Snow White Valentine 8/14 Just a reminder that this is NC-17 ******************************* Byers stood looking into the fridge, the light from the hurricane lamp illuminating the room. He pulled a package out, and heard the hum of the fridge. Mia had told him that the most important of the lodge appliances were wired into an emergency generator. It was a precaution that was necessary given her location. Byers moved up to the freezer, looking at the multitude of frozen dinners available. Mia didn't intend to spend her days off cooking. Still he found a lone package of tbone steak. He placed it onto the counter top. Byers opened a nearby door that led to a restaurant size pantry. Inside of it, there was another rather large deep freeze. Perhaps he would find something there. He opened it, and pulled out a package of frozen mixed vegetables. He continued to scrounge, finding a wine rack. He took a minute to pull something appropriate, and went back to the kitchen. Byers began to prepare the meal. First finding an incredibly sharp knife, he sliced paper thin strips of the frozen tbone. It had been a very long time since he'd made sukiyaki, but it came back to him just like riding a bike. Byers heard a noise behind him, and turned. There sticking his head as far into the kitchen as he could, was Gideon. Even though he had seen the sleeping bear the night before when he had helped Mia to bed, the full sized bear looking in at him was to say the least intimidating. "Get out of my way 'ya big oaf'. I will get you something to eat," Mia said, squeezing her way into the kitchen. Gideon hopped up and down on his front paws a little, grunting each time. Mia stopped and stared, when she realized that the kitchen was occupied. "What are you doing?" she asked Byers softly, afraid her eyes were deceiving her. "I am making dinner. What do you think I am doing Mia? I told you I would." She nodded, getting into the fridge. She pulled out a butcher-wrapped piece of meat. She put it in a bowl, and took it back into her suite. The hair stood on end on the back of Mia's neck. Byers didn't act like anything out of the ordinary had happened, which left an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She walked over to where he was working and asked if she could help. "No, but I could use some company," he stated, continuing to work on dinner. "Okay," Mia agreed, still wanting to help him. She walked over and sat on the stool. Byers looked up catching the discomfort in her eyes, and smiled. He walked over to the bottle of wine and popped the cork. He poured two glasses, sitting one down next to her. As he was pulling his hand back, he 'accidently' brushed his fingertips across the back of her hand. Mia looked up at him, the breath catching in the back of her throat. Byers held the gaze purposefully, allowing her to look inside of him. When she turned her head away, he walked back. "So how much does that over weight teddy bear of yours eat?" he asked, indulging in inane small talk. Stunned, and unable to believe that the gesture was nothing more than concern from a friend, Mia answered. The war of the small talk had begun. ************************** Mia gingerly walked up the stairs towards Walter Skinner's suite. She knocked and heard a 'come in' issued from the other side. Walter Skinner lay lounging back on his bed, flipping through one of the many books that came from the shelves lining the walls. Skinner looked up and saw Mia gazing back at him. "Mia, what can I do for you?" "Maybe I can help you?" Mia asked back at him. She had come to tell him that Byers had almost completed dinner. "I am looking for a particular poem," he said hunting through the book. He hadn't put on a shirt since his little visit with Dana in her bathroom. Even though Byers held her heart, Walter Skinner presented an incredible site, barefoot, and shirtless on his bed. She almost wanted to tell him, 'no shirt, no shoes, no service.' He was almost too much for her to handle. "Byron, good choice." Mia sat on the corner of the bed, her leg aching. Skinner continued to pour over the book, knowing it was there somewhere. "I will find it, just give me a moment." His mood seemed incredibly light, as Mia watched him chuckle to himself. He stood, and wandered through the suite and placed the open book on Scully's bed. Skinner closed the door behind him, and came back to Mia. "What can I do for you?" he asked. Mia smiled, "Well big guy, it's time for dinner," she stated, not wanting to get up right yet. "What's for dinner?" he asked, searching for something to throw on. "I don't know Byers is cooking," she replied, grinning from ear to ear. Skinner stopped and looked at Mia. "Are you sure he can cook?" There was a note of light teasing in his voice. The grumpy man who had arrived at the lodge was gone. He still was a bit rough around the edges, but Mia could tell that a weight on his shoulders had been lifted.. "I am sure," Mia replied back to him. "Will Scully be done soon?" "I think so. She was almost finished the last time I checked." Skinner pulled on a pair of socks, and went over to assist her to standing. "You don't look like you are feeling too good. Maybe you should take some more of that medicine." Mia nodded, calling for Gabriel. "Fetch!" she commanded, and watched him fly down the stairs. "He can do that?" Skinner watched, wondering why the wolf hadn't done it the night before. "Yes, but he is trained to wait for my command unless I am in danger. Then he goes for help. He can also bring me the cell phone if I need it," Mia replied waiting for Gabriel to get back with his pack. The wolf entered through the door, his dog pack in his mouth. Skinner watched in fascination as Mia bent down to retrieve it. "I suppose he carries around extra medication." "Yes," Mia popped two pills into her mouth and swallowed without water. "You shouldn't do that. Dana would chew you out if she saw you taking them without water. It will kill your stomach," Skinner growled softly, concern in his voice. "I honestly don't do it that often. Besides I am about to eat shortly," Mia answered as Skinner helped her up. "Are you gonna need help?" Skinner asked. Mia smiled. Somehow his offer didn't seem to annoy her the least, but she declined. "No Big Guy, I can make it on my own." Walter laughed, it was the second time she had called him that. "Why do you keep calling me Big Guy?" he asked as they exited his room and headed down the stairs. Mia smiled a bit guiltily. "Because you're just like Gideon, and that's what I call him. He can be all big, and surly, but is an angel at heart." She paused glancing at him, taking in his burly form. "Besides you don't look like a Walter." Skinner laughed, the sound of it echoing throughout the entire lodge. **************************** Scully pulled the robe tighter around her. She stepped through the door, half expecting to see Walter Skinner lounging on her bed. His little trip into visit her, had left her breathless. He seemed to know exactly how to get past her defenses, and leave her craving more. Scully walked over to her bed, and saw the open leather bound book lying there. She flipped it over, and recognized the title. Looking at the earmarked page, she began to read. ...Here I can trace the locks of gold Which round thy snowy forehead wave, The cheeks which sprung from beauty's mould, The lips which made me beauty's slave. Here I can trace ah, no! That eye, Whose azure floats in liquid fire...... Scully paused, deep in thought, then finished the poem. She had always loved Byron's lusty poems. At least they were considered lusty when he wrote them. Scully went about pulling on her tight cotton leggings and denim shirt. Giving it a second thought, she left enough buttons open to reveal just enough of her cleavage. Two could play at this game. Just because she had agreed to give him a chance, didn't mean that he was the only one who would have all the fun. Scully sat on her bed, shock rolling over her. She had agreed to let Walter Skinner woo her. It sounded so pathetically Victorian, but in a way it made her heart beat faster. It made her feel like she was something worth working for. That it wasn't just some combination of events and the incredibly romantic setting. She had agreed, knowing full well that the moment he had asked she had no choice but to give her heart to him. * Dinner went well, Byers proving to everyone that he was an excellent cook. Mia, a bit buzzed from the wine, opened up even more with them sharing stories about the people who had whiled away summer months at her lodge. The candlelight created a sense of intimacy that left them all feeling rather relaxed. Skinner kept looking at Scully throughout them meal as if to gauge her reaction to the poem. After everything she had been through, she deserved someone who treated her with respect. She deserved someone who recognized the strong independent person she was, but also knew that underneath the tough exterior there was a woman. The hint of her cleavage, in the candlelight was tearing at his resolve not to touch her until they were back in DC. Skinner didn't want anything standing between them, any doubts about the root of their feelings. Then he felt her leg brush his. Scully looked up at him as he felt the slight brush of her thigh against his. Scully smiled, and went back to eating and conversing with Mia and Byers. Mia looked at Skinner, then at Scully. Something had happened, she was sure of it. Maybe that was the reason for Skinner's increasingly good mood. She smiled. After some of the hell that they had mentioned, they both deserved some happiness. Byers grabbed Mia's hand and held it for a moment. Mia desired nothing more than to return his grasp, but wouldn't let herself believe that it was anything more than something born out of comfort. "So are you going to keep your promise to me?" He stared straight into her eyes. "What do you mean?" Mia said, staring straight back at him a bit playfully. She used the playfulness to cover the butterflies that seemed to swarm in the pit of her stomach. It happened every time he touched her with this new purpose. "You promised me that you would go soak with me in the pool. I am going to hold you to that you know," Byers said, refusing to let go of her hand until she agreed to it. Scully pipped up with her standard medical lecture. "You know that a nice long soak will help that leg of yours. I know it's been bothering you today." Mia stared rather evilly at Skinner. He had betrayed her secret some time during the meal. Byers ran his thumb back and forth across her knuckles waiting for a response. "Okay, let me go change." Mia stood and went to her quarters. They all chuckled when they hear Gideon's sleepy hello. Skinner stood, wine bottle and glass in hand. "Care to join me Dana, in front of the fire?" He knew something was up with Byers, and didn't want to intrude on whatever he had planned. He knew that Mia needed the time alone with him. Love, especially with as challenging a past as they both had, should be something based on a firm foundation. Mia needed to discover that Byers was more than just a foundation that he would be around for the long haul. Dana nodded following Skinner as he walked. Instead of sitting on the couch, he sat down on the Polar Bear skin rug directly in front of the blaze. He padded the spot next to him, as he stretched his rather large frame out. Dana sat, sipping her wine and enjoying the chance to just be. After some silence, Dana spoke. "So how long do you think we will be without power? I am a bit worried about Mulder and the rest of the Lone Gunmen." Skinner looked up at her, and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I honestly don't know Dana, but if I know Mulder as well as I think I do, he is doing just fine. He would want you to relax and recuperate." Scully smiled, knowing what Skinner said was true. She felt it deep down, but the whole surreal nature of the stay added to her confusion. She just needed some calm reassurance that everything was going to be okay. "Thank you," she said softly. "You're welcome," Skinner replied. He turned, reached up, and grabbed a familiar book off the nearby table. "Did you like it?" he asked, still curious to know if she liked the poem he had left on her bed. "It was wonderful. I just love Byron," Scully said, smiling at him. His gesture had been incredibly sweet. And while she might not have thought him capable of such a romantic gesture, Scully knew that beneath the protective shell he wore like a badge of honor, he had the heart of a poet. Skinner brushed the hair away from her face, in the process he let his thumb trail across Scully's lower lip. Scully allowed her eyes to flutter closed. He stopped his hand's movement on her shoulder, and pulled her to him. Scully offered no resistance, not even a token one. She felt languid, and didn't know whether to blame it on the heat from the fire, the large quantity of excellent wine she had drunk, or the company. Perhaps it was due to all three. Skinner turned Scully in his arms, so that she was leaning up against his chest. He placed a soft kiss to the corner of her neck, and whispered, "I thought I would do a little reading." Scully turned looking into his eyes, realizing just how close their two faces were. "What about me?" Skinner smiled, his lips aching to brush a kiss across her own. "I thought we could read a bit together." Scully rewarded him with an intensely sweet smile. She turned back towards the book he held in his hands. Skinner pulled her closer to his chest. He opened the cover and in his rich soothing voice began to read another of Byron's evocative poems. ****************************** Comments? Missing parts? email me at ************************************************** Snow White Valentine 9/14 ********************* Byers watched Mia as she stepped carefully into the water. He had become so used to Gabriel being present that the constant watchful gaze of the wolf no longer bothered him. The wolf seemed to understand that Byers was yet another guardian sent down to help his mistress. Byers bit his lip, as he watched Mia's round lush curves slide deeper into the dark depths of the water. He prayed that this wasn't a mistake, before following her into the hot water. Mia groaned as the water worked its magic on her aching muscles. "They were really bothering you today. Why didn't you tell me?" Byers asked going over to her. "Because I am so used to the pain, that I don't see it as important Byers," Mia responded, running her own hands over her aching thigh. "Its important to me Mia," he said under his breath. "What did you say Byers?" Mia only heard the mumble of his voice over the sound of falling water. Byers walked towards her. Standing right next to her, he spoke again. "It may not be important to you when your in pain, because you're used to it. I, however, am not used to it when you're hurting. I don't like it." He touched her chin, turning her head so she could see the seriousness in his eyes. She was a strong woman, but she needed to be reassured that what he said was sincere. "I don't like seeing you in pain, and that's the honest truth." Mia sighed softly. She reached out tentatively, towards Byer's face, cupping it in the same manner. "You don't have to worry about me anymore Byers, but your concern. . .Thank you." Byers smiled. It was a first