Discreetly
LRuth

SPOILERS: None

RATED: PG-13 

CATEGORY: MSR 

COMMENTS: This story came to me in bits and pieces of several dreams, and wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it down. It's my interpretation of the way M & S really feel about each other. And, I swear, I wrote it before Scully's little pep talk at the beginning of Dreamland to Mulder about buying a house and settling down.

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"Discreetly " (1/6)

As Special Agent Dana Scully pulled into the driveway of the modest brick house, she knew something was amiss. There should have been activity around the house, not this deadly silence. A moving van was pulled up to the open garage door, with a vintage Volkswagen microbus angled across in front of the van, making it impossible for the van to escape.

Scully sat a moment, then slipped quietly out of the car. Entering the open garage, she warily approached the inner door. Suddenly, loud male voices and thumping erupted. She quickly pulled out her gun, opened the door, and entered the kitchen of the house. As the noises began again, she dashed over to another door, and peeked around the corner.

"Oh my God," she thought. She reholstered her gun, began to grin. Stepping into the doorway, she yelled, "Okay, hand over that pizza!"

Sprawled on her couch and on the floor was her moving crew: Langley, Frohike, Byers, Skinner, Mulder, and Brother Bill. Boxes were stacked in crazy configurations all over the room, but her new wide-screen television was in place, and tuned to some god-awful football game. Pizza boxes were within easy arm's reach of the couch.

She just shook her head as the crew hastily jumped up and began to make excuses. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Mulder was the last to get up.

God, he looked good in jeans and a snug T-shirt! Muscles rippling beneath the thin fabric, as he and Byers moved out to the van to bring in more furniture. She closed her eyes briefly, and concentrated on directing the unpacking.

"Dana, shall I unpack the kitchen boxes for you?" She turned to see Margaret Scully standing in the doorway.

She smiled at her mom. "Sure, you have a better idea of where to put it than I do. All my apartments have been too small to have much of a choice."

The rest of the day went fairly well. Skinner seemed to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with her mom, talking and laughing. Frohike skulked around behind her until Langley gently guided him away to do something in the garage.

Surprising, Mulder and Bill seemed to work together well, only disagreeing on the placement of the bedroom furniture. Bill seemed determined to put things in that room exactly opposite of where Mulder wanted to place them.

Finally, everything was moved into the house - her house, she reminded herself -- her very own house. What on earth was she thinking, buying a house? She smiled at herself as she looked around at the sparse furnishings. What had filled an apartment was hardly enough to make a house look as if someone was living in it! Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage! She must be crazy, she told herself with a smile.

Dana walked out on the front porch to say goodbye and thanks to her helpers. Skinner and Frohike climbed into the rent-a-van, Langley and Byers waved from the Volkswagen, and Mom and Bill were getting in Bill's car.

"Fox, do you want us to drop you at your place?" asked her mom. Bill was scowling as he slipped behind the wheel.

She jumped as she heard Mulder from behind her. "No, thanks, I'll call a cab later. I just want to be sure Scully doesn't want to move the couch again." She turned to find he was standing behind her, leaning against the front door frame. He winked at her as he waved goodbye to Bill and her mom.

"You don't have to call a cab, I'll take you home later," she said. He just grinned and turned into the living room.

"I can't believe you guys were watching football, " she laughed.

He shook his head, "Not my idea, talk to your brother. I was just there for the pizza!"

"Well, you certainly looked as if you were being held against your will!"

They spent the next few hours storing boxes in the garage, moving the bedroom furniture (again) and, yes, moving the couch to a different part of the living room. Mulder stretched out on the couch as she looked around.

"What's this?" she asked, as she opened the hall closet. There was a cardboard box back in the corner, marked FWM.

Mulder sat up. "Uh, that's mine. I was hoping you wouldn't mind storing it for me, I mean, you have so much more room here, and it's just one box . . . "

She turned and looked at him. He was wearing his "panic face." "Mulder, of course you can store anything you want here. It's not like I am going to run out of room anytime soon."

