Title: Big Things Come in Small Packages

Author: J.D. Rush

Summary: Frohike visits the tasty one, and things will never be the same.

Rating: G thru NC-17 (eventually)

Pairing: Frohike/Scully (no laughing!)

Spoiler: The X-Files: Season 8 finale; fleeting reference to Arcadia/LGM: Tango de los Pistoleros; fleeting references to Three Men and a Smoking Diaper, Diagnosis Jimmy, Planet of the Frohikes, and Eine Kleine Frohike. (more to follow?)

Disclaimer: The characters of Scully, Frohike, and William, not to mention any X-Files/LGM guest stars, belong to CC, FOX, and 1013. Nuff said.

Author’s Note: This is my first attempt at a het story, so bear with me. This is a series of little vignettes about Frohike and Scully--what I wanted to do was write a 'serious' romance between these two characters. It started as a simple, short, one-shot story originally called, Big Things Come in Small Packages. But when the 'sequel' came to me, I discovered a whole bunch of mini-stories about these two, and decided to bundle them all together under the original heading.  

Timeline: Okay. I admit to some ignorance with the X-Files timelines, so take all this with a grain of salt. William was born in mid-May, 2001. The first section of the story takes place approximately three months later, in mid-August. Each successive section will be dated from that point on. (Also, I've given Frohike back his pony-tail. Forgive me this artistic license--it's a major fetish of mine!)

Special Thanks: Once more to my beta and friend, Kylara. 

Feedback: yes, please! yanksfan462@aol.com

 

Big Things Come in Small Packages

By J.D. Rush

AN OFFER SHE CAN'T REFUSE

Saturday, August 11, 2001

I answered the door, surprised not only by my visitor, but also by his appearance. "Frohike?"

He was dressed in a dark blue suit--an honest-to-God suit--a striped necktie (probably borrowed from Byers), his hair pulled back in it's tiny ponytail, neat, clean. . .SHAVEN! For a second, I thought the aliens were back, and had kidnapped the REAL Melvin Frohike. He looked. . .well. . . handsome is too strong of a word, but, not all that bad. He held out to me the single red rose he was carrying. "May I come in?" he asked, politely.

I realized I had been standing in the doorway, gawking. "Yes, please do."

"I'm not disturbing you, am I?" he asked, concerned.

"No, no. . .I just put William down for the night. And I was going to review some case files."

He smiled. I don't think I ever remember seeing Frohike smile. "Back to work already, huh?"

I shrugged. "Well, I'm not back full time. But Agent Doggett asked me for some help on a couple of his open cases. What brings you out here this late at night?"

He shuffled his feet uneasily. "I have something to talk to you about."

"Oh? I hope it’s nothing serious."

"Actually, it’s very serious." And by his facial expression, I knew it to be true.

I gestured towards the couch. "Well, by all means, let's sit down and. . ."

"No that's okay," he cut me off. "I'd rather not."

He was acting strange. Very strange. Even for Frohike. "Uhhh. . ."

But before I got out another word, he dropped to one knee and looked up at me, earnestly. "Scully. . .Dana. . .would you marry me?"

Surely I was hearing things. "Frohike. . .?"

"Look, Scully, that baby needs a father," he announced, cutting right to the chase. "And since Mulder's not stepping up to the plate, I'm tossing my hat in the ring."

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's quite romantic, Frohike."

"I mean it, Scully. . .hear me out," he pleaded.

"Only if you get up off your knees," I requested, softly.

He stood up, facing me. Eye to eye. Something I've enjoyed with few other men. . .it was nice not to get a crick in my neck talking to him. "I love you, Dana. Like no one else will ever love you."

Oh my God! He actually said it! Eight years of pining over me, and he finally said the 'L' word. And from the startled look on his face, I think he even surprised himself. But he was on a roll, and he wasn't going to stop now. "Look, I know I'm not the best looking guy in the world, and I'm certainly not the richest, or the smartest. . .but I'd be a good father to William. And I'd be a good husband. And. . .and I'd try to be a good provider. And. . .and you'd owe me nothing. I won't make any demands on you, I promise. I. . .I just want to make a nice home for you and your child."

How could I not be moved by what he had said? Simple, honest, and from the heart. There weren't many chivalrous men left in the world--my friend was part of a dying breed. That's what made my next words so much harder to say. "Frohike. . .that's very sweet. . .but. . .I can't accept your offer."

He shrugged, half-heartedly. "Oh, well. . .it was worth a shot," he muttered, with a self-depreciating laugh. He was trying to pretend it didn't matter. He was failing miserably.

"Frohike," I said, gently, "listen to me. Someday, you're going to make a wonderful father. And a great husband. And you're going to find someone who loves you as much as you love her. And she's going to be the luckiest girl on earth."

"Yeah. . .someday. . ." he sighed, sadly. 

"Believe me, Mel. I'm deeply touched by your offer. . .I really am. It's just. . .an arrangement like that wouldn't be fair to me. Just as it wouldn't be fair to you." I held out a hand, which he took hesitantly in his, and gave him a smile. "Friends?"

He looked at me with those sad hazel eyes, and flashed me a quirked grin. "Always." I leaned over and kissed him, oh so briefly, just a friendly little kiss. A thankful little kiss. His lips were warm and soft and tender and like a magnet, I was drawn in for another. This one--deeper, longer, hotter. . .more passionate. His mouth--so hot and wet and sweet. I melted as I fell into his arms, losing myself in the kiss.

Our first kiss.

Then, as quickly as it began, it was over. A wan smile crossed his face as he turned towards the open door, and he was gone, as mysteriously as he came.

And I was left alone in my living room, clutching the rose in my left hand, my right touching my still tingling lips, already regretting my rash decision.

THE END