He sighed. It was 5:30. She wasn’t going to make the cut-off.

Fox quickly grabbed his shoes and ran across and down the street.

She was watching the movers, carrying in the furniture.

Fox could only see the back of her head.

"Uh? Miss?" he said, his voice quiet.

He ran up to her, the other neighbors began to come out to help.

As he reached her, she turned.

Fox stopped, his breath caught in his throat.

She was…she was…he couldn’t put words to it.

Her blue eyes seemed to peer into his soul.

She smiled. Her whole face seemed to light up.

"Well, Hi! I’m Dana Scully."

Dana Scully, the most beautiful name in the world.

She began to walk over to him, her hand out.

Fox then realized he hadn’t even reached her fully, before she

Had paralyzed him.

His thoughts were broken by the bark of a tiny Pomeranian at

His feet.

He looked at the dog, then looked back at Dana.

"Uh…"

Real smart, stupid! Fox thought.

Dana tossed her head back and laughed.

Fox couldn’t help but smiled. It was the most amazing sound he ever

Heard.

"Well! I’ve never had a man rendered speechless before sex."

Dana teased.

Fox turned bright red. His eyes widened.

Nobody ever mentioned sex aloud around here.

Dana smiled. She raised her eyebrows. "Are you going to tell me your

Name?"

Fox shook his head, "Sorry, I’m Fox Mulder." He said bashfully.

Dana gave him a teasing wink. "Fox? I guess your mother knew you’d

Turn out handsome."

Fox looked timidly at his shoes.

Dana laughed and turned back to the movers. She gasped, it seemed

that the entire neighborhood has come out to help.

"Wow…" she whispered, amazed.

Fox stood still staring at the back of Dana’s head.

"Fox! Come help dear." A thin woman shouted kindly.

Fox quickly and nervously walked pass Dana.

They caught eyes as he passed. She smiled at him. Fox looked away.

A heavyset, friendly looking woman came walking toward her with a

large gift basket.

"Hi, Welcome to the Falls." She handed the basket to Dana.

Dana smiled. "I’m Dana Scully. Hi."

The woman laughed. "I’m Pat Verlander. I live six doors down.

I'm the neighborhood welcome wagon."

Dana nodded and smiled.

"Those two over there are Win and Cami Schroeder." A handsome man and a

thin woman smiled, waved and continued to work.

She pointed to a large sweet-faced man, "That is Michael Raskub."

The man smiled, "Please call me ‘Big Mike’."

Dana smiled kindly.

Pat then pointed to another man. "That’s Gordy and his wife."

Another couple smiled and continued to work.

She then pointed to the last man. "An that quiet one is…"

Dana cut her off. "Fox Mulder. I met him before."

Pat smiled. "Well that’s good. It nice for him to meet a pretty

young lady like you."

Dana gave tight smile, and shrugged. "Ah, he doesn’t seem to like me

very much, actually."

Pat shook her head. "Nah, he’s just shy."

Dana shifted the gift basket in her hands again.

Pat took a deep breath. "I don’t think your going to make the

Cutoff."

Dana gave her a blank look.

Pat looked nervously, "The cutoff? All move-ins are

required to be completed by 6:00 p.m.

It's in the CC&Rs. It's one of our rules."

Dana made an ‘o’ with her lips and gave a look to her dog.

Pat ran over to help unpack.

Big Mike and Fox were pulling a large chair into her house.

Fox caught eyes with Dana. She smiled.

Fox’s cheeks turned red and he broke contact.

Dana sighed, put down the basket and began to help.

They all finished by six.

Dana watched the moving van drive away.

The neighbors started to leave, waving pleasantly at Dana.

As Fox turned to leave, Dana stopped him. "Fox? Hey Fox?"

He stopped and turned, and then he swallowed. "Yeah?"

She smiled softly, giving him, what her sister called,

‘come hither’ eyes.

"Could you take that gift basket in for me?" she whispered.

Fox looked at the gift basket and nodded.

He picked it up and followed her into the house.

Dana bit her bottom lip. " Could you put in on the counter?"

Fox obeyed. As he did he knocked down another, smaller box.

It opened and spilled out a bunch of paintbrushes.

Fox eyes widened. "I’m sorry!" he said and quickly dropped to pick

Them up.

Dana dropped to help, she laughed. "It’s okay."

They silently picked them up.

"I’m trying to become and artist." She broke the silence.

Fox stopped and looked at her. "Oh."

Dana stopped and looked at him. She began to bite the back of the

Paintbrush. "Maybe," she whispered, "You could come over and see

my work sometime."

Fox nodded, "Uh, okay."

