From: "Beverley Muller" Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 23:57:50 -0000 Subject: Grand Slam by Samantha Beverley Source: direct Grand Slam - By Samantha Beverley. Email - sam_beverley@lineone.net. Disclaimer: The characters of Mulder and Scully and any others referred to in this story do not belong to me. They are used without permission and I am entitled to and claim no profit from their use. I acknowledge that they belong to Chris Carter and 1013 Productions. I've read similar words to these so many times it feels very strange typing them. Yes, this is the first time I've posted a story although I've been writing them for a while. Note: spellings are English English rather than American English! Story in 2 parts set after Milagro, which I haven't actually seen! It's only been on cable in the UK, I've only just acquired cable and it isn't one I've had friends video for me. Rating: PG (I think - Sex happens but is not described.) Mulder and Scully celebrate and unwind after a case and Scully says more than she intends. Mulder is rewarded for the comfort he offers when one thing leads to another - and another - until Mulder gets the grand slam. Grand Slam B Part 1 of 2: Something to celebrate. There was a tap at Fox Mulder's hotel room door, which opened to reveal Scully clutching 2 bottles and 2 glasses. "I thought we deserved a celebration." They had cracked their case a couple of hours earlier and there wasn't a plane back to Washington until the following morning. Mulder took in that she had changed into casual clothes - a scoop neck t-shirt - which displayed her charms attractively and a loose-falling skirt. He swallowed his appreciation and was surprised that she had packed such casual clothes on a field trip. "Sounds good to me!" He said, taking one bottle from her and grabbing the corkscrew from a drawer in his room. Scully opened the other with the corkscrew she had brought from her room. Corks popped and and Mulder helped himself to a glass from the red, Scully from the white. Then Mulder sat and swung his legs onto the bed kicking his shoes off in the same movement and patted the other side of the bed as an invitation to Scully to join him. He swallowed again when the interpretation which could have been placed on this occurred to him. Of course, it wouldn't occur to her. As she sat down and swung her legs up in apparently innocent response to his invitation, he reached for his glass and sighed as he leaned back against the pillows. "I'm bushed." "I'm not surprised, you only had a few hours' sleep." Mulder said nothing but drank deeply from his glass. Neither spoke for a few minutes. Scully sipped frequently sighing with audible weariness, Mulder downed his in two gulps then reached for the bottle. He poured himself another drink then offered Scully's bottle to her. She tipped her glass and swallowed before holding out her glass. During the second glasses, which took slightly longer, they commented on the newly-finished case before lapsing again into silence. By the time Mulder poured the third glass, Scully was starting to lose some of her inhibitions of emotional control and was in a mood for talking." Mulder, I'm sorry about the other week. I don't know what happened." Mulder didn't need to ask what she was referring to. He looked gently at her and nodded. "It's OK, Scully." But the wine was having an effect. "It's not OK. I acted pretty stupidly. I wasn't exactly in control and I don't know why. The only thing I can think - " She took a few sips of her wine and when she resumed there was a far-away note in her voice " - is that it's a long time since anyone made me feel so desirable. But I know that's no excuse." Mulder was still looking at her, seriously thoughtful. He was suddenly aware of how lonely she was, how isolating FBI life had become for her. After a few seconds he spoke. "But Scully, you don't need a creep like that. You're an attractive, sensuous woman - any number of men - including normal ones would find you desirable." Scully laughed hollowly. "Oh yeah? Name one." She shook her head before taking another sip of wine. Mulder was silent for a few seconds. "Well, I can't name you a normal man, but I can name one man who finds you highly desirable." "You mean Frohike?" "OK, make that two." "Oh yeah?" Scully's voice was disbelieving. His voice was quiet. "Yeah. Someone who often has to have a cold shower as soon as he gets home after spending the day with you." He wasn't looking at her anymore, his eyes were straight ahead. It was Scully's turn to look at him thoughtfully. Then she forced a laugh and shook her head, leaning