Blind Man's Bluff

Author: PhileyX 
E-Mail: phileyxback@yahoo.com 
Web-site: https://www.angelfire.com/id/phileyx 
Rating: PG 
Category: UST, Third Person's POV
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Only two characters do not belong to me in this story. Figure it out.
Intro: Mulder's ex-Oxford buddies come to DC for a convention and find themselves caught up in a delightful, little guessing game.

XXXXXXXXX
Blind Man's Bluff 

Alice spotted him first. No one was surprised. She had a major thing for him in Oxford. "Mulder." She simply stated and they turned their heads towards her gaze.

It had been more than ten years but they recognized the man immediately. Nothing much had changed about him. Maybe a shorter haircut, a couple of grey and a few additional pounds. His companion too was just as eye-catching. Small, petite and a redhead.

They watched them carefully, taking in all the silent gestures from afar. And the psychologists in them began scribbling frantically on their own mental notebooks. They couldn't help it. The body language between them was truly fascinating. 

Maybe they were bored, maybe they just nosey. But all five of them came to the same conclusion. Tom voiced their decision by pulling off his Irish cap and laying it on the table. "Ten pounds apiece. First bluff. Who is she?"

"Bugger! Ten pounds, a bit steep don't you think?" Clement complained.

"Only if you lose, you sod." Tom goaded him. "Come one, fill the cap and guess the creature."

Clement sighed. "All right." Flicking his note into the brown cap, he declared. "He's attentive and playful, I say lover." 

"No, they're too comfortable with each other. Wife." Alice sighed, undoubtedly led by her memories of the unattainable Mulder.

"Comfortable but no violation of personal spaces, I'd have to go with ex-wife." Recently divorced Vonda muttered.

Tom shook his head. "Too much suggestiveness to be a long term relationship. Maybe a patient he's been trying to date." Tom offered.

"No, definitely first date. He's checking out every part of her body." Luther ended the suggestions.

And they waited for the couple to walk pass them. They finally did.

"Fox Mulder!" Luther called out heartily.

The latter turned and his eyes widened in astonishment. Who could blame him? Five of his old Oxford classmates in the same pub in good old US of A?

"I'll be damned!" He exclaimed and excitedly shook everyone's hand, giving a polite kiss on the cheeks of the ladies. "What on earth are you guys doing here?"

"Hardly stalking you, old boy!" Tom laughed, tinkled by the shocked face he still wore.

"Britain is a long way off from here, that's all." He begged for an answer.

Von answered his wish. "The five of us met at the reunion last year and made a pact to meet for the next Annual Psyche Conference. Unfortunately for us, they decided to hold it in the States this year."

He raised his eyebrow. "Well, imagine keeping the pact like that!"

Clement sighed. "Burnt a hole in a pocket but here we are."

"Still spending your life's earnings on the ladies, I see." Mulder teased.

The former smiled and stood up. "I prefer to think of it as investments, my dear boy." He gallantly turned to the silent companion at his side. "Speaking of investments, Mulder. I see you've made one of your own?"

Before he could turn to introduce the lovely lady, Mulder caught a glimpse of the money in the cap. He smiled, already figuring out what was going on. "If it's none of the above, I reserve the right to keep the money." 

The five of them looked at each other and slowly nodded their heads. Mulder grinned and confidently made the introductions. "Scully, I'd like to meet my Oxford classmates, Clement, Tom, Luther, Alice and Vonda. And everyone, this is my partner, Dana Scully."

"I was right!" Alice beamed and reached out for the cap.

"Not so fast." Mulder stopped her. "My partner in the FBI."

This clearly was a shocker as their eyes bulged. His partner smiled sweetly. "It's nice to meet you too."

They instantly liked her. It was an unexplainable reaction, considering it was so far the only sentence she uttered in their presence. But the effect was definite. Clement dragged a chair from the next empty table for her and Mulder helped himself with another.

