TITLE: PEACE ON EARTH AUTHOR: MICHELL HILEY & AMY SCHATZ E-MAIL: fbi_basement@hiley.demon.co.uk (Michelle) & risamy@pix.net (Amy) RATING: NC-17 This story is the sequel to "Joyeaux Noel", by Amy Schatz, and forms the second part of our "Christmas trilogy". Unlike the first story, which we rate "General", this one is NC17. It contains loving, consenting sex, between Mulder and Scully. If you don't like such descriptions, we suggest that you skip to the third story, "Season's Greetings", which we rate PG13 (kisses, suggestive behavior and some mildly rude slang). You should still be able to follow the plot. If you don't like Mulder and Scully romance *at all*, then we suggest you avoid the trilogy altogether! Or at least the second two parts "Peace On Earth" and "Season's Greetings." And here are the usual disclaimers. All the characters in this story belong to 10:13 etc, and are used without permission. The story itself is ours though. This story may be freely distributed, providing it remains intact, with both authors names and e-mail addresses, and provided no money changes hands. And we wish you a Merry Christmas, from both sides of the Atlantic. ________________________________________________________ The door opened softly and a dark but warm apartment was revealed. A sofa, E-Z chair, small kitchen, and a hallway leading to a small bedroom could be seen. The apartment seemed to exude love, and it was love that drew them inside. Scully stepped inside and led Mulder after her, holding his left hand in her right. Once they were both inside, she set the lock and gestured for him to sit on the couch. He did so and she made her way to the kitchen to make some tea. She knew that he was still upset and he needed something to calm him; soothe him. As she made the tea, the apartment was silent, and she could almost hear the snow falling outside. A few minutes later she walked back into the living room and found him looking out the window at the snow. He hadn't turned any lights on, and that worried her slightly. "Mulder?" she asked softly. He turned around and accepted the mug she held out to him. He took a few thoughtful sips and his eyes widened. "How did you know how I like my tea?" She smiled. "Mulder, I am a federal investigator. Something like that would be easy for me to find out." "Oh," he said, taking another sip. "Plus," she said, mischief in her eyes, "you told me about two years ago." He grinned faintly. "Oh really, Miss federal investigator?" Scully nodded and moved to the couch. Mulder stayed at the window and resumed his watch. "It's so quiet when it snows. It's almost like the city is dead; gone." She didn't like the sound of that remark. "Mulder, are you okay?" He took a deep breath and joined her on the couch. "Yes," he said quietly. "I just miss her more than usual at this time of year." She reached up and placed her palm against his cheek, and he closed his eyes, loving the feel of her touching him. Her touch was electric. "I feel the same way about Melissa," she said, sorrow evident in her voice. "But I know that as long as I remember her, she'll stay alive...in me." He nodded and put his mug down on the coffee table. When he looked back at her there was a strange intensity in his eyes. "Did you mean what you said to me in the church?" Scully held his gaze, unafraid. "Yes, Mulder. But you have to let me inside. Will you?" His eyes lowered and his face took on that puppy-dog look. "I'm afraid, Scully." She took his hand. "Afraid of what?" "I'm afraid for *you*, Scully. I'm afraid I'll hurt you and then I'll lose you." Scully looked at him for a few moments and then she leaned forward, and gently touched his lips with her own. When she pulled back Mulder was looking at her with a mixture of surprise, happiness, and affection. "Mulder, you can only hurt me by shutting me out; by going inside yourself." She paused then, and placed her hand over his heart. She could feel it beating strongly. "Mulder, I...I *want* to love you." He looked at her and she had never seen his hazel eyes so warm. Reaching out, he pulled her close to him. "Well then," he finally said, "you'd better hurry and catch up, because I already love you." She smiled and slipped her arms around his waist. They were silent until Scully spoke. "Well, it looks like my mom got her wish." Mulder grinned. "You got her that breadmaker she's wanted?" Scully chuckled. "No, silly." She pulled away and touched his cheek. "Come with me and I'll explain it to you," she said, her voice husky. They got up and walked towards her bedroom. Soon they stepped inside, and Scully closed the door. * * * Mulder pressed back against the door and suddenly realised he was trembling. He was so afraid! He struggled to understand why. he told himself. But even his first time, he had never been so nervous. She was just standing there, watching him backed up against the door, with a faint amused smile on her face. God she was beautiful. And he loved her so dearly. He had never loved anyone so much, and that was the problem. What if she was taken away from him? What if she changed her mind about him? If he took this step, if he gave himself to her so completely, he would never be able to cope if she left him. These thoughts whirled about in his mind and his terror increased. He looked at her miserably. She watched, fascinated, as he pressed up against her bedroom door. For one horrified moment she had thought he had changed his mind, but now she realised he was still frightened. All his life, whenever he had allowed someone near him they had betrayed him, or abandoned him, or been taken from him. He was hesitating not because he didn't want her, but because he did, so badly. She sighed silently to herself. If she wanted him she was going to have to tempt him to her. she thought, smiling wryly to herself. She sat down on the edge of the bed and held out her hand to him. "Fox, come here. Come and sit by me." She grinned. "I