As Mulder walked through the main doors of the FBI building his mind was elsewhere and it took three calls before he realised someone was calling his name. He turned to see one of the receptionists waving him over with a smile. Usually he took one of the side entrances but having parked in the east building he thought it would be quicker to get in this way. Seeing a big delay while he warded off the unwanted advances of Miss Polly Wright he suddenly wished he'd made the effort and walked around to a different door.
"Polly…good morning," he said as politely as he could.
"Agent Mulder, you are looking particularly well this morning, is that a new tie?"
Mulder fingered his tie nervously. He had actually changed it three times before settling on this dark navy one, thinking it went well with his black suit and light blue shirt.
"New? No, same old ties!"
"Well there is something about you today…I cant quite put my finger on it!"
Mulder felt a wave of heat wash over him wondering if he was so transparent to everyone. He had been anxious about facing Scully all morning and without realising it he found himself worried about his clothes and maybe splashing on a bit too much aftershave. He smiled weakly at her and mumbled something about being in a rush. But before he could take off she called out to him again, this time holding a small white envelope out to him. For a second Mulder had a horrible flash of being invited to her high school reunion but he shook the image away and took the envelope.
"This was left for you this morning, currier dropped it by at seven thirty," she explained much to his relief, "I was about to run down with it but then I saw you coming in."
"Wasn't that lucky?" Mulder said taking the envelope and mumbling thanks before he hurried off to the elevators.
As he stepped into the empty elevator and pressed the basement button a hand reached out and stopped the doors from closing. Mulder looked up to see Lynch stepping in.
"Mulder, I just wanted to say, good catch yesterday."
"Thanks, but there has to be something more, I was thinking last night about how they were murdered in different locations," Mulder began explaining, putting the envelope in his pocket, already forgotten, "and I know Mrs Burrell was waiting for her…friend, two of the victims were killed near popular secluded areas for…well trysts."
"You mean they were killed where they were waiting for their lovers?" Lynch said stepping in and letting the doors close and start it's journey to the basement.
"Yes."
"But we still don't know what connection he has to his next victim."
"No, but someone knew that all these women were having an affair, someone who would have been able to watch them."
"Or their credit card charges?" Lynch said absently.
Mulder stared at him for a second, before slapping his hands together.
"That's it, someone who had access to all their credit card charges, they all used their personal cards to book hotels and restaurants. We need to get onto the credit companies and banks and get a list of names."
"The people who have accessed that type of information is recorded in case of fraud, so that shouldn't be a problem."
Both men stared at each other for a second, Mulders face smiling and Lynch slightly amazed.
"Good catch," Mulder said to him as he stepped out into the basement hallway.
Lynch stayed in the lift and smiled back. The doors closed and he returned up to the living section of the building as Mulder made his way proudly into the office.
At last, he thought, tangible connections.
Having momentarily forgotten his anticipation at meeting Scully he greeted her with a broad smile as he dropped his folder onto the table and sat heavily into his chair. He interlocked his fingers behind his head and stretched his legs out in front of him.
"You're looking decidedly smug this morning Mulder," she said not a trace of the tension she was feeling diluting her voice.
"I am aren't I?" he replied, allowing his eyes to close.
"What's going on?" she asked his mood infectious and her tension easing.
"I was just talking to Lynch and we made a breakthrough in the case."
"That's great."
"It struck me last night that all the women were killed at a rendezvous point, and I said that someone needed to know where they met with their secret loves, then he mentioned that someone could have been monitoring their credit card usage," he said triumphantly, sitting up now and grabbing the phone. "So he's going to get a list of recorded names that accessed the information," he finished as he dialled.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to get a list of my own, hey Langly, it's Mulder."
"Mulder, long time no hear."
"You taping this?"
"No…are you?"
"No, listen I need some information."
"What kind?"
"I want to give you a list of credit cards and names and I need to know who could have hacked in to access the information."
"Jeez Mulder, any first grade hacker can tell you a bank balance."
"It's important Langly, and I need it ASAP."
"But that's what I'm telling you, anyone could have checked it out."
