Couple of things.

While this is an AU, there will be some familiar players in the game, but at the same time I get to write them a little differently. All this to say, I strayed from the original "Mulder had shitty parents" story line and portrayed a semi-normal conversation between dad and son.

He deserved it.

Annnnddd, we go back in time a little to establish some past relationship history. I love the idea of writing them during the same time frame but not together, we all KNOW what's next, but they don't know.. it's delightful.

One other thing, UMD Med School is in Baltimore (this is why you have a Beta to point these things out to you).

May 1983

University of Maryland

Dana Scully was smart. She knew it, her family knew it; in fact, everyone who came in contact with her knew it. She graduated from high school at the top of her class and every university she had applied for, including two ivy league schools, had offered her an enrollment package.

But along with intelligence, she had a propensity toward all things practical, so when the University of Maryland gave her a full-ride, plus room and board, for all four years—if she was willing to attend UMD medical school in Baltimore after her undergrad—she didn't hesitate and accepted the offer.

The one thing she did not fare well in, however, was love. She didn't date much in high school. In fact, she only had one boyfriend her senior year out of peer pressure and the desire to not be the only one without a boyfriend in her friend group. Plus, it was a guaranteed date to the prom.

She had lost her virginity that night in the back of a blue Chevy Nova, and let's just say it wasn't a show-stopper.

Well, at least she got it out of the way.

This time, she had thought, would be different. She'd been dating her history TA, Jack Willis, for a while. He was older, tall, and fairly good-looking, and she liked the attention he had given her. She thought dating an older man made her more mature.

She hated being wrong.

Sure, she thought the sex was good, she might even say great, but she had only been able to compare it to her backseat encounter. At least she had an orgasm, every now and then, anyway. But now here she was, finishing up her freshman year with straight A's and a broken heart.

Okay, so it wasn't broken, maybe bruised. And more like her ego, not her heart.

Melissa's voice comforting her over the phone as she sat on her twin-size dorm bed—she teared up at her first real 'adult', albeit humiliating, experience with romance. Her tears fell out of anger more than hurt, although she still felt the sting of rejection.

"Dana, it's gonna be okay. You know I am not one to say I told you so…but..."

Sniffling through her words, "I know Missy, I know.." blowing her nose, "...I thought he would be different. He seemed mature, wiser and self-confident."

That word, again, mature . She rolled her eyes at the foolishness of her thinking maturity walked hand and hand with age.

"Well, I think he probably was in some ways, and in other ways, he was a classic run-of-the-mill asshole."

Missy was amazing, even though she was halfway across the country; she had been calling her every night since Dana caught Jack taking a trip down south on a pretty blonde freshman a week ago. She had thought she would surprise him and bring him dinner one night, little did she know he already made plans to eat out .

"You know Missy, I'm more pissed that I didn't see it coming, and I let him get the best of me."

Dana wiped her eyes and continued, "From here on out Missy, I'm concentrating on school. I really don't need or want this type of distraction."

"Oh Dana, don't write love off just yet."

"Love!" Laughing into the phone now, "Who said anything about love!"

Dana stood up, trying to get more comfortable, leaning against the wall where the phone was attached. "I mean, honestly Missy, I've never really thought about love; it's highly unpredictable, and when it comes to sex, I manage better in that arena by taking care of business myself."

"Geez, Dana. Well, when you say it like that—I can't hardly blame you."

Just then Dana's roommate walked in, drunk out of her mind. "Heyyyyyyy, Dana."

Privacy gone now, she nodded her reply and pointed to the phone as if to suggest her muted response was because of her phone conversation. But really, she had no desire to engage with her roommate. Dana turned her back to the tall girl and whispered into the phone, "Hey Missy, I gotta go, Katie just got back."

"Okay sis, hang in there. You got this."

"I know. I feel better already. Hey, hurry up and finish up your soul searching—I miss you…," cupping her hand to the receiver to shield her words, "...I need to get out of this dorm; there is no privacy." Glancing at her now passed-out roommate sprawled on top of her bed.

Melissa laughed, "I miss you too. Bye."

"Bye."

Dana hung up the phone. Two things were clear to her. One, she was done being distracted by the unquantifiable. The only relationship she would be concentrating on these next four years was the relationship between energy and matter; and two, she needed to move the hell out of the dorms as fast as she could.

University of Oxford, England

"First class honors. Your Mom and I are very proud of you, son."

"Thanks, Dad," Mulder said into the phone, "What time do you, Mom, and Samantha arrive tomorrow?"

"Seven pm. Samantha had a school event tonight, so we are leaving for the airport first thing tomorrow morning; eight am."

Mulder watched as Melvin casually took a hit from a joint and offered it to him. He shook his head no and returned to his conversation,

"Dad, that's too early."

"Nonsense son, we need to get there in plenty of time to park in long-term parking, get our bags situated-you know your mother and Samantha don't pack light—and then check into the terminal to enjoy a nice drink before we have to board the plane."

"Okay, okay Dad, I get it." He rolled his eyes at the phone, and Melvin smirked.

"Will we finally get to meet that young lady you were dating?" His dad said earnestly.

"Ohhhh. No Dad, we broke up."

