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The Cow and The Kiss

Summary:

Prompt from @msrisallaround: During Rain King when they moved Scully’s “boyfriend’s” stuff in her room', they actually share the room but come to find- dun dun! There's only one bed! I’d like it if there’s some jealousy bc of Sheila and maybe some late night talks, just fun Mulder/Scully dialogue! UST or RST, what you prefer!

I love “The Rain King”, and was glad to work on this as I always found it odd that they made a point to tell us about the one bed situation but never resolved how that went for them during two nights together. I’m not sure I got the jealousy vibe for you, but Sheila’s kiss does play a role in the eventual MSR! References to lots of other episodes including Dreamland, Triangle, Millennium, Orison and All Things.. MSR IS ALL AROUND: I hope you enjoy it!

Notes:

Betas:
@atths_twice, @admiralty, @xfmaweezy
How did I get so lucky to have three AMAZING writers help me with this story? I’m honestly not sure, but I asked and they agreed. I felt like I hit the lottery. The kindness in the fandom is incredible! All three of them contributed SIGNIFICANTLY and helped to make the story SO much better. Since I'm a baby writer- I need a lot of hand holding and encouragement! I can’t thank you three enough for your patience and support! THANK YOU!! **I've made a million tweaks since they read it, so any missing or extra commas or grammar issues are mine alone! Sorry. Like I said, I'm a baby!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

They had to share a bed.

A damn cow had been pulled up into the sky and crashed through the ceiling of Mulder’s motel room.

Scully had been awoken by the crash, or more accurately startled by it, sleep not coming easily to her, and hurried to see about the ruckus.

Learning that the Cool View Motor Court was booked due to the town’s high school reunion, Mulder would be moved into her room for the duration of their time in Kroner.

Her small room that held a double sized bed, no couch, barely any open floor, two wooden chairs and a small table, would now add to it, one six foot tall man and his chaotic energy.

Old fashioned are ya, hon?

She sighed, recalling what the manager said that morning when Scully said they preferred separate rooms. "Old Fashioned” wasn’t it by a long shot. But, she wasn’t one to open up to a complete stranger about the inner workings of her and Mulder’s relationship.

Now exhausted after a long day of interviews, Scully placed her key in the motel room door, ready for a shower and to go to sleep.

Inside the room however, Mulder sat outstretched on the bed with a preponderance of newspapers all around him, showing no concern for the situation they were in.

He had a theory and when Mulder had a theory, he was the most excitable person on the planet. He was convinced Holman’s emotions were causing the severe weather in the town of Kroner.

Scully refuted him, arguing that the rain had stopped, just as thunder boomed and a giant bolt of lightning crackled, lighting up the parking lot and their room. They both stood to look out the window watching the rain falling in sheets, the amount of which could possibly incite a panic.

“Holman is pissed off at something Scully,” Mulder stated, his voice borderline giddy. “I’m going to get up first thing in the morning and talk to him about this. I need to convince him to get his emotions under control.”

“Because you’re an expert on emotions?” she asked, deadpan.

“Scully, I have no idea what you are insinuating with that comment,” he said, feigning insult. She shrugged and turned away from the window and back towards the room.

“So… I guess we’re sharing this bed. It’s not very big,” she said, sighing.

“If there was a couch, I’d use it, but I can sleep on the floor, Scully. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Mulder, there is barely any floor space to sleep on. It’s fine, we’re adults. We can make it work,” she said, trying to convince herself that this situation wasn’t incredibly awkward.

“I actually happened to find an extra blanket in the closet when I was hanging up my suits. We could each have our own little cocoon?” he suggested with a smile.

“Okay. That’s fine. I’m gonna take a shower. Then I’m going to sleep,” she said, attempting to make her boundaries crystal clear.

“Do you mind if I put the TV on?”

“Totally fine.”

After showering and changing into her full coverage pajamas, Scully wrapped herself in her blanket while Mulder watched “The Hunt for Red October.”

As Sean Connery explained his plan to defect, Scully wondered if she too could somehow escape her dilemma. She grew more and more anxious about sleeping with Mulder this close to her. He’d been looking so good recently. Well, he always had, but something had changed, and her attention was drawn to him now as a man, and not just a partner. Maybe it was the presence of Diana, lurking in every corner, raising her hackles and putting her on edge every time she saw her.

Or maybe… maybe it was something else entirely.

