From: "Lisa Shard" Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 15:33:00 -0700 Subject: The Fight Title: The Fight Author: L. M. Shard E-Mail Address: lshard@wans.net Date: September 19, 1998 Rating: R Category: S, R, A Spoilers: Fight the Future Keywords: Scully/other, Mulder/Scully romance Summary: Scully is mad at Mulder and goes to a bar to cheer herself up. Feedback: Yes! Please let me know what you think: what I did well, what needs some work. THE FIGHT BY: L. M. SHARD SCULLY'S APARTMENT 9:03 PM It was Friday night and Agent Dana Scully was fuming. It had been a month now since she and Mulder almost kissed in the hallway of his apartment complex. Yet he hadn't mentioned the incident to her, not even hinted at it! It was all she had been thinking about these past weeks and it was starting to affect her work and her relationship with Mulder. She couldn't get the image of his lips just mere millimeters away from her own out of her mind. Or the feeling of heat and desire that engulfed her as she felt his hot breath on her face and smelled his musky, masculine scent. Did he not think about it? He was the one, afterall, who initiated the almost kiss. And they would have kissed had it not been for that damn bee. Was he just going to kiss her goodbye in a friendship sort of way or did he want to show her his feelings by kissing her and maybe convincing her to stay? Why didn't he say anything? Maybe it was a mistake in his eyes and he wished he had never attempted the kiss. Maybe he was just too shy, nervous, or unsure of himself to say anything. But he must know how she felt about him, how she really wanted him to kiss her, take her in his arms and love her?. But she couldn't spell it out for him by baring her heart and then risk losing him. She had lost too many people she loved already. He was so frustrating! "Whatever!" she thought to herself. "I'm not going to put my life on hold, waiting for him to tell me his feelings. Screw Mulder! I'm going out and I'm gonna have some fun!" She slipped out of her work clothes and into a short, tight, and quite revealing black dress. She added more makeup and fixed her hair, finishing with a spray of perfume. She wanted to feel pretty and sexy and knew this did the trick. She stepped into black high-heeled pumps, grabbed her purse and headed for the local bar. MULDER'S APARTMENT 9:34 PM Here it was another Friday night and Fox Mulder had no plans. He could kick himself because if he just had enough guts to say something he could, maybe, be with Scully. She was all he had been thinking about since he tried to kiss her about a month ago. Every time he walked by that spot in the hallway the image of that night flashed through his head. He couldn't believe he had finally made the move to kiss her, something he had wanted to do for years, and then that bee interrupted them. And what had he done since? Nothing! He was so mad at himself, but every time he started to say something about that night to Scully, he just couldn't do it. What was he so scared of? A broken heart? Somehow it was better not knowing yet at least hoping that she loved him, than to know and risk rejection. He just couldn't go on living if Scully didn't love him back. She was his ray of sun through the dark clouds of life, his happiness in his depression and pain. She was his life! His reason to breathe. And since she hadn't mentioned the incident he thought that maybe it was something she would rather just forget. He put on his leather jacket and headed out to his car, thinking he'd go pick up a video. On his way he saw a bar and decided to stop there instead. He really could use a drink tonight, even though he rarely drank. MURPHY'S BAR 9:48 PM Scully sat at the bar, swirling around the olive in her martini. She was on her third one and was feeling quite a buzz. The martinis helped get Mulder out of her mind, even if just temporarily. Slowly the place was starting to fill up and she noticed several men giving her the once-over. When she had first arrived she ignored their glances, but now, feeling less burdened, she started returning some of their smiles. One particularly well-dressed and handsome man came towards her. "Hi. Mind if I sit down?" he asked smiling, pointing to the empty chair next to her. "Not at all," Scully replied, noticing that he was even more handsome close up: dark, short hair, dark eyes, a full lower lip?actually, he looked kind of like Mulder. "Can I get you a drink?" he asked. "Thank you." She smiled. "I'd like a martini." The man called over the bartender and ordered the martini and a bourbon for himself. "My name's