The Game by Humbuggie based on an idea by Roxcatje san@sv-tales.com Situation : This story takes place right after the events in The X-Files : Fight the Future, but before season 6, with Mulder and Scully reassigned, but still under Skinner's care. In other words : Season 6 has been completely ignored. J Spoilers : All seasons, including the movie. Special references to 'Young at Heart', 'Demons', most of the mythology-episodes, 'Paper Hearts'. Type : Profiling X-File, M/S UST, PG for strong language and disturbing child murder, and a few explicit sexual references without any sexual scenes. Story : Mulder is contacted by his former boss at the VCS to help him in the profiling of a serial killer, that he arrested before. Eight years later, the man guides Mulder through a new series of murders, forcing the agent to deal with unresolved tension, past events, and the deaths of seven girls, dead ringers to his abducted sister. Archive : Go ahead, make my day - Just let me know Disclaimer : Well, in case you failed to notice, Mulder, Scully, Skinner aren't mine. CC's their daddy. The Game Part I : Joanna Washington DC, September 20, 1990 Robert David Pinkett knew the FBI was ganging up on him. He had felt their presence around the naked building at the outskirts of town. The abandoned warehouse seemed the perfect place to kill his last victim, as he needed the quiet of this place to say goodbye to his demons. She was lying at his feet. Sixteen years old she was. Sweet sixteen. And so beautiful. And all his. He sat by her side and watched her awaken the drug-induced sleep. He had injected her with Demerol, a present from his own last hospital visit. During the night, when the guards were down and the nurses uninterested in taking care of their patients, he had snuck into the nurses' station and pinched ten syringes, filled with the good stuff. Even then, while healing his wounds, had he decided he would kill. The dreams came then, to tell him what he should do. To destroy his demons, he had to kill. It was as simple as that. All he had to do, is find the right victims. He thought of his family. At one time in his life, he had loved them. And then his father died, and it was over. She - the woman that had given birth to him - had fucked someone else before her husband was six feet under. Robert had killed her. He didn't mean to at first, but it just happened. Fighting and arguing on top of the stairs. One little push and she was gone. She was still breathing at the bottom of the stairs; her head shattered and smashed against the cold tiles of the hallway. He had taken a pillow from the living room couch and had pushed it over her face. She didn't fight. She couldn't. She was unconscious after all. When the ambulance came, he didn't have trouble faking the tears that flowed over his cheeks. An autopsy was not performed. After all, she had fallen off the stairs. He stood alone at her coffin, only four days after they buried her husband. The house was his now. She was his first victim. He couldn't think of himself as a murderer back then. After all, it was an accident. But the slumber remained. The dreams continued. He saw her as she laid down with his father's friend. He saw her on top of him, kissing him in his father's bed. And then he heard her voice when she told him he needed to get help. There was something wrong with him after all. He found himself looking at her photos. The ones taken by her parents when she was a teenager. He stared at those photos for hours, rummaging through them day after day, night after night. He envisioned her image. Curve by curve, nose, mouth, ears, eyes, hair. She became his demon. And when he was in the hospital, she haunted him day and night, until he couldn't resist anymore. He found his first victim within a day after his release from the hospital. It was as if it was meant to be. He saw her within two blocks from the hospital. She was a dead ringer for his mother. His vision blurred. She wàs his mother. She had come back to haunt him. She was walking in front of him, and he wanted to kill her. To destroy the image she had brought back into his life. After al, he had killed her once. He could easily kill her again. And so he did. He left her body on the beach in full sight. He didn't know why. It just felt good to leave her there. To make sure the rest of the world had seen it. After all, his actions required the necessary attention, didn't they ? He had killed more of them. Could hardly remember who, or how many. He just did. He had three syringes left when he got to this girl in the warehouse. Yes, seven girls he had killed. She would be the last one. His lucky number eight. She slowly awakened, staring at him with terrifying eyes. She was afraid. She tried to scream against the duct tape that covered her mouth. And then he heard the sirens. They came to find him. They were surrounding the warehouse by now. He would have to keep the girl alive for just a little bit longer. She might come in handy. He heard a loud knock on the door. And then a male voice said :'I'm a Federal Agent, Mr. Pinkett. I'm unarmed. I need to speak with you.' Pinkett pulled out his gun, ready to pull the trigger on the girl. A strange sense came over him. What better way to make a mense with his past by having a Fed watching the last execution ? It would be perfect ! 'Open the door slowly, and keep your hands where I can see them,' Pinkett said out loud. 'One wrong move and the girl is dead. You got it ?' 'Yes.' The large door slowly opened and let in daylight. Pinkett saw a tall man, short brown hair, a dark suit, red-and-black tie. A young Fed. Why would they send in a young Fed ? The man's hands were in the air. 'Close the door and get your ass over here.' The man closed the door and slowly approached him. 'You carrying a gun ?' 'No.' 'Open your jacket.' The Fed opened his jacket. 'Let me see your ankles.' The Fed looked surprised and then pulled up his pants so Pinkett could see his ankles. 'Good. You're telling the truth. Are you bugged ?' 'Yes.' 'Another truth.' 'I need to wear this bug so my colleagues won't storm in here when they think things go wrong,' the Fed said. 'Do you want me to get rid of it ?' 'No.' Pinkett smiled. 'If your friends want to listen to the show, they can. Sit down here.' Pinkett pointed towards a chair. 'I need to make sure the girl is alright first,' the Fed said. 'If she's dead, you will go down, Robert. They will be in here before you can pull that trigger on me. But if she's alive, you stand a chance of getting out of here alive.' 'She's right over there.' Pinkett let the Fed walk over to the back of the large room, where he saw a girl lying on her side. Duct tape on her face, feet and hands. 'She's okay,' the Fed said for the people outside. He turned to Pinkett. 'Why don't we talk about this, Robert ? After all, you don't want to do this.' 'What do you know about my needs ?' 'I know a lot about you, Robert. I know about your family. Your mother. You're angry at your mother, aren't you ? You've been killing girls who looked like her. Why, Robert ?' For a moment Pinkett was stunned. Then he said :'You're a profiler, aren't you ? I heard about you guys. You crawl inside the heads of serial killers. Thàt must hurt. Am I a serial killer ?' 'You killed seven teenagers, Robert. I guess that makes you a serial killer.' 'What's your name ?' 'Fox Mulder.' 'Okay, Fox. Sit down on that chair and we'll talk.' 'I prefer Mulder if you don't mind.' 'Whatever. Sit.' The Fed in the nice dark suit sat down. 'Are you going to tie my hands ?' 'Are you going to make a break for the girl ?' 'No. I'm just here to talk.' 'Good, then I won't tie your hands.' 'Thank you.' The profiler relaxed a bit, throwing a glance at the girl. 'She's not going anywhere, agent Mulder. Now, let us talk about me.' 'Do you want to talk about yourself ?' 'You tell me. Are you a psychologist ?' 'I have a degree in psychology, yes.' 'What are you doing at the Bureau then ?' 'I want to prevent teenagers like this girl to be murdered.' 'Do you get off on it ?' 'What ?' 'Do you get off on it ? On saving people ?' 'No. It's my job. I became an agent because I felt I could make a difference.' 'And are you making a difference ?' 'I think so.' 'Who's your Supervisor ?' 'Excuse me ?' 'Your Supervisor, agent Mulder. You must have a Supervisor, don't you ?' 'Yes, I have. His name is Terence Davis.' 'Does he force you to crawl in someone's mind ? How deep must you go to save people's lives ?' 'He doesn't force me to do anything. It's my choice to be a profiler.' 'So you don't see in my head ?' 'I do. I try. But it doesn't always work.' 'Why not ?' 'I don't like what I see in your head, Robert. You need help.' Robert smiled. 'You definitely are a very honest Fed, Mulder. How deep did you go in my head ?' 'Deep enough to know you don't want this. Every time you kill a girl, you think about your mother. Even though her death was ruled accidental, I believe you killed her.' 'Why did I kill her ?' 'Because she was having an affair. You could never prove it, but you had an argument with her, and she tripped and fell down the stairs. It was an accident, wasn't it, Robert ?' He sighed. 'Yeah, I suppose it was.' 'And since then you've been fighting off these demons, but you see her every day. You looked at her pictures when she was a teenager and you knew she would never leave you. So you killed her over and over again until today.' Pinkett sat down on a chair opposite him. 'You're good, Mulder. How did you find me ? How did you know it was me ?' 'The similarity between the girls was too cunning. We went looking for someone whose family members resembled the girls. Someone without a family, someone within the Washington and Baltimore area. And someone who had recently been in hospital. Witnesses reported a black Sedan at the abduction-scenes. We started looking.' 'How did you figure that one out ?' 'You left a mark on the bodies, Robert. The Demerol. You brought them to a high. You can only get Demerol in a hospital. It was a long shot, but it worked.' 'So you've been in my house ?' 'Yes. We found the wall with your mother's picture plastered all over it.' 'How did you profile me ?' The Fed hesitated. 'I'm not sure you want to know.' 'I want to know.' Mulder took a deep breath. 'I figured you were a loner. Someone who drove around for a living, not able to keep a desk job. Someone who needed to be outdoors a lot, afraid to be cooped up in between walls. Someone who didn't have any friends to talk to about his problems. The only way to vent his problems were to kill.' He paused. 'Am I right, Robert ?' Pinkett smiled. 'Yeah. You got it on the dot. Now, have you seen what's inside my head ?' Mulder sighed and hesitated again. 'Come on, Mulder. You know me. So what did you see in my head ?' 'I don't want to talk about that.' Mulder looked disturbed. 'I want you to talk about it.' 'I'm not here to discuss this, Pinkett.' 'You want to save the girl, don't you ?' 'Yes.' 'Then talk about what you see inside of me. If you're a good profiler, Mulder, you have to know.' Mulder closed his eyes. He knew that outside of this warehouse, people were listening to every word the both of them said. And he knew that by giving in to Pinkett, he was going to have to cross FBI-policies. But he would do anything to save this girl. It was his job. 'You live in darkness,' Mulder continued softly. 'You can't see beyond that anymore. All you see is what your mother did to you. But that's not all, is it, Robert ? What else did she do to you ? Was she doing other men while your father was still alive ? Did she taunt you with it before you killed her ?' 'Yes.' Pinkett laughed. 'But that's not why I killed her.' 'Then why did you ?' 'She was a bitch. Pure and simple. She used my father to get what she wanted, and then she killed him.' 'Your father died in an accident.' 'An accident she caused. Your regular soap. She was screwing the other guy while my father was still alive. She killed him. Pure and simple. She's a bitch.' 'That's no reason to kill someone, Robert. It's no reason to kill this girl.' 'Oh, but Mulder. You've been inside my head. You must know that I do this for fun. I enjoy killing those girls. They're worth nothing in this material society. Brought up in the wealth of their families. They wouldn't be able to provide for themselves. And at the end they all turn out the same, like her.' 'Not everyone is like your mother, Robert. You cannot punish these girls for something that happened so many years ago. Do not kill her. If you murder Joanna Whillman now, you won't be killing your mother again. She's been in her grave for over five years, Robert. Don't let Joanna be punished for something your mother did. Control the urge that you have and face reality. She's someone's daughter and sister. Don't put them through the pain you were in when your mother betrayed you.' Robert looked at him steadily. 'You lost someone, didn't you ?' Mulder startled. 'What makes you say that ?' 'I can see the urge in your eyes when you tell me not to kill this girl. Did you lose a sister, Mulder ? Someone like her ?' Mulder didn't respond. 'That's why you're here risking your life, isn't it ? To redeem for your loss. You lost her somehow and couldn't get her back. You feel sorry for her loss and guilty because she left when you were taking care of her.' Mulder resisted the urge to get up and knock Pinkett off his feet. 'My personal life is something I wish not to discuss,' he said slowly and carefully. They were on dangerous ground now. He had to bring up a different subject. 'What was her name, Mulder ?' Again he startled. 'Samantha.' 'How did you lose her ?' 'She .. she vanished.' 'How ?' 'I don't remember.' 'You were there when it happened, weren't you ?' 'Yes. But I can't recall what happened.' 'Does it haunt you ?' 'Yes.' 'How many times do you dream of her ?' 'Every night.' Pinkett smiled. 'Replace her face with my mother's, and you'll know what I'm going through every day of my life.' 'I know what you are going through,' Mulder said. 'And it still doesn't give you a reason to kill those girls.' 'Everyone has his good and bad sides,' Pinkett said. 'I chose to listen to my bad side. One day you will cross the line, Mulder. And then you'll see.' 'No.' Mulder slowly got out of his chair, and felt the rage overwhelming him. He couldn't go on with this much longer. 'I've already been there, and I refuse to go back.' 'Back where ?' 'Inside your head. You need help, Robert.' 'Did it upset you ?' 'Yes.' 'What did you do ?' Mulder recalled fits and rage, anger and fear for his own sanity. One step too far, as Reggie Purdue had called it. Sooner or later every single one of them went too far. He had. Mulder sat down again, resisting the urge to cover his face with his hands. But he couldn't give in to the darkness that was so typical for Robert Pinkett. He had to prevail to save this girl's life. 'Your Supervisor must be very proud of you.' Mulder looked up. 'Why ?' 'Because of your capacity to crawl into my head. And you're so young still, agent Mulder. Don't let those demons take over. Sooner or later you won't be able to resist it anymore.' 'That's what someone else told me some time ago,' Mulder said softly, remembering a long discussion with Bill Patterson. He was the first one who noticed Mulder's capacity to get into someone's mind. He was the one pushing Mulder over the limit when he thought he couldn't go any further. Bill Patterson, Terence Davis. He couldn't even recall which one of the two was the worst in pushing him over the edge. But not Reggie. He knew Reggie would be outside right now, ready to burst in here to save him when he needed to be saved. 'You are far gone in your thoughts, agent Mulder,' Robert Pinkett said. 'Are you thinking about your sister ?' 'No. I was thinking about this teenage girl. Let me take her outside, Robert. You may still have a chance to save what's left of you if you save her.' 'You think I'm insane,' Pinkett smiled. 'That's why you are in here. You think that my insanity can save me from the electric chair. What if I told you I wasn't insane ?' 'The more reason you have to let her go.' 'Alright.' Pinkett looked at him closely. 'What can you do for me when I let her go ?' 'I can get you the help you need. You will spend a long time in jail, Robert. But I'll talk to the judge and jury to get you a mild sentence. You can stop this right now if you let her go.' 'Okay. If that's what you want, Mulder, I'll let her go. You can pick her up and take her outside. Then you can come back for me. I'll be waiting here for you. But only you, Mulder.' Mulder held his breath. 'You mean it ?' 'Yes.' 'I have your promise ?' 'Yes.' Mulder slowly got out of his chair, and looked at the gun Pinkett was still holding in his hand. 'You'll have to get rid of the gun.' 'Okay.' Mulder held out his hand. Slowly Pinkett gave it to him, surrendering to him. Relieved Mulder held the gun to his side. He didn't have cuffs with him, nothing to tie Pinkett up with. But he had the gun. Pinkett was defenseless now. He sat down on the chair. Mulder walked over to the girl and said :'Joanna, I'm here to take you home. You're going to be okay.' His hands pulled her on her feet, forcing her to use her restrained legs. He knelt down and pulled on the duct tape around her ankles until it gave way. She shivered and swayed. He knew she wouldn't be able to walk outside on her own. He freed her from the duct tape around her wrists. Mulder looked aside and saw Pinkett still sitting on the chair. 'I'm bringing her out,' he said for the folks outside. 'Come and get him.' He picked the girl up. She was a lightweight in his arms. 'I'm going to get you outside, okay ?' He said as he looked at her. She nodded. Tears were floating down her cheeks. 'Put your arms around my neck.' She did what he asked. He felt her face buried against his shoulder as if she was a small child being carried by her father. She relaxed a bit, feeling save in his embrace. Then, as Mulder turned around, Pinkett stood before him, pointing a gun at him. 'What the hell are you doing, Pinkett ?' The man smiled. 'Always double check a suspect, agent Mulder. You boys aren't the only ones carrying two guns.' 'You promised to let her go.' 'I lied.' Mulder's right hand lifted the gun but he was already too late. He felt an enormous blow against his head as he stumbled backwards, dropping the gun. But he was still holding on to the girl, clinging to her, protecting her. Pinkett's hand was steady as he brought up the gun again, aiming it directly at the girl's head. 'Don't !' Mulder heard himself shout, and tried to get the girl out of Pinkett's reach. He couldn't. The gun went off again. Mulder saw the eyes of the girl turn numb. Her mouth seemed to straighten and change form. A curious look was on her face. It was contorted. She sagged in his arms. Her weight forced him to the ground. Then there was blood everywhere. As his hand touched the back of her head it returned drained in blood. As she fell over him, he saw the back of her skull. It had been blown away. Blood and brains were everywhere. They were on him, polluting him. He closed his eyes, sighing heavily. The pain overwhelmed him as he tried to get the girl off him. Then, as he opened his eyes, he saw the barrel of a gun pointed at his face. He closed his eyes again, ready to accept his death, numbed with the pain in his head. He heard shouts, shots, noise, voices. They were all over him in the room. The girl was pulled away from him. Someone bent over him, touching his throat and face. 'Mulder ? Mulder, it's Reggie. Stay still, you've been shot.' Is that what being shot felt like ? He'd never taken a bullet in his life before. He hoped he would never again. His body started to shiver. He looked at his hands. Her blood was on it. Everything seemed to slow down in the world. He stared at Reggie taking care of things. Someone was pushing a piece of cloth over his head, trying to stop the bleeding. The cloth turned red immediately. He felt an enormous pain going through his body. Reggie stayed with him, saying :'You're going to be fine, Mulder. The paramedics will be here soon.' Then another face hovered over him. Section Chief Terence Davis. He knelt down besides him saying :'You did well, Mulder. Just relax, you're going to be fine.' 'The girl is dead,' Mulder heard himself say. 'How can I have done well ?' His voice came from a distance, he could hardly make out the words himself. 'You tried. We've got the bastard. He'll never see the outsides of a prison for as long as he lives.' There were more people in the room now. They covered the body of the girl with a sheet. He couldn't stop looking at it. Reggie tried to get his attention, to stop him from looking. Then, after what seemed an eternity, they were there, taking care of him. Afterwards he heard it had only taken a minute for them to get inside. They had been waiting outside to intervene where necessary. He was lifted on a gurney, and closed his eyes as soon as it started to move. After that, everything turned into a blur. Washington DC, September 21, 1990. He woke up a day later in the hospital. Reggie was there, waiting patiently until he came out of it. 'You gave us quite a scare,' he said. 'You've been out so long you had the doctors worried.' 'What happened ?' 'You needed surgery. The bullet hit your temple but didn't penetrate your skull. They needed to relief some of the pressure on your brain. You're going to be alright, Mulder.' Mulder touched his wrapped head. Then he remembered the blood on his hands. He looked at them. They were clean. 'I killed that girl, Reggie.' 'No, Mulder.' Reggie sat down on the bed. 'She was dead already. At least you gave her a chance of getting out of there alive.' 'We shouldn't have done it this way. We shouldn't have busted in there to kill him.' 'He would have killed her before we were through the door. Pinkett -' 'I profiled him, Reggie ! I should have seen it coming. She's dead because of me.' 'Don't do this to yourself, Mulder.' Reggie looked at him firmly. 'Believe me when I tell you there was nothing you could do. There's no way you could have known he had a second gun stashed in that warehouse. Nobody could have known. Your first priority was to get that girl out.' 'I screwed up. The Bureau will think the same.' 'No, they don't. Davis thinks the world of you. He's raving about you at the top executives right now. It took guts to go in there unarmed, Mulder. It could have cost you your life. Wé should have seen it coming. We should have been there before you took that bullet. This shouldn't have happened. You shouldn't be in this hospital.' 'What happened to Pinkett ? Is he dead ?' 'No. The bullet that brought him down only wounded him. He's better off than you actually. He'll be transferred to the prison hospital pretty soon.' 'I see.' Mulder closed his eyes and recalled the moment the girl died in his arms. How would he ever be able to forget that ? He opened his eyes again, looking around the private room. There were flowers everywhere. Did he have that many friends in the Bureau ? 'Davis wants you in his team indefinitely,' Reggie continued. 'I've told him I'd be discussing it with you.' 'Me ? What for ?' 'To become his top profiler,' he said. 'He says you've got what it takes.' Mulder thought of being involved with serial killers full-time. The thought of working for Davis was appealing. But he thought of that basement office he had seen for the first time not so long ago. The one with all the strange files he had started reading in his spare time. If he worked for Davis for a year or so and impressed the boys on the hill, maybe then he would be able to do what he wanted. Work on those files. 'Mulder ? You still with me ?' 'Yeah .. Yeah. I think it's worth a talk with Davis,' he said slowly. 'As long as I can help keeping bastards like Pinkett off the street, it's worth it.' Reggie slowly turned away from him. 'Mulder, think about it. You'll be sacrificing a lot. Profiling is not something you would want to do for the rest of your life. It's risky - for your health, your personal life, your every day moves. You'll be forced to go in their dark world, and see what goes on inside their heads. Pinkett was - is - dangerous. But there are more horrifying cases out there than him. You cannot get personal involved.' 'I know that, Reggie. But at least I'll be doing something useful. I don't care about the risks. Whatever is happening out there, is something I can prevent from happening. And maybe ..' He hesitated. 'Maybe some day I'll be able to find out what's happened to my sister.' Reggie looked at him. 'Are you saying you believe she's been murdered by a serial killer ?' 'I don't know what happened to her. But as long as she hasn't been found, I'll keep looking. If that doesn't work, I'll try hypnosis to go back to that night. I've got an appointment set up with a Dr. Werber. He's going to try and figure it out.' 'Be careful, Mulder. Don't let him screw with your head.' Mulder smiled. 'I'm always careful, Reggie.' 'Yeah, right. Get some rest, Mulder.' Reggie left the room, leaving him alone to remember the blood of the girl on his hands. Washington DC, September 28, 1990 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Violent Crime Section Terence Davis waited outside the interrogation room until Mulder arrived. 'Welcome back, Mulder,' he said, shaking the younger agent's hand. 'How are you feeling ?' 'I'm fine,' Mulder said. All that reminded him of being shot was a small band aid on the spot the bullet had hit him. After a week's forced rest, Mulder was eager to get back to work. And to see Pinkett. And Pinkett seemed to eager to see him again. He had requested to talk to him. Mulder looked inside and saw Pinkett, dressed in a navy-blue prison overall. 'How's he doing ?' 'Cocky. I've never seen anyone as cold as him. He hasn't said a word about the murders. He wants to speak to you.' 'Alright.' 'Mulder.' Davis held his arm, thus preventing him of walking inside. 'Don't go in his head anymore. You've done well, but leave it at that. We've got enough on him to convict him. The only reason why you go inside to talk to him, is to find out if he's murdered any more girls we don't know about. If we can put some parents at rest by finding their loved ones, it's been worth it. If not, you get the hell out of there, understood ?' 'Yes, sir.' Mulder slowly opened the door and heard it being locked right after him. Through the window several people would be looking and listening. Inside the room it was dead quiet, except for the breathing of two men. 'You've got a thick skull, agent Mulder. I thought I'd killed you. The slug didn't even keep you out of the office for that long, did it ?' Robert Pinkett got out of his chair and turned his back to Mulder, looking straight into the window. He couldn't possibly see the others, but he knew they were there. 'Maybe I just wanted to live,' Mulder responded. 'Just like Joanna.' Pinkett turned to him. 'You know I've been treated bad over the past week ? I was in hospital for less than two days, and then brought to prison. They didn't think it was necessary for me to stay in hospital there, so they gave me some pain meds and put me in a cell. I don't like it there. It's a cold and dark place.' 'Do you think you deserve better ?' 'Yes. Yes, I do. I'm human after all.' 'Some of us think differently, Robert.' 'Still the shrink, hey Mulder ? Too bad that gunshot wound to your head hasn't knocked some sense into you. You're wasting your time here. You should be going after other serial killers. Look, you already got me.' Pinkett showed him his cuffed hands. 'I'm caught like an animal in a zoo. I can't even get some water.' Silently Mulder poured some water in a cup and handed it over. 'Here.' 'Thanks.' Pinkett drank rapidly, coughing as the water entered his sore throat. Mulder sat down on the other side of the table, and looked at him. Pinkett studied him carefully. 'Does your head still hurt ?' 'No.' 'Are you angry with me 'cause I shot you ?' 'No.' 'But you are angry.' 'No, I'm disappointed. You shouldn't have killed Joanna. They're going to put you to death, Robert, and you brought yourself to that spot. You'll have a fast trial in a few months, and there isn't a judge or jury in the world that will feel sorry for you. I could have saved your life if you had saved Joanna.' 'You're a liar, Mulder. You wouldn't have testified in my behalf. All you wanted was to get that girl out and receive a reward and promotion for your skills. I've read about you this week, you see. Fast-tracking inside the Bureau. Oxford Graduate. Behavioral Science Unit. Violent Crime Section. I know it all.' 'How ?' He laughed. 'It isn't so hard. I've got friends, believe it or not.' Mulder made a mental note to check out on these friends of his. He didn't like it when someone like Pinkett tried to find out more about him. 'I've read about your sister too. You were there when she vanished but you can't recall a single thing of her vanishing. You were found unconscious and she was gone. You were brought to a hospital and underwent psychological tests. You have a photographic memory but that couldn't help you from finding out what happened that night. There's an old FBI-file on her, and that's the reason why you went to join the Bureau in the first place, wasn't it ? You wanted to use the Bureau's resources to find her, but so far you haven't succeeded. Are you desperate, Mulder ? Would you do anything to find her ?' Mulder stayed calm. 'My past is of no consequence here. I've told you that before, Pinkett. My reasons for joining the Bureau are known with my superiors. Right now I'm here to help you come to terms with what you did, and to make peace with your murders. But what I need to know from you is whether or not you can help other people come to peace with their past.' Pinkett sat down and smiled. 'That's it, isn't it ? You're afraid I've killed more people. That's why you're here. Not because you care about me, or want to know why I did it. You need to know in order to tell them you have found their dead child.' 'Did you ?' 'No.' Pinkett leant back and put his hands on his head. 'You've got every girl I murdered. You've got enough to put me away. Are you happy now ?' 'No. You've killed too many people.' 'And I'll kill more.' 'You won't see the outsides of prison anymore for as long as you live, Robert. And you're going to die. You'll be sentenced in Virginia.' 'Why there ?' 'You've killed most of the girls there.' 'And Virginia uses the death penalty.' 'Yes.' Pinkett smiled. 'It doesn't matter. I'll get out.' 'You won't.' 'Watch my words, Mulder. Listen to what I'm telling you. I will get out, and I will strike again.' 'You sound like a broken record, Pinkett.' 'Oh, it's Pinkett now ? Whatever happened to Robert ?' Mulder got out of his chair and knocked on the door. 'We're through.' 'Mulder.' Mulder turned around and looked in Mulder's eyes. 'I know you hide your fear and anger well, but your eyes don't lie. You know I'm telling you the truth.' 'I'll be keeping an eye out for you, Robert. And I'll make damn sure the switch is pulled on you. Perhaps I'll even come and watch.' Pinkett smiled and sat down. 'See you soon, Mulder.' Fox Mulder trembled as he walked outside. A few of his colleagues watched him as he walked away quietly. Davis went after him. 'Mulder, you okay ?' Mulder didn't stop until he was out of the corridor. Then he turned towards Davis and said :'I can't do this anymore, sir. I thought I could but I can't.' 'Mulder, you've been through a lot. You came back too quickly. If you take some time off, you'll see things differently.' 'No. Men like Pinkett should be gassed immediately. No trial, no sentence, just the gas chamber. He doesn't regret a single thing he does. Alive he's a risk to the outside world.' 'He's getting to you. That's what he wanted. Get out of his head, Mulder. Stop searching.' 'You were the one who wanted me to get inside his head ! And now you're telling me to back away.' 'Because you're getting in too far. Mulder, I've never seen anyone this dedicated to a cause as you. You worked for weeks to get Pinkett. You profiled him as if he was your next door neighbor. You are an excellent profiler. But at a certain point in time you need to back away. I told you before you went into that room, that you needed to back off in time. You haven't. Now you have to.' 'I can't.' Mulder turned to face away from his boss. 'Pinkett is too great a risk.' 'You need to trust the legal system. He'll be sentenced and sent to the chamber. He'll die within a few years. He'll never get out. You have to move on ! Take time off, get some rest. Work on other cases if you will. But forget about Pinkett. That's an order, Mulder.' Mulder nodded and saw a few of his friends at the VCS looking at them. Why was it so easy for them ? How could they sleep at night ? October 12, 1990 Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation A letter was waiting for him when he returned to the office two weeks later. Davis had him on sick leave, thus forcing him to recuperate. At first the dreams didn't subside, but then he started to forget the feeling of her blood on his hands. When he got back to the office, Davis welcomed him back, as did his colleagues. Mulder felt at ease at his desk, rummaging through files and a new workload. Davis shortly after came to him, and put a file on his desk. 'This is something you need to see, Mulder. It's a file on a new serial killer. We're clueless here. We've found several bodies of young girls with a heart cut out of the cloth of their nightrobes. Are you up to it ?' Mulder sighed softly before taking it in his hands. 'Yeah. I'm up to it.' Then he noticed the letter near his computer. 'What is that ?' 'It came for you yesterday. Thought you might want to open it yourself.' Mulder tore open the envelope and took out the letter, written in a clear handwriting. 'Fox, Glad to hear you're back at work. I'll be thinking of you. Robert Pinkett' Mulder dropped the letter in the garbage can and tried to forget about Pinkett. Unfortunately Pinkett didn't forget about him. Part II : The Escape Virginia State Prison, September 1, 1998 The daily shift bored Andy Walters. Breakfast at seven, showers at eight, a walk around the block at nine, back to the cells by ten. Lunch, visitors, an early evening walk. And then the cells again, with only a TV to keep them company. Four years he had been here now, and all that time the routine remained the same. The only thing he had at the end was cleaning the long death row line. He and two others had been chosen to scrub the hallways and prison cells under the supervision of two guards. He had grown attached to his job. He loved seeing another building except his own. He even enjoyed talking to the men waiting for their death. Last week Carl Meecham had been gassed. His cell was empty now, waiting for another victim. There was talk about gassing the others quickly. Some of them had been here for over ten years, still waiting for their date with death. They weren't bad folk. He loved talking to them, discussing some things of the outside world. And he even liked it when they asked him questions about things going on in the other buildings. After all, even the less well guarded buildings were better than what they had here. 'Hey, Andy,' he heard Quinn Belt say. 'Did you bring my cigarettes ?' Andy quickly looked at the guard on duty. The man pretended not to hear the question. He probably had. But the guards weren't bad folk either. They understood what the criminals must be going through. 'Here.' Andy reached through the cell door and handed him his pack of smokes. Quinn quickly lit one and said :'Have you heard about Pinkett ? He's got his date.' 'Oh yeah ? When ?' 'A month from now. The governor has denied his request for an appeal. I think they figured it's about time he got gassed.' Andy thought of the quiet man in his cell. He hadn't spoken that much since Andy came to work on death row. He thought of the man, reading all day long. Looking at the photo of a young girl, probably his sister, or daughter. It was an old picture. And there were letters. He always wrote letters but they returned unopened. He could hear him groan sometimes, as if he was angry or in pain. 'Don't mind Pinkett,' Quinn had said at one time. 'He's obsessed with getting his revenge.' 'Revenge ? On whom ?' 'Some Fed. Nailed his ass back in '90. He can't get over it.' 'But he'll never get out of here.' 'Of course he won't. But maybe that's all that keeps him going. We all need something.' Andy thought of his own sentence. He would be getting out in a few weeks. He walked over to Pinkett's cell. The man was writing furiously. Andy looked at him. The man didn't look like a killer. But he had murdered eight teenagers before the FBI caught him. Andy slowly shook his head and wanted to leave, when he heard Pinkett's voice. 'Hey. Andy. You still there ?' 'Yeah.' Andy walked back to the cell and looked through the bars. 'Whassup ?' 'I was wondering if you could do me a favor.' 'Sure.' 'I'm gonna die in a month, man. I need some stuff to keep me occupied.' 'What do you need ?' 'Some smokes. A few magazines. Some shit. Some booze.' Andy looked at the guards. 'I'm not sure I can get to the booze. The other stuff won't be a problem.' 'Great. Fix it. I'll pay you. I've got some money stashed away.' 'That's okay. It's on me.' 'Heard you're coming out in a couple of weeks, Andy.' 'Yeah.' 'Do you think you can get me the stuff before you get out ? The good stuff I mean.' 'Sure. I'll get you what you want.' 'Great. Thanks.' Andy nodded and continued his stroll. As he and his companions left the corridor, he knew he wouldn't get in trouble ever again. Giving Pinkett the 'good stuff' would be his last achievement. Being inside prison was no guarantee of kicking the habit. Andy knew for a fact that heroine and dope strolled freely around the cells. It was just a matter of knowing the right people at the right places. Andy knew how to take care of himself. And the others knew he had the money to pay. He bought a few ounces of dope at a very considerate price and stashed them in his overalls until he went back to death row. It would be his last visit there. He was paroled and would be getting out in two days. 'Hey Derek, how ya been ?' He greeted the older guard as if he was his best friend. 'Hey Andy,' Derek said. 'Heard you're out soon. Congrats.' 'Thanks.' He lifted the magazines and smokes. 'Mind if I give these to Pinkett ?' 'Go ahead.' Derek stepped aside and let the prisoner walk over to Pinkett's cell. Just like the others he knew Pinkett would be dead soon. What harm was there in giving the man one last chance to enjoy his life ? Andy walked over to Pinkett's cell and handed him the stuff. He whispered as he said :'Your 'good stuff' is inside the pack of smokes. Be careful with it, it's uncut. Take care now.' 'Thanks, Andy. I'll be seeing you.' Pinkett smiled with triumph as he opened the pack of smoked and took out the small package with cocaine. Carefully he opened the package and tasted it, putting one finger in and licking off the top. Then he sat down near the small table, the only piece of furniture in the room besides his bed. He tore open the plastic which contained the dope, and looked at it. 'Hey !' Quinn Belt shouted until someone heard him. 'Something's wrong with Pinkett ! Someone get over here !' Immediately guards ran over to Pinkett's cell and saw on the floor, convulsing and apparently in shock. On the table lay a piece of plastic with the remains of coke still on it. 'Jesus, get a doctor !' Derek Aimes shouted. 'He's O.D.'d.' Immediately there was a commotion around Pinkett's cell. He was transferred to the hospital sick bay, where doctors worked to save his life. After ten minutes his condition was stabilized. 'I want this man guarded night and day until he's well enough to return to his cell,' Greg Mitchell, the warden said angrily. 'How the hell did he get this much coke ? I want a full investigation, now !' Derek Aimes was questioned, leading to the questioning of Andy. Even though the prisoner denied every knowledge, he was put through the wringer until he admitted to having given the coke to Pinkett. He was put in isolation, his parole denied. With regret Andy realized he would now have to stay another six months in jail. Virginia State Prison, September 11, 1998 Pinkett slowly awakened in the soft hospital bed. His room was dark and windowless. His hands weren't restrained. An IV was running and poured saline in his veins. He sighed. So he was still alive. He almost smiled at the thought of having doctors and nurses fighting for his life. In two weeks they would be pulling the plug on him. He knew there would be guards outside. One, maybe two. He strained himself to switch on the night light. He had no idea what time it was, but it had to be nighttime. Minimum guards, and his only chance to get out of here. He touched his hand, swiftly pulling out the IV. Nothing attached to his body. No machines which gave away his heartbeat and blood pressure. Nothing that would get in nurses and doctors to see if he was still alive. Guess they didn't care that much anymore after all. Slowly he slid to the floor. He was dressed in an hospital gown. His legs shaked when he walked over to the door. He knocked on the door. Immediately he heard keys and someone opened the door. He looked at a guard he didn't know. There was another one closeby. 'Hey,' Pinkett said. 'Can you get me a doctor ? I don't feel too well.' The guard debated whether or not to leave Pinkett alone with his colleague, but said :'Sure.' He looked at his partner, who came closer to Pinkett, ready to intervene where necessary. 'Get back inside, Pinkett. We'll get someone to take a look at you.' Pinkett slowly made his way back to his bed and waited patiently until the door opened again, and a doctor came in, accompanied by one of the guards. 'How are you feeling, Mr. Pinkett ?' The doctor asked in a not unfriendly tone. 'Fine.' 'Do you remember what happened ?' 'No.' 'You took an overdose of cocaine.' The doctor took out a small penlight and looked in his eyes. Then he took Pinkett's pulse and checked his blood pressure. 'Almost back to normal,' he said. 'Are you in any pain ?' 'Yes. I feel wasted.' 'The first signs. Your body is trying to kick off.' 'I don't want to kick off.' 'You're not a drug addict, Mr. Pinkett. Why did you start now ?' Pinkett smiled. 'Sometimes drugs can be of use.' 'I'm going to give you something to help your system to adjust. It's a sedative to calm you down.' The doctor pulled out a syringe and looked at Pinkett's hand. He had pulled out the IV. As he put the needle down to reinstall the IV, Pinkett grabbed the syringe from the table, and pulled the doctor towards him. 'Hey !' The guard yelled, pulling out his gun, aiming it at Pinkett. 'Back off, cop, or he gets this in the brain.' Pinkett held the needle to the doctor's head, confirming his intentions. 'Put the needle down, Pinkett. There's no use doing this.' 'Oh yes, there is. I'm going to die soon, cop. Get off your feet, doc !' The doctor was pulled up, feeling the needle against his head. The fear was notable in his eyes. 'Open the door and get out,' Pinkett told the guard. The man knew he couldn't do anything but obey Pinkett. As he opened the door, the other guard turned and looked at them. Pinkett pushed the doctor forward. 'Both of you against the wall or he gets it.' The guards backed off. Pinkett pushed the doc forward. 'You, give me your keys.' More people were now in the hallway, looking at the scene taking place. Pinkett was barefoot, and still dressed in his hospital gown. He couldn't care less right now. Freedom was within reach. The guard he had spoken to gave threw the keys in his direction. Pinkett grabbed them and gave them to the doctor. 'Open the door.' The doctor was nervous. He had to try several keys until he found the right one. More guards approached. Pinkett yelled at them, telling them to back off. The doctor was bleeding. The tip of the needle had accidentally touched the skin behind his ear. 'Drop your guns to the floor, now.' The guards obeyed. 'Slide one gun to me.' The gun slid in his direction. He picked it up and pointed it at the doctor's head. 'Start running, doc.' Pinkett made way as soon as he had broken off the key in the lock, thus keeping the guards behind the bulletproof door. 'Is your car parked inside this compound ?' 'Yes. Just inside the gates.' 'Okay, let's go.' By now the prison was in state of full alert. The doctor opened the second door which led them to the open square within the five blocks. Lights blinded Pinkett but he didn't keep his eyes off the doctor for one second. 'He's dead before you can shoot me !' He yelled out loud. 'I want out !' A voice called out to him. 'You know we can't let you go, Pinkett.' 'Right now I've got nothing to loose,' Pinkett shouted back. 'Open the goddamn gates !' He pushed the doctor over the square until they reached his car, parked just where he said it was. Pinkett could hardly believe it was so easy. 'Get behind the wheel and start the car.' Pinkett waited until both cardoors were unlocked, and got in on the front seat, keeping his gun to the doctor's face. The doctor drove the car to the gates and waited nervously until they opened. When they did, the doctor drove until they were far outside the compound. Cars were following them. Pinkett knew the cops would be setting up roadblocks everywhere, to stop him from leaving the State. But he wouldn't be leaving the State. Not until he got rid of his hair and current appearance. 'Why are you doing this ?' The doctor asked. Pinkett smiled. 'You were right, doctor. I'm not a drug addict.' September 12, 1998 Washington DC, 6.45 a.m. Mulder couldn't figure out at first whether or not the phonecall had been part of his dream. Then his body seemed to realize it needed to wake up. Reluctantly he opened his eyes and reached for the phone lying on the coffee table near the couch. 'Mulder.' 'Mulder, are you awake ?' 'I am now,' he sighed. 'Who is this ?' The voice sounded familiar. Only his mind couldn't form the connection yet. The man laughed. 'How you been, Mulder ? You never got around to finding that sister of yours, did you ?' Mulder got up, trying to push back the throbbing headache that had formed in the back of his head. It wasn't that long since he had returned from the Antarctic. The fear for Scully's safety were still buried somewhere inside of him. 'Who is this ?' 'Come on, Mulder. It disappoints me you don't remember. Do I need to give you more hints ?' Mulder sighed. 'I'm in no mood for games. I'm hanging up now.' 'Don't tell me you've forgotten all about Joanna, Mulder.' 'What ?' Mulder slowly got on his feet, staring to the opposite wall. Images of blood on his hands. He hadn't had them for years. Worse nightmares and a different lifestyle replaced the ones he had since he nailed Robert Pinkett. 'I can tell you're remembering now, Mulder. You haven't been paying attention again, have you ? If I were you I'd turn on the TV and see the breaking news about my escape.' Mulder switched on the TV. On the Fox Network a newsbreaking story was being told about Robert David Pinkett, who'd escaped from the Virginia State Prison just hours before. 'Jesus Christ,' Mulder whispered. 