From: KTsBudgie@aol.com Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 15:54:54 EST Subject: Confessions of the Heart 2 Title: Confessions of the Heart Part II: From This Moment Author: KTsBudgie Date Completed: July 27, 1998 Email: KTsBudgie@aol.com Rating: PG (language) Archive: Already sent to Gossamer a long time ago. . . Others, ask. Spoilers: As if... Keywords: Mulder/Scully Relationship; angst Synopsis: see Confessions of the Heart Part 1 Author's Notes: See the *very* end of this for them. Disclaimer: See, here's the story. I was kidnapped by these little purple men recently, and when I got back, they left me a message that said that Scully and Mulder just don't belong to me. I was apparently under the assumption before my incident that they were. Oh well. CC can have them back. I do claim this story idea for my own, though. Like the first part, this story is inspired by another country song, "From This Moment," sung by Shania Twain and Brian White. The song's at the end. No infringement intended. I hope I finish this story before they come back for me.... P. S.: To understand this one, it's good to read part one, Confessions of the Heart, first. It has a little bit different feel to it then it's first part. Not quite as, well, sappy, I guess. Also, thanks again to my best friend Star for driving me insane. Enjoy the show! Confessions of the Heart Part II: From This Moment February 23, 2001 8:53 pm "Mulder, it's me. Dana. I think we need to talk...." At the other end of the phone line, Mulder sat up straight. Was he imagining this? He reached down and pinched himself to check the reality of his dream, then let out a gasp of pain. "Mulder? Are you alright?" He finally managed to regain his voice. "Yeah, Scully. I'm fine." Liar, his inner voice screamed. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you. I guess you got the card I sent." His fingers absently swiped at the near-dry tear tracks left on his cheeks. "Yes, I got the card. Thank you." She cleared her throat. "Uh, Mulder? About the card...there's something that we need to discuss." "Sure, Scully. What is it?" he asked casually, his voice belying his nervousness. "Can I come over? I don't think I can tell you this over the phone." "Sure. I have left over pizza if you're hungry..." he offered, running a hand over his eyes. He held his breath. Why did she want to come over? Why this late? What did she have to tell him that she couldn't over the phone? He let his breath out when he heard her laugh. That little Scully laugh. It did it to him every time he heard it, which wasn't very often. "No, thanks. Your left over pizzas always turn into science experiments gone awry. I'll pick up something for us on the way. See you in thirty." Mulder nodded, not registering that she couldn't see him. "Sure." "And, Mulder?" "What?" "Thanks." "Anytime, Scully." He heard the phone click as she hung up, then did the same. She was coming over. He couldn't believe it. After three years of not even hearing from her, now she was coming over to talk to him. Why hadn't he sent her a birthday card sooner? Birthday...he groaned. Now he needed a present. Where the hell was he going to get a present for her at this time of night? And with a thirty minute time frame to boot? "Flowers," he murmured triumphantly, searching for a ten dollar bill he knew he had hidden somewhere. Locating it in the sofa cushions, he bolted from his apartment, taking the stairs three at a time. He was lucky that he didn't fall and break something, the speed that he was going. He finally reached the ground floor, then made a bee-line for the "gift shop" of sorts that was located on the first floor of his apartment building. The gift shop was really just a ground floor apartment that sold flowers, books, sodas and snacks that the manager ran to make a few extra dollars. Still, when one is desperate enough... "Roses. I need roses," Mulder said, stopping in front of the service counter. "Sure. Have your pick." The manager led him to a refrigerated case that was beside them on the wall. A coppery color rose, almost like a red and yellow hybrid, caught his eye. "Those. I want those," Mulder murmured, pointing at the orange roses. "Good choice, Mr. Mulder. This color is quite rare. Not too many copper roses blooming in these parts. Who's the lucky lady?" "Just a friend." He paid for the roses and left, trying to keep the conversation at a minimum. Once back in his apartment, he smelled the roses, then admired their color. He had a feeling that she'd like these very much. *********** Scully drew in a deep breath. The