Summary: After their Antarctic ordeal the Bureau gives Scully and Mulder two weeks' leave before resuming their work on the re-opened X-Files. Scully goes to Florida; and things really get interesting when Mulder shows up unexpectedly... File Under/ Story Type: MSR (Mulder-Scully Romance). Archive: Anywhere applicable is ok, only after contacting me for permission first, and be sure my name goes with the story. Spoilers: This is post-movie 'Shipper-fic, pure fluff, romance and a good, healthy dose of erotica. If you haven't seen FTF yet (you haven't?) or you are a NoRomo, you have been warned. Rating: NC-17. Readers under 18, buh-bye. DISCLAIMER: You all know the drill. I don't own 'em; wish I did, but I don't. Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, 1013 and Fox do. No infringement intended, merely homage. DEDICATION: This one goes out to the ones I love: my fellow members of The X-Poet's Society. Thanks for all the support and fun. You're the best! Will(sis), Nabby (ma chere amie), Lone, Fro, Dragon, Ret, McClane and Orion... this one's for you. Comments? Feedback? Great! Contact me at: lacyeire@yahoo.com. This is my first published story, so be gentle. Enjoy. 9/25/98 {AUTHOR'S NOTE/UPDATE, 2/01: As shown by the date above, this story was written nearly 2 1/2 years ago. Why did it take so long to get published on the Net? Well, although I had submitted it to Gossamer and others a few times, I believe heavy traffic in terms of fanfic submissions was the culprit. However, here I am again, and hopefully you are reading this in the here and now! Enjoy.} "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (1/7) It was her third day on Treasure Island. Dana Scully looked out of the enormous picture windows of the spacious home she was staying in, beyond the modest back yard to where the small boat dock met the calm blue-green waters of the bayou. The sky was a perfect topaz blue, sunny and nearly cloudless. The sunlight dappled the water's surface, and from a short distance away she could hear the seagulls calling to each other across the sultry Florida air. Warm. So different from Antarctica, thank God. All in all, not a bad way to spend a Bureau- mandated leave of absence. Scully took a sip from her bottle of wine cooler and sat down in the rocking chair facing out to the lovely view. The higher-ups had insisted that she and Mulder take two weeks paid leave before beginning their work anew on the re- opened X-Files Division. She hadn't been happy about it, and neither had her partner. All that they'd been through had made them both very anxious to get back to work. The virus had a cure, Mulder had saved her life with it, and they had to find it again. So many questions to answer, so much to be done... Ah, well. It would all still be there in two weeks, she reminded herself. She was glad she'd taken her mother's advice and accepted her uncle's offer to use his unoccupied Florida home for her getaway. A fortnight in a semi-tropical Paradise seemed like just the thing she needed. Dana sighed and leaned back in the rocking chair. She wasn't accustomed to being this comfortable and relaxed. Her mind was always running at light speed. Well, not this time, my girl, she told herself. No thoughts of bees and black oil, no thoughts of ice and snow. Just enjoy this time to yourself in a warm, pretty place, dammit. There was one thought, however, that not even an act of God could expel from her mind. One thought... one person. Fox Mulder. Mulder's sleepy hazel eyes boring straight into her soul that night in his hallway. Mulder's gentle hands on her neck, her face; the sudden rush of strange and intense new emotions as his mouth closed in upon hers; the barest touch of his lips on her own... ...before they were rudely interrupted by that damned bee. Still, she wondered what he was doing with his downtime. He'd been very vague before she'd left D.C. She couldn't help wondering if he was okay... and if his mind was wandering back to that night in his hallway, too... Scully had spoken to her mother about the incident over the phone before leaving for Florida. She needed her mother's advice, she valued her opinion. She hadn't been much help. "What do you mean, you're not surprised, mom?" "Dana honey, you and Fox are very close. You've risked your lives for each other. You share a special bond. Why would I be surprised when five years worth of feelings finally begin to come to a boil?" "Mom!" "Honey, it's natural. It's nothing to be ashamed of." "Mother, just because Mulder and I are partners, friends even, that does not mean we should be anything else!" "That's true. But it's not me you're trying to convince, here, Dana; it's you." "What?" *What? * "Sweetheart, listen to yourself. Listen to what you're saying. You don't need to persuade me about anything. To tell the truth, I've seen it coming for a long time. I've noticed how you two are together; you have as much trust, respect and affection for one another as any couple." Her mother's words hit Scully like a cement wall. She also realized that her sudden silence was betraying her. It was telling the intuitive woman on the other end of the line just how close to home she'd hit. "Dana Katherine Scully, you know it's true. Now you need some time to decide what, if anything, you're going to do about it." She knew better than to say, "Do about what?" at that point. "Mom, it's just all so complicated. There are so many reasons why we should just leave this be..." "Well, honey, whatever you decide, I'm behind you." Scully could feel her mother's hug through the phone. "I know..." "But Dana, I want you to be happy. I want you to want happiness for yourself. Think about that, okay?" Scully smiled. "I will, mom. I love you." "I love you, too, sweetheart. And just so you know this: I really like Fox a great deal." Dana knew her mom meant well. However, having Margaret Scully's approval for her daughter to cross the line between