Part 2/8
*~X~ *~X~ *~X~ *~X~ *
It had been two weeks of Scully attempting to get Mulder to open up to her and him shooting her down. Finally, Scully gave up on reaching Mulder and he moved back to his apartment. One day, after she got home from work, Mulder asked Scully if she'd come over and that was where they were when Skinner showed up with Agents Doggett and Reyes in tow. He had only seen Doggett once or twice since Kersh had officially fired him from the FBI.
Scully pulled open her partner's door to reveal AD Skinner and two of her other coworkers. "Sir, what's wrong?" Scully moved to allow the three entry.
"Agent Scully, we have some upsetting news and some options to discuss with you and Mulder." Doggett spoke to her as she led him into Mulder's living room.
Mulder sat at his computer on the phone with Frohike. "Slow down Frohike. What? An outbreak of the same virus I had. Okay, Scully just brought Skinner and a few other people in; I'll talk with them and get back to you. Hang in there guys." Mulder set the phone down and turned to Skinner. He watched Scully lower herself onto the couch in what was her spot. Mulder observed Doggett look like he was going to sit next to her and Mulder stood, nearly knocking Skinner over in his haste to sit with Scully.
Scully glanced cautiously at Mulder before letting herself lean into him a bit. Surprisingly, she felt Mulder's hand tentatively brush her own. Scully saw Doggett hide a smile at Mulder's actions, his attempt to not provoke Mulder further.
"What do you have to tell us?" Mulder asked. His hand edged away from Scully's and he crossed his arms.
"According to the CDC in Atlanta, as of ten AM today, 7% of the world's population has been infected with "an unknown virus". Judging by the symptoms and everything that has been recorded, this is the same virus Mulder was infected with recently. According to information I received soon after reading this report, the invasion, as you called it Mulder, has begun. We've got to get you and Scully to a safe place."
"I agree. Where can Scully go?"
"We can't run Mulder." Scully argued.
"You're right, we can't. You have to Scully, you're due when?"
"Under six weeks."
"There's a place, it's relatively uninhabited and very remote." Reyes spoke up. "You, Agent Mulder and someone else who will be there for protection can drive there."
"I'm not going."
"Yes you are Mulder." Skinner told him.
"We'll settle this later. Alright, get in touch with the CDC and advise them that the proper course of treatment for this virus is the same way we treated Mulder." Scully began to bark out orders. "What about my brothers and my mom?"
"I was able to get in touch with both of your brothers and tell them to immediately quarantine themselves and their family and friends and watch for any signs of illness. I called your mother, but I didn't get an answer." Skinner answered. Scully tensed a bit and Mulder rubbed her arm comfortingly. Scully gripped his hand and twined their fingers together.
"Scully, didn't you say that your mom's phones have been on the fritz lately?"
"Yes. That's probably why you couldn't get a hold of her, Sir."
"Alright, let me call the gunmen and get them to go by your mom's house and get her then get themselves out of harm's way."
"I want to go." Scully began. Skinner shook his head.
"You can't."
"And why not?"
"It's too dangerous. What if something were to happen on the way?" Doggett answered for the group. "Plus you have to be ready to leave for the safe house at a moment's notice."
"Fine. Just tell them to email us and let me know she's okay." Scully backed down. Mulder freed his hand from Scully's and grabbed the phone before moving into his bedroom.
After five minutes, Mulder returned to the room just as Scully was on her way to the bathroom.
"They're getting Scully's mom as we speak. So, what's the plan? How can we stop this?"
"We can't." Reyes answered.
Mulder scowled. "What about a vaccine?"
"The only way would be if we made one. But we'd need somebody with antibodies and immunity to the virus."
"Me." Mulder and Scully spoke as one. Scully moved back into the room. "I have immunity, but the lump should be fully immune with better chances of the vaccine working. More so than me or Mulder."
"No." Doggett told her. "Your child will have no part in this."
"I agree with him Scully." Skinner crossed his arms. "There could be complications and something could happen to your baby."
