Title: "Piece of Mine" Author: Iaman A. Lien Rating: R for language, and I guess, the crime is a little violent. Spoilers: Paper Hearts, Young at Heart, Grotesque, Never Again, Leonard Betts, Momento Mori, Red Museum, Small Potatoes. References: Mulder's time on the BSU, his twice guest starring wedding ring, and Scully's cancer, the fact that its in remission, the whole green/grey thing in Squeeze, a little bit of Phoebe Green, Tom Colton, and Angela White, and Scully's kick boxing moves. Category: MSRA, hello! Summary: After the Roche case Mulder and Scully are reassigned to the ISU, Mulder is profiling again, and we all know what that means... Disclaimer: They aren't mine okay? So don't beat me, I'm fragile. They're personal property of Chris Carter and 1013 Productions, but oh gee golly I'm grateful! Maybe, if it weren't for this show, I'd have a life! But socializing is overrated. Well, X-Files parties and EXPO's don't count, but, oops! Off subject again! Thanx to DD, GA, and MP, who give all of these wonderful characters bodies and faces! So Sarden, Daniels, Ruth, Tanya, and the Perkins family are all mine, use em, see what I care, kill 'em off it you want, Ruth may be hard to use after this though:) Author's Note: Okay, this could take place at anytime after Redux II, but before this season (US5) finale. The way that I did this was my own ending for Paper Hearts after Mulder shoots Roche on the bus. In my chronology, Paper Hearts happened sometime around the time of Mind's Eye, and All Souls. So the whole cancer thing has happened. Get it? Got it? Good. Thank you Elisa, for your advice on how to get these two yahoos talking! Holly, thank you for proofing, things make less sense when I write them down than when I think them... Distribution: Thank you! Just keep my name on it. Feedback: Why not? If you love me, hate me, whatever, just write. Send feedback to: iamanalien42@hotmail.com Dedication: I dedicate this to all fly fishermen. Why? Go ask Ross Perot, he seems to have all of the answers! Those ears hold a lot. ~~~~~~~~~~Catch My Reference To The Movie:~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Time To Kill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You Win A Special Prize~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **ANYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A REALITY PROBLEM SHOULD GET ONE! JUST GET OVER THE FACT THAT THIS CAN NEVER HAPPEN, AND PROBABLY WON'T EVER HAPPEN, PERSONALLY, I HOPE THAT THEY DON'T GET TOGETHER ON THE SHOW, BECAUSE, THAT WOULD RUIN IT ALL. REaLiTy Is OvErRaTeD! Have fun! XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx ______________________________________________________ "Piece of Mine" By: Iaman A. Lien ______________________________________________________ XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1998 "Agents Mulder, Scully," Assistant Director Skinner turned to look at each of them respectively. "Sir," they replied in unison. "Mulder, I put up with a lot of your crap, and so do many of my superiors, because of the work you do, but your behavior on the Roche case was unacceptable. I know that the X-Files require a certain something, but this was completely personal, and I can't protect you forever. This isn't coming from me, but the X-Files are being shut down, pending a full investigation of these events." Mulder's head dropped to his chest, "Sir," "There is nothing that I want to hear from you Agent Mulder. I cannot change this, but they do want to keep you and agent Scully together. They don't want you screwing up completely. You will both be going back to ISU." "What?!" Mulder stood up, "Agent-" "After an event like this they want me profiling again, yeah, because there is no personal involvement in profiling or anything like that." He paused, "They have to be able to put me somewhere else." "They feel that this is where you will be the most useful." "Sir, I mean no disrespect, but I have no experience, or training in this field, why the hell am I going?" Scully asked, rather angrily. "You aren't stupid Agent Scully, besides, being with Mulder at the ISU, you'll go straight to the top. Nice feather to add to your cap." "So what, I'm doing his paperwork for him, no thank you." "Learn something new Agent Scully." She looked at Mulder and touched his hand, "Let's go." "Effective today agents." They walked out of Skinner's office and headed towards the basement. * * * "You think Quantico was bad for you, they keep profilers sixty feet underground." "Really?" They were packing up Mulder's things, and the few things that she kept in the office. "Yeah, I'm sorry about this Scully. Nobody likes me over there. They hate me actually, you think we take shit here, oh no...I was 27 when I first went to the BSU, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I was really good." "What do you mean arrogant?" Scully asked sarcastically. "Fine, I was good, I knew it, and I wasn't about to take anything from anyone. You know me Scully, I make friends real well." "Oh yeah, I know." "One guy, thought he was really hot, I showed him up, he's ASAC over there now." Scully laughed, "I have a feeling that we're gonna have a really good time Mulder." * * * FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1998 Random comments flew past them as they walked through the office towards their ASAC's office. "Spooky's back." "Who's the chick?" "He got bigger, not so scrawny." "Who's Spooky?" asked a younger agent. "Did you just ask who Spooky is?" "Yeah, why?" Scully jumped on this, a chance to hear all of the pathetic rumors rolled up into one. "Spooky Mulder, ehhh. 10 Years ago he was placed here, but back then it was the BSU, Behavioral Sciences Unit, they wanted to take the "BS" out of the BSU, so now its ISU, but whatever. Mulder shows up, young, cocky, and real smart. He could get in a guys head like nobody else. Rumor had it, that he could have been a serial killer himself. I mean he fit the profile, the traumatic abusive childhood. He just wasn't a killer. He was, well, Spooky. He was hot, and he did great work. He was on the fast track, and he was still really young. Then he had this hypnosis thing done, regressed to his childhood or something. And get this, he thinks his kid sister was abducted by little green Martians." The man paused so that the crowd could laugh. "Then he finds the X-Files, their are cases with the paranormal, pretty much a load of shit. He requested to be transferred there. Since he was doing so well, they let him do whatever he wanted. Bad move. They gave him free reign over there. Soon enough he was going a little nutty. So they send the chick over there, fresh out of med. school. She'd only been at Quantico for 2 years. Fucked up her whole career by sending her over to him to be his baby-sitter." Scully walked up behind the man who had been telling the story, and politely tapped him on the back as a few of the other men coughed to signal it to him. "Excuse, I'm a forensic pathologist, with a medical degree, meaning