Title: Slip Sliding Away

Disclaimer: Look at the bottom of your shoe. That is my net worth. Do I look like I own anything to you? I mean, hey, if I owned anything related to the X-Files do you think I'd be here? (Yes, but that's beside the point.)

Summary: Set in season six after Milagro: Scully needs a vacation from the X-Files so she goes somewhere she thinks even Mulder won't find her. When an X-File threatens to ruin her getaway and Mulder turns up, what will she do?

Author's Note: I've discovered in my boredom that my word processor accepts some of the stupidest words in the English language, but does not recognize proper names (except Scully for some reason). I have made new resolve to get a better one. Anyway, look at this, two chapters in one day. It must be some kind of record, for me at least.

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Later Day 6
Piper Maru (Karaoke Bar)

After we broke the kiss, which was a very nice, very passive kiss, Matt leaned close and whispered in my ear.
"Yuck! Girl germs!"
This of course made me laugh even harder than before. I don't think Mulder had ever heard me laugh so freely. He had the strangest look of sadness crossed with jealousy.
"I think we're done here." Agent Fowley said snappily. She pulled Mulder away from the table. Matt and I just started laughing.
"Oh boy, we got them good." Matt chuckled. "This is going to be easier than I thought. It looks like he's at least half in love with you already."
"Who? Mulder? Yeah, right. Besides, things are never easy when Mulder's involved. So, do you think there's more to this case than meets the eye?"
"I have the suspicion that there's something everyone is missing."
"I know, but I don't think it's paranormal. I think they're still on the ship and I think they're planning something; something big."
"I hope you're wrong, but I have the funny feeling you're right."

Day 8
Piper Maru (Café Luna)

We've been on board almost two days and we've turned up no new leads. I'm beginning to think Scully was right about it not being paranormal.
Scully; I have barely seen her and when I have she's always been with Him. I am beginning to hate Him. The sad thing is, he makes her happy and he's perfect for her. I know I could be perfect for her too, but I don't want to mess up and lose her. Now I might lose her to this guy she just met. Tonight is some big bash that they throw every once in a while. I'm hoping to see her there. Maybe we can talk things over.
Things have been so weird lately. She's been withdrawing and distancing herself from me. We used to be able to talk about almost everything. Now, I'm lucky if I get a hello out of her in the mornings. I miss the old us. I miss us, if there ever really was an us.
Diana has been hanging all over me, especially when I'm anywhere near Scully. It's becoming extremely annoying. Yesterday she stuck her tongue in my ear -while I was eating. It was gross.
My cabin is pretty nice the only thing is, it's not really mine. Apparently, there were no available cabins except one so Diana got that cabin. Matt gave up his cabin to me and then he moved in with Scully. I was so shocked when they announced this I think I almost fainted. Who was this guy that Scully was letting him move in with her after they spent less than a week together?
Suddenly, I get the feeling that someone is watching me. I turn around and she's standing behind me.
"Is this seat taken?" Scully asks politely.
"Please, take it."

"Thank you. I haven't seen you the last couple of days. How's the investigation coming?"
"Terrible. We can't turn up any new leads. I think we're going to have to leave soon. The Bureau won't let us stay unless we find something new. How are you? Is Matt busy today?"
She blushes a little at the question.
"No, his family is having a special lunch; strictly blood and marriage bonds only. I don't merit and invitation. Besides, he wants to give me some space."
"So, is it serious?"
"That's bold of you to ask Mulder." She pauses to sip her iced drink. "I don't know. It could be. He wants me to go to New York with him."
I cringe.
"Do you want to?"
"I'm not sure. I don't really know where my place in the X-Files is now. All I've done lately is paperwork and autopsies. Since you seem to prefer Agent Fowley on field cases, I might as well leave. The X-Files are the only thing I'd stay in the Bureau for and if I'm not in the Bureau than I might as well leave DC. I guess it all depends on if I really want to come back to my job."
"You can't be serious! You actually want to leave the X-files?!"
"I don't know Mulder. I want to be somewhere I can make a difference and I'm not making much of a difference doing paper work and routine autopsies. I need to get out and do something. I didn't sign up to be in an office or morgue from nine to five."
I let her words sink in. This all translates to: you treat me like dirt and unless you shape up I'm as good as gone. This angers me.
"Fine Scully, you should leave. Go to New York. I don't need you on the X-Files anyway. Diana and I work much better together than you and I ever did."
She looks shocked for a moment and then the icy facade comes up. She's in her most professional mode.
"If that's what you want Mulder. I hope you find the Truth or whatever it is you're looking for. My resignation will be on the desk when you get back."
She walks away calmly with her head held high. She's really going to leave me. What have I done?

Day 11
Piper Maru (Scully's cabin)

I haven't left my cabin in almost two days. I cry almost constantly. I was supposed to meet Matt yesterday but I couldn't even show. He'll probably come looking for me today. I can't even imagine what I look like; probably close to a drowned cat. I feel like going to a bar and getting drunk but I don't have the energy to get out of bed and move to the couch.
Mulder hasn't come to try and remedy the situation and I don't even know where to start. I think I lost the game.
There is a knock at the door. That's probably Matt come to see why I didn't show yesterday. Won't he be in for a surprise?
"Who is it?" I call weakly.
"It's me." Matt answers. He sounds worried.
"It's open."
I hear him open the door slowly. He walks slowly towards me and then wraps his arms around me.
"What happened, Dana?"
"He wants me to leave. He told me that he doesn't need me and has never needed me. I think we lost the game." I sob into his chest.
"Is that really what he said?!"
"Yes." I feel the tears coming harder now. "He even chose her over me."
"What?! He chose that bitch over you?!"
I sob harder and he hugs me tighter.
"This guy is more of an idiot than I thought. You are an amazing woman Dana; almost enough to make a guy go straight."
I look up into his eyes.
"Well, almost." He brushes some hair out of my eyes. "So I'll tell you this, all is not lost. We can still wow him. You are going to take a nap. Then I'm going to get all my friends together and we are going to make you up so pretty that anorexic bimbo he's with will turn green. Then we are going to astound him with our dancing skills and whisk you away by midnight just like Cinderella. He'll be smitten. Plus, I just saw the guy and I don't know, but he looked pretty miserable to me."
"Really?"
"Yes ma'am and I will bet everything I own that it's because you broke his heart. Maybe we played our parts too well, but we have not lost this game yet."
I smile and hug him.
We haven't lost yet and I'm certainly not losing to Fowley. Mulder had better be ready because I am going to knock him on his ass.

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Author's Note: Nothing to say. I just want to know what you would like to say.