Expect the Unexpected By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com CATEGORY: T, A, R RATING: PG (language) SUMMARY: A threat toward Dana Scully leads Mulder and Scully into a whirlwind of events that could either make their partnership and friendship stronger and more than it’s ever been, or end it entirely. TIMESPAN: US Season 5 SPOILER WARNING: Lots of little spoilers, mostly from mythology eps (Momento Mori, Elegy, Deep Throat, Emily, Redux, Revelations, yadda, yadda, yadda) KEYWORDS: Mythology/Conspiracy, Rift, UST, MSR, slight Scully/Krycek (although not a relationship), ScullyAngst, MulderAngst DISCLAIMER: I used ‘um. I don’t own ‘um. So sue me. Um...just kidding, please don’t. I’m just borrowing them from the God of Surfing and All Great Things, Chris Carter, 10-13 Productions, FOX and everyone else who owns .2% of them. ARCHIVE: Anywhere, just keep my name and e-mail addy with it. (and I’d appreciate if you sent me the URL of the page ) FEEDBACK: I love getting it, and I promise I will read it and respond. Don’t worry, I have no life outside of X-Files, so I’ll have plenty of time to write a lengthy response. As I like to say, social lives are for people who have nothing better to do (I think I ripped that off someone’s sig -see I’m uncreative too-) AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is my first attempt at a really long, intricate story (or so it seemed long and intricate to me, the writer), so I hope it’s good. I made up Margaret Scully’s address, although Biddle is a real street in Baltimore (I used this, cuz in TFWID, Mulder learned through hypnotic regression that he had been a soldier name Sullivan Biddle in a past life). I also used the nickname ‘The Ice Queen’ for Scully, which I read in someone else’s story, so sorry and thanks for letting me use it, even though I didn’t ask. Wonderful nickname though. I know, everyone’s gonna flame me for the rift and fighting in here, but it’s mainly UST. And I mean, everyone fights with their coworkers and best friends. The guy I refer to as ‘the large man’ is who they call ‘The First Elder’, or who I like to call, ‘The Well Fed Man’. This is my idea of the last episode. DEDICATION: Wow, I feel cool now, dedicating this and all. OK- I dedicate this to my Phile Groupies (ya, you know who you are- Lauren, Bethita, Clarita, Emily, and Azure Tempest -of course that’s her real name-, in no particular order (well, actually, there is an order- with Lauren at the top, cuz she’s the only one that ever responds to my emails *ahem*). Thanks for keeping me company when I can’t talk to the little *gray* men. Oh- note to self- remind Lauren and Amanda that Krycek is NOT gay and that pretzels are to be eaten, not used to spell out obscene messages. ) WRITTEN: March 1998 Expect the Unexpected (1/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com ------------------------------------- 46th Street New York City ------------------------------------- “Agent Scully has become a much larger problem. She endangers the project.” The large man proclaimed to the group. “Action has to be taken.” “If only we hadn’t listened to our Washington Correspondent’s brilliant plan to return her and bring Fox Mulder to his knees.” Another nameless man remarked sarcastically. “I have a man that is capable of getting the job done.” Said another of the group. “No.” Spoke up a tall, thin, well dressed man in the corner of the dark room. All the heads in the room turned to him. “It’s too risky. It will draw too much attention toward the group.” “But we can’t risk being exposed. I believe that you have lost your authority on these types of matters, sir.” The large man said pointedly. Many of the men in the room smirked. “No. I agree with him.” All the attention in the room was now drawn to a woman who had not yet spoken. She tucked a piece of her blond hair behind her ear as she crossed her legs. “I know of a way to terminate Ms. Scully without....terminating her.” “Do tell, Miss Coverrubias.” Answered the large man. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 1:21 PM Baltimore, MD ------------------------------------- The explosion ripped through the house, leaving it a smoking inferno. Flames leapt out of the windows, skyward. The fire reached every corner and every surface until it consumed the house in an ominous groan. A dark, sooty cloud covered the quiet neighborhood and in a matter of minutes, the house was transformed into a pile of smoking rubble and burnt memories. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 1:23 PM Baltimore, MD ------------------------------------- “9-1-1 Operator. What’s your emergency?” A generic voice answered the phone. “My God. Oh my God. Something terrible has happened.” A hysterical older woman screeched into the receiver. “Ma’am, calm down. Now what has happened?” “Oh, I don’t know. There was an explosion and then the whole house was on fire.” The woman managed to explain. “Ma’am, take a deep breath and calm down. Did this happen to your house, and are you in any immediate danger?” “No. It happened across the street, at 616 Biddle Street. Will the fire spread to the other houses?” The neighbor asked, leaning out the window to get a better look at the burning house. “Probably not, Ma’am. The ambulances will be there shortly. Do you know if the resident was home at the time?” “I don’t know. Her name is Margaret. Margaret Scully.” “Thank you. Don’t hang up until the ambulances arrive.” The operator concluded, hearing distant sirens coming from her ear piece. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 2:23 PM J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building ------------------------------------- “Mulder.” Agent Fox Mulder answered the phone. “Hello, this is Detective Chris Sans, of the Baltimore police. I’m looking for a Misses Dana Scully.” The gruff voice on the other end of the phone replied. “She’s right here. Hold on a second.” Mulder said, motioning his partner to come get the phone. “This is Dana Scully.” She said, her soft voice echoing around the small basement office. “Yes, this is Chris Sans of the Baltimore police. Are you the daughter of a Margaret Scully of Baltimore, Maryland?” He asked. Scully’s voice caught in her throat. “Yes. What has happened? Is she hurt?” She had to lean against the edge of Mulder’s desk, for her legs had suddenly felt weak. “There’s been an accident at your mother’s home this....” The detective began. “Is my mother hurt?” Scully interrupted firmly. “We have been unable to locate your mother...” He started, pausing to take a deep breath “...or her body, at the time.” “Oh God.” Scully uttered, bringing her quivering hand to her mouth. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She said and hung up the phone with a shaky hand. Mulder was already handing her the coat she had worn into work that morning. “I’ll drive.” was all that he said. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 3:01 PM Traveling North on I-95 ------------------------------------- Mulder glanced sideways at his partner, who was staring out the window. Neither had said a word since they had gotten in the Ford Taurus. As they went around the last bend, Baltimore came into view. Mulder gasped as a thick, black, ominous column of smoke greeted them. Scully turned from the window to look at him, but stopped as she was confronted with the horrifying site. Mulder navigated the car through Downtown Baltimore, and they were led straight to the smoke, which was emitted by the smoldering remains of what was once a modest two story house. Mulder approached the roadblock at the end of Biddle Street and Scully jumped out of the passenger side of the car. She tried to push through the crowd that had gathered, only to be stopped by a cop while she tried to break through the police line. “Ma’am, I’m going to need to see some ID to let you through here.” He said suspiciously. She reached into the pocket of her coat and withdrew her FBI ID, opening it for him to see. “I’m Agent Dana Scully with the Federal Bureau.” “I didn’t know that the Bureau had been called into this.” The cop said, raising his eyebrows. “Did you say your name was Scully?” A voice behind her asked. She turned and was confronted by a large, burly man who fit his voice. “I’m Detective Chris Sans. I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.” He said grabbing her elbow and leading her away from the crowd. “We’ve located your mother.” Scully held her breath, and realized that he hadn’t added your mother’s body, which was, hopefully, a good sign. “She’s over here.” The detective finished, steering the dazed Scully toward an ambulance. The crowd of EMS workers and police parted a bit, so that Scully saw her mother, who was shook up. “Mom!” Scully exclaimed, running to her mother. “Are you all right?” “I’m fine, Dana. I wasn’t here. I came home....but there wasn’t anything left.” She said, her eyes wide with shock. “Oh, God, It’s all gone. All of it.” “Oh, but Mom, at least you’re all right. I was so worried, I thought something terrible had happened to you.” Scully said, sitting next to her mother. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 Same Time, Same Place Meanwhile...... ------------------------------------- Mulder chased through the crowd after his partner. He was stopped by an officer, but already had his credentials out. “Who knows what’s going on around here?” He asked the junior officer. “Well, everyone around here is pretty busy, but if you can find Detective Sans, he can tell you everything. Although, I don’t know what you all are doing here. There hasn’t been an investigation opened. So far, this has been ruled a natural gas explosion.” “Thanks.” Mulder said, leaving to find Sans. He spotted a man who seemed to be in charge and headed toward him. “Sir,” he said, “can we have a word?” “How can I help you?” He asked, moving away from the other officers. “I’m Agent Scully’s partner. Can you tell me everything that is going on here?” He asked. “Why? Have you heard anything?” The detective asked, eyeing Mulder suspiciously. “Is there anything important to hear?” Mulder asked. When the detective didn’t reply, Mulder said, “Look, anything you tell me will be kept confidential, I am here as both a friend of Agent Scully’s and as a federal investigator. My instincts tell me that there is more going on here than the obvious.” Sans walked Mulder to a secluded area of Mrs. Scully’s yard. He reached into his coat and pulled out a piece of paper enclosed in a plastic bag. “This was delivered to the Downtown Police about ten minutes after the accident. Which makes us suspect that this wasn’t an accident. Only a few of the force knows of this letter. Mrs. Scully and her daughter don’t know of it yet. I’m actually glad you are here. I’d like to hand this case to you all, since threats against federal agents fall into your hands.” “I’d be glad to help. I’ll run this letter through the FBI lab, if you want.” Mulder replied. “That would be great. Thank you. Excuse me.” Sans said, leaving Mulder and approaching some officers who were motioning to talk to him. ------------------------------------- March 20th, 1998 10:13 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- “Do you want anything to eat or drink?” Scully asked, heading into her kitchen as Mulder sank down onto her couch. They were finally back from checking Mrs. Scully into a hotel in Baltimore. “No, no, I’m fine.” He said, picking up a medical magazine that was laying on her coffee table. He flipped through it, then put it back upon discovering that the there were hardly any pictures, and the few they had were very grizzly. Scully walked back in and sat down next to him, pulling her legs up under her. She sighed and laid her head back against the couch cushion. “Oh, Mulder, why are people so cruel hearted?” Asked Scully, Mulder having informed her of the letter. Mulder sighed. “Let me see the letter again.” Scully demanded, stretching her hand out. Mulder reluctantly brought forth the piece of white computer paper with the typed message. Ms. Scully, You and your partner are treading on dangerous ground. Stay away from the truth, and we will stay away from you and your family. Next time your mother might be in the house when a gas line breaks. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to her. The letter was unsigned, but they both knew exactly who it was from. They knew that the Consortium was behind the bombing, which was officially being called a natural gas leak accident. “What are we going to do, Mulder? Will I have to leave the X-Files?” “Oh, Scully,” Mulder said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her head against his shoulder, “I think you can stay. We’ll just do regular ‘spooky’ cases. We’ll keep away from the conspiracy cases, OK. I won’t let them hurt you or your mother.” “Somehow, I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop them.” Scully said. “I’m beat, I think I’m going to go to bed.” “Yeah, I should get home.” Mulder said, starting to get up. “No. Please stay for a while, Mulder. At least until I fall asleep.” Scully suddenly grew ashamed. “I mean, I feel more comfortable with someone else around.” She explained. “Sure.” Mulder answered, sinking back onto the couch “It’s your turn to sing though.” Scully said, smiling. “Oh, right.” Mulder laughed. He paused then cleared his throat. “Oh, if I were king of the world, tell you what I’d do, throw out all the cars and the bars and wars, and I’d make sweet love to you.” His voice grew deep as he repeated the last line, “yeah, I’d make sweet love to you.” As her eyes closed he kissed her forehead softly, his lips lingering just above her soft skin for a couple seconds. If the events of that day hadn’t sapped all of her strength, Scully might have wondered what exactly Mulder had meant by singing that verse, or if the kiss meant more than a friendly one. But she only had enough energy to say one word: “Chorus.” Mulder chuckled, and started to sing once again in his deep, monotone voice. Dana Scully fell asleep to the lyrics of Three Dog Nights. “Singing, Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me.” ------------------------------------- March 23rd, 1998 9:25 AM Baltimore, MD ------------------------------------- “Hello?” Margaret Scully answered the hotel phone. “Mom, it’s Bill.” Her son responded. “Bill! It’s good to hear from you. How are Tara and the baby?” She asked “They’re doing great. Michael’s the cutest baby. It’s hard to imagine that I am a father.” He said “I know the feeling. Well, being a mother, of course.” Mrs. Scully laughed. “So, what’s going on?” “What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? Can’t I just call and chat with my mother?” Bill asked. “You can, but you never have before.” Margaret answered truthfully. “Mom, you know I’m busy. I just was thinking of you. I mean, we never see each other anymore. I wish you lived a little closer, so we could see more of each other.” “Yes, that would be nice, Bill. But you’re usually never home anyway.” “Well, I know that. Actually, I’m shipping out again in June. I wish I could stay longer and not leave Tara alone with the baby. I wish she had someone to help her and keep her company while I was gone. I would hire a nanny, but we don’t have the finances right now.” “Yes, I know, a baby is hard to take care of.” Margaret agreed, while thinking: “And I worry about you a lot, Mom. You’re getting older, and I don’t want anything to happen to you. What happens if something does happen. You have no one there to help you if anything happens.” “I have Dana.” Margaret replied. “Mom,” Bill groaned, “you can’t rely on Dana. She doesn’t live that near by. And she’s always involved in work, or is out in the field.” “What are you suggesting, Bill?” Margaret