Weak in the Knees; chapter thirteen

[dhamphir]

Title: Weak in the Knees

Author: Dhamphir

Fandom: X-Files

Pairing: Scully/OFC

Rating: umm... NC-17 eventually

Disclaimer: X-Files, Mulder, Scully and such don’t belong to me. If Scully did, she would have never slept with Mulder - no matter how desperate she was. But then... she wouldn’t have been so desperate - I’d have let her have more fun.

Summary: Scully and Mulder are assigned to a taskforce to catch a vicious serial killer. But who is that agent assigned by the Director? And why does she make Scully’s temperature rise?

Spoilers/Timeline: Set somewhere in the first half of season six.

Archive: P&P; anyone else please ask first.

A/N 1: If you’re a fan of Mulder you may want to pass.

A/N 2: My eternal thanks to celievamp for the great beta. This work is better because of your help. All mistakes are my own. Constructive feedback is welcome.

A/N 3: A special thank you to bara_brith and yellowsmurf6 - you both know why!


Chapter 13

“Mom, this is Jess Morgan. Jess, this is my mother, Margaret Scully.”

“Maggie, please,” Maggie said as they shook hands.

“It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.”

“Well, come on in and make yourselves comfortable. Dinner will be ready in a little bit.”

The three sat down in the living room.

“So, Dana tells me that you’re an FBI agent like she is.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What do you do? Or are you not allowed to say?”

Morgan smiled. “I’m a psychologist, a profiler.”

“And what does that mean you do?”

Scully arched an eyebrow. Her mother knew what a profiler was and what they did - Mulder had told her.

“My job is to analyze a crime - the victim, the crime itself, the circumstances, the physical evidence, etc. - and based on all of that come up with a psychological profile of the suspect.”

“That sounds like difficult work.”

“It can be.”

“Jess is the best, Mom. She works cases all over the country, and reports directly to the Director.”

“So what’s brought you here?”

“A case.”

“We can’t really talk about it, Mom.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” Maggie said. A buzzer sounded in the kitchen. “The roast is done. I need to get it out of the oven.”

“I’ll help you, Mom.”

“Could I use your bathroom, Maggie?”

“Sure, Jess. It’s down the hall on the left.”

“Thank you.”

Scully went into the kitchen with her mother. She set the table as Maggie got the roast out of the oven.

“Fox called me last night.”

Scully looked at her mother. “Why?”

“He wanted to know if you were staying here, and if not where you might be.” Maggie took in the expression on her daughter’s face. “Dana, what’s going on? Why doesn’t Fox know where you’re staying?”

“I’m very angry with Mulder right now. He’s been way out of line lately. He was suspended for a month for assaulting another agent. He’s been downright childish, selfish and hateful.”

Maggie was surprised. “Could he have had a good reason for what he did?” she asked tentatively.

“You’ve met Jess; do you think he could possibly have a good reason for physically assaulting her?”

Margaret’s eyes widened.

“The answer, Mom, is no. He was dead wrong. They were going to take his badge, but Jess asked the Director not to. He’s damn lucky. He could be sitting in jail for what he did. Jess is a good person and an outstanding agent. I’ve been assigned as her partner for the case we’re working. I like working with her, it’s a nice change.”

“What will happen with Fox? Will you work with him when he comes back?”

Scully let out a sigh. “No.” She paused. “When this case is over... I’ve put in a request for transfer, Mom.”

“Oh? Where to?”

“Back to Quantico... at least until I figure some things out.”

“But you’ve always seemed so dedicated to the work you and Fox do. Are you sure a transfer is what you really want?” Maggie asked, even though she was secretly pleased to think of her daughter in a safer posting at Quantico.

Dana nodded. “Yes. I need a change, Mom.”

Morgan came into the kitchen. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Oh, no. Everything’s ready. Let’s have a seat.”

Dinner was good and all three women seemed to relax and enjoy the meal and conversation. Maggie had drawn Jess out, asking probing questions. Morgan wasn’t used to the way a parent could keep asking questions and not stop until told to do so, and Morgan wasn’t about to be rude and tell her partner’s mother to stop. She answered every question Maggie put to her, being too polite to do otherwise.

