Date: 21 Apr 1999 21:09:41 -0700 Subject: Happy birthday scully (XFCreative mailing list) Title: Happy Birthday Scully Author: Elice (DanaMuldur@aol.com) Category: MSR Spoilers: none Summary: It's Scully birthday and it seems as if Mulder's forgotten again...well, that's how it seems... Archive: Yes, but please let me know where. Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, the X-Files and any other recognizable entities belong to Chris Carter, Fox, and 1013 Productions. No copyright infringement intended. Feedback: Please. I'd love to hear what you think. *Early Thursday morning Mulder and Scully's office 7:00AM Scully's POV Scully paused in front of the office she shared with her partner, Fox Mulder. She had a small tinge of hope that he would remember that it was her birthday today but soon resolved not to get her hopes up. Mulder never remembered her birthday. She let out a small sigh of disappointment before smoothing down her skirt and opening the door. Mulder looked up from his desk where paperwork and files were strewn everywhere. "Morning Sunshine!" he said cheerfully. "Morning Mulder," she replied, feeling a lump form in her throat although she couldn't quite decide why. 'You know exactly why, Dana Katherine Scully,' she told herself. 'It's because you been wishing for the past week that this year he would remember it was your birthday and somehow suprise you.' "What's wrong?" he asked with a frown on his face. "Nothing!" she came off sounding a tad hostile and softened her tone. "Nothing Mulder, I'm just not looking forward to a day of paperwork, that's all" "Well, I'll keep you company," he joked with a suggestive tone, raising his eyebrows. Dana smiled. You really are lucky, she told herself. Look at what you have. A job that you love, a wonderful, caring partner and friend. Just because he doesn't remember your birthday it doesn't mean that he doesn't care about you. She tried to convince herself that this was true but wasn't quite pulling it off. Non-the-less, Scully felt a little better and attempted to spend the rest of the day in a good mood. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx *Later that afternoon Mulder and Scully's office 4:30PM Mulder's POV Mulder couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't stand seeing his partner in such pain. Not physically but emotionally. Ever since she'd first walked in the office that morning he could see the look of disappointment etched on her beautiful face. Of course he'd remembered her birthday. He just wasn't letting on. He wanted tonight to be a huge suprise. But, now he was having second thoughts. He couldn't bare looking up into her eyes and seeing such sadness. Couldn't stand glancing over at her and seeing her sigh rejectedly. And knowing he was the cause of that pain was just too much. Was it worth it? Sure, he'd wanted to take her breath away with suprise; revel in joy at the look that would change the expression on her face into one of delight, but not if she had to endure another minute of sadness. He wanted to make all of her pain go away, hold her close, make it all ok, comfort her. Swallowing down the words he was about to tell her, needed to tell her, words that would change everything, he took a deep breath and returned to his work. Just 30 more minutes, he told himself. Then you can do it. He allowed himself one more look at her. His emotions were swirling. She was sat, running her hands through her smooth copper hair and he longed to reach out and do the same. To smooth back those silky strands and caress her face. Mulder, he told himself firmly, not now. Not while shes sat right in front of you. But he couldn't get rid of the thoughts that were engulfing his mind. Thoughts he had often. Only 30 more minutes. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx *Same afternoon Mulder and Scully's office 5:00PM Scully's POV Scully let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Finally, she could go home, maybe take a nice bath, and stop thinking about Mulder and her feelings for him. Yeah right. Like she could ever stop thinking about Mulder. He occupied her mind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if that was possible. During the day he was in her daydreams; at night he was in her dreams. To say the least, she was obsessed, for lack of a better word, with her partner and best friend. And the fact that he had forgotten her birthday again made her want to break down and cry. Preferably in his arms. She shuffled the report she'd just typed into a neat pile then slipped it into a manilla folder. "Here Mulder," she lean over his shoulder and set it down on his desk. "It's the report on the L.A. case." Mulder's heart was beating so hard he was sure that she could hear it. She was stood so close to him that he could feel the warmth radiating from her body and her heart beating against his back. Could smell the alluring scent of her perfume and wanted her then and there. His breath was coming in short gasps. She apparently sensed their intimacy also and was immobile. It was then that they both realized that her small golden cross had become awkwardly attached to his collar. Scully made no attempt to remove it. He had turned his head and their faces were almost touching. And they were both gazing into each others eyes. Deeply. Intensely. Passionately. Finally Scully emitted a shaky breath and a shaky hand reached to unattach the bond that held them so close. Although she didn't want to, she figured Mulder was feeling extremely uncomfortable and so she did it. Her hand brushed against his neck, sending shivers down his spine. As Scully struggled with the clasp, Mulder reached up and placed his hand over hers and helped her, not until their hands had lingered, entwined together for one intense moment. They were finally released although neither one made an attempt to step away, neither wanting to be the one to break this embrace of sorts. It felt like they stood like that for an eternity. When they did decide to finally move, it was at the same time. Mulder swiveled his chair just as Scully was stepping back and they collided, Scully falling helplessly across Mulder's lap where he held her in his arms for what was, in her opinion, and his as she was yet to find out, too short of a time. They both stumbled to a standing position, Mulder supporting Scully unnecessarily. "I, uh," Scully stuttered, "Tomorrow, I'll, um see you tomorrow Mulder," she finished breathlessly. "Tomorrow," Mulder replied. Just as she reached the door, he called out to her, remembering. "Scully!" "Yes?" she turned towards him, all thoughts of her birthday completely erased. "Do you think you could come over tonight? At 7? I, uh, had some cases that I wanted to tell you about, but I left them at the apartment this morning," he asked hopeful. "Sure," she was about all she was able to manage. "See you then Mulder," she added allowing one last longing look at him before closing the door behind her. 