Deep In The Heart Of Texas by Katie Phillips
Disclaimer Info: I know I don't own them and I really do appreciate CC letting me play with them from time to time. Spoilers: None really Rating: PG-13 possibly R in later sections Summary: Scully and Mulder head down to a remote part of Texas to investigate some strange occurrences at the research facility. This story is more or less an X-file with a touch of MSR thrown in for you shippers out there. Feedback: I would love to hear what you think. Email me at xfstories@yahoo.com Archive: I will take care of Ephemeral and Gossamer. Anywhere else is fine with me just let me know. My stories pout if I don't visit them.
XXX
Chapter One
Scully picked at her salad wondering to herself why she had chosen the tuna over the grilled chicken while she listened, barely, to her partner drone on about some sort of research facility in Texas.
They had been in this situation enough times, her listening and him rambling on about some great government conspiracy, that she knew exactly when she had to really start listening. Hearing Mulder say the words 'just waiting for approval' had Scully jerking her head up.
"Mulder, are you trying to tell me that we are flying down to. . ."
"Texas" Mulder supplied helpfully
"Thank you" Scully said a bit embarrassed at being caught not paying full attention. She started again. "Mulder, are we actually going to be flying down to Texas to check out this mysterious facility of yours?"
It was getting close to the end of the week and Scully was looking forward to a relaxing weekend where her biggest responsibility would be doing her laundry.
"Come on Scully, I can't believe you don't find this fascinating. Practically everyone associated with this particular research facility seems to have disappeared."
"Maybe they didn't like the climate" Scully said through a mouthful of tuna. "Didn't you say that the weather was especially hot and dry in that area of Texas?"
Mulder smiled at her. "I did say that, but I didn't think you were paying attention when I said it."
Scully felt embarrassed again. She should have known that Mulder would know instantly if he didn't have her full attention. "Why do you say that?"
Mulder smiled again. "I can always tell when you are not really paying attention Scully because you don't try to tear my ideas to shreds."
"Maybe I was just trying to be polite" Scully said a bit coyly knowing she had been caught.
"That'll be the day" Mulder said snapping off the projector and perching himself on the side of her desk. "Scully over 100 people worked in that facility. None of them or their families living in the small town within the confines of the facility has been heard from in weeks."
"Who reported them missing?" Scully said offering Mulder the remainder of her salad which he took without thinking about it.
"You should have gotten the chicken Scully" Mulder said after the first bite. Scully glared at him at bit but then smiled. He continued.
"Family members began to make missing person reports about a week ago to the local authorities. They took one look at the case and decided to call us."
"Aren't we lucky?" Scully said sipping her iced tea. "And of course you assume that this particular facility is involved in some sort of government testing?"
"Oh, I know it is. The Gunmen have been watching this place for years suspecting it of producing some sort of biological weapon."
"Are we assuming they are using alien technology?"
Mulder gave her a puzzled look. "Why would I think that Scully?"
He waited until she frowned at him and then smiled himself. "I have no idea what kind of technology they are using - I am hoping we can find out."
Scully sighed knowing that her relaxing weekend would have to be postponed - again.
"When do we leave Mulder?" she said tossing her empty bottle into the trash.
"As soon as Skinner gives his approval. I imagine either late tomorrow or early the next day."
Chapter Two
Fort Benjamin, Texas
It had taken them three airplanes and four hours in a rental car to reach Fort Benjamin, Texas. It was a tiny town that immediately brought to mind imagines of the rolling tumbleweeds and old time Western movies.
They pulled up to the Dew-Drop-Inn and Scully smiled despite herself. She was used to staying in small inexpensive establishments, but this was the first one that advertised a bucking bronco in it's bar.
Mulder saw the picture of a cowboy on the bronco as he got out of the car and turned to Scully. "Five bucks says I can't get you on that"
"Make it twenty and I will think about it" Scully said raising her eyebrows at him and going into the small office to check on their rooms. She appeared a few minutes later waving two keys in front of her.
She handed one key to Mulder. "We have rooms next to each other and the man behind the desk told me that the ribs at Mae's down the street shouldn't be missed."
"Ribs? Scully, did you say ribs?" Mulder glanced at his watch. It was almost five and they hadn't eaten since before noon. "I don't know about you Scully but I am starving" he said as he unloaded the bags from the trunk of the car.
"Mulder, you're always starving" Scully said picking up her bag and following Mulder into the building wondering why they always managed to end up on the second floor of these places.
"But I must admit I am pretty hungry too."
"Good" Mulder said putting his bag down and sticking his key into his door. "How about we meet up in 45 minutes?"
Scully nodded her approval and opened up her door. The smell of stale cigarette smoke hit her almost immediately.
"Yuck" she said making a pinched face and going over to the window to open it. Luckily, she was used to such situations and had taken to carrying not only air freshener in her bag but scented candles as well.
Scully quickly unpacked her clothes, lit some candles and headed for the shower. The hot water did much to rid her of the grime of travel.
By the time she was done, she not only felt better but her room was starting to smell more of lavender and less of cigarettes. She chose a simple dark blue blouse and jeans and was just slipping on her boots when there was a subtle knock on the door.
She opened it to find Mulder standing in front of her. His slightly damp hair proof that he had also removed the signs of travel in the shower.
Mulder walked in and sniffed loudly raising his eyebrows at Scully while doing so. "Scented candles Scully? Are you trying to tell me that you would rather stay in and order room service tonight?"
Scully rolled her eyes at him. "Like this place would have room service Mulder."
"I could pick up some ribs and bring them back if you like" Mulder teased as she went to pick up her purse.
"Mulder, what would you do if I actually said 'yes' to one of your little proposals?" Scully said walking past him onto the balcony that ran the entire length of the motel.
"Well, first I would probably pass out from shock and then I would probably get down on my knees and thank God" Mulder said half seriously.
"Now that is something I would like to see" Scully said under her breath as she locked the door.
Chapter Three
Mae's lived up to its reputation. The ribs were out of this world. Mulder ate a full rack with little problem and even Scully, who normally ate like a bird, plowed through a huge plateful of pulled pork.
Scully smiled content. Mulder could be a real pain-in-the-neck, but it was times like these, watching him eat with the gusto of a teenager while all the while babbling on about some bizarre theory, that Scully realized just how much she enjoyed his company.
For some unknown reason, both Scully and Mulder opted not to discuss the case and its many implications. Instead they chatted about frivolous things such as whether or not Walter Skinner realized that his assistant Kim had quite a crush on him and the most recent antics of the Lone Gunmen.
Mulder didn't know whether or not it was the casual conversation or the local beer Scully was drinking, but she appeared to be relaxed. It was nice to see. Dana Scully didn't let down her guard very often and Mulder was determined to make the most of it.
When the waitress returned to see if they wanted dessert, Mulder saw Scully's eyes grow huge at the description of the house specialty of warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot fudge sauce.
