From edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu Fri May 16 07:58:17 1997 Subject: A Guy for Scully (1/3) by Eddie Edora (fwd) From: Eddie Edora -------- Natasha, I checked again this morning and didn't see it, so I'm forwarding the parts to you. =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) =============================================================== ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 13:10:34 -0500 (EST) From: Eddie Edora To: x-files-fanfic@chaos.taylored.com Subject: A Guy for Scully (1/3) by Eddie Edora A Guy for Scully by Eddie Edora (ede28@iquest.net) (Part 1/3) Disclaimer: "The X-Files" and the characters of Mulder and Scully are not mine. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen and Fox Television. I'm just borrowing them for the fun of it. No copyright infringement intended. Category: S, A Rating: PG Author's Note: This one is set a year after the events from "A Girl for Mulder" so it's a sequel but loosely based. If you haven't read it, you might get a bit confused but not too badly. Check out the Gossamer Archives or my X-File homepage. (http://www.iquest.net/~ede28) Spoilers: Mentions events through "Memento Mori". MSR and plenty of angst in this one. Beware! Summary: Scully decides to move on with the remainder of her life, and Mulder struggles to be happy for Scully and his own longing to tell her how important she really is to him. ********************* Mrs. Scully's Residence May 3 1:15 p.m. Mrs. Scully was in shock. "I'm sorry, honey," she said. "Did I hear you correctly?" "Yes, Mom," Dana Scully answered. "I just said that I'm getting married. Aren't you happy for me?" Mrs. Scully hesitated a moment. She was still trying to process the magnitude of her daughter's statement. "Of course I'm happy for you, Dana," she finally answered. "I guess I'm a bit surprised. After all, it's been only a couple of months since you found out you were sick. I don't want you to think you have to rush into anything." "I'm not rushing into anything, Mom. My illness finally reminded me to slow down and really figure out where my life is heading. I didn't like what I saw." "Does Fox know?" Dana was surprised to hear Mulder's name enter the conversation. "No," she said. "I haven't talked to him about this, but it shouldn't interfere with my work." Mrs. Scully shook her head. "Dana, it just isn't that easy. Fox isn't just your 'partner' to me. He has become part of our family." "Mom, I've had this conversation with you before. It just isn't like that between Mulder and me." "Like what?" Mrs. Scully asked. Dana hesitated. She could feel herself going into defensive mode. "Mulder is my partner and friend, Mom. It's true that he cares for me, but it's more like a big brother." "You already have big brothers, Dana," Mrs. Scully countered. "Besides, you weren't there to witness his distress when you disappeared all those months a couple of years ago. I don't think a 'partner' would take it so personally." "Look, Mom, I just don't want to talk about Mulder right now, okay? I'll let him know the situation, and we'll work it out from there." "I just can't believe that you would treat this so lightly," Mrs. Scully said. "Don't you think that this decision will change *his* life as well?" Dana heard her mother but couldn't look her face to face. She knew just how much her decision would change Mulder's life. Like that time when she took an impulsive date with Ed Jerse, Scully knew that it would get under Mulder's skin. They were connected, Mulder and her. It just went with the job. She turned towards her mother. "I know he'll be....concerned about me, Mom. That's typical Mulder, but it is *my* life. He'll have to get used to changes. Heaven knows I've been trying to get used to this thing in my head." Mrs. Scully eyed her daughter. She was worried not because of her seemingly rash decision, but because of her inability to recognize her true feelings for Mulder. "I understand, honey," she finally said. "Just let me know what I can do to help with the arrangements." Dana smiled at her. "Thank you, Mom. It's going to be great...." ********************* J. Edgar Hoover Building May 5 11:35 a.m. Mulder sat in the far corner of the cafeteria. He had bought himself a sandwich and drink but barely touched either. His appetite wasn't anywhere close to being fulfilled, but it wasn't because of the lousy food. He was still trying to recover from his earlier conversation with Scully. Getting married? he thought. How the hell did she have the time to find someone? I know there was that Jerse guy but that seemed like a way to get back at me. I just don't get it. "Hello, Agent Mulder," came a familiar female voice. Mulder looked up. "Hello, Agent Armstrong. I thought being a newly appointed ASAC kept you much more busier these days." Agent Caroline Armstrong