From: "starbuck22" <jbowne@top.monad.net>

See Chapter 1 for usual disclaimers etc.

<<Chapter 3>>


Saturday, 5:00 PM

Fletcher's seatmate glanced over his shoulder once as he moved down the
escalator.  She hadn't planned on following him, but he'd been such a jerk
on the flight, she decided to let him think she was.  <What a prick,>
Fletcher thought as she adjusted the strap on her bag.  <Why do some guys
think they can hit on every woman they meet?  As if I'd be interested in
him. As if _any_ woman would be interested!  And rude doesn't _begin_ to
describe how he was with the flight attendants.>  

He hadn't stopped trying until Fletcher had casually rearranged her blazer,
then reached up to adjust the air vent above her head.  She knew he would
be looking at her chest.  She'd counted on it.  And when he looked, he saw
the gun in her holster.  His eyes had widened, but he'd shut his mouth for
the duration of the flight.

Fletcher strode past the other passengers as they waited for their luggage.
 <Some people never learn,>  she chuckled to herself.  <Carry-on is the
_only_ way to travel.>  She saw her seatmate once again, and nodded to him,
her face stern.  He looked away quickly and she laughed.  <Asshole.>

She unlocked her Jeep and threw her bags into the bag seat.  After exiting
the airport, she reached into the CD case beside her and took one out. 
<I've got to listen to something besides the damn radio. All I'll get on
Saturday night is ads or some DJ who thinks he's God's gift to the
airwaves.  And there's no way I'm going to listen to talk radio.>  She
glanced at the clock in the dashboard.  She debated whether or not to call
the house.  <Nah, I'll just surprise them.  I should be home in half an
hour, maybe less if traffic cooperates.>

She hummed along with the music absentmindedly.  <Damn, I missed Scully -
_really_ missed her.>  She frowned.  < How did this happen so fast?  What's
the matter with you, Buchanan?  Do you really think you could be in love
with Scully?  And maybe - _maybe_  - Scully feels the same way.  Yeah,
right.  As if _she'd_ be in love with _me_.  God, Buchanan, sometimes your
ego is so fucking unbelievable.>  She groaned out loud.  <I don't know if
I'm ready for this _at all_.>

She suddenly became aware of the words to the song that was playing.

'And I'm changing, I swore I'd never compromise
But you convinced me otherwise
I'll do anything you please

You see in all my life I've never found
What I couldn't resist, what I couldn't turn down
I could walk away from anyone I ever knew
But I can't walk away from you

I have never let anything have this much control over me
'cause I worked too hard to call my life my own
Yes, I made myself a world and it worked so perfectly
But it's your world now, I can't refuse
I never had so much to lose
I'm shameless...shameless. . .'

<Oh, great.  Not a song I need to hear now,> she thought, irritated.  She
hit the off button and drove the rest of the way in silence.


Saturday, 5:30 PM

Fletcher could hear the music as soon as she opened the door from the
garage to the kitchen.  <The Motown Girl Groups.  Marva's choice.  It's got
to be.>  She set down her briefcase and suitcase and surveyed the kitchen. 
An almost empty plate of nachos sat on the kitchen table next to three
empty wineglasses. Two empty wine bottles stood next to a bottle of Jose
Cuervo and a bottle of Triple Sec. The blender was on top of the counter
and was half full of a greenish liquid. <Marva's been making the menu,
too,> Fletcher deduced. <Margaritas and nachos. Builds strong bodies twelve
ways.>  She smirked briefly.  <And puts you on the floor another twelve
ways.>  She shook her head slowly at the mess, then continued to the den.

The couch and the recliner had been pushed back and out of the way.  Marva
was leading Scully and Karrin, showing them a simple dance step.  

"And step, step, pivot, arms up... Now shimmy, girls... No, no, no! I said
_shimmy_, not wiggle like some old worm on a hook..."