Scully's promptly ordered her usual coffee and while ignoring the glare he received from Scully, Mulder ordered the chocolate cake with extra whipped cream and two forks.
"Mulder" she said trying very hard to look serious "You know I don't eat sweets"
"Come on Scully" he said grinning at her "You know you want it."
She attempted to glare at him but ended up smiling at him instead. "Mulder, sometimes I think that you are a bad influence on me."
Mulder laughed at this. "Scully, if this is the most trouble I get you into on this trip consider yourself lucky."
The dessert arrived and after one bite Scully was very happy that her partner had disregarded her wishes.
"Mulder" she said with her mouth half full "This may be even better than sex. Not that I would really remember." She muttered as an afterthought.
Mulder stopped chewing and stared at her. This was the most insight he had gotten into her personal life, what little there was of it, in a long, long time.
"Really Scully?" Mulder said after he regained his composure. "Makes me wonder about the men with whom you have associated. I don't mean to brag, but I would like to think that most of the women I have slept with would choose me over a plate of cake."
"It's not just cake" Scully said teasing him "It's warm chocolate cake with homemade hot fudge sauce."
Mulder rolled his eyes. He was going to make a comment about the different ways one could use homemade hot fudge but decided against it. "I guess I will never figure out women."
Scully laughed and took another bite of cake.
After they finished their dessert and coffee they decided to call it a night. Mulder walked Scully to her door and watched her unlock it but before she could enter her room he stopped her.
"Scully" he said sounding a bit shy "Tonight was a lot of fun. It was nice having you as my date for the evening."
Scully turned to look at him but said nothing. He continued.
"Do you think maybe sometime we could go on a real one?"
Scully looked at her nervous partner and smiled. "Maybe."
And with that she entered her room and closed her door.
Chapter Four
Fort Benjamin Police Department
Lieutenant Norman greeted Mulder and Scully with great enthusiasm early the next morning. He was a good looking man with dark hair and blue eyes who had a smile that would melt most women's hearts.
It definitely warmed Scully's.
"Agents, I am afraid I don't have a lot to give you on this one." Norman said and he offered them a seat in his spacious office. "We have got a list about a mile long of relatives who haven't heard from their loved ones working or living on the facility grounds in over a month."
"Have you gone out to the facility yourself Lieutenant?" Scully said.
"No Agent Scully we haven't?" He saw Scully's puzzled look and he flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. "I know it would seem the most logical first step, but unfortunately the facility has been placed under quarantine."
"Quarantine? For what?" Mulder asked trying to ignore the way Norman was looking at Scully.
"To tell you the truth Agent Mulder, I don't know." Norman said sounding a frustrated. "We have been trying for the last week to find out but haven't gotten too far."
"Let me guess" Mulder said dryly "the information is classified."
"Yes Sir" Norman said. "We were hoping that you being Federal Agents and all that you would be able to find out for us."
"Unfortunately Lt. Norman" Scully said "I have a feeling that whoever is running that facility will not want us knowing either."
"So I guess that means our hands are tied." Norman said sounding quite disappointed.
"Not necessarily." Mulder said "I have some contacts that might be able to give us some insight into what is going on out there."
He got up and poured himself another coffee after silently asking Scully if she wanted another cup. "In the meantime, I would like to speak to some of the people on your list and perhaps take a drive out to see where the facility is located."
Norman was curious as to why Mulder wanted to go out there but decided that he was probably better off not knowing.
"Certainly Agent Mulder, you can take my copy of the list and I will have someone write up directions to get you out to the facilities main entrance. I assume you and your partner would rather go out there alone."
Mulder nodded appreciating the fact that Norman wasn't about to pry about any possible illegal activities he and Scully may perform. Despite the fact that he had been eyeing Scully, Mulder liked Norman.
"Thank you very much Lieutenant" Scully said getting up and offering her hand to him. He shook it and dazzled her with another smile.
"Believe me Agent Scully, it was a pleasure. If you need anything, anything at all, just give me a call."
Mulder tried hard not to roll his eyes as he followed Scully out of Norman's office. They paused only long enough to get the directions and then headed out to their car.
"That was unbelievable" Mulder said as soon as they were on the road.
"What, about the quarantine?" Scully said looking at him.
"No, I mean the way Lieutenant Norman was flirting with you." He said trying not to sound like a jealous boyfriend.
"I don't know what you are talking about Mulder" Scully said although she had to admit that she did like getting noticed by a good looking man.
She was eager to chance the subject. "What are we going to do first, talk to the witnesses, call in the Lone Gunmen or perform a little breaking and entering?"
This comment achieved it desired effect by distracting Mulder, at least temporarily, off the subject of Lt. Norman.
"Why Scully, are you implying that I would break the law?"
"Never Mulder, I am implying that you will bend it quite severely."
This comment got a brief chuckle out of Mulder. "I think we should go back to the hotel and while you are setting up meetings with some of these families, I will get on the horn to the Lone Gunmen and see what they can find out about this quarantined government facility for us."
Chapter Five
An hour and a half later, Mulder and Scully were sitting in the living room of Angela Jones.
"Thank you for taking the time to see us Ms. Jones" Scully began after politely refusing an offer of coffee. "Can you tell us a little bit about your daughter and her association with the government facility outside Fort Benjamin."
Angela Jones was a short, stout woman who was probably in her mid fifties. She had bright blue eyes and thick gray hair.
"Cassie has been working down there for nearly three years now" she began. "She studied chemical research at Yale and the government recruited her to become one of their researchers."
"Do you have any idea what kind of research she was doing?" Mulder asked gently.
"Oh no, Cassie was never allowed to talk about it. All she said was that it was something that would help protect us all someday. I figured it out it had to be some sort of vaccine against disease." Angela replied.
"Or aliens" Mulder thought to himself.
Scully gave him a knowing look. "When was the last time you heard from your daughter Ms. Jones?"
"It has been close to a month now. That is why I am so worried. Cassie usually calls me every Sunday after she goes to church from a gas station in Fort Benjamin. She is not allowed to call out from the facility, you know." Angela said. "Too much of a security risk."
"Did your daughter ever come out to see you?" Scully asked looking sympathetically at Angela.
"Not often" Angela said with a sigh. "Her work became her life. She rarely did anything that wasn't work related. Coming out here would have taken too much time out of her work schedule."
Angela reached into her pocket for a tissue and missed the look Mulder and Scully exchanged. They were all too familiar with how work could consume every aspect of a person's life.
"Cassie, had some vacation time coming. We were going to take a cruise out of Galveston."
Mulder nodded to Scully and they rose to take their leave. "Here is my card Ms. Jones" Mulder said handing her a business card. "It has my cell phone number on it. If you can think of anything else or if we can help you in any way, just call me. Day or night."
Angela simply nodded and stuck the card in her apron pocket.
Back within the safe confines of their car, Scully turned to Mulder "Did you find any similarity between Cassie Jones and us?"
