From: "Lisa" Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 00:41:44 +0950 Subject: Hello, I have an MSR to submitt :) Source: direct Title: What Was Missing Author: eXtreme shipper E-mail: vaskezz@bigpond.net.au Rating: PG Classification: SRHA Spoilers: X Files Movie, Arcadia. Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Disclaimer: The characters Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were created and owned by Christ Carter, 1013 Productions and the Fox Network. I am just a Shipper taking them out for a spin. Summary: Scully realises what she is missing in her life, and Mulder takes action. Feedback: Yes I would love to hear from you. Author's Note: This is the first fan fic I have ever written. Though I have been a fan of the X Files since it started, I discovered Fan Fiction rather late in the game. Not letting that stop me though :) -------------------------------------------------------------- What Was Missing by eXtreme shipper -------------------------------------------------------------- Dana Scully looked up from where she stood in her kitchen and sighed. She had been home from work for three hours already and still she had got nothing done. Some dishes lay in her sink waiting to be washed. A single mug lay upturned drying on the dish rack. There was a weight pressing on her chest, a steady heaviness, a persistent ache. She didn't know when exactly it had settled there, how many years ago. Perhaps it was as simple as the process in which mountains were formed. Small amounts building up over time. Scully shook her head to herself, moving from her kitchen to seat herself on the edge of her couch, and stared into space, feeling sudden tears sting her eyes. She could no longer deny it... she was lonely. Utterly, completely lonely. She had no one to come home to at night, no one to make coffee or tea for. No one to ask her how her day went... Her tears fell unrestrained as this realisation sunk in. With each sob the steel barriers that kept her emotions in check broke away, unconsciously freeing the woman within her... the woman that always was but couldn't always be if she was to be an FBI agent. Strong in the face of evil, not needing help, especially male help. It had gotten her through her training, gained her respect from her male counterparts at Quantico, then at the FBI. But it had not gotten her what her soul now desperately wanted... Love. It was that simple. Her heart was now showing her so. Scully was so overcome with emotion that she didn't hear her partner's worried voice calling through her door, or heard it open. Fox Mulder had made the decision to go to his partner's (ha, now there's a lie) apartment a half an hour previously. Scully had been acting very strange all day, stopping in the middle of her paperwork to stare off into space minutes at a time. She had given him the slimmest of smiles when he asked her about it, and continued on with her work. Scully had left the office very quickly at the end of the day, giving him no time to ask her what was bothering her so. It being a Friday it would be two whole days before he could ask her what was wrong. Like hell. The last thing Mulder was expecting when he showed up to her door was to hear her distraught sobbing from inside her apartment. Mulder's eyes widened in concern, feeling his chest clench with cold terror. "Scully?!" He called out loudly, scrabbling for the key to her apartment hurriedly, "Scully, I'm coming in... oh god..." He all but broke the door down in his efforts to get in, he seeing her right away, perched on her couch, crying despondently into her hands. Mulder stood frozen in shock for a mili second, having never seen his Scully in such a state before. He had seen her cry, yes, but only after a horrific attack... but this... He rushed to her, gently touching her shoulder to alert her to his presence before drawing her against him in a warm embrace. Scully felt Mulder's strong arms encircle her sobbing form and she cuddled into him, not questioning how or why he was there. Mulder rocked her ever so gently, stroking and rubbing her back as she cried. "Scully... my god... what's wrong?" Mulder gently asked, squeezing her tighter against him. Her arms went around his back, holding him as tight as she was being held. She didn't let go. Neither did he. Scully couldn't answer right away, the sobs just kept coming. Mulder soothed her gently, whispering that he was there, he wasn't going anywhere. He could feel her heart beat pounding from her chest, as fast as his own. He rested his head on Scully's, breathing in her lovely aroma, feeling tears of his own well in his eyes. What had happened?! Did anyone do anything to hurt her?! God help the bastard who upset her... Some minutes later Scully's sobs began to abate, but she didn't move from Mulder's embrace. "Scully... please, tell me what it is. You can tell me anything, Scully. Please..." Mulder asked softly, kissing her red hair lightly, rubbing her back. Scully shifted her head from Mulder's warm chest, knowing this to be true. She could tell him anything... and she needed to so very badly... "I... I just feel so alone, Mulder. I mean... I shouldn't, my life is very full. I love my work, with you on the X Files..." She