From: Eastsider Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 23:34:45 -0600 Subject: (NEW) Walking The Dog Walking The Dog by Eastsider Disclaimer: They belong to Chris Carter, FOX and each other. I just picked up the left-overs. Summary: When Good Agents Get Real. Category/Rating: MSR, MSH/ R (I guess, to be on the safe side.) Archiving: Spooky's; XFFFA; anyone else, just let me know where. Feedback: If you dare, send it to jaz.z@worldnet.att.net . I can't believe this story ended the way it did, I didn't plan it, but these things happen. For my homegirls at FODDX (you know who you are). Marina Park Hotel Milwaukee, WI Friday, 1:56am Agent Fox Mulder listened as the reporter continued to speak about the unseasonably mild February weather. His black leather jacket suffocated him as he drove back to the motel where he was staying. After locating a parking space, he made his way through the small lobby, taking notice of the strings of tiny white lights that framed the large picture windows. There was a small bar located beyond the lobby from where music could still be heard. Mulder surmised that it was way beyond last call, and he told himself that it was just as well. His return flight to Washington, D.C. would be leaving in five hours. Besides, he thought, there was nothing more depressing than a bar at closing time. Once he arrived at his room, and tossed his jacket aside, he realized how wiped out he was and how little real sleep he had been getting. He dropped heavily onto the bed and shut his eyes. A muted ringing from across the room snatched him back to life. He cursed himself for not having put his cell phone on the nightstand where he could reach it. He rolled off the bed and grabbed his jacket off the chair, fumbling for the inside pocket. "M-Mulder," he answered, stuttering. "Mulder, it's me. Did I wake you?" "Scully, are you kidding? You know I can't get to sleep until you tuck me in." He suspected that Scully was smiling on the other end of the line, but the silence seemed to last a bit too long. "You okay Scully?" "Yes, I'm fine Mulder. Why?" "Why? It's two in the morning, Scully, and YOU called me." "I'm sorry, Mulder. I shouldn't- I'll let you get back to-" "No, wait. Wait! Don't hang up!" Mulder was on full alert, and feeling that all was not right. "You called for a reason. Tell me." There was another pause, and for a few seconds Mulder thought she had hung up. Then he heard her take in a breath, and he was momentarily relieved. "Mulder, you are coming back this morning, aren't you?" "Yeah. Midwest Express flight 304. It leaves at seven. IF there are no delays." "And no detours either, okay?" "No detours." The knot of anxiety he had in his stomach eased slightly. "That's not the reason you called though." "What do you mean?" "C'mon Scully, why won't you tell me?" "Do you have your Dramamine? With the sudden shift in topic, she heard Mulder's exasperated sigh. "Do you?" "Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!" "Mulder, you know how you get. I'm just concerned because you forgot them the last time." Mulder noted how the tone of Scully's voice had changed, softened. "Scully, I'm more concerned about what you're not telling me than about some damn motion sickness pills." "There's nothing to tell. How are you getting from the airport?" "I was going to grab a taxi. Unless I have another choice." Mulder paused. "Do I have another choice?" "Yes, you have another choice. See you in a few hours". With that, Scully ended the phone connection. Still, Mulder was left with an unanswered question, unsatisfied with Scully's response. She had managed to deflect his inquiries. For the time being. * Scully spotted him coming through the glass doors of the Arrivals terminal. She didn't tap the horn, preferring to watch him scan the curb for her car. She was always impressed with Mulder's youthful appearance, dressed this morning in khaki cargo pants and leather barn jacket. He looked so healthy now, not the way he did just a few short weeks ago when he was near to death. She smiled to herself, thinking how most people would react if they only knew what he did for a living. "Miss me?" He was grinning at her through the open window on the passenger side. "Get in, Mulder. We have to meet with Skinner at ten thirty. We'll be cutting it close." Mulder tossed his duffel and garment bag in the trunk and slid in to the passenger seat. As he settled in, he was pleased to note that it was still adjusted to accommodate his long legs. He acknowledged this fact with a smile to Scully as the car pulled away from the curb and began maneuvering through traffic. After a few minutes, Scully glanced to her right. "Aren't you going to ask me?" "Okay, pull over. If you want me to do this right, on bended knee and all, we'll need to get out of the car. I figured you to be more of a romantic." He grinned at the smile this evoked, feeling a little better about their conversation from the wee hours this morning. Maybe he HAD read too much