Maturity Chapter 4: Facing down the Past
Category: MSR, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSR, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13 Slight sexual situation
Spoilers: Basically, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: Mulder and Scully are making some changes in their lives. and Mulder decided to directly confront some faces from his past.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure. Johnny Nokamura, Sabrina McKay and Angel Stevens are mine.
Authors Notes: I would like to thank several Beta Readers for
their help, Shiv, HuminByrrd and mgreten. It wouldn't have
been don without you. And a big thatnks to R Vagts as well
for the Location information.
Chapter 4: Facing down the Past
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Saturday Sept. 18, 1999, 2:00pm.
Fox Mulder relaxed on the deck of what once was his fathers house in McLean Virginia. It had not been used in years, since even before his dad had been killed; now it was his, his and Scullys.
They had moved into it at his mothers insistence. She told him that he and Dana would need a place to live; the house was empty and going to waste.
It was a beautiful older style brick home although bigger than he needed by himself. Even though the wedding was still almost two months off, he had finally been able to talk Scully into moving in with him. She had her own room and it made him feel better having her close.
He heard loud voices behind him arguing, and he returned to the confusion.
"Damn you Frohike, you did that on purpose." Screamed Scully as she picked up a pile of underwear and put them back in the drawer he was carrying. Mrs. Scully stood in the living room laughing.
"Mom! It's not funny."
"Yes it is Dana, I do not know who was more embarrassed, you or Melvin." She answered laughing.
Mulder smiled to himself thinking about the argument that they had had about moving. He just wanted to hire someone to do it, but Scully would have none of it. She organized the Lone Gunmen, two of her cousins and a couple of her friends to help. Frohike & Langly was really eager to help once they found out that he was getting Mulders video collection as part of the deal.
Although he felt that he could work just as hard as anyone, Dana would not let him lift anything over twenty pounds, and in a way he was glad. He was pretty much healed from the gunshot wounds he had suffered in June, but his ribs were still pretty painful when he lifted or carried anything heavy.
"Hey Mulder, someone just pulled into the driveway." Said Langly.
He walked to the door and looked out to see AD Skinner getting out of the car, he was even more surprised to see Sabrina McKay with him. "Whatever it was, I didn't do it!" he called down from the Porch.
"Hey Mulder, look who I found wandering around downtown."
Mulder shook hands with Walt, and spoke to the woman with him.
"Miss McKay."
"Please call me Sabrina."
"Okay Sabrina. So what brings you out here sir?"
"Scully told me about the move, and I thought I would come out and give you a hand. And please, call me Walt, or Skinner when we are off duty."
"Okay, Skinner. Well we're almost done but we would love to have you stay for the barbecue that we're having."
"Well I guess you could twist my arm to get us to join you." Replied Skinner with a smile as he put his arm around the woman and headed toward the house.
Mulder followed them up into the house, wondering at the proprietary way Skinner was acting toward Sabrina. He found he others all resting on the rear deck and made the introductions all around.
"I didn't know you had a house here Mulder." said Skinner.
"It was my dad's house, he lived here when he was in Washington and my mom stayed up on the Vineyard with us kids. Mom and I only stayed here one summer when I was ten and Sam was six. I guess dad stayed here off and on until he was killed. It was closed up then and we had a caretaker come in and take care of everything. Mom thought it would be a good place for Scully and I to live."
"Dana, this place is gorgeous, you have to give me the tour." Said Sabrina.
"Sure, come on." And the two women walked off. Margaret Scully turned to Skinner.
"Since you are staying Walter, you can run the barbecue." And she pointed to the patio.
Walt looked down to see a built in brick barbecue setup of the type that was popular in the 60s. "Damn Mulder, you sure go first class."
"Not me, but I guess dad entertained a lot here, so he went top of the line with this place. You ought to see the Hot Tub."
Skinner just shook his head and went to check out the barbecue.
Mulder sat and made small talk with the movers. He fished a beer out of the cooler and relaxed on the bench.
"And this is the master bedroom." said Dana showing a large well lit room filled with a California King waterbed.
"Dana, this place is fantastic. It has so much charm, and.."
"I know, we were so fortunate that Mulders mom wanted us to move in here."
"This will be a wonderful place to raise children." said Sabrina.
Then she noticed the sadness in Scully's eyes, the tears starting to form.
"Did I say something wrong Dana?"
"No, its not your fault, You didn't know. You see, I can't have children. When I was abducted a few years ago something was done to me, and now children are not an option." She said with great sadness, wondering why she was confiding in this woman.
"Oh, Dana. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I didn't know."
"No, that's okay, it just hurts to know that the choice to have children or to not was taken away. Anyway, never mind, it's a long story and I would really rather not talk about it. How about you,
what are you doing here in the DC area?"
"Looking for work actually. I was blackballed on the west coast because I wouldn't give your story out to the station I was working for. So I came back here to see if I could get on with one of the cable news companies. That and I wanted to see Walt again."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, he is such a sweet man."
Scully smiled to herself. 'Sweet man indeed'.
While Scully finished showing Sabrina around the house, Maggie had the Lone Gunmen set up the picnic tables and start moving the food out to the table.
Scully's friends and cousins headed home, giving prior appointments as the reason for taking off without staying for dinner. Skinner started the grill and stood talking with Mulder.
"So Skinner, isn't she a little young for you?"
"What?" he said his head coming up in a hurry.
"I said isn't she a bit young for you?"
"Jeez Mulder, its not like we are dating or anything. I just ran into her today and invited her to join me, I knew you wouldn't care, and she wanted to see Scully again."
"Yeah, right, Walter, when she's visible to you track her like radar, when she is not you keep looking for her. Anyone can see that you are interested in each other."
Walt sat down with a sigh. "Yeah, I am interested, but you're right she is quite a bit younger, and I really don't know much about her yet."
"Well that's why there is dating, you know to get to know each other."
Scully and Sabrina made their appearance about then stopping that line of conversation.
And then Maggie brought out a tray of kabobs and some chicken for Walter to grill.
"Mulder. Sabrina is out here looking to get on with one of the cable news stations." said Scully.
"As a reporter?" asked Mulder.
"No as a researcher or assistant producer. I do not want to go on the air again."
"Excuse me." Cut in Byers. "Do you have any research experience?"
"Why yes, I was a research assistant, and then researcher in college, helped me to pay my tuition. Then I went on to be a
background specialist at ABC News. And I did investigative reporting for a while. Why?"
"Well, as strange as it may seem, we were just getting ready to hire a researcher for our magazine, Have you ever done any print work?"
"Not since my first year out of School." She replied. "But I am good at digging up info, either computer, print, or video."
"Well, if you don't find anything and are interested, contact us." He said handing her a card.
"Okay." She answered looking at the card, then back up at Byers, curiosity almost getting the best of her.
Thankfully, the conversation changed when Skinner announced that the food was cooked. They all dug in and ate their fill, and then some.
They had helped Maggie with the clean up, put all the extra food away and were sitting on the deck enjoying the warm Fall evening.
The Gunmen had left, and so had Scully's friends and relatives, only Maggie, Skinner and Sabrina remained.
"Mulder!" yelled Dana from the garage.
"What" he answered over the edge of the deck.
"Where did this damn truck come from? It wasn't there last week."
"Oh, that's the Jimmy, it was dads old truck, I just got it back from the shop yesterday."
"Oh." She answered coming up the steps.
Mulder turned back to the others and explained. "Dad bought the GMC Jimmy new in 'seventy two to use when the weather got really bad. But it really never did very often, so it just sat here in the garage. Last week I had it towed to the shop. They went over it top to bottom and fixed all the problems, put new tires on it installed a new battery, then had it detailed. They just brought it back yesterday while you were in town. I thought it would be handy to have an extra vehicle, and one that would be good in bad weather."
"Well, that's fine and dandy as long as I don't have to ride in it."
"Why is that Scully?" he asked peering into her eyes.
Scully blushed slightly then answered. "That damn truck is too tall, I would need help getting into it." Everyone laughed, even Scully.
"Oh, I saw your boss today." said Skinner.
"Really? What did he have to say?" Replied Mulder.
"He mentioned that he hasn't been able to find anyone to represent his group in the LE Olympics. Evidently he asked Scully about it, but she never gave him an answer."
"What is that?" asked Mulder.
"The Law Enforcement Olympics is just a fancy name for a skills contest. Representatives from all over the world will be competing in three events. Target shooting, a Hogans Alley event, and a problem solving event. The idea behind it is to promote good will between different countries to make it easier to work together in the changing climate of law enforcement."
"Sounds interesting. Scully why didn't you mention this?"
"I really didn't think that you would be interested Mulder."
"I'm not really, I just thought you would have mentioned it."
"I probably would have if it wasn't for the fact of moving, and having a wedding planned around me."
"Did you know that Spender and Fowley are representing my office." said Skinner with barely concealed disgust."
At the mention of those two names, both Mulder and Scully looked at each other, and the decision to compete in the event was made.
"I will let AD Kersh know Monday that Mulder and I would love to compete for his group."
"Are you sure Mulder?" asked Skinner surprise in his voice.
"Yes sir. Why would you think that I wouldn't be."
"Well Mulder, two of the three events involve shooting, and I know how many times you've lost your weapon before, and your shooting scores."
"Well." Replied Mulder a twinkle in his eye. "I have to qualify in the morning, to get certified to go back to back into field duty. Why don't you come down and see me about ten thirty?"
"Okay, I'll be there." He answered warily. Something was going on here, he just couldn't put his finger on it. "There will be an added bonus if you two win the competition and end up representing the FBI. The representatives from Scotland Yard are Roland Smyth, and Phoebe Green." This time a huge smile lit up Scully's face. "Well then, we will just have to win won't we."
