From: DS11478@aol.com
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 16:21:55 EST
Subject: MSR fanfiction story submission

Well, this is my first attempt of many at FanFiction!  I did this 
whole story in about 5 hours starting at 1am, so, I'm sure there 
are spelling and grammar errors.  I welcome all comments and flames 
(even harsh ones, I need all the feedback I can get!)

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way related to or with: FOX network, 
1013 Productions, The X-Files, Chris Carter, or any of the 
characters within! I fully understand that I do not own any part 
of the X-Files ot the characters.  I have just borrowed them for 
my own personal use. (if there is a problem with my disclaimer, 
please help me change it...I don't want to get sued!)

TITLE: JUST CALL ME DANA
AUTHOR: Dorothy Schonberg -aka- ds11478@aol.com
CATEGORY: MSR-Mulder/Scully Romance
RATING: PG (it's just a sweet love story)
SPOILERS: The X-Files Movie

SUMMARY: I am taking up the story about 6 months or so after 
the HS (Hallway Scene, from the movie)  Skinner has decided to 
re-open the X-Files, and wants M&S to head the department.  
When Scully decides to decline the offer, and Mulder accepts, 
they are forced apart, causing deep buried feelings for each 
other to surface.(Please don't yell at me if all of the info 
contained within is not totally correct...I'm still learning!) 
:) -Thanks

About 6 Months after the Hallway Scene:
9:21am
FBI Building, outside Skinners office

"What are we doing here Mulder?"  Scully questioned.

"Probably more questions about what happened in Antarctica, Scully"

"But why did Skinner ask us to meet him here?  Did he say anything 
to you" Scully wondered with nervous curiosity.

"No, Scully, I don't know any more than you do" Mumbled Mulder 
with slight impatience
 
"I wonder wh--"

But Scully hadn't had time to finish before Skinner opened the 
door and invited them both in to his office.

"Welcome Back" Mused Skinner grinning slyly.

Mulder and Scully looked at each other and then back at Skinner 
and questioned in unison 

"Welcome back??"

"But Sir.." Scully began to ask

"I know", replied Skinner, "you're both wondering why you're here.  
Well, after careful consideration of this last case, Scully's 
mysterious kidnapping, accounts of killer bees, supposed alien 
viruses, and most recently, reports of corn fields seen growing 
in the middle of the desert in Tunisia, well...
I've decided to re-open the X-Files." 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The look on Mulder's face was priceless.  He blurted out  
"Re-opening the X-files? But Scully has already decided to begin 
a new career in-"

"Yes I know all that, Mulder, and that is why I am offering the 
position to you as head of the department" Skinner explained.

"H-h-head of the depa- what department?  Mulder questioned 
sounding very confused.

"Head of the X-Files.  I'm opening it as a new department.  
You would have your own office, your own labs, everything." 
Skinner reassured him.

"I-I-I need some time Skinner" Mulder replied.  His head began 
to spin.  He couldn't believe what he was hearing.  This meant 
that *they* were still out there, there was still a chance to 
find the truth and there still was a chance of finding Samantha.  
But what about Scully?
"What about Scully?"  Mulder demanded.

"Oh, Mulder" Scully broke in "You know I would, but--"

"Well" interrupted Skinner "That's why I invited both of you here.  
I knew that if you took the position, you would want Scully back too, 
and since both of you have put in so much time and effort-"

"Mulder, I-I just don't know-" Scully softly replied

"Well, you have about 9 hours to decide...both of you.  I need you 
on a flight to Tunisia tonight, we know where *they* are and we think 
they might try to run again.  Let me know. I need you for this, Mulder, 
and you too Scully."

"Skinner, I can't." Scully apologized, "I've been offered the job to 
head of a forensic lab here in D.C., it's what I need to do" Scully 
replied reluctantly. 

"I understand. Well, I'll be here, when you decide either way, 
Mulder, just come by my office.  That's all for now, you can go." 

Mulder closed Skinner's office door behind him as he and Scully 
walked out into the hall.

"Mulder, you know I have a new life now, and I don't think it includes 
the X-Files.  But this is what you have been waiting for."  

"Scully, just think about it, I mean, I know a million reasons why 
I should do this, but there's only one reason why I shouldn't, and 
that * one * reason is worth more than a billion other reasons, it's 
worth more than anything."

"Mulder, I-" Scully broke in.    

"No, Scully, no.  You almost died because of me, because I was too 
involved-because I couldn't let go-I almost lost you Scully-" His 
voice was weakening.  He tried everything to hold back his emotion, 
hoping that Scully wouldn't notice.  

