From: "JenRobertson" Please send all feedback to Des at des826@internetconnect.net - I'm just sending this out for her. Author's note: Since it's been so long in-between stories, I was advised to post the whole story again. If you have or are already familiar with Part One, then you can just skip ahead to Part two. It picks up exactly where Pt. one left off. Oh, and I hope you like it. NEW DEBUT! Full Circle To The Truth Pt. One(NC-17)(1/4) AUTHOR: Des EMAIL: des826@internetconnect.net FEEDBACK: As the great James Brown would say: Please, Please, Please!!! DISTRIBUTION: I can't think of any place I WOULDN'T want it to go, so anywhere as long as my name is attached and you let me know when you send it. CLASSIFICATION: MSR, Romance; Post EP-"One Son" RATING: NC-17 for some language and steamy passion between my fav FBI agents. If that doesn't float your boat, DO NOT PASS GO!! Minors: Put your hands in the air, and step AWAY from the fic!! Or I'm telling your mama!! Non/shippers: DANGER! NOROMOS! DANGER!!! MSR AHEAD. SPOILERS: I didn't intend when I first started writing to have any spoilers at all, but, so much of this story is writing itself; I'm just trying to keep up. Though the spoilers are small, it does help to be familiar with all that M&S have been through together. To list so far: Arcadia, Fight The Future, The Ghosts that Stole Christmas, Duane Barry/Ascension/One Breath, The Blessing Way. SMUTNUGGET: M&S's first...(ahem)...encounter, is semi- autobiographical but let's just keep this our little secret! DISCLAIMER: Well, you all KNOW I'm a singer, so I can't Have just a regular disclaimer; IT HAS TO HAVE MUSIC!! This disclaimer is set to the tune of "Walking After You" performed by the Foo Fighters on the Fight The Future soundtrack. If you know it-start humming the tune as you read. If you don't - SHAME ON YOU!! Go buy the soundtrack, and THEN hum the tune as you read. So...here we go... Mulder and Dana Scully, don't belong to me... They are CC's... Along with Fox Broadcasting, and also 1013... Oh no infringement, intended by me... I'm not paid a fee. I'm just a struggling...singer you see... Ooo, ooo...If you come after me... no profit in it for...you. Ooo, Ooo...Just feel Mulder and Scully... deserve happiness...too. Ooo...Ooo...Since CC won't agree... I'm doing it for...you. GRATITUDE & THANKS: CC for pissing me off enough that I felt I had to do something after One Son. I would have never found out what a wonderful thing the writing process is. Maria Gomez, my XF pt beta-reader and idea conjurer at work for being patient, listening to me, and being so sweet; LT and all The Cave dwellers for trying to find the deeper meaning behind the characters; Gwoman&Patt for their outlook, support and for making me laugh; Zuffy - for being who you are - and for writing the pain - filled, three sentence, e-mail that started me on this journey. ATXF for providing a diversity of opinions and just plain silliness; The Paradise...who saved my Philehood after One Son(I was gonna quit watching) and all the writers and lurkers who are a part of the list, you guys are so great; Heather's and Mitzi for pushing, nudging, and when that doesn't work, outright blackmail to inspire us all to write higher levels of smutdom. Nic and Kimba-thanks I know you tried, you were just too busy!! DEDICATION: This story is dedicated to 3 people equally: Brandon - my songwriting partner, for telling me I needed To express what I was feeling. Alicia, my wonderful and supportive beta-reader. Thanks for your ideas, insights and patience, as well as your tremendous faith in me. I not only found a beta-reader, I found a friend. And last, but not least, my best friend Cat. The Scully to my Mulder. We are our own X-file; being able to read each other's minds, sense when something's wrong, and help each other through some rough times. You're closer than a sister and I would not have tried this if you hadn't said "I think you should write it Des." You mean the world to me and I love you. SUMMARY: Special Agent Diana Fowley. Special Agent Dana Scully. What do they mean to Fox Mulder? Does he know? If not, how far do you have to go to find the truth? I thought it was time to find out. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FULL CIRCLE TO THE TRUTH (NC-17) by Des J. Edgar Hoover Building The cellular phone clicked as he angrily disconnected. No answer. As he walked into the J Edgar Hoover building, and onto the elevator, he wondered for the umpteenth time that day-hell, that week, where was Scully? Pressing the button for his floor, he pondered for a moment, all the changes that had happened in the last several weeks. Things haven't been easy and he still wasn't sure how he felt about all that he'd learned. he thought with a shrug. But the way things stood now, the planet is safe - temporarily - NOT through his own efforts but by the efforts of another race of aliens that apparently don't believe in bondage. The group of men that he'd come to think of as the Consortium are all dead - with a few suspicious exceptions. Reaching into his coat pocket, he fished out a handful of sunflower seeds and cracked one open, thinking of loose ends and tight spots. Loose ends like Special Agent Jeffrey Spender, at first thought missing, now presumed dead. He had mixed feelings about it. His initial impression of the Spender was that he was a weasel, but he'd proven himself a man of integrity, standing up for himself, and facing down his superior by telling, no, by DEMANDING that the x-files be given back to him and Scully. And then he'd disappeared. But that last meeting had the desired effect, he thought, stepping from the elevator. He and Scully were back on the x-files, going undercover as a married couple in a planned community where three other married couples had gone missing without a trace. It was to be their first case back. But NOW there were strings attached. Special Agent Diana Fowley was liaison between them and Skinner's office. A glorified way of saying they had to answer to her. Every piece of information they acquire, now has to go through HER first - then Skinner. Mulder thought back for a second on the meeting that served to let him know he could continue his life's work, at the same time it told him there was always a price to be paid for disobedience. When he'd asked Skinner who sent down the order for a liaison, all Skinner said was that it didn't come from his office, but was an anonymous request from someone in a higher branch of the government. Mulder shook his head as he walked down the hall thinking of his partner's reaction to that little piece of news. It wasn't pretty. She'd thought the whole thing was concocted as another way to stop them from getting too close to the truth - and to keep them away from the man who was slowly becoming known as their ally: Assistant Director Walter Skinner. What else could he do, Mulder reasoned to himself, but give her his honest opinion on the subject? He'd told her she was letting her personal feelings color her judgement. Diana made no secret of her interest in the X-Files; it wasn't surprising that she would volunteer to be more directly involved if the opportunity arose. He grinned, thinking of Scully's response to his opinion. It was...NOT for delicate ears. He didn't know what had gotten into his petite partner lately. She was beginning to live up to her red-headed heritage, becoming a veritable spitfire now. But no matter. He secretly loved it when she swore at him - it was so...Unscullylike, he thought with a chuckle. Rounding the corner, he thought of what brought him to these hallowed halls today. He'd received a call from Skinner's secretary, telling him he had a meeting. He'd tried calling Scully then too, but again, he'd gotten no answer. After they'd wrapped up their last case, she told him she was taking off for the weekend. Then the weekend became ten days and he still couldn't reach her, though he was told that she had sent in a request for more time off. He wasn't even sure if she'd been contacted about this meeting but, as he opened the door to Skinner's outer office, he certainly hoped so...he missed her. "You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked, after being announced by Skinner's secretary and taking a seat. Noting his bosses' trademark stony stare, Mulder sat quietly and waited, not even blinking an eye at being studied intensely by the man who had gone from being his boss - and ass-kicker, to being his ally and ass-kicker. They'd played this scenario out so many times in the past that by now, it was old hat. Skinner leaned back in his chair and continued to silently stare at the man sitting so calmly before him. The only agent under him that manages to be both the bane of his existence, and someone so devoted to the truth that he secretly admired him. The road has been rocky, with many twists and turns, and he wondered, with some trepidation, what new twist this meeting would come to represent. But that could wait. Skinner had a question for his rogue agent. "What's going on between you and Agent Scully?" "I'm sorry sir? What do you mean?" Mulder asked cautiously. "Agent Mulder," Skinner began with a sigh, "You and Agent Scully had a focus