Chapter 4

The trip to the store was a quiet one, only the sounds of Bill Scully's angry sighs to break up the silence. Much to Mulder's surprise, the man didn't say anything after being told about the hostage situation. However, he now seems to be ready to get it all off his chest.

"What's with the huffing, Bill?" Mulder finally asks him, his nerves too rattled to try and be diplomatic. "If you have something to say, then go ahead and say it."

"You're right, *Fox*. There is something on my mind."

Mulder has to work hard at not cringing at the sound of his first name said in such a taunting manner. It's bullies like Bill that made his grade school days a living nightmare.

"I'm thinking that you're like a poison, killing everything that you touch. My sister can't even enjoy a holiday with her family without you being around and something terrible happening."

"Unbelievable," Mulder chuckles, although his mood is far from amused. "You've figured out a way to blame *this* on me. Tell me something, Bill. What's it like in that warped mind of yours? How in the world can you blame me for your sister getting taken hostage? What kind of part could I have possibly played in this scenario?"

"You, Mr. Mulder, are a curse hanging over her head. And as long as you're in her life, she'll continue to fall victim. Why don't you do us all a favor and just get out of her life while she still has a life she can live."

"Listen, your sister has chosen me to be in her life because she wants me to be in her life. She loves me, Bill. And I love her."

Mulder parks as close to the store as he can and stops the car, pulling his badge out of his pocket for easier access.

"I don't care what you think about me. I don't care how much you want me out of your sister's life. Just know that I would do anything for her, Bill. That includes going in there right now and doing whatever it takes to get her out. *Whatever* it takes, even if it means giving up my life. Because without her, my life wouldn't be worth much anyway. That's how much I love her. And if you don't think she deserves someone who loves her at least that much, then that's just too bad."

Mulder stomps off, leaving a stunned Bill sitting in the car. He marches over to the man barking out the orders, figuring him to be in charge.

"Agent Mulder, FBI," he says, holding out his badge for the man. "Are you in charge here?"

"Simmons, DC Metro Police," the man returns the greeting. "I didn't realize the FBI had been called in."

"Not officially. But we believe one of ours is in there," Mulder explains quickly, hoping the man doesn't notice the quivering in his voice. "Can you tell me what's going on inside?"

"The guy's name is Alan Boon. He's a nobody. As far as we can tell, this is the first he's ever done anything like this. Definitely out of his league. Here's the information we were able to print out."

The man gives Mulder that stack of papers and continues, taking him to the surveillance van filled with video equipment.

"We also know what's going on inside by tapping into the store's security cameras. We can see and hear everything that's happening in there. That must be your agent."

He points to Scully on the screen and Mulder flinches, seeing her tied up and helpless. He closes his eyes and nods briefly, taking a deep breath to get his wits about him.

"She's good. She's holding everything together in there. She almost managed to talk him into letting them go, but those two bozos keep on trying to play hero. Our perp's pretty upset now. We may have to gas the place and go in."

"Is that the only way to get them out of there?" Bill asks, startling both Mulder and Simmons.

They turn around to the new voice asking the question. Mulder's about to ask him what he's doing there when the policeman voices the question first.

"Sir, this is a restricted area. Are you with the press?"

"He's with me," Mulder says between clenched teeth, wondering how Bill got past the other officers. But he can't think too much on that. He has concerns with the police's plan of attack. "Sir, like my colleage just said, are you sure that's the best way to get them out? He seems pretty unpredictable. How do you know he won't start shooting blindly once the gas hits? How can you assure the safety of those hostages?"

"Well, if we don't get them out of there quickly, there's no telling what he'll do," Simmons argues. "A fast strike is our best chance of getting in there with the chance of only minor casualties."

"That's unacceptable! I will not have you putting my partner's life in jeopardy. There has to be another way," Mulder practically begs. "How about the negotiator? You said before the suspect was almost convinced to let them go. Why not send in someone to talk to him."

"The negotiator's en route. Even still, I won't put an officer at unnecessary risk like that. It would be like giving the guy another hostage."

"Then I'll do it. I'll go in and talk to him," Mulder offers.

"Agent Mulder, you can't . . . "

"Just watch me," he growls, grabbing a vest from the back of the van. He takes off his shirt to fit the vest underneath and then relinquishes his weapon. "Let him know I'm coming in."

He cautiously makes his way to the store, listening as the officer calls out with the megaphone that someone's coming in to talk to him about his demands. Mulder can't help but shiver with nervous fright, afraid for the lives now in his hands. Without thought, he sends up a quick prayer to a God he's not sure he believes in that everything will turn out all right.

End Chapter 4