EMAIL: [email protected]
AUTHOR: Cybill
RATING: PG-13 for profanity
CLASSIFICATION: MSR
SPOILERS: Up to Season 6 (none really)
KEYWORDS: Mulder/Scully Romance
DISCLAIMER: If I owned them, they'd never make it out of bed to investigate.
SUMMARY: Mulder's jealousy gets him into trouble, then out of trouble. Oh, just read it!
WEBSITE: www.cybillxfilesopus.com
FEEDBACK: Makes the muse sooooooo happy!
Beta Thanks: Mims, once again I am at a loss for words at how well you know your tenses, commas and the like. You amaze me girl! Thank God us authors have people like you. Without you we'd all sound like bumbling idiots! So, thank you dear Mims from saving me from myself! Love ya bunches!
This fic is dedicated to Lidia from the BTT in honor of her birthday. Please accept this birthday fic as a small token of my appreciation for all of your constructive feedback and endless encouragement on the list. Your posts make each and every one of us smile daily, and that my dear, makes you special. On a side note, can you believe that this doesn't have smut? I'm surprising myself! <grin> Oh, and kudos to Sallie and Deia for suggesting a virtual birthday party with virtual gifts!
XXX
The music is thumping loudly from the jukebox as I enter the shabby bar. Patrons are playing pool, throwing darts and swaying to the music. None of it helps my mood. Normally O'Leary's does wonders for soothing a lousy day. Not today. Today was one of those days where I should have listened to my intuition about getting out of bed in the morning. What I need is a drink. One drink will help calm my rapidly pounding heart and mind. Yeah, one drink after another.
I make my way over to the tall bar. I'm surprised to see a seat left. I sit, shrug my suit coat off and sling it over the back of the barstool. The place is packed. It should be for Friday evening. I look up at the red blinking numbers reminding me that it's 6:00 p.m. Only an hour after I said what I'd said, did what I did, and scurried away from the scene of what might as well be my death sentence.
Scully.
Christ, just the thought of her name makes my stomach flutter with an instant feeling of dread. How could I have been so stupid? Why did I throw away six years of a partnership that is the best I've ever had for my own juvenile desires? I'll bet she's already submitted her resignation. Monday morning her belongings will have vanished from our office.
Thinking back, I should have been able to control myself.
XXX
God, the smell of her permeated the entire room when I came back from my late afternoon coffee run. She was smiling so sweetly, looking up and to the left. Smiling like that is a rare commodity for her, especially after everything we've been through. I thought I had done something nice for her by bringing her a surprise vanilla latte, her favorite. Then I opened the door to see that she was actually smiling at another man.
My instincts went on alert. She didn't see me as I stood directly behind the man. He was asking her out. Who was he, and how the hell did he get clearance in the Hoover building? My attention was entirely focused on the tableau in front of me. He made a joke, they both laughed, he asked her out again, she didn't say yes but she didn't quite say no. Well, I couldn't just stand there and let this man ask her out. This was our office for Christ's sake. God, I can remember how it sounded when he realized that I was there and her startled response at my presence, as if it wasn't expected in our office.
XXX
The bartender asks if I'd like a drink. Absolutely! I order a Jack and Coke. He makes it immediately and I slam it back with a couple of gulps and gesture to him for another as I continue with my self- flagellation. Where was I? Oh yeah, surprised Scully and her stranger. Why was she surprised? Well, it wasn't exactly because I startled her, it's because I had my 45 pointed at his back.
The noise of me removing the safety is what gave me away. I can remember the conversation so clearly, damn my eidetic memory.
XXX
"Who are you and how did you get down here?" I growled, sticking the gun farther into his back. He arched forward a millimeter and I ground the gun into the spot between his shoulder blades.
"I'm Dr. Powell. I'm consulting on a case here!" The man clearly sounded panicked.
"Not any case we're on." I dug the gun in a little harder. He squealed and Scully jumped to his defense.
"Mulder, what the hell are you doing? Let him go."
I shook my head no. "How do I know he's telling the truth?" She came around the desk, face red with fury. I've known her long enough to know when she's pissed off.
"Because I know him, Mulder. We went to medical school together. This is Dr. David Powell. Now put your damn gun away."
