- Title: The Interlude—Part II
Author: Dawn
E-mail: leffue@hotmail.com
Rating: PG
Category: UST
Spoilers: Millenium and a little mention from Emily
Summary: Scully's POV on what happened in the waiting room.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. Boo-hoo.
Feedback is always welcome!
The Interlude: Part 2
I couldn't help but be emotional at the sight of Frank Black's little girl squealing his name in pure delight and throwing her arms around his neck. It's the first time I had seen him smile. Thoughts of a life I could have had come unbidden to my mind and then out of the corner of my eye I see Mulder enter the lobby with his arm in a sling. This is my life. He is my life. I see the same emotions on his face that I am feeling as he watches Frank's little girl. I see the haunting sadness there as he remembers Samantha and my Emily. I see the flash of undeserved guilt pass over his beautiful face.
Behind me, on the television I hear Dick Clark's voice as he goes on about all the people packed into Times Square. I politely ask if Frank wants to stay and watch. He declines and with a protective hand on his daughter's shoulder, they leave. I turn towards the television and Mulder stands close to me on my right. I feel his presence, the heat from his body, the energy that exudes from him. I see all the innocent people crushed together in such a small space and smile to myself at their ignorance of all that has gone on in the last few days, things that could have ended their lives and they would have been none the wiser. But once again, Mulder and I stood between the end of the world and all those people unknowing of what we have done. I suddenly feel an immense sense pride and relief that once again we had faced death and beaten it. Together.
I focus back on the television as the countdown to the year 2000 begins. I can sense Mulder fidgeting beside me as the cheering crowd grows closer to number one. The brightly lit ball begins to descend and at the last number they erupt into celebration. For a brief moment I fear that everything will stop just as the scientist predicted. But the lights remain burning and the world continues to turn. I smile at a kissing couple on television. Suddenly, I feel Mulder move beside me. He leans toward me and I can feel his breath caressing my face. I wait for his soft, full lips to rest on my cheek and suddenly that's not what I want. I tilt my head at the last moment and his mouth lands on mine. I can tell he is shocked and unsure of what has happened. But then he realizes that I haven't pulled away. It isn't a passionate kiss but lasts entirely to long to be considered friendly. My heart is tripping over itself and seems as if it's too small to hold all I feel for this man in it. Regrettably we part and he smiles that goofy grin at me that I have come to cherish. I am now a little shy and unsure that I did the right thing.
"The world didn't end," he says softly, to put me at ease. I smile at his double meaning.
"No, it didn't." I can see in his eyes that he wants more. I duck my head and stare at the floor as if it is suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. I don't think I'm ready for more of Fox Mulder tonight. I hear him sigh.
"Happy New Year, Scully." He has accepted my decision and I know he will wait until I am ready.
"Happy New Year, Mulder." I am a little wistful and disappointed in my reserve. He throws his uninjured arm over my shoulders giving a little squeeze and leads me out of the hospital.
I'm not ready, but I will be. I haven't made any resolutions yet.