Hey Scully: Part One

by S.A. Spooky

Scully watched Assistant Director Skinner's back disappear through the door of her hospital room.  She opened her mouth to call him back - she didn't want to be left alone - but changed her mind and blew out a heavy sigh instead.

She was too proud to ask for help.  After all, she was the Undefeatable Dana Scully!  She was fine.  She was always fine.  She was always so damn fine that she wanted to scream!

When Skinner had patted her hand a moment ago and asked if she would be okay, what did she reply with?

I'm fine.

Well, she wasn't fine.  Tears came to her eyes as she thought of Mulder and she rested her hands on her belly.  The wonder of it all swirled through her mind for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes and the unfairness of Mulder being taken away burned her heart one more time.

She blinked back the tears.  'I will not grieve for him like he is gone.'  She whispered aloud to feel the conviction.  'He didn't doubt me for a moment while I was away and I will not doubt him now.'

However, for him to be taken like this, just when they both found the courage to find footing in their relationship was too much for her to take.  Their ridiculous pride, their fear of feelings, finally shoved aside.  What a wonderful time it had been, however brief.  Years of one coming to the other, the other not ready.  From a tentative kiss shared seven years ago, through drifting apart, then finally coming together, only to lose it all now.  She thought back to the first time she saw Mulder, as his own person and not the spooky agent everyone talked about…

Relieved beyond belief that they were only mosquito bites, Scully had thrown herself at Mulder and leaned against him.  She let herself be comforted for a few moments, finding herself surprised by the feelings that had been sneaking up on her.  She didn't know him, didn't trust him and sure as hell didn't believe any of the wild ideas he flung her way.

She stilled her mind and there it was.

Attraction.

The wall went up.  She looked down and gathered her robe around her when he asked if she was okay.  Of course, she was fine.  She immediately shut him out then berated herself for being weak in the first place.  She sat down and took some time to gather her wits.

Mulder gave her some space, but when he noticed a tear slide down her cheek, he knelt in front of her.

'Are you okay?'  He tried to see in her face, but her hair obscured it.

'I'm fine.'

He brushed the hair away so he could look in her eyes.  'I don't think so, Scully.'

She met his gaze.  'I don't know what I was thinking, Mulder.'  My God, were his eyes always this green?  'Being scared by some mosquito bites, how stupid.  This whole case has…I don't know.  This whole case has been difficult.  Maybe I'm just a little afraid of things I can't explain.'

Mulder gave her a grin.  'Welcome to my world.'

Scully didn't return the smile.  She didn't understand his mindless devotion to this dead-end assignment, his refusal to see any kind of logic, turning instead to fairy-tales and folklore.  And somewhere, in one fleeting moment, she suddenly throws all her science out the window and believes that some bumps on her back are the work of something extraterrestrial.

She searched his eyes, thinking of something, anything, to say and break this awkward silence.  Ah, his beautiful eyes.  There was a lot going on in those eyes.  She saw a brilliant intelligence; she saw wisdom beyond his years, and she saw desperation.  Pain.  Longing.

She saw that Spooky Mulder wasn't so spooky.  He was just hurt.  He was alone.  He was haunted.  Behind the myth that was the cunning Spooky Mulder was just a man who was searching like the rest of us.  Scully felt an attachment to Mulder she could never explain.

She leaned forward and gingerly pressed her lips against his.

Scully was jolted out of her memory by a knock at the door.  She sat up and wiped at her eyes.

'Yes?'

Frohike peered around the door, light reflecting off his glasses.  'Just saw Skinner leave, thought I'd check up on you.'

Scully smiled at him.  'Come on in.'

He wandered over to stand beside the bed, looking uncomfortable.  'I uh, heard about Mulder.  Being taken.  Disappearing, whatever.'

Scully looked down at her hands on her belly again and nodded.

There was silence for a moment, and then Frohike shook his head.  'Sucks.'

Despite herself, Scully let out a small snort of laughter.  Leave it to Frohike to sum up an entire situation in one small word.  She gave a slight nod of her head.  'It does suck.  As a matter of fact, it sucks big time.'  Tears came to her eyes again and she cleared her throat.

Frohike switched his balance from one side to the other.  'But you're okay?  There's nothing wrong?  Nothing…coming back?'

'No cancer.'  She smiled up at him again.  'I'm fine.'

'Scully, you weren't fainting for no reason.  What did they find?'

She hesitated, thinking.  Did she really want everyone to know?  She herself couldn't explain it.  Was she ready to answer all the questions?  She was alone, and frightened, and missed Mulder terribly.  She couldn't look into the face of reality if her reality was a life without Mulder.  A single mother forever reminded of her soul mate in the small face that would smile up at her.  She was scared out of her mind for herself, her child and for him.  She was in pain over the fact that he may be in pain.  She wanted and needed support.

Tears fell from her eyes as she let the fear envelop her body, her heart, and her soul.

'I'm not sure I want everyone to know…'  Her voice trailed off.

'I won't tell.'  He said softly, convinced that her horrible cancer had come back and she was being the brave one yet again.  'I won't even talk if you don't want.  I'll just listen.'

She looked at her odd, little friend.  A couple of moments went by before she found the courage to whisper.

'I'm pregnant.'

Frohike stared back at her, his face going through disbelief, shock, and confusion.  He shook his head.

Scully nodded at him.  'I'm pregnant.'

'But you-' Frohike shook his head again.

'I know.'

'You can't.'

She smiled through her tears.  'I know.'

He shook his head one more time.  Then he smiled.  He began to laugh before something settled over his features and he looked at her again.

'Does he know?'

Scully looked down again.  'I just found out.'

Frohike slowly put a hand over hers.  'He'll be so crazy about this.'

She entwined her fingers with his.

'He won't shut up about it.'  He said.  'He'll drive us nuts.'

