TITLE: Circles Unbroken: Highwater Mark AUTHOR: Athos EMAIL ADDRESS: athos_too@hotmail.com DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: Please forward to ATXC SPOILER WARNING: None RATING: NC-17; Graphic sexual description; not as graphic as some CATEGORY: SR - Story/Romance KEYWORDS: Scully/Other/Romance; Scully/Slash; SUMMARY: Scully and Lee vacation at the Battlefield at Gettysburg, and meet someone who doesn't like them very much. They each flex some professional muscle and a life is saved. Disclaimers. The characters of Dana Scully, Fox Mulder, and the rest of the Scully family are the property of Chris Carter, and are used without permission, borrowed really, for the purposes of this story. No profit is being made by this use. Gettysburg National Military Park is the property of US Citizens, and I am just using my share. All lodging and dining establishments are fictitious. Rating: NC-17 for sexual content. That's the rating it would have if it were a film. This is a same sex romance describing relations between two consenting fictional adults. If that's a problem for you, or if you are under 17, stop here. Synopsis. Scully and Lee visit one of Scully's favorite places. This is a kinder/gentler xfile fanfic piece. The erotica won't blow out your cpu, but it has a lot of warm fuzzies and banter, and puts our heroines in a good light. If you like your ff dark and gloomy, move on. If you like something up, give this a try. The character of Lee Caldwell was introduced in Circles Unbroken: Journey's End in Lovers' Meetings. If you go ahead and read this without reading that one first, you need to know that Scully's high school nickname was Tooze, for Ruby Tuesday. Lee and Scully were lovers then. There is a slight chronological inconsistency in the story due to Journey's End taking longer than planned. At the time of this story, Lee and Scully have been together about three months. **** Circles Unbroken: Highwater Mark "Come on G Woman, shake a leg! We haven't got all day." Dana Scully leaned closer to the mirror, giving one last look to her eyelashes. She pursed her red lips, opened them, and used a kleenex as a blotter. "Keep your pants on Counselor," she replied. Lee Caldwell leaned through the open door. Her blue eyes sparkled with glee. "OK Dana, if that's what you really want, but we ARE on vacation you know..." "Stow it Missie, before I lose my temper." The warmth in Scully's gaze belied her voice of authority tone. "And for your good behavior, you can have this." She handed Lee the kleenex; the mark of her full lips plainly visible. "Thanks, but I'll wait for the real thing. And now are you ready?" "Ready. And curious. What is this magical mystery tour you're taking me on anyway?" "Something you'll like. You'll see. Your Mom gave me the idea." "All right then. Just the final inspection, and we're off to see the wizard. Did you remember to check that the water's not running?" Scully pulled Lee to her side and they faced their image in the glass together. As always, she was moved by the contrast between her petite stature and fair skin and Lee's taller and darker beauty. 'All things considered, we make a pretty nice pair' she thought. She stretched up and kissed Lee lightly on the cheek, then followed the brunette's lead out the door. **** Spring had come to DC with bells on. There was the fresh aroma of damp earth in the air, the sun shone brightly with a warmth that was weeks premature, and the five day forecast promised more of the same. This happy circumstance and mutual light caseloads had moved Lee to orchestrate this midweek getaway for her lover. Not to some romantic hideaway, but to a place Dana had loved as a child, and still spoke of fondly. Gettysburg, site of the Civil War battle, and one of the many local historical gems resolutely ignored by residents of the nation's capital. "All right mystery woman, start talking. Remember ve haf our vays of getting the truth out of you.." "I love it when you're so.....Teutonic and masterful..." Lee replied. "Be ready, Dana Katherine, for a walk down memory lane. We are off 90 miles to the great northwest, to the home of the world famous Electric Map." She glanced slyly at Scully; "Vacuum Tube high tech, good thing I'm a retro girl." Dana leaned back in the sort of retro bucket of seat of the red 98 VW Beetle. She felt the sun warm on her upturned face as the memories returned. - Gettysburg. It had been a destination of the history loving Ahab during one of the family's postings to Newport News. She had never forgotten it, and had always planned to return, even mentioning it to Maggie every now and then. But with Quantico, and mutants, and serial killers, forensics here, forensics there, keeping the X-Files going with Mulder, there had never been time. And now someone had cared enough to find out, to ask another, what she would really like. Even more, Lee had gone ahead and DONE something about it, as proven by the fact that they were on their way, together. *This should be a good time* Scully mused; a favorite place from kid dom, and a, no the, favorite person from a promising future. What could go wrong that Triple A couldn't handle? "Wake up dream girl. I know where we're going, retracing the steps of Marse Robert and his bonny boys in gray, but I'd like to hear why you like it so much." Scully grinned. "Good thing Mulder didn't hear you say that. He has a whole different picture of grays. He'd have us turning our retro rocket around to defend the Capital and the White House." "Retro