Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Homeowners insurance. There was nothing quite like it. Especially when yours was of top-notch premium quality. And such as it was for Dana Katherine Scully. She liked to have nice possessions. That were her own.

Having been delegated at birth to being the third-born of the Scully children told her that the desire to have nice things probably stemmed from getting lost in the shuffle of her siblings, but also... for not having enlisted in the Navy, being a person into New Age religion, or even being an estranged person who had yet to come in from the cold. Like her siblings. But… The hard-working professional in her said that because she was paid well for what she could do, she could get nice things. For herself.

And… Amongst those nice things was her home. It was love at first showing. Why? It reminded her of a home she and her family had once inhabited, whilst living in Japan, during the period in which Senior had been stationed there. Eons ago.

1213 37th Place, Bethesda, Maryland.

A modern paradise. Not far from the hospital where she worked. But… It was even closer to the road that eventually led to him. The man who had held her heart for so long now, and who always would. Forever. And… That road literally led to her true home.

227700 Wallace Road, Farrs Corner, Virginia.

Excellent homeowners insurance. There was nothing quite like it.

Especially when half your living room and your back door had been obliterated during the course of an actual 'rise of the machines' plight come to life… but you still had to call it 'spontaneous gas explosion.' If you wanted your home fixed. At a decent rate. Speedily so. Monetarily so.


These were the thoughts rolling through Scully's mind. At least… some of them.

Tonight, she was at 227700 Wallace Road. And she would be again until 1213 37th Place was livable. But did she mind? No.

Upon her love telling her that she still had a bed back at his (their) home, Scully had wept in relief. Almost. He had opened the door to talk about her coming home for good without saying the words. Maybe it would be a step towards this being a permanent situation. One that she wouldn't back out of. Because she had done some growing. Emotionally.

And neither of them would say it, but while Scully did come back to their weird little place all the time, she hadn't actually just slept there in… a lot longer than she cared to admit. Or him.

But… here she was. Back in his (their) home. What belongings she had been able to salvage from the Bethesda house and also what she'd just wanted to have with her for this new unforeseen longterm stage were parked here in the front room. Taking up residence in bags, baskets, boxes, many suitcases. It would all be put away. Later on. Eventually.

Just for tonight… they had all the time in the world.


Dinner hadn't been had. Yet. But to at least commemorate the moving-in situation, they'd chosen to just on the couch for a little bit. Just enjoy each other's company. Moving from Scully's place to this one, The Unremarkable House, had taken all day. And… It had taken a lot out of them. Neither were as young as they once had been.

Perhaps that was why the first glass of wine had been poured. Maybe.

They'd also watched 'Casablanca,' but only because it was playing on the television. And the remote was too far away to reach so they could change the channel. It'd been accidentally left on the kitchen table after he'd refilled their drinks. Neither had the energy to go get it. For… Both were now a touch tipsy.

Tonight was about that. Each head seen the other in various kinds of tipsy (or actually drunk) over the years for different reasons. Grief, loneliness, wanting to forget. Or… celebrating fun times. Her birthday, his…

Tonight was also about just being together. Celebrating that they hadn't been snuffed out from the previous evening's waking nightmare. And also to remind themselves that this was reality. Not fiction.

Both knew that was during nights like this one that anything could happen. Take place. But were they both game? One hundred percent.


The rumbling of Mulder's deep voice cut through Scully's brain as he sat beside her. Scully even sat up straighter as she registered the sagging of the other couch cushion under her companion's weight. Time to pay attention again.

"Found the remote." Mulder turned the television volume down but not off before setting the remote on the coffee table. "Was on the big table."

"Good…" Scully meant to say more, but she was already going down a rabbit trail.

"Hey." reaching over, Mulder caressed Scully's inner thigh. "What's up?"

It was only Mulder's touch that prompted Scully to perform her next act of bravery. She mounted him like she was marking her turf. Tonight would also be about getting close. Hopefully in more ways than one. She wanted to feel Mulder. Needed to.

"Mulder," Scully kissed him on the forehead before intertwining her fingers in his. "I… I was afraid last night. Thought I'd ex… exp…"

Scully frowned as she tried to formulate her words. The alcohol had been working. For awhile.

