Grace's First Light. My first night in town and already my sister is trying to get me hooked up. Dana Scully thought as she bustled around her apartment to get ready. From what she tells me he's nice, professional, and good looking. She hoped she was dressed right, one of her black power suits with the 3/4 length jacket, softened by a bright yellow shirt and her 2 inch platforms. She let her fire truck red hair hang straight, tucked simply behind her ears, except for that always errant and rebellious strand of her grown out bangs. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, calm down, calm down. The door bell rang and she jumped. Great here he is and I'm more high strung than a cat, I hope he's half as nervous. She opened the door, took a deep breath which was noisily exhaled when she saw him. Wow he is handsome. Perfect hazel eyes covered by long lashes, a strong jaw, a perfectly pouty lower lip and a head full of painfully straight chestnut hair, cut really close and parted towards the middle. He was equally shocked and robbed of coherent speech. She was beautiful, petite with just above shoulder length fire red hair, ocean blue eyes, a smattering of freckles over her fine roman nose, splashing her porcelain skin with color. He handed her a single white rose robotically and said "Hello, my name is Fox Mulder, you are Dana Scully?" His smoky smooth voice caressing her name. " Yes thank you Fox. It's a lovely rose, been a while since I've seen a white one. Do you want to come in?" "Yes, um Dana? Can we get one thing straight before this continues?" Dana was shocked by the sudden serious tone and turned to look at him quizzically thinking, oh great why are all the cute ones axe murderers? "I don't like . . . I don't like to be called Fox, please could you call me Mulder instead." Dana breathed a sigh of relief and said "No problem Mulder, if it makes you more comfortable, why don't you call me Scully. Now I'm starved, let's go eat." Mulder smiled and opened her door for her. This may not be so bad after all, Mulder thought. He wasn't exactly ecstatic about the idea of blind dates, but Scully was something else. There was just something about her that interested him. As they were seated in the Pillar, a nice Italian restaurant in the heart of Boston, Mulder ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and asked, " So what do you do Scully?" "I'm going to be the new Medical examiner for Boston General Hospital" " Really, a M.E.? Any post mortem horror stories?" "Well, there was the time the severed hand ran off the table and the guy sat up and watched it." Mulder's eyes widened " Whoa!! Did you freak?" " Kinda, when the guy watched it, but then he fell back and I checked his vitals. He was definitely dead. Is your work as exciting?" "Well kind of, but with you there I'm sure it will get a little more interesting." Scully tilted her head slightly in answer " I'm the chief clinical social worker for Boston General. I handle the tough cases." "So I know you have some horror stories to share." "Plenty. I don't want to depress you though. So tell me about yourself." As Scully went through her usually spiel, graduated John's Hopkins, navy brat, she wondered why she was so at ease with Mulder. She had just met him, but he had gotten farther conversationally than her last boyfriend. " What about you Mulder?" " Well I was born and raised in Chilmark. I got an academic scholarship to Oxford, majored in psychology and started working here about 7 years ago. My sister was kidnaped by a serial killer when I was twelve. During my brief stint with the police department as a profiler, I had the privilege to profile and help catch him. I study the occult and mystical arts and alien abductions, for years I thought Samantha was taken by them, but I realized I was mistaken when they found her body where Roche said it was. I really enjoyed watching him fry." Scully could feel her eyes widening with each atrocity that spewed from his lips. Talk about first hand experience. She felt herself connecting with this lost soul as he spoke, his emotions rising and clouding his voice, then he stopped. " I'm sorry, I'm boring you. Either that or your trying to find some way to get out of here without betraying your cool exterior." Scully giggled and Mulder smiled and relaxed some. " No, your definitely not boring me. It's just I'm surprised you feel so comfortable with me to tell me something that personal about yourself. It's only adding to my forming impression of you." " Oh really which impression is that?" " That you're a nice guy who is more sensitive than he looks, and could turn out to be a very good friend." Mulder smiled then asked, " All that from my life story?" " Yep! I pride myself in being a good judge of character. Your character is good, but I sense great fear in you. " She said in her best Yoda voice. Mulder laughed hard and it became infectious and they started guffawing uncontrollably in seconds. The other patrons looked at them confused a bit, but not annoyed by the obviously happy couple. ************************************************* Good night Mulder see you tomorrow" Scully said hugging her new friend tightly. Mulder didn't want to let go, he had told her things he had never dreamed he would tell anyone. It was strange how comfortable, how at ease he felt with her. He released her and waited for her to go in her apartment, then went home to get some sleep. Three a.m. and I have to be at work at 8 a.m, great going Dana. She hugged her arms around her chest and took in the lingering scent of Mulder. She loved the smell of Nautica cologne, but it did something special with Mulder. Ah it was worth it. I wouldn't have gotten any sleep tonight anyway, too nervous. A teaching hospital, all those green med students, so cocky with there book knowledge, she couldn't wait to watch them drop like flies when she did her first crack of the ribcage. It was her favorite part of teaching, but it would be different than MCV, not as many students. Maybe 1 or 2 that stay with me at all times like an apprentice. I wonder if Mulder will come by just to say hi tomorrow. Scully undressed and showered, the hot water bringing on the fatigue as she collapsed on the bed till 7:05 am, when her ever annoying alarm clock rang. She turned on the news as an overly eager reporter spewed out the