Maggie Scully blocked out the indistinct hum around her as she followed her husband's gurney through the emergency room. When they reached the doors of the operating rooms, a nurse calmly asked they she wait until they had an answer for her. Mulder walked towards her, not wanting to startle her clearly distressed mind.
"Mrs. Scully?" He asked again, keeping a calm tone of his voice. She turned to see where the sound was coming from, a look of unrecognition on her face. "I don't know if you remember me, I'm Fox Mulder, I was working on the case with -"
"Fox." She nodded, causing him to smile comfortingly at her. She had refused to call him anything else when she invited him in for breakfast during the Daniel debacle. "I need to find Dana." She began to frantically search around, as if her daughter would just appear. He laid a gentle hand on her arm for reassurance.
"I'll find her, maybe you should take a seat in the waiting room. I think the nurses will need to talk to you." She nodded again, agreeing to accept his help. He had enough experience with emergency rooms to know that they would need as much personal information for admittance.
He made his way back down the hallway, not knowing what he was going to say. They had just established something in their relationship, but this was definitely a whole different ball game. Mulder slowed as he reached her office, seeing the door nearly closed with her sitting at her desk working on a report.
"Scully?" He knocked to signal his arrival, trying to remain as calm as possible. She looked up with a smile on her face, it quickly diminishing when she noticed the pained look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" The pang of worry began building in her stomach. Had he changed his mind about whatever they just developed? He clearly hadn't even left the hospital yet.
"Your father was just brought in, I don't know why, but your mother is in the waiting room." He said calmly, waiting for her reaction. She just stared at him with wide eyes, unable to move.
He walked over to her, crouching beside her seat and rested his hand on top of hers. She still didn't react, barely recognizing his touch. He reached out to lift her chin and turn it towards him, seeing the tears brimming her eyes.
In one swift movement, she broke down, practically falling into his lap as he adjusted himself to sit on the floor and gather her in his arms. She sobbed into his neck as he tenderly rocked her and comforted the best way he knew how.
Dana Scully didn't cry and crumble like this, she was embarrassed but that didn't matter. She pulled from his strength, just as she had done the first night that they met. He alleviated her anguish then, too. The tears subsided just as quickly as they came, causing her to lean back from him. He placed a small kiss on her forehead, a sigh escaping her lips at the contact.
She had never had this kind of connection before, the need and dependency was alarming to her. Even married, there was always a sense of independence that she maintained when it came to her emotional boundaries. Daniel had never even seen her cry. Sure, he had seen her angry and frustrated, happy at times, and even to her dismay now, aroused. Mulder was the only person that she allowed inside that wall that she had built so strongly over the years, and that frightened her more than she could explain.
"I need to find my mother." He simply nodded, standing and offering her a helping hand.
"Let me take you."
"I can find her, thank you." Her voice was a whisper, though her words adamant. He was confused, following her emotions was like being on rollercoaster. He never knew which version of her he was going to get, always keeping him guessing. Though this time terrified him as he watched her go within herself, pulling away from him.
"Scully -"
"I'll call you later, Mulder." She walked past him swiftly, avoiding his gaze.
As she left Mulder standing in her office, there was a deep pain inside her. This was the only man who has ever seen her at her most vulnerable, and that idea was something she wasn't ready to face. He never judged her, though she felt often foolish by the amount of tears she has shed in front of him. His strength and the memory of him was what gave her the courage to pack her things and move back to D.C. She felt herself completely captivated by his every essence, and that was an alarming realization for her. Even as controlling and demanding as Daniel was, she had never completely lost herself in him.
She found her mother sitting in the waiting room, her hand shaking as she filled out the forms for her father. Before approaching her, she stopped at the nurses station to get as much information as possible. Heart attack, the words haunting her. They assured her they would update her as soon as they knew anything. She scoffed, the standard wording to say to distressed loved ones.
"Mom?" Suddenly, she was a scared little girl who just needed her mother to make all the bad things go away. Maggie looked up at her daughter, fresh tears in her eyes as they embraced.
"Oh honey. I don't know what happened." Her mother's voice shook, choking back her tears. "We were waiting for the car, and he just collapsed."
"They said it was a heart attack. He has a good surgeon working on him." Scully nodded against her mother's shoulder for reassurance. "Was Josh still with you?"
"No, he left just before."
"I'll call him, and I should call Bill, Melissa and Charlie, too." Her mother had no words, none of it seemed real. She could tell that the busy tasks that her daughter was taking on were more so for herself than anything. She needed some semblance of control over the situation.
"Where's Fox?" The question startled Scully as she pulled back from her mother in almost a jerking motion. He was too close.
"What?"
"He said he was going to find you. Did he not bring you here?"
"No, I mean - yes, he found me but I told him I'd call him later." She dismissed her mother's disapproving look as she walked outside to make her calls.
