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JUST SAY YES   (3/10) 
jeylan@earthlink.net  
This story is rated R  -- See part 1 for headers and warnings.
*NO ARCHIVE* except by request.
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Back in the living room, Scully flopped down gracelessly on one 
end of the couch, and Jonathan came and sat beside her.  "Allow 
me, my dear," he said, and leaned forward, picking up the pipe 
and the baggie off the coffee table.  Mulder and Bradley, she 
noticed, were crouched beside the stereo, shoulder to shoulder.  
She tried not to look at them.  Jonathan handed her the fresh 
pipe and the lighter, and she accepted.  

Whatever the New Age music had been, it cut off mid-wind-chimes 
and was replaced by the sound of an insistent tambourine.  
Mulder's head came up, and his eyes lit.  Listening.  

Scully took a shallow hit off the pipe, watching Mulder.  Then a 
*GONG* sounded, and Mulder was all at once on his feet -- 
striking a pose.  Holding it, with just the minutest, most 
tightly controlled wiggle moving through him, fast and electric.  
He was just-barely not-quite jiggling his hips, and holding his 
shoulders very still.  Then a fast hop to face the other way.  
What the hell?  Scully forgot what she was doing, and breathed 
the smoke out of her lungs almost before it hit.

Bradley came and took the pipe out of her hand.  She barely 
noticed.  Mulder, all by himself in the middle of the room, had 
started to dance.

<All the old paint-ings on the tombs  
<They do the sand dance don't you know>

My god, had she ever seen Mulder dance?  

<If you move too quick, oh-way-oh 
<They're falling down like a domino>

Mulder was striking an Egyptian profile, with hips and legs and 
head turned sharply to the side, and torso front forward.  His 
hands were extended and twisting sinuously, flat palmed, fingers 
together, hyper-extended wrists.  

<All the bazaar men by the Nile  
<They got the mon-ey on a bet>

Pressing the heels of his hands into the air, flat-footed, he let 
his hips pulse suggestively forward and back. Scully watched him 
with her mouth hanging open.  Bradley put the pipe back in her 
hand, and she took it blindly.  Setting it to her lips without 
taking her eyes off Mulder, she drew the smoke in deep and sweet.

<Gold crocodiles, oh-way-oh 
<They snap their teeth on your cigarette  
<Foreign types with the hookah pipes say 
<Ah oh whey oh, ah oh whey oh 
<Walk like an Egyptian>

Mulder's face was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen, his 
lips, the way the dim light glanced over his mouth and his 
cheeks.  He was graceful.  Life and energy and sensuality burned 
in him.  He had claimed the attention of every eye in the room.  
Without taking her eyes off him, she could feel it.  She could 
feel the others looking.

*GONG*, and Justin was up beside him.  Mulder grinned at Justin, 
hotly suggestive.  A dare.  Justin struck the next pose, and 
Mulder shadowed it.  Shining and delicate, tall and dark, they 
took turns leading and following.  Not so much dancing together, 
as dancing side by side.  Hopping, and posing, and stalking after 
each other with Egyptian snaking arms.

Mulder and Justin side by side were amazing.  Light and dark, 
delicate and strong, feminine and masculine, identical in grace.  
Both of them burning.  Had she ever known Mulder could dance like 
this?

<Well, I was born an original sinner 
<I was born from original sin>

Now Laurie was dancing with Mulder, and Bradley with Justin.

<And if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done 
<There'd be a mountain of money piled up to my chin>

Jonathan had disappeared into the kitchen, and now Scully was the 
only one in the living room not dancing.  She was still gaping, 
and she still couldn't take her eyes off Mulder.

<Don't mess with a missionary man> 

Mulder and Laurie were dancing together like they enjoyed it --

<Don't mess with a missionary man>

-- watching each other's eyes, moving their hips, snapping their 
fingers high above their heads -- the music seemed suddenly very 
sexy -- with a deep, sensual pulse --

<Well, the missionary man, he's got god on his side>

She couldn't believe this was happening --

<Black eyed looks from those Bible books  
<He's a man with a mission, got a serious mind>

Scully grabbed for her wine.  Drained the last drops.  Clutched 
the empty glass.

The song was ending.  Mulder kicked off his shoes.

