Title : 2 CLOSE FOR COMFORT (1/1) Author : Shinkai E-mail Address: shinkai@mlode.com Rating : R + (for sexual situations) Classification : SH Spoilers : none Keywords : Scully/Mulder friendship ;UST Summary : Mulder and Scully get close, in a physcial sense, during a stake out but Mulder rapidly discovers how hard it is to keep his distance. Especially against a conspiracy of red Mustangs, wild fantasies, a stubborn bathroom door and voices in his head WARNING: Flying innuendoes ahead ! Intro: This is fun, useless junk. Little bits of M/S bonding, lots of Mulder UST. Born from writing too many sex scenes trying to find new ways to discribe the aroused male sex organ and the typical action in such a scene. It’s one of those “maybe, could have happened, early 5th season “ kind of stories. Non-shippers proceed with caution Disclaimer: Most of characters and situations in this story are not the legal property of the author or her agents. Their use is not intended to be an infringement to the rights of the legal owners. Use and distribution of this story is for non-commercial entertainment purposes only. 2 CLOSE FOR COMFORT Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were used to strange assignments but this was the first time they had been asked to sit together in a car in a secluded spot and make-out, all in the line of duty. Actually, they were only suppose to pretend to be a couple preoccupied with backseat co-ed wrestling to act as a decoy for the perpetrators of a series of violent car jackings who preferred to take victims in a compromised position. However, Mulder was rapidly discovering that even pretending led to some positions that made concentrating on the stake out difficult. While poor Scully, the consummate professional, was busy trying to see out of the windows which were all steamed up for some reason. As they wondered why they had gotten themselves into this awkward arrangement, they recalled the events of earlier that day... During the mission briefing, Mulder stood beside Scully, whispering in her ear in response to announcements made by Special Agent Holden, the Agent in Charge, to the group. It irritated the AIC to the point were he stopped the entire briefing to ask that question that every elementary school kid hates to hear. “Agent Mulder, would you like to share your remarks with the rest of the class?” Scattered laughter among the two dozen agents gathered for the briefing only accentuated the embarrassment. Scully was determined not to bare the brunt of any more ‘Mrs. Spooky’ jokes. “I apologize Agent Holder, but we didn’t ask for this assignment. We have our own case load to manage.” Holden grunted, “Don’t worry. I’m sure the little gray men won’t invade tonight.” Scully’s face turned a shade to match her hair but the AIC continued. “But these car jackers have struck six times in the last ten days. I hope you don’t think it’s unreasonable of the Bureau to ask it male-female field teams to assist in this stake out as decoys?’ Mulder had learned to ignore the teasing about the X-Files from other agents but he really hated it when they poked fun at her, especially after all her hard work trying to officially criticize his work. Despite what some might think, her constant second guessing of his ideas had endeared her to him as could only happen between true partners. So before she could answer, Mulder jumped to her defense with both feet. Unfortunately, at least one foot was in his mouth. “Agent Scully and I are aware of what’s expected from our performance in the field but I’m not certain you can imagine what we might uncover out there.” Scully shut him up before it got any worst. “What Agent Mulder is TRYING to say, is that he thinks he can expose something much larger than you anticipated...” She quickly realized that didn’t sound much better. “That is, Agent Mulder believes he has something...” She gave up at this point. By now most of the room was on the verge on bursting out into laughter and Agent Holden was hot with anger. “What in God’s name are you trying to say?” he demanded. Mulder finally spoke in a manner befitting of his status. “I believe you’ve made some serious misjudgments in the profile of the car jackers.” All the good humor left the room and a dead stare crossed the room from the AIC. Mulder continued undaunted. “Despite the outward appearance, these attacks are NOT sexual in nature and are NOT random. The victims were chosen not because the attackers are voyeurs but because they are smart enough to know how easily surprised an occupied couple would be. The brutally attacks do not reflect animalistic instincts but rather an effective way to instill terror in the victims, avoiding any resistance. The cars taken were all vehicles highly valued on the black market for parts.” Scully gave him an approving smile while the rest of the room regarded him with a collective frown. Holden asked “And on what do you base your profile, Agent Mulder?” “Just