Arcadia Revisited From Queegqueg A missing scene which I'm sure should have been in that ep. It follows the dinner scene. It's a bit naughty though. ________________________________________________________________ With Scruffy safely lifted into Cami's arms after his ordeal, she and Scully started to walk back to the house. "So how long have you two been together?" "6 years." Scully came out with the answer automatically, forgetting the agreed background they had been presented with for Rob and Laura. "Really? I would have guessed a lot less, maybe a year at most. Win hasn't been that affectionate towards me since our first anniversary." Scully smiled. Mulder had clearly been doing too good a job with the acting bit. "Laura, I hope you don't mind me saying, I mean, I hardly know you, but I sense you and Bob have had some kind of disagreement." Scully stopped walking, and turned to face Cami. "What makes you say that?" "If she's this perceptive, we're on shaky ground here," she thought to herself. "It's just that you look like you're holding him at a distance sometimes... I don't know, I'm sorry, it's none of my business really." She was genuinely embarrassed, by her presumption, but ploughed on regardless. "Take my advice, Laura, and please, hold onto him. You've got a good man there, and you don't want to lose him." "No I don't." Scully responded, more to herself than to Cami. "I can tell how much he loves you, you can see it in his eyes, the way he looks at you when he thinks no one else is looking." Scully wistfully nodded a silent agreement, and they continued the walk back in silence. Cami worried she had over stepped the mark, but a rocky marriage was not what the Falls needed, and she knew that Win would agree with what she had done. Scully decided, that if a more public show of affection was what it took, then that was what she would do. Mulder was seated on the couch when they walked in, with Win opposite, in one of the armchairs. She walked around the back of the couch, rested her hands gently on his shoulders, then leaning over, snaked them down his chest, whispering "Hi, honey", and lightly kissed his cheek. Mulder tried to cover the surprise, but she could hear the slight tremor in his voice as he returned the "Hi", and she was sure the hairs on the back of his neck had responded to the sensation. Walking around the couch, she took her place seated beside him, and took a hold of his hand, holding it in her lap. She playfully turned his wedding ring around between her fingers, and it occurred to her, not for the first time, how beautiful his hands were: long slender fingers, reassuringly masculine,... lovers hands. Had she really thought that? It took her by surprise, but didn't stop her from fondly rubbing small circles on the palm of his hand with her thumbs. Mulder began to feel rather uncomfortable, and warm. God, if she knew the reaction she was causing... what was she playing at? He tactfully crossed his legs, and removed his hand from hers, instead resting his arm around her shoulder. In doing so, he looked down into her face, and saw there an expression he hadn't seen for a while. Her blue eyes were sparkling like an oasis, and he couldn't help but return the smile that was dancing around her lips. She gazed up fondly at the smile in his eyes, only for her. Cami was right, she did have to hold onto him, and she knew he would be there for her when she was ready. "Rob?" Win's voice cut in. Mulder was flustered, and it struck him that he had missed about the last 5 minutes of the conversation. "Oh, uh, yes, I agree." Scully stifled a giggle. A flustered Mulder was not something she saw often, but it was strangely endearing. "What do you mean you agree?" This could be tricky, what had he just agreed to? "I was telling you about my cousin's fishing trip, how could you agree to that?" Scully stepped in to save him. "It's okay, he gets like this near bed time. You won't get any sense out of him until morning!" "Yeah, I guess it is time we went." Mulder had never been so relieved to leave a room, for more than one reason. He helped Scully on with her coat, and they both said their goodbyes. When they got to the end of the drive, Scully turned to him. She was about to explain her actions, when Mulder spotted a curtain shifting in the house. "They're watching." "We'd better give them something to see then, hadn't we?" Before he could wonder at the comment Scully had made, she raised herself up on tiptoe, and planted a tender kiss on his lips. He seized the opportunity, deepening the kiss, and pushing his fingers through her auburn hair, as she held his neck firmly, with one hand. Finally breaking the contact, he whispered seductively in her ear. "So the offer's still open about that honeymoon video." "Don't push your luck!" She playfully punched his arm, and they laughed as they walked back to their house, Scully hanging on Mulder's arm. He wasn't completely out of the woods, but he had reached a clearing, and for that he was glad. Cami smiled to herself. "Thank goodness," she thought. "At least the Petries will