friends and lovers with her partner... well that was the last kind of encouragement she needed. It would be unprofessional. It would be wrong. And after recent events, it would be WAY too tempting for words. Scully closed her eyes. No more, she admonished herself. No worrying, no fussing, no more agonizing over hallways and kisses and repercussions. Not now. Now is for relaxation and for time to regenerate. Now is for me. Scully rose and walked to the window. She watched a gorgeous white egret land gracefully on the boat dock. She grinned brightly, and decided to go out in the yard and join her feathered visitor in the mid-day sun. ----------------------------------------------- "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (2/7) The afternoon drifted lazily on, three hours beyond the white seabird's arrival. It had come and gone, but Dana had remained, trying to flow gently like the bayou with the easy pace of the day. She was starting to get the hang of it, too. Just as thoughts of food began to creep into her mind she heard her cellular phone ring. Scully wanted to just let it go, but out of habit she went inside to answer it. "Scully," she said into the mouthpiece. "Ahoy, there. Shouldn't you be out plundering and pillaging, or something?" The petite redhead rolled her eyes. "I have that scheduled for tomorrow, sorry. Hello, Mulder." "Enjoying your forced time off, FBI woman?" "Yes, I'm beginning to. How about you, spending some quality time with your video collection?" "Very funny, Scully. Actually, I'll let you know how my vacation's going after you do me a favor." The young agent sighed deeply. "Mulder, unlike you, I'm trying to enjoy this leave of absence. No work during these two weeks, okay?" "No, it's not about work. It's not a big deal, really." Dana ambled toward the refrigerator. "I warn you that if this favor has anything to do with cornfields or tanker trucks, the answer is no." She could hear her partner's laugh on the line. "No, all I want you to do is to open the front door and look out to the street." Scully pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it quizzically for just a second. She brought it back up to the side of her face and spoke again warily. "Why should I go to the door, Mulder?" There was a beat before he answered. "I need to make sure I've got the right house." Dana Scully froze in place, the refrigerator door standing wide open. No. No way. He wouldn't. "Mulder... where... are you?" "I think that question can best be answered for both of us once you look outside." Scully stared at the phone as if it had come to life, singing a Puccini aria. Closing the door of the fridge, she moved with tentative steps toward the front of her uncle's house. The doorknob turned beneath her hand, and she stepped into the doorway. There was a blue rental car in the driveway, sitting right behind her own gray rental. The blue car's driver stood by the trunk, smiling sheepishly and waving. She recognized him instantly. There was no mistaking her tall, handsome partner of nearly six years. "I guess my sense of direction's even better than I thought. Hi." Dana stood frozen, right down to the look of utter astonishment on her face. He walked toward her, taking a moment to look around as he did. "I'm glad I'm not hopelessly lost; I might have ended up in Brazil." He stopped a mere foot-and-a- half away from her. "So... permission to come aboard, or what?" "Mulder?" It was the only response she could muster at that moment. "Surprise." "Mulder, what are you doing here?" Fox Mulder shifted a little uneasily where he stood and cleared his throat. "Well, um, I was bored in D.C., I had nothing else to do, I knew where to find you because you left me all the information in case of emergency, and the only time I've been to Florida is on cases with you. I thought what the hell, I'll come down for a few days, get a room on the beach, see how you're doing, maybe see what the more normal side of the state is like." Scully continued to gaze at him in disbelief, almost without blinking or breathing. Mulder looked at his autumn-haired compatriot. "I could go get that room on the beach now; or perhaps I should just pull out my gun and shoot myself in that third eye I've apparently grown in the middle of my forehead..." Scully blinked and suddenly became aware of her behavior. "Oh! I, I'm sorry, It's just that I didn't expect to see you for two weeks. Come on in." "Thanks." Mulder brushed lightly past her and into the living room. "Wow, nice house; your uncle has a big place, Scully." "Uh, yes," Dana replied, trying to pull her thoughts together. "He doesn't use it for part of the year, so he offered it to me as a sort of retreat for a couple of weeks." Mulder walked toward the picture windows and the bayou view beyond. "That is so nice," he remarked. "It looks really peaceful." "It is," Dana answered. "I'm starting to really enjoy it here." Mulder turned and pondered Scully's pretty face. She seemed off in her own world, lost in thought. A guilty feeling swept over him. Maybe this was a mistake, he thought. Maybe I should have stayed in D.C. and left her alone. "Scully?" "Mmm?" "I'm sorry." She brought her curious attention on him. "Sorry? About what?" Mulder walked toward her until he was mere inches from her. Scully could feel the heat of his tall, lean body. Mulder placed his hands on Dana's shoulders. He could feel her stiffen slightly at his touch. "I'm sorry for busting in on your vacation. I just... well, I was worried about you. Seems like half the time when I let you out of my sight, something happens to you." His look of concern was serious and sincere. She relaxed beneath his hands, touched by his worry. Dana understood Mulder's loyalty and devotion to her. She was grateful for it. She felt the same way about him. But since the Near-Miss Kiss, a whole new field of emotions had come into view, and she had no idea what to do. Scully tried to ignore the