Something To Talk About (PG) 

"Spooky Mulder! Well, it’s been a long time!" 

Mulder winced slightly at the sound, not long enough. How had Jerry found his 
way back to D.C.? Hadn’t he been assigned to a field office in North Nowhere? 
And so well deserved too. 

"Jerry." Mulder shook the proffered hand. 

"You still with that gorgeous red-headed doctor? Damn, I envy you being able to 
slip it to her on all of those out of town trips." 

His voice carried and several people had turned and were watching them. One look 
at Mulder’s face was enough to make most of them turn back, but Jerry seemed 
totally oblivious to the anger building in the man standing before him. 

"I tell you, if you ever get tired of red meat," he made a suggestive movement 
with his hips, "I’ll be happy to take over. She is a real red-head, isn’t she?" 

He didn’t even have time to duck. Mulder’s fist connected with his jaw and he 
went down like a rock. No one watching leapt to his defense or made a move to 
keep Mulder from then pounding him into dust. Mulder, however, took a deep 
breath, turned and walked away without a word. 

It would be worth a trip to Skinner’s office and a sore hand. He’d hated that 
SOB for years. He’d never been able to prove it, but he’d go to his grave 
believing Jerry had started the Spooky nickname while they were at the academy 
together. 

He was in the elevator before it struck him, did people think that about he and 
Scully? Were they a topic of conversation around the water cooler? People didn’t 
really think that Scully would want. . . he shook his head violently. No way, 
Scully was too good for him, he’d known it that first day in the office. She’d 
proven it on more than one occasion since then as well. Still, it wouldn’t hurt 
his reputation if people did think that. He shook his head again, grow up Mulder. 

***** 

". . . if a Fox like Mulder wanted to defend my honor, that’s for sure!" 

"What did the guy say, exactly?" 

Dana froze. The women obviously didn’t realize she was in the ladies’ room with 
them. 

"I don’t even know who the jerk was, but he comes up to Mulder all friendly and 
good old buddy like and point blank asks if he’s still doing Scully. Even asked 
if she was a real red-head! You should have seen Mulder’s face. I’m surprised he 
only broke the guy’s jaw. Looking at him you’d have thought he was going to rip 
out his intestines." 

"They are together though, aren’t they? I mean, the way he looks at her. . . " 

"People have been wondering about that since she got the assignment." 

"Somehow I don’t think so. I mean, she’s probably attractive enough, but who can 
tell in those clothes." 

"Maybe the clothes are part of the turn on, you have to look closer to see what 
she’s hiding, you know? But have you really looked at her, I mean she’s not my 
type, but she is very attractive." 

Scully stayed hidden, completely mortified that she and Mulder could be the 
topic of this kind of conversation. She’d lost track of how many women were 
involved in the discussion now. 

"Well, he is my type and let me tell you, you don’t have to look hard to see 
that package. Hasn’t he won best butt for the last three years?" 

"Four. He keeps in shape." 

"Well, she’s a lucky woman to be in the position to have him, even if she’s not 
taking advantage of it." 

"Maybe she’s not as smart as everyone thinks she is?" 

"Oh I don’t know, like she said, the way he looks at her, he’s wrapped tight. 
She’s obviously playing it just right." 

Scully heard them leave the room and still refused to come out. Her face was 
flaming. Were she and Mulder the topic of conversations like this often? Mulder 
had broken some man’s jaw because he had insulted her? How would they write that 
one up? 

A small smile grew on her face, best butt four years running? Well, at least 
they had good taste. When would she be able to use that bit of information? 

She needed to go check on him, but she wasn’t sure she could face him. She tried 
so hard not to think of him that way. It was how he wanted it. Now that was all 
she could think of. 

Scully didn’t knock when she got down to the office. He might not want her there, 
but she had to check. His back was to the door and she could tell he was 
cradling his right hand. 

"You okay?" She spoke softly, but he jumped and tried to hide his hand. 

"Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Why?" Oh please, don’t let her have heard what happened. 
No real hope of that. 