promise I'll be gentle with you." He blushed, grinned, and ran a hand sheepishly through his hair. Her humour made him feel better. He padded across to the bed and sat by her, eyes down. She took his hands and placed them on her lap, and then reached over with one hand and tilted his chin up. He looked at her, wonder and desire and panic all warring in his eyes. Gently, she brought her mouth onto his again and felt him respond, felt him open his mouth to allow her tongue inside. She had to restrain herself from just throwing him down on the bed and ravishing him. This man had been badly hurt by Phoebe and by others. Well, for once he was going to find out what it was like to be loved, in all the senses of the word. She eased his jacket off his shoulders and began to undo his tie. She felt his hands move to her hair, running his fingers through it, and she gently kissed his neck in encouragement. Fox gasped as she slowly pushed him back on the bed. She had his jacket, tie, and shirt off now, and she was gently running her fingers across his chest. Tentatively at first, then more urgently as desire replaced fear, he unbuttoned her blouse, pulling it off her, and began stroking her back. She sighed with pleasure, straddling him, and his hand moved down to the button on her skirt. Dana felt him slowly pull her skirt over her hips and smiled. Her hands moved from his chest to his belt. Stretching herself across him she began nibbling his chest, her hands stretched out to ease his remaining clothes down to his knees. She felt him gasp as her hands began to stroke him. He closed his eyes in pleasure, hearing her soft voice in his ear. "This is one Christmas present I've been promising myself for a couple of years now." He chuckled. "I hope it meets your expectations." "Well, unwrapping it's been enjoyable." He smiled and opened his eyes. She was looking directly at him. For a long moment they just looked at each other. Then she unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. He groaned with pleasure as her breasts brushed against his face and he reached out for them with his mouth. He managed to capture one nipple, sucking hard on it as she fell against him. She just lay there for several minutes, enjoying his mouth on her breasts, before she pulled away and shifted position again, straddling him. Reaching back, she pulled off his shoes and socks and helped him kick free of his clothes. Her remaining undergarments soon followed his onto the floor. Leaning over to her bedside table, she rummaged around before finding what she needed. She glanced at him, suddenly worried by his reaction, but smiling, he took it from her hand and put it on himself, while she moved aside to trail kisses across his shoulders. When he was done he leaned back, pulling her on top again, as she stroked him gently, and then guided him into her with one hand, the other braced against his chest. He cried out as he felt himself enter her. He found it difficult to believe what was happening. Only a short time before, he had been sitting lonely and miserable in that church, and now - now the only woman he had ever loved was making love to him. With him. On impulse, he seized her, and swiftly rolled her onto her back, sinking deeper into her. She gasped, first in shock, and then in pleasure as he took over the pace, driving into her harder, kissing her, his hands stimulating her. She clung to him as they both came with one long drawn out cry of mutual pleasure. Afterwards, they lay together, his head on her chest. She stroked his hair tenderly and kissed him. "Thank you, Fox. This has already been the best Christmas of my life." "Mine too." He nuzzled her. "Thank *you*." They were drifting off to sleep when he suddenly remembered. "Hey, I only came in here so you could tell me about your mother, and then you took unfair advantage of me." She giggled. "Well you didn't put up much of a struggle for your virtue." He made a face at her. "So tell me about this wish of your mother's." She kissed his hair and waited a moment before she spoke. "Mom has always wanted us to get together." "She said so?" "She didn't have to. I just knew from the way she kept praising you to me. She's very fond of you. She thinks..." "She thinks what?" "She thinks you'd make good son-in-law material." Dana was blushing. "I thought at first she had you in mind for Melissa, but then I realised she meant me. If we tell her about this, it will make her Christmas. *If* we tell her." Fox just looked up at her wordlessly. Then he put his head against her breasts again, softly kissing them as he did so. The room fell silent as they fell asleep, snowlight playing over their faces. * * * It was Scully who awoke first the next morning. For a moment, she was confused by the warmth beside her, and then, remembering, she smiled down at him. Mulder was still lying curled up against her, his head on her chest. Scully tightened her grip around him, holding him without waking him, as she lay back. She felt a rush of total love for this man. He looked so gentle, so vulnerable lying there, that he brought out her protective instincts. a voice in her mind told her. she thought, kissing his hair tenderly. But the voice was right. He didn't need protecting. But that didn't stop her from helping him to fight his battles. And she intended to do her best to ensure that no-one, no-one at all, ever hurt him so badly again. She grinned. Mulder had a habit of bringing out a protective instinct in her. Of course, it wasn't the only instincts he brought out. And this morning she felt wildly happy. It was Christmas Day and she had woken in Fox Mulder's arms. she told herself. Abruptly, her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her bedside phone. Mulder stirred against her chest, blinking sleepily as she leaned across and picked up the receiver. She ruffled his hair with her free hand as she sank back against the pillows again. "Hello?" "Merry