PRINCIPALS VII
Archive: Yes, please! Just let me know where...
Spoiler: Oh, absolutely everything. Requiem hasn't happened, though. Or Within, Without, or any of that stuff.
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 seventh installment of a story that has become that major work of my life. 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 VII
***"I love you, Mulder." she said softly.
"Forever." he answered in kind. She injected the solution.
Moments later, he flatlined.***
December 5, 2000
Bethesda National
11:50 PM
Skinner heard the door open and put down the file he'd been reading. Scully closed it behind her and leaned against it, biting her lip so hard she drew blood. He got up and approached her slowly.
"Agent?" He asked carefully. She shook her head.
"Where's his doctor? I have to pronounce him."
Skinner stared. "He's--"
"Yes."
"Oh, D--"
"Where's the doctor?"
"On the next floor down. But the elevator's broken--use the west stairwell, it's right there."
Scully resolutely went toward the stairs. As soon as it closed behind her she saw something out of the corner of her eye and ducked instinctively, rolling away. A bullet ricocheted off the railing. A second man grabbed her arms from behind and pulled her to her feet, holding them behind her tightly. Scully tried to wrestled free, failed.
But then, the gunman fell back against the wall and sagged back. His head jerked back as if someone had socked him. Then the man holding her began to gasp, and she broke free to see him struggling to breathe.
Soon he, too, dropped to the ground.
Scully touched her necklace.
The ring was unnaturally cold.
Up on the stairwell the next flight up, Krycek watched in shock as Scully felt first one man, then another for a pulse. Her stunned face and quick jump to her feet told him all he needed to know. They were dead. She raced down the stairs. What the hell was that? But he had to get moving and steal Mulder's body before Scully came back.
***
12:10 AM
Bethesda National
December 6
Scully stopped dead in her tracks, causing the doctor to stumble into her back.
"Where is he?" she asked, running into the room. "Oh my God..."
"Someone took the body."
"What?" Skinner ran in. "I didn't leave this door. No one went in or out."
"The window's open." Scully said dully. "There goes our autopsy."
"Yeah, I climbed out."
"What?" she exclaimed. The men looked at her as the Muldervoice in her head continued.
"Easy, Scully, or they're gonna think you're as crazy as me." Mulder was sitting in the chair she'd previously occupied.
"Agent Scully, are you ok?" The doctor asked. "Here. Sit down." He dragged the empty chair to her side.
Scully blinked and Mulder was gone.
"He's dead, isn't he." She said, slowly sitting.
"I'm afraid so, Dana." Skinner answered. "I'm sorry." Scully shook her head. "Scully... I'm sorry. I know this is a bad time to ask, but... how close were you and Agent Mulder exactly?"
"He was my partner."
"My partner was killed in a shoot-out with an armed suspect. It was bad, but nowhere near what you're going through. What Agent Mulder went through before with you."
"No offense, sir," she gasped, laughing and crying at the same time. "But you have no idea what it's like. Mulder and I are not exactly the norm."
Skinner nodded. That answer was going to have to do for now.
***
Unknown location
Krycek dropped Mulder's dead weight on a bed and pulled out the syringe. After carefully injecting it, he looked up at the bounty hunter standing nearby.
"You can morph, why couldn't you have done it?"
"I had a meeting."
"Right." Krycek looked at the body. "How long is this going to take? I don't need him stinking up the place.
"At least 48 hours."
"Two days?"
"There has been considerable damage to his internal organs and he's lost a lot of blood. It takes time to repair such extensive trauma."
"Great. And I suppose I'll have to babysit him."
"Of course. Good luck."
***
9:00 AM
FBI Headquarters
Scully walked into the office slowly. Nothing had been touched, but everything was different. It was empty. She sat in Mulder's chair and slowly spun around to look at his poster.
I want to believe.
What a joke.
Believing had gotten them nowhere. It had ultimately sent Mulder to an early grave and she had almost joined him. Cautiously she felt the back of her neck. Was that what they had been after? And more importantly, how had she escaped? These were two grown men who were much bigger and much stronger than she. Astral projection?
She scoffed at herself. Just because Mulder was gone didn't mean she had to fill his shoes. Astral projection. Right. Get a grip, Scully.
But everything she'd ever seen with him came to the fore--especially Lauren Kyte. Was it really possible?
Oh, Mulder, where are you?
"Agent." Skinner's gruff voice came from behind her. "Why aren't you home?"
"I am home." She said, her voice breaking slightly. She stood and faced him, raising her arms to the sides a little before dropping them helplessly. "Mulder said that once. This was his home, his life. It was mine, too." A tear escaped her eye. "And now he's gone." He started toward her. "Sir, I can't--"
As she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the floor, he came into her space and wrapped his arms around her loosely. Her posture never changed, though she allowed her head to rest against his chest.
"It's ok, Dana." He said quietly. "Let go. He's at peace now."
Her tears came slowly. The most sound he heard from her was a soft gasp and then she was silent again. Skinner closed his eyes and sniffed quickly. She was strong even when she cried. He felt privileged that she'd trusted him with her emotions.
"Got some responsibilities too, you know."
"Huh?" It was barely audible.
"I mean it, Walter. Don't you *dare* hurt her."
