From: kennedy Date: 24 Apr 1999 18:32:47 -0700 Subject: [xfcreative] Coming Home 2: Safe at Home 1/3 From: kennedy 1/3 Melissa "Kennedy" Lee kennedy@usit.net TITLE: Coming Home 2: Safe at Home RATING: R. Just to be safe. SUMMARY: The saga continues. Mulder and Scully pick up where "Coming Home" left off. You need to read that one to follow this one. Can be found at Exemplary. Features "Tooms." CLASSIFICATION: MSR/SRST (Semi-resolved sexual tension) AUTHORS NOTES: Midway through "Coming Home" I realized that this "story" had taken on a life of its own. Hence, the "Coming Home Series." I hope to do justice to this series X-File cases in this and coming stories serve as background material to the story. This series imagines that Mulder and Scully have lives beyond the X-Files. So, please grant me creative license if I don't get the actual plot of the original ep down. DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Trust me. I'm not making any money off of this. FEEDBACK: It would be nice. Really. DEDICATION: To my dog. He forgave me for leaving him for 10 weeks to go to LA and try and get my career going. To my Mom; I will miss you when you go. To Mama Kim for offering me solace. To Gianni for, well, being you. To the GOD-DESS for not having me arrested. ARCHIVE: Xemplary and Gossamer only. Everybody else please ask. "Coming Home 2: Safe at Home" Fox Mulder was as close to happy as he'd been in almost twelve years. The last weeks had been close to perfect. His days were spent with Scully, and most evenings found him in her company. Some nights she even let him sleep over. On the couch of course. For her part, Scully was happy to be with Mulder again. Both recognized that they had changed, and she was enjoying getting to know him all over again. She was still bothered by the whole "Phoebe Green" affair, but wasn't ready to confront Mulder yet. And she really didn't mind him sleeping on her couch. She liked having him close. Just not too close; yet. Basement Office Hoover Building Breezing into the office Scully greeted Mulder cheerfully, "Good morning Mulder." As she went through her morning ritual of getting coffee, Mulder smiled in her direction. "Hi Scully. Sleep well last night?" "Wouldn't you like to know?" Continuing the flirtation he ventured, "as a matter of fact I would. Do you see that happening anytime soon?" He looked almost hopeful. Scully smirked, "in your dreams. Now let's get to work on all of paperwork." They worked quietly through the morning pausing only long enough to steal a glance at the other. Shortly before lunch the phone rang. "Mulder. Oh. Just a moment." Perplexed, he handed the phone to Scully. "Scully. Oh hi Tom. Yes. That sounds great." Hanging up the phone she turned to a not-so-discreetly-listening Mulder. "Just an old friend from the academy. We're going to lunch." Mulder shifted uncomfortably. "I-I hope you have fun. What did you say name was?" Catching the slight emphasis on the word , she replied, "I didn't, but it's Colton. Tom Colton." Mulder nodded while making a mental note to check him out. Reading his mind she informed him that Colton was a member of the VCS, on the fast track and that they had gone out a few times. For good measure she threw in, "and as far as I know he's never been abducted by little green men." Her smile faded as she watched Mulder's face fall. "Grey." With sad eyes he looked up at her. At her puzzled expression he repeated, "Grey. They're little men." Regretting her words she attempted to apologize. "I'm sorry. I just-" He cut her off. "It's ok Scully. You better get going." He managed a weak smile. Scully hesitated before leaving. When Mulder refused to acknowledge her presence, she left. Mulder was on her mind the entire drive to the restaurant. = I'm sorry Mulder. I shouldn't have said that. I wasn't trying to poke fun at you.= Mulder was still on her mind as Tom Colton rose to greet her. "Hello Dana. How are you?" Before she could respond, he had pulled her into a hug and kissed her. Shocked, she freed herself from him while admonishing, "Tom!" Colton looked at her with hungry eyes. "I'm sorry Dana, but you just look really good." When she didn't respond, he took it personally. "If you don't recognize a compliment when you hear one, you've been in the basement with Spooky too long. Speaking of which, how do you like ? Are the X-Files everything you imagined?" Dana became defensive. "My work on the X-Files is important. If you invited me here to criticize my work, then I should leave." He stopped her as she got up to leave. "Dana, please. I'm sorry. Let's have lunch, catch up on everybody, and then I want to tell you about a case I'm working." 2 Hours Later Mulder's paranoia had gotten the best of him. =She said they went out a times. What does that mean? How far did they go? Does she really think I'm a joke?