Rocket indeed! I think you are taking great liberties with the language young woman! Just because I have a taste for non Taurus neo classic automobiles, and yes, let's see, I've known you almost 18 years now, right? I guess my gal is a little retro at that.... Ouch!" Lee flinched as Scully punched her shoulder, hard. "Careful yourself. Remember I am a trained Federal Agent, skilled in all forms of unarmed combat. My license to kill is conditional, but I do believe age related humor is covered. So back off." Scully smiled. "And I'm sorry about your shoulder. Want me to kiss it and make it better?" Lee snorted. "Promises Promises! That and used kleenex is all I'm getting from you today. Tell you what. Tell me why you like Gettysburg, and let me remember better times, like last night, while you do..." Dana shot her a warm glance and began. "It's nothing special really. But don't you remember how some things just stand out from when you were a child? Gettysburg is like that for me. My dad loved history, all kinds, and wanted us to love it too. So, the family came up for a few days to see the battlefield. I was about six or seven. I remember climbing on monuments will Bill and Melissa, and hide and seek in the Devil's Den, and the Map, of course. I remember sitting up above this giant map of the battlefield that filled the floor of the amphitheater. Lights came on to show troop movements and things, and it just made it all seem real to me. We left Norfolk not long after that, and ever since, Gettysburg and the Electric Map have been an indelible part of my childhood memories. But I've never made it back there, despite years of proximity and good intentions." "Well you know what they say that the road to hell is paved with," the brunette answered with a sidelong glance. "But you don't have to worry about that right now, Dana Katherine. My plans DO include a little touch of heaven, though. And when the earth has stopped moving, you can show me the map, and we'll do Gettysburg, and eat where the locals do, and let me see if our hooky playing can become just as memorable. We have a reservation at a Bed & Breakfast that features canopy beds. Nice squeaky ones, I'll bet." **** *Almost there now*, Lee thought, as they approached on the Baltimore Pike. She shook her head, amused by the archaic road name. *Pikes. Please, Ms. Scully may I introduce you to my friend Alphonse? Alphonse Pike, of the Baltimore Pikes... One of our very best familys...* She grinned inwardly. Scully looked into the blue midafternoon sky ahead. Vultures soared above a nearby ridge in the rising thermal air currents. She touched Lee lightly; "pull off the road please." "Your wish, my command." Lee suited the action to the words. "But why?" "Look at those birds, Lee. They're vultures. That's Cemetery Ridge right there, and most of the battle took place on the other side, where the birds are soaring. Imagine what it must have been like during and after the battle. Right now you could see them, close your eyes, and imagine yourself back there.." "Uh, Dana.. carrion birds and corpses? Remember the purpose of this trip? A vacation from the X-Files? And here you are being spooky and invoking the spirit of Mulder," Lee joked. "I just wanted to share it with you, " Scully said. "And I knew you'd be a little upset if you put the car in the ditch on my behalf. So thanks for stopping. And maybe our room isn't far away, and I can thank you properly." "Oh come on Dana. You say you want us out of the ditch, and yet you expect me to think straight now? Fortunately I think we're close, so I just MAY be able to focus for the few more minutes I need." Lee kissed Scully lightly on the forehead and then the lips. "Let's roll." **** Lee was right. It was but moments before they pulled into the circular driveway of the Lincoln Arms. "Here we are!" she said with a flourish. "Lincoln's Gettysburg address... Please don't strike me sir!" She shrank in mock terror as Scully cocked a fist in response to the groaner. Though the name of the establishment was uninspired, that was the only thing about it that was. It was a massive Italianate structure, probably built by a local robber baron after the Civil War. The ceilings were high and the main hallway and staircase were dark. Checking in went quickly, and they found that their room was all they could desire. Two Lincoln rockers flanked a small black marble fireplace. The walls were bright with light paper, a spacious wardrobe swallowed their gear, and in the middle of it all was the promised four poster with the canopy. Now they were alone together at last. "Geronimo!" Lee launched herself onto the bed. It shook, squeaked some, but held firm. She turned towards Scully with an impish grin; "Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly.." "Banzai!" Dana joined her lover. They turned towards each other and kissed. "You know, Lee, you've been a bad girl," she said in a honey coated voice. "I really like my bed at home, and yours will always be special for me, but this one does have certain features we could put to good use..." "Oh really. Like what, the posts maybe? Are you sure your middle name isn't Dominique, and you aren't Dana's evil twin?" "Would it bother you if I was?" "Um, no, I don't think so. Not with you. But not here and not now." "Just call me Milly Vanilly then. C'mere woman." Holding Lee's face gently in her strong hands Dana kissed her slowly and thoroughly. Lee's hands dropped to Dana's ass, pulling her closer. She opened her legs to receive the