"I heard there was a problem." 

"Nothing much. I handled it." How much did she know? 

"Let me see your hand." She may have stated it calmly but it was an order and he 
knew it. He held it out for her to see. "It’s a good thing you only broke his 
jaw." 

"I broke his jaw?" Skinner was probably not even waiting for the elevator but 
racing down the stairs as they spoke. 

"I don’t think your hand’s broken. If you want x-rays. . . " 

"No, I’m fine." Get her out of here. She already knew too much and he did not 
want to discuss this. 

"Thank you." She was in his space, leaning against his desk. Damn, every time he 
thought he had this under control something happened. He didn’t have an answer 
for that. He had hoped in some part of his mind that she’d never hear about it 
at all. Yeah, right. 

"The guy is a jerk from way back. I learned to hate him at the academy. I 
appreciate the opportunity to deck him." He gave her a shy smile, not at all the 
leer she was used to. "He still hasn’t grown up. Don’t worry about it." 

They both turned at the knock on the door and Scully straightened up as Skinner 
walked in. She should be on the other side of the desk. Here she was practically 
standing between his legs, even if she was examining his hand. . . 

"Agent Mulder, your chivalry has bought you a three day unpaid suspension." 

"Director Skinner," Scully started but Mulder touched her arm, silencing her. 

"You were lucky there were so many witnesses, it could have been two weeks. 
Regardless, I can’t have my agents duking it out in the halls, whatever the 
provocation. And I do understand the provocation, several of the agents I spoke 
with would have joined in on your side, had it continued." He avoided looking at 
Scully, but knew she was blushing. How much did she know and how accurate had 
the quotes he had received been? Agent Hardin deserved the broken jaw, there 
seemed to be no doubt of that. If what he had heard was accurate, Mulder showed 
remarkable restraint. 

"Go on, now. I want this to blow over, so I want you out of the building. I’m 
confident assault charges will not be filed. I’ll see you next Tuesday. Not 
before." Skinner turned and left the office. 

Mulder’s shoulders sagged, Skinner seemed to bring out a military posture in him 
every time. 

"Well, guess I’ll see you later." Scully took his coat from the back of the 
chair and held it for him to put on. 

"Are you going to stay here?" He hated to leave her alone, but Skinner had 
ordered him from the building. 

"Yes, I have some work I can catch up on." And there was no way she would go 
back upstairs now. She had no desire to see anyone. Anyone at all. 

Mulder saw that in her eyes, and felt such defeat. Why couldn’t there be some 
positives for her about their partnership? She was so good for him, hell she’d 
given him legitimacy. She had supported him way beyond what he had any right to 
expect. But all he ever brought her was grief. Too bad giving her up was more 
than he could handle. That would be the sane thing to do. But no one had ever 
accused him of being sane. 

"I’ll, uh, I’ll give you a call later." 

She nodded and he left the office, looking a little lost. 

Once home he changed, but couldn’t think of anything to occupy his time. That 
wasn’t strictly true, there were lots of domestic things he could do, but his 
mind was on other things. Shit. 

***** 

She wearily let herself into the apartment. It had been a long, horrible day. At 
least she was home and didn’t have to avoid everyone anymore. She was barely in 
the door when the knocking startled her. 

"Just a minute." She removed her coat and reluctantly returned to the door. She 
did not want company. She looked through the peephole. Mulder? What the hell. . 
.? She opened the door. 

"You’re late. Did you eat?" 

"You were waiting for me?" She took in his appearance. He’d changed into jeans 
and a sweater. They were right, what the hell would someone who looked like him 
see in her? 

"Well, yeah." 

"Why?" 

She wasn’t making this easy. "I just wanted. . . Were you hiding?" The blush 
gave her away. 

"Mulder, go home." 

"Not until I’m sure you’re okay." 

Shit, he was going to stay. Was she up to talking about this? Well, it wasn’t 
like she hadn’t had time to think. She’d accomplished nothing else all day. 

