From: Jacquie Sabatier Date: 22 Nov 2008 18:21:12 -0800 Subject: xfc: FF: Roads Not Travelled ch1 Source: atxc Authors: Sassy and Jacquie Pairings: MSR/ DRR Category: Adventure/Romance Summary: A post episode fic for "The Truth" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "I love you too...Oh Dana..." He buried his face into her neck and began to sob. He had missed her so much. He had needed her, and she had needed him. "Ssh...Mulder...It's alright." Scully caressed his back as she placed gentle kisses to whatever skin she could reach. "We'll be a family again. We're gonna get William...and we'll be a family. Just like we were supposed to be." She was promising herself just as much as Mulder. Mulder clung to her. His heart had broken into a million pieces when Skinner had told him about William. About the choice she'd had to make. He stroked her hair. "Only when it's safe." "We should be going on," Scully said softly, reluctantly. "I have to get you out of here." She wasn't thinking about herself. Mulder pulled back and met her eyes. "Dana...we're in this together." "I know." Scully managed a smile. "But I'm not going to be able to completely relax until I know they can't get you." She found herself admitting. Mulder kissed her softly and whispered, "You...get our things. I'll go next door and get us some food for the road." "Mulder?" Scully had to hold on to him for a moment longer before she was ready to let go of him. "I'll be careful. I promise." He kissed her mouth and pulled himself from her arms. Scully took a few deep breaths as she went into "FBI agent" mode. She checked her gun and clipped it on her belt so it was hidden under her shirt. Her mind was starting to work on how they could get cash and supplies without drawing too many red flags. She paused in front of the bathroom mirror, running her fingers through red hair. 'This has to go...or at least I should change the color' she thought. Mulder went next door and grabbed everything he could think of. He returned with a bag. He sat it on the bed. "Dana..." Scully emerged from the bathroom. "Ready." She started toward the hotel room door. "Hey..." He reached out, stopping her. He pulled her close to him. "Everything is going to be okay, Dana. I promise." Scully kissed him in acknowledgement. "Do you think I'd look better as a blonde or brunette?" Mulder raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning to do?" "You don't think I need to change my looks?" Scully quirked an eyebrow at him. Mulder looked her up and down. "Honestly...no. I like you just the way you are." She kissed his cheek before saying softly, "We should go." "Dana..." he breathed softly. "You can still...back out now. I don't want to drag you with me...if you aren't sure that's what is best for you." "I'm sure that for the last year I haven't been able to breathe because you weren't with me." Her eyes met his. "I'm sure that if I leave you now, I..." Her voice broke on her, much to her chagrin. She took a deep breath. "I'm not leaving, Mulder. You better get used to that." Mulder stroked her cheek. "It may be selfish of me...but I'm so glad to hear you say that." He kissed her. "I suppose you want to drive?" she half-teased, trying to take the focus off her for a while. He looked over at her. "Only for a little while...then you can have the wheel." You're not worried about my little legs?" Scully grinned as she put their stuff in the back of the SUV. Then she took the bag of sunflower seeds and the six pack of ice tea out of the grocery bag. "Here, baby, I'll open it for you." The endearment slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Her cheeks tinged pink. Mulder smiled over at her. Thanks." Scully got into the passenger seat, reaching for the map in the glove box. With her free hand she reached for an ice tea...but found Mulder's hand instead. Her eyes met his as she smiled at him. She gave his hand a squeeze. "You get tired you let me know," she told him softly. She wanted...no, needed to do more than just hold him. Mulder could see it in her eyes as she took her hand away and turned her attention back to the map on her lap. Mulder rested his hand on her knee. "I will, Dana...I will." He squeezed gently. Scully bit her lip as she willed herself not to burst into tears. She managed a smile. It seemed like a million years ago that she had stood in Ellen's kitchen and talked to her about kids...about how she would be a great mother because of her FBI training. They drove in silence for a few hours. He popped his neck and sighed. "Dana, you are going to have to drive awhile..." He could barely keep his eyes open, "I just need a little nap..." "Sure, b...sure Mulder." She pointed to a turn in the road. "Just pull in here." Mulder did just that. Turning slightly in his seat, he touched her cheek. "You wake me if you need me okay...promise?" "Cross my heart." Scully smiled girlishly at him. She leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. "I love you." "I know you do. I love you too," she reassured him