Title: Fooling with Time
Author: Kris Beasst

Rating: R, H

Disclaimer: No, we all can't be a Calfornian blond surfer type who writes 
the best show on television in his boxers with a dog. So instead we pilfer
what we can and try the boxers for ourselves. X-Files belong to CC, 1013,
and FOX. The Lone Gungirls, Carlina Matthews, and Samantha Molloy are mine.

Author's Note:I know it's past the New Year, but, like many other things I dug up 
off my hard drive over break, I just *had* to post this or suffer later. It's a
Halloween tale with a unique twist to it. 

Summary: The agents are tricked on Samhain and find themselves in a *very*
unique position. Rated PG. MSR included.

~*~

"For a night, many things can happen-
 Be they dreams or nightmares."

 The crisp wind spooked the leaves to blow about in whirls of trembling
golds and auburns as the sun crept to its resting place in the Western sky.
People indoors were getting ready for the multitudes of goblins and ghouls
who would soon whisk themselves upon laughing feet to their doors; bags
outstretched and voices crying "trick or treat!". Jack-o-lanterns grinned
fire to those who sought the charitable adults who would give them all they
needed for a stomach ache the next day. 

 This is Halloween.

 But it is also Samhain.

 Samhain is a time when spirits, unleashed from their prisons, walk
the earth and make merry of the flesh-bound mortals. In olden days, offerings
were left for these creatures so that no pranks would be pulled on these
vulnerable humans. With the advent of science, these "superstitions" were
considered childish and eccentric at best. So the spirits roam freely now
about the hallowed earth on this one night. 

 Two such spirits, a trickster and a guardian, roam this night looking
for fun.

 "Now there is someone for tricks," the trickster chuckles.

 "Be good, Raven, or I'll have to harm you again," growled the guardian.

 "Relax, Beast, I'll be *very* careful," Raven answered.

 "*That's* what I'm afraid of." Beast mumbled

 Gathering in its will, the immortal focuses on the mortal through the 
pane of glass and chants its joker's spell. It is an ancient tongue not 
spoken aloud by mortals realms for a millenia. Green fire igntites the 
galavant trickster as it points a single finger at the man. The flames shoot
to bathe the human in light even as a woman enters the room from the kitchen.
More dimunitive than her partner, the creature does not hestitate to 
transfix the same spell onto this intruding mortal. She falls with the gasp
to the floor even as the fire consumes her. Laughing with glee, the trickster
spins away from the window and flies high into the sky; seeking more 
merriment with a grumbling guardian in tow.

@~~@~~@~~@~~@~~@~~@~~

A few minutes later....

 One minute, Fox Mulder had been seated calmly on his couch, watching
"Halloween" for his twentieth time, when a strange sensation had come over
him; knocking him unconscious onto the floor. It was his and Scully's night
off and both had decided on a horror-a-thon at his place. Shaking his head, 
he raised himself up onto his hands and knees; scanning the room for his 
partner.

 "Scully?" He asked. A muffled groan from behind the couch was the 
reponse. Standing up on wobbling legs, Mulder knelt over the back of the 
couch to find his partner. A tangle of small arms and legs greeted his eyes
with red hair fanning out around what was the head of the person. The figure
stood and Mulder gasped at what he saw. This wasn't his partner! This was
a teenage girl! The girl opened her eyes and they were the same fathomless
blue as Scully's.

 "Mulder?" Her voice came out like a squeak. "What happened to you?"

 "What happened to me?! What happened to you?" He said, shocked. Her 
clothes were baggy on her and her hair, once short, was now down to her waist.
The few lines of age upon her smooth face had vanished to be replaced by an
assortment of freckles. Slight curves ran at her chest and hips to show the
development of womanhood coming onto her. 

 "Scully, you're...young," he grinned with a teasing note in his voice.

 "You're not so old yourself," she countered and grabbed his arm; 
surprisingly strong for such a small person. "Come and look in the mirror."
She lead him into his bathroom and flicked on the lights. Mulder's mouth
dropped. Instead of towering over his partner, he only beat her by about a
1/2 foot. The lines of worry about his face had vanished and his face was
smooth with no signs of stubble breaking the skin. His once tight t-shirt 
was now gaping with the loss of muscle to hold it there. The sweats folded
on his legs and his underwear was just peeking out of the top of them.

 "I look like I'm 16 again," Mulder smiled, doing an imitation of a 
fighter's stance. 

 "I look like I did around that age, too," Scully frowned, fiddling with
the long hair streaming down her back. "Mel *never* let me cut my hair when
I was in high school - said it was beautiful long. I cut it the year I went
to college." She mused, searching for something to tie it up with in the 
bathroom. Long fingered hands reached for her hands and held them close.