"Can you get me a list of people that accessed the information or not," Mulder said a challenging tone in his voice.
"I suppose I can go through the site cookies and access history…give me an hour or so."
"An hour? You're slipping Langly!"
"I'll call you if I find something."
Mulder hung up and turned around to Scully his pleasure already vanishing.
"Not as big a breakthrough as you thought?" she asked.
"Not yet, but there is something there, I'm sure of it."
Then as a silence began to fill the room their eyes avoiding each other like polar opposites. He yearned to question her about last night but didn't dare broach the topic so he busied himself shuffling files while she sat quietly and calmly, he thought, working on her laptop.
But inside her head was in chaos, her mind racing and rehashing the touch of his hand against her back, the feel of his soft breath against the side of her face and the look in his eyes when he watched her last night. He looked preoccupied as he rummaged through the files on his desk and wondered what he was thinking. Unable to take the silence she stood and reached for her cup.
"You want some coffee Mulder?"
"Yeah please," he replied without looking up.
When she returned with the drinks he was standing to take off his jacket but as he folded it across the back of his chair the white envelope fell out. He bent to pick it up as he sat down and slowly tore it open. She watched him with a cursory glance and saw him pull out the photo. He frowned at the picture and smiled a little in confusion. Turning it over she watched his face fall as he read what had been written across the back of it.
"Mulder? What is it?" she asked putting her coffee down and coming around to his side.
"Eh…it's us…" he handed her the photo and she recognised it immediately.
Both of them had been participating in group activities in Florida for the FBI annual evaluations and someone had taken their picture. She remembered the day clearly and how windy it had been. As they raced to the top of a hill he held her close and she had wrapped her arms around him. Her eyes went immediately, as they always did, to the spot where her fingers were brushing against his skin above the rim of his jeans. She flipped the photo over and read the inscription.
"Cheaters never prosper," she said aloud and traced the small love heart that had been drawn in the top corner.
"Does that mean anything to you?"
"No but I recognise that photo. Unless I'm mistaken that photo was in my apartment," she said unwilling to admit that it was usually kept in the top drawer of her bedside locker.
"You think the person who broke in did it for a photo?"
"I dunno Mulder…but…" her voice trailed off to nothing.
"I'll take it down to the lab and get it searched for prints," he pushed away from the desk brushing against her as he stepped by.
"Why would someone do this?" she mumbled, "what does it mean?"
"I don't know Scully, but I'll find out. Okay?" he reached out and touched her shoulder, the sensation blunted by his memory of the touch of her skin.
He went straight up to the lab and left her with her worries and fear. She wanted to rush home and find the photo where she knew it should be and reassure herself that it was nothing sinister, but her desire to remain calm and not let it bother her won out.
Mulder burst in to the forensics lab and hurried over to where he saw Sarah sitting, her eyes glued to a microscope. He touched her arm and she looked up smiling until she saw the apprehensive expression on his face.
"What's up Mulder?"
"I want you to see what prints you can get off this photo," he said holding it out to her.
"Check it against the nailers prints we lifted off the bodies?" she asked as she took the picture.
Mulder hesitated. He hadn't thought of that and had assumed them to be mutually exclusive.
"I guess not," she said when she saw picture of Mulder and Scully.
"No…check them against the other prints…the ones from her window too."
"Okay, I'll just scan this through and I should have an answer for you in about half an hour."
"Thanks Sarah, I owe you."
"Careful Mulder, my husband wouldn't like to hear you say that!"
Mulder rushed back to the basement only to find Scully sitting slumped in her chair. Her hands had fallen between her knees and he could see a slight shaking in her shoulders.
Without saying anything he stepped up behind her and gathered her into a tight hug. At first she stiffened but then her body relaxed and she sighed into his chest. They stood like that for a long time before she pushed away from him, rubbing her eyes carefully, afraid of disturbing her barely noticeable makeup.
"Hey, don't worry, we'll get this guy," he said softly
"I know Mulder, I know," she managed, partially embarrassed at breaking down like that and partially too weary to care.
