From: "D M" Date: Mon, 08 May 2000 19:33:33 EDT Subject: "Snowed In (1/3)" By: DM Source: direct Title: Snowed In (1/3) Author: D.M. E-Mail: unruhe1121@hotmail.com Distribution: I would be honored. (I would love to know so I can come and visit it:) Spoiler Warning: You should have a general knowledge of the show. There are some names mentioned, but nothing that will give away plot lines. Rating: PG Classification: S R Key Words: Mulder/Scully Romance Disclaimer: Ohhhh, if they only belonged to me! But, sadly they do belong to Chris Carter and those horrid people at 20th Century FOX... who are trying to steal money from David... who is a very nice guy, I know this too... from personal experience... Summary: Mulder and Scully are stuck in the car... in a snow storm... just put two and two together and remember this IS a MSR! Notes: I started this a while ago but just recently decided to finish it.... I know it could be better, but this is my first attempt at fanfic... unless you count my one attempt at some badfic that I wrote with my best friend during a boring Humanities class... Well, anyways... enjoy, and I would love feedback... Just remember... this is my first attempt! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Mulder and Scully's car Vermont Country Side 4:08 pm "Mulder, it's cold in here. Just because it's ten below outside doesn't mean we have to freeze in here." Mulder and Scully were driving up a long, narrow, windy road for what seemed like hours now in their government issued Ford Taurus. Snow was falling so thickly they could barely see the road ahead of them. And the higher they went the road just seemed to disappear beneath them. " Mulder, did you hear me? I said I'm cold!" Mulder sat in silence pretending to ignore her for another couple minutes before reaching up and turning the heat up full blast. "So... You knew we were coming to the snow, why didn't you wear more clothes?" "More clothes? Mulder, if I were wearing any more clothes you would have to roll me out of the car. I'm wearing a thermal, sweater, sweatshirt, vest, jacket, you name it, I'm wearing it." "Ok, fine. Want my sweater?" "Yes, please." "Ok, you can have it on one condition." Scully raised her eyebrow in question. "I get to roll you out of the car," Mulder said with a bemused smile on his face. "Very funny, where's your sweater?" "In the back," Mulder said nodding his head towards the back seat. Mulder glanced at Scully out of the corner of his eye. She was trying, but not successfully to retrieve the sweater. Mulder let a smile slip his lips as she continued to reach. Her short arms and the many different layers of clothing she was wearing made it impossible for her to get a hold of the sweater. Still grinning, Mulder said, " Here, let me help you, shorty. It's a pretty long reach." With that Mulder casually reached behind him and grabbed the sweater with ease and handed it to her. "Thanks," an un-amused Scully replied as she covered her small body with the huge sweater. "So, Mulder, tell me again, why are we journeying through Vermont in the dead of winter?" Mulder went on to repeat the usual alien cover-up governmental conspiracy theory that Scully had heard on more occasions than she would care to remember. So she quieted him by turning on the radio and saying, "Never mind! Sorry I asked." Two and a half hours later.... "Mulder, we're lost. Admit it!" "We're not lost, Scully. Here, let me see the map." "Oh, you don't think I can read a map?" "No, Scully, I think you are very capable of reading a map, but it's easier for me to see it. So, may I see it, please?" "Not while you're driving." "You want me to pull over and get stuck in the snow?" "No." "Then let me see the map." "No." As they continued to argue, Mulder accidentally swayed to the right. All of a sudden Scully looked up and yelled, "Mulder." Mulder saw what he had done and over corrected. The car hit a patch of ice and went spinning out of control. The car only stopped when the tail end hit a tree and caused the car to fall into a small embankment. The car was stuck. "Scully?" "Hmm, yeah?" She said in pain. "You okay?" "Yeah, you?" She said putting the backside of her hand to her forehead. "I'm... Scully, you're bleeding." Mulder said with concern in his voice as he looked at her forehead. Scully took her hand down from her head and noticed the smeared blood. "Let me see, Scully." "I'm fine, Mulder." "No, you're not. If you were fine, you wouldn't be bleeding." Scully sighed and leaned forward letting him examine the cut. "Ouch," she said. "That hurts, Mulder." "Sorry." "You know, I'm the doctor, I should be doing this, not you." "Be quiet, Scully. Do