The friends shared some more quiet discussion, some about work, some reminiscing about 'the good old days'. When it got near eleven o'clock Skinner and Sabrina said their good-byes and left. Maggie turned in as well leaving them alone. They made sure everything was closed up and went up to be; Scully in the master bedroom, Mulder going to his couch in the Den.
About two o'clock, Scully woke to the sound of someone screaming in terror. She dashed out in the hall in time to see her mother enter the den. Mulder was screaming again.
"Nooooooooooo, don't take her from me."
Maggie reached Mulder first, and she tried to wake him gently, but was not having any luck, Scully grabbed his arms, and called to him.
"Mulder, you have to wake up. It's okay, I'm here."
Gradually he started waking up, and he grabbed her holding onto her tightly.
"Are they always this bad?" asked Maggie.
"No, sometimes they are worse." replied Scully.
Maggie went back to bed leaving the young couple alone.
"It is all right Mulder, I'm here. Come on, get up and follow me." Scully led him back into the master bedroom and push him down onto the bed. She pulled the covers up over him, then went to the other side and got in herself. Mulder was still muttering to himself so Scully snuggled up against him and tried to comfort him some more.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Sunday Sept. 19, 1999, 8:45 am.
Dana Scully awoke slowly, the early morning sun shining in the room. She was at that stage of partial wakefulness where it would be so easy to go back to sleep. It was the puff of breath on the back of her neck, and the large hand that moved under her night shirt that made her aware that she was not alone. She froze for a moment, then remembered what had happened the previous night. She relaxed, lying there in bed with Mulder holding her close. She had almost drifted back to sleep when the hand under her shirt started to move.
Mulder slowly drifted into consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the tickle of hair in his nose. The second thing was the smell of apples, smoke from a BBQ, and something else. Something different. Something good. As he became even more awake, the noticed that his hand was rubbing something soft and silky. His eyes snapped open, seeing a mass of copper red in front of his face. Scully. And his hand was rubbing her stomach, dangerously close to her breasts.
Breathing slowly, he tried to pull his hand out from under her shirt. Her hand was on the back of his and was holding on. He did tug a little harder since her breathing was slow and shallow, and he was sure she was asleep, but her grip only tightened. His mind raced, wondering how he got here, what would she say when she woke up. He tried once more to pull his hand out, but Scully seemed to cuddle it, holding it tighter, pulling it closer until his knuckles were touching the bottom of her breast.
Mulder was terror stricken. Here he was in Scully's bed, touching her breast, and she was spooned into him, and he was getting an erection. Part of him didn't care; that part just wanted to snuggle closer, and maybe cup her breast. But another part of him was scared of her reaction.
They had agreed no sex until they were married, for their own as well as Mrs. Scullys sake. And here he was. In her bed. With a hard on.
"So Mulder are you glad to see me, or is that a nightstick in your shorts?" she asked quietly.
Mulder jumped, pulling his hand out of her shirt and rolled away.
He was sitting up and getting ready to bolt from the room when Scully stopped him.
"Don't move Mulder!" she said. "Where do you think you are going."
"Ummm, back to my room." He replied sheepishly.
"Why?"
"So I can take a shower and get dressed." He answered quietly wondering where this conversation was going.
Scully looked up at him demurely and asked. "Is there anything you want me to take care of for you before you get in the shower."
"Scullee!" whined Mulder. "We agreed, not before the wedding."
"I know Mulder. I was just teasing you, and I wanted you to understand that I am not bothered by last night at all. In fact, I think we should change the sleeping arrangements. I slept better
than I have in a long time. I think maybe we need each other."
"We'll talk about it later Scully, and thanks."
"No problem Mulder, now hurry up and let me take a shower too."
In the kitchen, Margaret Scully was cooking up some ham, and preparing the batter for French toast. Her thoughts wandered to the upcoming wedding she was planning.
Dana was difficult to deal with some times, all she wanted was a small private ceremony. Oh well, she would have to call Fox's mother and get her input. Then she would have to check on Bill and Charlie's ability to be here.
Bill had dealt with Fox fairly well when he had been shot, but she knew that there was a lot of resentment still there. Bill was very good at holding things back. Charlie she was not sure about, he had never met Fox, but she figured that Bill had expressed his opinion at every opportunity. Oh well, she would worry about that when the time came.
Mulder wandered into the kitchen still yawning even though he was freshly showered and shaved. The smell of coffee and frying ham making his stomach growl.
"Good morning Fox."
"Good morning Mrs. Scully. You didn't have to get up and make breakfast, I was going to take us out for brunch this morning."
"Nonsense, I enjoy cooking for my family, and that includes you Fox." She said.
Mulder blushed, and then sat down at the table after pouring himself a cup of coffee. He was just taking his first sip when she bushwhacked him.
"So how did you two sleep last night."
After he sprayed coffee all over the table he looked at her, she had a small smile on her face.
"Fine." He replied quietly.
"Don't be so shocked Fox, I was young once too, where do you think that those four kids came from."
"But it was not like that, Scully and I have never, uh you know."
"What have we 'never had' Mulder."
"Sex dear." answered Maggie.
"Mom!"
"Don't mom me, now get yourself some coffee and sit down so I can get the French toast started."
As Maggie started cooking, Mulder spoke up.
"Well, Scully, what do you have planned for me today?"
"I thought you could put the books away in our offices while mom and I go to church and then do some shopping, later we could get the computers set up. That way this evening we can just relax."
"Well, I can do the books, but the guys were going to set the computers up for us."
Scully rolled her eyes but agreed. "Well, okay. But I want some time for us tonight!"
"I had planned for us to have some time tonight Scully. I just wanted to have some time for ourselves before work tomorrow."
"Okay Mulder, just wanted to make sure."
They both dressed and then Scully left with her mom to go attend church and do some shopping. Mulder stood in the middle of the 'family room' looking at boxes. He started to unpack his CD's and tapes when he heard a horn honking in the driveway. Peeking out the door he saw the lone gunmen and a delivery truck.
"Hey Mulder." Called Frohike. "Ready to get connected."
"Whatever guys, just do not get too weird, I promised Scully that you would not get carried away."
"No problem Mulder, we just got what you wanted, then adapted it to make it as secure as possible."
"Okay, well you guys know where it is all going, I promised to get as many of these boxes unpacked as possible early today so we can have some time to ourselves tonight."
The three took off with the two delivery men to show where the equipment was to be placed. Mulder started in his office putting his books and files away, and arranging it to suit him.
Langly came in with a delivery man who was pushing a hand truck. He unloaded some boxes which Langly started unpacking. As he was setting up the system Mulder stopped to watch and ask a few questions.
"This is a 700 megahertz computer, with 256 megs of RAM. It has two nine gigabyte SCSI hard drives, sound card, accelerated graphics video card with 32 megs of RAM. It has a 100 meg per second network card connecting it to the server in the locker downstairs. You have a T1 connection to the Internet, and the ability to connect to the FBI offices and computers. You can also connect to us and our backup server in the Bahamas. There is personal encryption software on these that even we cannot hack, Byers will help you set it up. The monitor is a 21 inch for ease of reading and detail."
"Cool."
"The pinnacle of computer technology, and he says cool!" mumbled Langly as he set it up.
Mulder broke down the boxes and took them down to the garage. He pulled a cold bottle of Ice Tea out of the fridge there.
He stood looking out at the yard. Who ever thought that he would have a house, yard or a wife. Not him. He thought he would spend his life looking for his sister at least until someone killed him. Then seven years ago, a smart, petite redhead barged into his life. Last summer, he didn't think he would find her, then when he did find her he didn't think he was going to be able to save her. But they made it. It changed him though, changed him in a way that he never expected. That time spent in the hospital at McMurdo Station, then again at Georgetown University Medical Center. While they were running tests on Scully, he vowed to himself. No more ditching. They had to stay together. He would put his life back together, be the best man he could be, make people respect him, and Scully. Especially Scully. From now on, he would have solid proof for any theory he put forth to anyone, 'cept Scully of course. No one was going to laugh at them again.
He finished the Tea and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin then headed up to her office. Frohike was just finishing setting up Scully's PC, a duplicate of his. They debated the latest
assassination theories as he was putting her books up. At a time like this it was good to have a photographic memory, he was able to remember the order the books were on the shelf. As he is putting up one of the last ones a picture of a car fluttered out from between the pages. He put the book on the shelf then picked up the picture. It was of a 1981 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera.
Frohike walked over and looked at the picture with Mulder.
"That is one sweet car! Riding in that thing was like flying low, so smooth it was almost unbelievable."
"Did you have one.?"
"No, a friend did. He wrapped it around a power pole one night when he was toasted."
"So, looking at dirty pictures while I was gone huh." said Scully from the door.
Mulder looked up, and a smile came easily to his face when he saw who it was.
"Naw, Scully, this fell out of a book when I was putting them away. Did you have one?"
"No, I wanted one though, a friend had one when we were in medical school together. That was the car of my dreams." She said. "Anyway, I have a car load of groceries that needs to be brought in."
She finally noticed the computer, heard about what it was and how everything worked, and gave Mulder the look. He knew he was in trouble. Scully was very, how would you say, frugal. Oh well, we will deal with it later. He went out and unloaded the car. He saw the amount of stuff she had bought, and wondered if there were more people moving in than just them.
He grabbed a six pack out of the fridge and took it out to the deck where everyone was. He passed them around and listened as Byers explained about the software. When he was done he asked if there was any questions.
"How much?" asked Scully.
"What?" replied Byers.
"How much did it cost?" she asked again.
Byers glanced at Mulder who nodded slightly before answering.
"Total package, including the server was a little over fifteen thousand dollars."
Scully gave Mulder a look, then said. "Thanks guys, at least I know it will be reliable."