smaller woman's thigh, then wrapped the redhead in her embrace. "Mmmmmm.... I think I feel properly thanked now." Lee moved back with flushed cheeks. Dana pecked her on the nose. "And I hate to say this lover, but we efficient types travel light. Unless you want to visit the Blue n Gray Laundromat, we had better cool it, or strip down, or something." "OK by me. It's always nice to know when you're putty in my hands. I can wait. When you're ready, just ask for Dominique... or Milly." Scully smiled. "Meanwhile, let's go and see if that Map is still in business, or if it's been replaced by some kind of virtual reality gizmo." **** On the tourist trap scale, Gettysburg wasn't very large. *It was probably bigger and more important when Bobby Lee came calling* Lee mused. Now it had the expected fast food joints, and some battlefield based establishments of varying quality, but wasn't that difficult to navigate in. Finding the Visitor Center was the work of moments. *It's like going back to your elementary school,* Dana thought. And the comparison was indeed apt. The long remembered Electric Map was housed in a brick building that looked like something built in the 40's. They walked through a room filled with museum cases, and entered the amphitheater. Lee nudged her as they sat. "It's like a small basketball court without the hoops, huh?" Scully nodded. "Or the operating theater at my old teaching hospital." Before them about ten rows of chairs down, was a plain map showing the village they had left. It was studded with small balls, light bulbs now dark, that soon would explain the events of those three days in July, 1863. She felt like she was seven again, with Ahab at her side. As Scully had recalled, the presentation made the whole three day battle event clear. How neither army had planned to fight a major battle there. How both forces had converged on the town with the key road junctions, and reinforcements came up, and things just snowballed. The Confederate successes on the first day. The Union reinforcements arriving in the night. The heaviest fighting on day two, with the names that echo through time: the Wheat Field, the Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, Cemetery Ridge and Bloody Run. The Twentieth Maine charging with fixed bayonets when their ammunition was gone, as Little Round Top, the critical high ground on the Union left flank, held by the slimmest of margins. The whole thing culminating with Pickett's Charge on day three, as the Confederates made one heroic final effort into the center of the Union line. The forty five minutes passed quickly. The combination of the measured narration, and the minimal visuals fascinated the two women. They found themselves holding hands and focusing together, as they did on their rare visits to movie theaters. "It's amazing," Lee said, "How well that works even now. That was great." She squeezed Dana's hand and smiled. "Uh oh." "What is it?" "I don't think someone approves of us." One man stood out in the small group of people gathering to leave. He was motionless, staring across at them, as if he had found a new and particularly repellant species of bug. The hate in his gaze was palpable. Scully's blue eyes flashed fire; "For two cents I would go over there and ask that sonofabitch what his problem is. Maybe he'd like to explain to the FBI." "Easy, babe," Lee soothed. "He's just bent out of shape cause the best looking woman in the room is with me. Small minds are their own problem." "You're right. Screw him." Partly for the watcher's benefit, but mostly for Lee's, she cupped Lee's cheek and smiled. "Let's go." "It's almost twilight now. Want to go to Little Round Top? It's not too far is it?" "No, not far," Scully replied.. "And we'll have some nice views from there and we can watch the sun go down." **** The falling of the sun brought a more seasonable chill to the exposed rocks of Little Round Top. Scully pulled her fleece jacket closed. "Come sit with me and General Warren," Lee called from ahead of her. "I don't know how long I can keep this up," Scully said, snuggling close to Lee in front of the statue. "You're warm, but the good General is a pretty cool customer, and these rocks are freezing my fanny." They were alone on the hill. The statue commemorated the point where General Warren had come alone to the heights of Little Round Top and realized that holding it was critical to the stability of the Union line of battle. The reinforcements he had summoned arrived just in time to halt the Confederates, or the battle, and maybe the war, would have had a very different ending. Lee gave Scully a squeeze. "Sit on my lap then." She paused and accepted Scully's weight there, leaning back against the statue. "Dana, the only people we're out to are Mulder and your Mom, right? And we've had to be pretty circumspect in public around DC." "That's right. Why?" "Just that the good outdoor weather is coming. And we'll be out doing things together, and I don't want us to have to pretend to be something we're not, and deny what we are. In love. Just because some jerks can't handle it." She bent her cheek down to Scully's. "I'm thinking of our friend in the amphitheater and others of his nazi ilk." "I don't know why I got so upset about him," Scully answered. "It's not like I haven't received my share of hate stares on the X-Files. But that was different. He didn't know us, but he hated us. Not because I was the FBI, and a woman, here to show up the locals, like they usually think. But because we were two