Date: 1 Nov 1998 15:06:32 GMT Subject: NEW: "Fresh Start" (1/1) Title: Fresh Start Author: Heather Stone a0662@hwcn.org Rating: G Spoilers: The End Archive: Anywhere, just let me know first Feedback: Please, please, please! I live for it! Summary: Yup, it's another new office fic-- Scully makes herself at home in her new office Thank yous: My deepest thanks and appreciation to Jenn, Annie, and Shipper for reading over my work and feeding my starving ego, and listening to me bitch and moan. You ladies are the best! Fresh Start by Heather Stone As I flicked on the light switch this morning I could not help but smile at my surroundings. The office is nice; smaller than the one I've been used to for the past five years, but far less cramped. There is more than enough room for the two reasonably large desks in amongst the three empty filing units and the smoke and water damaged remnants that Mulder was able to salvage. Although I would never admit it to Mulder, I am happy with the new office. I like being out of the basement and back among all the other agents. I like the freshly painted walls and the smell of new furniture. I like the fact that it looks and feels like a conventional office. Which is why I find myself wondering why I just got through pushing thumbtacks into the pristine walls. Mulder, of course, hates this office. He has never said it out loud but I can tell. I can tell by the pained look in his eyes whenever turns on the bright fluorescent overhead lights, passes by the empty cabinets, or even dares to look out the window. I remember the first time I opened the blinds and let the morning sunshine bathe the office. He actually winced. It was almost comical. I had to bite my tongue to avoid making a crack about someone watching one too many Bela Lugosi movies. But I understand why he hates this office so much. It has nothing to do with my new desk, or the bright cream coloured walls, or even the sunlight. Mulder hates what this office represents to him: yet another setback in his search for the truth. A victory for "them." The heartless bastards. They weren't just trying to destroy his sketchy evidence and unsubstantiated reports. Surely whoever committed the arson was aware that all of the files are backed up on not only the bureau database, but on Mulder's personal computer at home. No, the goal of torching Mulder's files was much more sinister. The goal was to destroy his will. To destroy *him*. So needless to say, I feel a little guilty about liking our new workspace. We only have this office as a result of hatred and spite. Mulder has every right to be unhappy here. He has never spoken out against our situation though. Ever since my return to work after my hasty resignation was rescinded he has been the picture of agreeability. Whatever assignment is thrown our way, no matter how trivial or seemingly pointless it may be, he embarks on the investigation with the appearance of whole-hearted devotion. I almost wish he would complain. This new behaviour, as pleasant as it may be, just isn't right. It's almost... spooky. Two days ago I gave Mulder a present: a new "I Want to Believe" poster, identical to the one he had lost in the fire. He thanked me and even gave me a little smile in return, but he did not put up the poster. He rolled it back up and placed it aside in a corner of the room. At the end of the day I asked him why he had not hung it up. He told me that he did not think it would fit in up here. This morning I decided to come in early. I decided to get up my on new chair and put that poster up myself. I tacked it up right across from the door so that it is in the direct line of vision of all who enter. Mulder was right. It does look ridiculously out of place. It stands out on the conventional white walls. It clashes hideously with the conventional new furnishings. But yet it is just what the office needed. Things are going to be all right for us up here. It will take some time to get used to the all the changes we have faced recently, but Mulder and I will carry on. We will manage. Somehow we always do. ************************************************************** If you enjoyed this at all please let me know! Or even let me know if you hated it. Just send some feedback to this lonely little author! ao662@hwcn.org Look for the companion piece from Mulder's point of view entitled "Transitional Phase" coming soon!