be safe, for now." As they neared the house, Scully indulged herself in the matrimonial fantasy, and for a moment in her mind, they were Mr and Mrs Petrie approaching their home; a home where she would never be without someone to confide in, someone to hold her. At the entrance way, Mulder impulsively, and effortlessly, lifted her into his arms, carrying her through the doorway. She giggled at the unexpected nature of the action, and almost purred his name out "Mulderrrr". She glanced into his face, and the dilated pupils told her he had found it arousing. He gently placed her back on her feet. "Well, you didn't let me carry you over the threshold earlier, it's bad luck if you don't." They both smiled, not wanting to part company, and not unaware that their arms were still holding each other tightly. "I'd better go and get undressed for bed, it's late." She reached for his hand, and tentatively squeezed it, her eyes not leaving his until she turned to ascend the staircase. Was he reading the signals right, he wondered? Or was it just his hopeful over- active imagination? There did seem to be promise in her eyes as she said that, but then the last thing he needed was to foolishly overstep the mark. He found himself lying on the sofa, flicking through the channels on the TV, without taking anything in. What if she was lying waiting for him upstairs? On the other hand, what if she was just genuinely going to bed, and he walked right in there unannounced? His sweaty palms were leaving moisture marks on the remote, as he continued flicking through the channels. No Adult channel, but for once, he was glad of it. After what seemed an eternity of lying there, he switched off the tube. He had an idea he'd better go and check out that storm drain that Scully had found the caduceus in; Big Mike could be lying there still. "Scully, I'm just going to check out that storm drain, won't be long." His mind was still elsewhere as he walked down the street, and shone his flashlight into the drain, finding what he had anticipated: nothing. His mind turned over and over as he walked back. There had been so much promise in that kiss, but then the Schroeders had been watching, but then she had definitely responded beyond the necessary requirements of undercover work. He could go on all night like this, so he decided to play the situation by ear. At least now he would have a reason for going upstairs; to tell her his findings, or rather his lack of them. Scully was unsure if she had been clear enough with her signal. Mulder had been downstairs for a long time, and now he had even left the house. Maybe he didn't want what she wanted from this relationship after all. Well, the offer had been made, although not in so many words. If he didn't take her up on it, she would just have to accept that. She decided to focus her mind on the case again. She switched on her lap top to check on whether Mike's credit cards had been used, no luck. She also phoned the local PD, to check any leads on possible sightings of his car, another dead end. The sample she had removed from Scruffy's nose could be analysed at the lab tomorrow, it would give her a little breathing space from this situation, and maybe that was just what they both needed. Then she heard the front door shut, and the stairs creak. She tried to remain calm, and thought she'd play it by ear. The best way to cover up her anxiety was to just carry on with what she was doing regardless, then she'd be able to pick up on his intentions. Mulder was disappointed to find Scully busy on case work when he entered the room. She had just got off the phone with the local PD, and her lap top was on. Her mind had clearly not been as distracted as his. He removed his sweater, and tossing it in the direction of the chair, caught a harsh look from her face. She tried so hard not to look when she saw him out of the corner of her eye remove the sweater, and in so doing exposing his chest, before pulling the T shirt back down. The only way to cover those feelings were to give the exasperated look for untidiness that he would be expecting from her, so with one harsh glance at him, she continued. "Local PD came up blank on Mike Rastiff, no activity on his credit cards, no sighting of his car." Mulder examined the lap top screen. "And there's no sign of him around his house. I didn't see him in the storm drain either. I take it he's dead, Scully." "Laura." She corrected him from the other room. Now she wants to go back to acting like a couple? It really didn't seem that way from the vibes he was picking up, or not picking up. He sarcastically mouthed "Laura", correcting himself. "Win Schroeder?" "Maybe Win cleaning up." "Cleaning up for who?" Mulder picked up the sample Scully had collected, and examined it again. "Talking about cleaning up, whoever taught you to squeeze a tube of toothpaste?" Mulder shook his head desolately over the triviality of this conversation, in comparison to the one he had imagined they would be having by now. How long was she going to be in the bathroom anyway? "What do we know about this stuff?" "I'm