Title: Detours of the mind Author: Gaijin Bushido Category: Vignette/Romance Spoilers: Detour Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Rating: PG (For "Pretty Good") Disclaimer: YES! I AM CHRIS CARTER, I'm just in disguise. I own them all. I am also the Reticulan Ambassador to the Court of Her Imperial Highness Xletttie, Grand Abductress of The Universe. As well, I moonlight as The Galactic Dog Catcher. Any questions? No? Good. Summary: Author's take on what might have been going through our heroes minds as they lay in the forest. XFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXF Apalachakola Nat'l Forest and Swamp Somewhere in Florida Night-time XFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXF PROLOGUE: Mulder had managed to get himself hurt, yet again. Scully had tended to his wounds, doing the best she could under the circumstances. She had dressed the wounds and stopped the bleeding, now to keep him warm through the long night ahead of them. Her theory on using the gunpowder from a round of 138 grain 9mm pistol ammunition had gone down in flames. (She was hoping it would have caused some flames to come up...the best laid plans of mice and people...) It was time to settle down, and encourage Mulder to get some much needed rest. His request for a song had genuinely non-plussed her for a moment; while his sleeping bag comment, and her retort, had conjured some unpartnerly images in her mind. But he was now safely ensconsed in her arms, his head laid gently in her lap. She continued with "Joy to the world," albeit in sotto voce tones. Scully's eyes were ever vigilant, scanning all areas for threats. At last Mulder started to settle. XFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXF MULDER'S THOUGHTS: Why? Why Mulder? Oh no, YOU couldn't wait for a proper team to be put together. No, not you Fox. Instant gratification, that's your modus operandi, isn't it? Now you're lying in the middle of Nowhersville, Florida. But worse, you've put her in jeopardy once again. The one person you LOVE Fox, the one person who has NEVER let you down! Yes Scully, I love you. You're my true soul-mate Dana, my one in five billion. Why do you put up with me Scully? Could it be that you love me as well? No. That's impossible. Scully, I wish I had the courage to tell you how I really feel about you. Alas, I am a coward when it comes to matters of the heart. Dana, if you only knew, what would be? I'm not fooled for a moment Scully, you're the stronger one in this partnership. I'd be dead by now without you Dana. I'd probably even make the Darwin Awards for stupid deaths. How can so much strength and character be packed into one diminutive person? I know the truth Scully, you are a giant in the great scheme of things. Please God, if you exist?, please let Scully realise that any advances she might make towards me would never be rebuffed, or subject to my usual smart-ass remarks. Yes, my smart-ass remarks, my shield from having to deal with things honestly. A wise crack and the subject is changed, I am safe once again. Make an advance Scully, it would be reciprocated beyond your wildest imagination. If you only knew how much comfort you bring to me Dana. Here we are, far from home; from civilization; from safety. Yet...yet being held and comforted by you, even here, in these conditions and circumstances, I feel safe. I feel safe Scully! YOU do that for me. And as I listen to you sing to me I know I have never heard a sweeter voice, or a more tender melody. Is this what love does to a person Scully? I wish I knew for sure, I've never been in real love before...until you came into my life. You told me you couldn't sing, but, to me, you are a Diva. Wait! Aren't I supposed to be shivering from the cold? Why am I not? It's you Scully, it's you. I feel warm, safe, protected...loved? It's as if your very life essence has surrounded me Dana, keeping me warm. Enveloping me in pure love and caring. Unlimited. Unconditional. Do you know that you're healing me right now Scully? Physically and emotionally healing me, something I've never felt before. My wounded psyche is healing along with my physical injuries. You're a force Scully, a force of nature. At one with Mother Earth. You're a conduit of nature, and her power to heal. I love you Dana Katherine Scully. One day I'll have the nerve to tell you. Please wait for me Scully. I need you more than you'll ever know...wait, you WILL know, one day, soon. I promise. I feel the weariness fast o'erwhelming me now. I know that I will sleep. I know that I will be safe. And, strangest of all, I know that I will have no nightmares tonight. I know this. I know this because Scully is with me, she is watching over me, holding me in her arms. Scully protects me, even from myself. Thank you Dana. You alone I trust. You alone I love. Now I shall sleep. XFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXF SCULLY'S THOUGHTS: My God Mulder! You want ME to sing?! ME? She who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket! Yet you insisted on the chorus Mulder. Mulder, Mulder, Mulder...if you only knew how much trouble you'd be in right now if we had a sleeping bag. I'd