From: unkown <kelleigh@glasscity.net>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 14:41:44 -0800
Subject: New: No One But You 0/13 by DenyTheTruth

TITLE: No One But You
AUTHOR: DenyTheTruth (aka Kelleigh Decker)
EMAIL ADDRESS: kelleigh@glasscity.net
ARCHIEVE: Gossamer: Yes.  If anyone else thinks it's good enough 
for other achieves go ahead and put it there.  Just keep my name 
on it and let me know.
SPOILER WARNING: Numerous from Season 1 to Season 6 "Triangle"
RATING: NC-17 (in a few parts) mostly PG-13
CONTENT WARNING:
CLASSIFICATION: S; A (Mulder and Scully), MSR (straight love story, 
if I could write a real X-File I'd send it 1013 and try to turn it 
into an episode)
SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully know they love each other.  Now how do 
they overcome their doubts and the obstacles in their lives to be 
together?
DISCLAIMER: If I really owned them I wouldn't be a junior in 
college.  I'd be in LA relaxing and Mulder and Scully would have 
CSM tied up and hidden with Jimmy Hoffa.  Mulder and Scully and 
everyone from the X-Files are the intellectual property of Chris 
Carter and also the property of FOX, 1013, and the fabulous actors 
that portray them each week.  I'm just borrowing them for a time to 
appease my own imagination and will return them back to the genius 
that is CC.  So please don't sue me, all you'll get is my student 
loans (but if you want those you can have them) and my slow as 
molasses computer.
FEEDBACK: Would be greatly appreciated.  Let me know if I should 
stick to just reading everyone elses' work and sending feedback to 
them or if it is ok for me to continue showing my thanks by 
contributing to fanfic.

The songs "Wasn't it Good" and "Show Me Heaven" are from Tina 
Arena's album "Don't Ask" and are also borrowed without permission 
from Sony music.

I would also like to thank all those fanfic writers out there who 
have kept me entertained and inspired me to write my own.  I only 
hope that this does some justice to all your guys' genius and I do 
apologize if some part resembles another story.  There have been so 
many I have read that they are all just jumbled in my brain.

Please keep in mind that I am writing this story with the following 
thoughts in mind:  Mulder was born in 1961, Scully was born in 1964.  
They have been partners since March 1992.  Scully was abducted in 
October of 1994.  Nothing after "Triangle" from Season 6 has happened 
and the story takes place in December 1998.  Also, in this story 
Mulder and Scully have the X-Files back (can't wait till that really 
happens)


No One But You 1/13
By DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glasscity.net
-------------------------



Personal Journal of Dana Katherine Scully
Saturday, December 20th


Sometimes I really don't get people today.  I mean, is it such a far off
concept that a man and a woman can be friends and not have sex?  God that
sounds like that movie When Harry Met Sally.  Is it such a foreign concept
that we don't need to have sex to show that we love each other?

Yes that is right, love.  It isn't anything earth shattering or mind
boggling that I admit that I love Mulder, and I know that he loves me.  We
may not have told each other or made great declarations of it (but there was
that time in his hallway and when he awoke full of drugs from his little
jaunt to the Bermuda Triangle).  Anyway, we both know that we have deep
feelings for the other, but there is so much that we have to do.  The
X-Files hold the answers to all the questions we have: What really happened
to Sam, how many others have experienced the same thing Mulder did at Ellens
Air Force Base, how long has the plan for this game with Mulder as a key
player been planned, how many other projects are our there, etc.   We know
that the X-Files and all that they contain is the place to find the answers
and the truth.  We also know that there isn't anyone else that we want to
look for them except him and me.  Our trust and strength is what gets us
through and helps us continue with the search.  So, why would we want to
ruin what works? 

That is what people can't understand. Mulder and I are happy with the way
things are.  We can call the other one anytime whether to discuss a case, a
nightmare, or just to pass the time.  If we were to cross that line (as
everyone believes we already have) things would change.  And I believe in
the philosophy "If it ain't broken don't try to fix it".  

Don't get me wrong, of course I have thought about Mulder and me becoming
lovers.  I mean, who wouldn't?  He does have a great body, but I don't want
it.  Now before someone comes around to take me off to the loony bin for not
wanting to sleep with Mulder, let me just say this: It isn't that I wouldn't
want a physical relationship with him, I just don't want what comes along
with it to diminish our working relationship.  As Mulder's partner for the
past almost seven years I have seen and learned many things, but the biggest
one that I have learned is his obsession.  When Mulder finds something that
he wants, he latches onto it like a dying man does his last breath of air.
I love that about him, his dedication. I have already been on the receiving
end of that dedication many times before and he has received mine, but we
both just know that if we were to ever further our relationship things would
change.  Our dedication would get refocused on each other personally and
privately and not on our work.  Right now that is what is important.  I
refuse to let "Them" win and if that means that Mulder and I have to keep
things the way they are, so be it.

So that is how it goes.  Mulder and me working together to find the truth
and hopefully when we do, then we can focus our energy on each other.  Until
then we will just do what we have done and relieve stress in our own ways.
If that means that once in a while one of us seeks the comfort of another,
oh well.  Man can not live by water alone.  Now, I know most people will
think, "How can you say you love him and then say that you don't have any
troubles when he goes out with another?"  There is a simple answer to that
question: I didn't say that.  I love him and if given the chance I would
probably jump his bones right there in the office, but I don't because I
don't want the physical to ruin what we have emotionally and spiritually.
Believe me, if there was a way for me and Mulder to be together and still
work like we do, I would do it.  But there isn't and it is wrong for me to
assume that he will just live on somedays.  

Mulder has had one of the world's worst childhoods. He was a genius and
didn't have many friends, lost his sister (the only person who really knew
and loved him), and lost the love and trust of his family.  Mulder is a
fabulous man with a great mind, but a heart that has been ruined by lies and
deceit.  I swear if I ever come across Phoebe Green again they won't be able
to identify her with dental records.  Mulder deserves to find love.  Even
though I love him and he knows it, that isn't enough.  For him to start
healing, he needs to also know love physically.  Someone has to tell and
show him that he is great and worthy of happiness if he is to ever get his
battered ego and heart back to peace. I wish that I could be the one to do
it, but our work is too important for us to complicate it with a deeper
relationship.  

Or at least that's what I thought until last night.





Personal Journal of Fox William Mulder
Saturday, December 20th


All right that is it, I just do not understand society and people at all
what so ever.  I have a degree in psychology from Oxford and I still draw a
blank in regards to people's perceptions of men and women.  Yes, I know that
it is common sense that men are attracted to beautiful women, but they don't
have to act on it all the time.  People who think like that are wasting up
good oxygen.  I mean, is it such a "spooky" idea for a man and woman to
spend a lot of time together and not have sex?  Apparently so seeing that
all I hear is how Scully and me have to be doing it.  I swear if I hear that
there is one more office pool about when we are going to finally admit that
we have been together I am going to take whoever is in charge of that pool
and turn them into an X-File.  (One that I will conveniently forget about
for a few years)  

People act like all there is to men and women is sex, if that was true than
me and Frohike should be very content with our videos and celebrity skin.
But that isn't it.  Don't people realize that there is more than just the
physical out there?  There is love, compassion, and trust.  Those are the
things that really matter, not sex (although it's a good thing to have
also).  So why can't people just get on with their lives and leave Scully's
and mine alone?  

You know if this is what people think about me when they have no idea what I
think or feel, I would hate to know what their minds would come up with if
they knew that I admit that I am in love with Scully.  Yeah shocking isn't
it??  Although I don't know why, I mean I do believe that the truth is out
there.  Well, my love for Scully is one of the best truths that I know of.
It is almost up there with the truth of knowing that she loves me back just
as much.  Yeah who would have guessed it, the FBI's most unwanted, old
"Spooky" Mulder was able to fall in love with someone and by some miracle
that person feel in love with him also.  Wonders never cease.  Although
whenever Scully is concerned it is a wonder.  That little (never call her
that to her face or you'll find yourself with a new one) fireball can pack a
punch and knows how to throw me for a loop or turn me on my ass.  And I love
her for it.  Her determination and dedication, that is what has gotten me
through all these years.  Like I told her in my hallway, she makes me a
whole person.  

I guess that is why I'm here right now venting out my frustrations.  I know
that what Scully and I have is special and that it runs deep, but apparently
others can't seem to see that.  Sure they believe they see how much we mean
to each other, but they can't even get past the first layer of what is
Scully and I.  That's why they can't understand that despite the fact that
we love each other, we can't be together that way.  (But we came close
before that bee decided to make its presence known)  Scully and I have so
much work to do.  We have only seen a fraction of the truth and we won't
rest until we have it all and it is out in the open.  "They" are going to
lose this game and we are going to continue to play, even if it reaches
sudden death.  The X-Files hold the key to our questions and is where we
need to be.  I don't want anyone else near them except myself and Scully.
We know each other, there is no one else we trust more, we know the X-Files,
and we have been in this game long enough to the rules.  Rule #1: Apart
Mulder and Scully are no match, but together they are a deadly combination.
You must do what ever you need to make sure they aren't together.  Rule #2:
Mulder and Scully can't be torn apart. (Flukemen, liver eating mutants,
three-month abductions, cancer, alien implantation, etc.)  Nothing has
worked so far and nothing will.  And finally Rule #3: Crossing the line will
get in the way. 

Now, I am not going to sit here and say that I have never thought about that
line that lies between me and Scully and thought about just running past it
and into her part of the playing field.  I have thought of it, frequently
the truth be told.  But we both know that we can never take that final step
while there is so much to do.  We work best together and if we were to
change things there would be no way that they would let us continue to work
together.  And for both of us the truth is what matters.  Like what all did
they do to Scully while she was gone, what exactly was Emily and are there
anymore of her out there, what really was Scully's cancer and what did that
chip really do, etc.  We have a lot of work ahead of us and know what we
have to do to get it done.  If that means that we have to keep things the
way they are, so be it.

But believe me, if there were a way around it I would be the first one
taking it.  Scully is such a wonderful person and woman.  Not only is she
the best agent that I have ever worked with, but she is the most beautiful,
caring, and loving person I know.  Which is just another reason why we can't
change things.  For all the talk to the evolution of males, the FBI is still
a "boy's club" and Scully is a threat to them.  Her strength and
intelligence scares men shitless.  (There has been many a time where I have
been speechless while she works)  She doesn't need the rumors and comments
about sleeping with her "boss" (although she is my equal if not my superior
at times) added to the rest of the crap that is thrown her way.  I just wish
that she could find someone who wasn't afraid of her.  Beneath that tough,
no non-sense, take care of business attitude, there is the most beautiful
creature that God ever put on this planet.  I hope that one day some guy
finally wakes up enough to realize that she is a true marvel and grabs her
before she can get away.  Scully deserves happiness and peace, seeing that
she gets is the exact opposite at work.  I wish that I could be the one to
give it to her, but right now there are more important things that we have
to do that take precedence over hormones.

Or at least that's what I thought until last night.





Federal Bureau of Investigation Conference Hall
Holiday Dinner
Friday, December 19th
7:00 p.m.


Mulder was bored out of his mind.  Here he was once again at another mind
numbing FBI function or as he liked to call them "butt kissing sessions".
Unfortunately, this year he had to come and make the token appraisal to his
superiors.  After being put in a psychiatric hospital, having your office
burned to the ground and then repaired, trekking across Antarctica, his
other run of the mill escapades during his cases, and the fact that he and
Scully had just got the X-Files back from Spender and Fowley, Mulder knew
that he had to put a good foot forward.  For both his and Scully's sakes. 

'Where is she anyway?' he thought, as he looked at his watch for the fifth
time within the last half an hour.  If he had to go through this long night
in an uncomfortable tuxedo, at least he could have her as company, but she
wasn't there.  She had told Mulder while he was leaving that she was going
to wait for some test results to come from the lab before she left to get
ready, so she might be late.  She was now over an hour late and Mulder was
ready to shoot himself in his foot to get out of there.

Luckily he was saved from having to inflict that particular pain on himself
when he heard a familiar voice from his side.  "Such a waste that a good
looking G-man like yourself is stuck here all alone with no one to keep you
company," Scully said as she sat in the seat next to him.

Mulder smiled at her as she took her place next to him.  "Well, at least
it's better than spending the evening listening to Frohike speak of his
undying affection for a beautiful redhead."

"Hey don't rain on my parade.  Compliments from Frohike are the only things
that brighten my days," Scully said as she sipped her glass of champagne.
"But if you ever tell him I said that, I will shoot you again and aim lower
this time," she smiled.

"Well, go ahead and do your worst I have my own personal physician on call
who will take care of what ever damage you try to do to me.  I love to play
doctor with her."  He wriggled his eyebrows at her and she smiled.

"So, have I missed anything exciting?  No let me guess, people have been
coming up to you this evening asking where Mrs. Spooky is.  Asking if there
was only enough sanity and normalcy between the two of us for only one to be
able to venture out to this thing?" she said with a little venom in her voice.

"No nothing like that, but if they were talking of sanity or normalcy
Scully, neither of us would ever walk out into the day again."

"Hey I'm perfectly sane and normal, it's just that my version of it
disagrees with everyone else's.  So how long have you been here?"

"About an hour.  I figured that if I got here when it began I could leave
early.  What did the results from the lab say?"

"Nothing just the basics, been dead two weeks.  Death occurred due to
strangulation and the drugs in the system were put in there postmortem.
Basic day at the office stuff."  She took another drink and looked around at
all the agents talking and dancing.  "Listen, you've done your fair share of
this thing.  If you want to head out and go home, go ahead.  I'll stay the
rest of evening and make the small talk for the division.  I'll even be good
and play nice with Spender."

"Spender's here?"  Mulder looked around for his least favorite agent and
then returned his gaze to Scully who was smiling.  "Don't say things like
that woman or I may just leave you here to fend for yourself.  All I need
this evening is Spender.  That would just top the evening off.  Between that
and those stupid 'Where's the little Mrs. Spooky out chasing little green
men?' comments I'm ready to go postal."

Scully smiled at him in understanding.  "Tell me about it.  I had just made
it into the hall and then Agent Davis comes up and asks me if we are finally
investigating some real cases or are we still using governmental money and
the bureau as a playground for our love affair. He is lucky I couldn't wear
my gun in this dress.  You would think that people would have better things
to do than talk about me and you."

