* * *
It wasn't the driving that bothered Scully at the moment. It was the man in the passenger seat. No matter how serious he could get, he was a child at heart. 'Maybe he had to grow up to fast and lost his childhood,
only to try to rediscover it later on in life,' she thought. 'Maybe I need to find that innocence again.' But instead she said. "Mulder, I know 5 year olds that could sit still better than you are right now."
"I'm fine Scully. Just trying to figure out the case."
"Could you do it without playing 'Spot the Car?' "
"Well, if you would let me drive both our turns-"
"See. You're so self-centered. Everything has to be about you. Is that why I don't have a desk?"
"Don't bring that up again!"
"Fine Mulder, you want to drive?" Scully violently swerved to the side of the road. "Then drive!"
"You don't have to be so hostile." Mulder had suddenly lowered his voice. "I'm sorry. I just don't like being strung around like a puppet."
"Mulder, neither do I." Scully began to regain control. "But we can't keep doing this."
"What?"
"At each other's throats from car travel."
"I know."
"Maybe you should take the wheel. I don't really mind right now."
"Okay Scully. We're almost near the border any how, and I need to go use the bathroom."
"Washroom."
"Huh?"
"They say 'Washroom' instead of 'Bathroom' in Canada."
"Right. Hopefully their _Washrooms_ will be better than our Port-A-Potties. Anything that doesn't have a fluke in it is good for me."
"You just_ had_ to bring that up, didn't you?" Scully managed through a fit of laughter.
"Yep" Mulder replied as he drove the car in much better spirits. She was right. The road in this small car was murder on their moral. He had known what it was like to anticipate what the suspect would do; he had just never been on the flip side of the microscope. He didn't like the feel of it one bit. This trip would have to provide some serious answers, or he would never be able to the AD. With the bill already paid
for, that would help, but who knows how much work was already piled up at their desks. Not that anybody seemed to care at the moment; still, Mulder didn't like to think about it.
Scully had no idea what came over her a minute ago. She didn't mean to blow up like that, but nothing seemed to be going much like normal since the package arrived. They seem to have changed in a small way only someone who knows them very well could see. Not a love type of thing, but still different. She pondered what it could be as the car slowly lulled her to sleep.
* * *
By the time they reached customs, Mulder had to run for the Washrooms. Scully went in a slightly more dignified manner. She was shocked to find there were enough toilets so that there was only a short wait, but Mulder still managed to beat her out. He looked quite happy with something tight in his good hand.
"That was quick. Forget to wash your hands Scully?"
"That was quicker. Forget how to flush? What do you have there Mulder?"
"A note! With more instructions! From our mystery man!" he said, positively elated.
"Oh joy" said Scully dryly. "Another note. Whoopee."
Mulder stared at her. "Come on Scully. Just read this note. I almost missed it!"
Scully took the scrap of toilet paper gingerly. "Honestly, Mulder. This is gross. I mean"
Her voice trailed off as she read the note.
"I can explain everything you need to know. Come to your apartment right away. Be careful and come alone. If you alert the police, I won't come. I only want to talk to the two of you.."
"Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice" quoted Scully. "This is weird Mulder."
"Answers, Scully! Just think! Not only about this but also Samantha and aliens and the truth our government doesn't want us to know!"
"Mulder, come on. This is so stereotypical. Straight out of some bad novel or cheesy movie! I can't believe you're taking it seriously! And where does it say ANY of that?"
"We'll see whose right Scully you'll see. Come on, let's head back to D.C."
"Mulder, I am NOT driving all the way back to D.C. That's nuts! Even YOU can't be that crazy."
"I think I've been insulted! But I agree with you. Where's the closest airport?"
"I don't know Mulder. Where did that map go?"
After 20 minutes of diligent searching, Scully found the map wedged in the drivers seat. "Honestly Mulder!" she exclaimed. "Okay, look, here's an airport."
"Um Scully? Not to be picky or anything, but I'd rather not take a puddle-jumper. My stomach just isn't up to it."
"Come on Mulder. You've ridden in small planes before. And besides, they're not that bad."
"Maybe not for you. I, however, have terrible motion sickness on boats and small planes, as you may recall, what with your photographic memory and all. And I do NOT want to ride on a baby plane!"
"Sure. Fine. Whatever Mulder." She shot him a look that screamed, "wuss". That made the closest airport a much further drive then she wanted. "Come on then, let's go. We have a long drive ahead of us. And it's my turn to drive, so we're going to listen to my music now." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a c.d. compilation of classical music and popped it into the dash.
