A/N: This is the first time in a while I've been on here. Work, school, and everything else that could possibly put more stress in my life have happened, so why not blow off some steam by writing... I wish I could say I'll try to update regularly, but I'm gonna have to stop making promises I can't keep.

Rating: I'm keeping it at a solid T-M for now, but mostly because of language. Do not fret, though, because later chapters will definitely have some smut. Also for any of those who have had experiences with sexual assault, or anything of that nature, there will be some discussion of it in here, so just a little TW there for you.

Spoilers: Well I'm only on season 4 of The X-files (God help me this show has destroyed my social life), so there isn't anything too specific I'm drawing on. Probably taking place in around 2006 or so...slightly A/U as Mulder and Scully aren't together yet.

Summary: Fear, betrayal, and love await Scully and Mulder when they are called into a small Texas town to investigate a series of violent assaults and murders. What starts out as a routine investigation soon turns into a life altering saga that could tear them apart. *Also, the murders have something to do with the title, so prepare yourselves.

I'm keeping it vague for now because I have no idea where I'm gonna take this story. Anyway I really hope you enjoy, guys, and as always pretty please leave a review!

Thursday, August 18, 2006

6:30 P.M.

Harlton, Texas

Ranch of Wyatt Grant

There was nothing particularly beautiful about the day. The sky was an ocean of light blue, whips of creamy clouds mixed into it like a colorful drink mother nature had prepared herself. Wyatt Grant sat peacefully on his front porch, his calloused feet propped up on the creaky wooden chair his grandfather had carved himself way back when.

Wyatt knew he shouldn't be feeling this lonely. He should have a woman next to him. She didn't have to be the prettiest or skinniest of them all, either. She just had to be a living, breathing human with a heart and soul who loved him just as much as he loved her. Alas, the porch remained empty, his labored breathing and the distant noises of the cattle keeping him sane.

Wyatt knew that was his own fault. He'd been given the opportunity several times, but every time he always ended screwing up. He'd smile like a toothy fifth grader, and shuffle his feet shyly. The women would always politely smile, but he could always sense the uncertainty in their eyes perhaps because of how he looked.

It scared him that he would probably live the rest of his life alone like this, much like the cattle he was raising, being brought up only to eventually be slaughtered, and for what? His life was a pointless mess, and for a second he considered getting his rifle from his living room.

He shook his head softly, a smile playing at his lips. No, not today, He thought to himself. I don't want to die when there's nothing particularly beautiful. I want to die on the most beautiful day Texas has ever seen. Sighing contently, Wyatt leaned back and closed his eyes.

Monday, August 29, 2006

5:30 P.M.

Washington D.C.

Mikes Furniture and Appliance Warehouse

"How 'bout this color?" Jack Donnelly swung around with the purple drapes in his arms, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

"Jack, that doesn't exactly go with the color scheme I already have planned out," Scully quipped, raising her eyebrows. "I told you blue, or cream. Something neutral and-"

"Boring?" He asked, raising his eyebrows just like she was. Scowling, Scully yanked the drapes away from him and tossed them back onto the rack.

"It's a no from me," Scully said flatly. Jack chuckled lightly, and slipped his arm around Scully's small waist.

"Fine, we'll find you some pretty blue curtains. How's that sound?" He kissed her cheek gently and nudged her with his elbow.

"That sounds like the original plan, but since some people have to insist on purple curtains..."

"Not my fault you insist on the most dull colors in the store..."

"I like my house to look nice," Scully responded. "And organized. I don't have time to plan out some fancy elaborate floor plan like some people." She suddenly ducked under his arm, and pointed excitedly at a rack of blue curtains. "Those! Those are the curtains some people like!" Jack tilted his head back and let out the laugh that always sent Scully into intense giggles. Soon, the two of them were leaning on each other for support, clutching their stomachs from laughing too hard.

"Dana, for the three months we've been seeing each other that's the most excited I've ever seen you." He wiped his eyes. "And because of curtains." Another fit of laughter abounded, and soon an older employee approached them, and asked them if they needed anything.

"Uhm, yeah," Scully sputtered out, a laugh still lodged in her throat. "I'm just looking for some blue curtains."

"Or purple..." Scully willed herself not to laugh, but less than three seconds after Jack had whispered the comment about purple in her ear, she felt like her eyes were going to pop out of her head.

"Ma'am?" The employee questioned. Scully knew she must look like she was about to throw up, so she let her hysterics take over again, walking away from the employee with Jack beside her. She knew there was no way she would get anything done today, not with Jack around.