He closed the lid.

They both stood. Fox walked out the door.

Dana watched his tan khaki clad ass walk out the door.

She giggled and looked at her dog. She raised her eyebrows teasingly.

"He’s a cutie, huh Queequeg?"

The dog barked.

Fox pushed his food around his plate.

"This Dana Scully, she seems nice." Gene Gogolak replied.

Pat Verlander nodded, "She said she works from home which tells me

She has money."

"She’s gorgeous." Fox shook his head,

his cheeks red with embarrassment.

"I, uh, I mean, she has…a gorgeous dog." He whispered the last part.

Gene clasped his hands together and put is elbows on the table.

"Ladies, my complements to the chef."

The women nodded and began to pick up the plates.

They left the room.

Gene turned to Win.

"This Scully, is she going to play the game?"

Win took a deep breath. "She’ll be a tough one, but I’m keeping my

Eyes on her."

"She’s an artist." Fox whispered, a proud smile playing on his lips.

Gene nodded forlornly. "An artist." He sighed.

Win tried to reassure Gene. "Like I said, it will be tough,

but I will keep my eyes on her."

Fox looked at the table. Suddenly, he felt sick.

Dana moved her paintbrush around the canvas to the sound of

Dave Matthews;

’Trouble
Don't you see
That in your bed
I find no sleep
I confess you came because of me
Trouble get behind me now
Trouble let me be
Cold wet stone
Deep river bed
Once so clean and clear now runs red
You know to well
Was me that called you here
Trouble get behind me now
Trouble let me be’

Dana hummed along to the choirs.

The colors splashed, sprinkled, dappled and dotted.

She added every color she could.

The song was her inspiration.

She stopped, when she heard a soft, oh-so soft, knock at her door.

Dana turned and walked to the door.

She reached the peephole and looked out.

She smiled and flung open the door.

"Well, hello." She said mock-seductively.

Fox swallowed, "Hi."

Dana moved aside, she smiled brightly.
"Come on in."

Fox walked in slowly. Dana closed the door quietly.

He looked around. Her house was…colorful.

She had painted streaks of color over pure white walls.

She stepped up quietly behind him, "Do you like it?"

She whispered in his ear.

Fox jumped, "Uh, yeah…yes! Yes, I, I do."

Dana smiled, "Good."

She walked over to her stereo and turned off the music.

"Dave Matthews." She said over her shoulder.

"He is my inspiration. He gives me my mind-color."

Fox’s eyebrows knitted together. "Mind-Color?"

She laughed and looked at her feet. "Uh, yeah. When I listen I see…"

She put her open hand out to the wall. "That. I call it Mind-Color."

Fox nodded, "It’s nice. He’s good."

Dana smiled.

"Do you want to sit down?"

Fox sat like an obedient dog.

Dana shook her head, amused.

She walked over to him; she sat on the couch next to him.

She turned her body slightly, so their knees touched.

Fox and his tan khakis.

Dana and her black tights.

Fox looked at their touching knees.

"So…did you like your first month?"

Dana smiled and placed a hand on his knee.

"Yeah. I really like it here. Everyone has been very welcoming."

Fox nodded, his eyes fixated on her hand.

For hours they talked. Well, Dana tried her hardest to get Fox to

Give her a sign that he liked her. Or even to get him to respond

to her.

He just sat back and listened.

He liked to hear the sound of her voice, her hand gestures,

All the little things that made Dana…Dana.

He threw in a ‘yeah’ or an ‘oh really?’ every 10 or 12^th sentence.

Dana finished telling a story of her childhood.

They laughed together. As their laughed died down to giggles,

Dana leaned forward; their lips were insanely close.

Fox got nervous; he stood quickly.

"I better go. It’s late." He rasped.

Dana bit her lip. "It’s only 9."

She was quiet and hurt.

Fox moved uncomfortably for a moment.

He took a deep breath.

Be strong. He thought.

He caught eyes with her. He grinned.

"I could stay a little longer."

Dana smiled widely. "Great. Do you want something to drink?"

Fox sat back in his seat. "Ah, do you have any wine?"

"I always carry wine!" she said like it was obvious.

Fox laughed. She stood, "Let me get it."

Fox watched her strut into the kitchen.

"Red, okay?" she called.

"Yeah, that’s fine." He called back.

He leaned back on the couch; he spread his arms across the top.

He felt a bounce in the cushion. He looked down to see Dana’s dog

Trying his hardest to get up on the cushion.

"Hey, ah, Dana? Is your dog allowed on the couch?"