the evidence of record, Sir.” he answered, then added, “I took the liberty of checking into other recent missing vehicle reports. Seven other cars which fall into this category have been reported missing in the last two week, all reported by married men while on a night they were working late, visiting a friend or otherwise not at home.” Holden stared at him with a burning fury of outrage. “Are you implying there were victims of similar attacks but...” “...but didn’t reported it as a car jacking because it occurred during an act of infidelity.” Mulder finished smartly. He folded his arms and stood fast against the expected onslaught. To his pleasure, he realized Scully had taken the same stance, ready to defend him if needed. They were both surprised when the response came from the side of the room near the door. It was Skinner who had dropped in at the core of the debate. “So Agent Mulder, provided your profile is accurate, which they often are, how would you approach this stake out?” Skinner asked Mulder directly, ignoring Holden and his agents. Shocked that he had an ally in high places, Mulder blurted out “Well, Sir, I’d arrange to get cars which fit the profile and instruct the decoys to...uh... look distracted.” Even Skinner frowned. “The cars have been arranged for tonight already but I’m sure Agent Holden will consider it for the next stake out. As for the behavior of the agent pairs, I’ll leave that to their discretion.” “But, Sir…” Mulder protested until Scully elbowed him sharply, indicating not to push his luck. “Thank you.” he concluded giving Scully a sharp elbow back in spite. Holden was none to happy at being told what to do by the AD but at least he got the satisfaction of watching Mulder and Scully fighting quietly in the back of the room under the watchful gaze of the entire surveillance team. He wondered just how much ‘discretion’ this pair would show in the privacy of a backseat, and if he could get them busted for it. That evening Mulder showed up and requested to use his own vehicle for the stake out as it fit the profile. Unwilling to argue the point any further, Holden agreed and had the team install the surveillance camera on the roof and wired the interior for sound. Since the attackers approached on foot, the surveillance crew had to be out of actual visual range to make the target seem more isolated. Scully was surprised when Mulder pulled up in a red Mustang. She whistled in appreciation. He smiled as if the appreciated was meant for him. “So who did you steal this car from?” She asked as she slipped into the passenger’s seat. “Frohike. And don’t ask what I have to do in return.” he replied. “As long as I’m not involved.” she remarked. “Uh...well not directly...” he mumbled under his breath. “Mulder! Just what did you promise that dirty old man?” she asked indignantly. “Hey, Frohike isn’t that old. His hair is just thinning and his waist is expanding.” he replied in a sort-of defense for his friend. “Never mind. We’ll discuss it later. In the meantime...” She ran her hand along the dashboard and seats in a way he wouldn’t have minded being handled himself but when she started to finger the gear shift knob, he broke into a cold sweat. Choking on a brain full of subliminal images, Mulder asked, “So what do you think?” “Nice, “ she purred “1967 GTA, V8. A dream car, Mulder.“ He smiled to her with surprise on his face at her apparent knowledge of the car’s lineage and potential. “I think I just got very turned on.” She brushed off his remark and explained “Two brothers and on the road a lot.” Unfortunately Mulder REALLY was ‘very turned on’ and had a whole evening of her company ahead of him, trying to remember what discrete meant.... So there they were, in a tiny backseat. Even though the front seats were pushed forward, there wasn’t much room to maneuver. Mulder had suggested they move their weapons to someplace they could reach quickly while pretending to be in an amorous embrace. With his holster just behind her left hip and hers in the small of his back, under his trench coat, they wrestled around trying to find a comfortable position while they waited. The surveillance crew listened in, thoroughly entertained by their antics. “Mulder !” she scolded. “Why don’t you just relax? You're shoving me off the seat with your thigh.” “There, Scully. Try moving your leg here... OW ! Not there.” “Sorry. There. How’s that?” Silence. “Mulder? How does that feel?” In a strained voice, he answered, “Uh...you’d better move. Just do it slowly, OK?” They heard a stifled masculine moan as she shifted again. “This isn’t working, Mulder. Let me lay back on the edge of the seat...like this... and you can get on top and to the side a little...” His voice tightened “Scully, I...I don’t think this is a good idea.” “Can you reach your weapon?” She yelped “Your hands are cold...and it’s lower down.” “Got it!” he gasped. “I think if I move my hips just a bit...” A slight grunt