From: Ariel 'xfilesx'
          Date: Thur, 24 January 2008 2:09:41 PST
          Title: "Things Happen"
          Author: Ariel 'xfilesx'
          Rating: NC-17 (language & sexual situations)
          Spoilers: Anything up to season 7.
          Keywords: MSR Distributed on: Gossamer,
          Ephemeral and Veronica Mars Files
          
          Intro: This is actually part II to my
          previous story 'All Things Happen' you 
          don't have to read the other story to 
          understand this one. It's a stand alone 
          story, completely self contained. Although 
          it might help if you read the other one 
          first, for the back story on what's 
          heated up between these characters.
          
          Summary: Mulder & Scully are faced with a
          very disturbing case along with trying to
          deal with the aftermath of one steamy
          night.
          
          Disclaimer: The characters and situations
          of the television program "The X Files"
          are the creations and property of Chris
          Carter, Fox Broadcasting, and Ten-Thirteen
          Productions. No copyright infringement is
          intended.
          
          My Beta: Thank you Kiana for proofing this
          and putting up with my constant nagging
          and extremely bad grammar. I know
          grammatical errors still exist in this
          story but at least we tried =]] 

          Note: Please don't repost this story 
          without author's permission.
          
          >>>>>>>>
          Mulder was sitting at his desk, in his
          office as usual. His sleeves rolled up;
          engrossed in something far more alluding
          than any X-Files he had ever encountered
          or investigated. Thought. That's right,
          thought. Something he realized he hadn't
          done in a while. Done in a while? He knew
          where this was going.
          
          Scully and I had sex. Yeah, I know, you
          should be glad. You finally got laid. But
          it was more than just a lay. This is
          Scully I'm talking about here. She's a
          beautiful, intelligent woman I've come to
          know. Anything done with her is more than
          'just' cause. It wasn't just sex with her,
          we made love. Something I couldn't have
          imagined, something I *never* imagined
          myself saying or even suggesting. This
          would probably work better if it was a
          team effort but I haven't seen much of
          Scully since that night in my apartment. I
          think it's safe to say, she's trying to
          avoid me. That was clearly notable when I
          woke up to find myself alone. If she would
          just talk to me, I might have a better
          idea of how to go about all this. Maybe
          she regrets the whole thing. No, no, I
          doubt it. Even I can't force it out of my
          own head. She couldn't possibly regret any
          of that, could she?
          
          **
          Scully was in her car on her way to work.
          Work? Psh. Did she really wanna work? She
          hadn't seen Mulder since that night, and
          she wasn't sure if she could face him.
          Face all the 'what if' possibilities. She
          initiated the moment, the sex, but it's
          not like he stopped her. She was afraid,
          afraid that 'that' yes *that* would put a
          damper on their relationship and she
          didn't want that. In the past, she ruined
          a lot of male relationships with sex. And
          she didn't wanna ruin this one and lose
          him. He meant everything to her.
          
          Mulder and I had sex, yes. It was the day
          my life changed forever. Not just because
          of the sex, we made a connection, both
          physical and spiritual. It was more than
          sex. More than.
          
          Sure, I love him-- Oh god, did I just?
          Love? I guess I do love him as more than
          my friend but he might not feel the same
          way. What guy turns down sex when it's
          tossed his way, right?
          
          Now I have to face him. Not knowing what
          he's thinking is quite scary. Sure, he's
          easily predictable at times but not now,
          not after... well after. It might be hard
          to try and jump back into our usual way
          knowing this enormous elephant is in the
          room, sticking out like a sore thumb. It
          definitely wouldn't go with the decor of
          the office, she joked mentally. Okay now
          isn't the time for jokes she thought,
          getting out of her now parked car to walk
          the plank. Walk it right into that office.
          
          She walked in, then downstairs, to the
          pushed up but not closed door, pushing it
          forward to discover him at 'work'. Mulder
          was on the phone and by the time she
          walked in, he was saying his goodbyes and
          hung up. They acknowledged each other, the
          two of them not saying a word. She stood
          in the doorway for a moment and then she
          took a few steps inside.
          
          Well now this just feels all wrong, we're
          partners she thought. This is--was normal.
          Mulder kept his eyes on her as did she for
          a few moments before shifting her gaze to
          the floor, the walls, anything and
          everything that wasn't occupied by Mulder.
          Damn, this is gonna be a long day. For
          what felt like hours was just a few short
          minutes. She finally built up the nerve to
          speak.
          