After a dinner of leftover pizza, Mulder fell asleep watching television. Dana roamed around the house, straightening, rearranging, until she was bored. Sitting down at her desk, she arranged papers until she couldn't stand it one minute more. Quietly, she opened the closet door and picked up Mulder's box. Checking to see that he was still sleeping, she carefully brought it back to the desk, and opened the lid.

Inside were personal papers: insurance policies, bankbooks, photo albums. Setting aside the other items, she gingerly turned the pages of the albums. Photos of Mulder's childhood, pictures of Samantha, family photos with his mom and dad. Pictures of his dad with men who looked vaguely familiar. At the bottom of the box was a newer album. She slid it out, and opened it . . .

A wedding album. A very young Mulder and . . . Diana. Scully's heart stopped beating. She could hardly bear to turn the pages. Mulder and Diana standing under a canopy of flowers, Mulder and Diana kissing, Mulder and Diana feeding cake to each other . . .

"I was going to tell you about that."

She jumped up, knocking over the chair. Mulder was standing in the doorway.

She suddenly realized that tears were sliding down her cheeks.

"Mulder," she said, "you don't owe me an explanation. You don't owe me anything."

"Yes, Scully, I do." He crossed the room, and took her into his arms. "I owe you everything."

[END PART 1]

"Discreetly" (2/6)

She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say. All she knew were strong arms, beating hearts, tears, Mulder's chin resting on the top of her head.

Mulder broke the embrace first. "Come here, Scully, it's time we talked about this." He guided her to the couch, always his favorite place.

"Wait," she gasped. "I'll be right back." She fled to the bathroom, locked the door. Leaning against the door, she tried to think. Why did she feel like this? It's not like she had any hold on Mulder, and besides; it was years before she even knew him. But . . . Diana? Somehow, it was worse that it was Diana.

She washed her face, looking in the mirror and comparing red eyes and blotchy skin to the memory of that photograph - calm, serene Diana dressed in white, orange blossoms in her hair.

His voice outside the door startled her. "Scully, I'm making us some iced tea. You want anything else?"

"No…no, Mulder, thanks. I'll be right out."

Pull yourself together, Dana. Let's get this over with. She ran a brush through her hair, and unlocked the door.

He was in the kitchen. She sat down on the couch, at the far end from where he usually sits.

He came in carrying two tall glasses. He looked at where she was sitting, and deliberately put both glasses at the other end of the couch. Settling down at his end, he waggled his eyebrows at her. Damn him!

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable over here?" he asked, patting the space next to him. She looked at him, and finally, smiled. As she moved into the comfort of his side, she realized that she belonged right there. He handed the tea to her, and she took a sip, trying to drown the lump in her throat.

After what seemed like hours (but was probably seconds), he began to talk. He told her about meeting Diana, finding the X-Files together, the way she tried to take over his professional life as well as their personal life. He told her about Diana's little betrayals, snide comments, accusations about the women he worked with at the Bureau. He told her about the arguments, the separation, and finally, the divorce.

When he was finished, they shared their tears. He held her as she sobbed, and she felt him crying also. Then they just held each other . . .

He turned her face to his. "There's just one more thing I have to tell you."

"Dana Katherine Scully . . . I love you. You are the only woman I have ever truly loved, and I can't imagine living without you. You are part of me, and without you, I don't exist."

[END PART 2]

"Discreetly" (3/6)

He loved her. He told her that he loved her. Without the help of painkillers, or cell-phones, or little gray men.

"Fox," she said, smiling at her use of his first name, "I have loved you since the first day I met you. In the basement office, when you thought I was a spy."

With a laugh, he took her into his arms again.

Somehow, someone made the decision to move into the bedroom. Dana couldn't really say whose idea it was. She didn't really care. She grinned at Mulder as he carefully placed both their weapons side by side in the dresser drawer.

Almost shyly, they undressed and crawled under the covers. It felt so right, and so natural, to be together like this. The lovemaking was gentle and tender, and promised of more togetherness in the years ahead. When it was over, they curled up, spooned together, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

Dana jolted awake. She realized the phone was ringing, and that it wasn't Mulder calling her. His arm around her waist was proof of that.

