Parking my car in the FBI garage Monday morning, I feel ready for another work week. I have so much digitalising to do and unless we get an active case today, we'll be in the office. I walk to the elevator and head up to the main level. Stepping into the brightly lit hallway, agents rushing to their posts, I smile at a few I know.
"Morning, Dana," Someone calls to me and I turn to see Holly, AD Skinner's assistant. She looks pristine as usual and is carrying some files. "Did you hear Danny's getting married?"
"Really?" Danny was in communications, doing Holly's old job. "I didn't know he was dating anyone."
"He met her online in a chat room," Holly tells me as we walk toward the elevators that will take me to the basement and her to AD Skinner's office.
"Wow!" I smile politely. "Online dating. I always found that somewhat impersonal."
"Me to," She smiles as her elevator arrives and she nods a goodbye.
"Online dating?" A voice inquires behind me and I turn to see Mulder giving me a puzzled look.
"Danny from communications," I smile at him, looking at the books in his hands. "What time did you get in?"
"Seven," he follows me into the elevator and I hit the button for the basement. "He wants to be careful. There are some real nut jobs on the internet."
Laughing I look again at the books.
"What you got there?"
"I'm getting intelligence from a few different police forces about a couple of unknown murder cases. The only thing in common is all of them were using online chatrooms to date." I raise my eyebrows and follow him into the office.
"How did they die?"
"All in very different ways," he drops the books onto his desk and heads to the projector. I ditch my coat and bag and head to lean on his desk to watch. I see four different victims, all with various different reasons for death.
"Point blank range. Strangulation, stabbing and electrocution. Yet, no fingerprints, no murder weapon and in every case, the computer was taken. All men were apparently about to get married to their online lover, never having met them."
"That was what Holly was just telling me about Danny," I stutter in panic. "She said, he was getting married having met her online. Although, I don't know if he's met her or not yet."
"Why don't you check it out? I'm going to see if there is any profiling that could match such a varied killing approach." I nod, and head to the door and back up to the elevator.
Entering Skinner's office, Holly is on the phone and I stand discreetly until she's done.
"Hey, Dana. He's not in."
"It was you I needed to talk to," I smile at her kindly. She nods agreeably. "What you were just telling me about Danny, do you know if he's met this woman yet?"
"No, that's the strangest thing. He'll meet her at the altar. Kind of like a blind date but a blind marriage." She shudders and I nod. "Why?"
"It may be nothing. But we've been notified of a few cases where this hasn't ended well for the men involved like this."
"Oh my God. Do you think he's in danger?"
"I hope not," I smile and head to the door.
"Dana, he's meant to marry her on Friday." Holly sounds panicked and I try to give her a reassuring look but I don't feel so reassured myself.
Stepping back into the office, I feel the panic set in.
"He's marrying her Friday and that's the first time they're meant to meet," I tell Mulder who takes a deep breath.
"Then we don't have much time. This attacker seems to strike three days before the nuptials are set."
"Why are they taking the computers?" I wonder as I flip through the autopsy reports. "It seems an elaborate loose to just steal someone's computer?"
"The MO is strange. All men worked either in the government or military. But there has to be more to it."
"Bone marrow and brains," I feel heady as I look at the autopsy.
"I'm sorry?" He looks at me inquisitively.
"The bodies, all were missing brains and bone marrow. But Mulder, that is impossible. There was no surgical marks on these men. Bone marrow has to be drilled for and how the hell did they get brains from within the skull?"
"I missed that," he pulls out a file from a cabinet by the door. "I have cases where the brain is missing with no surgical approach from fifteen years ago. What properties would bone marrow give?"
"Well, bone marrow is the building blocks for structure of the skeleton. It provides nutrients to the skeletal system. But regardless of that, how did it get extracted?"
"I don't know," He sighs and flips open a file with old autopsy reports that look identical to the one in my hands.
"Same perpetrator?" I ask and he shrugs.
"I think we need to talk to Danny," He looks grim and I nod.
We couldn't find Danny to begin with, but by that afternoon, Mulder had tracked him down at a suit fitting store.
"Danny," Mulder smiles as we step into the store and spot Danny picking out ties. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Hey, you two," His boyish smile makes my heart die with sadness for him. He's clearly excited about his upcoming nuptials.