"This is a bloody surprise, Mulder." Luther summed up their thoughts.

"Well, if you can remember I was into violent crimes and the paranormal. Psychiatry in the conventional way would hardly hold my interest."

"We just thought you were a sick bastard and when you grew up, you'd come around." Von admitted.

Dana Scully smiled, they noticed and her partner laughed but returned to pressing matters at hand. "So I get to keep the cap?"

"The game's not over yet." Alice told him softly. "But you can take the money." He looked at her for a moment and they could see that he too was recalling her earlier infatuations of him. He had always known. He was after all a brilliant profiler, top in the class.

Looking away, he explained for his partner's benefit. "It's a game we used to play when we were bored. It's called Blind Man's Bluff. We take a situation and propose the most likeable outcome." Then he gathered the cash and slipped it gleefully into his pocket.

"A profiler's game." Dana Scully stated.

"Yes." He nodded, proud that she understood almost immediately. "They have been contemplating on your identity, these prying bastards." They smiled, indulging him although fully knowing that among them, he was the most inquisitive. 

A cell phone started ringing somewhere and everyone checked their mode of communication. It turned out to be Dana Scully's. She excused herself and moved away to take the call.

Meanwhile they filled him in with their current lives and responsibilities. It seemed that he was the only one who had strayed from the pureness of psychiatry. They were suddenly interrupted when his partner asked for a moment alone with him. He went.

"Well?" Tom prodded.

Alice gave her opinion first. "Too much politeness but there's certainly something there."

"Yes and did you notice, a lot of restraint everywhere." Von agreed.

"They're certainly not lovers." Clement retracted his earlier diagnosis humbly. "Good thing too, I don't mind a spot of red."

The rest of the four rolled their eyes collectively. Then Luther brought his hand up as if just receiving an idea. "Brilliant, old chap!" Waggling his eyebrows, he suggested. "Let's stir some trouble! Gives us something to do in this bloody boring joint!"

They looked at each other for a moment, unsure how to go about it even if they agreed. Clement saved them the trouble. Sighing, he modestly volunteered his services. "Very well, I shall turn on my charm. Anything to get this trip rolling." 

The four rolled their eyes again but deep inside they knew that he was the only alternative. Tom was hopeless with women, turning into a stuttering fool and Luther was married. Besides, Clement was a ladies man. Mulder and him were the most popular men in Oxford for their year. Clement with his golden locks and sweet tongue. Mulder with his mysterious intense eyes and quick humour.

"What the bluff?" Tom called the game to order again. 

"Mulder's reaction." Clement challenged.

"No." Alice reasoned. "He knows we're on to him. He'll act nonchalant. I suggest we play with her response."

"I agree." Luther added. "He knows the game lasts until all is known. The bugger is prepared for anything now."

"Right ho, the redhead's face. Any bidders?"

"Cool, calm but curious." Alice decided.

"That's three in one." Tom protested at first. "Oh, never mind. I say a raised eyebrow. Caught it just now when Mulder looked at Ally."

Alice ignored the reference and Von gave her piece of mind. "She won't care. She's too collected to react."

"I'll have to agree with Alice. Cool as a cucumber." Luther said.

"Me too." Tom jumped in. "Clement?"

The playboy winked. "When the lady is with me, I assure you the Fox is forgotten."

"We'll see." Alice cautiously stated. She had loved him before so she knew the way it was. If Dana Scully felt anything she felt for Fox Mulder once upon a time ago, Clement's boast was close to impossible to achieve. 

The duo returned and Clement went into action, asking the delectable redhead to the dance floor. She was hesitant but accepted the offer. Everyone noted that she did not glance at her partner for approval.

True to their predictions, Mulder put on a brave front, his eyes glancing at the full cap with a knowing smile. Von gave Alice a slight nudge. The latter glared back at her, obviously refusing the assignment. A fiercer glare told her that to raise Dana Scully's hackles, she was the evident choice; given the look Mulder had given her earlier. Alice sighed and resigned herself to the fate, softly asking him to dance. He was surprised but agreeable.