"Hello?" she answered tentatively.

"Agent Scully, this is Skinner." He sounded almost panicked. "Do you know where Agent Mulder is? He's not answering his phone, and I need to reach him. It's an emergency."

"Uh, yes sir, he's right here. I'll get him for you." Her cheeks flamed as she realized that it was 4 a.m.

"Thank God he's there!" Thank God? What? She handed the phone to Mulder, who had opened one eye.

"It's Skinner."

Mulder sat up and took the phone. "Hello? . . . Yes, sir, I'm here . . . What? . . . When? . . . How? Of course, we'll be right there." Hanging up the phone, he said, "Get dressed, my apartment building is on fire."

As she jumped out of bed and began to grab clothing, the phone rang again.

"Miss Scully, I apologize for calling you at this hour, and I apologize for asking you this, but is Mulder there? It's an emergency."

She handed the phone to Mulder. "Frohike."

She found his shoes and gave them to him as he talked. "Yes, I know, Skinner just called me. We're on our way. . . No, I don't want to tell you anything else."

Grinning, he hung up the phone. "He wanted me to share details . . ."

The phone rang again, and Mulder answered it. "Hello . . . oh hi, Mrs. Scully, yes I know . . . she's here . . . okay."

"Your mom heard it on the news," as he handed her the phone.

She reassured her mother that they were okay, and would be careful. Sighing, she hung up the phone and faced Mulder.

"So much for discreetly," she said.

They hugged, grabbed their weapons, and dashed out to the car.

[END PART 3]

"Discreetly" (4/6)

As Dana slid behind the wheel, Mulder was patting the pockets of his jeans and windbreaker.

"Aw, Scully, my cell-phone is in the Gunmen's bus. I left it there when we were moving furniture."

She dug her phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Here, call them and see if they will meet us. Ask Langley or Byers to bring it."

He grinned at her. "What's the matter, don't you want to see Frohike?" He quickly punched in the number and made the arrangements. "They're on their way."

She lifted her eyebrow at him. He grinned and looked out the window as she turned a corner.

The rest of the trip was filled with speculations about the fire, and with small talk about insignificant things.

Arriving at the apartment building, they flashed their badges and made their way through the crowd of firemen, policemen, and displaced tenants. Spotting Skinner with his phone at his ear, they ducked under a fire hose and approached him. He put his phone away as he spotted them.

"Where the hell is your cell-phone, Mulder? I've been calling you for hours!"

"Nice to see you too, sir. What happened here?" Mulder turned to face the smoldering building.

"The fire appears to have started in the unit next to yours. I'm afraid the entire floor is a complete loss, and the rest of the building has severe smoke and water damage. Do you know who lived next door?"

Mulder shook his head. "As far as I know, no one did. But I'm not really there very much, so someone could have moved in without my knowing it."

Skinner sighed. "I called Assistant Director Kersch, and he sends his condolences at the loss of your personal property. He said for you to take off Monday if you need to make arrangements to find a place to live. Mulder, tell me there was only personal property there."

"Actually, sir, as far as I can remember, only my own things were there. I have some files I was working on in my briefcase, but that wasn't in the apartment."

Skinner's phone rang. As he answered, Scully spotted Byers waving at them from outside the police tape. She tapped Mulder on the arm and pointed. He looked around and took off to retrieve his precious phone.

Skinner was still talking. "Yes, she is here. Yes, I'll tell her. Okay."

Skinner hung up and turned to face Scully. "That was Kersch. He asked me to tell you that you are expected in the office Monday whether or not Mulder is there." He took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. "Scully, this isn't any of my business, and you don't have to answer, but is Mulder planning to stay at your house tonight?"

Dana didn't know what to say. "Uh, sir, we haven't discussed it. I suppose he will have a hard time finding an apartment and furniture on Sunday."

"I really think it would be a good idea, Scully, if he rented a motel room. Even if he doesn't stay there." Skinner was clearly uncomfortable.

"Yes, sir, I'll tell Mulder."

"Tell Mulder what?" Mulder put his hand on her shoulder. "Sir, I don't think there's much we can do here right now. I think I need a cup of coffee and time to plan all I have to do today to get re-situated. Would you like to join us?"

