Dr. Fox Mulder waited patiently in the small waiting room of the clinic he would be working at for the next twelve months. As he sat down he took note of the environment, it was clean and somewhat inviting for a waiting room. The light radiated in from two adjacent windows and the walls were painted a pale peach with framed images of important Navajo citizens spread throughout.

He began to think about the series of events that had him suddenly relocate to the Southwestern desert in the middle of New Mexico, and the vast difference it was from his home in Boston, Massachusetts. How he landed here was nothing short of opportunity knocking and Fox Mulder didn't shy away from any opportunity.. Everything in life worthwhile is an opportunity taken.

Three weeks ago the Chief Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General emailed him about an urgent need for mental health professionals for the humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders, more specifically a vacancy on the Navajo Nation Reservation. He wasn't looking to leave his current position, he was content as the senior attending physician for psychiatric interns, however something about the email and prospect piqued his interest. Over lunch in the hospital cafeteria, it took less than an hour for his good buddy and fellow doctor, Melvin Frohike to convince him to apply.

"Look doc, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can't imagine you not doing it." Melvin said. With a mouth full of pastrami, he continued, "You have always said you would like to serve in a more impactful way, this sounds like that opportunity." Fox studied his friend. He was short and funny looking albeit brilliant in his field. Melvin was an esteemed Anesthesiologist and head of the Anesthesiology department at Mass General. But to Fox, he was still his roommate at Harvard Medical School, sleeping in late and missing classes.

"Mm-hmm, I think you're right Mel," Fox agreed, nodding at his friend.

Melvin quipped back, "Of course I'm right, I'm always right. You think you would've known that after ten plus years of friendship."

Fox lowered his head in a half bow, moving his hand in a circular motion toward his friend. "Alright, alright, I will apply. Now finish your sandwich so we can go shoot some baskets before our next shift." Frohike took one last bite and stood up. Fox continued, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, "I need to have some leverage over you. If it can't be intellectual leverage, at least I can beat you in a game of horse." Both men laughed and walked out of the cafeteria and headed to the gym.

His thoughts drifted back to the present, and as he waited, he pulled out his signed copy of Malcolm Gladwell's, Outliers, settled into his chair and began to read. It wasn't long till he was interrupted by the same gentleman who let him into the clinic early this morning now standing before him with a white coat on; Fox reached out his hand and spoke, "We met this morning. Albert, correct? Or should I say Dr. Hosteen." pointing to his embroidered title on Albert's jacket.

Albert chuckled, "Please, call me Albert. I am here to show you around before your intake meeting with Dr. Scully."

Mrs. Hosteen shut the door to Dana's office and walked over to the flustered doctor who was now on her hands and knees gathering the stacks of paper that fell from her desk, Mrs. Hosteen bent over and she quietly said, " Dana dear, look at me."

Dana looked up and stopped what she was doing. Mrs. Hosteen was a petite lady, she was weathered, strong and proud of her Navajo heritage and Dana knew she was the backbone of the clinic. When she spoke, people listened. Mrs. Hosteen continued "Don't worry about these papers, I will pick them up, why don't you find the original email, print Dr. Mulder's CV and information then sit down and review what you need to know before your meeting."

Mrs. Hosteen picked up one of the office guest chairs in Dana's office and placed it next to her desk. Dana, clearly relieved, sat down and pulled her laptop to the chair and searched her email. While she was searching, she watched Mrs. Hosteen quickly gather the papers and place them on Dana's desk. She cleaned, rearranged and shuffled files to their rightful place in Dana's office. Within minutes, the space was respectable again. Dana found the email and sent it to the printer.

Without a word, Mrs. Hosteen fetched the papers from the printer and handed them to Dana then left her alone in her office. With Dr. Mulder's files in her hand, she began to scan over his CV:

Psychiatrist

Fox William Mulder, MD

Oxford, BA in Psychology

Harvard Medical School Doctor of Psychiatry

Massachusetts General, Psychiatry residency program

Massachusetts State Hospital

Massachusetts General, Senior Attending Physician, Psychiatry

"Damn," Dana whispered under her breath, looking up to make sure she wasn't going to owe more money in the office swear jar.

Well, Dr. Mulder wasn't without his pedigree, she thought.

But was he a good Psychiatrist and was he going to connect with the patients at her clinic, "Shit, my patients," she said loudly.

"Now Dr. Scully, you're almost at your prepaid limit" Mrs. Hosteen warned from the hallway outside her office.