But Mulder took this time to quickly adjust himself into a position that wouldn't immediately derail the situation. Or cause it to grow Still… Mulder also found it endearing that it was a hit or miss for Scully when it came to using non run-of-the-mill words while under the influence. Just now? It was definitely a miss.

But he suggested, "You mean 'expire'?"

Brightening, Scully nodded. Even touched Mulder's knuckles to her lips in thanks. Kissed them gently. A few times.

"Expire." she echoed. "Yes. I thought… I thought it'd happen."

"But it didn't." Mulder now readjusted himself again. "Not your time, babe."

Scully gave Mulder a light shove on one shoulder. "Be serious!"

"I am." proving so, Mulder kissed Scully's digits. "Keep goin'. Please?"

"I so thought yesterday was it. For sure. That I'd… poof… Expiring that way?" Scully shook head. "No."

Mulder kissed Scully's fingers again. "But I helped you escape. And… it happened."

"You're my knight. Shining bright." Scully declared. "May that never change."

"It won't." Mulder nodded in assurance. "You've my word. Every way. And all."

But unintentionally, Scully squeezed Mulder's legs hard with her own to maintain balance. "Thank you. Uh… My heart… It almost stopped. But then you showed up. And we left. Now…"

"The madness' over." Mulder gently squeezed Scully's fingers in his own effort to stay in the moment and not focus on what could stir in his pants. "You're safe. It's what matters most."

She looked at him, head tilted, almost hurt. "You also matter. I've been without you before… Never again. Hell no…"

Mulder made a rumbling sound of acknowledgment low in the back of his throat. "Hm. I matter…"

Scully kissed Mulder's forehead again. "That's a very yes."

Mulder also found it endearing that Scully had her own self-invented shorthand for these tipsy nights. But… He even felt grateful that he understood her.

So Mulder didn't correct Scully, instead saying, "I can't live without you. It… It sucked."

And while neither ever spoke much anymore about the hells they'd gone through at the hands of The Syndicate, all the memories would remain. For life.

Scully broke free of Mulder's handhold but wrapped her own around his shoulders. "I'm okay. And… you're okay. We're both okay."

Even though Mulder's mind was only somewhat clouded by the wine swirling around in his system, he recognized that Scully was aiming for a broader canvas. Maybe… He could help her get there.

"Dana," he said her name as coherently as he could. "Do you know…? Or do you believe…?"

"I believe… always... even if we have't…" but she frowned in contemplative thought again.

Mulder made a new suggestion. "You mean said, 'I do,' or… somethin'?"

Scully rolled her hips against his lap, unaware, as she said to him, "Would you…?"

Mulder let out a soft groan as he reacted to the power of her body over his but lifted an eyebrow. "Are… You proposin'?"

Scully's face flushed redder than it normally would have. Mulder had her there. It did sounded like she'd proposed. Even halfway. But… after all these years together… both of them already knew exactly where they stood.

"Uh-uh." Scully pointed to herself and touched her other hand to Mulder's heart. "We don't need paper to say what we are… Or have been since… forever."

"Agreed." Mulder said solidly. "Marriage? Not us. But… This is…"

Mulder slipped his hand under Scully's shirt and held it against her heart. He even rubbed it. Gently. But Scully shuddered when she felt his other hand snake up under her shirt, to the small of her back. He also caressed the skin there. Just as lovingly. And equally slow. He'd be damned if he forgot how and where his other half loved to be touched intimately.

But… One of his most favorite things about Scully? In moments like this? She was very sensory-seeking. Gentle touch? The one-way ticket to her heart.

Scully sighed blissfully as she told Mulder, "I love us… even when it's hard."

"Mhm." now both of Mulder's hands were rhythmically caressing Scully's back. "Somehow… You and I…"

Now Mulder was the one trailing away in confusion as his thoughts grew garbled. But he found even this amusing. Normally… when tipsy… he was chatty and she was broody. It had grown reversed tonight.

On top of that, Scully was gently moving her hips in time to the rhythm being created on her back. It seemed involuntary. The continual soft mewls she made told him that she was enjoying the friction. But Mulder couldn't tell if Scully was doing this to tease him or if she had gotten lost in the moment.

What a wonderful problem to have.

But Mulder still felt all the blood drain rapidly south, anyway. For now Scully had removed her t-shirt. Did Mulder care why? No. The next layer was a tank top even more form-fitting from what she'd had on, previously. Did Mulder mind this? Also no.

