From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2000 14:43:10 -0600
Subject: More Than Words Can Say by Spookette
Source: direct

Reply To: spookette@usa.net


TITLE:  More Than Words Can Say
AUTHOR:  Spookette
EMAIL:  spookette@usa.net
ARCHIVE:  Anywhere but please drop me a line and let me know 
:)
CATEGORY:  MSR
RATING:  PG-13
SUMMARY: Small events over a two day period lead up to some time spend 
unwinding.

DISCLAIMER:  Chris owns them, I just wish he would let me 
borrow Mulder.  I'll return him, I promise :)
-----------------------------------------

A big thanks to Shawen A. Greer for the suggestions.  =)

-----------------------------------------

"Dammit!"  She cringed, knowing if that was the first word she managed 
to utter in the morning, the day to follow would probably be all down 
hill from there.  She had barely made it through the door before being 
bumped into.  She bent down to retrieve the papers that had scattered 
everywhere ... "Oh for Christ's sake" she almost screamed when her own 
head collided with another.

"Okay, let's get this right.  You stand there nice and still while I 
pick these up for you."  She looked up right into an unfamiliar, yet 
very handsome face.  "And for the record, I truly am sorry."  He 
quickly gathered the papers and placed them back into their folder.  
Rising back to his feet he extended his hand to her and smiled.  "Sean 
Miller, clumsy oaf."

"Dana Scully, late for a meeting."  She hoped that didn't sound as 
bitchy to him as it did to her.  It was meant as a fact, not as a 
complaint towards him.  "Thank you," she managed as the man placed her 
folder into her hands.

"Get to your meeting.  Maybe some other time I can make this up to 
you," he said with a grin as she hurried to the elevators.  

Once inside the elevators, she did her best to remove any evidence of 
having been all but trampled.  One last quick check of her reflection, 
using the elevator door for a mirror, she made her way to her boss's 
office.  His secretary didn't even have a chance to wave her in before 
she had gone through and shut the door behind her.

"Until the Houston agent gets here, I want you and agent Scully to wait 
with the suspect.  If he regains consciousness see what you can get out 
of him."  Well, at least she hadn't missed the whole meeting.  One 
sentence is better than nothing at all.  "Glad you could join us, agent 
Scully."

"I'm sorry, Sir," she said wondering whether or not she should take her 
seat.  Answering her internal question, Mulder stood up and headed for 
the door.

"Me and you, a hospital, and an unconscious suspected bank robber.  
Never let it be said I don't know how to show a woman a good time."  
Leading her out the AD's office he looked down at his partner with a 
mixture and concern and amusement.  "Rough morning, Scully?"

"I've had worse.  So, why are we on hospital duty?"

"The man we chased down yesterday, the one using the stolen credit 
card, it appears he is wanted in Houston for questioning about a bank 
robbery.  The Houston office is sending an agent down to escort him 
back.  He has escaped custody three times so far, so Skinner wants us 
to baby sit till his date shows up."

"Dammit, I have the report from that case, I forgot to give it to 
Skinner."  She sighed so heavily it was a wonder that any air was left 
in the elevator.  

Mulder chuckled to himself.  He loved the way the smallest things could 
get to her.  "Relax, Scully, he would have been in shock to get paper 
work from us that quick anyway.  I have to grab my coat from the 
basement before we go, if it will make you feel better run back up and 
drop off the report."

"Okay, meet you in the garage?"

"Level 2, I'll be the one holding up the 'DC General or bust' sign."

She just rolled her eyes as he stepped off the elevator, and pushed the 
button to send her on her return trip.  The doors opened for a new 
passenger on the first floor and there he was.

"Well, Dana Scully, late for meeting, we meet again."  Agent Miller was 
smiling full blast as he joined her.  "Don't worry, I'll keep my 
distance, your reports are safe this time."

"I'm sorry if I was a little short earlier.  It's already been one of 
those days."

"Understood.  Plus, no need for you to be sorry, it was my fault after 
all."

The doors opened and agent Miller looked up at the numbers.  "Well, 
this is my stop, it was nice to not run into you for once."  The doors 
had almost closed by the time Scully realized that she too had reached 
her destination.  She stopped them just in time and headed back to 
Skinner's office.  When she reached the receptionist's desk there was 
agent Miller shaking Skinner's hand.  After they were on the other side 
of the door, she handed the reports to the AD's secretary and made her 
way down to the parking garage to meet Mulder.

She couldn't help but laugh when she opened the door to the garage.  
There was Mulder standing in front of his car and he was actually 
holding a sign that read "DC General or bust".

"Your chariot awaits."  He announced, opening the passenger side door.  

"You are nuts, Mulder."