asked. “Well, I think it would be a good idea if you would move out here, near us. You could even live here, on the base. If you want to, of course. I just want to take care of you. And after you told me about the threat and the bomb, frankly, I think you’d be safer out here. You wouldn’t have to deal with the harsh winters of Maryland. And, you know that Charlie docks in San Diego much more than he docks in Richmond or around your area.” “What would I do about Dana? She’ll be all alone out here. What if she needs my help?” “Mom, has Dana ever needed your help? She doesn’t even know you’re there.” “Bill, don’t say that. She sees and talks to me more than you do.” Margaret defended her daughter. “Yeah, but she lives thirty miles away, while I live about one thousand times that.” Bill responded. “Think about it, Mom.” “I will, Bill, I will.” His mother promised. ------------------------------------- March 26th, 1998 7:04 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Scully flipped through the case file once more before exasperatingly throwing it down. She had started her case file from their last case when she realized that she couldn’t find any of her notes. She picked up the phone and pushed the ‘speed dial one’ button. Mulder picked up immediately with his usual greeting of ‘Mulder’. “Hey, it’s me. I couldn’t find any of my notes from this case. I was wondering if they had gotten mixed in with your things.” She asked. “Let me go check.” Mulder said, and started searching through his papers. “Yep, found it.” “Great! Can I come pick them up? Is it too late?” “Shouldn’t you ask if I’m busy first?” Mulder asked jokingly. “Well, I already know that you aren’t, so why waste the time?” “Ha ha. I’ll see you in a little while.” He said, and Scully was greeted by a dial tone as he hung up. ------------------------------------- March 26th, 1998 7:29 PM Alexandria, VA ------------------------------------- A soft knock sounded on Mulder’s apartment door. He hurried to the door and said, “You got here fast, did Dana Scully actually break a speeding law?” as he opened the door. He was surprised to find himself staring at, not a short redhead, but a taller blond women who was nervously looking down the hall. “Agent Mulder.” She stated as he moved aside to let her into the apartment. “I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else. I’m expecting someone.” He said, still standing by the open door, hoping she would leave soon. “Well, I have some information relating to the threats against your partner that you may find interesting.” She said, and he shut the door and walked into the apartment after him. “Why don’t I get you something to drink, then we can talk.” Mulder said. “I’ll just have some water.” The Special Representative to the Secretary General said. Just as they sat down to talk, Mulder heard keys jingle outside his door. A few seconds later, his partner walked in the doorway. She stopped when she saw him on his couch with a blond woman. “Oh, I’m sorry Mulder. I thought you said that you weren’t busy.” Scully said icily. “Well, Marita dropped by unexpectedly.” Mulder explained. He got up from the couch and motioned toward Marita. “Scully, this is the Special Representative to the Secretary General of the UN, Marita Coverrubias. Marita, this is my partner, Dana Scully.” Scully stretched out her hand and briefly grasped the other woman’s. “Let’s go talk in the kitchen, Scully.” Mulder said, leading her away from Marita. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Mulder.” Scully said, playing with edge of a dishrag. “I’m not, she’s a contact. She says she has some information about the bombing.” Mulder said quietly, leaning against a cabinet. “Oh. Another contact.” “What the hell do you mean by that?” Mulder remarked, hearing the distinct disfavor in his partner’s voice. “Mean by what?” She asked, trying to sound innocent. “Okay, cut the crap, what’s going on?” He asked. “How can you trust these people, Mulder? I mean, all your other sources have all lied to you in the past. They’ve worked for the enemy!” She said angrily, trying to keep her voice low, although she was sure Marita could hear every word they were saying. “Hey, that can’t be proven.” Mulder defended. “But neither can their trustworthiness.” Scully pointed out. “Look, Scully, they’re *my* contacts. If I wanted your opinion of them, I would ask. They’re trying to help us, and your doubting them.” Mulder said, enraged that Scully questioned his judgment. “The only reason you’re mad is that you’re jealous upon finding me with a woman in my apartment.” “OH! Am I?” Scully said in a mocking tone. She promptly turned on her heals and walked out of the kitchen, grabbing her notes that were laying on a nearby table. She slammed the door behind her as she stormed out of the apartment. “I don’t think your partner liked me that much.” Marita said dryly to Mulder. End of Expect the Unexpected part 1. Continued in Expect the Unexpected part 2. Expect the Unexpected (2/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com RATING: PG (language) SUMMARY: A threat toward Dana Scully leads Mulder and Scully into a whirlwind of events that could either make their partnership and friendship stronger and more than it’s ever been, or end it entirely. DISCLAIMER: I used ‘um. I don’t own ‘um. So sue me. Um...just kidding, please don’t. I’m just borrowing them from the God of Surfing and All Great Things, Chris Carter, 10-13 Productions, FOX and everyone else who owns .2% of them. ------------------------------------- April 1st, 1998 6:16 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Dana Scully hummed as she put the chicken casserole that she was making into the oven. She had felt sorry for snapping at Mulder, and had invited him to dinner to make up for it. She went to change into something nicer, and decided that she was really overdoing this. It wasn’t a date, just two friends having dinner together. She tried to keep reminding herself of that fact. She heard a knock on the door, and was surprised to see her mother standing in the hall. “Mom. What are you doing here?” She asked, taking her mother’s coat and motioning her to come into the apartment. “Um, well, I need to talk to you about something.” She said, laying her purse on the sofa, next to where her daughter had placed her coat. “It sounds serious.” Dana remarked, starting to close the door. “Well, yes, it is. Before I tell you, I want you to know that I’ve thought this over a lot. And I know that it is the right thing and it is what I want.” Margaret said uneasily. Dana forgot about closing the door and left it slightly open, growing nervous about her mother’s news “Mom, what is it?” Dana asked, sitting down next to her mother on the sofa. “I’ve decided to move.....to San Diego.” She said, hesitatingly. Her daughter stayed quiet for a long time before getting up when a beeper sounded from the other room. Dana walked into the kitchen, with her mother in pursuit. After taking the casserole out of the oven, she threw down the oven glove she was holding. “San Diego, Mom? California? How can you just pick up and leave like this?” She said, gritting her teeth. “I’m not ‘picking up and leaving’, I’m going to live with Bill and help Tara with the baby when he’s gone.” She explained “But you’re still leaving. First I lose a sister, and now I’m losing my mother.” “Look, Dana, this is hard for me too! Do you think I want to leave?” Margaret asked. “Well, let’s see: you’re leaving and no one’s making you go, so, yes, it looks like you want to go. You’re leaving me, Mom. You’re leaving me all alone. I have no one left.” “You’ll still have Fox.” Margaret said, wishing to console her daughter. “Oh, of course, I have Fox.” Dana said sarcastically, surprising her mother. “Mulder doesn’t even know I’m alive. Unless I almost aren’t alive. He ignores me, ditches me, never