you have a Band-Aid? "In the first-aid kit. Ouch!" "Sorry." Before Mulder got the first-aid kit, he took the bottom of his tee-shirt and ripped off a piece, and wet it with Scully's water bottle. "Oh, how noble." Scully quipped. "Well, there wasn't any tissues and I don't carry a handkerchief." Mulder said with a smile. "You could have asked me." Scully said, smiling as she pulled a bright white hanky from her jacket pocket. "Never leave home with out it." "Too late, at least this way I get to play the hero." "Some hero." Scully said, remembering what happened, "If you would have just let me deal with the map, we probably would have been there by now." "You're right, I'm sorry." "What?" Scully squeaked. "I said, you're right." "Sorry, Mulder, I guess I'm just not used to hearing you say that to me. In the past six years that we've worked together, I don't think I've heard it once." "Yes you have!" "No, never." Scully said plainly. "I have too!" "Oh, yeah? When?" "Ummmm, never mind, it's not important when." "It's okay, I forgive you, Mulder." "Scully.... Never mind, arguing this will get us no where." "You're right, what now?" "I have a cell-phone." "Congratulations, so do I, but that won't help us." "Why not?" "Do you know where we are?" "No." "So, how are you going to tell them where to find us? It's a cellular. Can't be traced. If they could, our job would be a lot easier." "So... what do you suggest?" "I don't know. You're the one who got us into this mess." Mulder sighed and decided to see if the car would start. Scully stared across the seat at him and gave him an amused smile. "Mulder, we are, ummmm... stuck. In an embankment. So, unless you can make the car sprout wings and fly... We're not going anywhere." "Scully, don't be ridiculous! Cars cant fly!" Mulder said in a mocking tone. "Mulder..." Scully said with a warning. "No, Scully, I'm seeing if the car will start to see if we can get some heat in here. I don't think we'll be going anywhere soon." "Well, it's not going to run all night, Mulder." "I know, but we can still turn it on to warm up, every once and a while." "Mulder, it's probably 10 below outside. Once the car is turned off, we'll freeze." "You're right.... " As she realized he told her she was right, again, in the same night. She replied, "You're on a roll tonight, Mulder. You feeling okay?" Ignoring her, "Hey, wasn't there an emergency blanket in the trunk? I think I remember seeing one when I loaded the car." "Was there?" "Yeah, I'll be right back." With that Mulder zipped up his jacket and headed out into the snow, which now was falling in chunks, it appeared, on the ground. It was hard to see to get to the rear of the car, and Mulder wondered how he had managed to drive under such weather conditions. Surely the weather hadn't worsened that much in the short amount of time that they had been sitting there. When Mulder reached the trunk, he opened it to find that his memory had served him correctly and there was indeed an emergency blanket just waiting there for him. He also noticed that there was only one blanket. As he pulled it out, he couldn't help but smile at the raised eye brow he would receive from a certain red head when she realized that having only one blanket would mean that they must share. It made sense. Shared body heat would help get them through the night, until someone found them. He also realized that they should put on as much warm clothes as possible to help ward out the chill. With a smile he remembered that Scully had already put on every article of clothing she brought with her, so he grabbed his over night bag and headed back to the warmth of the car and to Scully. "I come bearing gifts." Mulder said as he opened the door and slid back into the drivers seat. "Looks like we'll have to share, though." "Some gift." Scully said half smiling. "Okay, so share, it's already getting cold in here." At that Mulder unfolded the blanket and spread half of it across Scully. "Thanks, Mulder." "You're welcome, Scully." One hour later..... "Mmulderrr, it's ffreezingg. Aren't yyou ccoldd?" "Yeah, has anyone ever told you you're a blanket hog?" "I'mmm ssorry." "It's okay. Look, Scully, this isn't working. Don't take this the wrong way, but don't you think we should relocate to the back seat?" "Hmmmm?" "Well, you know that shared body heat is a good way to keep warm and we can't exactly do that in the front seat; not with this gear shift in the way." "Okayyy." Scully was too cold to think and she knew that cuddling next to Mulder wasn't the most repulsive of ideas. Instead of getting out of the car to move to the back, Mulder suggested that he move first, through