Soft

By:  banlu
banlutoo@yahoo.com


Date written:  November 5, 2005

Rating:  PG

Category:  Romance

Keywords:  MSR

Summary:  Glimpses of Mulder.

Archive:  Ephemeral and Gossamer.  Anyone else, please ask.

Comments: Written for mimic117's and bellefleur's combo
          birthday challenge.  Requirements as follows:

          Deadline: November 7 (that's our birthday!
          Coincidentally, we're both turning 30 this year!)

          The Challenge: Mulder, Scully or both undercover
          in a situation where you'd never expect to find
          them. (See "Failure to Die" by Kel or "Thank You,
          Drive Around" by nevdull for examples)

          The Elements:

          1. Short and sweet, just like us
             (word limit, 1000 or less)
          2. The story must incorporate the line, "I
             realize the importance of this assignment, but
             I refuse to wear THAT." It can either be used
             as a line of dialog spoken to someone else or
             internal exposition. If you wish to use a
             different POV, adjust pronouns accordingly. We
             aren't going to be *that* picky.
          3. Smut is optional but appreciated if
             appropriate.  

Disclaimer:  No matter how hard I wish, they aren't mine.

Thanks:  To aka Jake for the beta, since I couldn't let my
         wonderful beta mims see this before her birthday!

Dedication:  To mims and belle on their *cough, cough* 30th
             birthdays.

Author's notes:  So I missed by 40 words. - You decide
                 which ones I should have left out.   ; )

Feedback:  banlutoo@yahoo.com




Soft
by banlu


Mulder's soft lips closed around the fork, pressing against
the tines as the utensil slipped from his mouth, leaving a
piece of wedding cake behind.  They parted slightly as he
chewed, then were licked clean by his wet tongue sliding
along first the upper, then the lower.  Scully sat and
watched, fascinated by the way they pursed as they touched
the rim of the glass for a quick sip of champagne.  Another
lick, then they turned towards her and stretched into a
smile before beginning to move.

She realized they were forming words.

"Scully?  Are you all right?" she heard them murmur.

It seemed to take forever for her gaze to follow his long
nose up to his eyes.  They were smiling at her too,
crinkling around the edges and twinkling in the ballroom
lights.  When they looked down at the table in front of
her, she tilted her head, the black and white blur of
Mulder's tuxedo rushing by dizzyingly until she was able to
focus on the clump of champagne flutes before her.

She was drunk, she realized.

Mulder's gentle hand took her arm and she turned to see
those soft lips just inches from her face, whispering,
"Let's get you home."

She kissed them.

And they kissed her back as softly as they looked, tasting
of champagne and icing, with a warm wetness that seemed to
liquefy her whole body.  When they pulled away with a quiet
smack, she opened her eyes.  When had she closed them?  It
didn't matter.  His lips were smiling again.

"We really need to get you home," they said as his hand
helped her to her feet.

"But Mulder, what about the case?" she protested as his arm
slipped hers through it.

"It's over, remember?  They caught the stalker at the
church while the pictures were being taken."  His chest
rumbled against her ear. She hadn't noticed she was leaning
against him, but now that she thought about it, his waist
felt good under her arm.

His hand on her shoulder gently pushed her upright and
steadied her.  His arm held hers tightly as they took the
long walk out the door.

"I gotta pee."  She giggled.  Then she giggled again
because she found it funny that she had giggled.

"Not surprising," rumbled Mulder's chest.  But Scully was
surprised to find she was leaning against him again.

"Okay, here we go," his chest said as they stopped.

Scully looked up and saw those soft lips ask, "Think you
can do this by yourself?"

"Of course!" she said as she squared her shoulders.  She
pushed through the restroom door and blinked at the bright
lights of the sitting area.  A flash of fuchsia caught her
eye.  She turned and saw a poofy-shouldered, crinoline-
skirted monstrosity of a dress, with ribbons and beads and
a big ol' flower at the waist.  She giggled.

And then she realized she was looking in a mirror.

The case came tumbling back to her.  The senator's daughter
being stalked.  Her being chosen to go undercover as one of
the dozen bridesmaids.  Mulder going as an usher.  Her
incredulity at there even being a dozen bridesmaids.

And what she said to Skinner when she saw the dress.

"Sir, I realize the importance of this assignment, but I
refuse to wear THAT."

Scully didn't know she had yelled for Mulder until he
appeared beside her in the mirror, all long and lean
elegance next to her short 'n poofy fuchsia-ness,    
his brow creased with worry.

"Get me out of this dress," she commanded as she fumbled
for the zipper.

"Not here,"  His warm hands covered hers.  

She tugged down, he tugged back up.

"I need to get out of this dress," she cried, tugging
again.

Mulder leaned over her from behind, his lips brushing her
ear as he whispered, "Let's wait until we get you home."

She shivered as images of Mulder's bare skin filled her
head.  She spun in his arms and puckered her lips, grabbing
his lapels and standing on tiptoe as she tried to reach his
lips for another kiss.  When she did, they were as warm as
she remembered, but they broke it off in a second, his hand
firmly taking her arm and marching her toward the door.

"Let's get out of here."

Scully woke to a throbbing head and an icky mouth, and a
large fuchsia blob on the foot of her bed.  She stumbled to
the bathroom, not noticing she was still in her slip and
pantyhose until she had to struggle with the hose before
she could pee.  Coming out, she saw Mulder lying on her
couch, eyes gleaming in the dark.  She made it to the sofa
arm and sat down.

"Hi." he said.  "You all right?"

She nodded, then grabbed her head and groaned.  "Well, as
long as I stay still."

Mulder sat up, a warm smile on his face.  "Sounds like a
plan."

He stood and moved close to her.  "I better be going."

She rubbed his arm.  "Stay."

He looked into her eyes for a moment before shaking his
head.  "Not a good idea right now."

He took her elbow and escorted her to her bed.  He went
into the bathroom and came out with a glass of water.  
"Drink this.  You know how dehydrating alcohol is."

He sat next to her as she drank half a glass, elbows
bumping. After she put the glass down, she turned and saw
him staring at her lips.

"I better go," he said.  Before he could leave, she leaned
over and kissed him, and he kissed her back, harder than
before. His lips slid across hers, fiery hot this time, his
wet tongue flicking behind to cool the burns.  Her tongue
chased his, but never connected before he pulled away.

"Not like this," he said, his gaze serious.

"I know."

He paused on his way out the door.  "Get some sleep.  I'll
see you on Monday, okay?"

"Okay."

She waited until she heard him close the front door before
lying back and shutting her eyes.  She ran her fingers
across her lips, remembering the warm softness of their
first kiss.

And smiled at the promises his lips made with the last one.

end