scent of pork fried rice, shrimp chow mein, and egg rolls met her nostrils. She held the bag close to her body, relishing in the warmth it sent to her on this frigid night. She dashed from her car and across the street, stopping in front of Mulder's apartment building. Ringing the bell, she waited for him to buzz her up. "It's open," she heard him say on the speaker, smiling because he didn't bother to ask who it was. She pushed open the front entrance, then made her way up to his apartment. The building was the same as it had been the last time she had visited; same musty hallway, same dark atmosphere. Same loose number "4", she thought wryly, shaking her head when she knocked on his door. The "4" vibrated from her action. "Coming," she heard, the voice muffled behind the door. Scully waited patiently for him to answer her knock. A smile caught her lips when the door finally opened. Mulder stared at her, a puzzled expression creasing his brow. "Can I help you?" he asked, not recognizing her at first. Then it dawned on him. "Scully? Is that you?" His voice was incredulous. "Yeah, Mulder, it's me. Stop looking at me that way," she pleaded, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. "You've changed," he remarked. "What happened to the red-head I knew three years ago?" She reached up and tucked a lock of light brown hair behind her ear. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mulder, but I haven't been a natural red head since I was fifteen. Can I come in, or do you want to eat out here?" Scully questioned, startled as a medium sized Amazon parrot flew and perched itself on his shoulder. "She's a looker," the parrot stated, the high pitched voice of the bird resonating in the hallway. Scully's temper flared, and Mulder felt the need to drop through the floor. He removed the parrot from his shoulder, saying sheepishly, "I'm sorry if he offended you, Scully. It's in Herman's nature to state things that he shouldn't at times that he shouldn't." He motioned her inside, relieving her of the food. "Smells good. What is it?" Eyeing Herman warily, she told him what she had brought. "Chinese food. Mulder?" she asked cautiously, swearing to herself that the bird had just winked at her. "When did you get a parrot?" "Two years ago. Mr. Santos, my neighbor down the hall, died and cursed me with him in his will. Do you want anything to drink?" He had already disappeared into his small kitchen, having putting the food on the coffee table. "Got any milk?" "I think so." "That'll be fine." While he fixed their drinks, Scully walked over to the couch. She draped her winter coat over the back, then sat down. For some reason, Herman decided to join her. "Go away," she muttered to the bird as he inched his way toward her. To her dismay, though, he kept coming. Stepping into her lap, he said to her, "Hi. Wanna get cozy?" "Mulder!" she called, now agitated from the bird's sexual advances. "Mulder!" the bird mimicked, flapping away from her. "I guess I should put him in his cage," he said, handing her the glass of milk. "Just keep him away from me," she answered. By now he was back in the kitchen, gathering plates and silverware. She studied him carefully, noting the changes. He was keeping his hair a little longer now, for it was just dusting his ears. Thinner, he was considerably thinner, she thought, noticing how loosely his favorite Knicks shirt fit him. And gone were the seeds. Glancing around her, she could not find one bag of sunflower or mixed seeds. She glanced up quickly when Mulder cleared his throat, snapping her away from her thoughtful musings. "Happy Birthday," he said, handing her the roses. "They used to match your hair..." Taking them, Scully gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Mulder. They're beautiful." She breathed deeply, taking in the flower's wonderful aroma. "There's a vase over on the television with water if you want to use it while you're here," he suggested, sitting cross-legged on the floor, opposite her. His voice was tinged with a slight awkwardness she barely detected. She placed them in the vase, then joined him on the floor, settling down between the coffee table and the sofa. "So, how have you been? You look like you've lost a little weight," she commented, trying to start a conversation. Herman had placidly taken root beside her. Scratching the back of his neck, he gave her an uncomfortable look. "Yeah, I've lost some weight. How about you? How have you been?" he questioned, changing the subject as he opened up the Chinese food containers. He had no intentions of telling her how much her