The Better Part of Valor
6/9
Room 317
2:36 p.m.
Scully yawned and stretched, feeling somewhat refreshed. She became confused when
she saw that she was in Mulder's room. Skinner was just beginning to stir on the couch,
and the past day's events came flooding back to her. She glanced at the clock.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, waking Skinner fully.
"What?" Skinner demanded groggily. "What is it?"
"The meeting!" Scully jumped to her feet. A quick survey of the room told her that
Mulder was gone, and that he had taken the files with him. Her eyes caught sight of a
note sitting on the table where she had remembered seeing Mulder last, and she read it.
Scully and Sir,
I finished the profile and went on ahead to the meeting. The two
of you needed to sleep, so I'm going to explain to SAC Douglas
that you aren't really needed for this meeting. I'll be back in an
hour or so.
Mulder
"Damn him!" Scully cried, slamming the note back onto the table. "He went without
us!"
Skinner picked up the note and read it. "Well, the meeting should be about over, so
there's no reason to try and make it," he rationalized. "I say we wait here for Mulder to
return, then we can send him straight to bed."
Scully sighed and tried to calm herself. "I just don't like the idea of him facing those
bastards alone," she admitted.
Skinner placed a comforting hand on Scully's shoulder. "He'll be okay," he assured her.
"Besides; Kevin will be there."
They didn't have to wait long. Not ten minutes had passed before the door opened and
Mulder stepped into the room. He looked haggard. His suit jacket was slung over his
shoulder. His dress shirt was half un-tucked and the top button was undone. His tie hung
loosely around his neck. He looked up and was startled to see Scully and Skinner
standing beside him.
"You're up," he stated.
Scully took his arm and pushed him down onto the bed. "Yeah, we're up," she
confirmed. She took his coat and tie and set them on a chair. "How'd the meeting go?"
Mulder flinched involuntarily, then looked down.
"That good, huh?" Scully asked.
She began to unbutton Mulder's shirt. Mulder sat passively, as if he were in a trance.
Needing to feel useful, Skinner retrieved a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. He handed
the shirt to Scully, who pulled it down over Mulder's head.
"What happened at the meeting?" Skinner asked as Scully worked on Mulder's shoes and
socks.
Mulder hid a yawn and looked tiredly at Skinner. "I gave 'em my profile," he stated
simply.
When it became apparent that he wasn't going to say more, Skinner prodded him.
"And?"
"And?" Mulder echoed dully, already half asleep.
"Yes, Mulder," Skinner said. "And what did they do when you gave them your profile?"
"They . . ." Mulder's brow furrowed almost comically. "They, um . . . I'm too tired to
remember. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about." Scully finished tugging on his sweatpants
and gently pushed him back, her hand supporting his head as she lowered him down.
"You did a good job, Mulder. You're all finished. I expect you to sleep and eat the rest
of the time we're here. Doctor's orders. Understood?"
Mulder was already asleep before she could finish the order. Scully gathered up his
clothes and put them with the rest of his belongings.
"How long do you suppose he'll sleep?" Skinner asked.
Scully looked at Skinner, then Mulder, and shrugged. "If we're lucky, he'll sleep off and
on for a day or two."
Skinner shook his head. "That's insane," he replied. "I can't see how anyone can live
like that."
Scully shrugged again, not really wanting to say anything more on the subject. Instead
she said, "I'd really like to know what happened at that meeting."
"So would I."
Their eyes met, and the same thought occurred to them. Putting a finger to her lips,
Scully gestured for Skinner to follow her into her room through the connecting door. She
left the door slightly ajar so that she would be able to hear Mulder if he needed her.
Skinner took out his cell phone and dialed a number. Scully's cell phone rang, and she
answered it. Skinner gestured for her to wait, then dialed a second number.
"White."
As Skinner spoke with White, Scully wondered briefly if all FBI agents answered the
phone that way.
Soon Skinner had all three lines connected so that each person could hear the other two.
"What can I do for you?" White's voice sounded fatigued, and Scully almost hung up
there and then, but she had to know.
"What happened at the meeting?" Skinner asked.
"Mulder gave SAC Douglas his profile and explained to the rest of us his theory," White
replied.
"What then?" Scully asked.
White paused. Scully pushed harder. "Kevin, please. We have to know."
"I don't know," White said. "Maybe Mulder-."
"Mulder's not to be disturbed for a while," Scully cut him off. "Besides, he won't tell us
everything. Please, Kevin, tell us."
