Disclaimer:  The characters "Fox Mulder" and "Dana Scully" are the property 
of Fox Broadcasting, Chris Carter, and Ten Thirteen Productions, and no 
copyright infringement is intended.  All other characters are the property of 
the author (moi).

Note: Yet another attempt to work through some writer's block....written in 
a week, so you're geting it, warts and all....(for AOLers, this vignette 
takes place after 'Chicken Soup').....there is some Relationship stuff in 
here.....big thanks to whomever first used 'Ice Maiden', I don't know who you 
are.....feel free to distribute this story so long as the credit goes to the 
the author (that would be me)....comments and constructive criticism go to 
DeviXF@aol.com (.us) or annagrey@sover.net (.us)  

Greenstar  by DeviXF

J.Edgar Hoover Bldg.8:15 AM

	"Hey look, the Ice Maiden's arrived --"
	Special Agent Dana Scully was oblivious to the looks aimed her way as 
she poured a substance that might be coffee into her cup.  If water could 
burn....but her thoughts were not on coffee, they were focused on the events 
of the previous Saturday, delicious day, one to be treasured forever.
	Her skin tingled with the memory as she left the coffee station, 
unaware of the slight flush spreading across her face, unaware that she was 
glowing with an unseen tan.  Walking down the aisle, she inadvertently stepped 
into Noriko Takahara's path, neatly managing to spill her coffee all over the 
other woman's conservative rust colored suit as well as her own white blouse.
	"Oh, I'm sorry--let me help you with that--" 
	Takahara, a woman with very masculine features and a very feminine 
figure, looked narrowly at Scully as she grabbed tissues from the closest 
desk.  
	"That's quite all right, Agent Scully.  I can manage."
	"Is there a problem?"  Vincent Perra's deep voice came from behind 
Scully.  He looked at Takahara with a feral grin.  Scully bristled slightly, 
not bothering to look at him.  She had heard his earlier comment.  
	"No.  Just an accident."
	"Hmmm," Perra stepped around Scully to stare at the darkening stain 
on the breast of Takahara's suit.  "Maybe I can help....Noriko."
	Takahara turned her gaze upon him.  "Perra, the day I let you help me 
with anything is the day I work with Spooky on an X-File."
	Perra smirked.  Scully was irritated, but she understood Takahara's 
comment.  Perra was a pig, would always be a pig, could never be anything but 
a pig.  At least Mulder wasn't in today, she wouldn't have to act nonchalant 
around him.
	"Well....you get what you ask for.  Skinner wants to see you a-s-a-p."  
Perra nodded at Scully and left with a jaunty whistle.
	"Sorry--"
	"Skinner," Takahara growled the name, tossing damp tissues into a 
wastebasket as she brushed by Scully.  Frowning, Scully rearranged her badge 
in order to cover the tan stain and headed down to the office.  She could 
live without coffee for one day.