"One." Tom began counting.

"Two." Von continued.

"Three." Luther acknowledged cheerfully. "I say Alice is the winner. Three curious looks, definitely!"

"Bugger!" Von swore and watched the others collect their winnings.

"Next, she goes out with Clement." Tom suggested.

"I say she's too loyal." Luther disagreed.

"No, she might go. Mulder is a controlling muck and she's no shy schoolgirl. She'd be happy to push his buttons once in a while." Von insisted.

"Too loyal for me too." Tom offered.

The song soon ended. Mulder and Alice returned while the other couple stayed on the floor. She caught the bills on the table and raised an inquiring eyebrow. Von gave her the details when Mulder was distracted with the waitress. 

"She'd go." Alice hissed. And she took the previous bluff's winnings, leaving a note for the current one.

The bluff was decided when Clement returned to the table with Dana Scully. Making the astonishing announcement that he was going over to her house to discuss a certain medical condition one of his patients had, the women smiled knowingly. It was the age of feminism, when would the men realize that?

If Mulder was upset or irritated, he didn't show it. Instead, he calmly passed her the car keys and told her that he would take a cab home. She looked thoughtful at his sudden generosity, affirming the belief the other women had about his dominating spirit. After they left, the ladies grabbed their earnings and the men scowled. 

Mulder smirked. "Was that the plan all along?"

Luther realized, he meant Clement leaving with his partner. "No, but we guessed he would ask. You know the horny coxcomb, the man would ask a pelican if it were wearing a skirt."

"If he's looking for more than a medical opinion, he'll be bitterly disappointed. Scully's too decent for that."

Tom decided to change the subject, not wanting to play on the man's fears too much; having fun was one thing, torture was another. "Talking about the opposite of decency, have you heard from Phoebe Green lately?"

Mulder smiled. "Scotland Yard."

"So she contacted you?" Alice asked, a tight feeling in her stomach, reminding her of the past. "How was it?"

"It was nothing." He simply replied.

The four others shared a look among themselves and grinned. Once again, Tom represented them and spoke. "No need for a bluff here, she came on to you."

The former did not want to elaborate. "Like I said, nothing happened."

XXXXXXXXXXX

The next day brought a brand new bluff. 'Would Mulder react rashly?' At first, they thought that there was really nothing to trigger him off but Alice insisted it was the next rational bluff. She did understand Mulder more than any of them, so they relented and allowed the question. 

Tom gave his opinion first. "Can't think of anything that would set old faithful off. And he does know we're counting on it."

"Agreed." Von and Luther nodded.

Alice vehemently shook his head. "He'll panic, you'll see."

So there they were, seated at the back of the conference room, trying their best to pay attention to the speaker in front. He was a notable psychologist, too respected to be ignored. But their thoughts constantly drifted to the current question. 

A slight shuffle distracted them from the talk and they noted Clement's arrival. They had noticed his absence for the first half of the day. But it didn't surprise them; already concluding that he had picked up an American in the hotel lobby and was whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

He made his way towards them, taking a seat next to Von. He whispered into her ear and her eyes widened. Leaning towards the rest of them beside and in front of her, she gave them the latest update. "Clement stayed the night." She hissed.

"Bugger!"

"Holy Mother of God!"

"Bloody cad!"

The whole conference room turned to look at the Tom, Luther and Alice. The other two could only try hard to keep a straight face.

Dr. Phillip Lendle addressed them from the microphone in front. "Was it something I said?" 

Luther jumped from his seat and assured the esteemed lecturer. "I'm truly sorry, old chap. Just a little overwhelmed with the content of your speech, that's all. Do carry on." He gaily waved at the rest of the crowd. "Sorry!" Then seating himself, he grimaced painfully. Thankfully, his apology was accepted and the good doctor resumed his talk, allowing them to resume their discussion.

