Sgt. Murphy crouched over Mulder's unmoving body, slapping his face roughly in an effort to wake him, maybe a little too roughly he thought to himself smiling a little.  Deputy Brody walked around the room kicking through the debris that once adorned the walls and shelving.   He had found the bodies of Louisa and Fiona Maguire in the basement and noticed the trail of blood leading up to Mulder's now unconscious body.  He had called the coroner and an ambulance on Murphy's assistance but he couldn't imagine there was anything they could do.

 "I want an APB out for this Agent Scully and Liam."

"Try throwing some water on his face," Brody said absently.

"Grab a glass"

                Brody returned from the kitchen holding out a glass of water for Murphy who splashed it into Mulder's face.  Mulder coughed and choked as the darkness was snapped away replaced by a piercing light.

"Welcome back."  Murphy helped him to his feet and let him get his standing.  "Where's your partner? Where is Liam?"

"I've been knocked out for almost 8 hours," he snapped glancing at his watch.  "I want roadblocks put in an 80 mile radius targeting Bus and train stations-," he argued oblivious to the blood soaked shirt he wore.

"Now you just wait a minute," Murphy pulled his arm forcing Mulder to turn around and face him

"No, they have had an 8 hour head start, we have an abducted agent and Liam is armed…considered dangerous."

"Liam?" Murphy laughed.  He twisted Mulder's arm around and slammed him face first into the wall.

"Fox Mulder you are under arrest for suspicion of murder.  You have the right to remain silent-," Murphy began relishing his power.

"You have got to be kidding," Mulder winced as Murphy tightened his cuffs.

"I've never been more serious…and the sooner that you give me the location of the boy and your partner the better for you," Murphy said, slamming his fist into Mulder's ribs, "If you get my drift."

Mulder doubled over only to be pulled up and out into a waiting squad car.

Not again, he thought angrily as the door slammed shut behind him, I can't loose her again, I won't…

Dawn crept around the room its warm fingers caressing her face as they gently roused her from slumber.  Smiling slightly she stretched her arms above her head moaning softly at the exquisite pleasure.  Suddenly she froze as her foot reached out and tentatively touched another in her bed.  Realising she wasn't alone and noticing her clothes that had been strewn around the place as if removed in a hurry she turned to see the body lying beside her.  Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Liam lying asleep next to her.  His body was covered to the waist by the light bed sheet and he lay on his tummy, his face buried into the pillow with his long hair tumbling over it.  For a strange moment she almost reached over to fix it for him, but stopped herself suddenly. 

With great effort she pulled her self out of the bed far enough to reach her t-shirt.  Pulling it onto her naked body she stood and collected her things and silently entered the bathroom.  Staring into the mirror she splashed water onto her face while she racked her brain for an answer to why she woke up in bed with him…a boy.  A man now, she could almost hear Mulder quip.  She dressed quickly and quietly, wondering where she was, knowing it wasn't the hotel she'd been staying in with Mulder.  She held her breath as she opened the bathroom door, frowning at the deafening squeaks it roared into the room.  She crept around the room searching for a clue to the hotel name and when she found a page of headed paper she slipped it into her pocket.  Freezing in mid step towards the door she watched as Liam rolled over on the bed his eyes flickering open.

"Leaving already?" he asked sitting up in the bed and watching her.

"I…Liam…"

"I understand.  You can leave, I wont stop you."

"Why did you take me here last night?" she asked, unable to leave without knowing what had happened.

                Unashamedly Liam stepped from the bed.  His body seemed to shine in the dawn light and Scully noticed the deep gash on his side below his ribs.  He bent for his jeans wincing as he did and held his arm along the gash.

"Liam sit down, you need to get stitches," she said her medical training kicking in immediately.

"I know, I know, but there is no point…It'll rip open again"

                She watched as he pulled his jeans on and stepped round her into the bathroom.  She heard the taps running and water splashing and wondered why she wasn't leaving.  She sat in the chair by the desk, trying to avoid looking at the tousled bed and waited.

"You're still here," he said as he emerged from the bathroom and Scully noticed that it was a statement more than a question, not one of surprise either.

"You need to get to a hospital."

