Fletcher - Chapter 12 of ?
By Dana Starbuck
Feedback to jbowne@top.monad.net 
Note:  I am posting this for a friend who only has access to the internet
thru work.  I did not write this, but I have agreed to let my friend use my
email account.  Any comments, please reference 'Fletcher' so I know to
print and pass on to her.
Distribution:  Archive only to ScullySlash Homepage only
Crossposting:  None please!
Keywords: F/F,  Scully/Other, Mulder/Other Friendship,  SOTL Crossover
(sort of)
Spoilers:  None
Rating:  NC17 for sex, ScSlash Rating - A & B
Summary: Scully becomes involved with a friend of Mulder's from his
pre-Xfiles past. 
DISCLAIMER: The X-Files characters and situations are the creations and
property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and the Fox Broadcasting and
have been used without permission. SOTL characters are the property of
Thomas Harris and have been used without permission.  No copyright
infringement is intended and no money shall be made with this piece of
fiction.  All the others belong to the author.
A special thanks to Rad for beta-reading.


Tuesday, October 13th, 5:45 AM

Scully lay in bed and stared at the ceiling.  She'd finally fallen asleep
around 11:00 but had awakened at 5:00 and hadn't been able to fall back
asleep since.  She'd slept poorly, waking up several times and finding
herself reaching for Fletcher.  In the past, she'd never really liked
sharing a bed.  It had always seemed like an invasion of her privacy.  With
Fletcher, all that had changed. 

<I've only shared a bed with Fletcher for 2 nights and already the bed
seems empty without her.>  She looked at the clock once more.   <I wonder
if Fletcher slept as badly as I did.  I doubt it.  This isn't anything new
for her.  I'm sure she's used to leaving her women behind.>  She sighed
loudly, not really happy that there wasn't anyone to hear her.  <Stop being
so paranoid, Dana.  She didn't leave willingly.  It's not that she left
you.  She left for a case.  Period.>

Her cell phone, sitting on the nightstand, began to ring, startling her
from her thoughts.

"Scully," she said after clearing her throat.

"Good morning, Red.  I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No, I was just about to get up."

"I'm sorry I didn't call earlier."

"That's okay.  I understand."

<She sounds exhausted.  I hope she's okay.>

"I just checked into my room and I don't have much time.  I'm going to grab
a quick shower and change my clothes, then I've got to head out."

"You've been working all night?"

"Yeah," Fletcher sighed, sitting down on the bed to take off her boots.

<Damn, I wish I were back in DC with Scully.  I should be waking up next to
her, not sitting alone in some crappy hotel room in Jersey.  This really
sucks.>

"How's the case?"

"Pretty grisly."

"Any idea how long you'll be gone?"

"Just a few days.  They just want us for a consult and an assist with the
forensics.  We'll just load all the data into VICAP.  I imagine the
forensics team will be gone by tonight, Wednesday at the latest."

"And you?"

"I'll probably stay while I give them a cursory profile, then I'll finish
up back at the office."  She yawned loudly, unable to catch it.  "How'd you
sleep, Red?" she asked, after excusing herself.

"Lousy," she said honestly.

"I'm sorry to hear that.  Any particular reason why?" she asked, a smile in
her voice.

"I think you know."

"No, tell me."

"Fletcher, don't make me say it," she said, somewhat embarrassed.

<She's not as comfortable talking about sex as I thought she was. 
Interesting.  I wonder if she's having second thoughts about all of this. 
I guess a little phone sex is out of the question for now.>

"Well, Red, I've got to take a shower and get going.  I'll try to call you
tonight."

"Get some sleep, Fletcher."

"Is that an order, Dr. Scully?"

"No, just a suggestion.  I doubt anyone could order you to do anything,"
she asid, smiling to herself.

"Maybe so.  I'll talk to you later."



Tuesday, 7:30 AM

Mulder walked into the office and was somewhat surprised to find Scully
already at her desk.

"'morning, Scully."

"Good morning, Mulder.  Happy Birthday."

"Thanks."

"There's a cup of coffee on your desk."

"Thanks, but..."

He handed her the extra coffee he'd bought that morning.

"Thanks.  I could use another cup."

"What are you doing here so early?  I thought for sure you'd be late
today."

"Why would I be late?"

"Well, you and Fletcher...you two spent the night and...uh, I just
assumed..." he stammered.

"You assumed wrong," she said quietly.

<Uh oh.  Trouble in paradise already?  I thought Fletcher was getting
beyond that.  I'll kill her.>

"Did you two - did she dump you already?" he blurted.

"You're too quick with the wrong assumptions today, Mulder.  She got called
on a case last night.  She left for New Jersey around 8:00."

"Oops, my mistake," he apologized.  "Have you heard from her yet?"

"She called this morning."

<Chalk one up for Fletcher> he thought.  <Sorry, pal.>

"Oh, I meant to tell you," he said, changing the topic.  "We've been
invited to a Halloween party."

