Skinner looked up startled as his door burst open. “You son of a bitch!”
“Agent
Doggett.” He acknowledged the irate man,
laying his glasses down on the desk.
“You
know! You’ve known all along!”
“And
what is it that I know, Agent Doggett?”
“About
Scully.”
At that
Skinner’s eyes narrowed and he rose from his desk.
He approached his door and looked outside, then closed it firmly. “What about Agent Scully?”
Doggett
stared at him for a moment. “She’s
expecting a baby. You know. She told me you did.”
“I’m
not at liberty – “
“You’ve
let her go out in the field! That being that
attacked you in Arizona attacked her too.” He
stopped for a minute. “That’s why
they kept her in the hospital so long.” He
turned back to Skinner. “I had to cut
that . . . that thing out of her flesh! How
can you allow her to continue fieldwork? She
reports to you. Don’t you feel a
responsibility – “
“You
have no idea how responsible I feel Agent Doggett. But
her desire to keep this knowledge confidential was a top priority. I had to take that into consideration. She is an adult.
I suggest you calm down so that we can discuss this rationally.”
“She’s
pregnant!”
“I
have not forgotten that for an instant Agent Doggett.”
“But
you’ve let her put herself in danger! Herself
and an unborn child.” He did finally
sink into a chair and Skinner sat behind his desk again.
They both
turned as the door opened, and watched as Agent Scully joined them. “I assume this meeting is about me.” She seated herself in from of Skinner’s desk. She was calm, cool, much more than either of them. Skinner’s eyes flicked down to her waist and
back up. Her eyebrow went up but she held her
tongue.
“You
told him?”
“Hell
no she didn’t tell me! I saw, she’s
a small woman. Just how long did you think I
was going to stay ignorant?”
“I’m
sitting right here Agent Doggett.”
“You’re
having a baby Agent Scully. You can’t
seriously think that you can continue to do the work you do now.”
“I
am perfectly aware of my physical condition. To
date I have been able to handle my duties – “
“You’ve
been in the hospital, injured, twice since we began working together. That’s handling it?”
Scully
took a deep centering breath. Before she
could speak, he was talking again. “I
cannot, I will not take the responsibility of – “
“Fine,
Agent Doggett.” She interrupted. “I didn’t ask for you. You were assigned.
As ranking agent of the X-Files, I will be happy to accept your request for
a transfer.”
He gaped
at her for a moment. Skinner’s hand came
up to obscure the view of his mouth. That
deflected Doggett’s attention. “Funny? You think this is funny?”
“No
Agent Doggett, I do not.” Skinner had
his composure back. “However watching
you attempting to order Agent Scully around is . . . interesting.”
Doggett
turned back to Scully. “You don’t
think you can go out in the field now, without a partner?”
“I’m
sure the Bureau will assign someone to me.”
“Someone? You’d accept – “
“That
wouldn’t be a very good idea, would it Agent Doggett?
Now you’re familiar with the kind of work Agent Scully does. An experienced agent, one familiar with that type
of case would be much better. Don’t you
agree?”
“You’re
both crazy! She’s going to have a baby. She can’t chase down perps or – “
“I’m
pregnant Agent Doggett. I’m not dying. I can certainly continue working for the
foreseeable future.”
“It
certainly didn’t stop you before.” Skinner
muttered. Scully look at him actually caused
him to flinch.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“It’s
not important. John, don’t shut me down. I need access; I have to continue searching for
Mulder. If I’m on restricted duty I can’t
do that effectively. Give me a little more
time.”
“I
have to report this to Kersh.”
“No! Not Kersh. He
doesn’t want us to find Mulder in the first place.
Please, John, I’ll cut back. I’ll
be careful. But don’t report this to
Kersh.”
Doggett
stood. “I need some time. I . . . I need to think.” He headed for the door. He reached for the knob and stopped. He turned back, “Mrs. Spooky. Is that – “ He gestured toward her. Her expression turned to stone. “I apologize Agent Scully. That question was inappropriate and none of my
business. “ He let himself out of the
room.
She sank
back into the chair. “What do you think
he’ll do?”
“I
don’t know.” Skinner replied,
watching her. “You know him better than
I do. He seems to be pretty by the book.” She sighed. “He’s
right you know.”
“What?” She looked up at him.
“Every
time you go out you put that baby in danger. I’m
not even sure you should be doing autopsies right now.
The fumes, the – “
“I
get it Walter.” She covered her eyes
with her hand. His words had brought back the
terror of having that thing put in her body. She’d
never been so frightened.
“What
would Mulder say?”
“I
beg your pardon?”
“Would
Mulder be okay with what you’re doing?”
She rose
from the chair then and headed for the door. He
knew he’d crossed a line, but he’d also obviously hit a nerve. “Scully, regardless you won’t lose your
access. Not as long as I have a position
here. And let’s face it, those friends
of ours probably have more access than either of us.”
She
glanced at him then and saw the smile of his face. He
watched her shoulders relax slightly.
“Let
me know what you need Dana.” She nodded
and let herself out of the office.
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