'Shouldn't you be asking me by now why and how I escaped, Mulder ? You're losing your touch. Then again, I've been told you are working with a cute red-head now. Do you like her ? Did you do her yet ? I'm sure she was good. I hope she isn't getting your attention off the more important things in life, Mulder.' 'Where are you, Pinkett ?' He laughed. 'Like I'd tell you.' 'I can get a trace on you right now.' 'But you won't. Because you know I would hang up the phone the moment I sense it. And believe me, I'd know.' 'What are you going to do ? Leave the country and start a new life ?' Pinkett sighed. 'Nah. Too boring. You and I are going to play a little game, agent Mulder. I want to see how much you remember about me. How good you can recall who and what I am. I want you to get inside my head again, Mulder.' 'Why ?' 'I like you. I want to help you. You're looking for your sister, aren't you ? You were paying more attention to her than to me. I told you I'd get out. But you didn't listen to me, did you ?' 'No, I didn't.' Mulder debated whether or not to contact Scully on his cellphone to let her listen to this conversation. But she had no idea who Pinkett was. Nor would she know what was going on. 'Now a price will have to be paid, Mulder. You and I are going to play a little game. It's called Stratego. Do you remember Stratego, Mulder ? You played it with your sister the night she vanished. Have you played it ever since ?' Mulder felt his throat go dry. 'No. I haven't.' 'Well, you are going to now. I'll be handing you the pieces and at the end you and I will recapture some events from the past. Maybe this time you càn save Joanna.' A click, and he was gone. Shocked Mulder stared at the newsreport that spoke of the body of the prison doctor, found floating in a river just outside Raleigh, Virginia. He'd been shot in the head. It had started all over again. He had known it would happen, but he didn't believe it at first. Terence Davis had sent him an email just a couple of days ago, to let him know Pinkett would be put to death in two weeks. Now Pinkett would start killing again. As sure as he was of his friendship and trust in Scully, as sure he was of Pinkett's future kills. Mulder quickly showered, changed, and left his apartment. On his way to his car he got on the phone with Skinner, notifying him from Pinkett's call. September 12, 1998 Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 8.45 a.m. The Bureau was one big buzz when Mulder arrived. He had tried to reach Scully on her cellphone but she had it turned off. He knew she would arrive soon enough. He knocked on the door of Skinner's office but needn't be bothered with it. Skinner opened it as soon as he arrived and invited him to come in. A whole assembly was gathered in his office. Mulder recognized most of his colleagues, who nodded as he entered. 'Agent Mulder, I've notified our colleagues from the Violent Crime Section of your recent phonecall with Robert Pinkett,' Skinner said. 'Assistant Director Terence Davis has requested your assistance in the capture of Pinkett.' Mulder was aware of the promotion Davis had made about two years ago. But he wasn't looking forward to working with the man again. He remembered how things had gotten ugly when Mulder had requested his transfer to the X-Files. 'I am sure you realize, agent Mulder, that this takes full priority of the means of the FBI. The X-Files, the section you are currently in charge of, will have to wait.' Skinner frowned, as he continued. 'I believe you will make no objection to this ?' 'No sir.' Skinner continued, looking at the small bruise still visible on Mulder's temple, from the gunshot wound inflicted to him barely a few weeks ago. 'I realize that you are fatigued from the recent events, however, we feel that -' 'I thank you for your concern, but I am fit for duty and ready to work on this case, sir,' Mulder interrupted him. 'Good,' Skinner said short. 'Even though you will be working for Terence Davis, I will still be your Supervisor, agent Mulder. Arrangements will be made to secure your safety.' 'My safety, sir ?' 'Yes. Terence Davis shot you once, he might try to finish the job.' Mulder looked at the joined company and said :'With all due respect, sir, but he is not going to. He wants to play a game first. He said so himself. My opinion is that he will try to relive his past.' 'You spoke of Stratego ?' 'Yes, sir. Back in '90 - during my conversations with Pinkett - he mentioned my sister several times. He said he had been doing checkups on me. Apparently he has someone telling him all about me. He knows the exact events of the night of her disappearance, and the game we were playing before she was .. abducted.' He hesitated while looking at the others. No one laughed. Mulder sighed with relief. It has been a while since he didn't get smart remarks from fellow Federal Agents. Mulder hesitated, thinking of Joanna Whillman. Her blood on his hands. Those blue eyes piercing into him as he felt her dead body slide on his. He shivered. He couldn't do this anymore. Go inside this man's head and get out what's inside of it. Some things were better left uncovered. 'Agent Mulder ?' Skinner touched his sleeve. He looked at him. 'I'm sorry, sir. I was thinking about Pinkett.' 'I understand. You will be working from the VCS-section as of today. Pinkett's file is already waiting for you there. We need something to go on, Mulder. You know this man better than anyone. Whatever you can give us, is something we can start looking for.' Mulder looked at his colleagues. 'Pinkett used Demerol to drug his victims. We need to check hospitals in the vicinity. And he will have changed his appearance. The last time I saw him he had a neatly trimmed haircut, but I believe he let his hair grow in prison. He might have it short again, and probably bleached. We will need new mugshots which need to be handed out at the security of every hospital in the Washington and Baltimore area. He will not attempt to get inside a Virginia hospital. Too risky.' 'Why Washington and Baltimore ?' Eric Gellar asked. 'If he wants to relive his past, he'll do everything exactly as he did the last time. He was hospitalized in a D.C.-hospital prior to his first kill. That's where he got the Demerol. But he won't be going to the same hospital again. He knows I know about it. So we have to check out the other ones in the area.' 'Alright,' Skinner said. 'We'll start there.' 'Sir, can you notify agent Scully as soon as she gets in ?' 'I've already taken care of that, Mulder.' 'Sir, I believe she's at greater risk than I am at this moment. He seems to know everything about me. If he wants to hurt me, he'll try to hurt her.' 'Agent Scully will be protected, agent Mulder,' Skinner said calmly. 'Assistant Director Davis is waiting for you at the VCS. I'll join you.' Mulder nodded. 'Thank you.' As the party broke up, Mulder knew that the only way to get Pinkett was to track down his moves one by one. To go back in time, and check on the confessions Pinkett did while being interrogated. To try and get an accurate time and date on what he did where. Suddenly it became clear to him. On September 20 it would be exactly eight years when he was first confronted with Pinkett in the warehouse. He would have eight days to kill the girls he intended to kill. Every second, minute, hour counted from now on. September 12, 1998, 9.05 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS Scully arrived around 9 a.m., right after the phonecall she received from Skinner. When she heard his voice, her first thought was : Something's wrong with Mulder. But Skinner simply requested her to come directly to the VCS-Unit. Mulder would meet her there. When she arrived, she was greeted by several Federal Agents working hard to catch one killer. She had heard it on the news. The escape of Robert David Pinkett was all over CNN. But she didn't have a clue why Mulder would be here. Both Mulder and Scully had taken it easier after Scully's last appearance in front of the committee regarding the virus. Mulder had insisted on her taking some time off. He knew that her body was still mending and recovering from what had happened to her. She had come to work though, and naturally had found her partner there. There had been a new sort of commitment between them. His eyes shone as soon as he saw her, and he was content when she was in the room, even if she didn't speak. He had taken it easier himself, actually relaxing a bit. She had enjoyed seeing him relaxed. Now, as she approached the small, glass office at the rear end of the floor, she saw the strained body of her partner as he was in deep discussion with Skinner and Assistant Director Davis. She knew Davis only by name. Knew that he ran the VCS with an iron glove, but had a 79 % solving rate on serial killers. He had a couple of top field agents working for him. And she knew that sometime before he chose to work for the X-Files, Mulder had worked for him. Mulder had never told her what went down between the two of them, but he didn't have to. Anyone could see through the glass that things didn't exactly go right. As she knocked on the door to get attention, the discussion between the three men subsides, and she entered the room. Mulder calmed down as he saw her, and said :'Dana Scully, Terence Davis.' 'It's a pleasure to meet you, sir,' Scully said. 'I've heard a lot about you.' 'The pleasure's all mine, agent Scully,' Davis responded, looking at Mulder. 'I'm sure your partner will update you on what's going on. If you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with the Director in ten minutes. Walter, will you join me on this matter ?' Skinner nodded and followed Davis outside. As they left, Scully couldn't help but notice who both AD's had the same kind of authority. They both got what they wanted with one look. 'What's going on, Mulder ?' she asked her partner. He looked straight through her, not seeing her at first. 'Mulder ?' 'Yeah.' He sighed as if he tried to gather his full attention to talk to her. 'You'd better sit down, Scully.' She was surprised when he closed the glass door and sat besides her, feeling the eyes of the VCS-agents piercing in their backs. 'Back in '90, when I was working with Reggie Purdue, I got the attention of Section Chief Davis, who was in charge of the Behavioral Science Unit. He also worked on the side for the VCS, solving serial killer-cases, the most gruesome ones. He knew about John Barnett, and what had happened at the warehouse, but he talked to me about it, and told me that I had an unique gift of profiling, probably due to my photographic memory. He knew I could see minor details in things others couldn't see, and wanted to try out those skills by having me work on a case nobody could figure out.' 'Robert Pinkett.' 'Yes. I profiled the man, concluding he was a loner without a family, living in the area, who might have murdered one or more members of his family - female members.' 'How did you conclude that ?' 'All the girls bared a remarkably resemblance. I figured that the killer was trying to murder the same person over and over again. I've seen this behavior before, in other cases. One killer - Ted Bundy for example - kills the same type of girl all the time. There's a pattern in most every serial killer-case. As for Pinkett, it turned out it was his mother he was murdering.' 'So you grabbed him ?' 'Yes. It took us a long time and great effort to do so, and a lot of coincidence. He drugged his victims with Demerol. I suggested that we would be looking for a man who had recently been hospitalized and probably treated with Demerol, thus knowing what the drug could do to knock someone out. Since all the murders took place in the Washington and Baltimore area, I figured he must have been from here. It was a long shot but we managed to get a list from every hospital in the area. Then we started looking for single men, with deceased relatives. It took us days to run every name through the system, but eventually we ended up with a shortlist. When we arrived at Pinkett's house, we found a room filled with photos from his mother when she was about sixteen years old. Each photo resembled the deceased girls.' 'What happened then ?' Scully asked with tension in her voice. She looked at her partner who got more stressed when he told her the rest of the story. 'Pinkett saw us going through his house and took off. A police vehicle spotted him and followed him until he reached the harbor area. We soon found him in an abandoned warehouse. We knew he had taken another girl - his last victim - Joanna Whillman. Davis wanted to storm in and try to put Pinkett down before he could kill the girl, but we all knew it would be pointless. I suggested Davis to go inside the warehouse unarmed and try and talk sense into him. Davis agreed, and as I went inside, Pinkett and I started talking. I thought I was getting through to him but ..' 'It didn't work.' 'He made me pick up that girl to get her outside,' Mulder said with a strain voice. 'I held her in my arms and talked to her, telling her she would be home safe soon. Pinkett had handed me his gun, but as I turned around, he waved another one in my face. I remember feeling a blow to my head and falling, and as I did, he fired again and blew away the back of Joanna's head. She died in my arms.' 'Mulder, I'm sorry.' Scully put her hand on his arm, forcing him to look at her. He did, but she knew he wanted to bury his head between his hands and forget all about it. 'It wasn't your fault.' 'I screwed up, Scully.' He said it with confirmation in his voice, as if only he knew what he had done. 'I talked to him afterwards and almost lost it. We got into a discussion and I was ready to walk out of the VCS forever. Davis went after me and convinced me to stay.' Mulder smiled faintly. 'Of course my luck was getting the John Lee Roche case next. It was the last one I did before I turned my back on Davis and the VCS. Davis of course never forgave me. Just like Bill Patterson he hated me for wasting my talents on something meaningless as my sister's abduction.' 'Sounds to me like he was trying to force you to profile serial killers.' Mulder smiled weakly. 'I thought you didn't know Davis ?' 'I know of his reputation.' Mulder sighed and got out of his chair. As he walked towards the window, he said :'It doesn't matter, Scully. No matter what he did or said to me, I got Pinkett the first time, and now I'll have to get him again.' He turned and pointed at a desk sitting there for him behind the glass. 'He's got the file all ready for me, and he knows that I will do anything to get my hands on Pinkett again.' 'Will you ?' 'Will I what ?' 'Do anything to get Pinkett back behind bars ?' 'Yes.' 'Why ? He's no longer your burden, Mulder.' 'It doesn't matter whose burden he is. Can't you see I have no choice in the matter, Scully ?' 'There's always a choice.' 'Not in this case.' 'Look at yourself, Mulder,' she said. 'You've just been through a lot. You're not rested, you're strained. How can you take care of this when you can't even take care of yourself ?' 'People don't crumble that easy, Scully,' he said. 'You of all people should know that.' 'How far do you need to go to get him ? Will it take you a slide into his mind again ? If so, I'm not leaving your side, Mulder.' He looked at her, forcing himself not to touch her face. He knew that she understood. She always did. 'I know you won't,' he smiled. 'Even if it was just to make sure I eat and sleep.' 'You betcha, partner.' Mulder sighed and looked at the VCS-section, tangled up in every day business. Even without Pinkett there was enough work out there to keep them occupied for years and years to come. But right now the priority at hand was Robert Pinkett. September 12, 1998 - 9.45 a.m. Mulder barely sat down at his temporary desk when Davis returned with Skinner right behind him. 'Mulder, Scully, Gellar, Weinstein, Williamson - my office, now.' Scully glared at her partner and figured Davis wasn't a man of many words. Once in his office, Scully noticed a few others had entered the room as well through the other door. Davis had closed the blinds, thus making sure no one from the outside noticed what was going on on the inside. Davis introduced the people in the room to one another. Then he sat down and invited them all to take a seat. When everyone was in place, he said :'We've just returned from a meeting with the Director. No one is very pleased with Pinkett's escape. We are pretty convinced that despite the roadblocks and extra precautions he has left the state of Virginia and is already on his way to Washington DC I have requested agents Mulder and Scully to join us. For those who weren't at the previous unofficial meeting, this is the inside info on what we have. Agent Mulder has profiled Robert Pinkett eight years ago which lead to his capture and conviction. Robert Pinkett has contacted agent Mulder and told him that it wasn't over yet. We have reason to believe Pinkett is armed, dangerous and ready to start his killing spree again. Warnings are issued all over the country, but we all know that is meaningless. We cannot force parents to keep their children inside as long as we haven't caught this guy. When he needs a victim, he will get one. We have set up lookouts at every hospital in the area, believing Pinkett might be using his old MO. He used Demerol to drug his victims and thus abduct them. Everyone coming in and out of the hospital will be thoroughly checked. So far that's the only thing we can go on. Agent Mulder will profile this character again, hopefully leading to more. His old house is under surveillance, as is the warehouse he has killed his victims in. Until we know more, we hope that he will contact agent Mulder again. Weinstein and Williamson, you will be interviewing inmates and guards at the Virginia State Prison. Gellar, you will stay with me and make daily reports on the efforts made by the VCS. Agent Scully will be autopsying possible victims - god forbid it will come to that - and give her medical opinion on the matter. Scully, I also want you to cross-reference this case to the cases in the past. Backtrack Pinkett's MO and see if anything he did back then might help us to catch him now.' 'Yes, sir,' Scully said, immediately realizing she would have to force Davis to stay with Mulder. 'Assistant Director Skinner, as Mulder and Scully's immediate Supervisor, will be joining us temporarily to keep an eye on things.' Davis looked at Skinner. The two shared a glance that could be only described as hostile. Scully suspected them of having had a serious discussion before returning to Davis' office. 'That's it,' Davis said. 'Time is not on our side, folks. Let's get to work.' Mulder got out of his chair and moved almost silently to the desk waiting for him. As he sat down, Scully took a seat next to him, and prevented him from opening the file by putting her hand on it. 'Are you okay ?' she said seriously. 'Don't lie to me cause I know when you're lying.' 'No, I'm not okay,' he answered truthfully. 'But if you keep asking me you're going to force me to lie.' She smiled and sat back. 'I suppose I'll be getting you a couple of bags of sunflowerseeds now, right ?' 'Don't forget that iced tea. After all ..' '.. It could be love.' She grinned and kissed him lightly on the cheek before leaving him. Surprised by her public expression of affection he forgot Pinkett for a moment and stared at her as she left the floor. Then, as he moved his head slightly, he saw Davis look at him with a peculiar look in his eyes. September 12, 1998 - 10.30 a.m. Mulder didn't want to take a look at the photos again, but he knew he had to. His photographic memory had still captured every gruesome detail of the case, but he needed to refresh it. Somewhere in those photos might be a link to the past. Something that would describe Pinkett's possible MO. He sighed and looked at the tapes with Pinkett's confession on it. He hadn't heard it yet. He had refused when Davis invited him to listen to them, in order to turn himself away from the case forever. Now, eight years later, he would be forced to listen to them. He sighed again as he put the first tape in the recorder and started listening. Part III : Denise - Denise Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis Additional Notes on September 12, 1998 by Special Agent Fox Mulder Current assignment : Violent Crime Section. 'When did you first start making plans to kill Denise Forbes, Robert ?' 'When I was in the hospital being treated after the car-accident. I had vivid dreams back then. I knew that sooner or later I would give in on them. After all, what is there else in life than to try and fulfill your dreams, right ?' 'How did you go about making plans ?' 'At night, I believe it was the last night of my stay at the hospital, I snuck into the nurses' quarters and stole several syringes of Demerol. Someone was stupid enough to leave her keys on the table, and it was nighttime. There was hardly anyone there. I stole ten syringes.' 'Were you planning on killing ten girls ?' 'Yes. It was a nice, round number. I felt like I could say goodbye to my mother after those ten. But of course I never got around to that, so I suppose I'm still trying to make a mense with her.' 'Where and when did you first spot Denise Forbes ?' (a few seconds of silence) 'I believe it must have been around September 12. I never really planned on killing her the following day. I didn't have anything planned really, except where to kill her. I chose Richmond, Virginia, but drove her to Washington to murder her there. Didn't take that long to bring her here. I had chosen a nice abandoned warehouse near the harbor to kill her there. Rented it under a false name. I knew nobody would hear her should she scream. And there was nowhere for her to run to should she manage to escape.' 'Why Richmond ?' 'My mother was born there. I felt it right to get someone there. I thought (laughter) that I could find a dead ringer for my mother's features in the state she was born. And as you know, I did.' 'Why did she have to resemble your mother ?' 'Haven't you read agent Mulder's profile, sir ? What use would it have been to kill those girls if they did not resemble mom ? It was her I was trying to kill over and over again. The world had to be freed from everyone who looked like her. After all, she was a menace to society, and should have been eradicated at birth.' 'Where did you abduct Denise Forbes ?' 'Just outside her school in Richmond. Schools are the best places to find the ones you want to abduct. They're all so strapped in their routines it was fairly easy. Most of them have classes, go to practice or dance class or whatever, or go home. They all take the bus or go on foot. Denise was on feet. She lived only four blocks away from her school. She walked with someone else, and I was willing to take that girl too even though she didn't look like my mother. But about a block before her house, the other girl said goodbye and she walked alone. I parked my Sedan a few yards before her house and got out with a map in my hand, and the Demerol in my pocket. I walked over to her and asked her if she could show me directions. She was hesitant of course but since she was close to her house, I knew she felt somewhat safe. As she was pointing out to me where I needed to be, I drove the needle in her upper arm. She tried to scream but I held my hand before her mouth, and within seconds she was out like a light. I pushed her in the back seat of the car and drove off. I think people might have seen me, but since I had stolen license plates on the car, it didn't really matter.' 'What did you do next ?' I drove her outside of town, stopped at a parkinglot near the highway and got out to change the license plates. Then I taped her up, and put her in the trunk of the car. I put a blanket over her to keep her warm. I got back on the highway and drove to Washington. About three hours later I arrived at the warehouse. By then it was about 7 p.m. I believe. Yes, I remember I was listening to the news. It was all over the news of course. I thought it was funny. The cops and Feds were checking out Virginia and all the State Highways but of course they couldn't track me down. They were looking for a car with Boston license plates after all. By the time I brought her inside the warehouse she was still out. I checked the tape and put her on a blanket in the corner of the building. I had the doors unlocked, that convinced I was nobody would find us here. I had the car parked inside the warehouse. The building was after all, abandoned.' 'What did you do next ?' 'I talked to her as soon as she woke up. Like I said, she was a dead ringer for my mother, and I'm not very sure if she understood everything I was saying. I talked to her as if she had given birth to me, you see. I showed her my mother's picture, and accused her for her misdoings. She didn't understand I suppose. But she would grow up just like her, and therefore she had to die.' 'How did you kill her ?' 'I wanted to make it an easy death. I suppose I really wanted to gut her, but I owed it to my father not to do that. After all, she had made him happy for a while. I knew dad would be angry at me if I caused her too much pain. I don't think she knew what happened to her. I simply put a gun to the back of her head and pulled the trigger. It was kind of messy but I cleaned it all up. Her eyes were open. I don't think she realized what had happened to her. There was this look of surprise on her face, you know. Like she didn't know what was going on. I wrapped her in the blanket I had bought especially for her, and put her back in the trunk of the car. Then I drove off and left her in an alley in the city near the FBI. Hey, I wanted to make things easier for you after all.' 'What did you do next ?' 'As soon as I left her there, I got rid of the car somewhere downtown. I was attached to that car but I knew it would eventually lead to me if I kept on using it. Of course I got rid of everything blaming me. The papers, the license plates, etc. etc. Then I set fire to the vehicle, and watched it burn before taking of. By the time the fire squad had arrived, there was hardly anything left of the vehicle. The cops probably had a field day trying to figure out whose car it was. Since I had stolen the vehicle myself right after I left the hospital, they would track down the owner eventually. Since I loved taking risks I stole another black Sedan, a later model, and used the Virginia license plates to drive back to Richmond. I arrived there around 4 a.m. in the morning, got a room in some sleazy motel and planned my next move.' September 12, 1998 - 11.21 a.m. Mulder turned off the tape recorder and looked at the notes he had scribbled on his pad. Scully watched him. 'He's going to be around schools, Scully,' he said. 'He'll try and find his next victim there.' 'Where ?' 'Richmond, Virginia. We must make sure that there are enough Federal Agents around and issue a warning to the students in the area.' 'Richmond must have at least ten schools,' she said. 'Do you have any idea which one he'll chose ?' 'No. He took one victim in every school. He might change that part of his MO, knowing we'll be there too. But we'll have to make sure it doesn't get that far.' 'Mulder,' Davis walked towards him. 'We just received a report on a stolen car and wallet in a county hospital just outside Virginia. One of the local cops recalls having seen a driver that matches the description of our boy driving that car. He let him through because the man resembled the photo on his ID and seemed to have the necessary papers. He already changed his appearance. He lost the long hair and beard.' 'So he's out of Virginia ?' 'For sure. We tracked down the calls made to your apartment this morning. One of the calls came from a cellphone belonging to the robbed doctor. Also, a stack of Demerol syringes went missing in the same hospital. We're having his old mugshots distributed right now throughout Richmond, Baltimore and Washington.' 'How many syringes did he take ?' 'About twenty.' 'He won't be using all of them,' Mulder said. 'Not if he wants to repeat his past.' 'It doesn't matter, Mulder. He's already preparing for his first kill. You'll have to go to Richmond and aid the local police department.' 'Sir, you might want to check on all the abandoned warehouses in the area. If he wants to kill his victim the same way, he'll have to find a good spot first.' 'I'm on it,' Davis said, leaving for his desk. Mulder took the photo of the murdered teenager Denise Forbes from the file and compared it to the photo of Annelise Pinkett, Robert's mother. They could have been twins. Despite a difference in minor features, the eyes, mouth, nose and hair were the same. And somehow Pinkett had managed to find seven other girls looking just like them in other parts of town. He put aside the photo of the smiling girl, and took out the crimescene photos. The girl was lying on a blanket in an alley, near a garbage container. Her arms were lying next to her body, her fingers spread. Her eyes were open. There was no evidence of sexual assault, nor any other torture inflicted on her body. But the backside of her head was completely blown away with a .32. The pathologist had stated the girl was dead instantly, before she'd even hit the ground. Evidence stated the girl had not died in the alley. There was not enough blood even though the blanket was soaked with it. She had lost 3 out of 5 liters of blood. Nothing could have been done to save her. The kill could have been done by a hired killer. Mulder put down the photo and stared at his hands. The tingling feeling of Joanna Whillman's blood returned to the tips of his fingers. He could even smell the sweet scent of blood. Scully knelt down and touched his wrist. He looked at her. 'I don't know why but I have the feeling he won't be going after the same types of girls this time, Scully,' he said. 'He wants me to pay attention, to play a game of Stratego. What does he mean by that?' 'I don't know, Mulder, but you'll find him before he kills again. Let's go to Richmond and find out.' She got up and grabbed his jacket and coat, placing it in his hands. As they got ready to leave, Skinner entered the room and walked up to them. 'Where do you think you're going ?' 'Richmond,' Mulder said, 'and this time not because anyone of us needs medical attention. I'm sure the insurance company will have a field day, sir.' 'You're not going by yourselves,' Skinner said, walking over to Davis' office. 'Davis, didn't I tell you my agents need around the clock protection ?' 'You did, Walter. Several times indeed. And I've got it covered. Hanson and Schreiber are joining them.' 'No, leave Hanson here. Schreiber and I will go,' Skinner said firmly. 'Sir, we can take care of ourselves,' Scully said, not exactly eager to be guarded all the time. 'I'm sure you can, but you are my responsibility. Let's go.' Skinner clearly didn't want any discussion, and walked in front of them to the car in the garage. Mulder got in next to him, Scully sat in the back seat, next to the quiet Schreiber. The trip to Richmond went quietly. Mulder didn't know there were two people in the car worrying about him. 13 hours earlier Richmond, Virginia Robert David Pinkett knew they would not be looking for him in this area. Only hours before had he escaped the hell he'd been in for the past eight years. About two hours ago he had left the body of the doctor in the river, after stealing his coat, wallet and car. He knew he couldn't drive the car for much longer. They would be looking for it. But he wouldn't have need for it much longer. He drove to a local county hospital inside the borders of Virginia. He pulled the doctor's coat over his blue navy overalls and walked inside. It was quiet in there. He snuck in the nearest men's room and checked himself out in the mirror. He had grown a beard and long hair over the last couple of months, preparing for this moment. Of course they would still have the mugshots of him as he had been eight years ago, but that didn't matter. He had to get rid of this hair soon. And the overalls. He walked through the hospital, checking open doors, until he found what seemed to be a dressing room. He found the green slacks that surgeons wore. Lockers harbored their daily outfits. Suits and jackets, jeans and sweaters. He chose a pair of jeans and a gray turtle sweater. Despite his long years in jail and lack of space, he had managed to work out a bit in his cell, keeping his body firm. He had even developed a bit of muscles. He found showers nearby and decided to take a quick one before shaving his beard and cutting his hair. It took about ten minutes and he came out the room dressed in his new clothes. It really was his lucky day ! He found a cellular phone, one wallet with attached keychain and carkeys (probably forgotten by accident) and some cash. The picture in the wallet even resembled him. With a bit of luck the cops wouldn't think further when he drove past them, showing them his ID. The next move was to cut his hair. He found a raiser in the dressing room and a long pair of scissors in one of the lockers. He cut off his hair until it was rather short, and resembled the haircut on the photo. Then he shaved himself until his chin was smooth again. He put the overall in a bag and left the room. The nurses' quarters were nearby. He checked the keys on the chain and hoped one of them would resemble the lock to the medical cabinet. He got lucky. A small key opened the cabinet. He saw a stack of syringes and medication. He snatched a pack of twenty syringes and closed the cabinet again. No one had seen him. He left the overall and doctor's coat in a garbage can and left the hospital with his new ID, wallet, cellular phone and carkeys with attached alarm. In the doctor's parkinglot he tried the alarm until a car made the familiar sound. It was a silver BMW. 'Not bad,' he said out loud to himself while starting the car. He knew he didn't have much time before the theft would be noticed. He would have to get behind the police barriers immediately. On the radio he heard the police had set up roadblocks on every road leading out of Virginia. Right now he would leave the state, letting the police to believe he was heading to Washington. But he would return tomorrow, when everybody knew he had 'left the state'. And after he had made his first phonecall to agent Mulder. Pinkett knew he was taking risks with every move he made, but he felt very relaxed when he showed the cop at the roadblock his ID. 'Can I see your driver's license, and would you mind opening your trunk, sir ?' the cop said. 'Of course, officer. What's going on ?' 'We're looking for a fugitive, sir,' the cop said shining his flashlight on the ID and then in his face. He smiled. 'Do I look like a fugitive to you ?' 'No, sir,' the cop smiled in return. 'But we cannot make any exceptions.' The cop shone his light inside the trunk, seemed satisfied and closed it. 'Have a nice trip, sir.' 'Thank you.' Pinkett drove further and didn't look back, even though he expected them to come after him. They didn't. He drove the miles to Washington DC, realizing he was one lucky son of a bitch. Just outside the city he checked into a motel. It was after 2 a.m. when he finally made it to bed. Fatigued he lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Already imagining what he was going to do next. After all, Mulder would be waiting for his moves soon. In the morning he called Mulder and told him about the little game he was going to play. September 12, 1998 Washington DC Pinkett took his time driving around in Washington DC He figured that by now everybody knew he had left the State of Virginia, and knew about his new appearance. He would have to dye his hair. He smiled, thinking about his black hair. Blonde would be a definite change. In a store he bought a pair of sunglasses, dye and a game of Stratego. The Shop Assistant looked at him openly, smiling at his attractive features. He was 45 by now, but he knew he looked attractive. His mother had always complimented him on his appearance. He took care of himself. He paid in cash and returned to the BMW, knowing with regret he would have to leave the car somewhere in the city soon, and get another one. Near the store he stopped the Beamer and looked around. There was a huge parkinglot near the train station, always filled with cars, unguarded. He walked around slowly, taking his pick. He chose a blue Ford Taurus. It took him five seconds to crack the door and switch off the alarm. He hadn't lost his skills. The Beamer he left but the wallet and cellphone he took with him. After all, he would have to call Mulder on a daily basis. And he'd have to contact his helping hand within the Bureau. He left the parkinglot and headed downtown, looking for the right spot. Near the harbor would be too dangerous this time, but perhaps he would find something else interesting. In Maddalena Street he found what he was looking for : a 3-story building with shattered windows and a huge parkinglot behind the building. An old sign said :'For Rent' with a telephone number. He called and got an appointment immediately. The woman at the counter of 'Maxi's Rental Agency' didn't ask too many questions. He paid in cash for a 2-weeks-rent. She handed him the keys. He returned to the building and checked it out. Old wires running throughout the building. Ventilation pipes. Old carbon and wood on every floor. Even old desks, still reminding of a time when the building was of some use. It was perfect. Using an old sink and rusted water he dyed his hair. When he looked in the mirror again, he was blonde. With the sunglasses on, he was not recognizable. He would have to get some new papers with his new appearance stamped on them. At the postoffice he got a mailbox. In the train station he had passport photos taken. He bought a few envelopes and tucked them in, writing a short letter to his helping hand. He put a stamp on the envelope and put it in the mailbox, leaving his new Washington address. Then he bought a newspaper. His picture was on the cover of every paper he saw. He smiled behind his sunglasses, reading the article on his past and present. Mulder's name was in it several times as the Fed who caught him. He saw a recent picture of the man. 'Not bad, Mulder,' he mumbled, staring at the photo of the attractive FBI-agent. 'You've improved over the years.' He folded up the newspaper and walked to his car. On his way to Virginia he turned on the radio to hear the latest developments in the search for him. The female reporter said that within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Violent Crime Section and Behavioral Science Unit were working together to catch him. Agent Fox Mulder, the agent who was responsible for his first capture, was involved in the investigation. 'What, no aliens this week, Mulder ?' he said out loud. 'I'm flattered.' Near the Virginia border things went as he had expected. Every car going out of Virginia was still being checked, but every car driving in the state was free to go wherever they wanted. He passed the checkpoint and waved at the cops across the street. They waved back. He smiled as he drove to Richmond. Around 3 p.m. the newsreporter announced that the checkpoints in Virginia were being closed. Confirmation had come that Robert David Pinkett had left the state and was now residing in the Washington and Baltimore area. Everyone who spotted the man should report this immediately. He was considered armed and extremely dangerous. Special news bulletins were being held on every television station throughout the country to warn the population against this criminal. There was reason to believe Robert Pinkett would abduct teenage girls pretty soon. But Robert Pinkett had no intention of abduction teenage girls this time. He had a little surprise in store for Fox Mulder. September 12, 1998 Richmond, Virginia Fox Mulder checked out the dressing room the surgeons used while in surgery. It was a simple, square room with attached shower space. Lockers were used to contain the every day clothes and shoes. 'You never lock this room ?' he asked the guard on duty. 'No, sir. We're a small hospital. Everybody knows everybody.' 'Wouldn't you have spotted a stranger in here then ?' 'Normally there's always a guard on duty, sir, but yesterday Marty fell ill and we didn't have anyone to replace him immediately. I guess no one was paying enough attention. It was visiting hour after all, and people walk around the corridors all the time.' 'I see. Which locker has been stolen from ?' 'This one.' The guard pointed to the last one in the row. 'Dr. Matthews always leaves his wallet, keys and cellphone in here. He usually locks up though. I guess he forgot.' Mulder's hand touched the insides of the locker, trying to imagine Pinkett as he was at that time, still dressed in the prison slacks. 'We found the overall in the garbage can along with a doctor's coat. Oh yeah and a bunch of hair. Looks like he took the time to cut his hair. ' 'Where is it ?' 'Right here.' The guard directed them to a table nearby where he had put everything he found. 'I haven't touched anything, figured you might want to check for prints and stuff.' 'You did well,' Skinner said. 'Can you get us a few large plastic bags ?' 'Sure.' The guard left them alone in the room. Mulder's fingertips were already touching the overall. He closed his eyes as he tried to block out the sense of darkness he had felt only a few times before. John Barnett, John Lee Roche, and now Robert Pinkett. This was what happened when he got too close. He didn't want it to happen anymore. 'No.' Quickly he pulled his fingers off the overall and rubbed them against his jacket as if he had infected them. 'What is it ?' Scully asked, standing next to him. 'He was already planning his next murder when he was changing. I -' He shook his head. 'I can't see what he wants. He's dreaming of the kill. There's more to it this time. He needs to kill to get his fix.' 'Is he thinking about his mother ?' Skinner asked in amazement. He'd heard of Mulder's skills to get inside someone's head. He had rarely seen it happen. 'No. He's thinking .. of me.' Mulder's eyes were focused somewhere in the distance, as if he couldn't think of anything worse. Scully gently forced him to look at her, but he saw straight through her. 'He's in the area. I can feel it.' 'He left the state, Mulder,' Schreiber put in. 'He's gone.' 'No. He's come back. I can feel it.' Mulder said stubborn. 'He's already thinking about his first victim.' 'Alright,' Skinner said. 'We're staying in town. Schreiber, arrange a hotel for us for the night, and contact the local PD. We'll talk to them about our next move. Make sure that the agents are still checking out the schools in the area. Have them check specifically for any teenagers that fit the profile.' 'Yes, sir.' Schreiber left them alone. They could hear him on the phone just outside. Skinner looked firmly at Mulder and said :'I know Davis wants you to get inside Pinkett's head, but I oppose this. If you feel you can't do this anymore, you have to tell me and I'll have you off this case in no time. You got it ?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Good. Let's go.' September 12, 1998 - 2.45 p.m. Richmond, Virginia Skinner was definitely in charge as they drove off to the local police station to have a discussion with their colleagues in blue. During a quick meeting he described Pinkett's actions in the past, and his possible moves in the future. The boys in blue knew immediately how serious the situation was when Skinner showed them copied photos of the victims Pinkett had caused. When he told them about the conversation with Mulder early that morning, they looked at the quiet FBI-agent. Skinner had not even finished his story when a knock on the door shattered the silence in the room. An officer looked in and said :'Sorry to disturb you, sir, but we just had word. A young girl has been abducted outside her home right here in Richmond. Her mother saw it happen.' Mulder stiffened. 'How old was - is - she ?' 'Eight, sir.' Mulder knew instantly he wouldn't have to look at a photo of the girl to know what she looked like. His legs shivered. He grabbed the edge of the table. *Samantha* was all he could think when he heard Skinner's voice saying :'Let's go.' September 12, 1998 - 2.05 p.m. Richmond, Virginia Denise Mary White lived in a Victorian house with her parents and sister when everything ended for her. One minute she was outside playing with her dog, the next a man with blonde hair walked over to her and asked her with a map in his hand if she could help show him the way. She was sitting on the lawn in front of the house. It was still warm for the time of the year. He had walked over to her, and had said :'Hi, what's your name ?' She hesitated before saying her name. Mom had always told her not to talk to strangers. But he smiled and cuddled the dog and she liked him. 'Denise White,' she responded. 'Hello Denise, I'm Bob. Can you help me find the way ? I'm a little lost here.' She looked around to the house. Her mom was in front of the window but didn't see her. She was cleaning up the living room. 'I don't know,' Denise responded. 'I'll go get my mom.' As she got on her feet and turned to walk to the house, something sharp stung her. She looked aside and saw a needle in her arm. She didn't like needles. She'd been in hospital once, and the nurse had hurt her. But before she could think about it, she was already loosing consciousness. The man lifted her up. Her small body rested in his arms. Then everything turned black for her. Alicia White turned to the window to see her daughter being picked up by a man in jeans and sweater. 'Denise !' Her cry died in her throat as she ran to the door, opened it and went after them. She saw the car. Her little girl on the back seat. And he drove off while she ran after them. In the middle of the street she stopped, crying and screaming for her daughter. Hysterically she fled back to the house where her husband ran downstairs. He had had the night shift and was sleeping upstairs. He had trouble calming her down as she screamed that her little girl was kidnapped. Immediately he called the cops. September 12, 1998 - 2.47 p.m. Richmond, Virginia The adrenaline rush in Pinkett's body came to a quick stop when he got on the highway and stopped at the nearest space he could find. There were hardly any cars there but he knew he would be taking a risk putting the girl in the trunk now. He couldn't take a chance of anyone peeking into his car though. He quickly got out, and grabbed the girl, pulling the blanket over her body. He lifted her and tucked her in the trunk. He took out the tape he had bought in the store and taped her up, making sure she could breath through her nose. When she woke up she would be in a panic, but he'd given her enough Demerol to keep her quiet for at least 6 hours. He got back in the car and knew this was the last time he would be able to get a girl in Virginia. Maybe he should leave her here, as a sign for Mulder that he wouldn't be returning here. Yeah, that's what he would do. He'd keep the new warehouse for tomorrow's prey. He made a U-turn at the nearest exit and got back on the highway leading him into town. He chose not to enter the city center, but chose the industrial area instead. It was nearly 5 p.m. Soon, at nightfall, everyone would be going home, leaving the site practically empty. Then he would watch the girl die. September 12, 1998 - 3.30 p.m. Richmond, Virginia Alicia White was in shock. Pure and simple. She could barely keep herself straight, let alone have the FBI interrogate her. But there was something about the younger man who sat in front of her and slowly got her to calm down. He looked at her, grabbing her hand and comforting her with the simplest of words. 