"Thought we could, er, maybe grab a beer later, a well wishing type of thing," I realise Mulder and Danny have probably had more than one beer in the past.
"Sure, I was going to tell you. But Marne's a private type. She wanted it all secret. I'm guessing Holly told you?" He looks at me and I nod.
"Well, let's go now," Mulder beams at him. "Agent Scully has a few things to do and I started early this morning so seems right?" He winks at me and I nod.
"You boys have fun," I smile cordially and we all step out of the store, Danny having purchased his tie. The men walk toward the nearest pub and I turn back to the car and head back to HQ.
Slipping into the communications office, Holly already waiting for me as I'd requested, she smiles up at me.
"I'm in," She grins proudly.
"How?" I am impressed but shocked.
"Danny and I worked together for about six months and he's not changed his password since. He should have known better but I'm on the chatroom he's been using."
"I've called a few friends to try and help trace the IP address, they should be here," And in walks Frohike, Byers and Langley.
"What you got, Agent Scully?" Byers beams at me in his usual warm way.
"A perpetuator, we assume a woman is luring men to agree to marry her blind than meeting them three days before the nuptials and somehow, sucking out their brains and bone barrow."
"Talk about wedded bliss," Frohike quirks an eyebrow.
"Byers, Langley, Frohike, this is Holly. She has got us into the possible victim's computer. I need you boys to find her for us."
Langley smiles at Holly as she moves over so he can take up her place.
"This may take a few minutes," He plugs something into the computer and I step back and allow him to flit his expert fingers along the keys.
"Where's Mulder?" Byers asks and I glance over at him realising it's probably only the second time I've ever approached them without Mulder.
"He's currently having a beer with our potential victim. He works here and luckily Holly told us about this so we can hopefully prevent another murder."
"Online dating is becoming the new norm," Langley comments from his place in front of the computer, not moving his gaze from the blue screen.
"I'm not down for it," Frohike comments leaning against the wall by the door. "I like to look into a woman's eyes as we talk."
"Anything?" I ask Langley as he sits back in the chair.
"They've used a scrambler. But I'm running it through some software we've been working on to try and decode it. Might take about an hour."
"OK," I smile feeling time ticking on. Then my phone rings.
"Scully," I pull my phone from my pocket and answer.
"Hey, it's me. We've got trouble. She's called him," Mulder is on edge and I feel my stomach flop.
"Where are you?" I head toward the door.
"In the bar. She wants to meet him at his place. I've said I'll give him a ride. But I'm going to need back up."
"You got it," I say feeling my heart beat faster. "Be careful."
"I will," He promises and I hang up. "Keep in touch boys, I need to go get Mulder."
"She's called him, hasn't she?" holly looks worried.
"I'll let you know what happens," I look at her and head out and run to the elevator.
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My throat is dry as I drive Danny home in his car. He's had a few shots, courtesy of me. I have no idea what to expect. This case has moved so much faster than I had anticipated. And for one of my work colleagues to be involved made it that much more poignant.
"She's broken her rule," He looks beside himself with joy. "I get to meet her, after all this time."
"How long are we talking?" I ask, trying to keep my cool.
"Six months," He smiles blissfully.
"Did she seek you out?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, I'd only gone on the chatroom to talk gaming with a few people and there she was. She just gets me. You ever felt that about a woman?"
"Yeah," I think of my feelings for Scully. Despite our very different views within work, she gets me in so many other ways.
"Here we are," Danny is practically bouncing. "She'll be here in ten minutes. You better get going." We both step out of the car.
"Don't suppose I can use your facilities first?" I ask, looking almost ashamed to effect I should have gone before leaving the bar.
"If you're quick," he bounds up the steps and into the building. I follow and hope Scully is on her way with back up.
Entering Danny's clean bathroom, I'm reminded how I better clean the apartment before Scully stays at my place. She is so clean and tidy, and I am simply not. Turning on the light in the bathroom mirror, I wash my hands and try to prolong my bathroom visit.
