The Thorn Residence

Sherman Oaks, California

6:45 A.M. Tuesday

Scully had always been a cuddler during her sleep. It was something she knew about, but, like snoring, had no way of changing. She'd grown accustomed to bringing extra pillows to sleepovers growing up ever since she accidentally woke up cuddling one of her classmates in elementary school. Her boyfriends over the years had found it endearing, some even said sexy, but it no matter what she always felt a flush of embarrassment break out across her cheeks when it happened with a new person.

She'd been so proud of herself when she'd woken up yesterday on her own side of the bed, Mulder on his. Today, however, she did not appear to be so lucky.

Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she tried to orient herself. Her dress had ridden up to her stomach in her sleep, and she would have made a move to push it down if it weren't for the fact Mulder's hand had wandered up it, his hand now resting on her bare upper back.

That was genuinely the least of her concerns as she'd woken up essentially on top of him, straddling one of his strong thighs as his morning wood was stabbing her hip. She was clutching onto him, her face laying on his chest like he was a pillow. She risked a glance and craned her neck up, looking to see if he was awake. She should have known he was still asleep from the controlled, even breaths that were lifting and lowering her whole body, but she still felt relieved when she looked over and saw his eyes were closed, his lips parted slightly as his hair stuck out like someone had rubbed a balloon on him.

She honestly didn't know if there was a way to get out of this without one or both of them being embarrassed. They were both all over each other, but whereas his erection was making itself known, she knew if she moved, there would be a slight wetness on Mulder's thigh, no doubt a physiological response to his proximity during sleep.

The arm that wasn't currently up her dress was gently grabbing her bicep, holding her to him. She'd hugged Mulder before, been pressed up against his body before, but never had they been in a position this intimate. She was struck by how firm his body was, like she was sleeping on pure muscle encased in soft, warm skin. They weren't able to wear any perfume or cologne here, and she couldn't help but let her face fall back against his chest and inhale his scent, so familiar she felt like she was cuddling with a comfort blanket. Her comfort person.

She decided to just pretend like she was asleep to avoid having to be the one to figure out how to deal with this. However, she didn't have to wait long, she'd closed her eyes for maybe a minute when she felt Mulder's body start to stir. However, every move he made as he started coming into consciousness involved him squirming, moving his legs and inadvertently grinding her sensitive sex against the top of his thigh as he ground his erection against her more and more.

Despite her efforts, she felt her breathing start to become shallow, undoubtedly making her state of consciousness known. She bit her lip, trying to avoid emitting a sound. He accidentally rubbed against her in just the right way to cause her legs to squeeze against his thigh as her hips bucked against his. She felt sweat start to bead at her brow as her arousal began increasing rapidly with every move.

It was the squeezing of her thighs that did it.

She felt Mulder freeze as he became conscious of their situation, his hand turning rigid against her back. Scully felt him slowly start to slide his hand down, likely assuming her to be asleep and trying to detach himself peacefully. However, the sensation of his fingertips grazing her spine, going lower and lower caused her to take a sharp inhalation of breath. His hand stilled and she stopped breathing.

It seemed they both did. The room was deathly silent. No longer was her body being moved up and down with every inhalation and exhalation of his body. They were frozen together, each waiting for the other to move first. In a move braver than she felt she'd ever been, she moved her cheek against his chest, turning to kiss his sternum while ever so slightly shifting the leg that was in between his.

She heard, as much as felt, a groan rumble in his chest. His hand, which had been slightly hovering now planted itself back against her skin, his fingers spreading like a blossom over her tattoo. The hand of hers that was clutching his side started raking over his ribs lightly, just wanting to feel him, to say I'm here and I'm not running.

He started rubbing circles into the small of her back, presumably wanting to feel skin that was usually off limits just as much as she did. She wasn't sure if he was doing it on purpose, or if he just mindlessly moved his legs, but he pressed against her throbbing core again and she couldn't help the whimper that escaped her lips as she bore down.

"Scully," he whispered breathlessly, reverently.

Giving him a taste of his own medicine, she rocked her hips sensually against his, rubbing herself on his leg at the same time as she was rubbing against his now throbbing erection. Matching her boldness with his own, he let his hand slide down and cup her ass, groping her firmly, encouraging and assisting her movements. She was breathing audibly now, letting her eyes flutter shut as she ground against him, reveling in the way his abdominal muscles clenched against her in his own pleasure. Her clit was throbbing with arousal and she was unrelenting in rocking against him now, not caring when she felt one of the straps of her dress start to fall down.