'Mrs. White,' he said softly. 'I am going to be very honest with you. Your daughter is in the hands of a very dangerous man who will kill her if we don't find her before tonight. We need your help. Anything you can give us to go on. Something you might have noticed.' Her eyes, shed with tears, looked up at him. 'I can't - There was nothing I could have done to prevent this. I should have had her inside the house, but she was playing just outside. How could I have foreseen this ? She's always been safe here. We moved here because it was such a safe area.' 'The car he drove. Did you take a good look at it ?' 'It was a blue Ford Taurus. I can't recall the license plates. I - There was something in the front mirror. I can't remember. The man wore a jeans and sweater. Turtleneck. I remember because he didn't wear a jacket over it. It was warm.' She sighed. 'Do you remember seeing his face ? His hair ?' 'It was blonde. He had blonde hair. It seemed unnatural somehow. Not fitting, you know. Attractive. I only got a glimpse of him. And then she was in his car. She seemed unconscious, not trying to free herself from him. I screamed at her to struggle, to fight. She didn't.' 'She was drugged, Mrs. White,' Scully said softly, sitting next to the woman. 'He used Demerol in a syringe. She couldn't have fought even if she wanted to.' 'Why her ?' The woman looked at the people in the room. 'Why my little girl ? What has she ever done to him ?' She got out of her seat and took a framed photo from the fireplace. 'She's just eight years old.' Mulder slowly stood, and without looking anyone or anything, he said :'He took her because of me.' He opened his wallet and took out the photo from his sister, taken two months before her abduction. 'He took her because she's a dead ringer for my sister.' Mrs. White stared blindly at the photo he gave her. It was as if she was staring at her own daughter. And she screamed before sliding into darkness. Her husband grabbed her before she fell. A few moments later she was on her way to the hospital. Paramedics had already been notified to calm her down. At least during the night, she wouldn't have to stand for the long wait for news. Mulder knew her daughter would not make it. Doug White looked at Mulder before getting into the ambulance with his wife and oldest daughter. 'Is it because of you he's doing this ?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Then you get that rat bastard and nail him to the wall. Make sure he doesn't do anything like this to someone else. And find my baby girl.' Mulder nodded and watched the ambulance leave. As he walked towards the car, Scully and Skinner were waiting for him. Schreiber was talking to the local cops. The place was buzzing with activity. FBI-agents were still working around the neighborhood, trying to find witnesses. But no one had seen anything until Mrs. White screamed her head off. 'You okay, Mulder ?' Scully asked as she put a hand on his sleeve, touching the top of his hand. 'Yeah,' he said, waving a hand across his tired eyes. 'Now we finally know what he's after. Dead ringers for my sister.' 'I'll spread the word around.' Skinner shared a glance with Scully and left them alone to make the call. Scully followed her partner as he walked up to the grass where Denise White had been playing before she was abducted. 'It's no coincidence he picked out another Denise, Scully,' Mulder said, touching the grass. 'He wants everything to be perfect. But he'll have to change his MO anyhow. He won't be coming back to Richmond.' 'How can you be sure ?' 'It's too risky for him. He's already taken a risk by coming back here. He must have ditched the Beamer somewhere in Washington and picked up the Taurus to return here. He must have dyed his hair in DC, bought whatever he needed to get to the girl, and then returned here. But he'll kill her here tonight. He won't take the chance of returning to DC with her in his trunk, knowing the roadblocks will be back again. He'll probably kill her in an abandoned shack, warehouse, or building. And then he'll finish what he's started in Washington.' 'He'll need a gun.' 'He's probably already got a gun. I'm pretty sure he's got help from someone with authority.' Scully looked surprised. 'Why ?' 'I haven't told you yet, and you haven't read the file yet. He checked up on me back in '90. When I got out of the hospital he already found out everything he wanted to know about me, including my sister's disappearance. I didn't believe as much as I do right now. I thought she might have been kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer. But he knew everything I thought - everything I had put down in a file I had made on her. And when he called me early this morning he told me I should forget about chasing aliens for a while to get after him. How can he know all that ? By having someone on the inside informing him on everything I've done over the past years. That same someone will probably help him with a fake ID, and with getting a gun.' Scully slowly nodded her head in surprise. 'Mulder, you're scaring me.' He looked at her with a hint of amusement. 'Why ?' 'You really are inside this guy's head. You know what he's going to do as much as he knows about you. But you have to use that gift in another way.' 'How ?' 'By focusing on the present. If he's going to kill that girl right here in Richmond, we need to start a search party towards the areas in this city where he might have taken her. Every city has its abandoned places. I'm sure Richmond is no different.' 'You're right,' Mulder said. She looked him in the eyes. 'I know you hate going inside this man's head, but right now it might save a girl's life. If you were Pinkett, where would you bring her ?' He hesitated for a moment. 'I would want to take her to a place resembling my previous murder site. I would want to relive the thrill of the past, by looking for something that is equal to the warehouse in DC I'd be looking for a windowless building where I can easily hide the car, or a 2-story building in an abandoned area where I can kill her without anyone hearing her screams.' 'Let's go then.' Scully quickly walked over to Skinner and explained him where they would start the search. Skinner immediately got a couple of cars, boys in blue and Feds, to start the search. With the help of the local PD several sites were cleared where Pinkett could be hiding. At the end only a few possible sites remained. Skinner drove their car as fast as he could behind a police car. No sirens, they had said. Just a quiet stroll through the night in order not to scare Pinkett off. September 13, 1998 - 11.45 p.m. Washington DC, Maddalena Street Pinkett carefully placed the girl on the blanket and watched her breathe. She lay on her back, her hands tied behind it with the tape. He knelt down and touched her innocent face. His fingers strolled her features and rested on her cheek. 'Samantha, Samantha,' he said out loud, as if he wasn't able to differ Mulder's little sister and this little girl. Her name rolled over his lips, and then changed into Denise. He had never known Samantha. Of course not. When she was abducted, he was just a little boy. But he would have loved to get to her and kill her. To see the life disappear out of her little body. To make Fox Mulder watch her die. Soon that time would come. The sonofabitch would pay for the eight years of hell he had put him through. Oh and he would enjoy playing The Game. After all, life was full of games, wasn't it ? He walked back to the car parked within the building and got out the gun he had stashed underneath his seat, taped to the top of it. He had found it just where his little helping hand had promised him he'd find it. Even after eight years, no one had traced it. The bullets were waiting next to it. It was a .32, for old times' sake. He quickly loaded the gun and closed the cardoor, walking back to the girl. By now the sedative should be losing its firm grip on the girl. He watched her slowly awaken, confused because of the tape on her mouth. He smiled and sat down beside her, pushing the long hair from her pretty little face. 'I'm glad you're awake, Denise,' he said. 'Look at me.' The girl's panicking eyes stared into his, trying to focus on her whereabouts. Oh, she was still so young and innocent. How would Mulder feel when he saw her photo ? Would he be forced back to think about his own sister as she had been before she vanished ? Would he feel the guilt again for letting her slip out of his fingers ? Would he cry for her when he found her ? The girl tried to get up but couldn't without his help. He removed the tape from her ankles, watching her little legs ready to run. Her legs were stiff and cramped from the ride in the trunk of the Taurus. 'Don't be afraid,' he whispered as he pulled her closer to him. 'I want to help you. You see, once there was this little girl that was just as afraid as you are right now. She was kidnapped, just like you. Her brother didn't do anything to help her, and she disappeared. She was so scared. She didn't know where she was. And her brother spent the better part of his life looking for her. It's his fault you're here now, Denise. And Samantha's.' She didn't understand him. Of course not. As he looked into her questioning eyes, he realized he wàs feeling the thrill of the kill again. He wànted to murder this girl and make him feel the pain and hurt all over again. And he wanted to kill her in front of him. But not now. Not before the game was over. He checked his watch. It was after midnight. September 13. Exactly eight years ago he had murdered Denise Forbes. Now, in his arms, he felt the body of another Denise. Oh, how he wanted to kill her. 'He's around here somewhere. I can feel it. He's here.' Walter Skinner looked aside surprised to see his agent holding his body with both arms clung to it as if he was cold. 'Mulder ?' he asked questioning. 'What's going on ?' Mulder didn't listen to him. His mind seemed far gone, focused on the senses he had developed over the years. His instinct had warned him several times before when there was danger, but he had pushed away the feeling. He had resisted the urge to try and concentrate on others around him when he quit the VCS. Now the sense was back, and enveloping him as if he was inside Pinkett's head. Skinner wanted to put his right hand on Mulder's arm to shake him awake, but Scully stopped him. 'Don't interrupt him, sir,' she said softly. 'He's trying to find out where Pinkett is.' Suddenly the rambling was over. Mulder focused on the quiet site in front of him, and said :'Drive to the right. He's there.' Skinner made a quick turn. Other cars followed him. The police vehicles now strolling the area used flashlights to check out unusual events. 'There !' Mulder pointed at the vaguely lit insides of an old building. The few windows were shattered and covered with black plastic, but they couldn't prevent them from seeing the light that came from the inside. 'It's him, I know it.' Skinner stopped the car abruptly, forcing the ones behind him to do the same. Before he stopped the car, Mulder was already out and on his way to a window covered with black plastic. Then, as he approached the site, a shot ran through the dark night. It came from within the building. 'No !!' Mulder heard himself shout as he ran to the large doors and pulled them open. The roar of a car engine warned him from danger. As he pulled the door, the Taurus rammed the half open door, throwing Mulder backwards, gasping for air as the car hit him roughly on the side. 'Mulder !' Scully was with him within seconds but he barely heard her. Cars already started the pursuit. Police vehicles covered the entire site. 'Check out the girl,' he said, getting on his feet. 'I'm fine, check out the girl !' Skinner ran towards them, and then after them inside the building. Scully was faster than her partner, approaching the girl with caution. The blanket covered her body but not her face. Instantly she saw the resemblance with Samantha, then the back of her head which was blown away. There was nothing left to do to save her life. She turned in time to stop her partner from looking at the girl. 'Mulder, no. Don't look at it.' He ignored her, and stepped aside. As he saw the face, the world seemed to become one big black pool, and his legs swayed. 'Easy Mulder.' Skinner's strong hands stopped him from hitting the ground. He forced him on the floor, pushing his head between his knees, forcing him to take deep breaths. All strength seemed to abandon him. Scully reached for the top of the blanket to pull it over her face, when she suddenly saw it. A small red plastic toy beside her throat. Slowly she picked it up and stared at it. It was a piece of a Stratego game. The Game had begun. September 13, 3.05 a.m. Richmond, Virginia - Randall Hotel 'How's Mulder ?' Walter Skinner hardly ever let the concern rule his voice, but this time he didn't take the effort to conceal it. 'Resting. The car bruised his ribs but he'll mend. No need for a hospital right now. I gave him a sedative. He didn't react too well to the sight of that piece of Stratego.' Scully sighed, rubbing her eyes. It had been a very long day. 'I can imagine.' Skinner said, remembering how passive Mulder had been when they drove to the hotel. He was hardly responsive, looking at the plastic piece in his hand all the time, trying to get in Pinkett's head. At one time he had said :'He loved the kill. He loved the fact she was my sister.' Then he had dropped the piece to the ground and simply hugged himself as if he was cold. Scully had brought him inside and straight up to the rooms Schreiber had taken care of. When they'd gotten inside, he didn't bother undressing. Only when she checked out his torso, had he pulled up his shirt and made a smart-ass joke about her freezing hands. When she was still examining him, he'd already closed his eyes and fallen asleep on her. She didn't want to take the risk of him having nightmares and had taken the decision of giving him the sedative. 'Does Mulder know you injected him ?' Skinner said, faintly smiling. She thought for a second. Her partner hadn't even flinged when the needle entered the flesh of his arm. He had made useless efforts of touching her hand, until his own hands simply dropped next to his exhausted body. 'No. But I won't tell if you won't tell,' she responded, smiling at the irony of it. She glimpsed at her partner in the king-size bed of his hotelroom and closed the door slowly. Outside she rested against the doorpost. 'You should get some sleep, Scully,' her boss said. 'It's after 3.' 'I know, sir, but I don't think I can sleep right now.' 'Let's get some coffee then.' She was surprised to see Terence Davis in lobby of the hotel, waiting for them. Dan Schreiber was with them. He had been there all night and day, watching the both of them like hawks as they went inside the abandoned factory where they'd find the girl. 'How's Mulder ?' Davis asked without much interest. 'Not too good,' Scully said angrily. 'You're putting him on too much strain. He shouldn't running around like this, profiling a murderer someone else let go.' 'I'm sure he appreciates your concern, agent Scully,' Davis replied. 'But at the end he's all we have to catch this guy.' 'Then why did the cops let him go ?' 'The hunt is still ongoing. He won't get far.' 'Like hell he won't. A girl died and we wouldn't have found her if Mulder hadn't brought us there in the first place. We had the best chance in the world tonight to find him, but he got away.' 'He's smart.' 'So are we.' Davis leant back. 'Does your idealism always get in the way of rational thinking, agent Scully ? I'm sure Mulder needed time to adjust to your behavior.' 'What's that supposed to mean ?' She got out of her chair, reading to battle Davis, when Skinner pulled her back in her chair and said :'Scully, calm down. It's been a very long day and we're all tired. Our first concern now is to catch Pinkett. When all of this is over you can have a mud fight, okay ?' She relaxed, leaning back. 'I'm sorry, sir.' Davis waved away her apology, and turned to Skinner. 'Do you think your boy will be able to handle the pressure ? I believe he lost it when he saw the dead girl.' 'Mulder will be alright,' Skinner said. 'What did you expect, that he'd take a look at the girl and turn away ? She could have been his sister for goodness sake. As long as this case is ongoing, his partner and I will be there to assist him.' 'You have a lot of concern for your agents, Walter. It's almost touching.' Skinner frowned and wanted to begin the mud fight he'd suggested just a few moments ago, but thought the better of it. Davis wasn't worth it. 'We're going back to Washington in the morning,' Skinner said. 'Mulder is convinced Pinkett is on his way back already to find his next victim. I've issued a warning to all TV-stations, newspapers and radios and have handed them a photo of Samantha Mulder. Every family in Washington with an eight-year-old girl who resembles Samantha will be warned.' 'You don't think they'll keep their kids inside ?' Davis said cynically. 'Perhaps not. But at least it will lower the odds. Schools will be under surveillance, sportscentres and other outdoors-activities will have to be monitored closely. That's all we can do for now. That and wait.' Davis emptied his cup of coffee and said :'And have Mulder nail this guy.' Scully opened her mouth to say something vicious, but Skinner was ahead of her. 'Today he only got hit by a car, Davis. What will it take for you to realize Mulder is only human ? Do you want Pinkett to put a gun to the back of his head too and blow his brains out ?' 'He won't kill Mulder,' Davis said angry. 'He wants to finish what he's started first.' 'That's right,' Scully said bitter. 'And then he won't rest until Mulder's gone.' 'Don't get hysterical, agent Scully, or I'll be forced to remove you from this assignment.' 'No,' Scully said. 'Tomorrow morning I am going to perform the autopsy on that little girl and then return with my partner and Supervisor to DC With all due respect, sir, you cannot get me off this case. I work for Walter Skinner and only when he tells me so, will I withdraw. Goodnight, sir.' Furious and outraged she turned her back towards them and walked to the elevators that brought her to the fourth floor. The building was filled with Federal Agents. Some of them to guard her, some of them because they had been assisting in the manhunt. They all looked exhausted. She nodded towards the man that guarded her room and closed the door behind her. Schreiber had arranged for adjoining rooms, knowing that Scully wouldn't want to be too far from her partner. She opened the door to check up on Mulder, expecting him to be asleep. Instead he sat straight up in bed and looked at her. 'Samantha ?' His voice sounded like that of a twelve-year-old looking for his sister. She realized immediately he wasn't really seeing her but through her, overwhelmed by dreams that brought him back to Chilmark. 'No,' she said softly. 'It's Scully. Go back to sleep, Mulder.' Now his eyes seemed to filled with fear. 'Where's Samantha ?' 'She's sleeping,' Scully slowly said, walking up to the bed. He looked at her. The T-shirt he wore was soaked with sweat. She put a hand on his forehead. He was running a fever. 'She's in the next room, Mulder. Try to get some sleep.' She pushed him back on the sheets, pulling the blanket over him. He grabbed her hand as she carelessly touched his shoulder. 'I had a dream about Samantha. She wasn't abducted. She was dead. She died in my arms and her brains were gone. She was so scared, and all I could do was hold her until she died.' 'She didn't die, Mulder. Samantha's alive. You'll find her soon.' Scully frowned, thinking back at the conversation Mulder had with her about the woman he had seen in the diner. The one the Cancerman had brought to him. He had told her he could never be sure she was actually his sister. She knew he didn't dare to believe in it anymore. After all, he hadn't heard from her in so long. And the Cancerman was his nemesis. How could he ever do something right in Mulder's life ? 'I haven't found her yet ?' His question came so sudden and innocent she had trouble finding an answer. 'No, but you will soon. Sleep, Mulder.' He leant back in the pillows, looking at her, putting his hand on her face, feeling his fingers run over her mouth. She let him. After everything that happened in the past, intimacy like this seemed only natural for the both of them. She touched his hand with her own, and kissed his fingertips. Then she leant over and kissed his flushed forehead. She couldn't be sure he was feverish because of the sedative she'd given him, or because of the dreams he was encountering. 'Stay with me.' His request was simply but firm. She couldn't be sure if it was him speaking or the boy inside of him, wanting to seek comfort after Samantha's disappearance. 'I'll be here.' She sat on the side of the bed and looked at him until he slept again. He turned on his side, one hand under his pillow, the other on his side. She covered him again with the blankets and closed the connecting door. It would be a very short night. Part IV : The Prey and its hunter September 13 Washington DC Robert David Pinkett still shivered with the thought of how close he'd come to blowing it all. How the hell had they ever found him so quickly ? Fox Mulder. He thought of the man as he opened the large doors with all his might, and then the side of the car hitting him, knocking him backwards. He hoped he hadn't hurt Mulder too much. After all, The Game had just begun. It had taken him all his knowledge of Richmond and beyond to get rid of the cops in pursuit. He had taken risks, driving in the center of the town like a dangerous maniac, trying to lure them in a trap. He'd taken small alleys behind hotels and restaurants, almost running over a cat or two. Then he'd suddenly come to a stop, and simply left the car behind a dumpster to continue his run on foot. The gun he took with him. He'd heard police vehicles everywhere, and the sound of sirens seemed to block out the quietness of the night. He'd taken shortcuts throughout the city, hiding in porntheatres and other sleazy bars. He bought a ticket for a movie starring some Swedish bimbo and watched her do several guys at the same time. When the movie was finished he bought another ticket. He didn't get aroused by what he saw on the silver screen. He was too hyped up. He had taken too many risks. He couldn't drive back to Washington today. He'd have to wait until the morning and then pinch a car somewhere in this neighborhood. He'd have to stay low for the day. And dye his hair again. Or buy a wig. They would be looking for a blonde man now. He'd better become a redhead. Around 4 a.m. he finally dared to go on the streets again. He stole a hat from a sleeping drunk homeless guy and put it on. The streets weren't buzzing with activity anymore. All had quiet down again. He walked a few miles until he found a small motel. He paid 35 bucks for one night for a room with a king-size bed, a bathroom and the HBO-movie channel. It was small but clean. The owner didn't ask any questions nor reacted when he handed Matthews' ID. He locked himself up and spent the remainder of the night staring at the ceiling. Around 10 a.m. he finally woke up, cursing himself because he overslept. He needed to get out of here pronto. The cops might still be checking out any motels or hotels where Matthew's ID had been used. He needed to get to Washington soon. He left the motel around 11 a.m. , and slipped into the first drugstore he found. He bought a bottle of red dye and some food and paid cash. Then he went to another porntheatre and bought a ticket. In the toilets he dyed his hair. He was now a red-head. He left the theater around noon and walked towards the city center. He didn't like not having a car. He felt vulnerable and exposed walking around with a gun stuffed in his pocket. Police vehicles passed him but no one stopped him. Around 1 p.m. he found a car behind a shopping center. He chose a Chrysler Le Baron '92, white. As he snuck in behind the wheel and took off, he felt relaxed again. He wouldn't take the highway back to Washington but take his time past smaller roads. If something went wrong and he was stopped, he might have a better chance of getting away using roads he knew best. Of course the roadblocks would be there too, and he couldn't use Matthew's ID anymore. Everybody would be on the lookout for that. He'd have to get another ID. He stopped at a small shopping center just outside of town, and took his time going inside. He looked around, trying to spot anyone who resembled him just a little bit. Eventually there was a guy who could pass for what he needed. He wasn't alone. A woman rested against his shoulder as he took his time looking around the shops. Pinkett followed them at a certain distance. Then he found his chance. The man kissed his girlfriend/wife/lover and went to the men's room. Pinkett followed him inside. The man took his time. Pinkett waited until another visitor washed his hands and checked quickly of anyone else was in the restroom. Then he locked the door, and waited until his victim stepped out. As the ignorant man flushed and opened his door, Pinkett knocked him down with the barrel of his gun, eventually stunning the man. As he dropped unconscious on the floor, Pinkett knelt down and grabbed his ID. He could pass for him with a bit of imagination. He would just have to take the risk. 'Thanks, buddy,' he said before he unlocked the door and walked outside. The girlfriend was waiting patiently for him. Pinkett's smart-ass grin got him through the roadblock withholding him from Washington DC It was a long way still but as soon as he passed here, he'd be able to do whatever he wanted. The cops let him pass. He drove his Chrysler like he was a king. The car brought him into DC and the abandoned storage facility he had rented for 2 weeks. He would be able to use the vehicle for one abduction. Then he would have to get rid of it again. He chose a spot he would want to lie down for a while, and spent the remainder of the afternoon thinking about Amy Locane. Soon another Amy would be in lying in his arms, and he would be thinking about Mulder when he killed her. September 13 Richmond Virginia, Randall Hotel Mulder woke up with a start, not realizing at first where he was. Then the throbbing of a headache kept him from getting up too quickly. 'Hey, Mulder,' he heard Scully say from somewhere in the room. She came in sight with a glass of water, and gave it to him. 'How do you feel ?' 'Not too bad. Where are we ?' 'The Randall Hotel, did you forget ?' 'Oh yeah.' He realized for a moment that he actually missed the comforts of his old couch. Waking up in a strange room was something he still wasn't used to, even after years of traveling around the country. 'What time is it ?' 'After 11. Skinner said to let you sleep it off. They're waiting downstairs.' 'They ?' 'Yeah, Davis is here too.' 'They didn't find Pinkett, did they ?' 'No.' Scully sat down on the side of the bed, looking at his white T-shirt. 'I performed the autopsy on Denise White early this morning. She died the exact same way Denise Forbes and the other girls did. One bullet to the back of the head, blowing away the entire backside of the skull. She didn't know what hit her, Mulder.' Blood on his hands. He stared at his long fingers. She saw it and put her hand over his. 'We need to get back to Washington, Mulder. If Pinkett has gotten away and your profile on him is correct, he will return to the place he loves most. He loves taking the risks.' 'I know.' Mulder pushed aside the blankets and realized he had slept in the pants of his suit. 'I got your bag from the trunk of Skinner's car. There's some jeans and a sweater you might wanna wear.' He turned and smiled. 'Scully, you never told me you were a mind-reader.' 'Only your complicated mind, Mulder.' He took a long, hot shower and came out with his hair messed up. Scully was in the adjoining room, logged in on the Bureau's Intranet with her laptop. When he was ready, she turned off her computer. 'Let's get you some breakfast.' He followed her downstairs and saw seven or eight of them waiting for them. Skinner got out of his chair as he approached the table and said :'Good to see you back on your feet, agent Mulder. Please take a seat. Do you want some coffee ?' 'Yeah, thanks.' Mulder sat down and saw Skinner walk to the counter. Wow, he must have been worried, he thought. Skinner never fetched anything for anyone. Skinner placed a plate with fresh donuts in front of him and gave him a cup of coffee. 'Eat and drink,' he said with a look that told him he shouldn't even bother to argue. Mulder ate two donuts and drank two cups of coffee. After that he felt like a human again. He saw Scully's content nod as he finished. She must have been worried too. Terence Davis hadn't said a word until he finished eating. Then he said :'Walter, I've arranged a hotel in DC for your agents. I'm sure agents Mulder and Scully would want to go home first to get some things they might need. After that they are not to leave the Bureau alone, or the hotel. They will be guarded 24 hours a day.' Surprised Mulder looked up to Skinner to protest. Skinner however nodded satisfied. 'Thanks, Terence. At least now we can be sure Mulder won't get himself in trouble.' 'I never do, sir,' Mulder protested weakly but was soon stopped by a piercing Scully-look. 'Has there been any news on Pinkett ?' 'We received confirmation about half an hour ago that he used Dr. Matthew's ID to check into a motel. We've sent agents there but he was already gone. We're checking the area right now, but he's probably already got another car and is trying to leave town. We'll have to wait and see what happens.' 'He'll try to get another ID and change his appearance again,' Mulder said. 'Black hair perhaps, or a wig.' 'Or maybe red,' Scully said with a grin. 'Yeah. But he wouldn't be an attractive red-head, Scully.' His partner glanced at him, and turned towards Davis. 'Whatever,' Davis said. 'He'll probably try and find another way of getting to Washington. Perhaps take a longer route. Drive to another town catch a flight out. Or an alternative road.' 'We've got it all covered, Mulder,' Davis said. 'Relax.' 'I want to see the file again on the second girl. He'll want to kill a girl named Amy now. It shouldn't be too difficult to find all 'Amy's' in the Washington area that resemble my sister, right ? After all, that's what he wants. To compare his past activities with his most recent.' 'We're already on it, Mulder,' Skinner said. 'It won't be easy for him.' Mulder hesitated. 'Do the Whites know about their daughter ?' 'Mr. White does,' Scully said. 'His wife is in the hospital under sedation. A psychologist will see her and talk to her about what has happened.' He nodded his head, remembering the look on his mother's face when she returned home and found her daughter missing. She shook him until he trembled under her grip. 'Where is she ?' she screamed. 'Where's Samantha ?' He had had trouble staying awake when she shook him up, trying to reason with him. And then his dad had made her release him and said :'It's the boy's fault, Teena. Leave him alone. Can't you see he's sick ?' His dad had picked him up and taken him to the hospital. He had awoken some time later. And all memories of that night were gone. 'Mulder ?' He looked up in Scully's worried eyes. 'Yeah.' 'I've been trying to get your attention for minutes now. We have to go.' He got up and followed her. The bags were already in the car, being put there by Dan Schreiber. Like a silent background figure he moved around them. Efficient and thorough. The ride back to Washington was just as quiet as the trip to Richmond had been. Mulder watched Skinner take control again as soon as they entered the Bureau's parkinglot. The VCS was still a puddle of activities but something had changed. A board had been put up with photos of Samantha Mulder and Denise White. Mulder stopped and stared at them, for the first time realizing just how much these two girls looked alike. If he had not known for a fact now that aliens were involved in her abduction, he would have believed that Pinkett might have murdered her. But the things he had seen in the Antarctic had confirmed his faith in the paranormal and alien existence. And Samantha had been involved in it. Still the shock was tremendous. The realization that Pinkett was killing girls that resembled his eight-year-old sister. He returned quietly to his desk and looked at Pinkett's file which he knew by heart. But in order to catch the guy he would have to listen to the tapes and his confession surrounding Amy Locane, the girl he had murdered on September 14. He checked his watch. It was nearly 4 p.m. His cellphone rang. 'Mulder.' 'Hey Mulder, how ya doin' ? I hope you didn't get too badly injured last night.' Fox Mulder felt himself get out his chair and waving at Scully to get her attention. Within seconds a trace was being placed on Pinkett's cellphone. 'I'm fine, Robert. Where are you ?' He laughed. 'In Washington. But you already knew that, didn't you ? Did it take you long to figure out I would have change my MO ?' 'No. I figured as much.' 'Thought so. You found me rather fast, I had to get the hell out of there. I hope you found my little surprise.' 'Yeah.' 'Good. I told you we were going to play a game. If you're patient just a little bit more I can get you more pieces to play with soon.' 'Why did you kill her ?' 'You know why.' 'Tell me about it.' 'Why ? You've already been inside my twisted mind. Don't you see the darkness inside of it ? I can feel it. Every time I breathe, eat, sleep. It's all over me, Mulder and I want to drag you down with me.' 'No. I won't let you.' 'Look at yourself. You're already in it. Soon you won't be sleeping anymore. Maybe that pretty red-head partner of yours can help you get some rest. I'm sure she loves drugging you and taking advantage of you. I'll see you soon, Mulder. Watch out for abandoned warehouses now.' He was gone. Mulder turned towards his partner and saw her shake her head. They didn't have enough time to track him down. 'Damn it,' Mulder said angry. 'What did he say ?' Scully asked. 'Nothing we didn't already know. Something about insomnia.' He turned towards her. 'It doesn't matter. He's in Washington.' 'We'll get him, Mulder. Every cop and Federal Agent in the area is out looking for him.' 'He's not in a warehouse anymore. He's got something else in mind this time.' 'Why ?' 'He wouldn't be so obvious. It's still an abandoned building though. He'll kill the girls there but he'll bring them in sight, so we'll find them quickly. And then he'll call me.' Mulder sat down and looked at the second tape. He sighed and dropped it on the desk. 'He was right. I'm already inside his head.' He didn't realize he had said it out loud until Davis responded :'And is that such a bad thing, agent Mulder ?' September 14, 9 a.m. Washington DC, Maddalena Street He spent the night going to the postoffice and driving around town in his Chrysler. In his mailbox he found the envelope he'd been waiting for. He knew it would arrive fast. He looked at his new ID. James Fields is name would be from now on. New driver's license, papers, ID. A bunch of cash. Enough to get him through the week. Around 8.30 a.m. he parked the car outside the personnel entrance of the Whitfield School for Girls near the White House and walked in, wearing a new suit he had bought in a nightstore. The suit wasn't worth much, but at least he looked decent. And attractive of course, even with his new red hairdo. The female principal, Jane Small, regarded him and asked him to take a seat. He looked like someone in need of a job, ready to work and prepared to do anything to get his hands on some money. She looked at his cheap suit and haircut. She felt sorry for him. 'You do know that the janitor position doesn't pay all that much, Mr. Fields,' she said. 'But it's a full-time job and you get a free lunch every noon. You will be paid by the end of the week.' 'I understand,' he responded. 'I'll be happy just to have a job, ma'am.' 'When can you start ?' 'I'd like to start right now if that's alright with you.' 'Of course.' She seemed pleased with that, and handed him a set of keys. 'You will use the personnel entrance at all times. The girls will use the gate. You can park your car behind the school. Overalls and equipment will be there as well. A list of chores will be laid out for you.' 'Thank you.' He smiled and shook her hand. 'Can I ask you though, what's with the police outside the gate ? Has something happened ?' 'They're looking for someone,' the principal said. 'You don't need to worry about that. As long as you do your job right, I'm sure they won't arrest you.' She laughed with her own joke and showed him out. He left her office and walked outside smiling. Near the back entrance he watched the cops and Feds checking on the girls entering the school. Tonight one of those girls would be his. And how he would enjoy killing her. And how he would enjoy listening to Mulder's upset voice. Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis, September 14, 1998 Additional Notes by Special Agent Fox Mulder. Current assignment : VCS 'Amy Locane, Robert.' 'Yes.' (silence) 'Amy Locane.' (sigh) 'One of my best achievements.' 'How did you find her ?' 'I figured that by now nobody would be thinking of a serial killer yet. I thought you boys would be looking for a one-time killer who murdered Denise for whatever purpose. So I figured I would be safe to get a job at the school I found her.' 'What school ?' 'I don't remember the name of it. It doesn't really matter anyhow. I spotted her the first time when I passed that school. They were outside talking. I guess they had a break or something. I watched her through the fence. She wasn't a dead ringer like Denise was, but she resembled my mother in any other way. Her hair was the same, and her eyes. And she had the same hautaine look in those eyes of hers. Like she owned the world, you know what I'm saying ?' 'How did you go about getting the job ?' 'By coincidence I found out they needed a janitor. A small note attached to the message board inside. I had gone inside you see, and noticed it. I applied for the job wearing a suit. I hadn't worn a suit for quite some time. It felt strange. The principal trusted me when I cocked up some sad story about losing my previous job due to my accident. I limped a bit just for the sake of it. She asked me when I could start. I said : Right now. She made me fill in some papers which I handed back with false credentials and of course fake name and address. She didn't need to know anything. I tracked the girl down inside the school. I watched what she did and checked on her schedule when she got off. I snuck into the teacher's boardroom and found out everything I needed to know. I got off just before she did. I knew her address. She took a bus home but I knew she had to walk the last part. So I followed her home. She was alone with her bag filled with books. She was so pretty. I got out just behind her and got her attention. Before she noticed what was happening I had already drugged her and dragged her out to the car. Some folk saw me and ran towards me. I took off as fast as I could in my stolen car. Again I switched license plates and got away. It was so easy. Cops can be so stupid sometimes, you know. I drove her back to Washington, and learnt on the news that they were now looking for the abductor of 2 missing girls, resembling each other. I figured they hadn't found the other girl yet, since they spoke of 'abduction'. I knew it wouldn't be too long though.' 'What did you do with her ?' 'The same as I did with Denise. I got her inside the warehouse and killed her.' 'Did she beg for her life ? Plead with you ?' 'Oh yeah. They all beg sooner or later. I think she would have done anything to survive. Probably fuck me if I had asked her. But I wasn't interested in that. I don't give damn about the sex. I needed to watch her die.' 'Did you get off on it ?' (laughter). 'I'm not sure. Maybe. Like I said, it wasn't a sexual thing.' September 14, 10.05 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS Mulder shut off the tape and looked at the others standing at his desk. 'He's going for a school now. He's probably trying to find a job to get a closer look at the girls so he can make his pick. We need to check out every school in the vicinity that has an ad or position for a teacher, janitor, anything else that might get a stranger inside.' 'Will he perform the exact MO, Mulder ?' Davis asked. 'He knows we'll be checking on him.' 'He will. I wouldn't be surprised if he already has a job somewhere. Every school in town needs to be checked on. And you need to check if there are girls called Amy that match Samantha's description somehow. But make it a random check, also on girls that don't match the profile. Amy Locane was the only teenager that didn't look exactly like his mother. She was different from the others. I was never sure why he chose her. She wasn't his type of victim. He might want to stick to this part of the story as well.' 'Got it.' Davis walked to his office and barked his orders to the men working for him. Scully sat down next to her partner and looked at the photo of the second murdered teenager. 'You were right, Mulder,' she said. 'She is different.' 'Yeah.' He sat back and looked at her. 'I don't know why. Maybe he chose her because of the way she walked and talked. Maybe he just like having her in his arms crying out for help.' He sighed and closed his eyes, imagining Pinkett - what he was doing right now. Perhaps he did get off on the fact he would soon have one of the girls in his arms. September 14, 1998 - 10.15 a.m. Washington DC Robert David Pinkett, or James Fields as his current name was, got a first glimpse of his future victim as she left her classroom with her friends. She was a cheerful eight-year-old. Her features were slim and small, just like any child of her age. She had long black hair and a friendly face, not entirely matching Samantha Mulder's. But she would do. After all, it didn't matter what his second girl looked like. Her name was Amy Lewis. She had classes until shortly after 3. Then she would take the schoolbus home. He knew the suburb she lived in. It wasn't so far from the FBI-Headquarters. He would follow her and track her down soon. His shift ended at 2.45 that day. He has requested the Principal to go home earlier just this once. After all, he had just begun working here. He needed to get a few things in order. The Principal had nodded in understanding and agreed to let him go earlier. He had smiled and thanked her gratefully. When he walked to his Chrysler around 2.50, an unmarked car drove up the public parkinglot. 2 men in suits got out and took the head entrance. He paled and turned his back towards them, knowing they wouldn't notice him with his changed features. They looked like Feds. Maybe Mulder finally got the picture on how to go about catching him. After all, he had left enough clues in the past. He knew they would be checking up with the Principal on who came to work at the school most recently. Perhaps they would even show her his picture and ask her if he had worked her. He checked his watch again. 2.55. In five minutes school would be out. His Amy would walk up to the bus and get on it. And she would drive home and he would be straight after her, taking her with him. He got in his car and left the parkinglot. The guards at the get quickly checked him out. He showed them the badge he had been given early this morning. They let him through and he parked the car just around the car, behind the schoolbus. He heard a loud bell. School was out. The kids ran outside, pleased that this day was over. A bunch of them ran to the waiting bus and got on it. Amy was amongst them. He waited patiently, almost expecting the Feds to run out of the office to come after him. But apparently they hadn't had a chance to talk to the Principal yet. Or maybe they were checking out the lists with names. The bus took off. He was behind it. He had time after all. September 14, 1998 - 3.15 p.m. Washington DC Skinner frowned as he listened to the agitated voice on the other end. He put on the speaker and let the others listen to the conversation. 'Are you sure it was him, Schreiber ?' 'Yes, sir. The Principal confirmed it. She said his appearance was different. He's dyed his hair red. It changed him. The guards at the gate remember letting him out just before the school was out. Sir, we have a list of possible victims here. There are five Amy's who could match the description who are eight years old. Two of them have been picked up by their parents. The other three are on different schoolbuses.' 'Alright. Fax me the info you have straight away and stand by for further action.' Skinner quickly dictated the fax on Davis' desk and hung up. Within a minute a fax with five names and locations came through. Mulder grabbed it and looked at them steadily. 'Forget the girls with the parents. He's going after a schoolbus.' 'That leaves us with three possibilities, Mulder,' Scully said. 'Which one ?' Mulder tried to focus on the names but none of them had a significant meaning. The photos on the fax were blurry. Mulder looked at them. 'I don't know. We need to find all three of them.' 'Okay. Let's split up. Davis, get three teams after those buses right now. We need to find this girl before he does.' Skinner grabbed the fax and said :'We'll have to make a guess. But we know he's driving a white Chrysler.' 'Sure thing.' Davis got on the phone and arranged it. As he hung up, he watched Mulder frown. 'Something's wrong,' Mulder said. 'I don't know what it is, but I have the distinct feeling we're missing something here. Give me that fax again.' Skinner handed him the piece of paper and watched him closely. 'I would like to see a complete list of kids going to that school,' Mulder said. 'All eight-year-olds.' Skinner got on the phone with Schreiber and ordered him to fax the list. 'That's going to take a while, sir,' Schreiber said. 'They have about eighty eight-year-olds here.' 'Make it fast,' Skinner said looking at Mulder who sat down anxiously. As he hung up, Mulder closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Then he looked at Skinner and said :'He's not going after one of those five girls. I don't know how I know, but I'm convinced we're missing out.' 'How can you be so sure ?' Scully asked. 'I don't know. He would be smarter than to just drive behind a schoolbus, knowing we'd be there too.' 'How many buses are there ?' Davis asked. 'About twenty I believe Schreiber said,' Skinner responded. 