Laying inches from him, smelling his “Mulder smell” was making it worse. She’d never shared a bed with a man unless sex was involved and now, given this awkward situation, she couldn’t stop thinking about sex with Mulder.

Her head was swimming with smutty visions of Mulder; Mulder taking her on top of the dresser; Mulder bending her over in the shower; Mulder kissing her while she rode him; Mulder ramming her into the headboard.

“Shit,” she whispered to herself.

“What?”

“Nothing. Um…I like this movie, but I’m so tired. Good night.”

Of course he seemed completely at ease. He patted her “cocoon” and said, “Night, partner.”

She grabbed her cross and prayed to God to quell her impure thoughts and let her fall asleep quickly.

By some miracle, she was asleep within minutes.

***

In the morning she woke to Mulder standing fully dressed at the foot of the bed and tickling her feet.

“Mulder, what the hell?” she said, pulling her feet back and laughing, unable to stop herself.

“You were sticking out of your cocoon, little caterpillar. How was I supposed to resist that temptation? I’m heading out to see Holman. See you at the airport in an hour, okay?”

“Yes, Mulder. See you there,” she said as she sat up and rolled her eyes.

“Ooh, I saw that.” He tried to grab her foot again, but she kicked at him and he ran out the door, his laughter following behind him.

***

In love.

Holman had been in love with Sheila for years and that was what had been causing the bad weather.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t felt the same, spending years with Daryl Mootz, a man who had not treated her kindly.

Her affection then transferred to Mulder, simply because he had been kind to her.

An argument between Daryl and Sheila, led to a fistfight between him and Mulder as he made sure Sheila was safe. She thanked Mulder with a kiss, much to his, Holman’s and Scully’s surprise. The sight of which had brought about torrential rainstorms, almost as though Holman’s very soul was crying.

Scully had taken Daryl to the police station as Mulder tried to find Holman but to no avail. Knowing he would be at the reunion, Mulder and Scully had both gone there to find him, insisting he do something.

Holman tried again to tell Sheila, but it wasn’t until after a conversation with Scully, and the bathrooms subsequently flooding as a result of the rain, that Sheila and Holman had spoken and kissed, the pouring rain stopping nearly immediately.

“Our work here is done, Scully.” Mulder said nobly as he placed a hand on her lower back and led her to the exit of the gymnasium.

***

The ground was still wet and the last bits of water were dripping from the roof as Mulder pulled into the parking spot in front of their motel room door.

“Hey, Scully,” he said as put the car in park. “I got you something.”

“You did?”

“I did.” He reached into the backseat and grabbed a brown paper shopping bag, smiling as he handed it to her.

Looking confused, she opened the bag and found an assortment of M&Ms, a bottle of wine and some “Mr. Bubble” Bubble Bath.

“Mulder?” she giggled at the bubble bath.

“Yeah, Scully?”

“You got all of this, for me?”

“Yep,” he said nervously, blushing.

“How? When?” She seemed both elated and still confused at the gesture.

“When you took Daryl to be detained. Which sure didn’t stick very well though, did it?” he asked sarcastically. “I know you were hoping to go home today and after looking at the weather radar, I knew the chance of that happening had gone out the window. I had a pocket of time before the reunion and thought it would be nice to get you some of your favorite creature comforts.”

“Creature comforts?” she questioned, amused at his choice of words, as she smiled.

“I’ve known you for six years, I know what helps you relax,” he said with a shrug. “Sorry it's kid's bubble bath and basic candy and wine, but it was the best I could find at the local pharmacy. Anyway, it’s the least I can do since it’s my fault that you’re stuck with me as a roommate.”

“Mulder. It’s not your fault that a cow crash landed into your room,” she said, looking at the items and then at him. “This is incredibly sweet. I don’t know what to say.” She leaned over the center console and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

The hug caught him by surprise and reminded him of their first case together, when she hugged him unexpectedly after he confirmed the mosquito bites on her back were not mystery alien bumps.

“Scully, really,” he said with a smile. “I’m happy to help. In fact, I’m going to leave you to your bath and go find us something to eat. I’ll be back in a little while, okay?”

“Thanks Mulder. You really are the best sometimes,” she said, pulling back from the hug slightly, but still keeping some contact.

“And to think you made fun of my relationship advice abilities earlier,” he teased and wiggled his eyebrows as she finally pulled away.

She grabbed the bag and headed into the motel, smirking at him as she passed in front of the car.

