The Day After Series IV
Inferno, My Passion
By: Jenn Nistor
Disclaimer: The character Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, And Margaret Scully are the property of Chris Carter, Fox, and 1013 productions. They have been used with out permission, no copy right infringement is intended.
Summery: Who would have guessed that the shortest case in history would have led her to Mulder. Now, once again involved with his quest, she and Mulder must find a way to make things work before everything goes up into smoke. (Classification A, X, MSR)
The Day After IV: Inferno, My Passion 1/4
a.k.a. Maybe Tomorrow XI
By: Jenn Nistor (Jenn6092@aol.com)
Part One: Sparks
September 6, 2001
FBI Headquarters
Washington DC 11:12 A.M.
"Agent Scully, may I have a word with you?" AD Skinner asked, quickly poking his head inside her office.
Scully glanced up and nodded, but didn't say anything. Normally she would have stood up to greet him properly like most agents did when a person of superior authority entered the room. But she was getting so sick of his meddling. It wouldn't have been so bad if he'd stop and take a breath, but no.
It was like clock work. Every twenty minutes the phone would ring, every two hours he'd appear in her office to check on her, every night he'd call or stop by. At first it wasn't that bad, it was kind of nice to know that some one actually cared about her. But after a few weeks it had gotten really old and tiring. Now she wanted to rip his head off every time she heard his voice.
Skinner smiled sat down in the chair across from her desk. "How are you holding up?" he asked, not noticing the look she was sending him from her seat.
"About the same as usual." she replied dryly. "You know. I'm okay. You can stop calling me every twenty minutes and visiting me all the time. I'm not going to drop dead on you from the lack of Agent Mulder's company."
He laughed. He was glad to see that her dull sense of humor hadn't disappeared with Mulder. It was quite obvious that his visits were bothering her, but he couldn't help it. Something was pulling him to her. It was almost as if he felt responsible for her now that Mulder was gone.
"I know." he replied softly. "It's just that I can't help but shake this feeling that you didn't tell me the whole story about Mulder's disappearance. I know we've been over this a thousand times, but..."
"Sir, it's been six months." she cut in. "Please let it rest. Agent Mulder is gone, the X-files are still mine and I still have my sanity." she paused. "But I won't if you don't leave me alone/ You can stop worrying about me and everything I do. Mulder isn't coming back. He made it very clear to me and to himself."
"And you are fine with that?" Skinner asked din disbelief.
"Yes." she replied. Silently praying that he didn't see the uncertainty in her face. As if it wasn't enough to have him breathing down her neck. What more could she do? She was sick of him meddling and prying. "I'm perfectly all right with it."
"You don't seem fine to me, Dana."
There it was again. Dana. 'Why the hell does he keep calling me Dana?' she wondered. he was actually treating her like an equal for once. She was used to him ordering her around and blaming her for everything that went wrong.
"Sir, listen." she stood up. "I have to catch a plane in three hours, I'm tired, I haven't packed yet and I still have to pick up the ticket you ordered for me, not to mention that you have just given me the biggest headache in the world." she grabbed her purse off the ground next to her desk. "Would you mind if we continued this conversation on my impressions of Mulder some other time? I really don't have the time for this and I don't really want to miss my flight."
Skinner shrugged and stood up. "Okay you don't have to be so snotty about it. You could simply say 'Walter, I'll see you when I get back.' and leave the office."
Scully groaned and closed her eyes to control the anger that was pulsing through her veins. "I'll leave now." she said calmly. "Good-bye sir, I'll see you when I get back."
**************
5:15 P.M.
Embassy Suites
Chicago Illinois
"Agent Scully." A man in his late thirties greeted as she approached.
"Yes." she replied. "Agent VeLow?"
The man nodded and lead her through the crowd of people and to the back of the lobby. "Here is your room key. I figured you'd want me to check you in since we picked one of the busiest days of the year to come investigate a homicide."
Scully accepted the key and quickly tucked it into her pocket. "Why is it so busy? I could barley make it through the traffic." she pulled her coat tighter around her thin frame as a cool gust of wind from the lake blew in through the open doors.
"Conventions." VeLow explained. "This is one of the few times a year people can actually take off from their jobs to attend different meetings and lectures." he paused. "That's what's going to make this investigation tricky. The city and surrounding suburbs have doubled in size."
Scully glanced around. This wasn't normally her type of case, it was more Mulders. When Skinner had asked her to investigate the mysterious deaths of two high school girls she had been reluctant, but after looking over the case file she had accepted, but under the impression that the girls had entered a suicide pact and had taken their own lives.
Now the number had suddenly jumped to six and the pressure was building. Mulder had always been the one to track down the killers and now that this appeared to be some sort of serial homicide she wanted him with her more than ever.
"How many other agents are investigating this case?" she asked.
VeLow shrugged and picked up her suitcase. "I'm not sure." he motioned for her to follow him. "I believe that you and I are the only FBI agents that they called in. One of the officers had apparently mentioned something about your previous involvement with the Chicago PD and they requested you." he pushed the up button the elevator and turned back to her.
"I on the other hand was originally assigned to do the autopsies and to write up a serial profile, but your AD couldn't say enough about you so I am now just your temporary partner and you get to do all the messy stuff."
Scully laughed. "I'm sorry. It seems that Assistant Director Skinner can't leave me alone. Ever since my partner disappeared he's been making sure I get the best of everything to keep me happy." she grinned. "Not that I can complain, it's just that I'm sick of it."
"Here we are." VeLow said as the door opened. "How about you go get unpacked and change and I'll meet you in the lobby at 6:30. We can go over the case and compare notes."
"Sounds good." she agreed and quickly hurried off to her room.