"What, besides the fact that we are incredibly dedicated to our work? No, not really." Mulder knew where this conversation was heading and was taking a stab at diverting it.
It didn't work.
Scully plugged in her seat belt and turned to face him. "You didn't find that you had anything in common with a woman who is so consumed with her work that she can't find a couple of hours a week to visit her mother who lives only 25 minutes away?"
Mulder simply shrugged and started up the car.
"Mulder, do you know how long it's been since I have seen my mother?" Scully said her voice rising just an tad.
"I have no idea Scully, but I have a feeling you are going to tell me" Mulder said resigned to the fact that he was about to receive another 'get a life' lecture.
"Almost a month and she lives only ten minutes from me!" Scully said turning and staring out the window.
"So Scully, do you feel like the conversation with Ms. Jones is going to change your attitude about visiting your mother?" Mulder said just a little too calmly.
"Don't start using that PHD of yours on me Mulder." Scully said coldly.
"Can't help it Scully, it is either that or get into a heated argument with you and I am really not in the mood for that today."
Scully only snorted at this and said nothing.
"Scully, you have a great relationship with your mother and you know it. Your mother isn't at all like Ms. Jones. She doesn't revolve her life around when you will call or when you will stop by to visit."
Scully sighed and turned towards him as he continued. "Your mother survived months alone while your father was out at sea. She is where you get your independent streak, you know."
"That may be true Mulder, but even you must admit that we have no life outside of work and each other."
Scully paused seeing the fleeting look of hurt cross Mulder's face. "It isn't that I don't enjoy your company Mulder. I do, well at least most of the time."
This got a glimmer of a smile out of Mulder. "It is just that I miss dating, socializing, just sitting around the house actually bored. Don't you ever miss any of that Mulder?" she asked quietly.
"Not the way you do Scully." Mulder paused a moment as if he was going to say something else but didn't.
They drove back to town in relative silence each lost in their own thoughts.
Mulder finally broke the silence. "Describe your dream man Scully"
"Excuse me?" Scully said shocked by the question.
"You said you wanted to have a social life and I thought if you told me what you are looking for in a man, I could help you find him." Mulder said plastering an innocent look on his face.
He looked at her expectantly not sure whether or not he wanted to know the answer to his question.
"Okay, but I tell you, you have to tell me. Deal?" Scully said still wary of a trap.
"Deal" Mulder agreed.
"Let me see" Scully began as she stared out through her window. "He would need to be intelligent with a good sense of humor." She stopped and looked at Mulder hoping that would be enough of a description to satisfy him.
It wasn't.
"Go on Scully" he prompted.
"Okay, he would have to understand the bizarre work hours I put in and the fact that I have to travel with my male partner."
"I will be sure to inform him that we always have separate rooms" Mulder said teasingly. "Go on."
Scully gave him a bit of a dirty look. "He would have to appreciate the uniqueness of the cases we handle. You know, not tease me about chasing aliens and fluke monsters."
"No he couldn't do that." Mulder said grinning at her.
"And I guess he would also have to respect my need to be independent while also being there when I needed him. Your turn."
"Let's see. I know you would be disappointed if I didn't say right away that she would have to be attractive"
"Just attractive?" Scully cut in "Not drop dead gorgeous with huge. . ."
Mulder put a hand over her mouth. "Watch your language young lady" he teasingly reprimanded her. "For your information, physical attributes are not what usually draws me to a particular woman. Ow!"
Mulder pulled back his hand and shook it hard trying to get the pain to stop. "Why did you bite me?"
Scully just smiled innocently at him. "Okay, I guess I will take your word about your dream woman not having to look like a Playboy Playmate. What else are you looking for?"
"Brains" Mulder said without hesitation. "I can't stand women who downplay their intelligence and spend all their time just agreeing with everything I have to say."
"Are you saying you like to argue Mulder?" Scully asked.
"No, I am saying that I have no problem discussing various viewpoints"
This comment made Scully chuckle. "No kidding Mulder. What else?"
"Not much except that she would have to be understanding about the work and how my partner is my best friend."
"I am?" Scully said touched.
"Yeah, you are." Mulder said a bit sheepishly.
"Funny you should say that because, well, you know" Scully began too embarrassed to finish.
Mulder turned to her and smiled as he pulled into the Dew-Drop Inn's parking lot. They got out of the car without finishing their conversation. Neither of them realizing that they had described the other perfectly.
Chapter six
Mulder spotted the light on his phone flashing as soon as he walked into the room. He picked it up and immediately called in for his messages. There was only one from Frohike asking him to call his doctor about his test results.
Mulder grabbed his cell phone and began dialing even as he walked over to Scully's room. By the time she had opened her door, he had Langley on the phone.
Scully watched in silence as Mulder held his one-sided conversation. It lasted only a minute but Scully could tell something was wrong just by watching his face while he spoke.
"The guys managed to hack into some satellite images of this area. They were able to compare shots taken six weeks ago with shots taken last week and yesterday." He began looking a bit pale.
Scully said nothing, just waited for him to continue. "The first set of shots showed all sorts of activity in and around the facility. There is one large main building, where I assume the brunt of the research is conducted and about three dozen or so smaller buildings surrounding it."
Mulder sat down on the bed and looked at her his eyes fixing on the mental image in his head. "One of the buildings must be a school or a daycare because it looked like it was surrounded by children playing in some sort of playground."
He stopped then and said nothing he just walked over to Scully's bed and sat down.
"And the most recent shots Mulder?" Scully prompted him. "What did they show?"
Mulder turned and looked at her then his eyes showing incredible sadness. "No signs of life whatsoever."
Scully sighed deeply and let this piece of information sink in. Whatever had happened within the confines of this facility, be it intentional or not, had killed scores of innocent people."
Scully sat down next to him and placed a hand on his arm. She knew Mulder was not only thinking about the children here who had been victims, but another little girl who had been a victim so many years ago.
"Did they know anything about the quarantine?" she said softly.
Mulder turned to her and shook his head. "Not really. The request for the quarantine was one of the last things communicated from there."
"Mulder, do you still want to go in there?" Scully said already knowing the answer.
"How can we not Scully? We owe it to those people in there and their families to find out the truth."
He turned and put his hands on her shoulders turning her to face him. "This is very dangerous Scully. I can't ask you to go in there, afterall you have family and. . . "
Scully put a finger to his lips to silence him. "Mulder, I am your partner. If you go in, I go in. Whatever is in there, we will face it together."
Mulder looked long and hard at her but finally nodded his head in agreement. "You know Scully, I don't deserve you." He said placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Oh yes you do." She said smiling up at him. "Now you get on your laptop and figure out exactly where we are going to be going tomorrow. I am going to call my mother."
Mulder got off the bed and returned to his room trying not to think about what Scully had left unspoken. She was going to call her mother, just in case.
Chapter Seven
Scully had a nice long chat with her mother but managed to keep herself from calling her two brothers by taking a nice long hot bath. The bath water relaxed her and helped her reflect on what she and Mulder would be facing the next day.
