Date sent: Sat, 6 Dec 1997 22:00:02 -0500 Subject: Talking (1/1) From: noratramm@juno.com (Nora A Tramm) Title: Talking Author: Nora Tramm Rating: Subject: MSR Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Spoilers: Gethsemane-Redux Content warning: Sappy MSR Description: M and S finally go for a much-needed conversation about their lives and their relationship. Disclaimer: Once again I steal the characters that rightfully belong to Chris "Surferboy" Carter, Ten "Surferboy's birthday" Thirteen productions, and FOX "No Comment" Broadcasting Network. I accept all lawsuits except ones where I have to give something up or something I don't like happens. (For instance, if you wanted to sue my SISTER...) Note: It has entered my awareness that some people don't like too much dialogue in their fanfic. I have written several works satisfying this preference, but this one is almost all dialogue so ha ha HA! You gotta deal, honey. Also, I have put in Mulder and Scully's little romantic sides in <> since I know from experience that italics don't come over the internet very well on some computers. Or is mine just dysfunctional? Talking By Nora Tramm noratramm@juno.com XxxxxxxxxxxX I always say what I feel and that is a promise Nothing in life is above being honest --311, "Jackolantern's Weather" They say love is a stream that will find its own course Making do is a thing a thing I will do no more Whenever you come back I'll be waiting Trifling the slack no head gating This is all pure fiction you know that's right Just pure fiction that's all right I believe in your purpose baby --311, "Purpose" XxxxxxxxxxxX Oh, your gaze is dangerous And you fill your space so sweet If I let you get too close You'll set your spell on me So darling I just wanna say Just in case I don't come through I was on to every play I just wanted you --Fiona Apple, "Shadowboxer" XxxxxxxxxxxX Apt. 42 Washington, DC 8:23 PM "Mulder?" That voice from his door. "Scully? What are you doing here?" "Let me in." She hoped he would just do what she said. "Most people forget their work after 5 PM." There was humor in his voice, but also something else. "You cured me of a 'life' long ago, Mulder." Finally he stepped out of the doorway and gestured for her to enter. "Sorry," he said, but he was nodding, a faint smile flickering across his lips. Such a rare, precious commodity were his smiles these days. Scully treasured them. He cleared the mixture of paperwork, UFO related articles, and smut off his sofa, inviting her to sit down. She did. There was just a moment of silence. "You were going to tell me why you're here at nine thirty at night," Mulder prompted. "Eight thirty, Mulder. You forgot to turn your clock back again." "Whatever." He flashed a happy puppy look at her. She took a deep breath. "We need to talk." Mulder's expression fell back to a defensive neutral and he was about to interrupt with some stupid deflector like, "We are talking," when she continued, "Seriously, Mulder." Her voice rose just a little with the word "seriously" but returned to normal with the familiarity of his name. She didn't think of it much, but she seemed to say his name <> an inordinate amount of times. At least once a day, even on her vacation time, and more when she was around him. <> "How are you, Mulder? You've been through a lot lately." "Fine," he said too quickly. "You have, too. How are you?" It was a challenge. "I'm fine." She said. Lies, and they knew they were lies, and there was nothing you could do to expose one without also uncovering the other. Rather like when she was little and she had eavesdropped on her mom and dad fighting. She had been shaken and had soon addressed them on the status of the family, but to do that she'd had to admit she'd been spying. It had turned out that it had just been one of those things, a lovers' spat to keep the relationship the precious thing it was. <> Lovers' spats. Her and Mulder. Right. <> Mulder thought. "You're right. We *really* need to talk." Scully looked at him expectantly. "Okay, I'm not fine. I suck. My belief, my life, it's all been torn apart." <> "Your turn." "I'm... Something inside me's changed, Mulder. I feel off balance... lost. I don't know who I am any more." <> "That makes two of us. I've always gone on the strength of my beliefs, but now... I want to believe, but I can't..." "Mulder, I believe in you. The truth is out there. We can find it." "We. When did this become your quest, Scully?" Scully thought long and hard. She thought about what she'd just said. She thought about the things she'd sacrificed for the quest. She thought about the few things she'd gained. "It doesn't matter. It's mine now, and I wouldn't give it up for anything." Mulder looked at her. He wondered if she knew what a gift she'd just given him. "Scully," He breathed slowly, shuddering. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got you into this. You could be happily teaching... or... with your family..." He chuckled once, dryly, without much humor. "You could have a little peace of mind... some sanity..." "Fox Mulder, are you calling me insane?" Scully feigned indignity. "You must be to be having this conversation, or I must be." She reached over the quickly shrinking gap between them and took his hand. "Must be you, 'cause you just let me say 'Fox.'" "You wouldn't give it up? Really?" Mulder looked into her eyes again and decided to quit being afraid of what he saw there. Scully made the same decision. She hadn't known why she drove over to Mulder's apartment that night, except that she needed a shoulder to cry on. She trusted him to give her that. "Mulder," she smiled, though tears leaked out under her eyelids. "I love you." She hugged him, or he hugged her. Anyway, they hugged. "You know I love you, too, Scully. Dana." He kissed her shoulder. "I love you." "Fox." She rubbed her cheek against his, feeling the spikes that had grown since he'd shaved that morning. Her mouth met his briefly, then again for longer. She ran a hand through his hair. It was the happiest moment of her life, and she got the feeling that it could only get better. XxxxxxxxxxxX Well, I almost wrote smut, but it's kind of like, against my religion to do that. Sorry. Praise? Acclaim? Constructive criticism? noratramm@juno.com Vicious angry letters? liztramm@juno.com (liz is my sister.) Or if you want ME to get your angry letters, send them to noratramm too. Be warned, though, I am perfecting a technique I call the "virtual wedgie," so if you send flames you may find yourself on the receiving end of one. And never, NEVER send me something saying my piece is normal. Even if it is. END