From: K@tie at DKScully@juno.com Date: October 11,1997 Spoilers: None Category: VR Summary: It's fall in D.C. and Mulder helps Sully rake leaves at her mom's house. Disclaimer: Wow, it's been a long time since I've used one of these things :*) Mulder, Scully, and Mama Scully do not belong to me, they belong to CC, 1013, and FOX. Author's Note: Like I said, I took a lil break from fan fic, and I'm sorry ;*) But I'm back and I promise to get back in the flow of things and have some nice holiday stuff for Y'all. 'Fall' Into my Arms Scully stared out her car door window as she sat at a light on her way home from work. Brilliantly colored leaves swirled around on the ground and falling from trees in tiny whirlwinds. She smiled thoughtfully. There was one good thing about D.C. The season changes were beautiful. A tiny chirping woke her from her reverie. "Scully," she answered casually. "Dana? It's Mom." "Hi, Mom, how are you?" "I'm fine dear, how are you and Fox?" Dana sighed to herself, not bothering to correct her mother. It wouldn't do any good anyway. Margaret Scully had it set in her mind that Mulder and she were an old married couple, and that was how she was going to think till the day she died. "We're fine, Mom." "That's good, dear. Listen, Dana, you know those two maple trees in the front lawn? Well, they're just carpeting the ground with leaves. I was wondering if you could come over and rake them for me." "Sure, Mom, I'd love to." "Good, and don't hesitate to bring Fox with you, you know he's welcome here anytime." "Ok, Mom. I'll see about tonight, is that alright?" "Oh, that's wonderful sweetheart, and don't forget to ask Fox." Scully was sure you could hear the smile in her voice when she said, "I won't Mom. Love you, bye." As she pushed the end button, her finger was already resting on speed dial 1, Mulder's number. She brought the phone up to her ear, heard two rings then Mulder's soft, exhausted voice. "Mulder," he said. Scully smiled, his voice warming her momentarily then said, "Hi, it's me. You sound tired" He grinned gently, glad she called. "Oh well, you know, hard days work will do that to you." "Yeah," she agreed lightly. A small comfortable silence settled on them, both just content feeling a little more connected to each other. Lately things had been wonderful between them. They were closer than they had been in a long time if not ever. "So..." he said, trying to start up a conversation. Suddenly she remembered why she had called. She blushed a little. He had the power to make every conscious thought drift from her mind with his velvet, baby soft voice. "Oh, I almost forgot. Can I ask you a favor?" "You want me to help you rake leaves at your mom's house?" Her mouth dropped then her lips pursed in a tight smile. "She called you," she said rather as a statement than a question. "Scully, I'd love to." he said sweetly. Her smile softened, "Thank you." "Anything for you or your mom, Scully," he replied in that voice. "Meet you there in an hour? After we go home and change first." She blinked, waking from her thoughts. "Yeah, that sounds great. I'll pick you up though, ok? No sense in both of us driving." "Yeah, that sounds great. See you then," he finished just above a whisper, smiling to himself. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx After she had put on her blue jeans and a sweatshirt, brushed her hair and teeth, and put on some new lipstick, Scully had driven over to Mulder's apartment, and was now sitting in his living room waiting for him to change. He had left the office after her so he got home later and needed some extra time. From behind her she heard an, "Ok, I'm ready Scully." She jumped slightly, the sudden announcement scaring her a little bit. She stood, faced him, and couldn't help smiling. He was dressed in grey sweats, his hair tousled, bangs in his eyes and a lop-sided grin across his lips. He had never looked so handsome. She came up to him, stood on her tip toes and brushed his bangs out of his eyes, but it did no good, they just fell back. They both laughed softly and he took her hand and lead them to her car. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Maggie Scully was overjoyed when Dana and Fox pulled into her drive in the same car. She would get them together if it was the last thing she did, but she had a feeling they'd do a good enough job of that themselves. She grinned as they strode toward her, Fox's hand on Dana's back. "Hi, Mom," Dana said, embracing her mother lovingly. "Hello, dear," Maggie replied hugging her back. Mulder moved closer and hugged Mrs. Scully after Scully, er, Dana was done. While they were at Maggie's house, he had to call Scully, Dana because there was more than one Scully here, and if Maggie heard him call Dana, Scully, he'd be in for it. "Hi, Mom," he echoed, hugging Maggie. This was also a preference of Mrs. Scully, but he rather liked it. "Hello, Fox," she said hugging her future son-in-law. "Well," she said stepping back, "thank you for doing this for me, I'd do it myself, but my back isn't what it used to be." "That's ok, I'm happy to do it," Mulder said. Maggie smiled and looked to her daughter. "The rakes are against that wall, and the garbage bags are sitting by the rakes. Have fun you two." Mulder winked at Maggie and she beamed, turned on her heel and walked into the house. As Mulder turned, he saw Scully with her rake and a bag jogging towards the yard. She turned, grinned at him and yelled, "Betcha I can fill my bag before you." Then she turned and stared raking a small pile. He grinned, everything was a competition with her, but if that's how she wanted it, he'd do his best to beat the pants off her. He grabbed a rake and bag and took off to start his own pile. Once she had a respectable sized pile, she stood back to admire it before bagging it. This was a mistake because Mulder saw her finished pile, and he wasn't half done. He creeped up behind her, then tackled her, throwing them both into the huge pile of leaves. She laughed and struggled to push him off her, but he held onto her like a vice. "Mulder, you ruined my pile," she managed through a fit of giggles. He pushed her back into the leaves, playfully holding her down then brought his face close to hers, smiled and whispered, "Well how else do you expect me to beat you?" He grinned, touched his nose to hers then leapt off her and raced back over to his pile, raking as fast as he could. Once free, she jumped up and ran over to him and dove onto his back. Her small mass, however, didn't knock him over like she had hoped. He did step forward into his pile, not totally wrecking it but damaging it some. He laughed and grabbed her legs so she wouldn't fall, then twirled them around fast. Dana wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms clung to his neck. She laughed a laugh that was new to him. It was carefree, full of life and fun. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Maggie looked on from the window. A cheshire smile crossed her lips when she saw them playing in the leaves. A warmth flowed through her heart, seeing how truly happy Fox was making her daughter. She had never seen Dana laugh and lose her worries like she was doing right now. It seemed as if nothing else mattered but having fun. Mulder stopped spinning and set Scully down. She grinned up at him then playfully pushed him backwards into the remaining pile of leaves. He landed softly, and she giggled, but lost her balance and fell forward to the ground like a beautiful autumn leaf. His arms shot out to catch her and grabbed her, then lowered her safely down onto his chest. She smiled down at him thankful. He returned her smile, his hazel eyes burning up into her baby blues. They sparkled and for that one frozen moment every good memory, every smile, hug, and hand hold flashed before their eyes. They both felt it. Scully rolled off of him, stood held out her hand. Mulder blinked, took her hand and stood. "Come on. Lets finish this and then we can go inside and have some cocoa." Scully said. It was a simple statement, but what he saw in her eyes promised much more. He gave a heartfelt smile, and working together, the yard was cleaned up in no time. They set the bags on the curb, the rakes back against the font wall of the house and walked hand in hand into the house. Maybe this change of season had brought a colorful change of heart for them. The End! Thanx for reading, and please drop all comments at DKScully@juno.com Loves ya ;*)