Falling Chapter 26 Disclosures in Previous Chapters:I make no money from this and the obvious characters are certainly not mine! See previous stories... would be helpful, but not necessary: Quantum The Road Less Traveled Falling For those of you that have stuck this out, thanks! I apologize for the long times between chapters, since that is really uncharacteristic of me! My last surgery was last week, so I am on the mend and ready to write! Thanks again and enjoy! **************************************************** Chapter 26 Scully sat in silence, her mind mulling over Ava's quick, pointed question. "Well... " She began before she realized that she was not sure how much about their real lives that this woman knew. "I mean," Ava continued, "You aren't exactly Fox's type is all." Scully cut her eyes sideways at the woman beside her, noting her long thin legs in too-tight leggings and her straight brown hair that was finally free of her snow-cap. Scully knew she was being bated but had know idea which direction to take this, the case being the delicate string between them. So she remained quiet, averting her eyes out the window to the solid white landscape. Ava glanced at Scully and decideding better of it, remained quiet as well, the ride descending in silence as they made their way into the small town inside of the boarder. They passed the grand entrance to the hospital that she and Mulder were about to infiltrate, it's entrance looking more like a military prison than a hopsital. Almost as quickly as they had started, the Bronco pulled into a small parking space outside of a suprisingly modern building, lights on throughout the space. Ava killed the engine and the two women sat in silence for several beats before Scully cleared her throat to speak. "Mulder's "type" hasn't worked out too well for him in the past, so he's trying something different." Scully said sharply as she craned the door open and slid onto the frozen pavement. Mulder was already striding towards her across the parking lot, the red truck being decompressed behind him by Brian. He picked up on her nervousness instantly. "Everything okay?" he asked as he fell into step beside her, his hand resting at the small of Scully's back as they walked. Scully swallowed hard and glanced up at him, forcing a smile to her lips. "Fine." she said quietly as they made their way to the entrance of the building, falling behind Ava as she fiddled with the keys to the entrance. While Ava's back was still turned towards them, Mulder dipped down and placed a warm, but lingering kiss onto Scully's cheek bone as she stood beside him, causing heat to filter throughout her entire body and a smile to find its way to her lips. She squeezed his closest hand and fixed him with a determined stare. It was amazing that he knew exactly what she needed when she needed it... before she even knew. The pair followed Ava up the elevators with Brian bringing up the rear as they made their way to their loft, small but expensive. Scully fought a sob of happiness when she caught herself even mesmerized with Ava's fit form in her snow outfit but found Mulder's gaze was fixed on the finer points of architecture in the historic building. Yet another piece of armor sliding into place... "Check this out Scully. The building still uses the original heating system from the 20's" Mulder said in awe as he pointed at the metal piping that sat above their heads. Scully smiled and raised her eyebrows in interest. "Yeah, that is cool until the furnace cuts off and its 20 below." Brian piped up from behind them, his southern accent and obvious good humor helping Scully like him instantly. The group arrived at the loft and entered, Scully's jaw dropping instantly in appreciation and awe. The upscale loft was meticulously designed, modern minimalist furniture in every corner, but a warmth eminating from the rich woods and exposed brick walls. Framed photographs covered the high walls and track lighting illuminated filled bookshelves and speciman jars. Ava conitinued to make her way through the apartment, disappearing around a corner, causing Scully's dislike for her to notch up yet again. "I do not believe we have been formally introduced." Brian said,in perfect gentile fashion, as he extended his hand for Scully'sand bent to kiss the newly exposed skin from her gloveless hands. "Oh! Sorry, my mistake." Mulder said, stepping into Scully and throwing a protective arm over Scully's shoulders. "This is my partner Dana. Dana, this is my good friend from Oxford, Brian Watson." "Good friend? Ouch, Man." Brian scoffed, feigning