From: Just Ann Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 03:32:08 GMT Subject: NEW: Men Who Aren't Named Mulder TITLE: Men Who Aren't Named Mulder AUTHOR: JustAnn CLASSIFICATION: MSR RATING: PG SPOILERS: Indirectly, everything through "Closure" DISTRIBUTION: As long as my name is attached, it can go wherever it would be welcomed DISCLAIMER: I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of 1013 Productions. FEEDBACK: I'd LOVE to know if anyone has read my story, and what they thought of it. I can be reached at justann@mgfairfax.rr.com MEN WHO AREN'T NAMED MULDER How many times had he been right there? Driving down some lone highway in a cheap rental car with Scully. The case had been humiliating. What seemed three days ago as an alien abduction of a town mayor and other local government officials turned out to be delusions brought on by brain tumors. No wonder Scully hardly spoke as they drove the two hours back to civilization. She was probably choking back the "I told you so." He'd heard THAT before. It was summer, and the sun was just setting about 8:30 p.m. when they checked into a motel near the airport. They had an early flight back to D.C., and Mulder had thought it best to drive close to the airport tonight, instead of having to set out at 4 a.m. Scully reluctantly agreed. She had admired the small New England town, and commented on how quiant everything was: the charming farmhouses, the victorian main street shops, the Catholic Church on the hill overlooking the countryside. Mulder also knew she enjoyed meeting the people, especially the town's handsome doctor, who mentioned, smiling that the town was in need of a pathologist. Scully and the doctor stayed late in the small hospital morgue, "talking medicine," last night while he alone searched for the evidence to crack this case. Unfortunately, the whole thing had been a waste of time. As they were preparing to leave the bed and breakfast they had stayed in, Mulder overheard Doctor Harris ("Call me Cole") ask Scully if she'd consider taking the position of medical examiner. She smiled that flirtatious smile she saved for men who aren't named Mulder, and said she'd think about it. At the diner they stopped at earlier that night, she asked him some questions about what he thought of small towns. Scully also asked if he ever intended to settle down to a "normal life." Mulder felt defeated; his life's crusade had turned into one wild goose chase after another. "I am a loner, a loser, and I have lost everyone else I have ever loved. Now Scully, the one constant in my life, the one person I care about and trust more than anyone, the one woman I can't live without, is thinking about leaving me," he lamented. At the motel, Scully opened the door to her room and put down her bag. Mulder stopped outside his room, which was next to hers. He loosened his tie, and leaned against the railing. He stared into oblivion. Scully noticed him standing outside. She came back out. "Mulder?" He was so lost in thought he didn't hear her. She lightly touched his shoulder. "Mulder?" He blinked back to reality and turned to her. "Mulder, it's alright. There will be other cases. Maybe the truth you seek is still out there." "Scully, my whole life is chasing ghosts and monsters and U.F.O.s, and after all these years, I don't know where I'm going anymore." She just stood there, listening. She looked so beautiful, and so concerned about him. All of a sudden he became frightened. He had to ask her. "Are you going to take that job?" "What?" She questioned, very surprised. "The job Doctor Harris offered you." "Oh, that," she smiled coyly. Her cheeks showed just a hint of pink. She said no more. He couldn't bare her lack of response. "Scully, I've lost everyone else I've ever cared about, and I don't want to lose you, too." Her smile dropped at the serious tone in his voice. She took his hand in hers, which sent shivers down his spine. "I'm not going anywhere, Mulder," she said matter-of-factly. He could feel a slightly goofy grin cross his face. Their eyes met. Mulder tentatively caressed her cheek, and seeing no objection, only warmth in her eyes, he kissed her softly. After a moment, he backed away, afraid of her reaction. She blushed. "Well, good night." Mulder felt suddenly that all was right with the world. He picked up his bag and turned toward his room. "Mulder?" She called after him from her doorway. "Yeah, Scully?" he pivoted back to her. She grabbed his necktie and pulled him to her. "You're not getting away that easily!" She said seductively as she pulled him into her room.