Fletcher quietly watched from the doorway for a few minutes. She waited
until the music stopped before saying anything. "The Supremes you're not,"
she said wryly, leaning against the doorjamb, her arms folded across her
chest.

Scully was the first to see Fletcher.  <She looks awful,> she thought,
looking at the dark circles under her eyes, the hair that fell down across
her forehead and her rumpled clothing.  Scully wanted nothing more than to
go to her and put her arms around her, but something in Fletcher's body
language told her not to.

"All hail the Sex God of the Zodiac!" Marva laughed, and bowed, her arms
straight out in front of her.

An amused, confused and a somewhat irritated look crossed Fletcher's face.

"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" the trio chorused.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Fletcher asked.

"Guess you had to be here, Fletcher," Marva said.

Fletcher unfolded her arms as Marva walked over to Fletcher and hugged her
hello.  Karrin greeted her with a smile and a hug of her own.  "Long time,
no see."

"What is it with you G-men and trench coats?" Marva needled Fletcher,
pulling at a lapel.

"That's G-_woman_," Fletcher retorted, gently brushing Marva's hand down.
"And you'd have one too if you'd just spent a week in Seattle, San
Francisco, and Portland.  I don't think I saw the sun once all week.  What
crappy, crappy weather."

Fletcher nodded hello to Scully, suddenly feeling shy about showing her
feelings for her in front of her friends.  She was certain that they'd be
able to see through her, tell how she felt about Scully.  Instead of going
to Scully, she nonchalantly said, "Hey, Red.  Thanks for taking care of
these two.  I know they can be a handful, Marva especially."

Marva quickly sized up the situation.  Her back to the others, Marva hissed
at Fletcher, "Don't be an ass, Fletcher.  Go say hello _properly_."  She
took Karrin's hand and began to lead her from the room.  "Let's get
everyone a fresh drink, hon." She looked back at Fletcher.  "Your usual,
Fletcher, or can I interest you in a margarita?" she asked.

"One of your Margaritas From Hell?  Sure.  Just remember to pick me up off
the floor later."

Fletcher waited until they left the room before going over to Scully. 
There was no passion in her hug, only relief at having Scully in her arms. 
Scully slipped her arms inside of Fletcher's coat and drew her closer. 
Fletcher sighed heavily and rested her cheek against Scully's.

"Rough flight?"

"No, I'm just so damn glad to be home."

"Fletcher, I -"

"Ssshh, Red.  Just let me hold you. It's been a long week."

Marva peeked around the corner and saw that Fletcher and Scully were just
standing in the room, arms wrapped around one another.  <Yup.  They're in
love, even if neither one of 'em will admit it.  Fletcher tries so hard to
hide it, but it's so obvious when she looks at Dana.  And Dana, she doesn't
even realize how much she cares about Fletcher.>

Marva cleared her throat loudly before entering the room, Karrin right
behind her. "Why don't you take off your coat and stay awhile?" Marva said
as she handed Fletcher her drink.

Fletcher nodded her thanks. She stepped back, but kept an arm around
Scully's shoulders.  <No sense in trying to be aloof.  Marva can see
through it anyway. Besides, I don't want to avoid Scully all night. The
exact opposite, actually.> She smiled to herself. <There's no way I could -
or even want to - keep my hands off of her.>  "You may not want me to. I've
been in these clothes since yesterday morning."

"Thanks _so_ much for sharing that with us," Marva said dryly.

"How was your flight?" Karrin asked Fletcher as she handed Scully another
margarita.

"Not bad, once I finally got airborne." <And once my seatmate saw I was
packing.> She reached around and rubbed the small of her back. "I've got to
get in a hot shower.  Hygiene issues aside, my back is killing me from
sitting in those damn plastic chairs all last night."

"Would you like a backrub?" Scully asked, her tone of voice offering more
than a simple backrub.

"Thanks, but not right now, Red.  Maybe later," she smiled.  <Definitely
later.>

"I've got my bag in the car," Karrin said.