Mulder wouldn't stop her. Even on a regular night, he wouldn't have tried. He enjoyed being under any spell Scully could cast. This woman was a minx.

"You and I," the rate at which she rolled her hips now told him that she knew exactly what she was doing. "We… We always find our way back. Don't we?"

Mulder sat up straighter and interlocked his fingers behind Scully's back again. "We do."

Then he pressed a flurry of gentle kisses from Scully's lips, to her throat, to her chest. But Mulder took his time at the last stop. If she would pour on the charm, so would he. And… Scully's happy sighs were turning lustful.

"I've loved you since… ever since we first met." Mulder pressed a few more heavier kisses to Scully's chest before laying an ear to it. "Was like… an angel showed up."

Scully laughed softly as she ran her fingers through Mulder's hair. "That, I am not."

"But it's okay." Mulder murmured. "I love all of you."

Scully's heartbeat quickened and fluttered, yet her word-coordination continued to be uncooperative. "Same. Me, too. You."

Mulder continued listening to Scully's heartbeat. The sound was like an anchor. His body continued to react to hers pressing against it, but he stayed focused on the symphony of her heartbeat. Just for a few moments more.

"You're thinkin'… All of last year and change has been a lot. " he realized.

"Very yes. But yet… We survive. The world isn't done with us."

"Yet." repeated Mulder with a nod.

"But we're… um… tethered. For life." Scully returned to rolling her hips but with a touch more pressure than before. "What do you think?"

But Mulder finally gave in and gave a guttural groan. His other half had gone from toying with him to actual initiation. On purpose. Did Mulder stop his body from fully reacting so? He did not.

Just about reading his thoughts this time, Scully whispered quiet affirmations in his ear. Hugged him. Gently melted into his embrace. How Mulder had come to deserve Scully in this lifetime, he didn't know. And would not question.

"We are tethered." Mulder told her softly. "Now. And for all our other lifetimes. No matter what."

"What would you like? Right now?" Scully removed her shirt, then Mulder's. "Tell me. Please."

"I… I want to feel you." Mulder kissed the areas of Scully's chest that he hand't gotten to before. "Need to."

Both of them knew just what this request meant. It was part of their shared shorthand. And… It happened to be a mutual favorite.

They also both knew that Mulder had voiced the request for more than that his erection was raging. Scully could certainly feel it pressed against her. The fact that Mulder had changed into loungewear awhile ago aided in the matter. His erection was blatant. Did Scully mind? No.

Plus… Even this kind of contact caused a shuddering pleasure.

But just like Scully craved the sort of intimacy that love-making brought, so too did Mulder. And… Scully knew her other half well enough to know that his expressing this particular wish now was his own way of making sure she was really there. In every way.

Scully looked him in the eye. Nodded deeply.

Reaching behind Scully, Mulder undid her bra for her. And he hummed appreciatively at the sight of her uncovered breasts. Mulder loved and knew every inch of Scully's body, just as she did his. The sight of Scully being completely topless had yet to not get him excited.

"Are…" Scully patted him gently on the chest. "Fox… Are you sure…?"

She always asked. Always. She respected his body. He respected hers. But, even in spite of them being older, her wild medical history, and certain preventative measures being in place on her end, too much had happened in their extraordinary lives to not at least double-check. No matter what. And… The condoms were upstairs.

But Mulder nodded. "I am. Are you…?"

Mulder splayed one of his palms over Scully's middle. She responded by arching her back. For she understood what he meant, that he was also checking in. Each loved the other too much to not do it.

She said very clearly, "I am also sure."

"And if…" he stroked her middle with his thumb. "And if…"

Her next words came out in a whisper. "Let those miracles come. Tonight… Anything is possible."

"For sure…"

Deciding to finally show mercy now, Scully finished undressing herself. Then Mulder.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, they were both very naked. Admiring one another. Lovingly, appreciatively… hungrily. Quite a bit of love-making had occurred since they'd officially re-entered each other's lives. And since this time of re-familiarization, they'd made love for all kinds of reasons.

But… Nights like tonight? Another mutual favorite. When they were connected purely for the sake of it, and the act just… happened. No pomp. No circumstance. Just connectivity. Their souls joining.

