From: Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 12:05:45 -0500 Subject: Where I Belong by Mulderslady Source: xfc Where I Belong by Mulderslady Part of the What if stories universe DISCLAIMER: They don't belong to me, wish they did. Only Grady Andrews, Owen, and Brad Myers do. RATING: Pg-13 to R for some RST(finally I thought I was getting soft!) CLASSIFICATION: S, A, UST then some MSR, slight S/O, AU, KEYWORDS: UST then some MSR, Mulder and Scully angst, slight S/O, AU SPOILERS: None URL: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Capsule/5160/whatif.html FEEDBACK: Please!!! at damacia@home.com ARCHIVE: Oh yeah, anywhere!! SUMMARY: What if Mulder finally found out where he belonged only to have his happiness threatened by her family? Part of the What if Universe, a group of stories that ask the ever intriguing question, What if . . . Author's note:: Even though CC thinks Mulder's mom's name is Teena, We Philes know! I just know that she was called Caroline Mulder originally, but like Samantha's abduction, it has gotten mangled and changed! Samantha was taken from her bed! Mulder's mom's name is Caroline! Enough said :0) Enjoy the story. **********************%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% I belong to you and you You belong to me too You make my life complete You make me feel so sweet I Belong to You By Lenny Kravitz **********************%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Mulder fixed his tie and knocked on the old door. This place definitely needs my services. She lives by herself, just moved in, not home much, he thought as a petite red head answered the door. "HI!" she said enthusiastically "Hi." Mulder said, staring at her a second, then remembering why he was there. "Hi my name is Fox William Mulder, I noticed you just moved in and I thought you might need my services." "Hi, Dana Scully. Are you a gigolo?" "Uh no." "Sorry, you just kinda looked like one." Mulder looked at her incredulously, looking down at his dark jeans, Timberland boots, denim shirt, and garish tie. "Well that's a new one. Actually I'm a remodeler." "Not a successful one." "No . . . I'm independent." "Let me see your hands." "Excuse me?" "Let me see your hands." Mulder showed her his hands. "Rough, callused, you definitely work with your hands. What else do you do?" "House painting." "Uh huh, what makes you think I need a remodeler?" "Well I was born and raised here on the vineyard and this house was old when I was born." "Well I could use some help. It was going to be my project to do myself . . . How much?" "What?" "How much are you?" "Well I'll have to evaluate . . . " "Come on in, evaluate, if you got the right price, I may hire you." "Man, um your going to need some serious work done. I think 20,000 with materials should cover it though." "You're kidding, right?" "No, 20,000 with materials." Mulder said warily. Oh god, I need this job! Please don't let that be too much. "It's a deal!" "Really?!" "That's half the price Michaelson Brother's wanted." "Really?" "When can you start?" "Tomorrow." "Ok! I'll see you tomorrow . . ." "Mulder, Fox Mulder." "Mulder, ok see you tomorrow." 9 p.m. Mulder's mom saw the light on in the basement and smiled as she opened the door "Fox?" "Mom, what are you doing out of bed? You know your doctor said . . ." "I know, did you get the job?" "Yes. I start tomorrow." "I hear she's very pretty." "Yes she is, go back to bed now." "Fox . . ." "Yeah mom?" "Is something wrong?" "No, . . . Yes, I'm tired of . . . I'm 35 years old mom, I should have a stable job, a family of my own . . ." "Not taking care of me?" "No, I SHOULD be taking care of you. I should be providing for YOU, not vice versa." "Fox, I have enough money to support us for the rest . . . " "NO! I'm . . . I'm sorry mom, I'm just tired. I'm trying to establish myself as a . . . but then all the big companies grab up all the clients." "I told you house painting and remodeling are not your future. Canvases, murals, sculpting . . . you're an artist Fox. You could sell your pieces for more money than Michaelson Brother's gets in 3 jobs." His mom said, looking around the room and looking at the multitude of artwork surrounding them. "Sure mom, I tried that. No one wants my pieces." "That's Boston sweetie, everyone knows you. An artist is never appreciated in his hometown. New York, Chicago . . ." "I'm not leaving you here by yourself. Now back to bed." His mom sighed, ruffling his hair, watching him add more color to the canvas in front of him. "Your work is beautiful, it needs more than me to see it." He touched her hand and smiled up at her "I know mom, I know, bed please?" Mulder parked his truck on the street and started moving his stuff into the house. "Hey Mulder, whoa nice truck." Scully said, coming out to her car. Mulder smiled, looking back at his dark green Toyota Tundra. "Yeah Birthday present." "Girlfriend?" "Mom." "Ah let me help you." Scully said, taking his toolbox out of his hand and plopping it down inside. "Ok, I'm giving you free license, make my house beautiful Mulder. Take as much time as necessary. Do you want a bulk check or installments?" "Which ever is easier for you." Mulder said bending down and opening his toolbox "Bulk, here you go." She said, handing him the cashiers check for 20,000. His eyes bulged. "Thank you." He said, folding it up and placing it in his pocket. "Well, I have to go. I left my pager number, office number and the key to the house on the kitchen counter. I should be back about 7 at the latest bye." "Bye." Mulder looked around the downstairs. Where should I start? His eyes landed on the kitchen and he smiled. The cabinets he ordered last night should be coming this afternoon, guess the kitchen will be first. He walked in the kitchen and frowned down at the rumpled linoleum on the floor. He pulled it up and smiled when he saw marble tile under it. "WOW! White marble floor! The cabinets will work perfectly." He pulled the rest of the linoleum up, throwing it outside. I wonder what other hidden treasures are in this place, he thought as he looked under the carpet in the living room. "Hardwood floors!" He ran to the carpeted stairs and pulled it up. "Black marble! Oh yes, I have hit the jackpot with this place. Cover of This Old House here I come!" Mulder said as he walked back to the kitchen and started taking off the cabinet doors. 6 p.m. Scully came into the house, stepping over stripped linoleum and carpet in her front yard. "Mulder, why's all the carpet outside?" The whirl of a drill answered her and she walked into the kitchen just as he finished putting up the last cabinet door. "Hey Scully." "Hi, why's all the carpet outside?" "Look down." She looked down and gasped "Is this marble?" "Yes! Come on, look in your living room. Hardwood floors. They're everywhere even upstairs. I'll have to replace a few slats, but it seems stable. And look, this was my greatest find, your staircase, nothing but black marble. I need some marble polish and a different buffer, mine will be too rough." "Ok I'll get them for you, anything else?" "I made a list on the counter." He said, making sure the cabinets were right. "Ok I'll have it for you by tomorrow. So you have a plan?" "I had one, but these new discoveries have changed them. I'll get some one I know to get your fireplace working." "Sure thanks Mulder. See you tomorrow." "Ok bye." He said not moving, looking down at the marble kitchen floor. "I was thinking track lighting and a new counter top." "Sounds great you have free license Mulder, make my house beautiful." 7 p.m. Mulder peeked into his mom's room and came to her side. He placed his hand on her head gently and smiled. Good, her fevers down he thought as he petted her hair gently "Hey mom, how you feel? Let me check your temp." "I'm fine Fox, how was work?" she said opening her mouth to accept the thermometer "Great, I discovered some wonderful things with her floors. Your temps normal good. You feel stronger?" "Yes, stop babying me Fox." "It's my job. I'll be down stairs." "You're going to paint something for her house?" his mom asked eagerly. "Yeah, I have an idea for her counters." Next morning "Hey Mulder, oh what's that?" Scully asked as Mulder passed by her with a large wrapped object. "Your new counters." "Oh ok well, see ya later." She said running out the door with a wave. Mulder took his sledgehammer and broke off the old counter. 