= When she returned to work, Scully's face wore a troubled expression. "How was lunch?" Trying to busy herself with a file she non-chalantly replied, "Oh it was nice. Good to catch up on everybody. My class is doing very well climbing the ranks." Mulder inwardly grimaced. =Everybody but you. You're stuck with me.= "Tom offered me the opportunity to log some hours with the VCS. If it's all right." Mulder was caught off guard, but didn't show it. =She's leaving me. This is her big break, and then she's outta here.= "You don't need my permission. Besides, it'll look good for you to log some hours with VCS." Scully nodded, but could feel the tension quickly forming in the office. Attempting to assuage the tension, she filled Mulder in on the case. He was under whelmed until she got to the part about livers being ripped out by a bare hand. That had him leaping to his feet ready to tackle the case. Scully's words stopped him cold. "Tom asked to help. Not you. He knows you by reputation." Mulder was genuinely shocked. "I have a reputation?" Sheepishly she nodded. "They used to call you at the academy." "Oh. That." Again the pain flickered across his face. "Did-did call me Spooky?" The hesitation and pain was more than Scully could bare. Without looking at him she hesitantly nodded. Trying to joke it off he said, "hey, if the shoe fits!" Feeling guilty she allowed him to accompany her to the crime scene. Tom was happy to see her, but was livid when Mulder showed up. "What's he doing here?" Mulder just smirked as he shook Colton's hand. Mulder was sizing up the man Scully had a few times. =Pip squeek.= "Just remember Mulder, this is case." Mulder quietly went about collecting evidence, and found an elongated fingerprint on an air vent. "Mulder? The air vent is 6"x12". I don't think that's how the killer got in." Uncharacteristically Mulder remained silent. Quietly he went out to the car to wait for Scully, who was tied up talking to Colton. "Really Tom, I have a lot to do tonight. I need to work on my profile, and I still have lots of paperwork from my last case." Laying his hand on her shoulder he proceeded. "You can't go without food. Come on." Scully glanced around for Mulder, but he'd managed to disappear. =Where are you when I need you?= To avoid his incessant whining she finally gave in. "Ok Tom, you win. But let's make it a working dinner. I still have to get up to speed on this case." Though he was a little disappointed, he figured it was a place to start. "Fine. How about we order Chinese from my place?" Scully decided they would order from her apartment. Smiling, Colton left her alone. Scully went to look for Mulder, finding him in the car. He was absently playing with a paperclip. "Thanks for ditching me ." She was ready to pull out of the parking lot when she realized he hadn't responded to her. "You ok Mulder?" With sad eyes he looked at her. "Yeah. I'm fine." =You called me Spooky and probably laughed at me. Even worse, you went out with that pip squeek.= "Do you want to get together tonight? Maybe grab some food?" Scully considered telling Mulder about her plans, but nixed the idea. "Actually, I think I'll just spend the night working on my profile, ok?" =You don't want me around.= She could feel him withdrawing from her, and silently berated herself for her earlier comments. =I shouldn't have said anything about aliens or his nickname.= Doing a quick mental calculation she figured to be rid of Colton by 9-9:30. "Mulder? Why don't you stop by around ten, and bring some ice cream?" Mulder's spirits lifted at her words. =Maybe I can wrangle an invite to sleep on her couch. Bad back be damned.= Mulder's mood improved somewhat, and after checking out the second crime scene, they called it a day. Dana went home to work on her profile, and Mulder busied himself by searching through some old X-Files until time to go to Scully's. Scully and Tom Colton had finished dinner and were trying to come up with a plausible point of entry for each crime scene. They had spent the last hour going around in circles, and Colton had been making gestures and innuendos towards Scully all night. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was already 9:25pm. She wanted rid of Colton before Mulder showed up, so she hinted that he should leave. "It's getting late Tom, and I'm more than a little tired." Waiting expectantly for him to leave, she was caught off guard when he pulled her to him. Running his fingers through her hair he crushed his mouth to hers. Trapping her body with his, he ran his free hand up her thigh, under her skirt. Grabbing his wrist, she broke the kiss. "Dana you know we both want this; just relax. I can make you feel so good." Having arrived early, Mulder overheard the last part of the conversation. =Maybe she has feelings for him after all. Maybe she wanted me to overhear them. = As he turned to