Subject:     NEW: Cross My Heart 1/1
Sent:        28/01  11:45 AM
Received:    28/01  9:29 PM
From:        Sharon Nuttycombe, avalon@terranet.ab.ca
To:          dobbo@c031.aone.net.au

Cross My Heart 1/1
by Sharon Nuttycombe (avalon@terranet.ab.ca)
December 7, 1996

***********************************************************
This is an epilogue of sorts, to "Crossing the Line".  I
still have a pair of sequels planned for this story, but
given my lack of free time at the present, I'm not sure
when they'll get written.  Sigh.  Also, this is my chance
to vent a little at Mulder for constantly ditching our
intrepid heroine.  If you can't bear the thought of some
Mulder-criticism...STOP READING NOW!

SUMMARY:  Scully and Skinner, who are involved in a
romantic relationship, celebrate Christmas Eve together.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:  To Linda Campbell, my beta reader, for
the title and for refusing to let me completely defect to
writing Star Trek fanfic; and to "Tunguska", for restoring
some of my faith in the X-Files that was destroyed during
"Avatar".  (Did anyone else notice that Skinner wasn't
wearing a ring in Tunguska?)

DISCLAIMER:  Scully, Skinner, and Mulder aren't mine.  I'm
just borrowing them.  I promise to return them before
they're overdue.  But I'd be willing to pay a fine or two
if I could keep Skinner...

PS - In my universe, Avatar didn't happen.  (Neither did
Aliens III, and the endings to Beauty and the Beast and
Quantum Leap.  But that's another story <grin>.)

***********************************************************


                    Cross My Heart 1/1


	Scully glanced at her watch, then peered out the window
distractedly.  There.  A blue Taurus.  On time, as usual. 
She pulled on her coat and hurried out through the lightly
falling snow.  As she neared the car, she made a
concentrated effort to banish the dark thoughts that had
been plaguing her all day.

	Skinner leaned over to open the door for her, and she
climbed gratefully into his car, the warmth dispelling the
faint chill the cold Washington night air had caused.  Of
course, the warmth wasn't *just* due to the car's heating
system.  His eyes flickered toward her.

	"Good evening, Agent Scully."

	A tiny smile creased her lips.  "Good evening, Sir."  She
met his carefully measured tone.  "And merry Christmas
Eve."

	He turned to face her and a warm spark lit his eyes. 
"Merry Christmas Eve...Dana."  Then, without warning he
reached a hand behind her neck, pulling her against him and
bending his mouth to hers.

	Even after two months, it never ceased to amaze her.  The
power of his kisses.  And *other skills*.  Her eyes closed
as his tongue plundered her mouth, and she moved both hands
inside his coat ignoring the handbrake and steering wheel.

	Finally, after an small lifetime or two, he released her
with regret.  "We don't have to go out tonight, you know,"
the Assistant Director said.  "We could always stay in and
celebrate Christmas Eve here."  He gave her a hopeful
smile, and she laughed and pulled herself back.

	"I thought you said you had arranged a surprise.  I'd
hate to see your efforts go to waste."

	His lips twitched, and he heaved an exaggerated sigh. 
"It's always good to have a backup plan, Agent Scully." 
She shot him a look, and he met it with a burning glance of
his own, then put the car into gear and pulled out into the
nearly deserted road.

                       *     *     *

	After the initial euphoria of seeing him, Scully's brief
happiness faded, and the tensions of the day returned. 
Trying to ignore them, she reached out a hand and flicked
on the radio.  The melancholy strains of "Moonlight Sonata"
filled the car, matching her mood exactly.  She shifted
slightly, staring out the window at the falling snow, and
sighed.

	"What's the matter?"  When she didn't answer he
continued.  "It's Mulder, isn't it?"

	The depth of his perception no longer surprised her.  She
sighed again.  "Yes."

	"Because he went to Arizona without you."  It wasn't a
question.

	"He ditched me.  Again."  She clenched her jaw.

	"And?"

