So, this chapter will make the whole series out of order. But, Clyde Buckman's Final Repose, it's really supposed to take place in August and 2Shy is set in September (according to IMDB). To top that off, it's not snowing in Washington State in Oubliette, therefore it's late September! The List can be mid September for all I care. It has no bearing on the fic. And to answer any questions of slack- jawed confusion or disbelief: Yes, I did just justify a fictional TV show's chronology so I can do what I want. Also, Jewel Staite is in that episode. How can one pass up everyone's favorite, non crazy, mechanically inclined mei mei, Kaylee Frye?

Oh, and to any of you guys with father's you love, Happy Father's Day! To any who have lost a father, I will say I hope you remember the good times you had with him and try not to dwell on the pain of loss.

Enjoy!

"Agent Scully? Do you have any idea where Agent Mulder is?" Skinner questions at eleven fifteen. Knowing Amanda's mom is late picking her up, Scully feigns innocence. She knows her partner likes to keep his family life as quiet as possible when regarding the Bureau. After a little grumbling session, Skinner decides to brief his only agent. Just beginning the major details of the case, Skinner is interrupted by his office door opening. The agents are relieved to see Mulder, but both are equally surprised to see his daughter with him. Sitting down in the seat opposite his boss, Mulder answers, "She sweet talked your secretary into coming in here."

An incredulous look from the A.D. causes the head of the X-files to add, "She has a book. She's fine."

With a sigh, Skinner continues with his briefing, and is annoyed when the now eleven year old asks, "Where's the bathroom?"

"Down the hall and to your right. They're the doors closest to the elevator," Skinner states eager to have the child out of his office to discuss the gorrier details of the case. Chloe nods as she sets her book down and walks out the door. As she leaves, the secretary gives her a curious look to which Chloe mouths she is headed toward the bathroom. Wearing overalls and a t-shirt, the eleven year old feels a little out of place next to the many, taller, adults in suits. Finally reaching the bathroom, Chloe opens the door and chooses a stall. Just as she is about to wash her hands, she clicks the stall door shut again when she hears two agents talking about her father. Realizing the women are placing bets on her dad and his partner, the girl angrily opens the stall door, washes her hands, and walks back to Skinner's office. Not bothering with the secretary, Chloe barges into the office and sits back down on the couch with her arms crossed. Seeing the expression on the child's face from his chair, the assistant director ends the briefing early. Realizing his daughter is the cause, Mulder is immediately embarrassed. Getting up from his seat, he sees his boss give Scully the file as he goes over to his daughter who stares warily at Skinner and any other agent she comes across as she and her father leave the Bureau. As they enter the elevator, Mulder states, "What's with your mood, young lady?"

Keeping her lips tight he does not get a full answer until he leaves to pick Scully up for their assignment. Dropping her off at Anna's after prodding one last time, Chloe says before the door opens, "Two of the other agents were placing bets on you and Scully."

"They were what?" Mulder asks confused. As he guides his daughter away from her friend's apartment, the father tries to gain as much knowledge as he can before Rachel opens the door. Chloe looks up at her father knowing he is serious. Biting her lip, the girl says, "When I was in the bathroom, two of the agents were placing bets on you and Scully. That's all I know."

"Do you know what the bet was?" He asks merely wanting to figure out the best way to explain how he and his partner are perceived by most other adults. Hearing the apartment door opens, Mulder guides his now talking daughter nearer to the woman who stands outside the door.

"I was too angry to listen anymore. Is the government filled with stupid people like that?" Chloe questions. Trying not to laugh, Mulder answers, "Some more than others."

Rachel smiles at the father and daughter as they walk toward her before stepping out of the way to let Chloe inside the apartment.

"Thanks, again," Mulder states as he readjusts his hanging bag on his shoulder. Rachel shakes her head answering, "Just give me and Adam a date night and we'll call it even."

Nodding, Mulder calls out to his daughter that he loves her before leaving to pick Scully up. When he arrives at her apartment, he parks the car and heads to her door. Knocking, Scully answers and lets the man inside. Heading into her hallway, she states, "I just need to zip my bag and I'll be set."