Skinner shook his head quickly. Damn if his conscience didn't sound familiar.
***
2:00 PM
Apartment of Dana Scully
Scully pushed the door open and sagged against it as it closed. She had accomplished exactly nothing all day and finally just went home to get some sleep. She'd been mortified at her behavior around Skinner. Never mind that she knew he wouldn't spread it around, never mind that she hadn't done the unthinkable and hugged him back. Never mind that he hadn't said anything but 'I'm sorry' before leaving--she had broken down.
Dana Katherine Scully *did not* break down.
"Anyway, it's not the first time Mulder's been dead," she reasoned.
"You're starting to sound like me, Scully. Better look out for that."
"Mulder." She gasped.
"You're tired. Get some sleep."
"Forever, Mulder?"
"Wow, you're really tired."
"You promised."
"And here I--"
"Mulder?" Scully lifted her now tear-stained face as if he'd be standing in front of her. But her apartment was devastatingly empty.
***
Unknown location
Mulder's body jerked on the bed. Krycek watched for a minute, then turned to the bounty hunter.
"I don't want him here when he wakes up. He'll be able to trace it back to me. And he's got a little bit of a grudge. I'd rather he didn't know where I was located."
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"I don't know. Why not dump him someplace safe?"
"Such as?"
"His apartment."
***
Apartment of Fox Mulder
8:00 PM
Mulder opened his eyes slowly. Was the world spinning or was it just him? He had a sneaking suspicion it was just him. He tried to get up, but very quickly realized that was a Very Bad Idea. Right up there with ditching Scully to run after Samanthas. What had happened?
Slowly it came back to him. He had died. And Scully had done it. Would he have had the strength to do the same for her? He tried to roll over for the phone, but couldn't move. What the hell?
He couldn't feel his toes. Tried to bend his knees, couldn't do it. Arms, fingers, neck. He was out of commission.
"Scully..." he moaned. He summoned up all his energy and tried to force himself up. That was a Very Bad Idea too. A wave of nausea washed over him as the world went black.
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
10:00 PM
Scully had taken a long shower and now felt like something resembling human. But the empty void inside her was not helping. What was she going to do now? She touched the ring which had hooked itself around the cross charm.
Faith and love.
Faith in Mulder.
Love for Mulder.
Mulder is dead.
Oh, God.
Scully felt sick. She sank to the floor, drawing her knees to her chest and hugging them close. She was not going to cry again. She absolutely was not. No matter how sick, how absolutely...
She ran for the bathroom.
The phone rang a few times and the machine picked up. Her mother's voice came out, kind and concerned.
"Dana? Please pick up the phone. Mr. Skinner called a while ago. I'm so sorry about Fox. Dana? Dana, if you're screening, pick up the phone."
Scully blinked back tears and bit her lip, not moving from her position on the bathroom floor. Finally her mother hung up and she sighed in the silence. Thank God. She rested her head in her arms on the floor. What was she going to do?
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
December 7, 2000
3:10 AM
Scully woke up in her bed. A tall man was standing in the shadows near the door.
"Mulder?" She asked groggily.
"No, Agent Scully. I'm sorry." Byers stepped into the light. "It's just me."
"Oh." She sat up and was thankful to notice she was still in her work clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"We heard about Mulder through unofficial chambers." He said, taking a step forward. "Langly and Frohike are back at the office, but they tried to call and when no one answered..."
"Thank you," she said softly. "But I'm fine."
"Agent Scully..." Byers began, then stopped. "No, Mulder always used to say when you said you were fine you were lying."
Scully laughed shortly.
"A--anyway, we aquired some surveilance tapes from the night his body was stolen."
"And?" She got up.
"Nothing. They were all sprayed with black paint. Can't see anyone."
"Damn it!" She cursed.
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's not your fault." She moaned, massaging her temples. "Don't worry. We'll get them." Finally she looked up at him. "Oh... Byers, how did this happen? How did I go from an agent with a partner and case file and too much paperwork to this?" She shook her head. "Forget it. You don't have to be here, John."
"Are you sure? Last time when we left Mulder alone and you were dying he almost killed himself."
"*What*?" Scully stared at him and he took a step back. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Uh--w--well, he, uh..."
"Spill it." Her voice was pure steel.
"We have a security system at Mulder's place. Hidden cameras. He's the only one that knows about them, who knows how to turn them off for privacy. Uh..." Byers looked uneasy. "He's been doing that a lot lately. Was he seeing someone?"
What a fabulous question for him to be asking at that precise moment.
"Not that I know of. Could we get back on track now, please?"
Byers stammered.
"Uh... well, he started watching this cloning debate he had taped, an--and then he started crying, and he was holding his gun--"
"What stopped him?" She whispered.
"The phone rang. He started asking if they'd given you your cancer because of him."
"Do you have the tape?" She asked softly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you still have the surveilance tape for that night?"
"Well, we should, in our files."
"Let's go."
***
December 7
9:00 AM
Scully wearily pushed the door open and tossed her keys on the table. The Gunmen had wanted to give her a ride home and it had taken her forever to convince them thaqt she would be fine on her own. She slid the tape in the VCR and a picture flickered on the screen.
Tears were on her partner's face already. The light reflected off them and caused her eyes to water immediately.