          "Who was that on the phone?" She asked,
          taking a seat in the chair opposite
          Mulder.
          
          **
          Shit, is she speaking to me now? What do I
          say? What am I supposed to say to her?
          She's acting as if none of what happened a
          few days ago really matter or happened at
          all is a matter of fact. That night we had
          sex--- made love, whatever, just so
          happened to be on a Friday. Two days, two
          whole days, 48 hours, I haven't seen or
          heard from her. I realize I am totally
          unprepared for this. Wait, what is this?
          She asked you a simple question. Answer
          her now!
          
          "Umm, just... Skinner, he asked if we
          could assist him on a case he's working
          on. The mysterious death of a witness that
          was supposed to testify against the
          company he worked for today." He finally
          said. Scully nodded. Good, a case. I can
          handle a case, she thought. Silence filled
          the room.
          
          "So how was your weekend?" She asked,
          dying to make conversation at that point.
          
          "Fine." He said, knowing damn well it
          wasn't and she knew this. Why do you
          insist on torturing me woman? They both
          nodded, somewhat completive with their
          responses.
          
          "How was yours?" He asked knowing her
          weekend was probably just as miserable as
          his had been.
          
          "It was fine. I did a little reading, the
          usual." She answered casually knowing she
          felt the exact opposite of causal,
          miserable was the word. She read, Of Mice
          & Men by John Steinbeck, although it was a
          very good book, she realized then she
          should have read the guide book on 'How to
          deal with your partner after a Friday
          night, excuse me, early Saturday morning
          of great sex.'
          
          It's completely normal to have sex. She
          just wished she didn't feel the way she
          did. And that was sad, although, she
          didn't let this show, she assumed he'd
          recognize it straight away, just as he had
          always done but he didn't seem to notice.
          He had to have been wrapped in his own
          thoughts as well.
          
          "Let's get to this case shall we?" She
          said determined as she rose from the
          chair.
          
          Case? What case? I was too busy noticing
          how depressed you looked. He thought. He
          nodded his agreement.
          
          "Yes. Let's." He added, rising, walking
          across the threshold toward the coat rack
          to put on his suit jacket.
          
          She looked at him, as if a deep feeling
          had fallen upon her. She caught his eyes
          and they locked for a few short moments
          before she decided to focus on something
          else. The floor, just as she had done that
          Friday night. Old habits don't die hard.
          Forget what they told you about that. She
          walked passed him, out of the office and
          down the hall, no longer visible to him.
          He walked out as well and closed the door,
          taking in those few moments before. God,
          how can I go on like this? He thought,
          resting his head against the cool door.
          
          **
          Oh Mulder, what I would give to feel you
          close again. Don't you know I'm not sad
          because of the act, I'm sad because... my
          ability, the lack of ability I have to be
          able to explain to you or to describe
          exactly how I feel but I can't. I sense
          that you're just as tense as I am; I just
          wish we could be tense together and not
          alone.
          
          She paced the hallway and put her hands on
          her face, rubbing at her fear, which she
          felt, laid on the surface. She realized he
          had been taking an awfully long time so
          she walked back to see him resting his
          head on the door. What have I done to this
          man? What have I done to myself?
          
          "Mulder?" She called from a distance in
          her "come on, let's go" tone. He
          immediately recognized the discomfort in
          her voice and stood upright and started
          walking toward her.
          
          "I'm coming..." He said in a sad tone. She
          turned the corner again, before he could
          reach her. He followed her, a few steps
          behind. Oh yeah, this was definitely going
          to be a long day, he mused.
          
          **
          Mulder and Scully got out of the car and
          started toward their destination, the
          victim's home where Skinner called Mulder
          from.
          
          Inside, they met with Skinner. Mulder
          knows he's talking but not exactly
          listening. He really hoped Scully was at
          least. He wasn't in much of a mood for a
          case. Skinner's mouth was definitely
          moving. All he caught were the phases,
          'wife, high-profile, Scobie?'
          