****************
September 7, 2001
Cook County Police Station
Chicago Illinois
11:18 A.M.
"Well that was a huge waste of time." VeLow mumbled as Scully finished filling out the case forms. "Who would have guessed that the serial killer was stupid enough to handcuff himself to the seat of his last victims car."
Scully laughed. "Well our work is done." she stood up. "What time does your plane take off?"
He glanced at his watch. "In three hours. Yours?"
"Not until tomorrow morning." she closed her brief case. "I'm going to meet my younger brother for dinner and get a good nights sleep." she yawned. "This will probably go down as the shortest case in history."
"Don't forget the fact that this has been the biggest waste of the tax payers dollars in the history of all investigations."
"You sound like, Mulder." she said softly.
VeLow's expression fell. "I worked with agent Mulder once. He was a great FBI agent. Do you have any idea of what happened to him."
"No." she sighed, feeling the emptiness return. "But he's around."
"You sound so sure.."
"I am."
****************
The Oak Room
Chicago, Illinois.
7:30 P.M.
"Sorry."
Scully jumped as a small child crashed into her. "Are you all right?" she asked, bending over to examine the little girl.
She nodded, her cute little red curls bouncing around her face as she did. "Sorry, my brother pushed me."
Scully laughed and helped her up. Then glancing over her shoulder she saw a little boy ducking behind a shelf of stuffed animals. "It's okay, I have two brothers who used to do the same to me." She glanced around. "As a matter of fact, I'm supposed to meet one right now."
The huge store was crowed with people and the entrance to the restaurant was just barley visible through the crowds.
"Where is your mo. . . " Scully started to ask the little girl, but on glancing back down she noticed that the little girl had disappeared. Shrugging, she once again began to make her way through the crowd. She was nearly to the entrance when she saw her brother heading towards her from across the room.
"Dana!" he cried, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Me too." she said pulling back. "I almost didn't make it, I've never seen the city this crowded. You look great!"
He grinned and led her back over to his table. "You don't look so bad yourself. . . maybe a little annoyed, but other wise you look great." he pulled out her chair so that she could sit down.
Scully laughed, but didn't bother to comment. It was true. She really didn't want to be there, she didn't even want to be in Chicago. Silently she prayed that he wouldn't pick up on anything else. Out of every single member of her family, Charles was always the one who was able to see beyond her placed expression.
"So how are you?" he asked, interrupting the silence. "And don't say you're fine, I can tell that you're not."
She shook her head. "I'll never figure you out. I could never tell when something was bothering you, Bill or Missy. I was always the last to know. I guess I'm not one for observation." she glanced down n at the menu in front of her.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Charlie. . . I'm all right. Maybe a little tired, but I'm hanging in there. How 'bout you? How are Amy and the kids?"
"Fine." he replied. "We're all fine, a bit worried about mom, but we're all doing really well. You should call her, Dana."
"How is she? I guess I haven't called her in a while, I've been busy."
Charles sighed. "She's not doing very well. She's worried about you and it's making her sick." he paused and gently reached out to take her hand. "Bill and I are worried too. This isn't like you. You were never so distant and depressed. If Melissa we're alive she's be worried too."
"Charlie." she pulled her hand away. She knew they were worried. Hell, everyone seemed to be worried about her. Sometimes she wished that everyone would just disappear and leave her alone. As if she wasn't suffering enough.
"Dana! Why do you have to be like this?"
"Like what? You don't need to worry about me. I'm okay."
"No your not. You're so stubborn!" he banged his fist against the table angrily.
"Why? Because I refuse to ask for help? It's not worth it." tears stung her eyes. "You, Bill and Mom have gone through enough. I've put you through so much, you don't need my problems to hurt you anymore."
"Dana, your problems are our problems. We love you, why won't you give in?"
Scully closed her menu. "I think I'm not hungry. Would you care to depress me anymore?"
"No. . . I think I've succeeded in ruining your night." he patted her hand. "I'm sorry, if you ever need to talk you know where to find me."
"Yeah." She turned away and glanced at the crowd of people. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of problems others were facing. She was pretty sure that hers were minor compared to others, but that was just her thought.
"Dana?" Charlie tapped her hand.
She was just about to turn back to him when a familiar face in the crowd jumped out at her. He wasn't looking in her direction, but she would have known his build anywhere. "Charlie. . . " she fumbled for his had, afraid to take her eyes of the man. Afraid that when she'd turn back he'd be gone.
"What?" he jumped up, knocking his water glass over as he did. "Shit!"
"Charlie, that man." she faced her brother for a split second before pointing in the direction she had seen him. "Where. . . ."
"Dana, what?" he dropped his napkin on the broken glass and looked to where his sister was pointing. "Who?"
"He was. . . " she shook her head and stood up. "I'll be right back." quickly, she pushed her way through the crowds to the place she had seen him. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the two kids she had seen earlier that night, sitting on a bench next to the exit. She must have made herself conspicuous, because the little girl jumped up.
"Look!" she cried, pointing Scully out to her brother. "There's that woman again." she started to walk towards her when she ran smack into a man wearing a dark trench coat.
Scully gasped. The man. He had simply shoved the child asked and continued out of the building. At first she wanted to make sure that the little girl was all right, but after a minute of debate she realized that she had to find out.
Hurrying out of the building, she ran in the direction the man had gone. Only the slightest bit of his shadow remained as he walked down the dark street, but she followed. It wasn't until he entered a small hotel, that she worked up enough courage to approach him. She waited until he had gone to his room, then she paused outside his door.
'This is stupid. Dana.' she thought. 'Just knock. If it's not him apologize and go back to Charlie.'
