Act II – Sourdough

Captain Impala took them to the small motel where they were staying and told them he would take them round to meet the necessary people in the morning. He mentioned they could get some food at the bar two buildings down or the restaurant on the other side of Calqueg. After tipping his hat to Scully, Captain Vee left them alone—finally.

"I'm hungry, Scully. Let's put our things away and check the bar out. We could get a few beers since we won't be driving!" Mulder smiled goofily. Scully tried to look sour, but the flirtations of the lawman seemed to have lightened her mood. He wished he could do that. Everything he did just seemed to irritate her lately.

"Alright." She agreed and they went to their separate, non-adjoining rooms.

Mulder wasn't expecting a 5 star hotel and he didn't get one. However, it was clean and most times that is way more important than the little mints on your pillow. He hung up his suits, checked his hair and brushed his teeth. They both had dressed casually knowing that they were getting in late and wouldn't start working until tomorrow. It was a good thing that they had brought more casual clothes than usual because the brisk wind would cut right through their business fabric and it looked like they were hoofing it without their car. When he came out, Scully was waiting for him.

The slow smile crept across his face as he watched his petite redheaded partner leaning against a light pole in her jeans, cute boots and warm coat. Underneath, she was wearing a ski lodge type sweater that made him wish he could lap warm cocoa from between her breasts all night long.

Mulder accepted years ago that he was in love with her. He was okay with that and knew she loved him too. However, after all they had been through they were still afraid that being together physically would cause the universe to reduce to a singularity, killing all life as they know it. Mulder recognized that the thought was foolish. The Consortium couldn't do much more to them. Why wait? He was determined to approach the subject tonight and give her a chance to think about it while they worked the case.

He knew he was taking a risk. It was possible that giving Scully time to think will only allow her to come up with enough excuses why they shouldn't, but he sensed a shift in their relationship a year ago. He was too chicken shit to say anything until now, but she wasn't shying away from his occasional touches anymore and even joined in with his raunchy humor. He thought she was ready—they both were.

XXXXXXXX

The two agents blew into the The Oosik, the only bar in town. Mulder found out later what the word meant. It was the name of the bone of the walrus penis. The Alaskan Travel Industry gave out the Oosik Award to the advertiser that made the biggest gaffe of the year. Last year it went to a company whose phone number typo sent their customers to a phone sex hotline. Mulder found it humorous that the only drinking establishment was basically called 'The Boner'. What did that say about its regulars?

No surprise, there weren't many women in there so the entrance of Scully caused quite a stir. At first it was a collective hush. Scully's pale and classic features were enough to strike a man speechless—he knew that from experience, but then the typical male locker room talk began. It was quiet at first, but it got loud enough for some to filter into their booth. Scully was trying not to blush—and failing.

"I can't believe men still behave like this." Scully spoke into her beer. "Did you ever talk bawdy about women when you were younger?"

Mulder didn't know what to say. He and the Lone Gunmen still talked like that when watching porn or looking at magazines. Somehow, he thought it wouldn't be wise to admit that right now. "Uh, I'm much too enlightened to debase a beautiful woman like that." That earned the stink eye from his partner. Oops—busted. He tried to salvage the situation. "Think of it like a compliment. They find you so attractive that they are considering ways to express their enjoyment of your physical attributes."

"Really, Mulder?" She sipped beer. Only Scully could find a way to drink beer sarcastically.

"Let's just eat." The waitress came over and they both ordered burgers. The talk had died down especially after the two men that tried to approach her got an eyeful of Mulder's gun on his hip. He had uncovered his sweater a little so it would show.

That was why the man who slipped into their booth—right next to Scully almost bought the big one. She gasped in surprise as her slight form was forcibly moved over and a tall blond man took her place. "Who the hell are you? Get away from my partner!" Mulder almost pulled his piece.

Scully noticed that he had instinctively reached for his weapon and put a calming hand on his arm. "Excuse me…" She said as she turned to view her assailant and her eyes got incredibly wide. "Cole? Colsyn Bane? Is that really you?"

"It sure is, darlin'! Dana Scully, I haven't seen you in over a decade! What are the chances that I would meet you again in run down bar on the back 40? How have you been?" Colsyn Bane pulled Scully to him and they hugged tightly for a long time.

For Mulder, it was too long. Obviously, they knew each other and Scully looked happy to see him, but he was still considering using his service weapon on the man. What are the chances that two men from a remote part of Alaska, a state that isn't even connected to the rest of the country, knew Dana Scully? Slim and none, that what those odds were. This smelled like a set up.

"Cole, I can't believe it is really you! I'm fine. How about yourself? What are you doing here in Calqueg?"

