Partners (R) by Donna "Do you have any plans tonight, Mulder?" "Um, what did you have in mind?" He leered up at her. She ignored his innuendo. "Bill’s in town for a few days and Mom’s cooking. We’d love to have you join us." "Thanks, I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t think so." Spending an evening with her brother…even her presence wouldn’t be enough to make that palatable. So what if Bill had reason to dislike him, he didn’t have to make himself an easy target. "Oh come on, Mulder, you don’t have any plans. I bet there’s nothing to eat in your apartment." She became mildly insistent. "I was going to order a pizza. ‘Attack of the Killer Tomatoes’ comes on tonight." "It’s Bill, isn’t it." She sighed. "Come on, Scully. You know he doesn’t want me there." "You two are going to have to resolve this. You’re both permanent fixtures in my life, so you have to get along." Mulder’s eyes smiled though he kept his face still. "Permanent fixture," that had a great sound. "Go on, have a good time. Tell your Mom I’ll see her soon." Too bad, he really enjoyed seeing Mrs. Scully. Scully shook her head and began gathering up her things. "Make sure there’s at least one vegetable topping on that pizza." He grinned and watched her leave. ****** Margaret Scully so enjoyed having her children around. It was much too quiet now that they were grown and gone. She listened to Dana and Bill pretend to squabble as Bill’s friend Steve egged them on. "Mom! Dana’s misbehaving in front of company." Bill called into the kitchen. "I’m going to send you both to your rooms. Come get these dishes." Dinner continued on a high note, everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was after 1 a.m. before Scully headed for bed, after her mother convinced her to stay over. In the kitchen the next morning Bill cornered her at the coffeepot. "Steve likes you, Dana." "I’m glad. I had a good time last night." "So you wouldn’t be adverse to seeing him again?" Bill leaned toward her a little. "Of course not. In fact I was thinking of having you two over tonight, since Mom has plans." "I meant just the two of you." "Bill. . . " She was giving him that look. "He’s a really great guy, Dana." "I like him, Bill. Okay?" Did big brothers ever quit acting like big brothers? Bill smiled and turned away. Yes! Someone besides that ‘Spooky’ Mulder. He just better not push it. ***** Scully left after helping clean up from breakfast with the guy’s promise to come over at seven. She stopped by the store on the way home to get supplies for the evening and got home around lunchtime. After dispatching her domestic duties for the weekend she began dinner, then jumped in the shower to get ready. That was when Mulder called for the fourth time. He hadn’t left any messages. He didn’t really have a good reason to call, but it wasn’t like her to be out all night. And now he was still getting her machine. He’d give her another hour or so, then he was going over there to check. ***** Bill and Steve arrived a few minutes early bearing wine, so Scully put them to work setting the table while they shared the wine. Scully was removing the lasagna from the oven and Bill was painting extra butter on the garlic bread when the phone rang. "Can you get that Steve?" Scully asked, the hot casserole dish in her hand. "Sure." He headed for the living room. "Scully residence." "Uh, yeah. Is, uh, is Dana Scully there?" Who the hell was that? "Sure, just a minute." He took the mobile phone into the kitchen. "For you." "Thanks." She took the phone and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Hello?" "Scully? Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company." His voice was carefully neutral. "Hi, Mulder. Bill and his friend, Steve came over. I made lasagna and there’s plenty. Why don’t you come on over." "No, four’s a crowd." No way, Bill and a friend, that would be as much fun as a stick in the eye. "Mulder..." That warning tone was back, she was about to insist. "I’ll let you get back to your guests." "Wait, what did you call about?" "Not important. I’ll see you Monday." "You’re sure you won’t come over?" "Yeah, oughta do some laundry anyway. Bye." And he hung up before she could respond. "Is he coming?" "No, he didn’t want to intrude." "Who?" Steve joined the conversation. "Fox Mulder, Dana’s partner. A strange guy, lots of out of this world interests." "Bill..." Her eyes warned him. "Well it’s true, Dana." "Change the subject, okay?" "Sure, sure." He threw up his hands. "What do I do with this bread?" ***** Mulder pulled the cold pizza from the fridge and slipped a video into the VCR. Damn, he was so pitiful it was funny. So Scully had a guy over, her brother was there too. Like he had the right to say anything anyway. ***** Monday morning he was at this desk trying not to look like he was waiting for her when she came in. "Morning, Mulder. You missed some great lasagna." "Yeah, well I was busy. How much longer will Bill be here?" "Oh, he had to leave yesterday