infuriating rise in her pulse rate his nearness was causing. "And I suppose that makes you my self-appointed guardian angel? My knight in shining armor, is that part of your job description now, Mulder?" Try as she might to sound indignant and sarcastic, the tone of her voice was more teasing. Mulder's face softened a bit, and he touched her cheek. The contact shot through Scully like a spark from a live electrical wire." That's SIR Mulder to you,lady." They stood locked into each other's gaze for what seemed like a year. Wordless, yet speaking volumes. She knew if she didn't break this shared reverie soon, it would be his hallway all over again... with no bees to stop them. Scully fought for composure and moved away from Mulder toward the couch. She picked up her purse from the coffee table. "Well Galahad, since you're here, do you feel like grabbing a bite to eat? I'm hungry, and there are plenty of places along the beach." "Sure," he answered. "Your steed or mine?" "Mine," his self-assured partner declared decisively. "Distress or no distress, THIS damsel can still handle the reins." She headed for the door. Mulder cracked a big smile. "I never doubted that for a second," he commented as he followed Scully out to the driveway. ----------------------------------------------- Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (3/7) 9/27/98 "Check, please." Mulder got the waitress' attention while Scully took one last bite of her scallops. Mulder studied his dinner companion bemusedly as the waitress trotted off with his credit card. It was easy to imagine the exuberant little girl she must have been when she looked so at ease and delighted. These times didn't come often enough for her; Mulder blamed himself and the work for that. Scully glanced up from her noshing and caught his stare. "What?" she said, trying to hide that last mouthful as she spoke. "Nothing," Mulder answered. "It's just nice to see you relaxing and enjoying your meal, that's all." Scully nodded as she swallowed. "It's nice to be able to enjoy it, too." She looked across the table into her partner's smoky hazel eyes. How many times had thoughts of him, his face, his voice vexed her in the recent past? She tried not to think about it; but when he looked at her as he was doing just then, it was difficult not to get images of waking up to that face filling her head. The waitress returned. Mulder tucked away his card and reached for Scully's hand. "Come on." He rose to his feet. "Where are we going?" "For a walk... the beach is right out there. It'll settle our dinner." Alarm bells began sounding in Dana's brain. < No. NO. BAD idea. No romantic beach walks, Mulder. No way. It's like walking into a dynamite factory with a lit cigarette. NO.> "I don't know; I'm a little tired. I was thinking of just going back to the house and kicking back." "Aw, c'mon, Scully. The sun is setting on a Florida beach... it's like a postcard." "So go buy a postcard, and you'll have the sunset with you everywhere." Mulder's eyes narrowed, his look one of absolute resolve. "Well, I'm going. You're welcome to join me if you want to." He let go of her hand and left her sitting there as he slowly made his way to the exit. Scully stood up, sighing wearily. "Mulder... Mulder," she called after him. She caught up to him just as he got out the door. She stopped him with a gentle touch on the arm. He turned to look down at her, his countenance appearing boyishly expectant. "Okay," she conceded. "Just a short walk, mind you." Mulder grinned and guided his partner toward the beach with his hand on the small of her back. -------------------------------- "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (4/7) He was right; it was a picture postcard-perfect sundown. The young woman marveled at the array of colors in the sky, beginning with a deepening indigo near the top to the last lingering pale azure of the day near the horizon. This intermingled with yellow-golds, oranges, pinks, and the lavender-tinged clouds. First and foremost, Dana Scully thought to herself, God is a true artist; I would have loved to have seen the size of the paintbrush. Fox Mulder marveled at an entirely different view: the warm light of the sunset shimmering across his partner's fiery hair. He was fascinated by the glow it gave her, as russet strands danced to the tune of the brisk Gulf wind. One feathery section of hair blew across her cerulean eyes; he reached out without a thought and gingerly pulled it away. He couldn't help himself. Scully, who had been watching the sunset, turned to her companion as she felt his fingers on her face. The deepening amber light of dusk danced playfully in his eyes, bringing out new speckles of color amidst the gray-green that was normally there. She had to admit it; she enjoyed looking at Mulder, even if the thought was just a little disconcerting. In fact, so intent was she on her partner's eyes that it was only in that second that she noticed that he was standing in front of her, facing her, his body nearly touching her own, his hands resting oh-so-gently on her arms. "Mulder..." "Yes?" "What... what are you doing?" Mulder's full lips curled slightly upward in a closed-mouthed smile. "I don't know. I'm just thinking how lucky I am to have you back alive. For the umpteenth time, I almost lost you and managed to get you back." Scully's heart warmed at his words, but she knew there was more to come. She was not disappointed. "I'm tired of being so guarded, so..." He hesitated for a very pregnant beat. "I guess I was thinking that it wouldn't be such a bad idea to finish what we started." "Finish; finish what?" In that moment his hallway flashed into her head. Oh. Finish. The Kiss. Oh, God. "Mulder, I... I'm not sure if that's such a good idea..." She felt his warm, strong hands sliding up to her neck. She tried to avert her gaze from his, but his insistent hands cradled her neck and head, keeping her eyes locked on him. His