into it. But, he couldn't shake the feeling that she had something else she had wanted to say. "About Skinner. Don't you want to know what this meeting is about?" "Yes, but not as much as I want you to tell me why you really called." Mulder was making another try for the truth. "It wasn't- it wasn't about anything. I just wanted to remind you not to miss your flight, that's all." That's definitely not all, Mulder thought, as he watched Scully literally squirming in the driver's seat. Before this day is over, he vowed, you're going to tell me. * Office of the Assistant Director 10:26am Mulder and Scully had just enough time to stop at the basement office, where Mulder quickly changed his clothes. "Scully, I really appreciate you stopping by my apartment to pick up this suit. By the way, did you feed my fish?" "Yes, I fed your fish and brought in your mail. I think you'll really like the cover of this month's Playpen." Mulder came from behind a file cabinet, adjusting his collar and tie. "Any good articles in it this month?" "There was-I didn't see...I don't...I couldn't say." Scully was struggling, caught in a lie, and Mulder couldn't pass up the chance to tease her. "Scully, if you want to take it home and finish reading- " "Mulder, we're going to be late." Scully's blush was in full effect as she fled out the door and down the hall to the elevator, with Mulder trotting behind. She turned to him as the elevator made it's way upwards and observed his grinning face, wondering what this fifteen year-old had done with her partner. * Office of the Assistant Director 10:33am Skinner's office door was standing open as they approached. Kim, the A.D.'s assistant, waved them through the outer office. Skinner was sitting at his desk. Sorting through his mail. The sight wasn't lost on either agent. Mulder nudged Scully, who had recovered from her recent embarrassment, but she didn't dare look into his face for fear of bursting into laughter. "Glad you could make it, agents. I hope this meeting isn't putting too much of a kink in your day." Skinner was characteristically stern. "Sit down." The two agents took their seats facing his desk. "Agent Mulder, I'm ready to hear your report on the Chicago case." "Well, sir, by the time I had arrived, the suspect-" "Had already been caught?" Skinner was glaring at Mulder. "Well, yes sir. As I was about to say, I received the call while I was driving to the Chicago field office. The local authorities had taken the suspect into custody. He confessed to all seven murders." Mulder looked guilelessly at Skinner. "So, you decided that, with this extra time on your hands, a side trip to Milwaukee was in order. What, were the Bucks playing the Knicks?" The other shoe had fallen. Mulder remained silent, and Scully shifted uneasily in her chair, aware that Skinner had fixed his icy glare upon her. "Agent Scully, if you have any influence over your partner at all, I would hope that you would make him aware of all of the possible consequences of his actions when he goes running off to wherever the hell he goes running off to." Mulder interrupted, trying to redirect Skinner's attention. "Sir, Agent Scully knew nothing about my trip to Milwaukee until I spoke to her earlier this morning." "Need I remind you that this office does not operate as your personal travel agency? I didn't receive a 302 for this and since you didn't bother to inform this office of your whereabouts, the cost of the Milwaukee trip is on you." Skinner, as usual, was being a hard-ass. But Mulder's dressing down was only part of reason for this meeting. A delicate issue he would have been just as happy not to discuss. "Mulder, I need to speak with you about a personal matter. Agent Scully, would you mind-" "Of course not, sir," said Scully as she got up to leave. Mulder turned his head slightly and asked, "Scully, would you do me a favor and stop by the mailroom? I'm expecting some reading material." Scully flung him a final dirty look and quietly pulled the door closed behind her. Skinner rose from his desk and walked to the window. Mulder noticed the A.D.'s discomfort. "Sir, you have a personal matter to discuss? Some way I can help?" "This isn't about me. It's about you. You and Agent Scully have been together...worked together for several years now. You bonded quickly, considering how you were thrown together, and that pleased me. Especially considering the reason she was assigned to work with you in the first place." Mulder wondered where this conversation was leading. "Yes, sir. I feel that we have a very good relationship. And, as for the reason she was assigned to work with me, Agent Scully is an honorable person. I think that speaks for itself." Skinner looked at Mulder with an inquiring frown. But Mulder was offering nothing in the way of understanding. As a matter of fact, Skinner thought, the man was looking a bit confused. Maybe he was on the wrong track here. "I feel that certain things need-clarification, Mulder." Skinner sat back down at