CHAPTER 20

10:49 P.M. MST

"Come in."

SAC Klim eyed the pair of agents who walked into his office and sank in the chairs in front of him. The taller of the two agents eyed SAC Klim carefully, seeing him bent over paperwork. "They're in a red pickup, no thanks to some charitable reservoir residents."

SAC Klim looked up at the agent. "They got away?" he asked, dropping his pen in disgust.

"We weren't expecting help," the stockier agent offered.

"Damnit, I told you I wanted them taken cleanly," SAC Klim growled.

"We've got them tracked as heading south toward New Mexico," the taller agent said. "What are your orders?"

"I want them intercepted immediately," SAC Klim replied. "What of the residents?"

"We cleaned up the remaining evidence."

"Get a location on Mulder and Scully. Track them, and take them out when the opportunity presents itself. If William hasn't contacted them by now, he will soon." SAC Klim's eyes narrowed at the agents in front of him. "Don't screw this up," he warned darkly. "And remember … Save the bullets containing magnetite for William. I want him killed, but I need the woman alive."

"Yes, sir."

Near Pagosa Springs, CO
1:28 A.M. MST

Will blinked heavily through the darkness of the wooded stretch of highway he drove, the old red truck rattling a little under his stressful request of performing at its peak speed of 75-miles-per-hour. He glanced quickly over at Cara, who was sleeping sounding in the passenger's seat under a warm blanket Will found in the back of the truck. Quietly, he reached for the thermos of soup in the cup holder, taking a sip as he refocused on the road, his eyes tired and his body weary. He was grateful Cara had managed to get about four hours of sleep, but without her to challenge his mind, he felt himself slowly drifting into a haze of highway hypnosis, nearing full sleep as his eyes began to close.

The sound of a horn coming from the opposite direction startled him awake, causing him to cut the wheel in a quick swerve to the right away from the on-coming traffic he had nearly drove them into. Cara bolted up from her sleep, scared from the noise and sudden movement, looking over at Will. His eyes were red as he rubbed them, and she saw his attempt to refocus on the road ahead. "Will," she whispered, seeing the time on the dashboard clock, "let me drive."

"I'm fine," Will mumbled.

"Will, you probably nearly fell asleep. You need to rest-"

"I said I'm fine, Cara," Will snapped, gripping the wheel even tighter.

Cara watched him in silence for a moment, seeing the pain in his face and knowing the flurry of emotions running through him that had darkened his spirit. "What happened back there … it wasn't your fault."

"They shot them, Cara!" Will yelled. "They shot two innocent people because of me!"

"No, Will," Cara interrupted sternly. "They shot them because they are evil. Not because of you." She inhaled softly, seeing Will absorb her truthful words. "Please let me drive. You're no good to anyone if you're exhausted."

Sighing in defeat, Will slowed the truck down, pulling over on the empty shoulder in the darkness of the night, only their truck's headlights illuminating the thickly-wooded mountain landscape around them. He threw the car in park, and Cara climbed out, shivering against the wind as they switched seats, Will now slamming his door a little harder than necessary as he buckled his seatbelt. Cara clicked hers around her body, glancing over at Will, whose eyes were fixed out into the darkness next to him. Silently, she draped the blanket over him, stroking his warm arm as he remained motionless, his eyes shutting upon the contact of her hand. "You'll need to pick up 160-West in about twenty miles," he said softly. "Then it's only about sixty-some miles to Two Grey Hills."

"Okay," Cara murmured, readying to pull the truck back out onto the road but feeling Will's hand suddenly clamp down on her arm.

"You wake me for anything, alright?" he asked, searching her eyes carefully. Seeing her nod, he slumped against the chair, allowing his exhaustion to take control of him as Cara pulled the truck out onto the highway.

Cara winced as she looked at the nearly empty gas tank, knowing they would need fuel soon. Much to their surprise, they had found three twenty-dollar bills earlier in the bags that had been packed for them by Robert and Tess, Cara now grateful for it as she passed a sign for an upcoming gas station along the highway, relieved when she saw it was open 24-hours.

Knowing Will had just fallen asleep only twenty minutes ago, Cara pulled the truck into the station, quietly turning off the vehicle and exiting as she opened the gas cap, locking the pump into the truck as she fed the machine two of the three twenties, hoping the forty-dollars-worth of gas would be enough to get them to Two Grey Hills. As she watched the gallons climb on the pump, Cara froze when she felt a presence behind her. Realizing the pistol was still with Will, Cara gripped the pump, readying herself to strike whoever was behind her with the device. Stopping the gas flow and capping the truck even though they didn't get their money's worth, Cara whirled around, swinging the pump at a stocky man, who ducked quickly out of the way. "Whoa," the man exclaimed, shielding himself from Cara. "Easy there, pretty girl."

"Stay back," she warned, still clutching the pump as she tried to back herself toward Will's window.