women showing affection, that was enough for him." Her mouth set in a hard line; "If jerks like that aren't careful, they might find out just how different women like us can be." Lee tightened her arms around Scully. "I know," she said softly. "Together we can handle anything that comes along. And someday it won't matter." They sat together in silence, letting the peace of the quickly darkening valley wash over them. **** The Lincoln Arms was lit up in welcome as they returned. The hall that was so dark in the daytime, now glowed in the light, the wooden panels gleaming. Lee pulled Scully into the parlor, which was full of elaborately carved furniture in dark wood. "My God, do you know what that is?" she exclaimed. Dana put a hand a hand to her chin, donned an exaggerated expression of deep thought, and examined the object from all angles. "Do not tell me; I haf seen sumting like zis before. Ha! In my country ve call zis a chair!" "You clown. What kind of chair?" "Ve call zis red." "Tooze, sometimes you are too droll for words. It's a Belter chair. John Belter was a New York furniture maker for the upper crust around the Civil War. His stuff is highly collectible now." "Well when we leave we can rent a truck, " Scully deadpanned. "Seriously, how did you know that?" "Some friends back in San Francisco had some in their gallery. They were really into it." Lee paused. "I'm sorry. I'm going on about this, and neglecting your basic needs," she added in a sultry voice. "You mean, upstairs.." "Yes. Food. Cavorting with Generals and FBI Agents always gives me an appetite." **** "Had enough?" Scully asked. She reached across the table and touched Lee's hand gently. "Yes indeed. Scallops and chablis are hard to beat." "That's true, but I saw you glancing covetously at my medium rare. How come you didn't get one? I thought you liked steak." "I do, but you know I'm trying to cut back on the red meat." Dana's eyes softened. "I know, love. Still, we're on vacation and you've been a good girl." She brightened; "When we get home I'll grill you a steak like you won't believe. Using ye olde Scully secret recipe. "Just what I've always wanted; my very own nutritional consultant." Lee smiled. "You will let me drink my own cabernet though won't you?" "I think I should be in charge of that too. There are advantages to women who overindulge." Scully's voice dropped into her vamp mode. "Their inhibitions are lowered and I can have my way with them..." Lee picked up on the banter. "Honey, you are so hot my inhibitions don't stand a chance." Suddenly serious she added, "Do you hear me Dana Katherine Scully?" She extended her hand to Dana; blue eyes met blue, and the air around them suddenly seemed warmer. They floated out of the restaurant hand in hand; completely unaware of the big man who followed them with angry eyes. "The lezzies are taking over," he growled to his tablemate. "There they are again." * * * "That fireplace? It works you know." "Really! Cool. Well since I'm so hot I guess I don't need matches.." "Save the heat for something useful, Firehair. There are matches in that can. Use em." Scully knelt and lit the dry wood in the hearth. The inn had laid the fire to perfection and it blazed up brightly. *Nice wood* she thought, as she turned away. *But then I'll bet we're paying enough for it.* "Ready?" Lee flicked the light switch at Scully's nod. The room was lit only by the orange light of the flames. They moved together, each wearing their light traveling robes. Scully raised her lips for Lee's kiss. "I've got something to show you," she teased. "And what might that be?" "Just this. The self proclaimed efficient aren't the only ones who can travel light..." Scully stepped back and shrugged out of her robe. "See. Look at all the weight I saved by only packing my pajama tops." She did a model's pirouette, her blue silk top lifting off her white hips. "Such efficiency deserves a proper reward. Kiss me. Hard." They stepped together and suited the action to the words. "Now it's my turn," Lee said as she stepped back. "That's not bad for law enforcement, but I packed light too." Her robe fell to the floor and she was naked. *I can't believe it* Scully thought, *how she takes my breath away.* Her eyes devoured Lee from top to toe; the dark hair and glowing skin, the firm breasts, strong shoulders and slim waist, the powerful legs and supple runner's thighs. "Diana," she breathed. "Another woman? Dana, you disappoint me." The warmth in Lee's eyes brought a flush to Scully's cheeks and a glow to her belly. "Diana, the Huntress, you goose." Scully moved to Lee and wrapped her arms around her goddess' waist. She planted a kiss just above Lee's breastbone. The brunette dropped her hands to Scully's cheeks, pulling her close. Long fingers traced the line between the white buttocks. Scully opened her mouth to her lover's tongue and they kissed long and deep. It was Scully who broke the embrace and took Lee's hand and led her to the bed. "Madame's pleasure couch awaits her pleasure..." "It is Madame's pleasure to open this little gift that awaits her..." "And what gift is that?" "You. You're the only one wearing gift wrap here." Lee's hand moved to the top button of the pjs. Then they were in the bed, the canopy floating above. Ignoring her own nakedness, and Scully's hand on her inner thigh, Lee knelt by the smaller woman and kissed her. "Lie still, package, and be unwrapped." One by one she opened the buttons, spreading the blue silk as she did. When Scully's cleavage was revealed, Lee