Title: Double Shot, Double Impact
Author: Twilight Walters
Distribution: Anywhere but please let me know
Rating: T
Categories: Story (S) Romance (R)
Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Scully/Torture Mulder/Scully Friendshi
Spoilers: Tithonus
Summary: An FBI formal function, some dancing, some flirting and a couple of troublesome agents... Is this a recipe for a romantic evening or a disaster waiting to happen?
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of Chris Carter and Fox. No copyright infringement intended.

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Double Shot, Double Impact,
By Twilight

FBI Function, Washington DC, Friday, 20:45pm,

Special Agent Dana Scully sat uncomfortably straight in her assigned chair, surrounded by a sea of black suits and evening gowns. All her colleagues seemed to be engrossed in the atmosphere, indulging in a mix of lighthearted chit chat and deep and meaningful conversations.

Silently she swirled the clear liquid in her glass with a cocktail stick, before absently poking at the slice of lemon to see it disappear beneath the ice only to bob back up to the surface. Her eyes scanned the function room longingly as she observed the couples on the dance floor.

'Am I that undesirable?' she wondered hopelessly. 'All these men and not a single one has asked me to dance.' She mused before she looked to the man sitting next to her. 'Not that it really matters... there's only one man who I want to dance with.'

Sighing lightly she reflected on the evening so far. 'Tonight had so much potential... True, neither of us wanted to come this evening but after Skinner strongly recommended it, hell, he's not even our present direct superior but he has always had our best interests at heart. So, we agreed to be present this evening. Mulder even asked me to attend as his date. I couldn't help but hope that maybe tonight we might finally share the kiss we started in his hall so long ago.'

'The 'date' started so well too... Mulder arrived on time to pick me up, wearing a new tux that hugged him in all the right places. He complemented me on my dress... one that I had picked out with him in mind... A gorgeous burgundy tight dress, that fell to my ankles and dipped into a deep v at my chest. I had wanted to expose my back to him for the evening, sounds strange I know but my back has always been an intimate place for us. It's not often that I get a chance to try and impress him but dear Agent Ritter had unknowingly destroyed that idea. I now have to cover the two squares of matching gauze that adorned my front and back, covering where one of his bullets passed straight through me.'

Absently Scully fingered the edge of the dressing wondering for the hundredth time that evening if the squares were visible through her dress. Glancing at her partner, she saw that he was deeply engrossed in conversation with two other agents on the table, so she continued to ponder.

'Mulder gallantly escorted me here... even offered me his arm, which I gracefully accepted. He opened every door for me, including the car door even though it was raining. He guided me with his hand on my lower back in its customary position, though he was very careful to avoid my wound. We were laughing happily when we entered the function foyer, I should have realised then that it wouldn't last... Damn Colton and his 'Spooky apparition' crack. Mulder stiffened immediately next to me and I knew from that moment on that the evening would go in a downward spiral.'

Mulder caught his partner's eye and gave her a weak smile which she returned kindly before restoring her attention to her drink allowing him a moment to brood. 'Damn Colton... One night! I just wanted one night where I could try and woo her... I told her I love her after Bermuda and I just needed one night to try and prove that I wasn't confessing to her just because of the drugs in my system. Ever since Ritter put her in hospital I have wanted to wrap her in cotton wool and not let her leave my sight... if she only knew that... She would make me the first person in history to be autopsied while still breathing.'

Studying his partner with his peripheral vision he realised how sad she looked. 'That mineral water and slice of lemon must be really interesting.' He mentally jested. 'Damn him... ever since Colton's crack I've been determined to make this a normal evening... I've been on my best behaviour; I'm even making small talk with fellow agents. I'm trying Scully.' Mulder mentally willed Scully to hear his plea.

Scanning the surrounding area once more he spied another male agent heading their way with Scully as his obvious target. Mulder glared at the man so hard that he actually turned mid step. 'I swear to God, if one more of these jerks heads this way to ask Scully to dance I will pull my gun and shoot them... to think, I almost left it at home.'

"Working on the X-Files must have been intriguing?" Agent Loden asked in a deep masculine voice.

"It was." Scully stated capturing Mulder's full attention as she joined the conversation. "It was very interesting and challenging." She emphasized.

"But hey..." Mulder stated focusing his attention solely on his partner. "Background checks can be so much fun."

Scully smiled widely before the first few bars of the new song reached her ears, her smile disappeared immediately.

Mulder knew the song instantly and realising the significance, he leaned forward to his partner. "Would you like to get some air?" he asked as the first few words filtered through the sound system.

'Somewhere, beyond the sea...'

"I'm fine, Mulder." She stated, defiantly jutting her chin out even as her eyes began to glaze. 'Why am I so emotional tonight?' she wondered.

"Dance?" Mulder said as he stood and extended his hand to her.

"Dance?" she repeated stunned.

"No fair, Scully." Mulder chortled as he pulled her to her feet. "I asked first." He added as he steered her towards the dance floor, oblivious of the curious glances they received from the other table members. As they neared the dance floor Mulder leaned down to her ear and whispered "You don't mind do you?"