is not someone Mulder usually would want to pour out his heart and soul. But he was hurting inside, and he wasn't exactly sure who else to talk with. "What's the matter, Mulder?" Caroline asked. "You look like your best friend died." "Thank you, Caroline," he replied. "I really needed someone's kind shoulder to cry on, but you're here instead." Caroline gave him a smirk. "That's so funny, Spooky," she retorted. "What's troubling you? Skinner on your ass again? Is your cute little partner having fun with a dead body instead of being with you? Or has the recent downsurge of UFO sightings got you depressed?" Mulder had no idea why Caroline always wanted to get under his skin. I guess she has never forgiven me for our storied but short little romance last year, he thought. She had always been interested in me, but not until last year did I give her notice. Of course, she did tell me that I was too interested in my red-headed partner to give her the time of day. Since that time, Caroline has moved up in the ranks within the Violent Crimes Unit and had recently been promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC). It was such a great honor at a relatively young age. She knew about Mulder's meteoric rise while assigned to the VCU,and she always tried to overcome it. With her promotion, Caroline would torment Mulder at any chance she could get. Just then, Scully walked into the cafeteria. After her talk with Mulder, she needed a break from all the paperwork. He had stormed out of the office earlier without telling her his destination. She knew he would react negatively to her news but didn't expect him to take off. She bought some food and was looking for someplace to sit when she eyed Mulder in the back corner talking to...who is that? Her back was to Scully so she couldn't place a name with the brunette sitting with her partner. From the looks of it, she thought, an awfully nice brunette at that. I'm amazed that he didn't just take the rest of the day off. "Hello, Agent Scully," came a familiar male voice from behind her. She turned around to see..."Agent Pendrell," she replied. "Are you on your lunch break, too?" "Actually, I have to get back to the lab soon. I'm working on some stain samples and just wanted to grab a quick bite." "Nonsense," Scully openly flirted. "You can sit down with me for just a few minutes now, couldn't you?" She saw Pendrell's babyish face blush a pinkish hue. "Uh, sure," he replied. "I guess those samples won't be ready for at least 20 minutes." Scully picked a table on the other side of the room with a clear view of Mulder and the back of "his brunette." She did look familiar to Scully but couldn't place a name. "So how are things with you, Scully?" Pendrell politely asked. "Well, I'm just trying to take one day at a time. It hasn't been easy." She could see Pendrell squirm uncomfortably in his seat. He is just too cute, she thought. I almost feel sorry for him. "Yeah, I, uh,...heard about your....um, affliction. I'm sorry...." "Oh, don't be, Pendrell," she tried to assure him. "It isn't your fault as much as anyone else's. It's something that all cancer patients have to live with, and I'm doing my best to just make it as ordinary as possible." Scully noticed that Pendrell looked down at his food without trying to be awkward. She let the silence pass. Looking across the room, she could see Mulder was smiling. Hmmm, she thought. I wonder what's going on over there...... ....Mulder couldn't help but laugh. He was telling her about Scully getting married, and Caroline was asking if he wanted to do a background check on her fiance. "I know you're still sore at me about that incident in the restaurant last year," he said. "Well, I always thought you and Scully had a kind of 'simpatico' happening," she said and noticed Mulder's eyes widen at her statement. "What is it?" "Uh, nothing," he replied. "It's just that you said something that reminded me of an incident last year....um, don't worry about it. Nothing really important." "Are you okay? I know that you probably thought Scully was going to be with you forever and then this whole cancer thing..." Mulder's attitude instantly shifted. "Cancer thing?" he sharply cut in. "Where did you hear that?" "It's all over the Bureau, Mulder. Didn't you know?" He shook his head. I wonder what else has been going around the Bureau, he thought. "I'm sorry. I know how important Scully is to you." "She's just my partner," Mulder defensively said. "Right and I'm just an agent with an important title," she retorted. "Well, that sounds like your problem, Caroline," he replied. They sat in silence for a moment. "Look," Caroline started. "I didn't mean to touch a nerve. I should have known better than try to argue the milder points of you and Scully, but isn't it obvious to you?" "Obvious?" "Mulder, she has cancer! I admire her