the space between the front seats, so he could lie against the seat back and Scully could be in front of him. He didn't want to squish Scully by having her lay in back of him. Once Mulder settled in the back he told Scully to follow what he had done. The only problem was she was wearing so many layers it was almost impossible for her to fit through the opening. Mulder finally had to grab hold of her by the waist and pull her through. As a result she ended up on his lap. "Sorry, Mulder. I told you that you would have to roll me around if I were to wear anymore clothing. Your sweater is what did it." She said in an almost embarrassed tone of voice. Mulder, not letting go of his hold on her waist, looked into her eyes and said, "I didn't roll you, Scully. I kind of just tugged at you a little. You made it, though." At that Scully smiled. Then she realized that she was still on his lap and broke off the gaze. Mulder understood her discomfort and let her slide off his lap. He was a little disappointed, but then remembered that soon enough she would be in his arms again. "So, how do you want to work this one out?" Mulder asked. "Well, lets just do it as you suggested, you lie down first and I'll....." She said, not needing to explain further. "Okay." Mulder took the blanket, lied down and covered himself. Then he took the remaining half and opened it up, inviting Scully to lay down next to him so he could cover her with it as well. Scully scooted in next to him and Mulder covered her up, and casually put his arm around her waist. Because Mulder was so tall, he had to bend his knees which meant he was forced to basically spoon his body around Scully's smaller frame. At first Scully remained stiff, and she wouldn't allow herself to relax. She almost forgot about the cold. But, as she realized and became familiar with the warm inviting feeling of Mulder against her body, she loosened up and nuzzled her head underneath his chin. Mulder couldn't believe how cozy Scully was becoming, not that he was complaining. He was closer to the woman resting next to him then he had ever been to anyone. She was the only one who kept him sane, kept him honest. Without her, he would have most likely been committed to some institution somewhere for the unstable. It was only natural, he assumed, to have some of the feelings that he did for her. He knew, when the time was right, that he would tell her all of these things, but the problem was he never knew when the right time was. Infact, he wasn't sure that he hadn't already missed it. With that thought he tightened his hold on her and nuzzled her back. As Scully felt Mulder move and respond to her unconscious snuggling, she felt her pulse quicken. This was not an unusual thing. Infact it happened frequently, when ever he put his hand on the small of her back, or he brushed his fingers over her hand while they reached for the same object. She knew, being a doctor, why it happened, but she still didn't like the fact that he could have such an effect on her. Ever since they met he had always sent sly innuendoes her way. She brushed them off as just another one of his annoying yet endearing qualities. It wasn't possible that he felt the way she did. She knew that he respected her, trusted her and would always be there if she needed him, but that was all, wasn't it? Scully all of a sudden became discouraged and realized that she was extremely tired. She might as well take advantage of the situation and Mulder's warmth. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to over take her. After a while Mulder felt Scully relax completely and he realized that she must have fallen asleep. His thoughts were confirmed after he heard her let out a small snore. He smiled as he settled in and closed his eyes as well. He tried and tried, but just couldn't seem to make himself sleep. After a while, just as sleep began to creep into the realm of possibility, he heard something. It was coming from Scully. Was she awake, he wondered? He listeded as she continued to make noises. She must be dreaming, he concluded. Then he heard something. "Muphlder." Mulder was confused. Was she calling for him, or maybe she was just dreaming. To be safe he answered her. "Yeah, Scully." Then she did something very unexpected. She pried herself loose from his firm grasp around her waist and turned around to face him. She opened her eyes, but they had a glossy dazed look on them, and Mulder realized that she was still asleep. But she looked right at him. This could be interesting, Mulder thought. "Mulder," she replied. "I was just thinking about you." "Oh, yeah, Scully? What about?" This definitely could get