"What?--Mulder, don't lose this because of me, I stayed on the X-Files 
with you because I wanted to- I knew how important it was to you-it 
was important to me too."

"Do you know what this could mean Scully?  An acceptance of our 
findings, possibly one step closer to the truth" Mulder paused  
"I just don't think it would be the same with out you."  His head was 
dizzy with thoughts. Taking this position could mean revealing the 
truth, uncovering conspiracy, and even finding Samantha, but it would 
also mean losing Scully.  She was starting her new life without him, 
and if he took the job, he would be here, and she would be there, and 
there just wouldn't be enough time-they would lose touch...

"You mean everything to me, Scully, and you almost died because of me, 
do you know haw many times I have to remind myself of that?"

"But you were the one who saved my life, Mulder, you were the one who 
came to my rescue.  You completely disregarded your own safety to save me
, 
don't blame this on yourself, you were there for me when no one else was.=
.."

 Mulder's emotions began to get the better of him and before he could 
turn away, a single tear rolled down the side of his face.  He prayed 
that Scully didn't notice, but she did.

"Oh, Mulder, I-" She began as she reached out her hand to touch his shoul
der.

"I've got to go, I'll call you tonight" Mulder uttered as he turned 
and began to walk down the hall.
 
 "Oh, uh-o-ok.." was all Scully could manage to utter.  She stood there 
slightly stunned and watched as Mulder walked down the hall and disappear
ed 
around the corner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The drive home seemed endless.  Mulder could barely keep his mind on the 
road.  
"All these years, I have been the one to chase her, I was always the one 
wanting her, and she was the one to back away.  Well, this is my chance, 
she was never happy with the X-Files.  It was always my passion; she was 
just assigned to me.  "Mulder, you're crazy!" She was always telling me.
 
This is my life and it doesn't have to include her, but why is this 
bothering me-maybe I should just quit-No, I need to do this.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The drive home seemed endless.  All Scully could think about was how 
Mulder looked as that tear ran down his cheek.  She began to think of 
what it would be like to not see Mulder everyday, and it hurt-it hurt 
bad.  But she had her life and he had his, and that was just how it had t
o be.
"Mulder is finally getting what he has always dreamed and I now have a 
chance to become a doctor once again.  I can see Mulder when I have time 
off, we can still manage a great friendship. It is going to be hard, but 
this is how it has to be, she was trying to convince herself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Scully arrived home to find a message on her machine.  It was Mulder.  
"Hey Scully, It's me.  I have made a decision.  I want to talk to you 
in person, I am going by Skinner's office around 3, and I'll be by your 
apartment around 6 tonight, please try to be there" *beep* 
"A decision already!?! I wonder why he couldn't just tell me over the pho
ne.  
Could this mean he's taking the job, or not taking it?  Oh, I hope he's 
taking it, it's what he's always wanted, but that means that he'll have 
a new partner or partners, and what if he forgets about me?  Or what if 
he decided to take another job here?  Maybe that's it, and he's coming 
over here to tell me in person and ask me to be with him...then we could.=
..
oh, Dana forget it!  It would never be the same!  What am I thinking?!?  
This is Mulder I'm think about, Mulder, my ex-partner, and that's all it 
could ever be...but maybe...NO! Wait!!!  What am I thinking!?!?!  I'll 
just wait to see what he says when he gets here.  UGH!  I can't stand wai
ting!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dana Scully's apartment 6:03pm

"Ok, Mulder's late again, where could he be?? Why is he taking so long??
 
I'm gonna kill him for making me wa-"  [knock-knock]  "Finally!!"
 "Come in Mulder, it's unlocked"

"How'd ya know it was me?" Mulder joked

"Oh, just call it a hunch" Scully joked back.  "So, what is your decision
?"

"Oh, thanks, Scully, no hello Mulder, how nice to see you"

"Sorry, but I've been waiting all day to find out, Mulder, and I am 
a little curious..."

