Taboo Truth
Description: Post Elegy, I felt that this scene needed to be expanded upon.
Inspired by: "Cry Pretty" by Carrie Underwood
Rating: K+ for the theme
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In the car the dam broke. She allowed the fear to wash over her, the sobs to rack her body. Only in the privacy of the dark could she let her composure go. Yet her mask had nearly slipped, he had seen the tears glistening in her eyes before her exit. To her horror, he had acknowledged the taboo truth she herself was not yet ready to confront and worst of all, he was scared too. Her rock, her strength, would crumble if she told her bitter truth, so she lied, continued to tell him she was fine.
In the early morning hour after Penny's death he had seen her at her worst and in that moment, she had vowed to fight, to survive. The truth, her answers, would only be found if they kept searching, together. So she boxed up her illness, pushed it to the back of her mind and focused on work. There would be no pity party, she did not want sympathy, she wanted normalcy, whatever her normal was since becoming his partner. Compartmentalizing worked until the ruby blood dripped from her nose, a reminder that she was fallible, that her time was limited. Each check in at the hospital was like time ticking away on a clock. She was fine, for now, but she could feel the inevitable creeping up on her. The fight was becoming intense, it was harder to get up after each round.
Her body was failing her, and she was failing him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Hey, Agent!" a security guard flagged Mulder down as he walked through the hall. He paused and waited for the shorter man to catch up.
"Yes?" Mulder asked.
"You were with that red head, right?"
"She's my partner."
The security guard shifted nervously, "I was just outside and walked past her car and she was, um, really upset in there."
He raised his eyebrow, "Upset?"
"She was crying, I didn't want to intrude but I want to make sure she's okay."
Mulder's stomach clenched. He quickly thanked the guard and made his way to the exit.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Only her auburn hair was visible, her forehead resting on the steering wheel, which she clutched with her hands. Her delicate shoulders moved rhythmically. Mulder's heart broke for her.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Scully jumped at the gentle knock on her window. She swiped at her face with her sleeve, trying in vain to hide her running mascara and swollen eyes. Mulder stood outside, his face full of concern.
She cracked the door, "I'm fine Mulder," her voice betrayed her.
Her partner shook his head, acknowledging her lie. He wasn't going to let this go.
"You're afraid," he answered softly, pulling the door open, "You're allowed to be."
Her lower lip quivered, the tears slowly slid down her cheeks, as if his permission broke them free.
"Come here," he whispered, guiding her out of the car and then into his arms.
Mulder cradled her as she wept, trying to keep his own emotions in check, wanting to stay strong for her. It was hard to bury his own fear, the thought of losing her too dark to even entertain.
"It's going to be alright," he breathed into her hair, willing himself to believe it, "We'll get through this, together."
She tightened her arms around him in response.
End