***

Mulder returned about thirty minutes later with a couple of greasy burgers and some fries, closing and locking the door behind him.

The bathroom light was on and the door was cracked. He could hear the faint sounds of water sloshing as he set the food onto the small table, keeping the bag closed to hopefully keep the food warm.

Changing into more comfortable clothes, he knocked on the bathroom door frame.

“Hey Scully, I’m back,” he said, keeping his eyes downcast to avoid glancing toward the mirror and possibly catching a glimpse of her in the bath. “How are you? Do you need anything?” “Hey. I’m good. This bath is really hitting the spot,” she replied. “Would you mind refilling my wine? I left the bottle on the dresser. Get yourself a glass too.”

“Okay.” He paused, wanting to clarify what she meant. “Alright for me to come in there?”

“Yes, I’m all covered in Mr. Bubbles.” He laughed at that.

He slowly pushed the bathroom door open and peeked his head around it, almost nervous that somehow he had misunderstood her.

“Hey,” she said, smiling at him, looking very relaxed.

“Hi. I got some burgers. Are you hungry?”

“Thank you. I actually stuffed my face with the M&M’s.” She chuckled. “So, I'm good right now. Maybe in a bit?”

“Sure. Let me get you that wine, madame,” he said playfully as he walked further into the room and grabbed her cup from the side of the tub.

Even though she was covered in bubbles, he was still taken aback by how beautiful she looked relaxing in the bathtub. Her hair was twisted up on her head and her arms were perched on either side of the tub. He could see a hint of her breasts just above the line of bubbles and he turned to leave the room, not wanting to be caught staring.

He’d had inappropriate thoughts about Scully over the years, how could he not? She was a brilliant, beautiful woman. In fact, his collection of adult tapes and magazines had been unused as of late as she had taken over as his primary source of inspiration on lonely nights. The sight of her in the tub just now was destined to become an image for his eidetic memory to enjoy in the future.

But it wasn’t just lust for him.

Hopped up on adrenaline, he’d told her he loved her after she found him in the Bermuda Triangle, and he meant it. But she assumed it was the medicine talking and he took the easy way out by avoiding a discussion about it. He pushed aside the awkward realization that he loved her, especially as she didn’t seem to feel the same way.

Wine poured, he walked back into the bathroom and handed her her cup.

“Cheers,” he said as he tapped her cup with his and took a sip.

Putting her cup down next to her, Scully turned her head to the side and gave him a look. One he had never seen before, almost like a cute, confused puppy.

“What?” he asked, smiling at her.

She put her finger over her lip and shook her head, like she shouldn’t say whatever she was thinking.

“What, Scully?” he repeated.

“Nothing. Just something Sheila said to me.”

“What did she say?”

“Well, it’s funny actually,” she said, giggling slightly.

He raised his eyebrows at the sound, something he didn’t hear often enough, but loved whenever he did. Intrigued by her discussion with Sheila, and tired after all he had done that day, he drew in a breath and smiled at her.

“Hey, Scully? Do you mind if I sit down so we can continue this discussion? I’d like to get off my feet.” He motioned at the bathroom floor adjacent to the tub.

“Of course. Please sit.”

“So,” he said as he sat down, his cup of wine held in his hand.

“So?” she echoed.

“So, what did Sheila say that was so funny?”

She giggled again and he smiled.

She didn’t appear drunk, but she definitely seemed a bit buzzed and carefree.

“She said,” Scully cleared her throat and imitated Sheila’s voice. “Trust me, that man knows how to kiss.” She snickered again and his eyes widened. “She said that about me? Oh, God. That kiss was so unwelcome. I mean, Sheila’s a nice woman, but I certainly didn’t want to kiss her and I certainly didn’t kiss her back.” He looked at the ground and shifted nervously. “You looked shocked at seeing it, Scully. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Mulder. It’s just…” She stopped talking and he glanced up as she covered her mouth with her hand, looking nervous.

“What Scully? It’s just what?” he questioned her with an open, sweet expression. He smiled, encouraging her to share.

“I haven’t kissed someone in so long,” she said softly. “I feel like I don’t even remember how it feels.” He stared for a beat, empathizing with her.

“Well, it’s been a while for me, too. Although, I did kiss you in 1939 before you punched me with a mean right hook. And you know, I’ve been having this feeling of deja vu from another time where you wanted to kiss me, but you said I was too damn ugly.” He said, shaking his head, puzzled.

