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Title: Independence Day I. July 4th Skinner turned over with a groan and checked the clock. 4:30 a.m. Damn. This night was ticking away slower than the quarterly budget meetings back at the JEH. With a sigh, he leaned back and closed his eyes. As expected, images of deep blue eyes and red hair filled his mind. Had yesterday been one long hallucination? No. It had been real. He could still smell the light scent of her suntan lotion and shampoo, feel her warm, smooth skin beneath his hands. The soft touch of her full lips on his. With a sigh, he opened his eyes, giving up any hope of sleep. He let the images of yesterday play through his mind like a VCR set on rewind and play. It was a day to remember. The day he held Dana Katherine Scully in his arms. Scully turned over, pulling her twisted sheet out from around her hips. Turning the clock to see the time, she groaned. 6:00 a.m. God. The whole night was gone and she hadn't had any sleep at all. Every time she'd closed her eyes, visions of tanned, muscled skin and deep brown eyes filled her mind. Each time she opened her eyes, she could see his mouth, a soft smile playing at the corners. Remembered his lips pressed against hers, his arms wound tightly around her as they rode the bobsled. Pulling the sheet up over her head, she sighed. If she'd had it bad for Skinner before yesterday, now she was positively lost. "Morning, Walter!" Jake called to him as he entered the kitchen. Jake was shoveling pancakes and eggs onto two plates. "I figured you'd be up kinda early. Won't see the boys for another hour, I'm bettin'." "Morning," Skinner replied, grateful there was a full pot of coffee ready to go. Pouring himself a mug, he took a grateful sip. Ahhh. Caffeine. The universal cure for sleepless nights. "I had fun yesterday with your boys, Jake. You've raised them right." Skinner was actually quite impressed with the twins. They'd gotten along well with the women yesterday, and he had enjoyed their company immensely. "They had a great time. I appreciate you taking them to Six Flags. I've been trying to find the time since school got out." Jake joined Skinner at the table. They ate in silence. Skinner's gaze fell on a picture of Jake and his wife, Janie. Killed in plane crash two years ago, he'd felt her absence keenly over the last few days. She and Jake had been the only family he'd known for too many years. "I'm sorry I missed her funeral," he said after a moment, nodding his head in the direction of the picture. "I understand about the job. We're doing all right, " Jake said, watching Walter pour another cup of coffee. "You on the other hand, do not look so well." "I'm okay," Skinner answered a bit gruffly. "I just really needed this vacation. Thanks for asking me to come." Jake put down his fork to look Walter in the eye. "No, that's not it. I heard you hooked up with some friends yesterday." Skinner knew there was no keeping any secrets from his long-time friend. Not that he'd planned to. Jake was one of the very few people he trusted completely. "What did Kyle and Cody tell you?" "Oh, that you have an incredibly good-looking agent working for you, and that you ended up kissing her at the end of the day," Jake answered with a grin. "That about sums it up." Skinner shook his head. He leaned back against his chair, and rubbed his nose, pushing up on his wire-rims. "I've been up all night trying to figure out what came over me yesterday." "Walter," Jake interrupted, "I know you. You take your position at the FBI seriously. You wouldn't risk your career, or hers, on an impulse. Do you want to tell me what's going on?" "Yeah, I do," he agreed, "I'll help you clean up, and tell you all about it." "You've got it bad, bubba," Jake whistled, contemplating not just Walters' words, but his countenance. "So, you've admired her for years, and lately it's been more. Did you really think a vacation would get her out of your head?" "No. But time away to strengthen my resolve might have helped if-." "If," Jake interrupted, "you hadn't seen her yesterday." "I do have it bad, don't I?" "Yeah." After a moment, Jake asked, "So? What's your plan? I know you have one." Smiling, Walter asked, "May I use your phone? Scully was just stepping out of the shower when her cell phone rang. What time was it? 7:00! Snatching up her robe, she raced to answer it before the call went to voicemail. "Scully." Breathless, she knew who was on the line. "Good morning, Dana," the deep voice answered. "Good morning, Walter," she replied, thrilled to hear him still call her by her first name. She waited, not knowing what to say. What DO you say to your boss, the morning after you've kissed him? "Do you have plans for today?" Dana smiled. Right to the point. Did she expect anything else? "Not really," she admitted. "I know it's a holiday, but Teresa's spending it with her fiance's family. I was just going to spend the day by the hotel pool." "Good." Walter sighed a huge sigh of relief. He knew his agent. If he let too much time go by, she'd pull back into her professional shell. He wasn't about to allow that. "Dana, would you like to join us at the ranch for Jake's annual BBQ? He hosts a big Fourth of July-" he broke off as Dana interrupted him. "Yes." Yes! "Good. It starts at noon. Where are you staying?" Walter was having trouble keeping the excitement out of his voice. He gave her directions from her hotel. "Should take you about an hour to get here," he said, then lowering his voice, he