An easy pulsing and clicking started, and then a good bass beat, 
but she didn't recognize the intro.  Bradley moved for Mulder 
like a stalking cat, and Laurie stepped out of the way.  As if in 
slow motion, looking very serious, Mulder and Bradley began to 
dance.  Together.  Arms at their sides, facing each other 
squarely, doing a basic, hesitating, swaying step, moving mostly 
with their hips.

<Sometimes I feel I've got to - 
<Run away, I've got to - get away>

Jonathan pried the empty wine glass out of Scully's hand.  She 
barely noticed.  

<From the pain that you drive into the heart of me  
<The love we share, seems to - go nowhere>

When Bradley moved one way, Mulder moved the other.  Perfect, 
sensual counterpoint.  Neither of them smiling.  Slowly turning, 
rotating.  Eyes locked.

<And I've lost my light - 
<For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night>

Bradley put his hands on Mulder's hips, a shockingly intimate 
gesture, and pulled.  And unbelievably, unreservedly, Mulder 
yielded.  She'd never seen him like this, and it was so rawly 
sensual to see him like this, the way his shoulders fell back as 
he allowed his hips to be drawn forward.  His head tipped back, 
and for one instant his eyes closed, and he bit his lip.  Bradley 
draped his elbows over Mulder's shoulders -- sliding them both 
into a hypnotic half-resistance to the music, moving one beat for 
every two.  Mulder followed him, effortlessly. 

<Once I ran to you - now I'll run from you>

Their bodies were touching, brushing against each other 
deliberately.  Teasing each other with their hips, their torsos, 
their eyes.  Thighs insinuating themselves between thighs -- 

<This tainted love you've given 
<I give you all a boy could give you>

Bradley was walking Mulder slowly backwards --

<Take my tears and that's not nearly all - Tainted love!>

Flexing their knees, getting lower -- Bradley's hands were 
running down Mulder's thighs, and Mulder's hands -- my god -- 
Mulder's hands were resting on Bradley's chest --

<Tainted love!>

-- a slow, sexy slide downwards --

-- pulsing --

Dirty dancing.  Special Agent Fox Mulder was dirty dancing. 

God damn him.  What was going on?  Scully felt flushed, too hot 
to breathe.  Turned on beyond words, a carnality flooding her 
body, and fury raging in her brain.  She was paralyzed.  

<And you think love is to pray - 
<But I'm sorry I don't pray that way>

They were even closer now, cheeks scraping against cheeks.  
Mulder looked lithe and slender beside the muscular massiveness 
of his dance partner.  As if Bradley could take him, overwhelm 
him.  Seduce him.  As if Mulder might want him to.

<Once I ran from you - now I'll run from you - 
<This tainted love you've given 
<I give you all a boy could give you>

Now Mulder had become the aggressor, walking Bradley backwards.  
Predatory, and overtly sexual -- 

<Don't touch me please!  I cannot stand the way you tease!> 

Bradley's hands were gripping Mulder's ass, and Mulder's hands 
searched restlessly over Bradley's thighs, rubbing --

"Dana, are you thirsty?"  Justin's voice sounded unnaturally loud 
in her ear, and she jumped.  Turning her head to look at him was 
like dragging herself up out of some surreally vivid dream or 
nightmare, the kind of dream that clings long after the sun is 
up.  She stared mutely at Justin.  "Come on," he said, and he 
pulled her to her feet.

In the kitchen, he poured two glasses of ice water, and handed 
one to her.  She drank, gratefully, long and cool and deep.  
Tried to find her voice.  

"Doesn't that -- uh, bother you?" she asked at last, focusing on 
Justin.

"What?"

"The way, uh, they way they're dancing?"

Justin laughed a silver laugh.  "Why should it?  Bradley and I 
don't own each other.  I mean, it's not like we're monogamous, or 
anything."

"Oh."

"I don't think Fox'll let him, anyway.  He never did before."  
Justin shrugged.

"Oh."  

Justin was even more stunning in full light.  His hair was 
gleaming.  Irresistible.  Hardly realizing what she was doing, 
Scully reached out and threaded her fingers through the heavy 
gold of it.  "Your hair is so beautiful," she murmured.

"Thanks," he smiled.  "It's hot for dancing."

"I'll braid it for you.  Can I braid it?"

"Mmm, yes!  I'd love that.  Come on, I'll get a brush."

Back in the living room, the four university friends were all 
dancing as a group. 

