From: Jada_Rene Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 01:07:18 GMT Subject: NEW: Hot Tub Homina (1/1) Title: Hot Tub Homina (1/1) Author: Jada Rene Feedback: JadaRene@yahoo.com Rating: NC-17 Category: S, R Keywords: MSR Summary: Funding fraud in NM + no available hotel rooms = finding fun in hot tub. Notes: I believe this story works best if you assume M and S are already together as a couple but could be read as if they weren't. Any comments will be appreciated at the address above! Disclaimer: The X-Files, Scully, and Mulder anre property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and FOX. No infringment intended. Please don't sue me. ****************************************** HotTub By Jada Rene JadaRene@yahoo.com 2:09 PM Sunday Her phone was ringing; Scully picked up the receiver absently. "Hello?" "Scully?" his voice was raspy. "Mulder?" she was surprised by his haggard tone. "Scully, I think I've got the flu." "Yeah?" she wondered what he expected her to do about that. "Flu viruses have to run their course, Mulder. There isn't anything I can do." "I know," he sounded impatient. "Listen, a source just called me and wants to meet me in an hour with hot documents." He paused to make some horrible gagging noise. She remained on the line sympathetically. "Scully, you still there?" "Yes, Mulder." "Could you go meet him for me?" "Your source? Won't he be suspicious or...or?" Or what? She wondered to herself. "Please, Scully." She glanced at the clock, wondering if she would regret this later, and said, "What's the address?" ** Sunset Bar & Grill 3:00 PM Scully let the door slam behind her as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit bar. It was quiet in the middle of the afternoon. Stepping across the threshold she looked for someone wearing a plaid shirt and red baseball cap. There was more than one possibility. Scully sighed and decided to take her chances with the nervous guy sitting at a booth near the back. She approached him and said, "Steely?" The man looked up and just whispered, "Mulder?" At least Scully knew she'd picked the right person. She sat down across the table from him. The man took a slurp of his beverage and then leaned forward confidentially to say, "I thought you'd be a man!" He laughed unexpectedly, wildly. Scully sat up straight as if to back away from him. "You have documents?" He looked her up and down. He began nodding. "Yeah, yeah. But they're not here." "Where are they?" she was growing weary of this man's anxious mannerisms. He leaned in again. "Out back. By the dumpster." "Out back?" she repeated. It sounded like a trap, but she decided to go with it. "Let's go get them." The man nodded again. He stood, looking obviously over his shoulder. Scully followed him outside and let the door bang shut. He rounded the far side of the dumpster and bent down. He straightened up again and beckoned her with one hand. She walked around the corner of the large dumpster and was surprised when a bottle came flying at her head. It collided with her face, but she recovered immediately and grabbed the man's arm, twisting his index finger backward to the sky. He dropped the bottle, giving a little yelp as she pulled him away from the wall. Her hand hit his shoulder heavily and shoved him to the ground before he knew what was happening. "Federal officer," she growled. "Where are the documents?" "Are you going to arrest me?" he whimpered. Scully rolled her eyes. She didn't really want to start paperwork at this hour on a Sunday. She repeated her question. "Where are the documents?" He was unresponsive; he appeared to be crying. Scully considered drawing her gun and threatening him, but thought the better of it and decided to let him up. He was obviously drunk. He rolled onto one side when she got off him and pulled a packet out of his pants. Scully was too disgusted to even think about where those documents had been for the last hour, but she accepted the packet anyway. She spoke to him pointedly, "Now I'm going to walk away. You will not follow me. You will not attempt to attack me or I will arrest you for assaulting a federal officer." He nodded his comprehension. She swiveled and marched off down the alley. How did she get herself into these situations? "Mulder," she sighed. ** Scully's apartment 5:00 PM She dialed Mulder's number. He answered gruffly. Scully concluded that the virus must still be with him. She was brief, "Mulder, I have the documents." "How'd it go?" "Fine," she said. "You sound terrible. You should get some rest, Mulder." He made a noise that didn't seem to mean anything. "Can I get you anything?" "I thought you said you couldn't do anything for me," he countered. "That the virus had to just run its course." She smiled. "Yes, I did, but my mother was always a big believer in hot tea and chicken soup." "No, thanks." He sounded extremely sleepy. "Night, Scully." Spoken like a little boy, Scully thought. "Good night, Mulder." She replaced the receiver and went to rummage through her refrigerator for something to put on her face. Frozen peas would work just as well as anything else. Scully awoke with a start. What time was it? She would be late for work if she didn't hurry. The limp bag of peas stared at her from the sofa where she had evidently fallen asleep. It was a