'I never got to tell him.'  Scully said.  'I just found out.  I just found out…'  She trailed off, beginning to cry, unable to continue.

Frohike leaned over and put his arms around her.  'It's okay.  We'll find him, Scully.  If he doesn't find us first.'

She buried her face in his chest, hiding from the world.  She didn't notice Byers and Langly standing solemn at the door.  'I couldn't tell him.'

'It's okay.  It will all be fine.'  Frohike shut his own eyes against the tears.

The kiss lasted for a few moments before Mulder broke it off.

'Scully-'

She immediately stood up.  'I'm sorry-'

'No, no, no.'  He stood up with her.  'I-'

Scully turned and headed for the door, face burning with embarrassment.  Mulder put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

'We've both had a long day.  You've had a hard time since we've been here.'  He turned her around.  She couldn't look up at him.  She was feeling the rejection.

'It's just that…'  He cupped her chin to make her look up at him.  'I don't want to screw anything up.'

Scully searched his eyes, she didn't understand what he was saying, and slowly nodded.

Mulder, on the other hand, wanted to say so much more.  That he'd never met anyone like her before.  That he was in awe of her intelligence, her beauty.  That he'd instantly felt attracted to her because she didn't take any of his bravado.

Mulder slid his hands down her arms.  'You know, I've been waiting for you to explain your rewriting of Einstein to me.'

She smiled up at him.  'Break out the snacks I saw you stash in your bag and have a seat.  I could go on about this all night.'

They had talked for hours, joking and laughing like they'd been friends forever.  The topics ranged from college, to childhood, to irritating family members.  When the conversation turned to work and their current assignment on the X-Files, the atmosphere turned somber.  Mulder felt she should be included in on his whole experience when his sister was taken.  He wanted her to know why he took on such an unpopular assignment to begin with.  Scully thought it sounded like a science fiction comic book.

Government conspiracies, tests, aliens…

But she could see that Mulder believed in the scenario one hundred percent.  She thought she could glimpse into his soul and see his pain and anger of the abduction of his sister.  She felt that maybe his guilt had created a need to try to solve things that were unsolvable.

'Dana?'

Scully broke out of her memory to see her Mom standing at the door.  She started to sit up.  'Mom?  How did you know-'

'Walter called me.'  She said, hurrying to Scully's bedside and gently easing her back down.  'He said it was important for me to be here.'

'Damn, Skinner.'  Scully's face let out a small smile.  'I'm sure he means well but I know you've been a worried mess since his phone call.'

'I've been a little concerned.'  Margaret looked down and took one of Scully's hands.  'I thought maybe…'

'No, Mom.'  Scully shook her head.  'The cancer didn't come back.  This is a bit more complicated.  At least I could explain remission.'

Margaret searched her daughter's face.  'You've been crying, I can tell.  What is it sweetheart?'

Scully bit her lip and looked away.  She didn't want to start the tears all over again.  She felt empty, dried out.  'It's like the most wonderful gift during my worst nightmare.  I want to be happy, but I can't.  I feel full of joy, but feel empty at the same time.  And why should I be happy if he's not here with me, enjoying this too?'

Margaret was silent for a moment, trying to make sense of what her daughter was saying.  'Honey, is this about Fox?'

'Mom.'  Scully's voice was barely above a whisper.  'Mulder's been taken.'

Margaret's face flashed some fear.  'What do you mean, taken?'

'Skinner said that there was a light…That Mulder walked into the light and he was…That there was…A UFO and it…'

Scully cringed at how this all sounded.  Like she was a believer.  The very thought made her cringe.  Thankfully, her Mother finished it for her.

'And the flying saucer took him away.'

'Yes, Mom.  But it sounds so crazy.'

'Well.'  Maggie gripped her daughter's hand tighter.  'If Walter believes it, then so do I.'

Scully looked away.  'I know.  Skinner's always been as cynical about this as I have.'

They were silent for a moment before Margaret spoke up again.  'But why are you here, in the hospital?  What has happened?'

Scully didn't look at her.  'Mom, I don't really know how to tell you this, except for coming right out and saying it.'

Maggie's face grew pale.  'What is it, sweetheart?'

'Mom.'  Scully gathered courage, then turned to face.  'I'm…'

Margaret searched her daughter's face.  'What, Dana?  You can tell me.'

'I'm pregnant.'

Astonishment flooded her Mother's face.  She didn't say anything.

'Yes, Mom.'  Scully smiled a little.  'I'm pregnant.'

After a few moments, Margaret smiled back.  'Are you sure?'

Scully nodded, tears coming to her eyes again.  'I've had them run every test.  I'm sure.'

Her Mom hugged her tightly.  'Sweetheart, I'm so happy for you!'

Scully closed her eyes against her tears.  'Oh Mom…'

Margaret pulled away and looked at her.  'Does Fox know?'

Sculled snorted laughter through her crying.  'What would make you think its Mulder's?

Maggie smiled at her.  'Because I know my daughter, and I know Fox.'

At this, Scully broke into tears all over again.  'Mom, I'm so scared…'

Margaret held her daughter while she cried.  'I know you're frightened, Dana.  But try to remember that you have lots of people that care about you.  And I will be with you every step of the way.'

'I just don't understand it, Mom.'  Scully said through her tears.  'I wasn't supposed to be able to conceive.'

'Well, maybe the tests were wrong, sweetheart.'

'Not just that, Mom.'  Scully said, pulling away.  'I've been on hormone therapy on top of everything else.  There's no way I that should be able to get pregnant.'

Maggie stared at her.  'What are you trying to say, Dana?'

'I don't know, Mom.'  Scully said, wiping at her eyes.  'I don't know anything anymore.'

Margaret sighed and sat down in a chair.  'What do the doctor's say?'

'They are even more clueless then I am.'