Fox heard Dana’s strained voice call from the kitchen,

"Queequeg? Hell…YEAH!"

He then heard the ‘pop’ of wine bottle’s cork.

Fox reached over to the dog, lifting him up onto the couch.

"There you go buddy." He said.

The dog licked his palm once and curled up in the corner of the

Other side of the couch.

Dana walked into the living room again, a wine bottle and two

Wine glasses in her hand.

"Here let me get that." Fox stood and took the bottle and glasses.

Dana was surprised at his openness now. She liked him like this.

"Thanks." She smiled and took a seat on the couch again.

Fox sat and poured the wine. He handed her one, "Here ya’ go."

Dana smiled, "Thank you."

Fox took the other. They turned to each other.

Fox held up his glass. "What should we toast to?"

Dana took a deep breath; she tilted her head and thought.

"I have no idea." She laughed. Fox joined in.

"Okay, okay. I have one." Fox raised his glass.

Dana followed.

He caught her eyes, "Here’s to looking at you."

Dana smiled, her cheeks red with embarrassment.

Their glasses clinked; and they both took a drink.

They smiled at each other.

"You made me blush." She said.

Fox smiled back, "What’s wrong with that?"

Dana looked at him, "I haven’t blushed since I was in Junior High."

Fox tossed his head back and laughed.

"How can that be?" he laughed.

Dana laughed with him. Their laughed soon died down,

to just smiles on their faces.

They were turned toward each other.

Dana was on her knees, facing him.

Fox was sitting up against the couch’s armrest.

He put his elbow on the top of the couch. His hand holding up his

Head.

He took a sip, "Really, though, you don’t blush?"

Dana laughed, "Well, I was always an open person. I was never

Embarrassed about myself. So, blushing is tough."

Fox nodded, pretending to contemplate her answer.

"Hmmm, well. Looks like I accomplished something special then."

He smiled.

Hours later, Dana and Fox were still talking.

This time, really talking.

The wine was taking its usual affect.

Fox began to pour more wine for them.

"Fox?" Dana slurred happily.

"What?"

"Can I ask you something?"

Fox handed her, her glass. They both took a sip.

"Yeah, sure."

Dana cleared her throat, as if she was asking a serious, important

Question.

"Do you own any other shirts? Other then polo shirts, of course."

Fox looked at his shirt for a moment.

Then at Dana, both of their faces were straight and sober.

"No…"

They began to laugh hysterically.

Dana leaned forward and slapped his chest playfully.

"You ass." She choked out between laughs.

Fox couldn’t stop laughing.

Dana didn’t remove her hand from the middle of his chest.

It was a while till their laughs stopped. They still had silly smiles

On.

They were staring at each other. An occasional giggle would escape

their smiling lips.

Dana moved closer to him.

Her body was pressed up against him.

Their lips were so close Fox could feel her breath.

She gave him, her ‘come-hither’ eyes and leaned into him.

Fox stopped her. His eyes sparkling, "You’re drunk."

Dana pouted, "So are you." She whispered like a child.

Fox brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"I’m…gonna’ go." He whispered.

As he stood Dana grabbed his shirt.

"Don’t go." She pouted at him.

He smiled, "It’s late, almost 2:00. I gotta’ go."

Dana released him, "Okay." She said.

Fox finished his glass and set it down on the table.

"Thanks for having me over. Bye." He began to walk toward the door.

He turned to Dana when he reached the door.

She sat on her knees still. She was also still pouting.

She put up her hand, and slowly bent her fingers twice.

"Bye. Bye." She said.

Fox smiled and winked.

Dana blushed and smiled back.

Fox walked out the door.

As soon as he closed it he collapsed against it.

He let out a gush of air.

That was nerve racking. Fun, but nerve racking.

He couldn’t help but smile.

He walked home with a small skip in his step.

Actually, because of the wine, it was more of a stumble.

Dana sat staring at the door.

She looked at Queequeg; he had gotten up, rather annoyed, during

One of their several laughing fits,

and had moved to the bedroom threshold.

She smiled and leaned back.

She finished her wine, and entered her bedroom.

Queequeg followed seeing her getting ready for sleep.

She slipped out of her clothes and into a silk nightgown.

She got into bed.

Queequeg jumped up onto the bed and curled into her side.

She looked at the dog, "Ya’ know, I got the king size so you could

Have your own side."

The dog just breathed heavily and shifted.

Dana smiled, "Yeah, I like this position too."

Dana rested her head on the pillow.

She smirked.

She gave a belly laugh and soon fell asleep.

Fox awoke to a throbbing, pounding pain inside his head.

"Ah! God!" he grabbed his head.

