Title: Spaceman- WIP- 2
Rating: (part 1) G, (over all) NC-17
Category: casefile, MSR
Spoilers: none- this fic is totally self-contained
Archive: feel free, just let me know where it ends up
Summary: A new drug leads Mulder and Scully on an investigation of abductions, overdoses and familiar foes. While discovering the root of this new evil, they find the truth between them as well.
Feedback: please- oh pretty please... send mail to xenoprobe@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Not mine, never were- make no profit, have no money- do not sue.

Author's Note: This story is a long time coming. I started writing this fic well over a year ago during a period of heavy fic-writing. I was listening to my Bif Naked CD nearly every day and was inspired to write this piece. I am posting it as a WIP as, even now, I have not wrapped up the ending. I think I need feed back to gain the momentum I need to finish up.

*~*~*~*~*

Scully shifted her weight from foot to foot. Kristin Halley's body had been thoroughly dissected. She lay naked, the 'Y' incision still open, on the slab in front of Scully. If only that one thing had been more conclusive. The small blotch on her eye was still a mystery. Mulder was going to have his fun with this. Scully could not rule out an embolism but the science simply wasn't solid enough to close this case for good.

She slipped the paper cap from her red hair and rotated her head a few times, her neck was stiff and sore; she was already tired at 3pm. Scully cursed softly under her breath.

"Damn." She looked back at the body. It was all there, the swollen glands, the bilious vomit in the lungs, the crystallized mucous in the nasal passage. Scully pressed 'record' on her Dictaphone again.

"I find conclusive evidence to support the diagnosis of a drug overdose. Kristin Halley died from complications to the respiratory tract and aortic tissue after abusing an illicit substance. The toxicology report should confirm my suspicion that the deceased consumed a gross amount of the designer drug 'ecstasy'."

There was a knock on the lab door. Mulder walked in, file under arm, sporting a devilish grin.

"Anything unusual Dr. Scully?"

"If your asking if I can confirm that this subject was abducted by aliens Mulder, the answer would be no. I can say she did die of a drug overdose though."

"And the puncture mark in the eye?"

"The puncture mark could be a number of things, none of which I have been able to confirm. I thought there might be glass embedded in there but a closer examination showed nothing foreign, it looks like a needle puncture- I thought maybe she tried shooting up that way. Addicts often use the eye's blood vessels for injecting heroin, apparently the high is quicker and harder."

"Kristin Halley was not a drug addict Scully." His downcast expression was almost scolding.

"Be that as it may, she did die from drug use and I can't see any reason to further investigate this case as an X-File."

Scully crossed her arms and leaned back against the cold metal table. The contrast of her blue scrubs, piercing blue eyes and fiery red hair against the backdrop of an open chest cavity was a powerful image; Mulder smiled.

"Ah but Scully, you don't know what I uncovered today." He took up his place beside her and slipped his arm around her shoulder. He presented the case- file, the folder open on a photo of Brad Young; a clear puncture mark was visible in his left eye. Scully turned to face her partner, she was dangerously close.

"This proves nothing." She whispered at him and Mulder could not drag his gaze from her lips.

"It proves there is something to investigate... that's all I have to say." A smirk tugged at her mouth and Mulder's fascination with her lips ended when he forced himself to look away, closing the file. "But," he raised a finger, "I think we need a night on the town Scully." She felt his hand tighten on her shoulder. "Care to join me?"

"Clubbing Mulder?"

"Indeed"

"I'd love to." Scully chewed at her lower lip and Mulder's eyes fluttered a bit.

"Then crack out the mini skirt Scully and I'll pick you up at eleven."

Mulder disappeared through the swinging doors in three easy strides. Scully felt her fatigue slipping away as her curiosity surged.

*~*~*~*~*

"What?" Scully's voice barely cut through the music and noise of the club.

"I said," Mulder exaggerated, "it's pretty loud in here..." His partner shrugged and brought the straw of her drink to her lips for a sip. She gave up trying to hear him and casually leaned back against the bar's edge. The room was filled with all types of people, young and old, drunk and sober. Scully was thankful that Mulder had selected a slightly older crowd, she was afraid he was going to drag her to some hip new club where they'd stick out like FBI agents. This place was, if only slightly, more diverse in its clientele.

