From: Nicole Baker <nebaker@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 20:28:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: xfc: The One That Got Away:  The Morning After 
Source: xfc

From: Nicole Baker <nebaker@yahoo.com>

Title:  The One That Got Away:  The Morning After
Author:  Diana Fowley
Email:  agtdianafowley@yahoo.com
Rated:  R
Category:  MSR
Summary:  This is the follow-up to the story "The One
That Got Away."  You should read that one first.  It
can be found at Xemplary and Ephemeral.  If you can't
find it I would be happy to email it to you.  
Archive:  Anywhere, just let me know
Authors Notes:  Thank you to my beta Tracy!  You are
wonderful!

part 1/5
*******************************************************8

I wake with a start.  I have a really bad feeling. 
The kind you get when you know you've forgotten to do
something very important but can't remember what.  As
I try to clear the cloud of sleep from my mind I
realize two things, first, I am not home and second, I
am not alone.  I try to turn over but a strong arm
tightens around me and someone begins nuzzling the
back of my neck.  With the feeling of Mulder's lips on
me, memories of light night flood me and I push myself
into his warmth.  

Then I realize something, "Mulder?"

"Yes," he mumbles as he continues to kiss my neck.

"We didn't sleep on your couch last night."  It's more
a statement of disbelief than a question.

His laugh is muffled against my skin but I can feel it
vibrate down my spine.  "Your powers of observation
must be failing, Agent Scully, because clearly, we did
spend last night on my couch.  If I remember
correctly, I wanted to go to bed but you insisted on
staying out here."

"That was to....Mulder, I didn't mean we had to sleep
out here afterwards."

He laughs again.  It is such a beautiful sound.  We
lay together in silence for a long time and I realize
that this truly is how I want to wake up every morning
for the rest of my life, with the exception of being
on a leather sofa.  This time when I try to turn in
his arms he lets me.  As soon as I am facing me, he
smiles and shifts so I am lying on top of him.  He is
very happy to see me this morning.  I shift so he is
cradled between my legs and he moans.  I begin
dropping kisses along his collar bone and on all the
sensitive place I discovered last night.  I run my
tongue along his jaw line and plant kisses on his
chin, working toward his beautiful mouth.  Just before
I reach my goal, the phone rings.  I freeze and he
catches my eye.  I nod and tuck my head under his chin
as he reaches behind us for the phone.

"Mulder."

From my position I can hear his heart rate increase so
I look up and am definitely confronted with the panic
face.  I wish I had a camera.  Then I see him mouth
the words, "It's your Mom!" as he points to the phone
in his hand.  I groan and tuck my head back under his
chin, not wanting to deal with this, but he won't let
me escape that easily.

"Yeah, I understand, Mrs. Scully..Maggie, of course. 
Her phone?...She must have left here or...Yes...Oh, wait,
can you hold on a minute, I have another call."  With
that he mutes the phone and says, "She says she's been
trying to get a hold of you all morning, something
about your brother's flight being moved back...."

"Shit!"  I yell as I jump off of Mulder, taking the
blanket with me, and reach for the phone.  He gives me
a look that says, 'what are you going to tell her?"  I
don't know so I turn away as I bring the phone to my
ear.   "Mom?"

"Dana!  I've been looking everywhere for you?"  Pause.
"What are you doing at Fox's, dear?"

I turn and find Mulder intently watching me as he sits
on his sofa in his birthday suit.  I stifle a smile at
the picture and say, "Well, I just got back from a
case and we had to go over some notes and it was late
so I...um...ended up staying over here...on the
couch."

When I look for Mulder's reaction I see that he is
trying to hide a smile, I assume at my last remark,
but underlying that is disappointment that I didn't
tell my mom the truth about us. I once again turn away
from his scrutiny and continue my conversation.

"Okay dear, but I just needed to get a hold of you to
tell you that our flight's been delayed until three or
so.

