From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: Mon,  5 Apr 2010 05:49:40 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Define Jerk by Donna
Source: direct

Reply To: donnah@donnas-stories.com


Title - Define "Jerk"
Author - Donna
Email address - donnah@donnas-stories.com
URL -  http://www.donnas-stories.com/
Rating - PG-13
Category - MSR
Spoilers - Jersey Devil
Keywords - MSR
Summary - She told Ellen he was a jerk, what does that mean?
Feedback - Please 
Archive - Anywhere, just let me know so that I can visit
Disclaimer - Mulder, Scully, the Lone Gunmen and Skinner all 
belong to Chris Carter, 10-13 and Fox.  No infringement intended


Define "Jerk"


She'd turned and hurried into the hall when she'd heard the 
cry.  One of the kids had been sitting on the floor sobbing.  
She'd knelt beside him and pulled the gorilla mask from his 
head.  "Did you hit your head?"

She had cuddled him until the crying tapered off and he 
was on his feet again.  She'd followed him into the dining 
room to find Ellen pulling the dog away from the cake.  
Good God, what chaos.

The conversation with Ellen was stuck in her head.  Did she 
want that?  Well, yes, maybe, someday.  She wanted to get 
her career on track first.  She had time, a little time at least.  
And no amount of FBI training prepared someone for that, 
she mused.  Eight six-year olds, no, nothing trained 
someone for that.

Ellen was right about one thing though, men, decent men 
were disappearing faster than the Brazilian rain forest.

Is that why she'd accepted this date?  She wasn't sure she 
was interested, but she should get out sometime.  There 
was no way to tell if there was interest without at least 
meeting someone.  Scott's Dad, Rob, his name was Rob, 
was attractive, but estate planning . . . They'd find something 
to talk about.  Come on, it hadn't been that long since she'd 
had an honest to God date, had it?

If Mulder had been at that party, he would have no doubt 
donned one of the gorilla masks and probably encouraged 
the dog to eat the cake.  She mentally shook her head, 
maybe a jerk, sometimes, but he would have had fun.

So why was she sitting here in this nice restaurant with 
linen tablecloths and napkins, dressed up, even her hair up, 
and remembering that dingy diner where she watched 
Mulder shovel down eggs in a suit that he had obviously 
slept in, with stubble all over his face.  He'd been as excited 
as the boys at the party thinking about yet another X-File.  
Beast man?  That brought a slight smile to her face which 
Rob answered with one of his own.

What the hell was she doing thinking about Mulder when 
she was out with a man that wanted to spend time with her, 
without a case.  No, that wasn't fair, Mulder could be decent 
company, and he really could be fascinating to talk to.  The 
man was a font of useless trivia, especially on things she'd 
never given a thought to in her prior life.  Okay, it wasn't 
trivia to him, it was his life's work or something.

Shit, had Rob just asked her a question?  She smiled, but 
didn't dare offer a response.  What was the topic?  God what 
a conversationalist she was - "I'm sure."  "That's what they 
say."  

"Maybe some weekend, if you're up for it, we could um, take 
the kids out to the beach for the day."

"Yeah," she agreed, hoping her eyes weren't glazed over.  
Thank goodness the food was here.  

There was absolutely nothing wrong with this man, 
attractive, likes children, good job.  Wake up, Dana.  He is 
not boring, just because he isn't talking aliens or mutants . . .

Her beeper going off startled them both and she opened her 
purse to check the message.  She looked up at Rob.  
"Excuse me."

"Certainly." He half rose as she left the table.

She moved to the lobby and asked for a phone.

"Scully?" he said, answering his phone on the first ring.

"Mulder," she responded dryly.

"Sorry to interrupt your evening."

"That's ok, what's up?"