When she returned, she stopped walking, seeing Mulder sitting beside her mother. She had taken one of his hands into both of hers, and he was smiling at her warmly. The scene clutched at her heart, but it also caused her to question what had happened between them. They had barely even kissed for the first time, and here he was, being a support system for her family in their time of need. Her shoulders slumped as she let out a heavy sigh. He had always been that for her, since the beginning, before she even knew what was happening.
When he noticed her standing beside them, he practically jumped out of his seat with a guilty expression on his face. Her mother turned to see her daughter there, wondering what was happening between these two. He was so kind and tender with her emotions as he offered her a moment of sincere comfort.
"I - uh, was leaving, and just wanted to say bye." He stammered, feeling childish with his excuse. "It was nice seeing you again Mrs. Scully." Mulder smiled at her as she returned the gesture.
"Mulder -"
"Goodbye, Scully." He walked past her, ignoring the pleading look in her eyes for him to understand. He did understand, she needed time to process this, and wasn't able to do that with him here. Mulder paused to brush a small kiss to the side of her temple before leaving. The small contact nearly took her breath away as new tears filled her eyes.
"The doctor said he should be waking up soon." Her mother's voice was hopeful. Captain Scully had pulled through surgery, expected to make a full recovery, but ordered to take it easy. Bill had flown in, Melissa and Charlie asking to be kept in the loop as they made their way there as soon as they could.
"Dr. Ramirez is very good, I trust his home care instructions as well." Scully was reading over the charts, keeping her mind busy. It had only been a few short days, but she thought she would have heard from Mulder by now. He was never good with boundaries, she had hoped this wasn't an exception.
"You should go home, Dana. You've been here all night." Maggie scolded, a gentle tone to her voice. She knew something was adrift, but didn't want to pry. Pushing Dana to do anything before she wanted was a fight waiting to happen. "Have you heard from Josh?"
"He said he would try to stop by this evening after he picks up Jamie from daycare." She nodded absentmindedly.
"And Fox?"
"No." She mumbled, turning away from her mother's prying eyes. "I imagine he's been busy with work." She suddenly found the brochures in the room fascinating.
"Dana -"
"Mom, I don't want to talk about this right now, okay?" She asked exasperatedly. Maggie simply turned her attention back to her husband, abiding by her daughter's wishes, for now. When Fox approached her before he left that first evening, he was so caring. She could instantly see that whatever connection this man and her daughter had between them had blossomed into something more. She couldn't understand why he wasn't by their side every step of the way. 'If you need anything, please feel free to call.' He had told her.
Once Bill returned with lunch, they ate in silence. Scully excused herself to go back to the house and at least shower and change. She could do that all at the hospital, as she had been accustomed to the last few months, but she needed the separation. As she was making her way to her car she noticed a familiar dark colored sedan parked just a few spots away in the perfect position to keep an eye on her. A small smile appeared on her lips as she approached, thankful that he hadn't taken her distance at face value.
He looked adorable, slumped in his car in a fresh suit. She assumed that he had come from work, but he looked so tired. Not wanting to wake him, but needing to talk to him, she went around to the passenger side to find that it was unlocked. Her eyes rolled, some FBI agent he was. Her hand brushed back the hair that flopped over his forehead causing him to startle awake.
"Wha -"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She smiled sheepishly, hoping that he could read her silent apology.
"It's okay." He smiled, happy to see her here. His face went sober once he realized where he was. "I - uh"
"I'm glad you're here." She knew he was going to make up some excuse for hovering, which she was beginning to not mind. The overbearing worry from him was endearing, and not as suffocating as she had feared.
"I never really went too far." He admitted, looking down at his hands. She placed her hand over his, intertwining their fingers together.
"I'm sorry for being so dismissive. I just, I didn't know how to handle everything."
"It's okay, Scully." He kissed the back of her fingers. "How's your dad?"
"Recovering. I'm going to have to make sure he sticks to his homecare, but he should be good as new."
"Well, from personal experience, I can attest that your homecare works wonders." He leered and leaned towards her, a coy smile appearing on her lips.
She met him halfway, their lips gliding against each other. He was surprised when he felt a small flicker of her tongue teasing at his bottom lip. She was rather subdued when it came to making the advances, but he appreciated her being the aggressor. He had to smile against her lips, she wanted this just as much as him.
He pulled back first, resting his forehead against hers. He couldn't classify what they were if anyone asked, but he was happy with whatever they were currently doing. There was a hesitation radiating from her, and he wanted to take it slow so he could guarantee that he wouldn't screw this one up.
"Do you have to go back to work?" Her head was now rested against his shoulder as she snuggled up against him and closed her eyes.
"I told them I had a doctor's appointment that would take up the rest of my day." He could feel the chuckle escape her lips as his arm shook from her laughter. "Have you slept at all?"
"No. I was kicked out and told to go home." She mumbled as she started to drift off against him. He smiled, the small ounce of solace coming from the fact that she was comfortable enough to do so. Reaching over to grab the seat belt, he buckled her in and kissed the top of her head. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she made herself snug in the car the best she could.
Mulder drove to her parents' house, not wanting to wake her. She looked so peaceful, and beautiful.
