"
"Shall we order some drinks? Iced tea?" I know how much she loves iced tea. We drank copious amounts during med school. She quirks an eyebrow at me, knowing me too well.
"You've got news," She grins pixie-like at me. I shrug noncommittally but we order some iced tea and make small conversation over the menu before the tall, dark, olive skinned waiter returns to take our food order.
"So!" Jess draws away from the small talk and setting her glass down, clasps her strong hands that I know have delivered countless children into the world and stares at me expectantly. "Who is he?"
"What?" I feel the blush and cover my face reflexively but she shakes her head.
"It's written all over you're not so innocent face. You're getting some and I need to know details. Age, sex on a rating from one to ten and location of meeting. Go!" She flicks her hand at me like a director starting a scene on a movie set. I want to giggle like a love struck teen but I clear my throat and smile quietly. The thought of him, over me, inside of me, I can't help but grin like the Cheshire cat. His scent is still strong on me and I take comfort in that.
"Well," I take a deep breath. "I met him at work. He's just over three years older than me and the rating has to be ten. I've never had a man who gets me sexually like he does."
"Dana Scully. You lucky bitch!" she looks at me with pure excitement in her face. "What does your work partner think? Isn't he rather protective?"
"Erm, well," I begin, remembering my insistence over the years that there could never be something between me and Mulder.
"Oh, my God!" She utters every word with emphasis. "It is your work partner. I have to meet him! You fell for the conspiracy theorist?"
"I guess I did," I accept my plate of linguini as the waiter returns. "He's been through so much with me. And I know he cares. I know he loves me. And unlike every man before me, he doesn't try to control me or make decisions for me. Yet he's masterful and sexy and so passionate."
"You're in love?" She smiles warmth emanating from those eyes of liquid gold. "I'm pleased for you. I know he has somewhat of a reputation for being a little unorthodox but if he treats you good, I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you," I smile with pride in my heart. Jess is the only one who really knows our secret. The lone Gun Men certainly suspect but I don't think Mulder has confirmed nor denied. Although he may choose to tell them tonight.
We chat for a good two hours over pasta and dessert before leaving together and heading toward the parking garage.
"You should come over some time," I nod at her as I open my car and she agrees.
"Dana, being in love suits you," I laugh feeling rather feminine. So opposite to most of what I feel on a day to day. Jess knows how it is. You work in a predominantly male environment and you somehow lose your femininity.
Driving home, I mentally make a list of things I need to do. Some laundry is overdue and the kitchen certainly needs a little tidy. I have a report to write for a medical journal which I've been planning to do tonight. I decide I will put on the laundry and sit down with my computer and get acquainted with the notes I have already made.
Walking toward my door, I sigh, ready for a normal Sunday evening. Inserting the key into the lock, I open the door and am greeted with a huge spray of flowers on the table as I walk in. Closing the door quietly, I pick up the card that simply says"
"Hope these make you smile as much as I am doing right now. X". It is his handwriting.
"Mulder?" I call but he's not here. I suspect he dropped them before heading out with the guys.
My eyes are tired from the four hours I've spent at the computer. I hear a quiet nock at the door and standing, stretching, I hope it's the wrong pizza delivery for a neighbour. Looking through the peep hole, a tall, familiar figure stands there, looking a little squiffy.
"Mulder. What are you doing?" I open the door and keep my voice quiet.
"I had to see you! I had to know you were OK!" His goofy smile which would have irritated me normally at this late hour makes me laugh.
"Come on," I grab his arm and pull him inside.
"You got them!" he sways dangerously toward my vase and I intercept him and pull him to lie on the couch.
"I'll get some coffee," I tell him as he drunkenly beams up at me.
"I'm sorry," he calls as the machine brews. "I shouldn't have shown up in this state. I missed you!"
"Oh, Mulder," I sigh knowing that this would normally irritate me and probably would years down the line to but the initial honeymoon period of relationships always allows for misdemeanours.
Handing him the coffee, I sit beside him as he drinks. His green eyes are glossy with intoxication but I feel almost drunk on the looks he's giving me. I know he'll be asleep within moments.
"I shouldn't have let frohike talk me into doing shots," he confesses and I laugh.
"No, you probably shouldn't," I agree. But he's asleep and I rescue the cup from spilling the remainder of its contents onto my cream couch. He slumps and I grab a throw and head to my bedroom. It's one AM and I will be awake for work in less than six hours.
Undressing in the dark, I feel almost giddy inside. He wanted to be here tonight. He wanted to be with me.