She got out of the tub relaxed and set about drawing up a list of things to bring with them into the facility. Properly prepared, she thought that she and Mulder had a pretty good chance of returning unharmed.
Mulder had spent the night either tapping away on his computer or speaking to one or another of the Lone Gunmen. By the time he was done, he had committed to memory the entire layout of the facility and had a good idea of how to disable its security system.
But just to be safe he had told the Gunmen that if they hadn't heard from him in three days to call Lt Norman.
Neither Scully nor Mulder slept well that night. They both got up early and prepared themselves for the day ahead. Scully ran to the small store down the street for a few supplies while Mulder went over his mental map for the 100th time.
Finally they were dressed in their hiking clothes and ready. They thought about waiting for the cover of darkness to make their entrance but figured it would make little difference when they entered if everyone there was indeed dead.
They spoke very little during the car ride. They parked outside the main gates and got out of the car.
Mulder grabbed one of the two backpacks Scully had filled and groaned as he threw it over his shoulder. "What did you put in these things Scully, rocks?"
Scully smiled at him as she picked up her own pack. "Just making sure we are prepared Mulder"
Mulder muttered something about her being the female equivalent to an Eagle Scout as he approached the main gate. Fearing that it might be electrified, he tossed a couple of good sized stones at it. They hit chain links without incident.
Mulder shrugged at Scully. "You don't suppose they left it unlocked?" he said walking over to where the two section of the gate met.
"You wouldn't think so" Scully said as she watched Mulder give one half of the gate a gentle shove. It moved away from him easily.
"What do you know?" Mulder said stepping through and waiting for Scully to join him. "That was a little too easy Scully" he said looking nervously around "I hope it isn't some sort of trap."
Scully was relieved to find that there was no trap. Even so, she couldn't quite shake the feeling of dread that was taking hold in her as they approached the first of the smaller buildings some 10 minutes later.
It was a small ranch style house built out of stucco. It was surrounded by a large flower garden whose inhabitants were in desperate need of water.
After knocking on the door and hearing no signs of life, Mulder drew out his weapon and pushed the door open. He walked in a stopped dead in his tracts.
Scully was so busy covering his back that she didn't immediately notice that he had stopped and plowed right into him. She went around him to see why he had stopped and her blood went cold.
The small foyer of the house opened up into a family room/living room space. It was brightly decorated in typical Southwestern style including a hand woven woolen rug lying on the floor.
On top of the rug lay a woman about thirty with a small child in her arms. Judging by the grimaces on both of their faces, there death had been neither quick nor painless.
Scully closed her eyes for a second to collect herself and then walked behind Mulder and began to rummage through his backpack removing a small scalpel, a pair of gloves and a collection bag.
"Scully, you aren't going to cut them open here are you?" Mulder said still trying to recover from the scene in front of him.
"Mulder, I don't think they have been dead for too long and in this heat the bodies will not last for long. This may be the only chance we get to see what is going on inside them."
Mulder swallowed hard and then nodded. Scully was right, the temperature outside was almost eighty and it wasn't even ten in the morning yet.
She turned her back towards him. "In my pack there is a small disposable camera. Maybe you should take some pictures."
Mulder quickly found the camera amazed, again, at how thorough his partner was in her preparations.
Scully knelt down beside the mother and after whispering a small prayer to herself for their souls, made a small incision in her chest.
Mulder, not wanting to watch any more than he had to, had begun to wander around the room looking for clues when he heard Scully gasp.
"What is it Scully?" he said rushing back to her side.
She said nothing just pointed to what lay just beneath the surface. The tissue there was so dark it almost looked like soot.
"What is it?" Mulder asked for the second time as he snapped a picture.
"Mulder, if I didn't know better, I would say that this woman had been badly burned." She looked up at him with a mixture of disbelief and fear in her eyes. "From the inside."
"But how can that be?" Mulder said watching Scully scrape a tissue sample into collection bag and quickly label it 'Jane Doe #1'.
"I have no idea Mulder" she said still looking over the body. "Perhaps she was injected with something" she said pointing to a small red mark on the woman's arm. "This could be where she was given the injection."
Mulder left Scully to take a few more tissue samples as he walked around the house looking for other victims. He came back carrying two bed sheets and a woman's handbag.
Scully searched the bag for identification as Mulder quietly covered the bodies. Finding the woman's wallet she opened it, removed her driver's license and put it in the front pocket of Mulder's backpack.
"Why do I think we will be collecting a lot of those today Scully?" Mulder asked when she was through.
Scully smiled weakly at him. "Come on Mulder".
They walked by another half a dozen houses before reaching the main facility. Everyone was empty except for the remains of the occupants many of whom reeked of decay.
In each house Scully collected tissue samples while Mulder searched for identification and something with which to cover the bodies.
It was getting close to twelve when they reached the main entrance of the building that housed the research facilities. They paused to remove their backpacks which they hid behind a tree removing from them only what they thought they would need inside.
"Ready?" Mulder said looking at Scully.
She nodded and they walked through the large glass doors.
The room into which they walked was a small lobby with some sort of information desk sitting directly opposite of the doors. Scully walked over to it and peered over the counter quickly spotting the body of a uniformed guard.
She sighed and turned to Mulder gesturing to the two hallways on either side of the lobby. He nodded silently and held up ten fingers indicating to Scully that they would meet back in the lobby in ten minutes.
Scully barely nodded her acknowledgement as she drew out her weapon and proceeded down the left hallway.
The hallway was completely dark. Even the emergency lights were out. She pulled a flashlight from her pocket and snapped it on.
The hallway was long and very dark with no openings for quite a while. Finally she spotted a door and gently jiggled the handle. It was unlocked.
Opening the door she found herself in what appeared to be some sort of examination room complete with paper-covered table and blood pressure machine. What made this room different from her own doctor's office was the presence of the body curled up in a fetal position along the back wall.
Scully jumped a bit when the beam of light from her flashlight hit the body. It wasn't so much the fact that there was a body in the room, she had expected that, it was because the look on the victim's face depicted both pain and terror.
She shut the door murmuring a silent prayer that she and Mulder would not experience the same fate.
As she continued down the hallway, Scully became somewhat aware of a slight humming sound. The sound of machinery somewhere deep within the facility. Perhaps evidence that someone was still alive somewhere inside this building.
Scully was tempted to follow the sounds but knew that her ten minutes were nearly up. If she didn't return on time, Mulder would panic.
She reached the lobby and was surprised to find Mulder not there. Scully sighed assuming that Mulder had lost track of time the way he always did and decided to search the security officer's desk for any possible clues to the source of the sounds she had heard.
Scully was shuffling through papers with her back to the lobby when she heard the sounds of footsteps. She was about to say 'Mulder' but the word got caught in her throat when she realized who was standing only a few feet away from her.
Alex Krycek.
End of part one. Comments anyone?
