Act VI – A Blue Flame

Their first paring was sweet and sensual. Mulder started out with a gentle kiss that quickly ignited a flame of desire that ended up in the bedroom. Scully enjoyed that Mulder pleased her first and when his time came, she was able to please them both. When they were sated and drifting off to sleep, Scully thought back to the wild and brutal coupling of Claude and Mary. She got the impression that Mary was acting, doing what was expected from her, but Claude was unhinged and his passion was real. It gave her goosebumps just thinking about it. Maybe in his own way, he did love her.

She recalled Mulder thrusting into her as her orgasm built and wondered how that would feel if he wasn't holding back the power in that gorgeous, muscular body of his. What would it be like if she let Mulder have full control to do what he wanted with her? The passion from last night could be just an appetizer. It was an idle fantasy. Mulder was too considerate to release himself like that. Scully sighed and fell asleep in his arms.

The next morning was thankfully a Saturday and she woke to a pair of shining hazel eyes staring down at her. "Good morning. It is a beautiful day outside. I can see the blue sky through your lace curtains and I'm motivated. I thought that we could go for a run together."

Scully wasn't sure how to say this. "I need to go see David first."

"I'm glad to hear that. We can run later. Breakfast?" She shook her head. Mulder kissed her and started to the bathroom. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No." She started gathering her clothes and he came out.

"I know this isn't going to be easy since he did ask you to marry him." Mulder walked up to her. "Is that all it is? You aren't having second thoughts about us—are you?"

"I—I enjoyed last night."

"That's not what I asked." Mulder turned her around to face him. "I enjoyed last night too, and I can't wait for a repeat, but tell me if something is wrong. I won't lose you over some unspoken problem. You can tell me anything. If I'm being a jerk—say it. I will do anything to keep you."

Scully didn't want to tell him that David had been forceful a few times and she had to physically repel him. David wanted her to sleep with him, but Scully couldn't. Retrospectively, she realized it was her devotion to Mulder that kept her chaste, but at the time, it was just fear.

It was a little scary that David was so desirous that he would press her that way, a few times he bordered on the skirts of assault. Now she realized that her fear had an element of excitement to it. Being able to bring a man to a fevered pitch was a like superpower. However, when she tells David that she doesn't want to see him anymore, Scully was worried about what he might do. If she told Mulder, he would overreact.

"I'm not having second thoughts. I just need to get ready." Scully fled to the bathroom.

XXXXXXXX

Mulder was sure that Scully was keeping something back from him. He was worried about her going to see David. He could imagine how he would feel if he had proposed to Scully and then she dumped him for another guy. He hated to do this, but he was going to have to either convince her to take him with her or follow her. Either way, he wasn't going to leave her to face this alone.

When she came out, she did have some toast and coffee. Her demeanor was subdued, not what he had hoped after their first night together. He asked if he could come with her and she replied that she would rather go by herself. Fine. He slipped another tracking/listening device in her purse and waited.

After she left, he followed Scully to a house in a nice suburb of D.C. All that was missing was the white picket fence as the dogs came up to greet her. Mulder guessed the surgeon decided on invisible fencing. David was standing at the front door and he watched as Scully deftly avoided a kiss from the man. When they went inside Mulder paid close attention to the conversation.

"It is good to see you Dana! I tried to reach you yesterday…"

"I was out of town." Scully said quickly. "David, there is something I need to talk to you about. I don't want to drag this out so I'll just come out and say it."

"You are turning me down."

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"Well, I don't take 'no' for an answer. I'll keep working on you. One day…"

Scully cut him off again. "There isn't going to be a 'one day'. David, I need to break up with you. I can't see you anymore."

"Why?" David's tone had changed and Mulder got concerned.

"Because I'm with someone else."

"It's *him*, isn't it? Your partner—Mulder? The man you can't stop talking about on all of our dates!" David's voice was getting louder. "That's why you wouldn't sleep with me. You are in love with *him*!"

"Yes, David." Scully was moving around and Mulder could hear a touch of concern in her voice. Something was wrong here. "Look, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I need to go."

"You aren't going anywhere." The menace was unmistakable. "I thought it was your Catholic upbringing that made you prudish about sex. Now I realize that I was at a disadvantage the whole time. You weren't available from the beginning! You lied to me and I'm not walking away empty handed."

"David! No!"

Mulder heard her scramble for the door and he leapt out of the car and started for the house.

There was a lot of scuffling and a few shouts before Mulder burst through the front door. Luckily, the dogs came up to him, wagging their tails, because Mulder had drawn his gun, ready to shoot. However, it wasn't necessary. Scully had David on the ground, neatly incapacitated.

"Scully?" Mulder was amazed. He shouldn't have been, his partner is quite capable, but he was still stunned that she dropped a jilted boyfriend like a sack of potatoes and then ruthlessly held him at gunpoint.

"Mulder?" She put the gun that she had pointed at him away. "I could ask what you are doing here, but I'll have to check my purse first. We are going to have to talk about this—at length."

"He tried to hurt you."

"And look where he is. I'm an FBI agent as much as you are, Mulder. Give me some credit."

"Sorry, Scully. You were just so…distant this morning and I was worried…"

Scully ignored him, then flipped David over and looked him in the eye. "David, I understand why you are upset. Considering the news I delivered, I'm willing to let this go, but if you ever threaten me like that again—I'll arrest you. Do you understand?" The poor surgeon nodded profusely and glanced between the two agents, nervously. Scully flipped him back and cut the zip tie. "Goodbye, David." She walked through the ruined front door and Mulder followed.

XXXXXXXX

Scully was furious. How dare Mulder put a bug in her purse…AGAIN! Not only that, but he followed her and broke down a man's door in a misguided effort to save someone that didn't need saving. Sometimes that man cared too much and other times, too little. He was maddening and quite dead meat after this. However, as her fury dissipated, Scully realized that it was a gesture from the heart. She got into her car and went back to her apartment. Mulder wasn't there. He knew he had fucked up.

She didn't hear from him for several hours, but a lovely bouquet of white roses surrounding a single red one came for her. *Damn him* She read the card:

*Sorry. I love you. I wanted to protect you. And I wanted a chance at the man that tried to take you away from me. Forgive me—M*

*Damn him again* He knows she can't stay mad at him. As soon as she put down the card, the phone rang. He was still watching her. She picked up. "Mulder…"

"You have reached Mulder's an Idiot's Restaurant. Today on the menu is a crow followed by a side of humble pie. To make reservations…"

Scully smiled into the receiver. "Come over tonight at 8pm. I'll make dinner. You bring the humble pie."

"I screwed up, Scully. Will you let me make it up to you?"

"You can try, I have a request…"

After she explained, the voice on the other end said one sentence. "Are you sure you want to do this?"