Title - The Twig Series:(2) To Dance
Author - Megan Sullivan
E-Mail address - lessa1@geocities.com
Rating - PG
Category - S R H
Spoilers - None, really.
Keywords - Mulder/Scully Romance
Summary - Second story in the Twig Series:  Mulder and Scully attend the
annual FBI holiday function, which leads to a realization and a
confrontation.

This is the second story in my ongoing Twig series.  The first story is
entitled 'The Twig Series: Christmas Mayhem'.  It's not absolutely necessary
that you read it first, but this story will probably make more sense if you
do.  Both are set in the same timeline.  Please please please send feedback,
whether it be in the form of praise, flames, suggestions or anything else.
Just want to know that someone's reading.   Of course, I'm gonna still keep
writing, regardless if no one is reading.

Just so you know, this series was begun before I saw the episode that
introduced Tara Scully, and it's probably become an alternate universe story 
because of this.

"A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while
writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to
dream."
- Gaston Bachelard

Ok, the plot idea is mine, but not too much else is.  All X-Files characters
are the property of Chris Carter, Fox, and 1013 Productions (and probably
some other people).  I have no malicious intent when using these characters.
I'm not making any money off of this story and neither is anyone else.

Either way, enjoy the story. - June 10, 1998


The Twig Series:(2) To Dance
by Megan Sullivan

***********
December 28
***********

When a beam of light flashed in her eyes, Scully sighed and peered over the
top of her screen at her partner.  "Mulder, what are you doing?"

"Playing with my Christmas present from Langly.  It's a flashlight," he
grinned, flashing it in her eyes again.

She rolled her eyes.  "I can tell, Mulder.  But why are you playing with it
now?  Wouldn't it work better in the dark?"

"Nope."  She raised an eyebrow at him and he continued.  "It's a solar
powered flashlight."

"A solar powered flashlight.  Does it store solar energy?"

He shook his head.  "Nope.  Just works when there's light shining on these
little solar panels here."

She began to laugh. "He gave you a solar powered flashlight that only works
in the light?  What good is that?"

He shrugged. "It's Langly.  I didn't ask."  He ran the flashlight over her
desk and stopped it on a sealed envelope.  "Why Agent Scully, don't tell me
you haven't opened your invitation to the annual holiday FBI gala.  Don't
you plan to go?"

She rolled her eyes.  "Why, Mulder?  It's just a bunch of co-workers trying
to show off for each other by the clothes they wear, the people they bring
with them..."  She shrugged and opened her mouth to say something else, but
she stopped.

"And you're sick of hearing the whispers about you.  'Look, there goes Mrs.
Spooky.  Wonder where her other half is?  Why does she even bother to work
with that guy?'  I know how it goes, Scully.  I've heard them too."

She felt the heat rise to her cheeks. "No, Mulder, the Mrs. Spooky names
don't bother me."  Oh goodness, did she just say that?  "I just hate my
reputation of being the 'Ice Queen'.  It's just that I'm sick of being
leered at, talked about for no reason.  Just because I'm not romantically
involved with anyone, that makes me weird to them.  I used to enjoy these
things.  I guess I shouldn't let people get to me."

Mulder sighed. It was weird that she wasn't involved, but it didn't make her
weird.  It made the rest of the men in the world weird.  Who wouldn't ask
out a beautiful woman like Scully.  He had to do something about that.
"Hey, Scully, I know it's a huge favor, but it would mean a lot to me if
you'd go to the party.  With me."  He grinned. "Plus, think of the looks
we'll get.  Could be fun."

Scully grinned.  Mulder was asking her on a date?  Fox Mulder, possibly the
FBI's most eligible man was asking her on a date.  Her heart jumped at the
chance.  But of course, she still had to play hard to get. "Oh, I don't
know, Mulder..."

"Please, Scully?  I have to do something nice for you after you let me spend
Christmas with your family.  Come on, I'll even wear a normal tux with a
normal bowtie."

"Wow, Mulder, a normal tie?  I don't know if I'll recognize you."

"So is that a yes?"  Oh please oh please oh please.

She felt her heart skip a beat when he looked at her with those puppy dog
eyes and she grinned. "All right, Mulder.  I'll go with you to the party."
She chuckled lightly.  "But remember, you promised to wear a normal tie."