stopped to kiss between her breasts; then continued down the center of Scully to her navel, where the she rained hot open mouthed kisses on the redhead's belly. Scully's hands played in the dark hair, then gently guided it down between her legs. "Oooooo Leeeee....." *Music to my ears* Lee thought as her tongue entered Dana, stiffened, and found its target. Scully raised her knees and brought her heels to her ass, opening wide to Lee's loving mouth. She held Lee there, as waves of pleasure broke over her. Lee slid a hand behind, toyed with Scully's bottom; she slipped a finger in, then stopped before the darker tighter region; pushed, met resistance, then gained entry. Scully bucked, frantic with need and anticipation. Lee moved her tongue faster, in rhythm with her probing finger, and Scully abandoned all thought, all consciousness, and came like a series of earthquakes. "Do you have a license for that tongue and those fingers?" Scully said to the dark head on her shoulder. "Think I need one?" They kissed long and gently, savoring the taste of Scully and the loving intimacy of the moment. *O afterglow,* thought Dana. *It doesn't get any better than this.* Aloud she said "I remember, mother taught me how to share..." The fire had blazed up, heating the room and filling it with warm orange light. Scully moved from her prone position to kneel at Lee's side, sitting on her heels. Keeping her back straight and inclining her head toward Lee she asked softly, "And what can I do for you Diana?" "Bend down and kiss me." "Of course." Moving to all fours, Scully moved her mouth down so only their lips touched, then opened. Their tongues danced briefly, but Scully never lowered her body onto Lee. "Done. And now?" "Kneel again like you were doing. Only face away from me." Scully shifted into the kneeling position, ass on heels, toes flat on the covers, facing Lee's feet. Sitting on her heels made her firm buttocks prominent. Running her fingers over the soles of the small feet facing her, Lee thought *She is so small, so strong, so perfect.* Aloud she said, "Dana I love that pose, I could watch you forever like that." The light from the fireplace cast dancing shadows over Scully's pale back. She looked over her shoulder and smiled down at Lee. "I'm glad," she said in a voice that matched the velvet of her skin. Her tone changed to one of affected innocense. "Maybe one of our artists could draw me like this sometime. And if you get tired of me we could give it to Mulder." "Not a chance. But Milly. Or Dom; I'm tired of talking. Make love to me please." "Gladly." Scully covered the taller woman with her body. She began at the top, kissing Lee's neck and shoulders, and the spot behind her ear. Above the breast line she stopped. "Roll over, darling." After Lee complied, Scully lay full length on the brunette's back, running her hands along Lee's sides, teasing what she could feel of the breasts, planting hot soft kisses on shoulders, going down the spine. "Head down, ass up." Lee put all her weight on her neck and shoulders, with her bottom in the air. Her eyes closed as Scully ran her hands over her breasts and belly, and down between her legs. The warmth of Dana's breasts burned into her back and the thigh between Lee's seemed molten. Suddenly all contact was broken, as Scully moved away, then quickly back again, attacking Lee's clitoris and pussy with her tongue, and kneading buttocks and thighs. Lee moaned, opened unseeing eyes, placed her hands behind the small of her back as if they were bound there, and gave herself over to her orgasm, dropping to the covers, trapping Dana's hand against her as her limbs lost all power of support. "MMM... Dana.... about that license to kill you claimed, I think you just used it....Wow." "Flattery will get you everywhere. It might even get you an encore." "You really do want to kill me don't you? Just kiss me again, and tell me you love me, and I will be a happy woman..." Scully rolled into Lee's arms as their bodies met from tip to toe. They kissed, and whispered, and snuggled, and fell asleep in each other's arms. **** Lee awoke to early morning bird song. She and Scully had separated in the night, and the redhead lay on her side with her back to Lee, only touching at the hips. *Leonora Margaret Caldwell you are probably the best loved alumna of all the Blissful Ladies.* She smiled to herself, *I know you are one hell of a person, but HOW did you get so lucky? Somebody must like you, Counselor.* She rolled into the spoon position and whispered "Wake up Sleepyhead. It's time for breakfast..." "Corn flakes. This woman woke me up for corn flakes, " Scully groused. "I don't think so. This picturesque pile rates four stars, and I don't think they earned that on the strength of Kellogg's. Now up!" Lee commanded. "We have more adventures planned for today.." "Sadist...." Scully rolled over for a long kiss. She sighed. "Ok, you win. Want the first shower?" **** "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do.." Lee sang. Scully grinned. "Don't quit your day job. And where are we going?" "You'll see. I'm half crazy, all for the love of you.." The Beetle moved down the main street of the town, Lee at the wheel. "It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage, but you'll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle built for two..." "No, Lee! You didn't!" "Yup, I did. Had to call ahead to reserve it, they mostly just rent cruisers for battlefield rides." Lee pulled over in front of The Cyclery. "According