Mulder groaned and got into the car. He decided that motion sickness was definitely the preferable option.
* * *
One thing both Mulder and Scully agreed on was that the girl behind the counter at the airport deserved to be shot. The line at the airport could've gone around the earth twice and by the time the FBI agents got to the counter they were sick of waiting and they of course got to hear what they hated. "No we don't have any empty flights out to D.C. until tomorrow at 11:57 PM. Care to wait?"
"No, are you sure you don't have any indirect flights?"
"Umm, we can get you from here to Dallas to Miami to Boston to D.C."
"Okay, and when does that leave?"
"A week from tomorrow. Can I put you down for that?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh wait, I do have a free flight today."
"Really?"
"Yes, it arrived from D.C. about 3 hours ago- but I guess that won't do you any good."
"You think so," Mulder squinted his eyes at her name tag, "Julie?"
The blank look behind the girl's eyes was not encouraging. "Well, if you aren't going to book a flight get out of line so someone can."
"Wait a minute. Try looking for reservations under Fox Mulder. M-U-L-D-E-R."
"Fox? I mean hold on a second. Nope, nothing on a Fox." She showed the first sign of life then, holding back her snicker.
"Well, how about Dana Scully?"
Julie's eyes grew wide. She made a swift movement under the counter. "Yes, and how would you spell that?"
"S-C-U-L-L-Y."
Scully noticed that Julie seemed to have forgotten how to type suddenly. She made a sweep of the area and noticed a security personal making his way toward the counter. 'Stupid girl.' Scully found herself thinking, but the thought was cut off by Julie.
"Oh my god. Here you are. Agent Dana Scully. One first flight ticket to D.C. Do you have any baggage to check in."
"Yes!" Scully exclaimed with a sigh as she lifted her bag onto the lower shelf.
Julie bent over to put a tag on it and whispered to Scully, "Are you transporting a prisoner because we need a 3 day notice on that?"
"What! Prisoner, he's my partner!"
"Oh, sure."
"She turned then to the security guard who had made his way over finally. The two mumbled things the agents couldn't understand. The security guard grunted and moved towards Mulder.
Scully looked frantically at the situation and turned back toward Julie. "Try George Hale."
"What?"
"George Hale. H-A-L-E."
"I'm not supposed to-"
"Listen girl. Do you want to mess up a Federal Investigation? Do you know the penalty for that is?"
"No but-"
"Would you like to learn it?"
"No but-"
"Then just type the name in the computer. H-A-L-E."
"I know how to spell."
"Sure."
"Wait a minute Mike." Julie signaled to the guard who had just started to chat with Mulder. "Bring him over here."
Mulder came over, embarrassed in front of all the other grumbling passengers.
"Okay, Mr. _Hale,_ Let's see some ID."
Mulder opened his wallet and pushed around some cards producing an older card that was about to expire."
"Oh!" Julie admitted suddenly interested shooing away the guard named Mike. "What was this? Some kind of FBI test?"
"Well that's official FBI business." Mulder retorted.
"Okay. Do you have any bags to check in _George?_"
"Yes, in fact I do." Mulder produced his duffel bag and placed it next to Scully's.
"Okay, I'm going to have to ask you some question for the safety of everyone else. Did you ever leave you bags unattended?"
"No," the agents replied in unison.
"Who packed your bags?"
"I did," Mulder stated.
Julie shot a look at him. "Well that's obvious. And how about you Ms. Scully?"
Scully replied the same as well and Julie continued with her questions as if nothing had happened. When she hit the end, she loaded the two pieces of luggage on the conveyer belt then handed them their tickets. "Your flight stops boarding in 7 minutes. Go down that long hallway and it is the last door on your left. Have a nice flight and be sure to use us for your next journey."
Mulder was too dumbfounded to make a sarcastic reply.
* * *
Scully looked around the 8 passenger plane, it was all first class. When they were both settled, she turned to Mulder and asked the question she had been dying to since they received their tickets. "I can't believe you still have that old thing. Hell, I didn't even know you had that Mulder, why?"
"Mulder answered her plainly. "Well, when the X-Files got broken up the first time, I had the geek, the nerd and the hacker make me up a set of these. Good thing it's not tomorrow Scully, otherwise I'd be in it deep."
"Huh?"
"Last one I have, it expires tomorrow."
"Oh, well someone knows us well. A little too well in my opinion. Do you think the Gunmen are behind all this?"
"I don't see why. And besides, you know them, they couldn't keep a straight through their own practical jokes for more than 5 seconds. They would've already called us up and laughed their asses off."