sniffed, sitting back from him. His arms never left hers. Her beautiful blue eyes were still swimming with unshed tears... Mulder's heart broke to see them. "But there's something missing... it's been missing for a long time... I just never realised..." Her dam broke a second time, but she kept going, "I need love, Mulder. I... I want to walk down the beach holding someone's hand... I want to wake up in the morning in someone's arms... I'm just so alone right now..." She didn't resist when Mulder took her into his arms again, holding her even tighter and warmer than before, rocking her in his arms. She felt him kissing her head, and that made her cry more. "I need love, Mulder..." She whispered, shaking hard now. Mulder encased Scully in his arms fully, trying to draw her right into himself, trying to hold back his own sobs. He was beside himself with emotion... Scully was baring herself to him, her very soul. She trusted him that much... She, who was strong as steel, taking down suspects larger than herself, taking down the Consortium's own lackeys no less... Now crying openly before him... Needing love... It was almost too much for him to bear. Her words echoed his own thoughts, he was lonely. His soul was screaming. He had loved Scully for years, he didn't know when it began exactly. It had grown steadily over the years, just when he thought he loved Scully completely she went and surprised him again, bringing him from the brink of death a thousand times over, showing more and more of herself to him. He loved her more and more each day. And now she was baring all... Mulder stroked and rocked Scully, so tight against her he didn't think he could ever pull away. He didn't want to ever pull away. He wanted to tell her right here, right now, that she was going to get her walk on the beach, everything she ever wanted, because he loved her. Because she was his life, his everything. She was as vital as oxygen, no more important than that. He would die without her. He wanted to take away all her tears, to fill her every day with eternal happiness, as she deserved nothing less. But he didn't. He wasn't going to tell her like this... oh no. He wanted to do it the right way, the perfect way... Scully rested in Mulder's embrace, feeling secure as she never had before. She had been hugged by Mulder before, but not this long, or this warmly. He seemed to be trying to suck her in by osmosis. She smiled against his chest, loving the feeling. "Feeling a bit better, Scully?" Mulder asked her, his mind racing, already plotting the next few hours. Scully nodded, breathing evenly once again. She pulled away, reluctantly. "Thanks, Mulder." She said, wiping at her tear stained face as she flopped back on the couch. Mulder smiled at her smile and gave her a friendly pat on the arm. "How about you have yourself a relaxing bath, and I'll get us a cup of coffee." Mulder suggested, moving back a bit to allow Scully room to get to her feet. Scully rose an eyebrow at him. "Coffee, when I'm in the bath?" Mulder began his way to the kitchen, "Yeah, I'll just pass it around the door quickly." Scully frowned to herself briefly, "Mulder, my baths are never short. I'll just have a quick shower..." Mulder smiled back to her from her kitchen nook, already getting out a cup for himself. "Take all the time you want, Scully. It'll give me enough time to work out how to use your fancy techno kettle." Mulder quipped back. Scully shook her head, a smile breaking free. She began walking towards the hallway. "It's not that hard, Mulder. You just press the bright colourful button that says 'on'." Mulder nodded, smiling to himself. She was feeling better enough to joke back to him, it warmed his heart. He had made her feel happy. He made some noise in the kitchen, opening various cupboards as he heard her bath filling. What he really had his eye on was the yellow pages on the stool. A vital component in his plan... "Ah, Scully, now you like no sugar, right?" Mulder called out, knowing very well how his partner of 7 years liked her coffee, but it was buying time. And hopefully making her smile. Scully did smile, surrounded by bubbles in her bath. She rolled her blue eyes in fake exasperation. "That's right, noooo sugar. I take it that you found the 'on' button then?" "After a thorough investigation, following several leads, yes I did. But it didn't go down without a fight." Scully sank deeper into the warm water, laughing to herself. Mulder could be such a goon sometimes, it made her laugh. She trailed the wash cloth over her body, massaging all the emotional tension away. Here she was having a bath, with Mulder only a room away and she was feeling no embarrassment. She had cried, no, bawled her eyes out, in front of him, and she was perfectly okay with that fact. After all, he had come to her rescue in Antarctica. He had risked his life in sub zero temperatures, given her the clothes from his body to keep her warm. Scully felt tears threaten once more, as she knew who's love she needed, who's hand she wanted to hold, who she wanted to wake up with in the mornings... The same who it had always been, for years... the one she could never have. Mulder... warm, caring... but dedicated to his work. To the X Files. He