softly. Mulder quickly got out and made his way to her side. He slid his hands to her waist as she got out. He whispered softly, "You wake me for any reason okay?" "Any reason?" There was momentary mischief twinkling in her eyes. It disappeared as quickly as it came as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Just try to get some rest. " "If we can make it to North Dakota...I have a place for us to crash for a few days." He climbed into the passenger seat. Scully nodded as she helped Mulder get comfortable. She even tucked a blanket around his legs and put a pillow behind his head. She didn't know why but she hummed "Joy to the World" as she closed the passenger side and got into the driver side. Mulder smiled as he slowly drifted off to sleep. "Can't carry a tune..." he murmured softly. Chapter 2 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Scully turned on the radio and kept the volume low so not to disturb Mulder. Tammy Wynette's song "Stand by Your Man" came on. She couldn't keep the tears from her eyes as she looked over at Mulder's sleeping form. She knew she was doing the right thing. Sure, she missed her family, especially her mother, but there was no way she could have stood by and watched the man she loved die. Scully's hands tightened on the steering wheel. Mulder woke a few hours later. He sat up fast. "Where are we?" "Just crossed the border into North Dakota," Scully said softly. She hoped she sounded normal. Mulder stretched and looked over the land. "You let me sleep for four hours?" "You needed it." Mulder brushed some hair behind her ear. "I guess there hasn't been any trouble?" He liked her long hair. "Well...unless you wanna call a squirrel in the road trouble." She bit her lip against a shiver. He smiled and chuckled. "Nah...not quite big enough." Scully fell silent for a moment as she began to wonder all over again if Mulder was ready to take the next step with her...then she reprimanded herself. He'd been through enough...he needed time to digest everything. Mulder looked her over. "What's on your mind, Danes?" She forced herself to concentrate on their surroundings and where they were going. "I was just wondering where this place was you were talking about." Mulder thought a moment. "It's probably another two hours. Pull over. I can drive from here." Okay." Scully conceded she was a little tired. Not to mention a little hungry and thirsty. Mulder watched her pull into a McDonald's. "You must've read my mind." Scully had to give in to her need to pull Mulder close to her. She closed her eyes for a moment before taking his hand and walking in with him. "I don't know about you, but I want a Big Mac..." she told him. Scully's eyes kept looking around the restaurant, making sure they weren't in danger even as she ordered for the both of them. "What did you wanna get, Mulder?" she asked him as the girl behind the counter began to ring in their order. "I'll have a double quarter pounder...no pickles, fries, and a Coke." He slid his arm around her waist and drew her near. "What the hey...I'll have a regular Coke too." Scully smiled in sheer contentment at being near Mulder. Then her stomach rumbled. He smiled down at her. "You should've stopped hours ago, Katherine." Scully looked momentarily confused at the use of her middle name. Then her face relaxed into a smile. "Yeah well. I knew this stop was coming up." She smiled at the girl behind the counter. The girl only rolled her eyes and went to get Mulder's fries. He kissed her forehead. "Nature calls. I'll be back in a few. Keep your eyes peeled." Scully watched his retreating back as she whispered to herself, "Don't worry...they'll have to take me out first." She sighed and massaged a kink in her neck. When he came out a few minutes later, she was standing near the door with their bag. He moved closer. "You go to the restroom. I'll wait for you." Scully nodded and moved in the direction of the ladies' room. She took deep breaths as she came out a few minutes later. She washed her hands and splashed water on her face. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, running her hand through her hair. 'If things get really hot. I'm changing my hair...' she decided. She checked her gun at her side before she joined Mulder in the parking lot. Her eyes remained alert as she got into the passenger side again. He looked over at her. "Want to tell me what's on your mind?" He pulled them back onto the road. "Right now? Food..." Scully reached into the takeout bag for her burger. He chuckled softly. "Okay..." He gave her a grin. "Hard to make plans on an empty stomach, don't you think?" Scully managed a grin over at him as she wiped at the dribble of mayonnaise on her lip. Mulder also had dribbled. Her elbow shivered as she gently dabbed at the corner of his mouth. He grinned wider. "Thanks, babe." He kissed her mouth gently when she moved close enough. Can't take you anywhere..." she gently teased. "That's a bad thing?" Mulder kept his eyes on the road. He needed to find Hwy 22X. "Nah... On