leave, he heard Scully's voice, "Tom, stop NOW! If you'll recall, I wasn't interested then and I'm not now." Releasing her, he was angered by her rebuff. Before he could utter a word Mulder rushed into the apartment. "What the hell is he doing here? And with a key to your apartment?" Stalking over to the couch, Mulder reached for Colton as he spit out, "Get. Off. Of. Her. NOW!" The two men were facing off, but Scully diffused the situation by stepping between them. "I think you should leave now Tom." "You were frigid then, but now you're a bon-a-fide ice queen." Glancing at Mulder he sneered, "I thought the rumors about her being were false, but I guess not. Guess ol' Spooky thawed the ice queen." Grabbing his jacket he stormed out of the apartment. Mulder shouted, "Fuck you Colton!" Turning his attention back to Scully, he gently asked, "did he hurt you? Did he-." Scully was angered. "I'm fine Mulder. You didn't have to come riding in here on your white horse and rescue me. I could have handled the situation by myself." Mulder snorted. "Yeah, that's what it looked like. Thanks for lying to me." He turned and left her alone in the apartment. Scully glanced at the carton of melting ice cream sitting on the coffee table. Locking the door, she idly wondered how everything had gone sour so quickly. Two Days Later The last two days had been surreal to Scully. Outside of work she hadn't talked to Mulder, and the few times she had tried to reach him, his cell phone was off. She missed having him sleep on her couch, or being around just to sit with. Even when they didn't talk they communicated. But this was different. He was purposely avoiding her. To make matters worse, the one suspect they had arrested had passed a lie detector test. So they were back to square one; and Mulder had a new theory. Colton had managed to reek havoc on both their reputations by spreading rumors that they were sleeping together. Whenever they entered a room conversation almost always stopped. Fuel had been added to the fire when Mulder was overseen playing with a necklace around Scully's neck. Little did they know Mulder had just given Scully his blessing to be reassigned to VCS. Scully had accused him of being territorial, and then became annoyed that he would give up on her so easily when he offered his blessing. "You're giving up on me? On-us? Hasn't the last eleven years taught you anything? No wonder you-." She caught herself before she said anything she would regret. Mulder looked at her first with hurt and then with coldness. "How dare you? How could you?" Putting all personal differences aside, they managed to find the lair of Tooms. Mulder noted that he seemed to take personal trophies of every victim, and Mulder had stumbled upon a generous quantity of bile. On his hand. Mulder had requested surveillance of 66 Exeter street and advised Scully to get some rest. Then he disappeared, and wasn't answering his phone. Colton snuck up on her in the conference room and made one last attempt to convince her to join the VCS. "Dana, I'm sorry about the other night. I've always liked you, and hoped we could be more than just friends. If not, I'll survive, but please consider working full time with the VCS. Your talents shouldn't be wasted chasing after little green men." "Grey. They're grey, not green. I am permanently assigned to the X-Files. Thank you for the opportunity to log some hours with the VCS." When he started to protest, she began again; "Tom, there never was an us nor will there ever be. I'm sorry. If you'll excuse me, I have a stakeout to get ready for." He took great pleasure in bursting her bubble. "I called the stakeout off. It's a waste of time and man power." Scully was livid. "You can't authorize that. It's not interfering with your investigation!" Flushed with anger he leaned toward Dana. "I can't, but my SAC can." As she reached for the phone he stopped her. "Let me tell Mulder." "Is this what it takes to make it up the ladder Colton? Mulders methods may be out there, but he's a better agent than you'll ever be." Turning on her heel she headed home. She spent all day trying to reach Mulder, but finally decided to leave a message on his machine. 66 Exeter Street Mulder hadn't bothered to check his messages knowing Scully wouldn't call. After realizing the stakeout wasn't happening he checked around the abandoned building, finding Scully's necklace. Realizing Scully was the next victim, he sped in the direction of her apartment, while trying to reach her by phone. =This is all my fault. So help me, if Stretch Armstrong hurts her, I'll feed him his own liver.