I'm a doctor. I also have an undergraduate degree in physics. I gave up baby-sitting years ago." The man was obviously embarrassed, and slipped away, as if he were afraid of Scully. A victorious smile spread over her face. "Scully?" "Coming," she said walking back over to Mulder as the room resumed its business, "Got caught up back there, sorry." "No big deal, I could hear it across the room, it gets quiet pretty quick in here when they break out the Spooky stories." "I had to stick up for myself, I was not assigned to the X-Files to baby-sit you." "I still think you're spying on me." Scully's jaw dropped, "Come on, you know I trust you, you pull a lot more than your weight around here. You are irreplaceable." "Yeah, until they make doctors in size 30 DD, 5'11", blonde, blue eyed, *then* I'm replaceable." "Well..." * * * They walked into the office of their new ASAC, David Sarden. "If it isn't Spooky Mulder.' "Sarden," "And the lovely Agent Dana Scully." "Agent Scully, thank you." "Whatever, so Mulder, back at the bottom?" "You know I could be where you are now, with or without the chapped lips, is it fun kissing all that ass?" "Depends on what your definition of fun is. I've had to kiss a few female asses,if you know what I mean." Scully looked away in disgust, Mulder just shook his head and laughed. "I'll bet your mother is proud." "So, you're here because you screwed up, not surprising. They shut you down again, how were your little green men, last time you checked?" "Grey." Mulder's head snapped to look at Scully, and a sly grin spread across her lips. "Excuse me?" Sarden asked. Scully started talking, turning back towards Sarden in he process, "You said green, the most commonly sighted Reticulan, has a grey skin tone." "I thought you were a scientist, he has you believing his crackpot ideas too?" "Yes, well, ever since my brain was merged with that of an extra terrestrial, while agent Mulder and I were abducted and our organs were harvested for experimental alien research, I have believed." Sarden looked at the two of them in disbelief. "Let's go Mulder." They turned and left his office. Scully shut the door and stopped as Mulder kept walking. "Mulder?" "What Scully, I did make a few friends. One actually, and if I did my research right, Ruth should still be...right there." He led Scully over to a desk with a little old woman standing behind it. "Fox? Is that you? Why I do believe it is!" "Yeah Ruth, its me." Scully stood behind him and watched. When the she stood up, Ruth came to about his waist, only a little lower than were Scully topped off. "Fox, I do think you've gotten handsomer since the last time I saw you." "Aw Ruth, you're making me blush." Scully couldn't help but smile as Mulder hugged the elderly lady. He was so sweet with her. "Did David give you a hard time? That boy, he's so ornery! I don't like him, not one bit! You know where he's sticking you? All the way down in the basement, that's where! You'll have your own floor. Mulder turned and looked towards Scully, he was getting information out of her. "Just between us Fox, things haven't been going too well since Reggie died. David's not very bright. But you were up for that job-what are you doing back here?" "I messed up, pretty bad." "Oh I'm sorry, did they close down your X-Files again?" "Again?" "Oh, I've been keepin tabs on you Fox, you know you've always been my favorite." "Thanks Ruth, but yeah, they closed us down again." "Us? Oh! Oh! This must be your lady partner, Miss Scully!" Scully stepped forward to greet Ruth, "Yes, Dana Scully, nice to meet you Ruth." "He's handsome isn't he? I've always liked Fox, I never joined in on that whole spooky thing." "Yes, Fox is very handsome," Scully replied, grinning at Mulder. "Fox, have you remarried yet?" Scully's jaw dropped, "Uh no, I'll, uh, catch you later Ruth." "Bye, bye!" Mulder waved, and walked towards the stairwell. "Mulder what was she talking about, remarried?" "Nothing," he tried to walk down the stairs, but Scully grabbed his wrist and laughed his name, "Mulder, why didn't you tell me you had been married?" "It never came up Scully." "And you didn't want to tell me?" "Sure, but how might you fit that into daily conversation? Scully, after we bring him in, why don't we hop on a flight home, oh and by the way, I was married, and my wife left me. How have you been today?" "I don't know. I guess it was just weird to find out that you'd already been married." "I'm sorry-" "No, don't apologize, so, whats with Ruth?" "Well, my first year on the job, I had an awful case. She came down to give me my mail, and found me rocking in the corner, crying. She got me out, so to speak, of the guy's head, and she's been like my Grandma ever since, cookies and everything. She yells, at me, and I love her to pieces." "I think its cute. She's adorable, and you're so nice to her. You aren't even that nice to me." "Cute?" "You know you're just a big sweetheart, Fox." "Don't even start with me." "Don't worry, I won't call you Fox anymore." "Thank you, Dana." "See," she said, stopping on the stairs, "It doesn't bother me if you call me Dana, you just don't. You are the one who set the rule." Mulder stopped, and turned around. He was a step below her, just one, so they were face to face, she sucked in her breath, "Do you want me to call you Dana?" he asked her in a low voice. "I've never really thought about it, we've always just been Mulder and Scully." "So..." "So..?" "So what do I call you?" "Scully," she said, a little hesistantly. "Okay," they continued down the stairs and to the very bottom floor. "Geez, we're even farther down than before." "I told you." "Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully M.D., I got my name on the door Mulder!" "Feel special?" "Shut up Mulder, you've always had your name on the door," she opened the door and walked in, "Look, my own desk and my own nameplate." "You are way too excited Scully." "*You* never got me a desk!" "Well, now I guess we *can* play battleship." "Sure, fine, whatever." Mulder walked into the office behind her. He was pretty sure that this was his old offioce, but he wasn't sure, they all pretty much looked the same. He pulled aside a file cabinet and it was there, the hole he had punched in a wall. "My God Mulder, who did that?" He waited a moment before he said anything, "I did." She threw him a quizzical glance. "This was my old office." "What happened?" "I don't want to talk about it." Just his luck, the phone rang, he could tell she was ready to pound him with questions, so he put it on speaker phone. "The joint offices of Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dr. Dana Katherine Scully, how may I help you?" Mulder chimed. "Get your ass back up here Mulder, and bring her with you." "Excuse me?" "Scully." "Her name and position are Special Agent Dr. Dana Katherine Scully, you and everyone else will address her properly at all times." "Whatever." Mulder hung up the phone, and turned to Scully, "I'm sorry." "For what?" "They aren't