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Title: Sarah 10. Interlude II Summary: With Sarah away in Boston, Mulder is at a loss as to what to do with himself. Mulder wandered around the office like a lost soul. "I miss her, Scully," he said miserably. "It's just not the same without her. I miss her chatter, I miss her sneaking up onto the couch for a cuddle, I even miss picking my way across the floor through her toys!" He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Was my life really so empty before Sarah came into it?" It didn't even occur to him that his words might hurt Scully. These days, his thoughts revolved around Sarah and no-one else. Scully's eyes had followed him as he completed his circuit of the office, and she bit back her reply of "No - you had me." The jealousy she had felt over Sarah still snuck up on her now and again, when she least expected it, and stabbed her in the heart. Instead, Scully said, "It's only a few more days, Mulder - she'll be back at the weekend." She smiled. "You know, I miss her too." Sarah had gone up to Boston to stay with her cousins for the week. Mulder's apartment had been so quiet for the past few days - there was no constant "Daddy, why this?" or "Daddy, why that?" There was no audience when he shaved in the morning - for some unknown reason, it fascinated Sarah to watch him perform that daily ritual. He had become so wrapped up in his daughter and her needs that he didn't know what to do with himself now that she was gone. "Tell you what, Mulder - why don't you come over to my place tonight? It'll be like old times," said Scully. "I'll even order in a pizza - what do you say?" She watched him while he thought about it. What was it with these Mulders? Scully wondered. They wormed their way into your heart, and once there, they were impossible to get rid of - not that she wanted to be rid of Sarah and her father, of course. "Mulder? What do you think?" Scully thought it would do him good to get out of his apartment for one night. Mulder gave her a smile. "Yeah - I'd like that, Scully. Thanks." "My pleasure," she replied warmly. Mulder turned up right on time, bearing gifts. Well, a six pack of beer at least. Scully had already ordered the pizza and it arrived not long after Mulder. "I see you ordered all my favorites," Mulder said with a grin as he looked at the open box. "Of course!" Scully grinned back at him. "We may not have done this for a while, but I haven't forgotten what you like!" He raised his eyebrows suggestively at her. "Are you coming on to me, Agent Scully?" he smiled. "In your dreams, Agent Mulder," she replied affectionately, handing him a plate. "Here - tuck in while it's still hot." Scully saw that he was about to come back with another witty riposte, but she forestalled him. "Eat, Mulder," she instructed, in a tone that brooked no argument. Scully removed the empty pizza carton and Mulder put his feet, minus their sneakers, on the coffee table. "Make yourself comfortable, why don't you?" she said in amusement. "Don't mind if I do," Mulder grinned. Scully departed for the kitchen with a smile on her face. It was so good to have him there again, and to have him on his own. Since that first time, he had only been over once or twice, and always with Sarah in tow, not that Scully minded that, of course. She had grown very attached to the little girl. As she waited for the kettle to boil, Scully snuck a look through the kitchen door at her guest. He had a frown on his face, and she'd gotten the notion that something was bothering him. In fact, she'd felt that from him all day. Scully deposited the mugs of coffee on the table, and sat opposite Mulder in her favorite chair. "So, what's bothering you?" she asked. Straight out, no messing. "Who said anything's bothering me?" Scully gave him her famous look. "Mulder, this is me you're talking to. You've had something on your mind all day - maybe if you tell me, I can help." Mulder gave her a half smile. "It's nothing, Scully. I'm just being silly." "Well, let me be the judge of that," she answered. Then in a softer tone, she said, "Tell me what's bothering you. I don't like to see you troubled. Is it something to do with Sarah?" These days if he was bothered it was invariably something to do with his daughter. Mulder opened his mouth to speak, then shut it again. He was sure that Scully would laugh at him when he told her what was on his mind. He looked over at her, and she gave him an encouraging look. Mulder took a breath and said, "Do you think Sarah's forgotten about me? I haven't heard from her all week." Scully's heart melted - he had sounded so hurt and forlorn. She rose from her chair and went and sat beside him. "I told you it was silly," he said. "It's not silly at all," replied Scully softly. "And I doubt that Sarah's forgotten about you. She's probably having a wonderful time with her cousins - don't forget that she hasn't seen them for a while. I expect that she's enjoying playing with them and being with people that she knows and loves and that she hasn't seen for a long time. If there were any problems, you would have heard about it by now. You left your contact numbers with Sarah's aunt and uncle, didn't you?" Mulder nodded at that. "You know, you can always call her. It might put your mind at rest." As usual, Scully spoke complete sense, and Mulder chided himself for being such a worrier. "Maybe I'll call tomorrow," he said. "It's just..." He trailed off lamely. "I know," responded Scully softly, taking his hand. "When are you collecting her?" "Saturday. Would you like to come with me?" "Oh, I can't. I promised my Mom I'd go shopping with her. Maybe next time." Mulder shrugged. "It was just a thought, Scully." With five children of their own, Sarah's aunt and uncle couldn't afford to pay for someone to fly back to DC with Sarah, and Mulder didn't want her flying unaccompanied at such a young age. "I'll bet Sarah will be pleased to see you," said Scully with a smile, recalling the times that her father had returned from a period spent at sea. She had always been thrilled to see him come home, decked out in his smart naval uniform. "I know I'll be pleased to see her," replied Mulder longingly. The evening wore on as they chatted. Mulder looked tired and strained - the responsibility of caring for Sarah was beginning to show. Things hadn't been easy for him and Sarah of late, but Scully had tried to help out as much as she could. Right now, she was tempted to throw caution to the wind and ask him to stay the night, but she knew that wouldn't be fair on either of them with his mind currently on other matters. Mulder sighed and glanced at his watch. "Well, I'd better be making tracks," he said. He didn't really want to go, but thought it better if he did. He had too many other things on his mind at the present time. As much as he would like to have stayed at Scully's, he didn't think that he would be doing either of them justice as things stood at the moment. They stood at Scully's door. Mulder felt awkward, as if he should be explaining to Scully his reasons for going. He pulled a face, then said, "Scully..." She put her hand on his wrist. "It's okay, Mulder - I understand," she replied softly. "When the time is right, you'll know." Mulder nodded, then uttered a soft "Good night - see you tomorrow." Scully watched him go. When the time was right, she would be ready, and waiting. The End
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