He looked up in time toward his friend, who was clearly stoned, mimicking prayer hands and mouthing, Thank God . Mulder leered at his friend's dramatic response.

His dad continued, "Sorry to hear, son."

"Eh, don't be. It wasn't going anywhere."

Melvin whispered, "Expect down the toilet." Mulder scolded his friend, "Shut the fuck up, Melvin."

"What was that?"

"Oh, sorry, Dad—I was talking to Melvin."

"Melvin, yes—I assume we will get to see him again? And hopefully, he won't be stoned?"

"Yes, unfortunately. Although, I can't make any promises about the not being stoned part."

His dad chuckled into the phone at Mulder's response, "Oh, speaking of going anywhere. What's next, son?"

"Well, funny you should ask." playing with the coiled phone cord in his hands. Mulder always got a little nervous when he discussed his future with his dad, "I'm actually thinking about the FBI."

"You don't say? Hmm."

"Yeah, they have a behavioral science unit that I find fascinating. I attended a lecture on profiling; it seems legit."

"Well Fox, if anyone can do it. You can."

"Yeah, but before that Dad…. looks like I might need to move back for the summer? If that's okay with you and Mom."

Melvin laughed, and Mulder shot him the middle finger.

"Oh, I'm sure we can find space for you son. See you tomorrow. Good night Fox."

"Night, Dad."

1986

Maryland

Dana woke to the Song lyrics of Venus blaring out of her alarm clock radio;

…She's got it

Yeah, baby, she's got it

I'm your Venus, I'm your fire

And your desire

Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire

And your desire…

Rolling over, she reached out with her hand to push the stop button on the small electronic device that was both a blessing and a curse. She giggled to herself at the song and it's ironic implication of her possible meeting with Mulder. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, sat up, and stretched her arms. Seven days had ticked by faster than she had anticipated, and for once, she couldn't wait to get ready. Today was the day. Thursday.

Missy had to work, but she made Dana promise to tell her every detail when she got home. "Don't leave anything out, Danes; I'm bringing home wine, so be ready to tell me everything…and I mean everything." She had said before she went to bed last night.

Throughout the week, Dana had moments of doubt, questioning whether she should even go through with meeting Mulder. She went back and forth— should she or shouldn't she go?

Flashbacks of Jack would fill her mind, and insecurity would set in. But Missy reminded her not to get ahead of herself. It wasn't like she was gonna marry Mulder; she was just going to have coffee with him. Get to know him.

She was nervous and excited at the same time. She calmed herself down, took a deep breath, and stepped out of bed. She made her way toward the small kitchen to make a cup of coffee. Several weeks ago, Missy purchased a French press, tossing their regular coffee maker out with the trash. While the press made good coffee, it took time to brew; which subsequently annoyed Dana.

As she waited for the water to boil, she rehearsed likely scenarios in her head. One likely outcome, she could get there, and he would never show up. She shrugged her shoulders at the thought, as if to convince herself it would be fine.

On the other hand, she could arrive and he would be there, waiting for her. She would walk over and…

Whiiiiiieeeeeee

Before she could finish her day-dream the high-pitched scream of the tea kettle interrupted her. She poured the hot water over the grounds, then pushed the top lid to the French press down, waiting impatiently for another five minutes, she shifted back to her thoughts.

What should I wear?

She really wasn't the type to be overly concerned about attire, but she did want to look presentable and well, cute. She shook her head and quietly laughed at her obsession over the entire situation.

Stay cool, Dana—knock it off.

Coffee ready, she poured a cup and proceeded back into her bedroom for her daily morning routine. Shower, get dressed, brush teeth, make-up (although make-up consisted of mascara and lip gloss), then hair.

After she showered and got dressed, Dana tackled her reddish locks. While school dictated her usual hairstyle, ponytail or messy bun, she decided to wear it down today.

She put two bobby pins on either side, and smiled in the small bathroom mirror.

Here goes nothing.

Dana gathered up her things: keys, books, wallet, and ID. She was ready. Making her way through the tiny apartment, she grabbed a light green sweater and headed out the door.

Mulder arrived at the coffee shop by nine AM. He scanned for the cute redhead he had been so drawn to last week, her name rolling off his tongue, Dana Scully.

No sign of her yet.

He stood in line and ordered a large cappuccino and a cheese Danish. He took a seat at a corner table that faced the entrance so he would be able to see her walk in, but it was also fairly secluded—a great spot so they could talk.

As he waited for his coffee and cheese pastry, he thought back on their meeting. It was quick, spontaneous, and a little out of character for him, but he felt it was worth a shot. The words of his high school basketball coach filling his brain, the only shots you miss are the ones you don't take .

Mulder likened that to life as well. Oxford, The FBI Academy, both were shots worth taking. Unfortunately, he hadn't been too lucky on the dating front; mis-judging all the shots he took as good ones, that clearly turned out bad.

No free-throws given on either fouls.

He huffed out a deep sigh and smirked at his metaphor. Just then, as if on cue, the front entrance to the cafe opened and in walked Dana Scully. Quite possibly the prettiest—no most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen.

He stood and waved, catching her eye as he did so. She smiled shyly, waving back.

Mulder swallowed hard as he watched her start to walk over toward him. Maybe, just maybe, he finally took a shot worth taking.