Title: Max

Author: Angel

Rating: PG-13…. I guess… But better safe then sorry! =)

Disclaimer: Following characters are property of 1013, Fox and Chris Carter, no infringement intended, no money is being made.

Archive: Please! Anywhere is fine. Just let me know where so I can take a look.

Spoilers: None that I can think of really. I wrote during season 7 though.

Feedback: Please! It makes me happy! I like when people make me happy =).

Summery: I felt Mulder and Scully needed a dog…. And I thought I was writing too much where Mulder had to help Scully so put two and two together… or just read this. It’s not very serious or anything.

IMPORTANT: M&S ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP ALREADY!!! REMEMBER THAT! =)

Damn this Chinese smells bad! That’s one of the horrible things about going away on a case, you come home to odd things living in your fridge, Mulder thought as he carried the garbage to the back of Scully’s building. He didn’t mind doing things like this, Scully put up with his pig sty habits well enough, he could plug his nose and make his way to the dumpster at eleven at night if needed to. He brushed his hands off after closing the lid and turned to go. A slight movement out of the corner of his eye caused him to turn back to the dumpster.

"Come here pal." He said kneeling down cautiously and holding out a hand to the whimpering dog. "Come on, it’s ok." The animal limped a few steps out with his head hung low and tail wagging steadily.

"Scully! Can you get the door?!" Mulder called kicking.

"Jesus." He heard from the other side of the door. "Trying to wake the whole build-" Scully stopped short with she opened the door and was met by Mulder holding a large dog in his arms. "Mulder?" She asked slowly while looking at the dog.

"He’s hurt." He said simply pushing past Scully.

"No." She said shaking her head. "There is no way Mulder."

"Scully he’s hurt. I think he was hit by a car." Mulder tried to hide his laughter as the dog reached up and started licking his chin.

"Mulder we aren’t keeping him." She said crossing her arms not at all amused by the dog.

Mulder let out a sigh. "I’m not asking to keep him. But he’s hurt, its late there wont be any vets open and you are a doctor." He gave her HIS best impression of lost puppy eyes. "Please, Scully."

She closed her eyes and took in a long breath. "Ok. Bring him in the bathroom, he’s covered in mud… and so are you. Don’t touch anything." She ordered.

"Thanks Scully." He said softly trying not to smile. I knew you were a softy, he thought.

She just frowned and placed a towel in the bottom of the tub so the dog’s nail wouldn’t scratch it.

Mulder placed him in and the dog yelped after putting weight on its right hind leg. Mulder petted his head and scratched his ears and Scully poked and prodded at him.

"He’s too dirty I can’t see anything." She reached over and turned on the water after grabbing a glass from the sink. "Does he have a collar?"

"Nope. He doesn’t look sick though, kinda skinny."

"He can’t stay here." She stated as she poured glasses of water on the dog.

Mulder smiled at her. "Let’s just get him cleaned up Scully." Mulder watched as the caked mud flowed away and reveled gray and black fur. "Husky?" He asked pointed to the curled tail.

"Maybe." Scully reached behind the dog and poured some of her shampoo in his fur. "You own me eight ninety five." She said to Mulder gesturing the shampoo bottle.

"You’re gonna make him smell like a girl." He teased ruffling the dog’s wet hair.

"You are also cleaning out the tub and anything else he gets wet." She started to rinse the foam.

"Of course." Mulder suppressed a smile as Scully cooed soothingly as the dog whimpered shifting his weight around.

"He doesn’t look to bad, leg isn’t broken. He’s just very sore. He probably was just hit by a car. Good boy." She said patting the dog on the head and pulling a towel out to dry him. "He’s well behaved Mulder. I’m sure someone is looking for him."

"Maybe." He said looking into the dog’s big brown eyes. "You are a good boy. I bet you are hungry."

"Oh no… He’s going straight to the pound." She said plugging in her hair drier.

"Pound’s not open at midnight, Scully."

She glared at him and switched the drier on. The dog turned and looked nervously but didn’t react other then that. Minutes later she switched it off and sat back on her heels. "All done."