"I…" he began but his words failed him. He had no words to make a promise he couldn't keep no matter how much he'd want to. All he wanted was to make her feel better, dry her tears and comfort her any way he could. Only all thoughts of equality left him when he saw her crying. He knew how much she hated him seeing her like that but he wasn't about to walk away and save face. Not anymore. "I'm here for you Scully, okay?" he said finally hating that it sounded so forced and clichéd.
"Yeah, thanks."
They both took their seats, the room bulging with tension and unspoken thoughts and Mulder physically jumped when the phone rang.
"Mulder," he said his eyes locking with hers across the table.
"Agent Mulder, it's Langly."
"What did you find?"
"Well I went through all the cards access points and I pulled the files into a data base. I'm running a check for matching names now but already I've got five…the numbers could run up to a hundred."
"Hey Langly…can I add another card to the list?"
"Sure Mulder give me a sec."
Mulder waited his eyes glued to Scully's bent head as he listened to the soft clacking of Langly's keyboard. Her head didn't move and he wasn't sure if she knew what he was going to ask Langly to do, but he carried on regardless.
"Okay, what name is on the card?" Langly asked.
"Dana Scully."
"Agent Scully? Is she okay?"
"Yeah, yeah she is."
Scully looked at him with just her eyes and frowned. Her hair had fallen over her face but he could still make out the glare.
"Okay, card type?" Langly asked.
"Master Card."
Alright Mulder…I'll see what I can do."
Mulder hung up the phone his eyes never leaving hers. He waited for her to question him and the look on her face gave him no doubt to the power of her fury but her eyes shone a different story. Brimming with unwanted tears he found it hard to watch and finally he broke the link, looking down at his hands.
"Scully-."
"No Mulder, I don't want to go home, I don't want to forget it…I'm fine," she said irritably blinking away the tears that had gathered in her thick lashes.
"I wasn't about to let you go home. You're not leaving my sight."
He walked around to her side of the table and leant against it. Crossing his legs at his ankles and his arms on his chest he looked down at her. She waited before matching his gaze, wanting to be able to hide her fears from him but knowing her efforts were futile and no matter how hard she tried to hide it he would know who scared she was.
"Mulder I'm not about to let this…what ever this is…we don't know yet…dictate how I go about my business."
"Scully, I don't care how you go about your business but you gotta know I'm going to be right there…all the time."
The loud ring of the telephone cut off her reply. He made no move to answer and sat watching her waiting for her eyes to acknowledge him. When she finally gave him a faint nod he turned to reach for it.
"Mulder," he said into it, tearing his eyes away from her fallen face.
"Agent Mulder, it's Sarah."
"What did you find?" he asked eager to know but afraid to find out.
"Matches, all three...the photo…the window…the bodies. All three have the same set of prints on them."
"Are you sure?" he said trying desperately to keep his tone neutral but Scully felt his tension and looked up, while standing to get a better feel for what he was hearing.
"I checked it over and over Mulder. They defiantly match."
"Okay, thanks Sarah."
As he replaced the receiver he turned into her anguished face. It was killing him not to be able to take her away from all this and save her from the pain she was in. Her eyes watched him carefully and he knew she could read him as well as he could her so instead of trying to protect her he took a deep breath.
"That was the lab. They lifted prints off the photo. They match the ones on your window," he said.
"What else Mulder?" she urged.
"They also match the prints we lifted off the bodies."
"The female bodies? With the nails?"
Slowly he nodded his head as he carefully watched her reaction.
"But I'm not in a long term relationship…I'm not cheating on anyone?"
"Someone thinks you are…have you…been out with anyone…lately?" he asked not wishing to hear her reply but when she snorted a laugh and shook her head he couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
"Yeah, in between the autopsies and UFO hunts I always manage to squeeze in a few dates!"
"If someone was watching you…your place…they might think…" his thoughts fumbled around in his head and he struggled to say what he wanted.
"Spit it out Mulder," she said unable to wait for him to formulate the proper words.
"Well it's possible that they might think that you and I…" he stopped letting his words linger between them. "I mean I'm over at your place a lot, and if someone was watching your credit cards they'd see a lot of motel charges on it."
