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Title: Sarah Companion: A Day At The Bureau Summary: Due to circumstances beyond his control, Mulder is forced to take Sarah to work with him - her first visit to the Bureau. Note: This is a companion to the main "Sarah" series of stories that can be found on the Gossamer archive. The events depicted take place after Sarah XII. For Martine. Mulder was in a flap. Sarah was on her school vacation, and the minder had just called to say that one of her children had gone down with chicken pox. Sarah would not be going to Mrs. Flansburg's today - or for the next few days. The little girl ate her cereal as her father paced in the kitchen. He couldn't call on Margaret Scully to fill the breach - she was away visiting Scully's brother Charles. Mulder sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. This was not a good start to the day. Sometimes being a single parent was so hard. Then he looked at Sarah, and smiled. But it did have its rewards - he wouldn't trade his daughter's hugs and kisses for anything. Another sigh. There was nothing else for it - he'd have to take her to the Bureau with him. He'd have to do the very thing he'd tried desperately to avoid since taking Sarah into his home. He sat beside her at the little kitchen table, and ran a loving hand over her long, dark hair. "Sarah, that was Mrs. Flansburg. Thomas is not well, so you won't be able to go to her for a few days." "Can I go to Aunty Margaret's instead?" asked Sarah, looking up at him with a milky chin. Her father smiled, and reached for a cloth to wipe away the milk. "No, sweetheart - Aunty Margaret is on vacation. She won't be back until tomorrow night." "Oh." Sarah's face fell at that. She loved going to visit Mrs. Scully. "Where am I going to go? Can't you stay home, Daddy?" "Not today, sweetie. You'll have to come to work with me. Would you like that?" Sarah's eyes lit up - she had never been to her father's workplace before. She knew where it was, however, they'd driven past it many times. The look in her eye gave him reason to pause. Sarah was always good and would do whatever he told her to, but there was a certain look of mischief in her eye that could not be denied. "I take it that's a 'yes'?" he asked, an amused expression on his face. Sarah beamed and nodded. She couldn't think of anything better than spending the day with her beloved father. "Okay," said Mulder, rising from the table. "You finish your cereal, and I'll get some things together for you to take to keep you occupied." Half an hour later, they were ready to go. In contrast to her father's smart suit and tie, Sarah was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, with sneakers on her feet. Offices could be dusty places, and Mulder's was dustier than most, with all of its clutter. It was wise to dress her in such a way that it wouldn't matter if she got dirty. Mulder carried a sports bag full of Sarah's things down to the car, stowing it on the back seat. She was already belted into her seat by the time he got in beside her. He gave a smile at her eagerness. "Are we ready?" he asked. "Yes! Come on, Daddy!" Sarah was impatient to get going. This was an exciting turn of events as far as she was concerned. Sarah chattered away for most of the journey, making her father laugh more than once. However, the nearer they got to the Hoover Building, the more apprehensive he grew. He was beginning to regret his idea - he didn't want to expose Sarah to the whispering and gossiping, the staring and finger pointing that he knew would surely follow them wherever they went in the building. As far as he could recall, he would be in the office most of the day, catching up on paperwork. In any case, if he was called away for any reason, Scully would be there to keep a eye on Sarah. Mulder pulled into a vacant spot in the underground parking lot. Sarah was out of the car before he'd even undone his safety belt. He could see that she was excited at this new adventure. He took the sports bag from the back seat, and she put her hand in his as they walked to the elevator. The elevator took them to the main entrance. Mulder stepped out, took a deep breath and started to walk across the marble hall. Sarah held on tightly to his hand, her eyes drinking in every detail of her surroundings. They approached the security gate, and Mulder saw that it was George who was on duty today. "Morning, Agent Mulder." "Morning, George." Mulder went through, followed by his daughter. "Now, who's this?" asked George, with a smile. "I'm Sarah," answered the child, smiling back. "Well, hello, Sarah. Are you just visiting?" Sarah nodded. "Well, in that case, you'd better have one of these." He reached beneath the desk and brought out a Visitor pass, which he pinned to Sarah's jacket. "There - now you're official! You have to wear this badge all the time you're in the building, okay?" "Okay!" beamed Sarah, examining her badge closely. It had a big blue V on it. She turned to her father, her little face radiant. "Look at my badge, Daddy!" Mulder gave her a lovely smile. He was constantly amazed at how the simple things in life could give a child so much pleasure. George looked at Mulder. He was this child's father? The look that the security man gave him wasn't lost on Mulder. "That's right - Sarah's my daughter." A pause to let it sink in. "It's a long story." He knew the news would be all around the building before they even reached the basement. Mulder took Sarah's hand. "Come on, sweetheart." With that, they headed for another bank of elevators to ride down to the basement. Mulder unlocked the door to the room that passed for his and Scully's office. He reached in and switched on the light, ushered Sarah in and closed the door. Sarah stood for a moment, taking in her surroundings and the general clutter. "Take your jacket off, sweetheart." Sarah did that, and Mulder hung it on the coat tree behind the door. He took her ID off the jacket and pinned it to her sweatshirt. Then he bobbed down in front of her. "Sweetheart, this is where Dana and I work. Now, while you're here, you mustn't touch anything, okay? Especially the computers. And I don't want you to go wandering off. You can sit at my desk for today and do some drawing, or play some of your games." Sarah listened intently to all that her father said, then, "When will Dana get here?" Mulder glanced at the clock. "She's usually here by now. Maybe she ran into traffic." Then he remembered. Scully was going to Quantico first thing, and didn't expect to be in the office until lunch time at the earliest. He explained this to Sarah, who took it all in her stride. "I will see Dana later, won't I?" The little girl was very fond of Scully. "Of course," answered her father warmly. He straightened up. "Now, I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Would you like some juice?" Mulder had had the foresight to bring some juice from home for Sarah. "No thank you. Daddy, can you take me to the bathroom?" "Sure. I'll get my coffee on the way back." Mulder was aware that he and Sarah were running the gauntlet of inquisitive eyes as they made their way to the ladies washroom. He waited outside while Sarah went inside. He felt awkward lurking outside the ladies room, and prayed that Sarah was quick. Agent Angela White came face to face with the prettiest looking little girl. She seemed to be having trouble reaching the taps to wash her hands. "Can I do that for you?" Sarah looked up at the smiling lady. She wore a badge, just like the one her father wore, with her picture on it. "Yes please. I can't reach." Agent White smiled at the child again. She looked awfully familiar... "So what are you doing here?" the agent asked. "I'm visiting," answered Sarah, giving her hands a thorough washing. "I have to wear a special badge." Sarah proudly indicated the visitor pass. "Oh." Agent White looked suitably impressed. "What's your name?" "Sarah. What's yours?" "Angela." "Do you work here?" asked Sarah. "My Daddy works here." "Yes, I work here. Who's your Daddy?" "Fox Mulder." Agent White looked at the child, open mouthed. So the rumor she'd heard as soon as she'd arrived that morning was true! She could see the resemblance now - in fact it was so strong she wondered how she could have missed it. "Do you know my Daddy?" asked Sarah, drying her hands. "Yes, I know your Daddy." "He's waiting outside for me. I'd better go." "Me too," said Agent White. This she had to see. She held the door open for Sarah, then followed the child out. Mulder had his back to the door and he turned as they came out. Sarah jumped up into his arms and he gave a broad smile. "All done?" he asked. "Yes. Daddy, this is Angela. I couldn't reach the taps and she helped me." Mulder regarded his fellow agent. "Thanks," he said softly. "You're welcome, Mulder." A smile. She couldn't believe that the man in front of her, holding this beautiful child, and wearing such a loving expression on his face, was Fox Mulder. Angela leaned in and whispered, "She's lovely." Then to Sarah, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sarah. Maybe I'll see you later!" Back in the sanctuary of his office, Mulder drank his coffee and went over the brief meeting with Angela White. It hadn't been as bad as he thought. Then he smiled. Wherever she went and whoever she met, Sarah seemed to enchant all those that crossed her path. He glanced over at her, sitting at his desk, busy coloring in. "Daddy, I like Angela," said Sarah, pausing long enough to look over to him. "I like Dana better, though." Mulder chuckled. "I'm sure Dana will