White sighed. "All right," he agreed. "But you didn't hear it from me."
Scully exchanged a concerned look with Skinner. What had happened?
"The presentation was solid," White began. "It filled in a lot of blanks. It even cleared
up a few arguments. But none of it was what anyone wanted to hear."
"What do you mean?" Skinner asked.
"Well, some of the agents knew McKay when he was in his prime," White explained.
"They didn't want to believe that he was responsible for something like this. So the
ridiculing began."
Scully felt her heart drop into her stomach. "What did they say?" she whispered.
"Juvenile stuff, really," White said. "None of it seemed to phase Mulder. He just let it
roll off his back and at the same time tried to point out the logic of his theory. Then
someone mentioned that if Samantha had been one of the victims, he'd have worked
harder to find the real killer."
Scully sat heavily on the bed.
"Mulder's face got so white I thought he was going to pass out from the shock," White
continued. "When they saw that they'd struck a nerve, they kept going. I tried to stop
them, but they ignored me."
"It's okay, Kevin," Skinner said. He was boiling with fury. "What else?"
"Douglas finally made them stop and thanked Mulder for wasting time and resources, and
that while his help was 'appreciated', he said he had 'real work' to get done. Then he
dismissed us," White finished quietly.
"Thank you, Kevin," Skinner said, and hung up.
Scully recovered from her shock and flung her phone across the room and into the wall.
"How can anyone be that cruel?" she shouted. "Mulder nearly killed himself working on
that case!"
"Scully!" Skinner grabbed her shoulders and quieted her. "Mulder's asleep.
Remember? Keep it down."
Scully's colored, and she nodded. "Sir, we have got to get them to use Mulder's profile,"
she said, her voice low. "That little girl only has two more days before she's dead. If she
dies, it will kill Mulder."
Skinner nodded. "I know," he replied. "I'll have a talk with Douglas later today. But
first I need to make myself presentable. I suggest that you rest while you can. You've
earned it."
Scully waited for him to leave before slipping silently into Mulder's room. Mulder was
asleep, but his face looked pained. He was in the beginnings of a nightmare. Scully
crossed over to his side and cupped his cheek. She watched as the frightened look
vanished and was replaced with one of peace.
Scully smiled. "Pleasant dreams, Mulder." She gently kissed his forehead. Mulder
mumbled something unintelligible and settled back into a deep sleep.
SAC Douglas' office
4:03 p.m.
Douglas lounged comfortably, his feet propped up on his desk. He leafed through the
profile Mulder had given him, having finally found the time to review it more thoroughly.
As much as he hated 'Spooky' Mulder, he had to give the man credit. He knew his stuff.
His profile, while completely different from previous theories, appeared to be right on
track. In fact, once he set his men after McKay, it would only be a matter of time before
he was caught, Suzie was recovered, and that alien-chasing spook of an agent could be
sent back to his hole in the ground that he called an office.
Douglas grinned and picked up the phone.
His fingers halted, poised over the buttons, when his door opened and A.D. Skinner
stepped inside the office. Douglas stood and nodded stiffly as Skinner sat down.
"Sir, this is a surprise," he said, sitting back down. "Agent Mulder informed me that you
Agent Scully were feeling a bit fatigued."
"Yes, well, I came to see how the meeting went," Skinner said.
"It went . . . well," Douglas said cautiously.
"I see. Agent Mulder gave you his profile?"
"Yes sir."
"And?
"I have some men looking into it," Douglas replied. It wasn't exactly a lie; the minute
the A.D. left he would put in the call. "But sir, I have to tell you . . . Agent Mulder is out
on a limb with this one, and my men and I are a little reluctant to go out and join him.
Joel McKay is a highly respected man."
"He could be the damned President of the United States for all I care," Skinner snapped.
"If he's the killer we're after, then he needs to be picked up."
"Sir, I don't know what Agent Mulder may have told you . . ." Douglas began
"He didn't say anything," Skinner cut him off. "He barely made it back before he fell
asleep. Now, I'm not going to try and ask what happened at the meeting. It would just
be a waste of time. I just came here to make sure that you use Agent Mulder's profile to
catch the killer." He stood. "Good day, Agent Douglas."
Douglas stared after him, his eyes narrow slits. He forced himself to regain control of his
temper before he picked up the phone and made the call to bring McKay in. He was still
seething over the meeting with Skinner, and decided to deal with Mulder and his profile
discreetly.
end 6/9
6/9
Room 317
2:36 p.m.