that, combined, made you one of the most effective partnerships in the Bureau and a way of communicating - a short hand that didn't require words. At first, I thought you just needed to find your rhythm again but - you two are just not on the same page anymore. I want to know why." Mulder froze as the nightmare that he'd been having for the last few weeks, came painfully to life. There WAS a distance between them. One that had him up late at night, pacing the floor, trying to figure out just when it happened. Trying to find a way to bridge the slow, but steadily increasing gap between him and his partner of 6 years. He was just too afraid to talk about it for fear that he would damage the partnership even more. Things were bad, but they were still together, and no one else had noticed. Or so he thought. He should have known that, if anyone was going to notice, it would be Skinner. Realizing that he had been sitting silently for several minutes without answering Skinner's question, he opened his mouth to speak, not having a clue as to what he was going to say. "Sir-" Luckily, a brisk knock at the door gave him a reprieve. The person behind that knock? Diana Fowley. While she made her apologies for being late and took a seat, both Skinner and Mulder eyed each other accusingly. What the hell was going on? , Skinner thought. . Before he could utter a word though, Fowley beat him to it. "OK Fox, what's this all about?" Mulder looked at her in surprise. "I thought Skinner called this meeting". Now it was Skinner's turn to be surprised. "I received a call from my secretary telling me someone had requested a meeting at this date and time. I had assumed it was you Agent Mulder." "No Sir. I received a similar call." "She called me too," added Diana. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Skinner buzzed his secretary, and asked her to come into the office. A few moments later, she walked nervously into the room, just inside the door. "Did you call Agent's Mulder and Fowley and myself to set up this meeting?" "Y-Yes," she stammered, clearing her suddenly dry throat. "Why?" he asked, with more bewilderment than anger. A clear and strong voice from behind her had Mulder's heart thudding. "Because I asked her to." With those words, and a squeeze of reassurance for Skinner's secretary, Special Agent Dana Scully, resplendent in a tailored tan skirt suit, and a file in her hand, entered the room. "I apologize for my methods, sir. I would ask that you not hold it against her, and that she be allowed to stay and take notes." Feeling really bewildered now, Skinner agreed as he glanced at Mulder to get an idea of what this was all about. No answers there. Mulder's attention was completely focused on the woman he hadn't seen or talked to in 10 days. As Mulder watched her taking the empty seat next to him, he was struck by a momentary feeling of helplessness. He was again, slapped by the distance between them. She hadn't looked at him or acknowledged him since she walked into the room. He needed to make things right. Mind made up, his features turning into a mask of determination, he promised himself if he had to carry her kicking and screaming to his apartment and tie her to the couch in his living room, they would work it out. All of it. And she wasn't leaving until they did. Scully took a deep breath and opened the file she carried into the room. Locating the form she was looking for, she handed it to Skinner, without a word. Skinner tried to gauge her mood by searching her face for clues, but her features were smooth - her expression blank, and he soon gave up to concentrate on the piece of paper before him. Mulder watched as Skinner blanched, then reddened, and he wondered just what was on that piece of paper Scully had just handed him. Fighting a growing sense of dread, he again tried to make eye contact with Scully. Again she didn't look at him. "Agent Scully" Skinner began, "what is this about? I assumed if you were having problems with your current assignment, you would come to me, before taking this kind of action. This is not proper procedure or protocol Agent. I never thought I'd have to remind *you*of that." "What kind of action?" Mulder asked, a headache starting to join his thudding heart. Ignoring Mulder's question, Scully answered Skinner's. "I apologize for not following proper procedure Sir. It certainly was not meant to be of any disrespect to you. I just felt this was the best way to handle the situation." Behind the 2 agents, Diana Fowley, shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Something about this made her nervous. Skinner was trying to clamp down on the inevitable guilt he was now feeling, realizing that if he didn't, there might not be any way to salvage the situation. He had KNOWN there was something wrong, he should have done something when he first noticed. But he didn't have time for guilt. He needed to focus his attention on a way to buy enough time to find out what was really going on here. He glanced at Mulder for a moment in sympathy. From his question and the fear that was very visible on his face, Scully never discussed this with him. Poor bastard. Returning his attention to Scully, he said, "after all that you have been through in these past 6 years, and all you have learned about the future, these past several weeks, you think the best way to handle this is to transfer OUT of the X-files?" "WHAT??? Scully, No!!!" Mulder shouted, as behind him, Diana Fowley closed her eyes in reaction. Scully was walking out. Though her voice trembled slightly, her resolve was evident in her response. "Agents Mulder and Fowley are more than capable of handling the field, and I can do more good in the lab overseeing the research team assigned to combat the virus. I'm still fighting sir, just changing battle positions." Momentarily breaking eye contact with Scully, Skinner skewered Mulder with a look that said But Mulder could do nothing. His world had just fallen apart. repeated itself over and over in his head, and his heart was squeezing the life out of him. He had to concentrate just to breathe. Amazingly enough, the next volley came from Fowley. "Look Agent Scully, I know what this is about and-" "All I need is your signature, Sir," Scully said, addressing herself to Skinner, and effectively cutting her off. Still unable to speak, Mulder looked at Skinner, and tried to convey his feelings. Skinner looked down for a moment, feeling torn. "Agent Scully, you are putting me in a very difficult position here". Reaching into the file again, she pulled out a 2nd piece of paper, and placed it on the desk. Again, without a word. Both Skinner and Mulder eyed the second piece of paper apprehensively. What now? He didn't know about Skinner, but Mulder didn't think he could handle any more. Skinner read the letter thoughtfully worded, carefully typed and neatly signed and shook his head in disbelief. "Resignation agent Scully? You would resign from the FBI? You're telling me it's transfer or nothing?" Skinner asked, momentarily losing his tight control on his temper. Mulder closed his eyes, as he felt his heart just break. He was sure everyone could hear it shattering into tiny little pieces. He was positive they could see the blood dripping from his wounds. Scully's resolve wavered for a moment and she risked a quick glance at Mulder out of the corner of her eye, before hurriedly looking back down at her clasped hands. He was hurting. Well, so was she. Strengthening her resolve, she looked at Skinner determinedly as she answered his question. "Yes sir. It's transfer or nothing." At her words, whatever had paralyzed Mulder from the moment she started the conversation, let him go and he exploded into action, at the same time as Agent Fowley. Diana thought, even as she started to berate Scully for not talking over this kind of a major move with her partner or with her: the person with whom she *really* had the problem. At the same time, Mulder was trying to find out why Scully wanted to throw away 6 years of partnership, without even bothering to talk with him. How could she trust him with her life, but NOT trust him with her feelings? But Scully never focused on either of them, choosing instead, to concentrate her attention on a response from Skinner that would end this hell. She didn't know how much more of this she was going to be able to take so, in the midst of all of the chaos, she masked her features and locked gazes with him. Skinner's eyes widened in shock. For the first time since she'd walked into his office, Scully's feelings were clearly evident in her face. She meant it. She was walking, whether he or Mulder liked it or not. He never thought he'd see the day. Not when it came to the X-Files...or Agent Mulder, when Scully would CHOOSE to leave. 