followed by a sigh of relief. “Mulder, are you all right?” she asked with concern. Silence. “Mulder? Is this position going to work?” “Huh?” he replied abruptly as if woken suddenly. “Everything is just where it needs to be.” he finally groaned. The surveillance crew could practically hear his hard-on pressing into God knows what part of Scully’s anatomy, although she acted total oblivious to his predicament. The video feedback had finally stopped bouncing but they could still hear his heavy breathing. They were monitoring 2 other pairs of agents but no one was putting out as good as show as the ‘Spooky’ couple. Now they had wished they had rigged a camera inside the car as well as outside. Mulder wanted desperately to move his body against hers but he knew that would bring shame, embarrassment and disciplinary action upon him, not to mention a messy orgasm. It wasn’t the first time he’d been aroused by her presence. After all she was very ‘hot’, as Frohike put it. But even more than the physical attraction, she was everything else he could ever want in a mate. Intelligent, devoted, caring and dead serious when it came to business. He wondered if it was really possible for her to ignore the red-hot poker pressing into her hip. Apparently it was, as she stayed calm and still, focused on the window. She rested her hand on her weapon, holstered on his back, her fingertips relaxed just above the spot they need to be to tease his ass. Her intense presence occupied the whole of his brain except the small corner that reminded him he was on duty. The strain of staying stiff, or rather staying still, made Mulder start to shake from fatigue and frustration. Mistaking the reaction as shivering from the cold, Scully pulled him closer to close the gaps of cold air between them. “Is that better?” she asked innocently. He shook harder trying to deal with the hormonal onslaught she was instigating. Thinking he needed more warmth she started to rub against him. That’s when she finally noticed his aroused state. But by then it was too late. Mulder heard a voice scream in his head to watch out. To move with caution and keep his eyes open because it was coming. Then he realized the voice was Agent Holden’s, transmitted through an ear piece that as part of the surveillance gear. His total attention shifted to the window and the impending attack by the car jackers. With the conscious control gone, his hips began to push into his partner of their own accord. “Mulder, what the hell do you...” she screamed. “Quiet!” he shushed. “They’re out there.” She knew he wasn’t talking about aliens so she withdrew her weapon and rested it against his buttocks. With her total concentration on the window that was about to be shattered by the attackers, she didn’t notice the fact that her leg had settled into a steady rhythm rubbing against Mulder’s thigh. All this movement made the car rock, blurring the view of the surveillance crew so they ordered the strike team to move but it also distracted the car jackers who hesitated just long enough to let the two agent inside get ready. The windows on each side of the car shattered simultaneously. The position of the back seat helped to prevent the glass from raining on the agents. Scully lunged forward allowing Mulder to reach out the window and grab the hand of one of the attackers. Shouting “Federal Agents!”, he yanked the arm into the car, pointed his gun in to the surprised covered face attached to it then slammed a cuff of the wrist and secured the other end to the car seat. By the time Scully opened the other door, the other attacked had fled. She leaped out in hot pursuit. Mulder called out the play-by-play to the surveillance team who directed the strike team to pursue. Mulder knew they were still too far away so he bolted after his partner, leaving his prisoner restrained for the moment. Scully had followed the assailant uphill, as he ran into a wooded area. She paused in a small clearing, thinking he had doubled back, but was unable to spot him. Mulder could see that he was hidden from her view, preparing to fire a gun at Scully. Too short of breath from the uphill sprint to shout a warning, Mulder pulled Scully down from behind and covered her with his body while firing at the attacker. By then the reinforcements arrived and captured the wounded suspect. Mulder felt a surge of relief as he saw the other agents haul the man from the woods. As he relaxed he realized he was laying across Scully, flat on her back, flushed and stunned by the shoot out. The look of her in that state and the feel of his still raging erection pressing hard into her lower abdomen, began to trigger another surge of relief. What little control he had left he used to get off her and scramble into the bushes. he thought as he completed the deed. A couple of the agents saw Mulder dash away from his partner, then they looked back at Scully with an unmistakable leer. She had a pretty good idea of what was