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and knocked. She heard the sound of scuffling and then a click as he unlocked the door. Slowly the door opened and as the light spilled into the hallway she suddenly regretted knocking.
"Hello, Mulder." she said, seeing his face for the first time.
The Day After IV: Inferno, My Passion 2/4
a.k.a. Maybe Tomorrow XI
By: Jenn Nistor (Jenn6092@aol.com)
Part Two: "Heat"
September 8, 2001
8:15 P.M.
Moorehouse Inn
"Scully?" he asked, squinting through the darkness.
She smiled. "You can imagine my surprise to see you while I was having dinner with my brother." she said pushing her way into the room. "Of course I was a little shocked to see you push that poor child out of the way when she bumped into you, but I never know what to expect. It's been a while hasn't it Mulder?"
Mulder shook his head as if trying to clear away a bad dream. "I don't believe this. What the hell are you doing here? I told you we could never see each other again! Why the hell couldn't you have just pretended you hadn't seen me."
"It's nice to see you too, Mulder. Man. . . " she plopped down on his bed. "I would have thought you'd be happy to see me. I mean if I had just pretended I hadn't seen you I would have gone crazy."
"Scully you have to leave. They may be watching you." he grabbed her arm, but she didn't move. "Scully, please. Now is not a good time. I'll call you in a couple of months and we can talk."
"No." she jerked her hand free. There was know way she was going to let him push her away now. "I want to know what you are doing here and why now isn't a good time. I know you'd never call me if I let you go."
With weary eyes, Mulder kneeled in front of her and took her hands. "Scully, I'm still searching and if you get involved with me now your going to get killed. I'm glad to see you, actually I was just thinking about you." he touched her cheek softly. "As much as I want to be with you, it's too dangerous. You have to go. How do I know that they don't have some one following you, hoping they'll get to me."
"I'm not leaving here, I need you. There's no one following me, they have enough sense not too." she leaned into him and inhaled his deep scent. God, how she missed him. Her life seemed so empty with out him, letting him go now would be like shooting herself in the head. She couldn't leave him.
"And you need me." she whispered. "I know you need me. You have to feel the same way I feel."
Tears rushed to Mulder's eyes as he realized that he did need her. The last six months had been a living hell. Not having her at his side, protecting him and loving him, was like not having the air he needed to breath. All he had was her cross and a small picture she had given him years ago. There was so much that he wanted to tell her, but most of all he wanted to be with her. Now, more than ever.
"You're right." he whispered sadly. "But your safety comes first. We can't do this. Life seems to work better for the both of us when we are apart. Just go for me. I promise that I'll contact you later on."
"I only have until tomorrow, Mulder. If I call Skinner and tell him that I need a few more days, he'll give them to me with no questions asked. Let me stay with until you're finished here. Then if you still think your endangering me, I'll go and you'll never have to see me again."
"I don't want you to go." Mulder said softly. "I love you, so much that it hurts when I'm not with you." his arms shot out to encircle her waist. Then making sure that he didn't hurt her, he pulled her down to his lap to where he could look into her eyes with out the lies separating them. Usually her eyes were so readable, but now he was having a hard time reading them. It almost seemed like she had locked away her emotions.
"Do you mean that?" she asked, search his eyes with her own. It felt so strange to be so close to him. In all the years they had been together they had never crossed the line to the point where they couldn't go back if things went wrong. He had held her and they had gotten passionate, but never once had they gone any further than their kisses. Light touches of the soul, never the binding of their bodies.
"You've only been in this room for five minutes and already I don't want to let you go." he brushed his lips softly over hers, tasting her sweetness. "Stay with me." he pleaded. "I don't care about *them* anymore. Stay with me."
"Always." she reached down and took his hands into hers. Then, looking into his eyes, she entwined her fingers with his. A gesture so full of love and compassion that it brought tears to both of their eyes. To a person not knowing them it would appear that it was just a simple sign of friendship. But because of their unselfish ways towards one another, it was so much more.
Neither of them wanted to harm the other. They were willing to give up their happiness to keep their love alive. Alive to the purest sense of the word. Even in death they knew that they'd love one another, and that their love would live on forever. Not just in the last survivor of the two, but in their legacy. The legacy that they had created in the X-Files, and the legacy that they had created with in each other. Nothing could deny or hide it. It would always exist as long as someone believed.
"Forever." Mulder whispered softly into her ear.
Scully squirmed in his grasp as his hot breath touched her cool skin. She wanted it to be like this always, but as long as he was alive she would be able to make it. Death seemed to be the only thing keeping them apart.
"This isn't fair!" she cried suddenly. "Why did they have to do this to us? To you?" tears streaked her face and sobs shook her body. "Mulder I can't live with out you. This is so unfair. We can go away, we can hide. We'll be together. There will be another time to find your sister."
He shook his head. "We can't. This is all I can give you." with his thumb, he gently brushed away her tears. "We may have other meetings in the future where we could try. You know I'd give anything to have you with me all the time. I'd die for you if I thought it'd help."
"It's just not fair." she cursed all those living and dead that kept them a part. She hated Samantha for disappearing, she hated his father for making the choice and not standing up for his family. She hated Cancer man for putting them through so much pain, life, after life, after life. And most of all she hated herself for even thinking about Mulder giving up his dreams.
Backing away, she looked into his eyes and saw that he too was thinking the same thing she was. Hands joined, eyes locked, they watched each other. She felt her heart race as his hands traveled to the top button of her blouse. Then as if finding each other for the first time, they kissed. And with that kiss built heat
***************
September 8, 2001
1:15 A.M.