"Scully." His hand was stroking her arm gently, attempting to rouse her. She moaned a protest and turned away from him. "You'll be more comfortable inside."
"Where are we?" Her eyes fluttered open as she realized they were in the driveway of her house. "You didn't have to drive me home."
"It's okay, your family is right, you need rest." She pouted, mumbling something unintelligible as he led her inside.
Scully plopped on her bed once she made it up the stairs, with Mulder's assistance. She was half awake, and he thought she was adorably stubborn by insisting that she didn't need help or sleep. Once she was cozy in her bed, he began to leave to let her rest.
"Mulder."
"Yeah?"
"You need sleep, too. Doctor's orders." She nodded against her pillow as she patted the empty space of the bed next to her. He smiled, toeing off his shoes before he laid next to her on top of the covers. She gravitated towards his warmth, resting her head in her new favorite spot against his shoulder in the crook of his neck.
Mulder laid beside her, surrounded in everything that was Scully. Her scent was now permanently engraved into his senses, and he never wanted to let it go. Thinking about what this could become would only cause worry for him. He was never known to maintain healthy relationships, and losing her would be his undoing. The moment he met her inside his fake cab, he was captivated. His mind wandered to the soundtrack of her deep breaths, pulling him into his own slumber.
"Dana?" A voice made its way up the stairs towards her room. Scully groaned in protest to the incessant, sing-songy sound. Her head was buried in a warmth that caused her to startle awake. Mulder. He was here, in her bed with her. The sleepiness in her mind began to fade as the recollection of the day's events began to reemerge. She had invited him to do something as simple as nap with her, and it was one of the most intimate things she's ever experienced. She was so at peace, content enough to rest despite everything else going on. A smile appeared on her lips as the realization dawned that he still wanted to give her space, and slept on top of the blankets. The sound of her door opening broke her from her reverie, her eyes widening as she suddenly felt like an awkward teenager with a boy in her room.
"Dana, I tried calling your cell before I came ove-" Her sister, Melissa stood before her with a spreading smile on her face. "Well, now I understand."
"Missy, I thought you said you couldn't make it until the end of the week." Scully whispered, a hiss of an undertone to her words. She pulled the blankets up over her chest in a moment of unnecessary modesty. Nothing happened between them, and yet, everything had happened.
"I had a change of plans. I'm glad I could be here to see this though." Missy had a mischievous look in her eyes as she crept closer. "He's cute."
"Could you please leave? I'll be down in a minute." Scully practically begging her sister, pleading with her. She shrugged her shoulders with a roll of her eyes, sauntering out of the room with a pleased look on her face. Scully threw herself back against the pillows, groaning. She didn't want to deal with these questions right now, she had successfully evaded her mother already.
He looked so peaceful, resting next to her. There was a small ounce of guilt twisting in her stomach to subject him to meeting Melissa. Biting her lip, she gently nudged his shoulder. "Mulder."
"Mm?" She wasn't sure if he was just answering reflexively, but she needed him to be awake enough for her to warn him. Scully leaned closer, placing a small kiss on his cheek, causing him to smile. "That's a much better wake up technique." She huffed a chuckle before he turned, blindly finding her lips with his own, as if he did it instinctively. She relaxed into his touch, deepening the kiss as she leaned into him more. The barrier of blankets between them was causing a boundary, but they both supposed that was best for now.
"You're right, that is a much better way to wake up." She smiled, her eyes fluttering open to meet his sleepy gaze. "I have to go downstairs, my sister's here."
"Do you want me to sneak out the bedroom window?" He teased, the smirk fading as he watched the contemplation in her eyes.
"No, I want you to meet her. I must warn you though, she's very aggressive when it comes to interrogating people."
"Am I under questioning?"
"Possibly." Scully smiled behind her back as she stood from the bed, making her way to the door. He quickly followed, not wanting to walk into whatever he was about to face alone.
She paused halfway down the stairs, seeing another familiar face sitting and talking with her sister on the couches in the living room. Turning behind her, a silent apology flashed across her face and Mulder didn't understand what she was saying until he saw what she saw. Josh was sitting there, with Jamie, waiting for Dana's visit.
"How lovely of you to finally join us." Missy mocked, noticing her sister standing there with the handsome stranger. Josh had a confused look on his face as he recognized Mulder. This was a lot more complicated than she had ever anticipated.
"I needed the rest." Scully responded pointedly. She sat on the larger couch, Mulder beside her as Missy sat on the other side of her sister. Josh and Jamie sat in a smaller loveseat to the side. The room settled in an uncomfortable silence. "Have either of you been by the hospital yet?" She hoped keeping the conversation going would avoid the inevitable introduction.
"We've met before, haven't we?" Josh broke the silence, no such luck. Scully let out a heavy sigh, turning to Mulder as she silently asked if he wanted to explain, or if she should. He simply nodded his acknowledgement. He would tell the story.