Scully yawned and stretched, feeling somewhat refreshed. She became confused when
she saw that she was in Mulder's room. Skinner was just beginning to stir on the couch,
and the past day's events came flooding back to her. She glanced at the clock.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, waking Skinner fully.
"What?" Skinner demanded groggily. "What is it?"
"The meeting!" Scully jumped to her feet. A quick survey of the room told her that
Mulder was gone, and that he had taken the files with him. Her eyes caught sight of a
note sitting on the table where she had remembered seeing Mulder last, and she read it.
Scully and Sir,
I finished the profile and went on ahead to the meeting. The two
of you needed to sleep, so I'm going to explain to SAC Douglas
that you aren't really needed for this meeting. I'll be back in an
hour or so.
Mulder
"Damn him!" Scully cried, slamming the note back onto the table. "He went without
us!"
Skinner picked up the note and read it. "Well, the meeting should be about over, so
there's no reason to try and make it," he rationalized. "I say we wait here for Mulder to
return, then we can send him straight to bed."
Scully sighed and tried to calm herself. "I just don't like the idea of him facing those
bastards alone," she admitted.
Skinner placed a comforting hand on Scully's shoulder. "He'll be okay," he assured her.
"Besides; Kevin will be there."
They didn't have to wait long. Not ten minutes had passed before the door opened and
Mulder stepped into the room. He looked haggard. His suit jacket was slung over his
shoulder. His dress shirt was half un-tucked and the top button was undone. His tie hung
loosely around his neck. He looked up and was startled to see Scully and Skinner
standing beside him.
"You're up," he stated.
Scully took his arm and pushed him down onto the bed. "Yeah, we're up," she
confirmed. She took his coat and tie and set them on a chair. "How'd the meeting go?"
Mulder flinched involuntarily, then looked down.
"That good, huh?" Scully asked.
She began to unbutton Mulder's shirt. Mulder sat passively, as if he were in a trance.
Needing to feel useful, Skinner retrieved a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. He handed
the shirt to Scully, who pulled it down over Mulder's head.
"What happened at the meeting?" Skinner asked as Scully worked on Mulder's shoes and
socks.
Mulder hid a yawn and looked tiredly at Skinner. "I gave 'em my profile," he stated
simply.
When it became apparent that he wasn't going to say more, Skinner prodded him.
"And?"
"And?" Mulder echoed dully, already half asleep.
"Yes, Mulder," Skinner said. "And what did they do when you gave them your profile?"
"They . . ." Mulder's brow furrowed almost comically. "They, um . . . I'm too tired to
remember. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about." Scully finished tugging on his sweatpants
and gently pushed him back, her hand supporting his head as she lowered him down.
"You did a good job, Mulder. You're all finished. I expect you to sleep and eat the rest
of the time we're here. Doctor's orders. Understood?"
Mulder was already asleep before she could finish the order. Scully gathered up his
clothes and put them with the rest of his belongings.
"How long do you suppose he'll sleep?" Skinner asked.
Scully looked at Skinner, then Mulder, and shrugged. "If we're lucky, he'll sleep off and
on for a day or two."
Skinner shook his head. "That's insane," he replied. "I can't see how anyone can live
like that."
Scully shrugged again, not really wanting to say anything more on the subject. Instead
she said, "I'd really like to know what happened at that meeting."
"So would I."
Their eyes met, and the same thought occurred to them. Putting a finger to her lips,
Scully gestured for Skinner to follow her into her room through the connecting door. She
left the door slightly ajar so that she would be able to hear Mulder if he needed her.
Skinner took out his cell phone and dialed a number. Scully's cell phone rang, and she
answered it. Skinner gestured for her to wait, then dialed a second number.
"White."
As Skinner spoke with White, Scully wondered briefly if all FBI agents answered the
phone that way.
Soon Skinner had all three lines connected so that each person could hear the other two.
"What can I do for you?" White's voice sounded fatigued, and Scully almost hung up
there and then, but she had to know.
"What happened at the meeting?" Skinner asked.
"Mulder gave SAC Douglas his profile and explained to the rest of us his theory," White
replied.
"What then?" Scully asked.
White paused. Scully pushed harder. "Kevin, please. We have to know."
"I don't know," White said. "Maybe Mulder-."
"Mulder's not to be disturbed for a while," Scully cut him off. "Besides, he won't tell us
everything. Please, Kevin, tell us."