"And he sent forth his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction."  He watched her eyes carefully as she found herself drowning in his.  "Dana, you have come home…" he grabbed her hands and placed them either side of her face.  Tracing his fingers along her arms he encircled her and held her firmly.  Scully looked on helpless, wanting to leave, needing to stay.  Her eyes half closed as he bent towards her, leaning in closer, his body pressing lightly against her own, she could feel his breath against her skin.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the Kisses of an enemy," he whispered against her lips before finally claiming them to his.

                Mulder allowed them to take his fingerprints and even remained silent as they took his mug shot, before finally asking for a phone call.

"We'll be monitoring it," Murphy told him.

"Good, you'll need to hear it from someone else…"

                Mulder took the earpiece up in his cuffed hands and seemed to notice only then the blood soaked shirt he wore and how it had reached under his fingernails and stained his skin.  Dialling the number he placed the phone between his shoulder and head and waited.

"FBI, how can I help?" the voice answered.

"Assistant Director Skinner please," he asked evenly, noting with pleasure the look of doubt that crossed Murphy' face.

"Skinner"

"Hello, It's Special Agent Fox Mulder," he said wanting Murphy to hear his full title.

"Mulder?"

"Yes sir, it seems that we have a situation up here."

"A situation?" Skinner said, Mulder hearing the sigh.

"I've been arrested for suspicion of Murder, Scully has been abduct- kidnapped," he corrected himself, "I've tried explaining to them what happened, and these guys are wasting time with paper work on a murder rap for me while Scully is out there…missing."

                Skinner didn't miss the emphasis he put on the final words and could tell that the phone call was being monitored.  "Ohio right? Have you spoken to the field office?"

"I only got one phone call sir, wanted to call you!"

"Fine.   I'll get onto the field office straight away and get their man down there.  Hang tight Mulder, we'll get you out of this."

"Thank you sir…and sir?"

"Yes?"

"Scully…"

"I'm already on that.  I'll get the field office to set up blocks and put out bulletins."  Skinner could almost hear Mulder slumping lower into his chair with relief.

"Thank you sir."

                Murphy walked over from his desk where he had been listening.  Snapping the phone from Mulder he slammed it down into the desk.

"So the cavalry is on its way?" he sneered.

"You might as well let me outta here now Murphy…" Mulder tried to stand but Murphy pushed him back into the seat.  Turning away from him, Mulder watched unable to move as Murphy turned back, his fist tight and aimed at his face.  Mulder felt the crushing blow to his chin and fell back off the chair.  His head slammed against the tiled floor and he lay dazed.  Murphy bent to pick him up holding fistfuls of his shirt he placed another well-aimed punch into Mulders stomach and another to the ribs.  Mulder spat the blood from the first punch out but didn't make a sound, not wanting to give Murphy the satisfaction. 

                One of the deputies watched on unsure of what to do.  Taking a step forward he stopped as Murphy turned to stare at him from under a furrowed brow.  His eyes catching the lights from above they glinted their green colour vibrant.

"Sir…should I put him in the cell?"

"No, he's coming with me." Murphy dragged Mulders now limp body away from the table and towards the exit.

"Sir, the FBI…they are on the phone, they want to speak to Mr Mulder?" his secretary called after him.

"Tell them he's not here.  Tell them he escaped," he replied still walking away.

"Sir?"

                Murphy stopped and turned towards the small crowd now gathered in the office bullpen.  Looking at each one he said nothing only walked away.  As he threw Mulder into the back of one of the squad cars Brody approached, a hand carefully placed on his holstered gun.

"Sir, I think you should hand him over to me?"

"To you? You don't know what you are doing…" Murphy grabbed his own face screaming painfully he looked at Brody who for an instant saw the fear in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by the anger and contempt he had seen earlier.  "Get outta here…Leave," Murphy shouted.  Mulder lay along the backseat of the car his face already swelling and the blood from his mouth rolling towards his eyes as his head hug over the seat. 

"Sir…" Brody pulled the gun out and held it down pointing to the ground.  But before he could defend he felt himself being pushed towards the wall behind him.  He hit it with a resounding crack and fell to the floor motionless.  Murphy took one last look before getting into the car and driving away.