"And the entire human race could be wiped out by aliens because I failed to do anything. I'm not going to have that on my shoulders." Scully shot back. "Agent Doggett, make sure I have lab supplies at my disposal for when we get to wherever the hell we're going."
"I'm going with you." Mulder stated with a conviction he didn't feel.
"But Mulder. You said…" Scully began.
"I know what I said. But this was before you signed yourself up to save the world. I'm not letting you go alone."
Scully looked up at Mulder, wondering what had gotten into him. Last week he wouldn't have cared where she went or what she did. "When do we leave?"
"Tonight. I suggest you pack light because I'm positive that once the confusion of this sets in, things will be pretty cheap." Doggett spoke grimly.
"Who is the protection that is going with us?" Mulder asked crossing his arms again.
"Me." Reyes smiled. "It was either me or John, and John doesn't know how to deliver a baby." She referred to Doggett.
"I need to go home and gather some things. Can anyone give me a ride if it's not out of your way?" Scully asked partially changing the subject.
"I will Agent Scully." Doggett nodded at her. "You're right on my way back to the office."
"That's okay Agent Doggett. I'll take Scully home." Mulder spoke up and glared at Doggett, daring him to argue.
"No problem." Doggett spun to face Scully. "I'll make the calls and get you the supplies you need."
"Thank you."
~ * ~ * ~
Later that night, Scully sat reclining on Mulder's couch while he packed. She thought once again about the distance Mulder was keeping from her and how it seemed to fluctuate. One minute he didn't want anything to do with her, the next, she was the only person he wanted to see. It happened a lot when Doggett was around, and Scully wondered if he was jealous.
"Scully, could you get the door? That's probably Reyes." Mulder called from the bedroom. Scully slid off of the couch and it finally hit her what they were doing. She and Mulder were running away. Scully was shocked to find that she was shaking. Instead of going to the door, despite the insistent knocking, she wandered into Mulder's bedroom. Scully noted the slight changes he'd made since being home. Gone was the picture of them together at the premiere of "The Lazarus Bowl", gone was the picture of her that he'd made the crime scene photographer take while on a case last year. Idly, Scully wondered what Mulder had done with the pictures, had he put them away for a time when he felt something for her again?
Scully walked up beside Mulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder and she felt Mulder tense as her stomach came into contact with him. Scully breathed out a small cry and Mulder brought his hands to her shoulders.
"Scully, Reyes is at the door. We have to go." Mulder gently pushed Scully away and walked out of the room. Scully took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. Once she'd regained her composure, Scully made her way back out into the other room as well. Mulder stood with his arms crossed facing Reyes who looked apprehensive and anxious at the same time.
"What's wrong?" Scully asked immediately.
"We're not leaving yet." Mulder tossed over his shoulder.
"Why not?"
"Cause Doggett didn't give Reyes the keys for everything that we need. So we have to drive down to the bureau and get it." Mulder related.
"That's not so bad." Scully soothed.
"People will want to know where we're going. Especially Kersh." Mulder argued.
"Actually, AD Skinner told me that if anyone asked, he would maintain that Agent Scully was still on maternity leave and didn't have to be in contact with the bureau." Reyes broke in.
"Fine." Mulder conceded. "The sooner we go, the sooner we can leave Washington." He went back into his bedroom and grabbed his and Scully's bags. Scully made a grab for hers, but Mulder shook his head. "I got it Scully." He bent his head and when he saw that Reyes wasn't looking, gave Scully a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry." Mulder whispered.
"You're forgiven." Scully smiled at him.
~ * ~ * ~
Scully and Mulder were waiting for Reyes in the parking garage. The other agent had saved them the trouble of going into the FBI Building by running in and leaving them in the car like children. Scully had climbed from the small Taurus claiming that her back hurt and she didn't want to be crammed in there any more than necessary. Out of loneliness, Mulder had climbed out behind Scully to stand beside her. Scully leaned against the car facing Mulder. He avoided looking at her.
