From: lmock@gpu1.srv.ualberta.ca (Loret Mock)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative
Subject: New:  Nutcracker 1/1
Date: 20 Dec 1995 19:47:50 GMT


The X-Files and the characters of Mulder and Scully are the property of 
the Brilliant Chris Carter, Fox Broadcasting and Ten Thirteen 
Productions.  No Copyright infringement intended.

Well, 'tis the season, and all that.  Here's my contribution, should be 
suitable for viewing by all ages, and wherever you live.  Okay, it does 
get a little sappy, and there's a touch of UST, but not so bad that it'll 
give you a toothache!


Nutcracker
By Loret Mock


	Fox Mulder sat in his office in the basement of the J. Edgar 
Hoover Building.  "Thank God it's Friday," he muttered as he tossed 
another miraculously finished report into his out basket.  Nothing 
remotely resembling an x-file had crossed his desk in over a week, and he 
was getting board just doing paperwork.
	He looked at his watch for what seemed like the millionth time, 
and heaved a sigh of relief that it was almost five o'clock and he could 
leave with a clear conscience, and a cramp in his neck.
	Walking over to the door to retrieve his coat that was hanging 
behind it, Mulder jumped back just in time to avoid being hit as it 
swung open. 
	"Mulder," Scully said startled to find him standing *right there*.
	"I knew working for the Bureau was hazardous..." Mulder smirked, 
his hand resting on the door.
	"Are you leaving?"
	"Yeah, I figured a solid week of paper work was boring enough.  
I'm ready to get our of here."  He noticed an odd look on her face as she 
crossed over to her desk.  "Is something wrong?"
	"No, um, I was just wondering... well, I have two tickets for the 
ballet tomorrow night," she turned away from him, busying herself at her 
desk, "and I usually go with my mom, but Bill's wife just had a baby, and 
she's going to stay with them for a couple of weeks.  So I was wondering 
if you might want to go with me," she finished in a rush.  She bit her 
lip and looked at him out of the corner of her eye when he didn't say 
anything.
	Mulder thought of all the basket ball and football games he had 
dragged her to.  <You *can* do this.>
	"If you already have plans this weekend, I understand, it is 
short notice," Scully said giving him an out.
	"What time should I pick you up?"
	She blinked at him, then smiled.  The ballet starts at eight, so, 
seven o'clock?"
	"Do I have to wear a tux?"  He asked as she gathered her things 
to leave.
	She smirked at the petulant tone in his voice, "A suit will be fine."
**********************

	Mulder dressed himself carefully Saturday evening in a black suit 
and white shirt.  He was currently hunting through his ties looking for 
one sedate enough for a night at the ballet.  He remembered his mother 
taking him and Sam to one when they were younger.  Sam loved it.  He fell 
asleep.
	He stopped in the middle of tying his tie.  <God, I hope I don't 
fall asleep tonight.>  He shook his head and grinned, no way would Scully 
let him.  He remembered the hopeful look on her face when she asked him 
if he wanted to go.  <I wonder if I look like that when I'm asking her to 
do something?  Na, I've got that whipped puppy dog look going for me.>

	Scully was having a bad hair day, and was ready to throw her hot 
rollers out the window.  She was getting so mad, she was beginning to 
talk to her hair.  "Okay, one more try, and then I cut it all off, and 
really look like Mulder.  I should have gone to the hairdresser."

	Mulder arrived at seven o'clock and knocked on the door to 
apartment number five.  He waited for a moment then knocked again.  Still 
nothing.  He could hear music coming from inside, so he tried the knob, 
it was unlocked.  "Scully?"  He called, over the classical music pouring 
from the stereo.  He came in and closed the door.
	"Mulder?"
	"Are you ready?"
	"I didn't hear you knock, I'll be right out."
	Walking over to the stereo, he decreased the volume a bit and 
picked up the CD case from the top.  Tchaikovsky; The Nutcracker.  "What 
ballet are we seeing anyway?  I forgot to ask."
	"The Nutcracker," Scully said emerging from the bedroom, "ever 
been to it?"
	"No, but I know the general story," Mulder said replacing the CD 
case and turning around to face her.  His eyes widened a little as he 
took in her snug fitting, floor length black velvet gown.  The top was 
kind of heart shaped, with two sets of spaghetti straps holding it in 
place.  Her fiery hair was piled on top of her head held in place with a 
clip, a few wisps escaping it, and framing her face.  Scully wasn't 
paying attention, she was tucking her identification and the tickets in 
her matching purse.
	"I'll just get my coat and we can go," she said turning and 
walking to the closet.
	Mulder's mouth fell open as he viewed the exposed back of his 
normally sedate dressing partner.  The gown cut down to her lower back, 
with one set of straps crossing over it.
	Scully chose a coat from the closet, and tried to put it on 
without putting her purse down.  Mulder shook himself and went over to 
help her with it.  "You look lovely," he said softly.
	Scully turned, a little surprised.  She smiled widely at him, 
"Thank you."
	He smiled back and was about to walk over to the door when a 
figure on the coffee table caught his attention.  "What's this?"
	"A nutcracker," she smiled wickedly and walked over to him gently 
taking the wooden statue from his hands.  "Do you know what we do with 
nutcrackers?"  She asked naughtily.
	Mulder stared at her, shifting uncomfortably.  She just laughed, 
"Let's go."