interesting. "Well, after all the years we've known each other, why haven't we, you know..." "Hmmm, Scully? No, I don't. Why haven't we, what?" Scully made a whimpering noise and Mulder couldn't do anything but smile. Too bad this was just a dream she was having, but it wasn't a dream for him, he realized. And, as an added bonus, he had a rare glimpse of her unconscious mind. "Well, Mulder..." she was becoming flustered. "Why haven't you ever made good on any of those little comments you so frequently throw at me?" Mulder was stunned. All he could manage to choke out was "What?" "You heard me, Mulder, just once would it kill you to look at me the way you did Phoebe and Bambi and all of those women you have in your video collection?" Mulder was stunned. He couldn't believe that she said what she did, but she was in a subconscious state. So, he felt that he could reply to her truthfully with out having to worry. "Well, Scully... because I respect you more. And I wouldn't want to risk our friendship for anything in the world. Even if it meant I could never be with you that way." Mulder couldn't believe that Scully even put herself in the same category as the women she spoke of. She had to know that he held more respect for her than that. "So," Scully continued, "the thought of being with me isn't so bad?" She asked with a girlish pout on her face. Mulder couldn't resist the look she was giving him and replied, "No, not at all. Infact I kind of like the whole concept." "Do you?" "Umm hmm," he said wiping a strand of hair from her face. "Mulder?" He started to answer but was cut off when Scully closed the distance between them and kissed him softly on the lips. Mulder was startled. He started to respond when Scully began to deepen the kiss, but remembered that she was sleeping and pulled back. As he did, Scully had closed her eyes again and was now back into the "asleep" stage and was snuggled back into his chest. Her hand, however, remained on his cheek where it had traveled when she kissed him. Mulder remained as he was. He was afraid to move. He needed to think. Scully had just opened up a part of herself that he knew, under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have. But, nonetheless, it was a good thing, a great thing he concluded. Maybe... strike that... most likely she harbored some of the same feelings that he did. And, maybe, just maybe, he hadn't missed the right time he was looking for to tell her how he truly felt. In fact, he knew he hadn't. ~ The End? Maybe... we'll see... if I get any requests for a sequel. Thanks for reading. "Sometimes you just have to start at the end to find the beginning." ~ Scully Title: Snowed In (2/3) Author: DM XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Mulder and Scully's car Vermont Country Side 9:03pm *And, maybe, just maybe, he hadn't missed the right time he was looking for to tell her how he truly felt. Infact, he knew he hadn't.* The weather outside the car was worsening by the second, but on the inside all one would find was a peacefully sleeping couple; remaining warm from a stiff, itchy emergency blanket and shared body heat. Now that Scully had revealed her feelings, albeit unknowingly, to Mulder, he was able to let sleep gradually overtake him as well. Somehow, as the agents slept, Mulder moved his body and was now lying on his back, leaving Scully no choice but to lay half on top of him, her head resting on his chest. The move was made unconsciously, but Scully began to awaken as she felt Mulder tighten his grasp on her. She gradually opened one eye and realized where she was, and wondered how she managed to end up on top of Mulder. She knew she should move, but there wasn't really anywhere to go. Besides, Mulder's chest made a comfortable pillow. At the thought she looked up at his face and suddenly remembered the dream she had just woken from. She couldn't help but be amazed at how real it felt. She involuntarily shivered at the thought. What she wouldn't give to be able to confront him the way she had. When Scully shivered, Mulder's heightened senses detected the change in Scully's demeanor and he awoke. Without opening his eyes he could tell that Scully was awake as well. He was confused. He was now on lying on his back with Scully lying on top of him. He decided, that in order to avoid an embarrassing situation, he would keep his eyes closed and let her continue to think that he was asleep. Besides, he was enjoying how close Scully was, and the longer it lasted, the better. Then, he heard her let out a sigh and felt her warm breath gently blow over his forehead and rustle his hair. He then realized exactly how close his partner's face