He looked down to see his khakis and polo shirt still on.

"Fuck…" he whispered and stood.

He stumbled into his bathroom, grabbing the sink.

He pulled out the Advil, and took two.

"Damn." He sighed. He walked back into his bedroom.

He closed the blinds roughly.

He stripped his clothes and fell into the bed again.

Fox pulled the covers over him.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Fox groaned and grabbed the alarm clock, tossing it at his wall.

Four hours later, Fox re-awoke.

His throbbing head had dimmed. So much, that he didn’t even feel it

Anymore. He sat up and stretched.

He took a shower, dried and dressed.

He looked at the clock.

It was almost 12:00.

He was supposed to go to Mr. Gogolak’s for lunch.

He took off out of his house and down to the Gogolak residence.

They all sat.

Gene, Pat, Win, Cami, Gordy, Big Mike, and Fox.

They were all eating quietly.

Gene broke the silence, "This ‘Scully’ women," Fox felt anger at the

Way he spit her name. "She doesn’t seem to have even glanced at the

CC&Rs."

Win held up a hand to draw Gene’s attention. "Yes, well she is…"

Fox couldn’t hold it, he looked up quickly, "Artistic and

and not ashamed of herself. She is a TRUE person." He snarled at

Gogolak.

Everybody froze and stared at Fox.

Gene didn’t even blink. He kept the younger man’s glare.

Fox stood up angrily, the chair pushing back.

He marched out of the house.

Win cut in again. "I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry."

Gene nodded.

Fox marched angrily back to his house.

He had to get her out of here.

She wouldn’t be appreciated her. She would only end up ‘missing’.

He needed to get her to leave.

He stopped at his door. His eyes filled with tears at a realization.

If he started a relationship with her, which he wanted to so badly,

That would only give her another reason to stay.

Dana yawned and sat up.

She went into the kitchen and turned on the coffee pot.

She then walked into her living room, and pushed the blinds away.

She looked down the street.

Dana smiled. She saw Fox cutting his bushes in front of his house.

She shrugged her eyebrows playfully.

She then turned to Queequeg.

"Well, well, well." She teased, "Today’s my lucky day."

She showered and got dressed.

She chose a rainbow tee-shirt and a, oh-so tight, pair of

Hip-huggers.

Dana put in a headband, to push back her bangs.

She fluffed her, shoulder-blade length, red hair.

Till it puffed and fizzed.

She applied metallic blue eye shadow and a deep pink lip-gloss.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

She smirked, "I look good."

Dana walked outside.

She froze when she saw Win Schroeder.

He was mowing her lawn.

She walked up to him, "Ah, hi?"

He smiled, "Just trimming the lawn for ya’."

Dana’s eyes widened and she scoffed, surprised.

"Umm, okay. Thank you." She smiled slightly and continued down the

street.

Fox snipped away at his shrubs.

Then he felt two tiny hands run up and down his back.

Fox turned his head, "uh, hi."

She smiled, "Hey. How are you?"

Fox stood straight. He towered over her.

"I’m good. You?"

Dana looked up, un-intimidated. "I’m…Fantastic."

Fox nodded. " That’s good."

Dana smiled. "Yeah…"

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

Fox cleared his throat nervously.

He looked around then looked to the ground.

Dana raised her eyebrows. "What happened to the Fox Mulder I met

Last night?"

Fox shrugged slightly. "Don’t read into it."

Dana laughed humorlessly, "Why not?"

He clenched his jaw, he need to say it.

It wasn’t true, but he was hurting her to protect her.

"I was drunk."

Dana let go of him and stepped back, hurt.

Her mouth fell opened as if to speak, but all that came out was a

"Ah...I…ah…" she was at a loss of words; something that hadn’t

happened in a long time.

She felt another unfamiliar feeling, her eyes filled with tears.

Fox just stared at her. He needed to pretend not to care.

Inside his heart felt ready to explode.

Dana just turned and walked back to her house.

Win looked up to see a tearful Dana walking back to house.

Fox’s eyes followed her the whole way.

Dana walked past him, slapping away her tears, and into the house.

He watched Fox. As the door closed to Dana’s house,

Fox sat.

He just sat.

In the spot he stood, at the end of his house, next to the shrubs.

Win looked at her lawn, it was good enough to pass the CC&Rs.

He put it back in his garage, and walked over to Fox.

Fox didn’t even look up.

He just sat.

Win sat in front of him. "Are you okay?"

Fox just shook his head.

Win looked around, uncertain.

Fox and him had been friend since Fox moved in.

Which was about 5 years ago.

"What happened?" he said quietly.