didn't have room in his life for... no, stop. Scully quickly slammed those thoughts away, wiping away the tears. Thinking them would do no good... he was here as a friend... that was all there could ever be. Only brief embraces... Scully looked at the door as it swung open a crack and a cup of hot coffee was thrust through the crack. "Bath service!" Mulder's voice rang out, he jiggling the cup very slightly. Scully laughed, reaching out for the cup. "Thanks Mulder," She took it from him with a soapy hand, Mulder giving the back of her hand a brief stroke as she did so. "You're very welcome. Now get back under those suds, it's chilly out." Scully clutched the cup to her, smiling from the tender touch Mulder gave. He did touch her a lot... Friendly touches. Touches only she seemed to get. She closed her eyes, if those were the touches he gave a friend, imagine the affection he would bestow on someone he loved... Scully blinked away tears once more, thinking that she would never know what that would be like. He could never...he was not interested in her in that way... she was only his partner. Mulder quickly returned to the phone, not knowing how much time he had. He had no idea how long Scully's baths lasted, and he guessed that today's would be shorter than most as he was there. He would have to work fast. Sure enough, barely five minutes later he heard the bath being emptied, and Mulder hurriedly concluded his phone call. He had barely enough time to grab the paper and seat himself at the table before Scully walked in. Mulder gave her a friendly smile, resisting the urge to get up and hug the life out of her. It took all of his strength, but he did it. He didn't want to spoil it, he wanted to give her the happiest night of her life. And then keep it up for the rest of their lives. Scully sat down, still drinking her coffee. Mulder had buried his head in the movie section of the paper. "You make nice coffee, Mulder." She voiced, trying to get his attention. Mulder gave her a quick Mulder-grin. "I'm a man of many talents." "You can say that again." Scully half smiled. Mulder sat up, finding what he was looking for. "Hey Scully! Look what is showing, 'Contact'!" He exclaimed. Scully leaned over to read the movie section upside down. "I thought that had come out already? Or is it one of those re run thingies?" Mulder's grin was spreading, "Have you seen it, Scully?" Scully looked up, a smile of her own growing upon her face. "Have you, Mulder?" "Have I seen it? Are Reticulans grey? I was in the first in line every day for a week!" Mulder grinned, and reached out to take Scully's hand, his eyes shining. "Scully, wanna come to the flicks with me?" Scully's smile widened, and Mulder's heart nearly burst with happiness at the sight. "You want me to see an alien movie with you?" "I thought you hadn't seen it, Scully!" "I haven't, only the trailer." "Yes, I do want you to see an 'alien' movie with me, Scully. I wouldn't want anyone else." Mulder said, allowing some of his emotion to show. But not too much, not yet. Just enough. Scully nodded, unable to say anything else. She got up quickly. "I'll... I'll just... um... change first." Mulder nodded, and watch her leave for the hall again. When she was gone he got up, putting his hands over his face, hiding his own smile of absolute joy. He then did a little dance, moving his closed fists around before him in a jig of glee. After he had composed himself he searched the paper for the closest session time and reached for the phone, having to make a slight readjustment. Scully reappeared ten minutes later in casual clothes, jeans, t-shirt and a jacket, but she still took Mulder's breath away. She would be beautiful in a potato sack. She slung her purse over her shoulder, giving Mulder a slim smile. "Ready?" Mulder nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Scully gave him a slight sideways glance, smiling briefly at his sudden loss of speech, and walked ahead of him, allowing him to guide her from the apartment with a hand on her back. They sat in a comfortable silence for the first five minutes on the way to the cinema. Mulder was having a hard time keeping himself under control. He glanced over at Scully every so often, taking in her now relaxed mood. There was a hint of a smile on her face, and a fresh gleam in her blue eyes. She caught his third glance and smiled at him, showing teeth. Mulder held her gaze and waggled his eyebrows at her. That was it for Scully. She burst out in laughter, having found that motion so cute. Mulder smiled hugely, thinking her laugh to be the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard. His chest warmed with the knowledge he had brought it out of her. Here he was in his car, with Scully smiling and laughing, and he couldn't be happier. Mulder pulled another face, which brought on giggles no less. Scully shook her head in amusement, barely able to believe that Mulder was making her laugh. Well, that wasn't true, he had pulled plenty of tricks over the years. She'd just never allowed herself to laugh at them. Mulder certainly seemed to be having a great time. "Mulder?" "Yes Scully?" "I have just realised that I haven't eaten a thing since lunch." "There will be popcorn at the