Still no infrigment intended, although I doubt if Chris Carter even reads this stuff. (that would be kinda cool if he did, however)
Patience is a virtue
Chapter 10
Scully opened her eyes and noticed the sunlight streaming through the window. She turned her head to look at the clock and felt wetness on the pillow. That was some good sleep, she thought, smiling to herself. She climbed slowly out of bed and walked toward the bathroom hearing a knock at the door. "Is it Betty again?" she mumbled under her breath as she changed directions, heading to the door. When she pulled it open, she discovered Tracy, Agent Driscoll's sister, standing there.
"Oh my god, did I wake you?' Tracy asked, thinking that she had.
"No," Scully replied, yawning, and saw her expression. "Really, I was awake. I'm just a little groggy." Scully opened her arms and stepped into a hug with the woman.
Scully had met Tracy several months before when Tracy was between jobs and had decided to live with Driscoll and his wife in D.C. She and Tracy had fallen into an easy friendship and the six of them (including Dris's wife) often combined their leisure time. Tracy had moved back to Galena just over a month ago. Now that Scully had met other members of the Driscoll family, she marveled at the family resemblance: the same warm brown eyes, round face, athletic body type. Tracy was about the same height as Scully. She had always thought of Dris as short, but put in perspective with the rest of his family, he was of average height. Everyone is short standing next to Mulder and Nester, she thought to herself.
"I brought some jeans and a clean shirt for you," Tracy said as released Scully and walked to the room. She put the items down on the rocking chair in the corner. "You know, and what not."
The expression caught Scully's attention and both women started to laugh. Scully recognized the saying as the family trade mark, something she and Mulder teased Dris about at the office.
"Thanks," Scully replied and yawned again. "Ahhh, I can't believe I slept so late." The clock on the nightstand read 10:30 a.m.
"Isn't that what Nestor calls the PM hangover?" Tracy smiled warmly and shared a laugh with Scully. Pain med hangover, yeah, that's a Nestor phrase, Scully thought to herself.
Tracy continued without noticing the far off look on Scully's face. "I talked to Jeff this morning and he said Mulder had the same problem. Dad is on his way to the Quad Cities to pick him up."
Tracy's comment stirred concern in Scully's stomach. Mulder always was one to act like he was okay when he clearly wasn't. "What? What do you mean? Is he okay?" she asked.
Tracy waved her hand, "Yeah, he's completely fine. I think the accident just caught up with him. But get this," she shook her head and put her hand up. "You know how Nester gets when he is in his "FBI mode …I carry a gun and a badge." Tracy made quote marks with her hands as she talked and then started giggling.
Scully walked to the bed and sat on the edge. She rolled her eyes at Tracy's description. "Yeah, I've seen it, unfortunately," she muttered with a frown on her face and chuckled.
Her reaction made Tracy laugh a little harder. "Wait til you hear this. It's a hoot! I guess Mulder was supposed to meet Nester in the hotel lobby at 7:00, but he didn't show. So Nester went up to his room and banged on the door for a few minutes, you know ….Boom, boom, boom," Tracy continued mimicking the infamous "police" knock. "Of course, no answer."
Scully tilted her head, seeing Nester in her mind. She started smiling at the thought of it, and wondered what the other guests had been thinking.
"Anyway, after a few minutes, Nester went back to the lobby, flipped his badge to the manager and convinced him to unlock the room."
Scully shook her head and covered her eyes. "No… don't tell me! I can just see Nester blazing in with his gun drawn." She starting laughing and her face turned red. "Oww" she cried half laughing as the muscles pulled in her chest.
Tracy went on with her story despite Scully's pleadings. "Yes! He did! Once he got in the room he found Mulder asleep in the bed. To make it look good in front of the manager he checked for a pulse and breathing and then he shook Mulder awake. Well, the guy was in a Flexeril fog and totally incoherent. So he just let Mulder go back to sleep and quietly backed out of the room with his tail between his legs."
