VII
"Mulder, you are simply not going to believe this."
"What came up now? There can be no other reason you're calling me at eleven at night."
"My period. It's a week early. That does tend to happen when I'm really busy or upset or whatnot. Sorry about that."
"Is it a dealbreaker for you? It's not for me."
"Yeah, I'm afraid it is. Kind of like your wanting to be one hundred percent with those sprains, you know?"
"I understand. I'm disappointed but I understand."
"How do you think I feel?" she answered with roiling frustration. "This time it isn't Skinner sending us somewhere or physical injuries, it's my fault."
"No fault, Scully, simple biology," he said warmly over the line. "This is worth waiting until we can do it right."
She smiled even though he couldn't see her. "Did you want to try and make another reservation for the week after?"
"Is that long enough?" he asked hesitantly.
"It's twelve days, it should be or I need to go to a doctor," she said dryly.
"Maybe we should try going somewhere else," he suggested. "Do you have any ideas?"
"I've been thinking about putting in for a couple of vacation days," she said. "Although it might look odd if we both did it for the same days."
She swore she could hear him nod. "Skinner seems to send me out of town alone more than you, maybe I should?"
"Let's try that," she agreed. "You put in for Friday after next and I'll call in sick—let's take the whole day, what do you say?"
Dead silence on the other end for a few moments. Then, "Sounds good. What do you think of going away for the weekend, take some R&R? Feel like trying Maine again, or maybe south to the Carolinas?"
"Getting away for a few days does sound good. Probably cooler if we go north rather than south."
"What was the name of that town in Maine you went to last year ago?"
"Oh God no! I'm not going back there, next time it'll be an attack of killer lobsters or something equally disgusting. How about Vermont? I'm sure we could find a nice B&B up there."
"I think Langley's from around there, let me give him a call and see what he has to say. I'll give you a call when I find out anything, OK?"
"Deal," she said softly. "Thanks for understanding."
"What, you think I'm going to get annoyed by biology? Or that I think you did this on purpose? I'm taking you at your word, Scully, that you want this as badly as I do. If you change your mind I know you'll tell me."
She smiled. "I won't change my mind now. I think this is a very good idea, Mulder. Once we break this sexual tension we can go on with our lives and not have to worry about it again."
There was silence on the other end for a while. Then he said, "Have to run. See you tomorrow at the office."
She set her cordless down, frowning. Had he sounded annoyed or disappointed there at the end? Had he forgotten why they were doing this? Or did he expect more? She certainly hoped not, but began to have second thoughts about what to expect.