"Oh, Mulder..." she whispered. A gentle hand fell on her shoulder and she spun around. Emily.
"It's ok, mom." She said quietly. Scully got up and faced her daughter.
"Did he know?" She choked. "Did he know I never blamed him for any of it?"
"Yes. At first he didn't, what you see here, but... you had faith in his miracle. That chip saved both of you."
Scully shook her head. "That chip damned us."
"I'm an angel, mom, so if you could watch your language..."
"Right." She scoffed. "I'm sitting here talking to an angel. Is Barney tap-dancing on my table?"
"Mom..."
"Is he ok?" She asked quietly. "That's all I need to know."
"He's fine."
That was the last straw. Scully leaned back against the couch as tears began to fall. Emily held her tightly as she grieved yet again for what could never be.
***
Apartment of Fox Mulder
1:00 PM
Mulder woke again and everything came back. Cautiously he tested his arms, legs, found everything in working order. He was up and out the door in under two seconds.
When he reached Scully's door, he hesitated. She thought he was dead. How should he handle this? Finally he just knocked on the door.
Scully sat up, startled. Emily was gone. Someone was knocking on the door. She checked through the peephole, then barely managed to choke back a gasp. They were still after her. Her and that damn chip. Well, she wasn't going down without a fight.
She stepped back and cocked her gun.
"It's open," she called. Mulder entered slowly, head down, and closed the door. When he turned, his expression turned to shock and he raised his hands in the air.
"Scully?"
"What the hell are you?" She hissed, aim never wavering. Mulder gaped at her, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.
"Scully, it's me." He offered inanely. She scoffed derisively.
"Right. Just like the alien bounty hunter was you and Eddie VanBlundht was you. I don't believe you."
"How can I convince you?" His voice threatened to break. "I know everything about you, Scully, just *ask*. Your mother's name. Your brother's name. Your *other* brother's name. Maggie. Bill. Charles." He took a step forward, but she took a step back, steeling her gaze and giving her head a slow almost-shake. "We were investigating Cecil L'ively when Phoebe Green of Scotland Yard showed up and seemed to give you a run for your money, even though I don't think either of us realized the depth of our involvement." One step forward, two steps back. He foraged on gently. "You convinced me not to give up after the x-files were shut down the first time, reminding me of George Hale and the telescope and the elves. You saved both our lives when we first encountered Modell, pulling that fire alarm, and then saved our lives again when his sister tried to make me kill you.
"You just about destroyed me when you went to Philidelphia. You got a tattoo. You never told me whether you kept it or not, and I never asked the doctors. I think you kept it. I think you like it. I saw the design. I like it too." He dared to take one more step, and her retreat was shortened to half a pace. He went on.
"We almost kissed each other in the hallway of my apartment building and I was so afraid you were going to leave me. I loved you, Scully. I still do.
"I knew you were jealous of Diana, even if you'll never admit it, but she was *never* a threat to you. I was always yours." The gun was starting to tremble.
"I taught you how to hit a baseball. I kissed you on New Year's Eve." Scully bit her lip, her eyes glassy.
"I finally stopped acting like an ass and kissed you for real in my apartment, a while after regaining my sight.
"I found you when Adams took you.
"I lost my memory after getting knocked down a flight of stairs. You took me to Quanoncotaug to recover."
"You're a ghost." she whispered.
"You don't believe in ghosts." Mulder said softly.
"Mulder?" A tear spilled out of her eye as she lowered the gun, clicking the safety on.
"One and the same." He said, grinning at her.
"Oh, God--" she dropped the gun and was suddenly in his arms, hugging his neck as his arms circled her waist.
"It's ok." He mumbled into her hair. "It's ok, Scully."
Scully pulled back and held his face in her hands, studying it.
"Scully..." he breathed after a while. Slowly she leaned in, sliding her lips over his. Mulder let out a shuddering sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "I love you."
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
8:00 PM
"Scully?" Mulder put the fire tongs down and backed away a little. She came in from the kitchen and raised an eyebrow at the blazing fire. "Do you mind?"
"No, no," she assured him, sitting on the floor. "But I thought you were afraid of fire."
"Not when it's contained." He stretched and sat up, pulling her to sit closer to him. "Are you ok, Scully?"
"Yeah." She sighed. "Mulder, the day you died, Skinner asked me exactly how close we were. He's not going to stop."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I was so in shock he didn't push me. I think I said something about us being closer than the norm, but not... that close. Or something."
The light from the fire cast a glow on Scully's face that seemed to make her radiate from within. Mulder looked into the burning logs briefly and felt her gaze follow his face.
"You know what the problem is?" She asked, voicing her opinion on the newest issue. "We're too attracted to each other."
Mulder laughed softly. "Last I checked, that wasn't a problem."
She smiled and looked once more at the fire before meeting his sincere gaze. "It is now. We need to be more careful, Mulder, or someone's gonna find us out. We can't let that happen, you know that."
"Yeah." He tapped the ground with one finger three times, then cradled her cheek in his right hand. "But you'll find that if it'll keep you with me, Scully... I'll do anything."
Scully wet her lips quickly and managed a tiny smile. Damn the man, he was turning her into mush. Special Agent Dana Scully, MD, FBI, did not like being turned to mush. Unless he was the one doing the turning.