added, "and Dana, bring your swimsuit." "Okay, I'll s-see you then," Dana choked out. Oh boy. II. July 4th When Scully pulled up to the ranch, she was surprised at the multitude of pickups and cars parked along the driveway and down the street. The ranch house was set back about an acre off the main road, and cars were lined up along the grassy areas parallel to the fencing. Checking the address, she looked up at the American flag flying high on it's pole in front of the house. Definitely the right place, she thought, parking her rental car under a tree and cracking the windows open a little. "Hi, Miss Dana!" Kyle greeted her as she knocked on the door. "Kyle or Cody?" she smiled, unable to tell the twins apart. "Kyle, Ma'am," he laughed. "They are all out back, if you're ready to join the party." "There's quite a crowd here," she commented, following Kyle through the house. "How many people are here?" "Oh, a lot. Dad's been doing this for 20 years, it's a big event for our community. Gets a little bigger every year." They had reached the patio door, and Scully stopped in surprise. "Wow." "Yeah, like I said," Kyle winked at her. "Gets a little bigger each year." Scully took a minute to survey the huge backyard, taking in the red, white and blue decorations distributed around the yard. She counted four separate BBQ pits already cooking huge sides of beef, and could smell steaks and fajitas being grilled somewhere as well. Impressed by the abundance of the food on the serving tables, it was obvious many of the guests had contributed to the event. Baked beans, corn on the cob, watermelon, brisket, baby-back ribs, fried chicken, potato salad, greens, chips and salsa were laid out on checkerboard tablecloths, and various desserts were accumulating on a separate table. Whatever she'd been expecting for a Fourth of July BBQ, this was not it. There had to be at least 300 people here, of every age, married and single. Teenagers hung out in groups near the stage area where music was being blasted by a young DJ. There were people in the pool, others playing horseshoes, volleyball and basketball. Moms with kids in diapers had spread out blankets under the trees and were setting up playpens. Many people were just sitting around the tables under shade umbrellas visiting, drinking beers and soda. "Have you seen Walter?" she asked Kyle, who had stopped by her side. "Yeah, the last I saw him, he was playing volleyball," he answered, nodding over to the sand court. Scully followed his gaze and felt her mouth go dry. There was Skinner, barefoot, wearing only a pair of cutoff jeans as shorts, about to serve the ball. She watched the muscles of his torso twist with power as he hit the volleyball in an overhead serve. It was a good serve, just over the net, and the opposing team barely managed to return it. After a quick volley and set, Scully held her breath as she saw Skinner move into position to spike the ball. She let her breath out as she watched the ball hit the sand at an incredible velocity. Flushing, she made her way over to the court, hoping anyone who saw her would simply think she was hot from the weather. Knowing he was athletic and powerful was completely different from seeing that power and grace in action. Tearing her eyes away from his sweaty chest, she managed a small wave, hoping to catch his eye. She watched as Skinner grabbed the ball intent on his next serve, calling out game point. He turned and saw Scully standing off to the side of the court. She felt herself flush at the full smile that crossed his face when he met her eye. Motioning her to wait till the game was over, she watched as he focused hard on the serve. With a powerful swing of his arm, the ball whizzed over the net, bounced off the arm of the receiver and out of the court. Whoops and cheers went up all around the court as the spectators enjoyed the victory. After clasping hands with his teammates and the other team, she saw him snatch up a towel to blot the sweat off his body. She glanced down at the grass to keep from staring as he pulled his shirt over his head and picked up his shoes. As he approached her, Dana smiled and mentally shook herself. God, he was almost too handsome. She'd suspected a strong, muscular physique under his white shirts for years, but seeing it uncovered and glistening with sweat was, well, Hoo Boy! She preferred to go slow in relationships, and yet here she was ready to jump into his arms, hungry to have those biceps enfold her like they had last night. Down girl. Let's just see where this day takes us. After pulling on his shirt, he strode over to where she was waiting. She tried not to gasp as he gently pulled her into his arms, watching wide-eyed as he lowered his mouth to hers, his lips brushing hers, tasting, savoring. "Hello," he said, releasing her after a moment, and smiling down at her. "H-hello!" she replied, just a little breathless. "Is that how you greet all the guests?" Wow. "No," he said, grinning wide. "I knew we were going to kiss today, so I just figured sooner was better." "Oh, did you? You think you know me after just one day?" she couldn't help tease him. Pulling her back into his arms, he whispered, " Yes. I do know you. But not just after one day, Dana." Dana pulled back and looked into his eyes. There was a seriousness in those warm brown eyes that she wasn't ready to acknowledge. Stepping out of his embrace, she turned to the pool. "Do you swim?" she asked, attempting to change the subject. "Why? Are you ready to cool off already?" Scully could sense that he knew she was pulling back, but he didn't seem to mind. "No, I thought I might grab some of that food first,she replied, thankful he was allowing her to take this slow. Whatever *this* was. "Let me get my shoes on and I'll join you," he said, "I've been smelling that food for over an hour and I'm starving. Besides, there is someone I really want you to meet." Scully sat at the table, her gaze shifting from Walter to Jake and back again. Not really paying attention to their conversation, she instead was studying their faces. It was obvious they held each other in high regard. A grinning Walter was something to behold. He looked kind and friendly, and she found it hard to reconcile this man to the bad-ass-kicking AD persona at the JEH. 