"Just thought I'd lend a hand," the man said, boldly approaching her. Realizing he was intent on pursuing her, her grip tightened on the pump, inching her way backwards toward Will. "Where you going, sweetheart?" the man asked with a smile that disgusted Cara.

"Nowhere with you."

Cara looked behind her, seeing Will aiming the pistol at the man in front of her, his eyes narrowing as he cocked the gun. "Back off," he warned, shoving Cara behind him.

"Hey," the man said, raising his hands, "just trying to be friendly."

"I said, back off," Will repeated darkly. "Right now, I really don't have a problem shooting you, believe me."

"Alright man, take it easy," the man said, stepping away with his hands still in the air. When he was what he felt a safe distance away, the man stopped, smiling at Cara, who now opened the driver's side door. "See you later, sweetheart," he said, laughing in Will's direction as Will waited until Cara got inside the truck and started it, keeping his gun trained on the man.

When they finally pulled out of the gas station and back onto the highway, Will slammed his fist onto the dashboard. "Damnit, Cara! I said wake me up!"

"Will, you've only slept twenty minutes and-"

"That son of a bitch back there could have hurt you!"

"I can take care of myself!" Cara shot back.

"Do what I tell you!" Will growled.

"I'm not your slave, Will!" Cara yelled back, her anger matching his.

"Don't be so fucking stubborn, Cara!"

"How am I being stubborn, Will? Was driving off of a fucking bridge MY choice?"

"I did that FOR YOU! To save your fucking life! Sorry if it was too much of an inconvenience for you!"

"Why don't you just admit it, Will?" Cara screamed. "Just admit your resentment for me, alright?" Will was silent as Cara lashed out. "Just say it, damnit! Just say that you're angry at me for having to be your choice over them! Just SAY it, Will"

"FINE!" Will yelled, turning to her. "I'm fucking angry, alright?! Is that what you want? You want to see me pissed the fuck off? Well, here you go!" He slammed his fist into the car door, seething in anger. "I'm angry over the innocent people who have died in the last month, Cara. I'm angry over you losing your father and your mother not caring enough about you. I'm angry at complete strangers sacrificing their lives for me. I'm angry that I may never get to see my parents again and that I put them through losing me for a second time. I'm angry that I keep putting you and our child at risk. I'm angry at myself for who I am. But the LAST damn thing in the world I am angry at is YOU."

Cara's eyes were fixed on the road, hearing Will slam his fist into the door again, this time knowing, without even looking, that he caused damage to it. She listened quietly as she heard him curse under his breath, knowing he was exhausted and absolutely broken inside.

"I don't resent you," Will said softly after a long moment of silence. "It was my choice to protect you and I'd chose it again. The question really is … do you resent me?" He turned to her, taking in the profile of her face as her eyes remained locked on the road. "Do you … resent me … that I didn't use protection?" He met her eyes as she turned to look at him quickly. "I … don't resent … having a family with you at all. But I need to know if you do."

The truth was, she didn't - she relished the fact that she was carrying Will's child, though it still struck her as a shock that she would become a mother in the near future. However, she couldn't imagine anyone she would rather share a child with than Will. He was her rock and her soul. "Of course not," she said softly, not looking at him. "Will … I've never regretted our child for an instant."

She felt his hand slid onto her thigh. "I resent the fact that I didn't do things the right way," he murmured, "and the fact that I can't ever give you what I would want to give you."

"Will …" She fought the tears that formed in her eyes. "Will, you've literally given me everything you have. You've given me your life. There's nothing more I need." She glanced at him, seeing his eyes were heavy as he studied her. "And don't you dare ever resent who you are," she said firmly. "You're my Superman, remember?"

Will allowed a small smile to wash over his face as he stroked Cara's thigh. "I'm not good like him," he murmured.

"Yes, you are," Cara said softly. "You're a good person, Will. Please … have faith in that."

Silence hung in the air as Cara continued to drive, the truck's headlights cutting through the dark night as they wove south through the woods and mountains to New Mexico. She was relieved when she felt Will's hand relax on her thigh, hearing the steady flow of air through his nostrils as he slept, slumped toward her. Finally alone, she let her tears fall as she absorbed the evils that had clouded Will's mind, choosing to bear the burden of them so he could sleep as they consumed her mind.

4:31 A.M. MST

After Mulder and Scully discussed their decision privately, they had pulled Doggett, Reyes, Skinner and even Gibson into a conference, explaining their need to separate from the group to protect them, and that they would continued to be needed as resources. Doggett and Reyes argued to accompany them to New Mexico, but Mulder was firm - he and Scully would travel alone. Mulder's express orders to Skinner were to relocate Gibson and go back underground, fearful for the special young man and what the Colonists might try to do to him to lure them out from hiding. Scully convinced both Doggett and Reyes to remain connected to the FBI, knowing their resources would come in handy at some point in the future. With wishes of luck and hugs exchanged, Mulder and Scully climbed into the rental vehicle Skinner had secured when he arrived with Scully and Gibson and headed south toward Two Grey Hills, taking with them Cara's belongings from her abandoned motel room.

