TITLE: Happy Anniversary, Scully AUTHOR: Verbal RATING: PG CATEGORY: SR KEYWORD: MSR SPOILERS: tiny one for "Emily" DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mulder, Scully, or Mrs. Scully. Chris Carter and FOX do. I am making no profit from my story... I'm just having fun. SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully celebrate the fifth anniversary of their partnership. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SCULLY Scully sighed. "Now that you see there's no alien in the mall, do you mind if I do a little shopping while we're here?" "Sure." Mulder shrugged. Still embarrassed about the false alarm, he meekly followed her into Bath and Body Works. "What are you looking for?" "A birthday present for my mom." She looked at the gift sets and compared prices. They were All expensive, and she didn't have much to spend. Still, she knew what her mother wanted; they had been shopping together last weekend and she had admired on e bath set in particular. After all her mother had done for her, Scully wanted to give her something nice. She browsed a little more, hoping to find something else less expensive. Mulder was looking at the sliced soaps. She picked up one of the more colorful ones and smelled it. "Mm, these smell good. What other scents do they have?" "Your favorite." He grinned and handed her a brown one. "Chocolate?" Scully smiled a little and returned the soap to the display. "I can't decide what to give Mom." "What about one of those gift boxes?" She shrugged. "They're kind of expensive, and I don't have that much on me." "Why don't we split the cost? Alleviate the pressure on me... I wouldn't have the faintest idea what to get her." "You don't have to buy her a present, Mulder." "I want to. Come on, Scully." He led her back over to the gift sets and she picked out the one her mother had liked. "How much you got?" She opened her wallet. "Twenty." "Here, I'll make up the difference." He took her $20 and the gift and paid for it. "C'mon, let's get some coffee." "Mm." She took the bag and trailed after him to a nearby cafe, where he bought their usual and joined her in a corner booth. "Thanks." She kept staring at her hands; Mulder was worried about her. "Scully? What's wrong? You're not crying, are you?" She shook her head. He reached over and took her hand in his. "What is it?" She looked up with wide eyes and trembling lips. "I'm sorry, Mulder. I'm just a little distracted. I've been having some financial problems." "What happened?" She was silent. "You can tell me. What happened, Scully?" "First, I found out my insurance didn't cover all of my cancer treatments. Then my car broke down. Then I got my credit card bills. Then I found out I'm being charged for all the damaged cell phones and things from our last case. The hospital bills ar e what killed me... I emptied my savings account." She sighed heavily. "I was going to take a vacation; I was going to go somewhere quiet and safe and spend a couple of weeks recuperating. Now I'm barely paying the bills." Mulder was shocked. He couldn't believe Scully was having problems. "I'm sorry... can I help?" She shook her head. "I'm fine." There it was. The 'I'm fine' again. "Scully, please let me help you. I know you're upset... don't tell me you're fine. You've been going around all day with this sad look on your face. You're starting to look like me." He pouted melodramatically. "S ee?" Scully laughed a little. "I'll be okay, Mulder." "Listen... what's today?" "March second. Friday." "Well, it looks like I missed your birthday again." He mentally kicked himself. "The billing department of American Express didn't." "Oh, Scully." He kissed her hand. "I'm so sorry... you know, the fifth anniversary of our partnership is next week. We really should do something. An anniversary - slash - belated birthday celebration." "MM. I don't know if I feel like having a party." "Then why don't I buy you a nice present?" He smiled. "Or take you to dinner?" Scully thought a moment. "Mom and I were going to dinner for her birthday tonight. Why don't you join us, and we'll do something for our anniversary later on." "A joint birthday celebration? Sounds good to me. This means I'm going to need another present. You wait here and finish your coffee while I shop." "You don't have to..." "I want to." "That's sweet of you, but..." "Let me do something for you." He kissed her hand. "I'll be back soon." While Scully sipped her coffee and worried about her finances, Mulder went back to Bath andBody Works. He bought the chocolate soap, a little wooden massager, and a set of aromatherapy massage lotions, and headed for the jeweler across from the cafe. T hen he decided against it... he couldn't buy her something so extravagant, even though the diamond tennis bracelet he'd seen would look wonderful on her. He would buy her a sweater or something instead. Mulder knew just enough about women's clothes to let the saleswoman pick something out. "It's for my best friend. She's... probably