"Mulder," Danny calls from the hallway, sounding agitated. "Come on man. She'll be here in a minute." Nodding to myself, I flick off the light and exit the bathroom without house keys. My car is still at work although Danny only lives a few blocks away from where the bar was.
"You must be delighted?" I ask, leaning on the door frame, nonchalantly.
He makes a get going gesture and I nod, checking my pockets.
"Shoot, keys," I get him to go check his car and I reenter the bathroom. I hear him talking to someone as I enter the hallway.
"My friend's just leaving," He says nervously. "He gave me a ride home as I've had a few shots to celebrate with him."
"You've been drinking?" A harsh voice asks, sounding unreasonably pissed off.
"Only a few. But too many to drive. I'm fine," He tries to reassure her.
"And your friend is here? What did I say on the phone?" Controlling much? I think to myself as they enter the apartment and I give a feeble wave, keys in hand.
"Mulder, this is Marty, Marty, my friend fox Mulder," And a flash of red and I am hit with a force that leaves me spread eagled and blackness encroaches as I hear Danny shout. "Hey! What the hell?"
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Pulling up outside the complex where Danny lives, I see Danny's car and know they are here. The police are two blocks away but I know instinctively something is wrong. I flea my car and head to the outdoor stairs up to Danny's apartment door. It's unlocked and I run in, gun drawn. I see two male bodies on the floor, Danny is closest to me and Mulder further along the hallway with a sinuous figure hovering over him.
"Back away! Federal agent!" I yell, my heart constricting to see this predator hovering over him. She/it turns and I see red glowing eyes. I shield my vision, and hear cops coming up the stairs. She flies toward me in a fast run and aims to jump but a shot rings out. I look down to see Danny holding his gun. She drops to the floor. A tall, willowy woman with a strangely birdlike face. I run to Mulder after checking Danny is OK. He's unconscious but alive.
I follow the ambulance in my car, Danny at my side.
"What the hell was she?" He's got a cut to his head but other than that is unscathed .
"I don't know," I say honestly because the eyes, the features of her atomy were not wholly human. I know there has to be a scientific explanation but at this point, my only concern is Mulder. Did she manage to do anything to him? She's not dead, but I have a feeling she will be soon. A creature like this rarely survives captivity in our experience. She had been loaded into an ambulance and was unconscious but I just hoped the state of her injuries meant everyone was safe. I didn't know how to protect them. Mulder would know, but neither of us had figured out how she extracted the bone marrow and brains.
"What did she want with me?" Danny pulls me back from my wondering.
"We haven't worked that out yet. Although, she has targeted men who work within the government and has taken their computers in every case. I can't help feeling the correlation of the computers and brain are of some significance. But we'll work it out."
"I feel like a fool," Danny's head is in his hands.
"Don't! She was a professional. And we all want to find love." He nods and falls back into silence.
"Fox Mulder was just brought in?" I walk toward the admin desk.
"You are?" A mousy woman asks from behind the glass.
"Dana Scully, his partner," I flash my badge and she nods toward a row of cubicles.
Pulling back the curtain, I step in beside a nurse.
"He had a mighty hit to the head but we anticipate he'll regain consciousness soon. The CT will tell us more," I nod and walk to stand beside him. He looks so peaceful. Like he did yesterday morning in my bed.
"Mulder, It's me," I try gently but nothing. The monitors beep consistently. I take a seat beside him and call Holly.
"We found her address," Holly tells me. "Have you found Danny?"
"Danny's fine," I say with a pinched edge to my tone.
"Dana? What's wrong?" She knows. Holly and I have shared lunch occasionally, but women seem to have a natural ability to know when something is amiss… even over a phone.
"Mulder was hurt. He's unconscious although I think I got there in time," I say, holding his hand in mine.
"Oh, god," She breathes. "I'm sorry. I hope he's okay. Shall I send you the address?"
"Yes, I'll go check it out. Thanks Holly. Can you let the guys know about Mulder?" I knew he needed someone with him when I went to check on this address. With that thing in the hospital, I did not want to leave him alone.
"We're taking him for a CT scan now," a blonde nurse tells me and I stand.
"I'm going with him," I smile quietly. "I am a medical doctor." She nods and I head out with his unconscious body toward the scanning room.
