From: Jedi Shipper Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 13:00:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: xfc: A Familular Affair 1/4 Source: xfc From: Jedi Shipper TITLE: A Familiar Affair AUTHOR: The Jedi Shipper E-MAIL ADDRESS: JediShipper@yahoo.com DISTRIBUTION: I would be honored if you want to archive it. Go ahead, just tell me where it goes. SPOILER WARNING: Pilot RATING: PG-13 CLASSIFICATION: Pre-XF KEYWORDS: Mulder/Scully Romance SUMMARY: High School is over and Dana is in London. You figure out the rest. J AUTHOR'S NOTES: I really don't like Pre-XF fics. I wrote this one because my dear friend, Rotem Shahar, begged it out of me. This is dedicated to her. I just want you to know I HATED calling them Dana and William. (and yes, for plot purposes I had to call him William) but I don't think it came out all that badly. If this interferes with the episode Fire, I haven't seen it. Dana Scully was on top of the world. It was the summer after her last year in high school, she was in Europe, and she was free. How great it was to finally be in the adult world. This was the first year Dana would be on her own during the family's European vacation. She was looking forward to it. A few hours later Dana was cursing the day she ever came to London, England. She was lost. Totally lost in a huge city with a map that wasn't working. Defective...that's it. The map was defective. 'Lost in London...Dana how do you get yourself into these crazy messes?' she thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. Before she could think she had twisted away from the offending hand and in turn twisted the arm attached to it. "Oww! Hey, relax I'm only trying to help!" came a male voice. Dana let go and stepped away warily. She was greeted by the site of a young man. He couldn't have been more then twenty but his boyish features carried a rugged air. She wasn't quite sure how he pulled it off. He was incredibly sexy, despite the fact he had a large nose. It seemed to fit on his face. She was more then a little surprised to see he was laughing. "Woe to the mugger who tries to snatch your purse," he laughed, rubbing his soar arm. "You looked lost." "Yes, I'm sorry..." Dana said, recovering her voice. "I was just getting a little jumpy," "I don't blame you. I've been around for two years and I still get lost but uh, maybe I can help you?" Dana hesitated. Why did she automatically want to trust this strange man? Well, he did seem helpful, and she did need help. "I'm trying to get to Caf Rouge," Dana said finally. "Oh sure! I know where that is. It's a few blocks that way. Come on, I'll walk you. You didn't have to twist my arm." Dana smiled. "Sure. I'm Dana Scully," He seemed to hesitate. "William," he said finally, "William Mulder," They began to walk. "So, what are you doing in London?" Dana asked. "I'm getting an education. At least that's what I tell them. Technically, I live in Oxford. But I come here often enough. What about you?" "Summer vacation. I start at a University in three months," "Start? You're 18?" William stopped short. She winced. Why had she said that? "Not yet," "Wow," he said as they kept walking. "You could have fooled me," Dana looked up, afraid, for some reason, of what she would see. She was afraid that William would be repelled by her youth. Instead she saw admiration in his warm, pale green eyes. The two walked and talked, oblivious to those around them. All too soon they arrived at Caf Rouge. "Well here we are," William said. "Yeah. Well hey thanks. I probably would've wandered to the other side of the city by now," "No problem." A moment of silence passed between them as neither wanted to leave yet. "Listen, if you need a tour guide, I know some great places around here..." Dana hesitated only a moment before saying, "I would like that." William grinned. "Great. Meet you at the same place, about 10 AM?" "It's a date," she replied. William smiled again and turned. Dana watched his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner. Then, grinning, she entered the caf. William, in the meantime, had stopped walking. He turned and peered around the corner just in time to see a flash of long red hair enter the caf. "William," he said aloud, drawing a few stares. "What the hell made me say that?" He shook his head. He hated his first name, he really did. All he needed was another person calling him Fox. He didn't want her to call him Fox. Curious. Very curious. * * * The next day William took Dana to the street shops of London. "Hey look at this," William paused in a shop of oddities. "If I ever get wall room...I'm going to buy this," " 'I want to believe'," Dana read. She frowned. "You don't believe in that stuff do you? Aliens, spaceships?" "I don't know," William admitted. "I mean, the universe is terribly big... Well it just makes you think. Not only about aliens but about everything. There is so much in our world that can't be explained." "I see what you mean. Everything can be explained though. Eventually, everything will be," They smiled at each other. Dinner, including candles, was spent by the banks of the Thames river munching on Hero sandwiches. "It really is beautiful here, this spot," "I told you I know all the great spots in London," William said gently. He seemed to hesitate. He was captivated at that moment by her stunning beauty. The new moonlight was playing on her hair and her piercing blue eyes were on the water. He couldn't take his eyes off her. "But it's really great today, because you're here," he said finally. Dana turned to him, shocked. "Dana... I know I've only known you for a day," "Day and a half," she said. He smiled. "But I feel like I.... Well, I don't know what I feel like," "The funny thing is, I know what you mean," she admitted. For a moment the two stared at each other. