Fletcher - Chapter 16 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.
THANK YOU: Special thanks to Rad, deejay and eeyore for beta-reading.



Thursday, October 29th, 8:30 PM

<God, what a lousy week it's been> Scully thought as she unpacked her
suitcase. She tossed the washables into the laundry basket. <I have _got_
to get to the drycleaners this week> she thought, hanging up the one suit
the still looked presentable.  She sighed heavily.  <And I thought _last_
week was bad.  At least Fletcher and I had lunch - once - last week.  We
never even _saw_ each other this week.  And don't even get me started about
the weekend.  I'm still a little angry that she went up to Boston the way
she did.  She didn't even try to see me before she left.  Just a quick
phone call with a very vague explanation.  What was it she said, 'family
matters'?  Right.>  She sighed, annoyed with herself.  <Oh, Dana, stop
being so paranoid.  Fletcher really hasn't given you any reason to feel
jealous.>

Scully slid her suitcase under the bed. <Oh, well, at least Fletcher's
called me every day.  She's been really good about that.  It's just that
phone calls, cold showers and...> she blushed <...well, they're _all_ poor
substitutes for the real thing.>

She put her dirty clothes into the laundry basket and shoved it into the
closet with her foot. <I don't feel like doing laundry tonight.  Maybe
tomorrow.>  She walked back out into the livingroom and began to sort
through her mail.  <I wish Fletcher would call.  I miss her.  I really
thought the time apart would be good for us, but it's just made me miss her
more.>  She tossed the mail back on the table.  <Not tonight.>

Her cell phone began to ring.  <Please, not Mulder.  Let it be Fletcher.>

"Scully," she said, answering the phone.

"Hey, Red."

Scully smiled without even realizing it.

"Oh, Fletcher, I was just thinking about you."  

"Oh really?  And what were you thinking?"

"I was hoping you'd call."

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing, why?"

"Good.  I was hoping you'd say that."

"Why?"

"I'm on my way to your place."  She paused then added, "if that's okay with
you."

"Of course it is.  What are you doing home?  I thought you'd be gone for at
least a few more days."

"I decided to come home tonight."  Fletcher cleared her throat.  "Can you
play hooky tomorrow?"

"I suppose, but why?"

"I thought we could spend the day together.  You know, finalize all of our
Halloween plans."

"All right.  It would be nice to have a day off.  I'll call Mulder tonight
and tell him I won't be in tomorrow."

"I should be there in about 15 minutes."

"Good."

"See you then."

Fletcher turned her phone off.  <Damnit.  What am I doing?  I get back to
D.C. and the first thing I do is call her.  I've got it so bad and that
ain't so good.>  She hit the steering wheel once with her hand.  <Maybe I
should call her back and cancel.  No.  I want to see her.>  She flipped on
the radio and hit the scan button.   <Christ, nothing but ads.  How 'bout
some tunes, guys?>  She gave it a few more passes then snapped it off in
disgust.

She thought about running the yellow light that was ready to turn to red,
but decided against it.  She hit her brakes hard - too hard.  <Settle down,
fool.  So you miss her.  Big fucking deal.  It's not anything to get in an
accident over.>  She drummed her fingers on her thighs.  <Yeah, I have
missed her, and not just sexually.  Face it.  She gets to you like no one
else has in a long, long time.  Not since Clarice.  Not good, Buchanan. 
Not good at all.>


Thursday, 9:00 PM

Scully called Mulder at home, hoping he wasn't there.  She wasn't eager to
talk to him tonight.  <Let me get his answering machine.  Please.  The last
thing I want to do is to tell him _why_ I'm taking tomorrow off.>

"They're heeeerrree. And I'm out after them.  Leave me a message."

<That message is worse than the last one> Scully groaned as she waited for
the beep.  "Mulder, it's me.  I won't be in tomorrow.  I'll call you
sometime."

No sooner had she hung up than Fletcher was knocking at her door.  <Slowly,
Dana.  Slowly.  Don't appear to be too eager.>  

She calmly opened the door.  Fletcher appeared to be practicing her own
form of self-restraint as she casually walked into Scully's apartment, her
hands clutching her briefcase.

"Hey, Red.  Long time, no see."

Scully closed the door behind Fletcher. "Hello, Fletcher."

"Are you sure it's okay that I stopped by?  I know it's late."

Every part of Fletcher wanted to take Scully into her arms, but she didn't.
 She was feeling too much and it scared her.