'What just happened there?' she asked herself. 'Was it my imagination or was he looking at me, with...No. You were just so blissfully content that you imagined he was looking at you with desire,' she told herself, wishing so much that she were wrong. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx *Evening Mulder's apartment building 6:30PM Scully's POV Early as always Dana told herself. Admit it, she said. You're not just a little early. You're here half an hour before he said. And yes, it was because she couldn't wait to see him again. Ever since she had left the office all she wanted was to get back to Mulder. To see him. To feel him near her. She'd been ready at 6:00 and had put off leaving too early as much as she could before she could wait no longer. It was 6:15 and she was out the door and hurrying to her car. All that she could think about as she was driving toward his apartment, hell, ever since she had left the office that afternoon, was the event that had taken place earlier today. She ignored stop signs and red lights didn't seem to phase her as she cruised right through them. Nice example for an FBI agent, she thought. She was usually such a careful driver but right now she was lucky to be alive. She couldn't help it. All she could think about was getting to Mulder as soon as possible. Even if he did only want to discuss a case, it was an excuse to be with him and any excuse possible was another opportunity. Now, as she stood in front of his door the scene was a carbon copy of this morning. She had stood outside the office door in much this same fashion. Contemplating. Was that just this morning? It seemed like an eternity ago. Although the circumstances were different. Now, her birthday seemed insignificant as she stood, anticipating the meeting with the man she loved. She hadn't been this excited or nervous since she was a teenager. It was just like she was going on a date. You wish, she thought with a sigh. Then she heard footsteps approaching the door. Had she even knocked? Oh well, too late now. No turning back. Scully looked down at herself. Was this outfit ok? She'd opted for the casual look. Jeans and a soft, white, tight fitting T-shirt. She never worried about what she was wearing. I guess there are a lot of things Mulder can change about me, she thought. Just then the door swung open and she was greeted with an inky blackness. Stepping into the darkened foyer Scully mustered her courage and called out, "Mulder?" She walked past the kitchen and stopped in her tracks at the sight that greeted her in the dining room. Candle light created a seductive glow on the scene. The table shimmered as if it were made of pure crystal; rose petals lay scattered atop it. But her eyes were soon drawn from the sight in front of her as they drifted to Mulder. He was clothed from head to toe in a black tuxedo. In his arms he held a bouquet of a dozen red roses. He gestured to her smiling, extending his hand. She took it and he pulled her to him. No words needed to be spoken. They gazed into each others eyes and Mulder spoke softly. "I could never forget your birthday, Dana." "Mulder, I don't know what to say," Scully was truly lost for words. "This is beautiful. Amazing." "No, you're beautiful. You're amazing," he replied. "You deserve so much Scully. I can only hope I can begin to fulfill your dreams." "You don't know how much I want this. Have wanted this. I love you Fox," Scully told him. "And I love you," he confessed. "More than anything. You mean the world to me." Scully was breathless, her dreams had finally come true; what she had been waiting for for five years had finally happened. She had never been happier. And neither had her partner. "I feel so...casual," she smiled shyly. "You look beautiful," Mulder told her. "I.........," she began. "Shh," he said softly, silencing her with a tender kiss. When the kiss ended Mulder pulled out a chair for Scully and they both sat down. Mulder served an incredible dinner that he had cooked entirely himself and they ate staring into each others eyes. As they finished Mulder reached behind him and handed her a small box. "Oh Fox, you shouldn't have," Scully to her partner. "I wanted to, it's the least I can do. You've been such a comfort, a support over the years. You've been my balance and my sounding board. I have no idea how you put up with me. I owe you so much. Please, take it.," he offered. Scully reached out and took the tiny package. She untied the bow and loosened the wrapping paper. He had wrapped it so carefully, she was careful not to tear it. What she saw caused her breath to catch in her throat. A ring so beautiful that she couldn't bare to look at it. It was pure 14 carrot gold. A single diamond was embedded into the band. Mulder reached over and slid the ring onto her finger gently. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh, Mulder, it's so beautiful. I don't know what to say." "Say yes," he replied and then it hit her that he was proposing. Her mouth dropped open. "Oh yes Mulder, Yes!" she told him so overcome with emotion that she was crying. It seemed appropriate that she call him Mulder in this moment. This was Mulder, her partner, her best friend, the man she loved. Fox was the side of Mulder she would soon be able to know. "Here, let me do this right," Mulder knelt down in front of her on one knee and took her hands into his. "Dana Katherine Scully, I know I don't deserve you, but you're the most important thing in the world to me and I love you more than anything. More than I've ever loved anyone. As long as I live I'll never let anything ever hurt you. Will you marry me Dana?" "Mulder, I don't deserve you. Of course I'll marry you. I thought I'd only ever get to say that in my dreams. You don't know how long I've wanted this," she admitted. "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me, Fox. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you so much," Dana began to cry again, weeping with happiness, and Fox held her close. He smoothed back her hair. He caressed her face. He kissed her. He embraced her with the intent to never let go. His partner, his best friend, would soon be his wife. He loved this women with every inch of his being and he let her know that as did she him. When they finally pulled back they were lost in each others gaze. His hands running through her hair. "Happy Birthday Dana,"