Air by Sheryl Martin

STORIES ON THIS SITE ARE INTENDED FOR ADULTS ONLY

Air by Sheryl Martin (NC-17)

The dark hallway only helped to add to Dana Scully's exhaustion as she swung the door open to stagger down towards her own apartment. Behind her, she could hear Fox Mulder chivalrously carrying her overnight bag.

It had been a bad case. She didn't want to go over the details in her mind; but the sick taste in her mouth had taken hours to go away... and she dreaded the dreams this one would cause. And Mulder had, for once in his life, offered to carry her luggage. Usually he just dropped it by the front door of the building and laughed as he drove off. But this one had hurt him too; she could see it in his eyes. So it was a Friday night and all she could think of was not thinking until Monday morning.

Stopping at her door, she fumbled in her trench coat pocket for the key. Putting it in the lock, Dana turned to see the weary man standing beside her; the thick bag on the ground already.

"Service with a smile." Fox said quietly. He rubbed his eyes. "I'm tired... can I get a fast coffee so I stay awake for the ride home?"

"Sure." She sighed. "Though you might end up letting yourself out. I'm beat." Leaning her back on the closed door, the redhead looked down the hallway. "I wonder what everyone else is doing tonight..."

"Oh, watching television... dating someone or something..." He chuckled. Suddenly his head fell forward as he drew in a deep breath. "I'm so tired..."

She took ahold of his lapels as she watched his eyes close; seeing the weakness in his tall form. He wasn't going to fall, but he looked like he needed to rest.

Mulder's hands leaned on each side of the doorframe as he steadied himself; his eyes opening quickly as he realised where he was. And suddenly his face was very close to hers; and his eyes locked with hers in a mixture of relief... and of something else that he didn't want to think about right now.

Gingerly he moved that few inches closer; noticing that she wasn't saying anything; that her expression was one of confusion and of anxiety... and he lightly touched his lips to hers; a chaste kiss of the first degree.

Pulling back, he waited. She closed her eyes, taking a shuddering breath before opening them again.

"Mulder..." Her grip intensified on his coat. A quick dart of a tongue moistened her lips ever so quickly, sending his mind soaring.

Leaning forward again, he kissed her again... and she felt his breath hard on her mouth; urging her to share it with him... as she had shared so much else. And she let him in.

His eyes closed tightly, Mulder felt her tongue lightly caress his bottom lip as she returned his passion double fold. Pulling her coat open carefully, he slipped both hands under her blazer to hold her waist tightly; drowning in the sensations.

Dana tugged at his upper lip with her teeth; dropping her mouth down to duel hotly with his tongue as her hands swept up from his lapels to curl around his neck; entangling in the short curly hairs at the back of his head. Her head spun as part of her mind detached itself; screaming apprehension and alarm as the majority overrode common sense and wallowed in the glorious emotions of this simple and first kiss.

Fox pulled away first; resting his forehead on hers as he gathered his thoughts. He could feel her soft breath on his chin; the lightness of the air moving back and forth over his sensitised skin. Lifting a hand to her cheek, he opened his eyes as he smiled.

"I..." He took a shallow breath. "I should go..."

"You still want that coffee?" She couldn't meet his eyes, not yet. Not before she could build that wall again.

He smiled. "Still want me to come inside?"

"We should... we should talk..." Turning away, she fumbled with the door, not believing what had just happened. This was not supposed to happen. This was not by the book... any book... well, maybe a Harlequin...

Dropping her coat quickly on the couch, she walked into the kitchen and plugged the kettle in; automatically reaching for the instant coffee. Don't think. That was as good a rule to go by right now as anything else. Don't think... Dumping two spoonfuls into the mugs, she didn't hear him come up behind her.

"Scully..." She turned quickly, putting her hands on the counter behind her as he faced her. His face was red and he looked very... vulnerable.

"Look, I'm sorry." Fox took a slow breath. "I... I'm tired and you're tired and it's just been one of those days."

"Mulder... it's been one of those years." The redhead smiled, seeing his sheepish grin.

"Depends on your point of view, I guess." He sighed. "I just don't want you to hate me..."