End of part one . do you like it, let me know!
Disclaimer Info: I know I don't own them and I really do appreciate CC letting me play with them from time to time. Spoilers: None really Rating: PG-13 possibly R in later sections Summary: Scully and Mulder head down to a remote part of Texas to investigate some strange occurrences at the research facility. This story is more or less an X-file with a touch of MSR thrown in for you shippers out there. Feedback: I would love to hear what you think. Email me at xfstories@yahoo.com Archive: I will take care of Ephemeral and Gossamer. Anywhere else is fine with me just let me know. My stories pout if I don't visit them.
XXX
Chapter One
Scully picked at her salad wondering to herself why she had chosen the tuna over the grilled chicken while she listened, barely, to her partner drone on about some sort of research facility in Texas.
They had been in this situation enough times, her listening and him rambling on about some great government conspiracy, that she knew exactly when she had to really start listening. Hearing Mulder say the words 'just waiting for approval' had Scully jerking her head up.
"Mulder, are you trying to tell me that we are flying down to. . ."
"Texas" Mulder supplied helpfully
"Thank you" Scully said a bit embarrassed at being caught not paying full attention. She started again. "Mulder, are we actually going to be flying down to Texas to check out this mysterious facility of yours?"
It was getting close to the end of the week and Scully was looking forward to a relaxing weekend where her biggest responsibility would be doing her laundry.
"Come on Scully, I can't believe you don't find this fascinating. Practically everyone associated with this particular research facility seems to have disappeared."
"Maybe they didn't like the climate" Scully said through a mouthful of tuna. "Didn't you say that the weather was especially hot and dry in that area of Texas?"
Mulder smiled at her. "I did say that, but I didn't think you were paying attention when I said it."
Scully felt embarrassed again. She should have known that Mulder would know instantly if he didn't have her full attention. "Why do you say that?"
Mulder smiled again. "I can always tell when you are not really paying attention Scully because you don't try to tear my ideas to shreds."
"Maybe I was just trying to be polite" Scully said a bit coyly knowing she had been caught.
"That'll be the day" Mulder said snapping off the projector and perching himself on the side of her desk. "Scully over 100 people worked in that facility. None of them or their families living in the small town within the confines of the facility has been heard from in weeks."
"Who reported them missing?" Scully said offering Mulder the remainder of her salad which he took without thinking about it.
"You should have gotten the chicken Scully" Mulder said after the first bite. Scully glared at him at bit but then smiled. He continued.
"Family members began to make missing person reports about a week ago to the local authorities. They took one look at the case and decided to call us."
"Aren't we lucky?" Scully said sipping her iced tea. "And of course you assume that this particular facility is involved in some sort of government testing?"
"Oh, I know it is. The Gunmen have been watching this place for years suspecting it of producing some sort of biological weapon."
"Are we assuming they are using alien technology?"
Mulder gave her a puzzled look. "Why would I think that Scully?"
He waited until she frowned at him and then smiled himself. "I have no idea what kind of technology they are using - I am hoping we can find out."
Scully sighed knowing that her relaxing weekend would have to be postponed - again.
"When do we leave Mulder?" she said tossing her empty bottle into the trash.
"As soon as Skinner gives his approval. I imagine either late tomorrow or early the next day."
Chapter Two
Fort Benjamin, Texas
It had taken them three airplanes and four hours in a rental car to reach Fort Benjamin, Texas. It was a tiny town that immediately brought to mind imagines of the rolling tumbleweeds and old time Western movies.
They pulled up to the Dew-Drop-Inn and Scully smiled despite herself. She was used to staying in small inexpensive establishments, but this was the first one that advertised a bucking bronco in it's bar.
Mulder saw the picture of a cowboy on the bronco as he got out of the car and turned to Scully. "Five bucks says I can't get you on that"
"Make it twenty and I will think about it" Scully said raising her eyebrows at him and going into the small office to check on their rooms. She appeared a few minutes later waving two keys in front of her.
She handed one key to Mulder. "We have rooms next to each other and the man behind the desk told me that the ribs at Mae's down the street shouldn't be missed."
"Ribs? Scully, did you say ribs?" Mulder glanced at his watch. It was almost five and they hadn't eaten since before noon. "I don't know about you Scully but I am starving" he said as he unloaded the bags from the trunk of the car.
"Mulder, you're always starving" Scully said picking up her bag and following Mulder into the building wondering why they always managed to end up on the second floor of these places.
"But I must admit I am pretty hungry too."
"Good" Mulder said putting his bag down and sticking his key into his door. "How about we meet up in 45 minutes?"
Scully nodded her approval and opened up her door. The smell of stale cigarette smoke hit her almost immediately.
"Yuck" she said making a pinched face and going over to the window to open it. Luckily, she was used to such situations and had taken to carrying not only air freshener in her bag but scented candles as well.
Scully quickly unpacked her clothes, lit some candles and headed for the shower. The hot water did much to rid her of the grime of travel.
By the time she was done, she not only felt better but her room was starting to smell more of lavender and less of cigarettes. She chose a simple dark blue blouse and jeans and was just slipping on her boots when there was a subtle knock on the door.
She opened it to find Mulder standing in front of her. His slightly damp hair proof that he had also removed the signs of travel in the shower.
Mulder walked in and sniffed loudly raising his eyebrows at Scully while doing so. "Scented candles Scully? Are you trying to tell me that you would rather stay in and order room service tonight?"
Scully rolled her eyes at him. "Like this place would have room service Mulder."
"I could pick up some ribs and bring them back if you like" Mulder teased as she went to pick up her purse.
"Mulder, what would you do if I actually said 'yes' to one of your little proposals?" Scully said walking past him onto the balcony that ran the entire length of the motel.
"Well, first I would probably pass out from shock and then I would probably get down on my knees and thank God" Mulder said half seriously.
"Now that is something I would like to see" Scully said under her breath as she locked the door.
Chapter Three
Mae's lived up to its reputation. The ribs were out of this world. Mulder ate a full rack with little problem and even Scully, who normally ate like a bird, plowed through a huge plateful of pulled pork.
Scully smiled content. Mulder could be a real pain-in-the-neck, but it was times like these, watching him eat with the gusto of a teenager while all the while babbling on about some bizarre theory, that Scully realized just how much she enjoyed his company.
For some unknown reason, both Scully and Mulder opted not to discuss the case and its many implications. Instead they chatted about frivolous things such as whether or not Walter Skinner realized that his assistant Kim had quite a crush on him and the most recent antics of the Lone Gunmen.
Mulder didn't know whether or not it was the casual conversation or the local beer Scully was drinking, but she appeared to be relaxed. It was nice to see. Dana Scully didn't let down her guard very often and Mulder was determined to make the most of it.
When the waitress returned to see if they wanted dessert, Mulder saw Scully's eyes grow huge at the description of the house specialty of warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot fudge sauce.