decidedly Mulder thing to have done, she thought, rolling her shoulders to alleviate the stiffness of having slept in a cramped position all night. She threw away the peas; she wasn't going to eat them now for sure though she had considered it for the last six months that they had resided in her freezer. She searched for some dark glasses to disguise her black eye. It was too puffy and sensitive to try to cover with makeup. She looked at herself for a long moment in the mirror. "If anyone asks, I'll lie." ** Federal Building 9:21 AM Scully walked with her head down all the way to her desk. She was practically on top of him when she discovered Mulder sitting in her chair. He was obviously feeling better. He grinned at her, relinquishing the chair. "Mulder," she began, "How are you feeling?" "Much better. Thanks." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It must have been one of those twenty-four hour things. Anyway, I'm doing better. Did you get the documents?" "Yeah," she said, setting her coffee cup down on the desk. The sunglasses remained perched on her face, but she could tell Mulder was squinting at her even through the dark lenses. "You're late," he observed. "Are you okay? I didn't give you my virus, did I?" He was only half-joking as he peered at her. They were interrupted by one of the secretaries. "Agent Mulder, agent Scully, Assistant Director Kersh wants to see you in his office right away." She waited for the two agents to join her. She led them down the hallway and knocked on Kersh's door. She announced them and retreated. Scully and Mulder entered the office. "Good morning, agents," Kersh said without looking up. He gazed intently on the open file on his desk. "Have a seat." They sat. He continued, "I have some information that implies misuse of government funds for a campaign in New Mexico." He looked up, stopping abruptly. "Agent Scully, I don't appreciate those glasses staring at me. Take them off." Scully removed the glasses with a slight, "Yes, sir." She tried to turn her head to the side, but she only succeeded in offending him further. "Look at me, agent Scully." She obeyed. His jaw hardened. "What is this?" For the first time Mulder got a good look at Scully's face. His eyes conveyed his anguish as his mouth hung open wordlessly. "Explain, agent Scully," demanded Kersh, snapping the file shut. "I-I just--" she paused wondering why she hadn't spent more time developing a plausible lie on the freeway. "My freezer door sticks. Last night I yanked it open and I accidentally caught myself in the face with it. It sounds ridiculous, but that is what happened." Kersh gaped at her, wavering on the brink of belief. Mulder was not so easily convinced, but he shut his mouth and sat staring at her through the remainder of the briefing. Kersh finally handed over the file with a last notation. "The case isn't top priority, but I would appreciate a thorough investigation when you have completed those background checks." They said their good byes, accepted the file and exited the office. They walked together down the hallway. Mulder tried to get her attention, but she walked forward straightfaced. She sat down at her desk and Mulder perched on the corner, looking at her with deep concern. "Did someone hurt you, Scully?" He seemed intensely chivalrous as he said, "Because if someone hurt you, I will make that person regret it. You can tell me." "We can't discuss this here," she said in low tones. She stood up and began walking down the corridor to the elevators. Mulder followed, still clutching the New Mexico government funds file. At the car, Scully reached into the glove box and retrieved the packet Mulder's source had given her the day before. She handed it to him silently. "What's this?" he asked, opening the envelope. "That's how I got my black eye." She smiled wryly. Mulder rifled through the photographs and papers contained in the envelope. "My source hit you? With what? His fist?" Mulder's jaw line straightened into a tense line and his eyes hardened. "I'll kill him." "That's not necessary," she stopped him. "I think I gave him a pretty good scare after he knocked me with that bourbon bottle." "Bourbon?" Mulder repeated incredulously. "I got a pretty close look at it," she said with a nod. "I can see that." Mulder hesitated. "Why did he hit you?" Scully shrugged. "He was expecting me to be a guy." Mulder looked confused. "I'm sorry, Scully." "It's not your fault," she reassured him. "Forget it anyway. I practically wrenched his arm out of the socket when I pulled that wrist-breaker on him. I think I scared him so I hope you weren't planning to use him frequently." Mulder dragged his gaze away from her eye and glanced down at the papers. "Does it hurt?" "It's a black eye, Mulder, yeah, it stings a little." She was tired of this discussion. "It's fine. I had this funny feeling though." "What about?" "I don't think that guy was the same guy who actually produced these documents." "What do you mean?" "I think the guy with the bourbon bottle was just a middle man. I think someone paid him to hand over those papers to you." Mulder narrowed his eyes. "What makes you say that?" "I don't know; something in his demeanor." She shrugged it off. "Well, it's nothing I can pinpoint. What are those, anyway?" They turned their