Each segment of this series is a single vignette; though they need to be read in sequence for the story to make sense, I prefer to think of each as its own individual piece. For this reason they have all been given their own subtitle, are labeled in single parts, and are individually rated. If you're counting, there are 21 parts altogether, and I'm sending them out in groups of 7 at a time. Here comes the required information: Title: CHIAROSCURO 21: EXULTATION (2/2) Author: Blueswirl @aol.com Classification: V,A, MSR Rating: NC-17 Keyword: Mulder/Scully Spoilers: 4th Season, Pre-"Leonard Betts" Summary: The past cannot help but have an irrevocable effect on the present. Distribution: Please distribute to the EMXC, XF Fanfic List, ATXC and Gossamer. Feel free to post this story on any other archive or web page as long as my name remains attached. Watch out -- Disclaimer ahead: The characters of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully belong to Chris Carter and 1013 Prods., Fox Inc. and most importantly to David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. I'm using them for this story without permission. So sue me. Feedback: I love it more than you could ever know. Please drop me a line -- good, bad, whatever! -- at Blueswirl@aol.com. Note: As indicated above, this section is rated NC-17 for adult content. CHIAROSCURO 21: EXULTATION (2/2) Blueswirl@aol.com 6/98 chiar-oscu-ro: the quality of being veiled or partly in shadow (Webster's, definition #5) Dana Scully kissed her husband boldly, taking the lead, devouring his mouth with hers hungrily, almost ferociously. She had waited far too long. She had been patient far too long. And she told him so with her tongue as she slid it between his lips. With her hands, as she caressed his neck and twined her fingers in his hair. With her body, as she pressed it against his, feeling his street clothes rough and cool against her nearly bare skin. Mulder returned her kisses and caresses with equal ardor, one hand running up and down the length of her back, the other cradling her head, his thumb gently tracing the outline of her ear. He didn't break off the kiss until they were both breathless with it. Dana opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her, his deep green eyes filled with longing and regret. "Dana....." Her name was the barest of whispers. "We shouldn't....." She knew him too well. Knew how fond he was of >guilt and self-flagellation. How willing he was to deny himself anything if it meant protecting her. But tonight there was no room for denial, and she was determined to make him understand. "Mulder." Dana brought one of her hands up to cup his cheek. "You disappeared in August. The second week of August. And now, it's eleven days until Christmas." She flashed him a coy smile. "Don't tell me that you haven't missed me as much as I've missed you." "Oh, there's no doubt about that." He brushed her lips with a kiss. "No doubt whatsoever. But you've only just come back from the hospital. The doctor said -- " "The doctor said I'm fine," she finished, cutting him off. "I'm an outpatient now, remember? Besides," she added in a deliberately seductive tone, "I didn't get a gold star in therapy for nothing. I had a specific goal in mind." "Ah." Now it was Mulder who was smiling, a mischievous smile that erased some of the pain she had glimpsed in his eyes. "A specific goal. I wonder what that would be." "That's for me to know, and you to find out." "I'll take that as a challenge." Mulder dipped his eyes, allowing them to roam freely over her body. Dana could feel the searing heat of his gaze like a physical touch. He raised his hand to her chest and allowed a single finger to dance slowly along the curve of her breasts. Desire ravaged her as she watched him touch her, as she watched his cheeks flush and his eyes darken with arousal. He looked up at her, finally, a last question on his lips. "Are you sure you're okay?" "I'm fine," she promised. "Really." The last traces of worry slipped from his face and he smiled again, a darker, sexier smile. "Then I guess I should open my present." Mulder hooked one finger under the thin strap that rested on her right shoulder, tugging it gently. "The thing about presents," he mused, his eyes on her chest, "is that it's so difficult to decide how to open them." As though to prove his point, he released his hold on the strap and brought his hand down to the bodice of the negligee. A shiny length of satin ribbon held the bodice closed and he deftly unfurled it. The fabric parted gently, baring her breasts to his gaze. "I mean, you can open them slowly," he continued, bringing both of his hands up to cup her breasts. "Preserve the suspense." He teased her nipples with his thumbs and an anguished sigh escaped her lips. Dana watched him quietly, her passion building. He was her dark prince, in his black turtleneck and jeans. He was her white knight, the light in his eyes burning bright enough to bleach the shadows from the room. "On the other hand, sometimes it's more fun just to rip them open." His eyes flickered up to meet hers and the fierce hunger that she saw there made her tremble. "Come here," he said, offering her his hand, and Dana did not argue, allowing him to guide her over to the bed. She waited as he pulled back the comforter and then she lay down on top of the sheets, nestling her head against the pillows. Mulder didn't take his eyes from hers as he backed away from the bed. Slowly, he pulled the turtleneck up and over his head, leaving his hair a rumpled, tousled mess. He unfastened the buttons on his faded jeans, sliding them down and kicking them off along with his boxers. She lay still, drinking in his beautiful body as it was revealed inch by precious inch. The bodice of her gown still hung open, and she ached