From: mrkeller829@gmail.com   
      
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   "Chermera" by Mary Ruth Keller Part 32  of 45   
   E-mail: mrkeller@eclipse.net, mrkeller829@gmail.com   
   PG-13   X-File: Myth-arc   Disclaimed in Part I   
   Already sent to Gossamer   
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   142 Curie Avenue   
   University City   
   San Diego, CA   
   Saturday, June 20, 1998   
   9:47 pm   
      
   The Taurus silent in front of his sister's house, Fox Mulder gripped the   
   steering wheel. "Scully, I don't like the thought of you being out here in   
   this car alone."   
      
   She tucked her chin. "Mulder, I'd just be intruding. You and Sandra need to   
   work this out for yourselves. You're family."   
      
   He eyed her helplessly. They had been debating this for the entirety of the   
   short trip here.   
      
   They turned, in surprise, at a tap on the passenger door window. Sandra's lips   
   were stretched into a one-sided grin. "You called, Fox. I knew you were   
   coming." She opened the door. "Dana, I agree with my brother. Come inside. He   
   and I can speak upstairs    
   in my office while Salazar and Tugs keep you entertained. I have string toys   
   for you to try out on them."   
      
   Mulder clucked happily as he rounded the Taurus. "Two against one, Doctor."   
   Nearly hopping with delight, he followed the women up the walk.   
      
   Scully was gazing up at Sandra. "Honestly, I'd rather enjoy your garden one   
   last time, but if I tried to sit outside under lights, I'd never hear the end   
   of it." She tossed the tease to the man behind her.   
      
   Sandra dropped an arm around her shoulders. "Actually, I'd like to speak with   
   you first, if I may." They were at the door. "Watch for the felines."   
      
   "Sheah." Mulder snorted. "Four legs good, two legs bad."   
      
   "Salazar!" Sandra was waving him inward as the round ginger face nosed out the   
   door. "We have guests! Go back! Go back!"   
      
   The auburn-haired pathologist leaned over, her hand extended. "You adorable   
   little man, you." She was stroking the M without touching the round-tipped   
   ears.   
      
   The ginger tabby's rear lowered to the wood as he arched his head, blinking   
   happily.   
      
   Sandra snatched up Tuggles, who was marching back and forth in front of the   
   three, his oyster tail waving proudly.   
      
   Mulder bent over his partner as the door closed behind them. "Try that on me   
   Scully, and-"   
      
   She had the British Shorthair under her right arm. "You'll do all the vehicle   
   requisitions for the rest of the year?"   
      
   Sandra pointed up at the second floor. "Girl talk, Fox. Run away, now, while   
   your manliness is intact."   
      
   He held up both hands, then bounded up the stairs. "Where's your computer?   
   That'll keep me amused." He waited on the upper landing.   
      
   She beamed at Scully, who was settling into the sofa, while still clutching   
   the red tabby. "My Linux box is in the office, last door on your left. The   
   password's 'reynolds' in all lower case."   
      
   "Sheash. Way too many brains in this family." He was grinning as he spun.   
      
   Sandra claimed the armchair before releasing Tuggles, who joined Salazar, now   
   on the floor, in a thorough inspection of Scully's pant legs, their two noses   
   twitching as they sniffed the hems and seams. "They'll be at this for a while.   
   You two are    
   completely new to them."   
      
   Scully was beaming at the felines winding around her ankles. "One of Ahab's   
   sisters has cats. I was the only one who liked to visit her because of them,   
   but they're fascinating." She touched the tip of one white ear with an index   
   finger, then looked over    
   at Sandra. "You wanted to discuss Mulder?"   
      
   The professor pulled her chestnut hair back behind her shoulders with one   
   hand. "Dana, please, give me your honest assessment of my brother. I trust   
   your opinion."   
      
   The diminutive agent took in a long breath. "On the bad side? Some people   
   would call him Byronic, melancholic. But, he thinks and feels so deeply, he   
   just seems that way. However, on the good side - "   
      
   Sandra's dark brows drew together. "I have to know. Do you trust him?"   
      
   Scully's smile faded into sincerity as she heard the softest of shuffles down   
   the stairs. {Couldn't stay away, could you, G-man? Well, listen to this.}   
   "With my life, Sandra. On the good side, we have an honest, open exchange of   
   intellects such as I have    
   had with no other human being. We argue about our cases because we have   
   different perspectives, but, it's always been with respect for the other   
   person, and the other person's views. That's rare, especially with men, as you   
   know."   
      
   The chestnut-haired professor found herself nodding. "Yeah, I know the types   
   you mean. Tell them the sky is blue, using Rayleigh scattering to explain why.   
   In response, they'll run to the closest window to point out a little haze at   
   one location on the    
   horizon, before they proclaim you completely wrong. Then they'll stalk off,   
   their chests stuck out like they had bagged an alpha lion, just for putting   
   the smart broad, in their minds, back in her place."   
      
   Scully held up her palm. "Also, most men consider women's bodies disgusting   
   and dirty, except for their sexual use. Your brother isn't like that." She   
   blew out a frustrated breath as she shook her auburn curls. "I don't mean   
   anything untoward here about    
   the nature of our partnership. He's always been a thoroughgoing gentleman with   
   me at all times, courteous, considerate, protective almost to a fault, while   
   appreciating my independence and self-sufficiency. I trust him completely,   
   both professionally and    
   personally." She paused at the quick intake of breath she heard from the   
   stairwell. {Do you understand I've forgiven you for the parking garage,   
   Mulder?} "What I mean is this, Sandra, I had a hysterectomy a little over two   
   years ago, from injuries    
   suffered on a case. In the past couple of months I went into early menopause.   
   None of that phased Mulder. He was as staunch an advocate with my physicians   
   as anyone could want while I worked through hormone therapy. Most men couldn't   
   handle anything like    
   that, even some spouses. Most importantly, he's been my tireless champion at   
   the Bureau. I can't express my gratitude for his efforts to land me a   
   promotion to Section Head, joint with him." The nearly inaudible rustle on the   
   stairs told her the message    
   had been received.   
      
   "But, when we spoke before, you said he had been violent with you once. What   
   was that about?"   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)