Fox sniffed. "I want her to leave. It’s not safe.

She won’t be cherished here. She is an artist. Rules don’t matter to

Her. She needs to be free and able to express herself…how she wants

To."

Win looked at his friend. "What did you say?"

He sniffed again, "I told her I didn’t like her."

Win nodded slightly, "Do you?"

"What?"

They looked at each other. "Do you like her, ya’ know

are you attracted to her?"

Fox laughed slightly, "Yeah, I do…a lot."

Win thought for a moment. "Then leave with her."

Fox raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Win shrugged, "You’re trying to get her to leave, right?"

Fox nodded.

"Well, instead of her leaving by herself, leave together."

Fox eyes widened. He got it.

He nodded. "Yeah…Yeah!"

He stood quickly. Win followed.

"Thanks." Fox said quickly before taking off for Dana’s.

Dana lay in her bed.

Tears slowly falling; Queequeg whined softly.

Feeling his master’s depression.

She hated Fox Mulder.

She hated him for leading her on.

She hated him for making her cry after 14 years.

She hated him for the feelings she had for him.

She hated him for loving him.

She didn’t know why she was so attracted to him.

He was her exact opposite. He was quiet and shy; compared to her

loudness and rambunctious-ness.

Maybe it was because she saw him as a kind-of surreptitious spirit.

She knew that inside was a loud and rambunctious person, begging to

Be let out.

An she wanted to bring it out.

She thought she had last night. But, he’d made it clear he didn’t

Want her.

God it hurt.

This was hurt Dana had never experienced.

She was broken out of her reverie by an urgent knocking at her door.

She stood up and wiped her eyes; she checked her face in the

Mirror quickly. No one would know she had been crying.

Her only give away was the little sniffles.

She shook herself slightly and walked to the door.

She opened it.

Her face dropped.

Fox smiled slightly, "Thanks for opening to me."

Dana scoffed pretending not to care.

"I don’t look out the peephole."

He looked at the ground, "Oh."

She gave him an angry look, "Yeah, ‘oh’." She said sarcastically.

She turned and walked into her house.

She pulled out her a new easel.

Fox followed her in quietly.

Dana mixed the colors angrily, her hand spinning furiously.

"Dana, can I talk to you?" Fox said nervously.

Dana continued to mix, "Sure. Fine. Whatever."

Her colors had mixed to a dingy brown.

Be Strong. He thought again.

He walked up behind her.

His front pressed against her back.

He wrapped his arms around her, his hands grabbing hers to stop her

Furious mixing.

Dana froze.

Fox buried his nose in her hair.

"I’m sorry." He whispered, "I got scared. I’ve…I’ve never felt like

this about someone before."

Dana turned her head to rest her cheek on his chest.

"Neither have I. I’m not afraid. I’m strong. You’re strong."

She whispered.

Fox scoffed.

Dana looked up at him, "You are strong. Your afraid to show it."

He took a deep breath and smiled.

"Want something to drink?" she asked.

The sun had set a while ago.

They had had more wine, but they weren’t drunk.

They had moved to the couch, talking.

The was lighting dim and moody.

"So, you play the guitar?" Fox asked softly.

Dana nodded, "Very little. An I’m terrible."

Fox looked at his wine. "Can you play for me?"

Dana stared at him for a moment then smiled. "Yeah…"

She said.

"Wait one second."

Dana disappeared into the bedroom.

A few minutes later he heard her, "Come on in, Fox."

Fox put his glass down and entered the room.

Dana sat on a stool in front of the bed.

Her bare legs crossed, and the guitar covering her body.

Fox sat on the end of the bed, watching her.

She smiled and began to strum the guitar softly.

Her voice was soft and beautiful.

"Trouble, Don't you see that in your bed
I find no sleep?
I confess you came because of me.
Trouble get behind me now,
Trouble let me be..."

Fox closed his eyes and listened to her lilting voice.

It stirred up feelings in Fox; he hadn’t felt in a long time.

She finished softly. "Trouble let me be. I pray your mercy

shine on me. Trouble let me be."

Fox eyes opened.

Dana smiled, "Do you like it?"

Fox nodded.

She smiled seductively. She put the guitar to the ground.

Fox gasped and looked at the floor. He flushed.

Dana’s nude body stood and strutted over to him.

He looked up at her.

She smiled and straddled his khakis clad legs.

"Do you want me?" she whispered.

Fox nodded, "Yes…" his breathy voice replied.

She smiled, "Good."

With that she pushed on his shoulder, till he fell back.

She smiled and followed.

Fox awoke and rubbed his eyes, yawning.