to rub her throbbing nipples against his bare chest. Her breathing was loud in her ears as she whispered his name. As though in defiance of her plea, he moved towards her with agonizing slowness. He sank down beside her on the bed, his cock already hard and erect. Dana reached for him but he shook his head, stilling her hand. "It's still my turn," he murmured, and she acquiesced, dropping her hand down on the cotton sheet. Leaning over her, Mulder pulled down the straps on both sides of the gown, brushing gentle kisses on her shoulders as he did so. He placed another kiss in the valley between her breasts, and then sat back to admire his handiwork. "Seems to me I'm going about this the wrong way." His voice was low and dark, and she waited to see what he would do. Her unspoken question was answered as he scooted toward the end of the bed. He took her right foot in his hand and raised it to his lips. He placed a kiss on her instep and she shivered with pleasure, curling her toes. Attracted by their motion, he ran his tongue across each of them, suckling them, and she writhed against the bed. "God, Mulder..... that feels so good." "I'm glad," he said, and their eyes met in a moment of unspoken communion. He placed her foot back down on the bed and reached for the hem of her gown. Taking his cue, Dana bent her legs slightly and allowed him to glide the gown upwards. The satin slid smoothly up over her skin with an erotic whisper that faded as the fabric pooled around her waist. His hands were warm and damp where they touched her thighs, spreading them and pinning them open. Dana waited until she felt his mouth against her, hot and wet and hungry, before she closed her eyes. His tongue teased her, searching her moist depths until he found her innermost core. His lips seized up on her clitoris and suckled her, making her hips buck against his face, the barest shadow of razor stubble scratching her thighs. "Oh, yes....." Her fingers clenched into fists, balling up the sheet on which she lay as she quivered with the pleasure of this most intimate embrace. Her head twisted against the pillow, strands of hair catching in her mouth as she moaned helplessly, caught in an excruciating web of tension and desire. "Mulder, please...." Release crashed down on her with a thundering roar, her body thrumming with soaring ecstasy and unbridled joy. She was still shaking in the aftermath when he kissed her, his lips sweetened by her own flowing juices. Dana opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her like a vigilant sentinel standing guard over her pleasure. He brought a reverent hand up to caress her cheek, brushing the damp strands of hair away from her face. She smiled at him tenderly. "I want you, Mulder," she breathed. "Now." He nodded, and then gathered her crumpled negligee in both hands. Dana raised her arms and arched her back, enabling him to pull it up and over her head. He let the fabric fall to the floor and then moved until he hovered over her, balanced on his elbows. She shifted her legs until she was straddling him, his cock poised at her entrance. "I love you," he whispered, as he slid into her. Dana gasped as he filled her, assaulted by a new rush of sensation. She twined her arms around his back, pulling him closer, bringing him deeper. When he was buried in her to the hilt, he thrust against her once and then pulled back, almost all the way out. He slid in again harder, more forcefully, and a soft cry escaped her lips. "Shhhhh," Mulder teased, brushing a hand over her mouth. "You don't want to wake the baby." A blissful smile crossed her face at the familiar words that called to mind so many other nights with him, in this bed. Their shared past, their history. "I'll keep it down," she promised, kissing the tips of his fingers. "As long as you keep it up." "Your wish is my command," he grinned, punctuating his words with another thrust of his hips. Rational thought fled her mind as they rocked together, their bodies tangling in a passionate frenzy. Everything blurred into a dizzying combination of touches and caresses and kisses as familiar territories were explored and new discoveries were made. It was a private celebration of torrid passion and undying love, a reunion rendered all the more precious by long weeks of anticipation. It was a simple, perfect union, their circle once again unbroken. Dana wasn't sure how many times she had come, having lost the ability to count by the time Mulder finished with a jubilant cry. He collapsed against her and they lay entwined for a long moment before he finally pulled out. Mulder rolled onto his side, bringing her with him, tucking her against him and holding her close. Nestled in his arms, Dana closed her eyes, feeling limp and utterly satiated. This, she knew, was everything. Everything that she would ever want or need. She felt his lips on the back of her neck, a soft, tender kiss. "Welcome home, Dana," he murmured. "Welcome home." "I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. I want this adventure that is the context of my life to go on without end." - Simone De Beauvoir Thanks for reading. Feedback *always* appreciated at Blueswirl@aol.com. = The Blueswirl Stories = Revolving Satellites Platonic Tangible Inadequate Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro 2: Interlude Chiaroscuro 3: Covenant Chiaroscuro 4: Inversion Chiaroscuro 5: Courage Chiaroscuro 6: Devotion Chiaroscuro 7: Simplicity Chiaroscuro 8: Supplication Chiaroscuro 9: Commencement Chiaroscuro 10: Terror Chiaroscuro 11: Resurrection Chiaroscuro 12: Exploration Chiaroscuro 13: Contemplation Chiaroscuro 14: Patience Chiaroscuro 15: Fortitude Chiaroscuro 16: Veracity Chiaroscuro 17: Absolution Chiaroscuro 18: Desperation Chiaroscuro 19: Deliverance Chiaroscuro 20: Reunion Chiaroscuro 21: Exultation