| Every Step of the Way (2/?) | | A Surprise for Dinner | | Author: Deia | | Category: V, post-ep, M/S UST (for now) | | Rating: PG-13 | | Feedback: deiasm@deiasaddiction.net | | Distribution: go ahead, just let me know | | Spoilers: The Unnatural | | Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money from it | | Summary: The changes in M&S relationship following
the events of The Unnatural |
Thanks to Sallie for being a wonderful and supportive friend and beta.
Dedication: This one is for Kimbly. A belated birthday present for someone I'm very proud to call my friend. Love ya, sweetie. |
Every Step of the Way (2/?) | | Part : A Surprise for Dinner |
Mulder was nervous.
As he walked into their office, the first thing he noticed was the look on Scully's face. They had been going out on dates - although they called them "birthday celebrations" - for 2 months now. He was certain they were, for once, on the same page, but he still felt like a teenager every time the thought of actually making love to his partner invaded his conscious thought. Not that he hadn't fantasized about it for more years than he cared to count. God knew he had played it out in his mind a thousand times, yet the reality of it was another thing all together.
The tension had been building steadily between them, and Mulder knew sooner or later that last step would be taken. He just didn't know it would come so quickly once they started down that path with certainty, or that he would feel this shaken. There was no mistaking what Scully's body language was telling him as she gazed blankly at the wall. Her finger caressing the card he'd given her, lips parted, eyes darkened, skin slightly flushed; it was almost more than he could bear at that moment. Mulder thought of leaving the office before he did something stupid, but when he moved to walk away, her eyes found his and he felt his pulse increase. He knew without a doubt what she was thinking.
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"Scully, what do you like best? Italian or Japanese food?"
"I don't know, Mulder. I like them both."
"But you must have a favorite."
Scully thought about it for a few moments. Mulder could almost hear her weighing the pros and cons of each one, trying to come to a conclusion. Such a simple question, but Scully was a methodical person; she wouldn't just pick one for the sake of it. She would analyze her options and come up with the most accurate answer.
"It'd be Italian, then. Why do you ask?"
"A friend of mine is having a birthday, and I was wondering if I should take her to an Italian restaurant or Japanese restaurant. Thank you, Scully, you were a big help." Mulder grinned at her and went back to his work, but not before seeing the astonished expression on his partner's face. This was going to be fun.
Ever since last Saturday, when Mulder gave Scully baseball lessons and ice cream for her 'birthday,' he couldn't get the memory of the way her body felt pressed against his, out of his mind. He went over the whole night in his mind more times than he could count, and something Scully said had given him this crazy idea.
Mulder wasn't brave enough to ask Scully out, not without an excuse. Even though he saw in her eyes that she had seen through his ruse on the baseball field for what it really was - a chance for them to walk this final path, to bring them together in every aspect - he was still an insecure man, and it would be better if they both had an 'out' if it was necessary.
Close to 5 p.m. Mulder gathered his things and looked at her. "Scully, I need to leave a little early today. Do you plan on staying much longer?"
"No, I'll just finish this last report and go home too."
"Can I ask you a huge favor, then?"
Scully looked annoyed. Of course, he would be annoyed too if she asked him to do something for her, while she was out with someone else. Even more so since last Saturday, but he'd make it up to her later.
"What is it?"
"I'm expecting a phone call tonight from an informant, but as I said, I'm going out with a friend, and I thought maybe you could catch this one for me. He knows you're my partner and can be trusted, so it wouldn't be a problem for you to talk to him."
Now she was really pissed. He thought of telling her the truth, but decided to stick to his plan.
"Sure, Mulder," Scully said curtly. "You want me to go to your apartment to wait all night for some 'informant' to call you, while you are having dinner with your 'friend.' No problem, I can do that." Yeah, she was pissed all right.
"I'll be leaving home at 7 p.m. do you think you can be there before that?"
If it was at all possible, Scully looked even angrier than before. "Of course, Mulder," she said sweetly, "As soon as I leave here I'll go directly to your place. Don't worry; you won't have to change your plans."
"Thanks, Scully." He put his best grateful face for her and she nodded. "See you later, then." She only grunted.
An hour and a half later a very irritated Scully walked through his door. He was wearing one of his best suits, and even his tie was tastefully chosen. When she looked up at him at last, he could see the hurt in her eyes, and he almost gave up on his act. She looked away and put her things on his coffee table.
"Are you leaving now?" She tried to sound casual, but he could hear the sadness in her voice.
