|
Rated: PG.
Timeframe: Season 5.
Category: M/S friendship, UST.
Feedback: patfiler2016@outlook.com. Always
welcomed if kindly applied.
Today I came back from another vacation, and this time,
I am proud to say, I was not involved in any unexpected
police investigations, abductions, instances of paranormal
activity or seminars. No, this time, I drove out to see my
Mom for a few days, added some new shoes and fun
personal items to my wardrobe, and rested.
I even sat around the apartment and managed to get in a
few good books and videos before returning to work. Oh, yes,
one very important thing to do is to turn the phone off and let the
answering machine go on vacation. It makes things much
quieter, especially in the evenings.
So, seventeen days after I leave for this wonderful rest from the
office, I sparkle and shine as I enter the office I share with my
partner at the FBI. What happens? I am inundated with the most
in-depth interrogation I have had since my mother first discovered
I had been into her cigarettes!
"So, where'd you go?"
"Out to my mother's for a couple of days, prowled around the malls,
swam at a very clean beach, and rented videos. Then I..."
"I thought you'd been taken again!"
"Oh, well, no. Should I have been? Still, I WAS away and I DID not
encounter anyone with gray skin."
"That's not funny! What happened to your phone?"
"I unplugged it. You know those pesky telemarketers."
"And your answering machine?"
"Everyone knew where I was. I was on vacation, I did speak with my
Mom and my brother, I ran into my neighbours and I spoke to three
people who frequent the same coffee shop as I do every morning.
Then I told the usual local flasher to do up his coat before he got a
sunburn... "
"Hey, I was really wondering if something had happened to you!"
"That's very... thank you for your concern. I was about to say that's
very nice of you, but now I think it's just plain annoying!"
"Annoying?"
"Yes, annoying. Look, I have my own life, and at least I live it away
from here. Much as I really value your dedication to the work, our partnership
and our friendship, I really needed a break from anything to do with the
place."
"Even me?"
"Well, no, I really didn't need a vacation from you. I really am sorry if you think
I wanted to get away from you. Really, I didn't mean to leave you feeling like that.
Wait a minute... Oh, now I get it. You missed me!" It felt sweet to hear that
in his voice.
"You could say that I was concerned for your welfare."
"No, you m i s s e d me! Now I know your secret, you really missed me," I sing.
You know, like kids sing 'Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah!'
"Well, yeah. I mean, apart from the fact that you have been abducted in the
past, that there've been a rash of assaults on young women in your area of town
lately, and I had nothing to do, I missed you. Why does that surprise you?"
"I don't know. I guess, since you sometimes go off when we're working, and
don't tell ME where you're going, I ought to have put it together. Did you feel
abandoned or ditched?" I ask my partner. Somehow, I guess I hadn't seen the
warm friendship factor, or the deep caring we have for one another when
there's been an injury or trauma. I HAD been selfish.
"I did feel somewhat, uh, lonely. I think. Yeah, I felt lonely."
He looks like such a lost sheep at this moment. And I feel like such a heel. "I
am so sorry. Oh, I had no idea," I whisper softly, walking around the desk to
kneel at his side, with my arms out-stretched. "I just didn't figure you'd want
any closeness from me." I hug him, pressing my head into his chest. "Maybe I
should read you better from now on."
"Well, I felt sort of empty. I think I can almost say you make me feel more
complete. Wasn't I able to read you all those times when you were sick, or
in danger?"
"Yes," I whisper. I feel my eyes stinging. "You were. I've been taking everything
for granted lately. I ditched you this time, Mulder, and I'm sorry."
"Scully. There is a thing that means never having to say you're sorry... "
"And sometimes it's just taken for granted," I admit. I kiss him and tenderly
whisper, "So what did you do without me?" At that point, about fifty well-sharpened
pencils fall from the ceiling and I double over in a fit of laughter.
***
I just felt as though Scully needed to give Mulder a good piece of her mind, since he
often didn't say things outright, and then take her medicine from him.
|
