20
8pm
Mulder paced in the living room. He was keeping his cool just under the surface. He was glad Maggie had Samantha. He wouldn't want Samantha to see him in this kind of state just hours after meeting him for the first time. His heart ached for Dana just as it had over the past few years but tonight it was stronger. Someone had forced this upon them and when he found them they would not live. He swore that with his own life. Dana should be there. He had something important to ask her and it was ruined now.
Skinner was there on the phone demanding this and that from all manner of people. Calling in favours from centuries ago to find any clue to where Dana was. Skinner could see every ounce of pain that Mulder felt and much as he hated to admit it, he felt it too. Dana was like a grown daughter to him. He loved her in the way a friend should and he especially adored Samantha. The little girl who was going to learn she had her Mom swapped for her Dad. It would be a wrench at the best of times. He had to find Dana if only for that little girl's benefit.
Doggett and Reyes were searching the University with a team they had compiled in a matter of hours. Dana's whole existence there seemed like it had never been. Pictures she'd had on her office wall were no longer there and neither were the outlines that came with sunlight fading. Monica could feel something wasn't right. It was as plain as day. The last time Scully had been in the room she was happy but apprehensive about what she had to do. She was genuinely happy for the first time in six years.
Reyes smiled at Scully's feelings. Doggett eyed her with suspicion.
"What you smiling at? This is serious, Monica!"
"John… I... You wouldn't understand anyway!" Monica turned away from him leaning on the window ledge for support she looked out onto the campus grounds from Dana's office.
"Try me."
"Dana hasn't just planned to slip away. She was happy. The last time she was here, in this room, she was happy. The goofy happiness you get when you realise you are in love and there is nothing you can do to stop it."
"Is that one of your 'feelings' again?" he looked at her shoulders hunch as he spoke. He tried but he would never understand her intuitions although he had learnt to trust them in some small way. "She didn't want to go."
"How'd you figure? This place is cleaner than my gun!" Monica turned to him tears brimming.
"On the front steps. I felt it. Dana was forced to go. I swear to God, John. Whoever did this planned the whole thing. I'm certain of it." Doggett took her by the shoulders and pulled him to her so she could release those tears brimming in her chocolate eyes. Closing her eyes Monica could 'feel' everything he was going through at that moment… some of which she didn't need to be empathetic to know!
"I believe you." She pulled back and he looked into her eyes seeing her pain at losing her friend. "You know I do." Monica nodded and wiped away a stray tear.
"Lets get out of here. It's just too happy in here!" placing his arm around her shoulders Doggett led Monica from the room. She pulled the door to close it and felt a sharp realisation. "She isn't in the USA!" Monica blurted out.
"What? Don't play games."
"The door handle. Whoever went in there was heading out of the country. They were going to meet Dana. They were not sure about how they felt about it either. Dana is the key to something. I'm certain of it."
"Where were they going?"
"I don't know." Doggett pulled his cell phone from his pocket and held speed dial.
"Skinner!"
"Agent Doggett? Do you have some news?"
"Not exactly, Sir, Monica 'felt' some things. She doesn't think Dana is in the country. But she isn't sure where she is either. We've done a sweep. The place is clean as a whistle. The interviews are taking place as we speak. Monica and I will be over with youASAP. How is Mulder holding up?"
"Not good. Pacing… That's never good." Doggett heard Mulder yell at Skinner for talking about him.
Doggett could understand it. How could everything seem to be falling into place for Mulder? Then the one solid factor in his life be stolen away just hours after his return? It was brutal. It was why Doggett fully subscribed to Monica's 'feelings' someone had to have planned the whole thing. Dana must have been under constant surveillance for that to happen. The one question that bugged him was: Why??
The plane had taken off hours ago. Dana was sprawled out on a make shift bed. #1 occasionally looked her way, studying her during the enforced slumber. Everything was prepared for her visit to his homeland. Goodbye USA, Hello Australia he thought. Turning to 3791 he saw the awkward look on her face.
"Feeling the betrayal to part of yourself?"
"Yes. That is the human side of me though isn't it? I have feelings that our kind should not. I would apologise, but it is my nature that causes these feelings."
"I do not want your apologies. Remain faithful to the family and you shall fair well my dear, you shall."
"Thank you number 1. I shall remember that. Will she wake soon?"
"I shouldn't think so. The nerve gas should keep her silenced until we are 'home' if not into another day. There will be plenty of time for you to find out what you wish to know. That I can promise you."