afternoon." She put away her purse, her back to him. "Too bad. I know your Mom likes to have him around." "Yeah." She offered no other information. Shit, was she purposely not telling him what he wanted to know? "What about his friend?" He tried to sound casual. Scully was pouring her coffee and not really paying attention, "Steve? He’ll be here for a couple of weeks." "Oh good. Is he staying with your Mom?" "No, when Bill left he moved over to the Marriott." Did he really need to know that she knew which hotel he’d moved to? And if Bill left in the afternoon, where had this ‘Steve’ spent the evening? "Mulder? You okay?" "What? Yeah." Come on, Mulder. Don’t borrow trouble. "Where’d you go?" "Just thinking. Look, the guys have some new software they wanted us to see. Wanta go over there tonight?" "I’m sorry, Mulder. I’m busy." "Busy?" Busy? Not with… "Yes, Steve doesn’t know anyone in town, so he asked me to the movies." Did she really sound defensive or was he imagining it? "You like this guy?" Why did he ask that? A little pride, Mulder, get hold of yourself. "Yeah, he’s fun. We have a lot in common, being a couple of Navy brats. We’ve even lived on some of the same bases, just not at the same time." "Neat." He tried to smile and could only hope he’d pulled it off. ***** The week went downhill from there. As it progressed he could hear his "humor" becoming more and more caustic and her retreating from him, spending less and less time in his lousy company. Where was a good mutant when you needed one? She probably shouldn’t go out again this week, but Mulder was in such a rotten mood, she enjoyed the contrast. Steve wasn’t in a foul mood or making cracks, and while there was no chemistry, it was a relief to get out of the office. It was five minutes to five, so she saved the file she had been working on and gathered her things. "Leaving early, Scully?" "Yep, a full five minutes, Mulder. You want to dock me?" He chose to ignore that, he’d much rather ‘deck’ Steve. "Plans?" "Matter of fact, I’m going out to dinner, maybe dancing too." "Well, have fun." Geez, that sounded sarcastic even to his ears. "Thanks." And she was out the door. She was moving fast enough that she was out of earshot before the paperweight that Mulder threw hit the door. He didn’t even bother to put anything away, just locked the door and left. ***** Dinner was nice, but she couldn’t seem to get in the spirit of the evening. She hated fighting with Mulder. Especially when she didn’t know why they were fighting. "Are you okay, Dana?" "I’m sorry, Steve. I guess I’m not very good company. I had a hard day at work." "Your partner?" "I beg your pardon?" She asked, startled. "Bill told me some stuff about this guy. Sounds like he’d be hard to be around after awhile. Especially with all the grief he’s caused your family." "He hasn’t caused my family any grief. Bill has a problem with some of Mulder’s ideas, but he doesn’t know him." "Well, you would know better. Listen, I don’t think you’re much in the mood for dancing. Why don’t I take you on home." "I hate to cut your evening short." "It’s okay, just give me a glass of wine and we can have an early evening. We can do the dancing some other time." She smiled her agreement and they headed back to her apartment. "I promise not to stay too late." He said, depositing his coat over the chair. She held out her hand for the wine bottle he was carrying and went into the kitchen for glasses. ***** He poured himself a second glass, but she refused more. "Steve, I think I need to do a little more work, then go on to bed." "Come on, no more work tonight. Why don’t you just enjoy and relax. Here, let me rub your shoulders." He moved closer to her. "Steve, thanks, but no." "Come on, Dana. We’ve been going out over a week now, loosen up." "I’m as loose as I want to be, Steve." She rose from the couch. She could feel the tension level in the room rise. "I think you’d better leave now." "Come on, Dana." He reached over and began fiddling with the top button of her blouse. She knocked his hand away, and stepped toward the door. "Now wait a minute." His voice hardened. He put his hand on her shoulder. His grip tightened as she tried to step away, and the fabric parted at the seam. The shock of the action stopped her, but seemed to galvanize him. He took both shoulders in his hands and pressed his lips against hers, forcing his tongue into her mouth. That stirred her to action and she shoved him away. She saw the anger flare into his eyes, and suddenly afraid, she made a break for her bedroom where her gun was kept. He cut her off. "Relax, Dana. I’m not going to hurt you." "I want you to leave." Her voice was tight. "Not until we get this straightened out. Come on, Dana." He put his hand out. "Stay back. I mean it, Steve." "We’re both adults, Dana. We’ve been going out for awhile. We knew what this was leading toward." She just stared at him, stunned into silence. It cost her her advantage and he had hold of her arms again. The struggle that