Mulder and Scully spent the rest of the evening engrossed in each other.
Partygoers spilled out into the outside spaces, and Mulder's decision to seek seclusion from all the people might have been in vain if it weren't for the fact that Scully felt as though they were the only two people left in the universe. The connection she felt with Mulder went beyond the physical. She couldn't explain it, at least not to herself. She felt like she had known Mulder her entire life, as if they were made for each other.
Scully was fully swept up in the moment, not quite certain if she was experiencing an alcoholic buzz or a Mulder buzz. When they kissed, his hands would pull and press on the exposed areas of her body, sending goosebumps up and down her flesh. His restrained touch left her longing for more. She didn't want the night to end.
But all good things come to an end, and before she knew it, they were saying their goodbyes and leaving the party. Much like when they arrived, they held hands, but this time their fingers intertwined with one another, all the way to Mulder's car. She leaned into his side as they walked and talked, leaving no room for space between them.
On the car ride home, he held her hand the entire way to her apartment and walked her to the door like the gentleman he was. They stood for a moment under the soft glow of the porch light, then Mulder took both her hands in his.
"I had a really, really good time."
Scully smiled, and a warmth spread throughout her body from her core. Her body's physical reactions to Mulder were undeniable. If Melissa wasn't home, she was certain she would invite him over for the night.
"Me too, Mulder," she said, also certain that he would gladly accept her offer if she extended it. But she'd play it cool for now.
For now.
"When can I see you again?" He asked with a hint of hopefulness mixed with something else—something more carnal.
"Depends, when are you free?" She said with a big grin. Her body was full of dopamine and oxytocin, and she had a difficult time taking her eyes off his pouty bottom lip.
"How about dinner? Monday night?" he said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles softly, one by one.
"Perfect, I'd love that," she purred.
"Great, I know just the place," Mulder said with a soft, imperceptible smile. Then, without hesitation, he pulled her by her waist, one hand resting at the small of her back while the other found her jawline. His touch was electric, sending shivers up her spine.
Shit, she really wanted to invite him inside.
Leaning in, his lips found hers, and their tongues tangled once more, igniting a wildfire of desire between them. The kiss intensified, and Mulder pulled her body flush against his. She would have easily surrendered her body to him then and there, paying no mind to what the implications of having sex in the hallway of her apartment complex might be. She wanted to devour him in every possible way.
Mulder's breath was hot and heavy against her face as he slowed the kiss, grazing her lips with his as he did so. Scully was sure she moaned at the gradual loss of his mouth on hers. His face was still close, and his hand caressed her cheek.
"Dana Katherine Scully. If I don't stop now, I won't be able to contain myself," he whispered breathlessly at the corner of her mouth. He rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. She could tell, in more ways than one, how their passionate kiss was affecting him.
She giggled at his confession. "Then don't," she whispered back. Scully watched him lick his lips, and she thought she might pass out at the overwhelming surge she had rushing through every cell in her body. So what if they were busted? She was ready to hike her skirt up and give Mulder undeniable access to every inch of her now extremely wet center.
Shit. Shit. Shit. She wanted him bad.
Now Mulder moaned. "You have no idea how hard this is for me," he lamented.
"Oh, I can guess," she said as she pressed her thigh into the large bulge between his legs. He let out a throaty grumble that made her center tingle. He sighed heavily, pausing for a moment and brushing his thumb across her cheek. "I have to go. I have PT tomorrow morning at six a.m.," he said with a look of disappointment on his face.
"I understand," Scully said, catching her breath and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Next time," she whispered into his ear.
"But first, dinner?"
"Yes, that would be nice," he said.
They separated, and Mulder looked down at his pants, shrugging his shoulders at his very noticeable hardness.
"Monday, then."
"Monday," she affirmed.
He stole one last kiss before they both said goodnight, and then she stepped inside her apartment, shutting the door behind her.
Three things she knew for certain: One, she was falling for Fox Mulder; two, she couldn't wait for Monday; and three, she needed to take care of herself or she wouldn't be able to sleep.
Maggie Scully faithfully called Scully every Sunday morning to ask if she would be attending church. It didn't come from a place of nagging or berating, but more out of curiosity about Scully's stress level. Her mom knew that Scully would often attend church when things got overwhelming in her life.
"I can't, Mom; I have so much work to do before graduation," she said as she poured herself coffee. Melissa had already left for work, leaving Scully alone in the quiet apartment.
"Okay, Dana, but don't work too hard; you need to go out and live a little; have some fun," she said before wishing her daughter well and hanging up.
What Scully didn't tell her mom was why she had a great deal of work to get done, and that reason had everything to do with Fox Mulder. She was, in fact, having fun. More fun than she had in awhile. It was nice. Very nice , she thought to herself as she sipped her morning coffee in the silence.
