Part 25
Meanwhile Alex Krycek is sitting at a computer and is engrossed with Mulder's X-Files. It sounds more like a book of short stories, but it can't be. "I knew Mulder investigated some weird stuff, but this stuff is unreal!" All of a sudden theres a beep and the screen goes black. A green spiral starts forming on the screen and grows until it fills the screen. Finally a bunch of little dancing aliens come on the screen holding little signs that say: "Better luck next time sucker!" Krycek slams his fist on top of the monitor and picks up the phone. "They've played us like fools. The disk is bogus", he says.
CSM leans back in his chair on the other end of the line. "You can't salvage it?"
"There's nothing to salvage. Its even got a sucker message at the end", says Krycek waving his hand at the screen as the aliens turn around and moon him.
"Well we have no choice then. I'll make the arrangements", CSM hangs up. He lights up another cigarette and picks up the phone. "Yes, I need you there around 7:30. No, don't make any contact with me at all. I am attending as a government official. I don't want myself connected with the hit. You're going to have to be extremely creative as security is going to be tight. The President will be there, but remember you're going after the FBI agent." He hangs up and inhales his cigarette as he stares at the tuxedo hanging on his door.
**********************
6:00 PM
The Lone Gunmen stand back and examine their project.
"Does it fit all right?", ask Byers.
"Yeah, except the pants are tight", says Mulder slapping Byers on the back. Byers stands there not understanding what Mulder is implying.
"Never mind Byers."
"So let me get this straight. You are going to show up at this charity ball when everyone may think that you are dead and you are going to announce to everyone that you have made some soul searching decisions?", asks Frohike watching Mulder adjust his tuxedo tie in a mirror.
"Yeah, thats pretty much it", says Mulder wincing as he touches the purplish bruise on the left side of his forehead.
"You better have a doctor look at that later", says Langley.
"I plan on getting a complete body physical", grins Mulder.
"That would probably be a good idea", says Frohike not having a clue what Mulder means.
"Can you guys give me a lift over to the hotel? I don't feel like driving a car. I'm going to be lucky just getting inside the building.
"Sure, our van is parked just outside", says Langley as the four of them head to the door.
"You know I called Agent Scully and offered myself as an escort for tonight", says Frohike. "She never called me back. I was quite hurt."
"She probably feels intimidated by you Frohike", says Mulder.
"You know what? Thats what I thought.", replies Frohike as Mulder closes the door behind them.
****************************
7:00 PM
Scully is extremely proud of how well everything has gone in planning the event. The tables are beautiful. There are silver, gold and red steamers and balloons everywhere. A new band had been arranged but they seemed to be familiar with all types of music and no one would be disappointed. The tables were ready for the hundreds of guests that would be arriving within a half an hour. The food smelled delicious that came from the kitchen. All in all it was going to be a beautiful evening for any of the couples that would be coming, but for herself she knew it would be a heartwrenching evening. She planned on skipping as soon as she could. She hadn't had time to give away Mulder's second ticket so she had left it at the entrance with the instructions that if anyone needed it to please give it away. She sits down at the nearest table to the stage to await.
************************
7:15 PM
Two security guards are hanging around the back entrance to the hotel. "I'm going in Ed, we're going to start the briefing about now. The President is coming exactly at 7:30 so we've got to be ready."
"Yeah, I just want to finish my cigarette. There won't be time for another one tonight, I can tell you that." His friend leaves and he takes a couple more drags and pokes his foot against a concrete block. Just then he hears something and turns. He gets pistol-whipped with a gun. Ten minutes later he is tied up in a bush in his underwear.
************************
Skinner and his wife Sharon walk into the ballroom and smile at one another. "I'm so glad that we could reconcile our differences", she says.
"I know. I just wish I didn't cause you such heartache", says Skinner kissing her on the cheek. "Look theres Agent Scully. Lets go sit with her." They approach Scully and sit at her table. Scully seems to be handling it well until she brings up the subject.
"Has there been any word about Agent Mulder?"
"No", sighs Skinner.