Margaret smiled.  'Well, I'm sure they weren't able to rewrite Einstein.'

Scully looked back at her and the two exchanged a smile before Margaret spoke up again.

'Can I ask you something, Dana?'

Scully eyed her wearily.  'I'm not sure…'

'I know how much you and Fox care about each other.'

'Oh, Mother.'  Scully closed her eyes.

'I just want to see you happy and it seems like ever since he came into your life that everything is going wrong.'

'You don't think I've thought about that?'  Scully said softly.  'I have, a lot.  I don't blame Mulder.  I was assigned to the X-Files.  Believe me, Mulder didn't want anyone working with him.'

'I just wonder, sweetheart.'

'And I used to as well, Mom.'  She said, facing her Mom.  'But Mulder is the most brilliant person I've ever known.  He is the most passionate person I've ever met.  At first he may have seemed selfish and careless and withdrawn, as I remember telling you.  But that was because no one would actually see him.  They would hear the stories and walk away.  But he isn't like that at all.  He care's about me because I SAW him.  I KNOW him.  He's my best friend, the only person to whom I can say half of the crazy things I think.  He would give anything, ANYTHING, to keep me safe.'  Her voice faded as she realized that Mulder had done just that.

Scully took a deep breath to calm down.  Her voice had been increasing in volume.  'Mom, I don't think you understand all that Mulder has done for me.  He followed me up to Antarctica, crawling through ice to find me.  He found the cure for my cancer.  He never gave up on finding me while I was abducted.  Mulder will always protect me.  He is all I have.'

Margaret smiled and pushed hair out of Scully's face.  'Not anymore.'

Scully glanced down at her stomach before smiling back at her Mom.  'No, I guess not.'

Someone barged through her door without knocking, catching both women off guard.

'What the hell happened now?'

Scully looked at her older brother.  'Nice to see you too, Bill.'

'Where is he?'  Her brother asked, coming around to the other side of the bed.  'He's usually skulking around here, looking like the wounded animal.'

Scully held a hand up at him.  'Wait a minute-'

'No, you wait.'  He pointed a finger at her.  'You wait.  I've been quiet long enough about this.'

'Really?'  Scully looked up at him incredulously.  'When was this?  I've always thought you quite vocal about your feelings for Mulder.'

'He has brought nothing but heartache to this family.  You run around, living in his insane, little world and you willingly follow for more.'

'I don't think you know what you're talking about right now, Bill.'  Scully said softly.  'I think you should be careful.'

'You're telling me to be careful?  You put your life in danger every day because of your association with him!  He is selfish and insane and cares nothing about anyone.  If it weren't for him, you never would have been ill.  If it weren't for him, you would still be able to have children.  If it weren't for him, Melissa would still be alive.'

Margaret stood up.  'Bill, that's enough!'

There was total silence in the room.  Bill stood, staring at his Mother defiantly.  Margaret glared back, daring him with her eyes to say something else.  And Scully sat there, hands resting on her stomach, tears filling her eyes once again at the thought that Melissa would never know her baby.

'Agent Scully.'

All three looked over to see Skinner standing in the doorway.

'Sir.  How long have you been standing there?'

Skinner came all the way in the room and held the door open.  'Long enough to know that visiting hours are over and you should be getting some rest.'

Bill stared at Skinner for moment, seeming a bit embarrassed, then reached down to briefly take Scully's hand.  She looked up at him in surprise, meeting his eyes, and he turned and walked out.

Skinner closed the door behind him, giving a small shake of his head.

'Please excuse my son, Walter.'  Margaret said, smiling a bit.  'He's been that way ever since my husband died.'

'Just since then, Mom?'  Scully didn't look up.

'Okay, worse since then.'  Margaret picked up her purse.

'You don't have to leave, Mrs.  Scully.'  Skinner said.  'I just didn't want a confrontation in here.'

'Oh, that's okay.  I need to let Dana rest anyway.  I'll be by later sweetheart.'  She leaned down and kissed Scully and the forward and put her hand on Skinner's arm as she walked by.  'Thank you, Walter, for calling me.'

'That's quite okay.'  Skinner said.  'I'll keep in touch.'

Scully marveled at how respectful and pleasant Skinner was around her Mom before huffing in exasperation.  'What a pompous ass.'

'Agent Scully, do you always insult your superior's?'

'I was talking about Bill.'

'I know that Agent Scully.  I was taking a stab at humor.'

They both stared at each other with stony expressions, each trying to bluff the other out, then burst into laughter.

Scully sat in the car, debating whether or not to go back into the hospital to look for Mulder.  Seeing Harold Spuller's ghost in the review mirror certainly didn't give her any of the comfort that she thought she'd find in the solitude of her car.  She had needed to get away from Mulder, needed to repair the gap in the wall between them that had started to crack during the last couple of days.

'I know what you're afraid of.'  He'd said.  'I'm afraid of the same thing.'

Scully closed her eyes again as the memory relived itself.  Such a small statement and yet it had moved her beyond words.  She wanted to reach out to him in her fear.  Needed support from her closest friend.  Yet, her pride stood in the way.

A knock on her window caused her to jump and a breathy sigh escaped her.  She didn't want to turn and see any other ghosts.  Her Father, perhaps, come to get her a little early.

It was Mulder.  He was leaning over to look at her through the window.  His green eyes were awash in concern.

Scully rolled down the window.  'Mulder?'

'You okay, Scully?'

She swallowed before nodding.  'I'm fine.  What are you doing out here?'

He leaned his arms against the window and squatted down.  He opened his mouth to speak, then smiled.  'You want the Mulder answer or you want the truth?'

'Mulder, I thought truth was your middle name.'

'Bartholomew, actually.'  He said with a straight face.  'You look a little pale, Scully.  What's wrong.'