step. Mia had recognized what was behind his behavior. While she had trusted him before, she was learning to trust him on a whole new level. He wished that he could just tell her exactly how he felt, but he knew that it would only complicate manners. She wouldn't be able to really believe him until she saw it for herself. Mia deserved to have a bit of romance as well. "Would you turn around?" Mia asked as she eased herself onto one of the many cement underwater benches. Byers looked at her curiously, but did as she asked. Mia pushed him down farther into the water, and began to massage his neck with her strong fingertips. Byers moaned softly as she rubbed his neck. "You like that?" She asked. Byers was still in a bit of shock, and stumbled over replying. "Yes, it's been so long." "You did promise that turn about was fair play," Mia chuckled. "Are you asking for me to rub your leg again?" Byers asked trying to quell the hope rising up in his breast. Mia cryptically replied, "Maybe." She continued to massage his shoulders. Byers smiled. The Mia he knew, the strong and self assured Mia was there. The pain that had surrounded her like the scar tissue did, was still there but slowly she was coming to trust him. The memory of the soft brush of her lips infiltrated his mind like a wellplanned attack commando. He wanted to turn around, but he knew that it would place him in a precarious position between her legs. Instead when she reached up to rub the side of his neck, he placed his warm hand over it. For a few minutes they just sat there, neither one of them talking. Mia swore she could see the lightning bolts flash across the room, the room was so charged with the electricity between them. The butterflies that arrived with her seemingly ever present confused state flared up in the pit of her stomach yet again. Slowly Byers' will crumbled. He turned slowly on his knees until he was sitting between Mia's open thighs. Mia looked at him in surprise, as his torso brushed across the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh. She looked into his eyes, and he could see the lingering fear there. He could tell that she was afraid to believe in what was really happening between the two of them. He couldn't blame her. Their collective lives were so mixed up. Byers reached up to cup her scarred cheek. "You have trusted me since you were young Mia, all I ask is that you trust me now. Please?" he asked. Mia's eyes widened at his request. She tried to brush it off. "I do trust you Byers," she told him. Byers instantaneously responded, "Not like I need you to." His voice held a husky note of something she was afraid to name. "Please..... don't." Mia's felt herself pull into her shell. The fear of losing the only person in the world that really care if she lived or died chilled her to her bones. "No you don't Mia," Byers placed the thumb on her lips. "I am not letting you get away with this again. I know you Mia. I know what's going on inside of you." Unconsciously he began to move his thumb back and forth across the softness of her lower lip, adding fuel to the hunger that threatened to overwhelm her. Her feelings overflowed. Feeling a bit out of control, she pulled her face away from his hands. "No," Byers repeated, his voice adding to the churning sweetness inside of Mia, like gasoline to a flame. He laced his finger through her hair, holding her head prisoner. If she really wanted to break free, they both knew she could. It was more of a gesture of his intent. He continued to brush his slightly roughened thumb across her lower lip. Unable to fight his persistence, her eyes fluttered closed, unable to keep them open anymore. "Please?" Mia pleaded with him. Her first plea was begging him to stop. Her second plea was something else. The corner's of Byers mouth curved slightly upward. "Yes Mia," Byers replied. He leaned forward and gave into the urge of running his own lips across hers. The breath caught in Mia's throat as Byers lips touched her own. Her eyes flashed open. In the brief second they were there, they were gone. She looked at him. The caress had only increased her hunger. Byers stepped away from her, seeing the naked hunger in her eyes. As much as he wanted to give into one of his numerous fantasies, concerning a steaming hot pool and a very naked Mia, he backed away from her even more. It was just too soon for them to do anything. "Can you get back to your room by yourself?" he asked quietly. Confused, Mia looked at him and nodded. Byers saw the pain beginning to surface in her eyes, and the way she held her self. He reached out and grabbed her hand. "Don't Mia." He hated repeating himself, but he couldn't erase her fears with an explanation. She had to be confident with herself in order for a romantic relationship between them to work. Byers left the pool room, leaving Mia to her thoughts. Gabriel came up behind her, sitting on the edge of the pool. He placed a paw on her shoulder, as if trying to comfort her. Mia turned to look at him, not knowing what to think. It was going to be a very long night. Mia stood grabbing her towel. She didn't know if she should grab Byers, and kiss him senseless like she had been wanting to do for years, or get out her gun and shoot him. She padded her way down the hallway, noting that Byer's door to his room was closed. She heard the sound of rushing water. Carefully, knowing her leg was a bit too relaxed for quick travel, Mia descended the staircase, glanced towards the main living area. Even though it caused the pain inside of her to increase, she couldn't help but smile at the picture she saw. Scully lay, using the good side of Skinner's chest as a pillow. She held the leather bound volume, that Mia was sure was the book of verse Skinner had left on her pillow. Mia continued quietly to descend, not wanting to disturb them. As she got closer, she noticed that Skinner seemed to be playing absently with Scully's hair as she read. They both deserved someone that understood exactly who they were, without reservation. Someone who accepted the good with the bad, even loving the person more for it. Mia turned and walked towards her bedroom. Ben and Jerry's sounded awfully good. She grabbed some, and went to sit by her fire. Gideon looked up at her, from his sleepy resting place. She patted his head. Gabriel followed, jumping up onto her bed to fall asleep. She took her first bite of the ice cream. As much as she loved the ability to get outdoors in the sunlight of summer, she loved winters the best. Gideon spent more of his time indoors, in front of the fire. He could be a pill when he wasn't suffering from his winter laziness. Gideon grunted, pushing at her hand. "I know big guy." She proceeded to spoon out half the pint into the lid. "Enjoy, my friend." She slid to the floor leaning up against his big frame, allowing the comfort of his presence to ease the ache inside of her. He licked her cheek, as if to say he understood. Finished he lay his large head back down again. Mia could have swore that he was smiling. "I know, somehow you get a kick out of sleeping on a polar bear skin. You're really perverse, you know?" she whispered, as Gabriel pulled a blanket off the bed towards her. She smiled, and told him thank you. He seemed to know exactly what she needed. She curled up next to Gideon, and fell asleep listening to the crackle of the fire. ****************************** Skinner lay back, his head resting on the stuffed head of the bear; his fingers entwined in the silky strands of Scully's hair. He smiled. He hadn't felt so relaxed in years. There were no pressures coming from the outside world. The part of him that had been constantly fighting against those pressures was taking a much needed rest. Skinner listened to the sweet words slipping from Scully's mouth. Every so often she would take another sip from her wine glass at her side. He had talked her into reading after he realized that it would be difficult for him. Her presence, the fire, and the wine, were enough to make him loose all concentration on the words in front of him. Besides Scully's sultry voice was music enough to justify it. She had agreed, and their current position had been reached. Just as Scully had stopped reading the latest poem Skinner told her, "You know Dana, pure silk isn't even close to the softness of your hair." He continued to run his fingers through it. "Walter, you're drunk," Scully chuckled softly. "No, just a bit languid. Besides even unintoxicated, I thought the very same thing. Do you know how often my fingers itched to run through your hair Dana?" Skinner whispered huskily in her ear. His words gently rasped across her nerves, causing the feelings inside of her to heighten. Scully turned her head to look into his eyes. Then her eyes fell, to look on his glistening lower lip. "I thought you wanted me to read Walter." Walter looked at her, as if trying to memorize her features. "I do want you to read," he replied, his voice husky wanting so much more. "I can't read if you keep interrupting me, can I?" Scully replied, just as huskily. She looked back up into his dark eyes, almost drowning. "You're a very talented woman, Dana," Skinner told her, his index finger gently tracing a path down the side of her face. Scully's eyes widened, at his touch. She knew where his pursuit was leading, but the strength of the sensations at one simple purposeful touch shocked her. Even after they had been so close to each other physically all evening, the one touch caused her entire skin to ignite. Again her gaze was drawn to his lips; her lips craved contact with his, as if the contact would ease the fire inside of her. Scully leaned forward. Skinner realized her intention, and raised his lips to brush across her closed eyelids. She felt the barest of a whispers across them. She moaned, opening her eyes to seek him out. The touch of his lips had been pure torture. Skinner's eyes held a deadly intent that she had only seen when he trained a gun on a suspect. "No Dana," his fingers continued to trace her delicate features. "I can't kiss you. I know I wouldn't be able to stop with just a kiss." He outlined her eyelids with the rough touch of his finger. "God, you're so beautiful," he whispered, unable to stop himself. Scully understood what Skinner was trying to say, but it didn't stop her from asking. "Would it be so bad?" She reached up to run the palm of her hand down his jaw. Skinner seemed to understand what Scully was asking. He knew that she wasn't asking for him to break his resolve, only letting him know that his desire was returned. The realization shocked him. Scully was a very complicated woman, but somehow he had been given the gift of understanding her. Skinner glanced away from her face sheepishly, the realization that the incredibly beautiful woman in front of him wanted him. The lower curve of her lip beckoned. She really wanted *him*. Not Mulder, and not anyone else. Scully arched up to brush a kiss across Skinner's bald forehead. Skinner's eyes closed, savoring the feel of her touch and the affection she offered so readily. Knowing that he was in for it, he pulled her head back down on his chest, her face facing him. Skinner wouldn't kiss her, but he could give them something else that they both needed. Something else that was safe. "Close your eyes Dana, and relax. Don't worry about falling asleep." Dana smirked, but closed her eyes. Skinner leaned his head back, but still could see her. He carefully began to trace every feature on her face, trailing his fingertips over the bridge of her nose. Scully caught her breath, nearly groaning. Skinner's fingertips continued on their endless path. "You know Dana, you really are the most beautiful woman I have every seen in my life," he whispered. "Even when you were deathly ill, no other woman could compare to how incredibly beautiful you are." ******************* Byers slipped past the silently sleeping couple. Gabriel lay nearby, after pulled the afghan from the couch down over the couple. It seemed that the dog had done it often enough before for someone else enough so that he knew it was necessary. Byers was glad that Scully had found someone. He often worried about Scully, knowing exactly what Mulder put her through. He often thought that Mulder and Scully would get together, but the more that he realized how much they loved each other, the more he knew that it wouldn't work. Mulder was a man born to complete one mission, which he was driven to do. No matter how much he loved Scully, the search would always be the number one priority in his life. Being a clinical psychologist, Mulder knew that any romantic relationship between Scully and himself wouldn't work. It didn't mean that Mulder didn't love Scully with every breath in his being. As bittersweet as their situation was, Byers knew that Mulder would be happy for Scully. It might hurt a little, but it also hurt Mulder to see his partner go home without anyone being there. Each year that they were together tore at Mulder a bit more that Scully had given up so much to be his partner. Byers was just happy that Scully had found someone who could understand, really understand, what she went through when she went to work each day. The horrors, and the pain that Scully dealt with were more than any normal human should be asked to bare. Thoughts of the sleeping couple were pushed out of his mind, as he quietly looked in Mia's doorway. Byers smiled at the site she presented. Mia had fallen asleep in front of the fire, using Gideon as a pillow. Byers attempted to keep from laughing, at the site they presented. He didn't think Grizzly Bears liked that sort of attention. With so many cases of partially domesticated bears mauling their human owners, he was surprised that Mia would do something like that. Byers quietly walked to the stand beside her bed. He was hoping that she hadn't given up the habit that she indulged in since she was small. He opened the drawer, and saw it right under beneath her 9 mm Glock. He pulled her gun aside, and slid out her journal. Sitting on her bed, Byers began to read. He needed to know everything. The pain of her recovery and her hidden desires. He felt like he was breaking her trust by reading her journal, but he didn't know what she had been through. He needed to know in her own words. Mia told him the whole story, in her own written words. She told of her pain, of her fight to stay sane. She told him of the scar that Gideon had given her in the attempt to free her from the cat. She told how she had refused to have any reconstructive surgery or treatment on that one scar. Instead she chose to leave it, reminding her that there were beings who actually cared about her. It reminded her that sometimes pain accompanied help. Mia also told him just how much she craved human touch. Byers found that he was often mentioned in her journal, but she didn't give away much. She told of a nightmare concerning him, but of nothing really significant. Byers placed the book back into the drawer, realizing that it didn't contain the information that he needed. He walked quietly over to where she was sleeping. Gideon opened his eye, but did not move his head. Byers leaned down to caress her cheek. He hated to resort to the cliches of Valentine's Day. Mia wasn't like so many other women. He couldn't expect that she would like all the same things. It was Skinner's turn to