Moorehouse Inn
"I'm going to take a shower." Mulder mumbled, climbing out of bed. He really didn't want to leave her, but he was scared to be with her. He was afraid he might cry and alarm her and that was the last thing he wanted to do.
"K..." Scully said pulling the sheet up around her bare breasts. She watched him stumbled to the bathroom and once she heard the water turn on, she reached for the phone on the nightstand. She had been waiting all night for a chance to be alone so that she could call Skinner. Even though it was extremely late, it was now her chance.
Quickly dialing his number, she sat up and turned on the light. The room wasn't very nice. It only held a bed, TV, a dresser and one chair. It sort of reminded her of the times she and Mulder had gotten stranded on cases and had to resort to the worst and cheapest motels.
" 'Lo" Skinner said sleepily.
"Sir." she said softly, hoping that Mulder wouldn't hear her. "It's Scully."
"Dana?"
"Sir, I need to stay in Chicago a few extra days, please don't ask me why, just give me the time.."
There was a long pause before Skinner finally spoke. "You found him, didn't you?"
Scully laughed. "Sir. . . I'm with him now, I just need a couple of days and then I'll be back and he'll be gone again." she crossed her fingers. She was praying that he'd give up and decide to come back with her, but it was really out of the question. It wasn't like he'd be gone forever. She had already decided that if she only saw him another two times before she died that'd be enough. As long as he was out there.
"Okay, I'll be on the next flight out."
"What! No!" Scully cried.
"I'll meet you at your hotel at 9:00 A.M. for breakfast." and before Scully could object he hung up.
'Mulder's going to kill me.' she thought as she climbed out of bed. She thought she had tossed her clothes into the corner, but after a few minutes of searching she walked over to the dresser and pulled out one of Mulder's long T-shirts.
BRRUMP!!!
Scully jumped at the sound coming from the bathroom. "Mulder?" she called, knocking on the door.
There it was again.
"Mulder!" she pushed the door open and walked into a cloud of steam. "Mulder?" she walked in and gasped as she saw him sitting in the corner next to the shower.
"I'm all right." he said softly. "Just scared." he looked up at her and stretched out his hand.
She took his hand and let him pull her down next to him. "Then I guess this isn't the best time to tell you that Skinner will be here tomorrow morning."
He groaned and buried his head in his hands. "You know something, Dana. You have a big mouth."
She laughed. "Hey! I didn't tell him anything, I just said I needed time and he guessed it on his own." she swatted at a stream of steam that floated by her. "Could we possibly go back to bed?"
"Yeah." he stood up and quickly shut off the water, then turning back to her he reached out and gently pulled her up. "You've lost a lot of weight." he noted. "Have you been dieting?"
Scully shook her head. "Not really. I just haven't had much of an appetite lately." she suddenly became more self conscious as he watched her walk, and pulled the shirt closer to her body. "I haven't lost that much weight."
"Then why are you trying to hide it?" Mulder asked, as he watched her climb back into the bed. "If it's because of me you can stop it because killing yourself won't do much good. I'm not going to be the one holding your hand when you succeed."
"Mulder, I'm fine. Just let go." she reached over and flipped out the light, then moving to the far side of the bed, she pulled the covers up over her and closed her eyes. A few minutes later she felt Mulder climb in next to her. Then as if he were trying to apologize for something, he gathered her up in his arms and pulled her close.
Sighing, she turned to face him and buried her head in his bare chest. There was just something about his strong arms that made her want to cry. She loved him so much and it felt like they were drifting. Not drifting from each other, but drifting from the paths they had chosen to follow in life. It was almost like that poem by Robert Frost. . .
Two Roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leave no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads to way,
I doubt if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two Roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I--
I took the one lest traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
She almost felt like she and Mulder were separated on those paths. Both wanting to follow the same, the one that seemed the easiest. She wanted to travel both, but the one she followed was nothing like the other. The other did seem so much easier, but in following the one less traveled she had learned to live to the fullest.
It seemed like they were constantly battling the beasts that blocked their paths and with each one of those battles the journey got harder. Their paths seemed to get more narrow with each trodden step, and the brambles that blocked them seemed to get thicker. Walls were being built by tall, sharp hedges and it felt like they had to make jagged passes to keep track of the paths they had chosen.
Even though she and Mulder were separate, she knew their paths would one day cross again and in that they'd be free. Even with all the beasts and walls, there was always a chance, always.
Slowly, Scully rolled back over onto her side so that she was facing the opposite direction from Mulder. Then finally, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. For the first time in a long time, no nightmares haunted her.
The Day After IV: Inferno, My Passion 3/4
a.k.a. Maybe Tomorrow XI
By: Jenn Nistor (Jenn6092@aol.com)
Part Three: Blaze
September 8, 2001
Embassy Suites Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
9:10 A.M.
Mulder glanced at his watch nervously. "I don't think I want to go through with this." he mumbled. "I mean what can I do for Skinner? I Signed all those papers for you to release me from the FBI. What does he want?"
Scully shrugged and glance out the window of the dinning room. "I don't know, but he cares about you. He probably just wants to make sure you are all right and to make sure that I'm all right. My brother already thinks I've lost my mind."
"What did you tell him?" Mulder asked curiously. He had over heard only bits and pieces of their conversation earlier that morning. He knew that she had been upset, but didn't press the subject on her.
"Mulder. . . " she turned back to him. "Charlie thinks I'm crazy. After I didn't come back to the restaurant last night, he call my mother and got her all worked up. Then he called my other brother and tried to call Skinner, but couldn't get through." she sighed. "I told him that after I saw you we went back to your hotel and talked. Of course he thinks that I've lost it because he believes your dead. Good old Charlie, Bill and mom think I have finally reached my breaking point."