movies, Scully." Mulder voiced, as if that was all one really needed for a meal. Mulder's smile grew wider as he saw her signature eyebrow raise, and quite a high one. "Don't worry, Scully. There will be plenty of room for more later." Mulder turned his attention back onto the road, leaving Scully to peer at him for a few moments longer. She had a feeling that Mulder might have something up his sleeve, perhaps concerning the location and composition of their dinner. Not even Mulder could be satisfied with just popcorn for dinner. Ahh... she could almost smell the pizza now. They arrived at the movie house just as the sun was beginning to dip in the sky, and the temperature following suit, causing the small line up of people to pull their clothes tighter to themselves as they waited to get their tickets. Scully looked about her self, her hands in her pockets, the slight breeze blowing her hair about. She turned into the wind, letting it do the work for her. "So what do these aliens look like in the movie, Mulder?" Scully asked. Mulder stepped in closer to her, acting as a windbreak to cut her hair some slack. Scully noticed this, but said nothing, silently grateful for the easing chill. "Ahh, I'm not telling." Scully's eyebrow rose again. "They're green, aren't they?" She smiled. Mulder closed his eyes, shaking his head. Scully smiled wider, nodding hers at the same pace. "Yes they are, you just gave it away." Mulder laughed, and automatically slipped an arm around her shoulders, the line beginning to move forward. Scully's heart rate increased as she felt Mulder's lovely hand clasp her upper arm, holding her in place against him. Oh how she loved his hands... Mulder had only a brief moment to revel in the feeling of his arm around Dana Scully before they were interrupted. "Hey there, Spooky! And Agent Scully! Are we investigating a case?" Came the jeering voice of Agent Westbourne, standing in the line over from them. He pointed to the sign above the ticket counter, 'Contact'. Scully's face darkened the second the word 'Spooky' came out of the younger Agent's mouth. She didn't fail to notice that he was standing by himself in his line. "We're just seeing a movie, Agent Westbourne, the same as you." Scully replied more icily than she had originally intended. Mulder didn't remove his arm from Scully. "Isn't this a school night, Westbourne?" Mulder asked, not caring how sarcastic he sounded. This was supposed to be their special night, the last thing Mulder wanted was their 'workmates', if you could call them that, butting in. "Nice choice of movie." Westbourne chuckled, having to walk forward as their line was moving, Mulder reaching the ticket counter, "How appropriate for Mr and Mrs Spooky! I'd always pegged you guys as..." Scully didn't give him time to finish. As soon as Mulder had acquired their tickets Scully reached out to grab Agent Westbourne's pre paid ticket and tossed it into the breeze where it was carried high above the heads of the people in the line. Mulder and Scully didn't give the stunned agent a chance to respond, they ducked quickly into the lobby and out of his voice range, where Scully let loose her laughter. Mulder beamed, patting her on the back, laughing himself. Oh boy did he love this woman! "Ha, go girl! That showed the weasel!" Scully beamed right back, looking pleased with herself. "Perhaps next time he'll keep his comments to himself. It's bad enough you have to hear it at work." She then linked arms with him, and Mulder realised what she had said. He frowned, what did she mean 'you'..? Was she defending him?! Scully smiled wider at his frown and gave his arm a squeeze. Mulder suddenly felt tears threaten, realising that Scully didn't care what he said about her but when it came to him... Mulder mentally slapped himself, not here, not now, get popcorn! "Get popcorn." Mulder blurted out, "I mean, we should get some popcorn before the movie starts." Scully allowed herself to be led towards the busy popcorn stand. Moments later the pair were seated in the very back row, Scully nibbling on her 98% fat free popcorn while Mulder lounged next to her, shovelling whole handfuls of buttered popcorn in his mouth. After a few mouthfuls he put the box aside and settled himself in. He positioned himself so that his head rested very close to Scully's, barely an inch between them. "Who's the woman in the lead role, Jodie Foster isn't it?" Scully asked and then found herself looking right into Mulder's beautiful hazel eyes. Scully was momentarily spellbound by his gentle and attentive gaze, it was as if she was all he saw at that moment. She found herself looking right into them, seeing... affection, caring... love? Scully quickly looked away, her emotions were getting the better of her. She couldn't have seen love in his eyes, because he had no love for her... hang on, he was speaking. "... and I think that's a shame, don't you Scully? Well, you'll see what I mean afterwards." Mulder spoke, his heart hammering hard in his chest. Scully had looked right into his eyes, which he meant to have happen, but then it seemed she was seeing through them, right into his soul. Her clear blue eyes seemed to shimmer, almost questioningly, seeking something in his. He hadn't