"Hate you? Mulder..." Dana put a hand on his chest; lightly pressing against the shirt. "I could never hate you, Mulder... never." And suddenly she was looking into his eyes again and she was totally lost...

Leaning forward, he gently kissed her again; feeling her relax under his touch. And the velvet touch of her lips sent his mind soaring...

With one fast motion he lifted her up to sit on the counter top; to face him at the same level; if not a little higher. Pushing the mugs to one side, he moved to lightly nuzzle along her cheek; dropping soft kisses up to her right earlobe where he waited, his breathing fast and shallow.

Dana closed her eyes again; feeling his touches along her face as he waited for her to decide what to do; what was going to happen. Slowly her hands began to unbutton the shirt, pulling it free of his pants as she dropped the tie to the floor.

Running her hands over his chest, she wondered how different he suddenly looked to her; this man who she had seen so many times in a hospital bed and in the field; this man who she had never really seen until this moment. And she was afraid...

He felt a trembling in her body as her hands rested at his waist; her face buried in the side of his neck. Lifting his left hand, he gently ran it along her back; stopping at the back of her neck by the small scar.

"Scully..." Licking dry lips; he tried to gather his thoughts. "If you want me... or not; that's fine... I mean..." He felt her soft laugh. "You're not helping this any, you know."

"I know." Her muffled reply came. "I'm sorry... it's just been... well, I'm out of practice on this."

"Gee, so you don't have a life either?" Laughing lightly, he pulled her face up, seeing the redness in her cheeks. "I wouldn't have ever guessed..."

And suddenly her lips were on his; her hands caressing his bare skin and all he could think about was how long had he not noticed this beautiful woman working by his side...

Picking her up quickly, he carried her to the bedroom which he had only been in once... and that time was extremely fuzzy in his mind. Letting her slide down his body to stand in the doorway, he blinked rapidly, trying to form a thought.

"I don't mean... well, the couch is... you know..." The words stumbled out of his mouth; the nervousness making him choke.

"Yes, Mulder..." A soft hand rested on his lips. "This is just fine." Taking his hand, she led him to the edge of the bed, seating herself. He sat down beside her; feeling the mattress creak slightly under their combined weight.

Turning her face with one hand, he kissed her again; feeling the tenseness flow out of her with a quickness that matched his own. Gently easing her back down onto the blankets, he lay down beside her as his hands slowly began to unbutton the creamcoloured blouse that he had seen her wear so many times to the office. Dropping his mouth to her collarbone, he licked and kissed the sensitive skin; hearing a low whimper escape her lips. Smiling, he slipped the silky fabric off her shoulders, with a little help. Laying his face along the right side of her neck, he waited with his eyes closed; breathing in the soft scent with one hand resting on her waist and the other lying lightly on her cheek.

Lifting a hand from under him to stroke the black strands of hair at the back of his head; Dana felt the air move along her bare skin. His right leg moved to cover hers; the coarse fabric of their pants rasping in the silence. It had been a long time since she had been in anything close to this with anyone... Running her fingers along his jaw line, she felt his smile under her touch. Her fingertips ran further along his neck; down onto the chest that rose and fell alongside her own... Stroking a nipple lightly, she couldn't suppress a grin at the shudder that ran through his body and into hers.

"Sensitive, are we?"

"Oh... I think we can say the same for you." He murmured into her neck, lifting his hand from her waist to slip under her bra; caressing the tip with a single finger. "In fact, more so... I say..."

She squirmed under his touch; withdrawing her own hand quickly to rest atop his as he continued to rub and tease her. With a muted chuckle he slipped the hand around to the back to deftly undo the clasp. As the fabric fell loose on her skin, he gently moved his mouth down; the heat of his tongue almost making her cry out. Shifting his position to lie atop her, Fox pulled free to cup her face in his hands, staring into her eyes.

Dana looked at the softness and the depth in those bottomless eyes; the wanting and the sadness and the losses suffered. And with a shock she realised that he was seeing the same in hers.

Lifting her mouth to his, she passionately kissed him; her tongue darting playfully along his lips and teeth as she pulled his shirt free and tossed it to one side of the bed. Her hips shifted under his until she could feel him press against her; a soft groan making its way up from his soul into his mouth and into her own as he gasped.