"Maybe, but I got you to smile."  He got in his side of the car and 
buckled up.  "Did Skinner pass out when you gave him the reports?"

"Don't know.  Gave them to his secretary." 

"Ah, smart move.  Now when he keels over, she'll have to take the 
blame."

"Awwww, Mr. Profiler, you've got me figured out."

On the drive to the hospital Mulder told Scully about spending the 
previous evening with the Lone Gunmen.  Two new conspiracy theories, 
Frohicke's time line on how much longer he would have to wear Scully 
down before she was ready to marry him, Langly found a new site on the 
net with great 'dead head' items.  All in all she didn't feel like she 
had missed out on much.

Mulder dropped Scully off in front of the hospital and drove to park 
the car.  When he walked up, he noticed a far off look in her eye.  It 
wasn't like Scully to daydream, so he couldn't pin the look down to 
that specifically, but that was the impression that he got.  "They 
aren't going to know what to do when we both walk in unharmed," he 
kidded as he led her through the door and to the front desk.  The 
suspect had still not been moved from emergency, a section of the 
hospital they both knew well.  As they walked through the door leading 
to the waiting room, the hand which had made it's way to the small of 
Scully's back applied a bit more pressure.  Even if Mulder didn't 
notice, she did.  When each of them simultaneously glanced up at the TV 
on the wall, Scully felt almost as awkward as she had the last time 
they were in this room.  Once they passed through the two glass doors 
to the reception area she let out a breath she must have been holding 
since they got off the elevator.

When they reached the desk, without so much as a pause, Scully 
explained why they were there and which patient they needed to see.  
Mulder caught himself peeking back over his shoulder, through the glass 
doors, right at the spot where they had stood when Dick Clark counted 
down the New Year.  He wondered sometimes if he should say something 
about that night, or if he should just consider himself lucky he hadn't 
been slapped.  Scully probably thought nothing more of it than being 
tradition to kiss the person next to you on New Year's Eve.  "She did 
smile though," he thought to himself, "didn't she?"  A subtle, 
surprised, satisfied smile, but a smile non-the less.  The nurse 
instructing the two agents to follow her brought Mulder away from his 
thoughts and he joined Scully's side.  

The nurse led them to their suspect's bedside and Scully started 
looking over his chart.  He was still out cold from his head colliding 
with the cement after Mulder finally caught up to him the night before.  
Mulder wondered how long they would be stuck here doing nothing.  "He 
doesn't look like he's going to put of much of a fight right now.  I'm 
gonna grab a cup of coffee, want something?"

"Sure, thanks," she said still staring down at the clipboard.  Once 
Mulder had turned the corner she replaced the chart and grabbed a seat.  
She and Mulder each spent so much time sitting in this place, it seemed 
the least the hospital could do was get them some comfortable chairs.

Mulder turned down the hall, a steaming cup of coffee in each hand.  He 
had walked all of two steps past the reception desk when he heard a 
familiar voice.  "Well, if it isn't Spooky Mulder."  Those 6 little 
words sent a chill straight up Mulder's spine, tickling his defense 
mode switch.  He turned around; careful to not let on he was bothered 
in the least. 

"Miller," he said simply, with a slight nod of his head.

"I'm here to relieve you.  AD Skinner said you were keeping an eye on 
my suspect."

"Of all people," he thought to himself.  "He's right down here."  
Mulder led the way back to the hospital bed where he had left Scully.  
When he walked into view of the bed, there was Scully, sitting in a 
chair, studying the pattern on the floor.

"Replacement is here, Scully, let's go."  He didn't want to hang around 
for any of Sean Miller's small talk.

"Well, well.  Must be fate," agent Miller chimed in when Scully looked 
up at the two men.  "We just can't seem to stay away from each other 
today."

"Almost seems that way," she said, standing up.

"I take it you two have met?"  Mulder felt like he was missing 
something.

"Twice this morning, at the bureau."  Scully answered.

"I see.  Well, let's get going, Scully."  Mulder said, widening his 
eyes to add the silent, "Now," to his statement.

"Bye again," she said to agent Miller.

"Take care, agent Scully.  I'll give you a call if his doctor ends up 
being a little green guy, Spook."

Mulder walked off swiftly, Scully trailing behind.  He didn't slow his 
pace until they got to the elevator doors.  He pressed the button three 
times before the door opened and he almost leapt inside.  

"Mulder?"

"Hmmm?"

"What did I miss?"

"I can't stand that guy.  We were in the academy together; he was the 
one that tagged me as 'Spooky Mulder'.  Sean Miller has got to be one 
of the most arrogant people I've ever met."

"Don't let him get to you, Mulder."

"I know. I was just caught off guard."

