From: Pamela Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: New: Along The Way (1/1)-13K Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 17:00:39 -0400 The characters and concept are Chris Carter's. This version of what happens to them is mine, except it would not have been written if not for the absolutely invaluable editorial input of Bruce, Cindy, Jennifer, Pat and Laura. (I'd tell you their last names, but I'm selfish like that. :) You guys are the best! FYI-this is a Scully-gets-a-date story. A reliable source :) told me that Pendrell has no official first name, so I named him. Let me know what you think. Along The Way by Pamela O She was faced with one of the questions love songs have been trying to answer for years; what do you do when you love someone, can't have that someone, but you don't want anybody else? But, since it wasn't in her nature to worry about things that were not in her control, Scully threw her empty Styrofoam cup into the trash can, and let that action mark the end of this day's philosophical rumination. There was a case to solve. This case involved a group of spider worshipers in Arizona. Apparently, the cult was expanding and their practices were wrecking havoc in a couple of small cities there. Mulder was at the library doing research, she was supposed to be calling up medical data explaining the various effects of spider venom. But, it was 5:40, her head ached, and her stomach growled. This, she decided, could wait until tomorrow. Scully located Mulder, told him good night and headed for home. "Going down?" This question warranted special care when answering--one had to consider how many office parties were in the process of breaking up. Scully was relieved to see that Pendrell from Materials Analysis had emitted the question with innocuous intent. "I am. Thanks." Scully said, noting that they were alone. The doors closed and they rode is silence for nine floors. She knew Pendrell was attracted to her and she felt his nervousness. She also felt like sharing this knowledge with him and then adding that if she wasn't already in love with her partner, she'd be willing to explore the possibilities. Scully continued, however, to pretend to find the control panel absolutely fascinating, as was standard elevator protocol. "You look like you're glad this day is over." As soon as it was out Sean began praying for a time warp that would give him a chance to say something a little less stupidly offensive. "Yeah, I guess I am," Scully admitted. Oh, *good*, Pendrell. Telling me I look bad is one way to make sure I enjoy every second we're together, she thought. "If you don't have dinner plans maybe you'd like to join me?" he regrouped and tried again. "No, thanks. I'm not that hungry and I've got this headache anyway. I just want to get home." Scully's stomach picked that moment to betray her in an impossible not to hear way. "Excuse me, I missed lunch," she said, feeling the warmth of embarrassment spread across her face. "Me too." he said. Good thing for me my dinner is waiting. I'm starved." "Your dinner's already prepared? What, Lean Cuisine or Pizza Hut?" "No," Sean said and laughed, "Not anymore. My dad lives with me now and he's the best cook this side of the Mississippi, bar none." "Yeah?" They were walking across the parking lot now and the thought of carrot sticks and leftover Chinese in her refrigerator was rapidly losing what little appeal it ever had. "What does your father like to make?" "My favorite is roast leg of lamb served with fresh asparagus and a baked potato. That's what we're having tonight." Sean knew he finally had her attention. After months of bumbled attempts, they were finally having a conversation that was not case related. In fact, there was a twinkle in Dana's eyes that he hadn't seen before and he didn't miss much. "Then for dessert--Dad makes this peach cobbler that 's a slice of heaven. Add some vanilla ice cream and it's...well, almost orgasmic." "Mmm. I can imagine." Scully sighed. "There's nothing like experiencing it first hand. I promise you you won't be disappointed. Here I am," he gestured toward his dark green Volvo. "Follow me home?" "Uh, well, I'm tempted, but..." "Here's my address in case we get separated," he said, handing her a piece of paper he had quickly written on. "Do you know where that is?" "Yes, I think so. Near American University?" Sean nodded. "We eat in about an hour. I want you to come, Dana. I really want you to come." ************************* Scully pushed the button that electronically lowered her car windows. It was extremely warm for spring, the temperatures had been in the high 80's every day for a week. Pulling away from shade of the parking garage reminded her of that fact. She preferred it warm, so she wasn't uncomfortable as long as there was air circulating. She watched Pendrell turn right. If she kept straight as she would need to in order to go home, she'd have to stop. If she stopped, there would be no air flow. She smiled at her own version of eenie, meenie, miney, moe and turned right. Pendrell lived in a two-story white, row house. Black shutters and black window boxes filled with multicolor pansies accented the front . While many of the houses in the area had been given over to student housing, this block retained a long-term resident appearance. This information gave Scully a third chance to decide if she respected Sean Pendrell's personal life choices, the first one being that he shared his home with his father, and the second one being, well--she couldn't help it-- his Volvo. And now, where he lived. So far, he was batting three for three. Dinner was excellent; the food was restaurant caliber and Sean's father was an entertaining conversationalist who had story after story to share about the laundromat he'd owned and its various patrons throughout the years. The one about the Grateful Dead concert tickets and the shredded sleeping bag