Title: Happiness - Public Displays of Affection Author: shawntaw Category: MSR, AU Rating: PG Disclaimer: The X-files folks aren't EVEN mine, doo dah, doo dah....Don't sue me and we'll be just fine...all the doo dah day... Summary: Mulder wants to go public. How does Scully feel? *************************************************** Mulder was floating on air. *I don't know why we hid it. Who cares?* He and Scully were back at work after lunch, walking down the halls of the J. Edgar Hoover building on their way to the elevators, and then their basement office. Mulder reached out to take Scully's hand. To his astonishment, she pulled away and gave him a warning look. The two entered the elevator. ***************************************************** Scully felt her face redden as Mulder's fingers touched hers as they walked in the hallway. *What is he doing? People will see!* Instinctively, she jerked her hand away and was startled to see his hurt look. *It wasn't just an act for Diana. He means it all the way.* She realized he fully intended to physically acknowledge their relationship in public as well as in private. Was she ready for that? ******************************************************** The elevator doors closed on two very contemplative agents. Mulder was looking at her with big, watery, soft, hazel eyes. Scully was studiously NOT looking back and trying to collect her thoughts. She studied the elevator buttons. "Scully, why did you-" Mulder began. She held up her hand, "Not now, Mulder. I mean, it was one thing to kiss me in front of Diana, but are we really ready for the 'Mr. and Mrs. Spooky' jokes? The innuendos every time we take a case out of town? The rumors about what we're doing in the basement? Are you really ready for it?" "We get all of that anyway." "Yeah, but this time it'll be based in truth," Scully shifted uncomfortably. Mulder regarded her for a moment. "So," he said moving subtly closer, breathing ever so softly on her ear, "I guess it wouldn't be alright for me to do this." Scully shivered. "Muullllder.." she warned. He reached out and, very gently, moved her hair to one side as he bent and brushed his lips across the back of her neck. "Or this," he said breathily. Goosebumps stood up on Scully's skin. "I-I mean it, Mulder," she tried to say sternly. His fingertips trailed around from the back of her neck and traced a feather-light path along the top of her blouse. Against her will, her eyes closed and she leaned into his touch. The elevator dinged. Mulder reluctantly moved a step back. She could hear him trying to control his breathing as the doors opened. Scully felt slightly out of sorts and wondered if the flush was evident on her face. ***************************************************** When the last person stepped from the elevator, the doors closed to silence. The two did not speak or move. Scully could hear his steady breathing behind her. She felt him move forward as the doors opened on the basement. He put his hand to the small of her back and guided her to their office. ****************************************************** Mulder didn't bring it up again. From the time in the elevator to now- *What time is it? 4:30? Nearly time to go home..* -he hadn't said a word. But he kept touching her. And it was driving her mad. He touched her arm when they talked. Her hand. Brushed her hair back from her face. Gazed at her lovingly. Longingly. "Here's my part of the field notes from the last case," he said, suddenly in her field of vision. He handed her the folder...and brushed his fingers across hers very deliberately. *That's it!* She slammed the folder down, and stood up. Mulder was already almost back to his desk. He turned. "What's wrong?" His eyes were wide and ignorant. *Right. Whatever.* She strode swiftly up to him, invading his personal space. His chin was practically on his chest trying to look down at her. "Scully?" "Is THIS what you want, Mulder?" Scully said and grabbed his tye. She yanked him down to her and kissed him, hard. "Well?" she said to a very stunned Mulder. She pushed against his chest and the back of his knees bumped his desk, causing him to sit on it abruptly. Several teetering stacks of papers fell in a heap to the floor. She stood between his knees. Now the partners were eye to eye. Still holding his tye, she leaned forward and kissed him again. "Is this what you were hoping for?" Mulder swallowed and nodded, twining his hands around her waist. She smiled and kissed him again, slowly, with her fingers buried in his hair on either side of his head. "Um, I really should start knocking. I can see that now." Scully jumped from Mulder as though electrified. Mulder stood quickly from his desk. "Or maybe wear a bell?" Skinner raised an eyebrow at them both. Mulder's hair stood straight out on either side of his head where Scully's hands had been clasped and his tye was loose and lopped crookedly to one side. He took out his hankerchief and wiped his mouth several times. Scully was blushing profusely but trying not to act embarrassed. "Sir? May we help you?" *must remember to lock the door...must remember to lock the door...* "Actually, I just wanted to see if you'd taken a look at the file I dropped off earlier this week." He smiled slightly, "But I can see your minds have been on more important things." Skinner cleared his throat and the smile diminished, "Seriously, Agents - you need to keep this new...involvement..discrete. Kim told me you got the e-mail?" The two of them nodded. "I would hate to see your newfound happiness disturbed by the shutting down of the X-files," Skinner warned, "and I'm sure 'they' would love the excuse to do it." Skinner started back toward the door. He turned, "Mulder, comb your hair and straighten up and you and Agent Scully meet me in my office in an hour. We've yet to go over your expenses on that last case. See you then, Agents." He left. Mulder and Scully looked at one another - the room filled with silence for a few seconds - and began laughing. "It - It isn't funny, Mulder," Scully tried to say, but fell into another fit of laughter. "The hell it isn't," Mulder responded from his perch, sitting back atop his desk. He was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. He'd been doing that a lot lately. *This. This is what it is like to be happy.* **************************************************** Next - "Happiness - Public Displays of Affection II" And Coming Up - I've been asking myself, "Where the heck are the Lone Gunmen?! They're Mulder's best buddies!" Stay Tuned...