PRINCIPALS VI
Archive: Yes, please! Just let me know where...
Spoiler: Oh, absolutely everything. Requiem hasn't happened, though.
Rating: R for language
Classification: MSR
Disclaimer: (As the Mad Hatter in Disney's Alice in Wonderland) Not mine, not mine, not mine! Although I can't help but think they're in better hands with me than CC... g.
Feedback: Please!
Notes: Ok, here we go again. This is the sixth installment of a story that decided to become a series without consulting me. Rather rude of it, wouldn't you say? I'm trying my best to continue giving you, the readers, what you want, and I hope I haven't disappointed. Just in case you're wondering, YES, I do know where this is all going. And I'm working towards the end. I've been doing this for about two years now, and that's the longest I've ever worked on any work of fiction, be it fanfic or my other books. Anyway, I worked hard on this, so here it goes. Enjoy...
Silver Beauty
Principals VI
December 4, 2000
Bethesda National
2:00 AM (34 hours)
Someone was holding his hand.
Mulder fought to open his eyes until he saw Scully looking at him, worried.
"You ok?" He asked groggily.
"Me?" She stammered. "Mulder, you're the one in the hospital bed--"
"The *chip*, do you still have it?"
"Yes. No one's tried to take it." She sighed. "You up to answering a question for me?"
"Shoot."
"What the hell happened?"
"We were--uh..." He flicked his eyes to the door and back.
"It's ok, we're alone."
"'K. We were sleeping, and I felt a breeze. I sort of half awoke and you heard someone and went for your gun. They got you in the back of the head and you blacked out."
"You know it was?"
"Yeah." He paused.
"*Well*?"
"Tom Colton."
"Oh my God."
"Scully, you have to believe me."
"Oh, I believe you, Mulder. I just--think you should get some sleep."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be back, Mulder, don't worry. I'll take care of this."
"Scully."
"Sleep." She kissed his forehead and headed out. "I'll be back."
***
Apartment of Tom Colton
3:30 AM (32 1/2 hours)
"He's not at work, it's too early." Scully said to her boss as they rang the buzzer. "Way too early. God, what *possessed* him?"
Skinner shook his head. "I don't know."
A scream. Suddenly their guns were out and they were kicking down the door.
"Where is he?"
"Fourth floor."
They raced upstairs and found an old woman standing there.
"Ma'am, what happened?" Scully asked. All the woman could do was babble incoherently. "Stay with her, sir." She took off down the hallway.
"What?" But she was gone.
Colton's door was open. She ran in and nearly tripped over his body.
"Dead? Skinner came up behind her.
"Execution style. God, what a mess." She reached down and felt the body. "Not more than a few hours." Then she looked up. "And that's my gun."
"You've got a solid alibi, agent, you were with me. No one's going to frame you for this."
"Did the woman in the hallway see anything?"
"No. She just heard shots, and that was all it took."
She sighed. "I need to talk to Mulder."
***
Bethesda National
4:30 AM (31 1/2 hours)
Scully was apprehended by a doctor on the way in.
"Agent Scully?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Dr. Roberts, I'm in charge of Agent Mulder."
"Ah, yes, doctor. Have you figured out what's wrong with him?"
"I--" the doctor showed his amazement, raising his arms in the air. "The best way I can put it is cancer."
"Oh, God--" She seemed to be asking Him for more and more help lately.
"No, it's *not* cancer. It just seems like it. Basically what's happening is there are some bad blood cells attacking his whites, which are disappearing as fast as the bad ones are reproducing."
"What's the prognosis?"
"We think that once the white blood cells are gone, they're going to attack the artery walls. Begin bleeding internally. Then maybe even go after his major organs. Heart, liver..."
Scully could only stare in disbelief.
"He's not in any pain. But if the course it's taking continues, we're not going to be able to do anything for him. We don't know how to treat this. The best we can do is study it... and keep him comfortable."
"No."
"No?"
"I don't believe you. I want to see his tests, his blood workup. Have you tried filtering it? I know it's a radical procedure, but..."
"Agent Scully, I think you're underestimating what I've said. There is *nothing* we can do. I'm sorry. Does he have family to be notified?"
"No. But I'm not giving up on him."
"Agent..."
"I am a doctor. I've had cancer. It's gone now. It was a miracle, but I've seen enough to believe in them. Mulder is not going to die."
The doctor sighed. "Look, Agent Scully, I don't want to pry, but how close are you and Agent Mulder exactly?"
"We're partners."
"So you're close. You might want to spend this time with him before..."
"Before what?"
"Before it's too late."
Scully shook her head slowly, backing away from him. "I have to save him."
The doctor watched sympathetically. Scully swallowed hard and blinked back tears.
"I have to."
***
6:00 AM (30 hrs)
Scully ran a weary hand through her hair. Her time in the lab had told her only what she already knew. Mulder was dying.