"We have, but we weren't properly introduced." Mulder cleared his throat. "I was working undercover at the party when I ran into you both. I'm Fox Mulder, I'm a special agent with the FBI." He nodded his greeting, hoping that would suffice for Scully's sister who was eyeing him as if she were reading a book. He knew that look well, it's how he looked at suspects.
"I see. Well it's nice to meet you." Josh said as he settled a wiggling Jamie further in his lap. "I just wanted to stop by and see how everything was going, but I should get this one home." Scully prepared to walk him out, her hand resting on Mulder's knee as she stood. She squeezed slightly to let him know she would be right back. Jealousy was never anything he could get under control, but her small gesture gave him all the reassurance he needed.
"So how long have you been dating my sister?" The question barely escaped Melissa's lips as the door clicked shut behind Scully. Mulder choked on air, having no idea how much information Scully wanted to divulge to her family about them. He didn't know how to classify them himself.
"We, uh, it's still new."
"I gathered." Melissa responded, that specific look still in her eyes. Without another word, she got up and made her way to the kitchen. He sat there, unknowing what the hell was happening and how he ended up in this situation. A glimpse of red hair appeared in his peripheral through the front window and he smiled as he remembered why he was here.
"Sorry." She mumbled as she made her way back inside. Scully looked around, noticing her sister had disappeared.
"Everything okay?" There was a small ounce of guilt bestowed on her face as she sat beside him, sitting a little closer this time.
"Yes, he made the assumption that you were more than a friend."
"And how did you respond to that?"
"How did you respond when my sister asked you the same thing?" Her eyebrow quirked as her lips slowly turned up in a smile. She knew Missy better than anyone.
"I didn't know what you wanted me to tell her." He shrugged, smiling sheepishly. Scully let the wordless question pass through her mind. On one hand, it was nice to have her family in her life again, the distance seeming longer than the few years that was the reality. On the other, she was the most private of her family, focusing on her career and education rather than her personal relationships. When Daniel came along unexpectedly, she was instantly enthralled by his intelligence. The fact that he was fascinatedly taken with her was something that blindsided her guards, breaking down her barriers. Now that she reflected on her marriage, she knew that it was built on mental compatibility and intrigue, rather than that spiritual connection that Melissa always lectured her about. It was nonsense that she didn't believe in, until she met Mulder. There was something about him that made her want to share the things in her life with him, that made her want to willingly break down the walls she had so strongly built.
"Well, my mother seems to have taken a strong liking to you, so I suppose you already have her vote." She teased, keeping her mind light in the midst of her deep thoughts.
"I like him, too." Melissa said offhandedly as she passed the back of the couch, making her way upstairs. Scully huffed a disbelieving chuckle, shaking her head.
"How'd you manage to charm her?"
"I must just have a way with the Scully women." He wagged his eyebrows at her, causing her to chuckle and grin. Before her rebuttal, the cell in his pocket began ringing. He looked around as if he forgot it existed.
"Mulder." She went to the kitchen to call her mother and check up on everything at the hospital. Her mother was happy to hear that she had gotten some rest, and that Melissa was able to make it in earlier. Scully informed her mother that they would make it back with dinner soon. "I have to go."
"Oh, did something come up?" She turned to see him standing in the doorway of the kitchen, clothes still rumpled from their nap.
"There's a case, and I've been called in." He let out a heavy sigh, his arms dropping to his side in a heavy exhaustion. He already hated this case, a woman raped and murdered, the connection to others just being made. Serial killers were not the minds he needed to bury himself in while trying to maintain whatever this was with Scully.
"It's okay, I understand." She stepped forward, resting a gentle hand on his chest. A simple touch calming his entire demeanor. Maybe she could keep the demons at bay. Without much conscious thought, being hypnotized by her tender fingers dancing along his arms and chest, he leaned down and kissed her. She smiled against his lips, loving this new thing between them.
"Thank you." His forehead rested on hers, feeling her sweet breath on his mouth as she huffed a small chuckle.
"For what?"
"For being you." With another kiss, he made his way upstairs to collect his things. He departed with another embrace in the entryway of the house, feeling a loss the minute he stepped away.
When Mulder walked into the conference room, Reggie had a grim expression bestowed on his face. He knew this wasn't going to be good. Patterson was already on some tirade about the connections between murders not being made sooner. His anger was then completely placed towards Mulder.
"You should have known we were dealing with a serial killer!"
"I wasn't assigned to any of these cases, Sir." His voice was tight as he tried to regain the control that he was slowly losing. He only had a few seconds to glance at the case files sprawled out over the table to come to his own defense.
"Well congratulations, this one's yours. It's the third victim, we need him caught. Now." Patterson stalked into his office, slamming the door behind him. Mulder had seen his SAIC's name all over the files, meaning he was the one who dropped the ball. Not that he would ever admit that.