She glanced at the microwave clock. The library would be opening in an hour, and she wanted to be one of the first ones there so she could get a study room to herself.
After drinking all of her coffee, Scully dragged herself into the bathroom to get ready for a long day in the library.
She returned home that evening, exhausted. She had worked all day in the library, preparing for her last meeting with her advisor. She recounted in her mind all she had done and was certain she hadn't missed a thing.
Her recent distraction and sudden social life had her playing catch-up. But it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Her Navy Officer dad was partly responsible for the Scully children's work ethic. No task was to big, or small, for that matter; even loading the dishwasher in the family was a formidable duty.
She was laying in bed when her sister yelled from the living room interrupting her thoughts.
"Danes, it's for you; it's Mulder."
"Got it," Scully said as she picked up the phone from her bedside table.
"Okay. Hey, I'm going out. Don't wait up. I have a date with a graduate student," Melissa yelled once more.
"Okay," Scully said, "have fun." Holding her hand over the receiver as she shouted back. Then she heard the front door slam shut.
"Hi," she said, her tummy flipping with anticipation at the very sound of his voice.
"Hey!" Mulder said. "How was your day?"
"Boring and draining at the same time, I was at the library all day. You?"
"Ehhh, lectures all day today, then graduation prep. By the way, I've got you a ticket."
"You did?"
"I did," he said with a slightly higher tone, one she had heard from him before when he was excited. She smiled into the phone.
"I wouldn't dream of missing it," she said.
"Good. Because I want you there."
"I'm excited about tomorrow night. Where are we going?"
"I can't tell you; it's a surprise."
She could feel his mischievous grin on the other end of the receiver.
"Where are you?" She asked.
"In bed," he answered back. "You?"
"Bed."
"Hmmm, well, you know I have to ask, right?"
"Go ahead, ask."
"What are you wearing?"
"A tank top and underwear. You?"
"Boxers. Is that all?"
"Is what all?"
"You're wearing," his voice cracked.
"That's what I said."
"Oh, Scully. The things you do to me."
His voice was gruff and low, vibrating to her center as he spoke.
"What sort of things?" She asked, but she knew the things she did to him because he was doing them to her. Her legs felt like jello, and her core tingled.
"Well..." he said, choking on his words.
She breathed deeply into the phone. "Oh, Mulder, It's getting late and I'm getting sleepy," she said, yawning into the receiver. "Im sorry, but I have to go."
"Of course, Scully. Get some rest," he said. "I'll be counting down the minutes, among other things."
Scully smiled softly to herself, knowing very well what 'things' he would be doing because she'd be doing them too.
"Goodnight, Mulder."
"Goodnight, Scully."
A click of the phone told her that he had hung up, and she did the same. She settled into bed, and her thoughts drifted back to Mulder. Sweat tickled her body as her hand slowly took care of the physical reaction that had settled between her legs. Mulder, with his gruff voice, pouty lips, hazel eyes, and strong jaw line, filled her brain as her hand explored her now very wet and smooth parts. Her legs quivered as she thought of his muscular arms and the way they held her the night before, and how badly she wanted his hands in areas that she was now touching.
She easily reached her peak but resolved to herself that this would be the last time Mulder made her come without being present.
Scully rolled over on her side; her eyelids were heavy with the weight of the day's exhaustion. Her breathing slowed, and soon she faded into a peaceful slumber.
Scully woke up before her alarm, got ready for a meeting with her advisor, and caught the early train to campus. She couldn't help but wear a smile on her face, and it must have been evident to passersby because she received several mirrored looks back. Melissa would argue that her happy demeanor was being projected into the universe, aka spreading good mojo. She giggled to herself at the notion.
Her advisor only had a few minor suggestions, and her peer review went well. Her paper was approved for defense.
"Good job, Dana," her advisor said. "I look forward to hearing your defense."
Scully smiled and said, "Thank you, Dr. Stiles," and then heaved a sigh of relief. She left her advisor's office feeling exceptionally proud of herself and way lighter, considering a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
She spent the rest of the afternoon making notes and last-minute edits in the library, filling out paperwork for graduation in the admissions office, and then finishing her day by having a late lunch with several friends.
Over chips and salsa, Scully nonchalantly shared the news of her upcoming date with Mulder with her friends, and true to her understated style, she tried to downplay the bubbling excitement within her.
"I'm so glad to see you moving on from the name we won't mention," Michelle, her closest confidante after Melissa, remarked with a warm smile. Michelle had been Scully's steadfast support throughout her turbulent relationship with Jack, always reminding her that she deserved much better.
After an hour, everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, but not before Scully promised to let them know how her date goes.
She was filled with excitement as she rode the train back to her apartment. It had been a productive day, and she could sense that something good was about to happen in her life.
She couldn't wait for this evening.