To: submissions@x-philes.com Date sent: Sun, 10 May 1998 13:53:56 -0400 Subject: What We're Missing by Miranda From: miranda119@juno.com (M K P) Title - What We're Missing Author - Miranda E-mail - miranda119@juno.com Rating - G Category - S Spoilers - none Keywords - Mulder/Scully UST Summary - Mulder and Scully have a talk one night as they have to share a motel room. Disclaimer - They belong to Chris Carter. And if he would just have an episode where Mulder and Scully have to share a bed, then I wouldn't have to write this. So it's all his fault. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Mulder held the door as Scully walked underneath his arm into the cramped office of the motel. Mulder then approached the counter and impatiently rang the bell at the until a bleary-eyed clerk appeared at the office door, clearly having been asleep at his desk. "We need two rooms." Mulder stifled a yawn as he threw his credit card on the counter. Scully fell into a chair by the door and leaned back, closing her eyes. The clerk began to type at his computer as Mulder rested his head in his arms on the counter. "What brings you here at four in the morning? Traveling?" the clerk made a half-hearted attempt at small talk. Mulder grunted in answer. The man raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, sir, we've only got one room left." Scully opened one eye and stared at him. Mulder shrugged. "A double?" "No, actually....it's a single." the man replied, trying to sound apologetic but not convincing anyone present that he really cared. Mulder turned around and stared at his partner, his silent gesture anding her the decision. "I'm not going anywhere else, I'm too tired." she shook her head, then leaned back and closed her eyes again. "Oh, well, saves the government a few bucks." Mulder shrugged and nodded for the man to go ahead and make the transaction. A moment later he took the key from the clerk's hand and picked up Scully's and his bags and nudged her foot with his. "Let's go." he yawned again. She groaned and forced herself to leave the comfort of the chair. They stumbled down to their room and he unlocked it. Inside they found a very cramped little room consisting of a bed, a table, a chair, a television, an overhead lamp and tiny bathroom. "Home sweet home." Mulder quipped sarcastically as he set their things down. She threw her coat on the chair and took her bag and went to the bathroom. He took his coat off and tossed it on the chair, not concerned when it slid off and fell to the floor. He kicked his shoes off, shed his suit onto the floor, and climbed into the bed clad only in his T-shirt and boxers. She emerged from the bathroom a few moments later clad in silky navy blue pajamas. She had removed her makeup and brushed her teeth. Mulder stared at her with an easy smile. She climbed into bed next to him and regarded him evenly. "What are you smiling at?" she demanded. He shrugged. "You look cute." he gestured to the pajamas and makeup-free face. She smirked at him. "Pretty daring coming from a man wearing Marvin-the-Martian underwear." She motioned to his boxers. His smile faded as he pulled the sheet up to his waist. He clicked off the light and they laid in silence for a few minutes. "Scully?" Mulder spoke suddenly. Hmm?" she spoke in a voice muffled against her pillow. "What do you think we're missing?" he asked thoughtfully. She didn't answer for a long moment, either seriously considering his question or hoping if she ignored him he'd go to sleep and leave her alone. "Scully?" "What do you mean?" she replied through a yawn. "What do you think we've given up, as in a normal life, for our job, and our mission?" "You mean like marraige, house, 2.5 kids and a dog named Rover?" "Yeah. I mean, doesn't the thought of even just having a warm body to sleep next to every night sound so comforting?" he mused. She raised her head up to rest on her arm as she considered him through the veil of darkness. "You think we're missing out on something, Mulder?" "I like being near you like this, Scully." was his answer, a boyish grin on his face. Any other woman would have taken his comment as a come-on, but she saw the innocent meaning of his words. He liked having her close to him. The comfort of her presence, the knowledge of her safety, the quietness of the sharing of a moment of peace and rest in a shared life otherwise so chaotic and difficult. "I like it too, Mulder." she reached for his hand. They were quiet for a long moment, both lost in their thoughts. "Scully, if things were different, if we were different, do you think we might have still met each other?" "You mean like if your sister hadn't been taken, and you were just a regular guy with a regular job?" she questioned. He agreed. "Or if you hadn't went against your parents and had become a practicing doctor." he added. "Well, Mulder, I believe that we were meant to be partners. And I believe you were meant to be a crusader. And I guess I was too. omehow I don't think it could have happened any other way." "So you don't wish for that other way you could have chosen?" "I don't see it as being any other way." she shrugged. "My place is here, with you, for whatever reason. And there's no place I'd rather be." "You can say that," he breathed in suprise after a moment of hesitation. "After all you've sacrificed because of me? You can look me in the eye and tell me that as truth in light of your sister, your daughter, and your own battle with cancer? Your life has been nothing but sorrow since the day you met me." his voice was quiet, but insistent. She sighed. "Mulder, I know you blame yourself for everything, but I don't blame you. I made the decision to follow you in your quest. And Melissa and Emily died, and I was given cancer because of evil men and evil conspiracies, not because of you. All you've tried to do is to stop the evil. And for that, I admire you, and I'll stick with you till the very end." He didn't answer, but after a moment as he allowed her words to sink in, she felt his arms go around her and pull her head to his chest. She snuggled against him, hearing his strong heart beat and feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She had never felt so safe, so warm, so completely connected to another human being. "You're right about one thing though, Mulder." she spoke softly against his skin. "What's that?" his low voice vibrated against her cheek. "This....I could get used to." she smiled, reaching up to pat his cheek, and finding there the wetness of tears that had been shed. "Why are you crying?" she asked him quietly. There was a long pause. "Because I can't believe you care so much. And because I know that this night won't last forever. Morning will come." he answered her truthfully. But I'll still be here in the morning. And I'll still care." "Goodnight, Scully." he whispered, pressing his lips against her hair. "Goodnight, Mulder." she replied just as softly. Within minutes, both were sound asleep. The End _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]