Chapter Ten:
March 3.
Carson City, Nevada
University
8:10a.m.
She veered the car in the University parking lot relieved that they had exchanged their once overly large vehicle for a trusty Taurus. She was more comfortable driving it. At the Dealership she had grabbed the keys and informed Mulder that she would drive. He hadn't received much sleep the night before due to his nightmare. In an attempt to comfort him she had crawled in bed beside him and pulled him close to her. An hour later he finally succumbed to sleep; his head draped across her chest. However, during the night he would frequently awake and check her vitals making sure she was indeed alive.
She threw the car into park and fall back against the leather seat, her eyes scoping the surrounding area. There were several large maple trees that cornered the University. Their immense branches reaching heaven-bound; other then the few buds that thieved on the tiny twigs its soul was bare. She stole a glance at her sleeping partner. He appeared to be at peace.
She could still hear the distress in his voice as he screamed out her name. The way his body shook in turmoil as she pulled him out of the nightmare. Her cancer was already destroying him and she hadn't even died yet. How was he going to continue on when she passed? Even now the blame was clearly written across his face. How would she convey that this wasn't his fault? Once their connection was severed there would be no one left to save Fox Mulder other then himself. And knowing him as completely as she did; she knew he would never be able forgive himself for not saving her.
It was apparent that he cared deeply about her. Hell, she loved him with her whole heart. Even in the beginning of their partnership they shared an undeniable connection. Some spark of chemistry had been ignited several years ago when she entered that basement office for the first time. So naive and innocent; she hadn't a clue on the tribulations that awaited them. They established their trust in one another right away; during their first case in fact. He had sprawled himself on the motel floor and she had presumed a place in his bed. That is when he had told her about his sister. At the time she didn't believe the story, but she did believe in him and that had been enough. And now after traveling so far together they would be separated. Even the Bureau couldn't achieve that, though they had tried. They had still sought each other out. Through chaste phone calls or informal emails they communicated; even resolving to the occasional secret meeting. They were partners no matter what. And even with her death he would vow to never have another partner. He would never replace her.
"Mulder." She reached a hand out and brushed a few strands of mahogany away from his forehead. He stirred slightly. "We're here," she whispered as she watched his eyes slowly come open.
He sat up and rubbed his hands sparsely along his eyes rendering the sleep away. "The University?" He asked and she nodded.
They located Dr. Keats a short time later in a vacant classroom. He was a tall man with sandy hair and glasses that perched low on his nose. At the sound of the Agents entering the classroom he quickly glanced up. "Can I help you, folks?"
"I sure hope so," Scully regarded as she reach into her coat pocket and retrieved her badge. "Mulder and Scully from the FBI. We like to ask you a few questions."
The man took a moment to look over her identification; once satisfied he proceeded to pack up his belongings. Shoving a few books into his briefcase he asked, "What is this regarding?"
"The death of Sara Davidson." Mulder spoke from beside her.
Dr. Keats took a deep breath and sat his briefcase down upon the desk before taking a seat in the leather chair. "What is it you want to know?"
"I understand you're a doctor," Scully said. "What is your area of expertise?"
He was quiet for a moment regarding Scully with small brown eyes. "The brain." He answered flatly.
"That's interesting." Mulder spoke as he walked to the corner of the room. "Sara had an operation performed on her brain. You wouldn't know anything about that now would you?"
Dr. Keats sat back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. "Now Agent Mulder why would I?"
"Well," Scully conjured. "We know that Sara had an appointment to see you on the day she died. Care to enlighten us?"
Dr. Keats' face expression dropped at the sound of her revelation. He rubbed a shaky hand through his untamed hair. "Listen, I didn't kill her."
"So you don't deny seeing her?" Mulder asked.
"No. I saw her. And I performed that operation on her. It was only in effort to remove her tumor. She was fine when she left." Dr. Keats stated.
"The side-effects on such an operation don't always present themselves right away. It could take hours or even days later to manifest." Scully informed. "If it is learned that your operation killed Sara, you will be held accountable."