Sitting behind the console with the technician, I see everything looks normal, a little swollen due to the fall but nothing is missing and I sigh a huge sigh of relief. His beautiful mind is still in there.
Frohike, Byers and Langley are in his room as we return.
"How is he?" Frohike asks, worry on his face.
"It's concussion, with a slight swelling on the brain," I help reconnect the monitors to Mulder. "I have to go check out this address. Frohike, I need you to stay with Mulder. Langley, Byers, I may need your help with something." They all nod and I cast a look over at my partner and pray he's awake when I get back.
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"Scully?" Byers calls from the messy living room where a bank of computers are set up. "I think I have something. She's been targeting government men, right?" I nod and lean on the desk beside him. "Well, she's targeted the NSA, The CIA, The Department of defence, The state and now the FBi. Each time, she's targeted someone who works within communications. She's looking for information. And I think it's about her. All the records on here are biologically related. Genetical experiments."
"She's trying to discover who she is?"
"Or what she is?" Langley puts in and I nod thoughtfully.
"The brains and the bone marrow? Are they nutrients to her?"
"The bone marrow could be but the brains, I think it's what you said Scully, the information somehow. She's looking for information. It's like no amount of written knowledge can survive. She needs all knowledge."
"I've called a forensics team to inspect the location. There's nothing obvious here like remains but I need the place thoroughly investigated.
"Why did she attack Mulder though? That wasn't her plan?" Byers looks at me now and I sigh deeply.
"Danny had been drinking. He said she got really pissy about that fact. I think Mulder was the next best happy accident for her."
"But he didn't work in communications," Byers says and Langley nods and adds:
"But Mulder knows more about unusual and unique entities than probably the majority of her victims put together." This thought sends a shiver down my spine.
"Let's go boys. I don't think we can get more from here today," I need to get back to the hospital. I need to know he's OK.
The drive back to DC general is the longest of my life. But I find Mulder and Frohike in a sort of argument and my heart lifts with joy.
"Hey!" I push Mulder down by a shoulder. "You just had a huge bang to the head. You need to rest and calm down."
"She's gone, Scully! She's gone!" He looks at me in fear.
"What?" I turn to Frohike who nods.
"The nurse went to check on her and found her bed empty."
"We need to find her, before she attacks again," He's trying to sit up now and I lay a hand on his chest, pushing gently down. The panic in me is rising though because I know she now has him in her sights.
"And we will find her. But right now, you need to rest," I sit on the side of the bed and he takes my hand urgently. I see the look exchanged between his friends and realise they've worked out our secret.
"Listen to me," I urge him quietly. "You cannot go after her. She tried to attack you, Mulder. She left Danny because he'd had alcohol. She was hovering over you when I got there. I need you to promise me, you will stay here. We will catch her. But you cannot go after her alone. Do you hear me?"
"She's hungry, Scully," He murmurs, his eyes filled with concern. I nod and release his hand. Standing, I walk to the door.
"And I will find her!" I leave the room, glancing back at the lone gunmen with the look that tells them if he's out of that bed when I return, I'm holding them all entirely responsible.
I watch the CCTV footage of the woman leaving but she doesn't leave the hospital. She's seen going toward a mental health ward. We find her an hour later, about to tuck into a psychiatrist. She's arrested and I instruct them she should be kept in isolation and restrained to protect staff. Heading back to Mulder's room, I find the four friends talking about computer software and such things. The smile Mulder has for me melts my heart.
"We'll leave you to it," Langley stands and ushers the other two out. As the door closes, he beckons me closer.
Sitting beside him on the bed I hold him to me.
"I know, technically we are in work hours," He kisses my head and I laugh gently.
"I'm glad you're OK," I kiss his mouth gently. He nods and he caresses my cheek.
"She's locked up," I sit up and he nods. "She was about to tuck into a psychiatrist. I've told them to have her isolated and restrained."
"You did good," He grins at me.
"I needed you today," I smile warmly at him. "You always seem to put the pieces together."
"I think she was responsible for all those other murders to," He shifts in his bed.
"She may have been. But I doubt she'll survive without sustenance now. Get some rest, Mulder. I'm going to write up this report. I'll come by later." He nods and I wearily head to my car.
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