Scully continued to laugh for a moment, "Ow! stop, my chest hurts." She took a couple of breaths to calm her chest muscles. She was still seeing the visual of Nester when she realized that her father was driving Mulder back to Galena.
"Wait, your father is going to pick up Mulder?" She had a panicked expression on her face.
Tracy was breathing heavily as well, her face bright red from the laughing attack she was having. "Yeah, I questioned him about it too, but he said he didn't have anything to do. Personally I think it's his excuse to hang out with Jeff." Tracy looked at Scully and saw a brief expression of panic pass over her face. "Why?"
Scully stood up from the bed and thought quickly to herself, How is that going to play out? Mulder is supposed to be at Nester's hotel, not here at the Inn. "Oh…ahhh…no reason, it just seemed a little odd that's all," she replied, nonchalantly.
"Okay," Tracy replied, not believing Scully, but she let it drop. "Hey, get dressed so we can go shopping and have girl time," she said, and walked over to the door. "I'll meet you downstairs."
Tracy closed the door behind her and walked down the hallway with a smug grin on her face. When she reached the top of the stairs, her cell phone rang. She pulled the phone from her pocket and looked at the caller id. Poppa D, she read quickly. She keyed the phone on.
"Hi Dad." She answered.
"Hi, sweetie. I'm checking on the progress of 'Operation Betty'" the elder Driscoll replied.
"The timeline has been engaged," Tracy answered descending the stairs.
"How did she take it?"
"Oh, she's definitely concerned that you're going to find out they're sharing a room," Tracy replied. She turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs and headed toward the kitchen.
"She told you that?" he questioned his daughter.
"Well, not exactly. Her face gave it away."
"Ahh, not a poker player ehh? Well, officially they're listed on the register in separate rooms. Therefore they aren't breaking any FBI policy, and as their acting Assistant Director, that's all I need to know," he grumbled into the phone.
"Oh, because you completely follow the rule book? … whatever Dad!" She laughed at him and shook her head.
"What is that supposed to mean? I direct the agents assigned to me in proper FBI procedure," he replied defensively.
"Okay … does that include a certain young agent boinking the Assistant Director's secretary in the janitorial closet?" Tracy asked with a wide grin on her face. She poured herself a cup of coffee and stirred in some cream.
"Obviously your mother has been telling our secrets again," he chuckled nervously.
"Ahhh yeah, she told me that was where Jeff was conceived. Ughhh! The visual image is a little disturbing to say the least, Dad." Tracy made a face, stuck her tongue out and faked a gag.
"When did she divulge that little tidbit?" he asked sheepishly. What else has she been telling them? he thought to himself.
"Last week when Jeff and I were scheming to get Mulder and Scully together," she replied with a grin. "That's how she convinced us that you would go along with it."
"Ummm, so that is how I got roped into these shenanigans?" He laughed over the phone line. His wife and kids were always meddling in someone's love life. He was slightly embarrassed that his wife had told the kids that story, especially since Jeff worked at the Bureau. He had a reputation to maintain after all, even with his son. "You know, I hate to say it, but their accident is making this operation a hell of a lot easier, especially for me, in my non-official capacity."
Tracy smiled, "Dad, you always have a soft spot for matchmaking. Thanks for helping us with this thing."
Poppa D bobbed his head in the car amicably as if she could see him. A smile adorned his face. "After all the trouble we have gone through to put this plan in action, they better end up together or I will put them on report."
"Right … and what would the reason be? Failure to follow a direct order to sleep together, fall in love, and have babies? I'd like to see you write that one up Dad." Tracy tilted her head and listened for anyone walking down the hall. "I better go; I don't want to get busted."
"Ok, sweetie, I should be at Mulder's hotel within the hour, so I'll see you later today, probably around 3:30. I love you and don't spend all your money." he called to her.
"I love you too Dad and don't worry. Mom gave me one of your credit cards this morning." With that Tracy laughed and ended the phone call.