going on but stayed cool, knowing Mulder would recover his composure quickly. Then she began to have rather improper thoughts of what other attributes of her partner recovered quickly. So much for professionalism. ___________________________________ “Frohike’s going to kill me.” Mulder said as they towed away the car to the impound yard as evidence. “Serves you both right, for making what ever deal you came up which obviously involved me.” responded his unsympathetic partner. Mulder wanted to give a witty comeback but the image of her sitting on the hood of the car, wearing something less business like than usual, smiling sweetly, made his mouth impossibly dry. That was what Frohike wanted in return for the use of the car - a photo of her with the car. He quickly realized that getting at picture was the least of their worries right now. With the Mustang gone, the suspects transported in separate cars, and the other decoy pairs already gone, there seemed to be a shortage of cars to get the remaining agents back to headquarters. Six agents, one Taurus. There was little choice of sitting arrangements. The largest agent drove and Mulder and his long legs had to go in the passenger’s seat. Three burly agents filled the back seat and the only place left to stuff Scully was into Mulder’s lap. Considering their earlier positions, no one thought they would mind. In truth, Mulder was terrified. He could feel the blood engorging the veins of his stressed out organ as his far-too-desirable partner settled her ass gently around it. He prayed for a smooth ride. There were no bushes to run and hide in. Since his brilliant profile helped capture the suspects, everyone wanted to talk to Mulder. But the other agents rapidly realized Mulder had other things on his mind. He spoke in a strained voice, sweating bullets trying to control the desire to treat Scully like a friendly lap dog. To her credit, she knew he was suffering from “over-stimulation” and tried to move towards his knees but every time the car accelerated, she rocked back into the bulge she was trying to ignore. The alternating pressure performed a most effective cock tease and before long he was unbearable hard again. Deciding on the lesser of two evils, she settled on him with a warm steady pressure. But it wasn’t just the pressure in his pants that distracted him. Her closeness inflamed every nerve. Her arm around his shoulder to steady herself felt like an angel’s wing resting on him. The scent of her hair and taste of her sweat as her neck brushed against his lips made him lightheaded. Claiming to be tired he closed his eyes and pretended to nap, but his mind as filled with thoughts of freeing the desires within and showing Scully just how much he trusted her, with his body and soul. It was the other guys in the car he didn’t trust. The other agents spoke like she wasn’t even there but he wasn’t in any shape to defend her. “What’s wrong, Mulder? Aren’t you enjoying the ride?” one agent asked, innuendoes dripping from his lips. “So ‘Spooky’, what’s up with you?” another questioned. “Had any close encounters?” “It must be hard...working with someone who’s always pushing you to prove yourself.” “I think Agent Scully liked your profile. She does seem to appreciates the depth to which you probe.” came the final cutting remark. “Will you all just shut up!” Scully growled uncharacteristically. Her burning stare ensured silence for the remainder of the trip. They all knew Mulder would never strike out against another agent but Scully was just plain scary when she was pissed. And it was a very small car, with no way to escape. In the silence, Mulder’s mind pictured the same circumstances without the peanut gallery in the back seat. In his imagination, Scully was still very reserved and proper until he began to pull her hips back into his anxious lap. With each movement, she became more needy and wanton, finally pushing her ass hard into his throbbing desire. Suddenly he felt like he wasn’t TOO close but not close enough. He tugged at his pants and begged her to exposure herself. As it can only happen in a dream, magically all the barriers between them were gone and he slowly, reverently slid into her center of passion. The pleasure was beyond compare. Firm yet yielding, slick but just enough friction, cautious yet willing. The contrasts that made him want her, that made him love her... He was six inches into paradise when something cut his vacation short. Reality. Instead of her lovely round bottom pressing against him, her sharp pointed fingers where digging into his ribs, causing serious pain. But the look on her face was even more painful to him. The car was still silent but he swore he saw fangs and heard her growl a warning. He looked around the saw the smirks on the other agents faces. Then he realized his hands were pulling at her hips and even worst that he really had opened his trousers. Luckily, nothing was exposed but his amorous