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, William leaned down. Dana tilted her head invitingly. It just felt right. Their lips meet and their eyes closed. At first it was ever so brief, tantalizing. Then they came together again, harder, deeper. She was surprised to feel his tounge at her lips, gently asking for entrance. A split second's hesitation later she opened her mouth. Several minutes later they parted, breathing hard, and leaned against each others forehead. William ran his hand along her cheek. Neither of them spoke. They didn't have to. They simply sat, reveling in each other's presence. Dana did not let herself remember that she had precious little time here in England. She didn't want to remember. All she wanted was to be here, with William's arms around her. They stayed like that, wrapped in each others arms, forehead touching and occasionally kissing, for hours, far into the night. * * * Dana winced as she tiptoed into the house. The front door was too damn squeaky. Despite that fact she could get into trouble, Dana could not stop grinning. She felt like a goof and she didn't care. She tiptoed down the hall and put a hand on the door to her room. "Dana?" came a voice from behind. Dana jumped a mile in the air. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" she cried. "Missy! You gave me a heart-attack," Dana said in a harsh whisper. Melissa giggled and shoved her sister into the room. "All right, spill it," she said as soon as the door had closed. "Spill what?" Dana asked innocently. "Oh come on Dana! You've got such a huge grin on your face that your lips may just pop off. Look at you, you're glowing," Melissa narrowed her eyes. "Hey, you're too young to have sex," "Missy!" Dana hissed. She sighed and threw herself down on the bed. "I'm not an idiot." "Oh so you are making out." Melissa flopped down on the bed next to Dana. "Details, is he cute?" "Cute...no. He's incredibly sexy. He's got these deep green eyes that you could swear are burrowing into your soul. He's got this adorably scruffy hair. It's so thick. His name is William Mulder," "Wow. I've never seen you like this Dana." "I've never FELT like this. I think school girl crushes are silly, trite. Now, all of a sudden I'm... swooning." Dana banged her head against the mattress. "He's turning me into mush. He's kind, so smart. He's not like anyone I've ever met." Melissa whistled. "You've got it bad kid," Dana just groaned. "How old is this William character?" Dana winced. "Twenty," she mumbled. "Experienced." Melissa commented. "He's a great kisser," Dana admitted. "Really great," Melissa's eyes widened. Then she grinned. "I'm proud of you. You've done well. It's a good thing because for a while there I thought you were either insane or a lesbian," Dana opened her mouth but nothing came out. Finally she grabbed up a pillow and whacked her sister with it. Giggling, the two women had a pillow fight like the ones they'd had as children. ______________________ Fini part 1! From: Jedi Shipper A Familiar Affair: Part 2/4 Several days later: Scully condo Dana, having spent every waking hour with William, hadn't really been with her family since Caf Rouge. She'd thought it best to spend breakfast with them at least. Currently she was stirring absently at her cereal and staring out the window. It was a beautiful day. William had promised to take her to Oxford to show her around. She, quite frankly, couldn't wait. "Dana?" Maggie started as she sat at the breakfast table. "I feel like I haven't seen you for days. What have you been up to?" "Um," Dana started. Missy, knowing that her younger sister was new to the world of sneaking around, interrupted. "Mom, she's new to the world of freedom. Give her a few weeks and she'll come back. I did," Maggie smiled ruefully. "This year you did," "Come on mom. Dana is a lot better at this being with the family stuff then Missy is," Bill Jr. piped up, trying to stop a family argument from starting. "Can I try this whole freedom thing? It sounds great," Charles grumbled, biting his toast. "Not yet son," William Scully said. "Let me enjoy full control of one of my children for a few more years," Maggie added. Dana, at that point, glanced at the time. "Oh," she started, "I'm going to be late." She got up and hurriedly shoved the cereal bowl in the sink rinsing it off carelessly. "Starbuck? Where are you off to in such a hurry?" her father asked. "Umm, I signed up for a tour. I made reservations. I