From jaded@aic.net.au Mon Feb 10 16:14:34 1997
Here's my response to the Valentine's Day Challenge. Hope someone out 
there enjoys it. If that someone is you, drop me a line and let me 
know... please? :-)

Classification: V, A.

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'And The Clock Read 12:01.'

   By Jaedd Rainer
  jaded@aic.net.au
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He tenderly brushed a strand of hair away from the delicate skin of her 
face. 

She stirred at the gentle touch, yawning soundlessly, her breathing 
becoming even, as sleep shrouded her body once again.

He watched her roll over, and snuggle deeper into her pillow, unaware 
of his presence, and the peaceful feeling she evoked in him through her 
childlike and innocent movements.

He wondered when she had become such an influential figure in his life.

Carefully, he eased himself down on the edge of the bed, so that he 
could sit and quietly study a side of her he never had much of a chance 
to witness in the day to day running of things. Her vulnerability.

He rarely got to see a side of her that was vulnerable. She was always 
so strong. Always so tough. In every situation their lives threw at 
her, she was there, protecting the world, and protecting him. More than 
herself. 

The tough exterior, the mask she always wore, almost never cracked, and 
if it did, it never crumbled for more than a second.

Her now unmasked face stared back at him through closed eyes, mocking 
him, showing him what he could never have, and never see.

Maybe one day.

His hand reached out to trace the ivory skin that ran silkily from the 
exposed area of her inner wrist, down her palm toward her slim fingers, 
but never made it to their destination. 

His conscience overwhelmed his need.

His eyes travelled around the private space he was invading, her 
sanctuary.

Her clothes lay in a neat pile on the chair next to her bed, her copy 
of Moby Dick, carefully placed next to them. 

His eyes settled on a framed photograph of Dana Scully and what looked 
like a friend, their arm wrapped around each other's shoulder, smiling 
happily at whoever was taking the photo.

This was a place that he didn't know.

A view he wasn't meant to see.

A facet he was yet to discover.

He had no claims, and no right to be here.

He only had his need.

Lifting himself off the edge of her bed, Mulder headed for the open 
bedroom door.

The floorboards creaked, and Scully stirred.

Returning to her side, Mulder reached out his hand and gave in briefly 
to his need.

Stroking the pale skin that glowed in the moonlight he soothed her. 

"Shhhhhh..."

Her breathing now even, he lent over her, placing a light kiss on her 
forehead.

A blood red rose lay softly on the pillow next to her.

And the clock read 12:01

"Happy Valentines Day, Scully," He whispered.


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The end.

Comments/Flames/Praise? Send them this way :-) jaded@aic.net.au

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   Jaedd Rainer (jaded@aic.net.au)

"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."

~~Co-Founder of the LSDDIAHBABHHTPWB (the Let's Stuff DD In A Hefty Bag 
And Bring Him Home To Play With Brigade) : Check out our homepage at:
      www.freenet.hamilton.on.ca/~ad261/dd.html
           You too can become one of us...

~~Proud: X-Phile,'Shipper,D:V (D:LA; D:Mailbu), XF-Romantics, 
XF-Fanfic, XPRA, EMXC, and of course Australian! 

~~Member of SPCDD (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to David 
Duchovny)
          >>> Our motto: DEFEND, ENLIGHTEN AND PROTECT. <<<  

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