Title: The Beginning of Love Author: Erin M. Blair E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net Classification: SRA--Story, Romance, Angst Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. Pre-XF. Alternate "what if?" Universe. Spoilers: Pilot, Je Souhaite. Setting: Pre-XF and Season One. Rating: R Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, EMXC, Ephemeral, etc. Others: ask me first. Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully belong to Chris Carter. Summary: What if Mulder and Scully met and fallen in love years earlier? *This story is dedicated to Beyond the Sea's First Birthday and is part of the Beyond the Sea's Fic Challenge. Challenge elements at the end.* ------------------------------------ The Beginning of Love Written by: Erin M. Blair ------------------------------------ A young woman climbed up from the swimming pool on a hot summer's day. Her blue eyes searched the crowd of college students for someone she knew. It was hard to fit in when she was always moving from place to place. This time, she was the one who had moved from Berkeley, California to Georgetown, Washington DC so she could attend the University of Maryland. It was hard for her to make friends at every new stop. Whenever she made the time for a friend, she always had to leave. This time, she could make her own choices. And live her life the way she wanted to. She was shivering, her teeth chattering from the wetness of her skin. She picked up her towel to dry herself off. Her skin was taut with youth; the smoothness of her skin was like silk. Her long hair was slicked back from her face. It was still wet from the swim. She'd had red hair when she was little, but over the years, it had been a mixture with blonde and red, evening out to a nice strawberry blonde. Then she saw him looking in her direction. He was so close that she could almost touch him. He was gorgeous looking, with a lanky build, and he was about six feet tall. His hair was medium brown and his eyes were hazel. Sometimes they were brown and sometimes they were greenish blue. His eyes were like a chameleon, never staying the same color for any set time. He had just arrived at the party, which he was attending because he knew a few people attending the University of Maryland. When he saw her, he melted. He knew that the young woman would change his life forever. "Hello." Her blue eyes lit up when she heard him say hello. "My name's Dana Scully. I attend the University of Maryland, but I'm a senior. I'm currently working on my thesis. You?" "My name is Fox Mulder. I just got back to the States six months ago. I'm an FBI agent." "So you're Agent Mulder?" Mulder nodded. "Yes, that's right." He paused. "You can call me 'Mulder' because I really hate the name 'Fox.' All my friends used to tease me about it..." "All right, Mulder. If you want to be fair, well...you have to call me 'Scully.' I want it to be equal." Mulder nodded. "Sure, Scully. I like the name 'Dana' -- it fits you." "Thank you, Mulder," Scully said. *** Three hours later, Mulder and Scully were still talking about their lives. They sat down on a park bench. Scully was already dressed in a casual green short-sleeved shirt and denim jeans. Now, instead of being cold, she was hot. "What are you studying?" "Pre-med." "That's great. Any idea what you're going to choose for your residency?" "Not really. I have some ideas though. I was thinking of becoming a pathologist because I do enjoy dissecting frogs." "Maybe you should consider being a pathologist?" suggested Mulder. "You could even work for the FBI." "You know, that's a very good idea. I'll certainly think about it," Scully said. "I..." "I would like to see you again," Mulder said. He chuckled softly. "Is that what you're going to say?" Scully nodded. "Yes." "We have some unspoken connection," Mulder said. He looked into her clear, sky-colored eyes. It was like looking into all the past lives they had shared together. "I feel this... bond with you, Scully." "I feel it, too." Mulder leaned into Scully and he could feel her smooth satin skin. He put his arms around her, feeling the material of her denim jeans. "I want you so much." "Me, too. I know we've just met... I think I'm in love with you, Mulder." *** Before arriving at Scully's apartment in Georgetown later that evening, they went to a local restaurant near the park, where they both ordered the same meal consisting a cheeseburger, fries, and a Diet Coke. As they dined together in a relatively quiet booth, they talked about their lives up to that point, but they felt this familiarity between them as if they knew each other for years. Both of them could feel the sexual electricity surrounding them, bathing them in each other's beauty. They knew, all too well, how much they were meant to be together in such a short time. Mulder and Scully had simply fallen in love at first glance; the first time they looked