voice grew soft. "Why not, Scully? What's wrong?" Scully could feel Mulder's breath tickling her chin. She fought the sudden weakness she felt in every limb of her body. "I just think it would... complicate matters. That should be plain even to you, Mulder." Mulder couldn't help but smirk. "Scully, in case you've forgotten, we just survived a life-threatening ordeal at the frozen bottom of the world. Somehow, a kiss seems like a trip to the corner store in comparison." Scully forced herself to step back, pulling her face out of her partner's gentle grip. "It's not exactly that simple,Mulder; I can't, I..." She shook her head and made a beeline back up the beach. She could hear his approach from behind as he came after her. Mulder took hold of her wrist and turned her around to face him. "Scully, look at me. It isn't like you to run from a problem." "Well, maybe some things are best walked away from and left alone." There was a pause. "You know, for your information, you're not the only one feeling a little freaked out here." Scully's look was incredulous. "Oh, really? Is that so?" Another pause. "What is that supposed to mean?" "It means that I noticed that you're not too freaked out to chase me all the way to Florida for a kiss, which, I repeat, would be a major bad judgement call." Mulder's voice became tense. "Wait a minute; I told you why I came here. I didn't chase you. I did not come down to see you with any ulterior motives in mind." "Try again, partner. After what just happened down there by the water, it's obvious you've come to the conclusion that what happened in your hall is supposed to mean something." Another pause."Doesn't it seem to at least indicate something to you, Scully? Doesn't your sharp deductive reasoning see the two and two equation forming in any way?" "No, Mulder, I'm sorry," she lied. "You can't be serious." "Tell me what it indicates? What do you infer that I'm missing? Why is this so important?" "Because it is, Scully, and I don't believe you don't see that. It should be important to you, too. You can't deny that something significant was going on, that something was about to happen..." "Yes, Mulder, you're right. It was. We were under terrible stress and strain, and our partnership was being dissolved. Emotions were running high, and that's all it was about." "Bullshit." Scully looked at Mulder as if he'd just punched her in the stomach. "What?" "You heard me," he shot back, his voice edged with exasperation. "Scully, we need to deal with this. If it's not important, then why are we standing here in the sand arguing about it? Why don't we either agree to just skip it, or do something about it? You can't tell me you're not even the least bit curious about what lays down the road not taken; I know you better than that." It had all become too much for the young woman. "I don't think I want to discuss this anymore, Mulder." Scully headed further up the beach and away from the man whose sudden burst of logic was making her furious. He jogged after her and caught her again, spinning her around to look at him. There was no way he was letting her off the hook before they had resolved this. "Damn it, Scully, will you just stop and hear me out?" She froze, remaining stiffly in place. Mulder took a deep breath before he began, quickly trying to organize the chaos in his brain. "We've been through a lot of hell in the past five or so years; we've lost family and associates; the bastards who are working against us know the worst thing they can do is to divide us from each other." The agent's tone started to soften. "That night you showed up at my door telling me you were being transferred, we both got pretty charged up. But I meant everything I said, Scully. When we nearly kissed, it was happening because it was supposed to. It was right; it was like the next natural step. I think we owe it to ourselves to see it through." "I disagree, Mulder. We'd be putting our friendship, our professional partnership, our credibility... hell, maybe even what little margin of safety we may have left on the line. Why, then, do we need to do anything about it? Why is it so worth the multitude of risks involved?" "Because it's there in the way, Scully. If we ignore it, it will just sit there and become an even bigger hurdle to jump. We need to move on, and we can't until we get past this." Scully's eyes dropped. She was getting weary. "Gee, you make it all sound so romantic," she observed with a sad sarcasm. Mulder placed his hands on her shoulders. "Scully, you know I'm right. You can try to talk yourself out of it, but you know it all makes sense." < I don't have to admit to a damned thing, Einstein. Leave me alone... no, stay...> "Mulder, what happens next if we do this? What Pandora's Box are we opening? What's beyond the all-important kiss?" His look became tender and intense. "Whatever is meant to be, Scully. That's the best answer I can give." She sighed, no longer able to counter with any better argument. He was right, and she knew it. Although Scully hated to admit that to herself, she didn't feel like wasting any more energy in a vain swim against the tide. "Then I guess that will have to be enough'" she replied. She brought her hands to his waist, and leaned her forehead against his chin. ----------------------------------- "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (5/7) 9/28/98 Scully was surprised by what a relief it was to run up the white flag. Mulder was stunned she'd finally done it. He pressed his lips to her brow and lingered there just a minute. Mulder moved one of his hands up to bury it in her soft auburn hair. "Scully..." He whispered her name as if in prayer. His eyelids slipped closed; so did Dana's. Mulder pulled Scully's face to his, and in a heartbeat his lips found hers. It was a slow, shy, gentle exploration in those first few moments, agonizing and electric. His kiss was soft and sweet, and yet at the same time it made every cell in her body burn with arousal. She could tell by the rising cadence of his breathing that the same thing was happening to him. Their lips teased and danced, but an urgency was building. < Blow that horn, Joshua, and stand back; the wall's coming down...