going to treat you very nicely here. They all hate me, and they are afraid of a woman who can do her job, especially if she does it better than them." "Mulder, I can hold my own." "Besides, if I hadn't screwed up so badly on the Roche case, we wouldn't be here. Hell, go all the way back, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't be on the X-Files." "Dammit Mulder, you give yourself way too much credit. You need to accept the fact that I came back. After my abduction, I had a choice, I picked you, and the X-Files. So get over it, I want to be here, with you, on the X-Files or elsewhere." "I'm sorry Scully. I-" "Would you shut up and quit apologizing?" "Thank you." "You talk like my whole career has been a big favor to you." "What am I supposed to think?" "I am here, I will stay here, because I like the excitement of the work we do. I like my job." He opened his mouth to say something, but said nothing. She smiled at him. "Come on Spooky." He picked himself up, and they made their way back up to Sarden's office. * * * "Mulder, I know that you aren't too excited about profiling again, but if I have to be honest, you are good. I'd be stupid not to take advantage of the fact that you are back here. I'm putting you on a hot case." Mulder sighed, Scully took his hand in her own. She had seen him profile, and she knew what it did to him. "Hey, I'm not gonna let you go to waste." "I'm sorry, I understand, so where are we going?" "You're going to Banton, Mississippi." "Do you have our tickets?" "Yeah, I have it." "It?" "She's not-" "Yes, Agent Scully is going." "Why?" "Do you honestly care?" "Well, I was told that you two were, uh, together, and you don't need a distraction Mulder." Scuuly had to say something, "Excuse me sir, but the last time I checked, rumors weren't a valid form of information." "So you two aren't..." "No, we aren't, and I resent your assumption." Scully stated. "Sorry Agent Scully." "You know Sarden, I hope Reggie is too busy up there to be paying attention to what you are doing because he'd be rolling in his grave." Mulder grabbed the file and followed Scully out of the office. * * * SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1998 They arrived at the Banton PD at 10 am the next morning. The police cheif, Daniels, greeted them. "Hi y'all." "Good Morning, Agents Mulder and Scully, FBI." "I sure am glad y'all got down here so quick. This is a real scary 'un for us. We've had murders before, but nothing like this kiddie killer." "Kiddie Killer?" "That's what them tv people is callin' 'im." "I want media out of this, until I say otherwise." "Allright." The portly man walked away and gathered his officers. Mulder turned and walked towards the room that he had had prepared. He was about to close the door, but Scully was right in the way. "What are doing?" he asked. "I was just going to sit down and read a file while you worked." "No offense Scully, but I don't want you in here." "Mulder?" "Scully, when I get in there, I am a different person, I say things I don't mean, I get violent, that hole in the wall..." "Then you need someone in there with you Mulder." "No I don't. I need to get there, and stay there. There is not a nice place, I don't want you there. You remember last time, I don't want to do anything, that I," "I suppose I understand, but I'm gonna be right outside the door. If I hear something that I don't like, I'm coming in-for your safety, and both of our peace of mind." He pulled her into his arms, and just held her there, They moved apart, and Mulder silently proceeded into the conference room. * * * Scully had already read her copy of the file four times over, drank four cups of coffee, and had resorted to going to the local bookstore to get something to read. She was 3/4 of the way through her book when she heard a THUMP...THUMP...THUMP...Coming from the room where Mulder was. She definitely did not like the way that it sounded. She opened the door, and shut it behind her. Papers were scattered about the room, and Mulder's coffee mug had been smashed against the wall. "Get out." She froze. He'd spoken with the most awful tone in his voice. The thumping continued, so she walked closer. "Get the fuck out!" She sucked her breath in, she understood what he had meant before. She knew that he didn't mean what he was saying, but she still heard him say the words, to her. The still hurt her, and truth be told, she was scared. "Mulder," she continued towards him. Scully cautiously knelt beside him and touched his back. His head snapped to see her, he had been banging it on the wall. "Are you all right?" "5 little boys Scully, and those are just the ones we've found. He takes them because of what his father did to him. He takes them away from their perfect lives, and nice fathers, and brings them to his house. He still lives with his parents, when his parents are out, he takes the boys to the basement. The same basement where his dad took him, and he hits them, and kicks them. He whips them with his belt. 2 days he hurts them, then he strangles them with his belt and slams their heads against the cement walls. Cracks their skulls." Scully cringed as he detailed what happened to the little boys, "We won't be able to find any forensic evidence, he does it all on a tarp, because he's afraid. He's scared cuz he got hurt when he did something wrong, his daddy would hit him. He buries the belts far away, he can't get caught...can't...can't get caught..." She realized at that moment, that his father had hit him. Maybe it had all started after, "Mulder, when did your dad start hitting you? Was it after Sam was taken?" He nodded, "He told me that it was my fault, and I believed him. It didn't help that he was always drunk, he knew that I had tried to get his gun, and that I hadn't stopped whatever took Sam. He said that if it weren't for me, Sam would still be here. He said that he wished they had taken me instead. I was so happy when they were divorced, Mom never knew...and... I..." "Sssshhhh." She stood up and held out her hand to him. "I've never told anyone before you Scully," he said, standing up, and taking her hand. "I'm glad you did." She led him out of the conference room to where she had stationed herself. "I bought you some cookies." He smiled slightly at her, "Thanks Scully, I'm, uh...sorry for anything I, said-" "Mulder, I was expecting harsh words, but I guess I wasn't really ready for what might have happened, but I hope, I know you didn't mean it." "What did I...?" "I'd rather not repeat it." Right then, Cheif Daniels approached them. "So, Mr.Mulder, did you get, a, er, a profile on 'im?" "Caucasian male, average average wieght, probably average weight. He'll wear very neat clothing, pressed, starched, very proper, bowtie and everything. Aged 30-45 still living with his parents. He had an abusive father, physically abusive. He's a blue collar worker, something very easy; with little or no chance for him to make a mistake. He had no college education, but is of above average intelligence. He