Luther turned to the bearer of the shocking news. "Stayed the night…. What the hell does that mean? Did you sleep with her?" He hissed towards Clement.

The latter whispered back. "Christ, give me a bit of credit! I slept on the couch."

The four faces before him heaved in a sigh of relief. Alice bit her lip. "He'll panic."

"Not necessarily. He may never know." Tom reminded softly. The girls gave him a look and he understood. "She would tell him."

"Definitely." Von nodded, with a slightly evil look. "Cruel but it works."

Luther frowned. "Compose yourself, Vonny love. Mulder's not your ex. He doesn't deserve this."

"How would you know?" Alice snapped back.

Tom rolled his eyes. "God when these skirts get together, it's scary what they could do to us innocent blokes."

"But Mulder knows this is all a show." Luther reminded them.

"Well, I added a little more spice in the soup." Clement grinned. "I made a few calls last night and got my secretary to send up some medical charts and references by express. We're expecting it tomorrow."

"We?" Von asked suspiciously.

"The beautiful Dana Scully and I. She's agreed to take a day off and accompany me for a second opinion at the DC Medical Research Centre."

"Taking a day off to spend with another man?" Alice shook her head sadly and predicted more adamantly. "He is sure to panic." A soft beep from her handbag alerted Alice. She retrieved her phone and read the message from the screen. "Oh guys?" They looked at her expectantly. "Mulder is more distressed than we think. I gave him my number yesterday."

"And?" Von asked.

She held up her phone. "He's just asked me to dinner, tonight."

The four groaned loudly and once again gaining the attention of the honourable Dr. Lendle.

"Sorry!" Luther once again apologized for them and muttered under his breath. "At this rate we'll be bloody kicked out of here soon."

"So he panicked. The winner is Alice, again." Tom regained control of the cap. "Which brings us to the next bluff and we all know what it is." 

Von started the recommendations. "Dinner, that's all."

"He needs a shoulder to cry on and then crash boom bang." Clement gave his view, earning a dirty look from Alice. He shrugged. "I meant no disrespect to you, of course."

Her scowl turned into a sigh. "Dinner, that's all."

"He's angry and he'll want to do something to hurt her. I say he'll come on to Alice." Luther suggested.

Tom finished the list. "Dinner."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Well?" The four expectant faces gazed at her like vultures studying their prey. It was eight in morning, the next day and the four of them were in the hotel restaurant having their complimentary breakfast.

"Could I at least have a sip of my coffee first?" Alice snapped back

"Yes yes, do hurry up wrench and tell us the outcome." Luther impatiently pressed.

After a long draw of the sweet black liquid, she spared them the suspense. "Had a lovely dinner, chatted about nothing in particular, walked me up to my hotel room and pecked me goodnight on the cheek. That was it."

Von and Tom grinned while Clement and Luther groaned. 

"Did he say anything about his partner ditching him for Clem?"

Alice smiled. "I was just about to bring it up. Apparently Miss Dana Scully hadn't informed Agent Mulder about her day off yet."

Their eyes widened. "And did you tell him?" Luther asked.

"And ruin my chance to lay with the man I once fantasized about? Have you gone mad?" They gave her a look and she protested. "What? It's not that impossible. It could have happened if he weren't already a smuck for the redhead."

"Would he tell her that he went out with you? Mulder's not that bitchy, is he?" Von wondered aloud.

Alice grinned. "Oh you guys are gonna love this. She called during dinner." They leaned in closed in anticipation for the rest of the story. "They were supposed to go through a report together but he seemingly forgot."

They grinned and shook their heads together. 

"Classic textbook stuff." Tom added. "We could film a psychological documentary on these two."

"Okay, next bluff. And this time I think I'll actually have a chance to win." Clement smiled. "Mulder finds out, Mulder calls."