asks my opinion on cases, and when I do give it he smirks! Whenever we start an important, intelligent conversation, he says something sarcastic or jokes. He’s paranoid and, at times, positively nuts. I don’t know why I have even stayed with him for this long. Well, I do. That’s why I made this dinner for him. But knowing him, he’ll show up in his work clothes, talking about UFOs and our, or should I say his, latest case. He won’t notice the candles or the music or anything. He won’t listen to a word I say unless I whip out my cell phone, which he’ll probably hang up on me anyway, or include the words ‘alien’, ‘conspiracy’, or ‘Samantha’ in every sentence. The man, or should I say boy, is so dense! I’ll be more alone than ever.” She finished, now searing with anger, not really directed to Mulder. Margaret Scully looked down, unable to meet her daughter’s acrid eyes. How could her daughter be so cruel? She knew her daughter was just angry, she had inherited her father’s temper. In looking down, she noticed a movement in the corner of her eye. “Oh God, Fox.” She gasped. Dana looked at her mother questioningly. “Fox...He was in the doorway. He heard everything you said.” “It’s about time he finally did hear what I had to say.” Dana remarked angrily. “Look,” Margaret said, her voice firm and demanding attention, “you can ruin your life all you want, but I will not let you ruin mine.” She gripped her coat and purse and ran off to find her daughter’s partner. ------------------------------------- April 1st, 1998 7:09 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Margaret Scully approached Fox Mulder, who was sitting on the steps leading up to Dana Scully’s apartment. She put her hand on his shoulder and sat down beside him. “She didn’t mean any of the things she said, Fox. She was just angry at me and was taking it out on you.” Mulder didn’t say anything for a long time. “I even brought her flowers.” He said sadly, throwing the bouquet of wildflowers at a car, setting it’s alarm off. The annoying shrill alarm filled the air. “I told her I was moving. To San Diego.” She passed, and after Fox didn’t respond, she continued, “I’ll miss you, too.” Fox sighed and squeezed her hand. “Yeah, I’ll miss you.” He said, getting up and walking to his car. He raised his hand as a departing gesture and promptly sped off. ------------------------------------- April 1st, 1998 10:13 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Dana Scully threw her wine glass against the wall. She knew why her mother was really leaving. It was because she was no longer safe around her daughter. Now Dana had not only forced out her friends and men from her life, she had forced out her family. She had killed her sister, and had forced her mother to move across the country. No, she hadn’t. It was Mulder. If she had never worked with him, this would have never happened. None of it. No, it wasn’t his fault. It was them. The nameless men who sat around and wrote the history of their future. They were the ones who had assigned her to the X-Files. And she would do anything to get back at them. Or maybe she should thank them. No. No. She didn’t want to thank them, she wanted to hate them. And she did, with all the hate she could muster. She changed into sweats and went for a run to crush the mixed emotions that had suddenly overtaken her. She didn’t know how long she had been running, but she found herself near the docks of Annapolis. She looked out into the harbor and took a deep breath of the salty air. She didn’t register the sound of screeching tires and footfall until she was hit, hard, from behind. The night exploded into a burst of brilliant colors, before being engulfed in a curtain of blackness. Her head pounded and her eyes felt like cement bricks. The last thing she remembered was being picked up and loaded into a van. And then she lost consciousness as the van sped off toward the industrial district of Annapolis. ------------------------------------- April 8th, 1998 5:11 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Scully had come into consciousness many times, but this was the first time that she had stayed conscious enough to register herself and her surroundings. Her head ached as if it was in a wood vice. She had always hated shop class. She shuttered with bad memories of junior high. Now her mind was wandering. As a doctor, she evaluated her disposition and decided that she probably had a concussion. She opened her eyes and groaned as the bright lights invaded her eyes. “Ah, Ms. Scully. I’m glad that you’re awake.” A large man greeted her. Scully looked around to discover that she was in, what looked like, an abandoned warehouse. She was sitting in a corner with her hands and legs tied expertly with cord. She started to feel dizzy, and had to shake her head a few times to clear the haziness. “What the hell did you give me? What type of drug? And what do you want with me?” She asked angrily. “Aren’t you a doctor, Ms. Scully? You should know.” He smirked. “Yeah, well that’s hard to do when you’re drifting in and out of consciousness.” She said dryly. “What do you want?” “I believe we warned you and your partner to stay away from the truth. And then we found out that Agent Mulder was in contact with a woman named Marita Coverrubias. We expected she had been, of course. We always expect the unexpected.” “She worked for you?” Scully asked, knowing she didn’t trust the blond for a good reason. “Well, she did. She’s going to have a problem working now.” He said evily. “So you put a bullet in her head, as you do everybody you don’t agree with. Is that what you’re going to do to me?” “Ah, no, Ms. Scully. We’re sure that your partner would have an autopsy of your body, and we can’t let that happen.” “Why? What would he find?” She asked, her voice wavering with both anger and fear. The man just stared at her before smirking and walking off toward the large door of the warehouse. “Have a nice day, Ms. Scully.” He threw over his shoulder, his voice echoing coldly through the building. She thought to herself: what was a way to get rid of a body so that no one could autopsy it. They could dump it in the Potomac. Or....they could burn it. She quickly looked around and saw a couple dozen barrels labeled flammable against the far wall. She turned as she heard footsteps coming toward her. One of the men who had been guarding the door grabbed her arm. She gasped as he pulled out a syringe and filled it with a liquid that she couldn’t identify. “Get off of me!” She said through gritted teeth, trying to pull her arm free. She felt a sharp pain as the needle entered her skin. The guard through the used needle onto a box out of her reach. He walked away and was almost back to his post when he heard shattering glass. Drawing his pistol while turning around, he looked for anything out of the ordinary, but didn’t see anything. Until he noticed that a small window had shattered. He lifted his walkie-talkie and called for someone to investigate the premises. What he did not notice was what had shattered the glass. But Scully saw the rock as it landed near her. The injection was already causing her to become woozy, but she looked hard at the rock, realizing that it had been painted white. And in big, black letters, two words were written on it: TAKE COVER. By the time the warehouse was illustrated in an illuminating light, she had already thrown herself down on the cool cement floor against a stack of wooden boxes. She coughed and sputtered as smoke filled the air and she realized that the barrels had caught on fire. All of a sudden, she saw a figure walking toward her through the smoke. It was almost like a dream, a dark man walking through the haze toward her. Jeez, what had they injected her with? The man hurried toward her, gently picking her off the ground. “Are you hurt?” He asked. His voice sounded so familiar, but she couldn’t