for continuing to work by your side, but even she sees that her time is limited. She wants to go on with her personal life that she has put on hold for the past four years because of her job..... and you." Mulder just looked at her. He heard every word she said but wasn't sure if he heard it correctly. "What are you trying to say?" he finally asked. "Did you get a lobotomy or something?" she asked incredulously. "Scully can't wait for you to make up your mind. She wants some semblance of stability in her life, and you're not showing her anything that warrants that. Scully has decided to move on, and you're letting her." Mulder thought about what Caroline just said. He still hasn't told Scully how he feels about her sense of loss or anything else for that matter. Maybe it's time to do something about that, he thought. I just wish.... .....I knew what exactly Mulder was talking about over there, Scully thought. Pendrell was relatively quiet throughout their meal and an uncomfortable silence had set in. She saw that Mulder and his lady friend were getting up to leave. The woman turned around and Scully's jaw almost dropped. She felt her blood pressure increase. "Scully, are you alright?" Pendrell asked as he noticed her sudden change of color. My God, she thought. I thought that whole thing with Caroline Armstrong was over with. "Scully?" I can't believe that barely a couple hours pass since I told him I'm getting married and he falls into the arms of the nearest tall, brunette slut! It must have been close to a year since the last time Scully saw them together. "Scully." Why the hell do I care? He can do whatever he wants. After all, he's only my partner. I'm getting married to a wonderful man who wants to be with me as much as possible. Mulder can just kiss my... "Scully!" She was startled by Pendrell's assertive voice. "I'm sorry, Pendrell," she said. "What were you saying?" "You just seemed out of it there. Are you alright?" "Um, yeah," she replied. "I'm just, um,....thinking of a case file that I have to finish." She looked at her watch. "Oh, wow! Look at the time...I need to get back to my desk. Thank you so much for lunch, Pendrell." "Sure, it was no..." he tried to finish, but Scully already left the table and headed out the door. ****************************** End of Part 1 =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) =============================================================== From edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu Fri May 16 07:59:03 1997 Subject: A Guy for Scully (2/3) by Eddie Edora (fwd) From: Eddie Edora -------- =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) =============================================================== ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 13:12:55 -0500 (EST) From: Eddie Edora To: x-files-fanfic@chaos.taylored.com Subject: A Guy for Scully (2/3) by Eddie Edora A Guy for Scully by Eddie Edora (ede28@iquest.net) (Part 2/3) Disclaimer in Part 1. Category: SRA Rating: PG Summary: Mulder tries to cope with Scully's good news but finds it difficult without someone's help. Meanwhile, Scully has a paranormal revelation. **************************** J. Edgar Hoover Building 5:12 p.m. Scully was in the middle of yet *another* case file when she noticed the time. She looked over at Mulder who was also still at his desk. "Hey, Mulder," she said. "It's past quitting time. Don't you have better things to do. I know I do." He had been rather quiet for most of the afternoon. There was something obviously on Mulder's mind. Exactly what it was she didn't know. "Mulder?" "Hmm," he said while still looking at the case file. "Did you hear me?" He finally looked up. "Yeah, I heard you," he said. "I need to finish reading this case file before I leave. Besides, I have no plans tonight, so I'm in no hurry." Scully started cleaning up her mess. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I think I need to take a nice long bath and get to bed early." "Scully..." Mulder started to say. She turned to face him. "Yes?" "Um,...I was just wondering if you would like to grab a bite to eat?" Scully looked at her watch. "Sure. I could use some food. *You're* buying." "I thought I bought us dinner last time." "La Bamba's Taco Stand was not exactly what I had in mind," Scully replied. "Besides, it's not every day that we are in D.C. going to a meal and *not* be in a middle of a case." "Okay," Mulder said. "You pulled my arm. Where did you want to go?" Just then, the phone rang. "Scully," she answered. After a few moments, a smile creeped up on her face. "David! Hi, sweetie," she said. Mulder felt his jaw tighten. "Oh, no," Scully continued. "Mulder and I were just heading out...tonight? Hold on." She turned to Mulder. "Do you mind if we can get a raincheck on dinner? David is coming down from Baltimore tonight." "Sure," Mulder glumly smiled. "Tell him I said 'Congratulations'." Scully returned to the phone. "Sure, David. I'll see you in about an hour." Mulder picked up his jacket and walked out of the office. He heard her giggling on the phone but couldn't bear to listen to anymore of their conversation. He was halfway to the garage when he realized that he forgot the case file he was reading on his desk. Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, Spooks," Caroline said. "Working on some overtime?" "Hi, Caroline," he replied. "Are you following me? You know that I could arrest you on suspicion of stalking." "Funny," she said. "I almost forgot to laugh. Seriously, you look like you lost your best friend or something. Let me guess: Scully?" I have got to wear a mask or something, Mulder thought. "She and I were about ready to go to dinner, but *David* called. So that plan was blown out of the water." "David? That's Scully's fiance? Have I ever met this guy?" "No...well, kind of. His name is David Ralston. He was the one with Scully in the restaurant that night you dumped me last year. Remember?" "Oh yeah," she mused. "From what I recall, he wasn't too bad-looking either. She could have gotten much worse." "Like Pendrell?" "Did I hear you call me Agent Mulder?" Caroline covered the smirk with her hand. Mulder turned around to see that Pendrell was within earshot of their conversation. "Uh, yes," Mulder tried to act normal. "I was just telling Agent Armstrong here that Scully and I always bring the evidence of our toughest cases for you to analyze. I was saying that there is certainly no one better than Pendrell for that." Pendrell blushed. "Thanks," he replied. "I try my best. Was there something you needed Agent Armstrong?" Caroline just shook her head. "Um, no, Agent Pendrell," she finally said. "I'll keep you in mind though." With that, Pendrell left them. They both cracked up. "My God, Mulder," Caroline said. "You certainly know how to pour out that B.S. when you need it. No wonder they call you 'Spooky'." "Thanks," Mulder said while trying to recover. "Say, I'm not doing anything. Did you want to go out and grab a bite to eat?" "Sure, why not." ********************** Scully's Apartment 6:25 p.m. Scully picked up the frame from her dresser. It was a pre-engagement portrait taken just two weeks earlier. David Ralston was everything she ever thought she wanted in a husband: loving, attentive, kind and thoughtful. "But he's not Mulder." Startled, Scully turned her head to see where the voice came from. As she turned, the portrait fell to the floor with a loud crash. Glass flew all around her feet. Looking down at the mess, she saw a curiously large crack in the glass split right down the middle of the portrait between her and David. "That should be a big clue, sis." Scully saw her sister's image in front of her but still couldn't believe it. She moved forward to try and touch her arm and was shocked to find nothing tangible. "What....what are you doing here?" Dana asked with surprise. "Well...," Melissa began, "it appears that you are hitting a major fork in the road. I'm kind of here as your sounding board." "Sounding board?" Scully asked. "Why would you think that I need a sounding board?" "Oh, I don't know," she replied, "....maybe that you have major doubts about this whole marriage thing or possibly that you're unsure if this is the right thing to do......or maybe you have repressed feelings about Mulder that you won't even admit to yourself." "Mulder?" Scully repeated. "He's my partner and friend. I know he's concerned about me, but there's no need to worry." Melissa shook her head. "Maybe, maybe not. Actually, I was wondering if *you'll* be fine knowing that Mulder just might have feelings for you and is just as stubborn as you are in refusing to believe them." "Mulder has feelings for *me*?" Scully asked incredulously. "Am I in an echo chamber?" Melissa replied. "You heard me. You're smarter than that, Dana. Tell him how you feel." "I...I'm not....sure how I feel about him," Scully said. "Puhleeeeze! That's a load of B.S., Dana, and you know it." "How would you know, Melissa?" Scully defensively asked. "This whole conversation is probably some stress-related hallucination. I don't believe in ghosts, Melissa. You of all people should know that more than anyone. This is just too.....