Mulder sat back, observing Scully. Her eyes darted back and forth over the scene, smiling every so often at someone's dancing abilities- or lack thereof. He was content to watch her silently as she sipped vodka and cranberry from a low glass. This was a Scully he had yet to really know.

Her body swayed just slightly at the music that seemed to control the environment, the throbbing bass rose up through the floor and into one's legs, making it impossible to ignore. Scully turned to face her partner again and caught him staring at her intently; she smiled and placed her hand over his resting arm. It was too loud to talk so they stood there sizing each other up for a moment. Their eyes traced up and down each other, observing the subtle differences in both attire and demeanor. Mulder mused at his partner's outfit; he was only momentarily disappointed, upon picking her up earlier, to see she had not donned a miniskirt. But the sight of her in lean black slacks and a soft blue top that cut just above her trim waistline sent unpartnerly ideas coursing through him. He was simply incapable of banishing those thoughts tonight. Her shoes had done him in, they were high and clunky emphasizing the curves of her calves, similar in effect to the heels she usually wore to work.

The casual way Mulder stood half leaning on the bar, his leather coat hanging open, made him look good enough to eat. Scully smiled to herself. Mulder caught her smirk and cocked his head, questioning her. He watched her eyes close and open again as if the room had slowed around them. Her lips parted with equal slow motion as she tried o mouth her response. Mulder leaned in, never pulling his gaze from her full lips. He couldn't quite make out what she was trying to say, so he leaned closer still. ,br>

"It's hot in here." Her voice was a half-whisper in his ear, though he knew she was speaking at full volume. She made a waving gesture as if to say the heat was too much and she pulled the low neckline of her top away for some air. Mulder froze as he caught sight of the navy lace of her bra and the soft skin of her breasts peeking out. Scully stood on her toes and placed her hands on his shoulders for support. "I'll be back in a minute." Mulder shivered as she stepped away and sank into the crowd. Scully's lips had inadvertently grazed his lobe and the sensation rang through him with more force that the booming bass all around.

The minutes ticked by and Mulder began to wonder where his partner had disappeared to. He looked about the room, through smoke and sound, trying to catch a glimpse of something familiar. That's when he saw her, but the sight was definitely not a familiar one.

Scully stood at the far end of the bar with her head thrown back in a hearty laugh. A tall blond man had his arm around her shoulders, propped against the bar rail. Something turned in Mulder's stomach but he willed it away.

Scully turned and caught her partner's stare; it was like a homing device. She casually left the blond and approached Mulder holding a piece of paper between her fingers.

"An old friend?" He half shouted.

"A new one." Scully held up the paper tauntingly but did not let Mulder take it. "Where can we go to talk?" Mulder did not speak but instead took her arm and headed for the hallway near the bathrooms. A few people passed going in, coming out, but they were relatively out of sight.

"What's up Scully?" He inquired, trying to be casual.

"I got us a contact Mulder."

"A contact?"

"The man I was talking to, he noticed me here, at the bathrooms and asked if I wanted to join him for a 'hit' in the men's room." She smiled coyly. "I was about to blow him off then thought better of it. I declined, of course, but asked him where I could get a hold of that green E" Mulder nodded with renewed respect for Scully's investigative efforts. "At first he tried to unload some ecstasy that he was toting, but I pressed him for something better."

Scully shot a glance side to side, taking a quick survey of their privacy. Her hand drew up to Mulder's neckline and pulled him down, eye-level.

"When I got the toxicology back on this drug, it was clear that it wasn't ecstasy- as I'd originally thought. This is something new, very much like E, but the composition contains something I've never encountered." Mulder placed a bracing arm to the wall beside her head, inching a little closer.

"So this is the number for someone who deals?"

"Yes, but not to just anybody Mulder. He deals to rave kids- he says they'll pay more for it." Mulder sighed and let his head fall for a moment of thought.

