Title: Happiness - Attraction and Love Author: shawntaw Category: Au Rating: PG Disclaimer: I didn't create these amazing characters, so no one's paying me. But here's my two cents anyway: If it was ME writing this show, Scully probably never would've had a baby (kinda hard to keep having adventures with Mulder with a kiddo) and we would've seen the emotional ramifications of Mulder's abduction and subsequent return. Oh, and no brain disease (or if so, then show him dealing with it for goodness' sake!) Yes, Doggett. Love his character and love RP. No, Reyes (nothing against AG, just there seems to be no place for the character) and what ever happened to the wonderful, caring Skinner from Season 8? Now, he's a shadowy figure again?! Come on... And I definitely would not have killed the Lone Gunmen. And bring back the CSM!! He was oh so delightfully evil!! (shiver) Um..I think that's it. That said, I would also like to say that I thank God for CC because he was genius enough to create these wonderful characters, even if I don't agree what he's done with them. Feedback makes me very happy at shawntaw@hotmail.com :) TO DANI WHO HAS MADE A WEBSITE OF MY STORIES: www.geocities.com/corran_14776/shawntaw.html Thank you.:) Summary: "Sometimes you are attracted to a person and that is all there is - attraction. You know it can't go anywhere and so you enjoy the feeling when they're around, but that's it. But it isn't love; it's attraction. Big difference. However, if we're lucky we get BOTH attraction and love..if we look long enough and hard enough.." Note: You say the Lone Gunmen are dead? (fingers in ears) I can't hear you! I can't hear you! The next few "Happiness" stories will focus on "the guys" in tribute... ********************************************************************* * **** Kim couldn't stop smiling. In an attempt to expunge the undeniable sexual tension between her boss and herself, she had called up Byers on a lark and chit-chatted with him. Chit-chatting had led to her tearful confession. She cried to Byer's over the phone while he offered his soothing assurances and then embarrassedly apologized to him for treating him so poorly. After all, he was supposed to be the guy she was dating. Which had led to him asking her out to dinner. He said he would like to talk to her in person and that it sounded like she could use some time out. Kim had hesitantly agreed. "John, I don't want you to think that you came in second. I never should have said anything about Skinner. It's nothing. And I certainly don't want a pity date." Byer's soft chuckle sounded in her ear. "I don't feel like you're settling for me, Kim. I have better self-image that THAT. We're only dating, after all. And this is not a pity date; we're at least friends...aren't we?" So....here Kim sat grinning across from a very dapper and soft-spoken John Byers. He heartily, but with impeccable manners, ate his steak, the gentlemanly facade only breaking once when he stretched to get the pepper and dragged his conservative tye through the middle of his plate. "Are you enjoying your meal, Kim?" he asked in between bites, oblivious to the steak sauce stain streaked on his tye. The corner of her mouth quirked. "Yes, I love the Fetticini Alfredo here. Its very good." He nodded with satisfaction and went back to his meal. Kim's smile grew. He tried so hard, but it was obvious that he was used to eating at his bachelor pad with the other "Gunmen." He was looking around at the other diners as he ate, observing and taking in his surroundings. He reached for his glass of iced soda and took a deep drink, leaving the edges of his mustache wet. She had the sudden urge to reach over the table, pull him to her by the knot of his oh-so-proper tye, and kiss the droplets off his tidy mustache one by one. Kim blinked. *Where did THAT come from?* Byers was staring at her. "Did you know that I think of you as 'Byers' even though I call you 'John'?" she blurted. *Why did I say that?* He smiled a little bit at her. "Probably because everyone else calls me 'Byers'." Kim sipped her water and cocked an eyebrow at him. "Why is that? Why do you and the other guys call each other by your last names?" Byers had put down his fork and was wiping his mouth with the linen napkin. He swiped over his mustache too, and Kim felt a pang of regret. "Frohike and Langley HATE their first names." Her other eyebrow went up, asking the question. "Melvin and Ringo, respectively." "Oh," she said, trying not to laugh. Byers eyes twinkled at her. "Melvin, ok, but....Ringo? As in....The Beatles?!" His eyes were practically sparkling with amusement as he nodded. "Yep." "Now I see," she said with a huff of laughter. She was proud that she hadn't out and out guffawed. "But, John is a very nice name," she added. "Thank you. I've always