"Mulder, talk to me." Scully whispered.
"Not right now Scully. Emotions are too fresh and we'll both end up saying things we don't mean. Then where will we be?"
"Alright. But I'm not going to stop trying Mulder." Scully crossed her arms and turned her back to Mulder. She noticed a confused-looking agent walking out from the building. He was rubbing his eyes and looking around.
"Mulder, do we know him?" Scully asked quietly.
"Do we know who?" Mulder asked turning toward her and starting when he saw the other agent. Slowly, Mulder reached out for Scully's hand. He pulled her away from the car and loosened his grip on her hand as he began to push her quickly. "Why don't we walk around a bit Scully?"
"Mulder," Scully hissed angrily. "What the hell are you doing?" In truth, she wasn't angry, just startled by the contact that Mulder had initiated.
"He's been changed Scully." Mulder whispered. "We had to get away from him because once the confusion wears off, the new life form will attempt to fulfill his mission."
"What's his mission?" Scully asked. Mulder didn't answer. Scully grabbed his hand. "Mulder, what's his mission? Is this because of the X-files?"
"This isn't just because of The X-Files, Scully. This is about you." Mulder faced Scully. "This is about the fact that they have these amazing abilities and they know what we're planning. I can sense it." Mulder gripped Scully's face in his hands. "It's about the fact that you're taking on a task that an entire group couldn't perfect." Mulder bent and kissed Scully's forehead and looked around. They heard footsteps and Mulder herded Scully behind a pole where they drew their weapons.
Mulder peeked around the corner and saw no one but Reyes looking around in confusion. Blindly, Mulder reached back for Scully's hand and pulled her out of the alcove.
"There you guys are!" Reyes exclaimed. "You guys weren't at the car and I got worried."
"Did you get everything?" Mulder asked dropping Scully's hand and holstering his weapon.
"Yep. You ready?"
"More than ready." Scully told her walking back to the car and unlocking it.
End of part 2, more on the way.
*~X~ *~X~ *~X~ *~X~ *
It had been two weeks of Scully attempting to get Mulder to open up to her and him shooting her down. Finally, Scully gave up on reaching Mulder and he moved back to his apartment. One day, after she got home from work, Mulder asked Scully if she'd come over and that was where they were when Skinner showed up with Agents Doggett and Reyes in tow. He had only seen Doggett once or twice since Kersh had officially fired him from the FBI.
Scully pulled open her partner's door to reveal AD Skinner and two of her other coworkers. "Sir, what's wrong?" Scully moved to allow the three entry.
"Agent Scully, we have some upsetting news and some options to discuss with you and Mulder." Doggett spoke to her as she led him into Mulder's living room.
Mulder sat at his computer on the phone with Frohike. "Slow down Frohike. What? An outbreak of the same virus I had. Okay, Scully just brought Skinner and a few other people in; I'll talk with them and get back to you. Hang in there guys." Mulder set the phone down and turned to Skinner. He watched Scully lower herself onto the couch in what was her spot. Mulder observed Doggett look like he was going to sit next to her and Mulder stood, nearly knocking Skinner over in his haste to sit with Scully.
Scully glanced cautiously at Mulder before letting herself lean into him a bit. Surprisingly, she felt Mulder's hand tentatively brush her own. Scully saw Doggett hide a smile at Mulder's actions, his attempt to not provoke Mulder further.
"What do you have to tell us?" Mulder asked. His hand edged away from Scully's and he crossed his arms.
"According to the CDC in Atlanta, as of ten AM today, 7% of the world's population has been infected with "an unknown virus". Judging by the symptoms and everything that has been recorded, this is the same virus Mulder was infected with recently. According to information I received soon after reading this report, the invasion, as you called it Mulder, has begun. We've got to get you and Scully to a safe place."
"I agree. Where can Scully go?"
"We can't run Mulder." Scully argued.
"You're right, we can't. You have to Scully, you're due when?"
