Odd Habits

By RocketMan

Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully belong to CC, 1013, and Fox. No fringe is intended.

SPOILER::::::XFFTF::::(AKA:::THE XF MOVIE):::::

Dedication: This is for Shannon O'Connor and her great stories, no matter what they're about, she makes it good. This is a first person just for you.

CONTENT:::::MS/UST/MSR?

==========
"Keep going, FBI-woman."
-- Mulder, Redux
==========


Because the chill of ice and aliens hasn't worn off yet, I still am taking long hot baths when I get up and when I get home.

For some reason, the cold has seeped into me.

Coming home today, I decided to take a new shortcut that someone somewhere was talking about.

Let's just say: bad idea.

I'm never taking off-handed advice again.

I'll stick to the interstate from now on.

It's hot here, but in me, it's not. I had the windows rolled down and sweat streaming from every pour and no air conditioner on, but I was still bone deep cold.

I hate this.

And now, standing outside trying to fit the stupid key in the lock, I'm balancing my coat and briefcase and purse and files and I can't seem to make the door come --

Open. It's open.

I stumble through and let all my stuff clatter to the floor, not really caring at this point. I know that when I wake up in the middle of the night, anxious because it isn't put away, I'll rebuke myself for not caring, but right now, I just want that hot bath.

I walk through the darkness and past the blinking message light and into my dimly lit bedroom.

Actually dimly lit is an overstatement. It'a positive cave in here. After the blinding white of three hours of ice until our rescue, I have this thing about light.

It bothers me.

I start the water running and come back to my bedroom, twisting the blinds closed.

I yank off my shirt.

"Are you going to finish it this time?"

I jump and turn around, heart thudding, hand reaching for a gun I already took off.

"Mulder! What the hell is your fetish with coming in my room in the dark?"

"Oh. I fell asleep this time."

He comes away from the shadows and draws close, as if he is a vampire ready to feast.

"In my room, in the dark?"

"I came to your place and I got worried when you didn't answer because I expected you to be home a lot sooner. So I came in. I guessed you hadn't gotten in yet, and sat down to wait."

"In my room, in the dark?"

"Well ... yes."

I gape at him. "What is wrong with you?"

He pulls back. "What do you mean?"

"Mulder, that's not at all the norm. Of course, you're never in the norm, but this is a little peculiar."

"What do you want me to say? That I enjoy surprising you while you undress?"

*Yes, but that's also perverted.*

"No, Mulder." I sigh and grab for a T-shirt, realizing with some idiocy that I am standing here fighting with him in a bra.

Oh well. He had to dress me in Antarctica. Like I really care at this point.

"Do you want to wait while I take a bath?" I ask, yanking off my pant suit and smiling a little as his eyes track my legs.

His breath gets fast and I duck my head to meet his eyes.

"Watch where you're looking, mister."

He gives me a sly grin and sinks to my bed. "I can either wait, or take a bath with you, Agent Scully."

"Tempting, but no thanks. Try the couch. I know you have a special relationship with those things. Maybe next time it needs cleaning, you can come over and help even."

He chuckles. "Ooh. You're sassy today."

I shove his stomach in, pushing him aside. "Nope. Just fast."

He leaves my bedroom and I sink gratefully into the bed.

I'm still shaking and I'm glad he didn't notice. I strip off the shirt and walk into the bathroom, turning off the taps and sliding into the bubble bath.

Ohhhh ... yeah. So nice.

==========


"Scully, you plan on sleeping in the tub?"

I jerk my eyes open to see Mulder crouching beside the bathtub, a glint of humor and satisfation in his eyes.

I close my eyes again. "If I want to, I will."

"Well, I'm done bonding with your sofa. How about I bond with you now?"

I snort. "Sure. After I have my couch fumigated."

He pouts and dips his hand into the water, pushing aside some bubbles.

My skin crawls as his hands swirl the water.

"Mulder?"

"Yup?"

"What are you doing?"

"Let's see. Testing the water?"

"You're not coming in here."

"Maybe I am."

I glare at him. There is no way I'm letting him get in the bathtub with me.

"You are so odd, you know that Mulder?"

He tilts his head, eyes wide. "You know what Scully? I think your couch said the same thing."

I roll my eyes and drift further into the bottom of the bathtub, away from his fingers.

He puts his whole arm, up to his elbow, into the water, brushing my thigh as his fingers slide past.

I decide it is better not to comment. I won't encourage him.

Then his other arm.

"What are you doing?"

He smiles a beautific smile that says he's managed to get the little boy face down pat. He must know the power of his looks.

"I'm dipping my hands in this water."

"And why exactly are you doing this?"

"To watch you squirm."

I huff out a breath and glare at him again.

He laughs. "See? You're beautiful when you're squirming."

"I am not squirming."

He just tilts his head again and watches me.

I want to make *him* squirm.

He pulls his hands out and dries them on my towel, then begins taking off his shoes and socks.

Soon his feet are in the tub, touching my side.

"Mulder, get your smelly feet out of my bath!"

He just looks at me.

I can feel my jaw work under the skin, and suddenly, I know exaclty how to turn the tables on him.

"Fine. I'm getting out."

I raise up from the water immediately, stepping out and grabbing the towel, but not putting it around myself until I'm well imprinted on his wonderful memory and almost out the door.

I want to laugh at the expression I saw on his face as I got out, but that would ruin it.

I reach for my shirt and pull it on, then towel dry my hair.

As I turn, strong hands catch me.

"You don't think you can do that and get away with it, do you?"

I make a teasing smile and turn to him, but freeze at the look in his eyes.

Complete and total fervor burn deep in his eyes and I'm the fuel.

I shut up and stay still.

He pulls my hands from the towel and wraps his arms around me tightly, crushing my body completely against his. And I'm still wet.

I feel his hands move, glide along my back, across my shoulders, down my sides and I can't seem to breathe anymore.

I think I'm going to collapse.

He pushes me until my back hits the dresser and then his hands are roaming everywhere, everywhere, everywhere on me, across hot hot skin, down damp legs, through tangled hair.

Not once does he kiss me.

I want that so bad, just his lips on mine, finish what we started, end my dreams of half kisses and bee stings.

He picks me up, pushes me over to the bed and lays me down.

I think my heart has decided to panic while my mind has decided to shut down.

He winks.

Pulls the covers over me, tucks me in tightly, firmly.

Kisses my forehead.

"Sorry, Scully. Prior engagement with the couch. She gets lonely if I'm not there."

And then he walks out.

I can hear him getting out the blanket from my closet, moving around on the cushions, getting settled.

I moan into my pillow.

That man ... that man ... I'm either going to go postal on him one day, or actually take him by surprise and kiss him.

Sighing, resigned, I close my eyes.

Images of Mulder's odd greeting habits flash before me.

I could scream.

Oh yeah, those files are still scattered on the floor.

===== END PART I=====