'We need to check on all buses. He's after one we don't know about.' Mulder got off his chair, grabbing his coat, ready to go as soon as the fax came in.' A few moments later the paper came in. Mulder carefully checked the list. Then the room looked up as he shouted :'Goddamnit !' He threw it down and ran towards the elevators. Scully picked up the paper, immediately knowing what he saw. 'It's not an Amy we're looking for. It's Amelia !' Davis grabbed the fax dazed and looked at the names of the girls. On the top of the second row the name Amelia Lewis, or Amy Lewis as she was called by her friends, rang a bell. Skinner could hardly keep by with his agents as they ran towards Mulder's car. As soon as he sat besides Mulder he got on the phone with the cops, ordering them to go after schoolbus 34 taking the suburb route. A girl's life was in danger. September 14,1998 - 3.45 p.m. Washington DC A hectic situation downtown with a number of schoolbuses coming from the girl's school only described a bit of the panic going on in the city. All three schoolbuses were stopped and thoroughly checked. Any cars behind them were stopped. But the girls named Amy were still on it, looking surprised when the Federal Agents invited them to take a ride in a police vehicle. None of the vehicles behind them contained the whereabouts of Robert Pinkett. Fox Mulder drove as fast as he could until he crossed the path of bus 34 heading to the outskirts of town. The bus had already been stopped by a police car. 'Is she still on it ?' Mulder asked an officer. The man didn't know what he was talking about. Mulder got on the bus. 'Amelia Lewis. Amy Lewis, is she here ?' No answer. He put his badge in the air. 'Don't be alarmed, I'm an FBI-agent. Can anyone tell me what happened to Amy ?' A girl from the backrow got up and said :'She was supposed to get off on First, but she wanted to visit Ruth first. She was sick home from school today.' 'Where did she get off ?' Mulder asked anxiously. 'Near Marsden, I believe,' the girl responded. 'About five minutes ago.' 'Shit !' Mulder turned around and got off the bus quickly. As he ran to the car, he told the others to get in as well. Like a madman he drove off towards Marsden Street. But he knew before he even got there, that it was already too late. He was right. Two minutes before Mulder arrived at Marsden, a white Chrysler Le Baron '92, drove off. A young girl lay unconscious in the trunk of the car. Her face, hands and ankles were covered with tape. Part V : Darkness and Demerol September 14, 8.45 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS 'I don't believe this !' Davis yelled through his phone. 'A girl gets abducted in broad daylight and no one sees a thing ? I don't fuckin' believe this !' Scully sighed, seated on the coach in his office. 'I think your former boss is kind of pissed of,' she whispered to Mulder. He hardly heard her, resting his head between his hands while supported on his knees. She put her hand on his shoulder. 'It's not your fault, Mulder.' 'He's playing with us, Scully. He knows exactly what I'm thinking. I shouldn't be the one profiling him. He knows what I'm thinking before I know it myself. Maybe he's the one profiling mé. I don't know shit anymore.' Davis hung up and looked angrily at the Federal Agents in his office. 'I want every single neighborhood in this city thoroughly checked out,' he said, losing his anger as he sank in his chair fatigued. 'Every day people get caught for abduction, rape, serial killings. And we can't find a little girl.' 'By the time we arrived at Marsden's she was gone,' Scully said. 'We did everything we could.' 'I know, agent Scully,' Davis responded. 'But our good apparently is not enough. Mulder, you need to go deeper inside this guy's head. Concentrate on the evidence at hand. Foresee his every move.' 'It's not that easy,' Mulder said. 'I'm doing the best I can.' Davis got out of his chair and sat down in front of his former agent. 'You're not going deep enough and you know it. You're not seeing the whole picture here.' 'What do you want from me, Terry ?' Mulder said as he got up. 'Do you want me to become like him ? Is that it ? I can do that, you know. You've asked me before, didn't you ? You've used Reggie to get me to crawl inside the heads and minds of serial killers. I've done that, Terry. I've seen the insides of John Lee Roche and it nearly cost another girl's life. Is that what you want ? That I go at any lengths to track him down and shoot him like he's an animal ?' 'I know you're fatigued, Mulder. I know the entire story. The things you claim you saw when you went to get your partner. The bullet that grazed your skull. Hell, I even see the scars. But you have to forget all that and concentrate on this case. Tell me what you see.' Mulder turned away from him, burying his face in his hands. The other agents in the room watched shocked as Terence Davis approached him and forced him to look at him. Mulder's eyes weren't crying, but they saw things any human being shouldn't be seeing. Davis knew he was pushing him over the edge. But right now there was no edge. Nor was there a place and time where Mulder could hide from Robert Pinkett. 'Tell me what you see. You are Robert Pinkett. What are you doing ?' 'I'm getting ready to kill the girl. She's lying at my feet, shivering from cold. I've got her stashed inside a cold place. I've taken precautions. Nobody will find me here when I kill her.' 'What's the girl doing ?' 'She's looking at me frightened. She knows I'll pull the trigger soon and blow away the back of her head.' 'Where are you ? Look around.' Mulder shook his head. 'I don't know. I can't - You've got to - No, leave me alone.' 'You're Robert Pinkett, Mulder. You're inside his head. Look around.' 'I can't !' Mulder violently freed himself from Davis' grip. His eyes spoke of terror and anger as he pushed away the superior agent. 'Leave me alone !' Davis' hip hit the side of his desk but he didn't seem to notice. Mulder looked at him in terror. His breath was too fast, too eager to inhale the air he wasn't able to breathe in moments before. 'No.' He shook his head. 'I'm not going to let you screw around in my head anymore.' 'Do you want to find other girls like the ones with the cloth hearts, Mulder ?' 'No.' His voice sounded much younger now, almost childish. 'Then go back in that dark place and get out whatever you can.' 'I can't.' 'You can ! You're wasting your time in that basement office. You could have saved many lives if you stayed with me - with us. But you wasted it all on some stupid quest to find your sister. And she's dead, Mulder. She's been dead for years.' 'No. I know she's alive. And my quest hasn't been for nothing,' Mulder said angrily. 'You have no right to judge my work or the things I do.' 'It's a waste of time,' Davis responded bitterly. 'A bunch of crap hidden in a basement office.' 'That's enough, Davis.' Skinner entered the room, ready to stop this fight. 'Mulder is my agent. He's helping you as a favor. Respect his help or back away.' Davis shrugged. 'You're too soft for this line of work, Walter. You're wasting him.' 'Mulder has made his choices in life. I respect that. No, I respect hím. If you can't, that's your problem, not ours.' 'I see.' Davis turned to sit down at his desk. The agents working for him were quiet still, watching the scene develop. It sounded as if old fights were being battled here. 'Now I see where you get your weaknesses, Mulder.' Mulder didn't respond but picked up his coat and left the room. Skinner went after him. 'Mulder, you can't go. You're under protection.' Mulder stopped and picked up the file. Skinner took it out of his hands. 'That can wait until the morning. Let's go.' Skinner turned and looked at Scully, nodding for her to join them. As they left the floor, other agents followed to leave for the night. Davis stayed behind alone. September 14, 1998 - time unknown Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS Mulder's cellphone went off before he reached the elevators. Sharing a glance with Scully he picked up. 'Mulder. Do you want to know what it 's like to have a girl in your possession ?' 'Is she still alive ?' 'For now. But I thought I'd share this with you. After all, I'm doing it all for you.' 'Don't kill her, Pinkett. You still have the choice over life and death. Don't do it.' 'I'm sorry but you know I must.' 'Don't.' Mulder swallowed as his throat thickened. 'Please, don't do this to her family.' 'What's it worth to you, Mulder ? Do you think she has a brother who would do anything for her ?' 'She has one brother. Don't make him go through the same I have been through.' 'So what's it worth to you ?' 'Everything. Just don't kill her.' 'Would you sacrifice yourself to save her ?' 'Yes.' 'And that lovely partner of yours ?' Mulder hesitated. One second long. It was the second he couldn't afford to waste. 'I thought so. Say goodbye to Amy, Mulder.' 'Don't !' Mulder's shout mixed with the sound of a single gunshot. 'No !' Mulder dropped the phone on the floor and stumbled to the elevators. He felt the anger rage in his body like a knife through flesh. He could scream it out, but his throat was sore and closed. He ended up with his head between his hands, resting against the cold walls. Skinner walked up to him, trying to get him to talk to him. Mulder was unresponsive. Scully picked up his phone. 'Yo, Mulder, you still there ?' Pinkett's voice called out his name. 'No,' she said. 'It's Scully.' 'Ah, the lovely agent Scully. Is your partner upset ?' Scully looked at him standing near the elevators. Skinner had his hand on Mulder's forehead, as if to support the agent through his ordeal. 'We'll get you, you son of a bitch,' she said. 'Not today.' A click and he was gone. Scully turned off the phone and walked up to her partner, forcing him to look at her. She could hardly recognize the look in his eyes. Never before had she seen this. She clung to him, forcing him to cling to her slim body. She heard a sound coming from his throat, as if he swallowed away the lump that was created inside of his body. He looked at her without seeing her. He started to shiver. 'He's going in shock,' Scully said. 'We have to get him out of here.' The elevator opened. Gently she pushed Mulder inside. He leant against the wall, still not saying a word. Skinner, Schreiber, Williamson and Davis were with them. Then, when the elevator doors were about to open again, Mulder said :'Check every block around her house. He's going to bring her there, in plain view.' 'We'll find her, Mulder,' Skinner said. 'That is not of your concern.' They walked over to Skinner's car. Scully didn't see it happen. All of a sudden Mulder was on the ground quietly, like he had fallen asleep. Skinner made an effort to keep him from hitting the ground, but to no avail. 'Let's get him in the car.' Scully opened the cardoor and helped the others when they laid Mulder inside. Quickly she slid in on the back seat, supporting his head and torso with her slim body. 'Does he need a hospital ?' Skinner asked, leaning inside. 'No. I don't think so. He's exhausted.' 'Let's go to the hotel then.' Skinner got in behind the wheel and looked at the silent Schreiber. Davis and Williamson would follow in Davis' car. The Bureau had arranged several rooms at the same hotel. When the car took off, Scully suddenly realized she didn't even have clean clothes for the next morning. September 14, 10.05 p.m. Washington DC, Maddalena Street Pinkett cleaned up the mess swiftly. He looked at the girl wrapped in the blanket. Her hair was the only thing visible. He hadn't enjoyed killing her as much as he did the others. She wasn't a dead ringer. Even her eyes were different. He smiled when he was told about the Federal cars chasing the schoolbuses. Again, Mulder had come close to finding him. He imagined even seeing his car when he left Marsden Street. Maybe Mulder had been just behind him, not realizing he was the one driving the white Chrysler. His contact had warned him about the hotel the Feds were staying at. Pinkett knew they would never let Mulder sleep at home. Afraid that he would be abducted, murdered, whatever. But it was okay. At least now he could deliver his package where no one expected it. Around the back of the hotel. He would do it in the morning. Early morning, around 6 a.m., before the guests started to wake up. Leave the girl there, to make sure someone found her. Then the Feds would be running out of the building, trying to find her. Mulder would be there too, finding the second piece of the game. All hell would break loose. He couldn't wait to hear about the expression on Mulder's face. Do you see your demons in your dreams, Mulder ? Do you want to see some more ? September 14, 10.25 p.m. Washington DC The first thing he was aware of was a soft hand leaning against his shoulder and neck. He was moving, even though he didn't know why or how. Then he realized that the softness he was lying on, was someone's lap. He knew that scent. Scully. Quickly he opened his eyes and stared at her feet. Her hand caressed his cheek carelessly. She probably didn't know he was awake, otherwise she wouldn't be doing this. He heard voices in the front of the car. Dan Schreiber was talking to Skinner. He was the one driving the car. Suddenly he became aware of the stiffness in his body. He was cramped up in the back seat of the vehicle. He moaned slightly, to let her know he was awake. The next moment he saw her eyes as her face leant over him and said :'Mulder, take it easy. We're going to the hotel.' Carefully he tried to get up straight. A pounding headache was the result. He felt dizzy. 'What happened ?' he asked, recalling the last thing he did before he went down. 'You collapsed in the parkinglot of the Bureau.' 'I did ?' 'Yeah.' She smiled and touched his forehead, her fingernails grazing the spot he had been shot only a couple of weeks ago. 'You're not feverish. But you still look like hell, Mulder. Do you feel dizzy ?' 'Yeah.' 'No wonder. The last time you ate was this morning.' 'I haven't seen you eating either.' 'Mulder, I ate a bagel, remember ? Schreiber brought them. You were too occupied to notice.' He nodded, saying nothing in return. Skinner looked at him through the rearview mirror. 'Mulder, if it weren't for Scully, you'd be starving to death. I wonder how you ever managed to survive before she joined you on The X-Files.' Mulder grinned, remembering the ten pounds he had gained since she forced him to eat regularly. 'Yeah well, I'm sure agent Scully enjoys every second of it, sir.' Skinner pulled up at the hotel. Schreiber was out of the car before Mulder and opened his door. Mulder got out, shaking legs et all. 'Easy, Mulder,' Skinner said, supporting him. 'The first thing you are going to do is go up to your room. I'll have room service bring you some food. Scully, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid like wonder off.' 'Yes, sir.' Another car pulled up, and Davis and Williamson got out. 'Our boy's awake,' Davis said, walking up to him. 'You okay ?' 'Yeah.' 'Good. Get some rest, Mulder. Or Skinner'll kick your butt.' 'Boy, I feel important,' Mulder grinned as he walked up to the lobby, surrounded by his colleagues. Scully pressed the elevator button and looked at him cautiously, ready to grab in as soon as he showed anymore signs of fatigue. But Mulder made it on his own to his room, dropping on the bed like a log. She sat down on the side of the bed and examined him closer. 'Mulder, I'm going to give you a sedative so you'll sleep better than you did last night.' 'I slept fine last night.' 'You were having nightmares. You called out for your sister.' 'I always call out for her. At least that's what my mother used to say.' 'You had a fever too.' 'Okay, thàt I don't do every night.' He pushed himself up on his elbows. 'Scully, did you give me something last night as well ?' 'Yeah, I did. After you went asleep. But it didn't help much so I'm going to give you something else tonight.' 'Pinkett said something - on the phone. He said that you drugged me so you could take advantage of me.' Scully flushed. 'Not exactly.' Mulder smiled. 'I wouldn't have said no to the last part. Seriously, the point is : He knew that you drugged me. How did he know that ?' She thought for a while. 'Because someone told him.' 'We talked about this before. Someone on the inside is feeding him information, telling him things. How did he know where to find Denise White ? Because he knew where she lived. How did he know which school to pick to find Amy Lewis ? How did he know about the janitor's job ? Because someone arranged it. He knows about Samantha's file. He knows about the work that we do. He knows everything about us.' 'Mulder, that's impossible. Are you suggesting that one of ours is feeding him this information ?' 'Someone who's close to us.' 'But there were several agents present last night. How can we find out who it was ?' 'Only a few agents were here all the time. Dan Schreiber, Kevin Williamson, Clark Weinstein ..' 'And Terence Davis.' 'No.' Mulder shook his head fervently. 'Terence wouldn't be so stupid to blow his entire life and career to a guy like Pinkett. He puts people like Pinkett on death row.' 'What if Pinkett has something on one of these men ?' Scully said thoughtfully. 'It is worth a background check.' 'It might be. I remember - back in '90, Pinkett told me he had a friend who fed him information from the outside. We found out it was some small-time criminal called Freddy Willcox. I don't know if he's still around.' 'I'll find out.' 'I'll come with you.' Mulder was already on his feet. 'No, Mulder.' She pushed him back determined. 'You're staying put.' 'Scully, come on.' 'I'm serious, Mulder. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but you collapsed twice already. Yesterday you were hit by a car. You're exhausted, mentally and physically. You're not going anywhere.' 'Scully, I'm fine. Honestly. I don't know what happened to me tonight. Everything just turned black after that phonecall.' 'I know you're dreaming about that girl, Joanna. And your sister. Every time Pinkett kills a girl, you're seeing the image of your dead sister. It's enough to make anyone lose control. I'm worried about you, Mulder.' 'Of course you are. You're on my one in five billion, remember ?' She smiled. 'I'm not going to put you back in that mental institute if that's what you're worried about. Instead, I'm going to stay right here besides you through this whole thing and hold your hand to make sure you're not pushing yourself over the edge. How does that sound ?' He leaned back in the pillows. 'Not bad at all,' he mumbled sleepy. 'I wouldn't mind having you on this bed next to me.' 'I'm sure you wouldn't,' she smiled. 'But remember, buster, if you try to take advantage of this damsel, you won't be producing kids for quite some time.' 'Is that a promise, Scully ?' he asked as his voice faded away. 'You betcha.' She kissed him on the cheek, almost touching his mouth. He fell asleep on her before she pulled away her mouth. He looked quite innocent in his sleep, she thought, remembering that day in the Antarctic, when he had collapsed in the ice, and she had to protect him against the cold. For minutes she had waited until he woke up, thinking she could sit there an eternity, despite the freezing cold that tore through their clothes. And then the chopper came, to find out what the hell was going on on that ice. He had awoken on her lap in the chopper, just like he had woken up in the car, just a few moments ago. Twice she had touched his face, thinking of the hell he had gone through to find her, and the hell he was going through now to find a serial killer on the run. As she got off the bed, she turned to find Davis looking at her. She had forgotten to close the door. 'You two seem to get along quite nicely,' he said, looking at Mulder's dressed sleeping form. 'Do you always hug him to sleep ?' 'No,' she said angrily. 'Only when he's going through hell.' Davis followed her to the adjoining room and watched her close the door to let Mulder sleep. 'He'll be fine. You don't have to fuss over him.' 'What do you know about him ?' She said. 'You couldn't care less about his work or his beliefs. You don't know what we went through.' 'I know you were abducted and he came after you. I read the report. A UFO buried in the ice ? Bees and corncrops that carry a virus ? If that's the kind of work you're interested in, be my guest to chase ghosts, agent Scully. I'm surprised you lasted so long. You were quite the ambitious young FBI-agent when you first joined the Bureau.' 'We have an 85 % resolve in our cases,' she said. 'That's more than the VCS.' 'But how many killers have you brought to justice ? Where are those mutants, or alien bounty hunters Mulder writes about in his reports ? The monster that attacked him when he was admitted to a hospital ? The reason why the X-Files were shut down in the first place was because of his lack of interest in anything else. Did you really think others would stand by and watch as he spent government money on chasing UFO's ? Skinner held a hand above your heads for five years, but he knew he couldn't for much longer. Mulder buried himself when he failed to protect that wunderkind. And he's not going to get himself out of it either.' 'That's just what you want, isn't it ?' Scully said forcefully. 'For him to give up his hopes and hunt so he could return to the VCS and work for you. With him in your force you would get better results and more respect. They've been after you for five years because you let him go easily when he wanted the basement office. And that's why you're so hung up about this. You want him to do everything in his power to get inside Pinkett's head, so afterwards you can force him to stay at the VCS. It's not going to happen. He'll never give up on the X-Files.' 'There are no more X-Files, agent Scully. The office burnt down.' 'He'll start over again.' 'With you, I presume.' 'Yes.' 'But what if you were offered another job within the Bureau, agent Scully ? One that would satisfy your own needs ? After all, you are ambitious. I'm sure you want more than that basement office.' 'I'm happy where I am.' 'Because of him.' 'Amongst others, yes.' 'You love him.' She turned her back to Davis. 'I'm not going to discuss my feelings for Mulder with you, sir.' 'You're afraid to admit it, aren't you ?' She walked past him. 'Please leave us alone, sir. Mulder needs his rest.' 'I'll leave him alone, for now. But tomorrow is another day, agent Scully. And Pinkett is still out there. Mulder hasn't even begun going through hell, believe me. By the time all of this is over, you'll be picking up the pieces with a shovel.' 'I'll prevent that from happening,' she said firmly. 'And if needs be, I'll make sure he doesn't have anything more to do with you.' Davis smiled. 'Be careful whom you threaten, agent Scully. After all, you are still talking to an Assistant-Director.' 'Right now I don't care who you are,' she said. 'My partner is my first priority.' 'How touching. Don't bother showing me out, I know my way.' Davis walked out the door, leaving her behind furiously. A second later a knock on Mulder's door made her hurry to his room. Skinner looked at her with a tray in his hand. 'Figured I might as well bring the food myself,' he said, walking past her. 'Is he asleep ?' 'Yeah, but I'll wake him. Right now he needs food more than sleep.' 'Scully, are you okay ? You look angry.' 'Yeah. I just had a discussion with Davis. That guy really pisses me off.' 'He's an excellent leader,' Skinner said with a slight hint of respect in his voice. 'They're talking about promoting him in a couple of months. One of the top execs is retiring.' 'Oh boy. Not the kind of guy you'd want to piss off then.' 'Did you piss him off ?' 'I think so. We're not exactly fond of each other.' 'Don't worry about it, Davis is not fond of anyone.' Scully walked up to the bed and looked down at her sleeping partner. When she touched his shoulder, he looked him with a look of fear in his eyes, ready to attack whomever was touching him. 'Mulder, it's me.' He relaxed as he saw her. 'You need to eat. Come on.' He got out of the bed and took a seat at the table opposite of Skinner. The tray was filled with sandwiches, coffee, milk and sugar. Eager Mulder ate three sandwiches and drank two cups of coffee in silence. Then he told Skinner about his suspicions towards one of the agents. Skinner listened as he explained his motivations for accusing one of them. Skinner didn't even seem that surprised. 'You expected this, didn't you, sir ?' Scully asked as she drank some coffee. 'I'm afraid so. I want this to stay in this room, but I'm already tracking down every bit of info I can get on our fellow colleagues. I don't mean to sound like you, Mulder, but this whole case has got me spooked.' Mulder smiled at his least favorite word. 'There's something about it that doesn't seem right. It's like we are being watched all the time. Every move we make, every action we do is being monitored.' 'By whom ?' 'I don't know.' 'Do you think the top branch is involved in this ?' Scully asked. 'Working against us somehow ?' 'Again I don't know.' 'That means we can only rely on each other,' Mulder said. 'Whatever we do has to stay in this room.' 'That's impossible, Mulder. We need them to find Pinkett.' 'But we don't need them to discuss action.' Mulder got up and found his jacket on the side of the bed. In his pocket he found a notepad he had snatched from his desk earlier that day. 'Pinkett is going after a girl in a playground next. Washington is a big city, sir. We cannot track and check on every playground without knowing where or when he might strike. But he's going after a girl named Valerie this time. What I want to do is send a police car to every school in town, as we did today. This time to notify the staff that none of the girls are allowed to go home by themselves. Every single girl that bares that name has to be guided home. The playgrounds near the schools need to be closed for the day.' 'What if he doesn't get a girl tomorrow ? Won't he try to get his fix the next day ?' 'No. He'll stick to the routine. I'm pretty sure he'll skip the girl and move on. The point is we have to be there before him. The only thing we can do is take precautions and hope they've worked. But I want a warning issued today to every family in town. We need extra cars and men to do this. And we need to distribute photos of Pinkett every which way he might look. I'm pretty sure he's going for a wig tomorrow. He won't risk dying his hair again. Whatever disguise he's wearing, we need to know about it. And he'll want to get rid of the Chrysler. Have you found out yet whose car it was ?' 'Yeah. He mugged the owner in a shopping center outside of Richmond. The guy's in the hospital right now, didn't know what hit him. He went to the men's room and woke up in hospital. His girlfriend found him.' 'He'll chose a completely different car now, probably steal it in a large parkinglot. An older car, one that doesn't stand out.' 'Okay, we'll have the public lots monitored more carefully. Anything else ?' 'Yes.' Mulder sat down again. 'He'll use another fake ID. We need to find out who's making those ID's and where the money comes from to provide them.' 'If Davis finds out we're running an investigation within an investigation, he'll freak,' Scully said. Mulder smiled. 'He wouldn't expect anything less from me. Why do you think he contacted me again ?' 'I'll leave you to it,' Skinner said. 'It's after 11. I'd like to get some sleep somewhere tonight. Go to bed, Mulder.' 'Yes, sir.' Mulder looked at his suit, remembering he didn't bring anything to wear for the morning. Skinner seemed to read his thoughts. 'Tomorrow morning we'll pick some things for you and Scully. You can sleep in a T-shirt tonight.' 'That'll do just fine.' Skinner left the room, leaving them alone. Scully turned towards her partner. 'Are you going to help me undress, Scully ?' 'No,' she smiled. 'I've got a nice needle ready to stick in your butt. Get undressed, Mulder.' 'Come on, Scully, I don't need anything.' 'No arguments, partner.' Mulder sighed and walked to the bathroom, leaving his clothes there. He returned in boxers and the white T-shirt he always wore underneath. As he slipped between the sheets, he noticed Scully hadn't been lying. The professional side of her had already prepared a syringe filled with goodies. He turned on his side. As her cold hands touched the lower part of his back, he thought he could easily be aroused by her touch. But the circumstances were not exactly perfect. She injected him. Immediately he felt the fluid take over. 'Scully,' he said as his voice faltered. 'Yeah ?' 'Do you think she was my sister ?' She knew he was referring to the woman at the diner. 'I don't know, Mulder.' 'I wish she was. Even if she doesn't want anything to do with me, at least she'd be alive.' He closed his eyes and slept. For minutes she sat on the side of the bed, feeling his agony. And there was nothing she could do about it. September 15, 5.15 a.m. Washington DC He woke up early in the morning. The night had been wasted on the cold floor. He tossed and turned until he finally realized again why he was so excited. He would drop off the girl at the hotel, knowing dozens of them were there. He had to find another car today. The Chrysler had become too high profiled. They would comb through the vehicle with a toothbrush when they found the vehicle, finding only his fingerprints. Surprise surprise. Maybe he should leave them a hint. Or not. He loved toying with them. After all, none of them were as close to him as Mulder. He put the girl in the trunk. Her body was hard to handle by now. She had lain the entire night on the cold floor. Pinkett smiled, thinking about Mulder's agony over the phone. Would he understand why Pinkett was doing this ? Would he listen to the hints behind the words ? He made a mental note to get another cellphone as well today. Maybe he'd drop the doctor's phone somewhere in a shopping center while speaking to Mulder. It would get the Feds to the mall, surrounding the building after they'd traced the call. It would buy him some time to get to his third victim. He smiled as he thought of his Valerie Malone, the blonde teenage girl that had practically spread her legs, inviting him to rape her and then get rid of her. Just to end it all. He had touched her belly, and then lifted her on her feet, pulled the trigger to her head as she tried to kiss him. Oh, she was a joy, that one. And today he would have another Valerie to toy with. One half her age, but still as sensual as they could get. He'd have to control himself while strolling through memory lane. September 15, 5.20 a.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel Mulder checked his bag, hoping his sweats were still in it. He always took them with him, wherever he went. Yesterday he'd slept until 11; a drug-induced sleep Scully had provided him. He remembered her injecting him with something else last night as well. Apparently it didn't work as strong this time. He checked his watch. If he got back by 6.30, she wouldn't notice he had run off by himself. With a bit of luck he could surpass the guards in the corridor. While he got dressed, he thought about how much he hated feeling cooped up like this. He didn't like the idea of having guards close to him all the time, checking every move he made. He was sure Pinkett wouldn't be stupid enough to come looking for him here. If he was, he'd be in jail before he could even sneeze. But then again, Pinkett was anything but predictable. He had proved that yesterday. Mulder put on his shoes and pulled the gray sweater over his head. It would be chilly outside, but he liked it chilly. The best time of the year to go for a run. He'd almost forgotten the dizziness he had felt last night, and still couldn't figure out why he had passed out like that. Maybe Scully was right. He should start eating regular meals. But he simply forgot all the time. When they were out on assignment, she was always the one pulling him inside a restaurant or diner to get something to eat. He simply could afford to eat as little as possible. Mulder opened the door of his room and checked the corridor. It was quiet. Maybe they were downstairs, or near the elevators, checking everyone that would come in. As he walked over the elevators, he saw two of them talking. Quickly he turned and walked over to the fire escape. A moment later he was standing in a stairwell. Their rooms were four floors up. There would be others downstairs, checking out the entrance to the hotel. He'd have to try and go through the kitchen, and see if there was a servant's door around the back. There usually were, making way to an alley around back. He took his time going down the stairs. As he opened the door, he saw a couple of others agents near the entrance. He had been right. He walked the opposite direction, and went into the kitchen. There wasn't much activity here either. A few maids were talking to each other, but hardly paid attention to him. He took the first door he could see and ended up in an alley at the back of the hotel. He smiled at his luck. Yeah, it was a good time to go for a run. A car turned in the alley. Mulder froze and duck behind a garbage container. It was dark still, he couldn't make out much more than the lights. The car stopped a few yards before him, at another container. Someone got out and opened the trunk. Mulder heard him breathe heavily through the weight he was pulling out of the vehicle. In the lights of the alley he saw the familiar figure of the man he had been tracking down for days now. Instinctively he reached for his gun. It wasn't there. He'd left it at the room. The man was not paying attention to anything else but the package in his hands. Mulder got from behind his safe spot and quickly walked over to him, grabbing him by the shoulders as he dropped his package. 'Get your hands against the wall, now !' Mulder shouted as he pushed Pinkett's body against the bricks. 'You're busted, Pinkett.' Robert Pinkett seemed startled at first, and then surprised. 'What the hell are you doing here, Mulder ? I didn't expect you at this hour. Didn't your cute partner drug you this time ?' Pinkett tried to turn slightly to see Mulder's face, but he got was pushed back. 'Didn't your mother never tell you not to take risks, Robert ?' Mulder's breathing was heavy as he spread Pinkett's legs, trying to find the gun. Pinkett came out clean. The gun wasn't there. Mulder quickly looked inside the car, but didn't see the weapon. On the floor next to the driver's seat were a few syringes. 'I love taking risks,' Pinkett answered slowly. 'Life is full of risks, isn't it, Mulder ?' 'Do you enjoy killing those girls, Robert ?' 'Oh yeah. I get off on it. Isn't that what you wanted to ask me ?' 'You're going down, Robert. This time you won't be able to finish what you started.' Pinkett smiled. 'I'm not so sure about that. It ain't over until the gas knocks me out. And as far as I can see right now, you haven't put me on that chair yet. So come on, arrest me. Get out your cuffs and put them on my wrists before I run off again.' Mulder realized he had to do something. He didn't have his phone, a gun or cuffs to handle Pinkett. Quickly he looked around for something tie the man up. If necessary he'd knock him out cold. But Pinkett didn't seem to bother to struggle against him. Like a lamb he waited patiently until Mulder made a move. 'What's the matter, Mulder ? Did you forget your tools ?' Pinkett asked slowly. Mulder shoved him forward, towards the kitchen door. 'Start moving. You're not going to kill anymore girls today.' 'Too bad.' Pinkett nodded towards the body in the blanket. 'Shouldn't you check if she's still alive ?' Mulder's eyes quickly strolled towards the girl, and then back to Pinkett. Pinkett's moves were fast and calculated. With one solid pull he freed his right hand and arm, shoving Mulder against the brick wall. He turned around quickly, hitting Mulder's jaw. When the second blow came, Mulder lifted his arm to protect his face, and hit Pinkett back. The murderer backed away, tripping against the open cardoor. He fell on the floor, and tried to crawl onto the driver's seat. Mulder's hands grabbed him by his jacket, pulling him out of the car again. Pinkett's hand held one of the syringes, plunging it into Mulder's shoulder. Mulder cried out as the needle tore through his flesh. 'Bastard !' Pinkett watched him go down for the count. He ended up on his stomach, his hands beside him. His body sighing heavily as he could no longer open his eyes. Pinkett bent over him, and smiled :'Next time we meet, I'm going to kill you, Mulder.' Pinkett moved towards the girl and pulled back the blanket, making her visible for the world. He took the plastic piece of Stratego from her clamped hand and put it between Mulder's fingers. He watched his profiler for a moment before pulling the gun from underneath the seat of the car, and putting the syringes in his pocket. He closed the cardoor and took off on foot. He'd have another car soon enough. A few blocks further Pinkett stole a car from a garage. The vehicle stood around the back, ready to be maintained. It was a Chevrolet. He liked Chevrolets. His mother always drove on. They took long trips in that car before she got involved with that rat bastard. Now he had one just like her. Maybe he'd keep it. He stopped at an overnight store and decided to go for black again. He bought another pair of sunglasses, a sweater and jeans, and a pair of shoes. He paid in cash. By the time he left the city center again, it was 6 a.m. He wondered if anyone had found Mulder yet. September 15, 5.45 a.m. Alley behind the Marriot Hotel, Washington DC 'Hey mister, are you okay ?' Mulder felt someone tugging the sleeve of his sweater, but he was too far gone to respond. He couldn't move his arms or legs. He knew this feeling. When he was in the hospital, he felt the same way. Like he'd been drugged, unable to stop anyone from poking around his body, taking his blood. He moaned and tried to get his arms and legs to move, but they wouldn't. He heard a few different voices. Some male, some female. They were talking about him. And something else. Something that had happened to him just a few moments before. He really wanted to get up now and finish what he had started. Someone knelt down beside him, checking on him. 'This guy is totally out of it,' the male voice said. 'Is he hurt ? Do you see blood ?' 'Yeah, looks like he's been mugged or something. No wait, I've got his wallet. Hey, he's a Fed.' A female voice responded. 'There are Feds all over the hotel right now. I heard the boss talk about it. Some sort of protection program. You think he's one of them ?' 'Could be. We'd better get some help, Angie. He's in bad shape.' 'You stay with him. I'll go.' Mulder heard footsteps. Then a third voice screamed something, and he heard the footsteps walk away. 'Oh my god,' the man said. 'Is she dead ?' 'Yeah.' He heard convulsing noises, as if one of them puked his guts out. Then the footsteps returned. He opened his eyes and tried to concentrate on getting a move on. The man was next to him now, saying :'Hey, can you hear me ? My friend's getting help inside. Just relax, you're gonna be okay.' Mulder wanted to answer, but gave up as darkness and Demerol won their toll again. His last thought was with Scully. She's gonna be so pissed. Part VI : The little girl cried September 15, 6.05 a.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel Dana Scully had trouble concentrating as she opened her eyes after hearing the repeated knocks on her door. Finally she was out of bed, quickly putting on a sweater over her T-shirt. Skinner looked at her rather seriously. 'Where's Mulder ?' 'He's asleep.' He walked past her to Mulder's room. As he opened the door and saw the empty bed, he cursed. 'You'd better bring your medical bag, Scully. They just found one of ours in an alley outside the hotel. The description fits Mulder.' 'What ?' She put on her shoes and grabbed the bag standing next to the small table. As they rushed to the elevators, she said :'How can this be ? I gave him a sedative. He should have been sound asleep.' 'Apparently he wasn't,' Skinner said. 'He probably went out for a jog. No one saw him. He slipped past them. Damn it !' 'We're not sure yet it's him,' she said confident, but her voice betrayed her concern. There was a lot of turmoil in and around the kitchen. As she forced herself past the waiting agents in the alley, she immediately recognized her partner's body on the cold ground. A blanket was lying over him. A young man sat beside him, and looked at her as she knelt down. Weinstein was there too, sitting at Mulder's side. 'This man found him,' he explained. 'He's alive but we weren't sure we could move him. He's bleeding.' 'What happened ?' Weinstein pointed at the white Chrysler. 'Pinkett, that's what happened.' Scully's experienced fingers touched her partner's throat and found a steady, firm heartbeat. Her eyes strolled the area, picking up several agents standing around a body on a blanket. Then she noticed the plastic piece in Mulder's cramped fingers. On the cold concrete she saw the shattered remains of a syringe. 'My guess,' Weinstein continued, 'is that he went out for a jog and caught Pinkett dumping the body here.' Scully touched her partner's torso, checking for injuries. Supporting his neck she said :'Turn him around.' His body was turned and laid on the blanket. She held her breathe as she saw the bruises on his jaw and underneath and above his right eye. He had fought well before he went down. 'Why didn't Pinkett kill him ?' Weinstein asked. 'If it was him, why did he let him live ?' 'Because he wasn't supposed to die now,' Davis responded. Scully looked up and saw Mulder's former boss standing next to Skinner. 'Do we need an ambulance ?' Scully lifted Mulder's eyelids and seemed happy with what she saw. 'No, he'll freak out if he finds out. He'll never go for it. He's been sedated.' She pointed at the shattered fragments of glass. 'My guess is with Demerol. We'll have to bring him inside immediately. He's freezing.' She touched her partner's cold hands, taking the piece out of it, putting it in her coat pocket. His eyelids fluttered. She bent over him. 'Mulder, can you hear me ? It's Scully.' He looked at her and grinned goofy, forcing his hand up to her cheek, patting it slightly. 'I'm seeing two of you,' he muttered. 'Hell, I can't even handle one.' 'You're in lala-land, Mulder,' she said, ignoring his remark. 'Was Pinkett here ? Did he drug you ?' Mulder sighed. 'I don't know. I wanna sleep.' He tried to turn on his side. Scully stopped him. He looked quite innocently in her eyes, obviously not aware of the fact a dozen agents were standing around them, including their boss. 'You shouldn't have resigned, Scully. I would have gone to hell to save you, you know that.' He shivered. 'It's freezing out here. Are we back in the Antarctic ?' 'No, Mulder.' She put her hand on his lips. 'Don't try to talk. Just let yourself go. We'll take care of you.' 'It was worth it,' he sighed. 'I never knew it was her for a fact. I would have traded her at any time for you. She wasn't my sister after all.' She blinked as tears sprung in her eyes. This case was bringing back all the Samantha-memories he had. He closed his eyes sighing. 'I don't wanna go to hospital,' he said. 'I hate hospitals. They make you feel like this. I wanna get some sleep now, Scully.' He was out like a light before she could respond. She looked up at Skinner. Her boss immediately took charge. Mulder was pulled on his feet, his arms tossed over the shoulders of two agents. They dragged him inside, into the warmth. 'Are you sure he doesn't need a hospital, Scully ?' Skinner asked worried. 'I've never seem him like this before.' 'He's sedated, sir. They would only let him sleep it off. I can take care of the bruises on his face, he'll be fine. I'll make sure he doesn't get out of that bed today.' 'I'll have someone pick up the file and bring it here,' Davis said. 'As soon as he wakes up, he'll wanna work on it.' 'With all due respect, sir,' Scully said angry, 'he's in no condition to be working on any file right now. You have enough profilers walking around the VCS. Give Mulder a break.' 'Those girls don't have the luxury of time, agent Scully. And with respect to you, I know Mulder a lot better than you think. He'll want to work on that file. And you'd better work on that autopsy today.' 'Yes, sir.' Davis turned around and walked outside. Out there was the body of a girl that had died the previous night. Scully dreaded the thought of seeing another young, dead body on the table. Her hand reached in her pocket and touched the plastic piece. Then she quickly followed Skinner to the elevators, to escort Mulder's unconscious body up to his room. September 15, 1.05 p.m. Downtown Washington DC He drove across town in his new Chevrolet, guided by the information his contact had given him. He drove past guarded school yards and playgrounds, past police vehicles and anonymous Federal cars. With Mulder's brain at rest for the moment, he might actually be able to make this his easiest abduction ever. He had received the call half an hour ago, that Mulder was fine but still out of it. Of course everybody was waiting anxiously until he woke up to find out what happened in that alley. They could figure it out by themselves of course, but maybe Mulder could tell them a vital detail that would help them. And since Mulder was the expert-profiler on Pinkett, none of them bothered to figure out things for themselves. They only knew they had to stakeout playgrounds and schools, and issue warnings to the population of Washington DC that a serial killer was on the loose. He knew where to pick his victim. She hadn't gone to school today, feeling a bit weary. Her mother had decided to keep her at home, but had to go to work herself. Her older brother was at home though, studying for some test. He was 17 years old, disliking the fact he had to take care of his kid-sister for the day. Around two they would make a quick stroll around the block, because he had to go to the mall, to pick up some things he desperately needed. He would wrap her up tight, to make sure she wouldn't catch a cold. Then he would take her by the hand and walk with her the two blocks to the mall. There he would drop her off at the daycare-center. Only for an hour or so. Her name was Valerie Mason. In his coat pocket he had a wallet with an ID that said :'Jack Mason.' He would use it to pick her up at the daycare-center, while her brother was out picking up his urgent needs. He would bring her out to the car, and drug her there. He would put her on the back seat and put a blanket over her, and then take her to his own little private place. He would kill her around 6 p.m. and leave her body that same evening near the mall. They would find her there before nightfall. Oh, how he loved those little coincidences. Her illness today made it so much easier for him to get to her. If she had gone to school, she would have been escorted home. He would have had to change his MO and possibly kill her escort in order to get to her. But he didn't like to leave things messy. He preferred them nice and clean. Around 1.30 p.m. he stopped at her house and looked at her through the window, still seated behind the wheel. She couldn't see him, and he could hardly make out her. Would she really be as sensual has he said, even at this young age ? He couldn't possibly imagine it, but the thought of it was more than enough for him. He enjoyed the thrill of it. Of her tears that would be shed before he kissed her softly on the cheek and felt the life slip away from her. How he would enjoy that. Around 2 p.m. he was waiting at the mall. He sat in his parked car and watched the young man's old-timer pull up. The girl was dressed like it was winter. She was sniffing and rubbing her hand against her nose. Poor thing, such a cold. He followed them as the brother brought her inside, and brought her to the daycare-center. He waited for a while, following the brother - watching him as he was ignorant in the tragedy that would soon be at hand. Then he turned and walked to the daycare-center. The young lady in charge was friendly and charming, smiling at him as he produced his ID and said :'I'm Valerie's uncle. Her brother didn't feel too well and went to the car. We agreed I'd be picking her up.' 