"Snapshot IV:Discussions" By Dawson E. Rambo Disclaimers: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, and other tangentially mentioned characters are copyrighted by Chris Carter, TenThirteen productions, and by Fox Television, a unit of 20th Century Fox, Inc. All rights are reserved, and these characters were used without permission. No infringement is intended. Classification: V+,MSR,A Rating: PG (Some situations might not be suitable for all ages) Summary : After sharing an intimate kiss in their office, Scully and Mulder repaired to Dana's apartment to watch a rented movie, drink some imported beer and consume some stale, cold pizza. Before any of that could happen, they once again found themselves in each other's arms for some serious kissy-face. The next morning, Mulder goes to the FBI Qualification Range at Marine Barracks, Quantico to perform his yearly pistol qualification, and while invoking the faces of CSM and Krycek on the targets, proceeds to shoot a perfect score AND alert Assistant Director Skinner that something is "going on" between Our Favorite Duo. Skinner and Mulder go to a local Beer-n-Burger joint to hash things out, and that is where our story picks up. Ok...this is the continuation of "Snapshot III:Decisions," which was a continuation of...oh, never mind. I've been writing these little beginning-of-the-fanfic things for so long now they seem to write themselves. ANYWAY, no violence, except perhaps descriptions of events that happen "Off-screen." No adrvarking, to quote Joe Bob Briggs, but there will be some sexual contact in the PG or PG13 range. Anti- relationshippers be warned, there by tygers here. MulderAngst. ScullyAngst. SkinnerAngst. Snuggle-Bunnies. No exploding aliens. No green goo seeping out of orifices that shouldn't have green goo seeping out of them. Gratuitous deep, soul-searching discussions about the nature of Life, Love and Everything. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "The thing of it is, sir..." "Walter-" Skinner interjected. "Walter, then," Mulder said, finding that the word didn't fit at ALL in his mouth when referring to the man seated across the table from him. The man was _BORN_ to be called either "Sir," or "Skinner." "The thing of it is..." Mulder tried again, and discovered that he couldn't find the words. As hard as he tried, he couldn't find the exact expressions, phrases, words or sentences he needed to explain to Skinner what was happening. Hell, Mulder thought, I'm having trouble explaining it to myself, let alone Skinner! "I don't know what to say. I don't know how to explain it. It's not what you think, I can tell you that much." "And what do I think, Agent Mulder?" Oh, we're back to Agent Mulder now, are we? Mulder straightened. This had been coming for a long time. Skinner had always been a pain in the ass, even though his motives did seem to coincide with the X-Files and Mulder's personal agenda. He was a starched shirt, a "suit" in Bureau parlance, a man more concerned with the rules and regulations than with getting on with the solving of the case, than with the discovery of the Truth. His holy grail was the Bureau Standards and Practices, the Operations Manual for Field Agents, with the dozens upon dozens of forms and papers to be filled out. Cross the T's and dot the I's, that was Skinner's Mantra. "I have no idea what you're thinking, Sir," Mulder finally said. Skinner cast his glance about, trying to find something to focus his attention on for that five seconds he needed to gather his thoughts. Returning his gaze to Mulder, Skinner began to speak. "I've always known that you and Scully were different, Mulder. I've never seen a pair of partners better attuned to each other than you and Scully. I've never seen anyone have the abilities you two have when you're together and operating on all cylinders. You have no idea how many times I have argued your case before those above me that want to split you up." He saw the look in Mulder's eyes and held up a warning hand. "Not because of some shadowy government conspiracy, Mulder. No one's pulling my strings that way. They want to split you up for several reasons. "The rumors are first on their list. Almost since your first case together the rumors have been flying around headquarters about you two. You do know that Scully's nickname is 'Mrs. Spooky,' right?" Mulder nodded, not sure where this was going, but willing to let Skinner have his say. "I thought so," Skinner said softly. "The jokes and the rumors are almost knee deep in the place, Mulder. But I knew, or at least, I thought I knew you and Scully better than that. I thought you two had more professionalism than to fall into bed together." He held up another hand. "Please, let me finish. I'm not saying that I think you two are doing...that. As far as I know at this point, you have an unrequited love for Agent Scully, feelings that you