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

See Chapter 1 for usual disclaimers etc.


<<Chapter 5>>

Sunday, 12:15 PM

Fletcher closed the front door behind them. "Red, I've got some stuff I've
got to get done today - packing, laundry, that kind of thing," she said, as
she put her hands in her pockets. "You can hang around here if you want,"
she added rather off-hand.

"Do you want me to?"

"You know I do."

<No, I _don't_ know you do, Fletcher.  Tell me that you want me to stay.> 

Fletcher headed for the staircase. "Got to polish that paperwork. You can
set up your laptop down here or in Mulder's room, if you want."

"I'll work down here," Scully said with a sigh, watching Fletcher take the
stairs two at a time.



Sunday, 5:00 PM

Scully finished the last paragraph of the last report and looked at her
watch.  <Five hours. Enough is enough> she thought as she saved the file
and closed her laptop.  <I wonder if Fletcher's ready to stop for the
night.> Except for refills on iced tea and the occasional kind word on the
way to the laundry room, she hadn't seen Fletcher to speak to all
afternoon. Scully poured herself a glass of wine and headed upstairs. She
quietly walked to the doorway of Fletcher's office, but stopped.  

Fletcher was sitting in front of her desk, her PC and her laptop both on. 
She was leaning back in her chair, holding the photograph of herself with
Clarice Starling and Mulder.  Scully couldn't see Fletcher's expression,
and she was too far away to catch the reflection in the PC monitor. After a
few more moments Fletcher sighed loudly, then opened her bottom desk
drawer.  She dropped the framed photograph in, closed the drawer without
hesitation, and went back to whatever she was typing.  

Scully silently backed out of the room, hoping that Fletcher hadn't seen
her.  She leaned against the wall, out of sight.  A dozen questions bounced
through Scully's mind.  <I wonder what _that_ means?  Has she finally put
Clarice behind her?  Why now?> 

She took a deep breath, then called out, "Fletcher?" 

The typing ceased. "What?"

Scully walked into the room, trying to look casual. "Do you want something
to eat?  I thought I'd fix us some supper."

"I'll pass on anything fancy," she answered, taking off her glasses and
rubbing her eyes.  "I guess I'll just have some of the leftover fruit."

"Do you want me to bring a bowl up to you?"

"Thanks, no.  I'm almost done here.  I'll come downstairs in a few."

"Okay."



Fletcher came down a short time later, carrying her bag and her briefcase. 
She set them down by the door to the garage.  As she came into the kitchen,
she set a slip of paper on the counter.  "Something smells good."

"Grilled cheese sandwich," Scully informed her. "I wasn't in the mood for
fancy, either."

"Enough left to make another one?"

"Thought you weren't hungry," Scully teased.

"I was wrong."  Fletcher put her arms around Scully's waist. "Laundry's
done and my bags are packed.  I've just got to put them in the car tonight,
save myself the time in the morning."
"What time are you getting up?"

"Good question.  Hmmm.  I've got to be at the airport no later than 5:15. 
I won't have to worry about traffic at that hour so I'll probably get up
around 4:00."

"Which means an early night for you, I suppose."

"Well, since you mentioned it," Fletcher said with a smile, "I was thinking
that a long, hot bath before going to bed seemed like a good idea. I was
wondering if you'd like to join me after we have some supper."

"I'd like that," Scully said, her hands slowly rubbing Fletcher's lower
back.  "I'd like that a lot."

"Good."

"What's that?" Scully asked, looking over at the paper on the counter.

"Just my itinerary for the week. I thought you might want it."

"Thanks," she said neutrally. <And if you don't stop being so indifferent,
I think I'm going to scream.>


Sunday, 6:00 PM

"What a great bathtub," Scully said, watching Fletcher turn on the faucet
to the old fashioned tub.  It was longer, wider and deeper than most
bathtubs.  <Plenty of room for the two of us> Scully thought with a smile
as she pulled off her shirt, then her bra.

"When I had the bathroom re-modeled three years ago, I had to order this
special." Fletcher took off her own shirt and bra and tossed them into the
hamper. She turned to face Scully just as she was stepping out of her
pants. <Goddess, she's beautiful,> Fletcher thought, holding her breath at
seeing Scully naked before her.

"Can I give you a hand with these?" Scully asked, her index fingers tugging
on the belt loops of Fletcher's jeans.  

"Be my guest," Fletcher grinned.