at each other at the party was a magical moment. Neither of them knew how this would change their lives forever. All they wanted was to savor this precious time to be in each other's arms as though the world was coming to an end. As they walked into the apartment, they were already kissing each other with such fervor, as if they were living the last day on Earth. "Mulder..." she whispered between kisses. "I have to close the door." Mulder nodded. "Scully..." Scully closed the door and the kisses started again in earnest. She wanted him so much; her feelings of desire were awakened by the kisses. "I want you." She could feel Mulder unbuttoning her blouse. "Are you sure?" "I'm sure. Let's go to my bedroom." "I think we should. I don't know if I can control how I feel," Mulder said. "Neither can I," Scully said. She leaned in to give him a kiss on the lips. They were both powerless to stop what they had started. Mulder let her shirt drop as he finished unbuttoning it. Then he watched her take off her bra and jeans. Soon she was wearing only her lacy panties but those came off, too. Scully watched Mulder getting undressed. His shirt, then his undershirt, then his jeans, and then his silk boxers - all came off. Soon, they were both naked, their skin touched with ecstasy, and they both couldn't believe the unspoken passion which seem to embrace them. She was blissfully awakened through Mulder's caresses and kisses. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer. The urgent desire overtook her; she wanted him to enter her. "I want you in me. Now." Mulder nodded. "Are you sure?" he asked again. He wanted their first time making love to be special. He wanted to explore the softness of her skin, to bathe in her beauty, and to touch her red-gold hair. His kisses were as soft and gentle as a breeze. He had never felt this way about a woman before and he wanted to make sure this moment lasted. "I'm sure," Scully said. She could feel his hands touching the outline of her breast and then he kissed her on the breasts, then her neck, and then her hair. Mulder nestled against her body, skin to skin, they were united. "You're so beautiful, Scully," he whispered to her. "I love you so much." Scully smiled at him and she nodded. "I know, Mulder. I love you, too." When Mulder entered her, they were both exhilarated by the passion overflowing them both. The heat between them erupted with the fire of love. *** They were laying underneath the covers. There were damp spots on the sheets from the wetness of their lovemaking. When Scully turned to face Mulder, a beautiful smile was on her features. "What are we going to do now?" "I don't know, Scully. All I know is that I want you to be a part of my life," Mulder said. He fingered the red-gold tendrils of her hair. "I feel the same way. What we have is magical, Mulder. There's this intense bond between us, made real with our lovemaking last night." She paused. "I never felt so alive before I met you." "I feel the same way," Mulder said. "I never met anyone who could hold a candle to you." Scully was always the logical one in her family and knew she would have to explain herself to her family. She quietly moaned, realizing that her family wouldn't be happy with what she had just done. "Oh, my parents are going to kill me!" "Why?" She fingered her cross necklace to show him. She drew a deep breath and she explained calmly about the situation."Catholics aren't supposed to make love to someone before they get married. They aren't supposed to have have sex with someone they just met, either. That's what my parents drilled in me over the years." She groaned. "My parents will have a field day." Mulder sighed. "I guess we shouldn't --" Scully interrupted him. "I'm a lapsed Catholic, Mulder. My parents are set with their views. They don't run my life." Mulder nodded. "Well, we'll just have to get married, then. I know this is strange, but I'm deeply in love with you." "We just met!" exclaimed Scully. "I know. I don't want your family to get upset at you, either." Mulder paused, fingering the smooth satin of her creamy white skin. "I would do anything for you, Scully." "I know, Mulder. I don't want you to regret anything, either." "I would never regret anything... Never." In answer, Mulder pressed his lips against hers for a kiss. He then moved to kiss the strands of her hair. He moved slightly again, this time to look into her eyes. "There's no one who could ever take your place. Don't you know how I melted when I saw you at the party?" "You did?" Mulder nodded. "You're so beautiful, Scully. I loved the way your eyes sparkled and how your red hair glistened underneath the sunlight." Scully smiled at him. She felt relieved to know that he was hers. "I melted when I saw you, too." *** Mulder and Scully had been dating for three months and they felt as though they had been together for years. When they made love, it felt like they