Title: Life Times II: Friend or Foe Author: Agent Quetzel E-mail: powder_puff@hotmail.com Archive anywhere. Disclaimer: All characters and ideas from The X-Files belong to Chris Carter, Fox and Ten Thirteen Productions. Not me. Category: Alternate universe, MSR, S. Rating: PG-13 NC-17 parts will be labeled accordingly. Summary: It is the mid 1940's and organized crime is booming. Fox Mulder is one of the many agents the FBI has sent into the field to bring these mob kings down. While spending a year undercover, he gets to know William Scully's daughter, Dana, very well. But there are things that Mulder does not know that could hurt him in the long run. He is caught between doing his job, which is sending William Scully and his people to prison for life, and falling in love with Dana. The question is, does she remain faithful to her father or Mulder? NOTE: This is the second LIFE TIMES story, you do not have to read the first one to understand this... they all stand separately. It's just my excuse to do a lot of alternate universe! ROMANCE ~ MSR --------------------------- He was walking down the street, his coat wrapped around his lanky body. The car was parked farther down, so he had to walk in the snow. Tamsa City was huge, and usually most people would be scared to be walking alone at this time of night. But Fox Mulder had a weapon at his side, and he didn't worry about crime. He was in the middle of all of it. He watched as the big bosses planned their crimes out, so perfectly, almost like art. Mulder sometimes wanted to bail out... but that would be letting down Skinner. He wasn't going to give them an excuse to get rid of him. He entered the large gray building that looked like a book store. The man at the table smiled at him, "Fox, what are you doing back in town?" "I finished my... business." "What was it?" Danny, the clerk asked, very nosy. "Family stuff with my parents. I don't want to talk about it. Is the club full tonight?" The clerk held the door open, the sound of music flowed in, "The usual. See you later, pal." Mulder entered the door, and there was the club. Hidden beneath the old book store. Dancing girls did their stuff on stage, waiters were running around with drinks to serve. A flash of red caught his eye, and there she was. Sitting alone in the corner, her red hair curled perfectly... and her nose in a book! Mulder almost laughed, she was sitting in her father's club reading! While dancing girls and singers and musicians were working all around her! Mulder handed his coat to a boy called Fizzy, "Hang this up for me, kid." "Sure thing, Fox." He took the coat and disappeared into a huge closet. Mulder approached Dana, who noticed him before he even got into her view. She didn't even look up, "Sit down, Fox." He raised a brow, "How did you know it was me?" He asked, taking a seat across from her. "I could smell your cologne." He laughed, "Is that a good scent or bad?" "I like it." She closed her book and set it aside. "So, what brings you here tonight?" "Um, your father is having a meeting. Wanted me in tonight." She rested her head on her hand, "He's always having damned meetings." "Why aren't you dancing?" Mulder asked, "They're plenty of eligible bachelors here." "My father would kill all of them if he saw me looking at one." She whispered, a smirk on her face. Mulder grinned, "Maybe it's dangerous for me to be sitting here..." "When did you get back in town?" "This morning." "Ah!" She mocked injury to her heart, "You didn't even call me, buster!" He grinned, "I didn't have a chance, my apologies." Dana snapped her fingers, she practically had her own personal waiter at her side, "Fizzy, go and get us some drinks, tonight's special, if you will." "Yes, Miss Scully." Fizzy ran off to the kitchen. Dana's orders were always first priority. "Now that's power." Mulder whistled. She looked bored, "I hate this. I want to go home." "Why don't you?" If this girl could get drinks by snapping her fingers, and cars by ordering for them... then why couldn't she go home? "My dad wants me to stay and mingle with his friends. You know what he said to me today?" "Last time I checked, I wasn't a mind reader." He grinned. "He said, 'Dana darling, you should pay attention to the business. You're the only child I have, one day I'm giving this all to you.' He said that to me!" "It's called inheritance." Mulder pronounced the word as if she were five. "I know that! I don't want it. Why can't I be normal? At school, I had hardly any friends because everyone's parents were too scared to let their kids hang out with me! I was a freak, practically! And the few friends I did... they were to scared to debate with me. I can just hear their parent saying 'don't piss of little Dana Scully, her father will kill us!'" Mulder started laughing, "You're doomed, I guess." She buried her face in her arms, "I hate my life, I don't know what I did to deserve all this." He put a hand on her shoulder, "Relax, kid, life goes on." Fizzy returned with the drinks, "Fox, Mr. Scully wants you in his office." "Thanks, Fizzy." Mulder swallowed the drink quickly, said his good-byes to Dana and was off to the boss's office. Mr. Scully was getting older and older every time Mulder saw him. "Fox, glad you could make it. Sit down." Mulder was pushed into a chair. Alex Krycek was the only other person in the room. "So, what's going on?" Mulder asked. Mr. Scully sat in his chair, smoking a cigar, "Fox, I'm going to trust you with my most prized possession." The first thing that came into Mulder's mind was money... but he was wrong. "Dana, I want you to take care of Dana for me." "What?" Mulder sat up, he was now very confused and insisted on details. "Danny Parker was making threats last week... one of them was to chop my daughter into bits. And until I can corner the bastard, I don't want her alone so they'll have a chance to get at her." Danny Parker was one of the leaders of The Ruffs... a smaller team of mobsters who were like little pups nipping at Mr. Scully's heels. "Are you worried, Sir?" Mulder had to ask. "The one thing that can bring a man down is being over confident. I'm sure that Parker and his people aren't very dangerous, but with Dana... I refuse to take chances. And on a brighter note, Dana and Krycek here will be getting married this summer. I want her to be safe until the wedding." Mulder's mouth fell open, "Dana and Krycek?" He looked up at Krycek. He was wearing a brown suite, a tie that was hideous and his black hair was slicked back. Mr. Scully nodded, "It'll be fine, as long as Parker keeps a distance. Find out what you can about their plans, and play body guard for Dana." Mulder was in a state of shock when he left the office. Dana was waiting for him out in the hall, "You look like you've seen a monster." She commented. Mulder took her arm, leading her to a bench in the corner of the hall. "Dana, did you know about Krycek?" "The wedding? Yeah, they dumped it on me this morning. I had what Daddy calls 'a tantrum' and then was sent to my room." Mulder frowned, "Do you want to marry Krycek?" Mulder had known Dana for a year almost, and nothing she ever said or did showed that she had any interests in Alex Krycek. She shook her head, "He is good looking, I have to give him that. And he is very smart, another bonus. But I don't plan on sticking around for the wedding." She stood up, walking off. Mulder chased after her, "Excuse me?" "You heard me. This life is like a prison. I've had enough. I'm outta here." "Did you know that Danny Parker is out to get you?" She froze in her tracks, "Huh?" "Danny Parker threatened to kill you. Your father is really worried and wants me to stick with you until the threat is over." Dana sighed, as if this sort of thing happened every day, "Sure, fine... whatever." He led her out to his car, which was a black Mercury. "Get in, Dana." "Yes, master!" She tossed her purse in and sat down. Her skirt was green, and was below her knees, but not to her ankles. It was the latest length and Mulder found it maddening to look at Dana's legs. She crossed her arms over her chest, "The engagement party is next week... will you come?" He started the engine, pulling out of the lot, "Maybe... depends." "On what?" She asked, her voice very low. "If I'm still playing body guard." "Maybe you will be." "Dana, why don't you ask him to let you off the hook with Krycek?" "Fox, Krycek is Daddy's right hand man. I wish that there was a way out of it, but the only thing I can do is escape." "This isn't a prison, Dana-" "Really? I never leave the house unless I'm with someone else. I never get to socialize outside of my father's 'business circles.' Men with guns wearing suits come to our house in the middle of the night to talk business. That, Fox Mulder, is no way for a woman to live! I can't deal with it anymore. The last twenty years have been too much for me! I don't know what it's like to be part of a normal family." "Your dad cares about you a lot?" "Daddy is over protective and controlling! I'm tired of all his shit! He's forcing me to marry Krycek, for God's sakes! How insane is that!" Mulder drove the rest of the way in silence, they reached Mr. Scully's estate. A guard was waiting at the door, he peeked his head in, "Good evening, Miss Scully, Fox." Dana nodded her head at him, very annoyed. Mulder drove up to the side of the house, he got out and opened the door for her. "After you, my lady." He bowed. She playfully hit him with her purse, "Shut up, buster." The main servant in the house was Frohike, he was in charge of everything from dinner to entertainment. He opened the door for Dana, "Miss Scully, I was getting worried." Dana handed him her coat and gloves, "It's all right, Frohike, I was with Fox." To Mulder, it was very obvious that Frohike had a thing for Dana, but she chose to ignore it. And Frohike knew that if he persued her, not only would he be humiliated, but he'd be killed! Dana turned to Fox, "Let's sit in the library upstairs." Frohike had objections to this, but one word from Dana rendered him mute. Mulder almost laughed. Dana Scully was a tough one. She took no shit and made her own fate. Music was playing from a gramophone in the corner, classical of course. Mulder sat down on the sofa while Dana paced around her desk. This library was her personal room. It was filled with books on every subject imaginable. If you wanted to learn about the Andes Mosquito, there was a book on it some where among the dusty shelves. Dana loved to challenge her mind, something most women Mulder knew didn't like. She was for sure someone special and unique. Tossed some papers into the fire that was burning, "So, want another drink?" "Coffee?" He asked. She nodded, "Exactly what I was thinking." She rang a bell, Frohike raced up the stairs to assist her. "Fox and I would like some coffee, if it isn't too much trouble, Frohike." "Of course not! I'll have it up here right away." The short fat man vanished out into the hall. Mulder couldn't' stop laughing. She turned around to face him, "What are you laughing at?" "Nothing, he reminds me of an elf... a love sick elf." Dana rolled her eyes, "He's so helpful around here. I don't know what I'd do without him." "Wonder what would he do without you." Mulder said softly. She rolled her eyes, "Shut up, Fox boy." The sound of the down stairs door opening caught their ears and both listened carefully. Alex Krycek's voice was heard, he was talking to Mr. Scully. "Sir, I was hoping we could move the wedding up." He suggested lightly. "Move it up? What for?" Mr. Scully's heavy foot steps were heard going through the foyer. "Well, I want to get Dana out of down as soon as I can, Danny Parker has me worried." Dana gritted her teeth, "Do you hear that, Fox? They're deciding my future!" She stomped out of the library, Mulder following close behind her, "Dana, stop!" Mr. Scully looked up to see his daughter, standing at the top of the stair case. "Daddy, I think we should hold the wedding off a bit." Krycek's mouth fell open, "WHAT?" She turned to him, "It's MY wedding, I want it all perfect. I have lots of things to plan, please, Daddy?" Mulder almost laughed, she had him wrapped around her little finger! It was sick, almost! Mr. Scully nodded, "Whatever you want, Dana, you got it. Krycek, go and get my account records, I have some work to go over tonight. Dana, you aren't going to bed yet, are you?" She shook her head, "Nope." "Good, there are some things you need to see. Fox, thanks for bringing her home." Mulder took this as a sign that he was dismissed. "Yes, Sir. I think I'll be going home now. Goodnight, Mr. Scully, good night, Dana." Mulder was led outside by Krycek, "What were you doing?" He asked lightly. Mulder frowned, "Huh?" "WHAT were you doing with Dana upstairs?" "We were talking in the library. Hope the whole wedding thing works out for you, pal." Mulder walked towards his car, leaving Krycek at the door. Alex Krycek was a man who got jealous very easily, he fought for Mr. Scully's attention, like a deprived child. He fought for Dana's favor, something she wasn't willing to give him. He was a rat. A brown noser! An ass kisser! Mulder found the man very annoying, but he figured that he'd need Krycek. There was no one else in the world who knew more about Mr. Scully's financial status... Dana probably didn't know as much. Dana sat in the chair beside her father, Krycek had disappeared into the home office, going through work and papers. Krycek practically lived here now! She saw him every morning, and every night. She didn't like him, once he had tried to come to her room, but she had bolted the door shut and pretended to be asleep. She cringed, they wanted her to marry this rodent! "Dana, are you listening?" She smiled, "Sorry, Daddy." "This account is for you only. Do whatever you want with it after you get married." She nodded, "Thanks, Daddy." Mr. Scully always made sure his daughter was taken care of. Before he bought her toys when she was a girl, now she was getting married and he was handing her bank accounts filled with cash! "What is that for, Daddy?" She asked, showing him a file. "This is what you and Alex will be sharing. And this last one... for the kids." "KIDS?" "You are planning on making me a grand father, aren't you, honey?" Her mouth went dry, kids? With Krycek? DEATH FIRST! "I guess...." He nodded, "Good, I hope you spend it all wisely, Dana Katherine. Your mother would be disappointed if she knew that you were going nuts with money." Margaret Scully had died when Dana was sixteen. She missed her mother very much, she felt that Margaret was her only link to a world outside the mob. Now that she was gone... Dana was being forced to spend more and more time with her father's business associates. Getting to know the money works and all. Margaret had always stopped Mr. Scully from taking Dana to meet his friends. Margaret hated the way he worked, and she did everything she could to protect Dana from it. Now there was no one left to protect her from her father's world. Two days went by since Dana announced that she and Krycek were getting married. A formal announcement was made, invitations were being sent out. The Scully estate was huge, and Mulder used to fear getting lost in it! Today he was to escort Dana to the ballet. Krycek had originally wanted to take her, but Clark Ashley, nick named 'Smokey' because he was always smoking, needed Krycek to assist him in the office. Mulder knew that 'Smokey' and Mr. Scully were close, business partners even. He just had to make connections between them. Smokey was a shadowy figure. he was tall, graying hair, wrinkled skin, thin and you could smell him a mile away! Mulder tried to see Smokey as often as possible, but lately, he was being assigned to spend more time with Dana and baby-sit her. She didn't like it anymore than he did. "You know, Fox, you could just drop me off and do your own thing. No one will know." He laughed, "Right. No one can sneeze in this mob without everyone hearing about it. Come on, I'm all dressed up, anyway." She took his arm and together they walked into the ballet. Some of the people recognized her as a Scully, she could see them all starring. "Damn it." "Want to go home?" He suggested. He was really NOT looking forward to sitting through the ballet. "No, I came to see this ballet and I'm not leaving. Screw them all." He grinned, "That's my girl. Don't let them bother 'ya." Towards the end, Mulder stopped watching the dancers and was watching Dana. She shifted in her seat, "I need to powder my nose, excuse me." Dana got up, taking her purse with her. Mulder yawned, this was the most boring thing ever! How could anyone enjoy this? Mulder sat through the rest, and Dana had not returned. Everyone started getting up from their seats, the curtains closed and Mulder still waited. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was almost eleven. He decided he'd have to find Dana. She knew it wasn't his fault that he was baby-sitting her. But she wasn't going to sit there and let him do it. She intended on taking a cab back to the White Feather Club. It was her father's most successful business, the main attraction was Phoebe Green, a singer from England. Dana went out to the street, her black dress providing little protection against the cold. She waited patiently for a Taxi to come by, none came. A hand fell on her shoulder, she sighed. "Fox, I-" It wasn't Fox. A tall, blond man wearing a black suit covered her mouth and dragged her back to the ally. She kicked at him, her high heels doing little good. Her purse fell from her fingers and no one saw her and her assailant disappear into the side alley. Her heart was pounding a thousand beats and she had never been so scared. Twenty year as a mob king's daughter and this had never happened before! She was going to be killed! Her mind screamed and she struggled, trying to claw the sucker's eyes out! "Too bad, I hate scarring pretty faces." He had a deep voice and Dana heard a click from his hand. In the faint light, she could see a blade. END of 1/? --------------- Is Dana going to be saved? Will she be scarred forever by the blade of this stranger? Is she going to be kidnapped by a rival gang? Send comments, feedbacks and flames to powder_puff@hotmail.com If I get lots of feedback, my insparation comes faster, I'm so serious! Dear Bec, I just had to see how I could do with the first part, ready to edit the next? ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer and summary in part 1. ROMANCE MSR ROMANCE! -------------------- Mulder was really getting annoyed with her. He had totally embarrassed himself! Just a moment before, he had stuck his head inside the women's bathroom, calling out Dana's name. The only response he got was an old woman screaming, "PERVERT!" So he had high tailed it out of there, his face red from both embarrassment and anger. Dana wasn't in the lobby, so he walked outside, keeping his eyes and ears open. He didn't see her any where, but at the edge of the walk was her purse. With a deep sinking feeling that invaded his heart, he picked it up. He had to make sure it was hers. Opening it, he saw that her make up was there, and a picture of her and her father in front of the Scully Family Estate. "Damn it, DANA!" A young couple wearing expensive clothing turned to look at him. He thought to himself. He was too scared to care what everyone thought of him. Mulder looked across the street, trying to see if she was there. A loud bang from some where off to the side caught his attention, and then a woman's scream. Mulder dropped the purse and ran out to the alley where the noise was coming from. Dana kicked at him, pushed at him, but he was awfully big! She cursed at him in four languages and finally bit him. He shouted and threw her against a stack of trash cans and crates, and she hit her head on something really hard! The attacker stalked towards her, knife out in her view and getting closer. She screamed, grabbing the trash can and trying to throw it at him, but her aim was way off and did her no good. He had slash marks on his face from her nails, Dana couldn't help but feel proud that she had done SOME damage. He finally lunged at her, the knife tearing through the silk sleeve of her dress and making contact with her flesh. She cried out as the burning, stinging sensation filled her arm. "BASTARD!" She cursed at him, trying to kick him back. She could feel the blood seeping in through her dress, but she wasn't going to give up. The sound of running steps entered the alley and Dana looked up just in time to see a tall figure grabbing the attacker and tossing him backwards. The gun was out and he had it aimed at the enemy, "Don't move or you're gonna be Swiss cheese!" She recognized Mulder's voice and never had she been so happy to see him. Four other men from the ballet house came and helped Mulder hold the guy down. Mulder turned his full attention on her, "Dana, are you okay?" "I'm fine." She said, gasping for breath. Mulder put his hand on her shoulder and she winced, screaming at him, "WATCH IT!" He pulled back, "You're bleeding!" "I'll live." She lifted herself up to her feet, her knees weak from the fight. Mulder wrapped an arm around her waist, at first she was resistant, but eventually she realized she couldn't make it on her own. He walked her out to the main street, making a call from a phone inside the ballet theater. She waited for him, he had a handkerchief out, soaked with water. "Here, I'm going to have to rip this sleeve off." He tore the silk of her dress and removed the sleeve, giving him better access to the wound. "Well, this dress is going in the trash." She muttered. Mulder looked her in the eye, "Are you all right?" "Yeah. Who was that guy?" "The cops are taking him off some where... Krycek and Langley are coming for us." "But what about your car?" "Langley will drive it, I'm not supposed to leave your side until you're safe at home. Mr. Scully's orders." He smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood. Dana moaned as he pressed down on the wound, "Easy, tiger, it's not bleeding THAT much!" He tied the handkerchief and lifted her up to her feet, off the side walk. A packard limo rolled up, Frohike driving it. Langley stepped out, walking towards them, he was wearing a gray suite and an expensive tie. "Are you all right, Miss Scully?" She nodded, leaning against Mulder for support, "I'll be just fine, Langley, thanks for asking." Mulder handed him the keys, "My car is parked around the side, take it to the Scully House, I'll meet you there." Krycek jumped out of the car and raced to Dana's side. "Honey, are you okay?" She pulled back, towards Mulder, "Stop asking me, I'm great! Can we go home now?" Mulder led her to the car, sitting beside her, Krycek on the other side. "Dana, what happened?" He kept on pestering her. She gritted her teeth, "I was out here waiting for a taxi, and some guy grabbed me and pulled me into the alley." "TAXI! Mulder, where the hell were you! Idiot!" Krycek started shouting at him. Dana jumped to his defense, "It was my fault, I left him there. He had no idea I was going to be out here. And if he hadn't come along when he did, I could have been killed!" She reached for Mulder's hand. he thought to himself. Krycek was giving him obvious dirty looks, but they remained silent until Frohike pulled up to the house. He opened the door for them, "I hope you feel better, Miss Scully." She smiled, "Thanks, Frohike." Mulder and Dana walked to the house together, Krycek, a third wheel, was walking behind them. Mr. Scully was waiting for them in the den, a fire was going and he had wine out. As soon as Mulder led her inside, she stumbled. "Dana!" Mr. Scully got up from his desk and walked to her. She released Mulder and let her father take her to the sofa. "I feel like hell, Daddy." She whispered. "Frohike, get something to clean this cut with." He removed the handkerchief, wincing when he saw how deep it was. Mulder was standing at the side, letting Mr. Scully have some time with his daughter. Krycek starred at Mulder, his mouth set in a straight line and his features sharp and cold. He thought again, for the hundredth time that night. Frohike returned, and in came Byers, the Scully physician. In his hand he had some bottled liquid and a clothe. "Miss Scully, this is really going to sting, but just sit still." She didn't like the sound of that, "No, I don't need it-" "It'll get infected and you'll be real sorry!" he warned her, soaking the cloth in the liquid and moving towards her. Dana hated the smell of it, like some alcohol thing. Mulder sat down beside her, she leaned into his arms. When the cloth made contact with the cut, she screamed at the top of her lungs and passed out. Krycek, always getting in the way, ran to help her. He was pushed aside by Byers, "Fox, help me tie her arm up with this." Mulder helped him tie the bandages around her upper arm, part of the dress still had blood on it. "Call the maid so someone can help her change." Mr. Scully stroked her red hair, looking very upset. "I'll help her get ready for bed-" Krycek said seriously, after all, this was his-wife-to be. Mr. Scully vetoed the idea and sent for Holly, the maid of the house. Krycek lifted Dana up into his arms and carried her up to her room, Holly not far behind them. Mulder had a meeting with Mr. Scully before he went home. It was explained that Dana ditched Mulder at the ballet, but Mr. Scully thanked him for saving her in the end. Nothing else was said and Mulder was free to go home. He got his car from Langley, who was smiling. "That's a real nice Mercury, Fox, wanna sell it to me?" "Not in this life time." Mulder took his jacket from Frohike, who stood at the door. He said good bye to everyone, then went out to the car. The ride home was uneventful. He parked in the small lot beside his building, getting out and walking to the front door. "Hold on, Mulder." A man said from behind. Mulder sighed, it was Skinner. He really wasn't in the mood to talk with Skinner. "Yes, Sir?" "Mulder, you haven't been checking in lately, what's up?" The older man walked towards him, a long black coat keeping the cold night air out. "They got me baby sitting Scully's daughter, Dana. Tonight she was attacked.... from the looks of it, it was probably Danny Parker's guy. Not a bright one, either." A look of concern crossed Skinner's face, "Dana was attacked? Is she all right?" "Just fine, Sir. She tried to play it tough, but she's okay. I feel sorry for the sucker who attacked her, she fought like a hell cat." Skinner smiled, "That's good. She's a tough cookie, I guess. I want you to see what you can find out about Danny Parker. They were just little petty thieves compared to the Scully's, but now they're moving up. I want to try and smash them before anything happens. Mulder nodded, "All right. Anything else?" "Was Dana Scully's wound bad?" "A deep cut, but Mr. Scully had his own doctor, the guy is gonna stay with her twenty four hours a day until she's better. She's a Scully, sir, she has the best of the best." Skinner nodded, looking thoughtful. "I'll see you, Mulder, try to check in more often! The FBI will close this project down if they don't like the results." Mulder shrugged, "Yeah, good night, Sir." Mulder waved and entered his building, walking up the stair case to his apartment, number 42. He opened it and stepped inside. Since he had 'joined the mob', Mulder now had lots of money to spend. Most of it went to this apartment. Classy furniture, a nice view... he had to keep appearances. Mulder took off his clothes and just collapsed into his bed, crawling under the sheets. Dana had a close call tonight, Danny Parker was getting a bit too close for comfort. When Mulder entered The White Feather Club the next day, it was business as usual. There were more dancing girls than usual, and up on stage was Phoebe Green. Wearing a very tight, and attractive, blue dress. It hugged in all the right places, one could say. She was singing one of her songs, but winked at Mulder as he came in. The club was huge, but she was always able to pick Mulder out. Violins were playing in a corner, and Dana sat alone at a table. Again. He rolled his eyes, "Dana, what are you doing out here?" "It's my father's club, buddy! I can do what I want here." Mulder sat down beside her, "You know what I mean, look at your arm... you should be resting at home." She glanced down at the bandaged arm, "No big deal." Her dress was lose, and green, with strap sleeves. The bandaged stood out, and caught the eyes of people sitting around her. "They're gossiping about me." Dana whispered. Mulder would have answered to that with a witty joke, but Phoebe came up. "Fox, honey, where have you been? I haven't seen you in ages!" He stood up, "Hi, Phoebe. Sit down." Fizzy came up to the table, "Another drink, Miss Scully?" He always attended Dana first. "No thanks, Fizzy. Fox, want anything?" "Um, my usual, Fizz." "I'll have what Fox is having, Fizzy." Phoebe announced. He nodded his head and ran off. Dana looked at Phoebe, "That was a nice song you did up there." Phoebe looked like it was the first time she'd noticed Dana, "Oh, thanks, honey. What happened to your arm!" She said it so loud that people half way across the room turned to see. Dana turned pink, "Um, accident." Phoebe raised a brow, "Are you sure? I heard that Danny Parker himself attacked you." "WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT!" Mulder