"They think you imagined me?"
She nodded. "Yep, and I'll bet you a hundred dollars that Skinner does too."
"Gee, I didn't think I'd mess up your life like this. I figured people would finally leave you alone." he took her hand. "Do you want me to call your mother and brothers and explain that I ran into you?"
"No. I have a confession to make."
"What?"
"Last night when I told you that no one in their right mind would follow me. . " she sighed and glanced down at her hands. "I didn't tell you the whole truth. Everyone thinks I've lost it. I've earned the nick name Queen of Madness. They don't understand me, and most people are afraid that I'll blow their heads off if they do something wrong, so everyone, with the exception of Skinner, stays away from me most of the time. I can honestly say that you're safe from spies and evil people."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
She shrugged. "Let them think what they want to think. I've given up on trying to change peoples opinions of me. It just seems pointless. People believe what they want to believe and if they want to think I'm crazy, then let them."
"But couldn't they have you committed or something?"
Scully laughed and leaned back in her chair. "I don't think it's that serious." she studied him carefully. "Do you think I should be committed? I mean this could all be a delusion I've created to please myself."
He grinned. "You should be committed for putting up with me ." he leaned in closer and gently brushed his lips against hers.
"Eeeehhmmm."
Mulder jumped back at the sound of someone clearing his throat. "Sir!" he cried, on seeing who the man was. "Wow!"
Skinner grinned and held out his hand. "It's been a long time, Mulder. Glad to see you."
"You too." he said, shaking Skinners hand. "I wasn't too thrilled about your coming, but Scully assured me that you had no intention of telling anyone that I'm still around."
"I would never do that." he pulled out a chair and sat down next to him. "Actually I wasn't even sure that you were really here. I almost expected to find a half dead Dana Scully, holding picture of you or something."
Scully laughed and turned to Mulder. "See I told you he thought I had finally lost it." she held out her hand. "You owe me a hundred bucks."
"No way. I didn't agree to that."
"Yes you did." she pressed.
"No!"
"Excuse me." Skinner interrupted. "But could you too possibly save the arguing for when you're alone. I think I speak for everyone in this restaurant, when I say 'Shut up!' No one wants to hear it."
They both laughed and Mulder took her hand. "Sorry, we were just talking about her brothers and mother thinking she was crazy and she made the comment that you probably thought the same thing, do you?"
"Not unless we're both imagining you, and in that case I think Scully and I should go check ourselves into the first hospital we see." he glanced at Scully. "Don't you agree?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I think Mulder needs out help. What do you think?"
"That depends." he said, facing Mulder. "That depends on what you are doing here?"
Mulder laughed. "You guys are terrible." he sighed, but didn't protest. "Okay, I got a tip from an unnamed source telling me that some of the men who worked without the original project were meeting here in Chicago, so I thought I'd pay a visit and see what I'd learn."
"What project?" Skinner asked.
"His fathers project." Scully explained. "It wasn't really Bill Mulder's, but it was a branch. They were researching DNA cloning and Mulder believes that his sister was one of the subjects." she turned to Mulder. "Right?"
He stared at her in shock. "How did you know that?"
She grinned. "I have my sources too, Mulder. And just your not here, doesn't mean that I should stop doing what I do best."
"Well, so far I have been unable to locate these scientists, but I have heard that they were staying at a hotel in Libertyville. I'm hoping that they will be able to shed some light on what happened to Samantha."
"Do you really expect them to tell you anything?" Scully asked. "I mean how do you know that they aren't like Cancer Man and all his comrades."
"They were friends of my father."
"So. . ." Scully stood up. "So were Cancer man and the rest of those men in that shady circle. Your father trusted them and look what they did to him. They killed him in cold blood. How can you be sure that they won't do the same thing to you. For all you know this could be some sort of set up."
"Then that's the risk I have to take." he said, standing up to look her in the eye. "This is my life, Scully. I need to know the truth and you know that I do. I didn't want you here, it was better when I was on my own. I didn't have to worry about hurting you again. If I died it would have been a loss to know one." he grabbed his coat from the chair next to him. "You can either back me up and support me or you and Skinner can catch the next plane back to Washington. Either way I'm going to go."
Scully let out a sigh of defeat and lowered her head so that she was no longer looking into his eyes. There was no point in arguing with him. They had discussed this already. They weren't partners anymore, nor were they co-workers. She had no control.
"Scully?" Skinner took her hand. "Dana, are you all right?"
"Yeah." she smiled and looked back up. "I was just thinking that if he goes. I go. Even though we're no longer partners doesn't mean that I can't assist him in his search." she paused. "In search for the truth."
**************
10:30 A.M.
Rm. 213
"So how are you holding up?" Skinner asked, walking out of the bathroom.
Scully shrugged. "Okay I guess. I'm sort of worried that he'll run off and leave me alone again without telling me he's leaving."
"He won't." he assured her as he sat down on the bed next to her. "Or he'll have to deal with me and that won't be a pretty sight."
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because I think your special and I believe in you and Mulder." he paused. "I always have. You two have always been my favorites and I hate what they've done to you. I want it to stop and I want you to know that you have someone to trust. I'm not one of them."
Scully turned to face him. "Then tell me the names of Cancer man and all of his men. I know you know who they are."
"I can't."
"Why? You're protecting them, then. It almost seems like you are one of them sometimes. You let that man sit in your office, smoking, and don't protest. You let him tell you what to do and who to like and dislike. Why? Who is he to have such authority over you?"