Scully's promptly ordered her usual coffee and while ignoring the glare he received from Scully, Mulder ordered the chocolate cake with extra whipped cream and two forks.
"Mulder" she said trying very hard to look serious "You know I don't eat sweets"
"Come on Scully" he said grinning at her "You know you want it."
She attempted to glare at him but ended up smiling at him instead. "Mulder, sometimes I think that you are a bad influence on me."
Mulder laughed at this. "Scully, if this is the most trouble I get you into on this trip consider yourself lucky."
The dessert arrived and after one bite Scully was very happy that her partner had disregarded her wishes.
"Mulder" she said with her mouth half full "This may be even better than sex. Not that I would really remember." She muttered as an afterthought.
Mulder stopped chewing and stared at her. This was the most insight he had gotten into her personal life, what little there was of it, in a long, long time.
"Really Scully?" Mulder said after he regained his composure. "Makes me wonder about the men with whom you have associated. I don't mean to brag, but I would like to think that most of the women I have slept with would choose me over a plate of cake."
"It's not just cake" Scully said teasing him "It's warm chocolate cake with homemade hot fudge sauce."
Mulder rolled his eyes. He was going to make a comment about the different ways one could use homemade hot fudge but decided against it. "I guess I will never figure out women."
Scully laughed and took another bite of cake.
After they finished their dessert and coffee they decided to call it a night. Mulder walked Scully to her door and watched her unlock it but before she could enter her room he stopped her.
"Scully" he said sounding a bit shy "Tonight was a lot of fun. It was nice having you as my date for the evening."
Scully turned to look at him but said nothing. He continued.
"Do you think maybe sometime we could go on a real one?"
Scully looked at her nervous partner and smiled. "Maybe."
And with that she entered her room and closed her door.
Chapter Four
Fort Benjamin Police Department
Lieutenant Norman greeted Mulder and Scully with great enthusiasm early the next morning. He was a good looking man with dark hair and blue eyes who had a smile that would melt most women's hearts.
It definitely warmed Scully's.
"Agents, I am afraid I don't have a lot to give you on this one." Norman said and he offered them a seat in his spacious office. "We have got a list about a mile long of relatives who haven't heard from their loved ones working or living on the facility grounds in over a month."
"Have you gone out to the facility yourself Lieutenant?" Scully said.
"No Agent Scully we haven't?" He saw Scully's puzzled look and he flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. "I know it would seem the most logical first step, but unfortunately the facility has been placed under quarantine."
"Quarantine? For what?" Mulder asked trying to ignore the way Norman was looking at Scully.
"To tell you the truth Agent Mulder, I don't know." Norman said sounding a frustrated. "We have been trying for the last week to find out but haven't gotten too far."
"Let me guess" Mulder said dryly "the information is classified."
"Yes Sir" Norman said. "We were hoping that you being Federal Agents and all that you would be able to find out for us."
"Unfortunately Lt. Norman" Scully said "I have a feeling that whoever is running that facility will not want us knowing either."
"So I guess that means our hands are tied." Norman said sounding quite disappointed.
"Not necessarily." Mulder said "I have some contacts that might be able to give us some insight into what is going on out there."
He got up and poured himself another coffee after silently asking Scully if she wanted another cup. "In the meantime, I would like to speak to some of the people on your list and perhaps take a drive out to see where the facility is located."
Norman was curious as to why Mulder wanted to go out there but decided that he was probably better off not knowing.
"Certainly Agent Mulder, you can take my copy of the list and I will have someone write up directions to get you out to the facilities main entrance. I assume you and your partner would rather go out there alone."
Mulder nodded appreciating the fact that Norman wasn't about to pry about any possible illegal activities he and Scully may perform. Despite the fact that he had been eyeing Scully, Mulder liked Norman.
"Thank you very much Lieutenant" Scully said getting up and offering her hand to him. He shook it and dazzled her with another smile.
"Believe me Agent Scully, it was a pleasure. If you need anything, anything at all, just give me a call."
Mulder tried hard not to roll his eyes as he followed Scully out of Norman's office. They paused only long enough to get the directions and then headed out to their car.
"That was unbelievable" Mulder said as soon as they were on the road.
"What, about the quarantine?" Scully said looking at him.
"No, I mean the way Lieutenant Norman was flirting with you." He said trying not to sound like a jealous boyfriend.
"I don't know what you are talking about Mulder" Scully said although she had to admit that she did like getting noticed by a good looking man.
She was eager to chance the subject. "What are we going to do first, talk to the witnesses, call in the Lone Gunmen or perform a little breaking and entering?"
This comment achieved it desired effect by distracting Mulder, at least temporarily, off the subject of Lt. Norman.
"Why Scully, are you implying that I would break the law?"
"Never Mulder, I am implying that you will bend it quite severely."
This comment got a brief chuckle out of Mulder. "I think we should go back to the hotel and while you are setting up meetings with some of these families, I will get on the horn to the Lone Gunmen and see what they can find out about this quarantined government facility for us."
Chapter Five
An hour and a half later, Mulder and Scully were sitting in the living room of Angela Jones.
"Thank you for taking the time to see us Ms. Jones" Scully began after politely refusing an offer of coffee. "Can you tell us a little bit about your daughter and her association with the government facility outside Fort Benjamin."
Angela Jones was a short, stout woman who was probably in her mid fifties. She had bright blue eyes and thick gray hair.
"Cassie has been working down there for nearly three years now" she began. "She studied chemical research at Yale and the government recruited her to become one of their researchers."
"Do you have any idea what kind of research she was doing?" Mulder asked gently.
"Oh no, Cassie was never allowed to talk about it. All she said was that it was something that would help protect us all someday. I figured it out it had to be some sort of vaccine against disease." Angela replied.
"Or aliens" Mulder thought to himself.
Scully gave him a knowing look. "When was the last time you heard from your daughter Ms. Jones?"
"It has been close to a month now. That is why I am so worried. Cassie usually calls me every Sunday after she goes to church from a gas station in Fort Benjamin. She is not allowed to call out from the facility, you know." Angela said. "Too much of a security risk."
"Did your daughter ever come out to see you?" Scully asked looking sympathetically at Angela.
"Not often" Angela said with a sigh. "Her work became her life. She rarely did anything that wasn't work related. Coming out here would have taken too much time out of her work schedule."
Angela reached into her pocket for a tissue and missed the look Mulder and Scully exchanged. They were all too familiar with how work could consume every aspect of a person's life.
"Cassie, had some vacation time coming. We were going to take a cruise out of Galveston."
Mulder nodded to Scully and they rose to take their leave. "Here is my card Ms. Jones" Mulder said handing her a business card. "It has my cell phone number on it. If you can think of anything else or if we can help you in any way, just call me. Day or night."
Angela simply nodded and stuck the card in her apron pocket.
Back within the safe confines of their car, Scully turned to Mulder "Did you find any similarity between Cassie Jones and us?"