past him to help herself to his red bottle, asking "May I?" and pouring herself a glass when he nodded. Mulder swallowed again as she leaned close in her figure-hugging shirt. "You don't have to do this, Mulder. I'm not wallowing in self-pity. I don't expect you to boost my femininity." "You don't believe me?" She bent her head back and to one side and looked at him with that look he knew so well. "Can I prove it to you?" "I don't know. Can you?" "I mean may I prove it to you?" Scully shrugged uncomfortably. "It's not like you to ask permission. I hardly dare ask what you have in mind." He gazed a secret smile, not rushing to enlighten her. He allowed her to finish her glass as he finished his without taking his eyes off her. Then he took her glass and, leaning slowly over her and low against her body, put both on the table. Turning back to her, he leaned on one elbow and with the other hand stroked her cheek very gently with his thumb, looking into her eyes. Scully's stomach churned deliciously and she was not aware that she was holding her breath. She was sure he could see the apprehensive expectancy in her eyes, but did he know what he was doing to her? Her eyes flicked down to his lips and back. She saw his eyes move down her face to her lips which felt suddenly dry and she couldn't help herself parting them unexpectedly and wetting them with her tongue, even though she was aware of it. He looked back into her eyes and there was a moment of recognition of their mutual need. He was lying on his side and inched right up against her. If he had backed off now she would have known a moment of agony. He moved his hand to gently, so gently stroke his fingers along her bare arm and under the cotton sleeve at her shoulder. Every part of her seemed to be aching with expectancy of a kiss, but he wasn't in any hurry. She felt the hand under her t-shirt sleeve pull back the material around her neck to expose her shoulder then lowered his lips and painted a line of soft kisses from that shoulder, along the sensitised skin at the side of her neck and up behind her ear. Then he painted another line forward, around her neck to the other ear. He hovered and drew a little circle with his lips in the hollow above her collar bone. He felt her chest rise in a breath which she seemed to hold for some time before slowly letting it out. Then he moved down to her lips, but drew back, again looking into her eyes, seeing there not just permission but yearning. When he slowly lowered his face to hers, his lips to hers, pausing for just a second when they were close enough to breathe each other's breath, he rolled almost on top of her, one leg between both of hers. Then he closed the final fraction of an inch to touch his lips to hers. For a second or two he made no movement, just enjoyed the long - denied touch. It seemed an eternal moment before his lips pressed and rolled first gently, then passionately against hers. But after a few more of those eternal moments, she was aware of something else - the pressure of his erection against her thigh. Yet more eternal moments later, he lifted his head and looked in her eyes and the communication between them was louder than words. She was a believer - at any rate that he did find her desirable - and she waited for his face to return to hers with a permissive smile. To her amazement, he rolled away from her onto his back, sighing. "Well, that's where I go and get my cold shower." Scully knew it was up to her now. She didn't want him to have a cold shower! She rolled over and onto him. "Your choice, Mulder. But there's more than one way of dealing with this." Her voice was a low groan and she began making lines of her own with her lips around his face and neck. Mulder groaned. "Don't tempt me Scully. I've fought this for so long and at the moment I'm so close. It wouldn't take much Y. " "Really? So what would it take?" This, between featherlight kisses and with a hand finding a way under his shirt. "Scully, I'm not prepared for this." Clutching at straws. "You've changed your mind?" "No, I mean I've got no protection. You know, no condoms. I don't suppose you carry them in your purse?" Scully began to laugh, burying her giggles in his chest, tickling him through his shirt. Mulder misread her reaction. He knew she wasn't laughing at him, but their situation. "Yeah, I know. I finally get you here after 6 years and for want of a condom the lady was lost." "No" She forced out when she could, with a movement he thought must be her shaking her head. "No Mulder, it's not that." Between her laughter she explained. "I just think it's funny that you think we need