= About to get in the tub Scully felt the sticky bile as it hit her skin. Realizing Tooms was somewhere in her house, she got her gun. Without warning, Tooms came bursting through her heating vent. As she struggled with him she dropped her gun. Tooms had her pinned to the floor, and was trying to tear at her liver when Mulder kicked the door in and began struggling with Tooms. Working together they managed to get him handcuffed to her bathtub faucet. After they finished giving their statements and filling out reports, it was close to eleven. Finally alone they stood staring at each other awkwardly. Mulder was the first to speak. "If you're sure you're ok, I guess I better be going." Not wanting him to leave she offered him some coffee or tea. Mulder shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, yeah." Scully went to make the tea as Mulder made himself comfortable in the living room. Bringing the tea into the room, she noticed Mulder was sitting at the far end of her couch. After sitting in an uncomfortable silence for a while, Mulder got up to leave. "Don't go. Please." He sighed. "I think I should. I-I want to be alone." He was at the door before she spoke. "I want you to stay." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and he wasn't sure he had heard right. "What?" She came to stand in front of him. "I don't want to be alone tonight. I-I need you. Please stay the night." She looked at him pleadingly. Relenting he answered, "Ok." While Scully was getting ready for bed, Mulder had retrieved his sweat pants and t-shirt he started leaving at Scully's for when he slept over. Dressed in her blue satin p.j.'s, Scully found Mulder making up the couch in the living room. Mulder was about to lock the door, when he remembered the lock was broken from where he'd kicked the door in. Again. "Guess it's a good thing I'm staying," he said as he pointed to the lock. "You couldn't use your key?" Scully said smiling. "Element of surprise Scully! Wasn't sure what I'd find." He reached out to touch her face, but stopped. His face grew solemn at the prospect of losing her again, especially to death. "Let's go to bed Mulder." She held her hand out to him in invitation. Mulder was surprised. "Scully?" "To sleep Mulder. I just want you with me. Close." Mulder nodded and went to slide the chair under the doorknob, as Scully made her way to bed. Finding her already in bed when he entered the bedroom, he carefully slid under the covers, trying to stay on side. 1/3 2/3 "I want you close Mulder. Take a hint." Easing closer to her, he still left an adequate amount of space between them. Sighing, Scully rolled to meet him, and wrapped her body around his. "I'm sorry about Colton, Mulder. He's an ass. I'm also sorry I accused you of giving up to easily. I didn't mean to imply that was the reason you didn't come for Sarah or me." "You didn't say that Scully. You have nothing to apologize for." Raising up on one elbow she replied, "I might not of said it, but I was thinking it. That's just as bad." "How involved were you with Colton? I mean, well-you know. Never mind. It's none of my business." Scully chuckled. "A little tongue tied Mulder? It is your business. This time anyway. Anything that could impede one of our investigations or cause us to lose perspective, is the others business." "But-" Before he could continue she placed two fingers on his lips. "No buts. We just went out a few times. Usually after a big day at the academy; sort of a celebration of making it through the day. I didn't think much about them until he wanted a more-physical relationship." Mulder quit breathing for a second. Long enough for Scully to realize what his fears were. "Relax Mulder. I never gave in, and that's why he quit asking me out." "Oh." She was almost asleep when she felt Mulder trying not to laugh. "What's so funny Mulder?" Scully was getting annoyed. "I just realized today is April 1st. April Fools Day!" She joined him in laughter, but stopped abruptly a short time later. "What's wrong Scully?" "Tomorrow's the 2nd. April 2nd. Sarah would have been 11. I-I almost forgot Fox. How could I?" Wrapping himself tightly around her, he said, "you wouldn't have forgotten. Never." Clinging to each other, she whispered, "I miss her Fox. I always will." "Oh Dana. So much wasted time. I always call in sick on April 2nd." Shifting to face him she said, "I guess we have a problem then. always call in sick on the 2nd. Even in med school. Won't it look suspicious for us to both be out?" "I don't care. April 2nd, 1981 was the best and worst day of my life. My daughter was born, I held her, loved her and lost her." He shuddered at the memory. "And I lost you. I stayed drunk for weeks after that. I don't remember much of that time, but I remember being miserable. I wouldn't go home for days, I slept in alley's even the graveyard. One day, I finally just sobered up. Slowly, life became bearable again." Listening intensely, she recalled her own dark days during that time. And Phoebe Green. Pushing that thought away, she regained her composure. "I'm going to the graveyard tomorrow. Would