"Now what do we do with you?" Mulder asked as the dog licked his face.

"Mulder… Don’t get attached." She stood up. "Can you get him out of the tub."

He stood up shaking his head. "He’s all clean and I’m still muddy. I will change then get him." Mulder walked out into the bedroom.

"Whoa! No you don’t." Scully said holding to dog down lightly as he tried to follow Mulder. She took the animal’s face in her heads and looked him. "You are a sweet dog, aren’t you?" She laughed as he started wagging his tail quickly and licking her face.

"Don’t get attached Scully." Mulder said in mock seriousness when he returned in fresh jeans and a t-shirt.

"Just get him out of the tub Mulder." She said walking out into the kitchen.

Minutes later Mulder came out with a limping dog at his heels. He sat back on the floor leaning against the front of the couch and the dog lay stiffly next to him. The animal slowly relaxed and leaned his head against Mulder’s thigh and let out a long sigh. "I didn’t know dogs could sigh." Mulder said laughing as Scully came and sat down next to him.

"I’m defrosting some chicken for him." She stated as she fussed over him once again, searching through his thick fur for wounds. The dog lay trustingly under her hands. "I’ll cook it in a few minutes." She focused directly on the right leg. The dog yelped. "Oh it’s ok." She looked up at Mulder. "He’ll be fine as far as I can tell."

"I’ll take him to vet tomorrow." He said scratching his ears again.

"No Mulder, you will take him to the pound, they will take care of him."

Mulder wouldn’t meet her eyes. He just stroked the dog’s fur.

Scully moved away from the dog and took Mulder’s face in her hands. "We can’t keep him. It wouldn’t be fair. We are gone way too much for such a big dog. Besides someone is probably looking for him. He looks pure breed."

Mulder still didn’t meet her eyes, just looked down at the dog.

Scully leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his lips just as the microwave dinged. "I’ll go fix him that." She kissed him quickly again then stood.

"Maybe we can just keep him through the weekend Scully. Put a found add out, check the lost ads." He called after some time.

Scully didn’t answer as she stirred the chicken in the pan.

"I haven’t had a dog in years. Why send the poor guy to the pound right away? We can take care of him for a couple days. We aren’t going to do anything but hang around anyway."

Scully sighed and poured the food into a bowl. "Bring him out here please."

Mulder stood and the dog followed stiffly. "Come on buddy. Time to eat." The dog quickly found the bowl Scully set down and practically inhaled the food. Scully set down another bowl of water for him.

"So what do you think Scully?" Mulder asked like an excited child.

Scully let out a long breath and tried not to smile at his enthusiasm. "Well… Let’s wait for the paper in the morning. You’re right, we shouldn’t bother taking him to the pound until after we check."

Mulder grinned happily and patted the dog’s back as he drank water.

Scully shook her head already regretting agreeing. "I’m going to bed Mulder." She walked over the closet and pulled out a collar and leash that were Queequag’s spares. "Take him out before you come to bed. And I hope you realize you are cleaning up anything that he leaves during the night."

He saluted her. "Ma’am, yes ma’am."

She rolled her eyes and ran a hand down him arm. "Don’t take too long coming to bed either." Then turned and walked away.

Mulder looked down at the dog who wagged at him. "Well let’s get going." He said as he leaned down and adjusted the collar. It was tight but would work for the time being. The dog followed happily as Mulder lead him out on to the street. They walked slowly due to his limping. "Well buddy you better suck up big time to Scully if you want to stick around." He spoke softly to the dog on the disserted street. "She’s really a sucker for a cute face. You’ve got that part covered so… I don’t know, bring her slippers to her or something. She’ll like that." The dog looked up at him curiously as he spoke. "So what should I call you? I’ve gotta call you something…. How about Max? You look like a Max. Maybe if I name you Scully will change her mind." Mulder unlocked the door and pulled off the collar. He knelt down in front of the dog. "What am I thinking? She’ll never let me keep you." He patted the dog’s head. "I’d take you back to my place but… if I have to choose between you and Scully she’ll win in a heartbeat. But good luck to ya." Mulder stood and walked into the bedroom where Scully was already asleep. He pulled off his clothes and slide into bed. The dog settled in the doorway and fell asleep soundly as Mulder curled around Scully and fall asleep on his own.

