From: "Finn" To: Subject: Submission Date: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 4:19 PM Title: Inside out Author: Finn O'Brien (temple_of_low_men@yahoo.co.uk) Category: MSR, humour, wee bit o'angst, hint of X-file (a mere ruse!) Summary: Remember Dreamland? Well keep reading! Disclaimer: Sigh. Once upon a time there was this guy - let's call him surfer dude - and he had this really great idea for a TV show. Two fine actors gave this idea life, and eventually we saw a few years of the greatest television ever, thanks to them.....but some surfer dudes cannot be trusted not to drop the ball, bringing me to a point where I had to step in and try to pick up the pass...........and yes, I talk a lot of nonsense, but please don't let it put you off! Spoilers: Um, I don't know really. As far as I'm concerned, everything after Requiem *never happened* and I have avoided much of it after then...so I guess it's impossible for me to spoil! Archiving: Well....okay.....but let me know because I WANT VISITATION RIGHTS! Feedback: please - temple_of_low_men@yahoo.co.uk - go on, it'll only take a second and make me HAPPY! Notes: It's amazing what avoiding exam revision, several mugs of tea and a cadbury's creme egg will make your twisted shipper brain think up! --------------------------- He hummed lightly along to the quiet radio as he drove on into the dark night. Driving. Again. Throughout their 7 years of partnership, Mulder had found himself doing the majority of the driving, partly because he wanted to, and partly because of a slighting comment he threw at Scully early on.....he soon learned that the woman *never* forgets, and his punishment since has been to drive..... Okay, so that was a lie, she volunteered to do her share but often fell asleep and he didn't have the heart to wake her. Plus, he'd be mad to, while she slept he could observe her without being observed himself. The mere fact she did fall asleep in his company made him feel warm and fuzzy. She trusted him enough to keep her safe and not to be a jerk while she was so vulnerable. He was interrupted from his line of thought as she moved herself around in the chair next to him and smacked her chops a couple of times. He had to try to keep from chuckling at this adorable display. Scully? Adorable? She'd have his nuts if she knew he even thought that! She began mumbling softly, and he grinned as he remembered a game he used to play with his cousins when he was small, before Sam was taken. They would stay at each other's houses and after one of the younger cousins fell asleep, he and his cousin Jonny would whisper things to theperson asleep to infuence their dreams . Like, 'I'm a monster and I'm gonna get you and eat you!' and watch the sleeper panic and shout out 'No!', crap like that. It was kids stuff of course, but it could be interesting now. Gently, in his softest voice, he spoke to her. "Scully.....it's me Mulder" "Hmmmmmmmm.....Mmmmmmull-ah", She stretched in her chair slightly. "You comfortable there?" He grinned "No....." "Oh, where would you rather be?" She paused, he thought she might have gone deeper asleep again, but she surprised him. "With you.....miss you" His heart started pounding in his ears.......was she really saying that she missed him when he wasn't around? That she wanted to be with him? Tentatively, he asked the next question. "You want to be with me Scully?" "......Always...." The shock was about to register when the sky lit up in front of them, she jolted awake and he hit the brakes as they spun into the brightness. --------------------- Fox Mulder's Apartment, 8:30am Mulder awoke feeling strange. He didn't have a headache, his limbs weren't aching, but something just felt odd. Slowly last night's events began to come back to him. How did he get home? Scully! He reached out one manicured hand for the phone and stopped. His eyes followed the woman's hand back along a slender arm to......A woman's body...... In 3 seconds flat, he was out of bed, dashing naked to the bathroom to stare in the mirror. To stare right into the reflection of a certain red-headed FBI agent. A certain naked red headed FBI agent......he let himself take the absurdity of the situation away for a second as he took in the sight before him. God she was gorgeous. As if it was his good conscience, the phone chose that second to ring. He knew who it was before he picked it up. "Hey...tell me you know where the rest of me is?" Her voice sounded strained, as if she was keeping from cracking up. "Mulder? Tell me I'm not going crazy." "Well, I am too, if it helps?" "I'm yo....I'm in your...I..." "I know, me too." "How?" "That flash on the road last night might have had something to do with it." He absently scratched his…her stomach and then stopped, as if he were committing a great crime. "We need to work out what the hell happened and get back. Can you come over here?" "Wearing what exactly?" "Um...can't you throw on some old sweats or something?" "Hmmmmm.....seems a shame to hide this body!" "Mulder," her tone warned "Now is *so* not the time." "I'll be over soon" "Thank you" He hung up and went to his closet. He pulled out a t-shirt he shrunk in the dryer not too long ago and some old cut-off jeans. They'd probably look like full-length jeans on Scully! He quickly put a comb through his new hair, and having no idea how to style it, just tucked it