"Come on in, I’m going to change." Her hatred of the suit she was wearing had 
grown all day. She left him standing there and headed for her bedroom. He 
shrugged out of his coat and stood undecided for a moment. Then he headed for 
the kitchen and poured himself a glass of tea. It always made him smile. They’d 
never discussed it, in fact it had never been mentioned, but there was always 
ice tea in the refrigerator in case he came by. He settled on the sofa as he 
heard her returning. 

She was wearing tights and an oversize sweater. The sweater had a deeper V than 
he was used to and he couldn’t help but enjoy it, even as he wondered at her 
choice. 

"Did you eat?" 

"I’m not hungry, Mulder." She sank onto the couch beside him. 

"Are you okay?" 

She looked away, no she wasn’t okay. Every time she’d managed to push the 
conversation she’d overheard away, it had blindsided her when she relaxed. She 
took a deep breath, but refused to look at him. 

"What did he say? And don’t tell me you don’t remember." 

If only he could forget. Maybe a broken jaw would shut the guy up for a while. "Scully, 
he was crude and he doesn’t deserve to be repeated." 

She started to rise from the couch, but he caught her arm. "How did you hear 
about what happened?" 

"I can’t talk to you about this. Please go on home. I’m okay, really. Please." 

"Scully, I. . . " 

"Please, Mulder. It’s not a good idea for you to be here anyway." She stood and 
handed him his jacket. Well, he’d done no good here. He was pretty sure he’d 
actually made things worse. 

"Look, I’ll call you, okay?" 

"Sure, Mulder." She trailed him to the door and let him out. She leaned against 
the door when she shut it and tried to stifle a sob. Why was this affecting her 
so? 

Mulder heard the sound as he was standing in the hall, not sure if he should 
leave. Damn it! He had been vaguely aware they had been gossiped about but no 
one had ever had the gall to actually say something to her. He could take it, he’d 
been talked about his whole life, but it shouldn’t affect her. He hurried to his 
car. 

She drew herself up. This was ridiculous, she must be hormonal or something. She 
started for the kitchen when the phone rang. 

"Hello?" 

"Hi." 

"Mulder?" 

"Yeah, I thought it might be easier to talk like this." 

"Mulder. . . " 

"Hey, maybe I’m not a girlfriend, but I can listen. Please." 

"You’re crazy." But she didn’t hang up, just sank onto the couch and spotted the 
ice tea he’d been drinking. His lips had been on it. Oh, that was the problem, 
she was losing her mind. Still she watched her hand curve around the glass and 
bring it to her own lips. 

"Tell me what you heard, Scully." 

She couldn’t say this to Mulder, even if he was her best friend. But who else 
did she have to talk to? He heard her sigh and waited. 

"A bunch of women trying to figure out what you could possibly see in me." 

That struck him dumb. He’d imagined all kinds of reports on the event, but for 
anyone not to be able to see. . . Just imagining her, visualizing her in that 
sweater right now was making him wish he’d changed into the sweats instead of 
the jeans. They were extremely uncomfortable now. 

"Doesn’t sound like a very intelligent group of women." 

"Mulder?" Why was his voice so deep suddenly? Was his phone going out? 

"Where were you?" 

"Trapped in the damn ladies room. They didn’t know I was there. Are you laughing 
at me?" He was making strange noises. 

"No! No, I. . . who were they?" 

"I’m not sure, there was a group of them. Oh, and if you’re interested you could 
have had any one of them right there on the bathroom floor." 

"I beg your pardon?" He asked in a strangled voice. 

"They were all quite impressed with your ‘package’." He was right, it was easier 
talking to him this way. Now what kind of noise was he making? 

"God, Scully, who the hell were these women?" He sounded really disgusted. 

"Well, I’m pretty sure one of them was Mrs. Baker." 

"Mrs. Baker? Well, Scully, you need to remind me of her when I start dating 
women my mother’s age. Okay?" 

"Anything to help, Mulder." 