"But that's…crazy…" she argued but as she thought about it she realised it made sense. "Oh my god," she let out with a sigh.
Slumping heavily into the chair she hung her head into her hands and started to let out a laugh. It wasn't one Mulder had heard before and it frightened him. It was manic and scared, rolled into a sound that stung his ears the more he heard it.
"I want to get up to Lynch and get this out. Maybe we can canvas your area and see if anyone saw anything. Your building has security cameras right?"
He was in full FBI mode as he stepped away from the desk and started to gather his files. All she could do was watch and nod at his simple questions. He walked over towards her with his arm outstretched and waited for her to stand.
"Scully? Are you coming?"
Silently she stood and he led her to the elevator, his hand resting reassuringly against her back. She felt numb. Her fear had dissipated into nothing and all she could do was follow through with his motions, unable to comprehend why she had become a target again.
As they entered the lift he pressed the button for the fourth floor and immediately returned to her side. He couldn't think of anything to say that didn't sound trite so he remained silent allowing her this indulgence of introspection while she had the chance. He was sure Skinner would put protection on her once he heard what had happened and he knew she hated the invasion of privacy. He allowed her what little he could in the small elevator. They made their way to Lynch's small office and stepped in without knocking.
"Mulder, we got a list but it seems the only connection is banks, internet shopping and bloody window sellers…" he paused when he saw the blank look on Scully's face and Mulders stern expression. "What's going on?"
"There's been a new development. A couple of nights ago Agent Scully's apartment was broken into. Nothing was taken…or so she thought," he chanced a look at Scully but her FBI mask had been switched on and he could read nothing from her face. Which in itself told him everything he needed to know. "Then this morning I was sent a photo by someone…a photo of myself and Agent Scully."
"What's the point?" Lynch asked not liking the way Mulder was dragging out the story.
"On the back of the photo a message was written. It said "Cheaters Never Prosper" and it had a heart shape drawn on it. The prints on the photo and ones I pulled from her window match the prints we got from the bodies," he finished watching Lynch's face pale as the new information sunk in.
"He was in your house? He stole a photo?" Lynch repeated unable to see the anger in her eyes.
"Wee need to get the security footage from her building, contact the courier service and find out who arranged the delivery…"
"I'll send out Bill Wyman's team," Lynch said grabbing the phone.
Mulder turned to Scully his mouth open but his mobile rang halting his words.
"Mulder?"
"Hey, it's me," Langly said, "I got a list…once you added Scully's name I only got four matches from the whole database. A window company, a banking survey, amazon.com credit checks and a gym."
"Okay Langly, thanks. Can you fax that information through to…" he leaned over the fax on Lynch's table and read of the number.
"No bother."
Mulder replaced his phone in his pocket and faced her again. As dismayed, as he was to see her official mask still on he understood her need for strength and silently he gave her all he could.
"Wont be long now Scully," he said in an effort to comfort her but again he felt like it was too little too late. She didn't respond and only looked anxiously around the room. "We should go and talk to Skinner, I just want to grab this fax."
Again his voice was met with silence so he reached over for the sheet of paper that slowly emerged from the fax machine and turned to Lynch who was just hanging up the phone.
"Okay Wyman took a team out to canvas your area, we'll send Wright over to the courier service and I'll go and check our own security system in case it was our guy."
"Thanks Lynch," Mulder said as he gazed down at the sheet.
Lynch left without another word and Mulder swivelled on his heel to face her. Now that they were alone he saw a small slip in her armour and realised what an effort she was making to stay on top of her barrelling emotions. The need to gather her into a protective embrace was overwhelming but as he reached out and touched her shoulder she flinched sending a painful signal into his chest.
"Scully, Have you been contacted by any of these companies?" he said handing her the sheet careful not to touch her.
"Some one did ring about getting double glazing, but I said my husband deals with all that and hung up," she said with a little smile. "Yes I remember that survey place, they rang at seven in the morning on a Sunday and kept me on the phone for almost an hour."
"Note to self…don't ring Scully on Sunday mornings," he said jokingly.