          Scully and I share a few glances and
          comments. Were those even related to this
          case? Oh who cares? I heard Scully mumble
          something like "I'll get right on it"
          Great, now I'm left to fin for myself or
          rather I have to *really* listen to
          Skinner. Get your mind out of the gutter
          Agent Mulder, you can do this. Focus, you
          can do that, right? It's as easy as the
          amazing sex you had with Scully. Fuck, can
          I not think about that for just one
          millisecond? You *are* capable of that,
          you know.
          
          I decide the best thing to do is to tag
          along with Skinner; maybe I can get my
          mind out of the gutter if I do something
          more productive. I make the suggestion; he
          said yes or okay, something. I was a lost
          cause at that point.
          
          Skinner and I headed to the Morley Tobacco
          Headquarters. Not only am I angry with
          myself for reasons I have yet to explain,
          some information desk clerk guy gives us
          the third degree despite our badges. What
          an asshole, Mulder thought. We finally got
          to talk to one of the victim's associates.
          They were being very uncooperative; not a
          good thing to do right now; since I can't
          stop thinking about... well you already
          know. I use this time wisely, taking some
          of my frustration out on his lawyers. I
          pull some evidence out from my breast
          pocket. Scully's breasts. Oh god. I toss
          it across the table and then I'm asked
          something like:
          
          "May I ask where you're going with this,
          Agent?" The uncooperative associate asked.
          I say sarcastically, with a hint of
          uneasiness, detected in my voice but
          obviously not visible to others, thank
          god.
          
          "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. Answering that
          question would violate FBI confidentiality
          due to the sensitive nature of our
          investigation." Wow, harsh. Great sex will
          do that to a man.
          
          **
          Later that night
          
          I'm all 'cased' out. I decide to get some
          sleep while trying my damnest not to think
          about Scully in that way, open, emotional,
          gloriously naked before me, beautiful at
          that. I can't think of her in any sexual
          way, no. That is the problem. She's my
          partner, my FBI partner. This is wrong, so
          wrong. He thought as he fell backwards on
          the bed in his motel room. He was tired
          and his mind was racing. Sleep should help
          clear my mind. Ah yes, sleep.
          
          **
          In Scully's motel room
          
          She was getting ready for bed. A bed she
          wished she wouldn't have to lie in alone.
          God Mulder seemed out of it today, even
          more so than usual, she mused. I've got to
          talk to him sometime. *We* have to talk
          sometime. We can't keep doing this to
          ourselves, to us. Wait, was there even an
          *us*? Yes, partnership, friendship,
          trust... love?
          
          She thought sleep might help her. It had
          in the past. It should now. She turned in
          her tracks, not realizing she had been
          pacing the room, just as she had done in
          the basement hallway earlier. I'm
          stressed. She told herself. It's just
          stress. You'll be fine. She turned out all
          the lights and hopped into bed. Slipping
          under the warm sheets, she closed her eyes
          and thought back to that night. It had
          been wonderfully exhilarating. Not for
          just for my body, but for my spirit, my
          heart, my soul and his. She blamed herself
          for Mulder being so out of it. She
          initiated the moment and acted on it. If
          only she could take his stress and pain
          away without giving too much of herself
          away. She was scared. She knew he had to
          be scared too.
          
          That one moment, in that hospital changed
          her. She met with her old medical teacher
          and ex, Dr. Daniel Waterston, by accident.
          If you call getting his medical records
          instead of the ones I ordered an accident,
          okay. With Daniel, telling her how he felt
          about her, she, taking all this in and
          finally, truly realizing that that girl
          she left years ago actually stayed back
          there. She hadn't realized how much she
          had progressed and changed over the years
          on the X-Files with Mulder, into the
          person she was now. She thought she was
          that same lost girl only to realize she
          wasn't lost at all. Slightly confused but
          not lost. She took a deep breath, sucking
          back her emotions. True realization hit
          her like a ton of bricks. She hoped Mulder
          would be out of his daze by tomorrow. For
          now, she'll sleep off today's worries,
          because there was always tomorrow.
          
          **
          Mulder awoke, feeling better than he did
          before, still sad but not as moody as
          before. No time to have a decent thought
          as his phone rang.
          
          "Mulder." He said in a not so upbeat way
          since he was still tired.
          
          "Mulder, it's me." Ah, yes. The famous
          'it's me'
          
          "Yeah?" He said, his spirits and
          expectations lifting a little bit higher
          and higher until...
          
          "We've got another body." Scully said.
          Damn and I thought we were onto something.
          Better luck next time.
          
