Date sent:        Sun, 14 Dec 1997 12:20:42 -0500 (EST)
Subject:          Just A Misunderstanding

Just a Misunderstanding
by awriter78@hotmail.com

Another SSR.Just one shock after anither,huh?But seriously folks,did
anyone find it weird that in the Avatar episode all of a sudden Skinner
had a wife?Yes,they were seperated but you think it wouldn't have killed
her to visit her husband after being shot in Apocrypha.And why was Scully
called after he was shot?Another thing that I was very curious about.This
little story is about what if Sharon Skinner had arrived in the hospital
after he had been shot and found our favorite redhead(no not Pendrell!)
holding her husband's hand.
All the characters that you recognize are Chris Carter's and 1013
Productions.On an unrelated note does anyone besides me think that Craig
Kilborn from "The Daily Show" is the sexiest man on television?Even if you
don't,I would still love comments on anything and everything.Will Gore run
in 2000? Will Bayliss and Cox get together on Homicide(please God
no!)?Will Kenny die this week on South Park?No I'm not crazy or a
television addict but if you want to write I will write back.
One last thing I apologize about the crazy margins on this story.It might
be a little hard to read.

Part1

	She was a beautiful woman, smart, and she had a wit like you
wouldn't believe.  More importantly she had been his high school
sweetheart and they had been married for many years. Yet,he knew he didn't
love her anymore.He barely liked her.They shared no common activities.They
didn't even kiss anymore.They shared the same house,the same last
name...and that was it.
	He wasn't surprised when she left.She went to live with her sister
about an hour away.They accepted this as the best option,even though the
word divorce never was mentioned.They stayed in this situation for
awhile.And then very gradually he fell in love with someone he probably
shouldn't have.
	He couldn't exactly say when he fell in love with her.He had
always respected her intelligence. Plus he was a healthy male,he
acknowledged that she was beautiful from the moment he met her. But
something had made him feel differently about her.Very differently.
	He wasn't an idiot.He wouldn't do anything that would compromise
either of them or put her in a uncomfortable position.He did little things
for her.He left a bouquet of flowers on her desk for her birthday--the
card was unsigned of course.And he did get beaten up in an elevator trying
to locate her partner.When he came back,bruised and bleeding,she had
helped him with his wounds. She had been so caring and warm that he had
wanted to take her on the couch right then and there and make her forget
about everything except for the two of them....but since he did realize
the possible repurcussions,he managed to restrain himself.Barely.
	Oh and then there was his card.It was the day after the elevator
event and his emotions were still haywire.It was time for the "In Case of
Emergency please notify...." cards.He was writing out Sharon's sister
number when he stopped.Why should he put Sharon's number?He erased it and
before he lost his courage wrote in the name of the woman who had been
occupying his mind for so long.In his neat handwriting,he wrote her
name:Dana Scully.

Many months later

	Kimberly Cooke was not a happy camper.Everytime she was about to
leave the office something would come up to delay her meeting her husband,
James, and their two kids at the pizza place .
	"Damn."she called out loudly when the phone rang again.She
considered just walking out and letting the voice mail pick up,but decided
it might be important.It rang again."Just a second!I'm coming!"
	"Mr.Skinner's office."she said.
	She listened as the voice told her that Skinner had been shot.They
didn't know the details of the shooter or much about his condition but
said to notify those who needed to be notified.
	She hung up the phone and turned on the computer.She typed in his
name with shaky fingers. She really didn't want to tell some close family
member that he had just been shot.
	"Well,I'll be damned."she said softly as she read the name
given.Hmmm,was there something going on between her boss and Agent
Scully?That would be a cute couple.She went to call her.

	Dana Scully was just barely in the house when the phone rang.She
groaned when she heard Kim Cooke's voice.A new assignment?Or some other
emergency?
	Then she heard the news that Kim gave her.She felt sick.She knew
it wasn't a random shooting.
	"I'll be right there."she said already out the door.

	The hospital...
	He was in surgery.She sat outside in the lobby staring blankly at
the television waiting for the news.If he didn't pull through....it would
be her fault.You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that
he was shot because he wasn't ignoring Melissa's death.She felt her eyes
sting with tears.	
	She heard a buzz.Her cell phone."Scully."she answered.
	There was a pause."Are you okay?"
	It was Mulder."No."she said honestly.
	"Where are you?"he asked worry in his voice.
	"The hospital."
	"Scully,are you..?"
	"No,I'm fine.Skinner's been shot."
	Silence."I'll be there as soon as I can."
	That would be good."Thanks."