cook, so he couldn't continue to woo her with his cooking. He didn't have access to a florist. If he did he would have filled the lodge with flowers by now. Byers stood, and walked towards the door. A book caught his eye, it was an anthology of Valentine's Day historical romance. He read the back of it, smiling. At least it was one idea, and given her reading selection he hoped that she would like it. Byers took the book with him upstairs, knowing that it would be several hours before he completed his task and could go to sleep. Byers paused again, watching the couple sleep by the fire. Perhaps, tomorrow night it would be him and Mia. ****************************** comments? Missing parts? email me at lor@either.or.com ************************************************** Snow White Valentine 10/14 ****************** Scully stretched, as she rolled over. Opening her eyes she realized that she hadn't made it all the way to bed last night. She looked down, from right above Skinner's face. The fire still was burning, and she wondered if someone had came in to tend it while they were asleep. Skinner opened his eyes, to be greeted by the face of Dana Scully. Still sleepy, he asked her, "Did you sleep okay?" Scully smiled. "Yes for sleeping on a bear skin rug all night. I am a bit sore." She attempted to sit, but Skinner pulled her back down into his arms. "Sore, but worth it?" Skinner asked, placing a rough sleepy kiss to her forehead. Scully smiled at his possessive behavior. She normally didn't get off on men who behaved that way, but Walter Skinner was a man of a different sort. He encouraged her strength, and never treated her differently because she was a women. "You could say so, but I need take a hot shower." Images of a naked Scully standing under a steaming stream of water raced into his head. Skinner let her go and sat up, not wanting her to realize just how turned on that image had left him. "How about you go soak in the hot springs instead? That might work a bit better." Scully leaned towards him, where he sat against the couch. She placed a soft lingering kiss on his cheek. His eyes caught hers. His fingered itched to pull her close, and plunder the sweetness of her mouth. She stood, "I think that would be a good idea. Who knows what will happen today?" Skinner watched her walk up the stairs towards her room, before he let the air completely out of his lungs. More and more of him wanted to throw everything to the wind and run after her. The ache that continued to grow, assaulted his will. Piece by piece it was breaking, until he didn 't know if he would be able to use any of his famous iron control. Soon, Skinner promised himself. He knew that Scully was attracted to him as well, that much was obvious. There was no huge angst factor, typical of the romances he had seen around him. He was getting older, and didn't have the energy for it. A woman like Scully, deserved to be wooed. She deserved to be treated like the wonderful gem that she was, and not to be manhandled just yet. Skinner brushed his cheek where Scully had kissed him. No, there would be nothing more than that until they were able to talk to Mulder. He stood and walked towards the kitchen. Perhaps some breakfast would take his mind off of the incredible ache growing so closely to his heart. ************************ Byers looked up as Skinner walked into the kitchen. "I figured since you were doing dinner, I would do breakfast." Skinner rubbed his bald head, like he was running his fingers through nonexistent hair. "Oh yes, I did promise didn't it?" He quietly went to the freezer in the pantry and forced himself to think of something other than Scully. Perhaps it was the atmosphere, and the holiday, but he didn't think so. Even as relaxed from the pressures of the outside world as he was, he was a man of few words. Byers interrupted his thoughts. "You okay Skinner? Do you want to talk about it?" Skinner looked through the small door, surprise written clearly on his face. "I'm fine," he said, really not wanting to get into it. "God you sound exactly like Dana when she gets in one of her moods," Byers commented, continuing to fry the bacon and pancakes. Skinner pulled out a salmon to defrost. One couldn't go wrong with salmon, and it was something he could make. "I guess I am just confused. This isn't going like it should." His voice was noncommittal. "You mean your relationship with Dana Scully? When does romance ever go like it should? You plan and prepare to sweep the woman off her feet only to find some major road block." Byers flipped the pancake, and that's when Skinner realized that he had made it in the shape of a heart. Skinner stood next to him, looking at the pancake cook. "I know what you mean, when do women ever behave the way you expect. Even though they say they want romance, it's the little nontypical moments that seem to get to them, the unique things that just happen." Byers realized that while Skinner was voicing generalities, he was actually describing exactly what was going on in the =E6here and now'. "Might I suggest one typical =E6romantic' thing? Today is Valentine's Day, maybe you should engage in the timehonored tradition of making a Valentine," Byers commented. If Byers would have been looking at Skinner, he might have seen Skinner turn a shade of pink. "I haven't made a Valentine in years," he commented. "I know, it's a lot easier to give the florist your VISA card number, and order the traditional flowers. In a way I would rather be doing that, than cooking these, but it is, as you say, the little things that seem to touch their hearts." He paused as if emphasizing the meaning behind his words. "And what woman doesn't deserve to feel like the thing of beauty she is. Valentine's Day has become so commercial, that it has changed from a holiday celebrating love, to a holiday where a man feels that it's his duty to spend money on the woman in his life. All women want to know is that they're loved." Skinner stood there thinking about Byers had told him. He could relate. All those years married to Sharon, he felt it was his duty to be romantic on Valentine's Day. It was some demand placed on him, that he was expected to be romantic. "I know what you mean." "You know, we must be the two luckiest men alive. Those women don't expect anything from us today. All they want is our company. They don't expect candlelight, diamonds, or roses. They just want to wake up tomorrow, knowing that they aren't alone. What more could a man ask for?" Byers continued to comment. Skinner chuckled, as picked up the nearby scissors, that Byers had left there from his own attempt at making a valentine out of construction paper. He could think of one more think a man could ask for, but the honorable man wouldn't let him voice it. He wasn't in the marine corps any more. ******************** Mia rolled over in her bed. She lay there sleepy and warm. Something touched her side. Sleepily she opened her eyes, and looked right into Gabriel's face. He pawed at her again, as if he wanted her to get up. She rolled towards the door, and nearly jumped out of bed. Byers sat there smiling, tray in hand. Mia slowly sat up in bed. "Do I want to know how I got into bed last night?" Byers smiled back at her. "No, not really." Not that it was any big secret. He had picked her up and put her to bed. He just didn't want her inquiring exactly why he had come into her room. He had gone in twice. Once to search, and once to return. It was on the second trip that he had put her to bed. Mia looked at the tray, eyeing it warily. "What did I do to deserve breakfast in bed?" she asked him, happily sarcastic. "Nothing, I just wanted to have the privilege of being the first one you laid eyes on this morning," Byers said softly. He placed the tray in front of her, heartshaped pancakes lay on the center of the plate. Mia looked up at him with an unwritten question in his eyes. There was some significance to his comment, but her memory refused to help her without its caffeine. She took a sip of the Earl Grey Tea on the tray, and smiled at him. "Why would you want that?" she asked, hoping that she would entice a response from him. Instead Byers evaded her question gracefully. "Probably because Skinner looks like a bear in the morning. I didn't want him to scare you off from having some fun." Mia conceded that he wasn't going to inform her what was going on, so she inquired about the fun Byers wanted to have. "What kind of fun do you want me to have?" Byers did not let the snappy comeback leave his mouth. He was so used to Mulder's double entendres that his reaction to her words was almost automatic. While he wanted to spend time with her, the longer he was secluded with her, the more he craved to spend at least a day in bed alone with her. She was sincere, and not into the kind of double entendres like Mulder. "What kind of fun would I like to have? Well the Snow has stopped, and it will be light soon. Maybe we should take advantage of the couple of hours of light, and go outside in the snow?" Mia smiled at him. "You know it's going to be really, really deep?" Byers grinned. "Skinner went outside to check. He says there is a spot out near the vehicles that is passable without the snowshoes." "Okay I guess," Mia said as she smiled. Byers could tell she was happy about the idea. "Are you going to join me, or leave?" she asked, uncomfortable with him sitting there watching her eat in the old T shirt she wore to bed. "I already ate. Wouldn't you like some company?" Byers asked. "I guess I would." Mia cut off the tip of the pancake heart with her fork.= Byers watched as Mia cut into the pancake again for another bite. "You know sometimes I feel just like that pancake," he said quietly, realizing the ironic symbolism of the situation. Mia raised one eyebrow and responded. "Why is that Byers?" "Well, because for so long I feel like a piece of me is missing. That someone stole it, and it's gone." He paused, unable to take his eyes off of her eating the pancake. "As every year passes, another piece of me disappears. I'm probably not making any sense am I?" Mia looked at the halfdemolished plate of food, giving it serious thought. "Yes but look at it Byers, maybe its ending up someplace where it needs to be?" Byers thought for a second, and replied. "Maybe your right Mia. Maybe its finally ending up wherever it needs to be." He reached out and lay an envelope next to her hand. "Happy Valentine's Day Mia." As he spoke he reached out as if to run his fingers across her knuckles, but he stopped. He didn't want to push things. "Wait," Mia put her hand on top of his, holding Byers' prisoner. "Aren't you going to stay while I finish and open your envelope?" Byers looked at her, and nodded. She had asked and he would stay. She wanted his company. While she continued to eat, she held eye contact with him. "I'll stay." He just didn't know how she would react to his hand-made valentine. Mia took the envelope in her hand and began to open it. She smiled when she realized that it was obviously hand made out of the stash of kid's toys that she kept in an upstairs closet. She glanced at him before pulling the simple red heart out of the envelope. It had been folded in half, so she opened it. The simple red heart, had been transformed to what seemed hundreds of little white and pink hearts that had been glued around the edges. Mia read the words that Byers had written, but still they confused her. He said that she was strong, and courageous. He told her that was all she needed to reach out and grab what she most wanted in this world. She looked at him, trying to ascertain exactly what he was saying. Byers saw the question in her eyes, but the fear that was there yesterday seemed to be gone. Maybe both he and Mia would have a happy Valentine's Day after all. "I will leave you to get ready. I fully expect you to go outside and have some fun with me. Besides, who would give up the chance to hit Walter Skinner with a snowball." He chuckled and took her tray. Mia smiled at him, as he left the room. It was so much better than spending this day alone, or in a chat room trying to grab onto something that she never had. Still the comment about being the first man that she saw in the morning bothered her. She got up, and walked over to the chest of drawers. She opened her underwear drawer, to get the articles that she would need after her shower. Smiling she fingered the lacy under things that she never allowed herself to wear, but she couldn't stop herself from ordering. She pulled out a matching bra set that seemed to fit the mood. Just this once she was going to allow herself the indulgence of pretending that Valentines Day was a happy day. *************************** Scully slid off her robe, and walked into the steaming water. She had lit one solitary candle near the bench where she had placed her robe. Normally she wouldn't have indulged in skinny dipping, but no one would disturb her in here. She needed some time alone, and to get back to her roots. Scully chuckled at that thought. Yes she needed to release everything that had happened since she started medical school. It was as if deep inside of her she needed to be reborn. She eased farther down into the water, allowing the heat to soak into her aching muscles. Scully knew she was strong, she also knew what was going on inside of her. She had loved both men for so long, but the day had come that she had been dreading. It was time to choose. She ran her hands over to her body, just to feel something touching her bare skin. Skinner had the heart of a bear, and an attitude to match. Deep inside through there was a sweetness that beckoned her. It wasn't something he showed just to anyone. In fact she would bet that he had only shown it to Sharon. Scully stood, walking in the water towards the small waterfall at one end of the pool. Mulder was a bit different. He had this fierce devotion to th e truth, and to whoever he deemed worthy of it. As Scully eased her head back, she knew that her decision had already been made; that she was only scared of the possible ramifications. Mulder would understand. Hadn't she understood with the various lovers he had taken on over the past six years? Scully ran her fingers through her hair, as the water slide down over her like a lover's caress. She opened her eyes to see Walter Skinner standing on the opposite side of the pool, his eyes staring at her. The flames seemed to leap between them. There seemed to be no embarrassment in him as he hungrily devoured the luscious curves of her exposed breasts. Scully knew she was standing there like a wanton, but she couldn't help herself. The way that he devoured her left her aching in ways that she had never experienced. She wanted the big quiet man. She wanted him not only for the way he made her feel, but for the sweetness locked deep inside of him. "Walter," Scully said in her husky soft voice. She walked, unashamedly towards him. As she got closer, he could see the outline, and shadows of what lay beneath the water. "Byers was making Mia some breakfast, so I brought you some," he told her, placing the tray by the edge of the pool. He slipped the simple red heart into his pocket, unable to give it to her yet. Scully reached up to grab a piece of bacon, trying to pretend not to notice the effect her bare figure had on him. "Any ideas about what we could do today?" she