          "Okay, I'll meet you outside in a few
          minutes." Mulder said. She hung up after
          that. He half expected that. It had been
          something he had been doing without
          thought. He knew she'd be outside so he
          decided not to pout about it and got up
          and got ready. A body awaits. Not like
          it's going anywhere.
          
          **
          They arrived on scene
          
          "Guests check in, but they don't check
          out." Complete turn around, congrats
          Mulder.
          
          "Well, judging from the condition of the
          body, I'd say that he died in the same
          manner as the other victim." Scully said
          in her 'sexy autopsy news' tone she seemed
          to reserve only for Mulder.
          
          Oh, I almost forgot about you Skinner.
          Mulder thought as Skinner tossed in his
          theories.
          
          "Well, then what killed them?" Skinner
          asked, growing slightly impatient with
          Mulder.
          
          He held up an evidence bag to show them
          what he had. A beetle.
          
          "These." Mulder said confidently.
          
          "It's a long shot, Mulder, but it could be
          some form of contagious agent, like an
          insect-borne bacterium which would mean
          that there might be other victims in this
          building." Ah, Scully, ever the scientific
          one aren't we?
          
          **
          Few hours later
          
          Scully was stuck doing yet another autopsy
          with Skinner, right along side her. Mulder
          walked in, having expected her to be
          depressed that she was stuck doing another
          autopsy but she seemed energetic, excited.
          
          "Hey, Mulder. Where have you been?" Scully
          said casually. There's something about her
          that got him every time. He had to admit,
          he was a sucker for red heads, no, no,
          that's not right, he was a sucker for
          *this* red head.
          
          "Talking to lawyers over at Justice.
          Trying to get a look at Morley's files."
          He said tiredly. Running around all day is
          quite exhausting after a while.
          
          "Well come, take a look at this." Glancing
          at the body doesn't help. He swallowed
          back a cough and went over to sit in a
          chair. Scully expected him to be a little
          more excited, thrilled even. He did look
          sick. Maybe this case was getting to him
          she thought, maybe it's us.
          
          Scully tried to explain the condition of
          the body to Skinner but stopped when
          Mulder started coughing. She started back
          up, but stopped again as his coughs became
          deeper and more violent. It's gotta be a
          cold. That's it. He put his hand over his
          mouth and coughed, looking at his hand in
          shock. She turned her attention at only
          him.
          
          "Mulder?" She said, a bit concerned, as
          she walked over to where he was. Taking
          his hand and flipping it over to see that
          there was blood in his palm. He had just
          coughed up blood. Oh god.
          
          **
          Mulder protested. Scully wouldn't hear of
          it. She took him to the hospital and the
          next thing you know, he was out cold, due
          to an injection he half expected to
          receive. Doctor knows best, Scully
          thought. Soon, he was on the ER table with
          a suction straw down his throat, inserted
          directly into his lungs to clear him.
          
          Scully was destroyed. Scully couldn't
          stand to see Mulder in this state. She
          stared at his unconscious body blankly, on
          the verge of tears as a familiar face
          walked by. She sighed sadly and stepped
          out of the OR. Scully explained to Skinner
          how Mulder got in that state. He had
          unfortunately inhaled the smoke while
          interviewing a tenant in the building
          where the second body showed up. Poor
          Mulder.
          
          **
          Mulder's hospital room, he's asleep.
          Scully entered and took his hand in hers
          gently, and rubbed his fingers. He woke
          up, smiling at her, weakly. He looked at
          her holding his hand.
          
          "Mmm. It must be bad." He said; his voice,
          raspy and hoarse. Scully gave him a small
          smile and continued holding his hand. She
          didn't realize how much she cared for this
          man until she thought she was going to
          lose him forever.
          
          "How do you feel?" She asked.
          
          "Like a dust buster attacked me." He
          answered. Mulder began gasping and
          breathing erratically.
          
          "Mulder..." It finally hit Scully. He
          can't breathe, oh god. Mulder was wheezing
          and the monitors began beeping. Scully
          looked at the readouts that were flashing
          before her eyes.
          
          "Doctor!" Scully yelled, completely
          helpless, despite her medical training.
          
          Scully was trying to lay Mulder all the
          way down to prepare him for the crash cart
          that was wheeled in by one of the nurses
          moments ago. An O2 placed a mask over
          Mulder's mouth, as Scully tried to still
          him with her hands, but nothing was
          working, he was still in pain, still
          gasping.
          