a size six. Red hair, fair complexion." She selected a little sweater set with pearl buttons. "Do you like the color?" "Gray's fine." "It's green, sir." "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm red-green colorblind. That will be perfect. And I'd like one a size larger in blue if you have it." He had the sweaters giftwrapped and returned to the cafe. Scully had finished her coffee and was curled in the corner of the booth , waiting. "Hi." "Ready to go?" He held out his arm. "I'll take you home so you can wash up." "I called my mom and told her you'll be coming. She's ecstatic." She looked at the packages. "All for me?" "I bought your mom a sweater. And you can open this now." She looked in the Bath and Body Works bag. "Mulder, you shouldn't have." "Yes I should. You're under a lot of pressure; these will relax you. Now let's go; when's dinner?" "Eight-thirty." After Scully had showered and changed into a beautiful cream-colored dress and jacket, they drove to her mother's house. "You look nice," Mulder said. "Thanks." "And you smell like chocolate." She smiled broadly at him. "Yes... I love the soap." He reached over and held her hand. "Don't worry, Scully, everything's going to work out." xxxxxxx Mrs. Scully was delighted to see Mulder - she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Dear Fox. I'm so glad you came. This is the best present I could ever have... my baby girl and my 'adopted son' taking me to dinner." Scully hugged her mom. "This is sort of a joint birthday party, since Mulder forgot mine. Here, happy birthday." She had wrapped her gift in tissue paper and put it in a gift bag before they left. "Thank you, Dana." Mulder gave them he boxes he had kept in the back seat of the car. "One for each of my favorite women." "Mulder..." Scully groaned. "Mom, he gave me a big bag of things from Bath and Body Works already." "I'm making up for three missed birthdays, five Christmases, and four anniversaries," Mulder explained, holding the car door open for them. "I think you're sweet, Fox," Mrs. Scully said warmly. "Be grateful, Dana." "He's being extravagant," she protested. "I am not. I was almost more extravagant than this but I didn't want you to shoot me." They opened their gifts over steaks at Mrs. Scully's favorite restaurant. His choices were rewarded with a delighted kiss and hug from Mrs. Scully and a tearful embrace from her daughter. Scully hugged Mulder tight and whispered, "You're impossible!" H e kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear, "I'm not through with you yet, Scully." She pressed her cheek to his and hugged him tighter in response. Mrs. Scully watched as her baby girl snuggled up to Mulder and put her arm around him. "You two look so nice together," she sighed. "That's why we're such a good team," Mulder said, grinning. "We look cute." Just then the entire staff of the restaurant came out, bearing two small cakes -- one vanilla, one chocolate -- and singing "Happy Birthday." "Fox...!" "Mulder..." He kissed each of them and said, "I called and ordered them while Scully was in the shower. I wanted to do something really embarrassing." He grinned mischievously at Scully, who slapped him playfully. The little cakes were quickly disposed of, and soon they dropped Mrs. Scully off at home. She thanked Mulder profusely and kissed him again. "When you take Dana home, you go in and talk to her. Have coffee or something. She's giving you all the signal s." "Signals?" "Fox, just be attentive to her." Mulder sighed. "Yes, ma'am." Scully invited him in for coffee. He hovered over her while she filled the Mr. Coffee, and while it was percolating he put both arms around her and lifted her up to set her on the counter at his eye level. "Talk to me, Dana-Katherine," he said sternly. She sighed heavily. "What is there to say?" "Tell me what's bothering you. Tell me what you need. Just don't shut me out." Her short legs dangled above the floor, still in uncomfortable hose and high heels. Mulder took off her shoes and left them on the floor, then stood again to hold her hands. "Thanks. Coffee's ready." Mulder poured them both mugs and gave them to Scully, who he scooped up and carried over to the couch. "Talk." "I don't know what to say. I'm keeping the bills paid and I'm not starving. That's all I need." "You said you were going to go on a vacation." "I only thought about it. I wanted to go somewhere and relax, but maybe I could just take a few days off and stay home." Mulder placed her feet in his lap and rubbed them. "You need a vacation and so do I." She sighed and enjoyed he impromptu foot massage. "I wanted to make myself beautiful again, too. I've gained fifteen pounds over and above what I weighed before I got sick, and I don't look as nice as I used to." "You look wonderful. You look healthy, and you smile a lot more than you used to; that makes all the difference. You're beautiful already." "I just need to rejuvenate... I feel old and worn out." She sighed deeply and