	She looked at him in disbelief.  "And?  Isn't that
enough?  This is the...I can't even remember how many times
he's done this to me.  We're partners.  Am I supposed to
sit by like a good little Federal Agent, and loyally cover
for him every time he steps over the line, then nod and say
'yes Mulder' and 'no Mulder' when he deigns to come back
and tell me what he thinks is going on?"  She paused for
breath.

	"You've been doing a good job of that so far."

	Her mouth dropped open as shock coursed through her. 
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"  He didn't
answer.  Scully drew a deep breath.  He had a point. 
"Fine," she said bitterly.  "Maybe I have been letting him
walk all over me, but it ends here.  I refuse to sit in
that damned basement and tamely wait for Mulder to decide
whether or not he wants a partner for each case.  I'm a
good Agent, damn it.  And I deserve better than that."

	"So why have you?"

	"Why have I what?"

	"Why have you been tamely sitting in the damned basement,
covering for him?"  He shifted slightly.  "He's your
partner.  Partners are supposed to be loyal and stand by
each other.  But it's a two-way street.  He's supposed to
stand by you too."

	There was a long silence and he began to wonder if he'd
gone too far.  Then:

	"You're right.  Damn you."  She gave him a searching
look.  "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

	The tension in his shoulders eased somewhat.  "Very
perceptive."

	"Why?"  The anger was fading quickly, leaving only
curiosity in her voice.  Skinner relaxed even more.

	"Because you needed to vent at someone.  I decided to
volunteer."

	A faint smile began to return to her lips.  "That was
brave."

	"I work for the FBI.  We're supposed to be tough. 
Besides, I have a pretty thick hide."  A mocking tone
coloured his voice.

	She cast him an enigmatic look, bit her lip...and said
nothing.  He glanced sidelong at her, opened his mouth to
say more, then decided against on discretion as the better
part of valour.

	There was a pause, then:  "Walter?"

	"Yes?"

	"Mulder was talking to me the other day..."

	"And?"

	"And he was very disappointed in the lack of paperwork in
the office.  In fact, he was complaining about it quite
bitterly.  Do you think you could manage to send some more
his way?  As a favour to me?"  There was an artless note in
her voice, and when he looked at her, her face was a
reflection of pure innocence.  He stifled a laugh.

	"I think that can be arranged."

	"Good.  I'm sure that will make him very happy."

	Skinner couldn't quite keep his lips from twitching. 
"You're an evil woman, did you know that?"

	"Uh huh.  And don't you forget it."  

	This time he did laugh aloud, and reached out to take her
hand.  A companionable silence fell between them.	

                       *     *     *

	Scully's black mood had faded entirely by the time
Skinner pulled up outside a glistening silver complex with
an enormous dome in the centre.  A genuine smile lit up her
face.  "The Planetarium.  That's perfect."

	"I thought you'd like it."  Pulling his coat around him,
Skinner exited the car, then walked around to open her
door.  Scully took his arm, and together they crossed the
snow-covered parking lot.

	"I haven't been here for ages.  The last time was...a
couple of years ago, I think, with Celeste."

	Skinner ushered her into the building and they paused,
stamping the snow off their feet.  "How is Celeste?" he
asked, reaching out to flick at the light dusting of snow
across her shoulders.  
	
	"Doing well.  Motherhood suits her."

	"And Marguerite?"

	"Growing like a...well...a baby."

	"Give them my best the next time you see them."  He
stepped aside to let her precede him through the lobby.

	"I will."  She smiled up at the tall man beside her,
suddenly forgetting her problems with Mulder and the need
to keep her relationship with her boss a professional one
during working hours.  They were off duty now.  Once more
she tucked her arm through his, a shiver coursing up her
spine as he sent her a searing glance filled with promise. 
*Walter Skinner,* she thought silently, *you are one
incredibly sexy man.*  She allowed her eyes to skim over
his strong shoulders and broad chest, and had to restrain
herself from seizing him by the hand, racing back to the
car, and heading for home...and bed...at high speed. 
*Down, Dana.  Control yourself*

	He cast her a knowing glance, as if he could read her
mind.  He probably could.  Her emotions were probably
painted all over her in flashing fluorescent neon.  *I
don't care*, she thought as they passed through the ticket
office.  *For once, I don't care about what people might
think*  She moved even closer as they stepped into the star
theatre.