Brian." "I'm Dana." They started up a light conversation and Scully was beginning to enjoy herself. It was nice to have someone pay attention to her. Especially someone this handsome, who looked a little bit like Mulder. Suddenly she noticed another man pull up a stool at the bar and order a drink. It looked suspiciously like Mulder. She looked at him longer through the dark, smoke- filled room, only half focused on what Brian was saying. She looked away and paid Brian her full attention determined not to let Mulder ruin her evening. Mulder ordered a beer and scanned the room. It was quite crowded. People were dancing and laughing and generally having a good time. As he checked out the people seated at the bar, a woman with auburn hair caught his attention. She immediately reminded him of Scully. Although he couldn't see her face because the man talking with her was blocking his view, he knew it couldn't be her. She wouldn't be in a place like this. It's so unlike her. Besides this woman was wearing what appeared to be a very skimpy black dress. Scully wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything like that! Suddenly the man talking to the auburn-haired woman bent down to retrieve something that had fallen to the floor. Mulder couldn't believe his eyes! It was Scully! What was she doing here? And who was that man talking with her? Instantly, Mulder felt a pang of jealousy run through his body. He kept his eye on them, watching them carefully. Scully noticed that Mulder had seen her and decided to test him. She started to lean in closer to Brian as he talked and found herself laughing more loudly at his jokes. Brian responded to her friendliness and began touching her arm several times and then even touched her thigh. Scully let all this happen, glad that Brian was making this so easy for her. Mulder sat on his stool, an iron grip on his beer. He was mad that she would allow this guy-probably a perfect stranger-to touch her. Even he had never touched her thigh! And he had only touched her arm casually after months of working with her. And this guy gets to the first day he meets her?! Mulder was pissed and the jealousy was eating at him. But he stood his ground, unwilling to let his jealousy get the better of him. Brian ordered another martini for Scully, which she sucked down quickly. She needed that numbness to continue this "seduction" routine. She wasn't even that interested in Brian anymore. He had turned out to be a bit of a snob. Nevertheless, when he leaned in to kiss her, she let him. The kiss was wet and lingering and Scully couldn't help but wish it were Mulder kissing her. Mulder saw the man kiss Scully, his Scully, and he nearly lost it. His envy and concern mounted, and after taking another gulp of his beer, he slowly walked over to Scully. "Scully?" Mulder started. "Mulder, " Scully interrupted in a slightly slurred voice, "I want you to meet, Brian. Brian, this is Mulder, a man I work with." Ignoring the introduction, he continued, "Scully, can I talk to you for a minute?" Mulder asked, gently pulling her arm towards him. "Mulder, can't you see I'm busy?" She said in her most annoyed voice. "Yes, it'll only take a moment." Mulder persisted. "No," she said, getting angry, "we'll talk on Monday. And let go of my arm!" She said, pulling it out of his grasp. "Scully?" "Should I get rid of him for you, Dana?" Brian asked, standing up. Mulder glared at him with intense hatred. "No. He'll leave on his own," she replied. "Let's dance." At that, they pushed past Mulder and headed to the dance floor. Mulder stood there dumbfounded and hurt, staring at them. Then his hurt turned to anger and he stomped back to his seat, never taking his eyes off the dancing pair. He watched how they danced, connected at the pelvis. They were kissing and their bodies were so close it was almost like they were having sex right there in the middle of the bar. It was sickening to him and he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had lost her! Why hadn't he ever told her how he felt? Why hadn't he told her that he loved her? Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference. A sudden rush of tears filled his eyes and he quickly wiped them away. Scully was starting to feel sick and the room was spinning around her. Brian practically held her up on her feet. She was enjoying his closeness and kissing even more now that she had had that fifth drink, but she felt no passion or even lust. Nevertheless, it felt good to be wanted, and she sure could feel his need pressing against her thigh. She wondered if Mulder was watching them. The song ended and she excused herself from Brian and went to the Ladies' Room. Mulder saw her leave the man's side and followed her. He lost her in the dark hallway, but figured she must have gone to the Ladies' Room, since there was nowhere else to go. He waited for her to come out. A few minutes later she immerged and he cornered her. "Scully, I just want to talk to you." "Out of my way, Mulder!" she said, furiously, her eyes glaring. "No. Not until you hear what I have to say." He didn't even know what he was going to say, he just didn't want her going back to that Brian guy. "No! Why are you following me? Don't you have anything better to do than follow me here to this bar and spy on me?" She almost screamed the words, stumbling over a few of them in her intoxication. "Scully, you're drunk!" "So what if I am? It's my life and I can do what I want!" She spat out vehemently, then added, "And I think I'll go home with Brian." "I care-" Mulder started, but was cut off by a livid Scully. "You care?! Yeah, right you care! You've showed me how much you care: not at all! Now let me by!" Quickly and almost without thinking, Mulder grabbed her by the arms and pulled her toward him into a hard and forceful kiss on the lips. Scully was shocked and angry, but her body betrayed her and her mouth opened to let in his demanding tongue. The sensation of the kiss overwhelmed her and instant wetness pooled between her legs. Her heart pounded and her body melted into his embrace. Then she remembered her anger and pulled away from him, slapping him hard across the face. "How dare you kiss me!" Her eyes reflected her rage. "You kissed me back," Mulder said, still feeling the burn of the kiss on his lips, the heat of her body against his. "Like you said, I've had a few too many and it was just reflex. Afterall, I have been kissing Brian all night. Now let me go!" "But?" "There's nothing you can say to stop me from going to Brian," she spat out and pushed herself away from Mulder. She turned on her heal and started walking away. "I love you!" Mulder almost yelled, hoping, praying that his declaration would make her stop and throw herself in his arms. But it didn't. At the words, she hesitated for a moment, then continued on towards Brian. Mulder's heart sank yet again. He had finally said those precious words, she had heard them, but left him anyway. She didn't love him. His hope was lost. His heart was broken. His knees weakened and he sank to the floor, covering his face with his hands. He couldn't control the tears and a few trickled down his cheeks. He was thankful for the darkness, loud music, and lack of people in the hallway. Then he went into the Men's Room and washed his face with cold water. Devastated, he left the bar without looking for Scully and walked to the video store nearby. As he was walking out to his car, video under his arm, he saw Scully and Brian walking in the parking lot towards what he assumed to be Brian's car. All of a sudden, Scully's legs gave way and Brian caught her in his arms. He lifted her up and carried her like a rag doll to his car. Mulder's alarm bells started ringing. Quickly he walked towards their direction. As he neared the car, he saw that Scully and Brian were already inside. He walked to the passenger's side window and peered in, wanting to see if Scully was all right. What he saw terrified him. Brian was hovering over Scully's unconscious body, kissing her and caressing her breasts, which had already been striped naked. He saw Scully's eyes fly open in confused panic, but she was too weak to fight him off. Mulder ripped open the car door, surprising Brian and pulled him out by his shirt collar. "How dare you touch an unconscious woman like that!" Mulder spat, as he punched Brian in the face. He fell to the ground and Mulder continued his abuse on Brian. His rage was so overwhelming, he could have killed the man. But, reluctantly, he controlled himself and left Brian semi-conscious and whimpering. Then he took Scully out of the car, covered her bare chest with his jacket, and carried her to his car. By now Scully was half-awake and trembling. "Shhh? Scully. It's all right now. You're safe. I'll take you home." At his words, she relaxed a bit and fell asleep. Halfway to her place, he had to pull the car over and let her out to empty the vile contents of her stomach. SCULLY'S APARTMENT 12:40 AM Mulder laid Scully down on her bed and removed her dress and shoes. He fixed her bra so it covered her again and pulled the blankets over her body. She was beautiful, even in her intoxicated state. Turning out the light, he walked back to her living