"We have or you have?"

"Well, I was, but I just assumed you'd want to go."

"You and your assumptions, Mulder," she said shaking her head slowly.

"Don't you want to go?  You had a good time last year."

"Correction.  You had a good time, Mulder.  I was bored.  Why do you think
I left an hour after I got there?"

"Well, maybe you would've had a better time if you'd at least worn a
costume and had a few drinks."

"I won't even dignify that nonsense with an argument."

"Aww, Scully...why don't you bring Fletcher to the party?  At least you'd
have someone to talk to and dance with."

"I can't dance with her."

"Why not?"

"How dense are you, Mulder?"

"What?  You're afraid to dance with Fletcher at a private party?"

"In public."

"So, wear a costume.  Nobody has to know Fletcher's a woman."

"That'd be dishonest."

"As opposed to not having a good time?"

"I don't know, Mulder.  I'll have to ask Fletcher."  She picked up the
second cup of coffee.  "What's on the schedule today?"

"We're to catch up on our paperwork.  Skinner's a bit irritated that we're
so far behind."

"You mean, you're so far behind.  I'm almost caught up on mine."

"We're a team, Scully.  Can't you help me out?" he whined.

"I suppose so, as long as you ask nicely."




Tuesday, 8:30 PM

<What a dreary day> Scully thought as she sorted through her mail.  Before
she'd met Fletcher, she would've gone through the motions of the day and
not thought anything of it.  Without Fletcher around, it only made the
dullness of her life that much more acute.

Her phone rang.  <It's not Fletcher.  She only calls on my cell phone>.

"Hello?"

"Dana, it's Mom."

"Oh, hi, Mom.  I'm sorry.  I meant to call you but it just slipped my
mind."

"Where were you this weekend?  Did you get my messages?"

"Yes, I got your messages.  I spent the weekend with some friends."

"Anybody special?" she inquired, the meaning behind her words obvious.

"Mom," she protested.

"Sorry.  Just one of those motherly things I tend to do."

"What was your news about Thanksgiving?" Scully asked, changing the topic.

"Bill and Charlie will both be here."

"Anyone else?"

"Bill's bringing Tara and the baby.  They're going to be spending Christmas
with her family so they're coming here for Thanksgiving."

"And Charlie?"

"He'll be in port for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  He and Jill and the kids
will be here for both holidays."

"That's good news, Mom.  You must be really excited."

"I am.  It's been a long time since we were all together for Thanksgiving."

"I'll try to be there," she said, her first thoughts of Fletcher and
wondering what she was doing for the holiday.  <Don't project, Dana. 
Thanksgiving is weeks away.  A lot can happen between you and Fletcher
between now and then.>

"Don't try, Dana.  You will be here."

"As long as my work permits."

"We'll be expecting you."

Her cell phone began to ring, saving her from further conversation.

"I have to go, Mom.  My cell phone's ringing."

"Call me this weekend."

"I'll try."

Scully hung up the phone and answered her cell phone.

"Scully."

"Hey, gorgeous."

"Hi, Fletcher."

<She sounds even more tired than this morning.  Doesn't she ever sleep?>

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Who else is going to call me that?"

"Anyone that takes the time to know you, Red."

"Flatterer."

"And will it get me anywhere with you?"

"It already has."

Fletcher laughed.  <Thanks, Red.  I needed a laugh today.>

"How was your day?" she asked.

"Okay.  Mulder and I spent it catching up on our paperwork.  I think we're
being punished."

"Why do you think that?"

"We haven't been approved for any travel in what is a long time for us."

"Why's that?"

"Partly because we've been so far behind on our paperwork."

"I find that hard to believe."

"We are."

"I think you aren't but Mulder is.  Am I right?"

"Yes," she admitted.

"He doesn't change.  He stuck me with the paperwork every single time we
worked a case together.  It must drive you nuts."

"I'm used to it."

"Doesn't make it right."

"No, it doesn't," she agreed.  "How's your day been?"

"Not much better than last night.  I hate working with cops who call us in
and then don't cooperate."

"Does that happen often?"

"Even once is too many times for me."

"Have you had a chance to sleep at all?"

"Nope.  I'm just settling in now for the night.  I begged off on a dinner
invitation, even though it would've helped inter-departmental relations."

"You haven't eaten yet?"

"I had lunch.  I'm just waiting on room service."

"Fletcher?"

"Yes?"

"I, um, I miss you," she said, and then she instantly regretted saying it.

<Oh, you fool, Dana.  Fletcher's in the middle of a case.  She doesn't need
to hear about you and your feelings right now.  She's got far more
important things to worry about.>

"Thanks, Red," she said softly.  "I needed to hear that tonight.  I miss
you, too."

"I'll let you go.  You need your sleep."

"Okay, Scully.  Pleasant dreams."