She smiled at his joke and appreciated the effort he was making to make it easier for her.
"I bought a first edition of Moby Dick for my Mum for her and my Dad's anniversary last week off Amazon."
"And the gym?"
"I don't remember but I would have no use for a gym when I can just use the FBI gym."
"I guess not," he mumbled almost disappointed that she didn't point at one and say, that's the killer.
"Plus all those supposed dates I've been having lately, you know they say sex is a marvellous calorie burner?"
"Do they?" he managed to stumble out through his shock.
"Apparently so," she said seriously, but he caught the gleam in her eye and smiled with her. "Lets go and tell Skinner the latest drama."
He followed her silently somewhat surprised by her reaction. As they waited for the elevator and then stepped inside its empty compartment he looked over to her.
"You okay Scully?"
"Yes Mulder. I'm fine," she said firmly.
"It's just…you seem…"
"I'm not going to do it anymore. I'm not going to be another helpless victim. I'm a trained and armed FBI Agent who grew up on army bases with two older rougher brothers…I've nothing to be scared of."
"Of course you don't," he said smiling, a surge of pride rushing his senses.
"And besides," she paused and turned to him and he caught a flicker of fear pass through her clear blue eyes, "I've got you to protect me."
"Nothing else matters to me now," he said plainly as if no other thought could distract him from her safety.
She looked up and their eyes fused, a current of power swarming around them. She was afraid to move in case the metal sides of the lift had become electrified but he broke the contact when the doors slid open.
Following him into Skinners office she listened as he explained what had happened. She tried to ignore Skinners concerned glances but when he finally stepped around the table and stood in front of her she found she could avoid him no longer.
"We'll set a watch outside your apartment and I'll assign an Agent to wait by your door-."
"That wont be necessary," she said, "the surveillance from outside the building will be sufficient."
She saw Skinners glance at Mulder and her partner's small nod and she guessed she was going to have his company for the whole evening. Not a totally unpleasant thought, just a terrible situation. She allowed them to banter through the procedure and what men to pick until they fell silent and she looked up to see them both looking at her.
"Shall we go?" Mulder said and she got the feeling not for the first time.
Skinner squeezed her arm before she left and offered a weak smile. With a small protest she followed Mulder to their office as he explained that she was returning to her apartment. She argued that she would feel like a caged animal if she had to stay in the flat al day but he wouldn't budge afraid to take her out, afraid to leave her alone. When she realised he wasn't about to let her off she reluctantly collected her things and followed him out to his car.
"Cant I just take mine?"
"Scully for once…can you not argue?" he said as he held the door open for her.
"But that's what I'm best at," she said managing a smile.
"Don't I know it," he mumbled just low enough for her to still hear without saying it outright.
When he pulled up to her apartment Scully was staring out the window but not seeing anything. He waited for her to move but when she didn't he nudged her gently. Startled she jumped before she realised where they were. A dark cloud had formed over her features again and he decided to make this evening special for her anyway he could.
They slowly made their way into her place and she stood inside the door her hand hovering by the key, unable to take it out of the lock. As she struggled and pulled it harder she started to cry. HE carefully took the key from her rigid fingers and slid it out of the lock, pushing her inside fully to close the door behind them.
"Hey…hey," he turned her into his arms and she held her arms up between them, covering her face with her hands. "C'mon what happened to my tough navy brat?" he whispered softly against her hair, with one hand holding her against hi the other reached up to her neck, his warm fingers gently stroking her.
When her sobs faded to deep breaths she stepped away from him. With her face down she turned and walked into her bedroom closing the door firmly behind her. He took the hint well and wandered into the kitchen to boil the kettle even though he felt like something a little stronger.
"Maybe I'd make these coffees a little Irish," he said aloud as he rummaged through the high press that she kept her alcohol in. Pulling down a large bottle of whiskey he figured she got back from one of her brothers travels he poured a share into her mug, leaving his dry. Needing to stay clear-headed he opted for the regular coffee.