to their web site they had, quote, 'one state of the art tandem bicycle for lovers or other eccentrics,' unquote. Tell me Dana, what category do we fit into anyway?" "Why not both? Lee, that is one of the sweetest things you have ever done. The planning you put into this trip!" Scully squeezed Lee's thigh, "Thank you, Babe, for everything.." "Don't get all mushy on me here." Lee retorted. "Besides, this is a team effort; I need your sharp eyes to steer and to work the hand brakes. Me, I've got the runner's legs, so I can be the motive power." A few minutes later they were headed down the road towards the battlefield. Approaching an intersection, Scully noted they had the green light, and the gray Cadillac on her right was dutifully stopping. An experienced cyclist, she knew the importance of eye contact with drivers. The man looking out the driver's window smiled and nodded; she smiled back, then watched in horror as the big car pulled out directly into their path. "Sonofabitch!" Scully slammed on the brakes, the bike careened to the right and missed the Cadillac by inches. The two shaken women dismounted as it sped away into the distance. "Lee, it was the man from the map yesterday!" The words came from Scully in a rush. More calmly she added, "We had eye contact, and he did that on purpose." "Bastard!" Lee swore. In her firm courtroom voice she said "If we met up again I'll get him in a court of law and tear him a second asshole." She paused. "Or maybe I'll just do it the old fashioned way." As the near miss wore off she added in a lighter tone, "Of course a second asshole would really be redundant with him. He's such a perfect one as it is..." "Well, no harm no foul, as my brothers' used to say when they clobbered me in basketball." Scully was calmer too. "We'll keep our eyes opened for him but I don't think he's too much of a problem. People who hide behind two ton sedans usually aren't much of a threat outside them." Having shaken off their close call, the pair continued to the battlefield proper. A road ran along Cemetery Ridge, flanked on either side with ornate monuments commemorating the units that fought there. More immediately attractive, however, was the small grove of trees with benches that faced the unseasonably, but oh so wonderfully, warm sun. They had to stop there. "This day is so great. 68 degrees, and bumblebees. It can almost make you believe winter's over," Dana enthused. "Are you talking about the birds and bees? Am I not enough woman for you?" "Very funny. What do you think this grove of trees we're sitting in is?" "Hm. No stout yeomen in Lincoln Green. Not Sherwood Forest then. I haven't seen the Lady Galadriel so it's not Lothlorien. Trees aren't moving so it's not Birnham Wood." Lee pulled a long face. "OK Tooze I'm stumped. Enlighten me please." "This is the Highwater Mark. Like they said yesterday, this is the point where Pickett's Charge briefly broke the Union line of battle." "Wow. and they came under fire the whole way across that open space?" Lee shook her head. "What's that line from _The Charge of the Light Brigade_, 'someone had blundered'? That was suicide, nothing more." "I went to Fredericksburg with my family once when I was a teenager and the Union had pulled the same stunt there. Ahab said it was because the infantry tactics hadn't kept pace with the vastly increased firepower of armies. How stupid people can be." "True. Lee smiled. "Every time you think you've heard it all, some idiot comes along and does something you can't believe. But you and I, we're too smart to rent a bicycle and then sit there looking at it. Shall we go?" **** The sun had climbed higher, and warmed two sun worshiping women who basked on the upper rocks of the Devil's Den. "Remind me of this moment when we have days of rain, or some other such crap next week." Lee propped herself on one elbow. "Not a bad lunch, huh?" "Beats PB&J" Scully replied. "But after you worked up my appetite by insisting we do what McLaw's men couldn't and climb Little Round Top, I could eat most anything. And why did you feel the need to do that anyway?" "Because it's there, of course. And the Marine Corps Marathon is in October. Don't you want to be ready?" "Lee, I said MAYBE I would run it with you, IF I can whip this poor ole body into something resembling shape." "Well Doctor, then I prescribe lots of aerobic exercise at any time during the day.. " Scully hit her. "You are insatiable." "I didn't mean the womanly art of self defense, either." "Ok, I'll give you exercise. Hide and seek! Catch me if you can!" The redhead leaped to her feet and disappeared into the tangled jumble of huge rocks that once had sheltered snipers. Five minutes later, Scully moved cautiously around a protruding hunk of granite into a gloomy room between the boulders. *Sure not as warm here* she thought. "Gotcha!" Lee threw her arms around Scully from behind. Dana leaned back into the embrace. "OK mysterious stranger. You have ten minutes to get your hands off my breasts or I'll break your arms." Lee squeezed gently. "Wanton hussy." Scully turned and put her arms around her lover's neck. "Oh it's you. Well, I guess you'll have to do for now then... Warm me up." **** The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, meandering over the almost empty battlefield roads, stopping when a monument or vista piqued their interest. "Lee, you like art. What do you think of the difference between the Northern monuments and the Southern?" "Nothing you can't explain by the passage of time, Dana. I