Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:13:05 -0000
Subject: NEW FIC: Conversation piece MSR
Source: atxc

Title: Conversation Piece
Author: Gabiabi
Rating: G
Spoilers: none that I know of yet
Disclaimer: Any characters you recognize are not mine

Feedback welcome at gabi_abi2003@yahoo.co.uk

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Thanks for dinner mom. It was delicious as usual."

"No problem. ... Okay Dana, spill. What is it?"

"What's what, mom?"

"What is it that you came over for? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's
lovely to see you but..."

"But what mom? Do I need a reason to come see you now?"

"No Dana, you know you don't."

"Then why do you think there's some ulterior motive for me coming over
for dinner?"

"Because I know you Dana and I know you never want to do anything but
sleep and relax after you finish a case. So, since you just finished a
case yesterday and you're here...add to that the fact that you've been
distant for most of the evening like you've got something on your
mind...well, it's not difficult to tell that there's something
bothering you."

"Am I really that transparent?"

"Only because I'm your mother, and mother's can sense these things.
Now, tell me what's wrong."

"...It's Mulder..."

"Fox? Why, what's wrong with him?"

"Nothing's wrong with him...it's just...oh, I don't know..."

"Start at the beginning Dana. That's always the easiest."

"Well, it really began during our case but it came to a head
yesterday evening. We had just finished the case and had gone down to
our office to finish off some paperwork..."

************************************************************

24 hours earlier

"I can't believe you did that Mulder!"

"What?"

"What do you think?!"

"Scully, I don't know what you're talking about. What did I do to piss
you off?"

"What did you do...you have TO ASK???"

"Scully, please...sssh a bit."

"No, I will not 'sssh a bit', Mulder! I will speak as loudly as I
want!"

"Scully, come on."

"I'm sorry, am I embarrassing you Mulder? Of course not - there's no
one here to hear us, not like this AFTERNOON!!"

"What? I'm sorry Scully; you've completely lost me. I really don't
have a clue what you're talking about."

"Of course not. Why would you? I mean you only humiliated me in front
of half the Agents in our team - why would you care about that?"

"Humiliated? ...I humiliated you?"

"Yes, you humiliated me Mulder. Thanks to you it will be all over the
FBI by tomorrow that Special Agent Dana Scully can't do her job - that
she needs her big strong macho partner to do it for her!"

"What??!"

"Oh don't you 'what' me!"

"Scully. I honestly don't know what you're talking about. Really, I
don't. I'm sorry for whatever it is, because you're obviously really
annoyed at me for it but I seriously don't know what I've done."

"You're kidding right?"

"No, Scully, I'm not kidding. Tell me what I did."

"Oh, where to begin?..."

"Lose the sarcasm Scully. If I've done something wrong, fine - tell
me, but drop the attitude until I know what the hell I did."

"Well, to begin with - that chauvinistic speech before we even began
the raid about how I should stay in the back."

"Chauvinistic?..."

"Yes, chauvinistic... you know the speech about how I should let the
MEN go in first and only come in myself if any medical expertise was
required."

"That isn't what I said..."

"That is exactly what you said...now quit interrupting. Anyway, after
all that crap, we finally get in there and, before we even get near
the guy, you're at it again - telling me to drop back and get out of
the way. Every single one of those agents heard you telling me to
move, to play it safe and basically to not do my job. Taking down the
bad guys is part of our jobs - OUR jobs, not just yours Mulder and I
can do it perfectly well thank you very much. I don't particularly
appreciate my PARTNER of all people telling the whole goddamn Bureau
that I'm not up to the job."

"First of all, Scully I didn't say ANYTHING about letting the 'men'
go first - I said the other agents. Just because they all happened to
be men does not make me chauvinistic - I would have said the same if
they'd all been female agents. I'm not sexist - I'm surprised, and not
really very happy, that you would think that about me."

"Well it felt like that's what you were saying...What was your reason
then if it wasn't that? Do you not trust me to be able to do my job?"

"Of course I trust you to do your job - I didn't mean you couldn't do
your job, I know fine well you can. When we're out in the field on our
own, I wouldn't want anyone but you watching my back because I trust
you. This case though...there were plenty of agents - we were the
back-ups, not really needed. I just thought...I didn't want you to be
in danger of being hurt if you didn't need to be. I NEVER want that. I
can't help it Scully - I worry about you too much - I thought that
this time I wouldn't need to worry because I could make sure you were
safe by making sure you didn't come in on the first attack. I didn't
mean to imply that you weren't capable of being in the first wave -
I'm sorry if you thought that's what I was saying. I just didn't want
you to get hurt - I didn't think I could take it, I would've fallen
apart like I always do when you're injured. You can shout at
me as much as you want but I'm never going to stop caring about you
Scully. I'm sorry if that annoys you - but I just can't stop."

"Mulder..."

"Look, I'll see you on Monday."

"..."

************************************************************

"And then he just left."

"Didn't you go after him?"

"No. I couldn't mom."

"Why not honey? ...Come on Dana, what's really the problem? This isn't
just about a silly argument - if it was, you'd be talking to Fox and
setting things right, not talking to me. Tell me."

"It's just...when he was talking...when he was saying all that stuff
about how much he cared...I..."

"You what?"

"I realized... Mom, I think - no, I KNOW ...mom...I love him."

"Of course you do sweetie."

"No, mom. I mean I'm IN love with him."

"And? ...What's the big deal about that?"

"It doesn't surprise you?"

"No. Why would it?"

"It sure as hell surprised me. I mean, he's my partner - my friend, I
can't be in love with him."

"Why ever not, Dana?"

"Mom, it could ruin everything...it could destroy both our friendship
and our partnership..."

"...Or it could lead to you finding the perfect man for you. It could
mean you could be with the man of your dreams. He's perfect for you
Dana, he cares so much about you - as you were told just yesterday by
him. You must know that he loves you too."

"What? No, he can't love me. Why would he? I'm not his type."

"His type?"

"Yes, Mulder goes for tall, leggy brunettes of which I am not."

"Dana, aren't you being a little harsh? On both Fox and yourself. Do
you really think that all he cares about is looks - and that he
doesn't know how beautiful you are?"

"No...but he doesn't love me. Or at least he's not IN love with me."

"How do you know that Dana? Have you asked him? - Don't go putting
words into his mouth."

"So what should I do?"

"You need to tell him sweetie. Keeping this inside will do far more
damage to your partnership, and even more to your friendship, than
telling him could ever do."

"But mom I can't. What if he doesn't love me back - I don't think I
could bear him telling me that."

"Well...I'm pretty certain that he does but I guess I understand what
you're saying. You don't want to be hurt by his rejection - not that I
think he will reject you."

"Maybe I could get him to tell me how he feels about me first."

"That's a bit unfair Dana. Why should he have to do what you're
desperate not to do yourself?"

"Then...I don't know... I know - I'll give him a hypothetical
situation and see if it shakes any feelings loose."

"I still think you're best just telling him, honey."

"No. I'll do it my way."

"Okay, if you're sure."

"Yes mom, I'm sure. Thanks for everything - you've been a great
help."