And she had no idea what to do.
Pausing at Mulder's door, she took a deep breath. She was going to have to tell him the truth. Mulder would be able to tell if she was lying to him. Licking her lips, Scully pushed the door open.
Inside, Mulder lay on his back attached to an obscene number of wires and machines. Their steady beeps and clicks set the scene for her. This was medical. She could handle this.
Mulder started to sit up, but she waved him back down and took a seat.
"You're not holding my hand." He cracked. "Can't be that bad."
Mulder knew.
"The doctor told you." She whispered.
"Yeah."
"Mulder, we are going to fight this."
"Can we? Scully, I'm not a doctor. But even I can tell it doesn't look good."
"Regardless. Mulder, I called for Father McCue for my Last Rites when I thought I was going to die of cancer. But I'm still here--and on the strength of *your* beliefs."
"That was different."
"How?" Scully demanded. "The way you're talking, it--"
"Scully. I just don't want you killing yourself over a cure that doesn't exist. And if the time comes when I only have a few hours..."
"Mulder--"
"Dana." His tone stopped her. "Don't take that time from me. If there's no hope, I want to be with you as much as I can."
Scully sniffed and blinked back tears. She nodded once and the promise was made. Rising slowly, she kissed his forehead and brushed a lock of hair aside before moving back.
"I have some tests to check on." She said softly.
"Ok."
Scully almost ran into Skinner on her way out the door. He didn't look happy.
"Agent Scully, may I have a word with you?"
"Sir..." she extended an arm in the direction of the labs.
"We'll walk, then."
Uh-oh.
As they started down the hallway, he spoke.
"Agent Scully, are you and Agent Mulder together?"
Scully stopped and looked at him. "I'm sorry, sir, could you rephrase that question a bit more clearly?"
"You know full well what I'm asking you, Agent. Have you and Agent Mulder engaged in consensual sexual intercourse?"
"No, sir."
"Would you be willing to take a polygraph test?" Scully worked her jaw but remained calm. All in good time.
"Yes, sir. That is not the basis of my relationship with Agent Mulder."
"Off the record. A friend asking a friend."
"It would still be the same answer."
"Would it?"
"Are you accusing me of lying to you?"
"Agent Scully, you and Agent Mulder are close. I've said that to you before. And now I'll say this. Even while I believe you, there are others who won't."
"Why are you asking anyway, sir? What brough it up?"
"One of the members of the investigative team asked. They thought maybe he wanted to stay with you the night he was taken so you could... you know."
"How does that pertain to the investigation, sir?"
"It doesn't. I'm sure you know there are pools circling everywhere about the two of you. This man just wanted to know. But if I didn't ask you he'd get nosy and go to the director. As of right now you've answered... and the subject is closed."
Skinner turned and started away, then stopped.
"Be careful, Agent. They'll use anything."
Scully slowly exhaled. That was close.
***
Lone Gunmen Headquarters
12:00 AM (24 hrs.)
December 5
"It's me, open up!" Scully knocked on the Gunmen's door. A few moments later, Frohike swung it open.
"Agent Scully. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Whatever bastard did this." she pushed her way through, giving Frohike copies of all the test she'd run. Byers and Langly came in.
"Agent Scully--what's going on?" Byers asked, pulling on a robe.
"Mulder's dying." she said. "We're racing time on this. Those are copies of test results, do you recognize anything?"
"You mean from abductees?"
"I mean from anything. Abductees, cattle mutilations, I don't care. I just want to know what's going on."
"Anywhere you'd like us to start?" Byers asked, sitting at the computer.
"Y--yeah. Actually. The FBI."
***
4:00 AM (20 hrs.)
"Got something." Frohike proclaimed.
"What? In Colton's computer?"
"No. On a hunch, I ran through his boss' computer, thinking maybe he was under orders. A match showed up in the assistant director's program."
"Not Skinner," Scully said, unable to believe it.
"No. Kersh."
***
5:00 AM (19 hrs.)
"He's probably here already." Scully said to herself. "This had better work."
"It's for Mulder. We'll make it work." Langly said confidently.
"You know the plan?" she asked.
Scully and Frohike would have no problems getting in with her clearance. Once there, Frohike would pick the lock on the door. Kersh would not be in his office; from the nearby park, Byers and Langly would use a dubbing of the Director's voice chewing him out over something. Scully had listened to the tape. It was very good. It would tell him to go to his office. Then they would call the Director's secretary, as her boss, and tell her to make him sit and wait.
If everything worked.
"Ok, let's go." Frohike expertly hacked into the computer and went straight to an unmarked directory.
"Where's this?" he asked, tapping the screen.
"I don't know. Looks like something in the older part of town. You know..." she said, tapping the screen as the map printed out. "You shouldn't be in this business if you're stupid."
***
Unknown location
6:00 AM (18 hrs.)
