Work Text:
I don't like to leave my desk, especially when the Assistant Director is in a meeting. If I'm away, it's too easy for people to get to him. Unfortunately, there are times when it's necessary.
I'm hurrying back from the ladies room when I see Mr. Skinner and Agent Scully standing in the outer office. She's on her cell phone, and I catch the end of her conversation before she hangs up, something about that man Jeremiah Smith who was here a few days ago. I know they've been looking for him. Mr. Skinner catches my eye as I come in.
"Kimberly, I need you to get Agent Scully and me to Providence as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sir," I tell him, grabbing my pad and pencil from the desk. Agent Scully goes back into his office, and he steps closer to me.
"I also need at least ten agents to meet us at the hospital where Agent Mulder's mother is."
"I doubt the RA in Providence has that many agents available."
"Go through the field office in Boston if you have to."
"Yes, Sir, I'll take care of it." He nods and goes back inside, closing the door.
I pick up the phone and get to work. First stop, the travel office.
"Rachel, it's Kim Cook from A.D. Skinner's office. I have an emergency travel request."
"When is it not an emergency, Kim?" she says, a smile in her voice. But I don't have time for pleasantries.
"A.D. Skinner and Agent Scully, to Providence, Rhode Island, absolute soonest."
I hear her keyboard clicking as her fingers fly over it. As speedy as Rachel is, I still find myself wishing there was a way for me to find the flight I need before I call her; it would save us both a lot of time. After a few long moments, she finally asks, "Can they make it to National in an hour?"
"I'll get 'em there. Thanks, Rachel. You're the best."
I hang up and check my e-mail -- as I'm watching, a message from Rachel pops into my in-box. I open it and print out the itinerary, then pick up the phone again. I decide to go straight to the Boston field office. I wasn't kidding when I told him the RA in Providence wouldn't have that many agents available; I don't think they've got ten agents assigned there in the first place. Besides, I'm sure Mr. Skinner would feel more comfortable dealing with a field office's SAC.
"SAC Thomas, this is Kimberly Cook from Assistant Director Skinner's office in Washington. He's asked me to arrange for ten agents to meet him at Providence Memorial Hospital in a little over two hours."
"Kinda short notice, Ms. Cook. Any reason you're not going through the RA in Providence?"
"Because the Assistant Director said to call you." Only half-true, but I can already tell this guy's going to be an asshole to deal with.
"Can I ask what this is for?" he says, and I'm momentarily stumped. Mr. Skinner didn't tell me, but I imagine it has something to do with Jeremiah Smith.
"Security detail for a witness. That's all I can tell you."
"Ten agents? Big security detail."
"He's an important witness," I tell him, losing patience. "Agent Thomas, I don't have time -- "
"Don't worry, Ms. Cook, they'll be waiting for him at the hospital."
"Good." I'm about to end the conversation when I remember an important detail I've overlooked. "Do you have someone who could meet A.D. Skinner at the airport in Providence?"
"I'll do it myself."
Relieved, I give him the flight information. "Thank you, Agent Thomas."
"Any time. Always happy to help out the Assistant Director." Uh-huh. And you want me to be sure and tell him you said that.
I gather my notes, then knock on Mr. Skinner's door. When I go in, his meeting is wrapping up.
I hand him the itinerary as I tell him, "Your flight from National to Providence leaves in an hour. SAC Thomas will meet you at the airport, and ten agents from the Boston field office will be waiting for you at the hospital." I pause a second, then, "I told him this was a security detail for a witness. Was that all right?"
"That's exactly what it is, Kimberly, thank you."
"You're welcome, Sir. Do you need a car to the airport?"
"No, we'll take mine."
I nod and turn to leave, but his voice stops me.
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
I glance back at him. The office is now empty except for the two of us. He's sitting at his desk, not looking at me, just gathering his files and papers for this sudden trip to Rhode Island. I smile, even though he doesn't see it.
"Thank you, Sir."
I close the door behind me.
END