From: pbfloyd@ix.netcom.com(Thomas Ethridge )
Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative
Subject: NEW: The Drive Home  (short)
Date: 16 Dec 1995 17:22:34 GMT


** This is a sequel to Chance Encounter. I got so much positive
feedback, I decided to continue. Thanks to everyone who wrote, I really
appreciate it!**--Jennifer 

All comments to me at pbfloyd@ix.netcom.com

The Drive Home
by Jennifer Ethridge

"I don't get it."

Dana Scully turned to her partner. "don't get what?"

Fox Mulder turned slightly towards her, still keeping his eyes on the
road. "That case had absolutely nothing strange about it. I have no
idea why Skinner even gave it to us."

She struggled and glanced out the window. "Maybe it wasn't his choice."

Mulder frowned.  "Maybe it wasn't… Scully, why the hell are you
defending him?"

"I'm not. I was just making a comment."

"I think you're defending him."

Exasperated, she shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever Mulder."

"Sure, whatever." Silence filled the car. He tried to concentrate on
driving, but it was getting difficult. All he could think about was
Scully... and Skinner. What had he missed? When had it happened?

Now as he thought about it, he noticed the looks they exchanged, the
ways he had seen Skinner when he was around her. Scully talking about
him all the time.

Shaking his head he glanced over at Scully. How could he have been so
blind? For such a long time he had told himself that she was his
*partner*, a relationship was forbidden. And now? Now a relationship
even more forbidden was taking place.

Scully gazed out the window, lost in thought. What was Mulder's
problem? Ever since they got the case he had acted strangely. It seemed
odd as well that every time Skinner's name came up he got worse.
Inwardly shrugging she closed her eyes. Hopefully he'd be more jovial
when they got back to work. Or at least normal.
			*

Mulder glanced at the passing road sign.

** Washington   50 mi. **

He looked at Scully, sleeping in the seat beside him. He watched her
for a moment. She looked like an angel there. No wonder Skinner was
risking it all. Had they...

*NO. Mulder, don't even think about it.*

He couldn't help but think about it.

And curse himself for waiting too long.
			*

Scully knew she was dreaming, but couldn't control them like all the
books said. Instead, she saw the images float by, felt herself drifting
in a smoky mist.

..."Mulder, I don't see what's your problem..."

..."You don't get it do you?..."

The scene changed. A hospital room.

"You need to get some rest, go home."

"I won't leave her."

She walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "You can't do anything
else for her."

Mulder reluctantly left. Scully sat down by the bed, looking at the
woman sleeping there. Jessica Reily. Had Mulder loved her? What had
happened between them while Scully was gone?

She watched the woman breathing. She knew Reily was far away now, but
what if she had stayed? What if?

// Life would have been hell //

Scully heard the voice and looked up. Jessica was sitting u pin her
bed, glassy eyes staring at Scully.

// Well, hell for me at least. I must say you'd have a easier time of
it //

"What?"

// Do you love him? //

"Mulder?"

// No Bill Clinton. Yes Mulder. //

Well, she knew that was Jessica. She shrugged.  "I never gave it much
thought."

// Well start thinking... //

The whole room began to smoke and swirl. Scully sighed as she moved to
the next dream.
			*

Mulder pulled up in front of Scully's apartment. Parking the car, he
turned to wake her. "Scully?" He nudged her. "Dana?..."

She mumbled something, but didn't move.

"Dana wake up."

Nothing.

Shrugging, he got out of the car and walked around to the passenger
side. Opening the door, he picked her up. Carrying her into the
apartment he sighed. This wasn't helping him any. Walking into her
bedroom he laid her down on the bed, taking off her shoes and jacket.
Nothing else.

Tucking her in, he walked back out to the car to get her bags. When he
returned, he stood in her doorway for a moment, just watching her, and
wondering.

Turning to leave, he spotted her answering machine. Pressing play, he
listened. Normal stuff, her mother had called twice. The last two
messages caught his attention, and unsettled him.

"Hello Scully? I need to talk to you. Call me the moment you get in,
it's important."

Mulder let out his breath. Skinner. He didn't get much time to think
about it though, because the next message startle him even more.

"Dana? It's Jessica. I think we need to have a talk about a few things,
no make that people. I know you're on a case with Fox now, but the
moment you get back, call me. Bye."

Reily? What  the hell? She was here? Scully knew where she was? Jessica
and Scully had been in touch? This was too much.

Not only was Dana with Skinner, but Jessica was back as well. And never
told him. He had been so wrong, and that hurt more than anything else.
Somedays were better than others, weren't they?

<< Yes, and when it rains it pours. >>

He looked up. And sighed.

*Here we go again.*

		End.

**Well, sort of the end. I mean, it's not finished yet. There's one
more to go, I think. Oh who knows, Christmas is driving me crazy, too
many people to buy for, not enough parking spaces..**