Shaking her head, she sighed. “Mulder, I would never say that. You’re very handsome.”

“Thank you.”

He blushed as he stared down at the bathroom tile. Taking a large sip of his wine for courage, he raised his head and looked into her eyes.

“You’re so beautiful Scully. I should tell you that more often.”

They were both quiet for a moment, thinking about the compliment the other had just been paid.

She shifted in the bathtub so that she was on her knees, her face now at the end of the tub nearest where he sat on the floor.

“Mulder, do you ever think about us kissing?” she whispered.

He took another sip of wine, emptying his glass as he held her gaze, hoping this wasn’t some kind of joke or a dream. She looked at ease as she anticipated his response.

“I do,” he whispered under his breath, gaining confidence and saying it again. “I do.” Trying to read her thoughts as he stared into her eyes.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been kissed.” She busied her hands on the edge of the porcelain tub, lowering her eyes and licking her lips. “I’d love to kiss you.”

His heart skipped a beat and he felt it all the way up in his throat.

She raised her eyes to look directly into his and asked sincerely, “Mulder, would you kiss me?”

She was close enough that he only had to lean forward on his knees to reach her. He leaned slowly, never breaking eye contact, before closing the distance and meeting her lips with his.

Within seconds, the kiss turned passionate. Their heads shifted to create more pressure. He raised his hands to her cheeks and brushed her jawline with his thumbs. She ran her hands to the back of his neck and pushed her tongue forward, seeking permission. He reciprocated, pushing his tongue firmly into her mouth, exploring, and nibbling on her full lip as his sweatpants began to grow tight.

After a minute or two, she pulled away for air, their eyes closed as they rested against each other’s foreheads.

“Oh. I forgot how much I like kissing,” she said, moving one hand from his neck down to his chest, rubbing it softly. “Sheila was right. Damn, you can kiss, Mulder.” She breathed heavily and he did the same.

He moved forward to kiss her again, running his hands up into her hair, scratching gently at her scalp.

She moaned softly and a slow, low grunt erupted from his throat in response. He sweetly, but confidently, turned her head to gain access to her neck.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss you, Scully,” he whispered in her ear as he moved to suck her pulse point.

At that, she gasped, and raised onto her knees in the tub to get closer to him. Now flush against him, she pushed her tongue back into his mouth. He felt his erection growing as her soft, wet breasts were now soaking his t-shirt.

They kissed for a few minutes more, completely lost in the feeling of their tongues dancing. His hands were running up and down her bare back, his fingertips brushing the sides of her breasts. She grasped the neck of his t-shirt as if holding onto him to prevent any shift apart.

Suddenly, he heard a noise. What was that?

Their kissing continued, but so did the noise..

“Mulder,” she said, pulling away from him, trying to catch her breath. “Your cell phone…”

He reached into his jeans to grab his phone and saw the number on the screen.

“Fuck… it’s Kersh. I’ll… I’ll be right back.” He stood up and moved toward the door, stepping out of the bathroom as he answered the phone.

***

She was floating on a cloud.

She had just made out with Mulder.

She exhaled a laugh as she collapsed back into the tub, covering her mouth with her fingertips.

Then panic set in and she drew in a sharp breath.

“Shit!” she said, her hands now covering her face.

She just made out with Mulder. What the hell was she doing?

He looked so good and the conversation with Sheila had her thoughts wondering a litany of what-ifs.

She had worked so hard to keep boundaries and remain professional. She heard enough comments to know that people thought she was emotionally cold, but truthfully she was a very sexual and emotional woman. It just so happened that the man she fantasized about was a man she shouldn’t get involved with as rules prevented it from happening. Plus, it would put their entire relationship at stake.

“Damn it!” she chided herself, angry now.

They could just pretend like it didn’t happen. Act like it was a science type experiment. Embarrassed, she sank further back into the water as if she could hide there for the rest of her life.

Realizing she couldn’t actually permanently relocate to the bathtub, she hurried and got out. Drying off, she put on her robe and looked at herself in the mirror.

She was flushed and glowing, the telltale sign that her body had clearly enjoyed itself.

Maybe she was making too big a deal of this, maybe Mulder hadn’t felt anything?

Ugh, who was she kidding? Those kisses were electric.

And he said he'd always wanted to kiss her. Did he really mean that?

