From: Civello Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2001 17:01:21 -0500 Subject: Page 65 part 4 by Doctor C. Source: direct Title: Page 65 part IV Author: Doctor C. Keywords: MSF, Pre X Files (I don't want to spoil it) Category: Story, Angst Rating: PG-13 to R (violence) Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of the X Files, Chris Carter and 1013 do. I also stole a line or two from Ally McBeal. Summary: It's prom season of their senior year and Mulder and Scully are in binds with whom to go with. Can they go with each other without risking their friendship? Dedication: As all my other fanfics, I would like to dedicate this to my best phriend Didi, who probably won't read this until July, since she is getting a tan in the Mediterranean, Note: This has some adult themes including some sex too, (no smut, but implied), so be forewarned. "We'd like to invite you to a celebration of your teenage years. An event that you'll never forget. I'm talking of course about your senior prom." Dana Katherine Scully held the invitation in her hands, thinking about it. This year had had many changes. Mulder went into counseling (despite his protest), and she was in Drivers Ed finally. The only problem was that her Drivers' Ed teacher didn't like her very much. It was always a coach, and a young one at that. It sounded Swedish, Coach Kersh. He always shot her evil looks. She had made some friends in that class, since she couldn't take it with Mulder. (Thankfully, he had taken her everywhere she wanted prior to when her class started) There really were nice people there, but one person in particular that she liked. His name was Ed Jerse. He had the build of a football player, but was interested in computers. He had long dark hair, and hazel eyes. Just the kind of person she was looking for. But, she had to remind herself not to tell Mulder. He would go through the roof if he heard this, just as she did last year (they don't talk about that much anymore). Mulder and Scully had to accept the fact that they were to date other people. Neither of them had accepted that yet. Last year, Mulder had a girlfriend with the name of a Disney character, Bambi. Dana just rolled her eyes at the name. Mulder came up with the excuse "Her parents were naturalists." Dana decided that with her work into her studies, she didn't have time for a love life. Sure, Mulder came over once in a while to help her study, and when she didn't have a test to study for, she would go see a movie or two with him. He had to drive of course. Bambi didn't like her very much, so Dana got a clue and stopped hanging around Mulder. Thankfully, he had broken off with her; he couldn't deal with a person who didn't like his best friend. He hung around a different crowd. They had gotten very distant this senior year. Maybe the prom would do her some good. If only she could think of the right person to ask. The next week was her final for her driving test, and she had to study hard. It took her twice as long, since for some reason, she couldn't concentrate if she was thinking of someone or something else. So she closed herself in her room from the moment she got in the door. She took the test and aced it. She was ready for the open road. She walked slowly out of the classroom, and saw the tall lanky figure of her best friend standing there. "Hey, how'd you do?" he asked, with a witty smile on his face. "I passed, Mulder! I passed! The highest score in the class" she said as he hugged her. She missed this about them. She felt so safe and warm in his arms. There was no pain. "You know what? I'm taking you out for a sundae. Come on, to Dairy Queen we go." He said as he led her to his car. His mother had felt so bad about sending him to what he called "a shrink that's underpaid" that she bought him a new car for his birthday. As he led her, he put his hand on the small of her back, which was another thing she missed. By doing that, he was saying to everyone else, "Paws off, she's mine." They spent the whole night talking. They talked about love, life, and each other. She was glad to have him back, hopefully for good. She could tell him anything. She was going in for the big question. "Umm, Mulder?" "Yea?" "This might sound like a stupid question, but..." she paused, blushing. "What, Scully? The only stupid questions are the ones not asked. Now spill." He said, putting on his best puppy dog face. "Are you going to the prom?" she spat out. "Actually, Starbuck, I am." He had picked up on that from Scully's father. Ahab had told him once that to get on Dana's soft side call her Starbuck. "That new girl from England, Phoebe Green asked me this morning in English class. Sculls, I'm so sorry." He said. He knew it hurt. And it did, it hurt Dana deep down. "That's okay, I was just wondering." She said. "Have you ever thought of asking someone? Any guy would want to go with you. They'd be stupid not to." He said as she smiled. "Thanks Spooky." They had gotten accustom to calling each other by their pet names. It was friendlier than 'Mulder and Scully' "I know Frohike would jump at the chance." Mulder said as Scully snorted. "Yea, I think I can do better than that." "Scully? I will promise you one dance at the prom, if you do go, kay?" "Deal." "Well, then I expect you to come, Starbuck." "I still have to think about it, Spooks." She said as he dropped her home. "Night." "Good night." Scully said. "Thanks for the ice cream." She said as he smiled. "What are best friends for?" The next day at school, you could pick up your licenses at lunch. Dana remembered the chaos last year, so she didn't make a big deal. She was looking at her picture, with her auburn hair flying everywhere. She wasn't even smiling. She was so occupied in this; she didn't see where she was going. She ran smack into something, something soft, meaty. She looked up to see the ever so famous (in her mind) Ed Jerse. "Hey, Dana. I was looking for you." He said with a smile that would melt her heart. "Really?