Hmm...let s see. Well, all those same disclaimers still apply. I m still in my playpen borrowing CC s, Fox s, et. al s characters to have fun with instead of going out and earning money doing data entry or something equally boring. Hope they don t mind. This is in response to Sci s challenge and not part of the Generations series which is on hold while its mother suffers from writer s block. This one takes place after Unruhe. Mulder brings pizza to his partner s house. It s a definite G. I m not sure I d call it romance but it does involve their relationship. It s just a little stand alone story. Basketball, Pizza, and Beer by Macspooky It was long past dinner time but Dana Scully had not felt like eating anything. In fact, she simply hadn t had the energy to get up and prepare anything, even something as simple as a sandwich. She felt drained, shell shocked, after their last case. She had hoped that writing her report would act as a catharsis, but it hadn t helped. As she stared at the screen her lower lip trembling slightly, she kept repeating over and over that Gerry was dead, that he would not be lobotomizing any more women. It was over. Mulder had killed him. She had delayed him long enough for Mulder to find her with his brilliant leaps of logic and his ability to think like the insane. A shudder ran through her small frame. It had been close, so very close. The fact that she had known German had distracted Gerry just long enough. It was fortuitous knowledge on her part in one respect, but in some ways it had made things worse on her. She had been able to comprehend the gentle soothing words the man had spoken as he had stood over her, his weapon in his hand, while she had sat immobilized by duct tape in that dentist s chair. It had been almost scarier than the words of hate she would have expected. He had conjured up visions in her mind of death camps....... Go...It s only a shower. Don t be afraid . It will make you feel better. Yes, a shower of poison gas...or a lobotomy. There had been little difference to Dana at that moment. Another tremor ran through her body and the name Dr. Mengele appeared from no where and then a sudden thought of her abduction of being captive and powerless, not quite a memory, but just the feeling of having been a helpless victim shot through her mind. She forced the thought away as best she could and brought her thoughts back to the just finished case. She still had to proof read the report. This time, for the first time, Scully knew that she had gotten inside the killer s head. She had suddenly understood what Mulder went through...what his gift did to him. She cursed men such as Patterson who had used Mulder over the years to solve their cases knowing what it cost her partner, what it took out of him, yet pushing him to the limits anyway. It was easy when you didn t have to go into the dark place yourself, when you could use others to do it for you. Until that very moment she hadn t understood the torment Mulder had endured for most of his career. Mulder.....in her current state of unrest, the one she had sworn to the killer she did not experience, Dana s mind turned to the man who was her partner. In one instant she felt angry at him. He had sent her for the car alone while he waited for a stupid picture....but no, that wasn t right. She was his equal and he had treated her as such. She would never have permitted him to do otherwise. He never would have expected her to. She carried a gun, and it was that same photo that had lead Mulder to her eventual rescue. She had no right to resent him for that. Still, for an instant she did. For a man who was intuitive nearly to the point of being psychic, he had not picked up on her feelings about this case. It had reminded her a little too much of Donnie Pfaster, a perpetrator she tried to forget. It had disturbed her deeply. She had been relieved when she had thought they could turn the case back to local law enforcement. She sighed. No, she had no right to be resentful. These cases were part of her job. This time she had handled the situation much better, had remained in control, had not fallen apart. She had not permitted herself to sob in her partner s arms. These kinds of cases would always be hard for her, but now she could handle them. Yet another tremor went through her. She could and she would. That was it. She could not expect Mulder to be her strength. That was not part of his job. There was a knock on her door. Probably a salesman or something, she told herself. She got up and looked out the peep hole. It was her partner. She didn t know whether to be annoyed or overjoyed, but she opened the door. He stood there wearing a goofy grin with a pizza and a six pack in his hand. Hey, Scully, they were having a sale on Hawaiian pizza with all the trimmings at Bruno s. I thought you might like to share. Without waiting for an invitation he came in setting his goodies down on her coffee table. Dana shuddered. Somehow the thought of pineapple and coconut on a pizza that her partner had also had topped with pepperoni and sausage made her feel more than a little nauseous. Hey, don t worry G-woman. Half is plain cheese just for you. Fox had been all too aware of just how much this last case had bothered his partner and how very eager she had been to turn it back to local police. He was too good a psychologist not to realize how similar the