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Rated: G
Category: Vignette, Scully Angst, Humour
Spoilers: Beyond the Sea.
Feedback: patfiler2016@outlook.com
Archive: Gossamer. I usually take care of the rest.
Disclaimer: Chris Carter, 1013 Productions own the show
and characters. Dick Clark owns the copyright to "Rockin'
New Year's Eve".
DECEMBER 31, 1993
OFFICE OF THE X-FILES
Barely a week had passed since Scully's father had died.
Scully had insisted on working while the funeral plans
were being made and shortly after the burial. Luther Lee
Boggs had tormented her, and she chalked up the sound of
her father's voice through the convicted murderer as
a symptom of grief and fatigue. Tonight would be the end
the year, and she told herself the next year had to be
better than the last one.
She walked into work that morning determined she would
end the year with her work completed, and prayed her partner
wouldn't have her going with him somewhere that a source
told him there was an alien basketball team or psychic
two-year-olds picking out winning lottery numbers for some
small town's denizens.
Her partner Mulder was late this morning, and walked into
the office whistling, throwing his coat on the rack, and
smiling. "Good morning, Agent Scully."
He had almost sung the words. "Well, I see you're in a
good mood. Good morning, Mulder. Are you ready to finish
up the outstanding files so we can start the year with a
clean slate?"
"Well, yeah, but then I'm going to go through some old
things I've been meaning to catch up on. Why?"
"Don't you think it's time to take a break and ring in
the New Year free of the old things?" Scully didn't really
know why she was bothering to ask the question. She knew
Mulder could never let anything go -- especially anything
that might lead him to his sister.
He sat back in his chair stacking a pile of papers. "Sure.
But I also like to keep busy, Scully. Why?"
"I'm just the type that likes to start a New Year fresh and
free of the past, that's all. So, I guess you don't go out
and celebrate?" She had him pegged for a stay at home, even
though his looks could have him dating anyone he wanted.
"No, no. It's enough just to watch *Rockin' New Year's
Eve'*, then straight to bed. Just another Auld Lang Syne.
I guess you've got a date for tonight. Am I right?"
'Why's he smiling like that?' she wondered. "No. Just me
and my apartment, which needs a good cleaning. I'm keeping
things simple this year."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Well, I figured you'd be going out with someone by this
time, especially since you told Tom Colton where to go."
He turned his eyes to a report, and thought about recent
events. Then it occurred to him. She was still grieving.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Scully. Your Dad and all... "
"I'm handling it quite well, Mulder. I would have thought
you'd be out with the boys or on a date, seeing as it is
a special occasion. I guess the past few months have been
exhausting for you as well. So, let's get to work and start
the New Year free of all the old unfinished paperwork."
Mulder pretended to ignore that suggestion. "Me, exhausted?
Listen, I did say I was staying up late to ring in the New
Year. I don't sleep much, but I have my own place and
things to think about. Now, if you're not busy tonight,
maybe I could forgo the thrill of watching the ball drop.
I have an idea! We could work right here, right up till
midnight and then beyond! Whaddaya say, Scully?"
"Okay, let's get the day over with around five, and then
go to Jerry's in Alexandria. But I'm buying this time,
Mulder. And don't let it get out that we were on some kind
of date or something, because I AM making you look good
on yet another special occasion."
"Well, who else would put up with me?"
"Precisely." Scully returned to her keyboard and that
little smile inside of her grew so much a hint of it
sprang onto her face. Oh, how her Dad would have loved
her handywork! She knew he was proud of her.
"Why Doctor Scully, are you smiling?"
Her most serious look returned almost immediately. "No.
Really. Let's get straight to work. I have to work hard
to make you look good." Of course, she believed he already
looked good in a slightly different way. She wasn't ready
to tell him that, though. That would have to wait until
she was finished supposedly 'spying' on him. How long
could that possibly take?
END
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