"Hmm... Scully... I'm not trying to be chivalrous, but I think this is the part where you either tell me to call you next week..." He breathed into her mouth tenderly.

"Or?" She could feel the pulse racing at the side of his throat; see the tension begin to build in his face.

"Or you'll be making me breakfast."

"Okay." She lifted her mouth to his again, taking the air from his lungs.

"Okay what?" His thoughts were becoming too scattered to control. And his body was screaming for a decision.

"Okay, you're making me breakfast."

His lips lifted from hers for a long minute as he stared into her eyes; not believing what she had said. A slow smile crept across his face as his hands roamed her body; running down her sides and slipping under to caress and hold her bottom against him as he shifted positions again to lift himself off her slightly.

"I'm a lousy cook."

"I don't care." Her hands ran down his bare chest to stop at his waist; fumbling slightly with the belt buckle. "I don't eat breakfast anyway." The fastening came free, and he felt the zipper being drawn slowly and carefully down and away from him. And her hand slipped inside...

Biting his lip hard, he squeezed his eyes shut as she ran her fingers lightly over the silky material of the boxers; teasing him unmercifully. Then the fingers withdrew, and he settled down atop her again with a muted grunt.

"That... is very dangerous." He rasped.

"Oh, and I'm so scared. Help. Help." Dana sarcastically chuckled into his mouth. He grinned.

"I think there's a rule somewhere warning about dating doctors who know more about human reactions than the average person..." Pulling his mouth free, he lowered it mischievously to her breast, rubbing his fingers tantalising over the other one as his tongue flicked out over the tip. "But I've got some research of my own..."

She gasped as the hot air rolled over her moist skin; the gentleness of his touch both shocking and arousing to no end. Closing her eyes tightly, she wriggled restlessly under his touch. It was only when she shifted her hips back and forth that she managed to break his concentration; feeling the muscles tighten in his arms as he moved to hold her close again, his mouth next to hers as he drew in a sharp breath.

Her hands moved along his bare back, lightly drawing loose circles on the skin as they slid down to the waistband. Tugging at the fabric, she smiled as he raised himself slightly; letting her move them down and off his boxer shorts. Carefully raising her foot, she pushed them down and off his feet and off the bottom of the bed.

"Good thing you did that slowly." Fox whispered hotly in her ear, dropping sweet kisses along her neckline. "Or I'd be in dire need of medical assistance..."

In response she slipped both hands under the silky material to cup his bottom; pulling him against her. He groaned into her neck; the sound delighting her in its raw animal sound. She raised her hips from the bed; chewing on her lip as he began to move against her; feeling the raw need begin to burn in her and demand to be released.

Tracing his way along her bare sides; with a short stop for a bout of gentle tickling, he moved his hands in between them to undo the button on the dark brown pants she was wearing. Meeting her lips again with a burst of hot fury, he pulled her up from the bed with one hand on the small of her back as the other yanked them down; less gentle than she had been with him. A brief growl worked free as he slid them down and off her legs; settling down again atop her with only the smallest of barriers left keeping them from each other.

Dana nuzzled into the side of his neck, nipping at his shoulder as he began to move against her again, more insistent this time, pushing her down into the mattress with his weight. A small spark of pleasure broke free as he pressed himself against her; and she let out a whimper.

Fox froze. "Are... I didn't mean to hurt you..." His face reflected his confusion and fear; mixed in with an unsatiable need to have her; be part of her; to give himself to her...

Her soft smile reassured him as she exhaled into his mouth slowly. "No... very much the contrary... oh..." Her eyes closed as he moved again; his hands roaming back and forth across the beautiful body underneath him.

Tentatively he slipped a finger under the light material at her hip; descending slowly but steadily. His hand gently cupped her as he felt her tongue battle with his again; each giving and taking at the same time as they shared the same breath.

She felt the first hesitant finger move into her innermost core; the gentleness surprising her at the same time as it aroused her beyond imagination. The light stroking gave way to a slow, seductive exploration as his hand began to move around and inside her; seeking out those spots that made her quiver and shake under his touch. The softness of his touch reassured her of the safety she felt with him; of the dangers they had shared to the extent that what was happening how was nothing more than a physical extension of how they had been committed to each other in so many other; deeper ways before this...