"That's it?" Alice shook her head. "No, he'll create a disaster and call her in to work."

"Too obvious. Clement's right, he'll be subtle but he'll check in." Tom predicted.

Von bit her lip thoughtfully. "I say he'll make up something and drop in at the centre."

"I'll go with Clem too." Luther decided.

"Right, the blokes against the skirts." Clement winked at them. "I'll keep you informed."

XXXXXXXXXXX

Alice's phone rang in the middle of their role-playing workshop. She took a look at the identity of the caller and signaled Tom, who signaled the rest. Within two minutes, the four psychologists were outside the conference room.

"For God's sakes Clement, what the bloody hell are you talking about?" Alice yelled into the phone. After listening to a couple of seconds more, she rolled her eyes and passed the phone to Luther. "Here, the bloke's gone bonkers!"

Luther frowned and held the phone to his ear. "Clem?" His eyebrow rose. "Beautiful hair, right. Uh huh, especially in a bunch, huh?" Cupping the mouthpiece he turned to the trio around him. "The boy's turned into jello, gone off the deep end!"

Tom and Von looked curiously at Alice for further explanation as Luther listened to earpiece again. She sighed. "I don't know. She must be some kind of witch because our dear Romeo is googly-eyed and totally getting off track."

"No Clement, not Dana. I'm talking about the bluff. I don't give a Queen's rear about her hair…." Luther firmly told the other. "Did Mulder call or not?" He paused. "He did and…?" Nodding his head, he told him. "Fine. Yes yes, her breasts are just fine and dandy. Cheers, Clem." He turned to the trio. "The boy's doomed."

"But he won, right?" Von reminded him.

"Yes." Luther confirmed. "Mulder called, asked her something about a case and hung up."

Tom frowned. "So what now?"

They looked at each other then Alice suggested. "We wait." And they did.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Two days later, their patience was rewarded. "She called." Clement broke the news during breakfast and the foursome grinned. 

"Looks like our match is going into overtime. I thought they would have hashed it out by now." Tom reflected.

"No, I don't think they ever dealt with these issues openly." Alice reasoned. "Don't forget, Mulder is incapable of sentimentality and being his partner, she certainly knows that by now."

"What does she want with Clement?" Von asked.

He looked hurt. "And I suppose it didn't occur to anyone that she could actually like me?" They gave him a look and he huffed. "Oh bugger off!"

"No offence, old chap. But the Mulder has a good looking head on his shoulders and he is rather charming in a devilish sort of way."

"And those tight buns." Von added.

"Soulful, puppy dog eyes." Alice shared.

Tom "Quite a remarkable Willie too." The other three stare at him and he coughed awkwardly. "So I hear…" Their gaze did not waver and he sighed. "I showered with him at the gym. It was an open shower, okay? I bloody hell didn't mean to look!"

"Bigger than Clem's?" Von questioned curiously. 

Tom looked thoughtful but was interrupted with a shove from the Clement. "Don't you dare answer that!" Then, he threw up his hands in the air and solved their question. "All right, I'll admit it. She's just seeing me to pass the reports, that's all."

"She could have just passed them to the front desk at reception. I say she's trying to make Mulder jealous." Von offered her opinion.

Alice bit her lip and muttered. "Whatever it is, if he calls me again to strike back at her, I'm not going. I am not risking falling for those sad, forlorn eyes again."

XXXXXXXXXXX

That night they gathered in the same pub where they began the game. Clement was guzzling the shots down like he was possessed. Alice frowned at him. "Clement, you are not making enough in the Bluff to be drinking like that."

"The lad's broken hearted, let him be." Luther told her.

"Broken hearted?" Tom snorted. "The lad's just had his ego bruised, that's all. Mulder's partner was probably the only woman that ever let him into her house just to put him to sleep alone on the couch."

"Speaking of Mulder, I wonder how's he doing?" Von voiced out. "She would definitely have mentioned her lunch date with our Orlando here."