          **
          A few hours later, Mulder was stabilized,
          asleep once again. Scully stood outside,
          looking at him through a glass panel, on
          the verge of tears. A streak of sadness
          rushed through her entire body. She
          couldn't stand watching him go through
          this. It hurt her to have to watch this
          and not be able to do anything about it.
          They had no idea how to treat him. The
          only lead they had, had disappeared
          somewhere. Skinner was trying to figure
          that one out. She was counting on him for
          this. To save Mulder, she needed more than
          a cure, she needed faith. She was deep in
          thought when she was approached by his
          doctor.
          
          "Dr. Scully? We've got him stabilized on
          ECMO for the moment but we're not going to
          be able to maintain him on it for long. Of
          course, you can see why."
          
          The doctor handed her x-rays of Mulder's
          lungs. She pulled a sheet out and held it
          up to the light. There were lots more
          larvae in his body than before. She put
          that sheet back and got another one,
          showing similar results. She angrily
          stuffed them back inside the folder.
          
          "There's more now than there were six
          hours ago." She said in a slightly
          exasperated tone.
          
          "They're beginning to block the flow of
          blood. Our best bet is to go back in
          there. I think this time; we have to crack
          the chest." The doctor said.
          
          "No. No, I... he's too weak for thoracic
          surgery. He-- he'd die on the table."
          Scully said pointedly.
          
          "I'd say for the time being, we just
          wait." She said, her voice beginning to
          crack. She couldn't take what this doctor
          was saying to her to heart. It hurt her
          badly. She couldn't take it. She couldn't
          risk losing him. Not like this.
          
          "That'll definitely kill him. Sooner or
          later." The last words the doctor spoke
          before leaving her with a decision to
          make.
          
          **
          Skinner came rushing into the hospital to
          tell her the news. He had shot the tenant
          that caused Mulder's downfall. Scully saw
          something that got her attention,
          cigarettes, on the man that Skinner had
          shot. Nicotine? That's it.
          
          "Get me 30 milligrams of methyl
          pyrrolidinyl pyridine." Scully yelled over
          the hospital.
          
          "Nicotine?" The doctor retorted,
          surprised.
          
          "I think it could save Mulder's life." She
          said, sounding hopeful.
          
          **
          And it did. The smoke that had gotten into
          his system the first time around actually
          ended up saving his life, if Scully hadn't
          realized earlier that day, he would have
          been dead. He was lucky to have her by his
          side. He trusted her with his secrets
          which she kept, only her, knowing the
          error of his ways.
          
          Two weeks later, his first day back at
          work since the smoke incident, he had been
          typing his report for Assistant Director
          Skinner, when Scully walked in. They
          talked about his fast recovery, his voice
          still a little hoarse from the tubes being
          down his esophagus. And then he showed her
          something that blew her away. A pack of
          cigarettes he suggested he should smoke.
          She convinced him to toss the pack in the
          trash and he did. Her last words to him
          were:
          
          "Good. Well, Skinner's waiting for us in
          his office." She said with a smirk that
          told him she was completely satisfied that
          he tossed the smokes out.
          
          "I'll be right up." He said slightly
          happy, yet slightly sad. That's one thing
          Scully doesn't know about me. I used to
          smoke.
          
          She exited as Mulder watched her leave. He
          looked down at the pack sitting there in
          the trash. He wanted to grab them and
          smoke them badly but he promised her, he
          promised himself.
          
          **
          A month later, another late night in the
          office
          
          A whole month had passed. Mulder was in
          excellent health, as was Scully, a prefect
          combination, although that elephant did
          seem to get very comfortable lurking in
          the shadows like that. As if I didn't see
          you two months ago. Two whole months had
          passed. Not one but two whole months since
          their sexual encounter. He didn't want to
          pressure her and bring it up. If she
          wanted to talk about it, she'd talk
          willingly. He figured it was all the
          'excitement' they'd been getting into the
          last few months that have kept her really
          content. She was still the same o' Scully
          but more reserved. Which wasn't a bad
          thing, it's understandable. I understand.
          I just wish I knew how to tell her I did.
          I wanna know if she knows I know. Does
          that make any sense? He heard footsteps
          striding toward his office. It couldn't be
          anyone other than...
          