has very low self-esteem, and is extremely cautious about everything. He drives a very small car, two doors, probably a volkswagon. The bodies that we have found have all been brown haired, brown eyed, boys. I have a feeling that he has brown hair and brown eyes. He's killing them because they have perfect lives, nice fathers, who don't hit them, he watched them. He wants the boys to go through what he went through because its not fair that they have "nice daddies". When, not if, when we find him, he won't want to confess, so I suggest we tell him that he won't be in as much trouble if he tells all the truth. He won't want to be punished. He's afraid he'll get in trouble, which goes back to the father. Unless we catch him with something, there will be no crime scene evidence, he doesn't want to make a mess, he gets in trouble for a mess, his dad didn't like messes. I know this all sounds like new-age psychology cap, but a lot of this new-age psychology crap actually works." Scully looked over at Mulder, amazed at what he'd been able to do. "Well, sir, you've gone and told me 'bout everything except how he likes his grits." "Plain, to make sure that there isn't too much butter, or too much salt, if he likes them at all. Grits are pretty messy." he smiled, Scully grinned, and crossed her arms. "Well, I'll be," the cheif had never worked with a profiler before, "But what about them news people?" "I think he'll get scared if we put him all over the news. We won't need to set a publicity trap, because he won't turn himself in. If he gets scared, he'll get nervous, and he'll only neater. Hold off the media, he'll think he's getting away with it and he might get messy." "Good thinkin' Mr.Mulder, I'll keep everyone informed about the media blackout. I'll have Morgan start chekin' our suspect lists for people who fit the description you gave us, did you write something up?" "No, but I can have that within 15 minutes." Daniels nodded to him, Mulder fell into a chair by a computer and took a deep breath before opening a word document. Scully watched him, he looked so tired. "Do you want a cookie?" "Sure," She grabbed the cookies, and offered it to him, he took one and turned back to his screen. "How you doing?" "Fine I guess." "You want to dictate, I'll type for you." "Thank you." They switched places and he dictated his profile to her, they had it quickly typed up, and Scully delivered it to Dectective Morgan, who thanked her, and began working. Scully went back to where she had left Mulder. He had fallen asleep. She didn't want to wake him, because she knew his sleep would be fleeting in the next few days, she couldn't let him sleep in the police department, She brushed the hair from his forehead, and quietly said his name. He wouldn't wake up, so she tapped him on the shoulder. He blinked and looked up at her. They collected their belongings and got ready to leave, "Mulder?" "Hmmm?" "Do you go through this on every profile?" "No, just with the children, I had a bad childhood." "So I won't have to see you like this everytime?" "What do you mean?" "Its hard to see you like this, I don't enjoy seeing you hurt like this." "If you don't want to stay at ISU, I'd understand Scully." "Why do you keep trying to get rid of me? I'm not going anywhere. I need to stay, you need someone with you." "Why Scully? You have a career, and staying here with me is a waste. What are you supposed to be? My lackey? You are losing the best years of your life." "I am not your lackey Mulder." "Scully-" "Mulder I can do autopsies, I've been learning new things with you. I've never been in this type of situation, its intresting." "I'm sorry." "Would you stop apologizing? If I counted-" "Okay, I get it Scully." They arrived at the car and put their things in the trunk, "Shit, I'm so tired." "You were in there for six hours." "I want to take a nap." "Okay-" "Then we're going to dinner." "Mulder-" "Go buy something...summery, or whatever. Put it on your bureau card, you needed it to go undercover you know." "Mulder-" "If you're worried about what I'm gonna wear, don't, I always bring a set of casual clothes, always up for a party." "A party?" "Whatever, I'm serious, I'd like to go out tonight, just talk, and I'd like to go out with you, or I could go get drunk, your choice." "What?" He just looked at her, "Uh, okay." "Great, drop me off at the hotel, and go shopping unless you want to wear your hot, black, long sleeved pants suit-" "Fine, I get it, we're in Mississippi, its hot, and you want to go out." * * * Scully had found the local mall, and had already been in almost every store. She wasn't finding anything. Though she didn't know exactly what she was loking for either. Then she found it, simple white dress, She bought the dress and a few other things she thought she'd need, and went back to the hotel. Subject: REPOST: "Piece of Mine 1"2/2 * * He had tried to sleep, but it hadn't been working well, the nightmares were back again. Not a surprise. His father with that awful look on his face, the angry look. All of the sudden, he let out a horrible shriek, it was more of a cry. Scully had just gotten back and went through his unlocked door. "Mulder? Are you alright?" She sat on the bed next to him. He took a little while to calm down, but responded. "I'm fine, it happens. I'm gonna shower, get ready, then we'll go." "Are you sure?" "Really Scully, I'm fine." He got up and left her sitting there, then he turned around, "Planning on joining me?" She stood up, "No thanks," she said walking away. * * * He knocked on her door at 7 o'clock. "Scully, ready to go?" "Just a minute, but you can come in, the doors open." "You're decent?" "Yep." "Damn." She smirked at him while she buckled her sandal. She looked him over, he was wearing khakis and a ribbed white v-neck. He watched her finish with her sandals, and collect her small purse. He hadn't really thought about her like that *all* that often. He thought about her as his friend, as his partner, and as someone who should resent him, for what had happened to her because of him. Sometimes he thought that maybe, just maybe, there was something more than just frienship. But he knew that if he screwed it up, which he probably would, he would lose her. He couldn't lose her, he needed her. He wouldn't have made it through the past 5 years without her. He knew the sex could in no way be worth not having her there all of the time. But every now and then, (including right now) he thought he wanted her more than anything. He had just asked her to go out with him, and she said yes. Why? Because he had a bad day, and she was being supportive. On top of all that, she looked like a goddess. "Ready pretty lady?" "Mmm Hmm." They walked out the door and into the heavy air. Scully had left her hair down, and wet; with a little gel. Her hair was naturally wavy, and she knew straightening it would be pointless-it had already been frizzy all day long. She glanced over at Mulder, he didn't look much different than usual except for the