behind his ears and slipped on his sneakers......and promptly slipped out of them again. ------------------- She paced up and down the bedroom, trying not to look at the full length mirror on every circuit. She grasped his shaft firmly in her right hand and just about died there and then at the odd, odd sensation of being turned on by touching his cock, and feeling the sensation of his cock being stimulated at the same time. This was far too much, even for her. Yet she was intrigued. *BRRRIIING* The door bell made her jump out of her (newly acquired) skin, and she grabbed the jeans he'd left at her place for emergencies and pulled them on, pulling on his old Knicks sweatshirt (which she'd somehow ended up using about a year ago to sleep in) she opened the door. ----------------- It was so odd to see themselves like this. Scully could see the humour in his...her own eyes......but Mulder saw everything from panic to severe upset in his own. Right then, all he wanted to do was hug her and make it better......but that might be weird. So he spoke instead. "Hey Scully, you got any jeans that don't fall down around my ass every five seconds?" She waved towards the bedroom and started to go and get him some. "Scully?" He called her back, she turned. "We'll sort this, I promise.....I, uh, I'd like to be able to see you raise this eyebrow at me again" But she smiled. "Thanks Mulder" She retrieved some jeans for him and sat on the couch as he changed into them. Even in his body, he could pick out the classic Scully 'I want to ask you something but I don't know how' pose. He sat next to her and chanced a touch of her hand. "What is it Scully?" She met his eyes only to move them back to the coffee table again swiftly, and turn a shade of red. The cogs fell into place then for Mulder. "Oh....Scully, it's okay....There's nothing we can do in this situation, and unless we want to end up less than our hygienic selves, we're going to have to trust one another here. You can take a shower without feeling guilty for being a peeping tom, for Godssakes!" She nodded once silently. And then spoke, still not looking at him. "Mulder, I want you to understand that this is not about not trusting you.....but, well, I'd like you to stay here tonight." "Well, because I'd like for us to be in the same place if this swaps back suddenly again. I don't want to end up in the body of Joey next door....." She was babbling, Mulder knew this wasn't the reason. She was just uncomfortable with the thought of him being out there in the world with her body, unchecked! "Scully.....stop." She did and closed her eyes, exhaling. "It's okay Scully. I wouldn't do anything.....but...I'll stay here if you want me too." "Oh, it's not that Muld...." "It's Okay Scully. I understand." Her own eyes were expressing such tenderness at her right at that moment that she let her protest die at her lips. "Thank you Mulder, for understanding." She got up from the couch to go into the kitchen and start some coffee, but caught herself on her newly overly long legs and went sailing over the top of the couch, pulling it down with her and catapulting Mulder with it. After the initial shock, she saw the humour in it, and started to laugh - a deep belly laugh from his body. He started to giggle along too, especially when she saw that the way she had landed had pulled the back off of the couch. It was laying separated from the base, under her legs. Mulder rose from the floor and inspected the damage. The wooden frame had fully split on one side, and was hanging on the other. He nudged it with his foot and it came away fully. She really must have hit it with some force. Solemnly as he could muster, he spoke. "It's dead Scully." "Great" She beamed back at him. "I can still sleep on the base of it though, if we get rid of the possible wooden impailers on either end...." "Don't be stupid Mulder. There's a queen sized bed in the other room, there's more than enough room for both of us in there." He was a sensible man by nature....and decided not to protest, just smiled a thanks. ---------------- The rest of the day was, well, weird. Mulder was a boundless source of questions about Scully's body, or a woman's body in general and seemed very disappointed that Scully wasn't due on her period anytime soon. Sick fuck. She almost wished she were so he could actually experience how bad period pains really are, and how much of a pain in the neck the whole thing was. On the other hand.....Mulder with PMS? No, thank you Ma'am. She, on the other hand, couldn't get used to a certain appendage and spent the majority of the day adjusting and re-adjusting herself. Mulder had thought to bring over some clothes for her, including some boxer shorts which were a Godsend after this morning's near fatal fly incident! He insisted on still wearing the things himself too, claimed that panties 'were too weird even for him', and not too keen on the idea of a bra either. The comment about feeling 'too restricted' earned him a *look*. And, now, as it had stretched on into the evening, they were eating Chinese and watching some film on the TV and waiting for the gunmen to call back with any information. Scully was sitting in the arm chair, and due to the demise of the couch, Mulder decided the best place for him was on the floor, with his upper body between her legs....this could be construed as quite an intimate