The Sound of his Footsteps (1/?) Author: mulderdarkly@hotmail.com Rating: NC-17 Keyword: short Disclaimer: Any characters recognized as those belonging to The X-Files do not belong to me and are used without permission. Summary: Mulder knew how easy it would be for him to let a little sex game get out of control. If only she had listened to him and not begged him to play along. The room was quiet except for her panting. She waited for the sound of footsteps signaling his return. He always returned after he'd had a few drinks. He would free her from her bonds, caress her aching wrists and now heavy belly while tearfully apologizing and promising he'd never treat her that way again. It had become a ritual of sorts between them. As her pregnancy progressed she had hoped that he would revert to the person he had been before the 'game' had gotten out of hand. That he would control himself better, or at the very least refrain from being rough with her out of concern for the child. If only she had known how easily they would cross the line from a 'harmless' sex game to domestic abuse she'd never have suggested they play the little game in the first place. He'd known. When she first brought the idea up he'd resisted strenuously. "But Fox, it will be fun! I'm not saying I want you to hurt me, just be a little rough. If either of us doesn't like it we won't do it ever again," she purred. "Baby, this is playing with fire. I can't. I just can't. I want to make love to you, not manhandle you." If only she had let it go back then, she now thought. She had pushed and pushed him with descriptions of her fantasies. First just the idea of his being a little rough with her. Then she described how she wanted him to handcuff her to his bed. Maybe tear off her pantyhose after that and use them to tie her ankles down too. Then force himself on her till they were both sore. When it finally did happen it was thrilling, but it soon became apparent to her this was no game to him. The sound of the door opening and footsteps coming down the hall brought her out of her thoughts back to the present. Her arms ached to be freed, her belly ached to be caressed and her heart ached to be held by him. To hear him whisper his whimpered apologies in her ear while he released her. To be held by him and fall asleep in his arms. The footsteps didn't sound quite right. Was it him or was someone about to discover their secret? end part 1 Author's Notes: I purposely did not label this as M/S or M/O. I can see Mulder having a fascination with dark sexual encounters but I can't see him ever hurting Scully. I also can't see him in a relationship with someone other than Scully. I've been told by a reader of this story that they could definitely envision the female character here as Scully...so I'm torn. I think I will leave it unlabeled and let the reader draw the conclusion. If you're so kind as to send feedback I'd love to know if you think the female character is Scully - while you're at it how about your theory as to whether the footsteps are those of Mulder coming home or of someone else about to discover the secret of what goes on in Mulder's bedroom?