ensued would forever be surreal to her, watching a chair fall over, items falling from her coffee table, all almost in slow motion. She would never remember how she was able to grab the phone and press 1. ***** "Mulder! Hel..." "Scully?" The phone had gone dead. Shit! He was already shoving on his shoes. He grabbed his jacket, fumbling for his keys. He was out of his apartment in under 30 seconds. The drive across town was a blur. He could only hope he hadn’t injured anyone, not that it would have slowed him down. He didn’t slow down approaching her door either, kicking it in once again. He spotted them struggling on the floor and on his second step into the apartment had the satisfaction of feeling his foot connect solidly with Steve’s ribs, lifting him off her and causing him to roll halfway across the room. Then he was on him, savagely pounding him, he wanted to turn that face into hamburger. "Mulder! Stop, you’ll kill him!" He only grunted a response as he continued his assault. "Mulder!" He could feel her pulling on his arm. "They’ll put you in prison. They’ll take you away from me!" That penetrated. He managed to stop his fist on a downward trajectory and with disgust shoved himself up and away from the useless excuse for a human. "Scully?" He took his first good look at her. He saw the beginnings of a black eye, and her lip was bleeding. His eye continued down, her blouse was torn. He’d better stop, or nothing would keep him from killing the bastard. "Police! Put your hands in the air." Neither of them had heard anyone else approach. Mulder and Scully both froze and he slowly raised his hands. "My ID’s in my pocket, officer. I’m FBI." "FBI? We got a call of domestic disturbance." "Yes sir. This man was attempting to rape her. I was trying to stop him." "Trying...I’d say you succeeded. Why FBI?" "She’s my...my partner." Scully glanced at him, startled. He’d never said it like that before. Her eyes sparkled with tears. She would not cry, damn it. Not now. The police were pulling Steve to his feet. "Charge him with assault, battery and attempted rape. Ms. Scully will be down in the morning to give her statement." "She really should come on down now." "No, you can hold him 24 hours. She’s been through enough tonight. I’ll bring her in myself in the morning. Just get him out of here." As soon as the door closed behind them, Scully groped for the chair to remain on her feet. Mulder scooped her up in his arms and headed for her bedroom. "Mulder, I’m fine." She said with a token struggle to get down. "Scully...bullshit." Their eyes locked, he hadn’t allowed himself to look at her like this before. She was in his arms, completely in his arms and trusting him, even after what she’d been through. He never wanted to let go of her. He wanted to keep her safe there forever. He laid her gently on her bed and got a warm cloth to wash her face. He tenderly washed the dried blood from her chin. Bruises were beginning to appear on her throat. He touched the torn fabric, where Steve had separated her sleeve from the blouse and felt the rage begin to rise in him again. He closed his eyes. Her hand closed over his. "I’m okay, Mulder." "Did he...Scully, did I get here in time?" He was…he didn’t know how he felt, waiting for her answer, praying it would be the right one. "Yes, yes Mulder. My own personal calvary." She tried to smile, but realized too late tears were finally spilling down her face. "Oh Scully..." He took her in his arms and she began to sob into his chest. "I should have been able to...I’m trained to..." She gulped between sobs. "Shhh. It’s okay now. You did what you were supposed to do. You called for backup and you held him off until help could get here. Scully, you did good. Try to relax." "But I wasn’t sure you’d come. You were so angry with me." He looked down at her in astonishment. "Mad at you? What...?" "All week, you’ve..." She couldn’t finish, her voice wouldn’t work anymore. "Oh god, Scully, I wasn’t mad at you. I was just jealous of Steve." "Jealous? Oh Mulder. . ." She melted into him, it felt so safe. He continued to hold her, rubbing her back, murmuring nonsense in her ear. Her sobs turned into hiccups and finally gentle breathing and he realized she’d cried herself to sleep in his arms. He’d hang around tonight, sleep on the couch. That door wasn’t really secure. He started to pull away slowly so as not to awaken her, but she snuggled in closer and put an arm around him to hold him close. Well, he could lay here with her. It’s not like he was going to sleep in either location. If she needed him to feel secure, fine, he’d just hold her all night. It was getting light when he woke to find this precious woman in his arms. He’d slept? He never. . . god, he felt rested. And no dreams. When was the last time that had happened? She stirred in her sleep and pulled him closer. "Mulder. . ." she murmured, almost too low for him to hear. Then her hand traveled down to rub his morning hard on through the denim of his jeans. He