"Yes you would, but then again look at the people we are talking about here,
government employees."

"Hey, I'm a government employee?"

"Yes you are, but you've worked with me for seven years.  I have been able
to rid you of the standard bullshit and taught you how to be a true FBI agent."

Scully turned around and bowed her head and hands to Mulder. "Oh yes I have
learned much from you ol' great one."

"Watch it Scully or I'll give Frohike a copy of the key to your apartment."

"Sorry Mulder didn't mean to go there.  It's just that I am getting fed up
with this stupid office gossip about you and me.  There has got to be other
things to talk about or at least other agents to annoy.  Although you know,
this whole thing could be avoided if you would just go out and get a life.
Then they wouldn't talk about me and you."

"Hey I don't need a life.  I am quite happy living in my little world that
consists of the basement and my apartment.  Anyway, why do I have to get the
life?  You are an equal part of this team you can easily go get one and then
the gossip will stop," Mulder told her as he took a sip of his champagne.

"I don't think so Mulder.  Remember I had a life for the first year of our
partnership, then it just got in the way of our work.  And in case that
perfect photographic memory of your's has forgotten, the last few times that
I have tried to get a life it has completely backfired.  I've gotten
attacked by a guy because of a psychotic tattoo and my own version of
Chucky.  No thank you Mulder I am quite happy living in my own little world
spending my time investigating the X-Files.  Besides, of the both of us, you
are the one who can get a life easiest.  I mean you really don't even have
to get a new life." Scully stated as she pointed in the direction where
Diana Fowley was talking with some other agents.  "All you have to do is go
say hello and talk with her and I am sure you two can pick up where you left
off.  Despite all that's happened professionally, I'm sure she'd forget
about it all if it meant something happening between you two personally.
That would get everyone to shut up about you and me."

"Ooohhh no I do not think so Scully," Mulder said as he grabbed another
glass from the waiter passing by.  "I do not need or want to bring up
anything that pertains to my ex-wife or the short time we were together.
That time was not the greatest in my life and I have no wishes to replay it
again.  That whole Gibson Praise incident reflects how we are together.  We
get so wrapped up in each other that we forget everything around us."  He
grabbed Scully's hand, "and I have no intentions of having a repeat
performance of 'our' relationship like it was when we didn't have the
X-Files.  Besides I'm quite happy with the way things are right now.  I see
no need to change it."

"Here here I agree."  Scully picked up her glass and they toasted.  "To the
way things are and too bad no one else can realize that it's just the way we
want it."

"To the way things are." Mulder agreed.

Dinner was served shortly after.  As usual, the table conversation only
complimented the rubber chicken and undercooked steak. The other agents at
the table were involved in their own little worlds, once or twice looking at
Mulder and Scully.

Mulder leaned over to Scully and whispered in her ear, "You're the doctor.
Can't you think of something to get out of here?  What about the stomach flu
or salmonella?"  Scully just looked at him.  He pouted his lower lip, "Come
on Scully, help me out here.  This is worse than that road trip to that
partner communication skills seminar.  And I only wanted you to kill me
then.  Just imagine what I'm thinking now."

Scully smiled at that.  "Well, sorry to disappoint you Mulder, but remember
the kind of doctor that I am.  I only deal with dead patients.  If you want
my help you'll have to die."

"Hey I'm up for it.  Anything to get out of here.  What do I need, a heart
attack, struck by lightning, flesh eating bacteria?"

"Mulder, you do realize that you just made me lose my appetite?'

"That's okay, find us a way to get out of here and we can stop and get
cheese steaks and have some real food."

Scully looked at him. "No way Mulder, isn't happening.  Whenever cheese
steaks are involved the Lone Gunmen follow.

"Come on Scully, I'm sure Frohike would get a kick out of your dress.  And
besides, you have to admit, they are much better company than what we
presently have."  He waved his hand around the room for emphasize.

"All right, let's wait till the end of dinner.  I'll grab one dance with
Skinner just to make sure that he knows I came and let me make the
occasional 'you've done a great job this year' to our favorite big wigs and
we'll get out of here.  But one comment from Frohike or the guys on how I
should be on top of wedding cake and I'm taking my sandwich, yours and
theirs and going home to enjoy them all by myself."

"No you won't woman!  Try and touch my sandwich and I'll hurt you like a
certain beast woman."  They both laughed and continued to move their food
around their plates to pass the time.  After the dinner plates had been
removed, the band set up and the agents started to dance.  

Scully turned to Mulder.  "All right, I'll go find Skinner and get the dance
done.  You know it wouldn't hurt you to take one spin around the floor.  We
have had a busy year, let's at least appear to be somewhat normal and
appreciative."  Mulder just stared at her with a look that said 'Excuse me,
where have you been the last seven years.'  Scully responded to his look, "I
said appear Mulder, I didn't say we were."  She smiled at him.

"All right, you grab Skinner and I'll grab Kimberly.  That way we can switch
partners after the dance without troubles."  They get up and head over to
Skinner's table.

Skinner saw them coming over and ended his conversation with the other
agents.  "Agents Mulder and Scully, nice to see you two this evening."

"Thank you sir," they said in unison.

"Agent Scully may I escort you to the dance floor?" Skinner said as he held
out his hand to her.

"Thank you sir."  Scully took his hand and they started to dance.

Mulder turned to Kimberly.  "Come on Mulder, let's go get this over with and
give the gossip hounds something to talk about while they get drunk.""
Kimberly said as she led him onto the floor.

Scully and Skinner were on the other side of the dance floor.  "Agent Scully
I want to thank you for coming this evening and getting Mulder to agree to
come also."  He told her as they danced.

"We figured we did enough damage and made enough noise this past year that
we should at least attempt to appear like normal agents and seem grateful
for our jobs.  Plus, do the preverbal bow down to the higher ups."  She said.

"Then how come Mulder hasn't come around to me?"  He asked with a smirk on
his face.

"We see you everyday, we knew it would be pointless with you.  Besides, who
said I'm letting Mulder do the talking?  I just told him to show up, dress
nice, and don't' scare the other agents off.  I would do the rest.  I would
like to keep my job and if I let Mulder do the talking, I wouldn't be here
much longer."  Scully and Skinner laughed.

"Just try and keep this year's excitement down to a minimum.  Antarctica,
Dallas, the new office, and the Bermuda Triangle were enough.  I don't know
who got the bigger headache this year accounting or medical.  I don't even
want to think about what Mulder would do to top this past year."

"I'll try, but no promises."

"That's all I ask."  Skinner spun her around and they continued to dance.
	
Across the room Mulder was watching Scully and Skinner and he checked his
watch.  'Is it time to get out of here yet?' he thought.

"You know Mulder, looking at your watch isn't going to get you out of here
faster," Kimberly said.

Mulder looked at her, "Huh?"

"Believe me, I've been doing it for the past hour and I am still here.  So
if it isn't gonna get me out of here sooner, than isn't going to work for
you either."

"I can hope can't I?"

"Yes you can, but it still isn't going to happen.  So what are you planning
to do to get out here?  Call in a bomb threat or something?"

"No I figured I'd let Scully be my diversion while dancing with Skinner and
I'd just grab you to myself.  That way we could run out of here and into the
night."  He smiled down at her.

"Nice try Mulder, but I won't leave Skinner here alone with out me to back
him up.  Besides, my date wouldn't be too pleased if I left him.  And I
wouldn't want to think what Dana would do to you if you left her here alone
to deal with all the agents.  One minute alone with Spender or Fowley and
you would have to go down to the police station to get her out for murder."
They both laughed.  Kim looked over at Skinner and Scully and then returned
to Mulder.  "I think it's time we changed partners and give you and Scully a
chance to get out here.  That way we can give the gossip hounds at the bar
something to talk when you two leave together."

Mulder looked at her, "What would I do without you Kimberly?"

"Probably be the only topic of conversation around if I didn't direct the
secretaries into other territory.  At least with me around I can let you
know what is going on with the office pools and who's saying what.  Come on,
let's get you guys out of here."  They headed over to where Skinner and
Scully were.

"Took you long enough to get over here and rescue your partner Mulder.  Hope
you're timing isn't like this in field."  Skinner said as he and Mulder
exchanged partners.

"No sir, I just figured I'd just let her dance with someone who knew how to
before I stepped all over her feet."

"I think I've changed my mind, Kim you can have Mulder back."  Scully said.

"No thank you.  My toes hurt enough already.  It's your turn have all the
fun."  She said as she led Skinner off.

Scully turned to Mulder.  "All right, almost out of here.  One dance and we
split.  Just remember, you owe me a cheese steak and you have to protect me
from any comments from the Gunmen."

"You don't need me to protect you Scully.  You can take perfect care of
yourself.  If anything I need protection from you.  I have a gun shot wound
to prove you are quite capable of handling yourself."

She smiled at him.  "Yes I know I can protect myself.  But I figured that
since I had to wear this dress, listen to stupid conversation, and kiss
enough butt to last me a lifetime, that for the rest of the evening I am
going to enjoy myself and turn off my brain for the rest of the holiday.
That means you do the important stuff, like keeping Frohike at bay."

Mulder saluted her, "Aye aye captain."  A new song came on and they
continued to dance.

Wouldn't you know it I've lost my courage
Isn't that funny me lost for words?
Not that it really matters, 'cause I know you know
And you would have told me yourself if you could

Remember the first time, we met each other?
You were in your world and I was in mine
Breaking down the barriers, we broke all the rules
But wasn't it good, wasn't it fine?
While I took for granted, you took your time
Longing for love oh how we tried
It's over now that's understood, but wasn't it good?

So long together, two would be lovers
Caring for flowers that just wouldn't grow
And in all of our tomorrows, we'll have yesterday
And wasn't it good, wasn't it fine?

While I took for granted, you took your time
Longing for love, oh how we tried
It's over now that's understood..
But wasn't it good

Wasn't it fine?
While I took for granted you took your time
Longing for love, oh how we tried
It's over now that understood
But wasn't it good?


As the song faded away, Mulder and Scully pulled apart and by unspoken
agreement made their way out of the hall.  They grabbed their coats and
left.  On their way to the Lone Gunmen Headquarters with the cheese steaks
in hand for the boys, both of them kept thinking about the song and how it
fit them perfectly.  They both were in their own worlds till they had met
each other.  Then they grew to trust and love each other and all the walls
between them (except for one physical one) had been pulled down.  Antarctica
and all that happened with it showed them that they had been taking things
for granted and going at their own pace.  They both longed for the same
thing, but didn't want it to ruin all that they had worked for with the
X-Files.  But they couldn't keep living on tomorrows, because they would
soon only be left with yesterdays because tomorrow would eventually no
longer be an option if they took too long.  But was the right moment now?


End 1/13

No One But You 2/13
DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glasscity.net
-----------------------



Lone Gunmen Headquarters
9:30 p.m.


They pulled into the space adjacent to the Lone Gunmen Headquarters and got
out.  Mulder rang the buzzer.  "Hey guys its us.  We got cheese steaks and
just for Frohike, Scully's in a nice black dress."  He winked at Scully.

"What's the password?" they heard Byers ask.

"That I'm going to go home with your guys' sandwiches and change my mind
about becoming Frohike's love slave.  Now let me in, I'm cold."  Scully said.

The door opened and Langly let them in while he took the sandwiches from
Scully.  "I knew there was a reason why we liked you two so much.  You know
just what we like and when it need it."  He said as he led them into the
shop where Frohike and Byers were hunched over a computer.

"Don't tell me you guys are surfing all the X rated pages on the Internet.
You know there are healthier ways to spend a Friday night."  Scully said as
she moved between Byers and Frohike to see what they were looking at.

"Who needs to search the web?  All I have to do is borrow Mulder's
collection and my Friday night is set."  Frohike said to her.

"Oh well, that's too bad Frohike.  If you're happy with paper and picture,
I'll have to find someone else to play with."  Scully playfully said back to
him.

"For you Agent Scully, I would personally burn all of my tapes and magazines
and Mulder's for that matter."

"Hey, I'm not the one who worships the deity of Dana.  Leave my belongings
out of this."  Mulder piped in as he came over to the computer.

"Come on Mulder, you get rid of those things and you have to get that life
that we were talking about earlier."  Scully winked at him.

"Mulder getting a life, that is about as likely as you guys actually not
having any evidence disappear."  Langly said as he handed the sandwiches
out.  "So what brings you guys by here?"

"Well, we just left the lovely little FBI holiday get together and needed
real food and conversation.  Who else to share it with than you guys?"
Mulder said.

"Besides, I wanted to stop by and give you guys your Christmas gifts before
I head out of town for the holidays."  Scully said as she pulled out a gift
for each of the Gunmen.  "Merry Christmas and Happy New Years guys."

"Thanks Scully," they each said in turn.

Frohike left his space to put the gifts under the tree in the corner.
Scully took his seat and looked at the screen.  "So what has you guys so
enthralled anyway?" she asked.

"Frohike's just arguing with a new Internet friend over your guy's little
adventure in Antarctica.  This guy online swears Russian officials faked the
seismograph readings so the government could send more money to their base
down there.  He believes it is where they are stockpiling nuclear weapons
and government spies."  Langly said.

"While Frohike here is trying to explain that it was a UFO from aliens that
are in league with the government."  Byers added.

"Mulder how many times have I told you not to bring your little friends into
your warped little imaginative world?" Scully said.

"Scully you were there.  Hell you had an alien forming in you.  How can you
not believe what I told you?"

Scully looked at him and said, "Mulder, if I believed everything you said,
then we wouldn't have any of our many heated conversations on belief verses
science.  Then where would I get my entertainment?" Scully playfully said to
him.  "Besides, my need for proof has gotten us farther along than just
believing hasn't it?"  

Mulder ignored her last comment, trying to forget how he treated her when
she first said that she believed in him, but that she needed real proof to
"believe."  "Scully if you want fun and games, I'm sure Frohike could come
up with something to help keep you occupied," Mulder answered back.

Frohike was back in the conversation.  "Mulder I'm sure my games just pale
in comparison to the fun Scully has egging you on.  That's why we love her
so much.  No one else can get under your skin so well and still get away
with it."