a condom." The giggles began to subside to little gasps. "I know we've all had safe sex pushed at us so much over the last few years. But think about it. The last time I slept with a man was 1991. Yeah, I know how pathetic that sounds. And because of my job I have 3-monthly blood tests. I'm squeaky clean." She laughed again, then became more serious - even solemn: "And we both know I don't need contraception." she whispered. Probably it was the alcohol giving emotional release, but she found tears coming to her eyes. He saw and pulled her to him and just held her for a moment, saying "Aw, Scully ". Then: "Well, while we're confessing pathetic sexual history, I've only been laid twice in the last 6 years. I haven't had unprotected sex since I was a teenager. And I also have regular blood tests B and am clean. And all this talking dirty is getting me even more excited." "Good." She looked up and kissed him lingeringly. "Are you sure about this Scully? Are you sure you're not going to regret this in the morning?" "Absolutely. I regret everything I do after three quarters of a bottle of wine. " And she kissed him again. And again. He began to get the idea. He tried one last time. "If you want to stop, you'd better stop now." For answer she ran her hands under his shirt in little circles over his chest. He closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss her with a groan, breathing her name: "Scully!" Then leaned away and looked into her eyes for a long moment before experimenting: "Oh, Dana." Then kissed her long again. He lifted away for a moment, saw her frown and guessed the reason. "OK, you can call me Fox!" He teased. She tried it, rolling his name out long: "Fo-o-ox"? With both a question and a note of expectancy in her voice. He threw back his head and groaned. "Oh God! How can I resist that? It sounds like a proposition. Promise me you'll only call me that when we're alone ..." Later, much later, Mulder fell asleep, content, his arms around her. Scully didn't sleep for a while. She lay in his arms gazing at him, sometimes stroking his forehead, his shoulder. "Are you asleep Mulder?" she whispered. No response. "Good. Because I want to tell you that I'm in love with you. That the last 6 years on the whole have been the best years of my life. I only realised it a few months ago and I can=t believe I didn't see it before. I can't imagine life without you. Losing you is the prospect I fear most. I know you don't feel the same way, that you can't give me what I really want, but tonight came pretty close. It's going to have to last me a long time." She lay with her head on his chest until she fell asleep. Later he awoke. For a second, he was surprised, shocked to find he was not alone, that there was a head on his chest, and wondered who - what was Diana doing - then he relaxed and smiled as he recognised her scent and remembered. He sighed deeply, contentedly. How long had he longed to wake up to find Scully next to him, in his arms. He whispered her name. "Scully. Are you asleep?" Of course, there was no response. He switched the lamp on, careful not to move her. Now he could see her. She looked so beautiful sleeping. He moved a hand to touch her face, her neck, her shoulder, her arm. He smiled again. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are? Or that I love you?" The sleeping woman didn't answer his whispered question. "No I haven't but I will. You should hear such things often." He leaned towards her and kissed her forehead then reached over and switched the lamp off again. In the darkness he savoured her shape, her warmth, her softness and her scent until he drifted off to sleep again. As ever, the restless Mulder awoke at his jogging hour and started to gently ease himself away from her and out of bed. She felt him move and stirred. When she saw him she smiled and reached out to pull him back towards her. The now familiar lips felt good to each and Mulder found himself in no hurry for his run. After all, the plane wasn=t until 10. He considered telling her that he loved her while she was awake, but wasn't sure if that would be moving too fast. He was later to both regret and be glad of that decision. For Scully, still half-asleep, this was if anything, even better than the previous evening. There was an emotional as well as physical intimacy ... A sensuous familiarity ... Scully was asleep again before he was dressed. He allowed himself one lingering gaze before going out. When he came back a half-hour later everything had changed. Scully was dressed, businesslike. She looked serious. He stood cooling down, panting and asked "Is anything