***

“Maggie, I want to thank you for the delicious meal and good conversation. It’s been a very nice evening. I’m glad I got the chance to meet you.”

Maggie smiled. “It’s been my pleasure, Jess. You should make my daughter bring you again.”

“Take care, Mom. I’ll be in touch,” Dana said as they hugged.

“Be safe. Both of you.” Maggie then surprised Morgan by pulling her into a firm hug.

Scully saw her partner’s shocked expression and stifled a small snicker. As she and Morgan walked to the car she smiled. “That meant she likes you.”

“I got that,” Morgan replied, still sounding a little surprised. They got into the car.

“Sorry about the inquisition during dinner. Mom could teach a class or two on how to interrogate someone.”

Morgan chuckled. “It’s alright. I like her. And she’s obviously proud of you.” She smiled. “I also see where you get your strength and determination from.”

Scully smiled. “My mother would call it stubbornness, and say I got it from my father.” She glanced at Morgan. “Where do you get yours from?”

“What? Strength and determination... or stubbornness?” Morgan asked with a smirk.

“Either... both?”

“I would say my grandfather.” She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “He was the only relative that ever really gave a damn; he made a difference in my life. He was an infinitely patient, but demanding, teacher.”

“What did he teach?”

“Oh, he wasn’t a teacher by profession. I just mean he taught me - a lot. ‘With power and privilege comes responsibility.’ He taught me what each of those things - power, privilege, responsibility - are, and how they directly related to me. His were the most important lessons, the most valuable. There’s no telling how I would have ended up if not for his understanding and support.”

Scully didn’t miss the reverent tone in Morgan’s voice. “He was very special to you.”

Morgan nodded. “Yeah, he was. I miss him.”

***

Scully and Morgan talked all the way back to DC. They talked about anything but the case. Back at the safe house they both changed into more comfortable clothes and sat on the couch watching some TV.

Actually, Scully watched Morgan more than she did the TV. She could tell that Jess was much more relaxed than she had been after their visit with Conrad. She smiled as she thought about how her mother had gotten her partner to open up. And Morgan had completely charmed her mother. It was ironic that a person without experience dealing with her own parents could so easily, and with­out guile, thor­oughly charm and entertain someone else’s mother. Somehow it pleased Dana that her mother had taken such a strong liking to the other woman.

Morgan was surprised to find herself feeling peaceful and at ease. Usually, at this point in a case she was tense and antsy. And even though it had been difficult to see and deal with Conrad she wasn’t as upset as she had been earlier.

“Jess?”

Morgan looked at the redhead. “What?”

“Are you alright? I mean, I know today was difficult for you.”

She nodded. “Surprisingly, I’m fine. Actually, I was just thinking about today, about Conrad.”

“He definitely tried to get to you.”

“Yeah. You know, I’ve put him out of my mind, for the most part, for some time now. At least until this case. It was hard to listen to his voice today, and then to actually meet with him face to face; but something’s different since I talked to him.” She paused before she continued, trying to ex­press what she was thinking and feeling. “I know I told him I wouldn’t waste another second thinking about him - which was not exactly accurate. But at some point while I was talking with him, he lost some of his power over me.” She let out a rueful huff. “Or rather, I took some of that power back from him, since people only have that kind of power when we allow it.” She took a slow breath. Her eyes focused back on Scully. “It’s surprising.” She smiled. “And then having dinner with your mother and spending some time with her was great. It was just what I needed. What I want to know, Dana, is how do you seem to know what I need?” she finished up with an arched eye­brow.

Scully smiled. “Great minds think alike?” she offered humorously. She then turned serious. “I don’t know. It’s not like I know with certainty. It’s not until afterwards, when you tell me, that I know for sure I’ve said or done the right thing. Maybe it’s instinct.”

Morgan chuckled. “Then I say you should definitely trust your instincts.”

“Actually, I think you’re right. I’ve been ignoring my own instincts about some things for a while now. I’ve just recently started listening to them again.”

“Good. I’ve watched you work - you have good instincts.”

The unexpected compliment almost embarrassed Scully. She smiled demurely. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Morgan shrugged, “I just call them as I see them.”