"And here I thought you liked it for me to come around so you could look at
my body," Scully said to Frohike.  "All this time you just wanted me for my
mind.  You sure know how to deflate a girl's ego."

Byers and Langly laughed.  Frohike just looked amazed at her.

"Geeze Scully, can you get any worse tonight?"  Mulder patted Frohike on the
back to bring him into the present.  " I think you might have almost given
Frohike a heart attack there."

"Mulder you don't want to know how much worse I can get.  I just figured a
little good natured holiday fun was allowed and besides Frohike is the best
one to play with," Scully answered.

Mulder pouted his lip, "seven years of partnership and all my comments.  She
finally catches on and all my hard work is wasted on Frohike.  I swear I
just can't win."

"There there Mulder."  Langly patted him on the back.  "You knew one day
Scully would grow up and move on to other play mates.  You have to learn to
share your toys."

Scully and Byers burst into laughter.

"Don't even make a comment about my 'toys' Scully!" Mulder told her.

Scully tried to stop laughing.  "I wasn't going to say a thing about your
toys.  I was just going to say that you never play with others and that's
why you are in the basement."

"Then what's your excuse Scully?"

"I just love weird men who look for government conspiracies around every
corner and have the knack for getting in the middle of them."

"Well then Scully, you need to stop hanging around Mulder and become the
first Lone Gunwoman.  We have more theories than Mulder."  Frohike said.

"Yes, but I don't know if I could trust myself around you Frohike.  At all
the theories you have, I would just become enamored by you."

This time Langly and Mulder laughed.  Byers left the room.

"So that's why you've stayed by Mulder all these years.  You've finally
fallen to his charms and paranoia.  At least I lost you to a man after my
own heart." Frohike said as he kissed her hand.

Byers came back into the room and gave Scully her gift from them.  "Enough
Frohike or she'll become afraid of your gift.  Merry Christmas Agent Scully.
We hope you have a nice holiday this year."

"Thank you Byers and thank you too Langly and Frohike.  See Mulder, the
Gunmen remember Christmas and it took you, what, almost five years to
remember my birthday, maybe I should join them."  She smiled at them all.

"Then who would I find to call in the middle of the night and bug?  Who
would I send my dead bodies too?"

"I get dead bodies and three in the morning phone calls. What more does a
girl want?"  Scully smiled at Mulder and thought she saw a little hurt in
his eyes at her comment.

"So when do you leave for San Diego?" Byers asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon.  Mom and I leave Dulles at 1.  Charlie's ship isn't due
to dock until Sunday night, so we'll have all Saturday night and Sunday
afternoon to get settled into the hotel and ready for Monday at Bill's."

"You won't be staying at your brother's this year?"  Byers asked.

"No after last year, I am not really in the mood to deal with Bill and his
attitude.  I'd stay here in D.C over the holidays if it wasn't for the fact
that this will be the first time I've seen Charlie in years."

Frohike turned to Mulder.  "Well Mulder, since Scully's out of town you're
welcome to join us.  We're going to New York for the week."

Mulder looked at Scully and thought he saw a little pain in her eyes knowing
that she knew he was going to be alone this year.  "Maybe guys, we'll see.
If a case doesn't come up."

"Mulder it's the holidays.  Take a few days off.  Besides, I don't need you
getting into trouble when I'm on the other side of the country.  All though
if something did come up you could ask Agent Fowley for help," Scully said.

Mulder choked on his bite of his sandwich and the Gunmen laughed.  "Scully
never say a thing like that to man about his ex.  Especially when he has
food in his mouth.  Besides as I already told you I don't really care to
open that can of worms again."

"Mulder, take a chance. You act like she's a piranha.  It is just a simple
'hello, how have you been?' that you have to say."  Byers said to him.
"Besides, Scully's right, a life would do you good and you and Diana were
good together."

Frohike noticed that Scully's expression changed at Byers' words and he
decided to change the subject.  "So Agent Scully, you're dressed in one of
the most beautiful pieces of clothing I have ever seen, and spending Friday
night with the four of us."  He looked at the guys in the room.  "Does
anyone else here see a problem with this picture or is it just me?"

"It's simple Frohike.  You four have ruined me for other men.  I'll be the
old lady at the end of the street who talks about government conspiracies
and to my cats.  While you guys are off with your families trying to forget
you ever knew me."

"For that to happen we would have to get out of our hovel and venture into
the world," Langly said.

"Yeah won't happen. We'll just be the four weird guys that share the house
with you, but I will have dogs to talk to," Frohike said.

Scully smiled, "well, at least I won't be alone.  To the future."  She held
her sandwich up in a salute and the others did the same.

All three of the Gunmen were thinking the same thing.  'If Mulder and Scully
continued as they were, that could possibly be where they ended up, alone.
Something had to give soon or their partnership was going to bear the
burden.'  Mulder was thinking how sad it all sounded.  He knew Scully was
joking, but he realized that if he wasn't careful, he would end up like
that.  He needed to change things now, but in doing that, it would shift the
balance he and Scully had and he was sure that she didn't want to move
further while there was so much she still had to do at the bureau.  Scully
was thinking the same as Mulder.  If things kept going as they were, she
would be alone.  It was time for her to change some things and get that life
her and Mulder joked about.  Problem was, Mulder was in that life that she
wanted and she knew that he didn't want to change things while there was so
much in the X-Files to do and Sam to still find.

They continued for the next few hours talking and joking until Scully
decided she needed to get home and get some rest before her trip.

"Thank you guys for cheering me up this evening," Scully said as they left.

After Mulder and Scully left, the Gunmen went back to their computers.  "Did
you guys notice the extra jabbing they were tossing at each other?" Byers asked.

"Yeah, at every corner there they were joshing each other," Langly said.

"Something's about to happen guys. Things are gonna change soon." Frohike said.

"What makes you say that?" the other Gunmen asked.

"Simple.  Mulder finally told Scully about Diana, they've got the X-Files
back on track and where they want them.  They're learning more of the truth
and you can tell by the playing that was going on between them that they
have finally wised up and come to terms with their feelings."  Frohike said.

"Well that's nothing new.  We've know for a while that they love each
other," Byers said.

"Yeah, we've know and others around them have known also.  But for all the
intelligence between Mulder and Scully they were blind as a bat.  They
finally opened their eyes and realized it. Now that they know it, there are
only two ways to handle it. Acknowledge they love each other , but do
nothing about it and keep things as they are," Frohike said.

"Which can only lead to worse tensions between them than they already have,"
Langly added.

"Or act on it."

"Which would change things between them personally and professionally,"
Byers added.

"A basic no win situation.  'Cause no matter which way they go trouble will
follow," Langly added.

"I don't think so, if they finally act on it, it will only strengthen
things.  Sure it will take a while to get use to it and how to balance the
personal and professional aspect of it.  But they can handle it.  The
problem is that they can't realize that each one is waiting for the other
one to finally make the move.  It can only stay like this for so long before
they give up and move on.  That will only cause even more friction between
them," Frohike said.

"Well then, during this time that Scully is gone, we'll have to try and
steer Mulder in the right direction.  Their work is too important to let
this get in the way.  And they both need some happiness in their lives,"
Byers said and then they decided to end the conversation.





Mulder's car En route to Scully's Apartment
12:45 a.m.


The ride to Scully's place was spent in their usual comfortable silence.
Even though neither Mulder nor Scully were feeling very comfortable. Both
couldn't stop thinking about what had been said during the evening.  'Am I
really happy with how things are in my life right now, or am I just
comfortable with it and not willing the chance to change it?' they both
thought.  

'Maybe it's time to shake things up a bit,' Scully thought.  She looked over
at Mulder and then thought back to the last time she tried to shake things
ups.  'No, I don't want a repeat performance of that.  Besides, this time
Mulder is what I would want not a tattoo and I can't guarantee that he can
handle or wants to handle it right now.  But I don't want to stay like this
and be alone,' She thought.

Mulder looked over and saw Scully staring at him.  "Everything okay Scully?"

"Oh yeah fine, I just dazed out there for a few minutes," she turned and
looked back out the window.

Mulder alternated between looking at the road and Scully.  'Something has
got to give,' he thought.  'Tonight just proves it.  I want something more
and we've danced around this thing for far too long.  But do I want to risk
losing what I do have with Scully on an off chance she would want to change
things?'  Mulder pulled up to Scully's apartment.

"Thanks for me giving a ride Mulder.  You have a good holiday and try to
keep out of trouble when I'm not around."

"Sure, I'll do my best.  Can that count as my Christmas gift then?" he
smiled at her.

Scully laughed.  "You not getting in trouble for 2 full weeks when I'm not
around, I would not only consider that my Christmas, but also my birthday
present for the next few years."  She opened the door and walked around to
Mulder's side of the car.  Mulder rolled down the window Scully kissed him
on the cheek.  "Just relax and enjoy your time off.  I need you refreshed
when I get back so we can start the fun all over again."

"You do the same.  Tell your mom I said hi."

"I will, I'll even tell Bill you say happy holidays too."

Mulder cringed.  "Just avoid me at all times around Bill."

"I was joking, but Charlie is a free market when it comes to talking about you."

"Hey I think I should at least be introduced to the guy before you start
talking about me behind my back to him."

Scully laughed, "goodnight Mulder."
	
"Night Scully."

Scully went into her apartment and Mulder drove off.





Personal Journal of Fox William Mulder Continued
Saturday December 20th


That's what has got me here sitting on my couch writing a bunch of words
down on paper.  It's either this or bouncing my basketball along the floor
and my neighbors got sick of that around six a.m.  That's when I began
writing in here.

What in the hell am I going to do?  I have figured it out.  Despite what I
said earlier, I no longer am happy with how things are.  I do not want to be
alone anymore, but I don't want just anyone.  I want Scully.  Now my only
problem is, does she want me?  Well I know she loves me, but I don't know if
she wants to move this thing between us to the next level.  (God I sound
like some Buddhist monk here)  I have been thinking about this since I got
home.  For all the reasons that there are for me and Scully not to become
lovers, I have equal arguments that we should.  1) They could use it against
us.  But they already use our trust and faith in each other as it is.
(Three of the longest months in my life come to mind)  So, that wouldn't be
anything new.  2) It would change the way we work with each other as
partners.  But we are both professionals and adults.  We are already
together in every other sense.  What difference does the physical make?  I
believe that we can keep out hormones in check and not end up doing it in
our office on my desk.  (Although I wouldn't mind it once, hey I am a guy)
3) The bureau would separate us. They tried that already and it didn't work.
Besides, the X-Files are starting to make some true head way and have
actually been getting more respect.  There are no other agents who would
want to work with me (except for Diana, but she's my ex and if I couldn't
have Scully because she's my lover, then my ex can't work with me either).
4) Scully would be thought of as a slut who is just sleeping with her boss
"to get ahead" and wouldn't get any respect.  Well, we know that's stupid.
First off, related to the X-Files in any way sort of kills your chance for
advancement and despite the times that she has had the chance to leave she
has stayed of her own choice.  And as for the respect, she doesn't get that
much of it now since she has stepped onto the sacred ground of "The Boy's
Club."  As an agent, I can't think of anyone better than her.  Hell she
makes me look like a first year rookie half of the time.

You see there is no real reason for me and Scully not to move forward.
Except for the fact that maybe she doesn't want to, but I don't think that
is a possibly.  I at least hope not, because I have made my decision.  I'm
going to go over to her place (I have to give her the real Christmas gift
anyway) and let her know that when she comes back after  New Years, I want
to finally cross that line and give myself to her heart, soul, mind, and
body.  Even though she already has had every one of them for the past four
years.  I gave her them the day she woke up from her coma and said 'Not Fox,
Mulder.'  It just took me this long to realize that I want to truly let her
know this and move from there.

So I am off to give Scully her gift and my heart.  And this time I am going
to make sure it ends the way I want it.  Even if I have to check everywhere
for bees and convince her that it isn't drugs talking.



FWM





Personal Journal of Dana Katherine Scully Continued
Saturday December 20th


So there you have it.  That's what has gotten me where I am at this moment.
Now I'm making sure that I have everything I need for my two weeks in San
Diego with my family.  Praying that Bill and I can get along and be civil to
each other.  Hoping that Charlie hasn't bought everything Bill has said
about Mulder at face value.  And worrying about how I am going to handle the
fact that I am tired of playing games and want to erase that damn line we
have between Mulder and me and take the next step.

I have concluded that I do not care what it could mean to my career or
reputation or the X-Files.  Because as long as I have Mulder by my side, we
can fight them and come out on the other side as winners (even if it doesn't
always seem like it).  We can make this work.

Now all that I have to do is decide when and how to tell Mulder.  Then I
have to convince him that it is the right thing to do.  Despite all that we
said last night I am happy with my life, except for the fact that Mulder
isn't in it more.  That is what is going to be a challenge, making Mulder
see that even though doing this will bring more complexity into our lives,
nothing else will change except that the tension will be gone.  He will
still be the same Mulder and I will be the same Scully. Except that we can
be them together.  I am going to have to make Mulder see that he is all that
I want and that his presence in my life has brought me nothing but
happiness.  Despite all that has happened, I would never change a thing,
even the Flukemen.  That's going to be tough, trying to erase all the
bullshit, crap and hurt that he has gone through for the past 25 years.  But
I'll be dammed if I let that stop me from getting what I want to be happy.

So there, that is my New Years resolution.  To tell Mulder that it's time to
change things and that I want to make sure that next New Years we spend
together as a couple.  Now my only question is how am I going to tell him
and when?  Well the when is easy, after I get back from San Diego, the how
is going to be tough.  I can't just go up and drop this bomb in his lap. "Hi
Mulder, I thought it was time I told you that I love you and to let you know
that I want to end the games."" That just doesn't seem to be the right way
to handle it.  But I've got two weeks to figure it all out.

Well, someone just knocked on my door so I'll end this for now and get back
to you after I've dealt with the Mulder situation.  I need to keep all my
concentration on it if I want to make sure I do it right.



DKS


End 2/13


No One But You 3/13
DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glasscity.net
----------------------

Scully's Apartment
Saturday December 20th
11 a.m.


Mulder stood outside of Scully's apartment and knocked on the door, drawing
up enough courage to get everything out that he wanted to say.