"So what's the plan Scully, we get some under- aged club kid to make the pickup then take it in for examination?"

"That's what I was thinking. Or," Their eyes met briefly, "he did offer to give me a hit of it for free if I took it with him here tonight. He's carrying."

"No Scully- not an option."

"I agree, but what if I took something that looked like the pill and faked it, long enough to get out of here with a sample." Mulder inhaled deeply. He looked down at Scully, watching her moisten her lips with a quick swipe of her tongue. "I know what you're thinking Mulder, but I can do this. Besides you'd follow us of course; be there if I need you."

He conceded, reluctantly.

They made their way back into the throng of dancers; Scully led Mulder by the wrist. Somewhere in the centre of the room she felt him jerk her back a bit. She turned. Mulder stood still for a moment then pulled her up to his chest with a quick tug. His hand came up to the side of her face, smoothing her hair against her cheek. He dipped down to speak in her ear. As she had done earlier, he grazed the edge of her earlobe as he spoke.

"Just one dance Scully." He didn't let her back away, not even to let her respond he simply held her to his torso as a slow rhythm began between them.

The music was a slow throb, no lyrics but an odd swirl of sound with a steady repetitive melody. Their bodies stayed glued even when Mulder finally gave up his hold. Their movement was minimal, still Mulder could feel the slightest shift of his partner's body. She kept her head low, as if watching how their bodies connected. Mulder drew her face back up to his with a strong finger under her chin. He smiled and it was infectious.

As they rocked in tandem, Scully felt the slight change in Mulder's position as his thigh slipped between hers. The friction was minimal yet the intensity of being so close, so close in a way they'd never ventured, was like a drug in itself. Mulder wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled their bodies firmly together. For the duration of the song, they remained hypnotized in sensation until a new melody shattered the spell.

Mulder stood straight but made no move to break contact. Scully pulled a lock of hair behind her ear and looked up at him. For the briefest of moments, she thought she saw him mouth the words 'I want you' but chalked it up to wishful thinking.

"Let's go find our man." A shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"I've got your back Scully, I'll be just two steps away." She ventured slightly ahead, back to the blond standing at the bar. She glanced once over her shoulder and Mulder winked as he took up a space at the bar.

"So." Scully spoke to the stranger. "Does your offer still stand?" The tall blond man nodded slowly and grinned ear to ear as he took her tiny hand in his, leading her towards the back door of the club.

*~*~*

The night air sent a blasting shiver up her spine. Scully looked around, noting parked cars and a phone booth on the street a dozen yards away- give or take. In the palm of her hand she hid an aspirin tablet that she'd scratched up a bit in an attempt to make it appear less aspirin-like. The blond, whose name was Grant, had conveniently stepped around the corner of the building for a piss, leaving Scully to linger by the open door. Mulder, on the inside looked on as Scully took two steps down and into the parking lot. She paused, looking back and he nodded to her, he'd be right on the other side of the door should she need him.

The clang of metal resounded loudly in the night air as contact to her partner was severed. That pill would dissolve in her palm if they didn't get down to business soon.

"So." Grant sauntered up to her, smoothing his large hand down her arm.

"So." Scully echoed.

"You don't look the type, if you don't mind me saying."

"Yeah, I know. My girlfriend told me about this stuff though- said it takes you on the ride of your life."

"I like curious, curious is good." He breathed into her face, smelling of beer and cigarettes. She didn't flinch. "You wanna go first?" He held out a tiny green pill in front of her. Green. Her pill was white.

"Sure, I guess."

"Open wide baby, this'll make you fly..." He held the pill to her lips.

"On second thought," she backed away, "I'm a little scared... will you go first." Grant looked at her with a hint of suspicion. For added safety, Scully ran her hands up his chest, smiling wickedly at him.

"As you wish..." he crooned. He withdrew the pill he'd offered her and popped it between his thin lips.

He grinned, holding the tablet in his teeth then muttered, "you sure you don't want this one baby?"

Scully shook her head, her hair blowing in her face. Grant swallowed the pill and stood as if waiting for something monumental to happen. A few minutes passed and nothing had changed, his pupils remained normal under the harsh light of the club's back entrance.

