Title: Happiness - The Mark of the Squirrel Author: shawntaw Category: MSR, Au Rating: PG Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I am making no profit. But I am sure letting them have some fun. :) Summary: What happened in the elevator? Also, Kim saves Skinner's dignity.:) Feedback makes me very happy at shawntaw@hotmail.com :) TO DANIELA LABOD WHO HAS MADE A WEBSITE OF MY STORIES: www.geocities.com/corran_14776/shawntaw.html Thank you.:) **************************************************** "I can't believe you gave me a hickey, Scully!" Mulder was shifting around in the passenger seat of her car, undoing his tye and trying to look at his collarbone in the rearview mirror, as she drove the two of them from the parking garage. She still had the smug Mona Lisa smile on her face that she'd been wearing every since "the elevator incident," as Mulder had been refering to it. "And where did you learn that wrestling hold?" Mulder continued, now touching the quarter-sized bruise on his skin and shaking his head with wonder. "You shouldn't have resisted," Scully responded calmly as she made a left turn. He turned and blinked at her unbelievingly. "Who are you and what have you done with Scully?" he deadpanned. He got a full grin for that. "I don't know what has gotten into me, Mulder. Being engaged to you has....brought out my sense of daring. My sense of fun." She paused as they stopped for a light. "It has been a long time since I've felt this happy. Maybe I never have." She was watching traffic, but she could feel Mulder's gaze on her like a feathery touch. Scully looked over at him at the next light and, sure enough, his deep, expressive hazel eyes were regarding her softly. His tye was hanging undone around his neck and his dress shirt was unbuttoned to the middle of his chest, showing his t-shirt underneath. Mulder's five-o'clock stubble shadowed his face and his hair was mussed from his nervous hands. She had to stop herself from sighing with appreciation. Instead, she leaned over quickly as the light changed and gave him a light peck on the nose. "Cut that out, Mulder." "What?" She could hear the smile in his voice. "Looking at me like that." "Like what?" Oh, now he was grinning. She could hear it without even looking at him. Soooo, proud of himself. "With that face that makes me want to just take you home and keep you like a stray puppy." A laugh sounded from the passenger seat as she concentrated on changing lanes. ********************************************************************** Skinner noticed as he passed a hallway clock that it was five in the afternoon. Time to call it a day. He breezed past Kimberly's desk, barely giving her a glance as he looked through some notes in a file folder. It was only as he sat in his chair that he saw the huge wrapped gift sitting in the middle of his desk. "Happy Birthday, sir," Kim said from his doorway, "I know its early, but I couldn't wait anymore." She had decided that, instead of putting back in her closet once Byers had briefly borrowed it, she would go ahead and present it to her boss. Skinner was pleasantly surprised. Theirs was a fledgling friendship, even though she had been his secretary for years. He had just decided one day that he would send flowers to Kimberly to show his appreciation for all the hours she put in. She was very grateful to have her work noticed. And thus began a tenative friendship. "Well, open it, sir," she encouraged. Skinner smiled slightly, but for him it was a grin. "Well, alright," he said and took the box into his lap. He unwrapped it and pulled out the luxurious robe. Kim grinned, "You know how I'm always telling you that you need to relax? Take more time for yourself?" He rolled his eyes. Her grin grew wider; she had known he would roll his eyes at the idea. "Well," she continued, "this is to encourage you in that endeavor." His mouth quirked a little more at her considerate gesture. "I guess I might have to give this whole relaxation thing a chance now, huh?" Kim was still smiling, "Yes sir, I guess so." "Thank you, Kim. I appreciate it." "Your welcome, sir," she stepped back through the door and toward her desk, "I'm heading out now; is there anything you need before I go for the day?" Skinner shook his head, set the box back on his desk, and began gathering his things. "No, in fact I think I'll be calling it a day as well." "Alright then. See you tomorrow, sir. Happy early birthday." She gathered up her things and began to walk toward the door. "See you tomorrow, Kim, and thank you," he called after her. He heard the outer door open and close as she left. Skinner packed files into his briefcase and went to shift the box under his arm in preparation for leaving his office when he noticed the file in his 'in' box. The notes he was supposed to have looked at for tomorrow's Assistant Director Briefing. He sighed, put his briefcase and gift down, and reached for the notes. Perhaps he wasn't done for the night. ********************************************************************** Kim was surprised to find the door unlocked the next morning when she arrived. *Skinner's already here?* She cautiously looked around her area. Nothing seemed out of place. Kim stepped to Skinner's door and knocked lightly. If he was here, she would need to bring him a cup of coffee. "Sir?" she stepped around the door into his office and stopped at the sight. Skinner was slumped forward over a file folder piled high with papers. He was snoring softly. And he was wearing the robe. That last fact made her smile. He had obviously, some time while he had been working late into the night, taken off his suit jacket and tye and tried on the robe. "I guess it was comforable," Kim murmured to herself and backed out of the room, carefully shutting the door. She went to her desk and checked on his first appointment. Assistant Directors' Briefing. 10am. She looked at her watch. 8:30 am. Reluctantly, she realized that she would need to wake him up so that he could hurry home and clean up. A scruffy, unshaven face and a rumpled suit would not impress the Director. At that moment, Agents Mulder and Scully walked in. ********************************************************************** Mulder's eyebrows knit together when Kim jumped. "Kim? Is A.D. Skinner in yet?" They watched as Kim quickly glanced at Skinner's door and away again. "No, not really," she seemed to think for a moment, "No, I'm sorry, he's not in yet. May I help you with something, Agents?" At that moment Skinner appeared at the door, in his rumpled suit jacket, but tye neatly done at his throat. "Good morning, Agents," he said in a slightly scratchy voice. He was carrying his briefcase and a large, white gift box under his arm. Scully stared at his rough-whiskered face as he passed her. He looked calmly back as he paused by the door to the hallway. "Kim, I need to run home on an errand before the briefing. I'll be back by 9:45 am, so no appointments today until after the 10 o'clock meeting," he said crisply. "Yes sir," Kim responded just as matter-of-factly. He nodded at the three of them and headed for the elevators. The two agents turned to look at Kim, inquiringly. She just smiled back. ********************************************************************** Well, what did you THINK had happened in the elevator?! (GASP) Get your mind out of the gutter! *LOL* Gotta pause to take a breath! I got a little side-tracked with Skinner in this one, but I can't help it! I like him too!