From: picard1@execpc.com Date sent: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 16:26:29 -0600 (CST) Subject: "People Asking Why" (MSR) (1/1) AUTHOR'S NOTES: Until Chris Carter turns over everything to me, I do not own the characters of Mulder, Scully, and the rest of the gang. He's still got them, but I'm ever-hopeful.... :-) This is the continuation of the story that began with "Bittersweet Symphony". All your wonderful comments inspired me to continue. This story is an MSR, but, again, no smut. Just the wonderful romance us relationshippers so long to see one day. Also, rated PG for some mild profanity. No real spoilers, except that it occurs after "The Red and the Black". The song "People Asking Why" is borrowed from Seal, one of the best musical talents to grace this world. :-) T H E X F I L E S: "People Asking Why" By: Scott J. Hauenstein Mulder awoke slowly, softly for the first time in a long while. He felt safer than ever before. The soft breathing of the woman in his arms quickly reminded him why he felt that way. Scully stirred slightly in his embrace, not waking just yet. Mulder smiled and lightly brushed a lock of hair out of her face. He caressed her cheek softly, gently tracing his index finger around her ear as he remembered the night before. Their kiss seemed to last forever, and Mulder wouldn't have wanted it any other way. With that passionate kiss and embrace, Fox Mulder's world felt complete for the first time. He needed her, and she needed him equally, and that was all that mattered. After that kiss, they sat together on the couch, in each other's arms. No words were spoken...none were needed. At least, at that time. With a new day came a chance to figure out what was next for both of them. Mulder leaned close and kissed Scully on the lips. She moaned softly as she awoke. For a split second, Mulder feared Scully would pull away from him, realizing that what had happened before could never happen again. Stop being so paranoid, Mulder thought quickly. "G'morning, Special Agent Scully, " Mulder said softly. "Mmmmmm....good morning, Mulder," Scully replied, her sleepy smile reassuring Mulder greatly. She straightened up to a sitting position, but Mulder never lost her hold on her. She groggily asked, "What time is it?" "Um...7:30 AM. Time for breakfast," Mulder replied, brushing away a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. He loved to do that...run his fingers through her hair. It was so soft, felt so good between his fingers... "Mulder, we're late for work," Scully said, rubbing her eyes. "Work can wait, Scully. Let's indulge ourselves for once. I think we've earned it, after the past few days," Mulder said, stretching his legs. "Well, I can't argue with that, and I am kinda hungry," Scully reasoned, standing up and offering a hand to her partner. Mulder took it quickly and hoisted himself to his feet. He wrapped his arms around Scully and hugged her tightly, with a smile on his face that was so wide it almost hurt. Scully embraced him, her hand slowly rubbing his back. "We have to talk about this, Mulder...about everything." "I know. We will...over breakfast. I'm starving," Mulder said as he broke the embrace slowly and went to get his coat, which still lay where he let it drop the night before. Scully turned, notice the stereo was still on, turned it off, and said, "Mulder, we are still wearing yesterday's clothes! Shouldn't we clean up first?" "Why? Do I offend?" Mulder asked in a mock-hurt tone. "Well...no...but..." "Then it can wait. I trust our respective personal hygienes enough that we won't drive away the breakfast crowd," Mulder said, opening the door and gesturing for Scully to go. She just smiled slightly and shrugged as she left the apartment, her partner closing the door and following close behind. "Another cup of coffee, sir?" The young waitress asked politely. "Um, no thanks. Scully?" "Yeah, another cup please," Scully replied, as the waitress poured the coffee. As she left, Scully sipped from the steaming cup. She set down the cup and said, "Mulder, you never cease to amaze me." "Nor I myself, Scully," Mulder replied quickly, chuckling. "I mean that I'm used to seeing you either eating no breakfast or grabbing a breakfast burrito at the nearest convenience store." "Well, this is a special occasion. Like you said, we need to talk, and a convenience store, while being the ideal place to get everything from beef jerky to condoms, is not the ideal place to have heart-to-heart discussions," Mulder reasoned. "I can't disagree with that, Mulder. I wouldn't even try," Scully said softly. "So...." "So..." Mulder repeated, reaching out to take her hand in his. She tangled her fingers with his and sighed, "How can we do this, Mulder? I mean, Skinner would have our hides nailed to his office door if he found out we were..." "We were...what?" Mulder pressed her to finish her sentence. "We were....closer," Scully finished, not sure she had picked the right word. "Also, things have gotten so personal for us. We've put our lives and the lives of the ones we love on the line for