"Mind?" she asked dazed.

"Dancing to this song?" He mumbled concerned.

"No." She stated, smiling as childhood memories surfaced. "I love dancing to this song. Ahab and I used to dance around the family room to this... He would let me stand on his feet as we waltzed around for hours."

"Good." Mulder declared as they stepped onto the dance floor.

"Good?"

Mulder smiled mischievously as he spun Scully and lead her into a quick step. "Because I can't guarantee that I won't stand on your feet."

Scully laughed heartily as Mulder waltzed her around the dance floor, amazing her with his hidden talent as he dipped and twirled her at random intervals, fitting the music's rhythm perfectly.

"I had no idea that you could dance, Mulder." Scully smiled as Mulder spun her one last time before pulling her close to his chest.

"Only with the right partner." He declared as they swayed gently to the song's closing bars. Scully smiled up at him, her hands resting on his chest as the song drew to a close.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Mulder asked as they continued to move to the new slower song that began playing.

"For knowing me, better then I know myself." She stated as she ran her hands up over his chest and laced her fingers behind his neck.

"That's what friends are for." Mulder replied as his hands left the safety of her waist and linked around her in a light embrace.

"We are friends aren't we?" Scully asked looking into his soulful eyes.

"Of course."

"You're my best friend you know, Mulder." Scully sighed as she placed her cheek on Mulder's chest. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Well... It's a good job you'll never have to find out then... I chased you to the Antarctic, Scully... you won't be able to get rid of me now." Mulder jested but she heard the truth in his words.

"I'd never want to." She whispered, touching Mulder deeply as they swayed gently with the music.

It was only one dance later that Scully started to yawn. She tried to hide her fatigue at first but she was becoming very weary. "Are you tired?" Mulder asked quietly, loathing the idea of breaking their embrace.

"A little." She sighed as she looked up to meet his gaze, their mouths mere inches apart. "... I feel like this is all a dream... Everything seems hazy." She confessed with shining eyes.

Mulder began to lean down to claim her lips as his own but stopped himself at the last moment, remembering they were surrounded by fellow agents. Stammering Mulder stated. "Maybe we should sit this one out."

A flash of rejection shone in Scully's eyes before she could suppress it. "If... If you're sure."

Mulder looked down into her eyes surprised at the depth of emotion she was allowing him to see there. "I'm sure." He stated as he gently stroked an errant lock of hair from her cheek before adding with a smile. "We can dance some more later."

"Okay." Scully replied evenly as she was guided back to their table, swaying slightly in her steps. Mulder pulled her chair out for her as she sat, demonstrating his chivalry for her once more.

"You seemed to enjoy yourself." Agent Scardinski stated as Mulder rejoined the table.

Mulder eyed the agent in front of him curiously. He had taken an immediate dislike to the agent as soon as they'd been seated. He had wondered briefly whether it was the agent's appearance, he appeared to look like a cross between Alex Krycek and Peyton Ritter, but had soon realised that it was the man's personality that he disliked. It hadn't been much of a leap for Mulder to deduce this, as soon as the agent's eyes had settled on Scully's cleavage Mulder had began to seethe.

"We did." Mulder stated before an almost whispered voice came from beside him.

"He's a wonderful dancer." Scully murmured appearing unaware of the fact her words had been audible. Mulder smiled broadly at his partner before another whispered voice caught his attention.

"Thawed."

Mulder's gaze snapped to the two young agents across from him. He would have pegged them as a couple due to all the whispering into each other's ears they had done during the evening but their obvious ogling of every female in the room had given them away as heterosexuals. "Did you say something Agent Scardinski?"

"No." The man blatantly lied.

Mulder smiled tightly trying to ignore the troublesome twosome across the table and turned in his chair, so he was facing toward Scully once more. She had a very faraway look in her eyes. "You okay?" Mulder asked feeling concerned.

"Yessss." She stated as she placed her hand on his thigh... very high on his thigh. She sipped her drink once again, looking at him over the glass rim with hunger evident in her blue eyes.

Mulder was shocked by his partner's uncharacteristic touch and jumped involuntarily as her fingers inched higher. Feeling her hand almost scorch him through his dress pants, he quickly removed it in time to see her smile widely at him.

"What'sss the matter?" She cooed as she rubbed her foot up Mulder's calf. Mulder's jaw dropped at Scully's behaviour before he heard chuckling from across the table. Mulder looked at the two agents being entertained by Scully's actions.

"Looks like you melted the Ice Queen, Mulder." Agent Haskins, the other half of the twosome, stated.

"Watch your mouth." Mulder hissed in reply before he turned his attention once again to his date, she appeared completely un-phased by the statement. "Scully?" Mulder asked hesitantly. "Are you okay?"

Scully giggled as she sipped her drink. "I'm fine sm... sm... Ssssmoulder... relax." Scully raised her mineral water once more to take a sip but Mulder stopped her hand in mid air, taking the glass from her. She giggled again before asking. "Smoulder... what are you doing?"