"What are mother's for?"

"Right, well. I'd better get going, it's getting late."

"Okay then. It was lovely to see you. You need to come over more often
- you can bring Fox as well. You know he's always welcome."

"I know. Goodnight."

"Goodnight sweetie. Oh, and Fox really does love you - I'm sure of
it."

"Well, I'll just need to find out then won't I? Goodbye."

"See you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey guys."

"Hey Mulder, what's up."

"Nothing, Frohicke. Just came to hang out, is that okay?"

"Sure. Did you bring the pizza and beer?

"Of course. You know, I've known you guys for how long now; did you
really think I'd come by without pizza and beer? That's usually the
only reason you let me through the damn door - don't think I don't
know that."

"That's not true...well, most of the time it's not."

"Anyway, here you go - one extra large pizza, with all the trimmings
except anchovies, and two six-packs. Will that do?

"I suppose so...Thanks... Seriously man, what's up."

"Langly...just leave it."

"Hey Mulder, we - and by we I mean Langly - may look stupid but we're
not. You've got look on your face that says something's wrong. So, we
ask once again. What's up?"

"Frohicke...*sigh*...It's Scully..."

"What's wrong, is she hurt? ...No she can't be or you wouldn't be
here. Ummm..."

"Byers, Scully's fine...I...damn it."

"Dude, just tell us. What's happened?"

"It all started the day before yesterday, we were on a case and..."

************************************************************

42 hours earlier

"Hey Mulder. You ready to go?"

"Sure Scully. Did SAC Currie give the order yet?"

"No but he says it's gonna be any minute now and we've all to get
into position."

"Alright. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. I just...We're moving."

"Let's go."

"I'm right behind you."

**crash**

"Scully, look out! ...damn! Scully, are you okay? ...Scully?"

" *groan* I'm f..fine Mulder."

"Where are you? ...I can't see a damn thing, you're not sounding too
good."

"Umm..."

"What? ...What is it Scully?"

"Mulder, don't move okay."

"Why?...Scully, what's wrong?"

"Just don't move."

"Okay Scully. I won't move but tell me why. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong is I have your precious 'Scully' in one hand and a knife
in the other and if you move one millimeter it's going to slice her
pretty little throat right open."

"Andrews?"

"That's right Fibbie! 'Mulder', your name was - right Red?"

"Yes...ahh"

"Scully..."

"Oh it's alright Mulder. There's no blood...yet. I think I'll save
that so you can SEE her bleed! Wouldn't want you to miss out on the
fun - don't want to miss out on it myself."

"Andrews I swear - if you touch her I'll..."

"You'll what Mulder? ...Oh I don't think you'll be doing anything to
me while I've got your partner right in my grasp. Come here!"

"Where?"

"Over here so I can see you...and so you can see us."

"I don't know where you are Andrews..."

"Quit stalling...oh no, see what you made me do. 'Red' here's gonna
have a lot more red on her unless you get here NOW!"

"Scully...don't hurt her. I'm coming, just don't hurt her."

"A bit late for that, but I'll stop so you don't miss any more."

"Right, I'm here. Now you can let her go."

"Oh, I don't think that was part of the deal Mulder."

"Yeah, well neither was this."

**BANG**

"Aaagh!"

"Scully, are you okay?"

"Yes. The bullet got Andrews though, he's bleeding a lot - we're going
to need an ambulance now."

"Can we get the paramedics over here?"

"There's no pulse Mulder, I'm gonna have to do CPR."

"...The paramedics are here Scully. You can stop now, let them take
over."

"...Still no pulse...I think we've lost him."

"Agent Mulder, Agent Scully? What on earth happened?"

"Andrews jumped us when we were going in, SAC Currie. He took Scully
hostage with a knife and threatened to use it on her...he didn't take
my gun off me so I shot him when I got a chance. I felt that not doing
so would endanger Agent Scully's life."

"Agent Scully?"

"Sir, Agent Mulder's right. Andrews was becoming dangerous - he wanted
to let Agent Mulder see me get hurt so, when Mulder got to where he
could see us, there was nothing stopping Andrews from proceeding with
his plan. It was a justified shooting sir."

"Very well Agents. I expect to see you both tomorrow for debriefing.
There may well be another raid set up for tomorrow evening and I'll
need you both there."

"Certainly sir. We'll see you tomorrow...come on Mulder."

"Scully you're bleeding."

"I'm fine, it's just a scratch. We'd better go home and get some rest
since SAC Currie wants us in on the raid tomorrow - he's going to need
all the man power he can get."

"Scully, I'm not sure you should take part tomorrow..."

"Mulder, I told you I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me."

"But..."

"No 'buts' Mulder. I'm going to be involved and that's that."

"Okay. Need a ride home?"

"Sure, that would be great."

************************************************************

"Then on the raid the next day I suggested she stay behind in the van
until any medical help was required. Of course she gave me hell for
saying it when we got back to the office. She was really riled that I
had suggested that she couldn't do her job and she thought I was being
sexist."

"So, what's the problem? ...Just apologize to her and tell her it
won't happen again."

"I did apologize, Byers - but I couldn't say it won't happen again
because I know that it will."

"Why will it Mulder? You know the delectable Agent Scully can hold her
own."

"Yes I know that, Frohicke - that's not the problem. When Andrew had
her hostage, I ...I realized..."

"Realized what?"

"Well, first of all - my objection to her going in had nothing to do
with the fact that she's a woman. I never thought she couldn't handle
it, I just didn't want her going in there - I didn't want there to be
any chance of her getting hurt again. It wasn't about her not being
able to do her job - I know fine well she can - it was just that I
wanted the others agents to take the risks, not her. I know that the
next time we're in the same situation I'm going to want to stop her
going in too."

"Why would you stop her?"

"I don't want her taking any unnecessary risks - I can't handle it
when she gets hurt. When Andrews was holding the knife to her throat,
I couldn't breathe thinking that she could die. ...I...I think...I'm
in love with her."

"Well, duh!"

"Langly..."

"I'm serious dude. You mean you didn't already know that?"

"No, I didn't already know. Do you think I would be here like this if
it didn't come as a bit of a shock!"

"Calm down Mulder. Don't take it out on Langly, he's right. We all
thought you knew - it's pretty obvious man."

"Obvious?...Obvious?!!! How the hell could it be obvious if I didn't
even know?"

"Mulder, do you really think that's the important point here? I mean,
okay so we knew before you did, but you DO know now. I think the
important thing is you've got to figure out what you're going to do
about it."

"Umm...I don't know. Do I need to do anything? I mean if, as you guys
say, I've been in love with her for a while, then does anything need
to be done about the fact that I know it now?"

"I suppose not but..."

"But what?"

"Well, now you actually know - it could cause problems because you'll
be hiding something from her, willingly."

"What can I do about that?"

"Tell her how you feel."

"Yeah, right...you're serious?"

"Yes he's serious Mulder. Scully's gonna know something's up cos -
let's face it - she knows you even better than we do and we noticed it
right away."

"God, you're right. What am I going to do?"

"I suggest you just tell her Mulder."