very pleased to hear that!" Coffee finished, Mulder sorted through some papers. Expense claims and requisitions - the bane of his life. "Sarah, I'm just going to the photocopier. Will you be all right here for a while?" "Can I come?" Mulder could tell by her expression that she didn't want to be left on her own, but didn't like to say. "Okay - come on then." Sarah grinned and hopped down off his chair, then they set off hand in hand for the photocopier. Mulder put the first few papers through the machine, then Sarah wanted to try. "Show me what to do, Daddy!" she asked. "Well, you put this sheet of paper in there, then you press this button here, and then your copy comes out this end!" While Sarah did his photocopying for him, Mulder glanced around, conscious of the eyes watching him and Sarah - eyes that were quickly averted when they caught his. Others walked past and then did a double take on seeing Mulder with a child, and one that was his spitting image to boot. Mulder sighed. He could imagine the gossip that was going on behind his back, everyone wondering about the who, why, what, when and where in relation to Sarah's existence. Unconsciously, his hand reached out and came to rest on the top of her head, as if just his touch could protect her from the idle chatter. "I've finished, Daddy," announced Sarah, looking up at him. "That was quick!" he answered, turning his attention back to his daughter. He picked up the sheaf of copies. "I tell you what, you carry these for me so that I don't get them mixed up with the originals." "Okay!" Sarah was thrilled to be helping her father - she felt very important carrying his papers. Back in the office, Sarah helped her father sort through some files. She did no more than pass them to him one by one, but Mulder knew she loved to help him out with chores whenever she could. Not only that, it was keeping her occupied, and despite his uneasiness about bringing her along with him, and the interest that their combined presence was generating, he was getting a kick out of her being there. He didn't like spending too much time away from Sarah, and couldn't wait to get back home to her every night. The phone rang, and Mulder crossed the office to answer it. A summons from on high. He'd have to leave Sarah in the office. He crouched down by the side of her chair. "Sweetheart, I have to go upstairs to see someone. I'll have to leave you here for a little while - will you be all right? You can draw me a nice picture for my wall while I'm gone." "Will you be long, Daddy?" asked Sarah in a small voice. He took her hands in his. "I'll try not to be too long." He glanced up at the clock. "It's nearly lunch time - Dana should be here soon. We can all go to lunch together." Sarah's expression brightened at that. Mulder kissed her cheek, and Sarah threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'll be back soon," he said softly. Hearing footsteps, Sarah called out brightly, "Daddy?" It wasn't her father. Agent Billings' curiosity had gotten the better of him. He couldn't resist venturing down to Mulder's office to see if the rumors were true. It looked like they were. "Hello," said Sarah. "Are you looking for Daddy or Dana?" "Er, yes," replied the young agent. "Daddy had to go and see someone, but he shouldn't be long. I don't know where Dana is, but she should be back by lunch time." "Oh, I see." Agent Billings couldn't help but smile. It was as if the child was acting as Mulder and Scully's secretary. Sarah had turned back to her drawing. "That's a nice drawing," ventured Billings. "It's for Daddy," replied Sarah proudly. "He puts all my drawings on his wall." "I can see that." One wall of Mulder's office was covered in Sarah's artistic efforts. "What's your name?" "Sarah. What's yours?" "Stephen. I'm pleased to meet you, Sarah." "Can I help you?" Mulder's enquiry made Billings jump. "Er..." "Yes?" pressed Mulder, his eyes boring into the young agent's. He knew very well that the younger man had come down to gawp - in fact he was surprised that more of his fellow agents hadn't made the trip down to the basement to see the novelty of the Mulder double act. "Er..." "As you seem to have forgotten why you came down here, may I suggest that you go back upstairs? It might jog your memory!" Mulder's tone was sharp as he ushered Agent Billings out of the door, shutting it with a bang behind him. Ten minutes later, the door opened again. "Now what?" barked Mulder, making Sarah jump. His back was towards the door, so he didn't see who had entered the office. "Well, that's a fine greeting I must say!" Two dark heads turned simultaneously. "Dana!" squealed Sarah, jumping down off her chair and running to Scully. "What's this, Mulder? I'm only gone for a few hours and already you've replaced me?" Scully gave Sarah a