notes at end.
dedicated to Ani Abel because this chapter wouldn't've been out as fast without her. Keep pestering me and the chapters will come faster!
thanks everybody for the pleasantly long reviews! keep 'em coming!
Chapter Twenty
Fairfield High's Junior-Senior Prom came seven weeks later. That day, Andrea arrived at Dana's house with an exorbitant amount of cosmetics and hair supplies in addition to her dress and shoes. Excited, they spent the whole of the day primping. They were laughing excitedly when Mrs. Scully entered with a plate of brownies.
"Girls, you're going to have to save some of that fun for tonight or you'll sorely disappoint your dates when you're worn out at nine thirty," she playfully chided.
A little before seven that night the doorbell rang and the sounds of Mrs. Scully gushing over Garrett and Fox in their tuxedos followed moments later. Andrea and Dana peeked down the stairwell, hoping to catch glimpses of their dates squirming under Mrs. Scully's attentions.
"Are we ready to make our entrance?" Andrea asked.
"Are you sure I look all right in this?" Dana asked, unsure of the dress she borrowed from Missy's wardrobe.
"Of course I am! Let's go before my hair falls," Andrea encouraged.
Together the two girls descended the stairs. Andrea wore a red ankle length princess cut dress. Her curly hair was swept up and secured with a silk flower. Dana had on a tea-length dusty turquoise dress that had the ruffled V neckline and hem that was popular during that time. The dress was not exactly her color, and the neckline dipped a little low for Dana's comfort. Even so, both girls smiled as they met they eyes of their respective dates.
After dinner, the two couples walked into the Fairfield High Gymnasium.
"It looks like it was attacked by crepe paper," Mulder whispered to Scully. After a moment, he spoke again. "Oh come on Scully, I know I'm not that funny, but you could crack a smile," he teased.
She looked up at him and gave him a closed, hesitant smile as she pulled his hand into hers, holding it tight.
"Dana, don't be nervous; this is gonna be fun," Mulder assured her.
"Mulder, I can't dance," Scully meekly admitted, looking up from under her eyelashes. She wished she had voiced more, for that was the least of her worries.
"Well," he mused aloud, "you aren't going to learn standing around the punch bowl."
Both looked back at the refreshments table behind them to catch a guy spiking the punch. Winking, Mulder pulled Scully by her hand onto the makeshift dance floor. He picked up her right hand in his left and dropped her left hand to snake his arm around her waist, his hand resting on the middle of her back. Scully wrapped her arm around his arm and back so that her hand was resting on his shoulder, her fingers curling towards his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed as the Eagles' "Hotel California" wafted from the speakers. Together, they rocked back and forth as their feet traveled in a circle. When a faster love ballad came through the sound system, Mulder switched their rhythm by dropping his hand from her waist and pulling back. Smiling broadly, he raised his other arm (and Scully's with it), allowing her to spin. He pulled her back quickly, holding her closer than before. Faster they moved, and Mulder changed their footing.
"It's called a box step," Mulder explained as they moved. "And the rhythm is slow, quick, quick, slow. So you make a square with every four steps."
Scully looked down, watching their feet move together, the distance between them staying constant. When she raised her face, she found herself almost nose-to-nose with Mulder. He kissed the tip of her nose before resting his forehead against hers.
"I like these new heels; they make it easier to kiss you," he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Mine or yours?" she asked, smiling, to which he laughed.
"You really don't have any rhythm, do you, Fox?" a voice teasingly interrupted. Without realizing it, Mulder and Scully had slowed considerably as the song picked up pace.
"And you think you can do any better, Jeff?" Mulder replied.
Jeff raised his eyebrows and held out his hand to Scully, who graciously accepted, shyly waving to Mulder as Jeff led her toward the center of the dance floor. Though it was Jeff who had no sense of rhythm, both he and his dancing partner thoroughly enjoyed themselves. When the song ended, Jeff dramatically bowed and thanked Dana for the dance.
Mulder wandered over to where Dana now stood, this time carrying two glasses filled with the red punch. She tilted her head to the side, smiling and thanked him for the drink. "It's really warm in here, do you mind if we sit out this next dance?" she asked.
"Jeff didn't get you all hot, did he?" Mulder feigned jealousy, to which Scully batted her eyes innocently.
"I've got my eye on him," he whispered in her ear before leading her to one of the tables. After ten minutes, they returned to the dance floor where they danced for the next two hours. Scully had her turn with most of the guys from the basement group, and Mulder had graciously danced with the boy's dates in turn.
"Attention, Fairfield Upperclassmen," a voice came over the loud speaker. "It is time for the crowning of the Prom Court!" The students gathered around the stage, where the principal stood at the podium. A female faculty member whom Scully recognized but couldn't place her name stood onstage near the crowns and sashes.
"The Prince and Princess are members of the junior class, voted by their peers. The Prom King and Queen are both seniors, but both juniors and seniors elect them," the principal explained. "This year's Prince is…." He dragged out the pause before announcing, "Mr. Fox Mulder!"
Mulder looked shocked and suddenly hesitant. Scully cheered as she pushed him towards the stage, where the woman gave him a gaudy crown while everyone clapped.