"What, besides the fact that we are incredibly dedicated to our work? No, not really." Mulder knew where this conversation was heading and was taking a stab at diverting it.
It didn't work.
Scully plugged in her seat belt and turned to face him. "You didn't find that you had anything in common with a woman who is so consumed with her work that she can't find a couple of hours a week to visit her mother who lives only 25 minutes away?"
Mulder simply shrugged and started up the car.
"Mulder, do you know how long it's been since I have seen my mother?" Scully said her voice rising just an tad.
"I have no idea Scully, but I have a feeling you are going to tell me" Mulder said resigned to the fact that he was about to receive another 'get a life' lecture.
"Almost a month and she lives only ten minutes from me!" Scully said turning and staring out the window.
"So Scully, do you feel like the conversation with Ms. Jones is going to change your attitude about visiting your mother?" Mulder said just a little too calmly.
"Don't start using that PHD of yours on me Mulder." Scully said coldly.
"Can't help it Scully, it is either that or get into a heated argument with you and I am really not in the mood for that today."
Scully only snorted at this and said nothing.
"Scully, you have a great relationship with your mother and you know it. Your mother isn't at all like Ms. Jones. She doesn't revolve her life around when you will call or when you will stop by to visit."
Scully sighed and turned towards him as he continued. "Your mother survived months alone while your father was out at sea. She is where you get your independent streak, you know."
"That may be true Mulder, but even you must admit that we have no life outside of work and each other."
Scully paused seeing the fleeting look of hurt cross Mulder's face. "It isn't that I don't enjoy your company Mulder. I do, well at least most of the time."
This got a glimmer of a smile out of Mulder. "It is just that I miss dating, socializing, just sitting around the house actually bored. Don't you ever miss any of that Mulder?" she asked quietly.
"Not the way you do Scully." Mulder paused a moment as if he was going to say something else but didn't.
They drove back to town in relative silence each lost in their own thoughts.
Mulder finally broke the silence. "Describe your dream man Scully"
"Excuse me?" Scully said shocked by the question.
"You said you wanted to have a social life and I thought if you told me what you are looking for in a man, I could help you find him." Mulder said plastering an innocent look on his face.
He looked at her expectantly not sure whether or not he wanted to know the answer to his question.
"Okay, but I tell you, you have to tell me. Deal?" Scully said still wary of a trap.
"Deal" Mulder agreed.
"Let me see" Scully began as she stared out through her window. "He would need to be intelligent with a good sense of humor." She stopped and looked at Mulder hoping that would be enough of a description to satisfy him.
It wasn't.
"Go on Scully" he prompted.
"Okay, he would have to understand the bizarre work hours I put in and the fact that I have to travel with my male partner."
"I will be sure to inform him that we always have separate rooms" Mulder said teasingly. "Go on."
Scully gave him a bit of a dirty look. "He would have to appreciate the uniqueness of the cases we handle. You know, not tease me about chasing aliens and fluke monsters."
"No he couldn't do that." Mulder said grinning at her.
"And I guess he would also have to respect my need to be independent while also being there when I needed him. Your turn."
"Let's see. I know you would be disappointed if I didn't say right away that she would have to be attractive"
"Just attractive?" Scully cut in "Not drop dead gorgeous with huge. . ."
Mulder put a hand over her mouth. "Watch your language young lady" he teasingly reprimanded her. "For your information, physical attributes are not what usually draws me to a particular woman. Ow!"
Mulder pulled back his hand and shook it hard trying to get the pain to stop. "Why did you bite me?"
Scully just smiled innocently at him. "Okay, I guess I will take your word about your dream woman not having to look like a Playboy Playmate. What else are you looking for?"
"Brains" Mulder said without hesitation. "I can't stand women who downplay their intelligence and spend all their time just agreeing with everything I have to say."
"Are you saying you like to argue Mulder?" Scully asked.
"No, I am saying that I have no problem discussing various viewpoints"
This comment made Scully chuckle. "No kidding Mulder. What else?"
"Not much except that she would have to be understanding about the work and how my partner is my best friend."
"I am?" Scully said touched.
"Yeah, you are." Mulder said a bit sheepishly.
"Funny you should say that because, well, you know" Scully began too embarrassed to finish.
Mulder turned to her and smiled as he pulled into the Dew-Drop Inn's parking lot. They got out of the car without finishing their conversation. Neither of them realizing that they had described the other perfectly.
Chapter six
Mulder spotted the light on his phone flashing as soon as he walked into the room. He picked it up and immediately called in for his messages. There was only one from Frohike asking him to call his doctor about his test results.
Mulder grabbed his cell phone and began dialing even as he walked over to Scully's room. By the time she had opened her door, he had Langley on the phone.
Scully watched in silence as Mulder held his one-sided conversation. It lasted only a minute but Scully could tell something was wrong just by watching his face while he spoke.
"The guys managed to hack into some satellite images of this area. They were able to compare shots taken six weeks ago with shots taken last week and yesterday." He began looking a bit pale.
Scully said nothing, just waited for him to continue. "The first set of shots showed all sorts of activity in and around the facility. There is one large main building, where I assume the brunt of the research is conducted and about three dozen or so smaller buildings surrounding it."
Mulder sat down on the bed and looked at her his eyes fixing on the mental image in his head. "One of the buildings must be a school or a daycare because it looked like it was surrounded by children playing in some sort of playground."
He stopped then and said nothing he just walked over to Scully's bed and sat down.
"And the most recent shots Mulder?" Scully prompted him. "What did they show?"
Mulder turned and looked at her then his eyes showing incredible sadness. "No signs of life whatsoever."
Scully sighed deeply and let this piece of information sink in. Whatever had happened within the confines of this facility, be it intentional or not, had killed scores of innocent people."
Scully sat down next to him and placed a hand on his arm. She knew Mulder was not only thinking about the children here who had been victims, but another little girl who had been a victim so many years ago.
"Did they know anything about the quarantine?" she said softly.
Mulder turned to her and shook his head. "Not really. The request for the quarantine was one of the last things communicated from there."
"Mulder, do you still want to go in there?" Scully said already knowing the answer.
"How can we not Scully? We owe it to those people in there and their families to find out the truth."
He turned and put his hands on her shoulders turning her to face him. "This is very dangerous Scully. I can't ask you to go in there, afterall you have family and. . . "
Scully put a finger to his lips to silence him. "Mulder, I am your partner. If you go in, I go in. Whatever is in there, we will face it together."
Mulder looked long and hard at her but finally nodded his head in agreement. "You know Scully, I don't deserve you." He said placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Oh yes you do." She said smiling up at him. "Now you get on your laptop and figure out exactly where we are going to be going tomorrow. I am going to call my mother."
Mulder got off the bed and returned to his room trying not to think about what Scully had left unspoken. She was going to call her mother, just in case.
Chapter Seven
Scully had a nice long chat with her mother but managed to keep herself from calling her two brothers by taking a nice long hot bath. The bath water relaxed her and helped her reflect on what she and Mulder would be facing the next day.