room and sat on the couch. He decided he would sleep here tonight in case she woke up and was frightened. He couldn't get the images of the night's events out of his mind. Scully deeply kissing another man, looking very much like she enjoyed it, the man pressing her possessively close on the dance floor, kissing Scully himself in such a forceful way, Mulder felt guilty about it until she responded to him like he hoped she would. But the thought that hurt him most of all was her indifference to his declaration of love. He had finally said those three little words and she didn't care! Heartsick, he grabbed the small blanket that lay on a nearby chair and drifted off into a fitful sleep on the couch. 9:05 AM Mulder woke to the sound of water running in the shower. He got off the couch and went to the kitchen to brew some coffee, making it extra strong. About ten minutes later, Scully walked into the room, wearing a robe and holding a hand to her throbbing forehead. "Good morning," Mulder said. His voice startled her and she looked up abruptly, causing her head to ache even more. "Mulder, what are you doing here?" "I slept on your couch, just in case you needed me. Here," he said, handing her a cup, "I made you some coffee." "Thanks. I really need it." She sat down on the couch and sipped the hot brew. She searched her memory as to what had happened the night before, but could only come up with bits and pieces. "What happened last night?" "You don't remember?" "Only a little bit." "Well, I ran into you at the bar and you were with this guy named Brian." "Oh, yes, Brian." She remembered. He kind of looked like Mulder. "Well, you were mad at me and left with him." "I left with him? To go where?" "I assume to his house." "Oh." She vaguely remembered leaving the bar with him, but the rest was a total blank. "So why am I not at his place now?" "You passed out and he started taking advantage of you. Luckily, I was able to stop him and took you home." "You mean, he was going to rape me?" She asked, scared for the first time. "I think so. Sure looked that way." He thanked God he was there to prevent it! She sat in silence for a while, letting all this sink in. "Thank you for saving me, Mulder." "I'm glad I was there." "I'm embarrassed that I let myself get so drunk that I put my life in jeopardy. It's not even like me to do such a thing. Thank you for being there." "I'll always be there for you, Scully," he said with a tinge of sadness in his voice, and headed for the door. She apparently didn't remember anything else. Maybe it was for the best. "I'll see you Monday." "Wait," Scully said, suddenly remembering something?something that warmed her heart. Mulder paused and looked at her. She was now standing next to him, very close, and looking deep into his eyes. "I'm sorry that I was so mean to you last night. You don't deserve it." She paused. "And I'm sorry for slapping you." She knew that that was the last thing her heart wanted to do. "You remember?" Mulder asked surprised. Now they were treading on dangerous territory. Dangerous for a fragile heart. "Yes. You kissed me. And you said, 'I love you'. Did you mean it?" Her heart was pounding wildly in anticipation of his answer. It could change everything or nothing at all. "Yes. I love you, Scully." He said it and she heard it, this time sober. His heart braced itself for the rejection, the pain. She smiled brightly. "I love you too, Mulder." He couldn't believe what he just heard! "You love me?" "I love you." Overjoyed, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. The kiss was filled with tenderness and love and then it turned more passionate and hungry. He pressed her close to his body, wanting to feel her every curve, wanting to be completely inside her: heart to heart, soul to soul. She broke the kiss and let her robe drop to the floor, exposing her naked body. His heart stopped at the beauty before him. He looked into her blue eyes and saw the deep love there, the all-encompassing love, and, yes, the lust. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She quickly undressed him and pulled him on top of her. Their bodies moved wildly with uninhibited desire. He entered her and they were overcome with ecstasy, both coming quickly and fiercely, knowing that there would be plenty of time for slow, tender lovemaking later. Now they just needed that completeness, that oneness in body and soul. Finally after all these years, they had consummated their love and found pure bliss in each other's arms. They were home. THE END Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Feedback is much appreciated!