"Great friends to trust with highly confidential information."
"I'm glad you approve of my friends mother."
"Mulder, you need a life."
"Thanks Scully, but look whose talking Ms. Violent Tattoo, and Vampire Sheriff."
"Well at least I didn't have fun in the cemetery with the stiff English accent or sleep with the bird."
"What?"
"Nothing, nevermind."
* * *
By the time Mulder and Scully made it out of the airport and finally got their rental car from the agency, it was much later then they would have liked. As in 9:30 at night late. Of course, there had been no meal on the tiny plane. Nothing but a tiny bag of snack mix which Mulder had eaten in the first 5 minutes. Scully's lasted a little longer. It took Mulder 10 more minutes to weasel it out of her. He spent the rest of the flight thinking about how hungry he was.
"Scully?" Mulder said in his most annoying childlike voice that he used when he wanted her to do something, which was practically always.
"Mulder. What do you want now?"
"What makes you think I want anything?"
"I know you Mulder. I've worked with you for 6 years. Don't give me that I'm all innocent act. Just tell me what you want."
"Well, umm I'm really hungry and I was hoping we could go to dinner somewhere. Like Chinese maybe?" he said hopefully.
"Let me guess. Your out of money and want me to let you charge it to our expense report again, right?"
"Well… yeah."
"Fine Mulder. But only because I'm really really hungry and I'm certainly not going to pay for your dinner or let you harass me all night. Let's go, but I'm driving."
She grabbed the keys out of his hand and unlocked the car door. "You coming or not?" she called over her shoulder as she climbed into the car.
Mulder confusedly looked around, and then opened the passenger side door.
Inside the car was a note. It read:
'Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me
Get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
Cos this one is a lie
Sat around laughing
And watch the last one die
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out right
I'm looking for a complication
Looking cos I'm tired of lying
Make my way back home
And learn to fly (high)
Think I'm done nursing the patients
It can wait one night
Give it all away
If you give me one last try
We live happily ever trapped
If you just save my life
Run and tell the angels
That everything's all right
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out right
I'm looking for a complication
Looking cos I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
And learn to fly (high)
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own' -The Fighters of Foo
I can explain everything. Meet me inside the Foo Fighters concert at the American Theater tonight. I'll find you…
* * *
It wasn't the driving that bothered Scully at the moment. It was the man in the passenger seat. No matter how serious he could get, he was a child at heart. 'Maybe he had to grow up to fast and lost his childhood,
only to try to rediscover it later on in life,' she thought. 'Maybe I need to find that innocence again.' But instead she said. "Mulder, I know 5 year olds that could sit still better than you are right now."
"I'm fine Scully. Just trying to figure out the case."
"Could you do it without playing 'Spot the Car?' "
"Well, if you would let me drive both our turns-"
"See. You're so self-centered. Everything has to be about you. Is that why I don't have a desk?"
"Don't bring that up again!"
"Fine Mulder, you want to drive?" Scully violently swerved to the side of the road. "Then drive!"
"You don't have to be so hostile." Mulder had suddenly lowered his voice. "I'm sorry. I just don't like being strung around like a puppet."
"Mulder, neither do I." Scully began to regain control. "But we can't keep doing this."
"What?"
"At each other's throats from car travel."
"I know."
"Maybe you should take the wheel. I don't really mind right now."
"Okay Scully. We're almost near the border any how, and I need to go use the bathroom."
"Washroom."
"Huh?"
"They say 'Washroom' instead of 'Bathroom' in Canada."
"Right. Hopefully their _Washrooms_ will be better than our Port-A-Potties. Anything that doesn't have a fluke in it is good for me."
"You just_ had_ to bring that up, didn't you?" Scully managed through a fit of laughter.
"Yep" Mulder replied as he drove the car in much better spirits. She was right. The road in this small car was murder on their moral. He had known what it was like to anticipate what the suspect would do; he had just never been on the flip side of the microscope. He didn't like the feel of it one bit. This trip would have to provide some serious answers, or he would never be able to the AD. With the bill already paid
for, that would help, but who knows how much work was already piled up at their desks. Not that anybody seemed to care at the moment; still, Mulder didn't like to think about it.
Scully had no idea what came over her a minute ago. She didn't mean to blow up like that, but nothing seemed to be going much like normal since the package arrived. They seem to have changed in a small way only someone who knows them very well could see. Not a love type of thing, but still different. She pondered what it could be as the car slowly lulled her to sleep.