"Really Byers? Then what? ...What if she just laughs in my face? - It
could be well worse for our friendship than just keeping quiet.
There's no way she could love me back - why do I need to set myself up
for rejection?"

"She's not going to laugh in your face Mulder - she cares far too much
about you to do anything that insensitive. I don't think she'll reject
you either although I obviously don't know that - it's just
my...our...opinion. Just invite her over for dinner tomorrow and take
it from there."

"Okay...dinner...just tell her...I can do that...can't I?"

"Of course you can Mulder. Now go home and phone her - oh and, do her
a favor and don't cook, unless you've had lessons since the last time
you did."

"No. Don't you think I should cook? I could ask for help...she might
think it was sweet or something...make her not laugh when I tell
her."

"She's not going to laugh! Just order in ...Set the table though and
use plates - no eating out of the cartons."

"Since when did you become an expert on dating, Frohicke?"

"Since I had a chat with Scully about what her perfect man would do
for her on a date."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just do what I suggested."

"Okay. Well...see you."

"Bye Mulder, good luck."

"Thanks, I'll need it."

"If it makes you feel any better Mulder - we're pretty sure Scully's
gonna be happy when you tell her."

"What makes you so sure?"

"We see the way she looks at you when she thinks no ones watching."

"Really?"

"Really! So go tell her."

"Okay then. Bye."

"Goodbye."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Scully."

"Hi Scully, it's me."

"Oh, hey Mulder. What's up?"

"Nothing really...I was just wondering ...What are you doing
tonight?"

"Not much, just relaxing you know? ...Enjoying my weekend off."

"Oh...umm..."

"What is it Mulder?"

"I...would you like to come over for dinner?"

"Sure. That would be nice. Any particular reason?"

"No...I just wanted to see you ...Well, there is something I wanted to
tell you but I thought it'd be good to have you over."

"There's something I want to talk to you about as well. I'd love to
join you for dinner. What are we having?"

"Ummm...I'm not sure. Chinese?"

"Sounds good to me. Do you want me to bring anything? Wine?"

"No, it's okay. I'll get everything - just you bring yourself. You're
the most important part to remember anyway."

"Aww Mulder. That's sweet. ...So, what time do you want me to come
at?"

"Umm...Seven-ish? Is that okay?"

"That'd be fine."

"See you at seven then."

"See you."

************************************************************

*knock knock*

"It's open Scully. Just come in."

"Hi Mulder...wow!"

"Is it okay? I didn't want to just eat in the living room so I did a
bit of spring-cleaning."

"Mulder, it's the middle of the summer. Spring cleaning's supposed to
be done in the spring - hence the name."

"Yeah I know but I didn't bother to do it then so I had to do it
now."

"Oh, okay then. What's the occasion?"

"Ummm...You are."

"You did all of this for me? Oh, Mulder. ...I thought you were
allergic to dust-free rooms and since when did you get a table
cloth?"

"You're so funny. Here, let me take your coat. - The food should be
arriving any minute. I ordered for both of us...do you mind?"

"Thanks...no I don't mind you ordering. You know what I usually get
anyway - I trust you to order me something I will like."

"Good. Have a seat while I open the wine."

"Thank you Mulder. You know, this apartment really cleans up nice. The
whole place looks fantastic."

"Thanks. I wanted to surprise you."

"Well you managed - but in a good way though."

*knock knock*

"That'll be the food. Stay here - I'll go get it."

"Do you need money?"

"No I've got it - dinner's on me."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, Scully. What kind of a gentleman would I be if I invited
you over for dinner and then made you pay? ...And all those other
times don't count, we were going over cases then and I didn't 'invite'
you. ...here's your meal."

"Thanks... so you didn't want me there all those times?"

"That's not what I meant Scully and you know it - I couldn't have got
all that paperwork done without you...noodles?... This is just the
first time you've been over for dinner without something to do with
work being involved."

"That's kind of sad isn't it? ...Can I steal some rice? Thanks.
...Anyway, I mean we've known each other for how long now? And we've
never really done this before."

"Well we're doing it now - that's what counts. I hope we'll do it more
often though - I'd really like it if we did."

"Me too. I'd love it."

"Well that's sorted then. More wine?"

"Sure. Yes, it's sorted - here's to more dinners like this one."

"I'll drink to that."

"Cheers."

************************************************************

"Are you done eating Scully?"

"Yes. I couldn't eat another bite. That was the best Chinese food I've
eaten in a long time."

"I agree. I got it from the new place that's opened across the street
from our usual place. I thought we'd give it a try - see if it was
better or worse than the normal stuff."

"Better definitely."

"Much. So...do you want to move through to the couch? It's more
comfortable."

"Sure."

"Do you need a refill?"

"Not quite yet. Bring the bottle through though - it'll mean that
neither of us will have to get up to get more."

"Good idea. Let me just put the plates in the sink to soak and I'll
be through to join you."

"I'll help..."

"No Scully, you're my guest tonight. I will not have you lifting a
finger. Now, go get yourself comfortable on the couch...I'll be
through in a couple of minutes."

"Okay."

************************************************************

"I bought cake for desert. Do you want some now?"

"Sure, that would be good. Now that the Chinese has had enough time
to settle, I think I've got enough room for cake."

"I've always got room for cake...especially when it's double
chocolate gateaux."

"Oh my gosh...that's my favorite."

"I know."

"Thank you. Now, where is it?"

"It's just in the kitchen...I'll go get it."

"Wonderful."

"Hey Scully..."

"What is it Mulder?"

"How big a piece do you want?"

"How big is the plate? ...I'm only joking, I don't think I could fit a
very big piece in, make it medium sized."

"One medium sized piece of cake coming up. ...Here you go, cake for
the beautiful lady."

"Mulder...quit it. You're making me blush."

"But you're so cute when you do blush - the tip of your nose goes the
brightest shade of red I have ever seen on a nose."

"Thanks Mulder."

"But it looks very pretty...just like you..."

"Mulder..."

"Okay, okay. I get it. No complimenting - even if it is all true."

"..."

************************************************************

"Scully, are you mad at me? ...you haven't said anything in  awhile."

"No Mulder. I'm just eating my cake. Why would I be mad?"

"It's just that the silence was getting a bit awkward and I
thought..."

"I'm not mad. It's just...I'm not used to you saying that kind of
thing to me."

"Well I'll have to say them more often then - just so as you get used
to it of course."

"Of course. ...Did you mean it?"

"What, that your nose goes bright pink when you blush?"

"No..."

"I'm only teasing Scully. Yes I meant it...you are very beautiful."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

************************************************************

"Mulder..."

"Scully..."

"You go first."

"No, it's alright Scully. What were you going to say?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. What I was going to say wasn't important - well it IS but it can
wait. Now go on."

"Okay. What I was gonna say was...Mulder you're my best friend - you
know that don't you?"

"Well, I wasn't sure whether the Flukeman had knocked me off the top
spot..."

"Mulder..."

"I'm sorry. I was just kidding. Of course I know that - and you're my
best friend too. Now, why do you ask?"

"It's just...since you are my best friend...I know I can talk to you
about anything...can't I?"