situation had been to the Donnie Pfaster case. He was grateful that once again he had arrived in time. The thought of what might have been done to Dana s fine mind had she even lived through the madman s ministrations did not bear thinking about. Thanks, Mulder, she said managing a slight smile for him. That was how her partner was. Just when you were about ready to give up on him, he would do something sweet and considerate and you ended up forgiving him for every transgression real or imagined. Dana went into the kitchen for some plates and napkins. When she returned she found that he had kicked off his shoes, put his feet up on what space the pizza left on the table and had turned on the basket ball game. Make yourself at home, Mulder, she said dryly popping the top off a bottle of beer and handing it to him. Thanks, Babe he said oblivious. The knicks scored. Yes....... he hissed. He reached for a piece of pizza without taking his eyes off the screen. Now that she was no longer all alone, she felt better, suddenly hungry. She sat down on the couch and picked up a piece of the pizza from the plain side. Dana wasn t sure that she had appreciated the babe comment. It had sounded rather proprietary to her. She wasn t his babe, and he never called her anything like that as a rule. In fact, he rarely called her anything other than Scully....or G woman. Then, it occurred to her suddenly that he was acting just like her father when he had been engrossed in a sport. She remembered bringing him a beer or a soda, and he would say the exact same thing to her, thanks, babe, or thanks baby girl.... The memory gave her a pang that for a moment she thought she might cry for missing Ahab, but of course that could not be permitted. As it turned out, she enjoyed the pizza, actually ate two slices, and the Rolling Rock too....good stuff...The game wasn t bad either. She never would have watched it herself, but Mulder s enthusiasm was contagious. For the moment she felt almost safe, almost secure just having him there. He didn t pay much attention when she cleared away the mess and returned with a tray and a pot of coffee...decaf of course. That was classic Mulder. He would have left the mess. She smiled to herself. The game ended and to Mulder s delight, the Knicks had won. He had really debated with himself whether or not to come to Scully s place. He had really wanted to watch the game and hadn t been sure if she would let him in or permit him to watch it if she did. As it turned out, he had ended up with the best of both worlds....the Knicks....a pizza, good beer....and best of all, Dana Scully sitting by his side silently enjoying it all with him. He had felt content knowing where she was and that he was here to protect her, to keep her safe...not that he would ever say that to her. Once again, on their last case, he had almost been too late...almost lost her to a maniacal killer, and he had really needed to know that she was going to be okay this night. He had really needed to be near her. Feeling better? he asked finally taking a cup of coffee from her with a nod of thanks. What makes you think I was feeling ....not alright? she inquired somewhat defensively. Scully, he said quietly looking into her eyes and setting the cup down for a moment, these last cases have been tough on you.....the baby in Pennsylvania....now this.....You don t have to tell me that cases where women are mutilated are the most difficult for you. I know how I feel when I have to deal with child abduction cases.....It s...well....personal. I m not ashamed of that and you shouldn t be either. It s what makes us human. She nodded quietly and gratefully. As exasperating as Mulder could be, she knew she would never have another partner that would have his depth of understanding and respect for her as a human being and as a woman. With him, it was alright to show her gentler side, her more feminine side, sometimes. She didn t have to pretend. She didn t need to prove herself to him. He swallowed. There is just one thing about this case that still disturbs me though, he said quietly. And what is that, Mulder? she asked. When I found you.....when Gerry was dead.....this time you didn t...... Didn t what? she inquired a little confused. For an instant he was afraid to answer. He knew that she was sensitive about the one time she had permitted herself to break down in front of others. No one blamed her, of course, but he knew she felt as though she had been weak. He decided though that he would have to, have to leave himself vulnerable in this instance. You didn t let me hug you, Dana, he said quietly, a little reluctantly, his eyes searching her face for any sign of anger. I wanted to. I almost lost you again and I needed to, needed to hold you for just a moment, just to know that you were really okay, but you walked away. Dana hesitated for only an instant. It was instinctive. She never liked to appear weak. In the end though, she moved toward her partner and let him enfold her in his strong arms. She didn t cry this time, but simply nestled herself against him and let him hold her. That was all...just hold her. It was what they both needed and wanted at that moment. Words were not necessary. For the time being they were safe and they were together, and for a brief interlude, life felt very good. The End All comments, flames, etc. can be sent to macspooky@erols.com