* * *
By the time they reached customs, Mulder had to run for the Washrooms. Scully went in a slightly more dignified manner. She was shocked to find there were enough toilets so that there was only a short wait, but Mulder still managed to beat her out. He looked quite happy with something tight in his good hand.
"That was quick. Forget to wash your hands Scully?"
"That was quicker. Forget how to flush? What do you have there Mulder?"
"A note! With more instructions! From our mystery man!" he said, positively elated.
"Oh joy" said Scully dryly. "Another note. Whoopee."
Mulder stared at her. "Come on Scully. Just read this note. I almost missed it!"
Scully took the scrap of toilet paper gingerly. "Honestly, Mulder. This is gross. I mean"
Her voice trailed off as she read the note.
"I can explain everything you need to know. Come to your apartment right away. Be careful and come alone. If you alert the police, I won't come. I only want to talk to the two of you.."
"Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice" quoted Scully. "This is weird Mulder."
"Answers, Scully! Just think! Not only about this but also Samantha and aliens and the truth our government doesn't want us to know!"
"Mulder, come on. This is so stereotypical. Straight out of some bad novel or cheesy movie! I can't believe you're taking it seriously! And where does it say ANY of that?"
"We'll see whose right Scully you'll see. Come on, let's head back to D.C."
"Mulder, I am NOT driving all the way back to D.C. That's nuts! Even YOU can't be that crazy."
"I think I've been insulted! But I agree with you. Where's the closest airport?"
"I don't know Mulder. Where did that map go?"
After 20 minutes of diligent searching, Scully found the map wedged in the drivers seat. "Honestly Mulder!" she exclaimed. "Okay, look, here's an airport."
"Um Scully? Not to be picky or anything, but I'd rather not take a puddle-jumper. My stomach just isn't up to it."
"Come on Mulder. You've ridden in small planes before. And besides, they're not that bad."
"Maybe not for you. I, however, have terrible motion sickness on boats and small planes, as you may recall, what with your photographic memory and all. And I do NOT want to ride on a baby plane!"
"Sure. Fine. Whatever Mulder." She shot him a look that screamed, "wuss". That made the closest airport a much further drive then she wanted. "Come on then, let's go. We have a long drive ahead of us. And it's my turn to drive, so we're going to listen to my music now." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a c.d. compilation of classical music and popped it into the dash.
Mulder groaned and got into the car. He decided that motion sickness was definitely the preferable option.
* * *
One thing both Mulder and Scully agreed on was that the girl behind the counter at the airport deserved to be shot. The line at the airport could've gone around the earth twice and by the time the FBI agents got to the counter they were sick of waiting and they of course got to hear what they hated. "No we don't have any empty flights out to D.C. until tomorrow at 11:57 PM. Care to wait?"
"No, are you sure you don't have any indirect flights?"
"Umm, we can get you from here to Dallas to Miami to Boston to D.C."
"Okay, and when does that leave?"
"A week from tomorrow. Can I put you down for that?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh wait, I do have a free flight today."
"Really?"
"Yes, it arrived from D.C. about 3 hours ago- but I guess that won't do you any good."
"You think so," Mulder squinted his eyes at her name tag, "Julie?"
The blank look behind the girl's eyes was not encouraging. "Well, if you aren't going to book a flight get out of line so someone can."
"Wait a minute. Try looking for reservations under Fox Mulder. M-U-L-D-E-R."
"Fox? I mean hold on a second. Nope, nothing on a Fox." She showed the first sign of life then, holding back her snicker.
"Well, how about Dana Scully?"
Julie's eyes grew wide. She made a swift movement under the counter. "Yes, and how would you spell that?"
"S-C-U-L-L-Y."
Scully noticed that Julie seemed to have forgotten how to type suddenly. She made a sweep of the area and noticed a security personal making his way toward the counter. 'Stupid girl.' Scully found herself thinking, but the thought was cut off by Julie.
"Oh my god. Here you are. Agent Dana Scully. One first flight ticket to D.C. Do you have any baggage to check in."
"Yes!" Scully exclaimed with a sigh as she lifted her bag onto the lower shelf.
Julie bent over to put a tag on it and whispered to Scully, "Are you transporting a prisoner because we need a 3 day notice on that?"
"What! Prisoner, he's my partner!"
"Oh, sure."
"She turned then to the security guard who had made his way over finally. The two mumbled things the agents couldn't understand. The security guard grunted and moved towards Mulder.
Scully looked frantically at the situation and turned back toward Julie. "Try George Hale."
"What?"
"George Hale. H-A-L-E."