have to go," she said on the way out. Maggie and William stared at the door for a moment. "What's going on with her?" Maggie asked, looking at Melissa. "She goes out early, she comes in late. Should I be concerned Missy?" Melissa smiled. "Mom, trust Dana. Whatever she's doing you know she's a lot more responsible then I am," * * * Currently Miss Responsibility was running through the streets of London at speeds that were no where near responsible. Finally, narrowly avoiding a bus, Dana arrived at the square where she was supposed to meet William. She took a moment to catch her breathe before she walked up to where he was standing. "Hey," he said, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek and taking both her hands in his. "I thought you ditched me." Dana smiled. "No, I just took to long eating breakfast that's all. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." "I wasn't. I knew you'd come sooner or later. It just amused me because being late is something I usually am. But it doesn't seem normal for you," "It isn't," she assured him. "Are you ready to see my haunting grounds?" Dana winced. "You know, I'd love to but my parents are getting seriously suspicious. Can we skip it today so I can eat lunch with them at least?" she grinned. "I'm spending so much time with you they barely recognized me this morning." William leaned down so he could whisper gruffly in her ear, "That's because I'm selfish. I want you all to myself." He pulled back slightly so that his lips were millimeters away from hers. "Just this once," he agreed and with that leaned forward to kiss her softly. Then, taking her hand, they started off again. "There's a bizarre down this way. That'll be fun and easy." "Sounds great," They walked among the many booths for hours. Soon they came upon a tent. " 'Psychic Reading. Your fortune, your future...today!' " William read. He glanced at Dana with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Come on Dana. Sounds like fun." Dana raised an eyebrow. "Oh come on. You know I don't believe in that stuff." "Why do you have to believe in it? She's not going to hurt you." Dana looked skeptical, "I don't know." Then he pulled a move she didn't know he had but she automatically couldn't resist. It was...the puppy dog stare. Dana sighed inwardly cursing herself for being susceptible to a simple look. What the hell was he turning her into anyway? She grumbled but entered the tent. "Hello my dear," said the gaudily dressed woman behind the simple fold out table. "May I be of help today?" "She'll take a reading... on me," William spoke before Dana could, thus silencing any chance of getting out of it. Dana tossed a mock glare at him. "Ah yes," the psychic started once Dana had told her her name and birth date. "You are here in Europe on vacation yes? He," she nodded at William, "Is your summer love. But though he is American he cannot follow you back to the states," Dana frowned. She hadn't wanted to acknowledge the fact that she would eventually have to go back home, without William. She didn't even want to think about it. "You are skeptical about much... including me," the physic told her. "Yes of course. You haven't proved anything to me but you have good observation skills." At the woman's look, Dana continued, "I am obviously American. As is William. But he's wearing an Oxford shirt. You could have just guessed that we were... together because we obviously aren't brother and sister," William smiled admirably. The woman's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Then I will have to prove otherwise no?" she chuckled. "I see two Universities. Maryland and Boston. You don't know where you're going to go but you're going to major in Pre-Med. I will tell you know that it's not for you but, you will do it anyway." The woman paused, and furrowed her eyes. "You have fallen in love with William, head over heels. You don't know quite what to make of it. You're not a person who falls in love at the drop of a pin after all. You wonder if this is true love." Dana gasped quietly. This was getting a little spooky. "It is true love and he loves you back but it is not meant to be." Dana narrowed her eyes and William frowned. "No." the woman continued. "I see a... basement. A man, wearing glasses, you've met him before but he is different now. He's not the same person you knew. Reynard. You will find in him a love deeper then you have here. It will be a complete, whole love like few on this earth were ever meant to experience and though you both will loose much, you will find so much more in each other that it will all be worth it." At this point Dana yanked her hand away from the woman, got up and left the tent. William paid and was about to follow when the woman called him. "William." He turned to her, obviously upset. "You are a believer, Reynard. It was not meant to be... yet," she said cryptically. William said nothing but exited the tent. He found Dana leaning against a poll, arms across her chest in a defensive position. "Hey, she showed me her license. She graduated from the University of Bull Shit," he told her softly. At that Dana smiled. "But