Next morning

Scully woke slowly midmorning. She already knew Mulder wasn’t in bed, she could tell. She sat up and was met by a note from him standing against her alarm clock. She grabbed the note and made her way to the bathroom.

=S-

Scully tossed the note into the bathroom garbage and regarded her reflection. "Max?" She asked herself out loud. "He’s already named him." She shook her head quickly. "He can’t keep him. No way." She continued to tell herself that as she took a shower.

An hour later Scully was checking the lost and founds for herself when Mulder walked in with ‘Max’ fully decked out in a new navy blue leash and collar, Mulder with a bag of dog food under his arm.

"Max?" She said as a greeting.

Mulder smiled shyly and shrugged. "I needed something to call him." He dumped some food into a bowl and Max wagged his tail happily as he ate.

"What did the vet say?" She leaned against the counter and watched the dog eat with vigor; his hip was already getting better.

"Perfect health other then a bruised hip. Needs some weight put on him. He’s up to date on all his shots now."

Scully crossed her arms over her chest. "Mulder… we can’t keep him."

He turned to her looking determined. "Why’s that?"

"First of all we get called out on cases all the time. It’s not fair to have to take the poor guy to a kennel."

"I just meet Mrs. Jankins in the hall. She said she would take care of him anytime we need her too. Any time of night also. She offered, I didn’t even ask." He smiled smugly. "Keep them coming Scully. I’m ready to discuss this."

She let out a long breath. "He’s a husky Mulder… They need to run. Having him locked up in this apartment all day would drive him nuts."

"Once his leg is better he can run with me in the morning." He didn’t miss a beat.

"Dog’s are a lot of work. Walking all the time, feeding, he’s furry… he’ll need to be brushed."

"Dogs lower your blood pressure."

Scully sighed and slumped back against the counter. "Mulder… no offence but you cant even keep gold fish alive."

Mulder slapped his hand over his heart dramatically. "Scully… that hurt."

She tipped her head to side and frowned. "Can’t you just get a hamster or something?"

Two weeks later

Mulder knocked on Mrs. Jankins’ door happily as Scully walked the next door down and fumbled with her lock.

"Hello Mr. Mulder." Mrs. Jankins’ greeted as she handed over Max’s food.

Max came charging out of the apartment and jumped up with his paws on Mulder’s chest licking his face. "Hey Max! Thanks again Mrs. Jankins."

"Anytime." She said as she shut the door.

Mulder lead Max to their apartment. The moment Max saw Scully he broke into a run and jumped to lick her face.

"I missed you too Max." She said laughing.

"You wanna go for a walk with us Scully?" Mulder asked using the enthusiastic voice he used when asking Max.

Scully glared at him and pulled on her sneakers. "I was planning on it."

"Wanna go for a walk Max?" Mulder asked as he picked up the leash.

Max jumped up and down making it hard to hook the leash.

A few minutes later they walked down the dark street. Scully loved going for the last walk of the night, barely anyone else was out, it was quiet, it was calm, the complete opposite of during the day. Most people were frightened to walk around at night; not that she blamed them. She never would if she didn’t have a gun holstered to the side of her jeans.

Max stopped suddenly and looked into an alley. He let out a low growl. Both Mulder and Scully glanced into the alley but didn’t see anything.

"Max, leave it." Mulder said firmly.

The dog immediately turned away and started walking forward again.

Mulder smiled proudly.

"He’s really catching on to what you say Mulder."

"Yeah, he actually listens to me, unlike some people I know." He turned pointing to her.

Scully let out a long breath. "Mulder I told you, I couldn’t wait for back up." He was still angry that Scully went into a warehouse without backup because she didn’t want to lose the suspect.