contentedly, wiggling her toes. "More of this, though, and I might not need to go anywhere." "Why don't I give you a nice massage, and we can do something fun this weekend. Rest and relax, together." Scully smiled a little. "That sounds nice. Mmmm, you certainly know how to give a massage, Agent Mulder." "Go wash up and put on something comfy. Shorts and a tank top if you want me to use the lotion I bought you." She showered and put on her skimpiest outfit with a little trepidation. Here she was, about to get a massage from her partner. The idea of having Mulder's long, soft, beautiful hands running all over her body was both arousing and unnerving at the same time. She had managed to resist the temptation to pursue a romantic relationship for five years, and now she would be getting a massage from Mulder. She looked at herself in the mirror and wondered if she should let Mulder see her in the little white ta nk top and black silk women's boxers. The day they met he'd seen her in gray silk underwear, but that seemed different. Finally she got the relaxing aromatherapy lotion and went to find Mulder. He was making herbal tea for her. "Ready?" He gave her the tea. "Have a sip and come lie on the bed." As he led her to the bedroom he tried not to notice how the tank top clung to her, or how the boxers accentuated her shapely hips. She drank some of the tea and handed him the lotion and stretched out on her stomach. "Be gentle." "Always." He used only a little lotion and started to massage Scully's shoulders. "You're tense. All your muscles are in knots." He was glad he'd decided against using the little wooden massager - it felt too good to touch her. "Mmm... that feels so nice. You have magic fingers." "Better than the vibrating bed in Chaney, Texas?" "God, Mulder, don't remind me of that." "Why?" "I can't believe I acted that way around that sheriff. I'm so sorry." "Why are you apologizing to me?" He moved from her shoulders down to her lower back, reaching under her top to reach the most tense muscles. "Because I know how concerned you were about me, even though you arranged for us to be alone." She sighed. "Mmm, that's wonderful. Oooh, right there." "Lower back pain, Scully?" "Mmm." "You shouldn't wear such high heels." He kneaded the muscles of her lower back until she went limp. "Do you want me to do your legs, too?" "Mm, yes, do you even have to ask?" "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Scully. I've never touched you below the waist unlessI was carrying you out of some trouble." "If you do something I don't like, I'll tell you. But until then, you have carte blanche." He began by running the Vs of his hands up and down her calves; then he gave the same treatment to her thighs. He was afraid of overstepping the boundaries of propriety and common sense... and her boxers, even though he wanted terribly to peel her clothe s off and lay her down on the pillows and make love to her... so he asked her to turn over and sit up. "How's that?" "I feel wonderful." She smiled more broadly than he had ever seen. "I'm not done yet." He took a bit more lotion and massaged the front of her legs, then her arms,and then her arms, and then her tiny hands. He could do both at once, one in each of his hands. "Now get into bed and I'll do your feet again until you fall asleep." "You don't have to do that! You've done so much for me. Thank you, Mulder." "You're very welcome, but I'm not leaving until you're asleep, dreaming sweet dreams." "You know, it's really late. You can sleep on the couch; I still have those clothes from the last time you hid out here, so you can change in the morning." Scully crawled into bed and cuddled under the covers. "There's a blanket on the back of the couc h and you can use this pillow." She gave him one of hers. "Thanks." He went and made up the couch, then returned to her sans jacket, tie, shoes, and belt. "Give me your feet." She un-tucked the covers from the foot of the bed and pulled them up until her feet emerged. "I love this. I could almost forget my problems when you massage my feet." "That's the idea." He smiled. "You relax and go to sleep. Tomorrow's Saturday; we can do something fun. I'm thinking a trip to the Smithsonian and quiet meals at home." "Mm, nice. Pizza and a movie, maybe? A rental, I mean." "Anything you want. Remember, I'm making up for..." "Three birthdays, four anniversaries, and five Christmases," she said. "Good night, Mulder." Once Scully was asleep, Mulder kissed her forehead and went to sleep on the couch to dream of days and weeks and months spent with his Scully, just living together and loving each other. Scully's dreams involved lying in Mulder's arms as he rubbed her pregnant belly large with twins. A boy and a girl, a little Fox and Dana. She was so happy in her dream that she didn't want to wake up the next morning, but awaken she did, to Mulder bring ing a tray of breakfast in. "Mulder!" "I made plenty, so I could sit here with you and enjoy it." "Let me brush my teeth first." She went and washed, then returned to bed. Mulder, in the black jeans and thermal shirt he'd left there, was lying next to her, on top of the covers, holding the tray. "Let's see about breakfast now." xxxxxxx Mulder had prepared cheese omelets, turkey bacon, toast, coffee, and, just for his Scully, a single cream-colored rose. "I hope you like everything," he said shyly. "It's lovely. And where did you get the rose?" "I work in mysterious ways." He took a bite of toast. "I had Byers bring it; his wife grows them indoors." "You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble; I'll be as big as a house if I keep eating like this." "Nah. You deserve a treat." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I've decided something, Scully." "What?" "I decided that I want you to call me Fox. We've worked together for a long time, and we're very close, so we should call each other by our first names." "I've always wanted you to call me Dana," she admitted. "I don't like being called Scully all the time. Not by you." She smiled. "So what are we going to do today?" "I thought we could talk for a while first." "What about?" She finished off the bacon and the toast and started on the last bits of omelet. Mulder was a wonderful cook; she wondered if he would do this more often if she asked. "Everything. I got the tension out of your body last night, now we work on your mind. I'm a psychologist, remember?" "And what do your profiling skills tell you?" "That you're a very troubled young lady who needs somebody to talk to." He set the empty tray on the floor and held his arms out to her. She curled into the fetal position and snuggled against his chest. "Okay, we'll talk. I don't know what you want to talk about, though." "I want you to tell me what's bothering you." He took one of her hands and began to massage it. "Just relax, let me rub your hands and temples, and close your eyes. Breathe deeply." "No, don't hypnotize me!" She sounded panicked. "No; I can't hypnotize people. I don't want to upset you, so I wouldn't if I could. I just want you to relax, okay? Relax and trust me enough to talk to me." Scully let her body go limp and melted into Mulder's gentle caresses. He stroked her hair at her temples with his left hand and rubbed her hand with his right. "Are you comfy?" She nodded. "Good. Tell me about these financial problems first." "I already did. There's nothing more to tell. I got stuck with hospital bills, my credit cards have horrible timing, my car died, and I should have been more careful with my phones. So I had to pay almost eight thousand dollars for cancer treatments. So I have nothing in my savings account. So I can't go away for a week or two of rest. So I'll explode into a huge fireball of stress and have a nervous breakdown." Scully wondered detachedly why she was pouring all this stuff out to Mulder, then decid ed it was high time she let go a little. "You feel stressed. Hmmm, me too. Must be our lovely relaxing job," Mulder said wryly. "Where did you want to go for your vacation?" "Somewhere quiet and safe." "Dana, that's the second time you've said 'safe.' You don't feel safe here do you?" She shook her head. "I've been abducted, summoned to a mountain against my will and nearly burned up, kidnapped by monsters, my baby, my Emily, was taken from me, and... and everything else bad you can think of. People want to do bad things to me; I've had to accept the fact that except for you, Mom, and Skinner, everyone's out to get me." She stifled a sob. Then she looked up at Mulder, whose eyes were soft and sad. "Even you hurt me sometimes, when you don't mean to." "Dana," he sighed, kissing her forehead, "I'm so sorry. Tell me how I hurt you." "You shut me out; you ignore me; you don't touch me for weeks... I need those hugs and the feel of your hand on the small of my back. I need you to talk to me and tell me what you're thinking, so I can help you. Sometimes I feel like you don't trust me, when I trust you more than anyone else in the world." Her words cut him like daggers to the chest. He never realized that she needed to be touched and hugged. And then a lesson from a freshman-year psychology class came floating back to him...that when she said "I'm fine" and closed herself off, it was rea lly a cry for help. He cursed his eidetic memory for lapsing on the one thing he needed to remember. "I'm so sorry, honey. I promise, I'll hug you more and talk to you and I'll help you even when you say you're fine." Another kiss on the forehead. Kis sing Scully was a compulsion... an addiction. "So what kind of holiday do you think you need?" "A quiet one. My ideal vacation would be two weeks in a Vermont inn, with someone nice to share it with. I don't like being alone too much, because then I start thinking about Emily and Iget depressed. I wanted a baby so much, and just when I found out I couldn't have one, I discovered that I already did... and they took her from me. They took away my baby." She began to cry. "Oh, Dana..." He