"No, I'm glad you came over."

<She looks so...lost?  Why is it so awkward for us?  Why am I being so
distant?> Scully thought.  <I really missed her and I want her to know it.>

"Scully?" she said, setting down her briefcase.

"Yes?"

Fletcher still couldn't bring herself to tell Scully how she felt.  <Back
off, you fool.  You don't even know what Scully feels for you.>  She took a
step toward Scully and drew her into her arms.  She held Scully close to
her, trying to convey all that she felt with just the hug. 
<Damndamndamndamndamn.  Why does it feel this way?  Why do I have to feel
so much for her?  And why does she always have to feel so damn good in my
arms?>  She squeezed Scully a little tighter, as close as she could.  <I
don't want to let go of her.> 

<Where did this come from?> Scully thought, enjoying the hug.  <It feels so
good for Fletcher to hold me like this.  I don't believe she's ever hugged
me this way, with so much...what?  Feeling?  Warmth?>  She pressed her face
against Fletcher's chest and tried to return the hug. 

"Fletcher?"

"Mmmm?" she replied, her face against Scully's neck, her lips beginning to
leave a trail of soft kisses.

"Will you stay the night?"

"Anything you want, Red."

"Anything?" she asked, smiling.

"Anything," Fletcher repeated.

"Then let's go to bed.  Now," Scully said firmly, her hands moving up
Fletcher's back.

"Yes, ma'am."

She reluctantly released Scully from the hug, instantly missing the touch
of Scully's body against her own.  Scully took her hand and began to lead
her toward the bedroom.

"I need a shower first," Fletcher protested.

"Well, it'd had better be a short one and _not_ one of your cold showers." 
Laughing, she gently pushed Fletcher toward the bathroom.  "Hurry up.  I'll
be waiting.  It's been a long two weeks."

 
Scully took off her clothes and got into bed.  Fletcher was still in the
shower.  She felt her stomach, then her groin, tighten and tingle with
anticipation.  <God, I've missed her...and her touch> Scully thought, her
hands sliding down to her hips.  She slowly moved one hand down and over. 
<I'm so swollen already, and Fletcher hasn't even touched me yet.>  Her
fingers crept a little lower and she was surprised to find how wet she was.
 <I hope Fletcher hurries up> she thought, her breath quickening.

"Looks like you've got a headstart on me, Red," Fletcher said softly.

Scully jumped when she heard Fletcher's voice. Fletcher, a towel around her
waist, watched Scully from the doorway, the only light coming from the
bathroom.  <Oh, goddess, I think I could come just by watching her.  She's
so goddamned beautiful.>

Scully pulled her hand away, embarrassed to have been caught touching
herself.

"No, don't stop," Fletcher said, her voice heavy with hunger for Scully.

"What?"

"Show me, Red," she said, walking over to the bed.

"Show you what?" Scully asked nervously.

"Show me what you do when I'm not here.  Show me how you touch yourself."

"Fletcher..." Her voice trailed off as she turned her head away from
Fletcher.  <I can't do that...oh, why did I ever even touch myself...why
couldn't I have waited...>

"Don't be embarrassed, Red," Fletcher said tenderly.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, next to Scully.  She gently put her
hand on Scully's chin and turned her head so that she was facing Fletcher
once more.  "I happen to think it's incredibly, uh, stimulating.  It just
makes me want you more."  She leaned over and kissed Scully's forehead. 
"And it's very flattering to know that I have that kind of effect on you."

"Very much so," Scully admitted, beginning to feel her desire flare up once
more.  <Oh, Fletcher...what you do to me...>

Fletcher took Scully's hand and moved it back between her legs.  Her
fingers intertwined with Scully's as she guided her hand past her clit.

"Feel how wet you are, Red..." she whispered, letting go of Scully's hand.

"Fletcher..."

"For me, Red..."  She kissed Scully lightly on the lips.  "I'll help...but
not yet..." she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Keeping her eyes locked on Fletcher's, Scully parted her lips with her
fingers, dipping inside, then removing them slowly.  <I can't believe I'm
doing this, but Fletcher just...>  She could hear Fletcher breathe in
sharply and she looked up at her.  Fletcher was hardly breathing and her
eyes were focused on Scully's hand.  <I think I'm turning her on as much as
I'm exciting myself> she thought headily.  Her moist fingers began to knead
her throbbing clit.  She couldn't help it.  She closed her eyes and began
to breathe harder.  <I need her to touch me, too.  I'm so close...>

"Do you need me now, Red?  Do you want me to touch you?"  Fletcher asked,
her heart racing.

