Title: Come As You Aren't Author: Sandrew Written: October 1998 Rating: PG for mild language Category: V, H Spoilers: None Archive: Yes, anywhere. Distribution: Fine, just keep my name attached. Disclaimer (Yiddish accent optional) I should be so lucky as to own the rights to such wonderful characters. But, I don't. The belong to 10-13 and Pet Fly. God forbid I should infringe on anyone's rights... my mother would give me such a pinch. Summary: A Halloween scene in search of a story... Mulder was early. He was NEVER early. Well Scully figured it's appropriate for the evening. Cursing her lack of 'other commitments' and damning her luck Next office wager, I bet cash, she answered the door. "You're early," she groused even before the door had swung fully open. "Yeah, its a first, but it is a 'Come As You Aren't' party', Mulder quipped "I thought I'd ...." It looked like it was going to be a night for firsts... Mulder was speechless. His reaction was worth it, Scully thought. "Scully," Mulder gasped, his mouth working like a landed trout. "One wrong word, Mulder, and you're a dead man." "Wow." Scully chuckled. "That, I'll take. C'mon in while I finish up." She stepped around him to close the door. "Nice outfit," Scully commented as she passed. "Not as nice as yours," he returned. "What happened to the rollers, mudpack and fuzzy slippers?" Scully growled under her breath. "I lost a bet to Sue in forensics. She is wearing my favorite robe tonight while I wear this." "Sue? As in 'Making an exhaustive survey of the men of the FBI' Sue?" "Well, Mulder, while you may have chosen to express the "Come as you have always wanted to be" aspect of this party, others...." "Funny, Scully. Very funny. I have never, even at my most perverse, harbored a desire to look like or be David Hasselhoff. You, on the other hand... perhaps you've just been suppressing this side of your personality?" "Make you wonder?" Scully snorted as she picked up her jacket, then snatched the keys from his hand. "I'll drive," she said. As they traveled, Mulder was able to peruse Scully's costume. What little of it there was might have been a half a size too big, but the effect was devastating. Gone was the cool, professional, conservatively dressed agent, and in her place... whew, Mulder thought. Glad I'm dressed for the heat. Blair Sandburg stood, mouth agape, as the petite redhead entered alongside a tall, dark haired man. His partner, Jim Ellison, noticed the abrupt silence and searched for what had ceased his friend's monologue mid-syllable. Blair hadn't thought the room could get any warmer, but now... He realized Jim had noticed her too, and was staring. Hard. "Jim, man, come back. Hey, big guy, do not do this now." Blair nudged his tall companion. "Whaaat? Oh yeah, Chief, I'm here." "Nope, dude. You were definitely NOT here. I'd say either you were on the verge of zoning or you were over there with her." "No zone, but... can't blame me, can ya?" "No way. I'm there, myself. Don't you think she's warm in those pants, though?" "With all that skin showing, nah. But her heart rate is up- she is nervous." "I would be too, if I walked in on this group dressed like that." "Sandburg, -I- might be nervous if you walked into this group dressed like that" Jim snickered, "But then again, tonight..." He spared a glance for his own attire, then looked around the room. Rafe, resplendent in Liberace attire, spoke to a black-clad Simon. Rabbi Simon, tonight Jim thought. He didn't much enjoy these type parties, but the kid had badgered him mercilessly. He had to admit, it was turning out to be a pretty big chuckle. And now the night held possibilities. Jim shook himself out of his reverie. He came back to Sandburg finishing "...talk to her about them, don't you think?" "Say again?" "Her tattoos, Jim, some of the Celtic motifs are unusual and..." "Right, Chief." A wealth of knowledge sat behind that response. While Blair quite possible 'seen her first', Jim was not feeling particularly generous at the moment. "Sure, let's go." "Um, Jim.." Blair hedged. "Not a chance, Sandburg " Scully nursed her beer, wondering where Mulder had gone to. She gazed with some amusement at the assortment of costumes and the people wearing them. Off to her right, she saw a pair approach. A pair, indeed. The taller of the two almost lost a beer to the grandly gesturing hands of the shorter one. When they got close enough, Scully did a double take hard enough to put her own drink in jeopardy. "Jim? Jim Ellison?" Shit, Blair thought. He knows her. I'm toast. Shit, Jim thought. "Dana? Dana Scully!" He gave the petite woman a quick hug. "How is Bill? It's been ages!" Of all the luck, Jim thought. Blair didn't realize yet what a great hand fate had dealt him. One of Jim's hard-and-fast- rules on dating was 'Never nail a friend's sister'. More's the pity. "Great," Scully replied animatedly. "Bill is a DAD now, and is in San Diego." "Wow, give him my congratulations next time you see him," Jim insisted. Scully nodded and took a sip of her beer. "So, Cher, introduce me to Sonny." -end-