          "Scully?" He said, a little surprised that 
          she was back. He thought she had gone home 
          for the day.
          
          "Yeah Mulder?" She said, looking around
          the office.
          
          "What are you doing?" He asked as she
          lifted up just about everything she could
          lift in that office. She was on a roll.
          
          "Looking..." She answered, now under the
          desk. Mulder chuckled a bit to himself,
          despite the situation.
          
          "For?" He asked playfully. He really
          wanted to know what she was looking for.
          She got up from the floor and put her
          hands on her hips and looked around some
          more before, yes finally looking at
          Mulder.
          
          "My house keys, I thought they were on
          that Apollo keychain you gave me but I
          don't see it. There's no use in going home
          if I can't get in my apartment." She
          sighed, plopping down in the chair in
          front of Mulder's desk.
          
          It was Friday night. She was ready to hit
          the road and possibly the hay. She looked
          tired. He looked at her sympathetically
          then he sighed, rising from his seat yet
          again to cross the threshold in the
          office. He went to the coat rack, digging
          into his pockets; he produced his own
          house keys, pulling off the key labeled
          'Scully' and handing it to her. She looked
          up at him as he crossed back to his desk
          and sat back down. Mulder was tired too.
          He just didn't feel like going home.
          Nothing was there for him.
          
          "I can't- Mulder, I can't." Scully started
          to say as she looked from her palm where
          the key rested into his eyes from across
          the desk. You can't what? Mulder looked
          back at her utterly confused by her
          reaction.
          
          "Scully, it's just a key. *Your* key. I
          don't understand..." He uttered, unsure of
          what to say to her. She frowned and stood
          up, grabbing her briefcase, which she
          hadn't realized she left.
          
          "Good night, Mulder. Thank you." She said,
          a little uneasy nevertheless. Mulder
          nodded as did she. She turned around, not
          quite moving from her place, she finally
          did. She knew Mulder sensed her hesitation
          about leaving now but was glad when he
          didn't say anything about it.
          
          **
          On her way home she realized that
          everything before had been fine, before he
          had handed her the key anyway. She had
          completely forgotten about the key. Of
          course, how can you forget about something
          you gave someone? Well I did. She didn't
          know what she was more upset by, his
          kindness, or herself. She had no idea why
          she was so upset in the first place. It
          dawned on her. Her self-conscious mind was
          trying to do what her conscious mind
          wouldn't. Pursue. Now parked on her well
          lit street, ignition crackling and
          resting, she laid her head atop of the
          steering wheel. What's wrong with me? She
          thought. I have to put an end to this--
          this wondering. I have to shake this
          feeling.
          
          She was scared, afraid, of love. How, why?
          She thought. Most women would be overjoyed
          but not her, not Scully. She felt a wave
          of sadness flow through her. She realized
          she wasn't afraid of love itself, but the
          loss of love, a love, her love. She had to
          go back. She couldn't live another day
          like this. It's Friday after all. She
          restarted the car and pulled forward and
          out.
          
          Destination: Mulder's place.
          
          **
          Mulder had gotten home about an hour ago.
          He didn't even bother doing any of the
          stuff he'd normally do when he got home
          from work. He collapsed on the couch, dead
          weight, and was soon fast asleep.
          Something else he didn't think he was
          capable of all those restless nights he
          spent alone.
          
          He thought about Scully before he fell
          asleep. She seemed upset, when earlier she
          seemed fine, happy even. He hoped she was
          okay. She seemed extremely depressed. Even
          more so when she stopped in her tracks at
          the door before leaving tonight.
          
          What he would have given to feel her again
          just as he had, for what seemed like ages,
          was their bodies first meeting. He knew he
          was in love with her. There was no
          question about that. He loved her even
          before then. He just never realized how
          much before the act. Her distances gave it
          all away. They were close. The closest
          relationship he had ever had with a woman
          that wasn't sexual. She was his best
          friend and was always there no matter what
          but now. She's out of it. She didn't seem
          like herself. He couldn't remember a time
          she felt so out of reach. All thought
          eluded him as he slept.
          