"Of course you can Scully, you know that."

"Well this thing...it's not really the sort of thing we usually talk
about."

"It's okay Scully. You know me, always up for trying new things."

"Yeah, I know..."

"Come on Scully, what is it?"

"Okay, it's a hypothetical question."

"Alright...what's the question?"

"...Um...what would you do if you had feelings for someone - stronger
feelings than you should have considering your relationship at that
point in time."

"Not sure if I understand you."

"What if you had a relationship with someone...a good - no, a great -
relationship with them but you wanted more from the relationship than
was there at that moment."

"You mean like moving from being friends to being, say, lovers?"

"Yeah...like that. What would you do?"

"You're asking me would I tell the other person?"

"Yes. ...Would you?"

"Umm...that's a tricky one...Does the other person feel the same
way?"

"You don't know if they do or not."

"Do I have an inkling? I mean if I completely don't have any idea
about their feelings towards me then it can't be that close a
relationship so it's one that could be risked. Either that or they
don't have feelings for me that way...but that would mean that I knew
how they felt which wasn't in the question. ...umm"

"But what if the relationship was the most important one in your life
and other people told you that this person did like you more than
just riends  - but you weren't sure if they were seeing something that
just wasn't there."

"It sounds to me like this hypothetical me isn't very tuned in to the
other person's feelings...either that or I'm ignoring what my heart is
telling me is right because my head's filled with too much
self-doubt."

"Oh...that makes sense I guess..."

"So...was that just random thought or was there a point to all that?"

"There was a point..."

"Which is...?"

"See, the thing is Mulder...I...ummm...it's..."

"Come on Scully, spit it out."

"It's me. I'm in love with someone who doesn't know how I feel about
him and I don't know how he feels about me - not really. I'm scared to
tell him because I might make a big mess of things and...I just don't
know what to do. I don't know whether I should just take the risk of
rejection and just tell him or not."

"First off Scully, you probably don't need to be afraid of rejection
unless he's blind, stupid or gay. Second of all, you're probably
guilty of over-thinking the situation. Stop thinking for a minute and
listen to what your heart is telling you.

"..."

"Scully...ummm...I'm not sure I really want to know but...who is it?"

"...It's...it's..."

*RING RING*

"Saved by the bell, eh Scully?"

"Ha, ha...just go answer the phone."

"It's not my phone that's ringing Scully...it must be your cell."

"Oh, right...do you know where I put it?"

"It's right here...here you go."

"Thanks...Hello?  Yes this is Scully...yes sir...I see...when do you
want me in? ...Okay then, I'll be there. Goodbye."

"Scully?..."

"That was SAC Currie...he wants me to go in tonight to do the
Andrew's autopsy."

"Oh, right."

"Well, I guess I'd better go then."

"Guess you'd better."

"Can we finish this...?"

"Some other time Scully. You'll be too tired after the autopsy. Just
go straight home once you're done."

"Oh...well...I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes, see you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm not sure I want to know but...Who is it?"

[I'm definitely sure I don't want to know - if it was me she would
just tell me and not go through all this crap about a hypothetical
someone...sure, I'm her best friend I know but that doesn't mean I
have to like everything she has to say...especially if it's going to
break my heart.]

"It's...its..."

[Oh my god, I can't stand it...I don't want to hear this. I don't want
to hear this. How can I stop her from saying it? I don't want to
know...but any second now and...]

*Ring ring*

"Saved by the bell, eh Scully?"

[It's not her that was saved - it was me. Thank God for that! Get the
phone Mulder, get the phone!...okay, it's not your phone. Then what
the hell is ringing?...Aha! It's Scully's phone.]

"It's not my phone that's ringing Scully...it must be your cell."

"Oh, right...do you know where I put it?"

"It's right here...here you go."

[I am so glad that phone rang...I don't think I would have been able
to take her telling me who it is...doesn't she know she's breaking my
heart here? ...How on earth does she NOT know that this is going to
kill me - literally? She...Oh, she's hung up - better ask her what's
going on]

"Scully.?"

"That was SAC Currie...he wants me to go in tonight to do the
Andrew's autopsy."

"Oh, right."

[Thank God. Remind me to kiss him the next time I see him...on second
thoughts, I doubt if he'll see that as thanks - or maybe he would...Oh
my God, maybe it's him that she likes...no, it can't be  - can it?
...Maybe...oh, Scully's saying something.]

"Well, I guess I'd better go then."

"Guess you'd better."

[Don't seem too happy about her leaving Mulder or she'll know
something's up...she doesn't actually seem to want to go
though...maybe she really doesn't know how much I care and she really
wants to tell me...I should really listen - we are best friends after
all...I just need time to process this, steady myself for the
blow...hell, who am I kidding, this blow isn't gonna get any less
harsh no matter how much time I have to prepare for it.
She's talking again, better listen.]

"Can we finish this...?"

"Some other time Scully. You'll be too tired after the autopsy. Just
go straight home once you're done."

[There, that's bought me some time. I won't need to see her now until
tomorrow or maybe even Tuesday if I can come up with a good enough
excuse to miss work tomorrow. Although she'll probably see through any
excuse I make and come tell me anyway...I'll need to think of
something really good... Okay smile, pretend there's nothing
wrong...pretend your heart hasn't been torn from your chest and jumped
up and down on...a lot]

"Oh...well...I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes, see you."

[She's leaving...keep smiling until she's gone...that's it, say
goodbye and close the door...walk to the window and wait for her to
get to her car...wave to her like you always do...fine, good...she's
gone, now you can punch your fist through the wall.]

*BANG*

"Owww, damn it!!"

[Okay, so the wall's a little harder than I thought and the blood's
gonna ruin the carpet...never mind, the pain's nothing compared to
what my heart is going through right now...so she's in love with
someone else...so my heart may never beat again...so I'm going to have
to destroy something else - aha, the desk looks like a safe bet]

*Crash*

[Maybe I should have taken the computer off it first...damn it! Oh,
what do I care...it's only a computer, it doesn't matter much. Not now
Scully's in love...she's in love with another guy...another guy...]

"Man, I need a drink."

[Ahh - that's better. Not much but let's see what another one can
do...or maybe two. Just to dull the pain a bit. I suppose I shouldn't
really get drunk on a Sunday night - not when I have that meeting with
Skinner early tomorrow morning. ...Skinner!]

"Oh my God, it's Skinner isn't it?"

[I'm gonna kill the baldy bastard! What the hell does she see in him?
...She can't be in love with him...she just can't...he's her BOSS for
crying out loud...well, I guess she's my partner and I'm in love with
her but...it's just not the same. It's not! ...Maybe the guys will
know - but they said she was in love with me so they probably won't
but...maybe...]

"Frohicke!"

[No it can't be...surely she...But then he did say he'd been talking
about her perfect date with her. Maybe he said she loved me to put me
off track...to make me think I stood a chance when he knew she wanted
him...]

"Damn him, the little..."

[No, Scully wouldn't...I would have been able to tell if...God what if
it is...I'll have to put up with them touching each other in front of
me...or even kissing...ugghh, that is a nasty thought.]