A different sort of fire began to grow within her, and the look in his eyes revealed that he felt very much the same way. Slowly he moved in, his mouth hovering a centimeter from hers, not quite touching. Gradually Scully tilted her head up a little, hesitated, then let her bottom lip run over his upper one. Mulder let out a breath at this slow carress, but didn't move. He finally angled his head to his right a bit, just as Scully did the same, and the dance began. Languid, passionate comfort turned to hard, fervant desire. Scully's hand came up and her fingers tangled in his hair, bringing him even closer. This was going to be their undoing.
When finally the need for oxygen became overwhelming, they slid apart, their gaze never breaking. Scully blinked back tears at the thought that rather recently she'd almost lost this amazing man. Mulder lay with his front to the fire.
"Come here, Scully." He said gently, holding out his hand. She turned and lay down with her back to him and pulled his hands together at her stomach.
"What would I do if I lost you?" She whispered, one tear falling onto his hands. "If someone found out... if they told Skinner... you remember when I came to tell you I was being transferred to Salt Lake City. I think half the reason they wanted me there was because it was far away from you."
"Yeah. The easiest way to get to me is through you."
"And the easiest way to get to me is through you. It's dangerous--always was, even before this. But now... now they have something concrete."
Mulder sighed.
"But Mulder..." Scully sat up a little and ran her hand through his hair and down his face. "Hear me now, and listen well. I don't care what they do. I don't care who tells us we have to be apart. I don't care if you get sent off to Europe on foreign terrorism and I'm stuck over in Utah. I *will* find you. Always."
"Oh, Scully..." Mulder gasped, then pushed her forward a little so she was flat on her back and then he was on top of her, kissing her fervently. Her arms reached around to circle his neck as his hands cradled her head.
There was a knock at the door.
"Yep, that'll be Skinner now." He murmured against her mouth.
"How do you know?"
"Who else has that impeccable sense of timing?"
"Mmm... good point."
Scully sighed, then pushed Mulder gently. "Get off. How should we do this?"
"I'll go hide in the bathroom. Invite him in and try to explain. I won't come out until you call me. I don't care how healthy Skinner is, we haven't given him a heart attack yet and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Ok. Go, I bet he's getting impatient."
Three more knocks punctuated her words.
"All right, all right already." Mulder burried to the bathroom and closed the door. Scully opened her front door and, sure enough, it was Skinner.
"Agent Scully." he said with a curt nod.
"Yes, sir?"
"Your mother asked me to come check on you. Said you weren't answering her calls and her car's in the shop so she can't come herself."
"Sir, I appreciate your concern, but--" she sighed, smiled. "Um... come in. Please. Sit down." Scully closed the door and waved him to a seat. "I have something to tell you."
"Scully, you're making me nervous."
"Sir, uh..." Ok, time for the direct approach. "The reports of Mulder's death have ben greatly exaggerated."
Skinner looked at her suspicously. "Agent Scully, the only report of Agent Mulder's death came from you. The doctors never saw him after you supposedly injected the solution. And I seem to remember you telling me Mulder was dead twice already. How am I supposed to believe this?"
"Sir, how can you ask--"
"Scully, I am just tired of being lead around by my nose. I need evidence, or I'm going to find myself cleaning up after you two again."
"Ok, fine. How's this for proof?" She reached into her desk and pulled out a printout of his EKG. "His heart stopped. Look how long the line is. Agent Mulder's heart stopped for at least ten minutes. Possibly longer, depending on how long it was after I left before his body was stolen."
"Stolen? He could've just climbed out."
"Yeah... but having a working heart is definitely conducive to climbing out a fifth floor window and down a tree."
"But isn't there a drug of some sort that can make your heart rate slow--"
"*Slow*, not *stop*."
Mulder pressed his ear against the door in frustration. What was taking so long?
"Is he here?" Skinner asked finally.
"Yes. I didn't want him to scare anyone."
"Bring him out. Maybe he can explain all this."
Scully heaved an indignant sigh, although she partly understood his frustration at being tricked so many times. Mulder heard her footsteps coming and backed away just as she swung the door open.
"Mulder, the next time you die, you can inform Skinner yourself. Apparently I've lost my credibility."
"I still love you." He offered weakly.
Scully glared at him for a moment, then laughed. Reaching down, she pulled him up and kissed him swiftly.
"Come on. Skinner want to hear what happened."
Mulder followed her into the living room, where Skinner was disappointingly nonplussed by his apparent rising from the dea.
"Agent Mulder. Is this going to become a habit?"
"Hopefully not, sir."
"So let's hear it."
"It's kind of a long story."
"With you, Agent Mulder, it usually is."
Mulder grimaced good-naturedly and sat down on the couch. Skinner saw Scully start toward her partner, then change her mind and sit in a chair. He shook his head as Mulder began his story.
*I'm sorry, agents. But I have to watch you. Don't give me a reason to have to act.*
End Part VII
NOTES: Ok, we're getting toward the end here, but I still have a pile of notes and excerpts that I've written that I want to put in that I need a place for. I still have an idea of where it's going, but it may be up to or more than ten chapters by the end. Oh well, I can only hope this is good news to you guys... :)
Silver Beauty
Archive: Yes, please! Just let me know where...