news. Boy she missed Trey her morning reporter in Virginia. Trey Hardison, salt and pepper hair, soft eyes, beautiful strong voice with a hint of a southern accent, greeting her with a subdued smile and manner, calmly telling her today's big story. She took a minute to mourn the loss of a good local morning person, and got dressed for work. Khaki pants, oxford shirt, American eagle loafers. She packed her scrubs in her backpack and grabbed her cellphone and coffee and ran out the door. ************************************************* 8:05am " Oh great. I'm late on my first day. She'll crucify me. Why do I have to be partnered with Doc Ice, the enigmatic Dr Scully. She'll eat me for breakfast." Pendrell muttered to himself as he walked into the autopsy bay. ' Pendrell, so nice of you to join me. Get lost?" " Um well I . . ." "It's okay. These halls are confusing. Go put your stuff down and lets get started." She stood up, petite about 5'3 and the most electrifying thing Pendrell had ever seen. Red hair, blue eyes, rosebud mouth. Her very presence and manner demanded authority, her deep voice riveted his attention. She explained procedure and jumped right into the autopsy. She didn't even flinch when she cracked the guy's ribs. I better not let him squirm to much, Scully thought as she started a conservation with the boy. By the end of the autopsy, she knew everything there was to know about Alan Pendrell. Nice boy, but a little too talkative. "Hey any running hands today or did I miss the show?" Scully turned to see Mulder at the door. Pendrell regarded the man cautiously, who was he? " Hey Mulder, no mishaps just one very still, very dead man. Mulder, this is my intern Alan Pendrell." Pendrell smiled, she remembered his name. Mulder reached out and shook his hand, the two regarded each other quietly. " I just came by to see if you wanted to get some lunch but your busy." Mulder said eyeing the body on the table carefully. Scully noted Mulder's discomfort and said "No finished him 30 minutes ago, just drilling Pendrell. I think he would appreciate the break." Mulder looked at the boy again, who was gazing at Scully with a peculiar look. Mulder smiled, the boy had an obvious crush on Scully. He could sympathize, he had built a bit of one up himself. " Pendrell put him away and be back here by 1 p.m." " Yes ma'am Dr. Scully."then Scully turned to Mulder,"Let me change I'll be back in 15 minutes" Pendrell closed the door on the body and looked back at "Mulder" nice looking, professional, not married, must be her boyfriend. He'd be foolish not to be, but she just moved in yesterday, she wouldn't have time to get a boyfriend that fast no matter how enchanting she was. Mulder decided Pendrell was not a threat in the battle for Scully's attentions, but he sensed he could be a problem later on. He needed a back off signal . . . god you sound so immature with all this alpha male posturing. What are you going to do pee in a circle around her, marking your territory? "Ready Mulder?" Scully said appearing suddenly "Yeah, lets go to the diner across the street." ************************************************* Diner " Iced tea and a Pepsi." "Okay, be right back." " So how do you like the hospital?" " Its nice smaller than MCV. So what's good here?" "The chili cheese fries." " Oh heartburn city" then she blushed suddenly. "What?" " I was just thinking that I just met you and I feel like I've known you forever. Strange I know, you probably have some psychology term for it." "Soulmates?" Scully nodded just as the waitress came back to their table. " Cheeseburger and fries" " Chili cheese fries, no sour cream." Mulder said the waitress nodded and left. "Brave soul." " I have a high tolerance for junk food. Scully, How do you . . ." Mulder was interrupted by a rather loud burly man slapping him squarely on the back. " Hey Spooky, How's it going? Oh who's the little Philly?" " I'm Dr. Dana Scully. I'm the new M.E. at the hospital." "Oh sorry ma'am. Simon James Hospital administration. It's just been a while since Spooky here came out of his lair and then to find him having lunch with someone as beautiful as you, I forgot my manners." " Perfectly all right" Simon turned to Mulder and asked " Seen Phoebe lately?" Phoebe who's phoebe?? Scully thought. " No, last time I heard she was back teaching at Oxford." "Well she's in the states on a lecture tour. She's supposed to come around here this month. Thought she'd come by and try and rub it in your face." " She probably will, haven't seen her yet though." Though he was a little rough around the edges, Simon seemed nice, Scully thought but who was this Phoebe. Simon turned like he heard Scully's Question and said, " Phoebe was Spooky's old flame." " Simon, um I don't think . . " Mulder started tentatively " Oh come on, she'll find out anyway, better from friends than enemies." then turning back to Scully," She was his sweetie at Oxford. She purposely damaged our man's psyche so she could use him as the basis of her senior thesis. Acquired something or other. She'd come back in and out of his life till he finally put his foot down about 3 years ago and officially dumped her. I mean she was a dish but something wasn't wired too tight upstairs if you know what I mean. Hey! Roger, Oh gotta go nice meeting you." Simons said hurrying to talk with Roger. " Simon James, Social butterfly" Mulder said still a little red from having his love life exposed, then he added " Did that add more to your opinion of me?" "Yeah and given me a mission in life." "What is that?" " I'm going to beat the crap out of this Phoebe next time I see her." Mulder laughed as the waitress brought their food. Saturday after dinner Scully drove up in the driveway of Mulder's place, and marveled at the simple elegance of it. " Nice place you got here Mulder." "Thanks it was my father's." There was a long pause, something Mulder didn't want to say then, Scully broke the silence " Well see you Monday Mulder." Mulder smiled and exited the car then stopped and turned saying, "Um Scully? Thank you for inviting me to dinner with you." Scully smiled and said " No problem. Call me later Mulder, Bye." Mulder entered his house and collapsed on his bed. I should have kissed her. I shouldn't have kept reminding her or everyone else we were just friends. I should just let nature take its course