his desk. There was no backing out of this now. "I know you two have become close friends." "Yes-sir. Agent Scully is my best friend. THE best. I trust her with my life." Mulder hesitated. "If you're implying-ARE you implying something more?" Finally realization dawns thought Skinner. "Now, don't get excited, Fox. I'm not making any accusations. I'm only saying that, sometimes, in our line of work, we find that we lose touch with what most civilians consider a normal life. We tend to gravitate to people we see every day, usually our partner. Sometimes our work can affect us emotionally and turning to someone who can relate to that helps ease the stress. On the other hand, a man can get carried away." He was now looking very pointedly at Mulder. "Aside from being one of the most intelligent people it's been my privilege to know, Agent Scully IS an attractive person." "Yes, sir, I've noticed." This was not exactly what Skinner was expecting. "You've noticed?" "Yes, sir". "What have you noticed?" "That Agent Scully possesses a high level of intelligence." "And?" "Sir?" "You don't notice anything else?" Mulder decided he was through playing with Skinner's head. "Sir, exactly what is it that you're trying to get me to say?" Skinner was taken aback. He had honestly only been trying to gauge where Mulder's head was at in regards to his partner. And best friend. Mulder stared at Skinner as if to ask, what was your point? "Sir, Agent Scully and I have a working relationship that the Bureau would be proud of. I wouldn't change a thing." "Yes, well, that will be all." Skinner was only too happy to end this. He watched Mulder scoot the chair back, practically running for the door. Running from the truth, Skinner thought with a barely perceptible smile, as he turned back to the mail on his desk. * Scully had gone to the mailroom as requested and was relieved to find only a few work-related periodicals. She knew Mulder wouldn't be stupid enough to have the Adult Video News sent to his place of work, but then again, you could never be too sure where Mulder was concerned. She hoped that whatever Skinner had kept him behind for would make him forget about their earlier discussion. But once again, this was Mulder. He forgot very little, no matter how mundane. She left the mailroom and made her way to the elevator. When she turned the corner, she saw Mulder impatiently stabbing the elevator button. Apparently, too anxious to wait, he began heading for the stairs. Scully called out to him, "Mulder, wait up." Mulder turned toward her, seeming startled to hear his own name. Scully walked briskly toward him, a concerned look on her face. "Let me see if I can read your mind, Scully. You're wondering what a good looking guy like me is doing in a place like this." "I'm wondering what Skinner said to upset you." "What makes you think I'm upset?" Mulder asked, as they walked down the stairs. "Mulder, it's written all over your face. What did he say to you?" Then Scully, remembering that she had been asked to leave the room, stopped herself. "I'm sorry. I realize I'm asking for the details of a private conversation." They had arrived at the their basement office. Mulder held the door for her. "Scully, I don't mind you asking." He shut the door and walked over to his desk, loosening his tie. "I'm just having difficulty repeating the conversation." He paced over to one of the file cabinets, opened it, and closed it again without removing anything. He spotted a file box, moved it from the top of one cabinet to the other, then back. Scully watched with unblinking curiosity until finally he turned to face her. "If you're through rearranging the office, Mulder-" "Skinner says he's pleased with the way we've `bonded'. As a team." Scully stared at him as Mulder took a step toward her. "Surely that's not a problem. We are partners after all." "And best friends", Mulder added. "Of course. Is that all he had to say?" "He thinks YOU are one of the most intelligent people he's ever met." "That was very nice of him. What else did he say?" "It was more what he didn't say. I'm telling you, Scully, I felt like the principal had just caught me kissing in the school hallway-" Mulder stopped himself, thinking back in time for a few seconds-to a more recent hallway. One look at Scully's face and he felt that she might be thinking back to the same place. "Mulder?" Mulder snapped back to the present. "What?" he said softly. Scully took a long look at his face, walked over to the door and locked it. "Mulder, I think it's time." "Scully maybe we should wait until after work and do this at home." "What are you talking about?" Scully asked as she walked over to the desk and took her seat. "This talk we're about to have. Don't you want to do this in private?" The look on Scully's face told him that he hadn't been paying close enough attention. "Mulder, we have a conference call scheduled for eleven fifteen. With the Dade County Medical Examiner? Did you forget?" "Yes, yes of course. I mean