Title: Every
Step of the Way (2/?)
Author: Deia
Category: V, post-ep, M/S UST (for now)
Rating: PG
Feedback:
Distribution: go ahead, just let me know
Spoilers: The Unnatural
Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money of it
Summary: The changes in M&S relationship following
the events of The Unnatural
Author's
Note: This is the first part on a serie of
vignettes and takes place right after the end scene
of The Unnatural
Thanks to
Sallie for being a wonderful and supportive
friend and beta.
Dedication:
This one is for Kimbly. A belated birthday
present for someone I'm very proud to call my friend.
Love ya, sweetie.
Every Step of the Way
Part 2: A Surprise for Dinner
Mulder was
nervous.
As he walked into their office, the first thing he
noticed was the look on Scully's face. They had been
going out on dates - although they called them
"birthday celebrations" - for 2 months now. He was
certain they were, for once, on the same page, but he
still felt like a teenager every time the thought of
actually making love to his partner invaded his
conscious thought. Not that he hadn't fantasized about
it for more years than he cared to count. God knew he
had played it out in his mind a thousand times, yet
the reality of it was another thing all together.
The tension
had been building steadily between them,
and Mulder knew sooner or later that last step would
be taken. He just didn't know it would come so
quickly once they started down that path with
certainty, or that he would feel this shaken. There
was no mistaking what Scully's body language was
telling him as she gazed blankly at the wall. Her
finger caressing the card he'd given her, lips parted,
eyes darkened, skin slightly flushed; it was almost
more than he could bear at that moment. Mulder thought
of leaving the office before he did something stupid,
but when he moved to walk away, her eyes found his and
he felt his pulse increase. He knew without a doubt
what she was thinking.
"Scully, what do you like best? Italian or Japanese
food?"
"I don't know, Mulder. I like them both."
"But you must have a favorite."
Scully thought about it for a few moments. Mulder
could almost hear her weighing the pros and cons of
each one, trying to come to a conclusion. Such a
simple question, but Scully was a methodical person;
she wouldn't just pick one for the sake of it. She
would analyze her options and come up with the most
accurate answer.
"It'd be Italian, then. Why do you ask?"
"A friend
of mine is having a birthday, and I was
wondering if I should take her to an Italian restaurant
or Japanese restaurant. Thank you, Scully, you were a
big help." Mulder grinned at her and went back to his
work, but not before seeing the astonished expression
on his partner's face. This was going to be fun.
Ever since last Saturday, when Mulder gave Scully
baseball lessons and ice cream for her 'birthday,' he
couldn't get the memory of the way her body felt
pressed against his, out of his mind. He went over the
whole night in his mind more times than he could
count, and something Scully said had given him this
crazy idea.
Mulder wasn't brave enough to ask Scully out, not
without an excuse. Even though he saw in her eyes that
she had seen through his ruse on the baseball field
for what it really was - a chance for them to walk
this final path, to bring them together in every
aspect - he was still an insecure man, and it would be
better if they both had an 'out' if it was necessary.
Close to 5 p.m. Mulder gathered his things and looked
at her. "Scully, I need to leave a little early today.
Do you plan on staying much longer?"
"No,
I'll just finish this last report and go home
too."
"Can I ask you a huge favor, then?"
Scully looked annoyed. Of course, he would be annoyed
too if she asked him to do something for her, while
she was out with someone else. Even more so since
last Saturday, but he'd make it up to her later.
"What is it?"
"I'm expecting a phone call tonight from an informant,
but as I said, I'm going out with a friend, and I
thought maybe you could catch this one for me. He
knows you're my partner and can be trusted, so it
wouldn't be a problem for you to talk to him."
Now she was really pissed. He thought of telling her
the truth, but decided to stick to his plan.
"Sure, Mulder," Scully said curtly. "You want me to go
to your apartment to wait all night for some
'informant' to call you, while you are having dinner
with your 'friend.' No problem, I can do that." Yeah,
she was pissed all right.
"I'll be leaving home at 7 p.m. do you think you can
be there before that?"
If it was at all possible, Scully looked even angrier
than before. "Of course, Mulder," she said sweetly,
"As soon as I leave here I'll go directly to your
place. Don't worry; you won't have to change your
plans."
"Thanks, Scully." He put his best grateful face for
her and she nodded. "See you later, then." She only
grunted.
An hour and a half later a very irritated Scully
walked through his door. He was wearing one of his
best suits, and even his tie was tastefully chosen.
When she looked up at him at last, he could see the
hurt in her eyes, and he almost gave up on his act.
She looked away and put her things on his coffee
table.
"Are you leaving now?" She tried to sound casual, but
he could hear the sadness in her voice.