'You didn't answer my question.'

'An unexplainable psychic flash told me that you were out here all alone being swarmed over by Hawaiian elves called Menehune.'

She smiled in spite of herself.  'I'm assuming that's the Mulder answer.'

'Ah, Scully,' He grinned, 'Please don't tell me you don't believe in the Menehune?'

'No, Mulder.  I don't believe you're psychic.'

'I beg to differ.'  He said, giving a slight imperious raise of his head.

'Please don't beg, Mulder.'  She said, unable to help a big, stupid flirtatious smile.  'It really doesn't look good on you.'

'Why Dana Scully.'  Mulder looked astonished.  'If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were smiling right now.'

'If it bothers you,' she said, feeling vulnerable, 'I can put a stop to it.'

'Now I'd say you were blushing.'  He chided.

'Stop it, Mulder.'

'It's almost of if you were acting like, like normal.'

'Mulder!'

'There she is.'  He sighed heavily.  'Hey Scully.'

There was silence for a moment before she spoke up again.  'Well if you wouldn't pick on me all the time…'

'I do not pick on you.'  He leaned back a little, holding onto the door.  'I play.'

'You do not play.'

'I do too.'

'You pick.'  She said.  'You pick all the time.'

'I do not PICK.'

She turned and looked at him.  'My little feet reaching the pedals Mulder?'

He winced.  'Ouch.  That must have stuck for you to be bringing it up now.'

'You pick.'

They were quiet again and the silence stretched out.

'I was playing.'  He said again.

'Mulder, why are you out here?'  She looked him in the eye.  'You're so good at dancing around things.'

He seemed confused for a moment.  'I don't believe you've ever seen me dance, Scully-'

'MULDER!'

He trailed off into laughter.

'Why Fox Mulder,' she mimicked, 'if I didn't know you better I'd say you were laughing.'

He laughed harder.

She stared at him, then smiled.  'There's something you don't see everyday.'

'I'm sorry.'  He said through his giggle.

'No, no.  I like it.'

'Really?'  He ran his hands through his hair.  'I always thought my laugh sounded like a horse.'

'Oh I don't know, Mulder.'  She looked at the windshield.  'You seem more like a horses ass to me.'

He burst into laughter again.

'Well, maybe you do sound a little like a horse.'  She said.

'Now you're picking on me.'

'I'm PLAYING.'  She stressed.

'How rude.'

'Oh what a hypocrite!'  She screeched.

He started laughing harder, this time she joined him.

'Now that,' he pointed at her, trying to talk through his fit, 'was a girly screech.'

'Your point?'  She glared at him.

'Agent Scully doesn't screech like a girl?'  He raised an eyebrow at her.

'Agent Mulder doesn't usually laugh at my jokes.'  She returned his gaze.

'You never make any!'  It was his turn to raise his voice playfully.

'Whatever.'

'Ah,' Mulder pouted a little.  'Scully's giving up.'

'What?'

'Whatever.'  He imitated her.  'That's the give-up.'

'It is not.'  She said.  'It's indifference.'

'If telling yourself that makes you feel better-'

'"Whatever" means that I'm done with you now.  That it's not worth my time.'

He stood up.  'You're just angry that I won.'

'You did not.'  She leaned out the window to look up at him.

'Think I did.'

'You thought wrong.'

He held up a hand at her.  'Whatever.'

She burst into laughter.  He smiled and put his hands in his pockets, watching her laugh.  She looked back up at him, smiling.

'I think my work here is done.'  Mulder said.

'You came out here to cheer me up?'

'Did it work?'

She smiled again.  'Yes, I think it did.'

'Then that's why I came out here.'  He said.

She paused.  'Is that the Mulder answer?'

He looked down at the ground and kicked a rock.  'Kinda.'

'The innocent boy act comes into play.'  She mocked him.  'Is there something wrong Mulder?'

He shrugged.  'I just didn't like the way we left things earlier, you know?'  He looked up at her.  'I didn't like the way you left.'

'Did you think I was angry with you?'

'No.'  He shook his head, looking at the ground again.  'I just felt like, I don't know…Unresolved.'

'Unresolved.'

'I could have said more.'  He glanced at her quickly before looking away.  'I didn't want you thinking I didn't, care.'

There was a beat of silence before she spoke up.  'Mulder, I know you care.  You've been very supportive about my cancer.'

'It's not just that, Scully.'  He said softly.

'Then what is it, Mulder?'  She suddenly couldn't look at him anymore.  She felt on the verge of tears and didn't know why.

Mulder didn't answer, and when she looked back at him, he was still, staring down at his shoes.

'Mulder?'  She asked.  'What is it?'

He shook his head, but still didn't answer.

She sighed and got out of the car.  She closed the door and leaned against it, crossing her arms.  'We can stand here all night, if you'd like.  I know you came out here for a reason.'

'To cheer you up.'  He said, not averting his gaze from the ground.

Scully studied him.  'I thought that was the Mulder answer.  Why can't you talk to me?'

A moment of silence stretched out.  Scully was just about to get back in the car when Mulder did something that caught her quite off guard.  He suddenly clucked like a chicken.

'Mulder?'  She took a closer look at him, only to hear him cluck again.  She stepped up to him and gazed into his face.  'Mulder, why are you clucking?'

'I'm searching my soul.'  He suddenly looked up at her.  'Let's get some dinner, Scully.'

'Dinner, Mulder-'

'Oh come on, come on.'  He took her hands and pushed her towards the car.  'I'm buying.'

She regarded him skeptically.  'You're buying?'

'Yes,' He said, opening her car door for her.  'I'll even let you drive.'

'And we're not going to that horrible place that brings their coffee in those big Styrofoam cups?'

'No, let's go to that Thai place over by Fourth.'

'Thai Racha, Mulder.'  She smiled over at him.  'That's my favorite.'