"I'm glad I'm not in any kind of a hurry," Scully said with a frustrated
smile as she struggled with Fletcher's jeans.

"Why's that?" Fletcher asked as she kissed Scully's neck, her fingers
lightly tracing the swell of Scully's breasts.

"Button fly jeans?"  She made a face.  "What a pain these are."

"Don't you like a challenge?"  Fletcher's fingertips moved to Scully's
nipples.  "Won't it make it all that more worthwhile?"

"I'd probably have a lot more success if you'd stop distracting me," she
complained, but only half-seriously.

"Then why don't you let me take them off?" Fletcher suggested.

"Give me a minute."

"Take all the time you need."  Fletcher laughed.  "I'm not going anywhere."

"Got it," Scully exclaimed as she unfastened the last button.  She slid her
hands inside of Fletcher's jeans and cupped Fletcher's ass.  She pulled
Fletcher close, her breasts touching Fletcher's stomach, her face between
Fletcher small breasts.  <So good... It feels _so_ good to have her skin
against mine...> Scully thought.

"Plenty of time for this later," Fletcher said, her lips finding Scully's
shoulder.  "We'd better get into the tub now, or the water will get cold." 

"Aye, aye, captain," Scully replied, reluctantly parting from Fletcher.

Scully stepped into the tub as Fletcher shucked the rest of her clothes
off.  She sat down and leaned back, the water deep enough to cover her
breasts.

"This feels wonderful," Scully sighed.

"Hey, where am I supposed to sit?" Fletcher asked.

"Right here," Scully said, "in front of me."

Fletcher turned off the water, then climbed into the tub.  Scully spread
her legs, and Fletcher sat between them. "Got enough room?" she asked
Scully. 

"I'm fine."

Scully began to knead the broad shoulders in front of her.  Fletcher's head
dropped and her shoulders sagged.

"That feels great, Scully."

"Well, I did promise you a backrub yesterday."

"Better late than never."  Fletcher sighed.  "And it's well worth the
wait."

"Where did you get your tattoo?" Scully asked, her fingers gently tracing
the anchors, shield and eagle on Fletcher's right shoulder blade.  <It's
the Naval officer's crest> Scully thought.  <I'd know that anywhere.>

"Where or when?" 

"Both."

"San Diego, when I was 'regular' Navy.  When a bunch of us got our first
promotions to j.g., we all went out drinking.  A veteran warrant officer
took us around town.  We ended up very drunk and in a tattoo parlor." 
Fletcher smiled, remembering.  "He told us it was an initiation that we all
had to go through."

"How many of you had it done?"

"Five guys, two women.  Only two backed out."  She smiled again as she felt
Scully's lips press lightly against the tattoo.  "Why are you asking me
now?"

"Well, I never really had a good look at it before.  It just dawned on me
tonight that my brother Charlie has the same tattoo in exactly the same
spot."

"Was he ever stationed in San Diego?"

"For a year, right after Annapolis."

"I'll have to ask him about it when I meet him," Fletcher said as leaned
back against Scully once again.  "Speaking of tattoos, where'd you get
yours?  Ouroboros, isn't it?"

"Yes."  <I know I shouldn't be surprised that Fletcher knows what it is,
but I don't think I've ever met anyone who's ever heard of it.  Must be
that photographic memory of hers.  She must've read it somewhere.>  "I got
it almost two years ago when I was, uh, a little too drunk.  I was in
Philadelphia on a case."

"I didn't want to say anything, but you're the last person I expected to
see with a tattoo."

"It was not a good time in my life," Scully said, her voice quiet.  She
flashed back on Ed Jerse, and Leonard Betts.  Her hand instinctively went
to the back of her neck and she touched the small scar.  She briefly
fingered the scar, then dropped her hand back to Fletcher's shoulder.

Fletcher kept silent.  Something in Scully's voice told her not to pry any
further.  <I already know about the cancer, Red.  Mulder told me all about
it - years ago - and your abduction, too.  He _didn't_ tell me about the
tattoo, though.  Does he even know you have it?  Hmmm.  I wonder...>

Fletcher stretched her legs out, then put her hand on Scully's knee.  "Red,
did you ever think you'd be sitting in a tub with another woman?" she
asked, changing the topic.