no, I didn't forget!" "Good." Scully peered at him, taking note of his uneasy demeanor. "It should only take a few minutes, then I need to run to Quantico to prepare a package for shipping, and I have an autopsy scheduled there for one forty-five. I probably won't be back before four o' clock." "No problem. I've got some research to do on that San Francisco case anyway." Scully drummed her fingers on the desk and regarded Mulder for a few seconds before she spoke again. "Do you have any plans for later this evening? For dinner?" "Well, I was planning to walk my dog." "Mulder, you don't have a dog." "Then I'm all yours. Where and when and what's on the menu?" "My place at seven thirty. I'll scare up something edible." "I'll be there. Now, let's get this conference call over with." * Dinner was delicious, to their mutual delight. Scully, because she hadn't had the time to make a home-cooked meal for herself or anyone else in ages, was glad to have the practice. Mulder was appreciative of a home-cooked meal. "Scully, we could have just as easily done this at my place, don't you think?" "Frankly, Mulder, no. For what I have in mind, I believe this is safer territory." "You've locked yourself in here with me, Scully. How safe do you think you're going to be?" "Relatively safe, considering that I'm armed." "Point taken." They finished their dinner of tossed salad, prime rib, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Mulder, playing the good dinner guest, took it upon himself to scrape the dishes, while Scully ran a sinkful of hot, soapy water so they could soak. Scully handed Mulder the bottle of wine he had brought and directed him to the couch. It was a good bottle, which had been chilling since Mulder's arrival. They had decided to wait until after dinner to drink it, since dinner was the most either of them had eaten all day. Scully sat next to Mulder and handed him his glass. He filled both of their glasses half way, then settled back into the cushions. He was surprised at how close Scully moved to sit closer to him. He hadn't forgotten his promise to himself about getting to the bottom of the early morning phone call, but the nearby warmth of Scully and the wine were making it difficult for him to focus on that right now. After a few sips of wine, and some channel surfing, they found "Torn Curtain", a Hitchcock movie neither of them had seen in years. A few minutes later, Scully set her wineglass on the table, then, then turned to Mulder and removed his from his hand. Positioning herself so that she could face him directly, she looked at Mulder and took a deep breath, trying to working up the nerve to say what she felt it was time to say. "Scully, whatever it is, just say it. It's just me. Say what's on your mind." "I'm not sure how to begin, Mulder. I mean there are things I feel I need to say, things that I owe it to you to say." "You don't owe me anything. But I know you have something on you mind, so tell me." That's what I'm trying to do. God, why is this so hard?" "Scully what was that call really about this morning?" "I missed you." Mulder was utterly shocked. Dana Scully, whose emotions were usually locked up tighter than Fort Knox, had just made a revelation to him. One that he had suspected, but never thought he would hear spoken aloud. "Mulder?" "Yeah?" "You're staring at me." "Am I?" "Yes. May I continue?" "Please. But I've got to tell you, Scully, I'm still working on that last statement." "It's the truth." Scully had fixated on Mulder's shirt cuff, toying with it while she spoke, her voice lowering to just above a whisper. "I called because I needed to hear the sound of your voice. I should tell you about the other times over the past six months that I needed to hear you but I was kept away. The doctors said it was for my own protection, that you'd become violent and that you would hurt me. I knew that wasn't true. Then I told them that I was your medical doctor and I'd be damned if they would keep me away. I knew that you could hear my voice and my thoughts and maybe that would be enough to bring you back." "I heard you, Scully, every word you said and thought." "I know. I felt that you did." Scully had dropped her head with the admission and Mulder had to lean closer to hear her. "It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, leaving you in that hospital, unprotected. To go to Africa, not knowing if you would survive until I could find-" "Scully, stop now," Mulder whispered. He reached over to wipe the tears from her face, unaware of the ones steadily falling from his own. "I know what you did for me. There's not another person on the face of the earth who could have or would have gone to the lengths you did." "There is one other person that would have. And did. For me. And not so long ago. I don't care what you say, Mulder. I owed you." Scully had ceased crying, soothed by Mulder's fingers caressing her cheek and forehead. "You know, I've been saving something for you." Mulder said quietly. Scully's