Scully pushed the door open and surveyed the room in dismay. An hour of driving for this?
The entire room was in shambles.
"Is there anything we can use here?" she asked no one, wishing the Gunmen had come.
There was nothing she could use. Now what? She made her way out into another hallway and stopped short. Two voices were coming from a room down a ways. She paused by the door and flattened her back against the wall.
"Do you have the final batch?" she peeked around and saw Kersh answer the speaker phone.
"Yes."
"You know how to dispose of it."
"Yes."
*No!* Scully thought frantically. The antidote? Or whatever poison Mulder was given? She had to get it. But she looked in again and he was gone.
"Damn it." She hissed, and ran outside. No one in sight. As soon as she got back to the car, she called the Lone Gunmen in their surveillance van.
"Lone Gunmen."
"It's Scully."
"Oh, hey, listen, traffic's picking up and we're getting some weird looks. You about done out there?"
"Why aren't you watching him?"
"What?"
"He's here--and he has something, but I lost him. You were supposed to make sure he didn't follow me!"
"Agent Scully, you must be mistaken." Byers said soothingly. "We've been here all this time and he's just now returned to his office. He's not doing anything."
"Correction." Frohike's voice came on the line. "He's picking his nose."
Scully rolled her eyes. "Then who did *I* see?"
"Are you sure it was him?"
"Yes."
"Clone?"
Scully sucked in a breath. "Or an alien bounty hunter."
"My love!" Frohike crowed.
"Why would *he* want it?"
***
8:00 AM (16 hrs.)
FBI Headquarters
"Agent Scully, do we know anything more?" Skinner watched her face carefully.
"A little. I believe there may be an antidote, but it isn't anywhere that can be found."
"So what, then? That's it?"
Scully sighed. "I can't think like that. There has to be something *something*."
"How's Agent Mulder doing?"
"Not good. I'm on my way right now."
"Go."
***
9:00 AM (15 hrs.)
Bethesda National
"Hey, Scully, look what I can do." Mulder said upon her entrance. He picked up a cube of jell-o and attempted to balance it on his nose. She smiled weakly and sat down. Mulder tossed the jell-o in the garbage can, where it landed with a hollow thud.
"Scully, you need to get some sleep." he said firmly, looking at her. "You look like *you* should be in the hospital."
She shook her head. "I'm still not giving up..."
"I'm not asking you to give up. I'm asking you to take a break. Take a nap. You'll think better."
"Ok." she finally aquiesced. "You're right. You're right."
Mulder smiled at her and pointed to an empty cot in the corner.
"I knew you would be back."
Scully was asleep in moments.
***
Unknown location
10:00 AM (14 hrs.)
Krycek had just reached his door when the bounty hunter stepped out of the shadows.
"Mr. Krycek. I assume you know who I am."
"This your real face? Surely you can do better."
"Aren't we pleasant? But I'm not here for that." he pulled out a vial. "Agent Mulder is going to die in approximately fourteen hours."
"Works for me."
"You are going to steal his dead body and bring him here. Inject this into him and he will live."
"I think you can imagine why I would say no to that particular plan."
"You don't have a choice. And before you do that you will wait for Agent Scully in the west stairwell of Bethesda National. Two men will attack her. You will not let them. Kill them, shoot them, whatever."
"And *why* don't I have a choice?"
"Surely you've heard of the horrible things that happen to abductees..."
Krycek slammed the door in his face.
***
12:00 PM (12 hrs.)
Bethesda National
"Scully." Mulder was calling her. "Scully, get up."
"What is it?" she rolled over slowly and managed to get up. "You ok?"
"Doctor wants to talk to you." he didn't sound hopeful.
"Mulder." Scully checked to see if they were alone, then kissed him. "Don't--"
"My hunches often prove correct, Scully." the gleam in his eyes was fast fading.
She shook her head defiantly, but before she could speak someone came in.
"Agent Scully." The doctor gestured. "May I speak with you?"
Scully bit her lip. "This is *not* over." she whispered, and followed the man out.
The doctor didn't waste words.
"There's been a change. I'm afraid Agent Mulder is getting worse. By my estimation he has no more than twelve hours to live."
Scully closed her eyes. "We've done everything we can."
"I'm sorry."
She blinked back tears. "Can you leave us alone?"
"Of course."
Scully stepped back into the room. Mulder looked at her and she began to shake. The only way she could stand was leaning against the door.
"Give it to me straight, Scully." Mulder said, laying on his back and staring with eyes closed at the ceiling.
"They think twelve hours." She almost sobbed the last word, caught herself. "I don't think there's anything to be done."
"You're right."
***
2:00 PM (10 hrs.)
Scully had called Skinner, who said he would be there as soon as he could. She had called her mother, who had been appropriately sympathetic.
There was no one else to call.
A clock ticked.