"If you'd asked me that two - no three - months ago, I would've said no. 
It's not that I was opposed to it, I just never considered it an option." 
She began to rub Fletcher's shoulders once again.  "I guess I'm more
surprised that I'm seeing _anyone_.  I never thought I had the time; never
really wanted to find the time, I guess."  She kissed Fletcher's shoulder.
<I suppose I should be more shocked about it, but it feels so right to be
with Fletcher.  Maybe I wouldn't feel that way about another woman.  Maybe
it's just Fletcher.>

Fletcher leaned back against Scully, resting her head on Scully's shoulder.
 Scully wrapped her arms around Fletcher, her arms crisscrossing Fletcher
in a quasi-possessive hug.  She kissed Fletcher's temple.  <I've grown very
fond of you, Fletcher.  Maybe more than just fond... I just wish I knew if
you felt the same.>

Instead of telling Fletcher how she felt, she asked, "Have you always known
about yourself?"

"That I was gay?"

"Yes."

"I guess I always knew I was different.  It just took me a little while to
figure out what it was that made me feel different." Fletcher had a small
smile on her face.  "It took me a little longer to act on the feelings."

"How old were you?"

"Seventeen.  When I was in college."

"Did you ever have sex with a man?"

"Nope.  Never wanted to.  Even when I was still figuring it out about
myself, I never had any desire.  And after my first time with a woman,
there was no going back.  It just confirmed what I guess I knew all along."

"Have there really been all that many women, Fletcher?"

Fletcher's body tensed.  "Have there been a lot of men for you, Scully?"
she replied, not answering the question.

"Touche'," Scully said quietly.

"Does it really matter, as long as you're the only one I'm seeing now?"

"No, I suppose not."

"And if you're concerned about AIDS, don't be," she continued, her voice
defensive.  "I've been tested, more than once, and I'm negative.  And I
haven't been with any women in more than a year.  Can you say the same?"

"Yes. I can."

Fletcher took several deep breaths, forcing herself to get over her anger. 
<Little touchy, aren't we, Buchanan.  Of course she's going to be worried. 
Who knows what Marva and Mulder have been telling her.  And yeah, let's be
honest.  The past is finally catching up to me - the one time I really
don't want it to.>

"Fletcher?" Scully asked, her hands stroking Fletcher's upper arms.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have brought it up.  That's your past.  It's not
_our_ past."

"Don't apologize.  I'm just a little overly sensitive on the topic." 
Fletcher turned her head and kissed Scully's cheek.  "I would never... Not
to you, Red," she stammered. "I couldn't... I just... I don't think of you
that way..." 

Scully lifted her hand to Fletcher's face, her fingers trailing down her
jaw line.  <I believe her,> Scully thought, looking into Fletcher's eyes.
Fletcher shifted, twisting her body.  She reached up and brought Scully's
head down and kissed her deeply on the mouth.  She groaned when Scully
opened her mouth, drawing in her tongue. 

"I think we should go to bed now," Fletcher said, kissing Scully's throat.

"I think you're right."


After toweling Scully off, then herself, Fletcher took Scully's hand and
led her the few steps to the bedroom, then the bed.  She turned the covers
back and waited for Scully to get on the bed before she climbed in beside
her.  Fletcher lay on her side, facing Scully, who was also on her side. 
She slowly ran her hand up and down Scully's torso.

Fletcher looked directly into Scully's eyes.  <Tonight, Red, tonight I want
to make love to you.  Not have sex.  Make love.>  She reached up and tucked
a few stray strands of Scully's hair behind her ear.  <I hope I can at
least show you how I feel.>  

<She's got such an intense look on her face> Scully thought.  <I feel like
her eyes are looking right through me, right into my heart.>  She moved
into Fletcher's arms, her legs intertwining with Fletcher's.

Fletcher kissed Scully once.  "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"
she asked.  

"You're embarrassing me."

"Don't be.  You're a very beautiful, very desirable woman."

She leaned her body into Scully's, easing Scully onto her back.  Every
touch of Scully's body sent sparks through Fletcher's body.  <I've never
wanted anyone so much...never wanted to make love to anyone more...> She
placed a soft kiss on Scully's forehead.  <And Goddess help me, I do love
her...> She returned to Scully's mouth, kissing her over and over.  Her
kisses weren't passionate, but loving, full of feeling.

<It's different> Scully thought, her desire growing.  <Not better, not
worse, just different.  It's more...> She spread her legs, pressing one
thigh between Fletcher's legs.  Her arms went around Fletcher's neck as
Fletcher's mouth moved down to her breasts.