"There is not enough drink in this apartment - I'll have to go out"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

*ring ring*

"Scully."

"Oh, hi miss. I'm sorry to wake you..."

"Who are you and why are you calling me at half two in the
morning?...On second thoughts, why are you using Mulder's phone?"

"Is that what his name is? He wouldn't tell us much beyond Mull..."

"What have you done to him? Where is he?"

"Calm down lady...I've not done anything to him..."

"No I will not calm down until you tell me where Mulder is. Is he
hurt? Has there been an accident? What the hell's going on?"

"He's not hurt...well not just now he's not."

"What the hell do you mean by that? Don't you dare lay one finger on
him. That man is a federal agent and charges will be brought against
you if you so much as breathe on him."

"What? I'm not going to touch him. I just meant that he's going to be
hurting in the morning."

"Excuse me? Start from the beginning, who are you?"

"My name's Jim. I'm one of the bartenders over at Tommy's."

"Bartender?"

"Yeah, your friend here has ha a little too much to drink and he drove
here. We were going to call him a cab but he won't tell us his
address. I thought I'd just press speed-dial one - which would be you
- on his phone and find out where he lives so we can send him home."

"No, that's all right. I'll come pick him up. What's the address?"

"It's on the corner of."

"Okay. I'll be there in about twenty minutes. Is that okay?"

"Sure. I'll make sure he doesn't go anywhere until you get here."

"Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry for being snippy at you before - I was just
worried."

"No problem. If some stranger phoned me in the middle of the night on
my wife's phone I'd think the worst too."

"Oh Mulder's not my husband. He's my partner."

"Whatever. Anyway, I'd better go."

"But...Never mind. Thanks again."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Okay Dana, in the car. Don't think about the fact that Mulder was so
repulsed by what you almost told him that he had to go get
drunk...okay! Start the car, pull out...God, I have to face him in
about fifteen minutes, what if he says something, what if he's told
the whole bar and they all know...I shouldn't be doing this, I won't
be able to face him...I shouldn't have even thought about telling him.
Okay, gotta stop thinking about this Dana, turn on the radio. That'll
keep your mind off him and the fact that your friendship, never mind
your partnership, is probably ruined...radio, NOW!]

*I know something about love, you've gotta want it bad.
If that fool's got into your blood, go out and get him.
If you want him to be the very part of you
That makes you want to breath, here's the thing to do...
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him,
Tell him that you're always gonna love him,
Tell him, tell him, tell him tell him right now.*

[Yeah well, I tried to tell him and he didn't want to know. I could
almost see the huge sigh of relief he tried to hide when that damn
phone rang. Saved by the bell he said...well I guess we both were.
This way I didn't actually say the words and he doesn't actually know.
I mean God, he practically shoved me out of the door so that I
wouldn't tell him and now he's gone and got himself too drunk to get
home.]

*I know something about love, you've gotta show it and
Make him see the moon up above, reach out and get it.
If you want him to make your heart sing out,
And if you want him to only think of you...*

[Yeah sure. Like Mulder would ever only think of me - he probably has
never thought of me that way at all, why would he? ...His drinking has
probably got nothing to do with me at all. He was probably just trying
to pick up some chick tonight and started drinking because she turned
him down - God knows why she would though. He's never going to think
of me as anything more than a friend.]

*Tell him that you're never gonna leave him,*

[I could never leave him, no matter what he does. Even if he doesn't
love me I could never turn my back on him.]

*Tell him that you're always gonna love him,*

[Yeah...guess that one's true as well. Damn him because I'm never
going to be able to get him out of my mind. Everyone I ever meet will
always be compared to him and I know no one will ever measure up. How
could they?]

*Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now.*

[Alright, alright - enough already. Goddamn radio. Must change the
station - that's better.]

*Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don't they know it's the end of the world,
'cause you don't love me anymore.*

[He never loved me in the first place but...I guess it's the end of
my world. Now I know I'll never have that normal life  - for that to
happen I would need a husband and I know I'll never marry anyone but
Mulder. ...Marry? Where the hell did that come from? I don't want to
MARRY Mulder, I just wanted to...do I? Damn It! I do want to marry him
and we haven't even kissed...how stupid is that!]

*Don't they know it's the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love*

"I got it already thank you. You don't need to keep reminding me"

[...for God's sake now I'm talking to the radio. See what you've done
to me Mulder...who am I kidding, I've done this to myself. How dumb am
I falling in love with my partner? Not just my partner though - my
best friend. Now that's stupid. ...Okay, just change the radio station
again and think about something else.]

*I'd rather walk on glass than see teardrops in your eyes.
And I'd fall to pieces just to hold you, the best thing in my life.*

[He is the best thing in my life...I just hope I haven't ruined it. I
hope he doesn't know what I was going to say...but then why would he
be glad to get rid of me? He's never done that before...well apart
from that time when he had to go meet his source and didn't want to
tell me.]

*It's just luck I get to love you, you're the one thing that's right.
You're the light in my hell's darkness.*

"God, what the hell is wrong with the radio tonight?!"

[I'm doing it again...I'm talking to inanimate objects. Maybe I'm
going insane...maybe I can tell Mulder that I wasn't in my right mind
earlier; that it was a singular moment of madness... NO. I can't do
that...I can't lie to him. Not only because I'd feel bad but he'd see
right through me. He always does.]

*All by myself, don't wanna be
All by myself anymore*

[Aaaggghhh. It's a conspiracy; it's got to be. My God, now I'm
starting to think like Mulder...okay, classical station. I can't go
wrong with that.]

*I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world would go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own.*

[Right that's it. The radio is going off. ...Where the hell is this
bar, I should be there by now. Aha, there it is. You had better be
able to walk Mulder, because I am definitely not going to be able to
carry you and I don't want to have to explain our little 'situation'
to anyone if I have to ask for help.]

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Excuse me, are you Jim?"

"That's me...who are you?"

"My name's Dana Scully - you called me about my partner, Mulder."

"Oh, right...he's just gone to the john."

"So he can still walk then?"

"Just about - he did hang on to all the stools and walked into the
table but, yeah, he can walk."

"Good."

"He's actually been in there for quite a while now I think about it."

"How long is 'a while'"

"About fifteen minutes or so I guess - he went not long after I hung
up the phone to you."

"What the hell's he doing in there? ...What if he's passed out? Would
you check on him for me please?"

"Sure...the bar's almost empty tonight anyway."

"Thank you."

************************************************************

"Ummm...hey."

"What is it? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine. He won't come out though - says he wants you and
he's not moving until you come for him."

"Did you tell him I'm here?"

"Yes. He didn't believe me - he said you wouldn't have come for him."

"What?"

"He said you would be too busy with your skin or some skin or...I'm
really not sure actually."

"That doesn't make much sense - why would he say I would be too busy
to come get him? - I always come get him when he needs me to."

"I don't know - he's drunk, drunk people don't usually make too much
sense. Although he can talk pretty well, I can make out the words -
just not what he means by them. Basically, he thinks I'm lying about
you being here and so he's not going to move until he knows you're
here."