The man's green eyes sparkled with pleasure. "I could ask you the same question. I live here. Actually, I came to this town right after we broke up 12 years ago." He took her hand. "I had to drown my sorrows after screwing up the best thing that I ever had and becoming a hobo wasn't quite my style. It must be fate that we meet again." Cole placed a small kiss on her knuckles.

Mulder's irritation was blossoming into righteous anger. This woman was his and some yellow-haired roughneck wasn't waltzing in and taking his place. He stuck out a hand forcing the other man to release Scully. "Hello, we haven't met. My name is Mulder. Special Agent Mulder. You are?" Cole looked indignant and just like Captain V for Victory, he stared at his hand for a few beats. What's with this staring thing? Is it some sort of initiation or don't they shake hands out in the back country?

Scully salvaged the moment. "Um...Cole, this is my partner, Fox Mulder."

"Partner?" The blond frowned even deeper at Mulder's hand, but shook it, slowly. "You two are a couple?"

Scully shook her head. "Not that way. We are FBI agents sent to investigate the disappearances."

Mulder could actually hear his heart tear at that comment. She was his partner—in every way, but one. If this guy messes up his chance to win her completely…god help him. Blond boy's timing couldn't have been worse. Not only was he an old boyfriend, but from the glow on Scully's face, not a bad memory either. Shit.

"You, Dana, are an FBI agent?" Cole looked between them. "I thought you wanted to be a doctor."

"I am a doctor. I'm a pathologist and a field agent."

The man smiled. "I always knew you could do anything you put your mind to. Are you married? Children?"

Mulder wanted to smack him for that comment reminding her of Emily, but Scully was taking the reminders of children and her barrenness in stride these days. She powered through.

"No to either. How about you? What is your story?"

"I can say 'no', squared, to a wife and family. Didn't seem to have the time. I work on a nearby farm. I can't say that I did anything with my veterinary degree, but I help with some of the animal's medical needs on occasion. Most of all, I found peace up here among the sourdoughs. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else."

"I'm glad, Cole—really. I know you were struggling to find your way. I'm happy you found it."

"That's why we broke up, wasn't it? You couldn't live with my indecisive personality. I remember you told me that you wouldn't care if I washed windows as long that is what I wanted to do with my life." Cole looked into Scully's peacock blue eyes. "I know I drove you away, but the universe is giving me another chance or you wouldn't be here." Cole looked at his watch. "Dang. I'm going to have to leave soon— I have an early morning, but I want to see you again. When are you free?"

Scully looked nervously at Mulder. The best he could do was wear that mask he wore all those years before he let his love for her show through. He dusted it off for this occasion and plastered it on. He could never force Scully to do anything she didn't want to and the last thing he wanted was a pity fuck. She belonged to him or he would do without. He already knew that he lost this round due to unforeseen circumstances, however the war wasn't over.

"Mulder and I have some work to do, but I'm sure when nighttime comes, we will have to stop. We can talk then."

Cole smiled widely. "It's a date. 8pm here, tomorrow night?"

"Sure. I can't promise that something won't come up, but I'll try to get word to you if it does. Sometimes my job is unpredictable." Scully glanced unconsciously at Mulder who said nothing.

"That's okay. Just promise me no matter what, you won't leave Calqueg without seeing me again."

"I promise." Scully grinned as Cole kissed her hand again and left the booth with a nod at Mulder.

XXXXXXXX

Their food came and they ate in virtual silence. Mulder's burger tasted like ashes. This whole trip was going sideways and he had to find some way of regaining control. When the waitress removed their plates, he felt he had to say something.

"I guess we all have a past life—don't we? You and this Cole used to go out?" Scully must have been feeling guilty because she didn't look at him.

"Yes. It was some time ago. We broke up right before I joined the FBI."

"Quite the coincidence that not only does Captain Impala know you, but now you meet an old flame. What are the odds of two men from your past, working in the same remote Alaskan town of 300 people where you happened to have been assigned a case all the way from D.C.? What would you say the chances of that happening by circumstance are, Scully?"

She focused her blue eyes on him. "Are you saying this is some sort of trap?"

"It could be. I might just be the Consortium up to their old tricks. Either way, we need to watch our backs and don't trust anyone. Especially Cole."

"You don't know if he is a part of this!" Scully nearly screeched as she whispered. "He could be an innocent bystander."

"He has been here for 12 years, Scully. Captain Impala hasn't been here that long. Someone wanted you to run into Cole, specifically. Don't trust him." She opened her mouth to object and then closed it. Scully was stubborn, but they both have seen too much to take anything at face value anymore.

"I'll be careful."

"That's all I ask." Mulder paid the bill and stood up. He saw Colsyn Bane watching him from across the room, then quickly turning away. Yeah, something was wrong here and whatever it was revolved around Scully.