"Gee, I never knew ya cared so much!"  Mulder laughed as he made his 
way to where she was sitting on the couch.  Scully could feel this dull 
pain begin to build in her stomach, kind of like butterflies, but a lot 
worse.  She wanted so much for Mulder to say that he was going to stay 
with her in D.C. and to tell her that everything was going to be great 
and that's how it would be, but the feeling in her gut told her otherwise
.
For a while, they just sat there, words escaping them, just like two 
motionless statues gazing into each other's eyes.  It was like they both 
wanted it to be like this forever.  It was as if they both knew what the 
future would bring, but neither wanted it, if it meant that they would be
 
apart.  
It was absolutely perfect for only that moment, but somehow, Scully knew 
exactly what Mulder was going to say, as she had always known what he was
 
going to say just by looking into his eyes.  And what he told her shatter
ed 
the moment into thousands of tiny pieces like a fragile mirror being stru
ck 
by a giant rock.
"I'm taking the job, Scully.  I'm leaving for Tunisia tonight, in 2 hours
, 
actually.  We may be there for 2 or 3 months, or however long it takes to
-"

"WE??, who's we?? Scully interrupted him in a tone that was no 
less than jealous

"Skinner has assigned me a new partner, well at least for now."

"Does she have a name?"

"Jack, actually, his name is Jack Daniels." Mulder explained with a 
slight chuckle

"Well I never thought I'd see that day that Jack Daniels would replace me
!" 
Scully retorted with a raised eyebrow.
 
 "Scully, I'm not replacing you, no one could ever take your place.  
You were more than I could ever ask for in both a partner and a friend.  
Don't ever forget that.  But I can't do this alone, you know that.  
And if I can't have you, then I have to do the best with what I have."  
Mulder explained in a more serious tone, as he raised his hand to her 
face and tenderly brushed a loose lock of hair behind her ear.

"Oh Mulder, I just never I'd lose you so soon" Scully said as she 
broke down and tears began rolling down her cheeks.
Mulder took her in his arms and held her.  She reached her arms around 
his waist and he wrapped one arm around her back. She laid her head on 
his shoulder and began to cry.  He used his other hand to gently stroke 
her hair. He held her so tight that he could actually feel her heart 
beating through his own chest, and it was the most painful feeling he 
had ever felt...He knew this was probably the last time he would be 
here with her like this, and it was killing him.  He took one deep 
breath and took in the scent of her hair, the aroma of her perfume, 
a scent that he had grown quite fond of, and that he found comfort in.  
As he exhaled it was like his last breath of life was leaving him.  
He knew that his own tears that had begun to stream down his cheeks, 
but he did not want to feel them.  He wanted to feel numb, like he 
did before he had seen her cry, but he couldn't.  Her tears had touched 
something deep inside of him, they had broken through his barrier, 
and he began to cry.  Mulder knew this would be hard to do, but it 
was the best thing to do.  It was the only thing to do.  "Scully and 
I can never be more than friends, now, or ever, we both know that.  
But why does this hurt so much?" Mulder thought to himself.

[rrrrrrrrrrrring]

It was Mulder's cell phone that finally broke their tender embrace.

"Mulder, I'm at the airport, where are you?"  The voice on the other 
end questioned.

"Uh, I'm...Daniels, hold on" Mulder muffled as he wiped his face with 
his sleeve "I'm still at Scully's, what time is the flight?"

"It's leaving in 30 minutes, but you need to be here now!"  Daniels deman
ded

"Uh, ok, I'm leaving here in a few minutes, I'll be there in 10 minutes" 
and Mulder hung up the phone
Scully had regained her composure and was curled up at the end of the 
couch looking out the window.

"I'll call you as soon as I can... Scully?"  He wanted to see her face, 
but she would not turn to look at him.  

"Well, I'll be here" she coldly responded as she continued to 
stare out the window.

Mulder felt a nail being driven into his heart from her sudden coldness.
 
Why is she so angry with me, she could have come with me, but she was 
the one who declined, why does it hurt so badly to see her like this?  
He wanted to console her, but it wasn't right.  He had to go...it would 
have to wait-- he'll have to talk to her later.  It could wait, he hoped.=
  
He hated to see her like this, but there was nothing he could do.  
He tried to imagine why she seemed so bitter at him, but he couldn't.  
The fact that he had cried over her had scared him, his barrier went 
back up, and he was one again numb.  He turned and walked toward the door
.
Scully heard him open it and walk out.  In an instant, she turned 
toward the door...

"Mulder, wait..." she whispered, but he was gone.

She turned back to the window and watched as his car slowly pulled 
away and eventually disappeared up the street. It was like the feeling 
a small child at gets as he watches his parents slowly drive away after 
having just dropped him at summer camp.  Only this was more than just 
a few weeks, this could be..forever.
  She couldn't hold back any longer, she grabbed a pillow off the other 
side of the couch and cried herself to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

PART TWO

[Rrrrrrrrrrrrrring]

This time it was Scully's phone that broke the silence, and woke her 
from sleep.

[Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring]

She quickly woke up and jumped off the couch just in time to reach 
the phone on its third ring.