She almost whined when she felt Mulder start moving, as she was desperate to keep physical contact with him, but the whine turned into a moan as he reached in between their legs, his fingers curling around her inner thigh as he moved her leg so that it was on the other side of him so she was straddling him properly. "M-mulder," she sighed, her back tensing as she felt his erection pump against her crotch.

Mulder propelled his whole body upward, using his hands to keep her pressed to his chest as she was moved into sitting in his lap. Now both straps fell down her arms and the triangle panels covering her breast fell away. "Jesus," he exclaimed shakily as her nipples grazed his chest.

She felt his mouth latch to her neck, placing kiss after kiss leading downwards as they continued squirming against each other. He was almost to her breast when they heard a loud banging on the door downstairs followed by: "Robert, you're late!"

"No," Scully whined in frustration. Why was their timing always so bad?

"Fuck," Mulder groaned, letting his head rest in the crook of her neck.

"Robert, you are to report down here immediately," the booming voice called.

He leaned away from her as she sat back and she realized this was the first time they'd really looked at each other since this started. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were dilated black and filled with desire. His eyes roamed her face, likely finding the same thing. "I'm sorry," she whispered, starting to climb off of him, only for him to grab the back of her neck, whisper 'don't be' and pull her to him, his lips crashing against hers in a passionate kiss.

The incessant knocking on the door broke them apart sooner than either would have wished, but this time Mulder helped her off as he slid off the bed. She couldn't help but let her eyes fall down to the sight of his boxers lewdly tenting away from his body - evidence of his desire for her.

She watched as he slid on his jeans and shirt, giving her one last longing glance before quickly disappearing into the bathroom for a moment to brush his teeth at lightning speed. "I'll be back at lunch, okay?" he called out to her in a husky voice, looking at her as he made his way to the stairs, as if his eyes were drawn to her like a magnet.

"Okay," she nodded, still catching her breath.

He smiled at her before bounding down the stairs. "I'm sorry Vincent, I got a little distracted and lost track of time."

"Learn to keep track, Robert. We provide you with these resources, and we expect you to work in return," the man's voice reprimanded.

She couldn't hear anything after that and, with a sigh, she fell backwards onto the bed. She felt her breasts shift on her chest and she realized with a blush that she hadn't readjusted her dress after they separated. She'd just sat sprawled on the bed with her chest on full display. Well, that explained why Mulder's eyes were glued to her. Rather than feel embarrassed, she felt a smile creep onto her lips.

They were just heavy petting.

It was juvenile, but thrilling. She knew Mulder found her attractive, but seeing the carnal lust for her in his eyes made butterflies erupt in her stomach.

Maybe they weren't butterflies though.

She clenched her legs together, feeling the dampness of arousal between her thighs as she let one of her hands fall to her breast as the other slid under the elastic of her panties.

Mulder may have been late to work, but she wasn't.

7:55 A.M. Tuesday.

"Katherine, you're simply glowing," Lorraine beamed as she walked up towards the wash bin, taking the same seat she did yesterday.

"Oh," Scully replied shyly, her face still flushed from her earlier activities. "Thank you."

Scully started getting the clothes ready, luckily no blood to wash this time, and, as she did this, she discreetly looked down the line in search of Rosemary.

In an unexpected turn of events, she saw Rosemary looking more alive than she'd remembered seeing so far. She didn't know if it was from the knowledge her time here was dwindling or something else. As if the woman felt Scully's eyes on her, she looked up and met her gaze with a smile before winking at her.

Scully smiled to herself before glancing around to see who all was there just to familiarize herself a little better. In the distance she saw the kids playing with a kite, apparently not caring that there wasn't even a breeze.

Scully felt her brow furrow when she noticed there was someone markedly absent. "Lorraine, where's Annabelle?"

Lorraine swallowed thickly before turning to her. "Um, as you know, Ed works from home. Um, so he's watching her. She doesn't seem to be getting better."

Scully frowned in concern, illnesses in children were never to be taken lightly. She leaned over a bit closer to her and implored. "I wasn't lying when I said I have pretty extensive medical training. Robert and I also brought a first aid kit with us when we came. I might even have something for her," she said, knowing full well Mulder was picking up the medicine she asked for from the rendezvous point.

Lorraine's face lit up as she turned to her. "I'll take you up on that. I can't tell you how worried we all are."