hurt with his fist in his chest. "I, my dear, am the entire reason Fox Mulder ever even graduated from Oxford University and survived seven boughts...yes, seven boughts of alcohol poisoning." Brian said, his wide, perfect smile causing a faint blush to creep onto her cheeks. She felt Mulder watching her, ducking her face to hide the blush that was running rampant over her fair skin. Scully chanced a glance up and met Mulder's wide, questioning eyes and winked at him quickly as she turned back towards to Brian. "Well, Scully's got you beat, there Bri. Seven boughts of alcohol poisoning are nothing compared to what she has saved me from."Mulder laughed as he began to unzip his coat, the others following suit. "What is she, a doctor or something?" Ava asked as she slithered back into the den, her eyes fixating on Mulder and choosing to leave Scully out of her gaze, bouncing between Brian and Mulder. "Yeah, actually she is. She is a brilliant, kick-ass doctor."Mulder stated easily, his face beaming with pride as he met Ava's stare. "Thanks, Mulder." Scully mumbled, suddenly feeling like she was in the middle of a battle she hadn't asked to be in. Ava raised her eyebrows in mock impression and settled on a far couch, tucking her legs beneath her and reaching for a magazine. Scully looked up at Mulder, the obvious question hanging between them, but he gave a quick shake of his head and turned back to Brian. They'd talk about it later. "So, we need to get you two briefed and 'doctored' up, pardon the coloquism." Brian said as he shot a look of disdain toward Ava and made his way past the den into the modern, stainless steel kitchen. Brian got busy setting up the coffee pot as Mulder and Scully took a seat at the marble island. "We really just need to make sure Scully can get in and out without being detected." Mulder stated as he picked up a cracker that Brian laid out. "Well, I don't see why that would be a problem. Her being a doctor will definitely help that. There are a lot of English speaking doctors and with a smile like that....She'll be fine." Brian finished as he turned to busy with the coffee. Mulder rolled his eyes and smiled at Scully, reaching to squeeze her knee underneath the counter. "I figure we can just run the operation and then you guys can stay here over night and get moving in the morning, depending on what you find." "Oh no, Brian. Thank you very much, but I am sure we can find somewhere to stay." Scully gushed, without thinking. Spending the night with an obvious old flame of Mulder's was not exactly going to be comfortable accomidations. "Nonscence. Plus, it's skiing season, so the nicer hotels are booked."Brian said as he brushed her off. I am assuming you would only need one bed, correct?" Scully ducked her eyes as she heard Mulder clear his throat. "Yeah, Smart Ass. One bed is fine." he answered with dexterity. "I take it you two haven't been together long, huh?" Brian asked as he leaned on the counter and gazed at the couple before him. Scully looked to Mulder for guidance but he made a "after you" gesture with his hand and proceeded to rub his eyes with his hands. "We have been friends and partners for about seven years, but as far as together, together? No, not long." Scully supplied. "Well, you seem to have gotten quite the catch, Buddy." Brian smiled genuinely at Mulder. "Yeah, she even agreed to marry me." Mulder said strongly, the smile evident in his voice, causing a jaw splitting grin to break out across Scully's face as well. "Wow! Man, that's great! We deserve a toast!" Brian cheered as he turned towards the wine fridge and began searching through the different vintages. "What deserves a toast?" Ava asked blandly as she sauntered past Mulder to stand beside Brian. "Dana and Fox are tying the knot! The man that swore he'd never marry..." Brian said, never looking up from his task with the wine. Ava's face soured even more than before, if that was possible, and finally Scully had just about had it. "Do you have a washroom? I refused to use the facilites at the truck stop." Scully piped up, sliding off of her stool, feeling a little more in control than before, now that she and Mulder's relationship was out in the open. "Sure, down the hall, to the left." Ava said, her eyes narrowing as she directed it to Scully. She was going to find out what the hell this Ava's problem was before she went undercover at the hospital. She couldn't worry about this while her mind was supposed to focused on being someone else. Scully slipped into the the washroom and clicked the door shut and rested her hands around the rim