you know... she was right about one thing," Dana looked up at him, her piercing blue eyes deep and questioning. "I love you, Dana" he admitted in a hushed whisper. "I'll always love you," "Oh William," she said, her eyes tearing. She pulled him into a fierce hug. "I love you too. She's wrong. We'll always be together... right?" "Yes," William said, more sure of it then he had ever been sure of anything. "Always. I promise." He held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. No, if he had it his way, he'd never let her go. Never. They had to leave then, so Dana could meet her parents for lunch. They walked the streets of London hand in hand, in silence until they reached the restaurant. "I'll meet you here in a few hours," William told her. "I'll be here," Dana assured him. He pulled her to him for a kiss good bye. "Starbuck?" Her father's voice startled Dana and she stepped away from William in a hurry. "Ahab. Mom..." Dana paused, unsure of what to say or do. She heard William take a sharp breath of air from behind her. Charles started laughing. "Busted!" There was an uncomfortable moment of silence before Maggie smiled. "Are you the reason I barely recognize my daughter anymore?" she asked William, her tone light and not harsh. William gave a short laugh. "Yes. My name's William Mulder. I'm sorry about that but your daughter is... the most amazing person I've even meet," he said, looking directly at Dana. "That she is," William Scully said, finally breaking a smile. Anyone who obviously appreciated Dana the way this young man did was fine in his book. "I'm William Scully. This is my wife Maggie and my son Charles. My son Bill Jr. and my other daughter Melissa seem to have run off. One of them is always missing." As he spoke, William shook hands with all of them. Then he stepped back and put an arm around Dana's waist. "Well, William. Would you join us for lunch? We'd love to have you," Maggie asked. William looked at Dana. "Yeah, I'd love to," __________________ Well there goes part 2. From: Jedi Shipper A Familiar Affair: Part 3/4 He hated her. He absolutely hated her. She could see it in his eyes. His eyes that once held such adoring looks reserved only for her. "Little spy!" he spat at her. "No...William." "I don't want to see you. You work for them now," he screamed. "No... No. That's not true!" Then the psychic woman's voice. "It was not meant to be," "No...no," "NO!" Dana sat up in bed panting and crying. "Oh my God," she whispered to herself. "Dana? What are you doing? Are you all right?" Melissa's sleepy voice came from the other bed. "I'm fine...I just had a bad dream. That's all." "Are you all right?" Melissa repeated. "I'm fine Missy. It was just a silly dream," Dana said as she settled back on the bed. "Just a silly dream," she said again, more to herself then anyone. She tried to get to sleep but couldn't. The dream had been to real. The really strange thing was that it had not looked like William. Well it had, but he was older now. His soft, innocent look was gone. Behind him was the poster they'd seen in the shop. What did it mean? Did it have to mean anything at all? The next morning William pulled up to the condo in a rented car. "Who's that?" Bill Jr. asked, looking out the window. "Isn't that William?" Maggie asked her daughter. "Yeah. We're going down to Oxford today." Dana said, standing and grabbing her purse. "Hey how old is this guy? How do you know him mom?" Bill Jr. was narrowing his eyes at William who sat in his car, apparently looking for something. Dana, sensing that her brother was about to get over-protective and not wanting to cause a scene with William, said a hurried good-bye and raced out the door. She got to the car just as William was stepping out of it. "Hey, you rushed out here pretty quickly," he said, amused. "Well I'm looking forward to today. Besides, I hoard every minute I spend with you." With this Dana surprised William by kissing him. It was a soft kiss, lasting not more then a few seconds. As she got in the car she could practically see the smoke coming out of Bill Jr's ears. The drive to Oxford was pleasant. They talked, about everything and anything. When they got out and toured the campus, William's hand never left hers. Finally they reached his room. She was admiring his choice of literature, Freud to Dr. Suess, an interesting selection, when she felt his eyes on her. "What?" she asked turning. "Dana...you've been... distant today. I was just wondering why," he said gently. She sighed. Her first instinct was to say her usual, "I'm fine," and be done with it. But she could feel his eyes probing hers, he genuinely wanted to know, and what was the harm in that? Would he know what to make of her dream? What would he think? Had the psychic's words affected him as much as it had her? "I...umm. I had a dream last night. A nightmare. You hated me. You called me a spy," she said quietly. William's eyes narrowed and he put an arm on her shoulder. "Why? Why would I hate you? Why would I call you a spy?" he asked. "I don't know. You were so paranoid. You hated me. I couldn't stand it." He pulled her close to him. "Listen to