"Miss Scully, we apologize for pulling you out of class like this, but we would like to propose something to you that we could use your assistance on." Director Hannon said carefully.
"Sure, anything I can help with." She said confidently, yet curious as to why she was chosen. Dana Scully had only left the world of medicine to join the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA almost a year ago. She was still a new agent, and her mind wondered why she was chosen for whatever task they deemed her suitable to take on.
"Great, we have an active case, that's currently our top priority. It's been in motion for about a month, and we already have 3 agents on the inside. It's an undercover assignment, but you would have contact with us every day. With your background in medicine, we could use your scientific expertise. There's been a string of rapes and murders amongst the female students on campus at Georgetown University, and we believe our main suspect is one of the professors. We would need you to go undercover, as a student, so you would have full access to the labs. We think he's drugging them with an unknown substance, but we haven't been able to detect it during the autopsies. We're hoping you can help us finish this." He explained thoroughly.
"Well that's definitely a challenge, but I - I'm up for the task. Would I be meeting with the other agents before I go in?"
"Not exactly...whoever is doing this, we seem to think he's getting inside information, staying one step ahead of us every time we get close enough to nail him." Hannon let out a heavy sigh. "We think one of our guys on the inside is corrupt, and we need you to stay objective in your research. They won't know we are sending you in, and you won't know who they are."
"I understand." She said with a shaky breath. Scully knew that she needed to accept this, to prove to herself that she didn't make the wrong decision, and to prove to her family that she was doing something meaningful. "I would like to assist, help in any way that I can."
"Perfect, we'll get you connected first thing tomorrow, brief you on your cover, and help you get situated in your dorm." Hannon said with dismissal.
Scully made her way back to her apartment to pack for her new assignment. Her anxiety was washing over her, but this was what she needed to promote herself as a qualified agent. She never backed down from a challenge, and mentally prepared herself for what was to come.
The next morning she made her way to the rundown apartment that the rest of the team was staked out in. The agents camped out there would be her eyes and ears, and only connection to the outside world. She was already briefed that morning, and instructed to disconnect herself from her family and friends, leaving no room for her cover to be blown.
"You must be Agent Scully. I'm Agent Hahn, and that's Rodriguez and Edwards. We'll be the people annoying you in your ear from time to time." He said lightly. She smiled at him and reveled in the sound of 'agent' in front of her name.
"It's nice to meet you all. You'll be my contacts on the outside then?"
"That we will, don't worry, we won't ruin your reputation too much." Edwards joked. She chuckled, knowing she was in for an experience.
She finished her meeting, and made her way to the dorm that had been assigned to her. She scoffed as she entered, and let her stuff fall to the floor. She had been through college, and med school, and was back in a dorm the size of a closet. She was just relieved that she didn't have a roommate.
She settled her things in the small room, and went for a walk to take in her surroundings. As she strolled through the campus, she noticed the students galavanting around, and smiled at the once familiar settings. She was always the straightforward, serious student, she never allowed herself a chance for much fun. She vowed that this experience would be different.
The next morning, Scully had her first class, and she was already nervous. Her cover was solid, a transfer student from San Diego, top of her class in the medical program. Since she moved around so much in her youth, assuming a new persona wasn't going to be difficult to maneuver. She glanced at her class schedule, and sighed at the first class of the day, criminal psychology. It would be difficult for her to tone down the academic competitiveness that surged through her.
She looked around at the students as they entered class, and began studying the room. In her mind, everyone was a suspect, and she needed to stay vigilant. Everyone began to settle down as a man entered the front of the lecture hall. She took particular interest in the professor, knowing that he could be the prime suspect they've been after. She watched as he enthusiastically preached about the mind set it takes to catch a criminal. She had never had a professor with such exuberance for what they taught, though he was rather younger than she expected. His defined features and warm, hazel eyes definitely caught her attention as well.
"Okay, but wouldn't science be able to give us the evidence in the case? Suppose he is actually crazy, wouldn't the guy just get off with an insanity plea?" A student argued from the back of the room.
"That's a possibility, but what if regardless of the obvious symptoms he presents, science can't prove the guy's nuts. When convention and science offer us no answers, might we not finally turn to the fantastic as a plausibility?" Professor Fox said.
"Are you suggesting that we should open our minds to extreme possibilities and believe the guy's tail that he is simply psychic, and had nothing to do with the murders?" Scully asked in disbelief. She didn't realize she was talking until she heard her own voice. So much for keeping a low profile.
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting, Miss...?" He paused.
"Williams. Katherine Williams." Scully said with confidence, maintaining her cover.