"Yes...yes..." she almost sobbed.

"Open yourself for me..." Fletcher urged, her hand on Scully's thigh.

Scully spread her legs, then using both hands, spread her lips.  Fletcher
dropped her head and began to lick Scully very slowly, very deliberately. 
Her tongue probed, gently at first, then deeply, almost roughly.

"Oh, god, Fletcher...so good..."

Her hands moved to the sides of Fletcher's head and she held Fletcher's
head tightly. <So good...so good...I'm so close...>. She moaned loudly as
she moved up against Fletcher's face.  Fletcher's hand was suddenly pulling
one of her hands back and returning it to her clit.  <What does she
want?...should I touch myself again?...I'll come if I do...>  She pulled on
her clit, waiting for the explosion that was on its way.

Fletcher withdrew her tongue from Scully and her lips found Scully's
fingers.  She took them into her mouth briefly, then began to suck on her
clit.  She slipped her thumb into Scully, turning it back and forth. 
Scully continued to pull back on her clit, wanting Fletcher to suck it
harder.

"Oh, Fletcher...I'm coming...don't stop...please...oh, yes...yes..."  Her
hips lifted from the bed and she sobbed out loud, her hands on the back of
Fletcher's head.  "Fletcher...oh, god..."

Fletcher moved her body up and her mouth captured a nipple.  She continued
to drive her thumb in and out, rocking her body with Scully's, beginning to
bring Scully to another orgasm.  

The phone on the nightstand began to ring.  Fletcher stopped what she was
doing, jarred by the noise, the loudness of the ring.

"Don't answer it," she groaned.

"I have to."  She reached for the phone and cleared her throat before
answering.  "Hello?" she said, trying to sound matter-of-fact.

Fletcher's thumb slipped out of her <Oh, no, don't go, Fletcher> and Scully
almost moaned at the loss.  <Damn, almost _there_ again...> she thought.

"It's me, Scully."

"Mulder..." Scully sighed.  <He has the _worst_ timing in the world.> 
Suddenly, Fletcher had slid two fingers back inside of her. <Oh, god, that
feels _so_ good.>  She shifted, her legs spreading back apart.

"Why aren't you coming to work tomorrow?" 

<Because hopefully I'll be _coming_ all day> she thought, her mind focusing
on Fletcher's fingers faintly stirring deep inside.  She stifled a sigh as
her muscles contracted around Fletcher's fingers.

"I need to take a personal day."

"Everything okay?" he asked, concerned.  <Scully _never_ takes personal
days> he thought.

"Everything's -" Fletcher pushed a little deeper into Scully and Scully had
to bite her lip to keep from gasping out loud.  "- fine, Mulder," she said
in a tight voice.

"I just wanted to be sure.  I know you haven't seen Fletcher in awhile..."

"It's been almost two weeks, Mulder, and I'm okay with it now."

"Why now?"  Scully didn't answer, couldn't really answer.  Fletcher had
taken her nipple into her mouth and whatever it was she was doing with her
tongue, well, it felt wonderful.  "Scully, is Fletcher there?"

"Yes," she managed to say.

"When did she get back?"

"Mulder..."

Fletcher lifted her head.  "Will you just tell him goodbye and that we'll
see him on Saturday?" she said with some irritation in her voice.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked.

"Honestly, yes, you are, Mulder."

"Sorry."  <Oh, brother, I wonder what _exactly_ I'm interrupting?>

"I'll call you tomorrow, Mulder.  Okay?  Goodnight."

She pressed the disconnect button, not even waiting for Mulder's goodbye.
Fletcher took the cordless phone from her and tossed it into the closet. 
It bounced off the wall and landed softly into the laundry basket.

"I don't want any further interruptions," she said, her mouth returning to
Scully's breast.

Scully slid her hand down Fletcher's chest, then her stomach.  Her fingers
stopped briefly to feel the wiry, damp curls before continuing their
downward path.

"You're so swollen, Fletcher," she said, taking her clit between her thumb
and index finger and rolling it ever so softly.  "...and so wet..."

"Because of you, Red...all because of you..."