me... I will never hate you. It was just that... a nightmare," he said into her ear, hugging her fiercely. "I know. It was silly really. It's just that damn psychic getting into my head," she said, leaning into his chest. "I shouldn't have made you go. I'm sorry..." he pulled back slightly and moved his hands up to her face. As he spoke his thumbs gently stroked her cheeks. "I love you, so much Dana. It's not just puppy love, or lust. You're the most...beautiful, intelligent woman I've ever meet. I don't do things for nothing. I don't say things for nothing." She didn't say anything. She let her eyes speak for her because she could not find the voice to tell him that she felt the same way. Finally, she inched forward and kissed him. On the cheek, on his nose, and then his lips found hers. It all started happening so quickly. She felt complete when he was around her and right now his love was overwhelming her. She wanted to soak it in, to soak him in. She only realized what she was doing, or about to do, when she realized she was no longer sitting but lying on his bed, kissing him with a hunger she'd never known she could posses. "William..." she whispered between kisses. "We have to stop," he said, though he did not stop kissing her. "I know," she said breathily. He pulled himself away from her, his pale green eyes had turned almost black with clouded fire. He stroked her cheek lovingly while he caught his breath, while they both tried to breathe. "We can wait," she said to him as he laid his head next to hers, curling around her body as if it were a puzzle piece finally coming together, fitting perfectly. "One day, when we've known each other more then a month... it will be wonderful. Like nothing either of us has ever experienced," he promised. She smiled at him. * * * The next two months went by at speeds Dana and William both wanted to slow. They savored each moment together. He took her everywhere. They danced by the river to the tune of a lone saxophone. They had candlelight dinners at fancy restaurants and simple lunches in parks. They did it all together, laughing, loving. Then came the sad morning when Dana had to leave him and go back to the states. Her family had all ready boarded the plane when she and William finally stepped out of their hug but not out of each others arms. "God I'm going to miss you," he told her. "I know... but you're coming back to the states for Christmas right?" Dana asked "Yes. And you're going to write me as soon as you get settled into whichever university you get settled into." She nodded. William stepped back and held her at arms length. "I want to remember you, just like this, until the next time I see you. I want to remember your laugh, your smile, the sound of your voice." He leaned forward then and kissed her, deeply, intensely passionate. When they parted, both breathing a little harder then normal, he continued "I want to remember your lips on mine." As he spoke, he reached up and wiped away a tear that had fallen down her cheek. "William. You're such a wonderful person. I've never meet anyone like you before. You've made me feel...like no one else has ever come close to making me feel. It scared the hell out of me at first. I don't know, it still does...that I can love someone as much as I love you. I don't believe in falling in love like that. You made me believe." The final boarding call came over the speakers. The couple kissed again and hugged as if they never wanted to let each other go. Finally Dana tore herself away from him and walked to the plane. She cast a final look back to see him, his hair playing perfectly on his head, his arm raised in a gesture of goodbye. If only she'd known.... If only. * * * Three Months Later: University of Maryland: Dana Scully's dorm room There was a knock on the door but Dana was in no mood to get it. Not stirring from her curled up position on the bed she said, "Come in," The door opened. The next thing Dana felt was the weight of someone sitting down on the other side of the bed and putting an arm on her shoulder. "Dana? What's wrong?" Dana didn't say anything to her sister. She didn't ask why Missy was in town, she didn't ask what she was doing here. She just handed her an envelope. William Mulder c/o Oxford University Underneath the address was a glaring red stamp: NO SUCH PERSON. "It was my last hope Missy," she said softly, still not turning around. "Why did it have to happen? Why did I have to leave my address book on that plane? I don't do things like that. I'm never that irresponsible." Melissa sighed and laid down, curling her sister into a comforting hug. "Dana...maybe it was meant to be. Maybe it was a sign." Dana shook her head. "No Missy. Not for us. This was different. It was right... it was meant to be. I don't understand how anything went wrong. I don't." "Oh Dana... I wish I could say something that would make it better. I wish I could turn back time and remind you to grab that notebook. I don't know what to tell you Danes." Dana just closed her eyes tightly and let her sister's arms be her comfort. Inwardly, she prayed. She prayed by herself because Melissa had long ago given her cross up for the crystal pendant she now wore. Who knew if her beliefs held answers Dana couldn't understand. Dana couldn't say if she could find comfort in God, but at least it was something. Something she believed in, or used to. 