"Oh, Mulder, before I forget, here is the case we had been keeping for you that you wanted." said Frohike as he handed Mulder a polished aluminum briefcase."
"Thanks Frohike, almost forgot it. I wanted to use it tomorrow."
He lay the case on the table, then opened it up. Inside was a Browning Hi Power Practical 9mm pistol. It was matte-blued and chrome and looked beautifully deadly. It was one of the older ones with a 15 round magazine.
"My father bought it for me when I joined the FBI. I was still angry with him, and have never carried it. He bought the match grade weapon then had it reworked to the practical model. It is extremely accurate and reliable. I wanted to have it when I qualify tomorrow, for luck."
Scully pulled it out of the case and held it. It was to big for her hands, but she could feel how solid and well built it was. She handed it back to Mulder and said.
"It will be fine Mulder, you will qualify, don't worry."
"Oh, I am not worried, I just wanted to make use of something my father wanted me to have."
The Gunmen said their good-byes, and promised that they would be back next weekend to set up a alarm system.
Scully turned to Mulder with her chewing out face on but he stopped her with a kiss.
"Scully, I know I should have consulted you first about the computer system, but I knew what you would have said. But let it go babe. We have the money, and we can put it to good use. Against them. Ironic too, them financing their own destruction."
"Okay, I will let it go this time, but next time, please talk to me about it."
"Okay, I promise."
They spent the rest of the evening watching TV and relaxing, enjoying each others company. They turned in early, having made the decision to sleep together but not have sex.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 2:19am.
Mulder sat bolt upright in bed, sweating and breathing hard.
"Take it easy Mulder, it was a bad dream. I'm here."
"It was about Sam, Scully she was running, in trouble. And I couldn't help her."
"It's okay Mulder, it is over, relax now."
And as they settled back down to sleep Scully glanced at the clock it was 2:19 am.
San Diego Ca.
A dingy downtown Apartment
Sunday Sept. 19, 1999, 9:00pm.
Angel Stevens stood looking in her closet for something to wear. Color was not a problem being a Goth, but she didn't know if she wanted to wear a mini skirt with the boots, or stretch pants. She settled on the mini skirt. As she dressed she planned out her evening. She had managed to avoid the drug problems that had a hold on some of her friends, and she didn't have to hook to pay the rent. But she had the same feeling depression, of not belonging and despair that her friends did. It never let up. She had seen her share of suicides in the last three years, and thought about it herself many times.
Dressed and her make up on she headed out for a night on the town. As she reached the corner of second and market she started getting a feeling of dread. As she neared an alley she walked out as far toward the street as possible. She had passed it and thought she was safe when some one grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the dark alley. There were two of them, they looked Hispanic, but she could not be sure. The bigger of the two held her while the skinny one waved a knife in her face. She was facing at the very least a rape, and would probably be killed as well. She had almost decided to just give up and let it happen when she had a feeling of anger
swell inside her.
The smaller one had opened her blouse and was sliding his knife up between her breasts to cut her bra off. As the materiel parted she sank her teeth into the hand of the one holding her. He screamed and tried to push her away, but she held on by her teeth. The large man danced around screaming and finally succeeded in pushing her away. She clasped her ripped blouse together and ran toward the street. She had just got around the corner of the building when the skinny one
grabbed her again. This time he spun her around and punched her in the face. She fell hard and was seeing stars when she heard another voice.
"Leave the girl alone." It said.
The voice demanded obedience, but the two men were angry and looking for revenge.
"Hey, back off sailor boy, or I cut you too!"
"I said leave her alone!"
She heard the sound of scuffling, a couple of blows, then what sounded like twigs snapping. The knife fell near her and she grabbed at it swiftly. A high pitched scream was also heard, along with the sound of running feet.
When she looked up, she saw the friendly face of a sailor bending over her.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I, I guess so." replied Angel.
"C'mon, let me help you up." He offered extending his hand. She eyed him warily as he helped her up. Her right hand clutched her torn blouse together, and still held the knife the skinny one had used on her clothes. Once she was standing he held out his hand for the knife.
"Let me show you how to close that thing." he offered.
"Watch." He said as showed her how to close the ivory handled switchblade. He handed it back to her and told her how to open it.
"But be careful as it opens, that blade is sharp, and can easily cut you as it opens."
He seemed to notice her torn clothes at that moment, and he shrugged out of his light jacket and handed it to her.
"Here, put this on for now. Is their somewhere I can take you."
"No thanks." She replied shakily."
"Okay, look, lets go to the diner down the street, we can have some coffee, and you can clean up a bit. Okay?"
"Okay." she replied softly as she put the jacket on.
He walked along side of her down the street about a block and a half to an all night diner. It was one that normally catered to the dockworkers for breakfast and lunch, but did a good night time
business with hookers, cops and some sailors, both merchant and Navy.
They slid into a booth and both ordered coffee when the waitress dropped off the menus. The girl looked at him and spoke.
"Thank you for helping me."
"You're welcome, you can call me Charlie."
"My name is Angel."
Charlie looked at the girl, woman actually, and saw that she was beautiful. Or would be if you removed the black Gothic makeup.
"You have a nasty bruise starting to show up on your cheek, you might want to wash up too, got some nasty makeup stains running down your cheeks as well."
She excused herself then went into the ladies room. She washed her face gently, then looked in the mirror. What she saw was a bruise forming on her cheek. It stood out against the paleness of the rest of her face. Other than that she guessed she was pretty, many men had told her she was, but most of those only wanted to get into her pants. She brushed her hair back out of her eyes, then went to work repairing the rest of the damage. The bra was a total loss and went into the trash. The blouse was ruined as well but she was able to tie it up to give her a country girl bare midriff look. She looked at herself in the mirror again and was startled by the change, she looked good. More like she did when she first moved to San Diego, before she got into the gothic thing. She dug her brush out of her pocket and ran it through her hair then went back out.
Charlie felt her sit back down and lowered his menu to look at her. He had to hold his breath slightly, she was beautiful this way. Long brunette hair and beautiful hazel eyes that were absolutely gorgeous without the gothic makeup. He took a sip of coffee to give him a bit more time before he spoke.
"You look a little better now, are you feeling okay?" he asked.
"Better, my face is a bit sore, but not to bad." She nodded at his hand noticing the skinned knuckles. "How about you?"
"Just fine, these are nothing." Ha said flexing his fingers.
"Umm, I was kinda out of it when you were dealing with them, what happened to them."
"Do you want the truth?" he asked.
"Yes I do."
"Okay, the skinny one lost a couple of teeth, and I broke his hand and wrist. I crushed at least one testicle of the bigger one."
"Oh, good."
"Good?"
"Well, not really, but I know what they were going to do to me, and they deserved it." She said, looking into his eyes with no fear.
"Fair enough then. Would you like something to eat?" he asked.
"Maybe some scrambled eggs and hash browns."
Charlie ordered and they sat talking while they waited for their order. He heard about Angels parents and brothers, and he told her about his family.
"How long have you been in the Navy?'" asked Angel.
"Just coming up on twelve years."
"What do you do?"
"I am a Seal."
"You mean one of those special OP's guys?"
"Yeah, one of those." He said in a strange tone.
"Cool." was her answer, as she continued the conversation.
They talked during the meal and when they were done they left together and walked to the waterfront park. They stood on the dock looking out over the Pacific.
"My dad loved the sea.' said Charlie.
"I grew up in Montana, I never even saw the ocean 'til I moved here, but I love to sit and look out there. I feel so close to it sometimes."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, why the Goth thing?"
"When I came here, I was so alone, lonely, and my first friend was a Goth. The friends I made here were all like me, alone, lonely, depressed. I don't know how I got into it, I just did. Most of them are gone now, dead by either drugs, aids or victims of crime. I was lucky, I avoided the drugs, and never got desperate enough to do any hooking."
"You ought to give it up, you look good without the makeup."
Angel turned away feeling herself blushing. This tall strawberry blonde sailor interested her. He just seemed so fresh, honest, different.
"It is getting late, let me get you a cab."
They walked over to a nearby bar, and found a cab waiting out front. She told the cabby her address, and waited for Charlie to get in. He didn't.
"Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?" he asked. We could meet somewhere and have dinner and talk some more?"
"I would like that very much." She answered, and scrambled to find something to write on. She scribbled her address on a card that the cabby provided, and said. "Pick me up at eight?"
"Sure, see you then." He peeled off a twenty and handed it to the driver, raising an eyebrow in question. The cabby nodded okay, and Charlie peeled off another five for him.
As the cab drove away Charlie wondered what had gotten into him, he already had one failed marriage behind him, he knew better than to get involved. But she was so different, something just attracted him to her, almost like a moth to a flame.
Angel took a long time going to sleep that night, thinking about the tall sailor, she would have to go shopping tomorrow for something new to wear, something not black. Her last thought before she fell asleep was that she needed some new makeup.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 6:10am.
The alarm went off for the second time and Scully reached out and hit the snooze button. She was almost back asleep when Mulder spoke.
"Come on Scully, time to get up. I have coffee!"
"You better or you are going to be in a world of hurt." She replied groggily.
"I just want to make sure you are up before I leave, I have to see Dr. Kosseff early to get my psychological release. Then get to the other doctors to get my medical release. Then be at the range at 10:30."
"Don't forget Kersh wants to see you with all of your paperwork at 1:30 this afternoon."
"Yeah, I know, I wonder what for?"
"I think he is going to try to split us up."
"Just a feeling, probably due to the rumors flying around about this ring you won't let me take off unless I am elbow deep into someone's abdominal cavity."
"Oh well, let him try."
"You have something planned don't you?" she said setting up.
"If it comes to that, I think I can get him to back down."
"Mulder.."
"Hey, don't worry babe, trust me on this it will be okay."