I removed my gun from between his shoulder blades and put the safety back on but kept it hanging loosely at my side, ready for any change in this joker's stance that might be construed as threatening.
He turned around and smiled toothily. Unbelievably straight, white teeth in a picture perfect face. "You must be Agent Mulder. The guys upstairs warned me that you were a little jerky, but I didn't expect you to pull a gun on me. I was just asking Dana out to dinner tonight."
"Well, I wasn't expecting someone leaning over my partner's desk in a manner that seemed threatening from where I stood. Just watching her back."
He looked over at Scully who was moving back to her desk, her short skirt fitting nicely over her form. He smiled smarmily. Prick. "Can't blame you there." He licked his lips and adjusted his pants.
"That's it! Get the fuck out of our office, NOW!" I gripped the back of his suit collar and jerked him out the door.
"Mulder, stop it! Let him go!"
"Fuck no! This man doesn't respect you! He just wants to get under your skirt, and you certainly aren't going to date a prick like this." Where my sanity went I have no idea. I dragged the man all the way to the elevator and slung him in the second the doors opened. "Stay away from her. I mean it!"
"You're not her husband, and you're definitely not her father. Who do you think you are, you crazy whacko?" he sputtered after catching his breath. I knew Scully'd been screaming things at me the entire time but, all I could see or hear was red. What I said next might as well have been my epitaph, although what I did after I said it was worse.
XXX
I finish my second drink and lift my empty glass, gaining the bartender's attention. He nods and brings the drink over to this end of the bar. I tell him to keep em' coming and that there will be a huge tip at the end of the night for him. He smiles and pours another while I'm drinking my third. Atta boy.
XXX
"I'm the man that's been in love with her for 6 years, and no prick on a stick is going to fuck that up for us, so back the hell off!" As the elevators doors closed, I was sure Scully said something about calling him later, which just enraged me further. The elevator doors closed completely and I pressed the up button. If the doors opened with him still standing there, I'd pull out my gun and shoot him. They didn't.
I turned and stomped around a stunned Scully back towards our office. I needed to cool down. She followed one step behind me.
"Mulder, I don't know what to say. I don't even know how to respond to what took place here." She was standing in the middle of the room breathing hard, with fists closed tightly at her sides. She was stiff as a board but her words were calm. Mine, not so much.
"That is what you call a friend, Scully? That man looked at you as if you were sex in a suit, and you call him friend!" I was screaming at her, unable to control myself. "You should have seen him scoping out your ass when you turned around."
"That doesn't give you the right to pull a gun on him or throw him out of our office. You reacted irrationally. I was the one who invited him down here, Mulder. He called from upstairs before coming down." She took a deep breath and locked her gaze with mine. "The way you reacted was completely uncalled for." She was siding with him. God damn it! Couldn't she see what a grimy bastard he was?
"You are not his!" I spat out, not thinking.
"Oh, and who do I belong to Mulder? Tell me. Who?" I took a couple steps closer to her. Her hands were still tightly fisted. Maybe she'd sock me. Her breathing sped up the closer I got to her. "You? Is that who I belong to Mulder? You?" she grates out between her teeth. I was to her in two steps. I gripped her head behind the neck, sliding my thumbs under her chin. She didn't flinch. "Is that what you think? Huh Mulder? That I belong to you?"
And then I completely lost my mind.
"Yes."
My mouth came down on hers before she could answer. She struggled a bit but my better judgment was completely turned off. I pushed my tongue past her teeth. She fought me for a second before returning my kiss with equal fervor. At least I'm assuming she was returning my kiss; she may have just been giving in. Her taste was amazing. I can't even describe it other than nothing will ever taste as good. Hell her smell, the feel of her body pressed against mine, her fingers gripping the base of my neck, I wanted to drown all five of my senses in her.
Once I'd kissed her until I couldn't breathe, I pulled away. She jumped back as if shocked by an electric jolt. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and I finally woke from my jealous rage, realizing what I'd just done to her, to us.
"Oh shit." She shook her head and didn't look at me. "I'm, I'm, sorry." I stuttered as I bolted out of our office.
XXX
So here I am, drinking myself into oblivion in the hope that will keep me from recalling how I lost her. A scantily clad, tall, redhead sits in the suddenly unoccupied seat to the right of me. When did that big guy leave? I shrug my shoulders and clasp my hand around my fourth drink of the evening. Maybe it was the fifth. Hell, who's counting.