Spoiler: Oh, absolutely everything. Requiem hasn't happened, though. Or Within, Without, or any of that stuff.
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 seventh installment of a story that has become that major work of my life. 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 VII
***"I love you, Mulder." she said softly.
"Forever." he answered in kind. She injected the solution.
Moments later, he flatlined.***
December 5, 2000
Bethesda National
11:50 PM
Skinner heard the door open and put down the file he'd been reading. Scully closed it behind her and leaned against it, biting her lip so hard she drew blood. He got up and approached her slowly.
"Agent?" He asked carefully. She shook her head.
"Where's his doctor? I have to pronounce him."
Skinner stared. "He's--"
"Yes."
"Oh, D--"
"Where's the doctor?"
"On the next floor down. But the elevator's broken--use the west stairwell, it's right there."
Scully resolutely went toward the stairs. As soon as it closed behind her she saw something out of the corner of her eye and ducked instinctively, rolling away. A bullet ricocheted off the railing. A second man grabbed her arms from behind and pulled her to her feet, holding them behind her tightly. Scully tried to wrestled free, failed.
But then, the gunman fell back against the wall and sagged back. His head jerked back as if someone had socked him. Then the man holding her began to gasp, and she broke free to see him struggling to breathe.
Soon he, too, dropped to the ground.
Scully touched her necklace.
The ring was unnaturally cold.
Up on the stairwell the next flight up, Krycek watched in shock as Scully felt first one man, then another for a pulse. Her stunned face and quick jump to her feet told him all he needed to know. They were dead. She raced down the stairs. What the hell was that? But he had to get moving and steal Mulder's body before Scully came back.
***
12:10 AM
Bethesda National
December 6
Scully stopped dead in her tracks, causing the doctor to stumble into her back.
"Where is he?" she asked, running into the room. "Oh my God..."
"Someone took the body."
"What?" Skinner ran in. "I didn't leave this door. No one went in or out."
"The window's open." Scully said dully. "There goes our autopsy."
"Yeah, I climbed out."
"What?" she exclaimed. The men looked at her as the Muldervoice in her head continued.
"Easy, Scully, or they're gonna think you're as crazy as me." Mulder was sitting in the chair she'd previously occupied.
"Agent Scully, are you ok?" The doctor asked. "Here. Sit down." He dragged the empty chair to her side.
Scully blinked and Mulder was gone.
"He's dead, isn't he." She said, slowly sitting.
"I'm afraid so, Dana." Skinner answered. "I'm sorry." Scully shook her head. "Scully... I'm sorry. I know this is a bad time to ask, but... how close were you and Agent Mulder exactly?"
"He was my partner."
"My partner was killed in a shoot-out with an armed suspect. It was bad, but nowhere near what you're going through. What Agent Mulder went through before with you."
"No offense, sir," she gasped, laughing and crying at the same time. "But you have no idea what it's like. Mulder and I are not exactly the norm."
Skinner nodded. That answer was going to have to do for now.
***
Unknown location
Krycek dropped Mulder's dead weight on a bed and pulled out the syringe. After carefully injecting it, he looked up at the bounty hunter standing nearby.
"You can morph, why couldn't you have done it?"
"I had a meeting."
"Right." Krycek looked at the body. "How long is this going to take? I don't need him stinking up the place.
"At least 48 hours."
"Two days?"
"There has been considerable damage to his internal organs and he's lost a lot of blood. It takes time to repair such extensive trauma."
"Great. And I suppose I'll have to babysit him."
"Of course. Good luck."
***
9:00 AM
FBI Headquarters
Scully walked into the office slowly. Nothing had been touched, but everything was different. It was empty. She sat in Mulder's chair and slowly spun around to look at his poster.
I want to believe.
What a joke.
Believing had gotten them nowhere. It had ultimately sent Mulder to an early grave and she had almost joined him. Cautiously she felt the back of her neck. Was that what they had been after? And more importantly, how had she escaped? These were two grown men who were much bigger and much stronger than she. Astral projection?
She scoffed at herself. Just because Mulder was gone didn't mean she had to fill his shoes. Astral projection. Right. Get a grip, Scully.
But everything she'd ever seen with him came to the fore--especially Lauren Kyte. Was it really possible?
Oh, Mulder, where are you?
"Agent." Skinner's gruff voice came from behind her. "Why aren't you home?"
"I am home." She said, her voice breaking slightly. She stood and faced him, raising her arms to the sides a little before dropping them helplessly. "Mulder said that once. This was his home, his life. It was mine, too." A tear escaped her eye. "And now he's gone." He started toward her. "Sir, I can't--"
As she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the floor, he came into her space and wrapped his arms around her loosely. Her posture never changed, though she allowed her head to rest against his chest.
"It's ok, Dana." He said quietly. "Let go. He's at peace now."
Her tears came slowly. The most sound he heard from her was a soft gasp and then she was silent again. Skinner closed his eyes and sniffed quickly. She was strong even when she cried. He felt privileged that she'd trusted him with her emotions.
"Got some responsibilities too, you know."
"Huh?" It was barely audible.
"I mean it, Walter. Don't you *dare* hurt her."
Skinner shook his head quickly. Damn if his conscience didn't sound familiar.
