From kelli@edgenet.net Tue Dec 24 16:58:28 1996 -------- Apparently this never made it to the ng, so I'm giving it another shot. I wasn't going to bother but a little Dragon scolded me ;-) Here goes... "This Christmas" by Kelli Rocherolle kelli@edgenet.net 12/96 In the spirit of the Holidays: the fanfic equivalent to fruitcake... er, well... only this one's light and fluffy. *The following story is based on characters copyrighted by Ten *Thirteen Productions, created by The Man, Chris Carter, and who *are the property of the Fox network and are used without *permission. No infringement intended. ********************************** This Christmas Mulder stood outside his partner's door rocking back and forth on his heels. What the hell was taking her so long? He wasn't happy about having to attend the Bureau's Christmas party-- he'd been able to get out of the last few, but he'd run out of excuses. He just wanted to go and get it over with. And if the cab he was holding decided to take off, it was going to be impossible to find another at this time of night. He pounded on the door again. "Scully?" Stuffing his hand in his pocket, Mulder fished her key out and started for the lock. The door opened. "Sorry, come on in." "What you don't answer your door anymore?" Scully turned and walked to the sofa, sitting on the arm as she reached for her heels. "I'm almost ready." She had had the worst time getting home-- traffic was worse than usual, her hairdresser was running two appointments behind, and she had spent a good twenty minutes trying to find those shoes. She stood and took one final glance in the mirror: the burgundy gown she wore was simple and elegant, complemented rather than overwhelmed her small frame, and she was pleased with the finished product. She caught Mulder's eye in the reflection. "Come on, Scully," he said impatiently. "Mulder I can take my own cab if you want." He scowled at her but didn't respond. Gathering her purse off the side table, Scully started for the door. "Don't you want a coat or something?" "I don't have anything that goes with this. It's all right, I'll only be going from the cab inside." He was pushing her through the door. "Of course I could go back in and try and find something... maybe somewhere in the back of my closet," she teased. He was not amused. "You know Ebenezer," she closed the door and set the lock behind them. "Next time, I'll just meet you there." Their conversation continued in drifting voices down the hallway. "I just want to get there and put in an appearance so we can leave, Scully." "Well this isn't exactly a thrill for me either you know. You want to know how much I dropped for this dress?" "Yeah and I'm missing Blue Christmas on the Elvis Channel..." **************************** "Wow, this is really nice," Scully offered as the started up the walkway. The crisp December air carried the slightest hint of sea and tide. Mulder didn't understand the point of having a cruise party if the ship was going to stay docked. "Yeah it's great," he said flatly. "Think they'll be handing out those little paper bags like they have on airplanes?" His mood seemed to be lightening, and Scully was happy to see it. "It won't be bad on a ship this size. Besides, it's a calm night-- you'll be fine." "And if I'm not?" A small smile brightened her face. "Just aim away from the food table." His eyes fell to her purse. She clutched it closer. "Don't even think about it." *************************** Okay, he had to admit it-- it wasn't so bad. The food was great, and there were enough people there that he could keep from bumping into everyone he had spent the rest of the year avoiding. "Hey, where's your better half?" Almost everyone. Mulder turned to look at the other agent but didn't respond, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of indicating he knew who the guy was talking about. "Mrs. Spooky. Where is she?" "If you mean Scully, I don't know, Torres." "You don't know? Thought you kept pretty close tabs on her." "What's your interest, Torres? You got a thing for women who detest you?" "Ouch, was that a note of sour grapes I detected, Mulder? You know I have been hearing rumors..." He was not going to play this game. "I know it's the only bit of entertainment you get these days, but I've got better things to do with my time than pander to your fantasies, Torres. I'll see you around." Walking away from the other man, Mulder's eyes passed over the room. Where *was* Scully? Mulder's conversation with Torres had left his interest in the party at rock-bottom and he wanted to leave... but he couldn't find her. Occasionally throughout the hour they'd been there, he had caught glimpses of her by the buffet table, talking to different people... it had surprised him a little, the guys he saw talking to her; no one ever really bothered with the two outcasts from the basement-- and he wondered why she suddenly seemed to be garnishing such attention. He reached out and grabbed the arm of a passing agent. "Pendrell--" "Hey Mulder." "Have you seen Scully?" Mulder swore the poor guy turned two shades redder at the mention of her name. "Yeah on and off..." he shrugged and smoothed down his tie. "I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet though--" "All right, thanks." Mulder headed off to look for her. After he'd circled the room a few times, Mulder decided to check out on deck. It was calm, quiet and cool outside, in sharp contrast to the stuffy, noisy interior where the party was going on. But Scully wasn't there. He stuck his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath of fresh air. It had started to snow; there was a light dusting covering the ground. The deck had been decorated with garlands and small potted evergreens, the soft white lights reminded him of childhood Christmases past, and for the first time all night, he started to feel in the Christmas spirit. He took a few steps toward the rail and turned around. Something in the nearby corner caught his eye... Scully tentatively touched her lip. At least the bleeding had stopped. Smooth, Dana, really smooth... Mulder pulled a branch out of the way. "Scully? What are you doing? I've been looking for you." His sudden appearance had startled her, and Scully stared blankly back at him. "I didn't think anyone really hid behind the potted plant at parties..." "It's not a potted plant..." she eyed the small tree. "Well not really." For the first time, he noticed her lip. Instinctively he reached out to touch it. "Scully?" She gently pushed his hand away. "What happened?" Once again he reached out to her. Waving her hand dismissively as she pushed his arm away again, Scully wiped a finger across her mouth once more. "Nothing, it's nothing... the ladies room-- I was coming, she was going. The door was heavy." His hands were holding her face; he couldn't help it-- she was hurt and he was concerned. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, Mulder. Really." She lifted her eyes to meet his. As she continued to stare at him, Mulder suddenly felt very warm. For the first time all night, he saw her-- really saw her. Her hair was shiny and silky up off her neck, two wispy strands framed her face. He couldn't remember seeing her wear it up before, and he certainly had never seen her in a dress like the one she was wearing. It was so strange how quickly it happened; how one minute he was showing concern for his injured partner and the next he was standing in a dark corner holding the face of a pretty woman, and the sensation washed over him like rushing water. Without even thinking, he held her gaze and leaned into her. Scully caught her breath when she realized what he was doing, but she didn't make a move to stop him. His lips grazed hers lightly, timidly. A second between them that held a fathomless intimacy. And suddenly her lip wasn't hurting, it didn't feel bad at all-- in fact, she couldn't feel anything except for his warm hands on her face and his lips touching hers softly in a gesture that was almost innocent. Almost. An unmistakable intensity had come into his eyes as he pulled back stared at her. "I think... I like this..." He kissed her again, and this time her arms came up around his neck as he pulled her closer. Sharing this with her, his trusted friend and partner, was a feeling so overwhelming that he suddenly started to doubt the reality of what was happening-- it couldn't be happening. They had wisely stayed as far away from that line between them as possible, how could they so casually cross it? Yet there they were, holding each other, his heart beating faster as she kissed him back. A single moment that caught them off guard and allowed this to happen... The sound of someone clearing his throat startled them, breaking the kiss. A familiar voice accompanied it: "Mulder?" Camouflaged by broad shoulders, Scully looked up at Mulder with wide eyes. He brought a finger to his lips. She was small enough and, despite the soft light emitting from the trees, it was dim enough that they might just be able to conceal what was happening-- or at least, who it was happening with. He turned around, blocking Scully from the other man's view. "Sir?" Skinner pushed his glasses back on his nose. "Sorry to interrupt. Have you seen Agent Scully?" He shook his head. Scully listened from behind Mulder, wishing the wall behind her would open up and pull her out of this impossible situation. "Well when you see her, tell her you've both been called for a meeting first thing on Monday. I just wanted to get a chance to tell you before you left." Mulder gave a quick nod. Skinner watched him uncertainly. He was a little surprised; this wasn't exactly characteristic behavior for Mulder, and he wondered how Scully might react if she knew where he had disappeared to... he'd always suspected she carried a bit of a torch for her partner. He turned and headed back into the party. Mulder watched him go, then turned his face to look at Scully. She watched him staring at her, the wind gently blowing through his hair and sending it across his brow, his jaw was darkened with stubble, and she could see he was consumed with thought. Finally, he extended a hand towards her. "Walk with me." Accepting his hand, she let him pull her out of the corner. He offered his arm which she gratefully accepted, the on-again off-again snow they were having had left a distinct chill in the air. She snuggled close to his side and they started strolling along the deck, the distant sounds of Jingle Bell Rock serenading them as they walked. Was it inevitable, what had happened? He'd always thought otherwise, but obviously, they weren't that different. There was love and friendship and chemistry between them, though they'd kept it in check for the sake of the job. But maybe, finally, the time had come for them to move forward. And he let himself think that maybe this Christmas he would get something he hadn't expected, something special, something that no amount of money in the world could buy. They arrived at the walk way and started down, having silently agreed that it was time to go. An awkwardness had settled firmly in between them as they approached the taxi queue. Mulder opened the door for her and leaned on it. "You want to ride together...?" he asked uncertainly. To anyone passing by it would've seemed like the simplest question, but it couldn't have been further from the truth. When she'd first put on that dress and readied herself for the party, Scully had toyed with the idea that maybe, just maybe it would be fun to see if her partner noticed. Now, he'd done more than just notice her, and she didn't know what to do. What was it her mom always said? Be careful what you wish for... "Mulder..." she said, unsure. He held up a hand. "It's okay." What was he thinking? They had stolen a kiss at some party; a fleeting moment when their defenses were down and their better judgment had not prevailed-- that was all. He had been crazy to think she might actually take it any further than that. It would be best for both of them if they pretended it never happened. He was a little embarrassed, and more than a little disappointed. "I'll take that one," he said, indicating the cab in front of them. Her eyes fell to her hands; a small part of her wanted him to try a little bit harder. Mulder plucked a stray snowflake from her hair, the fragile thing melting almost instantly in his fingers. "Don't forget about that meeting Monday." He watched her study her hands and wondered what she was thinking; he hoped she wasn't feeling bad... no matter what happened between them-- now or in the future, he would always be more than happy with her friendship. "You better get in before you freeze." Scully nodded and slipped into the cab. Mulder closed the door and smiled at her through the frosty window. Burl Ives was singing Holly Jolly Christmas on the radio, the turned down volume making it sound hollow and distant as she watched Mulder get into his cab. Her heart was waging ruthless war on her head. "Lady you hear me? Where to?" the cab driver asked. She took a deep breath and sat back in the seat, her eyes fixed on the car pulling away in front of them. "Follow that cab." End -------- ************************************************************************** Kelli Rocherolle/kelli@edgenet.net/ap879@osfn.org http://www3.edgenet.net/~kelli Not tonight Honey, I have a modem.