***********

Scully looked in the mirror and straightned her dress.  She had to smile at
her reflection.  She looked good.  And for the most part, she felt good.
Sure, she did have that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, that
nervous feeling she always got while waiting to be picked up on a date.  It
was more anticipation and excitement than anything.  She shook her head,
trying to clear it of any date thoughts.  This wasn't a date.  Well, not
really.  It was two co-workers, two friends, going together to a work
function. No, definately not a date.  She lifted her tube of lipstick and
reapplied the deep reddish color to her lips.  She pursed them in the
mirror, then stepped back again to examine her reflection.

Her dress was a deep wine color, in crushed velvet pressed with delicated
designs.  It had an hourglass shape that fit her body like a glove,
luring out and enhancing her beautifully feminine features. A low scoop cut
collar displayed her neck and soft cleavage.  In the back, the dress fell in
a v-shaped opening, exposing all of her back.  The dress fitted tightly to
the waist, where it began to flare slightly as the material tumbled it's way
to her ankles, moving around the high cut slit in the front.  On her feet
were a pair of strappy black velvet high high heels, exposing her red
toenails and the majority of her feet.  Her hair was pulled up high atop her
head, curls cascading in every which way.  A few tendrils hung out on her
forehead and along her neck.  Her makeup was more dramatic than the every
day, especially with the lipstick.

She grinned at her reflection in the mirror.  She like the way she looked.
It was much different than her normal every day look, or even her
semi-dressed up look.  She just hoped Mulder liked it as well.  A knock at
her door told her she was about to find out.  With one last glance at her
reflection in the mirror, Scully walked to the door and gently opened it.
Standing there on the doorstep was a very dapper, very handsome man.  Tall
and dark, he looked like a million bucks in his black tux and bowtie.  His
hair was a bit mussed, and on his face was an incredibly sexy smile.  In his
hands, he held a single, long stemmed white rose.  She grinned widely at
him. He looked great.  "Who are you and what have you done with my partner?"

As she opened the door, Mulder simply blinked.  Scully looked fabulous.
He'd always known she had a great figure, but this dress sure showed it off.
And it also revealed other things he never thought he'd see.  He'd imagined
seeing them, of course, but never believed it would actually happen.  For a
moment, he could only stand there, gaping.  Then he realized she was talking
to him.  He blinked again to catch her words and grinned at her, handing her
the rose.  "Evening, Scully.  Nice threads."

She began to giggle. "Ahh, there he is.  The tie threw me off for a minute
there," she laughed, opening the door wider so he could enter her apartment.
She closed the door behind him and gently sniffed the rose.  "Thanks,
Mulder.  Let me put this in a vase and I'll be right out."

As she sauntered out of the room, Mulder looked around her apartment.  Her
immaculate apartment.  He could never figure out how she managed to keep
things so clean.  Sure, she didn't spend much time there, he never spent
much time in his apartment either.  But how did she manage to keep all the
dust away?  Dust accumulated regardless of occupancy.

Filling a vase with water and gently placing the rose inside, Scully looked
around her kitchen and into the next room.  She was glad she had taken the
time to clean the place before Mulder arrived.  She knew he wouldn't have
minded the dust, especially considering the condition his apartment was
usually in.  But she still wanted it to be spotless for him.  She didn't
know why she cared, she just did.  With one quick smile to herself, Scully
headed out of the kitchen and grinned at Mulder.  "Ready to go?" she asked,
pulling her coat out of the closet.  He nodded, reaching around her to help
her into his coat.  As he did, he leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"You know, you really look beautiful tonight."

Scully felt the heat rise to her cheeks and shivers run down her spine.  She
took a deep breath and hoped he didn't notice her reaction.  But in the back
of her mind, she was grinning like a madman.  Mulder had noticed her, which
was exactly what she had wanted.  She allowed him to help her into her coat
without incident and he led her out into his waiting car.

***********

Driving towards the hall, Mulder couldn't help but steal a glance at his
partner every few moments.  She looked radiant.  No, it was more than
radiant.  The only words he had to describe it was sheer beauty, and even
that didn't seem to do her justice.  He smiled to himself, remembering her
reaction when he had told her how beautiful she looked.  Was it possible she
had done all of this for him?  In his eyes, she didn't need to do anything.
Regardless of what she was wearing, she would always be the most beautiful
woman he had ever met, inside and out.  Of course, that's not to say that he
didn't enjoy seeing her all dolled up every so often.  It was like icing on
the cake.  A voice brought him out of his reverie.