"Let's review the situation shall we?" Alice recommended. "It begins with another man asking his girl for a dance. He pretends not to care."

Von continued after her. "Then she invites this other man to his house and once again he pretends not to care. So she gets angry…."

Tom interrupted with a frown. "Why should she get angry? I thought the last thing women liked was a possessive man, especially since it's only supposed to be a professional relationship between them?"

Alice gave him a look as if he were stupid. "Just because we don't like it doesn't mean he shouldn't be!"

Tom looked blankly at Clement who looked as confused as he were. Luther shook his head slowly and advised them. "I'm married to one of their species, blokes. Trust me when I say, it's all perfectly rational in the planet they come from."

Alice shot him a cold glare but carried on with the review. "Anyway, he panicked so he stood her up, asking me out. Again she's mad and takes greater pleasure in taking the day off to spend it with Clement. A fact he only discovers when he comes to the office, to find her not there. Unable to help himself, he calls her on the pretext of a case." She turned to Clement. "How did she sound when she answered him?"

"Cold. Irritated."

Tom bit his lip. "Then two days pass, of which we know nothing about."

"But we do know." Alice smiled and they all looked at her. "When Mulder is pissed, he is not an easy person to be around with."

They rolled their eyes collectively, remembering his annoying tantrums he used to show back in Oxford. Only Phoebe could get him out of his moods with her sultry looks and seducing tactics.

Von nodded. "So he becomes an infuriating child."

Luther added. "Until Dana Scully finds it too unbearable and decides once again to put him in his place. She calls Clement out."

Tom shook his head, amused. "Textbook, just beautiful!"

"The question is, what happens now?" Alice challenged them with the next bluff.

"Easy." Luther waved his hand about gallantly. "Like all suspense stories, they end with a showdown."

Clement and Tom nodded, indicating that they agreed with him. 

Alice shook her head and gave her opinion. "Firstly, there will be no loud showdown. These two have probably been through this routine a thousand times by now. They'll just make up quietly by pretending nothing had happened." 

Von was thoughtful when she softly gave her view. "I say Dana Scully makes amends." The other four looked at her in surprise, expecting an explanation. "You'll see. She'll make the first move."

XXXXXXXXXXX

Their last call was announced loudly on the airport sound system and they dragged their bags hurriedly towards the departing gate. It was in the midst of this that Luther's phone rang. 

Huffing, he was glad to stop to take the call. "Yes? Oh Mulder, it's you chap. Hmm? Gate 52, why?…. Oh, okay. Sure, we'll wait. Right ho!" 

When he hung up, his friends looked at him, questions shining through their eyes. They haven't quite resolved their last bluff yet and were hoping that the phone conversation could give them a clue on the current situation of the duo.

"That was Mulder. He's on his way here, said something about going to LA for a personal cause."

"Oh." Alice managed to utter but the rest were clearly as disappointed as her.

"And…" Luther grinned. "….his partner is driving him here, apparently taking the opportunity to see us off as well."

The faces immediately brightened. "So Dana Scully offers to send him to the airport…" Alice smiled and looked at Von. "She makes amends. How did you know?"

Von looked a little disconcerted. "Experience." She finally said. "When my ex and I were on childish bouts being mean to each other, we would once in a while stumble on something incredibly hurtful. And at these times, I would feel guilty enough to do something nice for him." Smiling sadly, she explained her actions. "I've lived with the man for eight bloody years, I suppose there's still a tiny part of me that doesn't loathe him."

They nodded and understood. In a lot of ways, Mulder and Dana Scully were an old married couple. 

"That still doesn't mean they hadn't gone through a showdown." Tom argued.

"He's right. Well, we'll just have to wait until we see them." Their last call turned into a final, desperate call. "And hopefully soon before we miss our flight."