The wine, chocolate and bubble bath had seemed like a good idea at first, but now they were acting as a dangerous trifecta of aphrodisiacs. She felt her body betray her as she continued to get wetter and it was not from the bath.

Then alarms started going off in her head as she remembered they still had to share a bed. Shit! She put her face in her hands and closed her eyes.

How in the hell was she going to do that after what they just did?

 

***

 

She sheepishly walked out to the bedroom to grab her clothes, her eyes on the carpet, but unable to risk a glance at Mulder.

He was staring at her intently, his eyes dark, and his shirt wet from where she had pressed against him. It made her stomach clench in desire, wanting to kiss him once again.

More than kiss him, she thought, swallowing hard and shaking her head.

“...Agent Scully and I appreciate you letting us take this case. Yes, we will be flying back tomorrow. The weather hasn’t been clear enough to fly out any sooner. Yes, thank you, sir.” He hung up and let out a sigh.

“Everything okay?” she asked, looking at the clothes in her hands.

“Yeah. He got my voicemail that we were wrapping up the case. I still can’t believe he even let us take this case. Maybe he’s not as bad as he seems.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Mulder. He’s going to have us chasing down bulk fertilizer orders again tomorrow.”

“Well, I thought this case was interesting. Led to some interesting things.” She saw him coming towards her out of the corner of her eye and stepped back.

“Um, Mulder, listen… about what just happened. We shouldn’t do that. We’re trying so hard to get the X-Files back. The last thing we need is anyone talking about us in a way that could result in us being split up.”

“Oh,” he said, nodding reluctantly. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

That’s how it has to be, she thought, but said nothing. She nodded as she once again looked away, turning back toward the bathroom to get dressed.

“Scully, there is one thing though...”

“Yeah?” she asked, glancing back at him.

“I didn’t sleep well last night. My blanket has a giant hole in the middle of it.” He took it from the bed and held it up, sticking his head through it, looking a bit like an animal head on a mount. The silliness of his action broke the tension a little and made her laugh despite herself. “I guess that’s why it was hidden in the closet. I know it might be a little awkward and I’m sorry, but any chance we can share yours tonight?”

Oh God, she thought.

Being directly next to his skin all night was the last thing she needed. She was still aroused from the kissing, and judging by the way he had looked at her, he might be too. She felt a flush go through her body and settle at her core.

“Okay Mulder,” she said quietly, knowing there was nothing else she could say. “I’m gonna get dressed. You might want to change too.”

She watched him look down at his wet shirt, his eyes raising to meet hers before she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door. Breathing hard, she leaned against it and took a second to compose herself.

***

He was in bed when she re-entered the room and he watched her hanging up her dirty suit before she turned out the lights and got into bed. Lying on her back under their shared blanket, the glow from the street light outside allowed him to see her profile despite the darkness of the room.

“Scully,” he said, hoping she heard the sincerity in his voice. “I’m sorry if what we did made you uncomfortable. I guess I took it too far.”

“Mulder, it's not your fault. I initiated it by bringing up what Sheila said. I asked you to kiss me for God’s sake.” She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Well. What can I say, Scully? Like I mentioned, there is a part of me that always wants to kiss you. You are a beautiful woman and my best friend. I’ve always wondered. But I know that’s not what you want and that’s fine. Your partnership and friendship mean everything to me.”

“Mulder,” she said, opening her eyes and sighing. “It’s not that I don’t want to. We just shouldn’t.”

He flashed her a curious look, stunned by her words. She was basically insinuating she wanted him, but also saying it was a bad idea.

Was it a bad idea?

Sure, pursuing a physical relationship was a risk, but maybe it would be great. Maybe it would be amazing.

While he thought, imagining how amazing it could be, Scully had turned her back to him and sighed loudly once again.

“Scully?” he said, attempting to bring her attention back to him.

“Let’s just go to sleep,” she said, closing down any further communication.

He had a feeling that if he allowed her to end their evening right now, they might totally miss their chance of ever taking things to the next level.

Remembering how they started the day, he had a moment of inspiration and thought of a way to possibly break through to her.

He reached under the blanket and found her shoulder. Sliding his fingers down, he began to tickle her armpit.

“Mulder!” she shouted, wiggling about.

He didn’t relent so she turned towards him and started to tickle him back. His neck, his armpits, then his waist, wherever she could reach.