*weird*!" "Well, if you think that's weird....," Melissa began, but the rest of her words were gone. The next time she opened her mouth, Scully heard the sound of a doorbell. Melissa opened her mouth again, and another sound of a doorbell came out. "Dana!" Scully awoke abruptly. She looked all around her living room and realized that it was all a dream...or was it? "Dana? Are you okay?" came David's voice from outside of her door. "Um...yes," replied Scully as she got up to open the door. "I'm sorry, David. I must have dozed off. It's been a long day." David gave her a little peck on the cheek. "That's alright, honey," he said. "I know that your stamina isn't what it used to be. That's to be expected, but I have some good news." Scully felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. "Oh?" "Baltimore General offered me the assistant chief of staff position," he happily stated. "It's at least $250,000 a year. Plus, it has the best cancer treatment center outside of Bethesda." Scully felt her heart get heavier. "I'm so happy for you," she replied while wrapping her arms around him in a congratulatory hug. "I know you've been wanting this position for the longest time." "Yeah, I can't believe that they actually wanted me," he said. "But I also did it with you in mind." "Me?" "Yes," he continued. "I told him that I would take the position on two conditions: that they treat your cancer with minimal cost and that you are offered a position with their pathology department as head pathologist. They agreed." Scully's face showed David a smile but her heart kept getting heavier. "So that means you want me to quit the FBI?" Scully asked though she knew the answer. "Well, medically speaking, I don't think the everyday stress that you are exposed to in the Bureau is healthy for your current condition, Dana," he explained. "I want to make sure that you stay within your field and get treatments at the same time." Scully could hear her sister's voice. Oh God, she thought, maybe it wasn't a dream. "David," she began, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but shouldn't you have discussed it with me first? It is *my* life and *my* decision to make. I know that you'll be my husband, but *not* my guidance counselor." "Well, I thought..." "Don't think!" she exclaimed. "I can't believe that you would just make a unilateral decision about my career. Do you think that's fair to me? At least we talked about your career, and you asked my opinion. I would think that you give me the same courtesy." David stood in shocked silence. The smile from his face gave way to silent anger. "Look, David," Scully finally said. "I think that we shouldn't just jump the gun about this whole thing. It's been almost a week since we've seen each other, so maybe we should just enjoy spending some quality time. What do you think?" After a moment, David nodded his head. "I'm sorry, Dana," he said. "I just thought..." "Don't think, David." He started laughing, and Scully joined him. "So," he began, "did you have a place in mind?" ************************* After Hours Club 9:35 p.m. "Pigs?" Caroline incredulously asked. "No, I thought they were hogs," Mulder replied. "That was just a really bizarre case. I've heard of being close with your family, but I think the Peacocks took it a bit far." "Wow!" she said. "That's one thing I am envious of you and Scully." "What's that?" "You have cases that can be standup comedy routines." "Oh yeah," Mulder laughed. "I'm sure that Scully and I will take it out on the road after we retire." "I'm impressed." "Excuse me?" "That's the first time you mentioned Scully in a few hours," she explained. "I thought the whole evening would be you crying on my shoulder about her." Mulder's jovial mood instantly changed. "Oh," Caroline said. "I can see I touched a raw nerve again." "Yeah," Mulder replied, "you seem to have a natural talent for that." "Look, Mulder, " she began. "I'm sorry that you and your partner are having a bad time right now. I just don't understand why the two of you are so adamant on keeping up this whole 'we're just partners' charade. Heck, half of the Bureau already thought you two were married or something." Mulder looked at her. "I don't understand why anyone would be the slightest bit interested in Scully and me," he said. "It's not as though we have clandestine meetings in the janitorial closet for an afternoon quickie. She and I are fine just the way we are." "Are you really?" "Yes." Caroline saw something behind Mulder. "Well," she said. "If it isn't the lovely couple...." Mulder noticed Caroline looking at something over his shoulder and turned around to see.... Scully and David walked in to the club. They had a nice, quiet dinner at her favorite Chinese restaurant and both wanted to unwind with a few drinks before heading home. Scully was the first one to see Mulder with.....