 "Don't. Mel was right - it *is* beautiful," Mulder whispered and ran a
hand through the hair; letting the strands stream out. Scully sighed 
contentedly and leaned back into him; too tired to argue or think at the
moment. In response, Mulder drew his arms around her waist and stared at the
couple they made in the mirror. A gawky, adolescent boy with hazel eyes with
a diminutice, flame-endowed nymph in his arms. On impulse, he twirled her
around in a circle and then bowed deeply.

 "You are *the* fairest sixteen-year old I have ever met," he intoned,
his voice breaking. Scully giggled and raised a delicate hand to her freckled
face. 

 "Mulder, what are we going to do about this?" She asked, straightening
her smiling face. 

 "Well, it's Halloween, Scully. I say we enjoy ourselves and then think
about this in the morning. No one would believe us if we told them. Except
maybe Venus, Leba, and Jane!" He exclaimed and rushed out of the bathroom
for the phone.

 "No good, Mulder," Scully shook her head from the doorway. "They're out
trick-or-treating with those Alaskan boys."

 "Damn! Now what?" He sighed. They both looked out at the darkening sky
outside and had the same thoughts.

 "Trick or treating anyone?" Mulder impishly suggested.

 "What costumes do we wear?" Scully asked; gesturing around the apartment.
Mulder dashed off into a spare closet in his bedroom and returned a moment
later with a dusty cardboard box. Opening it, he began tossing out things at
random untli he produced two smaller boxes; one green and one blue. He handed
the green one to Scully.

 "What is it?" She asked.

 "Just something I saved over the years," he smiled. Tentively, Scully
pried open the lid of the box and peered inside. With a shout of glee, she
removed a beautiful colonial dress with black lace sewn into it. Underneath
were a pair of prim black gloves along with a black cloak, corset, and tights.
Delighted she spread them out on the floor and pondered how to put them on.
Looking up, she saw Mulder remove pants, shirt, jacket, and hat from his own
box. 

 "Where did you get these?" Scully asked.

 "They were made for me and my date to the Masquerade dance at my high
school. The date never showed and I never went so I kept the costumes." He
shrugged. "Don't worry - she was a bit of an airhead anyways." But a slight
crease appeared in his forehead at the memory. Feeling affectionate, Scully
lightly kissed his cheek and went into the bedroom with her costume; shutting
the door behind her. Mulder felt a foolish grin spread over his face as he
rapidly changed into the costume. Just as he was tying on his hiking boots
(apparently shoe size didn't change), Scully emerged from the bedroom...
taking his breath away with her. The gown clung to all the right places and
he realized that she wasn't as skinny as he'd thought. The cloak over her 
hair caused a contrast that made her seemed on fire. With an elaborate bow,
he lead her in a dance about the apartment. 

 Scully was in heaven. Being transformed into a teenager again was odd
and she knew that she really shouldn't be taking it this calmly. But it felt
so good. It was as if all the worries she'd carried around her entire adult
life were gone and she was free to live again. Having her best friend to 
share this with made it even more wonderufl - especially since that best
friend was Mulder. She'd often wondered what he had looked like before he
had become an adult.

 Now she knew and liked what she saw. The outfit he wore only served to
illuminate the finer points of his physique. The seemingly awkward build was
layered with a layer of wiry strength that showed in the tight fit of the
pants and the open-at-the-throat cotton shirt. He looked handsome in this
light..even if he was only sixteen now. Leaning into him, she let herself
relax into the dance he was leading her in. 

 Remembering the adds for a movie showing that week, she giggled. 
"Romeo and Juliet" they were not, but the static charge that filled the air
was there for any to see. Dipping her low with an elaborate turn, Mulder
laughed as he collapsed onto the couch with his rejuvinated partner.

 "You know, Scully, you're a lot more fun this age," he said with a
smile.

 "Oh and I was dork before, right?" She snorted.

 "Right," he said, expertly ducking her swing. He grabbed her arm and
pulled her to her feet. "C'mon! Let's go out while we still can." And they
did.

@~~@~~@~~@~~@~~@~~

Three Hours Later
Raven's Club

 "Want to dance?" Scully asked her partner. He shook his head at her and
shrugged. The music in the club was playing too loud for him to hear her. 
Shaking her head, Scully got up from her seat to bend over next to him. Long
red hair fell down and created a waterfall of cover about both their faces 
as she spoke intoo his ear.

