From: "Halliwell" Date sent: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 16:19:48 +1100 Title: Avoiding A Function Author: Scout Category: S, R, H Rating: PG Spoilers: none Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Summary: Mulder and Scully are roped into attending an FBI function. Author's notes: This storyline was actually my sister's idea, but she has kindly let me use it for my first posting. Thanks, Sassy. Feedback: can be sent to scout-sassy@mailexcite.com Disclaimer: The X Files belongs to the one true god (Chris Carter), 1013 and Fox. No copyright infringement intended. X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X The X Files office "Don't sit down, Scully," Mulder said as his partner entered their office. "Skinner wants to see us." Scully grimaced. "It's got to be about our last case," she said as they headed towards the elevator. ~~~~~ Skinner's office "Two flashlights, a mobile phone and a gun!" Skinner seethed. "How can you lose all of that in just two days?" "Sir, the circumstances of the case-" Scully began. "Don't require for all that to be 'lost'. Especially considering the amount of property that the two of you have lost, misplaced or damaged within the last three months. Some people are suggesting that you should begin to pay the Bureau back for the things that you have lost." "Sir, if I could explain," Mulder said. "Go ahead, Agent Mulder. It had better be good," Skinner growled. Mulder paused, not knowing what to say. "Uh..." Skinner shook his head. "I'll forget about it THIS time," Skinner said. "Thank you sir," Scully and Mulder said in unison. "IF you both attend the FBI function that is taking place tonight. It has come to my attention that everytime there is a function taking place, the two of you conveniantly disappear." Scully and Mulder looked at each other in dismay. "But sir, I already had plans tonight," Scully said. "Then I'd suggest that you cancel them. Goodbye." In the elevator on the way back down to the basement, Mulder slid closer to Scully. "So what were those plans for tonight?" he asked softly. Scully raised an eyebrow. "Well, I was hoping that someone would be free to come over to my apartment, watch some movies, prehaps sleep over..." Scully trailed off suggestively, and Mulder gulped. "Would that someone be me?" he murmured. "Why, of course, Agent Mulder. We could always have some time to finish off that huge mound of paperwork that was generated during our last five cases that never seems to get any smaller." "Like hell we could work," Mulder muttered, sliding his fingers over her knuckles. It was Scully's turn to gulp. His touch was electric. "It looks like that's not going to happen after all. If we don't go to the function tonight, Skinner will have our asses," Scully said in an attempt to compose herself. "We could always leave early," Mulder suggested. Scully's eyes lit up. "Yeah! We'll put in an appearance, let Skinner see us, have one dance, and then go back to my place." "I'll meet you at your place. 7:30." "I'll be ready." ~~~~~ Scully's apartment 7:25 pm "Hang on a second Mulder!" Scully yelled out from her bedroom when Mulder let himself in. She scooped up her earrings and met him at her front door. "Wow Mulder, you look terrific!" she exclaimed. He was wearing a black tuxedo, the same as all of the other men at the function would be wearing, but he managed to look better than most in the formal wear. "You look pretty amazing yourself, Scully," Mulder teased. She was wearing a formal forest green dress that came to midcalf. Her hair was piled up on top of her head, and small curly tendrils dangled around her face. She reddened slightly. "Thanks. You ready?" There were already heaps of people at the function when they arrived. Heading immediately over to the refreshment table, Scully spotted Skinner. "Mulder, Skinner's over there," she said, pointing in the direction of the dance floor. "Let's go there first so we can get out of here sooner." Mulder agreed and followed Scully as she threaded her way through the throng of people, occasionally greeting someone with a smile or a hello. "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, I'm glad to see that you could make it," Skinner said. "Well, we figured it would be a good idea to show our faces once in a while," Mulder ground out. Scully shot him a look that clearly said, 