"Mulder?"  Scully was looking at him curiously, a tinge of worry in her
eyes.

"Hmm?"

She grinned at him.  "Preoccupied with something?" she asked innocently.
Almost too innocently.

He grinned right back and shook his head. "Just thinking."

"Oh?"  Scully was intrigued.  "About what?"

He paused.  He couldn't tell her what he was really thinking.  That she
looked incredibly sexy.  Well, ok, so he could tell her, but he couldn't get
the words to come out.  So he decided to change the subject.  "About the
gift Frohike's getting you for Christmas."

"Mulder, Christmas is over."

"Oh, but Scully, this is Frohike we're talking about.  Does he ever make
sense?"  Well, only when he said that Dana Scully was a hottie.

"No, not frequently.  Unless he's talking conspiracies."  She paused a
moment, then turned to him quickly.  "He's getting me something?"

Mulder laughed. "You're worse than a kid on Christmas morning."

Scully grinned.  "I'm not anticipating.  I'm actually scared.  Should I be
scared?"

Mulder raised an eyebrow and grinned wickedly at her.  "I don't know,
Scully.  Should you?"  He loved seeing her all worked up like this.  She
looked so cute.

She turned completely in her seat. "Mulder!  You're just doing this to scare
me, right?  Frohike's not getting me anything, is he."

He simply shook his head. "Sorry, Scully.  I've already said too much.
You'll just have to wait and see."

Scully gave him an evil glare, then grinned at him, shifting back in her
seat.  This could prove to be an interesting night.

***********

As they finished dinner, Scully glanced around appreciatively.  The
decorating committee, whomever they were, had done a wonderful job.
Streamers twisted from the center of the room to the walls, giving the
ceiling a draped look.  A small disco ball hung from the center, sending
rays of light in all directions.  Tables were set up all around, with a
dance floor in the center near the stage.  Each table seated eight people
and was covered in an ivory tablecloth with a festive holiday centerpiece.
On the stage, the band was beginning to play.  Next to her, Mulder pushed
away from the table and stood up.  To her surprise and delight, he offered
his hand, face split by a grin while his eyes held hers in a pleading gaze.
She felt her insides melt as she accepted his hand and he led her out to the
dance floor.  The song was a fast swing and Scully couldn't help but laugh
in amazement at Mulder.  The man could dance.  And he wasn't just a mediocre
dancer, he was good.  He knew exactly what he was doing as he twirled her
around the dance floor.  When the song ended, she looked up at him with a
silly grin on her face, trying to catch her breath.

Mulder looked down into those deep blue eyes and chuckled at Scully.  She
was quite flushed and even appeared slightly out of breath.  "Didn't know I
could dance, did you," he said, more a statement than a question.

She grinned and shook her head.  "I never thought... I mean, not that you
couldn't...." she stopped her rambling with a laugh.  "Where'd you learn to
dance?  And why didn't I know you possessed this skill?"

He smiled at all her rambling.  The enigmatic doctor was flustered.  "I
learned a long time ago.  Discovered it was a good way to impress girls.
And you didn't know because you never asked."

***********

The dancing continued late into the evening.  Mulder continued to amaze
Scully, twirling her through fast and slow songs.  He had even threatened to
tango her across the dance floor.  And he always refused to let anyone cut
in on them, save for A.D. Skinner, who had requested a waltz from Scully
early in the evening.  Mulder hadn't looked too keen on the idea, but smiled
as he handed his dance partner to his boss, mumbling sarcastically about the
A.D. never wanting to dance with him.

He took the opportunity to take a break and get something to drink.  He sat
down at the table with two glasses of wine.  He sipped his wine and watched
Skinner and Scully on the dance floor.  They seemed to be enjoying
themselves.  Skinner was saying something causing Scully to grin and blush.
He'd have to ask her about that.  Watching her on the dance floor, he soon
made a realization.  When had his feelings about Dr. Dana Katherine Scully
progressed from friendship to...well to something much stronger.  He
honestly couldn't remember.