up?" "The case has blown up again. Someone else has been murdered." "What?! Who?" "Same as last time, same profile and identifying traits." "Give me 10 minutes to shower and dress." And that was it. Nothing more was said about the previous night. Not for weeks. The case went on for an exhausting 5 weeks. Afterwards, superiors insisted on a break for both of them. Each thought the other thought they had made a mistake. Scully decided to spend a couple of weeks with her mother, Mulder took a rare trip abroad. It was nearly 8 weeks later before they started another case together. It was business as usual. It was 2 weeks after that in the middle of the third day of another tense case, Scully passed out. She admitted to Mulder that she had been feeling light-headed for a couple of days and she had had other symptoms which she didn't mention to him. He was concerned, she made light of it but she did arrange to see a local physician. She was not prepared for what he told her. Or at first asked her - did she know she was pregnant? "Pardon?" "You're pregnant!" He beamed again, delighted to be telling her what she didn't know. "That's not possible, doctor. I'm sterile." "I don't know what you've been told Dr Scully. I'm telling you you're pregnant. Take a look at the tests for yourself." Scully did. One hour later she was as convinced as her fellow doctor, but considerably more confused. She realised she had decisions to make. She rang Mulder and told him she'd been told to rest for a few hours. He sounded concerned, asked if there was anything he could do and told her to take as much time as she needed. Of course the doctor hadn't said that, but she needed time alone. She found a local park and walked. There was no question of whether or not to keep the baby. Even apart from her faith, she very much wanted a child and she could never abort his baby. But what to do? It would change everything. And what to tell Mulder? The other consideration was - was the baby's DNA normal? She would need to check her own, the baby's and Mulder's to check that. He was already back at the hotel when she returned B anxious but easily appeased with the knowledge that tests done had not found anything wrong - she hated lying to him. Especially when his anxiety caused him to uncomfortably raise the subject of 'that night'. Scully merely parried that this was not good timing, leaving Mulder feeling bruised and rebuffed. Over the next few days Mulder was not blind to Scully's frequent mental absence and distractedness, but he didn't press for an explanation. He believed it was connected to the physical problems she was having B which it was in a way B and that if necessary she would tell him in her own time. Back in Washington, Scully made her surreptitious tests B with the help of the OBGYN who had first confirmed her sterility and knew about her abduction. All tests proved that the baby was normal B fully human B a combination of her and Mulder's DNA. She eventually decided she would tell Mulder B when she had everything sorted. So she quietly made her plans and Mulder watched from the distance she put him at - knowing something was going on but not what. END Part 1 **** XXXX ***** Part 2. Grand Slam - By Samantha Beverley. Disclaimer etc in part 1. Grand Slam Part 2 of 2: Lifetime connection. Mulder bided his time for several weeks, watching her mental absences, her frowns, her distraction. He remembered the last time she had something on her mind. He hadn't noticed her distraction that time and knew nothing until she told him she had a cancer which was thought to be incurable. He held his silence for about 3 weeks then he couldn=t remain silent any longer. One day as Scully was climbing out of the car, Mulder put a hand on her arm. "Scully, a moment." She turned back towards him in the driving seat with a questioning look on her face. "Look, I know I'm interfering here, but I have to say something. I'm worried about you. I can tell you've had something on your mind lately. Well, last time you had something on your mind it was ... " He tailed off, turning chicken. I know, I know it's none of my business. Forget I said anything. If you wanted to tell me, you'd tell me." "No. Hem." She cleared her throat. "No, actually, it is your business. And I do want to tell you, I just wanted to get a few things clear in my head first. But, well now I am ready to tell you." He looked at her expectantly. "But not here. Not now. Could you maybe come round to my place - tonight - or one night this week? I'll make us a meal." Mulder was still suspecting the worst and looked down at the steering wheel which he was