The windows were open and a slight breeze permeated the dusty sunlight.
Aside from the two agents, the room was empty.
Scully knew that when the sun was gone, their time would draw to a close. She wanted to take it and pull it back, keep it forever. But the sunlight fell on Mulder's hand, and holding that was the best she could do. There was a horrible tightness in her chest that, as each hour had gone by, had worsened. Mulder still hadn't spoken a word.
The clock ticked.
"Hey Scully?" Finally he spoke. "Is there any way you could sit with me? Here?"
Immediately she moved to stretch herself along Mulder's lanky frame, closing her eyes slowly as he pulled her close. To never feel this again, to never hear his voice, to never see him...
"How are we going to explain this if Skinner comes in?" He asked, kissing her head.
"Who cares?"
"I do. Even after I die, they could still fire you. For hiding it."
Scully's derisive snort coupled with the shaking of her head told him all he needed to know. She didn't care.
***
4:00 PM (8 hrs.)
When Skinner knocked on the door, no one answered. Fearing the worst, he swung it open and stumbled in.
Dusk was falling and the room was dark. The beam of light that fell from the hallway glanced upon Mulder, asleep. Scully was kneeling at his bedside, his hand in hers. She stood and turned around.
Skinner realized he had never seen Scully cry openly in front of him before--at least not that he could remember. But here she stood before him, tears shining on her face.
"Agent..." he said softly. She sighed and followed him into the hallway.
"Sir. I'm glad you're here." Scully closed the door and crossed her arms over her chest. "You understood everything I told you."
"Yes. Unfortunately."
"They're saying he has until midnight." her voice broke. "Sir, that only gives him about eight hours."
"I know." He sat down in a standard issue hospital chair outside the door. "Go on back in, Agent. I'll make sure no one bothers you."
Scully managed a weak smile and returned to her partner.
***
7:00 PM (5 hrs.)
Time was flying. Scully had finally turned a lamp on, but it's dreary light only served to make the room glow eeriely.
"It's astounding. Time is fleeting. Madness... takes it's toll." Mulder said in dry monotone. Scully almost laughed. Only Mulder.
But his goal was to make her laugh. He wanted her to. He tried again.
"Well, as long as they can think, we'll have our problems."
"Plan 9 from Outer Space." She said immediately.
"How 'bout this one?" he changed his voice. "My sniper zombies are everywhere..."
"Agent Scully..." the doctor came in. "The nurse has to give Agent Mulder a shot. And I need to speak with you."
"But I'm all right..." Mulder groaned, winking at Scully.
"Caddyshack." she half-laughed. The doctor pulled her out.
"I'm worried." Scully stared at him.
"What now?"
"He appears to be delerious. I'm not sure what could have brought it on..."
"Delerious." she wiped a tear of mirth from her eye. "Doctor, that's not delerium. That's Mulder being Mulder."
***
10:00 PM (2 hrs.)
Time was still flying. Mulder had grown tired and quiet as the hour drew near. Scully was sitting next to the bed. The lamplight glinted off her cross...
"Scully." he gasped. "I almost forgot. Bring my bag over here." he pulled a small box out and motioned for her to come closer. When she did, he pulled her into a hug and began to manipulate the clasp of her necklace. When he let go, a gold band clinked against the cross.
"What?" she asked softly.
"Wear it for me. When I come back to haunt you I expect to see it there."
Scully tried to smile, but failed miserably. "God, Mulder..." she whispered, kissing his hand and holding it close to her. "What am I going to do without you?"
***
11:30 PM (1/2 hr.)
Mulder could barely move. He was in absolute and total agony. But he was lucid. Finally, Scully couldn't stand it anymore.
"Mulder." she spoke through choked tears. "Do you want to go?" The pain in her eyes almost killed him right then and there.
"How much time do I have?"
"Half an hour. But you're in pain. This isn't right."
He sighed. "I don't want to leave you, Scully."
"You won't." she steadied her voice. "You promised to haunt me, remember?"
"I promise."
Scully leaned over and kissed him, stopping only when her tears threatened to fall from her eyes into his. When she pulled away, Mulder's eyes were glassy.
"How is this going to work?"
"I'm going to give you a shot. I'll clear it with the doctors. It will be absolutely painless. You'll fall asleep... and just never wake up."
And so it was done. Scully got the syringe and stood before her partner. She didn't bother to hide her tears.
"I love you, Mulder." she said softly.
"Forever." he answered in kind. She injected the solution.
Moments later, he flatlined.
End Part VI/??
AUTHOR'S NOTES: It's astounding... blah blah blah is from Rocky Horror Picture Show, it isn't mine. Neither is Plan Nine or Caddyshack or that stupid X-Files Movie with the sniper zombies.
Please don't send me any death threats or flames. Chapter seven is already on the way. Ok? Calm down. Thanks muchly. Bye bye for now!
