From: "verushka byrow" Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 23:15:31 PDT Subject: First Date by Verushka Source: direct Classification : Mulder and Scully romance, Diana Fowley First Date Mulder shifted in his seat as he tried to get comfortable. He moved the salt and pepper shakers to the other side of the vase for what seemed like the 10th time. And then moved them back again – they just didn't look right. Glancing at his watch he realized in his eagerness to be on time he was 1/2 an hour early. Beckoning a waiter, he ordered a glass of lemonade. He wanted to be alert if anything broke on the case he and Scully were currently working on. All the victims were criminals of some sort, but they had no leads as who would want to kill these people – they all had enemies who would want them dead. It was frustrating - they had nothing. He took another sip of lemonade savoring its tangy flavor. Of course having a clear head for this dinner wouldn't hurt either. Forcing himself to sit back, he took a deep breath to calm himself down. Looking at the other tables nearest to him, he saw no one he knew. The lighting in the restaurant was low, there were candles on the tables, and lamps were placed at strategic spots on the restaurant floor. The overall effect was that the people at each table would seem to be in a world of their own. 'Good,' he thought. 'No-one can see much of anyone else, and the place still says , 'romantic'.' He had chosen this place for exactly those reasons. Plus he wanted to impress his date. She stood in the doorway, watching him. Seeing him here, now of all times, told her that she was doing the right thing. He looked as gorgeous as always, especially in that dark blue suit. She chuckled when she saw his tie- it matched the suit for a change, but she could swear there was a little UFO stitched into the corner. She watched him as he moved the salt and pepper shakers again. He looked nervous! Taking a deep breath she realised that she was too. This was the most important night of her life, and since fate had chosen for them to meet here of all places, she had too be doing the right thing. 'Fox.' She said his name softly, sexily. Although she was standing behind him, Mulder recognised the voice immediately. He closed his eyes. 'Please God, not tonight,' he thought. But HE wasn't listening. He felt her hand clasp his shoulder briefly. 'Hello Diana.' He opened his eyes and looked at the woman standing next to him. She wore a long, black dress that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight. She looked beautiful. She slid into the chair opposite him, allowing the long slit in her dress to show off her legs. He noticed of course, she had sat like that just to get him to notice her. 'What are you doing here?' he asked. 'Same thing as everyone else - dinner,' she murmured, staring at him intently. It had been so long, that she drank the sight of him in. She smiled as an expression of disbelief flickered cross his features. He knew her too well. 'I'm here for a business meeting, of sorts,' she admitted. 'Of sorts? What kind is that?' he asked amused. Diana felt herself grow serious. Seeing him here now meant she was right, her plan would work, and she would get him back. She knew he had been happy in the 'life' he experienced when he had been sick not so long ago. She hoped that those memories would be enough. 'I'm here because of you, because of us.' 'Excuse me' said Mulder reaching for a napkin as lemonade spilled down his chin. 'Us. I've missed you,' she said holding his gaze. Some corner of her mind noticed he wasn't blinking. That usually meant he was surprised. She tried to remind him of what their life together could be like. 'Do you remember when you came to me to take me with you to El Rico Air base. To escape together? I never got the chance to tell you how much I wanted to be with you. It didn't matter where we were going, all that mattered was that you came for me.' 'Hello Diana.' The voice came from behind Mulder again. 'Shit,' he thought miserably, 'this can't be happening.' He turned in his chair and caught his breath. Stunning, breathtaking, gorgeous – no word could do her justice. Scully wore a long, red dress that clung to her like a second skin as she moved to sit down next to him. 'Don't let me interrupt you,' she said softly, dangerously. Scully let the silence following her appearance grow. She'd be damned if she was going to say anything. Diana sighed; she had wanted to speak to him alone but it didn't matter. Scully was probably here to update him about the case they had been working on. She was going to have him back in her life, and Scully needed to know when to back off. 'We could have anything we wanted Fox,' she continued, pleased that her voice sounded so normal. 