> Mulder curled his arms around his petite partner and drew her firmly against him. Scully eased into his embrace, sliding her arms around his back as their first kiss began to deepen. His tongue sought and found entry into the inviting, warm, wet recesses of her mouth. She responded with a sigh and with her own tongue slipping and sliding in time with his. A quiet moan surfaced from Mulder, and he squeezed Dana just a little closer. She was on fire, as was he; with every passing second she felt as if she were being pulled farther and faster into a dizzying whirlpool of intensifying passion. It both frightened and excited her. At last their lips parted, and neither of them had the clarity to say anything. Scully rested her face on Mulder's chest. He stroked her russet tresses and nestled his cheek on the top of her head. They stood like that for some time while the sun disappeared, and other people passed by further away. They could hear the cries of the gulls above the rush of the rolling waves. Finally, Fox Mulder found his voice again. "Well I'll be damned," he commented. "Look, Chicken Little, the sky didn't fall, after all." Scully chuckled. "Cute. Very cute," she teased. "But I don't know how reliable that report is, coming from someone named Fox." She looked up to see the first stars of the evening beginning to blink in the darkening heavens. She turned her attention to Mulder's face. He was gazing deeply into her baby blues, and Dana saw something there that she'd never seen, or perhaps never paid attention to, before. It was an expression of depth and warmth that went well beyond desire. It was more a look of... it couldn't be... a look of pure and absolute love. "My God, Mulder... what's happening here? What are we getting ourselves into?" Her partner began planting tiny kisses on her forehead, her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and she began to feel dizzy. "I have no idea; but it sure is going to be a hell of a party finding out..." His mouth captured hers again, hard and passionate. His hands roamed ceaselessly from her neck down her back to her hips and up again. Everywhere Mulder touched her, he ignited Scully's skin until it almost steamed red-hot beneath his fingertips. Scully lightly raked her fingernails along Mulder's spine, sending unbearable shivers of pleasure through his body. She could feel the result of their kissing and caressing pushing rigidly against her torso. She'd made him hard as a rock; and God help her, she liked it. Mulder pulled away slightly, trying to catch his breath. He held Scully's face like a precious jewel in his hands, almost fearful that if he let go of her she'd disappear like a dream at waking. His whole body hummed and sparked with an overwhelming desire for this woman. He wanted nothing more than to lay her back and make love to her until the sun came up. Scully saw this in his face; her own lustful urges were being reflected back to her. She wanted him, and she was struck with disbelief at the craziness of the whole situation. She knew it was time to get off the beach. "I think I'd like to go back to my uncle's place now," she told Mulder. "What do you mean, Scully?" Dana bit her lip, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "I mean... What I mean is... I just need to be at the house. Can we go now, please?" Mulder eyed his partner in confusion. Had he done something wrong? "Okay... let's go. He tentatively reached for her hand. She took it in hers. They started toward the car together. ------------------------------------- "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (6/7) 9/28/98 Just a warning: the NC17 content begins here. Readers under 18 are STRONGLY discouraged. The ride back to the house seemed endless. Scully pulled into her uncle's driveway at last. The two agents found themselves standing face to face at the front door, entrenched in an uncomfortable silence. Scully breached the gap a moment later when she wrapped her arms around Mulder. He enfolded her in his own embrace in response. Neither of them wanted to be anywhere else. "I, um... I guess I should go look into that room on the beach before it gets much later," Mulder whispered. Scully gazed up at her partner's boyish face. Her practical, common sense side said let him go. Every heartbeat and nerve ending she possessed told her not to let him out of her sight. If she invited him stay, she knew there was a strong likelihood of waking up in the same bed with her partner. If she sent him away she would avoid the trouble; but she and Fox Mulder would also be avoiding the truth. The Truth, but more than that: the Inevitable. Wasn't Truth what they both prized the most? Dana Katherine Scully made her decision. "There's more than enough room for two right here," she said quietly. "You don't have to go." Mulder lifted his partner's chin to look at him, unsure of what he thought he'd just heard. He looked far into the azure depths of Scully's eyes. He saw a charming shyness, a little trepidation that he felt was her fear that she had somehow just said something wrong, something that would frighten him away. Her sweet face seemed to glow as if lit by some unseen fire. "Scully, you don't have to... we don't have to..." "I know. I want you to stay." Mulder was certain he was in the middle of a particularly vivid dream. He could feel his insides vibrating as if a violent tremor was about to overtake him. He struggled not to let it show on the outside. Scully was pleasantly surprised by the fact that he hadn't run screaming, and it made her a little braver; but she could see the astonishment in his eyes, and she still had to let him know it was okay if this was all too much for him. " I understand, you know; you do what you have to do. I'd like you to stay...but only if you want to." She gave him a tentative smile that tugged at his heart. < If I want to... Is she kidding? If she only knew how much... for how long...