Title: Happiness - The Secret II Author: shawntaw Category: MSR, AU Rating: PG Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. *Sigh* Summary: A well-kept secret? Note: I am having a blast writing this!! Whomever suggested I turn "Happiness" into a series - I should give you a big hug and a kiss!!:) If you are reading this without reading "Happiness," "Happiness - The Morning After," and "Happiness - The Secret" first, you may be a mite confused... **************************************************** "Coffee, Mulder?" Scully held out a large styrofoam cup. "Thanks," he took it from her with a cocky half-smile. "Hey, Scully, nice ring. Is it new?" he asked loud enough for those around them in line to hear. "Yes, thanks for noticing, Mulder," she smiled at him, pleased. The two agents took their coffees and strode calmly toward the elevators. ****************************************** "I can't believe you wore it, Scully!" Mulder pounced on her as soon as the elevator doors closed. She grinned from ear to ear. "It is my engagement ring; I wanted to wear it." He pulled her up to him until her feet dangled above the floor and kissed her until they were both gasping for breath. "Why-why do I get the feeling that you've been wanting to do that for a long time?" she breathed. "Because I have," he said as he gently lowered her back to Earth, "Can't always be hunching over. I'll give myself a bad back." The elevator dinged and the two of them sprang apart. When the doors opened, the two agents stood their usual distance apart, discussing the paperwork they needed to get done first thing this morning. Kimberly, two other secretaries, and a male agent stepped onto the elevator. Kim nodded a greeting at each one and started to look away. She did a double-take at Mulder and stared. The other people on the elevator were involved in a conversation about an outrageous expense report turned in by a field agent and hadn't yet noticed Kimberly's silence. Kimberly reached out a tenative hand and brushed Mulder's arm. He and Scully looked up, startled. Kimberly looked nervously at her companions to make sure they weren't looking and brushed her thumb across her lips. Mulder's eyebrows arched and Scully looked shocked. She stared meaningfully at Mulder's lips and again wiped her thumb across her own. Mulder looked embarrassed and Scully was getting livid. She opened her mouth to say something- "Whoa, Spooky! You and the Missus need to be more careful!" The male agent was leering at them. Kimberly cringed. *Too late.* Scully looked up at Mulder in confusion and gasped. He had lipstick smeared across his full bottom lip where she had kissed him. The elevator entourage' were giggling among themselves as the doors opened on their floor and they disembarked. Kimberly lingered long enough to whisper. "I'm sorry. I tried to tell you." Mulder and Scully both gave her understanding looks as the doors shut. *************************************************** The doors opened in the basement to the arguing couple. "Well, we stink at keeping secrets," Mulder was saying as he wiped his lips with his hankerchief. "It'll be all over the Bureau in no time and then they'll separate us." Scully sighed. Mulder was in full "doom and gloom" mode. "Mulder, they only suspect that we kissed. They don't know for a fact that we kissed and they certainly don't know we're engaged!" "Oh, please! The rumor mill does not deal in facts, Scully. I might as well put out an e-mail announcement: 'Now here this - This weekend Agent Scully and I consumated our relationship, admitted we love one another and are getting married. Thank you for your attention.' Scully was turning the doorknob to open their basement office, "Mulder-" They both stopped in their tracks. A.D. Skinner stood in the middle of the office holding a file folder, a distinctly uncomfortable look on his usually stern face. The three regarded each other, not knowing what to say. Skinner cleared his throat and set the folder on Mulder's desk, "So, apparently you two had an interesting weekend.." Scully's face burned bright red. Mulder threw up his hands in defeat. "As I said, we stink at secrets." Skinner's hand reached out to grab Mulder's shoulder as he paced by. "Agent Mulder, I didn't hear a thing. I certainly didn't hear anything that would put a perfectly productive partnership in jeopardy should my superiors find out. But-" At this Skinner smiled warmly. "-congratulations to you both." He patted Mulder's shoulder and turned to leave the room. On his way, he lifted the right hand of the very stunned Agent Scully and scrutinized the ring. "Very nice," he commented, smiled at her and left. ***************************************************** They both stood in silence for a few seconds after Skinner left, collecting their thoughts. "Ok," Scully started, "damage control. Who knows about this?" Mulder fell heavily into his chair and it creaked ominously. "Definitely Skinner." Scully nodded, " And probably Kimberly. Oh, and my mother." Mulder sat up straight, "Your mother?" "She remember seeing the ring before-" "When you were abducted," Mulder finished, closing his eyes. "I had almost forgotten about that." They both sighed. "Well, most of the important people in our lives know about it. We might as well tell the rest of them." Scully stared at Mulder. "I thought you were worried about us being separated." Mulder nodded, "I was, but Skinner basically just told us he's going to turn a blind eye. And as long as the higher ups don't know-" Mulder grinned and shrugged a shoulder. "So, we're not keeping it a deep, dark, secret...just a selective secret?" Scully grinned back. "Exactly." Scully suddenly went serious, her eyes darkening. "Mulder-" He sat up in his chair again. "Scully, what is it?" "This is personal, but-" "Personal? Scully, I've asked you to marry me, nothings personal between us anymore. What is it?" "Mulder, do you have any family at all you'd like to tell? I mean, I know you've lost your parents, but isn't there anyone? An aunt? Grandparents? Someone?" Mulder rocked back in his chair and regarded her solemnly. "Scully, its o.k.; I'm not going to fall apart if you remind me I don't have any family. I already know that. And, no, there is no one left. No aunts. No grandparents. You're looking at the last Mulder." Scully walked over to him and leaned down to look into his eyes. "Not anymore." she promised. ******************************************************* STAY TUNED....:)