'Please God,' she thought. 'Please have some reason for taking him from me. I don't know why. Are you testing my strength? Please have a reason...please show me a reason,' But all she heard was the silent sounds of her own tears. All she felt was her sister's hands stroking her hair. All she could think was that she wished William was here. _____________________ Fini part 3. One more to go! From: Jedi Shipper Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 13:05:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: xfc: A Familiar Affair 4/4 Source: xfc From: Jedi Shipper A Familiar Affair: Part 4/4 Eleven Years Later Special Agent Dana Scully walked through the halls of the FBI building with less then enthusiasm. What on earth was this new assignment they'd put her on? Fox Mulder. She wondered if he'd known William at Oxford. William. After so many years the name still brought a wave of sadness over her. She missed him still. She sighed and pushed William out of her mind to knock on the door to the basement office. The basement office...what was she supposed to remember about a basement? "Nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted," came the voice from inside. That voice... Immediately she went into automatic drive. While her mind was in England 11 years ago her feet propelled her forward. Then he turned around...and her mind went numb. It was him. It was William. Unfortunately her overdrive was still on, she found herself sticking out her hand and introducing herself. She suddenly realized he was talking. "So who did you tick off to get stuck with this detail *Scully*" She winced. He said the name as if it were an insult, a dirty word. He was angry. Well if he wanted to play that game without listening to what she had to say she wasn't going to falter. "Actually I'm looking forward to working with you. I've heard a lot about you," * * * Mulder's POV 'Have you, Dana? Have you really?' "Really? I was under the impression... that you were sent to spy on me," Mulder said. He could see her flinch. He found himself admiring the way she was keeping up with him, never faltering. She was angry too. What right did she have anyway? "Do you believe in the existence of extra-terrestrials?" he asked her, already knowing the answer. "Logically, I'd have to say no," Logic...what did logic have to do with anything anyway? 'I don't know what you're up to Dana. I don't know what you're trying to do,' Mulder thought to himself. 'But I do know that you aren't the person you once were, you work for them now. If you work for them...' his thoughts trailed off as he turned away from her with a parting, "We leave for the very plausible state of Oregon..." He'd only turned around so she wouldn't see him smile. * * * Scully's POV Scully had to smile. He had the same passion, the same intelligence. But he was different now, a completely different man then the gentle giant she'd known. He was paranoid, to the extreme. 'Oh William, what happened that you think anyone could have turned me against you?' He was obviously angry, and not ready to trust her. Now was not the time to bring up that past. Not until she proved herself to him, not until she could find out why he didn't trust her. * * * On the case: Mulder's hotel room Now he had her paranoid. In retrospect, it seemed so silly that she'd gotten so spooked over mosquito bites. This was definitely not the way to prove to Mulder that she was a good agent, a good person. Inwardly she sighed. All these years, she'd thought of him, wondered what it would be like to see him again, only to find him and to find that he had changed. She could see the person that he was, he still had it in him. Now, though, the added paranoia and the drive of a man on a single minded quest had turned him against everyone, against even her who he'd promised to love forever. No, she couldn't hold back anymore. She had to know. "Mulder..." she said softly into the darkness of the room. "We're kidding ourselves. We can't ignore it," "Why not?," he said. There was a dangerous edge of anger in his voice. She didn't know what to say to that. Finally she said instead, "Why did you tell me your name was William? I could've found you if I'd known your real name," He looked at her finally, "What do you mean "could have found" me? You never wrote and I didn't know where to find you. I thought I meant more to you, that we meant more," "Do you think I did it on purpose? I left my address book on the plane Mulder. I left it behind and when I went back it wasn't there. I called the airport every day for a month. I did everything I could." As she spoke her voice rose. She was angry that he would think such a thing, that he had thought that for all these years. He was looking at her now, with something less then shock. She looked away, unable to take the hurt that was apparent in his beautiful eyes. She rubbed her arms over her shoulders