                       *     *     *

	It had been the perfect evening.  After the rough start
in the car, Scully had enjoyed herself thoroughly.  They
had seen and done everything there was to see and do.  The
IMAX, the star theatre and laser show, the observatory, the
science displays... even the snackbar and giftshop.  So now
here she sat once more in the warmth of his car, with half
a container of popcorn and a scale model of the USS Voyager
Best of all, though, was the envelope in her hand.  She ran
her finger over it once more, while Skinner walked around
to the driver's side.

	He had given it to her during the star show.  He had
leaned over, pointed toward the projected stars on the
ceiling, and said:  "That one."	

	She had whispered back.  "That one what?"

	"That one's yours.  Merry Christmas, Dana."  Then he had
pushed the envelope into her hand and instantly returned
his attention to the show above them.  

	She had carefully opened it and pulled out a gilt-edged
certificate.  Squinting a little in the darkened theatre,
she had tilted it toward the light...and her heart had
caught in her throat.  He had named a star after her.  A
real star.  She had swallowed deeply, unnamed emotions
coursing through her.  Then, regaining control, she had
blinked away a small tear and reached through the darkness
for his hand.  Carefully keeping her voice calm, she had
asked:  "Show me again which one it is?"  He had pointed to
a small blue star near the Pleiades and Scully had watched
it until the scene had shifted to the Southern hemisphere. 
Her star...

                       *     *     *

	She cast him a warm look as he put the vehicle into gear,
then hastily rearranged her expression.  "I thought we had
agreed not to exchange gifts," she said with mock-
sternness.

	"I changed my mind.  One of the perks of being Assistant
Director.  Besides, it seemed appropriate."

	*It was* she thought *Very appropriate*  Silently she
reached into the pocket of her coat and withdrew an oblong
present, wrapped in old-fashioned giftpaper, then handed it
to him.  He glanced at it, then her.

	"I thought we had agreed not to exchange gifts," he
repeated.  "What's your excuse?"

	"I lied."

	He looked more closely at the present, weighing it with
one hand while driving with the other.  "What is it?"

	"Don't you want to wait till Christmas to find out?"

	"No.  And I can't open it now, or I'll run us off the
road."

	Scully gave him a measuring look.  "I don't know," she
said meaningfully, "you've managed to undo *quite* a few
things with just one hand..."  Their gazes met in a long
look, then she swallowed and reached out to turn the heater
down.  It was warm enough in here already, she decided...

                       *     *     *

	Scully unlocked her door and flicked on the light. 
Behind her, Skinner closed the door behind them. 
Wordlessly she turned and ran her hands over his chest,
then he bent and their lips met.  

	Scully broke the kiss...eventually...and was reaching for
his hand with a warm smile when her pager buzzed.  Frowning
slightly, she pulled it from her pocket and stared at the
number.  Her frown deepened.

	"Who is it?"  Skinner's voice was slightly hoarse.

	"It's Mulder."  A long moment passed, then Scully turned
and stepped out of his embrace.  Skinner watched wordlessly
as she walked over to the telephone, hesitated, then lifted
the receiver...and set it down on the table.  Then she
flicked off the answering machine.  Her eyes met his.

	"I'll have a chat with him in a couple of days."  There
was an ominous edge to her voice, then she recrossed the
room and touched his arm.  "I have better things to do
tonight."  

	Skinner smiled slightly and caressed her cheek.  "Poor
Mulder," he said, as he ran his thumb along her jaw. 
"Remind me never to make you this angry."

	"Don't worry," she said, a wicked smile lighting her face
as she began to tug his coat away from his shoulders. "I
will."

	"Promise?"  The coat fell away.

	"Cross my heart."


                     THE END (FOR NOW)

Merry X-mas Files Everybody!



Sharon Nuttycombe
avalon@terranet.ab.ca

--"I have as much respect for the chain of command as the next guy.Only if you're standing next to Fletcher Christian." -- Adderly



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