***************************

	Mulder was being very chivalrous tonight; Scully reflected as 
they sat in the theatre waiting for the ballet to start.  He helped her 
in and out of the car, held doors open for her, and took her coat when 
they settled themselves into their seats.
	"Weren't you a Tom Boy when you were a kid, Scully?" Mulder asked  
startling her out of her thoughts.
	"Yes, why?"
	"I just didn't think you would like this sort of thing."
	"My mother made sure I had a very well rounded education.  She 
had to bribe me to get me into one of Melissa's old dresses when we 
went," she smiled at the memory.  She opened her program, looking at the 
list of dancers, and the general outline of the story, a smile touching 
her lips.
	"Have you ever seen the movie 'Brain Donors'?"
	Scully thought for a moment, "No, it doesn't sound familiar, why?"
	"There's a ballet company, and they are doing a production of 
'Swan Lake'; I'm pretty sure that was it; anyway, these guys are trying 
to get rid of the lead dancer, and end up sabotaging his performance.  
It's a really funny movie, and it moves along at a fast pace.  I was 
trying to make myself something to eat when it was on, and I kept going 
back to watch it because I might miss something."  Scully was smiling so 
Mulder continued.  "There was one part you would appreciate; two of the 
characters were trying to revive a dying swan by bringing out an IV, and 
paddles to shock her.  If you like the ballet, you'll like this," he 
assured her.
	"Is there any actual dancing in it?"
	"Some.  Here and there.  I think more men would like the ballet 
if they were like that movie."
	Scully gave him one of her looks.  He glared back at her, "Admit it."
	"I'd like to rent the movie tomorrow," she grinned.  Mulder 
laughed quietly as the lights started to dim.
**************************

	Mulder found that he enjoyed watching Scully watch the ballet, 
than watching the ballet itself.  She had a delighted smile on her face.  
He could almost imagine what she might look like after... <let's see, 
what's Clara doing now?>

	When it was time for the intermission, Mulder leaned over to her, 
"Would you like to get a drink?"
	Scully nodded, gathering her purse.  Mulder stood and held out 
his hand to her.  She looked at it for a second, then up at him.  He 
didn't say anything, just stood waiting patiently for her to make up her 
mind.
	She placed her hand in his, and allowed him to draw her 
unsteadily to her feet in her too high heels.  She couldn't decide if she 
liked this side of her partner or not.  He placed his hand on the small 
of her back, guiding her, back up the isle, and she wondered if he was 
like this with all the women he dated.  She stopped dead.  <This is NOT a 
date!>
	"Something wrong, Scully?"  Mulder asked, practically waking on 
her after her sudden stop.  She shook her head, and continued up the isle.
	Mulder left her standing at the window looking out at the city, 
while he went to get them each a glass of wine.
	He returned a few minutes later, clutching two plastic wine 
glasses in one hand.  She was so absorbed in the view, she didn't notice 
him.  He couldn't seem to resist touching her, and drew a finger lightly 
up her spine; grinning when she jumped.  She glared at the pleased look 
on his face, <honestly, sometimes he is so childish.>
	"Here you go; served in their finest crystal."
	Scully flicked the rim of her plastic cup.  "Must be broken."
	She sipped at her wine.  "So, what do you think so far?"
	Mulder cringed inwardly, he had been hoping that she wouldn't ask 
that.  He briefly considered spilling his wine on her to distract her, 
but decided he wanted to live a little longer.  Unfortunately he was 
silent a bit too long.
	"You don't like it, do you?"  Mulder opened his mouth to 
automatically protest, but she waived a hand at him.  "It's okay, you're 
still awake, and that's what counts."
	"I am having a nice time... but I think it's the fact that the 
men are wearing tights."
	"Superman wears tights," Scully said.
	"And I bet you're glued to your TV every Sunday night to see him 
in those tights too."
	She tossed her head, not answering, and knocked one of her curls 
loose.  It fell across her forehead, and she went to reach for it to put 
it back, but Mulder plucked the lock of hair off her face, mesmerized as 
it gently curled around his thumb.  He saw her watching him, and gently 
tucked it back where it belonged.
	Scully seemed to be having trouble taking a deep breath, and 
felt, suddenly, that she needed to sit down.  She moved over to one of 
the many cushioned benches scattered throughout the lobby; Mulder 
trailing behind her.
	They sat together quietly, drinking their wine until the 
announcement that the ballet would resume in two minutes was made.  
Mulder disposed of their glasses, and they returned to the dimly lit theatre.
	At the end of the ballet, Mulder found a reason to return one 
day.  The lead Male dancer wiped out.  Both clapped a hand over their 
mouths, Scully to stifle a gasp, and Mulder to stifle laughter.  The 
dancer managed to recover quickly, but Mulder wasn't having much luck.  
Scully dug her elbow into his ribs sharply, and he cleared his throat 
applauding with the rest of the audience, still shaking with silent 
laughter.  Scully have him up as a lost cause, and ignored him.
	He had recovered by the time everyone was getting ready to leave, 
and helped Scully into her coat.  He linked her arm through his, and 
escorted her back to the car.  "Well, I hope he's alright," Scully said 
of the dancer.
	"I hope he didn't sprain anything," Mulder replied with renewed 
laughter.  Scully surprised him by joining in.

	Mulder parked the car in front of Scully's apartment, "I'll walk 
you to your door."
	He waited with her while she got out her keys and unlocked the 
door.  "Do you want to come in for coffee?" She asked.
	Mulder noticed that she had started to fade on the ride home, and 
declined; taking in her heavy lidded eyes.  "No thanks, I'm going to head 
home."
	She looked at him for a moment then stood on tiptoe to reach his 
face, and kissed him, just shy of the corner of his mouth.  "Thanks for 
going with me, Mulder, it really meant a lot to me."
	He smiled softly, "Good night, Scully."  Walking away from the 
door, he heard it close and lock, he touched the spot where she kissed 
him.  <Sweet dreams.>

*****************************

Right.  All comments to lmock@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca

______________________________________
"Good; bad; I'm the guy with the gun."
	- Ash  Army of Darkness
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