"Under six weeks."
"There's a place, it's relatively uninhabited and very remote." Reyes spoke up. "You, Agent Mulder and someone else who will be there for protection can drive there."
"I'm not going."
"Yes you are Mulder." Skinner told him.
"We'll settle this later. Alright, get in touch with the CDC and advise them that the proper course of treatment for this virus is the same way we treated Mulder." Scully began to bark out orders. "What about my brothers and my mom?"
"I was able to get in touch with both of your brothers and tell them to immediately quarantine themselves and their family and friends and watch for any signs of illness. I called your mother, but I didn't get an answer." Skinner answered. Scully tensed a bit and Mulder rubbed her arm comfortingly. Scully gripped his hand and twined their fingers together.
"Scully, didn't you say that your mom's phones have been on the fritz lately?"
"Yes. That's probably why you couldn't get a hold of her, Sir."
"Alright, let me call the gunmen and get them to go by your mom's house and get her then get themselves out of harm's way."
"I want to go." Scully began. Skinner shook his head.
"You can't."
"And why not?"
"It's too dangerous. What if something were to happen on the way?" Doggett answered for the group. "Plus you have to be ready to leave for the safe house at a moment's notice."
"Fine. Just tell them to email us and let me know she's okay." Scully backed down. Mulder freed his hand from Scully's and grabbed the phone before moving into his bedroom.
After five minutes, Mulder returned to the room just as Scully was on her way to the bathroom.
"They're getting Scully's mom as we speak. So, what's the plan? How can we stop this?"
"We can't." Reyes answered.
Mulder scowled. "What about a vaccine?"
"The only way would be if we made one. But we'd need somebody with antibodies and immunity to the virus."
"Me." Mulder and Scully spoke as one. Scully moved back into the room. "I have immunity, but the lump should be fully immune with better chances of the vaccine working. More so than me or Mulder."
"No." Doggett told her. "Your child will have no part in this."
"I agree with him Scully." Skinner crossed his arms. "There could be complications and something could happen to your baby."
"And the entire human race could be wiped out by aliens because I failed to do anything. I'm not going to have that on my shoulders." Scully shot back. "Agent Doggett, make sure I have lab supplies at my disposal for when we get to wherever the hell we're going."
"I'm going with you." Mulder stated with a conviction he didn't feel.
"But Mulder. You said…" Scully began.
"I know what I said. But this was before you signed yourself up to save the world. I'm not letting you go alone."
Scully looked up at Mulder, wondering what had gotten into him. Last week he wouldn't have cared where she went or what she did. "When do we leave?"
"Tonight. I suggest you pack light because I'm positive that once the confusion of this sets in, things will be pretty cheap." Doggett spoke grimly.
"Who is the protection that is going with us?" Mulder asked crossing his arms again.
"Me." Reyes smiled. "It was either me or John, and John doesn't know how to deliver a baby." She referred to Doggett.
"I need to go home and gather some things. Can anyone give me a ride if it's not out of your way?" Scully asked partially changing the subject.
"I will Agent Scully." Doggett nodded at her. "You're right on my way back to the office."
"That's okay Agent Doggett. I'll take Scully home." Mulder spoke up and glared at Doggett, daring him to argue.
"No problem." Doggett spun to face Scully. "I'll make the calls and get you the supplies you need."
"Thank you."
~ * ~ * ~
Later that night, Scully sat reclining on Mulder's couch while he packed. She thought once again about the distance Mulder was keeping from her and how it seemed to fluctuate. One minute he didn't want anything to do with her, the next, she was the only person he wanted to see. It happened a lot when Doggett was around, and Scully wondered if he was jealous.
"Scully, could you get the door? That's probably Reyes." Mulder called from the bedroom. Scully slid off of the couch and it finally hit her what they were doing. She and Mulder were running away. Scully was shocked to find that she was shaking. Instead of going to the door, despite the insistent knocking, she wandered into Mulder's bedroom. Scully noted the slight changes he'd made since being home. Gone was the picture of them together at the premiere of "The Lazarus Bowl", gone was the picture of her that he'd made the crime scene photographer take while on a case last year. Idly, Scully wondered what Mulder had done with the pictures, had he put them away for a time when he felt something for her again?
