DISCLAIMER: The X-Files universe and all characters within that universe belong to Chris Carter and 1013 Productions, and The Highlander universe and all characters within that universe belong to Rysher Entertainment and Gregory Widen; no infringement on my part was intended. The original text is ©1999.

Author's Note: This is an installment of the X-File/Highlander series that, officially, has not yet been written. While complete, it suffers from being at least two stories removed from the lastest installment, Basement and Bodies. To start at the beginning of the series, with Cover Up or Rub Off, click on the link at the bottom of the page.

"Scully," Mulder began, looking off into the distance, twirling the straw in his outrageous fruit drink, "what are the odds?"

"Of what?" Scully was sipping her daiquiri, swatting at the occasional bug that landed on her skin.

<Damn mosquitoes.>

"Well, who would've thought that not only would I win a free trip to Disney World from the DM,I: Save A Head Foundation, but you actually wanted to come with me."

She turned to him, smiling. "I've always wanted to see Mickey Mouse, Mulder. I can't imagine a better person to see it with."

<Not after all the trouble it took to set this up. Funny how he hasn't figured out that the Foundation is run by Duncan. I wonder if he donated anything. God knows he hasn't a dime of his own, but those Armani suits have to come from somewhere.>

"Hey, the fireworks are starting."

<Time to soften the blow. Let's try for the nervous act.>

Scully twiddled her own straw for a moment, searching the pink depths of her drink of courage. When she spoke, her words came out in a rush. "Mulder, have you ever seen on TV those special episodes where the people go on a romantic trip to Disney World, and then one of them pops the question with fireworks?"

A steady booming started up in the background, leaving colored lights highlighting Mulder's face as he stared at her. Ever so slowly he put his mouth to her ear and whispered, "Are you proposing?"

<Uh oh.>

"Well, uh-- "

Just then a bright red haze filled the sky, and words appeared over the tables of cheering crowds. The spaces between some were too large, though. Between the YOU'RE and the IMMORTAL was a huge space, approximately six spaces wide. She knew this. So when her cell phone bleeped, ruining the atmosphere created by Scully's question and Mulder's answer, she sat and listened with her face blank as a voice with Scottish accents told her the bad news. The A and T had misfired, and a censor had swooped down earlier to rip out DAMN. So, instead of the intended message, she got something completely different.

YOU'RE IMMORAL, MULDER

<Double shit and damn.>

She risked a glance at him. He was watching the sky, face unreadable.

<Maybe he'll understand it anyway. Maybe he's known the entire time, and he's just playing with me.>

He still didn't turn to her. The words were beginning to burn out, but still he watched.

<Please, please God, let me be a plaything.>

He stood and left the table, heading down the sidewalk in the direction of their hotel. Scully sat in her chair, drink forgotten.

<Damn.>

She quickly paid for the drinks and set out after him. Even with the lights it was hard to do a proper search. She passed by a large piece of shrubbery and was summarily hauled behind it.

<I don't need this, I need to find Mulder and explain and-- >

Her eyes adjusted to the dark beneath the huge fronds. It was Mulder who was holding her arms, whose gaze raked across her face. Immediately she felt her cheeks redden.

<Thank God it's dark. Wish I could see him properly, though.>

"Mulder, I-- "

He silenced her with a finger to her lips.

<Whoa.>

"I hate to keep interrupting you, Scully, but I've got a question for you. Several, in fact." He took his finger away. She made a soft noise as the contact broke. "First, do you really think I'm immoral?"

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"No. That was just a mistake. There was supposed to be more of a message."

He nodded, his eyes staying with her own. "Second, was the full message supposed to tell me something?"

<Okay, now tell him. You have to. You can't just stay quiet because he's looking at you like that and you can feel his hand warming you through your shirt sleeve . . .>

She opened her lips, but all that came out was, "Yes".

He stared at her a full minute. Then, beneath the plant and as the last booms faded away into the night, he lowered his head to hers.

<Oooooo. . .>

Some time later they came up for air, Mulder smiling and Scully resting dazedly in his arms. They left the sheltering leaves and, ignoring the street full of people who probably saw them the entire time, began the slow walk to their hotel.

Mulder's arm was still around her waist, where it had drifted from her arms during their kiss. She felt a smile tug on her lips, but before the idiotic grin could fully form, Mulder asked, "Are you ever going to answer my question?"

<Dammit! What was I thinking? Now I have to tell him that I'm going to die and he's going to live forever and he's never going to trust me again and he's probably going to stick me into another hospital-- >

Scully went stiff in his embrace. "Which question?"

"The proposal one."

<Okay. Not quite the question I was expecting, but nevertheless more trouble than I'm ever going to need.>

She turned to him. For once he wasn't using the eye trick, but what she saw in their depths was still enough to make her knees weak.

<Why the hell not?>

"Mulder, will you marry me?"

He leaned forward and brushed his lips to her forehead. Her eyes closed involuntarily. A soft voice spoke into her ear.

"Not even Cancer Man could stop me."

<Hot damn. Mom'll be happy. And I-- >

As they resumed their walk, bystanders passing by could hear the tall man tell the red-headed woman that when she thought the time was right, she could tell him the full firework message. But regardless, the alliteration had still been nice.

END