driving out to San Diego tomorrow to have it analysed." "Great more evasive action!", he thought, and decided to make himself comfortable, stretching out on the bed. They were both quite adept at talking about one thing, and thinking about another. How many times had their minds been on more personal, intimate issues, while their mouths had continued to converse in FBI matters? In fact they had both become a little *too* good at it. "What killed Big Mike?" "What's missing here is intent." "What could be the motive?" "Compulsive neatness, or lack thereof? Have you noticed how everyone here is obsessed with the local CC and R's. You know what, you fit in really well here!" "And you don't!" Scully had finally emerged from the bathroom, and he took an intake of breath. He had seen her ready for bed before, but somehow, with what had happened earlier in his mind, he felt suddenly very warm. She was wearing her favourite pale pink satin pyjamas. She loved the sensuous feel of them against her skin, and was only too pleased that she had thought to pack them. She remembered the dim hope she had felt when folding them neatly into the suitcase yesterday, that she would not be the only one to see them that night. She was surprised at the sight of Mulder lying outstretched on the bed. This wasn't one of her daydream fantasies was it? He was wearing his favourite grey T-shirt, and had never looked more attractive to her. The man was completely unaware of his good looks, and this somehow served to enhance them. No one could make a T- shirt look sexy like Mulder could. She threw his sweater at him. Was this an act of pushing him out of the room? Or just playfulness? "Anyway, tomorrow I've got a sure fire way of testing out my theory." The thought was screaming in her head now, "Never mind tomorrow Mulder, what about now?" To her delight, he wriggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, patting the space on the bed beside him. "Come on Laura, we're married now." He obviously expected a retort from her, but instead she smiled coyly, and walked over to the bed, positioning herself on the spot he had indicated. She sat with her back to him, and removed her slippers, trying not to get too excited at the thought of Fox Mulder waiting for her in the bed behind her. So he had read the signal right earlier. He knew he had to show at least some level of control, even though he could feel his pulse racing in his ears. She could almost feel his eyes, burning into her back, with an intensity she had never seen, or felt, with anyone else. She shivered with anticipation, and stretched, trying to cover up the response. He misinterpreted it as her muscles hurting her, and reached out a hand to rub her back. She let out a little moan of pleasure, and he took this as his cue, kneeling up behind her to start working at the tension he could feel in her neck muscles. His fingers were everything she had imagined them to be: long, slender and dextrous. She was floating in comfort as he unknotted the tension she hadn't realised she had. Then he snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her gently, but firmly, back into the bed, and into a tight embrace, her back flat against his chest. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, and felt the hairs tingle, and stand upright in response. She reached her hand around, resting it on the waistband of his jeans. "Aren't you going to get undressed?" She whispered it longingly, and immediately heard a rustling, and he was gone, she supposed into the bathroom. Why hadn't he removed his clothes in here? She had never felt such a void in a bed, but it wouldn't be for long she told herself. She could still smell Mulder on the pillow, and had never felt so comfortable, or at ease, as she closed her eyes. Mulder emerged from the bathroom, freshly washed and undressed. "Whoever thought undercover work could be so much fun? Or should he say 'under the covers' work." He resisted the temptation to vocalise his little joke this time, for fear of spoiling the mood. He had to make this perfect. Never in his wildest fantasies would he have believed that Scully would succumb so readily to one of his not so subtle suggestions. Wearing his black silk boxers (why had he thought to pack them?), he slipped into the bed, wrapping himself around Scully. She didn't move. "Scully?" To his disappointment, his word was met by the sound of heavy, slow breathing; of all times to fall asleep., he reprimanded himself for taking so long in the bathroom. Oh well, if they didn't get any leads tomorrow, there would be other nights, and he had a feeling his mind wouldn't be so keenly focussed on solving this case. "'Night, Scully." He whispered in her ear, kissing it lightly, and falling into a heavenly deep sleep; something insomniacs rarely experience. The smile would still be on his face the next morning. ********************************************** She awoke, slowly and lazily, to thoughts of the early start she had told herself she would make. It was a long drive and she had to get the sample to the lab. It