September 3rd 3:30 PM Skinner's Office
"I've read your reports," Skinner closes the file he's been looking at, "How's your lone gunman doing?"
"He's doing fine, his wounds are painful, but healing nicely." Scully replied. Surprised at the AD's concern.
"And Modell is at Ironwood in a real comma, this time?" Skinner leans back in his chair.
"Yes, Dr. Collins says it's a matter of days before he is gone." One person Mulder won't mind being gone.
"Who idea was the hypnotize block with the subliminal audio activation trigger?" Skinner sounded a bit pissed " and how the hell did you know it would work?"
"Well, " Mulder shot an, oboy - another - reprimand, look at Scully " We didn't sir, we did know if we didn't accept his challenge, innocent people would die and he would taunt us with that information until we did play his game. We guessed a mind block on a mind control would be our only chance and it was more like."
"I know " Skinner waved a halting hand " I read the file. You two took a big risk." Skinner had that look a parent often gets. Amazed at what his agents had pulled off and at the same time angry as hell at the risk they chose to take to protect the public from this madman.
The momentary silence from her boss seemed like a good time to inquire, " Will that be all. Sir? "
" No, There is one more matter to be addressed" Skinner stood and reach down to bring up a file storage box, he sat on his desk. "Take a look."
Mulder and Scully both raised and approached the desk, Mulder took the lid off the box, reached in and pulled out a plain looking VCR tape.
The only identifying mark was a date on the label. "Sir? What are these?" Mulder was confused.
" I received these from a courier last week."
"And they are tapes of." Scully began, but Skinner finished " You and Mulder. Modell's personal surveillance, for, well, way to long."
Having the rug pulled out from under you by a madman in a coma is just too damn screwed up.
" I guess he wanted to win at anyway he could. I'm guessing he figured if he died or somehow lost, he had information here that would harm you two."
"Guessing Sir? Haven't you watched the tapes?"
"No. They are yours to deal with and dispose. I don't need a madman's point of view on two of the bureaus finest agents.
The tapes won't be in my report, as they don't exist. Understood?"
"Yes Sir, Thank you Sir" Mulder dropped the tape in the box, threw the lid on and headed to the door. As they exited the office Skinner looked down at his desk to hide a smile, dropping the file in his drawer on top of a familiar looking VCR tape.
As Skinner's office door closed, and they made their way down the hall Mulder spoke. "Scully, you know Frohike gets my video collection when I die, so we could just throw these in there."
"Oh, no, no not going to happen."
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