asked, curious as to how they could spend their time. Skinner attempted to avert his eyes. "Well, the snow has stopped, and Byers suggested a snowball fight." He couldn't believe he was actually suggesting that to Scully. Scully's eyes lit up even more. "A snowball fight, I haven't had a decent one since I was a little girl. Then again, the boys were scared that they would walk away with their pants full of snow." She smiled at the memories. "Are you threatening me, Dana?" Skinner looked at her again, realizing his mistake when his aching length hardened even more. "No, I am not threatening you with anything. I am making you a promise," Scully replied, a wicked gleam in her eyes. She held back an arm, flicking water at him. Scully looked like a some heavenly water sprite sent down from above to torment him. He clenched his fists, knowing that he was drawing blood on his palms. His jaw tightened, but his resolve didn't. "I take it then you are issuing a challenge? I expect you outside ready to go in one hour Scully, and dress appropriately." He issued his challenge, and turned to leave. Scully's laughter echoed down the hall as he walked through the doors. He could still hear the sweetness of it as he entered the bathroom in his suite, and turned the water onto cold. ********************* Comments? Missing parts? contact me at lor@either.or.com ************************************************** Snow White Valentine (11/14) ******************* Scully pulled on her fleecelined parka. Mia had told her that it was pretty close to 5 below zero, before she had left the building. Mia would be along soon, as she was going to go out the other way. Gideon was itching to get outside now that the snow had stopped. Skinner had found a spot where the winds had caused the extra snow to drift, making it possible for them to walk unaided by snowshoes. Scully rounded the corner, and a snow ball hit her flat in the face. "What the hell!" she swore under her breath. She pushed herself flat back against the building, around the corner. She didn't have any time to prepare the necessary ammunition for this. She squatted down, to make at least one snow ball to get him back. Carefully she slipped around the corner, and aimed for the first thing that caught her eye. The snowball went flying, and hit Skinner in the face. Skinner growled. He had just exited the building, following Mia and her bear out. Byers stood there laughing at the both of them. Mia quietly slipped farther back, allowing the situation to draw their attention away from her. It was her one advantage in a snowball war. She quickly made several snowballs and turned her head around the corner. Skinner, feeling like a kid again, growled and made a rather large one. He ran after Scully, and pitched it at her. The momentum of the snowball hit her flat in her bottom, sending her flying in the snow. Gideon, feeling much more awake bent over her licking the side of her face. Byers couldn't help himself, and doubled over in laughter. Mia picked up one of her snowballs and threw, hitting Byers in his shoulder. It had been awhile, so her aim was a bit off. Gabriel slipped off a nearby snowbank, his white coat providing some camouflage from the others and grabbed one of the snowballs in his mouth. He held it up to Mia, who took it, pitching it at Byers. A strange mixture of slobber and ice hit him straight in the face. What had been meant as a war between two different parties, was turning rapidly into two separate battles. Byers leaned down to grab another handful of snow, as Mia took off around the corner as fast as her injured leg could take her. Gabriel reached up and grabbed Byer's parka in his teeth and pulled, giving Mia a head start on him. Byers decided a different tactic was in order. He leaned back quickly, dislodging his coat from the wolf's mouth. Then he ran around the corner. He couldn't see her. He proceeded along carefully, wondering where she'd disappeared to. Then Gabriel alerted him. He turned to see her emerge from the powdery snowdrift, and launch yet another snow ball at him. He dodged, and threw one at her hitting her in the face. "Byers!" Mia screamed at him. She ran towards him, wanting to knock him back into a snow drift. He grabbed her, as she began to struggle in his parkacovered arms. All the clothing made it difficult to break free. Mia entwined one leg with his, and they both began to fall into the snow. Mia reached up, as Byers lay there momentarily stunned. She slipped the snow under his clothes. Instead of releasing her, it only made him pull her to him tighter. He flipped her over, pinning her to the soft snow. His eyes drowning in hers. She stopped struggling as his head descended towards hers. On the other side of the house, Skinner and Scully pelted each other expertly. Gideon tried to get between them, seemingly enjoying the pelting snowballs. He pawed at them, playing almost like a dog. Scully hunched down, hiding behind Gideon's form. She made several balls, and began to sneak behind the bear. Skinner leaned over, making as many snow balls as he could while Gideon provided her with a distraction. Then, he felt something touch his rear-end and push him hard. He went flying forward, face first into the snow. Scully took the opportunity to pull at the waist band of his powder pants, and stuff all the snow balls down it. Skinner yelled, but Scully took off as fast as she could. It served him right for being so smug about his skill in a snowball fight. She ran, turning her head. Skinner was up, fighting with the snow in his pants. He saw her wicked grin, and he gave her an answering one. "Don't worry Scully, I will make you pay for that." The evil look in Skinner's eyes, let her know that she was in for it. She turned pelting him again with snow, so she could slip inside the big house. He wouldn't dare try to get her with snow in there. Skinner saw her go into the house, and realized that she was hiding because she knew she was in for it. He took one large snowball and headed for the door. Two could play at this game. He opened the front door of the lodge just in time to see Scully's form running up the stairs towards her room. Somehow she had managed to remove her snow pants, parka, and shoes, leaving them in a trail as she ran. He followed her, stripping his sodden clothing off as well, not wanting to ruin Mia's floors. Barefoot at the top of the stairs he heard a sound coming from Scully's suite. Scully tried to tip toe as quietly as she could towards her bed. She knew if he couldn't find her, that he would give up. The door opened, and she looked up into Walter's brown warm eyes. For a minute time seemed to freeze, she broke it diving for her bed. He wouldn't dare try anything while she lay on her bed. Skinner, knew her tactic and wasn't going to give into it. He ran over, and dove on top of her. Scully screamed, as he pinned her there. He pulled the tight waist band of her polar fleece leggings away from her body, and slide the now melting snowball across her bare stomach. Scully fought him, as he grabbed both of her hands pinning them above her head. Scully stopped struggling as the atmosphere in the room subtly shifted. Scully felt Skinner's aroused length push into her thigh as he continued to trace icy wet paths across her exposed stomach. She groaned as he moved it higher, under her flannel shirt that she wore. Outside Byers' lips touched Mia's. While this wasn't the first time their lips had met, it was the first time that they really had touched. Mia raised her head to meet his questing lips head on. For a brief second they paused, fire shooting down their bodies at the joining. Mia opened her eyes, to look into Byers. Byers moaned against her lips, and began to run his tongue back and forth against her lower one. She parted her lips, taking its sweet softness into her mouth. At the touch of their tongues, everything around them seemed to fade. They were no longer aware of where they were, or the people that could come around the corner at any time. Mia ran her tongue across the gums right below his teeth, causing another groan to escape his lungs. He returned the favor hungry for the taste of her. No longer were there any thoughts about having her take the first step. The desire for her pooled in his pelvis, and increased as she instinctually arched up against him in a clumsy attempt to get closer. Byers pulled his questing mouth away from hers, and began to trail soft kisses over her cheeks and down her necks. Mia cried softly, missing the contact of his mouth. She began to shake as her desire increased. He could feel her trembling, and came back up to claim her lips again. He ran the tip of he tongue across them, outlining their fullness. Mia, shaking from the desire a woman who had lacked any resemblance of human touch for years. She reached up and grabbed his hood pulling him back down to her mouth. She bit his lower lip, forcing his mouth wide open. Byers, not feeling any pain, thrust his tongue back into her mouth unable to believe that he was finally kissing the woman who had occupied the bulk of his sexual fantasies for years. She whimpered, her shaking increasing. He thrust his tongue in again, mimicking the act that his body had craved to do to her for so long. "Please," Mia begged between kisses. It was this that brought Byers to his senses. They were outside, and the light was rapidly fading. He had to get her inside, and calm. He brushed her cheek with his rough one. "Not yet," he whispered. "Let's get you inside and warmed up okay?" He was worried that their fall could have injured her or something. As his desire lessened with each thought, his worry increased. Above anything, he didn't want to hurt her. Upstairs Skinner had Scully pinned to the bed. He could have sworn that the groans coming from her were ones of desire. He looked into her dilated eyes, and got his answer. She wanted him. Skinner's lips hungered to bend over and seek some contact with hers, but he knew that it wouldn't be right. They both knew that to engage in anything when reality had not been set, would only hinder their chances at developing a normal healthy relationship. Scully caught the look of pure desire in his eyes, and arched up against his hard length. Skinner could almost swear that he felt the heat of her center against him as she moved. "Stop Dana, we can't do this. I promised that I would give you the time to know exactly what you wanted. I promised I wouldn't touch you until reality set in," he whispered gruffly, unable to stop the flood of desire washing down over him. Scully arched her head up, meeting his lips with her own. "You promised Walter, but I didn't," she whispered, the sweet husky nature of her voice rasping across his already around nerves. "Dana," Skinner begged, feeling her grind against him. He couldn't help himself, the days worth of lingering arousal coming to a head, he ground back into her. "Walter," Scully whispered back at him, "We both want each other to the point that our bodies are screaming. Just let go." Skinner ground himself into her again, claiming the sweetness of her lips. "You're a shameless hussy," he told her half seriously. "Only when I am around you," Scully answered him right back. She moaned as his hard length ground into her aching core again. "There should be words between us Dana. You should know how I feel," Skinner told her, the pleasure reaching an unbearable height. "Later Walter." Scully pulled his head back down to her and kissed him hard. The fire was burning out of control between them. She understood exactly why they needed to hold off on anything physical, but they both were burning alive. They needed some relief before they both made a mistake that they could both regret. Skinner threaded his finger through her hair, and plundered her mouth. He continued to grind himself into her, carefully keeping a rhythm that caused wave after wave a pleasure to watch over them both. Part of him felt like a god damn adolescent with all the heavy petting and kissing that went along with it. He sat up for a second, placed the snowball in a pitcher by her bed. He leaned back down and claimed her mouth roughly. Scully, knowing what they both needed bit down hard on his lower lip, drawing blood. Skinner groaned, the air rushing into her mouth. She laved her tongue back and forth across the injured flesh. He answered her with another trust. Each thrust brought Scully a bit higher, until she was a mass of quivering muscle. Skinner left her lips to bite down on her neck, bringing the flesh up between his teeth. Scully cried out his name. Giving into the pleasure, Skinner let go of her hands and slipped one down and underneath the waist band of her pants. Scully whimpered as his hand found the soaked center of her, it only took a few well placed caresses before she rocked violently in his arms. As she came, Skinner arched into her thigh, the cries of her pleasure issuing his own completion. Scully rolled over, pulling her arms around him. "Don't you dare feel guilty Walter Skinner. That was one of the most amazing experiences in my life," she whispered, claiming his lips again in a fierce kiss. Skinner took her in for a moment. "I can't help what I feel Dana. I didn't want to mix up what we were feeling with the atmosphere of this place. I wanted you to be sure." Scully buried her face in his neck, and smiled when she felt his hands come around her. Her smile grew even wider when his hands pulled her more possessively towards him. She yawned, feeling warm and sated for the first time in a long time. "I am sure Walter, but I understand." Scully soon was softly snoring, so she didn't hear Skinner's final answer. "Dana, you have to be sure. You have to be very sure. " He had given Sharon his heart, and where did that leave him? Once more, and there would be nothing left of him but a pathetically hollow empty shell. He smiled as Scully pulled him closer, as if she could read his thoughts while she was asleep. Maybe it wasn't too early for them to be exploring this side of their relationship. Six years was too long for anyone to go without the touch of another human being. He held her fiercely, knowing that he would soon have to give her the slightly rumpled Valentine in his pocket. ********************* Byers watched as Mia filled the teapot, and lit the stove. He felt a bit guilty watching her, but he knew that she needed a few moments to gather herself. If he looked closely he could she her hand still shaking from what had occurred out in the snow. She had quickly changed, and tried to let Gideon in. The bear instead had chosen to remain outside. "Are you okay Mia?" Byers asked softly. "Yes, just a bit shaken," Mia answered honestly. She pulled down the metal tin of cocoa and the marshmallows to go in it. Suddenly she was hit with the image of her licking a few drops of cocoa that she had drizzled over Byer's bare stomach. She placed her hands on the stove to steady herself, as the image took charge of her consciousness. Byers walked up behind her and placed his arms around her. He pulled her roughly to him. "It's okay," he whispered into her hair. She continued to shake. "I am here, and I am not going anywhere." Mia took his words for face value, allowing herself to savor the feel of him around her. This was her Valentine's Day. Some deity had given her the gift of having the one man that