> "Scully... I'd love to...I mean, I..." utter amazement blanketed his face. "Scully, are you sure about this?" She answered him with the lightest, sweetest, most tender of kisses. She unlocked and opened the front door. She took his hand and led him in the doorway, then closed and locked it behind her. Scully leaned against the door, gently pulling Fox Mulder to her. She could feel the heat of his body so close to her own, his warm breath on her hair. "Your uncle isn't a beekeeper or anything, is he, Scully?" She shook slightly with the laugh she battled to withhold. "No." "Good." Mulder pressed his palms against the door on either side of his petite redhead as her hands moved to his face. "Stay with me, Mulder. I don't think I need to be any plainer than that," Scully whispered. Mulder's face closed in on hers. "Yes, ma'am," he breathed just a millisecond before his mouth descended on her own. In the blink of an eye their hands had joined in the passionate exploration, traveling, inquisitive, hungry. Mulder breathed in the scent of his beloved obsession, and his brain swam with it. It surrounded him, invaded his senses. He felt sure he was drunk, and if he was, he never wanted to sober up. Scully could feel his strong, muscular body move and surrender beneath her touch, and it stoked the fire already burning red-hot in her belly. Scully took a deep breath in when Mulder's large hand first claimed her breast. He gently massaged the soft, supple mound, caressing her nipple to a hard knob, driving her nearly mad. His full lips roamed over her whole face, her eyes, her cheek, to her ear and down the tendon of her neck. She kissed his fevered forehead as his mouth moved to meet his busy hand. She intertwined her fingers in his mahogany hair, pulling him down to the curvature of her cleavage. She watched the euphoric look on his face as he studied the feminine curves of her, like a starving man suddenly set loose at a banquet. Her chest began to rise and fall more rapidly, aching to feel his lips on her bare skin. Mulder's other hand was on her ass, pushing her against his body. He tenderly licked and kissed at the cleft of her bosom, and Scully heard a moan escape from somewhere deep within her. "Mulder. . . Mulder," she called breathlessly, as both of his hands traveled to her derriere and lifted her off the ground. She straddled his hips as he carried her a few steps, then lowered her to the living room floor. She could feel his incredible hard-on pushing against her wet and desire-swollen sex through their clothes. She swallowed hard, knowing that very soon she would no longer have to use her imagination about what it would be like to feel him moving inside her. The anticipation was almost unbearable. Mulder hovered over her for a moment, his eyes registering disbelief that his wildest and most cherished fantasy, one that he never allowed himself to believe would ever happen, was about to go from dream to reality. He pressed his body down on top of hers, surrounding her as the dam restraining almost six years of unresolved fervor for one another began to crumble. Dana pulled her partner's shirt out of his pants and tugged roughly and impatiently at it. Mulder rolled off of her and sat up, quickly peeling the shirt off and throwing it to who-knew-where. Scully reached up and touched her hand to his bare chest, right near his rapidly beating heart. He could feel his already rock-hard penis swell almost to the point of pain at her gentle caress. He took her hand in his, kissing her palm with the reverence of a pilgrim at a shrine. Mulder gazed down at Scully with a look that came close to breaking her heart. It was all at once fearful, lustful, loving and achingly full of meaning. His sensual, masculine body was silhouetted in the moonlight, drifting through the windows facing the bayou. "Scully, listen to me. . . only what want. . . I would never force you. . ." Scully smiled at her soon-to-be-lover's gallant gesture. "I know." He placed her hand over his heart, enclosing it in his. "We both need to be on the same wavelength here. You should want this as much as I do. No regrets, Scully." She sat up beside him, her eyes locked on his, and started to remove her blouse. In an instant her full, round breasts framed in the lavender satin of her bra, were presented fully to Mulder's appreciative sight. He was certain at this point that he would either come right now before he ever got his pants off, or he'd die of a heart attack, or both. "No regrets, G-Man," she said with resolve. "This is what I want. You." Mulder closed his eyes tightly for just a moment, trying to soak it all in. It was almost too much, too good to be true. He opened his eyes and looked into the face of the only Heaven he cared about or wanted. In one split second of revelation, he realized he didn't have to be afraid anymore. She wanted him. This was right. He smiled widely and laid his Scully back on the carpet. "Then I'll make sure you won't be sorry," he whispered, and kissed her sweetly. His hands inched toward her breasts again, and his eyes followed in pursuit. He slowly made a line of feather-light kisses trailing down her neck to her collarbone, and down to the soft, warm hills where his fingers played. Scully whimpered with desire as Mulder's tongue traced lazy circles over her velvet skin, right to the border where the bra stopped his progress. He undid the clasp in the front, and the last barrier slipped away. Mulder's breath was taken away by the perfect, womanly beauty of her. "Christ, Scully... you're gorgeous," he marveled, and took one sweet prize into his mouth. He licked and suckled at her nipple, gently nibbling every now and then as his free hand made