gasped, afraid to move. "Scu. . . Scully? Are you awake?" "Um? Mulder, I. . . Mulder?" She realized he was really there and snatched her hand away as she tried to roll away from him. He felt totally bereft with the warmth of her hand gone. He tightened his hold on her. "Were. . ." he had to clear his throat. "Were you dreaming?" She didn’t respond, and refused to meet his eyes. "Was that the first time you’ve had this dream?" He was becoming insistent. "Mulder. . . please. . . " She couldn’t believe what she’d done. "I have a question, Scully." His voice was low, practically unheard in her ear. Oh god, he was going to ask if she had led Steve on. She hadn’t, at least not intentionally. She’d never wanted Steve, he was just someone to have a few laughs with. She only wanted. . . "Scully? When did we start sharing dreams?" What? What had he said? Sharing... She risked a quick look at his face. His look caused a blush she felt down to her toes. He pulled her even tighter against him. Removing her hand had done nothing to diminish his ardor. He took a deep breath. That scent, oh god was that the scent of Scully aroused? He looked at her, his eyes asking the question as his fingers found the top button of her blouse. She made no move to stop him, even assisting him as he removed the torn fabric. He closed his eyes in pain for a second, then opened them and gently began kissing the bruises he saw on her arms, throat and breasts. Damn, that scum had really hurt her, and he’d let him live. "Mulder, it’s okay. You got here in time." Her hand was under his T-shirt, caressing the muscles in his back. If he was going to stop this, now was the time. Come on, Mulder, there were reasons, damn good ones, why this couldn’t continue. So why the hell couldn’t he think of any of them? Her hand had wandered back to his fly and she was fumbling with the first button. He raised up on one elbow, to assist her or just to look at her? He couldn’t remember. Then his mouth closed over hers, his tongue probing tenderly, always mindful of the cut she’d suffered. "Mulder?" She breathed into his mouth. "What are we waiting for?" "We’re partners, Scully. . . we. . . " "Partners." She said it like he had meant it last night. They were partners, and they also happened to work together. They’d figure out a way. . . ******** They heard the knock at her door and both started to rise from their breakfast to get it. Since it was her door, he settled back into his seat and watched her leave the room. "Dana? Dana, Bill called and he. . . oh Dana! What happened?" "I’m okay, Mom, really." "Bill said that there had been a terrible misunderstanding and that Steve had been arrested." "There was no misunderstanding, Mrs. Scully." Fox entered the room and came to stand by Scully. "He didn’t. . . oh Dana, did Steve do this? I don’t understand." "Steve attacked Dana last night, that’s why he’s been arrested." "Dana, he didn’t. . . " She let her voice trail off, her hand to her mouth. "No, Mom. Mulder got here in time." Mrs. Scully took in the ease and confidence with which Fox stood with Dana now, his arm around her waist. So, finally they were together. Too bad it had taken yet another near tragedy to bring them to this point. "Dana, what happened?" "Steve wanted our ‘relationship’ such as it was, to go to another level. Since I had never considered the possibility he became belligerent and. . . " She waved her hand toward the small pile of broken objects on the coffee table. "I would never have thought he was that kind of man. Fox, thank you so much for being here for her. When I think. . . " "Don’t, Mrs. Scully. Don’t even think it." "You are going to press charges?" "Yes. Mulder and I are going down to the police station in a little while to give our statements." "I can’t imagine what Steve told Bill, to get him so confused. Don’t worry, I’ll set Bill straight. I’ll get out of here and let you get ready." And give you some privacy, she added to herself. She hugged Dana and then Fox. "Thank you, Fox." She kissed his cheek and squeezed Dana’s hand. "Call me if you need anything." Dana walked her out, then she returned to the kitchen, Mulder trailing her, frowning and worried. "She knows, doesn’t she?" "Oh yeah, she knows." "She didn’t seem to be very upset." "And why should she be?" "Well, I mean you are her daughter and. . . " "Her grown daughter." "Yeah, but. . . " "She approves, Mulder. Believe me, she approves. I’m going to take my shower now, wanna help me?" He smiled and slowly nodded, eyes gleaming. ***** They were later getting to the police station than they had planned, but were not kept waiting by the detectives handling the case. Scully hated the pictures that had to be taken, but handled it with as much dignity as she could muster. ***** Mulder was on the couch when the pounding started on the door. He jumped to his feet, checking for his gun. He motioned for Scully to wait as she hurried into the room belting her robe. He looked through the peephole. His shoulders