Condoms (1/18)
by Lola

e-mail: lolabeegood@gmail.com

Time: Set during and post-The Truth.
Spoilers: Everything up to the end of the series.
Summary: Mulder hates condoms for more than the obvious reasons.
Overall Rating: NC-17

I do not own the characters.  I do not make any money from this.
Enjoy!

**

Mulder was sitting in the SUV outside of a third store and getting 
more and more nervous each time they stopped.  Scully's plan was 
a good one but it didn't make it make it any easier to sit and  wait 
while she was inside. The radio hummed softly in the background 
as he sat and watched.  Watched the store, the parking lot, the 
people entering for any sign of danger.  Until Scully was back in the 
truck with him he almost held his breath.  

Then he saw her emerge.  Arms laden with plastic bags filled with 
supplies and clothes.  Things she had packed for them only to be 
left in another SUV in the desert. Mulder felt very grateful for 
Scully's paranoia at that moment.  Had she not stuffed some vital 
documents and a wad of cash into her pant pockets they would 
have been toast.   

Since then she had been meticulously making a list of needs while 
he drove:  first aid kit, medical supplies, clothing, backpacks, 
camping gear, food, toiletries, etc.  Everything they would need 
for the next few weeks or possibly months.  

The plan was to get to the house in Virginia, eventually.  Mulder 
had purchased it under a pseudonym many years ago and it was 
sitting, waiting for them with fake ID and safety deposit keys to 
boxes with money that would last them many years.  They couldn't 
go there until it was safe.  Until they were sure the trail had 
gone cold.  Until they could live there in peace.

The trunk hatch lifted.  Mulder didn't dare get out of the vehicle.  
He was not sure what alerts were out for him.

"That's it" she said with a note of exhaustion in her voice.

"No more stops?" he inquired hoping for the right answer.

"None, we are done and if I forgot anything we'll just have to do 
without it" she said as she slammed the hatch shut.

Moments later she hoisted herself into the passenger seat and he 
turned the key and started the engine.  

Looking at her weary face as she buckled her belt he wanted to 
give her once last chance.  One more chance to live a normal life, 
without him.

"You know Scully.  I could live alone for many months on the 
supplies you bought. You could stay here and say I let you go."

"You plan on wearing the clothes I bought for myself too?" she 
huffed, obviously peeved.

"Well..." he snickered trying to lighten the mood.

"Mulder, I'm sick and tired of hearing Wal-Mart and Target greetings 
over a loudspeaker.  I am sick of bright florescent overhead 
lighting, I am tired of being tied up in knots thinking we'll 
be found out, what I not am is sick of you, but that is starting 
to change rapidly.  I am going with you.  End of conversation.  
Please stop guiltily bringing it up again and again.  It's my 
decision, and it is a decision Mulder, not something I feel I'm 
being forced into. Now, can we please drive to a motel?"

"I won't mention it again" he responded in a defeated manner.

"Mulder, it's just..." she started to respond feeling guilty for the 
snap that accompanied her words.

"No, thank you Scully.  I needed to hear that you decided to 
do this.  Not that you are doing it out of some loyalty to me.  
And, to be perfectly honest I wouldn't want to do this without 
you.  But I would if I had to."

"You don't have to" she said softening her words and touching his 
cheek in the darkness of the truck "you'll never have to be alone 
again."

"I love you Scully" he said as he leaned into her touch and 
closed his eyes.

"I know Mulder.  I love you too.  We'll make it through this 
together, ok?"

"Ok" he muttered as he kissed her palm and leaned away about 
to drive.

"And Mulder" she started.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for my tone.  I need to take it down a notch and 
relax a bit."

He reached over and placed a hand on her thigh, squeezing it 
gently "Hey Scully it's not everyday that you're on the run 
with a wanted felon who faces lethal injection.  A little 
tension is called for."

With that she snickered "Oh Mulder, take me to a bed."

"Your wish..." he started and drove out of the lot.

**

Continued in Part 2