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Though the initial panic is starting to fade, seeing Mulder staggering out of a smoky stairwell between two paramedics had rattled a nerve in Dana Sully that she didn’t know she had, and the relief at finding him still breathing had been far greater than anything she could’ve prepared herself for. As it is, the raggedness of those breaths still has her heart pounding nearly ten minutes later, standing outside the door to his room waitinjg for the paramedics to emerge. Somehow, all the danger they’d faced together before this had never been so frightening, so nauseating, as being perfectly well herself while her partner lay prone and feverish on the ground. No terror of being chased had been as bad as the fear that built in watching and waiting.
Well, she tells herself, a good partner is hard to find, and there’s not many people working in the Bureau Agent Scully would trust with a cup of coffee, let alone her life, but this one, well, she’d follow him… through fire, it would seem.
Fueling the fire of her nerves is another, old flame that set this whole thing ablaze in the first place: Inspector Green, who has situated herself opposite Scully in the hallway outside Mulder’s room. While fretful Scully has to tug at her necklace to keep from biting her nails, Phoebe stands against the wall with perfect composure, studying her with a cold stare.
She smirks as she addresses Scully. “So, you’re Mulder’s new… helpmate.”
“We’re partners, yes,” Scully says evenly, trying not to look ruffled as she is, though this woman’s icy gaze seems to go right through her.
She continues without acknowledgement. “He tells me you’re quite the… skeptic. That must make things interesting. Difficult even. Surely a… partner like agent Mulder would challenge the patience of someone scientific and orthodox.”
“I’d hardly call myself orthodox, Inspector Green,” Scully retorts. “And though Agent Mulder and I often disagree on our interpretations of the results of our investigations, we respect each other’s opinions and intelligence more than anything.” Somehow, she feels the Inspector doesn’t need to know the frequency with which she and Mulder actually butt heads.
“I see.” She crosses her arms and takes a step towards Scully. Phoebe, already tall, rather towers over her in heels, and the attempt at intimidation on top of her stress only makes Scully want to retort more harshly. Still, she doesn’t want to look hysterical, and keeps a measured tone.
“That kind of trust and respect are integral to a good working relationship, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, I’m sure the two of you have a very productive– working relationship,” she chuckles. “I can tell how much you admire him.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re suggesting.” She crosses her arms to match Phobe.
“Only what I can see with my eyes, Agent Scully. The boy may have no idea how charming he can be, but I think we both do. Now, he does have a type– I would know– and a little spitfire like you, you could keep him interested for a bit. But try not to be so painfully obvious about it, darling.”
Scully feels blood and heat rush to her cheeks as Phoebe speaks. It’s ridiculous, she tells herself, how this woman makes her lose her composure over something so inconsequential, immature, and… utterly untruthful. (Utterly. Phoebe doesn’t know what she’s talking about, how could she?) They are equals in their work. Phoebe Green has no power over her. (No power except that she can make Mulder drop anything to help her, something it eats Scully alive to see in anyone else’s hands.)
“I don’t know what you think you see, Inspector,” she spits, “But Mulder and I are colleagues and our relationship is professional. That’s all.”
“Professional. Of course.” Phoebe leans in, still smirking. “That would explain why you’re here, Curled up at his heels and snarling like a dog.”
“I’m worried about him,” Scully… snarls, realizing even as she does that she is confirming the accusation. “He’s my friend, and I want him to be safe. And I doubt that you want the same for him. So if you feel threatened, Inspector– I suggest you stop trying to make Mulder walk through fire.”
Phoebe backs away as calmly as ever. “I don’t think I’m the one who feels threatened, Agent Scully.”
She struggles to stammer out a retort: she can hardly deny that Inspector Green makes her feel threatened, though she can’t say whether the threat is upon Mulder’s professional trust in her or something more… personal. Fortunately, she is saved the embarrassment by the paramedic who emerges from the door behind them and gently places a hand on her shoulder. Wired as she is, she nearly jumps in shock.
“He’s still out,” the medic says, and Scully inhales sharply, “But he’ll be up again soon. No serious burns or lung damage.”
“Thank goodness,” she sighs with relief, suddenly lightheaded.
“Your man got lucky,” he continues to Scully, cocking his head towards the bedroom. “You can go in and wait for him to come to.”
“Thank you,” she manages when she gets her wits about her. “Thank you, sir, I–”
“Of course, ma’am.” He gives her a final reassuring clap on the shoulder and walks by Inspector Green without a word. Scully pivots towards the door.
“Well, no need for us to keep fighting like schoolgirls.” At the sound of Phoebe’s voice, she freezes with her hand still on the doorknob. “It seems you’ve won, Agent.”
But suddenly, Scully feels as unperturbed as Phoebe did at the beginning of the conversation. With the knowledge that her partner is safe and no worse for wear, the little digs feel inconsequential. When Mulder wakes up, only one of them will be there to revive him and his enthusiasm for the case. She turns to look Phoebe placidly in the eye.
“Despite someone’s best efforts, my friend is going to be alright,” she says firmly. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. So yes, Inspector, I’d say I’ve won.”