'Oh, is he alright ?' she asked with genuine concern. 'Yeah, he's probably caught the bug she already has,' Pinkett responded with his brightest smile. 'Let me get Valerie.' 'Of course.' He walked over to the young girl, sitting restlessly in a corner. It was obvious she felt like shit. 'Hey Valerie,' he said, kneeling down next to her. 'My name is Jack and I'm here to bring you home.' 'Where's Danny ?' she asked. 'Mommy said he would take me home.' 'He's not feeling too well. He's waiting for you in the car. Why don't we get you tucked up nice and warm and go see if he's feeling better ?' She hesitated still, not knowing whether or not to trust this man, but he pulled a piece of chocolate out of his pocket and handed it over to her. She loved chocolate. She allowed him to put on her coat and shawl, while her hands were already ripping up the paper around the chocolate. 'Bye now, Valerie,' the young woman said. Valerie waved and grabbed the hand of her 'uncle' as he accompanied her outside. 'The car is over there, mister,' Valerie said, pointing at her brother's old-timer. 'I know,' he said, 'but mine is over here. I just need to get something, okay ?' She waited patiently next to his car, suddenly realizing her brother wasn't there. As she wanted to step forward to go see where Danny was, strong hands grabbed her from behind and jabbed something sharp in her shoulder. She didn't even have the time to scream anymore as darkness overwhelmed her. Quickly Pinkett shoved her in the back and threw a blanket over her, covering her body completely. He got in and drove off sweating. He wasn't sure anyone had seen him this time, but he was nervous anyway. And anxious to bring her to his safehouse. September 15, 3.05 p.m. Danny Mason started panicking when he didn't spot his kid-sister at the daycare-center. 'Have you seen my sister ?' he asked the woman in charge. 'Where's Valerie ?' 'Your uncle picked her up just a little while ago,' the woman said surprised. 'My uncle ? I don't have an uncle.' 'I don't understand,' the woman replied. 'He had an ID, said you weren't feeling well and went to the car. She didn't say anything to me.' 'Jesus Christ.' Danny rushed outside and ran to his car. She wasn't there. She wasn't in sight. He turned around and shouted her name. But she didn't respond. And as he walked back inside the mall to look into the deadly pale face of the young woman, he knew he had lost his sister forever. Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis Additional Notes on September 15, 1998 by Special Agent Dana Scully Current assignment : Violent Crime Section. 'You killed Valerie Malone on September 15, Robert. Tell us about it.' 'She was one piece of character, that Valerie.' (laughter) 'The moment I had my hands on her, she was already pleading for me to just do whatever I wanted and then disappear for good. She wouldn't say a word to anyone, wouldn't even tell the world what I had done to her.' 'Why did you pick her out ?' 'She was like my mother. Spread her legs just for the fun of it. I took my time selecting her. Do you know she had done five guys in just as many weeks ? She was a natural whore, that one. Sex as she walked, sex as she talked, sex in everything she did. She needed to be punished. And yeah, she even looked and walked and talked like mother. She had it coming.' 'How did you get her ?' 'She was watching her little sister at the Counterside Playground. She had a kid sister, you see. Was about nine years old, I suppose. Cute little girl. Will probably turn out just like Valerie. Valerie enjoyed being at the playground, you know. She had some guy there, whom she'd met a couple of weeks ago. She told me about him, as she pleaded for me to let her go. They'd see each other there, and then she'd go to the ladies' room and he'd follow her as soon as no one else was there. And they'd do it right there, on one of those seats. She was eager, that one.' 'Did you know about the playground then ?' 'Oh yeah. She brought her sister there every day of the week, for an hour or so. Then, when she'd have enough, she'd walk her sister home.' 'How did you get her hands on her alone ?' 'By coincidence. I was afraid I'd have to kill the sister too, but she stayed home that day. I suppose she was sick or something, I really don't care. I waited at the playground watching her watching me. She loved to watch me, you know. I'd been there a couple of times before, and she had set her mind on me. I guess she was into older men. Older, younger, it really didn't matter to her, as long as they had the right equipment between their legs. I saw her walk over to me, and she started talking. 'Hey,' she said. 'I've noticed you around a couple of times. You from Richmond ?' 'No, Washington,' I said. She was interested immediately of course. Sex with a complete stranger is something appealing to a lot of people. We talked for quite a bit and her boyfriend arrived. 'Why don't you do him first and then come back for me ?' I asked her. She flushed, was surprised I knew all about it, and it really turned her on. She left for the ladies' room and a couple of minutes later he came after her. She returned quicker than other times, and sat down next to me again. Her boyfriend left. I invited her to walk over to my car and make out there. I knew this spot. Since she was alone this time, she didn't have her sister to deal with. 'Sure,' she said. 'As long as you get me home in time for dinner.' We drove off. She strapped in the front seat, and I left. When we were far from the playground, my left hand took out a syringe waiting for her and jabbed it in her upper arm. She looked at me surprised as if she couldn't decide whether or not to yell. Then she slumped back next to me, and I laid her with her face against the window, as if she was sleeping. Thus we drove through town, and when I left the city center, I stopped at a quiet, abandoned spot and tied her up, putting her in the trunk. I drove off with her, and brought her to the warehouse.' 'What happened next ?' 'She was already awake when I opened the trunk of the car. I had expected her to be asleep for a couple of hours more at least. She had forced her tongue between the tape, trying to pull it from her lips. She was able to talk when I lifted her out of the truck. 'Look,' she said. 'You don't have to rape me. I was already planning on having sex with you. In my purse are condoms. At least make it safe.' 'I'm not interested in having sex with you,' I said. 'I just want to kill you.' You should have seen the panic in her eyes ! She changed immediately, eager to give her young body to me. I turned from her, knowing that it would be so easy to give in. But everything in her reminded me of what my mother had done to us, and I refused to listen to her pleading. I put a new piece of tape over her mouth and brought her body close to mine. As I killed her, I saw the fear as it had been in the eyes of the others as well. It was my best kill. Except for Joanna of course.' 'What did you do with the body ?' 'I had heard on the radio the cops had found the bodies of the other two by now, so I decided to make it easier on them. I brought her close to her parent's home, dropping the body off just two blocks away from them. I knew they would find her there. Or the FBI. Since they were roaming the town to find me, it couldn't be so difficult for them to track her down.' September 15, 1998 - 4.15 p.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel Scully turned off the tape when she heard a moan coming from Mulder's bedroom. In an instant she sat next to his bed, and watched him struggle to wake up. 'How are you feeling ?' she said, giving him a glass of water. 'Like shit.' She took the glass from him and watched him touch his bruised face. 'I feel like a bulldozer ran over me and squashed my nose in the process.' She smiled. 'What time is it ?' 'Past four p.m. You were out like a light. I swear, Mulder, you've never so good as long as I've known you. I should stick a needle in your butt more often.' Mulder grinned. Scully's voice turned serious again when she continued to look at him. 'Mulder, we need to talk. I want you to take a shower and freshen up a bit. There are clothes waiting for you. Schreiber went to your apartment and brought everything you need.' 'You sound serious.' He pulled aside the sheets and looked at his sweats, remembering the events of the morning. 'For an insomniac I sleep awfully well, don't I ?' he grinned, ignoring the throbbing headache that made him feel sore and bruised. 'No wonder after the amount of Demerol Pinkett gave you. Not to mention the sedative you managed to succumb this morning.' He closed the bathroom door. She could hear him open the tap and returned to her notes, reading her own thoughts on the matter. She would be the one telling Mulder Pinkett had already taken his next victim and was probably killing her by now. She sighed. The search for possible buildings had come up empty so far. The autopsy on the girl had shown only that Pinkett was a sick bastard. There was nothing to go on, nothing to do to save this girl's life. Except try and prevent this man from taking yet another victim. About ten minutes later Mulder returned from the bathroom, dressed in jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. He sat down beside her, looking at her notes. 'Not a pleasant task, is it ?' he sighed as he rubbed his eyes. 'Mulder, you are exhausted,' she said. 'You're not fit for duty and you know it. I don't mean to sound like a broken record here, but I think you need to talk to someone. You can't deal with his anger and rage alone.' 'I've got you to talk to, Scully.' He pulled away his hands and looked at her. 'I don't need anyone else.' 'Mulder, as flattered as I am, I cannot help you like you want me to on this. I have to sit back and watch you struggle against the abyss you yourself said you want to avoid. I don't know what I can do for you except be here and pick up the pieces. You're going to kill yourself in the process of nailing this guy. That isn't what you want. It's not you.' He looked at her, remembering that one moment when he had sat in his living room with a gun ready to be aimed at his own head. And then Kritschgau had called him and things had turned out totally different. But what if Kritschgau hadn't made that call ? He had never wanted to think about it before, but now he knew for a fact that he would have pulled that trigger on himself. And Scully would have been forced to testify in front of the committee of his suicide. And he wouldn't have dragged her further down with him anymore. And she would have been dead by now, deceased by the effects of her disease. 'What do you want me to do then ?' His voice sounded young as he looked at her, asking her for a solution. 'I want you to talk to someone inside the Bureau about this. Perhaps they can help you get through this.' 'I don't have the time for this now, Scully. I've already lost a day. Pinkett made sure of that.' 'Mulder, he's got another girl.' Mulder stopped in the middle of a yawn and looked at her. 'Who ?' 'Valerie Mason. She was taken from a daycare-center of a mall. Her brother was shopping and had left her there. When he got back, she was gone. He had an ID with the name Jack Mason on it. He claimed to be her uncle and she went with him.' 'And of course no one saw anything ?' 'No. All the woman could say is that his hair was black again. She hardly watches the news, she said. She didn't know he was a wanted serial killer. The brother of the little girl is freaking out of course. Skinner is at his place right now, trying to interrogate him.' 'And Davis ?' 'He's back at the Bureau, trying to figure out what his next move can be. But he's been calling here every other hour to see if you're fit for duty. He wants you to go to the mall and try to figure out what has happened. He says you need to 'succumb' to the wishes and desires of Pinkett.' 'I had him this morning, Scully.' Mulder got off his chair and walked to the window. 'We fought. He stuck a needle in my shoulder. I can't remember what has happened - There was a body.' He turned towards her. 'Did you find the piece ?' 'Yes.' Scully grabbed her coat and pulled it out, handing it over to him. 'I think this morning's events were a sign towards you, Mulder. Pinkett knows where you are, and what you are planning. I think you were right. Someone on the inside, someone staying here at this hotel, is informing him. Feeding him information and helping him. Someone that knew the moves from that family.' She got up and walked over to him. 'Mulder, early this morning Mrs. Mason got a call from an FBI-agent. He used a fake name of course, but asked her if it was true her youngest daughter was sick and had to stay from school. Apparently that same person contacted the school first and checked if Valerie was there. If she had been there, and had been escorted home, her escort would have been murdered in an attempt to get to her. Just like Valerie Malone's younger sister would have been murdered had she not been ill that day. He is repeating his past but using minor differences. We cannot foresee those differences.' 'Unless I 'succumb' to his wishes and desires,' Mulder sighed. 'Let's go, Scully. I want to check out that mall.' He put on his coat and looked at her. 'If it makes you better, I will see someone as soon as this is over. But we still have five days to go and a lack of time to save those girls.' 'I can live with that.' He smiled and opened the door to his room. As they left the hotel, Dan Schreiber caught up with them and silently joined them, offering them to drive. September 15, 6.15 p.m. Washington DC, Maddalena Street The girl was dead. Her blood was still on his hands as he laid her body on the blanket. She had not been a disappointment. Screaming, crying, pleading for her life. 'The Little Girl Cried,' he said, murmuring the song 'Tears run rings'. He sighed as he started to clean up the mess. Three down, five more to go, he thought as he pulled the blanket over her dead face and stuffed her in the back of the car. 'And how I enjoy it all.' He didn't take the time to sit back and enjoy the thrill of the moment. He wanted to get rid of her body as soon as possible. After all, what was the fun in killing someone when the body remained invisible to the audience ? He took off in his car, and drove to the corner of 7th and Lanes. He had just the spot to leave her at. September 15, 6.45 p.m. Washington DC, Fielding Shopping Center Special Agent Fox Mulder had always had a bit of reputation within the Bureau. The ones who didn't know him, were told stories about Spooky Mulder who spent his time proving to the outside world aliens existed and were soon to take over the world. They had stories about that partner of is, sitting in the basement office with him, ready to defend him at all times, even though she didn't believe in the paranormal herself. The ones who did know him also told amazing stories about his profiling skills and abilities to nail a serial killer just by gathering the pieces and toying with them until he found out what was going on. He was responsible for the capture of Monty Props in '89, of John Lee Roche in '90, and Robert Pinkett, also in '90. Word got around SC Davis was milking for all he was worth, forcing his brilliant, photographic mind to capture the minor details of every crime scene and murder. He saw pieces of the action others could not see. And Davis used whatever he could to get him going. Because when he went for it, and started working on a case, he was so full of that case he would not let go until he found out exactly what he needed to know. He was an insomniac, they'd say. Spent most of nights watching TV, having that electronic device as a tool to fall asleep eventually and to wake up in the morning. He played basketball rather well, but never used those skills in professional sports because he was too short. He had some geeky friends whom he'd met while working on a case in '89. Some said these friends were the ones pushing him to go work on the X-Files. And of course Diane Fowley, another brilliant FBI-mind had something to do with it. They said he's without a girlfriend because from the moment he started working for the Bureau, he'd put in more hours than two Field Agents together. They'd said back in '90 big things were planned for him. Davis was proud of him, bragging about him at the Top Executives Branch, getting everyone to know his name and to foresee his future. And then there was that big fallout, around January '91 in Davis' office. No one ever really found out what was said in that office, but they all knew it was bad. Mulder had left the office angry and frustrated and above all, over-exhausted. They all feared for him back then, that he would give in to the fear and end it all right then. He was - after all - a man with a lot of personal problems. Reggie Purdue went after him, but could not keep him from his plans to transfer. He talked to SC Blevins, requesting the man a transfer to work for AD Skinner. He had requested to work for a department hardly anyone knew about. It had to do with unsolved files. People's ramblings about abductions by aliens. Blevins had refused at the time, until he'd gotten a phonecall from Senator Matheson, up on the hill. Matheson told Blevins in a few words to give the boy what he wanted. And Mulder got what he wanted. Slowly he started to recuperate from his years at the VCS. He was able to restore a bit of his health, both physically and mentally. He started to sleep more, eat more, and live again. He had a few girlfriends at the time, but no one really knew them. They all figured he would stay with Diane. But she left for Europe, and he stayed behind. They all figured he would soon return to the VCS, requesting those X-Files on a wimp. But he didn't. Next thing they heard were reports on mutants and aliens, strange diseases and alien abductions. Skinner read all of those reports and approved of them. Hell, the prove was even there. Everyone saw the photos of that strange creature Mulder dug up from the sewage system. And the naked woman strolling around the forest in New Jersey. They heard heated conversations between Skinner and Davis. Davis was sick and tired of these stories, knowing that by every report Mulder filed, the chances of his return were getting slim. At the end Davis had to succumb to the fact Mulder wasn't returning. The story of Roche's death only confirmed this. They said Mulder had a dream leading him to the body of a dead girl, murdered by Roche. He lead him to another body. And one girl stayed missing because Roche had died. He had gotten out of jail somehow and had abducted another girl, ready to kill her. But Mulder had found him in time, going on a hunch. That hunch had saved the girl's life. Now, what Davis wanted to do, was abuse those hunches and get Mulder to track Pinkett down, as he had done before. But they all knew the real reasons behind Davis' motivations. He just wanted to work with Mulder again. They had all seen Mulder's reactions and moves during the past couple of days. Already he was falling apart. Who wouldn't when Pinkett called him to let him witness the murder of a young girl ? He seemed to crumble every day, turning back into that eager, ambitious young FBI-agent that would go to any lengths to achieve his goal. Maybe Davis was finally winning. For every time Mulder turned paler and more stressed out, Davis knew he was doing what came natural to him. To go into someone's head and to get out what was in it. The car pulling up at the mall that evening was driven by Special Agent Dan Schreiber who waited patiently until his colleagues Mulder and Scully got out. The boys at the VCS were surprised and shocked to see Mulder's appearance. He seemed fatigued, stressed out, withdrawn. He hardly reacted when his partner showed him the way inside the mall. It was obvious this guy was hurting. 'I wonder if old Davis knows what he's doing to him,' Dennis Black said to his partner. 'The boy shouldn't be here.' 'You feeling sorry for Old Spooky ?' Sam Winters responded. 'Yeah, aren't you ?' 'I wouldn't want a serial killer talking to me on the phone either,' Winters agreed. 'But Spooky can handle it. After all, he did go to the end of the world to fetch his partner, didn't he ?' 'Perhaps that's what's breaking him right now.' Black followed the agents until they went inside. 'I can't imagine going inside someone's head like him though.' 'Davis says he's a natural. What would it take to become a natural ?' 'Beats me. I don't want it.' Dennis Black shivered. 'I'd rather be stuck with tracking down telephone numbers and credit-card listings all day than to do what he's doing right now.' 'Do you think he'll catch him ?' 'Oh yeah. I have no doubt.' 'What makes you so sure ?' Winters asked curiously. 'I dunno. I don't really know Spooky all that well. But I do have respect for the guy. He's alright.' 'What, are you saying he's right about his claims about alien life ?' 'Of course he is.' Black grinned. 'We all know it's out there, Winters. Don't you watch Star Trek ?' 'Nah. I gave up when they started with DS9.' Black laughed and followed the agents inside. September 15, 6.55 p.m. Washington DC, Fielding Shopping Center Mulder knelt near the bench the girl had been seated and touched it with the palm of his hand. He closed his eyes. The image of Samantha appeared in his mind's eye. 'Do we have to watch this Fox ?' 'Leave it. The Magician's at nine. Hey ! Get out of my life !' 'Fox !' Hands grabbed her and pulled her away from him. He grabbed her and pulled her against his body. A sharp blow to his head made him fall backwards. And her eyes were open in surprise as the bullet hit the back of her head. A hand touched his shoulder. 'No !' He stumbled backwards, trying to free himself from the grip. Sweat poured down his face. His eyes were large and dilated. 'Mulder, calm down.' He heard his partner's voice but she didn't get through to him. He moved away from her, and closed his eyes again, trying to picture Pinkett as he took the girl away. 'He handed her something, Scully. To make her quiet. Some candy, chocolate maybe.' 'They found a wrapper on the floor. The young woman said something about the girl holding in her hand.' 'He told her a lie. That her brother was sick and waiting outside in the car.' Mulder got on his feet and walked slowly outside, mimicking the pace Pinkett had taken. He rushed to an empty parking space, a few yards from Danny Mason's car. It was still standing there. 'She was surprised,' Mulder said. 'She didn't see it coming. He wasn't happy she didn't struggle harder or plead with him. He'd expected her to be like Valerie Malone, but she wasn't.' 'Did she offer herself to keep him from killing her ?' Scully asked softly. 'No.' Mulder shook his head firmly. 'She was only eight years old. She doesn't know about those things yet. She's just a little girl.' He looked over her. 'She's already returned by now. He didn't keep Valerie Malone long either. He wanted to get rid of her quickly because she was dirty, like his mother. He wants to get rid of this girl soon too. Perhaps near here.' Mulder walked to the side of the parkinglot and looked around. 'He's got his special place around here somewhere. He had it picked out, just like he chose this mall. He loved to come here when he was younger, with her - his mother. It's an old mall.' He turned towards Scully. 'You need to search this area. She might be around here. You've got to find her quick, Scully. He's already figuring out the next girl. He'll take her in a swimming-pool. Somewhere late tomorrow night.' Mulder's voice sounded frantic now. 'He'll go after a girl named Sophie. She swims every week, the same time, the same place. She's with a bunch of kids, they all think they're safe. You've got to find her, Scully.' 'We will, Mulder,' she said softly, trying to calm him down. She knew others were watching the scene develop, in amazement for Mulder's actions and words. 'It's okay, just relax. You'll be fine in a minute.' He turned towards her. 'We've got to go to the Bureau. I want to listen to the other tape now. They're might be something we're missing. He'll have that girl by morning if we don't do anything tonight.' 'The tapes are at the hotel, Mulder. We'll go back there.' 'No, not yet. We've got to see Danny first. The girl's brother.' Scully looked at him surprised. She hadn't told him the boy's name, or had she ? Somehow, in the back of his mind, he had found the name the boy listened to. 'Okay, Mulder,' she said. 'We'll go see Danny.' He walked past her anxiously to the car. She knew he wasn't seeing anything except the darkness Pinkett had chosen freely. Damn you, Davis, she cursed in silence, as she walked beside him. Schreiber was already waiting for them to leave. The mall was still swarmed with agents and cops. 'Get in the car, Mulder,' she said. 'I'll be right back.' He looked at her as if he didn't want her to leave. Through the windshield he watched go over to Davis and talk to him for a bit. Immediately the party got divided. Mulder knew they would start looking for the girl in the area, following his lead. They would find her soon. Mulder sighed and looked at Schreiber looking at him. September 15, 7.45 p.m. Washington DC, Mason Residence Looking at Danny Mason was looking at a mirror image of himself. The boy could have been him. He was a wreck. They had him seated in the living room. His mother was busy trying to calm him down, but to no avail. He hardly listened to her. Mulder knew he would never forgive himself for this one. Skinner welcomed the agents as they arrived at the house, checking out Mulder. He didn't like the way his agent reacted to his questions, but let him sit down opposing the boy. 'Hey Danny,' Mulder said. 'My name is Mulder. Mr. Skinner over there is my boss, so don't make me look bad, okay ?' Danny showed the first signs of a smile which quickly disappeared. 'I've heard about what happened to your sister. Can you tell us anything about what you saw this afternoon ?' Danny seemed to calm down listening to Mulder's controlled, calm voice. 'I took her to the mall. She was sick, but I talked to mom about it. I had to have some stuff for college today, you know. I was studying for a test. So we went to the mall and I left her at the daycare-center. I told the woman in charge I'd be back in an hour.' 'Did you notice anyone looking at you ? Perhaps someone you saw earlier today - a stranger, some guy you didn't know ?' 'I don't know. There was one guy - he seemed to walk after me in the mall. Went into stores I walked into. I turned around at one time and he was looking at me. Then I looked again and he was gone.' 'Can you describe him to us ?' 'In his forties I think. Kind of attractive I suppose. He looked like you, only you're a lot younger. He was as tall as you, you know. Firm build. Black hair. I remember thinking it must have been dyed, it seemed unnatural black. He had strange blue eyes. Wore a jacket and jeans.' 'Alright. Was there anything else you might have noticed ?' Danny sighed, suddenly looking up. 'The car. I think I saw him in his car before we went inside the mall. It was a Chevy. I'm into cars, you see. I bought mine to drive around with Val ..' He suddenly stopped. 'She's dead, isn't she ?' 'What makes you say that ?' Scully said, sitting down next to him. 'I don't know. I have this feeling you know. When she was around, I always felt it. I - she was my kid-sister you know. We had a fight occasionally, but I loved her. And I feel it. Something's missing. She's gone.' Danny felt the tears stream out of his eyes. He couldn't control them anymore. Scully pulled him towards her and comforted him. Mulder watched her do it. She had changed. He didn't want to admit it at first but something was different. Over Danny's shoulder she looked at Mulder and they both knew she was actually comforting him. Less than an hour later the phonecall came, bringing the news they had found Valerie Mason's body. She was found on the doorstep of a church, still wrapped in the blanket that had caught most of her blood when she died. A third red piece of the Stratego-game lay cramped between her fingers. Part VII : Speedos and Swimming Pools Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis September 16, 1998 - Additional notes by Special Agent Fox Mulder. Current assignment : VCS 'You killed Sophie Farley on September 16. Is that correct, Robert ?' 'Yes.' (sigh) 'Why the sigh, Robert ?' 'I didn't mean for it to happen so fast after Valerie. I enjoyed Valerie, you know. But there was something inside of me telling me I had to go through it with as soon as I could. I guess - looking back at it - I knew that you were on to me. I had the feeling I was being watched even though at that time that was highly implausible. After all, if you had found me and tracked me down, you would have stopped me back then, wouldn't you ?' 'Yes, we would have.' 'Anyway, Sophie. I decided that I enjoyed finding girls in public places. I got a kick out of taking them there, knowing I could be caught at any time, any place. So I made a scheme you know, as to where I would track down the rest of them.' 'And you ended up at a swimming-pool ?' 'Yes. I can't swim, but I enjoyed watching others do it. So I decided to go take a swim in the Grover's Swimming-pool. And that's where I found her.' 'When did you first see her ?' 'Two days before I killed her, before I took Amy. I was after all making plans all the time for my future victims. She had a firm build, like she swam a lot. I found out that same day she was a swimming champion. I knew she had to practice daily. So I took her after Valerie.' 'How did you go about it ?' 'I abducted her within the compounds of the pool. I knew she practiced until late - around 9 p.m. and always left last. Except for her there was only the janitor, and if necessary I would have killed him. I was watching her as she went into the girl's showers, and I waited until she got changed. Then, as she walked out of the building and started to make her way home, I jabbed the needle in her shoulder and watched her slide in my arms. I stuffed her in the trunk of my car, and drove off. She was the easiest one I took. And I called her quite instantly too. She was barely conscious when I killed her. I didn't want her to beg for mercy. I got fed up with that by now. And then I left her body outside the pool. After all, I figured no one would be looking for her yet, especially not there. The janitor had watched her leave. They would think she got missing on her way home. They would find her where I took her.' 'Did you feel remorse ?' 'No.' (laughter) 'Do I ever ?' September 16, 8.45 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS Mulder was already sitting at his desk for more than two hours before Scully joined him. He had persuaded Dan Schreiber to drop him off at the Bureau this early, in order to get some work then. He looked at his notes, adding more all the time. 'Do you think he's going to find a girl at a swimming-pool next ?' 'Yeah, I'm pretty sure.' 'Where ?' 'I don't know.' Mulder looked up at Schreiber, wondering when the man had gotten a tongue to speak with. It was like a pet that all of a sudden started to talk. Schreiber returned to his desk and started typing fervently at his computer. Despite the fact that Mulder liked this man, he didn't trust him either. He didn't trust anyone at this moment, except for his partner and his boss. 'I've got the first pathology results on Valerie Mason,' she said, dropping a file on Mulder's desk. 'The same as all the others. Nothing ever changes, Mulder. We don't get anywhere with these.' 'Scully, sit down.' She took a seat beside him and watched him as he took out a map of Washington. 'If Pinkett is going to strike at a swimming-pool today, my guess is he's going for the biggest of all. The Olympic Pool.' 'That's the same one you go to, Mulder.' 'I know. I haven't had time to swim much lately, but I might take up the habit again.' 'Why there ?' 'He knows I used to go there all the time. And he wants attention. So he goes for the one spot he knows he might bump into me. And the one spot visited by several Federal Agents. If he likes risks, he'll go there.' She leaned over to him. 'You're not going to tell the others, are you ?' 'No. If I do, they'll be all over the place. Just you, me and Skinner.' 'Mulder, there's no way we can check the entire place by ourselves. The risk is too big. And he might not even go there.' 'I'm pretty sure he'll be there tonight. He took Sophie Farley at night, around 9. She was a professional swimming, on her way to reach the top. He'll go for another one like her, someone with enough talent to stun them all. I've been checking it out, Scully. Every night at 7 p.m. a group of young swimmers are being trained at the Olympic Pool. I've called the trainer and gotten a list. One of the girls is called Sophie Jones. She's on her way to reach the top. He's after her.' 'Then we have to make sure she won't be there tonight.' 'She has to be there. He'll wait for her. And we'll be waiting for him.' 'Skinner will never go through with it.' 'We have to. If we tell the others, the place will be swarming with Feds. He'll notice and be out of here to get some other girl. I'm going to tell Davis he'll be at one of the pools in town. I'll have them check out everything. But the Olympic Pool is ours. Skinner can some backup, but only people he knows and trusts. I don't trust anyone at this point.' 'Let's go see Skinner then.' As they left the VCS, Scully had the feeling everyone was watching them. All of a sudden she could feel Mulder's paranoia. September 16, 9.15 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, VCS Scully was right, Skinner didn't go for it. 'Look, sir,' Mulder said firmly. 'If we show up there with every man we have, he'll be out of there in no time. He doesn't know you. At least I hope he doesn't. What if the trainer is temporarily replaced ?' 'You want me to show up there and train those girls ?' 'Yes, sir. Scully nor I can do it. He'll know both of us. But Scully is going to be there too, watching every move that girl makes. As am I. And I'll make damn sure he won't know about it.' 'By not telling the others.' 'Yes, sir. You are going to spread the rumor that I broke down and returned with you and agent Scully to the hotel. But we won't be there.' 'Sounds like a plan to me,' Skinner said. 'But he'd better show up there, Mulder. I don't take my speedos out the closet for anyone else.' 'I'd stake my life on it, sir.' September 16, 2 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation He was fairly sure now they were on to him. He could feel the heat as he walked through the building. He had been so stupid. So goddamn stupid to get involved with a guy like Pinkett. But there was no turning back now. He had made his decision to go along with it. Pinkett had promised him that it would all stop this weekend. The 20th it would all be over. He walked into Davis' office and looked at the other agents present. Mulder had come up with something. He was sure of it. He could see it in the agent's eyes. They betrayed the truth even though he was quiet about it. The room was filled with people. Davis looked at every single one of them. Weinstein, Schreiber, Williamson, Black, AD Skinner and his protégés, Mulder and Scully. Her look was still one of hatred and anger towards him, but he liked her in a way. He could see why Mulder was so fond of her. Her sanity and persistence were what kept him going. He had seen it in their cooperation together. The way she took care of him when he didn't even know he needed her care. Was there something more going on ? No, not yet. Maybe some day. 'Mulder is convinced Pinkett will strike tonight in a swimming-pool,' Davis said. 'For those of you who don't know, on September 16, 1990, he abducted and murdered Sophie Farley in one of the town's swimming pools. Agent Mulder has requested a list with potential victims that regularly visit these pools. A list with these names will be distributed by AD Skinner. You will be in charge of the search of Robert Pinkett and protection of each of these girls at various pools.' Skinner handed out lists. 'This one we can't let go,' Davis said. 'Pinkett has already murdered three girls. We have to stop him today. That's all.' The party split up. Mulder, Scully and Skinner stayed behind in Davis' office. Mulder knew immediately that Skinner had told Davis, thus confirming his trust in his fellow colleague. 'I'm not sure this plan of yours will work, Mulder,' he said, 'but I have faith in it. I'll be joining you folks tonight.' 'Sir, I'm not so sure this is a good idea,' Scully said. 'Pinkett knows you. You were the one interviewing him eight years ago.' 'I know,' Davis said. 'But I'll be watching Mulder's back since he won't be watching it himself. Don't worry, Scully. We'll catch him tonight, I guarantee.' Scully nodded. 'Yes, sir.' September 16, 7.45 p.m. Olympic Pool, Washington DC He entered the building through the back door. He had been given a key with the latest envelope of goodies in the mailbox this morning. He knew it would be a perfect match. His informant had told him something was up. He hadn't been able to find out what it was, but something bugged him. Pinkett instinctively knew Mulder would be here, waiting for him. It only made the game more pleasant. With the gun safely in his coat pocket, he walked through the quiet dressing rooms, until he arrived at the pool. The group of young swimmers were hard at work, trying to become the best of them all. He spotted her immediately. The young girl with black hair and hazel eyes, bearing the resemblance with Samantha. As always he felt excitement as he watched her swim. Their trainer was a firm-built guy who barked his instructions as they swam. They would be finished soon. He would follow the girl as she left the building and grab her outside. The instructor soon told them to call it a night. The girls left for the showers. He watched them as the last one classed the door to the dressing room. He turned and saw the instructor look at him. He turned and walked back towards the pool, thoughtfully looking at the blue water. Another few minutes and the girl would be his. 'Don't turn around. Keep your hands in the air where I can see them.' Pinkett didn't have any trouble recognizing Mulder's voice. He put his hands in the air. 'Did you get a good night's sleep, Mulder ?' The instructor reappeared. His hands carried a gun, pointing at Pinkett. 'Let me introduce you to my current Supervisor, Pinkett. Meet Assistant-Director Walter Skinner.' 'Moonlighting, Mr. Skinner ?' Skinner approached him and pulled the gun out of his coat pocket. 'You could call it that. You're not getting the girl tonight, Pinkett.' 'I'm sure I won't.' Mulder pulled back his hands and cuffed them, turning the man towards him. 'I guess you won, Mulder.' 'I guess I did.' Davis entered the room, looking at them. 'Well well, Section Chief Davis. Long time no see. Did you come to interview me again ?' 'I'll keep that pleasure for agent Mulder, Mr. Pinkett.' A woman came out with the girls, still dressed in bathing suits. He recognized her from the photos he had seen about her. 'Agent Scully, I presume. It's nice to finally meet you in person.' 'Call it in,' Mulder said. 'We've got him.' Scully laid her hand on Sophie Jones' shoulder. 'Your mother is here to pick you up, honey. You'll be safe now.' Pinkett smiled as he sat down on the bench, looking firmly into Mulder's eyes. 'You're not happy to have caught me, are you ?' Mulder couldn't describe his feelings as he watched Pinkett sitting on that bench. The man didn't look like a killer, let alone act like one. He just sat there taking it all. And Mulder couldn't figure it all out anymore. His mind didn't work anymore. Numb he sat down on the bench beside him, and didn't say a word. All strength just left him. 'I suppose it's gonna be a while before you take another swim here, hey Mulder ?' Pinkett said with a smile on his face. 'Too bad about the girl though. She'll make a hell of a swimmer one day. Maybe I'll come back here one day, to watch her do it. Then she can swim for me.' 'Don't count on it,' Skinner said angry. Within ten minutes the others were there. When the call came in, several Federal Agents arrived to see the man that had caused so much trouble. 'Williamson and Schreiber will escort Pinkett to the Federal County Jail where he will be interrogated in the morning,' Davis said. 'Squad cars will join them for the ride. Make sure all the girls get home safe too. He won't get away this time. Mulder, Scully, good job. I'll expect a report from you in the morning.' 'Yes, sir,' Scully said. Mulder watched Pinkett being taken away and couldn't find joy in it. His gut instinct told him it wasn't over yet. September 16, 8.56 p.m. Somewhere between the Olympic Pool and the Federal County Jail Williamson actually found it easy to relax in the front seat of Schreiber's car, knowing the town's worst threat was sitting behind him. 'Don't you feel good now it's over, Dan ?' He asked his driver. 'Mulder knew exactly what he was doing, didn't he ?' Schreiber looked at the squad car in front of him, and at the one in the back. 'Yeah,' he said. 'Mulder knew it all.' He turned to the left, leaving the front car's directions. 'Hey, where are you going, Dan ?' Williamson asked surprised. Dan looked aside. 'I wish you weren't in this car,' he said calmly. 'Then all of this wouldn't have been necessary.' Williamson stared at his partner's right hand. It was the last thing he'd ever see before the gun between his fingers pulled the trigger and killed him with one shot. William slumped against the window. Schreiber threw the keys of the cuffs in the back and said :'Hurry up. They're noticing something.' The car behind them was driving closer behind them now. 'Thanks buddy,' Pinkett said. 'Yeah well, just don't forget everything I've done for you. You're on your own now, Pinkett. I just blew my cover.' 'I'll manage.' Dan threw him his gun. 'Here, you might need it.' Pinkett grinned. 'I knew I could count on you. Get the hell out of here when I'm gone.' Dan took a quick turn to the left, basically driving in one of the smallest alleys in town. Pinkett slid out quickly and made a run for the backdoor to a restaurant. Dan wasn't sure the other car had spotted it this fast, but decided not to wait and see. He pulled the gas and got the hell out of there, just as Pinkett had instructed him to do. His career as an FBI-agent was over. September 16, 9.05 p.m. Somewhere between the Olympic Pool and the Marriot Hotel Mulder got the call on his way to the hotel. All of their stuff was still there. They had decided to spend one more night there. Or better, Scully had decided it. She was driving the car when the call came. She heard her partner call out :'When ? How ? Damn it !' As he hung up, he said :'Dan Schreiber has gone AWOL. The cop car behind him found him acting unusual. He drove off like crazy. They're not sure if Williamson is involved. Pinkett is gone. He dropped him off at a restaurant, where he vanished without a trace. It's starting all over again.' 'He won't try to go after the girl,' Scully said confident. 'He wouldn't be that crazy.' 'He is that crazy.' Mulder dialed the office number and quickly got the information he needed on Sophie Jones' parents. When he called them, he got no answer. 'Something's wrong,' he said. 'They told you they would be going home straight away, right ? He might already be there, taking the girl. He would have no trouble at all getting a car. He's a professional car thief. Jesus, what if he already has her ?' 'I'll call the police,' Scully said. 'They'll get there before we do.' Scully changed her route and drove towards the Jones' residence. September 16, 9.10 p.m. Place unknown Within five minutes a second call came on Mulder's phone. 'Hey, Mulder. Guess who ?' 'Did you take the girl, Robert ?' 'Yeah. Too bad I had to kill her parents in the process. Don't bother going there, Mulder. She's not there.' 'Where did you take her ?' 'Where do you think ?' He hung up. 'He went back to the pool,' Mulder said. 'Remember he said he would have her swim for him in that pool ?' Scully didn't even bother asking him why or how, she just drove towards the huge Olympic Pool that would be empty. Except for a frightened little girl and a crazed man. Skinner's line was busy. Mulder left a message on his voicemail. September 16, 9.32 p.m. Olympic Pool 'Swim for me, Sophie.' The girl was frightened. He loved every second of her fear. 'Come on, I promised a friend of mine you should swim for me.' 'I won't. I can't !' The girl screamed. He put his hand over her mouth and nose, practically choking the girl. 'Stop screaming or I'll kill you right now. Alright ?' The girl nodded. 'Good. Now swim for me. I know you're still wearing your swimsuit under those sweats. Come on now.' The girl shivered as she started peeling off her clothes and dove in the pool. She didn't know what to do, just started swimming towards the other end of the pool. Maybe, if she swam towards the other side, he wouldn't get to her there. She heard something, a noise. And then something hitting the water next to her. When she looked up, she saw him walking next to her, with the gun in his hand. 'A straight line, Sophie, or I'll have to shoot you.' She didn't dare swim in the other direction. 'That's a good girl.' He pulled her out of the pool when she reached the other side. He hugged her and gave her a peck on the cheek. 'That's my girl. You did well.' She dared smiling, hoping he would let her go now. But her mom and dad had had blood all over them. Maybe she would get blood all over her too. 'Pinkett !' He heard the voice from the other side of the pool, and a gun was aimed at him. 'You see that, Sophie ?' he whispered to the girl. 'The cavalry has arrived. You alone, Mulder ?' 'Yeah.' Pinkett laughed. 'You're lying. Where's that cute partner of yours ?' 'I dropped her off at home when I got the call. I figured you might have been here. Didn't have time to get her.' 