sagged. "It’s Bill." He whispered. At her nod he opened the door. "What the hell are you doing here?" He glared at Mulder. "I think that’s our question, Bill." Scully spoke. "I’m here to get this mess cleared up between Steve and. . ." He finally broke off his glare and looked over at Scully. "There’s nothing for you to clear up, Bill." Scully stayed on her side of the room, so Bill started to take a step toward her, then stopped. "I just saw Steve, he looks as bad as you do, from Mulder beating him up. "You went to see Steve before you came to check on your own sister?" Mulder didn’t try to hide his surprise. "Stay out of this Mulder. This is none of your business. What the hell are you doing here anyway? This is between Dana and me, family, not you." Scully did approach him then. "Bill, Mulder stays. He belongs here. Mulder is my family. He’s the family I chose, not someone I just happen to be related to." Mulder didn’t dare look at her; Bill would go ballistic if he saw his face. "Mulder? Family! He’s the reason we have so much less family. Hell for all I know he’s the one that beat you up and just said Steve did it!" Scully didn’t hesitate, her hand connected with his face and even Mulder winced at the force behind the slap. "Don’t call me a liar, Bill, or insult anyone’s intelligence with a theory like that." Bill took a deep breath, his hand going up to rub his cheek. "You can’t press charges. You’ll ruin his career, Dana." "His career! Are you serious? Bill, Steve tried to rape me. He would have raped me if Mulder hadn’t gotten here when he did." Bill did flinch at those words, then straightened his shoulders and looked down at her. "Then you must have led him on. You had to have made him think. . ." "That’s it. You’re out of here." Mulder took his arm. Bill yanked himself free and moved toward Scully. Mulder prepared himself for whatever was going to come next. Bill outweighed him and they were both full of adrenaline, but if he laid a hand on her it would be no contest. "Who the hell are you to order me out of my sister’s apartment?" Before Mulder could answer, Scully lashed out, "He’s my partner and he does so with my blessing. I would suggest that you go get some sleep and when you come to your senses we can talk. Otherwise don’t bother to come back." "I can’t believe you’re choosing Mulder over your family again." "What are you talking about? Steve is not. . ." "He’s my friend, he’s someone I introduced to you." "He’s a sleazy womanizer with no self control. Listen carefully Bill. Rape. Not just assault and battery. He ripped my clothes off of me, he grabbed my breasts." Bill did have the decency to wince at that. "He hurt me Bill. If Mulder hadn’t gotten here in time he would have hurt me irreparably." Bill’s hand twitched as though to go out to her, but then she said the unforgivable. "Mulder saved me from your friend. I owe him everything." Bill’s face hardened into a mask of granite. Never, he’d never forgive her for choosing this man. This man was the reason Melissa was dead, the reason Dana had almost died twice, and she was choosing him? She’d lost her mind. She couldn’t be thinking clearly. He had to get her away from him. "I want you to come with me to Mom’s, Dana." He reached for her arm. "No Bill, I’m staying here. I’ve talked to Mom. She knows I’m okay." "Does she know he’s here?" "Yes and she’s pleased and relieved." His eyes narrowed. "But I do think you should go to Mom’s Bill. Get some sleep, maybe you’ll be able to see things more clearly in the morning." "And leave him here?" "Yes Bill. He stays here – all night and tomorrow, and the next day. Get over it, live with it. Mulder is part of my life. And if you want to continue to be, you’ll accept that. I’m not asking you to be happy about it." "Dana. . . " "Go on now. I’m tired, it’s been a long day and tomorrow will be too." Bill stood there, his hands clenching into fists. She walked around him and silently opened the door. He headed for the opening, stopped to say something, thought better of it at the look on her face and was out of there. She closed the door behind him and leaned against it, her strength gone. "Scully?" Mulder pulled her into his arms and held her. "Let’s go to bed Mulder." He nodded and walked her into the bedroom. ***** Bill slammed into his mother’s home in a frenzy. She came running out to see what was happening, pulling her robe around her. "Bill? What are you doing here?" "I came to get this mess cleared up between Dana and Steve. But it seems Mulder has already insinuated himself into the situation. He’s staying at her apartment!" "I know. He was very concerned about her. Thank God he got there when he did." "Now don’t you go telling me you believe Mulder’s version of what happened! You met Steve, he stayed here at your house. This whole thing is a lie." "You think Dana would lie about what Steve did to her? Did you see her bruises?" "Did you see Steve’s? Why are you so sure that Steve’s the bad guy here? Mulder nearly killed the