"In a few minutes."
"Okay, I'll be working on some reports while I'm here. Do you have any idea what time you'll be back?"
"Not really. Look, I'm sorry to be imposing on you like this. I really appreciate what you're doing for me."
Scully gave him a weak smile, and turned to set up her laptop. He looked at her once more. "Make yourself at home, Scully. If you're not here when I come back, I'll call you tomorrow."
"All right, have fun."
As soon as Mulder left his place, he called the Gunmen.
"Lone Gunmen." Frohike answered at the first ring.
"It's me. I just left my place and she's there. Call her in half an hour. Do you have the address of the restaurant?"
"You already asked me a thousand times, Mulder. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried."
Frohike snorted. "Of course not."
"I'm not... Forget it. Call me if anything goes wrong."
"All right. Mulder?" He knew as soon as he asked Frohike to help him that sooner or later he'd use that serious tone on him.
"Before you say anything, I won't hurt her."
"I believe you, really I do. I don't want either of you to get hurt, and I believe that you're doing the right thing."
"But..." Mulder prompted when the silence stretched.
"No 'buts,' just be careful. Your enemies won't restrain themselves from playing with your minds when they know that your relationship has changed."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Diana."
He went silent. This issue was still a sore one for Mulder, and he didn't want to go there tonight. He sighed. "I really have to go now, but thanks for everything."
"You're welcome. Just send me a full report on this date and we're even." The change in his friend's voice lifted Mulder's spirit again, but brought back the anxiety he was feeling about this whole charade.
"Dream on, Frohike."
"Exactly what I was planning to do."
Mulder hung up and headed for the restaurant. It wasn't very far from his place, so Scully should be able to get there shortly after Frohike called her. If he could only calm down in the meantime...
When Scully walked into the place 45 minutes later, Mulder could hardly keep his breathing even. He saw her talking to the host and the man indicating to her where the table she wanted was.
As Scully walked between the tables, she looked around trying to find the 'informant' she was supposed to meet. Mulder's eyes were fixed on her when she finally spotted him. She approached his table cautiously and asked, "Mulder, what's going on here?"
"Happy birthday, Scully," he said with his most charming grin.
She went very still. Mulder thought she might run away. Scully took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Did you...? I... Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to surprise you. Sit down, Scully. Everybody is looking at us," he said playfully, trying to break the tension between them.
Scully looked around, but he knew she wasn't seeing anyone. She sat in the chair across from his, still baffled. "Mulder, you're crazy."
"Of course I am, but you still like me . Don't you?" he added somewhat uneasily.
Her eyes softened and she gave him a shy smile.
"Are you hungry? I've never been to this place before, but I heard it's pretty good."
After they ordered, Mulder took her hand. "You're not mad, are you?"
"No, but I should be. If you told me we were going out to dinner, I'd have prepared myself." Scully made a gesture at her clothes.
"What would be the fun of that?" Mulder squeezed her hand. "You don't have to worry about it anyway, you're beautiful, Scully."
She blushed and looked away. "Thank you," she whispered and then cleared her throat. "The person that called me, it was one of the Gunmen, wasn't it?"
Mulder smiled at her. "Frohike."
"Oh God, he's not going to leave this alone, is he?"
"I don't think so, Scully. He wants a full report as soon as I get home."
"Don't you dare."
"I wouldn't." He stroked Scully's hand with his thumb, and was delighted to hear her contented sigh.
Good food, good wine, his favorite company; Mulder didn't think his night could get any better than that. They chatted the whole time, sharing stories about everything. Their hands had a conversation of their own, full of promises and assurances.
Way after midnight, Mulder brought Scully's hand to his lips, and she looked at him. "Time to go?" she asked, and he nodded.
They walked to their cars with their hands entwined. When they reached Scully's, Mulder stopped and looked down at her; he saw acceptance in her eyes and was relieved. He wanted it all, and he was certain that she wouldn't deny him if he made a move at her, but he wanted to court her, to give her everything she deserved. Scully knew it, and was letting him set the pace. Trusting him to lead them where they both wanted to go. If at all possible, he loved her even more at that moment.
Scully must have seen it in his eyes, because the next thing he knew, her lips were softly brushing his. His eyes fluttered closed and before he could kiss her back he felt her breath close to his ear. "Good night,
Mulder."
When Mulder opened his eyes Scully was already in her car. He looked at her and was rewarded by the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, and then she was gone.
End of part 2 | |
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