"Well I'll just have to go let him know then, won't I?"

"Lady you can't go in there - it's the guys room."

"Well then tell everyone to get out, I'm going in."

"But..."

"Look, the sooner I go in there, the sooner he comes out."

"Fine, just give me a sec."

"Fine."

************************************************************

"Okay, it's all clear - you can go in now."

"Thank you...Mulder? It's Scully."

"Scu...lly. You came..."

"Of course I came Mulder. Why wouldn't I come get you?"

"I thought you might have been busy with Skin ...Skinny ...Skinner.
You know his head's shiny, I bet he polishes it every night - you
don't polish it for him do you?" "

"No, I don't Mulder. I'm gonna just ignore you're comments about his
head - why do you think I would have been with Skinner anyway,
Mulder?"

"You mean you weren't with him? ...That means it's not him then...tell
me it's not Hickey, please. It can't be him. ...I don't ...God, I'm
gonna..."

"Lovely, Mulder ...could you not have aimed for the bowl rather than
the floor. Jim's not going to be too happy."

"Jim? ...His name's Jim? Stupid name ...you need someone with a
better name."

"Mulder, what are you talking about?"

"You deserve better than a 'Jim' or even 'Jimmy'. Don't stay with him
Scully - please? He isn't good enough."

"Okay Mulder. You are now officially making no sense whatsoever. Come
on - let's get you up off the floor and out of the bathroom, and then
I'll drive you home. Okay?"

"Okay Scully. You're too good to me you know. Why are you so good to
me?"

"Mulder..."

"I don't deserve you - you shouldn't have to do this for me. You
should be asleep in your nice warm bed."

"Yes, I should but I'm not. Now get up so I can get back there."

"Can I come too Scully? ...or will Jim be there?"

"What are you talking about Mulder? Jim's just outside the door
waiting for me to get you out of his bar."

"It's his bar? ...Why would you want a guy who owns a bar Scully? You
should have a prince - because you're a princess. A bea...bea...lovely
princess."

"Thank you Mulder, but I still don't have a clue what you're talking
about. Why do you think I want Jim?"

"Then who is it Scully? ...No, I don't want to know. ...Scully, I
wanna go home, I don't feel so good anymore."

"Okay then Mulder, take my hand and we'll get out of here. ...I really
hope you don't forget all of this tomorrow though because I want to
know what on earth you're talking about. Oh, and an explanation as to
why you're so drunk would be nice too. Okay, up you get. Now let's get
going. ...Mulder!"

"Yes?"

"Your hands...they're..."

"Oh, sorry."

"Mulder, that's not any better. Move them off my..."

"Sorry."

"Don't sound too sincere there Mulder. ...Come on, the car's right
outside."

************************************************************

"Mulder, would you stop that please - first of all, I'm trying to
drive and second, that's not a place where your hands should be."

"Why not?"

"Mulder...never mind. You're drunk - why don't you get some sleep?
...no, not with your head on my shoulder...Mulder. I can't drive like
this."

"..."

[Typical - now you fall asleep. Well I guess it doesn't feel too bad,
quite nice actually. I can drive like this. ...Mulder move your hand
off my leg...no not higher up it. Okay telling him telepathically
isn't working - let's just go for a direct approach and just remove
it...or not. We're there anyway.]

"Mulder, we're home... Mulder!!"

"Wh...what?"

"You were...snuggling."

"But you're breasts are so soft Scully...why can't I snuggle. I wanna
snuggle."

"Well you can't...Mulder! You just licked my neck"

"I just wanted to see what it tasted like. It tastes good - does all
of you taste that good?"

"Mulder...get out of the car. You're drunk, I'm tired and I don't want
to spend the night in the car."

"You're hair smells wonderful Scully."

"Mulder, get your nose out of my hair, I'm getting out of the car now.
Would you please do the same?!"

"Fine."

************************************************************

"Let's get you into bed Mulder...you need to sleep it off."

"'Kay..."

"Here we are...I'll take your shoes off and then just lie down."

"Fine."

"Mulder...Let me go Mulder...No really Mulder, I need to get back up.
Mulder! ... Mulder?"

*zzzzz*

"Great. So now you're asleep and I can't get up. Damn it Mulder."

[well I suppose it can't hurt to stay here...just in case he needs any
help or anything...and his arm doesn't feel so bad round my waist, and
his chest is so...Stop thinking like that! He's drunk, he's asleep
and...okay hand in new place - whoa, NEW place. Just move it back up
to your waist and don't think about where it just was. ...Sleep Dana
sleep!]

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Aaagghh, light hurts. It can't be morning already, can it?
...Obviously it can. Damn - just when I was sleeping so well, I've
never slept better. Okay, where am I. This is not my bed ...and they
are not my arms around my waist. What?...oh, it's Mulder. MULDER! What
the hell am I doing in bed with Mulder? Think Dana Think! ...That's
right, he was drunk and I went to pick him up. Then he wouldn't let me
go when I got him to lie down. Pheww! I thought for a minute
that...but he wouldn't have, no matter how drunk he was. He made that
pretty clear with his reaction last night.]

[Okay, panic over, thank goodness I still have my clothes
on...clothes, where the hell are Mulder's clothes? Oh my God, naked
chest against my back feels sooo good...stop it! ...Oh, please please
please let him still have... oh, thank God for boxers. ..or maybe not.
No! Don't think like that. Just get up. ...right, his arm is pinning
me in place, maybe I can wriggle down and out of it. ...Okay, this was
not a great idea. Now my blouse is riding up...god, his chest is so
hot, and those muscles feel...this is definitely not good...his skin
against my skin feels absolutely heavenly but NO! This is wrong ...you
need to get up.]

[Hands....hands touching in bad places. This is not good...hands
stroking, mmm...hands squeezing, ahhh....NO, NO....get out of the bed
Dana...out of the bed! Oh why the hell should I - he won't know I'm
awake and I can just say that I stayed because I was tired and didn't
realize where his hands were - then it's his fault we're in this
position. I guess it is really anyway...he did pull me down here last
night, although I suppose I could actually get up if I tried hard
enough.]

*Ring Ring*

[Damn phone - now I need to get up and get the phone. ...before Mulder
wakes up and realizes that I'm awake and not doing anything about
being in this very compromising position. ...Right, remove Mulder's
hands... no, don't move them closer to...NO this is Bad! Mulder let go
please - okay, there we are. Get out of the bed NOW! Don't look at his
bare chest and his rippling muscles, ahhh... NO! Phone - get out of
the room and pick up the phone!]

*Ring Ring*

"Hello?"

"Hello...Agent Scu..lly?"

"A.D Skinner, Hi."

"Hi...um..."

"Are you looking for Mulder sir?"

"Mulder? ...Yes I'm looking for Agent Mulder. Is he there?"

"Ummm...he's still asleep sir. It's a bit early to be calling is it
not?"

"Early? Agent Scully, you and he were supposed to be in my office for
a meeting ten minutes ago! Not to mention the fact that this is a much
more decent hour than the one Agent Mulder called me at last
night...or I should say THIS MORNING!!"