Scully was still thinking about Mulder, and the Assistant Director finding out about their hotel arrangements, when she stepped out of her room. She walked down the hall deep in thought and nearly ran into Kelly as she came out of another guests' room.
"Oh, Ms Dana, excuse me," Kelly stammered as she dropped a handful of towels she was carrying.
"Oh, it's my fault," Scully replied. "Sorry." She watched the woman pick up the towels and bit her lip. This was her chance to run some interference. "Kelly, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure," Kelly replied, her ponytail bobbing on her head.
"Your uncle is bringing my partner back to the Inn today and ahh … he doesn't know that …." Scully's blushed as she stammered over her words.
Kelly watched her reaction and smiled inwardly. She has no idea about Operation Betty, she thought. She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow pretending to be reading between the lines. "Uncle Tom doesn't know that we are booked and ….. your partner doesn't have a room here?" She tilted her head and tried to sound innocent.
"Yes," Scully whispered, motioning her relief with her hands. "Agent Mulder is going to stay with me, but it's against FBI policy. So could you run some interference when he gets here? Pretend like you're booking him into a room?" Scully tilted her head and ran her tongue over her lips.
Kelly smiled and nodded her head. "Oh sure, Ms Dana, that won't be a problem." She waved her hand to make her point. "He'll need the key to your room anyway, so I'll play along and make it look good." Not that it will matter, cuz you've been set up by the Driscoll posse anyway, she thought as a satisfied grin covered her face.
Scully took a breath and put her hand to her chest. "Thank you. I really appreciate it." Scully turned and walked back to her room, and then remembered that she had forgotten the cell phone and Mulder's credit card. She left the door open as she slipped back into the room and retrieved the items. When she re-entered the corridor, she ran into the guest across the hall coming out of her room. She recognized her as the female from the couple that had checked in yesterday afternoon. I wonder if she knocked on my door last night, Scully thought and decided to greet her.
"Hi," Scully ventured trying to be as friendly as possible.
"Hi," the woman responded tilting her head at Scully. "You were in the lobby yesterday when we checked in, right?"
"Yeah, my name is Dana," she replied and offered her hand.
The woman shook it and smiled. "Nice to meet you, I'm Janna, my husband is Josh. Are you here for the ski weekend?"
"Ahh, no. My partner and I are here for work. We're friends of the Driscolls."
"Oh interesting. They are really good people, we stay here every year on our ski weekend." Janna replied as she started to walk down the hall. Scully could tell the woman was trying to escape the conversation.
"Ahh, Janna I was wondering, did you happen to knock on my door last night by mistake?" Scully asked. "I thought I heard something about two o'clock."
Janna tilted her head in thought and then shook it. "No, we were fast asleep." She scrunched her lips to the side and then replied, "Maybe it was Betty."
"Betty?" Scully questioned. "Is that another guest?"
Janna laughed heartily. "I guess you could say that. She's the spirit that roams the house."
Scully rolled her eyes in disbelief and thought back to her conversation with Mulder. "The spirit? Like in ghost?" She looked at Janna mystified. I can't believe she's saying this, she thought.
Janna smiled. "Yeah, she roams the house, knocks on doors, rocks chairs, rattles windows, and moves stuff. Josh had a conversation with her once." She shrugged her shoulders. "She's harmless." Janna tilted her head and noticed the expression on Scully's face. "You don't believe in ghosts?'
"I want to believe," Scully replied and arched her eyebrows. "I just have difficulty because …I'm a scientist."
Janna laughed and started down the stairs. "Well, sometimes you just need to follow your heart."
Scully stared at the space in silence for a moment. In more ways than one, she commented to herself.