'They' had tried everything, including trying to kill her, to break them up and nothing worked. He supposed he figured nothing ever could. Apparently, he was wrong. Breaking eye contact, Skinner thought fast. If he didn't sign the transfer, Scully would walk, and knowing her determination they'd never find her again, she'd make sure of it. Or...maybe she wouldn't - but he couldn't take that chance. Momentarily blinded by a sheen of tears, Skinner blinked and looked up apologetically at Mulder. "You're not going to do it, are you? You can't! Not without giving us a chance to work this out! Damn it Skinner, you didn't let ME resign-" "Nor will I let Agent Scully," Skinner interrupted, and, picking up the letter, tore it into little pieces. Mulder gave a premature sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair, forgetting for a moment, the dual nature of Scully's ultimatum. After tearing up the letter, Skinner picked up his pen and prepared to do the one thing that he knew would look like a betrayal of trust to Agent Mulder. Closing his eyes for a moment, he thought and with that thought as his primary motivation, he signed the official termination of one of the most effective partnerships in the FBI. Mulder was shocked. Skinner had done it. And for the second time in this meeting, he was paralyzed and speechless. "Thank you sir," Scully said. Putting the form back into her file, Scully rose to leave. She knew she had to do this quickly. Before Mulder recovered from his shock. It was almost done. "Agent Scully?" "Yes Sir?" "Take care of yourself." "You too, Sir. You too." As she turned to leave, Scully reminded herself that she had one more thing to take care of and set her sights on the woman beginning to rise from her chair. She had a very private, woman to woman message for one Diana Fowley. Walking across the room, Scully pinned her where she stood with eyes of blue steel. In a voice cold enough to chill and low enough not to be overheard, she spoke. "Take care of him, or you will answer to me. Understand me on this Agent Fowley. You hurt him, or even let someone else hurt him, there will be NO place you can hide." Diana stared at the woman who had just become a small red- headed terminator, and believed every word she said. Assured that her message was received, Scully opened the door, and walked out of the office. As soon as the door was closed, she heard a great deal of commotion and confusion inside. No surprise there. But she could not focus on that right now. "I did it. It's done," she whispered to herself, as she leaned back against the door. Of course she knew that wasn't entirely true. Not if she knew her partner. she thought, as a wave of pain washed over her. When she felt the jiggle of the doorknob, she knew she had to get out of there fast. She needed to get a big enough lead to make it to the elevators before he could stop her. She could never go through with this if she had to face him just now. And so, though it was easy way out, she broke into a trot, in an effort to allude the man that had been a part of her life - a part of her, for 6 years. Mulder spotted her instantly and started walking quickly to stop her, understanding that she probably thought that by walking out on him in public, she would avoid the showdown that would surely occur if she were to face him in private. After 6 years together, she should know him better than that. "Scully! Scully wait! Why won't you talk to me, damn it! Scully!" he said desperately, not even caring about making a scene in the semi-secluded hallway. Tears rolled freely down Scully's cheeks as her heart broke. Because she was blinded by the tears she was sure would become a fixture in her life, at least for the immediate future, she sensed more that saw the elevator arriving. Mulder realized that he wasn't going to catch up to her in time to stop her from getting on the elevator. She was stepping on it right now, though she was facing the wall. he thought. So he stopped, a foot away, and said the one thing that would encompass all the hurt, betrayal, and bewilderment he was feeling. "YOU SAID YOUR PLACE WAS WITH ME NOW!!!" he shouted, just now realizing the tears rolling down his face. At this, Scully halted the elevator doors, which were beginning to close. She'd hoped to avoid this. By planning and executing her transfer in this manner, she thought she could avoid - or at least delay - the inevitable. This was harder than even she'd anticipated and she felt out of control. SO out of control that she was about to do something completely uncharacteristic for her. But her sense of integrity wouldn't allow her to do anything else. < This just isn't fair>, she thought, So she prepared to face the man that was her partner, colleague, friend, one more time. Taking a deep breath, she turned to him. And when she did it was like a punch in the gut to him. Well, she was finally looking at him, and he had her attention, but the only thing he could do was hold on to the wall for support, and the only words he could utter were- "God, Scully, you're crying." "So are you," she replied. In a state of shock, Scully stared. she thought. Mistaking her shock for hope, Mulder tried inching his way a little closer to her, but was stopped when she took her finger off the hold button. "Scully-" "I love you, Mulder." Mulder's knees buckled. As the elevator doors closed, he simply couldn't hold himself up any longer. The wall he was leaning on was now used to brace him as he slid to the floor. He never dared to even DREAM those words from her - except maybe in that hazy time between sleep and wakefulness, when he just couldn't stop his heart from wishing it's desire. And now it's been given to him, at the very same moment that it walks right out of his life. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX End of Part (1/4) Continued in part 2 From: "JenRobertson" Please send all feedback to Des at des826@internetconnect.net - I'm just sending this out for her. NEW DEBUT: Full Circle To The Truth Pt. One (NC-17)(2/4) AUTHOR: Des EMAIL ADDRESS: des826@internetconnect.net Disclaimer in Section 1 As the elevator descended, Dana tried to rein in her rioting emotions. How had it come to this? Since the night she walked out of the LGM's place, she'd known what she had to do. She meant it when she told Mulder she couldn't help him. This was a journey he had to make alone. Even shoring up her strength these past weeks, she STILL felt like she was ripping her own heart out. Was she doing the right thing? Scully leaned against the elevator wall trembling and in tears, alternately cursing herself and rejoicing in the fact that she'd finally told Mulder her "dirty little secret." She felt a little hysterical laugh bubble up at the inappropriate flashback to the last time that phrase was spoken to her, in a haunted house, by a "ghost." Feeling torn apart by equal parts pain and grief, Scully closed her eyes and saw him. Bewildered, betrayed, angry and hurt. God, she'd hurt him. She did her best not to let it show, but the strong bond that had always been between them was alive and well, enough for her to feel both HIS pain as well as her own. It was tearing her up inside; she had to get out of here. Fast. Scully clamped down hard on her lower lip and fought for control, reaching in the pocket of her suit for a tissue to wipe her eyes, not even noticing that the elevator had stopped and a few other agents had gotten on. "Agent Scully? Are you alright?" Outwardly composed now, she turned around as she heard the doors open on the ground floor, squared her shoulders and looked straight ahead, walking resolutely to the exit. "I'm fine." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J Edgar Hoover Building 3:02 PM Standing in the doorway of Skinner's outer office, both he and Diana watched the scene between the two agents unfold, even though they couldn't hear what was being said. The insistent ringing of the telephone penetrated Diana's concentration, and she tore her eyes away from the scene in the hall and looked around for Skinner's secretary, noting that Skinner's concentration remained unbroken. Realizing that Skinner's secretary must have stepped away from her desk, Diana herself walked over to the phone and answered it, taking a message for her. As she heard the phone disconnect in her ear, Diana watched Mulder slide down the wall of the hallway to the floor. Dammit, she needed to find out what was going on. Realizing that she was listening to a dial tone, Diana started to hang up, then thought better of it as an idea came to her. Raising her voice, hoping to catch Skinner's attention, Diana pretended to have a conversation, then hung up; glad to see that her ploy worked. He was watching her. "Sir, that was Holly," She said, walking back to the doorway. "She said that AD Kersch is requesting that you report to his office immediately." "Can't this wait?" he asked, turning his attention back to the scene in the hallway. "No sir. Kersch said immediately." Annoyed, Skinner sighed. "Alright, I have to see what this is about. Agent Fowley, inform Agent Mulder that he is to report back to my office and is NOT to leave until I get back." "Yes, sir. I will." After watching to make sure the Assistant Director was indeed on his way, Diana made a beeline for Mulder. "Fox? My God...Fox, look at you." Getting down on her knees, Diana tried to rouse him as best she could. Wrapping her arms around him, she tried - unsuccessfully - to help him up. He was dead weight. If she was to get him up, she would need his help. She was acutely aware of the picture he made, slovenly draped against the wall. Agents and secretaries alike