 "Want to dance?" She asked loudly. He heard her this time and nodded. 
Getting up, he took her hand and lead her towards the teenagers dancing about
the floor. Setting up in the middle, the two agents began to do an elaborate,
modern version of the watlz. It entailed many dips, turns, twists, fast feet,
and graceful moves. The rthymn that they were intent upon was the beating of
their own hearts as they spun like day and night about each other in ancient
courtship. Other dancers about them drew back in quiet respect to form a
circle around the pair. Mulder and Scully just ignored them and continued 
their dance.

 Up near the front of the club, near the DJ, three girls danced with 
together while their three out-of-town dates took a break at a table nearby.
One was dressed as an assasin with a real set of daggers strapped to her
waist. Long black hair was bound in a tight knot at the back of her head as
she moshed wildly to the heavy metal playing over the speakers. To her left,
there was a bouncy brunette dressed as a cheerleader with her hair in pig
tails and her cheeks rouged outrageously. But the finest of all was their
grey-haired, violet-eyed sister disguised as a French courtier in an elaborate
gown of grey silk and milky pearls. Together, the three were an interesting
sight to see. Just as the next song started, the three felt themselves being
roughly pushed off the dance floor. Looking up in anger, the assasin growled
and pushed her way through the crowd to see what was up; the other two close
behind her. 

 A hand tapped her on the shoulder and she spun around to find the courtier
leaning close to whisper in her ear.

 "No fighting, Venus. This *is* Samhain," Jane whispered. Venus grunted
her assent and continued her way through the crowd until she reached the 
limit of the circle. In the center, a single pair were dancing intensely as
the rest of the club looked on. Taking off her mask, Venus saw a redhead being
spun about by a seemingly gawky teenage boy. Both were dressed as if from
colonial times and the girl's forest dress occasionally flew up to expose
pale legs. They seemed oblivous to everyone else as they effortlessly built
up the tempo to the dance. Suddenly, Venus was pushed out into the bare 
space as Jane and Leba followed. Looking back, she saw her boyfriend, Seth,
grinning as he bowed adroitly before taking her hand and leading her in a
romping waltz similiar to the other pair. Soon, Henry and John grabbed Jane 
and Leba; following Seth's example. The song crescended as the four pairs 
leapt with passion across the wooden floor; making the DJ smile in appreciation.
As the song reached its climax, the hazel-eyed teen flipped his partner in 
the air and gracefully spun her before bringing her close. Scully's red hair
flared and descended upon Mulder's shoulders and face; hiding their faces 
from view. Breathing hard, Scully melted as she saw the longing in her
partner's face. Their lips were so close that she could almost imagine what 
he must taste like...salty with a bit of mint. She closed her eyes and held
absolutely still; waiting for him.

 Mulder shook as he saw the flush in her cheeks move to her very eyes as
she studied him; her breath warm on his cheek. When she closed her eyes, he
nudged his face that much closer and felt the softness of her lips against 
his. Like a shock that kiss electirified and Mulder buried his hands in her
hair as he kissed her with all he had. Drawing her hands up to his back, Dana
clung to him as she entered the kiss with her own heat. They were just getting
into things when a commanding hand tapped Mulder on the shoulder. Looking
up, he saw the DJ smiling softly at them.

 "Great dancing, kids. Just take the kissing elsewhere, okay?" He said 
and went back to his booth. It was only then that Mulder noticed the music 
had stopped and they were surrounded by everyone else. Scully saw it too and 
blushed furiously as Mulder led her to a side table near the darkened front 
of the club. The music started up again and the kids all began to dance once
more. 

 "Sorry," Scully choked as she sipped a glass of water.

 "For what?" MUlder said, taking her hand in his.

 "I-,"

 "Excuse me," a deep, familiar voice rumbled. Looking up, Mulder saw, to
his surprise, Venus Molloy, Leba Atkins, and Jane Byers staring down at them.
A slow smile spread across his face as they pulled up chairs next to the 
table. Looking behind them, Scully could see the three boys from Alaska 
(Tom, Dick and Harry?) seat themselves behind the girls. 

 "Wanna play dumb?" Mulder whispered in Scully's ear.

 "I'm game if you are," Scully whispered back. They both grinned and 
turned to face the intruders.

 "Can I help you?" The redhead asked. Jane frowned at the voice - it 
sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it.

 "Yeah, we want to know where you two learned to dance like that," Venus
asked stiffly.

 "Practice," Mulder said casually, pretending to check his watch.

 "And a few tips from a friend," Scully added.

 "A few dance lessons," Mulder grinned.

 "Five years of modern dance," Scully sighed.

 "Seven years of ballroom dancing," Mulder groaned.

 "And one year of art history," Scully finished.

 "Anything else, ladies?" Mulder asked, consulting his watch.

 "Is it time to go so soon?" Scully moaned slightly.

 "I'm afriad so, dear," he sighed, and stood up as Scully did; tying her
cloak about her shoulders.