"Yeah, I know we're not supposed to have favorites, but Annabelle is mine. Heck, she's probably my favorite kid I ever met," Laurie said from Scully's other side. When Scully turned to look at the girl she noticed a few other women had been staring at them from down the line, a few even nodding lightly to themselves. It seemed like Annabelle was important to everyone.

"1408, right?" Lorraine asked.

Scully turned back to her and nodded. "That's right. You can always feel free to come and get me, so you don't have to move Annabelle. Consider me available to you 24/7," she directed with a kind smile.

"Katherine?" someone to the other side of her asked.

Snapping her attention away from Lorraine, she saw an older woman she couldn't remember having talked to yet. "How are you adapting here?" she asked curtly.

"Oh, um," Scully stammered, taken aback by the blunt question. "Good, Lorraine has really been helpful in-"

"No," the woman cut her off. "I mean are you adapting to what's expected of you?"

Scully's mouth gaped open a bit, trying to think of what to say. "I-I think so?"

"Hmm," the woman replied. "I'm not sure you are. Your husband most certainly doesn't seem to be."

"Because he was late?" Scully questioned. "Well I thought one of my duties was to tend to his needs? It's not his fault if I'm thorough," she replied, causing Laurie to giggle while the rest of the women all froze.

The woman stood up suddenly, pointing a finger at Scully in reprimand. "Don't you dare be crude, girl. You already have a reputation. It would be best for you to get your morals in check lest that cross burn through your throat."

Scully stared in shock at this sudden bombardment. "Reputation?" she repeated.

"The men have expressed that you flaunt yourself around them," she sneered.

"I most certainly do not," Scully snapped.

"Well then why have some men reported seeing you in your night dress? Hmm?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Scully vividly recalled Rosemary telling her about some of the women being snitches, and she decided to test her theory. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I caught your name. Have we-"

"I think she's unruly because her husband is too lenient with her. I mean look, her skin shows she has not been learning her lessons," another nameless woman replied.

Scully's eyes darted to Rosemary in recognition of what she said was true. Some of these women were not letting on who they were affiliated with or even revealing their names. "Are you referring to bruises?"

"I'm referring to character building," the woman snapped.

Scully didn't know what to say in response to that. She'd heard women in situations of domestic violence justifying their abuser's behavior as something they deserved, but she'd never heard of a victim justifying it as a righteous badge of honor. "If your husband cared about your character he wouldn't try to break it with his fist," Scully replied.

There was a silence as she just stared at the woman. Everyone around them had paused, not a hand moved as they watched the interaction.

"So you've answered my question," the woman replied. "You haven't been adjusting well."

The woman sat back down as everyone resumed their washing in silence as Scully wondered how much she just messed up.

The Thorn Residence

Sherman Oaks, California

12:03 P.M.

He really messed things up.

Victor could not have made it anymore clear that coming to work on time was an expectation that must be met with no exceptions. Mulder was also given 'compost' duty which involved him having to dig a hole next to the other ones, and, with how some of these men were disdainfully looking at him, he was curious if he was digging his own grave.

He also hadn't realized how much he enjoyed Randy's camaraderie until he wasn't allowed to work with him. Instead, he had to spend the whole day in his grave-digging isolation. The only plus side was that it meant he got to 'take a leak at the tree' without having to explain it to anyone, and he got to think about the best morning of his entire life for five hours straight.

He'd woken up to Scully grinding against him.

Mulder had initially been positive he was still dreaming, but she was all too real. It was standard frottage, but the fact that it was the furthest he and Scully had ever gone and it was so much further than the New Year's kiss had him reeling. The part that shocked him almost more than anything was how unabashedly into it she was. How she just laid there on the bed, her breasts heaving as she caught her breath, looking at him with such longing that he half wanted to just go back in there until those men dragged him away from her.

Now that he was walking along the road back to see her, he was curious if she would feel the same, or if within these five hours she'd come to the realization that this morning was a mistake and she regretted it.

He felt a knot twist in his stomach at the thought that something that meant so much to him could be a source of regret or shame for her. Bounding up the porch stairs, he watched as she turned around, met his eye and gave him a bashful, but happy smile.

"Hey," he started nervously, letting the door close behind him.

"Hi," she greeted, taking a seat at the dining table.

He walked over and was about to sit down before he decided to push his luck and lean over to kiss her. He foiled his own attempt because as soon as she pressed her lips back in reciprocation, he started smiling against her mouth, breaking the kiss.

She smiled and looked down. Apparently she was trying to figure out how things were changing now too. "So," he started. "What's for lunch?"

"Meatloaf," she replied.