<My Momma said, you can't hurry love  
<No you'll just have to wait 
<She said love don't come easy - it's a game of give and take>   

Justin put a brush in Scully's hand, and sat down sideways on the 
couch.  She sat behind him, and pulled her eyes off the dancers.  
Off Mulder.  Addressed herself to Justin's shining hair.  She 
started grabbing it up by the fistful, and brushing out the ends. 

<You can't hurry love  
<No you'll just have to wait  
<Just trust in the good times, no matter how long it takes>

Justin's hair was silky and thick.  He let his neck stretch 
forward, relaxing under her hands.

<How many heartaches must I stand  
<Before I find a love, to let me live again?>

Slowly, carefully, she worked her way up one section of Justin's 
hair to the scalp, and then started on the next section over.  "I 
like your pumps," Justin said, louder than the music.

"Huh?"

"They're really cute.  I have some sort of like that, but mine 
are black, and the heel's a little higher."

"Oh."  Another song started.  

<Your eyes tell me how you love me  
<I can feel it in your heart beat>

"I don't think yours would fit me," Justin said.  "What size do 
you wear."

"Seven."

He sighed deeply.  "Oh well," he said.  

<And if you want more, if you want more - more - more -
<Jump!  For my love - Jump in!  And feel my touch>

"Don't you want to dance?" Justin asked.  Mulder, on the dance 
floor, was pausing to pull off his turtleneck, and fling out of 
the way.  He had a white T-shirt underneath.  Resolutely, Scully 
dragged her eyes off him.  

"Ah, no, it's OK, ah --"  She made herself focus on what she was 
doing.

<Jump!  You want to feel my kisses in the night then - 
<Jump!  Jump!  For my love!>

She was trying very hard not to pay too much attention to the 
dancing.  Just Justin's gorgeous hair, just willing herself to 
let his hair fill her mind.  Not letting herself think.  She had 
it almost completely brushed out by the time the Pointer Sisters 
ended, and a churchy organ sound began to well up slowly through 
the room. 

Despite herself, something made her look up, and what she saw was 
Mulder, moving towards her with a purpose.

Oh god, he was going to ask her to dance!  Scully yelped.  
Scooping up the whole sleek mass of Justin's hair, she ducked 
underneath and hid like an old-fashioned photographer.

Mulder's deep laugh sounded above her.  "I know you're under 
there," he said.  And reached his hands right into Justin's hair, 
and pulled her out.  "Come on."  He took the brush out of her 
hand, and gave it back to Justin.  "Dance with me."  And he 
pulled her gently to her feet.

And in the swelling sound of the church organ, louder and louder, 
she let him lead her.  Then he stopped.  Faced her.  Stood almost 
still, waiting.  The organ cut off, to be replaced by an acoustic 
guitar, strumming with urgent precision.  Fast beat.  

Mulder's eyes felt very hot on her skin.

A strong bass beat picked up, and with it a voice:  

<Well, I guess it would be nice! - If I could touch your body>

They were moving, now.  She felt awkward.  Mulder seemed totally 
sure.

<I know not everybody - Has got a body like you - oooh>

Everything he did, the way he led with his thighs and his hips, 
was tempting her out of her shyness, pulling her into synch, 
inviting her to match her motions with his -- 

<But I've gotta think twice  
<Before I give my heart away 
<And I know all the games you play  
<Because I play them too>

The feeling of it was getting under her skin, now, and Scully 
found herself moving easier, found that if she turned, or moved 
in a different way, Mulder responded, infallibly -- really 
dancing *with* her --

<Oh, but I  - 
<Need some time off from that emotion - 
<Time to pick my heart up off the floor>

Mulder started an overtly sexual thrust, taunting her, daring her 
to match it.  Stalking towards her, making her step backwards.  
And it was fun --

<But when that love comes down with-out devotion - 
<Well, it takes a strong man baby but I'm showing you the door>

-- she let herself match the hip thrust, and felt a rush at the 
blazing smile that flashed on Mulder's face.  Then she turned the 
tables, and started walking him backwards, leading with her hips.  
Mulder let her do it.  In fact, he was grinning ear to ear.  He 
almost laughed out loud.  