fact that he was wearing sandals. He was wearing one of those shirts he had, that just hugged every muscle he had. She smiled. "Shit, its hot in here!" Mulder complained turning on the air conditioner. "So where are we going Mulder?" "Daniels recommended Claude's BBQ, you like BBQ, right?" "Oh yeah, we went before, on the case where we found Deep Throat's killer." "Oh yeah, well let's not go then." "We can-" "No, lets just find someplace else. Someplace for seafood." "Okay, let me pick." "Tell me when you see it." "Inside or out?" "Out." Mulder drove down the main street of the town that they were in. Scully saw the bookstore she had been in earlier. "Stop." "I know we aren't eating at a bookstore, so I won't say anything." "I came here today, and I talked with Karen for a while, I'll see if she knows somewhere to go." "Scully! You made a friend?" "She's the owner of the bookstore." "Whatever." "Just wait," she said, getting out of the car. "Yes'm." She rolled her eyes and went inside, "Karen?" "Dana?" You back again?" The ethnically dressed African American woman emerged from a large row of books. "Yeah, my partner and I were going for dinner, I was just wondering if you knew any good places for seafood, where you can eat outside." "Something romantic...." "No, nothing like that; we're just friends." "Dressed like that?" "Dressed like what?" "Well girl ,the way you talked about him this morning, mmmmmm!" "Scully blushed, "Karen, honestly, we're just good friends." "Alright," she said with disbelieving undertones, "Here's where you should go..." Karen pulled out a map and pointed out the way. She gave Scully the map and sent her on her way. Karen laughed and shook her head as Scully walked away-she had sent her to the most romantic restaurant in town. * * * "Oh my God." "What?" Mulder asked. "I can't believe she sent us here." They took in the restaurant. It was on the river, and lit by strings of paper lanterns. Their table was metal with a white table cloth, and a small candle. There was a wooden dance floor playing jazz on a small stage. "Its nice Scully, quite pretty actually, with the moon. Its beautiful when it shines down on the water, don't you think?" Scully laughed a little bit. "What?" "Its...You! I've never seen you just stop and enjoy what's around you for what it is, and not what it secretly might be." "Its easy to admire the things around you when they're beautiful." "Mulder?" "Uh, sorry, carried away in the moment." Their waitress came at the perfect time. "Hi y'all! My name is Tanya, and I'll be your waitress this evenin'. I hope y'all's dinner down here at Riverside will be enjoyable. Can I get you something to drink, maybe an appetizer?" "How 'bout a few beers," he loked at Scully, "Bud light?" She nodded at him, "And we'll have gator kabobs for starters." Their petite waitress hip-hopped away with their order. "Gator kabobs?" Scully asked with the best eye-brow raise she could muster up. "Why not?" "Because gator kabobs are made of alligator..." "It'll be something new and intresting." "Whatever." Tanya was already back with their beers. "So what did you want to talk about Mulder?" "Nothing particular, just wanted to sit back and relax with good company." "Okay..." "I mean, you know me pretty well, because I am self-centered and everything is about me, but I cannot claim to know the name of your first pet, or who you went to prom with-" "I told you about prom, that-" she looked at her hands, and back up, realizing *who* she had told about her prom. "Mulder, I'm sorry, I-" "Calm down, you're too tense. Don't try so hard." "Okay," she said, lying. "Scully?" he asked, she had floated off somewhere else, "I think you just got too relaxed." "Oh, yeah," she said sitting upright. "Hey!" Tanya cried cheerily. Scully let out a sigh of relief, "Here's your gator kabobs, and I'll keep those beers coming! What can I get y'all for dinner?" She turned to look at Scully, "I'll have a shrimp cocktail, and a salad." "What kind of dressin'? We've got ranch, french, eye-talian, bleu cheese, and garlic-" "Do have anything fat-free?" "Nope, sorry." "I'll have italian then," Scully smiled. Tanya then turned her attentions to Mulder. "What about you sir?" "Catfish please," "Cole slaw, or baked beans?" "Cole slaw," "Fries, or baked?" "Fries." "Alrighty, I'll put that order in," she said, walking away. "How do you eat so little Scully?" "Unlike you, I gain weight when I eat." "Why would that be bad?" "Mulder," she paused and looked at him, "I'm not even gonna try." * * * Their food had arrived quickly, and they got started. Mulder had been rambling, on and on, she didn't quite know how to respond. He had been pouring out his soul to her, but she wasn't sure she could talk to him. She didn't really understand why he felt so easy about opening up, it wasn't something they did that often. "Scully?" She had drifted off, thinking about him, and what he had been doing. "Uh...sorry." "What about you?" "What?" "I was talking about Phoebe." "Phoebe, you were talking about everything." "That can be a good thing. But what about you?" "What about me?" "Anyone who taught you something important, well, kind of, I-" "I think I get what you mean." "Ed Jerse." She replied flatly. "Why?" "I needed to do it, you know? The tatoo. I think I needed it." "I don't get why you needed it..." "Well, I had been with you for a little over 4 years. We had just finished the Betts case. I never told you this, but Betts said something to me that really shook me up. He said that I had something he needed. It was like a smack in the face, but I didn't know what for. I was confused, and then you went to Graceland, and sent me off on that case. I let go, it was like my Dad went out of town. You weren't there, and I was gonna do whatever I wanted. I met Ed, on the case in a tattoo parlor. He was kind of cute. Then I went out with him later. I wanted to do something to shock-" she looked into his eyes for a moment "I wanted to show off for you, and show you that I wasn't always dependable, predictable Agent Scully." "I'm sorry Scully, I-" "Please don't apologize Mulder." * * * "Do you find me attractive?" "Mulder! Where did that come from?" "I don't know, I was just wondering." "Just wondering?" she raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I was just wondering." "Yeah, I do." "Really?" "Why does that surprise you?" "I don't know, I mean I think you're beautiful, but-" "You do?" "Of course I do." "We are two attractive adults, its just natural." "If we didn't work together-" he started. "Uhm, who would you want as a partner?" Mulder finished. "Tom Colton," she smiled, "What about you?" "Angela White." "Seriously-" "No one." There was a short silence, "Really Mulder, if you didn't have a partner, you'd be dead by now, all the trouble you get yourself into." "If I didn't have you, I'd be dead," There was another pause, "Hi!" Tanya was back again with more beers, "Here are a few more beers! How y'all doin'?" "Great thanks," Scully answered. "Did you ever think