He just grumbled knowing it was useless to argue anymore. Max instinctively crossed the street a moment later knowing the night walk path already. They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Max turned on his hocks and snarled at something behind them.

"Jesus." Scully hissed out after jumping in surprise.

They both turned to see a figure standing back in the shadow of a building. "Come on Max." Mulder said not taking his eyes off the figure. Just a homeless person that wondered in from the worst part of the city, he thought rationally. The dog turned slowly but was tense with readiness. They walked without event back to Scully’s building and into the elevator. Mulder kneeled down and patted the dog. "Its ok boy. You are all worked up tonight."

"He’s paranoid, just like you." Scully teased.

"You hear how she treats me?" He asked Max.

Scully rolled her eyes and they walked out of the elevator and into the apartment. Mulder flopped backwards onto the couch and sighed. "Are you staying here tonight?" Scully asked as she sat down on the edge of the couch, leaning back across Mulder’s stomach.

He rolled onto his side so she had more room. "Is that an inventation?"

She looked over at him with raised brows. "Since when do you wait for an invitation?"

"Is that a hint I should wait for an inventation?"

Scully’s brow furrowed. "This is getting too confusing." She patted his side and stood up. "Stay if you want. You are always invited."

Mulder grinned. "Then I’ll never leave."

Scully stopped, turned around and leaned against the wall. "Are you being serious or just a smart ass?"

Mulder looked off to the side like he was pondering his answer for a moment. "Both."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Ok well I am being serious right now and I would appreciate it if you could be also."

Mulder sat upright with a slight groan. "Scully don’t make this all tense or anything. We don’t have to make any decisions tonight." Max walked over and Mulder turned some of his focus on the dog as the room became thick with tension.

Scully was quiet for a moment. "Mulder, ever since you found Max you haven’t spent one night at your place, that’s what? About two weeks straight." She regarded the two for an other minute. "He’s really attached to you and I know you can’t take him to your place. Maybe… maybe you should just move in here."

Mulder looked up with a slightly wicked grin. "So…. For the good of Max here," He patted the dog for emphasis. "I should move in?"

Scully looked at the floor and nodded. "Yeah. For Max."

Mulder bit back laughter. "Ok. For Max." He stood and walked over taking her chin in his hand and forcing her to look at him. "Just for Max?"

"Well maybe for me too."

He nodded with mock seriousness. "Just a little for you, mostly for Max."

Scully bit her lip to keep her smiling under control. "Yeah."

"Yeah." He whispered as he leaned down and kissed her deeply. Slowly he moved her from the wall and backed her towards the bedroom.

Scully pulled away slightly. "Where are we going?"

"Gee I don’t know." He whispered sarcastically against her lips. He pushed her backwards onto the bed, landing on top of her.

Scully tilted her head to one side as Mulder moved down to kiss her neck. "Mulder… He’s watching us." Scully said face to face with the dog.

Mulder lifted his head up and gestured towards the door. "Max, make yourself scarce."

Max tilted his head to the side for a moment then walked over and curled up in the doorway.

"Better?" Mulder asked against her lips.

"Mmm Hmm." Scully pulled him down firmly.

Three weeks later

Max jumped up from his spot of the floor and went to the front door wagging his tail quickly. A minute later Mulder opened the door with a pizza box in his hand. "Hey boy." He looked up at Scully who was reading on the couch. "Hey girl." He teased.

"I’m staved." She stood and walked to meet him in the kitchen.

Mulder nodded his agreement and pulled out plates. He handed a slice to Scully, then put another slice on a plate and put it on the floor for Max before getting his own.

"Mulder!" Scully scolded with a full mouth. "Don’t give him pizza!"

He looked at her innocently. "Why not? Keeps his coat shinny."

"It does not."

He nodded with mock seriousness. "Yes it does. Look." He ruffled the dog’s fur. "His coat is soft and shinny and he gets a piece of pizza every time we do. Don’t tell me that is a coincidence."