'Agent Scully.'

Scully jerked awake in the car to find them in front of her apartment building.  She suddenly remembered where she was.  Skinner was driving her home from the hospital.

'We're here.'  He said, getting out to open her door.

Scully didn't want to leave the wonderful memory she was sifting through.  She wanted to relive the entire evening she was just remembering.  She closed her eyes for a few moments more until Skinner opened her door and held his hand towards her.

'Thank you, Sir.'

He walked her up to the door.  'Will you be alright?'

'I'll be fine.'  Scully nodded.  'I'm just going to sift through my mail and make something to eat.'

'Why don't you let me take care of dinner, Agent Scully.'

Scully smiled, she really didn't want to be left alone.  'Are you sure?'

'To be quite honest with you, I'm not in the mood to go do piles of paperwork.  I'll go pick something up, what do you feel like?'

Scully smiled to herself before looking up at him.  'I'd really love some Thai food.'

'Are you sure there's no meat in this?'  Scully asked, digging through her Phad Thai.

'I asked for vegetarian Phad Thai, three stars.'  Skinner said.  'Since when do you not eat meat, Agent?'

'Since I'm pregnant, Sir.'  She dug her chopsticks into the noodles.  'There's a lot of hormones and antibiotics in meat.'

'There's organic meat that's hormone-free.'  Skinner said.  'My wife wouldn't eat anything else.'

'I doubt Thai Racha uses it.'  Scully replied, stuffing noodles into her mouth.  She rolled her eyes.  'I looooove Phad Thai.'

'So, you had all the tests run?  Everything's fine so far?'

She nodded, chewing.  'Everything seems normal.  What's wrong?'

Skinner's whole head was bright red; he had stopped chewing and was staring over at her.  Suddenly, he reached for his tea, nearly knocking over her water.  'Holy shit!'  He exclaimed, draining his glass.  

Scully began to giggle and rushed to her refrigerator to get him a beer.  'It's the only thing that works.'  She laughed, opening it for him.

He took some huge swallows.  'My mouth is on fire, my God!'

She sat back down.  'How hot did you get it?'

Skinner took another drink.  'Five stars.'

Scully set her chopsticks down.  'A little brave tonight?'

He smiled at her.  'A little macho tonight, couldn't have you eat something more manly then mine.'

'The first time Mulder had Thai food, he did the same thing.  He nearly choked to death on his food.  All the waiters were gathered around the table…'  She began to laugh.  'Everyone was handing him all their drinks, he couldn't get them down fast enough.'

Skinner was laughing too.  'I think I remember that night.'

She pointed her chopsticks at him, her eyes wide.  'You were there that night, I completely forgot.'

'Yes, you told me about it later that night, when we ran into each other at-'

'That Japanese bar.'  She finished with him, both of them laughing.

'So, are you okay now, Mulder?'  Scully smiled up into his face.

'I am never taking you out again.'  Mulder replied.  'Every time we go out to dinner, you try to kill me.'

She slapped his arm playfully.  'I do not!'

'What about that time we were working that case in Seattle?  You had to go to that Cajun place.'

'The Ragin' Cajun.'  She said innocently.  'What about it?'

'The Jambalaya's great, Mulder!'  He mocked her.  'Not spicy at all!'

'It wasn't!'

He turned towards her.  'I had blister's in my mouth!'

She started to laugh.  'No you didn't, big baby.'

They were taking a walk after dinner.  Mulder felt he needed the cool air after his spicy meal.

'Hey Scully.  You wanna get a beer?'

She shrugged.  'Sure, sounds good.'  Scully was glad the evening, which had started out so horribly, was turning out so nice.  They hadn't done this sort of thing in a long time.

He took her hand.  'I know a great little dive just up the street and I'm not really ready to go home just yet.'

'A dive?'  Scully smiled.  'You must be moving up in the world.'

Mulder dropped her hand and held his up at her.  'Whatever.'

The dive turned out to be a Japanese Karaoke bar.  They took a table in the back of the smoky, dark room and leaned in close to hear each other over the horrible screeching of the singers.

'I don't know, Mulder.'  Scully said.  'I've never had sake before.

'You, Scully?'  He was pouring their drinks from a small carafe.  'Miss Educated?  Miss Cultured?  Miss Traveled The World Three Times Over?'

'Okay, Mulder.'

'Miss I'll Eat Anything Passed My Way?'

'You're picking again.'

He handed her a glass and clicked his against hers.  'Cheers.'

'Cheers.'  She watched him take it as a shot, then did the same.

'Yeah!'  Mulder said loudly, slamming his glass down.

'Oh yeah.'  She said a little less enthusiastic, grimacing.

'How is it?'  He asked her.

'Strong.'  Scully replied.

'Then let's have another!'  He refilled their glasses.

A few carafes and couple of beers later, they were giggling at everything.

'I never knew you were in Japan, Mulder!'

'Only for a month.'  He said.  'I followed someone there.'

'Someone you thought was involved in your sister's kidnapping?'

Mulder burst into laughter.  'No silly.  Always thinking work.'  He reached out and touched the end of her nose.  'I followed a girl.'

'A girl?'

'Well don't seem so surprised, Scully.'  He took another swallow of beer.  'She was a student at Oxford.  Japanese.'  He leaned in and whispered.  'Her father didn't like me so she cut it off.'

'Oh.'  She said, unsure what to say to his uncharacteristic revealing of his past.  She suddenly decided that she wanted more behind the mysterious man and smiled at him.  'So what else don't I know about you, Mulder?'

'I think it's your turn, Scully.'  He said, leaning in and smiling.  'Truth or dare.'

'What?'  She grinned back at him.  'Truth or dare?'

'Come on!'  He smiled.

'No.'  She looked away, laughing.  'I am not going to play truth or dare with you.'

