Chapter Summary: The case starts to wind down. That means Mulder and Scully can start to wind up. It's wonderful being treated like a star...

Chapter 7 - Full Contact (Two Way)

Scully was surprised that after her triumphant performance that she was now the victim of a vicious attack. The serial killer clipped her shoulder, drawing blood, but her FBI training taught her to spin away and subdue the attacker. Her groupies had left her alone in the room to change and that when the killer struck. Surprisingly, it was a *she* in a baseball cap. The vulture that came after Skinner and later found to have petitioned Mulder was none other than the Serial Stripper Killer, herself.

Despite the attempt on her life, Scully felt sorry for her. Phyllis Cranston didn't have much in this world. She had mousy brown hair, a once cute face, and a life of dreams. Her drug addiction led to prostitution and ruined her. Jack Tasker, the owner of the strip club, felt sorry for the woman and gave her a chance. It was almost as if he knew she was dying before she did. Not only had Phyllis lost several jobs and johns to redheads, but her redheaded doctor didn't find her stage 4 lung cancer in time to do anything about it.

Phyllis decided to make a statement and it seemed Scully was her last hurrah. The poor woman didn't put up much of a fight and was taken down easily. Apparently, she used the last of her strength in the attack and fell gasping for air. Scully pushed the panic button they had given her and Skinner and Colton came running. Mulder and Walker saw the ruckus and joined them, but all they could do was watch the last gasps of a condemned woman. By the time the paramedics came, she was beyond hope. Phyllis Cranston died on the way to the hospital with her fist clenched as if she was still holding the knife.

XXXXXXXX

Scully's brief moment as a sexy, escort stripper was over and the halls of the Hoover Bldg. will never be the same. The next week was painful. She was on leave as she waited to be cleared from the Bureau psychologist. Mulder called her several times a day, just to hear her voice. Also, she had lunch with her partner and Agent Mark Walker a few times because she wanted to see the young agent before he was reassigned.

Mulder was not going to allow Walker to stay after the young man nearly tripped over his tongue putting two and two together. Once he understood that the sexy bombshell on the stage was the same no-nonsense pathologist that hired him, the poor kid was in love. Mulder had to drag the man from Scully's dressing room that night as he watched the kick-ass FBI Agent zip tie her attacker dressed in 4 inch fuck-me pumps and black thigh high stockings. The angle he had looking down inside her lace teddy, wasn't helping.

Scully tried to do her part to discourage him, but it had no effect. She had to get him to stand down soon because she noticed the agitation rising in her partner as the kid got on his nerves. The parting was bitter sweet.

"I appreciate you keeping Mulder company while I was on assignment, Agent Walker." Scully held out her hand.

"No problem, Agent Scully." He shook and held it—drawing her close. "By any chance do you eat dinner?" Walker was looking hopeful.

Mulder broke in. "She does, but not with you." Mark looked hurt.

"What Mulder means," Scully tried to soothe, "Is that Mulder and I are partners again and you will be reassigned to a different area."

"Like Siberia." Mulder said under his breath. Scully elbowed him.

"You mean I can't continue to see you?" Agent Walker looked perplexed. "Why not?"

"Because, she is spoken for."

Mulder's words didn't surprise Scully. After Mulder's behavior this last week, it shouldn't surprise Mark either. This was inevitable. She danced for him. He wanted her—she wanted him. Why fight it? Mulder certainly wasn't holding anything back.

When they were alone, his advances have been blatant and he was just waiting for her to respond. It should bother her that Mulder assumed she would willingly fall into his arms, but he was right. If the two dozen red roses delivered to her apartment from 'Spooky' weren't a clue of a change in their relationship, it must have been the peacock blue corset with the set of 3 licorice g-strings from Vicky's Secret that was the biggest hint. He wanted to cross that line and the feeling was mutual, however she wanted to close the case first.

Poor Mark. He had noticed the burning looks that Mulder had been giving her all week, but he was hoping that he still had a chance. A+ for effort. Scully gave Mulder an irritated glance. He didn't have to be so gleeful about throwing his conquest in Agent Walker's face. She tried to soften the blow.

"My partner *meant* that you will have new adventures with a different set of people."

"I'd rather have adventures with you, Agent Scully." Walker smiled goofily, but it didn't last long. Mulder was approaching the young agent threateningly and Scully intervened by holding him back.

"That won't be possible." She said sweetly.

Walker finally got it, staring at a looming Mulder. "You mean I can't and live."

"Yeah." Scully confirmed. "Something like that. Thanks for understanding." She pushed Mulder away, kissed Agent Walker's cheek and he blushed.

"You're a classy lady, Agent Scully." He walked toward the door. "If things change, I'll still be around. Just so you know, I'll never forget that night. That's primarily because I have a copy of your dance routine on DVD. A lot of the guys have it—in fact most of the building. Be warned." He grinned and closed the door behind him.

"Sheila in accounting has a copy too." Mulder said quietly. "She has been after you for years."

Scully was stunned. She stood staring at the basement door to their office. "The whole building, Mulder?" She wasn't sure if she should be flattered or horrified.

He came up behind her. "I have a copy too." Mulder was close and spoke low in her ear. "Let's watch it together."

"Mulder… We are at work."

"Let's leave then."

"We have a debriefing at 1pm with Skinner."

"Yeah." Mulder sounded sour. "He's gotten his jollies out of this case. Has he talked to you recently?"

Scully put a hand on his arm. "No. He was mostly…a perfect gentleman."

"Mostly?! I bet he has a copy too."

"Mulder… Don't make this worse. He is already angry with you for finding out my assignment, going to his apartment and almost blowing my cover. Being at the club didn't help and you brought the young and impressionable Agent Walker with you."

"You make it sound like I'm the corruptor of souls. Walker was the one making the moves on you a minute ago." He backed away. "Sure you don't want a young pup to satisfy you, Scully? Walker will oblige."

Scully wore an impish smile. "I could ask Skinner. He seems to know the way around the female form." She tried to keep the teasing out of her voice and Mulder's reaction showed she was successful.

"If he even *looks* at you wrong, I'll…"

"You'll what? Skinner will have you unconscious in seconds." She tried to go back to her desk, but Mulder pulled her to him.

"You…are…mine." He squeezed her. "What would you do if Skinner tried for you?"

"I'd scream." Scully said burrowing into him. "There wouldn't be much else I can do. He's a big man."

"I am too." Mulder said slyly. "Want to see how?"

"We shouldn't—regulations..."

"Fuck that. I want you."

Scully smiled. "What are you going to do—*if* you get me?"

"I have some ideas…."

Authors Note: The case is almost closed and then Mulder and Scully will be free to explore. I tried to swat those darn plot flies, but with the heat and humidity out here, they respawned. I think Mulder should get a private showing…don't you? But first—a number. It's not 69, but close enough…

Next Chapter – B.B.F.S. (Bare Back Full Service) It's not a gas station, but there is a whole lot of pumping going on.