	"Um....I got up, and then the next thing I remember is looking at a 
raccoon....sitting.....sitting on the front seat...drivers side....and then I 
went home..."
	"Got up from where?"
	"What?"
	"You said that you got up, was that in the car?" 
	"Yeah...I think....but I wasn't going anywhere....I mean....I think I 
was in the car....that's where the raccoon was--"
	"Agent Scully?"  Startled, Scully glanced towards the open door, 
pressing 'stop' on the tape recorder.  Takahara had come in without making a 
sound.
	"Assistant Director Skinner has assigned me to this office for the 
remainder of Agent Mulder's illness," Takahara pursed her lips, staring 
directly at Scully.
	"I see.  You can use my desk over there.  Were you briefed on what 
we're working on?"
	Takahara walked smoothly over to Scully's desk as she spoke, setting 
her briefcase down with a small thud.  Her gaze wandered over the walls, 
resting briefly on the "I want to believe" poster.  
	She turned around and sat on one corner of the desk, folding her arms.  
"No."
	Shuffling the folder before her together again, Scully rose and gave 
it to the other agent.  "We're investigating the supposed abduction of 
Senator Waring's son, Jim."  She returned to Mulder's desk.  "He disappeared 
while on a cross country trip from Alaska to Maine.  His disappearance was 
reported by Alison Myers and Scott Thompson, the other people on the trip.  
Waring was found by a maid in the garage of his parent's summer home in 
Peterborough, New Hampshire.  He couldn't recall where he had been for those 
nine days--"
	"What are these marks on his chest and legs?" interrupted Takahara, 
intrigued despite herself as she peered closely at the black and white photos 
from the folder.
	"They appear to be cuts, both shallow and deep.  Patches of skin from 
his back, and scalp hair, were also removed, but at the cellular level."  
Scully rewound the cassette to the beginning.  
	"Cellular level?  I wasn't aware that we had that kind of technology."
	"We don't," Scully grimaced slightly.  "This is Waring's account, 
taken while under hypnosis."
	Takahara glanced at Scully in surprise.  "You believe in hypnosis?  I 
thought that was Spooky's realm."
	Scully froze.  "If you have a problem with Agent Mulder's methods of  
investigation, perhaps you should see Assistant Director Skinner about being 
reassigned."
	A small silence fell as Takahara absorbed what Scully had said.  
"That won't be necessary.  I apologize."
	Scully tilted her head in acknowledgement of the other woman's 
admission.  One down, one thousand to go.   She pushed 'play'.  "Tell me what 
you think."