Archive: Yes, please! Just let me know where...
Spoiler: Oh, absolutely everything. Requiem hasn't happened, though.
Rating: R for language
Classification: MSR
Disclaimer: (As the Mad Hatter in Disney's Alice in Wonderland) Not mine, not mine, not mine! Although I can't help but think they're in better hands with me than CC... g.
Feedback: Please!
Notes: Ok, here we go again. This is the sixth installment of a story that decided to become a series without consulting me. Rather rude of it, wouldn't you say? I'm trying my best to continue giving you, the readers, what you want, and I hope I haven't disappointed. Just in case you're wondering, YES, I do know where this is all going. And I'm working towards the end. I've been doing this for about two years now, and that's the longest I've ever worked on any work of fiction, be it fanfic or my other books. Anyway, I worked hard on this, so here it goes. Enjoy...
Silver Beauty
Principals VI
December 4, 2000
Bethesda National
2:00 AM (34 hours)
Someone was holding his hand.
Mulder fought to open his eyes until he saw Scully looking at him, worried.
"You ok?" He asked groggily.
"Me?" She stammered. "Mulder, you're the one in the hospital bed--"
"The *chip*, do you still have it?"
"Yes. No one's tried to take it." She sighed. "You up to answering a question for me?"
"Shoot."
"What the hell happened?"
"We were--uh..." He flicked his eyes to the door and back.
"It's ok, we're alone."
"'K. We were sleeping, and I felt a breeze. I sort of half awoke and you heard someone and went for your gun. They got you in the back of the head and you blacked out."
"You know it was?"
"Yeah." He paused.
"*Well*?"
"Tom Colton."
"Oh my God."
"Scully, you have to believe me."
"Oh, I believe you, Mulder. I just--think you should get some sleep."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be back, Mulder, don't worry. I'll take care of this."
"Scully."
"Sleep." She kissed his forehead and headed out. "I'll be back."
***
Apartment of Tom Colton
3:30 AM (32 1/2 hours)
"He's not at work, it's too early." Scully said to her boss as they rang the buzzer. "Way too early. God, what *possessed* him?"
Skinner shook his head. "I don't know."
A scream. Suddenly their guns were out and they were kicking down the door.
"Where is he?"
"Fourth floor."
They raced upstairs and found an old woman standing there.
"Ma'am, what happened?" Scully asked. All the woman could do was babble incoherently. "Stay with her, sir." She took off down the hallway.
"What?" But she was gone.
Colton's door was open. She ran in and nearly tripped over his body.
"Dead? Skinner came up behind her.
"Execution style. God, what a mess." She reached down and felt the body. "Not more than a few hours." Then she looked up. "And that's my gun."
"You've got a solid alibi, agent, you were with me. No one's going to frame you for this."
"Did the woman in the hallway see anything?"
"No. She just heard shots, and that was all it took."
She sighed. "I need to talk to Mulder."
***
Bethesda National
4:30 AM (31 1/2 hours)
Scully was apprehended by a doctor on the way in.
"Agent Scully?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Dr. Roberts, I'm in charge of Agent Mulder."
"Ah, yes, doctor. Have you figured out what's wrong with him?"
"I--" the doctor showed his amazement, raising his arms in the air. "The best way I can put it is cancer."
"Oh, God--" She seemed to be asking Him for more and more help lately.
"No, it's *not* cancer. It just seems like it. Basically what's happening is there are some bad blood cells attacking his whites, which are disappearing as fast as the bad ones are reproducing."
"What's the prognosis?"
"We think that once the white blood cells are gone, they're going to attack the artery walls. Begin bleeding internally. Then maybe even go after his major organs. Heart, liver..."
Scully could only stare in disbelief.
"He's not in any pain. But if the course it's taking continues, we're not going to be able to do anything for him. We don't know how to treat this. The best we can do is study it... and keep him comfortable."
"No."
"No?"
"I don't believe you. I want to see his tests, his blood workup. Have you tried filtering it? I know it's a radical procedure, but..."
"Agent Scully, I think you're underestimating what I've said. There is *nothing* we can do. I'm sorry. Does he have family to be notified?"
"No. But I'm not giving up on him."
"Agent..."
"I am a doctor. I've had cancer. It's gone now. It was a miracle, but I've seen enough to believe in them. Mulder is not going to die."
The doctor sighed. "Look, Agent Scully, I don't want to pry, but how close are you and Agent Mulder exactly?"
"We're partners."
"So you're close. You might want to spend this time with him before..."
"Before what?"
"Before it's too late."
Scully shook her head slowly, backing away from him. "I have to save him."
The doctor watched sympathetically. Scully swallowed hard and blinked back tears.
"I have to."
***
6:00 AM (30 hrs)
Scully ran a weary hand through her hair. Her time in the lab had told her only what she already knew. Mulder was dying.