*Caroline*! Great, she thought. It's bad enough already between Mulder and me, now this awkward situation. "Isn't that your partner, Mulder?" David asked. "Yes," Scully replied. "Yes it is." ******************************** End of Part 2 =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) =============================================================== From edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu Fri May 16 07:59:20 1997 Subject: A Guy for Scully (3/3) by Eddie Edora (fwd) From: Eddie Edora -------- =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) =============================================================== ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 13:15:11 -0500 (EST) From: Eddie Edora To: x-files-fanfic@chaos.taylored.com Subject: A Guy for Scully (3/3) by Eddie Edora A Guy for Scully by Eddie Edora (ede28@iquest.net) (Part 3/3) Disclaimer in Part 1. Lyrics from Alanis Morissette's "Head Over Feet" also used without permission, but it's for a good cause. Don't hurt me. Category: SRA, Definite MSR Rating: PG Summary: Scully makes a decision about her future, while Mulder decides...well, just go ahead and read!!! ************************ After Hours Club 10:05 p.m. Mulder didn't know how to react when he saw Scully and David. They were the last couple he would expect to come in. The After Hours Club wasn't located in the safest neighborhood in D.C. In fact, that's why Mulder liked to hang out in the place because of it's seedy environment and the differing kinds of clientele who walk in. There was less of a chance for him to run into any of his contacts or Bureau people. "Hello, Mulder," Scully said. "Hello, Caroline." "Hey, Scully," Caroline replied. "Is this the handsome doctor that I hear you are getting hitched up with?" She notice David starting to blush. "Uh, yes," Scully answered. "Caroline Armstrong, I'd like you to meet David Ralston. David....Caroline." "Pleased to meet you," David responded. "I don't recall Dana ever mentioning working with you." "Well that's okay," she said. "We have never actually worked together. We both have Mulder in common." "Ah, yes, Fox Mulder," David held out his hand. "I'm glad to finally meet the 'other man' in Dana's life." Mulder didn't know how to take that. "Uh, thanks," he said while shaking David's hand. "So, what brings you two to this seedy part of town?" "We could be asking the same about you two," Scully said while eyeing Caroline. "Oh, we were just hanging out here after dinner," Mulder said. "After dinner?" Scully asked. "Yes," Caroline piped in. "Mulder asked me to dinner, and I thought it would be a great chance to catch up." "Oh *did* he?" Scully glared at Mulder. Great, Mulder thought, I didn't expect to be caught in the middle of World War III. Sensing the tension between the women, David guided Scully to the adjoining table. "Do you mind if we join you?" he asked. "Sure," Mulder replied. "Why not?" A few uncomfortable minutes passed between the two couples. Mulder kept looking at his watch while Scully fiddled with the coasters on the table. "So," Caroline finally said, "when's the big day?" David and Scully looked at each other. "Uh, well, we haven't actually set a date yet," David replied. "But we plan to get married as soon as David establishes himself in Baltimore," Scully interjected. "He was just accepted as Assistant Chief of Staff at Baltimore General." Mulder's eyebrows shot up. "Baltimore?" "Yes," David replied. "I can't believe they offered it to me. They don't pick second-year attendings for this kind of position." "David is a very talented doctor," Scully chimed in. Mulder ignored her. "So, do you plan to settle there?" "That's the plan," David answered. "They're also offering Dana a position in their pathology department." Mulder quickly turned to Scully, who couldn't look at him. Sensing the increase of heat in the room, Caroline quickly got up and went to David, "You know what? They're playing one of my favorite songs. Would you like to dance?" "Um...," David looked at Dana, "...sure. I guess so." Mulder watched them go to the dance floor with his back to Scully. They were playing a song by Alanis Morissette that he heard on the radio once. He listened to the lyrics: "...You've already won me over in spite of me, So don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet, And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are, I couldn't help it, it's all your fault.... ...You're the best listener that I've ever met, You're my best friend, best friend with benefits, What took me so long, I've never felt this healthy before, I've never wanted something rational, I am aware now, I am aware now...." "You know, I've always liked this song," Scully finally said. Mulder turned around to look at her. "Yeah, I guess I like it, too. There's just something...personal about it," he said. "Is there?" she asked as they finally looked at each other for the first time that night. "Yeah," Mulder said as he looked into her eyes. Oh man, he thought, I better do something soon. I'm already feeling withdrawal symptoms, and she hasn't even left yet! "Um, this Baltimore thing," he began, "does it mean that you'll be resigning from the Bureau?" "I...I don't know yet," she answered. "David just told me all this earlier, so I haven't really sat down and thought about the pros and