"I've got something for you to wear."  Liam pulled a bag from the cupboard and placed it on the bed next to where Scully sat, looking out the window.  She reached for the bag and held it on her lap.  Inside she felt a soft satin material and finally looked to see a small black dress in the bag.

"What is this for?" she asked.  Her voice was low and her mind raced to remember the last few hours.  She remembered waking and dressing but suddenly she found herself sitting by the window, two, maybe three hours later.  Missing time.  She smiled to herself thinking of the excitement she'd see in Mulder's eyes when she told him.  Mulder…

"We're going out," Liam said.

"Can I make a phone call?"

                Liam stopped doing his tie and turned to face her fully.  It was only then she noticed the dark suit he wore.  The white shirt was brilliant against the charcoal jacket but the collar, too big for his young frame. 

"Of course you can."

                She reached for the phone slowly; sure that he would snap it away.  Struggling to remember Mulder's mobile number she finally punched in the right keys.  She could feel Liam watching her. His stillness disturbing.  The ringing began and she expected him to pick up almost immediately, but finally his message minder kicked in.  Turning her back to Liam she held the phone close to her mouth covering them both with her other hand.

"Mulder, It's me… I'm at the Park West Inn, the address is…" softly she took the folded sheet from the pocket and reeled off the address, still waiting for Liam to stop her.  "You've got to help me, get away from here, please hurry."  She tried to take the fear away from her voice but she knew he'd pick it up regardless.  She hung up the phone and turned to see Liam sitting on the bed still struggling with his tie. 

"Well, when you get changed we can go then," he said smiling up at her.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He stood and reached a hand up to touch her chin. "Don't worry so much Dana, you'll love it."

                Taking the bag he'd left for her from the bed she walked to the bathroom and locked the door. Leaning heavily against the door she finally broke down, the tears falling unbidden, but silently down her cheeks.

The Car rocked and jolted Mulder around the back seat.  He sat up and tried to make note of the direction they were headed.  Reaching up with his shirttail he wiped his face trying to see better as the drying blood caked against his eyes.  He spat into the shirt and cleaned out his eyes. 

"Where are we going?"

                Murphy didn't reply only drove.  Mulder leaned against the mesh between the front and the back of the car and tried to see his face.  He could only see one of his eyes but saw the glazed over, almost dead, look in them.  Leaning back he lifted his feet up and began to kick the mesh in.  Murphy made no move to stop him and it was then that Mulder realised that they were at the start of Kennedy Drive where he had found Scully the day before.  He finally pulled the mesh from its loose connections and clumsily climbed into the front of the car. 

"Murphy…stop the car." He put his hand up to Murphy's neck and tried to find a pulse, but found nothing.  Suddenly the car accelerated and Mulder looked to see them heading straight for the ravine. 

"Murphy… get out…jump." He pulled at the door handle and threw himself from the moving car.  He hit the ground hard and rolled close to the edge of the ravine.  Twisting his body he saw the car fly over the edge careen with the cliff face tumbling few times before crashing to the bottom.  Falling onto his back Mulder panted heavily, trying to catch his breath.  Eventually he stood and began his walk back towards town.  Looking down at his blood soaked shirt, cuffed hands and touching his swollen face tenderly, he wondered if he would have any trouble hailing a cab. 

                He hadn't reached the end of the narrow avenue before a squad car pulled up alongside him.   Brody bailed from the vehicle and aimed his gun at Mulder. 

"Where is Murphy?" he shouted.

"He went over." Mulder replied angrily, "tried to take us both with him."

"Put your hands out."

                Mulder stared unbelievably at him and held his already cuffed hands out in front of him.  Brody approached and reholstered his gun.  Reaching for Mulders cuffs he unlocked them and put them away.

"I talked to your guys and they are on their way out here."

"How did you know where we'd be?"

"I had a feeling…a lot of strange stuff goes on round these parts and somehow it always leads us back to here."

"Strange? How?"

"Missing people returning for one…" Brody said without emphasis but made Mulder look up from rubbing his sore wrists.

"You mean Liam?" Brody said nothing but followed Mulder back to the car.  "When did Liam come back?"

"Last week-,"

"When did Liam really come back?"  Mulder asked looking at Brody directly.