"This seat taken?" she says sweetly, and I tilt my head, gesturing that I don't really care. She's pretty but not striking like Scully. Besides, her eyes are green, not blue. Too bad. She turns toward me. "Take a picture buddy it will last longer."
"I'm sorry; I didn't realize I was staring. You look a little like someone I know." I turn back to my drink and take a healthy swig.
"Really? You weren't trying to hit on me?" I shake my head. "Well, what a relief. I'm so damned tired of every guy I sit next to thinking I've graced their presence for the sole pleasure of a lame come-on."
I laugh, the first time all day.
She continues, "I don't know how many times I've heard, 'What's your sign?' or 'Are your feet tired? You've been running through my mind all night!' Blech! Oh, I'm Lidia, by the way."
"Mulder." I shake her hand.
"Mulder? That's a strange name." She crinkles her nose.
"Not as strange as my first name."
"Oh yeah? I'll be the judge of that. What's your first name?" I shake my head, she's going to make fun of me I know it. Everyone does. "No, come on, it can't be that bad. I told you mine."
"Fox," I reluctantly reply. I don't want her bugging me for it all night. I just want to get drunk.
"Fox? As in fox and the hound, or you're one sexy fox?"
I nod. "Yes to the first one."
"Oh no way, definitely a sexy fox. I actually was considering hitting on you when I saw the seat open up. I've been watching you. You look completely miserable and I thought maybe you could use a friend." I smile stupidly. She is very nice, but she has no idea how miserable I am. "So what's her name?"
How did she know? Hell, maybe it will help talking to someone. I've never talked to anyone about her before.
"Scully."
"Boy, does everyone you know have a weird name?"
I laugh again at her response. "No, her name is Dana Scully. She's my partner. Well, she used to be."
"You work with this Scully?" I nod. "But there's more to it than that. You're involved with her romantically?" I shake my head. "You want to be involved with her romantically but something happened and now she's quit working with you?"
"Basically."
"So you're not sure?"
"Not a hundred percent sure, but I can't imagine she'd want to work with me after what I did."
"Well, I better order up a drink before hearing this." I get the bartender's attention and he takes her order. "So, this partner of yours, you did something today that would offend her?"
"You could say that," I mutter.
"I did say that." She smiles at me and pokes my arm with her finger. "So what could a good looking guy like yourself do that would be so bad she'd want to quit working with you?"
"Well, let me see," I dramatically scrub my chin for emphasis. "First, I flipped out on a guy asking her for a date in our office today, pointed my gun at him, admitted I was in love with her for the past six years, and then after I dragged the bastard out of our office, I kissed her."
She's looking at me shocked. People often do that when they find out the person sitting next them carries a weapon and might have it on them. "Okay, so let me get this straight."
I put up my hand in an attempt to stop her. "I've been trying to figure out why I did what I did and believe me, it's useless."
"No, no, women understand men reacting in a jealous manner. Plus, if you carry a gun you're in some time of law enforcement so the gun part doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that you tell her you're in love with her after six years and up and kiss her?"
"Yup."
"So this is the first time she found out that you had these feelings for her."
"Bingo."
"And did you tell that to her, or did you tell it to the man you were jealous of."
"The prick."
"She overheard you tell him."
"Uh huh."
"Okay, so when you got rid of the prick, then you kissed her." I nod in agreement. So far she's got it right. "Did you discuss the fact that you said you loved her before or after you up and kissed her?"
"We haven't discussed it." She smacks my shoulder. "Ouch!"
"Stupid, stupid, stupid. You're right. She's probably pissed off about what you did. You also dropped a bomb on her that you didn't discuss, that she hasn't had time to consider. Then, I'm guessing you forcefully kissed her."
I plunk my head down on the bar in shame, nodding at her assumption.
"Did she kiss you back?"
"Not at first, but then I think she did. I don't, I don't really know."
"She's in law enforcement and carries a gun, right?"
Again I nod. Seems like the only thing my alcohol- laden body can do at this point.
"Well, then reason says she could have easily gotten away from you or pulled her own gun on you if she didn't want to be kissing you."