full contact with the matching twin treasure. Scully began to writhe beneath him; he drove her even further into a frenzy as he switched his hand and mouth to the opposite breasts. Scully could feel every movement of his tongue, his teeth, his fingers, like fire on her sensitive skin. "Ohh...Mulder...oh, yessss..." She wondered bemusedly if she sounded like one of the women in those videos of his, but she didn't care. She couldn't help it. He was driving her crazy. She was rapidly transforming into a being of pure, unadulterated lust and desire, and she wasn't about to apologize for it. She could feel herself bathed in her own juices, which were now pooling and flowing between her legs. Scully played with her partner's soft hair, barely able to keep her sanity. Mulder began to feast his way across her stomach, moving ever closer to the center of her womanhood. He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled the zipper down with his teeth. Scully was both stunned and impressed by this move. He stopped to watch her, lost as she was in a rising tide of passion, then lifted her hips and relieved her of her jeans and panties with the skill of a magician. Her exposed body softly lit by pale moonlight was enough to make Mulder's head spin like a drunken man's. Jesus, she's so beautiful, he thought. And she's all mine. Damn. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve her. But I swear to God, tonight, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to be worthy. Suddenly Scully sat up, reaching for the button of his pants. "It doesn't seem fair for me to be the only naked person in the room," she said, her voice husky with arousal. "I've showed you mine; time for you to show me yours." Mulder chuckled softly. "Be my guest," he beckoned. Scully unbuttoned his trousers and unzipped his fly. She rubbed her hand over his crotch with a tantalizing pressure from the outside, feeling his granite erection. Mulder groaned. "Mmm. . . Scully. . ." "Well, what have we here?" she teased. "My Lord, what a big bulge; how on Earth did that happen?" Mulder snaked his arms around the woman who meant more than life to him. "Well, since you caused it, I think you'd better figure out what you're going to do about it." She responded by reaching in his pants and grabbing his stiff cock. That's when all hell broke loose. Mulder's trousers and shorts were off in a heartbeat. He felt a bit self- conscious, but also pleased and relieved by her glowing look of silent approval. Scully was in awe of his body; sensual, strong, well-endowed and virile. She said a silent thank you to the Architect. "Come here, beautiful," she growled, and reached for him. Then they were skin to skin, investigating and devouring each other with their hands, their mouths, their eyes. As her fingers slid up and down his sizeable shaft, his found her moist, burning folds. The partners-turned- paramours touched, tasted and blissfully drowned in every inch of one another. Mulder submerged himself in the delicious sweetness of her flooded center; he found her G-spot deep inside with his long, talented fingers. She cried out as small but intense orgasms overwhelmed her in what seemed like an unending succession. Scully soon took her turn. It was only fair to try to give as good as she got. She playfully covered every thick, rigid inch of his maleness with swift licks of her tongue, tasting just a sample of his salty essence. She drew the most amazing sounds from him as she caressed his balls, and buried him to the hilt inside her hot, wet mouth. The thought that this was a mere preview of what awaited him in her lower regions was almost more than Mulder could take. They reveled in the white-hot passion of their foreplay for over an hour until at last, their bodies demanded release. "Mulder," Scully moaned, "Mulder, please. . ." Mulder stopped and focused intently on his cherished partner and newfound lover. He struggled to steady his breathing. Their hearts pounded in time, and the world seemed to cease its turning for just an instant. What he wanted more than anything in that precious moment was to please her, to satisfy her. . . to love her. "Tell me what you want, Scully," he whispered. "Say the word, and it's yours." She somehow felt like a virgin maid on the brink of her first time. It was terrifying. It was overwhelming. It was wonderful. She looked into his glassy hazel eyes and replied without another minute's hesitation. "I want you, Mulder... make love with me. Now." "That's all I wanted to hear," he said. He kissed her deeply and passionately, for a long time. He pulled away at last, both of them out of breath, and saw in her face that the time was now. Mulder eased himself into position and Scully complied happily, opening herself to him. She could feel him ever so lightly, the head of his penis touching her outer labia like a battering ram about to penetrate the castle door. Without ever taking his eyes from hers, he pushed his hips forward and entered her. She cried out softly as he filled her, and he was still for a time, showering her with kisses. Dana couldn't get close enough to him; she wanted to meld with him, to become one shining entity. Unable to hold back any longer, he thrust his hardness deep into her core, and they both trembled at the overwhelming sensation. Slowly, gently, he set up a rhythm, and their bodies began to move to it in an ancient, instinctual dance. As Mulder moved up and down and around inside of her, Scully matched him stroke for stroke. Over and over, he dove and plunged into her sacred, searing well of fire and creation. Their groans of pleasure added a sweet music to this timeless, carnal duet. It was delectable friction, volcanic heat; wet, tight, and hard. Every nerve ending in their bodies came alive with surging electricity. "Mmm...Oh, Jesus, Scully...oh, baby... so, so hot..." Mulder could barely form the words. His body was going up in flames, and he could