"Sounds like a bunch of jealous bitches, Scully. They know exactly what I, and 
every other man at the Bureau, sees in you. They just don’t like it." 

"So that’s why my dance card is so full." 

He got serious then, "Maybe they’re afraid of me." 

"Well, you are fierce competition." 

"I am?" 

"According to what I heard, you’ve been voted best butt at the Bureau, four 
years running." 

"I’ve been what!" He could not have heard her correctly. There was a contest? A 
vote! 

"You heard me. And I didn’t even have to nominate you. I’m not even sure the 
voting is limited to the women folk. I don’t know who runs your campaign." Was 
he choking? She was feeling better than she had all day, talking it out had been 
the right thing to do. If he was choking he should pull over. "Mulder, where are 
you?" 

"In my car." 

"I know that. Where’s your car?" 

"Oh, in front of your building. I didn’t really leave." 

"Mulder! It’s freezing! Get in here. Right now!" 

He looked positively meek as he approached her door again. She was holding it 
open this time. The way she shook her head at him, he felt like a puppy who’d 
had an accident on her carpet. 

"Didn’t I say you were crazy? Mulder, your hands are frozen. Did you not notice 
how cold it was?" 

Actually he hadn’t. Talking to her always warmed him, and their conversation 
this time was incredibly warming. Her massaging of his hands was giving him the 
same feeling now. Oh no, he couldn’t have thought to wear sweats; that would 
have made sense. Of course, who would have thought he’d have this incredible 
hard on around Scully today of all days. 

"I’ll make you some hot tea. Sit down." If his mother had scolded him like this 
as a child, they’d have a much better relationship now. He sat on the couch and 
put his hands between his legs, might as well kill two birds with one stone here. 
When he heard the microwave ding, he was back in control and could turn and 
watch her returning to him with some confidence. 

She watched him sip the tea and leaned back, eventually closing her eyes and 
just being with him. Okay people talked about them. It was actually very 
flattering to both of them, more so for her, but he didn’t seem to be 
complaining. Too bad they didn’t have something real to talk about. Dana! Where 
had that thought come from? He was her friend, her best friend and she needed 
him, in that capacity at least. The Bureau wouldn’t allow more, even if he 
wanted it. She pulled her feet up on the couch under her and watched him drink. 

"Are your feet cold? Give them to me." 

"Why don’t I just slip them under the number one ass at the Bureau?" 

"You better be talking about my butt, Agent Scully." 

She burst out laughing. He was paralyzed; how long had it been since he’d seen 
her laugh? She was so beautiful. His smile grew and he joined in her laughter. 
He could spend years looking at her like this, out of control and thoroughly 
enjoying herself – with him. 

What a day! She had gone from the complete depths to laughing with him. Why did 
he have this affect on her? Just talking over the phone with him had made her 
feel this much better. And she hadn’t even wanted to do that! He had sat in his 
freezing car, pulling information out of her just to try to make her feel good. 
She didn’t appreciate him enough. 

Her laughter spent, she smiled at him. "I love you so muc. . ." Even as the 
words left her mouth she realized her lapse and bit her knuckle, trying to bite 
back the words. His eyes, she was trapped by his eyes. Then he was gripping her 
arms. 

"Did you mean that? Scully. . . ?" 

She nodded mutely, her voice gone. How could she have made such a blunder? She 
wasn’t even drinking! 

He had her in his arms now, his lips in her hair, crushing her tightly against 
him. "I’ve got to get out of here." He murmured it in her hair, but his arms did 
not loosen and hers tightened around him. 

"Scully?" What should he say? What. . . ? Then her lips brushed against his, and 
whatever he’d tried to say was gone. She had control of him now, pulling him 
down toward her as she leaned back on the couch. 

When they finally stopped for breath, Mulder began nuzzling her ear. "Remind me 
to send Jerry some flowers." 

"What? Who?" 

"The jerk with the broken jaw, I think I’m ready to forgive him." 

"Are we going to give them something to talk about?" 

He pulled her back against him, "I certainly hope so."