Climbing by Stonewar

Disclaimer: Yeah, right like anybody reads my stuff, let alone Fox's

lawyers..

Category: SA

Classification: Future, Mulder/Scully married

Rating: PG

Spoilers: none

Archive: I'll do Gossamer .Auto Archives OK. Others ask me.

Feedback: I am too proud to beg, but I shoot will pitiful looks in your

direction

Summary: Prequel to A Passed Torch ( or A Torch Passed depending

where you look) which is the Prequel to Golden Days. (can be found

on my sight. link at the bottom)

author's note: This is a series and I'm writing it

in reverse chronological order. And because I'm doing it that

way I ain't resolving nothin' so there. ppppfffsst!

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"Walter, I hope you don't mind but I invited someone to join us

for dessert." Deputy Section Chief Gilbert Davila asked his

dinner companion.

"I guess not, Gil. Who is it?"

"Remember how I was telling you I was having difficulty replacing

Agent Tavez after his promotion?"

"Yes, As I recall no one within the division was quite up to par.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with office politics anymore."

"Ah, the joys of retirement" Gil chuckled. "Well, I heard about

this wunderkind out in Seattle and brought her out to interview."

"And you want to offer her the position over dessert."

He smiled, "I've really appreciated your mentoring over the

years, Walter and I want to do the same for this agent. She

is quite the rising star. I have a feeling she could climb as

high as director one day."

"That good, huh?"

"Phenomenal investigator. Charismatic leader on the few cases

she's led...She's run roughshod over a few partner's but then

again that's something she won't have to deal with in Admin."

Walter nodded in approval. "If she is truly all that, I'd say you've

picked a winner, Gil. Of course, you're bringing her into a

difficult situation. There'll be resentment and backbiting."

"Trust me, they'll get over it quick enough."

Walter's eyes shifted to the entrance of the restaurant. "If

she is the intimidatingly beautiful woman who just walked

in. I can believe it."

Gil looked over his shoulder to see whom Walter was referring.

"That's her. That's what I was talking about. A commanding

presence." he agreed as he gestured for her to join them.

Both men rose as she approached the table. Gil stepped forward

"I'm glad you could make it." shaking her hand. "Agent Mulder,

have you met Walter Skinner?"

"Seriously?" She asked with her sapphire eyes wide as she

grasped the older man's hand.

"Seriously," Skinner responded. "You couldn't resist, could you?"

He accused.

"Nope," He smirked. "Have a seat, Agent."

"Thank you, Sir," She murmured as she took the empty seat

between them.

"I'll cut to the chase, Agent Mulder. I was very impressed with

your record and interview today. I would like to go ahead and

offer you the position. If you accept, the paperwork for your

transfer can be waiting for you upon your return to Seattle."

"Yes, of course I accept. Thank you very much, Sir."

He nodded. "Well, As Walter said I couldn't resist introducing

the two of you, but I must return to the office now. Do Stay.

I recommend the Lindsor torte," He suggested as he got up

from the table. "I'll call you next week, Walter."

"Gil."

They watched him walk away from the table then sat in awkward

silence until the waiter came to take their dessert orders. Neither

took the Lindsor torte.

Skinner cleared his throat. "You are related to *Fox* Mulder,

right?" He clarified.

"Yes, Sir. In fact, I'm Katherine *Fox* Mulder."

"I would have guessed Samantha," He murmured.

"No, That would be my sister. She is doing strange and

wonderful things in the FBI labs in L.A."

"Two Agent Mulders," he commented in wonder.

"Scully actually. We were in the same class at the Academy so

we took different names to avoid confusion."

"I see."

The waiter returned with their order and they ate in silence

for a few moments. Skinner took the opportunity to take in

the features of the woman next to him. 'She doesn't look

like either of them' he thought. 'Scully's eyes and Mulder's

hair and height, but not much else.'

"I must confess I haven't had any contact with your parents

since their wedding," He ventured to restart the conversation.

"So you would like an update?" She inquired with a grin he

recognized.

"Please."

"Let's see...Mom works at a free clinic. Mostly Administration

work but she occasionally takes a shift in the clinic just to keep

in practice."

"And Mulder?"

"He bounces around from project to project, complaining about

being retired."

"He would. He was such a workaholic."

She nodded at the observation. "He keeps coming back to his

memoirs, debating whether he should keep it as is or change

the names and make it a novel."

"I'm bit apprehensive to ask out how I am portrayed."

She avoided his eyes. "You have highs and lows."

"So brutally honest. I guess."

They lingered over their dessert and coffee for an hour

exchanging Mulder and Scully stories. Many of them, Kat

had heard before but it was interesting to hear them from

the perspective of her parent's former supervisor.

"Walter, come home with me for dinner." She asked impulsively.

"No, I don't think so." He evaded, tempted. Glancing at his watch

he asked. "Shouldn't you be returning to work?"

"I work in Seattle. The only thing I had to do today was that

interview this morning."

"Right."

"I'll just call mom and tell her to set an extra place." She

announced, pulling our her phone.

"Are you sure it won't be an imposition?"

"No, I'm the imposition. Mooching off them instead of

using my expense account to get a hotel. You'll be a

pleasant surprise." She insisted, dialing the number.

"Hi, Mom...Great. Listen, would it be alright if I bring

a friend to dinner? No....No. Its not like that. Just a

friend. Sure, Fine. I'll see you at six." She rolled her eyes

as she pressed end. "She's turning into her mother," She

grumbled.

"I've always found Mrs. Scully a lovely woman." He defended.

Kat raised an eyebrow at his comment. "Yes, but she's also

an incurable matchmaker. Mom deserves the heart attack

she'll have when I walk in with you." she said with a smirk.

Skinner shook his head in disbelief. "You *are* Mulder's child."

The End

Next?........Kat and Samma at the academy

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"Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"

--"Self-Reliance" Ralph Waldo Emerson (misquoted)

Stonewar's Reality

http://www.geocites.com/Area51/Nebula/5512

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