were already whispering behind her. "Fox, you have to get up. Skinner will be back soon. It won't take him long to realize I invented that urgent request from Kersch's office. I tried to buy you some time to pull yourself together," she stressed. Leaning down further, trying to make eye contact, she slid a finger under his chin, tilting it upwards enough that she can look into his eyes-and was stunned at the devastation there. "Fox? What the hell happened?" "She's gone," he mumbled, stunned. "I can't hear you, Fox." "Sh-she took my dream." "What?" Diana asked, realizing he wasn't making sense. When she received no answer, she tried again. "We'll find a way to work this out Fox...together. You and me, okay?" Mulder squinted, for the first time noticing Diana - and felt totally disoriented. "Fox, Skinner still wants to talk to you in his office when he gets back and everyone is watching. You need to get up and pull yourself together," she said forcefully, holding his face in her hands, trying to keep his attention rooted on her. Mulder nodded mutely, tears still running down his face. After rising from his position on the floor, Diana straightened his jacket, and tried to wipe the tears he still seemed unaware of. "It's going to be okay, Fox," Diana said softly, stroking his face. "I'll help you." After focusing on her blearily for a moment, Mulder walked back down the hall to Skinner's office, while Diana followed along more slowly, assuring enough distance between them to allow her to pull out her cellular phone without being noticed, and quickly dialed a number. "She quit. Not the FBI, the X-files," She said curtly, and hung up. Lengthening her stride, she walked into Skinner's office, grateful to see he hadn't arrived back yet, and closed the door. Taking the empty seat beside Mulder, she took his hand, glad to see the tears had stopped. "Fox, you still have the work; the X-Files are still yours. It can be like old times? Remember? You and me investigating a case? Things should run more smoothly now since you and I approach them from the same side." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Nothing." "No-no, you said approaching it from the same side, are you trying to say that Scully wasn't on my side?" "After what has happened here today, how can you believe anything different?" "You don't know her like I do." "I know she walked out of here without so much as a goodbye!" "And we BOTH know that she's not the ONLY woman in my life that has done that, don't we?" "Dammit, you're not being fair!" "And you are?" "Fox, this work isn't easy and it isn't comfortable - it takes guts to challenge your own beliefs day after day!" "Who the HELL do you think you are? NOW you're saying that Scully is a coward?" "I'm saying that investigating the X-Files requires an open mind. A phrase I tend not to associate with Agent Scully." "You know NOTHING about Scully. She views our cases through the eyes of science; it's who she is and she's saved my ass more times than you can ever know. She is as important to the work, as I am." "Don't you mean she was?" Diana corrected softly. And with her words the pain came rushing back like a flood, making him tightly shut his eyes and get to his feet. "Like I said Diana, you don't know her like I do," Mulder said tiredly, rubbing his temples. The headache was getting worse. He had to get out of there. Opening his eyes and turning quickly, Mulder started for the door - only to be stopped by Diana, blocking his path. "Fox, I'm sorry." Stroking his chest, she added, "I guess I'm a little over- protective when it comes to you." "Diana, if we are to be working together, then Scully is a subject we have to agree NOT to discuss," he said, grabbing her stroking hand, removing it from his chest, and letting it go. And with those words he was gone. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Margaret Scully's house 4:10 PM "Dana?" "Hi mom." "What are you doing here?" she asked, pulling her into her arms for a hug and shutting the door. Dana squeezed her eyes tightly shut and held on for dear life. Alarmed by her daughter's almost desperate grip, and some inner radar that only a parent can have when it comes to their children, Margaret Scully pulled back and gently smoothed her daughter's hair, taking note of the fact that she wouldn't meet her eyes. Wrapping an arm around her waist and gently directing her toward the living room, she asked... "Honey? Is everything alright?" "I'm fine mom." "Come on, let's sit down," she said, patting an empty section of the couch. But Scully was too restless to sit. If she sat, then she might think, and if she thought, she might feel, and THAT was something she couldn't let happen. She simply COULDN'T feel anymore, it would kill her. Stalling, she asked, "Mom, don't you want some coffee?" "In a bit. Sweetheart?" "I sure could use some." "Dana-" "Mom, Mulder and I are no longer partners," Scully abruptly blurted out. "What??" "I terminated it. Transferred out of the X-Files, actually. It's a done deal," she said brokenly. "Why?" "I HAD to." "But...why, honey?" Dana remained silent. Margaret Scully sighed at this well recognized sign. Her daughter was indeed in pain. "Well...how - what did Fox say?" "I didn't give him a chance to say anything." "Dana! You didn't even TALK to him first?" "It was the only way, Mom! I'm just waiting until after hours to pack up my things because I...I just can't face him again!" she said, ending on a whisper. "Oh Mom," Scully cried, "I feel so lost!" With tears in her eyes, she finally broke down and fell into her mother's already outstretched arms. "Oh honey, it will be okay," she soothed. Margaret Scully held her daughter, thought of her partner, and hurt for them both. She'd always known that to find their happiness they'd both have to overcome pain. As she hugged her daughter and tried to comfort her, part of her brain marveled at how her very logical rational daughter thought that just by signing a slip of paper, she could separate 2 people that were joined at the soul. Her mind flashed back to the day she finally understood that fact, a shudder racking her body as she remembered those terrifying months after her daughter's abduction - and the day she handed her daughter's cross, the only piece of jewelry recovered, back to the man she KNEW would never rest until her daughter was back where she belonged. With her family. And with him. Though she was not entirely sure EITHER of them understood that. Yet. But SHE did. And hopefully quite soon...so would they. So be it. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Mulder's Apartment 10:30 PM "Agent Mulder, you were ordered to remain in my office. I wasn't finished with you yet." Mulder leaned against the doorframe and looked at his superior with an insolence that was all bravado. "I had a pressing appointment." "Sitting alone? In your apartment? In the dark?" "Can't beat the company." "You might as well invite me in, because I'm not going away." "Well then...by all means," Mulder said, opening the door wide and bowing deeply. "Stop being such a smart ass Mulder; you're not fooling me," Skinner shot back, entering the apartment and closing the door. "No disrespect intended sir, but it IS after hours, and I'm in my own house." "Meaning?" "I have every right to act like an ass," Mulder replied glibly, settling down on the couch and not even bothering to turn on a light. "Is that what happened between you and Agent Scully?" Skinner asked while settling into a chair himself. At the mention of her name, Mulder closed his eyes - an action that wasn't lost on Skinner. "You probably know more about what happened than I do. She didn't even give me a clue that something was wrong." "Bullshit." Opening his eyes, Mulder just stared. "Don't hand me that crap Agent Mulder. If *I* knew something was wrong , YOU sure as hell did." "Well you sure as hell took care of it, didn't you? A flick of the wrist, problem solved." "Don't try to put the blame on me Agent Mulder. What did you do?" "Just what makes you think I did ANYTHING?" Mulder said, guilt starting to be overcome by temper. "When Scully showed up at that Georgetown hospital, comatose after her abduction 4 years ago, EVERYONE tried to bring her out of it. Nurses and family members alike. But one of the nurses taking care of her told me that she didn't come out of it until YOU sat at her bedside and talked to her. Not even DEATH could make her leave you! And yet this very same woman arranged a meeting in my office this morning and WILLINGLY walked away. Now I'm beginning to lose my patience with you Agent Mulder. WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?" "I DID NOTHING!" Mulder yelled , jumping up from the couch, temper in full control of his actions now. "THAT'S A GODDAMNED LIE," Skinner roared. "There's been a problem between you two ever since Cassandra Spender was found and then killed! So don't hand me that bullshit about you have no idea or that you didn't DO anything, because when you do that, you're working against yourself. Now SOMETHING happened. WHAT THE HELL WAS IT?" The air left Mulder's lungs with a whoosh at his words, feeling as if he'd just received a punch in the gut. Skinner's words had