Fletcher moved her fingers again, feeling Scully's respond.  <Oh, yeah,
Red...I love being inside of you...>  Without warning, Scully shoved two
fingers up into Fletcher.  Fletcher gasped out loud.

"Oh, Scully...oh, god, that feels great..."

"I want to make you come, Fletcher..."

"It won't take much..."

"Come with me..."

"Oh, Red..." Fletcher moaned.

Fletcher let Scully find the pace for them as they rocked together in a
slow and steady rhythm.  When the pace began to increase, Scully reached up
and drew Fletcher's face down.  She kissed her again and again, almost
bruising her lips, until she threw her head back, her body straining with
the force of her climax.

Fletcher looked down at Scully.  Their eyes met one last time before they
came.  <There it is...> Fletcher thought.  <That connection for me...for
us...she feels it too...I know she does...I...oh, goddess, I'm coming...> 
Fletcher shut her eyes and felt herself surrender to the powerful orgasm
that shook her own body.

They clutched at one another, holding each other tightly until the tremors
stopped.  Fletcher kissed her gently on the lips, her body still fully on
top of Scully's.

"Oh, Red...incredible...you're so goddamned incredible..." she sighed.

"You're not so bad yourself..." Scully said, a small smirk crossing her
face.

"So glad you approve..."  She began to withdraw her fingers from Scully,
but Scully grabbed her wrist.  "What's wrong, Red?"

"Nothing.  Just leave them in.  I want to fall asleep with you still in
me..."

"Red, keep talking like that I may just have to make you come again..."

"Maybe later, Fletcher...right now, you just feel so good to me, in me...I
just want to sleep this way..."

Fletcher kissed Scully as tenderly as she could, trying again to convey her
feelings with her actions.  <Oh, Red, I don't _think_ I'm in love with you.
 I _know_ I am.>

"I won't leave, Red...get some sleep..." she whispered, kissing Scully
again.



Friday, October 30, 10:00 AM

After stopping at Fletcher's apartment so she could change her clothes,
they stopped for breakfast.

"I love going out for breakfast after the morning rush," Fletcher said as
they left the diner.  "No crowds, and I can take my time."

"Well, you ate almost as much as Mulder usually does."

"Hey, I burned a lot of calories last night," she said with a grin.

"Where to now?" Scully asked, ignoring Fletcher's comment.

"Off to a store where I've got some goodies reserved for our costumes."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, the owner's an old friend."

<She looks so relaxed today> Scully thought as she watched Fletcher steer
through the mid-morning traffic.  <It's been weeks since I've seen her this
stress-free.>  Fletcher caught her looking and she smiled at Scully.

"Penny for your thoughts, Red?"

"Just daydreaming, I guess."

"I'm glad you took today off."

"It feels almost decadent to have stayed in bed until 8:00 on a weekday,
and then not even go to work."

<And it sure was wonderful to wake up in your arms, Fletcher.>

"Doesn't it?  I always try to take a day off when I really _need_ it, and I
really needed one."

"I bet you did.  You looked so tired last night."

"I was, but some time with a certain doctor and I'm cured."  

Fletcher smiled again.  <I sure am smiling a lot today, but I can't help
it.  I must look like the village idiot.>  She tried to tone down her
smile, but failed.  <I just feel so fucking good when I'm with her.  I miss
being with her. I need to be with her more.>

The words to an old song came to mind and she whistled the tune, not daring
to sing the words out loud. 

'Chances are 'cause I wear a silly grin 
the moment you come in to view, 
chances are you think that I'm in love with you.'

"Y'know, Red," Fletcher said, taking Scully's hand as they waited at a
traffic light, "I have to tell you something."

"What?" <Fletcher has the oddest look on her face.>

"Last night - all our nights together - have been great.  No, not great. 
The sex has been fantastic.  For me anyway," she added.

"I hear a 'but' coming," Scully said.

"But this is what I've really missed."

"What?"

"Spending the day with you.  We haven't done in it weeks."

"Well, our schedules haven't been very cooperative."

"I know, but me going away last weekend...I should've put it off, but I
_had_ to take care of some family matters - financial stuff.  I thought
about asking you to go with me, but it wouldn't have been a very good trip.
 I was in meetings with lawyers and financial planners and it was all very
time consuming."

<Finally, she's telling me why she went to Boston.>  Scully stopped the
sigh of relief that threatened to escape from her lips.  <I was never
_really_ worried.  Not much, anyway.>  Scully turned her head away from
Fletcher and rolled her eyes.  <Right, Dana.  Just keep telling yourself
that.>

"Well, anyway, I just wanted to thank you for taking the day off.  I bet it
was hard for you."