8 p.m. Scully came in the door exhausted. I will never agree to do two major surgeries like that in one day, she thought as she wandered into the kitchen to see Mulder hand polishing the marble floor. "Don't step in here with your shoes." He said sensing her presence in the room. "But I'm hungry." She said playfully, making him look up at her and smile. "Why are you hand polishing? That's what I bought that new buffer for." "I used it the first go round. I just put on a gloss, I had to do it by hand so it would be even." "Oh. You know Mulder, I think I'm underpaying you. This kitchen alone is worth your fee, it's gorgeous." "Well just tell your friends about me that's all the extra payment I need." "You can bet on that. So what no wife, kids, girlfriend to go home to? I mean your over here impossibly early and stay later than you should." "No, just my mom." He said, rising and turning on the fans to dry the floor. "I don't know, you just don't seem the type for manual labor." "I like to do it." "Not as much as something else." "Huh?" "You have another love, I can see it in your eyes." "I love to paint." He said with a smile, "What about you Scully, I mean what do you do? Leaving the house impossibly early and getting in later than you should." Mulder teased. "I'm a neurosurgeon. One of 3 at Boston General hospital. That's why I'm not home much." "So why buy a house?" "Something for retirement." "When's that?" "Who knows! The hospital is bringing in more neurosurgeons though, so I'll have more time to enjoy my beautiful house." Mulder nodded and bent, touching the floor gently to check its dryness. "Done, welcome to your new kitchen. I . . .I hope you don't mind, I was going to start impossibly earlier on your living room tomorrow. It's going to be one of my bigger tasks." Scully smiled "Sure, no problem. Night Mulder." "Night Dr. Scully." Midnight Scully walked into her kitchen to make herself some hot chocolate and smiled. This is beautiful. Tons better than Michaelson Bros. could have ever done. I wonder why more people don't hire him? She looked down at her counter and did a double take. The white pine counter top was painted with Oriental scenes. This is gorgeous, wonder where he got it? The painting fits the scheme so well; I wonder if he'll keep an oriental theme for down stairs? I can't wait to see more, she thought as she looked at her counter again and saw some initials in the corner. FWM, FWM? Who's that? Oh wow, Fox William Mulder, he did this? I AM paying too little for him. I'll fix that tomorrow! 5 a.m. A heavy thud, a loud crack and a mechanical whir pulled Scully from a much fought for sleep as she went to the bathroom and cleaned up. "No problem." she said mockingly to herself. Next time just say no!, she thought as she got out of the shower. But those pretty hazel eyes and succulent mouth were hard to resist. God, I have the next Tyson Beckford remodeling my house. Ok, maybe not Tyson, but close. Wonder why he's not married? Or at least have a girlfriend, or even a boyfriend for that matter. She threw on a pair of sweats and went downstairs. He was pulling up rotted slats while another young man with reddish hair and a neatly trimmed beard cut them into nice sized logs. "Good morning Dr. Scully." Mulder said cheerfully. "Good morning Mulder. You said early, I thought 7." "Sorry, is this too early for you?" "No, I just didn't sleep well last night. Who's this, your business associate?" "On occasion. John Byers, Dr. Dana Scully." "Actually I'm a lawyer, I just help Mulder on the side from time to time. Your fireplace is a work of art." "Thank you, you two want some coffee?" Scully asked, heading to the kitchen. "Sure that sounds great, thank you." Byers said as he cut another slat carefully. "Are you going to hang pictures or paint the walls Mulder?" Byers asked as he grabbed another slat. "I don't know, I have this couch length one I did a while back that would look great in here. The light's just right for it." He really wasn't kidding about liking to paint, Scully thought as she handed Byers a cup of coffee. He nodded and smiled as she headed over to Mulder. She stepped down into the living room when he ran to her, grabbing her quickly. They locked eyes, electricity flowing through the gaze. Mulder looked away quickly. "Watch that first step." Scully looked down to see nothing but empty space and dirt. "Oh!" "Yeah sorry, should have warned you." "So more needed to be replaced?" "Yeah." "Your going to need more wood then." "Yeah." Mulder said, wondering how he'd switched to a one-word vocabulary so quickly. It must have been her eyes, those Blue-green orbs stared back at him, riveting him to his place like a nail gun. She smiled slightly and blushed. Oh, I'm still holding her and I'm staring at her like an idiot. If I'm drooling too, just let me turn to dust right now, he thought as he rebalanced her and took the coffee from her hand. "Day off?" He asked, trying to change subjects and get his wits back. "Finally. I'll have more time to myself next week, were testing the metal of our new docs." "Nice, so want to help out a bit?" "Sure that's cool." "Ok after you get the wood, sand the edges so they're round like this." He said, showing her a slat he had in his hand. "Ok." "Hopefully I can finish your floor in a week or so, I really want to work on your walls." "What's wrong with them?" "Besides needing a good paint job? Nothing." "And I forgot you love to paint." "Yeah." "You painted the scene on the counters, didn't you?" Mulder nodded "That was beautiful." "You liked it? Great, I have this whole wall mur . . . never mind your going to love it." He said quietly "Well let me get your stuff, I'll be back." As she went upstairs to get her shoes, she heard Byers say "Man she's a beauty. Stunning." "Very." "You should ask her out, I think she likes you." "Me? Why in god's green earth would she like me?" Scully stopped when she heard that. Good lord, doesn't he know he's gorgeous?! "Your a handsome guy, got a great personality, and she can tell your attracted to her." "Oh really?" "Yeah, you cant speak in more than one word sentences around her. You stare at her like she's a million bucks, which she is. You need to start thinking about settling down Mulder." "I am settled." "I mean with a wife, steady girlfriend, you know, something serious. When was your last date?" "Don't go there Byers." "Years! Not for lack of admirers." "I can't leave my mom long when she's fragile." "Mulder, she's fine. Her cancer is in remission, she hasn't had a break since the incident. You don't have to baby her." "Some one has to take care of her, no ones left just me and her." "She doesn't need constant supervision Mulder. She's not THAT old. Nothing bad's going to happen if you go out on a date every once and a while." "It's the least I can do, she pays all the bills for god's sake. I feel like a leech!" "Cause you are not cut out for this kind of work. Your artistic, not capitalistic. You belong in a studio in New York painting, sculpting, being an art world star, not putting in hardwood floors." "I can't leave my mom here by herself. I can't afford to take her with me. Dang it, I can't even afford to move to New York Byers. Look, just drop it." "If your father hadn't killed himself, you'd be doing what you loved and you would be rewarded." "Yeah? Well he did kill himself, so I'm stuck." "Your not . . ." "Your not my shrink Byers, don't start. How long will it take you to get the fireplace working?" Wow Scully thought, I knew there was more to him than met the eye. Hardware store "From the looks of things your putting in a new hardwood floor." the old clerk said as he cut the slats to the correct length. "Yeah, well resurrecting an old one." "You have the old Vanderbilt place don't you? Beautiful, I remember when that was first built, best-looking house on the block. Hope you got a good remodeler." "The Best! Fox Mulder." "Mulder?" The man chuckled slightly. "Yeah he's really good, you should see what he's done with the kitchen." "Your new in town, you don't know about them yet do you?" "No." But I sense I'm about to, she thought as the man continued. "His sister killed herself freshman year of high school. His father was devastated, shot himself in front of his mom and him during dinner one night. His mom was so traumatized, she had to be institutionalized. He had to forfeit college to take care of her. Shame