were united as one. They weren't really sure what their future would be like, until Scully received news which would change their lives forever. It happened when Scully was working on her thesis and Mulder was coming to her apartment for their date. They were going to watch a video and eat popcorn. When he arrived that night, he was dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans. Scully greeted him with a kiss on the lips. "Hello to you, too." Mulder gave her a tender smile as he returned the kiss. He noticed Scully was a bit paler than usual. "I have something to ask you." He paused. "Is there anything wrong?" "I haven't been feeling well lately. I have been nauseous and....the room has been spinning," she said as Mulder helped her to sit down on the couch. "I..." "Scully, are you...pregnant?" Scully nodded. "Yes. We're having a baby, Mulder." She paused. "What are you going to ask me?" "I know I asked you that night. I want to ask you again. Dana Scully, will you marry me?" She gave him the most beautiful smile - it appeared across her face like a summer's day. "You know I will, Mulder." "Is that a yes, Scully?" She laughed. "Of course it's a yes!" "You make me feel so alive, Scully." Mulder put his hand on Scully's belly, caressing it. "We made a baby..." "I know," she said. She stroked Mulder's hair and then she kissed him. "This will...change us, Mulder." "I'm looking forward to our baby, Scully, and to our life together," Mulder said. He paused for a moment and then he continued. "This is our beginning of love. I love you so much. My life is complete now, Scully." "My life is complete now, too. Mulder, you don't know how happy I am," Scully said. She watched him put a videotape in the VCR. "Caddyshack, Mulder?" Mulder nodded. "It's a great film." "Is there something wrong with your VCR clock?" "Um, no." "Then how come it still reads eleven o'clock?" Mulder stared at the clock. "That's odd. I guess my VCR might be going out." He shrugged. "I guess I have to put it on the top of my birthday list." He put the videotape inside it and pressed play. "Let's hope it still plays the movie." Scully gave him a tender smile. "Next time we'll watch something else..." *** Scully and Mulder went to see her parents the next day. She wanted him to meet her family. "Dana," Maggie said. "I see you brought Fox over." "Mom, please call him Mulder," Scully said. "Mulder, this is my Mom -- Margaret Scully. But relatives call her Maggie." "Hi Mrs. Scully," Mulder said. "It's nice to meet you." They walked into the living room, where Captain Bill Scully was sitting in his chair. "Starbuck, is this the man you talked about nonstop the other day?" "Dad, this is Fox Mulder," Scully said. "He likes to be called Mulder." "Why?" "I hate my first name," Mulder said. "Mom, Dad -- I know this is sudden. Mulder proposed to me last night and I said yes." "Congrats, Dana. I was wondering when you were going to find someone," Maggie said. "How long have you been dating him?" "For three months," Scully said. Maggie noticed Scully was slightly chubbier around the middle than usual. "Dana, can we talk in the kitchen?" She paused. "Alone." Scully nodded. "Sure." She followed her mother into the kitchen. "Is there anything wrong?" "I didn't want to say this in front of your father. Dana, are you pregnant?" Scully didn't know what to do, but she knew she had to say something. "Mom, I'm pregnant." "I think that's great, Dana. However, what are you going to do about your studies?" "I'll be getting my diploma soon. I can balance my medical school training and a married life. Many women have done that," Scully said. Her blue eyes shone brightly, like fireworks in the nighttime sky. "It's going to be all right. Mulder's a wonderful man. I know it's been a whirlwind romance, but I'm very happy." "I'm worried for you. You're my baby girl and I just want what's best for you," Maggie said. She gave her daughter a hug. "I want you to be happy." "I know, Mom. I just want you to be happy for me, too. It's always been my dream to have a family and now it's happening to me," Scully said with a smile. She could feel the teardrops roll down her cheeks and she tried to stop them, but she couldn't."If I'm lucky to be as wonderful a mother as you were with me, I'll be so happy." "You'll be a great mother, Dana. I know you will." *** "How's our baby doing?" Mulder asked as he sat down beside Scully in the living room. They were cuddling on the sofa and they were both filled with the love they had for each other. "We need to decide some things about us...our plans." "Mulder..." "We need to talk..." "I know," Scully said. She felt the baby fluttering within her and she then placed Mulder's hand on her belly. "I feel the baby growing within me." Mulder's lips turned into a smile. "I still can't believe we made a baby on our first try." "I know. I can't believe it myself." "Scully, I think we should get