Thanks for all of the awesome reviews ad I would LOVE more. I am currently writing this from my Broadcasting class with a bunch of juniors, seniors, sophomores, and freshmen looking over my shoulder trying to figure out what kind of story I've written this time.
Being in Skinner's office was a relief for both of the agents. They knew there could be no awkward moments here, no discussion of what had just happened. Skinner was one of the only people that Mulder and Scully both felt they could trust. What they didn't trust, however, was the room in which the meeting itself took place. They knew it was a good possibility that the room was bugged, just as they knew it was probable that their own office was bugged. In fact, the exchange they just made could be very dangerous for them if their enemies had been monitoring it. They were both afraid that their enemies would use their mutual attraction to each other against them, though neither of them would admit it.
"Agents, I have a new assignment for you. A man was shot today in Michigan. He is in critical condition at the moment and the only witnesses were his wife and next door neighbor."
"Excuse me, sir, but this isn't really our forte. We investigate the paranormal, not things that happen every day. No offense, Skinman but…"
"Agent Mulder, if you would please let me finish," Mulder looked sheepish, "According to both women, the assailant was invisible. They only saw the gun rise into the air, and then the bullet. The wife believes it was an invisible man, while the neighbor believes it was telekinesis. The man had no enemies, and no one would have had a reason to kill him. You tow leave tomorrow morning at 6:30 for Detroit, Michigan. I expect daily reports on this," he brandished his hand in the air to indicate that they were dismissed, "Oh, agents," his eye twitched, "Be careful, and don't call me Skinman."
The elevator ride to the basement was only slightly awkward. Mulder was deep in thought about the case, while Scully was thinking about what to pack and what the weather was in Michigan.
When they got to their destination, home of the FBI's most unwanted, Scully glanced at the clock. It read 5:08.
"Hey Scully, before we left, did Skinner… wink at us?" Mulder asked curiously.
"It looked like he had a nervous twitch or something, but we did warn him about the potential bug in his office, so maybe."
"I just realized something. I never really took the time to look at Skinner; I mean really look at Skinner. But I looked at him today and realized that the poor man is bald."
Scully shook her head.
He could be so dense sometimes. Of course the man was bald; he hadn't had hair since they first met him. How could you work with someone that long and not notice something so obvious?
She shook her head again.
She had to fall for him, the one man if the FBI that hadn't noticed Skinner was bald. The one man that was so oblivious to everything but his work. Everything including her affection for him.
"Hey, go home Mulder, I'll print off the case file and you can come over for dinner at seven," Mulder looked at her curiously, "So we can discuss the case," she added, almost as an afterthought.
Mulder wasn't sure what to make of her offer. Maybe she didn't want to talk about the case. But then again the office was bugged so… Maybe she wanted to turn their friendship into something more. He'd loved her for the longest time but he was afraid to admit it to her. What if she didn't love him back… but now he wasn't so sure. The exchange earlier gave him hope, but he didn't want to get too carried away, because what if she didn't love him?
"Ok, did the Gunmen make a sweep of your house this week?" He knew that was safe to say because if people were monitoring the office, they were probably the ones monitoring their houses too. They would know that the Gunmen made sweeps and regularly removed listening devices.
Mulder smirked, remembering Frohike's infatuation with her.
"Yeah, this morning. And I swear, if I find that weasel has gone through my drawers again, I'll steal your gun, shoot them, and then blame it on you," Mulder feigned a hurt look, "They are your friends after all. No… I'll take my gun and shoot you because I hold you directly responsible for what they do."
Mulder made a mental note to check with said weasel later to see what kind of panties she had been wearing lately. With that thought, he said goodbye and headed out the door.
I was thinking about writing a sex scene sometime in the next few chapters. I was gonna draft it today but writing about sex in sex ed while I'm supposed to be reading chapter 18 (sexual intercourse and reproduction) but that didn't seem right. I am very upset that David Duchovny didn't win a Golden Globe last night because he definitely deserved at least one for his performance in Californication (the best show ever!!!) He is a very funny man. I love reviews and a beta is appreciated.