really, he was a smart bastard too. Mulder graduated top of his class, most likely to succeed. What was even more a pity was he always had a thing for art. Show him a painting he could tell you the artist, and year it was painted, even draw or paint an exact copy too. His artwork was beautiful, but an artist is never appreciated in his hometown, especially one where your family history was as trouble as his. He needed something to do to make some money and something that would keep him in the vineyard." "But he's such a good . . . " "Very, one of the best. His competitors though take less time, more conventional. Mulder's an artist, a perfectionist. He won't stop till it's right. I had him put in my tile floor, took him 4 weeks, but it is the best looking floor I've ever seen. He has talent, but he's not aggressive enough." "Thanks for the info, how much?" the clerk looked amused "No charge." "Huh?" "I own the store. I always liked Mulder, anything to help him out. Go ahead I'll have some one load it on your truck." "Thank you, thank you very much Mr. . ." "Owen, just call me Owen." Scully walked in the door and didn't see anybody. Lunch break? She thought as she followed voices upstairs. "Antique, high backed, Claw footed tub right here, make that window larger with stained glass, just imagine the affect. It would bath the whole room with color." Mulder said excitedly "Nice, so your going to start here next?" Byers asked "No, the staircase. I want to redo the railing." "Really, that sounds nice." Scully said, both men turned and looked at her shocked. "Hey Scully." "Mulder. I got your wood, they even sanded it for me." "You went to Owen, didn't you? He knows what I like." Byers' pager went off and he cursed under his breath. "I gotta go man. The fireplace is done and clean. Nice meeting you Dr. Scully." "Same here Byers." "Later man." When Byers had left, Scully turned to Mulder and smiled "Alone at last." Mulder blushed "Um Scully, Dr, Dr Scully?" "Yes?" "I was wondering, if you didn't mind . . . I wanted to know if you were . . . would you like to go out to dinner with me later on?" he eventually stammered out, flushing more when she smiled "My that almost sounded like you were asking me out on a date." He looked away from her shyly, eyes focused intently on the ground. "Yeah kinda, I guess so, yeah" "Well ok then." Mulder smiled at her sweetly, holding her gaze. "Mulder?" "Yeah?" "Here." She said, handing him another check "What's this?" "The rest of your fee." "You already paid me." "This is for the rest of the house. You . . . the kitchen alone is worth 20,000. I can't take no for an answer." Mulder nodded and looked at the check, shocked at the amount "40,000?" "What?" "That's too much." "No it's not. I would have been charge more by Michaelson's." "But . . . are you sure?" "Positive Mulder, positive." "Ok then." He said putting the check in his pocket. "Well let me finish the floor." 8 p.m. Dinner "Why did you want to be a neurosurgeon Scully?" Mulder asked over dessert. "Well I don't know, I just liked it, pay wasn't too shabby either." "It's good to have a job you enjoy." "Mulder? I keep hearing a lot of things about you." "Good or bad?" "Confusing." "What do you mean?" "Everyone has a different theory about why you're here and not in New York being an accomplished, successful artist. Do you have a lot of art work that you've done or something?" Mulder smiled "Yeah, when I go home I usually paint or something till I fall asleep. It's fun for me." "They say you would be successful now, if you father hadn't killed himself." Mulder flinched "Who told you that?" "Owen." "He just doesn't know when to leave . . ." Mulder smiled, "He feels sorry for me. Guess he's . . . He want to be a father figure to me I guess. I don't know." Scully stayed silent a minute, seeing if he would continue "My mom and Byers, they want me to leave, but I can't. It's complicated, I can't just leave you know?" "Yeah I understand." Mulder scoffed "No really I do. Everyone wanted me to marry this guy I hardly knew when I graduated High School. Didn't matter what I wanted, or that I had a full scholarship to Berkeley. It was good match, they said, he could provide for you, make you happy. The only thing that could do that, I knew deep down was pursing my dreams. When I did that though, I estranged my family, my friends; I'm an outcast for not doing what they wanted." "Are you happy now?" Mulder asked softly "Yes, yes I am, but I wish I still had my family." 6 weeks later Scully came down the stairs and smiled when she looked down at her brand new hardwood floors She looked around the corner and saw Mulder painting on the wall. "These are beautiful." Scully said looking at the wall mural he was painting. "Thank you, I'm keeping an oriental theme down stairs, works with your furniture." "I got you what you needed for the stairs, have fun if you ever get to them." He smiled and waved as he continued painting. 11 p.m. Scully saw a light on as she came in. He can't still be here? "Mulder? Your still here?" "Yeah, I'm almost done." His gravelly voice responded "You are dedicated to your work, aren't you?" "Very." He said, standing up and looking at the finished mural, smiling "Perfect." He said, crouching back down and signing the bottom corner. He sensed her closeness and looked up to see her next to him. He smiled at her shyly. "Something wrong?" "No." "Oh well alright." He said, not moving. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his briefly. He closed his eyes and cherished the kiss. He put his arms around her and held her in place, deepening the kiss when her pager beeped. They jerked apart, Mulder blushed slightly embarrassed. "Hospital, lock up when you go okay Mulder?" "Sure, Bye Scully." Mulder checked on his mom and went downstairs. He pulled out a new canvas and smiled as he dipped his brush in water then the red paint. 4 weeks later Mulder stained the rail on the staircase, smiling as she came in the door. "Hey Mulder, wow those are beautiful." "So this is Mulder." A strong male voice said, making Mulder stop and look up quickly. "Mulder, this is Brad Myers, he's head of surgery at BGH." "Nice meeting you Doctor." "Same here, I hear you redid Dana's hardwood floor. I could use someone that useful around my place." "Brad please, he's all mine for the time being. When he's finished, I'll think about loaning him out." "Loaning him? I was thinking of hiring him full time as a handyman for my estate." Mulder looked at Dr. Myers appraisingly. I wouldn't work for him if my life depended on it, pompous yuppie. "What is he mute? I just offered him a job." "He's not mute Brad, he just has a shred of dignity." Scully said defensively, walking up the stairs. She caressed Mulder's soft hair as she passed him. His eyes followed her and he smiled as she disappeared around the corner. "Get real." "Huh?" Mulder said, looking at Brad "Get real. She would never be interested in you seriously. What do YOU have to offer her? If she ever did get with you, it would only be for sex. Bet you're a pretty good lay. Maybe if you took my offer, we could find out." "No thank you." Mulder said sternly, putting more stain on the rails of the staircase "Ha! Beggars can't be choosy." "I'm not begging, seems like you are." "My, proud and cocky, deadly combination." "Whatever, creep." Mulder said under his breath "I know, isn't he?" Scully whispered as she came down the stairs. Mulder smiled and moved to the next rail. "I should be home by 7 tonight." "Ok bye Scully, Dr. Myers." 7:30 p.m. "Who was that guy? He was such a creep." Mulder said when Scully came back. She smiled when she saw him take a pot off the eye of her stove. It's amazing how comfortable we've gotten with each other. It's even more amazing how well HE goes with this house. She shook the thought out of her head and took the bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup he offered. "Thanks, homemade?" "Yep right out of the jar. Never the can always the glass jar, best stuff." She smiled and took a sip. Wow this is good! She thought as he asked again "So who was he?" "My boss. I have to put up with him. What he say to you? Besides that job thing." "Nothing much, just implied I'd be a good lay for him. I guess I really do look like a gigolo!" "LOL!" "Lol?" Mulder said, with an amused smile "Sorry AOL talk for laugh out loud, the equivalent of a snort laugh." "Snort laugh?" Mulder said, starting to giggle "You know, a snort laugh." "Your weird." He said between guffaws. A knock came at the door and Scully answered it quickly while Mulder recovered. A medium sized woman with white hair and blue eyes stared back at her. "Hello." "Hello Dr. Scully? Is Fox still here?" "Yes hold . . ." "Oh my, this is beautiful. He painted it, didn't he? Such a talent." She said walking into the house and staring at the mural on Scully's living room wall. "Mom? What are you doing here? Where's your jacket?" Mulder asked rushing over to her quickly, "Do you have a temperature?" "No honey, I'm fine. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm interrupting." She said when she saw the food on the table. She gave her son a knowing look, he didn't notice, still worried. "No mom, your not interrupting. What is it? Is it important?" "No, no I just missed you that's all." Mulder smiled at her amused "You constantly complain that I'm underfoot, and now you can't live without me." He said hugging her gently. "Like her kitchen?" "Very, this is beautiful Fox." "Yeah and look at her floor, Marble! The previous owners had the nerve to have linoleum over it." Scully watched them interact and sighed longingly. I wish I was that close with my mom. "Oh my manners, I'm Caroline Mulder, Fox's mother." "Dr. Dana Scully, nice to meet you." Next morning "Hey, Your mom was sweet." "Yeah she is." Mulder said as he moved his tools upstairs. "How is she?" "Fine, I'm sorry about . . ." "It was no problem, I'd been dying to meet her." Mulder smiled "I'm going to be working in your bathroom the rest of this week and next week." "Thanks for the heads up." "Scully . . . did you tell Dr. Myers I needed a job?" "No, I said you were a great remodeler and painter. Look, don't pay him any attention, he thinks he's god's gift. The Reject." Mulder chuckled slightly, leaning into her closer "Do you have a . . . never mind I'm . . ." Scully leaned up and kissed him sweetly on the lips. "What do you think?" "I think I need to get started on your bathroom." He said as she threw him a playful smile and grabbed her briefcase. "See you later Mulder." "Bye Scully." Oh my god, she does like me, he thought as he turned towards her bathroom. But why? "I'm handsome? Yeah. I got a good personality? Yeah. I compliment her well? Hell, yeah! It's obvious I like her? Very. Ok so I guess that's attractive." He said to his reflection in the mirror. He fired up his saw and looked at the window. Now for my masterpiece, he thought as he started to cut a bigger window. 10:30 p.m. "Mrs. Mulder, sorry to wake you." Scully said as Mulder's mom answered the door. "Oh you didn't wake me Dr. Scully. To what do I owe the pleasure?" "I thought Mulder would need this, he left them over at my place." Scully said stepping inside, displaying his brush set. "Oh probably, he's down in the basement." His mom said leading her to the basement. Scully walked in, her eyes widening in wonder when she saw the magnificent works of art hidden down there. "WOW!" "I know, it's a waste of talent. OH he's asleep." His mom said quietly as she looked over at a near comatose Mulder, sprawled in an uncomfortable looking position on a workbench. "This one he's been working on for a while, he won't let me see it. Top secret he says." His mom said disappearing back upstairs, leaving Scully with the 'top secret' painting. Scully smiled and looked at his sleeping profile. So innocent, so free, she smiled evilly and uncovered the painting, gasping slightly when she stared into her blue green eyes. She had a flowing white gown on as she stood at the edge of a cliff. Her hair windblown, a smile on her face, she was beautiful, was this how he saw me? Free Spirit was written in the bottom corner by this initials. He thinks I'm free? He thinks I'm beautiful? Scully smiled and recovered the canvas carefully, stepping back and hitting something hard and warm. She turned quickly when she smelled a familiar scent. "Hey." "Hi, like what you saw?" Mulder said, his voice low, seductive. "Uh yeah, it was beautiful." "Your beautiful Dana." He said, his arms moving around her, holding her loosely. "Mulder . . ." "You are so enchanting and alluring, so special." "You don't know me Mulder. There are things about me that you don't want to know." "Your shadows make you beautiful and special Dana, and I love you." He said moving in for a kiss, but she stepped away from him. "I need to go, I just came to return your brush set. I thought you'd need it." Mulder nodded and backed away for her. "I'm sorry about . . ." "Don't be. Don't ever apologize for how you feel." She said, letting her hand slid down his face, her thumb caress his lips in a promise. 3 days later Saturday Mulder shined the stained glass and stood back looking at his handiwork. Perfect, he thought as he adjusted the placement of the tub so the light would hit it just right. He took off his shirt and wiped the porcelain polish off the tub carefully. Scully came up the stairs and watched him. The sweat rolling down his lean muscular back, the muscles moving fluidly as he stroked the tub exterior. She felt herself moving towards him, not of her own fruition, like he was pulling her. She felt herself kneel next to him and caress his wet back with just the tips of her fingers. He turned slowly and they locked eyes, they both understood immediately what the other needed, wanted, thought and he leaned forward. They kissed hungrily, mouths devouring each other as he lowered her on her back on the cool tile floor. His hands explored, and undressed her wildly. She learned his torso with her fingertips and kiss-swollen lips as she rained light kisses up and down his chest and neck. He moaned softly, rubbing his growing need into her thigh. "I need you, I love you. Please Dana, I need you to love me." He whispered as there joined hands undid his pants, and pushed them and his boxers down. Mulder's fingertips teased her inner thighs, and she opened to him as he slipped in-between her legs. She opened her eyes and looked deep into his fevered hazel ones. She saw the depth of emotion, longing and want in them and said the 4 words that would forever make him complete. "I love you too." He plunged deep inside her, fusing their souls, engraining himself on her heart with each gentle thrust. He released a heart-wrenching sob as he increased the power of his thrusts and she comforted him with her hands and soft whispers. He devoured her mouth, his tongue pushing deep, tasting as much of her as he could till they both found a blinding release together. He laid against her chest, looking up into her eyes, confused, scared, and happy. He smiled at her shyly and replaced his head on her stomach and sighed heavily. Mulder threw her nervous looks as they ate pizza in the kitchen. She caught his eyes and he blushed, looking away quickly "I'm sorry." "For what?" "I mean we . . what happens . .. we . . . we made love Scully." He said with a shocked tone. Scully laughed "Yes we did Mulder." "I mean, what's that mean? Was that it? Is it going to happen again? Do you want it to happen again? I know I . . ." "You what?" Scully asked amused by his insecurity, Mulder blushed more. "I want it to happen again." "Don't worry, it will." His head snapped up "I meant what I said Mulder, I love you." "But I'm a . . ." "A beautiful, special person too and I love you." "I love you too. Um next time . . .Next time we make love." "Yeah?" "Can we do it in your bedroom or something, the bathroom floor is cold." 4 weeks later Mulder knocked on Scully's door and adjusted his tie. He'd finished her house two weeks ago, but since that Saturday afternoon, everything had gone back to normal. Not even so much as a kiss. Mulder was worried, did she not mean what she said? Was it only a one-time thing? A tall red head with green eyes answered the door "Can I help you?" "Yeah, is Dana in?" "Maybe." "Well, can I see her?" "Maybe." "Ok" Mulder said, giving the red head a strange look "Dana, some guy is at the door for you." The red head said staring at Mulder appraisingly, letting out a hmmm of disgust. "Mulder hey come on in." Mulder started into the house, but the red head wouldn't budge. "Excuse me please." Mulder said softly. "Missy move." Scully said, moving the woman aside. "Hey, never thought I'd miss having you here everyday." Scully said as she leaned up and kissed him quickly on