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 MS relationship following the events of The Unnatural
Author's Note: This is the first part on a series of vignettes and takes place right after the end scene of The Unnatural
Thank you sweet Sallie for your never ending support friendship,
and for doing the beta on this story for me.
This story is dedicated to my dear friend Kimmie. Love you, honey.
Chapter 4: A Little Taste
When the laughter died, Mulder looked at Scully's bright eyes, and felt a huge wave of affection for his partner. They stayed that way for several moments, just looking at one another. Scully smiled at him then, and asked "What time?"
"The soonest you can make it."
"Eager, aren't we?"
"Very."
Even he could hear the huskiness in his voice. She looked a little disconcerted by his tone, but recovered quickly.
"Let's start working then. I don't want to make you wait."
They started on paperwork, but Mulder couldn't help but think that the next time he woke up with Scully in his arms, the circumstances would be quite different than the last.
7 weeks earlier
Mulder stirred, turned his face, and felt the sun hit his eyes. He
tried to move, but was pinned to the couch. His right arm was numb.
He looked down and saw Scully sleeping soundly, lying on his right
side. He sighed, and reached out with his left hand to stroke her
hair. She mumbled something, and snuggled closer to him. The
tenderness he felt in that instant was something he had never
experienced before. He smiled, and brought her closer to him, until
she was sprawled on his chest. When he could feel his right arm
again, he lightly rested it on the small of her back. That part of
her body he'd claimed as his from the beginning of their partnership.
Mulder's fingers fluttered on the spot, and he closed his eyes,
savoring that moment in his mind. He was grateful to have captured
it in his memory, to relive and cherish forever.
Knowing that things were about to change in the near future made it
that much more special. Mulder couldn't explain it, it just did. They
were living through a transition period in their relationship. They
were no longer just friends, but they weren't yet lovers. And as
ready as he was to take things to the next level, he also felt a
little nostalgic when he thought about changing the most significant
relationship of his life. They had such a beautiful friendship.
Mulder had lost count of the number of times he questioned whether
starting a romantic relationship with Scully was a wise thing. After
their little interlude in the baseball field though, he knew there
was no turning back. No matter how self-conscious or awkward they
might feel at first, he wanted, needed, Scully in his life in this
way. Ultimate happiness was so close now he could almost taste it.
Mulder held Scully in his arms for half an hour, before she woke up.
She started at first, but when she remembered what had happened the
night before, she relaxed again against his chest.
"Morning, Scully."
"Morning," she mumbled, not totally awake yet.
For the second time that day, he felt tenderness wash over him, and decided that the very best way to wake up was with Scully at his side.
"What time is it?"
"I don't know, I'm trapped here on this couch," he said in his best,
long-suffering voice.
Scully looked up, and made a move to leave the couch, but Mulder quickly put his arms around her.
"Hey, you're not going anywhere."
"I thought I was trapping you on the couch."
He smiled at her, "You are, but I like it."
She smiled back, and rested her head in the crook of his neck, "Do we have to get up?"
"No. We can stay here all day long."
"What about your lunch?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Yet."
"Well, we can think about that when it happens."
"All right."
They sat quietly for another ten minutes, just holding one another,
when Scully suddenly announced, "I hate to say it, but I really need
to get up."
He tightened his arms around her, and she laughed at him. She lifted her face to his, and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Come on, Mulder. Let me up."
"Only if I get another kiss."
She kissed him again, this time lingering for a few more seconds before pulling away. He grunted, and finally let go of her.
"I'll be right back, and then we're making lunch."
"Yes, ma'am"
Mulder looked at his watch, and saw that it was half past eleven already. He looked a little amazed, never expecting to have slept for so long.
Standing up, he walked to the kitchen to start coffee. By the time Scully joined him, it was almost ready.
"Humm...coffee. You read my mind."
"Well, I do know a thing or two about you, after six years."
She smiled at him, and went to the fridge to look for something to eat. "We'll have to wait two hours while the fish cooks, so I'll fix us something to eat now."
"Okay," Mulder said, handing her a mug. Scully made some toast, and Mulder was happy to see jelly, and butter on the table as well. He noticed though, that Scully only had yogurt.