cradled Scully in his arms, rocking her and kissing her. "Cry it all out." When she was all cried out, Mulder took her face in his hands. "I want to give you a vacation...some time to just be happy. What do you say we do that for our anniversary? We'll go someplace together." "Mul... Fox, you do so much for me. You've already given me wonderful presents, made me breakfast, listened to me..." "I need a vacation too. It would be good for me. The last time I went on vacation you got a tattoo and a man and you were nearly killed. I want you with me this time." He wasn't sure if her nearly being killed or her getting a man disturbed him more. "I don't want some psycho manhandling my Scully. Did he... did he try to kiss you?" He couldn't bring himself to ask had they slept together. "He did kiss me once. Then I pushed him away and told him to stop. No matter how rebellious I was feeling, I couldn't do that." "Good, I hate the thought of you being with someone who didn't love and respect you." Like I do, he silently added. Scully sighed and tucked her head under his chin. "Did you see my tattoo?" "Um, no, your shorts covered it." "Here." She pulled her shorts down enough for him to see the little snake eating its own tail. "Look at it." Intrigued, Mulder traced the circle with his fingertip. She shuddered a little, and the feel of his breath on her skin warmed her and chilled her at once. "It's -- amazing," he whispered, staring at the tattoo and the white skin surrounding it. She eve n had freckles on her back; they looked like gold dust sprinkled on cream silk. "I like it." Scully put her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "What would I do without you, Fox?" "You'd be a much happier woman, married with a house full of babies." "No, I'd be miserable. I would hate to imagine life without you." "Hey, Dana, why don't you go put on some clothes and let's go out." Scully went to her drawers and took out some clothes, and then took her new sweater and went to change. As she put on the lovely green sweater set, she wondered about Mulder. Why was he being so generous, lavishing all this attention and affection on he r? It was lovely to get a massage and breakfast in bed, but the best part was being with Mulder's arms, talking... REALLY talking. Mulder washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen while Scully was getting ready. He loved spending all this time with her; she was wonderful to be with and touch and hold. His Scully was the woman of his dreams - intelligent, sensitive, loving, beaut iful. He wanted to take her away for a while and show her that he loved her. A week in Vermont, curled up by a fire with snow outside and soft music on the CD, would be perfect. When she came out of the bedroom, she was wearing her sweater, snug-fitting jeans, and little navy-blue lace-up shoes with two-and-a-half-inch heels. She smiled brightly. "Ready?" "Don't you have any shoes without heels?" "Um, no, I don't think so. I can't even look you in the NOSE without at least two extra inches." She took his hand in both of hers. "I want to be able to look at you. Now let's go." He smiled and wiped his hands dry, then grabbed their overcoats and his keys. "Here." He helped her into her coat, put on his own, and they left. The sky was dark with clouds and the wind was icy cold. "What are we going to do?" Scully asked, pulling her coat tightly around her. "I thought we'd go to the Smithsonian, and have lunch, and maybe go for a walk in the park, but it's a little cold for that. We could go to some other museums or something." "I need my gloves. Hold on a minute." She went inside again and got her gloves and scarf. When she returned to Mulder, with her little blue cashmere gloves on and her scarf around her head, he broke into a broad smile. "What?" "You look nice," he said. "Navy blue head to toe." Scully curled up in the passenger seat of Mulder's car and stared out the window at the gray sky as they drove towards Washington. "I think it's going to snow, Mulder." "Uh... uh... uh...! Fox," he corrected. "Okay. I think it's going to snow, FOX." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. They spent all morning at the Smithsonian, exploring. They held hands as they walked, and Scully leaned on Mulder. She was bundled in her fitted, long navy coat and carried her gloves and scarf in one hand. Mulder's black jeans, shoes, and coat complem ented her navy outfit well. They looked like one of those married couples that dress alike. While Mulder was looking at something on one side of the room and Scully was on the other, a matronly middle-aged lady came up to her. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful couple you and your husband make. I always li ke seeing young people in love." Scully began to correct her, but decided against it. "Thank you." "How long have you been married?" "Um, five years." "Five years! And still in love, how wonderful!" "Tell me," Scully said, suddenly curious, "how could you tell we're married?" "Your body language. You stand close, hold hands, he touches the small of your back. That's really what gave it away." "You're very perceptive." "Like I said, I love seeing youngsters in love." "Thank you." Scully smiled and went to join Mulder. "I'm hungry. You ready for lunch?" He looked at his watch. "Yeah. Let's go." He placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her out. xxxxxxx "So, who was that you were talking to, Dana?" he asked over deli sandwiches and coffee. "That woman told me we're a lovely couple. She thought we were married." He smiled oddly. "Why?" "She said it was because of the way you touch my back, and just... our body language is very intimate." "Married?" Mulder chuckled. "What did you tell her?" "I didn't bother correcting her. It's too complicated to explain." "Yeah. We're sort of... we're unique." "Would you call us a couple?" she wanted to know. "Yeah, a couple of freaks." "Mulder!!" "Fox," he corrected. "Please." "I can't get used to calling you that. It's not you." She picked at her potato chips. "You're... Mulder." "'Mulder' is the FBI me. 'Fox' is the 'me' at home. The 'me' I want you to know. I want you to spend time with me and get to know the real Fox Mulder." He reached over and caressed her face. "And I want to know all about the real Dana Scully." "There's not much else to know after our talk this morning." Suddenly she felt shy, and wouldn't look him in the face. "You know, FOX, I think a walk in the park would be nice." "It's awfully cold." "I'm fine if you are." So they walked in the park, arm in arm. Mulder kept trying to draw Scully out, but she had closed off to him again. She just leaned on him, with her arm around his waist. He wondered what he had said to upset her like this. Scully just wanted to spend some quiet time with Mulder. What the woman in the museum had said made her think. It would be so wonderful to really be married to Mulder... HER Mulder with the big, soft eyes and the strong arms and the kind heart. They p ractically WERE married, emotionally and spiritually. Their bond went deeper than anything physical, but she knew they were both attracted to each other. At least, she hoped he was. Holding onto him like this was heaven. She wasn't sure about his attr action to her... sometimes she felt he was about to kiss her, but sometimes he treated her as dismissively as he had when he thought she was a spy. "Dana?" "Hmm?" "Do you still want to go away for our anniversary?" "Mmm... that would be wonderful. But it would be terribly expensive." "Not necessarily. The Byers went up to New Hampshire over Christmas, and they stayed at a nice, cozy inn for three hundred a night." "That's exorbitant! Unless we only went for a weekend." "Dana... I've never told you this, but I have tons of money. My dad left me a huge trust fund." "Dirty money. Consortium money." "They owe us, after everything they've done to you. They're entitled to finance a vacation for us. What do you say? Two weeks in New Hampshire, all expenses paid by the Cancer Man and his buddies? Snow, scenery, food by the fire..." "Can we get a suite?" "We can get anything we want." She let go of him and darted ahead, whirling around to face him. "You'll have to catch me first!" "Hey!!!" He set off in pursuit at top speed, but she was too quick for him. "Hey, how come you can run so fast on those little legs?!?!" he called after her. "Very funny, Agent Mulder!" As she ran up a hill she had to slow down, so Mulder was able to catch up. He tackled her and they fell to the ground, laughing, arms and legs tangled. She found herself looking up into the handsome hazel-grey eyes of her partner, gasping for breath, he r lips slightly parted. Before she realized what was happening, his lips descended on hers in a brief, soft, wonderfully sweet kiss. "Does this mean you'll go to New Hampshire with me?" he asked, pulling away to look at her. Her face was flushed, her lips swollen, her eyes sparkling. Her red hair was tousled, framing her perfect rounded face. She was beautiful. He wanted to kiss h er longer, but didn't dare. His heart pounded in his ears as he stood and helped her to her feet. "How soon can we leave?" Three days later, Mulder pulled up in front of Scully's apartment all packed up and ready to go. She ran down the steps and had tossed her bags into the back seat before Mulder could get out of the car. Her face was lit up with the most brilliant smile he had ever seen. "I guess you're ready," Mulder said, laughing. "Yeah, let's go." They were going to drive, so they could enjoy the scenery and have time to talk. Their drive was pleasant and silent. They listened to the radio and talked a little, but mostly Scully slept and Mulder drove. They ate at McDonald's and then Scully drove while Mulder slept. She kept looking over at him in the rearview mirror. He loo ked so sweet, like a little boy. A lock of hair fell over his eyes as he curled up into a ball, his cheek resting on his folded hands. He