the contrary it's an endearing thing." Scully fell silent for a moment as she took out the map and studied their surroundings. "It should be right up here...somewhere." He took another bite of his burger. "There's the sign right there." She pointed at the turnoff that was coming up. Mulder nodded. "Here..." He pulled onto the new highway. "About two hours now." "It'll be nice to have a long hot bath," Scully admitted. "We can lay low here for a few days. No one will bother us. Langley actually tod me about this place." He smiled at the memory. The mention of the Gunmen made Scully sad all over again, She took Mulder's hand as she looked out the window. She remembered the last advice that Frohike had ever given her. "You've had his heart from the first day he met you...now prove to him he has yours." "Penny for your thoughts?" Mulder gently coaxed. "I miss them," Scully said softly. "They...when you were gone...they really supported me." A smiled touched her lips. "Frohike especially was really sweet...bringing me fresh flowers." She stopped. "Did...did I ever tell you when he came to see me? You were missing in New Mexico yet. He just...showed up at my door." Mulder shook his head. "You didn't tell me." "I was the first person he went to when he heard you were gone." Scully shook her head a little. "I mean, I knew all along he had a crush on me, but..." she felt like she was babbling now. She looked down at Mulder's hand in hers and then back up at him, taking a chance. "But he knew even before I did that I was in love with you." Frohike..." Mulder's voice broke. "They were all my best...friends before you, Dana..." He swallowed hard. "He knew I loved you that's why he...never really made a move Scully wanted nothing more than to take him in her arms. She promised she would do exactly that as soon as they got to their destination...maybe help him to relax. A massage... Her fingers stroked his hand. "You look so exhausted, baby," Scully said softly. Mulder shook his head. "I'm okay, Dana. I've worked on less sleep..." Scully bit her lip against the impulse to argue with him. She retracted her hand. Instead she reached for her last French fry. He sighed softly. "Babe..." he closed his mouth and thought a moment." I...love you, Dana." "I love you too," she smiled reassuringly. 'And I won't mother you anymore....' she added silently. Mulder smiled over at her and winked. "I can't wait to get where we are going..." She turned him so he was looking her in the eyes. "Anywhere can be home. I just need you," she said softly. Tears stung his eyes as he squeezed her hand harder. "I just want my family..." Scully cupped his face in her hands. "Even if it takes me the rest of my life, we're all going to be a family...I promise." In his ear, she added, "I'll even make you that sandwich." Mulder turned slightly, pressing his lips to hers. "I look forward to it." "In the meantime though..." She kissed him gently before releasing him. "Let's get this stuff inside so we can relax.'" "I want to wrap my arms around you and not let go for a long time..." 'Too many nights in that prison.' "Reading my mind," Scully whispered, closing her eyes for a moment. She almost felt like crying out in relief when they finally got to their destination and she saw the signs pointing them in the right direction. Mulder squeezed her hand. "Well...it's not home, Danes...but it'll do for now." It's quiet here. We'll be able to hear anyone approaching." "Mulder, I've been thinking...maybe if anyone asks we should tell them we're a couple on vacation..." "Works for me...but there isn't anyone around for miles, Katherine." He'd have to get used to calling her that. "I'm just saying..." Scully reached into the back seat of the SUV to pull out their bags. 'Time for that bubble bath." Mulder nodded. "Yeah...let's get you unpacked and in that tub..." It was on the tip of Scully's tongue to ask him to join her but then she decided against it. He needed time to digest and pull himself together...' she tried to reason with herself. Mulder grabbed all their bags from the trunk. "You just get what little is in the car there..." She grabbed their remaining grocery bags and threw out the trash from their take out lunch. Then she followed Mulder inside. Scully noticed there was only one bed in the whole cabin...she couldn't help raising an eyebrow at that. She put her gun where she could easily find it if she needed it...in the dresser drawer next to the bed. Then she headed for the bathroom to take her bath. She paused at the doorway "If you want to...you can always join me." Mulder looked up, meeting her eyes. "Are you...do you want me to?" "Yes," Scully told him honestly. "But if you aren't ready for that, it's okay." Mulder narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think I'm not ready?" Scully immediately came over to him, kissing the tension out of his body. "Sssh...You just seemed nervous when I brought it up. That's all." Mulder shook his head and kissed her mouth. "I'm not nervous. Dana, I love you