All Characters copyright of TenThirteen Productions and Chris Carter. No infringement intended on any part... go ahead, take me to court... I'm using the insanity defence... heh, heh, heh... Comments, complaints and just plain talk to sheryl_martin@tvo.org Summary: Mulder wonders how he must look to others... Spoilers: "Small Potatoes", natch... Rating: G, vignette... more or less.. Through The Looking Glass (1/1) by Sheryl Martin Assistant Director Skinner took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose until it hurt. "And you're telling me that this man managed to infiltrate our Bureau by 'morphing' into you." He put his glasses back on and stared at Fox Mulder. "Agent Mulder, you're beginning to give me a bad reputation." "Yes, sir." He muttered. "Unfortunately..." A large hand came down on the thick X File sitting on the desk; the familiar red and white striping on the cover threatening to trigger a migraine in both men. "Agent Scully verifies your theory. As well as witnessing the aforementioned 'morphing'. I've included her comments to the authorities as documentation along with her medical theory as to the source of this ability. They're taking it serious enough to put him on muscle relaxants to keep him in one spot." He looked at Mulder sharply. "At your recommendation in the report, I might add." "Yes, sir." "I've ordered a full security check of your offices to make sure that Eddie didn't get his hands on anything he shouldn't have. All your passwords are being changed; and the new keys will be ready by tomorrow." Skinner sighed. "You don't think he walked off with anything?" "No, sir. He didn't even turn on the computer, as far as I know." "Well, better safe than sorry. Report back on Monday and we'll have it all cleaned up." He looked down at the file. "Agent Scully has also opted to take the rest of the day off after filing her report. Given her recent experiences, I can't blame her." "Yes, sir." Getting to his feet, Mulder headed for the door. "Agent Mulder..." "Yes, sir?" He turned, his hand on the doorknob. "Do you think that Agent Scully truly thought it was you?" The silence hung in the air for a second like a thick mist. "I think it was the Agent Mulder she wanted to see." ******** The basketball had rolled almost into the kitchen. Picking it up carefully, he dribbled it for a few minutes; switching from hand to hand effortlessly while ignoring the yells from the tenants under him. He had been here. He had listened to the messages and wondered at who Fox Mulder was. He had gone to the closet and put on a shirt and jeans and gone to his partner's apartment with the purpose of seducing her. He had been stopped. Now what? Tossing the basketball into a corner, Mulder rewound the tape on the answering machine and grimaced as he listened again to the messages. No use in calling Langley and the others - they'd never believe him. Or never call him again; which was more likely. And as for the other message... well, it'd been a long time since he'd picked up the phone to call that number. Good thing he hadn't put it on the company card. With a deep sigh he noticed the one fish floating belly-up at the top of the tank. Wonderful. Dipping his hand into the tank, he carefully carried the dead fish into the bathroom; dropping it into the toilet. Jiggling the handle as he flushed the fish away, he shook his head as he watched which way the water was swirling around the bowl. So what exactly had Eddie said to Scully? What had she said back? She had been totally cold after he had burst in the door; probably in shock. Even after the police had listened to their strange story and had agreed to at least put Eddie in custody overnight and only that because of their Bureau status, she had retreated into her apartment and told him that she'd see him on Monday. Well, he could understand that. After all, it's one thing to be told about morphing humans and to document them through scientific theory. Another to be hit on by someone who used it to get close to you. He frowned. And how close would he have gotten if the real Mulder hadn't broken in? Blinking rapidly, the tall man ran through the possible scenarios and let out a low whistle. Could have been very complicated. Very, very complicated. Although she probably would have noticed the lack of a bullet scar where she had shot him. And at that point; probably have added another few when she realised who she was making out with. Unbidden, the images filled his mind. God, it was hot in here. Wiping his forehead, he slumped back on the sofa. Well, no harm done. Scully was fine; he was fine... and they'd solved the case. Except he felt like burning everything in the apartment. And what would Eddie have thought; wandering through the life that was Fox Mulder, picking and choosing from his wardrobe and his world? Probably that Mulder was a sad, lonely man. He looked up at the picture perched on the desk. Samantha. Eddie probably didn't even look at it; probably didn't consider who she was or why she was there. Or what place she occupied in Mulder's life. Like his partner. Casting a critical eye around the room, he got to his feet and pulled back the blinds; letting the sunshine stream unchecked in. The bright light shot around the room, banishing all the shadows. Time to get out of the darkness, Mulder. Because if you want to be the Mulder that Scully deserves, you have a bit of work to do. With a grin on his face, he cleared the messages off the answering machine. And made a mental note to buy a new bed. *********** "Heart of a warrior; mind of a fool... soul of a romantic." - Jackie St. George "I am a brother to dragons and a companion to owls..." - The Book of Job All Dragon stories archieved by the Wonderful Stef Davies (grovel, grovel..) at: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/stephanie.davies/dragon.htm ****************************************************** - sent via an evaluation copy of BulkRate (unregistered).