just caused all the pieces to click into place. Now he COULD pinpoint when the trouble started: it was when Scully walked out on him after presenting evidence about Diana, at the LGM's place. AFTER she told him that she couldn't help him anymore. AFTER he'd made it clear that he didn't believe her evidence was any REAL proof. Oh my God. Jumping out of his chair, and grabbing Mulder by his T- shirt, Skinner spun him around, and threw him to the floor. "I asked you a question Agent Mulder, and I expect an answer." Leaning down and grabbing his shirt, Skinner braced as if he fully intended to knock Mulder across the room again. "Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, but EITHER way I'm getting some answers." "Go to hell, Skinner." "Not until you do. Now. What. Did. You. Do." Breaking down, Mulder explained, "We've been having disagreements about Diana." "Disagreements? What kind of disagreements?" "Scully did some checking on Diana and found what she thought was incriminating evidence." "Evidence?" "Through phone records, she was able to find out that Diana had been making weekly trips to Tunisia and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Scully thought the reason for this was to monitor the women who had microchips planted in the back of their necks like her, and then report it to her superiors." "What SHE thought - you didn't agree with her?" "No." "Why not?" "I thought this was...personal." "Agent Scully was chosen as your partner BECAUSE of her objectivity as a scientist, yet you didn't trust her judgement. Why?" "Because she doesn't know Diana like I do." "And that overrides the fact that Agent Scully is your partner and has been for 6 years?" "One has NOTHING to do with the other-" "And THAT'S MY POINT!! Just whose judgement is being affected here, Agent Mulder? What's REALLY going on, dammit!" Skinner added, giving him a shake. It was slowly beginning to dawn on Skinner that this was more a matter of Mulder's inability to handle having both women in his life than anything else - and he stiffened against the surge of anger that coursed through him at the thought. Mulder just stared at Skinner helplessly, shaking his head and watching an almost frightening surge of anger leap into his eyes as he watched his superior begin to put two and two together. Breathing heavily, through clenched teeth, Skinner spoke evenly, "You mean to tell me that one of the best - if not THE best, partnership in the FBI was terminated because YOU couldn't get your SHIT TOGETHER?" he said, ending on a yell. "That's none of your damn business!" Mulder screamed, trying to get up from his position on the floor. "The hell it isn't." Skinner began, holding Mulder in place with a hand to his throat. "Look, I've never questioned you and Agent Scully's relationship. I KNOW that the protectiveness and care that you show toward one another, the bond that develops from that, is necessary and important if you are to stay alive. Yours was stronger than most, I think. It surprises me that you would do ANYTHING to jeopardize that." "I didn't KNOW I was jeopardizing ANYTHING!" "BULLSHIT! If you hand me that innocent line one more time, I swear to god, I will kick your ass." At his words, Mulder sprang into action, forcibly removing Skinner's hands from his throat, and landing a punch that skimmed Skinner's jaw, making his glasses go flying across the room. Before he could connect again, Skinner grabbed him and twisted his arm behind his back high enough that, if Mulder moved the slightest inch, he would be in pain. "You want to take a shot at me, Agent Mulder? Will it change anything? Even if I let you, it won't change the fact that she's gone, and it won't change the fact that you brought this on yourself." "You don't know anything about it Skinner," Mulder replied, slumped, defeated and trying unsuccessfully to hold back tears. As Skinner saw the tears rolling down Mulder's face, he was struck by a twinge of sympathy. Hardening his heart, and cloaking himself with icy remoteness, Skinner rose from his spot on the floor and, picking up his glasses, walked to the door. "Agent Scully is the best thing that ever happened to you. I thought you knew that. If you don't...then she was right to walk out on you. Get your priorities straight Agent Mulder. Before it's too late." And with that, he walked out the door. Mulder sat on the floor, staring at the door in more pain than he thought was possible to feel. He felt lost, adrift. Normally when he felt like this, he turned to Scully. She had always been his anchor, his refuge, no matter what other turmoil existed in his life. Just seeing her, having her around, made things better. But now she's gone. And with that thought, he became aware of one more thing he was feeling. Anger. Rising on shaky legs and picking up his keys, Mulder walked out the door, deciding to go to the one place that still had traces of Scully, hoping that this would bring him some comfort. Back to the office. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J Edgar Hoover building Basement office Dana looked at her watch, and stubbornly wiped the last of the tears from her eyes. It was time to go. She'd purposely parked on a side street outside the building, utilizing the parking meter instead of the parking garage, to insure that she limit her time here, lest her resolve weaken. She couldn't afford to weaken; this was the biggest gamble of her life. She stood, box in hand, and took one last look at the office that had sometimes seemed like a 2nd home to her. So many memories, she mused, arguments, debates, long discussions laced with comfortable silences. Bad puns, even worse innuendoes, she thought a slight smile touching her lips; she was going to miss those. Joy and heartache, pain and comfort. Shutting the door behind her, Scully walked up the steps, out of the building, then down the street. As she walked to the car, Scully thought of the most surprising aspect of her partnership with Mulder. The laughter. She knew that she had a tendency to be very solemn at times, mostly due to the choices she'd made in her life. The solemnity was necessary to be taken seriously. But never with Mulder. He always valued her opinion and took her seriously. Even when they didn't agree. From the first day she walked into his office and introduced herself. To the last, when he scoffed at her evidence about Diana and she'd walked out. Stopping in front of her car, Scully took a deep breath and then searched for her car keys, thinking to herself that it smelled like rain. After putting her box of memories in the trunk, she slammed down the hood. "In all our years together Scully, I never figured you for a coward." "Jesus Mulder," Scully said with a start. "You scared me to death; what are you doing here?" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX End of Part (2/4) Continued in part 3 From: "JenRobertson" Please send all feedback to Des at des826@internetconnect.net - I'm just sending this out for her. NEW DEBUT:Full Circle To The Truth Pt. One (NC-17)(3/4) AUTHOR: Des EMAIL ADDRESS: des826@internetconnect.net Disclaimer in Section 1 Outside the J Edgar Hoover building 11:45 PM Across the street, in a nondescript car, smoke filled the air as the passenger door opened then closed. "You're just in time. The show's just starting." "Do you have any idea what time it is?" "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" "I...no. Why are we here?" "Gathering information; you can only win a war if you don't underestimate your enemy." Annoyed, Diana Fowley grabbed the door handle. "It's too late for guessing games, now if you don't have anything for me-" "Oh but I do Agent Fowley, I do," Opening his window, CSM flicked his cigarette out with thumb and forefinger. "What then?" "I thought it was time you checked out the competition." "What comp-" she broke off. Diana never completed the sentence because it was just at that instant that she spotted Scully slamming down the trunk of her car - and Mulder stepping out of the shadows. Diana stared mutely, as the CSM, lighting another cigarette, remarked, "Should be quite a show, don't you think?" With a chuckle he added, "I only wish I'd bought popcorn." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Stepping further out of the shadows, but saying nothing, Mulder gave his partner *ex-partner* a critical once over. She was slowly becoming pale and she was trembling. Good. She wasn't as unaffected as she seemed, though she was trying desperately to hide that fact from him. Any other time that would have endeared her to him. Now it just hurt. "I'm no coward, Mulder," Scully said evenly, trying to still her suddenly quaking body. "No? Let's look at the facts. You tell me you are going away for a weekend that turns into 10 days, with no call, nothing. When you finally DO show up, it's only to announce that you have arranged a transfer out of the X-files, without a word to your partner or your superior, but worst of all..." Mulder paused as his voice broke with emotion. Clearing his throat, he continued. "But worst of all, you tell me you love me and walk away. What would you call it, Scully?" "Necessary," she shot back, wrapping her arms around herself defensively. His pain was an almost living thing to her. "But you didn't find it necessary to talk with me? Your partner?" "There was nothing left to talk about." "Really? So you're saying it wasn't necessary to talk to me about the fact that you love me?" "I didn't think it was fair to leave without telling you," she said softly. "Well, I didn't think it was fair of you to tell me, then leave." "Mulder, this is pointless. It's done." "Why Scully? Because of Diana?" Scully lowered her head. She had hoped to put this conversation off until they were both better able to handle it. It was time to accept that she would not be given a reprieve. Taking a deep breath, Scully prepared to speak her peace. "Mulder, do you remember what you said to me when we were working on the Pfaster case? You said you didn't want me to feel like I had to keep anything from you, remember?" "Scully-" "And yet, you didn't share this -HER- with me. You've acted from the very beginning like you had something to hide." "I also remember telling you, not so long ago, that you hide your feelings very well! How could I be sure of the way you would react?" "How can you ask something of me that you aren't willing to do yourself?" "And what happened to 'not everything is about you Mulder, this is my life?' Well, I could make the same statement. When is MY life...My life?" Scully flinched away as if he had struck her, eyes going dark with temper and pain, and causing Mulder to instantly regret his words. "Your life has *always* been your life, I'm simply taking mine back," she answered hoarsely, starting to step around him. It was time to go. Mulder grabbed her arm, stopping her before she could get into her car and drive away. "Scully wait." Turning around, Scully faced him with somber blue eyes. "I can't help you Mulder. Not anymore." "You're trying to make me choose and that's not fair." "It's not a question of you choosing; *I* chose." "Why?" "I don't know who you are anymore." "What are you talking about Scully? I am who I have always been." "No. Not when she's around." "Why are you making this about her?" "It's NOT about her, it's about you." "Wait a minute-" "You wanted to know, so LISTEN! I can't trust you anymore! She has some sort of hold over you, and it's affected your judgement!" "My judgement," he repeated, annoyed. "Yes. And your instincts." "The instincts that you say you can no longer trust are the SAME ones that brought me here. RIGHT here! The SAME ones that KNEW you would be here. And the SAME ones that brought YOU here right now." "I came here tonight because-" "You knew, Scully! NO!" He started, before she could interject. "You *knew* I'd be here, just like I *knew* you would! Somehow. We both just knew! Be-because...that's US! We share a bond - a connection! The same bond that told you I was still alive when everyone else thought I was dead. Burned to death in that boxcar in New Mexico," Mulder said, his voice shaking with emotion. "The same bond that NEVER let me give up hope when you were taken-" he stopped, shaking with the effort of holding back the tears that threatened as he thought back to her abduction - and causing the first tear to track down Scully's cheeks. "Even though everyone - including your mother - did give up hope," he finished, his voice hitching. "Somehow I knew, just as you did then, because there is something between us. It's been there from the beginning." "But it's - it isn't there now." "It is. Right now! I wouldn't be here - YOU wouldn't be here - if it weren't!" "You'd understand why I'm doing this if it were!" Taking a deep breath to regroup, Scully continued. "Mulder, I once told you that there was a limit to how far I would go; a line which I cannot -no- WILL not cross. I've drawn it here." "All because I didn't believe you about Diana? I told you you don't know her!" "I don't believe you do either but," she added quickly before he could comment, "she is only part of the problem." "OK. What's the rest of it?" "Mulder. We...our partnership works because were are not only true to the work, but true to ourselves, our beliefs-" "I still believe in you, Scully. Are you telling me you no longer believe in me?" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX End of Part (3/4) Continued in Part 4 From: "JenRobertson" Please send all feedback to Des at des826@internetconnect.net - I'm just sending this out for her. NEW DEBUT: Full Circle To The Truth Pt. One (NC-17)(4/4) AUTHOR: Des EMAIL ADDRESS: des826@internetconnect.net Disclaimer in Section 1 "Mulder...though it probably doesn't look like it, I wouldn't be doing this at all if I didn't believe in you. But it doesn't mean a thing if we don't remain true to our nature and to each other." "We're on opposite sides of the fence with this one, Mulder. For either of us to cross to the other's side without really believing would be betraying everything that we stand for, everything we are. We'd be working against each other, and the truth." "What do you want me to say Scully? Should I tell you you're right when I don't feel you are? Just tell me," Mulder said, raising his voice. "That's just my point," she shouted, trying to make him see, to understand. "You can't do that for me anymore than I can do that for you! What's more, I wouldn't ask you to! You have to be who you are and so do I." "And you think the answer is leaving?" he said angrily. "Leaving is the ONLY answer right now," she yelled. "It can't be a choice between who you are and me!" "But it CAN be a choice between who YOU are and ME, right? And I'm the loser," Mulder yelled, as thunder and lightening acted as a manifestation of the storm inside them both, and the sky started pouring buckets of rain. "That's not it at all!" "You said you loved me," he yelled. "And YOU said I was the ONLY one you trusted! Was THAT a lie," she yelled back, control all but forgotten. "DO...YOU...LOVE...ME?" He yelled, taking a step toward her with every word he spoke. "AS MUCH AS YOU TRUST ME!" "SCULLY, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF TRUST!" "AND IT'S NOT A MATTER OF LOVE!" "DAMN YOU SCULLY! ANSWER ME!" "YES! DO YOU THINK I WOULD LIE ABOUT THAT?" She screamed, tears now joining the rain drops rolling down her face. At this, Mulder lowered his head. The hell of it was he knew she wouldn't. Not Scully. And that thought brought him to the one thing he'd been denying all day: they were at an impasse. How can they get past this and still be who they were? How could they not? If he simply went along with her and followed her blindly, would he be able to look at himself in the mirror? If she felt this strongly about the situation, how could she let herself go along with it without losing her self-respect? They were each immovable. Mulder pushed down the hopelessness that was fighting to rear it's ugly head. Anger was better; anger didn't hurt. Damn her. Damn her for giving him his dream and taking it away. Stepping closer, Mulder leaned down so they were eye to eye. "You walked out without so much as a word. Without talking to me at all. Does 6 years mean NOTHING to you?" "I COULD SAY THE SAME THING! Look, I know I hurt you and I'm sorry, but there was no other way!" "There's ALWAYS another way!" "I COULDN'T tell you because I already knew how you would react!" "How the hell would you know how I was going to react? I thought you just said we didn't have any connection between us anymore! You're suddenly a proponent of ESP?" "I don't need ESP, Mulder," she said, stepping even closer and poking him in the chest. "We've been here before, or don't you remember what happened the *last* time I told you I was leaving?" And there it was. Thrown down like a gauntlet between them. The one subject they each have been so carefully avoiding since last summer, lest a spark that was started in a hallway of a small apartment building in Arlington, ignite into a flame so high neither would be able to put it out or figure out why they would want to. As the rain pelted their bodies, and the wind swirled around them, their breathing became labored, and the air crackled with tension. They each were remembering how close they came to heaven. Regrets filled them both that they weren't able to complete the promise of that kiss. Scully didn't even know if she was ready to complete that promise, and felt a moment of sheer panic. Fight or flight. But it was here that she finally noticed the position they were in. Nose to nose, with her nestled between his legs, and torn between wanting to move, and wanting to stay right where she was. Then Mulder made the choice for her, by wrapping his arms around her, preventing her any escape. "Mulder look, we're both upset and had a very hard day-" "No. No, Scully you asked a question," he whispered, relishing the fact, even through his anger, that this was the first time he held her in his arms in quite this way. "Do I remember what happened the last time?" "Every second," he said menacingly, softly, wrapping her tighter in his embrace, the growing fear in her eyes making his anger spike. "But you make a good point, Scully. This is the second time you've tried. Am I that much a pain in the ass? Or is it that you're just tired of being Mrs. Spooky?" "Mulder? Y-you know it's none of those