As the song ended, Skinner returned Scully to her partner safe and sound.
He looked at Mulder and grinned. "Thanks for letting me borrow her for a
dance." He turned back to Scully.  "Remember what I said.  Just think about
it."  And with that, he walked off.

Mulder stood to pull out the chair for Scully, who greatfully sat down.
Handing her the wine, he gave her a curious look.  "What was that all
about?" he asked, referring to Skinner's cryptic parting remark.  She simply
flushed again and smiled at him.

"Oh nothing.  Just idle chatter.  Nothing, really," she said quickly.  As
soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew they sounded suspicious.
One look at his face, and she knew she was right.  But she couldn't exactly
just tell him what Skinner had said.  It could end up very embarrassing for
both of them.

The band began a slow song and Mulder watched Scully's eyes light up.  He
knew this was one of her favorite songs.  Setting down his wine glass he
once again stood up to ask her to dance.  This time, however, he bowed to
her, asking "May I have this dance, madame?"

Scully grinned at Mulder's antics.  Of course, she couldn't turn down an
offer like that.  Though she rarely could turn down any offer from Mulder.
She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor.   She loved the song
being played.  It represented her choice to always live in the present and
cherish the here and now and to make every good moment last.  She found it
quite appropriate that she was dancing to this song with Mulder.

Scully leaned her head against his chest, placing her hand on the back of
his neck.  She pulled their joined hands between them, resting them against
his body.  He marveled at the feel of the petite woman as they danced,
moving his right arm so it now wrapped around her waist.  He tightened his
grip on her right hand and let his chin drop to his chest as they danced.

As the song came to an end, Scully opened her eyes and looked up at Mulder
who felt her movements and looked down at her with a soft smile on his lips.
She smiled back, and it looked like he was going to say something when she
was forced to stifle a yawn.  But she must not have done it well, for Mulder
began to chuckle.  She grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry."

He grinned at her as they walked off the dance floor.  People were beginning
to filter out.  The night had turned into early morning and even FBI agents
need sleep.  Mulder helped her into her jacket and escorted her to the car,
she slightly in front of him, he with his hand at the small of her back.
She yawned again, covering her mouth with a giggle.

"Scully, if you were this tired, why didn't you tell me?  We could have left
earlier, you know."

They reached the car and she turned to face him.  "But I didn't want to
leave.  I really had a great time tonight, Mulder.  Thanks for talking me
into coming."

He smiled knowingly at her.  She expected him to say 'I told you so,' but he
didn't.  Instead he opened the car door for her, helped her in, and closed
it gently.  She watched through the windshield as he walked around the car,
opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat.

They drove in silence.  Scully wanted to talk to Mulder.  She needed to talk
to Mulder.  But she couldn't.  She had no idea where to start, much less
what she was going to say.  So she sat there, playing with the silver charm
bracelet on her wrist.

Mulder looked over at Scully and noticed she seemed to be engrossed in the
charm bracelet he had given her for Christmas.   This could mean one of
three things.  One, she liked the bracelet.  Two, she was too tired to talk.
Three, she was avoiding him.  He sure hoped that number three was wrong.  He
needed to talk to her, to tell her what was running through his mind.  But
he was afraid.  Afraid he might mess up what he wanted to say, afraid he
would say something wrong, afraid all his assumptions were wrong.

They pulled up in front of Scully's apartment building and Mulder turned to
look at her.  "Scully, want me to walk you in?"

She grinned at him. "Sure Mulder.  You can protect me from all the monsters
in my apartment building.  And the weird neighbors too."

Mulder laughed, walking around the car to open the door for her.  He had met
a few of Scully's 'weird neighbors' on several occasions.  "I don't know
about that, Scully," he said as he opened the door.  "Your neighbors scare
me."

She laughed as she stepped out of the car.  "Don't worry, Mulder.  They just
like to spy on me.  And you when you're here.  You do tend to show up in the
most interesting of situations.  I'm not sure I blame them for being
curious.  We are scary FBI agents after all."

A grin spread across Mulder's face, that look that meant he was about to
crack a joke.  Or attempt to.  "I'm not scary, Scully.  I'm spooky,
remember?  There's a difference."

She rolled her eyes as they walked up to her apartment door.  She unlocked
the door and smiled at him.  "Want to come in for a bit?" she asked, hoping
she didn't sound too desperate.