been able to answer her at first, he just stared like an idiot while Dana Scully sifted gently through his soul. He managed to mumble something about Jodie Foster not been given a nomination for her role, when he realised that Scully wasn't really listening to his response. She hadn't seen him gaping like a teenager with a crush beyond her own searching gaze. Now she sat somewhat less relaxed than before, focusing hard on the boring ads playing on the screen, the cinema gradually growing darker. Mulder's heart broke when he caught sight of a single tear trail its way down Scully's face, illuminated by the last vestiges of light before the cinema went dark, hiding Scully's emotion from him. They sat in silence as the opening played, the sequence showing how the radio emissions from Earth travelled far beyond the solar system, revealing the beauty of the cosmos as it went, while giving some perspective on how small Earth really was in the galaxy. Scully trained all of her attention on the movie before her. She wasn't going to think about how close Fox Mulder was, and how much 'on a date' feel this little outing had. She wasn't going to wish he was holding her hand, or even better, be in his arms... She didn't feel the second tear fall until it fell from her face and hit her hand. She silently thanked that the movie house was pitch black. Suddenly she heard Mulder's soft voice whispering in her ear. "Wow... that's gotta be the best opening scene out, hey Scully?" She felt his head gently rest against hers, and Scully nodded, not trusting her voice at that moment. She let out a breath and allowed her head to lie against Mulder's, she savouring the contact, treasuring it beyond measure. She hoped it was going to be a long movie. Mulder remembered what he had been like when this movie first came out, he had sat in the front row glued to the screen. It was like the realisation of a dream to him, actual alien contact, and not from Zeta Reticuli. He saw it three times the first day it was out. While he was in the soft padded chair of the cinema nothing could draw his attention from the magic flowing from the big screen. Today, however, he was far more attuned to the beautiful red haired beauty seated right next to him. He breathed in her presence, revelled in her proximity. He breathed deeply in momentary contentment, nuzzling her head ever so slightly. This, and other fleeting touches, was all he could hope for, all their partnership would allow. But he longed for so much more. He longed to hold her, to be with her constantly, to love her as he truly wanted to. Needed to. His heart and soul cried out for hers. But did hers cry out in the same way..? Scully looked up at the feeling of Mulder's head nuzzling hers, and she found Mulder's hand reaching for hers, his slender fingers trailing lightly over hers. He ever so gently interweaved his fingers between hers, and held her hand tightly. Scully found herself looking right into Mulder's eyes again, only this time his gaze had intensified. More emotional, almost searching... Scully gave Mulder's hand a squeeze, unable to turn her eyes from his soft gaze. Mulder smiled at her, and nuzzled her head again before returning his attention to the screen. He shifted closer to Scully still, now his shoulder was against hers. Scully couldn't hide her smile, she looked at their clasping hands and had to fight her tears. She tried to rationalise Mulder's actions... his emotions were being roused by the deep meaning he held in the movie, and he felt a need to... hold her hand..? As if to reassure her that he really was holding her hand he squeezed it, and his thumb began to rub back and forth. "One there is intelligent life out there but it is so far away that you'll never contact it in your life time and two.. two! There's nothing out there but noble gasses and carbon compounds and you're wasting your time." Said Professor Drumlin on the screen, which brought a small chuckle from Mulder. "That's what he thinks." Mulder whispered, squeezing Scully's hand again. She was allowing his contact, she smiled back at him, and it was a biiig one. Scully nodded towards Elly Arroway. "Maybe you two should get together?" She said, but her heart broke at the very thought, (never mind that she's fictitious, her rational mind argued) and her smile dipped a little, she hoped imperceptibly, before she could reinforce it. Mulder leaned in even closer, staring right into her eyes as he voiced, "Not a chance in hell." *Scully, my heart beats for you and you alone*, he desperately wanted to add, but not yet. He couldn't just blurt that one out in a cinema. The fact that he was within kissing range did not escape him. Nor Scully, who was faced, yet again, with Mulder's intense emotions seeming to pour straight from his soul. She didn't give her heart a second to think that one over. Scully's voice nearly cracked as she said shakily, "Mulder, your popcorn must be getting cold..." "That's when it tastes the best." Mulder smiled, pulling back a little, his head leaving hers. Could she hear his heart beating furiously?! Things only worsened when Elly and her new friend Palmer talked on the rim of the dish, and then the scene moved into the bedroom. Both Mulder and Scully