Greenstar Cafe  11:59 AM

	 "I'll have the Vegetable Tempura, please," Scully handed the young 
man her menu with an absent glance.  He gave her a brilliant smile in return.       
	Sipping her ice water, Takahara had to admit that she was impressed.  
Scully was certainly no Ice Maiden, but rather a hard working agent who obviously
put up with a lot of crap.  
	"This place is nice," said Scully, glancing around the restaurant.  
It was very busy, the lunchtime crowd chattering loudly.  Surprisingly, many 
of the people were dressed in business attire.  Somehow, she expected Melissa 
to pop up from nowhere.
	"Do you really like it?"
	Scully brought her thoughts back to the present.  "Yes.  I was just 
thinking that my sister would love this place.  Lots of light, lots of plants, 
natural wood."
	Takahara nodded, leaning on the table with folded arms.  "You're the 
first person from work I've brought here."
	Scully put her napkin on her lap.  "Really."
	"Yes.  I've found that many people are...not willing to explore new 
foods."
	"Vegetarian is hardly new, but I know what you mean."  
	Takahara shrugged and sat back in her seat.  "Do you believe what 
Waring said?"
	"I believe....that he believes what happened."  
	They were interrupted by the waiter once more, who placed several 
small bowls of scrubbed carrots, radishes, and celery in front of them, as 
well as two bowls of thick liquid, one bowl green, the other dark yellow.  
Scully slowly dipped a carrot into the green liquid.  Couldn't  be any worse 
than a cricket.
	"Hope you like garlic-" Takahara popped a radish into her mouth with 
relish.
	"Mmmm.  This is really good," Scully exclaimed, picking a celery 
stalk as her next victim.
	"The yellow stuff is a hot mustard with wasabi and tamari.  It's 
definitely an acquired taste."
	They ate in silence for a few minutes, Takahara alternately staring 
into space and glancing at Scully.  "May I ask you a personal question?"
	"You can ask."
	"Are the rumours true?"
	Scully lifted an eyebrow.  "Rumours?"
	Takahara had the grace to look embarrassed.  "Well--I shouldn't have 
brought it up, I'm sorry."
	"No.  Tell me."
	"Agent Scully, I don't think I should talk about this."  Takahara 
realized her initial error was in bringing up the topic at all.  Scully had 
immediately become wary, a tenseness in her face that hadn't been there 
before.  
	Scully was her father's daughter, tenacious and tough, curious as 
well.  She knew that people spoke of her as the Ice Maiden, and of Mulder as 
Spooky, hell, even she had once referred to him that way.  
	"Takahara, you needn't mention any names, and I won't tell anyone 
what you tell me here."
	Takahara gazed out the front window. 
	"Please."
	Taking another sip of water, Takahara started.  "Well, the latest is 
that you're pregnant, and Skinner is the father...."
	Scully stared at her in disbelief, shock and anger quickly coursing 
through her.  
	Takahara waited quietly, not expecting the sudden giggle issuing from 
the red haired woman across the table.
	"I'm sorry," Scully finally said. "Skinner? Oooo, that's good.  What 
else?"
	The waiter arrived bearing a tray laden with food before Takahara 
could reply.  Eggplant curry was placed in front of her and she leaned 
forward, savoring the rich scent.  Hopefully food would distract Scully.  
	Scully cut a mushroom in half, dipping it into the green garlic sauce 
and blowing on it gently to cool it off.   She couldn't wait to tell Mulder.  
"Is that it?"
	Takahara glanced up.  "For this week." 
	"Do they change with regularity?"
	Takahara twitched one shoulder.  "Well, when you were in quarantine 
in Washington, the grapevine said that the two of you had run away to Hawaii 
and gotten married, and were on your honeymoon, and when you were working 
with Agent Colton, he and Mulder supposedly played a basketball game over you, 
with Mulder winning by 8 points."
	Scully chewed thoughtfully.  She hadn't heard that one.  "Do you think 
they're true?"
	"Of course not." A shy smile appeared on Takahara's lips.  "Like a 
pearl, most rumours have a grain of truth in them.  But I have a feeling that 
rumours concerning you and Agent Mulder are patently untrue.  From what I've 
seen today, I understand for the first time why there are so many about the 
two of you."
	Scully said nothing, but simply proceeded with her meal.  Takahara 
seemed to be happy talking.
	"Jealousy and envy are the roots of those rumours, Agent Scully--"
	Scully waved her fork in Takahara's direction.  "Dana."
	"Dana--jealousy and envy over your success rate, as well as your 
relationship with Agent Mulder.  I'm sure you realize how many agents, and 
not all of them women, I might add, would like to be in your shoes."
	"I doubt the men would fit."
	Takahara smiled again, her features changing indescribably.  Warmth 
and humanity crept into her face, lightening normally stern black eyes.  
	"What about yourself? Isn't Agent Hart your usual partner?"  Scully 
asked curiously.
	The smile disappeared.  "Not at this time."
	"Oh."  
	Takahara was obviously reluctant to continue, so Scully finished her 
vegetables and waited for Takahara to eat the last bit of curry before 
suggesting a short walk to aid the digestion.  The day was pleasent, not 
overly warm or humid, just breezy enough to ruffle their hair and clothing.  
	The two women walked slowly in the small park directly opposite the 
Greenstar Cafe, avoiding the spray of a 19th century fountain that already 
showed signs of decay from the smog.
	"Do you think we should interview Waring again?" asked Takahara, 
tossing the napkin, now shredded, that she had brought with her from the Cafe, 
into a garbage can.
	"No.  I'm sure there's a rational explanation for his disappearence.  
As a youth he ran away from home several times, and has been diagnosed with 
manic depression."
	Takahara squinted as sunlight bounced off of the chrome of a passing 
bike into her eyes.  "But what about the marks and cuts?"
	"It's not unknown for manic depressives to injure themselves during 
their low periods--"
	Takahara stopped suddenly, looking away from Scully.  "I know all 
about manic depression, there's no need for a lecture."
	Although taken aback by Takahara's abruptness, Scully accepted her 
response with a slight nod and sudden insight.  "When is Agent Hart expected 
back?"
	"Call me Noriko, will you?"  Takahara walked near the edge of the 
fountain, turned around, and walked back to Scully.  "Please don't share this 
with anyone...but Agent Hart isn't coming back."
	"Let's grab a bench," said Scully, welcoming the chance to get to 
know this enigmatic agent a little better.
	"You understand what it's like, being a woman in the FBI, but Hart 
didn't get it.  You could give Hart all the sensitivity training in the world 
and he'd still crack a joke about AIDS and rape.  He makes Perra look like a 
saint by comparison," Takahara shook her head slowly and leaned back on the 
peeling iron bench, watching several women rollerblade by, just the subtle 
hint of their sweat on the breeze.  "I'm glad he's gone."
	"I know things can get difficult, but perseverence does pay."
	Takahara flashed a smile at Scully.  "That's what my parents keep 
saying.  Now I'm hoping to be reassigned to your department, although I doubt 
anything will happen.  After all, you don't want too many people looking for 
the truth, do you?  You don't know how I envy you, Dana.  You've got interest-
ing work and a partner who cares for you.  Besides, I'm what, ten years older 
than you?  I can't expect to climb the ladder at this stage of the game."  
She glanced away again, muttering something under her breath that Scully 
couldn't catch.
	Birdsong and blaring horns reigned supreme for a few moments, and then 
Takahara stood up.  "Let's get back to work."