"Is that all you're eating?"
"Let's not start this conversation again, Mulder." She rolled her eyes, but Mulder could see her lips tugging upwards.
"But you'll eat the fish, won't you?"
"Of course."
"What do you want to do while we wait?"
"I haven't thought of anything. You?"
He smiled at her, "Well, we could go run."
"Run?"
"Yeah, it's a beautiful day after all. It'll be fun."
"With these clothes?" She pointed to his jeans and turtleneck.
"I always carry a bag in my car, Scully. You should know that by now."
"Right. Go grab your bag then, while I change."
"Won't you wait for me?"
She just raised her eyebrow and turned toward her bedroom.
Mulder made quick work of bringing his things to Scully's apartment.
When he opened the door, she was already in the living room.
"That was fast."
"I knew you'd peek if I wasn't ready by the time you came back." The levity in her voice was so rare, it took him a few seconds to answer.
"You wound me, Scully."
She smiled at him, and pushed him toward the bathroom. "Go, and make it quick, or we won't have time to run at all."
"Yes, mom."
Fifteen minutes later, they were walking outside Scully's building.
It was indeed a beautiful day. When they started running, Mulder had
a bit of trouble adapting to his partner's stride, but managed after
a few minutes. They were silent the entire time, but it wasn't
uncomfortable. They'd share looks, and smiles, but no words-it felt
almost intimate.
They returned to Scully's apartment an hour later, feeling refreshed.
They still had half an hour till the fish was ready, so Scully took
a quick shower, followed by Mulder. By the time he left the bathroom,
Scully had the table set, and there was a delicious smelling fish
dinner waiting for him.
Mulder could see the anxiety in Scully's eyes, when he sat down to
eat. She was trying to be subtle, but he could feel her waiting,
studying his face. Of course, she'd be able to tell if he didn't
like the meal just by looking at him, and he could hardly believe
that she was reacting this way. Mulder couldn't remember the last
time he felt this kind of pressure over dinner.
Finally he took the first bite, and was relieved to discover that the salmon was as delicious as it smelled. He felt Scully relax instantly, and he relaxed as well. "It's really good, Scully. Maybe we should test all your mother's recipes."
"Only if we take turns cooking."
"I'll think about it."
After they finished, and cleaned the dishes, they went back to the living room. They sat together, and Scully leaned her head on Mulder's shoulder. "Tired?"
"A little."
"Why don't you take a nap. I'll catch one of the games on TV."
"All right."
A few minutes later, she was lightly snoring in his arms for the second time that day. Mulder found himself dividing his attention between baseball, and watching Scully sleep. He didn't have much time to enjoy himself, though, as Scully was awakened twenty minutes later by the ringing of her phone. She grudgingly stood to answer it.
"Hello... Oh hi, Mom."
Mulder smiled, he liked Mrs. Scully a lot.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I completely forgot. No, it's okay. I'll pick you up in..." She looked at her watch, "an hour."
Mulder felt his heart sink with what he knew was coming, but he
couldn't really complain. He'd spent most of his weekend with Scully,
after all. He shouldn't be so selfish, and he still really liked Mrs.
Scully, really, just not very much at the moment.
Scully turned to him with a remorseful look on her face. "I'm sorry,
Mulder. I made plans with my mother for this evening weeks ago, and
she's waiting for me."
"No need to apologize, Scully. You'd have to throw me out sooner or later."
"I don't want to throw you out."
She was so serious, that the smile on his face faded. He walked to her, and held her in his arms. "Maybe one day, you won't have to."
Looking up at him, Scully said, "Soon."
His heartbeat beat faster, and he leaned toward Scully in return.
"Soon." Their lips touched, and this time he lingered, enjoying the
feeling of their connection. Before he could indulge the urge to
deepen the kiss, he sucked lightly on her bottom lip, making her
whimper.
"See you tomorrow," Mulder whispered against her mouth. When he stepped back he saw the dazed look on her face, and knew that it probably matched his own. Turning around, he grabbed his bag, and left Scully's apartment, already planning their next date.
End of part 4
A.N. I know it's been awhile. I thought I had put this chapter up weeks ago. Chapter 5 is in beta process, so you'll have another update soon.