was to his own face. He managed to keep his eyes shut. Scully let out a soft sigh as she looked at her sleeping partner. She felt a burning pain in the back of her chest and throat as she remembered how her dream had ended. She closed her eyes in natural reflex and let out, in a pitiful, barely audible voice, "why?" Mulder barely made out what she had said and felt her shoulders stiffen. He now became fully aware and awake. Something was wrong. He knew Scully was having a personal moment, so he felt it best not to let her in on the fact that he truly was awake. Then she spoke again. "Why can't I just be honest with you?" she murmured. Scully just couldn't keep it in; she had to let something out, even if it was in a hushed whisper. Besides, Mulder was asleep, he wouldn't know the difference. Mulder couldn't believe it. Had he heard her correctly? He knew that she wasn't speaking for him to hear, but her question was directed at him, nonetheless. He wanted to answer her; he wanted to scream that she could always be honest with him. She, however, wasn't ready for him to say that just yet. He knew he had to do something, but he didn't know what. Scully felt a tear slip out of her eye. She was mad at herself for crying. She was relieved that Mulder was not awake to see her break her usual cool exterior. But, she was thankful that he was there. His presence was comforting. She looked up once more at his face. It was no longer the peaceful face she had just looked into a moment before. His brow was furrowed and she hoped he wasn't having another one of his nightmares. She, carefully, with out trying to disturb him, reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead. At her touch she noticed the tension in his face release and the corners of his mouth lifted into a contented smile. She was relieved, and despite the pain she still felt, let out a small smile of her own. Then she rested her head back on his chest and grabbed a fist full of his shirt. He was asleep, after all, and she needed as much physical contact as she could get. When Mulder felt her hand brush his forehead, he knew. He couldn't just lie there and let her hurt the way she was. When he thought about it, he wasn't gambling too much by letting her know how he felt. She had basically borne her soul to him, twice in the same evening. It was now his turn to share a secret. He felt her grasp on to his shirt and lie her head back on his chest. He chose that moment to wrap both arms around her and embrace her in a hug. Then he whispered, "You can be honest with me, Scully. I want you to." Scully felt his arms encircle her. She let it be, thinking it to be nothing other than an unconscious act. Then she heard him. She must be dreaming. But she was still awake. She opened her eyes only to see Mulder looking intently at her. She was so shocked, embarrassed, and confused all at the same time that she tried to sit up and put some distance between them. But, in the process she scooted too close to the edge of the seat, and with a thud, fell to the floor. As she sat there on the floor, she was utterly embarrassed. Her face began to grow pink and she covered her face with her hands. Then she felt Mulder's hands on her shoulders and felt him help to lift her off the floor and on to the seat next to him. He was now sitting as well and placed his arm around her shoulders. "You okay?" He whispered. All she could do was nod her head, yes. "Scully," he began to continue what he had been saying before she fell. "I want you to know that, no matter what you have to say or what you think, I want you to be able to be honest with me. I need you to." All Scully was able to do was bow her head, close her eyes and shakily whisper, "I thought you were asleep." "I know," he said. He lifted her chin up with his index finger until they were face to face. Her eyes were still shut, but she knew she couldn't hide from him. "Mulder... I..." She was cut off as Mulder replied again, "I know." And with that he took his free hand and mimicked the act that she, herself, had executed only moments before. He brushed a few stray strands of titian hair away from her face and traced the track that a freshly shed tear had made as if fell down her face. When his finger reached the corner of her mouth, he began to gently trace the edges of her lips. Then, he pulled her face close and kissed her for the second time, but for the first that truly counted. Scully was floored. She couldn't believe that she was kissing Mulder. Although she had dreamt what she had many times before, she had never woken up to have this happen. When she pulled away from his mouth and saw the look on his