"In a few minutes."
"Okay, I'll be working on some reports while I'm here.
Do you have any idea what time you'll be back?"
"Not really. Look, I'm sorry to be imposing on you
like this. I really appreciate what you're doing for
me."
Scully gave him a weak smile, and turned to set up her
laptop. He looked at her once more. "Make yourself at
home, Scully. If you're not here when I come back,
I'll call you tomorrow."
"All
right, have fun."
As soon as Mulder left his place, he called the
Gunmen.
"Lone Gunmen." Frohike answered at the first ring.
"It's me. I just left my place and she's there. Call
her in half an hour. Do you have the address of the restaurant?"
"You already asked me a thousand times, Mulder. Don't
worry."
"I'm not worried."
Frohike snorted. "Of course not."
"I'm not... Forget it. Call me if anything goes
wrong."
"All right. Mulder?" He knew as soon as he asked
Frohike to help him that sooner or later he'd use that
serious tone on him.
"Before you say anything, I won't hurt her."
"I believe you, really I do. I don't want either of
you to get hurt, and I believe that you're doing the
right thing."
"But..." Mulder prompted when the silence stretched.
"No 'buts,' just be careful. Your enemies won't
restrain themselves from playing with your minds when
they know that your relationship has changed."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Diana."
He went silent. This issue was still a sore one for
Mulder, and he didn't want to go there tonight. He
sighed. "I really have to go now, but thanks for
everything."
"You're welcome. Just send me a full report on this
date and we're even." The change in his friend's voice
lifted Mulder's spirit again, but brought back the
anxiety he was feeling about this whole charade.
"Dream on, Frohike."
"Exactly what I was planning to do."
Mulder hung
up and headed for the restaurant. It
wasn't very far from his place, so Scully should be
able to get there shortly after Frohike called her. If
he could only calm down in the meantime...
When Scully
walked into the place 45 minutes later,
Mulder could hardly keep his breathing even. He saw
her talking to the host and the man indicating to her
where the table she wanted was.
As Scully walked between the tables, she looked around
trying to find the 'informant' she was supposed to
meet. Mulder's eyes were fixed on her when she finally
spotted him. She approached his table cautiously and
asked, "Mulder, what's going on here?"
"Happy birthday, Scully," he said with his most
charming grin.
She went very still. Mulder thought she might run
away. Scully took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Did you...? I... Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to surprise you. Sit down, Scully. Everybody
is looking at us," he said playfully, trying to break
the tension between them.
Scully looked around, but he knew she wasn't seeing
anyone. She sat in the chair across from his, still
baffled. "Mulder, you're crazy."
"Of course I am, but you still like me . Don't you?"
he added somewhat uneasily.
Her eyes softened and she gave him a shy smile.
"Are you hungry? I've never been to this place before,
but I heard it's pretty good."
After they ordered, Mulder took her hand. "You're not
mad, are you?"
"No, but I should be. If you told me we were going out
to dinner, I'd have prepared myself." Scully made a
gesture at her clothes.
"What would be the fun of that?" Mulder squeezed her
hand. "You don't have to worry about it anyway, you're beautiful,
Scully."
She blushed and looked away. "Thank you," she
whispered and then cleared her throat. "The person
that called me, it was one of the Gunmen, wasn't it?"
Mulder smiled at her. "Frohike."
"Oh God, he's not going to leave this alone, is he?"
"I don't
think so, Scully. He wants a full report as
soon as I get home."
"Don't you dare."
"I wouldn't." He stroked Scully's hand with his thumb,
and was delighted to hear her contented sigh.
Good food,
good wine, his favorite company; Mulder
didn't think his night could get any better than that.
They chatted the whole time, sharing stories about
everything. Their hands had a conversation of their
own, full of promises and assurances.
Way after midnight, Mulder brought Scully's hand to
his lips, and she looked at him. "Time to go?" she asked,
and he nodded.
They walked to their cars with their hands entwined.
When they reached Scully's, Mulder stopped and looked
down at her; he saw acceptance in her eyes and was
relieved. He wanted it all, and he was certain that
she wouldn't deny him if he made a move at her, but he
wanted to court her, to give her everything she
deserved. Scully knew it, and was letting him set the
pace. Trusting him to lead them where they both wanted
to go. If at all possible, he loved her even more at
that moment.
Scully must have seen it in his eyes, because the next
thing he knew, her lips were softly brushing his. His
eyes fluttered closed and before he could kiss her
back he felt her breath close to his ear. "Good night,
Mulder."
When Mulder opened his eyes Scully was already in her
car. He looked at her and was rewarded by the most
beautiful smile he had ever seen, and then she was
gone.
End of part 2