"You too.  Thanks for calling."




Thursday, October 15th, 12:40 PM

"Let's get some lunch, Scully," Mulder suggested.

"No, thanks, I'm not very hungry."

"She'll be back, Scully."

"Who?"

"Fletcher, that's who."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I've got eyes, Scully.  You've been moping around since Fletcher went to
New Jersey.  If you're going to keep on seeing her, you'd better get used
to it.  Between your schedule and her schedule, you're bound to be apart
more than you're together."

"Gee, thanks, Mulder.  I feel better already," she said sarcastically.

"I'm not trying to depress you, Scully.  It's a fact of life."

"I know, Mulder, I know."

"Is she still calling you?"

"Twice, every day."

"Be glad she's calling you.  It's not easy when you've got a horrible
case."

"I know.  I just miss her, Mulder."

Her phone rang and she tried not to pounce on it.

"Scully."

"Hey, Red.  I had a few minutes so I thought I'd call."

Scully looked up at Mulder.  The expression on her face let him know it was
Fletcher.  She gestured with her eyes, hoping he would take the hint.

"I'll go get us some lunch."

Scully waited until he had left, closing the door behind him, before
speaking again.

"He left me alone, believe it or not."

"How's he been with you?"

"Surprisingly good.  He hasn't teased me too much."

"I miss you, Red."

"I miss you, too."

"Well, I've got some good news and I've got some bad news."

"Give it all to me," she sighed.

"I'm flying back late tonight."

"Will I see you?"

"No.  I've got a 7:00 briefing tomorrow morning.  I'm not even sure what
time we're getting in, anyway.  My bad news is, I won't be able to spend
the weekend with you.  At least not the days."

"How come?"

"I've got reserves this weekend."

"When will I see you?"

"Tomorrow night?"

"My place?"

"Sure.  I'll stop and get my uniform on the way."

"What do you want for dinner?"

"The same thing I want for dessert - you."

"Fletcher..."

"Hey, I'm just being honest."

"Fletcher, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure."

"Is it supposed to be this hard?"

"What?"

"I'm finding it really hard to concentrate, and I'm having trouble
sleeping."

"Why?"

"I find myself constantly thinking about you, about us and last weekend,"
she confessed in a small voice.

"Well, you can take care of it yourself or take a cold shower," she
laughed.

"What?"

"Cold showers, and lots of them."

"That's for men."

"Not always.  Hey, it works for me.  It sure got me through the first few,
uh, 'dates' we had."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know all those times we spent together, the dinner, the drive?"

"Yes."

"Red, I was going crazy.  The only thing that saved me from my raging lust
was a very cold shower."

Scully smiled, then pictured Fletcher in a cold shower.  She shook her
head, trying to clear the thoughts.

"All I can say to that is tomorrow night is not going to come soon enough."

"I agree.  Hey Red, I gotta go now."

"Thanks for calling, Fletcher."

"I'll try to call again, but don't count on it.  It's crazy here."

"Take care of yourself."

"You too, Red," Fletcher said, softly chuckling.

"Fletcher..." Scully replied, catching the meaning behind Fletcher's words.

"Goodbye, Scully."


Mulder returned a short time later with a salad for Scully and a big,
sloppy burger for himself.

"Thanks, Mulder."

"Do you want some of these fries?" he offered, stuffing a few into his
mouth.

"No, thanks."

"So, when's Fletcher coming back?"

"We're hooking up tomorrow night."

"Good thing we're not going out on any cases this week."

"The ton of paperwork we've had has been a good distraction for me."

Mulder slurped his milkshake through the straw. For days he had waited to
say something to Scully.  <I suppose now is a good a time as any.>

"I'm a little surprised, Scully."

"At what?"

"Well, I didn't want to say anything, but I'm really curious."

"About what?"

<Here it comes.  I'm just surprised it's taken him this long to talk to me
about all of this.  He hasn't said a word since Sunday.  That's not like
him at all.>

"I know you haven't been dating much, at least not that I'm aware of, but I
always thought you were straight."

"So did I."

"You mean, you and Fletcher...you've never..." He stumbled over his
question.

"Yes, Mulder, Fletcher's the first woman I've slept with."

"Why, Scully?"

"Why what?"

"Why start sleeping with women now?"

"I'm not sleeping with women - only one - Fletcher."

"Well, I suppose if any woman could get you between the sheets it would be
Fletcher."

"Mulder!"

"Scully, I know Fletcher, remember?  I know she can be quite persuasive,
quite charming."

"And you know me, Mulder.  Do you really think I would succumb so easily to
just plain old charm?"

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know and quite frankly, I don't care."

"C'mon, Scully, there's got to be a reason."

"You're not going to stop pestering me, are you?"

"Nope.  You've become my latest X-file," he said with a grin.

"Well, it's one X-file you're never going to close."


End Chapter 12