The ride back to the bureau was much different from the ride to the 
hospital.  Mulder didn't say a word.  He had been in such a good mood 
this morning, and Scully didn't like the change.  

It had been a while since Mulder had been sulky and unsure of his 
worth. Recently he had been much more relaxed, even happy.  She felt 
better when she was around him, even just this morning, as miserable 
and aggravated as she had been, he managed to bring a smile to her 
face.  Now as the two sat in the basement office sifting through case 
files, he was the miserable one.

She wanted him happy, relaxed.  Not just for his sake, but for her own.  
His moods just seemed contagious, if she could brighten his, in return 
it would brighten hers.  

It had been hours since they returned to the office, and the silence 
was horrible.  She would have been more comfortable arguing than 
sitting here like this.  

"Mulder."  Her voice sounded so loud to her noise deprived ears.

"Yeah?"

"It's late and I'm hungry.  If you want to keep working let's pack up 
some of this and work over dinner."

"Fine.  Where to?"

"How about I grab some take out and meet you at your place?"

"Sure, you go ahead, I'll grab some files and meet you there."

She added a couple more files to those on his desk and grabbed her 
coat.  She realized she couldn't remember him looking up at her even 
once since they had gotten in.  Was he embarrassed about the hospital?  
Had more happened than just running into agent Miller?  She wondered if 
maybe even the pass through that waiting room had made him as self-
conscious as she had been.  

"You okay?"  She was almost scared to hear the answer.

"Yeah, fine."

"Mulder, you know if you ever want to talk about anything..."

"I know, Scully.  Go on, I'm right behind you."

She picked up her briefcase and gave his arm a squeeze as she headed 
for the door.  "See you in a bit, G-Man."

When the door shut behind her, Mulder sighed and ran his hands down his 
face.  Scully was feeling sorry for him, he knew that and he hated it.  
He started shoving files into a box, a few more in his briefcase and 
headed out the door.  The phone rang in the office as soon as he was 
out.  Grabbing for his keys he ran back in, but the caller had already 
hung up.  

When Mulder got home, he placed the box of files on the floor by the 
sofa and started taking out plates for dinner.  When he went to grab 
some glasses he noticed two bottles of wine.  The Gunmen must have left 
them behind last night, he thought.  He was reading the label on one 
when the knock came from the door.

"Come on in Scully," he called out.  

"Hey."  She noticed the bottle in his hand when she walked in.  "Wine, 
Mulder?"

"Looks like it.  Want a glass?"

"Sure.  It's just not every day I see a bottle of wine in this 
apartment."

"I think the guys left it behind last night."  He explained as he 
grabbed two glasses from the cabinet.  He picked up the plates and 
silverware from the table in the other hand.  "Bring it into the living 
room, more room to work."

They sat on the floor eating and organizing the files into three piles.  
One with cases not worth spending time on, one with cases that could 
wait and the last with cases they were interested in for the near 
future.  Only two folders had made the last pile so far.  They were 
each looking through the two that seemed interesting, reading further 
into the details.  The food was long gone, but each was still sipping 
at the wine.

For the last hour or so, Mulder's living room was as silent as the 
office had been earlier, but it was a much more comfortable silence.  
The two agents were relaxed, they were in a more comfortable 
surrounding, and the wine did help a bit.  Scully's phone rang causing 
both to jump.

"Scully."

"Agent Scully, this is agent Miller.  I tried to catch you in your 
office a couple of hours ago, but I guess you had already left.  I was 
thinking of making up for this morning.  Maybe a late dinner?"

"Well, I appreciate the offer, but I've already eaten."

Mulder was looking at her quizzically.  She shook her head slightly as 
if to say, "no big deal," and he turned his attention back to his work.

"Quick drink then?"

"Thank you for the thought, agent Miller," that earned her Mulder's 
full attention, "But agent Mulder and I are working this evening."

There was that 'defeated puppy dog' look again.  He was motioning to 
her like he had something to say.  She put her hand over the bottom of 
the phone.  "Scully, if you want to take off, go ahead. No big deal."

"Well, our guy is awake, but he's not going anywhere for now, so I may 
be around a few days.  Maybe some other time?"

"Maybe.  Thanks again, agent Miller.  Good night."  She clicked the 
phone and set it aside.

Mulder was looking at her silently, waiting.

"He knocked my reports out of my hand this morning, wants to make up 
for it."

"Really, Scully, it's after hours, don't feel like you need to be here 
working."

"Mulder, I don't want to go anywhere with him, okay?"

"Fine."  He turned his eyes back down to the file without another word.  
Scully sat there looking at him, willing him to look back.  He didn't.

"Mulder."

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"What is what?"

"Something is on your mind, what is it?"

