Date: Mon, 20 May 1996 16:05:03 -0700 From: Jane-Yi Subject: "Lyrics: That's What Friends Are For" Here's the second "Lyrics" story. Boy, these are easy to write. Now I know why everyone else does it. :) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10:10 PM, May 15, 1996 Mulder leaned against the wall, trying not to appear as bored as he felt. Or as uncomfortable. He hated social gatherings, especially ones involving the Bureau. If I hear the word "spooky" ONE more time tonight, he thought, this party could turn really, really ugly. A group of women were seated at the bar several yards away. They probably would have welcomed him, but the only company he really enjoyed was Scully. And she was across the room dancing with Agent Pendrell for the sixth or seventh time. Mulder wondered if his partner could tell how the young man felt about her as well as he could. He'd been in the same position as red-haired kid more than once in his life. The song ended and he could see Scully break away from Pendrell, leaving the young man starry-eyed and and with an unusually red color in his cheeks. She cut across the dance floor, her long emerald green dress billowing around her. "How are you enjoying the party?" she asked Mulder knowingly. He tugged at his bowtie. "I think I'd have more fun in the New Jersey sewers. No, better yet, under an escalator with a naked stretchy mutant getting covered with slime and gunk and-" Scully was rolling her eyes. "-and now aren't you glad you asked? So how was Pendrell?" Scully sighed and shook her head. "He's a good dancer, but I get the feeling he had something on his mind other than his footwork. Let's just say I thought it would be a good idea to get away before he proposed marriage or anything like that." "Are you sure that was all he wanted to propose?" She jabbed him with her elbow. "I don't see YOU making yourself any more popular tonight. Don't you notice the way the women are looking at you? Agent Wolcott is practically drooling in her champagne." "Ah, let them drool. I just like to make them jealous." "Agent Mulder!" Both turned at the sound of the voice. "Oh, God, not her again," Mulder groaned. "Who?" Scully asked. "Agent Wheeler. I danced with her once and after we were done I practically had to pry her hands off me." He pulled Scully into the crowd on the dance floor. "What are you doing?" she demanded. "Dance with me." "What?" "If you don't want to, you could always dance with Pendrell again." Mulder gestured at the other man scanning the room for her. Scully looked, noticing the look in the young agent's eyes. "No, that's fine." She let him pull her into his arms. As they started to dance, Mulder saw Skinner talking with one of the members of the band. I wonder what he's up to? he thought. He turned his attention to the woman in his arms. Scully felt perfectly natural there, as if she belong in his embrace. The band suddenly stopped, and the man Skinner had been talking to stepped up to the microphone. "We've just gotten a request for a couple on the dance floor. You know who you are." With that the music started again. and I never thought I'd feel this way and as far as I'm concerned I'm glad I got the chance to say that I do believe I love you and if I should ever go away well then close your eyes and try to feel the way we do today and then if you can remember keep smiling keep shining knowing you can always count on me for sure that's what friends are for in good times and bad times I'll be on your side for evermore that's what friends are for Across the room, Scully saw Skinner leaning against the wall by the door. He caught her eye and winked. Suddenly realizing who the song had been for, she stumbled, catching Mulder's foot with the two-inch heel of her shoe. "Ow!" "Sorry," she mumbled, tearing her eyes away from the Assistant Director, who smiled at her. "You okay?" "Fine." She was definitely fine. you came and opened me and now there's so much more I see and so by the way I thank you and then for the times when we're apart just close your eyes and know these words are coming from my heart and then if you can remember keep smiling keep shining knowing you can always count on me for sure that's what friends are for in good times and bad times I'll be on your side for evermore that's what friends are for Mulder hadn't heard this song in a long time. He couldn't help but think how much the words reminded him of him and Scully. Suddenly his eyes snapped open wide. He glanced around the room for Skinner. There he was by the door, that sly smile on his face. Mulder shook his head and gave his boss an exasperated look, before letting his full attention return to the dance. keep smiling keep shining knowing you can always count on me oh for sure 'cause I'll tell you that's what friends are for for good times and bad times I'll be on your side for evermore that's what friends are for Skinner watched the two of them from a distance. In his opinion, this was exactly what Mulder and Scully needed after everything they'd been through. count on me for sure count on me for sure that's what friends are for keep smiling keep shining The song ended. Watching the party through a window from an unregistered car across the street, a man blew out the last lungful of smoke and pressed his cigarette into the ashtray with more force than usual. Damn Walter Skinner. Damn all three of them. They were making his job very, very difficult. He forgot for a moment that that was what he was supposed to be doing to THEIR jobs. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ooh, I like that one. :) Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, and Skinner belong to Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen. Oh yeah, and Pendrell, too. Agents Wolcott and Wheeler are mine, but go ahead and steal them. See if I care. The song lyrics in this piece are from "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne and Friends. THEY ARE NOT MINE!!