she loved, present during the most horrible day of the year. She wouldn't question the gift. She placed one hand over his around her waist and squeezed. "Thanks Byers, I really needed that." Byers, giving into the sweet urge to touch her skin to his mouth again, placed a gentle kiss to the bare skin on her neck. Then he reached up and began to pull the pins out of her hair. He liked her hair down, and when she pinned it up it annoyed him no end. As the last pin fell, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "That's much better. You always did have the most beautiful hair that I have ever seen in my entire life. Like molten gold." Mia leaned her head back against him, accepting the fact that he wasn't going to let her go just yet. "What do you want to do watch a movie this afternoon? " "I thought we had no power," Byers questioned. "We don't, but I occasionally indulge. It gets rather lonely when the power goes out, and you have only yourself to listen too. I even log on when I have no power, but have a phone connection," Mia answered, absorbing his presence straight into her soul. "I think I would enjoy that very much. Got any popcorn to go with the hot chocolate?" Byers asked, refusing to let her go. "Yes, in the top cupboard on the right," Mia said, as he squeezed her one last time. He reached up to grab the metallic plate that he could hold over the flame. "Just let me choose the movie this time okay?" Byers asked. "Okay," Mia agreed, wondering just what Byers would choose. She nearly jumped when the first kernel popped, causing the foil on the Jiffy Pop plate to expand slightly. She was jumpy, and she needed to do something to calm herself down. If she wasn't careful, she was going to give into the rampaging feelings inside of her. Even though he had responded to her, she didn't know how he would take the ever building desire inside of her. Especially once he found out her carefully hidden secret. She gave no thought to the future. She was living only for the present. *********************************** Comments? Missing Parts? Contact me at lor@either.or.com ************************************************** Snow White Valentine 12/14 ********************* Scully smiled as she opened her eyes, basking in the languor of a woman who had been completely and totally love. She rolled over in her bed and the smiled turned to frown. Something was missing. More specifically someone was missing. "Walter," Scully called out, wondering if he was close by. "Yes," a hesitant voice came from the other suite. It was a tone of voice she had never heard Skinner use; that of a man lost completely in thought. Scully walked over to the door and peeked inside. He stood there pulling on a clean sweatshirt. She noticed that he had changed out of his jeans and into his sweats. He seemed distracted as if he was more aware of what was going on inside of his head than what was going on around him. Scully walked up to him. "Do you want to talk about it?" Skinner turned and caught her eyes with his own steely glint. He stood there silently, not responding to her question. Scully, fear infiltrating the languor that had followed their time togethe r, attempted another tactic. "Talk to me about what's going on inside of that head of yours Walter," she ordered, attempting to hide her own tender feelings. Recognizing Scully's feelings for what they were, Skinner pulled her roughly into his arms. "I'm not good with words. I never have been." He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. Scully looked up at him, realizing more and more, what was going on. "Let me tell you what I think is going on, and all you have to do is tell me if I'm right." She placed a palm on each side of his face, continuing with her speech when he nodded. "You lost complete control for the first time in your life." Scully increased her hold on his face as he tried to look away. "That's it isn't it? You made up your mind that we weren't going to do anything until we were back in D.C." Skinner still kept silent, refusing to talk about what was happening. Pushing further, Dana continued. "You know it's not a sign of weakness to talk about what's going on." She stood there demanding a response with her posture. "You were always a firebrand when you got something underneath your collar Dana," Skinner commented, realizing she wasn't going to let it slide. "Don't try to change the subject with me Walter Skinner, it's just not going to work this time," Scully told him seriously, but not harshly. Skinner stood there thinking about it. Then he pulled Dana in closer to him. "I lost control. It shouldn't have happened." The simple words seemed to have been dragged from his soul. Dana replied. "Love isn't about control, it's about being who you are with the one that you love. You know, as strong and burly as you are Walter the one thing that you're afraid of is losing control." She paused to gather her breath, her voice quaking. "You're afraid of letting your body go - it's so finally ingrained in your make up. But most of all, Walter, you're afraid of losing control of your heart. You know to give it over completely into someone's care is the ultimate act of trust." Skinner seemed to think about it before responding. "I am not afraid of losing control." Scully continued on, ignoring his denial. "You know what I think Walter?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "I think you're really waiting to see if I change my mind once I see Mulder again. You're afraid that if you loose control right now, that once I see Mulder you will be left with nothing." Skinner pushed her a bit away from him, and leaned down so they could look at each other at eye level. "That's not it at all, Dana." Scully felt like yelling =E6is too' back at him in a rather childish manne r, but her composure reigned her in. "Obviously you need some time alone, to explore this aspect of yourself. I am going to go down stairs and see what the others are doing." She pulled herself out of his arms, feeling the sting of his rejection. Skinner tightened his fingers around her hand in a death grip, refusing to let her go like this. With the other hand he picked up the hand-made valentine sitting beside them on the table. "If you're thinking I need some space, at least take this." Scully reached out, and took the proffered envelope. "Will I see you later down stairs?" Scully said a bit hesitantly. "Soon, Dana. . .I will be there very soon," Skinner replied gruffly, walki ng to the window to look out on the blackness that surrounded him. Scully walked out of his suite pausing half way down the hall to open the handmade valentine. She could almost hear the rough voice of Skinner saying the words to her as she read it. ". . .Be Mine. . ." The red heart was simple, but the words had been painstakingly cut out of black construction paper. Two smaller hearts lay overlapped near the words, as if he was symbolically showing what his heart wanted so badly. Scully smiled, knowing that he would be following soon as he wrestled with the demons that had surfaced. She walked down the stairs to see that Mia had hooked an extension cord to the Television console. She sat down beside her, and Mia offered her the bowl of popcorn. Byers sat on the other side of Mia, his arm draped loosely around Mia's shoulders. Scully smiled, Byers deserved someone as special as Mia. Mia didn't seem to notice it though. She continued to sit there and watch the movie. Byers had chosen a modern rendition of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. To be completely honest she had never seen it before, even though it was part of her extensive collection. The sound of Ben Kingsley's singing voice filled the room. The plot roughly involved a brother and sister separated by a ship wreck. The sister took the place of her brother, falling in love with the man that she was serving under. Mia's breath caught, as they stood very close to each other, and Ben Kingsley continued to sing. Byers clasped his hand down on her shoulder, pulling Mia closer into him as the romantic moment in the movie continued to play. Mia's attention, consumed by the movie, changed suddenly to the warm male body pressed to her side. She looked up, and his other hand came up to brush a lingering caress down her cheekbone. Scully's attention switched back and forth between the couple and the screen. An answering ache grew deep inside of her. The woman on the screen, deeply in love with the man that she worked for, was torn between duty and her heart. She stood bravely beside the man, even though she knew the situation was hopeless. It sounded a great deal similar to her situation with Skinner. She often had to cloak her feminini ty with masculine behavior, and clothing. God forbid that a feminine individual wanted to be an agent in the FBI. The couple next to her posed a whole different slew of issues. They had their own problems to overcome, but in a strange way Mia reminded her a great deal of Walter. Not that Mia was some surly Russian Army Sergeant, just that the pain they both had gone through was very similar. They probably both experienced some form of PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Scully took another handful of popcorn and put it into her mouth. She looked up to see Walter Skinner walking down the stairs towards them. He went over to what was rapidly becoming 'his' chair, and sat down. Gabriel stood and walked over to curl up by his feet. Skinner leaned down and patted the wolf. He looked up at Scully, as if he was waiting for something. Then he patted the corner of the large chair, as if he wanted her to join him. Scully slipped off the couch and turned to sit down on the corner. Skinner wrapped an arm around her middle, pulled her across his lap. She leaned against the plush padded armrest, as well as his chest. Secure in his arms, they continued to watch the movie. She smiled, as he absently began to rub the back of her neck with his hand. In a way it seemed like forever, and in a way it seemed that the movie was over in just one minute. Skinner leaned forward, as the credits rolled across the screen. He brushed across her earlobe, that left nothing to her imagination about what he wanted to do to her. Then he whispered. "I suppose I should start dinner, as we seemed to have missed lunch in all the excitement." Scully stood devoid of the warmth that Skinner's body provided her. She glanced at Mia, who was standing as well. "I suppose I should show you where everything is. I have this craving for something chocolate and rich." Skinner chuckled, following Mia into the kitchen. "Isn't everything that surrounds you rich?" he asked. They couldn't hear her response. Scully looked up at Byers, curious about the scenes on the couch. "So what's going on Byers?" she asked in her blunt but cool manner. "I don't know yet, so I can't give an accurate account Dana," Byers told her. He leaned forward and place his hands on his spread knees. "I love her, I think I always have, but she has to make the next step on her own. She has to believe in herself enough to take that step. If she doesn't, then I don't think if she ever will believe how much I care for her." Scully nodded, and then chuckled. "When did you become the amateur psychologist?" The corner of Byers' mouth turned slowly upward as he answered. "Ever since I started hanging around Mulder." "I suppose you have something all romantic planned for Valentine's Day?" Scully stated, probing for at least a tiny bit of romance on the most horrible holiday of the year. Byers replied. "Yes, but I don't know if she will find it that way. Besides haven't you been having a rather romantic Valentine's Day yourself?" He smiled remembering the way Scully had been curled up like a warm cat on Skinner's lap. "I don't know. I don't think I would classify what's going on between Walter and me as typical romance worthy of Valentine's Day. He isn't a man who would choose to express himself that way. I think it would be forced." Scully stood walking over to warm her hands on the fire and turn off the television. "I don't know about that Dana. Perhaps what's going on between you two defies tradition, but I bet someday he will surprise you," Byers told her. "Oh don't think I am complaining at all, because I'm not." Scully smiled softly, remembering the quiet understated Valentine in her pocket. Something tender and sweet washed over her, building in the region of her heart. Byers stood and questioned her. "Do you want to come up and give it the official female okay?" He seemed to be a bit unsure of himself. "I thought she needed to make the step on her own." Scully stated, confused about what exactly Byers had in mind. "Mia does, but I just want to be ready in case she decides to take that step tonight." He said it like it was a fact, and not one possible future. Scully followed him up the stairs, smiling. Byers was an incredibly sweet man. ************************************** Skinner pulled out the frozen vegetables from the freezer, and began to prepare a wild rice pilaf that his mother taught him to make so long ago. "Where did you learn to cook?" Mia asked nonchalantly. Skinner didn't strike her as the type that would know how to cook beyond opening a can and grilling a steak. "My mother taught me. She figured that if I was ever going to eat properly, that I should know how to do it. I cooked just as much as my former wife did, at least until my job claimed too much of my time," Skinner commented, starting to expertly chop an onion to saute in the warming skillet. Mia didn't want to know where Skinner had developed the ease with a knife that came from years of experience. She knew that he had been in the military, and the thoughts of what he had to do brought back too many memories of her own. Instead of that she chose to swing the conversation towards the more obvious of topics. "I bet your skill made you rather popular with women." Skinner smiled, still a new site to Mia's eyes because it didn't quite agr ee with his overall persona. "You could say that. You could say my cooking skill makes me just a popular as your ability to shoot a gun." Mia looked at him. "But you have never seen me shoot." Her voice trailed, wondering exactly what kind of stories Byers had been telling him. "You don't have to see a person to know what they are capable off. A woman who goes after a cougar, is either one that is stupid or one that knows what she is doing. You don't strike me as being stupid Mia." He brushed the chopped onions up into his large hands and placed them into the skillet. "I really didn't give a second thought to the situation. The child needed my help, and it was my job to protect her. I did what I had to do." Mia opened the cupboard looking for a box she knew that was up there. "You did your duty. Now here you are. You have a wonderful lodge, and you spend time with some of the most brilliant actors and actresses of all times. You live in a paradise of your own making, what more could you ask for?" As the words left Skinner's mouth he realized exactly what she wanted. Wasn't it inborn human nature to crave contact with another human? The wistful look on her face told him her answer. "You're unsure of yourself aren't you." Mia looked up at him, confused as to what he was talking about. Seeing her confusion he tried to find other words to describe what he was seeing. "You paid a terrible price for doing your duty, but your price has left yo u unsure of yourself." Mia pulled out the box, and went for the milk. "Maybe, I don't really grasp what you're trying to say Walter." Skinner poured the slivers of frozen carrots into the skillet, sauteed the m, and then turned to face her. "The cougar has stolen something from you your confidence in yourself as a human being. When I was injured in the war, it was like that for me but in a different way." He pulled up his sweatshirt, showing Mia the puckered scars of very old bullet wounds. "There is nothing like lying helpless as a baby in bed to make you feel like you're not a man. Do you understand what I am trying to say?" Mia nodded. "I think maybe in a way you're trying to saw that the cougar stole from me my identity as a female? I just don't see where you're going with this.