“Scu-lly…. I… can’t… breathe,” he laughed, still trying to tickle her and get a hold of one of her tiny feet.

“Don’t you dare, Mulder!” she squealed in a high pitch. “Mulder, you’re dead.”

She jumped on top of him, straddling him, and grabbed his wrists pinning him to the bed in an attempt to make the tickling stop.

Silence filled the room as they realized the position they were now in. His eyes traveled down to her lap knowing she must be feeling the erection building between his legs.

“Mulder, what are we doing? "she asked, flushing and breathing hard.

“Scully, I told you I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he whispered.

“Mulder, but it seems like…” Her eyes flitted down to his groin. “...it seems like you want more.”

“I don’t want to lie to you, Scully,” he continued, her hands still holding his to the bed. “I think about us together sometimes. You asked me earlier if I ever thought about us kissing. Do you ever think about us doing more than kissing? I know you don’t want to cross a line, I know that. But do you ever think about it?”

She took a deep breath and gazed into his eyes.

“Yes,” she said, her voice a lusty full octave lower than normal. “I think about it a lot. I’ve thought about it for a long time.”

“You have?” He was eager and couldn’t stop from asking. “How long have you thought about it, Scully? Please tell me.”

Her eyes closed, she shared, “I don’t even remember the exact first time I thought about it. A long time ago. Maybe it was when we were quarantined together after the parasite in Alaska.” He grew harder underneath her as she let go of his wrists and he began to softly rub her sides between her waist and hips. She opened her eyes and sighed.

“Scully. That was almost six years ago,” he said, smiling sweetly at her. “I’m sorry. I know it’s embarrassing.” She put her face in her hands, shaking her head. She began to get off him when he stopped her, holding her in place by her hips. “Scully, I’ve thought about it since our first case, after laughing with you in the rain,” he admitted, looking up at her reverently.

“So why haven’t we ever…done anything?” she wondered.

“I didn’t think you wanted to,” he said.

“I’ve been scared it will mess things up for us,” she said. “But I do want to.”

“I realize it’s scary, but I haven’t stopped thinking about it for six years,” he smiled. “Maybe it’s time?”

“I want you,” she stated quietly.

“Don't’ be scared,” he encouraged, moving a stray hair behind her ear, stroking her cheek.

She smiled and leaned down, closing her eyes this time as her lips landed on his lips, softly and chastely.

And then they began to make out again. Their tongues clashed, as she bit and sucked on his plump bottom lip, and he moved his hands from her hips to her ass pulling her tightly to him.

She pulled at the hem of his shirt and he worked to remove it without shifting her from on top of him. She removed her pajama shirt and leaned forward to press her breasts against his strong chest.

“Oh God, Scully,” he moaned at the sight and feel of her perfectly shaped breasts. She gently rubbed her chest up and down on his, heightening the sensation of her nipples for both of them.

She ground down into him and they both suddenly inhaled. She tugged at his sweatpants, and he gently removed her from his lap as he stood up to take them off. Nodding his head at her, she caught his suggestion and also took off her pants and threw them across the room, breathing heavily and swallowing hard as her eyes were drawn to his tented boxers.

He smiled as he watched her staring at him, his ego growing as did his erection.

“Everything okay?” he asked, stepping closer to her.

“Hmm,” she hummed, nodding as she continued to stare at him. “You’re just… you’re hot, Mulder.”

“God, Scully,” he said, getting back into the bed and lifting the covers for a peek of her nearly naked form in the moonlight, making her gasp. “I'm nothing compared to you. You’re magnificent.”

She held his face and kissed him before he pulled away and began to work his way down her body, taking his time to kiss her soft skin, starting with her neck.

“1…2…3…4…5…6,” he whispered as he placed wet, open mouth kisses on her pulse point.

Then he shifted to her breasts. “Mmm. Mulder,” she whined as he kissed one with his mouth while his hand kneaded the other. He was now incredibly hard, but on a mission to please her before anything else.

“1…2…3…4…5…6,” he said, still whispering to himself.

He softly grazed down her stomach with his soft, plump lips. She arched up into his mouth as his tongue licked her while his lips continued to work.

“1…2…3… Scully?”

“Mmm…yeah?”

“When did you get this?” he asked teasingly, flicking gently at her navel ring.

“During medical school. It was such an onerous experience, and I wanted to rebel a little. Mulder, why are you counting?”

Ignoring her question, he laid his head on her stomach as if it was his pillow and stared, compelled by her simple gold navel ring, as he smiled.