Mulder had chosen to drive first, knowing Scully was more than exhausted as she quickly fell asleep, happy that she was able to rest. He, on the other hand, had no desire to sleep - he was motivated to drive hard and fast toward the reservation he had once stayed on. He prayed his instinct about Will and Cara's destination was correct, and that they would be able to find the safe haven that Cara had predicted in her hypnosis session.

The trip would take somewhere around eight hours, and now having driven about four, Mulder felt his back ache from the cramped position his leg was in, the car feeling too small for his lanky frame. His eyes immediately darted up to the rearview mirror when he saw a pair of headlights appear behind him - they hadn't been there moments ago. He continued to divide his focus between the road ahead and the car behind, a feeling of paranoia overtaking him as he saw the car come closer, the lights cutting through and bouncing off of the mirror into Mulder's eyes. "Damn," he mumbled, trying to see the car that was now tailing him, knowing it wasn't merely an impatient driver behind the wheel of the vehicle behind them.

Scully stirred when she felt Mulder hit the gas hard, waking fully with worry when she saw Mulder's face. "Mulder, what's wrong?" she asked, sitting up.

"I think we're being followed, Scully," he murmured.

Turning to look, Scully shielded her eyes as the bright headlights directly behind them blinded her momentarily. "Who would be following us?" she asked, looking back at Mulder.

"I don't know," Mulder mumbled, trying to will the meager four-cylinders to push the car faster.

A bullet broke the glass of the back of the car, and Mulder yelled, "Shit!", reaching with his right hand to press Scully down out of the line of fire as he crouched. "Scully, you alright?"

"Yeah," she said, keeping her head down as she felt Mulder swerve, his depth perception affected by his crouched driving position. Mulder heard her loading a clip into her gun. "If they shoot again, I'm going to return fire," she said.

"Try to get the tires," Mulder said, looking in his rearview mirror as he felt their car being pushed by the one behind them. "Shit!" He tried to retain control of the vehicle, feeling the much larger one behind him now steering them toward the ditch alongside of the otherwise empty highway.

Scully took advantage of an opportunity she saw when the driver was preoccupied with pushing their car, leaning out of her window and aiming for the car's tires behind her, missing with the first attempt and ducking as she received shots fired at her in return. She saw Mulder trying to fight against the large car and re-aimed, successfully blowing a tire on the vehicle behind them, which freed their car, allowing Mulder to tear away, the tires squealing as they drove off and left the other car behind.

Breathing heavily in her seat, Scully looked over at Mulder; he was alright, only crazed but not hit. "Who the hell is after us, Mulder?" she asked, still clutching her gun.

"Probably that asshole Klim," Mulder growled. "Damnit! He's probably working for them."

"Wouldn't their involvement be obvious if they took us out?" Scully asked.

"Scully, if it goes all the way up to the FBI, they'll be able to cover their tracks," Mulder reminded. "The FBI doesn't give a shit about us, and judging by that display of affection back there, I'd say there's more of a chance they'd like to see us as roadkill." He glanced over at Scully, who met his eyes. "Absolutely no one can be trusted," he added. "At this point, I don't even know if we'll have Doggett and Reyes to rely on."

"I spent six rounds, Mulder," Scully noted. "We've only got seven left in this magazine and then yours."

"Well, let's just hope we don't have any more run-ins for a while."

"You really think the FBI is working for the new Syndicate?"

"I think that they think they are, only in reality, they're being used just as much as William and Cara are."

"Probably being promised safety."

"Except they don't know how fucked up it all really is." Mulder paused. "How many people could you see in the SUV behind us?"

"Only one, the driver."

"There's probably more to deal with soon," Mulder grumbled.

"Mulder … what if the tribe won't shelter them or us?"

"I know they will."

"How can you be sure? I mean … Albert Hosteen has been dead for a long time and-"

"The baby, Scully," Mulder interrupted. "The baby."

Scully paused, swallowing. "Mulder …" Her voice was soft; he sensed the hesitation in her. "Mulder, I'm a doctor. And … and when I examined Cara, she had bruising and tearing consistent with rape." She felt Mulder's eyes shoot over at her. "I'm not saying William … did that. I'm … I'm just trying to be sure … Mulder …" She struggled with allowing her worry to come to light. "Mulder, what if Cara isn't carrying William's baby?" Scully studied Mulder's eyes as he glanced over at her, then back at the road. "There were periods of unconsciousness that Cara experienced that she can't account for. What if … What if this baby … isn't human?"

Mulder swallowed, allowing Scully's words to sink into his mind. He hadn't considered the possibility - none of them had. "Gibson said it was his," he replied softly, not truly believing his own words now that Scully's doubts entered his mind.

"How can we be sure?" Scully asked. "How do we know … that William isn't protecting something evil rather than good? And what if the FBI is trying to obtain it as a barter for the Colonists?"

Mulder blinked slowly, feeling the panic rising in him. Could Cara's unborn child be something designed to kill? What if their demise was closer than they all thought?