"Okay, Mulder. I'll trust you on this, but you have got to start including me in things.."
"I told you Scully no more dumping, and nothing underhanded."
"Okay, see you later." He said leaning down for a kiss.
"Ten thirty at the range."
He waved leaving the room.
The J Edgar Hoover Building
Shooting Range.
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 10:25am.
Walter Skinner entered the lobby of the sub-basement shooting range to find it fairly well crowded. Mulder and Scully were standing at the counter having Carl the range master certify the weapon Mulder was going to use. In the crowd he also noticed Diana Fowley, Jeff Spender, AD Kersh, whom Scully had notified of their entrance into the Law Enforcement Olympics. Several other agents and secretaries were also present, this was turning into a big event.
"Clean and certified Agent Mulder. That sure is a sweet weapon."
"Thanks Carl, I will be registering it as my service weapon as well."
"Okay, I will make note of it. Okay, here is your ammunition, 4 clips, 10 rounds in each clip. You will be shooting on lane 1 at 50 feet, 10 rounds. Lane 2 at 100 feet, 10 rounds. And at Lane 3, 150 feet, 10 rounds. When you are done, come back here for another clip. When you have completed all 3, you will do a full clip on Lane four at a moving target at rapid fire.
"Okay Carl, thanks."
Mulder picked up the Hi Power and a clip. He turned toward the door and Scully stood on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek.
"For luck" she whispered.
Mulder went through the thick double doors into the range and took his place on lane 1. He pulled on a set of headphones and loaded the weapon. Chambering a round he raised it sighting down the barrel. Ten rounds were fired at a steady pace. When the slide locked open
on the last round Mulder ejected the spent clip and brought it back to the sliding window and took another one from Carl. Fowley stood next to Skinner and whispered "He can't hit the broad
side of a barn, we are wasting our time here."
"Want to make a bet on that?" asked Kim, Skinners secretary.
"Sure how much?" was the answer.
"Twenty bucks?"
"Your on."
Skinner smiled to himself as he heard other bets being made.
"You ought to get in on it sir, easy money." said Scully moving to stand by him.
"You think so." He asked.
In the target range Mulder had just completed the second distance.
"I know one thing, Mulder does not lie to people he trusts. Just watch."
Mulder moved up to the third lane and was firing . When he completed he again turned to Carl for another clip. He stood at the 4th lane, sixty feet at a moving target. The target moved and Mulder fired. Fifteen shots as fast as he could pull the trigger. When he was finished he ejected the clip and came out in the waiting room.
"I'll have your scores in a minute Agent Mulder, soon as Ken puts it into the scoring computer."
He set the weapon and clip down on the counter and looked for Scully. Finding her he walked over to her and Skinner. He was just getting ready to speak when a loud low whistle sounded from Carl.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Agent Mulders score is as follows. Part one, fifty foot range. A perfect score of one hundred. Part two, one hundred feet, a perfect score of one hundred. Part three, one
hundred fifty foot range, score 98. And part four, moving target at sixty feet, score 96. A new record for the FBI, Indoor range with a service weapon!"
Several people burst out in applause. Mulder thanked then and then went to get his weapon.
"Can I keep these Agent Mulder?" asked Carl motioning to the targets.
"Sure Carl, and thanks for everything."
"You're welcome Agent Mulder."
Mulder put the weapon away, and turned to Scully.
"I have to go to personnel now, how about you meet me at lunch at, oh, Trader Dans?"
"Sure, Mulder, see you there."
He left the range leaving people collecting bets and talking about the display.
"Humph! I'll bet it was a set up, no one can shoot that well!" said Spender.
"Let me tell you something son!" said Carl. "Mulder broke the last record by only two points, Walter Skinner set the last record. And I resent the implication that I would fix a qualification."
Spender slunk away as quietly as possible leaving a stunned audience.
Trader Dan's Restaurant
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 12:05pm.
Mulder had been waiting for about ten minutes when Scully showed up. Her favorite Pink Lemonade was waiting for her, and he was sipping on a tall glass of iced tea. She sat down rather stiffly, and Mulder could tell she was angry.
"All right Scully, give. What's going on?"
"Why didn't I know Mulder?"
"Know what?" he replied slightly confused.
"Why didn't you tell me you were an expert shot. I felt like a fool standing there watching you when the score was announced."
"Scully, I'm sorry if I caused you any embarrassment. I just never thought about it. I mean think back. Have I ever missed anything I shot at?"
Scully furrowed her brow in thought, Mulder was right, when he needed to he never missed.
"I never meant to hide it from you, I just never thought about it. As far as the official record goes, I just didn't want anyone to know how good a shot I was."
"Then why now Mulder? Why come out in the open now?"
"I want them to get the message Scully. I am through playing games with them."
"Oh." And Mulder noticed that she had relaxed her posture.
The rest of the lunch was spent making small talk, mostly about the wedding, now only a little over a month away. To their horror the guest list had grown to over 200 people after being worked on by both of their mothers, and were getting pushed to choose a church. Teena
Mulder and Scully's mom were becoming good friends, and when to two of them teamed up on an idea, well Mulder and Scully might as well just give in. They had finally, under pressure, set the date, October 31, figuring that Halloween was a fitting date for them to get married.
The rings had been picked out and ordered and Scully was scheduled to have her grandmothers wedding dress altered to fit her.
No longer able to stall going back to work, Mulder paid the check and they left together. They enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the Hoover building making it back to their desks a few minutes late.
Mulder picked up his phone and made a call.
"It's me Langly, turn off the tape."
He paused listening.
"Good, you found it?"
Scully looked at Mulder over the file she was reading slightly puzzled.
"Okay, got it. Keep tracking it, and make sure you make some hard copies and archive them safely. Cool, thanks."
Scully looked up at him and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Insurance." Was all he said.
The J Edgar Hoover Building
The Office of Assistant Director Kersh
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 1:25pm.
"Congratulations on your qualifying Agent Mulder.' He said shaking hands. "Please sit down. Now that your paperwork is complete, and you are officially back on duty, here is your badge and weapon." He handed Mulder the ID and weapon.
"Now about your current assignment, I has come to my attention that you and Agent Scully have become involved on a personal level, and you know that it is against FBI policy to allow..."
"Stop right there AD Kersh. Do not say another word. I know what the official regulations are and they say nothing about Agents becoming emotionally or romantically involved. There has always been a unwritten rule to discourage that kind of behavior, but not a written regulation. I have an eidetic memory, and I have thoroughly read through the FBI handbook of personal conduct, and it mentions nothing like that.
"Don't give me any of your pretty boy crap Agent Mulder, I do not put up with any of your shit, nor do I plan to."
Mulder stood leaning over the desk.
"You will put up with anything I tell you to unless you want to have copies of your off shore bank account transactions give to the OPR, as well as information about your house in Florida, and the one where you live now in Great Falls. I have no doubt that they would be interested in how you could buy a house valued at seven hundred and fifty thousand for only one hundred and forty thousand, and with very low interest rates."
Kersh's face went white, and he slumped back in his seat.
"I have no intention on making this public unless you push me. I know the smoker is behind it, and I don't care what he has on you, but you will not separate Agent Scully and me. We will behave professionally here at work, and will give you no problems. We do wish to be taken off of background checks though, and put on one of the regular domestic terrorism teams."
"That is agreeable Agent Mulder, you do have the highest solve rate of any active team, so it would be in my best interest to keep you together."
"Oh, and there will no doubt soon be a wedding invitation arriving for you, we would like you to attend."
"Thank you Agent Mulder, my wife and I will be glad to."
The charade over, AD Kersh dismissed Agent Mulder with instructions to report to SAC Ben (Hawk) Hawkins for assignment to his team.
Mulder returned to his desk and started gathering up the background check papers that he had.
"Start getting that stuff out of here Scully, be no longer are doing background checks. We are no assigned to Hawks team." Smiled Mulder.
Scully picked up the pile that she had and added it to Mulders.
"Okay Mulder give, what went on in there?" she asked.
"I'll tell you on the way home tonight, but WE are okay." He said emphasizing the we.
"Okay Mulder. Lets drop this stuff and go see the Hawk."
"So I had the gunmen check him out and they were able to come up with some dirt on him. I had them archive it, and I told Kersh as long as he left us alone I would keep it covered."
"And he bought it, Mulder you are getting as bad as 'Them'" she replied.
"Yeah, I know, but only about this. I am not letting them split us up without a fight."
"Neither am I Mulder, neither am I."
The Next Day at a Private club room in New York City
CGB Spender had just got off the phone with AD Kersh, who had detailed his conversation with Mulder. He was getting dangerous. He told Kersh to just go along with Mulder for now; he was not asking for anything illegal or out of line. He did however wonder what had caused Mulder to change. Probably the last abduction of Scully. She had been the biggest mistake of his career; he never expected for them to respect each other. Let alone build the trust that they had.
Oh well, it would all work out in the end.
He went to grind out a cigarette in the ashtray when he spotted a envelope on the table. He opened it cautiously, and pulled out the card inside. Inside he felt fear for the first time in years, but he also had to smile. The card read "You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully at blah blah blah. On October 31, 1999 at 2:30 pm.
end.
Maturity Chapter 4: Facing down the Past
By Merlin merlin@hpoint.com
Category: MSR, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSR, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13 Slight sexual situation
Spoilers: Basically, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: Mulder and Scully are making some changes in their lives. and Mulder decided to directly confront some faces from his past.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure. Johnny Nokamura, Sabrina McKay and Angel Stevens are mine.
Authors Notes: I would like to thank several Beta Readers for their help, Shiv, HuminByrrd and mgreten. It wouldn't have been don without you. And a big thatnks to R Vagts as well for the Location information.
