Going Lunar--Part 1
by Lolabeegood

E-mail: lolabeegood@gmail.com
Distribution: Archive freely with my name attached

Rating: PG
Categories: S, R
Keywords: Mulder/Scully UST
Spoilers: Everything up to Home
Summary:  Mulder decides to go a little lunar with 
Scully after their case with the Peacock boys.  

Author's Notes: 

Just a little scene that has been working itself out 
in my head and I thought I'd put to paper. Honourable 
mention goes to the Rock Creek Nature Centre and the 
National Capital Astronomers Society.

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

Enjoy!

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She was sitting in a car unsure of where they were going 
but just happy to be out on a Saturday night.  Mulder was 
at the wheel grinning as they pulled into the Rock Creek 
Nature Centre.  He said this trip was not about work but, 
she was starting to have her doubts.  Maybe there was a 
wolf expert waiting in the wings or a man-eating plant 
theorist meeting up with them.  Somehow, work was a hard 
thing to leave behind for the two of them and she was 
always wondering where he would bring her next.  After the 
Peacock family, anything was possible.

He pulled up to the parking booth and took a ticket form 
the teenage attendant who was too busy listening to his 
music to even greet them.  He parked the car and cut the 
engine.  He turned to her with a nice smile on his face, 
a smile that could get them into trouble.

"We're here."

"Can I know what we're doing now?" I ask with a grin.

"Come on Scully, stay in suspense for a couple more 
minutes." He said as he released his belt and got out 
of the car.

I have to walk quickly to try and catch up with him as he 
made his way toward a field with lots of people milling 
about.  The sun had almost completely gone from the sky 
and it was hard to see what they were doing.  I could 
tell there was some equipment involved, but I wasn't 
sure the purpose.

"Are you sure this isn't about a case?" I call to him, 
causing him to slow his pace and turn to look at me.

"Nope" he shook his head "we can call it a date, if that 
would make you more comfortable."

"I'm not sure if that would make me more comfortable." 
I say honestly, as I reach his side.

"I promise I won't try and get fresh" he says as he l
oops an arm over my shoulder and walks me toward a 
group of people setting up telescopes.

"Mulder?" I ask as we get closer.

"Scully, tonight we are going to observe the night sky 
with a group of astronomers" 

"I thought you said this wasn't about work?"

"It isn't." he says as he looks down at me.

I raise an arched eyebrow, questioning his motive.  He 
must notice it, even in the dark.

"I won't mention anything about aliens." He leans to 
whisper into my ear "scout's honor."

"You seem to be relying on your honor a lot tonight." 
I smile up at him.

He laughs loudly at my joke.

Just then an older gentleman moves to the front of the 
group.  

"Welcome everyone to the National Capital Astronomers 
Society." He begins "each month for the last 40 years we 
have been meeting to share the night sky with any 
interested people."

Mulder shifts next to me.  His arm is still looped casually 
over my shoulder and a breeze blows past us.  I catch a 
whiff of his soapy scent and suddenly I'm not listening 
to the astronomer anymore.  Instead I am acutely aware of 
how his hip is brushing against my side, how his leg is 
shifting against mine, and the feel of his light hand on 
my right shoulder.  Then his hand drops from my shoulder 
and I am brought back to reality.  The group around us is 
moving to various telescopes and Mulder has started to make 
his way to one farthest away from everyone.  He turns to 
look at me.

"Come on Scully, let's get one before we have to share." 
He calls to me.

I follow him to the telescope that has been thoughtfully set 
up at the edge of the field.  The man operating it is Phil 
Booker and he is not particularly chatty, which I like.  
He answers our questions about various constellations and 
shows us some great spots on the moon.  To his credit, 
Mulder doesn't once ask about aliens but, he does seem 
keenly interested in Phil's theories about the 'dark side 
of the moon' which is unobservable from earth.  By 10pm 
many people have left, taking their interested and 
uninterested children home, other couples have stolen off 
into the park to observe the night sky on their backs, and 
the astronomers have started to do some serious star 
gazing.  Mulder and I take our leave from Phil and head 
back toward the car.

"Thank you Mulder" I say as we get into the car and he 
turns on the heat. Despite it being summer, the night has 
gotten cool. "That's the best date I've had in a long 
time."

"Now, that's just sad Scully." He smirks at me.

I swat at his arm and he pulls out of the lot.  We talk 
about the night sky and the moon and Phil's peculiarities 
all the way to my apartment.  I get out of the car and lean 
in my open door.

"That was great, thanks again, Mulder" I smile at him.

"I'm glad you liked it Scully." He smiles back "what base 
do I get to on the second date?"

I slam his door in answer to his question and wave goodbye 
to him as I walk into my building.


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The end