the cheek. He pulled out a single red rose from inside his jacket, handing it to her, kissing her soundly on the lips. "I missed you too. I was hoping you were free for dinner, I . . ." "Actually my family's here at the moment," She leaned up whispering in his ear. "I'd rather spend the evening in a bed of vicious scorpions." Mulder smiled and nodded. "Maybe another time?" "Sure . . ." "Dana, who are you talking with?" "Some guy." Missy said viciously. A large red-haired man appeared quickly. He was formidable looking, must be her father, Mulder thought as he fiddled with his tie. "Hello, who are you?" the man asked forcefully. "Fox Mulder sir." "Hmmm." Mulder flashed him a hopeful smile to which he got a reproachful glare. "I'll see you later Scully goodnight sir ma'am." "Night Mulder." As he walked away, he heard a loud voice say "OH Please don't tell me that was your boyfriend?! God you just love picking up rejects, don't you Dana?" Mulder sighed and got in his truck. "He is not a reject!" Scully defended "Oh lord, he is her boyfriend, what next!" Missy said storming back into the living room. "You refuse to marry Grady so you can date losers like that?" Her father bellowed. "That's not fair, you don't even know him!" "And I don't' care to. Look, Grady still loves and wants to marry you. Now give up this little doctor notion, the gigolo reject and marry him." "I don't love Grady! I never loved Grady, I never even liked Grady! I will not marry him, even if my life depended on it." "What if mine did?" "Don't go there Dad, you used that guilt trip on me 10 years ago, its' not going to work now. If one of us has to marry him, then let Missy marry him." "He doesn't love Missy." "And I don't love him. Am I supposed to be miserable for the rest of my life to make him happy, to make you happy?" "Selfish bitch." Missy hissed "No, you are the selfish ones. I am happy, I am content, I like my life and I'm going to live it the way I want." "No your not. You will marry Grady Andrews or you will be disowned." Her father said sternly. Scully's demeanor fell. "What?!" "You will marry him or we will disown you." "Mom? Are you agreeing with this?" Her mom looked at her with sad eyes and nodded yes. Scully released a defiant sigh. "We are staying here till you make the RIGHT decision." "I don't believe I'm hearing this! The right answer is no!" "No it's not, you'll see that soon enough." Scully rolled her eyes and grabbed her jacket quickly heading out the door. 10:30 p.m. Mulder's place Mulder opened the door and a sobbing Scully fell into his arms. "What in the . .." he started only to be kissed fiercely. "Scully? What's wrong?" he said, pulling away from her lips. She nodded no and hugged him tightly. "I need you." "Scully I . . ." "I need you to love me Mulder." She said looking at him with eyes full of pain. He nodded and led her to his bedroom and shut the door. His mom smiled as she sat downstairs sipping her coffee. I won't be getting any sleep tonight, she thought, smiling wider. It had been too long since she'd heard that sound coming from her son's room. Even better with some one like Dr. Scully. They're a good match. A little noisy though, I thought moving from upstairs would help, but I can still hear them, Jeez! She thought as a loud groan trailed down the stairs. Mulder thrust into her harder, just like she asked. This has to be hurting her, he thought. He didn't like rough sex and she was so petite. She looks like she's in pain, he thought as he slowed his thrusts. "No Mulder, harder." "No, I'm hurting you." "No your not." "Yes I am, I don't want to hurt you." "You bastard! You stupid, selfish bastard! Why won't you do what I tell you?!" "No I can't hurt you Scully, I can't." Mulder said softly, caressing her face with his fingertips, kissing her on the lips tenderly. She started to cry, breaking away from the kiss and holding him to her, her hands gripping his hair tightly. "You bastard! You sweet, loving, perfect bastard." She sobbed as he kissed her cheeks, trying to kiss away the tears. Mulder pulled out of her and brushed a strand of her fiery hair from her face. "What's wrong? Scully?" "I'm not giving up what I love. I'm won't give up my job or you, but I don't want to lose my family." She buried herself into his chest and he held her, trying to figure out what was wrong. Mulder woke up warmer than usual and turned to find the cause. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead gently. "Hey baby." His voice a tender growl. She smiled and snuggled into him more. "Mulder? I'm sorry I must have worried you earlier." "A little, I'm still worried." "My parents, my family. I . . remember I told you a while back about that guy everyone wanted me to marry?" "Yeah why?" "Well he still wants to marry me. You know what my dad told me last night? I think this is what really did it to me. He said that I will marry him or they're disowning me. He even said I should give up this little doctor notion and the gigolo reject." "Reject?! How dare! I'm as good a gigolo as anyone else." Scully giggled "And Scully? Tell me seriously, do I really look like a gigolo??" Scully laughed harder and sighed. "I don't want to lose my family Mulder." "I know family is . . ." "But I don't want to lose you either." "Well I could be the houseboy who's also you lover or how about this one, your own personal plaything or . . ." Scully snort laughed. "So that's a snort laugh!" She laughed harder. "Oh Mulder." "You could call me Fox if you want." He said shyly. "Fox, I love you so much, I wish I didn't have to make a choice." "I chose my family over what I loved. Family comes first Dana." "Not mine." "How can you say that?" "How can they make me choose if they really love me? If they really loved me, they would respect my decision not try and force me into one by using old guilt trips." "What do you mean?" "My dad always says what if his life depended on it. It only depends on it cause he drinks and gambles too much and loses. Grady would clear his debt, keep him that way if I marry him. I refuse to enable him. I refuse to marry someone I don't love." "I have an offer from an art gallery in New York." Mulder said, trying to change the subject. "Really?" Scully said, climbing onto his chest as he turned on his back. "Yeah, they want to buy my portrait of you for $100,000." "Your kidding, that's great!" "I don't want to sell it." "Mulder!" "What happened to Fox?" he said teasingly "It went out the window when you said you didn't want to sell." "It's special, something . . . I just can't part with it." "Mulder, this is your big chance!" "But a Chicago gallery offered me 500,000 for it." Scully slapped his playfully. "You should have told me that you mutt." Mulder laughed "So I'm selling it to them unless I get a better offer." "Yeah I think I'm worth a least a million." "Definitely. I love you so much Scully." He said kissing her hungrily, his growing need brushing past her thigh. "What was that?" "What was what?" "Something brushed . . . oh never mind found it." She said wrapping her hand around his swollen shaft, giving it a gentle squeeze. He arched, moaning loudly. "We never did finish, did we?" "No." He managed to choke out. "I think we should, don't you?" 2 days later "Your house is beautiful Dana." Her mom said quietly "Thank you Mulder did most of the remodeling himself. He hand painted the walls and the counter in the kitchen." Scully said excitedly, showing her mom around. "and he hand craved the rails for the stairs and my favorite thing the bathroom. Antique tub showered with color coming from my stained glass window." "He is talented, isn't he?" "Very. He does this on the side. He's a painter, he just sold a canvas for half a million dollars." "My word. He does sound nice." Scully sighed disappointed "It's not about the money mom, it's so much more, he has a great personality, he's . . ." "Not as much of a loser as we thought." "I never thought I'd see the day that you'd get shallow too Mom. I really didn't. That really hurts too." "I'm being realistic. I want you provided for so you don't have to work your butt off." "Has it occurred to you that I LIKE working my butt off?" "Why? You could be at home, have a baby or two, settle you down a little." "Ugh! I'm not hearing this. I've always wanted to be a doctor mom. Now I'm a good neurosurgeon. I like my job, I'm respected, paid very well, I am doing what I love. I