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