Unreleased
by JET (eviljesemie@yahoo.com)

- - -
Midnight is strewn with shards of ice, hollow light finally piercing the
sky with their small, cold energies.  He stands outside his motel room and
watches the infinitesimal flickering of lifeless stars.

In the left pocket of his jeans there is an old fragment of newspaper his
mother mailed him, a picture of a girl's party.  She has long hair in
braids.  Her big brother sits beside her, grinning over the cake.

Scully opens her door and steps out.  They have been partners for three
years, and he is still startled that the presence of her seems to heat the
air.  He shivers against the warmth.

After a long minute he says it.  "I forgot Sam's birthday."

Scully gazes at him until he looks away from the stars.  Even in darkness
he can tell her eyes are blue, and gentle.  "She'll forgive you," she says
softly.

I hope so, he thinks.  I hope.

- - -
End.