Scully answered the door and was surprised to see Mulder there.  "Hey
Mulder, what are you doing here?  Checking up on me or did you find a case?"
she smiled at him.

"No, I wanted to make sure that you got everything you needed for your trip
and to give you your real gift."  He brought a box out from behind his gave
it to her.  "Hope you like it."

She took the box and stepped aside for him to come in.  "Thanks.  Go sit
down on the couch and I'll get you your gift."  She went into her room and
Mulder propped his feet up on the coffee table and tried to calm down.  "I
was gonna wait till I got back, but since you brought me my gift, you can
have yours now."  She announced as she sat down next to him and handed him
his box.  "We can open them now since we won't be together for Christmas."
They opened their gifts at the same time and just looked at them.
	
"Mulder" "Scully" they said at the same time.

"Scully, where did you get this?" he asked as he pulled out a picture of him
and Samantha.  There was another one under it; it was a picture of him and
Scully together at a crime scene that had been taken for a newspaper
article.  Both of the pictures were in antique silver frames.

"I called your mother and asked her if she had any copies of that picture of
you and Sam that you kept at the office before it burned down.  I had to go
to her home one weekend and look through boxes, but I found it and had a
copy made of it so you could have it in the new office.  The photographer
for the newspaper sent me a copy of the picture of you and me and I figured
that since the only picture you ever liked of us together was burnt in the
fire, I should get you another one.  Have some sort of proof that we
actually worked together."  She smiled at him.

Mulder was brought to tears.  He put down the pictures and hugged Scully.
"They are perfect thank you."

"You're welcome and thank you for my gifts."  She answered him back as they
broke from the embrace.

"I wasn't sure if you would like it.  I had your mom help me find them for you."

Scully pulled out a leather medical journal diary with her initials and MD
on it.  She also pulled out the matching journal that came with it. It had
her full name and the X-Files embroidered on the cover and each page had the
inscription: 'The Truth is Out There' on it.

"When we went through the debris after the fire, I saw that the medical
journal that your father gave you when you gradated was destroyed.  I
thought you'd need another once since we are back in business.  So you can
put all the strange medical mysteries we came across down.  I also figured
you could use one just for the experiences we come across that aren't
medical marvels, or at least have a place to vent your frustrations out in,"
he explained with a smile.

"They're perfect Mulder. Thank you."  She hugged him and then kissed him on
the cheek.  He held her against his cheek a while longer.

"Scully," he said as he pulled away and looked into her eyes.  "The gift
isn't the only reason that I stopped by today."  He took a deep breath.  "I
wanted to speak with you before you left for San Diego because there is
something that has been on my mind for awhile now and I have to let you know
about it."

Scully was looking at him very intently.  Worrying if it was something bad
that he wanted to talk to her about.  She was getting worried.  Mulder got
up from the couch and walked around the room.  He stopped in front of her
window and looked out into the neighborhood.

"What is it Mulder?" Scully asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

"Scully," he started.  "You remember back at my apartment before you were
taken to Antarctica?"  She nodded to his back.  Mulder sighed and slumped
his shoulders down.  He turned around and looked at her, trying to keep his
tears at bay.  'You can do this' he thought.  'Just a few sentences and then
you can let her decide.  But what if she doesn't want it?'

"Mulder what is it, you're making me a little nervous.  Whatever it is you
just tell me and let me handle it.  Don't worry about trying to protect me."
Scully said.

Mulder walked over to her and sat on the coffee table in front of her so he
was at eye level.  "Scully," he paused again and closed his eyes.  Scully
rested her hand on his knee and squeezed it to let him know that he could go
at his own pace.  "Scully that night at my apartment.  When you told me that
you had given Skinner your letter of resignation, I thought my heart was
going to stop beating right then and there.  You have no idea what was going
through my mind.  I was worrying that if you quit, then I couldn't be there
to protect you."  He shushed her response with a finger to her lips.  "Just
let me say this and then you can respond.  I know you don't need me to
protect you, but I have still taken that on as my responsibility.  But that
wasn't all that I was thinking about.  I was also thinking that if you
weren't there, then it would only be a matter of time before I was gone."

"As I told you that night, you are the one who keeps me honest.  You've help
make the X-Files respectable.  I couldn't have done any of this if you
hadn't been there with me.  But despite that, it wasn't even the most
important thing that I was thinking at the time.  The most important thought
going through my mind was that you were leaving me.  Not just the X-Files or
the bureau, but me too.  Since we no longer would be working together, you
would have no reason to stay in contact with me."  

Scully tried to speak again, but Mulder stopped her.  "No let me get through
this while I can.  All my mind could flash to was all that you have gone
through the last six years: Tooms, EBE's, Krycek, your abduction, Donnie
Pfaster, New Mexico, Melissa, Modell, your time in jail when you went up
against Congress, Gerry Schnauz, your cancer, Emily, the control they
inflict on you through your chip.  All of that you have gone through because
of your work with the X-Files and me.  I was worried that you would see all
the pain that you've gone through because of your acquaintance with me.  I
was afraid that you had finally decided to say the hell with it and be rid
of me for good.  That just about killed me right then and there.  I couldn't
think of anything except you were leaving me. Not the bureau or the X-Files,
but me forever.  Scully, for the past six and a half years you have been my
life.  You keep me from crawling further into the dark and never being able
to get back out.  You showed me that there was good in the world and
happiness was possible for me.  Every minute that I got to spend with you,
whether we were arguing over a case, working on an expense report, driving
to a crime scene, or just sitting around in silence.  Every single moment of
it I have cherished and loved.  For awhile now, you have been the one
constant in my life.  You've stood by my side no matter what stupid things
I've done or said, and I've done a lot of them."  

Scully smiled at that comment, her eyes full of tears just waiting to be
shed.  "All of this that has happened and all that was said last night made
me realize that without you in my life, I have no life.  I wake up each
morning knowing that I'm going to walk into the basement office and see you
there for another day.  Your smile, your eyes, your voice, your mind, every
single thing that makes you who you are.  I love to see them each day.  That
is what has kept me going through all the hard times.  Not the X-Files, not
my search for Sam, not the search for the truth. Those are all that I wanted
to find, but it is you that keeps me going and looking for them."  He pulled
her hands into his and held them. "Scully, somewhere in the middle of all of
the this madness that has become our lives, I fell in love with you.  I
can't tell you when or where it happened. All that I know is that you are a
part of my heart and that without you I wouldn't make it. Since the day you
were abducted four years ago, I have lived with that knowledge and tried to
keep it from interfering with our work and partnership.  I didn't want to do
anything to jeopardize it or make you want to leave.  But what has happened
in the last few months has made me really think and realize that my love for
you isn't going to hurt you or me.  It just makes us stronger and more
determined.  I tried to keep it at bay, but when I thought I was going to
lose you, I had to tell you and let you know."

"Last night, when we were talking about how we were happy with how things
were and then at the Lone Gunmen when we joked about ending up old and
alone.  I realized that isn't what I want and I'm not happy with how my life
is right now.  I'm glad that the X-Files are back and that we are partners
again and that we've made it to another year.  But I'm not happy with the
fact that despite all the good things, I don't have someone to share them
with.  I don't have someone to tell everything I'm feeling to.  I don't have
someone to love and come home to just to hold and know that I am loved back
and depended on just as much as I depend on them."

"I'm 37 years old and just tired of being alone.  The movies and magazines,
they release the stress for a while, but they don't do anything for me
here." He took her hand and put it over his heart.  "Not a single one of
them or all of them put together can do for my heart what just one look at
you can do to it."

Scully couldn't help herself; the tears started to flow from her eyes and
her body started to shake.  "Oh Mulder," she wrapped her arms around him and
held onto him as she cried.  Soon she realized that he was crying too.  She
pulled away from him and tried to wipe her eyes.  She looked at him and
tried to speak but Mulder stopped her again.

"Before you say anything else, there is just one more thing that I have to
say to you and then you can speak your piece.  I love you with all of my
heart and all of my soul.  I know that there isn't anything that can compare
with what I have with you.  You are my soul mate and since the moment that
you entered into my office almost seven years ago, you have been a permanent
fixture in my life and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you."  He got off
of the table and searched his coat pocket for something.  He pulled out a
box and then pushed the coffee table back so he could sit on his knees in
front of Scully.  "Scully... Dana," he smiled.  "For the past few years
you've been by my side, listened to all my crazy theories, patched me up and
made sure I was okay.  You've put up with gossip; smart-ass comments from
other agents, reprimands, a not so official end to any further advancement
in your career, and still stood by me even when my trust in you faltered and
was misplaced to another.  You've done so much and gotten so little in
return.  I'm hoping this," he opened up the box and she looked inside to
find a gold band with a beautiful diamond in the center with two amethysts
on each side.  "I hope that this can only start to express all that you have
done for me and all that I want to say to you." 
 
Scully was crying again and shaking her head.  Mulder was worried for a
moment until he saw her smile at him.  He reached up and cupped her face and
kissed her.  It was soft; passion filled kiss that spoke of so many
promises.  Scully was so shocked that she just sat there.  When he pulled
away, Scully was about to speak when there was a knock at the door.

"Dana honey, you in there?" her mom asked.

"Just...just a second mom," Scully answered back.  

She looked at Mulder to see him putting on his jacket and gathering his
gifts.  She got up to stop him, but he continued.  When he was ready to
leave he walked over to her and looked her straight in the eye.  "You don't
have to say anything right now.  I just came here to finally tell you the
truth and to let you have the chance to digest it all over the next two
weeks.  Enjoy your time with your family."  He kissed her on the forehead
and whispered in her ear.  "I love you and no matter what this changes, I
always will and will never stop."  He walked over to the door and let Mrs.
Scully in.  "Hi Mrs. Scully, she's all yours," he said as he walked out the
door.

"Hello Fox, I didn't think that I'd get to see you and wish you a Merry
Christmas."

"You too.  I just stopped to give Scully her gift and to wish you two a good
trip.  Now get her out of here and make sure she gets some color on her
skin."  He kissed Mrs. Scully on the cheek and then looked over at Scully
who had composed herself.  "See you in two weeks." He said and left.

Mrs. Scully walked over to her daughter and sensed that she had come along
at an important moment.  "Dana, is everything alright?"

Scully nodded at her mom.  "Yes everything's fine, I'm just a little
emotional over the gifts from Mulder."

"I thought they would be perfect for you.  Did he like his gifts?"

"Yes he did."  Scully looked at her watch, "oh we better get going or we'll
miss our flight."  She went and grabbed her coat and bags.

"You got your gifts for everyone?"  Her mom asked as they left he apartment.

"Yeah I got everything," she said as she fingered Mulder's ring that she had
in her pocket.  "I can't wait to see Charlie again."  They put Scully's
things in the car and left for the airport.


End 3/13

No One But You 4/13
DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glasscity.net
----------------------

William Scully's residence
Monday December 22nd
12:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time


'Well this is just how I wanted to spend my holiday!' Scully thought as she
sat next to her mother on the couch in her brother Bill's living room.   The
whole family was sitting around listening to the news of Charlie's
engagement to the daughter of his captain.  

The moment the news came that the youngest of the Scully children was
finally settling down, Bill had to open his mouth and start in on the last
of the single Scully children.  "You know Dana, that just leaves you now.
If Charlie can find the time to find someone, you can too.  You at least are
around more than Charlie is since he is out to sea so much," he said.

"Bill, not everyone has to be married off.  What are you trying to do?  Get
rid of your kid sister and give her to someone else to handle."  She tried
to tease him to ease the tension.

"I know that, but I think it's time for you to move on and settle down.  You
went to medical school and graduated, joined the FBI and have a career
there.  Now I think that it is time that you worry about your personal life
and start thinking about Dana Scully the person, not Dana Scully the
professional.  Work with the bureau can only do so much for you, especially
working with Mulder.  You need to take all the chances you can get to find a
normal life."

Mrs. Scully and Charles noticed the look of hurt and anger that Scully gave
her brother.  "Look Bill," Charlie said trying to maintain the peace.  "Dana
doesn't need to go out get married and have 2.5 children and a house in the
suburbs.  She's doing what makes her happy and that is all that matters.  I
just wanted to find someone to be with so I don't have to be alone.  Dana's
always been the loner of us all and can take care of herself.  Besides, even
though she is my older sister, I don't really feel in the mood to share her
with another man."  Charlie winked at his sister and she said a silent
prayer for having at least one family member who understood.

"I know she can take care of herself, it's just that so many things have
happened in the past few years and I think that it is time that she moves
on." Bill said.

"Excuse me," Scully interrupted.  "But what do you mean move on and since
when have my personal and private life become your responsibility?  I'm
almost 35 years old, I can take care of myself."

"Dana I know you are perfectly capable of looking out for yourself, but you
have to admit over the past seven years, ever since you've been assigned to
Mulder and those damn X-Files your life has been turned upside down.  I just
think that you need to move on now and think about yourself instead of that
paranoid, Martian chasing idiot."  Bill said.

"Bill!!" Charles, Margaret and Tara all said at the same time.

"Listen Bill, it is the holidays.  This is the first time that I have seen
Charlie in years."

"And whose fault is that?  All the times that Charlie is around, you're off
on a case, " He said.

"Well yes.  But I just want to enjoy my time with him and I don't need you
going off on some tantrum in regards to my job or personal life."

"But that's just it Dana, you have no personal life.  You've had nothing of
your own life since the day Mulder was put into your life.  You have been
kidnapped, shot, given cancer, somehow had a child that none of us knew of
and to top it off we also lost Melissa.  I just think you now need to take
this chance and get away from him."

"Bill that is enough," Margaret said.

Charlie got up and grabbed his sister's and his own coat.  "Listen, mom,
Tara.  I know I said that I would help with dinner tonight, but I want to
get out and get some fresh air.  Dana you want to come along?"  He handed
his sister her coat before she could answer and they left the house.

The moment the door was closed Tara turned to her husband.  "Bill I can not
believe you just did that.  What in the hell were you thinking?"

"What do you mean?  I was just saying what we were all thinking.  It's time
for her to grow up and move on.  Stop playing this little FBI game and get a
family for herself.  I don't want her alone with Mulder as her only company."

"William Scully Jr.  I have never been so ashamed of you in all my life,"
Margaret said to him.