'Oh come on!'  He sank back in his chair.  'What's wrong?  Chicken?'

Scully shook her head, smiling.

'I'll start clucking again.'  He warned.

'Truth.'

'Are you a virgin?'

'Mulder!'  She looked at him wide-eyed.

'What?  It's not National Security.'  He appeared to think for a moment, then laughed.  'Well, I don't know, maybe it is…'

'No, I'm not.'  She glared at him.  'Happy now?'

They sat in silence, listening to someone wrap up 'The Way We Were.'

'Your turn, Mulder.  Truth or dare.'

'Dare.'

Scully seemed surprised.  'Dare?'

'Of course.'  He took another swallow.  'I ain't no fool.'

'We'll just see about that.'  An evil grin spread across her face.  'I dare you to go sing.'

'Sing?'  He looked at the stage.  'Up there?'

'Where else?'  She asked.  'Let's see you do it.'

He was silent for a moment, contemplating, and had another swallow of beer.

She leaned across the table.  'I double dog dare you.'

He stared back at her for a moment, then put his beer down.  'Oh no you didn't.'  He said, standing up.

Scully stared, open-mouthed, as Mulder took the stage.  Was he really going to do this?  Her quiet, low-key partner, singing?

Mulder stood on the stage and entered his selection into the machine.

Right Said Fred soon started playing with 'I'm Too Sexy'.

Scully couldn't laugh, couldn't talk, she merely sat there, staring at her partner.

He was dancing around the stage like a fool, singing.

'…I'm too sexy for your party, too sexy for your party, no way I'm disco dancing…'

At this, Mulder did a pathetic, drunken imitation of John Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever'.

Scully began laughing so hard, she had to clutch her stomach and bend over.  She was laughing so hard no sound came out.  Was this really Mulder?  He was so funny; he was so cute, so sexy.  He was so…  Drunk.

She burst into laughter all over again as Mulder began walking the 'Catwalk', modeling his lovely suit.

'Agent Scully?'

She looked up in the middle of her laughter to see Skinner.  He was staring between her and all the empty beverages on their table.

'Yes, Sir.'  She said, tears running freely down her face from laughing at her idiotic partner.

'Agent Scully, what on earth are you doing?'  Skinner caught sight of Mulder, prancing around the stage, and he held up a hand.  'Nevermind, I don't want to know.'

'Come here often, Sir?'  Scully flashed Skinner a smile.

'No, I saw your car and just wanted to check in.  Thought maybe you might be on a case.'  He looked back up at Mulder and shook his head, nearly cracking a smile.  'Hard night?'

'Hard liquor.'  Scully patted the chair next to her.  'Have a seat.  Want some sake?'

'Thank you, no.'  Skinner signaled the waitress and pointed at Scully's beer, ordering another round.  'If I started in on the sake, Mulder and I'd both be up there, singing 'Ebony and Ivory'.'

Scully laughed again, nearly spitting out beer in the process.

'Why, Assistant Director!'  Mulder exclaimed, making his way to the table.  'What an unexpected pleasure!'

'Nice gig you got there, Agent Mulder, thank you Miss.'  Skinner tipped the waitress as she put the beers on the table.  'Planning on taking that one on the road?'

Mulder plopped down in his chair.  'And leave this luxurious life?'

'I'll drink to that!'  Scully said, holding up her beer.

'I've noticed you'll drink to anything, Scully.'  Mulder said.

She turned her face to one side and held up a hand.  'Whatever.'

Skinner snorted some laughter.  'You are off duty, right agents?'

'God, Sir, I really hope so.'  Scully said.  'My boss can be a real-'

'Alright, Agent Scully.'  Skinner interrupted, raising his beer as well.  'I've heard that rumor too.'

Mulder followed suit and the three knocked the bottles together.

'God, what a hangover I had.'  Scully said.  'I swore I'd never go anywhere with Mulder again.'

'I'm surprised we all managed to make it in the next day.  We didn't get home until three in the morning.'  Skinner smiled, his eyes lost in the memory.  'Then we had that meeting the next day.  I cannot imagine what the three of us looked like.'

'I nearly fell asleep.'  Scully said.

'Mulder did!'  Skinner burst into laughter.  'I kept kicking him under the table.'

She nodded, joining in.  'So did I!'

They both laughed harder; Skinner took off his glasses and polished them.  'I still have no idea what that meeting was about.  I don't think the three of us together said more than ten words.'

They were quiet for a moment, and then Scully burst into laughter again.  'It was about our expenses.'

'Oh God.'  Skinner said.  'Then I'm glad I don't remember.'

It took a couple of moments to quiet down.  They both fell into silence, thinking about Mulder.

'Damn, Dana.'  Skinner said, not looking at her.  'I'm sorry.'

'Sorry for what, Sir?'

'For losing him.'  He said softly.  'It just happened so fast.  He was there, then he was gone.  I went to protect him, but I still lost him.  I don't know how.'

'Don't.'  Scully reached across the table and put her hand on his.  'We will find him.  I know we will.'

'I just can't believe the timing.'  Skinner shook his head.

Scully smiled wryly.  'I agree with you on that point.'  She released his hand and sank back into the chair.  'I just don't know where to start.'

'I'll make some calls tomorrow.'  He nodded.  'Poke around.'

'I guess I can pay a visit to the Lone Gunman.'

'The three stooges?'  Skinner smiled before there was a soft knock at the door.

Skinner motioned for her to stay where she was, and went to the door, pulling out his gun.  'Who is it?'

'Alex Krycek.'

Scully stood up.  'What the hell is he doing here?'

Skinner opened the door, but didn't put the gun away.

Krycek gave Skinner a nod and looked over at Scully.  'I need to talk to you.'