<'Cause I gotta have faith, I gotta have faith  
<I gotta have faith-a faith-a faith  
<I gotta have faith-a faith-a faith!>

The raunchier it was, the better Mulder seemed to like it.  The 
smile was off his face, now.  He'd stopped, and his shoulders 
were thrown back, getting down --

<Baby! - I know you're asking me to stay 
<Say please, please, please don't go away 
<You say I'm giving you the blues>

-- his knees were straddling hers, the heat of his body teasing 
into her personal space, and he was bending his knees, working 
his shoulders lower and lower behind his hips.

<Maybe - Ha! - You mean every word you say 
<Can't help but think of yesterday 
<And another who tied me down to the loverboy rules>

She gripped the front of his T-shirt, and pulled him back up.  He 
came, willingly.  He was glowing, feral, starting to sweat 
lightly.  His whole body brushed against her, with just the 
barest suggestion of a touch.

<Before this river becomes and ocean 
<Before you throw my heart back on the floor 
<Oh, baby, I reconsider my foolish notion 
<Well, I need someone to hold me but I'll wait for something more
<Yes, I've got to have faith!>

When the song finished, they were both a little breathless.  
Scully laughed.  Pulling off one pump, she tossed it in a corner.  
Then she made the other pump bounce on top of the first.  Mulder 
watched her, his eyes very dark.  He shivered slightly, and 
swallowed.  

A single drum beat, and then a bass beat picked up like a racing 
heart.  It wasn't really a slow song, but Mulder turned it into 
one.  He took her into his arms, letting the frantic heartbeat 
rush past them and moving instead to the rhythm of the words --

<Every breath you take 
<Every move you make 
<Every bond you break
<Every step you take
<I'll be watching you>

She was in his arms, moving with him, but just barely touching.  
Their bodies moving against each other, drifting with the music, 
sensually, but without clear cohesion.  Mulder wasn't exactly 
leading, more like just moving to the music, with her and against 
her.  Dimly, she was aware of the tender way his arms cradled her 
body, the way his hands stroked lightly through her hair.  As if 
he were afraid she might break.

<Oh can't you see 
<You belong to me 
<How my poor heart aches 
<With every step you take>

Her face was nuzzled close to his chest, she could smell the 
scent of his body, and his cologne.  The rest of the room had 
faded out, for Scully.  There was just this.  Dancing with 
Mulder.

<Since you've been gone I've been lost without a trace 
<I dream at night I can only see your face 
<I look around but it's you I can't replace
<I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
<I keep on crying baby, baby, please!>

He wiggled his way lower, letting his cheek nuzzle against hers, 
and the sensation ricocheted through her whole body.  Electric.

<O can't you see 
<You belong to me>

Timidly, she turned her face and let her lips rest briefly in the 
soft, damp hollow where his neck joined his shoulder.  Not 
actually kissing him --

<Every move you make - Every step you take -
<I'll be watching you - I'll be watching you>

He was holding her loosely, but Scully was beginning to feel too 
warm.  His arms were around her, but she could barely feel them 
through the knit of her sweater.  She wanted to press closer 
against him, and she could feel herself wanting it.  Recognizing 
the desire, she tilted her head back, looked up into his face, 
and yielded.  Looking right into Mulder's eyes, without stepping 
back away from him, she slid her hands away from his neck, down 
his chest, and then reached for the hem of her sweater.  

<See the stone set in your eyes
<See the thorn twist in your side
<I wait for you>

She started to pull the sweater up, and he moved to help her.  
Together they tangled it up through her hair, and over her head.  
Mulder pulled it the last way over her arms, and tossed it 
carelessly in a wad into the corner on top of his black 
turtleneck.  He was gazing into her eyes, breathing through 
parted lips.

<Sleight of hand and twist of fate
<On a bed of nails she makes me wait
<And I wait ... without you 
<With or without you>

Then he sighed softly, and pulled her closer.  He cradled her 
head against his shoulder.  His body felt hot and steamy against 
hers.  Her own T-shirt was damp with sweat, and the air where 
Mulder wasn't touching her felt cold.  Her body flowed naturally 
against his, and she moved as he moved.  She was drawn into his 
heat, into the sensual feel of his body.  She was floating in his 
arms, and floating on the music.

<I can't live
<With or without you
<And you give yourself away
<And you give yourself away
<And you give
<And you give
<And you give yourself away>  

It was enough, almost, to bring tears to her eyes.

At the end of the song, he led her over to the couch.  They 
collapsed together, and flopped back side by side. 