breathed very carefully during this, Mulder only too aware of Scully's hand in his, and Scully only too aware of Mulder's warm grip on her. Mulder began to wonder if he had any brains in his head, he was wrenching his poor heart for all it was worth sitting so close to Scully, and not even being able to pour out his deep feelings to her. And Scully, what must she think? She was being very quiet, and very still. She hadn't even moved to eat her popcorn or sip her water. Mulder reached over her to tap her Evian water bottle with his free hand. "Sure you're not thirsty, Scully?" He whispered. "Oh, yeah, right." Scully chirped, and regretfully disengaged her hand from Mulder's to unscrew the top and take a long gulp. She downed nearly half of the 600ml bottle in one swallow, and then put the top back on. She looked down to see Mulder's open hand waiting for hers to come back to it, he had gone back to watching the movie. Scully retook Mulder's hand, and watched him smile as she did so, he giving her a little squeeze again. Scully had to bite her tongue to stop, "Mulder, I love you," from escaping at that moment, but she couldn't prevent a few tears from escaping her eyes. She wiped them away with her free hand, but Mulder had seen them. His concern was immediate. "Scully, what's wrong?" Scully tried to smile through the tears, but they just kept coming... Mulder is acting for all the world like he cares... why can't he just love me... why is it only friendship..? Her heart screamed, but like she was going to ever say that! "Elly's father..." She lied, unable to come up with another sane excuse for crying over her unrequited love for her FBI partner. Mulder responded immediately, letting go of Scully's hand, lifting up the removable armrest and taking her into his arms, directing her head to his shoulder tenderly. Scully fought the battle of her life to keep further sobs from escaping as the object of her deepest love tenderly rubbed her back, comforting her in the middle of a movie. She felt his head nuzzle hers again, and his arms rested on her, rubbing intermittently. "It's okay, Scully. It's okay." Mulder's velvety voice resonated from his chest, passing right in to her heart. She allowed him to comfort her, allowing herself to pretend for the moment that he did love her, even though she would probably pay for it later. The rest of the movie passed with them that way, Mulder getting to hold Scully, and not holding anything back. He stroked her back at will, running a hand through her hair at times, feeling her contented sighs through his chest. She had snuggled right into him, allowing him to touch her where he pleased. Mulder nearly broke down there and then. His beautiful Scully, so open and relaxed with him. So content to be held. So trusting... Scully felt Mulder tense with excitement as the alien transmission began thumping through the cinema, and looked up to share a smile with him. She of all people knew the reasons behind that excitement, and understand it, if not share it. They both shared a laugh over the various reactions to the message, the variety of curious campers that had descended upon the array at New Mexico. Scully was impressed with the movie so far, it seemed a pretty accurate perception of how society would react to such a discovery. Scully found herself having a wonderful time, being held by Mulder, watching a movie that she probably would never have chosen to see herself. But all too soon the movie drew to a close. As the lights began to come on Scully finally left her comfortable position in Mulder's arms, taking the chance to stretch and straighten out her clothing. Mulder's grin had never left his face. "So, what did you think, Scully?" Scully nodded, giving him a smile, "You might actually have some taste, Mulder." She joked. Mulder did his best Scully impression, eyebrow all the way. "Some, Scully?" "Okay, it was a good movie. They kept to the science, but I must admit I was disappointed not to have seen Them. I think it was a cop out." Scully voiced, moving to get her popcorn, but Mulder got to it first, taking all of their gear for them. "Maybe they ran out of money right at the end." Mulder suggested. Scully followed him out into the aisle. "Maybe they just left it up to our imagination." Scully posed. Mulder glanced at her. "What a cop out." He agreed. They moved into the lobby, where Mulder surveyed their still full popcorn boxes. He paused for a moment, and then looked all around. Scully followed his eyes, not sure what he was doing. Mulder stopped at the sight of three kids, all trying to pool their money given to them by their parents nearby. "I got $4, how much you got?" One said, looking about seven years old. "I only got $2, but you're not getting it if you get gross chips!" Another exclaimed. They stopped their pooling at Mulder's approach, holding out the nearly new popcorn boxes. "Hi guys, here's some popcorn on the house." He smiled, holding them out. The boys eagerly took the popcorn and ran back to their parents, looking pleased with their score. Mulder walked back to Scully who was shocked at her partner. "Mulder! You... that... you can't do that!" She exclaimed. Mulder just smiled wider, and pointed to the popcorn stand. "It's