snapped. Phoebe leaned closer to him, so close it looked like she would kiss him! "All the girls in the dressing room were talking about it." Dana stood up, "Excuse me, I have an appointment. I'll see you around, Fox." She took her coat and left the table. Mulder moaned, "Why'd you go and do that, Phoebe?" "Do what? Fox, she's to... snotty for you." "She's getting married, Phoebe. I'm supposed to be watching out for her until the wedding." "Right, her father needs you to be guardian angel for a while. That's all fine, Fox, sweetie, but haven't you noticed that she's been getting really attached to you?" "Huh?" Phoebe smiled, "That's my sweet, ignorant Fox." She leaned forward, giving him a soft kiss on his mouth. Dana returned to the table, her mouth falling open as she saw the scene unfold, "I just came for my purse." She said, snatching the small black hand bag up from the seat. Mulder looked up, "I'll take you home, Dana." "No, no. That's fine. I know you and Phoebe probably have something's to discuss." She looked down at the singer and then at Mulder. "See you around." She made a quick retreat. "Now, did you see what I was talking about?" Phoebe smirked. Mulder rolled his eyes at her, "I gotta go." Without saying good bye, he was getting up to leave. Phoebe grabbed him by his tie and pulled him down for another, hard kiss. "I'll miss you, Foxy." He pushed her back and ran after Dana. Frohike was waiting with the Packard Limo, Dana was starting to get in. "Dana, stop!" She turned around, "What happened to the British girl?" "Phoebe is really annoying-" "Fox, you have some lip stick on your collar." Dana wiped a smudge onto her finger, "Pink, not your shade." He blushed, "Dana, I have to take you home." "It's okay, Frohike is with me." "What can Frohike do if something happens? No offense, Frohike." Frohike stuck his head out the window, "I may not look tough, but if someone attacked Miss Scully, I'd kill 'em." Dana grinned, "I'm in good hands. Good bye, I'll see you in the morning." Mulder got into the car with her anyway, "Let me take you out to dinner." "I already ate." "I don't think you did. Frohike, take us to Quinntons." Quinnton's was Fox's favorite restaurant. He went there almost every week. Dana crossed her arms over her chest, "This is kidnapping! Frohike, take me home." Mulder smiled at her sweetly, "Dana, you've been through hell. Plus, I never get a chance to talk with you. But if you want, I guess we could take you home... Krycek is probably waiting for you." Dana considered it, "Quinntons." Dana stood at his side while they waited for a table. A man came racing to them, "Mr. Mulder, how nice to see you again. When you didn't show last week, I thought some horrible fate had befallen you." Mulder laughed, "Hi, Tony. This is my friend, Dana Scully." Tony recognized her name, and immediately looked down. Not only was Mulder a very special friend, but his guest was a VIP, more or less. So he smiled and led them to a table near the window. Mulder held a chair out for Dana and then sat down himself. "So, you like it?" She grinned, "Very nice, Mulder. Great view of the mountains." She smiled, looked out to the setting sun. He grinned, "Glad you like it. Wait until you try the food, excellent. I recommend the salmon." Dana nodded, "Sure, I'll try it." Dana had never received such fast service. "They're scared of me, aren't they?" She said in a whisper. "What?" "Look at them, the waiters are like scared bunnies." Mulder took her hand, "They've just never seen a girl as pretty as you, now relax." Dana spread a napkin out on her lap, "So, what do you want to talk about?" "You really don't like your life, do you?" He jumped into the conversation. "No, I don't." "But you have everything, the power..." "I'd give it all up in a second. Looking into my life is different from living it." He nodded, "Your father wants you to run the whole thing when he goes, huh?" "Yes, he does." "Are you going to?" "No. I'm leaving soon. This whole Krycek thing is a perfect excuse for me to ditch this life. Mulder, don't say anything, please. I'm dying here, they never treat me like a person. They think I'm made of glass or something. I can't stand it." She reached for his hand. Mulder could see her eyes shinning, but she would not let the tears come. "Oh, Dana, I had no idea." She looked down at her plate of food. "I have no real friends. They're either scared of me, or they want something from me. I am not my father, but they just don't realize that. I hate what he's done, I hate what he does." "Then why not put it all out of business?" He asked, he was stupid for sticking that question in there, but he had to see if she would consider doing it. "No, never. I wouldn't do that to William Scully, he is the only parent I have left and he always took care of me. He did the best he could, but his... business was so important." Mulder took a deep breath, "What's the deal with that Smokey guy?" "The man who is never seen without a cigarette? He's Daddy's main partner. He's more of a silent partner. I hate the way this deal was worked out. If something goes wrong, they'll go after Daddy first. The cops and the FBI have been after us forever. I think they've given up." Mulder almost laughed, but he was able to force it down, "Yup, no FBI around here." She looked outside, "They sent an agent in after us once." She whispered. Mulder's heart skipped a beat, "What?" "An agent was with us for almost six month, he started out pretty low level. He didn't find anything, but my dad was furious. He'd gotten pretty chummy with my mother." "What was his name?" Mulder asked, he was just curious. "I wasn't even born yet, but my mother talked about him a lot. His name was Walter Skinner." Mulder's mouth fell open, "Skinner?" She nodded, "He and my mom got really close. My dad didn't like it." Mulder's mind was whirling. Dana sighed, "I think... my mom was in love with him for a while." END of 2/? --------------- Okay, here it is, by popular demand dah dah dah! I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, feedback is always welcome! If you didn't, flames would be interesting... Comments, IDEAS AND REQUESTS! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer in part I. I Messed up posting, so sorry everyone! My bad, itchy finger! This is the third part in LIFE TIMES... Dana and Mulder were chatting and she said Skinner's name. He now realizes that Skinner was once in his shoes! ;) powder_puff@hotmail.com "My mom had a thousand things to say about him. Once I asked my dad about it, and he just blew up. He was swearing like crazy. He said that if a cop ever got into our group again...." her voice trailed off. "What?" "Dad hates them, a lot. Don't say anything, but he had Krycek kill one once." Mulder asked questions, he'd need to know later. "What cop?" "Some guy that was snooping around us for weeks. My dad really didn't want him dead, but Krycek killed him anyway. Poor man, had a family. Dad just wanted to scare him off." Mulder closed his eyes for a second, "Want some more wine?" She nodded, "Please." He tried to keep the conversation on wrong doings of the Scully family, but Dana clamed up. "I don't want to talk about it anymore." She whispered. Mulder wasn't going to put her through it again, so he changed the subject. Eventually, they finished off a whole bottle of wine. "I don't want to go home yet," she said as he led her out to the car, "the house is empty tonight." "Why?" Mulder asked, perhaps this would be a good day to get into Mr. Scully's desk. "Dad went out of town for the weekend, half the servants went with him. It's just me, Frohike and Holly. Plus, Krycek is probably staying over." Mulder nodded, "Well, where do you want to go?" "There is this nice place I know where you can see the city lights. Let's go there." Mulder bought another bottle of wine, and they went out to the car. Frohike started the engine, "Where now?" "Star Pass, Frohike." He knew exactly where it was, and Mulder paid attention. Good thing for a photographic memory. They pulled up the side of the road. "We're walking from here, Fox." He moaned, "How fun." Mulder wasn't sure if it was a steep hill in front of him or a small mountain. Either way, Dana took off her high heeled shoes, it was all grass, so she was set to climb it. He followed behind her, holding the bottle of wine in his hand. They finally made it to the top, and Mulder collapsed onto the grass. Dana sat down, making herself comfortable beside him. "Isn't it gorgeous?" The clear night sky shined above and the lights of the city greeted them. Mulder whistled, "Wow." "This is my favorite spot, I come here often." Mulder opened the wine bottle, taking a sip, then handing it to her. She sighed, falling back onto the grass. "I could stay up here forever, Fox. Just us." He laughed, "What about Krycek?" "We'll throw him over the cliff." Mulder laid down beside her, looking at the stars. "So, what do you think about when you're up here?" "How much I hate my life and the way my father created it for me. Fox, what do you think about when you're alone in your bed starring up at the ceiling? When you can't sleep." "That's often," he started, "I think about my family, how I wish I'd spent more time with my parents... how I wish I could spend more time with Samantha." "Is Samantha a girlfriend?" She asked weakly. "No, hell no. She's my little sister." Dana let out a breath, "Where is she now?" "She got married two years ago, she's about your age I guess. She's got a baby now. They live in California and I never see her. Her husband is a lawyer and he has his business on the other side of the country! Plus, I don't want to risk hurting her or her family, you know... the line of work I'm in." "What made you want to join a gang of mobsters? Fox, you got potential. You could have done something-" "I wanted to be a psychologist. I never got around to it. Here I am... businessman for your father." She moved closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, "I'm kind of glad you chose this line of work." He looked down at her, "Why?" "If you hadn't, I probably would have never met you." Mulder sat up, "It's past midnight, we should go and get you home." Dana finished off the rest of the wine, smiling, "Sure, let's move it." She put her shoes on, then walked down the hill, arm and arm with Fox. He helped her into the car, they were home in a less than half an hour. When they got through the front door, Dana was leaning into his arms, "I don't think I can make it up that stair case..." She slurred. Mulder nodded, "I'll help you." He took her arm. Half way up to the top, she fell down, giggling. "Dana!" He hissed, pulling her up, but she remained grounded. He finally lifted her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way. He knew where her room was, but he'd never been inside it. Holly appeared at the top of the case, "Miss Scully, are you all right?" "She's fine, she needs sleep, though." Mulder answered for her. Holly bit her lower lip, "Mr. Krycek had been waiting for you, but he left a few hours ago. He wants you to call him-" "She's asleep, Holly. I'll see you later." Mulder started walking, Dana still in his arms. "I... I was hoping that I could leave for the night-" "Sure, Holly. We'll cover for you." Holly smiled and disappeared some where. A while later the front door slammed shut. Mulder carried her into her bedroom. Switching on the lamp. It was a beautiful room. A huge, four poster canopy bed, a very expensive looking desk, a book case and a balcony! He took Dana and gently laid her on top of her bed, she let out a whimper, "Fox, I'm hot." Mulder smiled, "Yes, you are." "Open the window." She whispered. Mulder went to the window, but it didn't have a latch. He decided to open the balcony door, he turned the handles and threw the glass doors open. The cool night air touched his skin and it was a relief! Stepping outside, he had a perfect view of the back garden. Dana called for him, "Fox, come here." "What's wrong?" He asked, moving towards her. She acted as if she was slightly drunk. Dana sighed, "Undress me." "WHAT?" He suddenly got turned on, but kept himself under control. "Fox, this is a three hundred dollar dress. I can't sleep in it. Unzip the back." She sat up, moving her hair away. With shaky hands, Mulder went to the zipper and slowly pulled it down. The sound it made was driving him crazy and he was so turned on! Every second that passed revealed more and more of her creamy white skin. Mulder was so tempted to touch it, it looked so soft. Dana slipped out of the dress in front of him, wearing nothing underneath but her thin chemise and underwear. She left the dress on the chair, crawling back into her bed. "Fox?" "Huh?" He'd lost his grasp on the English language. "Stay with me. Please. I don't want to be alone..." Without waiting for an answer, she pulled him into the bed beside her, she crawled on top of him and rested her head on his chest, under his chin. His blood was roaring in his ears and he wasn't sure what to do! She was on top of him, and from the feel of it, she wasn't about to let him go any time soon! Dana sat up, straddling him, and took the chemise off so she was naked from the waist up. His mouth fell open and he had forgotten how to breath! She was beautiful, perfect curves and skin. He timidly touched her side, running his long hand up to her shoulder, "God, what are we doing?" She batted her lashes at him, "Fox, from the feel of it," she was talking about his hard on, "you want me as much as I want you." He tried to pull himself away, "We shouldn't, Dana. Someone can come up here any second!" "The door is locked, the only other person in the house is Frohike... and he's on the other end of the house. Fox," she stretched her body across him, "let yourself go." He let her kiss him, he was too numb to think. Dana started messing with his tie, trying to get it off. She leaned in closer for a kiss, her hands slipping into his jacket, "Fox, I don't think it's fair that I'm almost naked and you're fully clothed. Get out of your suit." He didn't resist her. He couldn't. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. She got off of him, taking off his jacket, and tie. He slipped out of his shirt and shed the rest of his clothing, tossing it over the bed. Dana, now satisfied, kissed him again. "Fox, relax. No one will know." Mulder could jeopardize everything if he went through with this. Mr. Scully would kill him if he found out, Krycek would kill him. The whole case would be lost because he let Dana do this to him... His mind screamed. She was kissing his neck, running her hands up and down his bare chest, "It's all right to touch me, Fox." She laughed. He got his nerve back and rested his hands on her thighs while she kissed his chest. He laughed, "We're going to be so dead!" "I could stop if you want me to..." she teased. He quickly rolled her over so she was pressed against the mattress, "If you do, I'll die." Dana laughed, "Good reaction. I'm all yours, tiger. Do what you want with me." It was his turn to rain kisses on her skin. She was the softest thing he'd ever encountered, he was scared of crushing her. Dana arched her back so he would have better access to her rose bud nipples. He took one into his mouth, suckling on it for a bit. She moaned with pleasure, the sensation was amazing and indescribable! She let him suckle the other one, and he finally kissed the valley between her breasts. "Dana, what made you want to do this?" He had to ask before he continued. "I really want you." She whispered, it was a simple answer, one that really turned him on. He spoke no more. He kissed her forehead, and made a line of kisses from her face down to her naval. She began to tingle with anticipation, but he went no lower. Taking her small hands into his, he pulled his head up, "Part your legs for me." She did as he said, too caught up to be embarrassed, she expected him to thrust himself inside her, she was eager, yet scared of the pain. Instead of what she expected, she felt only his fingers, stroking her gently, making her body clench, making her writhe and moan and think of the amazing pleasure he was bringing to her. "Fox?" She asked, gasping for oxygen. He gave her a scorching, searing kiss that made her forget her sentence! She forgot everything, everyone. To him, she was the only one who existed now, she was all that mattered. She could feel him inside of her, slowly filling her, stretching of her flesh and the widening, pulsing sensation of his hard length inside of her. She hesitated for a moment, pausing to give him a soft kiss, one that deepened quickly. He plunged his tongue inside of her mouth, causing her to whimper, and then he drove himself home. She grabbed onto his shoulders, "FOX!" "I can't believe this is happening." His words were a whisper. She was panting for breath, she hadn't expected it to be like this! Not at all. She tried to push him onto his back, and he finally let her. She smothered him with kisses, let him touch her, he felt waves of heat that rippled across his skin and welled up like great pools of flames inside of him. She was clinging to him, feeling his muscles move and work. She felt herself rising, she was consumed by the sweetness, the fierce, arching delight that washed over her like waves! He was slipping in and out of her, thrusting himself inside of her. He grabbed her shoulder and held onto her, "Oh!" "Say my name." She whispered in his ear, concentrating on her task. "God, oh my God!" He knew he was about to come. "That's not my name." She laughed. "DANA!" He cried out. He came right when she did, spilling into her, gasping for breath. They remained joined, but he kissed the salt from her skin, whispered sweet words into her ear. She eventually came back down to earth, and he was about to part from her. "No, stay like this." She pulled his body back to hers. He hugged her to him, still joined, she closed her eyes. "Oh, Fox..." Mr. Scully was down stairs, reading the paper that Frohike had given him. Krycek started to pace around the breakfast room. "Did you read the headline, Sir? MOB PRINCESS ATTACKED IN ALLEY!" Mr. Scully looked up at him, "I don't know if you know this, Krycek, but I CAN READ!" Krycek took a deep breath, "Look at the article, Sir! The damned thing made front page." Mr. Scully scanned the paper, "On Friday night, Dana Scully, daughter of accused mob king, William Scully, was attacked outside the Ballet Theater. She was instantly taken off by Mr. Scully's associates, and there is no record that she went to the hospital. Police say that the attacker was Anthony Teason, a man who has had 4 prior convictions. Teason is also the cousin of Danny Parker. Police suspect that the attack on Miss Scully was a bit of gang rivalry." Mr. Scully threw the paper onto the floor, "Where is Dana?" "She's still sleeping, Sir." Holly handed him the jam for is breakfast. "Well, go wake her up. It's late morning!" Krycek took this duty upon himself and walked up the stairs to her room. Lightly, he knocked on the door. "Dana, honey, it's Alex. Are you awake yet?" Mulder was making small circles on her back, "Are you tired?" She smiled, "No." He kissed her shoulder, "What time is it?" She sat up, holding the covers close to her body, "I don't know... but I don't feel like getting out of bed." She crawled up closer to him, draping an arm over his chest. He couldn't stop touching her, he ran his fingers up and down her arm. His fingers met the badges over her cut, "Dana, you should really take it easy with this arm." She giggled, "It's fine, if it wasn't, I wouldn't have been able to do all those tricks I did last night!" He laughed, "Right." "Dana, Honey, it's Alex. Are you awake yet?" The knocking on the door and his voice caused them to sit up in terror. "Shit!" He hissed, scrambling for his clothes. Dana's mouth fell open, she didn't know anyone would be home this morning, otherwise she would have sent Fox on his way earlier. She helped him dress, handing him all this clothes and his tie. "Alex, go away. I'm sleeping!" She said, trying not too make too much noise. "Dana, open this door right now. Your father is down stairs waiting for you." Mulder froze, "Oh, my god!" "Dana, what are you doing? Open this door right now!" The pounding got louder. She searched her closet for her robe, then put it on. Mulder scrambled for a way out. She pushed him in direction of the balcony, "I can't go down there!" He hissed. "No, silly, there's a ladder down the edge of the wall. You can go down there. It's safe. He was about to pull himself over the railing when she pulled him to her for a kiss. "I'm not at all sorry about last night." She assured him, smiling. He kissed her back, "I'll see you." Quickly, he scrambled out of there and made it across the lawn before anyone saw. Dana fixed her hair a bit, then went to open the door. He was waiting for her on the other side, "Dana, are you okay?" He asked, pushing his way inside. "Alex! Get out! I'm not dressed!" He shrugged, "It's all right. What was all that noise I heard in here?" "I... couldn't find my robe. Alex, get out, please!" He walked towards her, causing her heart to race a bit faster. "Dana, why don't you like me?" "Whatever gave you THAT idea." She said sarcastically. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms, "If you'd spend more time with me, you'd learn I'm not such a bad guy." She pulled back, "Tell Daddy I'm coming, I first have to get cleaned up." Krycek left the room, closing the door behind him. She collapsed onto the bed with relief. She wasn't in the mood for explaining Fox's presance in her room this time of day. Mulder had to take a Taxi, because he'd left his car at the White Feather club. After getting his car and showering, he dressed in a gray suit. Then checked his image in the mirror. He decided to hang out at the club this morning. It'd probably be empty, but that'd give him time to think." Taking his hat, Mulder left appartment 42. The dancing girls were at the club practicing. They all waved to him a he walked by. Fizzy came up to him, handing him a drink. "You're really popular with the dames, Fox." He smiled, "That's why they call me Fox. What's going on tonight?" "The official engagement party of Dana Scully and Alex Krycek. Everyone is coming, the place is set to be packed!" Mulder's throat went dry, "Oh....that's tonight?" "Yeah, you commin'?" "I guess I'll stick around for it, sure." A pair of slim hands rested on his shoulder, and he felt a kiss on the sensitive spot below his ear. He turned around, but Phoebe greeted him. "Hey, Foxy, welcome back." Mulder became uncomfortable, "Hi, Phoebe." "So," she made herself comfortable in his lap, "what's up? What happened with Princess Dana last night?" Mulder tried to push her off, but Phoebe had decided his lap was her favorite seat. "Phoebe, please get off me." She kissed his nose, "You know what, tiger, I always thought that out of all the good looking guys that walked into this club, you were the best." The doors of the club opened and slammed shut as Mr. Scully, Krycek, Dana and four other men walked in. All looking like the mobsters they were. Dana froze, watching them. Phoebe's hands slipped into his jacket, "Phoebe!" He pulled himself up, forcing her to get off him. "Mulder, get in the office when you're done." Krycek put an arm around Dana and the small group walked into Mr. Scully's Club Office. Phoebe stood up, "What?" "My God, don't you ever give up? Mr. Scully is here." "Are you worried about Mr. Scully? Or Miss Scully?" Mulder was now very upset with Phoebe, and wasn't going to waste anymore time talking with her. He stormed off to the office, where Mr. Scully was. Alex Krycek seemed pleased that Mulder and Phoebe were getting along so well. Dana stood in the corner, Krycek had an arm around her waist and she didn't fight him on it. Mulder entered, "Good morning, Sir." "Sit down, Fox. There is some very serious business we must discuss. As you all know, tonight is the night Dana and Alex are having their engagement party." He took Dana's small hand into his and squeezed it. Mulder starred at her, she seemed cold and like a statue, not at all like she was last night. "And this is the deal. I got a tip from Bosti, he says that there are rumors of an FBI agent among us." Mulder's heart skipped a beat. He had no way of knowing if they suspected him or not. Mr. Scully continued, "You are the ones I trust the most. Find the bastard and bring his ass to me. And nothing can go wrong with the engagement party, understand?" Mulder remained silent as they discussed the FBI agent. "I think it's Marooney." Krycek said. Mulder almost laughed, "Marooney? Maybe. I think Krycek has a point, he is always asking a lot of nosy questions. Sir, maybe we should investigate him." Anything to get the spot light off Mulder. The meeting was over soon and they all filed out. Dana disappeared into one of the corridors, a door closed behind her. Mulder raced after her, "Dana, can I talk to you?" She was gone, Mulder waited for her in one of the offices. When she came out again from her hiding spot, and waked past his door, Mulder grabbed her arm and pulled her in. She shouted at him, "What are you doing?!" He starred at her, "What is going on with you?" "You're such a player, Fox. I should have known. Last night you shared my bed, tonight are you sleeping with Phoebe?" He caught her hand in mid air before she could slap him across his face. "Dana, shut up. Listen for once in your life! If I had anything for Phoebe, I wouldn't have stayed in your room last night. I hate Phoebe. I don't need her, I want you." She shook her head, "There is no such thing as an honest mobster." She moved away, turning to the door. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hard. Without giving her a chance to react, he pushed her up against the wall, "Dana, you're going to marry Krycek. Was that just a fling last night?" "I told you, I'm not going to be here for the wedding!" She whispered. He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against hers, "Dana, do you have any feelings for me?" She paused for a minute, "I.. of course I do." He kissed her, "I don't want you to marry that rat... I want you to stay with me." "I'm leaving town before the wedding, Fox, come with me!" He seriously considered it. "I have work to do here... I need time to think." She kissed him softly, "I really want you." "Hum? I want you, too." "Fox, I want you to come with me." "I know, I know." He kissed her feverishly, not letting her move away, not that she wanted to. Mulder moved her to the empty desk that sat in the corner, he gently placed her on top of it, "Dana, this is so dangerous." "I feel like I'm going to die if we don't." She pulled him down to her. They had totally lost themselves, and didn't stop to realized that they'd left the door unlocked. But they remembered soon enough, when it burst open. The only sound in the room was the frantic breathing of the two, Mulder pulled himself off her, his face flushed, "Oh, shit." They had been caught! He was doomed. Dana pulled herself off the desk, the figure in the door was covered in the shadows. "Well, I'm sure that Krycek will be thrilled to find out that his little sweet heart was getting wild on a desk with Mulder." Mulder's heart plummeted to his feet. It was all over, they were busted. END of 3/? ----------------- This is dedicated to Lynn, who really wanted a certain scene in this, but I won't say which one. ;) THE NC-17 scene was written by Cassie J, my dear pal. And that's not her real name, so don't try looking for her or anything ;) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com This part is rated R... for kindda bad things. Little kids turn around! Disclaimer in part I... thanks everyone for writing to me and sending feedback! powder_puff@hotmail.com MSR MSR MSR ----------- Phoebe starred at them, "Well, I'm sure that Krycek will be thrilled to find out that his little sweet heart was getting wild on a desk with Mulder." Dana gritted her teeth, "Get out of here!" Phoebe entered the office, kicking the door closed behind her. "I don't think so, sweet heart. In this case, you can't do anything to me. You can't do anything to me without your Daddy, and there is no way you can do that without telling him about you and Mulder. If I tell your Daddy... you'll get in trouble." Mulder's blood started to boil, "Get out of here, Phoebe!" She shook her head, "You better play nice, Fox, or I'm going to have to have a meeting with Mr. Scully and Krycek. I wonder what they'll do to you when they find out you seduced the little mob princess." Mulder had never wanted to hit a woman in his life, but for Phoebe, he'd make the exception. Dana stormed towards her, "I don't need my father to shut you up, I can do that on my own!" Mulder held Dana back, "Phoebe, what do you want?" "I don't know yet.... but if I ever need anything, I'll know where to get it from." She smiled at Dana. "Bitch." Dana whispered. Phoebe raised a brow, "I'll let you two get back to what you were doing." She smirked, leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Dana buried her face in his chest, "I'll kill her." Mulder hugged her, "I think we should watch it... Phoebe isn't dumb. Maybe your dad is more understanding than we think-" "Don't count on it." Dana sighed. Skinner was waiting inside Mulder's apartment for him. "Where were you, Mulder, I was here all