"What do you mean?  Mom, just last year at this time Dana had just barely
survived cancer and she found out about a daughter that she had that she had
no idea about.  She was so alone and depressed I could see her pain.  She
closed herself off to all of us.  She wouldn't talk to me or you or anyone,
except for Mulder and he's the cause for all of this.  She tells us so
little about what she really does, but from what she does tell us I know
that it is dangerous and stupid and that she needs to get away from it all
if she wants to have chance at a normal life."

"Bill, not everyone wants that normal life.  I have known your sister as
long as I have known you.  From the day I met her I have known that she is
different from all other women.  She can take care of herself.  Yes she has
had some troubles in the last few years, but she has survived.  Last year
was rough on her and we did not help things at all."  She shushed his
response.  "None of us helped her, she needed support even if she didn't ask
for it.  Now things are better for her this year and she is happy, or she
was until you started in on Mulder and her work.  This is the first time
that we have all been together and it could be the last time for awhile.  I
want to have a nice family holiday with no arguments."

"Yes Bill, and that means that you will stop acting like the over protective
brother.  If push comes to shove your sister can take better care of herself
better than you can.  You will no longer speak ill of her life and any
aspects of it.  Including Fox, we are her family by blood but for the past
few years he has become her family also.  All that you have to say about
staying close and being together doesn't have much of a past to back up.  I
know that you have your own family and career to worry about and so does
Dana.  That is why she joined the bureau and works with Mulder. It is the
life that she wants and as long as she is happy, that is all that there is
to it."  Mrs. Scully said to her son as she went to get a drink from the
kitchen.

"But that's the point mom," Bill said as her followed her.  "She isn't
happy.  She needs to move one with her life.  The farther from Mulder the
better."

"Bill did you ever stop and think that Dana chooses to stay with Mulder?"
Tara asked.  "They have been through so much and know each other so well.
He has not only been there to back her up at work but he was also there to
help support mom when she was missing and when she came back in the coma."

"Which never would have happened if she never worked with him?" Bill said.

"You can't blame Fox for that.  Dana chose a dangerous job and that is what
comes along with it, risks," Margaret said as she sat down on the couch.
"This is the end of this conversation.  Charlie just got back and is getting
married, Dana's health is fine, you and Tara and Mathew are well.  I have a
lot to be very grateful for this year and I want to enjoy my time with you
all.  I can not do this if you continue to harp on Dana.  She has been
through so much."

"I'm not harping on her, I am just trying to get her to open her eyes."

"Yes, just like you tried to open Fox's eyes outside the hospital before she
went into remission." His mother spat out.  Bill's eyes widened at her
words.  "Yes Bill that is right, I heard all you said to him.  He is not a
sorry sonovabitch.  He has been there for your sister whenever she needed
him.  They are each other's support and you had better get use to it because
as long as Dana feels that she can make a difference she will work him.
When her and Charlie get back I do not want to hear one word out of you in
regards to Fox.  Let it alone.  We all have our feeling on the matter with
Fox, but we are not going to bring them up.  Charles hasn't even meet him
once and I am already afraid of what he thinks.  I don't need to you telling
him your opinion of Fox and making things any worse.  So just let it lie."
She got up and went to her room.

Tara turned to her husband.  "I'm going to check on Mathew, when I get back
I hope to God you have changed your attitude.  This is not how I want to
spend the holidays and I am sure if Dana wanted to spend it with assholes
she would have stayed in D.C. and worked."  Tara left and Bill went to make
a drink for himself.

'What in the hell just happened here?' he thought as he took a drink of his
Scotch.  'The man puts one of my sisters' lives in danger and gets the other
one killed and everyone wants to defend him.  This is bull shit and I am not
going to stand for it.'  Bill grabbed the bottle and went out into the backyard.





A Park a few streets away from the Scully Residence


Scully sat on a swing along side her brother and tried to loose some of the
tension that had built up over the past few hours.

"You know Dana, I love you and Bill to death, but this is exactly why I
don't come around that much," Charlie said.

"Don't start Charlie.  I am sorry that my life doesn't meet your and Bill's
approval."

"I don't mean anything like that.  I don't come around because Bill has it
stuck in his head that it is his place to be dad now and you don't need him
to do that.  Bill just can't stand not being in charge and you are the lucky
one who gets to deal with it."  He smiled at his sister trying to lighten
the mood.  "So, am I finally going to get the whole story of what has been
going on in your life for the past seven years?"  Scully looks at him with a
question on her face.  "I know what you have written to me, what mom has
told me, and what Bill has told me.  Now, would you like to tell me what has
really been going on?  I know that you have to be careful with National
Security and everything, but I am tired of this shit I get with Bill and
this Mulder.  I mean all I know about this guy is that he wants to be called
by his last name, is dedicated to his work and together you two have a knack
for finding trouble."  Scully smiled at that comment.  "Now I want to know
what it is that makes this man such a fixture in our lives?"

"He's my partner Charlie.  In our job it gets dangerous and we have become
the best of friends.  That's why he's in my life and why he is a fixture in
it as you say.  Things happen and he has been the one who has been there to
help me."

"Don't even try it kiddo.  I know that tone and speech. It is the same one
Melissa gave when she was hiding something and didn't want anyone to know.
So spill it, what is it that's going on?  I've known you my whole life, I
know how you are and how you act.  Something has changed about you.  I saw
the way you looked at Bill when he mentions Mulder.  You usually keep a cool
head and try to talk things out, but from what I saw that was the last thing
you wanted to do.  So what's going on?  Have you finally realized that you
love the guy and now you just want to beat the shit out of Bill?"

Scully gapped at her brother.  "What did you just say?"

"Come on Dana, all that you have gone through and all that he has gone
through, you two have been together to survive it all.  You are there to
back each other up and support one another.  I've read your letters, talked
to mom and Melissa and Bill.  I may be a guy and I may not have been around
that often, but I can tell from what I've heard and read, that you two have
more than "friend" feelings for each other.  That is why Bill hates him so
much.  It isn't just that Mulder is your partner in a dangerous job, but
because you two love each other.  You are no longer that small, scrawny
little red headed girl that use to follow us around.  You are a mature woman
who can take care of herself and somewhere along the line found a man who
understands you and loves you for it.  From all that I know, this Mulder is
a good man.  He has done whatever he could to help you and loves you.  I
just want you to be happy, if he does it than all the more better."

"How in the world did you get so wise?"

"Simple, I've had you as a role model.  I love you sis and I know that life
isn't perfect, no matter what Bill wants to think.  I just want you to be
happy, and I would also like to enjoy a nice holiday with my family.  So do
you think we could get out of here and try to not kill Bill tonight?  I
would like Ann to meet all of my family when she comes here for New Years."

Scully laughed.  "I will try but I am not making any promises."  They got up
and started walking back to the house.  "Listen Charlie, thank you for
listening and not judging too much."

"Hey I am in no position to judge.  Remember that I'm the one who had to
choose between jail time and the Navy.  I have no right to sit on a moral
high ground."  He hugged Scully.  "I just want you to enjoy yourself and be
safe.  Well, as safe as you can be.  Let's go and see what is left of Bill
now that Mom and Tara have had some time alone with him."  They started back
to Bill's home.





Mulder's Apartment
Monday December 22nd 
8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time


Mulder laid down on his couch and tried to concentrate on the movie that was
in his VCR.  'God why on earth do I watch these things again?' he asked
himself.  He had spent the day cleaning up his apartment, no small feat.  'I
can't believe what I found in my fridge.  Scully would have loved some of
that stuff, she probably could have written a paper on it' he smiled at that
thought.  Now that his apartment was clean and he had nothing else to do he
was bored and alone.  The Gunmen had called him and tried to get him to join
them on their trip to New York tomorrow, but he had declined.  Skinner had
told him in no such terms that he was not to set foot into the Hoover
Building until after the New Year.  

"I don't want you anywhere near this building or me until you have Scully
around.  It is easier on my sanity and that of the whole bureau when you
aren't left alone to your own devices," Skinner had said to him.

'Great, so now I'm alone, bored, and I can't even go to work and bury myself
in the basement.'  His mother had decided to spend the holidays at a resort
in Switzerland to relax and the only other person that he wanted to be with
was on the other side of the country.  He thought of calling her, but decide
that he didn't want to risk the chance of having to talk to Bill.

'Let's see, it's three days till Christmas, 9 till the New Year and I am
stuck here going slowly out of my mind.  I should have thought about getting
this life sooner.  At least then I would already have Scully's answer and I
wouldn't be going nuts.  I miss her.  Why didn't I just ask her for an
answer then and there?  This wait is going to kill me, if I don't die from
boredom I am going to have a heart attack due to stress and anxiety.'

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.  He got up and didn't
bother to look at the peephole.  When he opened the door he was surprised to
see Diana Fowley standing on the other side.  "Hi Fox," she said as she let
herself into his apartment.  She looked around the place and then turned to
him.  "Nice to see some things don't change.  It's the holidays and you
couldn't tell it from the looks at this place, unless you looked at a
calendar."  She sat down on his couch and patted it for him to sit by her.
Mulder continued to stand.

"What brings you by Diana?" Mulder asked.

"I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.  I know that the holidays
aren't the best time of year for you and I wanted to see how you were
holding up, especially since your partner's gone for the holidays."

"I'm doing fine, just waiting for it to get over with so I can get back to
work."

"Yeah I heard that Skinner basically said you can't step foot in the
building till Agent Scully is back to keep you in check," she smiled up at
him.  

"Yeah that's what he said.  I am in no way to go near Hoover until Scully is
back.  I just think that he wants to avoid me as much as possible because he
knows once the New Year starts the game starts all over again."

"And it is just killing you because you have nothing to do," she replied.
She got up and handed him a small box from her coat.  "I just wanted to stop
by and give you this and wish you happy holidays.  Try and relax and enjoy
yourself, you've been through enough.  If you get lonely or bored, call me.
I'm doing the solo thing this year too.  If you want we can get together, it
doesn't have to be anything big, but I know how it gets especially when you
start to think about Sam."  She hugged him and Mulder was so thrown by her
comment about Sam that he didn't protest.  "Just call me or stop by if it
gets too much, I remember how it was and you shouldn't have to go through
that alone and since your partner went AWOL, I'll be here.  Besides, it's
the holidays and a New Year is coming.  Since I no longer work on the
X-Files and you have them back, maybe we can try and move on.  See what can
develop."  She went to hug him again but Mulder stopped her.

"Thanks for the concern Diana, but as I said before I've done pretty good
without you and I plan to continue to do so," Mulder told her. 

She was taken back by his comment, but recovered quickly.  "Well, at least I
know that you're okay and that you're not wasting away here pinning for your
partner.  It's good to see that you learned that you can't mix business with
pleasure," she said with a hint of hostility.  "Some mistakes you should
never make again," she said as she went to the door.  She stopped right
before she opened it.  "If you do change your mind though, I'll have no
objection to trying again," then she was gone.

Mulder was livid by her actions and comments.  Who in the hell did she think
she was giving him advise on what to do and what not to do?  He wasn't the
one who left the country when things got a little tough.  He wasn't the one
who only decided to come back after things had died down and the X-Files
finally began to get some respect.  She only came back after all the hard
work he and Scully had done had finally begun to pay off.  Now she wanted to
reap the benefits.  And couldn't she just get it thorough her head that he
didn't want her.  If he didn't go jumping at the chance when she first came
back to work on the Gibson Praise case and if he didn't want her back when
she had the X-Files and he was stuck doing mundane cases, did she really
think he would want her now that he had things back the way he wanted them.
Especially since he had Scully by his side.  God the ego of that woman never
ceased to amaze him.  'Why in the hell did I marry her in the first place
again?' he asked himself.  He didn't need this aggravation right now.  He
had enough on his mind and didn't need Diana adding to it.  'I wish Scully
was here so I could vent this out on her,' he thought.  The problem was,
Scully and her absence was the main cause of his frustration.  This patience
is a virtue idea is really a load of crap.  'How can anyone be patient when
their life is hindering on one little answer?' he thought to himself.  He
brought himself out of his contemplation and decided that he needs a hot
shower to relax.  He pulled his sweater off and went to take off his T-shirt
while he headed for the bathroom when the phone rang.

"Mulder," he said when he picked it up.

"You know you really are a piece of work there Fox boy," Bill Scully
answered into the phone.

Mulder groaned silently to himself when he realized that Bill was drunk and
definitely not feeling any pain.  "Hello Bill.  Merry Christmas early. What
can I do for you?"  Mulder hoped that this would be a short conversation.

"Oh nothing much.  Except for the fact that you can tell my sister that I do
not appreciate her yelling at me in my home and ruining the family holiday
and that as far as I am concerned she is no longer welcomed here and that
goes for the rest of us."

Mulder tensed as he listened to Bill's words. 'What in the hell happened?'
he thought to himself.  "Listen Bill," Mulder said.  "I am sure that you can
tell Scully that herself when you see her tomorrow if she decides to talk to
you.  Why don't you just go lie down and sleep it off.  I don't know what
your problem is, but I don't want to be brought in the middle of it."

"But you already are in the middle of it.  Hell you're the cause of it.
Because of you I've lost one sister. Almost lost the other one, had a niece
I never knew of killed, my mother has spent way too many nights at the
hospital.  All because of you and your shit.  This past few years have been
tough on us all, but we have gotten through it all.  Except for the fact
that we can't seem to get past the little problem of you.  So, I'm going to
tell you now.  The moment that you see Dana, you tell her that if she ever
wants to be considered a part of this family, she will change her mind about
moving out here and getting the hell away from you.  If she continues as she
is, not one of us will have anything to do with her."

Mulder paused at his words.  'What the hell was going on here?  What
happened to make Bill call him and put an ultimatum on Scully in regards to
her life?'  His personal revere was interrupted when someone else came on
the line.

"Hello, who is this?" a male voice asked.

"Um, this is Fox Mulder.  Who is this and what is going on with Bill?"

"Oh, you're the infamous Mulder.  It's about time I finally got to talk to
you." The voice answered.  Mulder guessed it was Scully's other brother
Charles. He was not ready to deal with another bashing from the other Scully
brother.  "Listen, I want to apologize for whatever Bill said to you.  We
didn't even know that he had left the room.  We thought he was still passed
out."

"It's no trouble."