you like to come?" "Yes! I-I haven't been there yet. I'm afraid to go." Making circles on his chest she wanted to know why. "I'm afraid she won't like me. I know she's not here, but still. I abandoned her. I wasn't strong enough to stand up to Bill. I did give up to easily. What kind of father would I have been?" Scully caressed his cheek. "You would have been the best kind of father; the kind who loves his children." Placing a tender kiss on his cheek, she tasted the salt of his tears. "Shhhh. It's ok. I love you." She kissed him again, only not so tenderly or innocently. Mulder held her head in his hand, and rubbed her back with the other hand. She could feel his growing erection, and became aroused. Knowing she had to be aware of his desire, Mulder refrained from trying to take things further. =It's Scully's decision. She sets the pace.= Gasping for breath she reluctantly pulled back from the kiss. "I'm sorry Mulder. I shouldn't have-" "It's ok. I understand. We're doing this at your pace. I'm in no hurry." Moving her hand over his erection, she responded, "liar. I'd say you're in a big hurry." "Keep touching me like that, and you'll find out how big a hurry I'm in." He attempted to remove her hand, but she slid it under the waistband of his boxers instead. "Scully!" He hissed. As she fondled and caressed him, he moaned and began thrusting his hips against her hand. From some long buried instinct she knew he was close. Leaning down she whispered, "let go ." Mulders eyes flew open as he jerked away from Scully. Sitting up he snapped at her, "don't call me that. Don't you ever call me that again." His mind was assaulted with images from a graveyard encounter some eleven years ago. Shaking his head to try and clear the images from his mind, he went to the bathroom and locked himself in. After fifteen minutes, Scully hesitantly knocked on the door. "Mulder? Are you ok? I'm sorry if I did something wrong. Please come back out." Slowly the door opened and Mulder appeared. Embracing her tightly, he repeated over and over, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Confused, Scully held him until he calmed down. "What's wrong Mulder? What did I do?" "It's not you. Just please never call me that again. I didn't mean to snap at you." He allowed Scully to put him back to bed. As she joined him she tentatively cuddled up to his chest. "Is this ok Mulder?" Stroking her hair he sighed. "It's fine. Actually it's great." "Would you like, or do you want me to, uhm, finish?" Mulder chuckled. "I'd like nothing more, but I doubt my body would co-operate." Scully touched his now flaccid penis and began to stroke him once again. When there was no immediate response, she became more determined. Mulder was about to ask her to stop when she flicked the tip of his penis with her thumb, and gave a little squeeze. Smiling at his body's response, she began to stroke him fully. In short order Mulder was thrusting and coming all at once. Collapsing on the bed, he tried to catch his breath. Returning with a warm wash cloth, Scully peeled back his soiled boxers and sweat pants, and began to clean him up. Mulder stopped her by gently pushing her hand away. "What's wrong?" He smiled in the dark. "If you keep doing that, you'll have to do again." She giggled. "You certainly have a high opinion of yourself." Grabbing her wrist, he placed it on his newly rigid flesh. "It's been a very long time." =What about that hooker three weeks ago? That doesn't count. Why? That was purely physiological, brought on by rage and hurt.= Dana's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "I-I could do- something, for you. If you wanted." Politely declining he attempted to return the favor. Removing his soiled garments, he eased closer to her. "Mulder no. You don't have to." His breath was hot against her ear. "Mulder yes. I want to." Mumbling something about Ryan and a pair of his old shorts, Scully jumped out of bed and started rummaging through her closet. "Dana? What's wrong?" "I'm fine Mulder." Finding the shorts, she handed them to Mulder. He went to the bathroom to put them on, and Scully returned to bed to wait for him. When he returned, he sat next to her instead of getting in the bed. "I just don't want to, ok? It's not you. It's just been a long week and I ne-want you to hold me. Ok?" Easing into bed he spooned her to him. Middle of the Night "No! You can't have her!" Mulder awoke with a start as Scully started screaming in her sleep. "Scully? Wake-up!" She started screaming, "Sarah, Sarah!" Mulder continued to try and wake her, to no avail. As a high pitched scream erupted from her throat, she sat bolt upright in the bed. Gasping for breath she whispered, "It was about Tooms. He had Sarah and wanted her liver. I couldn't stop him from taking her." Mulder pulled her into his embrace. "You're safe now Scully. You're safe