place it. The room started going hazy, and she lost her balance, practically falling. The man carefully lifted her up and threw her over his shoulder with the utmost care. “We gotta get out of here.” He said, raising his hand to shield his face from the flames that were leaping toward them. ------------------------------------- April 8th, 1998 11:21 PM Washington, D.C ------------------------------------- When Scully woke, she found herself in the back of a van. The restraints around her wrists and ankles had been taken off, and she rubbed the skin where they had been. She checked herself over for injury, and discovered a few nasty bruises. She still felt light headed and confused. Hearing movement behind him, the driver looked back and pulled over to the side of the road. Scully felt the car slow and stop. All of a sudden, the back doors were thrown open, and she shielded her eyes from the light from the overhead bulb. She was surprised to find herself looking into the face of Alex Krycek. “Krycek!” She exclaimed, surprised. “Who’d you expect, Batman?” He asked jokingly. “More like Ratman.” Scully muttered under her breath. Krycek’s voice turned serious. “Okay, it’s April eighth. You’ve been gone since the first. Do you remember anything that happened?” Scully shook her head, rubbing her hands against her wrists. “Um, I had a fight with my mother and Mulder and I went for a walk to the docks. Then....I was hit from behind. Then I woke up in a warehouse. Where are we?” “We’re in D.C. Look, you can’t go back to your apartment. It’s probably under surveillance. You need to be as inconspicuous as possible. As soon as I get something against these men, I can help you become safe enough to return to work. Until then, you’re going to have to hide out somewhere. Do you have somewhere to stay?” He asked. “Wait, wait.” Scully said, still trying to convince herself that she wasn’t hallucinating. “I can go to Mulder’s.” Krycek nodded. “Krycek, why the hell are you helping me? Why did you save my life?” She asked, thoroughly confused. Krycek smiled mysteriously. “Expect the unexpected, Agent Scully.” He shut the doors, climbing back into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. Scully moved to the window, perplexed, and thought about the events of the prior week as the van sped through the streets of DC toward Alexandria. When she went to get out of the van, once stopping in front of Mulder’s apartment building, she found that her legs still hadn’t recovered from the week long ordeal. Krycek had to support her as they walked up to apartment number 42. After knocking for a while they realized they had a problem since Mulder wasn’t home. “Do you have a bobby pin or paper clip or anything?” Krycek asked, searching his pockets. “Wait, I found a paper clip.” He said after a while, untwisting it, and picking Mulder’s lock. He put his arm around her waist and helping her walk into the apartment. He went to grab a chair for her to sit on. At that moment she lost her balance. He grabbed her elbow as she grabbed the collar of his leather jacket. Suddenly she found her face inches from his. She felt his breath, hot against her lips. And suddenly she had the most overwhelming urge to kiss this man. She tightened her grip on Krycek’s jacket, pulling his lips towards hers. The instant they met, a wave of energy washed over them. She deepened the kiss, so immersed in it that she didn’t her the lock of the door turn slowly. Neither did Krycek. Suddenly the room was illuminated in light, and Krycek turned to see a gun leveled at his chest from across the room. Scully noticed that the gun was shaking. No, it was the hand holding it that was shaking. Fox Mulder hadn’t needed the lights on to see what was happening. Krycek and Scully stood there blinking, neither moving. “Let her go.” Mulder said. Still, no one moved. “I said...let...her...go.” Mulder growled, walking toward them. Mulder approached them and grabbed Scully’s elbow from Krycek and pushed her into a chair. “Get out of my apartment.” Mulder said with voice like venom. Krycek moved to the door, looking back toward Scully. “Take care of her.” He said, shutting the door behind him. “What the hell were you doing?” Mulder asked, pacing the room in front of her. “No, don’t answer that. I know what you were doing. Why were you doing it?” “It had nothing to do with Krycek. Just the fact that he was a man. All of a sudden he was just there. I felt his breath on my face and I could smell him. And he smelt like a man. A little like cologne and leather and a little must. And I just nearly forgot what it was like to kiss someone. I’ve grown so lonely, Mulder.” She confessed. “Well, I’m lonely too, but I don’t go around grabbing the first woman I see!” “That’s because you can’t face reality, Mulder. That’s why you watch your stupid videos, because you don’t even try to get real women. You can’t face the fact that your father was involved in your sister’s kidnapping, so you make up some bizarre story about how she was abducted by those gray reticulins. And you shouldn’t even car about what we were doing. I’ve been missing for a week and you’re too jealous of Krycek to find out what even happened.” She snapped. “Jealous?! You think I’m jealous? I’m not jealous.” Mulder gawked. Neither said anything, they just stared at each other for an eternity. Mulder broke the gaze. “Look, I think you should leave.” He said quietly. “I...I can’t.” She said, on the verge of tears. “Krycek saved me. They were going to kill me, and we escaped. And..and I can’t go home.” Mulder sighed. “You can stay here. Sleep on the coach, I’ll take the recliner. There’s blankets and pillows in the closet over there.” He motioned with his Sig Sauer, which he was holding so tight, his knuckles had turned white. “I’m going for a walk.” And with that, he left the apartment. Scully held her head in her hands. She slowly stood up, making her way to the closet by supporting herself with various pieces of furniture. She grabbed a couple blankets and an extra pillow and threw them on the floor as far away from the couch as she could. She laid down and fell asleep the instant her head touched the pillow. End of Expect the Unexpected part 2. Continued in Expect the Unexpected part 3. Expect the Unexpected (3/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com RATING: PG (language) SUMMARY: A threat toward Dana Scully leads Mulder and Scully into a whirlwind of events that could either make their partnership and friendship stronger and more than it’s ever been, or end it entirely. DISCLAIMER: I used ‘um. I don’t own ‘um. So sue me. Um...just kidding, please don’t. I’m just borrowing them from the God of Surfing and All Great Things, Chris Carter, 10-13 Productions, FOX and everyone else who owns .2% of them. ------------------------------------- April 9th, 1998 10:13 AM Alexandria, VA ------------------------------------- When Scully woke up her body ached all over. She groaned loudly. Mulder walked in with a plate of toast and a glass of water. “Unlike you, some of us have to go to work.” He greeted her cheerily, their argument being forgotten for the moment. “I thought I told you to take the couch.” He said, handing her the breakfast. “I would have felt guilty. Thank you, Mulder. For everything.” She said tenderly, squeezing his hand. “Yeah. Well, I should go.” He got up and walked to the door. “Stay away from the windows.” He warned. What was she going to do? She couldn’t hide forever. Sleep. That she could do. Sleep forever. Good plan for right now. ------------------------------------- April 9th, 1998 7:07 PM Alexandria, VA ------------------------------------- “Scully, can you take a look at this?” Mulder asked, looking up from the file he was reading. “What is it?” She asked between mouthfuls of her dinner. “An X-Files I’m working on. I miss you by the way. It’s a compound found in a substance