88: Secrets, Lies and Rumors (RP for diagnosis_truth)

[followedhimdown]

FBI National Academy
Quantico, VirginiaStark had to swallow a little bit as she walked down the hall toward Scully's office. Not because she was nervous about seeing her former colleague, not at all. She had made no secret of her admiration for the woman both professionally and personally (at least when they had actually gotten to know each other

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[diagnosis_truth]

"You're neither of the above." Another thirteen seconds passed before Scully lifted her eyes from the file spread before her. Her fingers caught the edge of a glossy photograph and she nudged it beneath the pile of papers to obscure it further from view. Best to leave some secrets hidden now, if not forever. Safer, for her heart and the consistent pressing of questions soon to come.

But when she did look up, the expression on her face was even, friendly and relaxed. "Come in, sit down, and take a deep breath. In that order."

[followedhimdown]

"Do I look that ner...oh, well, you're a doctor, of course you know." Stark chuckled, shaking her head as she stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. Never mind that the two women had worked together for two years and as such, knew each other fairly well.

She settled in the chair and folded her hands in her lap, trying to figure out how to phrase this, before she just spit it out. "I have a favor to ask you, if you're not busy tomorrow."

[diagnosis_truth]

Tomorrow, Scully was off the clock. And the first day she had found herself to be off the clock did have plans etched into it, but her eyes didn't flicker and betray any of this. Whatever it was Stark had come to ask her was evidently important, because Stark wasn't the type to ask for favors in the least. Scully couldn't remember her asking for money for a cup of coffee in the time they had been working in the same circumstances.

"The answer's most likely yes," she said, "so ask away."

[followedhimdown]

Stark had not been an English major in college. She had a degree in Administration of Justice, with a minor in Business Law. She was reasonably well-spoken, but when it came to admitting to being romantically involved with her partner? Something very highly illegal? She didn't know how to say it. Yet if anyone could understand, it was Scully.

"I'm getting married tomorrow," she said. "Just a quick civil ceremony, before I leave on vacation, and we need someone to witness the whole thing. John and I thought of you." As if she had to explain who she was talking about. "We're going to have a real wedding when we get back, whenever we can manage it, if I don't get fired, and I'd like you to be in the wedding then but we sort of want to at least make it official before we leave. Does that...make any sense?"