Title: The Feeling Was Mutual Author: Barbara D. Spoiler: "Quagmire." This turned out to be *about* somebody else, but Mulder's in it so please don't hurt me, oh cheese. Stylishly unbeta'd, or I might have been warned off posting this. 243 words. Ack. *** Here she comes, she comes, best smell, best voice. Stoops down to scratch, good scratch, good dog. I am good dog, best dog. She says so. So happy, too happy, didn't hear him coming, didn't even smell him, but here he is. Bigmutt. Never scratches me. A nip every now and then, that's my job, good dog. It's just what he needs, makes him watch where he puts them, big feet, scary feet. He could hurt her. She looks up when he calls. Her packname, it's Scully, Hey Scully. Low and soft, "Scully, Hey Scully," and her scent changes. She won't look down now. No snuffle, no whine can make her scratch again, until he goes away. She says his packname, "Mulder, But Mulder," and he smells happy. Go away, Bigmutt. He likes her scent, too, leans down into it, like I lean up. And I see what he does, he walks in her way, makes her stop, makes her turn. He heads her, he heels her, and sometimes he touches her. Pats her back, her shoulder, her arm. He pats her ears with his voice. It's pair-bond, strong-bond, no room for me. Why did she choose him, what does he do? Smart Bigmutt. Maybe he catches rabbits for her. But wait, just wait. In the woods, it's out there, big and ferocious, smells juicy and strong. I'll lay it at her feet, good dog, best dog. So long, Bigmutt. I'll show you. ***