Look who's ba-ack? lol. I know I haven't been around because exams are starting in school (ugh...) and I haven't really had time to invest in writing, but this was something I really wanted to try. This is my first high school fic, and I guess I better clarify a few things before we start this bad boy.

First, and as always, I don't own X-Files or it's characters, but it'd be sweet if I did. I have also not made Mulder's father involved in the government in any way, shape, or form, so he's probably just gonna be a regular business dad, but we'll worry about that later, along with the only child thing, that'll come out down the road as well...that is...if you guys leave me feedback. All work and no feedback doesn't make me a very happy writer. xD

Anyway, instead of listening to me rant, how about we actually get going? Happy reading. :)

Chapter One:

Dana Scully maneuvered her way through the congested halls of her local high school. Being short usually meant she could make it to class faster than the current rate traffic was taking, but there really was no rush to Chemistry, of all classes.

It was late February in Maryland, and she'd just turned seventeen. Scully couldn't help but wonder why it felt like her life was flying by so fast. It barely felt like yesterday she was a scared, awkward freshman with braces when now she was a overachieving junior with a straightened smile. She knew her days were filled with studying, working, being her brother's chauffer, and then more studying. An all-too interesting way to spend one's golden days.

She entered her second period class: Chemistry with Mr. Gorschek. Scully went to her lab table and couldn't help but notice John Doggett and Monica Reyes in the back corner, making goo-goo eyes and playing footsy with each other. She knew the two of them. They were a cute couple and were a complete fit for one another. It didn't stop the very small green-eyed monster from rising just a little in Scully's heart.

A short moment of weakness, yes, but it was there nonetheless. It didn't happen very often anymore; just usually a couple moments around her birthday and wintertime in general. Scully looked around and saw her friends who had boyfriends and would wonder if she would ever be as happy as John and Monica obviously were.

Scully pulled out her chemistry book along with a well-worn copy of "Moby Dick". It had been her favorite book since she was a child. She just gotten into semi-conscious state of reading when she heard someone clear their throat next to her. She looked up into the hazel eyes of the six foot tall boy standing to the left of her table. His brown hair was spiked up unconsciously and complemented his tanned skin.

She couldn't tell why, but Scully's heart was beating in her chest like a bongo drum and her breathing constricted. Reprimanding herself, she snapped herself out of her trance.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked casually. Scully could tell he was new to the school. In this school, people weren't polite in asking whether they could sit next to you or not. They did as they pleased.

Forcing herself to meet his gaze, she replied, "No, go ahead." she moved her bag in the process.

"Thanks." he smiled as he slid into the seat next to her. His smile was an arch of perfect white teeth and Scully caught a whiff of his cologne that would've sent her knees knocking had she been standing up. "I'm Fox Mulder, by the way." he held his hand out to her in offering.

She squeezed his hand with her own. "Dana Scully." she smiled and returned to her book, hoping he wouldn't catch her girlish infatuation with him.

Mr. Gorschek came in at that moment, calling the class to order. He took roll call the same way as every day and entered the absences into his computer to be sent down to the office.

"Now class, I hope you're all ready for that quiz we discussed yesterday." he stated with a faked cheeriness.

The class groaned collectively.

"That's the spirit." Mr. Gorschek smiled a genuine smile this time. The students began throwing complaints out left and right, but Scully sat up straight. She was ready for it, studying most of the previous night and making sure she knew the material.

The teacher handed the pair two quizzes and both started them quickly. Scully flew through the questions, recalling the answers with remarkable speed. Looking it over again, she turned her paper over after ten minutes.

Scully picked up her book and searched for the spot she'd left at when she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Mulder's own paper was turned face down and he was doodling on a random page of his notebook. She took out a page from her own binder and scribbled in an elegant script "You're done already?"

She slid the note over to him. He read it and replied with a smile, "Yeah, Chem's one of my strong subjects. Must be for you, too."

"Not exactly. Had a late night studying."

He chuckled quietly and paused for a long minute before he wrote his next words. "Do you want to have lunch with me?"

Her heart started to thunder in her chest again, and Scully really didn't know why. She also wondered why she felt compelled to tell him no. It wasn't like she sat with anyone at lunch. She sat with the brainiacs who only accepted her because she was one of them, and she didn't converse with them on any level. She shook her head and wrote out the letters.

"Very much so."

"Dana and Fox, if I see that note change hands one more time, it becomes mine to read aloud to the rest of the class." Mr. Gorschek said without looking up from the stack of papers he was correcting.

The class oohed and awed in accordance with Scully's blush and Mulder's dismissive shake of head. He crumpled the paper into a ball and held it in a death grip until he could find a safe place to get rid of it.

Scully returned to her book, immersing herself in the world of the sailor and his epic battle with the great white whale. Even though she gave it an honest effort, a smile seemed to have embedded itself into her face.

Mulder sat in the corner of the commons area next to the cafeteria. Despite the fact students were technically suppose eat in the lunch room, no one of authority really cared if students leaned up against the awards cases while they ate. He spread his backpack out in such a way to save a space for her when she came in.

He watched the door intently, keeping an eye peeled for the flaming red hair that had initially caught his attention that morning. Mulder wondered why he felt so drawn to ask her to sit with him at lunch, but the compulsion he felt to even ask after looking into those bright blue-green eyes was overwhelming.

She came into the commons and scanned the area quickly. Her expression lit up when her eyes came to rest on him and he took her in. Petite and short, she sported a black turtle-neck sweater and matching black jeans with high-heeled boots, adding a couple inches to her height. What he found most alluring was the lack of make-up on her face. Sure she had her eyes done up lightly in eyeliner and mascara, but other than that, she was completely natural. She wasn't like the other girls he'd seen around this new school who looked like they'd raided a clown car.