Mulder picked up the pipe.  He poked a finger into the burned out 
bowl, inspected it, wiped his finger carelessly on his jeans, and 
tapped out the ashes into an empty double old-fashioned glass 
which seemed already designated for the purpose.  Reaching for 
the baggie he pinched out some weed.  He seemed aware of her 
eyes.  Seemed to be trying to resist.  Started blushing.  His 
eyelashes fluttered, and then flicked up -- and he looked right 
at her.  Laughed breathlessly.

"What?" he said.

"I never thought I'd see you do that, Mulder." 

He packed the pipe, and reached for the lighter.  "You didn't?  
Why's that, I wonder?"

Everyone else was dancing to "White Wedding" -- 

<Hey little sister, who's the one you want? 
<Hey little sister shock 'em!  
<It's a nice day to - start again!  
<It's a nice day for a - white wedding!>

Mulder handed her the pipe, and held the light for her.  His eyes 
were very dark, and very focused.  Watching her.

They smoked in silence, leaning comfortably close to each other, 
barely touching.  The way they often sat.  Never much need for 
words, between the two of them.  This was their style, this 
oblique indirectness, this affectation of disinterest.  They 
passed the pipe back and forth between them, wordlessly.  Scully 
felt herself getting higher, felt the music like a physical touch 
on her skin, as real and sensual as Mulder's arm against hers, 
and this silence between them seemed stifling.  

What had just happened was incredible to her.  Mulder had slow-
danced with her, held her as if he wanted to, as if he enjoyed 
it.  And now, they were just side by side again, like they always 
were, as if nothing had happened.  As if nothing could ever 
happen, between them.  Nothing that might stick.  She took the 
pipe from his hand, and held it again to her lips.  He was here 
on the couch with her, yes.  But was he watching Bradley?  She 
couldn't be sure.  He didn't seem to be.

<Young teacher the subject - Of schoolgirl fantasy -
<She wants him so badly - Knows what she wants to be>

Laurie caught her eye from the dance floor, and winked.  Was she 
making a fool out of herself, she wondered?  What if Mulder 
hadn't really wanted to slow-dance?  What if he was only here 
smoking with her now just as a way to get out of dancing with 
her?  Did it look like she was clinging to him?  Like she was 
jealous?  Were they all laughing behind her back?

<Don't stand - Don't stand so - Don't stand so close to me!>

Mulder reached for her water glass.  Was it hers, or Justin's?  
She wasn't sure anymore.  He lifted it and drank.  Passed it to 
her.  She drank too, and set the glass down with a unsteady hand.

<It's no use - He sees her - 
<He starts to shake he starts to cough -
<Just like the old man in - that book by Nabokov>

"You OK, now?"  Mulder asked her, quietly.  His lips close to her 
ear.  "Are you feeling *good*?"

Oh, god.  He was only being nice to her because someone, maybe 
Laurie, had told him to.  She was a duty he was trying to get out 
of the way.  She knew it.

To her horror, she felt her lip tremble.  "Yeah, sure, I'm fine," 
she said, staunchly.

"Mmm, good."  Mulder was practically purring.  His arm slipped 
around her shoulders, drawing her closer against him.

<When I was young it seemed that life was so wonderful, 
<a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical>

Mulder's fingers were stroking lightly up and down her arm.  
"Doesn't this feel good?" he murmured.

<But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible - 
<Logical, oh responsible, practical>

"Logical, oh responsible, practical," Mulder was breathing into 
her ear along with the music.  His other hand began to play 
across her thigh.  The unlooked-for paranoia lifted unexpectedly 
away, and Scully melted inside.  Her skin was a flickering shell 
filled with heat and light, and with the pulsing of Mulder's 
breath.  And his voice in her ear whispered very softly, right in 
time to the music:

"There are times when all the world's asleep 
"The questions run too deep, for such a simple man 
"Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
"I know it sounds absurd 
"Please tell me who I am -"

She shivered, and Mulder kissed her softly behind her ear.

"Now watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical," he 
told her quietly.  He tipped his head to look her in the eye, and 
his eyes were teasing, hot.

He was so close she could feel his breath on her face, and for a 
moment she actually wondered if he was going to kiss her.  
Delayingly he hovered near her face, then turned his head and 
brushed his lips again against her neck.  He offered his hand, 
palm up.  She hesitated, then set her hand in his, and their 
fingers interlaced.  Mulder sighed against her skin.




... end of part 3