***
2:00 PM
Apartment of Dana Scully
Scully pushed the door open and sagged against it as it closed. She had accomplished exactly nothing all day and finally just went home to get some sleep. She'd been mortified at her behavior around Skinner. Never mind that she knew he wouldn't spread it around, never mind that she hadn't done the unthinkable and hugged him back. Never mind that he hadn't said anything but 'I'm sorry' before leaving--she had broken down.
Dana Katherine Scully *did not* break down.
"Anyway, it's not the first time Mulder's been dead," she reasoned.
"You're starting to sound like me, Scully. Better look out for that."
"Mulder." She gasped.
"You're tired. Get some sleep."
"Forever, Mulder?"
"Wow, you're really tired."
"You promised."
"And here I--"
"Mulder?" Scully lifted her now tear-stained face as if he'd be standing in front of her. But her apartment was devastatingly empty.
***
Unknown location
Mulder's body jerked on the bed. Krycek watched for a minute, then turned to the bounty hunter.
"I don't want him here when he wakes up. He'll be able to trace it back to me. And he's got a little bit of a grudge. I'd rather he didn't know where I was located."
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"I don't know. Why not dump him someplace safe?"
"Such as?"
"His apartment."
***
Apartment of Fox Mulder
8:00 PM
Mulder opened his eyes slowly. Was the world spinning or was it just him? He had a sneaking suspicion it was just him. He tried to get up, but very quickly realized that was a Very Bad Idea. Right up there with ditching Scully to run after Samanthas. What had happened?
Slowly it came back to him. He had died. And Scully had done it. Would he have had the strength to do the same for her? He tried to roll over for the phone, but couldn't move. What the hell?
He couldn't feel his toes. Tried to bend his knees, couldn't do it. Arms, fingers, neck. He was out of commission.
"Scully..." he moaned. He summoned up all his energy and tried to force himself up. That was a Very Bad Idea too. A wave of nausea washed over him as the world went black.
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
10:00 PM
Scully had taken a long shower and now felt like something resembling human. But the empty void inside her was not helping. What was she going to do now? She touched the ring which had hooked itself around the cross charm.
Faith and love.
Faith in Mulder.
Love for Mulder.
Mulder is dead.
Oh, God.
Scully felt sick. She sank to the floor, drawing her knees to her chest and hugging them close. She was not going to cry again. She absolutely was not. No matter how sick, how absolutely...
She ran for the bathroom.
The phone rang a few times and the machine picked up. Her mother's voice came out, kind and concerned.
"Dana? Please pick up the phone. Mr. Skinner called a while ago. I'm so sorry about Fox. Dana? Dana, if you're screening, pick up the phone."
Scully blinked back tears and bit her lip, not moving from her position on the bathroom floor. Finally her mother hung up and she sighed in the silence. Thank God. She rested her head in her arms on the floor. What was she going to do?
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
December 7, 2000
3:10 AM
Scully woke up in her bed. A tall man was standing in the shadows near the door.
"Mulder?" She asked groggily.
"No, Agent Scully. I'm sorry." Byers stepped into the light. "It's just me."
"Oh." She sat up and was thankful to notice she was still in her work clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"We heard about Mulder through unofficial chambers." He said, taking a step forward. "Langly and Frohike are back at the office, but they tried to call and when no one answered..."
"Thank you," she said softly. "But I'm fine."
"Agent Scully..." Byers began, then stopped. "No, Mulder always used to say when you said you were fine you were lying."
Scully laughed shortly.
"A--anyway, we aquired some surveilance tapes from the night his body was stolen."
"And?" She got up.
"Nothing. They were all sprayed with black paint. Can't see anyone."
"Damn it!" She cursed.
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's not your fault." She moaned, massaging her temples. "Don't worry. We'll get them." Finally she looked up at him. "Oh... Byers, how did this happen? How did I go from an agent with a partner and case file and too much paperwork to this?" She shook her head. "Forget it. You don't have to be here, John."
"Are you sure? Last time when we left Mulder alone and you were dying he almost killed himself."
"*What*?" Scully stared at him and he took a step back. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Uh--w--well, he, uh..."
"Spill it." Her voice was pure steel.
"We have a security system at Mulder's place. Hidden cameras. He's the only one that knows about them, who knows how to turn them off for privacy. Uh..." Byers looked uneasy. "He's been doing that a lot lately. Was he seeing someone?"
What a fabulous question for him to be asking at that precise moment.
"Not that I know of. Could we get back on track now, please?"
Byers stammered.
"Uh... well, he started watching this cloning debate he had taped, an--and then he started crying, and he was holding his gun--"
"What stopped him?" She whispered.
"The phone rang. He started asking if they'd given you your cancer because of him."
"Do you have the tape?" She asked softly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you still have the surveilance tape for that night?"
"Well, we should, in our files."
"Let's go."
***
December 7
9:00 AM
Scully wearily pushed the door open and tossed her keys on the table. The Gunmen had wanted to give her a ride home and it had taken her forever to convince them thaqt she would be fine on her own. She slid the tape in the VCR and a picture flickered on the screen.
Tears were on her partner's face already. The light reflected off them and caused her eyes to water immediately.