"Don't even try and lie, I know Bill and a drunk Bill is an ass.  He hit the
Scotch a little too early and never stopped."

"I guessed that he had a little too much holiday cheer.  Hey, if you don't
mind me asking, what's going on?"

"Bill just decided to play the overprotective big brother role too far and
got the shit knocked out of him when Dana hit him"

Mulder laughed at the picture that flew into his head.  "Excuse me, Scully
hit him?"

"Yeah, he was starting his shit again and she just had enough.  Which was
fine by me because I was about to deck him if she hadn't beaten me to it.
She hit him about seven hours ago and left.  We haven't seen her since then,
but I don't think she'll be coming back tonight.  Not that I blame her."
There was a commotion in the background and Mulder could hear Bill still
cussing him out.  "Listen I have to go and take care of the idiot.  If Dana
calls you, can you let her know that we all are glad that she knocked him
out and that we understand."

"Sure I will.  But I don't think it will do much good.  Scully isn't coming
back till after the New Year so you'll see her first."

"I wouldn't be to sure about that.  I am going to go now.  It was nice
talking to Mulder.  Now I at least have a voice to go with the name and all
the stories.  Maybe one day I'll get a face with it too.  Hold on a minute.
My mother wants to talk to you."

"Hello Fox," Mrs. Scully's voice came over the phone.

"Hi Mrs. Scully, sorry to hear things aren't going so well over there."

"Don't worry about it, you know Bill, and it wouldn't be a Scully holiday
without someone making an ass of themselves.  I just wanted to let you know
no matter what Bill said don't believe him and make sure that Dana knows
that nothing said tonight means a thing."

"What exactly happened tonight Mrs. Scully?  I've talked to a drunk Bill, a
happy Charlie because Scully knocked Bill on his ass, and now a worried you.
Did something happen, is Scully okay?  He asked

"She's fine Fox, are at least I think she is.  I haven't seen her since she
left.  It's nothing for you to worry about.  It's just a family thing."

Mulder cringed at the last thought.  Scully was his only family and he
wanted to make sure she was okay.  

"Fox are you still there?" Mrs. Scully asked.

"Yes I am."

"I just wanted to make sure.  If you talk to Dana let her know that
everything is fine here and we are expecting her here for Christmas okay."

"No trouble Mrs. Scully.  You take care of yourself."

"You too Fox," she hung up.

Mulder hung his phone and stared at it.  What in the world just happened?
His thoughts were interrupted by another knock on the door.  'Lord what is
going on.  All I want to do is take a shower and go to sleep.  Don't people
have anything better to do than bug me.' He thought.  He got up and went to
the door ready to ready to get rid of his unwanted visitor.  He got as far
as an angry "what" before he realized the person on the other side of the
door was Scully.

"Sorry to bother you Mulder, but I saw your light was on and thought you'd
be up.  I'll let you go."  She turned around to walk to the elevator, but
Mulder caught her arm and brought her into his apartment.

He took one look at her tired and red eyes and he knew that she had been
crying.  Before he could even think about, he picked her up in his arms and
carried her to the couch.  He sat down with her on his lap and held her
while she started to cry again.  She cried for almost half an hour, but when
she realized that she was cutting off Mulder's circulation she stopped and
tried to get off him.

"No stay," he told her.  He looked at her eyes and cupped her face in his
hands.  "You want to tell what happened?  You're supposed to be in San Diego
with your family, what are you doing back here?"

Scully looked up at him.  "Things didn't go exactly like we hoped. Bill and
I had a fight and I  had to get out of there and as far away from him.  I'm
sorry but this was really the only place that came to mind for me to go to."

"Yeah I heard about the fight when he called me"

Scully looked at him.  "He called you?"

"Yeah about 15 minutes ago, he was a little out of it so Charlie and your
mom took over the call and they let me know what happened.  What did you say
to each other?  It had to be something good for you hit him.  You shot me
and I'm just your partner, so to do that to a family member something big
had to happen."

Scully laughed at that and looked at him.  "You don't want to know, it isn't
something that you can change so why bother about it."

Mulder wasn't convinced so he decided to push the issue.  "Come on Scully,
you fly across the country away from your family because of a fight with
your brother.  Something big happened and I want to know right now what the
hell was said that has caused you to cry and makes me want to go and beat
the shit out of your brother."

Scully looked at him and decided that she might as well get it over with
before he finds out from her family.  So she started.


End 4/13

No One But You 5/13
DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glasscity.net
----------------------

William Scully Residence
8 hours ago


Scully and Charlie got back from their walk to find the house free of Bill.
Margaret heard them come back and met her daughter at the door.  "I am so
sorry about all that Bill said honey.  He just doesn't know when to shut up."

"It's fine mom.  He just has to realize I am not a kid anymore.  Where is he
anyway?" She asked as she put her coat away.

"I don't know.  I left him after you went out and haven't seen him since. He
is probably sulking around here somewhere."

Tara came out from the kitchen.  "Hey guys, did you enjoy your walk?  I hope
you don't mind but I just began dinner and I could use some help."  Dana
walked with her sister into the kitchen.  When she got there, Bill walked in
through the back door with the empty Scotch bottle in his hand.  "Bill
please tell me you haven't been drinking," his wife asked him.

"I just had a little to drink."  He throws the bottle in the garbage.  He
walked into the living room and sat down next to Charlie.  "Were you able to
talk some sense into her?  She and Melissa always seemed to listen to you
more.  It must be that little brother thing that makes them pay attention."

Charlie looked at his brother and silently prayed for him to pass out.
"Sorry Bill, but I didn't spend my time with Dana lecturing her about her
life.  Something that I have no right to do anyhow.  I had to spend my time
calming her down from your little escapade."

"What are you talking about?" Bill asked.

"Bill, just drop it ok.  You're drunk and I am not all that thrilled with
you right now so a discussion on our sister's life is not a good topic of
conversation right now.  Why don't you just go up to your room and sleep
until dinner is done and then we try and calm things down here."

"I can't believe you didn't say anything.  Come on Charlie you have to back
me up here.  Mom and Dana are just so blind to what is going on here."

"And what is going on here Bill?  All I see is you making a complete ass of
yourself and ruining the family holiday."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?  I'm just trying to make us feel
like a family.  You're not around anymore to see what's going on!" Bill
yelled at him.

"William Scully Junior what in the world is going on in here?" Margaret
asked as she came into the room.  "Please try and keep your voice down,
Mathew is resting and we don't need your neighbors knowing that you're
making an ass of yourself."

Scully and Tara came into the room.  "Bill would you please keep it down,"
Tara said.

"No I will not keep it down.  I am not going to be told not to speak in my
own home.  I am in my every right to say whatever I feel like saying."

"Just because you have the right doesn't mean you have to yell it," Charlie
said.

"Be quiet Charlie.  You are in no position to tell me what to do.  You've
been gone from the family so long that you don't even know what has been
going on.  You weren't here when dad died, you weren't here when Dana was
missing for three months, you weren't here when Melissa was killed and you
sure as hell wasn't here last year when Dana was struggling with cancer."

"Oh, don't even go there Bill," Scully said.  "As my memory serves me you
weren't around either.  So don't even try and put a guilt trip on him.  I
hold no grudge against him because he had work.  I feel the same way in
regards to you.  You two don't have jobs where you can easily call off on
emergencies."

"Did I say anything to you about me worrying about you having a grudge
against me Dana?  No I didn't.  Right now I could care less what you think
about me.  If we are going to talk about jobs, then you are in no position
to talk.  Ever since the day you decided to join the FBI you have
disappointed the family."

"Bill shut up," Charlie said.

"No Charlie it's the truth.  Dad and mom weren't happy with your decision.
All that time to took to go to medical school and you just threw it away to
go play with a bunch of overgrown boys with guns.  And ever since you joined
those stupid X-Files and started following that idiot Mulder, you've
conveniently forgotten about your family.  Although somehow you have managed
to get us involved in them, first Melissa is killed and then last Christmas
is ruined with the news of your daughter.  A daughter that you conveniently
didn't even know about.  Hell I bet you knew about her all along and only
faked ignorance because she was Mulder's.  I'm right aren't I?" he spat out.

"Bill that is enough out of you!" Margaret said.  "You will be quiet right
now or so help me I will not responsible for my actions."

"Don't go defending her mom.  As Dana has stated quite frequently, she can
take care of herself.  She doesn't need anyone to stand up for her.  I mean
hell, even her precious partner keeps his mouth shut."

"Can we please leave Mulder out of this?" Scully asked.

"No, I am sorry Dana, but poor dysfunctional Fox isn't going to be
forgotten.  All though I wish to God that I could forget about him.  But
since you seem so determined on having him in your life, we are stuck with
him.  Problem is none of us want him.  Why can't you just get it through
your head that the guy is nuts?  He has caused nothing but pain to you and
this family.  Hell, he fucked up his family so much he had to move onto ours."

Charlie ran in front of his sister before she could get to Bill.  "That's
enough Bill.  If you say one more thing I won't be held responsible for what
I do."

"Charlie get out of my way.  This has nothing to do with you.  This is
between me and Bill."  Scully moved away from Charlie and stood in front of
Bill.  "Alright Bill, I'm right here in front of you.  Speak you piece, say
everything that you have to get off your chest.  Let's get this stupid
drunken stupor over with so we can move on with dinner."

"Don't try and order me around little sis.  You're FBI status doesn't do you
any good here.  I'll do what I damn well please.  But since you want me to
let you have it fine.  Right now as of this moment, you have got to come to
a decision: you're precious little Mulder or the family.  Because I am not
going to allow him and his shit to bring anymore pain to this family.  If
you think that he and the work that you do is so important than so be it,
but if so I don't want to anywhere near me or my family or mom and Charlie
ever again."

"William, don't you dare go and make ultimatums to your sister.  Especially
ones that aren't even wanted by us!" Margaret said.

"No mom, this is the end of it. I am tired of all the crap that has happened
to this family.  We've all been through so much pain and suffering and I am
fed up with it. I want things to get back to normal."

Scully laughed at that comment.  "Normal, you want things to get back to
normal.  Bill there is no such thing as normal.  With all I've seen, this
right here "us" is about as normal as things get.  And that is pretty pathetic.'

"Don't start in on your crap about all you've seen and experienced.  You've
only seen it because of your involvement with Mulder.  If you would just
stop thinking about yourself and your neediness of Mulder, you would realize
that he is nothing but trouble for you."

"Neediness.  I did not just hear you say that.  I do not need anyone."

"Oh that's right I forgot.  I'm talking to Dana.  Little Miss Special Agent
who can do just fine on her own-thank-you-very-much.  What bullshit.  You
want to know what I realized while you were gone?  I realized that the only
reason you stay with Mulder is because he is more fucked up than you are."

"Now you hold on Bill, don't you even start!" Charlie interjected.

"No Charlie don't you start.  It's true.  Dana you are such a control freak.
You always have to be the one in control, the one with the power.  Mulder is
so messed up; he has no idea where he is going.  This means that you can
direct him and tell him what to do.  That's why you put up with all his
shit.  That's why Mom puts up with it too, because she knows that it makes
you happy to be needed by someone.  He is like a kid and you're his mother.
Which I guess is good for you seeing that you'll never really have the
chance to be a mother.  But then again that it his fault too."

"BILL!!" all three of the other Scullys yelled at him.  Dana took one step
away from him, pulled her arm back, and hit Bill straight in the face.  Bill
fell to the ground immediately and tried to get back up but Dana pushed him
back down with her foot.

"Don't you ever speak to me like that ever again.  You have no right to pass
judgement on my life.  It's my business and what I do with it or who is in
it is by my choice.  As far as I am concerned as of this moment, my life and
my family no longer consist of you.  Until you apologize and can accept
things the way they are I don't care about what happens to you!" She spat
out and left the room to get her coat.

Charlie and Tara grabbed Bill and helped him to the couch to lay down.
Margaret went to follow Scully.

"Mom, I am so sorry about this.  I didn't mean for any of this to happen,"
she said as she pulled her coat on.

Margaret walked over to her and hugged her.  "Don't worry about it honey.
Something was bound to give.  You just get out of here and relax.  We'll
deal with Bill."

"Dana."  Charlie called as he entered the room.  "You ok?"

"I'm fine," she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Bill's out cold and from the looks of it he will probably be so for a
while.  You gonna be ok?" he asked as he hugged her.

"Yeah, I just have to get out of here and away for a while."

Tara came in.  "Dana, I am so sorry.  I have no idea what in the world got
into him," she said.

"It's okay.  Listen, I'm not going to come back for dinner so don't worry
about me ok."

"That's no problem.  I'd like to get out of here myself right now, but I
have to make sure Bill doesn't go off half cocked.  You take care of
yourself tonight and we'll see you tomorrow."  She hugged her and then
Scully left.





Mulder's Apartment
10:30 p.m.


"So, I left the house and just drove around for a while.  Then I just
decided that there was no way that I was going to be able to spend the
holiday with Bill after all he said.  That also meant that I couldn't spend
it with mom, Charlie, Tara and Mathew.  Since that meant there was no one in
San Diego for me to be with I decided to come home.  If I was going to be
miserable, at least I could be miserable in my home with my TV and whatever
'Ben and Jerry's' flavor that is in my freezer."  Scully stated as she ended
the tale to Mulder.

Mulder looked over at Scully and suppressed his urge to get on the first
flight to San Diego and beat the shit out of Bill.  "You know Scully, that's
going to be a little tough."  She looked at him and raised an eyebrow in
question.  "Before you left you cleaned your refrigerator out, remember?
The only thing in there is a box of baking soda and a few cans of pop.  So,
no ice cream is there for you."

Scully smiled.  "Oh well, that just goes to make this holiday complete."
She went to get up.  "Mulder do me a favor."  He nodded his head at her
request.  "I'm going home and crawling into my bed, maybe if I'm lucky there
will be a bottle of some sort of liquor somewhere in my apartment and it can
join me there.  I'm going to bury myself in the covers and not come out till
after the New Year.  Have a good holiday and don't get in too much trouble."
She grabbed her coat and got ready to leave, but Mulder grabbed her arm and
stopped her.