He felt a warm body next to his.

His eyes shot open.

He looked down next to him.

He couldn’t help but smile; she was beautiful.

Fox pursed his lips, closed his eyes and lay back again.

He turned to the clock. It was 10:13.

He slid out from under her.

Fox looked around.

Where had she thrown his underwear?

He saw them hanging off her table lamp.

He grabbed and slipped them on.

Fox headed out to her kitchen. He rifled through the counters till he

Found the coffee.

He turned on the pot. He placed his hands on the edge of the counter.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

A few minutes later he heard a soft padding coming out of the

bedroom.

He felt Dana’s arms wrap around him from behind.

"Hey Sexy." She whispered and kissed his back.

Fox smiled. "Hey."

He turned his head to her.

She smiled, "Last night, was fantastic."

He smiled and kissed her lips gently, "I know."

Dana laughed and rested her cheek on his back.

She hummed happily. "What are you doing up?"

"Makin’ coffee." He said softly.

Dana pulled on his hand, "Come back to bed." She whined playfully.

Fox smiled, as she pulled him back into her room.

They were still lying in bed an hour later.

"Hey Dana? How do you get money?" Fox asked suddenly.

"Inheritance." Dana said.

"Oh."

They were silent for a while.

"Fox?" Dana asked, her cheek pressed against his chest.

"Yeah?"

They looked at each other, "What do you do?"

Fox raised an eyebrow, "What?"

She smiled, "Ya’ know, your job?"

"Oh… Well, I’m an accountant."

Dana looked down; she said it again. Examining it.

"An accountant…"

He nodded slightly, "Yeah…an accountant."

Fox sighed. Dana heard something sad and depressing in it.

"Did you always want to be an accountant?"

Dana asked innocently.

Fox scoffed, "Nobody ever wants to be an accountant."

"Well…" Dana said slightly irritated. "What did you want to be?"

Fox looked down. "I…nothing."

"No! Tell me." She asked disappointingly.

"No, Dana." He said troubled.

She sat up. "Fox! Tell me."

Fox stood angrily. "I said ‘No’!" he yelled at her.

"I…you fuck me one night and think you have a right

to my entire life? Huh?"

Dana sat eyes wide; she stood too. She ripped off his shirt and

through it at him. She was only clad in her panties.

"Well, now that are ‘Fuck’ is over, get out!" she yelled back.

Fox froze. His eyes down cast; he clutched his shirt.

"Dana, I’m sorry…please. I’m sorry."

Dana took a deep breath; her eyes softened. "I forgive you."

He looked at her, "It wasn’t a ‘Fuck’ to me. I love you."

Dana smiled, "I love you, too." She walked over to him, hugging him.

He touched her cheek softly, "I’m sorry." He whispered.

Dana smiled, "No, I’m sorry. If you don’t want to tell me, then you

Don’t have to."

Fox shook his head. He lay on the bed, pulling Dana atop him.

He took a deep breath, "I wanted…I wanted to play baseball."

Dana raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah, I was close too. God, It was in my grasp and…"

His eyes showed the hurt. "What happened?" she whispered.

"I was playing invited to tryout for the minor leagues! I was so

excited! Ya’ know, I was ecstatic! If you don’t know baseball,

for a good player, it is only a little ways from minor to major."

Dana smiled widely. "Wow! Really?"

Fox smiled at the memory, "I, uh, I was out drinking with some

friends, after my tryout. I did good, really good. An then…"

Dana felt the tears in her eyes, "What?" she whispered.

"I was walking home and was hit by a car."

Dana gasped, "Oh my god!"
Fox nodded, his eyes looking up at the ceiling, holding Dana close.

"The accident busted up my knee. I wasn’t allowed to play."

Dana shook her head, "I don’t…Why not?"

Fox sighed, "You can’t be a baseball player if you can’t

Get to first base."

"So what happened?"

Fox took a deep breath, "I…quit. Then became an accountant,

Moved here and now…here I am."

Dana looked at him strangely, "You sound disappointed."

He laughed humorlessly. "Dana, you have no idea."

Dana raised her eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Fox sat up and looked her square in the eyes. "Get out."

He whispered.

"What?"

"Dana, I love you."

Dana smiled as wide as she could, "I love you too!"

She hugged him tightly. "Ya’ know…" she whispered in his ear

Secretly. A smile still graced her lips.

"I have always wanted someone to say that to me."

She kissed his ear. Fox kissed her neck back.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." Fox whispered over and over

again; like a mantra.

Dana hugged him as strong as she could. "I love you too. God, I love

You too."