So Scully sheathed Mulder's girth with ease. And when they had both happily adjusted, she leaned herself back into his hold. Sighed happily. Felt her heart flutter when he stroked her hair. Took his turn with whispering affirmations to her.

She was the absolute greatest love of his life. And he was hers. They were best friends. They were soulmates. For all eternity. No matter what.

Scully rode Mulder languidly. With only love. As if nothing else in else in the universe mattered just then.

Which… it did not. Even with Roman Holiday in full swing on the television behind them and the beginnings of a truly epic rainstorm outside, nothing else mattered. At all. Just the steady rhythm of two content souls. Lovingly expressing their love in the closest way possible.

Mulder lost himself at last in the sensation that was the cosmic connection to the woman in his arms. Feeling her, holding her, loving her… it was everything. Truly. While Scully normally preferred being on the bottom, it was nights like this one where she liked to have control. And Mulder was more than happy to let her take it.

But… Before long… Mulder noticed something about his other half. And it was a tad startling. Dana Katherine Scully was… crying?

For her to do so while they made love was not unusual, but it only happened once in a blue moon. When she was truly feeling the moment. Did Mulder mind? No. He supported her. No matter what.

The first time she'd cried whilst love-making, she'd wept. It had been on the first night they'd run away together. So long ago. But Mulder had held her, comforted her, cried with her. Now that era felt like it'd happened in another lifetime.

But Mulder's mind certainly came to order in the present. Swiftly. His other half's emotional state caused him to sober up. Just… Not so much so that he fell out of the mood. The man was yet connected to his love. In more ways than one.

"Hey." he still made his biggest effort yet to communicate clearly as he sat up. "Dana, does it hurt?"

She shook her head, but the tears didn't stop. Her speech also came out clearly. It seemed she'd also landed on the same plane of emotion.

"No. It doesn't hurt, Fox. Not at all." Scully kissed her soulmate's forehead a third time. "I… I'm at peace."

"But…" Mulder wiped his love's tears for her when he couldn't think of what else to say.

And Scully maintained their steady languid rhythm, but she held both of Mulder's hands to her lips now. Kissed them. Just as she had earlier on. But then she placed them both on her heart. Kept them there.

Scully was not unaware of Mulder's manhood reacting, pulsating inside her as his brain registered her heartbeat. In fact… it gave her even more confidence to really focus on her words now. Tipsy sex with her soulmate was fun. But she needed to make this count. And with all she had.

The doctor took care to really enunciate her words. "I want to come home. Here. To you, Fox. And to whatever miracles could come after tonight, but I want to do it at my own speed. Is… Is that okay?"

Mulder very nearly spent himself in her, out of surprise. But he didn't. His willpower stayed put. Miraculously.

"Dana," he said her name with breathless joy. "It's more than okay. Honestly… What you're saying is a dream come true."

This time when Scully tilted her head at Mulder, she had the look of both amusement and confusion. "But how have you not once told me so?"

Mulder admitted, "I was afraid that you'd say no. Or… that it'd would just go… wrong."

"I still wish that you'd said something." Scully wiped the tears that were now falling from Mulder's eyes. "Maybe… We could have had this chat sooner."

Feeling sheepish, Mulder offered Scully the first olive branch he could think of. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, Mulder… You have nothing to be sorry for." Scully laughed softly. "I'm sorry for not bringing my thoughts to the table sooner. Or… In this case… Our couch."

Mulder's heart bloomed at her use of 'our,' but he kept his cool. "You also have nothing to apologize for. You and I… We have a long history of moving slowly when it comes to discussing our feelings. But to answer your question? Yes. All the way."

Scully pressed herself against Mulder again so she could get lost in the feeling of her slow tantalizing movements again. "Thank you. I love you."

Mulder happily wrapped his other half in his newest embrace, relieved that the speech center of his brain was now operating in a straighter line. "You're welcome. I love you, too. And… I have one question about this… uh… 'proposal' of yours."

True laughter erupted from Scully now. Life with Fox Mulder meant any conversation changing on the turn of a dime. But this habit was of the millions of little things she'd learned to love about him.

(And Scully was also pleased that her mind was growing more clear with each moment)

So she said, "Yes? What is it?"