"Scully" she answered as she had done for the past 5 years, 
forgetting that she was no longer Agent Scully, but plain old Dana again.

"Dana, is that you dear?"

"Mom? Yeah, mom it's me"

"Dana, you sound sick, are you ok?  Do you need me to come over and-"

"No, mom, I'm fine, I just had a rough night"

"Why?  What happened, were you out all night with Mulder?  
Did he decide to stay or--?"

"No. Mom, what time is it?"

"It's almost noon sweetheart, did you just wake up?  
I don't like the way you sound, I'm coming over there"

"Oh..wh-...ok," Dana knew he mother would not give up on this, 
and besides, she needed someone to talk to.

"I'll be there in half an hour"

Dana hung up the phone and got in the shower.
"Why-why-why?  Mulder is just-Mulder-."  I must be getting sick, 
Mulder has always just been Mulder and that's it-I'm just getting 
the flu or something.  That's why I'm taking this so hard, I just 
have the flu, and it's impairing my judgement.  I'll have some soup, 
take some medicine, and I'll be fine tomorrow.  
Ha, I am feeling better already.

"Good morning Mom" Dana greeted her mother with a smile when she arrived

"It's good afternoon, Dana, and you seem to be feeling better.  
Here, I brought you some lunch."

"Thanks, but I'm really not hungry"

"Oh, you must have lunch, you look thin, are you sure you're not sick?"

"I'm fine mom, it's just that Mul-"

"Mulder decided to take the job and go to Tunisia" Her mother interrupted
.

"Yeah, mom, he left at 8last night, how did you know?"

"Oh, a mother can tell.  You miss him."

"No, not really"

"That wasn't a question, it was a statement.  I can see it in your eyes, 
Dana, you care about him a lot, and you miss him"

"If you can tell what I am feeling" Dana bolted passionately 
"look into my eyes and tell me.  I am so confused, I miss him so much, 
I keep getting this terrible pain in my chest and my stomach every time 
I think about him.  
What does that mean, mother, tell me, because I don't know!"

Dana stood motionless in front of her mother for what seemed like 
an eternity.  Slowly, her body began to tremble and tears started 
to stream down her cheeks.  Her mother grabbed her and held her close.
"What is wrong with me mom?  It just hurt so much when I saw him 
drive away, I felt like a part of me died. I wanted to run after 
him and tell him to stay, and tell him-..." She couldn't say what 
she knew she felt, but her mother knew.

"And tell him you love him, Dana"

Hearing her mom say that was like having a thousand weights 
lifted off her chest.  Dana gasped and drew in a deep breath.  
She backed away from her mother and looked her in the eyes.

"Is that what you see...is that what you see in my eyes?"

"Dana, I have always seen it in your eyes.  And I knew one day 
you would too."

"Oh, what am I going to do?  He's gone"

"He's not gone, sweetie, he'll always be here" Margaret Scully put 
her hand over Dana's heart. "Do what is in your heart, or you 
will never forgive yourself."

"Mom?"

"Yes, Dana?"

"I-I've got to go-"

"Yes, sweetheart, I knew you would"  
And with a warm smile and comforting hug, Dana's mom helped 
her pack her bags, and drove her to the airport.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The flight to Tunisia was complete hell!!  "This is the longest 
flight I've ever been on!  Ugh!  But even the length of the flight 
and the dread of airplane food couldn't keep her from smiling.  
Actually, nothing could keep her from smiling right now.  She could 
feel herself glowing.  "This is it," She thought to herself, no 
turning back now!  Her mother was the first one to actually say it, 
but Dana knew that she had felt this for a long time.  Now, she 
just hoped Mulder felt the same.  It had only been about two full 
days since she had last seen Mulder, but it felt like an eternity!  
When the plane finally landed, Dana vowed to maintain her professional 
relationship with Mulder until the time was right, "Ooh boy, this is 
going to be tough," she thought to herself with a smile.
After many phone calls to Skinner and the longest night of her life 
in the hotel, Dana set out to find Mulder.  It was going to be another 
2-hour ride to the town where Mulder was staying, but she didn't 
care, she actually felt completely happy for the first time in a 
long time, this was the first day of the rest of her life!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tunisia Holiday Inn 4pm (Tunisia time)

"I'm Dana Scully, looking for Special Agent Fox Mulder of the FBI" 
She questioned the front desk clerk at Mulder's hotel.  

"He's in room 1013" came the reply "But I think he's gone for the day, 
miss. Oh, you must be his girlfriend from back home, here's the key, 
He should be back soon"

"His girl-his what?"  Dana was confused

"Yeah, you're the one.  He showed me that picture of you 'an him.  
He's been talking about you ever since he came here."