Skinner stood up and walked over to the window. It was time to talk, he couldn't deny it any longer. With his back turned to her, he began. "It's gotten to the point where I can't escape him. At first I enjoyed the power he gave me, but I didn't cow what it was doing to you and Mulder. There was a time when I could have told you each step he was going to take before he took it, but.. ." he sighed. "Now I'm just a pawn in his long game of chess."
"So tell me his name, Skinner. Let me stop him."
"I can't." he turned back to face her. "He'll kill me."
"He's already killed you." Scully whispered. "You run at his every beckon call. The power he holds over you will eventually kill you anyway."
"You don't know this man, Scully. Everything you have learned about him fits into a box the size of a match book. You know nothing of what he truly does or of what he truly is. I don't think you want to know anything else about this man."
"Try me."
"I can't. Mulder would never forgive me if I endangered your life."
"I'm a big girl, Skinner. I can protect myself." she walked over to where he stood and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't not tell me because you think your protecting me. I'm going to die anyway."
"Your still young Dana." he studied her face carefully. "Get out now and go with Mulder. You shouldn't stay with the FBI."
"Why not?"
"They are all evil. I can't always get you out of trouble. I can't do it anymore."
"Then don't, just tell me his name and I'll do the rest."
Skinner sighed and walked over to the table and sat down. He pulled a sheet off the pad of paper in front of him and scribbled something down. Motioning for her to sit down, he slid the piece of paper across the table and pulled out a book of matches.
Scully picked up the piece of paper and read it carefully. "Is this. . . "
Skinner held up his hand. "Shhh-- here." he lit the match and touched it to the tip of the paper and before she knew what was happening, it was a blaze.
**************
Moorehouse Inn
3:30 P.M.
Scully sat quietly in the secluded corner of the inn. Mulder was already thirty minutes late to meet her and she was getting worried. She glanced back out to the car where Skinner was waiting then down at her watch. 'He wouldn't leave me.' she thought suddenly. 'He wouldn't dare.'
"Waiting for someone?" Mulder asked, walking up behind her. He had been watching her for close to an hour. He just wanted to see how she reacted to his arriving late and so far she had done nicely. But he knew that he couldn't keep her waiting forever.
"No." she replied. "I was just making sure you didn't run off on me again." she patted the seat next to her. "Have a seat Mulder."
He laughed. "You know that I wouldn't run off on you again, Scully. I'd make sure to tell you that I was leaving." he pulled up the chair and sat down next to her. "So, I got the message that you wanted to tell me something? What could that possibly be, may I ask."
Scully grinned and pulled out a small envelope. "Here, this may help you with your investigation. Skinner and I had a long talk and I promised him that I'd be careful." she placed her hand on his. "Don't open it yet. Open it when you leave Chicago and go back to where ever you live, the information it contains will do nothing for you now or here."
Mulder studied the envelope carefully, then with out question he tucked it into his pocket. "Will you give me a hint to what it contains?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, but you'll thank me someday."
"I already thank you." he whispered, standing up. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah." she started to get up, but stopped. "Mulder?"
"Huh?"
"What if this is a set up? What if they know we are coming?"
He shrugged. "Then it's our fate. We shouldn't fear it, Scully. If we tempt it, we have to face it some day. If you're afraid, I want you to stay here." he took her hand. "I'll back you up either way."
"I'm with you."
The Day After IV: Inferno, My Passion 4/4
a.k.a. Maybe Tomorrow XI
By: Jenn Nistor (Jenn6092@aol.com)
Part Four: Detonation
September 8, 2001
The Rose Garden Plaza
Libertyville, Illinois
5:21 P.M.
"Stay in the car." Mulder instructed Scully as he and Skinner climbed out. "If something happens leave, don't turn back, don't look back or even think of me. Just stay out if it and drive away."
"No, I'm coming with you." she reached for her door, but Skinner stopped her.
"Scully, Mulder's right." he glanced to Mulder then back at her. "Stay here. You don't need to be with us. You have to live."
"I can't let you guys,. . . I mean I. . . ugh-- damn." she sighed. Why bother arguing, they were right. Pulling out her gun from her side, she held it out to Mulder. "Take this. I'll stay, but if something looks even remotely suspicious I'm calling for back up and coming in after you. I don't want you guys to die."
Mulder smiled and excepted the gun. His hand lingered on hers a moment longer than need be, but it all ended too soon. "Thanks Scully." he said, motioning for Skinner to follow him. "I'll see you on the other side."
***************
7:18 P.M.
Scully was beginning to get nervous. It had been over two hours and there was still no sign of Mulder or Skinner. She was getting tempted. She wanted to go in after them, but she had promised.
"Damn it, Skinner." she slapped the steering wheel in frustration. He was supposed to be on her side, not Mulders. Reaching over for her purse, she felt her hand brush against a think envelope. Picking it up, she quickly opened it and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
Dana,
I can't believe it had actually come to this.
I am the worst at writing letters, so bare with me, I
know you always do. There is so much that I have
wanted to tell you, but I could never find the proper
words to express what I felt. All I ever succeeded in
doing was hurting and betraying you, hell I'm doing that
right now.
Don't cry for me, Scully. Don't be afraid to lose me,
the truth is that you lost me a long time ago. We won't be
lost forever, but in this life we will be alone. Maybe
someday, some life time, we'll be joined again, and maybe
then we'll be able to do things right. *Together*
You see, I learned something that I don't think I've
ever learned before. With each life time you live and
with every life you spend on earth you move one step closer
to the truth. Now I'm not saying that you won't find the truth
in this life or in any others, I'm just saying that the whole truth
you seek won't be found until you perfect your soul and
reach your final point.
Each life has it's own truths and betrayals.
Sometimes you die not truly understanding
your mission, while others you live to the fullest capable.