Scully walked up beside Mulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder and she felt Mulder tense as her stomach came into contact with him. Scully breathed out a small cry and Mulder brought his hands to her shoulders.
"Scully, Reyes is at the door. We have to go." Mulder gently pushed Scully away and walked out of the room. Scully took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. Once she'd regained her composure, Scully made her way back out into the other room as well. Mulder stood with his arms crossed facing Reyes who looked apprehensive and anxious at the same time.
"What's wrong?" Scully asked immediately.
"We're not leaving yet." Mulder tossed over his shoulder.
"Why not?"
"Cause Doggett didn't give Reyes the keys for everything that we need. So we have to drive down to the bureau and get it." Mulder related.
"That's not so bad." Scully soothed.
"People will want to know where we're going. Especially Kersh." Mulder argued.
"Actually, AD Skinner told me that if anyone asked, he would maintain that Agent Scully was still on maternity leave and didn't have to be in contact with the bureau." Reyes broke in.
"Fine." Mulder conceded. "The sooner we go, the sooner we can leave Washington." He went back into his bedroom and grabbed his and Scully's bags. Scully made a grab for hers, but Mulder shook his head. "I got it Scully." He bent his head and when he saw that Reyes wasn't looking, gave Scully a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry." Mulder whispered.
"You're forgiven." Scully smiled at him.
~ * ~ * ~
Scully and Mulder were waiting for Reyes in the parking garage. The other agent had saved them the trouble of going into the FBI Building by running in and leaving them in the car like children. Scully had climbed from the small Taurus claiming that her back hurt and she didn't want to be crammed in there any more than necessary. Out of loneliness, Mulder had climbed out behind Scully to stand beside her. Scully leaned against the car facing Mulder. He avoided looking at her.
"Mulder, talk to me." Scully whispered.
"Not right now Scully. Emotions are too fresh and we'll both end up saying things we don't mean. Then where will we be?"
"Alright. But I'm not going to stop trying Mulder." Scully crossed her arms and turned her back to Mulder. She noticed a confused-looking agent walking out from the building. He was rubbing his eyes and looking around.
"Mulder, do we know him?" Scully asked quietly.
"Do we know who?" Mulder asked turning toward her and starting when he saw the other agent. Slowly, Mulder reached out for Scully's hand. He pulled her away from the car and loosened his grip on her hand as he began to push her quickly. "Why don't we walk around a bit Scully?"
"Mulder," Scully hissed angrily. "What the hell are you doing?" In truth, she wasn't angry, just startled by the contact that Mulder had initiated.
"He's been changed Scully." Mulder whispered. "We had to get away from him because once the confusion wears off, the new life form will attempt to fulfill his mission."
"What's his mission?" Scully asked. Mulder didn't answer. Scully grabbed his hand. "Mulder, what's his mission? Is this because of the X-files?"
"This isn't just because of The X-Files, Scully. This is about you." Mulder faced Scully. "This is about the fact that they have these amazing abilities and they know what we're planning. I can sense it." Mulder gripped Scully's face in his hands. "It's about the fact that you're taking on a task that an entire group couldn't perfect." Mulder bent and kissed Scully's forehead and looked around. They heard footsteps and Mulder herded Scully behind a pole where they drew their weapons.
Mulder peeked around the corner and saw no one but Reyes looking around in confusion. Blindly, Mulder reached back for Scully's hand and pulled her out of the alcove.
"There you guys are!" Reyes exclaimed. "You guys weren't at the car and I got worried."
"Did you get everything?" Mulder asked dropping Scully's hand and holstering his weapon.
"Yep. You ready?"
"More than ready." Scully told her walking back to the car and unlocking it.
End of part 2, more on the way.