and sweep me along for the ride of my life. After she mentioned it at lunch, I researched the Soulmates theory, it describes us perfectly. I want to believe that she feels the same way. I'll never know till I put my heart on the line. I'm so scared, the last time I did that it required years of therapy and 6 months of institutionalization. I'm scared of rejection, of being hurt, but don't you think she feels the same way? Mulder turned on the radio hoping to find some distraction from his revelry only to encounter Sarah Maclachlan's 'I Love you' " I grieve for my condition for I can not find the words to say I need you so." Mulder smacked it off, the words hitting too close to home and resumed battling with his feeling for the rest of the night. ************************************************* ************************************************* 3 weeks later Monday 10 am "Alright Pendrell, start with the Y incision" Pendrell gladly started cutting. He was a week and a half ahead of the other path students, they were still observing. This guy seems cut and dry, heart attack from his chart. He was pleased Dr. Scully felt he was ready to do one by himself under light supervision. " Good examine the rib cage for broken, or chipped bones and bruising, then open the rib cage and examine the internal organs. I'll be in my office for fifteen minutes, if you have any questions don't hesitate to call for me." Pendrell watched her leave, it wasn't the first time she wore a skirt to work but this one , this one seemed to fit her too well in all the right places. Scully watched Pendrell for a few minutes the she checked her email. One message, hmm let me guess, Mulder Spookster @ BGH.edu I'm psychic, what do you want Mulder I just saw you yesterday? Scully, Hey, I just wanted to warn you ahead of time, I got a call from Phoebe, yes the psychotic Phoebe, saying she's in town and dropping by. She'll probably want to give me tickets to her lecture, tomorrow afternoon. I'll need support to go, but I'd really like to attend. Mystical arts and alien abductions and the effect on a person's psyche. Seems interesting. Email me back if you can come. Mulder, CSW Scully smiled then typed Mulder, Sure I'd love to. I'll beat her up after the lecture as long as she doesn't come down here before then . Thanks for the heads up. Got dinner plans? My brother Charlie dropped by some halibut he caught the other day. A bunch of Halibut. Having a fish fry tonight, you in? Scully, MD Mulder put the finishing touches on a rather difficult living will mediation session. He hated these kind of sessions, the crying, the outrage of the family members that didn't know about the will. It brought back images of his mother hooked up to all those machines. It saved her but would she have wanted to be saved. He had only been thinking of himself and how he didn't want to lose the last of his family. He had just discovered Samantha's body and his father had been dead for 2 years, then his mother's stroke. " Hey there pretty boy, tough case?" Mulder looked up to see the owner of the honey smooth voice that interrupted his thoughts. Brunette, long legs, green eyes, perfect lips, Phoebe!! Yikes! His brain alarm went off Need Scully! Need Scully now! " Uh hi, yeah living will the family didn't know existed. How you doing? How's the tour?" " Great, garnering national acclaim everywhere I go. How about you, Fox?" Mulder winced at his despised first name. " Fine really good." " I see that. New office, Chief Clinical Social Worker, still live in that dumpy Brownstone in town?" Mulder winced again at the mention of his old apartment building. "Uh no I moved into my Dad's place. I couldn't bear to sell it." " No bad vibes from the memories of that place? Your therapy must have really done wonders for you." Mulder winced again 3 times in less than 3 minutes, I need help here. As if the computer heard his silent plea, it alerted him to incoming mail. Scully Yes!! " Excuse me a second, I've been expecting this email all morning." Mulder opened it and read it, acutely aware that Phoebe was straining over his shoulder to see what it was. Dinner? Halibut? At Scully's? I'm in, Mulder thought and typed Scully, Cool, what time? Oh I need some help, the witch with a b is here, come quickly or call me down there. Mulder CSW Mulder sent it and turned back to face more verbal assaults from Phoebe, when the phone rang. " Excuse me, I'm kinda busy today. Mulder" " Hey come on down, Pendrell's just cutting up his first and he needs an audience. Just ditch her first." "Ok, I'll be right there thanks." then turning to Phoebe, "Uh Phoebe nice seeing you but I need to go" "Here, tickets to my lecture tomorrow, so you can mingle with real psychologists for once. Hope you don't feel too out of place." Why don't you just come out and say it, I'm a loser, Mulder thought as he took the tickets from her hand and grabbed his suit jacket on the way out the door. Mulder left his computer up and Phoebe went over to see who he was e-mailing. Dr. Scully, hmm who's that? Phoebe thought as she tailed Mulder loosely. " Hey Scully. Thanks a lot." Mulder said giving Scully a quick hug. Pendrell forcefully let the stomach drop on the scale, seething with jealousy. Phoebe looked through the window in the door to see Mulder finish hugging a petite red head. So that's Dr. Scully. Hmm, there maybe some competition after all. No wonder he was so stand offish with me, he thinks he's finally gotten me out of his system. I think I'll need to have a chat with our little Dr. Scully. ************************************************* After Dinner Scully's place. "So tell me all the gory details of you and Phoebe." Scully said pouring some wine into a glass for Mulder " Well she was my first love. Then she changed, she had me wrapped around her finger so tight by then that I wasn't going anywhere. She started by yelling at me, belittling me in front of my friends, and teachers, in general public then she started to hit me. The sexual abuse started soon after that, then she dumped me. I went off, I went on a rampage, destroying things, suicidal. I lived and looked like an animal, then she presented her thesis to the class 'Can past abuse influence the mental stability of a young man who is presently being abused? The psychosis of the mentally unstable man past and present.' She even