TBC
Please R & R
Category: MSR, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSR, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13 Slight sexual situation
Spoilers: Basically, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: Mulder and Scully are making some changes in their lives. and Mulder decided to directly confront some faces from his past.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure. Johnny Nokamura, Sabrina McKay and Angel Stevens are mine.
Authors Notes: I would like to thank several Beta Readers for
their help, Shiv, HuminByrrd and mgreten. It wouldn't have
been don without you. And a big thatnks to R Vagts as well
for the Location information.
Chapter 4: Facing down the Past
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Saturday Sept. 18, 1999, 2:00pm.
Fox Mulder relaxed on the deck of what once was his fathers house in McLean Virginia. It had not been used in years, since even before his dad had been killed; now it was his, his and Scullys.
They had moved into it at his mothers insistence. She told him that he and Dana would need a place to live; the house was empty and going to waste.
It was a beautiful older style brick home although bigger than he needed by himself. Even though the wedding was still almost two months off, he had finally been able to talk Scully into moving in with him. She had her own room and it made him feel better having her close.
He heard loud voices behind him arguing, and he returned to the confusion.
"Damn you Frohike, you did that on purpose." Screamed Scully as she picked up a pile of underwear and put them back in the drawer he was carrying. Mrs. Scully stood in the living room laughing.
"Mom! It's not funny."
"Yes it is Dana, I do not know who was more embarrassed, you or Melvin." She answered laughing.
Mulder smiled to himself thinking about the argument that they had had about moving. He just wanted to hire someone to do it, but Scully would have none of it. She organized the Lone Gunmen, two of her cousins and a couple of her friends to help. Frohike & Langly was really eager to help once they found out that he was getting Mulders video collection as part of the deal.
Although he felt that he could work just as hard as anyone, Dana would not let him lift anything over twenty pounds, and in a way he was glad. He was pretty much healed from the gunshot wounds he had suffered in June, but his ribs were still pretty painful when he lifted or carried anything heavy.
"Hey Mulder, someone just pulled into the driveway." Said Langly.
He walked to the door and looked out to see AD Skinner getting out of the car, he was even more surprised to see Sabrina McKay with him. "Whatever it was, I didn't do it!" he called down from the Porch.
"Hey Mulder, look who I found wandering around downtown."
Mulder shook hands with Walt, and spoke to the woman with him.
"Miss McKay."
"Please call me Sabrina."
"Okay Sabrina. So what brings you out here sir?"
"Scully told me about the move, and I thought I would come out and give you a hand. And please, call me Walt, or Skinner when we are off duty."
"Okay, Skinner. Well we're almost done but we would love to have you stay for the barbecue that we're having."
"Well I guess you could twist my arm to get us to join you." Replied Skinner with a smile as he put his arm around the woman and headed toward the house.
Mulder followed them up into the house, wondering at the proprietary way Skinner was acting toward Sabrina. He found he others all resting on the rear deck and made the introductions all around.
"I didn't know you had a house here Mulder." said Skinner.
"It was my dad's house, he lived here when he was in Washington and my mom stayed up on the Vineyard with us kids. Mom and I only stayed here one summer when I was ten and Sam was six. I guess dad stayed here off and on until he was killed. It was closed up then and we had a caretaker come in and take care of everything. Mom thought it would be a good place for Scully and I to live."
"Dana, this place is gorgeous, you have to give me the tour." Said Sabrina.
"Sure, come on." And the two women walked off. Margaret Scully turned to Skinner.
"Since you are staying Walter, you can run the barbecue." And she pointed to the patio.
Walt looked down to see a built in brick barbecue setup of the type that was popular in the 60s. "Damn Mulder, you sure go first class."
"Not me, but I guess dad entertained a lot here, so he went top of the line with this place. You ought to see the Hot Tub."
Skinner just shook his head and went to check out the barbecue.
Mulder sat and made small talk with the movers. He fished a beer out of the cooler and relaxed on the bench.
"And this is the master bedroom." said Dana showing a large well lit room filled with a California King waterbed.
"Dana, this place is fantastic. It has so much charm, and.."
"I know, we were so fortunate that Mulders mom wanted us to move in here."
"This will be a wonderful place to raise children." said Sabrina.
Then she noticed the sadness in Scully's eyes, the tears starting to form.
"Did I say something wrong Dana?"
"No, its not your fault, You didn't know. You see, I can't have children. When I was abducted a few years ago something was done to me, and now children are not an option." She said with great sadness, wondering why she was confiding in this woman.
"Oh, Dana. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I didn't know."
"No, that's okay, it just hurts to know that the choice to have children or to not was taken away. Anyway, never mind, it's a long story and I would really rather not talk about it. How about you,
what are you doing here in the DC area?"
"Looking for work actually. I was blackballed on the west coast because I wouldn't give your story out to the station I was working for. So I came back here to see if I could get on with one of the cable news companies. That and I wanted to see Walt again."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, he is such a sweet man."
Scully smiled to herself. 'Sweet man indeed'.
While Scully finished showing Sabrina around the house, Maggie had the Lone Gunmen set up the picnic tables and start moving the food out to the table.
Scully's friends and cousins headed home, giving prior appointments as the reason for taking off without staying for dinner. Skinner started the grill and stood talking with Mulder.
"So Skinner, isn't she a little young for you?"
"What?" he said his head coming up in a hurry.
"I said isn't she a bit young for you?"
"Jeez Mulder, its not like we are dating or anything. I just ran into her today and invited her to join me, I knew you wouldn't care, and she wanted to see Scully again."
"Yeah, right, Walter, when she's visible to you track her like radar, when she is not you keep looking for her. Anyone can see that you are interested in each other."
Walt sat down with a sigh. "Yeah, I am interested, but you're right she is quite a bit younger, and I really don't know much about her yet."
"Well that's why there is dating, you know to get to know each other."
Scully and Sabrina made their appearance about then stopping that line of conversation.
And then Maggie brought out a tray of kabobs and some chicken for Walter to grill.
"Mulder. Sabrina is out here looking to get on with one of the cable news stations." said Scully.
"As a reporter?" asked Mulder.
"No as a researcher or assistant producer. I do not want to go on the air again."
"Excuse me." Cut in Byers. "Do you have any research experience?"
"Why yes, I was a research assistant, and then researcher in college, helped me to pay my tuition. Then I went on to be a
background specialist at ABC News. And I did investigative reporting for a while. Why?"
"Well, as strange as it may seem, we were just getting ready to hire a researcher for our magazine, Have you ever done any print work?"
"Not since my first year out of School." She replied. "But I am good at digging up info, either computer, print, or video."
"Well, if you don't find anything and are interested, contact us." He said handing her a card.
"Okay." She answered looking at the card, then back up at Byers, curiosity almost getting the best of her.
Thankfully, the conversation changed when Skinner announced that the food was cooked. They all dug in and ate their fill, and then some.
They had helped Maggie with the clean up, put all the extra food away and were sitting on the deck enjoying the warm Fall evening.
The Gunmen had left, and so had Scully's friends and relatives, only Maggie, Skinner and Sabrina remained.
"Mulder!" yelled Dana from the garage.
"What" he answered over the edge of the deck.
"Where did this damn truck come from? It wasn't there last week."
"Oh, that's the Jimmy, it was dads old truck, I just got it back from the shop yesterday."
"Oh." She answered coming up the steps.
Mulder turned back to the others and explained. "Dad bought the GMC Jimmy new in 'seventy two to use when the weather got really bad. But it really never did very often, so it just sat here in the garage. Last week I had it towed to the shop. They went over it top to bottom and fixed all the problems, put new tires on it installed a new battery, then had it detailed. They just brought it back yesterday while you were in town. I thought it would be handy to have an extra vehicle, and one that would be good in bad weather."
"Well, that's fine and dandy as long as I don't have to ride in it."
"Why is that Scully?" he asked peering into her eyes.
Scully blushed slightly then answered. "That damn truck is too tall, I would need help getting into it." Everyone laughed, even Scully.
"Oh, I saw your boss today." said Skinner.
"Really? What did he have to say?" Replied Mulder.
"He mentioned that he hasn't been able to find anyone to represent his group in the LE Olympics. Evidently he asked Scully about it, but she never gave him an answer."
"What is that?" asked Mulder.
"The Law Enforcement Olympics is just a fancy name for a skills contest. Representatives from all over the world will be competing in three events. Target shooting, a Hogans Alley event, and a problem solving event. The idea behind it is to promote good will between different countries to make it easier to work together in the changing climate of law enforcement."
"Sounds interesting. Scully why didn't you mention this?"
"I really didn't think that you would be interested Mulder."
"I'm not really, I just thought you would have mentioned it."
"I probably would have if it wasn't for the fact of moving, and having a wedding planned around me."
"Did you know that Spender and Fowley are representing my office." said Skinner with barely concealed disgust."
At the mention of those two names, both Mulder and Scully looked at each other, and the decision to compete in the event was made.
"I will let AD Kersh know Monday that Mulder and I would love to compete for his group."
"Are you sure Mulder?" asked Skinner surprise in his voice.
"Yes sir. Why would you think that I wouldn't be."
"Well Mulder, two of the three events involve shooting, and I know how many times you've lost your weapon before, and your shooting scores."
"Well." Replied Mulder a twinkle in his eye. "I have to qualify in the morning, to get certified to go back to back into field duty. Why don't you come down and see me about ten thirty?"
"Okay, I'll be there." He answered warily. Something was going on here, he just couldn't put his finger on it. "There will be an added bonus if you two win the competition and end up representing the FBI. The representatives from Scotland Yard are Roland Smyth, and Phoebe Green." This time a huge smile lit up Scully's face. "Well then, we will just have to win won't we."