He looked at her like he had no idea what she was talking about.  Up 
popped her eyebrow and when she leaned back and folder her arms, he 
knew he wasn't getting off that easy.  

"Alright.  Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, you can, Mulder."

"When you...What do you...Do you...What comes to mind when, when you 
think of me?"

"What do you mean, 'what comes to mind?'"

"Well, if you were playing a word association game and someone said 
'Mulder', what would your response be?"

"I guess the first thing would be 'friend'."

"I don't know, Scully, I guess what I'm trying to ask is...do you think 
I'm spooky?"

"That depends, Mulder.  If you mean strange, or someone I wouldn't want 
to be around, then no.  But if you mean spooky like someone who can 
stand at a crime scene and tell you how and why someone committed a 
crime and what they are going to do next, then yes, I do.  I guess I 
don't think you are spooky, just that you have a spooky ability."

"Friend, huh?"

She crawled over the piles of folders and sat next to him.  Putting a 
hand on his forearm she smiled and repeated her first answer.  "Friend, 
Mulder."

He swallowed...hard.  The temperature of the room seemed to rise up a 
good 15 degrees.  He had to remind himself of exactly what she was 
saying, "friend," he couldn't let himself read more into her actions.

"So, Mulder, when you think of me, what comes to mind?  Do you see me 
as the enigmatic ice queen?"

"Scully, anyone who would call Spooky Mulder their friend is anything 
but cold.  You are probably the most caring person I have ever met in 
my life.  People just misread your ability to face the things you do 
without going insane as a lack of compassion."

She smiled slightly as her gaze fell down to where her hand rested.  
His skin felt so warm, the time for her to leave it there to punctuate 
what she was saying had long passed, but she couldn't bring herself to 
remove it.  Her ears were burning.  "The wine," she thought, "exactly 
how much have I had?"

He placed his hand on top of hers and her head shot up.  Her mouth hung 
open, her eyes showing a mix of fear and shock.  She looked like a deer 
caught in headlights.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Sure, fine.  I, uh...I think it's the wine, Mulder.  Excuse me a 
minute."

She got up and walked to his bathroom.  The door shut and he heard the 
water turn on.  "Great job, Mulder, scare the hell out of her," he said 
softly to the empty room.  

She stood in front of the bathroom sink, splashing water on her face 
and cursing her fair complexion.  Her skin had become the color of her 
hair.  When the fire had finally left her skin she returned to the 
living room, heading straight for her coat on the sofa.  

"All better, but I think it's time I go home, Mulder."

"Scully you just ran in there looking sick, we've gone through a whole 
bottle of wine.  You are not driving home.  I will sleep on the sofa, 
you can have the bed."

"Five minutes ago my stomach was doing summersaults, Mulder, I don't 
think a waterbed is the best idea right now."

"Fine, but you are not driving home.  You take the couch; I'll take the 
bed.  Deal?"

"Mulder, I'm fine to drive, really.  I just want to get home."  She 
turned and started walking towards the door, but he sprung to his feet.  
Wrapping his hand around her wrist he turned her back around and made 
her look at him.

"Scully, please.  Just humor me."

"Okay, I won't drive.  I'll call a cab and catch one back to here in 
the morning before work."

He didn't say a word.  Didn't let go of her arm either, just inhaled so 
deep his chest seemed to double in size.  

"What?"

"Stay."

"Mulder..."

"Just stay."

"Why?"

"So I don't worry.  I just want to know that you are alright."

"Mulder I go home every night, you know.  Why would you pick tonight to 
worry?"

"Stay."

She searched his eyes.  He looked so compassionate, so genuine.  She 
huffed under her breath, shaking her head.  He raised his eyebrows 
pleadingly and she handed him her coat.  He smiled at her, not 
triumphantly, but definitely a pleased smile.  

"I'll get you some blankets and a pillow."

As he retrieved the bedding from the closet he wondered exactly why he 
couldn't let her leave that night.  He had been absolutely terrified of 
her walking out of the door that night.  He couldn't shake the feeling 
that there was something in the look she gave him earlier, when she 
came close and touched him.  He figured maybe he was scared of missing 
another moment like that.

When he returned to her she was already stretched out on the sofa.  
"Here ya go."  She didn't budge.  When he looked closer he realized she 
was already asleep.  He gently raised her head and slipped the pillow 
underneath, she sighed softly as he lay her head back down.  After 
spreading the blanket across her sleeping form he pushed her hair back 
and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.  "'Night, Scully."

He considered going to bed himself, but he really wasn't tired yet.  
Considering all the reading he had done and the wine he had drunk he 
should have been, but he wasn't.  He sunk back down onto the floor and 
started back on the files.  After just about 30 minutes he too drifted 
off, on the floor, surrounded by papers.