and I've missed you." Scully smiled as she took his hand. "Come on then," she said softly. He let her lead him to the bathroom. He took in the extra large tub. "Nice and cozy..." Scully bent over to start the faucet before she began undressing. She couldn't help a smile when she heard Mulder's sharp intake of breath. It had been since before his abduction and William's birth since they'd been together intimately. He watched her undress. He said softy "You are so beautiful." Scully reached over to take Mulder's hand. She put it on her skin, aching for his touch. She closed her eyes as his hand made contact with her. "I missed this," she whispered. "Me too..." His hands wandered over her skin. He swallowed hard. "You...are the only thing that kept me going...You and William." "I'm here now, baby," Scully soothed him gently as she leaned in to kiss his lips. Mulder nodded slowly and met her lips. He whispered softly, "Let me get undressed. Her smile turned coy. "Don't keep me waiting too long, Tiger." "I won't." He pulled his t-shirt over his head. Scully pressed a kiss to his chest before testing the water. Then she took off her panties and got into the bathtub. She slid forward a little so Mulder could sit down behind her. He slid down his pants and glanced over at her. "I remember the last bubble bath I had..." "Good memory or bad?" Scully asked uncertain if he had taken baths with someone other than her. He smirked. "Remember when we went out for the screening of that movie?" Scully blushed bright red. "Kind of hard to forget." "Remember that phone call? I was in the tub." Mulder smiled as he slid in behind her. "Like I said...hard to forget." Scully almost grimaced at the memory of Skinner on the other line. She had to admit though, when she was watching the finished movie, she could remember wishing their relationship was actually like the way it was depicted on screen. She sighed and leaned against Mulder. That movie was crap," Mulder said softly as his arms went around her. "Got me thinking about us though," Scully found herself admitting. "What we have is so much better than what was portrayed on that screen, Scully. We...they made jokes of us." Mulder closed his eyes and kissed her neck. "I know. That's why I realized I couldn't be afraid anymore." Scully's arm reached around to stroke his hair as her free hand picked up the washcloth and ran it along his leg. Mulder shivered. "Remember the night...we created William?" "I think about it all the time," Scully said softly even as she tried to soothe Mulder's shivers. "I want to make you feel like that again..." Mulder sucked gently on her ear. "Going in the right direction..." a moan escaped her lips again as she held to him a little tighter. "I love you Dana...so much." He kissed her neck. "I just want to make you happy." "I am happy." Scully craned her neck around so she could meet his eyes...she needed him to see she was telling the truth. "I have you back...I'm complete." A tear fell down her cheek. Mulder wiped it away. "Not quite." He kissed her, silencing her from saying any more. He pulled her up so that he could feel her flush against him. Scully's embrace tightened as she desperately tried to get as close to him as she possibly could. After a year of him being on the run and missing for almost seven months, she never wanted to let him go. Mulder pulled back and whispered, "I want to make love to you." "Maybe we should move to the bed then." Scully didn't want to leave his arms, but she also wanted this moment to be perfect. Mulder kissed her mouth gently. "If that's what you want." "I...I want this to be perfect." Scully swallowed. "I don't want to make the same mistakes the others did with me." Mulder tilted his head. "What do you mean?" "The night...the night we made William...it wasn't just sex for either of us. I need to make sure we're not...cheapened," she said, searching for the right word. She held to Mulder again. Mulder frowned. "Scully, I'd never...could never hurt you that way. I hope you...know that." That wasn't what she meant at all. She kissed the frown away. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." You are the only thing in my life that...makes sense." He kissed her again, trailing his hand up her back. Her daydreams of the perfect scenario where put on the back burner as she concentrated on the moment at hand...on Mulder and showing him how much she loved him. She shifted in the bathtub so she was pressed against him. She started at his neck and slowly moved down toward his chest and stomach, taking special care to kiss the fading scars on his body from his abduction. He whimpered softly. "Dana...baby..." "I've got you," Scully whispered, continuing to kiss him. She darted her tongue out to taste him, getting a shiver. "Don't eat the bubbles," Mulder teased as he ran his hands through her hair. A moment later she was spluttering as she got a mouthful of bubbles. He lifted her chin. "You okay?" "Great." Scully was still spluttering. She wiped her mouth. "Maybe we should get