our beliefs, only to be cheated of them at their expense. I....I've already lost my sister to our fight for the so-called truth. I almost lost my life to it. I don't want to lose you, Mulder. I can't..." She trailed off as she squeezed his hand. As Mulder was about to speak, he tilted his head, listening to the song that was starting to play over the restaurants hidden speakers. It was one of his favorites, by Seal. "I love this song," Mulder said softly. "Dammit, Mulder..." Scully said, pulling her hands away from his. "No! No...Scully....I am listening to you. It's just that the song means a lot to me...it's about us. It's for us. Just listen," Mulder quickly replied, taking her hands once again. Together, they listened to every word carefully.... Why...am I changing? Why do people get complacent with the things they're told? World disasters come and go... I'd give anything just to be back home 'cause there are people asking why.... There are people...who believe in.... In life....gets confusing, but I don't know why... But I've made my plans already... Had this trouble with it all my life. World disasters, they come and go... I'd give anything just to be back home 'Cause there are people asking why... 'Cause there are people asking.... "Mulder, what does that mean to you?" Scully asked softly. "Are we the people asking why?" "Yes, Scully. We ask again and again, in every case we take, every lead we pursue, every lie we try to pursue. We've risked it all, and we've been hurt, beaten, cheated of our right to know. You were right...it is personal for us. We've both lost so much...but we can't allow one of us to be next. I said to you in the hospital after Penny Northern died that the truth would save both of us..." "I remember," Scully said softly, tears forming in her eyes. "I stand by that. We've both been exposed to things recently that challenged our beliefs. Our faith in ourselves, in each other, in those beliefs, have been questioned. But, we do know the truth. We've known it for a long time." "What is that, Mulder?" Scully asked, looking into his eyes. "That we need each other, Dana. We can't try to rely on ourselves to get through these things alone. That's not going to save us anymore. Only we can save each other from the lie, whatever that may be now," Mulder answered. "Mulder....Fox..." she said, using his first name for the first time in four years, "I've been so scared. These past few days, even the recent months after my remission, have had me fearful of what to believe. I saw such a change in you. You virtually abandoned what you held so dear to your heart, and I felt lost." "Why, Scully? You've always had your own beliefs, your own theories," Mulder queried. "No! I had my own opinions, hypotheses....but in the end, your beliefs kept me going. Your drive to know why sparked my need to know. I thought, five years ago, that I had all the answers. I relied on science to back me up. Working with you changed all that. Then, we were told all we held true were lies. I let myself believe that, once again clinging to science to explain it all away. I had to be so close to death to find faith again....faith in God, faith in myself...and faith in you. "You are my lifeline, Mulder. I am found now, because of you. I was ready to push away my memories of the experience on that bridge in order to share your beliefs." Tears slowly ran down her cheeks, and Mulder gently wiped them away with a finger. "I don't want you to do that, Dana. Not for me, not for anyone. I was so sure that my quest had ended, that the ideas, the theories I held true were lost to a lie. But I've seen the light, literally as well as figuratively. I saw something I can't easily explain as a government hoax. And I need you now....more than ever....to have faith in me." "I do.....I have faith in you..." Scully wept softly. "We'll always be the people asking why, but the truth is not worth knowing for me unless we search for it together," Mulder said, tears of his own starting to form. "Oh, Mulder...." Scully whispered. As if on instinct, they stood from their table and embraced tightly, crying softly the tears of hope and love they felt for one another. "I love you, Dana Scully," Mulder whispered into his partner's ear. "I love you too, Fox Mulder," Scully said in reply, smiling with newfound happiness. "Is everything all right?" A waitress asked with concern. "Oh....um, yes....we're....uh...." Mulder stammered. "We're ready to go," Scully said to the waitress, who then pulled out the bill. Mulder gave a $20 bill to her, which covered the tab as well as tip. "Have a pleasant day," the waitress called out to the departing couple. "I think we will," Mulder replied softly, kissing Scully's forehead as they left the restaurant, remembering the lyrics from their song... How do I get to where I've come from, now? How do I paint this garden I've destroyed green? Can I get to where I've come from? 'Cause there are people who believe in life... T H E E N D What do you think? Send me your feedback! picard1@execpc.com is my addie! I'd love to hear your comments!