Disclaimer: Nope, these characters aren't mine. Category: SRA/MSR Rating: NC-17 (Yes, it's a smut biscuit, folks ) Spoilers: I don't think so. Timeline is probably mid-sixth to early seventh season. Archive: Gossamer. Spookys. Others ask me. Feedback: Should I continue the "Color of Night" series? Let me know if you'd like another installment. Summary: In the dark, the truth is revealed. Thanks to: Sara Lynn and shoshana for the beta help. "Color of Night: Blackout" (1/1) by Lisa haven599@msn.com Scully's apartment 8:07 p.m. I knocked on the door a few times, but Scully didn't answer. I had called her home and cell phone. No answer. Something was wrong. I found the key to her apartment on my keyring and inserted it in the lock. The apartment was dark. Perhaps she wasn't home and this was all just a mistake, but I heard music coming from the back. Why were all the lights out? Where was the music coming from? Maybe she wasn't alone. I ventured closer to the sound. It was coming from the bathroom. The door was open and I could see Scully taking a bath. There were candles all over - the counter top, the windowsill, and even some floating in the tub. The radio sat on the floor with soft classical music pouring out of it. I could tell Scully's eyes were closed and she seemed to be lost in the song. Her hair was pinned up on top of her head. The bubbles barely covered her breasts. One leg was stretched out so her heel rested on the side of the porcelain tub. I swallowed. Hard. Leaning against the doorframe, I said, "And here *I* was worried about you." Scully jumped, sloshing some water over the side of the tub. "Jesus, Mulder," she said. "What are you doing here?" "Scaring you," I replied. She looked down at the water, sinking even further into the bubbles, making sure she was covered by their fragrant foam. I felt like I was intruding on her privacy. "I tried to call you and didn't get an answer," I told her, looking at the tiles on the floor. "The power's been out for about an hour," Scully began. "I decided to take a bath. I've been listening to the radio for any news bulletins about the blackout." "Always prepared, aren't you?" I said with a smile. "I'll let you finish your bath. I'm glad it everything's fine." I backed out of the room, giving her privacy. "Mulder, wait-" I turned around, and she continued, "You came all the way over here. Just give me a few more minutes to finish up. You can get yourself something to drink." I nodded and closed the door quietly, heading in the general direction of the kitchen, trying my best not to knock anything over. It was only around eight o'clock and the light in the apartment was dimming slowly as the summer sun disappeared on the horizon. I took a glass out of the cupboard, filled it full of water from the kitchen sink, and grabbed a handful of ice from the freezer. I tried not to think of Scully in the bathtub. I needed to try harder. A glow caught my attention in the hallway. It turned out to be another candle. Jesus, how many of these things did she have? There was even a couple in her bedroom. I knew I shouldn't go in, but couldn't stop myself. The candles were on her night table. By her bed. Its light gave the room an eerie glow. I set the glass on her dresser and glance at my reflection in the mirror, feeling a little guilty for being in Scully's bedroom. Everything was in its place; no clothes strewn on the floor. Books placed neatly on the bookshelf. Quilt folded precisely at the foot of the bed. "Mulder?" I jumped. "Scully, I was just, umm-" I bet I looked as guilty as a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "It's okay, Mulder," she replied. Scully was dressed in her white robe. Her face was free of makeup and the back of her hair was a little damp. I don't know what came over me, but I offered to adjust her robe. "Scully, you're collar isn't quite-" I turned the fabric over, my fingers brushing against her neck. Her skin was moist from the water. "It's okay," she replied, moving back a bit. "I'm going to put some pajamas on anyway. It's too hot for terrycloth." "It *is* hot," I agreed. Too damn hot. I should just leave. Now. Before something happens that I can't stop or don't want to stop. She spied the ice water I placed on the dresser and took a big sip before resting it against her forehead for a few moments, closing her eyes as if this was the answer to her prayers. I couldn't stand it any longer and took the glass from her hand, setting it back down. "Mulder?" I didn't know what she was going to say, but cut off her words by pressing a soft kiss against her eyelid. Then the other. I heard her say my name again softly, but I didn't want any words intruding on this moment. So I stole them with a kiss on her lips. Then another. I pulled away to look at her, but saw only the robe that seemed to swallow her up. My fingers wandered unsteadily to the sash around her waist. "Can I untie this?" I could barely get the words out, fearing she would be upset and tell me to leave her apartment. She looked almost surprised, even dumbfounded I would ask such a thing. Finally, she nodded. I unknotted the fabric and the robe came apart. My hands went around her waist, pulling her to me. God, her skin was so soft. "Scully, tell