out of the tub now...so we can do this properly." The water was starting to get cold anyway. "Good...then we can both..." Mulder waggled his eyebrows. Scully wrapped a towel around Mulder and then around herself. "I need you..." she whispered, going into his arms again. Mulder let the towel fall to the floor and took her hand. "I need you too..." he led her to the bed. Scully lay down on the bed and pulled him with her so he was half-laying on top of her. He immediately got rid of her towel. She whimpered involuntarily as she wrapped herself around him. He moved between her legs and kissed her chest. He sucked gently at her nipple, sliding his hand down between her legs. She whimpered again as he cupped her, whispering breathlessly in his ear, "Please...in me..." Mulder moved and positioned himself at her entrance. "Dana...baby..." he kissed her as he slid into her. Scully wrapped her legs and arms tighter around him. The ache of loneliness and the fear that he would be taken away from her were gone...all she felt now was completeness. Mulder caressed her. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear. He just wanted to take her there. "I love you... love you so much," Scully whispered as her body arched against his. "I love you too..." Mulder kissed her as he moved deeper inside her. Scully moaned in momentary pain as he filled her and then in sheer pleasure. All she wanted was to be so united with him that they couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. She buried her face in his neck. He held her close as they continued. He kissed her and touched her. He wanted to be deep inside her soul. Scully could fee she was getting close to the edge...but she didn't want to go without Mulder...but she finally had to let go...it was too much for her. She screamed out his name in ecstasy. He kissed her and whispered "I want to take you there again..." He slowed his pace. "About...about both of us," she managed to get out between gasps for breath. "I know, baby...I know." He just wasn't ready to lose her warmth yet. She felt so good. So right. "God...Mulder." She whimpered as she tightened around him. Just the sensation of knowing he was so close to her made her come a second time. He kissed her long and hard as he released after she did. He moved until he was spent. "I love you..." he whispered breathlessly. "Sssh...I love you too..." She kissed his perspiring forehead before resting his head against her heaving chest. Her hand stroked his hair as she closed her eyes. "You are so...amazing...so perfect..." He kissed her chest and closed his eyes. "If I am it's only because of you." Scully whispered back. Tears fell as she kissed his hair. "I missed you so much." Mulder lifted his head. "Please don't cry." He wiped her tears, kissing where they had been. "I missed you too...more than you'll ever know." "They're happy tears," Scully promised him before kissing his lips again. She paused. "Mulder?" "Yes, baby..." He kissed her mouth gently. "What do you think of making our union legal?" She bit her lip, wondering if Mulder was going to say no. Mulder stroked her cheek. "Are you asking me to marry you?" he said softly. "Because...the answer is yes." "That did sound kinda dumb didn't it?" Scully said sheepishly before stopping again. She took a breath before answering his question. "I am asking you to marry me...something I should have done a long time ago." Mulder smiled and kissed her again. "Yes, Dana...yes." "Now to find a dress that'll knock off your socks." Scully grinned at him. She kissed his chest. "Our names...will have to be changed." Mulder kissed her. Scully was suddenly hit with the reality of what Mulder was saying. "Yeah, I guess that's true," she said softly. Her arms unconsciously tightened around him. "I can't lose you...not after I just found you again." Mulder met her eyes. "You aren't losing me. Not ever...do you hear me?" "I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't happen.." she promised herself just as much as him. Then she kissed his neck. "You tired?" Mulder shook his head. Moving off her he pulled her against him. He kissed the top of her head before whispering "Are you?" "Are you kiddin' me?" I could go another round," she teased him as she lay on top of his chest and kissed his skin. "I just need to stay like this for a while," she said a little softer. Mulder stroked her back. "As long as you need. I'm not going anywhere." "What name do you wanna use?" Scully rested her head against him, being reassured by the steady beating of his heart. He smiled. "Rob." "Let me guess... you want me to be Laura." Mulder lifted her chin. "I want you to be who you want to be." "What if I want to be Laura?" "Then...you be Laura." "I know I didn't tell you at the time...but I liked being your wife." Mulder kissed the top of her head. "I wasn't sure you did." "You never noticed the unconscious comforting...about the basketball hoop?" "You were humouring me..." "You were right. I did want to play house..." Scully found herself admitting.