= " Skinner walked around the island and pulled Mia into his arms for a friendly hug. It was odd behavior for him, and Mia was too shocked to do anything else but respond to his actions. Skinner smiled as he stepped back from her. "Your surprised at that hug Mia. You don't see yourself as someone another human would want to come in close contact with. You're scared that if you get close that someone will reject you to the point that any touch is surprising. It's so ingrained into your make up." Suddenly he realized that his conversation with Mia was very similar to one he had just had with Scully. Mia walked by him, refusing to reply for a second. She pulled out a sauce pan to melt butter for the crust. Then she spoke. "I am not scared Walter. I just accept the truth of my situation." Skinner immediately responded to her comment. "Stop it Mia. The way that man looks at you out there tells a completely different story." Mia looked up at him, her insecurities speaking. "That man out there feels responsible for my condition. He is just acting that way out of pity." Part of her was starting not to believe it though. Skinner dumped the long grain and wild rice into the saute pan, then poured chicken stock into the mixture. "You know that is bull shit as much as I do Mia. That man out there is madly in love with you, and is trying his best to keep his hands off. You're scared to death." Again his words echoed those of Scully's. Skinner had to admire Mia's spunk, as she smiled up at him. "You really know how to cut to the chase don't you Walter? I'll think about it, but it does appear that you have a great deal of thinking to do as well," she commented. "Yes. You're right Mia. I don't know how you pick it up, but you're right.= " Skinner put the lid on the skillet, turning to pick up the salmon. Mia grinned. "You know how pathetic we are? The one thing we both want in the world is in the other room and we are to =E6chicken shit' to go out there and get it because of our petty insecurities. I have told myself for so lo ng that he would never ever return my feelings, that it's become almost habit. How could a wonderful man like that love me?" Skinner's thoughts echoed her words. How could a wonderful and complex woman such as Dana Scully ever love a grouchy old man such as himself? Instead he responded to Mia. "He couldn't help himself. You're a wonderful person. You're incredibly beautiful. How could he not love you?" She thought for a second, pulling out the lemon juice for him. "I get the feeling that the same goes for you too Walter." Skinner chuckled. "Yes - you're right Mia. We are rather pathetic." "The question is, what are we going to do about it?" ************************************************ Comments? Missing parts? Contact me at lor@either.or.com ************************************************** Snow White Valentine 13/14 ************************** Skinner placed the plates down in front of Byers, Scully, and Mia. "It looked delicious," Mia told him, as if the strong, burly man needed reassurance. They had decided that a more formal dinner in the dining area would be the best way to celebrate the holiday. Scully smiled at Byers, but quickly hid it underneath a napkin. The candles flickered in the room, casting languid shadows upon everything. Skinner approached the most obvious topic. The formality seemed to keep everyone from talking. "Mia, how long do you think it will take them to get power restored." Scully responded. "Are you anxious to check in with Mulder?" The unspoken question hung in the air. He still hadn't talked to her about what was going on in his head. "I just want to make sure everything, and everyone is okay," Skinner told her, as he took a bite of food. Mia allowed the taste of grilled salmon in lemon sauce to linger on her tongue before swallowing it. Then she replied. "Probably a day or so. They don't like to plow these side roads until they are sure that they will have a few days of no snow. They know I will radio them if I need help." Byers' leg brushed hers underneath the table. Mia looked at him, but he continued to eat. Was it an accident? "Good, I just feel a bit guilty up here enjoying myself while Mulder and the rest of them run around trying to find out who did this," Skinner replied. Scully smiled, but did not know exactly what to think of Skinner's cryptic comments, so she neatly changed the subject as she often did around Mulder. "So anyone have an idea what we can do after dinner?" Byers bit his lip, knowing exactly what he wanted to do. He felt like he was in highschool again, waiting for a chance to get the girl alone. A part of him felt guilty for the erotic visions that had been plaguing him for so long. It seemed almost pathetic. He looked at Mia, the fire of anticipation building. An uneasiness washed over him. What if his faith in her was misplaced? The small talk around the table continued. They chatted but thoughts were running rampant through everyone's head. The setting , and the holiday had everyone in a constant state of tension. Mia brought out the chocolate mousse pie that she had made. The conversation had turned towards the Y2K bug, and the effect it would have on the world. Byers seemed to think that the former Soviet Union had been ignored in the problem. Skinner argued that in the end a human pushed the button, and that they knew enough about it to know that the US wouldn't shoot a nuke at them. Scully even got into the argument, stating that the military seemed to be too paranoid for her to trust. Tensions heightened at the table, more from the underlying romantic conflict that the superficial discussion. Knowing what was happening, Scully stood taking her plate. "I think I need to go soak for a while. If you will excuse me." Her departure seemed abrupt, but Mia smiled as Skinner seemed to absorb her retreating form. He stood, nodding to the other couple and followed. They both seemed to understand that he had some unfinished business to attend too. Mia looked up at Byers. "I think I am going to follow Scully's leave, but have a long soak in my bathtub. My leg is bothering me a little and I don't want to be up all night in pain." Byers nodded, and watched as Mia took her things and headed for her own suite. Part of him wanted to believe that she would be coming up later, but the more time passed the more the doubts kept infiltrating his mind. He sat there at the table, not knowing what to do with himself. So he got up and put his dishes in the sink. The sound of a bathtub being filled in the other room was almost the straw that broke his back. Images of a curvy naked Mia ran rampant through is mind. He could almost feel her silken skin gliding over his own. Byers turned and went up to his suite. The temptation of a cold shower lingered. Instead he sat down on the large couch in front of the fire, and lost himself in his thoughts. ******************************** Mia picked up the Valentine's Day anthology as she slipped into the hot foaming water. Her muscle's screaming stopped as the heat eased the tension in them. She opened to the first story. The title caught her eye. She quickly sat up in the tub when she read, "The First Man A Lady Sees." Mia sat there staring at the book, not wanting to believe her eyes. Byers remark had nothing to do with this, but the way he had emphasized his comment let the hope grow in her heart. She wanted him. Mia continued with her bath, pondering the book's description of the tradition. If this was the case, then why didn't he leave a posy on her doorstep as they did in the Regency times. It just didn't make sense. The first man a woman laid eyes upon on Valentine's morning was supposed to be the one that she would marry. Mia turned on the shower, and pulled the plug on her bath. She had to at least see him tonight. She needed to know the truth. Perhaps Skinner was right in what he told her, that Byers was just waiting for her to make the first move. Mia poured shampoo into her hands, and began to lather her hair. She began to wash her body. It was almost symbolic of her washing away the doubts that lingered in her mind. Byers was a man of honor, he wouldn't lead her on. He wasn't the type. Mia stepped out of the shower and grabbed her toweling robe. She took the towel and dried her long curly hair. Knowing that it would take forever to dry on its own, she did the best she could with the towel. Slightly damp, she pulled it back into a loose ponytail. Byers and honorable were synonymous. What had caused this change? He wasn't the type to take advantage of someone such as herself. Was it pity? Was it some sense of duty? She didn't know. Mia grabbed a bottle of nearby perfume. She looked at it for a moment, as if debating whether or not to wear it. Mia felt this desire deep down in her to trust her instincts. Perhaps it was the whole atmosphere of the holiday. She sprayed the perfume over her body. Would she be lucky to get one night with him? The ache in the pit of her stomach grew. She went over to her drawer and opened it. Mia pulled the blue silk nightgown out from the back of her drawer. It fell in shimmering lengths between her fingertips. Unable to resist, she pulled it over her, letting it slide down her body. The spaghetti straps left her arms bare as well as her ample chest. Self conscious, she went to her closet and pulled out the matching silk robe there. For a moment Mia just stood there, the shock of silk sending her senses in to complete overload. If she had known, she might have worn these garments earlier. Would Byers take this as a come on? Part of her hoped that he would, and part of her hoped that he wouldn't. She didn't want him to think that she was someone who was used to these sorts of things. For some reason it bothered her, she didn't know why. Perhaps it was some antiquated moral standard. Or perhaps it was her lack of experience. Mia's fingers itched to run through Gideon's soft fur, in reassurance. She was about ready to make one of the biggest steps in her life, and there was no one to support her. In this she could ruin the one remaining link to her family that she had. Then Byer's Valentine caught her eye, from the spot where she left it. "To get what you want in this world, all you have to do is be courageous enough to reach out and grab it." She held the Valentine as she walked out of her suite, and towards his. *************************** Skinner sank into the hot water. He hadn't wanted to bother with going to his own room to change. Instead he stripped, sliding his clothes underneath one of the benches and further into the darkness. He wanted to be here when Scully finally showed up. Skinner's talk with Mia had really struck a chord within him. He knew what he had to do logically. Scully was telling the truth that he was scared, but Mia's talk had given him the courage to act upon it. This might be the only time he had to have her completely to himself, and he should value that chance. Skinner sank deeper into the bubbling water, and eased himself back into the shadows. Only one candle had been lit, and he didn't bother to change that. He wanted a chance to watch her again; to see her as she was without her knowledge. He felt a twinge of guilt at this, but knew that in the end she wouldn't mind. If she had minded she wouldn't have been so blatant earlier that morning. A smile curved at the corner of Skinner's mouth. The memory of her ivory form sent a shaft of desire straight through him like a sonic boom. Her personality, and beauty had always effected him that way. He wanted her. He wanted to infuse himself into her. He wanted to be so close that one couldn't tell where he ended and she began. Scully's forwardness earlier wasn't because she was used to behaving in such a manner. She wasn't the type. Skinner began to ache more in response. The doors opened, and Scully walked into the room. Skinner's mouth went dry as she dropped her robe. Only one word repeated in his mind as her naked curves slowly slid into the water..... Goddess. What had he ever done to even deserve a glance from her? ************************* Mia knocked softly on the door. When there was no response, she quietly opened the door to look inside. Byers sat in front of the fire, seemingly staring blankly into it. He didn't look up as she padded her way over to him. She stood behind him for a moment, then gave into the temptation to kiss him. Mia leaned down to brush her lips across the skin of his neck. Byers turned, almost afraid to believe what he was seeing. He reached out a hesitant hand to brush across her cheek. Mia's eyes fluttered close, as her body seemed to eat up his caress. Byers reached up with his other hand to caress the other side of her silken cheek. He leaned towards her, from his twisted position on the couch to touch her lips with his own. His actions were rewarded with a soft moan. "I didn't think you would come Mia," he said softly, standing but not losing any contact with her. He grabbed her hand, and drew Mia around so they stood face to face in front of the fire. "I didn't think," Mia's voice trailed, as he placed his fingertips to her lips. "Shhh, wait. I need to tell you something Mia." Byers ran his fingertips back up the side of her face to interlace through her hair. Realizing that it was bound, he undid the ribbon. The strands fell, loosening. When she made to effort to stop him, he continued. "I don't want you to have any doubts about the way I feel about you." He leaned forward and brushed a lingering kiss across her eyes. "You need to not have any doubts about the way that you move me. I wasn't lying when I told you that I needed you." "How do you need me, Byers?" Mia reached up to touch his cheek, astonished at the naked desire in his eyes. Beneath the desire, there was something she needed him to explain. "Let me explain Mia." Byers carefully reached for the silken blue tie at her waist. He needed to see more of her, as he told her what had plagued him since the moment he first laid eyes on her so long ago. The robe fell open. "To be completely honest, I've loved you ever since I first laid eyes upon you so many years ago. I've wanted you since your seventeenth birthday. Because I was responsible for you, I had to bury it." Mia stood up on her toes and kissed him softly. "I can't remember a time when I haven't loved you. It's just something that is so ingrained, it's a part of me." Byers reached out to draw the robe off of one of her shoulders. Mia flinched, fear of rejection surfacing again. Seeing the scars