She's got a point. Then again, Scully wouldn't pull her gun on me for that, would she? Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just don't know and right now I can't even hope for a happy ending.
"So are you really in love with her or did you just say it in a fit of jealousy?"
I lift my head up and look into her cool green eyes, "It feels like I've been in love with her forever. Scully's the only reason to get up in the morning." I choke back a sob at my pitiful predicament. I'm such a loser.
She puts her hand on my back and soothingly rubs it back and forth. I lean into it for the comfort of another human being, any human being. I wish it was Scully instead but beggars can't be choosers.
"It will be okay, you just have to talk to her. How do you know that she doesn't feel the same way?"
Now I'm definitely about to cry into my beer for lack of a better phrase. "She doesn't, she couldn't possibly. I'm too fucked up."
"Oh honey, come here." She pulls me into a bear hug and I accept it. What a wonderful person, to be helping me out when she probably came here for her own problems. I don't even know her last name. Her hands slide up and down my back in the same soothing pattern. She's whispering in my ear that it will be okay and that Scully probably loves me just as much as I love her. The thought only makes me squeeze her tighter because she has no idea what she's saying and I only wish it were true.
All of a sudden, hands are pulling me from behind. Probably a bouncer making sure I don't take advantage of a pretty woman.
"Get your hands off of him, you hussy!"
That's Scully's voice. What the hell? I pull away from Lidia and turn to find my fiery partner poking Lidia's chest.
"How dare you take advantage of a drunken man when he's down? What kind of person does that?"
"Who are you his wife?" I think Lidia knows exactly who this woman is. I told her she reminded me of someone I know.
"Something like that!" Scully spits at her. "Now get out of here."
"Something like that, eh? Doesn't sound too committed to me. He's not wearing a ring. What claim do you have?" Oh shit, Lidia's playing along and I have lost all motor skills to respond.
"He's my partner and we are very committed to each other. Tell her, Mulder."
I look from one woman to the next, the one I'm deeply in love with and the one who's helped me deal with my pain over the one I'm in love with. The scenario is very comical and I chuckle a bit. Oh, that pissed Scully off immediately.
"How many drinks have you had Mulder?"
"One."
She frowns at me. I look to Lidia hoping she'll back me up.
"Don't lie to her, Mulder." No luck. I thought Lidia was my friend.
"Mulder," Scully warns, arms crossed over one another in her classic defensive pose.
"You didn't let me finish. I was going to say, one," she crinkles her eyebrows, "after another!" Lidia and I both laugh at my joke. I remember my earlier thoughts on getting drunk. Glad I got to use that line again, I think proudly.
"Ha ha, very funny Mulder."
"I thought it was funny," Lidia chimes in. Ah, there's my friend.
"You would," Scully says snidely. "I'm taking you home."
"I can take him home." Lidia smiles at Scully and at me. Uh oh, she's playing again. She knows I'm in love with Scully, why is she doing this? The only problem is that she doesn't know how Scully is overly protective of me, especially if she's in doctor mode.
"Is that what you want Mulder?" I look at Lidia and she winks at me.
"You know, we were having a great time until you barged in. Why don't you go home to your man and leave your partner here with me?"
Whoa! Lidia's gone in for the kill.
Scully's gets right up into Lidia's face, almost as if she's going to kiss her. No way. "He is my man! Now back off, bitch!"
Holy shit. Scully just told her that I was her man. Lidia looks shocked. She should be an actress; that was quite a performance. Wait a minute, Scully just told another woman that I was hers. I need clarification because the liquor is completely playing tricks with me.
"Your man? Since when?" I ask. Both women look up, startled that I finally speak. Lidia looks pleased with herself and Scully looks afraid. Cat's out of the bag, my dear.
"Yeah, since when?" Lidia questions. "When he came in here tonight, all he talked about was how he ruined his relationship with the woman he loved. I'm assuming that's you." I nod. "He also believed that you were going to quit working with him because of some blow up he had with you tonight."
Scully looks from her to me. "Mulder, no. I could never leave you. How can you not know that?"
I shrug.
"Maybe it's because you never told him," Lidia pipes in.
"I didn't think I needed to," Scully says sadly.
"So then the question really is, if he has been drinking himself into oblivion because you're not in love with him."
"Mulllddeerrrr." Scully bows her head.