"Well, Miss Williams, would it be so unlikely that he did simply receive these visions, allowing him to detail every inch of each crime scene?"
"Logically, I would have to say yes. Sure, there's been several well documented cases involving psychic abilities, but why should we search beyond the realms of science? The answers are there, you just have to know where to look for them." She said with a challenge in her voice.
"Conventional wisdom. I admire that." He said with a smirk before moving on to another student. She bit her lip, hiding her own smile that began to touch her mouth.
The rest of the class flew by, and she had never found a class so exhilarating. She didn't realize the class was over until other students began gathering their things around her.
"Miss Williams, may I have a word?" Professor Fox asked distractedly. She made her way to the front of the lecture hall and the nervousness began to cloud around her. She was specifically instructed to maintain a low profile, and knew that arguing the teacher's lecture was exactly the opposite of that notion.
"You wanted to see me?" She asked cautiously.
"I was impressed with your knowledge today, you just transferred here, correct?"
"Thank you, and yes I did."
"Not much for small talk I see?" He said with a smirk.
"Is that what this is? Small talk?" She said with a raise of the eyebrow.
"Well it was a failed attempt, clearly. I look forward to having you in my class this semester. Make sure you study up on some more of that conventional wisdom of yours for Wednesday's class." He said with a mischievous smile before making his exit.
Scully stood in the front of the class, completely enthralled by the fascinating professor. She knew she had to remain detached from anyone she met during this case, but was finding that task more difficult as the first day passed.
She made her way to her next class, which happened to be a Biology lab. As she situated herself at table, she noticed the professor walk in with a group of coeds following and giggling to themselves. Scully assessed the man, and acknowledged the obvious physical attributes that he had, but was genuinely puzzled about the friendliness of the teachers at this University. Her lab partner sat next to her, and she let out a heavy sigh, knowing this was going to be her first true test to blend into her cover.
"The teachers are very friendly here, huh?" She said lightly, nodding towards Professor Johnson in the front of class, flirtatiously smiling at the students.
"You must be new here." She said sarcastically. "It's been rumored that Johnson has dabbled in the student pool a few times. He's definitely not the only one. There's a new criminal psych teacher that's new this semester but already has some stories to his name. Don't even get me started on the theater folk." She said as Scully chuckled.
"Well thanks for the info, I am new here, actually. I'm Katherine." She said as she extended her hand.
"Name's Riley. Where you from, fresh meat?"
"Nowhere near here. I'm from San Diego, just transferred this semester. I'm part of the pre-med program."
"Look at you, Einstein. I'm just in this class as a requirement, so don't mind me if I copy your notes, oh, every class." She teased. Scully smiled, enjoying the conversation. She didn't talk to many people during her college years, and took the opportunity to do things differently. "Hey, you busy tonight?"
"Uh, no, this is my last class today, so I'm free after that."
"Perfect, come check me out tonight at the club just off campus. I'm the bartender, I'll hook you up, keep you refreshed." Riley teased.
"Oh, uh, sure. Sounds like fun." Scully answered timidly. She knew she should be blending in, and hoped she didn't blow her cover in anyway. This assignment was definitely more challenging than she originally anticipated.
That evening, when it came time for Scully to make her way to the club, her nerves began to take over. She didn't know if she could pull this off, and didn't have any reinforcements to help. She rummaged through her closet, trying to find something that would deem club appropriate. She pulled out a lower cut top, fitted black jeans, and left her hair in somewhat of a natural curly mess. She sighed before heading out of her small dorm room.
Just as she was making her way off campus, she passed the semi-open door of Professor Fox's classroom and peered inside. She could see him talking with a female student, and crept closer. She knew the MO of the perp that they were trying to catch, and couldn't imagine that he could be that guy, but the sight before her set the doubt in her mind. As he leered at the student, her stomach began to turn, thinking this innocent girl could be his next victim.
"Professor Fox, I didn't realize you were still he-" She said, interrupting their private conversation. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."
"No, no, it's okay. Leslie here just had some questions about our first assignment." He said calmly, the other student seeming annoyed.
"Oh, that's what I was coming to ask about as well, but I can wait to address my questions during actual office hours."
"We were just heading out." He said gesturing to Leslie to exit the classroom. She scoffed and stomped out of the class. He gathered his things and began make his way towards the door where Scully was standing. "So you had a question?" He asked, standing in her personal space.
"I seem to have forgotten it now, again, sorry for bothering you."
"Rescuing me, actually. Leslie is a very, persistent, student." He said carefully.
"It didn't appear like you felt you needed rescuing." She said as her eyebrow began to rise. They were walking slowly through the halls, towards the parking lot in the front of the school.