"I'll be fine, thanks.  Besides, I can always call Scully."

"You're a doctor, Dana?" Karrin asked, surprised.

"Yes."

"I thought you were an FBI agent."

"I am.  I'm also a forensic pathologist," she said modestly.

"Well, while you two talk shop," Fletcher interrupted, "I'm going to run
upstairs and grab a quick shower." She gave Scully as quick kiss on the
cheek before leaving the room.

"Where did you go to medical school?" Karrin asked after Fletcher had left
the room.

"Johns Hopkins.  And you?"

"Duke," she replied, glancing down at her sweatshirt.  "Where did you do
your undergrad?"

"I did a year at Berkeley, then finished up at Maryland.  Where'd you go?"

"Minnesota.  That's where I'm from," she explained.

"I am _so_ glad she put those snowshoes on and went as far as those little
size sixes would take her," Marva said, taking Karrin's hand.

"So am I," Karrin agreed.

"Fletcher looks wiped out," Marva said sipping from her glass.

"Being on the road can do that to you."

"Did I hear you say she's going to be out of town most of the month?"

"She's got a flight at 6:30 Monday morning and won't be back until sometime
Friday.  Then she's got reserves next weekend, and leaves again the
following 
Monday."

"I don't remember Fletcher ever traveling so much," Marva commented.

"I think this is a little out of the ordinary.  There's been a shakeup in
her department.  As a matter of fact, Mulder and I are going on temporary
assignment with ISU beginning December first."

"Really?  You'll be working with Fletcher?"  Marva looked over at Karrin,
one eyebrow raised.  <Another workplace romance?  I don't know about
that...> Karrin looked back at Marva and nodded once in agreement, as if
she'd read Marva's thoughts.

"I think I'll be mostly in the path labs, and then maybe in the field doing
autopsies.  I doubt I'll work much with her or Mulder."

"How long is the assignment?"

"Six months."  Scully swallowed the last of her drink.  "Did Fletcher tell
you that she was promoted this week?"

Karrin raised her eyebrows. "No.  To what?" 

"Second in charge."

"So, technically, Fletcher will be your boss then," Marva mused.  <Forget
the workplace romance.  Fletcher'll be sleeping with another subordinate. 
Hope this one works out better than the last time.>

"I guess so.  I never really thought about it that way."

Marva saw Dana's eyes light up.  She didn't even have to turn around to
know that Fletcher had returned.  Marva looked over her shoulder anyway, if
only to confirm it.  Fletcher stood in the doorway, her hair wet and combed
straight back.  She wore a pair of faded jeans, a plain t-shirt and a navy
v-necked sweater.  <She's still got it,> Marva thought with a tiny little
twinge of regret.  <She does casual better than anyone else I know.>

"Can I interest anyone in some dinner?" Fletcher asked.  "I'm starving."

"Sure," Karrin said.

"I definitely need to eat something," Scully said, "or I'm going to be
passed out by seven o'clock from all the drinking."

"I should've warned you," Fletcher said with a grin.  "When you party with
these two, you _party_."

"Little too late to warn her now," Marva laughed.

"Guess it'll be Mexican tonight," Fletcher said, looking at the margarita
in her hand.

"Yup," Marva said.  "Ready for another, Fletcher?  I was just getting ready
to mix up another batch."

"Why not?  I'll just warn you now.  If I drink too many of your margaritas
with only a few hours of sleep, well, you could very well be putting me to
bed in no time."

<Sounds like a good idea to me> Scully thought.  <I'd enjoy putting you to
bed right now, Fletcher.>  She looked at Fletcher and caught her eye. 
Fletcher winked at her, then smiled.  <I _know_ Fletcher's thinking the
same thing.>

"Well, let me see what I can whip up for all of us," Fletcher said, leading
the group to the kitchen.



