Title: Late Start
Author: Aeon Cole
Fandom: X-Files
Rating: FRT
Spoilers: None
Warnings: None
Word Count: 440
Challenge: 12stories
Table: table 7 misc a
Prompt: #5 Passion
Summary: Mulder gets a phone call.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and I am making no money from this.
Fox Mulder jogged out of the elevator onto his floor of the building toward his apartment. It was still early in the morning and the sun was just rising as he returned from his morning run. When he reached his front door he heard his phone ringing inside, so he quickly fumbled with the key, almost dropping it, and finally managed to unlock the door. He dashed in, picked up the phone and said the first thing that came to mind.
"Mulder's house of massage. Mulder speaking. How may we help you?"
At the other end of the line, Dana Scully rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile, or a chuckle from her voice as she answered him. "Mulder, it's me," she said.
Hearing the amusement in her words lifted his spirits. "Scully, what can I do for you?" he replied.
Shaking her head she answered, "I just called to let you know that I am going to be later than I expected today."
Suddenly concerned, he asked, "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine, Mulder. I have to stop by Mom's on my way in. It's just a little out of the way."
"You're sure nothing's wrong?" he asked again.
"Yes, Mulder. I'm sure nothing is wrong. I just have to drop some things off at her place and I want to do it before we leave for this case. I'll be about an hour late."
"Okay," he said, sounding not so convinced. "I'm sure I can find something to occupy my time while I wait for you," he continued with a hint of innuendo in his voice.
"I'm sure," Scully responded sarcastically.
Just as she was about to hang up the phone, Mulder called into the receiver, "Say hi to Mom for me," and he thought he heard a faint giggle as the line went dead.
He smiled as he place the receiver back onto its charger base. He really didn't know when it had happened. His search for the truth had been all-consuming and had occupied his life for so long. It had been his private obsession and his private hell. He never anticipated having anyone to share it with. Especially not someone he could fall in love with. But her passion had matched his in a wonderful counterpoint that managed to keep him grounded to reality and her insistence on the scientific method and tangible evidence gave credence to their work. She kept him honest. No, he didn't know exactly when it had happened. But he did know that he couldn't continue without her.
Fin