mentioned me by name! It spread through campus like wildfire. The faculty reprimanded her, but the damage was already done. I managed to pull myself together though and graduate top of my class. When I got out in the working world though, I worked with the police force profiling criminals and vicious serial killers that, combined with my unresolved abuse issues, caused me to have a mental breakdown. I was institutionalized for 6 months. When I got out, I came to work here. She would come back in and out of my life and tear me down. Then when I found Samantha and my mom had her stroke, I kind of found a new inner strength." Mulder said in a detached manner " BASTARD!! I'll kill her." " You may get your chance, here's your ticket." " You never told me about your sister Samantha's abduction." " Uh I don't think you'll want to hear it." " Nothing can worse than what I just heard, shoot" Mulder made a little gun with his finger and said " Bang." Scully giggled at the bad joke then said "Mulder seriously, tell me." " Actually if I told you everything Phoebe did to me, this story would seem tame. I never really knew what happened, I repressed it. I started having flashbacks of it at night, so I went to Regressive hypno therapy to find out. We were playing stratego, and we were waiting for the magician to come on TV at 9 p.m. My parents were next door playing bridge. Then the lights went out and the front door broke open. A tall man came in, I told Samantha to hide and I rushed the guy. He knocked me aside but I got back up and went for my dad's gun. I got it aimed and shot, but nothing happened, it wasn't loaded. I rushed the man again, successfully tackling him then I told Sam to run get Dad. The man threw me against the wall and when I got up he started to beat me with a leg he ripped off the table. I fought and screamed, then I blacked out. Next thing, I remember was my parents looking down on me in the hospital. I slipped into a catatonic state after that and stayed that way for a good six months. When I came out of it, my parents had divorced and my dad had moved to West Tisbury." " You fought for her though, there was nothing more you could have done." " I know, that's what has given me solace through all this I didn't freeze. I got the tar beat out of me, but I tried to save her." then he looked at his watch," I need to go, long day tomorrow." " Did your father start to beat you before or after Samantha was taken?" Mulder whirled around and stared at her in amazement. "After." Scully nodded, knowing it was better not to pursue the topic further, got up and hugged him long and hard. She planted a kiss on his cheek, and ran her fingers lightly across his face. Mulder loved this gesture of affection so Scully, so intimate, so theirs. " See you later Mulder." Mulder lightly ran his fingers across her face in response. "yeah see you tomorrow. Thanks for listening." "Anytime Mulder." She sighed as she watched him go. She lit her vanilla scented candles and ran some bath water. She popped her Sarah Machalan CD in the stereo and pushed play. I need to relax after all the horrors I just heard. He's so sensitive and cautious, I should have suspected abuse. Building a mystery started to play, 'You wear sandals in the snow and smile that won't wash away Can you look out the window without your shadow getting in the way? Your so beautiful, with an edge and a charm Your so careful when I'm in your arms.' God, this song was written about Mulder she thought as she soaked 'Your so beautiful, a beautiful F*** up man' So messed up, first by the trauma of his sister's kidnaping, then his father blaming him and beating him, then the woman he loved emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually abusing him. Then to make it worse, she humiliated him by using him as a specimen and casting him off. I'd never do that to you Mulder. I'd cherish you 'Let me surround you, a sea to your shore, let me be the calm you seek' 'I forgot to tell you I love you' Thank you for filing in Sarah. It's too quick. I've never fallen in love this fast. It's obvious in his body language he wants more, I'm just not sure. I've only know him one month, 3 days, 35 minutes and 25 seconds, and I think I'm . . . did I just name off the minutes and seconds? Oh I have it bad, really bad. ************************************************* 7 p.m. after Phoebe's lecture " Calm down Mulder. I'm with you and I won't let her embarrass you without a fight, okay? Chill, your stressing me." Mulder smiled and squeezed her hand, then moved it to it's favorite place along the small of her back. The auditorium was a buzz with talk about Phoebes' lecture. " Mulder? Hey" An older gentleman with a snow white goatee came up to him. " Mulder my boy, Phoebe did wonderfully don't you think? Though her ideas weren't exactly sound, she explained them well." " Yes Dr. Kelly she did a wonderful job, but . . ." " But I think your in no position to criticize, my little social worker." Mulder could feel Scully bristle. " Oh hi Fox and Dr. Scully I presume." " Yes, how are you?"Scully said with an amazing calm. " Fine, but what were you going to say Fox? What was your little thought?" Mulder's head dropped as he said " I was saying, discrediting the people as lunatics was not correct. Their therapist's background should have been checked. It's a serious violation of trust to have your therapist plant memories that were not your own in your subconscious, while your helpless in a hypnotic state." "Hmm sounds like your talking from first hand experience, Fox." Phoebe said looking at Mulder condescendingly, then turned to Dr. Kelly. " So what did you think?" Dr. Kelly, who's admiration for Phoebe waning with each cutting word that fell from her mouth said, " I think Mulder is right." " How could he be? He's a social worker, not a real Psychologist. He's only here because I threw him some tickets." Mulder's head was firmly implanted in his chest now, and Scully stepped in, since Dr. Kelly looked like he was going to have a coronary. " Why did you throw him some tickets then? He has a psychology degree just like you, a little better I hear since he graduated top of his class. Since he works in the real world instead of posturing and speculating, he has more experience dealing with people in general, alien obsessed or not. Just because you're the