CHEMISTRY
by Blackwood
entreamis@yahoo.com

RATING:  PG
CATEGORY: MSR, UST, Vignette
SPOILERS: None today.
ARCHIVE: With intact header and a note to me.
SUMMARY:  Mulder and Scully test a theory about interpersonal
relationships.
DISCLAIMER: The standard yadda-yadda.

~*~*~*~

The gardens below the balcony spread in riotous color under the late
afternoon sun, their symmetrical formality a soothing reminder to
Dana Scully of the possibility of order over chaos.  Their
investigation into the unusual occurrences at the stately Virginia
mansion known as Carryl House had drawn Mulder and her into the tale
of Joshua Hanley and his unrequited love for Lizette Osborne, as
revealed by Joshua's diary.  This bit of hackneyed estate history was
seized upon by the current owner, Mrs. Penelope Galloway, and used as
flagrant promotion, allowing her to claim the mansion as "haunted"
for commercial purposes.

Scully steadily held to a theory of flesh-and-blood involvement at
the root of any so-called poltergeist activity.  Mulder, however,
imbued the unusual occurrences at the mansion with spectral
significance.  When said phenomena ceased as suddenly as they had
begun, Mulder ascribed the change to the reunion of Joshua's spirit
with Lizette's.  That *would* be Mulder's version, Scully thought
ruefully.  She, on the other hand, held no such illusions regarding
the supernatural, chalking up the drop in "ghostly" activity to the
vagaries of human nature, fully suspecting Mrs. Galloway of
instigating a hoax for publicity's sake.  Still, she couldn't quite
explain the presence of a final diary entry where none had been only
a day prior, especially since Mulder had maintained possession of the
volume throughout their investigation.

At any rate, their work there was done.  She just wanted one last
look at the lush, manicured gardens that extended from the back of
the house down to a rolling, green lawn and dense forest beyond.  
Sitting on the wide ledge of the balustrade that encircled the open
area, she rests her back against a square column topped by a large,
stone urn filled with geraniums, taking in the view.  Hearing
familiar footfalls on the slate floor, she turns her head to see
Mulder approaching from the shelter of the house, diary in hand.  
Although she didn't agree with his final analysis of the case, she
rather liked the notion of a wayward spirit being united with his
true love and finding peace.  It appealed to her romantic side.

He approaches and lays the slim book down on the ledge beside her
before bracing both arms against the railing.  "Looks like Joshua
finally got smart," he remarks without looking at her, eyes squinting
in the bright light.

"He knew a good thing when he saw it," she replies, watching his
profile.

"Wonder if you would?"

"I know that I would, Mulder.  You, however, wouldn't recognize a
good thing if it bit you."  She expects a retort, but he turns to
face her and goes thoughtful.

"Scully, I'm hurt.  You're a good thing in my life.  I know that."

"Maybe, though sometimes I feel more like a convenience than
anything else; someone to shuffle papers and do the distasteful
chores."

"Not fair."

"I never promised you fair, Mulder, only honest."

"Honest, huh?  You mean if I ask you a question, you'll always give
me an honest answer?"

"Pretty much."

"Pretty much doesn't cut it, Scully.  Yes or no?"

"Yes."  He nods and bites his lower lip.  He's content, for the
moment.  Only a moment.  His eyes grow distant and she knows he's
mulling something over in his restless mind.  She waits patiently,
arms crossed, for the words to come.

"I just keep thinking about Joshua and Lizette.  They never acted on
their feelings.  At least, not until 137 years after the fact.  Seems
a big waste of time, don't you think?"

"Well, if I believe your version of events, which I don't, it would
appear to be a sad state of affairs when two people who obviously
care about one another fail to recognize their destiny together."

"I didn't think you believed in destiny, Scully."

"I don't -- and I do.  I believe that we make choices, but I also
believe that, sometimes, things are meant to be."

"You just like playing both ends against the middle.  Very
unscientific."

She picks up the diary, then, and flips through the final pages one
last time.  Written in strong, cursive script she reads: 'L-- 
Forgive me for not speaking my heart.  J.'  The idea *is* lushly
romantic, she thinks, smiling to herself at her own foolishness. 
When she looks up, she is somewhat surprised to find Mulder studying
her.  Embarrassed by her fanciful thoughts, she is caught off guard
under his scrutiny.  A slight blush rises to her cheeks.  He appears
thoughtful, then asks, "Do you ever wonder?"

"About?"

"You...me...the great mystery of life?"

She regards him with an amused look on her face.  "Mulder, what are
you getting at?"

"I'm just trying not to make a foolish error.  Joshua hesitated to
disclose how he really felt about Lizette because they were friends. 
You don't see a parallel?"

"To what?"

