Title: Step #5: A Bad Case of Jet Lag
Author: Susan Frankovich
E-mail: sus...@ticnet.com or filesfa...@yahoo.com
Classification: vignette
Spoiler: post all things
Archive: No.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to each other,
not me.

Author's notes: This is the fifth in a series of
vignettes occurring late in season seven that
chronicle the start of Mulder and Scully's romantic
relationship.

*********************************************************

A Bad Case of Jet Lag
by Susan Frankovich
~~~~~~

Hoover Building
9:50 am

I'm a very impulsive person.

Always have been, always will be, which makes this
whole waiting game harder than hell, but I'll do
it because she asked me to, and because, well...I
need to do some thinking too.

Reaching into my pocket, I briefly brush my fingers
over her letter, and continue my long walk back through
the building.

"Agent Mulder?"  a low voice says behind me, startling
me from my thoughts.

Turning around, I see Skinner standing there, a
perplexed look on his face.  "Sir?" I say awkwardly,
hoping he doesn't notice the cut on my lip or the fact
that I can't seem to stop shuffling my feet.

"What are you doing here, Mulder?  I thought you were
in England," he says.

"I got back last night," I reply, silently willing my
damn feet to stop moving.

He tilts his head to the side and purses his lips. "And?"

And when I got back, Scully came over to my apartment and
we had sex...*twice*.  

Any other questions?

"Agent?" he asks, reaching out and touching my arm. "Are
you okay, Mulder?"

"Umm...yeah...it's just some jet lag, sir," I reply,
impressed with my ability to come up with an excuse
so quickly.

"That's understandable," he said, a hint of skepticism
in his voice.  "So, what'd you find out there?"

"It was all a hoax, a big waste of time," I answer,
wiping off the thin layer of sweat that's accumulating
on my forehead, then nervously sticking my hand in my
pocket.

"Well, I'm sorry things didn't pan out for you, but I'm
sure that Agent Scully will be glad to have you back."

"Actually, I got in so late last night, I haven't had
a chance to call her yet...but I will," I lie, tightly
squeezing her note inside my pocket and wishing I were
anywhere but here.

"Where are you headed to now?" asks Skinner, thankfully
making an attempt to end our conversation.

"I thought I'd take some time at home today, Sir," I
reply, wondering if he's buying any of this at all.  

Hopefully, he is, though I can't really tell from the
blank look on his face.

"Well, get some rest.  I've got two new case files for
you to take a look at when you come back tomorrow," he
said, turning to go in the other direction.

Thank God.  Now if I can just get through the rest of
the building without anybody stopping me.

"And Agent Mulder?" he calls out, his deep voice startling
me from behind again.

I clear my throat and shuffle my feet again.  "Sir?"

"When you see Agent Scully, tell her she doesn't have to
come in today either," he says, a slight smile crossing
his face right before he turns and heads back down the
hallway.

Damn.

So much for the jet lag excuse...

Not wanting to dig an even deeper hole for myself, I say
nothing and quickly hurry out of the building.

~step five completed~

Steps Series (so far)

#1: The Unexpected Curve Ball
#2: The Realness of Red Hair
#3: The Power of the Shower
#4: Lonely Man Walking
#5: A Bad Case of Jet Lag