guy. Maybe he assaulted Dana, maybe she’s just trying to protect him by throwing blame on Steve." "Bill, you don’t believe that. Fox would never, could never hurt Dana. He loves her too much for that." "Loves her!" Bill looked like he wanted to spit on the floor, just saying those words. "I want you to calm down, Bill. You’re working yourself into a fit. Let me fix you something to calm you down." Bill trailed her into the kitchen, where she put water on for tea. He’d been thinking scotch, so he headed for the liquor cabinet and poured himself a generous measure. "Dana’s going to ruin Steve. Even after he’s found not guilty, the stain will remain on his service record. How can she do this to him?" "Do this to him? Bill, have you seen Dana? I don’t understand you, how can you be worried about the career of a man that would brutalize your sister like that? This isn’t about Steve at all is it?" She sat at the table with him, "You’re upset about Steve, but this is about Fox isn’t it? The fact that he’s with your sister. Do you hate him that much?" Bill looked up at her and started to speak, thought better of it, and drained his scotch. He then stood and walked from the room. Mrs. Scully sighed and placed the dishes in the sink, then followed him up the stairs. He was gone when she woke the next morning. He’d woken early and decided to get started. His first stop was the police station where he talked to the officer in charge of her case. After a lengthy conversation he headed for the Department of Defense to look up some friends. ***** Scully was going through the mail when someone knocked on her door. Had Mulder changed his mind about going to work? No, he would have used his key. She smiled at that. She was surprised to see the detective handling her case waiting outside of her door. "Detective Wilson? Please, come in. Is there something I can help you with?" "Well, yes." He seemed a little uncomfortable. "Is Mr. Mulder here?" "No. He’s at work. Do you need him?" "No. Uh, no. Look, Ms. Scully, some new information has come to our attention about your assault and I’d like to talk with you about it." "Of course. Would you like some coffee?" She gestured toward her couch. "That would be very nice. Thanks." She left him to get the coffee. What was this all about? She returned with mugs of coffee and the fixings on a tray. "Detective Wilson, is there a problem about holding the man who assaulted me?" "There’s been a question raised that he is the actual attacker. When our officer came through the door, Mr. Mulder was definitely the aggressor. I wanted to talk to you, alone, and let you know that we can protect you. " "I don’t understand." He pulled out his notebook and didn’t quite face her. "Do you and Mr. Mulder have a physical relationship?" "I beg your pardon?" What the hell was he asking? "Mr. Mulder is your partner, correct?" "Yes, for five years." "During that time has he ever tried to force his attentions on you, physically?" "Mulder?" She actually laughed. Mulder trying to be romantic? Before this week she had made a point of never even exploring the possibility. Except possibly in her bedroom, alone at night. "We’ve learned that he is into pornography, perverted stuff. I need to know if he has ever tried to. . . If maybe you’re protecting him at the expense of someone else." It all clicked into place. "Bill! My brother came to see you, didn’t he? He put these preposterous ideas in your head. No, Mulder has never tried to force a physical relationship with me. We have worked together as equals, as partners for years without any complications of that type. That’s why I called him when I was in trouble, when Steve assaulted and tried to rape me. Steve, not Mulder. I am not trying to protect anyone. Agent Mulder’s reputation is perfectly clear in that area, whatever his viewing preferences he would never force his way with any woman." "Your brother said you’d defend him. That’s why I came when I felt he wouldn’t be here. Is he why you’re not at work?" "Mulder insisted that I . . . " She saw his head go up. "He strongly suggested that I take another day to recover." "Does he often make these strong suggestions to you?" She decided to ignore that. "Do you want me to take a lie detector test? I will. I’d be happy to. Fox Mulder did not and has not ever assaulted me in any way. I am not afraid of Mulder and the information you have received is prejudiced and false. The correct man is in custody." "Well, uh, he’s not exactly in custody at the moment. Your brother arranged bail for him." "Great. Do you have any more questions?" "No. Look, I’m sorry if I upset you, but this information wasn’t something we could afford to overlook." "I understand. My brother does love me, but he has a personal grudge against Mulder and it has obviously affected his judgment." "Well I guess that could happen. I can tell you, he’s hurting your case." "Have you spoken with Agent Mulder?" "My partner is on his way to talk to him right now." "Super." She