face, the same look she had seen so many times in her sleep, she couldn't help but smile. Her heart melted when he smiled back at her. Feeling more confident, she found her voice and asked, "how?" "Hmmm?" Mulder said. He couldn't quite manage to say much more than that. "How did you know?" "Oh," he paused. "You told me." Scully was confused. She knew she hadn't told him. She wanted to tell him. That was the whole problem; that was the reason she was so upset. Finally, all she could say was, "Mulder...?" and raise her eyebrow in a questioning manner. Mulder wasn't quite sure if she would appreciate him telling her what he had been witness to, but he couldn't lie to her. "Well," he began, choosing his words wisely. "I was almost asleep when I heard you say my name." "Oh?" she swallowed, almost afraid to hear what came next. "Umm hmmm. You asked me, ummm, a few questions." "I did," she gulped. "Yeah, and I answered them." "Really?" She began to understand what had happened. "What did I ask you?" "I think you know." She waited a moment, realizing the full meaning of his words, then replied, "I'm sorry, Mulder. You should have woken me." "Should I have?" Mulder asked with a smile pulling at his lips. "Yes," she said, not knowing whether she should be upset with him for letting her do what she did. "Scully," he said now seriously. "If I had woken you..." He couldn't continue. It was then that she realized if it weren't for him witnessing her dream, none of this might have happened. "I know, Mulder," she said, her face softening. "How?" "Because I know you," she replied smiling. Mulder knew that she would understand. He looked down at her smiling face and an uncontrollable feeling of love overwhelmed him. He already knew that he loved her, as a friend, best friend in fact. But this was different. He could learn to get used to it. Scully took hold of Mulder's hand and rested her head on his shoulder. In response he tightened his arm around her shoulders. She was happy, and despite the fact that they were stranded in a car in the middle of a snowstorm, there wasn't a place in the world she would rather be. She closed her eyes, happy and content, and murmured, "Thank you, Mulder." "No," he replied and rested his head atop of hers. "Thank you." ~ The End? Should I keep going? Let me know... I love feed back! "If coincidences are just coincidences... Then why do they feel so contrived?" ~ Mulder Title: Snowed In (3/3) Author: DM XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX **She closed her eyes, happy and content, and murmured, "Thank you, Mulder." "No," he replied and rested his head atop of hers. "Thank you."** Mulder and Scully's car Vermont Countryside 11:21pm After sitting upright for a while, the chill began to become too much for the agents stranded in their car. Mulder suggested they return to their earlier positions in an attempt to get warmer. It turned out that cuddling close together did make the cold bearable, at least for a while longer. "Mulder?" "Hmmm?" "You warmer now?" "A little, you?" "Yeah," Scully sighed. "Mulder?" "Yes?" "What do you think we were afraid of?" "You mean..." "Yes," she said before he could finish. "I don't know, Scully. You're my best friend; you'd think it would be easier for us of all people. "Exactly what I was thinking, but I think I know why," Scully said with a hint of humor threatening to overcome her voice. She stifled a smile. "And why is that, Miss Scully?" Mulder mused, catching onto her tone. "Well, after extensive thought, I have concluded that," she paused. "It's your fault," she finished plainly. "Excuse me?" Mulder said amused. "Yes. Your fault." "What makes it my fault, if I may ask?" "That's not the point." Scully tried hard not to let her voice betray her. "Then what is the point?" Mulder asked trying hard to control his laughter, and wondering where she was going with this. "The point is... well... the point is that it's not MY fault." "Oh, I see. Well that makes sense. And it was so obvious too." Mulder liked the playful bantering that was occurring between them. It felt comfortable, but most importantly it felt right. He just smiled as he thought about how happy all of this had made him. Who would have thought that being stuck in the snow could bring about such revelations? He looked down at Scully's head lying against his chest. He couldn't resist the urge. "Hey, Scully," he said wrapping his arms tighter around her, holding her as closely as possible. "You know I love you, don't you?" Scully relaxed into Mulder's tight embrace and had a contented smile on her face when she heard him utter his last words. When they registered in her brain, her first