cons yet." "Will you be....happy?" Mulder asked though holding his breath for her answer. "I...don't see why not. I mean, I guess so." Mulder's heart fell to the floor. "Oh." "What do you expect me to say, Mulder?" she asked. "That everything will be a bed of roses? That David is everything I ever wanted in a man? That I can just forget the Bureau and..." Mulder leaned forward placing his hand on her arm. "And?" "....you," she whispered. Mulder could see the lone tear rolling down her cheek, and he wiped it with his finger. "Hey," he said. "At least you'll get out of the sunflower seed habit from hanging around me. Those things will kill you." Scully chuckled despite her overcoming sadness. "Oh, Mulder," she began, "I don't know what to do anymore. I always thought I had a certain goal in mind, but now that it's within reach, I...I just don't know." He gently took her hand. "Yeah, I can definitely empathize with you. God only knows the number of times that I thought nothing else mattered except finding Samantha but then...things change." Scully wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. "Do they, Mulder?" she asked. "I mean...you and I have been through a lot lately, and sometimes, I think we're taking three steps back for every step forward. I don't want to be so....uncertain about everything. Every single day is way too precious for me to look forward to than just wandering aimlessly." "You're not wandering aimlessly, Scully," he assured her. "You'll be able to find a cure. Together, *we* will be able to find a cure." Scully almost started crying again when she saw that David and Caroline were heading back to the table. She quickly grabbed a napkin. "Hey you two," Caroline said as she sat down. "Wow, Dana! Your man can definitely cut a rug. If you didn't bag him already..." 'Yeah," Dana agreed. "I'm a lucky woman." "Scully," Mulder interjected. "Would you like to dance?" Caroline saw the sad look on Scully's face brighten with Mulder's invitation to dance. Hmmm, she thought, it looks like these two will be ignoring us the rest of the night. "Sure," Scully answered without even looking at David's puzzled expression. Caroline watched them move to the dance floor, and she knew that Scully's engagement to David wasn't going to last. She had never noticed before how their movements together seemed so fluid. It was as if they were two parts of a whole and anyone else just didn't fit in. Caroline had only seen close friends or lovers move like that. Mulder and Scully may not have been lovers, but she doubted that many people would ever guess that to be the case. "I never knew that they were so close," David said breaking the silence between them. "Yeah," Caroline agreed. "They are partners in the truest sense of the word. I don't think I ever bonded with any partner I had. That's probably why they kept promoting me, so I wouldn't have to deal with them." David didn't respond to her joke as he watched the graceful movements of his fiancee and her partner. I always imagined we would look like that, he thought. The song ended as Mulder and Scully awkwardly released their embrace. It was obvious to even David and Caroline that there was more between them than either would admit. *********************** J. Edgar Hoover Building The next day 10:15 a.m. Mulder tried not to fall asleep while reading the file on his desk. He had come in half an hour late after getting about a couple of hours sleep. It didn't help that he was slightly hung over. For the first time in his career, Mulder wasn't exactly sure if it was all worth it. His life's work began to lose focus, and it all started with Scully's cancer. Now, something else mattered besides finding Samantha. The phone rang. "Mulder," he answered. "Fox?" asked the familiar female voice. "Mrs. Scully?" Mulder recognized the voice. "Is there something wrong?" "Uh, no, not exactly," she hesitated. "Have you talked to Dana today?" "No, not today. She called in earlier to say that she was taking a personal day, but I didn't take the message." "Oh." Silence. "Is there something I should know about?" Mulder's interest piqued. "I just finished talking to her," Mrs. Scully replied. "She wanted me to be her sounding board." "Sounding board?" "Yes," Mrs. Scully continued. "I believe that she is going to take the Baltimore position." Mulder's brain went totally numb. She's going to do it, Mulder thought with dread. "Fox?" "Um, I'm here, Mrs. Scully," Mulder replied. "Why are you telling me all of this?" "Well, I just thought that you would want to know." "Oh, well, thank you, Mrs. Scully," he said. "I guess congratulations are in order for you and your family." "Yes, I suppose so," she said. "But I want to know how you feel about it." Mulder was a bit stunned. "I...don't really know right now. I just never assumed she would resign from the Bureau." "I'm