TITLE: More Than Words AUTHOR: salliejohns CATEGORY: MSR, post-ep, a story told in dialogue RATING: R SPOILERS: "Theef," and minor ones for "Detour," and "The Unnatural" DISCLAIMER: Mulder and Scully are not mine, dammit! BETA THANKS: To my friend Carol, who performed lightning-like beta on very short notice, "Thank you, big time. You're awesome." DEDICATION: This story, written for the BtS Post-Episode Event, is dedicated to my Kimmie, now recovering from serious spinal surgery. Third time's the charm, darling. Hurry and get better--I can't wait to see you dancing down the aisle in October. More Than Words By salliejohns "Hey Scully, it's almost 7:00, do you want to stop and get something to eat?" "To tell you the truth Mulder, I'm really looking forward to getting home." "You feel like sharing a pizza, or are you planning on having yogurt or a salad, or something equally unpalatable?" "Actually Mulder, I have some of my mother's homemade stew in the freezer, and I was thinking I'd put that in the microwave, while I'm soaking in a nice hot bath." "Oh. Sure, that sounds like a good idea...try to put this case out of your mind as soon as possible." "Mulder?" "Yeah?" "Would you like to join me?" "Gee I don't know, Scully. Do you think there's enough room in the tub?" "The beef stew, Mulder. I'm talking about joining me for dinner. Mom always sends me home with enough stew to feed three or four people." "So it's a 'No go' on the bath?" "Just dinner, Mulder." "Party pooper. Hey Scully, your mother didn't happen to send home any beer to have with that beef stew did she?" "I'm afraid not, but I do have a few bottles of a great new wine I found." "You found wine? You must be really lucky, Scully. The only things I ever find are pennies stuck in God-knows-what, and over-due bills I forgot about." "I didn't actually *find* the wine. I mean I discovered it last time I was at the never mind. You know what I mean." "If you say so, Scully." "We should probably stop at that little market near my apartment so I can get a loaf of Italian bread to eat with the stew." "Scully! You're going to eat bread?" "Well, it kind of goes with the beef stew, Mulder." "Wow! Bread *and* wine? I'm seeing a whole new side of you, Scully. Now if you'd just reconsider sharing that bath " "Shut up, Mulder." "That's cold, Scully." "You can be uninvited to dinner, you know." "Well that's kind of rude. I'll bet your mother raised you better than that, Ms Scully." "I can guarantee you she didn't raise me to be inviting co-workers into my bathtub." "You wound me deeply, Scully. First of all, I'm not talking about just any co-worker. I was referring to one in particular me. Besides, is that all I am to you a co-worker?" "No, of course not Mulder. You are much more to me than a co- worker, but I am quite capable of taking my own bath, thank you." "All right Scully, but I think you're making a big mistake. I'm very good at scrubbing backs." "My loss, Mulder." "Damn straight! Hey, here's the bread place. Do you want me to go in with you?" "Thanks Mulder, but I think I can manage this by myself." "Just like the bath, huh?" "Exactly, Mulder. I'll be right back." XXXXXXXXXX "Here we are, Scully. I can't believe there's a space so close to your apartment. It must be my lucky day." "No bath, Mulder." "Damn! I'll get your carry-on. Can you grab the bread and your lap- top?" "Got it. Come on. It's a lot colder here than it was in California." "You know I seem to remember reading that the best way to stay warm " "Save it, Mulder." XXXXXXXXXX "Mulder, would you mind taking two containers of stew out of the freezer, and putting them in the microwave?" "Are you going to be taking that bath now?" "Sorry, Mulder. I'm going to take a quick shower while the stew defrosts, and then I'm going to change into some comfortable clothes, and just relax." "Need any help in there, Scully?" "No, but thanks for asking. Again. The stew goes into the microwave minus the covers for ten minutes, at fifty percent power. You're welcome to take a shower yourself, when I'm done. The stew will have to cook for a while after it's defrosted." "Thanks. I'll just get this started, and I'll grab my bag from the car. That is unless you happen to have some of my old sweats lying around." "Mulder, why would I have any of your clothes here?" "I don't know, Scully. Wishful thinking? I'll bring up my suitcase I think I have something clean in there." "I'll be out in about fifteen minutes. If you want, you can start to heat the stew in the saucepan on the stove when it's done defrosting." "OK, Scully. You can call me if you get stuck in there." "Stuck, Mulder?" "You know, uh, trying to reach the middle of your back, or something." "I'll remember that." XXXXXXXXXX "Ok Mulder, the bathroom is all yours.