                Brody met his eyes for a few seconds and saw him trying to seize him up, whether he'd believe him or not.  Leaning against the bonnet of the car Mulder stretched his arms over his head.  Brody went round to the back of the car and pulled out a shirt.  He handed it to Mulder and leant next to him.

"I might be a little small but it has to be better than the one you're wearing."

                Mulder pulled off his shirt and started folding it before tossing it onto the car.  The clean shirt was plain blue and fit tightly around Mulders chest but at least it was clean, Mulder thought, and not bloody.

"About a year ago a body was found out by Mrs Bakers Barn," Brody stared ahead and refused to meet Mulders eyes.  "It was Liam.  He was unconscious but alive.  I wasn't there for the pick up but I gave the call out.  Sgt Murphy and Lawson were there.  Liam at first seemed to be exactly in the same condition that he was when he…disappeared…exactly."

"He hadn't aged right." Mulder said quietly.

"Not one bit.  Soon after he was released from the hospital he seemed to regain power in his legs and he had more smarts than ever before…but then the weird things started happening."

"How do you mean?"

"Liam was one of six."

"Six? I thought it was him and his sister."

"It is now… they all got sick.  People say that he was experimenting on them.  Some of them would turn up to school all cut up and stitched…" Brody struggled with the story; afraid of finally admitting it's horror.

"Why didn't anyone do anything?"

"Murphy went out there one day to talk to Robert Maguire, about his son.  He never filed a report or pressed charges…never investigated it further."

"All the kids died?"

"Yeah, they were from ages 9 to 14"

"Shat about Fiona? The one that was left." Mulder asked.

"Well she was the only girl, maybe her mother protected her, maybe… I dunno"

"We need to see the bodies, get them exhumed-,"

"Cant do that. The bodies were burnt." Brody said evenly.

"Jesus," he exclaimed as he turned and slammed his fist on the bonnet.

                Just then another squad car and an ambulance arrived.  Mulder was hustled unwillingly into the back of the van as they cleaned up his wounds and gave him the stitches he required.  As he stepped away from the ambulance the FBI issue car pulled up alongside.  Two men stepped out and approached Mulder, their hands outstretched.

"Agent Mulder?"

"Yeah…" Mulder turned to shake hands with the two clean cut men, in matching black suits.

 "I'm Agent Travis and this is Agent Simpson.  We got a call from Washington that you had a situation up here?"

"Yes, we got an agent missing, Agent Dana Scully, aged 32 years, height five foot three, last seen as the residence of a Liam Maguire aged 16, height five foot ten." Mulder walked to the edge of the ravine where the local police were attempting to retrieve the wreckage from the bottom.  The two FBI agents followed him closely, one of them taking notes in his FBI issued pad.  "We have reason to believe that Agent Scully may be drugged…"

"Drugged with what?" Agent Simpson asked looking up form his pad.

"I'm not sure…" Mulder seemed to struggle. "We need to get to the Maguire house and see if we can find any clues to where he might have taken her."

                Both the agent nodded and turned to walk back to the car.  Mulder called out to Brody and waved him over.

"I'm going back to the Maguire house.  If there is anything in that car when you pull it up, I don't want anybody to touch it, it is to be wrapped and taken straight to the morgue.  Nobody touches it until I say, got it?"

"Yeah sure."

                Scully stared out the car window, watching for any sign to tell her where Liam was taking her but the dark country road gave no clues.  She could barely make out the hedges alongside them.  Shifting uncomfortably she adjusted the dress again.  It was a perfect fit and hugged her slim figure, caressing her skin in delicious waves as she moved.  The straps were thin and traced around her back in a criss-cross fashion revealing more skin than she would have liked.  It rested slightly above her knees and she held it in place with her hands.  The shoes were light back straps and fit comfortably.  She shivered slightly and stole a glance at Liam who drove silently both hands resting on the wheel.  He turned and caught her watching, and smiled at her.

"Where are we going?" she asked again.

"It's surprise Dana." He returned his gaze to the road.

"I know you've drugged me with something Liam, and I want you to tell me what," she said trying to keep her voice calm.

                He remained silent.   She watched him for a reaction but saw nothing.  Suddenly the car slowed down and she watched as Liam pulled into a small road.  Up ahead she could make out various fires.  Some seemed to be moving and some laid out a pathway to what looked like an abandoned church.  It was then that she noticed the crowds of people waiting, holding torches, they walked around in circles, a low chant travelling through the crowd.

