Title: Savvy Author: RocketMan >lebontrager@iname.com< Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully belong to CC, 1013, and Fox. No fringe is intended. KEYWORDS:::MS/UST, US6 spoilers, including this last one about the sea monster, I have no idea what the name of it is. ~~~~ Savvy ~~~~ Her eyebrows were raised as Mulder walked her out. "Were you paying attention back there?" she said finally, thumbing the unlock button on the key chain. He grumbled something as he got in the passenger door. "What, Mulder?" she said, buckling her seatbelt as he did the same. The old man waved to them from his window in an alcohol-induced happiness, his spirits cheered by their visit, by their dedication to the X-Files. "I said, yeah, I was listening." She said nothing, merely started the engine and waved back, smiling. He sat there, fueling his own wounded ego for a minute, then touched his neck, moving away the bandages. "Stop that Mulder," she said, almost automatically. "It itches." She turned to glare at him while she backed down the gravel drive, a look so fierce he immediately removed his hand. "I don't think you're all that savvy," he muttered. She smiled to herself and turned the wheel, checking the street for traffic. "And why not? Not only did I save your life, but I delivered a baby, and figured out the mystery of the sea monster." He grunted and scratched at his wounds again, moving restlessly in the seat. "Can't I drive?" he said finally. She looked at him, eyes dark. "No." He whined and slumped back, nursing his wounded neck and pride. "Because you. . .you're just not." "What?" "Not savvy," he explained, jaw tensing. "Aw, Mulder. Don't pout." "You scared me." She frowned, then glanced over at him, noting that he wasn't play acting anymore; he was moody and disagreeable. "You scared me," she said, reaching out to take his hand. "You left me out there." She licked her lips. "I didn't leave you, Mulder." He looked over at her, trying to maintain his anger, his righteous indignation. She felt wounded herself when he pulled his hand away. "You could have tried harder. . ." he whispered. She bit her lip and shook her head, glancing back to the road in frustration and empty rage. "I tried. . .I knew you had time. . .it was okay. I knew you'd be okay," she said tapping her nails on the steering wheel. He slumped back, sighing. "I know," he said finally. She blew out a breath and shook her head. "Why do you do that?" "Do what?" "Lash out. Why do you do that to me?" Mulder rolled his neck along the head rest until he could see her. "I don't know. It hurt, to see the door slammed in my face as I tried to breathe. And that thing out there. . ." "Like the Arctic," she said softly. "Didn't I back you up then? Didn't I save you then?" He shivered. "That's not something I like to think about too often. Those wormy things in the ice." She shook her head and pulled onto Nance Road, subconsciously clutching the wheel as they passed downed trees and power lines and construction crews. She felt heat on the side of her leg and turned to him in surprise, seeing his gentle look and soft eyes. "You are pretty savvy, Agent Scully." He ran his thumb along her thigh and smiled. "Thanks, Agent Mulder. You're pretty savvy sometimes yourself." ~~~~ end adios RM