not talking about that," Mrs. Scully said. "I don't understand what you're trying to say." "I think you know, Fox. It doesn't take a genius to see that you care about Dana, and she cares about you." Mulder was quiet. "Yeah, well...it's kind of late now," he finally said. "She and David are probably heading up to Baltimore and planning out their new life together." "It's never too late, Fox," Mrs. Scully said. "Besides, David went up but Dana's still in town." "She is?" ************************* Melissa Scully's Grave Site 12:42 p.m. Scully must have been standing in front of Melissa's grave for over half-an-hour. She was wondering if her sister would pay her a "visit". Right now, Scully felt rather lost. "I don't know if this is the right thing, Melissa," she said while arranging the bouquet of flowers she had brought. "Last night, I think Mulder was actually feeling...I don't know....upset? I mean, he didn't exactly respond favorably to David's news." "Is this really right? All my life, I thought that having a stable life with a husband and family was important. That's what I believed. But after four years, I'm beginning to wonder what to believe. I'm wondering if my life....here....is what I'm supposed to have or am I throwing it away?" "You're not throwing it away." Scully turned around to see...."Mulder? How did you know where I was?" "A little birdie told me," he answered. Actually, Mrs. Scully told her exactly where her daughter was going to be. She said that Dana liked visiting Melissa, especially when she had to make some tough choices. Scully started to blush. "Um...I hope you didn't think I was losing it there. I was just...voicing my thoughts." "No problem," Mulder assured her. "So what are you doing here?" she asked. "Your mom told me about your plans of moving up to Baltimore," he answered. "I didn't want you taking off without saying goodbye." "I would *never* just leave, Mulder." "I know...it's just that I wanted to ask you something." Scully raised her eyebrow. "Will you be...happy?" Simple enough question, Scully thought. So why can't I answer it? "I...don't really know." "Well, I wanted you to know before you left that...." Mulder hesitated. "...well, that it isn't going to be the same after you leave." "Oh, I don't know, Mulder," she joked. "At least you can sound off your wild theories without someone poking holes through them." Mulder smiled. "Yeah, but that's not as fun." Scully smiled back. "Well, that's definitely something I'll miss." Mulder's heart dropped. Scully saw the changed expression. "Mulder, is something wrong?" "Um,...no, not really," he began. "I just have to get used to all these changes..." "Yeah, so do I." Mulder took a breath. "Scully....er, Dana," he began. "I didn't want you to leave and not know how much....how *important*...you are in my life. I don't think I could have survived all the crap we've been through in the past four years if you weren't around. I wanted you to know." Scully felt her knees shaking. "I know, Mulder," she said hoping that her voice didn't waver. "I just hope you know how important you are in my life, too." Mulder looked at Scully, and she smiled at him. They both walked back to her car in silence. ************************** Mulder's Apartment 6:35 p.m. Mulder finished reading another file that he had brought home. After taking Scully home, he decided to just have the afternoon off and work at home. He knew that looking across his desk to an empty office was not what he had in mind to cheer him up. He heard a knock at the door. Mulder opened it and saw... "Scully! Is something wrong?" he quickly asked. She walked in with a bag. "No, Mulder. I wanted to come over and tell you what I decided over some dinner." "Oh." Mulder cautiously said. He wasn't sure if her visit would make him feel any better knowing what the probable outcome of her decision entailed. "Before I go on," Scully said. "I just want you to know that I thought this through and have decided...." Mulder held his breath. "...that I have the perfect job right here in Washington," she finished. Mulder breathed again. "And what about David?" "Let's not ruin dinner, Mulder," she replied. Mulder smiled. "You're the doctor, Scully." "Damn straight." They both laughed and began to enjoy the evening like many others - with each other. ****************************** Well, that's it. I hope you liked it. Please send comments to either of the addy's below. Thanks for reading!! =============================================================== Eddie Edora Purdue University e-mail: edora@omni.cc.purdue.edu (Indentured Servitude) ede28@iquest.net (Haven for my Mac) Homepage: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~edora X-File Quote for the Week: "I'm fine, Mulder." - Dana Scully (Any Episode) ===============================================================