'Course, after yesterday and today she doubted she'd ever be able to believe in that alter-ego again. She would only ever see Walter the *man* under his growl and snarl, and remember the feel of his hard muscles under those starched white shirts. The thought of work brought with it a rude reality check. This was her *boss* sitting next to her. What weird coincidence of fate had conspired to put them together on vacation like this? For God's sake, she'd gone on vacation to get him *out* of her head! Now it appeared he was there to stay. Last night had been wonderful. Daydreams, and yeah, okay, nighttime dreams had become reality when he'd taken her into his arms and kissed her. There was no way to deny her attraction to him, and he obviously was attracted to her. But realistically, where could this take them? Hadn't she learned that an affair was just heartache waiting to happen? Somehow she knew Walter wouldn't risk his or her career for a mere affair. So where could this mutual attraction go anyway? Remembering her thought from earlier, she determined to just see where the day would take them. She was still on vacation after all, and she was going to enjoy the day, the party, and one Walter Skinner for as long as she could. Finishing up her fajitas, Dana wiped her mouth with her napkin, and drank the last of her root beer. "Excuse me," she began, not really wanting to interrupt these friends," Jake, it was wonderful to meet you. I think I'm ready for that swim now, if you don't mind?" "Oh, no, not at all. Walt and I can go on and on," he smiled apologetically. He stood up, stretched a little, and leaned over to whisper something in Walter's ear. To Dana he said, "You can go ahead and change in one of the bedrooms down the hall," pointing back towards the house, "You'll find beach towels over by the pool. Enjoy the day, and I'll catch up with you two later." "He's a good friend," Dana said, standing up. "He's the best. He's always accepted me just for who I was," he replied, walking next to her back to the house. "Jake sort of took me in when my parents divorced. He's really the only family I've got." Scully felt her breath catch at the depth of emotion she heard in his last sentence. In a sudden moment of clarity, she saw a longing in him for more. More of life than the FBI could give him. More than an empty apartment. More than the lonely nights he spent dreaming of having someone to hold. He wanted more. She knew it was true for she recognized the very same longing in herself. She wanted more. III. As Skinner spread out the blanket under the tree, Dana admired the way his powerful muscles stretched and flexed, marveling at the change taking place in their relationship. Turning away to look up at the darkening sky, she thought about where they might be headed. This vacation had taken a surreal turn, allowing them to acknowledge some very strong feelings for one another. But how long could it last? Their vacation would end, and reality would come rushing at them in just a few days. But she was so tired of defining her life as only an agent of the FBI, and the last two days had shown her clearly that she was ready, even hungry, for more. She was a woman, with feelings she could no longer deny. She wanted love. And not just any love. She wanted Skinner. "The fireworks should start any minute now," he said, mistaking her glance as a question. Reaching out, he ran a hand down her back, and she pressed into him without thinking. Taking her hand, he pulled her down to sit with him, his back against the tree, hers cushioned against his chest. Relaxing, she nestled against him as they awaited the show Jake had prepared for his guests. When had he stolen her heart? Which smile? Which glance? Which kiss? She closed her eyes, memorizing the feel of his strong body propped up behind her. His powerful arms were wrapped lightly around her shoulders, and though he dwarfed her petite size, she enjoyed the way they fit together. Resting her head against his shoulder, she felt him take her hand while they sat quietly, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, the anticipation of the celebration about to begin. If she were to define the day in her journal, she'd undoubtedly note it had been much more than merely her country's Independence Day. The liberty she'd felt since Walter's first greeting kiss had been foreign to her for so many years, her professional mask inhibiting her to the point that 'scully' had almost completely buried 'Dana', that she found herself reveling in her new found freedom. The freedom to truly be Dana to his Walter. They'd spent the afternoon at the pool, swimming, sunning, touching and kissing. Dana couldn't remember feeling so, alive. She could still feel his