Scully and Tracy spent the rest of the morning shopping in downtown Galena at Banana Republic, J Crew, Eddie Bauer and Gap. With Tracy's assistance, Scully bought a couple of outfits for herself and picked out several things for Mulder, both casual and work related. She also purchased a leather jacket for Mulder, luggage, shoes, socks, and undergarments. She tallied up the receipts and was astonished to discover she had spent nearly $1100. Luckily, because their luggage was damaged on a case, the FBI would reimburse for most of the expense.
Their next stop was a complete surprise for Scully. Tracy had arranged for a mini spa day at a salon called Just Relax. Scully received a manicure, pedicure, and a shampoo and style. She went into the salon feeling worn out and beat up, and then two hours later came out feeling like a million bucks.
Their final stop was lunch and girl talk at a local pub called Benjamin's. They were nearly finished with their lunch when Tracy hit Scully head on with the Mulder conversation. It had started innocently enough, but turned quickly in Tracy's favor.
"So, how have you been feeling since the accident?" Tracy ventured. "And I don't mean physically either … Uncle Joe has this philosophy that tragedies are a vehicle for change."
Scully sighed and played with her salad quietly. "Well, it has certainly been the catalyst for some serious reflection."
"Anything you want to talk about?" Tracy tilted her head.
Scully paused for a moment and smirked. "I don't know, I thought I needed something specific to be happy, but now I realize that thing is not what I was looking for at all."
Tracy looked around the room and scrunched her lips to the side. She knew from experience that when Dana was speaking about a personal topic she locked all her feelings and emotions inside, and her message was always cryptic. "Beat'n around the bush", as Aunt Nan would say. Tracy marveled at Mulder's ability to decode Scully's words and find the hidden meaning. She had picked up a couple of techniques of her own after being welcomed into their inner circle, which was a good thing, because today she was all alone.
"You're talking about …. Cramer, I take it?" Tracy looked over at Scully with raised eyebrows.
The revelation caught Scully off guard and she shot Tracy a questioning look.
"Jeff told me you were seeing him, so I put two and two together," Tracy countered.
"Yeah," Scully replied and she rubbed the bridge of her nose with her finger. "It's not really working out though. In fact, it's going to be over soon. I guess…I just needed a diversion."
"Ughh, that's a nice way to put it. I heard he isn't exactly ….." Tracy searched for the right word.
"My type?" Scully chuckled as she finished the sentence for her. "I don't even know what my type is anymore."
"Maybe it's Mulder? What's the deal with you two anyway?" Tracy asked with an innocent expression on her face.
The question caught Scully a little off guard, although she should have known better considering Tracy had decrypted the earlier statement. Scully always felt that Tracy would have made a great agent, because she was as smart as a tack and picked up on the little things others missed, kind of like Mulder could. Her downfall was her mouth. When Tracy lived with Dris in D.C, her mouth had gotten her in trouble with bouncers, police officers, and complete strangers. She remembered more than one occasion in which Dris, Nester and Mulder had to bail her out of an ugly situation.
"What do you mean?" Scully asked.
"When are you two going to admit your feelings for each other?"
"Mulder knows how I feel about him," Scully replied picking at her salad.
"He knows you're in love with him?' Tracy asked, staring across the table.
Scully nearly choked at the comment. "I'm not in love with him, Tracy. I have deep respect for him and he's my closest friend. I love him, but I'm not in love with him. There's a difference."
"Are you sure about that?" she implored. "You're talking to me, remember? I've been with you two in social settings. The way you both gaze at each other, act around each other, even just talk to each other. Sometimes I think you two can read each other's minds and communicate just by touching. If that isn't being in love…then shoot me in the head."
Scully was quiet for a minute, reflecting on her relationship with Mulder. Her friend was right, and again fate was staring her in the face. Why couldn't she just admit it? She sighed and looked at Tracy, "It's complicated."
Tracy shook her head, "Why is it complicated? Don't say FBI policy either, because that's a load of crap. We spend half our lives at work. It's natural to develop relationships and connections with co-workers. That's how my parents met, you know."
"Huh?"
"Mom was a secretary at the Bureau and Dad was an agent."