'A house, a family, even the dog you always talked about.' He smiled briefly at that, while Scully arched her left eyebrow. Diana went on to describe the house they would have, and the life they could have together. Scully's eyebrow rose higher as she recognized what Diana was describing. Glancing at Mulder she wondered if he realised the significance of what she was describing. Mulder's face was however, carefully wiped clean of any expression. Mulder listened as Diana described exactly what he had experienced when he had been sick. How did she know so much? He glanced at Scully and saw how calm and collected she seemed. The only outward sign of surprise, or probably anger, he saw was the arching of an eyebrow as Diana continued talking. He had learned the hard way that when she looked this dangerously calm, she was ready to explode. Diana was the one thing that succeeded in bringing this particular quirk out in her. He almost wished she'd say something, but realised he'd be in worse trouble if he didn't say anything. But what? He had no desire to hurt or embarrass Diana. Maybe Scully should be the one to say something. When Scully did say something it was on a totally unexpected topic. 'Mulder, I just stopped by to tell you that a fingerprint was found at the last crime scene. Rogerson called me - they found a match and wanted to know if we wanted in on the arrest. I'll tell him you were otherwise occupied,' she said sounding remarkably normal. Inside however she was seething. He wasn't saying anything. He was just sitting there, listening to what Diana was saying. Fine! She walked away from the table before he could anything. As she was walking away Mulder turned to stop her, but he stopped short when he saw the rest of her dress. Her back was bare, with two straps crossing her back. And there at the small of her back he saw her tattoo. Who would have thought that two snakes circling each other would have looked so ...sexy? He watched her as she walked straight out of the restaurant without a backward glance. Man, he was in trouble! He turned back to Diana, realising she was still talking to him. Why do you want back in my life Diana? Why now? And how did you know about my 'life'? He told no one but Scully about those visions. The only other people who knew about that would be the people who had taken him from the hospital. Until now he had always managed to retain his belief in her, and her loyalty to him. But now she was describing to him something she could never have known. She must be desperate to risk everything in coming to him like this. Thinking back on everything that happened since she had returned to his life, he wondered how he could have been so blind to what she had become. He had even risked losing Scully when they had been searching for Cassandra, and she had presented him with evidence of Diana's lies. 'Without the FBI, personal interest is all I have.' Scully's long ago words echoed in his mind. Did she feel the same about him even then? 'Yes,' he thought answering his own question. How on earth could he have been so blind? He wondered how she put up with him through everything he had done and said. He had thrown her feelings for him back in her face, and yet years later she was still with him. Mulder smiled ruefully. It wouldn't have mattered if Diana were telling him the truth; he had no interest in her or her games anymore. 'Diana, who told you about the visions I had when I was sick a few months ago? I remember you were there at the hospital, but how did you know what I lived through? Only Scully knew, and she would never tell you?' Diana had been waiting for this question. ' Fox, I told Scully where to find you when you were taken. I couldn't be a part of what they were doing anymore,' she said intently. He had suspected of course that she had been there when he was taken, but he was never certain of it. She had disappeared soon after he recovered. But now he knew for certain, just how much she had been a part of what had happened to him. 'Diana, thank you for helping Scully save me,' he said choosing his words carefully. He could see that was not exactly what she wanted to hear. 'But you've already chosen a side and it's not mine. You've lied to me, and you've manipulated me and I'm not going to let you do it anymore. You're a part of my past, not my future.' Standing up he pulled a bill from his wallet, threw it on the table and walked away without a backward glance. Diana sat back stunned. She had lost him, and her way out of the Consortium. Mulder was almost out the door when a familiar smell caught his attention. At the hostess' desk, asking for Diana Fowley's table stood confirmation that Diana was a liar. Steeping up to him, he boldly tapped him on the shoulder. 'Check the non-smoking section.' 'Thank you Agent Mulder,' said the man gravely. 