TITLE: "Cuddle Alert" AUTHOR: Linda M. EMAIL ADDRESS: SPOILERS: None. I did use a line from Detour RATING: PG (one or two iffy words) KEY WORDS: UST hinting at MSR, slight Humor SUMMARY: Scully and Mulder spend the night together. Not in that way! Get your minds out of the gutter! I was bored so I whipped this up pretty quick. DISCLAIMER: Mulder and Scully do not belong to me. They are being used without permission. They belong to CC, 1013, and FOX. No copyright infringement is intended and no money will be made from this. Please don't sue me, I'm just a poor struggling college student who owes God knows how much money because of student loans. FEEDBACK: Yes, Please. I'll respond to each and every one. Send feedback to POST: Please post to Gossamer and anywhere else. Just let me know where it went. Thanks! X x X x X x X x X x X January 17, 1998 Dana Scully's Apartment Saturday 8:12 p.m. "... It's another cuddle alert, folks," the weatherman declared. "It's gonna be a really cold one tonight. Temperatures are expected to fall in the single digits. If you're going out, make sure you bundle up. The wind chill is expected to be around 15 below... " Dana Scully pressed the mute button on her remote. "Screw you, Chuck," she said to the television. "I don't have anyone to cuddle with." She hated Chuck. It was always cuddle alert time. What about the people who didn't have anyone to cuddle with? What were they supposed to do? Freeze to death? She gave off a heavy sigh and pulled the throw blanket tighter around herself. She glanced at the videos on her coffee table. "Looks like it's just you and me kids," she mumbled to herself. Dana Scully had just settled herself down to watch a couple of movies she had rented and had the phone in her hand to order a pizza when it rang. "Hello?" "Scully, It's me." She smiled at his voice. "Hey, Mulder. What's up?" "Nothing really. Just freezing my ass off," he said as his teeth chattered into the earpiece. "Mulder, where are you?" she asked with a hint of concern in her voice. "At my apartment. The boiler went out and the landlady said she couldn't get it fixed until tomorrow. Unfortunately, for me it's like a freezer in here." "Lucky you." "Tell me about it. I was just about to catch a movie and hit a hotel after that. Just thought I'd call and see if you'd like to join me." "To the movies or the hotel?" she quipped. She smiled into the phone, knowing he couldn't see her. He had to laugh. "Either or both, Scully. Your choice." "What if I said yes?" He stopped laughing. "To which one?" "Either or both, Mulder," she retorted. "Like I said, Scully. It's your choice. I would love your company in either case," he said softly. Her heart started to beat a little faster. The tension was thick even through the phone line. "You still with me, Scully?" he asked quietly. She stifled a laugh before answering him. "Yeah, I'm here. You know, you just had me swooning there for a second," she said sarcastically. He chuckled. "So what else is new?" "Mulder, you're incorrigible." "Yeah. But wouldn't you love to be the one to corrige me." "Mulder, that's not even a word!" "What if it were?" "Mulder?" "Hmmm?" "You're a dork." They both started to laugh again. They were acting like two kids. Mulder finally stopped laughing. "I'm serious, Scully. You want to join me?" "Mulder, I'd love to. But I'm in my PJs already and was just about to watch some movies I rented." "Oh," he mumbled with a hint of disappointment. "OK then. I'll see on Mon-" "Mulder--" she cut him off. "Yeah?" "Don't be a dope. Come over to my place. You can stay on the couch. Besides I was just about to order a pizza, and you know how comfy my couch is." "I don't know, Scully. I don't want to put you out. I honestly didn't have the intention of calling you and making you take me in. Especially on the weekend. Besides, Scully," he paused for effect and he lowered his voice. "What if the bureau found out? You know how gossip travels in that building." "Try any of that Tailhook crap on me Mulder, and I'll kick your ass." He laughed at the familiar words. "OK, Scully. You win. But the least I could do is buy the pizza. I'll order it and pick it up on my way there." "I'll be waiting... " "With