When he woke it was 4 AM.  Scully was still sleeping soundly and his 
back was killing him.  After a shower and shave he decided to get an 
early start and let Scully rest.  So there he was, alone, in the 
basement office like a good little workaholic.  

Scully woke up not quite sure where she was.  Once she remembered 
Mulder insisting she stay the night she got up and started folding the 
blankets that had been covering her.  All the files were gone, just one 
piece of paper left on the coffee table.

*Didn't want to disturb you, so I went in early.  -M*

She checked her watch.  Only 6 AM, still plenty of time to go home and 
shower before getting to the office.  She walked into Mulder's room and 
put the blankets and pillow on his bed.  Finding her coat in the 
kitchen, she left to get ready for the day.  She hoped it would be a 
little more ordinary than the one before.

When she reached the Hoover building it was still pretty early, but she 
had slept soundly the night before.  The parking garage was quite 
empty, her footsteps seemed to echo a bit louder than normal.  Pulling 
open the door to the building she heard her named called from somewhere 
in the garage.  When she turned she saw agent Miller walking towards 
her, grinning from ear to ear.

"Morning.  Late for another meeting?"

"No I've come in early this morning actually."

"Aha, then you have no excuse to turn me down for a cup of coffee 
before work."

She looked at the man who made her partner so uncomfortable.  She 
figured maybe if she accepted his offer, he would at least stop trying 
to 'make it up to her'.

"Okay, there's a place right down the block."

The two agents walked off, Scully leading the way.

Mulder was dialing the number to his apartment, not wanting Scully to 
oversleep too much.  He knew she'd still have to shower and dress at 
her own place.  When there was no answer he figured she had woken and 
found his note, but wanted to be sure.  He dialed the next number with 
ease and waited for an answer.

Scully's cell phone wailed just as agent Miller was returning to the 
table with cappuccinos.

"Excuse me a moment," she said, reaching into her coat pocket.  
"Scully."

"Hey, Scully, it's me.  Just making sure you are up."

"I am.  I'll be in shortly, okay?"

"Take you time."

"Thaks, Mulder."

He hung up the phone and rubbed his eyes.  "Next best thing to sleep is 
caffeine," he thought and decided to walk to the coffee shop down the 
street.

Scully put the phone back in her coat pocket and looked up at agent 
Miller, who was still smiling.  

"Spooky must have sensed you had a minute to yourself, huh?"

"Mind if I'm frank, agent Miller?"

"Not at all, speak your mind."

"Mulder is not only my partner, but my friend.  He's a good man, and an 
excellent agent. Your attitude towards him upsets me.  He doesn't 
deserve it and I do not appreciate you speaking of him with anything 
but respect, especially in my presence."

"Aww, listen, he's..."

"No, agent Miller, you listen.  You may not agree with his views or 
theories, I often disagree with him myself, but that is no reason to 
act like a spoiled child where he is concerned.  The suspect you 
couldn't catch is now in your custody.  Why?  Because Mulder did catch 
him, and yet to you he is just the butt of some joke."

When Mulder opened the door to the shop he heard Scully's voice.  He 
couldn't make out what she was saying, but that was Scully.  He scanned 
the inside of the shop and saw her.  She was with Sean Miller.  There 
was his partner, his friend, his Scully having her morning coffee with 
someone he liked about as much as CGB Spender.  When he looked again he 
noticed that she didn't seem to be enjoying the man's company.  Calling 
him names was one thing, but upsetting Scully was a different story all 
together.
As he neared the table he could hear her words loud and clear.

"When you disrespect Mulder, you are disrespecting me, agent Miller.  
In the future, I suggest you learn to conduct yourself as an adult, not 
some schoolyard bully.  Thank you for the drink, but I think it's time 
I leave."

He stood even before she did, looking past her.  "Morning, agent 
Mulder."

When she turned around, Mulder would have almost sworn there was steam 
coming out of her ears.  "This conversation is finished.  Let's go, 
Mulder."  

As she stormed past, Mulder stopped her by grabbing her arm.  "Hey, you 
okay?"  

"I will be.  Let's just go."

"Go ahead, I'll be there in just a minute.  Want me to order anything 
for you?"

"Thanks, but no.  I'll see you in the office."  She looked down and 
Mulder realized he was still holding onto her arm.  When he let go she 
walked straight out the door.  

Mulder went to the counter and ordered himself a couple of bagels and 
coffee.  As he waited for his order he glanced back to the table where 
Scully had been sitting.  Agent Miller was still there, staring at his 
cup.  He wondered how much of that conversation he had missed, and what 
had set her off.  It wasn't like Scully to tear into someone in public 
that way.  The girl behind the counter called Mulder's number and he 
picked up his order.