think most of the Northern things were done in the 19th century, and reflect the taste of the time. Marble mausoleums, equestrian statues and such." Lee paused, then continued. "Now the Southern ones were added much later, in the 20th century, and reflect a more active tradition of sculpture, the figures are in motion and larger than life. They both work for me; I find them sad and inspiring at the same time." "I know what you mean," the redhead replied. "This place isn't what I would call holy, but it makes you think alright. So many deaths in so little time. I think almost as many soldiers as died in Viet Nam were killed here in only three days." She shrugged. "I don't think a place can ever lose that completely, no matter how beautiful and sunny it gets." "True. But the sun is shining now, though it's sinking fast. Let's return our noble chariot and hunt up the best pizza and beer in this burg." Lee grinned, "I love to pump the natives for the best eating places, you find some interesting stuff that way." **** Luigi's pizza was entirely satisfactory, and splitting the pitcher of lager made it all the better. Back in their room, the women settled in the flanking rockers with their laptops. The small fire crackled. After some time, Lee spoke. "Mac Girl!" Scully looked up, "What is it, DOS Woman?" Lee closed the cover of her Dell. "We are a pair of frauds. On vacation and we both brought these fool things. I've just finished next week's schedule, and you've had your nose in that Powerbook. I had to call you three times. What are you doing, anyway?" "Oh nothing." Scully blushed. *The redhead's curse* she thought. "Nothing. Right. And what kind of nothing turns you red as a rose?" Lee assumed her courtroom voice. "Just what ARE you reading, young woman? Tell Sister Superior everything, and be forgiven... Course, there may be some discipline first..," Lee teased. "It's something from Mulder I downloaded on my email. Every now and then he sends something he's dredged up for my benefit. Guess he thought this was appropriate." "Let's see." Lee leaned over Scully's shoulder and read aloud "'Sisters of Sappho'. Tooze, what is this?" "It's called fan fiction I think. People who have no other lives write stories about tv show characters. Then other people with no lives read it. This is about _Xena Warrior Princess_. It's nothing, I said." "Don't run it down, you've certainly been wrapped up in it." Lee chided. Pressing the scroll key down she read: / Xena jumped. 'Gabrielle what are you doing!' as the compact blonde squeezed her waist and kissed her between the shoulder blades. 'Xena, I can't help myself, I am with you every day and I can't touch you, can't kiss you can't love you. I'm sick of waiting and I had to know if you could love me back that way.' The warrior princess turned in her friend's arms. 'Gaby, I have been waiting so long to hear that. We both have others waiting in Elysian Fields, but we are here together now.' Gabrielle kissed her tall companion's cleavage between the leather straps. Her hand ran up a long thigh, and under the leather armor of the princess. 'Xena, let me love you as I learned to love at the Bard's Gathering on the Isle of Lesbos....' / Lee looked up. "Pretty interesting stuff. Giving you ideas is it?" Scully blushed again. "Yes. I want to be a six foot tall demi goddess loved by a mortal.. I know you're the one who looks more like Xena, but.... come to me my friend and lover... as she might reply to Gabrielle." Smiling, Lee leaned down for a tender kiss that soon turned hotter. "The bed's right over there Warrior Woman. Just be careful with your sword, OK?" **** "Four stars, indeed." Scully wiped the maple syrup from her lips and took a last swallow of coffee. "This is our last day here, and I know you're like me; you like to start, get where you're going, and then flop. It's your call lover, what do you want to do?" "I'd like an early start I admit, but that museum opens soon. We just ran into the map room and didn't get a chance to poke around much. Let's do that." In a few moments they pulled into the nearly empty parking lot. Nearly empty, except for a gray Cadillac that looked all too familiar. Scully noted Lee's flushed cheeks as they got out of the Beetle. She went to her and touched her arm. "Steady, big fella.." They were alone in the museum, however, and soon lost themselves in examining the exhibits. "Look, Dana. Seems like only one civilian died during the battle. This Jennie Wade woman was killed in her house by a stray round." "Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Scully was drawn to a rather grim looking display of a contemporary field hospital surgical kit. Despite their age the scalpels and saws seemed to hold a keen edge, and glittered evilly. More chilling was the description of the operating conditions, and the low likelihood of surviving the operation. Lee stepped to her side and shuddered. "Boy, that gives me the creeps." "It shouldn't. It was state of the art then. The big difference between now and then is the weapons we have to fight post op infections, and the sterility that keeps em down in the first place." Scully explained. With a wicked grin she asked "Want me to do something about that mole on your back?" Scully watched in disbelief as Lee's face set in hard anger. *What is the matter with her, I know she knows I was teasing.