bells on?" "That's too kinky for me, Mulder." She paused. "Well, maybe one bell." He laughed again. "See you in a few, Scully." "Bye." X x X x X x X x X x X Dana Scully's Apartment 8:45 p.m. She jumped suddenly at the knock on her door. She got up off the couch and opened the door. And there stood Agent Fox Mulder all in black as usual. She managed a smile. "Come on in, Mulder." "Thanks. Sorry I took so long. You're probably starving to death." He walked in and set the pizza and a paper bag down on the kitchen table. He took off his coat and draped it over a chair. "That's OK, Mulder." Mulder turned to face her. She was leaning against the fridge with her arms crossed. She was wearing her PJ's. Navy blue satin with matching boxer shorts. He stared at her longer than he intended. She started to frown at him. "What's wrong, Mulder?" He continued to stare at her. "Mulder! Snap out of it. What's wrong?" He blinked out of his stupor. "Huh? Sorry, Scully," he mumbled. Just daydreaming. I do that you know." She smiled at him. "Yeah. So I've noticed." "So," he tried to get off this subject. "I didn't know what you wanted to drink, so I bought some beer. Is that OK?" "Trying to get me drunk, Agent Mulder?" He smiled at her wickedly. "Who? Me?" he asked innocently. "So, what movies are we gonna watch?" She smiled at him again. "Oh, God, Scully!" he hit himself on the forehead. "Please tell me we are *not* going to watch chick flicks all night." "Nah. I wouldn't do that to you, Mulder. Even though the thought is very appealing." They walked over to the couch and Mulder brought the pizza and beer. Scully popped in the video and plopped herself down on the couch. Mulder sat down next to her. "So? Tell me. What are we watching?" "Something I'm sure you'll enjoy." He turned to face her and waggled his eyebrows. "Scully, you haven't been going through my video collection again have you?" She rolled her eyes at him. "No, Mulder. Besides...I thought those videos don't belong to you." "They don't!! Someone planted them in my apartment. It's yet *another* conspiracy against Fox Mulder." "Ohhhh! You know *that* explains *everything*." "I'm telling you, Scully...Everyone's out to get me." "I agree," she mocked him. "We should open an X-File on you." He chuckled. "So, are you going to tell me what video this is?" "Nope." "You know, I can just get up and check out the video box." "Yeah, you could." They sat there for a few seconds, both of them stared at the video box sitting on the floor in front of them. At the same moment they looked at each other and then both dived for the box. Scully got to it first, but Mulder pinned her down to the floor. She started to laugh. "Pretty quick for someone with little legs, Scully." "Mulder, get off me!" she squealed. He started to laugh. "Scully! I didn't know you squealed." "That wasn't a squeal." "Give me the box." "Not on your life." He raised his eyebrows and somehow Scully knew what he was up to. "Ah'm a gonna make you squeal like a piggy," he said in his best hick voice. She shook her head. "Mulder, no. Don't." But it was too late. Mulder started to tickle her and she started to laugh hysterically. "OK, Mulder," she gasped in between fits. "I give." At this point, Mulder had started to laugh too. He stopped and held out his hand for the box. She gave it to him reluctantly. "Austin Powers? Scully, what's gotten into you?" "I think I've been hanging around you too much." she teased. "So, are we going to stay like this all night-- or are you going to get off me?" she finished softly. He threw the box to the side and looked down at Scully. His eyes darkened a bit. "I don't know, Scully. I kinda like it down here." Scully could feel the blood pounding in her head. When she spoke she did so quietly that Mulder was barely able to hear her. "What was that, Scully?" She cleared her throat. "I said, 'The movie's about to start." Mulder simply smiled at her and got to his feet. He held out his hand to help Scully up as well. He lifted her up with a quick pull and she landed against his chest. "Thanks," she murmured. She sat back down on the couch and curled her legs underneath her. Mulder sat next to her and they waited for the movie to start. X x X x X x