'Like I believe that. Is she hiding somewhere ?' 'No. Scout's honor.' Pinkett grinned. 'Didn't know you were a scout, Mulder.' 'Yeah well, you haven't been profiling me, have you ?' Pinkett smiled. The girl cried. 'I think you should put that gun down before anyone gets hurt, Mulder.' 'I can't and you know it.' 'I'll kill her.' 'You'll kill her anyhow.' 'Are you a good shot, Mulder ?' he said as he held the girl close to his body. 'Do you think you can hit me before I can hit her ?' 'I can't,' Mulder said nervously. 'Then drop the gun.' Mulder dropped the gun to the floor, shoving it aside. 'Get on your knees.' Mulder did as he was told. 'You know, I had this saved for Joanna - this little confrontation of ours - but I suppose a general rehearsal won't harm anyone. He pulled a syringe from his pocket, laid it on the floor and slid it to him. 'You know the drill by now. Inject yourself with it.' Mulder picked up the syringe, and looked at it. Then he looked at Pinkett, still holding the girl only a few inches in front of him. The girl cried. 'It's okay,' Mulder said softly. 'He won't hurt you. Give me your hand. Don't be afraid.' The girl pulled out her hand and touched his fingertips. He grabbed her by the wrist, ready to pull her towards him. 'No.' Pinkett stopped her from stepping forward. 'Inject yourself now or she dies.' 'Don't be afraid,' Mulder repeated. He jabbed the syringe in her forearm and pulled down the plunger. The girl immediately slid to the ground, out cold. Pinkett watched her slide. 'What the hell did you do ?' Pinkett shouted, aiming his gun at Mulder. Mulder got on his feet. 'Look at her, Robert. You don't want to kill her like this. Not while she's defenseless and vulnerable. Look at her !' A shout came from behind him. Scully stood there, aiming her gun at him. 'Scout's honor, Mulder ?' 'I crossed my fingers behind my back,' Mulder replied. 'Drop the gun, Robert, before you kill us all.' 'If that's what you want.' Pinkett quickly aimed his gun at the back of the girl's head. 'No !' Mulder threw himself over her body, protecting her with his own hide. Mulder heard two shots fired within a matter of seconds. He heard Pinkett shout. A vague sense of pain struck the back of Mulder's shoulder. Then another sensation followed as something hit him, and he felt like life was slipping away from him. But the girl was underneath him. And she was safe. At the end, that was all that mattered. Robert Pinkett felt the bullet enter his side and turned around to fire back at his attacker. He shot three times, missing her every time. She took shelter to avoid his attack. He looked at the two unconscious figures at his feet. He would never be able to take the girl with him. ' Damn it !' He kicked Mulder's head, trying to get him to go off the girl. The agent had a firm grip on her, ready to die for her if necessary. And behind him his partner stood, ready to kill Pinkett if he didn't succumb. But as long as Pinkett still held the gun to her partner's head, she wouldn't dare to shoot again. Pinkett stumbled towards the edge of the pool, and vanished through the dressing rooms towards the back door. He was bleeding like crazy. The woman didn't come after him. He knew she'd be more concerned about her partner and the kid. They would give him the time to get away. He got in his car, and started the vehicle, grasping his side with his right hand. It hurt like hell. September 16, 10.01 p.m. Washington DC, Olympic Pool Mulder was vaguely aware of hands pulling at his clothes. His hands refused to let go of the body seemingly attached to his. He knew that she depended on him. He heard noises as he was pulled off the girl, and turned on his back. His shoulder bled. It hurt. Someone bent over him, touching his shoulder. He winced at the pain it produced. He tasted blood. His blood. He didn't want to taste it, but he did. He knew it meant something was wrong. 'Mulder, can you hear me ? Talk to me.' More voices and shouts. Other people at his side, something pressing against his sore shoulder. Everything happened from a distance. He didn't feel like he could ever get warm anymore. He shivered. But as he opened his eyes, the girl was lying besides him, breathing normally. Yeah, she was okay. 'Blankets,' the woman said, and he wondered where he knew her from. His mind was not able to work anymore. He just wanted to sleep. 'Mulder.' She forced him to open his eyes. 'Stay with me now. You can't go to sleep. Don't sleep, okay ?' He nodded his head. If she said he couldn't sleep, he wouldn't. After all, he always listened to her. He heard more familiar voices now. The back of his head throbbed. He didn't know why. Something must have hit him there. He felt dizzy, nauseous. 'Concussion,' he heard her voice say. 'I think we might finally need that hospital, sir.' Was she calling him 'sir' ? No, she was talking to someone else. He opened his eyes again, seeing more faces. Her hands leaned against his back, supporting him. He was sweating. Or feverish. He tasted the salt drops of his own skin. He couldn't feel a thing anymore. Panic lay in his eyes as he looked at her. 'It's okay, Mulder,' she said. He winced. September 16, 10.05 p.m. Olympic Pool Agent Scully glanced at Skinner. 'Where's that ambulance ? They should have been here by now.' 'I'll go check,' Weinstein said before Skinner could respond. Pain shot through Mulder's system as he struggled for breath. He was numb, unable to resist the urge to sleep. 'Scully -' She grabbed his hand. 'Don't fall asleep, Mulder. You've got a concussion.' 'I can't -' Skinner stood behind her, a concerned look in his eyes as he watched his agent struggle with darkness. At the end it was that darkness that overwhelmed Mulder, and he let himself slip in the merciful sleep his body craved. Part VIII : The Smell of Hospitals Washington Memorial Hospital September 17, 12.05 a.m. 'Do we have to watch this, Fox ?' 'Mom and dad are at the neighbors and left me in charge. The Magician's at nine.' Her small hands touched the pieces of the game without any interest in them. The argument continued. 'Get out of my life !' He yelled it so hard she turned away hurt. A few minutes later she was out of his life. He woke up to stare at several different faces in a room he didn't know. They were looking at him. For a moment the world seemed to freeze. Then he noticed they weren't just standing there at all. They were working on him, on keeping him alive. At the same time he knew however he wouldn't die like this. The bullet that had entered his body would not kill him. Just slow him down. And the headache he felt was only a sign of being alive. They didn't seem to notice he was awake. There were people standing in the corner. He saw his partner and his boss talking to each other, discussing him, no doubt. He groaned slightly. 'He's awake.' Immediately she was next to him, holding his hand as she said :'Mulder, it's me. Do you know where you are ?' 'From the smell of it, a hospital,' he said softly. She smiled. A woman stood next to her. She said :'Mr. Mulder, I'm Dr. Roberts. Do you remember what happened ?' He felt dizzy still, but fine in a way. Nothing to worry about. Adrenaline shot through his body like a drug. He was so hyped. He couldn't stay here. 'I've got to get out of here,' he said, without realizing he had said it out loud. He was already trying to get up, to go after Pinkett again. He knew without her confirmation that he had fled again. Immediately Scully was there, and she held his hand while saying :'You're not going anywhere, Mulder. You were shot.' He looked at her and said :'But I'm fine now. I feel good.' 'You're not good, Mulder. You need surgery. The bullet is still in your shoulder. It might cause serious damage if it doesn't come out.' 'I'm okay, really.' Mulder looked past her. 'Scully, he's going to be so mad for not getting to kill this girl. He'll be extremely dangerous. You have to find him.' 'I shot him, Mulder. He'll need medical attention. We've got every hospital on the lookout for him. He won't get far this time.' 'He's strong. He can survive to finish his task.' 'Don't worry about that right now.' He grabbed her hand. 'Listen to me. He's going to try to get another victim to compensate for Sophie. You have no way of knowing who she might be. But you have to stop him.' 'We're doing everything we can to find him, Mulder. You have to calm down, okay ?' Her hand touched his cheek. 'Relax, Mulder. Just let it go for now.' 'No. You've got to find him, Scully !' 'We will. Just relax, okay ?' Scully looked up at Dr. Roberts and watched her giving her partner a sedative. Mulder's head slumped back down on the pillow, still clasping to her hand. 'He'll go to the movies soon,' he whispered. His voice slurred. 'He'll go and see his favorite movie ..' Then his voice died away. 'We'll transfer him to the OR immediately,' Dr. Roberts said. 'Surgery might take quite a while but you can wait if you want to.' 'Yes, I will,' Scully said looking at her sleeping partner. 'Thank you.' Roberts nodded and left as soon as the gurney started moving towards the OR. Only now Scully noticed she was shaking from fatigue. The couple of hours she had slept the past few days didn't compensate for the pressure put on them. 'I need to check up on the girl,' she said. Skinner grabbed her by the arm as she swayed. 'She's fine and asleep, Scully. She's well-guarded. He won't get to her even if he is stupid enough to come in here. Mulder saved her life by throwing himself over her.' 'I should have shot Pinkett earlier. I could have prevented this.' 'You did the right thing, Scully. Pinkett could have killed you too. We all know by now he's dangerous and unpredictable. A bullet doesn't stop him. If Mulder is correct, he'll try to find another victim to fulfill his needs. Concentrate on that.' 'Let's hope he's dying then,' she sighed before leaving the room. September 17, 5 a.m. Washington DC, Memorial Hospital 'Miss Scully.' Dana Scully was aware of a hand touching her arm. Then she felt herself leaning against someone else. As she opened her eyes, she saw it was Skinner she leaned against. He looked at her with a grin on his face. Flushed she pulled back, glad she didn't drool on him. 'Miss Scully.' Now she saw Dr. Roberts shaking her arm. 'How's Mulder ?' She asked, coming out of her chair. 'He's just fine. Luckily the bullet didn't leave any permanent damage. He won't be using his shoulder for quite some time though.' She pointed at a figure on a gurney near the elevators. A nurse was standing next to his bed. He was covered with white sheets and blankets, an IV in his hand. 'We're moving him to a private room. He's been awake and lucid in Recovery. If all goes well he'll be out of here in no time.' Scully walked over to the gurney and grabbed her partner's hand. He responded by sighing deeply and sleeping off whatever drugs he was injected with. At last he was asleep in a bed in a private room. Scully watched him. 'He is going to be fine, Scully,' Skinner said. 'I know, sir.' She smiled faintly. 'I've seen him in worse conditions than this. But it's not his body I'm worried about. I wonder how long it will take for his mind to heal.' 'I know that right now you are going to sleep in one of the beds on this floor. I've arranged it so you can take a nap.' 'I'm not leaving his side.' 'I'm staying here, Scully. When he wakes up, he'll see a familiar face. Now go get some sleep. That's an order !' 'Yes, sir.' She took one last look at her partner and left the room quietly. She knew Skinner would keep his word and stay at her partner's side for the remainder of the night. When she was able to get some rest in one of the hospital beds, she slept before her head hit the soft pillows. September 17, 9.30 a.m. Washington DC, Memorial Hospital Mulder opened his eyes to see hers. She smiled. 'Hey,' she said. 'How do you feel ?' 'Tired.' He winced as he tried to move his body. 'How am I doing ?' 'You're shoulder's going to be fine a couple of weeks. The concussion I feared is only minor. You did get some nice stitches in the back of your head though. Luckily you've got a thick skull. You'll be out of here in no time.' 'Like today ?' He asked hopefully. 'No way, Mulder. Your body is still in shock and needs to heal.' 'Dear Scully, you know I don't react like others to pain and medication. Fill me up with some good painkillers and I'll be out of here in no time.' 'Mulder -' She looked at Skinner for support, but Mulder's persuasive voice stopped her. 'Scully, you know I can't stay here. No one else is going to be able to stop him at the end. He won't allow it.' 'What are you saying, Mulder ?' 'He's suicidal, Scully. He's taking too many risks. I think he's tired. A part of him wants me to stop him. That's why he hesitated to shoot at you last night. I'm sure that at the end he will go down with a blast.' 'And he'll try to drag you with him.' 'I won't let him,' Mulder said forcefully. 'I've got too much work to do. With you.' She smiled. 'How's the girl doing ?' 'Physically she's okay. But her parents are dead, Mulder. An aunt is picking her up today and taking her to Chicago. Their flight leaves tonight. She'll need a psychiatrist to talk this thing through.' 'Don't we all ?' He swallowed away the lump in his throat and tried to move his shoulder. Despite a throbbing pain, it was less painful than he thought. 'So, when can I leave ?' She sighed. 'You're not going to listen to me, are you ?' 'No.' She looked at Skinner. 'Alright, here's the deal,' she said. 'You stay one day in hospital. If you feel better by tonight, we're out of here. But you'll do as I say, or I'll have you admitted for a week, you got it ?' Mulder debated for a second, realized this was the best deal he could get, and agreed. 'Good, you are going back to sleep. We'll give you something so your body can relax. I know you, Mulder. You'll refuse to get some sleep and then you'll be worrying about Pinkett all the time. If your condition is improved by tonight, you're released.' She smiled as she his forehead. 'You're a bad patient, Mulder. Even when you're out.' 'Why ? What did I do ?' 'You were shouting at Skinner, even in your sleep. He stayed with you while I got some sleep. You ordered him to get the tapes so you could figure out where Pinkett could go next. Then you calmed down somewhat and started telling him he had to go to the Antarctic to fetch my clothes you had to leave behind. You said that you loved the outfit I was wearing when they abducted me.' 'I did ?' 'Oh yeah. The poor man tried everything to calm you down and eventually went to get me. Then you told me that you bees. I wonder why.' She smiled. 'Let's just say Skinner mentioned the words 'raving like a madman' about ten times. 'Oh boy.' Mulder looked at his boss in the corner of the room, suddenly very interested in a magazine. 'Is he mad ?' 'Nah.' Scully grinned. 'He'll get over it.' 'Good.' Mulder felt the adrenaline rush pass. He was exhausted in a way, but couldn't fall asleep just yet. 'Are you okay ?' She smiled. 'Yeah, I am. A bit tired, but we all are. These are hectic days.' He looked at her, noticing the fatigue and fear in her eyes. 'It wasn't your fault, Scully.' She still held his hand. 'You know me too well, Mulder.' 'You saved the both of us. What's a bullet here or there. You shot me in the left shoulder, he shot me in the right. I'm sure the scars will match.' 'I shot you in the front of your shoulder, Mulder,' she smiled. 'And back then you were raving like a madman as well.' He looked at her seriously. 'Don't make me go inside his head again, Scully. I can't bare it anymore. I don't want to.' 'You won't, I promise,' she said firmly, kissing the knuckles of his fingers out of pure instinct. 'Hmm, I should get shot more often if you continue do to stuff like this,' he whispered groggily. 'Don't push your luck, Mulder. It's still not raining sleeping bags.' Dr. Roberts came in to check on her patient. 'I'm glad to see you're doing well, agent Mulder.' 'Yeah well, I've had some good doctors taking care of me,' he responded. His voice was barely understandable. He didn't want to talk anymore now. Just get relax and get some sleep. He was too tired to argue with female doctors. A nurse came in, added something in his IV and said :'You're going to sleep now, Mr. Mulder. Have a good rest.' He already felt groggily, but now he felt himself slipping into lala-land again. 'I like this stuff she's given me,' he slurred as he slipped away, with Scully's hand still firmly in his own. Scully looked at him. Even in this drug-induced sleep, he frowned as if he couldn't fight off the demons inside of Pinkett's twisted mind. Mulder didn't feel it when they drained blood from him for another close exam, nor when they checked his pulse again. 'He's sleeping like a baby,' Dr. Roberts said. 'You must have the magic touch, Dr. Scully.' 'Not at all,' she said calmly. 'But I know how to manhandle Mulder.' Scully told her about the promise she had made Mulder. It was obviously Dr. Roberts didn't agree with her. 'If he insists on being released tonight, it's against my wishes, Dr. Scully. His shoulder needs to mend. The bullet nearly passed his collarbone. This time he was very lucky, but if he doesn't take care of that injury, it might cause permanent damage.' 'Whether or not he can be released today is not an option, Doctor.' Scully, Skinner and Dr. Roberts looked at Terence Davis, just entering the room. 'We need him. And there's no time. Pinkett's running out of time himself.' Even though Scully knew Davis was right, it still didn't feel right. If she had to chose between the life of a young girl, or the life of her partner, she knew that - despite the guilt - she would choose the latter. Terence Davis stepped outside with Skinner and Scully. They both looked at the newcomer standing behind Davis. 'This is Mark Bellows, working for the Executive Branch. He is currently assigned with investigating Dan Schreiber. We found his car about half an hour ago. Williamson's dead. He was shot point black to the face. It appears as if Schreiber killed him.' Davis frowned. 'I still can't believe it. I've known Dan for five years. He's always been a good man. The fact that he turned on us has nothing to do with money. Pinkett doesn't own a dime.' 'Could Pinkett have something on Schreiber ?' Skinner asked. 'Have you been checking his background to spot any connections with him ?' 'So far we've found nothing that might explain his moves,' Davis responded. 'I'm not sure if we will. We've got an APB out on him. Every airport in the area is currently under guard in order to track him down. He might be the only one who knows where Pinkett is hiding.' 'I would like to see his file, sir,' Scully said. 'Of course. I'll get you a copy today. Are you going to be staying here all day ?' 'Yes,' Skinner said. 'Agent Scully is not leaving Mulder's side, and I'm staying here as well to make sure both of them are alright. The Bureau has been notified. Every call with be dispatched through the hospital.' 'I've arranged for security for agents Mulder and Scully,' Davis continued. 'Mulder won't be going anywhere without someone covering his back.' 'Agreed.' Skinner looked at Scully who was already starting to protest. She closed her mouth, knowing it would be of no use to tell them Pinkett could have had any opportunity the night before to murder Mulder. It was obviously not in his intention to do so until he got what he wanted. 'When do you think I can talk to Mulder ?' Davis asked. 'We need to know Pinkett's next move.' 'Not for the first couple of hours. They made sure he's getting some rest. He hasn't been sleeping well for days I should say, except of course for the drug-induced slumbers he's been going through. Mulder said something about a movie though. He said that Pinkett would be going to see his favorite movie.' 'What's that supposed to mean ? There are dozens of movie theaters in the area, Scully. We cannot possibly close all of them.' 'With your permission, sir, I am going to listen to the tapes and see if I can find out anything. We are running out of time.' 'Indeed. Get Mulder back on his feet, agent Scully. After a trip to the Antarctic I'm sure a single gunshot wound won't stop him from getting this guy. I'll talk to you later, Walter.' Davis took off with Bellows right beside him. Scully stared at him, and then said to Skinner :'I can understand why everybody has such admiration for AD Davis, sir, but with all due respect : The man has no heart.' 'He's just as worried about Mulder as we all are, Scully,' her boss responded. 'He just has a different way of showing it.' 'I'm sure.' The both of them returned to Mulder's room. He was sound asleep. 'He's going to be out for the rest of the day,' Skinner said. 'And we're running out of time.' 'Right now, sir, I don't really care. Mulder is at the end of his rope. I'm more concerned for my partner than anything else.' Skinner didn't respond but looked at her. Of course he had noticed the way she seemed to be attached to her partner. Not so long ago she had resigned from the Bureau, knowing perfectly well it would end her partnership with Mulder. He had persuaded her somehow not to go. When they returned from the Antarctic, and she was still in hospital being treated for hypothermia, she had talked to Skinner on the phone and asked him to tear up her resignation letter. Skinner hadn't filed it yet, at that time not knowing whether or not she was still alive. When she was taken from Mulder's apartment, and Mulder went after her, shot and burning up with fever, Skinner had known the both of them might not make it. But not one second had he imagined she would have been kept prisoner inside a UFO. Not for one second had he doubted Mulder's version of the facts, especially not when the strange fluid found on her clothes proved to be non-definable. Perhaps extra-terrestrial. Mulder had sounded happy on the phone when he talked to Skinner, relieved. Scully had told her boss they had nearly lost Mulder. When they were transferred to a hospital, Mulder was burning up with fever. He had been out of it for days before he was finally able to have a decent conversation with Scully. After the last committee-meeting Scully had talked to Skinner in private and had told him about her new devotion towards the cause Mulder had been fighting for for so long. She knew Mulder was ready to give up on everything, especially when the committee did not accept the evidence at hand. Scully was the one persuading it not everything was over and dealt with. Now Scully was the one keeping her partner in one piece while he saw the insides of a madman's head. September 17, 10 a.m. Washington DC, Maddalena Street He woke up with a throbbing headache and the sense something was wrong. His hand automatically went to his side. Blood on his fingers and the palm of his hand. Damn her for shooting him ! He sighed as he tried to get up. The cloth he had used to cover his side with was soaked with blood. His sweater was ruined indefinitely. He swayed as he tried to keep himself together. 'Don't you die on me now, Pinkett,' he said out loud to himself. 'You've got a job to finish.' He knew he had to get in touch with Schreiber. If anyone could help him it was Schreiber. His fingers found the cellphone and dialed his number. After a while an insecure voice picked up. 'Yeah ?' 'Schreiber, it's me. You gotta help me, man. I've been shot.' Silence. 'Where are you ?' Pinkett debated whether or not to tell him his whereabouts. 'Come on, man, I can't help you if you don't tell me where you are.' 'Maddalena Street. The old school building. Second floor. Hurry up, man.' 'I'm on my way.' Pinkett sighed as he let the phone slip out of his fingers and rested his head against the brick wall. Yeah, Schreiber would help him. It took less than ten minutes for his contact to arrive. Pinkett heard the car drive up and park behind the building, then after a while footsteps made their way up the stairs. He held out his gun, ready to kill him of he hadn't come alone. But Schreiber wouldn't betray him. He knew that just as surely as he knew he was in pain. 'Jesus, man,' Schreiber said as he pulled aside Pinkett's hand. 'You need a hospital.' 'No. I've got to finish what I started. Patch me up, Schreiber.' 'I can't, man. I'm not a doctor.' 'I don't care what you are. Get that bullet out and patch me up.' Schreiber had brought a first-aid kit and stared at it helplessly. 'I don't have anything to put you out with. It's gonna hurt like hell, man.' 'I don't give a damn. Just do it.' Schreiber knew the bullet could have torn up a vital organ within Pinkett's body, but he had no choice. If he didn't help Pinkett, he'd pay the consequences. 'Okay. You've got to lie down.' Slowly he helped Pinkett down on a blanket, staring at the spots of old blood against the wall. Jesus, he didn't want to think about the girls Pinkett had murdered here. He just didn't want anything to do with it. He just wanted it all to be over, so he could leave this place for good and start a new life. Pinkett lay on his good side and bit on his knuckles as Schreiber touched the sore spot. Schreiber checked out the wound. He could actually see the bullet. It hadn't penetrated his body completely, just seemed to be stuck there. 'I can see it,' he said. 'I think it might be okay. Lie still, Pinkett.' Schreiber tore up a T-shirt he found at Pinkett's directions and used it dab away some of the blood. With a pair of tweezers and scissors he slowly pulled open the wound. Pinkett sighed deeply and moaned. He was in terrible pain. Schreiber was able to get the bullet quickly, immediately pushing the cloth on the wound, to stop the bleeding. As he pushed, Pinkett let out a cry and passed out. Schreiber looked at him. How easy wouldn't it be to kill him right here and now. But he couldn't. He was just as dependent on Pinkett as Pinkett was on him. The bleeding eventually stopped. Schreiber used all the tape he could find to keep the cloth in its place, knowing perfectly well the wound would start to infect soon if not treated properly. But Pinkett was 'patched up', just as he had requested. Pinkett woke up some time later and drank eagerly from the water Schreiber gave him. 'You're dying, man,' Schreiber said. 'If you don't get treated properly, you won't make it.' Pinkett blinked his eyes. 'I've decided to skip ahead on my plan,' he said, licking his dry lips. 'You're right, I won't make it. But you know what ? It doesn't matter. I'll get to take a few girls with me before I go.' 'What are you going to die ?' 'Tell me what happened with little Sophie. Is she in hospital ?' 'Yeah, so is Mulder. At least that's what I read in the paper this morning. He's becoming quite a hero, that nemesis of yours. Got his photo in all the papers.' 'What do they say ?' 'That he saved her by throwing himself over her and getting shot in her place. He'll probably get a medal for that one.' Pinkett laughed. 'Such irony. Spooky Mulder, the basement office Fed, getting a medal. But he's not able to grab the most dangerous man in the country, is he ?' 'What are you going to do with him ?' 'I've got something nice in store for him,' Pinkett smiled. 'But I need you to do me a favor.' 'Sure.' Pinkett crawled to the game of Stratego he had stashed with the rest of his belongings and took it out. 'Ship this to the Bureau. I want Mulder to have this when he's invited to go to Chilmark, Massachusetts. After that, you're free to do whatever you want.' Part VIII : One didn't fly over the Cuckoo's Nest Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis Additional notes on September 17, 1998 by Special Agent Dana Scully Current assignment : Violent Crime Section. 'After you killed Sophie, what did you do next, Robert ?' 'Well, you know. I'd really gotten a taste for the kill. I figured I might take girls at the same time, but decided against it. After all, I wanted to prolong everything as long as I could.' 'You found her in a movie theater.' 'Yeah. I went to see my favorite movie at one of those old theaters in the city center. You know, the ones that show the classics over and over again.' 'Which movie ?' 'One flew over the Cuckoo's nest.' (laughter) 'Kind of appropriate, don't you think ?' 'How did you find her ?' 'By coincidence. I didn't expect to see her there. I was sitting in the backrow, as I usually do, eating my popcorn, minding my own business. And then I saw her. She was lovely. She looked a lot like my mom. We used to go together to see this movie, my mom and I. We knew every single detail of the movie, every bit of music, every line of dialogue. And when she was gone, I promised myself to keep the tradition alive. So I went alone, and I found her there. She was with a bunch of people. I think it was her class. There was an older guy with them - he looked like a teacher.' 'What did you do next ?' 'I waited for the movie to end and got out of there first. I watched them as they entered the lobby, discussing the movie. A couple of them went to the ladies' room. She was with them. I followed them, and waited near the emergency exit, just behind the ladies' room. I got out the syringe and prepared it for her. She was alone when she stepped out. I simply plunged the needle in her back and watched her go limp in my arms. Quickly I dragged her outside, through that exit. She was unconscious and didn't know what was happening to her. I had the car parked a block away, and knew I could never get her there. So I decided to do it right here. I didn't want to wait any longer. I shook her until she responded me. She was drugged of course, completely out of it. I somehow got her on her feet and held her against me. I kissed her, I think. I remember the smell of her. She had my mother's favorite perfume on her young body. I didn't want to let go of her that quickly, but I knew I had to. I pulled out the gun and held it to the back of her head, holding her a few inches from me. She didn't know what happened to her when I pulled the trigger. I got her blood all over me. My hands and jacket were blood-red. I took off the jacket, and used my handkerchief to wipe off the blood. I didn't have a blanket to lay her in, but I used a piece of plastic I'd found in that alley. I lay her on it, said goodbye and left. A few hours later I was already on my way to find my next victim. The next day I found out her name in the paper. I didn't know it because I couldn't ask her. It was something I hadn't prepared like I had done with the others, but I enjoyed it tremendously.' 'Her name was Gillian Kennedy, Robert.' 'Yeah.' (silence) 'Do you think she was related to good old JFK ? Would have been appropriate. They both gotten their heads blown away.' September 17, 1.15 p.m. Washington DC, Memorial Hospital A throbbing pain in the back of his head reminded him of the events of the previous night. He brought his left hand to the back of his head, to feel the few stitches keeping together the skin underneath his brown hair. He watched her as she sat at the table, going through her notes. He looked at the small tape recorder. He didn't need to listen to it this time. He remembered vaguely trying to tell Scully the night before what Pinkett's favorite movie was, but couldn't remember actually telling her. 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest,' he croaked. He heard his voice falter. Immediately she got up and came towards the bed. 'I know,' she said. 'We're doing a checkup on all theaters playing that movie right now. Every single place is going to be swarming with Federal Agents, Mulder.' 'He might not pick this movie right now. I remember - He said something when we asked him about it. He said he was a sucker for old movies - the classics. I think he might go for another movie this time.' 'Which ?' Mulder closed his eyes, trying to imagine Pinkett as he was on his way to yet another victim.' 'You shot him, didn't you ? Or was that a dream ?' 'No, he's hurt. I'm not sure how bad it is, but I hope it's very serious and he might be bleeding to death somewhere.' 'Have they found Schreiber yet ?' 'No. He's probably hiding somewhere in town.' Mulder sighed. 'Let me see your notes.' She handed them to him. Quickly he read through them, trying to remember what he had forgotten. His head was spinning. He could hardly think. He lifted himself up until he was supporting his body against the soft pillows. 'He won't go inside the theater this time. He said he found her by coincidence, right ? He has a list of potential victims. We have to set him up somehow.' Mulder pulled aside the blankets and sheets, lowering himself off the bed. 'Hey, where do you think you're going ?' 'Where do you think ?' He pleaded with her as she was already trying to get him back into the bed. He looked at her hands on his chest and grinned :'Scully, under any other circumstances I would be very aroused right now, but we don't have to time to play around.' She flushed immediately and backed off. He smiled, thinking she hadn't blushed this much in years. 'Look, you told me I could get out of here today, right ?' 'I meant tonight, Mulder. And I said 'maybe'.' 'I'm fine, honestly. Pull the IV out, please.' 'Don't lie, Mulder.' 'Okay, I'm sore, I ache all over and my shoulder is killing me. But I'm fine.' She couldn't help but laugh at his confession. 'If I let you out of here, will you promise to do as I tell you ?' 'Scout's honor.' 'Yeah, right.' Slowly she pulled out the IV, placing a Band-Aid over the spot. 'Get dressed, Mulder. Or do you need help or that ?' 'I think I can zip my own fly, but thanks for the offer.' She took his clothes out of the locker and gave them to him. He closed the bathroom door. She heard some mumbling, noises and the occasional 'Fuck !', but at the end he came out looking like a boy who had just won the lottery. He had managed to pull the sweater over his neck, leaving the right arm dangling underneath it. His left arm was in the sleeve. His jeans was buttoned. (He didn't even have a fly ! she thought). His shoes were untied. 'Hop on the bed,' she said, taking a chair. He sat down and she tied his shoelaces. Then she grabbed his jacket and put it over his shoulders. Needless to say that Skinner looked surprised when he found his agents ready to go. Of course he knew better than to argue with Mulder. When they left, Scully walked next to her partner, ready to grab him if he showed the least symptoms of fatigue. But Mulder walked firmly towards the elevators, and just as firmly towards Skinner's car on the lot. As they drove to the Bureau, Skinner couldn't help but feel admiration for the way his agent seemed to ignore the pain he most definitely must have been feeling. September 17, 1.45 p.m. Washington DC, Lusen's Classic Movie Theater The woman at the counter hardly looked at him when he walked around the small lobby without buying a ticket. He walked up to the window and checked out the Theater across the street. 'Do they still run 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest ?' he asked her. 'Yeah. Not that anyone still watches that movie. Except of course for all the school kids.' 'Looks to me like you don't have any trouble getting school kids here as well,' he smiled, looking at the group that waited nearby. 'What do you expect, with movies like 'Schindler's List'. I guess we're kind of dependent on them to survive. Which movie are you going to watch, sir ?' 'The same. 'Schindler's List'. She handed him a ticket which he paid for with a ten-dollar bill. 'Aren't you a bit too old to be a schoolkid ?' she asked with a smile. 'We're all as old as we want to be.' He gave her his best smile and walked inside. He sat in the backrow and watched the kids as they took their seats in front of him. Eight years old and going to watch a movie like 'Schindler's List'. It seemed kind of inappropriate. He leaned back and enjoyed the ride. She got up about an hour after the movie started and walked outside on her own. She whispered something to the girl sitting next to her. Slowly he got out of his seat and followed her as she walked up to the ladies' room. Gillian Konrad washed her hands and straightened her hair as he glanced quickly at herself. She was a pretty girl. Her long black hair and blue eyes predicted a future as a beauty queen. She didn't really like the movie though. She didn't like to think about bad things. As she opened the door of the ladies' room, she felt two hands grab her roughly. One hand was pushed over her mouth, preventing her from screaming. The other hand stuck something in her shoulder. She could feel a sharp pain as the sharp object grazed her collar bone. Then, before she could do anything, she slid on the floor and slipped away in a dreamless sleep. 'Hey, little girl, wake up.' A hand shook her roughly. She could hardly focus on what was happening to her. It was cold outside. She could feel the wind as it reached out for her clothes and hands and naked legs. The hand kept shaking her. She opened her eyes now, staring at a pair of black shoes. Legs in jeans. She startled, and crawled on hands and feet, trying to get away from him. He lifted her up like she was a rag doll. She hardly weighed anything. She felt lips grazing her cheek. She was too weak to resist him. 'Gillian, Gillian,' he said softly. 'My little Gillian.' She saw his right hand. He lifted a gun to her head. She started to struggle. 'No,' she whispered, her words barely clear. Then the world exploded in a rage of fire and pain. And there was nothing left. September 17, 2.15 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Violent Crime Section stopped buzzing for a few seconds when agent Fox Mulder arrived. Mulder felt the urge to laugh as he noticed the surprised faces of his colleagues. 'Hey, Mulder, good to have you back.' 'Mulder, the hero,' someone uttered smiling. 'How ya doing, Mulder ?' Mulder shook hands from people he didn't even know, and felt terribly embarrassed as he sat at his desk. Terence Davis walked out of his office, checking him from head to toe. 'I knew you'd be back this afternoon,' he said, nodding in agreement. 'How's it going, Mulder ?' 'Dandy. Any news on Pinkett or Schreiber ?' 'No.' Mulder looked past Davis and stared at the board. Several photos were now attached to it. Denise, Amy, Valerie, Sophie. A big cross over Sophie's photo. She had made it. 'We're working on the assumption Pinkett is going to move on and try to get a girl in a theater,' Davis said. 'Specifically the ones showing classic movies, like 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest'. Those theaters are usually visited by school kids, who have a list of need-to-see movies. There are four theaters like that in town, two of them currently showing Cuckoo's Nest. Why that movie, Mulder ?' 'It was his favorite. His mom used to take him there, and after he killed her, he picked up the habit. I think he must have seen it about 100 times or so. Maybe he identified himself with it.' Mulder got out of his chair and stared at the newspaper article someone had put up regarding last night's events at the pool. Mulder was described at the Bureau's most skilled profiler and FBI-agent with an excellent record. He almost laughed as he looked at Davis. 'I'm surprised they didn't mention my little Antarctic excursion,' he exclaimed. 'You're a hero now, Mulder. Get used to it.' Mulder sniffled and turned towards Scully, who watched him. 'Okay, let's presume Pinkett is still out there but hurt. Who might he call to get help from ?' 'We've put his old buddies under surveillance. None of them have shown any signs of unusual behavior. We've bugged their phones and he hasn't been in touch with them. He probably knows we'd be listening in.' 'So the one person he can turn to, is Schreiber.' 'Yeah.' Davis frowned, rubbing his hand across his forehead. 'I'm sorry about Williamson, Terence,' Mulder said softly. 'He was a good man.' 'Yeah, he was. So was Dan Schreiber.' 'Can I see his file ?' 'Sure.' Davis picked it up from his desk and handed it to Mulder. He sat down, opening the file with his left hand. His right hand and arm were terribly sore. Even though he detested painkillers, he wouldn't mind saying no to a couple right now. Scully looked up when her partner didn't speak for a couple of minutes. She found herself staring at him, along with Davis, Skinner and a few others that seemed to notice only now he was back in profiler-mode. His eyes seemed blank as he rummaged through Schreiber's file, concentrating on what he saw and read about the agent. Then he closed his hazel eyes, and seemed to withdraw within. Scully remembered his plead to her in the hospital. 'Don't make me go back inside his head again, Scully.' Only now did she realize she could not possibly get him out of that world. He chose voluntarily to go inside, and to find what it was he was looking for at the end. She didn't know how to handle him when he was like this. He had used his profiler-skills before, when they worked on cases together, but never this firmly and seemingly unafraid to go into that dark world. Even when he was profiling Mostow, and the monster that Bill Patterson had become, there was still a glimpse of sanity inside of him that prevented him from jumping over the edge. Now, probably still confused by the drugs he had been given at the hospital, and the pain that must be killing him, he seemed to have no defense whatsoever against the dark world Pinkett was in. Slowly she knelt beside him, placing her hand on his left arm. He jerked away from her, pushing her aside. When he opened his eyes, he didn't see her. He was far gone by now, trying to imagine Pinkett's every move. Davis nodded towards Scully to let her step aside. He sat beside Mulder. 'Tell me what you see, Mulder.' 'I think she's already dead. He's angry because last night's events worked out bad for him. He doesn't have much time anymore. I think he's sick with fever. He's hurtin'. He wants to take risks, to get it over with.' Mulder nodded his head. 'I can't see what he wants. Can't feel it, you know.' 'What's he planning ?' Mulder got out of his chair and walked over to the board. His left hand touched Amy's photo. She was the one who looked the most like Samantha. He felt tears roll down his cheeks. He couldn't stop them anymore. 'Do we have to watch this, Fox ?' Her scream cut like a knife through his mind. It hurt almost more than physical pain. 'I'm sorry, Sam.' He didn't know he had said it out loud. 'She's not your sister, Mulder,' Davis said, standing next to him. 'Your sister is still alive. You saw her.' 'No. I don't know if it was her. She's dead. Just like the others.' 'Mulder, look at me.' Mulder didn't respond. His blank eyes still concentrating on the images in his mind. His kid-sister lying dead in his arms. Her skull completely blown away. Her eyes dead and motionless. Her blood on his hands. He had caused all this. Her blood and their blood was on his hands. 'Fox, look at me.' He heard his first name. No one ever used his first name. His mother did. She said it in a way that hid the frustration in her voice when she was angry with him for poking too much in her past. 'Who is my father ?' He remembered asking her the question before she hit him in the face. 'You're bleeding, Fox.' He looked down at his arm. Blood was leaking through it, covering his hand. Joanna's blood. He could still it, sticky to his fingers and the palm of his hand. 'Fox, look at me.' He looked aside and swayed. Davis grabbed his left arm. 'She is not your sister, man. Your sister is still out there, and one day you'll find her.' 'They're all my sisters.' 'No, they are not. He's chosen them to get back at you. Because he knows what it'll do to you. Don't let him destroy you. Tell me where we can find him.' 'He's killed another one.' 'Where ?' 'The theater. He won't stop until it's over. He'll kill them all because he likes it.' Mulder turned and stared at the pieces of the game on his desk. 'He's got the game set out for me somewhere. He wants me to play Stratego with him, like I did with Sam before she vanished. He'll put the girl at stake. If I win, she lives. If I lose, she's dead.' 'Where ?' 'I don't know;' he said desperately. Mulder shook his head. 'I need to sit down.' He pushed Davis aside and sat behind his desk. He looked up at Scully, not aware of the fact his cheeks were still wet with tears. 'I'm so tired, Scully. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to plead for her life. He won't tell me where she is.' 'Who ?' she asked surprised and shocked. He was in his own world now, putting the past and present together. 'The Bounty Hunter. I begged for her life and he didn't listen. He said she was alive, and asked me if I could die now. He kicked me out. But I knew it, you know. She was still alive, and that's all that mattered. At the end, who cares about anything else ?' Scully felt tears weld up in her eyes. 'I care,' she said quietly. Mulder stared down at his hand. His right hand was somewhere underneath his sweater. He started moving his arm, trying to look at his hand. A terrible pain shot through his body. Somehow he managed to pull his arm through the sleeve of the sweater. Scully heard a ripping sound, like he tore some of the bandages. She tried to help him but he didn't even see her as he stared at his fingers. Then he bent over slightly, putting his face between his hands. Skinner watched in shock as he cried. Scully knelt down besides him and forced his head on her shoulder. He gripped himself to her, because she was his lifeline. She felt him slumber against her, and she whispered soothing words, as if he was her child. Their relationship went far beyond a sexual one. Beyond anything she had ever felt before in her life. She felt him slide down a bit, sighing deeply before his body gave in to the stress and loss of strengths. The next moment he found himself lying on the couch in Davis' office. 'Drink this,' Scully said, helping him get some fluids inside of his system. He drank rapidly, relieved to feel the cool taste of water inside his heated body. She put her hand on his forehead. 'You're running a fever.' 'I know.' 'How long have you been feeling like crap, Mulder ?' 'Since we left the hospital.' 'You're going back.' 'No way, Scully. I'm fine.' He pushed aside her hand and got up before she could do anything about it, ignoring the throbbing headache and pain in his shot shoulder. 'I want to see Schreiber's file.' 'There's no need.' She got up from the chair, and took the file from Davis' desk. Only then did Mulder notice they were alone in the office. The door was closed. Mulder was thankful for the moments of peace and quiet. 'I think I found what we were looking for, Mulder.' She handed him a piece of paper with information. 'Dan Schreiber was adopted in 1947 by a couple named Elly and Thomas Schreiber, from German origin. We don't have much on his background, but when I dug further, I found an additional note in his file. It turns out that Dan has been doing a background check on himself, to try and find out who his natural parents were. I asked Davis about it, and he said that Dan took some time off about a year ago on a personal basis. He refused to tell anyone where he went or what he found out about his family.' 'Who made the note ?' 