gripping tightly. He nodded. Then because he didn't know whether she was looking in his direction or not, said: "OK. Tonight?" Scully placed a hand on his arm. "Mulder - it's not - my cancer hasn't returned." He looked at her now, slightly relieved but more curious, "No?" She shook her head and smiled. "Nothing so bad." She reassured. He smiled too and nodded. Scully got out of the car and Mulder drove off - he was off on an errand, she was going back to the office. Her heart was pounding - at the warm feeling his expression of concern gave her, at the thought of what she had to tell him and the prospect - the unexpected prospect - of an evening together. For now it seemed to have dissipated the awkwardness and discomfort between them. Then a shiver of dread and excitement passed through her. This would change their relationship forever. She hadn't realised how worried he was. During the afternoon she made a concerted effort to concentrate and give him her attention. Just after 8 Scully's doorbell rang. She opened it with an affectionate and nervous smile. "Hi. " "Hi" he smiled back and followed her inside. The table was nicely set - she had made an effort and it touched and embarrassed him. He noticed, without thinking about it, that there was a bottle of wine and a decanter of water set. He wished he had brought flowers. "Well, this is a first. In 6 years you've never cooked for me. Have you been practising all that time?" Banter was how he dealt with being nervous. He was surprised to find he was nervous. "Actually, I think I'm quite a good cook. But I shouldn't say that, you'll feel obliged to make a comment though it isn't necessary. It just doesn't seem to have come up in 6 years." Scully came in with a bowl of pasta and a sauce dish to find him pouring himself wine. He proffered the bottle as a question. "Er - no - I'll have water please." He raised his eyebrows curiously but didn't comment. Smiling slightly, he came round behind her chair. She smiled back as she sat and allowed him to be the gentleman, and move her chair for her. He sat down himself and helped himself to food and took a few mouthfuls. "Mm, you can cook." He caught "the look " and held up his fork almost defensively. "Honest, I'm not just saying it, I mean it! I hope you'll invite me again - I get tired of TV dinners!" "Well, aren't you going to invite me back? I'd like to try one of your TV dinners." Mulder shook his head. "No, you wouldn't, believe me!" "Mulder, since when do I believe you? You always come up with such far- fetched stories." "Not this time. Trust me, I'm trying to save you from an unpleasant experience. But if you really want to find out for yourself, there are 3 nights left this week, you're welcome to come round and find out for yourself." "Well, as you know, I do like to keep an open mind ... !" Mulder pretended to choke. "You? An open mind? Your mind's about as open as San Quentin!" "That's rich coming from someone whose mind is open to all-comers." He grinned. "That's not fair, my mind's become a lot more closed of late. Or hadn't you noticed?" "I thought you'd been a little off-colour lately and not functioning up to par. How am I supposed to disagree with you when you don't offer any unbelievable explanations?" "Well, I'm sorry. I'll try and be more - Spooky." "I might be able to help you. When we've finished eating, I'll tell you something which I think you'll find very hard to believe." He raised his eyebrows. "You've got something unbelievable to tell me? I think maybe you've been around me too long." "That might have something to do with it!" "I'm intrigued. Tell me more " But Scully wouldn't say anymore. Not until they'd finished eating and Scully had taken their plates away. When she returned, Mulder had poured himself another glass of wine. Again he offered her a glass but she just shook her head, wondering if he would guess from this. He didn't. She sat at one end of the couch, twisting so one knee was in front of her on the couch and she was facing the opposite end of the couch and Mulder sat there, facing her. "So you're leaving the FBI?" "How did you know?" She looked and sounded shocked. How much did he know? "A wild guess but it wasn't difficult. If that's the best you can come up with to produce a sceptic response, you'll have to do better." "Well, aren't you going to try and change my mind? Or at least ask why?" Mulder shook his head. "It's probably about time you got out and had a life for yourself. I don't want you to go, but asking you to stay would be selfish. And I'm sure you have your reasons. If you wanted me to know them, you'd tell me." He didn't