Slipping beneath my quilt in my blue silk pyjamas, I fall into a restful sleep.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
My mouth feels like a desert has taken up residence there. It's dry and my lips are cracked. My head spins and pounds as I lift it from the rock hard pillow under my head. I creep open my eyes and see I'm not in my apartment, a clean, tidy and pure place springs into view. The darkened world outside reflected back through the windows. I'm here. And I don't know how I got here. A blanket lies over me, so she knows I'm here. I can make out the shadows of petals and stalks on the side table and smile. I'd wanted her to find them when she got home. What the hell had I done? Had I been intrusive? Did she hate I'd come here drunk? I rarely drink but when I do it is not pretty.
Standing up, still in t-shirt and jeans, although my shoes are neatly under the coffee table, I head to the bathroom and relieve myself before taking a few gulps from the tap. I can see frost forming on the window outside.
"Mulder?" Her voice is quiet but concerned. I turn and she's standing, hair mussed from sleep, eyes dark with fatigue. My heart skips.
"I'm sorry!" I stand rigid, unsure of my reception. There's still so much newness to this between us.
"Come on. Come to bed!" She smiles sweetly and the knot in my chest loosens. I step into her bedroom as she's climbing beneath the quilt. I step toward the other side and slip in beside her, wrapping her in my arms.
"I'm sorry for showing up drunk," I kiss her hair and she sighs contentedly in my arms.
"Don't make a habit of it," The smile in her voice tells me we're okay.
"I won't," I kiss her again and we fall into a peaceful slumber.
Waking up in the dimly lit room at seven fifteen, she is still deep in sleep in my arms. This must be what perfect feels like, I think to myself. Kissing her gently on the cheek, I gently manoeuvre my arm from beneath her and head to the bathroom to dress. I need to head home and change.
"Where you going?" She's standing in the bedroom doorway, stretching and brushing her red hair from her eyes as I leave the bathroom.
"I need to go and get changed," I say, walking to her and kissing her tender lips.
"Give me twenty minutes and I'll dress and drive you and make some breakfast before we head in," Her eyes are so beautiful.
"You sure?" I kiss her again and she nods against my chest. I want her again but time is of the essence and a new work week begins.
The day is clear and barely above freezing as we drive to my apartment.
"I told the guys," I tell her as we wait in morning traffic.
"I told Jess, to," She smiles across at me. "I'm guessing the guys weren't surprised?"
"No," I chuckle, watching the low sun illuminate her perfect face. "Frohike cheered and insisted on shots to celebrate." She laughs and presses her foot to the gas as traffic begins to move.
"I still think we keep this quiet," She says gently, hesitation in her voice. "Especially around work."
"I agree," I touch her arm affectionately. "I just know I need you, Dana." She sighs happily and smiles.
"I need you, to," and she parks and we head into my apartment.
The hot spray from the shower eases the aches from my hangover. I can smell eggs cooking and am grateful I'm not at the throwing up stage.
Dressing in a blue shirt, white and blue tie, dark blue trousers and combing my hair, I feel a little more human. Grabbing my suit jacket, I head into the kitchen where she's plating up eggs with hash browns.
"Where did you get those?" I ask, pointing to the hash-browns and taking my plate from her as we sit at the kitchen table.
"I brought them with me," She picks up her fork. "Skinner called while you were in the shower. He wants to see us at ten aM in his office."
Forking some fluffy eggs into my mouth and sighing contentedly, I raise my eyebrows at this news.
"Why didn't he call me?" I ask, looking down at my cellphone.
"I don't know," She says sipping her second cup of coffee. "He probably went looking for you. We're both usually in the office by now." I nod and grin at her.
"Maybe someone shouldn't get drunk on a school night," She laughs and touches my leg with her stocking foot.
"Don't do that," I admonish playfully. "Otherwise, we may never make it into work today."
"Promises, promises," She flirts and I reach over and kiss her thoroughly.
She leaves a few minutes before me so we don't arrive at the exact same time. I cannot believe how intoxicating it is to be in this new thing with her. I'm still smiling happily when I join her and Skinner in his office at ten AM.
"Mulder, where have you been?"
"I overslept sir," I lie easily. He shrugs and pushes a file across the desk at me.
"West Texas. A series of murders at a military base. No apparent external wounds but all showing internal injuries that should have an external cause."
"Bullet wounds with no entry or exit wound," Scully is looking at the autopsy reports. "Heightened heat effect, as though burned but no dermis damage."
"I've booked you both on a flight to Texas for two PM. I cannot impress upon you both how we need this resolving."
"Well, of course," I look at him and then back at the victims. My mind quickly flies into action and I see the pattern. "The deaths keep moving up the ranks." Skinner nods and Scully and I head out of the office and ready ourselves for the next case.
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