"This year's Prom Princess is…" the principal flipped note cards, "Miss Acacia Robbins!"
Scully dropped her hands as she felt the breath leave her lungs, realizing what had happened. Mulder, who was still in the limelight, clapped politely but focused on Scully. She didn't hear who was named senior royalty, the ringing in her ears drowning out both the principal and the student body.
When the Prom Court walked toward the center of the gym for the traditional King and Queen dance, Scully felt the bile rise in her throat. Mulder led Casey, holding her hand. They danced slowly, but Scully noted Mulder's hand was well above Casey's hips, almost between her shoulder blades. Casey apparently had other plans. When the two turned so that Casey was facing Scully's general direction, the girls locked eyes, even though Scully was in the center, not the front, of the crowd. Casey then had the audacity to grind her hips into Mulder's. Scully felt the blood coursing through her body, the adrenaline causing her to shake in anger. Mulder, though, had tactfully distanced himself from Casey, his hands at her waist holding her more than far enough away.
Still, Scully could not help but feel a wave of inadequacy wash over her. She felt childish in a poorly-fitting, dull dress, while Acacia looked admittedly elegant in a deep blue halter dress. Casey was truly beautiful, exotic with her long brown hair piled on her head, her almond-shaped eyes highlighted by dark lashes. Dana ran her fingers through her feathered locks, wishing her hair wasn't so flaming red.
"You don't have anything to worry about," Andrea said softly, from behind her.
Dana turned and smiled at her friend, shrugging dismissively.
"I'm serious," Andrea urged, holding her friend's hand. "Don't you see the way he looks at you?"
Garrett walked up behind Andrea. The song started winding down, and he held out his hand in invitation. "Dana, you haven't danced with me tonight," he teased. "You aren't avoiding me, are you?"
Scully shook her head, but waved him off. "You two go dance," she smiled.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Andrea asked.
"I'm sure, really."
"Don't think you're getting out of that dance you owe me, the next one's mine," Garrett warned.
"I don't," Scully smiled. As Andrea and Garrett walked away, Scully started toying with her wrist corsage.
"Hey Scully," Mulder wrapped his arms around her waist, "Why so blue?"
"Just matching my dress," she offered, still focused on her corsage.
"Hey," he hummed, ducking to place a soft kiss on her lips, "You look gorgeous tonight."
Scully smiled graciously.
"Aren't you going to comment on me?" Mulder fished.
She pretended to study him critically, holding him away from her, "Good, good. Except that," she pointed to his crown.
He raised his eyes as if he could see it resting on his head. "Doesn't match my tux?" he teased.
She shook her head, pretending to be thinking, "No, not that. I think it's giving you a big head," Scully finished with a smile.
He laughed heartily, "Then in that case," he took it off and placed it on Scully's head, smoothing her hair. "Dance with me, Dana," he breathed, turning serious.
Scully nodded as she stepped into his arms. She openly stared at him, as he closed his eyes, humming to the music. Scully removed the crown from her head, holding behind Mulder's back in her left hand, so that she could stand closer to him. She rested her head on his chest, the vibrations from his soft singing soothing her. Her heavy eyelids fluttered open as she felt Mulder moving her right hand, that he had been holding, closer to his body. Mulder guided her open palm to his chest, pressing it in place with his own hand.
Mulder started to speak, but it took a few moments for Scully to understand what he was saying. "—beats for you, Scully. Only you," he murmured, his voice gravelly and soft. Scully smiled and kissed the hand that rested inches from her face.
Garrett walked up behind Mulder as the next song began, holding out his hand. Scully stepped out of Mulder's arms and let Garrett lead her in the next dance. Two songs later, though, Scully was once again with Mulder. They continued to dance as the prom wound down, until Mulder felt a tapping on his shoulder.
"Fox, we're gonna head out and finish getting everything ready," Andrea said with Garrett at her side. "You two still coming tonight?" Andrea was throwing an all-night after prom breakfast party at her house. Dana was ecstatic that her parents were allowing her to go.
"Yeah, we'll be there in a while," Mulder assured the other couple.
Scully and Mulder waved goodbye, promising to follow not long after. One song later, they left prom. When they arrived at Andrea's house, they were surprised at the turnout. "There must be thirty people here!" exclaimed Scully, who was honestly only expecting the basement crowd.
They walked into Andrea's house, a gym bag slung over Mulder's shoulder and Scully wrapped in his tux jacket.
"Andrea, this is amazing!" Mulder said.
Andrea beamed, "Thanks! Most everybody's in the basement, there's food and drinks in the kitchen, and the rest of the people are in the living room. My parents are upstairs, but they shouldn't be too bothered by the noise, so they hopefully won't make an appearance."
"Is there someplace I can change?" Scully asked, pointing to the red gym bag.
"Oh, yeah, in the back room on this floor. There's a door and nobody should be in there."
Scully walked down the hallway and was surprised to find that she wasn't in a bedroom, but more of a small entertaining room, complete with a full-size bar. Mulder followed seconds later. When he saw the bar, he let out a low whistle.
"That must be a new addition, I don't remember it being here before."
