An Alternate Dreamland – Chapter 12
Okay, so I scanned cyberspace and found something really groovy for Mulder to say about women – sorry if I've been a thief.
The agents were steaming along Highway I-93 with Scully at the wheel. Mulder actually wouldn't have minded driving, but he had admitted to Scully that his knee hurt like a bitch.
"Sorry about that, Scully. If by some miracle we get switched back, you're not going to like how this knee feels." Mulder had lifted his pant leg and was examining the purple mark that had bloomed overnight.
"Don't worry about it, Mulder. Since I've been working with you, bruises have been the least of my worries," Scully smirked.
Mulder couldn't help but break out into a grin. "Scully, you know something, you may be handsome, but you're still Scully."
Scully laughed for a moment and then became pensive. She stared at the long stretch of flat Nevada landscape that stretched out before them. Scully and Mulder had been on many a long drive together and it wasn't unusual for many miles to pass without speaking. They were comfortable with silences. Somehow, however, this morning's silence seemed awkward. The rental car kept cruising along despite their apprehensions, and Scully eventually made the turn west onto Highway 375, into the notorious "dreamland" of Area 51.
"Scully?"
"Hmm….yeah, Mulder."
"Well, I was just wondering. Does it really matter all that much?"
Scully glanced briefly at her partner and back at the road. "I don't understand. Does what matter, Mulder?"
Mulder sat in silence for a minute, staring out at the desert. Scully didn't interrupt his thought process. She'd learned better.
"Well, I've been thinking. I've been thinking a lot, actually."
Scully gave Mulder a quick look over her shoulder, returned her gaze to the road and murmured, "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Mulder ignored her comment.
"Scully, did you know that in ancient Mayan culture, women were seen to be beyond equal. Not only were they revered for their ability to bear and feed children with their bodies, they were also paramount in government, economics and agricultural planning. It's not well known, but the women of pre-Columbian Mayan societies were honoured with elaborate burial rituals. Tonina, for instance, was a city which became matrilineal after the death of the powerful leader Lady K'awil. She assumed the mantle of power after the abysmal failure of two male leaders. Only recently has it been documented that Lady K'awil's reign was documented by enormous murals that show her seated at a throne with slaves at her feet."
Mulder was silent once again, staring out at the desert rolling by at 75 miles per hour. It seemed Scully had a lead foot today, but Mulder didn't mind.
Scully was also quiet. It might have surprised her if anyone else had quoted the huge amount of data that had just spilled out of Mulder's mouth, but – it was Mulder. That eidetic memory of his still impressed her, but it no longer surprised her.
Scully sighed. "Mulder, that's a great story, but what are you trying to tell me?"
Mulder looked at his partner and smiled. "Do you believe in reincarnation, Scully?"
Scully just rolled her eyes and pushed her foot harder on the accelerator."
"I guess that's a discussion for another day" Mulder chuckled. "Anyway, Scully, what I'm trying to get at is this – how much does it matter that I'm in this body and you're in that one? I still feel like me and I'll bet you still feel like you. Well, uh, you know, within reason. And another thing, I still think of you as you, and I hope you still think of me as me."
Mulder paused, thinking.
"Scully, I just want you to know that if this doesn't work out, if we can't find a solution to this problem, that I'll still think of you the same way I always have. I'll still be here for you as much as I ever have. We can get though this, Scully."
Scully was biting her lower lip. She felt tears stinging her eyes. She was trying to hide her fear, panic and an overwhelming sense of confusion. She took her right hand off the wheel and reached out to clasp Mulder's small fingers in hers. She swallowed hard.
"I know what you're saying, Mulder. It's very touching."
Mulder remained silent, gazing at Scully.
"I can ask only one thing of you if this doesn't work out."
Mulder fought back tears. "Yes, Scully."
Scully hesitated and looked at her partner. "Promise me?"
"Anything."
Scully nodded. "Mulder, whatever you do, please don't ever wear Vixen lipstick with boysenberry blush ever again."
Mulder froze. God, I love this woman.
Scully squeezed Mulder's hand. Both agents looked straight ahead and kept smiles buried deep within themselves.
"Look, Mulder, there's the signpost we saw last night, Mile Marker number 134. Let's hope for the best."
Indeed, let's hope for the best…..