* She turned in the direction Lee was facing and saw the source of the anger. It was the hateful man from the map and the Cadillac, a woman with too much makeup following in his wake. "Excuse me sir. I'd like a word with you." Jeans and tee shirt notwithstanding, this was Leonora Caldwell, Attorney at Law, interrogating a hostile witness. Her tone was steel beneath velvet and her eyes sparkled dangerously. "Certainly little lady, happy to hear what you have to say," the big man said in a condescending tone. *Uh oh! One second asshole coming right up,* Scully thought. "I'm glad you're happy. Do you think you'll be as happy when you're justifying your actions in a court of law? I am referring, of course, to your running us off the road the other day." "Now honey," the big man replied, "I don't know what you're talking about. And you want me to believe a little gal like you is going to try and get the police to do something, or get herself a lawyer and waste all that money?" He ended with a nasty smile. "My friend. I don't have to get a lawyer. I am one. Specializing in Civil Law which includes judgements for hate crimes. And I don't have to prove my case in any criminal court, in case you're thinking it's your word against ours." Lee poked him in the chest. "Remember OJ? Not guilty in criminal court, found responsible in civil court. I could hang a lawsuit on you that we could easily win, so if you want to keep that Cadillac you'd better watch it." She paused. "I did mention I'm a lawyer, didn't I? I give myself VERY reasonable rates for my time, so this won't cost me a cent. I hope you find an attorney who gives you the same cheap rates, but I don't think you will. Sounds to me like you're in a no win situation..LITTLE MAN..." The big man spluttered, face turning red, and his right hand moved to grab Lee's shoulder. It never got there, as Lee snapped her left arm up in a karate block and turned it aside. "You sicko bitch!" Lee didn't flinch. "Steady there, Cosmo, or you'll win my case for me right here. One more thing I didn't mention. My friend over there is with the FBI, and she's a very reliable witness. Give up and back off." She turned on her heel and rejoined Scully. The big man stood as if frozen. "Goddamn lezzie bitches, bitches, bitches.." he repeated and started towards the pair. His wife stopped him. "Come on LeRoy, we're through here now anyway. They're not worth any more trouble." The made up woman led him out the door. Scully and Lee watched them go, then turned to each other, as a woman's scream filled the room. Scully was out the door first, cursing the lack of her Sig. But it wasn't that kind of emergency. The hateful man lay on his back in the grass, hands clutching his throat, not breathing. The made up woman wailing at his side. Scully shook her. "What happened?!" "A bee, a bee stung him and he went frozen just like this!" *Anaphylactic shock from the sting. His throat is closed and he'll suffocate soon.* "Where's his sting kit? He needs adrenaline." "In the room, in the room," the woman gasped. *No time to get it. Tracheostomy will keep his air path open.* She turned to Lee. "Get me something sharp, fast!" Without answering, Lee seized one of the painted rocks that bordered the path, sprinted inside to the medical display, and shattered the case's glass top. Grabbing the instruments, she ran them back to Scully. As Scully began the life saving procedure, Center Staff arrived on the scene. "Forget your case, this man is dying!" Lee commanded. "Call 911 and get an ambulance!" Thirty minutes later it was all over. The big man safely in hospital, ID's given to authorities, and the bureaucratic paper chase begun. **** After the incident in the Visitor Center, the two women walked the nearby battlefield, heading to the benches at the Highwater Mark by unspoken agreement. Scully looked across the field towards Seminary Ridge and sighed. "What's the matter?" Lee asked. "Bored cause you havn't saved any lives since 10 AM? Or having second thoughts about the one you did save?" "Celtic melancholy." She turned to Lee. "I'm just being silly I guess. Even with our friend this has been a trip to remember." Lee smiled. "I'll never forget it. But something's bothering you. Give." "It's this highwater mark thing. Things are so good for us right now; what if they don't stay that way?" "Things can always change for the worse, Dana." Lee looked away into the distance, then spoke again. "My Dad used to take my sister Heather and me walking on the piers in Atlantic City. I'd see the marine animals, the barnacles and things, exposed to the air between the high and low tides and I'd worry about them." She smiled at the memory. "Dad explained that high tide would come again and they'd survive. He said the tide would come back up as long as he loved me. I love you too, and our tides will always rise again." She turned to Scully. "So what do you think of my highwater marks? Think I'm all wet?" "That's a lovely story." Scully took her hand and squeezed it. "I think it was Dana of the Sorrows who was all wet. I think, no I know, that I love you; and this barnacle wants to share your piling for a long time, high tide or low." They embraced, separated, and looked across the fields together, still holding hands. Finis. Thanks for reading. You can send comments, fair or foul, to athos_too@hotmail.com, and such feedback is respectfully solicited. If you want to learn more about Gettysburg, visit www.gettysburg.com. To learn about the battle, for a very thorough analysis, complete with maps, try: http://www.mindspring.com/~murphy11/getty/foreword.htm A briefer summary can be found at: http://users.aol.com/dlharvey/gburg.htm.