Fletcher - Chapter 5
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.


Saturday, 5:30 PM

Fletcher had sat in what Scully guessed to be her favorite recliner through
the entire movie.  She herself had sat on the couch.  Fletcher hadn't said
much during the movie.  <She's keeping her distance> Scully thought. <She's
not comfortable sharing her feelings.  I wish I could let her know that
it's okay.>

"Can I interest you in some dinner?"  Fletcher asked when the movie had
ended.

Scully looked directly at Fletcher.  She had trouble reading the look on
her face.  <I know it's only dinner that's she invited me to but why do I
feel it might turn out to be more than just dinner?  And why doesn't that
bother me?  I think I'd like it to be more than dinner.  Just what, I don't
know.>

"I wouldn't want you to go to any bother," she said politely.

"I'd be fixing myself something whether you were here or not.  It's just as
easy to cook for two as it is for one."

"Okay.  I'll stay for dinner then."

Scully followed her into the kitchen.  Fletcher opened the refrigerator and
looked through the well-stocked shelves.

"What do you feel like having?" she asked.

"Whatever you feel like cooking."

"Well, how about stir fry?"

"Sure.  Can I help?"

"Yes, by picking out some music and putting it on the stereo in the den.  I
always cook to music."

"I guess I can handle that."

"Give me a holler if you have any questions."

Scully went into the den and found the stereo.  There were hundreds of CD's
in the cabinet under the CD player.  By the time she'd picked out 3 CDs and
put them in, Fletcher had already cut up the vegetables and chicken and was
cooking them in a well-used wok.  There was a pot steaming rice on the
counter.  

She stopped int the doorway and watched Fletcher cook.  She was singing
softly with the CD's.  Scully remembered her singing in the car but tonight
was different, the music softer, slower.  She thought her voice appealing -
deep and a little throaty - and a little sexy. <Sexy?  Where did that come
from?  I shouldn't be thinking that about Fletcher.>

"Something wrong, Red?" Fletcher asked, seeing the odd look on her face.

"No, I'm fine.  I was just daydreaming.  Is there anything else you need me
to do?  Can I at least set the table?"  Scully offered.

"Sure.  We can eat in here or in the diningroom."

"Oh let's eat in the diningroom.  I don't think I've ever had dinner in a
house with a chandelier."

"The dishes and placemats are in the hutch."


A short time later they were sitting down to dinner.  Fletcher had turned
on the chandelier, but had dimmed the lights a bit.  She had grabbed
another bottle of wine out of her wine cellar and poured them both a glass.

"I suppose wine isn't really called for with Chinese, but it's not 'really'
Chinese food."

"This is really good," Scully complimented Fletcher.  "I now know why
Mulder raves so much about your cooking."

"Thank you.  Coming from you, it's a compliment.  Mulder usually eats so
fast, I don't think he really tastes any of it."

"Well, it's not out of a box or a can.  Mulder would find it to be
nirvana."

"You got a little color in your face today, Red," Fletcher said, noticing
the slightly red cheeks.  "It looks good.  Nice and healthy."

"I hate to admit it, but Mulder's right."  <I've been saying that a lot
lately, and it's really beginning to irritate me.>  "I don't get out much."

"I try to run every other day just so I can get outside.  Sometimes, when
I'm at Quantico, and I'm feeling stressed, I'll go out and run the course."

"What are you fixing Mulder for dinner?"

"Lasagna.  I'll fix it tonight and bake it tomorrow.  Have you decided if
you're coming over or not?"

"I think so," Scully said, looking down, unable to look Fletcher in the
eyes.

"I don't mean to be an ungracious host, but I'll have to get you home soon
so I can get my Sunday dinner fixed."

"I'd like to stay and help you." 

"Well, I guess you could make the salad."

"Don't trust me to cook anything?" she teased Fletcher.

"It's not a question of trust.  I'm just very particular about my cooking."