hand instinctively went for the thin gold chain around her throat, but Mulder's serious expression stopped her in mid-reach. "I want you to know I won't stand for any interruptions this time." With that, he leaned closer and Scully lifted her face to meet his lips without hesitation. She felt Mulder's hands at her waist, his soft lips pressed firmly against hers. If she was startled by the eagerness of her own response, she was astonished at the effect that her fingernails, softly scratching at the nape of his neck, had on Mulder. That simple touch alone caused a commotion within Mulder, the likes of which he'd never known. It was all the clichs- thunder, lightning, earthquakes. The emotional turbulence within his body threatened to take over. He was becoming a dangerous man. Somewhere, in the still functioning part of his brain, something was telling him to restrain himself. Even though Scully was responding to him in the most wonderful way, he didn't want to make the mistake of forcing himself on her. He was ready and willing to relinquish his body to her, but he had to be absolutely sure she knew what she was in for. He had to hurry, because he was rapidly losing grip on whatever reasoning abilities he had left. Reluctantly, he pulled his mouth away from hers and, took a deep breath. She was still stroking the back of his neck, making it almost impossible for him to form a sentence. "Mulder, if you're waiting for me to say we shouldn't be doing this, you can just forget it." "I'm glad to hear that. I just wanted to give you a chance to think about what you want to happen here." "I've had enough time to think about what I want. I'm not waiting another second. Life is short, and I need to tell you what you mean to me. That's what I want." Mulder tilted her head back and kissed her throat. "Yes, we both can be very focused when we want something. I know what I want too, and you know how I can get." "Like a dog with a bone?" Scully heard herself ask, as Mulder licked the underside of her chin. "In-a manner of speaking. And like a dog with-a bone, you risk getting mauled if you get too close." "So-let me see if I understand this. You're a dog-with a bone." "Well put." he whispered, skimming his tongue over her ear. "And you-you think that if I continue to show interest in this-bone, you can't be held responsible for your actions?" "Um hmm". "Who owns this dog, Mulder?" "You do, now." Mulder rubbed his cheek along Scully's neck, tickling it with the tip of his tongue every so often. "Well, then since he's my dog, I'll take full responsibility for his actions." Scully had closed her eyes, enjoying the way Mulder was acting the role. She stroked his back, using both hands, going from the perilous nape to the center of his back. Mulder leaned back slightly, placed his hands on either side of Scully 's face, to get a good look at the full, succulent lips he had so often fantasized about kissing. This was his first landmark, where he was to give up total control. He began by gently drawing her lips between his own, tugging on them, and Scully did the same. Mulder felt himself slipping into a floating dreamlike state but Scully was bringing him back to earth, in a not so subtle way. He had been slipping his tongue in and out of her mouth, but she had managed to capture it and was sucking it firmly. She became vaguely aware that he was moaning, whether caused by the tongue sucking he was getting or the ever-growing erection forming to the south, she couldn' t say. It did encourage Scully to address her task that much more aggressively. She realized they would need more room at the same time that he decided they needed less clothing. They slid off the couch, down onto the carpet, pushing the coffee table away with their feet. They were giggling as they removed everything covering their feet, and sent their shoes sailing across the room where they made the thudding noise that shoes make when they hit a door. For a second or two, they eyed each other. Then, Mulder rose to his full height, and began unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. When he had made it almost halfway, Scully stood up and reached for his hands. "Let me do that." She unbuttoned his cuffs first. Then, without warning, she gathered both sides of his white cotton shirt in her fists and yanked as hard as she could. Buttons popped, bouncing off the table, the wall, and the television. She stepped in closer to him and pushed the shirt down and off his shoulders. Clasping her hands behind her, she looked up at him with a smug grin and fluttered her eyelashes, while Mulder, unruffled, removed his arms from the shirt and tossed it aside, not knowing, or caring where it fell. Scully frowned at the white undershirt he was still wearing, so he pulled it off and dropped it where they stood. Mulder hadn't uttered a word for several minutes, finding no need for speech. He watched Scully as she unbuttoned and unzipped her slacks, letting them fall to the carpet, then kicking them