reaction was shock. Of course she had known that he loved her, but to hear him say it was somewhat surprising. It was something that they both knew, but never verbalized. But, as the words sunk in, she realized she could get used to hearing it, especially from Mulder. Scully smiled and decided to play around a little bit more. "Oh, is that all, Agent Mulder? You just 'love me'?" Mulder could tell by Scully's voice that she was only teasing, so he decided to go along with her little game. "I really love you?" He asked tentatively wondering if that was good enough. "Really love me, huh?" She said, her smile widening more than one thought humanly possible. "Okay, fine! I'll admit it! I am head over hills, crazy, truly, madly, deeply in love with you. Is that better?" "A little, but I won't believe you unless you prove it." Hmmm, Mulder thought. A side of Scully that he had never met. This could be fun. Mulder sat there thinking for a while. Idea after idea running through his head of exactly how he might prove his love for her. He hadn't realized that he never responded when she turned her head to look into his eyes. Her face was serious as she said, "Mulder, I was only kidding." She put her hand up to his cheek and softly said, "I love you too." Mulder's reaction was slightly different than Scully's had been. He smiled broadly and lowered his mouth to Scully's and kissed her once again. Somehow the first kiss they had shared leaned more toward the friendly side. Well, not exactly friendly, but when one compared that kiss with the one they shared now, the difference was breathtaking. After an eternity, both decided it was time to come up for air; little did they realize that they had an audience. They were so caught up in looking at each other and communicating silently that they were never aware of the police officer standing outside the car until he gently knocked on the window. Scully was the first to break the gaze. She cleared her voice and gave Mulder a slight nudge to wake him from the glazed expression he had plastered on his face. When Mulder finally looked up, he immediately understood why Scully's face had turned a deep shade of pink. He sat up and scooted closer to the door so he could get out of the car and speak to the officer. When Mulder stepped outside he noticed that the snow had stopped falling. He wondered how that fact had gone unnoticed. Then, he remembered why, and had to control a smile from spreading across his face. The officer chose that moment to clear his throat and remind Mulder exactly where he was again. "I hope I haven't interrupted anything, but..." "Oh, no," Mulder interrupted. "We were trying to stay warm. We've been stuck for several hours now." "I see," the officer said trying unsuccessfully not to smile. "Anyway, after a storm like the one we just had lets up, I like to check the roads for people who might end up stuck such as you folks. And, when I noticed the government plates..." "Oh, yes. Ummm, Thank you. I'm Special Agent Fox Mulder and this is my partner Agent Scully, we're Federal Agents." Mulder said as he produced his badge from his pocket. "Partner, hmmm?" He bent down to look at Scully who still sat in the car. "Nice to meet you, Agents. My name is Patrick Owens. What happened here?" "Well, we were cold and..." Scully cut him off before he could say any more. "Umm, Mulder? I think he means how we got stuck here." "Oh," Mulder said sheepishly. Scully got out of the car and proceeded to tell Officer Owens the details of their accident. The officer smiled as she relayed the events and before they knew it they were on their way to the nearest hotel. "Well, here you are. I'll come back by in the morning and take you to the station so you can contact your government office, and then we'll get you another car. I'm sure you have business you need to take care of." "Thank you, Officer," Mulder said and shook his hand. "We'll see you in the morning." Mulder and Scully made their way through the lobby with their bags. "Mulder, this place is actually somewhat decent. And, goodness! It might actually cost more than pocket change to stay here. Skinner is going to blow a fuse." Mulder snorted at her comment. "We have a good excuse, though. And, an official police report as an alibi." At that comment Scully stopped mid stride with an uneasy expression on her face. Mulder did not notice until he was a few steps ahead. Concerned, he turned around and went back to her. "All you alright, Scully? What's wrong?" Half-expecting an 'I'm fine, Mulder,' he was surprised when she answered him with a grin. "Mulder, are you sure you want Officer Owens' FULL police report shown to