He nodded.  "Sure,"  he said simply, following her into her apartment.  She
slipped off her shoes and hung her coat in the closet.  She turned around to
find him still standing behind her, though he had removed his jacket and
bowtie and had unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt.

"Scully..." he began.

"Mulder," she said simultaneously.

They both grinned.  "You go first," he said.

She shook her head.  "No, please, you go ahead."

He took a deep breath and swallowed, trying to wet his dry throat.  He could
feel his heartbeat begin to speed up.  "Scully," he said nervously.  "We
need to talk."

'Oh God,' she thought, as her heart rate increased in anticipation.  "Sure
Mulder," she said, sitting down on the couch and gesturing for him to do the
same.

He sat down and looked down at his hands in his lap, then looked back up
into her eyes.  "I think you know what's going on.  At least, I sure hope
you do, because otherwise I'm gonna feel like a complete idiot.  You're my
best friend.  I don't tell you that often enough.  But what I never tell you
is that I need you Scully.  I need to know that you're there for me, that
you care about me, that you'll never leave no matter what stupid thing I do.
And I do plenty of stupid things.  You're the reason I smile, why I get up
in the mornings and why I can sleep through the night.  I can't imagine my
life without you, Scully."  He paused to take another deep breath and
noticed the tears running down her face.  "What I really want to say is that
I love you.  I always have and I always will.  And I need you to know that.
Whether it matters or not, whether things change or not, you have to know."
He looked down at his hands.  "I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have said anything,"
he said, drawing a ragged breath.  "I'll go," he said, standing up.  He
glanced back at Scully, who still had tears streaming down her face.  He
continued to head out the door.  She sat on the couch, frozen.  He had just
told her more than she could have ever hoped to hear.  And now she was
letting him walk out.

She stood up shakily.  "Mulder," she managed to choke out.  He turned to
look at her.  She slowly walked over to him until she was only inches away.
She reached her hands up to his face, brushing away his tears.  He dropped
his head as her hands moved from his cheeks and began to trace his jawline.
He looked into her eyes and she cupped his face in her hands.  Standing on
her tiptoes, she lightly brushed her lips against his, causing sparks to
flow through both of them.  Gently, he probed his tongue between her lips
and she willingly granted him entrance.  He wrapped his arms around her,
pulling her close.  To them, time appeared to stop.  Tongues slid past as
they tried to memorize each other.

After what seemed like an eternity and yet not long enough, he broke the
kiss, wrapping his arms around her.  He pulled her as close as he possibly
could, crushing her body against his in a bear hug.  He buried his face in
her hair, letting the tears fall freely.  "You don't know how long I've been
waiting to do this, how long I've been dreaming of this."

She grinned against him, tightening her arms around his neck. "You don't
know how long I've been hoping you would."

He pulled back and grinned at her, gently wiping away her tears.  "We've got
a lot to talk about," he said as she yawned, not bothering to try to conceal
it.  "But that can wait until tomorrow.  For now, you should go to bed and
I'll talk to you tomorrow.  I promise."

She chuckled.  "I trust you," she said, following him to the door.  In front
of the door, he spun around, placing his hands on her face.  He leaned in,
pressing his lips against hers hungrily as if this were the only opportunity
he would get to kiss her again.  She ran her fingers through his hair and
gently slid her tongue across the roof of his mouth, causing him to shudder
in response.  After a few moments, they ended the kiss reluctantly.

Mulder leaned down and touched his forehead to hers.  "I'll talk to you
tomorrow, ok?"

She smiled and nodded slightly.  "We've got a lot to talk about."

"Scully, you know they're just going to use this against us, don't you?" he
whispered.

"I know," she replied softly.  "And to be honest, I don't care."

He gently pressed his lips to her forehead and left.  She closed the door
behind him and couldn't help but smile as she headed to bed, ready for a
dream filled sleep.


Completed on June 24, 1998.


Comments anyone?  I'd really appreciate any kind of opinion on this story
and it's predecessor.  Oh, and does anyone have an idea of what song I'm
alluding to during the dance scene?  Here's a few hints.  It's not a recent
song, and it's sung by a male singer.  Great song for a slow dance.
Remember, you can always reach me at lessa1@geocities.com.