	He found her almost immediately.She smiled a sad smile at him.He
gave her a quick hug."Anything?"
	"I haven't heard anything yet."she said.
	"Scully,"he had to ask."How did you find out?"
	"Kim Cooke called me."Scully said.
	Mulder tried to be kind.He tried to be subtle.He
failed."Scully,were you and he...you know?"
	Scully looked at him for a second before she realized what he was
implying."No.How could you think that?"
	"I'm sorry."he said.But it was still nagging him.He had to ask.He
knew that he would be risking a slap,a kick,hey she even shot him once.But
he had to ask.In one of those incredible flashes of insight,the
realization hit him."When did you fall in love with him?"
	She looked at him again.She didn't look angry,just
bewildered.Finally she mumbled."I don't know.I don't even know if I do.I
just don't know what I'm feeling."
	Just then a doctor walked out."He's out of surgery now.He's
unconcious but you could go see him if you want."
	"Thank you."they said as they walked towards the room the doctor
had named as their destination.
	He lay there calm,the heart monitor steady.Almost unaware of
Mulder's presence,she went over to the chair next to his bed.She took his
hand and held it with her own.It was in that simple gesture that Mulder
knew.There was such intimacy and it looked so right and natural that
Mulder felt like an intruder.He quietly excused himself and walked out the
door.Or tried to but nearly collided with a woman.
	The woman was tall.She was dressed nice in her dark rose suit,but
she had a hard,cool look about her.She eyed the situation in front of her.
	"Who are you?"she asked Scully.
	"Who are you?"Scully asked her.If she was some kind of spy...
	"I'm surprised you don't know me.My name is Sharon."
	"Yes..."Scully said.This woman was trying her patience.
	"I mean..."she said looking at the patient his hand still clasped
around this woman,"you seem to know my husband well enough."
	"Husband?"she asked dropping his hand quickly.He didn't wear a
ring.But still she should have guessed.He wouldn't be single.
	"Yes,"she said icily obviously enjoying herself."and I'd like to
see my husband privately if you don't mind."
	"No,not at all."she said her face flaming.She left the room.
	Mulder followed her out but before he did looked at his boss and
thought "Sir,I really hope things calm down before you wake up.Or else
we're all in for one hell of a show."
	He found his partner."Mulder,how could he be married?"she asked.
	He hugged her again."You mean how could you fall in love with a
married man?"
	She looked up at him sadly.She didn't have to answer him.He
already knew.But she did. "Yes,that's what I mean."

	They sat in the hospital cafeteria,their food untouched in front
of them.
	"So what do I do?"she asked him.
	"I think everyone should just let things calm down before anything
happens."he said."I do think that we should stay around here though.And
I'll talk to him to see what the deal is."
	"Okay."she said.

	He woke up to pain and a woman's voice talking.He struggled to
clear the fog in his mind and figure out who was near him.The voice was so
familliar.
	"Oh look who's up."the voice said.
	After a few attempts he was able to open his eyes.His vision was
still a little blurry and he could only guess who the woman was."Sharon?"
	He got his answer when he heard her laugh.He had lived with this
woman for so long yet her laugh chilled him.
	"Who did you think it was?Maybe your little girlfriend."
	"What?"he asked.It was too soon.His head was still spinning.His
stomach was still aching.
	"You know.The redhead.Did you start seeing her before or after I
moved out?"
	Redhead?She didn't mean..?"Scully?"he asked weakly.
	"I guess.I didn't ask her name.I mean I come here finding her
holding your hand and crying. That's tacky.Having your girlfriend and wife
meet at a hospital after you've been shot.Is this some kind of bad soap
opera?"
	He wasn't even listening.Scully was there crying and holding his
hand.He realized that Sharon was expecting come kind of response from
him.He said,"She's not my girlfriend."
	"Whatever,Walter."she said."Well,I'll let you rest.You look like
you need it."

"Walter,you have a visitor."the nurse said."Shall I send him in?"
	Him?Well at least it wasn't Sharon.But it wasn't Scully
either."Okay,send him in."
	Skinner groaned inwardly when he saw his visitor was Mulder.
	"Sir,how are you feeling?"
	"Better."he admitted.
	"I hear you'll be getting out soon."Mulder said."I guess Sharon
will be taking time off of work to help you."
	Skinner winced."Sharon's going back to her sister's place.We
haven't lived together in months."
	Score one for the home team."Oh.Well,I'm sure Scully,being a
medical doctor and all,will be a big help to you."
	"Scully is the one who got me in trouble in the first place."he
said before realizing it.
	"Because that's why you got shot?"Mulder guessed.
	"No."Skinner said feeling very uncomfortable.
	"Because you're angry that she got you in trouble with your
wife?"Mulder tried again.
	"No."Skinner said somewhat angrily.
	"Because you've fallen in love with her and want to divorce your
wife?"
	Skinner closed his eyes wearily and sighed."Agent Mulder,I don't
really see what anything has to do with anything."Or how Mulder could hit
the nail on the head.
	"So you won't admit to having feelings for her?"Mulder asked.He
hated to use this tactic,but he was desperate."That's too bad;she'll be
extremely disappointed to hear that."
	Skinner opened his eyes."Excuse me?"
	Mulder tried to hide his grin."I'll tell Agent Scully that you
don't return her feelings."
	"Wait,"Skinner said ",what are you talking about?"
	"I'll let you rest,sir."Mulder said purposely not answering the
question."Feel better."