have neither shared with her, nor indicated in any obtuse way. As far as I officially know at this point, you have only indicated that you love your partner." He paused, thinking. "And after what you two have been through over the past four years, I'm not surprised. Partners, Mulder, back each other up. They cover for each other when necessary. They split the work, the paperwork, the legwork, all the way down to who stays awake on stakeouts and who gets to pick the radio station on road trips. I've been in the field, Mulder. I was with the Bank Robbery squad in Los Angeles and Kansas City, and with Counter Intelligence in New York. I've had my share of partners. I know what it means to...love your partner." Mulder's eyebrows crawled up, but he said nothing, waiting for Skinner to get to the point. "Dana Scully is...an incredible woman, Mulder. I know that. I saw what has gone through the times when you've either been away God knows where doing God knows what, and the times she's had to watch you cling to life in a hospital bed. If the gossip can be believed, Mulder, I don't think the poor woman's had a date in four years." "Two." Mulder said. "She's had two." "Be that as it may, Mulder, the point remains that she has... melded with you, for lack of a better word. Her entire life is this job, the Bureau, and most importantly, you. You are her entire world. And she is yours. "I saw what you went through when she vanished. I know how deeply it affected you when she returned." Skinner paused and took a sip of his beer, his eyes focused on the younger agent. "I guess what I'm trying to say, Agent Mulder, is this. As long as it doesn't affect your professional working relationship, I'm willing to look the other way. As far as I'm concerned, it wasn't a matter of if you and Scully were romantically involved, but when it would happen. I've been giving this a lot of thought over the last year, and taking all things into consideration, I'm of an opinion that doesn't necessarily agree with published Bureau policies. "I think it will make you and Scully even better at a job that no one has ever excelled at the way you and Scully do. I have never seen a pair of agents like you two, Mulder, and I know that I never will again. So...keep it out of the office, and off the road, and I will look the other way." He paused. "But if I become aware of this relationship in an official capacity, Agent Mulder, I will have little choice in the matter. My protection can only go so far. If I have to 'become' aware of this in the course of my duties as your direct superior and an Assistant Director of the FBI, I will have to take action, up to and including separating you and Agent Scully, and transferring one or both of you to the opposite ends of the country." He paused, took another sip, and then asked, "Do I make myself clear?" Mulder found that his mouth was dry. He sipped his own beer and then answered. "Crystal clear, sir. May I ask....why?" "Why what, Mulder?" "Why are you taking this chance? It might come out that you knew and did nothing...they have ways, you know, of-" Skinner snorted, wondering at the never-ending paranoia of this man. But, to give Mulder credit, he had more than enough reason to be paranoid. "Quite simply, Mulder...you and Scully belong together." Mulder blinked at Skinner's words, trying to assimilate them. "Yes," he said softly. "I know we do." He paused. "You know I'll have to tell Scully...Dana about our conversation." Skinner considered this. "Would you prefer me to speak with her separately?" Mulder thought about it for less than a tenth of a second. "No...to be quite honest, sir, if this...topic were to come up with Agent Scully and yourself, I have the feeling that she would be mortified. Professionally embarrassed, no matter what the circumstances. It'd be better if I...broke it to her." "Well, whatever you think is best, Mulder. Just do me a couple favors." "I'm listening." "First...take care of her. She's had a lot happen to her in her life, and she needs someone like you. And second, no matter what you do, don't let anyone else know. No one. I mean her mother, your mother, her brothers...no one. Is that clear?" "Yes, sir. At least for now, I agree with that." If Skinner took umbrage at Mulder's remarks, he didn't show it. He finished his beer in two huge swallows, then stood to leave. "Mulder, I don't need to tell you that there are people out there that would take advantage of this information. Be careful." "Sir," Mulder said, putting a hand out to stop him. "Thank you." Skinner snorted. "Don't make me regret it, Mulder." *** Dana had been reading a book...or more correctly, staring at the same paragraph, lost in thoughts and memories of Mulder when the phone rang. She snapped out of her reverie and reached for it. "Hello?" "Scully, it's me." She smiled; only Mulder's arrogance would allow him to start a phone