From: Erinstone1@aol.com

Shrink - Chapter 6
ErinStone1@AOL.com
Rated: PG-13
Spoilers: none
Category: Scully/Slash
Archive: Yes-please make me aware of any final posts to a site.
Feedback: Any/all is welcome
Disclaimer: Scully and Mulder are not mine. I make no profit from this story.

Summary:  Scully decides she needs to take responsibility for her unhappiness.

****************************************


Dr. Scully stood at the reception counter as Marlene verified her next 
appointment.

"How'd it go today?" She smiled at Dr. Scully.

"She made me cry again."

Marlene laughed. "Don't worry honey, she makes everybody cry."

Scully laughed outright. "Oh really?"

"Yeah. I'd bet in your case she doesn't like it much."

"So she said."

Marlene registered the remark in her brain's filing cabinet under: 'uh oh'.  
"You're all set for next Friday Dr. Scully."

"Thank you Marlene. You know, you make these little visits bearable."

Marlene looked at her with genuine pleasure, "Well thank you. That's the 
nicest thing I've heard all week."

Dr. Scully smiled at her.

"You're feeling better aren't you?"

The redhead seemed to mull the question over for a second, "Yes." She nodded. 
"Yes I believe I am."

"Glad to hear it dear."

Dr. Scully picked up her bag and started to head out when Marlene called her 
back.

"Doctor Scully?"

"Yes?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Scully made her way back to the desk.

"I was thinking you could help. With your law enforcement background..."

"What is it Marlene?" Scully's concern was sparked by the frightened look on 
Marlene's face.

"We've been getting calls, prank calls I'd guess you'd call them. They 
started out mild but they've gotten pretty scary over this last week."

Scully's brow arched and she set her bag down.

"Male or Female?"

"Male. He started out sing-songy, ya know? Sort of just a nuisance more than 
anything. Taking up space on the answering machine, that sort of thing. But 
now·"

Scully took out a notebook and jotted down some notes.

"When did this start?"

"Monday morning. Doctor, I think maybe we should talk about this away from 
the office. If Dr. Aris knew I was discussing this with a client she'd be 
unhappy."

Scully closed her notebook. "What are you doing for dinner?"

Marlene smiled. "I'll meet you at Casey's around the corner in a twenty 
minutes."

"I'll be waiting." Dr. Scully picked up her bag and waved to Marlene as she 
left the office.

Marlene breathed a sigh of relief.

"Marlene?"

Marlene clicked her intercom on her phone and answered. "Yes doctor?"

"I need you to fill out a T.O.T. letter for me."

Marlene's brow furrowed. T.O.T. stood for 'Termination of Therapy'. "For who 
Dr. Aris?"

"Dr. Scully. If you could type it up tonight before you go I'd appreciate it."

Marlene sat for a moment and considered the doctor's request. She then hit 
the intercom button and said the one word to Dr. Aris she thought she'd never 
utter.

"No."

Two seconds later Dr. Aris' office door opened.

"Beg your pardon?"

"I said no. That woman needs your help and I'm not going to let you dump her."

Dr. Aris' face registered shock. "You said no."

"I'm fully aware of that." Marlene was firm.

The doctor looked at the floor, muttering to herself. "She said no·"

"I'm packing up doctor. Have a good weekend and try to pull yourself 
together." Marlene smiled at her as the doctor closed her office door.

-end-