Plopping down into one of the chairs, he picked up a random file and began to familiarize himself with the details. Profiling was his forte, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. The images that stared back at him causing to hate this guy already. Bodies were mutilated, in the comfort of their own beds. Unmarried women, all in their 20s to 30s, living alone. Career women: a nurse, a paralegal, and now a business executive. Their cold, dead eyes burned through his soul as he read over the autopsy reports. They were not only raped, but then the bastard had the audacity to gut them, and chop off their breasts. He already hated this case.
"You want me to grab you some dinner?" Reggie's voice broke him from his reverie. He was so consumed by the files, he had no idea time had even passed.
"Is it already that late?"
"Later. Most other agents went home, but I didn't want to break your trance." Reggie knew how Mulder worked, so he let him be, and instructed that no one else disturb him either. It's how he worked, lost in his own mind. Locked inside the mind of the suspect.
"I should go home, too. There's not much more I'm going to get from this without going to the crime scene."
"We'll head over first thing tomorrow." Mulder nodded, gathering the files and taking them home. He had a profile, he just didn't like it. Whoever this man was, absolutely hated women, despised their very existence. That's not the person he wanted to lose himself in.
"Mulder." He fumbled to answer his phone and throw his belongings into the passenger seat of his car. An expletive slipping through his lips as the phone fell from the light cradle between his ear and his shoulder. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Are you okay?" Just her voice was enough to give him the deep breath of fresh air he had needed since he walked into that meeting.
"Yeah, sorry. I just dropped my phone trying to get in the car."
"You're still at work?"
"Just leaving." He let out a heavy sigh, his mood was passive, at best. He felt a million times better just talking to her, but nothing could fully erase where his attention had been for the last few hours. "Can you come over? I can pick you up." He didn't know what possessed him to ask her such a thing, he knew how it sounded. He just needed to see her, hold her.
"I can meet you at your apartment. I'm just leaving the hospital myself." Oh, right. He felt like a selfish ass for not immediately thinking about what was going on in her life.
"How is your dad?"
"Doing good. He's tired, so he sleeps most of the time, but he's been awake enough to know we've been there." She sounded pleased and he smiled. Maybe this case would be different, with her by his side.
"Good, I'm glad."
"I'll see you soon." His smile grew at the sound of that.
He hit unexpected traffic, cursing to alleviate some of the day building tension. His mind was focused on seeing Scully, it's the only thing that was keeping him sane at the moment. When he pulled up to his apartment building, his mind was so clouded that he didn't notice her car already parked along the street. The warm smile that greeted him upon entry made his heart leap.
"I hope you don't mind, I let myself in."
"No, I'm glad." He smiled back at her, feeling the rest of the tension leave his body. "I was going to order takeout if you're hungry."
"I could eat."
They settled in a comfortable silence, mindlessly watching TV as they waited for the food to arrive. He had asked more about her father's recovery, anything to keep his mind off work. She was helping him in more ways than she could ever know.
"Did you have a tough day at work?" She was hesitant to ask, but she knew his request to see her wasn't just from the longing in his heart. They healed each other in ways neither would ever be able to comprehend or explain.
"That's one way to put it." He scoffed, leaning his head on the back of the couch. "I just hate these cases. I hate having to profile these sick bastards."
"Why do you put yourself through it?"
"Because I'm the best." It was a mocking tone, the bitterness in his words amplified by the look in his eyes.
"It seems to be a tough price to pay." Her words were sympathetic, the eagerness to take his pain away apparent by the compassionate expression on her face.
His emotions were raw, letting her ease the mind suffering agony that he was subjecting himself to. When their lips met, it was like her touch erased the thoughts in his mind, leaving him with only impressions of her. He lost himself in her, allowing her to take the darkness of his mind and steering him towards the light. He was falling in love with her.
"I'm sorry, that you have to go through this." A whispered notion that she meant wholeheartedly.
"You being here is making it better."
"Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance." She smiled at him as she settled back towards her end of the couch. The last word triggered something in his mind. He had his own, brilliant, pathologist sitting right here.
"Maybe you can." His words said mysteriously as he stood and started pacing. Did he want to subject her to this? It's what she studied, what she trained for. He needed her. "Would you do the autopsy of the last victim?"
"Oh, sure. You don't have a pathologist assigned?"
"We do, but I trust you. I want it done right." There was something arousing to the way he made her feel respected. She had never had that with Daniel, and she reveled in the moment. She couldn't refuse.
The next morning, she showed up at the bureau dressed in her best pantsuit. Mulder wanted to wrap his arms around her trim waist that was obvious in the tight, knee length skirt and fitted jacket. Attempting to be the utmost professional agent, he extended his hand and thanked her for her assistance. Reggie watched this play out, rolling his eyes at their faked nonchalance about their relationship.
"This is Dr. Scully, she'll be performing the autopsy on the third victim." Mulder introduced her to the team before escorting her down to the morgue. "You look nice today. You should definitely consider joining the bureau if I get to see you like that all day."
"You saying you don't like my scrubs?" She glared playfully, causing his grin to grow.
"Never." He teased, opening the door for her. The chivalry was something she always admired.