<She doesn't seem to want to leave> Fletcher thought.  <I wonder why. 
Could she possibly be interested?  Oh goddess, give me this one and I won't
ever ask for anything else ever again.>

<I don't want this day to end> Scully thought.  <I really like being with
Fletcher.  I don't have to explain anything with her.  She's a great
listener and she always seems to know when I need to talk and when I need
to listen.>


Saturday, 9:00 pm

Fletcher finished her second pan of lasagna.  Scully was impressed that
Fletcher had made it from scratch, using homemade sauce, and grating the
cheese herself.

"Why two pans?" she asked.

"I always send a pan home with Mulder.  At least I know he'll get a few
meals out of it."

"He's got that pathetic act down pat," Scully said, chuckling and shaking
her head.

"I know.  He's the only person I've ever had even faintly maternal feelings
for."

"My mother says that every time she sees him, she wants to feed him."

"He does have that affect on most women, myself included, I'm ashamed to
admit."  

She finished her wine and started cleaning up the mess she'd made.

"Do you want to see what's for dessert?"

"You fixed dessert, too?"

"No, I stopped at this little Italian bakery for the bread and dessert.  My
baking skills don't extend much beyond cakes and cookies."

She opened up the refigerator and took out a large box.  Scully could see
that there was another box still in the refrigerator.

"I bought extras for Mulder," Fletcher explained with a sheepish grin.  She
opened the box and broke off a small piece.  "Try this."

She held a small piece of a canoli in front of her.  Scully opened her
mouth and Fletcher placed a piece in her mouth.  She popped a piece into
her own mouth, hardly tasting it.  She couldn't take her eyes off Scully.
<I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life.  And I
don't think I've ever wanted anyone more, either.>

"That's so good it's almost sinful," Scully commented, looking at Fletcher.

"Let me give you a piece of the chocolate."

Scully could no longer ignore or dismiss the feelings that were filling
her.  <Why does Fletcher affect me so much?  I can't believe how much I -
want her?  Is that what I'm feeling?  Do I want her?  I know I want her to
want me.>

Fletcher broke off another piece.  <Oh, goddess, I can't believe I'm
feeding her canoli and I can't believe she's letting me.  I'll never be
able to look at another canoli again in my life without thinking of this
moment.>   She held it out for Scully.  This time, Scully pulled the morsel
off Fletcher's fingers slowly, capturing her fingertips between her lips,
her tongue lightly touching them.

Fletcher held her breath.  <Did she just do what I thought she did?  Oh,
jeez, I want this woman so bad.  If something doesn't happen soon...Air.  I
need some air.  Or a cold shower.  Breathe, you idiot.  Breathe.>  

Scully watched Fletcher carefully.  She hadn't backed away.  She wasn't
sure, but Fletcher's eyes seemed a little glassy.  <Why did I do that?  Did
I have too much to drink?  No, face it, Dana, you want her.  And she wants
you.  At least I think she does.>

"Fletcher, can I ask you a question?"

"What?" she croaked. <Here it comes.  Damn.  So close....>

"Do you want to kiss me?"

<Oh, no, you don't Scully.  Don't put it all on me.  This has got to be
your decision.>  

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes..."

Fletcher bent her head and laid the gentlest of kisses on the perfect lips
in front of her.  When Scully didn't move away, she dipped her head in
again for another kiss, this time increasing the pressure.  She wanted to
touch her, but was afraid to, didn't want to scare her off.

Scully reached up and put her hand on the back of Fletcher's neck, pulling
her closer.  <I'm kissing another woman - another woman!  And it's
so...right...how could I have ever wanted anything else?...>

Fletcher felt Scully's mouth open, drawing her tongue inside.  Fletcher
groaned, unable to stop the feelings that were rushing through her.  Her
hands slid down Scully's back and to her waist.  She pulled Scully in to
her, slipping her thigh between Scully's legs.

"You're so beautiful..." Fletcher murmured, kissing Scully's neck before
returning to those fabulous lips. 

"Fletcher, if you don't take me to you bed right now..." she gasped, moving
against Fletcher's thigh.

"Are you sure about this, Red?"  <Oh, please, oh please, oh please, don't
say no.>

"I think so...yes..."

She pressed her lips to Fletcher's and kissed her.


End Chapter 5 - Fletcher