"I can't do that for you Scully," he said.  "There is no way in hell I am
going to be able to enjoy myself, especially after what you just told me
Bill said to you.  Your brother is very lucky for the fact that you're here
and that I don't want you to spend the holiday alone.  If you weren't here
I'd be in San Diego and he'd be dead."  He pulled her to him and hugged her.
"I'm sorry that everything was ruined for you this year.  I know you were
excited about finally spending some time with your family."

"Don't worry about it.  I'm still spending it with my family, just not any
blood relatives."  She looked up at him and smiled.  He smiled back at her
and she stood on her toes to give him a brief kiss.  She pulled out of his
embrace.  "What do you say we actually try to find some of this good holiday
cheer?  Christmas Eve, my place at five.  You bring yourself and some
movies, preferably something Frohike wouldn't like.  And I'll supply the
food and eggnog.  That sound like a deal?"

"Make it Bailey's or wine and I'm there"

	
"Deal.  I'll see you Wednesday evening then."  She said as she left.

Mulder walked over to his phone and dialed a number.  

"Hello," Tara answered.

"Hello, Tara?"

"Yes, who's this?"

"This is Fox Mulder, Scully's partner"

"Oh, hi there.  I'm sorry about Bill's phone call earlier."

"It's okay actually is he there?"

"Yes, I just finally got him to pass out in the bed.  Is there something wrong?

"No, I just wanted to make sure I could talk without causing a scene.  You
guys wanted to know if I heard from Scully."

"Yes, did Dana call you?  Did she make it to the hotel okay?"

"No she didn't call me, she went to the airport after she left your house
and came back to D.C.  She just left to go to her apartment and I thought
I'd call and let you know that she was safe a that she wasn't going to be
with you guys for Christmas and New Years."

"Oh, I guess that's for the best.  I don't want the holidays ruined just
because Bill can't grow up.  Hold on a minute."  She covered the phone, but
Mulder could still hear the question from Mrs. Scully about who was on the
phone.  "Fox, Maggie wants to talk to you, here she is."

"Hello Fox, did Dana make it back safe?"

"Yes she's fine.  Just a little worn out emotionally from everything.  I was
actually worried about you.  How you are holding up Mrs. Scully?"

"I'm fine Fox."

"Don't try that line, it doesn't work for Scully and it won't work for you
either.  I'm sorry that I caused troubles for the family."

"Nonsense Fox, you did no such thing.  Bill just has to realize that Dana is
a grown woman and doesn't need anyone to look out for her.  I'm just not
happy that he upset her.  Last year was bad enough for her, I was hoping
this Christmas could have good memories to replace last year."

"I'll see what I can do to appease that."

"Thank you Fox, I'm going to go and help Tara finish with the dinner plates.
You have a good holiday and take care of Dana."

"I will, Mrs. Scully."  Mulder was about to hang the phone up when he heard
Charlie.

"Mulder wait a minute," he said.

"Yes Charlie?"

"I just wanted to make sure that Dana was fine."

"She is."

"Is she still there?" he asked.

"No she left, why?"

"I just wanted to make sure that she was gone before I spoke with you.  Hold
on a minute while I go in to the other room for some privacy."  There was a
silence and then Charles came back.  "Sorry about that, but I figured what I
was going to talk to you about should be just between us."

"What is it that you want to talk about?"  Mulder sat down on his couch.

"You and my sister."

Mulder groaned.  "Listen Charlie, I already know how one Scully brother
feels about me, so I already know your opinion of me and I'm not up for
another round of bashing."

"Hold on there, I wasn't going to bash you.  I just wanted to know what your
intentions are."

"My intentions?"  Mulder sat up straight.  This was not something he wanted
to be talking about right now.  Especially to Scully's brother.  He wanted
to at least know what Scully's stand was in regards to them before he had to
face a family member.  "I'm not sure I follow."

"Sure you do.  I talked to Melissa before she died and I heard how you were
when Dana was missing.  So, I know that you have feelings for her.  Plus, me
and Dana had a little talk earlier tonight about it."

"What did you talk about?"

"Nothing much just the fact that you two have been through enough that it is
only natural that you would care for one another.  Also that there isn't
anyone else who would put up with either of you, so you're sort of stuck
with each other."  He chuckled.  "I just want to make sure that Dana's
feelings are reciprocated.  She has been through enough and I just want her
to be happy.  Plus, I need to make sure that you are worthy of my defense
when I tell Bill tomorrow that he better lay off our future brother-in-law
if he wants to have any chance of attending the wedding."

"Wedding, what do you mean?  What did Scully tell you?"

"So I was right then.  This beautiful ring that I am holding in my hand did
belong to Dana.  I knew there was something she was keeping from me, but I
couldn't figure it out."

"What are you doing with the ring?"

"Dana left in such a rush that she forgot it. I found it on the floor in the
hallway before anyone else.  She didn't tell any of us when she got in so
that can only mean one of two things.  Either she was afraid to tell us,
which we both know isn't Dana.  Or you asked her before she left and she
never got the chance to answer you.  I'm right aren't' I?"

Mulder laughed.  "I can definitely tell your Melissa's brother, you cut
straight to the point like her."

"That's just a Scully family trait.  So, you asked my sister to marry you
before she left to come out here.  That wasn't very romantic.  As her
brother I have to tell you that I am not very impressed.  She deserves
candles, music and the full nine yards.  As a guy, I have to say way to go
on not getting all mushy.  I went out all the way when I proposed to Ann and
it still didn't come out right.  I stumbled over the words and dropped the
ring in the grass while I was trying to put in on her finger.  Anyway, I
just wanted to make sure I was correct before I ventured bodily harm when I
talk to Bill about laying off of Dana and you."

"You don't have to do that Charlie."

"I know that I don't, but I am going to anyway.  As a future member of this
family you have to get use to us standing up and being there for each other.
I'll be damned if I am going to have Bill harping on you and making Dana
feel like shit because she loves you.  He already ruined the holiday, I'm
not going to let him ruin her engagement."

"You sure you and Bill are brothers?"

He laughed.  "Yeah we are.  Although sometimes I wish we weren't.  By the
way what's your address?"

"Why?"

"Well, you can't exactly be engaged to someone without the ring and it isn't
doing any good here with me.  I was going to Fed Ex it to you tomorrow so
you can give her before she thinks that she lost it."

"Yeah that would be a good idea.  You got a pen?"  He paused as he waited
for Charlie to get a pen.  "It's 2630 Hegal Place Apartment #42 Alexandria,
Virginia 23242."

"Got it.  I should be able to get it out overnight tomorrow so you can give
it back to her on Christmas Eve.  Listen, Bill just came down.  I'm gonna go
and make sure that he doesn't start anything.  Talk to you later Mulder and
take care of my sister.  You may have already experienced Bill, but when it
comes to Dana I am ten times worse."  He hung up the phone and Mulder did
the same.

'Well, at least I got one Scully in my corner.  Now all I have to do is get
my Scully to accept my proposal,' he thought to himself as he headed for his
long forgotten shower.


End 5/13

No One But You 6/13
DenyTheTruth
kelleigh@glascity.net
---------------------

Dana Scully's Apartment
Wednesday, December 24th 
4:30 p.m.


Scully was frantically running around her apartment trying to make sure that
everything was fine before Mulder got there.

"No everything is not fine," she said to the empty room.  "Where the hell is
it?"  For the hundredth time she searched all the compartments and zippers
of her coat and purse.  "I can't believe this."  She threw her stuff to the
floor and sat on her bed.  "I finally get a marriage proposal and what
happens?  I lose the ring."  She looked up at the ceiling.  "You know, if
this is suppose to be a sign or something I don't appreciate it.  I've been
through so much this year and I don't enjoy having the one thing that is
making it all worth while being dangled in my face just within my grasp."  

She laid down on her bed.  "How in the hell am I suppose to answer Mulder if
I don't have the ring?  This is a great start, keep this up and I'm almost
afraid to think what'll happen at the wedding.  Man, this has got to be a
conspiracy.  Mulder finally decides to quit the games, I am more than happy
to do the same and what happens?  I lose the ring!  I can't say yes and not
have the ring to wear.  I am not going to make it tonight.  Maybe I should
call him and tell him not to come over. He'll understand with everything
that happened with Bill and all."  She jumped up from her bed.  "Bill!!!!!!
Oh please don't let me have left it there and he found it.  AHHHHH."  She
laid back on the bed and threw her face into the pillow.  "That's it, this
has got to be a conspiracy that's all there is to it.  All I want to have a
nice dinner, celebrate Christmas, and get engaged.  Oh man, how am I going
to get through this. There is no way that Mulder is going to forget about
it, hell it's all I've thought about and I know my answer so I can't imagine
what he's been going through." 

 She removed her face from the pillow and looked back up at the ceiling.
"You know Missy, now
would be a good time for you to decide to haunt me.  I could some help here.
What am I going to do?  I can't just tell Mulder I lost the ring.  That
isn't exactly the best way to boost a guy's confidence, and Mulder's needs
all it can get.  What am I supposed to say?  Hey Mulder, remember that
question that you didn't officially ask me before you left and that ring
that you gave me?  Well, I thought it over.  Actually I had an answer for
you the minute I saw the ring, but you left.  Anyway, the answer is yes, but
I can't wear the ring because I lost it.  Yeah that's just a great way to
start off an engagement, as if we don't have enough to worry about as it is."  

The oven started to go off in the kitchen and she left her room to go to the
kitchen.  She removed the chicken from the oven and started slicing it.
"Well at least the meal will go along without any trouble.  Now all I have
to do is avoid the conversation.  How do you avoid a marriage proposal
without making it seem like you're saying no?" she asked as she sprinkled
the chicken over the Fettuccini Alfredo.  She placed the finished plates on
the table and got the salad out of the fridge.  "Let's see.  We got the
salad, the soup, the main course, and ice cream for dessert.  Now if I had a
certain ring this would be perfect.  Stop it!" she told herself.  "Dwelling
on this issue is not going to make the ring magically appear before your
eyes."  

She went into the living room to turn the stereo on.  'I wonder if I can
just distract Mulder from asking.  There are plenty of other things to do
besides talk.  I mean almost seven years together and one little kiss on the
mouth.  Now that's an idea.  I'll just tell Mulder that I can't answer him
until I've really kissed him.  Got to make sure that the man I am going to
spend the rest of life knows how to kiss.  That can keep him occupied and
away from the proposal for a while.'  She finished with the music and sat on
her couch.  "Oh man.   THIS SUCKS!!!!  This is suppose to be one of the most
romantic moments in my life and all I want is for Mulder to call me and say
he isn't coming over.  Hell, right now I'll even take a ditch for a new lead
as long as I don't have to face him. There is no way I am going to be able
to avoid this and I can't lie about it.  That's no way to start this whole
thing off.  Thank God this year is almost over." She looked back up at the
ceiling.  "You have a really weird sense of humor and I don't find it one
bit funny.  IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GET ENGAGED TO FOX
MULDER, IT'S NOT LIKE I'M ASKING FOR MUCH JUST THE MAN I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!" she
screamed and then slumped down in her couch.





Outside Scully's Apartment
4:45p.m.


Mulder stood outside Scully's apartment and listened to her one sided
conversation, as he had been doing for the last fifteen minutes.  "IS IT TOO
MUCH TO ASK FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GET ENGAGED TO FOX MULDER, IT'S NOT LIKE
I'M ASKING FOR MUCH JUST THE MAN I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!"  He laughed as he heard
Scully dejectedly end her tirade.

'This could be interesting,' he thought as he fingered the box in his
pocket.  It had barely arrived at his apartment before he left and now he
was glad that he had it.  'Poor Scully,' he thought.  'Going out of her mind
and afraid of what to do.  Maybe I should just tell her and not wait till
after dinner.'  He raised his hand to knock on the door, but stopped when he
thought he heard her crying.  'Don't be silly Mulder, Scully rarely cries
and this isn't something that she would over,' he thought.  He continued to
listen and realized that she was crying.  'Oh, this is not the way I wanted
my marriage proposal to go.  She's suppose to cry after I ask and she says
yes, not before.'

Scully continued her conversation and he listened.  "Stop it Dana, this is
suppose to be a happy evening.  It's Christmas Eve and you're spending with
the most important person in your life and your future family.  You'll get
through this just explain it to him and move on.  You can call Bill tomorrow
and ask about the ring.  Tonight enjoy yourself and don't ruin Mulder's
holiday, he has so few good memories of them to begin with."

Mulder decided it was time to end her torment and knocked on the door.  

"Sorry, unless you're either Steven Spielberg or my most wanted basement
spook no one's home," Scully's voice said with humor on the other side of
the door.  She opened the door.

"Well then I guess I better go because I'm the FBI's most unwanted crazy
spook," he said with a smile.  He held out the bag from the video store and
gave it to her as he entered the apartment.  "I picked up five different
movies. I figured all TV would have is the same old holiday stuff so I
thought I'd make sure we had enough to get us through the night."  He took
his coat off and put it on her couch.  "Smells good."

"Thanks," Scully said as she put the tapes on the table.  "Come on, I just
put it down so it's still hot."  They went into the kitchen and sat down.


5:30 p.m.

With the dishes in the dishwasher and the table cleaned, Mulder and Scully
moved into the living room.

"What do you want to watch first?" Scully asked as she went to retrieve the
movies from the bag. 

" How about Godzilla?" Mulder answered.

Scully pulled the tape out of the bag.  "You didn't seriously get that did
you?  Mulder, I spend enough time chasing monsters at work, I don't need to
watch a movie about one of them during my vacation.  Besides, it's the
holidays and you're not actually mopping around, that is enough of an X-File
for me as it is."  She smiled at him and put Lethal Weapon 4 into the VCR.  

She sat down next to him and he grabbed the video box from her and examined
it.  "Scully, you get on me about wanting to watch a movie about a giant
lizard, but you go and put in the movie about law enforcement.  I get enough
of that at work and don't want to watch it on my vacation." 

"Then you shouldn't have rented it if you didn't want to watch it.  This is
my place, my VCR, and my couch.  You complain, the door's over there don't
let it hit you on your ass on the way out."  She tried to duck and miss the
pillow that was thrown at her, but she was too late.

"I know I chose it Scully.  I was the one at the video store, remember?  The
only reason I got it was because I know you love Mel Gibson and thought I
would let you get a little drool fest to help bring you holiday cheer."

