*Swish*
The ball sank into the net with hardly a sound.
ÒThe crowd goes wild!Ó He raised his hands in the air, accepting victory.
ÒVery nice.Ó
He whirled around, startled out of his own little world. ÒHey,Ó he said smiling, Òhow about a little one on one?Ó He made a show of spinning the ball on his finger, dribbling it down the court, then coming in for a lay-up.
ÒIn these shoes? Never. Besides, I donÕt want to embarrass you.Ó
Dana Scully walked up to him, took the ball, and stood at the free throw line making her shot.
*Swish*
The ball dropped into the net, and MulderÕs jaw nearly hit the ground. ÒLucky shot!Ó he finally managed to call out.
ÒOh please,Ó accompanied by a roll of her blue eyes.
He recaptured the ball, walking down the court past the free throw line, grumbling to himself. ÒShowoff..Ó He prepared for his next shot and then let it fly. The ball bounced off the rim and flew to the right.
To his left, Scully snorted and then when to retrieve the basketball. She was hell bent now on proving that she could beat him at this stupid game. She moved up close to the hoop and threw the ball at the bottom right of the backboard. It rebounded and fell through the hoop and onto the ground.
ÒOh come *on*. *Anybody* can do that,Ó he told her, swiping the ball. He returned to the free throw line, this time turning away from it.

Bending over backward, he examined the hoop, then stood up straight and threw the ball over his head. It soared over him and slammed the backboard before sinking into the basket. He glanced at her smugly, then jogged over to save the ball.
ÒGet real,Ó she muttered. ÒThat one was a little *whiz-bang*, donÕt you think?Ó
ÒLike my theories?Ó ÒI didnÕt say that,Ó she replied, snatching the orange sphere as he spun it on his forefinger. She kicked off her high heels and nylons allowing her more balance. ÒScully...Ó Mulder had a grin on his face that said it wasnÕt about the game anymore. ÒKeep going, G-Woman.Ó
She said nothing, spinning the ball not on her forefinger, but on her thumb, showing off exceptionally. She then passed the ball back and forth to each hand. Winging it with one hand, the ball flew toward the net. It hit the rim with a *clang* and tottered on the edge, before dropping into the hoop. Again.
Handing it to him, she gave a triumphant grin as if to say ÔAnything you can do, I can do better,Õ and stripped off her jacket. She then produced a pair of tennis shoes from the trunk of her car. Why she kept them there, Mulder could only guess.

When they were laced up, she marched purposefully back onto the court and snaked the ball from her partner. She took it back court, then ran towards the hoop for her own lay up, when she was promptly blocked by Mulder, who had a good foot on her in height.
ÒHey, thatÕs cheating!Ó she squealed.
ÒItÕs called stuffing, Scully, and I can assure you itÕs perfectly legal,Ó he retorted matter-of-factly.
She grunted and reluctantly handed over the ball. ÒTake it back,Ó she reminded him.
ÒI know, I know,Ó he grumbled, not liking to be told how to play his own game. After all, he knew more than she did, right?

She charged him, crouching low to the ground. She managed to steal the ball -- neither had any idea how -- and raced for the hoop, still staying low. She stopped about five feet short and aimed over his head. The sphere disappeared into the net.
Mimicking his moves from earlier, she raised her arms and exclaimed: ÒThe crowd goes wild!Ó
He mocked her dramatic eye-rolling and mumbled ÒOh please.Ó
She had the ball once again, and was attempting to keep it away from him, and they pivoted and dodged until they both lost their balance and toppled over.

They sat stunned laughing. After they had calmed down, Mulder looked into her eyes and whispered: ÒScully, would you mind if I kissed you?Ó
She was taken aback, but answered ÒI donÕt think so,Ó with a small giggle.
Their lips brushed against each other, testing. She could feel his tongue exploring her mouth. She pulled away and smiled.
ÒIs something wrong?Ó he asked, concerned.
ÒNo, itÕs just, IÕve never kissed you -- or really anyone before.Ó Of course there were a couple of people, but none of them really meant anything, and itÕs not like she had a lot of practice.
He laughed, his breath blowing soft puffs in her auburn hair. ÒWhat do you say we go back to your place for some one on one?Ó he asked with a grin. He grabbed her hand and pulled her off the pavement.
ÒOkay.Ó She grinned to match his, and they drove back to her apartment.
That was the best game of one on one sheÕd ever played...