They were relieved to see the duo in sight, walking briskly towards them. "I take it that was your last call, being British Airways and all." Mulder grinned.

"It's about bloody time! Another second and we would have left." Von grumbled.

"There are limits to our affection for you, old chap. We would never miss a flight home for you." Tom grinned.

"Oh admit it, sunny USA is a great deal more pleasant than the dreariness of England." He teased. Then shaking his hands with them all, he wished them the best of luck. His partner did the same. 

When she came to Clement, she tiptoed and kissed him gently on the cheek. The other three watched their jealous friend carefully, almost missing the subtle crease on his forehead.

"Well, it's time. You had better go in now." Mulder coolly interrupted any further conversation between his partner and the alleged rival.

Dana Scully stood back and returned to his side. The action seemed to soften him and the crease disappeared. The foursome once again waved and said their goodbyes, handing in their boarding passes and walking towards the open flight gates.

"No showdown, that I'm certain." Luther told them. "Still a lot of tension there."

Clement sighed reluctantly. "Yeah, so looks like Von's right after all."

"Last bluff and the mother of them all." Tom declared. "Fifty pounds apiece. The duo's goodbye."

"Fifty pounds!" Clement protested. 

"You don't have to play if you don't want to, you know." Alice chided him. "Okay, I'll go first, the small of her back." They looked at her incredulously. She just shrugged, refusing to explain.

"Whatever." Von muttered. "A quick hug for me."

"Peck on the cheek." Luther offered.

"Kiss on the forehead."

And they looked at Clement. "Okay, I'll play. He'll touch her face."

"Okay then, let's find out who wins this final wager." Tom grinned and turned to the duo at the next gate, clearly seen through the glass partitions. They seemed to be deep in discussion. 

Behind them the air-stewardess looked at the four passengers in irritation. She walked over briskly and told them sweetly. "Ladies and gentlemen, please do come in now. The plane is due to depart soon."

"Just a few minutes more, love." Luther answered her, his eyes glued to the endless conversation that went on.

"Would you believe it? They spend almost twelve hours with each other during weekdays and they still have so much to say." Von gripped.

"What the bloody hell is taking them so long?" Clement joined in.

The stewardess was getting more and more annoyed. It was beyond her what was so interesting about the couple they were staring at. "Please, you have to go in now. We are about to take off. There is a whole planeful of passengers waiting for just the four of you."

"Listen baby, a few more minutes won't really do much to further tarnish the reputation of the British Airways. Trust me, everyone expects it to be late." Clement told her. 

The 'baby' was obviously not pleased with that and took a step closer to the group, threatening fiercely. "If you do not go in right now, I'm afraid we will have to leave without you!"

And Von snapped with a higher degree of ferocity. "Listen lady, no one here is moving until the **those** two kiss, hug or touch each other! All right?"

Slightly stunned and confused, she stepped back, relenting. "Fine." And she walked away, leaving them once again breathlessly studying every movement of the couple.

"For God's sakes, Mulder. Touch her already!" Clement grimaced.

"Come on…." Alice tapped her foot impatiently on the carpeted floor.

Finally, Mulder moved positively towards the gate, as if it was really time to go in. Their hearts leapt to their throats and they unconsciously leaned forward, waiting for the final goodbye gesture that would make one of them two hundred and fifty pounds richer.

"Yes!" Alice squealed. The rest groaned and cursed.

"The small of her back, what the hell type of goodbye is that?" Clement spat in disgust.

Alice grinned. "It's Mulder's trademarked gesture of affection." And they groaned again.

"Oh guys?" Tom blinked blankly, pointing his finger towards the glass view of the runway. "Isn't that the British Airways being taxied out?"

They turned to look and their mouths dropped.

"Cripps!"

"Bloody hell!"

"Bugger!"

"Holy F…!" Oh well, you get the idea.

XXXXXXXXXXX
End of Blind Man's Bluff 

A little note won't kill you, come on, please????
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