Saturday, 9:50 PM

Marva looked over at Fletcher and Scully, who were sitting cozily together
on the couch.  Fletcher's long legs were stretched out in front of her and
her feet rested on the coffee table.  Her arm was across Scully's
shoulders.  Scully's hand rested on Fletcher's thigh.  <Fletcher has
_never_ been affectionate with _any_ woman in front of us.  I don't think
she showed Clarice this much affection in all the time they were together.>
 Marva smiled to herself.  <Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  And she
certainly has fallen hard.>

"Okay, how about this," Marva said.  "Provincetown, 1994."

"Oh, no, don't remind me," Fletcher said, covering her face.

A wicked smile appeared on Marva's face.  "You should've seen her," she
said to Scully.

"It wasn't that funny," Fletcher grumbled through her hands.

"Sure it was."  Marva settled back against Karrin's shoulder.

"What happened?" Scully asked.

"We'd rented a house at the beach. The second night there we went out
dancing and drinking.  Karrin and I left before closing.  We didn't see
Fletcher again until she stumbled in the next morning."

"Tequila shooters," Fletcher groaned, recalling how hung over she'd been.

"Poor baby." There was no sympathy in Marva's voice. "Served you right."

"Marva and I spent the day in town, shopping," Karrin continued the story. 
"When we came back, we found Fletcher sleeping it off on the patio.  She'd
fallen asleep on her stomach, her head turned to one side."

"I was _so_ sunburned," Fletcher explained.

"She sure was," Marva agreed.  "Her back, the back of her legs..."

"And only one side of her face.  It looked like someone had taken a magic
marker and colored one side of her face red," Karrin laughed.  "And the
front of her legs were white and the backs of her legs were red.  I don't
think I've ever seen a sunburn quite like that."

Scully joined in their laughter.  Fletcher scowled. "You wouldn't have
thought it was so funny if it had happened to you."

"How many days did you stay inside?" Karrin teased.  "I can't remember. 
Was it two or three?"

"Two, and I had to sleep on my stomach the rest of the time we were there."

Marva didn't add that Fletcher hadn't spent the whole time alone in bed
either.  <Dana doesn't need to hear _that_ part of the story.  God, what
were their names?  The first one was that woman from Ireland, the nurse. 
She stayed over at least two nights.  And then there was that lawyer from
Boston. Diane.  No, that's not it.  Debbie.  No, DeeDee.  That was her
name.  DeeDee.  I was glad _she_ didn't stick around.  Yes, she was
attractive, but what a snob.  I saw through her in a New York minute.>

Fletcher's eyes met Marva's, her warning clear.  <She's remembering too>
Marva thought.  She gave Fletcher a short nod in reply and briefly touched
her index finger to her lips.  <Message received, buddy.  My lips are
sealed on that one.>

"You don't strike me as the fair skinned type," Scully commented.

"Normally I don't burn, but I fell asleep for about six hours."

"Must've been some hangover," Scully teased.

"One of my worst, I admit."

"Maybe we can go back there again this summer," Marva suggested.  "We
haven't been there in what - two years?"

"Maybe, maybe," Fletcher said yawning.

"Fletcher, have you ever thought of a different line of work?" Marva asked.
 "This one seems to take so much out of you."

"Sometimes," she admitted, her fingers gently stroking Scully's neck.

"What would you do?"

"Well, I don't _have_ to work, you know."

"We know _that_.  I'm just curious.  If you could do anything else, what
would it be?"

"I'd teach."

"Really?  What?" Scully asked.  "Psychology?  Criminology?"

"Nope.  Astronomy.  I'd go back and get my doctorate, or at least my
master's, in astronomy and then teach."

Scully was surprised at Fletcher's response, as was Marva and Karrin. 
"Astronomy?  Why astronomy?"

"I always liked it.  My dad and I used to sit out in the backyard and he'd
tell me all about the stars and the constellations.  When I was in college,
I took as many classes in it as I could.  I think every elective I had was
a course in it."  She took a sip from her glass.  "What would you do?" she
asked Marva.  "If money were no object, what would you like to be doing?"