Scully smirked, "Admiring the interior decorating, are we?"
"You forgot your bag," he explained. A beat later, he held it up as evidence.
"And you don't have any ulterior motives, catching me alone?"
"Well, maybe a handful." He stepped towards her, kissing her soundly. "I've wanted to do that all night."
Scully topped their kiss with a small peck, "I had a wonderful time tonight, thanks Mulder."
Mulder looked at her hard. "Even with the whole Prom Court thing?"
Scully tried smiling, though her insecurity wasn't allowing her mouth to cooperate, "The prince thing? Nah, I already knew you had a big head. It couldn't have made that much of a difference," she tried joking, but it fell flat and sounded pathetic to her ears. Mulder didn't correct her, for he knew she understood what he was asking. She sighed, "Well, I can't say I was happy about the Princess thing, but I'm truly pleased you got Prince. I just….well, it makes me feel inadequate, ya know?" She looked up at his face, illuminated only by a nearby streetlight. "It's just me being self-conscious, that's all. It's not your fault," she conceded.
She had already taken off her heels, so Mulder had to bend his knees so they were eye to eye. "You have no idea how wonderful you are, and that makes you all the more beautiful. Dana, you are the only one I care about," he assured her.
She tilted her head and opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. Slowly, she leaned forward and kissed him, her arms around his neck, pulling him tight against her. His hands traveled down her side and around to the backs of her thighs. Keeping their lips locked, he lifted her to straddle his waist, and then deposited her on top of the bar. She giggled, running her fingers through his hair.
"My Mulder," she breathed into his ear before sucking on his earlobe. She was pleased with herself when he emitted a surprised gasp. Pulling out of her mouth's reach, he trailed kisses down her neck and along the neckline of the ruffled dress.
"Beautiful…sexy," he repeated, punctuating each uttering with kisses that started as small, wet kisses to tiny licks and escalated from there.
One hand tangled in the back of her hair, while the other rubbed her smooth calf as it dangled beside him. Moaning as his mouth met a particularly sensitive spot, Scully wiggled until she was at the edge of the bar.
"Mulder," she purred, stretching out the name as he pushed her breast, exposing more cleavage from underneath the ruffles. His tongue, teeth, and lips nipped and sucked at her soft flesh. She twisted, elevating herself from the bar, pulling him closer to her.
"Angel, we have to stop," Mulder voiced thickly as he sat her on the lower part of the counter so they were face to face.
On some level, Scully was relieved. Most of her focus, though, was on how he said it. A coy smile gracing her lips, she asked, "What did you call me?"
"Hmm?" he wasn't following. After a beat, "Oh, that…it's like a pet name."
Softly, "I like it. But where did you get it?" Something about it rang familiar, but she was not able to place it.
"Well, you know, I don't know. But you don't strike me as 'Muffin' at least."
She laughed, "No, I guess not. Now you need one, though." Both were trying to ignore the sexual tension in the room.
"You better get changed; I don't think Andrea knows we're in here."
Scully nodded and accepted her gym bag. "Mulder, turn around," she shyly whispered. Shakily, she pulled up her pants and took off her dress. Unsteadily, she padded over to where Mulder was standing.
Mulder turned around and took off his own dress shirt and tie, leaving a white t-shirt and his black dress pants. Scully took his clothes and shoved them in the bag that now held her prom dress. She now wore sweatpants cut off mid-calf and a baby tee. The only indication of her previous attire was her hair.
"I think I could get used to this hair," he purred.
She buried her face in his chest, letting out an unsteady breath. "Mulder, that was... "
When she did not finish her sentence, Mulder detangled her hair with his fingers.
She chuckled nervously, "hot."
Mulder smiled and nodded, even though she couldn't see.
"You make me shaky all over," she said into his chest.
Mulder tightened his hold on her reassuringly. "Dana?"
Scully leaned back so she could see his face.
Mulder cleared his throat and started again, "Dana, I think I've fallen in love with you."
Scully once again hid her face in his chest. When she unwrapped her arms and pulled his hands away from her waist, he got nervous. Both their arms at their sides, their hands linked, she sniffled.
"I love you, too, Fox Mulder," she smiled all teary.
He kissed her tenderly. "What's with the first name? No need to change now," he smiled.
She rolled her eyes. He offered his hand, "We're missing the party." Scully laced her fingers with his and they walked to the basement, Mulder carrying two plates full of food they had picked up in the kitchen, and Scully holding the drinks.
The basement was nice; it consisted of a huge carpeted room, the couches and chairs haphazardly scattered around the room. They found their usual gang and sat next to Garrett and Andrea on a brown couch. Scully curled up into Mulder's side, eating off the plate that sat in his lap. They talked and laughed for hours, the seniors at the party talking of their after-high school plans briefly. One by one people either left or crashed on the couches, floor, or wherever. Scully fell asleep around five A.M.
I rewrote the scene in the bar room twice, first making it just a make-out session, then making it even more physical, and then this. I didn't want this chapter to be too smutty, so I had to cut out some stuff. The focus is on the relationship, but the more physical stuff will probably be next. kisses! pdb