Christmas, Dana!" "Mom? Oh, Merry Christmas, Mom! I'm sorry, you caught me by surprise. Is everything still OK for dinner?" "Of course, dear." Her mother sounded happy, unruffled. "I was just ringing to check if you were bringing Fox with you." "Oh. Yes. Yes, he'll be coming along". She glanced down at Mulder, who was following the conversation with interest. A wicked grin began to spread across his face. What was he planning? She forced her attention back to her mother. "....and Bill will be here about noon," her mother continued. "So when can we expect you?" Dana had opened her mouth to reply, when she felt it. Mulder was kissing her legs. She reached down to stop him, but he prevented her. "Say hello to your Mom from me." he whispered, his grin widening. "Dana?" Her mother sounded puzzled. Scully took a deep breath. She was going to kill Mulder for this. "Sorry, Mom. I..erm...I was miles away. What was that again?" "Can you get here by noon? Are you picking Fox up?" Scully bit her lip, almost sobbing. Mulder had moved on to kiss a very sensitive part of her. She forced her voice to calmness. "I'll be there by noon, Mom. Don't worry about Mulder. I'll sort things out with him just as soon as I finish talking to you. See you later." "Later then, dear." Her mother hung up. Scully dropped the phone and lunged for Mulder, but she was too slow. Laughing, he leapt out of bed, and headed for the bathroom, locking the door behind him. "Fox Mulder, you get out here right now!" "Now now, Dana," came a chiding voice. "We don't want to be late for your mother. You'll just have to control these urges of yours. Wasn't last night enough for you?" Dana stared at her bathroom door. Then she began to laugh, helplessly. A moment later the door opened a crack and Mulder peered cautiously out. Seeing her sprawled on the floor, still naked, laughing, he joined her, and pulled her to her feet. Laughing together, hand in hand, they went in search of warm clothes and breakfast. * * * Scully watched Mulder as he stood in front of her stove, whisking something in a blue bowl. He had on a pair of grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt. She always had a couple of pairs at her place, in case he decided to stay over after a long day. This was the first time he was wearing them because he had stayed after a long night. His hair was tousled, but in a way that Dana loved. And his eyes had been a warm almost golden-brown color all morning. She brought her hand up to set her chin on it, and smiled lazily. "Mulder, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Mulder looked up at her in mock surprise. "Are you kidding? How do you think I survived this long without knowing how to cook?" She shrugged, but her eyes were sparkling. "A personal relationship with the Chinese restaurant?" A muscle in his jaw twitched, and he said, "Ha, ha. Very funny. You'll be sorry once you've tasted my pancakes." Scully couldn't resist. "That's what I'm afraid of, Mulder," she quipped. Mulder shot her a look and poured the thick mixture onto the griddle. Soon, the mix began to turn into the recognizable form of a *real* pancake. Mulder smiled smugly at her, and expertly flipped them over so they could brown on the other side. Scully stared on in shock. * * * Later, they sat at Dana's kitchen table eating the breakfast of pancakes that Mulder had prepared. Before she put the last luscious forkful into her mouth, she said, "Mulder, I *am* impressed." He was silent as she chewed. He simply watched her. When she was finished she looked back up and smiled at him. "Really, Mulder. This was delicious." His stoic expression quickly dissolved into a smile. "I told you not to doubt my culinary skills." She raised an eyebrow. "Among all your other skills..." He reached across the table to take her hand in his. His eyes were practically glowing, and Scully felt like she could drown in them. She had always wondered what it felt like to be truly in love. She knew that she never had been "in love" before; not even with Jack. But, as she looked across at this extremely alluring man, with the soft hazel eyes, and the gentle smile, she knew that she *was* in love. She had fallen hard and eternally, but not quickly. No, she had been falling in love with him for a long time now. She suspected that it had started that first day she had met him, or maybe on their first case together. She marveled at how even then he had trusted her enough to share with her the abduction of his sister; something so close to him. "Scully, are you sure about this?" he asked softly, bringing her out of her reverie. Her far away gaze drifted back to him and she smiled. "Sure about what, Mulder?" "About this," he said, his eyes never leaving her blue ones. "About *us*." She pushed her plate aside, reached across the table, and touched his cheek. "Mulder, I have never been more sure about anything in my entire life. You mean everything to me. I love you. I will always love you." He smiled and she could almost see the tension seep out of his body. His shoulders relaxed and the lines in his face disappeared. Sighing, he said, "You don't know how happy that makes me feel. For most of my life I was alone, and then I met you and everything changed. You actually listened to me. You *respected* me, and I will always be grateful for that. You didn't let yourself succumb to the `Spooky' rumors. For those things alone, I could love you. But that you could actually love *me*...it's kind of hard to believe." She looked at him seriously. "Believe it, Mulder. It's the truth." He smiled shyly. "I do believe it...now...and there's something else, Scully." She had walked to the sink to deposit the plates and was now standing before him. "What?" He grinned devilishly and pulled her down onto his lap. He held her close and she could hear the sound of his heart beating. Stroking her hair, he placed a kiss on her forehead, along her hairline. "I love you, too." THE END