leaving had affected him. At least not yet. He silently made a pact to tell her later. "Not so fast. Is there anything that I should know about?" she queried, giving Herman a piece of eggroll when he begged for it. She searched his eyes, one eyebrow quirked in concentration. "Just that I'm a vegetarian and you brought shrimp chow mein." He flashed her that goofy grin of his before shrugging. "Oh well. More shrimp for Sunflower." Scully blinked, her concern for his health slipping into her subconscious. She was not sure which of the two statements had her confused more. Mulder a vegetarian? And who the hell was Sunflower? "Sunflower?" she asked cautiously. Wordlessly, he pointed as a small, orange and white kitten bounded over to them, hurling it's furry little body onto Scully's. "I must be a pet magnet," she muttered, picking up the squirming ball of fluff. Once at eye level, Sunflower mewed, tail waving in the breeze. For some reason, she reminded Scully of Queequag. "I have a cat now. Here, give her this," he instructed, holding out a piece of shrimp with his fork. Instead of taking the proffered food, Scully turned the cat around, allowing it to eat the shrimp on its own. "Mulder, when did you get this cat?" "The same time that I got the-," he cut his sentence off the minute she dropped the cat on her plate and shot up, "hamster." "There is something in my shirt, and it's MOVING! Mulder, get it out. Now," she demanded, untucking her shirt in the back and shaking her shoulders slightly, trying to dislodge the furry beast that had stubbornly attached itself to the back of her bra. "What's it gonna take, an invitation?" Herman squawked, flapping his wings. The bird barely dodged the shrimp that was hurled at it by its owner. "Mulder." He glanced up to see that she had stopped moving. "What ever it is, it just crawled around front. If this is a freaking mouse, I'll kill you. I swear to God." "No, it's not a mouse," he told her, finally reaching her side. He hesitated before undoing the first three buttons of her blouse. Careful not to touch her, he plucked the tiny hamster from her bra. Her eyes had been closed the entire time. "You're safe now. I guess Butch got free from his wheel." Her eyes flew open, only to be confronted nose to whisker with the little animal. "Where the hell'd you get him?" "Pet store. He was on sale. By one cat, get free hamster and wheel. Couldn't resist. Cat chases hamster, bird chases cat, I chase bird. We all get exercise. Don't worry, he doesn't bite. Much." "Butch. The hamster? And Sunflower? Herman...oh, God. The fish. I can handle fish," she said weakly, rubbing her eyes lightly. "We have to talk about the mini zoo you have here." He hadn't even noticed that she had been talking. His eyes had become riveted on her chest, the way her bra moved when she raised her arm, the way her shirt casually lifted and parted. He even forgot that he had been holding the hamster until it bit his finger. Damning the little hairball, he stuffed Butch into his pocket, although carefully, then tried to conceal the fact that his finger was bleeding and hurt. "Just do it, Pretty Boy," Herman ranted, flying haphazardly from the room. Mulder flushed, then met Scully's eyes as she peered up at him. "Still want to talk about the animals?" he questioned, his voice suspiciously low. He knew that voice, and he would *not* use it on Scully. He respected her too much. Mentally, he drop kicked that inner voice into next Thursday. Coincidentally, she new that voice, too. It was his Hi-I'm-Fox- wanna-get- cozy voice. "Not really," she whispered, suddenly enthralled by that pouty lower lip of his. Damn, why did he have to be so *cute*? His body had already disconnected itself from his brain, not bothering to ask it's permission. He found himself leaning closer to her, one hand slowly reaching out to touch her chestnut tresses. His mind lolling uselessly inside his head, he leaned in, content on pressing his lips to hers. Just as he felt their lips touch, the phone rang. Both jumped apart guiltily, feeling as if they had been caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. Timing, he thought miserably, damning to hell whoever was on the other end of the phone line. "Hang on," he muttered. He grabbed his phone, answering with a perturbed, "Yeah." He hung up soon after that. Turning back to Scully, he noticed her watching him intently. He wished that she wouldn't stare at him so closely. Because if she did, he just might finish what they had almost started by the coffee table. Cramming those arousing images into the deep recesses