God I love her, but she needs to be straight with me about her own feelings. "Answer the question, Scully. I need to know the truth. I laid myself on the line this evening, and made an ass out of myself due to my feelings for you." Scully doesn't lift her head up and all I want his to look into those crystalline blue eyes. "Then I kissed you, not even knowing if you wanted it." I look at Lidia for confirmation and she nods happily.
"I wanted it." Scully whispers through the hair hiding her face, head still bowed.
"What was that?" I ask. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face. "I wanted it," She says with conviction. "I'm in love with you, too." She takes a deep breath and continues. "I never had any intention of going out with Dr. Powell. I know his record; he's always been a louse. I've also never had any intention of leaving you or our work. That's why I came to find you." She shuffles her weight from foot to foot. "Then imagine my surprise when I find you here at O'Leary's, embracing her." She points an accusing finger at Lidia.
"No, you've got it all wrong. Lidia was just talking me through what happened this evening," I explain.
"I'll bet she was."
"Really, Dana I wasn't hitting on him. I thought about it. Who wouldn't? Look at him." Lidia responds to Scully.
"I'm well aware of how good he looks Lidia. I've worked with him for six years."
"And that's all we were talking about--you. I really wasn't going to take him home with me, but I was going to make sure he got home okay, and alone." She emphasizes the word alone.
"Well I appreciate that and I apologize for calling you harsh names."
"Names, more than the one?" Lidia laughs.
"You didn't hear the ones I said in my head upon my arrival." They both laugh and I join in because the situation really is funny.
"Now can you two just kiss and make up? I'm ready to go home to my boyfriend."
"You have a boyfriend." Scully and I say in surprised unison. I hold back the desire to say "jinks you owe me a coke". Now, how did the boyfriend factor not come up?
"Yeah, we had a fight this evening. It's my birthday and he didn't buy me an engagement ring. I was hoping for one, but after talking to you, I realize how petty our fight was and I plan to tell him as much. Now, I wasn't kidding about that kiss. Come on, I'm not going to wait all night."
Pushy, this Lidia.
Scully licks her lips and averts her eyes, which I know is one of her nervous faces. I turn my stool completely around and spread my legs in a vee. She looks away again. I clutch her hips and drag her in- between my legs. Her body is now flush against mine as she grips my thighs with her small hands for balance. I look into her face and slowly bring my hand up to her cheek, using my thumb to caress the tender bone there. Her breath hitches.
"Scully, I love you; I have for a long time."
She smiles and leans her forehead against mine. "God, Mulder, I love you more."
"Not possible," I say, as serious as a heart attack.
She looks at my lips and licks her own again. She has no idea what that does to me. I bring her closer and lightly nip her bottom lip. She presses against it with her own and pulls my upper lip into her mouth. We tease like that for a minute until neither of us can wait for more. Her mouth descends on mine and the sensation engulfs me. She opens to me and the minute my tongue tastes hers, once again I'm lost. I put everything I have into this kiss, to seal my fate with her. When we break away, I have no idea how long we've been kissing. Could have been a minute, could have been a year. I turn around to Lidia and find her gone. On the table is a business card and note scribbled into a napkin.
The note reads:
Mulder and Dana, Thank you for the best birthday present I've ever had. The gift of love is a powerful thing. I'm glad I was able to be here to witness it. Let's double date sometime. My phone number is on the business card. Take care of each other.
Lidia
"Oh, how sweet of her," Scully says while clinging to my neck.
"Yes, yes it was. I hope she goes home and works it out with her boyfriend."
"Speaking of going home, what would you say if I asked you to come home with me?" She murmurs shyly into my neck.
"Are you planning on taking advantage of me?" I question jokingly.
"Over and over and over again." My mouth drops open as she removes herself from my legs and starts sashaying towards the exit. Once she hits the door, I realize I haven't followed her. She curves her finger with a come-hither motion and I'm jolted into action. I shove the note from Lidia into my pocket, fully planning to contact her, at least to thank her for her part in getting Scully and I to admit our feelings for one another.
First, I need to be taken advantage of--over, and over, and over again! Whoo hoo!
End
Would you like to know what happens when they leave the bar? Smut ensues. Feed the muse with feedback and maybe she'll cooperate.