When he walked back into the office Scully had already started sorting 
some of the files.  She didn't even seem to notice when he walked in.

"Morning, Scully.  I got you something anyway, just in case you changed 
your mind."  He pulled out one of the bagels and a cup of coffee from 
the bag and sat it down next to a stack of files.

"Thanks, Mulder."  

"Scully."

She looked from her work to him.

"About last night.  It wasn't right for me to make you stay when you 
didn't want to, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Mulder, but can we talk about it later?"

"Sure thing."  

He sat at his desk taking out the remaining contents of his bag from 
the coffee shop.  Glancing over at Scully he wondered what she wanted 
to talk about later.  He was afraid she was going to really let him 
have it.  Her defenses may have been down a bit last night, but not 
today.  Hell, she had already annihilated one person this morning.

"Talk about it later?  Jesus, Dana!" she thought to herself.  "What are 
you going to say?  'Don't worry about last night, Mulder, I was just 
trying to get away because I didn't trust myself to stop at touching 
just your arm?'"  She knew now she would have to say something to him 
about it.  Mulder didn't forget things, and he sure as hell wasn't the 
type to just drop a subject.  

The two worked almost wordlessly till noon.  They had sifted out a few 
cases with possibility, and Mulder was going to talk to Skinner about 
one of them this afternoon.

Mulder sat back in his chair and looked at the clock.  "Hungry?"

She took her glasses off, squeezing her eyes closed tight for a second.  
"Yeah, but nothing heavy."

"Mario's?" 

"Sure."

When they were leaving the building they noticed agent Miller talking 
to two men outside.  Mulder leaned down, bringing his mouth close to 
Scully's ear.  "He's like a bad rash, huh?"  he whispered to her.  She 
gave him a quick smile as they walked down the street.

The small restaurant was buzzing with FBI agents and other assorted 
patrons on lunch break.  Scully was picking at the last of her salad, 
wondering how Mulder could eat a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs 
in the middle of the day and still be able to work.

"So, Scully, what exactly happened this morning with Miller?"

"Not a whole lot, he caught me in the garage when I came in.  Asked to 
buy me a cup of coffee, and I figured he was just never going away 
until I let him apologize for yesterday morning.  He made a comment I 
didn't care for and by then I had just had enough of him."

"When?  After I called?"

"Yeah, when I hung up with you."

"Scully, I don't need you to fight my battles for me."

"Mulder, he rubbed me the wrong way and I wasn't about to sit and 
listen to him over coffee."

He didn't want to push the issue, but he didn't like her feeling she 
had to stick up for him.  He put his fork on his empty plate and 
started to finish off his tea.  Scully was already getting up.  He 
threw down some cash for the bill, hoping that walking away was her way 
of pointing out she had bought dinner the night before.  

"What are you going to do this afternoon?" he asked when he caught up 
to her on the sidewalk.

"I'm going to a lecture at Quantico."

"Sorry I'm going to miss that one."

"Oh, I'm sure you are, Mulder."

"I guess you won't be coming back into the office then?"

"Nope, you'll be on the honor system after Skinner is finished with 
you.  I'll call you when I get home and find out how it went."

"Alright, talk to you later then," he said as they parted.

That afternoon passed slowly.  Skinner had a case he thought their time 
would be much better spent on than what Mulder had brought to him.  
After failing to convince his boss otherwise he spend the rest of the 
day in the office looking over the case and making a few phone calls.  
By 3:00 he had enough and headed for home.

Scully's day wasn't much better.  The speaker at Quantico sounded like 
he was reading from a textbook.  No new techniques, no groundbreaking 
discoveries, just a seemingly endless list of facts.  It amazed her how 
someone could speak for hours and never really say anything worth 
hearing.  Between the lecture and the ride home in the middle of rush 
hour, she was drained.  Once inside all she wanted was a nice hot bath.  
She started filling the tub and dialed the phone.

"Mulder."

"Hey, it's me.  How'd it go?"

"If the local PD requests FBI assistance we will be the first to know.  
On the other hand it appears that a FCC employee has been reported 
missing."

"Sounds interesting."

"Actually, from the report it sounds like he got bored with married 
life.  Did I mention his 23 year old girlfriend is missing too?"

"Oh, brother."

"Tell me about it.  How was your lecture?"

"I wasn't sure if we were there to listen to him speak, or perform an 
autopsy on him."

"Sounds thrilling.  You're home?"

"Yeah, getting ready to slip into the tub then watch a movie or 
something."

"Want some company?  For the movie, I mean."

She smiled at his comment, not that he could see it.  "Come on over, 
Mulder."