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound too exited. "Yea, got a little question to ask ya. That is, if you're up for it?" He said as he led her to a table. They sat down. "Are you going to the prom with anyone?" "No, I don't think so." "Would you go with me? Your Driver's Ed tutor?" Dana couldn't believe that this was really happening. She hoped it wasn't just a dream that she'd wake up from. "Sure. I would be honored." "Great. I'll buy the tickets, all you have to worry about is the dress." He said, as she heard the bell ring. "I'll talk to you about it more tomorrow in calculus." He said as he left to his next class. This really was happening. And it was a dream come true. "Dana! Your date's here." Charlie said as he burst into the room. Dana looked stunning. She had a lavender spaghetti strap dress and four inch heels (to give her height of course). Thankfully her necklace covered her scar from that tragedy of sixth grade. "Wow, you look nice." He said as she smiled. "I don't like your date, though, he looks weird. And he has a tattoo. "Thank you for your impute Charlie." She said sarcastically. Charlie looked at her with one of the Scully eyebrows (it runs in the family) and said "Dana, you've been hanging around Mulder too much." At that, she smiled. "Thank you Charlie." She said as she went downstairs, hand on the railing, hopefully to look more elegant. It certainly did. He was dressed in a black tux, with a corsage on his breast pocket. He smiled when he saw her. "Dana. You look wonderful." He said as he took her hand. He put his hand on the small of her back, and she shuddered. She sped up her pace (which was pretty hard to do in heels). Her mind was lost in thought all the way to the hotel where the prom was located. Her date noticed this. "You got a lot on your mind, Danz?" he asked. She hated that pet name. It sent a chill up her spine. "Yea, I guess so. Nothing to worry about. I'm fine." She said. There was a feeling inside that something wasn't right. For once, she thought, her instincts were wrong. He was a very nice young man. They went inside and sat at their table. She was surprised when Mulder and Phoebe came over and sat down. Mulder was just as surprised, if not more. "Hey Scully. You look stunning." He said, as she grinned. "Thanks Spooky. You look pretty sharp yourself." The music started playing, and Phoebe grabbed Mulder's hand. "Come on, Fox. You do want to dance, right?" he sent Dana the "I'm sorry" look and was lead away onto the dance floor. Ed turned to Dana. "Shall we?" he asked as she nodded. She put her hands on his shoulders, as she was lost in thought. She didn't feel anything like she thought she would. No chemistry, no warm and fuzzy feeling. Nothing. She caught a glimpse of Mulder and Phoebe and Mulder looked very pained. She laughed silently to herself. When the song was over, she looked Edward Jerse in the eye. She didn't see what she saw before. But his features looked familiar. The chocolate wavy brown hair, the chestnut hazel eyes. She suddenly thought of herself looking into the eyes of Mulder. She shook her head to clear out all the fuzziness. "You okay, Danz?" Ed asked concerned. "Yea, I'm fine." They went back to their table, and a new song came on. It was "Thank You for loving me." Ed leaned over to her and whispered. "Why don't you dance this one with the spooky guy over there." She shot Ed one of her best Ice Queen looks, and felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find Fox Mulder smiling, offering his hand. "Let's dance Starbuck." "Sure Spook, whatever you say." She said as he led her to the dance floor, both of them unknown of Ed Jerse and his actions. He had an evil grin on his face, as he slipped something into Dana's diet cola. "Certainly gonna get some on prom night, no matter how I'll have to get it." He said as he laughed. Dana put her head on Mulder's shoulder, as they swayed to the music. "Dana, have I ever told you that I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Ever since third grade." He whispered in her ear. "Me too, Mulder. Me too." She whispered back. "It's hard for me to say the things I want to say sometimes There's no one here but you and me And that broken old street light Lock the doors We'll leave the world outside All I've got to give to you Are these five words when I Thank you for loving me For being my eyes When I couldn't see For parting my lips When I couldn't breathe Thank you for loving me Thank you for loving me She listened to the music and realized something very scary. Over the past eight years, she had fallen in love with Fox Mulder. She was so scared when she woke up that time in the hospital room and then the first thing she saw was him and she knew it would be all right. "I never knew I had a dream Until that dream was you When I look into your eyes The sky's a different blue Cross my heart I wear no disguise If I