 "Hey-," Venus began.

 "Sorry, Molloy, ol' chum, but we really should go." Mulder smiled.

 "Bye, Jane, Leba," Scully added and they walked out the door. All three
girls watched them with mouths dropped in sheer shock.
 
 "Who *was* that?" Leba asked a dumbfounded Venus.

 "I have no clue."

@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

Mulder's Apartment
11:45 pm

 "Did you see the looks on their faces?" Mulder snorted, sipping on his
iced tea. "It was priceless!"

 "What do you want to bet that Leba sits there trying to figure us out
the rest of the night?" Scully added, tucking her feet under the massive
skirt of the costume dress.

 "Probably." Mulder nodded. "Do you think we should tell them?"

 "Nah, let them smoke for awhile - for all that they've put us through,
they *deserve* it." She chuckled.

 "From Alaska to Valentines, they have romanced us together enough times."
He agreed, sobering.

 "And what have we done to stop them? Nothing." Scully added.

 "But why?" He asked, the conversation turning.

 "Well, um, I-,"

 "Liked it, right?" Mulder softly whispered, coming closer to her from
the opposite side of the couch. 

 "I-I-," Her eyes wide, she struggled with an answer. Mulder got up and
stood above her.

 "Dance with me, Scully," he said, offering his hand to her. Trembling,
she took it and allowed him to pull her up from the couch. Mulder led her
over to his CD rack where he rummaged for a disk he'd gotten on impulse one
day. Finding it, he slipped it into the player and pushed for the first song.
Scully started at the sound of a motorcycle running through it. Skipping
through the opening of the song, Mulder led her out into the foray of the
apartment and pulled her close.

 Soft piano music radiated from the stereo system and Mulder buried his
face in Scully's abundant hair. One of his hands clasped Scully's left and
cradled it against his chest. The other was wrapped about her waist even as
she laid her head against him; her free arm clutching his shoulder.

 They hovered there, listening to the music and letting it fill them as
they danced the closest dance of the night. Bodies touched head to toe and
entwined by arms. Neither wished to break this trance and both closed their
eyes in admittance. 

 As the clock in Mulder's living room struck midnight, Mulder leaned 
down to whisper in his partner's ear what he had learned over the years.

 "I love you, Dana Katherine Scully." With all the fierceness a teenage
voice could muster. Looking up a him, Scully, eyes fragile with youth, smiled
at him that full, radiant smile she showed only for special occasions.

 "And I you," she whispered. They bent to give a kiss just as midnight
came. 

 "So be it," a voice echoed in the apartment and blazing blue light
seared into the apartment about the two agents. Stars spun about them and
moons twisted as the magic invaded them and changed them for the better.
Floating now, they held on to each other as their love ran through the
heavens.

 "You who have denied are denied no longer," The voice spoke from within
the blue light.

 Looking down at Scully, Mulder found that she was again her own age and
the costume had changed. Instead of a frumpy colonial, it had shifted to form
an elegant dress of shimmering turquoise. Her feet were bare where they 
dangled above the ground and her hair was once more short; crowned with a
coronet of stars. For his part, Mulder was dressed in a silver tux that fit
him well with a ring of black fire upon his hand. The windows of the apartment
opened and Mulder held onto Scully tight as they were drawn out into the 
night sky.

 "What the-," Scully began and then laughed as she let go of her partner
and *flew* up into the sky.

 "Wait up!" Mulder called and raced after her. Laughing, Scully gave him
a fine chase as she winded through alleys, ducked under bridges, and into the
very treetops. Finally, he caught her as she reached the clouds. Holding her
close, he bestowed a kiss upon her cheek as they looked up at the stars
above. Up there, shimmering, stood Mulder's father and Scully's with Melissa
close by. They smiled down at the two agents and waved then vanished from 
sight.

 "Happy Halloween, Mulder," Scully smiled.

 "Happy Halloween, Scully," Mulder whispered and kissed her tenderly;
hand sliding up into her hair to pull her closer as they waltzed upon the
clouds.

 Hiding behind another cloud, two spying creatures grinned as they
watched the agents.

 "Was I careful, Carl?" FBI Agent Samantha Molloy asked her partner.

 "Yes, Sam, you were," FBI Agent Carlina Matthews answered and sunk down
into the clouds; pulling her partner behind her.

The End

@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

Sorry about the confusion of this story, but I wanted a mish-mash so I made
a mish-mash.;) The three girls are the Lone Gungirls and apart of a series
I made with them. The two FBI agents, Carl and Sam, are apart of a seperate
series that is coming out sometime soon. 

Happy Samhain!
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

"And I would do anything for love, but I won't do that."
 -Meatloaf