Mulder nods as he looks around her clean apartment before realizing Queequeg is not around. Commenting on the dog's absence, Mulder listens to the answer as he takes Scully's suitcase from her so she can lock her apartment door.

"Mom took him this weekend. I should've let Chloe take him. I'm sorry, Mulder," She responds walking down the corridor of her apartment. Shaking his head, her partner replies, "It's fine. She probably needs to get her mind off what happened today anyway."

Remembering the girl's attitude, Scully asks how Chloe is.

"She's fine. She just got angry at some of the other female agents who were in the bathroom earlier."

Raising her eyebrow, Scully asks as Mulder throws her bag in the trunk of the car, "What did they do?"

Seeing the look on the woman's face as he rounds the side of the car to reach the driver's side, he replies, "Nothing bad. She just heard them placing bets on us."

The last of his words come out in more of a mumble causing Scully to ask Mulder to repeat himself once they are seated. When he does, the woman's mouth hangs open.

"Careful, Scully. You'll catch flies," He quips as he leaves the apartment complex and on onto the main road.

"Does she know what they said?" Scully questions wishing people will stop pretending as if she an her co-worker are in some sort of interoffice relationship. Mulder shakes his head wondering how many bets are going on about them that they are unaware of. The agents are quiet until they reach the interstate.

"You want me to talk to her?" Scully asks as they get onto the on ramp. With a sigh, the man answers, "No. I just wish we didn't have to deal with a case right now."

"Did Amanda get home okay?" The woman asks trying to change the topic from the case.

"Yeah. Her mom spent a couple minutes flirting with me though before I left. Amanda had to drag her out of the apartment. Apparently they were supposed to meet her grandmother," He states with a smirk. Her mouth set, Scully inhales before asking, "What does she look like?"

"Jealous, Scully?" He quips wondering if his partner is, in fact, jealous. Scully shakes her head as she looks out the window hoping the case does not last very long. Fifteen minutes later, the agents are checking in their bags for their flight to Washington and head toward the correct flight gate. Once they are sitting, the adults soon realize how tired they ar and come close to falling asleep. Scully notices her partner fidgeting in the seat beside her. Putting her hand on his knee to stop his leg from tapping rhythmically on the carpeted floor, the red head asks, "The case?"

"Yeah. I just can't stop thinking about what that girl's family is going through. I mean, if it were Chloe-"

"But it's not Mulder. She's safe with her friend. You and I both know that."

"Yeah," He answers noncommittally. Standing up, Mulder turns back to his partner saying, "I'm gonna get some sunflower seeds for the road. You want anything?"

Scully shakes her head as she watches the man walk off. Instead, she digs in the carry on she takes with her to find her cell phone. Just as she is about to dial Rachel and Adam's number, a middle aged brunette asks, "Is this your first time leaving her?"

Confused, the red head gives the other woman a blank stare.

"I heard yours and your husband's conversation," The woman admits sheepishly. With an amused smirk at the woman's assumption, Scully answers, "No. She just had a sleepover and we were called this morning for work. He just feels bad about leaving her right after her birthday."

The woman nods in response before asking the red head various questions about the soon to be eleven year old. Just as the woman begins to ask the FBI agent questions she cannot answer, Mulder comes back. Seeing a chance to escape, Scully takes it.

"Hey, where you goin'?" Mulder questions when his partner stands up. She mouths bathroom before giving an apology to the brunette and walking toward the restroom. Coming back from the restroom, the red head finds Mulder grabbing both their belongings. She raises an eyebrow at him to which he replies, "Our flight was called."

Scully nods and takes out her boarding pass. Getting up to the counter, the woman at the kiosk says to Scully, "I'm sorry, this flight information is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Scully questions as she sees Mulder stand off to the side of the terminal waiting for her.

"There is already someone listed as being in your seat. You'll either have to wait for the next flight or find a way to rearrange everything," The airport employee states. The red head sighs as she looks at her boarding pass before running a hand through her hair. By now, the head of the X-files is standing near his partner who whispers a comment about her sitting in his lap. Rolling her eyes, Scully simply decides to take a later flight.

"You go ahead. I'll meet you there," Scully explains as she shoos her partner toward the plane.

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