The friends shared some more quiet discussion, some about work, some reminiscing about 'the good old days'. When it got near eleven o'clock Skinner and Sabrina said their good-byes and left. Maggie turned in as well leaving them alone. They made sure everything was closed up and went up to be; Scully in the master bedroom, Mulder going to his couch in the Den.
About two o'clock, Scully woke to the sound of someone screaming in terror. She dashed out in the hall in time to see her mother enter the den. Mulder was screaming again.
"Nooooooooooo, don't take her from me."
Maggie reached Mulder first, and she tried to wake him gently, but was not having any luck, Scully grabbed his arms, and called to him.
"Mulder, you have to wake up. It's okay, I'm here."
Gradually he started waking up, and he grabbed her holding onto her tightly.
"Are they always this bad?" asked Maggie.
"No, sometimes they are worse." replied Scully.
Maggie went back to bed leaving the young couple alone.
"It is all right Mulder, I'm here. Come on, get up and follow me." Scully led him back into the master bedroom and push him down onto the bed. She pulled the covers up over him, then went to the other side and got in herself. Mulder was still muttering to himself so Scully snuggled up against him and tried to comfort him some more.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Sunday Sept. 19, 1999, 8:45 am.
Dana Scully awoke slowly, the early morning sun shining in the room. She was at that stage of partial wakefulness where it would be so easy to go back to sleep. It was the puff of breath on the back of her neck, and the large hand that moved under her night shirt that made her aware that she was not alone. She froze for a moment, then remembered what had happened the previous night. She relaxed, lying there in bed with Mulder holding her close. She had almost drifted back to sleep when the hand under her shirt started to move.
Mulder slowly drifted into consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the tickle of hair in his nose. The second thing was the smell of apples, smoke from a BBQ, and something else. Something different. Something good. As he became even more awake, the noticed that his hand was rubbing something soft and silky. His eyes snapped open, seeing a mass of copper red in front of his face. Scully. And his hand was rubbing her stomach, dangerously close to her breasts.
Breathing slowly, he tried to pull his hand out from under her shirt. Her hand was on the back of his and was holding on. He did tug a little harder since her breathing was slow and shallow, and he was sure she was asleep, but her grip only tightened. His mind raced, wondering how he got here, what would she say when she woke up. He tried once more to pull his hand out, but Scully seemed to cuddle it, holding it tighter, pulling it closer until his knuckles were touching the bottom of her breast.
Mulder was terror stricken. Here he was in Scully's bed, touching her breast, and she was spooned into him, and he was getting an erection. Part of him didn't care; that part just wanted to snuggle closer, and maybe cup her breast. But another part of him was scared of her reaction.
They had agreed no sex until they were married, for their own as well as Mrs. Scullys sake. And here he was. In her bed. With a hard on.
"So Mulder are you glad to see me, or is that a nightstick in your shorts?" she asked quietly.
Mulder jumped, pulling his hand out of her shirt and rolled away.
He was sitting up and getting ready to bolt from the room when Scully stopped him.
"Don't move Mulder!" she said. "Where do you think you are going."
"Ummm, back to my room." He replied sheepishly.
"Why?"
"So I can take a shower and get dressed." He answered quietly wondering where this conversation was going.
Scully looked up at him demurely and asked. "Is there anything you want me to take care of for you before you get in the shower."
"Scullee!" whined Mulder. "We agreed, not before the wedding."
"I know Mulder. I was just teasing you, and I wanted you to understand that I am not bothered by last night at all. In fact, I think we should change the sleeping arrangements. I slept better
than I have in a long time. I think maybe we need each other."
"We'll talk about it later Scully, and thanks."
"No problem Mulder, now hurry up and let me take a shower too."
In the kitchen, Margaret Scully was cooking up some ham, and preparing the batter for French toast. Her thoughts wandered to the upcoming wedding she was planning.
Dana was difficult to deal with some times, all she wanted was a small private ceremony. Oh well, she would have to call Fox's mother and get her input. Then she would have to check on Bill and Charlie's ability to be here.
Bill had dealt with Fox fairly well when he had been shot, but she knew that there was a lot of resentment still there. Bill was very good at holding things back. Charlie she was not sure about, he had never met Fox, but she figured that Bill had expressed his opinion at every opportunity. Oh well, she would worry about that when the time came.
Mulder wandered into the kitchen still yawning even though he was freshly showered and shaved. The smell of coffee and frying ham making his stomach growl.
"Good morning Fox."
"Good morning Mrs. Scully. You didn't have to get up and make breakfast, I was going to take us out for brunch this morning."
"Nonsense, I enjoy cooking for my family, and that includes you Fox." She said.
Mulder blushed, and then sat down at the table after pouring himself a cup of coffee. He was just taking his first sip when she bushwhacked him.
"So how did you two sleep last night."
After he sprayed coffee all over the table he looked at her, she had a small smile on her face.
"Fine." He replied quietly.
"Don't be so shocked Fox, I was young once too, where do you think that those four kids came from."
"But it was not like that, Scully and I have never, uh you know."
"What have we 'never had' Mulder."
"Sex dear." answered Maggie.
"Mom!"
"Don't mom me, now get yourself some coffee and sit down so I can get the French toast started."
As Maggie started cooking, Mulder spoke up.
"Well, Scully, what do you have planned for me today?"
"I thought you could put the books away in our offices while mom and I go to church and then do some shopping, later we could get the computers set up. That way this evening we can just relax."
"Well, I can do the books, but the guys were going to set the computers up for us."
Scully rolled her eyes but agreed. "Well, okay. But I want some time for us tonight!"
"I had planned for us to have some time tonight Scully. I just wanted to have some time for ourselves before work tomorrow."
"Okay Mulder, just wanted to make sure."
They both dressed and then Scully left with her mom to go attend church and do some shopping. Mulder stood in the middle of the 'family room' looking at boxes. He started to unpack his CD's and tapes when he heard a horn honking in the driveway. Peeking out the door he saw the lone gunmen and a delivery truck.
"Hey Mulder." Called Frohike. "Ready to get connected."
"Whatever guys, just do not get too weird, I promised Scully that you would not get carried away."
"No problem Mulder, we just got what you wanted, then adapted it to make it as secure as possible."
"Okay, well you guys know where it is all going, I promised to get as many of these boxes unpacked as possible early today so we can have some time to ourselves tonight."
The three took off with the two delivery men to show where the equipment was to be placed. Mulder started in his office putting his books and files away, and arranging it to suit him.
Langly came in with a delivery man who was pushing a hand truck. He unloaded some boxes which Langly started unpacking. As he was setting up the system Mulder stopped to watch and ask a few questions.
"This is a 700 megahertz computer, with 256 megs of RAM. It has two nine gigabyte SCSI hard drives, sound card, accelerated graphics video card with 32 megs of RAM. It has a 100 meg per second network card connecting it to the server in the locker downstairs. You have a T1 connection to the Internet, and the ability to connect to the FBI offices and computers. You can also connect to us and our backup server in the Bahamas. There is personal encryption software on these that even we cannot hack, Byers will help you set it up. The monitor is a 21 inch for ease of reading and detail."
"Cool."
"The pinnacle of computer technology, and he says cool!" mumbled Langly as he set it up.
Mulder broke down the boxes and took them down to the garage. He pulled a cold bottle of Ice Tea out of the fridge there.
He stood looking out at the yard. Who ever thought that he would have a house, yard or a wife. Not him. He thought he would spend his life looking for his sister at least until someone killed him. Then seven years ago, a smart, petite redhead barged into his life. Last summer, he didn't think he would find her, then when he did find her he didn't think he was going to be able to save her. But they made it. It changed him though, changed him in a way that he never expected. That time spent in the hospital at McMurdo Station, then again at Georgetown University Medical Center. While they were running tests on Scully, he vowed to himself. No more ditching. They had to stay together. He would put his life back together, be the best man he could be, make people respect him, and Scully. Especially Scully. From now on, he would have solid proof for any theory he put forth to anyone, 'cept Scully of course. No one was going to laugh at them again.
He finished the Tea and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin then headed up to her office. Frohike was just finishing setting up Scully's PC, a duplicate of his. They debated the latest
assassination theories as he was putting her books up. At a time like this it was good to have a photographic memory, he was able to remember the order the books were on the shelf. As he is putting up one of the last ones a picture of a car fluttered out from between the pages. He put the book on the shelf then picked up the picture. It was of a 1981 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera.
Frohike walked over and looked at the picture with Mulder.
"That is one sweet car! Riding in that thing was like flying low, so smooth it was almost unbelievable."
"Did you have one.?"
"No, a friend did. He wrapped it around a power pole one night when he was toasted."
"So, looking at dirty pictures while I was gone huh." said Scully from the door.
Mulder looked up, and a smile came easily to his face when he saw who it was.
"Naw, Scully, this fell out of a book when I was putting them away. Did you have one?"
"No, I wanted one though, a friend had one when we were in medical school together. That was the car of my dreams." She said. "Anyway, I have a car load of groceries that needs to be brought in."
She finally noticed the computer, heard about what it was and how everything worked, and gave Mulder the look. He knew he was in trouble. Scully was very, how would you say, frugal. Oh well, we will deal with it later. He went out and unloaded the car. He saw the amount of stuff she had bought, and wondered if there were more people moving in than just them.
He grabbed a six pack out of the fridge and took it out to the deck where everyone was. He passed them around and listened as Byers explained about the software. When he was done he asked if there was any questions.
"How much?" asked Scully.
"What?" replied Byers.
"How much did it cost?" she asked again.
Byers glanced at Mulder who nodded slightly before answering.
"Total package, including the server was a little over fifteen thousand dollars."
Scully gave Mulder a look, then said. "Thanks guys, at least I know it will be reliable."
"Oh, Mulder, before I forget, here is the case we had been keeping for you that you wanted." said Frohike as he handed Mulder a polished aluminum briefcase."