That's what Scully liked so much about Jack. His goofy, carefree attitude towards life, his charm and humor, the way his smile could light up her night. It was frightening how fast she was falling for him, and though she knew it bothered her a little, she knew it bothered a certain someone even more.

When she had first told Mulder about Jack, he seemed relatively okay about it. Maybe he thought it wasn't going to go as far as he planned, but so far the three months Scully had been with Jack had been the best of her life. Everyday was a ticking time capsule, waiting for his text or phone call that made her whole day a million times better. But she noticed the happier she got, the more miserable Mulder seemed to become. It irritated her slightly to know that her happiness was aggravating him so much that he barely looked at her anymore. She missed him, a lot, but every time she tried to bring it up, he'd shoot her down in a voice that trembled so much with either fear or anger, she had no choice but to stop immediately.

"Dana," Jack jogged to catch up with her. She was now heading towards her car in the parking lot, the afternoon sun sending an array of red lights over her. "Dana, stop." His voice sounded so stern and so severe, so she did as she was told. Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt his cool hand trace down her neck all the way down to her wrist. A shiver erupted through her body, the skin under his fingers quivered from his touch. "The light hits you so well here," he whispered, reaching into his coat pocket to grab his phone.

Photography. The one thing overall that Dana adored about Jack was his photography. It wasn't like he was a world renowned specialist or anything, he took the pictures on his fucking phone for God's sake, but they were always the most beautifully inspiring pictures. It gave her a warm gooey feeling inside, a feeling she never felt with anyone else.

Monday, August 29, 2006

9:56 P.M.

Washington D.C.

Apartment of Fox Mulder

Stupid. Mulder screwed up his face in frustration as he tried with his whole being to not go there, to picture her splayed out beneath him in ecstasy, but he did. It was a problem he'd been having more often than not. Before Scully he'd thought about sex about 17 hours a day, but now he dreamt about sex, too, so he was pretty much thinking about sex all hours of the day.

Stupid. Nothing had prepared him for the deep rooted, intense rage he had for this Jack Donnelly, and Mulder wanted nothing more than to drop Scully faster than a carton of rotting eggs. It wasn't worth his time, fighting for someone who was already swooped off her feet by mister perfect.

Stupid. It hit him like a ton of bricks only a few weeks before that maybe all the coy smiles and side glances she used to give him were more than he had initially thought. And he felt so utterly Stupid for not noticing it before. Maybe it was because these days Scully had less free time to grab drinks, but he'd been crammed in his apartment for so long that he thought he might as well retire. Cases were scarce, Skinner was busy. There was nothing much to do but to go to the office and come back home, left to think in his own hellish thoughts...all of which were about Dana.

He shifted uncomfortably on his couch, and flipped on a porno for what seemed like that thousandth time that day. It was upsetting that was what he was left to do with his time, and a flash of heat rolled through him at Scully for doing this to him. It passed as quickly as it had come, reassuring himself that she was finally happy and she deserved that. That demon on his shoulder reminded him that she would be much happier with him, and he suppressed the urge to prove it to her.

The familiar ringtone of his cellphone echoed around the living room overriding the faked moans from the tv screen. Mulder sighed, paused the show, and contemplated answering it before reminding himself that it was either talk to a whoever about God knows what, or watch a porno. The latter seemed slightly more enticing, but he pressed the answer button anyway.

"Mulder."

"Agent Mulder? This is Luke Dempsy from the Harlton, Texas Sheriff's Station." His voice sounded desperate and tired. Mulder sat up, and rubbed his eyes.

"What can I do for you Sheriff Dempsy?" Mulder asked, crossing every part of his body in hope that this was a case.

"Well, I've contacted the FBI, and they said this is where I could reach you. I-I know this may sound ridiculous, but something's happening in our town, something evil, unexplainable. We could really use your help, and they said you weren't busy lately, so I figured you might want to take a look." Sheriff Dempsy was one scared sonofabitch, Mulder knew that so far. His voice shook like a gun was being held against his head.

"I would Sheriff, but there is usually there can always be some sort of rational explanation to things that may seem far-fetched. Why don't you just tell me what's been going on and-"

"No." The Sheriff's curt voice cut him off. "I can't talk about it...it makes me sick to my stomach. I'll fax you the case files, but please Agent Mulder, this isn't a request. This is a demand. If you don't come out here, more people are going to die, and there is no way to stop it."

A/N: Alright, now we're on a role. Hope you guys enjoyed. Follow, Fav, or Review! It's always appreciated!