And she had no idea what to do.
Pausing at Mulder's door, she took a deep breath. She was going to have to tell him the truth. Mulder would be able to tell if she was lying to him. Licking her lips, Scully pushed the door open.
Inside, Mulder lay on his back attached to an obscene number of wires and machines. Their steady beeps and clicks set the scene for her. This was medical. She could handle this.
Mulder started to sit up, but she waved him back down and took a seat.
"You're not holding my hand." He cracked. "Can't be that bad."
Mulder knew.
"The doctor told you." She whispered.
"Yeah."
"Mulder, we are going to fight this."
"Can we? Scully, I'm not a doctor. But even I can tell it doesn't look good."
"Regardless. Mulder, I called for Father McCue for my Last Rites when I thought I was going to die of cancer. But I'm still here--and on the strength of *your* beliefs."
"That was different."
"How?" Scully demanded. "The way you're talking, it--"
"Scully. I just don't want you killing yourself over a cure that doesn't exist. And if the time comes when I only have a few hours..."
"Mulder--"
"Dana." His tone stopped her. "Don't take that time from me. If there's no hope, I want to be with you as much as I can."
Scully sniffed and blinked back tears. She nodded once and the promise was made. Rising slowly, she kissed his forehead and brushed a lock of hair aside before moving back.
"I have some tests to check on." She said softly.
"Ok."
Scully almost ran into Skinner on her way out the door. He didn't look happy.
"Agent Scully, may I have a word with you?"
"Sir..." she extended an arm in the direction of the labs.
"We'll walk, then."
Uh-oh.
As they started down the hallway, he spoke.
"Agent Scully, are you and Agent Mulder together?"
Scully stopped and looked at him. "I'm sorry, sir, could you rephrase that question a bit more clearly?"
"You know full well what I'm asking you, Agent. Have you and Agent Mulder engaged in consensual sexual intercourse?"
"No, sir."
"Would you be willing to take a polygraph test?" Scully worked her jaw but remained calm. All in good time.
"Yes, sir. That is not the basis of my relationship with Agent Mulder."
"Off the record. A friend asking a friend."
"It would still be the same answer."
"Would it?"
"Are you accusing me of lying to you?"
"Agent Scully, you and Agent Mulder are close. I've said that to you before. And now I'll say this. Even while I believe you, there are others who won't."
"Why are you asking anyway, sir? What brough it up?"
"One of the members of the investigative team asked. They thought maybe he wanted to stay with you the night he was taken so you could... you know."
"How does that pertain to the investigation, sir?"
"It doesn't. I'm sure you know there are pools circling everywhere about the two of you. This man just wanted to know. But if I didn't ask you he'd get nosy and go to the director. As of right now you've answered... and the subject is closed."
Skinner turned and started away, then stopped.
"Be careful, Agent. They'll use anything."
Scully slowly exhaled. That was close.
***
Lone Gunmen Headquarters
12:00 AM (24 hrs.)
December 5
"It's me, open up!" Scully knocked on the Gunmen's door. A few moments later, Frohike swung it open.
"Agent Scully. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Whatever bastard did this." she pushed her way through, giving Frohike copies of all the test she'd run. Byers and Langly came in.
"Agent Scully--what's going on?" Byers asked, pulling on a robe.
"Mulder's dying." she said. "We're racing time on this. Those are copies of test results, do you recognize anything?"
"You mean from abductees?"
"I mean from anything. Abductees, cattle mutilations, I don't care. I just want to know what's going on."
"Anywhere you'd like us to start?" Byers asked, sitting at the computer.
"Y--yeah. Actually. The FBI."
***
4:00 AM (20 hrs.)
"Got something." Frohike proclaimed.
"What? In Colton's computer?"
"No. On a hunch, I ran through his boss' computer, thinking maybe he was under orders. A match showed up in the assistant director's program."
"Not Skinner," Scully said, unable to believe it.
"No. Kersh."
***
5:00 AM (19 hrs.)
"He's probably here already." Scully said to herself. "This had better work."
"It's for Mulder. We'll make it work." Langly said confidently.
"You know the plan?" she asked.
Scully and Frohike would have no problems getting in with her clearance. Once there, Frohike would pick the lock on the door. Kersh would not be in his office; from the nearby park, Byers and Langly would use a dubbing of the Director's voice chewing him out over something. Scully had listened to the tape. It was very good. It would tell him to go to his office. Then they would call the Director's secretary, as her boss, and tell her to make him sit and wait.
If everything worked.
"Ok, let's go." Frohike expertly hacked into the computer and went straight to an unmarked directory.
"Where's this?" he asked, tapping the screen.
"I don't know. Looks like something in the older part of town. You know..." she said, tapping the screen as the map printed out. "You shouldn't be in this business if you're stupid."
***
Unknown location
6:00 AM (18 hrs.)