been proud of it," he said, "My middle name is Fitzgerald. My parents named me after JFK." She smiled and nodded approvingly. "Your full name is Kimberly, right?" Byers asked conversationally. "Yes, and I know what you're fishing after," she grinned, "but no luck...my middle name is not anything embarrassing or strange. Its Elizabeth." Byers smile brightened, "The first girl I ever had a crush on was named Lizzy. She was adorable. Freckles. Red braids. And glasses. She was very smart for a nine year old." Kim blushed. "I hate to say it, but I had freckles, red hair and glasses at nine years old." "But you're a blond." "Not a natural one though," she sighed. "Hmmmm," Byers said, suddenly serious, "speaking of crushes and red hair reminds me of what I wanted to talk to you about tonight." "You wanted to talk about my mixed feelings about Skinner. What does that have to do with crushes and red hair?" Byers sighed and leaned across the table toward her. "I think what you are feeling for your boss is a crush. Simply a physical attraction amplified by the closeness of your working conditions and bred by familiarity." "Ohhhkaay," said Kim, following him so far and wondering where he was headed with this. "I, myself, have experienced this same sort of attraction to someone I have no business being attracted to," he confessed, a blush starting to rise in his cheeks. She frowned in thought. "Who?" He regarded her for a moment. "If you were to reveal what I am about to tell you, I would be mercilessly teased by Frohike and Langley, scrutinized and mistrusted by one of my dearest friends, and uncomfortable in the presence of one of the most amazing women to ever exist." She made a show of crossing her heart, "I promise not to tell." "Dana Scully," he simply said and then sat back to wait for her reaction. "Scully? You have a crush on Scully?" she asked, incredulously. He nodded seriously. Kim snorted. "Why do I sometimes feel like I'm a supporting character on 'Everyone Loves Scully?'" Byers was looking at her quizzically, "Excuse me?" "Skinner has had a thing for her for YEARS. Everytime she's around his voice gets deeper and you can practically see his spine straightening. And he takes everything she says utterly to heart. I don't even think HE realizes it though." Byers was sputtering, "But he's going out with her - her - mother!" Kim crinkled her nose, " I know. Strange, huh? But I think he knew in his heart that Scully only wanted Mulder." Byers nodded, "That I understand. Frohike has the 'hots' - as he puts it - for her too. Langley noticed she's a woman, which means a lot coming from him. It means he looked away from his computer long enough to give her a once-over." Kim sighed and sipped her water, "What IS it about that woman? I swear.." Byers reached across the table and laid his hand on hers. "This is what I wanted to talk to you about, though. Sometimes you are attracted to a person and that is all there is - attraction. You know it can't go anywhere and so you enjoy the feeling when they're around, but that's it. But it isn't love; it's attraction. Big difference. However, if we're lucky we get BOTH attraction and love..if we look long enough and hard enough.." "Like Mulder and Scully?" Kim said softly, looking into Byers eyes and thinking *Maybe like us?* Byers chuckled, "If we're extremely lucky and blessed." ********************************************************************* * ** The air was crisp and cool when they stepped outside of the restaurant, a huge change from the stuffiness inside. Kim inadvertently shivered. "Cold?" Byers asked, arm raised to hail a cab. "Just adjusting after being in there," she gestured with her chin toward the restaurant and folded her arms, rubbing her palms over the goosebumps that had risen on her arms. "Here," he said and slipped off his suit coat. He placed it on her shoulders and smiled at her, "Better?" Kim smiled back. "Much." She admired him as he waved at a cab approaching them. She'd never seen him without his suit coat before (well, except that time with her robe) and she was appraising the affect. "Very nice," she said. "Got a cab," Byers said, beckoning, "What did you say?" "Nothing," she said, stepping past the door he held open for her and thinking about attraction...and perhaps love. ********************************************************************* * **** SOB! I miss my Byers!!! Waaaaaa! (pulling self together) Ahem...anyway, I'm too busy missing TLG to think about MSR right now, so be forewarned that the next few installments in the "Happiness" universe will focus on TLG. Mulder, Scully and assorted others may make appearances, but the stars will be Byers, Frohike and Langly. I only hope the whole death thing was faked and that they will reappear in the finale. (saying a silent prayer)