'Davis did. He wanted Dan to see a psychiatrist as soon as he returned, but then things got hectic around here, and it never happened. However - I contacted his mother about it. She almost freaked out of course. Things were already crazy for her; she's been interrogated regarding Dan's disappearance. She told me the name of the adoption agency.' 'And ?' 'Victoria Pinkett's maiden name was Victoria Jackson. Born in Baltimore in 1928. Her father was Russian, but changed his name into Jackson when he arrived in the US in 1927, a year before she was born. He married twice. His first wife left him in 1939, when his daughter was twelve years old. He died eventually in Russia in 1949, with Victoria as a single child and heir. Victoria married twice herself. Her first husband died in a car-accident in 1946, right after the war. She was pregnant at the time.' Scully paused. 'Things then get a bit sketchy, Mulder. Nobody knows what happened to the baby. A couple of years later she remarried and had Robert. The adoption agency wouldn't tell me much. Client confidence and all that. Schreiber visited them about a year ago and apparently got what he was looking for.' 'Are you saying that Schreiber and Pinkett are half-brothers ?' 'It would explain a lot, wouldn't it ?' Scully said thoughtfully. 'Schreiber feels like he needs to protect his half-brother and contacts him in jail. I'm sure we can trace down the records of all the visitors Pinkett's had over the past couple of years. Dan's name will be in there. Pinkett tells Dan he doesn't want to die and asks for his help. Maybe he notices his brother's weaknesses and starts threatening him, telling him to expose him and his family. He knows Dan will be in trouble if the truth comes out about his past. Pinkett is his brother and he knew about it but didn't mention it to anyone. He would be discharged immediately.' 'So when Pinkett gets out, he contacts Schreiber and forces him to help him.' 'Yes. Phone records show that Dan has been calling around quite a bit lately. He's abused his position as a Special Agent to find out the information Pinkett needed about the girls. He is able to get false passports and money, and above all, he knew exactly what we were doing. He could have warned Pinkett at any time.' 'But Pinkett blew his cover when he got himself caught at the pool,' Mulder said. 'It makes sense, doesn't it ? All of it, I mean.' 'Yes, it does.' Scully looked at him. 'Mulder, there's been another one. The call came in a couple of minutes ago. They found the body of a girl behind an old theater in town. She had a piece of the game in her hand. Skinner and Davis went there. Skinner told me not to let you see the body. He says it's of no use if you see her. He's worried about you, Mulder.' Mulder nodded. 'He didn't go to see 'Cuckoo's Nest',' Scully continued. 'He chose a theater across the street, and killed her there. Schreiber must have gotten him a list of possible theaters before he went AWOL. If Pinkett will go through with the rest of them, you can make sure he's already provided him with a list of sites he will find the other girls.' 'Then our only hope is to find Schreiber.' 'Yes.' 'You said you talked to his mother. Do you think she knows anything ?' 'No, I don't think so. She sounded very upset with her son's actions. I don't think she was lying.' 'But she might know where he went. We have to talk to her in person, Scully.' Mulder got up and grabbed the jacket lying on the chair. 'Let's go see her.' Part IX : Brotherhood and Loyalty September 17, 3.45 p.m. Washington DC, Dulles Airport Dan Schreiber didn't feel comfortable sitting in his seat at the airport, waiting for the flight to Los Angeles. He didn't want to be here. He had wanted to take the car and drive to a small airport on the East Coast, then take a flight out to the West Coast. But it would have taken too long, and he was afraid. Damn Robert for taking so many risks. It was all over now. His career had gone to hell. He had participated in the aid of a fugitive and the murder of several young girls. He remembered Mulder's reactions as he was in that dark place, profiling Pinkett. It was amazing. He'd never seen anything like it. Schreiber knew that at the end Mulder would get Pinkett. His half-brother might not make it. But right now, Dan couldn't care less. Pinkett had caused him too much problems. He remembered his first visit to the prison, less than a year ago. The shock of finding out his family consisted of a half-brother that had murdered their mother, was enough to leave him nauseated. And Pinkett didn't even know he had a brother until Schreiber showed up. Pinkett had looked at him with a funny look in his eyes at first, when he started to explain the bloodline between the two of them. Then he had asked him about his profession. Schreiber didn't want to tell him at first that he was an FBI-agent, but he couldn't deny it, nor lie about it. Pinkett had seemed pleased he had come to visit and asked him if he would return later to talk some more. After all, he was on death row, and he didn't know how much time he had left. The next visit Pinkett had started talking about Fox Mulder. He had started asking him questions about the man, trying to figure out what made him tick. Schreiber knew Mulder only from the stories everyone else had heard. The basement office, the red-haired partner, the trouble he got himself in to on a regular basis. The truth he sought for so long but didn't seem able to grasp. And above all, the way he had found Pinkett and sentenced him to death. He had felt repulsion when he started reading up on the Pinkett-file. He hardly knew anything about his brother until everything was spread out in front of him. He hadn't visited Pinkett for quite some time then, but he was attracted to his half-brother like a magnet. He needed to know why. He went back in December, and asked him about it. Pinkett never gave a clear answer. His mind was filled with hate towards Mulder. 'I'm telling you, brother,' he had said to Dan. 'One day I'll get out of here and get back at him. I need to know about him. I want to know what he's like, and how I can get to him.' Pinkett had told him about Mulder's sister then. The actual events as Mulder had reported them in his file. He had dug up everything he could on the Bureau's computers and told everything to Pinkett. He could see Robert come up with a plan. 'If I get out, will you help me, big brother ?' Pinkett had pleaded. 'I'm going to need stuff - things to do. After all, you are my brother.' He had refused at first, knowing perfectly well that he would dig himself in deeper and deeper. But Pinkett had started threatening to expose him. 'What will your boss say if he finds out you're my brother ? I can send him a long letter, explaining everything. Your life will be over, big brother.' And Dan knew he had lost. A month before the escape Pinkett had told him what to do. He started making inquiries, finding out about the girls and their daily routine. Following them as Pinkett had followed them. Carefully selecting them for the purpose they were intended for. Fake passports, money, the resources to find the building in Maddalena Street. Everything that Pinkett needed for his final revenge. And following Mulder. Taking pictures of the man when he left and entered his apartment building or the Bureau. And then suddenly Mulder vanished. Nobody knew where he was, until the news spread around that he had gone to the Antarctic to find his missing partner. There was news about them being in hospital, and him almost dying. He had told Pinkett. Robert had been furious. 'I need Mulder for my revenge, big brother,' he had said. 'Without him, I might as well be gassed.' But Mulder had returned and Pinkett got out. And now everything had gone to hell. He sighed as he leant back in his seat. He had made his choices and now he would have to live with the consequences. He had bought a ticket to LA under a fake ID and paid cash for it. He would never again use the Federal Resources to get wherever he wanted. He would never again profile murderers or work with Terence Davis. He would have to live a very quiet life in some god-forgotten hole somewhere in the US. He would have to get a job somewhere and make a living somehow. And the entire FBI would be looking for him. The announcement for his flight came. He got up and lifted his bag. His suitcase was already on the carrousel, being lifted in the body of the plane. He had nothing with him except some clothes and all the cash he could get from his ATM. He couldn't risk going to the bank to empty his saving's account. He would do that in LA, just before he would take a flight to Grand Cayman. After that, he would decide what to do. He handed his boarding pass to the stewardess. She smiled at him and he wanted to walk past her. But then two men in blue suits walked over to him. He recognized one of them. He'd seen Sisco some time before when they'd been out on assignment together. Now the man was here to arrest him. He turned around, ready to start running, but the airport was busy and he saw more of his own men around. He didn't have a chance. 'Dan Schreiber,' Sisco said as they approached him. 'You are under the arrest for the conspiracy of murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law ..' Dan dropped his case to the ground and didn't budge as they pulled his hands behind his back and cuffed his wrists. He was turned around to face Sisco. 'I think I would like to speak with Fox Mulder now,' he said weakly. September 17, 4.05 p.m. Washington DC Robert David Pinkett instinctively knew his big brother would be caught soon enough. He didn't fight anymore. Pinkett should have killed him but he couldn't. After all, they were next of kin. Dan would start talking soon, and Pinkett was tired. He was fed up with running from the Feds, from Mulder. He just wanted to get it over with. He had left Maddalena Street a couple of minutes ago, leaving his fingerprints all over the place. They would find it soon enough now, and it didn't matter anymore. The last girl wasn't going to die here. He had changed the bandages at his waste. The bleeding fortunately had stopped but he still felt weak. He had stopped at a grocery store and bought chunks of chocolate to get some sugar in his system. He smiled in anticipation on his way to Chilmark, Massachusetts. Would Mulder know where to go ? Would he figure it out as soon as he received the game ? Would he come alone, not wanting to risk the girl's life ? Would he figure out which girl Pinkett would take ? Of course he would. Pinkett stopped at a gas station and filled up the Chevy. Yeah, he really liked this car. It would bring him to Chilmark in one long last drive. And tomorrow, he would have his Joanna. September 17, 4.15 p.m. Washington DC The call came in before they reached the house of Mrs. Schreiber. Mulder looked relieved as he said :'They've got him, Scully. He was on his way to LA He wants to talk to me.' Scully made a U-turn and drove back to the Bureau, where Dan Schreiber would be waiting to be interrogated. September 17, 7.45 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation. 'You have to understand,' Dan Schreiber said as he drank from the water with cuffed wrists. His fingers were clamp, he looked like he could collapse at any second. 'All I understand, Dan, is that you murdered your partner in cold blood. Did you enjoy pulling the trigger on Williamson ?' Terence Davis was the only one in the small interrogation room, sitting on the side of the table. Through the glass window, Skinner, Mulder, Scully and Mark Bellows waited for his confession. 'No.' Dan shook his head fiercely. 'I didn't mean for it to happen, honestly. But you ordered us to bring Robert to jail, and I knew I was his last chance. I wanted Williamson to stay out of it, but it was impossible.' 'Robert murdered another girl after you let him out, Dan,' Davis slowly said. 'He tried to kill Sophie Jones. He shot agent Mulder. He's going to kill other girls. Do you want me to go on ?' 'No.' Dan looked desperate. 'He said he would stop the killing. He wanted to get it over with. He got shot too, he's been losing blood. He was tired, he said. He wanted it to end.' 'And you believed him ?' 'He's my brother !' 'You only met him a year ago !' 'But I love him. He's my brother. I've never had a brother. I - I thought I could find something I lost.' Dan's desperate look focused on the window. 'I want to speak to Mulder now. I won't say anything more until I see Mulder in here. I know he's out there.' Terence Davis sighed as he shook his head in disbelief. 'I trusted you, Dan,' he said softly. 'And you betrayed us.' 'I love my brother.' Davis got off the table and left the room. He looked at Mulder. 'Are you up to it ?' 'Yeah.' Mulder walked passed him, holding his right arm firmly in the sling. 'Mulder, before you go in -' Davis stopped him. 'Yeah, Terence ?' 'Remember what I told you eight years ago. Don't go too far. Get back out while you still can.' Mulder smiled. 'Terence, if I didn't know you better, I'd think you actually cared.' Davis smiled reluctantly. 'Maybe I do.' Mulder opened the door and closed it behind him. Dan Schreiber looked up, examining the agent's stressed appearance. 'You like worse than before, Mulder.' 'Yeah well, before I didn't get shot, did I ?' Mulder poured in some more water and handed it to Schreiber. 'Thanks,' the former agent said. Mulder didn't take a seat. 'Tell me about your brother, Dan.' Dan breathed deeply before throwing it all out. The visits at the jail, the frustration of having a brother who was going to die in the gas chamber soon. The threats and persuasion to help him. And the fear of getting caught. 'I figured you were after me,' he said with something that sounded like a twisted grin. 'You're brilliant, Mulder. Always have been. You would find him and then kill him. And I would be stuck in the middle of it, trying to save whatever was left of my miserable life.' 'I'm not going to kill him, Dan. He needs to be brought to justice and I'm not going to take it in my own hands.' Dan sighed. 'It doesn't really matter anyways. He's dying. He got hit bad, Mulder. I'm not sure how long he can survive like this.' 'He managed to murder a girl like this. Do you really think he's going to just fall down and die ?' 'I don't know.' 'You have to tell me where he is, Dan.' 'I don't know.' 'You're lying. Why do you keep on protecting him ?' 'I know about his hideout. Maddalena Street. An old school building. Abandoned since years. He rented it for two weeks. He killed them there - most of them anyway. I saw the blood splattered against the walls. He enjoyed killing them, he said.' 'Okay.' Mulder glanced quickly at the mirror, knowing that Skinner would immediately send out several Federal Agents to comb the place with a toothbrush. But they wouldn't find Pinkett there. He was already gone. Dan looked up at him. 'Did you receive my package, Mulder ?' 'What package ?' 'The game. I had to send it to you by courier. He said you would need it when he wanted to play the game with you.' 'I haven't received it yet.' 'He said you'd know where to find him as soon as you received it. He wanted you to have it because it would remind you of Samantha.' Mulder frowned, thinking about that last night in Chilmark. 'Do we have to watch this, Fox ?' 'You had a list with names of girls and places, didn't you, Dan ?' 'Yes.' 'Give it to me.' 'I don't have it with me. I burnt it.' 'I'm sure you can remember the names of the girls.' Dan frowned. 'I might. What's it worth to you ?' 'Are you trying to make a deal ?' 'Yeah. I won't spend the rest of my life in jail, Mulder. People will know I'm a Fed. I'll be dead before the end of the day. I can't bare it. I want to cut a deal, now.' 'You know I can't make that promise.' 'Davis can. Skinner can. I want to cut the deal or you don't get the list.' 'I'll have to talk to them first.' 'You do that. And then come back to me and propose the deal.' Mulder turned and left the room. Davis and Skinner both frowned. 'He won't get a deal,' Davis said. 'If we go with this to the Branch, they'll never go for it.' 'If you don't get it, three other girls might die, sir,' Mulder said firmly. 'Mulder, you know Pinkett. Let's assume he left Washington DC Where might he have gone ?' 'It could be anywhere, sir. Boston, Richmond, hell, even the West Coast. We have no way of knowing.' 'Would he take a flight out ?' 'No. He's much more careful than Dan. He'll drive, perhaps take a flight in some low-profiled airport, and then head out wherever he wants to go. But he won't be doing that, sir. He'll stay here and finish this. He wants me to see Joanna die again.' 'So we have no other option than to make that deal,' Skinner said softly. He looked through the window and saw Dan Schreiber panicking and afraid. The man would crack under pressure soon. 'Let me talk to the Director,' Skinner said. 'I might be able to do something.' September 17, 9.45 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation The guard quietly brought Dan Schreiber his dinner and left him alone in the small, windowless room they had locked him in while waiting for further actions. Dan looked down on the plastic fork and knife they had given him. They had taken his shoelaces and tie, and everything that he might use to inflict damage on himself. They wanted him alive. His hands were still cuffed. He hated the feeling of cold metal around his wrists. He detested everything that was happening to him now. The humiliation of being interrogated by his former boss. The look in Mulder's eyes as he confronted him with his actions. They would never cut him a deal. He'd caused too much damage. His fingers grabbed the plastic fork and grabbed a large chunk of the jacked potato. He took it all in his mouth and swallowed it at once. Like a lump it got stuck in the back of his throat. He choked on it. Gagged, swallowed, gagged, choked. His natural impulses warned him to fight this, to strive for the air he needed. But he didn't. He choked. His face turned blue. He could feel the lump in the back of his throat, killing him. And then he no longer needed the air. The world had turned gray, and the shades closed. September 17, 10.05 p.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation 'We've got it,' Skinner exclaimed in triumph as he returned exhausted from the Director's meeting. 'He's getting his deal.' Mulder looked at his boss, debating whether or not he was happy with this. Dan Schreiber had gone bad and was now rewarded for it. 'He'll get minor charges in return for the list. Protection, all that crap. If not, he goes down.' Mulder lifted himself from the couch in Skinner's office. His back and head felt sore and stiff. Oh for a few hours of sleep. 'Let's go, Mulder.' Skinner was already at the door, waiting for his agents. Scully followed quietly, struggling with the same sense of discomfort as Mulder did. Skinner called Davis on the way to Schreiber's confinement chamber, and caught him at his desk. Davis immediately got on his way. The guard opened the door at Skinner's request. As Skinner entered the room first, he immediately saw the man cramped on the floor. 'Shit !' Dana Scully pushed the guard aside and knelt down beside him. 'He's turned blue,' she said, checking his mouth. 'There's something in the back of his throat. Get some paramedics here !' She laid Schreiber on his side and hit his back to release the pressure on his throat. It didn't work. 'Mulder, gimme your pocketknife and a pen.' Mulder didn't ask any questions and watched in amazement as Scully made a small incision in Schreiber's throat, using the pen as a tool to get some air in his lungs. 'He's none responsive,' she said. 'Sir, I need you to do CPR.' Skinner sat down next to her and tried to revive Schreiber's heart. The man did not budge. After ten minutes the paramedics took over, but to no avail. Schreiber did not react to anything. He had choked on his last supper. 'He's gone, Mulder,' Scully said tired. 'And so is our list.' Mulder nodded slowly, recapturing Schreiber's last words. September 17, 11.40 p.m. Washington DC, Residence of Dan Schreiber An ongoing search in Dan Schreiber's apartment revealed nothing that could help the FBI in their search for Robert Pinkett. A stack of letters from his brother was found in a small cabinet in the hallway. Every letter was read carefully but revealed nothing. In the trashcan small pieces of burnt paper were found. Evidently Schreiber had carefully burnt the list he had made for his half-brother, and then thrown the remains in the can. Every piece was gathered carefully for further input, but the hope of finding anything that might help was nihil. Elly Schreiber found herself opposed two Federal Agents and their boss. The boss seemed quite tired. He took off his glasses regularly, rubbing is fatigued eyes. He concentrated on the conversation though and gave his input occasionally, asking her questions about her son. The woman who sat next to her gave her a tissue while trying to comfort her with useless words. She had been the one telling her about her son's death, explaining to her how her son probably had committed suicide in order to protect his half-brother. She was a pretty one, that woman. She'd introduced herself and her partner. She looked just as tired as her boss, only seemed to deal with it better as she was the one asking most of the questions. The man she had come in with reminded her of her son. He was just as tall as Dan, and had the same hair color. That's where the likeness ended. Dan had had a rough face, and an expression that usually lingered between cold nothingness and professionalism. He was a quiet one, her adopted son. Even as a kid he barely spoke a word. He always seemed to be questioning her about his past, and how she had found him. She had told him about what the adoption center had said. That his mother had been pregnant with him when her husband had died, and couldn't bare the fact of raising a son on her own. He had turned into himself then, questioning his existence. She wasn't angry when he started looking for his past, only saddened that he didn't think enough of his current life to forget about his past. The man sitting opposite of her was tall and slim. He had gotten hurt somewhere recently. His face was bruised underneath and above his right eye. His arm was draped in a sling. He was unable to move it as it was firmly attached to his chest. He wore a black sweater and jeans, and didn't seem like an FBI-agent at all when he looked at her. She liked his eyes. They looked at her honestly but sad. He had told her in a few short words he was Pinkett's profiler. She didn't understand him at first until he continued by telling her her son had been profiling criminals himself. Then she realized why he looked so sad. He told her he was sorry about her son and didn't mean for this to happen. She had cried then, and the woman had given her the tissue to hide her tears in. 'Mrs. Schreiber, I know this must have come as a shock to you,' the woman said. 'But we need to find Robert Pinkett, Dan's half-brother, before he kills someone else.' When she was interrogated earlier that day, one of the Federal Agents had told her what Pinkett had done. She had seen it on the news, but it didn't occur to her until then that this was the same killer everyone was looking for right now. And he was Dan's half-brother ? 'I don't know how to help you,' she sighed. 'I don't live with Dan. We didn't talk that much. He never said anything about his work.' 'Did you know he was tracking down his family ?' 'Yes, of course. But he never told me if he had found someone. He went away for a month and then came back without saying anything about it. He's not a talker, I respect that.' 'Mrs. Schreiber,' the injured agent said, 'did Dan ever give you something to keep for him ? Letters, a list with something, things he didn't want to keep at his apartment ?' She thought for a while. 'No. Not really. But I know he kept a lot of information on his computer.' 'We found the computer,' Skinner said. 'It's password-protected. They're working on it right now.' 'Do you know what password Dan used, Mrs. Schreiber ?' the woman asked. She shook her head. 'He loved movies. I remember him talking a lot about movies.' 'What was his favorite movie ?' Scully asked. 'I'm not sure. He loved horror. He mentioned something about a movie he bought on video some while ago. Something about a bunch of teenagers that got killed. He said it was fitting to watch that movie now because he felt like the doofy cop that screwed up.' 'Scream,' Scully said out loud. Mulder stared at her in utter admiration. 'Hey, I liked it,' she said dry. They got up. 'Thank you for your help, Mrs. Schreiber,' Scully said as they said goodbye and nodded towards the nextdoor-neighbour who would spend the night at the old woman's place. Mulder smiled at her and gave her his card. 'If you remember anything else, please give me a call.' She nodded. At the door she said :'Mr. Mulder.' He turned around. She reminded him so much of his own mother. Not able to speak out what she felt or what she was thinking. Why did they always have so much trouble expressing their feelings ? 'He wasn't a bad kid. He just got lost somewhere. And he was my son.' 'I know, Mrs. Schreiber.' He stepped outside, knowing they would not find him tonight. Part X : Smells like Teen Spirit September 18, 2.05 p.m. Just outside Chilmark, Massachusetts. He chose a small motel to spend the night. He didn't think he could go on much longer. The bandages were blood-soaked again. Somewhere down the line he had managed to tear up something which shouldn't have been torn up. He paid in cash for one night. The man behind the counter hardly looked at him as he gave him the key to room 12. He parked the car up front and got out with the stacks of groceries and bandages he had bought in some sleazy supermarket on the side of the road. He had made quite a few stops along the way, resting his head against the steering wheel while trying to block out the pain. Not much longer, he told himself, thinking about Joanna. You'll pull through and then it's all over. He barely made it inside. As all strength left him, he fell on the bed, not bothering to undress himself. He just waited until the darkness passed. After a while he pulled off the sweater, and stared at the bandages. He bit his lip as he slowly pulled away the fiber and checked the wound. It was clearly infected. He felt like shit. He grabbed the bottle of desinfection and poured it over his side, wincing in the process. Then he put bandages against it and taped it. He grabbed the bottle of Tylenol's and took out three, gulping water to swallow them. He took out the piece of paper Dan had given him with her name and address on it. In the morning she would be his. September 18, 1.05 a.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel She heard him tossing and turning behind the open door. She had insisted to have it open, in case something was wrong with him. Now she sat up straight in bed, listening to his deep sighs as he tried to find a way to get some sleep. He had refused any medication or sedatives to sleep. She had frowned and wanted to give him while he slept. Hey, what didn't know wouldn't hurt him. But he didn't fall asleep. She got out of bed and walked over to his room. 'Mulder,' she said. 'Do you want to sleep or not ?' He looked at her in her silk pyamas. The last time he had seen her like this, he'd been drunk. 'You're not sticking another needle in my butt, Scully. I've had enough of that in the hospital.' 'Oh really ?' she said. 'I thought you were asleep when they drugged you.' 'I was faking it.' 'I'm sure they didn't go for your butt though.' He grimaced. 'Needles are needles, it don't matter where you stick 'm.' She came closer, and sat herself on the side of his bed. Hair was tossed in front of her eyes. Whatever make-up she had on during the day was now all gone. She looked young and vulnerable. 'Do you want me to stay with you until you're asleep ?' she asked. 'Yeah.' He pulled away the sheets on the other side of the bed. She crawled underneath them, turning on her side to lean towards him. He felt her cold feet as they accidentally touched his. 'Sorry.' She smiled. 'Skinner should see us like this.' 'Well, at least it's still not raining sleeping bags.' He turned towards her on his left side, carefully protecting his damaged shoulder. He looked flushed. 'I think you're running a fever again, Mulder,' she said, sticking out her hand. He grabbed it before she could touch his forehead. 'Don't.' 'Don't what ?' 'Don't be a doctor right now. Or an FBI-agent.' 'What do you want me to be ?' 'A friend.' 'Mulder, I'm always your friend. Even when I'm cursing you for running off half-cocked and getting yourself hurt.' 'Scully, you saved my ass more times than I can count. I'm afraid that one day you won't be there when I need to be saved again.' She lifted herself up a bit, examining his eyes. 'Are you saying goodbye, Mulder ?' 'No, I - I'm not sure what I'm doing.' 'Don't do this. We'll catch Pinkett, you'll be fine.' 'And what if I'm not ?' 'You will be. There's too much weirdness out there for you to investigate.' 'Your regular monster boy, hey ?' 'Mulder, the only times you're happy is when you get a hunch and go after it like there's nothing more important in life. Pinkett is not taking that away from you, and neither is Terence Davis. You'll come through this just fine, cause I will be there to save your ass, okay ?' 'Like you always are.' 'Yes. Now, do you want me to stick a needle in that ass of yours ?' 'Nah. I'd rather fall asleep when you sing a song.' 'We're not in the woods, Mulder. There's something like a radio, or a television. Your electronic baby-sitters, remember ?' 'You won't even sing 'Twilight Time' for me ?' he asked disappointed. 'Not even when you're strapped to an AI. Now close your eyes and sleep.' 'Yes, mom.' He closed his eyes, as if demonstrating he really wanted to go to sleep now. She slid deeper underneath the covers, and stretched out her hand to touch his wrist. He didn't even blink. A couple of minutes later she heard his deep, even breaths and she knew miracles do happen. September 18, 4.05 a.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel She felt a hand on her face, slapping her. Her first instinct was to push it away and turn around so she could sleep on. It couldn't have been morning already, could it ? The fingers seemed to examine her face, touching her nose, eyes and lips. She touched the fingers and opened her eyes. Mulder's eyes were open and looking at her. Even in the dark she could see their unnatural glance. 'I thought you were dead,' he croaked. 'You were dead, weren't you ? You killed yourself.' She pushed herself up, sliding off the bed. 'Mulder, you were dreaming. I'm right here, you see ?' 'No. I saw you drop on the concrete floor. You were dead.' 'That wasn't real, Mulder. Linda Bowman made you believe it. Remember ? I talked to you afterwards and touched your arm. I'm right here, Mulder.' She touched his forehead. The heat was tremendous. 'You're burning up, Mulder. Let me get you something for the fever.' She walked over to the bathroom and took a washcloth which she wet with cold water. As she lay it on his forehead, she noticed it was after 4. How long had he been lying awake like this ? He tossed and turned as she touched his shoulder. Even with the bandages on it, and the T-shirt over it, she could feel the heat. He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him. 'We've got to find him today, Scully. He'll get Joanna today. I can feel it. He's waiting for me somewhere, and I need to find him.' 'We'll deal with that later, Mulder,' she said firmly. 'You have to relax, okay ?' He sighed as he leant back against the soft pillows. 'I'm tired, Scully.' 'I know, Mulder,' she said in sympathy, trying to keep her tears from floating freely. She grabbed the phone and dialed the number to Skinner's room. After a few seconds he replied with a sleepy 'Skinner'. She got his attention immediately. Within a minute he stood in Mulder's room, dressed in sweats and T-shirt. As Skinner opened the door, he saw immediately that his agent was not doing so well. Mulder seemed to be enveloped in a nightmare. He spoke in his dreams, calling out Scully's name, and then Samantha's. Scully sat down on the side of the bed immediately, trying to soothe him. 'He shouldn't have been out of the hospital,' she said, angry with herself. 'He's here because I screwed up. I should have known he was faking it. He always lies when I ask him how he feels.' 'We had no choice in the matter, Scully. You know that. Don't hit yourself for something that couldn't be helped. Think about what he needs now.' Mulder opened his feverish eyes, clinging to her hand, not seeing her. Then he pushed her aside and started getting out of the bed, grabbing the T-shirt and pants that were on the dresser. 'Mulder, what are you doing ?' Skinner asked. 'I gotta go to Chilmark. I'm late already. Mom said I'm always too late. That's why I gotta go home, you see ? I gotta take care of Samantha tonight. Mom and dad are going to the neighbors.' 'Samantha's not there, Mulder,' Scully said soothingly, taking the clothes of his hands. 'You can get some sleep first and we'll go there in the morning.' 'Uh huh.' He shook his head fervently. 'You always try to stop me, Scully. But not today. I gotta go.' He pulled the clothes from her hands again, looking around, apparently looking for something. 'Where's the gun ?' 'What gun ?' 'Dad's gun. I know it's here somewhere. I gotta learn how to use it you see. Dad tried to teach me to shoot, I'm a lousy shot. I gotta learn how to shoot so I can stop 'm. Ah, there it is.' He grabbed his gun and holster from the dresser and held them firmly against his chest with his left hand. 'Can't loose it this time.' He headed for the door of his room. Skinner was at his side in a couple of seconds, preventing him from leaving. 'Mulder, calm down. You're not well. You need to get some sleep. We'll go to Chilmark in the morning. Just relax now, okay ?' 'No. Can't wait. Samantha's there. Gotta go.' Mulder turned and tried the other door. Scully was there before him, talking soothingly to him. Skinner watched in amazement. He'd seen Mulder in several different situations. He'd been responsible for a few of those situations. There were times he didn't believe his agent. He'd been attacked by Mulder once. His agent had been so furious then, controlled by drugs that damaged his system. But he'd never seen him react on a fever-induced rage before. At the same time he knew this wasn't just the fever controlling him. The pressure and fear of the past days were catching up on him. Mulder paced the room like an impatient child. 'We gotta go. Gotta go. Scully, we gotta go.' Scully glanced at her boss. Skinner understood immediately and took two steps so he stood besides Mulder. 'Okay, Mulder. We'll go. Let me just get some things from my room okay ? Why don't you get on the bed and I'll get your shoes on. Remember I put your shoes on yesterday ?' Skinner helped Mulder to take place on the bed, shifting his long legs forward so she could reach his feet. If the situation had been different, she would have laughed. Now her fingers trembled as she prepared a syringe with the sedative she dreaded to use. If needs be, she'd stick it in his leg this time. Mulder was back on his feet as she returned, calling out her name. 'There's no time, Scully ! We gotta go.' 'Okay, Mulder. Just sit down and I'll help you.' He sat down impatiently. Scully took a seat beside him. Skinner moved forward and grabbed Mulder's left arm, preventing his agent from getting up and pulling loose as Scully touched his bare left upper arm and quickly injected him. Mulder immediately reacted to her, shoving her aside. Despite his weakened state he was able to push Skinner away. Mulder grasped his arm, standing up and looking at her in amazement. Flashes of Pinkett sticking a needle in his shoulder in the alley outside the hotel. Scully shooting him in the shoulder. 'What the hell did you go and do that for ?' he asked with an amazingly young voice. He sounded like a child that just got spanked for doing something bad. She watched him as he swayed and tried to hold the dresser. Skinner quickly stood beside him and grabbed his left arm, shoving it over his shoulder, thus supporting his agent as he was already slipping into darkness. It seemed as if his body had just been waiting for the right sign to cave in. 'Put him on the bed,' Scully said. With a bit of shoving and pushing Mulder was laid back on the bed. His eyes were closed, but he opened them as she grabbed a blanket and laid it over him. He started shivering. 'He's going into shock,' Scully said. 'We need to get him back to a hospital.' 'No !' Mulder grasped her hand, pulling her closer to him. 'No hospital. Please Scully. Don't -' He blinked his eyes lids, trying to stay awake, clinging on to the bit of strength he still had. Eventually he gave in to a long-overdue unconsciousness. Scully sank down on the side of the bed, pulling two more blankets over her partner's sleeping form. She touched his forehead, feeling the still lingering heat. 'What the hell was that ?' Skinner breathlessly asked. 'I've never seen anything like it.' 'He's collapsing, sir,' she said slowly. 'Both mentally and physically. After everything that happened the past couple of weeks, he's finally caving in.' Skinner watched her as she sat down in a chair and leaned back, not for once letting her eyes dwell off. He wondered how many times before she had done this. When and how over the past five years she had learnt do deal with the fact that Mulder always was the one getting in over his head ? Or when and how she had become both his best friend, his partner, and even his surrogate mother. 'He'll be fine in the morning,' she repeated. 'He just needs to sleep it off.' Skinner sunk down in a chair next to her and watched her as her strained body betrayed every bit of tension she had felt over the past couple of days. He remembered how she had fought with Davis to get Mulder off this case. How she had argued with him about Mulder's health. And how she had lost every time because at the end Mulder was the one taking the decision for her. Skinner closed his eyes and leaned back, listening to her soothing voice as she repeated continuously :'He'll be fine.' September 18, 8.05 a.m. Washington DC, The Marriot Hotel They both were startled by the droning tone of a phone ringing. Then, before either one of them had the strength to move and pick it up, Mulder was already talking to the man on the other line. Skinner was even more amazed as Mulder talked continuously, cracking his knuckles in the process, ignoring the sore right arm, and then hung up. 'That was Davis,' he said, hardly noticing the two figures slumped in the chairs. 'They still haven't hacked Schreiber's computer. However, the Stratego-game has arrived. We've got to go.' Scully lifted herself up from the chair and placed her hand on his forehead. 'What are you doing, Scully? I'm fine. I feel great. Come on, we gotta go.' Impatiently Mulder pushed away her hand and walked to the bathroom with a dark blue sweater in his hand. He had already managed to put on his jeans and socks. In amazement Skinner noticed his agent's newfound energy. He knew that that same energy would die away within minutes, perhaps hours. Skinner didn't know how to behave or what to do, until Scully solved this problem for him. She smiled as she turned towards her boss. 'Thanks for staying, sir. I couldn't have handled this by myself.' 'You're welcome.' Skinner walked over to the door. 'I'll be back in ten minutes. We'll have some breakfast and then get out of here, okay ?' 'Okay.' A cry for help came out of the bathroom. Scully heard Mulder's muffled scream as he opened the door, seemingly struggling with the sweater. He had managed to pull it over one arm, but his right shoulder and neck were so stiff he couldn't move anymore. Softly she pushed the fabric over his shoulder, careful not to damage him any further. 'Thanks, partner,' he grinned. 'Now get dressed.' She returned to her room, forgot about taking a shower and got dressed quickly. When she returned, Mulder was waiting for her to tie his shoes. She grinned, despite everything. 'Next time you get hurt, I'll unzip your dress,' he said, tossing her hair. 'I don't wear dresses, Mulder.' 'You'll still need help with your bras.' She flushed again and let go of his shoe. His foot fell with a 'thug' on the floor. 'Don't push your luck, Mulder.' She grabbed his and her coat and pushed him in front of her as they walked to the elevators. September 18, 9.10 p.m. Chilmark, Massachusetts. He felt like crap. Pure and simple. His body felt like it had been drained of every drop of blood. But today was the day. He got himself out of the bed, sore and aching. He grabbed the bag and rummaging through it found the Tylenol he needed so desperately to keep himself moving. Damn that bitch for shooting him. Eagerly he took four of them, forcing them through his throat with half a bottle of water. I hope Mulder is going through the same pain, he thought. He grabbed the paper with the girl's address on it and the instructions Dan had given him. He should get a move on. If Dan was talking, he'd be talking about Chilmark. He needed to get to the girl before Mulder got to her. He forced himself to relax and push away the pain shooting through his system. Yeah, he could do that. Just forget about the pain and get a move on. Get Joanna. September 18, 9.45 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation The game lay in front of him, missing five red pieces. Dan Schreiber hadn't been lying. Pinkett would never get around to killing all eight of them. He took just as many pieces as he needed. Mulder took the four pieces they already had out of the drawer and put them in the right place. One of the pieces was still missing. Joanna's piece. He touched the plastic. 'Is it too late for a game of Stratego ?' Pinkett wanted to play. So come out and play, Robert. Mulder clasped the tape with Pinkett's confession in his hand and turned it over and over. He didn't really want to listen to this. But if Dan Schreiber had been telling the truth and Pinkett would forget about the other girls, she was the only likely candidate left to be murdered. And he didn't want another Joanna dead in his arms. He wanted to save this one. Washington DC, September 30, 1990 Statement Robert David Pinkett, interview by Section Chief Terence Davis Additional notes on September 18, 1998 by Special Agent Fox Mulder Current assignment : Violent Crime Section 'You had Joanna planned until the end. You said you knew we were on to you ?' 'Yeah. I wasn't really sure of course, I just kind of felt it you know. Like when you're listening to the radio and you just know what song they're gonna play next. That kind of feeling. I just knew that it was coming to an end, all of it.' 'Where did you find her ?' 'I had special plans for Joanna. I knew her. Didn't you know ? She was the daughter of one of my neighbors when we used to live at the house. Before I killed mother. I moved after I killed her. I had my eyes set on her since she was quite the attractive kid. She was eleven when I first noticed her, and knew that I wanted to kill her. It's almost much more of a pleasure when you kill someone you know. I felt that same pleasure when I took her from her home.' 'When did you take her ?' 'Right after school. I waited until she came home. I knew both her folks worked till after 6. She was home alone every day from 4 till 6. She smiled when I rang the bell. She knew me of course even though the house has been abandoned for years, and I moved away right after mom died. 'Rob' she always called me. She was the only one that ever called me Rob. I used to talk to her quite a bit.' 'So she let you in.' 'Yes. She went to the kitchen to fetch me a cup of coffee, and I took injected her before she knew what happened. I lifted her up and brought her to the car. A neighbor across the street saw me, recognized me and came after me. There was a Fed there as well but I only knew that until later. You were following me already, weren't you ?' 'Yes.' 'I had a hunch I might have been followed but I didn't do anything about it. I wanted an audience for this one, to go out with a bang, you know. After all, what's the use of being a serial killer when no one knows your name ? So I brought her to the warehouse, and tied her up with the tape. I watched her wake up, and then Mulder came.' 'Did you intend to kill her, despite Mulder's plead not to ?' 'Oh yeah. He wasn't gullible or anything. He really tried hard, was persuasive. But I had my mind set on killing her, so I did.' 'Why did you shoot Mulder too ?' 'I don't know.' (laughter) 'I enjoyed watching the look on his face. But you know, even when I pulled that trigger, I could see he wasn't frightened for his own life. He was frightened for the girl. I think he would have given his life to save her. Yeah, I think he would. But at the end, even Mulder didn't understand it. The need to tell the world about me and my actions. He should have understood, but he didn't. Such a shame for him.' 'Why ?' 'Because one day I'll come back for him and let him suffer for it. He should have paid more attention, you know. But he didn't. So I'll have to find a way to get him to pay attention to me. After all, I deserve that much, don't you think ?' September 18, 9.45 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation AD Davis turned off the tape and looked at Mulder. 'We've got something. Mrs. Schreiber just called. Said she received a letter from her son this morning. Apparently Dan has sent her a letter confessing everything. There's a list of names attached to it.' Mulder grabbed his coat and winced as his shoulder refused to move along. He bit his lip, ignoring the pain and pulling his left hand through the sleeve. The right side sort of dangled. Davis walked over to him and put it over his shoulder. 'Let's go.' Skinner's car never drove faster. Within ten minutes (and a lot of life-staking moments in morning traffic) they were at Mrs. Schreiber's house. The woman looked awfully pale as she handed Skinner the note her son had left for her. 'It's all there,' Skinner said, quickly reading through the letter. 'His whole confession.' As he turned the page, he quickly scanned the names. 'The families of these girls need to be protected immediately,' he said, turning to Weinstein. 'Make it so.' 'Yes, sir.' Mulder's eyes fell on the last name at the bottom of the list. A name he had heard not so very long ago. 'Jesus Christ.' 'What ? What is it ?' Scully immediately stood besides him, reading the name that didn't seem familiar to her. 'Joanna Paris. She lives in Chilmark, Massachusetts. She's - Her family - They're our nextdoor-neighbours. Before. When we lived in Chilmark. Dad moved to Martha's Vineyard afterwards - after Samantha. They still live there. I remember mom talking about them over the phone last week. She said it was painful to see how much Joanna looked like Samantha. Jesus. I never thought of Joanna. Haven't seen her in over a year. She was just a kid back then - she still is just a kid -' 'Robert Pinkett's last victim was his neighbor,' Scully confirmed. 'Now he's going after yours.' 