White sighed. "All right," he agreed. "But you didn't hear it from me."
Scully exchanged a concerned look with Skinner. What had happened?
"The presentation was solid," White began. "It filled in a lot of blanks. It even cleared
up a few arguments. But none of it was what anyone wanted to hear."
"What do you mean?" Skinner asked.
"Well, some of the agents knew McKay when he was in his prime," White explained.
"They didn't want to believe that he was responsible for something like this. So the
ridiculing began."
Scully felt her heart drop into her stomach. "What did they say?" she whispered.
"Juvenile stuff, really," White said. "None of it seemed to phase Mulder. He just let it
roll off his back and at the same time tried to point out the logic of his theory. Then
someone mentioned that if Samantha had been one of the victims, he'd have worked
harder to find the real killer."
Scully sat heavily on the bed.
"Mulder's face got so white I thought he was going to pass out from the shock," White
continued. "When they saw that they'd struck a nerve, they kept going. I tried to stop
them, but they ignored me."
"It's okay, Kevin," Skinner said. He was boiling with fury. "What else?"
"Douglas finally made them stop and thanked Mulder for wasting time and resources, and
that while his help was 'appreciated', he said he had 'real work' to get done. Then he
dismissed us," White finished quietly.
"Thank you, Kevin," Skinner said, and hung up.
Scully recovered from her shock and flung her phone across the room and into the wall.
"How can anyone be that cruel?" she shouted. "Mulder nearly killed himself working on
that case!"
"Scully!" Skinner grabbed her shoulders and quieted her. "Mulder's asleep.
Remember? Keep it down."
Scully's colored, and she nodded. "Sir, we have got to get them to use Mulder's profile,"
she said, her voice low. "That little girl only has two more days before she's dead. If she
dies, it will kill Mulder."
Skinner nodded. "I know," he replied. "I'll have a talk with Douglas later today. But
first I need to make myself presentable. I suggest that you rest while you can. You've
earned it."
Scully waited for him to leave before slipping silently into Mulder's room. Mulder was
asleep, but his face looked pained. He was in the beginnings of a nightmare. Scully
crossed over to his side and cupped his cheek. She watched as the frightened look
vanished and was replaced with one of peace.
Scully smiled. "Pleasant dreams, Mulder." She gently kissed his forehead. Mulder
mumbled something unintelligible and settled back into a deep sleep.
SAC Douglas' office
4:03 p.m.
Douglas lounged comfortably, his feet propped up on his desk. He leafed through the
profile Mulder had given him, having finally found the time to review it more thoroughly.
As much as he hated 'Spooky' Mulder, he had to give the man credit. He knew his stuff.
His profile, while completely different from previous theories, appeared to be right on
track. In fact, once he set his men after McKay, it would only be a matter of time before
he was caught, Suzie was recovered, and that alien-chasing spook of an agent could be
sent back to his hole in the ground that he called an office.
Douglas grinned and picked up the phone.
His fingers halted, poised over the buttons, when his door opened and A.D. Skinner
stepped inside the office. Douglas stood and nodded stiffly as Skinner sat down.
"Sir, this is a surprise," he said, sitting back down. "Agent Mulder informed me that you
Agent Scully were feeling a bit fatigued."
"Yes, well, I came to see how the meeting went," Skinner said.
"It went . . . well," Douglas said cautiously.
"I see. Agent Mulder gave you his profile?"
"Yes sir."
"And?
"I have some men looking into it," Douglas replied. It wasn't exactly a lie; the minute
the A.D. left he would put in the call. "But sir, I have to tell you . . . Agent Mulder is out
on a limb with this one, and my men and I are a little reluctant to go out and join him.
Joel McKay is a highly respected man."
"He could be the damned President of the United States for all I care," Skinner snapped.
"If he's the killer we're after, then he needs to be picked up."
"Sir, I don't know what Agent Mulder may have told you . . ." Douglas began
"He didn't say anything," Skinner cut him off. "He barely made it back before he fell
asleep. Now, I'm not going to try and ask what happened at the meeting. It would just
be a waste of time. I just came here to make sure that you use Agent Mulder's profile to
catch the killer." He stood. "Good day, Agent Douglas."
Douglas stared after him, his eyes narrow slits. He forced himself to regain control of his
temper before he picked up the phone and made the call to bring McKay in. He was still
seething over the meeting with Skinner, and decided to deal with Mulder and his profile
discreetly.
end 6/9