Title: Nonnegotiable 01/01

Author: Deenalynn

Author E-mail: [email protected]

Rating: G

Category: V

Spoilers: None

Keywords:

Archive: Yes please. Just keep my name and address attached

Feedback: Yes please!

Summary: Some things in life are nonnegotiable.

Disclaimer: The characters Fox Mulder and Dana Scully belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting.

Nonnegotiable by Deenalynn

"I'm sorry. I can't make it tonight. Thank you for the invitation though Neil." Special Agent Dana Scully was trying very hard to ignore the fact that her partner, Fox Mulder, was openly eavesdropping on her conversation. "I'm sure it will be wonderful but I . . . well I really can't". Scully glanced in Mulder's direction. "Thanks anyway. Maybe some other time?" Scully glared at Mulder who continued to watch her closely. "Yes, well, I'll talk to you again then Neil, good-bye." She hung up the phone and shot a nasty look at Mulder. "Do you mind?"

"What?"

"What do you mean, what? Do you have to listen in on my phone calls?"

"Why shouldn't I? You listen in on mine."

"I most certainly do not!"

"Oh, give me a break Scully. We're both generally nosy, that's what makes us so good at what we do." He grinned unrepentantly. "So . . . who's the loverboy?"

"Hmm? Oh, the call. It was Neil Marsden, from bank fraud. He wanted me to go to a gallery opening."

"Oh." Mulder began to fidget with the file he was holding.

Scully watched her partner shred a piece of paper. "Mulder? Do you ever wonder why neither one of us ever dates . . . ?"

"Nope"

"... because I . . . What do you mean nope?" She looked up startled at his interruption

"I mean. I don't wonder why we never date."

"And why is that?" She moved closer and leaned against his desk.

"Why don't I wonder, or why don't we date?"

"Why don't you wonder?"

He looked up at her and smiled. "'Cause, I already know why."

She looked at him questioningly.

He looked at his desk top for a moment and then returned his gaze to his partner. "Scully, even if I was inclined to date someone else, what woman is going to tolerate my relationship with you? I mean, no matter how secure, she would still not want to play second fiddle to another woman. Especially not one as smart and beautiful as you. I wouldn't be able to blame her either." He smiled up at her. "And if there is one thing in my life that is nonnegotiable, it's your place in it."

Scully was stunned speechless. She had been expecting a smart-ass answer involving aliens and liver eating mutants. This was . . . well this was more. "Oh."

"Oh? That's all you have to say? Oh." Mulder wasn't sure whether to be hurt or disappointed or both.

Scully could see the pain in his eyes, pain she had inadvertently caused. "I guess I just wasn't expecting a straight answer Mulder." She smiled at him. "But you're right."

"I am?"

"Yeah, you are. But just about this one thing." This earned her a cheesy grin. She turned serious. "It's funny, there are times when more than anything, I want to settle down and have a normal life, or at least closer to normal than I have now. I'll meet someone like Neil, he'll show an interest, ask me out, and I always say no. I tell myself its that I'm too busy with work, but its not true. I know that any man I could become involved with would expect me to change my relationship with you, and I won't, I can't. "

Mulder took her hand. "I know. We *will* get our normal life Scully. I think we both want the same thing." He looked up at her, she smiled softly and nodded. "I guess until then we'll just have to keep saying no."

Scully squeezed his hand and went back to her own desk.

"So, Mulder, what's on the agenda for today?"

He grinned broadly. "Scully, you won't believe what the boys found last night."

The End Nonnegotiable

There are two other stories in this same universe, while not sequels, if you enjoyed this one you may enjoy "My Lover" and "At The Breaking". They can be found with the rest of my stories at Deenalynn's Fanfic Corner

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