From xing@icanect.net Mon Dec 23 10:52:31 1996 Disclaimer: Well as we all know, anything remotely connected to the "X-Files" is not mine, so I must insist that everyone must stop sending me those royalty checks! Mulder, Scully and so on are the property of Chris Carter and Co. I am borrowing them for entertainment value only. I promise to give them back, one of these days........ Summary: Let's just say the internet has some influence in Mulder and Scully's lives. Rating : PG. No swearing, sex, violence. Classification: SA, and maybe some slight MSR. Mostly fluff. :) Warning : No spoilers, but as I said, it's very "fluffy" Authors notes : Notes?? Hmm... I think they are acting as a bookmark in my Psychology book. Ah well - I'll dig them up *next* term! Oh - I wrote this a while back, and I just recently found it - so here it is! Any coments - please send them to . I covet E-mail! Thank you! White Carnation by: Keri Givens 5-9-96 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> SEIZE THE MOMENT Tall, intelligent, romantic, spiritual, funny, SWM. Enjoys dancing, talking, and quite times. Looking for someone to journey throughout the vastness of ones own imagination. E-Mail : Id@tridant#1108 Scully read the add again. Should she? She had to admit, the idea was a little, well strange, definitely nothing she had done before. She looked around her. In her apartment, alone, on a Friday night. Pathetic. " I wonder what Mulder is doing?" she thought aloud. Knowing Mulder - he was probably out trying to pick up some gorgeous brunette - not that she cared, she quickly reminded herself. They were always teasing each other about getting lives, well she might as well make the first move. She turned to her computer and began typing. Id, Hello! In reply to your add - I am a SWF, petite, intelligent; among other things. Love talking and "quite times" when I get the chance! Dancing sounds wonderful ! - Day ******************************** Monday - 11:30am At the Office Mulder finished typing, stood up and stretched. "I'm going to see if I can scrounge up anything to eat - want something?" Scully stopped her filing for a moment and looked up at him. " Sure - as long as it isn't Twinkies again." " I'm hurt Scully." " Do you think you could grab me a bottle of water while you're at it?" " I aim to please ." Scully waited until she was positive he was gone. She closed the filing cabinet, sat down at her computer; put in a disk and opened the E-Mail she had saved to read this morning- she began reading. Day, "Hope, like the gleaming taper's light - Adorns and cheers our way...." Care to talk? Meet me in a chat room tonight around 7:00 ? Hope to see you then. --- Id "What are you reading Scully?" She quickly closed her mail and turned around. " Oh - um... nothing much." she said grabbing the water from Mulder- taking a long drink. He stood back and studied her. " What?" she asked " It's amazing what nothing can do for the color of your cheeks." ******************************** 2 Weeks Later Scully's apartment - Friday night Scully sat down at her computer and opened up her E-mail. Another message from Id - she smiled. It was amazing she thought. She had only talked to this man for two weeks, didn't know his name, what he looked like - heck she hadn't even heard his voice. Yet, for some really strange reason, it didn't seem to matter. It was almost as though they already knew each other. She heard that chat rooms were very.... (what was the word ?)... impersonal. Talking with Id wasn't. She told him about work and little everyday things. He told her about things he wanted to do- when he "had a moment to kick back". She had also found out that he too had a job with the government, but he said he rather not talk about his work -he liked hearing about her better. She went into the chat room and began typing. Id - are you out there? Define "out there" ;) She smiled. How was work? Okay....a little dull actually. Dull? So, am I your source of entertainment? Maybe ;) You flirt. Scully giggled. Need to finish packing.....seminar in Boston on Monday. Boston ?!? My partner and I are attending a seminar there on Monday too. " Things are where things are, and as fate has willed. So shall they be fulfilled." Would you care for dinner Monday night ? I know the perfect spot. Scully thought for a moment. This was *definitely* a BIG step. What if neither of them were what the other expected? What if.... Okay get a grip, it's only dinner - not a marriage proposal. She decided to go for it - besides what could it hurt ? I'd love to. How will we recognize each other? You said you had red hair right? Yes. I'll be the tall intelligent man wearing a flower. Intelligent ? What proof do I have of that? None... what can I say? :) So... a flower ? Sure :) A white carnation, on my jacket. I can't wait ;) Neither can I. I'll mail you later with directions and a time for dinner. Till then... Goodnight. She turned off her computer, smiling while she stretched. Monday .... she had to pack. She went into her room and opened the closet. Suit after practical suit. She wrinkled her small roman nose. These were fine for work but, she wanted something a little more....well fun. Time to go shopping. ******************************** Saturday - 7:30am Scully stood in her kitchen sipping her coffee, the phone to her ear. ... 2 rings ... 3 ... come on, pick up ... 4 ... " Hello?" mumbled a sleepy voice. " Mulder, it's me - are you awake?" "Scully it's 7:30 in the morning, and you want to know if I'm awake?" " That's what I asked. " "Well, for your information - I was sleeping very soundly .." he yawned "..until someone so kindly woke me up." " You can thank me later Mulder. " " Ha, ha Scully." " I need you to go shopping with me." " Shopping!! You must be joking - I'm going back to bed." " Oh no you're not, I'll be over at 8 - so be ready." He groaned. " See you then Mulder - bye." ******************************** 8:32 am - Dadeland Mills Mall " I can't believe you dragged me out of bed to go to a mall. No sane man would be here." Mulder yawned once more. "Mulder - no one ever said you were sane. Besides, I need a man's opinion" He suddenly looked interested. "Since when do you go shopping for our little trips ?" " I don't, I just felt like buying a new outfit." Mulder raised his eyebrows. " Hot date Scully ?" She kept walking. ******************************** Later .... Scully walked up to the last rack and looked through it. She pulled out a green velvet dress (hmm .... that might work) She turned to Mulder. " Another dress! ?!" He groaned. " You big baby, this is the last one. Now, I'm going to try them on and I want your honest opinion, okay ?" She went into the dressing room and