large, caressing hands as they had rubbed sun-screen onto her back and shoulders, could still feel the heat radiating off his warm skin as he turned to give her access to do the same for him. He was so tan, she had laughed at him, knowing it was only an excuse to have her hands on him. Any excuse would do, she'd smiled to herself, slowly rubbing the lotion all over his broad muscular back down to his trim waist. Their attraction was undeniable, but she was determined to simply see where the day would naturally take them. They'd splashed each other in the pool, and she'd loved the feel of his bare chest and strong arms when he grabbed her, the intimate contact of their skin taking her breath away. Strong in her own right, she'd actually managed to dunk him once, before he came up sputtering to soundly end their rough-housing with a searing kiss. The closeness and feel of his strong body wrapped around hers hinted at what they might share later, and she had felt his arousal pressing against her under the water. Her own heart had hammered at the recognition, and when their eyes met, she knew she was lost. Her heart was no longer her own. The loud boom of the first fireworks exploding over the lake shook Dana from her reverie. Opening her eyes, she gasped at the spectacular show taking place above them. Turning to look at Walter, she found he was watching her, a smile playing at his lips. Tipping his head to hers, he cupped her face as he took her lips with such tenderness, unwilling tears shone in her eyes. Suddenly, she had to know what was going on in his head. What did he feel? Where did he see this going? Clinging to his shoulders, she rested her forehead against his chest summoning up her courage. "Walter," she began, lifting her chin to find his eyes in the darkness, "What are we really doing? Where is this vacation taking us?" She held her breath, feeling his arms tighten around her. "Where do you want it to take us, Dana?" his whispered answer against her ear sent shivers throughout her body. "Where we should allow it to take us, and where I might want it to take us are two different things," dancing around the truth, she wanted him to tell her, to guide them along this path. When he nodded his head in grim agreement, she felt her heart sink. Would sanity reign so soon? "All I know is," his voice was husky and low now, "I'm on vacation and by some quirk of fate, you and I have found each other, and I'm not going to let that go. Not now." Kissing her again, this time pushing through with his tongue to explore and taste her, Dana opened to give him everything. She felt him crush her to his chest, felt his hands run through her hair, before trailing down her back. Sighing, she ran her own tongue across his lips and brought her hands up to feel the rough planes of his cheeks, before sliding them down to rest on his powerful chest. "I don't want you to let go," she admitted, "but-" "Dana," he interrupted her, pulling her up and onto his lap to cradle her against him, the stubble on his chin pulling at her hair, "We'll find a way, honey." "We will?" surprised at how small her voice sounded, she hugged him fiercely. The fireworks continued to explode and dance above them, expanding in rainbow hues and golden tones. With his hand tracing circles along her spine, Dana closed her eyes, and whispered, "I trust you." She could only hope that he knew how much that statement meant. IV. "I trust you." Dana's words echoed in Skinner's mind as he held her cradled against his chest. Those words didn't come easy to her, and he was very aware of all she meant with that one, simple, yet powerful statement. She trusted him with her career, her future, her life, her love. The day's touches, looks, grins and kisses had told him so, far more than any words could, and yet, he'd felt his heart lurch when she whispered those words to him. He hadn't known just how important her trust was till that very second. For Dana Scully, it was almost better than "I love you." Almost. As the fireworks burst in a grand finale, he pulled her up to her feet so they could watch the lights reflect off the lake. Spectacular reds and golds, feathery whites, and exploding greens and blues filled the night sky punctuated by oooohs and aaaahs from the crowd. Skinner stood behind Scully, his arms around her waist, thinking this was about as perfect a moment as he could remember. The 4th of July had been indelibly marked as the day he knew Dana loved him. Now, all they had to do was tell Mulder and the Director of the FBI. Should be easy enough. Not. As the last of the fireworks burned themselves out, Dana turned around in his arms and rested her head against his chest. Holding her close, he breathed in her scent, a combination of shampoo, sunscreen and that something that shouted 'Dana' every time she came near. He couldn't tell if it was perfume or lotion, but he didn't care. "How?" Her quiet question made him pull back to look into her eyes. Well, he hadn't quite figured that out yet. But give him time. He had no doubt he would. "You said you trust me," he said, running a finger down her smooth cheek, "I don't take that trust lightly, Dana." He added with a smile, "When I figure it out, I'll let you know." She quirked an eyebrow at him before lifting her face for another kiss. He was definitely getting used to that. As their lips brushed against each other, he reached up to hold her chin, and felt her arms snake up his back to grip his shoulders. Skinner glanced around noting the majority of