Skinner studied him for a moment. "No thanks, agents, I think I will go home and try to find a little more sleep. "Scully, don't forget what we talked about." He walked away.

"What was that all about, Scully?" Mulder wore a puzzled look.

"Skinner wants you to know that you need to have an alternate address from mine, even if you don't use it." She suddenly found that she was in danger from an attack of the giggles.

Mulder let out a loud laugh. "Scully, let's go get some coffee!"

[END PART 4]

"Discreetly" (5/6)

As Mulder ordered for both of them, Scully tried to get her thoughts in order. Pulling out her writing pad, she began to make a list.

"What are you doing?" asked Mulder. "Let's just relax for a few, okay?"

"Mulder, we've got a lot to accomplish today. We need to get organized."

"Scully, that's your problem - you are too organized. Why not take some time today, and worry about this tomorrow? We've got all day Monday to make lists."

She shook her head. "I don't have Monday, Mulder. Kersch wants me in the office."

"What do you mean?" he replied. "Kersch said I could have Monday off."

"Right, Mulder, he said YOU could have Monday off. He specifically requested that I be there Monday."

"Oh," he said. "I, uh, didn't think . . . never mind."

"Mulder, where is your briefcase? You told Skinner it wasn't in your apartment. And what files are in it? They better not be X-Files, Kersch will have your hide."

He leaned over the table. "Scully, this is so weird. When the guys picked me up this . . . no, yesterday . . . morning, I just had a gut feeling. That's why I brought my box to your house. My briefcase and another box of, umm, files, are in the Gunmen's bus. Actually, they probably took them to their office."

She looked at him. "What kind of gut feeling, Mulder? Anything you haven't been telling me?"

"I don't know, Scully. It just didn't feel safe to leave them there. I'm telling you, I'm getting a little tired of fire right now." He sat back and stirred his coffee.

"Do you think this fire is related to the office fire, Mulder? I don't know why, I just didn't even think about that!"

He shrugged his shoulders. "It just seems a little strange, that I should be so involved with two fires, both of which destroyed things that belong to me."

She sighed. Nothing was ever easy in their lives, it seemed.

He looked out the window. "Okay, Scully, let's make our little list. First, I need to buy some clothes . . ."

"Oh Mulder, your beautiful suits!" She looked up in alarm.

He grinned. "Well, I never knew you thought my suits were beautiful! But, fortunately, the two newest suits are at the cleaners. But I need underwear, socks, shirts, jeans. Aw, damn, my shoes . . . "

They spent the rest of the day shopping. Mulder looked at 3 or 4 apartments, but something wasn't right about them. Finally, they stopped at the Holiday Inn, and Mulder booked a room. After getting his key, he went back to Scully's car and climbed in. She walked up to the car window.

"Aren't you even going to look at the room?" she asked.

"What for, it's just for Kersch," he said.

"Maybe he's watching you. Maybe it would be a good idea to at least go into the room once."

"And I thought I was paranoid," he grinned. "Okay, just for you." He climbed back out of the car and they went into the room.

Flopping down on the nearest bed, he looked up at her. "Want to check it out? Sorry, it doesn't seem to have 'Magic Fingers', but it's comfortable."

She shook her head. "Let's go get some steaks and try out my new grill."

Shopping with Mulder was fun and frustrating. On every aisle he found some interesting item he tried to add to the basket. Dana noticed several women checking out Mulder's hand, looking for a ring. He was totally bored in the produce section, but tried to buy every bag of chips he found. She ignored the four bags of sunflower seeds in the basket.

With the shopping done, they drove to Scully's house. She unloaded the groceries as Mulder tried to deal with the gas grill. Standing in the kitchen, she could see Mulder on the patio, looking adorably domestic as he tended the steaks. She finally made herself look away, and finished making a salad.

"Hey, these are ready. Where should I put them?" Mulder, stopped, astounded, as he looked at Scully. She was lighting candles at the dining room table set with a linen tablecloth, china, crystal, and wine ready to pour. She looked up at him.