'If he hurts her. Or her parents. Bob and Linda, we've got to warn them. Bob used to be a good friend when we went to high school together. If something happens to that girl - Damn him !' Mulder threw the letter on the floor and left the house, sucking in deep breaths of air. He could hardly breathe as his lungs eagerly searched for air. Everything went dizzy around him. He bent over slightly and tried to move his legs, to stop the dizziness. Scully came immediately after him, supporting his back. 'We need to call them now,' Mulder said. 'It may already be too late.' 'Skinner's arranging a flight to Boston right now. We'll be there in a couple of hours. He's arranging for the local police to drive over to the house and check on them. They'll be fine, Mulder. Pinkett has slowed down due to his injuries. He won't get to them in time.' 'They're dead.' 'Mulder, you don't know that. They could be fine.' 'No, they're dead,' he maintained stubborn. 'He's taken their kid and killed them.' Impatiently he paced around, reminding her of his feverish dreams only a few hours before. His mood swings worried her, as did his inability to focus his eyes on anything. He looked like he could drop at any time. He was just waiting for the cue. Skinner walked outside in deep discussion with Davis. He looked frowning at his agents. 'We've tried to reach your friends by telephone, Mulder. There wasn't an answer, but that doesn't mean anything. The police is on their way.' 'We're too late - again. They're gone,' Mulder said with an uneven voice. 'I can feel it.' Skinner put his hand on his agent's shoulder. Mulder looked at him as he said :'You've done well so far, Mulder. You're holding on. Don't croak on me now, okay ? We'll find Pinkett soon.' The surprised look on Mulder's face was enough to have Skinner kick himself mentally. He should really give his agent more compliments and support. It was obvious Mulder wasn't used to it. 'I won't croak, sir,' Mulder said softly. 'I know you won't. We've got to get to the airport immediately. There's a flight leaving for Boston in half an hour and they're holding it for us.' As they walked over to the car, Mulder said :'He's got her at my father's old house in Chilmark. He wants to finish his game where Samantha and I left it, in '74. Damn it ! I should have figured it out. I never thought he would - how the hell did Schreiber find out about Joanna ?' 'We're pretty sure Dan's been following you around for quite a bit. The envelope contained a number of photos taking from you and agent Scully. He's probably ran a background check on you, and thus found out one of your neighbors had a daughter whom Pinkett could use for his revenge. I think that at this point it didn't really matter whether or not she resembled Samantha,' Terence Davis said calmly. 'But we've got a chance to stop him now, Mulder. Think about that.' Scully gently pushed her partner in the back seat of Skinner's car, letting him slide against the back. His legs seemed to long to fit in between the seats but at the end there was room enough. She got in on the other side, and watched as Skinner raced like a madman to the airport. September 18, 11.05 a.m. Washington DC, Dulles International Airport The run through the departure hall exhausted Mulder. He could hardly keep up with the others. His heart beat like crazy. He was sweating from the short distance they had to run to get to gate 10. Skinner waved his badge, talked swiftly with the stewardess, and let her take them to their seats. The flight left ten minutes later as planned. Mulder didn't protest when Scully sat him down between her and Skinner, buckling him up. She lay her cool hand on his forehead and looked worried when the heat touched her fingers. 'Leave it there, Scully,' he said as he closed his eyes. 'It feels great.' 'She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, opening her small, leather bag. 'Mulder, I want you to take these.' He opened his eyes to check out the small blue tablets. 'They're painkillers. You'll feel fuzzy but they won't put you to sleep. They'll help for the pain and fever.' He took them from her hand and swallowed them, drinking some water. He shifted in his seat until he found a pose somewhere between leaning on his side against the seat and resting against Scully's shoulder. Luckily she sat on his left side. He couldn't possibly imagine leaning against his boss like that. 'Hmm Scully,' he said as he sniffled in her neck. 'Smells like Teen Spirit.' He could actually feel her smile. 'You always knew I was a Nirvana-fan, didn't you ?' 'I figured you might fall for Dave Grohl,' he slurred as his voice died away. 'Maybe I should grow my hair longer.' She brushed aside the hair falling on his forehead, and looked over him at Skinner. A few minutes later she realized he wasn't just sleeping. He was unconscious. Part XI : Joanna September 18, 11.45 a.m. Chilmark, Massachusetts Pinkett looked down on the little girl. She wasn't unconscious but not moving either. Her scared little face begged for mercy. He had her taped up. Her legs and arms were non-responsive. He had put her in the back of his trunk and brought her to his safe little harbor. The old Mulder-residence had been abandoned and empty for years. He knew no one had been here for quite some time, not since that night, when the daughter of the house vanished, and her older brother witnessed it all. Dan had told him the parents were divorced since. They both lived in Martha's Vineyard, but there was also a small vacation house in Quononchontaug. Schreiber had told him Mulder had tried to kill himself there. Undergoing a strange treatment had nearly cost him his life. Always knew you were suicidal, Mulder. Is that why you like playing with guns ? He tore off the tape from the girl's lips. She cried out in pain and started licking her lips. Her saliva would help softening the pain of the torn skin. She tried to talk but nearly choked as she scraped her dry throat. 'My mom and dad,' the girl whispered. 'Where are my mom and dad ?' 'They aren't dead, if that's what you want to know,' he smiled. 'Don't worry, Joanna. I've kept them alive to do you a favor. You see ?' The girl cried bitter tears. 'I want to go home.' He knelt down in front of her, and touched her hair with his warm hand. 'Do you know someone called Fox Mulder ?' She thought for a moment and then nodded. 'Fox always comes to play with me. When I was younger. He's nice. He always calls me Samantha and then he remembers and calls me Joanna.' 'Do you know why he calls you Samantha ?' 'Because he has a sister. She looks like me.' 'Have you seen a picture of her ?' The girl nodded. 'She looks a lot like you, doesn't she ?' 'Yes, but I am taller than she, and I have other eyes like her.' He smiled. 'You're a bright young girl, Joanna. Fox will be here soon and he'll come and get you out of here.' 'Why am I here ?' she sighed as she shed tears again. 'I just want to go home. My mom and dad are next door. I don't like it here.' 'Just a few moments longer, little Joanna. Just a little bit more.' He sank down on a chair and stared at his blood-soaked sweater. September 18, 12.15 p.m. Boston International Airport, Massachusetts 'Mulder, come on, partner. Wake up.' He felt a soft patting against his cheek and opened his eyes to see a bunch of faces above him. He was lying down. Where the hell was he ? He recognized the insides of a plane. Oh boy, he'd passed out in a plane ? No wonder everyone looked at him like he was from outer space. He moaned as he tried to get up. Immediately hands were there to support him. He'd been lying on a blanket in the back of the plane. They weren't flying anymore. Everything seemed extraordinary quiet. He swayed as someone pushed his head down. The dizziness passed. 'What the hell did you give me, Scully ?' he croaked. 'It wasn't the meds, Mulder. I guess you thought it was time for another nap.' She supported him, feeling his pulse. 'You shouldn't even be walking around here. The moment we nail Pinkett you are going straight to hospital. Your temperature is high, Mulder. Every moment I let you walk around, is causing you further damage.' Annoyed he wanted to tell her to stop mothering him, but hey, she was touching him again all over. How could he object with that ? 'Do you need help getting off the plane, Mulder ?' Mulder turned towards Skinner, and saw a few men in blue waiting to grab in where necessary. A couple of stewardesses watched him in anticipation. 'No, I'm fine -' he started and put a few steps forward. The world immediately turned black again. 'O-kay,' Skinner said, persuasively pulling Mulder's left arm over his shoulder, supporting his agent in the back. 'Let's go.' Completely embarrassed by the situation Mulder had no choice but to go along with his boss. After all, Skinner was the strongest of the both of them, and at least he wasn't injured. Mulder stretched his back a little and tried to get his legs to move. Finally they did as he asked them silently, and the party left the plane. Mulder breathed in the fresh air of Boston. He had managed to persuade Skinner he would make it through the hall by himself. His feet had obeyed him as he firmly stepped forward, eager not to show Scully he was about to drop out cold on the floor. Two cars were waiting for them at the exit. Scully got in the first one with him. Skinner and Davis took the second one. 'A call came in while you were out, Mulder,' his partner said seriously. 'Pinkett has somehow gained access to the Paris' house and taken the girl.' 'Bob and Linda. Are they - ?' 'No. Luckily not. He locked them in the basement. Bob got a nasty bump on the head. Apparently he tried to prevent Pinkett from taking the girl. But they're both fine. We've taken them to a hospital to be checked out. They couldn't tell us anything more, except that Pinkett seemed badly injured, which might work in our advance.' 'He's at my old man's house,' Mulder said with confidence. Scully watched her partner carefully, as he leaned back and sighed. 'I hate that house. It's been hell ever since Samantha .. left. My father argued with her night and day. She was so angry at him. I didn't understand it all at the time - thought they were angry at me for letting her go. But she was angry at him for giving her up. I know that now. He gave her up and let me stay so I could find out what happened to her.' 'And you are finding out, Mulder. So it's been worth it.' 'He sacrificed her, Scully ! How can that be a good thing ?' 'She's still alive, isn't she ? You're still alive. You're doing exactly what he told you to do.' 'And now someone else is taking advantage of it. If that girl dies, Scully. I don't know what I'll do. I couldn't stand for it.' 'Mulder.' She put her fingers under his unshaved chin and forced him to look at her. His tormented eyes had trouble focusing on her, but they did. 'The girl is still alive and we are going to get her out of there. Trust in that. You went on the ice to get me out of that hell. If you can do that, you can save her.' 'Yeah. I can.' 'Good.' She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips, finishing the kiss they hadn't been able to finish weeks before. He savored her taste for a while, then pulled back reluctantly. 'Keep that thought in mind, Scully,' he said slowly. September 18, 2.05 p.m. Chilmark, Massachusetts He saw them coming through the windows of the old house. It was time to meet Mulder again, but the game wouldn't be finished here. He would finish it somewhere else, without this audience. The cars were plenty. He waited until he saw the two Federal cars. He could spot them from a distance. Several people got out. A woman with red hair. And a man, looking so exhausted and under extreme pressure Pinkett nearly smiled. He had been hurt just as much as he had. Maybe they would die together now. Mulder didn't know how Skinner had arranged it, but there were snipers everywhere. The problem only was no one could get a clear look at the house. The building was surrounded by trees and covered with untrimmed bushes. They would never get a lock on Pinkett without risking hurting the girl. A man in black uniform walked up to Skinner and introduced himself as Tom Gallagher. 'We're going to need a detailed map on the house, Mulder,' Skinner said. Mulder looked up as if he hadn't heard his boss, and then slightly shook his head. 'Of course.' Someone gave him a pen and a piece of paper. Mulder swiftly sketched the layout and gave it back. 'He'll most likely be sitting in the front living room,' Mulder said hesitant. 'He'll have a view on us from there, and he'll be ready to use the girl as a shield at any time. There's no way you'll get her out without getting her killed. I need to get in there. He's waiting for me.' Mulder took off his holster and gun and gave it to Gallagher. 'Save that for me, will you ?' 'Sure.' Scully stopped him as he made a move to leave the shelter behind the car. 'No, Mulder,' she said firmly. 'If you go in there, you'll give him what he wants. You'll be dead before you even know it.' 'She's right, Mulder,' Skinner agreed. 'You're staying put.' Mulder quietly watched them as they watched him, giving in to their wishes. He nodded his head. 'Okay. You're probably right.' The next second he was already moving towards the door, using all his strength to leap forward towards the front door of his old house. 'Mulder !' Skinner heard his female partner scream as she ran after him. She was fast, but not as fast as Skinner as he pulled her back, in one second preventing her from being shot. The shattered glass in the front window was the result of one single gunshot, neatly passing Mulder as he opened the front door. Then the bullet made its impact in Skinner's rental car. Scully could actually hear the bullet pass beside her. Skinner forced her against his body, not letting go of her as he brought her to safety. As she looked up, tears rolled from her eyes at the knowledge that her partner was in there and there was not a goddamn thing she could do about it. 'Lock the door behind you, agent Mulder.' Mulder turned the key and walked into the living room of the dark house. Pinkett stood in front of him, keeping the barrel of the gun to the temple of the girl's head. His pale, sweating face only gave a glimpse of the pain he was struggling with. Mulder immediately knew the man was in need of immediate medical help, but would not request it. He'd rather die than to return to death row. 'Hey, Joanna,' Mulder said as he shifted his weight a bit, and knelt down in front of her, holding his right arm steady against his chest, resting it in the sling. 'Hey, Fox,' she said with a scared voice. 'Your mom and dad are at home waiting for you. What do you say if we went to see them ? Would you like that ?' 'Yes.' She nodded her head. 'Good. Why don't you curl up in a little ball and lie down on the floor for a bit ? Pretend like you're sleeping. Remember how we used to play that game when you were younger ? You would sleep and I would tickle you awake ?' 'Yes.' 'I'll tickle you awake in a while, Joanna. Just .. Just lie down and curl up, okay ?' 'Okay.' Joanna's ankles and hands were still tied as she silently slid on the floor, and closed her eyes, shutting her eyelids as if she was sleeping. Mulder got up and stared into Pinkett's eyes. Swiftly he checked on the man's condition. The side of his sweater was blood-soaked. He breathed heavily. His right hand trembled as he held the gun on Mulder's face. Anything could bring that trigger to go off now. 'As you can see I have faired not well,' Robert said, licking his dry lips. 'You're dying, Robert. Was it worth it ?' 'Oh yeah. I enjoyed every minute of it. How's the shoulder, Mulder ?' 'Sore.' 'I'll bet. Your right arm, hey ? Bet you can't even hold a gun right now.' 'No. There's no way I can shoot you.' 'So you didn't bring a gun with you ?' 'No.' 'That a boy. You're still a smuck ambitious little profiler, Mulder. You haven't changed over the years.' 'I have changed,' Mulder said. 'It's bastards like you that force me to go back in the past and deal with it.' 'Where's the game, Mulder ?' 'I don't have it.' 'I told you to bring the game with you. How can we play for Joanna's life when it's not here ?' 'I thought you might prefer the original thing,' Mulder softly said. 'My dad left everything that Samantha ever got right here in the house. He didn't want anything to do with it after she was gone. He couldn't even look at her picture. The game is still here, somewhere upstairs, in her old room.' 'Then why don't you go and get it for me ?' 'No. I'm not going to play for her life. If you want to kill her, do it now and get it over with. But don't put either of us through this.' Pinkett looked utterly surprised at his comments. He had started this game only six days ago but they both looked ten years older, and oh so tired. Pinkett felt like sitting down now. He sat down, slumping his body on a chair, ready to fall out if necessary. Mulder still stood awkwardly quiet, taking in his form. 'Is this where it happened, Mulder ?' Pinkett said, waving the gun. 'Dan printed out your version of the facts and sent it to me. I read every single detail of it. The light you claimed took your sister. Wouldn't it have been easier for you to say she had been taken by a serial killer ? You thought for a while John Roche killed her, didn't you ? I liked Roche. Checked up on him too. Too bad you killed him. Shot his brains out, didn't you ? Did you like shooting his brains out ?' 'He got what he deserved. As you will get what you deserve.' Mulder swayed, grasping the edge of the table with his left hand. He was vaguely aware of the state his body was in. It would have to happen fast now, before he gave in to the darkness. Pinkett didn't seem aware of it. 'You reached for your father's gun, didn't you ? But you froze, panicked I presume. You weren't able to move because of the light. Do you believe in it, Mulder ? Was it worth giving up your career for your little sister ?' 'It was worth every bit of what I've been through,' Mulder said with the conviction he had found again on the ice. 'I've seen the evidence and I know what to believe.' Pinkett smiled as if he didn't really care. 'Did your dad leave his gun here as well ?' 'No.' Mulder swallowed. 'That's about the only thing he did take. I guess he wanted to use it on himself.' 'Did he ?' 'No.' 'But he is dead.' 'Yeah.' 'How did he die ?' 'He was murdered by the men that took my sister.' 'And you feel responsible for that too, don't you ? Like you feel responsible for everything that's happened in your life. Your father's gone because you started searching for whatever truth you wanted to find. And your partner suffered for it too, didn't she ? Dan told she'd been sick some time ago. Can't have kids anymore. Too bad. I'm sure she wanted to have kids. Are you responsible for that too, Mulder ?' Mulder sat down silently. 'Responsibility is something only the sane of us know about. It's facing up to your facts and taking charge for what you did.' 'A nice and noble gesture, agent Mulder. But not fitting in this case, I'm afraid. After all, I am insane, aren't I ?' 'No, Robert. You know what you did. That makes you a very sane person. So did Dan, and he paid for it.' 'Where is he ? Where is my big brother ? Did he tell you where to find me ?' 'Dan is dead, Robert. He killed himself.' Pinkett's hand shivered as he put the gun to Mulder's face. The agent didn't budge. He imagined sitting under the stars with Scully. Looking at the ones that fascinated him the most. Her hand in his, both of them staring at the darkness of the night. Would he ever touch her again and tell her that he loved her ? He would never get the chance. Robert sobbed. 'You're lying.' 'Why would I lie ? He couldn't live with the consequences of his actions, Robert.' The girl sobbed at Pinkett's feet. Tears rolled over her cheeks. Pinkett bent down and lifted her in his arms. 'Now don't you cry,' he said. 'Fox is here to take you home, aren't you, Fox ?' 'Yes.' Mulder swallowed away the lump as he stretched out his arms and invited her to come to him. Pinkett let go of her, and watched her as she slid off his lap and tried to get to Mulder. He lifted her up, ignoring the sore pain in his shoulder. Her ankles were still tied together. She wouldn't be able to move an inch. He would never get her to safety. 'Why don't you let her go, Robert ? She doesn't deserve to die like this, but I do. Let her go and I'll make sure you'll get out of the country. You want out of here ? I'll drive you. I'll take you anywhere you want to go, but don't force her to be in this.' 'No,' Robert said thoughtfully. 'We are going to take that little drive, Mulder. But she's coming with us. She's my insurance that you won't pull a stunt on me. I'm sure your boss will lend us a car, won't he ? I don't like it here, it's too crowded. I want to finish this between the two of us. So let's go.' Mulder still held the girl in his arms. She sobbed now continuously. Her life lay in his hands and her big eyes stared at him in quiet, desperate fear. He could feel her shiver as he held her body close to his, savoring the touch of her young body. He could easily close his eyes and pretend it was Samantha, but right now it was Joanna that needed him. She needed him, and no one else was going to be able to save her. 'Get on your feet, Mulder. I want you to call your boss and tell him we'll need a car at the back of the house. You brought your phone, didn't you ?' 'Yes.' 'Do it. Tell them to keep a distance. I don't want to see any cars within 300 yards. If they need to follow, they can, but I don't want them damn cars sticking in my butt, got it ?' Mulder felt Pinkett approach him as he put the girl on the floor and took out his cell phone to call Skinner. In short breaths he assured his boss he and the girl were fine, and that Pinkett wanted a car around the back of the house. Then he hung up, confirming Pinkett he would get what he wanted. A few moments later the roar of a car engine was heard around the back of the house. 'Bring the girl, Mulder,' Pinkett said, almost pushing the barrel of the gun in Mulder's ear. 'We're going for that drive now.' Robert held his left hand over the wound on his side, pushing against it, as if able to withdraw himself from the pain that shot through his dying form. But his hand seemed more firm now as he grabbed Mulder's right arm, forcing a moan of pain out of the agent. Mulder slid his arm from the sling and forced himself to ignore the stabbing pain in his body as he lifted the girl from the floor. She clung to him again, as if he was her lifeline. He heard her sobs. It's okay, Samantha, he thought. It's okay, Joanna. I won't let you slip away this time. Not this time. Mulder's left hand carefully opened the back door, to look at the snipers, ready to take out Pinkett. They moved openly, knowing that their presence might scare him off. But Pinkett didn't even twitch as he took over the girl and forced the barrel of the gun against her face. Mulder debated whether or not to go for it, forcing the three of them on the cold ground. But one wrong move and the girl in between them would mean the end of her. And he couldn't live with another vision of dead blue eyes staring accusingly at him, and a dead body forcing blood on his hands. The snipers could not get a lock on Pinkett without the risk of hurting the girl. They were powerless as Pinkett pushed his back against the car, forcing them to make way. 'Get in the car, Mulder. 'You're driving.' Pinkett knew exactly how to use the girl as a shield. He got in on the back seat, keeping the girl close to him, still aiming the gun at her face. He then started moving the gun in between them, continuously shifting it between Mulder and the girl. 'Where are we going ?' Mulder asked as he started the car. 'A peaceful place.' As they left the site, Mulder could hear other engines roar as the others followed them towards an unknown destiny. September 18, 2.45 p.m. Chilmark, Massachusetts For a while nothing in the car was heard except for Scully's sharp breathing. Skinner could actually hear her restraint not to grab her gun and blow out a tire from the runaway car. And he knew she was cursing Mulder silently for taking the risk she didn't want him to take. Skinner could not help but feel nothing but the outmost respect for his agent. During the night he had been like a sick and helpless child, begging them to go and save his sister. Sick with fever, overwhelmed by dazzling memories that had started 24 years ago, Now he was the self-assured FBI-agent that would go to any lengths to save a little girl's life. Skinner knew he would take all the risks he had to take to save Joanna. Even if it would end his own. Mulder had told Skinner about his thoughts on that ice, when he saw the ship take off. He had turned towards Scully and begged her to see it. 'You've gotta see this, Scully !' he had proudly said, as if he had been the one burying that ship in the ice. Scully had told Skinner she had seen something, but had been too far gone to actually identify it for what it was. Skinner figured that - even though she had seen it - she would probably not tell her partner that she now believed. Scully was a scientist. She needed to find out for herself. But now she was sitting in the car, biting her lip, perhaps tasting the words on her lips she had not been able to tell her partner. He drove one of the rental cars. Without argument he had been handed the keys and simply got in and drove 300 yards behind his agent, just like Pinkett had requested. They were the first car behind the runaway vehicle. Behind them others were driving just as fast, following the runaway vehicle without being able to intervene. It was goddamn frustrating. Mulder drove fast yet safe. He knew these roads. If only he was able to make a call and let them know where they were headed. Police vehicles came from up ahead with flashlights and sirens. A roadblock was being put up to stop Pinkett and Mulder from escaping. Then, suddenly, Scully grabbed Skinner's arm and he heard her shout :'The car's going off the road ! They're heading for the river !' And Skinner saw the Taurus as it indeed left the main road and headed straight on for the river. The same moment something of a struggle was going on inside the vehicle, and one single gunshot shattered the windshield. The car lost its balance, slipped against rocks and wet grass, and tumbled before crashing head down in the water. September 18, 2.45 p.m. Chilmark, Massachusetts 'There's not a chance in hell you'll get out of this alive, Robert,' Mulder said. 'Not as long as you got the girl. Why don't you let her go so there's something left to gain by all of this ?' 'I don't intend to live, Mulder,' Pinkett said. 'Now shut up or I'll shut your mouth for you.' Pinkett rested against the back seat, innocently caressing the girl's long hair as she sat beside him, still bonded with the duct tape. 'Fuck !' Pinkett yelled as he saw the two police cars set up a roadblock. 'Get off the road here, now !' Mulder hesitated. Pinkett let go of the girl and pushed himself forward between the two seats, pulling at the steering wheel while pushing the gun against Mulder's temple. The car slid off the main road, crashing down the riverbank. Mulder knew that they would hit the water at any second now, giving Pinkett the chance to shoot them both before the vehicle made water. Mulder felt the force of Pinkett's moves. Then, for one single moment, the gun did not point at his temple. Mulder let go of the steering wheel and gripped the barrel of the gun firmly. Pinkett struggled hard, pulling the trigger in the process. The bullet shattered the windshield, taking bits and pieces of glass with it. Mulder felt the barrel of the gun hit his temple rock hard, knocking the wind out of him. He slumped as the car hit a rock and tumbled, losing its balance on the slick bank. Then another sharp pain entered his side. He was vaguely aware of another shot, before Pinkett finally dropped the gun. The weapon slid between the two front seats and slumped back, protecting himself as the vehicle crashed rock hard, upside down, in the water. The car tilted over. Mulder felt the airbag explode in his face. Joanna screamed as she was bounced between the front- and back seat. Then her cries stopped and she became silent. Pinkett's head hit the glass of the door so hard the glass splintered and cracked. Pieces of glass flew around, entering the car. Mulder could feel one of them grazing his right lower arm, but he was numb to the pain. Mulder was vaguely aware of the ice-cold water filling up the car immediately. He was stuck between the front seat and the steering wheel. The metal pushed against his torso and legs, trapping him. The car was still moving, now slowly turning on his side as it sank fast. Mulder's ice-cold, cramped fingers struggled with the seatbelt that kept him prisoner as the water surrounded him, slowly forcing all the air out of the car. He could hardly move. He couldn't free himself. The car sunk. He strained his neck to look in the back. Pinkett's face rested against the window. Mulder could see the blood on his face, torso and arms. Then his eyes caught the piece of glass from the shattered window, forced in Pinkett's right eye. His left eye was open. He was dead. Mulder's hand found the body of the girl between the front- and back seat. He strained himself to touch her neck and throat, to find her pulse. He could feel it ! He had to get out of here, to get her out. Then the last bit of air escaped from the vehicle, and he filled his lungs with air, before the car made its final descend. 'Mulder !' Scully shouted as loud as she could, as the car sunk in the dark and cold water. Skinner had already removed his coat and suit jacket, and was kicking out his shoes. He wasn't the only one preparing to descend in the water and get his agent and the girl out. He couldn't care less about Pinkett. He gave Scully his glasses which she tucked in her pocket without thinking. Then he slowly made his way to the river, and breathed heavily as the cold water enveloped him. Scully noticed several agents and cops, and ever snipers as they prepared to dive and find the car. Skinner swam with fast, steady streaks, ignoring the coldness of the water. The car had drifted to the middle of the river before going down. The current was strong, but wouldn't take the vehicle with it as long as it hadn't filled up with water. Scully wanted to go with them, to find her partner and save him, but Skinner stopped her. 'No,' he said. 'If they need medical attention, you have to be ready. Get as many paramedics here as you can. There's no time to get divers here.' She got on the phone, dialing the emergency number, stating the urgency of her request. The hospital of Quononchontaug would send three ambulances, prepared with a hypothermic kit. Then she stood at the river bank, finally biting her fingernails as she watched Skinner dive for the car. Suddenly Terence Davis stood besides her, and put his arm over her shoulders, giving her silent comfort as they both watch the scenery develop. Mulder instantly saw the men as they approached the vehicle from the outside. They were there the moment the water swallowed the rest of the vehicle. Mulder tried to lower his window, but wasn't able to. The electric mechanism didn't function anymore. His hand pulled the door handle, trying to get it to open. The twisted and torn metal prevented this. Two men forced open the backside door, pulling the child out. Her eyes were open now, she struggled against them, trying to get air in her lungs. Mulder strained his neck to see her in safety. Then he concentrated on getting open his own door. Skinner and another agent pulled his door until it finally gave way. Other men came and started pulling Mulder's legs to free him. Skinner's lungs were about to burst. He went for the surface, breathing heavily as he forced air in his lungs. He saw several cars arriving now. The girl was nearly on shore. Scully waited for her with a couple of blankets, ready to take care of her. Skinner took in all the air he could force into his lungs and dove again. Instantly he saw that his agent went limp, not able to withhold the water from his lungs. His eyes closed, but before Skinner saw the panic in them. Then his hands did not move anymore, and his face slowly slumped forward until it touched the steering wheel. They had to get Mulder out immediately, but his legs were stuck between the metal and the front seat. Suddenly his legs popped loose, and as Skinner grabbed his arm, he slid out of the car, his body limp against Skinner's chest. Others grabbed Mulder's right arm and legs, and the agent was brought to the surface, supported by several of them. Skinner's lungs eagerly took in the air he so desperately needed, but he knew there was not time to savor this moment. Mulder was like a log in his arms, none responsive to the calls for his name. Several men in the water helped Skinner bring his agent to shore, lifting him a bit of his burden. It seemed to take forever to get Mulder to shore, but then other hands took over, pulling the agent on the river bank. Immediately Scully was there, feeling his pulse, checking his breath. 'He's not breathing,' she said. In her words lay all the pain and fear she had felt over the past couple of days. Her worst nightmare was coming true. This was what she had feared all along. Her hands touched his body all over, checking out injuries. Blood on his face, already accompanied with bruises, his legs scarred and forced, and the blood. Oh god, the blood, she thought, pulling back Mulder's sweater, revealing her fear. One single entry wound to his right side, bleeding like a bitch. Somewhere down the line Skinner was besides her. She heard shouts and agents and cops all around her. Someone pushed a rag in her hands. 'Here,' she said, grabbing Skinner's hands. 'Push this on the wound. Make sure the bleeding stops. We'll have to deal with that later.' She returned to Mulder's soaking wet face, pushing the wet hair from his face, touching his cheeks and throat and eyes. Then she tilted his head, opening his mouth to see if something blocked the airway. When it didn't, she blew air in his lungs by forcing her mouth over his. Someone had positioned himself besides her and massaged Mulder's heart. She couldn't recall afterwards how long this continued. In the back she heard the girl cry. A female agent had set her in a car, drying her off with a few warm blankets. Then suddenly they were there, taking over. Gratefully she let herself be pushed aside to let the paramedics do their work. She didn't want to leave Mulder's side though. She wanted to continue breathing air in him, but mechanical features took over now. Suddenly, as she released him, he coughed and wheezed, and tried to turn on his side to let all the water of his lungs, as much as he could. Carefully he was placed on his side and he coughed until she thought he had coughed out his lungs. He was barely alive when a collar was placed around his neck, and experienced hands started examining his body for further damage. Skinner was still holding the rag on the wound. His clamped hands did not seem to be able to let go. 'You have to let go now, sir,' one of the paramedics said, trying to lift Skinner's hand. The AD suddenly seemed aware of his surroundings and let go. He shivered in his wet clothes. Scully quickly grabbed a blanket and placed it over his shoulders. He smiled in relief. As Mulder was prepped for transfer, Scully quickly scanned the surroundings, noticing at least ten agents in wet clothes and shivering from the cold water. It was only then that she realized how close to an end everything had come. She turned towards the gurney Mulder was placed on, now with an oxygen mask over his face, still not able to focus on this reality, and sobbed. Skinner's arms were around her, comforting her, and she felt the wet shirt as he held her. It'll be alright, she thought. It'll be alright. 'There's room for two,' the paramedic said, scanning the situation. Joanna was already in the other ambulance, with the female agent looking after her. 'You two go,' Davis said, pushing Scully and Skinner forward. 'Walter, give me your keys. We'll come to the hospital. They all need some dry clothes instantly.' Skinner didn't object as he waited until Scully had taken place before joining her. As the doors closed he watched his agent as she took Mulder's ice cold hands between hers, and told him with a firm yet soothing voice that everything would be alright now. That it wasn't time to say goodbye yet. September 18, 5.45 p.m. Quononchontaug Local Hospital, Massachusetts 'Sir.' Scully placed a cup of coffee between Skinner's still cold hands. Even though he had taken a long, hot shower and changed in warm clothes someone had given him, he just couldn't get warm. He had been checked out quickly, just like the others who had taken the risk of trying to save Mulder. 'Thanks, Dana.' She became aware of the fact he used her first name with ease now. When he had comforted her, it had only seem natural. He was their boss, but he was also their friend. She sat down next to him, scanning the corridor they were seated at. The place was still crowded with people, waiting for a sign on Mulder's condition. They were all dressed in the same manner, grateful to be wearing warm clothes after the ice cold water. Davis was around somewhere, but he'd been on the phone with the Bureau constantly, explaining the situation. He had also arranged for the towing of the Taurus, and the transfer of Pinkett's body after the divers lifted him from the car. Joanna was already released from the hospital, along with her parents. Bob had a minor concussion but refused to stay at the hospital. Now he didn't want to leave his daughter's side anymore, afraid that Pinkett might return and kill her. Joanna only suffered from minor bruises and cuts, the cold water had not taken its toll. She had told them what had happened in the car, sobbing while she explained how Fox had tried to get the gun off her, and then the car tumbled and crashed in the cold water. 'He's going to be fine,' Scully said. 'He's got to be. It was not time to say goodbye yet.' 'He did well, Scully. Of course he'll be alright.' She sighed and looked straight ahead. 'I hate hospitals. The smell of them, the looks of them. Every time I come in here I wonder how much more I can take of them. Mulder, Emily, Melissa ... you. And always Mulder again. He's always the one I'm worried about.' 'Just the way he's worried about you.' She examined her bosses face for a second. 'Yeah,' she said. 'Just like he's worried about me.' She got up and paced again. September 18, 7.52 p.m. Quononchontaug Local Hospital, Massachusetts He was vaguely aware of voices in the room. There were several of them, talking about him. He couldn't make them all out. Did he really know this many people that would be in the same room discussing him ? A hand on his arm. He knew that touch. He liked it. Yeah, it was her. He forced open his eyes and looked at her features as she took in his. She smiled. A big smile that described her relief as she stood by him. 'Welcome back,' she said, stroking his forehead. Yeah, he could get used to this. 'Where ?' he croaked, looking at several other faces now smiling and staring back at him. Skinner was on the other side of the bed, and he actually smiled. Skinner smiled ? He remembered him vaguely. He had been in the cold water, trying to get him out of the car. He moved slightly. A fierce pain shot through his body. Immediately her hands went to his chest as if to stop him from moving. 'You were shot, Mulder,' she said. 'Don't try to move. You're in Quononchontaug.' She brought a glass of water to his lips and watched as he drank some of it. He nearly choked on it. Jesus, Scully, he thought. I just swallowed half the river and you're trying to drown me again ? He felt numb, and eager to go back to sleep. She bent over and kissed on his forehead. 'Sleep, Mulder. We'll talk in the morning.' 'Stay,' he croaked as his fingers kept hold of her hand. 'I wouldn't even think about leaving you.' She turned her head and looked at the others. 'Looks like the worst is over. I don't know how to thank you all.' Terence Davis walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. Then he placed a hand on Mulder's wrist for a second, saying :'He didn't get Joanna, Mulder. You did just fine.' Mulder smiled as he fell asleep before Davis left the room. As Skinner wanted to leave as well, Scully asked him to stay. Skinner sat down, thinking about better and more peaceful times. September 19, 10.45 p.m. Quononchontaug Local Hospital, Massachusetts He watched them discuss the events of the previous day. He had not wanted to go into the room just now, giving his agents the opportunity to make a mense with the past. He could hear Mulder's still croaked voice, seemingly eager to say all the words he needed to say before he fell asleep again. Mulder was drained and exhausted, they all knew that. Now, lying comfortably in the hospital bed, with the soft pillows against his back, he was finally able to talk about it all. For a moment Skinner thought Mulder was going to cry, to let go of the pain he had felt since this whole business started - and perhaps even the pain he had carried with him for the past eight years, but Mulder did not. He would be fine, but he had to deal with it on his own way. He wanted to see Pinkett's body. Mulder could hardly believe the man was dead, that it was all over. Scully had the hardest time in the world assuring her partner Pinkett was gone. Skinner watched them through the glass. The believer and his skeptic partner. The profiler and the one that had to keep him sane. He shivered when he thought about the events, and Mulder's feverish nightmares, keeping him from sleeping comfortably. Soon he would go back to becoming an insomniac, using the television as a way to get him to rest. Soon Mulder would go back to his basement office and start cleaning out the mess the fire had caused. Would it ever be the same again ? Skinner couldn't help but feeling regret. He regretted the fact he had helped Mulder push into this mess. He regretted the fact he had not been able to talk to Mulder about his ordeal when he needed him the most. There hadn't been the time nor the place for that. Perhaps now Skinner would have to make the time for it. He saw Scully lean forward, sitting comfortably on the side of the bed. The machines and wires still hooked on Mulder prevented her from lying next to him on the bed, and Skinner that was exactly what she wanted. She had spent the night sitting next to Mulder's bed, convincing herself he had made it. Perhaps Scully would need someone to talk about this too. Scully finally said something to him, and he closed his eyes and turned his head a little, and slept. She got off the bed and made her way to the door. Skinner quickly hurried forward, and stopped to look at her. She closed the door and walked towards the nurses' station, not spotting him. He walked over to Mulder's room and opened the door. His agent was sleeping. He got a chair and sat down on Mulder's right side, Mulder's face turned towards him. He heard the even breaths. Skinner looked at him. Mulder seemed ten years younger, his face innocent and free from all the things he'd seen. But the frown was still there. Skinner didn't speak. He didn't need to. As long as his agents needed him, he would be there. Epilogue September 27, 10.45 a.m. Washington DC, Federal Bureau of Investigation Mulder opened the door and took in the changed surroundings he had been working in for the past five years. They were still busy fixing up the place. But nothing reminded him from the fire that had destroyed the place. He looked at the new painted coat, the cabinets waiting to be filled again, the empty walls. It didn't feel like his office anymore. Nothing felt like his anymore. 'Do you like it, Mulder ?' He turned around. Terence Davis stood there, watching his reactions sharply. 'What isn't there to like, Terry ?' Davis closed the door. 'Welcome back, Mulder. You've been missed.' He placed a file on the new desk. 'I missed your skills.' Mulder looked at the file but didn't touch it. 'I'm not coming back, Terence. My place is here.' Davis sighed. 'I thought you were going to say that. But you can't blame a guy for trying, can you ?' Mulder smiled faintly. 'No.' Davis picked up the file, turned and walked to the door. 'I hope Skinner knows how lucky he is to have you working for him.' 'I hope he knows how happy I am working for him.' 'He knows. Take care, Mulder.' 'Take care, Terry.' Davis closed the door and left him alone in the silence. He sighed as he walked towards the door. He had a promise to fulfill. September 27, 11.21 a.m. The woman sat at her desk, scanning her file on agent Fox Mulder. It was pages long. Rarely had she seen such a combination of skills, problems, fear and anger. The man sitting in front of her seemed completely under control, but his strained features and tense expression did not go past her. Neither did the way he cracked his knuckles when he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'You're feeling uncomfortable sitting her talking to me, aren't you ?' 'Yes.' He stopped for a while before talking again. 'I never - I don't talk about my problems, you see. Normally. I deal with them myself.' 'Then why are you here ?' 'I promised my partner to see someone when this case was over.' 'So you're here because you owe her ?' 'I guess so.' Another hesitation. 'I'm not sure. I think I could talk about it, really. If I set my mind to it. Things have been happening lately. Confusing things. I thought no one cared shit about it, you know. About me. And the things I do and live for.' She had read the reports on the last case made by AD Walter Skinner and agent Dana Scully. 'You shouldn't be ashamed to tell them how you feel,' she answered. 'She's your partner and your friend. Why can't you tell her how you feel ?' 'Because I'm afraid.' 'What are you afraid of ?' 'That I'll care about her too much. And that she'll slip away from me, like the rest of the people in my life.' 'Are you talking about your sister ?' 'Yes.' Silence. 'I guess I'm too selfish to change. I always get in over my head, and then I can't find a way out. I'm afraid that one day I'll become the people that I am trying to stop right now. That I'll lose the balance between good and wrong, and will chose the wrong path.' She left the chair behind her desk and sat beside him on the couch, carefully looking into his sad eyes. 'Why don't you tell me about it then ?' He took a deep breath and scanned her appearance. 'I don't know if I can.' 'We all can, agent Mulder. You just have to set your mind to it, and try.' 'Okay.' September 27, 1.05 p.m. He emerged from the office of Dr. Davina Baker, psychologist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and took a deep breath. A woman came walking towards him. He smiled as he saw her. She rested her hand comfortably on his lingering wrist, and said :'How did it go ?' He smiled as he touched her fingers. 'I think it went rather well.' She embraced him and he smiled as he took in the scent of her. 'It really does smell like Teen Spirit, Scully.' She smiled back and said :'I know.' The End