about settling down, you know a family, we aren't getting any younger." "We?" he asked with a smirk. "Shut up." * * * "One question Scully-" "Sure, what?" "Dance with me?" She threw him a tiny grin, "I thought you'd never ask." He stood up, held out his hand and led her to the dance floor. They slowly began to move to the music. Scully closed her eyes and rested her head on Mulder's shoulder. At first she tried to keep her body from touching his, but it was pointless. She slowly fell against him and felt him against her. His hand rested on her hip. She remembered what was there. The tatoo. "I didn't sleep with him." "I know." "How do you know?" "I know you didn't sleep with him, you aren't stupid Scully, no matter what you might have been feeling. You may be a tiny, red-headed, kick boxing rebel- but you wouldn't sleep with a stranger. I like to think that I knew, but its wonderful to hear you say it." "Why?" "I like to think you're saving yourself for me." "Sorry Mulder." "Its okay, I've moved on." * * * They finished their dinner and left Tanya a nice tip. They didn't want to go to the hotel yet, so they took a walk. Neither said a word, a lot had passed at dinner. Mulder was mostly looking at Scully. He watched the moonlight in her hair, and the way the stars sparkled in her eyes. Her hair was different tonight, softer, it was in waves, and her face. She hardly had any make-up on. Just her. Then he spoke up out of no where again. "You know what I like about you?" "Excuse me?" "Do you know what I like the best about you?" "No, I guess I don't..." "You, you were supposed to be debunking everything I did. You had the perfect opportunity to be so close minded, but you weren't, you had a lot more guts than other people would have had. You listened to me, and treated me like a person, not a freak. You took me seriously. You didn't judge me. People like you are hard to find." "How do I respond to that?" "You don't need to." * * * EARLY SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 1998 Ring. Ring. Ring. Mulder finally picked up the phone, hoping that it would just disappear. "Mulder." "Uh, Mr. Mulder, this is Cheif Daniels. We got something, somebody heard cryin' and they saw a light in the basement, and they said they also saw something blue, like a tarp, through the window." "Did you check the house?" "Well, it belongs to an elderly couple, their 39 year old son lives with them." "Sounds promising." "Really?" "Yeah, Scully and I can be down there in about 30 minutes." "Alright." Mulder hung up the phone and went to knock on Scully's door. * * * Cheif Daniels awaited the agents with 2 cups of coffee. It was 3 a.m. and they had only had a few hours of sleep. They looked presentable, but they were tired. "Mulder, Scully, thanks for coming down." "No, that's our job." Scully replied. "Nevertheless, we want to get y'all over to the Perkins's place." "Do we have a file on the young Mr. Perkins?" "Yes, Thomas Perkins Jr., aged 39, high school degree, an IQ of 147. He moves boxes at the Wal-Mart. Not married. He has been seeing a psychiatrist on and off for some 6 years now." "I want to talk to that shrink." "Allright something else I thought you'd be interested that we found a yellah' VW bug parked in the driveway." Mulder smiled. Scully went to pick up a few files she had left earlier. A woman approached her. "Miss, I don't want to intrude, but we have a bet goin on, we, us girls was all wonderin' whether you and your partner was together-you know what I mean?" Scully looked a the woman with disgust, "Excuse me," she said smugly, hoping to get her point across. The woman put her hands on her hips, and watched Scully walk away, then she looked back at her colleagues and raised an eyebrow, "Mmmm hmmm," they said in unison. * * * In the car on the way to the suspect's house they hadn't said much, they were both very happy upon reaching their destination. The got out of the car, and slammed the doors behind them. Scully couldn't put her finger on what was bothering her, but she had a funny little itch that got worse every time that Mulder came near her. They were quickly inside and Mulder made sure that he was the first person to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins. "Mr. and Mrs. Perkins? We have reason to believe that your son is performing illegal activities in your basement, and with your permission, we'd like to investigate." They agreed, and both Mulder and Scully sat down at the kitchen table to talk to him. Detective Georgetti escorted Mrs. Perkins to her bedroom, and then sat down in front of the television with her. Mulder sent Daniels to check the doors, especially to the door to the basement. "Sir, I'll need you to be completely honest with me, the lives of many young boys here in Banton depend on this." "Allright, what do you want to know?" Scully had a feeling that Mulder wasn't going to make any small talk. "Mr. Perkins, did you ever physically abuse your son?" "My word! I never-" "Sir-' "Don't sir me young man! You must not have no family-" "You're right, all of my family is dead or dying, but that is beside the point, did you beat your son, sir?" "I'll not take this-" Mulder was getting impatient with the old man, he didn't have time to mess around. "Answer the damn question!" "Now you're cursin'? Not in my home you ain't" Scully touched his hand to get his attention, but he pushed her away. So she got up to talk to the mother. "Mam, this may seem like an inappropriate question, but it does have a great deal of revelence to our investigation of the tortures and murders of 5 young boys in the Banton area." "What did you want know?" Scully was pleasantly surprised with her cooperation, "Like I said, I am sorry about asking this, but did your husband ever physically abuse your son?" The woman's mouth opened, and her lip began o tremble. As tears began to flow, she fell into Scully's arms. Scully tried her best to comfort the shaken woman. After a while, she returned to Mulder, who was still questioning a very riled up Mr. Perkins. "Mulder-" He ignored her. "Mulder-" she said, getting a bit louder. He still ignored her. "Mulder-" she said with a little more force. "What the hell Scully!" "We need to talk." Mulder huffed and got himself up from his chair, "What?" "He did." She said crossing her arms over her chest. "He did what?" being oblivious to what she had discovered. "Mrs. Perkins says that she knows for a fact that he hit Tom Jr." "Well why didn't you tell-" He could tell she was ready to smack him, "Sorry Scully..." "Yeah, I know, aren't you always? Fuck you Mulder." He ran a hand through his hair, he knew he'd screwed up again. But he had to finish this, he walked back to Mr. Perkins. "Nevermind," he said towards the old man, "Why don't you just go back and wait this out with your wife." He muttered something, but did as he was told. Daniels had tried the basement door, but it was locked. Mulder went to the door and sat down against the wall next to it. "Tom?" he could only hope he would