guest lecturer, doesn't mean your God and can't be wrong cause basically you are. I can even see the gaping holes in your theories, and I'm a medical doctor. You need to proofread your lecture before you look down your nose at anybody." Scully said in a calm detached manner that demanded authority and got respect. After her calm tirade was finished, there was clapping heard around the auditorium. It seems everybody heard Phoebe's blasting by an MD. Phoebe looked green and humiliated while Mulder's head had come back up as he watched Phoebe squirm for a while. " Come on Scully, the Knicks game comes on in 45 minutes." Outside "That was great!" Mulder chuckled to himself, " The look on her face was worth it. Geez she won't forget that Scully." "Don't' worry I'm a big girl." Mulder looked at her confused, Scully clarified " Figuratively speaking" Mulder nodded and headed for his car. " Oh Mulder before I forget." Scully said popping her trunk and pulling out two five pound bags of sunflower seeds. Mulder's eyes widened with surprise, they make 5 lb bags? "Yes they make 5 lb bags, but you have to know where to look for them" Scully said responding to his unspoken question. " I noticed your constantly snacking on them but the last couple of days you haven't. I just assumed you were out of stock." Mulder smiled and pulled her into a big bear hug. " Thank you Scully. This means the world to me." " Really? Sunflower seeds?" " No that you'd notice something so small about me." " Its kind of hard not to, there are shells all over your office, car, and your house." " Oh" Mulder said blushing slightly. "Your welcome to come over and watch the game." An evening with Mulder and the Knicks? Irresistible. " Sure, I have to pick up some work then I'll be over about 8, 8:30 ok?" Sure, see ya later" 9:30pm Mulder was beginning to worry about Scully. She should have been here by now. Something wrong. The phone rang and Mulder jumped for it "Scully?" " Yeah Mulder its me. I'm going to have to cancel our plans tonight, your psycho ex tried to attack me in the morgue." " Are you okay?" "Yeah security is dragging her away a little worse for wear. Never sneak up on some one who's taking kick boxing lessons. I'll see you tomorrow." Next night dinner " So did you enjoy your lunch date with Pendrell?" Mulder asked a little too sharply, the tone of his voice startled Scully " Um yes, it was nice. Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Without thinking Mulder blurted out " Yes" " Oh" a long pause " I want you to stay over at my place this weekend." " It's memorial day weekend. I . . ." " Please? I don't want to spend it alone." Mulder said flashing her his patented puppy dog look. "Your place on the vineyard?" " No my place in Quonocatong, RI" " Gee whiz what are you some kind of real estate mogul who tries to throw everybody off with the humble profession." Mulder smiled " No just a son with a corrupt father who enjoyed his ill gotten gains." " So how much money do you have?" " Lets just say, if I didn't want to work, I wouldn't have to and I'd still have enough to put 6 kids through Oxford." " Buddy!!!!! So for my birthday next year I want a Porsche." Mulder laughed. "So are you going to come?" " Sure, just you and me on the beach. I'll bring the food, you bring everything else." She reached over and ran her fingers down his face lightly and Mulder closed his eyes and relaxed. Soon he was fast asleep and Scully kissed his forehead lightly and pulled the quilt down around him that was on her couch, and went to her bedroom to get some sleep. 2:30 am A piercing scream woke Scully up. What was that? Scully sat up in bed just in time to see a red shaky Mulder open her bedroom door " Scully? Scully?" He said softly, quietly stepping into her room. " Yes Mulder? Are you Ok? I . . ." Mulder stopped at the edge of her bed " I had a nightmare. Sorry I woke you, I didn't mean to." "Come on, you shouldn't be alone right now." Scully said pulling back the covers for him to get in. Mulder smiled and climbed in beside her. She wrapped the covers around him and held him tight, resting her face in his soft brown hair. She took a deep breath of it , it smells like honey, she thought as she sighed and nuzzled in for the night. Mulder felt her nose burrowing deeper into his hair, she must like the smell. "Johnson and Johnson's Baby shampoo with honey." " Your not the baby!" Scully said imitating the little girl in the commercial. Mulder chuckled, it sounded different when he was this close deep and full. "Really though, you use Baby shampoo?" "Yeah the other stuff weighs it down too much makes it seem heavy and it looks real oily and stringy" " I like it, it smells nice. What did you dream about do you want to tell me?" " No I don't want to scare you." " Why would it scare me?" " Cause I dreamed about you. I had to go ID your body. Pendrell was crying cause he had to do the autopsy and I uncovered the body and it was you." " I'm not going anywhere Mulder, but one question why as Pendrell crying?" Mulder turned to face her, draping his arm around he gently " He has a crush on you big time. Just imagine having to cut up your crush." " Pendrell has a crush on me?" Mulder looked at her surprised " You didn't notice? He practically drools every time you speak to him. He's got it bad. Lot of guys and a few women have a crush on you Scully." "Name one" " Girl or Guy?" " Girl, this should be interesting." " Nickole Buchanan.' " What the other M.E. . . .has a . . ." " Haven't you ever wondered why she pops by just to see if your doing ok and if you need anything?" " Well I thought she was being nice, ok name a guy beside Pendrell who has a crush on me." " Me." Scully smiled at Mulder and kissed his forehead "Well good, maybe you won't get hooked up with any more Phoebe's if you have a crush on me. Now get some sleep." Mulder smiled and nuzzled into her chest and fell asleep with the rhythm of her heart beat. ************************************************* Two days later Scully called her sister as soon as she got home from the late movie with Mulder " Melissa guess where I'm going memorial day weekend?" " Dana, are you aware it's 2:30 am?" A groggy Melissa said " Yes, guess where I'm gong?" " Hawaii? Obviously not to mom and dad's for the cookout." " Quonochatong, RI." " Quonochatong? That's beach area, how in the