CH.2 Breathe in, breathe out.
The chapter title says it all.
One week earlier.
Breathe in, breathe out.breathe in, hold it, and open the door. Why was it she was so tense, after being in this situation a thousand times over? You'd think it would be as common of a task as grocery shopping, but it was wearing her down, and he knew it. And while her emotionless visage was his major cue, along with unexpected snaps of her famous scientific influenced wit being a bit colder than usual, it was truly a different story within the depths of Dana Scully. She'd never admit to it, but it was the perfect fuel to keep that much needed fire within her burning.
She, as he, thrived on the suspense and drama of it all. It was this, this moment that made her feel as old and tired as one of the Alzheimer stricken folks down at Mariner's retirement home. But the fact of the matter remained that she always, (begrudgingly of course) followed him down the most outlandish path in pursuit of whatever it was he was determined to unveil that given week, case, whatever, was that she enjoyed it, because it gave her life truth. It was this, the reporting to a higher level than she, which held her fate in its stern grip that wore her down.
She peered down at the lights' reflection on its cold silver bend. As he irritably brushed her aside, the door flew open. They both stared, eyes wide with uncertainty.
"Agents." Skinner nodded and gestures for them to enter.
Mulder looked down to witness her reaction, but she did not exchange glances and walked into the Assistant director's office.
"Kimberly, I asked that you call them up immediately." Skinner beamed at his secretary.
"I told them to go right on in, but they just stood at the door, Sir." She responded defensively.
He nodded, closed the door, and sighed heavily as he settled behind his desk facing the two agents.
"Well, I reviewed the report you turned into me yester-"
"Sir, if I may explain- " Scully interrupted forcefully.
"No Agent Scully, let me explain something to you. How do you expect me to explain myself? You know you're not the only two who have to explain yourselves." His voice lightened at 'explain' in that almost whisper tone that follows his angry one. A relief washed over the two. It was bad enough to be chewed out, but to be chewed out by a really pissed Assistant Director is a different story.
"Sir." Mulder began but then paused, unsure of where to take his argument. "We're sorry?"
Scully flashed him a look. Imbued with annoyance, Skinner furrowed his brow.
"Can you find it in your heart to forgive us?" Mulder asked childishly.
"That's not going to slide this time, if it were only that easy, Mulder." He began dispassionately. "But it's not. This is not about you, or you, or the x-files. This has to do with, with, what the hell were you thinking?! My ass is on the line with yours. I can't just pat your hand and scorn you." Ended VERY passionately.
"You want to 'pat' my hand Sir?"
"Damnitt Mulder! I am not playing with you."
Scully leaned back in her chair and pressed her lips together.
"Agent Scully, would you please explain this to me?" Skinner more demanded rather than asked as he slammed down the case report on his desk.
Breathe in, breathe out.
"Well, I got a call from Agent Mulder on Saturday morning."
One week earlier.
Breathe in, breathe out.breathe in, hold it, and open the door. Why was it she was so tense, after being in this situation a thousand times over? You'd think it would be as common of a task as grocery shopping, but it was wearing her down, and he knew it. And while her emotionless visage was his major cue, along with unexpected snaps of her famous scientific influenced wit being a bit colder than usual, it was truly a different story within the depths of Dana Scully. She'd never admit to it, but it was the perfect fuel to keep that much needed fire within her burning.
She, as he, thrived on the suspense and drama of it all. It was this, this moment that made her feel as old and tired as one of the Alzheimer stricken folks down at Mariner's retirement home. But the fact of the matter remained that she always, (begrudgingly of course) followed him down the most outlandish path in pursuit of whatever it was he was determined to unveil that given week, case, whatever, was that she enjoyed it, because it gave her life truth. It was this, the reporting to a higher level than she, which held her fate in its stern grip that wore her down.
She peered down at the lights' reflection on its cold silver bend. As he irritably brushed her aside, the door flew open. They both stared, eyes wide with uncertainty.
"Agents." Skinner nodded and gestures for them to enter.
Mulder looked down to witness her reaction, but she did not exchange glances and walked into the Assistant director's office.
"Kimberly, I asked that you call them up immediately." Skinner beamed at his secretary.
"I told them to go right on in, but they just stood at the door, Sir." She responded defensively.
He nodded, closed the door, and sighed heavily as he settled behind his desk facing the two agents.
"Well, I reviewed the report you turned into me yester-"
"Sir, if I may explain- " Scully interrupted forcefully.
"No Agent Scully, let me explain something to you. How do you expect me to explain myself? You know you're not the only two who have to explain yourselves." His voice lightened at 'explain' in that almost whisper tone that follows his angry one. A relief washed over the two. It was bad enough to be chewed out, but to be chewed out by a really pissed Assistant Director is a different story.
"Sir." Mulder began but then paused, unsure of where to take his argument. "We're sorry?"
Scully flashed him a look. Imbued with annoyance, Skinner furrowed his brow.
"Can you find it in your heart to forgive us?" Mulder asked childishly.
"That's not going to slide this time, if it were only that easy, Mulder." He began dispassionately. "But it's not. This is not about you, or you, or the x-files. This has to do with, with, what the hell were you thinking?! My ass is on the line with yours. I can't just pat your hand and scorn you." Ended VERY passionately.
"You want to 'pat' my hand Sir?"
"Damnitt Mulder! I am not playing with you."
Scully leaned back in her chair and pressed her lips together.
"Agent Scully, would you please explain this to me?" Skinner more demanded rather than asked as he slammed down the case report on his desk.
Breathe in, breathe out.
"Well, I got a call from Agent Mulder on Saturday morning."