'watch it. We can't leave early if he's watching us like a hawk all evening.' "The awards ceremony will be starting after everyone eats," Skinner informed them. Mulder blinked. "Awards?" "Yes, just a joke really. Of course, if you both came to these functions more often then you'd know about these things." Noting the strained expression on Mulder's face, Scully broke in with, "Excuse us, sir. Mulder, let's go and get some punch." After finishing their drinks, which were spiked with just the right amount of rum, Mulder and Scully headed out to the dance floor. A slow song began just as they got up there, and they slipped into each others arms. "Just the one dance, Mulder?" Scully whispered as they danced slowly among the other couples. "Just the one. Then we'll sneak off. What movies did you get?" Mulder asked curiosly as Scully laid her head on his shoulder. "Wait and see," she murmured. "I got a big tub of icecream, too." Mulder looked in her eyes. "Chocolate?" "Of course." Mulder grinned as the song came to an end. "I'll meet you at your place," he whispered. ~~~~~ Scully's apartment Mulder approached Scully silently. Grinning, he slipped his arms around her waist. "Hi Mulder," she murmured. She twisted around in his arms so that she was facing him. "I've been wanting to do this all day." She covered his lips with her own, and he deepened the kiss passionately. "It was worth the wait," Mulder said when she pulled back. "So, got the icecream?" Scully giggled and went to the freezer, pulling out a large tub of double chocolate icecream. "Think this will be enough?" she asked curiosly. Mulder regarded the tub carefully. "Yeah, I think it might." They went to Scully's couch and settled down, Scully curled up next to Mulder with her head resting on his shoulder, Mulder supporting her weight carefully with his arm around her. ~~~~~ FBI Function 9:45 pm "Now, the award for Most Items Lost In Field In One Case goes to... Agents Mulder and Scully!" Skinner exclaimed. Everyone applauded, then slowly broke off as neither agent approached Skinner. "I'm going to kill them," Skinner muttered into the microphone. ~~~~~ Scully's apartment 11:25 pm Mulder stood as the video finished. "Where are you going?" Scully asked, deprived of her headrest. "Just to get a drink," Mulder assured her. "Want one?" "Sure, if you're offering." Mulder returned to her quickly. She'd shut her eyes once he left for the kitchen, making his plans a lot easier. "Scully?" he asked innocently. "Yeah, Mulder?" she asked, keeping her eyes shut. Mulder grinned. "Do you like whipped cream?" he asked. Scully sat up and opened her eyes. "Mulder, you know that I do," she said, turning around just in time to get a faceful of whipped cream. "Mulder!" she screeched. "Give me the cream!" "No! I will never surrender!" he exclaimed, dancing away from her. "Fine then," Scully said, stalking into the kitchen. After a moment, Mulder began to feel a bit guilty. "Scully?" he asked, coming into the kitchen. Something gooey squished onto his face. He tasted it: grape jelly. "This means war!" he exclaimed. The two of them started throwing cream and jelly around the kitchen. They both quickly became covered in the foods and were so involved in their little game that neither heard the knock on the door. Skinner could hear voices coming from inside Scully's apartment, so he knew that someone was in there, but there was no answer to his knock. "Agent Scully?" he called, but still no reply. A yelp and a shriek from inside the apartment caused Skinner to check the door; it was unlocked. He entered. Aiming carefully, Scully managed to hit Mulder with the grape jelly again. It was difficult though; he could just hold down the nozzle on the whipped cream and it spurted out straight at her, but flicking the jelly took a bit of time and trouble. Mulder yelped as the jelly hit him on the cheek, then Scully shrieked as he squirted cold cream into her hair in retaliation. She flicked another blob of jelly at him, but was way off target. The jelly hit Skinner square in the middle of his bald head. He stood still for a moment as Scully and Mulder froze, then wiped it off with his left hand. Surprising them, he sucked his finger clean. "Grape jelly always was a favourite of mine." Skinner turned and exited the apartment without another word, leaving Mulder and Scully speechless. The End.