"Mulder called you last night?...oh, ummm. Sorry sir...We must have
overslept. I had an autopsy to do last night and SAC Currie said that
he would talk to you about letting us come in a little late today. Did
he not mention it?"

"No he did not mention it. Do you think I would be phoning if I knew
you weren't going to be in?"

"No, sir. Sorry. Do you want us to come in now? I can be there in
about twenty minutes if you want."

"NO!...I mean, it's okay Agent Scully. Have the day off...it can wait
until tomorrow."

"What about Agent Mulder sir? Do you want him to come in?"

"I suppose not. From what I heard on the phone earlier, he's probably
in no shape to come in to work today. I would however like to speak to
him if that's okay Agent Scully...since this is his phone."

"He's still asleep sir. I stayed over in case he..."

"It's alright Scully, I don't need an explanation. What you do in your
own time is your own business and, judging by Mulder's conversation
last night, I have nothing to worry about between you two at this
moment in time anyway. ...Just wake him up and put him on the phone."

[What the hell did Mulder tell Skinner? God, he had better not have
told him what I was going to say last night. Oh God, what if he did -
what if he told him that he didn't love me and I loved him. That way
Skinner would know that there was no chance of us being in a
relationship...my God. No!]

"Agent Scully? Could you get Mulder please?"

"Could I ask what this is about sir?"

"NO!...Sorry Agent Scully, but this is between me and Agent Mulder
thank you. Tell him it's about what he said to me this morning."

[Oh God...please don't let him have told him. Please please please.]

"Alright sir...I'll go get him."

"Thank you Agent Scully."

[Okay so Mulder's moved since I got up - maybe this way he won't even
know that I was in bed with him. ...There's no room for anyone else in
there now that he's sprawled across the whole bed. ...Damn, now I
can't get back in and cuddle - not that I was going to anyway...not
really...Okay, back to the matter at hand. I need to wake Mulder up.]

"Mulder...Mulder..."

"Don't talk so loud Scully, my head hurts. What is it?"

"AD Skinner's on the phone."

"Shit...the meeting. Okay, give it here."

"It's not about the meeting Mulder...he said you phoned him last night
when you were drunk. He doesn't sound too pleased about that."

*Groan*

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Oh my God...my head is absolutely killing me. It's way too bright in
this room - I'll just keep my eyes closed for now I think. Wait, why
is Scully sleeping in my bed? ...and why do I have practically no
clothes on? Okay...this is weird. I can't remember how I got here and
surely I would remember sleeping with Scully. Wow, all this thinking
is really not doing much for my head...my head! Aha, I got drunk last
night - and Scully had to pick me up. ...God I licked her neck in the
car. Oops.]

[Why the hell did I get so drunk...I don't remember much of anything.
Ouch, my hand - what the hell happened to my hand? ...Ah, fist through
wall - now I remember. God I'm going to have to buy a new computer,
aren't I? ...Why the hell did I...Scully, Scully's in love. Damn! I
wish I hadn't remembered! ...Why is she still in my bed then - surely
she would have got up. Don't complain, Mulder - just accept that she's
here and enjoy it. Ohhh, wriggling - not good Scully, you'd better
stop soon. Thank God she's stopped moving - bare skin against my
chest. Wow!]

[Okay, I know I should really move my hand but - well it was her
wriggling that made it end up here. Her skin is so soft...I really
hope she thinks I'm still asleep...or not. Oh my God, if I just reach
up slightly I could touch her...was that a moan I heard? Let's try it
again and see...yes, definitely a moan.]

*ring ring*

[Damn, Scully's leaving. I thought she was going back to sleep for a
moment there and I could hold her for a while longer...she feels so
good in my arms. I wish we could stay like this forever...maybe if I
just hold her tighter she won't leave...no, she's going - Damn
phone!]

*ring ring*

[I wonder who it is...I'm gonna kill whoever is on the other end of
the phone. ...God, that reminds me of a strange dream I had last
night. I dreamt I was talking to Skinner about Scully, telling him
that she was in love with him and everything. God! I really hope she
isn't in love with him - or anyone for that matter. I know I won't be
able to stand it. ...Mmmm, her pillow smells so good - 'her' pillow,
stupid, it's my pillow. She was just using it. ...still, smells great
though. God I could live on this - but I guess I'll just have to
settle for burying my head in the pillow. ...It'll be the last time I
ever have this chance. Ahhhh...]

"Mulder...Mulder..."

"Don't talk so loud Scully, my head hurts. What is it?"

"Skinner's on the phone."

[That's right - we were supposed to be in a meeting this morning. Man
is he going to be pissed off...I really don't want to have to deal
with this right now. My head is way too sore to cope with him yelling
at me. I suppose I have to though.]

"Shit...the meeting. Okay, give it here."

"It's not about the meeting Mulder...he said you phoned him last night
when you were drunk. He doesn't sound too pleased about that."

*Groan*

[Oh crap - that means I didn't just dream it. I actually phoned him.]

"Ummm...Assistant Director, hi."

"Agent Mulder. I hope I'm not disturbing you. Wait, scratch that, I
hope I AM disturbing you. You deserve it after this morning's phone
call."

"Yes sir, I guess I do. I'm really sorry about that, I had too much to
drink and I didn't know what I was saying."

"That makes two of us - for the most part. I did get some of it
though, mostly all the insults you hurled at me."

"Ummm..."

"Mulder I'm not finished."

"Sorry sir. ...Does that mean you remember more of the conversation."

"Yes Mulder. Yes it does. Quite frankly, I do not appreciate being
reprimanded by one of by subordinates for, I think you used the term
'screwing', another one of my subordinates. I also do not think it
appropriate for you then to go on to tell me in graphic detail what
you think we may or may not be doing at that precise moment in time."

"God, I didn't really say all that did I?"

"YES! Mulder, you did!"

"I really didn't mean to - as I said before, I'd had rather a lot to
drink."

"That is no excuse Mulder - telling me that Agent Scully was in love
with me is not an acceptable thing to do. Drunk or not!"

"I'm sorry sir - just a bit of miscommunication."

"Miscommunication?  What the hell were you trying to say?"

"Ummm..."

"I thought so Mulder. I would appreciate it if you would leave your
cell behind the next time you decide to go out and get plastered. That
way you would avoid the embarrassment of both yourself and Agent
Scully. How on earth do you expect me to be able to talk to her as a
professional work colleague when you've put those types of images in
my head? Telling me that her 'butt was nice and tight' - really
Mulder, what were you thinking?"

"I guess I wasn't thinking sir. I'm sorry."

"This is not over Mulder. Not by a long shot. However I have better
things to do with my time other than shout at you all morning. Believe
me though when I say that if it ever happens again - I will have your
butt in a sling!"

"Yes sir. Sorry."

"Goodbye."

"Bye."

[Oh crap! Note to self - never drink again!! Scully's butt IS nice and
tight though, I could stare at it all day...okay not really the most
important thing right now. ...Scully's looking at me funny -damn,
she's going to want to know what we talked about. She is going to KILL
me! ]

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[Man Scully is going to be pissed...maybe she won't even ask me and
then she'll never find out what I did. God I need aspirin...bathroom,
now!]