get a response, "Tom? Tom, could you come out, I'd like to talk, my name is Fox." "You'd like to talk my ass!" suddenly the man's voice filled with fear. "Please, don't tell Dad I cursed, he'll get mad, cursin' is bad. Please, don't tell..." * * * Scully had been pacing in front of the door to the parents bedroom. She had been glad that Mulder hadn't told Mr. Perkins that his wife had spilled. She walked towards the basement to make peace, and saw him already engorged in a conversation with the suspect. * * * "Why shouldn't I tell dad you cursed Tom?" "Cursin' is bad, Dad might get angry." "Does dad do something when he gets mad?" "I'm not supposed to say." The suspect sounded like a little boy, Scully was so interested in the subject, she hardly noticed the pained look on Mulder's face. "Why not Tom?" "Dad'll get mad." Mulder leaned his head back and closed his eyes, "Is there someone down there with you Tom?" "NO!" Tom yelled, but Mulder heard soft tears, "Yesyesyesyesyes...Sammy's down here. Don't tell Dad I cried, I'm not a sissy boy...don't tell him..." "I won't tell dad anything." Scully stood around the corner, not letting Mulder see her, but being able to look at him. "Who is Sammy, Tom?" "Sammy has nice brown hair, and brown eyes," Mulder looked towards Daniels, who had the file open, the cheif nodded, Tom Perkins Jr. Had both brown hair and eyes. "Sammy has a nice dad." "What about you Tom?" "About me?" "What about you?" "I had brown hair, and brown eyes, but a mean dad." "Why do you have Sammy." "Why do I have Sammy...whywhywhywhywhy..." he repeated endlessly. "So Sammy can see?" Scully's ears perked up, "I don't know what-" "Cut the shit Tom, you want them to have a mean dad. Our dad. Its not fair, why do they get nice dads? So you hit them, with your belt, like dad hit you. Like dad hit me. You have Sammy so he can see." "They need bad dads." "No." "No?" "They don't need a mean dad, its not their fault they got nice dads, they got lucky. Don't hurt Sammy. It made you feel bad, remember? You didn't like it. It made us cry. Don't hurt Sammy, its not his fault." The door slowly began to creak open. "You wanna come here and talk Fox?" "Yeah, that would be good." Tom let Mulder in and he immediately ran to Sammy. The little boy hadn't been hurt too badly. Other agents rushed in to grab Tom, Mulder turned the crying boy over to another agent, and they began to find out who he was. Mulder his himself in a corner as he listened to everything happening, trying to block up all of the memories that he had churned up. He pulled his knees up close to his chest. He began to cry silently, trying to surpass the tears, but it wasn't working well. Once the area had cleared out Scully slowly walked down the stairs. She found Mulder hidden in the shadows. She could hear his muffled sobs. "Mulder?" she thought to herself as she bent down to his level. "Are you alright?" "Why Scully?" "Why what?" "Why are some dads so mean to their boys? It makes people bad, they turn mean, and do...do...this. I hate it..it makes me so mad..." Her heart was breaking for him, she had no idea how to comfort him. She felt helpless. She moved her hand to brush his hair off of his face. She wiped the tears from his face. He pulled himself close to her, and buried his face in the folds of her trench coat. Her arms still; hung at her sides, she awkwardly put them around his back. She smoothed his hair. she thought, smoothing his hair, "Sssshhh, you're gonna be alright Mulder. You're safe, and so are all of the other boys, you saved them Mulder." He turned his face up to smile at her, "I will be okay, you're here." He looked directly into her eyes before lowering his head again. She had no idea how to react to what he was saying. * * * After 10 minutes they were still in the corner, and then Cheif Daniels started down the stairs. He saw them in their "embrace", and felt awkward. "Uh, excuse me, I'll leave you two alone." "Why?" Scully asked innocently. "Well, because you were together like that I guessed," he hesitated. "Then don't guess." "Sorry miss, they just want you to come down and make a formal statement.." "We'll be at the station in an hour." "Okay." Scully turned back to Mulder, but the Chief still stared at how she fussed over him, "Anything else?" Scully said, interrupting his thoughts. "Uh, no, sorry, I'll be goin'" "Thank you," She turned back to Mulder again, "Mulder," she sat down beside, him as he sat up a bit. "I can see why you are so good at this, seeing as you solved this case in one day. But I can't say that I approve of your career choice. How can you stand to put yourself through this on every case?" "Not every case." "We've been over that, but any case has got to be hard on you. You do everything to the extreme, that is just the way you are. Obviously, your profiles are no different." "I guess." "Sure you guess Mulder, I honestly think you'd be a lot better off mentally, if you were somewhere else." "I couldn't agree with you more Scully, but they aren't gonna just put me someplace else, I have the skills and the experience to do this. I am very successful with it. We aren't moving Scully, welcome to the nightmare." "Being a little dramatic?" "I suppose so." * * * After they had made their formal statement they both went back to their hotel rooms to pack. Scully had decided to change into something a little more comfortable for the plane ride home, seeing as it was a Sunday, and they wouldn't be reporting in anyhow. She had just finished and flopped down on the bed in her soft v-neck button down sweater, and old jeans. She heard a knock on the door, and then Mulder announced himself. "Its open Mulder." He had put on casual clothes as well, another one of those shirts that showed off everything. Scully slowly began to sit up, but he pushed her back down and leaned over her. "Mulder, what the hell are you doing?" He began to plant small kisses all over her neck, "Mulder!" He grabbed her chin. She could feel his breath on her mouth, short, quick, she could feel his heart beating, and she knew he could feel hers as well. He looked straight into her eyes. She tried to look away, but he caught them again, "Don't even try to tell me you don't want this Scully, after 4 years you'd be lying." She closed her eyes... * * * Scully looked at the clock, they had missed their plane. She tried to remember why she was in bed with no clothes on, but she was reminded by a warm hand wrapped around her waist. "Oh God," she whispered. Scully jumped out of bed, collected her clothes and walked into the bathroom. She got in the shower, and as soon as the water was loud enough to drown her out, she began to cry; letting the steaming hot water run over her. By the time she had gotten out, Mulder had collected his things, and was back in his own room. After she had situated herself, and amassed her bags, she changed back into a suit. She went outside and shut the door. Mulder was leaning on the hood of the car with the trunk open. He started to walk towards