I glance at the clock 11 am.  That's fine, I can make
it.  "Sounds great, Mom, I'll meet you at the
airport."

"Dana?"

"Yes."

"Dana, honey, why don't you see if Fox wants to join
you?  Since Charlie isn't going, we have an extra
ticket."

Mulder?  I again glance in his direction.  God, I want
him with me but it is all too new.  I don't think I
can subject him to my entire family this early in the
game.  He wouldn't want to go anyway.  No guy ever
wants to go to a wedding.  It's only for a weekend. 
Two days...why after one night, can I not imagine
waking up without him for a single day, much less a
whole weekend.  I sigh and say, "No, mom, Mulder 
wouldn't want to go."  Mulder gives me strange look
and then gets off the couch and heads into his
bedroom.  "So, I'll meet you at the airport at 2:30?"

I wait for conformation of my last statement but
instead hear,  "Let me talk to him."

"Mom, I really don't...."

"Dana, I am sure he just doesn't want to feel like he
is imposing, let me talk to him."

I reluctantly agree, mute the phone and find Mulder in
his kitchen, cooking breakfast.  I come up behind him.
 He doesn't seem to notice me so I just watch him for
a moment.  He looks so wonderful standing there in
only a pale yellow pair of pajama pants, whisking what
appears to be pancake batter.  I finally walk up
behind him and run my hand down his arm to get his
attention.  

He jumps at the contact and I simply hold out the
phone, "My mom wants to talk to you."

He looks confused but takes the phone, tucking it
between his ear and shoulder so he can continue with
breakfast as he talks, "Hello?"

There is a long silence on his end.  He keeps glancing
my way.  I know he wants to talk about this, us, last
night before he agrees to a family vacation, but
unfortunately we won't get that luxury.  Then I hear
sounds of agreement and finally Mulder saying good-bye
and putting the phone on the counter.  Then, instead
of telling me what's happened, he turns and flips the
pancakes.

"So?"  I prompt.

"Looks like you have a date for the wedding," he says
with no emotion and without turning around.  

"You don't have to go."  I state simply.

He sets the flipper he was using down and appears to
count to five before he turns to face me. 
Unfortunately I don't know what the hell has gotten
him so upset.  When he finally looks at me I can see
the pain in his eyes, "I know that you don't want me
there, but how could I say no to your mother."

What!?!  "Mulder, why the hell do you think that I
don't want you there with me?"  I demand.

His face softens and he leans against the counter, he
takes a deep breath and begins, "You told your mother
that I didn't want to go, without even asking if I
did.  I figured you didn't want me there with you."

I walk over to him and stand with one hand on the
counter on either side of him.  When he doesn't look
at me I raise his chin so I can look him in the eyes,
"Listen, Mulder, I didn't think you would want to go,
that's why I told Mom that.  There is no one I would
rather have with me.  I though we established that
last night," I say, punctuating the last word with a
soft kiss on the lips.   "I didn't want you to be
subjected to my entire family, especially so early
on...."

He laughs as this and wraps his arms around me, kiss
me on top of the head, "Scully, we've been together
for seven years."

I laugh too.  It feels so good,  "I'm glad you are
coming with me."

He pulls me tighter against him for a moment, then
releases me and turns back to the pancakes, "They
smell delicious, Mulder."  

He smiles and hands me a plate and we settle at the
table to eat. It is the most fun wonderful meal I have
ever consumed.  "So,"  he finally says after a long
period of silence, "what are the plans?"

"Well, I need to get home to pack, I'll pick you up on
the way to the airport." I say as I pick up our dishes
and put them in his sink.  When I turn around, I find
my self staring directly at his naked chest.  He pins
me to the counter and begins to pant delicate kiss
along my collar bone and neck, much as I had done
earlier that morning.  "That's not what I meant, I
mean, what is the plan about us?  Am I going as your
date or just your partner?"  

I consider this for a moment, which is hard under his
scrutiny, then I say, "I don't know, Mulder.  Let's
just see how everything goes.  Okay?"