tried, you'd make believe That you believed my lies" Scully wasn't the only one with a realization. Mulder had his own thoughts. Here he was, dancing with his girl. She'd always been his girl, ever since second grade. He could smell the strawberries in her hair and it reminded him of the memories they've shared together. The time when his sister was taken, he didn't know what would have happened if Dana weren't there. When his father beat him, Dana had to tell someone. He had fallen in love with her, and he didn't even know it. He had fallen in love with her ever since that time he tapped her on the shoulder. "We're on page 65. Just thought you'd like to know." She was here, now. But would she always be there? Would she always be there when he needed someone? What if after high school, he would never see her again? You pick me up when I fall down You ring the bell before they count me out If I was drowning you would part the sea And risk your own life to rescue me Lock the doors We'll leave the world outside All I've got to give to you Are these five words when I Thank you for loving me For being my eyes When I couldn't see You parted my lips When I couldn't breathe Thank you for loving me When I couldn't fly Oh, you gave me wings You parted my lips When I couldn't breathe Thank you for loving me Thank you for loving me Thank you for loving me Oh, for loving me" The song ended, and they noticed that all eyes were on them. Scully gave Mulder the "what do we do now?" look. Mulder gave her back with the "let's make the headlines" look. He dipped her down, and his lips touched hers in eight years of childhood passion coming down to one night. It was sweet, and lovely and it sure caused commotion. The whole ballroom cheered and clapped. Mulder and Scully came up with a "deer caught in the headlights look" and the yearbook staff caught a pick of the two. Everyone cheered, that is, except for Phoebe Green and Ed Jerse. Phoebe had her arms crossed and had the Ice Queen "don't mess with me" look that Scully always has, and Ed Jerse couldn't care less, he just sat there, with no expression on his face. Dana sat back down, taking a sip of her drink. "You don't mind that, did you? Mulder just likes to put on a show." She said as he nodded. "I don't care. I'm not one of those 'oh my gawd you're cheating on me' kind of dates like them." He pointed to Mulder and Phoebe. It was certain that they were having an argument. Scully felt bad for Mulder. By the end of the night, Scully had a really bad headache. When she said goodbye to Mulder, she almost started to sway with dizziness. 'What is wrong with me?' she asked herself. "You okay, Scully? You look a little green." Mulder said as he put his arm around her. Ed then had the nerve to clear his throat and put his arm around her, making Mulder feel uncomfortable. "She is just fine. Not that you have anything to do with it. Maybe she caught mono from sucking tongue with you." He said as he led her away. She gave Mulder the 'I'm sorry' look. Dana walked to the car, got in, and completely passed out cold. She had no idea what was to become of her. "Ha, ha. Now I can get some naked pretzel without you in the way." He said as he got in the car. "Dana isn't gonna be a virgin anymore." He said to her unconscious figure in the passenger seat. He drove away, unknown that someone was right behind him. "Ahh, lover's lane." Jerse said as he got out of the car, and dragged Dana's body to the top of the hill. "Perfect spot to do it." He said, as he bent down and ripped off Scully's cross "Certainly being ungodly like now." He snickered as he got up and felt a tap on his shoulder. "Umm, excuse me." Someone said in a mocking voice. He turned around only to have something connect with his chin. He opened his eyes to see Fox Mulder with rage in his eyes. "Get outa here. I swear to god, if you ever touch her again, I will kill you." He said, as Jerse snorted and walked back to his car. Maybe he could shag with Mulder's date. She seemed nice. Mulder went up to Scully's lifeless body, and checked for a pulse. It was weak, but there. "Scully? Can you hear me?" he asked, and she coughed, and vomited. He turned her over so she wouldn't choke, and she ended up throwing up all over the pants of his tuxedo. She was still unconscious, and Mulder knew that he couldn't bring her home like this. He took off his jacket, and put it around her chilled body. Some hours later, Mulder had fallen asleep beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder. Protecting her from the outside world, just as he did in the past. She stirred, and he woke with a start. "Mulder? What am I doing here? What happened?" She asked as she tried to get up, but found it difficult. "Don't try to get up, It'll only make your head hurt worse." He said, as she put her head on his lap (he had managed to get most of the vomit off) and he brushed the auburn hair out of her face. "You know you look so beautiful right now." He said. "Mulder, did you even notice where we are?" she said, looking around. They were at the Hill of Wishes. The famous spot. "Yea, but I've got all I need to wish on a star." He said, taking her hand. "Come on, I'll take you home." He said as he picked her up. She was surprisingly light. "Mulder, put me down. I have to..." she never finished. She threw up all over his shirt. "Mulder, I'm so sorry." She said, tears coming down her face. "It's okay. It's just a shirt. I'm glad that you're