Part 16
"Now aren't you glad that I insisted on bringing this collapsible cart with us?", asks Scully as Mulder pulls it behind them. "I mean your bottles of iced tea must weigh twelve pounds alone."
"I'm not arguing Scully", says Mulder glancing around at the tropical trees. A parrot caws in the distance. "Where do you want to set up camp?"
"I don't know, do you feel comfortable camping in the middle of the amazon here or would you rather camp back at the beach where we landed?"
"Well, I don't think we're going to want to bake out in the sun. I think we would be less conspicuous hidden away out here somewhere. Besides, we aren't all that far from the beach in case we need to send a distress signal. Which reminds me. I did buy flares", replies Mulder.
A few minutes later the agents hear water running and come upon a natural spring its source being a waterfall. Tropical flowers and vines surround it. "Now this is paradise", says Scully as she leans down and runs a hand through the water. "I vote we set up camp......over"
"Here", says Mulder already unpacking their gear under three large palm trees.
"Why does it seem like you can always read my mind?", asks Scully coming over to stand beside him. She places her hands on her hips as he pulls the poles to the tent out of its bag.
"I can't always read your mind, trust me. If I did I would probably be a very bored man", replies Mulder screwing the poles together.
"What does that mean Mulder?", asks Scully.
"You always keep me guessing Scully", smiles Mulder. "Now do something useful and help me put the rest of this tent together. Scully rolls her eyes but assists him in completing the tent. After ten minutes the tent is completely put together.
"Mulder, this is not the tent on the picture", says Scully looking at the package. "I thought we agreed on the four person tent with a zippered partition. This tent is only for two people and there is *NO* divider!" She tosses the picture in his direction and he catches it in midair.
"Oh, damn I must have picked up the wrong package. Sorry Scully I guess that means I'll have to put up with your snoring. Don't worry I can live with it."
"My snoring! Thats hardly an issue here! I mean five days in a tent....a pup tent at best with you is going to cause me to go bonkers!", says an annoyed Scully.
"I know Scully it will be a challenge, but I know you can do it. Just don't concentrate on my chiseled body and I promise to not think about yours", says Mulder grabbing their sleeping bags and crawling into the tent.
"Mulder! This is totally inappropriate. I mean does Skinner even know we are on this trip? You haven't mentioned him at all." Mulder crawls out again.
"No, I didn't bother to tell him. I figured he wouldn't approve the case, so why change", says Mulder.
"Mulder, don't you think there is a remote possibility that Skinner may wonder we are? I mean we are going to be gone for what...seven days altogether?", asks Scully her eyes flashing.
"Oh, I didn't tell you? I put in vacation requests for the two of us. Don't worry Scully I have it covered. Listen, lets forget about Skinner for a while."
"I agree", says Scully turning and grabbing her suitcase and putting it in the tent. "I'm really hungry, why don't we have some lunch?"
"Good idea", says Mulder sitting down and leaning against one of the palm trees. "Woman, make me a sandwich." He closes his eyes to take a quick snooze when he feels something cold and wet falling over his face. He looks up to see an angry Scully pouring a bottle of iced tea over his head.
"Scully!", yells Mulder jumping to his feet.
"I'm not your woman Mulder", replies Scully turning away from him. He reaches out to stop her grabbing her wrist. He pulls her to him.
"Yes, but would you be if I wanted you to be? Thats the question Agent Scully", says Mulder.
"Mulder, stop kidding around", says Scully pushing her hands against Mulder's chest to get away. "This is not a game."
"I agree Scully I'm sick of playing games", replies Mulder tightening his grip on Scully's waist.
"Mulder, what are you saying?", asks Scully leaning back and looking at him.
"I'm saying Scully that I think its time that you and I......."
"Whats that sound?", asks Scully looking over her shoulder.
"I didn't hear anything", says Mulder in frustration as Scully disentangles herself from Mulder and moves toward the tent where she grabs her gun and circles the campsite aiming at every bush that moves.
"Scully, like I was saying......", continues Mulder.
"Ssssh", says Scully. "I think I heard something out there. After ten minutes she gives up and lowers her gun.
"Now what were you saying Mulder?", asks Scully approaching him.
"Forget it Scully, the thrill is gone", says Mulder walking away and digging through the bags of food. He pulls out his loaf of bread and the jar of peanut butter. "Damn I forgot to buy a knife to spread this." He gets up and reaches into his pocket pulling out a pocket knife which he opens with his teeth.
Scully stares at him as he does this and then walks over to pull out her loaf of wheat bread, a can of tuna and a can of peaches. She walks over to sit on a rock and she opens the loaf of bread pulling out two slices. She picks up the can of tuna and exclaims, "What the hell was I thinking?"
"What?", says Mulder unscrewing the top of the peanut butter jar.
"I forgot to bring a can opener Mulder", says Scully looking at the can and then at him.
"I tell you what, if you make me a sandwich I'll make yours", says Mulder approaching her and holding out the jar of peanut butter.
"You've got to be kidding? You are really determined to have me make a sandwich for you in this lifetime aren't you. Well, if you remember I already did! Remember that Tooms stakeout case? I made you a liverwurst sandwich or have you conveniently forgotten? Besides, I'll have yours made in two minutes and how in the world are you going to get my tuna and peaches open?"
"Just make me my peanut butter sandwich and let me worry about that", replies Mulder still holding out the peanut butter jar.
"Fine, whatever", replies Scully grabbing the jar out of his hand and handing him the cans. She gets up to go get his knife and bread.