He seems to accept this answer because his response is
to run his tongue across my lips.  I respond by
pulling it into my mouth.  As Mulder drops the blanket
I am wearing to the floor, I am vaguely concerned
about us making it to the airport on time but not
enough to stop.  


part 2/5
Disclaimers in part 1
**************************************************************

Packing was easy.  Returning to Mulder's apartment was
hard.  I thought going there last night after the
Steve incident was going to be the scariest thing I
have ever done in my life, but I was wrong.  Returning
to his apartment, after we...was worse.  Going to this
wedding was going to be torture and  I am dreading it.
 We haven't had a chance to be comfortable with each
other in our new relationship before we have to be
together around other people.  I just don't know how
to act around him anymore.  Because of this, I think I
am going to ask him, just for the next few days, if we
could go back to how we were before we...before last
night.  I know how unsure he was about our
relationship last night and I don't want to make it
worse, but it's still hard to see Mulder as someone
other than my partner.  It's hard to see him as my
boyfriend?  Lover?  (even though that only happened
once, I was able to regain enough control this morning
to ensure that we made our flight, much to Mulder's
dismay)  Oh, god, if we are going by what we said last
night....Fianc?  We really need to talk.  

When I pull up in front of his building I find Mulder
waiting patiently on the curb.  I pop the trunk and he
throws in his suitcase and climbs in the front seat. 
"Hey,"  I say, sounding very lame.

"Hey," he returns, his eyes only flashing to mine for
an instant before returning to the very complicated
adjustments he is making to his seat belt.  

We drive in an uncomfortable silence until I can't
take anymore.  "Mulder...." I began but can't quite
figure our what to say so I close my mouth and
concentrate on the road.  I can see him turning to
look at me out of my peripheral vision.  He grabs my
hand from the wheel and kisses it.  I turn to him and
find him smiling like and an idiot.  I smile at him
and return my eyes to the road.  

After a few minutes he says, "Scully, everything's
going to be okay. We're going to be okay."

I smile again.  It's true.  We are going to be okay. 
He doesn't release my hand the entire way to the
airport.  

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

I have to tell him.  I have to.  I have to.  I have to
tell him that no matter what happened last night, I
need us just to be friends in front of my family.  We
are getting closer and closer to the gate and he is
still holding my hand.  If my mom sees us, our cover
will be blown, but I am so afraid that asking him to
hide this relationship will break his heart.  

Finally I stop walking.  After a step or two he does
also and turns to look at me the huge, stupid grin
still plastered to his face.  "Mulder," I begin.  "We
need to talk," and the grin immediately disappears. 
God, this is going to be hard.  I pull him off to the
side of the walkway and begin, "You know this morning
when you asked me how we were going to act?"  He nods
and I continue,  "I've been thinking about it and I
need you just to be my friend for the next few days." 
He drops his eyes to the floors.  "I just think it
would be too hard, Mulder, this is all too new."

"I understand, Scully," he says, still examining the
floor, disappointment evident in his voice.

"Hey," I say, bending down so I can see his face.  "I
don't regret last night, if that's what you think.  I
don't regret a single thing that happened or a single
thing that was said."

He squeezes my hand and looks back up at me.  "Even
what I we talked about afterwards?  About your dream?"

"No," I say, pulling his hand to my mouth for a kiss.
"No regrets.  Well, actually I regret having to go to
this wedding and not having more time alone with you. 
We have a lot to talk about."

He smiles and I take the opportunity to steal a quick
kiss.  "I love you, Mulder," I say.  "Never doubt or
forget that.  And, I promise that when we get back, I
will make up for the fact that we couldn't be together
for these few days."

I am rewarded with a kiss.  

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


Part 3/5
Disclaimers in part 1
**************************************************************

The plane ride was miserable.  Everyone was out to get
me.   Being stuck between a mother on the way to a
wedding with her single daughter and a secret lover is
not something I recommend trying.  