This was the person they thought killed Mulder's father.  This was who they believed was responsible for Melissa's death.  This was who they believed had been plotting against them from the beginning.  Could she really invite this man into her home?

All things were coming down to this moment?  Everything she'd done until now had led her here?  What was she supposed to do?  There were two answers, one right and one wrong.  But which was which?

She studied Krycek.  His eyes were red and raw, his expression desperate.  He had never looked as human as he did now.

'Have a seat.'  She gestured at the empty chair across from her.

Krycek hesitated in the doorway, staring back at her; an odd look covered his face.

Scully returned his gaze, wondering about the confused expression Krycek was wearing.  She suddenly had the feeling that something was happening, something important.  Something was changing.  Something had just spun something off in another direction.

Something.

She didn't know what had just happened.  She couldn't put her finger on it.  She felt odd, detached from herself.  She suddenly knew that something had changed.  Something had happened.

Something important.

Skinner cleared his throat.  'If you're waiting for an invitation, Krycek.  I think you just got it.'

Krycek blinked, breaking the staring contest between them.  He stepped into the room and Skinner closed the door behind him.

Scully sat down at the table and eyed him as he crossed the room.  'What can I do for you?'

'This is all wrong.'  Krycek shook his head and pulled out the chair.  'This is all terribly wrong.'

'Which part?'  Skinner asked, moving to stand behind Scully.  With Scully's pale face under the bright light of the lamp, and Skinner standing in the shadows behind her, he looked like an avenging angel.

'All of it.'  Krycek said.  'Mulder being taken, you being pregnant, Cassandra Spender…'

'How did you know?'  Scully looked stricken.  'I've hardly known for-'

'How do you think you got pregnant in the first place?'

Scully was silent; she sat staring horrified across the table at him.  Krycek watched dawning realization spread across her face.  She slowly began to shake her head.

Skinner put a hand on her shoulder.  'What are you talking about, Krycek?'

'Haven't you figured it out, yet?'  Krycek looked from one of them to the other.  'Mulder's been talking for years, neither of you ever bothered to listen?'

'Mulder has said a lot of things.'  Skinner said.  'When you put everything together, it makes no sense.'

'It makes perfect sense.'  Krycek said softly, a small smile of disbelief on his face.  'Don't you see?  This has all been orchestrated perfectly, from the beginning.  The grand scheme, the master plan and we all have our parts to play.  We're all pawns in their universal game of chess.'

'Are you suggesting that I was assigned to the X-Files as a part of this master plan?'  Scully swallowed a rising lump in her throat.  'That I was set-up?  That my course of life has been carefully laid out for me?'

'That's exactly what I'm suggesting.'  Krycek said softly.  'Your life, mine,' he looked up at Skinner, 'even yours.'

The Assistant Director scowled.  'What?'

'I don't believe you.'  Scully whispered.

'Why would I lie?'

'I don't know, Krycek.  Why would you lie?'  Scully raised her voice.  'Why have you been lying all these years?  Why have you been playing both sides?'  She was almost shouting now.  'What is it you do back there in the shadows that you find so important to kill for?'

Skinner put his hands on both her shoulders.  'Easy.'

'How can you say that, Sir?'  Scully turned around to look up at him.  'This man has plotted against us for years.'

'And arguing about all that now isn't going to change anything.'  Skinner said.  'We need our own plan.'

'And you would trust him, now, Sir?'  Scully said quietly.  'Because you really trust him?  Or because he has the Nano Palm Pilot?'

Skinner stared down at her and Krycek glared up at Skinner.

'Mulder told me he could read everyone's thoughts while he was ill.'  Scully whispered.  'I thought he was experiencing hallucinations, but by the look on your faces, I guess he was right.'

There was silence all the way around the room.  It stretched out for several minutes.  Finally, Krycek cleared his throat.

'I will give you the controller back, it means nothing anymore.'  He was avoiding their eyes.  'We can have the Nanotechnology removed, but we'd have to stage something.  I don't want them knowing I've been in contact with you.'

'This change of heart is suspicious.'  Skinner said.  'The last time you came to us for help, Agent Mulder disappeared.

'I have been just as misled as everyone else has, if not more.  I have sacrificed others and myself for a cause that never existed.'  He looked up at the two of them, across the table.  'I see no reason for you trust me now.  But events are taking place.  The men in charge are deluded.  Everything is spiraling out of control.  Something must be done.'

'This is all very noble of you, Alex Krycek.'  Scully said.  'You're throwing regrets around and expect us to roll over for you.  But you've given me nothing.  No reason to trust you.  No reason to believe you.  How do I know that I'm not the pawn in your master plan.'

Krycek sighed.  'You've never recognized me.  There were times when I thought you had.'

A feeling of dread settled over Scully.  'What are you talking about?'

'You said you were recruited out of medical school.'  He replied.

She was silent for a beat.  'I was.'

'You remember Edward Logan?'

Scully's eyes flicked back and forth as she reached back to so many years ago.  'Edward, blonde hair, blue eyes, we went out with a couple of other students for beer sometimes…'  She suddenly looked up at him, her face even paler than usual.  'Oh my God.'  Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open.  'He was you.'

'From the beginning, Agent Scully.'  He smiled sadly at her.  'They've been living our lives from the beginning.'

'From the beginning.'  Scully repeated.

'They put me in medical school to recruit a scientist.'  Krycek said, rubbing his hand over his eyes.  'Someone who was logical, rational, brilliant-'

'Stop it.'  Scully whispered.

'You were the smartest in the class.'  He went on.  'You were never afraid to argue your point, with anyone.  Remember that time some of us went to that seminar on Quantum Physics?'

Scully nodded.  'I remember.'

'You grilled the lecturer, what was his name?'  Krycek asked.  'Dr.  Adams?  Dr.  Arlen?'

'Avery.'  She whispered.