"Oh, Mulder..." she whispered. A gentle hand fell on her shoulder and she spun around. Emily.
"It's ok, mom." She said quietly. Scully got up and faced her daughter.
"Did he know?" She choked. "Did he know I never blamed him for any of it?"
"Yes. At first he didn't, what you see here, but... you had faith in his miracle. That chip saved both of you."
Scully shook her head. "That chip damned us."
"I'm an angel, mom, so if you could watch your language..."
"Right." She scoffed. "I'm sitting here talking to an angel. Is Barney tap-dancing on my table?"
"Mom..."
"Is he ok?" She asked quietly. "That's all I need to know."
"He's fine."
That was the last straw. Scully leaned back against the couch as tears began to fall. Emily held her tightly as she grieved yet again for what could never be.
***
Apartment of Fox Mulder
1:00 PM
Mulder woke again and everything came back. Cautiously he tested his arms, legs, found everything in working order. He was up and out the door in under two seconds.
When he reached Scully's door, he hesitated. She thought he was dead. How should he handle this? Finally he just knocked on the door.
Scully sat up, startled. Emily was gone. Someone was knocking on the door. She checked through the peephole, then barely managed to choke back a gasp. They were still after her. Her and that damn chip. Well, she wasn't going down without a fight.
She stepped back and cocked her gun.
"It's open," she called. Mulder entered slowly, head down, and closed the door. When he turned, his expression turned to shock and he raised his hands in the air.
"Scully?"
"What the hell are you?" She hissed, aim never wavering. Mulder gaped at her, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.
"Scully, it's me." He offered inanely. She scoffed derisively.
"Right. Just like the alien bounty hunter was you and Eddie VanBlundht was you. I don't believe you."
"How can I convince you?" His voice threatened to break. "I know everything about you, Scully, just *ask*. Your mother's name. Your brother's name. Your *other* brother's name. Maggie. Bill. Charles." He took a step forward, but she took a step back, steeling her gaze and giving her head a slow almost-shake. "We were investigating Cecil L'ively when Phoebe Green of Scotland Yard showed up and seemed to give you a run for your money, even though I don't think either of us realized the depth of our involvement." One step forward, two steps back. He foraged on gently. "You convinced me not to give up after the x-files were shut down the first time, reminding me of George Hale and the telescope and the elves. You saved both our lives when we first encountered Modell, pulling that fire alarm, and then saved our lives again when his sister tried to make me kill you.
"You just about destroyed me when you went to Philidelphia. You got a tattoo. You never told me whether you kept it or not, and I never asked the doctors. I think you kept it. I think you like it. I saw the design. I like it too." He dared to take one more step, and her retreat was shortened to half a pace. He went on.
"We almost kissed each other in the hallway of my apartment building and I was so afraid you were going to leave me. I loved you, Scully. I still do.
"I knew you were jealous of Diana, even if you'll never admit it, but she was *never* a threat to you. I was always yours." The gun was starting to tremble.
"I taught you how to hit a baseball. I kissed you on New Year's Eve." Scully bit her lip, her eyes glassy.
"I finally stopped acting like an ass and kissed you for real in my apartment, a while after regaining my sight.
"I found you when Adams took you.
"I lost my memory after getting knocked down a flight of stairs. You took me to Quanoncotaug to recover."
"You're a ghost." she whispered.
"You don't believe in ghosts." Mulder said softly.
"Mulder?" A tear spilled out of her eye as she lowered the gun, clicking the safety on.
"One and the same." He said, grinning at her.
"Oh, God--" she dropped the gun and was suddenly in his arms, hugging his neck as his arms circled her waist.
"It's ok." He mumbled into her hair. "It's ok, Scully."
Scully pulled back and held his face in her hands, studying it.
"Scully..." he breathed after a while. Slowly she leaned in, sliding her lips over his. Mulder let out a shuddering sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "I love you."
***
Apartment of Dana Scully
8:00 PM
"Scully?" Mulder put the fire tongs down and backed away a little. She came in from the kitchen and raised an eyebrow at the blazing fire. "Do you mind?"
"No, no," she assured him, sitting on the floor. "But I thought you were afraid of fire."
"Not when it's contained." He stretched and sat up, pulling her to sit closer to him. "Are you ok, Scully?"
"Yeah." She sighed. "Mulder, the day you died, Skinner asked me exactly how close we were. He's not going to stop."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I was so in shock he didn't push me. I think I said something about us being closer than the norm, but not... that close. Or something."
The light from the fire cast a glow on Scully's face that seemed to make her radiate from within. Mulder looked into the burning logs briefly and felt her gaze follow his face.
"You know what the problem is?" She asked, voicing her opinion on the newest issue. "We're too attracted to each other."
Mulder laughed softly. "Last I checked, that wasn't a problem."
She smiled and looked once more at the fire before meeting his sincere gaze. "It is now. We need to be more careful, Mulder, or someone's gonna find us out. We can't let that happen, you know that."
"Yeah." He tapped the ground with one finger three times, then cradled her cheek in his right hand. "But you'll find that if it'll keep you with me, Scully... I'll do anything."
Scully wet her lips quickly and managed a tiny smile. Damn the man, he was turning her into mush. Special Agent Dana Scully, MD, FBI, did not like being turned to mush. Unless he was the one doing the turning.