Scully was about to respond but her phone interrupted her. She glared at Mulder and answered. "Scully…. Ok…. Yes Sir… We’ll be right there." She turned to Mulder. "Skinner wants us at the Lewisville Park immediately. Come as we are he said."

Mulder grabbed another piece of pizza for each of them and pulled on his coat. "Hey Scully, go put on that teddy, the blue, that’ll teach Skinner to say ‘come as you are’." He waggled his eyebrows but Scully just rolled her eyes. "Come on Max." Mulder hooked the leash on him.

"Why is he coming?" Scully asked as they stepped out the door.

"I dunno. Felt like bringing him."

Mulder leaned back against the brick wall enclosing the park slowly taking in the murder scene. He didn’t know why they were called out. It seemed normal enough, no x-file involved. He shook his head slowly. He hated it when Skinner called them out on something that the locals could handle.

Scully walked up and leaned next to him. "Clean scene." She observed. "Any thoughts?"

He nodded. "Yeah… I better let Max out of the car or we are going to have a mess on our hands." They walked over in silence to the car. Mulder opened the door and Max jumped out and sniffed the air interested in his new surroundings as Mulder fiddled with the end of the leash. "I… I don’t know what I’m thinking. This seems so normal, well as normal as a murder can be. But you are right, now that you said it I’ve been thinking more; it’s too clean. It LOOKS random but it’s too clean. Must have been planned or something. Do we know who the girl is yet?"

"Yes. Cindy Matthews. 25 years old, stripper at the Cat’s Fetish night club. Probably a stalker, or just some guy that got mad she wouldn’t…." Scully searched for tasteful words.

"Repeat a private performance." Mulder offered.

Scully nodded with a frown and leaned against the hood of the car cracking her neck side to side.

"Tired?"

She nodded again just as Skinner walked up.

"Agent Mulder, I didn’t know you had a dog." Skinner kneeled down and held out a hand to Max. Max starred at him a moment before Mulder told him to go ahead. Skinner patted the dog for a moment before rising up again. "Any ideas?"

Mulder shut his eyes and shook his head slowly.

Skinner nodded and patted Max once again on the head. "Well you two get some sleep. We’ll work on it again in the morning."

Mulder’s eyes opened again and he quickly opened the back door. "In, Max." The dog quickly turned from Skinner and jumped back into the car and lay down ready for the ride home.

Skinner nodded his goodbye and walked off to his own car.

Three days later (Sunday)

Scully smiled to herself as she woke. Mulder, sensing her wakefulness rubbed her back gently. She was lying completely on top of him as he watched a football game. Her head was pillowed on his chest, one of her arms was wrapped around his waist and she straddled one of his slightly bent legs. Ever since she and Mulder became involved she loved Sundays. She used to spend them reading or working but now this is what she did. She spent most of the day either lying on the couch napping with him or staying in bed and doing anything but napping.

"You make the best pillow." She murmured.

Mulder smiled. "You make a pretty good blanket."

Scully lifted her head and kissed him for a moment. "Game over?"

He nodded. "Next one starts in ten minutes."

She flopped back down on to him. "I’ll go back to sleep then." She wiggled around until she was comfortable again.

"You know Scully, it’s a good thing you are light." He mumbled when she finally settled.

Max walked over, standing directly in the view of the TV and started to whine loudly.

Mulder let out a sigh. "It’s been awhile since he’s been out."

Scully hoisted herself up. "I’ll take him."

"You sure? I can go with you." Mulder offered but didn’t make a move to get off the couch.

Scully pulled on her shoes. "Don’t worry. We won’t be out long. Come on Max!" The two walked down the street for a bit. It was a nice early spring day, though damp out it was comfortable.

Max stopped short making Scully walk right into his rump. "Max!" She yelped in surprise. Scully regained her balance and looked to down the side street Max was starring at. "Come on boy." She gave the leach a slight jerk. Max took a step forward but still stared at the man rooting through a trashcan. "Come." She said firmly. Max whimpered a protest but walked with her.

"This dog is way too protective." Scully said to Mulder when they walked back in the house.

