Chapter Text
The Unremarkable House: 6am
His alarm buzzes on the nightstand next to the bed. He looks at the time and mumbles sleepily to himself, "I don't recall 6 o'clock being this early in the morning when I was 30." He has a meeting with A.D. Skinner, and most likely a variety of other suits, for his FBI reinstatement meeting at 9am.
As he rubs the sleep from his eyes he sits up on the edge of the bed and reads the yellow note afixed to the surface of his nightstand:
"Great things are done when men and mountains meet." - William Blake
His psychiatrist suggested posting affirmations around the house as a means to manage his depression, and to motivate him to get out of bed and be productive. Positive affirmations aren't really his thing, nor is the antidepressant and mood stabilizer he has been prescribed, but if he wants to return to work he was going to do what it takes this time around.
He went into town yesterday for a haircut and shave. He even bought a new suit for the occasion; dark blue suit with matching blue necktie, black dress shoes, and a crisp white dress shirt. He looks at himself in the mirror and nods approvingly. It's been a long time since he has worn a suit.
Making his way downstairs he smells fresh brewed coffee. "Programmable coffee pots are one of the greatest contributions to civilization. Second only to baseball," he observes. Another yellow note greets him as he reaches for the cupboard door:
"What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." - Ralph Marston
He takes a deep breath and exhales, "I certainly hope so, Ralph." He sips his coffee as he waits for his bagel to finish toasting.
~
Outside Washington, D.C.: 8am
The commute to D.C. takes about an hour, just enough time for negative thoughts to form; they'll see through my facade, the return of "Spooky," the world has changed and I'm the same paranoid believer chasing shadows. He flips the visor down and sees another square of yellow paper:
"Either you run the day or the day runs you." - Jim Rohn
He repeats the words over-and-over to himself as the scenery around him changes from rural to urban sprawl.
~
FBI Headquarters: 8:30am
He arrives at the FBI building 30 minutes early. He enters the building and stops briefly in the foyer. Looking around not much has changed since the last time he was here with Scully in 2008. Agents and other officials are walking towards the security area. Some are talking on their phones or with colleagues. While others are looking impatiently at their watches. Some of these people he recognizes, while others are too young to take notice of the once young and promising agent now middle-aged. A feeling of not belonging creeps up on him. Under his breath he repeats a mantra from earlier, "Either you run the day or the day runs you."
~
He's greeted by a familiar face at the metal detector, "Good morning, Agent Mulder. It's been a while." Ernie, the security guard began working at the FBI building a year after Mulder joined BCU.
"Nice seeing you too, Ernie. It's been a while, and it's not Agent Mulder as of yet. I have a meeting with A.D. Skinner this morning for reinstatement."
"That's good to hear. Water-cooler talk hasn't been the same since you and Agent Scully left."
"Hopefully that changes by 10."
"Good luck, Agent Mulder."
"Thanks, Ernie."
~
A.D. Walter Skinner's Office: 8:50am
He stops in front of the office door belonging to Asst. Director Walter Skinner. He feels his anxiety rising, so he takes a deep breath and exhales. Before reaching for the door handle, he receives a reminder notification on his phone about the meeting, along with a message:
"I might have had a tough break; but I have an awful lot to live for." - Lou Gehrig
Mulder sighs, "Thanks, Lou." And he enters the office.
~
"Hi, Arlene."
"Welcome back, Agent Mulder." He was about to correct her, but decided against it. All this 'agent' stuff might be a good sign of things yet to come. "I have an appointment with A.D. Skinner this morning."
"I'll let him know that you're here." Arlene walks over to the office door, knocks twice, and a familiar voice is heard from the other side, "Yes?" Arlene opens the door and informs the Assistant Director that Fox Mulder is here for his meeting. "Thank you, Arlene. You can show him in."
"He's ready to see you now."
"Thank you."
"Good luck, Fox. You look good."
Mulder smiles slightly, "Thanks. It's great seeing you again."
~
He enters Skinner's office and is greeted with a handshake from his old boss. He notices there's not any superiors in the office, except for Skinner. To Mulder's surprise, sitting in a chair in front of Skinner's desk is Scully. She stands up and walks towards Mulder and embraces him briefly, feeling his muscles tense up from the shock of seeing her at this meeting. "You clean up really good when you want to," she jokingly says.