near an abduction site.” He said handing her the file. “What did you say?” She asked. “I want you to look at this.” He repeated. “No, after that.” “That it was a compound.” “Mulder.” She said seriously. “I guess I said that I missed you. While they had you and when you’re not working with me.” He confessed. “I miss you too Mulder.” “I need to tell you some stuff, Scully.” Mulder admitted “What kind of stuff?” She questioned “Um, well, stuff you’re not going to be happy about.” He said hesitantly. “You know that case that we worked on a while back. The one with that guy..um..Harold?” “Yeah, at the bowling alley with the murdered college girls.” “Yeah that one. I told you that you can’t hide the truth from me because that would be going against me and, ultimately, yourself. So I feel I should tell you this. I’ve wanted to, but the right time has never come up.” “Mulder, now I’m getting nervous. Get to the point.” Scully said impatiently. “Well, when you were first diagnosed with the..ah...pherengial mass, I said that I’d gone to the fertility clinic and saw your doctor on call. What I didn’t tell you was what I found there.” Scully looked at him questioningly, raising her eyebrows in a gesture for him to continue. “Well, I found a room full of tanks like those I had seen in the Zeus storage garage. With bodies in them. And there were doctors, but they were all exact replicas of Kurt Crawford. Clones. I was lead into a room full of small drawers. And in them...” He trailed off. “And in them...were what?” Scully asked when Mulder didn’t continue. “Well...um...they were from the women that had been abducted. There was an, um, drawer labeled with your name. Inside was a couple vials.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I took one.” He admitted, looking at her guiltily. “Mulder,” Scully said sternly, “what was in the vile?” “It was...there...um...your..um...ova.” He managed to roll his tongue around the syllables. “MY OVA?!” She exclaimed, a little too loud. “Well, I thought....I don’t know what I thought, but I thought it would be best...” “Okay....let me get this straight,” Scully said, now thoroughly confused and feeling very violated, “You thought it would be best if you took a vile of my eggs...” “I like the word ova better than eggs, personally.” Mulder interrupted. “You took a vile of my eggs! That’s inexcusable Mulder. I feel like you’ve violated me. What, do you like keep them in your freezer next to your TV dinners?” She shouted. “Actually, they’re in storage.” “They’re my eggs and you sit here and tell me that they’re in storage? Like a shipment of furniture or something? When did my life become so screwed!” She asked exasperated. “Probably when you met me. Look, since you’re already mad at me, why don’t I tell you my other confession.” Mulder said, trying to push her back to a sitting position on the couch. Scully just gave him the coldest stare. “When you were in the hospital in the final stages of your...illness, I was offered a deal. From the Cigarette Smoking Man. He wanted me to quit the FBI and work for him. He offered me two things. He told me that in the vile I got from the Pentagon contained the computer chip. And he set up a meeting. With Samantha.” “Samantha? As in your sister? And you felt that this wasn’t important enough to tell me because....” She urged him. “She doesn’t want me, Scully. She doesn’t need me. She said that Cancer Filled Bastard was her father. And that he was a good man. She has a family. She didn’t want to see me.” “As heartbroken as I am, Mulder, I have lost five fucking years of my life to that cause, not to mention a sister, and my chance to ever have children. And you, you self-absorbed bastard, are too busy whimpering about how your sister is not eight years old anymore, to tell me that you found the truth. And there were no aliens or bright lights or missing time. It was the truth, and the truth is never what any of us want it to be. You shouldn’t have expected the unexpected, Mulder.” Scully screamed in his face, breathing hard. She felt like punching Mulder hard. Instead she walked into the bathroom, which was the only room in his whole apartment that actually had a door. She turned on the faucet and hoped it would mask the sound of her crying. She heard a knock on the door a little while later. “Go away, Mulder.” She said, trying to make her voice stop wavering. He must have, because she didn’t hear any more knocking. She climbed into the empty bathtub and thought hard. About everything...fate, fear, death, life, and what had happened to her life. In the early hours of the morning, she pulled herself out and quietly fell asleep on Mulder’s unoccupied couch. ------------------------------------- April 10th, 1998 4:59 AM Alexandria, VA ------------------------------------- Scully woke with a start. Someone was moving around the apartment. She looked toward the recliner and saw Mulder’s lanky body stretched across it. He was still asleep. She slowly reached for the Smith and Wesson handgun that she kept in her pillowcase. Muffling the gun with the pillow, she cocked it and rolled to the ground into firing stance. She saw a figure come out of the kitchen and said, quietly yet firmly, “Don’t move a muscle or you won’t have any muscle to move.” The figure paused, slowly raising its hands toward the ceiling. Scully suddenly heard a loud pop and was sprayed with shards of glass. The darkened figure in front of her fell, landing with an eerie thump on the apartment’s wood floor. Scully was suddenly pushed to the ground and found her partner’s body laying on top of her. “You’re a bit late, Mulder.” She said, pushing him off of her. She looked up and saw that Mulder’s window had been shattered by a bullet. She shook shards of glass off of herself before walking toward the body of the intruder. She looked up at Mulder, who was still trying to figure out what had happened. “It’s Krycek.” She said. She reached for his neck, feeling for a pulse when his eyes snapped open. She gasped and fell back on her heels. Regaining her composure, she shook him slightly. “Krycek, it’s Agent Scully. Can you hear me?” She asked, checking his eyes and finding them dilated. She unzipped his jacket to assess the damage of the bullet. “Mulder, go turn on the lights. And get me a pair of scissors. Now.” He jerked into action, quickly handing her a pair of scissors. She cut off Krycek’s shirt and saw that the bullet had entered dangerously close to his heart. He was starting to lose blood at a fast rate. “We got to get him to a hospital, Mulder.” She said. “No.” Krycek protested. “I can’t go. Let me die here. They’ll save me just so I can go to prison if you take me there. They’d kill me anyway. Those men.” “He’s in shock, Mulder. First we need to try to slow down the bleeding.” She reached to take off her shirt. “You’re going to help him?” Mulder asked. “He killed your sister.” “Mulder. I’m a doctor. I help those in need. I took a pledge.” She said before going to take off her shirt. “Stop.” Mulder said firmly. Scully was afraid that he wouldn’t let her help him, and was surprised when he threw his undershirt at her. “Don’t ruin your shirt on him.” He said with scorn, before walking off to another part of the apartment. She pressed the shirt firmly against Krycek’s rib cage, causing him to grunt. His body started to shudder again and she checked his pulse again, feeling it start to slow. “For...forgive me.” Krycek wheezed, pleading with his eyes. “I can’t do that, Krycek.” She said, looking away. Taking one last breath, he said, “Neither can I.” His eyes rolled back and his head hit the floor with a muffled thump. Scully got up and walked into the kitchen, where Mulder was sitting, waiting for her. “He’s dead.” She said. She looked at her hands which were covered with his blood. “What should we do with the body?” Mulder groaned. “We could burn it. Or dump it in