Scully decided it was time to come clean. “Jess, there’s something I need to tell you.” She received only a curious quirk of an eyebrow. She pressed on. “After the way Mulder acted and the com­pletely different version of things he had from what you told me, I... I did a little checking.” She was afraid Morgan would be angry about her going behind her back. She was surprised when Jess gave her a small smile.

“That was the wise thing to do.”

Scully was clearly surprised by Morgan’s reaction.

“After all, Mul­der’s your partner and has been for several years. And you don’t know me from Adam. Better to find out for yourself than to take anything for granted. Especially since we’re working together.”

“I don’t want you to think it was because I thought you mis­led me or anything, because I didn’t. It was more a matter of confirming my own suspicions about Mul­der’s actions.”

“It’s alright, Dana, really. I’m certainly not upset with you, and there’s nothing wrong with you checking the facts on your own. That... trait is part of what makes you such a good investigator and pathologist.”

“I called some friends who have known Mulder longer than I have and spoke to them.” She paused. “In fact, they said they knew you as well.”

“Oh? Who?”

“The Lone Gunmen.” Scully watched as Morgan drifted in memory for a moment before she smiled.

“How are they? I haven’t seen them in a very a long time.”

“They’re good. They expressly wanted me to tell you hello, and tell you that they’d really like to see you again.”

Morgan thoughtfully nodded slow­ly. “I suppose I really should touch base with them sometime. They were always good guys.” She let out a sigh. “I really haven’t been in touch with people from that part of my life for a long time.”

“You’ve been constantly on the move for three years, Jess. Aren’t you getting a little tired of it? Don’t you want to slow down?”

“You sound like the Director. He keeps pushing for me to take a position at Quantico.”

“You certainly have a lot to offer as an instructor.”

“Thank you.” She paused. “I promised the Director I’d give it some serious thought after this case. It might be nice to stay in one place for a while, actually have a place of my own again.”

***

Finally it was time for Scully and Morgan to go to bed. They walked down the hallway together, stopping at Dana’s room.

“Thanks again, Dana... for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

They gave each other a hug. On impulse, Scully turned her head and kissed Morgan’s cheek. When they pulled back their eyes met and held. Before she could stop herself, Scully brought her hand up and tenderly cupped Morgan’s cheek, caressing the spot she’d kissed with her thumb. Then she leaned in and pressed her lips to Morgan’s. Her heart trip hammered when the lips against hers responded. It was a gentle melding of lips and breath as they stood there, loosely embraced. It was so much better than she’d imagined or dreamt. All too soon it ended. Their eyes once again met.

“Good night,” Morgan said softly.

“Good night,” Scully breathed. And then she was standing in her doorway alone. She closed the bed­room door and leaned her head against it, her eyes closed. “Oh, God...” she whispered. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her pulse was still racing as she turned and moved to sit on the side of her bed. She lowered her head and took a couple of deep breaths as she replayed the scene in the doorway in her mind. Soon her body started to feel phantom caresses of a lover. Her eyes snapped open and she laid back on the bed. She grabbed one of the pillows and curled up around it.

***

When their lips parted and their eyes met, Morgan knew she was in trouble. They both said good night and then she retreated. She walked away from Scully’s bedroom resolutely. Once in her bedroom she rested against the closed door and sighed. “Bloody hell.” No one had stirred her like Scully did in years.

That the woman with red hair and blue jeweled eyes was beautiful had never been a question. But Morgan had long ago set such considerations aside. She was, in fact, quite pleased with their working relationship. She hadn’t worked so well with a partner since Casper. Or course, she had pretty much refused to work with a partner since she had rejoined the Bureau at the Director’s request. In fact, she’d made working on her own a prerequisite of her return. Morgan would usually come in to work a case, cooperating with the agents assigned to it. But she never actually part­nered up with any of them... until this time.

Scully had turned out to be one the best agents Morgan had ever worked with. And she was with­out doubt the best pathologist she’d ever seen. And somehow, Scully had also gotten Morgan to drop some of her shields and get closer than she was used to. And now, one kiss, one exquisitely soft kiss, and her heart raced as if she’d run a marathon.

Morgan took a deep breath, let it out, and went to bed.

Chapter 14...

prologue| ch 1| ch 2| ch 3| ch 4| ch 5| ch 6| ch 7| ch 8| ch 9| ch 10|
ch 11| ch 12|