As soon as we sat down, Mom started in on me.  "Isn't
it nice to see Emily getting married?"

"Yes, Mom."

"She seemed so happy last time I talked to her."

"Yes, Mom."

"She is going to be such a beautiful bride."

"Yes, Mom."

"You would be a beautiful bride too, honey, if you
would just settle down and find someone."

"Yes, Mom."  I say as I feel Mulder's elbow poking me
in the ribs.  I glare at him.

"Sorry, Scully.  Did I  poke you?"

I suppress the urge to growl and turn my attention
back to Mom.

"Don't you think Dana would make a beautiful bride,
Fox?"  Mom asks, her eyes sparkling.

Mulder doesn't miss a beat, "Gorgeous," he says, the
big stupid grin returning to his face.  He is having
way too much fun with this.  

I groan and cover my face as mom continues to assure
me that I just need to get out more and I will find
someone. Some to settle down with.  Then she throws in
the kicker,"....some nice man.  Like that boy you were
so close to in college.  What was his name?  Steve? 
What ever happened to him?  You two made such a
perfect couple."

At the mention of Steve's name I can feel Mulder tense
up next to me.  I want to grab his hand in reassurance
but that would blow our cover.  Instead I say, "Steve
and I could never be more than just friends, Mom."

She begins to protest but the glare I am giving her
silences her momentarily.  "Well," she finally says,
"at least you have a date to this wedding.  Rumors
were started about you, Dana.  People thought that
maybe you didn't like men.  I told them they were
ridiculous but since you never have a date to anything
it was hard for me to prove them wrong..."

What!?!  Great!  My family thinks I'm a lesbian. 
That's just great.  I turn to gauge Mulder's reaction.
 His face is turned to the window and his body is
vibrating.  That bastard is laughing at me.  He's
going to pay.  

Mom takes this opportunity to excuse herself and I
take this opportunity for a little revenge.  I lean
against Mulder and place my hand on his upper thigh. 
He turns his head so his ear is even with my mouth. 
"You a member of the mile high club, Mulder?"

He gulps and shakes his head.

"Neither am I," I continue. I pause and them deliver
the punch, "But it has always been one of my favorite
fantasies involving you"   I bite his ear and run my
hand up his leg and over his crotch before I return it
to my own lap.  

Mulder groans and closes his eyes as his head falls
back against the seat.  "You are an evil woman, Dana
Scully, and I love you for it."

Before I can return the sentiment, Mom returns to her
seat and says, "I just had a wonderful idea.  Fox,
maybe you could pretend to be Dana's date.  I'm sure
that would dispel some of the rumors.  You wouldn't
mind, would you Fox?"

I almost laugh out loud.  My mother is asking my
secret lover to pretend to be my boyfriend in order to
dispel the rumors that I am a lesbian.  This is too
much.  Maybe I should just tell her the truth.  

Before anyone can answer, the pilot announces that we
are preparing to land.  Thankfully, the conversation
dies.  

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

Part 4/5
Disclaimers in part 1
*************************************************************

The wedding was beautiful.  Much like I had imagined
my wedding when I was younger.  Now, I can't imagine
myself having a large fancy wedding.  Maybe I just
can't imagine Mulder and I having a large wedding.  My
arms tighten around him at the thought and he
immediately steps closer to me as we sway to the
music.  I sigh and feel him brush his lips through my
hair.  The music ends and I can see the question in
his eyes, 'what was that about?'  I laugh and say,
"I'll tell you later."  He smiles and leads me back to
my seat, his hand on the small of my back.

After mom disclosed the rumor about me harboring
same-sex tendencies I have been watching everyone's
reaction to Mulder's presence.  As we pass and return
to our seats I get a few raised eyebrows.  Hopefully
Mulder has helped me dispel that myth, even though we
have remained very platonic.  

Just as we returned to our seats my mom came up behind
me and said, "Dana, honey, what are you doing?  Emily
is getting ready to throw the bouquet!"

