From: Stephie Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 18:23:50 -0500 Subject: xfc: Xfcancerfic Runner-up: "Overheard @ The Cafeteria" Source: xfc Title: Overheard at the Cafeteria Author: Erin M. Blair E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net Classification: SRA--Story, Romance, Angst. Content: Mulder/Scully UST. Spoilers: Memento Mori. Rating: PG. Archive: OK to archive at: Gossamer, Xemplary, SEFAMSRN, and EP. Others please ask for permission first. OK to forward to SEFAMSRN, XFCANCERFIC, and especially to ATXC. Disclaimer: The characters of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully doesn't belong to me because Chris Carter owns them. No infringement is intended. However, the characters of Leanna and Grace belong to me. Summary: Scully thinks her co-workers doesn't know anything about her cancer. Is she right? -------------------------------------- OVERHEARD AT THE CAFETERIA Written by: Erin M. Blair -------------------------------------- Scully settled down at a table in the FBI cafeteria with her tray loaded with a pastrami sandwhich on wheat bread and a small portion of carrot sticks. While sipping her Diet Coke, she watched, tiredly, as two young female agents walk by. She recognized the brunette, Leanna, from her apartment building. "Is that Agent Scully?" Leanna said as she pointed at Scully. She recognised her at the elevators this morning. The blonde nodded. "Yes. It's unfortunate to hear she has cancer." "I didn't know that," said Leanna, as she turned to face Scully. Her big brown eyes was filled with compassion from the older agent. "That's awful especially when you're paired with that cute partner of hers. Spooky Fox Mulder." She paused. "What type of cancer? Is it operable?" "I don't know all the details, Leanna, but I know it's not operable. Unless there's some miracle cure, I'm afraid she's going to die." "That's awful. I always seen her from afar because we live in the same apartment building," said Leanna with a sigh. "She's nice. I hope there's something that can be done." She paused as her brown eyes narrowed at her friend. "Where did you find this information, Grace?" Grace sighed. "A source." "Who?" "Um, I don't remember. I was at Casey's the other day when I overheard some cute guy talking about it to Agent Scully." "You just happen to overhear this, Grace?" inquired Leanna, her eyes narrowed. "Oh my God! I can't *believe* you! No wonder AD Skinner has us on shit work!" Her voice quieted down as she spotted Scully. "Let's walk over to the faraway table." Before the female agents started to leave, she sighed. She gave Scully a compassionate smile. "I'm so sorry you had to hear that, Agent Scully. My partner was being a little jerk as usual." "I can understand, Leanna," said Scully. "My partner can be that way too. He's been very supportive to me." Leanna sighed. "That's good to know, Dana. If that happened to me, I would like to think Grace would be there for me. She's a good friend." She paused with a laugh. "At times when I want to throttle her!" "Mulder's a very good friend," said Scully. She wasn't about to reveal her feelings towards him in front of Leanna. "I was kind of shocked to know how my fellow co-workers learn about this." She paused. "Today's my first day back since I was receiving 'treatment' at Allentown. I had no idea how the word spread quickly until I heard the both of you talking." "Again, I'm so sorry you have to hear all that. It's a shock for a lot of people. We have such great respect for you and I can only imagine how hard it must be for you," said Leanna with compassion in her voice. "If you need to talk to someone, please come by. I live in the same apartment building as you do." Scully gave her a smile. "I do know where you live, Leanna. I would also like to accept the offer." She paused. "Thanks." In the distance, Leanna could her partner calling for her. "I have to go now. I guess Grace's hungry." "You have to go to her. I'll see you around," said Scully. "Mulder will be here soon." "All right," said Leanna. Scully watched the young agent walk away to her partner. *It was nice talking to Leanna,* Scully thought to herself. "Scully?" Scully looked up from her almost finished sandwhich to face Mulder. "You're late. I didn't think the meeting with Skinner would last that long." "We were discussing you," said Mulder with a sigh. "He asked me how you're doing on your first day back...and I just told him how you were." "I just wondered that's all," said Scully. She paused for a few seconds as she reflected her conversation with Leanna. "Anyway, I wasn't all that lonely here without you." "Oh?" "A few people wondered about my cancer and asked how I was doing." "I guess that's to be expected," said Mulder with a frown. "I didn't want everyone at the FBI to find out about this." "You can't protect me from the world, Mulder. I appreciate your concern - and everyone else's - but I can take care of myself. I'm fine. Like I told you at the hospital, I'll live with this. I can't let this beat me," said Scully with fierce determination. "If I gave in, I wouldn't be the Dana Scully you know." Mulder nodded. "I understand. I just wish there was something more I can do for you." "You have done everything for me, Mulder." "It's not enough. We don't have the cure." "I know," said Scully, thoughtfully. "We'll find the cure someday, Mulder, because I believe in us." She reached for his hand and gave him a gentle squeeze. There was hope in her blue eyes. "We'll find it, Mulder." "Together," said Mulder. "I hope you're right." Scully's smile deepened. "This must be the first time I heard you say those four words to me." "Touche, Scully. I hope we'll have more firsts." "Like what?" "Oh, I don't know." Mulder decided to pick up a carrot stick from Scully's plate. "Are you on a diet again?" Scully nodded. "Ever since I found out I had cancer, I decided to go on a healthy diet. I'm hoping it'll help in the long run." "I'm sure it will," said Mulder as he munched the carrot. "This actually tastes pretty good for cafeteria food. I was going to buy a hamburger, but I ran out of time. I didn't want to keep you waiting. Who were you talking to?" "Leanna." "Leanna? I don't remember any Leanna." "She's only been at the FBI for a couple of years and she lives at my apartment complex," explained Scully. "She's very nice. Like me, she has a background in science." "I hope you're not thinking..." "Mulder, I have cancer. If we don't find a cure, I could die. Leanna might be a good partner for you when my time's over." "Scully, your time isn't over. I don't want another partner. I want you." "I know you do," said Scully, as she trailed off. She didn't want to think of leaving Mulder as loved him deeply. As much as she wanted him for herself, she knew she wouldn't always be there for him. She had to find someone who'll help him on the X-Files and into his life. Someone like Leanna. "I know you do..." End of Story Author's Note: This was a challenge from the xfcancerfic and sefamsrn lists about writing how Scully's co-workers are talking about Scully's cancer and how Scully reacts about it. I haven't written or dealt with Scully's cancer for a long time since "A Twist of Memento Mori" and "If I Die" so this was certainly a challenge to write. =) I could continue this story with a sequel if anyone's interested. I have some good story ideas for other stories for a possible sequel like what happens to Scully, Mulder, and Leanna. Feedback: Most appreciative. Send to: eblair@sonic.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- - Erin Blair - eblair@sonic.net - "And if I quit now, they win." - from the X-Files: Fight the Future Movie