night waiting for you!" Mulder swore he was blushing, "I... found a girl." "Mulder, you need to concentrate on your work, damn it!" "Sir, I have some issues I need to discuss with you." Mulder became serious. "What?" "They know that an FBI agent is in, they just don't know who it is yet. But Mr. Scully trusts me, so I'm sure I'll be fine. But Phoebe Green is getting in the way." "The singer? What about her?" "She caught Dana Scully and me... in a compromising position. She's going to marry Alex Krycek soon, and Phoebe Green is black mailing us." A shadow fell over Skinner's face, "You and Miss Scully in a compromising position?" "Don't ask me to give anymore details." Mulder pleaded. "I won't. What else?" "Dana and I were talking last night. She mentioned your name." Skinner turned around to face the window, "Really?" "She said that you were once under cover in the mob. You and Mr. Scully's wife were close." "What are you getting at, Mulder?" "I want details of the time you spent under cover! It could help me!" "Don't get involved with their women," Skinner said first, "it's a hell." "Care to give details?" < Slowly, he wrapped her up into his arms, half expecting her to move back. "It's all right. It's okay." She looked up at him, "You have to leave." "What about you? Leave him, Maggie! You don't want him!" She wiped her eyes, "I can't. It's hard to explain." "What is there to explain? Do you love him or me?" "How can you ask that? Of course you!" "Is he threatening you?" The first thought that came into Skinner's mind was that he would beat the shit out of William Scully. "No, he isn't like that. He isn't as bad as you think. Walter, just leave me alone! They'll be coming here for you. I think... I think William knows" "About us?" He became alarmed. "He isn't a stupid man, and he isn't blind! He knows, I can tell when we look each other in the eye." He took a breath, "Maggie, I love you more than he ever will." Her lower lip quivered, "Is that possible?" "I can treat you better than he treats you!" When they heard the cars pulling up to the front of the house, and doors being thrown open, they knew that Mr. Scully was home. She closed her eyes and silently prayed, "Get out of here." "No, Maggie-" She pushed him towards cellar, "A small door there leads to the back garden. Get out of here and don't ever come back, Walter!" "No, Maggie!" She closed the door on him, pleading with him. William entered the kitchen, his eyes searching. "Meg... is Skinner here?" His voice had a deep tone that sent shivers down her spine. He looked angry and frustrated, but there was concern for her in his eyes. She shook her head, keeping a cool face. "No, William. He was, but he left hours ago." Skinner had heard shouting and screaming from the other side of the door. If he had his weapon with him, he would have burst through and killed the bastard. Instead, he had no choice but to leave the estate. Maggie had held him back, begging him to not kill. She had saved him... his angel.>> "I was probably your age when they assigned me to the project to bring down the Scully gang. I was there for three months, Mr. Scully didn't spent much time with his young wife, Margaret. She talked with me a lot, that's how it started. Just talking. She was pregnant by the time I left, someone snitched on me and I barely got out with my life. Margaret contacted me a few months later, she told me. When the girl was born, I wasn't able to see her. Scully had his men every where! But when Margaret started taking the baby out on walks, I would meet her." "Dana is your daughter." Mulder whispered. Skinner nodded. "Does she know this?" "Margaret brought her to meet me a few times." He laughed softly, "She just called me uncle Wally. She knows, but she calls William Scully her father. I don't think I've seen Dana since she was sixteen." Danny Parker was closing in faster than they thought. A disaster ruined the engagement party, something that none of them had expected. The party was in full swing, the dancing girls were not on stage attracting attention, Dana and Krycek were in the center tonight. Everyone was dancing and laughing. Dana and Krycek sat side by side, Mr. Scully in front of them. Mulder approached them, "Anything on this FBI agent?" "No." Krycek answered, reaching for Dana's hand. Phoebe was on stage singing a love song, "This is from Alex to Dana." She smiled to the crowd. Krycek pulled Dana up to her feet, "Come on, darling." They were out on the floor, he was holding her so close that they looked like one person! Mulder tried not to look, it only made him angry. He wanted to throw something at Phoebe. He was so tempted! Mr. Scully started speaking, "Mulder, Dana has been acting very strange lately." "I think she's depressed, Sir." Mulder answered. "Why should she be?" "Sir, Dana doesn't really like Krycek." "Of course she does." Mr. Scully dismissed Mulder's theory. The club was filled with screams when the doors burst open and a small army of men stormed in with Tommy Guns. Krycek pulled Dana down to the ground, covering her with his body. Everyone ducked under the tables, the shots were fired and as soon as it started, it was over. Mulder lifted his head to see if Dana was all right. Krycek was pulling her up to her feet, and he wrapped her in his arms. "Dana? Are you hurt?" "I'm fine." She whispered. Mulder surveyed the damage, some of the women were crying and a few people were shot. "CALL A HOSPITAL!" Scully shouted! Krycek left Dana to make the call, the club burst into chaos. Mulder took Dana, "Did you get hurt?" "No, Fox." "PHOEBE'S BEEN SHOT!" Someone shouted from the stage. Mulder raced up the steps to her side, looking down at her. "Phoebe, can you hear me?" Mulder asked, trying to feel for her heart beat. Her eyes were slights, her white dress was stained with red blood and even her face had been grazed by a bullet. Her breath was shallow and Mulder knew that there was nothing he could do. "Fox... kill the bastards!" Mulder starred at her as her life slipped away. When men came to help her, Mulder pushed them back. "Nothing you can do for her. It's over." Phoebe and all the others who were killed were carried out with blankets over their heads. Two dozen people had been shot, five had died. Mulder couldn't believe it. Mr. Scully had Dana beside him, he was holding her hand while she was in a daze. Fox looked around for Krycek, he was standing at the front doors of the club. "This was Parker." Mulder said, walking towards him. He nodded, "I know it was. I'll kill the bastard myself!" Mr. Scully waked towards both of them, Dana was left with Frohike. She seemed pale, but while the other women were fainting left and right, Dana stood tall. "Sir, this was Parker!" Krycek was furious now, ready to blow something into bits. "I'm sure it was. You're in charge of dealing with this matter correctly, Krycek. I don't want those bastards anywhere near my daughter again! Understand? Dana is the most important thing here, if I have to send her out of the city, I will!" Dana heard this from across the lawn and waited for Mulder to come and get her. "Dana, you're going home." She nodded, no argument there! Krycek was in charge of dealing with this matter, and he would. Every time thought of what they did to the White Feather Club, his blood started to boil. Krycek knew for a fact that a man named Tony Klap was one of Parker's right hand men. For two nights, Krycek tailed after Klap every second. He followed him to his apartment, to a night club, even to his sister's house. On the third night, he cornered Klap. The young man with the blond hair was out talking with a woman outside of his apartment building, suprisingly not too far from where Krycek himself lived! The night was warmer than usual, and the air seemed thick. Krycek walked up the stair case to apartment 58, picking the lock open with this expert hands, he slipped into the strange apartment. It was cold in the room, the apartment must cost a fortune. What looked like a solid gold statue of an angel sat in the corner, Krycek raised a brow. Finding the light, the expert got up on a chair and pulled the bulb lose. The steps coming up the stairs caused him to whirl around, he wasn't worried. He had his gun, and he was ready to blow the other man away if the time came. While the door was slipping open, Krycek waited from him behind a curtain. The lights flickered on, and then off. "Damn it." The steps got louder, towards the window. Krycek peeked out through the curtain, the enemy had his back to him. "If you move, I'll blow holes into your spine!" Klap froze, "Oh, my God." "Listen, tell me what I want to know... and I can let you go about your business and we'll pretend nothin' happened. Deal?" "Who the fuck are you?" Klap seemed alarmed. "Someone who your people have pissed off." "Scully?" He sucked in his breath. "Nah, Scully would have just blown your head in. You could have killed his kid." "Krycek!" "No." "Man, get off me!" Krycek pinned him to the floor, "What it Parker's guys who crashed the party at the White Feather Club?" "No, of course not! It wasn't us." Krycek shoved the gun into his back, "I know it was you. I was there. You killed some of my friends, and I'm going to kill you unless you tell me something." "If you know I did it, why are you asking?" "Where is Parker?" "I have no idea-" "I know you know.... so spill it!" Klap heard something in the gun click, "Let me up!" "There are three bullets in here, for ever question you don't answer, I'm firing, maybe you'll end up blown away... maybe the chamber will be empty. Let's talk." "What do you want to know?" "Where can I find Parker?" "Down town." "Where?" "In the Barson Hotel..." "How did he know about the White Feather Club?" "The party? I don't know." CLICK. Klap's heart jumped, "I don't like that answer." Krycek whispered in his ear, causing shivers to go up his spine. Klap took a breath, "I don't know the guys name... they call him Smokey." "SMOKEY?" "He's always holding a cigarette. He told Parker about the party, and blowing it would show everyone that Parker was on top." Krycek frowned, "What's Smokey's agenda?" "Man, he's in it for himself! I think he's selling Parker guns-" "Thanks, that's all I needed to know." Krycek stood up, leaving the man on the floor. Klap pulled himself up, gasping for air, he was a chicken, at least he was alive. Or maybe not. "Don't tell." Krycek smiled, pointing the gun at him. "NO! Please! You-" He was silenced when Krycek fired the gun, the body was left in a heap on the floor near the window. Slipping out the door and into the lobby, Krycek made it to her car before the police arrived. Neighbors had obviously heard the gun shot. Mulder was ordered to take Dana away from the Scully estate. "Sir?" He starred at Scully in shock. "I would have Krycek doing it, but he's out on a job right now. Mulder, get her out of here." Mulder's mouth turned into an 'o', "All right..." "Tonight, have her out of here by tonight." Dana was standing in the doorway, "Daddy, don't I ever get to make decisions? It's my life!" Mr. Scully walked towards his daughter, "Dana, honey, this is for you own good. Everything I do is for your own good!" She pulled back, "Daddy, I don't want to marry Krycek!" She blurted out. Scully stood still, "It's stress, Dana. You'll feel fine in the morning. Go with Mulder, you'll be home tomorrow." She frowned, "You're doing something tonight, aren't you? I want to be here for it!" Something flashed in Scully's eyes, concern and frustration perhaps. "Dana, please...I'm begging you." She turned to Mulder, "Dad-" Mulder grabbed her arm, "Sir, I'll take care of her, she'll be fine." Dana was pulled out of the room before she could protest. Mulder had her pack her bags and waited for her in the car, "Fox...what are you doing?" "It's not safe to be around here when the shooting starts. The last thing they need is for you to get caught in the cross fire. Let's go." "Where are we going?" "A hotel..." He reached for her hand. She sighed, leaning back in her seat, closing her eyes. "I have to get out of town soon... this is a disaster!" "He's not going to listen to you about Krycek, huh?" "He never listens, he thinks he knows everything about me... he doesn't have a clue." Fox pulled out of the drive way and to the street, "It's just us tonight..." The woman at the desk would have been surprised to hear the name Dana Scully, so instead, Mulder had said, "Mr. and Mrs. Mulder." She had immediately given them a suite, with two bedrooms, although Fox only planned on using one. He carried her bag up the stairs, even though the woman at the desk had suggested a bell boy. "No, that's all right. We won't want have any trouble." He took the key and opened the door for her, "After you, miss." She stood in the hall, "Why did you tell that woman we were Mr. and Mrs. Mulder?" "I don't want anyone to know that you're here, and they'd find it kind of odd for a man and woman to be in a hotel... you know what kind of thoughts they get." That was partially the reason, another part wanted to see her face when he said the words! She stepped inside, her mouth falling open. "It's gorgeous!" He put her bags on a sofa in the breakfast room. "It's is nice, isn't it?" He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. She followed him, letting him lay her down on to the bed. "Let me take your mind of things..." He whispered as he gently pressed his mouth to hers. She sighed, "Humm..." He pulled back, slipping off her shoes, then pulling down her stockings. She had just started to relax when she felt his hands creep into her dress, up her sides and to her breasts. "Fox!" She gasped his name. He grinned, "How does that feel, princess?" He leaned in to her neck, smothering her with kisses. "I don't like your clothes, Fox." She struggled with his shirt, "you can keep the tie, though." He laughed, "Right. Okay." He pulled his hands out of her dress and started to unbutton his shirt, shedding his clothes and leaving them on the floor, thrown in every direction. She laughed as he moved in on her, helping her out of her own clothes and tossing them behind him some where. "Fox, that's a very expensive dress-" "What's more important, the dress... or this?" "This." She pulled him to her, kissing him hard. They were curled up in each others arms, sleeping soundly... at least he was sleeping soundly. Dana pulled herself out of the bed in the middle of the night, her thoughts too active to let her sleep. She reached for the robe that the hotel provided, wrapping her naked body in it. She sighed, starring out the window, how did she manage to live like this? She felt like a puppet. Looking back at the man in the bed, she smiled. He looked adorable, curled up in the sheets and blankets, looking so handsome. She looked at the floor, their clothes covering the carpet. Having a lot of energy and nothing to do, she decided to save her dress from the wrinkles. Picking up the silk garment, she set it out on the chair. Might as well save his clothes also, she thought. She picked up his pants, then his shirt. Out of his coat pocket fell something small and black. Like a pocket book. Reaching for it, she found that it was something else. She flipped it open, the letters "F.B.I" starring back at her. Dana's breath caught in her throat. "Oh, my God." He stirred in the bed, reaching for her warmth, and finding cold sheets instead. "Dana?" He whispered, sitting up, the sheets falling to his waist. He saw her, in the dark, standing in the center of the room wearing a robe. "Honey, what are you doing? Can't you sleep?" He crawled out of the bed, not bothering to cover himself from her. He saw no reason to. He tried to pull her into his arms but all he received was a slap across his face, one that stung his skin. "HOW COULD YOU!" He was in shock, it must have been a dream... but it felt too real. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he looked at her hand. His badge, in her fingers, open to his identification. He felt a thousand emotions and feelings. Relief, now he wouldn't have to lie to her. Fear, she would be angry. Furious, she had snooped through his things. "Dana, let me-" She threw the badge at him, "This whole time, you were using me? God, I feel like such an idiot!" She reached out for her dress and he yanked it out of her hands, "You are not leaving until I get a chance to talk with you-" Her hands rolled into fists, "Give me my clothes, Mulder. I don't have time for this!" He tossed the dress across the room, "Let me say something!" She was furious, he could see that. Her face was turning red and she was gasping for breath. "Dana, it's my job. I didn't expect for something to happen between us-" "I was perfect, wasn't I? I could give you information AND fill your bed!" She threw a vase at him, but he caught it in his hands. "Stop it! YOU were the one who pulled me into bed the first night! Everything I said I felt for you is real! Everything that has happened between us is real!" She starred at him with cold eyes, "I'm a sucker!" She walked across the room to get her clothes, tearing the robe off her and changing right in front of him. He wasn't wearing anything, and now he was painfully aware of that! She grabbed the suitcase, tossing his clothes into it. "I'll let my father deal with you, I'm out of here!" She slammed the door behind her, leaving Mulder alone in the cold, dark room.... very naked. He raced to the door, swinging it open, the hall was empty and he could see the elevator doors closing, her inside it. He started wearing as he paced around the bedroom, he searched for his clothes, ready to chase after her. Then he realized a mistake he had made... she had taken his clothes with her! All she had left him was the badge, the one that had gotten him into this mess in the first place! END of 4/? ------------- Will Dana tell Mr. Scully? Is this the end of Mulder? Is Krycek going to go after Mulder himself after he's finished with Parker? WHAT WILL MULDER DO NAKED IN A HOTEL ROOM WITHOUT CLOTHES? ;) That was Dana's revenge! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer in part I. Thanks to everyone who writes 2 me! I love mail! Send all feedback/ideas to powder_puff@hotmail.com MSR MSR MSR ----------- Skinner was not happy that he had been dragged out of bed by a frantic Mulder. "Sir, I'm in trouble." "WHAT?" The panic was flooding his body as he jumped out of the bed, leaving it's warmth. "I... Dana-" "What happened to Dana?" He may not have known his daughter well, but she was still his daughter. "She's fine, more or less. I was supposed to stick with her, and she ditched me in a hotel without clothes..." "What about the ones that you were wearing, or did you walk in there naked?" Skinner was now annoyed. "Sir, please! I can't do my job... she knows that I'm FBI." Skinner sighed, sinking back into his warm bed, "Fine, where are you?" Mulder gave him the address of his hotel, and asked Skinner to bring him clothes. Before leaving, Skinner ordered another agent to be placed outside the Scully home to monitor all activity. Not very impressed with his agent, Skinner did as Mulder requested... but he was very slow about it. Dana had run out of the hotel room and raced down to the lobby. She asked to make a phone call, and the clerk had let her. "Frohike?" "Miss Scully? Where are you?" The butler sounded alarmed. She tapped her foot in frustration, "I'm in a hotel, and I'm coming home. Can you come for me?" "What? But Mr. Scully wanted you-" "I know... but I don't want to stick with Mulder right now." "DID HE HURT YOU?" Dana smiled, at least someone in the world cared about her, "Frohike, I really don't want to talk right now... I just want to come home." "I'll be there." She told him that she would be waiting outside the hotel for him, and he was there in less than an hour. He was wearing his uniform, black. "Miss Scully? Are you feeling well?" He took her bag. Dana smiled, thinking of Mulder's clothes in it. "Yes, I'm fine." She imagined him up in the hotel room, wearing nothing and furious. Frohike had taken her home, Mr. Scully watched her enter. "Dana? What are you doing here?" She bit her lower lip, "I just wanted to come home, Daddy." He frowned, "What did you do with Mulder?" "He... had to go some where, I had to sneak out while he wasn't looking." Dana wasn't questioned any further, a group of men in black suites were sitting in the living room, and Krycek had just burst in through the front door ranting and raving. He froze when he saw her, "Dana, what are you still doing in town?!" She ignored him, like always, and walked up to her room, bolting it behind her. Krycek turned to his future father-in-law. "Sir?" "I don't know what's going on with her." Mr. Scully sat down in a chair. Krycek took a breath, "I took care of a few things, and I found out some news that's going to blow your mind." "not many things can surprise me, Krycek." Scully yawned. "You're pal, Smokey, is a traitor." "Is he the FBI Agent?" Scully sat up. "No, he's with Parker. I talked with one of Parker's men, someone named Klap. I was told that Smokey was selling Parker guns and giving him inside information on your business. That's how he knew about the engagement party." Scully threw his wine glass across the room, satisfied when it shattered into a thousand pieces on the floor for Frohike to clean up. "We are going to pound them into the ground." Mulder died of humiliation when Skinner came. He raced into the bathroom, dressed and came out presentable. Skinner crossed his arms over his chest, "So, Mulder, where is Dana now?" "I guess she went home. She probably told them that... I'm a fed." Skinner took a breath, "This whole operation is over, do you know that?" "Yes." Skinner picked up the phone and dialed the agent outside the Scully house. "Jacob." "This is Skinner. Did Dana Scully arrive?" "She and her little butler made it in an hour ago. There is a group of men who've been here for hours, I have no clue who they are... they look like mob members. I can see into the house, they're all talking about something. Dana Scully was only there for a few seconds, then went upstairs." "All right, I'll check in later." Mulder bit his lower lip, "Maybe she didn't tell him-" "WHAT did you do exactly, Mulder?" Skinner was irritated. He closed his eyes, sitting back in the chair, "Sir, we spent the night up here... and she found my badge. She threw a fit. She ran out with my stuff in her bag." Skinner didn't want to think about Mulder and Dana spending the night up here, he blocked the image from his mind. "Great job, Mulder, nice to know I can count on you!" "I'm sorry." Skinner paced the room like a caged animal, "What can we do now?" "I want a chance to talk with her. I really don't believe that she snitched on me! Give me a chance-" "It's your ass, Mulder." Skinner remained frowning. "I know, Sir." Never had Dana Scully been betrayed like this. She came up to her room, closed the door and threw the dress to the floor. She remembered his hands on her and she felt dirty. She had to take a bath, she just had to. The warm water washed over her body and she let her muscles relax. Soon, the water from the bath was mixed with her own tears. She had never shared anything like this with a man before, it wasn't her first time... but it felt like real love. It wasn't the usual feeling. She let the bubbles cover her body, she almost wished he was in the tub with her. But what side was she on? Did she know? Was he going to depend on her to keep her mouth shut? If her father found out, he'd kill him! Dana had been lied to a lot in her life, but nothing like this. Never had she fallen so hard and been slapped in the face with a horrible realization... she'd been used! All she was to him was an information outlet and a warm body to fill the bed! Dana kept on telling herself this, over and over... and after the hundredth time saying it to herself, she wondered, He was so sweet with her, and she realized something that made her wince. She WAS the one who had dragged him into bed on the first night. She had wanted him, and he had come reluctantly. Scared, probably of the consequences. Dana sunk deeper into the bath water, "Damn it." He wasn't totally at fault, although she wished he was. It would have been better if he had been a hundred percent traitor! When she saw that she was going to turn into a prune, she grabbed her robe and pulled herself out of the tub. Her hair damp, she walked into her bedroom wearing only the robe and a towel in her hair. She starred back at the woman in the mirror. Was it a woman? Or a girl? A chump? A sucker? A romantic? A seductrice? Dana liked the thought of the last one, but it was just Dana Scully standing in the mirror. The cold air from the balcony swept over her skin, and she relished in the feel of it. Shedding the towel from her hair, she tossed it over the bed, letting the damp red curls fall around her face. She heard a shuffling behind her, whirling around expecting her father or someone, she was greeted with only her empty room. A strong pair of arms came around her waist, a hand covered her mouth. Dana froze, "Dana, shh, I just want to talk with you." She recognized the sweet voice, Mulder. She pulled herself away from him, "What do you want?!" She became angry all over again. "I just need to say something to you. Give me a second." She starred at him, tightening the robe around her. Mulder grabbed her arms and pulled her to him, crushing her mouth with a kiss. She pushed back at him, trying to get away. "Get out of here!" She raised her voice. Mulder pushed her to the bed, pinning her down, "I love you! I know I lied to you, it was my job! I'm a Federal officer, I have work to do." "Was I part of the work?" "No, you weren't supposed to get this close." "You mean find you out?" She snapped. "Dana, I shouldn't have gone as far as I did with you... I could control my emotions-" "You couldn't control your hormones." She cut in. "It wasn't about sex, Dana. I want to be with you. I want to protect you. You're the one always saying that you hate this life style, come with me. I'll save you from all of it." "I didn't ask for a knight in shinning armor, or an FBI agent with a badge." He leaned in closer to her, "I want to be with you... I want to make you happy." "How can I be with you when you're out to get my father!" "Dana, he isn't your father, you know he isn't!" She froze, "How did you know?" Mulder pulled himself off her, "Skinner is my superior..." "Did he send you here?!" "I had no idea that he was your father until recently. It blew my mind away! When you mentioned his name at Quinnton's, I had to know what the deal was. You weren't talking, so I got it out of him. He really loved your mother, Dana..." "I guess like mother, like daughter." She pulled herself up to her feet. He looked into her blue eyes, "Dana, he's worried about you. He and I both want you out of here. It's too dangerous, you've already been attacked!" "How can I make you understand? He may be my real father, but he wasn't the man who raised me. William Scully might be a criminal, but he took are of me... even though I wasn't his daughter. He doesn't know that I know..." "William Scully doesn't know that you know about Skinner? God... the plot turns again!" "Look, he could have just thrown me and my mother out on the street... but I truly believe he loved my mother, and that's why he loved me! He's the only father I've ever known! I don't want to hurt him!" "He's forcing you to marry Krycek!" "I'll figure a way out of that..." "Dana, please, just stay out of here until we get the situation under control." "SITUATION?" "Don't you realize that there's gonna be a gang war? People have already died! My job is to get it under control before innocent people lose their lives!" "I'm part of the mob, Fox! It's all mine, he's going to leave it all to me!" "Who said you had to take it?" He whispered. She starred up at him, "What if I do take it?" It had never occurred to him that she would take on the responsibilities of running a mob! Organized crime! "Dana, you can't!" "Turn me in, Mulder. Throw me in jail!" "You've done nothing wrong, though! It's William Scully!" "You can't put them in jail, Mulder. Not my father!" "Walter Skinner is your father!" "Walter Skinner wasn't with me when I spoke my first word. Took my first step. Solved my first problem, fell for the first time! I can't just take him as my father!" Mulder reached for her, "Dana, don't join them." "I am one of them. I was raised like this!" He ran his fingers over her cheeks and caressed her face, "Look... you are not William Scully. When this mob goes down, I'm not letting you go with them. Skinner is going to pull a thousand strings to keep you out of prison." She looked up at him, "If William Scully goes, I go." "Why are you so faithful if he's a criminal? Don't you know that what he does is wrong?" "I know it's wrong, Mulder, but compared to others... he isn't bad at all! He's a criminal, yes, but not a killer. He's never ordered anyone killed! It's Krycek and Smokey who kill!" He took her by the arms, "You have a chance to get away from everything and live a normal life... do you want to take it or not?" She collapsed into his arms, burying her face in his chest, "Yes!" He hugged her, stroking her hair, "Come on." "It's more complicated than that, Mulder!" "You were going to leave before." He pointed out. "That was BEFORE I knew that you and the rest of the