Mulder broke down as much of his profile as he thought she could handle. The body spoke for itself, mutilated and mangled as it lay cold on the table. He watched her take a deep breath, mentally preparing for whatever she was about to discover. With her help, he could hopefully have a complete profile by the end of the day.
Scully took her time, not wanting to disappoint Mulder. She looked through every crevice of the body, every cavity that wasn't hacked into pieces already. How could someone be this cruel? She knew there were serial killers out there, but becoming well acquainted with the handiwork of one firsthand was a different game. Hell, she lived with one unknowingly, and it didn't feel this gruesome. She had to remain as detached as she did then.
The recorder was on as she recited her notes. "Female, mid thirties, brown hair, green eyes. Cause of death was blood loss, meaning she was conscious for the brutality happening to her." Deep breath. "Ligature marks on the wrists and ankles indicate that she was bound. Both breasts were removed with a rusty, jagged object. The lines are not clean, and the area was cut multiple times. The object was small, making imprecise abrasions. Perhaps a pocket knife, or hunter's knife. The lacerations to the lower stomach and pelvic area were made with more force. The repetition is that of someone carving an animal. Entire genital area is indistinct. There are signs that could indicate sexual trauma, though not enough evidence to make an accurate conclusion." She clicked the recorder off.
Dana Scully was no stranger to autopsies, but the body that was a victim of a serial killer, told an entirely different story. She was being thorough, she wanted to do this right. Mulder believed in her, and she wasn't going to miss one detail. The sooner she could provide him with accurate information, the sooner he was hopefully back to himself again. There was a distance in his eyes, one that she had yet to discover.
Several hours later, nerves on edge, she strode into the conference room, seeing the agents bustling around. Mulder sensed her immediately, meeting her at the door with hope in his eyes. "You finished?"
"I did. I'm hoping my report helps." She handed him the file with a nervous smile. He could sense her need to impress him and immediately felt guilty. He put too much pressure on her to make this perfect.
"I'm sure it'll give me just what I need to finish my profile." His hand brushed her arm lightly, not wanting to make a spectacle for any onlookers. There were plenty, considering someone was actually smiling in the direction of Spooky Mulder. "Can I interest you in another exciting night of bad TV and takeout?" He leaned in, his words barely loud enough for her to hear.
"No." Her lips pursed to suppress the smirk on her face. She almost lost it when his face became panicked. "I will cook you dinner. I'm going to head over to check on my dad first, then I'll be at your place with something edible."
He visibly relaxed, glaring at her for the game she was playing. There was a sense of contentment that he couldn't ever remember feeling, thinking of her waiting for him at home. "Sounds perfect. Don't change from the suit." He winked at her, causing an eye roll in response. She loved the attention.
After checking on her father, she made her way over to Mulder's, a grocery stop in between. She missed cooking for him like she had the opportunity to do while he was recovering. There was something that pulled her to him in a way that no other man had ever had the power to do. Instead of running away from their closeness and growing relationship, she found herself stumbling towards it.
As she began cooking for him, she thought about where their relationship was. How would she define it, how would he? Her sister knew there was more to what she was telling, but there was a doubt that he disclosed any ounce of information to anyone. Maybe Reggie knew. The uncertainty began to cloud her mind, she was so lost in her thoughts she didn't hear him come home.
Fresh herbs and spices immediately hit his senses as he entered, his apartment only ever smelt this good when she was here. She stood in the kitchen, breaking off pieces of lettuce as she mindlessly tossed the salad. He was puzzled that she hadn't greeted him, now realizing her mind was elsewhere. He snuck up behind her, placing a kiss on the exposed skin of her neck, causing her to startle from his embrace.
"Jesus, Mulder. You scared me."
"Sorry, I thought you heard when I came in." He watched her take a few deep breaths, shoulders falling as she began to relax. "What smells so good?" He could tell something else was going on, but thought she would appreciate the change of subject. When she sighed, he knew he made the right choice, for now.
"Baked rosemary chicken and potatoes. I also have a salad." She smiled. "It's not pizza, but I think you'll live."
"I would take your cooking any day." He kissed her chastely on the lips in an official greeting. "I could get used to this." He left to change as she finished the dinner preparations.
The simple, offhanded comment was said under his breath, she's not even sure if she was supposed to hear it slip from his lips. Repeating over and over in her head, she needed to know if he was serious. Did he want more from whatever this is? What even was this? Another heavy sigh, she finished setting the table and attempting to shake her worries. The trepidation was still evident in her eyes, and that's all Mulder saw for the rest of the evening.
"What's wrong, Scully?" He was going insane. She barely touched her dinner, the dinner she insisted on making. Now, she was sitting apart from him on the couch, not cuddled into his side as she normally did when they spent time together. Something was on her mind, and she was more distracted than him on an active case.
"Nothing, I'm fine." He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don't know." She finally conceded.
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
"That's just it, you're the problem." He froze, he wasn't sure he was ready for this admission. He wanted to take it back, shut his mouth and sit there in an uncomfortable silence again. "I feel foolish."