Fox pulled her away, to look at her face.

"Let’s leave; just you and me. We’ll get an apartment in the city.

You can work on your art. I’ll…" he laughed, "I don’t know what I’ll

Do. But, we’ll be happy. Just you and me."

Dana laughed surprised, "Fox…I, I mean…"

Fox looked at her, "I love you."

Dana looked away; she couldn’t believe it.

"Fox…we made love once. I don’t think you really want to jump into

living together."

Fox sighed, disappointed. "I…just…"

She touched his cheek, "Let’s wait a little while before that."

Fox nodded and pursed his lips. "Okay…"

Fox began to gently kiss her neck and shoulder.

Dana giggled. Fox laughed softly and pushed her backwards onto the

Bed again.

A month later, Fox knocked on Dana’s door.

He had on a his nice black suit, a red tie and had combed his hair

to the side, sophisticatedly.

Dana opened the door, mock-seductively. "Well, hello there Mister."

She teased in a low voice.

Fox smiled and kissed her, "Mmm. Delicious." He teased.

She laughed, "Well, I hope so." She taunted back.

Fox winked, took his hand from behind his back, producing a bouquet

of wild colored flowers; just Dana’s style.

Her eyes widened as she saw them, her entire face lit up.

"My God! They’re gorgeous! I love them!"

Fox pouted playfully, "What about me?"

Dana smiled and kissed his lips, "I love you too."

He looked up and down her body.

"I like the dress." He smiled as he stepped inside.

Dana was wearing a robin egg blue dress.

It was strapless, the bottom reached above her knees.

There was a large black bow that wrapped around her waist, until

The actual bow reached her side.

After the bow, the dress flared, it puffed out in a medieval way.

On her feet she wore blue heels, with thin black lines across the

Front.

She turned for him, "You like it, huh?" she whispered seductively.

Fox hummed, "Oh yeah…"

He walked slowly up to her, "You’re so hot in it.

Of course, you’re always hot."

She smiled. "Thanks."

She pushed some of her hair behind her ear.

She had it down; it reached below her shoulder blades when she let it

Down.

A black bow sat in the side of her head slightly.

A deep and thin light blue eye-shadow on her eyes.

He held out his arm, "Lets go."

She hooked her arms in his. "Lets go." She agreed.

They entered the dimly lit restaurant.

Fox saw everyone at the table. "You ready?" he whispered in her ear.

Dana looked at him and smiled mock-annoyed at him,

"I’m always ready."

He smiled, "Okay. Okay!"

They walked up to the table. Gene stood. "Welcome Fox, Dana."

They both nodded, then took a seat.

Gene looked at Dana then the group.

"This is Win and his wife…"

"Cami. An that’s Gordy, and Pat, and Big Mike."

Dana finished smugly.

"and you are Gene Gogolak."

He nodded.

"Well, I’m glad everyone has been introduced."

Dana smiled mockingly, "Well, I have lived her for at least two

Months now, even if you haven’t met me."

Fox licked his lips and rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb.

Dana had heard of the dinners that Gogolak had had.

Inviting everyone, but her.

Fox kissed her ear gently. They looked at each other.

Dana smiled and raised one eyebrow, a few seconds later Fox raised

His.

They began to laugh and turned back toward the table.

Everyone looked at each other confused and then continued dinner.

After dinner Dana and Fox walked around the town,

Arm and arm. Dana leaned in to him as their laughing died down.

They gave each other a lazy kiss.

"Hey, Dana?" he said slowly.

Dana looked up at him and smiled, "Yeah, Babe?"

He took a deep breath, "Ya’ know that question I asked you a month

Ago?"

Dana stopped, "The question…" she looked back in her memory bank.

She pursed her lips and shook her head, "No…"

Fox turned to her and took a deep breath, exhaling with a smile.

"Ya’ know about…you and me…and an apartment?"

Dana’s lips shaped and ‘o’, "Oh, jeez. Umm? Well…"

Fox bit his lip and shrugged, "I just, ya’ know, I have been really

patient. Ya’ know…I love you."

Dana took a deep breath, "I know. I love you too. It’s just…"

Dana looked up into his shining eyes,

she tilted her head and thought.

She should take a risk that was the fun part of life.

She smiled widely, "I think that would be fantastic."

Fox gave a large smile of relief. He grabbed her and pulled her to

Him. He was hugging her so tight her legs lifted off the ground.

"God yes! I was so scared you were going to say ‘no’!" he laughed

loudly.

Dana laughed and laid her head on his chest as he set her down.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too." He whispered back.

They gave each other a passionate kiss.