Scully pushed the door open and surveyed the room in dismay. An hour of driving for this?
The entire room was in shambles.
"Is there anything we can use here?" she asked no one, wishing the Gunmen had come.
There was nothing she could use. Now what? She made her way out into another hallway and stopped short. Two voices were coming from a room down a ways. She paused by the door and flattened her back against the wall.
"Do you have the final batch?" she peeked around and saw Kersh answer the speaker phone.
"Yes."
"You know how to dispose of it."
"Yes."
*No!* Scully thought frantically. The antidote? Or whatever poison Mulder was given? She had to get it. But she looked in again and he was gone.
"Damn it." She hissed, and ran outside. No one in sight. As soon as she got back to the car, she called the Lone Gunmen in their surveillance van.
"Lone Gunmen."
"It's Scully."
"Oh, hey, listen, traffic's picking up and we're getting some weird looks. You about done out there?"
"Why aren't you watching him?"
"What?"
"He's here--and he has something, but I lost him. You were supposed to make sure he didn't follow me!"
"Agent Scully, you must be mistaken." Byers said soothingly. "We've been here all this time and he's just now returned to his office. He's not doing anything."
"Correction." Frohike's voice came on the line. "He's picking his nose."
Scully rolled her eyes. "Then who did *I* see?"
"Are you sure it was him?"
"Yes."
"Clone?"
Scully sucked in a breath. "Or an alien bounty hunter."
"My love!" Frohike crowed.
"Why would *he* want it?"
***
8:00 AM (16 hrs.)
FBI Headquarters
"Agent Scully, do we know anything more?" Skinner watched her face carefully.
"A little. I believe there may be an antidote, but it isn't anywhere that can be found."
"So what, then? That's it?"
Scully sighed. "I can't think like that. There has to be something *something*."
"How's Agent Mulder doing?"
"Not good. I'm on my way right now."
"Go."
***
9:00 AM (15 hrs.)
Bethesda National
"Hey, Scully, look what I can do." Mulder said upon her entrance. He picked up a cube of jell-o and attempted to balance it on his nose. She smiled weakly and sat down. Mulder tossed the jell-o in the garbage can, where it landed with a hollow thud.
"Scully, you need to get some sleep." he said firmly, looking at her. "You look like *you* should be in the hospital."
She shook her head. "I'm still not giving up..."
"I'm not asking you to give up. I'm asking you to take a break. Take a nap. You'll think better."
"Ok." she finally aquiesced. "You're right. You're right."
Mulder smiled at her and pointed to an empty cot in the corner.
"I knew you would be back."
Scully was asleep in moments.
***
Unknown location
10:00 AM (14 hrs.)
Krycek had just reached his door when the bounty hunter stepped out of the shadows.
"Mr. Krycek. I assume you know who I am."
"This your real face? Surely you can do better."
"Aren't we pleasant? But I'm not here for that." he pulled out a vial. "Agent Mulder is going to die in approximately fourteen hours."
"Works for me."
"You are going to steal his dead body and bring him here. Inject this into him and he will live."
"I think you can imagine why I would say no to that particular plan."
"You don't have a choice. And before you do that you will wait for Agent Scully in the west stairwell of Bethesda National. Two men will attack her. You will not let them. Kill them, shoot them, whatever."
"And *why* don't I have a choice?"
"Surely you've heard of the horrible things that happen to abductees..."
Krycek slammed the door in his face.
***
12:00 PM (12 hrs.)
Bethesda National
"Scully." Mulder was calling her. "Scully, get up."
"What is it?" she rolled over slowly and managed to get up. "You ok?"
"Doctor wants to talk to you." he didn't sound hopeful.
"Mulder." Scully checked to see if they were alone, then kissed him. "Don't--"
"My hunches often prove correct, Scully." the gleam in his eyes was fast fading.
She shook her head defiantly, but before she could speak someone came in.
"Agent Scully." The doctor gestured. "May I speak with you?"
Scully bit her lip. "This is *not* over." she whispered, and followed the man out.
The doctor didn't waste words.
"There's been a change. I'm afraid Agent Mulder is getting worse. By my estimation he has no more than twelve hours to live."
Scully closed her eyes. "We've done everything we can."
"I'm sorry."
She blinked back tears. "Can you leave us alone?"
"Of course."
Scully stepped back into the room. Mulder looked at her and she began to shake. The only way she could stand was leaning against the door.
"Give it to me straight, Scully." Mulder said, laying on his back and staring with eyes closed at the ceiling.
"They think twelve hours." She almost sobbed the last word, caught herself. "I don't think there's anything to be done."
"You're right."
***
2:00 PM (10 hrs.)
Scully had called Skinner, who said he would be there as soon as he could. She had called her mother, who had been appropriately sympathetic.
There was no one else to call.
A clock ticked.