at home." Eventually she slept. The next morning she awoke to an empty bed. "Mulder?" She heard someone coming down the hall. "Mulder, is that you?" Her door opened to reveal a clean shaven, jean clad Mulder. "Morning sleepyhead." Breakfast is about ready, so go shower and we'll eat." "What about work?" "Already taken care of. I'm sick and you're working at my place today. Enroute to New Grey Cemetery "A dozen of your best peach roses please." At Scully's look he answered, "I always buy her flowers on her birthday. It was my way of being a part of her life, I guess." "Why peach? Why not red or yellow or white?" Sheepishly he answered, "it's what I've always imagined her to be like; rare, unique. I-uh, I always buy her peach ones." He carefully removed one of the petals and smoothed it out. Reaching into the backseat of the car he pulled out a very well worn copy of "Charlotte's Web." Carefully opening the book, he placed the petal with ten other dried rose petals. Scully gasped. Finding her voice she asked, "Charlotte's Web?" Mulder nodded. I bought the book before she was born. Before I knew she was a she. I imagined reading this book to my child. I wanted to read this book to my child. You know, an unexpected gift arrives for Wilbur. Charlotte helps Wilbur out and teaches him about love and friendship, and they have a bond. An unbreakable bond." Mulder looked directly at Scully as he said the last part. Scully gave his hand a squeeze. Mulder continued. "Kind of ironic, isn't it? Charlotte dies at the end of the book. I never imagined Sarah would die. Not before me. Or you even." They sat in silence for a long while before Scully spoke. "But doesn't Charlotte's eggs hatch in the end? And doesn't one of the baby spiders stay with Wilbur?" She was smiling a little at Mulder, with hope shining in her eyes. Giving a small laugh, he agreed. "Yeah, yeah they do." Taking the key from the ignition, they got out of the car. They walked to the grave in silence. Kneeling, Mulder placed the roses at the base of the tomb stone. Fingering the black marble, he idly traced the outline of her name. "Sarah Grace Mulder-O'Malley. April 2nd, 1981-Oct. 6th, 1981." Scully clasped his hand and turned into him. "Sarah, this is your daddy, Fox. Fox, this is your daughter Sarah." Turning to leave she called over her shoulder, "Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting by the car." Mulder stared at the grave for a long while before speaking. "I'm sorry. I- well, I have no excuse for not being there for you. Just know I never stopped loving you. Never." Fingering the small St. Jude's statue atop the marker, he got a glimpse of Scully wiping at her eyes. "Scully, come here." Surprised, she made her way back to the grave. "What?" Mulder held up the worn copy of Charlotte's Web. "I-I kind of wanted to read to her. If it's ok? Will you stay with me?" As she sat down, Mulder looked at her before beginning. "This must seem really silly, huh?" He tried to smile, but failed miserably. Settling back against him she replied, "No, I don't think it's silly. I think-it's the sweetest thing anybody could ever do for her. And me." Mulder began reading from one of his favorite passages. "Well," said her mother, "one of the pigs is a runt. It's very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it." "Do away with it?" shrieked Fern. "You mean kill it? Just because it's smaller than the others?" Mrs. Arable put a pitcher of cream on the table. "Don't yell, Fern!" she said. "Your father is right. The pig would probably die anyway." Leaving the cemetery On the way home they stopped for lunch at DePalma's, and ate in silence. Each lost in their thoughts. Mulder finally broke the silence. "I liked the statue of St. Jude. Did you have her christened in the Church?" "Yes. Missy and Charlie were her God parents." Mulder considered this for a moment before finally asking, "How is Missy? Whatever happened to her and Chuck?" Scully laughed. "Well, they broke up after that summer, but the last I heard they were back together." Mulder looked at her quizzically. "After Sarah- well, Missy didn't take her death to well. She quit school and drifted up and done the seaboard. It's been a year since I last heard from her. They were living on the west coast. And yes, still going at it like dogs in heat!" Mulder laughed. "At least somebody's getting it!" He stopped laughing when he saw the look of pain on Scully's face. "Scully? What's wrong?" "Mulder, I'm sorry our relationship hasn't been more-satisfying for you." Mulder was perplexed. "Scully, I'm happy with the way our relationship is progressing. Yes, I'd like to take things further, but I can wait." =I've waited this long, what's a little longer?