cool, Scully. It's nearly the very same batch that we got. It's just a little older that's all. They don't seem to mind, we saved them $6." The kids did look very happy, they were already eating it and weren't complaining. Scully was still stunned. "But it's not fresh, Mulder!" "Kids are tough, it's good for digestion. At least it's not going to waste." Mulder took hold of her hand and they walked from the cinema. The chill in the air hit them the second they stepped outside of the cinema, and Scully immediately dug her hands into her jacket pockets for some warmth. Mulder opened one side of his leather jacket and tucked Scully into it, she finding herself pressed against Mulder once again. She smiled her thanks to him, nearly completely surrounded by Mulder's arm and jacket. She rested her head against Mulder's shoulder briefly as they walked, breathing in his lovely male Mulder-smell she got to experience so rarely. She laughed quietly to herself, thinking it wasn't exactly in the FBI regulations to go around smelling your partner. "What is it, Scully?" Mulder asked, holding Scully tightly to him and loving the sensation and ability to do so. "Nothing really... just... a laugh." Scully smiled, slipping her arm around Mulder's waist, loving his warmth. Mulder's heart rate increased at her touch, and a shiver went up and down his spine as her arm encircled him. "Are you warm enough?" Mulder asked. "Yeah, I am." Scully said, content to just walk with him along the street. She had been feeling better ever since she had allowed herself to relax completely with Mulder in the cinema, having relinquished some of her emotional burden even just for a time. She knew that when this little walk ended she would go back to being Special Agent Dana Scully, and Mulder back to Special Agent Fox Mulder, and her world will once again be empty... Mulder chewed on his bottom lip, his heart in his throat, trying to find the words to say to her. He looked towards the street corner that they were approaching and knew it was time. To reveal his heart and soul to this beautiful woman... and pray that she felt the same... Mulder stopped and slid both of his arms around her, quite quickly in fact, as if he was scared that she would run if he let go. He heard Scully's surprised but cheerful chuckle from her face against his chest. "Oh Mulder, um..." She didn't know quite what to say, Mulder very rarely grabbed her for a hug. Mulder never grabbed her for a hug... "Is everything okay, Mulder?" Mulder responded by holding her even tighter, his emotions bubbling quickly to the surface. Soon sobs began to shake his chest, as deep feelings of love erupted from the cage of his heart, having been a prisoner for so long. Scully felt his sobs and grew alarmed. She returned his embrace, trying to soothe him as best she could, not knowing what was wrong. "Mulder, what ever it is, it's all right. Hey? I'm here, Mulder." Scully gave him a squeeze. Mulder only cried harder, and began kissing her head, shaking bodily now from fear and longing. "Oh Scully... tonight when I came to your apartment, and found you crying, I know how you feel. I know just how you feel. Because I feel it too... I feel it for you, Scully..." Mulder pulled away just far enough to look into her face. He gently cupped her face in his hands, in a similar fashion to the time in his hallway those years ago. Scully was staring at him wide eyed now, staring right into his eyes, where all of his unconditional love and need shone brightly. "Scully... I need you... not just as a partner. I..." He tried to find the words, he had never done this, been so open. Articulating the feelings of the heart wasn't something he exactly had a lot of practice in. But he was going to do his damnedest right now. He paid no attention to the tears rolling down his cheeks and faced Scully straight on. "You are everything to me, Scully. There is nothing in this world I love more. I love you beyond reason. I have for a long time now, for years... I have been trying so hard to find the Truth, all this time, when it was right under my nose all along. You, Scully. You're the Truth. All we've been through... to bring us here to this point, making us who we are... the woman I love." He lowered himself to her level, his arms aching to go around her, but he needed to see her face. Tears were now running down her cheeks, her eyes were wide with shock, like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was there to catch her as her knees buckled, and hold her against him warmly, trying to still her own shakes. "Scully, I love you... I need you in my life. You are my life. And I can't live without you any more..." Mulder cried, kissing her head, rocking from side to side with her in his arms. He held her even tighter as he felt her own sobs start up, "I love you so much." He whispered. "M..Mulder..! You... I..." She stammered, pulling back to look into his face again, to see the love shining out of his eyes. Mulder was beside himself, crying openly in front of her, hell he was shaking like a leaf. Her legs had reverted to the consistency of jelly, he was the only thing holding her up at that moment. "Mulder..." Was all she could manage, putting a hand to his face. He