"Will do.  See ya in a while."

She hung up and slipped into the tub.  He didn't mention it but she 
knew he still remembered her comment about talking.  She wouldn't even 
think about it right now, it was time to relax and forget the rest of 
the world existed.  The water was so relaxing she didn't really want to 
get out, but all she had passed on Mulder's bagel this morning and 
still hadn't eaten anything other than her salad at lunch.  

After he bath she slipped into some comfortable lounging clothes and 
warmed up some left over chicken from her refrigerator.  Propping 
herself up against the arm of the sofa she searched for movie listings 
while she ate her dinner.  Just as she started to get comfortable 
Mulder knocked on the door.  

"Coming, Mulder," she called as she moved to unlock the doorknob, 
deadbolt and security chain.

"Hey.  I got some popcorn.  Anything good on tonight?"

"I was just about to find out.  Go take a look while I pop this.  Are 
you hungry?  I just heated up some leftovers."

"Nah, I already ate."

Mulder sat on her sofa and started scanning the chart of station 
schedules.  He dropped the book on the coffee table and grabbed the 
remote.  After tuning in the right station he went back in the kitchen.  
Scully was staring intently at the microwave, the popcorn bag growing 
as it spun around.  

"Mind if I grab something to drink."  

She jumped so high when he spoke he was surprised she didn't hit her 
head on the ceiling.  He couldn't stop himself from laughing, it 
brought to mind a thousand images of cartoon cats hanging upside down, 
claws dug deep into the ceiling.  

"God, Mulder, don't sneak up on me."  She slapped his shoulder when he 
laughed.  

"I didn't sneak up, I asked for a drink," he said, still laughing.

"Help yourself.  So, what are we gonna watch?"

"Something that requires no more than a maximum of five brain cells."

"Perfect."

He poured a glass of tea while Scully transferred the popcorn from its 
bag to a large bowl.  They sat on opposite ends of the sofa with the 
popcorn in between.  Scully was just about to ask what was coming on 
when the opening scene started.

"Mulder!  Batman?!?!"

"Okay, five brain cells might be stretching it.  When was the last time 
you watched this?"

"Not since I had to share TV time with my brothers."

The episode began and they both watched, making comments about the 
show's 'cheesiness' from time to time.  A fight scene came on; "POW" 
"BOOM" "BLAM" Mulder voiced the action words as they flashed across the 
screen.  

"We should get some super hero costumes, Scully.  Spooky and the Ice 
Queen," he kidded during the commercial.  

"Yeah, people take us way to seriously now.  I'll pick up your tights 
first thing in the morning, Mulder."

"Oh?  Does that mean I can pick out your outfit?"

"The idea alone frightens me."

The show resumed with a shot of The Penguin puffing on a cigarette in 
his lair.

"Scully!  Think CGB would wear that for us?" 

By this time they were both laughing harder than either could remember.

"I needed this, Mulder, good call."

"Well, it was either this or a Dracula flick, I figured we could each 
do without that one."

Scully nodded in agreement as she finished her drink.  "Refill?" she 
asked holding up her empty glass.  Mulder nodded and stood up reaching 
for her glass.  "No I got it, sit down."  She picked his glass up from 
the coffee table and went into the kitchen.  Mulder didn't sit down; he 
followed her, taking out the pitcher of tea as she filled the glasses 
with ice.

"Scully, this is as good a time as any to chew me out about insisting 
you stay at my place last night."

That's why he hadn't brought it up yet.  He thought she was angry with 
him for wanting her to stay.  She should have figured that out for 
herself.

"I'm not going to chew you out for that, Mulder.  You were right, I was 
in no condition to drive."

"Did I do something to make you uncomfortable about staying, Scully?  
If so I didn't mean it.  I'd had a couple drinks myself."

"No, Mulder, really.  You shouldn't be apologizing, I should be 
thanking you for making sure I didn't drive."

"No need.  There's another episode coming on, they're playing a 
'Batman' marathon."

"I'll bet Batman and Robin never had to face shape shifters or fluke 
men."

"If they had, no one would have doubted that they had seen it, that's 
for sure."  He commented as they walked back into the living room.

They sat and watched as the TV exposed which villain the Dynamic Duo 
would have to save the city from in the next thirty minutes.  Scully 
seemed more relaxed, Mulder hadn't pushed on about how frantic she was 
about leaving his apartment last night.  She pulled her legs up on the 
sofa, curling them where the popcorn had been before Mulder had 
confiscated the bowl.

"Ya know, Mulder.  Last night you never did say what it is you actually 
think of when I pop into your mind."

So many things came to his mind when he thought of her, most of which 
he wasn't about to voice.  Those things would at the very least get him 
hit, if not shot.  