have the house of my dreams . . ." "The man of your dreams?" "Not exactly. The man of my dreams looks just like Cary Grant with a beard and mustache." Her mom laughed slightly "But Mulder's right for me. Grady's not, he never will be." 1 1/2 weeks later "Your families still in town?" "Yeah, they said there not leaving till I make the right decision." Scully said linking her fingers with his as they walked along the beach. "Have you?" "Yes I have, but it's not the decision they want." Mulder quickly changed subjects. "I sold your picture for 1 mil to a gallery in California, they want more of my work too. They want to do an art tour with my stuff." "That's great Mulder, your really hitting the big time." "It's cause of you." "No, it's cause your talented." "No, it's because of you. You're my inspiration." Scully stopped, smiling up at Mulder. "Mulder." "You are Scully. Plus you sent them a Polaroid of some of my stuff." "How'd you find out about that?" "Mike told me. Said his buddy Dana sent him these awesome Polaroid's of her painting and some other stuff." "Mike can never keep a secret." "Thank you." "For what?" "For having faith in me." "Your more than welcome." He smiled and kissed her soundly on the lips, pulling her to him. He slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue invading her mouth, tasting her. He gently started to rub against her, his growing need stabbing her thigh, she pulled away "What?" "Not here Mulder." "Where?" "Jeez Mulder." "We haven't made love in almost 2 weeks." "Mulder, just settle down." He sighed heavily "I'm sorry, I just . .I just . .. " "Just what?" Scully said with an amused smile "I just enjoy making love to you Scully." She flushed wildly as he looked at her intensely. His arousal making his eyes change color wildly. "Fine Mulder." "Come on." He said pulling her slightly "Where are we going?" "Inside." "Mulder can't you . . ." "No come on." Scully laughed as Mulder headed in his house. Mulder snuggled into Scully more and sighed contentedly "Hey." She said turning towards him, kissing him gently "Hey" he growled back. "Feel better?" "Yeah." Scully smiled "Good, I gotta go." "No, stay." "I can't." "Why not?" "I just got paged." "Oh." Mulder said, releasing her from his grasp. Scully answered her page quickly. "Scully." "Dana where are you? This is your father." "I'm out, why?" "Well get back here, we got a surprise for you." Your leaving? She thought. "Okay see you in a few minutes." "Who was that?" Mulder said, kissing her arm gently, letting his fingertips glide along her back. "My dad, they have a surprise for me." "They're leaving?" "That's what I thought. Doesn't sound like it. Want to go out for dinner and movie tonight? My treat." "No, my treat, sure sounds fine. I'll pick you up about 7 k?' "Sure pick a movie, a good one." "'K baby later." He said leaning up and kissing her tenderly on the lips. "There you are." Her father said "I had to finish shopping. What's so surprising?" "Look who's here to visit." "Dana, my you still are as lovely as I remember." "Grady?!" "Yep." A tall black-haired man said, his piercing blue eyes burning into her. Great, just what I don't need!, she thought "Hopefully your staying at a hotel." "Well I could, I was . . ." "And hopefully you and my family are leaving tomorrow!" "Dana is that anyway to treat a guest?" her mom scolded "Yes, an uninvited guest. Look Grady, nothing personal, however . . . ah never mind. I am upstairs relaxing in my bathroom, excuse me!" Scully said running up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door. "She didn't seem very receptive." Grady said flatly to her father. "Ah she'll come around Grady. I mean look at this dump, god and you should see her reject boyfriend." "Actually I think this house is beautiful. I love the marble staircase and this scene on the wall just beautiful." "Well then when you two get married you can keep it." Grady shrugged, and nodded. "Come on Maggie made up one of the rooms for you." Scully let the vanilla scented candles relax away her worries. I don't believe they invited him down to my house! Do they think they own the place?! That's it hospitality aside, they have worn out there welcome. It's time to get tough. She pushed play on the CD player and sighed when she heard the soothing strains of Bach come through. Only Mulder would think to put a CD player unit in the wall next to the tub. Only Mulder would be so thoughtful, only Mulder. She sighed as she remembered how he looked just over an hour ago as he was making love to her. His hands slowly seducing her, his eyes feral with passion and love. His tender kisses, talented tongue, his deep voice telling her how much he loved her. He loved her the way she needed to be loved. She sighed again closing her eyes and almost falling asleep when a feather light touch brushed across her cheek. Mulder? She thought as she leaned into his touch to get a hint of his intoxicating scent. Instead she smelled a pleasant but sweet smell, not Mulder's scent of something sweet, a little spicy from his soap and deodorant, this smelled like cologne. Her eyes snapped open and she looked in lightening blue eyes "Grady, what are you doing in here?" she said slightly irritated "Just wanted to talk. I'm sorry for the intrusion, your father said he told you I was coming." "No he didn't. Look Grady, your a great guy, but I don't love you, and I can't marry some one I don't love." "How do you know you don't love me? You never tried, you never even went out with me once." "Cause I'm not attracted to you at all." "Couldn't you grow to love me?" "Over time but probably not until your dead. I'll be like, Oh I loved him so much." Grady chuckled "I'm not giving up on you Dana." "Whatever Grad, but you can make yourself useful and hand me my towel." Mulder smoothed his sweater and rang her bell, a tall black-haired man answered, his piercing blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Hi." "Hello, is Dana in?" Mulder asked cheerfully. "Sure come on in. Grady Andrews, Dana's Fiance." "Fox Mulder, Dana's boyfriend. It's a good think we met since we're sharing the same woman." Mulder said with a smile. Grady appraised the man quickly, Handsome, mystical hazel eyes, short brown hair, strong jaw and features, nice build, rough but soft hands, manual laborer definitely. "What do you do Fox?" "Yeah Fox, I'm named after my grandfather. I'm an artist." "An artist. Your unemployed?" "No, I just recently sold some of my pieces to a gallery in California, and a few to one in New York. I also like to remodel houses on the side." "Really? Which houses have you done?" "The governors mansion, a few friends, the one your standing in now. Is Dana upstairs?" "Uh yes." Grady said shocked. He is good, he thought as he watched him walk up the stairs. "Hey sunshine." "Mulder, I'll be ready in a minute." "K just met your surprise." "Did you now? Did you play nice?" "Of course. I'll wait down stairs for you, gotcha something." He said placing a long rectangular box on her bed. "Thank you, you didn't have to." "I wanted to, take your time, I'll go play with your surprise some more." Mulder came down the stairs and smiled as Grady's eyes locked on his. "So who did you get to do the wall mural in the living room?" "I did it. The only thing I didn't do by myself was the deck and the fireplace." "Your kidding?" "Nope." Grady appraised him again. I can see why Dana's attracted to him, he's going to be a hard man to win her affections from. "So um where you going?" "Dinner and a movie." "Hmmm." "Her idea." "Do you have a gallery here for your . . ." "No." "Studio?" "No, I work out of my home." "Oh I'd love to see some of your work." "Your looking at one now." "Your other art work." "Maybe one day." Mulder said smiling as Scully came down the stairs "Really?" "Yeah, nice meeting you Grady." "Nice meeting you too, Fox?" "Yeah Fox bye." Mulder linked his fingers with Scully's, leaving quickly. "You are just surrounded by creeps, aren't you?" Mulder said once they got outside. "I know, but Grady's one of the better creeps. I think he's determined to woo me though." "Lol!" Scully snort laughed as she climbed into his truck. "See what I mean Grady? Genuine Loser" her father said coming up behind Grady as he watched Scully and Mulder leave. "Not really. He's a talented artist and Dana loves him He's going to be a hard man to beat." 3 days later Scully pulled up her