looked so peaceful that she hated to wake him when they arrived at the inn, so she did it as gently as possible - b y smoothing his hair back, kissing his forehead, and whispering, "Wake up, Fox." "Mmm?" He stirred a little. "What?" "We're here." He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and blinked. "What time is it?" "About eight." "I'm starved, let's go." They checked in, asked for some food to be sent up to their suite, and went to unpack. The first thing they saw when they opened their door was a massive fireplace, surrounded by a plush carpet and soft-looking furniture. There were two windows, and two doors that led to the bedrooms. Scully ran to look out the window. "It's gorgeous!" Then she looked into one bedroom and ran through the connecting bathroom to the other bedroom, collapsing on the bed. "Oh, Mulder, it's beautiful," she sighed. He followed with her bags, depositing them on the floor by the bed. He was delighted to see Scully so relaxed. "Having fun, Agent Scully?" "I wonder what Skinner would say if he knew we were consorting in the same bedroom." "I don't care," he said, throwing off his coat and flopping onto the bed beside her, putting his arms around her. "We're here and we're happy." There was a knock at the door. "Damn." Scully jumped up to answer it. "Dinner," she called, carrying a tray into the bedroom. "Do you want to eat it here or by the fireplace?" "Mmm. Fire good." So they curled up on the floor by the fire and ate their meal. Afterwards, they stretched out on the couch together to doze." "Thank you so much... Fox," she sighed. "Two weeks in paradise." "You're welcome. I needed this as much as you." He stroked her silky, shimmering red hair and pulled her closer. As they reclined on the cushions piled on one end of the couch, they stared into the flames and thought about their relationship. Scully w ondered if Mulder loved her, if all the hugging and touching was out of simple platonic affection or if it suggested something deeper. She remembered their kiss that Saturday in the park. Something had been there, something beyond friendship. She wishe d Mulder would tell her what was on his mind. Mulder wondered if Scully's sudden perkiness was a front to hide depression or if she was really happy. He also pondered the possibility that she was trying to keep things light to prevent any real closeness. She didn't seem to mind the hugging and play fulness, but she had not expressed any serious feelings since the weekend. He was almost afraid to broach the subject; she was so relaxed and he didn't want to spoil her vacation. He just stroked her hair. "Sleeping in the car was awful; my shoulders ache. Would you rub them for me?" she asked after a while. Would he! He sat up straight and began to massage her shoulders. "How's that?" "Heavenly," she sighed. Taking a risk, he bent to kiss her neck. She tilted her head to allow him better access, so he took another risk and kissed her again, closer to her earlobe. Then again, right behind her ear. "Dana?" "Mmm? No, don't stop rubbing." He had paused in his gentle ministrations to her shoulders so he could kiss her. "Sorry." He resumed. "What were you going to say, Fox?" She said his name softly, in a voice thick with emotion. "I was going to tell you that I'm glad we did this." "So am I." She turned around to face him and put her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his chest. "So glad." "I hope you're happy now, and that you'll feel better when we go home." He cuddled her as though he'd never let go. "I'm very happy." She reached up to caress his cheek. "Thanks to you." "Dana, honey?" "Yes?" "I... I love you, very much. I can't imagine what I'd do without my beautiful little skeptic." He kissed her cheek. "I love you too, Mulder." She kissed his cheek in return. "You've always been so wonderful to me; you have such a good heart." "Will you let me spoil you and pamper you, and not complain if I want to buy you lots of expensive presents?" "I... suppose I can get used to it." She grinned, winding her arms around his neck and tilting her face up to his. "I seem to remember something about a kiss in the park last Saturday. Let's pick up where we left off." They kissed, a long, passionate kiss that set them both on fire. When they finally came up for air, Scully was crying. He reached up to wipe her cheeks. "What's wrong?" "I'm scared. I'm happy, and I'm scared. I don't know what to do... I never thought we'd be like this." "Well," he said, gazing into her beautiful face, "we'll take our time, okay?" "I'd like that." She smiled. "Can we just lie here like this for a while? I don't want to let go just yet." She settled into his embrace contentedly. "Mmm, this is so perfect," she sighed. "And so are you." He kissed her softly. "Happy anniversary, Scully," he murmured as he dozed off. "Happy anniversary, Fox," she said, kissing his cheek tenderly. "I love you." THE END so... you like? Email me and tell me!!! Verbal98@hotmail.com ciao! Verbal