Chapter Text
“Excuse me, you want us to do what exactly?” Scully exclaimed in shock. He could not be alluding to what I think he is. She turned to her partner, who had his ‘panic’ face on. She secretly called it the ‘deer in the headlights’ look.
Skinner sat behind his mahogany desk, cursing all of his superiors for making him do this embarrassing task. The deep crease in his forehead and strained eyes showed his stress and uncomfortableness over the situation.
With a heavy sigh, he explained, “The FBI has been contacted regarding a string of homicides involving modelling pairs. These have occurred over the last few weeks, and a pattern has developed, but there is little evidence to provide a suspect. The directors were instructed to send portfolios of our male and female partnerships to test suitability.”
Mulder sensed his partner’s unease, in addition to his own, and spoke up. “What exactly were the parameters for them choosing us?”
"I don’t like this any more than either of you agents. I was tasked with providing a report on the compatibility of my agents, and they deemed you both as the best fit for the assignment.”
Scully raised an eyebrow at this, sending a look in Mulder’s direction. Crossing her arms, she asked, “And what exactly did that entail, sir?”
Skinner pinched the bridge of his nose, wanting to shoot himself with his own gun. “Agent Scully, I shouldn’t have to inform you of the nature of your relationship with Agent Mulder. You have profound respect for one another that is not tainted by reports of inappropriate behaviour. You work seamlessly together, and you are both immensely comfortable with each other. These assets, and your physical features, made the modelling agency involved feel that your partnership was the most suitable.” Not wanting to continue this conversation longer than he had to, he said, “I have a brief on the case prepared for you, and you are expected to report to Corinne Malkovich at 9am sharp tomorrow. Dismissed.”
Dumbfounded, Mulder grabbed the report on Skinner’s desk, nodded at him, and ushered Scully out of the office. His mind was racing over what they would be assigned to do.
Shutting the door to their office, Mulder strode to his desk, plonked down on his chair, and stared up at his pencil-covered ceiling. He was dreading this assignment. It wasn’t even an X-File! Why should they be chosen just because they work well together and look marginally attractive? Now Scully, he could see as a model – her porcelain skin, those full lips, her perfectly proportioned body that made him want to… stop fantasising about your partner, Mulder! But him? He was in good shape; sure, he could admit that. But his nose was too big and his top lip too thin. He could never be believable as a model.
Similarly, Scully was having a dilemma of her own. She sat down in front of Mulder’s desk and buried her face in her hands. She wanted to strangle Skinner with her bare hands. How could she be convincing as a model? She was a short, red-headed nerd. Not the kind of leggy, busty blondes constantly featured in magazines. Mulder, on the other hand… he oozed sex appeal. Those pouty lips, thick hair, and washboard abs that she wanted to – don’t continue that sentence, Dana. She needed to focus on the case if she was going to get through this.
Flipping open the report from Skinner, she started reading.
“A series of six homicides has occurred in three separate incidents in New York City. Yasmine Richards and Patrick Harding, Isabelle Parker and Peter Stark, and Naomi Simmons and Rodney Sheppard. All of which are modelling duos under the agency, Carter Productions. The murder happened after featuring in a new campaign, ‘Love in the Sheets’. Following the physical release of these photoshoots, we gather that the unsub stalked his victims to their next casting. As the pair exited the building, they were shot with a sniper rifle.
Agent Scully, you will assume the identity of Gillian Lane.
Agent Mulder, you will assume the identity of David Miller.
Your mission is to get on the killer’s radar and lead him into an ambush where armed agents will apprehend him.
Corinne Malkovich, a photographer and intimacy coordinator with Carter Productions, will be meeting with you both at Artist Agency in D.C. to discuss logistics. You are to produce two photoshoots in order to get you in the public’s eye. Following this, you will fly out to New York City to partake in the Love in the Sheets campaign.”
Scully threw the folder back on the desk and slumped in her chair, absorbing the information and wanting to scream. Mulder could see that by the very un-Scullylike sprawl and blank look on her face that she was not pleased. He skimmed over the report, and his eyes zeroed in on the ‘intimacy coordinator’ and ‘Love in the Sheets’. What the hell were they getting themselves into?
“Sooo Scully, think any of these photoshoots will include you in a bikini?” he grinned at her.
He could see the twitch in her lips as she fought a smile. “Only if you’re in your red speedo, Mulder.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise and, with a leer, he responded, “How do you know about my red speedo?” He’d never seen her at the bureau swimming pool. He for sure would’ve noticed her there. Whenever she’s near, he can swear that he can feel her presence before he even sees her.
Now, she smirked at him. “Woman talk, Mulder. You’d be surprised at the things I hear about.” Ooh flirty Scully, my favourite! She leaned forward and gestured to the case between them, changing the subject. “How are we going to do this?” He tried to not stare at the way her blouse parted slightly at this movement and how the shadow of her cleavage was exposed.
Averting his eyes, Mulder cleared his throat. “Well, based on the fact that we’re getting an intimacy coordinator, it’s going to be pretty intimate.” His eyes softened. “I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, Scully. I don’t know what we’re expecting, but the last thing I want to make you do is feel like you can’t be around me.” 'I can't lose you – you’re everything to me,' he wanted to say.
She was touched. He was such a gentleman sometimes. Scully laid her hand on his and squeezed. “I know, Mulder. No matter what, it’s going to be uncomfortable for both of us. But we’ll get through it like we always do.” She offered him a kind smile, and he flipped his hand so they were palm to palm.
“As long as you’re by my side, I can get through anything.” He rubbed his thumb along her pulse point, feeling the flutter of her heart. She nodded her head in agreement, knowing that he knew she felt the same. With silent understanding, they let go of each other’s hands and focused on finishing the reports from their previous case.
The day went by slowly, each distracted by thoughts of what tomorrow will bring.
What will Scully be wearing in the photoshoots?
I hope he’s shirtless at some point.
No matter what, she’s going to be devastating to look at.
What if I’m not pretty enough to be next to him?
Will she notice how much I love her?
Will he notice how much I love him?
They barely got any work done, consumed by their fantasies and apprehensions about their assignment. It was a fruitless endeavour, but neither acknowledged the rising tension in the room. At five on the dot, they both packed their belongings. The walk down the corridor into the lift was done in silence, unsure how to navigate what awaited them. At the garage, Mulder stopped by his car.
“Hey, Scully?”
“Yes?”
He chewed on his bottom lip in consternation. “We’re going to be okay, right?”
She understood what he wasn’t saying: will our partnership survive this?
“We’ll always be okay, Mulder. Good night.”
“See you tomorrow, Scully.”