"Liam, what is this? Who are these people?"

"My children…"

                He stopped the car and got out, walking around to Scully's side he held the door open for her and reached out his hand.  Refusing to take it Scully stepped out around him and wrapped her arms around her shivering body.  Liam stepped up behind her and placed a hand on each of her shoulders.

"That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all those who were sick."

                The crowd erupted into cheer and waved the torches about chanting Liam's name loudly.  They opened up a pathway and Liam, holding Scully's hand, led her into the dark building.  The crowd followed, still chanting Liam's name as they took seats among the broken pews.  Scully watched in amazement as she recognised a few faces in the crowd from around the town, the hotel clerk, the guy who sold her some soft drinks, these were all regular townsfolk.

"Why won't they help me?" she wondered, confused and afraid. 

                Liam led her up to the Alter, where a large chair was set up, with straps on the arms and legs.  He pushed her back into the chair and held her shoulders in place as another tied her in.

"Liam, you have to let me go.  They are going to find you; they are going to find me.  Let me out before someone gets hurt."

"Hurt? No Dana, I'm going to heal you.  I feel your pain, I see it in your heart and in your eyes."  He stood behind her his hands on her face and closed his eyes.  Scully watched the crowd as they looked on eagerly, her eye's pleading with them to help her.  The chanting started low at first but suddenly seemed deafening in the open building.  The dust swirled around them and no one seemed to notice except Scully.  Suddenly her eyes were pierced with light and a jolt of pain shot through her body, she felt herself rising, floating above the chair and looking down at her own convulsing body.  The pain was sharp and pulsed mercilessly until the room was plunged into a silent darkness.

                The Maguire house was blocked off with yellow police tape and a guard sat on the porch watching the three men approach.  He made no attempt to move as they came closer and placed his foot on the rail to block their passage.

"Sgt Murphy says not to let anyone in," he said.

"I'm agent Travis with the FBI," he said flashing his badge.  "This is agent Mulder and Agent Simpson.  If you don't let us in we will charge you with obstruction of Justice and you can spend the night in jail."

                The guard looked up at the three men unsure of what to do, but before he could decide Mulder knocked his leg off the rail and walked past.  The other agents followed and quickly they began searching the house.  Down in the basement Mulder walked around as Simpson took the first floor and Travis the other rooms.  It wasn't long before Agent Simpson called out to the other two who both came rushing up to Liam's room, where they found Simpson kneeling in front of the strewn bookshelf. 

"I found the room in this condition…" he said "But look at this…"

                He held out a copybook to Mulder who took it and leafed through it.  The pages were full of script; some in English some in Latin.  Pictures were traced over the already worn pages.

"What is it?" Travis asked. 

"If I didn't know better I'd say it was a bible…homemade?" Simpson said softly.

"Homemade Bible?"

"It has a lot of scripture from the bible in it, some of them accurate, some of the not… we need to get someone on this.  If he has taken Scully for some sort of ritual there might be a clue as to where it is being held." Mulder read through the copy.

"The road blocks haven't reported anything so chances are they are local. Especially if there is some sort of ritual going on. Studies show that they are generally held close to the community where the…cult, is worshiped."

"Get a map of this town, we need to check for any abandoned buildings, churches, farms anything." Mulder said, "I need to get changed and get my things from the police station."

"I'll wait here and keep looking," Simpson said "I'll talk to the guy downstairs about any buildings around here."

                Mulder jumped out of the car at the police station and Travis sped off back to the Maguire house to rejoin Simpson.  He collected his phone, badge and gun from the prisoner collection point and took his car from the impound.  The local police watched him suspiciously.  They knew about Murphy driving over the ravine but some of then wouldn't believe it.  Driving towards the motel he dialled the number for Brody that the station cop had given him.

"Brody, it's agent Mulder…did you get the car out?"

"Yeah we got it…it's all crumpled up…"

"Did you get a body?"

"Well…no. It was empty."

"Empty?"

"The body could have been thrown out…we're searching the hillside for it now."