find a way, as only a physician can, to make your toes curl while not exacerbating your wounds. Do you know that even now Mulder, I have no regrets? None Mulder, not a one. I wouldn't change a day we've had together. It's made us stronger, as strange as that may sound. Do you know why I don't date Mulder? It's not from lack of offers Mulder, if you knew how many offers for a date I get in a week, you'd be shocked. Maybe even jealous? I never accept the invitations though Mulder, I'm never even tempted for a second. It's because I'm already in love Mulder. Yes, I am. I think you'd like him Mulder, he's funny, erudite, educated, has a propensity to run off without thinking ahead, and I love him. He's you Mulder. Yes Mulder, I love you. Just you Mulder, no one else in a sexual way; only you. You and all of your eccentricities. Can you sense it Mulder? Are you aware of my deep and heartfelt feelings for you? You're the one who believes in everything paranormal Mulder, maybe I'll experiment. I'm projecting my feelings for you right now Mulder, do you feel anything? It's a test Fox, how I'd love to call you that, Fox. MY Fox, and no-one else's. Thoughts and feelings of my love for you are being sent your way, can you feel them? Do you feel them Mulder?...Fox rather. You'll always be Fox to me, deep in my soul and heart. For you are in my soul Fox, and in my heart as well. You took up residence in those most cherished and personal parts of my being, a long time ago. Why I cannot just tell you this is beyond me. What would I have to lose? You, Fox. I might lose you, that's why. I am a strong woman Fox, a capable woman, a trained physician and FBI Agent. These are things that are not handed to people on a silver platter; these are things one works hard for, and earns through their sweat, blood and tears. Would telling you how I feel make me less strong, or would it make me stronger? God help me Mulder, I do love you so. But it's hard to be a woman in the boys club. Still, they say love conquers all. I think I'll choose to believe that is a truth. One day Fox, you'll know all there is to know about Dana Scully. No secrets will exist between us, no artificial walls will be left standing. Maybe sooner than you'd think G-Man? One can never tell... You're asleep now Fox, your breathing is regular and strong. I shall not sleep, I know that I would never sleep in these circumstances. I should be tired, I should be exhausted. But I am none of these things, I have a purpose right now, it is my job to protect you and keep you safe. To protect US, you and I. Partners. Friends. More? I take my responsibilities seriously Mulder. As I sit here, I watch you sleep, the lines of worry have absented themselves from your face. Sleep my love, sleep. Rest easy. Our love will protect us both, and keep us warm. XFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXFXF EPILOGUE: 2 week's later Dana Scully's Apartment Saturday night, 2030 hrs. Supper had been fantastic, a joint effort on their part, each contributing. (Although Mulder contributed more of a mess than anything else, but he had made a sincere attempt.) They were relaxed, and totally at ease with one another. Scully was happy with this, as it would make her strategy easier to implement. "Mulder, would you build a fire please? I'll bring the wine into the living room." "Sure thing Doc, at least there's matches here, and a 7-11 a block away if I run out." They shared a quick laugh at Mulder's reference to their evening in the backwoods of Florida. True to his word, Mulder soon had a fire roaring away nicely, casting shadows here and there. To enhance the effect, Dana turned off all the lights in the apartment. She then excused herself, went into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. She was risking everything here, but she sensed Mulder just needed the permission, she knew she would not be humiliated. Mulder was surprised when Scully returned to the living room, she was wearing a bathrobe; and she had a sleeping bag under her arm. "Scully...?" "Shhh Fox, not yet." She lay the sleeping bag out, then opened it. Turning to the sofa, she grabbed a few pillows and placed them at the head of the bag. As Mulder watched, his breath caught in his throat. Scully had removed her bathrobe. The only thing she now had on was a shy smile. Mulder had pictured her in his mind's eye, how she would look. He discovered, pleasantly, that his mind did not do her justice. She was beautiful, in oh so many ways. Scully crawled into the sleeping bag, then locked eyes with Mulder. Words were superfluous in this conversation, messages were passed, answers given, and a new bond was formed. All without the need for verbal communication. Affecting a sultry and seductive tone, Scully spoke. "I'm cold Fox, will you keep me warm?" Mulder stood, then slowly divested himself of his clothing. He entered the sleeping bag, skin met skin, desires long suppressed came to the fore, sparks flew. "Always Dana, I'll always keep you warm." With that said, the need for conversation ceased. It was time to express their shared love and affection for one another. Far past time for that. The End/El Finito/Le Stop Dere!