          **
          Scully arrived at his apartment, making
          her way down the hallway to his door. She
          had a key, why not use it? No. I should
          knock. She placed a few soft knocks on the
          outside of the door with her palm facing
          her, using the knuckle of her index
          finger. No answer. I know he's here, she
          thought. I saw his car outside, she
          thought some more, pulling her keys
          labeled 'Mulder' out of her pocket. She
          found them a while after she left the
          office. She had her head down searching
          her ring for the correct key to place in
          the lock.
          
          She put the key in the lock and proceeded
          to turned it counter clockwise. The lock
          creaked loudly as if it hadn't been opened
          in years. She slowed and pushed inside. It
          was completely dark inside; just as it had
          been that night she awoke from her dream.
          Even more so it seemed. She took her key
          out of the lock after a few false tugs and
          then closed the door, locking it.
          
          "Mulder?" She called, in a very low tone.
          She looked around before making it into
          his living room. She realized she didn't
          have to call out any longer. He was here,
          asleep. She smiled to herself, making her
          way to the couch. She put her keys in her
          pocket, kneeling on the floor beside him.
          She softly called his name again and
          touched his thigh to let him know she was
          here, careful not to alarm him. She
          succeeded. He woke up.
          
          "Hey." She said, smiling, tenderly at him.
          The only light in the room was of that,
          offered by the street.
          
          "Hey. What are you doing here?" He asked,
          warily, in the same soft tone she had
          used. He sat up on the couch as Scully
          stayed seated on the floor. He rubbed his
          eyes, trying to get them to adjust to the
          half lit room. He reached over to turn the
          light on when a voice and a hand stopped
          him.
          
          "Don't." She said.
          
          Okay so no lights, that's okay. The
          question here is; he thought; what are you
          doing here, Scully?
          
          "I wanted to talk to you. I couldn't let
          it wait 'til Monday." She said; her voice
          shaky but quite clear. She wanted to talk,
          that's good because I wanted to talk to
          you too, Mulder thought. He nodded for her
          to continue, his arms now resting on his
          knees.
          
          **
          You came over here to talk to him, no, you
          came over to talk *with* him. She didn't
          want this to be a one-way conversation.
          She really needed to know what he was
          feeling. She wanted to tell him how she
          was feeling.
          
          "I-we... Mulder." She said pointedly after
          a few failed attempts at trying to get
          what she was feeling into text, words he
          could understand. She took a deep breath
          and started again.
          
          "I-- I can't stop thinking about that
          night." She finally said. No need to
          specify, he knew what night she was
          talking about. That elephant had gotten
          quite large and sort of never left; it had
          just gotten pushed aside until one of them
          was able to talk to the other. Make a
          suggestion as to how to get it out of the
          room or decrease it in size. For this one
          line, she paused for a long time, thinking
          about what she had just said and the night
          in question.
          
          She tried to start again but couldn't find
          the power of speech. He placed his hand on
          her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
          She simpered at his words. At least he was
          being supportive; something he had just
          barely began to tap into. Not that he
          hadn't been before. It was comforting to
          know he was able to be both, supportive
          yet understanding.
          
          "I know. I can't either." He simply said.
          Well at least I know it's been bothering
          him just as much.
          
          "Finally." Scully said with her voice
          rising, almost playful. He removed his
          hand from her shoulder.
          
          "What?" He said, slightly amused.
          
          "You're finally able to admit it." She
          said, smiling widely up at him from her
          seat on the floor.
          
          "I was always able to admit it. I was just
          waiting for you." He commented. His
          comment was rewarded by her hand, whacking
          at his knee with determination. Those
          little gestures were all the reassurance
          he needed. She was on her way-- *they*
          were on their way to understanding.
          
          "God, Mulder, what's wrong with us?" She
          said, thinking out loud. It wasn't what
          was wrong with them but with her. She
          initiated the moment and then avoided him
          completely, why? She couldn't answer that
          question for herself; she was hoping he'd
          have something insightful to say about
          that. He nodded for her to continue.
          
          "I was so sure of myself, Mulder, then
          confused... scared and I know you felt it
          too." She said, wow, she thought, that's a
          step into the right direction.
          
          "I was scared, yes, but only at the
          thought of you avoiding it--- *us*
          completely." She noticed that he placed
          emphasizes on the word 'us' He really
          wanted their relationship to work. She
          wanted it to work. They stayed in a
          comfortable silence for a few minutes
          until...
          
          "Scully?" Mulder said, forcing her to look
          up at him.
          