attention to the papers and Mulder began to speak. "Test flights of a newly developed aircraft using a technologically advanced polymer that can supposedly deflect heat up to an unknown capacity." "Meaning what?" "Some people suspect that this polymer was not developed...here," he let the last word trail off. Scully probed, "Here? What, the United States? Canada?" "Earth." "Oh." Same old little gray men. Scully and Mulder got into the automobile. Mulder sat in the driver's seat, newly aware of the file Kersh had given them. A slow grin spread across his face. "Hey." "Hey what?" she asked, fastening her seatbelt. "This case," Mulder said enthusiastically. "The funding fraud?" she seemed unconvinced of the source of his bliss. "Yes, Scully, the fraud case is in Albuquerque, New Mexico." "So?" "That's only a short drive from where these secret test flights are supposedly taking place." So that was the catch. Scully knew he couldn't really be that excited about a fraud case. "Let's leave today," he said delightedly. "Albuquerque!" ** Albuquerque International Airport 3:34 PM Mulder and Scully fought their way through the crowded terminal to the baggage carousal. Scully was acutely aware of the woman next to her staring openly at her black eye. Mulder leaned down and whispered to Scully that he was going to check the other side of the carousal to see if there was a jam. She nodded and the instant he disappeared the woman broke her silence. "I don't care how good-looking he is," she told Scully, "Or how much money he makes. Darlin', if he's hitting you, it's time to leave." The woman collected her bag. "You can do it." Scully smiled at the woman, preferring to say nothing. "What was that about?" Mulder asked, reappearing. Scully gestured toward her face. "What else? She thinks my husband beats me." Mulder grinned and nearly laughed. Scully smiled. "Come on, Mulder. Let's go find a hotel." "Is that a proposition?" ** Radisson Hotel, Albuquerque, NM 4:20 PM "You mean you haven't got any rooms?" Mulder practically shouted to the desk clerk over the din of the crowd. "No. None." "Well, Chad," Mulder read off the attendant's nametag, "Would you be able to direct me to a hotel that might have some vacancies?" Scully recognized the edge in Mulder's voice and decided he must still be irritable from the flu. She stepped in just in time to hear Chad's reply. "I'm really sorry, sir, but this week is Balloon Fiesta," Chad explained. "Unless you made a reservation at least three months ago, you won't even be able to get a room in the next town over." "The next town over," it was repetitious, but it got the point across. "Yes, Santa Fe. I'm sorry." Chad turned his attention away from them and called out, "Next!" The people in line behind them pushed forward, forcing Mulder and Scully to one side. "Did you know about this Balloon Fiesta?" Mulder asked. Scully shook her head. "Any ideas where we can stay tonight?" Scully had already been thinking about that. She had an answer ready for him. "I may have something in mind. A woman I went to medical school with works here in Albuquerque. She's a pediatrician at University Hospital. I haven't seen her in a few years, but it's worth a shot." ** University Hospital University of New Mexico 4:58 PM "Yes, hello," Scully said pleasantly to the woman behind the desk. "I wondering if you might tell me where I can find a Dr. Wolfe? Dr. Krys Wolfe?" "Pediatrics. Fifth floor, but that's restricted." The woman looked in a book. "Dr. Wolfe is on duty tonight. I can page her, if you'd like." "That would be great, thank you." Mulder stood a few paces away, studying the uniquely bland architecture of the building. Scully went to him and explained what was happening. The technician at the nurse's station called her just then. "Miss? Dr. Wolfe can meet you in the cafeteria in five minutes." Scully nodded and tugged Mulder's elbow to get his attention. "Will you still recognize her?" Mulder wondered aloud as they walked down the corridor. "I hope so. If not, maybe she'll recognize me." Mulder and Scully sat down at a table in the cafeteria. It was mere moments before someone's hand fell onto Scully's shoulder and a voice asked, "Dana?" Scully smiled and stood up. "Krys, how are you?" "It's so good to see you," Dr. Wolfe said. "What brings you to Albuquerque?" Scully exchanged a look with Mulder. Dr. Wolfe seemed to notice him for the first time. "Is this your husband?" A nervous little laugh escaped Scully's throat as she answered, "No, not my husband. This is my partner at the FBI, Fox Mulder." Mulder shook the doctor's hand. "It's nice to meet you." Scully decided to get to the point. "Look, we are here on a case and unfortunately, the Balloon Fiesta seems to have all the hotels tied up, so I was hoping that maybe you could maybe let us sleep in one of the extra rooms here. I know it's a lot to ask, but we can't just turn around and go back right now. And we don't particularly want to spend three days sleeping in the rental car." Dr. Wolfe smiled sympathetically. "Unfortunately, we are booked around here. There isn't much I can do about that." Scully smiled her gratitude as Dr. Wolfe continued, "But my sister is away this week. She and her husband always try to get away this time of year. I've been house-sitting for her, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you stayed over one or two nights. I trust you." This suggestion surprised Scully. She hesitatingly accepted. "If it's not an inconvenience." "No, it'll be good. You can feed their cat for me." Dr. Wolfe was already pulling a set of keys from her pocket. She detached one and said, "This is to the side door. Here, I'll draw you a map." They finished their discussion just as the doctor's beeper went off. She hugged Scully impulsively and told her, "Don't be a stranger." She squeezed Mulder's shoulder. "You either." Scully and Mulder exchanged a look. ** Rice Residence 6:17 PM Scully opened the door wide for Mulder who carried their suitcases inside. It was a few seconds of stumbling around in the darkness before Scully located a switch. Then the kitchen was flooded with light. The two of them looked around. Then they looked at each other. Mulder broke off the gaze and wandered further into the house as Scully relocked the side door. "Scully," he called from the interior. "Guess what I found?" Scully ambled through the next two rooms in search of her partner. She came upon in a little room with big windows on the second floor. "A hot tub, Scully." "Yes, I see that, Mulder." She looked down into the inviting pool. Mulder stood up. "Let's get in." "What, now?" she protested. "We haven't had dinner. We haven't gone over the case." "We'll eat later." He walked out of the room and down the hall to the master bedroom. There he proceeded to strip off his tie, shirt, and jacket, pausing only a moment to remove his shoes. She watched him with curiosity from the doorway. "Are you sure you were sick yesterday?" she queried. Without response, Mulder walked right up to her. He pulled her blazer off her shoulders. "Take off your clothes, Scully." It was a bold request. Scully raised her eyebrows at him. "We're on a case, Mulder." He stared at her and she stared back. The air felt cold around her as her jacket slipped off. Mulder's fingers came up to stroke her cheek. He bent his head toward hers and let his lips brush against her temple. Scully inhaled sharply as he grazed her sore eye. "Sorry," he said softly. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. She yielded, raising her face to his. He kissed her lips softly with his own, all warm and salty from sunflower seeds. She smiled at the familiarity of it. Mulder's hands slid down to her waist and slowly unzipped her skirt. The soft fabric fell away and slid off her skin easily. He drew her near, kissing her deeply with passionate intent. "Okay, Mulder," she murmured. "We'll do it your way." Scully stepped lightly out of her high heels and tugged her stockings off. She rolled the top button of her blouse between her fingers. "Like this?" Mulder nodded, giving her a little smile and a look that begged her to unfasten the button. She obliged, undoing all of them. The blouse slipped off onto the growing garment pile. He made a noise that may have been her name as his hands came upon her and his mouth descended on hers. With one hand on the back of her neck he pulled her to him, stroking his tongue against the roof of her mouth. It tickled deliciously. He pressed himself to her, capturing her against the wall. His pants slid down taking his boxers along; he moved gracefully out of them. Mulder ran his finger under the strap of her burgundy bra, purring, "This is one I haven't seen before." He kissed her neck and paused, seeing her panties. "A matching set that isn't white cotton?" "Shut up, Mulder." She grabbed his head and pulled his face to hers, using her tongue to probe his mouth. Scully felt his penis rising up to greet her. He pulled her panties off and kissed the inside of her thigh, causing her to giggle. She took his hand and started down the hall, nodding toward the hot tub. He remained in one place and pulled her back to him with a quick tug. He sent tiny butterfly kisses up her throat as he expertly removed her bra and used his thumbs to arouse her nipples. Scully asked him, "Don't you want to get in the hot tub?" "Ooh, Scully," he growled hungrily, "I'm not going to make it that far." His hands slid down over her bottom and pulled her close, his erection burning her flesh. Scully's tongue wound its way around his as they slid to the floor. Mulder pushed the tip in, penetrating her with a groan. Scully pulled her knees up and he slid in even deeper; this time they both moaned. "Mulder," she whispered as he began a slow rhythm of provocations. "What if someone comes home?" "They can watch," his muffled reply came through her hair. He put his lips on hers and opened his mouth, thrusting into her deeply. She moaned into his kiss. He liked that very much; the sound of Scully's voice making an instinctual noise. He hardened even more and began stroking with urgency. Scully felt the slow tingle of orgasm creeping upon her. "Slow down, Mulder." He obeyed by very little margin, stranded on the brink. Scully sensed this brought her hips up against his, rocking them emphatically. She squeezed her thighs, pulling him in. "Scully," he moaned in agony. She smiled and increased her pace. He was there in three seconds and she was right behind him. He thrust inside her, feeling the explosive release as she moaned her agreement. She tightened, giving