The blush that came across her face under his gaze had him wonder what she was so nervous about. She seemed to be doing it a lot.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked shyly as she stood beside him, looking down to where he was on the floor.

"It has your name on it." he smiled and moved his bag out of the way for her to sit.

Scully sank to the floor beside him. They sat eating silently for a few minutes before she decided to strike up a conversation. "So what brings you to our little town, Fox?"

He chuckled. "Please, call me Mulder. I despise my name."

She smiled, "Okay, Mulder."

"My dad got a new job here that's more secure and better pay than his last one, even though it feels like I never see him as it is already." he stated.

"Oh," she tensed visibly. It wasn't exactly the answer she'd expected. "I'm sorry."

Mulder shook his head, the smile still in place. "Don't apologize for something you know nothing about. I wanna know more about you, anyway."

It was Scully's turn to laugh. "It's a short story. My dad's a Navy captain, my mom stays at home. I have three siblings: two older, one younger." she swallowed, growing solemn, "I'm a bookworm and I have no life. Your turn."

"Well, I'm an only child. My father works for an advertising agency and my mom stays at home, too. I'm seen as a freak wherever I go. Nice to meet you." he held out his hand again.

Scully shook his hand for the second time that day. "Why do people think you're a freak?"

Mulder shook his head, looking down into his half-gone yogurt. "You know the basic types of guys, right?"

"You mean like the stereotypes? Of course. Why?" she prodded.

"I'm an odd duck. I think about things most others don't, I don't attract big crowds of friends, I'm not a social butterfly, I'm weird." he drew his knees up and rested his elbows on them as he peeled a banana.

Scully watched the action carefully, then looked down to her own carrot sticks. "I don't think you're weird." she said as she bit into one.

"You don't know me that well." he stated the fact.

"Yet." she whispered first, but her voice soon found its strength again. "Why did you ask me to sit with you?"

He closed his eyes. Mulder had been wondering the same thing, and had found the answer. "You were the first person who hadn't looked at me today and automatically assumed I was strange. May I say something without implying any offense."

"Sure." she said.

Mulder leaned over so she was the only one who could hear him say, "I think you think I'm cute."

Scully felt her cheeks flush fire engine red and was surprised her eyes hadn't bugged out of her skull. Her sight fixated on the floor for a few seconds before she could think of what to do to get her out of there. "I…I have to go." she mumbled and started to get up. She would go hide in the library until the next bell.

He got up with her and put his hands on her shoulders, keeping her in place if even for a few seconds and leaned down to the same ear as before.

"Just so you know, I think you're beautiful."

Her feet were glued to the floor as she watched him walk away. Monica had passed him and came up to Scully.

"Hey Danes, isn't that guy in our chem class?" she asked.

"Yeah." Scully replied in a breath.

"I've heard weird things about him." Monica was ready to go into an intense gossip session just as Scully regained the use of her feet and willed herself to walk away.

She was at her locker after the final bell rang the next time she saw him. The hallway was empty save for a few people at the opposite end. Scully stood up straight and had just shut the door when she saw him on the other side of the door. She jumped, startled.

"Jeez, Mulder." she breathed.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." he apologized.

"It's alright." Scully picked up her bag and fell into step with him down the hall.

"Did you think anymore about what I said earlier?" he asked.

She rubbed her eyes. Scully didn't really want to tell him that all she'd been able to think about that day were his departing words from her near the lunch room. "Which part?"

His hands buried themselves in his pockets. "I think you know which part."

"Mulder, if you don't mind, I have a long walk home ahead of me and I'd like to get started." Scully tried to evade the situation. What honestly gave him the right to delve into her own personal thoughts? Right now, he was on the borderline of hot and annoying, but she wasn't sure which he was more of. She turned to walk away, but he'd caught her shoulder.

"I'll give you a ride home, but all I'm asking for is a chance." Mulder spoke softly, almost tenderly.

"A chance at what?" Scully asked, but somehow already knew.

"One date is all I ask. If you have a terrible time, just say the word and I won't bother you ever again." he held his hands up innocently.

She didn't know what to say. Dana Scully had never been asked out on a date before in all her seventeen years on Earth. Now that the opportunity presented itself, she was flabbergasted at how to handle it.

"Why?" she finally asked.

Mulder looked down into her eyes. "Can you be more specific on that 'why?'".

She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "Why me?" Scully asked under her breath.

He considered her for a fraction of a second before he took her small right hand into both of his larger ones, engulfing it between his thick fingers. "You wanna know the real reason?"

"Cut the crap, Mulder. Just tell me straight. Why me?" she repeated almost inaudibly.

"Because I believe I'm different, and I believe you're different, too. You look me in the eyes and didn't snap-judge me. You didn't write me off as a weirdo the second you saw me. And when I looked in your eyes, I didn't see someone trying to be someone they're not. I saw you, and only you." he brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it impulsively.

Scully chuckled a nervous sigh. "Sounds like you've been around the block."

He smiled. "No, I haven't, believe me. I'm just a poet and I know it." Mulder's thumb brushed over the backs of her knuckles. "Do you have an answer for me?"

She drew her bottom lip behind her teeth in thought for a moment, then motioned for him to come down closer. Leaning up into his ear, she whispered her response into it.

So I know this first chapter sounds really bad, and I'm sorry, but the first is always the worst with me. Please click the little button that says 'review' and let me know what you think of this.