"Hmmm.  Good question.  Probably perform.  I always wished I'd stuck with
it a little longer, pursued an acting career a little harder."

"Drama?  Comedy?" Fletcher asked.

"Probably comedy, but definitely on the stage.  No movie or TV for this
gal."

"You'd be very good," Karrin said, taking Marva's hand.

"I agree," Fletcher said with a smile.  "You always had a flair for the
dramatic."

"Smartass."  Marva turned to Karrin.  "What would you do, honey?"

"I'm doing what I always wanted to do now.  I'm a doctor.  But, if money
were no object, I'd have my own pediatric clinic in the city.  I think I
could really make a difference there."

"That's my woman, 'Alberta Schweitzer.'"  Marva gave Karrin a wide, warm
smile.

"What about you, Scully?" Fletcher asked.

"I don't know.  I never really gave it much thought."

"Surely you must've dreamed about a career or profession," Fletcher
persisted.

"Well, I wanted a career in science, medicine to be exact.  I've kind of
got that now."

"Did you ever want to have your own practice?" Karrin asked.

"I thought I did.  I contemplated a career in surgery, then pediatrics for
a time, but I discovered I really didn't want that, didn't want to deal
with patients," Scully admitted, hoping it didn't make her sound callous. 
"Pathology seemed to be the most logical course."

"Ever consider running the pathology department in a hospital, or
teaching?" Karrin suggested.

"Well, I've already taught at the Bureau.  I don't know.  I guess I'm
pretty content doing what I do."

Fletcher sensed Scully's discomfort.  "I bet you've got a secret desire to
be a mud wrestler," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hardly," Scully laughed.  "But I must admit, being a roller derby queen
seems kind of intriguing."

The others burst out laughing.  Fletcher hooked her arm around Scully's
neck and whispered into her ear, "I'd rather wrestle you."  She kissed her
once then released her.



Saturday, 11:35 PM

"We'll see you in the morning," Marva said as she and Karrin headed down
the hallway to one of the spare bedrooms.

"I'll make breakfast once everyone's up," Fletcher replied, following
Scully into the master bedroom.  "Goodnight."

"'night, Fletcher, Dana."

Fletcher closed the door and immediately pulled Scully into her arms.
"Finally."

"What?"

"We're finally alone."

She bent her head and gently kissed Scully on the lips.  She felt Scully's
hand move up to the back of her neck and she increased the pressure of the
kiss.  <I can still taste the salt of the margarita,> Fletcher thought as
her tongue darted across Scully's lips.  Scully opened her mouth, inviting
Fletcher's tongue inside, and Fletcher happily obliged.  They stood
together in a passionate embrace, tongues dueling and dancing.

"I've missed you," Fletcher said, holding Scully tightly.  "I'm just so
tired of saying it, of having to say it."  

"I know, I know," Scully whispered, stroking Fletcher's back.

<And I don't even know why I do.  I just do.  And it's not just the sex
either,> Fletcher thought as stepped back and pulled off her sweater. 
<It's too much.> She tossed her sweater onto the chair, then kicked off the
moccasins she was wearing.

"Do you want the bathroom first?" Fletcher asked, sitting down to take off
her socks.

"No, go ahead," Scully replied, though she was confused.  <What's the
matter with her?  One minute she's kissing me and holding me and the next
minute she's all matter-of-fact.>  "Fletcher?"

"What?" Fletcher looked up.

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No, Red," she said heavily.  "I'm beat.  I need some sleep."

<Just drop it, Dana.  She's right.  She's tired.  That's probably all it
is.  And if it isn't, now is _not_ the time to be talking about it.>


When Scully came out of the bathroom, Fletcher was laying on top of the
covers, clad in a t-shirt and a pair of plaid, flannel boxer shorts.  <Glad
I brought something to sleep in,> Scully thought, her disappointment rising
to the surface once again.  Fletcher's eyes were shut but Scully couldn't
tell if she was asleep or not. "Fletcher?" she asked softly, sitting down
on the bed.