"I see your criminal investigative skills are better already, my class really does do wonders." He teased.
"Oh, of course." She said sarcastically. "I'm sorry for bothering you again, I'll see you in class Wednesday." She said as she made her way in the opposite direction.
"See you then, Miss Williams." He said as he waved at their parting. "Oh, and you look very nice tonight." He said turning before she could see the full smirk on his face. Color instantly rose to her cheeks, and she bit her lip to hide her own smile. This case was getting more interesting by the minute.
Scully entered the club, and glanced around to find Riley. She spotted her at the bar, and fought her way through the crowd.
"Einstein! You made it! What are you drinking?" Riley asked as she was making several other orders.
"I'm actually good, just a soda for tonight." She said timidly.
"Alright goody goody, coming right up." She teased with a chuckle.
Scully scanned her surroundings, making visual notes of the scene. She noticed several fully wasted students, but none that seemed too inebriated to function. She was broken from her mental investigation by the ringing of her phone. She recognized the fake name, and excused herself to take the call outside.
"Hello?"
"Agent Scully, are you in a safe place to talk?" Edwards asked. She separated herself further from the crowd, and walked around the back of the club.
"I am now, yes. What's up?"
"We were just calling to see how your first day went. See if anything or anyone peaked your interest."
"Well, uh, there are several professors that are rather friendly with their coed students, but none that are standing out as criminal. I'm actually at the club that two of the victims were last seen at, so I'm hoping to find something that can give us a stronger lead."
"Perfect, sounds like you're already doing better than the other 3 agents we have inside. Give us a call tomorrow with an update, don't have too much fun." He teased. She chuckled as she hung up the phone, making her way back inside.
She situated herself at the bar again, and made casual conversation with Riley as she worked. Scully remained scanning the room, until she noticed something that looked suspicious on the other side of the club. There was a girl who seemed to be falling over out of her seat, and her friends were trying to wake her up. She began to make her way over to the area, and stopped in her tracks as she saw Professor Fox come in to the rescue. She held back slightly, hiding in the crowd that began to gather around the scene, and watched the events unfold.
He gathered the student up in his arms, and frantically made his way out to his car. He notified those following him that he would drive her to the hospital, and Scully was immediately on high alert. She phoned in to the agents, making them aware of the situation, and they instructed her not to follow because it could blow her cover. She was frustrated, but they assured her that they would be on his detail. She let out a heavy sigh and ended her evening early, already exhausted from her first day.
Wednesday morning, Scully reluctantly made her way to her criminal psych class, not sure about what to expect. She was puzzled when she spotted Professor Fox situating his belongings in the front of the lecture hall, preparing for the day. She hadn't spoken with anyone from the outside team, and felt completely in the dark about the current situation.
"Alright class, we have a new lesson today, going to change some things up." He said with a slight annoyance in his voice. "Today we divulge into the mind of serial rapists." He said sternly.
The class began to mutter amongst themselves, already hearing about the events that transpired the few nights before. Scully's breath caught in her throat, and she had to swallow the gasp before it escaped. She was curious as to what game he was playing, but knew she couldn't be thrown off her own now.
He began to preach his lesson, leaving no room for questioning. His delivery was intense, and the class fell silent almost immediately. He paused, the anger rising in his eyes, and asked if anyone had questions. She could sense the fury flowing through him, and knew she needed answers, fast. No one participated, terrified of the current state of their normally laid back teacher, so he dismissed class early. He angrily grabbed his things, and flew out of the classroom before some of the students even had a chance to catch their breath.
"Hey, it's Agent Scully, what the hell happened the other night? I haven't heard from anyone." She asked quietly as she made her way back to her dorm.
"Nothing, the guy took her to the hospital, and she's had a guard since then. We were actually going to call you, we hope you can find something in her blood that can help us pinpoint what the bastard is using on them." Rodriguez answered passively.
"Of course. Just send the samples to the lab and I'll take a look. Wait, did you say he brought her in?" She asked incredulously.
"Yeah, he drove her straight here, so we were able to get the blood reserved right away. He wasn't our guy, just someone doing the right thing."
"Huh, he just seemed - off, today."
"You've been in contact with the guy that brought her in?"
"Oh, he's one of the professors of the classes I'm assigned to, why?"
"No reason, we didn't know his connection, thanks for the insight, let us know as soon as you have results." Rodriguez said before disconnecting the call quickly. Scully looked at her phone puzzled by the conversation, but shrugged it off, knowing she had a busy afternoon ahead of her.
As she made her way to the lab, Riley came running up beside her.
"Hey Einstein, class is the other way." She teased.