"Lots of things, Scully.  But I guess if I had to sum you up in one 
definable word, it would be 'strength'."

She smiled at him, not an obvious smile, but a Scully smile.  "What 
about less admirable qualities?  What about me makes you nuts more than 
anything?"

"Oh, geez, Scully.  I may have been expecting you to argue with me 
about last night, but I wasn't planning on giving you a new reason to 
do so."

"No argument, just curiosity.  What would it be if you had to pick one 
trait?"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what drives me nuts most often is how stubborn you can be.  
That's not necessarily a bad thing, though; it pushes me to try harder 
to convince you."  He pulled his arms up mockingly, like he was bracing 
himself for her to attack him.  Smiling he let them down.  "So, your 
turn, what pisses you off the most about me?"

"Ha!  You just took my answer."

"Well, must be fate that we ended up together, huh?"

"Or just a sick joke," she kidded.  "Any popcorn left?"

"Nope, but I'll make more real quick."  He grabbed the bowl and went 
into the kitchen.  Grabbing one of the remaining bags, he set the 
microwave and hit start.  When the kernels had slowed their popping, he 
poured the hot popcorn into the bowl and went back in the living room.  
Scully had stretched a little more across the sofa, laying more than 
sitting now.  Mulder sat on the floor with his back against the middle 
cushion.  He held the popcorn high on his left side so Scully could 
reach.  

Each time her hand dove into the bowl he could smell her.  It had 
turned his attention from the mindless entertainment to the site of her 
fingers wrapping around a few pieces of corn and sliding back out of 
his view.  A hypnotizing sight it was.  Every once in a while her hand 
would brush, his shoulder or arm, causing him to lose all ability to 
think clearly.  Subconsciously he had been lowering the bowl.

"Mulder."

"Hmm?"

"Popcorn? 

He sat the bowl on the ground and turned to the side so he could see 
her.  She had stretched out even more now.  She looked so relaxed, so 
inviting.

"Did you want something, agent Scully?"

Her breath caught in her throat.  His voice was almost a growl, his 
eyes soft and dark, they were so large she swore she'd swear she could 
swim in them.  Her heart was pounding so hard even her hair seemed to 
be pulsing.  He was rising to his knees, body turned directly to her.

"Some p-p-popcorn."

He reached down, not breaking his stare and grabbed a piece.  "This?" 
he asked as he held up the kernel.  Her answer was a slow nod.  The 
look washing over him excited and frightened her; excited by him, 
frightened of herself.  He carefully lifted the kernel to her mouth and 
watched in amazement as her lips closed around it.  

"Scully?"

"Uh huh."

"Forgive me."

Before she could ask what she was forgiving him for, he answered.  His 
hands planted themselves on either side of her as his head lowered.  
Her eyes drifted closed as his lips made contact with her own, soft but 
firm, desperate but controlled.  Four of her senses abandoned her 
leaving behind only that of feeling.  She felt the kiss throughout her 
whole being.  That is until she felt the tip of his tongue sliding 
across her lips, seeking acceptance.  When she let them part and 
greeted his with her own she regained the sense of taste.  It was a 
welcomed return, it could only be described as one thing; the taste of 
Mulder.  

As he pulled away the rest of her senses were returned one by one.  The 
sight of his eyes, searching hers; wanting to know if he had crossed a 
line she was not ready to redraw.  Then smell, he was so close, 
lingering above her, as long as the scent was there, so, she knew, was 
he.  The last return was strong, almost overwhelming.  She could hear 
their hearts beating heavy, strong, in perfect timing with one another.  
The sound intoxicated her, not even in her dreams had she felt the 
connection so strong.  The realization brought a slight smile to her 
face and that was all the encouragement he needed.

He led her through the whole process again, this time with sounds of 
pleasure, desire and relief escaping each of them.  One of his hands 
started lightly tracing every contour of her face, wanting to gauge her 
every reaction, but not daring to retreat enough to see them.  When her 
arms snaked around his neck, his own encircle her waist, holding her so 
tight she could barely breathe. 

He pulled himself away, just far enough to speak.  "If you stop me now, 
I'll never be able to stop myself." She didn't reply, at least not with 
words.  Her eyes kept shifting from his to a point somewhere behind 
him.  He turned to look and when he turned back she was grinning.  

"How about if I forgive you in the morning?"  

He lifted her up into his arms with a confidence he had never known 
before.  He spoke so softly she more felt, than heard the word.  
"Scully..." Her hand came up to stop him before he finished what he was 
going to say.  

"I know, Mulder.  I love you too, more than words can say."

With that he turned around and carried her to the bedroom.

-End-