all right. That's all that matters. I don't care about Phoebe or my father, or even the conspiracy right now. All I care about is you." He said, as he put her in the car. They were fairly silent on the way home. Scully broke the silence "Mulder, tell me what happened tonight." "Your date wanted to 'get some' with you tonight after the prom, and he knew that you'd protest, so he slipped something into your drink, that made you pass out." "Mulder, he didn't rape me, did he?" "No, but he was so close. And I was so close to loosing you. I was so scared. I wasn't scared when my father hit me, because I had you. I wasn't scared when I was in that car accident, because you helped me through it. Tonight I was scared. I came so close to loosing you." He said as tears ran down his face. He touched her face lovingly. They drove up to her house, and he got out and opened her door. "Can you make it?" he asked. "I think so. I'm a very dependent girl. You know that." She said as she smiled. He put his forehead against hers, like old times "I love you." "With all my heart, forever." She said, reminding her of the times he used to spend the night, those were their last words before falling asleep. One week later: The auditorium was beyond crowded. Seniors were exited and sad too. They had their caps and gowns on, ready to face the real world. The principal made a brief statement, and cleared his throat. The audience grew silent. "I would like to announce the class valedictorian, Dana Katherine Scully." He said as everyone cheered. Mulder kissed her on the cheek and she accepted her award. She cleared her throat, determined not to cry. "I remember the very first day I walked into this district. I was in second grade at the time, and I didn't know anyone. But, everyone was friendly and open. But, as all classes are concerned, we all have problems. Who doesn't? We are all human. But, as we got older, the problems increased. Nobody could ever forget the incident in sixth grade, and I was a victim to it, physically, but I think that everyone was a victim to it emotionally. It's not everyday that a person walks into school and shoots kids passing by. I think that I would have certainly killed myself if it were not for my friends and my family. We as a class need to lean on each other, for support, when we need to cry, and when we smile. These eight years for me have been Hell, and yet, it's been Heaven. I certainly couldn't have done it without the best friend I've ever had in this world, Fox Mulder." The crowd cheered, and Fox Mulder stood up, and Dana walked over and gave him a hug. "To the class of '78" she shouted, as tears were streaming down everyone's faces. They cheered, and so did she. These years have been the best of times, and the worst of times. Later that day Margaret Scully had a graduation party for Dana and Fox with all her friends and family, and Mrs. Mulder's family too. At the end of the day, Mulder sat down, and Scully was sobbing. "Why you cry?" Mulder said in an Italian accent. "Mulder, I am going to Penn State next year, you're going to Oxford. We might never see each other again." She sobbed as he hugged her, feeling his shoulder get wet. "Scully, I have something for you." He said as he presented her with a package. "I have something for you too." She said as she handed him a gift wrapped box. "You first, Starbuck." He said, his lip protruding in that pout that catches Scully's heart. She opens the package slowly. It is a copy of Moby Dick. He leans in and whispers in her ear. "Remember the first words I ever spoke to you." And she thinks back to second grade. Mulder tried to make eye contact, but she looked to the ground. He put on his best smile, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, "We are on page sixty five. Just thought you'd like to know." Dana came back to the present, and did as she was told. She turned to page 65 in that copy. She saw gold. "Mulder, you found my necklace!" she said, and she realized that her cross wasn't the only thing on the chain. It looked almost like... "Here, let me put it on." He said, as he took the cross. "Close your eyes, Scully. And no peeking." He said as he slipped the ring off of the chain. "Open them." He said. Mulder was down on one knee, giving her the same puppy dog face. "Dana, ever since I was little, I had wanted to call someone my friend. That was always not to be because I was too short, too tall, and too weird. Then I met you. You changed my outlook on life. It all of a sudden, my whole life was before Scully, and with Scully. You changed my world, and made it whole again. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be in a mental institution. I love you, all my life, forever. At the prom, I was worried what would end up between us, if I would ever be able to live without you. And I knew that I couldn't. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and beyond. Dana Katherine Scully, would you be my wife?" he asked. She looked at the ring, looked at him, and nodded. "I would be honored." She said, as Mulder slipped the ring on her finger "Oh, and Mulder?" "Yes, love?" he said as she picked up the book. "We're on page 65. Just thought you'd like to know." END Author's NOTE: This series has been a whole lot of fun. I don't know if it will come back or not. That's why I need response. You as readers need to give me feedback if you want Page 65 to continue. I did my part, now you need to do yours. Agreed?