"Mom," I groan in protest.

I look to Mulder and once again that bastard is trying
not to laugh.  

Mom pulls me out of my seat and practically drags me
to the crowd gathering around Emily.  Mulder can't
keep from laughing as I return to the table bouquet in
hand.  The table clears as the music begins and Mulder
and I are left alone at the table.  "So," Mulder said
motioning to the bouquet.  "What do you think?"

I smile and remember our conversation from the
previous night.  I wish for the millionth time today
that Mulder and I were still in bed.  I wish that we
had more time to talk about...talk about everything. 
I reach across the table and squeeze his hand, "I
think...I think that nothing would make me happier
than waking up in your arms every morning for the rest
of my life."  And I have never wanted to kiss him more
in my entire life.  

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

After the reception my mother, Mulder and I all ended
up back at my aunts house for coffee.  Once we
finished and the dishes were loaded in the dishwasher
I excused myself to go find Mulder.  

As I round the corner into the sitting room I feel a
strong hand grab me, push me against the wall and then
release me.  Mulder.  "I've been thinking.  Why is it,
Scully," he says, the anger just under the surface of
his monotone voice.  "That you refuse to tell your
family about me?  Is there something wrong with me?"

"God, Mulder!  No, there's nothing wrong."

"Then what is it?" He insists.

"Mulder..." I begin but am stopped short by  him
leaning against the wall, his hand just above my left
shoulder and his lips so close to my ear I feel him
rather than hear him.

"Scully, it's just that, I haven't been able to touch
you the way I want to since we got to the airport
yesterday.  I really miss the way you feel.  I miss
you Scully."

"Mulder," I say, turning so he was against the wall
and blocked from escape by my body. No part of me is
touching him as I lean close to his ear and say,  "I
want you so badly that even the slightest touch would
make me take you here, on the floor of my aunts
house."

"Ah," he whispers into my ear, being careful not to
touch me.  "We can't have that, now can we?"  Mulder
then raised raises his hand and runs it from my cheek,
down my neck, over my breast, and past the swell of my
hip not close enough to touch me, but close enough
that I can feel the heat of it.  

Before his hand can finish it's touchless journey I
hear my mother call my name as she rounds the corner
into the room.  Luckily I jump apart <we jump apart or
I jump back> before she notices.  "Dana, honey, there
you are, I've been looking all over for the two of
you!  Are you all right?  You look flushed,"  she says
reaching to feel my forehead.  

Mulder stifles a laugh and I say, "I'm fine Mom."
Then, "you said you were looking for us?"

"Yes," she says, seemingly satisfied that I'm not in
immediate danger.  "I was wondering if you two were
ready to return to the hotel?"

We agree and gather our things and make our way to the
rental car.

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

Part 5/5
Disclaimers in part 1
************************************************************

Thankfully everyone was too tired for small talk on
the short drive back to the hotel.  A hotel where
sleeping arrangements left much to be desired.   After
the flight and the activities of the previous nights I
was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as my head hit
the pillow.  Tonight was a different story.  After
everything that happened today, I wanted to be with
him.  Since I was sharing a room with Mom, the
possibility of Mulder staying with me was zero.  The
only possibility was me sneaking into Mulder's room
was also slim since Mom was a notoriously light
sleeper.  

I am pulled from my thoughts by the ringing of the
phone.  "Hello."  Mom said as she answered.  Then,
"Dana, yes, just a second....Dana, it's Fox for you."

I suppressed a smile as I took the phone from Mom,
"Mulder?"

"Hey, sexy, what are you wearing?"

I nearly laugh until I notice Mom's concerned look. 
"Mulder is there something you need?"

"You, Scully, but I thought you knew that."

God, I can't take this much longer.  I need to be with
him.  "Sorry, Mulder, I don't think that's possible."

"It is," he insists.  "tell her that I need you to
come over here and help me with a case.  She's used to
me pulling you away from things.  I'll have you back
by morning, I promise.  Though I can't promise much
sleep."