conversation with THAT phrase. "What's up, Mulder?" There was a significant pause. "We need to talk, Scully." She felt her heart plunge and then rebound, bouncing back up into her throat. "What's the matter, Mulder?" "Not over an open line," he said, secure in his belief that there were people out there using radio scanners to pick up cellphone conversations. "Ok..." Scully said. "Do you want to come over?" "I'll be there in....forty minutes. Talk to you then." The line went dead in her ears, and Scully slowly hung the phone back up. Oh my god...what could have happened? Had he changed his mind? Scully shut the book with a snap! and tossed it aside, drawing her legs up underneath her. She was suddenly very, very worried, but she couldn't place the reason for her concern. Trying to read Mulder's voice was an exercise in frustrating futility. Only when they were together, alone, did Mulder allow his emotions to come out in his voice. When he wanted to hide behind his emotions, when he wanted to mask his true feelings and meanings, there was no one that Scully had ever met that was any better at it. Suddenly, Scully couldn't sit still. She got up and started pacing, Mulder-like, around her apartment. God, no, she thought. Mulder, please don't let your paranoia and guilt ruin this! It's taken us so long to get to this point...don't make me go back. I don't think I can! How would she be able to do her job, sitting across the office from Mulder, knowing what his lips tasted like, knowing what felt like to have his erection pressed against her? How would _either_ of them be able to function knowing how they felt about each other? Scully glanced at the clock. It was just before eleven in the morning. She had about half an hour, maybe a little more, and then Mulder would be there to tell her...what? The phone rang again. Dana dashed over to it, snatching it to her ear. "Mulder! What is it?" she screamed. "Dana? Honey?" It was her mother. "Mom. Oh, God, I thought you were Mulder. Listen...I can't talk right now." "I understand, dear. Please call me when you can, ok?" "Of course." They fell into silence for a moment. "Is everything all right?" Margaret Scully finally asked. "Fine, Mom. I'll talk to you later." Dana abruptly hung up on her mother and stood there with the receiver still in her hand, wondering if she dared calling Mulder back. No. He would be here soon. Do something, Dana. Make some coffee or tea or read a book or do something. Something! *** Mulder parked his car in the same spot he'd occupied the night before and bounded up the stairs to Scully's building. On the drive over he'd decided that his discussion with Skinner was a good thing, after all. It was, as far as Skinner went, out in the open now. As long as they were discrete, they all but had Skinner's blessing. Weird. He walked upstairs to the second story and used his key to let himself in. Scully was on the couch, legs tucked underneath her, calmly reading Thorton Wilder's "Our Town." "Hey-" he said, and then saw her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and he could see the tracks on her face where her tears has slowly slid her cheeks. She stood and walked over to him, sliding her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. God, he smelled good, she thought. Like sweat and his aftershave and...gunpowder. Cordite. And Mulder. He smelled like Mulder, an intoxicating scent she had come to crave over the last four years, a teasing little olfactory treat that made her feel safe and alive and...wanted. She could smell that on him, too. His desire, his arousal at having her in his arms again. "What?" she asked. The door was still open, but she had to hear. She had to know what he wanted, needed to tell her. "Scully, what's the matter?" "Why don't you tell me?" she asked, her words muffled by his turtleneck. "Tell me what's so important that you had to come over to my apartment the day after we promised each other some room, what is so important that you can't talk about it on an open cellphone line. Tell me that you've...you've...." Scully couldn't finish the sentence aloud, but her mind finished it for her. Tell me you've changed your mind Mulder. Go ahead. Make my day. Break my heart. Mulder reached out with his foot and used his heel to swing the door shut, his arms holding Scully closer. "No...Dana, not that. Never that." He reached for her face, tipping her chin up with his fingers. "Nothing...no one...never...ever..." And then he kissed her, a soft, gentle, soothing kiss that inflamed them both. Suddenly her hands were gripping his back hard, pulling him against her. She broke the kiss, moving her mouth to his neck, kissing him there hungrily. "Now, Mulder. Take me into the bedroom. Make love to me." Shocked, Mulder stepped back, holding his diminutive partner at arms length. "Whoa...," he said, holding a hand up. "Tell you what -- let's have