give away his true feelings. Though this wasn't a surprise, it was a blow. More than anything he would have liked to change her mind - he was scared of not seeing her very often if she left. "I do want you to know Mulder but it would just have been easier if you'd given me something to argue against." He grinned. "Before I tell you, I have to say I don't expect anything from you. Anything you want to contribute - fine. You're welcome. But I don't expect anything. This is my situation. I'm quite prepared to deal with it on my own. I just thought you ought to know." She paused for several seconds. "I'm listening." With an arm leaning against the back of the couch, her hand in her hair, she took a deep breath and still could not bring herself to say it straight out - yet. "I told you, you're not going to believe it." "Isn't that supposed to be my line?" "It goes against everything we have come to believe about me in the past few years." "Scully will you spit it out." "I'm -" She stopped and lowered her head for a second before trying again. "In the light of the past few years, what is the last thing you would expect to happen to me?" "That you get the Congressional Medal of Honour." "So you don't think anyone would give me a medal? After all I've done for you!" Prevaricating. Mulder didn't respond to this, just grimaced and waited, then shook his head and opened his hands in a "what?" gesture. Then an expression of realisation dawned on his face. "You don't mean -" There was a childlike excitement on her face and she just nodded. "That's why you wouldn't have any wine." Scully nodded slightly again. "But when - how?" "Mulder - you don't think there's someone else do you?" "Well, no. I'm more worried that there isn't anyone." "I know. But you needn't. We don't know how it happened. Maybe whatever turned my cancer round did it. I never thought to check - I've never heard of sterility being reversed. But our tests show the baby is fully human, and he or she is a perfectly healthy mixture of my DNA and yours." Mulder was silent for a few moments and Scully gave him time to take it in. "You're going to be a father, Mulder." She voiced it first, gently. AI don't know how you feel about that, but you don=t need to worry - I shan't make any demands upon you." "How I feel? I feel like I've won the top 3 prizes in the national lottery. And I didn't even buy a ticket!" "Oh, you bought a ticket Mulder! I have vivid recollection of the night you bought two tickets." He grinned broadly. "I didn't buy those tickets, they were given to me. I had every intention of paying for them B I wanted to pay for them. But we got distracted and I didn't get around to it. I was too much of a coward to bring it up later - I wasn't sure if the booth was still open. I would really have liked to buy more tickets." Scully rolled her eyes. "You're such a smooth talker. I don't know how any woman could resist your charm." "Oh, they never can. Even you fell eventually!" "You're really not unhappy about the baby?" He shook his head. "So, why 3 prizes, Mulder? I'm only having one baby." "One - I'm going to be a father." It was the first time he'd said it and he suddenly realised he like the sound of it and said it again with some awe in his voice. "I'm going to be a father." He paused before giving himself a little shake and continuing - "Two - you've had a reprieve on your barrenness - and I've had a part in that. I feel really good about that Scully." He looked at her earnestly and she knew his sincerity and was warmed by it. He seemed to get lost in that warmth for a moment. She had to prompt him. "And thirdly?" Again he paused before speaking. I've always had a fear," he began slowly, not looking at her, "that if either of us left the FBI we might lose sight of each other, lose contact. I would lose you. Now I feel like I've been given a lifelong connection to you." Scully looked down, tears in her eyes. "That's a beautiful thing to say, Mulder. I take back what I said about your charm." He slid across the couch and, submitting to the longing he had had since she first told him her news, wrapped his arms around her. "Scully, how involved will allow me to be?" He had to wait a few moments for his answer, for he had stirred rather than soothed the emotion within her. "You can be as involved as you want to be Mulder." Scully replied with difficulty. "I=m only saying I shan't expect anything you don't want to give." He loosened his grip to look at her, grinning. "Can I come to Lemars classes with you and be there at the birth?" She smiled bac'k. "I don't see why not. You were there at the conception! Im glad you