"Do you have any idea when…"

But his words quickly ended in a renewed lust-filled groan. It seemed Scully had already realized what he was going to say. And she took a quick moment to assert dominance. Just for fun.

"What about," she peppered Mulder's jaw in a small kiss flurry of her own. "After my house is back in working order? Only the universe knows when that'll be, but…"

Mulder understood. "I like it. And you already brought your favorite things along today. Then that, as they say, is that. Come home at your own pace. I won't rush you."

Scully laid her head in the crook of her soulmate's shoulder. "Thank you. Now… Mulder?"

He ran his fingers through Scully's long red locks. "Hm?"

Scully whispered to him, "Let me love you."

The man bobbed his head and leaned against the couch again. "Alright. Go."

Soon, all that could be heard was the downpour outside, the distant dialogue of the characters on the television, and two soulmates expressing their love to each other at their loudest yet. Albeit… This time around, it was all more passionate. Frenzied. Very them.

In due course, Mulder ended up on top, in the throes of deepening passion. Did Scully mind even this? No. Especially because Mulder had her gently pinned to the couch. A sensation she enjoyed.

Then… on one extra hard thrust… "Dana!"

The moment Mulder called out her name—her first one—rope after rope of hot sticky seed erupted from him, into her. Seemingly endless. But… It felt like heaven.

Scully rode it all out. Missed not a drop as her own indescribable immense pleasure came to a head. Soon after his own.

She chanted, unsurprisingly, "Fox… Fox… Fox…"

Everything about tonight? Heaven. Truly the best.


After coming back to reality, they showered together. Changed into looser clothes. Noted the time. But they grew startled when they registered it.

For, it was a quarter of seven. Only. So much had been said, felt, done since arriving at their little unremarkable house tonight with Scully's belongings. Yet… They still had what felt like forever ahead of them.

Eventually, the couple elected to wind down a tad more. Cool off. Chats about what to make for dinner would be had. In awhile.

For now... Mulder and Scully would just focus on the immediate absolute present. Doing so felt just as lovely. And it was another act that was very them. Both took equal delight in it.

Scully spoke after a spell of listening to the rain. "I just had this feeling when we first met that you and I would be in each other's lives. For good. And the first time I knew I loved you, Fox, I knew it was for good. Permanent."

"And?" he sighed happily when she leaned into him as they found themselves back on the couch, full circle. "Now that tonight has happened? And we're both definitely older than the day that you walked into my world?"

"I would not have it any other way. Ever. And… All those years ago, you told me that I saved you. That moment in the hallway was an absolute turning point in my life. Never will I forget it."

Scully rested Mulder's hand to her middle once more that evening. She loved the feeling. And so did he. They would also be remiss to dismiss the sheer hope they had just then. Hope for a brighter future. When the madness was actually done. For good.

"Now," Scully said contently. "I'm extremely proud to say that I'm at a place in my life where I can say with complete honest truth: you saved me, the morning we met. Being loved by you? It's the greatest. In every way. Plus an infinite more. And…"

Mulder picked up the torch when Scully lost her thread. "No matter what this lifetime has thrown at us, we keep finding our way back to each other. Even from literal death. Is that the rest of what you were going to say?"

"Mhm. What do you think?"

"I know that I fell in love with you the moment you walked into that office. My life has never been the same, all because you showed up. I also knew very early that you were it for me. For life. And I could absolutely not have it any other way. Wouldn't dream of it. Couldn't. I love you."

Scully kissed Mulder for the umpteenth time that day. "I love you, too."


When the couple finally fell asleep in their bed that night, all was well. For… The Unremarkable House had been turned into a refuge. Had either occupant intended for that so occur? No. But neither of them would have had even this any other way.

And what did Mulder dream of that night? Peacetime. Plenty of it. So too did Scully.

But their bliss was interrupted the next morning when she got a phone call. The outside world… It did exist.

Jus whom was the caller? So early? At that ungodly, heathenish hour?

Scully's real estate agent. For what reason? To get any ball rolling. 1213 37th Place really did need fixing. But… By the end of the call, it had all been guaranteed to be taken care of and be restored to perfect working order in no time at all.

Thank God for wonderful homeowners insurance.


done


Thanks for reading. Never tried a format like this before. This one won't be getting any updates because that, as they say is that ;)