Dana rolled her eyes and sighed. She needed to start Dr. Mulder's intake now if she was ever going to start her day on time. It was getting late and she would have a busy waiting room within the next several minutes. Dana stood up, fixed her hair, adjusted her shirt and threw her white coat on. From her office she called Mrs. Hosteen,

"Mrs. Hosteen, can you have Albert bring Dr. Mulder into my office, let's get this show on the road."

Dr. Dana Scully was standing in the middle of her office, facing the door when Albert ushered Fox Mulder in. She reached out her hand and with a firm shake she greeted the man who would be serving alongside her for the next nine months. Her father, a retired Naval officer, always said first impressions were the most important part of any relationship and Dana wanted to make sure she brought her A-game.

"Dr. Mulder, it's so nice to meet you. I am Dana Scully, the head pediatrician for DWB in the southeastern area of the reservation." Dana continued, "I know I speak for everyone in the clinic; we are thrilled you are joining the team. Your presence is much needed and we are grateful you stepped up to fill that need."

It was then that she realized she hadn't let go of his hand. She had been shaking his hand well past the normal "shake-time" and with the sudden realization, she felt her cheeks warm. Dana knew she was blushing, and she guessed Dr. Fox Mulder knew she was too.

She quickly removed her hand from his and walked around to her desk, "please sit," she said and motioned for him to sit down in one of the adjacent chairs in her office.

"Well, I'll leave you both alone" Albert said, turning to Fox he continued, "it was nice getting to know you Doc, I will be seeing you around."

As he turned around to leave, Dana spoke, "Albert, would you mind taking my patients this morning until Dr. Mulder and I are finished?" Albert nodded and closed the door behind him as he left the office.

"Oh you can call me Mulder, doctor is so formal; and well…Fox is Fox," Mulder said as he settled into his chair and removed his coat.

As Dana watched him get situated, she got a good look at him. He had soft, kind eyes and a well manicured beard; his hair wasn't short but it wasn't long either. He looked like someone who people would want to talk to.

Oh and he was definitely handsome, very handsome she thought.

The first thing Mulder noticed about Dr. Dana Scully was her stature; she was small in height and frame and she exuded confidence. That, and she shook his hand longer than the average hand shake timeframe. He thought she might have recognized her social faux pas as well, because he noticed a tint of pink on both cheeks as she removed her hand from his. He wondered if she did that often, and under what circumstances.

Circumstances, he thought, shouldn't be crossing his mind.

As he took his seat across from her desk, he quickly made some formal observations, work hazard, he thought. She had long red hair and pulled up as it was; she might be unconcerned with beauty. But he also noticed a hint of make-up on her eyes and lips, a very nice contradiction. She was beautiful, stunningly beautiful, and if her mind was as stunning, which he assumed it was, he might have a hard time concentrating on just work for a year.

He thought to himself, Mulder, you might be in trouble.

"Dr.. uh…Mulder" What's with these men having rules about their names? Dana thought. "I read your CV, very impressive. I have no doubt you are qualified, if not overqualified for the position.."

"But", Mulder said.

"But," she continued, unbothered by his preemptive, "Many of our patients don't trust outsiders, Albert does a wonderful job of buffering this perception, however, how will you break through barriers that might exist when you meet with our patients?"

"Dr. Scully, can I call you Scully ?" He didn't wait for her to answer, and continued, "Scully, the human condition, with all of the complex characteristics that are involved, still has the basic desire to connect. People want to feel heard, validated and trusted. It is my job to see that they do."

Dana listened attentively and when Mulder was done speaking, she looked down at her phone for the time. She was already behind in her schedule, she had several childhood boosters to administer before she headed out to the elementary school at noon.

"Yes, Scully is fine. And it sounds like you will do well here, Mulder." Moving around papers on her desk, she kept talking, "Listen, I have a pretty big schedule today. You can shadow me for the day, I can show you to your office first."

Mulder took notice of her increased speech pattern and rushed demeanor, if he had a notepad he would be taking notes.

Scully took notice of Mulder's ability to intently watch her every move. He followed her with his eyes, unwavering, was he studying her? She wondered.

She continued, "Then, I have to drive to the elementary school at noon, you can ride along and meet members of the community" Now it was her turn to not wait for an answer. She stood up, walked around her desk and gestured for him to follow her.

"Let's go, you ready doc?"

Nodding with an eager countenance, Mulder leapt from his seat and followed her out.