          "I know you don't believe me when I say
          that I don't take back anything that
          happened that night. Not even now...
          never."
          
          The last words he uttered as he grasped
          her hand, which rested on the seat of the
          couch next to him, in his. He kissed her
          hand. Scully tried her best to repress a
          blush which was bright pink on her pale
          skin. Scully took her free hand and placed
          it atop his on her hand. She started to
          caress his hands. It was all the
          reassurance she needed in the world. She
          suddenly realized that this is what led to
          the moment before.
          
          Their eyes locked in the most intimate of
          gazes. They smiled at each other as a
          mixture of emotions fluttered out in the
          open, visible to both each other and the
          naked eye. He moved his hands up to
          capture her face. This time, they both
          inched forward little by little toward
          each other until their lips met. The
          sweetest kiss; deepened into passion,
          love, their hands flying up to grasp onto
          the other, for comfort, for reassurance
          that this was actually happening. They
          knew exactly where this was heading and
          they didn't care. For once, Scully knew
          for sure she wanted this. There was no
          doubt in her mind this time. No doubts
          what so ever. Mulder slid off the couch to
          be level with her on the floor, both on
          their knees.
          
          Scully was touching him all over. Not at
          all frightened or hesitant like she had
          been the very first time they had been
          together. Mulder found her waist and
          pulled her closer into his space,
          desperate to fill the gaping space between
          them. Her hands were on his back, inching
          further up to his head, running her
          fingers through his hair. Mulder was
          working his way away from her lips to her
          neck, she arched toward him, wanting,
          needing this attention even more. He found
          the coat she was wearing somewhat
          distracting so he ran his hands from her
          wrists to her shoulders, lifting the coat
          and sliding it away from her body. It fell
          to the floor with a small thump caused by
          the keys in her pocket. His lips found
          hers once again, in now a gentle
          exploration, taking his time. Her hands
          needed to be filled; she tugged at every
          inch of him she could reach. Mulder sensed
          her desperation and ran his hands over her
          round, full bottom. She gasped into their
          kiss, as they fell back on the floor in
          anticipation.
          
          **
          Scully & Mulder, both, too weak to move
          their act into the bedroom were enjoying
          this. They were slowly removing each
          other's clothing, still in the process of
          exploring those pleasure points they
          unfortunately missed the first time
          around. Scully was gasping and moaning
          underneath him, seemed to be enjoying
          this. She didn't stop him either; instead,
          she encouraged him, her body yearning for
          attention from his talented mouth.
          
          **
          A while later they were in his bed once
          again, completely naked, absorbed in the
          presents and the feelings of each other.
          She was atop of him, pressing her lower
          body against his, moving in a circular
          motion, her thighs on either side of him.
          With his hands, running down her body, any
          place he could reach, riding the waves out
          with her. Their eyes were closed, relying
          only on the sense of touch. He flipped
          them over so that she was lying underneath
          him again. He kissed her mouth as he began
          to move within her in longer, deeper
          strokes. She moaned loudly, gasping in the
          throes of ecstasy.
          
          "Ohhhhhhh!" She cried out, clutching at
          his back, his shoulders, leaving tiny nail
          marks along the way.
          
          A few more thrusts and they both came,
          about a second behind each other. They
          were both panting, breathing erratically,
          kissing each other's lips once more. Their
          bodies grew lack, sweaty from moments
          before. They simply held each other.
          
          **
          A few hours later
          
          They were both still in bed, gloriously
          naked as before. Scully was further up in
          the bed, the simple sheet covering only
          the lower half of her body. While Mulder
          was further down, his arms wrapped around
          her waist as his face laid still against
          her chest. She was still running her
          fingers through his hair, soothing him,
          both had their eyes closed.
          
          "Scully?" Mulder said, drowsily.
          
          "Mmm?" She answered back, her hands
          slowing in their progress.
          
          "Stay." He said, although very drowsy, but
          with dare I say conviction?
          
          "Are you sure?" She asked sweetly. He
          didn't answer back, just tightened his
          hold around her. That was the only answer
          she needed. She leaned down and kissed his
          forehead, lingering there, her lips
          pressed softly against his flesh. She knew
          they would sleep now, maybe not right away
          but soon. She was in love with this man.
          He made her feel loved, safe, secure. She
          knew he'd feel the exact same way if she
          just stayed.
          
          The End
          
          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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