of his brain, he was able to find his voice. "That was Cel- uh, Agent Celia Winters, my partner. I need, um, there's a case-" "Mulder, it's okay. I'll talk to you when you have more time," she said, somehow managing to rebutton her blouse. That action was the last thing she wanted to do now. She instead wished he would come to her and undress her. She blushed slightly and cursed herself for thinking about something that probably wouldn't happen. He ran his hand through his hair. "You can wait here if you want. I wouldn't mind the company when I come back." He mentally slapped himself. Was that a come on? Her brain screamed, "Yes! I'll wait for you!" Somehow, she repressed the urges. Scully shook her head. "No, it's alright. I'll be in DC tomorrow for a seminar on oncological research and treatment. I'll drop by the Hoover building after that." She already had her coat on. Mulder realized that there was no way he would be able to convince her to stay. Nodding, he led her to the door. He handed her the flowers, vase and all. "I'm sorry about this. And I apologize for the pets. I'll see you tomorrow," he said quietly. Before she had slipped away from his door completely, he was able to place a feather soft kiss on her forehead. He just caught the tiny smile she sent him before disappearing down the hallway. Mulder shut his door, fishing out the squirming hamster. "Phone, phone. Must disconnect phone," he murmured over and over while changing into more suitable "FBI Field Investigation" clothes, complete with non-matching tie. *********** Phone. If he weren't already dead, I'd kill Bell, Scully thought murderously, dashing back to her car. Timing. Damn timing. She had the car open and ignition running in record time. Heat on full blast, she was first greeted by nose-numbing cold air, then gradual warmth. She dared not move until the temperature inside the car became more tolerable. With a sigh, she realized that she had not told him that she loved him. The whole reason she had come over was to tell him this. Well, maybe not the whole reason. She really had needed to see him again. She had truly missed seeing him every day. And now she found herself wondering about his health. Why had he been losing weight? Maybe it was the vegetarian diet. She made a mental note to ask him about it tomorrow. She sighed again. He still had that cute little smile. Thinking about that smile of his brought disgruntled thoughts into her consciousness. Celia. He had called her Celia, not Winters. "Why didn't he ever call me by *my* first name?" she muttered, angrily throwing the car into gear. For some reason, she felt jealous. And that look. Did he ever have that look on his face when he said her name? That look that clearly said I'll-Do-Anything-For-You- All-You-Have-To-Do-Is- Ask. She couldn't remember ever seeing that one before. Or maybe she had, but just never noticed. There were probably many things that he had done for her or said to her that she just had failed to notice. And all because she kept herself so distanced from people. She smiled, thinking of Mulder's intrusive hamster, Butch. "Thank God for that damn hamster. Maybe he'll chew through the phone line next time," she said with slight happiness before beginning her trek back to her apartment. The End (for now) And here's the song to go with this little ditty of mine...ahem..... From This Moment: From this moment life has begun From this moment you are the one Right beside you is where I belong From this moment on From this moment I have been blessed I live only for you happiness And for your love I'd give my last breath From this moment on I give my hand to you with all my heart Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start You and I will never be apart My dreams came true because of you From this moment as long as I live I will love you I promise you this There is nothing I wouldn't give From this moment on You're the reason I believe in love And you're the answer to my prayers from up above All we need is just the two of us My dreams came true because of you From this moment as long as I live I will love you, I promise you this There is nothing i wouldn't give From this moment I will love you as long as I live From this moment on Author's Notes: Don't worry. There's *definitely* more to the story. Confessions of the Heart Part III: Standing Outside the Fire will be coming up shortly. Hang tight...I've almost got this darn thing resolved. E-mail me with your thoughts at KTsBudgie@aol.com. I need some ideas for Part III! Thank you for your time. Little purple men...coming...uh-oh...