was then that she noticed it. She had woken to find herself encased tightly in Mulder's arms, his body tightly pressed up against her back. She wasn't even sure where she ended, and he started. She closed her eyes again, and revelled in the feel and smell. It warmed her heart, and she twisted herself around, slowly, so as not to disturb him, or cause him to alter his position, so that she could look into his face. He was still asleep, and as she lay there looking into his face, she became impatient to look into his eyes. She wanted to read his face, his emotion, when he woke to find himself here, so with one finger she traced a long line from his forehead, down the side of his face, and along his jaw line, finally coming to rest on his mouth, and full lips. The touch had been light enough, since as he awoke, he made no effort to move, no effort to stretch, or remove himself from her. As his eyes slowly opened, coming to a focus, a smile was shared between them. They shared the same thought, glad to know that it hadn't been a dream they were waking from. "'Morning." He managed to vocalise the word sleepily. She smiled the greeting back to him. If she didn't act now, he would leave the bed, and who knows when this situation would arise again. She moved closer in to his face. "I'm sorry I fell asleep..." "Me too." He half laughed the words out, coyly. "I'm awake now though." Her voice was serious now, and the meaning in her face unmistakeable. She was taking no chances this time in any lack of understanding, as she leaned over to his ear and whispered. "Make love to me." She kissed his ear, and he came alive beneath her. Holding her face in his hands, they closed what gap there was between them. Light kisses, exploring each other with a tenderness unexpected in six years of longing. Then, deepening the kiss, he lowered her over onto her back, one hand leaving her face to find the buttons separating them. She lifted her shoulders to release the clothing, revelling in the feel of the satin as it slid down her arms. He tossed it, as if in slow motion, towards the chair, and for once, tidiness was not foremost in her mind. His butterfly kisses travelled down her body, across her breasts, tantalisingly light, and full of promise. She moved her hands over the muscles in his back, finding the waist of his boxers, and pushing her fingers below the material, rubbing circles upon the toned skin she found beneath. He moaned at the sensation, and it filled her with a warmth she had never felt, as he returned the gesture, finding the top of her satin clothing, the last barrier between them. She raised her hips to aid his removal, and she sighed into his shoulder as their skin met. He was conscious of taking things slowly and gently, and not launching into the throes of full arousal like he had in these situations before. This was the object of his dreams, his soul mate, beneath him, and not a one night fling who would disappear into the night, never to be seen or thought of again. What happened now would affect his life forever, so he held himself back a little, wanting them both to be able to revel in the moment. Her fingers tenderly found his length, and ran lightly over him, the change in him almost instantaneous. They both giggled. "Its not going to take much, Scully." She hushed his mouth with a kiss, and it reassured him. She knew the effect she was having on him, and it delighted her. Halfway through that kiss, he slipped carefully inside of her, their bodies finding a natural harmonious rhythm that was all their own. They both felt it. They belonged this way. "I won't break, Mulder." At this he smiled, and became more passionate, the rhythm increasing pace, until they reached a peak. She felt as if she stood on the edge of a cliff top, clinging onto him for dear life, and would gladly jump from the edge, as long as he was there for her, and she knew in her heart that always would be. When they finally parted, she rested her head on his chest as it rose and fell, listening to his breathing, teasing the soft hair with her finger tips. At last his voice broke the silence. "Scully, I'm sorry for everything that has happened between us lately." "Just how 'lately' are you referring to?" He laughed, and then a look of seriousness fell across his face again. "I can understand why you've been so mad with me, I've deserved it. This whole business with..." She placed a finger on his lips to stop the name of the one woman she didn't want entering the conversation, not here. Shaking her head, he saw that it really was behind them now, and the mutual smile spoke of untold promise for a future together. If there had ever been any doubt, that had now been extinguished. He leaned down towards her again, lowering her onto her back, and groaned into her, as she started to massage him again. "Oh, Scully." "Laura". She playfully mouthed the name into his lips, and they smiled naturally into each other's eyes. ************************************ If you read all that, I'm blushing. ****I touch the future, I teach.**** please send comments to Queegqueg