"Your father broke policy?" Scully was taken back slightly. All the A.D's she worked with lived and breathed policy, even Skinner whom she considered one of her friends.
"He is not one of the starched shirts from the 'house', if you haven't already noticed. That's the main reason he works in the field. Shit, all his Agents call him Poppa D, unless he's yelling at them or some bigwig is around."
Scully laughed at her comment, "Yeah, I've noticed he's a novelty. Mulder is already considering a transfer."
"Well, he isn't the only one, Nester and Jeff are trying to figure out how to make that work. Wouldn't that be funny … the five of us all back together again?"
Scully nodded, remembering how much fun they'd had before Tracy had moved back home. Ironically, the timing of her romance with Cramer coincided with Tracy's move which had left Scully feeling a little lonely.
Tracy ate the last of her lunch, and then looked over at Dana again. "You didn't answer my question."
Scully laughed nervously and thought about her sister. No one had put her on the spot like this since Missy. She suddenly missed her and looked across the table at the woman who had somehow become like a sister to her. "Well, for one, Mulder is seeing somebody."
"What? Who?" Jeff didn't tell me that, Tracy thought quickly, her mind reeling back to every conversation she'd had with her brother about Mulder.
"Another agent, someone he had a relationship with in the past."
The light bulb went on for Tracy. "Are you talking about "the fowl?" Tracy asked, leaning into the table.
Scully chuckled, "I see her reputation has gotten around. Yes, that's who he's seeing."
"No, he isn't," Tracy shook her head.
"You're wrong. They are definitely seeing each other, I've see the looks he gives her. I know that look. She calls him by his first name. She flaunts it in my face." Scully replied. The thought of Fowley was making her stomach turn.
"Unh unh I don't believe it," Tracy mumbled, still shaking her head. "I met her one night when Jeff, Mulder and I went to 'The Bench' after shooting hoops. She just happened to be there." Tracy made quotation gestures when she talked. "She's a piece of work," Still leaning on the table, Tracy put her hand to the side of her head as she remembered the encounter and rolled her eyes.
"I tried to run interference and have a conversation with her, but pffft … in my opinion, all she has to offer is legs and boobs. There were definitely men looking at her at the bar, but not Mulder. He was not happy to see her; in fact he wouldn't even talk to her. We played it like I was his date and she finally just went away."
Tracy was quiet for a moment and then added. "After she was gone, I asked him what the deal was …he said they had dated years ago and she was pressing him to get involved again. And he said he wasn't interested, that he just wanted to be friends."
Scully felt tears welling up in her eyes and looked up at the light, blinking them away. She chided herself for being so emotional and looked away from her friend. "That's not how it appears," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
"Well, have you ever talked to him about it?" Tracy watched as Scully shook her head, but didn't look her in the eye. "Dana, if you don't talk to him about your feelings and what is going on in your heart and your head …then how is he supposed to know? Mulder knows you fairly well, and can probably read you better than most people can read a book, but at some point the interpretation is going to be wrong. Obviously you've already made assumptions about him and "the fowl"… and what has that gotten you, besides a mismatched relationship with Mr. Normal-Dull-and- Boring?"
Tracy watched Dana smirk at her comment and lose the battle with her tears. "Mulder is in love with you and at some point you need to admit your own feelings. It's written all over your face. If you weren't in love with him, you wouldn't be crying right now."
Scully used her napkin to blow her nose and wipe the tears from her face. "It's just…"
"Complicated, yeah, I know. If love were easy it wouldn't be any fun." Tracy leaned over and patted Scully on the arm. Operation Betty Phase 3, she commented to herself quietly and looked at her watch. "Come on, let's get out of here. I think its time for your nap."
TBC
A/N For those of you who have ever been in Galena, drove through Galena, wanted to go to Galena ... the shops mentioned in my story aren't there ... but if I owned Galena I would figure out a way to incorporate them into the downtown area because it is such a cool little town!
