Title: Happiness - Back To Basics Author: shawntaw Category: MSR, Au Rating: PG Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I am making no profit. But I am sure letting them have some fun. :) Summary: Downtime in a bubble bath.. Feedback makes me very happy at shawntaw@hotmail.com :) TO DANIELA LABOD WHO HAS MADE A WEBSITE OF MY STORIES: www.geocities.com/corran_14776/shawntaw.html Thank you.:) ********************************************************************** Scully sank down further into the hot water, the bubbles covering her shoulders. *Ahhhh...* Steam rose off one arm as she reached for the towel, dried off her hand and then reached for the book beside the huge, claw-footed tub. A few lit candles scented the air of her apartment with lavender and soft classical music played dimly in the background. She sighed again and leaned against her bathtub pillow. It was so peaceful...so serene... "BONSAI!!!!" A streaking figure sprinted through the bathroom door and leapt into the bathtub, splashing waves of bubbles and water onto her once-dry bathroom floor. One of the candles extinguished in the deluge. "MULDER!!!!!" she screamed. Mulder blinked innocently at her from the other end of the tub, bubbles splattered on the wall behind him and sticking up in a blob at a crazy angle from his head. He moved and another wave of water soaked the floor. "What?" he said in his best "Who, me?" voice. "I thought we agreed to spend tonight apart," she said through clenched teeth, "Remember? A little breathing room?" He shrugged, "I was bored at my place. Besides, I knew this was what you'd be doing. Its always what you do when you're stressed out. How could I sit over there with THIS picture in my head?" He leered at her, trying to lighten her mood. It didn't work. "The whole 'breathing room' thing was YOUR idea, remember?" Mulder nodded reluctantly, but reached for her soap. He didn't answer her. He smelled the soap and then began using it to lather his chest enthusiastically. "Mmmm, smells like you," he commented. "Probably because it is MY soap," she retorted, grabbing the bar from him. He sighed and gave up trying to get her to lighten up. "Scully, I was just reacting to your brother's little tirade at the New Year's Party last night. Like I really needed to be reminded how I've - and I quote - 'taken over and destroyed every independent part of your life' - unquote." He even made those annoying little air-quote marks with his fingers and tried to affect Bill's voice. Scully felt her resolve soften at his endearingly nerdy gesture. "Mulder, you have not destroyed anything in my life." He looked at her mournfully. "You were abducted because of me." "And it was your love that brought me out of the coma when I was returned." He bit his bottom lip in thought. "You got cancer because of me." "And I was cured because of you." "Melissa-" "You didn't pull the trigger, did you?" She knew damn well what he meant, but he didn't push the issue. That was a whole argument in itself. "Your fertility." That one hurt. That one still smarted like a wound that hadn't fully scabbed over yet. "We'll adopt." He regarded her for a moment with huge, sad, hazel eyes. "Was it all worth it, Scully? Really?" She gave a half-smile and reached out a bubbly hand to him, brushing her thumb across his pouty bottom lip. "If this is my reward, then yes, it was worth it." His eyes watered a bit as he struggled for control. After a moment, he sighed deeply and kissed her thumb. "I wish we had never gone to that party. We should have told your mother 'no' when we heard Bill was going to be there." "Oh no," she shook her head vigorously, "I disagree. Last night was VERY worth it." Mulder was looking at her incredulously. "You have GOT to be kidding! After we all got cleaned up, I came downstairs hoping we would at least toast in the New Year civilly and all I got was a lecture from Bill about how I was ruining his sister's life! And his reaction when he found out we were engaged- !!!" He shook his head, ruefully. "I won't even go there. He said some things he had no business saying." He chuckled suddenly, his thoughts obviously far away. "What?" Scully said, watching him. "I was thinking that at least Skinner gave him a black eye over what Bill said about Skinner's intentions toward your mother." "He deserved it," Scully said darkly. "I know. I thought they were going to have it out again right there in your Mom's kitchen." Scully nodded, "Good thing Mom stepped in. At least this time Bill listened to her." Mulder was nodding, but stopped suddenly. "Hey, you didn't say why you thought the party was worth it," he pointed out. She smiled a coy smile and pretended to fluff the bubbles in front of her chest. "I thought I was going to die when Skinner stripped down to his underwear," she said, trying desperately not to laugh. She failed. "Standing there...squinting without his glasses...covered in mud....in his undies.." She had to gasp for breath, she was laughing so hard. Mulder was joining her, he gulped a lungful of air. "I know," he continued for her, "It was hard to believe that he was the same staid man that chews us out at work almost on a daily basis." "But," she said, wiping a tear away, "we really shouldn't laugh. The man has been nothing but a friend to us, in his way." "True," Mulder said, sniffing and clearing his throat, trying to stop his mirth at Skinner's expense. "Hey," He suddenly said, a pensive look coming over his face, "you know what I just realized?" "What?" Scully said, watching him carefully, seeing his expression changing from thoughtful to mischevious. "I just realized that we left your Mom's place in a huff right before midnight and probably were riding in a car, sulking in silence, when the new year came in." "Uh-huh," Scully said, not sure what he was getting at, "and then you had your brilliant 'breathing room' idea. Why?" He raised up slightly out of the bubbles and got on his knees so he could move toward her. "I just realized we never got our New Year's kiss," he said softly, and leaned toward her. He cupped the back of her neck with his right hand and gripped the edge of the tub with his left, for balance. "Your getting bubbles in the back of my hair, Mulder," Scully managed to mutter as their lips met. "Mm-hm," he responded into their kiss. After a moment, they pulled back and looked at one another. "Happy New Year, Scully," he said with feeling and brushed a damp lock of hair back from her jawline. She gave him a loving smile. "Happy New Year, Mulder." ********************************************************************** Whew! Ok, I got them past New Year's!! Yeah!! And its only FEBRUARY!!! *L* Now the focus is back where it belongs; I feel better.... More to come, of course :)