"Thanks Frohike, almost forgot it. I wanted to use it tomorrow."
He lay the case on the table, then opened it up. Inside was a Browning Hi Power Practical 9mm pistol. It was matte-blued and chrome and looked beautifully deadly. It was one of the older ones with a 15 round magazine.
"My father bought it for me when I joined the FBI. I was still angry with him, and have never carried it. He bought the match grade weapon then had it reworked to the practical model. It is extremely accurate and reliable. I wanted to have it when I qualify tomorrow, for luck."
Scully pulled it out of the case and held it. It was to big for her hands, but she could feel how solid and well built it was. She handed it back to Mulder and said.
"It will be fine Mulder, you will qualify, don't worry."
"Oh, I am not worried, I just wanted to make use of something my father wanted me to have."
The Gunmen said their good-byes, and promised that they would be back next weekend to set up a alarm system.
Scully turned to Mulder with her chewing out face on but he stopped her with a kiss.
"Scully, I know I should have consulted you first about the computer system, but I knew what you would have said. But let it go babe. We have the money, and we can put it to good use. Against them. Ironic too, them financing their own destruction."
"Okay, I will let it go this time, but next time, please talk to me about it."
"Okay, I promise."
They spent the rest of the evening watching TV and relaxing, enjoying each others company. They turned in early, having made the decision to sleep together but not have sex.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 2:19am.
Mulder sat bolt upright in bed, sweating and breathing hard.
"Take it easy Mulder, it was a bad dream. I'm here."
"It was about Sam, Scully she was running, in trouble. And I couldn't help her."
"It's okay Mulder, it is over, relax now."
And as they settled back down to sleep Scully glanced at the clock it was 2:19 am.
San Diego Ca.
A dingy downtown Apartment
Sunday Sept. 19, 1999, 9:00pm.
Angel Stevens stood looking in her closet for something to wear. Color was not a problem being a Goth, but she didn't know if she wanted to wear a mini skirt with the boots, or stretch pants. She settled on the mini skirt. As she dressed she planned out her evening. She had managed to avoid the drug problems that had a hold on some of her friends, and she didn't have to hook to pay the rent. But she had the same feeling depression, of not belonging and despair that her friends did. It never let up. She had seen her share of suicides in the last three years, and thought about it herself many times.
Dressed and her make up on she headed out for a night on the town. As she reached the corner of second and market she started getting a feeling of dread. As she neared an alley she walked out as far toward the street as possible. She had passed it and thought she was safe when some one grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the dark alley. There were two of them, they looked Hispanic, but she could not be sure. The bigger of the two held her while the skinny one waved a knife in her face. She was facing at the very least a rape, and would probably be killed as well. She had almost decided to just give up and let it happen when she had a feeling of anger
swell inside her.
The smaller one had opened her blouse and was sliding his knife up between her breasts to cut her bra off. As the materiel parted she sank her teeth into the hand of the one holding her. He screamed and tried to push her away, but she held on by her teeth. The large man danced around screaming and finally succeeded in pushing her away. She clasped her ripped blouse together and ran toward the street. She had just got around the corner of the building when the skinny one
grabbed her again. This time he spun her around and punched her in the face. She fell hard and was seeing stars when she heard another voice.
"Leave the girl alone." It said.
The voice demanded obedience, but the two men were angry and looking for revenge.
"Hey, back off sailor boy, or I cut you too!"
"I said leave her alone!"
She heard the sound of scuffling, a couple of blows, then what sounded like twigs snapping. The knife fell near her and she grabbed at it swiftly. A high pitched scream was also heard, along with the sound of running feet.
When she looked up, she saw the friendly face of a sailor bending over her.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I, I guess so." replied Angel.
"C'mon, let me help you up." He offered extending his hand. She eyed him warily as he helped her up. Her right hand clutched her torn blouse together, and still held the knife the skinny one had used on her clothes. Once she was standing he held out his hand for the knife.
"Let me show you how to close that thing." he offered.
"Watch." He said as showed her how to close the ivory handled switchblade. He handed it back to her and told her how to open it.
"But be careful as it opens, that blade is sharp, and can easily cut you as it opens."
He seemed to notice her torn clothes at that moment, and he shrugged out of his light jacket and handed it to her.
"Here, put this on for now. Is their somewhere I can take you."
"No thanks." She replied shakily."
"Okay, look, lets go to the diner down the street, we can have some coffee, and you can clean up a bit. Okay?"
"Okay." she replied softly as she put the jacket on.
He walked along side of her down the street about a block and a half to an all night diner. It was one that normally catered to the dockworkers for breakfast and lunch, but did a good night time
business with hookers, cops and some sailors, both merchant and Navy.
They slid into a booth and both ordered coffee when the waitress dropped off the menus. The girl looked at him and spoke.
"Thank you for helping me."
"You're welcome, you can call me Charlie."
"My name is Angel."
Charlie looked at the girl, woman actually, and saw that she was beautiful. Or would be if you removed the black Gothic makeup.
"You have a nasty bruise starting to show up on your cheek, you might want to wash up too, got some nasty makeup stains running down your cheeks as well."
She excused herself then went into the ladies room. She washed her face gently, then looked in the mirror. What she saw was a bruise forming on her cheek. It stood out against the paleness of the rest of her face. Other than that she guessed she was pretty, many men had told her she was, but most of those only wanted to get into her pants. She brushed her hair back out of her eyes, then went to work repairing the rest of the damage. The bra was a total loss and went into the trash. The blouse was ruined as well but she was able to tie it up to give her a country girl bare midriff look. She looked at herself in the mirror again and was startled by the change, she looked good. More like she did when she first moved to San Diego, before she got into the gothic thing. She dug her brush out of her pocket and ran it through her hair then went back out.
Charlie felt her sit back down and lowered his menu to look at her. He had to hold his breath slightly, she was beautiful this way. Long brunette hair and beautiful hazel eyes that were absolutely gorgeous without the gothic makeup. He took a sip of coffee to give him a bit more time before he spoke.
"You look a little better now, are you feeling okay?" he asked.
"Better, my face is a bit sore, but not to bad." She nodded at his hand noticing the skinned knuckles. "How about you?"
"Just fine, these are nothing." Ha said flexing his fingers.
"Umm, I was kinda out of it when you were dealing with them, what happened to them."
"Do you want the truth?" he asked.
"Yes I do."
"Okay, the skinny one lost a couple of teeth, and I broke his hand and wrist. I crushed at least one testicle of the bigger one."
"Oh, good."
"Good?"
"Well, not really, but I know what they were going to do to me, and they deserved it." She said, looking into his eyes with no fear.
"Fair enough then. Would you like something to eat?" he asked.
"Maybe some scrambled eggs and hash browns."
Charlie ordered and they sat talking while they waited for their order. He heard about Angels parents and brothers, and he told her about his family.
"How long have you been in the Navy?'" asked Angel.
"Just coming up on twelve years."
"What do you do?"
"I am a Seal."
"You mean one of those special OP's guys?"
"Yeah, one of those." He said in a strange tone.
"Cool." was her answer, as she continued the conversation.
They talked during the meal and when they were done they left together and walked to the waterfront park. They stood on the dock looking out over the Pacific.
"My dad loved the sea.' said Charlie.
"I grew up in Montana, I never even saw the ocean 'til I moved here, but I love to sit and look out there. I feel so close to it sometimes."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, why the Goth thing?"
"When I came here, I was so alone, lonely, and my first friend was a Goth. The friends I made here were all like me, alone, lonely, depressed. I don't know how I got into it, I just did. Most of them are gone now, dead by either drugs, aids or victims of crime. I was lucky, I avoided the drugs, and never got desperate enough to do any hooking."
"You ought to give it up, you look good without the makeup."
Angel turned away feeling herself blushing. This tall strawberry blonde sailor interested her. He just seemed so fresh, honest, different.
"It is getting late, let me get you a cab."
They walked over to a nearby bar, and found a cab waiting out front. She told the cabby her address, and waited for Charlie to get in. He didn't.
"Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?" he asked. We could meet somewhere and have dinner and talk some more?"
"I would like that very much." She answered, and scrambled to find something to write on. She scribbled her address on a card that the cabby provided, and said. "Pick me up at eight?"
"Sure, see you then." He peeled off a twenty and handed it to the driver, raising an eyebrow in question. The cabby nodded okay, and Charlie peeled off another five for him.
As the cab drove away Charlie wondered what had gotten into him, he already had one failed marriage behind him, he knew better than to get involved. But she was so different, something just attracted him to her, almost like a moth to a flame.
Angel took a long time going to sleep that night, thinking about the tall sailor, she would have to go shopping tomorrow for something new to wear, something not black. Her last thought before she fell asleep was that she needed some new makeup.
555 North Ave. McLean VA.
The Home of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 6:10am.
The alarm went off for the second time and Scully reached out and hit the snooze button. She was almost back asleep when Mulder spoke.
"Come on Scully, time to get up. I have coffee!"
"You better or you are going to be in a world of hurt." She replied groggily.
"I just want to make sure you are up before I leave, I have to see Dr. Kosseff early to get my psychological release. Then get to the other doctors to get my medical release. Then be at the range at 10:30."
"Don't forget Kersh wants to see you with all of your paperwork at 1:30 this afternoon."
"Yeah, I know, I wonder what for?"
"I think he is going to try to split us up."
"Just a feeling, probably due to the rumors flying around about this ring you won't let me take off unless I am elbow deep into someone's abdominal cavity."
"Oh well, let him try."
"You have something planned don't you?" she said setting up.
"If it comes to that, I think I can get him to back down."
"Mulder.."
"Hey, don't worry babe, trust me on this it will be okay."