"I don't do it very often," Scully admitted.

"When was the last time you took a personal day just to play?"  She
chuckled when Scully didn't answer.  "Just what I thought.  You don't."

"Maybe I just never had a good enough reason to take a day."

<This conversation is getting a little too close for me> Fletcher thought. 
<Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.>

"My errand won't take very long," Fletcher said, changing the topic. 
"We'll be done by noon.  Is there anything you'd especially like to do
today?"

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"The only thing I _have_ to do is to stop by my house some time this
weekend."

"Can we stay there tonight?"

"Sure."  She smiled at Scully.  "How about dinner and a movie?"

"Maybe."

"Surely there's something you'd like to do."

"I'm sure we can think of _something_."

"Oh, Red, I like the way you think," Fletcher grinned.



Fletcher parked in front of store with a black and white sign that said
simply "MARVA'S".  Scully followed Fletcher inside.  Masks, vintage
clothing, and costumes were hung everywhere.  There was order to the
outward chaos, but you had to really look for it.

A black woman looked up at the sound of the door.  She came out from behind
the counter.  She was slender and tall, but not as tall as Fletcher.  Her
skin was dark and her eyes even darker.  She smiled warmly at them. <She's
beautiful> Scully thought.  <Really, _really_ beautiful.  Stunning, as a
matter of fact.>

"Fletcher!"

"Marva, long time, no see," Fletcher greeted her.

"Get your ass over here and give me hug," she ordered in deep voice.

Fletcher laughed and went to her.  They hugged one another closely.  Scully
felt an instant surge of jealousy, but then realized that they were holding
each other as close friends, nothing more.  <Still, I wonder if they have
some sort of a past.>

"Looking good, Fletcher."

"You too."  She turned to Scully, her arm still loosely around Marva's
waist.  "Marva, I want you to meet a _very_ good friend of mine, Dana
Scully.  Scully, this is Marva Owens, the best damn makeup artist and
costume consultant in the entire metro region, Baltimore included."

"Pleased to meet you," Scully said, extending her hand.

"Likewise."

"Do you have everything, Marva?"

"Oh, yes, and I outdid myself, if I do say so myself."

"Is it in the back?" Fletcher asked.

"As always.  I thought you'd forget."

"Why?"

"It has been a long time since you've been here," she said, her tone gently
reprimanding Fletcher.

"I've been busy."

"I can _see_ that," she said, looking at Scully. 

"Glad you understand," Fletcher laughed.

"Always.  I know you _so_ well, Fletcher."

"Sometimes too well," Fletcher replied, a sheepish grin on her face.

"Let's go look at what I've got for you."

Marva gestured to the other clerk to watch the counter.  She opened the
door to the rooms in the back.

"Still the best _white_ ass in D.C.," Marva laughed as she followed
Fletcher and Scully to the back of her shop.

Scully's eyes widened and she looked at Fletcher.  She was amazed to see
Fletcher's cheeks redden in embarrassment.  She wanted to laugh out loud. 
Even Mulder couldn't make her blush.

"What do you want to see first?" she asked Fletcher.

"My makeup and costume."

"Well, get your jacket off and try this padding on first."

Fletcher handed Scully her jacket, then pulled the soft pads over her
shoulders.

"If you put on a t-shirt, preferably a long sleeved one, you'll just look a
little muscle-bound around the shoulders and biceps.  Beef you up a
little."

<Beef her up?> Scully thought.  <She's already got broad shoulders.>

Fletcher moved around and flexed her arms.

"How does it feel?" Marva asked.

"Pretty good."

"Here's your coat," she said, dropping an old, black, men's suitcoat into
Fletcher's hands.  "I hemmed the sleeves up so they'll be about two inches
too short.  You should wear some plain, black pants - chinos would work
fine - and heavy black shoes or boots.  Try a pair of Doc Martens or those
military boots you seem to like so much."  Marva looked at Scully, then
rolled her eyes.  "She has the _worst_ taste in shoes."

Scully laughed, agreeing with Marva.

"I do not," Fletcher protested.  "I just prefer comfort and practicality
over style."

"You can have all three if you'd just take the time to look," Marva
countered.

"Now _that_ is something I don't have much of, and when I do have it, there
are other things that I'd rather be doing."