the Potomac River.” He said. “Mulder! That’s cruel!” “He killed my father, Scully.” “He’s still a man who might have a family somewhere.” “Somehow I doubt it. Maybe he has some information on him. Let’s check his pockets.” Mulder said, getting up. They moved toward the body and started searching his pockets. “I found something Mulder.” She said, pulling a manila envelope out from behind the body. It had been tucked between his jacket and his shirt. She opened the flap, leaving bloody fingerprints on the paper. She pulled out a stack of papers. A small piece fluttered to the floor. Mulder reached down and picked it up. He turned it over in his hands and read the neat writing aloud: Trust the Untrusted. Believe the Unbelievable. Expect the Unexpected. Mulder looked at Scully, who raised her eyebrows in question. She looked back at the papers in her hand. She next picked up an envelope labeled Agents Scully and Mulder. She opened it and read the few sentences before handing it to Mulder. Agents, I hope this information helps. They know you’re alive, Agent Scully. They’ve tracked you to Mulder’s apartment. If you read this then something has gone wrong. If so, I hope this information helps. If I do not survive, send all belongings to Marita Coverrubias of New York City along with the enclosed letter. “How would he know Marita Coverrubias?” Mulder asked. “She works for the men who invent the future. Or, she did.” She corrected herself. “What do you mean, ‘did’?” Mulder asked, already knowing. “I was told that she would be incapable of working for them any longer.” She said, dropping the letter to Marita into a trash can. She started to peruse the papers, not being able to believe her eyes. “My God, Mulder.” “What is it, Scully?” He asked, leaning over her shoulder to see the papers. “Well, it’s not enough to get those men in jail, but I think it’s enough to work out a deal for my safety.” She said, smiling. “You know they don’t make deals.” “With this.” she said firmly, holding up the papers, causing a couple black and white photographs to fall to the floor. “We will talk to Skinner. With this they will no longer be nameless men. They will deal. Expect the unexpected, Mulder.” She said, thanking Krycek for being the double dealing scum that he was. ------------------------------------- April 21st, 1998 2:08 PM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- “Well, I can’t tell you much, Mom, but I can go back to work now. Tomorrow is my first day back.” Scully looked at her mother, who sat beside her on the couch. “I was afraid that they wouldn’t return you this time.” Her mother whispered, her eyes glazing over with tears. “Mom, I’m fine. Don’t cry.” She pleaded. “Oh, Dana. I’m so worried. I don’t think I can stand it if anyone takes you away from me once more. When your father disagreed with your choice of professions, it wasn’t because he was worried about your reputation or disappointed with you, it was because he knew what terrors you and we would have to face.” “Mom. I’m not in any danger.” Mrs. Scully laughed. “You always were. That’s one of the job requirements of being an FBI agent. Dana, San Diego is a beautiful city.” “Mom, I can’t move.” She said exasperatingly. “Can’t or won’t. You wouldn’t have to give up your work. Your job, maybe, but not your work. Actually, Bill said that Detective Kresge had asked him about you.” Scully perked up. “He did? Detective Kresge?” She sounded amazed. “I’m sure you could apply for a job with the San Diego Police. I’m sure Mr. Kresge would have a position available for you.” Scully seemed to think this over for a second, and Mrs. Scully took it as a good sign. She sipped her tea slowly and patted her daughter’s hand. ------------------------------------- April 29th, 1998 7:08 AM J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building ------------------------------------- The laser printer hummed and buzzed as it printed out the short letter. Scully tentatively reached for it, reaching for a pen, and signed her name at the bottom. She looked at her watch, not expecting Mulder to be in for another hour. Good, she had time to give the letter to Skinner and get back before he came. She shut the office door behind her and walked through the long halls of the FBI Building towards her boss’s office. When Mulder had gotten to the office, he was surprised to see that Scully was already there. He had come in early to finish some paperwork. Walking over to the desk, he picked up an open letter. It was evidently Scully’s, but it’s return address was labeled as Detective Kresge, 13 Carlotta Street, San Diego, CA. Worried that it was more bad news about the girl who had turned out to be Scully’s daughter, he took out the single piece of paper. Dear Dana, I’m overjoyed to hear that you are thinking of moving to San Diego. I saw your brother the other day. Are you going to work for the San Diego division of the Bureau? The San Diego Police Force would be thrilled to have an ex-FBI agent working for them. We do have a position available. Next time you’re in town, maybe we could get together for a business lunch. Or a quiet dinner. I hope to see you soon, John Kresge Detective Kresge? Wasn’t he that stupid detective that didn’t listen to Mulder? He called her Dana? She was thinking of moving to San Diego? The last thought caused him to pause. What was going on? Mulder moved to her computer opening the most recent document. A resignation letter. Mulder felt the world shutter under his feet. Hearing movement in the hallway he quickly exited the document and turned to face the file cabinets, pretending to be immersed in an X-File. Scully walked in and was surprised to see Mulder. “Oh. Mulder. Hi. You’re early.” She stuttered guiltily. “I am.” He said over his shoulder. She walked to the desk and quickly pocketed the letter from Detective Kresge. She sat down and started typing a report. They stayed silent for a couple minutes. “You’re leaving.” Mulder finally said quietly. “I’m....” She started before Mulder cut her off. “You’re leaving. You’re leaving the FBI. You’re leaving the X-Files. You’re leaving me.” He said still facing away from her. “Mulder, I’m just moving. It’s not like we’re never going to see each other again.” She said. “When? When are you going? Two weeks?” He asked. “One. One week.” She answered. “I thought Skinner had to have two weeks notice.” “He had two weeks notice.” “You mean that Skinner has known about this. Am I the last one? What, were you going to tell me the day you left? Call me from California to say that you were never coming back?” “Well, maybe then you wouldn’t hang up on me! You would have never noticed that I was gone anyway. I’m a joke to you Mulder. I’m just here so that ‘Spooky’ doesn’t get kicked out of the FBI.” She said his name in a mocking tone. “Don’t...” He said sternly, “..call me that.” “Oh. You haven’t seemed to mind that much before.” “That’s because you never called me by it.” He said quietly. He turned toward her. “You know, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks.” “And what exactly do you mean by that?” She asked. “Oh, nothing.” He replied, laying the file on the desk. “Mulder, what? What do they call me?” She asked curiously. He started walking toward her slowly. “They call you the Ice Queen. The Ice part because you could freeze over Hell in a matter of seconds.” He stepped closer until he was right in her face. “And the Queen part because you act like the queen bitch.” Scully’s eyes flashed with anger. For a second he thought that she might slap him. But Dana Scully didn’t slap people. She got even. Pulling her knee up quickly, it effectively connected with his groin. Mulder yelped and doubled over in pain. “I don’t ever want to see you again!” She whispered hoarsely. “Fine by me.” He managed to wheeze before she slammed the door behind her. ------------------------------------- May 6th, 