her, but she sped up and passed him before he could get close. She packed her things in the trunk and slammed it shut as Mulder looked on, still and silent. She moved to her door, got in, and buckled her seat belt. Mulder, a little confused, went around the car and sat down in the driver's seat. "Mulder, I don't care what you think that was, it was a favor. I don't want it mentioned and it will never happen again. That is the end of it, I am hoping that this won't interfere with anything. I don't want to be transferred, but I will if I have to be." He clenched his teeth and spat out the only thing that he could think of to say, "Fine." He started the car, and they drove in complete hush all of the way to the airport. When they arrived, they told the airline that they had been delayed by some official FBI business, and they easily got their flight changed. They flew next to each other in wordless contemplation. * * * MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1998 On Monday, Mulder and Scully went directly to Sarden's office. "Agents," "Sir," "Sir." "Congratulations on a job well done." Mulder and Scully said nothing. "Yeah, well, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I am not going to be able to give you any time off. Your next case is in Nebraska, you leave today at 5." "Nebraska?" "Yes, Nebraska, but I wanted to ask you something. Now I know that you two claim that you aren't involved, but I have had some interesting reports from the local law enforcement you were working with. The scene that I was described sounds like-" "It won't happen again." Scully quickly replied. "Sure, I mean I don't care if you two do that, " "Nothing happened. The case screwed up his head, I played mother, that's all, I'll be a little more discreet this next time." "Whatever Scully, just watch your ass." Scully sighed and left, Mulder was about to follow her out, but Sarden called him back. "Mulder, what went on in Mississippi?" "God, just accept the fact that I'm not fucking her David." "I realize that, but something when on down there. I can already see it in the air between you two." "Yes David, something "went on down there," but there is no way in hell I'm telling you about it." "Mulder, she's here, with you, her career is going down the drain-" "Don't you think I know that? I do care about her David, she is a friend." "Whether you're fucking her, or just plain fucking her over, fix it. I need you, and you need her." "Sure, I'll run down stairs and fix it because its *that* easy." "She doesn't deserve this.' "I know she doesn't deserve this, and I've screwed up before, but never this badly. What happened in Mississippi, has got to be the worst thing I've ever done to her, to anyone. I don't know how I'm going to salvage whatever wreck of a partnership we might have left, but I'm going to try, for Scully- not for you, not for me. For her." "Good luck," Sarden dimly returned. "Screw you." Mulder tried to make his way down to the office, but Ruth caught him before he could get to the stairs. "Fox?" "Ruth, I can't talk now, I have-" "What you're too busy? Don't even have time for Ruth?" "I'm sorry, its just-" "You have women troubles." He looked the old woman in the eyes, "No I'm having Scully troubles." "She's a woman." "But she's Scully, there's a whole lot more than just woman." "That might be what you think. But deep down, she's just like anyone else. She has hopes and dreams, she wants love, she wants a baby, she wants to feel beautiful , and special. Whatever you do, whatever you say, remember she is more than your partner Fox." "How do you do that Ruth?" "Oh, I know you Fox, like a son. A mother can read her own child. Besides, I can see it in her eyes," the old woman revealed, with a tiny smile." "I really messed up this time though." "I know you did, but she'll forgive you, if you do this the right way. Be careful." Mulder wrapped his arms around her, and gave Ruth a hug. "Don't squish me Fox!" "Sorry Ruth, I'll uh, see you later." * * * Scully had escaped down into the basement. She found her way to the bathroom and cried. Their partnership was broken and in pieces, all the way from that Banton motel room, the their basement office. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to lock the door. Mulder heard her sobs and entered. He had a look on his face that she could only describe as that of a boy waiting for his report card. He didn't know if the results were good or bad. "Get out of here Mulder." "Scully, I-" "No, its my turn to get irrational and scream and kick in a room all by myself." "Scully I know you said that you never want to talk about what happened, but I think its unavoidable. If you were another woman, any other woman, I wouldn't ever give a shit. I'm sure that makes me an asshole, but what happened shouldn't have happened, and a I feel like a complete bastard for doing it to you." "You did a whole lot more than just fuck me Mulder. I hope you realize that too." "I do know that, and sorry to bring this up, but it wasn't rape." "I am fully aware that it was consensual sex, but that doesn't mean.........you came in, dressed that way and threw me on the bed. And you said something that I will never forget; don't even try to tell me you don't want this Scully, after 4 years you'd be lying! Dammit Mulder, that's the truth, that is not how I wanted it to happen! It wasn't supposed to be a roll in the hay!" "What are you talking about Scully?" His eye widened, and he was stilled by what she had just said, certainly she didn't mean that she had wanted them- "It was what you said to me combined with everything that had happened that week, with Roche, and Perkins, there have been a whole lot of emotions passing between us. Dinner Saturday night was wonderful," she said, softening a bit, "I could have made love with you then Mulder, but we did the right thing, by going to bed alone." The softness was gone as soon as it had arrived, "Mulder, you just need a woman! A living breathing, fucking, woman! Not me! You would have screwed anyone that day had they shown up at your door, I was just the closest and easiest!" "You had to know that going in Scully! That is what I have been trying to say. That line was unfair, but I can't say that I didn't enjoy it." "Of course you did, but the thing is, that with you and me, emotions are involved." He waited for a moment before he said anything, " Scully, you said before that none of this happened the way you-" "You, us, Mulder." "Us?" "Yes, I wanted there to be an us, eventually, I loved you.' "Past tense I presume?" "Yes, Mulder I don't think that I can just let this go. I'm requesting a transfer-" "God Scully, please don't, I-" He grabbed her hand. "I have got to move on." He placed a soft kiss on her lips, he thought he felt her kiss back, but she walked off as quickly as she could. She could get her things another day. He heard her begin to cry as she made her ascent. "I still love you Scully..." he whispered, to no one. * * * FEED ME BACK iamanalien42@hotmail.com