murmured. "Well, do you need anything else?" "No. I appreciate your time." She nodded and let him out. She then immediately reached for the phone to call Mulder. No answer on his cell, the machine came on at the desk. Damn! She kept trying periodically, but couldn’t reach him. She was in the kitchen when she heard the key in the lock. She headed for the door. One look at his face was enough. He shut the door forcefully. "Do you know what that brother of yours has done now?" "I’m sorry Mulder." "They were here?" She nodded, "I tried to call you." "I was being ‘interviewed’ for the last two hours. Did you tell them about. . .? " "No, I never mentioned your ‘collection’ to anyone." She’d read that expression correctly. "Which means Bill has talked to someone else. Someone who doesn’t like you." "How can they not know they have the correct man in custody?" "Uh, Mulder, he’s not in custody anymore." "What?" "Bill arranged bail. Steve is out." Mulder looked away furious. He bit down on the comments he wanted to make. Bill was her brother and that wasn’t her fault. When he regained control he turned back to her. "I’m not sure you’re safe here. He knows this place." "I’ll keep the doors locked, and. . . " "What?" "Will you be here tonight?" Finally he smiled, "If I’m invited." She nodded, "Well then I feel safe. Come on Mulder. I told the police they had the right man, I even offered to take a lie detector test. We’ll get this cleared up. Please don’t think about Bill. I can’t justify what he’s done and I don’t know if I can ever forgive him, but we can’t change it or him." Mulder took a deep breath. "I don’t want you here alone. Let me take you over to your mother’s house and I’ll pick you up on the way home." "Mulder, I don’t. . . " "Please." His eyes implored this of her. "Okay. Let me change. But Mulder, only today. Tomorrow I’m going back to work." He nodded, that’s exactly what he wanted. He needed to have her back at work, whole and well. ***** Mulder pulled up to the house and realized the car behind him was pulling into the driveway. Oh great, Bill. Damn he was having a wonderful day. He emerged from the car as Bill approached him. "What the hell are you doing here?" "Scully asked me to pick her up here. Your mother picked her up at work this afternoon to do something, so she hasn’t got her car." "I could have given her a ride." "I’m sure you could have. Maybe she didn’t know your schedule. Anyway I’m here and I don’t mind." "I just bet you don’t." Bill sneered at him. They both jumped violently at the sound of a gunshot from inside the house. Mulder had his gun out and was racing for the front door before Bill processed the sound. Bill was only a couple of steps behind him as they reached the door. "Bill!" Mulder whispered frantically. "Stay back. Let me handle this." "Go to hell Mulder. This is my home." "At least stay behind me. You’re not armed." Bill nodded at that. Mulder tested the knob. "It’s unlocked." He mouthed at Bill. "Stay behind me." Mulder eased the door open and saw Scully bending over her mother who was lying on the floor. Standing over her, armed, was Steve. He needed to get closer, before Steve realized what was happening. "Steve!" Bill blurted out and Mulder’s heart sank as Steve grabbed Scully, yanking her to her feet, pressing the gun to her side. "Everyone just stay calm." Mulder said, "Steve, put the gun down and let us call an ambulance for Mrs. Scully. Okay? Let’s not make anything worse." "Oh, easy for you to say Agent Mulder. Your career’s not in the toilet, your reputation’s not destroyed." I could argue with that point, Mulder thought, his eyes scanning the room for options. "Hey Bill, you know what they’ve been doing? Contacting my old girlfriends, trying to get one of them to admit I’d gotten a little rough. Hell!" He pressed the gun tighter into Scully’s flesh. Mulder took a deep breath, this could go bad fast. "Steve, what. . . how could you shoot my mother?" "I didn’t shoot her. She was trying to keep me away from Dana. Your sister has a hell of a lot of protectors. I knocked her down, I didn’t mean to hurt her." "Let us call 911, just to make sure you didn’t Steve. I know you wouldn’t hurt her on purpose." Mulder had to get him to calm down. "Shut up Mulder! You come bursting in again like Superman, only this time you didn’t have to break down the door, did you? Not nearly as dramatic. And no opportunity to beat me to a pulp again, huh?" His agitation was growing. This was getting more and more ugly. Mulder held his gun out to the side. "Look, your beef is with me. Let Scully and Bill get their mother out of here. Then we can talk, get this straightened out. What do you say?" "I say go to hell!" He pivoted, pulling the gun away from Scully and firing at Mulder. The impact of the bullet turned him toward Bill and he went down, his gun skidding across the floor. "Mulder!" Scully started to take a step toward him, but Steve tightened his grip, the gun again pressing into her. "Steve, what are you doing?" Bill