world?" " Mulder has a house there and he invited me for the weekend and he . ." " Mulder? You mean the guy I set you up on a blind date with? The handsome one you brought with you to Bill jrs birthday party? The one with the green eyes?" " Hazel. Yes, that one." " You didn't tell me you two were serious about each other?" " We're not were just friends." " And he's taking you to his beach house? Doubt it. Even if you don't like him he likes you. It obvious in the body language." " Melissa!!" " He's got it bad for you. You got some protection or something?" " You know I had a hysterectomy last year, and I won't need any protection. Were just friends, nothings going to happen." " How much you want to bet?" " Melissa!" " How much?" " Lunch on me anywhere you want. If I'm right what will you give me?" " Dinner anywhere and a good fussing. Don't you think he's totally sexy?" " well yes, but we has such an amazing friendship, I'd hate to ruin it because I want him." " your just afraid to admit it, aren't you? Your afraid to own up to loving him. You love him Dana, and the sooner you see that, the happier the both of you will be." " thank you Dr. Joyce Brothers. I'll keep that in mind. Later." All Wednesday Scully packed and rationalized. It's going to be good weather and Mulder's house has its own strip of beach. So why am I so nervous? " Who else beside Pendrell has a crush on me?" "Me" those dreamy hazel eyes, gray that day, staring up at her. " You love him and the sooner you admit it the better." That's what's bothering me. Would things culminate, would they take the last step and become lovers? No stop that, your just going to have a great time with your best friend, then the phone rang. "Hey Scully, its me. Um what's your favorite small dog?" " Pomeranian" "Your ring size is what, a 5 «, 6?" " Yes Mulder, why do you want to know all this?" " I'm getting you a present to thank you for coming. I'll pick you up at 8:30 tomorrow ok?" "Yeah thank you Mulder. You don't have to . . " " I want to, see you tomorrow." 8:29 am Mulder pulled up in front of her apartment building, dressed in khaki pants, navy blue vans and a navy, red and white plaid camp shirt. Mulder climbed the stairs and knocked on Scully's door at 8:30 sharp. " Wow on time. Come on in, just closing the top on the cooler." Mulder took a double take, they had on the exact same outfit with the exception that she had on shorts. Khaki shorts, very short khaki shorts. They barely reached mid thigh but didn't qualify as daisy-dukes, yet. Scully stopped and looked at him then smiled, " Twins!! Told you were Soulmates, you even know what I'm going to wear. Want some breakfast?" "Uh no already had some. Need some help?" " Yeah take the cooler down and I'll be right out." Scully heard Mulder grunt loud as he lifted the cooler. Scully giggled to herself, he didn't notice it had wheels " You got it Mulder?' " Yeah I got it" " You know it has wheels Mulder" " What?! Oh yeah thanks." Scully came around the corner dragging her rolling duffel "Wheels are a single girls best friend. Lets go" RI It was early afternoon when they arrived in Quonochatong " Scully want to sightsee a little or what?" Mulder asked softly " Sure Mulder, where's a good restaurant I'm starved." " For someone your size, you sure do eat a lot." " I know, so feed me." " How about seafood?" " Sure, How far is your house from here?" " About 20 miles west, don't worry we wont' stay out long, no street lights were my place is." Scully smiled and fixed her hair. Yuppies and Yuppies with kids bounded around as the parked. " You didn't tell me there was a yuppy convention here this weekend." " They usually leave by Friday to go to the vineyard." " Ah so you come here to get away. So good seafood here?" " The Best, here you may want to take your jacket, it's always too cold in there." Mulder said handing her, her jacket then placing his hand on it's favorite place along Scully's back. " That was good, so where too?" " There's pretty good shopping along this strip if you want . ." " Cool! 5 for $10 shirts." Scully said practically running to the vendor. After an hour Scully added one more bag to the pile she already had on Mulder. " Ok done with all my gift, and souvenir shopping. Here I got something for you." Mulder dropped the stuff in the trunk and he opened it. A thick silver band stared back at him. "I hope it fits, I guessed you were an eleven." Mulder put it on his ring finger " Yeah it fits great, thanks Scully I . . you didn't have too" " I wanted too, come on I need to unpack" 7pm Scully threw 3 chicken breasts and a steak on the grill out on Mulder's patio and closed the lid. It's so peaceful up here, great view, clear blue water this place is perfect. " Like what you see?" Mulder said giving her a quick squeeze from behind, then standing off to her side. "Yeah I never imagined it would be so serene." " Here I got something for you." Mulder pulled out a small velvet box and placed it lightly in her hand. Scully opened to reveal an emerald eternity band with forever inscribed on the side. " It's beautiful Mulder. It fits perfectly, thank you." Scully threw her arms around Mulder and hugged him tightly. Mulder place a finger under her chin, lifting her head and he started his dissent for a kiss when Scully broke away. " Dang, need to flip the chicken." Mulder smiled to himself, too fast take it slow, we have a whole week to get there. As Mulder turned to go in the house Scully thought, Dang he was going to kiss me. This is going too fast, you have a week more or less relax Dana, relax let it flow. After dinner Mulder produced a bag of Blockbuster videos full of hokey Sci-fi Films and MST3K tapes and one of his 5lb bags of Sunflower seeds " I think this should last the weekend. What do you think?" Scully smiled and leaned across him to look at the tapes " Depends on how late you can stay up old man." Her breasts brushed his inner thigh as she leaned across him and Mulder's body responded almost immediately. Scully tried to ignore Mulder's growing arousal, but as it grew to the point of looking painful, Scully couldn't avoid staring " Um Mulder, I'm going to take a shower and then we'll get started." Mulder followed her eyes and saw the cause of her discomfort. Slightly embarrassed, Mulder said " yeah that's a good idea if you need extra towels there in the hall closet." Mulder got up quickly and almost ran to the bathroom. He breathed an sigh of relief as he unzipped his zipper. Calm down your like a horny teenager, you're a 37 year old man, control yourself! She barely touched you and your about to come in your pants. Cold shower, Cold shower. ' Bad boys who don't do as there told have to have cold showers.' 