From: "Sweet Chick" Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 12:56:23 PST Subject: Fanfic entry! BORROWED HEARTS By: Rebecca Ford Email: sweetchick_2000@hotmail.com Rated G Category: SR Spoilers: Fight the Future: The movie Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Summary: When Mulder asks Scully's help to fool his superintendent into thinking they are a married couple, the plan turns serious. Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully are property of Chris Carter(genius), Ten Thirteen Productions and also the Fox Network. I'm just borrowing them for this story! Please don't sue! I'm only 15! =) Umm...lets see this is my 3rd story ever submitted (in case you're wondering I'll probably put this each time...just helps me keep track better! I hope you enjoy it and please email me with your comments! sweetchick_2000@hotmail.com Thanks! BORROWED HEARTS "Hey Scully," I said, glancing up from my paperwork. She was busy typing away at her computer. She looked up. "Yes?" she asked, in her leave-me-alone-Mulder-I'm-busy voice. I ignored the tone of her voice and continued. "What are you doing Saturday night after dinner?" I asked, grinning. This sparked her interest, and she changed her look to her ever popular, what-have-you-got-up-your-sleeve-now-Mulder expression. "Nothing, why?" she asked, smiling. "Well," I said, "How would you like to be my wife?" "What?" she asked in astonishment. She took off her glasses and turned to face me completely, trying to conceal a smile. I grinned. "Well you know that my superintendent died right?" I asked her. "Uh-huh," she said, eyeing me suspiciously. "Well," I continued, "I heard that the new superintendent is going to visit everyone in the building, and present us with this new *idea*." "What idea?" I winced, scratching the back of my head. "Well," I began, sighing dramatically, "apparantly he wants to make the building more appealing to *families*." She wrinkled her brow in confusion. I continued. "Anyway, I ran into a guy who lives on the floor below me who has the inside scoop on most things that go on. He asked me if I had a girlfriend or if I was married, stuff like that. I said no, and he proceeded to warn me in a very subtle way that I had better get one fast because the new superintendent will be coming around Saturday night to my floor and checking in on everyone. Rumour has it that any single people will be evicted, to make sure his plan gets off to a good start." Scully's eyes widened. "That's ludicrous Mulder!" she exclaimed. "They can't evict you just because you're single and you don't have a family living with you! They have absolutely no right whatsoever to do that! You should say something!" I shook my head. "I should Scully, but quite frankly I couldn't be bothered. It probably won't do any good anyway," I answered in a defeated tone. She sighed and turned back to her computer and began typing again. It wasn't until a few minutes later that she spoke again. "Okay Mulder." "Okay what?" I asked. "Okay, I'll do it," she said, pretending to concentrate on her work. I smiled. "Thanks Scully," I said sincerely. Her response was a wry smile into her computer screen. I picked up my pen and started writing, but my mind was elsewhere. I'm amazed sometimes how Scully puts up with me. After all I've put her through in these last six years, she still manages to stick by me. I doubt anyone else would have. She means more to me than anything, and I doubt she knows that sometimes after how I treat her. I don't know where I would be today without her. Quite possibly I could be lying six feet under somewhere. I meant what I said in the hallway. She's kept me honest. She's made me a whole person. I owe so much to her. I love her. One hell of a conclusion Mulder. It's taken me six god damn years to admit to these feelings. My own selfishness had somehow made me blind, until I almost lost her. And then it hit me like a slap in the face. I never knew how lucky I was to have her until she was almost taken from me. How many more times is Scully going to be hurt to make me see? None. I'm not going to let it happen anymore. The first time it happened was one time too many, and *still* there have been more things she's had to deal with. More tragedies. All because of *me*. I would give *anything* to take away all the pain and suffering she has gone through over the years, and just to see her smile once in a while would make my day. And the one the thing that haunts me to this *very* day every time I think about everything she has endured because of me......is the fact that she's still here. She's still with me. Inside I