intentions. No one in the car dared say anything, Scully still ready to erupt in anger. But instead of curbing Mulder’s desire, it only got worse knowing a wild animal that want to tear away his manhood sat in his lap. Mercifully they made it to headquarters with no accidents, on the road or in Mulder’s lap. He rapidly excused himself as soon was they arrived and made a dash for the Men’s room. He wasn’t to the point of no return but he did need to relieve some tension. Scully’s fury managed to keep the other agents at bay so they wouldn’t follow him and continue to torture him. When he returned, all the agents pretended like it was business as usual but everyone, especially Mulder, stayed a respectable distance from Scully. Holden had no choice but to congratulate Mulder and Scully on their arrests. And despite the suggestive nature of their conversation during the stake out, there was no hard evidence of misconduct. So after an hour of paperwork and formal debriefing, everyone started heading home. It was then Mulder realized he didn’t have a car to get home in. Too afraid to ask Scully, considering his earlier behavior, he milled around asking everyone but her. It was readily apparent no one else wanted to give him a ride so he decided to call cab. He started to check his wallet to make sure he had enough for the expensive ride home when he realized he’d left it the Mustang. Just then Scully drove by and saw the classic picture of a man in distress. The phone to his ear, waving his hands around and frantically searching through his pockets. She expected something more dramatic from her imaginative partner but figured she’d better stop to see if he needed help. “Mulder, need a ride?” she asked helpfully as she pulled her car up next to him. “Yeah but don’t worry I’ll find someone....” he replied nervously. “Everyone else is gone. And it looks like you left your wallet in Frohike’s car.” she observed. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just call someone...” “Who? Frohike? Or maybe Skinner?” He shrugged and wore a blank expression that rivaled hers when he said things like ‘The truth is out there’. “Get inside, Mulder.” she ordered. Meekly, he slid into the car and nodded for her to drive on Mulder sat nervously as she drove, too afraid to move or touch anything. He never realized how sexy her car was before. The soft seats that felt cool to the touch, the masterful way she handled the gear selector, these wonderful restraining straps.... He wasn’t in an excited state anymore but he felt an overwhelming desire to grab her and throw her into the backseat to finish what he started during the stake out. These feelings weren’t exactly new but they had never been so intense before. He had gotten just a little too close for comfort and was now paying the price as he tried to back away. He closed his eyes and remembered the feeling of her sitting in his lap. Warm and soft yet powerful and dangerous. He gasped at the thought of her being so near that his very life was at risk if he did something stupid. With his hands in his pockets, he let his fingers stretch out over the sensitive flesh near his crotch. he thought. < She’ll see me. She’ll kill me.> and with that thought the desire became almost unbearable. His fingers sought to provide some relief when he suddenly opened his eyes to a startling revelation. “I don’t have my keys.” he announced, finally aware that his pockets were empty. “You left them in the car as well?” she asked with little concern in her voice. He nodded silently, a guilty pout on his face. She tried not to laugh at his increasing discomfort at being stuck with her all evening. “Well, I don't have my copy of your apartment key with me. And I’m in no mood to go to the impound yard tonight. You’ll just have to spend the night with me.” He stopped breathing for a moment and his eyes widen. Scully noted the “deer in the headlight” look and tried to calm him down. “After all it’s not the first time you spent the night on my couch. Besides we can go down together first thing in the morning to the impound yard to get your wallet and keys.” “Aren’t you concerned about what people will say if we show up together, after leaving together tonight?” he asked. “No one saw us leave together.” she reassured him. “Besides, we’re partners aren’t we? We’re suppose to be close enough to help each other out.” he thought as the undisciplined parts of his mind flashed images of just how he wanted her to help out. They reached her home without incident as Mulder thanked the patron saint of trench coats for the multitude of sins they could cover-ups. He wondered if she would notice if he slept in his long concealing coat. He idly wondered if that was how dirty old men and flashers got their start when she ushered him into her domain. Then she offered to take his coat. “Uh, I’m a little cold. I think I’ll leave it on for now.” he answered nervously. “I’m sorry. I like to keep things cool in here but since your my guest for the evening, I’ll turn up the heat.” she said, clueless to the fact that as far as he was concern, things were already too hot. Then she handed him a fresh blanket and pillow and announced, “I’m going to take a shower. If you want anything, just help yourself. I think you know where everything is.” and left for the bathroom. Mulder stood there, holding the bedding, panting like the last man in a marathon. < Did she have any idea what she was saying?