him one last squeeze that made his eyes close. They lay together, panting, on the hallway floor. Mulder rested, still inside her for a few delicate moments. He pulled away slightly so the Scully could put her head on his shoulder. He wrapped one arm around her slender body and absently caressed her left breast. He looked at her slowly; her red hair was tousled from their roll on the floor. It made him smile. The light caught the tiny gold cross at her throat and Mulder fingered it gingerly. "Hey, Scully, you're naked except for your faith," he murmured, bending his head to kiss the hollow of her throat. "It's a symbol of my faith and hope," she remarked obliviously, reaching up to touch the cross. "And love?" he suggested. "And love," she repeated. She looked up into his eyes and found him staring directly at her with his penetrating gaze. "Maybe you'll wear another gold symbol of faith, hope and love someday soon." Scully raised her eyebrow at him, wondering which one of them was pressing their luck. She shivered suddenly. The air held the prospective chill of a desert night. She recommended, "Hot tub?" The steaming hot water lapped against their bare skin. Scully felt a momentary twinge of self-consciousness as Mulder watched her sink into the warm liquid. He broke off his gaze with a suddenly shy smile. He averted his eyes to the tall windows making up the far wall of the room. "Hey, Scully, come here." His tone was soft and his touch gentle as he reached for her. She gave herself a little push and floated to his side. Putting his hand on her shoulder he tilted her chin toward the window. Scully's eyes opened to a mass of hot air balloons suspended outside the window, some near, some far, the air thick with brilliant colors and a romantic splendor. "It's amazing," she breathed. "Beautiful?" "I was thinking more about what an incredible hazard it is." Scully and Mulder exchanged a look...then a smile...then a kiss. "That's what I love about you, Scully." ** Department of Energy 8:45 AM Scully pulled the dust-covered box of files up onto the table. Mulder had abandoned her to go chase his little gray men. She was left alone to go through a mass of paper documents searching for evidence of intentional misappropriation of government funds. Fun. She pulled out the first file and began a generic search. Only half her mind was devoted to this task; the other half was intent on Mulder. He was sure to be having more fun than she was. At four-thirty Mulder arrived to collect her. Her neck was stiff and she was more than happy to call it quits. She had examined all pertinent documents and had found evidence of nothing more than minor bookkeeping errors. "Anything?" Mulder said, in way of a question. "Nope," she replied. "You." "Nope." "Hot tub?" he suggested with a sly smile. Scully nodded her approval. ** Rice Residence 7:00 PM Scully sat at the table in her bathrobe, staring intently at her laptop screen. Mulder was changing channels on a little blue TV on the kitchen counter. Scully typed a few more words, then paused. Mulder looked up at her. "Read that last part back to me," he requested as if he were dictating a letter. Scully smiled at him. She read what she had typed: "A thorough search through the files indicated no intentional misappropriation of government funds, admitting to no arrangements worthy of a felony charge. Minor bookkeeping errors were discovered throughout, the most likely source an unqualified employee. Therefore a recommendation is being submitted for the case to be remanded to the Internal Revenue Service for prosecution pending further investigation by that agency." Mulder raised his eyebrows at her. "Hot tub now?" "Okay," Scully assented, closing her laptop. Mulder padded over to her on his bare feet and kissed the tip of her nose. They had decided not to fly home right away and had opted instead to play house for one more night. Scully allowed Mulder to lead her to the hot tub. A demure smile played on her lips even as she let the terry cloth robe slip off her slender figure. Mulder, immersed already in the hot water, felt a new flush creep up his neck. She slipped into the warm pool without the slightest hint of a splash and swam to him. She felt virtually weightless from euphoria in addition to the effects of the water. He gathered her to himself and unexpectedly licked her neck just above her cross. "What was that for?" she smiled in bewilderment. "For free!" He laughed at his own adolescent crack and sunk further into the heated waters. Scully settled herself against him and they looked out in the Albuquerque sky together into a myriad of shapes and hues. He pointed toward one balloon in particular. "Look, Scully, that yellow one is a daisy!" She squinted. "Oh, my gosh, and that one is a sneaker!" "Scully, I have something small and round and gold for you," he said almost bashfully. Her heartbeat skipped momentarily, then resumed at a quicker pace. Holding out his closed fist, he opened her hand and dropped his treasure into it. She turned it over and gawked at it for a long moment. "Gee, Mulder, I don't know what to say." She stared down at the gold hot air balloon pin resting in her palm. "You shouldn't have..." She looked into his dark eyes. They shared a look...then a smile...then a kiss. End.