"I'm sure," she laughed.

Marva motioned to Fletcher to sit, then pulled Fletcher's hair back.

"Would you give me a hand, Dana?"

"Sure.  What do you need me to do?"

"Hold her hair back off her forehead."

Scully stood behind Fletcher and did as she was instructed.  <Hard to
believe it was only a few hours ago that I was running my fingers through
her hair...>  She pressed her body into Fletcher's back.  She saw
Fletcher's neck flush a faint pink and smiled.  Scully watched as Marva
carefully fitted some sort of clay over Fletcher's forehead.   She fussed a
few minutes before stepping back to admire her handiwork.

"What do you think, Dana?"

Scully came around in front of Fletcher to look at her.  Marva's talents
had given Fletcher a very Frankenstein-like brow, complete with a very
realistic scar across the top.

"Wow," was all Scully could say at first.  "That's really good."

"Thanks.  It's been fun creating it."  She handed a small bag to Fletcher. 
"Here's the makeup to match the skin tone.  It's got a very faint hint of
green to it."  She dropped four metal pieces into Fletcher's hands.  "I
guess you could call these electrodes?  I've put some glue in the bag so
you can attach your's and your bride's."

Scully grinned, thinking once again about Mulder as the Bride of
Frankenstein.

"And the _bride's_ costume?" Fletcher asked.

"In the other bags.  I included falsies to fit the bra you told me to get. 
I also put in step-by-step instructions for applying the makeup.  I wasn't
sure if you were doing it yourself or not."

"Well, Scully here will make sure I do it right."

"Thank goodness.  I know all about your lack of skill in the makeup
department."  Marva turned her attention to Scully.  "Dana, do you need any
help with your costume?"

"I just thought I'd wear scrubs and a lab coat."

"No, no, that won't work at all."  Marva looked appalled.  "You absolutely
_must_ wear black pants and an old-fashioned surgical gown," she said in an
overly dramatic tone.  "You should also tease your hair out a bit, give
yourself that crazy scientist look," she added, taking Scully's hair in
hand and rearranging it.

"She's right, Scully," Fletcher agreed.

"Do you have anything to help me out?" Scully asked.

"I think so.  Let me check my computer."

She left the room.  Scully looked over at Fletcher, who was still sitting
in the chair.

"She did really good job on your makeup, Fletcher."

"I knew she would."

"She's very talented.  Aren't her skills kind of wasted in a small shop
like this?"

"She's always wanted to own her own business.  She still does consulting
for all the major theaters and college drama departments in the area.  She
goes in, designs the makeup, sometimes the costumes, trains the staff, then
leaves, her wallet substantially heavier."

"How'd you meet her?"

"Working a case.  I had to do some research and she was highly
recommended."

Scully wanted to ask, but didn't dare.  <I wonder if they slept together? 
I've got to stop this, or I'll drive myself crazy every single time I meet
one of her friends.>

"What does she have for Mulder?"

"It's a secret.  I don't want to spoil the surprise," Fletcher grinned
slyly.

Marva returned to the room, a large smile on her face.  She handed Scully
an old surgical gown.

"You're in luck.  Try this on."

Scully slipped her arms through and Marva fastened it behind her.

"It's perfect," Scully said.  "Thank you."

"Anytime.  Any friend of Fletcher's is a friend of mine."

"Speaking of which," Fletcher interrupted.  "How's your other half?"

"Karrin's doing very well, thank you very much.  She was finally made an
attending in the Peds Department at St. John's."

"Excellent!"

"Well, it's good and it's bad," Marva allowed. "She's finally getting paid
what she deserves, but I barely see her during the week."

"We'll all have to get together soon."

"As long as you're cooking or buying."

"Sure.  You can both spend the weekend at my house.  Maybe next month or
after the holidays."

"That'd be great."

"In the meantime, let's get this money matter squared away."  Fletcher
handed Marva a credit card.  "Put Scully's costume on my card, too."

"Okay."



After chatting with Marva for a few more minutes, Fletcher and Scully left.

"I like her, Fletcher.  I hope we can spend some time with her."

"Glad you approve.  We go back eight or nine years.  She's helped me
through some tough times and we've stayed good friends."  Fletcher put her
hand on Scully's knee.  "So, where to now, Red?"

"I need to stop back at my apartment for a change of clothes."

"And after that?"

"Use your imagination," Scully said coyly.



End Chapter 16