guess I've always known I loved Dana, from the minute she walked into my office. But somehow I ignored these feelings, for so many reasons. There was just something about her. Something told me to hang on to her, and I'm glad I did. I shudder to think of where my life would be if she hadn't walked into my office that day. It's just so hard sometimes, not only with our work situation, but our personal situation. We have a very close friendship. A bond even. Something that I hold close to my heart although sometimes I don't show it. I don't know what I would do if it was ever broken. * * * * * * * * At about seven o'clock Saturday evening, there was a soft knock at my door. I practically dashed towards it. My breath caught in my throat when I opened the door. Scully was wearing a long-sleeved silk white v-neck blouse, and a knee-length black skirt and black nylons. Her hair was swept up in a pile of curls on her head with a few tendrils hanging down just touching her neck. "Mulder! Shake your head, your eyeballs are stuck!" she joked, waving her hand playfully in front of my face. She smiled and shook her head as I let her in. "Geez Scully," I commented glancing down at myself. I took some bags from her. "If I would have known you were going to dress this nice I would have too." I was wearing a pair of old blue jeans and a dingy white Oxford sweatshirt. "So go change Mulder!" she exclaimed, giggling slightly. She seemed to be in a very good mood. I didn't waste another minute. I must have changed in record time. When I came back, she had already practically re-decorated my entire apartment. Somehow she had compiled pictures of us together over the years, and had them framed. She hung them all on the walls, and put them on tables and any piece of furniture she could get her hands on. There were so many pictures, and I began to wonder how she managed to carry them over here. She also brought some flowery afghans that she draped over my couch and chair to give the apartment somewhat of a feminine look. "Like it?" she asked, turning around to face me. "Love it," I replied, my eyes glued to the dozens of pictures around the apartment. Now it was *her* turn to do a double take. I guess I couldn't blame her. I did look more presentable then I usually do when I'm around her. I managed to get a hold of a nice pair of black slacks, and a clean white T-shirt. My hair was neatly combed and I was even shaved. Must have been some kind of record for me! "Take a picture, it lasts longer Scully," I joked, getting her back for her similar comment earlier. She narrowed her eyes and grinned at me playfully, blushing, but didn't say a word. Silently we went back to decorating and cleaning up the apartment. It took close to an hour, but we finally finished. The apartment looked pretty damned good. It was so cheerful, so much more uplifting than it usually was. We both slumped down on the couch, exhausted. We looked at each other, grinning. "Well, don't we make quite the team," I observed. She nodded, smiling. "Yes we do," she said sincerely. Our eyes locked, and on an impulse, I reached over and took her hand. She jumped a little, surprised by my sudden affection. I was too. My heart seemed to stop beating and I held my breath, waiting for a reaction. She stared down at our hands for a long time, which seemed like eternity. But instead of yanking her hand out of mine, like I thought she would for a second, she smiled gently and squeezed my hand. We were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. We pulled out of each other's gaze, and I ran to open the door. There stood a strange looking man, with long gray hair and tiny glasses. He had to be in his late fifties. He looked kind of like an over-the-hill hippie. But his expression was cheerful. "Fox Mulder?" he asked me. "Yes sir, can I help you?" I asked innocently. "My name is Leonard Hopkins, your new superintendent. I was just wondering if I could have a little chat with you." "Of course sir, please come right on in," I said politely, shaking his hand. I glanced at Scully sitting nervously on the couch and winked. She smiled shyly, not used to my respectful behaviour. She looked away, trying to conceal her laughter. "Have you met my wife, Mr. Hopkins?" I asked, leading him into the living room. He seemed to be taken aback by this. His eyes widened and he smiled. "No I haven't! Please introduce me," he answered happily. I could see him relax. I had a feeling that no eviction was necessary. Scully politely stood up and straightened her clothes. He smiled warmly and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Mulder," he said, shaking her hand vigourously. 