I can't tell you the outcome of this life, maybe I never will.
I love you Dana. Don't let my quest be your death, let it be
the life that keeps you going.
Forever,
Fox William Mulder
It couldn't have been more than a second after she finished the letter that it happened. One minute to was reading his thoughts, the next minute he was gone. The building burst into flames. She wasn't sure if there had been an explosion. All she saw was the fire.
As quickly as her legs would carry her, she jumped out of the car and rushed to the front of the burning building. Debris was scattered all over, so she knew that there had to have been an explosion.
"Mulder!" she screamed, covering her face and walking into the building. "Mulder! Skinner!"
Nothing.
"Mulder!" she called again, but still nothing. "Mulder please! Not now! Not like this! Answer me." she moved further into the blaze. Tears ran down her cheeks as the smoke thickened, but she couldn't give up. "Mulder!"
'What if I lose him now?' she wondered, 'What if he's gone and. . . ' she shook her head, It wasn't the time to think about it. She had to find them. Making her way towards the stair case, she noticed that the upper levels didn't seem to be that bad. Most of the fire was in the lower back portion of the building, but she knew that it wouldn't last long.
"Mulder!" Scully screamed again, pushing her way through the debris that had fallen when the building had gone up in flames. "Mulder! Skinner!" she kicked open a door leading to the upper level. "Damn it Mulder!!!"
She made her way up the stairs and into a small room filled with smoke. "Mulder!" she screamed, coughing. The rooms heat stung her eyes, making it hard for her too see.
"Scully, down!" he cried, tugging at her leg. Just as she fell, a huge gust of fire rolled over them, but the walls still did not catch the flames.
"Thank God, Mulder. . . Your alive." her hand had fell to his chest but she quickly drew away when she felt the warm liquid pouring from his chest. She noticed a huge stain spreading throughout the white material and immediately she knew what had happened. "My God! Your bleeding!"
The heat from ahead was making him so tired, but he managed to stay focused on his partner. The last thing he wanted to do was worry her. "No, it's not bad." he pointed to something crumpled on the ground across the room. "Skinner, get Skinner. I'll be all right."
"Mulder." she didn't want to argue. Quickly she crawled through the smoke and over to her superiors side. At first she thought he was dead. He didn't look as if he was breathing, but she was relieved when he coughed. "Sir?"
Skinner opened his eyes and quickly sat up. The room was dark and smoky, it was almost impossible to breathe, but he fought it. "Go to Mulder!" he cried. "I'm all right. Got to Mulder! He needs you."
"Sir you are going to bleed to death." Scully touched his sleeve that was soaked with blood. "You need help. I'm not going to let you die. Not after everything you've done for me and Mulder."
"Scully. ." he pushed away the sleeve of his shirt. "It's only a flesh wound, Mulder was hit hard." he coughed. "Get him out."
"Find your way out of here and call for help." she instructed and turned around and made her way to her partner. She could hardly see an inch in front of her face, but the shear will to live kept her going. It wasn't until she reached Mulder's side that she took a breath.
"Mulder?" she fell down at his side, exhausted. "Come on. You need to get up, we need to get you out of here and to a hospital."
He shook his head and gasped for breath. "Rem--ember the day I left you in your parking lot?" he asked, trying to hold on to the light.
She nodded as tears stung her eyes. It was getting so hard to breath. It wouldn't be to much longer until the whole building went up in to flames and they'd both be dead. "It was the worst day of my life, I thought I was going to lose it."
Mulder coughed and as he did he could feel the thick smoke filling his mouth and lungs. "Remember how y--you said you ne-never pictured us parting the way we did?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"Yes." she knew what he was getting at, but refused to listen. It seemed pointless. They were both going to die.
"I said I always pictured us separating like this." he grabbed her hand as a sharp pain ripped through his chest. "One of us holding the other, as-- as they lay dying. Slowly.. . . . . Dying. . ." he closed his eyes, willing the pain to leave, willing the peace to enter. "Leave me, Scully. Save yourself. Live. The injuries I have claimed are only of the flesh, but the darkness still pulls me. Love y--you"
"No." smoke filled her nostrils as the wall to the left of them suddenly burst into flames. "I'm not leaving you Mulder. We go together in life and in death. You die I die, you live I live. I can't lose you."
He coughed viciously. "No! This is my fa--fate. Leave me." tears clouded his eyes as he watched her face fall. "You kn-know th--Th.--that this is fate. Please don't cry for me. Just leave and forget me."
Scully shook her head. "I'm not going to leave you here. You can get help and live." she squeezed his hand gently. "I love you, get up and walk with me." she bent over and gently kissed his moist lips. "I need you to know something."
"Wha--" he coughed again. "Hurry."
"My passion for life got the better of me, so I got depressed. My passion for revenge had gotten so strong that I lost all faith in myself and those I love." she took a deep breath, letting the tears fall. "It was never you, it was always this and death. My passion was my fire. I have loved you from the very first moment I saw your picture in the paper, two years before I met you." she brushed her hair away from her eyes. "I love you more than anything else *and* it feels so strange."
She knew that if she didn't leave quickly she'd end up being trapped with Mulder, but she didn't want to leave him. After so many years of searching for the truth it would end like this. Unfair. Unfair and unjust.
"Go. ." Mulder pleaded. "Pl--lease. Don't make me your passion. Live and let my dreams lead you."
"I can't, please don't make me leave you. Let me help you out of here." she tugged at his arm. "We can do it."
"No. . ." he could feel his body suddenly begin to get heavy with sleep. All he wanted to do was leave with her, marry her and have a family, but that wasn't meant to be. "By Dana. Live for m--me."