'I'm sorry Phoebe I didn't meant to' 'Did you actually think that would turn me on? How dare you get aroused before I say so Now get in there!' ' no it's too cold' 'don't' argue with me, and stop that crying. I'll give you something to cry about' smack slap punch, punch screams of pain at the cold water hitting him. So cold too cold freezing 'Worthless, stupid, animal, freak, useless, crazy whore ' Mulder leaned against the stall. Not now, she doesn't need to know about this, pull yourself together. The past is the past, the past shouldn't affect your future. I'm empowered, I've fought my demons. Why are theses memories coming back? Cause you want to develop a relationship, an intimate and your past abuse is resurfacing. How are you ever going to have a normal relationship with any one if this keeps happening? The evening passed like any other laughing with Mike, Crow, and Tom Servo as they poked fun at the bad sci-fi movies. They fell asleep in each others arms, the buzz of the TV soothing Mulder's dreams, the best of friends. ************************************************* Next Afternoon Scully was in her last « hour of sunbathing when Mulder walked up clad in a pair of Black Speedos. " Hey bronze goddess, I'm going for a swim you got 30 minutes left" " Ok Mulder" Scully admired his rear and the fine muscles in his legs. She had gotten over the initial shock of so much exposed Mulder, and now she had begun to appreciate the Speedo like she never had before. The cool water did wonders for Mulder as he swam in circle then towards the middle. He hadn't liked bikinis before, but her curves were so perfectly traced. As he floated around fantasizing about Scully without the bikini, Scully stealthily came and dunked him. "Gotcha! My times up. Hey want to go into the city for a while. Sightsee? You can show me around." In town They got out of the car at the boardwalk when, " Fox? Fox Mulder?" Mulder turned towards the voice recognizing the man. " Hey Brian how's it going, long time no see." Brian quickly took in the situation. Fox Mulder with a gorgeous woman, then he looked at the ring on Mulder's hand. Married? " That's an understatement, I haven't seen you since Oxford. I never thought I'd see the day that you'd be a married man though, how long?" Brian said smiling at Scully. Mulder blushed slightly, an innocent mistake, we are dressed alike again and this ring she got me does look like a wedding ring, "Uh no, I'm not married. This is Dr. Dana Scully a good friend of mine, we work together." Scully shook Brian's outstretched hand and regarded the man silently. " Nice to meet you Dr. Scully, sorry about the mix up. Hey there's a kind of charity ball going on Sunday if you want I could get you two some tickets." Mulder looked at Scully for approval which he got before saying " Sure Brian that'll be great. Send them to my place." " Ok, See you around town Fox, nice to meet you Dr. Scully." When Brian left, Scully held Mulder's hand lightly and pointed to an old lighthouse. " Ok tour guide, what's that?" Mulder smiled devilishly and put his arms around her " A lighthouse, navy girl." He said teasingly, tickling her furiously and running off towards it. Scully ran after him still laughing and jumped on his back. " For that smart answer, You have to carry me there." As they continued on, a young man came up to them. " Dana? Dana Scully?" " Yeah? Hey . . Matthew, Matthew Martin whatcha doing up here?" Scully leaned forwards still on Mulder's back and hugged Matthew. " I have a Beach house up here. This is . . ." " This is my boyfriend Mulder." Mulder stiffened. Boyfriend? Boyfriend! A proud smile spread on his face as he rose a little to shake Matthew's hand. " Mulder, that's an interesting first name." " No actually that's my last name. My interesting first name is Fox." " Oh well hmm. What do you do? Are you a Doctor as well?" " No I'm the chief Clinical Social Worker for Boston General Hospital" " oh that's right Dana, your still teaching right? Pathology?" " yeah. Hey you going to be at this charity ball Sunday?" " yeah just got tickets yesterday, are you?" " Of Course, we'll see you and your Wife? There." " No my wife is off trying to spend her alimony checks. Two words for you Dana if you ever get married, no offense Fox, Prenuptial Agreement." Scully giggled and said bye. " Ok now, onward quicksilver." Scully said smacking his butt to urge him forward and Mulder started a light trot to the lighthouse. " Scully, am I really your boyfriend?" " Well of course you are. You're a boy who's a friend a Boyfriend." " oh, so you're my girlfriend then?" " Yep, so boyfriend the faster we get to the lighthouse, the faster we can go get the formal attire for the ball Sunday and the faster I can get those 14 oz steaks on the grill, get my drift?" Mulder picked up the pace and put her down at the lighthouse door. Saturday night. " This ones hilarious Mulder, classic MST3K." " The Mole Men? Never saw this one." " You haven't? Your in for a treat." " Scully can I tell you something first? I just need to get it off my chest." The seriousness of his tone turning Scully's head. " Sure Mulder what's up?" Scully laid her head back on his lap and looked up in to his hazel eyes. " I never told you everything about Phoebe and me." "You don't need to Mulder, I understand it was a painful . . . " " I want to tell you, you need to know. Let me see, when her thesis came around and she started the physical abuse, I think that was the worse part of it, cause she'd beat me like my dad used to. Belts, rulers, pots, any thing handy. Once she even put pair of scissors through my hand. Though that was kinda my fault, she wanted to put them in my chest, but I blocked her. Then she started to . . ." " That's enough Mulder please." Scully tearfully replied " What?" " I should have killed her. Don't tell me any more or I will." Scully sat up on his lap and hugged him. Mulder sighed contentedly " You don't want to know." " All I need to know is right now, here with