Mulder turned and leaned over the back of the couch. "What did he do?"

Scully shook his head. "He just obsesses over every person who he can’t see perfectly. I had to practically drag him away some homeless guy in the garbage."

Mulder shrugged and turned back around.

Two weeks later

Scully unhooked Max’s leash and made her way to the bathroom. She had returned home after investigating the third crime scene in over two weeks involving a stripper being killed with a single knife wound to the neck. They were at a loss. They knew the killer was targeting strippers, it was obvious. But each woman was found without any sexual assault present. Just killed with a knife. All in Lewisville Park, unfortunately the park was ten acres. Which made it difficult too servile. But it was being done; it was being done during the last murder. And no one saw anything. Mulder didn’t believe the killer was stalking them, but maybe getting even. Someone paying back at a stripper they once knew.

Scully walked naked into the bathroom, not bothering to turn on the light and turned on the bath. She poured a bit of rose oil in and settled herself down into the full tub. The hot water revived her. All the way from her tired feet, stiff calves, sensitive folds, her sore spine and her exhausted mind.

Max walked in and rested his head on the side of the tub. Scully patted him on the head and he hunkered down on the bath mat. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes.

A half-hour later Max jumped up from his spot and went the front door whining. A few minutes later Mulder opened the door. "Hey boy." He said with little enthusiasm as he shrugged out of his trench and his suit coat and toed off his shoes. "Where’s Scully, Max?" The dog tilted his head to the side for a moment then turned on his heels and trotting to the bathroom with Mulder close on his heels. "Hey baby." Mulder greeted as he rubbed his face with his hands and sat down on the floor leaning his back against the tub.

Scully reached out a damp hand and stroked the back of his head. "You ok?"

He turned to her with a tired smile. "Yeah." He took her hand in his and kissed her open palm.

After some quiet minutes Scully spoke; "What are you thinking?"

"Well… I spoke with Skinner after you left. And we decided that if you want something done right you better do it yourself right?" He didn’t wait for her answer just gave her a slightly wicked smile. "Wanna go under cover with me Scully?"

Scully groaned thinking that worse. "Well that depends, if I’m a stripper no way, but I’m willing to think about something else."

Mulder laughed. "Although there is nothing I enjoy more then watching you strip that’s not it." He paused dramatically but Scully just starred at him with sleepy eyes. "You, Me, Max. A couple walking their dog in Lewisville park."

Scully nodded. "Sounds doable…. As long as we aren’t necking on a park bench."

Mulder slumped in mock disappointment. "Well never mind, the deal is off."

Scully smiled slightly and started stroking his hair again. Mulder closed his eyes and leaned back into her touch enjoying the simple comfort of her hand in his hair. "So when do we start this?" She asked softly.

"Tomorrow night. 10:30 pm."

Next Night

10:45 pm

Came over the microphone attached to both Scully and Mulder.

"Sector three clear." Mulder whispered in response.

They continued walking silently, Mulder holding Max’s leash in one hand and the other hand resting lightly on Scully’s back. They looked just like the other few couple’s walking their dog’s late on a cool spring night.

Scully shivered slightly.

"Cold?" Mulder asked.

She nodded. "Just a little. Don’t worry."

"No. Here." He handed her the leash and pulled off his leather jacket.

"You’ll be cold now." She said even as she switched leash for jacket.

"No I’m good." Mulder said as he scanned the dimly lit park once again.

Scully suppressed a smile. The man was oblivious to anything when working on a case. He could be standing in a hailstorm and not notice. Scully hugged herself, feeling the wire attached under her sweater, as she inhaled the scent of Mulder’s after-shave, his personal heady male scent and leather. Instantly she relaxed, feeling like she was wrapped up in his arms not just his clothing.

They walked the paved paths silently for a while longer before Mulder handed Scully the leash once more. "Let’s split up. I want to look around a bit more, keep Max with you." Scully nodded and Mulder stepped away as he spoke softly into the microphone attached to his collar. "Sir, I’m moving out."

Scully heard Skinner warn.