"If you wanted to do that for me you should have just brought the real
thing.  That is a gift I wouldn't have minded."

"Sure, I have about as much a chance to getting you Mel Gibson as Skinner
has of getting his hair back.

"Hey I think he looks fine bald.  Besides, he has only lost most of his hair
since you started reporting to him."  This time she was able to duck in time.

"Keep it up young lady.  Remember I am your superior and as I recall you
report to him also.  I am sure some of the hair that falls in his sink is
due to you also."

"Sure, Fine, Whatever."

"That's it.  Three years of that line is enough."  He grabbed her and began
to tickle her.  Scully tried to escape, but only ended up pulling them down
on the floor.  Mulder was on top of her still tickling at her stomach.

"Stop it Mulder." She said between laughs.  "Come on, uncle.  I promise no
more jokes about that movie collection that isn't yours."

"You better stop while you're only a few feet behind Scully and not digging
yourself into a ditch.  You're only making things worse for yourself.  Come
on, I'll stop when you promise to never use that line again.  Say it."

"Sure, Fine, Whatever."  Scully laughed at Mulder's expression but stopped
when he picked her up off the floor and tossed her over his shoulder.
"Mulder put me down.  If you drop me I swear to God I will make that scar on
your left shoulder look like a paper cut.  And remember I am a doctor."

"Yes, but you're a pathologist."

"Exactly, just imagine what I know that can cause so much pain and kill you
slowly."

Mulder put her back down on the ground.  "Okay I can take a hint.  All you
had to say was Mulder put me down."

"I did say that, but some where in your he-man skull it didn't compute."

"He-man skull.  You have to pay for that comment."

Scully ran out of his arms reach and sat back down on the couch.  "Come on
Mulder we're missing the movie."

"So, like you haven't already seen it already.  You dragged me to see it
when it was at the theater."

"You weren't complaining, besides I paid for it and it got you out of your
apartment so don't start."

"Me complain never."  He sat down next to her.  "You are aware Scully, that
this has to be the most pathetic way of spending the holiday.  Watching movies."

"Excuse me, I happen to be enjoying this.  I have had a good dinner, great
conversation, I have Mel Gibson on my TV, and up until about a few minutes
ago I thought I had good company.  I'm sorry if this doesn't meet with your
standards of holiday cheer."

"I didn't say I wasn't enjoying myself.  It's just it is the holidays and
you are suppose to spend it with family."

Scully laughs at that.  "Well, I don't know about you, but with my family is
the last place I want to be.  Now, if you want to go and spend the holidays
with Bill go right ahead and be my guest."

"No thank you, I've had enough of my own family holidays where I am yelled
at and blamed for every travesty that has happened.  I don't need new
memories added to it."

"I'm sorry about that Mulder."  Scully hugged him.  "I forgot that despite
all I think of my family, we're the Waltons compared to yours."

Mulder hugged her more and brought her onto his lap.  "Don't worry about it.
Now, lets just relax enjoy the movie and watch a pair of partners who make
us look normal."

Scully laughs.  "Mulder, I don't think anyone could make you or me look
normal let alone us together."  She moved to get off of him but he kept her
where she was.

"Stay, you're warmer than a blanket."

"I'm so glad that I come in useful for you."  She snuggled in closer and
they watched the movie.

When the movie was over Mulder got up to stretch his legs and Scully went
into the kitchen to pop some popcorn.  "You see Scully," Mulder said as he
came in the kitchen to grab two beers from the fridge.  "Compared to Riggs
I'm not so bad a partner.  I'm not gun crazy like him and don't have as many
scars and bullet wounds."

"True, but your number of hospital stays cancels out his scars and your
conspiracy crazy.  So if I had to choose a partner, I'd take Riggs.  He has
a cute butt and great sense of humor."

"Hey I have a fabulous sense of humor."

"Yes for a garbage dumpster."

"Hey let's leave my apartment out of this."  He handed her a beer and
grabbed the bowl of popcorn away from her.  "Come on, you got your fill of
Mel Gibson, I want my monster."  He walked into the living room and Scully
followed him.

"I still can't believe you got this."

"Why?  Godzilla is a true classic."

"Yes, old Godzilla is.  But this new version sucked.  I'm sorry but when I
watch Godzilla I want to see lips that are out of sync with the dialogue and
puppets.  Not high tech effects.  It's not the same."  She took a drink of
her beer.  "It's the same as the remakes of Hitchcock's movies.  Some things
are just better left not brought into the 21st century.  Leave the classics
alone."

"My, my aren't we just the little Siskel and Ebert.  Do I take it that you
give Godzilla two thumbs down then?"

"You can take it anyway you want to." She grabbed a handful of popcorn and
settled down to watch the movie.  Mulder pulled her over to lean on him, but
instead she laid down and used his lap as a pillow.  "If I have to watch
this insult of a movie to a true classic with you, the least you can do is
be my pillow," she said to him with a smile.

He returned the smile.  "Well it's the least I can do since you fed me and
are letting me spend Christmas Eve with you." He started stroking her hair
and they started to watch the movie.

Halfway through Godzilla, Mulder noticed that Scully was out like a light
bulb.  'She looks like an angel.  So peaceful and safe, I just wish I could
keep her like this while she is awake,' he thought.  He leaned down and
kissed her forehead.  'My sweet angel, my savor.  What would I do without
you?  Go out of my mind or be dead by now.  You don't just make me a whole
person; you are my second half, my soul mate, my love.  Now, all I got to do
is get you to accept all that I have to offer to her and have her say the
same thing to me.' He smiled at his next thought, 'Most people would be
happy with the knowledge that the woman they love, loves them back and wants
to marry them, but not me.  I just have to push it forward and have her say
it out loud to me.  I want all those walls gone before I will move this
thing further.  Just how to do it.  Poor Scully, she's been nervous all
evening, worrying about the ring.  I really should just let her know I have
it and ease her mind.'  Scully started to stir and then she buried herself
more in Mulder's lap.  'A dream come true here right within my reach.  I
just have to make sure that it doesn't turn into a nightmare.'

Mulder pulled the ring out of his pants pocket and looked at it.  'I've had
this thing for four years.  It has spent more time in my hands late at night
then my wedding ring from Diana spent on my finger.  I think it is about
time that it went to its rightful place.'  He looked down at Scully's
sleeping form and thought the best way to do this.  'Well there's always the
traditional approach of getting on one knee and asking.  But then again I
have never done anything normal or in the traditional way.  Besides that
would mean getting up and I'm quite happy with the position that Scully is in."

A loud explosion came from the movie and woke Scully up.  She was confused
at first, but then she remembered where she was at and started to get up.
Mulder stopped her.  "Stay."  She stayed.

"How long was I out?"

"You've been asleep for about an hour."

"You see, there's the scientific proof that this movie sucks.  I never fall
asleep during a good movie."

"No, but you do fall asleep during stakeouts so that doesn't prove
anything."  Scully smiled at that.  "Listen I think there is something that
we need to talk about."

"What?"

Mulder reached for the remote and turned the movie off and then the TV.
"Your family, or more importantly your brother Bill."

Scully got up from the couch and stretched her legs.  "Why do we have to
talk about him.  I was having a perfectly fine holiday without thinking
about him and his stupidity."  She went into the kitchen to grab a snack.  

Mulder followed her into the kitchen.  He got the tea from the cupboard and
got the cups ready while Scully put the kettle on the stove.

"I'm getting the munchies.  Do you want anything Mulder?  I'm going to make
me a sandwich."

"No, I'm fine."  He sat down at her kitchen table while she set about making
her sandwich at the counter.  "Scully, you know we really are going to have
to talk about this and deal with it."

"Deal with what Mulder?"  She asked keeping her back to him.

"Bill and his lack of love for me."

She stopped making her sandwich and hung her head down.  "Listen Mulder,
I've already had Bill ruin my holiday with my family.  I really don't feel
like having him ruin my holiday with you.  So, let's just drop it."

"Well, I can't just drop it Scully.  I've been thinking about it since you
came to my apartment from the airport.  Hell, I've been thinking about it
since you went into remission."  He got up from the table and walked over to
her and turned her around.  "Your brother thinks I'm an ass.  He blames me
for all that has happened to you in the last six and a half years."  He
stopped her before she could interrupt.  "And you know what, I use to
believe that too.  But after beating myself up enough and having you tell me
over and over again that it isn't, I've realized your right.  You joined the
FBI and knew the risks you were taking.  You've stayed with me and the
X-Files despite all that has happened.  It has been your choice and all that
has happened has been because of "Them"."  Scully smiled at his realization.
"Yes Mulder can learn and move on, must be an X-File in itself."  They both
laughed.  "But just because I understand it doesn't mean that Bill does.  He
either is going to have to learn this or just get over his hatred of me.
Because I am not going to have him continue to make you feel like shit
because of your involvement with me.  Especially after he learns that we're
going to be married.  I plan on giving you the beautiful wedding that you
deserve and that requires all your family there, but I will not allow him to
ruin it with his pig headedness.  So I am sorry Scully, but we are going to
talk about Bill and what we are going to do about him."  Scully was silent
as all that Mulder said started to soak in.  The kettle starts to go off and
Mulder makes the tea.  "Come on, let's take this back to the couch."  He
took the two teacups and headed into the living room.  

Scully was right behind him and sat beside him on the couch.  He handed her
the other cup.  They were silent for a while until Scully finally decided to
break it.  "So, Mulder do I take it that all that happened back there in the
kitchen was my second marriage proposal?  Because you know if it is, you've
done the impossible and topped yourself.  I thought your first one right
before my mom came here was out of the ordinary, but that one tops it.  Just
makes me wonder, since you've gone the nontraditional route.  Does that mean
that I get to also?  I mean we are always on the same wavelength, well most
of the time.  So why change it now?  But then that would mean I wouldn't
give the answer of yes or no.  I would have to not answer you, but then I
don't think you'd stand for that."

"Well, you know Scully you don't have to worry about the nontraditional
aspect on your part because you've already done it."

Scully looked at him, "What do you mean?"

He put his cup down on the table.  "Well, I'm no expert on marriage
proposals, but I am guessing that it isn't very common for the girl to lose
the ring."

"How, how do you?  What are you talking about?"

He pulled the ring out of his pocket and gave it to her.  She took the ring
and studied it like it was a piece of evidence and then smiled at him.  "I
called your mom after you left Monday night, to let her and the others know
that you were safe.  Charlie spoke to me after everyone else was done. He
wanted to have a little talk and learn of my intentions towards you before
he went and defended his future brother-in-law to Bill.  He found the ring
on the floor near where you coat was after you left. He mailed it to me and
I got it this afternoon."  He took it from her and held it in front of her
eyes.  "Now, you know I have had this ring for four years and have never
lost track of it.  Now that is a first for me.  I mean just ask accounting
about my guns and cell phones.  But you get this ring and can't even keep it
for a week.  You know that isn't a very good sign to start things off with."  

He smiled at her and got up from the couch.  He moved the coffee table away
from the couch and knelt down on one leg in front of Scully.  He took her
left hand, "Scully, will you please do me honor of becoming my wife?"

Scully's hand started to shake and she tried to answer but nothing will come
out.

"You know, this is the only time you are going to get me to do something
traditional or normal, so you better take it while you can get it.  Now, you
want to officially become Mrs. Spooky and have the whole bureau wonder how
nuts you really are or are you going to leave me out on this limb by myself?"

"Yes," she whispered out.

"Yes?" he repeated.

"Yes, yes I will marry you."  Mulder placed the ring on her hand and Scully
hugged him and started crying again.

"Hey."  Mulder pulled out of the hug and looked at her.  "Hey sweetie, it's
okay don't cry."  He wiped her tears away.  "Besides, when you tell your
mother and Skinner there'll be enough tears.  And when Frohike finds out, it
will be like a monsoon."  They both laughed at that.  He grabbed her face in
his hands.  "Are you sure?  I mean, are you ready for all that this is gonna
involve?  Your family especially Bill, the bureau, the Consortium, all the
gossip that's going to go around.  You sure you're ready for it all?"

"Mulder, I've been dealing with all that for almost seven years.  This won't
be anything new.  Well, except this time I can just say 'watch it or I'll
have Mulder kick your ass'.  This isn't gonna change anything."

"But you're wrong Scully."  He picked her hand up and held it in front of
her face.  "This changes everything Dana.  No more games, no more fine line
to walk.  This also means no more 'I'm fine' and no more closing yourself off."

She grabbed his hands.  "That means the same for you.  No more games, no
more secrets, and no more ditching me.  Because if you do, it isn't just
your partner your ditching it's me your wife.  I won't tolerate.  We go into
this same as always, equal partners.  You agree?"

"Yes, 50/50.  Keep nothing from each other."  He leaned into her and placed
a soft kiss on her lips.  

He started to pull back but she stopped him.  "Where do you think you're
going?  I've waited six and a half years for this.  That is not going
satisfy me."  She went in to kiss him, but stopped.  "Mulder?"

"Yes."

"Can I call you Fox when we aren't at work?"

He smiled at her.  "You can call me anything you want, within reason.  Don't
even think about giving me one of the stupid lovey names like 'honey cakes'
or 'sugar plum'."

"This from the man who just called me 'sweetie'."

"I said stupid names.  "Sweetie' isn't stupid, besides since the day you
woke up from your coma you have been my Scully.  But I didn't think you
would appreciate me calling you that."

"Your Scully huh?  Well, I guess that is appropriate since I have thought of
you as mine since New Mexico.  So, I can call you Fox and get away with it now?"

"Yes, you can call me Fox whenever you like at work or home, it doesn't matter."

"I'll stick with Mulder at work.  Old habits die-hard.  Besides, calling you
Fox is so weird.  I'll just use it as my term of endearment for you.  Mulder
is who you are and who I fell in love with."

"Well then, I'll call you Dana as my term of endearment."

"Good because I hate that 'sweetie' stuff.  It just isn't us.  Now, I enough
of this."  She took his face in her hands.  "Fox, I have known that I have
loved you for three and a half years and probably loved you in some way
since the first moment that we met.  I have put six and a half, almost seven
years of hard work into you, now I want to start getting my payback.  So
kiss me, and you better make sure it is good or I'll shoot you again."

"Yes mame."  


End 6/13