Skinner? Not that we have a choice, mind you." Mulder was confused at first; then realization hit his eyes. "Oh," he said smiling. "I see your point." "Umm, Mulder. As much as I wouldn't change a thing, this could pose a problem." "Well, we'll just have to be extra nice to Officer Owens and ask him for a favor, now won't we?" "Yes, Mulder. Use that charm of yours. Just don't waste it all on him." She couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, I won't," he said setting his bag on the floor. He put his right hand behind her head and brought her forehead to rest against his. "I love you," he whispered. As she was about to answer, he closed the distance between their lips and kissed her. It was a kiss of promise, a kiss that promised forever. When they broke away, Mulder took her hand and held it all the way to the front desk. "May I help you?" The clerk asked. "Uhhh, yeah," Mulder said, breaking his gaze from Scully. "We need two rooms please." The clerk checked his computer and with a frown looked up at the couple. "I'm sorry, but due to the storm all we have left is one room, but it is a double." "We'll take it," Mulder said. They grabbed the key and headed to the elevator. Once inside, Scully began to laugh. "What?" Mulder asked smiling. "Owens' police report should go very nicely with our expense report." "Ahh, well we had no choice, Scully." "I know, and it's not that I mind, really. It's just if Skinner..." "I'll take care of it, Scully. I have, after all, broken more rules than any 50 agents put together. And I'm still here. Although I'd have to say," he said raising an eyebrow, "that this is one rule I thoroughly enjoy breaking." "I think, Agent Mulder, I agree fully with you on that." By that time they had already made their way to their designated hotel room. "Here we are, honey," Mulder said in an overly gooey voice. He opened the door, then turned to look at Scully. "Our suite awaits, Madame." "It sure does, and I'm dying for a hot shower. I'm still completely frozen." "Are you implying that I am an inadequate heat giver?" "That is exactly what I am implying," she said smiling broadly. "Owe, Scully, you wound me." "Would you like me to kiss it and make it better?" "Yes please." He said as he pulled her by the waist and lifted her until their lips met. "I take it back," Scully said after they finished. "You can get a girl plenty heated." "Are you saying that I managed to melt the 'Ice Queen'?" He said it affectionately, with no contempt in his voice. "You melted her a little over six years ago." She smiled sincerely at him. "Now, I need to take my shower." Mulder kissed her quickly on the lips and let her go. Scully took a relatively quick shower, dressed, and entered the main room to find Mulder lying on the bed, changed and watching TV. Mulder looked up and smiled. "I don't know if you've noticed, but there is only one bed in here. Looks like someone is sleeping on the floor." Mulder said this with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. He then proceeded to fluff up his pillow and make himself more comfortable implying subtly that he had no intention of moving. "In your dreams, Mulder." She said smiling, not wanting to laugh. "Okay, fine! I'll share." "That's right, you'll share." She smiled at him as she got under the covers and laid down next to him. "I thought this room was supposed to be a double?" "Computer glitch?" He sighed, "It's okay, Scully, I'll sleep on the floor." "No you wont," she said indignantly. "We're both adults here, not to mention friends. I think we can control ourselves," she paused. "At least I know * I * can," she said jokingly. "Are you implying that * I * can't?" "Well, I wouldn't know that now, would I?" "Fine, I'll prove it to you." With that Mulder turned away from Scully, scooted as much to the edge of the bed as possible, turned off the TV and closed his eyes. Scully knew he was playing, but still didn't like it. After being held and kept warm by him for so long earlier that night, she couldn't get enough. After a couple of minutes of playing Mulder's game, she got tired and gave up. She rolled over and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him flat on his back. He just looked at her with a pleased smile on his face. She laid her head on his shoulder, rested her hand on his chest and whispered, "Good night, Mulder." "Good night, Scully," he replied planting a kiss on the top of her auburn head. Then he put his arm around her and pulled her tighter while closing his own eyes. Soon after, safe and warm in each other's arms, they drifted into a peaceful sleep. ~ The end As always... feedback will be greatly appreciated!