t-things," she stammered, trying to calm her body's reaction to his nearness. Now that she had confessed her love and was in his arms, it seemed her body wanted it's expression too. And she was losing the energy to fight it. Was it so wrong to finally give in? "And how do I know that? You're the Ice Queen, right? You seem to have no problem walking away. Well, you can shed a few tears for auld lang syne, but after that we just change partners and dance, right? No hard feelings?" Mulder spoke cruelly, trying to hurt her - so that he wasn't the only one in pain. "You think this is easy?," she cried, beginning to feel hurt, then looked - really looked - into his eyes. And saw the truth. He was TRYING to hurt her. Like she was hurting him. She understood him well enough to know how he would view her actions and her heart broke for them both. Every important person in his life betrayed him - with the exception of Samantha - but before he would blame them, he'd see it as something lacking in HIMSELF - something within him that stops people from loving him enough to do the right thing or to stay. How could she get him to understand that she had to leave, but that she wasn't letting go? That this didn't have anything to do with her love? In the end, simple is always best. "I love you, Mulder." "Damn it Scully!" he said angrily, feeling like she was rubbing salt in his wounds. "I love you." "SHUT THE HELL UP!" He yelled, grabbing her until she was standing on tiptoe. Mulder looked into blue eyes both suddenly at half mast and aware, and felt small hands slowly slide their way up his chest, past his neck, to slowly caress his face. "I-" "DON'T SCULLY, I MEAN IT!" he said, quickly shaking her before she could finish the phrase. Scully simply set her teeth and waited. Then tried again. "Mulder, I love-" The rest of the phrase was cut off, as Mulder ground his mouth against hers bruisingly, still trying to hurt her. Jamming his tongue in her mouth and biting her lips, grabbing her breasts, squeezing her hips, and then her ass. But Scully, set free and emboldened by the passion she was now able to give to him, was not to be denied. She poured her love over him. Made sure he felt it in every touch, every sigh, using her tongue to soothe his lips, caressing where he grabbed or squeezed, searching for those special places of pleasure that would make him moan. GOD she wanted to make this man moan. she thought, softly sucking on his neck and feeling desire whip through her at hearing his first faint groan. And they'll BE no changing partners either. He would know that too. "Stop it," Mulder whispered, sinking his teeth into her neck and moaning as she licked him back with love. Nibbling and sucking, she made her way up his neck, thrilling at his every shudder and groan. "I haven't even started yet Mulder," she whispered. Mulder reminded himself. She nipped the soft underside of his chin, then soothed the small bite with her tongue, nibbling her way to his ear where, again using her tongue, she gently traced the outer rim, before sucking gently on the lobe. "Dammit Scully, I said stop it!" he growled, grabbing her shoulders and pushing her away with shaking hands; filled with anger, pain and love. she thought, stepping back into his arms with eyes open, as she stood on tiptoes and tasted the rain on his lips - tracing them slowly with the tip of her tongue and sending desire shooting through them both. She could feel her body softening, getting wetter, preparing itself to receive him, while her eyes told him how much she wanted him. Mulder looked into eyes of blue fire and felt anger and control slip away with every caress, every stroke of her tongue. he thought desperately < How the hell can I fight her love? It's what I always wanted.> And with that thought, Mulder gave himself what he wanted the most and for so long: Scully. Dana closed her eyes a moment as she felt his surrender and tried to resist, at least for a little while longer, her own; shuddering herself as Mulder rained small kisses over every inch of her face. She *still* had a point to prove. Wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her fingers in his thick, brown hair, Scully opened her eyes. Looking directly into his, she let them deliver the message: And if it took a lesson on a dark, public, rain-filled, street, Fox William Mulder would know who he belonged to THIS night. She would leave her touch on his body and her taste in his mouth, and dare him to find someone else to replace them. And if Diana Fowley thought she had a snowball's chance in hell of getting anywhere with him, *she* had a lesson coming too. Scully moaned as she felt his hands slide down her back to cup her ass, fitting her against him tightly and grinding his hips against her in a mute plea for relief. Tightening her grip, she pulled his head down and slid her tongue deep in his mouth. As she felt his tongue move boldly, demandingly into hers, all thought left her mind as she was swept up in the burning needs of a passion long denied and a love finally free. Before she had taken the next breath, she'd yanked the tails of his shirt out of his pants, and ripped it open, running her hands over the breadth and width of his chest, over his back and shoulders, and wishing like hell for a bed - even a table - so she could feast on him. But that didn't mean she couldn't taste, she thought, as she fastened her mouth on his chest, lapping at the rain with her tongue then swirling it around first one nipple, then the other, making him shudder, aroused at the feel of him. He hurried to catch up, sliding his hands up her back and underneath her jacket and yanking her shirt from her skirt, frantic to touch her. He slid his palms down the soft, smooth skin of her back, up, then down again, unhooking her bra on the way, impatient with anything separating him from her sweet flesh. Anxious to feel the curves he'd only dreamed about, he continued his exploration, moving his hands downward past her hips, bending his knees, and grasping the hem of her skirt. Slowly exploring and caressing the soft firm skin of her thighs, Mulder felt a surge that went straight to his groin as he realized that his very proper and tailored Scully wore thigh highs. Each stroke inched her skirt higher and brought him closer to his ultimate destination: the heaven he knew was between her thighs. How many times had he thought about tasting her, swirling his tongue around her clit, licking and sucking, over and over until she came screaming his name, and then doing it all again. And again. Reaching her bikinis, he slipped his hands underneath them, hearing her pleading whimpers, and feeling stunned. She was so hot, he felt branded by her. Her hips were beginning to shift restlessly as her tongue swirled around his invitingly, enticing him inside - only to wrap her lips around it and suck. Hard. Pulling his tongue further into her mouth, and making them both moan loudly as each thought of her doing the same thing with her lips wrapped around his cock. Mulder rocked his hips against her mindlessly, as he felt her small hands slide past both his pants and boxers, making them slide down past his waist, to settle on his ass, matching his rocking hips with movements of her own. He was wrapped in the magic of this small wonder of a woman, who was sexier than any video, and as ferocious as a tigress. This was a Scully he'd only dreamed about, who was surely every man's dream. Sliding her hand around to his front, Scully closed her hand around his shaft, sliding her thumb around the tip that was moist with pre-come and desire. She traced the length of him and marveled at his size. He was both hard and thick. Soft and smooth - and oh so ready for her, she thought, and proceeded to drive him crazy as she pumped him - slowly at first - then with increasing speed. The feeling of her small, capable hand sliding up and down his hard burning length, made him moan loudly, and shudder violently. Abruptly, Mulder unbent his knees, gripped her ass tightly and lifted her off her feet; knowing that if he didn't, it would be over before anything had really begun. Scully responded instantly, parting her thighs, wrapping them tight around his waist, and rubbing herself against his engorged cock; a distressed whimper of frustration escaping her at the barriers of clothing separating them, though it was only their underwear and his pants, since he had her skirt almost up around her waist. Desperate and needing something to brace her against, Mulder slammed her against the door of the car. Using his body to anchor her in place, he ripped her blouse open, shredding her bra along with it and sending buttons flying. Hungrily, he clamped his mouth on her breast, closing his lips around it and tasting the rain on her skin. Flicking the nipple back and forth with his tongue, he used his other hand to gently massage the other. Sucking, licking, then gently biting first one nipple then the other, making Scully moan, and rub herself against him harder and faster. And then they were lost. To anything and everything except each other. Now having the car door to brace her, Scully shifted into overdrive and instantly went to work. Not thinking of anything now, but