of the sink. Taking several deep breaths she turned the water on and splashed some drops on her chapped face and lips when she heard a soft knock at the door. Mulder's head ducked around the corner and apology was in his eyes. "I was taking a gamble that you were decent." he said with a smile as he squeezed into the small bathroom space. "What are you doing?" Scully asked as she eyed him warily. "This." he said as he slid his hands up the sides of her neck and leaned in for a slow, smoldering kiss, his tongue sliding into her's causing her knees to feel weak. When they broke for air, Scully looked up into his eyes and smiled. "What was that for?" she asked as she slid her arms around his waist and rested her head on his warm chest. "I just dont know when I'll get a chance to do that again. And I'm sorry about Ava. She's a little bitter." "Old flame?" Scully ask, wincing at the bitterness in her own voice. "Ah, Scully. I guess. I was actually a bit more involved with her sister than her, though we went out a few times. Her twin sister and I dated a bit back in college and then Brian went to the CIA, I went to the FBI, Ava went to Interpol and her sister went off the deep end." Mulder explained as he tried to knead the tense muscles of Scully's back as she slid her hands in the back pockets of his black jeans. "Twin sister." Scully repeated, realization dawning on her at Ava's apparent dislike of Scully's "look". She was the jilted sister, Mulder was the one that "got away", it would appear, and everyone moved on except for the sister. "What are the odds that they were our contacts?" Mulder laughed as he pulled back, following strands of Scully's staticy hair behind her ears. "Brian met the Gunmen after I got the X-files. I guess they had kept up with each other." Scully stilled Mulder's hands by placing her hands on his wrists. "Do you trust them?" Mulder was quiet for a moment. "If the guys trust them, then I have to, Scully. Ava is harmless and Brian is one of the most brilliant IT guys in the world. He can outhack Langley." "Well, then I guess we need to go get 'doctored up'." Scully said, trying to raise up to nuzzle Mulder's warm neck. "I wouldn't mind doctoring up right here." Mulder said as he began to back her into the sink, his hands encircling her waist and his fingers slipping into the waistband of her jeans. "Mulder..." Scully said, a warning purr coming from somewhere deep in her throat. Mulder pressed his hips forcefully into her, leaning down to where his lips were a breath from her's. "We'll be quiet." he whispered, his eyes fixated on her elevated breathing and the rise of her chest. "Mulder, we can't. They are right outside..." she tried to protest and push past him, but he caught her around the waist and spun her so that she was facing the sink and the mirror, the image of a lust-filled Mulder and a pink cheeked Scully staring back at her. "We will be quiet." he repeated, his eyes watching her in the mirror, his lips wrapping around the shell of her ear. Mulder slipped his fingers into the button of her jeans, her gaze falling to his hands at her hips. "No, no. You watch the mirror." Mulder growled as he ran hands up her ribcage, outside of her sweater. Scully began breathing faster, her pulse threading into her ears. "Do you see what you do to me, SCully? Do you see?" Scully felt her eyes slipping closed but instantly felt his hands still on her body. "You are supposed to be watching the mirror." Mulder said finally. She drug her eyes back open and locked eyes with him through the glass. "Do you see how being in a small room with you for 30 seconds turns me into an animal, Scully? Do you realize how many times I have been THIS close to you in seven years and havent been able to do anything about it?" he asked into her neck, his hands sliding underneath her sweater, his short nails gliding down her ribcage and sending goosebumps all over her stomach. A groan escaped her lips before she could consciously stop it and her hips reflexively grinding against his. "We have to be quiet." she said, her eyes and Mulder's trans- fixed in the mirror. Mulder replied with a grunt as he slid her jeans over her ass and began to press into her ass, his fingers sliding along the elastic of her panties. Scully braced herself against the sink more foreceully and looked behind her causing a hitch to rise in Mulder's throat. "Hey, Mulder. We gotta get a move on. Daylights' burnin'!" Brian called through the door with a quiet tap. Scully snatched up her jeans and Mulder situated himself as easily as he could. "Yeah, Brian. Be right out."