"We found something at the Maguire's place.  Can you meet me there in say 40 minutes?"

"Sure, no problem."

                Mulder showered and changed quickly, glad to be rid of the smaller shirt.  He looked down at the dark suit and smiled to himself when he thought of how he'd look next to Travis and Simpson.  The journey to the Maguire house seemed to take ages but he spotted Brody outside when he pulled up.

"Feeling somewhat human again?"

"Yes, thanks for the shirt."

"So what have you got?"

                Mulder showed him the copybook.  Brody read through it looking at the writing as Mulder pulled out his phone to ring Skinner, when he noticed that he had three missed calls on his mobile.  Two were from Skinner and the last one from a number he didn't recognise.  He listened to the message and grabbed Brody's arm pulling him over to the car as he listened to it again. 

"The Park West Inn on Highbury Road? Do you know where it is?" He asked him urging him into the car.

"Sure."

                Mulder closed the door after Brody and ran around to the passenger side.  He called to Simpson who watched from the porch.

"Follow me, I got a call from Scully, he has her at the Park West Inn.  Come one we have to get over there.  The call was placed an hour ago."

Mulder jumped into the car and dialled the number for directory inquiries.

"Park West Inn, please."

"Would you like me to connect you?"

"Yeah…"

                The phone seemed to ring for an eternity before someone picked it up. Mulder tightened his seat belt as Brody took the corner widely skidding into oncoming traffic before managing to straighten the car up again.

"Park West Inn, How can I help you?"

"I'd like to speak to one of your guests…Dana Scully Please?"

"We have no one registered under that name."

"Liam Maguire?"

"We have a Robert Maguire, but no Liam."

"Could I speak to him please?"

"I'm sorry but he and his wife checked out this morning, about half an hour ago. You just missed them."  The voice was sickly sweet and it was all Mulder could do not to smash his phone against the dashboard.

                Twenty minutes later Brody pulled up outside the Inn parking his car half on the footpath.  As Mulder ran into the reception Simpson and Travis who also hap-hazardly abandoned their cars followed him. 

"I'm looking for a man and woman that were staying here last night?" Mulder demanded from the receptionist.

"We have had loads of guests…"

                Simpson stepped forward and touched Mulders arm urging him away from the desk.  He pulled out his FBI badge and two photos from his pocket. 

"I am Agent Simpson form the FBI, I am looking for these two people. Have you seen them?"

"Sure, that was Mr Maguire and his wife."

"They have checked out?"

"Yes, at 11.30.  They paid in full."

"Has the maid been through their room?"

                The receptionist bent over her PC and touched a few keys. "No, not yet. What's this about?"

"Do you think we could see their room?" Simpson said deftly evading the questions.

                The room was dishelved but not trashed.  It was obvious from the lie of the sheets that two people had slept in the bed.  Scully's clothes still lay scattered around the floor and Mulder bent to pick them up.  His head pumped with a vicious flow of blood threatening to burst his temples, he sat heavily onto the bed holding her clothes in his lap.

"Where the hell are they?" Simpson muttered half to himself.

                The shrill ring of his mobile cut off any reply Mulder might have made.  Still carrying Scully's clothes he stepped out into the hall to answer it.

"Mulder."

"Mr Mulder…I think I have something."

"Brody? What have you got?"

"It's from the copy book. The pictures.  I think I recognise them."

"I'll be right down."

                He stepped back into the room and dropped her clothes onto the bed.  He looked at Simpson who was bent over the table checking for prints.

"I'll take care of this room," he said without looking up. "Travis is downstairs talking to staff to see if he can find out where they are going."

"Thanks.  Brody thinks he might have something from the copy book."

"You take care of that.  I'll have someone get a look at the security videos just to make sure we know what it is we're after."

                Mulder nodded and went down stairs to meet Brody.  He found him leaning against the car bonnet holding the copybook away from his face studying it carefully.

"What have you got?"

"This picture…it's of the old church down the Blackberry Road.  Was set on fir back in the 50's and 20 children were killed in it.  No body wanted to rebuild it, thinking that the curse of the children couldn't be at rest."

"Are you sure it's there?"

"I end up there most Halloween busting kids for drinking and stuff. I'm pretty dammed sure."

"Well it's the best lead we got…"