parking brake and sighed. I could use a bath, some sleep, and a little Mulder, she thought with a smile as she got out of the car and headed in the house. "About time you got home." Her father grumbled, "What's the point of having a nice house if your never here to enjoy it?" Scully rolled her eyes and walked up the stairs. "It's 6 am and your just coming in from going to work 2 days ago." "Dad, your right, it's 6 a.m. why are you up anyway? Please leave me alone. I'm taking a bath, then getting some sleep. I have a 3 day weekend, I'm going to enjoy it." Scully placed her stuff in her room and started to undress when she saw it. Her blue eyes staring at her, hair flowing, cradling his head in her arms. She smiled as she read the title in the corner 'Where I Belong.' "This is perfect Mulder, but where am I going to put it?" she said to herself as she wrapped her robe around her and headed to her bathroom. She relaxed into the hot tub water and closed her eyes, thinking of all the ways she was going to thank Mulder when she felt a feather light touch graze her cheek. "What do you want Grady?" "To say hi." "Hi Grady." "Your exhausted." "Very, but a good exhausted. I saved someone's leg that any other doc would have amputated and saved some one from being brain damaged for the rest of their lives." "That does sound nice" "It's why I love my job so much. Make yourself useful and wash my back will you Grady?" "Sure. So this Mulder . . . do you love him?" "Very much." "Oh." "He's so right for me, understands me completely, never tries to tie me down. The way he loves me is amazing. I've never been this taken with anyone before. Thanks, hand me my towel." Grady obeyed as she wrapped the towel around her and dried off. He went and sat on her bed, looking around her room. His eye caught a painting in her recliner, a painting of herself, holding a dark-haired man. She looked so enchanting, so free, the man so content. He looked closer, seeing the familiar FWM initials in the corner under the words 'Where I belong' "Like it?" Scully said suddenly, making Grady jump "Yes it's beautiful, Mulder painted this?" "Yep. He likes to use me in his paintings. What is weird is he paints me perfectly and I don't pose for him. It's all in his head, this is how he sees me. He thinks I'm alluring, beautiful, enchanting and free and he paints me that way. Now Grady, I'd love to chat however my bed is calling me, Goodbye." Grady nodded and left closing her door quietly "I think I need to pack up and leave right now." He told her father as he headed down stairs "Huh why?" "She's totally in love with this Mulder guy. He's totally in love with her, I don't stand a chance in heck!" "Of course you do, just keep trying. Be more aggressive." "More aggressive? He remodeled her house for her by himself! He's thoughtful, kind, and romantic. He paints portraits of her, gorgeous canvases, next thing you know he'll start serenading her and writing love poems." "Trust me, you can beat this guy, do you want her?" "Yes." "Then fight for her." 7 p.m. Mulder straightened his tie and waited for the door to open. Grady answered, throwing Mulder a look of disgust "Hello Grady." "Hello FOX." "Dana up?" "No she's not." "Poor thing, I bought her some flowers to cheer her up." "I'll give them to her. Good night." Grady said shutting the door on Mulder hard. Ok! He's playing hard ball that's fine, Dana's mine, he's just striving after the wind, Mulder thought as he got in his truck and pulled away. 9 p.m. "Here, your boyfriend dropped these by." Grady said dropping the flowers Mulder had brought on the kitchen counter "Thanks Grady." "Dana, marry me." No." Scully said, brushing past him to the fridge. "You are mine Dana, the sooner you see that, the better. Drop this loser and . . ." "I'm not yours Grady. I never was and never will be. I will not be controlled, don't start resorting to scare tactics now cause they won't work." She said pouring herself a glass of milk. "Are you done?" Grady asked viciously "I'm just getting warmed up actually." "Your being unreasonable." "And your not hearing a word I'm saying. So lets end this conversation now. I'm going back to bed." "Your exhausted Dana. Normal human beings can't work like this. Let me take care of you, you don't have to work like this." "I like my work, it's tiring yes, but I love it. I'm not going to give it up so I can do what?" "Settle down and have a family." "Ugh! You sound like my mom. I don't want to settle down and have a family yet, and I certainly don't want to do it with you!" Scully said storming up the stairs and slamming her bedroom door. Saturday 11 a.m. Mulder knocked on the door, and smiled as Grady opened it. "Hello Grady." Grady's eyes narrowed in rage as he charged Mulder, knocking him on his back "Leave her alone! She doesn't want to see you." "Um Grady? You alright?" Mulder said, getting up and dusting himself off. "I'll be fine when you leave my fiance alone." "Grady, she hasn't . . ." "Yes she has." Mulder looked at him confused, "Last night." "Last night? She accepted your proposal last night? Look Grady, I understand you have strong feelings for Dana too, but she doesn't love you and she won't ever love you. Now please move out of my way." Grady didn't move. "I know about you Fox Mulder." "Oh really?" Mulder said, getting irritated with the man before him "Yes, you really are a loser. Your dad and sister kill themselves and your mom breaks down. You had to give up college to take care of her. Your nothing but a manual laborer who Dana did a big favor. If she hadn't pulled some strings, you wouldn't have ever been 'noticed' by the art world, then what? You hardly make 15,000 a year. You couldn't even provide for your own mother, what were you going to do? Sponge off Dana? Was that your plan?" "It actually wasn't my plan to fall in love with her at all, it just did. Your just upset that some one like me could end up being the person she loves. Hurts, doesn't it?" "Oh please, you're an incompetent screw up. You can't hold a job, you can't provide for her, you still live with your mother! What's more pathetic than that! How do you actually think you could satisfy . . ." Grady was stopped by Mulder's fist connecting with his jaw. "Shut up you insensitive jerk!" Mulder screamed as he moved to beat Grady into the ground. "Mulder?" He heard a soft voice say and looked up into the confused eyes of Scully. "Oh Scully, I'm sorry I didn't mean to . . I just . . " "It's ok, he gets what he deserves. Come on, I need out of this mad house." She said, grabbing his hand and pulling him away. "He must have really pissed you off. I've never seen you lose your temper before." "Yeah, I don't really want to talk about it." "Sure, I'm at my wits end with them too." Mulder smiled and held her closer to him "Did you like your surprise?" "Yes that was beautiful Mulder." She said cuddling into him more and watching the waves roll in. "It's where you belong." She said softly, he smiled and sighed "I'm not selling the original." "Oh, the one I have is a copy?" "Yeah, the original is in my basement." "Mulder, it's beautiful. As long as I have a copy, go ahead and sell it." She said as his hands kneaded the tension out of her back. "Your tense." "Yeah, this was supposed to be a relaxing weekend." Mulder snort laughed and kissed her neck tenderly "Why don't you let me relax you then?" he said in a seductive whisper. She smiled and nodded as she felt his growing need twitch with delight at her answer. He smiled as he lead her inside. Grady's eyes narrowed as he watched them pass by him without noticing him. Off to enjoy his services, he thought as they went inside. Mulder ravaged her mouth as he thrust into her slowly. Groaning loudly and whimpering, as her hands teased his skin. "Your being too gentle Mulder." "I like to . . ." "I like it when you're a little more aggressive." She purred. He smiled and increased the intensity of his thrusts. "Oh Dana." He groaned, blushing slightly "Did that feel good to you baby?" Scully teased "Very good, so good. I never want you to leave." "Don't you dare start proposing now." "I won't, I won't oh, oh God Dana you feel so good." She smiled and kissed him hard, hungrily attacking his mouth. He lifted and pinned her against the headboard, slamming into her harder and faster. His orgasm exploded into her as he screamed "Marry me Scully oh god Marry me." Before collapsing