The X Files: The Gift
Skinner thought back to when he first met his girlfriend Sally. She is an FBI secretary for another assistant director at the Bureau. They met one lunchtime in the canteen a couple of years ago. Skinner had a free seat next to him and the canteen was busy, so he offered Sally a seat. Then, to Skinner's surprise, they hit it off.
Small talk turned to gossip, then turned to work and home life. Then he took her on a date to her favorite restaurant, and the rest as they say, was history. Sally had long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, and she looked younger than her 32 years of age. She had studied English at uni before applying for a fast track job in secretaries for the FBI a few years ago. She loved her job ever since. So it was a bonus when he met her bubbly self in the canteen that day.
Skinner loved the way she made his heart skip a beat just by knowing he was near her. She liked sport and tennis. Skinner loved that as he could relate his boxing to their list of favorite sports.
He had the day off, which was also why he was doubly annoyed at Doggett for needing to see him. He and Sally were making out, getting ready for bed, and cuddling together after having an early lunch that afternoon. Then, at 4pm, Skinner's phone rang. He looked at it automatically, before Sally pulled him towards her and gazed into his eyes. "Don't answer it," she pleaded, knowing it was something to do with Skinner's work.
Skinner gazed back into her eyes and nodded. "Yes, Ma'am," he said, and they both chuckled as they kissed again. But Skinner's cell kept on ringing. Whoever it was, they were a persistent ringer. By the fifth ring, Skinner ended the kiss and sighed, before looking helplessly at Sally. "I'm sorry, honey," he told her. "But I think I'm going to have to take this. It could be important," he said. Sally frowned and pulled away from him. "More important than me?" She demanded with a raised eyebrow as she folded her arms across her chest.
Skinner sighed. "You know I don't mean that," he said softly. The cell phone rang once more, and Sally glared at him before getting out of bed. "Fine," she said. "I know where your priorities lie," she told him. "No wait, Sal-," Skinner tried to call after her. But she just gave him another haughty look before leaving the room. "Moment's gone, Walter," she said over her shoulder as she left.
Skinner cursed silently before answering his cell. "Yeah, Skinner," he said curtly, rubbing his temple in frustration. "Sir, It's me, Agent Doggett," Doggett's voice answered on the other end of the line. "What is it Agent Doggett? I'm on a day off," he said. "I know, Sir and I apologize for calling you. But something's come up that I think you really need to know about," Doggett replied. "Know about what?" Skinner asked. "About Mulder. I really need to show you this, sir. It's important," he said. Skinner sighed as he thought for a second, wondering what Sally would say if he decided to help Doggett.
Not knowing what choice he had, Skinner reluctantly agreed to meet him. "Thank you, Sir. I'll be in the ballistics crime lab. I'll wait here for you," he said, and the two men hung up.
Skinner sighed as he made his way to the crime lab where Doggett was waiting for him. He vowed that this will be the last time he gave up making love with his girlfriend for work. He was getting a little frustrated in that area of life and he felt his girlfriend was beginning to feel the same way, too. So he had promised her this would be the last night he'd spend apart from her and after this he would devote most of his free time to her. She said he'd better, if he wanted to be with her then spending time on their relationship was the least he could do. Skinner knew she was right. His agents couldn't keep relying on him all the time. You're not their father, his girlfriend had pointed out. You don't owe them anything, you just need to do your job.
After solving a case which Skinner thought could be titled: What Mulder Did Last Spring, Skinner made his way home after work. He pulled up in his driveway and parked the car, before getting out his bouquet of roses. He then made his way to the front door, unlocked and entered his house. "Sally?" He called. "Sally, I'm home," he said, and waited at the door for any response. After a minute, he saw his girlfriend walk down the stairs, dressed in a pale blue nightie. She knew it was his favorite color on her, and thought it would help them. It was a nice surprise, and Skinner grinned. "Hey, honey," he said with a grin. Sally Ringdon looked at him as she came down the stairs, slowly. "Hey, honey," she replied. "You're home, then," she said.
Skinner nodded, before clearing his throat and held out his bouquet of flowers. "For you, my love," he said, and held it for her, wondering what she would say. To his relief, she grinned, and took the flowers before smelling them. "They're beautiful," she said happily. Skinner smiled. "Not as beautiful as you," he told her, and she smiled back at him before leaving the flowers on the dresser and walking toward him. She then embraced him and they kissed each other passionately before having a hug.
"I was wondering when you'd come back," she said, as she hugged him tightly. "I know. I'm sorry, honey, it's just... work can be so demanding at times, you know?" He asked. They finished the hug and Sally sighed. "I know," she said sympathetically. "But the main thing is, you're here, right?" She asked in a positive tone that Skinner loved about her. She was so optimistic while he was a pessimist. "Yeah," he said. "There's no where I'd rather be," he told her sincerely. She smiled and kissed him again, before holding her hand for him to take. "Come on," she said. "We have to make up for lost time," she told him. They chuckled with each other as Sally lead him up the stairs.