> he wondered. Her words were so suggestive yet so innocent. Was she just teasing him for fun or was she just as aroused as he was? Just then she re-emerged from the bathroom, covered in just a white fluffy robe. “Pardon my manners. You’re the first overnight guest I’ve had since...well, since the last time you were here. I was in such a hurry to get into the shower myself I neglected to ask if you wanted to take a shower. Or a bath if you prefer.” For a second he thought she was asking him to join her but quickly realized it was an ‘either/or’ option, not a ‘you AND me’ proposition. “No, go ahead. I think I’ll just go to sleep. It’s been a long hard night.” He glanced to see if she read anything into his words but she had vanished back into the bathroom. The room heated up quickly and Mulder had stripped down to his boxers and just barely covered himself with the blanket. He’d had a raging erection since entering her apartment but had promised himself not to be so crass as to masturbate in her living room. But it was hard, keeping his promise, that is. Everything in the room reminded him of the object of his desire. Her computer where she typed reports saying his theories were ‘inconclusive’, her service weapon that left a hole in his shoulder, the candle holder which held the flickering light that illuminated her encounter with Eddie Vanbundt. This was more than just lust and desire. It was a true obsession for Mulder. Scully was dangerous and nearly unattainable, just like ‘the truth’. And the sound of the shower also reminded him that SHE was out there. The image of a steamy shower and water pounding on her soft pale skin made his blood boil. All he wanted at that moment was to jump into that shower with her and touch that perfect skin, teasing and coaxing her then slowly build up to pounding against her himself. A voice in his head kept saying while another, much more desperate voice insisted Years? Was it really that long? And, oh God, was she ever a real woman. More woman than he’d ever had before. He knew there was no way he could stand the whole night so close to her in his current state. He hoped this was just a temporary condition brought on by stress and that he could face her on Monday like a grown man instead of a horny adolescent. He decided he’d ask to borrow money for a taxi and a motel room once she got of the shower. Once again he was hit by the thought of her small frame stepping naked from the shower, the chilled air teasing her nipples, water dripping off her smooth legs. That voice came back in his head He closed his eyes trying to clear his head of suggestive thoughts when suddenly he heard her call his name. “Mulder! I need your help!” she shouted from the bathroom. His mind shifted gears instantly as his leaped from the couch and grabbed his gun. Running to the bathroom, he yelled “I’m coming, Scully!” But she wasn’t under attack or anything quite so life threatening. As he tried to open the door to the bathroom, she explained “It’s stuck. I can’t get out.” He laughed with relief and set down his gun as he shoved against the door. It only moved a little so she insisted “Push harder.” She heard a grunt but the door didn’t move. “Come on, Mulder, I know how hard you can push. Just imagine you need to get in. Pump that adrenaline.” He was terrified to let himself get too worked up but she was insisting SO nicely. She needed him, right now. Letting down his defenses, his passions flared and he exploded into the door which quickly surrendered, yielding to his power thrust. Mulder flew through the open portal and dropped awkwardly at Scully’s feet. He started to look up at her then realized he was looking up her legs, under her robe. Panic stricken, he rapidly stood up but lost his balance and fell back against the door, shutting it tight once again. “Mulder!” she shouted, pushing past him to get to the door. She was so upset she didn’t even notice the pointed bulge in his boxers that she pushed against. Mulder couldn’t help but notice and grabbed a towel to cover his indiscretions. Scully wrapped her fingers around the knob and yanked hard, on the door. It wouldn’t budge. She looked at him with frustration. “My hero. Why’d you force your way in here if you weren’t going to let me out?” Mulder’s mind was totally numb. All he knew was that a wet, angry, barely clothed Scully stood just inches from him and he that had hard-on with an agenda of its own. All this while stuck in a small steamy