"I'll see you soon," I say and hang up.  I lay there
for a long time.  I feel  bad about lying to Mom but I
know I won't get any sleep until I am next to Mulder. 


"Something wrong, Dana?"  Mom asks.

"Nothing's wrong," I say as I get out of bed and pull
on some clothes.  "Mulder just needs some help on a
case.  I will try to be back before morning."

"A case? You're on vacation, can't this wait until you
get back to work?"

"I guess not," I say as I bend to kiss Mom on the
head.  "Goodnight, you know Mulder's number if you
need anything."

When I get to Mulder's room, I knock and when there is
no answer, I find it unlocked.  I open the door to
find the lights on but don't see Mulder.  Suddenly I
am spun around and slammed into the door by someone
large and hard.  I cry out in surprise but it is
muffled as Mulder's mouth closes over mine.  He
immediately pushes his tongue into my mouth and begins
to reacquaint himself with my taste as I happily
reacquaint myself with his.  God, I don't know how I
went over 24 hours without this. 

Mulder finally releases my mouth and begins to kiss my
face and neck.  "God Mulder," I groan.  "I don't ever
want to do without this again."

He laughs against me.  "Neither do I."

"Mulder,"  I say, pulling his face so I can look into
his eyes.  "I meant everything I said.  I want to be
with your you for the rest of my life.  I want to
raise a family with you.  I want to marry you.  I
never want to be with out without you.  I never want
to be with anyone but you."

"I know," he says as he lifts me and pins me against
the  door.  My legs wrap around his waist and I can
feel him pressing into me.  I groan and he swallows it
with a kiss.  

Mulder keeps me pressed against the door for long
time.  When I finally pull my lips from his, I plead,
"The bed."

He slides his hands to the curve of my ass and carries
me to his bed, which luckily is not on the wall that
his room shares with mine.  He drops me on the bed and
immediately joins me.  I reach for him again but he
grabs my wrist, "No, Scully," he says.  "This time we
take it slow." And we do.  

He spends what seems like hours removing each piece of
my clothing and thoroughly kissing each centimeter of
skin revealed to him.  When he finishes with me I
return the favor.  When he enters me he keeps the pace
slow with long steady strokes.  I have never felt so
worshipped as I did when we were joined.  I came
suddenly and without warning and he followed soon
after.

"Scully," he said as we lay tangled together.

"Hmmm," I respond running my fingers through his
sparse chest hair.

"Will you marry me?"

"Mulder," I say, rising up so I can look him in the
eye.  I am about to kid him about being so insecure,
when I see the doubt in his eyes.  He is still so
unsure about us, about this.  I think I underestimated
how badly it would hurt him to keep this hidden and I
vow to tell my mother tomorrow.  Tomorrow I will tell
them that I am going to marry the most wonderful man
in the world.  Even though I want to tell him all of
this, I can't find the words, so I simply say, "Yes."
And then, "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" he asked in shock.

I smile and nod.

"You want us to get married tomorrow?"

I laugh, "I want to get married and I want to tell Mom
about it tomorrow.  No more hiding, Mulder.  I love
you and I want the world to know.  I want everyone to
know that this is property of Fox Mulder. "

He smiles and pulls me into a passionate kiss.  When I
pull away I snuggle back into his chest and fall into
a peaceful sleep.  Once again I dream of the future. 
This time I see Mulder and I happy, healthy, and
together and  I know that Mulder and I belong
together.   I know that no one with ever come between
us. I know that together we will make all of our
dreams come true.  When I wake up I have tear of joy
in my eyes and I say a silent prayer thanking God that
I was smart enough to listen to Steve and not let
Mulder get away.

The End
Send feedback if you would like to see another
installment.
agtdianafowley@yahoo.com


=====
AIM:  xflznicole
"Email is for geeks and pedaphiles."  Ryan Phillippe as Sabastian Velmont in Cruel Intentions