Byers leaned forward and brushed a kiss across the exposed ones on her shoulder. Mia began to shake in response to his softness of his lips trailing over her sensitive skin. Byers pulled the robe down off her other shoulder, and Mia let it slide to the floor. Byers looked at her for a moment, savoring her sensual appearance, before his need to have her in his arms became unbearable. He pulled her to him, and sat down on the couch. Holding her soft form to his. "You have to know this isn't some feeling of twisted responsibility that I have for you." He placed a fierce kiss in her rapidly drying hair. Mia felt his rapidly hardening length push into her thigh. Her lip hungered. Her fingers ached to run across his skin. He was seducing her with his words. She couldn't stop shaking, she wanted him so much. "I want you." She paused before repeating it again. "I want you John." The husky whisper of her voice using his real name nearly sent him over the edge. He pulled her face to him roughly, claiming her lips in a hungry kiss. He rasped his teeth across the sensitive flesh, pulling her lower lip into his mouth. She cried out softly, her body a quivering mass in his arms. Byers leaned towards her ear, and pulled the soft lobe into his mouth. He gently bit into it, causing another soft cry to emanate from her quaking body. "God Mia, I want you too. God help me, I want you, but we have to talk about this. If we don't..." His voice trailed as her lips came into contact with the sensitive flesh right below his beard. Mia moved her face back from his. "If we don't?" she asked, waiting for him to finish, her chest heaving. Byers trailed a finger across the skin of her chest, and down into the exposed cleavage. He looked at her, fingering the blue spaghetti strap. "If we don't talk, we don't settle everything. This could have disastrous consequences for us both." Byers pulled her closer to him, trying to ignore the fierce hunger his body throbbed with. Mia moved slightly on his lap, "What more is there to talk about Byers?" She needed to get closer to him, to feel him surrounding her. She needed never to feel alone again. Byers pushed her backwards into the softness of the couch. The firelight caused her skin to glow. "Mia I don't want you to think this is just a one night thing. After this, I won't be able to walk away from you ever again. It was the hardest thing I had to do last time, and I am never going to do it again." Mia looked up, and into his eyes. He could see that she wanted more of an explanation about the last time, but he wasn't quite ready to explain his presence at the hospital yet. "I'm not looking for just one night either, Byers." She cupped his cheek, the fire still screaming inside of her. Byers kissed her forehead. "I don't think you understand what I am saying Mia," he whispered huskily his movement cause the button of his jeans to push into her slightly causing a moan from her. "If this happens, I am not leaving you. I won't walk away. If this happens, it's going to happen again and again. I was serious when I told you that I wanted to be the first man you laid eyes on. I want to be the first man you lay eyes on every morning." Mia's eyes widened as he told her what was plaguing his heart. "Are you saying that you. . ." She couldn't finish the sentence, her heart was in her throat. "I am saying that I want to marry you, but I am probably not doing a very good job at it," Byers told her softly, waiting for a response from her. Anxiety ate at the lining of his stomach, as seconds passed. A single tear slipped out of the corner of her eye, and down her slightly scared cheek. "Oh God," She whispered, not knowing if she was dreaming or not. "John?" "Just say yes, please," he whispered under his breath, his eyes closing. The crackle of the fireplace, and the heavily pounding of two hearts beating in synchrony, infiltrated the silence between them. Then Mia found her voice, "Make love to me John." The breath rushed out of Byer's lungs as his mouth came into contact with hers. He pulled her head closer to him, and whispered, "Am I hurting you?" "No Byers," Mia whispered back as she began to unbutton his flannel shirt. Byers pulled Mia off the couch and onto the bear skin rug in front of the warm fire. He lay down beside her, and kissed her as he slid the spaghetti strap down over her shoulder. Mia's eyes fluttered closed, as she attempted to finish unbuttoning his shirt. She ran her finger through the hair on his chest, as he kissed her shoulder. She moaned softly. Byers was so close to her. Byers slid the silk down over the pink distended nipple. He paused just long enough to pull the shirt off. Then he leaned forward and pulled the nipple into his hot mouth. Mia cried out his given name. The use of it inflamed him more. Her skin, soft as velvet, beckoned him. He slipped the other strap off over her shoulder, and trailed his tongue over the curve of her breast. Mia's finger raked across his back, as he lifted his body over her. The overwhelming sensations left her achingly hollow. She arched up, her eyes closed. Byers couldn't believe how responsive she was towards him. His touch had set her off completely, where she did not hold anything back. He pulled the nightgown lower, over her belly, kissing the ivory skin he found there. He paused, looking up at her for a moment, and then placed a kiss on the silkcovered area right over the heart of her. Her body arched again, and he slid the night gown all the way off of her. Byers smiled when he realized that she had decided not to wear anything underneath her gown. He leaned down and gently bit her inner thigh, eliciting a groan from her. "John...." Her husky voice drove him onward. Even though his body was on fire, there seemed to be a sacredness to the entire act that reigned him in. Byers desperately wanted to make it so incredibly good for her, but it had been so long since he had indulged in anything more than the occasional theft of one of Frohike's videos. He kissed the scars across her stomach, and watched her gasp again. "Please, take off..." Mia didn't have the strength to finish the sentence. Byers slipped off his jeans, and his boxers soon followed. "Better?" he asked as he slowly slid his body along hers. Her answering moan was enough to tell him that it was. Byers leaned down to kiss her again. Mia's mouth clung to his own, her tongue thrusting into his. Byers quickly took control of the kiss, his tongue battling with hers. She ran her hands down his sides, and over his chest. She paused, just grazing his aroused length with the back of her hand. Byers palmed her full heavy breasts, brushing a brief kiss across them. Mia's hand cups his tight backside, and she bit into his shoulder. Byers reached down, and she let out a low growl from the back of her throat. He covered her mouth with his own again, pulling her cries into him. He slipped a finger into her softness, and felt her bite down on his lip in response. Softly he brushed over the hot, wet, slick folds again and again. Mia pulled her head away, crying out as he sent lightning bolts of pleasure through her. "I love you," he whispered as he continued to kiss her cheeks. Mia could only whisper Byers' name. Byers moved his finger lower, and entered her. Mia completely overwhelmed with pleasure, flinched. Byer's eyes widened realizing exactly what he was encountering. "God," he whispered, burying his face in the softness of her neck. "Please," Mia begged, reduced to a helpless bundle of screaming nerves. "I don't want to hurt you," Byers replied honestly, even though the realization that Mia was a virgin had nearly pushed him over the edge. All his body wanted to do was plunge into her unmercifully. Mia pulled him between her legs, adjusting herself until he was brushing her heat. "John, please," she told him. "I don't want to hurt you," Byers repeated, his hips grinding into hers a bit. Mia arched up towards him, feeling the tip of him at her wet aching entrance. "Make me yours," she told him, staring deeply into his eyes. It sounded pathetically old fashioned to say, but given the nature of their relationship understandable given the pain and loneliness they both encountered during their life. Byers smiled gently, and reached down to brush his fingertip across the bundle of nerves he found there. Her eyes rolled back in her head, as her pleasure peaked. Seeing her orgasm, he pushed into her. For a moment, it seemed as if Byers had blacked out. An overwhelming sense of completeness was the only thing he was aware of. Then he felt his whole world begin to spin. He opened his eyes, as Mia moved up against him. She moaned, and he answered her. Their two bodies moved in harmony. His body screamed at him to hasten their pace, but his mind held onto one last shred of control. It was Mia who pushed him on. She had wrapped her legs around his hips instinctually, increasing his pace. Close and closer he pushed her towards the edge again. Their mouths didn't lose contact with each other, as the first wave of another orgasm hit her. She cried out even louder, sending Byers over the edge behind her. They lay there intertwined, in front of the fire, catching their breath. "Thank you," Byers whispered almost in a benediction to what they both had experienced. Mia smiled, pulling him closer to her. "Never leave me?" she asked, on the edge of sleep. "I don't think I can," he told her, pulling the nearby quilt off the couch. He tucked it around them both. "I don't think I could exist without you, Mia." Those were the last words she heard before she fell asleep. ************************ Comments? Missing Parts? Email me at lor@either.or.com ************************************************** Snow White Valentine 14/14 ************************** Skinner silently approached Scully. She stood near the edge, her head lying on the cement, and her eyes closed. Skinner placed a hand on each side of her, pulling her into the heat of his naked body. Scully felt his arms go around her, but didn't pull away. Instead she whispered. "You don't have to prove your point Walter. I just wanted you to see what was going on in your head." Skiinner replied, running a possessive hand over her body. "I know Scully, believe me I know." He paused, kissing the top of her head, and allowing her to feel his reaction to her closeness. "You're right. You know that. I can't ignore what's happening inside of me. I shouldn't try to control it," he addded softly, burying his face in her sweetly scented hair. "I am falling in love with you, and all I can think about is branding you with a piece of me." Scully attempted to turn in his arms, but Skinner held her fast. He didn't want to loose any sort of contact with her body, even so she could turn. "I know Walter. I just want a chance to explore what's going on between us before real life sets in. Don't you think I want to brand you with a piece of me?" "You already have Scully," Skinner told her. "That's not what I mean," Scully replied, a bit flustered with her desire to touch him. Skinner turned her quickly in his arms, his desire for her heightening. "I know what you mean Scully. But are you sure you can handle me 'out of control'? " He spoke with deadly intent. Scully stood up on her tip toes, whispering as her lips grazed his stern mouth. "I can handle it, just as long as you don't hold anything back." Skinner pulled her up against his body, till her feet were not touching th e bottom of the pool. "Again I ask it Scully, you must be very sure." He paused, looking up at the ceiling. "I am a bit old fashion." When sh e nodded, he pulled her face close to him. For a minute they absorbed each other, knowing that they had no control over what was going to happen next. Something flared in Skinner's eyes.= Then he whispered, "You're mine," with such fierceness that if Scul ly was standing her knees would have given way underneath her. Skinner roughly pulled Scully's face to his, and claimed her lips with a hunger that left them both quaking. Their lips tangled in a war that both of them would win. Skinner savored the sweetness of her mouth, knowing that this was what he had been craving for what seemed like forever. He laced his finger tips through th e silk of her hair. Skinner pulled her hair, forcing Scully to lean her head back, exposing he r neck. His lips hungrily traveled down over her neck, his teeth gently nipped at the delicate skin. With each bite, the pressure of his teeth increased. "Walter," Scully moaned as bolts of pleasure shot through her like lightning. "Shhhhhh, Dana." Walter told her, his mouth traveling over the curve of her breast. Scully emitted a sound from the back of her throat as Skinner's mouth claimed her rosy pink nipple that could only be described as a soft cat's meow. He smiled, and whispered again into the soft ivory skin of her breast, "You're mine, Dana. Say it." "Yours," Scully replied huskily. Skinner could almost hear her rapid heart beat. Scully wrapped her hands around the back of his head, and pulled his head towards her breast. Skinner growled, pulled her up higher on him. Instinctively Scully's legs wrapped around his waist. Again she mewed, and arched like a cat when she felt his hard length push into her stomach. The sound of Scully's pleasure, only added gasoline to the fire burning out of control inside of Skinner. Unconsciously he walked through the water towards one flat wall in the side of the pool. There were no hand holds here, so he pushed her bare back up against it savoring the feel of her body. Skinner growled as he grabbed her hands, forcing them over her head, and pinning them there with one of his strong fists. He looked at her with a look that could only be described with one word, domination. Then he claimed her lips again. Scully arched towards him, an unconscious need her body had to be even closer to him. He reached down around her leg, to find her aching center, just below the water line. "Mine," He whispered darkly and he barely brushed his fingertips across her. Scully's eyes rolled back into her head, and again she emitted the soft mewing sound. This time it was much louder. She quivered in his arms, her lips attempting to seek out his. Skinner plunged his finger deep inside of her. Her hot heat closed around him, increasing the urge to bury himself deeply inside of her. Scully leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "Lose control, Skinner." Her voice was soft, and controlled despite the fierce ache th at was rapidly consuming any conscious thought. Hearing the words from her lips broke down the last of his carefully controlled reserve. Again he walked over towards the other edge of the pool, placing her up on the edge. Something had broken in his eyes, and he looked up at her allowing her to see into the depths of his soul. "Scully," He whispered using the more familiar of names. Scully moaned softly, feeling his heated breath across her stomach. She looked down at him, seeing the vulnerability that he hid from everyone around him. She placed a hand on each side of his face, leaning down to brush her lips across his in a rough caress. The feelings in her heart could not be explained by near words, so she implored him with her eyes to see what they were. Skinner looked up at her with a sense of awe and wonder. This strong woman was allowing him inside her carefully guarded heart. The corner of his