back on the bed. That felt weird, she thought as she looked at the mangled condom on his slowly deflating cock and gasped. "Shoot it broke!" "Huh?" "The condom broke!" "When?" "Probably during that orgasm of yours Tarzan." Mulder blushed, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry, but that was one of the best ones I've ever had. When's your period supposed to start?" "Uh in about two and a half weeks." Why'd he want to know that? She thought "We're ok." "Oh we are?" "Yeah, I had a girlfriend once who practiced the rhythm method." "Oh really?" "Yeah, refused to sleep with me if I wore a condom. I didn't stay with her long, I was so scared that she was pregnant. She never was, but still." He removed the broken condom, throwing it away as he went to the bathroom to wash his face. "Mulder? You weren't seriously proposing, were you?" "Huh? God No Scully. I . . that just felt so good, I don't know . .. you blow my mind." Scully blushed as he came back to the bed. She looked at his naked body and let her fingers run down his chest. He caught her hand before it went lower and kissed it as he sat next to her. He sighed and reached for his boxers when she stopped him. "No, not right now, come back to bed where you belong." He smiled and cuddled into her side. His hand brushed her cheek and he kissed her gently, rolling her on her back "I love you, I love you." She whispered as he ravaged her neck with kisses. Her hands clutching and running through his silky hair as he climbed back over top of her. She felt his renewed erection teasing her entrance, and she opened to him. He plunged in quickly. This feels different, she thought instantly. "Mulder? Mulder?" he sped up his thrusts, and looked at her with loving eyes. She smiled and pulled his head down to rest on her chest while they made love. He hummed with pleasure as she petted his hair. She laughed and looked at the clock on the nightstand, gasping when she saw the unopened condom sitting there. "Mulder?" he hummed in reply, clutching her tighter to him as his climax started "Mulder, get off me now. Mulder?" He groaned as he rose up off her chest and tried to snag her lips in a kiss. "Mulder, you don't have a condom on, get off me now." "I'm almost there." "No, get off." "Please, let me come inside you." "What?!" "Oh this feels like heaven." Oh boy he's lost it, she thought as she pushed him off her, pulling away from him as he splashed the bed, himself and her thighs with his cum. He gazed at her with sated lovesick eyes as he collapsed on the bed again. Scully got up quickly and got in the shower. Mulder woke up moments later, he felt sticky, and really good. He opened his eyes and found himself alone on the bed. "Scully?" he said softly as he got up trying to clear his head. He smiled when he heard the shower running and grabbed the condom by the bed. He walked in the shower with her and watched her frantically scrubbing her skin. She felt his presence and turned on him quickly. He was already erect again, and she slapped him hard in the face. "What was that for?" He asked holding his face in shock. "What did you think you were doing?!" "I'm tired of using these when we make love." Hs said displaying the condom in his hand. She slapped him again harder. "Mulder you have to use some precautions. I'm not ready to have a baby yet." "Maybe I am." He said softly "What?!" "Maybe I am, have you ever thought of that? Maybe I want to spend the rest of my life with you? Maybe I want to have more than an I'm your best friend till something traumatic happens and I need a good Screw!" Scully slapped hard, making his eyes water. "I just want a commitment. Something that tells me that when you are ready to finally settle down that I will be the man you settle down with." "And you think . .." "No, all I want is your trust." "You have my trust. I just don't trust my body. Look once I'm . . ." "If you trusted me you would have thought of a more permanent form of Birth control by now. If you loved me . . ." "Mulder, I do love you. I do trust you, I'm just scared. I've never felt this way about any one before. Look, I'll look into using something else when we make love I promise. Right now, put that thing on," she said pointing to the condom in his hand, "So I can take care of that for you, it looks painful." Mulder blushed shyly, putting on the condom and pulling her into a hungry kiss. "Oh I do love it when your aggressive Fox Mulder." 8 p.m. A commitment, the man you settle down with, she thought as she walked in her door smiling. Next thing you know he'll give me a commitment ring, she giggled to herself at her thought when she saw the flicker of the fireplace. "Testing to my fireplace? It's not THAT cold." She said stopping dead when she saw her family and Grady looking at Mulder's painting, suspiciously close to the open flames. "What are you doing with my paint?" she asked softly "What is this? I thought we told you to break it off with this loser? You are marrying Grady that's that. He has my blessing my permission and a plane ticket for you to go back to California with him tomorrow." Grady smiled smugly at Dana. "Well he doesn't have my permission. I'm a 32-year-old woman. You can not tell me or force me to do a damn thing! Now put that down." Scully said coming closer to them "What this?" Grady said looking down at the painting, "Ok." He brought it crashing down over his knee and Scully screamed in horror as it split in two. "Oops, guess it was fragile." He said as he threw the two halves in the fire. Scully ran over, watching it melt into the flames, angry tears streaking her face. "That's what you get for being with him all day! Now go upstairs and pack your things, we're going home." Grady said in a commanding tone. "NO, I am home. You get out! All of you, get out of my house, get out of my life!" "What?" her father said shocked "Right now before I call the police and have you removed by force. I never want to see any of you again." "Dana you don't mean . . ." Grady said, grabbing her arm. She whirled around, pushing him hard, wrenching her arm away. "Dr. Scully to you and yes I mean it. Out now! Don't ever come back, you come within 30 feet of my house or me and I will have you arrested." She said sternly, watching them slink out of the room. She picked up the phone and dialed his number quickly, sobs catching in her throat. "Mulder." "Mulder?" she sobbed into the phone. "Dana? Dana you alright?" "Mulder." She sobbed back "I'll be right there." He said hanging up quickly. She hung up and crumpled into a ball by the fireplace, sobbing hysterically. Mulder parked and ran in the house. "What are you doing here?" Grady hissed as he came down the stairs. Mulder gave him a withering glare and headed to Scully "Dana? Baby you okay?" he said, crouching down in front of her. She shook her head no and reached for him. He sat next to her and gathered her into his arms as she continued crying. "What happened? What did he do?" He asked softly, she nodded no. He sighed and petted her hair, whispering I love you in her ear. Grady threw down his bags and stormed over to them. "Get away from her." "What did you do to her?" Mulder asked, his voice dangerously low. "I said get away from her." "What did you do to her?" Mulder repeated sharply. "What should have been done earlier." "He broke my painting in two and burned it. I told them to leave." Scully managed to get out between sobs. "Then why aren't you gone yet? She doesn't want you here." "What makes you think she wants you here?" "She called me, she called me in tears and I came. I came as fast as I could cause I have never heard her sound so helpless before. Now if you don't leave with in the next five minutes, I will not hesitate to throw your narrow butt out that door!" Mulder said, glaring at Grady as Scully snuggled into him more. Grady growled in anger and left. "It's okay, he's gone, he won't hurt you anymore. I'm here now, where I belong, and I won't leave." Epilogue 1year later Scully sat in front of the fireplace and snuggled back into his comforting chest. He hummed slightly, the vibrations running through her, making her smile. Mulder's hand slid over hers, the clink of there wedding rings sliding over each other making him smile. He's successful, and happy, with a family of his own, everything I've always wanted him to have, his mother thought as she sipped her coffee in the kitchen where it all began.