A different sort of fire began to grow within her, and the look in his eyes revealed that he felt very much the same way. Slowly he moved in, his mouth hovering a centimeter from hers, not quite touching. Gradually Scully tilted her head up a little, hesitated, then let her bottom lip run over his upper one. Mulder let out a breath at this slow carress, but didn't move. He finally angled his head to his right a bit, just as Scully did the same, and the dance began. Languid, passionate comfort turned to hard, fervant desire. Scully's hand came up and her fingers tangled in his hair, bringing him even closer. This was going to be their undoing.
When finally the need for oxygen became overwhelming, they slid apart, their gaze never breaking. Scully blinked back tears at the thought that rather recently she'd almost lost this amazing man. Mulder lay with his front to the fire.
"Come here, Scully." He said gently, holding out his hand. She turned and lay down with her back to him and pulled his hands together at her stomach.
"What would I do if I lost you?" She whispered, one tear falling onto his hands. "If someone found out... if they told Skinner... you remember when I came to tell you I was being transferred to Salt Lake City. I think half the reason they wanted me there was because it was far away from you."
"Yeah. The easiest way to get to me is through you."
"And the easiest way to get to me is through you. It's dangerous--always was, even before this. But now... now they have something concrete."
Mulder sighed.
"But Mulder..." Scully sat up a little and ran her hand through his hair and down his face. "Hear me now, and listen well. I don't care what they do. I don't care who tells us we have to be apart. I don't care if you get sent off to Europe on foreign terrorism and I'm stuck over in Utah. I *will* find you. Always."
"Oh, Scully..." Mulder gasped, then pushed her forward a little so she was flat on her back and then he was on top of her, kissing her fervently. Her arms reached around to circle his neck as his hands cradled her head.
There was a knock at the door.
"Yep, that'll be Skinner now." He murmured against her mouth.
"How do you know?"
"Who else has that impeccable sense of timing?"
"Mmm... good point."
Scully sighed, then pushed Mulder gently. "Get off. How should we do this?"
"I'll go hide in the bathroom. Invite him in and try to explain. I won't come out until you call me. I don't care how healthy Skinner is, we haven't given him a heart attack yet and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Ok. Go, I bet he's getting impatient."
Three more knocks punctuated her words.
"All right, all right already." Mulder burried to the bathroom and closed the door. Scully opened her front door and, sure enough, it was Skinner.
"Agent Scully." he said with a curt nod.
"Yes, sir?"
"Your mother asked me to come check on you. Said you weren't answering her calls and her car's in the shop so she can't come herself."
"Sir, I appreciate your concern, but--" she sighed, smiled. "Um... come in. Please. Sit down." Scully closed the door and waved him to a seat. "I have something to tell you."
"Scully, you're making me nervous."
"Sir, uh..." Ok, time for the direct approach. "The reports of Mulder's death have ben greatly exaggerated."
Skinner looked at her suspicously. "Agent Scully, the only report of Agent Mulder's death came from you. The doctors never saw him after you supposedly injected the solution. And I seem to remember you telling me Mulder was dead twice already. How am I supposed to believe this?"
"Sir, how can you ask--"
"Scully, I am just tired of being lead around by my nose. I need evidence, or I'm going to find myself cleaning up after you two again."
"Ok, fine. How's this for proof?" She reached into her desk and pulled out a printout of his EKG. "His heart stopped. Look how long the line is. Agent Mulder's heart stopped for at least ten minutes. Possibly longer, depending on how long it was after I left before his body was stolen."
"Stolen? He could've just climbed out."
"Yeah... but having a working heart is definitely conducive to climbing out a fifth floor window and down a tree."
"But isn't there a drug of some sort that can make your heart rate slow--"
"*Slow*, not *stop*."
Mulder pressed his ear against the door in frustration. What was taking so long?
"Is he here?" Skinner asked finally.
"Yes. I didn't want him to scare anyone."
"Bring him out. Maybe he can explain all this."
Scully heaved an indignant sigh, although she partly understood his frustration at being tricked so many times. Mulder heard her footsteps coming and backed away just as she swung the door open.
"Mulder, the next time you die, you can inform Skinner yourself. Apparently I've lost my credibility."
"I still love you." He offered weakly.
Scully glared at him for a moment, then laughed. Reaching down, she pulled him up and kissed him swiftly.
"Come on. Skinner want to hear what happened."
Mulder followed her into the living room, where Skinner was disappointingly nonplussed by his apparent rising from the dea.
"Agent Mulder. Is this going to become a habit?"
"Hopefully not, sir."
"So let's hear it."
"It's kind of a long story."
"With you, Agent Mulder, it usually is."
Mulder grimaced good-naturedly and sat down on the couch. Skinner saw Scully start toward her partner, then change her mind and sit in a chair. He shook his head as Mulder began his story.
*I'm sorry, agents. But I have to watch you. Don't give me a reason to have to act.*
End Part VII
NOTES: Ok, we're getting toward the end here, but I still have a pile of notes and excerpts that I've written that I want to put in that I need a place for. I still have an idea of where it's going, but it may be up to or more than ten chapters by the end. Oh well, I can only hope this is good news to you guys... :)
Silver Beauty