quickly. "Are you cold?" he asked softly. "A little," she admitted. "Here," he said, getting up. He pulled back the blanket of his bed and then sat on the floor, leaning against it. Scully hesitated, but walked over and lay down, curling the warm blankets around her. "Why are you doing this? You know you're here to debunk my work, to reign me into the FBI mainstream," Mulder asked softly. "Maybe that's what they want me to do. Those people who assigned me to you. I wasn't comfortable with it. I'm only going to offer my scientific expertise to your cases. You know I don't believe in the paranormal...I'm just here to make the paranormal have a... normal basis. Everything can be explained." "You're doing their dirty work. Almost nothing I do can be explained by your science," he said. The anger had dwindled. Scully sighed. "Look, I can see that you're angry about more then just what you think I'm doing here. If we're going to work together... and we are going to work together, don't think you're going to drive me away... we have to forget past betrayals. We have to forget the people we once were. We aren't those people anymore." It hurt her to say it. How could she forget the best three months of her life? There was no going back to that time now. He didn't trust her and she didn't know him anymore. He looked up at her, looked her right in the eye, and, after a beat nodded. He extended a hand. "I'm Fox William Mulder. I think you know me better as Spooky," She took his hand and shook it firmly. "Dana Katherine Scully, MD" she said. For a moment they stayed like that, his hand in hers. Finally they let their hands drop. "Mulder...what happened to you to make you so paranoid? So untrusting?" He made a small noise but began softly, "I remembered." He told her everything, things he hadn't told anyone in years, things that he hadn't told her 11 years ago. He told her about Samantha. * * * About six years later Scully and Mulder were stretched out on the bed, supposedly working on their current case. Mulder had gotten bored and had started cracking jokes left and right. At first, as usual, Scully would cast him glares while she tried not to laugh. Then he'd brought out the heavy artillery and gotten up to do impersonations. Now she was laughing so hard her sides hurt. He was grinning at her. He loved to see her laugh. As she calmed, she looked into his eyes and for a moment, for a brief moment, she could see the innocent, young man she meet in England, the one without the weight of the world on his shoulders. The thought overtook her like a wave. It brought some sadness, but mostly good memories. As she looked back over the past six years she felt even closer to him then ever before. "What happened to us Mulder? We used to be so good together?" she said softly, unaware that she'd said it out loud until she saw the look on his face. "What do you mean Scully? We work better together then any other partnership I know of. We always have. What's wrong," Mulder asked frowning. She sighed. "No, I mean... I know we said we'd forget about London. The thing is I never have. I can't. You were my first love Mulder. My only love." Mulder sat down on the bed not knowing where this conversation had come from. "Of course I never forgot it. I mean, photographic memory and all aside, it was one of the best times in my life. But it isn't anymore," Scully winced. "No, Scully. It isn't because I enjoy you here and now more then I did back then. I love being able to work with you. I love the complexity of our partnership, our friendship," he looked up then and directly into her eyes. "I love you more then I ever have before. Both of you. The Dana you were and the Scully you are." It was strange that in that moment she remembered the psychic he had dragged her to. "I see a... basement. A man, wearing glasses, you've meet him before but he is different now. He's not the same person you knew. Reynard. You will find in him a love deeper then you have here. It will be a complete, whole love like few on this earth were ever meant to experience and though you both will loose much, you will find so much more in each other that it will all be worth it," "She was right," Scully whispered. "Who?" "That damn psychic," "I thought you don't believe in psychics. I thought you didn't then," he said softly. "I don't but that doesn't matter. All that matters is that it was true. All of it. I love you," she said it without hesitation, as if she'd always known this moment had to come, sooner or later. Over the years he'd often longed to kiss her again, he'd even tried once. Now he did it without hesitation, kissing her long, soft, passionate. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him impossibly closer. That night, against regulations but who the hell cared, another long ago forgot prediction came true. It was not the psychic's this time but Mulder's, or rather William's. Their first night together was an experience neither of them would ever forget. ______________________________ Urg. It's done. Fini. Completely. He he. Well, you know about me and feedback. I live on it. You wouldn't want me to die would you? ;-)