19.

2.23pm

Scully was still showing around the Ambassador but had become very aware of the time. It didn't matter that her Mother was taking Samantha for the night. She just wanted to get home. She and Mulder still had plenty to discuss. She had to 'fill him in' on the past six years and, boy, did he have to return the favour. At least, for now, the anger she held had disappeared. It had been such a relief to wake up that morning feeling free. Her whole being felt lighter than it had in years. The great weight of anger and resentment was now gone. She had so much to tell him and couldn't begin to think where to start.

#1 noted how her thoughts were distracted, he read her mind occasionally and saw what she was thinking about. Mulder. It didn't surprise him but what did were the thoughts Scully was having of just the three of them. Scully, Mulder and their daughter, Samantha, William was not included in her family image and neither was the potential place for a new child. #1 knew Scully could have another child if she chose to. Her genetic manipulation was such that she could conceive relatively easily but the Father HAD to belong to a specific gene pool, the Mulder's.

The broken promises from the Syndicate made #1 anger. They had sworn that Dana Scully would never 'interface' with Mulder. The children produced could kill his kind without so much as a second thought. It was in their instincts to destroy all alien kinds. They had the power and could use it.

The tour had gone perfectly. #3791 acted as if she were a potential student to the Biology course. Scully was none-the-wiser about their intentions. She had graciously offered to show them back to their 'car' and #1 had dully accepted the offer. It was now that his plan would kick into action… his prize was just within reach.

Scully waited with the Ambassador. The one thing she hated about showing anyone around the university was the 'wait until they are in their cars, smile and wave' policy. It was so dull. Even today she just wanted to go home and be with her family. It was then that it finally struck Scully, her family. It had come together just as it should be. Despite William being fostered elsewhere her family still had the completeness that it should have had all those years ago.

The white Limousine pulled up at the steps. Scully dutifully walked the Ambassador to his car and waited beside the door as he allowed his niece get into the car first. Scully noted the flicker of concern cross the young woman's eyes but chose to put it aside. Behind her two of  #1's aides were standing as if waiting to enter the car. Scully stood watching the Ambassador, he was an interesting man, and nothing like the politicians she had met previously. She smiled warmly at him as he slid into the car.

One aide grabbed Scully's arms behind her back the other covered her mouth preventing her from screaming. She was pushed head first into the limousine where she slid across the floor and hit her head upon the door on the other side. Groggily she tried to sit up. She yelled for help but the door had already been closed. The aides were already sat in the car. It began picking up speed gravel churning from beneath the wheels. Through the tree lined entrance no one noticed the white limousine turn into a beaten up Ford transit van. 'The wonders of technology' #1 mused.

"Let me go you freak!!" Scully screamed at #1

"Calm down, Miss Scully, once we have all the information we need from you then we will release you." #1 smiled.

She was still sat on the floor, as she couldn't move due to the pressure in the car. One of the aides restrained her, by gripping her shoulders, as she made to lunge at #1. She struggled against his strength. It was like a human trying to hold onto a butterfly. It was so easy, he could have broken her bones if he wanted but he was not allowed although come morning she would have a few bruises where he held her that degree too tight.

"B@$tard!" She yelled, "Let me go! What have I done to you? I have a child at home. I need to get home for my daughter! Please don't hurt me. I won't say anything, just let me go." She was hysterical. #1 nodded at another of his aides his concern that she may hurt herself or one of them had she the chance. The aide flicked a switch on the side of the van.

Green gas poured from outlets around the inside of the van. The aliens had created their own form of nerve gas, which they could breathe without it having an affect upon them but humans were rendered unconscious for at least twenty-four hours. Scully panicked at the sight of the fumes before they overtook her lungs. As she struggled to stay awake she noticed, for the first time, that the gas had no effect upon her abductors. It was now she realised whom she was up against. As the realisation rang true in her head her mind went black as unconsciousness finally overtook her. Slumping to the floor of the van Scully narrowly missed hitting her head upon the door.

"That's better." #1 remarked as the van was silent again. "We have a long travel ahead of us Miss Scully, I do hope you will remain quiet."

#1 laughed at his own comment. Picking up a cell phone he dialled the Washington HQ.

"Bring the Head of the Syndicate to the Airport will you. I have business to conduct with him and its certainly is not going to happen in the USA! Did you mend his face? Good. Did you arrange cover for Miss Scully? Excellent. Twenty minutes. Be at the airport by then." He hung up.

His plan was now executed to perfection. He had his prize, he had the one who would save his kind and perhaps in the meantime he would destroy the prophecy that must not be allowed to become a reality.

3.45pm

Mulder sat clock-watching. He knew that Scully should have been home by then. She had said 'I will see you at ten past three. I promise.' The words kept reverberating around his mind. If she had been stuck in traffic she would have called. He knew the Australian Ambassador was visiting.  Surely it didn't take two hours to look around a University campus? Maybe it did or maybe she couldn't get away on time. Turning on the TV again he pondered calling her office but had no idea of her number. Why hadn't he paid more attention! Concentrating upon her that was why. Scully distracted him to his core and even now he couldn't believe how much work he had accomplished, at the FBI, with her at his side.

Something made him think that she was sat around the block making him wait to see her again. A gotcha! It was his comeuppance for making her wait six years for him. He smiled at the thought of her being sat a block away in the car a sneaky smile toying about her lips.

He closed his eyes with that image and thought about ways to pay her back for it!

God did he love her!

Hearing a key in the door he sprang to his feet. He opened the living room door to see who was there. It was Margaret (Maggie) Scully and Samantha. Neither could help noticing the disappointment upon his face.

"Hey Daddy. I forgot Beachcomber Barbie." She said hugging his legs.

"What is the matter, sourpuss?" Maggie joked as Samantha headed upstairs to her room for her forgotten items.

"Dana isn't home yet."

"That's so unlike her. Have you telephoned the University? She may have been held up."

"I haven't got the number."

"Its programme eight in the phone." Mulder turned on his heel, picking up the telephone and punched the memory button followed by the eight. Once he got an answer he asked for Scully and was told she had left the building two hours ago and hadn't she just gone on a sabbatical for five months?

Mulder hung up the phone and turned to Maggie.

"Did you now anything about a sabbatical Dana was taking?" she shook her head in way of an answer. "That's what the University girl just said… Dana started her sabbatical this afternoon. Something is going on. I'm going to call Skinner."

Samantha came running down the stairs at that point.

"Where's Mom?"

"Shopping for our lunch tomorrow." Mulder said trying, but failing, to hide his concern. Wrinkling her brow Samantha's eyes bore into his.

"Your lying, Daddy. You don't know where Mommy is and you are scared." He couldn't help but smile and took his child into his arms for a hug.

"Didn't you know it's rude to read people's minds!" he smiled at her "Although you are right but I'm sure Mommy will be ok. Now go with your…" He looked at Maggie

"Nanna." Maggie informed him.

"Go with your Nanna and don't let her out of your sight. Nanna needs to be looked after." He was scared for Dana but had to keep Samantha calm and hope things would be fine by morning.

"Fox…" Maggie soothed "If you want Samantha here, I don't mind."

"I have to get Skinner on this. It will probably be better if you have Samantha for tonight. Thank you any way." He watched them leave after Samantha had hugged and kissed him goodbye. Once again he put the phone to his ear as he rang for Skinner's help.