mouth curved upward, and he reached up gently to brush her cheek in an intimate caress. Then the mood in the room change, it became more intense. He leaned down with renewed purpose, claiming her inner thigh with his mouth. Higher and higher Skinner's mouth traveled, tracing wet hot paths across the sensitive flesh he encountered. Scully bit her lip as his mouth brushed across the very tip of the bundle of hard nerves between her legs. As if controlled by a power higher than intellect, her body moved of it's own volition towards him. She could feel his smile as he gave her what she craved. He slowly trailed his slightly roughened tongue across her sensitive inner folds. The richness of her scent, flowing over him like smooth warm chocolate. Again Scully begged for more, his soft torment driving her higher than any forceful exploration. It was as if he was losing control of everything, not just his body. It was as if he was letting go of the control that kept the walls of around his heart in place. The pure unadulterated emotion that seemed to be pouring into her with each caress, and groan from Skinner only made her ache more. Her body screamed for completion, while her heart threatened to overflow with the power behind his heart. With every caress of Skinner's tongue across the hardened flesh between Scully's thighs, he seemed to be telling her everything that was going on inside of him. He wanted her, he needed her, but most importantly was the secret that he had carefully hidden from himself, that he loved her with everything inside of him. Higher and higher, he gently urged her body. Scully leaned back, laying on the cement that surrounded the pool. Her body quaked, no longer allowing her to sit up. The cool cement pushed into her back, creating a friction that only increased her desire. Skinner's fingers plunged into her, claiming her. Scully cried out, not caring who heard her. She could almost feel his pride in her pleasure. He flicked his tongue across her, pushing her higher, but not fulfilling the ache inside of her. She was close, and yet he held her there almost as if he needed to feel his control of her body. It seemed as if Skinner needed to know that it was him, and not one else that was causing her to loose complete and utter control. Skinner pinched the hard nub of nerves carefully between his fingers. He lowered his mouth so he could flick his tongue across the bare exposed tip. This was enough to send Scully over the edge, her pleasure echoing in the room around him. Skinner pulled himself up out of the water. He grabbed his towel, quickly drying himself off. Then he picked up Scully into his arms and headed back towards her suite. ********************************* Byers rolled over, waking slowly. A soft naked form pressed in closer to his side. He smiled softly, memories of his and Mia's love making. He looked over to the large warm bed, and realized with some concern that a night on the rug would leave Mia tied up in knots come morning. He sat up, gathering her sleeping form into his arms. Mia smiled softly in her sleep, burying her head into his shoulder. She was heavy, but just light enough that he could engage in carrying her short distances. His body contained the wiry strength of a man who worked out with great regularity. He laid her down on the bed, pulled the covers up over her naked form. Then he walked around to the other side of the bed, and crawled in beside her. Unable to bear any moment away from her, after the power of their love making, Byers pulled Mia back into his arms. He was rewarded with a soft "I love you," as sleep again claimed him. ******************************* Skinner laid Scully down in her soft bed, crawling in beside her. He brushed the hair out of her eyes, his lips trailing across her face. "I want you, Scully. I want you more than I have ever wanted anything." The words flowed out from his heart, and Scully knew then that the iron control that she had always equated with Skinner had disappeared. Scully kissed his lips, desire increasing again with the touch. "Make love to me Walter." She asked him softly, but intently. Skinner brushed a soft kiss across her eyelids, answering with the unspoken need in his eyes. It was as if he craved the love she held inside of her heart for him almost more than he craved her body. Slowly he seemed to be claiming every nook and cranny deep inside of her. Skinner rolled over, pulling Scully on top of him. His hand roamed across her back, and down between her legs increasing her renewed desire. His lips sought hers in sweet desperation. He seemed to be asking her something he couldn't put into words. Scully kissed his forehead softly. Then her lips began to leave a wet trail over his chin, down his neck, and over to his left male nipple. She flicked her tongue across it, and was rewarded with a soft groan. Her lips were replaced with her teeth, as she bit down gently. She could hear the pace of his heartbeat increase in answer. Not pausing to give the same treatment to his other side, Scully continued to trail her tongue down across the well-defined muscles of his stomach. She smiled softly, at the sharp intake of his breath then her tongue lingered around his belly button. She moved down further, the softness of her breasts trailed across his heard length. He arched up instinctively, seeking out greater contact with her silken flesh. "Dana," Skinner moaned, her name slipping from his mouth unconsciously. Scully brushed her lips across the fine hair of he pelvis,= his hard penis brushing her cheek. She sat there for a moment, looked up at his face. His eyes were closed, and his head seemed to be arched back at an uncomfortable angle. "I want you," Scully whispered, and watched as Skinner's eyes flew open seeking out the truth of her statement. She watched them widen as she slowly engulfed him into her wet hot mouth. Skinner's gaze pierced her, as she caressed the underside of him with her tongue. He cried out, but with some superhuman strength inside of him he didn't close his eyes. He watched as her mouth traveled up and down him, like a child licking an ice cream cone. Scully pushed him farther and farther. Her mouth lightly devouring his length. She sucked hard on the head of his shaft causing him to cry out more, but refused to give him the continued stimulation needed to bring him to a climax. Skinner's body began to shake involuntarily. Scully crawled back up his body, her own thrumming with a hunger only he could assuage. She placed her hands over his heart, looking deeply into his eyes. "Mine,"= she whispered firmly. The fierce possessiveness in Scully's voice sent Skinner into emotional overload. He held her face in both of his large hands, "It's always b een yours, you just didn't know, Dana." Scully mimicked his actions with her own hands, brushing his cheek tenderly in the process. "I know now." With that, she arched her body down onto him, claiming his body as well. The ecstacy that the engulfing of Scully's sweet, hot, wet flesh around Skinner, pushed him up to the edge. He held her still, the soft cracking of the fire echoing through both their minds. He felt the overwhelming sense of homecoming. Skinner rolled Scully over, without losing any contact. He lay between her legs. He grabbed her hands again, pinning them above her head so that she couldn't move. Scully didn't fight him, her eyes echoing the surrender her heart felt to his sweet touch. Skinner began to move inside of her, and pleasure so pure washed over them both. Nothing had prepared them for the sweetness ricocheting through their bodies, and their hearts. He paused, removing his hands, so that he could again hold her face. "I love you." He whispered, knowing all the way to the bottom of his soul that it was true. A tear formed in the corner of Scully's eye, falling down her cheek in response. He pushed her pleasure higher, and as she came she realized the magnitude of their joining. She screamed his name, clenched around him. He answered her, following her. In the aftermath, Skinner pulled her into his arms. Scully wrapped her arms around him, and entwined her leg between his. They laid there for a minute, allowing themselves the chance to absorb what had just happened. Then Scully looked up, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "I love you."= She whispered, no other words describing the tumult of the feelings rampaging through her. Skinner smiled softly, kissing her forehead. He pulled her tighter into h is arms. An overwhelming calmness settled over the both of them. For the first time in their lives they knew the true feeling of peace. In their a ct they had bound themselves so closely together, that even death couldn't separate them. ********************************* Two Weeks later: Hawaii Gabriel sat on the sand near where Mia was standing. A man in vestments stood before her, and Byers stood to one side. Byers looked up, smiling at Mia. Scully stood to one side, dressed in a soft green gown that whipped around her ankles in the warm wind. Skinner placed a protective hand on her shoulder. Mulder stood on the other side of Byers holding the ring as if he had done it a million times before. He seemed preoccupied. Langley and Frohike stood near Mulder, Frohike with his hat off. The pastor asked for the ring, which Byers nervously took. The man blessed it, giving it back to Byers. Byers held up Mia's hand, and time seemed to stand still. Slowly he slid it onto her left hand. As he did it, Scully felt the hand tighten on her shoulder. She looked up at Skinner, who seemed to be in some far off place. Everyone watched, as Byers kissed his bride. Mulder and the two Lone Gunmen had dealt with and eliminated the threat to them all. Mulder still refused to explain some of the complexit ies of the case, but Scully was satisfied. The prospect of an hour long, in depth 'Mulder' explanation didn't entice her to say the least. Mulder looked up, than began to walk towards the sea. He stood there looking out into the Pacific as if he was still in the far off place that he had been since they had returned to DC. Scully looked up at Skinner, who nodded. She walked past the beginnings of the celebration to stand by Mulder. The ocean washed up over their bare toes. "What wrong Mulder? I know that we haven't had a chance to talk very much since we got back." Scully said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I lost my chance, didn't I?" Mulder replied softly. "I seriousl y screwed up." The last was more of a statement than a question. Scully tensed slightly, knowing that the moment was at hand. "I don't know if you have screwed up Mulder, but I do know something." She paused as he looked down into her eyes. "I have known for the longest time what you've felt for me. To be perfectly honest, I have felt it as well. There was a time, when I though that someday we would be together, but we both know that wouldn't occur until our quest was over. Any romantic relationship would have destroyed the incredible link between us both." Mulder reached out to pull Scully into his arms for a hug. "Shhh, Scull y. I know what your saying, and I know it's the truth. I am cursed, and I have been since birth, to this quest. I just allowed myself for one moment to believe that some power above had sent me an angel to rescue me from my personal hell. I can't ignore the fact that you are an angel Scully, as much as I can't ignore that until I find the truth I would never be able to give you exactly what you needed." He paused placing a kiss on her forehead, knowing that Skinner was watching. "I know as much as I love you, Skinner is the man who can give you everything that you need." There was a calmness in his voice that Scully had never heard before. "I just have to be happy with the light that you have brought to me every day that we have been partners. I will make it enough" Teary eyed, Scully kissed his cheek. "You know I love you to Mulder. He loves you in his own way as well. Perhaps in this you are gaining more than your losing?" Mulder looked up at Skinner. There eyes holding. While a certain amount of jealousy was evident, there was also a great deal of peace. Skinner smiled at him, and he realized Scully's words to be the truth. He may have lost the love of his life, but in it he had gained a family. In the end, the family meant more than anything else he could have been given. Scully and Mulder walked back to join the party. *************** Byers stood out on the patio, while music played inside. He could almost see Frohike dancing with Mia. A soft smile played across his lips. Langley stood next to him, both of them lost in their thoughts. "We hate to loose you." Langley said softly. "You aren't losing me, Langley." Byers replied, just as softly. He knew Langley wasn't one for expressing his emotions, but he could almost feel the pain his friend was going through. "I know, but it won't be the same. You will be in Alaska, only coming down once every month or so." Langley took a sip of his drink, itching to pull the rubber band out of his ponytail. "Like I said Langley, as soon as we can find a more permanent place for Gideon to stay in the DC area, we will be spending the winters in DC." Byers replied, hoping to ease his friend's anxiety. Langley turned placing his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am going to miss you." "I am going to miss you too." Byers replied. "Now let's go back in. That lovely bride of yours promised me a dance. I have a feeling that we will make a lone gun-woman out of her yet." Langley replied, a smile lighting his face. Byers walked in and absorbed the whole setting. He knew Frohike approved of the situation. In his paranoia, he had stated that having a second headquarters made sense given the circumstances of their stay at Mia's. Byers walked over, and tapped Frohike on the shoulder. "Mind if I dance with my wife?" Frohike shook his head, smiling at the change that had come over Byers. The silent pain that had hovered around Byers since he had first knew him was gone. He smiled, watching Byers move across the floor with Mia. Perhaps it was time for him to start looking for a wife? He glanced over at one of the servers, a pretty blond, and smiled. Then again maybe not. ************************** Author's notes: I know I probably left you hanging a bit, but this is a very hard story to resolve completely. To be honest I am in the process of formulating a sequel to this where Skinner and Scully's relationship develops, Mulder finds a love of his own, and where Langley does as well. I would love to know if you would like to see this story happen, So email me please at Thanks..... ************************************************** "The conquest of fear lies in the moment of its acceptance. And understanding what scares us most is that which is most familiar, most common place -- that boy next door... extraordinary only in his ordinariness, could grow up to be the devil in a button down shirt. It's been said that the fear of the unknown is an irrational response to the excesses of the imagination. But our fear of the everyday, of the lurking stranger, and the sound of foot falls on the stairs, the fear of violent death and the primitive impulse to survive are as frightening as any X-File, as real as the acceptance that it could happen to you." ...Chris Carter, "Irresistible", The X- Files.