He extends a lazy index finger between them, pointing first to her,
then himself.

"Us?" she queries, surprised at his implication.

"Maybe we're missing something here."

"You're forgetting one very important element, Mulder."

"Which would be, what?"

"Chemistry."

"Chemistry?" he repeats while casting her a questioning look.

"You know, that indefinable bioattraction; the pheneromal phenomenon
that occurs between male and female Homo sapiens as they assess the
gene pool for reproductive compatability and survival competency."

"Are you coming on to me, Scully?"

"Mulder--"

"So, what are you saying?  We don't have chemistry?"  

"Not exactly."

"'Cause I think we do.  I think we have great chemistry.  And I
should know because most people react badly to me and never
survive a day. You, on the other hand, have survived nearly seven
years with me.  I'm impressed."

"By what, my tenacity or my stupidity?"

"Aw, cut me a break, please."

"Fine," she relents.  "I'll admit to a strong, professional chemistry
that works very effectively for us as federal agents in the field."

"And as friends?"

"Sure."

"But that's it, right?  Undercover work isn't considered, huh?" She
can tell by the gleam in his eye that his version of undercover and
hers have two decidedly different meanings.  She laughs softly at his
audacity.

"Mulder, pondering these kinds of questions is inappropriate in a
professional relationship."

"You mean to tell me that you've never thought about what it would be
like for you and me to...you know?"  A brow lifts and his eyes
hold steady on hers.

His vagueness needs no elaboration, as the very unprofessional image
of she and her partner unclothed and uninhibited in her bed arises in
her mind's eye.  Her jacket all at once feels uncomfortably warm and
incredibly thin.  

"Well," she begins, stalling to consider his challenge and calm her
nerves, "It has crossed my mind from time to time.  But I don't
dwell on such thoughts.  Do you?"

"Never."  His head drops as he softly chuckles at his own untruth.

"Liar," she gently rebukes.

"Hey, I'm only human and you, Scully, are intelligent, beautiful,
utterly dependable and loyal.  Any man would be a fool not to want
you.  I just have the additional pleasure of working with you."

"Pleasure?  You've complained daily for the last seven years about my
work habits."

"That's just my usual bitching."

"I see."

"No, really, Scully.  Don't you think it would be a good idea for us
to test this chemistry theory of yours? You are a scientist.  One
kiss, just to see."

"Really, no, Mulder-"

"How can it hurt?  If there's nothing there, there's no harm
done, right?  We'll know and it will actually help our partnership to
be rid of these nagging questions."

"They only seem to be nagging you."

"Now who's the liar?"  He's watching her intently as she falls silent
and gives a quick sigh.

"Fine," she finally says.  She holds up her index finger for
emphasis.  "Just one kiss--a short one, hands behind your back."

"Don't you trust me, Scully?"  He looks like a kid who just got told
he was getting a new toy.

She speaks from under raised eyebrows, "So, how do we do this?"

"Gee, I thought you were a little more experienced than that."  She
casts him a look.  "Sorry."  He raises his hands in feigned defense
from her imaginary blow, then deliberately moves them behind his
back.

She leans back against the pillar, the hands in her lap clutching
the diary. Her expression is neutral, but her eyes are wider
than usual and her lips slightly parted.  His focus never leaves her. 

Her sitting atop the railing minimizes their height difference while
he stands beside her.  Mulder steps in closely; bending down until
his face is near hers.  She drops her head slightly, then her eyes,
suddenly vulnerable.  For moments they are poised just so, feeling
the closeness that envelops them.  He leans his face towards hers,
then, coming up at her from beneath to capture her lips with his.
 Her face tilts upwards to him, as he moves his mouth slowly against
hers.  They possess one another a few long, drawn seconds until she
breaks away, lowering her head.  He straightens up immediately,
with a small sigh. 

"So?" he inquires in a soft voice.

"It was fine," she responds without meeting his eyes.

"Fine?"

"Nice," she adds, lifting her eyes to his.

"Nice."  He sounds crestfallen.

"An interesting experiment."

She meets his inquisitive gaze in silence.  With no answer
forthcoming, he continues.  "Right," he says, slowly nodding
his head.  "So-o, I suppose I should get started packing my things.
I'll meet you at the car in twenty."  She nods.

He turns from her and steps away.  As he reaches the entry to the
house, he pauses to consider her lack of a clear answer and smiles to
himself before going on.  She is still sitting with her back against
the post, watching as he retreats from sight.  When he is finally
gone, her body goes limp, her eyes close and her hand reaches up to
caress a flushed cheek.  With one finger, she traces where his
lips have just been.

Glancing down at the book still clutched in her other hand, a deep
sigh escapes her.  "Forgive *me,* Mulder," she murmurs.

END
June 1999