	He walked out to find his partner in the lobby.
	"What are you happy about?"she asked him.
	"Scully,you owe me so big time."
	"Why?"she wondered.
	"Well,it looks like love is in the air.I believe someone wants you
as much as you want him."
	" Please tell me that you did not tell our boss that I wanted
him."
	"It's all part of the plan,Scully.Knowing that you feel the same
way about him will only make him admit that he wants you too."
	"If not?"
	"If not,I'll resign from the Bureau."
	
	"How are you feeling,sir?"she asked pleasantly.He knows how I feel
she thought.
	"Much better,thank you,Agent Scully."he said softly.
	"I heard that you'll be going home soon."she said.
	"Yes."
	"Congratulations."she replied."You're okay?No really bad pain."
	"Not really.It itches a little."he admitted.
	"I'm sure that's normal."she said smiling a warm smile at him.He
smiled back.
	"Agent Scully,"he began.
	"Yes."she asked.
	"Thank you."he said not saying what for.
	"You're welcome."she answered not needing to know.

	A few days later,Skinner returned home.He was alone.Sharon went
back to her sister's and the one person he wanted to be there wasn't of
course.
	The second day at home,the doorbell rang.He limped with his handy
cane over to the door.
	She stood there holding a large container and wearing a hesitant
smile on her face.
	"Agent Scully."he said as way of greeting.
	"Sir,I brought over some food.My mother made this huge amount of
food for my family and had a ton left over.Do you like stew?"
	He did.Even closed he could still smell the wonderful aroma coming
from it."Yes,thank you."
	"It's noon.Did you eat lunch?"she asked.
	He shook his head.She heated up the food and in minutes they were
eating a warm meal with some reheated biscuits.
	"Sir,I wanted to apologize about what Agent Mulder told you about
my feelings.It was a misunderstanding.I'm sorry if you felt a little
uncomfortable."she lied.
	He paused,his spoon halfway to his mouth.Of course,why would
someone like her want someone like him."Oh okay."he said trying to mask
his disappointment.
	"I'm glad that we cleared this up."she said flashing him a smile
that she did not feel.
	"Me too"

	"You did what?"Mulder said."Are you insane?"
	"No,just practical.An unrequited crush on your boss is not good.So
I denied it."
	Mulder put his head in his hands."This will not work."
	"Mulder,let it go.And no you don't have to quit the bureau."

	He held the papers in his hand.Sharon had brought them
over.Divorce papers.After she somehat snidely asked where his redheaded
girlfriend was,she told him that their marriage was over.He had signed
them.She took her copy and she left without a final glance.
	He sat down on the couch.He was depressed.She didn't want him.It
was all a mistake.Of course it wasn't Sharon who he was referring to.

	"Agent Mulder,"Skinner said to him the next morning."You may be
wondering why I called you here."
	"No,not really.I think it has something to do with my partner."
	"Agent Mulder.why did you say things about her in the hospital if
they weren't true?"
	Mulder grinned."Sir,Agent Scully is afraid that you don't return
her feelings so she denied her own.She doesn't know that you're as head
over heels in love with her as she is with you."
	"She is not."he said not refuting Mulder's comment about his
feelings.
	"Sir,you should have seen her near your hospital bed before your
wife walked in.She was holding your hand and crying.Plus she admitted it
to me when I asked."
	"But who says I'm in love with her."
	"Sir,I saw you."
	"Excuse me?"
	"Those pink roses for her birthday I saw you carrying them in the
parking lot and the next day guess who has roses on her desk.I didn't tell
her."
	"And.."
	"She's on your list for emergencies."
	"And..."
	"The moony goofy expression you get when she's in your office."
	"So I'm obvious?Everyone knows,huh?"
	"I didn't say that.Just I know and Scully knows but doesn't
believe me."
	"So what?"
	Mulder groaned."You and Scully are two of the most stubborn people
in the world.All you 
would have to do is go to her house tonight and she'd be just as happy to
see you as you would be to see her."
	Mulder stood up to go.He was just about out the door when he heard
his boss call his name.
	"Yes?"
	"She was really holding my hand?"
	"Yes,and she probably would have done more if your wife didn't
scare her off..."
	"Ex-wife."Skinner said.
	"Bring your divorce papers to Scully's.Celebrate."

	He stood outside her door and rang her doorbell.This was stupid.He
had no proof.She probably wasn't even home.She...
	"Sir."she said opening the door with a smile.Her eyes were
shining.Was Mulder telling the truth?
	She let him in her apartment after he told her he had to tell her
something.
	"What do you have to tell me?"she asked.
	He opened his mouth to say something,but couldn't.He was
nervous,actually nervous.They just stood there watching each other.He
showed her his divorce papers.
	"Now you're a free man."Scully said."You can choose whatever you
want."
	"I want you."he said hoarsely,truthfully.
	Her face softened."That's so sweet,but.."
	Oh no.Mulder was wrong.
	"I wanted to tell you first that I wanted you.I just couldn't tell
you."
	He heard the last word and then stopped paying attention to what
she said.He put his arms around her waist and kissed her.They stopped for
a second.He reached out to touch her hair and she caressed his face
gently.Then they kissed again.And didn't stop until they were absolutely
exhausted.And Mulder got to keep his job.