"I'm not supposed to-"
"Listen girl. Do you want to mess up a Federal Investigation? Do you know the penalty for that is?"
"No but-"
"Would you like to learn it?"
"No but-"
"Then just type the name in the computer. H-A-L-E."
"I know how to spell."
"Sure."
"Wait a minute Mike." Julie signaled to the guard who had just started to chat with Mulder. "Bring him over here."
Mulder came over, embarrassed in front of all the other grumbling passengers.
"Okay, Mr. _Hale,_ Let's see some ID."
Mulder opened his wallet and pushed around some cards producing an older card that was about to expire."
"Oh!" Julie admitted suddenly interested shooing away the guard named Mike. "What was this? Some kind of FBI test?"
"Well that's official FBI business." Mulder retorted.
"Okay. Do you have any bags to check in _George?_"
"Yes, in fact I do." Mulder produced his duffel bag and placed it next to Scully's.
"Okay, I'm going to have to ask you some question for the safety of everyone else. Did you ever leave you bags unattended?"
"No," the agents replied in unison.
"Who packed your bags?"
"I did," Mulder stated.
Julie shot a look at him. "Well that's obvious. And how about you Ms. Scully?"
Scully replied the same as well and Julie continued with her questions as if nothing had happened. When she hit the end, she loaded the two pieces of luggage on the conveyer belt then handed them their tickets. "Your flight stops boarding in 7 minutes. Go down that long hallway and it is the last door on your left. Have a nice flight and be sure to use us for your next journey."
Mulder was too dumbfounded to make a sarcastic reply.
* * *
Scully looked around the 8 passenger plane, it was all first class. When they were both settled, she turned to Mulder and asked the question she had been dying to since they received their tickets. "I can't believe you still have that old thing. Hell, I didn't even know you had that Mulder, why?"
"Mulder answered her plainly. "Well, when the X-Files got broken up the first time, I had the geek, the nerd and the hacker make me up a set of these. Good thing it's not tomorrow Scully, otherwise I'd be in it deep."
"Huh?"
"Last one I have, it expires tomorrow."
"Oh, well someone knows us well. A little too well in my opinion. Do you think the Gunmen are behind all this?"
"I don't see why. And besides, you know them, they couldn't keep a straight through their own practical jokes for more than 5 seconds. They would've already called us up and laughed their asses off."
"Great friends to trust with highly confidential information."
"I'm glad you approve of my friends mother."
"Mulder, you need a life."
"Thanks Scully, but look whose talking Ms. Violent Tattoo, and Vampire Sheriff."
"Well at least I didn't have fun in the cemetery with the stiff English accent or sleep with the bird."
"What?"
"Nothing, nevermind."
* * *
By the time Mulder and Scully made it out of the airport and finally got their rental car from the agency, it was much later then they would have liked. As in 9:30 at night late. Of course, there had been no meal on the tiny plane. Nothing but a tiny bag of snack mix which Mulder had eaten in the first 5 minutes. Scully's lasted a little longer. It took Mulder 10 more minutes to weasel it out of her. He spent the rest of the flight thinking about how hungry he was.
"Scully?" Mulder said in his most annoying childlike voice that he used when he wanted her to do something, which was practically always.
"Mulder. What do you want now?"
"What makes you think I want anything?"
"I know you Mulder. I've worked with you for 6 years. Don't give me that I'm all innocent act. Just tell me what you want."
"Well, umm I'm really hungry and I was hoping we could go to dinner somewhere. Like Chinese maybe?" he said hopefully.
"Let me guess. Your out of money and want me to let you charge it to our expense report again, right?"
"Well… yeah."
"Fine Mulder. But only because I'm really really hungry and I'm certainly not going to pay for your dinner or let you harass me all night. Let's go, but I'm driving."
She grabbed the keys out of his hand and unlocked the car door. "You coming or not?" she called over her shoulder as she climbed into the car.
Mulder confusedly looked around, and then opened the passenger side door.
Inside the car was a note. It read:
'Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me
Get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
Cos this one is a lie
Sat around laughing
And watch the last one die
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out right
I'm looking for a complication
Looking cos I'm tired of lying
Make my way back home
And learn to fly (high)
Think I'm done nursing the patients
It can wait one night
Give it all away
If you give me one last try
We live happily ever trapped
If you just save my life
Run and tell the angels
That everything's all right
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out right
I'm looking for a complication
Looking cos I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
And learn to fly (high)
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own' -The Fighters of Foo
I can explain everything. Meet me inside the Foo Fighters concert at the American Theater tonight. I'll find you…
* * *