1998 1:27 AM Knicks Bar and Grille New York City ------------------------------------- Mulder sat at the bar sipping a bottle of beer. He couldn’t count how many he had had up to that point. He sat humming sadly and staring into space. “Is this seat taken?” A voice asked from behind him. He muttered something unintelligible without even looking over his shoulder. She sat down anyway. “What are you humming?” She asked motioning to the bar worker for a drink. “A song.” Mulder said, playing with the bottle cap from his Budweiser. “It reminds me of myself and her.” “Who’s her?” The woman asked. Mulder sighed. “My partner.” She paused, waiting for him to elaborate. When he didn’t she continued. “So how does the song go?” For the first time, Mulder looked at her. He paused, thinking it over, and then he began too sing. He might have thought twice about it, but he was too drunk to really think about anything. “Standing cold and scared on top of Blue Hill, there came one moment when I lost my will. I prayed for mercy, please Lord take me away. Oh, give me sunshine where I only seek rain. The past had a hold on me, it can’t be denied And the changes didn’t come easily.” He paused before starting on the chorus. “I’ve been lonely, I’ve been cheated, I’ve been misunderstood. I’ve been washed up, I’ve been put down, and told I’m no good. But with you I belong, ‘cause you’ve helped me be strong. There’s a change in my life since you came along.” He took a sip of his beer and continued on. “Now I don’t mind working so hard every day, and I don’t pay no mind to what people say. ‘Cause after all the pain I’ve been through, I’d give up everything to love only you. All my life, I held my head bent in shame, but now I’ve found you and with you I’ll remain. Now a man gets crazy when his life is on hold, And a heart gets weary when it doesn’t belong. When the road gets rocky, Lord, you’ve got to keep on. Let a new light come shining over me.” He finished and heaved a long sigh. “And she’s leaving me. They aren’t taking her, she’s leaving.” “Maybe she feels that there is no reason to stay.” The woman said. “Have you ever told her how you feel? Maybe it’s about time she finds out.” “It’s too late now.” He said glancing quickly at his watch. It read one forty five. “I couldn’t get to D.C in time.” “Well, Agent Mulder, as it turns out, I have a one way ticket to Washington. To BWI Airport. I think you need it more than I do.” He turned toward her to tell her that he couldn’t take her ticket and was surprised to see the bar stool next to him empty. The only thing to prove that the woman had indeed been there was a white envelope. Mulder looked inside and found a ticket bought in his name. He turned and looked around the bar, desperately searching for the woman. And then he saw a head with brown hair walk out of the front door. He pushed through the bar to catch up with her. He opened the glass door and found himself on an empty street. Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned and saw the mysterious woman as she was illuminated by the light of a street light. “Wait!” He cried, walking toward her on the opposite side of the street. She stopped and turned to face him. “Why did you buy this ticket for me? I mean, this is New York. People don’t go around spending a couple hundred dollars for a complete strangers everyday.” The woman’s laugh seemed to hang in the air. “Expect the unexpected, Agent Mulder.” “How do you know my name?” She said nothing, but kept staring at him. The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up, but he paid no attention to the creepy feeling he had. “Look...I’d like to thank you. What’s your name?” He asked. At that moment a large moving van came barreling down the narrow street. Over the cacophony the truck created, he heard her yell back. “Betsy. Betsy Hagopean.” The truck passed, obscuring Mulder’s view, and when he could see the other side of the street once again, she was no where to be found. Betsy Hagopean was one of the abducties. She had died. Hadn’t she. Maybe he was more drunk than he thought. No, he still had the ticket. Grasping it hard in his hand, he started to walk. ------------------------------------- May 6th, 1998 8:17 AM Annapolis, MD ------------------------------------- Scully threw the last of her things into a large suitcase. Hearing a crack of thunder, she cringed and walked to the window. She stared out, watching the rain fall. She didn’t know how long she had been standing there, but she jumped when she felt her mother’s hand rest on her shoulder. She looked back out the window. She saw her lonely face staring back at her. “I don’t want to do this, Mom.” She whispered. Margaret Scully turned and grabbed her daughter’s suitcase. “I know. I always hated moving, but I got used to it.” She said. “No. You don’t understand, Mom. I can’t do this. I can’t leave D.C. I can’t the FBI.” She said exasperated. “You can’t leave Fox.” “I can’t leave Fox.” She affirmed in a tired whisper. Margaret came up behind her and squeezed her shoulders. “I understand.” She said, embracing her daughter. “But I’m going to miss you so much.” A rude honking interrupted their special moment. Both brushed tears from their faces. “Come on, Mom. That must be the taxi. I’ll escort you to the airport.” They grabbed Mrs. Scully’s belongings, leaving Dana’s. Scully was about to get into the taxi when the screeching of tires caused her to look up. “Scully! Wait! Scully!” She heard Mulder yell. She looked at her mother, who shrugged, trying to contain a grin. Scully stood next to the taxi as Mulder ran toward her. “Scully!” He still yelled, even though he was a few feet away. Taking this in, along with the fact that his tie was askew, his shirt untucked, and that he smelled like smoke and liquor, she concluded that he was drunk. “Mulder, are you drunk?” She asked, privately pleased that Mulder had come to say good-bye. “No. I was. But it’s all clear now.” He explained. “Oh, I’ve been an asshole, Scully.” “No. No. I’ve been....the queen bitch.” She said, and they both laughed awkwardly. They stood staring at each other, not noticing the rain that fell around them. “By the way, are you all right?” She asked, looking down, then back up at Mulder. “Um. Yeah, although I don’t think I’ll be able to have any children in the future.” He joked. “Join the club.” She said. “But that’s the thing, Scully. You were too busy being mad at me to realize the possibilities.” He said joyfully. “What possibilities?” She asked, intrigued. “I have a vial of your ova. Through artificial insemination, you can combine it with someone’s sperm, and replant it wherever, and you can have a baby.” “My God, Mulder.” She exclaimed, shocked. “I can have kids!” She yelled, wrapping her arms around Mulder’s neck and kissing his cheek. “You’re a saint, Mulder!” “Right up there with Owen Jarvis, right?” He asked jokingly. He suddenly grew serious and she released him from her hug. “Oh, Scully. I came to stop you. I don’t think I could bear losing you again. And this time, no one is taking you from me. You’re leaving. I need you, Scully. Right here. At my side. As a partner, as an equal, as a friend, as....whatever you want us to be. I can’t live without you.” He declared, kissing her knuckles softly. He had come to stop her? He wanted to be more than just friends? He needed her? Scully didn’t know what to think. But she did know how to feel. “Mulder. I’m not going anywhere. Nor will I ever. I’ll stay here, by your side, till death do us part.” She smiled and slid her hands under his jacket and around his waist. She laid her head against his warm chest, and he leaned down and laid his cheek against the top of her head. And for the first time in his adult life, he felt the earth under his feet steady and he stood there, his world balanced, with a soaking wet Dana Scully in his arms. The End - Kate Dyer - Athena1600@aol.com