hug and a kiss, and there was a broad smile for her partner. "And I have to tell you, Scully, my new partner gives you a run for your money!" He winked at Sarah. "Sarah did all my photocopying, and helped me sort out those files." "Not those files that have been in your out tray for the past month?" "The very same," he replied with a grin. "Well, Sarah - I think that deserves a special treat. How about lunch on me?" The little girl nodded enthusiastically. "So how come Sarah is with you today?" asked Scully over lunch. "Jill's son is unwell - chicken pox. I had no option but to bring her with me." He took a bite out of his sandwich. "You know that Sarah will probably get the chicken pox anyway, don't you?" Mulder shrugged. "It's one of those things, Scully. If she doesn't get it now, she'll get it later." Scully nodded - that was true enough. She chewed on her sandwich. "So how's it been?" she asked eventually. She knew the fears he had about bringing Sarah to work with him. "Not too bad. Agent Billings paid us a visit this morning - I didn't even know he knew his way to the basement. I'm just wondering how many more are going to find their way down there before the day's out." Scully covered his hand with hers. "You always knew this would happen," she said softly. "Yeah, I know." Mulder sounded so resigned to his fate. "That still doesn't make it any easier to bear." Mulder had long been accustomed to being an object of curiosity, but he didn't want Sarah to be treated in the same way. It was worse when they returned from lunch. There appeared to be more people than ever in the main entrance, all of them apparently waiting to catch a glimpse of Mulder and his daughter. Mulder paused as soon as he saw them, his heart sinking into his boots. All eyes seemed to be on him and Sarah, and instead of the usual hubbub, a hush had descended. His hand clasped Sarah's tightly, and he wanted to yell at everyone to go away and leave them alone. Sarah could feel the tension in her father as his hand tightened its hold on hers. Scully saw his discomfort, put her hand on his arm and addressed him in a low voice. "It's all right, Mulder. Don't let them get to you. You have nothing to fear and nothing to hide. Hold your head high and show them how proud you are of Sarah." Scully's words appeared to galvanize him, and Mulder strode across the floor with Sarah beside him, his head held high, just as Scully had suggested. He could hear the whispers coming from all around him. The strange circumstances hadn't escaped Sarah's attention either. As soon as they were back in the office, she asked, "Daddy, why were all those people looking at us and whispering?" Mulder didn't know how to answer that. The basement office had never been more popular. It was like Grand Central Station - and all because of Sarah. Mulder had known that people would be curious, wanting to confirm for themselves that the rumor about "Spooky" having a child was true. In a way, he couldn't blame them - if the roles were reversed, he'd probably be just as curious. Mulder was close to despair. "What do they expect me to do, Scully?" he asked quietly. "Go and shout it from the rooftops?" Scully felt for him. She knew he wasn't enjoying the attention - he never did. And he wanted to protect Sarah. She reached out and laid a hand on his hair. "No, Mulder. They're curious, just as you knew they would be, and maybe just a little bit surprised." "What the hell does that mean?" "I think that most people find it difficult associating you with children, or with being a parent." Scully chose her words carefully. He was upset enough as it was, and she didn't want to make it any worse. "Why? Is the idea really that farfetched? Is the notion of me as a parent that distasteful? Or do they think I'm not the right material to make a good father? They know nothing about me, Scully - they know nothing about the things that I want." He sounded so bitter. "You're a wonderful father, Mulder. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't take any notice of them - they haven't seen the two of you together like I have." He smiled up at her. "Thanks, Scully." He grasped her hand and squeezed it. Despite her words, he still felt as if he and Sarah were exhibits in a freak show. The fact that her father was upset about something wasn't lost on Sarah. Despite their efforts to keep their conversation low, Sarah had heard some of what her father and Scully had been discussing. Sarah and her father were always sensitive to one another's moods, and it troubled her to think that her father might be upset, and that she might be the cause of it. With Mulder out of the office collecting the results of some tests he'd requested, Sarah made her way across to join Scully at her desk. Scully looked up, and her smile turned to