Chapter 7: Tequila
A knock sounded on Scully’s bedroom door. She stood up, turned off the TV – she hadn’t really been paying attention anyway – and opened the door. Mulder stood outside, leaning against the door frame. His eyes looked a little glazed. Scully inclined her head and smiled curiously. He held up a bottle and two glasses by way of explanation.
“I found this downstairs and I wondered why I was drinking alone.” He handed her the bottle. Scully stepped away from the door and gestured for him to come inside.
“Tequila.” She remarked, looking at the label as he walked in. “I didn’t think that you drank.”
“Usually I don’t, but this isn’t usual.” Mulder said with a smile, that Scully returned. He put the glasses down on the bedside table and took the bottle from her. Scully sat down on the bed and let her eyes linger over him as he poured the liquid into the glasses – this was the man that she loved. He turned back suddenly, surprising her eyes on him. She blushed and dipped her head, but he walked over and crouched down in front of her. His hands held her chin and gently forced her to look into his eyes.
“You never need to be embarrassed with me, Scully.” He said softly.
“I love you.” She said, by way of an answer, and he smiled broadly.
“That’s the first time you’ve said that when I’m fully cognoscent.”
“Can I help it if you’re always unconscious?” Scully asked with a smile. His eyes fixed onto her curving lips and Scully suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
“The tequila.” She reminded him and his lips twisted into a wry smile.
“Right.” He said as he moved away from her. Scully drew in several gasping breaths as she steadied herself. Mulder handed her a glass of the slightly tinted liquid. Scully took a quick smell and winced, it smelt awful. Mulder settled himself in the chair across the room from her and smiled devilishly.
“Have you ever had tequila before Scully?” He asked.
“No.” She admitted grudgingly and his smile grew wider.
“Then drink it.” He told her. “Go on.”
“Aren’t we supposed to have salt and lemon with it, or something?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He replied. “You’re stalling.”
“I am not.” She said defensively.
“Then drink it.” He answered silkily.
“I’m going to.” She snapped and threw it back. She face produced some incredible contortions as the taste hit her. Mulder had to bite his lip to stop himself laughing. “That was disgusting.” She said when she could talk. Mulder just smiled and threw back his drink. Scully watched as Mulder winced, but did not undergo the tortures that she went through. He smiled at her and she threw him a curl-up-and-die look, but he grinned with a just so light in his eyes. Scully retreated. She looked down at the glass in her hand. “People drink this for fun?” She asked with her best and most used sceptical expression.
“Give it a few minutes and you’ll think it’s fun too.” He answered, but Scully just wondered what was supposed to be so good about tequila. She didn’t feel as if she’d had anything alcoholic, she just had a nasty taste in her mouth. <Mulder would be a much better taste…> She stopped the thought right there. Her head swam a little but she couldn’t be sure whether it was the tequila or her line of thought that was the cause.
XXXXXX*
Just under an hour later most of the bottle was empty. Mulder refilled the glasses and pushed one towards Scully. Sometime earlier she had moved off the bed to sit cross-legged on the floor. Mulder had joined her – sitting just under a metre away from her. Scully picked up the glass and, without a second thought, drained it. She didn’t even flinch. Their eyes locked as Mulder picked up his glass and did the same. They couldn’t even taste the alcohol any more – the drinking had become a competition. Mulder poured some more tequila. Scully picked up the glass and brought it to her lips. She made the mistake of smelling it and gagged violently. The glass fell from her hand and spilt the contents across the floor. Mulder was by Scully’s side in flash.
“Are you okay?” He demanded. She nodded.
“I’m fine – pour me some more.”
“I think we’ve both had more than enough.”
“If you’re g-g-g-givin’ in that means I’ve won.” Scully pointed out – slurring the words. Mulder rolled his eyes.
“Okay. You’ve won.” He answered and she grinned. “You know I had big plans for tonight.” He told her as he sat back so that his back rested on the side of the bed, next to hers.
“Ply me with drink and get me into bed.” Scully said in a childish voice and Mulder laughed. She turned to him and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “You didn’t need the drink.” Mulder groaned.
“When she’s blitzed she tells me!” He complained and Scully grinned.
“So – let’s get into bed.” Scully said, still talking in a childish voice.
“I think I’m going to try and make it back to my room.” He didn’t move.
Scully’s brow creased as she tried to think.
“Why?” She asked at length. “Don’t you want to make love with me?” The babyish voice took on a hurt tone. Mulder turned to look into her eyes. It was difficult because he couldn’t really see straight. Molten pools of azure blue spun before him and he wanted to dive in.
“I don’t think either of us is capable right now, my love.” He answered regretfully.
“Am I really your love?” She asked.
“Forever and ever Dana-love.” He told her with great – drunken – feeling. She smiled sheepishly.
“My uncle Daniel called me Dana-love.”
“He was smart guy.” Scully sighed deeply and raised her arms above her head.
“Help me into bed, Mulder. I want to sleep.”
“If *I* can stand up.” He replied. It took him a few attempts but he made it to his feet. He wobbled precariously a few times but finally felt steady enough to help her. He took her hands and dragged her upright. They clung to each other as they swayed violently. Mulder steered their swaying in the direction of the bed and then let himself fall, taking her with him. Scully immediately sighed and curled up.
“Night, my-love.” She said dreamily and fell asleep. Mulder smiled and thought again about trying to make it to his own bed. It seemed like too much trouble so instead he curled up behind Scully, pressed a kiss to her neck and let himself fall asleep against her.
Scully shifted slightly.
“Win his trust.” She murmured. “Report back to the group.”