Mulder and how desperately she wanted him. Shifting in frustration at the barriers still between them, Scully inadvertently found a position that placed him flush between her lips and the tip of his cock directly over her clit. Tightening her thighs around his waist to keep him there, Scully thrust her tongue strongly into his mouth, and proceeded to grind her hips, moving that hard thick ridge up and down between her folds. Fast and hard and furiously she moved, the fabric of her panties providing a marvelous friction that egged her on even further. Mulder had stopped kissing her, and was panting into her mouth. Round and round she went, each stroke rubbing her clit, and bringing them closer and closer to orgasm. Mulder, who was indeed feeling his own orgasm fast approaching, was still frustrated. He wanted skin. He wanted to feel that hot moist heat made just for him. Grabbing a handful of the lacy fabric, he ripped her panties off and threw them to the ground leaving her open and vulnerable to him. Scully slipped her hands lower on his body to slide his pants down even more, insuring that his cock was free and securely nestled between the wet, slick lips of her passion. Both of them moaned at the feeling of flesh on flesh. As he felt the moist heat of her outer lips enclose the length of him, Mulder wanted desperately to slide so far into her that he couldn't tell where he stopped and she began. But this was not the time or place. All it would take was a slight shift of his hips and he would be inside her. And the temptation of that almost drove him insane. But he didn't want to do that here. He wanted to wait until he could take his time about it. Lingering over her, tasting, licking and sucking every part of her body, then sliding inside her and riding her faster and faster until they both came. But for now, he was fit snug between the petals of her womanhood, and wanted to finish what they started. He couldn't jump into the fire - not just yet - but he WAS close enough to feel the heat. The impulse to move was hard to resist - his body was demanding satisfaction. And judging by her arousing whimpers, Scully wanted that too. So, grabbing her hips, Mulder then used his cock to rub her slippery folds up and down the length of him. "Scully, my god, Scully," he panted, moving her back and forth over him faster and almost ready to explode. "More, more please Mulder," she moaned into his mouth. An animal sound escaped him, as he gritted his teeth, and moved faster. The tension was building...faster and faster...out of control and becoming unbearable. Harsh groans and pleading whimpers - like a dam ready to burst. A second away from ecstasy, they were an extension of the storm; harsh and wild, abandoned and elemental. "Scully," he hissed through clenched teeth, "I'm...gonna...come." Trembling and straining, Scully knew she was almost there and moved frantically, grinding her way to the orgasm she knew they both had to have. "Oh. OH! Yes, yes. Mulder!" She cried as the fury came upon her and Mulder covered her mouth with his own. He grabbed her hips and moved his own once, twice, three times, and then went rigid in her arms as he felt his body join hers and shudder with release, while Scully tasted her own name on his lips. Mulder tilted his head toward the rain as he took deep gulps of air and leaned heavily on Scully, idly wondering if he ever DID get the chance to make love to his partner, would he be able to survive her incredible passion. His legs were like water, his heart was racing, his breathing labored, but he knew he'd just had the most incredible experience of his life. Special Agent Dana Scully just blew his mind. Exhausted and trembling, Scully laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you Mulder, never doubt that." Mulder lowered his cheek to the top of her head and closed his eyes. How long had he wanted to hear those words? For about as long as he's been in love with her. Forever. Nudging her head up with his own, he planted a soft, tender kiss on her still trembling lips. "Scully," he whispered. he thought, while they stared at each other in wonder. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Struggling to regulate his breathing in the tomb-like silence of his car, the CSM fished another cigarette out of the pack, and lit it with slightly shaking hands, amazed at what he'd just witnessed. Though his view was obstructed by rain, his location across the street and Mulder and Scully's position behind the car, he knew what he'd just witnessed was beyond powerful. "That was quite a performance. Even better than I had anticipated. Now do you understand why I called you here tonight?" Diana Fowley struggled with equal parts of arousal and anger. She'd forgotten just how passionate Fox could be. But...shit! Had he EVER been that passionate with her? So wrapped up in nothing but what they were doing to each other? They were on a public street humping like a two-bit hooker and her john for god's sake! But she knew it was more than that. Had he ever cherished her and treated HER with the tenderness that he is so obviously - even from across the street in the rain - displaying toward his partner even now? "Agent Fowley? Do you understand?" Slowly tearing her eyes away from the tender scene before her, She looked at the man who, at this moment, she despised for showing her the truth. Forced her to open her eyes to the reality of the situation. "You bastard. What is this about?" "Agent Scully will be a formidable enemy," the CSM smirked, fanning the flames, knowing she was steaming - exactly as he'd wanted her to be. "She's off the X-files, I told you that!" "Surely you don't think it's THAT simple, do you? After what you just witnessed?" he countered, staring at her in disbelief. "I can handle Scully." "Really?" "I've been doing it so far, haven't I?" "That's because she's been helping you." "Helping me?" "Unwittingly, of course. But arranging for a transfer out of the X-files tells me the little lady is smarter than we give her credit for." "I said I can handle Scully," Diana snapped back, losing her grip on control. "You can? Alright, why don't you tell me what this little exercise in the rain was all about?" "It was about anger." Sighing, the CSM shook his head. "I thought I taught you better than that. No, it was about territory. Rights. Ownership." "Ownership of?" "Why, Agent Mulder, of course." "What?" "Let's just hope that your hold over him can match hers. Even *I* underestimated how powerful it is." Diana, fuming, turned back toward the tender scene in the rain. So, Agent Scully thought she could compete with her? "Interesting that he's holding *her* out there instead of you" the CSM mused, as if reading her mind. Diana opened the door and got out of the car before the CSM could grab her, slamming it closed before he could utter a word. The CSM panicked. He wanted her angry. He'd wanted her to know what she was up against, but he didn't want a confrontation. At least not yet. But as he watched an angry Diana cross the street to the couple still unaware of anything else but each other, he knew he had pushed her too far. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Diana fumed, completely oblivious of the rain. If Agent Scully wanted a fight, she was damned well going to get it, she decided and marched across the street ready for battle. Ignoring the rain that plastered her clothes to her body so that they seemed painted on, she crossed the street and started down the side walk toward them. Two steps later, an arm snaked around her waist, and roughly pulled her into a darkened corner of an abandoned storefront. Reacting instinctively, she struck out with her hand intending to connect with her assailant's solar plexus, only to have her hand caught in a firm grip and her body pinned against the wall. "What the hell are you doing?" "Let me go," she seethed, struggling against him. "Feeling jealous, Agent Fowley?" he taunted, tightening his grip. "Well, too late," he whispered. "It was too late from the day she first walked into his office. Anyone with eyes could see that this was inevitable." "Fuck you!" "Stick to the plan, Diana." Enraged, she spit in his face. "You always DID like it rough," he sneered, wiping his face. "Lucky I'm a man that aims to please," he whispered, and crushed his mouth to hers, while she struggled against him fiercely. But as she felt the familiar hands roam over her breasts, hips, and finally between her thighs, she stopped resisting and melted against him, returning his kiss with abandon. "Stick to the plan Diana," he whispered, tearing his lips from hers and walked away into the shadows. he thought. But it was too risky with Cancerman right across the street. He's probably wondering what happened to her as it is. No. It was her move now. He'd played this hunch based on years of intimate knowledge. So many years that she was one of the FEW people who could call him by his real name, though now he even makes his lovers call him X. It would be up to her, whether or not that gamble would pay off. And with that thought, X returned to his car and waited to see what she would do next. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX End of Part 1(4/4)