"No, there's nothing that -"
"Mulder, what is this?"
"This?" It was the only response he had. This wasn't the conversation he was expecting. He realized now that maybe his intentions were a little subdued.
"Yes, this. You and me." She gestured exasperatedly between them. He was catching on, he just wasn't in the right mind to have this talk.
"I don't know, do we have to classify it?"
"No, I just -" She fidgeted with her hands, breaking their eye contact and pulling a leg up under her. She was removing herself, and he was letting her, nearly pushing her there. He let out a heavy sigh, he was being a jerk.
"What do you want it to be, Scully?"
"I'd like to at least say we're dating. My sister already suspects, but I've been avoiding my mother's questions because I didn't know what you wanted from this."
He leaned towards her, gently taking one of her tightly wound hands from the other, cradling it in his own. His thumb ran tender circles over the back of her hand, waiting for the rest of her to relax. She was mesmerized by the motion, gravitating towards him as she uncoiled her stiff position and leaned towards him as well.
His soothing motion stopped, waiting for her to meet his eyes. She was avoiding it, knowing that as soon as she did, there would be no turning back. Mulder was never good with his words unless he knew that there was no chance of rejection on the other end. He learned that lesson the hard way more times than he'd like to admit. The fact that she was responding to him was its own small victory. She was different, and he wanted to cherish that.
"I want to be whatever you're willing to take from me." His words held a heavier weight than intended. He wasn't perfect, by anyone's standards, and usually people chose to see past his spooky nature. Diana couldn't handle it, and they were married. She chose to only take the parts that she deemed would get her further in her career, leaving the odd ends behind.
"I want all of you." Her voice was just a whisper, now looking him dead in the eye. She understood his silent implications, read the fears in his words. He was falling in love with her, not that he wasn't there already. Now he was just ready to admit it.
Her hand held his face gently, seeing the questions and trepidations in his eyes. They hadn't made any moves towards one another, a few stolen kisses here and there. He didn't want to ruin this too soon, but as her other hand began running circular motions over his shoulder, down to his chest, he was losing his inhibitions with each small ministration.
His hand now rested on her hip, pulling her towards him as her body naturally gravitated to his warmth. He was nearly laying on top of her, realizing that she had pulled him there and reclined on the couch in her own will. He read her eyes again, no words needed between them as she silently told him that this was what she wanted. It was the most intimate thing he's ever experienced.
He didn't know who made the first move, it didn't matter now. All that mattered was that she was kissing him with passion, him meeting her motions with just as much reverence. Her hands were now under his shirt, her nails slightly scraping his warm skin. His hands were inching their way towards her breasts, a small whimper escaping from her throat as his thumb stroked the underside of her bra. She was losing control with every touch, thinking his theories that he spewed about spontaneous human combustion on this very couch were completely valid at the moment. No man had ever touched her so longingly and tenderly before. She's had quick, in the heat of the moment sex, and rather boring, normal sex. She's even had her share of the occasional, messy hookup sex. But this, this was different. With every graze on her skin, she could feel the love and adoration pouring out of him. The way he looked at her before each kiss sent shivers through her entire body.
She squirmed out of his embrace, causing a moment of panic to settle on his face. She wanted to laugh, deciding to kiss him to diminish his fears as she held her hand out to him and stood from the couch. He caught on as she led him to the bedroom, knowing what was about to happen. He had known where the night was leading, but being on the couch gave her an out, gave her a chance to run. One final look in her eyes, and he knew she wasn't going anywhere.
Scully sat him on the side of the bed, kissing him as she stepped between his legs. In one motion, she discarded the top she was wearing, barely breaking their contact. His hands automatically found her breasts, the silky lace cool under his touch. She had begun to move his shirt up, needing to feel his skin on hers. This was happening, and she couldn't get enough of him. He cradled her in his embrace as they kissed, toying with the bra hooks on her back, waiting for her to make that final move. She was so soft under his touch, so perfectly melded to his body. In one fluid motion, she reached behind her and unhooked her bra as she let the garment fall to the floor and laid atop him on the bed.
He couldn't believe this was actually happening, his most recent fantasies coming true in one perfect evening. Shifting their bodies, he now rested between her legs, laying them more comfortably and fully on the mattress. He wanted to see her, watch her as they made this final connection. Her eyes were hooded, arousal filling the room. He gently unzipped her skirt, removing it with tender fingers. She licked her lips in anticipation, the build up was killing her. He removed his own pants, the only thing between them were her matching lace underwear, and his boxers.
He kissed her stomach, making his way back up her body. He could feel the goosebumps developing with each touch under his lips. Her hands found their way into his hair as he paid much attention to the rest of her, encouraging him to keep doing whatever the hell was making her feel this amazing. As he inched his way back up to nestle in the valley of her thighs, she felt his very prominent erection against her leg. Her eyes glanced down between their bodies, an eyebrow arching with question on how he got there so fast.
