XxXxX

Epilogue

XxXxX

Two weeks later, Mulder sat in his office making friends with 
his files again.  He wanted something juicy for his first 
case back on full duty.  There was a report on a man who had 
survived a plunge off of a thirty-two story building in 
Chicago that seemed interesting.

He set the file aside when he heard his partner's familiar 
gait in the hallway.  "Hey," she said as she walked in the 
door.  "Welcome back."  She eyed the stack of files on his 
desk.  "You must have been in here early."

He grinned.  "And you, I should note, were not."

She smiled back and held up a bag.  "Shopping," she 
explained.  "There was a sale that started this morning."

He leaned down to peer around the corner of his desk.  On her 
feet were a pair of sleek, black heels, a little narrower 
than he was used to seeing.  "Those look new."

"They are.  I put the old ones in the box."  She walked over 
and sat on the edge of the desk.  "I got tired of looking at 
the blank space on my shoe rack, and it was time for a new 
pair, anyhow."  She paused.  "And at least I know he hasn't 
touched these."

"I talked to Grenier this morning.  They're following a lead 
in Idaho, of all places."

"I hope it pans out."  She turned the file in front of him 
around so she could read it.  "What have you got for us?"

He tugged it back.  "How do you feel about deep dish pizza, 
Scully?"

XxXxX

Carl sat on the park bench even though it was really too cold 
to eat lunch outside.  He thought about heading south, where 
people didn't have to wear boots for five months out of the 
year.

After a few minutes, a young woman joined him.  Her hair was 
wrapped in a pretty pink scarf, and she seemed to be waiting 
for someone.  Carl felt the old tingle start when he glanced 
at her feet -- smart black pumps with a white stripe across 
the toe.

"Can I help you?" she asked when she caught him looking.

He smiled to reassure her.  "I'm sorry," he said.  "I just 
have to say I love your shoes."

XxXxX

The End

If you made it this far, I'd love to hear from you.  All 
comments and questions are welcome at syn_tax6@yahoo.com

This one is for Alicia, who has stuck with me through 1.5 
years and 5 novels.  Not to mention sesame-seeded villains, 
marathon phone conversations and a hair-raising trip up the 
Space Needle.  Alicia, thank you!  You make the world-wide 
web as friendly as a backyard barbecue. 

Sexy, strappy, open-toed sandals of thanks to:

Alanna, for asking questions that made me rethink my choices.

Alicia, for being fast, funny and a good friend.

Jerry, for much help with plot.

Luperkal, for fielding all of my GW questions.

Joanne, who spent 3000 miles this summer listening to me iron 
out the plot.

Diana, for on-the-spot Mulder characterization consults.

Mara, Triton and Jen, for feedback beyond the call of duty.

Nancy, for the amusing and entertaining theories.

It's been fun, folks.  Thanks for letting me play.

syn