feel this way Mulder. I never imagined you wanted children - I mean, you've never talked about being a father." "How could I when I thought you were sterile? How insensitive do you think I am? Besides, I never knew. I had given up on the idea of normal family life. You don't expect to play happy families when you're in love with a woman who's barren, who doesn't return your feelings anyway - and can't imagine spending your life with anyone else." He stopped and the bald confession hung heavy in the silence between them for the next few minutes. Scully felt she should say something before the moment was lost but was afraid to speak - she wasn't completely sure she had heard right. It was Mulder who spoke next. He too wanted to seize the moment but was afraid of the boundaries he was crossing. So he tried to make a joke of it. It came out very uncomfortably. "Say, you don't fancy giving it a go anyway B you and me? You know, making everything above board in the old-fashioned way?" "Hang on a minute, Mulder. Can we take this back a bit. Who's this barren woman you're in love with?" He just grinned. "And what's this about the old-fashioned way?" "You know, it's called marriage. Or making an honest woman out of you, if you prefer." "Are you proposing to me?" "Not making a very good job of it, am I?" Ruefully. "You don't have to do it, Mulder. I don't agree with shotgun weddings." "You're right. Neither do I. I'm being greedy - using the situation for my own ends. Forget I asked." "So you were proposing because you really wanted to marry me?" She was vaguely aware that her desperate hope was leaking through her words. "Yeah. You knew that, surely Scully?" She shook her head slowly. Again she couldn't speak, just gazed at him, her eyes awash with tears. "Hey Scully, that bad, huh? I know, it's a bummer - being loved by Spooky Mulder." But he was laughing. "I think it's wonderful." She blubbered. He held her and stroked her hair. Feeling somehow that almost everything he wanted in life was about to come true. "Anytime you feel like having another go at that proposal," Scully struggled through her tears to tell him, "I'll be happy to listen. I expect you will need to think about it." "You'll be happy to listen? What does that mean? I put myself through it and you turn me down again?" but held so close to him, she couldn't see the wicked smile on his face. "I haven't turned you down, Mulder. And for the record, I wouldn't." Gently, and leaning away from her to look in her eyes: "Why wouldn't you say no, Scully?" "Why do you think, you dope? I've already told you I don't agree with shotgun weddings. Damn it, Mulder. Why do you think I'm in this situation in the first place? And it wasn't because I was drunk." Now she found herself getting mad at what he was implying about her, whether he knew it or not. "I put a lot on the line here. My career - you know I'm the one who always plays by the rules - well usually. Our partnership B which is no small thing to me. Our friendship - which is one of the most important relationships in my life. All we=ve had in the last 6 years. "You know me, Mulder. I'm sensible, play it safe Scully. Do you think I'd have risked it all for a casual one-night stand? If it hadn't meant a lot - everything -" she found emotion clogging her voice - she couldn't understand why. Her voice was fading and she shouted her next words to ensure they didn't fade away. "Dammit, Mulder, I'm in love with you too." The force of it shocked them both and to temper the effect of it, she repeated it in a whisper: "I'm in love with you too." The tears were streaming down her face now but to her extreme annoyance, he was laughing. She pushed him hard away from her, almost shouting at him: "How dare you laugh at me when I tell you I love you." "That's not what I'm laughing at Scully. I'm just thinking what a roller-coaster ride we're going to have while you're pregnant. I'd heard that hormones went crazy, but I've never seen it at such close quarters before. I'm also thinking, they'd never believe this at the Academy. Agent Scully loves Spooky Mulder!" "Are you kidding? Agent Scully who is always haring off after Spooky Mulder on some wild goose chase or other? Frozen wastes of Alaska. Jungles of Central America. The Academy has known for a long time that Agent Scully loves Spooky Mulder." They both pause, taking in what's happening and smiling shyly at each other. Until Mulder spoke. "Grand slam. Fox Mulder scoops all the prizes." And he leaned down to claim his prize. END **** Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed it even half as much as I enjoyed writing it!