X x X x X Scully's Apartment 10:13 p.m. "That was too funny," Scully said. "You could probably learn a few things from Austin Powers, Mulder," she teased. He hit her with a toss pillow. She just laughed. "So, what's next?" Mulder asked. "Nothing you'll enjoy, Mulder." He groaned. "What is it with girls and their chick flicks? "Oh, like your macho men action crap is any better?" "Ten times better. Did you catch 'Independence Day' or 'Men In Black'? Those are both classics." She rolled her eyes at him. "Only *you* would believe that those movies are based on actually events." "Who says they're not?" he asked. "It must be nice in your little world, Mulder," she teased. "Now that you mention it, it really is. You should come over and play sometime." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Didn't know you like to play house, Mulder." His voice lowered a bit. "Actually, I prefer to play 'doctor'." "I bet you do," she mumbled. "Anyway, next video is Jerry Maguire. That's not actually a chick flick Mulder. It's more of a guy flick." "Don't know never saw it." She stared at him with her mouth slightly ajar. "Trying to catch flies, Scully?" he asked. "You've never seen Jerry Maguire? Mulder, it must be *really* nice in that world of yours. He laughed. "Sorry, Scully. Never was much of a Tom Cruise fan. Unlike you of course." She blushed slightly. "I like Tom. Tom's a nice guy." She got up from the couch and popped the video in. "Trust me Mulder. You'll like this. Really." X x X x X x X x X x X 1:59 am The tape had stopped about fifteen minutes ago and had already rewound itself. Mulder and Scully were lying on the couch, both of them asleep. Mulder finally stirred and Scully with him. She moved to stretch her arms, but realized that he had his arms around her. A strange panic filled her and she moved quickly away from him. "Must have fallen asleep," Scully mumbled, trying to fill the strange tension in the room. "Actually," Mulder grinned. "You fell asleep half way through the movie. Scully frowned. "I did?" "Yeah. But I stayed awake and caught the end." She smiled at him. "So? What did you think?" "It was good. Total Chick flick though." She hit him with a pillow. She chuckled. "I knew you'd like it. What was your favorite part?" "Umm--I don't know. How 'bout you. You obviously have the movie memorized." "I'm not that bad, Mulder. I don't have a favorite part, though. But I do have a favorite line." "Let me guess," Mulder asked enthusiastically. "You think you know me that well, Mulder?" she asked teasingly. They both knew the answer to that one. He winked at her. "It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it. You're favorite line was at the end. You complete me," he declared. Scully nodded her head and sighed. "Think you'll ever find someone like that, Mulder." he thought. She hadn't meant to ask him that question. She was afraid of his response. Not to mention her own when he asked her in return. She was thankful when he didn't answer her. She cleared her throat. "Well, I'm going to bed. Let me get you a pillow and a blanket." "Thanks," he mumbled. He was still caught up in the moment that had passed. She got up from her comfortable position, but Mulder pulled her back onto the couch. "Mulder?" "I --I just wanted to say 'thanks'. For letting me stay and everything. I really appreciate it." "No problem. What are friends for?" she whispered. He cleared his throat. "Yeah," he whispered back. Scully got up and fetched the things for Mulder and helped him make himself more comfortable on the couch. "G'night, Mulder. Sleep well." "Thanks, Scully. You too," he replied. "See you in the morning." "Yeah," she whispered. It was going to be a long night for both of them. X x X x X x X x X x X THE END? Author's Note: Yeah, I know. I left ya'll hangin. If I get enough requests I might do a sequel, but now I gotta study for a Chem. exam. Hope ya enjoyed it. Wondering about the cuddle alert thing? There is actually a weatherman in Detroit, Chuck Gaidica. He's actually really nice. But unfortunately, he always has a damn cuddle alert when it's cold out and I always thought about the people who didn't have someone to cuddle with. So this is my way of protesting :o)