= "Take me home Mulder." He caught a slight glint in her eyes. Arriving at her apartment, Scully disappeared into the bathroom while Mulder made himself comfortable on the couch. "You ok in there Scully? You've been in there a while." Momentarily she appeared with a wicked smile on her face. Crooking her index finger she charmed Mulder to the bathroom. Seeing the bathtub he stopped. It was filled with white frothy bubbles, and Scully was holding a scrub brush. "Down to your skivvies soldier." Happily complying he was undressed in record time. =He has the body of a Greek God.= "You will be joining me in this won't you Scully?" Guiding him into the tub, she shook her head. "This is for you. Today is a tough day. I've had a lot longer to get used to it than you have." She gently cleaned him and shampooed his hair. "You're not putting that girly stuff in my hair are you?" He was silenced with a kiss. "Girly stuff can be good," he squeaked as she retrieved the soap she dropped. "Alright Mulder, dry off and meet me in the bedroom in ten minutes." Leaving Mulder to dry off she hurried around the apartment gathering supplies. Finding only emergency candles in the closet, she briefly considered how romantic they were. =He won't care about the candles when I'm done.= Closing the blinds in the bedroom, setting up the candles, and turning down the bed, she went to retrieve her try of goodies. "Scully? Where are my clothes?" Mulder called from the bathroom. "You won't need them; now get in here." Mulder shyly peered in the bedroom, and entered cautiously. The towel wrapped tightly around his waist did little to conceal his straining erection. "Mulder, take the towel off. Now." Mulder hesitated and Scully ripped the towel off. "Scully!" He shrieked. She backed him up against the bed and pushed him down. "You don't have to have sex with me. I mean, if you're not ready. Really. It's ok." =Please let her say it's ok. Please God.= Reaching down she flicked the tip of his cock. "Who said we're going to have sex?" Mulder was stunned and embarrassed. Leaving him to collect the tray of goodies, she watched as his eyes grew wide. "Scully?" He managed to croak out. "Mulder, we've both changed a lot since we were first together. I would assume we have both added to our repertoire." She cocked her eyebrow as she said that. "While I'm not ready to become intimately involved with you, I do want to please you as much as possible. Just lie back and relax. Enjoy the show." Mulder's eyes grew even wider as he saw the jar of honey she was holding up. Watching her movements closely, he sucked in his breath as she spread a dollop on his shaft. Slowly and tantalizingly she nipped and licked it all off. Mulder was mesmerized as she placed another dollop on the head of his erection. Taking him to the brink of insanity, she slowly swirled the sticky nectar around the swollen hood. Making eye contact with him, she pulled back revealing stringy strands of honey hanging from her lips. "Oh God." He was briefly wondering how he had gotten so lucky when a thought crossed his mind. =How'd she get so good at this? Who did she learn on? Think about that later.= All he could think about at the moment was how good it felt to have her lips on him; surrounding him. Fighting the urge to thrust, he was pulled from his thoughts by something even stickier being applied to his cock. Scully was now applying marshmallow cream up the underside of his cock and then up his lower abdomen. Reaching his belly button, she filled it with powdered sugar. She began rimming his belly button with the tip of her tongue, flicking the powder around. Moving down the trail of marshmallow cream, she sucked and licked at the sticky stuff. Reaching his bobbing erection she stopped and smiled at him. "Uhnm. Please. Scully please." He was moaning. Toying with him she asked, "Please what?" Desperately he begged, "Finish. Please finish." 2/3 3/3 Innocently she asked, "Please finish what?" "Going down on me dammit! Make me come! Please?" Satisfied with his answer, she plunged into doing as he asked. Finding the little ridge on the underside of his shaft, she sucked aggressively. Gripping the sheets, Mulder's flesh began to quiver. He tried to push her head away, but she held onto him for dear life, and rode out his orgasm with him milking him dry. When he finally returned to this world, he was aware of her gentle ministrations cleaning him up. He pulled at her until she crawled into his arms and lay waiting for him to speak. Bending down to kiss her, he tasted a tangy sweet mix on her lips. "What happened to my good little innocent Catholic girl?" Mulder chuckled. "I'm not such a good Catholic girl anymore," was her reply. Rolling onto his side he suggested she go to confession. "Go. Confess. It'll make everything alright." Her answer startled him. "I don't think so. I haven't been to confession or church in almost six years." Mulder was inexplicably saddened by her words. "Why? I know what your religion means