"I'm awake, I'm awake," she replied somewhat groggily.

"It's okay.  Go back to sleep."

"I'm really sorry, Red," she apologized as she crawled under the covers. 
"I'm so tired.  I really do need to sleep."

"I know.  It's all right."  She slid in beside Fletcher.  "We don't have to
have sex every time we sleep together, you know," she said, taking Fletcher
into her arms.  Fletcher laid her head on Scully's shoulder and slipped an
arm around her waist.  "One more night won't kill us, I'm sure," she
smiled, kissing the top of Fletcher's head.  "I'm just glad we're not apart
another night."

"Got that right," Fletcher agreed, her eyes closing.

Scully gently rubbed Fletcher's back until she fell asleep.  <This feels so
right, having Fletcher in my arms> she thought.  <I don't know why, or how
it even happened, but it feels like this is how it's supposed to be.  I
just hope I'm right, that Fletcher feels the same way.>



Sunday, 3:15 AM

Scully woke up with a start, not remembering her dream.  She felt
Fletcher's steady breaths warm against her neck, felt her arm around her
waist, and she smiled.  She took Fletcher's hand and moved it up to her
breast as she pushed her ass back against Fletcher's groin.  She covered
Fletcher's hand with her own and began to massage her own breast.  <It's
been too long - again - since I've felt her touch.>

Fletcher stirred behind her, her body slowly waking.  Her fingers began to
knead Scully's nipples through the thin material of her t-shirt.  Her lips
found the back of Scully's neck, then her ear.  She began to move her hips
rhythmically against Scully's buttocks. 

"You're awake," Fletcher murmured, feeling Scully's hard nipples. 

Scully rolled over onto her back, pulling Fletcher on top of her.  She slid
her hands up Fletcher's back, under her t-shirt.  She spread her legs and
moaned softly when Fletcher settled between them.

Fletcher pushed up Scully's t-shirt as her mouth moved from Scully's neck
to her breasts.  Her tongue circled the hard nipples again and again, then
she sucked hard, wanting to take in as much of the breast as she could. 
Her hand moved down and in one quick movement, tugged Scully's underpants
off.  Her fingers expertly sought out Scully's swollen, sensitive clit. 
She began to massage it slowly, rolling it between her fingers, dipping
down only briefly to moisten her fingers, then returning.

"That feels so good..." Scully panted, raising one knee to give Fletcher
better access.  <Please... Fletcher... I need you in me...> Scully thought
as she felt the pressure build.

As if sensing Scully's thoughts, Fletcher eased one finger deep inside. 
Scully exhaled loudly, as if she'd been holding her breath.  Still keeping
the pressure on Scully's clit, she added a second finger.

"Oh... yes... so good... so good..." Scully moaned, drawing the other knee
up.

Fletcher kept pumping her fingers in a slow and steady rhythm, Scully's
hips rocking with the motion.  She felt Scully tighten around her fingers
as her back arched up from the bed.

"Don't stop, Fletcher..." she pleaded. "Don't stop... I'm almost there..."

"Oh, yeah..." Fletcher panted, her face pressed against Scully's neck.
"Come for me, Red..."

"Oh...oh, Fletcher...I'm coming..." she cried out, her body stiffening, her
arms clutching Fletcher.

Fletcher showered her face with kisses, her body covering Scully's.  She
could feel Scully's body still tremble.

"You okay, Red?" she asked gently, her kiss soft on Scully's forehead.

"Oh, yes... I'm fine... Just give me a sec..."

"Take all the time you need..." Fletcher replied with a small smile, her
body slipping off of Scully's.  She wrapped her arm around Scully's waist
once more as she rested her head on Scully's pillow.  "Nice... Very
nice..." Fletcher sighed as she drifted back to sleep.


End Chapter 3 of ?