'Excuse me sir,' said the hostess holding out an ashtray, ' there's no smoking allowed anywhere in the restaurant.' He looked at her irritated that he put out a barely smoked cigarette. Mulder smiled in triumph and walked out. Before he left the restaurant's parking lot, Mulder had already speed-dialed Rogerson, the local police force detective who was going to arrest the suspect. Mulder didn't like Rogerson very much. The detective was a good-looking guy in his thirties, who by all accounts was a good detective and a good guy. Of course Rogerson had shown more than a little interest in Scully. She had always gently deflected his questions into her personal life, so as not to hurt or alienate the detective while they were working together to catch this killer. They had told no one about their developing relationship, but tonight when Diana had gone about 'their life', he should have said something. He sighed. Scully was going to kill him. 'Rogerson,' said the tired voice on the other end. 'What are you still doing there?' asked Mulder while trying to overtake the Cadillac in front of him. 'Working like everyone else,' said Rogerson puzzled. 'Shouldn't you be on your way to the suspect's house by now?' asked Mulder. Maybe they had trouble getting the warrant. 'What suspect? Mulder stopped trying to overtake the Cadillac. He slowed down as he realised he had been had. When Mulder didn't answer, Rogerson took the opportunity to ask a question of his own. 'Mulder have you seen Scully tonight? She came in to pick up a file and WOW!' he said breathless. 'I envy any guy that spends the night with her, especially if she's wearing that dress.' Rogerson was about to describe the smoothness of her skin, when he realised that he was talking to a dial tone. Mulder switched off his phone in disgust. He really hated that guy, it didn't matter how good a person he was supposed to be. Checking that the way was clear, he did a U-turn across the island in the middle of the road, not caring that the screeching sound he heard was that of his exhaust across the concrete. He was in bigger trouble than that. Fifteen minutes later, Mulder found himself standing in front of Scully's door preparing to do some serious groveling. He waited – but no one answered. She was home; he had seen her car out front. He knocked again. Nothing. She must really be pissed at him if she wasn't answering. He pounded on the door loud enough to wake everyone on her floor. He was about to switch to his left hand when the door opened. A pair of green eyes peered out at him. She as still was wearing that dress – he could see that much. He moved forward as if to enter, but Scully moved forward as well to block him from entering. 'Shit, I'm in trouble,' he thought. Mulder tried to move forward again, but so did Scully. 'Can I come in please?' She didn't answer him. She kept glancing behind her. 'Mulder, I have just one thing to say to you,' she said looking into his eyes, hoping that he would understand, ' Duane Barry.' Mulder's eyes widened as he realised why she kept glancing behind her. Without warning, Mulder crashed into the door, pushing it as far back as it could go, while Scully dove to the left, away from the doorway. He heard a grunt of pain as the figure hiding behind the door fell to the ground dazed. A gun clattered to the floor. He kicked it away quickly. A few seconds later Scully was slipping handcuffs on to the masked figure. Her face registered no surprise when she pulled the mask off. She knew who it was. 'Former Detective Krezny of the Washington Police Force, I presume.' 'What!' said Mulder, 'You know this guy?' 'Yes,' she said wearily. 'Krezny here got kicked off the force about five years ago. He was a little too eager when it came to interrogating suspects - most of them ended up in hospital. All our victims broke the law at some point in their lives. Krezny was either the arresting officer, or was at the precinct when they were arrested. I guess he decided that if the justice system wasn't going to punish them, then he would. Which explains why all our victims were either dealers or prostitutes or killers. Krezny here knew all about them from their files, which meant he knew exactly when to get to them.' She stopped as she realised what she just said. Her voice grew thoughtful as Krezny's attack tonight started to make sense. 'That's how you came here tonight,' she said softly. 'The records clerk I talked to, Reeves, he must have tipped you off.' 'Who?'asked Mulder. 'The police clerk at Rogerson's precinct. When I found Krezny's name in all the victims old arrest reports, I went to Reeves to get his current address. Reeves must have gotten spooked and told Krezny we were after him, when all I wanted to do was just ask him a few questions. Reeves didn't tell me anything, so I was going to talk to the bureau tomorrow. This jerk,' she said gesturing at Krezny, 'assumed too much.' Mulder nodded in what he hoped looked like understanding. He had been occupied in organising their night out, away from a case that had frustrated everyone. Getting away together, even for one night seemed like a good idea at the time. He had no idea when she had done all this investigating. 