Title: Save the Best For Last Author: Caroline McKenna Spoilers: Rain King Teaser: Post episode continuation. What if something else happened in the gym? Catagory: MSR Email: JC_SizzlinSpike827@yahoo.com Feedback: YES! Please! If ya liked it, if ya hated it, whatever! I love feedback, both good and bad. Disclaimer: I do not own them, I never will. Don't rub it in. Also, "Saved the Best For Last" belongs to Vanessa Williams and whatever record company produces it. I do not have permission to use it. Please don't sue! I am only 14 and this is my first fanfic. Archiving: Yes, just tell me where you're taking it, and include my name and email Author's Note: Takes place after "Rain King". I loved all of the subtle hinting in this episode, and it was on FX last night so I whipped this right out. I hope you enjoy! Save the Best For Last Mulder and I were still at the high school. Our duty was done, case solved, but instead of catching the earliest flight back to Washington DC, we decided to stay another night and enjoy the community's festivities. Or rather, Mulder decided. So we both stood there, dripping wet and watching Sheila and Holman dance. And kiss. I must say, it's rather depressing, although sweet. Personally, I find the whole story rather inspirational, but I am not ready to share that particular sentiment with my partner. So instead I found myself attempting small talk. "Wouldn't it be nice to have something like that, Mulder? Just a normal life in general." I said, sighing and looking away from Sheila and Holman to glance at Mulder as he spoke. "It seems to me, Scully, that this is as close to a normal life as we'll ever get. A high school reunion that isn't ours with people we don't know. Not to mention that we're soaking wet." He also sighed, turning his attention to me as I had done to him. "You don't even know how completely sad that is, Mulder." "You're quite right. I have no interest whatsoever at how pathetic my life is." He shook his head, managing to look as cute as a puppy dog. But not exactly like a dog, more like a Mulder-puppy. Anyway, he looked adorable. "We're in the same boat, Mulder. God, I haven't seriously dated anyone in longer than I care to admit. The only real friends I have are at the FBI, and I haven't gone shoe shopping in months! How did we get like this? And when did our lives turn to mush?" There were some pretty scary thoughts swimming around in my head just then, and the more I thought about them, the harder it became to concentrate on anything else. Damn. I could already feel the tears welling up in my eyes. His hands grasped my arms, turning me to face him completely. "Scully," he whispered, "Ssshhh. We're not that pathetic." When receiving my patented Scully-glare, he continued, correcting himself. Let me tell you, that Scully-glare works wonders on Mulder. "Okay, maybe we are, but at least we can be pathetic together. We can live our non-lives without a fear of being alone. I'll always be here for you, Scully, no matter how lame your life may seem." My tears fell silently down my face in rivers of sorrow and stress. "Oh, Mulder," I slipped into his open and inviting arms just as "Save the Best For Last," by Vanessa Williams began to play over the high school's sound system. This is one of my favorite songs. Our embrace eased, but he kept his arms around my waist. "Dance with me, Scully." I complied immediately, linking my hands behind his head. We swayed gently in time to the music. His arms felt so good around me, so right. It's almost indescribable, that feeling. It was as if Mulder and I were the only two in the room; no one else mattered. It was almost like coming home in some strange way, but to no home I had ever imagined. I was more comfortable in his arms than I had been in an awfully long time. Boy, isn't that the truth, especially in this town. The wacky weather had no limits to how far it could go. Knowing Mulder like I do, he'd probably buy that theory if I have him half a chance. I pulled his body closer to mine, inhaling the scent of him. After-shave and peppermint, I think. As the music played, I glanced up at Mulder, who was gazing down at me. He says that he never gazes, but believe me, I've seen the man gaze. He is so much taller than I am, I have to crane my neck in order to see his sparkling hazel eyes. Is it ever! Here I am, in the arms of my best friend, interpreting the meaning of every line in the whole damn song. I'll try to stop and just enjoy the closeness between my partner and I. My attempt was rather unsuccessful. Well we are. A rhetorical question, I'm sure, since it isn't worthy of an answer. I honestly don't know what to think about this. Mulder and I have known each other for six years now and I suppose I've always detected a certain chemistry between us. If this does turn into some kind of romantic relationship, I want it to be my last, The real one. God, that's a scary thought, perhaps more frightening than any other I can imagine. But it's the good kind of scary, the kind in which you know that in order to obtain a utopian world- if one such world exists- you have to stand up to your fears. But in the end, everything will turn out okay. Mulder had spent countless nights at my apartment, sacked on the couch. Or there were the times when he dropped by with a box of pizza and a six pack of beer just because he enjoyed my company. Diana Fowley, Phoebe Green, Doctor Bambi, need I say more? I try again to tune our the music and just be with him. My head is against his shoulder and we are still rocking side to side. His breath is warm on my neck, and I can feel my heartbeat quicken to match his, which is set on a rapid pace. Do I really affect him like this? Do I affect him like he influences me? Good question. Very good question. Mulder does the very same with me and I have yet to figure out any such plausible answer. Like Mulder's truth. Our truth. I looked up at him and realized that he was having the same thoughts. Trust Mulder to be interpretive. I looked around the room to discover all the couples around us were kissing. It's almost embarrassing to see, and not experience. But I could change that. Looking back at Mulder, I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled him to me and kissed him passionately. Now don't ask me where that came from because I have absolutely no idea. One moment, I'm dancing dangerously close to my partner and friend, and the next, I'm kissing him. And he's kissing me back. I'm sure my heart must be racing, but I'm not quite sure. Mulder and his lips held my full attention. His lips are so soft so tender, so deliciously mine. I pull away, "Mulder..." "Yes, Scully?" "My switch has been flipped." When he gave me a puzzled look, I just smiled. "Kiss me Mulder." "You don't have to tell me twice." We kissed again. I don't know how long it lasted, I only know that it didn't seem like long enough. It was satisfying, oh yes, but I wanted more. So I took it. His lips were pressed against mine, once more, only this time, everything was different. Was Sheila right? Do I love him? I don't know, but I am sure as hell ready to find out.