Fletcher - Chapter 7 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. Sunday, 10:10 am Wearing borrowed underwear, t-shirt and sweatshirt, and her own jeans, Scully went downstairs. Fletcher was in the kitchen, finishing up the preparations for tomorrow's dinner. "Good morning, again," Fletcher said, kissing her on the cheek. "Good morning," she replied, returning the kiss. "Can I help with anything?" "No, I'm almost done. I've just got to finish loading the dishwasher." Scully's phone rang and she answered it. "Scully." "It's me, Scully. Should I pick you up? Are you going to go with me?" "Actually, Mulder, I'm already at Fletcher's. She picked me up earlier," she said, not really lying. "What?" "I'm getting a cooking lesson." "You, Scully?" "Well, you did complain about not being fed properly. Maybe I'll learn a few things from Fletcher." Mulder bit back his response. Fletcher choked back her laughter. She motioned to Scully to hand her the phone as she toweled off her hands. "Hey, Wonder Boy." "Good morning. Are you behaving yourself, Fletcher?" "What do you think?" "I would hope so." "You'll have to ask Scully if you don't believe me." "How's the cooking lesson?" "Oh, I think Agent Scully is a very apt pupil. She might even be able to boil water by the end of the day." Mulder snorted into the phone and Scully slapped Fletcher in the arm. "Ow. You didn't tell me your partner was so rough, Mulder." "Isn't that how you like 'em, Fletcher?" "Pig." "Slut." "On that note, I'll let Scully have the phone back. See you later, Spooky." "Lecher." "Honestly, you two, " Scully said to Mulder. "I only heard part of the conversation, but it was enough." "Oh, Scully..." he whined. "Will we see you around noon?" "Of course. I'm never late for dinner." "So I've been told. Later, Mulder." She clicked the cell phone off and turned to Fletcher. "What does Mulder have to ask me?" "What do you mean?" "You said, and I quote, 'you'll have to ask Scully if you don't believe me.'" "Oh, he wanted to know if I was behaving myself. I can't see him asking you that." "Not without embarrassing himself." "So, what do we tell him, if anything? It's up to you, Scully." "He knows about you?" "Since day one almost. He used to hang out with me and, well, any my girlfriend at the time." "It was Clarice Starling, wasn't it?" "Yes," she said in the same small voice that she'd used yesterday. Scully thought. "I guess I'll just see what happens," Scully said, changing the topic back to Mulder. "Don't ask, don't tell." "But if he asks, I'll tell." "Scully, I know we haven't talked about what happened last night-" "And this morning," she said smiling, her arms around Fletcher's waist. "Are you okay with all of this?" "Do you mean do I still respect you?" she laughed. "Dana..." "You've never called me Dana before," she said, her laughter fading. "I realize this isn't the time to talk about it, but you'll want to soon. I just want you to know that I hope last night wasn't a one-night stand. It meant too much to me to have it be just that." "Oh, Fletcher, don't worry," she reassured, her hand on Fletcher's cheek. "I've grown too fond of you for it to be just a little affair." Sunday, noon Mulder arrived promptly, his arms full of bags. "I picked up some beer and munchies," he explained. "Well, what time do you want dinner?" "Whenever." "It's baking now." "What'd you fix?" "Lasagna." "Mmmmmmm. My favorite." "Mulder, every meal is your favorite, as long as someone else is cooking or buying." He nodded his agreement as he opened a beer. "Where's Scully?" "On the patio." "I'll take her a beer." They walked out on to the deck together, Fletcher's arm around her best friend's neck. "You're in an awfully good mood," he said. "Why shouldn't I be? It's another beautiful fall day, there's a federal holiday tomorrow, the 'skins are on, I've got lasagna cooking and two of my favorite people in the whole world are spending the day with me." "Since when did Scully join the top ten?" he asked, curiously. "I don't know. Does it matter?" "No, I guess not." Scully turned around when they walked outside. She looked at the two of them together. Both were wearing faded jeans and sneakers. Fletcher was wearing a maroon Redskins mock-tee and a faded baseball hat. Mulder was wearing his team sweatshirt. She looked at Mulder, then Fletcher and then she smiled. she blushed < - a great lover - and they're best friends.> Mulder couldn't believe the look on her face - a look he'd never seen before. It was then he realized Scully was smiling - a large, warm smile that reached all the way to eyes. He handed Scully a beer and looked at her a little more closely. "Something wrong, Mulder?" she asked. "No," he stammered, embarrassed to be caught staring. "You just look different somehow." Scully didn't want Mulder to look at her too carefully again, so she turned to Fletcher. "Fletcher, how far back does your property go?" she asked, looking at the wooded lot beyond the large yard. "Oh, twenty acres back and twenty acres left and right. I also own the same amount of property across the road. The family used to own more, but I've sold some property. I'll probably keep all of this until I leave. Owning all the surrounding property insures my privacy." "How do you keep it secure?" "I have my ways," she said with a small smile. "Fletcher's security system rivals Fort Knox," Mulder joked. "And with good reason. You know the type of trash I deal with - nobody I'd want dropping in unexpectedly." "Then how did Mulder get in?" "He's the only person other than me that has his own security code." She took a large drink from her beer. "How about dinner during halftime?" "I don't know if I can wait that long," Mulder complained. "Don't whine, Wonder Boy. I was thinking halftime of the first game." "I guess I can wait 'til then." "Good. Anyone for another?" she asked, raising her empty beer bottle. They both nodded and Fletcher left to get another round. Scully tried not to watch Fletcher walk away. "Since when have you two