More Precious Than Rubies

by DreamboatAmy

Mulder and Scully head to Central California to investigate a murder with the same M.O. as the Alien Bounty Hunter. A strange occurrence in the morgue, however, turns the case into so much more. Set during late Season 4. Cancer Arc. UST. RST. Some OCC. Rating could change in future chapters. After many years of lurking, I'm so excited to be posting my first fic!

1. Chapter 1

Blessed is he who finds Wisdom.

For her profit is better than the profit of silver

And her gain better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

And nothing you desire compares with her.

Long life is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and honor.

Proverbs 3:15

Highway 58

San Luis Obispo County

They'd spent the last four years together, driving down back roads and chasing leads across the country. But for some reason, the view never looked more beautiful.

From the passenger seat of their Ford Taurus rental, Scully watched the sun as it slowly rose above the oak-dappled hills. The haze of morning mist was just starting to evaporate from the grassy fields along the highway.

"It's going to be a hot one today," she said.

"I hope you brought sunscreen," Mulder replied, as he cracked a sunflower seed between his teeth.

Noticing Scully's disapproving gaze, he shrugged and added sarcastically, "Breakfast of champions."

"Why didn't you eat something on the plane?" she asked.

"Didn't think of it," he said. "Besides… I didn't see you eat anything."

Scully blinked and bit her lip. Mulder had argued doggedly at the airport that she stay in D.C., given her current condition. But she told him she wasn't going to just sit at home and wait to die. The six-hour plane ride had been understandably tense.

After several seconds of frosty silence, she glanced down at the case file in her lap. The crime scene photos available showed the shingled façade of an old-timey honky-tonk called the Pozo Saloon. A string of trucks and motorcycles parked outside suggested it was a frequent haunt for cowboys and bikers.

"So, what are we doing here, Mulder? Something tells me it's not for the ambiance," Scully deadpanned.

"Oh, don't let the pictures fool you, Scully. The road through Pozo was once the main route from San Luis Obispo to the Central Valley, Bakersfield, and beyond," Mulder explained. "The Pozo Saloon served as the main watering hole for every farmer, rancher, and blacksmith around. During the Gold Rush days, it was a popular place for prospectors to relax and tell stories about the golden nugget that got away. In fact, some locals say if you listen closely, you can hear the rattle of miners' pans echoing from behind the bar."

Scully raised her eyebrow.

"So we're going on a ghost chase for verbose 49ers. Really, Mulder?" she said and shook her head disbelievingly. "That is just hokey … even for you."