“I can’t believe you’ve had this the entire time I’ve known you. I saw a flash of it in Antarctica but convinced myself that I had made it up.” He circled her navel with a delicate touch as he spoke, “then, I thought I saw something in the decon shower, but I was trying not to look.”

“You mean you were pretending to not look.”

“If I recall, you peeked down at me too, Agent Scully.”

“Guilty,” she snickered. “Can you blame me? I told you, you’re hot!”

“It’s sexy, Scully,” he said as he moved his finger up and down the band. “You’re always keeping me guessing. Now where was I? Oh yeah, 4…5…6.” He tugged gently at the ring with his teeth as she gripped his hair.

“Mulder, why are you counting?” she asked breathlessly.

“I’m kissing you six times in each of the spots I’ve dreamed of kissing you to make up for the six years I’ve missed,” he said, his head back on her belly again, staring at her, his finger mapping an areola.

“Mulder, I should have known you’d be playful in bed,” she shook her head in adoration. “Come here,” she whispered.

He moved back up to her and she took over, her hands now mapping him; her fingernails pressing into his neck, trailing down his shoulder blades and the top of his ass, and then back up his abs and chest. She shifted her hips against his arousal, creating more contact.

Already fully turned on, he couldn’t wait another second.

“Scully, I want you,” he growled gently.

“Mulder, as long as you can make it more than six…ya know,” she giggled sweetly, gesturing her fist back and forth in a stroking motion, displaying her playful side now.

“Hey,” he said, tickling her in response and she wiggled cutely. He liked this new tickling thing that was happening between them. “That won’t be a problem.”

He grinned, finally removing his boxers and tossing them behind him. He then hooked the band of her panties with his fingers and pulled them down slowly, grazing her arousal several times with his thick knuckles while taking them off.

“Oh God,” she moaned.

Mulder shifted on top of her, bracketing her head with his arms.

He kissed her softly, and then pulled back, both of them watching as he slowly entered her. She arched her body into him and then her eyes rolled back from the exquisite pressure.

“Mmm… Mulder, you feel amazing,” she groaned as she grabbed his ass with both hands to encourage him to move.

He started slow, but after six years of foreplay, his pace soon quickened. She met him thrust for thrust as she sweetly moaned with pleasure.

“Scully, shit. Is this real?” he breathed.

“Mulder, it’s real. It’s us,” she said as she kissed his neck, nipping at his ear lobe. He thrust harder and she panted. “Yessss.”

He felt like they were on fire together as she ran her fingernails up and down his back.

Far past the aforementioned six strokes, he could tell she was getting close, so he reached between them to aid in her release.

“Ohhhh yes, don’t stop, please,” she cried, encouraging him, the sound of her pleasure bringing him even closer.

She hooked her feet around his thighs and cupped his ass again with both hands. The angle much deeper and the sensation even greater, he thrusted a few more times until they were flying over the edge together. She pulsed around him as he emptied inside of her, both of them trying to catch their breath.

"Amazing,” he whispered to her as he fell onto his elbows so as to not crush her, and littered kisses across her face and neck. “You are so fucking amazing,” he panted. “My Scully,” he smiled and laid his head on her breast.

"I wonder if we just caused a severe weather anomaly somewhere,” she said as she blushed. “Because that was incredible. Wow.”

He laughed and kissed her forehead, pulling her tightly to his chest.

They each used the bathroom before deciding to eat their very late dinner, naked in bed, having worked up quite an appetite.

They stole looks at each other and giggled, but it didn’t really feel awkward at all. It felt surprisingly easy.

After brushing their teeth, they drifted to sleep holding each other tightly under their shared blanket.

***

She awoke early the next morning feeling fulfilled. Despite the blanket being kicked down to the foot of the bed, his body heat had kept her warm through the night.

He was sleeping possessively with his head on her breast, his arm wrapped around her hip, and his leg clipped around hers.

She couldn’t help but smile as she ran her fingers through his hair. Watching him sleep for several minutes, she finally had to carefully move from his grasp to use the bathroom.

When she returned to bed, he was awake.

He pulled her to him and spooned her, kissed her neck, and whispered, “Morning, Scully.” She felt his morning erection and pushed back into it, lifting her leg above his to give him access as they got lost in one another again. It was sleepy, slow and soft, early morning sex, just like the sun rising outside.