"Mulder! Fox!" Scully watched in horror as his eyes rolled back in his head. Then glancing down at their hands, she saw his grip begin to weaken. "No!" she screamed. "God, no!" she felt for a pulse. It was there, but weak. "Mulder get up. Come with me. Please! Please not now."
"Dana!" she heard someone scream and suddenly felt strong arms engulf her. "Come on. Leave him. He's already gone."
She didn't argue. There was know fight left in her . Giving in, she let Skinner lead her out of the burning building. Out in the nights darkness she felt the cool chill of Chicago's wind engulf her, but she paid no attention. She heard him talking, shouting, she felt him shaking her and holding her, but she ignored him. Her soot covered face glistened with tears, but she did not stop walking.
Something was pulling her. Maybe it was the feeling of emptiness that she so often felt. It could have possibly been Mulder's spirit departing the earth at that very moment. All sounds seemed to have vanished and nothing really existed.
His hands. She was already forgetting his touch. The way his fingers would gently slide over her hers. The way his arms would protect her from harm and evil. She loved the way he touched her, so carefully, so full of love. His touch. His feel. His smell. It was all leaving her, and so soon.
"Mulder." she groped for the cross around her neck, then remembered she had given it too him. "Strength." she needed strength.
Images of their entwined fingers flashed before her. Bright flashes of light seized her. She fell to her knees, remembering. His arms, his body, the few traces of soft flesh. More flashes followed. His eyes, his hands, his lips. God, his lips. Her hand traveled up to her lips as she tried to remember his taste. Nothing.
There was nothing left. Only the few flashes of memories. Their love, their joy, their passion. "Why!" she screamed. Pains shot through her body and as they did rain began to fall. She had to go on. The rain was a sign telling her to move forward.
***
Skinner stood his ground, and let her go. When he saw her stumbled over to a small patch of grass just next to the lake he wanted so much to go to her and comfort her. She looked so lost and helpless. He wanted to hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right, but that seemed pointless. She needed the time. She needed her peace.
"Sir." a young officer said approaching him.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Sir, we have something you should see."
Sighing, Skinner allowed his eyes to leave Scully and with out hesitation he followed the officer.
**************
September 12, 2001
FBI Headquarters
Washington DC
10:13 A.M.
"Dana?" Skinner asked poking his head into her office.
"Yes?" she motioned for him to sit down across from her.
He shook his head. "I don't have time ." he pulled out a small envelope and handed it to her. "Here, this was delivered this morning. I was going to have someone deliver it to you, but I wanted to see how you were, so I thought I'd do it my self."
"I'm fine sir." she said, excepting the small package. "Better than I expected I'd be ."
He nodded and with out another word left.
Scully gently tore back the paper and opened the envelope. There was a small box along with a letter. Pulling out the box, she opened the lid and gasped when she saw what it contained. Her cross. She had given it to Mulder, and now here it was.
With shaking hands she pulled out the paper and quickly opened it up. It was a excerpt from a poem:
"In truth we have lived carelessly and well,
And shall, my perfect pair!
-each, trust me, born for the other;
Nay, our very hair, when mixed is of one hue.
For where save in this nook shall we walk,
When I am far away.--
From childhood I have been possessed,
By a fire- by a true fire, or faint or fierce,
As with out some master, so it seemed,
Repressed or urged it's current: this but ill
Expresses what I would convey.--
Strange secrets are let out by death
Who blabs so oft the follies of this world:
And I am deaths familiar, as you know.--
In my own heart love had not been made wise.
To trace loves faint beginnings in mankind,
To know that even hate is a mask of love's,
To see good in evil, and a hope in ill-success;
To sympathize, be proud of half reasons,
faint aspiring's, dim struggles for the truth,
our poorest fallacies, our prejudice and fear
And cares and doubts;--
All this I knew not, and I failed.
I loved too rashly."
A small smiled played at the corners of her lips. All though the poem did not make much sense, she understood the meaning. He couldn't have stayed with her. his search was anything but over. It was clear that he did love her, he no longer wanted to be selfish and drag through everything he went through. They were made for each other, but the only way they could love was by being apart, on separate paths.
It was never she who had loved to rashly, it had always been him. Even though he had tried to protect her, his love kept him in torment. He never saw the truth that was always there, he was too blind to understand. She, however had always and now they were free.
It had only been four days since the fire and yet the workers had been unable to locate Agent Mulder's body. The investigators had said he probably burned up in the blaze, but she hadn't believed it. There was just something that been nagging at her about the whole thing and now this.
She pulled the cross out of the box and clasped it around her neck. The only person who could have possibly known it was hers was Mulder and even if there had been another who had known it was hers, they wouldn't have sent it back to her. No one but she and Mulder understood the true meaning of the cross.
Picking up the envelope she noticed that it had been mailed from DC and not Chicago. Praying that it was not to late. She grabbed her keys and quickly hurried out of the office.
*************** Apt. 42
11:30 A.M.
She pulled out her set of keys and quietly slid the one marked 'Mulder' into the lock. Even though he had disappeared so long ago he had kept his apartment. Each month a certain amount of money was drawn from his account and checks were written to cover the bills. At first she had thought it was a bit ridicules, but she had gotten used to the idea.
Slowly, she pushed the door open. The room was dark, even in the noon sun. She wasn't sure what she was looking for. Maybe a sign that he had been there, or had visited. Taking a deep breath, she flipped on the light switch and as the light flooded the room she saw what she had expected to see.
The apartment was empty. Not a stick of furniture remained anywhere in the room. And when she thought she might cry, a smile spread across her face and laughter surrounded her. It was empty. Empty.
**************
THE END!!!!
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