you." Mulder smiled into her hair and took a breath of it, rose petals and honey. He loved her hair, the color, the texture, the smell. Scully pulled back and kissed his forehead gently, lovingly. Mulder nuzzled her neck with her head and kissed her back, right between her shoulder blades, lightly. They looked into each others souls, then Scully turned and slid down Mulder till her head rested on his chest and pressed play on the remote. Mulder draped his arms around her, giving her a quick squeeze then released her, his hands resting on her flat stomach as MST3K came on. Sunday Night " You look good Mulder, stop fidgeting." I'm not fidgeting cause I look good Mulder thought. The little red dress she said she bought was a little, emphasis on little, red spaghetti strap number with the back completely out, form fitting, with a slight angle and a flare at the bottom. She looked, there were no words to adequately describe how good she looked. Scully gazed at Mulder, she had never really liked three piece tuxedos till he put it on, especially with the button collar instead of the tie. I need to get him in a tux more often. They stepped into the ballroom handing the host their tickets and wading through people to get to their table right by the food and the dance floor. " Perfect seats" Scully said "I thought you'd like to be close to the food, the dance floor was an add bonus." " Well lets see what this little shindig has to offer in the way of food." She said grabbing his hand and leading him to the food. 12:30 am the last dance It was the last dance of the night and the orchestra packed up as the CD Player took over, playing Jude's 'I know'. You've got such a pretty smile It's a shame the things you hide behind it. Let them go give it up for a while Let it free and we'll both go find it. Mulder pulled Scully closer to him and she rested her head on his warm chest. I know there's no where you can hide it I know the feeling of alone I know that you do not feel invited But come back, come back in from the cold Mulder's hands traced her svelte body till they rested at the small of her back, lingering around the swell of her hips. Her hands moved from around his neck, sliding down the front of his tux, carefully sizing up the muscled torso, till they rested on his waist. Step away then from the years Your best friend in life is not your mirror Back away, come back away, come back away, come back away I am here and I will be forever and ever Scully lifted her head and looked into Mulder's pools of deep gray and green, Mulder drowned in Scully's eyes as they let the music overtake them. Scully smiled slightly as they moved like magnets towards each others lips. Jude's voice coming through the speaker And I know there's no where you can hide it I know the feeling of alone Trust me and don't keep that on the inside Soon you'll be locked out on your own. There lips brushed lightly, testing for resistance, then fully engulfed each other. your not alone your not alone Don't say you've never been told I'll be there till we grow old Till I'm in the ground and I'm cold. Scully pulled from Mulder's mouth, snagging his pleasingly plump bottom lip a little before fully releasing him. They stared at each other for a second. They had stepped over the line, there was no going back There's no where you can hide it. I'm here and I will be forever and ever The words playing in there minds as Mulder said softly " Come on lets go home." Trust me and don't keep that on the inside. And we still have 3 days left Scully thought as she placed her hand under his jacket, letting it rest on his back just below his pant's line as she followed him out the door. Epilogue Scully got into her hot bubble bath and soaked, letting the aroma therapy bubbles do their job. Why am I so nervous, it's perfectly normal. She felt the water level rise slightly and something brush past her legs to frame her head on either side. Scully slightly opened her eyes to acknowledge his presence. " Mulder, It's big tub, but not that big." He smiled softly and sat up a bit his feet resting on the bottom of the tub by her waist. "You know maybe you should call me Fox now." " Fox? Why? I like Mulder, it's special." " Well won't it confuse people a little?" Mulder said twirling the extra wide, diamond filled gold eternity band encasing his left hand ring finger. " Why?" " Well if they hear you calling me Mulder, they'll wonder. I mean I took your last name. I'm a Scully now." "Well you'll have to call me Dana." " What, no Kat?" Scully splashed him playfully. " No Willie." Mulder cringed and giggled. " never mind it's too weird." "We aren't exactly your normal married couple." " Point. Um Scully?" " Yes Mulder?" " I never gave you all your gifts on that Weekend." " Hmm really? I thought you gave me enough." Mulder threw her a smirk and then continued " I thought you know, since we won't be having kids coming from this union . ." " Thank goodness, could you imagine?" Mulder smiled again " A mentally unstable genius with red hair and hazel eyes. Dangerous, but it would be kind of cute, don't you think?" Scully's eyes were now open wide " What are you getting at Mulder?" Mulder stayed silent " Mulder!!" Mulder reached out of the tub and opened the door and snapped his fingers. A red furred, hazel eyed Pomeranian came charging through the door. Scully slapped Mulder playfully in the chest and started to laugh. "God you scared me man. How did you smuggle " Pausing to pick up the dog slightly" her in here without me noticing?" " My secret. So she's a keeper?" " Of course, she precious." Scully said as the little dog playfully nipped at her fingers. Scully looked at the leather collar around her neck " You named her already?" Scully pouted slightly " No she had a name already. She's a good old pound dog. Her owner died and the kids didn't want her. She's a year and a half old and potty trained." " The word is housebroken Mulder." " Yeah what ever anyway, I knew she'd be perfect for us. Look at her name." Scully flipped the name tag reading it aloud "Fate" Scully smiled and shook her head and thought, Is there such a thing as too soulmatey? " Its called Compatible." Mulder thought back. Scully looked at him " Shut up Mulder" she thought. Mulder's eyes widened a bit then he closed them, letting the aroma-therapy do it's job, his was already done.