He had made the drinks and carried them back to the living room when he heard her emerge from the bedroom but rush into the bathroom, to give her face a scrub to remove all traces of her betraying tears. Finally he heard the door open and although he couldn't hear her sock clad feet he could feel her getting closer and wasn't surprised when she sat next to him. He leaned forward and took her drink from the table to hold out to her. She took it still without looking at him and sipped it.
"Jesus…" she coughed past the taste and looked at the mug suspiciously.
"What?"
"I do like a bit of coffee with my whiskey," she managed.
"It'll settle your nerves."
"It'll destroy my nerves."
"Well for once Scully indulge me, allow my this small favour. No arguing, no disobeying, no refusal of my wishes and you must relax."
"That's very domineering of you Mulder," she said loving the banter, needing the distraction.
"Well now it's my turn to be the control freak."
"That's funny, I'm still waiting for my turn," she countered.
"You'll get it when I say so," he said but he wasn't able to keep the straight face any longer and he let his grin that was itching to be free, out. She laughed a loud belly laugh that rolled from her body and invaded his senses. He found himself entranced by its rare sound and immersed him self into it.
As the day past monotonously they found that their worry increased with every passing moment. Mulder tried desperately to distract her but short of getting her drunk and letting her sleep through it there was nothing he could do, when his mobile constantly rang with minimal up dates from the agents that were canvassing the field. As nine pm arrived her stretched lazily from the couch and arched his back.
"You need a new couch Scully," he said, tenderly rubbing his lower back muscles.
"I know where you can lie on a black low set leather couch in peace," she said not looking up from the book she had been pretending to read.
"Well if that was your subtle way of telling me to get loss…it worked."
"What?" she looked up closing the book on her lap.
"I have to go and get a change of clothes…maybe a toothbrush. Make myself look pretty."
"Oh…okay." His presence had been bothering her all day. A stark reminder of her breakdown and weakness he stayed by her side warding off calls and distracting her. Like a good friend would, she conceded.
"Don't worry I'll be back to dazzle you with my sparkling wit as soon as I can."
He slipped into the jacket he had thrown across the chair earlier letting his tie flutter to the floor. Smiling inwardly he remembered the effort he had put into dressing that morning only for it to be obsolete. She hadn't noticed, she hadn't said, but it didn't matter to him now. All he wanted was for the traffic to be clear so he could drive at the maniac speed he wanted to and get back to her side as soon as humanly possible.
He walked around behind the couch and leaned across it's back, his head resting on his hands he faced her.
"Hey, I'll be back as soon as I can," he said all joking gone from his voice; he didn't want to see the glistening he could in her eyes. "Agent Farrell and Harris are outside. You'll be fine."
"Go Mulder, I'll be fine."
As he stood away from the couch he leaned into her and placed a firm kiss to the top of her head. She didn't look up as he walked away and listened to him leaving. She imagined he would be talking to the surveillance team in their Taurus across the street as she stood to rinse their cups in the sink. Returning to her book she opened it to read the same page for the hundredth time when a small knock rapped against her door.
"I'm fine Mulder, Go Home," she called without getting up.
But the knocking persisted, this time firmer. She walked over to the door her smile playing on her lips and swung the door open expecting to see Mulder standing there impatiently. As her eyes fell onto her visitor a frown crossed her face.
"What are you doing here?"
He stepped in and held both hand on his hips slamming the door behind him. He advanced forward making her walk backwards until she met the couch.
"I cant believe you are doing it right there…in front of me," he said angrily.
"What are you talking about?" she said afraid to confront him but unsure of what to do.
"I saw him leave. You've been in here all day…CHEATING!" he roared before slamming his fist into her jaw knocking her down.
Scully lay dazed on the floor and saw him reach for her feet. She felt the carpet burning her face as he dragged her across the room and the copper taste of her blood filled her mouth, but she couldn't lift her head. As he lifted her onto the bed the room swam and she tried to fight but her strength had been drained. He pulled at her wrists and she felt him tie something around them until she was plunged into darkness without light or sound.
** Sorry for the delay again but I was at an Audioslave gig in Dublin last night and when I tried to upload my chapter this morning the site was down…I swear!
And in the word of Rolf Harris…can you tell who it is yet? **