She got out of the tub relaxed and set about drawing up a list of things to bring with them into the facility. Properly prepared, she thought that she and Mulder had a pretty good chance of returning unharmed.
Mulder had spent the night either tapping away on his computer or speaking to one or another of the Lone Gunmen. By the time he was done, he had committed to memory the entire layout of the facility and had a good idea of how to disable its security system.
But just to be safe he had told the Gunmen that if they hadn't heard from him in three days to call Lt Norman.
Neither Scully nor Mulder slept well that night. They both got up early and prepared themselves for the day ahead. Scully ran to the small store down the street for a few supplies while Mulder went over his mental map for the 100th time.
Finally they were dressed in their hiking clothes and ready. They thought about waiting for the cover of darkness to make their entrance but figured it would make little difference when they entered if everyone there was indeed dead.
They spoke very little during the car ride. They parked outside the main gates and got out of the car.
Mulder grabbed one of the two backpacks Scully had filled and groaned as he threw it over his shoulder. "What did you put in these things Scully, rocks?"
Scully smiled at him as she picked up her own pack. "Just making sure we are prepared Mulder"
Mulder muttered something about her being the female equivalent to an Eagle Scout as he approached the main gate. Fearing that it might be electrified, he tossed a couple of good sized stones at it. They hit chain links without incident.
Mulder shrugged at Scully. "You don't suppose they left it unlocked?" he said walking over to where the two section of the gate met.
"You wouldn't think so" Scully said as she watched Mulder give one half of the gate a gentle shove. It moved away from him easily.
"What do you know?" Mulder said stepping through and waiting for Scully to join him. "That was a little too easy Scully" he said looking nervously around "I hope it isn't some sort of trap."
Scully was relieved to find that there was no trap. Even so, she couldn't quite shake the feeling of dread that was taking hold in her as they approached the first of the smaller buildings some 10 minutes later.
It was a small ranch style house built out of stucco. It was surrounded by a large flower garden whose inhabitants were in desperate need of water.
After knocking on the door and hearing no signs of life, Mulder drew out his weapon and pushed the door open. He walked in a stopped dead in his tracts.
Scully was so busy covering his back that she didn't immediately notice that he had stopped and plowed right into him. She went around him to see why he had stopped and her blood went cold.
The small foyer of the house opened up into a family room/living room space. It was brightly decorated in typical Southwestern style including a hand woven woolen rug lying on the floor.
On top of the rug lay a woman about thirty with a small child in her arms. Judging by the grimaces on both of their faces, there death had been neither quick nor painless.
Scully closed her eyes for a second to collect herself and then walked behind Mulder and began to rummage through his backpack removing a small scalpel, a pair of gloves and a collection bag.
"Scully, you aren't going to cut them open here are you?" Mulder said still trying to recover from the scene in front of him.
"Mulder, I don't think they have been dead for too long and in this heat the bodies will not last for long. This may be the only chance we get to see what is going on inside them."
Mulder swallowed hard and then nodded. Scully was right, the temperature outside was almost eighty and it wasn't even ten in the morning yet.
She turned her back towards him. "In my pack there is a small disposable camera. Maybe you should take some pictures."
Mulder quickly found the camera amazed, again, at how thorough his partner was in her preparations.
Scully knelt down beside the mother and after whispering a small prayer to herself for their souls, made a small incision in her chest.
Mulder, not wanting to watch any more than he had to, had begun to wander around the room looking for clues when he heard Scully gasp.
"What is it Scully?" he said rushing back to her side.
She said nothing just pointed to what lay just beneath the surface. The tissue there was so dark it almost looked like soot.
"What is it?" Mulder asked for the second time as he snapped a picture.
"Mulder, if I didn't know better, I would say that this woman had been badly burned." She looked up at him with a mixture of disbelief and fear in her eyes. "From the inside."
"But how can that be?" Mulder said watching Scully scrape a tissue sample into collection bag and quickly label it 'Jane Doe #1'.
"I have no idea Mulder" she said still looking over the body. "Perhaps she was injected with something" she said pointing to a small red mark on the woman's arm. "This could be where she was given the injection."
Mulder left Scully to take a few more tissue samples as he walked around the house looking for other victims. He came back carrying two bed sheets and a woman's handbag.
Scully searched the bag for identification as Mulder quietly covered the bodies. Finding the woman's wallet she opened it, removed her driver's license and put it in the front pocket of Mulder's backpack.
"Why do I think we will be collecting a lot of those today Scully?" Mulder asked when she was through.
Scully smiled weakly at him. "Come on Mulder".
They walked by another half a dozen houses before reaching the main facility. Everyone was empty except for the remains of the occupants many of whom reeked of decay.
In each house Scully collected tissue samples while Mulder searched for identification and something with which to cover the bodies.
It was getting close to twelve when they reached the main entrance of the building that housed the research facilities. They paused to remove their backpacks which they hid behind a tree removing from them only what they thought they would need inside.
"Ready?" Mulder said looking at Scully.
She nodded and they walked through the large glass doors.
The room into which they walked was a small lobby with some sort of information desk sitting directly opposite of the doors. Scully walked over to it and peered over the counter quickly spotting the body of a uniformed guard.
She sighed and turned to Mulder gesturing to the two hallways on either side of the lobby. He nodded silently and held up ten fingers indicating to Scully that they would meet back in the lobby in ten minutes.
Scully barely nodded her acknowledgement as she drew out her weapon and proceeded down the left hallway.
The hallway was completely dark. Even the emergency lights were out. She pulled a flashlight from her pocket and snapped it on.
The hallway was long and very dark with no openings for quite a while. Finally she spotted a door and gently jiggled the handle. It was unlocked.
Opening the door she found herself in what appeared to be some sort of examination room complete with paper-covered table and blood pressure machine. What made this room different from her own doctor's office was the presence of the body curled up in a fetal position along the back wall.
Scully jumped a bit when the beam of light from her flashlight hit the body. It wasn't so much the fact that there was a body in the room, she had expected that, it was because the look on the victim's face depicted both pain and terror.
She shut the door murmuring a silent prayer that she and Mulder would not experience the same fate.
As she continued down the hallway, Scully became somewhat aware of a slight humming sound. The sound of machinery somewhere deep within the facility. Perhaps evidence that someone was still alive somewhere inside this building.
Scully was tempted to follow the sounds but knew that her ten minutes were nearly up. If she didn't return on time, Mulder would panic.
She reached the lobby and was surprised to find Mulder not there. Scully sighed assuming that Mulder had lost track of time the way he always did and decided to search the security officer's desk for any possible clues to the source of the sounds she had heard.
Scully was shuffling through papers with her back to the lobby when she heard the sounds of footsteps. She was about to say 'Mulder' but the word got caught in her throat when she realized who was standing only a few feet away from her.
Alex Krycek.
End of part one. Comments anyone?
End of part one . do you like it, let me know!