'Mrs. Mulder'. I couldn't deny how good that sounded. He nodded in approval. Seemed to me he wasn't the only one who thought Scully looked absolutely stunning that evening. "You too sir, please make yourself at home. Would you like me to get you something to drink?" she asked courteously. My eyes widened too, and I looked at her amusingly. She avoided my eyes, trying to stifle a grin. "Oh terrific," he replied, slowly sitting down on an easy chair. "Scotch on the rocks if you have it." She pursed her lips, looking at me frantically. I jumped up. "Uh, why don't I get it for you sir," I said hurriedly, brushing past Scully. I guess forgot to tell her where my liquor cabinet was. Close call but easily avoided. When I returned, she shot me a thankful look. "Thank you very much...Mulder," he replied, taking the drink from me. "Y'mind if I call you that? Mulder?" Scully coughed, once again to hide her laughter. I smiled in spite of myself and shook my head. "That's no problem at all sir," I replied evenly. "So, what brings you to see us?" asked 'Mrs. Mulder'. "Oh! Right!" he exclaimed, taking a long drink. Scully and I exchanged amused glances. "I don't know if you have heard of my idea about changing the outlook of the building, into a more family-like atmosphere," he said, turning to face Scully and I, who were sitting together on the couch. "Oh, no I haven't," I replied, pretending to sound surprised *and* interested. "Well," he began, taking another sip and finishing the drink. I almost burst out laughing. This guy was a character. "I'm just checking in on everyone, making sure they...well, are helping me with the plan." Scully frowned, obviously disliking his idea, but thankfully kept her mouth shut. "I see," I said slyly, nodding, as if to say "I know what you're getting at." He grinned. I was now on his good side. "But since you're not *alone*," he started, winking at Scully, who shifted in her seat uneasily, "Then I shall be on my way." He got up slowly, wavering a little. I could feel Scully's eyes on me as I helped him steady himself. "Thank you for your time Mulder, it was extremely nice meeting you and your wife," he said graciously, shaking my hand, and giving a little wave to Scully. "Thank you sir, it was nice meeting you too," I replied, opening the door for him. "I'll see you around," he called to me, as I slowly closed the door behind him. "Look forward to it sir!" I answered loudly through the door. I wheeled around. "All right!" I cried, "Thanks a lot Scully," I said, walking over to her. She stood up. "Hey no problem Mulder, it was fun," she replied. "The guy's an absolute wacko, but it was fun!" "He's not a wacko!" I defended. "Just an old hippie drunk. He's kinda funny, plus I'm on his good side now." She smiled, shaking her head. "Anyway, to avoid any confusion, I'll just call you over whenever he's going to stop by," I said, looking at her in amusement. She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Great," she muttered sarcastically. We both smiled. "Well, I guess we'd better start taking the pictures down," she said quickly, avoiding my eyes. "Oh....ok," I answered, feeling my heart sink. God, how I wanted to tell her how I felt. That night went so well because of the simple reason we work so well together, in *and* out of work. "Scully?" "Mulder?" We both said each other's names in unison. We laughed nervously. "Scully I," I stammered, feeling my face go warm. She looked down at her feet. "How about you leave them up?" I asked tentatively. She looked at me questioningly. "I--I just like them there," I explained softly. She smiled, and I thought I saw her eyes glisten with tears. She slowly walked up to me and put her arms around me. I almost fell over from shock. I guess she wasn't the only one who wanted to share her feelings so desperately. "Oh Fox," she whispered, burying her face in my chest. "Of course I'll leave them there." I felt my heart beating furiously. I wondered if she could hear it. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and we held on to each other. "Thank you," I replied hoarsely, resting my head on her tiny shoulders. She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears, and I looked down at her, feeling a lump form in my throat. God it felt good to hold her like this. We both smiled in a way we have never smiled at each other before. I knew in my heart this was the start of something special. Yes definitely, those pictures were not coming down for a long time. THE END ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thanks for reading! I hoped you liked it! Email me with your comments!!