our little talk first, and then...well...we'll see, Ok?" Dana's eyes searched his, looking for the truth. He could never lie to her, not when she was looking at him and he at her. There was no way, now that they were alone, away from prying eyes, that he could hide his feelings, his emotions, his naked, hungry need. She saw that in his eyes, in the gentle crook of his smile, the way he looked at her, through her, encompassing her with his loving, caring gaze. No, he wasn't here to break her heart...it was something else, something equally serious...and as Dana looked even deeper inside his eyes, into his soul, she saw that it was something equally...dangerous. And then she knew. Somehow, she knew. That silent, eclectic communication channel between them opened again, and the emotional data flew between two souls. "Skinner," she whispered. Mulder nodded, licking his lips. "He knows," she whispered again. She turned away from Mulder, making her way to the couch. "Oh my god...what are we going to do?" Mulder moved towards her, taking her hands in his as he kneeled on the floor. "Look at me, Scully," he whispered. Slowly, Dana raised her head and found his eyes. She saw the strength there, the resolve, and knew that whatever happened next, two things would remain true: They would be together, and nothing would ever eclipse their love for each other. It was, as far as both of them were concerned, carved in stone. They were a couple. A duo. A partnership carved in stone. Nothing was going to change that. "C'mere," she said, pulling on his hands. "I want you holding me when you tell me what you have to tell me." Mulder moved onto the couch, taking Dana in his arms, pulling her against him. One hand went to her head, stroking her hair. "I guess I should start at the beginning." He proceeded to tell her the range officer's suggestion about imagining someone trying to hurt someone he loved, and how that had made him shoot the best score he'd ever had. And how Skinner was standing behind him when he'd admitted to loving her. "Ohhh, Mulder," Dana wailed. He could feel her tense against him, almost as if she wanted to pull away. He held her tighter. "Scully...it's all right. We went to lunch. We talked. He understands, I think...even better than we do. He knows what we're like together...and now that we've taken this new step...we'll be even better." Scully pushed away from him, her eyes wide, hopeful. "Y-you mean?" "Yup...as long as we keep it professional at work, and Skinner doesn't become 'officially' aware...he doesn't care." Scully sat completely upright. She ran a hand through her hair, staring at nothing in the middle distance. "Well, Mulder," she finally said, "If that doesn't conform to your definition of paranormal phenomena, I don't know what does." Scully turned to face a shocked Mulder, and after a moment, they both burst out laughing. She collapsed back into his arms, still laughing, snuggling her arms around him. "Well, now what?" she asked. Mulder grinned into her hair. "If I remember correctly, you said something about making love...?" Dana smiled into his chest. Good thing Mulder can't see my face right now, she thought. "Uh...Mulder..." He chuckled. "I know...it's not the time." She smiled wider, a genuine smile this time. "Stay right here," she said, getting up. Mulder watched her vanish into the bedroom. After a minute or two she came back wearing a fuzzy pink bathrobe. She was carrying a large bath towel. She tossed it on the couch. "You," she said, pointing a finger at her partner. "stink. You need to take a shower." Mulder nodded. "Sure, but why are you-" The realization dawned him like a bubble popping. He could almost hear the poink! as the idea slid into his head. "That's right, Mulder..." Dana turned and walked into the bathroom. Mulder was rooted to where he sat. He inched his head up over the edge of the couch and turned to look into the bathroom. Scully was leaning over the edge of the tub, adjusting the taps. She cranked the knob over to start the shower, and then straightened, pulling the curtain back. She walked over to the door, smiled at Mulder, turned to face the shower, and- Dropped the robe. Mulder's eyes felt large enough to fall out of their sockets right onto the floor behind the couch. He saw her back, her legs, the soft curve of her buttocks, her dainty feet. Then she was gone, vanishing behind the shower curtain. For the first time in his life, Mulder actually audibly gulped. He heard the lump in his throat working. Then a single slim arm appeared from behind the shower curtain. The finger pointed at Mulder, and then crooked once...twice. Mulder stood, shedding clothes as he walked over to the bathroom. In his boxers, he stood in the doorway. "Wash your back?" he asked. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - END PART IV comments, questions, suggestions, etc. to drambo@azstarnet.com