"C'mere." He gestured with a flick of his head. Scully approached and let him slip an arm around her waist. "You are something hot, y'know." She giggled, sounding a trifle forced. He leaned down and kissed her neck. She shivered where the moisture cooled her skin. Grant's hand cupped her breast quickly and Scully had to fight her years of defensive training not to put him down right then and there. She was seriously beginning to feel like 'the plan' had not been as easy as thought. Mulder would be worrying by now.

Grant's attentions were short lived when he let out a slow groan and stepped back, letting go of her.

"Whoa... baby when you gonna come on this ride?"

"It's hitting already?" She spoke with as much girlish charm as she could muster.

"Yeah... Oh yeah..."

His brow was sweaty and he looked a little dizzy. He wavered slightly and braced himself against the brick wall of the club, then turned, leaning against it.

"Are you alright?" Dr. Scully made a brief appearance. "You look pale."

"No man, this is great stuff!" He shook his head as if trying to shake off his hair. "Great stuff," he repeated. "Here, take yours. C'mon be a good girl, open wide for daddy." He tried to shove the little green pill into her mouth; Scully pulled her head back with a jerk. Grant grabbed her arm, pulling her back into his unsteady embrace.

Scully writhed in his hold, trying to weigh the situation in her mind. The decision was made.

"Let's go back inside Grant." He didn't respond. "Grant..." She kept her distance, people on drugs could be like night and day in their moods and strengths.

His eyes shot open suddenly and he took two giant steps for the club door before shouting to the skies.

"Oh my God! Look!!!" He pointed skyward and for a split second Scully's scientific mind betrayed her as she glanced to the heavens herself. "It's here!"

That was the last thing he uttered before he fell forward, hitting his head on the large metal door.

From the inside, Mulder heard a loud thump and he rushed to the exit, swinging the door open. He immediately saw Scully standing over the blond, engaged in CPR. Mulder stepped outside.

"What happened?"

"He fell, hit his head- but I think he's OD-ing. He stopped breathing just a moment ago." She resumed her counting as she pumped against his breastplate. Mulder had already dialed for an EMT and by the time they arrived, Scully had restored his pulse. He was breathing, unassisted.

The ambulance pulled out of the parking lot behind the dance club, filling the night sky with multi coloured lights. It whined into the distance.

"I got the sample Mulder."

"Of course you did." He smiled.

"He nearly had me though- I had to put the damn thing in my mouth to get it from him." A look of concern crossed her partner's face. "I didn't ingest any Mulder, I was safe."

Mulder's hand gently took hers and he twined their fingers together.

"One hell of a way to end a date." He muttered, grinning.

"Date?" Her head snapped up, "who said anything about a date?" She was smiling too.

"Date, night, soiree... whatever Scully- let's get to the hospital, make sure 'Grant' survives for questioning."

"What no escort home, no kiss at the door? I thought that's what 'dates' were all about." She quipped. "Traditionally speaking that is." They walked hand in hand towards the car.

"We're anything but traditional Scully..."

He opened her door and guided her into her seat.

"Besides, our night's not over yet." He whispered after shutting her in.

*~*~*~*

Mulder rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. It was nearly three-thirty in the morning and Grant Ellis was not out of the woods yet. Scully had been in with the attending doctor discussing the events and speculating about this drug. Grant was undergoing a rigorous treatment of detoxification, pumping fresh liquids through his beaten system.

The waiting room had been thankfully empty all night. Mulder put back another paper cup of spring water from the cooler and turned when he heard the familiar clack of Scully's footfalls approaching.

"I had the doctors take more blood and asked them to keep an eye open for anything unusual." Her face expressed her usual professional seriousness, revealing nothing but her level of commitment to her work. "We could wait here for the toxicological but it could take a while."

She raised her eyebrow and he smiled.

"No, its ok. Let me take you home Scully." He gathered his belongings from the waiting room chair. "It's been a very long night."

As they crossed the exit threshold and out into the night air, his hand took up its familiar place on her back and she smiled to herself knowingly.

*~*~*~*~*