The windows were open and a slight breeze permeated the dusty sunlight.
Aside from the two agents, the room was empty.
Scully knew that when the sun was gone, their time would draw to a close. She wanted to take it and pull it back, keep it forever. But the sunlight fell on Mulder's hand, and holding that was the best she could do. There was a horrible tightness in her chest that, as each hour had gone by, had worsened. Mulder still hadn't spoken a word.
The clock ticked.
"Hey Scully?" Finally he spoke. "Is there any way you could sit with me? Here?"
Immediately she moved to stretch herself along Mulder's lanky frame, closing her eyes slowly as he pulled her close. To never feel this again, to never hear his voice, to never see him...
"How are we going to explain this if Skinner comes in?" He asked, kissing her head.
"Who cares?"
"I do. Even after I die, they could still fire you. For hiding it."
Scully's derisive snort coupled with the shaking of her head told him all he needed to know. She didn't care.
***
4:00 PM (8 hrs.)
When Skinner knocked on the door, no one answered. Fearing the worst, he swung it open and stumbled in.
Dusk was falling and the room was dark. The beam of light that fell from the hallway glanced upon Mulder, asleep. Scully was kneeling at his bedside, his hand in hers. She stood and turned around.
Skinner realized he had never seen Scully cry openly in front of him before--at least not that he could remember. But here she stood before him, tears shining on her face.
"Agent..." he said softly. She sighed and followed him into the hallway.
"Sir. I'm glad you're here." Scully closed the door and crossed her arms over her chest. "You understood everything I told you."
"Yes. Unfortunately."
"They're saying he has until midnight." her voice broke. "Sir, that only gives him about eight hours."
"I know." He sat down in a standard issue hospital chair outside the door. "Go on back in, Agent. I'll make sure no one bothers you."
Scully managed a weak smile and returned to her partner.
***
7:00 PM (5 hrs.)
Time was flying. Scully had finally turned a lamp on, but it's dreary light only served to make the room glow eeriely.
"It's astounding. Time is fleeting. Madness... takes it's toll." Mulder said in dry monotone. Scully almost laughed. Only Mulder.
But his goal was to make her laugh. He wanted her to. He tried again.
"Well, as long as they can think, we'll have our problems."
"Plan 9 from Outer Space." She said immediately.
"How 'bout this one?" he changed his voice. "My sniper zombies are everywhere..."
"Agent Scully..." the doctor came in. "The nurse has to give Agent Mulder a shot. And I need to speak with you."
"But I'm all right..." Mulder groaned, winking at Scully.
"Caddyshack." she half-laughed. The doctor pulled her out.
"I'm worried." Scully stared at him.
"What now?"
"He appears to be delerious. I'm not sure what could have brought it on..."
"Delerious." she wiped a tear of mirth from her eye. "Doctor, that's not delerium. That's Mulder being Mulder."
***
10:00 PM (2 hrs.)
Time was still flying. Mulder had grown tired and quiet as the hour drew near. Scully was sitting next to the bed. The lamplight glinted off her cross...
"Scully." he gasped. "I almost forgot. Bring my bag over here." he pulled a small box out and motioned for her to come closer. When she did, he pulled her into a hug and began to manipulate the clasp of her necklace. When he let go, a gold band clinked against the cross.
"What?" she asked softly.
"Wear it for me. When I come back to haunt you I expect to see it there."
Scully tried to smile, but failed miserably. "God, Mulder..." she whispered, kissing his hand and holding it close to her. "What am I going to do without you?"
***
11:30 PM (1/2 hr.)
Mulder could barely move. He was in absolute and total agony. But he was lucid. Finally, Scully couldn't stand it anymore.
"Mulder." she spoke through choked tears. "Do you want to go?" The pain in her eyes almost killed him right then and there.
"How much time do I have?"
"Half an hour. But you're in pain. This isn't right."
He sighed. "I don't want to leave you, Scully."
"You won't." she steadied her voice. "You promised to haunt me, remember?"
"I promise."
Scully leaned over and kissed him, stopping only when her tears threatened to fall from her eyes into his. When she pulled away, Mulder's eyes were glassy.
"How is this going to work?"
"I'm going to give you a shot. I'll clear it with the doctors. It will be absolutely painless. You'll fall asleep... and just never wake up."
And so it was done. Scully got the syringe and stood before her partner. She didn't bother to hide her tears.
"I love you, Mulder." she said softly.
"Forever." he answered in kind. She injected the solution.
Moments later, he flatlined.
End Part VI/??
AUTHOR'S NOTES: It's astounding... blah blah blah is from Rocky Horror Picture Show, it isn't mine. Neither is Plan Nine or Caddyshack or that stupid X-Files Movie with the sniper zombies.
Please don't send me any death threats or flames. Chapter seven is already on the way. Ok? Calm down. Thanks muchly. Bye bye for now!