"I told you, you really should wear suits more often." He whispered into her neck, answering her silent challenge. She chuckled into his embrace, the last laugh escaping into his own mouth as his lips found hers again.
Mulder's thumb was stroking her hip, just below the waistband of her underwear. She understood what he was asking with his tender motions, he wanted her to be sure. Making the final move of assurance, she pushed her underwear down, locking his gaze as she did so. His boxers were discarded quickly, now nothing between them as his body covered hers.
He reached between them, feeling the gasp on his lips as it escaped hers when he found her sweet spot. He was pleasantly surprised that she was just as aroused and ready for this as she was. His long fingers begin stroking her, just one, then two. He watched as she was fighting for control, not wanting to give into the ecstacy filling her senses just yet. His rhythm increased as he curled his fingers inside her just right and this thumb found that bundle of nerves waiting to explode. His lips descended on hers just as she moaned out his name, catching each wave of her orgasm with her.
She laid there for a moment, completely sated, staring lovingly into his eyes. His hand now rested on her hip as he waited for her to catch her breath and come down from her high. He's never had that effect on someone before, perhaps he's never really been with the right person. She could see his thoughts begin to drift, reaching up to cradle his face and bring his lips to hers again. She was bringing him back to her, grounding him, the way he had always longed for.
The small moans of pleasure escaping both of them only sealed how much each of them wanted this. He settled himself between her more comfortably again, his tip teasing her center with a final question. She reached between their forms, stroking him a few times before leading him to her body. He entered her in one final moment of bliss, taking that last step between them to seal their relationship and validate the wordless love they shared for each other.
Blood. There was blood everywhere. He looked beside him, fumbling out of bed as her body was covered in her own blood. Her breasts were cut, her face slashed. He had a hunter's knife in his hand, one that he's used a few times as a kid during an Indian Guide camping trip. There was that same sticky, red liquid dripping from the knife. He looked at his hands as he threw the knife on the bed, seeing her blood covering him as well.
No, this can't be happening. As she laid there lifelessly, her red hair sprawled on the pillow beside where he lay. Her stomach was gutted, her eyes were cold, there was nothing left of her. Nothing but the shell of the woman who he just made love to.
The panic began to settle in his mind, the lump building in his throat. How could he do this to her? She was so strong, so powerful. He loved her, but something was in the back of his mind, doubting that she loved him. She was too smart to love him, knew that he could never measure up to her standards. He didn't deserve her, but he couldn't just let her go. This was how he made her his forever. The cry rose in his throat.
"Scully!" Mulder sat up abruptly, his chest rising and falling quickly as he tried to catch his breath. She startled awake, being knocked off his chest with his panicked motion.
"Sh, I'm right here." Her hand was stroking the side of his hair, the other resting on his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.
"I thought you, I thought that I -" He was rambling, not able to make sense of what the hell just happened. He's had dreams before, usually the Samantha dream on repeat. His latest had been more pleasant, filled with Scully. This was one he never wanted to replay.
"Mulder, it was just a dream, I'm right here." Her voice was soothing, still husky from sleep. He pressed the pads of his palms into his eyes, trying to erase the images his mind created. All he could see was blood, her blood. He couldn't look at her.
He got up, ignoring her pleas to come back to bed. She was trying to calm him, comfort him. Her presence right now was doing more damage than good, but he didn't have the heart to kick her out. This was his problem, not hers. He threw on his basketball shorts and a t-shirt, making his way to the bathroom to splash water on his face.
She was confused, laying in his bed naked, still coming off the high of their evening together. There was mutual enjoyment, she knew that by the way he moaned her name into her mouth as he filled her. That was the first of three times. The last two were quick and needy. Once they had a taste, it's the only thing either of them craved.
The clock on the side of his bed read 6:24 am. How things changed in such a few short hours, she had no idea. It was the first time she couldn't read what was going on in his head, because he wouldn't look at her. The shame suddenly flushed through her as she brought the sheet up to cover her chest in a moment of modesty.
He felt like an ass when he re-entered the room and saw her sitting there, clutching the sheet with a confused look on her face. Now she wouldn't meet his eyes. It was probably for the best.
He grabbed a pair of socks from the drawer, no words available for him to explain what was going on. The image was so vividly in his mind, he couldn't be in that room. If he wanted to salvage anything of their relationship, he needed to leave and shake the dream from his memories.
She sat there quietly, watching him from her peripheral as he moved around the room. He had told her before that he often had nightmares from cases, or his sister's disappearance, but she had hoped that he would let her in. After everything they shared last night, she realized he had yet to allow her into his mind. He was closing himself off, protecting her from the demons he was facing. She wanted to hold him to her chest and wish them away, absorb some of his pain.
He turned as if to say something, words failing him as he stood there silently. She finally met his eyes, seeing the apology there, but not understanding where it was coming from. Did he regret last night? The fear rising in her heart.
Mulder left the room wordlessly, grabbing his running shoes from the living room and leaving. The tears stung her eyes as she heard the door shut behind him.