"Well, actually, we're not...well, I might..-um-.." Dana was fumbling.

"Any how, you must mean a lot to him, I can tell, it's in his eyes 
when he talks about you and when he looks at that picture"

Dana began to blush and her grin turned into a beautiful smile.

"Thank you sir" was all she could manage to say before she was 
out the door and down the hall towards Mulder's room.

"Room 1013, this is it, I guess I'll just wait here until he gets 
back and see what happens" but before she could put the key in the 
lock, she noticed that the door was already open.  She pushed 
open it slowly with her hand, and she could hear someone talking 
inside the room...

"Scully, er..um I mean Dana, it's me, Mulder.  I've been trying 
to reach you all day, but I guess you're not home so, when you 
get this message-"

"Mulder??" She pushed the door all the way open.

"Scully?..Scully!"  Mulder called as he got up to meet her.

"Hi Mulder" She couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Scully, um, I mean Dana,  what are you doing here?"
"Mulder, I-I-" and she paused "I flew here last night..
Skinner told me where you were"

The next thing she knew, Mulder had wrapped his arms around her 
and was holding her quite tightly.  So tightly that she could 
actually feel his heart pounding through her own chest.  
Oh how good it felt to be in his arms again she thought as 
she closed her eyes.

"Dana?"

"Yes, Mulder"

"Why did you come?" he asked, hoping for a miracle.

He took her by the hand, and slowly led her to sit down 
next to him on the bed.

"Mulder..I came here..to tell you that I...that I..." she was 
searching for the words, "Come on Dana, just say it" she thought 
to herself, but she couldn't.  "What if this isn't right? 
What if he doesn't feel the same way? Oh, why hadn't I thought 
about this before!"  She mumbled to herself.

"You left your leather jacket at my apartment" she blurted out.

"That's what you flew all the was to Tunisia to tell me?!? that 
I left my jacket at your apartment? you could have just called..."

"Well I just wanted to see you-and see what you were doing all 
the way out here." Dana tried to explain, but she was fumbling, 
and it was coming out all wrong.

"You knew I was investigating an X-File!  This is what I do now, 
so why are you here?  I thought you were supposed to be the head 
doctor at some fancy hospital" 

Mulder wasn't angry with her, he was just getting frustrated.  
His excitement and hopefulness that had risen when he saw her 
at the door had begun to sink.  "Forget it Mulder" he thought 
to himself "This is just another on of her silly escapades.  
She doesn't have the same feelings for you that you have for 
her-just get over it."  But he saw the hurt in her eyes from 
his last comment.  He got up from the bed, feeling disgraced, 
and began toward the door.

"I'm sorry, Dana, I didn't mean that.  It's just that when 
I saw you here.. I thought you were here to.." he paused, thinking 
of a way to put it. "Nevermind. Well, I gotta go back to the site, 
we've been up there all day and, you wouldn't believe what we-"

"Mulder"

He turned back to face her. 

"Yes"

She looked so beautiful sitting there just then-angelic, and..just
 so beautiful.  She stood up and embraced him.  This was the first 
time she had ever hugged him, and it was the hug to end all hugs!

"Oh Dana" Mulder sighed. "I just missed you so much and-"

"I love you" she whispered in his ear.

He pulled away just enough to look at her face, the face of an 
angel-his angel.  He took her face in his hands and began to caress 
her cheek with his thumb, and began to pull her slowly toward him, 
the whole time staring into her eyes...
She could feel his warm breath, on her lips, and she closed her eyes.  
She could feel him press his lips to hers... they were soft and warm.  
His kiss was full of passion and love, and so was hers.
The kiss ended with a long embrace and they just held each other 
like that staring into each other's eyes repeating "I love you" 
to each other softly over and over.

"So, Dana,  what did you really come up here to tell me?"  Mulder 
questioned with a smile

"Oh, Mulder you can call me Scully,  or rather...Special Agent Scully"

"What??" he looked at her quizzically

"I'm back, Mulder, we're back!  I told Skinner last night.  
You still need a full time partner?"

All he could do was hug her and say, "I love you, Dana Scully"

That night was perfect.  They locked themselves in the hotel room 
from sundown to sunrise, and talked and talked and well-you know-let's ju
st say, 
they both far exceeded each other's expectations!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I am working on a PART 3 now, so if you liked this so far, 
email me (ds11478@aol.com), and I'll post it!
All comments and suggestions welcomed!
Thanks