This story is being written because of my new-found affection for the
Barenaked Ladies, the *band*, not, you know, actual, you get what I'm
saying. I heard this song on "Stunt" and it was perfect for M/SAngst.
Look, slight cheeze factor here, but only at the end. Can't have good
MSAngst without cheeze! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: see "The Disclaimer of All Disclaimers"

Rating: PG, for about four or five swear words. It's pretty much fine 
        family fun.

Call and Answer
by
Tamani R. Green
************************************************************************
I think it's getting to the point
where I can be myself again
I think it's getting to the point
where we have almost made amends
I think it's the getting to the point
that is the hardest part

and if you call, I will answer
and if you fall, I'll pick you up
and if you court this disaster
I'll point you home
************************************************************************
    "Hey, Scully."
    "Hello, Mulder."
    "How're you doing?"
    "I'm doing good." And she meant it. It wasn't something to get him
to stop being concerned.
    She sat at her desk. Her face was bruised up and she had a cast on 
her left arm. The results of a stupid mistake on Mulder's part. One of
their shit pile measuring tasks turned out to be something really 
serious.
    Mulder didn't take the case seriously. He miscalculated and Scully
ended up being caught in a bombed building. He was lucky she hadn't
ended up dead because of his stupidity.
    He couldn't look her in the eye because he was ashamed at what he'd
done. She didn't seem to hold it against him, though. She actually 
seemed to be happy to see him.
    "Um, Scully?"
    "Yes, Mulder?"
    "I'm sorry. It's all my -" She stopped his flow of words with a 
hand.
    "No apologies, Mulder. Let's just go from here."
    "You're sure?"
    "Um-hm." And she meant it.
    And to forgive him, make amends, see his relief and gratitude, was
one of the hardest things Scully had ever had to do. But she did it and
she felt all the better for it. And she would be there for him as she
has always been.
    No guilt, no remorse, no recriminations to get in their way.
************************************************************************
You think I only think about you
when we're both in the same room
You think I'm only here to witness 
the remains of love exhumed
You think we're here to play 
a game who loves more than whom

and if you call, I will answer
and if you fall, I'll pick you up
and if you court this disaster
I'll point you home
************************************************************************
    "You're nuts."
    "It's true."
    "Scully doesn't have a *thing* for me!"
    "Yes, she does. I've seen it a million times. I've been through it,
Fox."
    "Diana, you're insane. Don't you think if she's got a thing for me
I'd know?"
    "No. Sometimes you're extremely oblivious."
    "Thanks a lot."
    Scully stood just out of sight, but not out of earshot of them. She
was reliving that night she saw them together outside of Gibson's room.
Their two dark heads together discussing her intently. They looked happy
enough. This time she wasn't going to get him away from her, she was 
going to prove that she was the one who really cared about him. Show
some guts and walk in there with a little dignity.
    "Hello, Mulder. Agent Fowley."
    "Hey, Scully."
    "Hello, Agent Scully."
    "We were just talking about you, Scully."
    "Really? What were you saying Mulder?"
    "That would be telling, now wouldn't it?"
    She forced a laugh. "Yes, it would."
    "Well, excuse me you two. I really have to get back to work." Diana
left them.
    Mulder was smiling fondly after the woman. Scully sat and silently 
gritted her teeth. But she resigned herself to the fact that if Mulder
wanted to commit himself to the folly of rekindling his flame with 
Diana, then so be it. She'd be there for him as always. Like a good 
friend should be.
************************************************************************
You think it's only fair to do what's best for 
you and you alone
You think it's only fair to do the same to me
when you're not home
I think it's only fair to make this something that is
more than only fair

so if you call, I will answer
and if you fall, I'll pick you up
and if you court this disaster
I'll point you home
************************************************************************
    Scully just served the potatoes at her mother's dinner party. 
Somehow, everyone managed to be there this time. Charles and Bill were
dueling with stories that kept the other diners entertained. The 
doorbell rang. Scully got up from her seat with a sinking feeling.
    She opened the door and Mulder stood there, soaked with rain but
grinning like an idiot. 
    "What is it Mulder?"
    "I've got it Scully."
    "Got what?"
    "Proof undeniable."
    "I've heard this many times. Where are we headed this time?"
    "Sunny, hot Rio."
    "Mulder, I just cannot pick up and leave in the middle of my
mother's dinner party. Not only would I like to stay, it would just be
downright rude."
    "Scully, I need you to be there with me." He pulled out two plane 
tickets.
    "It looks like you've arranged everything. You pull this all the 
time."
    "Are you saying you're not going?" He had that puppy dog look on his
face. It simply wasn't fair how he could get her to do what he wanted
her to do. She gave in.
    "No, I'm not saying that. Let me get my coat."
    And as she listened to the lectures from both Bill and her mother,
she thought once again that he was the only one she'd put herself on the
line for. Dammit.
************************************************************************
But I'm warning you, don't ever do
those crazy messed up things that you do
If you ever do
I promise you, I'll be the first to crucify you
Now it's time to prove that you've come back here to
rebuild.
************************************************************************
Three months later.
    After they got to Rio, their search led them back to Antarctica and
to Russia. And when they landed in St. Petersburg, Mulder split. Just
ditched Scully and left no traces of himself.
    Scully still searched for him, even though she knew that he'd come
back when he'd found what he needed to find. 
    She sat at her desk, a little forlorn and discouraged. A ruffle of
sound reached her ears and she looked up. Mulder stood in front of her
desk, smiling.
    "What are you doing here?"
    "I'm back. And I've got it."
    "Good. Now I can leave." She got up and began gathering her things
from the desk.
    "What do you mean, leave?"
    SHe turned on him with fury in her eyes. If looks could kill, he'd 
be dead a hundred times.
    "I mean, I only stayed with the Bureau so I could have the resources
to keep looking for you. You ditched me, Mulder. Big time. So I'm
ditching you now."
    "Scully, I only did it so you wouldn't get hurt."
    "And that's your excuse? Save it for someone who gives a damn. You
have left me one too many times and now you'll have to do without."
    "Don't go."
    "I didn't have the option of telling you that."
    "Please." And he gave her the puppy dog look. Damn him. And she'd be
there for him, as always, 'cause that was her job. Shit.
    "Fine. But I'm warning you, if you ever do it again, I'll kill you.
You understand? You are on serious probation, mister. You have to prove
to me that you are here, with me, for me, for good. To make something
good out of this mess you've created. You got me?"
    He smiled at her, a crooked grin. "I got you."
    And in front of about a hundred pairs of shocked eyes that witnessed
their unprecedented fight, saw all those office pools being won.
    'Cause Mulder kissed Scully and Scully kissed Mulder, and it was
all good. :)
************************************************************************
End.
Ok, for a short story of the song-fic persuasion, eh?
As usual, direct all comments to trg@umich.edu or gambit_98@hotmail.com