stared at his friend in horror. "Can you believe all this, Bill? All this shit over a piece of ass? I mean, I know she’s your sister, but you were okay with it. You knew it was no big deal, that’s why you got me out, right?" "You did try to rape Dana." Bill finally had to accept it, it had happened, just like Dana and Mulder had told him. "Not rape. She changed her mind too late. You going to tell me that’s never happened to you? That you haven’t forced the issue once or twice?" "No. And I’ve never struck a woman, even when she said no. Let her go Steve." "You turning on me too, Bill? I thought you believed me. You did get me out." Scully tore her eyes from Mulder. "He’s not turning on you, Steve. He’s worried about Mom. Let me check on her, please." "Shut up! There’s too much talk, too many people here. This isn’t the way I planned it." Suddenly he shoved Scully away from him, sending her to the floor. "You think I’m some sort of pervert now. You’ve taken his side!" He raised the gun at Bill and fired. "No!" Scully screamed. Bill threw himself to the floor and grabbed Mulder’s gun from where he had watched it land. He rolled and fired at Steve. Steve crashed back against the wall and slumped to the floor. "Bill! Are you okay?" Scully was already bending over Mulder, checking his pulse. "I’m fine, Mom?" "She’s got a concussion I’m sure, but she’s breathing regularly. I’ve been watching her. Call 911, Mulder’s losing blood." Bill didn’t question her but had the phone in his hand. "They’re on the way Dana. What can I do?" "Get me towels, I’ve got to slow down this bleeding. Mulder, hang on. You’ll be okay. You have to be. I’m right here, can you hear me?" Bill was back with the towels and handed them to her. Her face, she was in love with him. And she was scared. This man that he hated above all others, that he had used to free Steve, had risked his life for him and his mother as well as Dana. Damn. "Dana, I can hear the sirens. They’ll be okay, won’t they?" "I don’t know. Mulder, please, hold on. Please!" Bill had to look away. He scrambled to his feet as he heard the vehicles pull up in front of the house. "A gunshot wound, he’s in bad shape. A head trauma and probably a dead body. I haven’t had time to check." Scully spoke clinically but didn’t look up from Mulder. "Okay, get back. We need vitals on this guy and get some fluids in him. We need to transport asap. The woman?" "She’s stable, but needs to be examined. I’ll call for a second unit." The paramedics had taken over and Scully stepped back reaching for the couch to steady herself. Bill put his arm around her and she leaned heavily against him. When they had him ready to transport she pulled away from Bill and headed for the door. "Ma’am, there’s not room." "She’s going with you." Bill spoke, "Go on, Dana. I’ll stay with Mom and handle the police. Don’t worry." She nodded unable to speak. The paramedic in charge kept quiet, he wasn’t going up against this man. ***** Bill looked through the window of the hospital room door. Dana was beside him as he’d expected, holding his hand and talking softly. He tapped on the door and opened it. "Bill? Is anything wrong?" Scully looked up and started to remove her hand from Mulder’s but his grip tightened. "No. Mom’s being released and she’s getting dressed. I wanted to speak to Mulder for a minute." "Oh." She looked over at Mulder and he nodded. "I’ll go see if she needs anything." She let herself out the door, glancing back once as though afraid to leave them together. Bill approached the bed and cleared his throat. "I guess you know you’re not my favorite person in the world." "I’d managed to figure that out." "But I’d never seen you work before. You put your life in danger for Dana and Mom, and hell, for me. Shit, you know we’re going to have to replace the carpet in Mom’s living room because of you." "Sorry about that. It is my job." "It didn’t look like you were just doing your job. You cared, about the two of them anyway. I appreciate that." Mulder was silent, not sure where this was going. "I felt like I needed to say that, if you really are going to be part of the family." Mulder looked up startled and Bill caught it. "You are planning to marry her aren’t you?" "We, uh, I’ve never, uh. . . " "You’re sleeping with my sister and it’s never crossed your mind to marry her!" "It’s, it’s crossed my mind, but. . . but I don’t know about. . . I don’t know how Scully feels." "Well don’t you think that’s something you ought to find out?" Bill had his hands on his hips, looming over him. "Yeah." "And there are some rules, Mulder. There will be no discussing little green aliens around the Thanksgiving table. Understand?" "Yeah." Mulder had caught the hint of a smile in his eyes this time. Bill was accepting him? Bill approved of his relationship with Scully? Well, as close as he could get. Not something he had ever thought he’d live to see. Would Scully even believe him when he told her about this? Yeah, she would. She was his partner.