"Oh," Scully exhaled when she felt Fletcher's lips on her nipple.  "So
nice..."

Fletcher groaned her response, her tongue gently circling one nipple, then
the other.  <I could do this for hours,> Fletcher thought <But not now...
There's so much more that I want to do for her...> She lifted her body and
began to kiss her way down Scully's body, all the while her hands caressed
Scully's hips and thighs.

She dropped her hands to the inside of Scully's thighs and gently spread
her legs.  Scully half-moaned, half-sighed at Fletcher's actions.  Fletcher
placed her thumbs on either side of Scully's clit and began to massage the
base of it.  She placed her lips over it and gently sucked.  Scully's moans
grew louder and her hands dropped to the back of Fletcher's head.  Fletcher
began to slowly explore every fold and crevice with her tongue, all the
while she keeping the pressure with her thumbs.

"Oh, Fletcher... that feels really good... Oh, yeah... like that... don't
stop..."

<She's so wet> Fletcher thought as she gently lapped at Scully's slit. 
<She's ready for me now, but not yet...> She stiffened her tongue and
started to drive it into Scully.  She felt Scully's hips thrust up from the
bed.

"Please, Fletcher..."  <I'm going to explode... it's too much... it's never
been like this before...>

Fletcher returned her mouth to Scully's clit.  She started to nibble at it
with her lips, slowly at first, teasing it with her tongue.  Scully's hands
ran wildly through Fletcher's hair, urging her.  Fletcher kept the fingers
from one hand near Scully's clit and continued to rub the base of it.  She
slid her other hand down and began to stroke Scully with her fingers.

"I'm almost there... Oh God, Fletcher..."

Fletcher's drove two fingers deep inside of Scully as she repeatedly pumped
her hips against the bed, her own climax imminent.  Scully moaned again,
almost a whimper, then she cried out, her hips thrashing wildly.

"Fletcher..." she sobbed out loud.

Fletcher felt Scully's orgasm rocket through her body, then her own
followed seconds later.  "Scully...." she moaned into Scully's stomach. 
<Oh Goddess, the stars...>

She quickly moved back up and took Scully in her arms.  They clutched one
another tightly, not wanting to let go.  Scully could feel Fletcher's pulse
in her neck, and she kissed it.  She knew her own heartbeat was racing just
as fast as Fletcher's.

Fletcher felt her body finally relax. It was then that she noticed the
tears on Scully's face.  "You okay, Red?" she asked gently.

Scully put her hand on her own cheek, startled to find it wet.  <That's
never happened before...> She looked up at Fletcher and gently touched her
damp fingers to Fletcher's lips.  Fletcher kissed her fingertips, then
kissed the tears from her cheeks.  Scully kissed Fletcher tenderly on the
lips, then buried her face against the hollow of her neck.  She held on to
Fletcher, not knowing how to tell her how she felt, afraid of telling her
how she felt.

"I've never cried before... from coming..."

"It was special for me, too, Red..." Fletcher admitted, her lips pressing
against Scully's forehead in a soft kiss. "I've never come just from...
without being touched..."

"I'm glad," Scully whispered. "So glad... I could do that for you..."

"Red, what you do for me-" She stopped, and then just kissed Scully, soft
and long and loving.


Monday, 3:50 AM

Fletcher opened her eyes and looked at the clock.  <Good.  The alarm won't
go off and wake her up.>  She carefully slid her arm out from underneath
Scully's neck.  She reached over and re-set the alarm for 6:00.  <If only
it weren't so damned early,> she thought with some regret.  <I'd consider
waking her up.>  She quietly got out of bed and went into the bathroom.  

Fletcher took a quick, cool shower just to wake up and to clear her
thoughts of the previous night.  She dressed in layers because there was
frost on the windows.  <First one of the season.>  She sat down on the edge
of the bed beside Scully.  She put her hand on Scully's hip and gave her a
quick kiss.  Scully smiled and mumbled something unintelligible.

"I re-set the alarm for you," Fletcher said softly.

"Mmmm... thanks," Scully replied, half-asleep.

Fletcher looked at her watch and said, "I've got to leave now or I'll miss
my plane."

"Call me," Scully said sleepily, pulling the covers up to her chin.

"When I can.  I'll see you on Friday."  She stood up, then leaned over and
kissed Scully softly on the cheek.  "Love you. 'bye."


End Chapter 5 of ?