fucking FBI was out to get him! I can't abandon him like this... he could have thrown me out into the street but he didn't!" "DANA! GET AWAY FROM HIM!" She threw a glance at the door, her heart plummeting to her feet. "Daddy!" He tore into the room like a tornado, he'd been listening from the other side of the door. Krycek came in behind him, looking like a solider. Mulder was thrown to the other side of the room by Krycek's strong arms. Dana watched in horror and Krycek continued to beat at Mulder, "STOP IT!" She lunged at him, trying to push him back. She was pulled back by William Scully, "Dana, no!" Mulder was dragged to his feet by Krycek, Dana looked up at him, her eyes pleading, "Alex, please don't do this." Her words fell upon deaf ears, he punched Mulder one final time. The blood was coming out from a cut on Mulder's lip, and his clothes were torn slightly. William Scully starred him in the eye, "I thought I could trust you, Mulder. Take him to the cellar." "DADDY NO!" She grabbed his arms. He pushed her back, "Stay out of it, Dana." He snapped at her. She froze, "Please... what would mom say?" "Luckily, your mother isn't alive to see what you've done!" Mulder was pushed out the door, Krycek right beside him. When William Scully left the room, he closed and locked the door behind him, trapping his daughter inside. She pounded on the wood, "Daddy! Alex! ALEX!" She stopped to listen, the sound that greeted her were Mulder's cries as he was pushed down the stairs. She beat her fist madly on the door, "STOP IT!" The hall became silent and she was alone. Quickly, she ran to get dressed. Before Margaret Scully had died, she had given her daughter a box, inside it was a card that had information about Walter Skinner. She starred at her mother's hand writing, "Mom... oh, God." Putting it in her purse, she grabbed her wallet and was out on the balcony. She tossed her purse to the ground, hearing the dull thump it made when it hit the grass. Then, she climbed over the rail to the ladder on the side of the house and made her way down. It was difficult in a dress and heels, but she managed. Snatching up her purse, she made it out the gates without being seen by anyone. Out on the street, she walked until a taxi came by, "Where to miss?" She handed him the card, "This address, I would appreciate it if you would hurry." No one had been more surprised than Skinner when she showed at his door. "Mr. Skinner?" He starred at her, she'd grown so much. A young woman, a sad look in her eyes, "Come in." He pulled her through the apartment door. She looked up at him, "I didn't really come for a social call." "Some how I guessed that." He muttered, "Would you like a drink?" "No time for that. My father and Krycek have Mulder. Last I heard, he was at the house, they're going to lock him in the cellar until they decide what they're going to do with him." Skinner dropped his wine glass, "They have Mulder?" She nodded, starring at the ground. "I didn't know what else to do. He told me that you were in charge of this whole operation and-" He took her by the shoulders, looking his daughter in the eye, "Do they know that you're gone?" "Probably do now." He bit his lower lip, thinking. She could practically see the wheels turning in his head. "All right then, I think this calls for the cavalry." He snatched up the phone and dialed quickly. Dana watched and listened to his end. "I want at least thirty agents at the Scully house. Fully armed... Mulder is in there and he's been caught." She grabbed Skinner's arm, "I don't think my father would shoot him! Krycek might...." Skinner looked down at her, "Trust me, your mother did." He continued the conversation and Dana looked out the window towards the heavens for guidance. Never had she wanted her mother's arms so much. Her mother would have known what to do... what was left for her? Mulder? Or a criminal who raised her? END of 5/? ---------- So, what is Dana to do? Of course, she must make sure that Mulder is saved... but is she going to get the happy ending? Will she make it out of this mess? Will her Mr. Scully or Krycek punish her? Is Mulder going to live long enough to be saved!!!? powder_puff@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Yes, boys and girls, this is almost the end. Stay tuned for LIFE TIMES III! It'll be interesting! Disclaimer in part I. MSR MSR MSR ----------- Mulder sat in the dark, Krycek was on the other side of the room, Mr. Scully was sitting down at a table in the corner of the wine cellar. The two mobsters switched on the lights. Mulder squinted, his body was aching and crying out every time he moved! Mr. Scully got up from his seat and paced in front of Mulder, "What did you say to Dana?" He remained silent. Krycek brought out a bat, "I'll break your bones, Mulder, for touching her! How could you even THINK that-" "She hates you, Krycek! She wanted me, she didn't want to marry you!" Scully shook his head, "We were doing what was good for her, don't you ever touch my daughter!" "He isn't going to live long enough to see her again." Krycek hissed under his breath. Scully whirled around to stare at Krycek, "We'll see." Mulder prayed to God or any other heavenly forces that might be listening. He wasn't ready to die, he had always said he was.... but now that he was faced with it, he decided he needed more time to prepare! "Who sent you?" Nothing. "Are you really an FBI agent?" Nothing. "Do you work with Danny Parker?" Nothing. Mulder didn't answer any of the questions and finally William Scully got tired of asking them over and over. Krycek tied Mulder up in the chair, "Sweet dreams, buster." He walked upstairs and locked the door behind him, leaving Mulder alone in the darkness. It was cold and damp in the wine cellar. Skinner had said that this was where Margaret Scully had hidden him... there was a door some where! Danny Parker smoked his cigar, looking back at Smokey, AKA Clark Ashley. "You know what would really put you on the top, Dan?" The cigarette smoking man sat down on the sofa, leaning back. "What?" So far, old Smokey had helped him a lot. He had Scully shaking in his boots! "His daughter is the most precious thing in the world to him..." "We already had her attacked! What else can I do?" "Another threat on her life. He'll come here, looking for you. And when he does, your men will jump him and take his people down." "And what if he doesn't come looking for me? He didn't exactly respond to the last threat! Even after Dana Scully got slashed in the alley, he didn't come after me." "You ruined the engagement party... did you know that Klap is dead?" Dan seemed surprised by this new set of information, "WHAT?" "I'm sorry, Krycek killed him. His own apartment, too. I didn't think Krycek could work that fast, he has a soft spot for Scully's daughter." Danny Parker fell into his chair, "Oh, my God." "It's a dangerous business, Dan, you're going to lose a few lives. Put in another threat, and he'll walk right into the trap." Danny nodded his head, "Right... another threat." Mulder remained locked in the cellar all night. In the morning, he heard glass shattering and foot steps pounding above him. He hadn't been able to get out of the ropes and chains, so he was still stuck! Krycek started shouting at the top of his lungs from upstairs, "If we don't take him down now, he's going to destroy us!" "Calm down, Krycek!" Scully snapped at him, his voice booming. A few other men started talking, and then everything became silent. Mulder heard Scully walking down to the cellar, a gun in his hand. "I don't want him in the house with Dana, Joey, Philip... get rid of him. You know what to do." Before Mulder knew what was happening, Philip had knocked him over the had with his gun, and Mulder gratefully sunk into blackness. Krycek was scribbling down an address, "Here is where Danny Parker is. We go in, break his bones and get out!" "Nothing is as easy as it sounds, Krycek." Scully took out a cigar. "We can't trust Clark Ashley." Kryeck said. "Now what?" "They made another threat this morning..." "On Dana?" "Yes, on Dana." "Well, if she stays locked up in the house, they can't get to her. So it's fine." "Unless they feel like stepping onto my property!" Scully slammed his fist on the desk. Krycek was exhausted, "I don't think we need to worry." Holly started beating on the office door madly, "Sir! Sir!" "WHAT?" The little maid was getting on his nerves. ["She's gone, Sir!" "Who?" Krycek sat up. "Your daughter, she isn't in her room! I wanted her to eat breakfast and she wasn't there!" Scully grabbed a stack of papers and shredded them with his hands, "FIND HER!" This was the moment the whole city had been waiting for. Skinner led his small army of agents into the White Feather Club, Scully had been seen going inside. "I want this place surrounded. No one gets in and out. Make sure that all exits are covered." Orders were followed to the letter and within fifteen minutes, the place was secure. Skinner took a deep breath and stormed into the club, "FBI! Everyone put your hands up!" The dancing girls cried out and all huddled into a corner. Five men stood up with Tommy Guns, firing mercilessly at the FBI agents! They ducked and returned fire, it was going down tonight, and Skinner was going to shut it all down. He wasn't leaving until it was over. "Spare them if you can!" He told his agents. Scully came out to see what was happening, seeing the FBI agents, he quickly retreated into the back room. Agent Wills stood up, firing into the crowd of gangsters, bringing down two of men with Tommy Guns. Skinner crawled on the floor, everyone else had hidden under tables. He made his way to the doors and slipped through, half a dozen agents with him. He was going after Scully. A door slammed from the right and Skinner kicked it open, "FBI! Put your hands up!" A teenage boy looked up, like a scared puppy. "I'm sorry!" Skinner put his gun down, "Who are you?" "Fizzy." Mulder had often talked about Fizzy. Skinner turned around and four men stood there, guns pointed at the FBI agents. Among these four were Krycek and Scully. Skinner came face to face with the big man himself. Scully. In the flesh. This was the man who had raised his daughter. And obviously, Scully recognized Skinner. "Bastard." He reached for his weapon. He wasn't quick enough, he was disarmed in seconds and thrown to the floor. Driven by his anger, Skinner jumped the other man and pounded his body into the ground, when Krycek went to help his boss, he was handcuffed and disarmed. "Easy, boys." Skinner said. While wanted men were being arrested and taken into custody, Skinner came out triumphantly with Scully. He felt his heart swell, but the moment was short lived, because the first thing that came out of Scully's mouth was, "If Margaret loved you, she would have left me. But she didn't." Skinner sometimes doubted Margaret's feelings for him, but now was not the time to go over it. "Get him out of here." Mulder sat silently in the back of the car, his two guards sitting around him. "Where are we going?" He finally asked. "Shut up." "I'm not going to live, am I?" He tried to sound light hearted. "Shut the fuck up!" Mulder decided now was the time to hold his tongue. They must have been driving for what seemed like an hour. His gun and badge were taken away and the car stopped. He was dragged out by the two men and he could feel sand under his feet. That was his first thought, then he figured that they'd leave him here to find his own way home! "Where are we?" He started to panic. "Still in the city, pal, take a nap." He was pounded over the head with something hard. The pain splintered through his head and he fell to the ground. Skinner starred Scully in the eye, "Where is Mulder?" "Where is my daughter?" Scully snapped back. "She's MY daughter, pal, don't ever call her a Scully." "Is she really your daughter? I don't think you'll be wining any father of the year awards." "And you will?" "At least I was with her for the past decade!" Skinner snapped a pencil in his fingers, "You are already in trouble, Scully, don't add kidnapping to the list of charges." "I don't have him." "Where is he?" "I have no idea." "What happened to him?" "Krycek had him taken care of." Skinner went stiff, and Scully had a small smile of satisfaction on his face. Skinner pounded his hand on the desk, "Give him to me!" A flash of red passed in the window and Dana entered, standing strong in the doorway. Skinner stood up, "Dana, get out of here." Scully reached his arms out to her, "Come here, princess." To Skinner's surprise, she raced into his arms, "Dad... I can't stand to see you like this." Walter Skinner couldn't believe his eyes! He felt as if he'd been hit in the chest! It hurt, to see her running to a criminal and calling him 'dad.' Skinner silently left the room, leaving the rest to the other agents in charge. Dana was given two minutes with him, then dragged out. "Daddy, what are you going to do?" "That doesn't matter, angel, you just stay out of trouble. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that you aren't put on the stand." "I want to! They can't just drag you off!" "They will if they're given the chance. Sweet heart, just stay low." "I'm staying with Skinner..." She said softly. He wasn't surprised by this bit of information, "You're still my little girl." He said simply. She smiled at him, "You'll be out in no time, right?" "Of course, I'm William Scully! Watch out for the feds, Dana, I don't want them using you against me. I doubt that Skinner would do anything to put you in prison." "He's a good man." She said softly. Scully touched her cheek, "How did you know?" "That you weren't my real father? Mom told me." Scully closed his eyes and sighed, "About the Mulder issue-" "Please, tell me where he is." He looked into the blue oceans of her eyes, the pout that he never was able to resist. "Dana, I can 't." "He's a Federal Agent, Dad. The last thing you need is another murder charge. Mulder is innocent... he was doing his job." "That job was to put me behind bars, Dana!" "Don't do this, Dad." Scully rested his head on his hand, "I had them take him to Carleson Avenue to dump him." "Dead?" She bit her lower lip. "It was up to them, he's probably still alive." Dana stood up, "Don't take the blame for everything, Dad. Make sure Krycek gets what he deserves!" Skinner entered again, two agents took Dana and led her outside. "Give me another second." "Dana, you already bent a rule, get out of here." Skinner said softly. She turned to look at William Scully one final time, "Bye." "I'll see you, soon." He choked a laugh. Dana fled from the building and got a taxi. "Carleson Avenue, hurry." "Scully and his people have been arrested." Smokey rasped as he took a cigarette. Parker laughed, "Wonderful news. I'm in the clear, I own this town!" Smokey was surprised he didn't jump up to do a victory dance! "Don't count on it. Scully is powerful. To show this town that you're top dog, you make Scully shake. Bring him to his knees." "His daughter." Parker said. Danny Parker was like a trained pup, he did tricks, much to Smokey's satisfaction. "Exactly. Do what I suggested, and by tomorrow, this city is yours." He got up, "and the shipment of guns will be in by dawn." Jessica Wellcott was a grandmother of four girls, darling little angels in her opinion. Every day for the past fifty years, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Until today, when she found the unconscious man behind her dumpster. "Oh, my God!" He stirred, and she was relived to discover that he was still alive. Judging from the way he was dressed, she guessed he was a businessman of some type. "Sir? Are you all right?" He touched the back of his head and brought it back bleeding, "Oh, shit!" Usually she would have been upset when men decided to swear in front of her, but she couldn't blame this one! "Come on, you have to get to a doctor." She struggled to help him stand. She called for her driver and they were off to the hospital. He starred out the window, in a total daze. "Do you know what your name is?" She expected him to have amnesia or something. "Fox Mulder." She smiled, "That's a name? No, what's your REAL name?" "That IS my real name." He leaned his head against the glass. She sighed, "Oh." Mulder's head shot up, "Oh, no!" "What? Are you bleeding again?" "Dana! I have to go, stop this car!" "No son, you need a doctor." She insisted. Mulder starred at the old woman, "I'm a Federal Agent! FBI, let me out of this car! I have important business." "I think you were hit harder than I thought." She murmured. Mulder was forced into the hospital and he blanked again, falling into deep sleep. Dana got out of taxi. The alley was empty and Mulder was no where to be found. "Fox..." Her eyes fell on drops of blood and her stomach lurched, "Oh, no." She leaned against a brick wall for support. The taxi driver had left, too scared to stay on this part of town for so long. She slid down to her knees, "Fox, oh no, Fox." She closed her eyes and let the tears slip through her lashes. She was oblivious to the foot steps walking towards her, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. What had William Scully done? She was too late. She cursed everything under the son, from William Scully to the mob to the FBI. A strong hand touched her shoulder, "Stand up." She looked up to see a tall blond man, "What?" "Get up!" He shoved the gun into her stomach. She gasped, letting him drag her to her feet. "Get in the car." He pointed to the packard limo. A man stepped out of it, wearing an expensive suit and hat. "Miss Scully, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Danny Parker." Her eyes went wide, this was not good! "What do you want?" "Just you, darling." He pushed her into the car. Dana didn't bother to scream or struggle, there were three of them and one of her. She acted strong, but inside she was turning to mush. She prayed for Fox. She prayed that Skinner would come looking for her. At this point, she would be happy to see Krycek racing into the scene. No one came for her, she was now on her own. Skinner turned when Agent Mark called him. "Sir, Mulder is on the phone." Scully smiled, "Amazing that he isn't a splatter on the pavement." Skinner ignored him and raced to the phone, "Mulder, where the fuck are you?" "I got knocked out some where...this old woman dragged me to a hospital. Where is Dana?" Skinner looked around, "She ran out of here a while ago... I really don't know where she is." "Find her, I don't want her running around." "Right, I'll track her down." The conversation continued a bit more, and Skinner sent for someone to get Mulder from the hospital. Scully looked up at him, "Dana went to Carleson Avenue." Skinner wasn't sure if he should believe him or not, but he sent a few agents out there anyway, just in case. Dana was dragged into her house, it was deserted surprisingly. "Why?" She asked Parker. He grinned, "The men swarming around here were mine, not Feds. Is everything in place?" He asked the tall blond man, he was called 'Joker.' "Yeah, it's taken care of." Parker and Joker took Dana down the steps to the cellar, she screamed. "No! Please! I'll do anything!" She fought to scramble back up, but only slipped on the stairs. She fell down a few steps and was hauled to her feet by Joker, "Shut up." He told her, throwing her into a chair. "Easy, Joker, we don't want to kill her before we can blow her up." A deep voice said from the corner of the cellar. Dana smelled the smoke, and knew who it was. He came into the light, switching on a hanging bulb, "We don't want her totally in the dark, it would be too scary for the poor thing. Make sure you're four blocks away before the explosion." Dana was tied and handcuffed, "These, Miss Scully, are Mulder's cuffs. You do know Mulder, I believe." She choked, "What's going on?" He smiled at her, touching her soft cheek, "You, Miss Scully, are going to be used to show the world who's boss. You should be proud." The three stood up and walked out, leaving her alone in the dim room. She screamed, "PLEASE! I'll give you anything!" "Yes, you will." Danny Parker said before walking out of ear shot. She couldn't believe it. She closed her eyes and prayed, At one point, she wished for her mother to come and rescue her, stranger things have been known to happen. Mulder was picked up by one of the agents and taken to Skinner. "Did you find Dana?" Skinner was covered with sweat, and Scully sat alone in the interrogation room, looking as if the world had ended. "Sir?" "Mulder, we got this letter. For Scully." He handed him the paper. Scully, Sorry to do this, remember it's nothing personal. Just business. You'll see your little girl again in hell. It's a show everyone will be hearing about, 6:00 AM she goes! The letter was not signed by Scully had known it was from Parker and Smokey. Mulder raced into the interrogation room, he was bruised and battered, but still going. "What do you know?" He looked up, a sad pair of eyes swimming in sorrow. "The bastard has her for sure. No one has seen Dana since this morning. We only have tonight to find her." "Where do you think he'll take her?" Scully shrugged, "I have no idea. Search the club, any of my businesses." Mulder whirled around to Skinner, "Come on." Skinner turned to someone behind him, "Lock him up and no one goes near him until I get back." The night air was thick and hot. Every one of Scully's club was checked, even the White Feather Club. Nothing. Where else should we go?" Skinner and Mulder were riding in the same car, Skinner asked the question. "I have no clue." Mulder sighed. The radio turned on, "Sir, Agents Wilson and Terrante haven't reported back yet. Neither have any of the other men posted around the Scully Estate." Mulder stopped the car for a second, "We never checked the house. If those agents never reported in... she might be there." Skinner snatched up the radio, "All Agents report to the Scully estate, now!" END of 6/7 ---------- Dana is trapped, will she make it out before it's too late? Who will save her? Stay tuned! power_puff@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Final part... Don't worry, you have the III story to look forward to! Half a dozen men had set the explosives around the house, plus they were starting a fire. Dana could smell the smoke and the panic in her heart hit overload. She closed her eyes and prepared herself. This was it, she wasn't going to make it. After the explosive had been rigged, Danny Parker's men got into their cars and drove a few blocks to watch the fire works. The FBI came in time to see them driving off, Skinner sent four cars filled with agents after them. The fire was so bright that the night had almost become day. "DANA!" Skinner raced to the house, Mulder charging in after him. Authorities were called to put out the fire, but Skinner covered his face with his sleeve and raced into the burning house. The heat was very intense, it was like walking on the surface of the sun! "DANA!" Mulder cried out, searching frantically. He couldn't lose her, not like this! Dana sat in the now warm cellar, her heart pounding in her ears. "FOX! Skinner! Someone help me!" She cried, the tears streaming down. Forget being strong, she just wanted to live! Mulder stood in the burning kitchen, hearing the noise. "Down there!" He himself had been locked in the cellar, so he knew his way around in it. The door was bolted some how, and when Skinner touched the handle, his hand was burned. He cursed, "Kick it open, Mulder!" Mulder took out his gun and fired at the lock, then kicking it open, the smoke pouring into the room. "Dana?" The lights were now out, and she was screaming from where she was tied up against a table. "Fox! FOX!" He took out a pocket knife and cut her free, "Come on, angel." He lifted her up into his arms, she held onto his neck. Mulder was about to lead them back through the fire, but Dana called out to him. "There is a door, there!" Skinner pushed aside a piece of furniture that blocked their escape and threw the door open. What he saw was the familiar back garden, where he had made his escape decades before. Blocking out the memory, he helped Mulder get through the steps, and raced out behind them... leaving the Scully Estate burning into ashes. The other agents watched anxiously as their supervisor and Mulder came out, the young Miss Scully in his arms. "EVERYONE GET BACK!" Someone shouted. All agents took refuge behind their cars, Mulder gently placed Dana down on the pavement, her skin was slightly burned and she had her face buried in his chest. When the explosion went off, he shielded her with his body, keeping the debris from falling on her delicate skin. "Dana?" he whispered. She pulled back, closing her eyes, "Oh..." Skinner was at her side, "Are you all right?" She nodded, wiping her tears away, throwing her arms around Skinner, "Thank you for coming for me." He hugged her back, "Let's get you to a hospital." The other agents were busy instructing the fire department, and an ambulance came to carry Dana off. Skinner went with her, and Mulder returned to FBI headquarters in his car. It was finally over, wasn't it? Maybe not, Danny Parker was still on the lose, however, Mulder didn't want to be the one to round his gang up. He was too tired already. He walked in, demanding to see Scully, "Did you find her?" His voice was anxious, fearful. "We got her, she's in the hospital. Sorry about the house..." Mulder looked down at the ground. "It doesn't matter as long as she made it out." He collapsed onto his make shift bed. Mulder starred at him, this man was a criminal... but he was human. And he was a father. And he had once been a husband. Mulder turned away and decided to see Dana at the hospital. She might want to talk to him. TWO MONTHS LATER: Dana starred up at Skinner, who walked with her to the cemetery. "I used to come here every day." She whispered, starring down at Margaret's grave. He nodded, "I know, I used to watch you." She gently placed the roses around the grave, "So, is the trial really going to start tomorrow?" "Yes, and Scully refuses to let his lawyers call you to the stand. And he's pulling strings to keep you off the stand all together." "Am I going to be in trouble?" She had to ask. Was she going to spend a life in prison? Skinner put an arm around her shoulder, "You didn't do anything wrong, Dana, you were a witness to it all...but you never did anything wrong. Perhaps they could have gotten you as an accessory, but I won't let them." She leaned against him, "I wish that none of this had happened. I don't understand why he decided organized crime was his deal." "Some people take 'the easy way out'. But it doesn't matter now, you should put it behind you. What happened to Mulder?" "Oh, he's waiting by the car." "You two are spending a lot of time together." Skinner arranged the flowers around the stone. She smiled, "He asked me to marry him..." Skinner stopped and looked up, it wasn't surprising. Not at all, really. "Well, did you say yes?" She shook her head, "I haven't decided yet. I have mixed feelings on everything these days." "He's a good man, I have to say that. And he cares." "I know. He's very sweet, really." "So, now what are you going to do?" Skinner finished his arrangement and looked back to admire his work. The red and pink roses were Margaret's favorites. "I really don't know. What do you think I should do?" "Here comes Mulder, I'll see you back at the house." He kissed her cheek and walked to his car. Mulder looked so handsome, coming up the grassy hill with his black suite. "Dana?" She reached for his hand, "Yes?" "Um.. how are you feeling?" "Fine." She laughed, "I wish my mother could have met you, she would have liked you." Mulder gave her hand a squeeze, "Are you ready to go home?" Out of nowhere, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled his face down to hers, pressing her lips against his in a harsh kiss. He let out a whimper, "Dana!" She slipped her hands into his jacket, "You're so cute, Fox." She kissed his neck. He starred at her, she never ceased to amaze him! "What?" "Yes." "Huh?" "The answer to your proposal, if it's still on the table." She started walking back towards the car. He starred in shock, "DANA?" She smiled at him from yards away, "Let's go to your apartment, Fox." He smiled and raced after her, "I... you're sure? You won't change your mind?" "I'm positive." "This isn't just because I saved your life?" He laughed. She raised a brow, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to get me to refuse the proposal." "NO! Don't you even think about it!" He took her hand and helped her into the car. He touched her- cheek, giving her a soft kiss. "Love you." She grinned, "Get in the car and you can show me in the apartment." END ------ I'm glad it's over, stay tuned for Life Times III! If you liked this one, send all comments, feedback and ideas to powder_puff@hotmail.com I love e-mail and would apreciate it if you would write 2 me! TEASER: Back when they were little kids, Mulder, Scully and Krycek became best friends and have stayed best friends through out their entire lives. Now, Scully has gotten engaged to a lawyer and Mulder makes the mistake of getting her pregnant. With her whole life crashing around her, can she forgive the man who's been her best friend for the past two decades? Is she going to get the fairy tale ending? With Krycek's support and advice, can this pair make it?