tried on the first dress. Royal blue - simple design. She turned to look in the mirror. It brought out the fairness of her skin and the intensity of her hair and eyes. Not bad she thought. Okay - time to show Mulder. She opened the door and walked out. " Well ..." she turned around once. "What do you think?" Mulder turned around and seemed only capable of staring at his partner. Scully wasn't sure if this was a good sign or not. She turned and looked at her reflection in the mirror once more. She didn't look bad in this dress, did she? "Mulder? How does it look?" He seemed to regain some composure and quickly answered. "It looks fine Scully." "Fine? Is that all he can come up with? Some help he is." she thought to herself. "Well stuff him, I don't need his opinion anyway." she thought as she turned back into the dressing room. After a few minutes of trying on the remaining dresses she decided on one of them. She was just worried this was a big mistake, and in one brief second, she almost considered canceling the whole date plan and staying home where it was safe and secluded...and lonely. "It's now or never." she thought to herself. For once in her life she ought to have a bit of nerve. She quickly found a register and paid for the dress before some kind of other thought could persuade her otherwise. ******************************** Monday evening Scully stood before the tiny motel mirror silently cursing her curling iron that seemed to have no intention of heating up anytime within the next century. She was a nervous wreck. Would everything go okay tonight? Would this man be a complete lunatic? What if he wasn't interested in her once they met? What if....? Scully tried to regain her composure. If she tensed up now, she certainly wouldn't be able to enjoy herself later. She sighed as she finished her hair and stepped back to look at herself in the mirror. Satisfied with the results she gathered her coat and purse and stepped outside to hail a taxi. ******************************** Inside a restaurant 9:00 pm Scully sat at the table and drank what must have been her tenth glass of water. She looked at her watch once more. Three hours. Stood up. She had been stood up. She wasn't sure whether to cry or scream. She should have never done this in the first place. Stood up by someone she had never met, or for that matter someone she wasn't sure she wanted to meet at all now. How Mulder would tease her about this if he ever found out. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she quickly left the restaurant and went outside. She was thankful for the cold wind that quickly dried her tears. She wished that she had never gone through with this. She would be so grateful to get back to DC tomorrow morning. Anything was better than this, even an encounter with giant brain-sucking roach would seem comforting. She waited a few more minutes, hoping that a taxi would appear, but eventually she gave up and started walking back towards the motel, grateful for the fact that it was at least not too terribly far from the restaurant. "Scully??" She turned around and found herself looking at Mulder. "M..Mulder! What are you doing out here in this weather?" "I should be asking you the same question Scully. It's thirty degrees out here. Why didn't you get a cab?" " I couldn't find one, okay?" 'What are you doing out here in the first place Scully?" Mulder asked and then noted his partners expression. "Scully, are you okay?" "I'm fine Mulder." she said trying to put up a facade. "Well then, do you mind if I walk with you?" She shrugged and continued walking. "It's a nice night don't you think?" Mulder asked in attempt to start a conversation. "Mulder I appreciate the fact that you are concerned for me, but I really don't feel like talking okay?" "That's fine Scully, you don't have to talk, but I know something is bothering you and I will just have to bug you until I find out what it is. Of course if you just tell me now it will save us both a lot of time." Scully suddenly stopped walking and turned around to face Mulder. "Is there something wrong with me?" "What?" Mulder asked, clearly confused. "Is there something defective about me? Am I not smart enough? Am I not attractive? Anything?" "What on earth makes you ask those kinds of questions?" "Please don't give me any run-around Mulder, I need to know." "There is absolutely nothing wrong with you Scully, I promise." She gave a half smile. " I wish I could believe you Mulder." "Why can't you?" "Because I..." her voice trailed off and a few tears escaped from her eyes. "Scully, it's okay. You know you can tell me what it is, right?" She nodded and took a deep breath. "You know Mulder, for once in my life I thought that I had met someone that was perfect for me, someone that ... I don't know how to explain it - it was almost like we were..." "Soul mates?" Mulder asked. "Maybe." she shrugged her shoulders. 'But what ever it was that I thought I felt...it doesn't matter now. And even now I'm not sure that it matters at all." Mulder reached over and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Scully, don't say that. There was something, but he must have missed it, and I'm sorry that he hurt you, but it's his loss." "So, Mulder. You never told me what *you* were doing out here." Scully said in attempts to change the conversation. Mulder grinned "Well, I was supposed to meet a friend for dinner tonight...but I guess you could say I changed my mind." "Changed your mind?? Care to explain your motivations for that one Mulder?" "Well.... let's just say that I figured I didn't need to go off searching for another friend when I've got someone who is the best friend I have ever had or will probably ever have." They suddenly found themselves in front of their motel. "That was certainly a quick walk." Scully said. "I always find I walk faster when I'm freezing my butt off." Mulder said with a grin. Scully smiled. "Thanks Mulder." "I'll see you in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed." "Bushy-tailed yes, but I can't promise bright-eyed. Goodnight Mulder." Scully said with a smile as she walked down to her room. Mulder waited till she was in her room before entering his own. He sighed as he sat down on his bed and pulled off his shoes, slowly allowing his body to defrost from the bitter cold outside. He stood up after a few minutes to pull off his trench coat. He looked in the mirror noticed something pinned to the lapel of his jacket. He unpinned it and threw it in the trash can beside the mirror. Mulder took one last look at the white carnation lying inside the can, and smiled. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Coments? Suggestions? Please send them to . Thanks!