"Okay, Mulder. I'll trust you on this, but you have got to start including me in things.."
"I told you Scully no more dumping, and nothing underhanded."
"Okay, see you later." He said leaning down for a kiss.
"Ten thirty at the range."
He waved leaving the room.
The J Edgar Hoover Building
Shooting Range.
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 10:25am.
Walter Skinner entered the lobby of the sub-basement shooting range to find it fairly well crowded. Mulder and Scully were standing at the counter having Carl the range master certify the weapon Mulder was going to use. In the crowd he also noticed Diana Fowley, Jeff Spender, AD Kersh, whom Scully had notified of their entrance into the Law Enforcement Olympics. Several other agents and secretaries were also present, this was turning into a big event.
"Clean and certified Agent Mulder. That sure is a sweet weapon."
"Thanks Carl, I will be registering it as my service weapon as well."
"Okay, I will make note of it. Okay, here is your ammunition, 4 clips, 10 rounds in each clip. You will be shooting on lane 1 at 50 feet, 10 rounds. Lane 2 at 100 feet, 10 rounds. And at Lane 3, 150 feet, 10 rounds. When you are done, come back here for another clip. When you have completed all 3, you will do a full clip on Lane four at a moving target at rapid fire.
"Okay Carl, thanks."
Mulder picked up the Hi Power and a clip. He turned toward the door and Scully stood on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek.
"For luck" she whispered.
Mulder went through the thick double doors into the range and took his place on lane 1. He pulled on a set of headphones and loaded the weapon. Chambering a round he raised it sighting down the barrel. Ten rounds were fired at a steady pace. When the slide locked open
on the last round Mulder ejected the spent clip and brought it back to the sliding window and took another one from Carl. Fowley stood next to Skinner and whispered "He can't hit the broad
side of a barn, we are wasting our time here."
"Want to make a bet on that?" asked Kim, Skinners secretary.
"Sure how much?" was the answer.
"Twenty bucks?"
"Your on."
Skinner smiled to himself as he heard other bets being made.
"You ought to get in on it sir, easy money." said Scully moving to stand by him.
"You think so." He asked.
In the target range Mulder had just completed the second distance.
"I know one thing, Mulder does not lie to people he trusts. Just watch."
Mulder moved up to the third lane and was firing . When he completed he again turned to Carl for another clip. He stood at the 4th lane, sixty feet at a moving target. The target moved and Mulder fired. Fifteen shots as fast as he could pull the trigger. When he was finished he ejected the clip and came out in the waiting room.
"I'll have your scores in a minute Agent Mulder, soon as Ken puts it into the scoring computer."
He set the weapon and clip down on the counter and looked for Scully. Finding her he walked over to her and Skinner. He was just getting ready to speak when a loud low whistle sounded from Carl.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Agent Mulders score is as follows. Part one, fifty foot range. A perfect score of one hundred. Part two, one hundred feet, a perfect score of one hundred. Part three, one
hundred fifty foot range, score 98. And part four, moving target at sixty feet, score 96. A new record for the FBI, Indoor range with a service weapon!"
Several people burst out in applause. Mulder thanked then and then went to get his weapon.
"Can I keep these Agent Mulder?" asked Carl motioning to the targets.
"Sure Carl, and thanks for everything."
"You're welcome Agent Mulder."
Mulder put the weapon away, and turned to Scully.
"I have to go to personnel now, how about you meet me at lunch at, oh, Trader Dans?"
"Sure, Mulder, see you there."
He left the range leaving people collecting bets and talking about the display.
"Humph! I'll bet it was a set up, no one can shoot that well!" said Spender.
"Let me tell you something son!" said Carl. "Mulder broke the last record by only two points, Walter Skinner set the last record. And I resent the implication that I would fix a qualification."
Spender slunk away as quietly as possible leaving a stunned audience.
Trader Dan's Restaurant
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 12:05pm.
Mulder had been waiting for about ten minutes when Scully showed up. Her favorite Pink Lemonade was waiting for her, and he was sipping on a tall glass of iced tea. She sat down rather stiffly, and Mulder could tell she was angry.
"All right Scully, give. What's going on?"
"Why didn't I know Mulder?"
"Know what?" he replied slightly confused.
"Why didn't you tell me you were an expert shot. I felt like a fool standing there watching you when the score was announced."
"Scully, I'm sorry if I caused you any embarrassment. I just never thought about it. I mean think back. Have I ever missed anything I shot at?"
Scully furrowed her brow in thought, Mulder was right, when he needed to he never missed.
"I never meant to hide it from you, I just never thought about it. As far as the official record goes, I just didn't want anyone to know how good a shot I was."
"Then why now Mulder? Why come out in the open now?"
"I want them to get the message Scully. I am through playing games with them."
"Oh." And Mulder noticed that she had relaxed her posture.
The rest of the lunch was spent making small talk, mostly about the wedding, now only a little over a month away. To their horror the guest list had grown to over 200 people after being worked on by both of their mothers, and were getting pushed to choose a church. Teena
Mulder and Scully's mom were becoming good friends, and when to two of them teamed up on an idea, well Mulder and Scully might as well just give in. They had finally, under pressure, set the date, October 31, figuring that Halloween was a fitting date for them to get married.
The rings had been picked out and ordered and Scully was scheduled to have her grandmothers wedding dress altered to fit her.
No longer able to stall going back to work, Mulder paid the check and they left together. They enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the Hoover building making it back to their desks a few minutes late.
Mulder picked up his phone and made a call.
"It's me Langly, turn off the tape."
He paused listening.
"Good, you found it?"
Scully looked at Mulder over the file she was reading slightly puzzled.
"Okay, got it. Keep tracking it, and make sure you make some hard copies and archive them safely. Cool, thanks."
Scully looked up at him and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Insurance." Was all he said.
The J Edgar Hoover Building
The Office of Assistant Director Kersh
Monday Sept. 20, 1999, 1:25pm.
"Congratulations on your qualifying Agent Mulder.' He said shaking hands. "Please sit down. Now that your paperwork is complete, and you are officially back on duty, here is your badge and weapon." He handed Mulder the ID and weapon.
"Now about your current assignment, I has come to my attention that you and Agent Scully have become involved on a personal level, and you know that it is against FBI policy to allow..."
"Stop right there AD Kersh. Do not say another word. I know what the official regulations are and they say nothing about Agents becoming emotionally or romantically involved. There has always been a unwritten rule to discourage that kind of behavior, but not a written regulation. I have an eidetic memory, and I have thoroughly read through the FBI handbook of personal conduct, and it mentions nothing like that.
"Don't give me any of your pretty boy crap Agent Mulder, I do not put up with any of your shit, nor do I plan to."
Mulder stood leaning over the desk.
"You will put up with anything I tell you to unless you want to have copies of your off shore bank account transactions give to the OPR, as well as information about your house in Florida, and the one where you live now in Great Falls. I have no doubt that they would be interested in how you could buy a house valued at seven hundred and fifty thousand for only one hundred and forty thousand, and with very low interest rates."
Kersh's face went white, and he slumped back in his seat.
"I have no intention on making this public unless you push me. I know the smoker is behind it, and I don't care what he has on you, but you will not separate Agent Scully and me. We will behave professionally here at work, and will give you no problems. We do wish to be taken off of background checks though, and put on one of the regular domestic terrorism teams."
"That is agreeable Agent Mulder, you do have the highest solve rate of any active team, so it would be in my best interest to keep you together."
"Oh, and there will no doubt soon be a wedding invitation arriving for you, we would like you to attend."
"Thank you Agent Mulder, my wife and I will be glad to."
The charade over, AD Kersh dismissed Agent Mulder with instructions to report to SAC Ben (Hawk) Hawkins for assignment to his team.
Mulder returned to his desk and started gathering up the background check papers that he had.
"Start getting that stuff out of here Scully, be no longer are doing background checks. We are no assigned to Hawks team." Smiled Mulder.
Scully picked up the pile that she had and added it to Mulders.
"Okay Mulder give, what went on in there?" she asked.
"I'll tell you on the way home tonight, but WE are okay." He said emphasizing the we.
"Okay Mulder. Lets drop this stuff and go see the Hawk."
"So I had the gunmen check him out and they were able to come up with some dirt on him. I had them archive it, and I told Kersh as long as he left us alone I would keep it covered."
"And he bought it, Mulder you are getting as bad as 'Them'" she replied.
"Yeah, I know, but only about this. I am not letting them split us up without a fight."
"Neither am I Mulder, neither am I."
The Next Day at a Private club room in New York City
CGB Spender had just got off the phone with AD Kersh, who had detailed his conversation with Mulder. He was getting dangerous. He told Kersh to just go along with Mulder for now; he was not asking for anything illegal or out of line. He did however wonder what had caused Mulder to change. Probably the last abduction of Scully. She had been the biggest mistake of his career; he never expected for them to respect each other. Let alone build the trust that they had.
Oh well, it would all work out in the end.
He went to grind out a cigarette in the ashtray when he spotted a envelope on the table. He opened it cautiously, and pulled out the card inside. Inside he felt fear for the first time in years, but he also had to smile. The card read "You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully at blah blah blah. On October 31, 1999 at 2:30 pm.
end.
Maturity Chapter 4: Facing down the Past
By Merlin merlin@hpoint.com
Category: MSR, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSR, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13 Slight sexual situation
Spoilers: Basically, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: Mulder and Scully are making some changes in their lives. and Mulder decided to directly confront some faces from his past.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure. Johnny Nokamura, Sabrina McKay and Angel Stevens are mine.
Authors Notes: I would like to thank several Beta Readers for their help, Shiv, HuminByrrd and mgreten. It wouldn't have been don without you. And a big thatnks to R Vagts as well for the Location information.
TBC
Please R & R