Washington,  DC  7:34 PM

	Scully looked in her partner's refrigerator with an exasperated frown.  
Why he never had anything halfway edible was a mystery to her.  It couldn't 
just be racked up to the stereotypical 'young man living alone' syndrome, 
Mulder was anything but stereotypical.  
	She closed the door with a sigh.  "Mulder, I have to go out.  Do you 
want anything?"  she called, stepping into the living room and putting on her 
trench coat, rifling through its pockets in search of cash. Two grody pennies, 
lint, sunflower shells. "Mulder?"
	Concerned, she entered his bedroom and knocked softly on the bathroom 
door before opening it.  Almond scented steam and moist heat poured out, 
leaving Scully to find Mulder up to his neck in bubbles in the porcelain 
bathtub.  She looked down, amused no end by the sight and the smell. 
	One eye opened.  "Not one word."
	"I wasn't going to say a thing.  I'm going hunting and gathering, any 
requests?"
	Water slopped over the sides of the tub as he hunkered down even 
further.  "A vacation in Hawaii with a short, beautiful woman who knows how 
to handle a weapon would be lovely."
	Scully snorted.  "I don't think Assistant Director Skinner would go 
along with that."
	"Who's asking Skinner?  I say we just go, forget everything--fluke 
men, rogue agents, sploogey boils--just you and me and black sand."
	"With our luck, we'd probably get caught in a hurricane or inspire 
the wrath of Pele."
	"Pele?  Did I hear the illustrious Agent Scully mention the wrath of 
Pele?"
	Scully rolled her eyes, keeping her smile to herself.  "I refuse to 
indulge you, Mulder.  This is your last chance."
	"I'm all set."
	Scully turned to go, only to be captured by a hot and wet bubbly hand.          
	"Hey...."  
	Glancing back, she could see the emotions struggling for release in 
his eyes.  She gave him a reassuring smile, backing it up with a kiss, still 
amazed it wasn't all a dream.
	Mulder yawned widely after Scully left, hoping he wouldn't have to 
blow his nose until after his bath.  He slid a little deeper into the water, 
thinking of pleasant ways to make her pay for giving him this cold.
	
	
	
	"Soup?"
	Mulder struggled to consciousness, blearily aware of a golden figure 
before him.  Scully knelt next to the couch with a mug of something that 
smelled delicious.  "Chicken?"
	"Of course," she replied with a smile, rising to sit next to him.   
"I had lunch with Noriko Takahara today.  Did you know I'm having Skinner's 
baby?"
	"Skinner? Oooo, that's good.  What else?"  Mulder sat up and blew on 
his soup.
	"You must be psychic, Mulder, that's exacly what I said. Noriko's a 
fascinating person."
	"Not more fascinating than me, I hope."
	"Never."  She brushed hair out of his eyes.  "I'm working with her 
until you come back.  Anyway, " she muttered, "I rented a movie."
	He looked at her, one eyebrow raised, one corner of his mouth slightly 
upturned.  "Oh?"
	"It's called 'The Hidden', with Kyle McLachlan."
	"'The Hidden'.  Sounds like horror to me."
	Scully turned on the VCR and settled against one corner of the couch, 
drawing him against her as she did so.  "Nope.  Sci-fi.  It's got aliens, the 
FBI--"
	"Kyle McLachlan...." Mulder finished, snuggling up to her, laying his 
head on her shoulder, contentedly feeling her warm breath against the side of 
his neck as she drew her fingers through his hair.
	"Can I help it if he reminds me of someone I know and love?"
	Mulder smiled.


				   FINIS