me what you want," I whispered against her ear before placing frantic kisses on her throat and neck. I couldn't believe I was touching her like this. Her eyes were closed and I could feel her breathing begin to speed up. I trailed my hand down her body, coming to rest on her inner thigh. I heard her whisper my name. My hand slowly worked its way between her legs. She leaned in closer to me as I eased two fingers inside her body. Her hands clutched the back of my shirt for support and I believe I heard a soft moan escape her lips as her fingers tightened their grip. "I've got you. You're not going to fall. I promise," I reassured her, holding her more securely against me. Scully pressed her face against my shoulder, murmuring something I couldn't quite make out. She was quiet, but then Scully was always so reserved with her emotions. So hidden. Even now. Did I expect anything different? She pressed herself against my hand harder and I sped up the pace. In and out until her hands clenched into fists, her fingers crushing the crisp, white cotton of my dress shirt, her body shuddering into mine. I didn't allow Scully much time to recover. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I put her on the bed as gently as I could in my frenzied state. Working the robe off her body all the way, I was determined not to let her hide anything. Easing her down onto the mattress, I began to taste every inch of her skin. Her nipples quickly became hard as I teased them with my lips and tongue. She moaned. I gazed down at her, lying sideways across the bed, with her eyes closed and her breathing erratic, she didn't look like the same woman I worked beside every day. She looked like a woman on the verge of losing control. I hoped she would. I hoped I would be the one to push her over the edge. Spreading her legs further apart, I worked my way down to her inner thighs, taking my time exploring them with my tongue and teeth before easing my fingers back inside her. She moaned a bit louder. I felt her hands in my hair. I heard her lips murmuring my name. My tongue worked against the soft, moist flesh between her legs and murmurs became moans and pleas. Her grip tightened on my hair as my fingers went deeper inside her. She cried out my name. Her hands loosened their hold on me and I eased away from her body and off the bed, but not before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Scully rolled onto her side, clutching the bedspread with one hand and the folded quilt at the end of the bed with the other. I reached out to stroke her hair, but she rolled away from me, clutching the quilt to her body. I gave her some time alone and wandered into the bathroom. The water had gotten cold, but it still held a hint of fragrance to it, as I immersed my hands in it to drain the tub, I could smell it even more. It smelled just like Scully's skin. The music drifting from the radio sounded familiar and it took me a minute to recognize that it was one of Scully's favorite songs-at least she turned the radio up when it came on while we were on the road together. I grabbed it off the floor and went back into the bedroom. Scully had the blanket wrapped around her body and her hair was all askew, coming out of its place on top of her head. She looked uncomfortable--not at all what a woman should look like--afterwards. I placed the radio on the dresser, but she barely glanced up at it. Or me, for that matter. This was supposed to bring us closer together. Not further apart. Scully, please don't do this. I switched off the radio. "Scully, talk to me." A few moments passed, and she still said nothing. I decided to take the initiative. "Are you embarrassed with what we did?" She shook her head, but her eyes were downcast. "Then what is it? Did I do something wrong?" Scully looked at me and I was surprised to see tears swimming in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Did I hurt her? "I didn't expect this. I never thought you would-" she said. "I didn't plan for this when I came over, Scully," I told her, sitting down on the edge of the bed a few inches away. She reached for my hand. "I know you didn't. What I meant was I fantasized about this happening, but wasn't sure it ever would." Her unexpected admission made me smile. "You have no idea, Scully," I said. She seemed more relaxed now and I squeezed her hand reassuringly as she graced me with one of her rare smiles. I reached up and carefully removed the clips from her hair, smoothing it back to its rightful place framing her face. My hand brushed across her cheek and lingered there for a few moments. Scully leaned into me, whispering, "It was so intense." A shudder went through me just hearing her say those words. Was that statement the go ahead to the next step in this relationship or a plea to slow it down? I got off the bed and walked over to her dresser, opening the top drawer. "Mulder, what are you looking for?" "Your pajamas," I replied. "I'm not wearing pajamas tonight," she said, as though she'd just made a major life decision. Her hand was outstretched, welcoming me back into her bed. I didn't care if the power ever came back on. **** END (1/1) Like what you read? Come to Lisa's Haven: http://shannono.simplenet.com/haven/