position if it weren't for the weirdness of the situation. She tamped down the sudden urge to stroke her own hair...... "Mulder?" "Yeah?" "What do we do about the office on Monday?" "Well, hopefully we'll be sorted by then, but if not...we pretend" "Pretend?" "Uh-huh." He seemed thoroughly unfazed by the prospect. She didn't know if she could act Mulder well enough to pass! She might have him/her locked up in a mental institute by the end of the working day.......but then again, look at the last 7 years, and he's still here. "You don't think anyone will notice?" He laughed "When do they ever take any notice of us except to gossip about whether we're doing it or not?" Despite herself, she flinched. If only he knew how many times she had prayed that the water cooler gossip would eventually become truth. He felt her flinch however and was now regarding her expression with concern. "Oh hell, I'm sorry Scully….I didn't mean to offend you, but you do know they talk?" "Yes, people will……" Her expression turned far away as she got up and carried the cartons through to the kitchen, large hands managing it with ease. "Scully?" She turned to see him at the doorway, worry etched on her own face, and yet every inch of it was Mulder-worry. "Hey, it's okay - I'm fi…all right" "Don't lie to me Scully, what this all about?" "I just hate gossip is all." "But…?" "But nothing Mulder, I just think people should keep their ideas about other peoples sex or non-sex lives to themselves!" He paused for a moment, letting her know he didn't believe a word of it, before saying "Okay". "I, uh, I think I'm gonna turn in now Mulder." "Good idea, I'm beat." "Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?" "Go ahead" - - - - - - Mulder watched her leave the room, and then got up and followed. She glanced over her shoulder at him and then went into the Bathroom and locked the door. He perched himself on the bed and listened to the sounds emanating from the bathroom. He grinned as he heard the toilet seat going up and then being replaced…looks like she'd gotten the hang of that! After an eternity she emerged from the bathroom wearing boxers and a tee-shirt and made a dash for the bed before Mulder could look long enough….like he was going to look at his own body in that way? Narcissism didn't go that far with him. But Scully still had issues. He sighed and went to use the bathroom. A brief time after he re-emerged and slowly came towards the bed before plopping down unceremoniously by his own body. "Scully, if this is too weird for you, I'll sleep on the floor, or at home or we can go to my place and I'll take the couch while you have the bed…I just don't want to make this anymore awkward for you than it has to be" To his surprise he heard his own baritone chuckle come back at him from behind. "Oh Mulder, how could this get anymore weird? It's late, we're both tired, and tomorrow we'll worry about getting back. Right now at least we know where our bodies are," She paused briefly, touching his arm to make his look at her "I wouldn't trust myself with anyone else" So many connotations…. He smiled at her and returned the sentiment. "Get in before you catch your death Mulder" she was still smiling, he noted. Don't screw it up now! He rolled over to the spare side of the bed and slipped underneath the covers, the fact his feet didn't poke out of the end still new to him. The distance between them was only a few inches, but was forced and difficult. He thought. "Scully?" he broke the silence. "Ummm?" She sounded tired. Or he did. Whatever. "When you say....." he paused "....nevermind, good night Scully." She decided not to press him "Good night Mulder" ------------------------------------------ She had been snoring like a distressed water buffallo all night. And Mulder hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. He'd tried closing her mouth, he'd tried ignoring it, he'd tried putting a pillow over his head. Nothing worked. After the clock flicked over to 3:30, he'd decided he'd had enough and shook her awake. "SCULLY! EITHER STOP SNORING OR STOP BREATHING!" She looked at him with disdain. "I'm sorry." he mumbled. "Now you know what it's like." "What?" "Motel walls are very thin Mulder" "I realise that fact Scully, so?" "So, for 7 years on the road I've had to put up with your snoring through the walls." "I can't believe no one's told me about it before...." He looked embarrased, she scooted over on the bed and got him to turn to her. "I didn't say it bothered me Mulder" her trade mark eyebrow shot up at her "At first, of course it did, but after a while...I found it...comforting" "Comforting?" "Yeah, well, I knew you were actually sleeping for once....plus, it was kind of nice...to have someone...someone close." She watched him as he tried to work that out....he was failing, she saw. Time to lay it out.... "I liked to close my eyes and listen to you sleep and imagine you were right there with me" she finished and cast her eyes down. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything" Quietly he shushed her. "Scully, do you have any idea how many times I've snuck into your motel room at night just to watch you sleep? To watch you so peaceful, it makes my heartbreak. You've got none of the worries I've caused you over the years etched in your face, no hurt, nothing but peace. You're beautiful anyway, but especially in your sleep. Do you know how many times I've wished I could hold you while you're like that? Hold you and hope to find some of that peace? Because that's the only way I'll ever find it." He got up and went into the bathroom before she could react. --------------------------------- Scully woke up the next morning realising that she'd fallen asleep again after waiting for Mulder to come back for quite some time. She rolled over to find him gone, but a note on his pillow. "Scully, I crossed a line last night, but there's a bigger one we both need to cross definitely, once and for all.I think I know you want to as much as I do. So I'm taking the first step. I love you Scully, with all my heart, soul and being. I can't be without you. Pick any cliche you want about being in love with someone and I'm feeling them all Scully. I have been for some time. You know that, don't you. I'll get us back to normal, I promise, but trust me enough that I haven't run off with your body. I just need space. I'll be back at lunchtime. If you don't want to talk to me, don't be here. I just want to see your face instead of my own looking at me again. Love, Mulder." Glancing at the clock she realised it was only 9 o'clock, she had hours to go until he would be back, and her life would change. "No more, Mulder" She promised to the empty room "No more hiding" ----------------------------- She'd been pacing for over an hour when he eventually knocked on the door. She strode over and pulled it open without checking the peephole. She was instead greeted by Skinner. "Sir, I..." "Don't panic agent. I know what's going on." "What?" "I got a call from a government agency this morning, they shall remain nameless, but they explained the situation. You and Mulder apparently wandered through a 'window' of sorts." "I don't follow Sir." "Just put it this way, there was some testing going on, I don't know for what, I don't ask. But you got in the way and this happened" "Sir, what were they doing testing out there? How many other people got switched?" "Scully, ask yourself how many people are out there, at that time of night? No-one. Except you two." She had to hide a smile at that. "I've already spoken to Mulder and arrangements have been made. He'll be here in 10 minutes and I've been given a device that should have you back to normal immediately. Problem is it'll knock you out for a few hours, but it's safe, I've been assured." "I'd usually protest, Sir, but I'm willing to do anything to be me again. This is just too weird." "Perspective changing, huh?" "How do you mean Sir?" "Nothing." Skinner was saved by a knock at the door, followed by Mulder opening it with a key and walking in anyway. "Scully, I just spoke to Ski...Oh, you're here Sir" One look from Scully confirmed to him that she knew the story and she was going to go along with it. "Let's do this then" He said as he made his way over to stand next to Scully. "Mulder, I've been told you're going to pass out for a few hours after this, you may want to get comfortable" Skinner gestured at the couch. Mulder shivered at the thought of getting comfortable with Scully. But that could wait until after they were normal again. He followed her over to the couch and sat down close to her. He took her hand and lightly applied pressure, telling her that they'd talk afterwards. "Okay, I'm just going to do this, check you're okay and then go. I'm afraid I can't hang around. If you haven't called me by 5 tonight, I'll come back and check on you. I'm sorry I can't stay." "It's fine, thank you for your help." Scully said with a small smile. Skinner nodded and produced a small silver box from his jacket. He pushed a few buttons and a flash came from the side. Mulder and Scully passed out again. ----------------------------- Mulder was in that heavenly state between sleep and awake. In this place, there were small, deft hands stroking his face and hair, very gently. He instinctively knew these hands. He came around to find himself in Scully's apartment, his head in her lap. He jolted fuly awake and turned his head to look at her. Her eyes were fillled with tears that were slipping quietly down her cheek. "We're back?" He whispered. "Yes" She said, trying to stop her tears. He lifted his hand to her cheek, still looking intently in her eyes. He used his thumb to brush away the tears. "You want to talk?" She shook her head. She was rapidly falling apart, but managed to choke out a sentence. "I love you so much." He lifted his head from her lap and switched their positions. He held her close to his chest and soothed her, whispering to her, telling her everything. She eventually calmed. "I need you, Mulder, I just can't...." "Shhh....I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for good Scully. I'm going to make up for everything I've put you through.." "You have nothing to make up for." He lowered his eyes, so she tilted his chin up and leaned in to kiss him fully on the lips. Hesitant, but electrifying, he broke the first kiss and pulled her closer into a second, exploring kiss. His tongue running along her teeth, being let in and dancing around hers in a time honoured step. Eventually they pulled apart, every feeling written crystal clear in thier eyes. Eyes they finally could study once more. And as he held her close, reclining on the couch, he found himself grinning like a fool. Finally. Together.