bathroom. He pounced on the door and jerked on knob violently several times until it to surrendered and he went tumbling over the edge, of the bathtub behind him. He smiled weakly at Scully and handed her the knob. “Just great.” she said in frustration. She paced around the tiny room as Mulder adjusted the towel for maximum coverage while staying seated in the tub. “I’m sorry, Mulder. It’s not really your fault. It’s just this old door. When it get hot and steamy in here, it gets swollen to the point where it get jammed and I have to pull like mad woman to get out. I told the land lord but he told me just to not close it until he could fix it.” Mulder nodded in understanding. He had a similar problem with things swelling up in a hot steamy room but if she started pulling on THAT, she certainly wouldn’t get out. “So we just wait until ... someone finds us?” he asked meekly. “No.” she answered studying the displaced knob. “With the heat on in the apartment it should dry out quickly and shrink enough for us to open it in a couple of hours. Provided we can stick this knob in that hole in the right position and twist it just right. Are you any good at that? I always get impatient and thrash around instead.” His entire being felt inflamed. All this talk of knobs, positions, pushing and thrashing was only making matters worst. He couldn’t just tell her to shut up and sit as far away from him as possible. In such close quarters, he couldn’t do anything to relieve the tension which was rapidly become painful. To make matters worst, she sat down on the toilet seat next to the tub directly behind his head, where she had a perfect view of his lanky form resting in the tub. Well, most of it was resting. “Mulder” she whispered “What should we do for the next two hours?” More improper imagines flooded his brain when he finally had a brilliant idea. “I’m going to take a shower.” he announced. She frowned and said “The steam will affect that door again and then we’ll be stuck in here until morning...” “Don’t worry. I’ll take a cold shower.” he thought. “But it still will make the air damp...” “Please Scully, just a quick one? It will be over before you know it.” “All right go ahead. Just warn me before you come out. And you’re wearing the only other dry towel so you’ll have to make due with it.” Then she turned away so he could enter the shower unobserved. Once in the shower he eased his fingers around the swollen manifestation of his lust but resisted the urge to proceed to satisfy it’s demand. Not with HER so near. Instead he turned on the cold water and yelped as it hit his hot skin. “Mulder?” came her concerned voice. He rapidly shut off the water and replied. “I’m fine. It’s just a little cooler than I expected.” “Mulder, if it’s too cold why don’t you come out here and let me warm you up.” she replied without a hint of teasing her voice. He couldn’t believe his ears. Was she coming on to him? Or did he just think he heard her offer to ‘warm him up’. Where was that voice coming from he wondered then was horrified to realize that it came from not so deep inside him. He tried to distract himself by lathering up his damp body but his hand came to rest on the erect member that appreciated the slick soapy touch. He began to shamelessly stroke himself then turned on the water to cover up the low moans that rumbled in his throat. Suddenly he felt the relief of a warm shower of his own fluids from below then quickly washed away all evidence of his broken promise to himself. “I’m coming out.” he warned Scully. Scully had fallen asleep with her head resting on her arm draped over the top of the toilet tank. She looked uncomfortable but otherwise, she was perfect. He sighed deeply then dried himself and replaced his boxers. Studying his flaccid member before hiding it from view, he said “I hope you’re finally done for the evening.” But that voice came back saying < Don’t be such a chicken. She’s right there. Asleep no less. No resistance. Touch her and you’ll be hard as a rock in seconds.> Ignoring the tactless voice, he checked the door but it still wouldn’t move so he settled back into the tub since there was no where else to sit.. Leaning against the chilly ceramic, Mulder shivered slightly, the damp towel providing some cover but no warmth. He closed his eyes to try to sleep but that voice in his head kept telling him < Warmth is just a foot away and with it, total bliss.> He grumbled at the voice and wondered what happen to that other voice that reminded him that she was his partner. Because she IS my partner and we can’t get involved like that without it affect our work, he argued with himself. More than anyone. Yeah, I guess so. She always there for me. But I don’t want her loose. No, no , I don’t want her at all. Shut up and leave me alone. Damn right I’m a coward. She already shot me once. Shut up. Pervert Mulder argued with himself until he finally fell asleep. He woke up, still shivering. He saw Scully testing the door to no avail. “It’s moving a little but it still won’t open.” she reported then stood next to the tub. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze then went into out right panic when she said, “Move over.” “Scully, what... what are you doing?” he asked as he stepped over the rim of the tub. The voice cheered on “You’re freezing, Mulder. It will be at least another hour before we can get out.” He pulled his arms up on the rim of tub as she settled at his side, tucked cozily under his left arm, resting her head on his chest. “Is that better?” she whispered. “Yeah. Definitely.” he murmured as he felt her presence invade his consciousness again. He no longer cared that he had been behaving inappropriately all night. He didn’t even try to the hid the shifting mass in his boxer shorts. He just laid there, reveling in the warmth of his Scully, given willingly and lovingly. His back and right sided were still cold but he didn’t even notice, lost in pure pleasure. Suddenly she removed the damp towel he had draped over himself. “It’s cotton. When it’s damp you lose heat more rapidly due to evaporative loss.” reminded his secret voice. Then she rubbed his chest and abdomen dry with a small soft dry wash cloth. All he could do was close his eyes and sigh at the wonderful massage like motions of her firm steady hands. The voice in his head started screaming Just then Mulder felt something totally incredible. Scully’s warm skin pressing against his bare chest. The voice exclaimed He quickly opened his eyes to see what he was missing. Scully had opened her robe and stretched it over him to cover most of his body. In doing so, her naked body rested atop his. The robe hid her and their intimate contact. All he could see was her head, using his left pectoral as a pillow. He felt her hips slightly askew from his and her legs wrapped around his left leg. Somehow she had managed to avoid contact with one spot that ached for her touch, the healthy bulge in his boxers. It was too much. Mulder was beyond panic. The voice was starting to make sense. He had already brought his arms around her to pull her closer and she made no protest. With just a slight twist, she could be his, all his, body and soul. But something wasn’t right. He spoke softly “Uh Scully...” “Are you warm now?” came her casual response. He heard a hint of tension but no sign of arousal. “I honesty don’t think I could get any warmer.” he replied with a grin. She looked up and gave him a nervous smile then settled back on to his chest. “Scully, why are you doing this?” hollered the voice in his head. “Because you’re cold. Because it’s partial my fault we’re stuck in here. And because... because I trust you.” she said quietly. “You trust me.... not to take advantage of the situation?” With that, the voice went away to sulk in his subconscious until another opportunity arose. “That and not to be too embarrassed to accept what you need.” she answered. “But Scully... all night long... even now ...I...you...being so close to you...I can’t control it...” was his stuttering stream-of-consciousness reply. “Mulder, I’m not blind, nor an I devoid of feeling below the waist. I know our ...um ... situations this evening have been stimulating you. It’s affecting me too,” “Please don’t tease me. Not when you’re like this.” he hugged her close but didn’t try to shift her position. “I only meant to say, it’s a normal response. After all, you’re a man and I’m a woman but....” “...you’re not my woman. You’re my partner.” he completed her thought. She hugged him warmly to let him know he had gotten it right. “And in another hour or so, you’re going to slide off me, cover yourself with that robe, open that door and go to bed in your room, while I go to sleep on the couch. Right?” “Exactly.” she whispered as she closed her eyes. “Scully?” he whispered. “Did I really get you aroused?” “You’re a damn good looking man” she yawned “but you’re still my partner.” “Thanks, Scully. Good night.” So Mulder closed his eyes and dreamed pleasant fantasies about a gorgeous compact sexy redhead that WASN’T his partner and the gorgeous compact redhead who was his partner slept naked and trustingly at his side, keeping him warm. He let his arousal find satisfaction in his fantasies because while earlier than night, he felt they were too close for comfort, now they laid together, two close, for comfort. END _________________________ Nothing to get excited about, unless you’re Mulder of course. Just an exercise in humor and gratuitous sex without any actual sex, the hall mark of my fanfic. I’ve been writing dark angsty bits and needed a break. Let me know if you like this format and if I get any positive feedback I might write a companion piece from Scully point of view. Several people have noted my preoccupation with Mulder’s auto-erotic behavior to which I plead guilty. Hey, if Scully can’t have him... Forwards comments and suggestions to shinkai@mlode.com