'I'm going to call Rogerson,' she said snapping him back to reality. Rogerson arrived about ten minutes later with two police officers. They took Krezny into custody while Rogerson took Scully's statement. Rogerson sat at her kitchen table as Scully moved around preparing a pot of coffee. Mulder was especially quiet, just adding bits and pieces to her story. As Rogerson took her statement, he became aware of Scully and Mulder, of the way they moved together, anticipating each other's actions. Scully brewed the coffee while Mulder got the mugs from exactly the right place in her kitchen. She got the sugar and milk. Mulder added a spoon of cinnamon to one cup and handed it to her while she handed him the milk. Rogerson knew that Mulder poured his milk first, while Scully added it after she poured her coffee. When Mulder removed his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair, Rogerson noted how neatly he was dressed – his tie actually matched his suit. Understanding dawned as Rogerson realised why Scully had avoided his questions into her personal life. 'How do you take your coffee Rogerson?' she asked as she began pouring the coffee. 'Actually I think I'll be on my way,' he said getting up. Scully walked him to the door and he thanked her for all her help on the investigation. He could smell her perfume in the air. It was a tantalising scent that hinted at the hidden depths of the woman that wore it. He sighed. He envied Mulder, spending the night with this woman. Mulder was leaning against the entry to the kitchen, watching them. He saw Rogerson breathe in her perfume and felt a surge of irritation at the sight. The feeling turned into possessiveness when he saw Rogerson's hand brush against her back as he moved around her to leave. Rogerson was aware of Mulder watching them. 'Agent Scully, Dana, if I may,' he said as he took her hand and kissed it, ' I've wanted to say this all night. You look beautiful. I hope your guy knows how lucky he is.' Mulder coloured slightly at his words. 'Thank you, John,' said Scully smiling. 'At least someone noticed,' she thought. 'Yes, thank you, Detective,' said Mulder, stressing the "Detective", as he joined them. He stood protectively behind Scully. 'We'll probably see you tomorrow when we hand in our reports.' Rogerson tried to keep the smile from his voice at Mulder's tone. 'Sure Agent Mulder. Have a good night.' With that he was gone. As soon as the door was closed Scully moved passed Mulder heading straight for her bedroom. 'I'm sorry.' His apology didn't seem to have any effect on her. He followed her into the bedroom. She stood with her back to him. 'Just leave please,' she whispered. ' "Without the FBI, personal interest I all I have",' he quoted. As he moved to stand behind her, he noticed the bruises on her neck. His fingers brushed over them, but Scully pulled away from him. ' Without the FBI, personal interest is all I have,' he repeated. When she didn't say anything, he continued to talk. 'Even then?' he asked. 'Did you feel this way even then?' 'Do you know what it felt like to see you believe everything she said, without giving it a second thought?' Mulder didn't have an answer for her. 'Do you know what it felt like to walk in that restaurant and see you with her, hear what she said, and to see you just sit there and say nothing?' she said the anger evident in her voice. 'Do you know what it feels like to have the person you love,' she almost stopped when she realised what she said, but continued anyway, 'not believe you?' She finally turned around to face him. Mulder hoped his ability to keep his face expressionless hadn't failed him. God, he had been a blind fool. 'I'm sorry,' he began aching to reach out to her. 'I should have believed you then, but I couldn't see past what Diana and I once had together. And I'm sorry I didn't say anything at the restaurant. I couldn't believe what she was saying. I sat there listening to her talk about something that I would have wanted at one stage in my life, and I realised I didn't want that anymore. I realised ,' he said moving forward towards her, 'that I didn't want to live in the past anymore, that the possibilities my future held were more important to me than anything else.' A tear rolled down her cheek. Leaning down he cupped her head in his hands and kissed the tear as it rolled down her cheek. He could taste the saltiness on his lips, and it hurt to know that he had made her cry. 'I'm sorry,' he said again. 'I know who she is, and I promise that we'll never have to deal with her again.' 'I hope so,' whispered Scully. Moving in closer to him, she felt his arms encircle her. Their lips met and for one exquisite moment in time, nothing mattered. Just them.