'Yeah.'  He smiled.  'Avery.  Totally rude man.  Condescending as all hell.'

Quiet once again engulfed the room.  You could hear the ticking of the clock on the kitchen wall.  Scully stood up and rested her hand on the back of a chair.

'So you've been using me from the beginning?'

'No.'  He looked her full in the eyes.  'Not me.'

'You picked me out.'

'I picked the smartest.'  He stood up to face her.  'I picked out the person who was able to bring Fox Mulder down.'

'Bring him down?  Scully exclaimed.

'Mulder had been guided towards the X-Files.'  Krycek walked around the room.  'His father had hoped that when he'd find what was out there, he'd want to help the cause.  But Mulder didn't.  He only wanted to expose them.  And that couldn't happen.'

Skinner held up a hand in question.  'Mulder was led to the X-Files then brought down because he chose to believe in them?'

'Think on it, Assistant Director.'  Krycek said, turning to face them.  'Millions of people, learning of the existence of alien life?  Alien life far more intelligent than ours?  Alien life whose sole purpose is to wipe us off the planet, to use our bodies to populate the earth with monsters?'

'There'd be mass hysteria.'  Skinner said softly.

'At best.'  Scully answered.

'Mulder wanted to expose all that.'  Krycek said.  'He made it quite clear when he was given the choice.'

Both Skinner and Scully rapidly glanced back at him.  'What choice?'  They asked in unison.

'That's the reason you were assigned to the X-Files, Agent Scully.'  Krycek smiled again.  'Mulder never told you that?'

'Told me what?'  She whispered.

'He was approached.  He was offered a deal.'  Krycek sat on her couch and casually crossed one leg over the other.  'He was offered a choice, to work alongside us.  He didn't take it.  He wanted to expose us instead.  He given the choice to join or fight against us.'  Krycek shrugged.  'He chose to fight.'

'And so I was assigned as his partner to bring him down.'  Scully closed her eyes.  'I thought I was assigned to the X-Files because of my scientific expertise.'  She said.  'Because of my mind.'

'You were assigned because of your mind.'  Krycek replied.  'You were brought on to debunk the X-files.'

Skinner came around to stand on the other side of Krycek.  'Mulder knew he was being assigned a partner to discredit his work?'

'He knew he was being assigned a partner.  He didn't know who it was going to be, or why.  Although I'm sure he suspected.'  Krycek smiled.  'Mulder was always the smartest guy around.'

'Do you know where Agent Mulder is?'  Skinner asked softly.

'All I know is he's with his father.'  Krycek replied.

'His father?'  Scully whispered.

'His father is dead.'  Skinner said harshly.

'You must be referring to Bill Mulder.'  Krycek said.  'That is not Mulders father.'

'What?'  Skinner and Scully both exclaimed.

'Bill Mulder was the most influential mind in the group and therefore the most expendable.  He did what he needed to do.  He took in some of the experiments, the children of the experiments, and claimed them as his own.'

'You are suggesting that Bill and Tina Mulder aren't Mulder's parents?'  Skinner asked as Scully sat down heavily in the chair again.

'Bill and Tina Mulder were both unable to have children.'  Krycek sighed, shaking his head.  'The result of a test gone horribly wrong.'

'If this is true,' Scully said, 'then who are his parents?'

'The Spenders.'  Krycek replied.

It seemed as if time stood still in Scully's kitchen.  Skinner looked over at her, his usual stoic expression actually showing great disbelief.  Scully could only stand there, swallowing repeatedly as she tried not to be knocked down by the overwhelming information.

'Cassandra Spender.'  She said softly.

'Yes.'  Krycek confirmed.

'And Cancer Man?'  Skinner asked.

Krycek nodded.  'Yes.'

Now it was Skinner's turn to pull out a chair and slowly sit down.  'I guess it make's sense.'  He said.  'Mulder should have been dead a dozen times over by now.  A father cannot kill his own son.'

'What about Jeffrey Spender?'  Scully asked.  'It was rumored that he was killed by the group.'

'He's not dead.'  Krycek said.  'He's working with the others now.'

Scully put her hands over her face and leaned back in her chair.  'What am I supposed to believe about anything.  It's all lies.'

'It hasn't been lies, Agent Scully.'  Krycek shook his head.  'It's just been a matter of letting you guess.  You go off in one direction and form your own truth's and those truth's are usually only a fraction of what's really going on.' 'Like I said before,' Skinner jumped in, 'when you put it all together it makes no sense.  I could use another beer.'  He stood up and glanced down at Scully.  'Do you mind?'

'Not at all.'  She paused, looking over at Krycek.  'Beer?'

He softly laughed in response.  'Yes, thank you.  Seems strange to be sitting at your kitchen table, having a beer with the Assistant Director.'

'Not as strange as it seems to me.'  She replied, not smiling.  'I'd join you if I could.'

'Can I get you anything?'  Skinner returned with the beers and handed one to Krycek.  'Water or something?'

'I'm fine, thank you.'  She turned her attention back to the mysterious figure in front of her.  'What role do you play, Alex Krycek?'  Scully asked.  'How is it that you're so informed.'

'I've always been informed.  I was brought up knowing exactly what I was.'  He said softly.  'In some ways I think it was a lot better than believing the lie.  Mulder, Samantha, Jeffrey, they were given a semblance of real life to go by.  I never was.  I know I was conceived in a lab, genetically altered.  I know I wasn't a child conceived for the sake of love, or a family or anything else.  I was created purely for the sake of trying to save the human race.'  He took a deep swallow of his beer and stared back at their blank faces.

'Can you maybe start at the beginning of this?'  Scully asked.

'That would take forever.'  He said back to her.

Skinner huffed in exasperation.  'Then give us the cliff notes.'

End Part One
Continued in Part Two

Like what you've read?  Send feedback

Main Page