From: CaptJenga Date sent: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 20:34:33 EDT Title: I'll Never Let Go Author: Jenga E-Mail: CaptJenga@aol.com Rating: G Classification: UST Size: 9 Spoilers: Memento Mori Keywords: vignette Summary: On Friday the 13th, Scully has a bad day and so Mulder takes her to "Titanic" for Valentine's Day Disclaimer: Okay. They're. . .not. . .mine. . .There, I said it. You happy now?! Author's Notes: A little cheesy, but not *too* bad. And for any of you who've read ArchAngel, I'm sorry if this doens't measure up. And if you haven't read it, why are you still downloading this? Get moving! I *looooooove* feedback. (hint hint) * * * Friday, February 13 J. Edgar Hoover Building "I'm going home, Mulder." Special Agent Dana Scully was very tired. Despite her non-belief in bad luck on Friday the 13th, she had not been having a good day. The electricity in her apartment had gone off during the night, so her alarm clock was still flashing "12:00" by the time she had woken up. Already late for work, she skipped breakfast, and had been so preoccupied with getting there in reasonable time that she put everything in her car and actually turned it on before realizing the windshield had been smashed, making driving impossible. She called a cab, the driver of which had leered at her the entire ride to work, and now listening to Mulder's fascination with the day for the past eight hours had not improved her mood. She ignored his wounded puppy dog face at her brusque announcement. He had noticed her mood as soon as she stormed into the office late that morning. He had refrained from commenting about her luck, instead attempting to brighten her mood with some of his more interesting cases concerning Friday the 13th. He'd done his best, but needless to say, it hadn't worked. "So what are your plans for the weekend, Scully?" he asked brightly. The look she shot him turned his smile down a few notches, but he was determined that she leave the office feeling at least somewhat better than when she had arrived. "I don't know. Probably a hot bath and a good book," she replied with a small smile. "So nothing special planned for Valentine's Day?" Mulder inquired innocently. "No, Mulder," she sighed. "Nothing special planned for Valentine's Day." He nodded, his chair creaking dangerously beneath him as he tipped it even further back. She watched as he self-consciously played with his pencil--there was something he wanted to ask her, and she could tell that he didn't know how she would react. She watched the pencil in his hands and smiled, remembering the pencils that he had shot up into the ceiling out of sheer boredom while she had been on "vacation." Most of them had fallen down by themselves, but out of the corner of her eye she could still see one hanging precariously above his head. Her patience was rewarded when moments later Mulder lifted his head and asked, "Hey Scully, you seen "Titanic" yet?" "No," she replied evenly, waiting to see where this conversation was headed. "Well, I've always thought that there was unexplained phenomenon concerning the Titanic," he explained with a smile. "Not to mention," he added, "the popularity of Leonardo DiCaprio among young women is an X-Files in itself. "Scully stared at him, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips ever so slightly. "Why Mulder, are you asking me on a date for Valentine's Day?" "No, of course not," he answered, the smile that she would have found very attractive were he anyone other than her partner making its way across his face. "We would simply be conducting research in our pursuit for the truth." "All right, Mulder," she relented, unable to say no to his boyish expression. She slung her briefcase over her shoulder and grabbed her jacket off her chair. "You pick up the tickets tomorrow morning." He nodded, "So I'll stop by your place about seven?" She agreed and left the office. He sat in silence for a moment, staring at the door which she had just closed behind her. As the sound of her high heels clicking on the floor grew fainter, a small grin slowly worked its way across his face. Even the final pencil bouncing off his head couldn't erase his smile. * * * Saturday, February 14 Valentine's Day 6:59pm Mulder raced up the stairs to Scully's apartment. Everything had been going so well until he realized halfway to Scully's that he had forgotten the tickets back at his apartment. He had actually been early--now he was doing well not to be late. Stopping short in front of Scully's door, he attempted to straighten his clothes and finger comb his unruly hair. He knocked on the door, and smiled the greeting at her surprised expression. "You're on time," she commented with an arched eyebrow. "I'm impressed." "You chariot awaits," he answered with a grin. She rolled her eyes at him and lead the way to his car. * * * "I'll be right back," Mulder promised as soon as they settled into their seats. She watched as he walked away, silently admiring his athletic form in jeans and black leather jacket. It wasn't often that she allowed herself to admit what a handsome man her partner was, and rare still that she got to see him out of their regulation suits. Though she would never admit it, even to herself, she looked forward to these break in his "G-man" facade and treasured them. "If you don't mind my saying so," a woman a few years older than Scully commented from behind her, "Your husband is a very handsome man." Scully opened her mouth to protest, opting instead to merely respond, "Thank you." She refused to analyze the reasoning behind not correcting the woman, and pushed it out of her mind as Mulder returned. "Here you go." He grinned childishly as he handed her a Diet Coke and bag of candy while sitting down with his own soda, candy and popcorn. "What?" he mumbled through a mouthful of popcorn as she shot him a look. She rolled her eyes at him and took a sip of her Coke. "Mulder, you're incorrigible," she chided as the lights dimmed and the previews began. But a few minutes later, a small hand crept into his box and stole a significant handful of buttered popcorn. He smiled into the darkness but said nothing. And when his hand accidentally brushed against that same small hand, he merely smiled into the darkness again. * * * Sunday, February 15 1:45am "Let me I'll walk you to your apartment." Scully nodded, and Mulder quickly turned off the car. The movie had let out about 10:30, but they had gone out for coffee and ended up discussing the finger points of the movie until the coffee shop had closed and the manager finally kicked them out. She led the way up to her apartment, unlocking the door with the intention of inviting Mulder in for a few minutes. When she offered, however, he remained silent, simply staring at her. "Mulder, are you all right?" she asked, concerned. Mulder merely nodded and smiled slightly. He seemed sad somehow, and she searched his eyes for answers. Slowly he took her hand in his own, and placed the other gently on her cheek. "Scully, I want you to promise me something," he began seriously, his voice low and quiet. His eyes locked onto hers, and she was mesmerized by the torrents of emotion flashing in their hazel depths. He clutched her hand tighter and continued after a beat. "I want you to promise me that you'll never give up. No matter how hopeless, promise me you'll never give up." Scully opened her mouth to answer before she even realized the full implication of his words. The bond between them ran so deep that she understood everything that he was asking of her, even if he didn't. "I promise," she answered, her voice quiet but firm with conviction. Mulder smiled and it reminded her of how he had smiled at her in Allentown while undergoing her cancer treatments. It was such sincerity, heartfelt joy, relief and laughter all rolled up into one--it was so Mulder. She squeezed his hand and smiled as he bent down to kiss her cheek. He stayed close for a heartbeat, his hand gentle on her face and his breath warm on her cheek. She basked in the warmth of his embrace, knowing that her words were the ultimate truth. She would never let go. The End. Send feedback please! CaptJenga@aol.com. (I'm addicted--I *need* feedback!) Please!!