He shoved a forkful into his mouth and, as always, was impressed by Scully's hidden culinary talent. "This is wonderful, Scully," he beamed.

"Thanks," she replied. "How'd it go for you today?"

"Bad. As punishment they banned me from coming to the gathering tonight, so I'm really failing at doing my part of this assignment, being I can't attend one of the biggest things I was supposed to," he explained.

"Well, I'm apparently not holding up to my part either," she sighed.

"What happened to you?" he asked with a mouthful of food.

She started picking at her food and replied, "One of the older women singled me out, essentially saying that I'm a brazen whore and you're a cuck."

His brows furrowed in surprise as he paused with his fork mid-air. "She said that?"

Scully chuckled to herself and clarified, "Maybe not in so many words, but she did say I had a reputation for flaunting myself in front of the men."

He was silent, remembering some of the shitty comments the men had made about her, and apparently his silence was telling.

"Do I?"

"Flaunt yourself?" he asked.

"Have a reputation?"

"I don't know how, if it was Victor or someone else, but someone watched us change and saw your tattoo. That and Jason and Tobe must've told people about you being in your nightgown in front of them," he replied honestly.

"I saw someone watching us from the window when we were getting strip searched, but I didn't know what was happening," she replied.

"Wasn't everyone supposed to be in the Great Hall?" he asked.

She nodded her head as she moved her food around. "I assumed so, but we wouldn't have been able to tell if someone was missing."

"Hm," he mused, before asking. "Other than that, did anything else happen?"

"Annabelle is sick, the little girl," she replied before looking up at him with hope in her eyes. "Did you get the medicine?" she asked.

"Yep," he replied, pulling it out of his pocket and handing it to her.

Scully beamed at him as she looked at the bottle. "This is great. I told Lorraine to stop by anytime if she needed me, so if she shows up that's why."

Mulder hoped that the medicine worked, because this was a little too evocative of another ill little girl for him not to be worried. "Do you think she'll be okay?" he asked.

"I won't know until I see her, and I'm on too thin of ice to go try and check without being invited. Especially since her husband works from home," she said before taking a bite.

"I'm going to call Halloran, okay?" he replied, trying to be mindful of time so there wasn't a repeat of this morning.

She nodded and he walked to the fridge, reaching over it to grab the phone from the cabinet. He pressed redial and he scooted his chair next to Scully's so they could both hear the call.

"Hello?" Halloran asked.

"Hey, it's us. I wanted to let you know we got your delivery," he replied.

"Good, good. I hope whoever it's for starts feeling better," Halloran responded kindly.

"Me too," Scully stated. "I also have an update regarding Rosemary. I've been in contact with her and she plans to write a testimony of her experience for us as well as any crimes she's seen and any names she can remember. I'll have it tonight and Mulder can put it in the tree tomorrow."

Halloran whistled into the phone before declaring, "That would be amazing. Good work, you two. How else are things going?"

"We're having a bit of a hard time fitting in," Mulder admitted. "They also made me dig a grave today."

"What?" Scully and Halloran exclaimed at the same time.

He knew she was going to be upset by that, but he had to say it. "It may not be for me. I don't know what the purpose was, but I have a feeling it can't be good."

"I don't like that," Halloran sighed. "Especially after the way they branded you, Agent Mulder."

"That reminds me," Mulder said slowly, knowing he was about to piss off Scully. "One of the men cornered Scully in the house while I wasn't here. She took care of it, but the attempt was made nonetheless. Whether he was trying to intimidate her or actually try something, the line was crossed." He tried to make sure she knew he was telling Halloran to emphasize the intent of the cultists, not to imply she wasn't defending herself well.

"Are you alright, Agent Scully?" Halloran asked, concern heavy in his tone.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I've handled men like that before, he's not as special as he wishes he was," she explained, though, that provided Mulder with absolutely no comfort.

"It sounds like the cultists are acting out against you because you two are different," Halloran theorized. "I don't feel comfortable with you two being defenseless. I'm going to drop off two small guns and some ammo in the trunk of the tree tonight. Do you think you'd be able to pick it up? I don't feel entirely comfortable leaving it there so I want to make sure you get it."

"I could pick it up tonight a little after eight," Mulder stated.

"Perfect, is there anything else you need?" he asked.

They said they didn't and let him off the phone after that. "Looks like we both have an important errand to run tonight," Scully stated, watching him put the phone away.

"Let's hope no wandering eyes are out," he sighed, looking anxiously out the window.