the guests had started back to the ranch house. The darkness made him bold, and he reached down to feel her rear through her shorts, her body pressed against his creating an instant response. He knew the second she noticed. Her hands stopped caressing his shoulders and she stood stiff in his arms. Well, what did she expect? After a few heart stopping moments, he almost shouted when he felt her relax back into him, gently pressing and urging his arousal on with a slight wiggle of her own. "Dana," his voice choked as she reached her own hands around his waist to pull his hips even closer. "Yes?" she murmured against his shirt. When she looked up at him, there was no mistaking the desire he saw there, but he had to be sure. They had to be sure. Grabbing her hand, he led her around the lake to the boat house. Knowing Jake kept a key under the potted plant to the right of the doorway, he quickly and quietly opened the door and locked them inside. Turning to look at her, he grinned at the look on her face. How many times had he seen that look directed at Mulder? The "what on earth are you thinking" look. What was he thinking? He just wanted some privacy for an very important conversation, but, looking around the boat house, he realized what she probably concluded. "Dana," he cleared his throat. "That's not what I meant when I brought you here." "It wasn't?" The disappointed in her voice confused him. "I wanted a private place to talk to you," he advanced on her, searching out her face in the darkness. "Oh, you want to talk." There was a definite playful tone in her voice. "If we're gonna do this," he began again, reaching for her shoulders. "Do this?" She reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. Feeling her place a kiss onto his bared chest, he took a deep breath and tried to continue. "We need to be very sure," His shirt had disappeared, and she was tracing the taut muscles of his abdomen with her finger. She licked a nipple. She obviously didn't want to talk. He grabbed her, crushing her body to his, assaulting her mouth with years of pent up emotion. His hands ran the length of her back to cup her rear before trailing up to trace her breasts. Feeling her nipples harden at his touch, he heard her moan, felt her back arch. The deep groaning he heard was his own voice. Unable to stop himself, he ground his hips against her stomach, pulling her even tighter to his chest with his powerful arms. He wanted to pull her inside himself, no, he wanted to disappear inside of her. Her hands wound around his neck as he dipped his head to nuzzle along her neck and shoulders, his hands fumbling with her buttons. Laughing, she helped his shaky hands along, shrugging her shirt off, letting it drop to the floor. Moonlight caressed her skin as her bra followed and she stood before him. He gasped. They stood still for a long moment, acknowledging the line that they'd never cross back over. Groaning, he dropped his chin to the top of her head, hugging her tight, reveling in the sensation of her smooth skin. He was breathing hard, struggling for control, not that he thought he'd find it. "I'm sure." Her lips caressed his neck, her hands smoothing the skin of his muscular back. His woman wanted him, and he was going to have her. "Dana," he moaned her name as a caress, reaching to touch her perfect breasts. She stood, allowing him this exploration, gasping a little as his hands stroked and squeezed. When he bent his head to taste her, her knees went weak and he caught her, steadying her with his firm grip. His eyes searched the darkness till they found some beach towels stacked on a deck chair. Laying them out to cushion her from the cold tile floor, he turned to find her pulling her shorts off. He stared, mouth open, until she laid down on the towels and reached up for him. Spurred into action, he quickly divested himself of his own shorts and briefs, and stopped just short of pouncing on her. He lay next to her, running his large hands across her stomach, ribs, breasts and finally lower. The wetness he discovered between her legs took his breath away. He felt himself harden even more at the look in her eye of complete trust. He lightly ran his lips across hers as he moved above her. Months of sleepless nights with just this fantasy playing in his mind gave way to the reality of Dana Scully beneath him, opening herself to him. The tug of her hands on his hips spoke the word they both wanted and couldn't wait any longer for. Now. As she took him in, she gave a soft cry, and he silently cursed not spending more time getting her ready. He knew he was big. He searched her face, and saw determination there. He grinned. And waited. When she began her movement, he thrust slowly, matching her rhythm perfectly. He allowed her to lead this dance, content to watch the pleasure build in her passion darkened eyes. Writhing under him, she gripped his hips with her thighs and drew her knees up to take him in deeper. Unable to hold back any longer, he plunged into her, thrusting with all his strength. Blood pounding in his ears, he heard her cry out as he bellowed his own satisfaction, felt her arms tighten around him as he collapsed on her, his breath coming in tremendous gasps. Their bodies slicked with sweat, they lay there, gently kissing one another, words no longer necessary. If they ever were. The End THIS IS PART OF MY VACATION SERIES. 1. A Day at Six Flags Feedback to: kimo-sabe@earthlink.net Thanks for reading!
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