"Wow, Scully, I would have just grabbed some paper plates!"

She smiled. "Well, I just felt like this was a special occasion. It's the first real meal in my new house. Pizza doesn't count."

He set the platter of steaks on the table. "It's beautiful, Scully. Almost as beautiful as you." He came around the table and took her in his arms. "We better eat now or we may not get around to it."

[END PART 5]

"Discreetly" (6/6)

On Monday morning, Scully reported to Kersh's office. His assistant waved her in as soon as she arrived.

"Sit down, Agent Scully. I value this opportunity to speak with you alone."

She took a deep breath. She had anticipated that this wasn't going to be a friendly chat. "Sir, is there a problem?"

Kersch leaned forward. "Agent Scully, when is there ever not a problem with you and Agent Mulder? Are you aware of the policy against agents becoming personally involved?"

"What do you mean, sir?" She tried to grasp just how much Kersch knew.

"Scully, don't play games with me. I know where Mulder spent the last two nights. I know that he is not staying in that motel room."

Scully was getting irritated. "Sir, are you spying on Agent Mulder?"

Kersch stood up. "Agent Scully, I will not tolerate that tone of voice from any of my agents. You are wasting your talents working with Agent Mulder. You have too much to offer the Bureau to spend your time participating in his unauthorized investigations. And now, he has obviously insinuated himself into your personal life. This will not be allowed. As of right now, you and Agent Mulder will no longer be working together."

She stood to face him. "That's just fine, sir. I will have my personal items removed at once, and you will have my resignation letter by this afternoon." She turned and walked out of Kersch's office, as he stood with his jaw hanging open. She heard him call out her name.

"Agent Scully, are you sure you know what you are doing?"

She whirled around. "I've never been surer in my entire life."

As she sat down at her desk, her phone rang.

"Hi Scully, it's me. Want to get some lunch?"

She pressed her fingers to her forehead. "No, Mulder, I have a lot to do. I'll be home early. Will you be there?"

"Sure, I plan to be. Are you all right?"

"Mulder, I'm fine." She hung up the phone as Skinner sat down in front of her desk.

"Agent Scully, I just got a very distressing phone call from Assistant Director Kersch. Is this true?"

She looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. "It's Dr. Scully, not Agent Scully. And yes it is true."

He handed her his handkerchief. "Don't do this, Dana. Kersch is just a hard-ass. I'm sure this can be worked out. You have a future here. I know you think you have to work with Mulder, but . . ."

"No buts, sir. I don't want this anymore. " She twisted the handkerchief into a knot. "Besides, I am going to marry Fox Mulder."

Skinner stared at her in bewilderment.

"I beg your pardon? I just talked to Mulder this morning, and he didn't say anything about that!"

"I'm not surprised, sir." She smoothed out the handkerchief and handed it back to Skinner. "I just decided a few minutes ago. He hasn't been informed yet." She gave Skinner a tentative smile. "I don't think he will mind."

Dana pulled into the driveway. The front door opened, and Mulder came out on the porch. He looked concerned and worried.

"What's going on, Scully? It's only 3:30 p.m. You shouldn't be home for hours."

She handed him a large box and balanced her briefcase on top of it. "Carry that in, Mulder. We'll talk inside."

She lifted another box out of the back seat. Strange to be carrying her entire FBI career in two boxes.

She carried her box inside and placed it next to her desk. Mulder was looking in the top of the first box.

"You want to talk about this Scully?" He gestured toward the boxes.

"Come sit, Mulder." They moved to the couch, sitting facing each other.

She looked down at her hands, then up to meet his eyes. "Mulder, I quit the FBI."

She wasn't prepared for the quick flash of pleasure, followed by concern. "What do you mean, you quit . . . What happened?"

She quickly told him of Kersh's directive, that they be separated. She told him that she could no longer be a part of the FBI without him by her side. She told him of her plan to return to medicine. Then she began to tell him . . .

"Wait, Scully, do you know what this means? We can be together now without wondering who is watching. We don't have to pretend that we aren't living together. Scully . . ."

" . . . we can get married!"

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