Title: You Say

Author: Cathey Scully

Rating: PG, because I refuse to put a G rating on things.

Category: little bit of A, little bit of R, V

Keywords: Mulder/Scully UST with Romantic undertones

Spoilers: Space, Little Green Men

Summary: "And I thought what I felt was simple, and I thought that I don't 
belong.  And now that I am leaving, now I know that I did something wrong, 
'cause I missed you."

Archive: Sure, if you'd like.  Just tell me where you're putting it and keep 
my name on it.

Feedback: Please!  CatheyScully@the-pentagon.com or Scully@ga.prestige.net 

Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully aren't mine.  Don't sue me; all you'll get is 
homework.  "Stay (I missed you)" belongs to Lisa Loeb.

Notes: This was written for the After_the_Fact Little Green Men challenge. 
The song in the summary has always reminded me of Little Green Men.  Finally 
I got an idea to go along with the song. 

~	*	~

One thing she hadn't foreseen was missing him.  She originally hadn't even 
wanted the task of working with him, of being the one to shut down his work.  
Who would, though?  He was Spooky Mulder; he'd drag her down.  Her early 
assumptions were blown away as he slowly won her over.  He was smart, funny, 
and could be incredibly adorable when he acted like a little boy. 

One particular incident stood out in her mind.  The day they'd seen the 
shuttle launch from Houston Mission Control.  Mulder had bounced up and down 
next to her with barely restrained enthusiasm.  His eagerness had radiated 
off of him and washed over her, making her heart swell at the realization 
that he trusted her enough to allow her to see that side of him.

She hadn't realized how much the work would end up meaning to her.  After 
all, most of the x-files she'd heard about from her academy friends were 
nothing but unsubstantiated reports of UFO encounters made by drunken 
rednecks driving in their pick-up trucks at midnight.  But Mulder's files, 
while sometimes outrageous, were generally interesting and engaging.

She and Mulder worked well together.  They argued and griped at each other, 
but she supposed that they were good friends nonetheless.  They were together 
pretty much every day of the week, whether it be in the office, driving in 
the car, or out on a case somewhere, so it was hard not to get along.  She 
missed that closeness.  Mulder had become her best friend.

That was why she'd tracked him down to Puerto Rico.  She'd already lost him 
in a professional sense, so much so that he wouldn't even speak to her when 
people from the bureau were present.  She couldn't allow him to get hurt, 
even for his truth.

Sometimes he complained that she never listened to him, but she did.  She 
heard him loud and clear.  He was lonely.  She was too, without him.  That 
was what surprised her more than anything.  In the beginning, she hadn't 
belonged in his office, or in his life.  Now she needed to be there.  Scully 
missed him, it was plain and simple.  She loved working with him, and slowly, 
she was coming to love him.

"I may not have the X-Files, Scully, but I still have my work.  And I've 
still got you."

Scully smiled, remembering his words.  Yes, he still had her.  He'd always 
have her.  At lease he realized that now.

Scully knew he'd probably still be at work.  Slaving away at Skinner's 
punishment for running off to Puerto Rico.  She glanced at her watch before 
making the decision and grabbing her coat and heading out the door.  Just 
because she and Mulder weren't partners officially at the moment, didn't mean 
she would let him work himself to death.

^^^

"Mulder it's 11 o'clock.  Shouldn't you be going home?" Scully asked, 
touching his shoulder.

"Ahh, Scully.  What are you doing back here?" Mulder slumped and looked back 
at her.

"Taking care of you, obviously," she retorted.  "Come on, I'll take you 
home," her tone softened.

"No thanks, I'm not done.  And I'm sure Skinner will bring me heaps more to 
do tomorrow." Mulder shook his head.

"Then I'll stay." Scully gave his shoulder a squeeze and settled into the 
chair beside him.  He smiled and he patted her hand.

"Thanks Scully."

"Sure Mulder.  You couldn't get rid of me if you tried," she smiled and 
laughed when he shook his head.  Then she felt her insides flutter when he 
mumbled,

"Never."

END!!  So it wasn't a full blown romance, but I think it's time-line 
appropriate.  Don't you?  CatheyScully@the-pentagon.com or 
Scully@ga.prestige.net