had her in stitches. She enjoyed watching Sean fully appreciate the stories, probably as much as he did the first time he'd heard them. From this she deduced that he had a good heart. Scully sent him her best smile across the table. He noticed it and smiled his best smile back at her. He realized that the evening was going very well. The older Mr. Pendrell excused himself from the table shortly before eight, but not before Scully had thanked him profusely and he had extracted an agreement for her to return very soon. Sean left to attend to his father. When he reentered the dining room he didn't join her at the table but stood behind her chair instead. "How's your headache, Dana?" he asked as his hands gently massaged her neck; he found the tension spots immediately. Scully's head automatically lolled forward to give him broader access. "That feels good." Scully was surprised that Sean would initiate physical contact, she had assumed he was shier than that. She also noted that she did not ask or want him to stop. What kind of signals was she sending out? she asked herself. Is this what happens when you have been dateless in... God, how long *had* it been?? "What about here?" he asked as his hands glided from her neck to her shoulders. Sean could not believe he was actually touching Dana. That he was actually feeling how small she was and how soft her skin and hair felt was amazing and exciting. "Yeah, there too." Scully exhaled audibly as the day's tensions began to dissolve. "You could do this professionally, Sean." There! She'd said his name!! "Are you saying you'd be willing to pay me?" was all he could think to ask and he felt lucky he could come up with that one--so much was going on. Scully raised her head and turned to look at him. She saw his short, curly red hair that was just a couple of shades lighter than her own and his wholesome, innocent-looking face. She had to wonder, with all the double entendre floating around in their conversation, what this innocent look concealed. "Yes, I would. Do you do full body massage?" Feeling safe but curious, she decided to test the waters. When Sean moved away from her in a clumsy attempt to hide his body's bold response to her flirting, (instead of taking her hand and placing it "strategically" as others had actually done) she concluded he was more teddy bear than grizzly. That's what she liked. Pretending the only reason he needed to be across the room was to refill their wines glasses, Sean walked to the portable liquor cabinet. He was acutely aware of Scully watching him. What next? Better to let her decide, he thought. He didn't want to over-step any boundaries--he was willing to give this relationship as much time as it needed to flourish-- especially since they were working together with increasing frequency. Scully watched Sean and wondered what next? She ran through her mental check list: Do nothing. Make a joke? Change the subject? She knew if she gave this too much thought, she'd be on her way to her apartment within the next five minutes. So, a split-second later she committed herself to the next level--Mulder be damned (or at least temporarily forgotten). "Sean, I give a pretty good massage myself. Here, let me show you. Sit down." Sean, not wanting to think any further than the directions of her words, did as he was told. He felt Dana's thumbs alternately stroking his forehead, taking the tension concentrated right between his brows, and moving it, up, over and away. He smiled, not just because of what her hands were doing, but what she was doing with the rest of her body; she had straddled his lap. Positioning herself in the most mutually comfortable position required a bit of movement in that his clothing still restricted him. By the time Dana was settled, his breathing and heart rate had doubled. He opened his hazel eyes to gaze into her blue ones. She met his gaze with a quiet, but purposeful look that could only be interpreted one way. His hands moved to the sides of her face because the first time he kissed her, he wanted the added kinesthetic feedback to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Her breath smelled like the wine, her skin held the faint memory of a fragrance that his training told him was floral based. He tenderly kissed her lips, barely more than a touch. They were warm and soft. He felt her eyelashes flutter on his cheek as he pulled back; watching her had been his favorite past time for so many months he did not want to miss this vantage point. Dana wouldn't allow even this minimal retreat. Her hands, that had rested on his shoulders, moved to the back of his head and drew him in closer, more securely. Her mouth against his, she parted her lips and her senses began to revel in the eroticism. While their tongues danced, Sean's hands found there way under her blouse that he had pulled free after he had unzipped her skirt. His hands lingered sensuous moments on her upper-back before working their way down to her hips-- kneading, unhooking and massaging everything along the way. Her hands moved from his hair to his neck and to the front of this shirt where she, resting her forehead on his lips and almost gulping for air at this point, began to unbutton his shirt. Trying extremely hard not to let the practicalities of the situation intrude on this passion, Sean reluctantly said, "Dana." "Shhh", she said, placing fingers where her forehead had been. Removing the tie had been easy. Now, she was somewhat thwarted by his undershirt and had became intent on getting his arms out of his shirt sleeves. Then, the undershirt could come up and off easily and she would be able to really touch him. He persisted, "Dana. Let's go to the bedroom. Hardly blinking, Sean looked no where else except into Scully's eyes. He took her hand and they did as he suggested. The End (You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails.) Comments encouraged. (Please write!) Thanks.