become such good friends?" he asked, trying to feign indifference. "I don't know. We've just been having lunch and dinner occasionally." "That's all?" "What do you mean?" "Nothing." He was suddenly embarrassed to ask, wasn't sure if he really wanted to know. And if Scully didn't know about Fletcher, didn't know she was gay, well, he didn't want to be the one to tell her. "Mulder, the game's almost on," Fletcher said as she returned with the beer. "I even put munchies out for you." "Great." Fletcher closed the screen behind them but left the sliding glass door open. It was too nice outside to close it. She flopped down beside Mulder on the couch. Scully thought. She remembered something Fletcher had said the day before - "Mulder's the brother I never had". She sat down on the loveseat and decided that it would be more entertaining to watch the two of them than to watch the game. "Ready?" Fletcher asked Mulder. "I'm ready." "I say first play is a run," she said laying a dollar on couch between them. "I agree," he replied, laying a dollar on top of Fletcher's. They watched the first play in silence. "Run," he said, putting another dollar down. "Pass," she countered, adding to the pile of dollars. The next play was a pass and Fletcher scooped up the pile of dollar bills. "Like candy from a baby," she chortled. "Hope you brought plenty of money, Wonder Boy." "It's still early, and we've got another game to go." "Good. I don't mind making your wallet a little lighter." "Better my wallet than my loafers," he smirked. "Smart ass." "What's that mean?" Scully asked. Fletcher grinned and turned to Mulder. "You said it, Wonder Boy, you explain it." "Um, uh, limp-wristed?" he offered up as an explanation. "What a 'charming' term." Scully shook her head. "Do you bet on every play?" "No, only during the first and third quarters." "How long have you been doing that?" "How long have we been watching football together, Mulder? 10 years?" "Close to it." "Who's ahead?" "I think we're pretty even." "Anyone need another beer?" Scully asked, getting up. "Yes, thanks. And make sure my buddy Mulder has another, too. I want to get him drunk and take advantage of him - in the betting parlor," she laughed. "Halftime." "Dinnertime!" Mulder said happily. "Be a good little boy, Mulder," Fletcher teased. "Get washed up and then go into the diningroom. I've set the table there." She went into the kitchen with Scully and together they brought all the food out. Mulder was already sitting at the table, a knife and fork in hand. "Y'know, Mulder, it's tomorrow that you get to act like the birthday boy, not today," Fletcher commented, shaking her head. "You're going to have to serve yourself." He set his silverware down, dutifully chastened. She sat down at the head of the table. "I suppose it's my fault. I shouldn't spoil you so." Scully went back into the kitchen to get the wine bottle. Mulder waited until she was out of earshot. "But you can't resist spoiling me, can you? You know I'll always be the only man in your life, Fletcher." Scully returned and sat down opposite Fletcher. Mulder decided not to push his luck so he patiently waited for the food to be passed his way. "You'd better leave room for dessert," Fletcher said as Mulder filled his plate with his second helping. "No problem. I always have room for dessert." "Well, I'm done. How about you, Scully?" "Yes, thanks." Fletcher stood up and began to clear the table. "Take your time, Mulder. I'll bring the dessert in a few minutes." Scully helped Fletcher clear the table and take care of the dishes. She peeked around the corner. Mulder was still at the table so she put her arms around Fletcher's waist. "This is really hard." "What? Pretending we're nothing more than friends or keeping our hands to ourselves?" "Both. I don't like lying to Mulder." "We're not lying. Not really. We're just keeping him in the dark." "I still don't like it." She kissed Fletcher lightly on the lips. "I also don't know if I can hold out through another game." "It's hard for me, too." She gave Scully a quick kiss on the lips, her tongue darting in, then out. Scully slapped Fletcher on the butt. "Hey!" "You tease." "I am not. I'm just giving you a preview of what's scheduled for tonight." "Oh, really?" Scully asked, her best skeptical look plastered on her face. "Yes, really. Why don't you go keep Spooky company? I'll bring in the coffee and dessert." "Trying to get rid of me?" "No, I'm trying control myself and with you in the room, it's extremely difficult," she said, jokingly pushing Scully out of the kitchen. "Okay, okay. I get the message." A few minutes later, Fletcher carried in a tray with a pot of coffee, three cups, and a plate filled with canoli. "Oh, boy, canoli. I haven't had these in years," Mulder said, dropping three of them on his now clean plate. "Canoli?" Fletcher asked, holding the plate in front of Scully. "Vanilla or chocolate?" Scully took one look at the plate and blushed. Mulder was too involved in his eating to notice and Scully was grateful. Fletcher winked at Scully and smiled broadly. "It's almost time for the second half, Fletcher," Mulder said, picking up two more canoli to take with him. "Okay. I'll be right in. I haven't cleaned you out yet." "Hey, Scully, are you staying tonight?" Mulder asked. "Well, I'm not really prepared for it." "Why don't you take my car and go get some clothes and stuff?" he suggested. "Good idea. I left your present at my apartment." "Well, we can't have that can we?" He reached into his pocket and tossed her the keys. He turned and left the room. "Do you need directions?" Fletcher asked. "I think I can manage. I'll take my phone in case I get lost." "To get through the gate, just use the generic code - 411911. I recycle the generic codes every two weeks." "Okay." "I'll see you in a few hours. Drive safely." "I will." She kissed Fletcher quickly, repeating what Fletcher had done to her earlier. Fletcher playfully slapped her butt. "Save it for later," Fletcher said, smiling. End Chapter 7