This story is (c) Copyright 2002 by Noelle Leithe. "The X-Files" universe, and all related characters and plot elements, are the property of FOX Broadcasting and 1013 Productions and are borrowed here without profit or intent for profit. ========== Sane By Noelle Leithe noelleleithe@comcast.net Post-"Bad Blood" 155-word challenge for Sybils. Unbetaed, so all my fault. **"Except for the part about the buck teeth."** Scully felt her face flush. Damn her pale skin anyway. She refused to risk a glance at her partner, Special Agent Ridiculous. No one moved. She wasn't sure they breathed. Skinner's eyes flicked back and forth behind his glasses, from her to Mulder and back again, as if he were watching a ping-pong match. She fought to remain still, not even allowing herself a defiant lift of her chin. She saw Skinner's jaw muscles twitch. His hand extended. He picked up his pen. Put it to paper. Signed. Set the pen down. At agonizingly slow speed, closed the file. Placed it in his outbox. His mandibular joint popped like a gunshot as he opened his mouth. "That'll be all, Agents," he barked. This time they made it to the elevator. Standard Operating Procedure: the second they looked at each other, they lost it. Some days, she swore, the laughter was all that kept them sane. ===== Author's Note: Yes, it's 155 words; the first line doesn't count because it's the last line of the episode!