As they kissed, Fox wrapped his coat around her.

Fox pushed her onto the bed.

"Ooh…Fox I love it when your rough." She teased.

Fox growled, "You better baby…"

Dana felt a shiver of anticipation and her juncture flood.

Fox turned her roughly on her stomach.

"Don’t you want my dress off?" she asked.

"Nope." He rumbled, pushing up her dress skirt.

"So hot…" he whispered to himself.

He dropped his pants and tore down her panties.

He entered her roughly. "Oh god yes!" he sighed.

Dana got up on her hands, her legs stayed straight out on the bed.

Fox’s legs directly on top of hers, his penis buried deep inside.

"Harder, Fox!" she shouted.

Fox complied. "Oh. Oh god yes! Fox!"

Dana came quickly; her body shaking franticly.

Fox’s thrusts became frenzied. "Ho, ho, oh god fucking a’ yes!"

He spilled into her.

"Yeah…oh yeah." He whispered as he slowly collapsed on to her.

Dana smiled, "That was great."

Fox laughed, "Ya’ know Dana. I gotta’ tell you. When you told me that

you wouldn’t have sex if I wore a condom, it scared me shitless.

But, god…it feels great to cum into you."

Dana laughed loudly, "I know… That’s why I take the pill…"

He laughed softly, and rolled off her.

They stripped off their clothes, and got under the covers.

They fell asleep with Dana nestled into Fox’s arms.

Four months later Dana finished the last box.

She taped it up and sighed.

Why was she moving already?

She had only been here for about a year!

But, she loved Fox. There was something about him.

She wanted to always be with him.

She had told her sister that and Melissa had replied with,

"That’s love Dana. That’s love."

So maybe it was love. So what?

She began to laugh at the thought.

She, Dana Scully, was in love.

L-O-V-E, love!

She continued to laugh and whispered to herself, "L-O-V-E, love.

L-O-V-E, love. L-O-V-E, love…"

Then she felt two strong arms wrap around her, and light kisses

Travel from her shoulder to her neck.

"I like that tune, ya’ singin’ there." He drawled.

She leaned back. "Me too." She whispered.

Dana had on a tank top and shorts.

Fox wore a black tee shirt and some dark faded jeans.

Dana turned in his arms. She played with the simple gold chain that

Hung around his neck.

"Your hot." She pouted.

Fox laughed, "Is that a problem?"

Dana shook her head, "Of course not."

He laughed and broke away from her. He lifted the box and walked

Outside. Dana looked at the house and sighed.

She picked up her guitar case and followed him out.

Fox slammed the truck’s door.

Dana walked over to him.

"You ready, Babe?" he asked. Dana nodded.

They headed down the driveway. Everyone stood waiting.

Pat smiled and handed Fox another basket, this time it was a

‘Goodbye’ instead of a ‘Welcome’ basket, of course.

She backed away, patting her moist eyes with a handkerchief.

Fox hugged Win. "Bye, Buddy." He said.

Win said back, "Don’t be a stranger."

Fox broke and hugged Cami. He gave a handshake to Gordy,

And Big Mike.

"Bye everyone." He said to the group.

They all waved and nodded.

Fox and Dana got into the car. They drove out of Arcadia Falls.

Eight months later, Dana looked around her new apartment.

It was such a nice place.

Fox had worked hard to find it. It was just her style too.

She heard the door open.

Fox entered his baseball bat on his shoulder,

Slick with sweat.

"Hey Baby." He said as he slipped off his sweaty shirt.

She smiled, "Hey."
He stared at her for am moment, "What?"

She shrugged and smiled secretly.

She looked at the table, Fox’s eyes followed.

He ran over and grabbed the letter off the table.

He unfolded it.

He smiled at Dana his eyes wide with pride.

"$65,000? Oh, my, god! Dana, I’m so happy for you."

He hugged her tightly.

She smiled, "Yeah, they say they want a series of them."

Dana had offered an art gallery her work; a panting called

‘Imperfections in Arcadia’.

It was of a perfect little row of houses, but the house in the middle

Was bright and colorful. Different from the rest.

He kissed her. "I’m so happy, Babe." He whispered.

Dana smiled, "I love you."

He kissed her again, "I love you too."

He slipped off her shirt.

He began to kiss down her shoulder, past her breast, to her stomach.

She smiled, "Ya’ know Fox, I’m happy we moved."

Fox hummed, as his lips never left her stomach, "Hmm?"

"Yeah," she said. "We didn’t fit in there."

Fox moved up to her neck.

"Dana," he whispered, "I fit in, anywhere you are."

Dana smiled, "Me too."