Chapter 4
Back at the apartment, they carried the groceries and bags upstairs. "Just put your stuff wherever, Scully. Won't make much of a difference"...I should really clean once in a while.
"Remind me to clean this place tomorrow." she said as she finally set her bags down near the couch.
"You aren't cleaning...It's my place. I'll do it." He said as he put away the refrigerated things.
"I have to do something, Mulder, I'll go stir-crazy."
"I'll keep you busy." It slipped out before he could stop it.
"You mean playing house?" she raised her eyebrow.
He stepped closer to her. "I can show you how to play house...and it doesn't involve me sleeping on the couch, Dana."
Scully felt a shiver run down her elbow. "Mulder, why were you sleeping on the floor? Did you think something was going to happen?" she asked softly.
"Couldn't live with myself if I lost you." He said as he looked down at his feet. Scully wrapped her arms around his waist.
He looked into her eyes. "I wasn't playing house, Dana..."
Scully's eyes closed for a moment. She rested her head against his stomach.
He took her chin and moved it up so he could look into her eyes. He saw the tears as they trailed down her cheeks. He wiped them away. "Please don't cry."
She tried to smile. "You hungry?"
For you. "I could eat."
"I'll make us some dinner." Scully gently touched his forearm.
He didn't want to let her go, but he did. "I'll just take your cases into the bedroom."
"Okay." Her hand reached out momentarily to stop him, then she retreated.
He set her cases down and tried to quiet his heart. He had wanted to kiss her. What stopped you? He took a deep breath and walked back into the kitchen. He put his hand on her arm.
"Scully...Dana?" She turned, frowning slightly at the break in his voice. "You okay?"
He took his hand and placed it on her neck behind her head and pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was long and slow. Her eyes were still closed when it broke again. She didn't trust her knees not to give out on her.
He gasped for breath. "You take my breath away."
"I can't feel my knees," she whispered into his stomach.
"I've got you." He said as he held her against him.
She sighed as she took a deep breath.
"So what we eating?" He rested his forehead against hers.
"I thought either the pork or the steak. Which would you rather have?"
"Steak." YOU! YOU! YOU!
"And angel hair pasta and salad?"
"Do I get your for dessert?" It was past his lips before he could close his mouth.
Scully's eyes widened in surprise, but then they softened.
"We can work on that," she said softly.
He helped Scully prepare the meal and they ate in a comfortable silence. They watched a little TV after dinner, and she kept nodding off. He nudged her. "Why don't you go to bed?"
"Wh..." she bit her lip. "Okay. Good night."
He stopped her and placed a sweet kiss to her lips. That made her tingle, but then it made it harder for her not to ask him right there to sleep with her again. She managed a smile and then closed the bathroom door behind her.
It had been ages since he slept on his couch. He tossed and turned trying to get comfortable before she came out of the bathroom. He would rather sleep in there with her, but knew that had to be if she wanted him there. He was on his stomach, looking rather uncomfortable when she emerged from the bathroom. He was grumbling under his breath because he hadn't heard her come out.
"Mulder, if you want to join me you can." she was bracing herself for a no.
When he turned to look at her, his breath caught in his throat. She was wearing a long silk nightgown. "You might be safer if I slept out here."
"I'm armed. I think I can manage." she said with a slightly arched eyebrow.
"But I'm armed and dangerous." He moved toward her until his mouth was inches from hers. "And I always get my way."
A giggle managed to escape her lips.
"Let's go." He said taking her hand and tugging her to the bedroom.
"You're at least brushing your teeth I hope." She wrinkled her nose.
"Dana Katherine Scully, Get your ass in bed." He moved toward the bathroom.
"Okay Daddy."
He stopped. "Did you just call me what I think you called me?"
She was blushing. "Sorry. Won't happen again."
He moved like he was going to pounce on her. "You'd better run."
"And what if I don't?"
"If I get my hands on you, I might not be able to stop."
"You are not getting your hands on me Fox William Mulder until you are properly washed and scrubbed." She moved at the last possible moment.
He stopped and turned on his heels. He closed the bedroom door behind him. A minute later the shower started and Mulder's voice came through the wall as he sang "The Shaft."
Scully stopped with her hand on the door overcome with the need to just be with him…even if it was in the shower.
Then she chided herself for pushing so much, even saying out loud "Idiot!" She crawled under the covers again, turning her back to the bathroom door and waited.
He came out clad in only a towel. "I am properly scrubbed...Care to inspect?"
"I'm sure you're fine." Her back was still to him. Tears were falling down her face as she wondered if this was a mistake.
He sat on the edge of the bed and touched her hip. "Dana?" His voice low and gentle. She turned over managing to wipe her tears. "Did I do something wrong?"
Her eyes briefly darted to the bare skin peeking out around the towel then she jerked them back up. She sat up and turned back the covers. "You're fine, Mulder."
He went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of black silk boxers. He dropped the towel and slid into them. He returned to the bed and slid under the covers. Scully reached out her arms for him.
"I just want to hold you," she assured him.
He let her hold him. He kissed her head gently. She held him 'til he fell asleep then carefully removed her arms. She turned on her side and hugged the pillow next to her. Tomorrow she would go to a hotel, she decided.
He woke with a start. He looked over at her laying on the far edge of his bed. He pulled her back afraid she would fall off. He spooned her against his chest. "I love you, Dana." He whispered.