"Scully... What are you drinking?"

"Mineral water silly... you got it for me." She replied as she playfully tapped him on the nose with her index finger.
Mulder lifted the glass to his nose and took a sniff. 'Smells fine.' He thought before touching the glass to his lips to take a sip. The strong taste of vodka bombarded his senses immediately leaving him stricken.

"Who did this?" Mulder demanded pinning the two young agents across the table with his glare. The silence was deafening as several agents looked at him in confusion. He was almost sure that the agent responsible was the one who made the earlier 'Thawed' comment.
Mulder looked directly at Agent Haskins furiously in dismay. "Whoever did this is a fool... She's just come back to work... she was shot... she's still on med's"
Mulder looked back to Scully who was looking at him, completely confused by his behaviour. "Scully, what happens if you mix your meds with alcohol?"

"That, would be a verryyy bad idea... you know... you should never mix alcohol and med... med... medication."

Mulder looked at his partner with sympathy. "Hypothetically, what would happen?"

"That would all depend on amounts consumed... But Mulder..." Scully pleaded in a slightly slower then normal voice. "I wouldn't... it could cause a chemically induced coma."

"What?" Mulder squeaked seeing her struggling to keep her eyes open. Mulder glared at Haskins and Scardinski before hissing "If anything happens to her..."

The agents in front of him paled at the unfinished threat. They both shifted uncomfortably in their seats as the other agents around the table began to understand what they were witnessing.

Stroking Scully's cheek, Mulder looked intently into her eyes and asked, "Do you feel sick Scully?"

Scully smiled as she tried to focus on her partner. "Don't be silly..." Scully replied as she playfully pulled Mulder's bowtie. "How could I feel sick...? I haven't eaten all day."

"What?" Mulder asked alarmed by her words before furiously demanding in a hushed voice. "Why?"

"Well... I..." Scully regained some composure due to Mulder's tone. "I was running late, so I missed breakfast... then I was doing an au-autopsy, so I missed lunch and we were working on reports late... I didn't have time to get ready and have din-dinner." Scully stuttered.

Mulder looked at her guilt ridden. "Come on." He stated as he took her by the hand and pulled her to her feet briskly.

Scully struggled to maintain upright, then entwined her arms around Mulder's waist and buried her face in his chest.

"You're angry at me... You used that voice... I hate it when you're angry at me." Scully almost sobbed in a voice Mulder had never heard her use before.

Mulder wrapped his arms around her waist unconsciously and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of her hair as his eyes closed briefly. Stroking her back lightly Mulder's attention snapped back as he realised where they were. Glancing around the room quickly, he realised that their actions had got the attention of at least half the agents present. Smirking to himself, he deduced that the office pool stakes had just risen significantly.

Squeezing her lightly, he whispered, "I'm not angry... I'm just worried. Let's get you home to bed, okay?"

Scully looked up into her partners eyes, checking for his sincerity, as she blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. She nodded in agreement before he promptly turned her, placed his hands safely on her waist and guided her towards the exit.

As they approached the door Scully's legs became uncooperative causing her to stumble slightly, drawing AD Skinner's attention.

Walter Skinner approached the two agents in front of him with caution. Noticing Mulder's hands on Scully's waist he hesitated before addressing her. "Is everything okay, Agent Scully?"

Scully looked up at Skinner and smiled as she rocked back on her heels and leaned against Mulder's chest. She looked up at her partner, too tired to answer herself, and waited for his response.

"No, she's not, Sir..." Mulder replied looking over her shoulder at the AD as he held her up then continued "...She hasn't eaten all day, she's still on her med's and some idiot has spiked her drink."

"What?" Skinner was shocked and appalled by the unexpected answer.

"I'm taking her home." Mulder added.

"Of course." Skinner murmured as he eyed Scully, now that he looked closer she seemed to be having trouble focusing on him and she appeared almost serene. "Are you sure you shouldn't take her straight to the hospital?"

"I'll call her doctor from her apartment and see what she suggests. If we need to go to the hospital then I will need to take her medication with us anyway... I doubt she will be able to recite the names." Mulder added looking down at his 'date' as she yawned and closed her eyes.

"Call me if you need anything." Skinner stated his concern lacing his words.

Scully leaned back further into Mulder's body as she reached up stroking his cheek before addressing her boss and giggling. "Mulder's going to take me to bed, Sir."

Mulder coughed and looked wide-eyed down at his partner in shock before hastily addressing Skinner. "I'm not Sir... I swear!"

Skinner tried to suppress his smile at Mulder predicament. "What?" He stated curiously. "You mean you aren't going to tuck her in?"

Mulder swallowed hard before seeing the good humour in his boss's eyes. He turned his attention back to his partner. "You partner... are suppose to keep me out of trouble... not get me into it."

Author's notes - Hope you enjoyed as there is loads more to come. Now, hit that sweet little review button for me... ya know ya wanna.