| When Walter Skinner called Dana Scully to his office, she was worried that he was going to tell her that he was shipping Monica Reyes back to New Orleans, and that he wanted her to work full time again. Dana wasn't ready to do that. Instead, however, he asked her to sit down and said, "Dana, I know it's hard with the baby, but could you get away for a few days if it was really an important case?" "I don't know. I'd have to see if my mother could stay with William. Mulder's out of town so I can't ask him. What kind of case?" "We have information that a terrorist group is channeling funds to members here in the States using cruise ships." "Cruise ships?" She was incredulous. "I'm sending Agent Doggett to meet with our informant. I need someone to go undercover with him It's a Caribbean cruise, actually." "Let me get this straight...you want me to go on a Caribbean cruise as part of Agent Doggett's cover, so that he can meet with an informant in person?" "Yes, basically." "I think I can handle that." "Good! My first thought was to send Agent Reyes, but she has no experience working undercover and you do. Plus, this ship is going on sort of a special cruise this next trip out." "What's so special about it?" "It's a honeymoon cruise," said Skinner, suddenly looking nervous. "WHAT?" "That's why I want you to go. Doggett and Reyes have managed to keep a good friendship going, but let's face it. As a married couple, they'd go together about as well as Scotch and chocolate syrup." Dana laughed. "All right. I'll ask my mother if she can stay with the baby. I could use a vacation." "If you can go, you go on Friday morning." Margaret Scully agreed to stay with William. "It'll be good for you, Dana. Fresh air, lots of sun, and I'm sure John will make sure you stay safe." Mrs. Scully had met John Doggett at Mulder's funeral, and several times after, and she liked him. He was always so pleasant and polite. "What makes you so sure?" "He always looks out for you. He's sweet." "Yeah, he's sweet. It's strange, Mom, but when I first met him, I couldn't stand him. I thought he was really cold, but when I got to know him, he turned out to be the warmest, nicest guy I know," said Dana. "And it's the little things he does that are the sweetest." "Like what?" "Like the way he always stops and buys the Kool-Aid kids sell off card tables in their driveways. The way he lets people pull out in front of him when he's stopped in traffic. And he ALWAYS overtips waitresses." Margaret Scully laughed. "Dana, he's just a considerate man! Just because he's toughminded doesn't mean that he can't be tenderhearted." "I just wish he'd had an easier time of it the last few years. Losing his son...getting put on the X-Files...he's really had it rough." "Now that he's got his career back on track, he'll probably do fine," said Margaret. She hesitated, then continued. "What do I tell Fox when he comes back?" "IF he comes back," said Dana, "Tell him Skinner needed a favor, and I'm helping him out." "Will do." Dana went to pack, looking for her best summer clothes. |
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