"Mulder...Mulder? are you okay?"

"Absolutely great Scully...can you hand me the toothpaste."

"Sure. You should go back to bed Mulder."

"Okay."

"Here, take my hand. I'll take you there."

"Thanks Scully."

************************************************************

"Scully...I know I've been sleeping for a while and it's actually a
bit late to be asking this but...shouldn't we be in work by now?"

"No, Skinner gave us the day off - he told me earlier when he phoned
for you. Mulder what WAS all that about? What did you say to Skinner
last night? He sounded pretty strange on the phone when he was talking
to me but he was majorly pissed off at you."

"Yeah, I know he was pissed off - with very good reason - but ummm...I
don't really think you want to know why Scully."

"Yes, yes I do Mulder."

"Before I tell you about that - because I really think you're going to
be mad at me...I need to know who it is Scully."

"Who what is?"

"What you were going to tell me last night. I realize I was being a
chicken by pushing you out the door. Even more so by going and getting
drunk so I would forget, but I was also not being a good friend. I
value our friendship so much Scully and I want you to be able to tell
me anything - not just good things."

"Mulder..."

"No Scully, I wasn't being a good friend and I was just being
selfish, thinking only that it was going to hurt me. I didn't even
think about the fact that you obviously wanted to tell me and get my
advice about it so...tell me. Tell me who it is that you're in love
with."

"It's...you."

"I really don't want it to be Skinner or any of the guys but I suppose
it's not my choice I just don't...what? What's me?"

"It's you that I'm in love with Mulder."

"Wh..what?"

"I thought you knew that - I thought you guessed it last night."

"Do you really think I'd have hurried you out the door and then
destroyed my living room if I knew that it was me that you were in
love with?"

"Yes...I thought you didn't feel that way about me. I thought you went
and got drunk because you were so repulsed by the very idea. I didn't
even think that you might have understood wrongly what I was trying to
say. So it wasn't that you don't like me like that?"

"I don't believe you even need to ask me that. I love you so much that
it drove me crazy to even think that you were with another guy."

"You love me...really?"

"More than life, more than anything Scully."

"Oh my God...I can't believe this."

"Come here Scully...I want to say it while you're in my arms. Maybe
then you'll believe it...I love you Dana Katherine Scully."

"I love you too Fox William Mulder. I...Mulder what happened to your
hand?"

[okay not great, I'm holding the woman I love in my arms and just as
we were about to kiss for the first time she goes and notices the
evidence of my stupidity - damn!]

"Ummm..."

"Mulder..."

"I kinda punched the wall after you left."

"We need to get this cleaned and bandaged - it could get infected
otherwise."

"Are you going to kiss it better? ...Thank you. Now I think there
might just be a cut on your mouth that needs some loving attention,
right about...here."

[Oh my God...Mulder just kissed me and he's going to kiss me again.
Wow...this man can kiss! What the hell am I doing just sitting here
then? ...kiss him back!]

[I'm kissing Scully and God! She's kissing me back. I never want to
stop, I could stay like this forever...well I suppose we do need to
breath.]

"Wow...Mulder that was..."

"Yes, it was! Wanna do it again?"

"Definitely...but we really do need to get your hand sorted. Come
through to the bathroom with me and I'll clean it up."

"Okay Scully."

"Mulder...when you said that you had destroyed your lounge...you
really weren't joking were you?"

"Ummm...no."

"You did all that just because you thought I was in love with someone
else?"

"You say that as if it's a small thing - it's not. My world had just
fallen apart Scully...you ARE my world. When I thought I'd lost
you...well suddenly my computer didn't seem all that important."

"Oh Mulder...come here you."

"What about my hand? I thought we were going to take care of that
before...wait, why am I complaining?"

"I have no idea G-man."

************************************************************

[I thought cuddling with Scully this morning was good - lying here
with her naked in my arms, it's just perfect. ...good, she's turning
round. Maybe she'll be up for round three...on second thoughts, her
face doesn't seem to suggest that that's what she's thinking about.
Crap - that's not a good expression.]

"Mulder...you never did tell me what the conversation with Skinner was
all about."

"Damn...you mean you haven't forgotten all about that?"

"No Mulder, I haven't. ...So come on, tell me."

"First promise that you're not going to be too mad at me."

"Mulder...what did you do?"

"Ummmm..."

"Mulder you know I could easily just get out of this bed right now and
not come back in until you tell me. So you can either tell me while
we're lying in each other's arms or you can..."

"Okay, okay. I'll tell you...just please don't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere, now spill!"

"Well...you know how I told you that I didn't know that it was me that
you were in love with - that I thought it was someone else?"

"Yeeesss."

"I kinda had it in my head that it was Skinner."

"What?! You thought I was in love with Skinner...wait, you phoned
Skinner. To tell him what...Mulder?"

"Please don't hit me Scully...I told him that you loved him."

"Mulder! I don't believe you...that's not all, is it?"

"No..."

"Tell me!"

"I told him off for sleeping with you - told him that he shouldn't
because he was your boss. Although I wasn't exactly as...polite as
that when I told him."

"Oh my God. I'm never going to be able to face him again. Mulder!!"

"I'm really sorry Scully...in my defense I was very drunk and had just
had my heart trampled on by the most wonderful woman in the world."

"Sweet talking is not going to get you anywhere."

"Are you sure? ...I could go on for hours listing all the amazing
things about you."

"Mulder..."

"Okay, I get it. No more trying to weasel my way out of this. I
promise I'll make it up to you Scully - I'll do anything. I would do
anything for you anyway but now..."

[She can't be that mad with me...not if she's kissing me like that.
Thank God. I thought for a second that she was going to get out of the
bed. ...Ohhh - it appears that we won't be getting out of bed for a
while now.]

************************************************************

[Wow...I want to stay here forever. Being in Mulder's arms...it's
just perfect. I'm so glad we got this sorted out - although I could
have done without him telling Skinner that I loved him, I mean come
on! ...Hang on a sec...Mulder mentioned the guys earlier, why would he
mention them unless...God, tell me he didn't!]

"Mulder, when you were talking about Skinner earlier - before I told
you that I loved you - you mentioned the Gunmen..."

"Um yeah...I don't think you'll want to be going near them for a
while."

"ALL of them?!"

"Yeah...I'm really sorry."

"Mulder, I really don't believe you. ...Is that everyone you told now
or are there any more?"

"That lab tech - you know the one that always tries to flirt with you
and you always are completely oblivious to his efforts. I think his
name's Brown - you might want to avoid him as well."

"Mulder!"

"I'm so sorry Scully...I really am. I don't know what else I can do
but I promise you that I will do whatever it takes. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it Mulder - I'll get you. Just when you least
expect it, I'll get you."

"Damn...well if you're not mad at the moment - you mind if I 'get'
you."

"Not at all. I still love you no matter what you did."

"I love you too Scully - never doubt that. Please don't forget it
either when you're scheming to get me back"

"Oh I won't Mulder...now, I believe you said you were going to 'get'
me?"

"It will be my pleasure. Oh...and yours."

The END

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