to you." Correcting him she said, "Meant to me. A lot has changed in the last eleven years. After Sarah I was angry with God. I felt dead inside. God was easy to blame. After I got over that, I just never reconnected to my religion." After a moment she continued. "Anyway, I take it you liked your ?" Mulder hugged her and kissed her. "God yes! Now-." He trailed his hand down to the front of her pants, and tried to undo the button. "Your turn" he whispered. She stopped his hand. "No. This was for you, for being here for me today." Mulder was puzzled and a little annoyed. "I want to. This is a tough day for you too. Please." She smiled. "Just hold me. It was nice to have someone to share today with. I-I've never had that before." Getting up to put on his boxers, he said, "Get in your pj's. I'll be right back." He returned with a tray of food. After eating they talked. "Do you ever think about what might have been Scully?" "I used to. Not so much anymore. You?" He sighed. "All the time. Do you ever think about having more children?" She tensed in his arms. "No. Yes. I mean, sometimes, but I couldn't handle it if I lost another one." She grew quiet. "Do you think you'd lose another one? I mean, you said it was a rare birth defect." She shifted. "Logically no. However, I think I was so traumatized by what happened to Sarah, that I don't know if I could risk it again." They lay quietly for a while. "What about you Mulder? Do you have any little Mulders out there? Do you want any little Mulders?" Scully realized she feared his answer. = What if you got Phoebe pregnant? Or somebody else?= Mulder gave a cynical laugh. "There are no little Mulders out there. As for having more children, who knows?" =I only want babies with you. Only you.= Knowing she should drop it, but being unable to stop herself, she prodded more. "Are you positive about no little Mulders? You are a guy, you know." =I know you did Phoebe. I just hope you were careful.= Mulder contemplated telling her just how sure he was, but decided against that. "Trust me on this one Scully. The only offspring I've sired is Sarah." After talking some more, they drifted off to sleep. Next Morning Scully was being roused from her slumber by an amorous Mulder. Teasing her nipples through the satin pajama top. He waited until she responded with a moan before slipping his hand into her pajama bottoms. Scully was in the state between sleep and wakefulness. Thinking it was a dream, she bucked her hips into his hand. "Mulderrrrrrr-" she moaned. Capturing her lips with his, he was encouraged by her response. Easing his finger between her slickened folds, he teased her opening before slipping one finger inside of her. As he began pumping in and out of her, her eyes flew open. "What are you doing?" Mulder was confused. "And get your hand out of me. Now!" As he complied, she jumped out of bed holding the sheet protectively in front of her. "Scully I'm sorry. I just wanted to do something for you!" Through gritted teeth she answered, "Has it not occurred to you that maybe I don't want you to? Can't you just take what I'm willing to give?" "Scully I-" "Mulder, go home, and I'll see you at work. I understand what you were trying to do, but I don't want that." =Yet, she silently amended.= Mulder drug himself from the bed and quickly dressed. He was about to leave when Scully stopped him. Standing on tip-toe she kissed him hard and looked into his eyes. Seeing forgiveness, he smiled slightly. After he left she slid to the floor. =Damn him! Damn him for making me feel this way. And how is that Dana? Loved? Wanted? Desired? Why did it have to feel so good?= Slipping into the shower, she finished what he had started. Fox Mulder was confused and a bit flustered. =Why doesn't she want me to touch her? It's like she thinks I have cooties or something.= He pondered this thought all the way into the shower. Once in the shower, he began to stroke himself to memories of her mouth. Her pert little mouth, wrapped around his twitching cock. His chism flowed forth like molten lava from a volcano. Afterwards, he allowed his mind to wonder. =Where did she learn to give head like that? More importantly, did she learn on? Maybe is the reason she doesn't want me to touch her. Maybe forced her to do something she didn't want.= He blanched at the thought of somebody hurting Scully. =That has to be what happened. I'll bring it up to her tonight.= Having finished dressing, he headed to work. END 3/3 Stay tuned for the next part in the series: Coming Home 3: Playing House. ADDITIONAL NOTES: Thanks to Angie for visiting me in my "bubble." Only six weeks until I return to LA!! BTW- I don't own nor am I making any money off of E.B. White's classic "Charlotte's Web." Melissa Lee a.k.a. Kennedy "People, it's GOD-DESS, not goddess, when refering to Gillian Anderson. Learn it, know it, use it!"