Meanwhile Alex Krycek is sitting at a computer and is engrossed with Mulder's X-Files. It sounds more like a book of short stories, but it can't be. "I knew Mulder investigated some weird stuff, but this stuff is unreal!" All of a sudden theres a beep and the screen goes black. A green spiral starts forming on the screen and grows until it fills the screen. Finally a bunch of little dancing aliens come on the screen holding little signs that say: "Better luck next time sucker!" Krycek slams his fist on top of the monitor and picks up the phone. "They've played us like fools. The disk is bogus", he says.
CSM leans back in his chair on the other end of the line. "You can't salvage it?"
"There's nothing to salvage. Its even got a sucker message at the end", says Krycek waving his hand at the screen as the aliens turn around and moon him.
"Well we have no choice then. I'll make the arrangements", CSM hangs up. He lights up another cigarette and picks up the phone. "Yes, I need you there around 7:30. No, don't make any contact with me at all. I am attending as a government official. I don't want myself connected with the hit. You're going to have to be extremely creative as security is going to be tight. The President will be there, but remember you're going after the FBI agent." He hangs up and inhales his cigarette as he stares at the tuxedo hanging on his door.
**********************
6:00 PM
The Lone Gunmen stand back and examine their project.
"Does it fit all right?", ask Byers.
"Yeah, except the pants are tight", says Mulder slapping Byers on the back. Byers stands there not understanding what Mulder is implying.
"Never mind Byers."
"So let me get this straight. You are going to show up at this charity ball when everyone may think that you are dead and you are going to announce to everyone that you have made some soul searching decisions?", asks Frohike watching Mulder adjust his tuxedo tie in a mirror.
"Yeah, thats pretty much it", says Mulder wincing as he touches the purplish bruise on the left side of his forehead.
"You better have a doctor look at that later", says Langley.
"I plan on getting a complete body physical", grins Mulder.
"That would probably be a good idea", says Frohike not having a clue what Mulder means.
"Can you guys give me a lift over to the hotel? I don't feel like driving a car. I'm going to be lucky just getting inside the building.
"Sure, our van is parked just outside", says Langley as the four of them head to the door.
"You know I called Agent Scully and offered myself as an escort for tonight", says Frohike. "She never called me back. I was quite hurt."
"She probably feels intimidated by you Frohike", says Mulder.
"You know what? Thats what I thought.", replies Frohike as Mulder closes the door behind them.
****************************
7:00 PM
Scully is extremely proud of how well everything has gone in planning the event. The tables are beautiful. There are silver, gold and red steamers and balloons everywhere. A new band had been arranged but they seemed to be familiar with all types of music and no one would be disappointed. The tables were ready for the hundreds of guests that would be arriving within a half an hour. The food smelled delicious that came from the kitchen. All in all it was going to be a beautiful evening for any of the couples that would be coming, but for herself she knew it would be a heartwrenching evening. She planned on skipping as soon as she could. She hadn't had time to give away Mulder's second ticket so she had left it at the entrance with the instructions that if anyone needed it to please give it away. She sits down at the nearest table to the stage to await.
************************
7:15 PM
Two security guards are hanging around the back entrance to the hotel. "I'm going in Ed, we're going to start the briefing about now. The President is coming exactly at 7:30 so we've got to be ready."
"Yeah, I just want to finish my cigarette. There won't be time for another one tonight, I can tell you that." His friend leaves and he takes a couple more drags and pokes his foot against a concrete block. Just then he hears something and turns. He gets pistol-whipped with a gun. Ten minutes later he is tied up in a bush in his underwear.
************************
Skinner and his wife Sharon walk into the ballroom and smile at one another. "I'm so glad that we could reconcile our differences", she says.
"I know. I just wish I didn't cause you such heartache", says Skinner kissing her on the cheek. "Look theres Agent Scully. Lets go sit with her." They approach Scully and sit at her table. Scully seems to be handling it well until she brings up the subject.
"Has there been any word about Agent Mulder?"
"No", sighs Skinner.