kissed it, pressing his face against it. "I feel so alone too, Scully, except when you're with me. I loved tonight, holding you during the movie... I want to hold you like that for the rest of my life. You're the one I didn't know I needed until I found you... or you found me." He smiled at her, still shaking, pressing his face against Scully's stroking hand. Scully burst into tears, crushing herself against him, beyond caring who saw her. "Mulder... I love you... you're the one I need. You've always been the one I've needed..." She looked up at him again, and stroked his face once more. "My Poopyhead..." She smiled through tears. Mulder laughed, remembering the case in Arcadia, and he gave her such a look of pure love that it started her crying once again. "Mulder... I did want to play house. And I would love to make you a sandwich..." She cried. Mulder hugged her fiercely, his soul soaring in profound joy, blooming with love for the woman in his arms. He kissed her head over and over, groaning "I love you, Scully." with each kiss. Scully sighed in his arms, hardly able to believe she could now be in them when ever she wanted, not just when she was traumatised or dying. She realised that Mulder was still supporting her. "Mulder, I think I can stand now..." She smiled, and she was gently put down. He kept his arms around her just in case, but Scully felt steadier on her feet than before. Her arms didn't leave him, either. They just looked into each other's eyes, wiping each other's tears away with tender strokes. Mulder trembled with joy, and kissed her forehead, his soft lips lingering there for a few moments. "Scully, before we went into the cinema, you said it was bad enough me having to hear 'Spooky' at work..." Mulder asked, now being able to. Scully showed all of her teeth in her smile, laughing at the recollection. God she was beautiful... "You have no idea how angry that makes me when they call you that. You are anything but 'Spooky', Mulder. They aren't one thousandth of the agent you are, or the man for that matter." Scully voiced, rubbing his back softly. Mulder's heart melted, and his face followed suit. "Scully, I don't care what they say about me..." "I know, Mulder. But I'm not standing for it." She raised her eyebrow, giving him a squeeze. Then she squeezed him again, just because she could. Mulder rolled his eyes back, "Oh, Scully, darling, don't stop..." Scully laughed loud and free, and it was music to his ears. "Do you know how beautiful you are? Truly, Scully... the most beautiful woman in the world..." Mulder crooned, leaning in to her, "I want to kiss you, Scully..." Scully moved to stand on her tiptoes but Mulder saved her the trouble. Their lips met half way, and time fell away. The world around them disappeared, and only the two of them existed. Mulder moved his velvet soft lips against hers lightly, the very tip of his tongue ever so gently running along hers, and then past her lips as she granted him access. Scully's knees threatened to give away once again as Mulder kissed her in the most loving, tender way she had ever known, tasting her and caressing her all at once. Scully returned his loving ministrations, tasting him in turn, sliding her tongue against his. Mulder's hands ran up and down her back, pulling her closer against him, making her moan into his mouth with joy. He ended the kiss reluctantly, but oxygen deprivation was making him dizzy. "I'm the king of the world, Agent Dana Scully loves me!" Mulder yelled to the night, holding her against him. Scully laughed, not being able to remember when she had laughed this much in one night. "And Agent Fox Mulder loves me!" She echoed, getting an affectionate squeeze in response. "You have no idea how much, Honeybunch." Mulder kissed her, remembering his endearment from the Arcadia case. Scully kissed him right back, rapidly becoming intoxicated by the mere touch of his lips against hers. Mulder took her by her hand after breaking off a second time and began leading towards the corner of the street. "Scully, while you were in your bath I took the opportunity to get us some wheels for the night, something I think you'll like." Mulder said, a huge grin spreading across his face. Scully shook her head, still reeling from emotion. "Mulder, I already have the one thing I need. *You're* all I want." Scully sighed happily, patting his arm. Mulder stopped her at the corner, kissed her forehead, and then waved his arm. From further down the street came a pure white stretched limousine, having been waiting there for the better part of an hour. On Mulder's signal it came to life and motored up beside them. Scully covered her mouth. "Mulder... this is... you didn't have to do this..." Mulder beamed, seeing nothing but sheer happiness in his partner's eyes. Something that he vowed would become a permanent fixture in her life from now on. He gallantly opened the door for her, revealing the plush interior invitingly. Scully didn't know what to say. All she could do was to get in and wipe her eyes furiously again. "Mulder, I'm leaking like a tap today..." She laughed from inside the limo and Mulder joined her inside, the driver closing the door for him. It would be one hell of a night. THE END... OR IS IT???