A/N - This is an almost cross-over with The Lone Gunmen. Munch was actually on an episode of X-Files entitled "The Usual Suspects". During that episode he interviewed the Gunmen on an incident involving Agent Mulder. This story is courtesy of my pet "What If?" plot bunny. What if Munch had stayed in contact with the Gunmen? Warning, no beta has read this, proceed at your own risk.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Though I like to pretend that Munch is mine. Please don't ruin my delusion. I'm happier this way ;).

Stupid paperwork.

Fin sighed as he surveyed the small mountain of files and papers that adorned his desk. He reached for the cup of coffee that sat on his desk, took a sip and immediately wished he hadn't. He spat the cold, murky liquid back into the cup.

"Liv made that pot. Doesn't have half the shelf life that mine does."

Fin glared at his partner. "Yeah? Well if a certain detective had decided to help his partner out with these reports instead of sitting on his lazy, bony ass," Fin threw an accusatory look Munch's way, "I wouldn't have needed coffee."

Munch looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "Not my fault you decided to go home early the past couple of days." He looked at Fin over the rims of his glasses. "Reap what ye sow." Munch settled back to reading his paper. "Besides, I had to get rides from Huang. Look somewhere else for sympathy."

Fin rolled his eyes, and went to the replace the cup of poisonous java. On his way back, he looked over Munch's shoulder and glanced at the paper his partner was reading.

"'Alien Abductions: Your Tax Dollars at Work,'" Fin read aloud. "What the hell are you reading now, John?"

"An in-depth expose on the secret program whose sole mission is to invade our privacy." Munch pointed at the article in question. "This guy, who is being called "Adam" was taken from his home, wired to a computer, and had his whole life re-written for him, courtesy of a bunch of scientists."

Fin sat back at his desk. "Uh, huh. If it was so damn secret how did," he leaned over to look at the by-line, "Melvin Frohike find out?"

"Apparently "Adam" escaped, and convinced himself that he was a victim of an alien abduction, and contacted the author of this finely written article."

"Finely written article? Wait a minute, Munch. Please don't tell me you know this guy."

"As a matter of fact, I do. I've met all three writers to the Lone Gunmen."

"The Lone Gunmen? That's the name of the rag you're reading?" Fin took a sip of his fresh coffee. "Why can't you just read the Examiner like anyone else?"

Munch crossed his arms. "For one thing, only about five percent of the stuff you read in the Examiner is true, and then nothing is substantiated. And two," he gestured to the paper, "I know these guys. What they print can be taken as gospel, and they always have proof."

"How the hell do you get proof of a secret government program?"

"Contacts. Usually contacts in various positions in the system."

Fin studied his partner for a minute. Deliberately he said, "Within the system. Like the FBI."

Munch nodded.

"Or the police force."

Munch smiled.

Fin sighed, and pushed the report he had been working on to side. "So," he said, looking at his partner, "you gonna fill me in, or is this I'd-tell-you-but-then-I'd-have-to-kill-you kind of stuff?"

"Nothing like that. But," Munch's grin turned slightly wicked, "how far down the rabbit hole are you willing to go?"

Fin glared at him. "Don't give me that blue pill/red pill crap. Tell me your story or let me get back to my report."

"Fine. It started back when I was still in Baltimore..."

A/N - Let me know how you like it. I have a couple of notions on how to continue this, but for right now I'm considering this a one-shot. If I get enough positive feedback, I'll keep going. Cheers!