"Scully, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"
"I was asked to attend this meeting. I don't have any patient rounds on my schedule until this afternoon."
"I suddenly feel like this is an intervention."
"Sit down, Mulder," Skinner cuts in. "This is not an intervention."
He takes a seat next to Scully facing Skinner. Mulder feels the beginning of a panic attack trying to break the surface of his calm demeanor. He closes his eyes momentarily and visualizes his racing heart slowing back down to a steady rhythm. Scully looks at him and notices his posture and face become more relaxed. The tension she noticed when he entered the room has melted away.
"Okay. Deal me in. Why are we all here?" Mulder asks.
Skinner clears his throat with a cough and a sip of water before reading from the document on his desk, "Due to your past history with the Bureau it was decided by the Director and HR, along with Scully's input, that as part of your reinstatement that you be put on a behavioral contract for a period of six months. During this time you will continue to see your psychiatrist, along with a FBI counselor every other Thursday. You will also remain on any prescribed medication that you are currently on. You and I will meet on alternating Thursdays to discuss your progress. Scully has agreed to return to the X-Files as your partner and assist with any investigative needs. At the conclusion of the six month agreement, your file will be reviewed by the Director and HR in order to determine if an extension is needed. Failure to comply with the terms of your behavioral contract will result in your permanent dismissal from the Bureau."
Mulder sits silently, processing the terms of his reinstatement. Scully interjects, "Mulder, this is not a punishment. All involved want you to succeed if your desire is to return as an agent. This is their way of helping you succeed. We all care about your overall well-being."
"Six months?"
"The six months begin as soon as your signature is on the contract," Skinner replies. "Your office is ready to be occupied. Fresh paint. New equipment. Your case files have already been moved down to your office and are secured in locked filing cabinets. I was also able to procure a copy of that ridiculous poster of yours." Skinner managed to get a chuckle from Mulder about the poster.
Mulder stands, rubs the back of his neck, and reaches for the pen on Skinner's desk. He signs the contract and hands it to Skinner. "When would you like me to start work?" He asks.
"Today. You need to get your photo taken for your security pass, identification card and badge case. Here are your office keys. You'll need to be certified to carry a weapon, so you're expected at the firing range this afternoon."
Mulder accepts the keys and shakes Skinner's hand as Scully looks on. He turns to leave the room as he hears Scully thanking Skinner.
~
She expects to find him sitting on the leather couch in the waiting room, but he's absent. She says good-bye to Arlene while speed dialing Mulder on her cellphone. As soon as she steps into the hallway she finds Mulder leaning against a wall reading over his copy of the behavioral contract. She hangs up her phone. It takes a minute for him to notice she is standing there.
"Hey," he says.
"Mulder, it was...."
"Necessary. I know that, Scully. I'm not upset about it. I understand."
"You do look very dapper today. That shade of blue compliments your hazel eyes."
"Thank you," he says with a smile. "I chose it for you. The color that is. For luck, I mean. I didn't know you would be here. I also didn't know you were returning to the Bureau."
"If you're going to do this, you'll need some experienced help. Someone who will point out the errors in your theories," she says with a wink.
"Ah. There it is. That old chemistry. What about the hospital?"
"I have vacation time that I can use while we get back into the swing of investigating the unexplainable."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For agreeing to return to the FBI. I know this wouldn't be possible without someone keeping an eye on me."
"Well, partner. It's almost lunchtime, and I don't have to be back at the hospital for a couple of hours. How about I buy you lunch? It will help you focus at the firing range."
"Isn't 'no fraternizing' part of this contract?" He says as he skims over the paperwork again.
"Only if we stay for dessert," she says as her hand finds his. His phone notification catches their attention. Mulder looks down at the screen and reads the digital note:
"How rarely do we stop to examine that path, to see the reasons why all things happen, to consider whether the path we take in life is our own making or simply one into which we drift with eyes closed." - Dana Scully
Mulder hums a sigh and returns his phone back into the interior breast pocket of his suit. "Is everything okay?" She asks.
"Perfect. Let's get something to eat. I have an appointment this afternoon."
~
The End
•The X-Files and it's characters belong to and were created by Chris Carter (though I wish they were mine).
•The Dana Scully quote comes from the episode All Things.