Chapter Thirteen - Waiting
It had been close to a month since Mulder had returned to DC - alone. He tried to throw himself into his work but found himself easily distracted.
He missed Scully and everyday fought the temptation to use the Lone Gunmen or any other resource at his disposal to track her down and drag her back to DC.
But he had told her that he trusted her and that he would wait to hear from her.
Mulder hated to wait.
Walter Skinner had noticed the difference in his favorite agent as soon as he had returned from his time with Scully. Skinner had offered him the opportunity to take a real vacation, but Mulder had turned him down.
Skinner had understood Mulder's desire to stay close to DC in case Scully should reappear unannounced, but he also saw Mulder's work suffer as a result.
It suffered to such an extent that Skinner could no longer ignore the situation. He had respected Mulder's decision to work alone but now saw that he had no choice but to find Mulder a partner.
Skinner made a few calls and came up with a list of possible candidates. Surely amongst the names on his short list even Mulder would be able to find someone suitable.
He was about to tell Kimberly to set up a meeting with Mulder to discuss the candidates when he received a call from the Director. Apparently he had also noticed the decline in Mulder's solve rate and had come up with his own solution to the problem.
Skinner had heard the Director and had tried to voice his own opinion on the matter, but the Director's mind was made up. His hand picked selection for Mulder's partner would arrive in Skinner's office first thing in the morning.
"Wonderful" Skinner said hanging up the phone. "I hope the poor guy has a tough skin because Mulder isn't going to be too happy about this."
Skinner looked at the clock and noticing that it was getting on towards five, decided to leave Mulder alone until the following morning. There was no need, he thought, to upset him tonight.
Skinner's Office 9:00 AM
To say that Mulder was upset at being given a new partner was a bit of an understatement. He was livid and became even more so when he found out that he had absolutely no say in the matter at all.
"You need to calm down" Skinner said walking from behind his desk and placing a hand on Mulder's shoulder.
"I don't want to calm down Sir" Mulder said shrugging off Skinner's hand. "Do you remember the last partner that they hand picked for me?"
He answered his own question. "I believe they had Diana Fowley all set up to be my new partner and before that Alex Krycek"
"And before that Dana Scully" Skinner said calmly sitting on the edge of his desk. "Mulder you have to accept the fact that Scully has moved on from the X-files. You need a new partner. We both know it. Getting one doesn't mean you think any less of her."
Mulder opened his mouth and then closed it wondering when his boss had gotten so smart.
He nodded. "I do miss her Sir."
"I know Mulder"
A discreet knock sounded at the door and Skinner gave Mulder a look to indicate that this portion of the conversation was over.
Skinner opened the door and shook hands with the Director who quickly walked into the room and shook Mulder's as well.
Skinner's mouth fell open as he saw who was following him. He said nothing but turned to see Mulder's reaction as the Director paused in his small talk to motion to the woman standing next to him.
"Of course you know Agent Scully" the Director said smiling. "She has agreed to being your partner again Agent Mulder."
"If that is alright with you Agent Mulder?" Scully said with mock formality.
"That will suit me just fine Agent Scully." Mulder said shaking her hand to seal the deal and trying very hard not to laugh out loud. "Welcome back."
"Splendid. Now since that matter is settled, perhaps you could bring Agent Scully up to speed on things Agent Mulder. I have some other departmental matters to discuss with AD Skinner."
"Nice to see you again Sir" Mulder said shaking the Director's hand and placing his hand on Scully's back guiding her from the office.
They said nothing until the doors of the elevator had shut.
"And how are you feeling these days Agent Scully?" Mulder said giving her a sideways glance.
"Much better, thank you Agent Mulder." Scully said trying hard not to smile "So much better that I think we will be able to finish up on that project we were working on up in the mountains."
"Excellent"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++= End of story.. Did you like it?
It had been close to a month since Mulder had returned to DC - alone. He tried to throw himself into his work but found himself easily distracted.
He missed Scully and everyday fought the temptation to use the Lone Gunmen or any other resource at his disposal to track her down and drag her back to DC.
But he had told her that he trusted her and that he would wait to hear from her.
Mulder hated to wait.
Walter Skinner had noticed the difference in his favorite agent as soon as he had returned from his time with Scully. Skinner had offered him the opportunity to take a real vacation, but Mulder had turned him down.
Skinner had understood Mulder's desire to stay close to DC in case Scully should reappear unannounced, but he also saw Mulder's work suffer as a result.
It suffered to such an extent that Skinner could no longer ignore the situation. He had respected Mulder's decision to work alone but now saw that he had no choice but to find Mulder a partner.
Skinner made a few calls and came up with a list of possible candidates. Surely amongst the names on his short list even Mulder would be able to find someone suitable.
He was about to tell Kimberly to set up a meeting with Mulder to discuss the candidates when he received a call from the Director. Apparently he had also noticed the decline in Mulder's solve rate and had come up with his own solution to the problem.
Skinner had heard the Director and had tried to voice his own opinion on the matter, but the Director's mind was made up. His hand picked selection for Mulder's partner would arrive in Skinner's office first thing in the morning.
"Wonderful" Skinner said hanging up the phone. "I hope the poor guy has a tough skin because Mulder isn't going to be too happy about this."
Skinner looked at the clock and noticing that it was getting on towards five, decided to leave Mulder alone until the following morning. There was no need, he thought, to upset him tonight.
Skinner's Office 9:00 AM
To say that Mulder was upset at being given a new partner was a bit of an understatement. He was livid and became even more so when he found out that he had absolutely no say in the matter at all.
"You need to calm down" Skinner said walking from behind his desk and placing a hand on Mulder's shoulder.
"I don't want to calm down Sir" Mulder said shrugging off Skinner's hand. "Do you remember the last partner that they hand picked for me?"
He answered his own question. "I believe they had Diana Fowley all set up to be my new partner and before that Alex Krycek"
"And before that Dana Scully" Skinner said calmly sitting on the edge of his desk. "Mulder you have to accept the fact that Scully has moved on from the X-files. You need a new partner. We both know it. Getting one doesn't mean you think any less of her."
Mulder opened his mouth and then closed it wondering when his boss had gotten so smart.
He nodded. "I do miss her Sir."
"I know Mulder"
A discreet knock sounded at the door and Skinner gave Mulder a look to indicate that this portion of the conversation was over.
Skinner opened the door and shook hands with the Director who quickly walked into the room and shook Mulder's as well.
Skinner's mouth fell open as he saw who was following him. He said nothing but turned to see Mulder's reaction as the Director paused in his small talk to motion to the woman standing next to him.
"Of course you know Agent Scully" the Director said smiling. "She has agreed to being your partner again Agent Mulder."
"If that is alright with you Agent Mulder?" Scully said with mock formality.
"That will suit me just fine Agent Scully." Mulder said shaking her hand to seal the deal and trying very hard not to laugh out loud. "Welcome back."
"Splendid. Now since that matter is settled, perhaps you could bring Agent Scully up to speed on things Agent Mulder. I have some other departmental matters to discuss with AD Skinner."
"Nice to see you again Sir" Mulder said shaking the Director's hand and placing his hand on Scully's back guiding her from the office.
They said nothing until the doors of the elevator had shut.
"And how are you feeling these days Agent Scully?" Mulder said giving her a sideways glance.
"Much better, thank you Agent Mulder." Scully said trying hard not to smile "So much better that I think we will be able to finish up on that project we were working on up in the mountains."
"Excellent"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++= End of story.. Did you like it?