a look of concern at Sarah's expression. "Sarah, whatever's the matter?" "Dana, why is Daddy upset? Is it because those people were staring at us and whispering? Why did they do that?" "Oh, sweetheart," said Scully, reaching out and taking the child into her arms. She felt Sarah's arms go around her, and she smoothed a hand over the luxuriant dark locks. How could she explain the actions of others so that Sarah would understand? Scully pulled Sarah into her lap, rocking her. "Dana, why were they staring and whispering?" Sarah's dark eyes met Scully's blue ones. "Because they don't know any better," answered Scully. She suddenly felt ashamed of her own reaction the night Mulder had first shown up at her apartment with Sarah. "Sarah, do you remember Halloween, when your Daddy brought you trick or treating at my apartment?" Sarah nodded. "You gave us lots of sweets," she said with a smile. "That's right." Scully smiled at the memory. "Well, I didn't know what to think when your Daddy told me who you were. You see, although we had worked together for a long time, he'd never told me about you. I didn't know he had a lovely little girl called Sarah, and that she was someone he loved very much. I found it hard to understand why he'd never said anything about you, and I think that the people who work here feel the same way. They're curious about you... they want to see what you look like... they heard that Fox Mulder has a little girl, and they want to see if it's true." "So Daddy's not upset with me?" asked Sarah, after digesting what Scully had said. "Oh no, sweetheart. Why would he be upset with you? You haven't done anything!" Sarah seemed satisfied with that, and after a hug and a kiss from Scully, she returned to her drawing. Scully decided not to mention her conversation with Sarah - not yet, anyway. In any case, Mulder had only been back in the office a few minutes before he was summoned from on high again. "There's no rest for the wicked, Scully," he said as he went out of the door. "That was our esteemed boss," he reported when he came back to the office. "He's suggested that I take the rest of the afternoon off. It seems that Sarah and I are proving to be a disruptive influence!" A broad grin spread across his face. It was a welcome sight after the past couple of hours. "In what way?" asked Scully. "We appear to be the main topic of conversation - in other words, the gossips are having a field day and instead of getting on with their work, people are standing around chatting about us." "So what are you going to do?" "Take him up on his offer, of course! I'm sure Sarah and I can think of something to do to fill the rest of the afternoon, then perhaps you'd like to join us for dinner tonight, Scully." "I'd love to, Mulder. What time?" "Well, I thought we'd eat out - I think we deserve it, don't you?" His arm rested around his daughter's shoulders. "And as a special treat, Sarah can choose where we go." "Can we have Chinese, Daddy?" "That okay with you, Scully?" "Sounds great." "Shall we say six thirty? Sarah and I will come and pick you up at your place." "That's fine, Mulder." Arrangements made, Mulder and Sarah packed everything back into the sports bag. Sarah slipped into her jacket and they headed out of the door. "We'll see you later, Scully. Don't work too hard!" It had been a hell of a day, and it wasn't over yet. They still had to run the gauntlet of those inquisitive eyes all the way to the main entrance. This time it was different. Mulder remembered Scully's words - he had nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, he loved Sarah with all his heart and he was so proud of her. He had every reason to hold his head high, and he did just that. "Are you going home now?" asked George. They were back at the security check. Sarah nodded. "Well, I hope you had a good time today." "Yes, thank you." "Sweetheart, you'd better give your pass back," said Mulder. "Oh, that's okay," replied George, shaking his head and waving a hand. "You can keep it, and use it again next time." Sarah's eyes positively shone. "Thank you!" She turned to her father. "I can be a proper agent now, Daddy! Can I play dressing up when we get home?" Mulder chuckled. "We'll see." He could just picture Sarah dressed in Scully's old suit, with her visitors pass pinned to the lapel and doubling as her official ID. He knew that one Agent Mulder was more than the Bureau could cope with, never mind two. Maybe later he'd dig out a photo of Sarah and stick it on the pass to make it look more authentic. As they waited for the elevator to arrive and take them down to the parking lot, Mulder swept Sarah up into his arms and father and daughter shared a big hug, and a kiss. And he didn't care who was watching. The End
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