feel every delicious twitch of her inner muscles, every pulse of her passion. It washed over him like a tidal wave, and he was all too willing to be swept away. Scully was moaning and whimpering without cease, clutching him as close as she could, wrapping her legs around him to give him deeper access. "More...Ohhh, Mulder...more..." Steadily, Mulder built up speed, driving himself in and out of her body hard and fast. They were lost in the feeling, powerless to stop the seismic climax they were both headed for. Scully closed her strong muscles around Mulder, squeezing hard; his uncontrollable response was to slam harder into her, drawing from her a series of delightful, shivering little orgasms. The dance became faster and more frenzied until their union had brought them to an indescribable summit of passion and joy. It was sweet torture, and they were both ready to break free and fly. As Mulder trained his fascinated stare on her face, Scully arched her back and screamed. "Mulder. . . Don't stop. . . more. . . Oh, God! . . .YES!" Powerful spasms of ecstasy wracked her again and again, exploding through her body like the nova of a thousand stars. Her lover slowed his movements for a moment or two to bask in the joy of pleasuring her, kissing her slowly, deeply, tenderly. As soon as Scully began to be able to think cohesively again, she looked into her much-loved partner's face. She knew he was close. She wanted his ecstasy as much as he had wanted hers, and she wanted it now. She began to move beneath him, urging him to resume his rapid pace. "Your turn, Mulder," she purred. "Come for me... come for me now. Let it go. I'm right with you, all the way. It's alright." Mulder began to quicken his pace again, his rhythm increasing and getting more erratic. "That's it," she urged him in a sultry whisper. "Yes, Mulder...harder. Faster." He concentrated on the sensation and drove his groin with powerful thrusts. Scully gasped with pleasure, encouraging him to give her his climax. "Ohh, yeah ... mmmmmm. . . Oh, my Scully... You feel so damn good. . . wanted you for so long. . ." Fox Mulder plowed into his reason for living with complete abandon, ready to pour everything he had to give into her; his passion, his seed... his undying love. He followed her soon after into the brilliant abyss, crying out her name. He fused with her totally; body, heart and soul. In wordless, breathless euphoria, the partners collapsed together, their hearts crashing furiously in the wake of intense passion. They lay together, joined, exhausted, spent, sated, happy, entwined, for a long time. At last Mulder withdrew from her, and Scully sighed at the loss. He kissed her with a fervent sweetness that clouded her eyes over with tears. The vulnerability he brought out in her came as a genuine surprise. "No regrets, FBI woman," he told her. She sensed his fear of any second thoughts ruining this moment. There were many new issues which would have to be dealt with now that they had crossed the line, but there was plenty of time for that. Here and now, tonight, belonged to them. "No regrets," she replied reassuringly, and she traced the line of his cheek with her fingertips. < My partner. My best friend. My lover. Holy shit, I think I've hit the jackpot.> Mulder rose to his feet and pulled his autumn-haired beauty to him. He held her close as the shadows of night interplayed with the dim moonglow on the walls. "Let's move this act to the bedroom, shall we?" Scully beamed. "Sounds like a plan to me," she agreed. Mulder scooped her up and carried her to bed. Their passions took control of them again in the night, and once more after the sun's first rays streaked across the morning sky. Finally they fell asleep, curled around each other like contented cats until the sun was high in the blue heavens. ------------------------------------ "Finishing What We Started" by X-Poet Lacy (7/7) 9/28/98 Another humid Florida afternoon was well underway. The sky was clear and bright. A pelican floated lazily on the bayou as Mulder and Scully sat at the dock's edge watching him. They were spooned up against one another, he behind her, wrapped in an embracing cocoon created by both of their bodies; arms enveloping, leaning his head against hers. They were a perfect fit. It was a perfect day. "Scully?" "Hmm?" "Would it be too soon or too hokey to tell you how completely crazy I am about you?" Scully grinned from ear to ear. "Not at all," she replied. "In fact, since you're completely crazy anyway, it's even believable." His reaction was immediate. He growled in her ear and playfully slapped her leg. "Oh, please, no, all this flattery is embarrassing," he chided in a deadpan tone. She laughed and turned her head as far behind her as she could to look at him. She tenderly touched his face. "Just for the record, Mulder... the feeling is absolutely mutual." The newborn lovers snuggled closer together, and they sealed their words with a kiss. Silence followed for awhile after as they drank each other in and learned to adjust to their new familiarity and togetherness. They could tell it would be fun getting used to this. In time, Scully spoke up. "Mulder, we've got a lot to talk about." "Yup." "There are logistics to work out; Skinner, work..." "Right." "Gotta agree on some ground rules." "Uh-huh." "It's not going to be easy." "No, it isn't. But it's going to be worth it. It's about damned time, too." "Damn right." "Scully?" "Yes?" "Should we start discussing these things right away... or would you rather go back into the bedroom with me now and make love to each other like crazed wild animals? Your call, partner." Scully raced Mulder to the door. For both of them, it was shaping up to be the vacation of a lifetime. FINIS. ---------------------------------------- Well people, that's it! I hope you enjoyed it. More to come. Let me know what you think. Contact me at: lacyeire@yahoo.com, or lacyeire@yahoo.com. Thanks so much for reading!