"Oh, yeah, I have an assignment for my pre-med program that I'm already falling way behind on, so I'm just using the free lab. You might actually have to pay attention today." Scully teased.
"Alright fine, but don't expect to copy my notes." Riley joked back before making her way towards their shared class.
Scully let out a heavy sigh, proud of her ability to maintain her cover. She entered the empty lab, and found the samples waiting for her. She began to investigate the blood, and run her tests. When she received the results, she couldn't believe the amount of drugs mixed together to create the cocktail that was attacking these women.
"Agent Scully, what do you have for us?" Edwards said, answering the phone.
"Something, I hope. I ran the toxicology reports, and it's amazing that girl even made it to the hospital alive. I already faxed over the report to you guys, so you can see for yourself. Based on the rate it hit her system, she would have had to digest them in either her food or her drinks."
"This is all great, we'll have our other lab tech look these reports over, and follow up with you tomorrow. Great job Agent Scully, this could be one of the first major breaks in this case." He said before disconnecting the call.
She stood in the lab, feeling prideful in her work. After hours on her feet, she was ready to head back to her small space of solitude. She began to pack up her things, not hearing someone enter from the back of the room.
"Miss Williams, I missed you in my class today." Professor Johnson said as he leaned against the frame of the door.
"Oh, sorry, I, uh, had a project that I needed to finish. I'll make sure to get the notes from another student." She said softly, gathering her things quicker, beginning to feel uneasy.
"I could always extend my office hours if you have any questions." He said smoothly.
"Thanks, I'll let you know if I need the extra help." She said as she approached the door to exit. He made no move to unblock the entry way, and her fear rose.
"Leaving so quickly?" He asked, stepping towards her.
"I, uh, need to get started on some homework for my other classes. I-" She stammered.
"Miss Williams, Johnson, how are you both doing this fine afternoon?" Professor Fox said, seeming lighter than his earlier mood.
"Samuel Fox, what brings you to this side of the campus?" Johnson asked slightly annoyed. Scully exhaled heavily with relief.
"I told you, call me Sam. I was just roaming around the halls, having some extra time on my hands. I didn't mean to bother you." He said, flashing a smirk at Scully, recalling their conversation the evening she walked in on him talking with Leslie. She smiled slightly back at him, bowing her head.
"No bother, Sam, we were just finishing up. Excuse me." Johnson said as he exited the lab uncomfortably.
"Sorry for interrupting." He teased.
"Rescuing, actually." She said softly.
"Yeah, I could sense you were a little uncomfortable. He definitely lives up to his reputation, usually his prospects aren't so resilient. I think you threw him off his game." He said as he bumped her shoulder with his. She let out a small chuckle, and finally turned her head up to face him.
"I would like to think there's a compliment in there somewhere."
"Oh, definitely. You've been impressing me since your first day here."
"Wow, a whole 3 days, huh?" She teased. "Thanks, though." She said shyly. She immediately sobered, knowing she needed to get as far away from this situation before she repeated her past mistakes.
In med school, it was her mentor that she fell head over heels for, and his love for her was intense. It wasn't until he began to control her life, thinking he knew what was best for her, that she felt smothered. She ran, as far away as she could, which is eventually how she ended up with the FBI. It was there that she met Jack Willis, and again, fell to her old habits. That relationship was freshly healing, and she felt this case was the perfect thing to get her away from the mess she created back at Quantico. She wouldn't allow herself to fall for another superior, especially while undercover on an active case.
"You alright there?" He said, nudging her again with his arm. She didn't even realize they were walking in the direction of her dorm until he broke her from her thoughts.
"Yeah, sorry. Sometimes my mind tends to wander. Thank you, again, for tonight." She said before flashing him a small smile and briskly making her way to her dorm. He stood there, watching the tiny redhead hurry off shyly, knowing he was already going to find himself in trouble with her.
When she first spoke up in his class, he was instantly captivated by her mind, and her subtle beauty. He knew he was trudging on dangerous waters, seeking more of a contact with her, but he found himself mesmerized, and unable to stay away. He let out a heavy sigh as he made his way back to his car, conflicted about his feelings. It wasn't until his phone rang that he came back to the real world.
"Yeah?"
"Agent Mulder, we were just calling to check in, could you stop by the apartment on your way home?" Hahn asked.
"Yeah, sure, I'll be there soon." He said before disconnecting the call. He settled himself in the car, staring ahead with his hands on the wheel, not moving. He knew it was against every rule in the book to become involved with someone during a case, even more so as he was a professor, and she was a student. Fox Mulder let out a heavy sigh, unaware of how complex this undercover assignment was about to become.