He kissed and whispered affection into her ear the entire time. “You are so beautiful, Scully,” he said on repeat, and “you feel so good.”

She had a long and intense orgasm, finishing with him again. It seemed their timing was finally right.

They made it out of Kroner, catching a few flights to get back to D.C. He took her hand on the long flight from Wichita to Dulles and she intertwined their fingers, not letting go until they landed.

When they parted ways at the airport, he winked at her, and she smiled. They didn’t talk about it, but they both knew things had changed. A switch that had been flicked was now shining brightly and would not be burning out.

***

Epilogue: A little over a year later

Mulder received a piece of mail from Kroner, Kansas. The return address was from The Hardts, with a stamped heart around their name and address.

Smiling, he opened the envelope and found a photo of Holman, Sheila, and their newborn baby. Holman had manifested himself a perfect little family.

On the back, there was a note that read:

 

T o Special Agent Mulder

Thank you for advising me to go for what I always wanted.

There’s never a cloudy day when you have love!

Holman

 

Mulder chuckled softly with delight to think that he and Scully had played some small role in bringing happiness and joy into the world, when so often they were stuck in a world of darkness and despair.

He leaned back in his chair and considered what an eventful year it had been, not only for Holman and Sheila, but also for him and Scully, both professionally as well as personally.

Deciding to focus on the personal, he glanced over at Scully as they sat in their basement office, the X-Files theirs once again. She was so incredibly beautiful, it continued to take his breath away.

Though the shift in their personal relationship felt like it happened slowly, the way their bodies were attracted to one another like powerful magnets, really was an X-File. They never grew tired of the other’s touch, but kept their blossoming relationship under wraps to protect their jobs and their safety.

He kissed her in public for the first time in a hospital as the ball dropped on New Year’s. It seemed fitting as the two of them had spent their fair share of time in hospital rooms over the years.

A harrowing case had led to her being attacked and needing to stay with him, her apartment a crime scene and a wreck of broken glass. The second night as she weaned herself off the pain pills the doctor had prescribed her, Mulder told her he was completely and utterly in love with her. She shared that she was in love with him too and they gently made love.

A few days ago, by happenstance, she had run into an old lover. He wanted her back and tried to woo her away.

Mulder had listened to her talk about her past without judgment, trusting their relationship and his love for her. She fell asleep, emotionally exhausted before she had resolved her thoughts.

She woke him a few hours later to tell him that seeing her past brought clarity to her future. Mulder was her choice, the one she would always choose. She wanted to move in with him, if he wanted the same, telling him she always felt safe with him here. He had been ecstatic at the idea.

She took off early the next morning, leaving a note for him on the nightstand, telling him she was too excited to sleep, and had gone home to start packing.

She kept her place, for now, to prevent the need to disclose their relationship. But, she lived with Mulder and his fish, the fridge always full of food and not just expired orange juice.

He was still the believer and she still the scientist. They still challenged each other and often disagreed about cases, but now those disagreements tended to end with incredible make up sex.

He was the happiest he’d ever been.

Mulder smiled as he looked down at Holman’s family photograph. He thought about Holman telling him, you should try it sometime.

Well, he thought as he smiled and glanced at Scully again. I did and it worked out better than I expected.

He couldn’t share those personal details with Holman though, needing to still keep things private. The only person that knew about the true nature of their relationship was Scully’s elated mother. Well, the Gunmen seemed to be onto them too, but they liked to keep those three on their toes.

Taking out a piece of stationery, he wrote a reply that would be sufficient:

 

Holman,

Ah, you did it, man! What a beautiful family. Congrats to you and Sheila on your bundle of joy.

Oh- and you told me to “try it sometime” and I did. I can’t share more than that, but great advice… best decision I’ve ever made.

Keep sending pictures of the family!

Fox Mulder

 

He set his pen down and leaned back again as he watched Scully, furiously working at getting an errant staple unstuck from her stapler.

He chuckled at his sexy, genius, partner/best friend/lover/new roommate and she looked up, growling at him playfully, her eyes narrowing.

“Hey Scully, come over here and look at this mail from Holman and Sheila.”

She stood up to walk towards him with a smile, no doubt thinking back to the case in a small town in Kansas that changed everything for them.

Notes:

I think Mulder, given the right circumstances, could be incredibly playful in bed. I tried to run with that and the uniquely happy vibe of “The Rain King,” throughout!