He nipped at the tender underside of her chin as he felt her arch up against his hand; the quietest of gasps breaking free into the space they shared. Slowly he pulled the last barrier to her down and away; feeling it disappear at the same time her hands went to his waist.

Reaching inside the shorts, Dana slowly took ahold of him; feeling the tension building. One hand went lower to hold him lightly as the other moved to stroke and squeeze boldly; to move up and down as he groaned and writhed atop her.

Reaching up abruptly, Fox pulled his shorts down; biting his lip sharply as he suddenly felt himself touch her; bare skin to skin. The wondrous feeling sent his mind reeling for a second, and he could do nothing but put his head down on the pillow beside her and take short, raspy breaths. Pulling his hands free, he moved up to take her face in his hands, not wanting to ever not touch her.

With a playful grin she flipped him over onto his back, resting her arms on his chest as he held her waist. Frowning, he laid his head back on the pillow and watched her.

"I think... I might want some breakfast after all..." A wicked wink made his eyes widen as his mind spun.

She slid down the length of his body slowly; her tongue leaving a wet trail along his torso as he clenched his eyes shut in anticipation. Reaching her goal, she nuzzled his inner thighs gently; inhaling the thick musky smell of him. Placing a wet kiss on his skin, she slowly took him into her mouth, rolling her tongue lightly across the tip of his arousal.

Fox arched up, a choked groan breaking free. His hands moved down to tangle in the red hair at the edge of his vision; the silky strands entwined in his fingers.

She smiled at his reaction, moving away to run her tongue along his length and width; sucking lightly at the sensitive skin. Pulling him back into the heat of her mouth, she felt him twitch uncontrollably under her.

He was lost in a sea of sensation; drowning in the overwhelming rush she kept causing. Pulling his hands free of her hair; he took ahold of her shoulders and quickly drew her up to face him; panting heavily as he kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth hungrily.

"Please... I want to..." he whispered. Without waiting for her answer, he rolled over; pinning her back under him.

Paralysing her with deep, drugging kisses, he moved down her body; giving each inch of her bare skin his total attention.

Dana squirmed from side to side, gasping as the cool air hit the hot skin his mouth left in its wake. Suddenly his tongue found her centre, and she rose up against the velvet touch.

Slowly and torturously he searched out and explored all of her; revelling in the low gasps reaching his ears, the hands bunching up the blankets on each of side of them. Blowing lightly across her skin, he waited a minute before renewing his heated stroking; his tongue dancing over her.

Turning her head from side to side, Dana felt the tremors begin to build; to gather towards the eventual explosion. A little more... she groaned aloud, not caring if anyone heard her.

Suddenly he moved up her body, pulling her close in a deep, intoxicating kiss. Entwining her legs around him, Dana felt him move closer and closer to his goal, the trembling in his body betraying him. Taking a firm hold in his hair, she thrust her tongue into his mouth as he sank down into her, both of them shuddering at the contact.

He whimpered as she began to move against him, rising up to meet him as he began to lose all restraint; all thought disappearing from his mind beyond this woman. As he felt himself approach the edge, he took a deep breath, his mouth on hers as he pressed her into the mattress.

She felt him pull the air from her mouth as the shuddering started in the core of her being; the waves of pleasure rolling up through her to snatch her breath away as deeply as he just had. With a sharp cry into his mouth, she fell away into the fire, feeling him follow her as he trembled with his own release a few seconds later.

Fox came back first; inhaling the sweet mixture of perfume and sweat from the side of her neck. Flicking out his tongue, he gently nuzzled and kissed his way up to her closed eyelids.

"I do love you, you know." He whispered. Her eyelids fluttered once, twice, then opened. Her pupils were dilated and full. She smiled, sending a thrill through his soul.

"I know." The soft breath came out through half-open lips. He grinned, moving down to kiss her lightly as he rolled to one side, taking her with him. Reaching over with one hand, he tugged a thick blanket over their bodies as the cool night air rushed in through the open window.

"Hmm..." She turned to face him; tucking herself into his arms and placing her face against his chest. "Cold..."

"Not for long..." Lifting her face up, Fox tenderly whispered. "And never again."