IC Inbox - Mask or Menace

[starbuckaroobanzai]

Re: Hello

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sent at 8:28 PM (two minutes ago)
FROM	Dana Scully <d_scully@fbi.gov>;
TO	<trust_no1@mail.com>;
CC
Thank you for your email. I am out of the office for an indefinite period and unable to respond at this time. I will review your message following my return. If you require immediate assistance, please contact Assistant Director Walter Skinner at w_skinner@fbi.gov. Thank you for your understanding. Best regards, Dr. Dana Scully, MD Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
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Comments

backdated to the 28th january

[acclimatized]

I'm sorry about the other night. I wasn't really myself. I think it was the lightning storm but it's still no excuse.

I'd make it up to you but I think dinner is off the cards for now. Coffee?

> video;

[starbuckaroobanzai]

[It takes a moment's decision, a heavy sigh, and a few seconds of fumbling to switch over to video, but Scully feels it's appropriate. Necessary, really, that he sees what she's saying and that she means it. And so there she is, wearing her work scrubs and a wan but not unfriendly smile, giving a little shrug of the shoulders. When she speaks the words are careful, deliberate, clearly planned in terms of content if not diction.]

I want to tell you something and then I'll give you your answer.

[She presses her lips together, eyes to the side, both uncomfortable in front of the camera and reminiscing.]

What I told you, that I believed you, that was true. I believed that you believed it, and I know--

[A soft, intruding laugh and a shake of the head. This is going to sound crazy.]

A few years ago, on a case, I was exposed to a subliminal signal inserted into television programming. I saw, I was certain I saw incontrovertible evidence that I was being betrayed, I was being set up. I believed it. I nearly shot my partner, I was so sure. So I just... I wanted to say, and I couldn't think of how to say it, but I wanted to say that you don't have to apologise to me.

[She smiles again, small, tired. Sad. Sad for him, mostly. It isn't as though she isn't empathetic, even without having been through something similar.]

So yes. To the coffee. I'd be delighted.

[acclimatized]

[ over the past couple of hours, john has been making a lot of apologies. scully's was the one he was dreading most of all – she rescued him from a hornet and how did he repay her? by waving a knife in front of her face and demanding her help. he's still writhing from the memory.

so when she responds with video, he's a little surprised. heaving a sigh, he switches on the camera as well with a sheepish look. he can't hide behind text forever and, although he tries to put on a brave face, his eyes are red-rimmed with fatigue and misery. it's been a long week. ]

So what you're saying is that... you're used to all this. [ his knowing smile is hidden behind his linked fingers. clearing his throat, he focuses on a corner of the screen instead of looking straight at her. ] I wanted to apologise though. It's like you said... I was susceptible to whatever that storm did and acted out. It might've been better if it was mind control; it'd remove the possibility of this happening again.

[ with a sniff, he manages to pull his eyes away from the corner and looks at scully. ]

Have you got a place in mind?