married soon. It's been three months since we made love. You're going to be showing soon." "Mulder, I've thought about it. Where do you think we should get married?" "I was thinking Las Vegas. I know they have wedding chapels. And there's also Reno." Scully drew a deep sigh. "Mulder... That's not going to go down well with my family." "Why not?" "My parents have been telling me how much they want a church wedding." "I know, but we have to get married soon. We can have a church wedding after the baby's born." *** They had gotten married a week earlier in Las Vegas, with both their families attending. They were excited about the baby that was growing within Scully. For Mulder and Scully, things have flown by quickly in the past few months. Now Scully could feel the changes in her body. She looked over to see her husband laying beside her. She felt at peace, more relaxed than she'd ever been in her entire life. Everything was finally coming together since she received her diploma from the University of Maryland. After the baby was born, she would start her residency in forensic medicine and do double duty at the FBI. She wanted to be Mulder's partner in every sense of the word. She felt Mulder's arm around her expectant stomach. She felt like a blossom, ready to bloom in a few more months. "Mulder..." "Are you happy, Scully?" Mulder asked. His hazel eyes gazed into her clear blue eyes. Scully nodded. "I'm more than happy." She then lightly pressed her lips to his. The warmth of his lips gave her such a thrill. "You're so beautiful, Scully. I can't believe how lucky I am that you married me." "And I'm glad that you're mine, Mulder," Scully said. She paused briefly and then she gazed warmly into his hazel eyes. "I feel like we're in some kind of dream universe or something." "Why, Scully, you've always kept me guessing," Mulder said in a teasing tone. "I'll always keep you guessing," Scully said as her smile deepened. One of the many things that she loved was their banter. She laughed out loud as they both heard the phone ring. She watched Mulder grab it from the nightstand. "Mulder." He mouthed to Scully, "It's my AD." There was a short pause. "Skinner.... Thanks. I'll tell my wife." He finished the call and then put the phone down. "This is the best news I have ever heard -- well, not since you told me that you love me, that you're carrying our child." Scully's lips formed a tender smile. Their life together was turning out to be everything she had dreamed it would be. "What did your AD say?" "He told us congrats on our wedding and soon-to-be born child." "That was nice of him," remarked Scully. "He said that we're a magical couple." "Oh?" Mulder nodded. "He's given me a week vacation for us to go on our honeymoon." "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for us." Mulder stroked Scully's burgeoning stomach. She was full of child. "I think we're magical, Scully. You have made me the happiest that I have ever been. In the space of a moment, you have given me everything...." He then wrapped his arms around his wife. "And we're having a baby." "I know. It seems like only yesterday...we didn't know each other existed." Mulder nodded. "This is the beginning for us, Scully. A beginning for each other and our soon-to-be born child." "Our future together is bright, Mulder. I can feel it." -- the end --- Feedback: Liked it? Didn't like it? Questions? Comments? All feedback is welcomed. Send to: eblair@sonic.net Author's Notes: This story was written for the Beyond the Sea Mailing List Birthday Fic Challenge. This was actually for the list's first birthday. The challenge elements are as follows: 1. M/S first time sex. (check) 2. The phrase "I'll always keep me guessing." spoken by Scully OR "You do keep me guessing." spoken by Mulder. (check) 3. Sharing a meal. (check) 4. A phone call from Skinner or Kersh. (check) 5. A TV showing a movie. (check) 6. A watch or clock that stopped working. (check) 7. Scully wearing lacy underwear. (check) 8. Magic. (check) 9. A celebration (cake, balloons. etc.) (check) During Season Seven, I've written the first few paragraphs of the story. Then I placed it on the back burner. Last year, I was thinking of writing a Pre-XF story as well as my first R to NC17 rated story for a long time. When the challenge came up on the Beyond the Sea, I placed the story on the front burner to work on it. They saw an earlier draft of the story that was in time for the challenge, but the ending wasn't finished. For the past several months, I've been working on numerous drafts of this story. From the basic idea to the final draft, I enjoyed writing this story. I hope you enjoyed the ride as I had. I would like to thank the readers of Beyond the Sea and especially my beta reader, Jen, for their support. This one's for you. I'm always grateful for your support and your friendship. Thank you for being there. ~Erin M. Blair December 8, 2004