Hey guys! This story is set around a month after FTF. Let me know what you think and if you want me to continue writing or not. If keep getting positive response then I will post a chapter everyday, so please comment and feel free to give suggestions!

Skinner stared wearily at the two young agents in front of him. One a small redhead dressed professionally with a black skirt and navy blazer. Her blue eyes bright and the remanent of frost bite still visible on her pale cheeks. It had only been a month since his agents return from Antarctica. He sighed as he looked towards the other agent. Tall and confidence, Mulder favored the right side of his chair, the side closest to Scully. He knew the news he was about to deliver would not go over well.

"Agents now that you are off the X-files the VCU has requested Agent Mulder's assistance on a case."

"Sir-" Scully started but was shut off by Mulder's hand on her arm.

"I won't do it." Mulder said never losing eye contact with Skinner.

"Agent Mulder this is not something I can get you out of. Trust me." Skinner said remembering the rowdy conversation he had early so that morning. "Besides, if you impress them I could try to use that as leverage." Skinner said hating himself for what he was doing to the two agents.

"What's the case." Mulder said crossing his arms over his chest. Skinner tried not to let the nervousness show on his face as he slid the file across the table. Mulder took one look before throwing the file down on the table and bolting from his chair to begin pacing the office.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me?" Mulder shouted at Skinner as Scully picked up the case file. Skinner ignored the death glare from Scully as she stood to go over to Mulder.

"This has got to be some kind of joke!" Mulder exclaimed at whatever look Scully had just given him.

"Mulder, Skinner's right, this could help us get the X-files back." Scully said trying to calm him down.

"Fine!" Mulder shouted slamming his hands down on Skinner's desk as he sat back down. "But Scully's not going."

"Don't be ridiculous, Mulder." Scully said as she sat back down next to him.

"Agent Scully has been requested on this case as well." Skinner said trying to ignore the pained look in Mulder's eyes. Skinner had gone through his own moment of panic at the thought of having to tell Mulder to investigate a serial killer who was after red headed women between the ages of about 20 to 35.

"I don't want her on it." Mulder said not looking at his partner. "They only want her on it so she can play babysitter. To be like Patterson, to keep me from falling off the edge."

"Mulder, I am your partner and I want to help these women. Obviously no one else is getting any progress." Scully said her voice a mix of hurt and anger.

Mulder watched as the two stared at each other before Mulder angrily pushed back his chair and slammed the door on the way out.

"Your flight leaves at 4:38 AM tomorrow morning." Skinner said handing Scully the plane tickets not missing the icy gaze in her eyes.

Skinner was getting ready for bed when he was startled by a knock on his door, and even more surprised to see Mulder standing on the other side.

"Sir may I come in?" Mulder asked obviously straining to keep his voice level.

Skinner stepped back to let him in. "What is Mulder?" Skinner said obviously looking at his watch.

"Scully can't be on this case."

"Mulder I am not going to stand here and listen to this. She is a trained and professional agent and has every right to be on this case." Skinner said obviously annoyed.

"You don't understand." Mulder began, running a hand through his messy hair. "You don't know how I get on these cases."

"Then enlighten me."

"I have to become the killer. I turn into them and- and I can't always control my actions." Mulder finished unable to meet Skinner's eyes.

"What are you saying?" Skinner said eyeing his agent.

"If Scully's coming with me on this then she needs protection." Mulder said looking at Skinner harshly.

"She will be surrounded by plenty of agents I find it highly unlikely that the killer would-"

"From me." Mulder finished his voice low. Skinner stared at Mulder unable to hide his shock.

"Why don't you go read my files from when I was in VCU. Then you can tell me if you think it's a good idea for Scully to be on this case." Mulder growled before slamming Skinners door on his way out.

The next morning Mulder and Scully sat against the hard chairs at the Washington D.C. airport both holding cups of hot coffee.

"Scully I need you to look at something before you decide to get on that plane with me." Mulder said pulling out a file. The thought of Scully seeing him become a killer made him cringe. He couldn't let her go through that. He had almost lost her again a month ago and the thought of putting her back into danger made him sick. Scully grabbed the file and flipped through it. It was Mulder's file listing his actions during his time with the VCU. He had injured multiple other agents when working these cases as well as taken part in some controversial activities.

"Mulder what am I looking at?" Scully asked in confusion.

"When I become the killer I can't control my behavior Scully. Do you see the problem? The killer has a fascination with raping and murdering redheads." He held her icy gaze with his dark one. Scully shivered at what he was implying.

"That's crazy Mulder, you can't say that you would actually DO that…" She trailed off.

"No but I can become violent and take on components of the killer unconsciously. I'm dangerous Scully."

"Mulder, I'm worried about you on this case. We are partners and I will be there for you no matter what. I won't let you go into the darkness alone." She said placing her hand on his arm. At that moment Skinner cleared his throat causing the agents to jump in surprise.

"Skinner?" Mulder asked in disbelief.

"I'm coming with you." Skinner said holding up his boarding pass. "I decided Scully might need a little help keeping you under control."

Mulder gave Skinner a look of thanks as they began boarding the flight.

They all sat on the same row with Mulder by the window, Scully in the middle, and Skinner on the aisle. They spent the first hour going over details of the case before deciding to get some rest before landing. Mulder had continued looking over the file when he felt a weight against his shoulder. Scully had fallen asleep and was leaning slightly against him. It wasn't an unusual behavior for them on flights, but he felt his heart beat a little faster than it usually did during these moments. He couldn't get their near kiss out of his mind, but knew they couldn't cross that line. He did everything he could to make sure that their relationship never went passed that of friends, but the line had been blurry lately. He tried to push those thoughts away as he reached down to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

I almost lost her, he thought before clenching his jaw and looking up surprised to see Skinner watching him. Mulder awkwardly cleared his throat and looked back down to the case.

"I tried to get you out of this." Skinner said looking at him with, could that be compassion?

"I appreciate it." Mulder said sighing. "I left the VCU for a reason."

"I know." Skinner said glancing at Scully. She looked so small and young while sleeping and could hardly believe someone had let her become an FBI agent.

"How is she doing?" Skinner asked surprising Mulder.

"She's um alright. I mean she's been through a lot lately, she-" Mulder unconsciously glanced at her memories of Antarctica rushing back. "I won't let them get away with what they did to her." He said his voice suddenly so filled with rage that Skinner was taken aback.

"I hope you know that I had an interesting time trying to explain your expense report from your trip to see snow." Skinner said causing Mulder to smirk.

"Goodm give em hell." Mulder said before burying himself back into the case file.