aside. Her black silk shirt barely covered the silvery satin panties she wore. She reached to the skinny zipper of her shirt, and slowly drew it down, watching Mulder's eyes, gauging his reaction. She was not disappointed. Mulder had been displaying his famously cool exterior from the time he had begun removing his own clothes. He thought he had held himself in check mighty well, considering what was going through his mind and his body. The black, silk, zippered shirt was the road to his second Scully landmark, so he was paying rapt attention. When it finally came undone, so did he. He went to his knees in front of her, circling her waist with his large hands. He grasped her hips and rubbed his face against her stomach, alternately kissing and rubbing. Scully was touched as she felt tears welling up, remembering the last time she had felt his cheek against her stomach, after the John Lee Roche case. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world at the time, like a child seeking comfort. This, however, was Mulder, all grown up, thank God. He had wrapped his arms around her knees and pulled her down, bring them face to face. She wove her fingers through his silky, chocolate-colored hair. Scully had come to her own conclusion about his lips- they were addictive, you couldn't just kiss them once. So, she proceeded to indulge herself. He had found the front clasp to her bra and had fingered it apart. Their mouths separated, as she discarded her bra and panties. Mulder had a moment's hesitation because the sight had temporarily stunned him. When he regained his wits, he couldn't get out of his pants and boxers fast enough. He gently pushed her back onto the carpet. He straddled her. His hands formed her breasts, using his thumb to stroke the nipples until they were hard little buttons. Scully was unable to lie still, as much as she wanted to. She was enjoying the feeling too much, had dreamed of it too much, to hurry through it. To his everlasting credit, Mulder seemed determined to take his time. When he lowered his mouth to suck and lick and suck on one nipple, then the other, then back again, she gasped and gasped. Arching up underneath him, she felt the swell of his erection pressing hard upon her. The moment of truth is here, Scully thought, and smiled at that. Mulder would appreciate that one. But Mulder was a man on a mission, and Scully was loath to distract him from it, having learned in this short amount of time not to mess with the process. But she did want to look in his eyes, if just to ground herself in the reality of what was happening between them. As if he had heard her, Mulder looked into Scully's eyes and answered the question she had subconsciously asked herself. "This is the real thing, Scully. You and me. Just tell me what you want." "I want you, Mulder. I've wanted you all along." "You've had me all along. I'm going to have to make that clear to you." This was the easy part. Their first time making love was a wave after wave of `firsts'. It was as if it WAS their first time: first kiss, first caress, first love. They shared a physical act of communication that merged their bodies and their minds on a higher level than most humans ever attained. Mulder thrust himself deeper each time and held himself there, delighted that Scully held her own little surprise for him. She gave him a return squeeze for every stroke, until she felt herself on the brink. After that, it wasn't a conscious thing. The orgasms carried them the rest of the way. Mulder told her that he envisioned their lovemaking like the sparkling colors of a rainbow, the rippling orgasmic squeezes as the pot of gold at the end. "That's so corny, Mulder. Tell me again." * Afterwards, they lay on the floor, breathless and exhausted. Mulder felt Scully shiver slightly, and reached up to pull the large afghan from the couch to cover them. He cradled Scully with his body and wrapped the material as tightly around them as he could. He cuddled her and kissed her, not because it was expected, but because it came naturally, as an extension of their lovemaking. "Mulder, you know I have a perfectly good bed in that room over there." "I know, and I have big plans for it. But, not right now." He kissed the bridge of her nose. "I kind of like where we are right now." "So do I. We might have fallen off the bed and you might have gotten the wind knocked out of you." Scully kissed him, trying again to catch his tongue, a little game that she was well on her way to mastering. "Scully, when you kiss me that way, I forget to breathe." Scully laughed. "Well, you're lucky. Not only am I a doctor, but I happen to be an expert at mouth to mouth resuscitation." "Hmm", Mulder mumbled past Scully's lips. "Lucky me." "Damned lucky," Scully replied, as she pressed her body closer to his, for warmth. "Umm, Scully?" "What?" "I think your dog needs to be walked." Scully reached for him and whispered, "Mulder, if you're waiting for me to say `down boy' you can just forget it." The End