Five minutes later Scully is spreading the peanut butter on the bread and glances up. "Mulder! Isn't there a better way?"
"Nope, its this way or no way Scully", says Mulder aiming his gun at the two cans sitting on top of the rock that Scully had just been sitting on. First he fires on the tuna can which splits open after falling to the ground. Next he fires on the peaches and juice sprays in all directions.
"Oh Mulder", says Scully sadly.
"Give me my sandwich Scully and oh your bread too", says Mulder.
Part 17
"Hey Joe, look at those fools! And you say they're supposed to be FBI agents? Man I feel real confident in our government: ,says Hank looking through the leaves of a large bush. He watches Mulder as he shoots a can of tuna off of the rock and as the two agents sit down to eat their sandwiches.
"Yeah, this is going to be really fun", replies Joe. "I mean we've gone undetected on this island for what, for two years now? No one even suspects that we're running a cocaine drug ring using that old wives tale. Hey, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"I just heard some twigs breaking over there", says Joe looking around nervously. "When is Jose coming?"
"Not for ..... eight more days", replies Hank counting on his fingers.
"Ahhhh.....Hank behind you!" Hank turns and is instantly beheaded by a machete. Joe cowers and backs away. "No, please....please don't do this", he begs as the machete closes in on him.
*********************************
The agents sit next to the spring finishing their lunch.
"Hows that peanut butter sandwich Mulder?", asks Scully.
"This is the best peanut butter sandwich I have ever eaten Scully", replies Mulder smacking his lips. "And how is the tuna?"
"Actually I think I picked up the wrong can, I swear it tastes like its smoked", says Scully smiling.
"I bet you CSM would really like it then", replies Mulder giving her a little playful elbow. He picks a white tropical flower and twirls it around in his fingers.
"His lungs probably look like that smoked herring that you always see in the deli", says Scully. "But anyway Mulder I really have to say that so far with the exception of the shark scare and the sunburn I find this atmosphere most refreshing." She closes her eyes and just listens. "This place has a sound to it all its own. Its quiet, but its full of noises just the same."
"Why Agent Scully, are you saying that I actually did something right for a change", asks Mulder with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"Well, I suppose there are worse places that we've wound up in before", says Scully turning to him. "We've been in danger of freezing more than once and I guess being stranded on a tropical island isn't so bad."
"Even with me?", asks Mulder looking her straight in the eye.
"Mulder, I've never said I didn't want to be with you, so don't even start with the guilt trip thing", says Scully. "You know there isn't anyone I would rather chase natives with than you."
"Is that all I am good for Scully? A companion to chase after weird stuff? Someone to fill your work schedule with? Do I fit in there somewhere between the electric pencil sharpener and the tape dispenser?"
"Mulder? Are you feeling neglected lately? Excuse me, did I forget today is National Feel Sorry for Mulder Day?" Mulder chuckles and looks around before looking at Scully again.
"No, I'm just wondering if you view me as a fixture in your life", replies Mulder.
"How do I view you? I view you as an asset......to me professionally and personally. You always are one step ahead of me on cases. I admit I stop to look at the science of it and you've already got it figured out before I can even get the lab results back. That is something that is invaluable to being a good agent Mulder."
"And personally? How do you view me personally?", asks Mulder leaning toward her and tucking the flower behind her ear.
"Personally? Um....you 're my strength, you're my best friend. You know that", mumbles Scully looking down.
"I'm your strength, but you know what I've been trying to tell you since New Years Scully?", asks Mulder.
"What?", asks Scully looking at him in suspicion. "This better not be true confessions because if you've been thinking what I think you've been thinking I don't want to hear this", says Scully rolling her eyes.
"No, you've got it all wrong Scully. I want to tell you that you are my one weakness in life."
"Your one weakness? Are you saying that I am a hindrance to your work? I know CSM is always trying to use me against you, but I never thought you viewed me in that way." She looks away with a tear in her eye. She bites her lip as she doesn't want him to see her emotional. "Scully, like I said you have it all wrong. I care about you and I want you to know that I......." Just then they hear a scream in the jungle. The two agents look at one another. "What was that?!", asks Mulder sarcastically.
"I don't know but it didn't sound like any parrot that I've heard before", says Scully getting quickly to her feet. She dusts herself off and watches as Mulder jogs over to the rock where they had left their guns. He grabs the two of them. Dashing back over to her he hands Scully her gun. He puts his finger to his lips as a signal of silence and makes a motion for her to follow. They move toward the sound of the scream with guns ready.
Part 18
Scully follows behind Mulder as they venture into the dense jungle. It seems like behind every bush is a potential target. She nearly crashes into Mulder when he stops.
"What is it?", she whispers.
He turns his head to look at her. "Something horrendous has happened. I can feel it." They walk about ten more yards when he stops again. Looking down into the path he covers his face with his hand and turns his face away in disgust.
"What do you see?", asks Scully attempting to look around him. She pushes past him. "Oh my God..........Mulder they've been decapitated."
"I can see that. The $10,000 question Scully is where are their heads?", asks Mulder as Scully kneels down and touches the hand of one of the bodies. It is lukewarm to the touch. Mulder kneels down and touches the hand of the other one.
"He feels like he has only been dead for a short time Mulder. He must have been who we heard screaming. What I can't understand is what they were doing out here?"
"Maybe they were on a three hour tour Scully. I've heard tour guides can be pretty demanding", replies Mulder.
"Mulder, I hardly think this island is in the Triple A brochure. Get serious, there are two dead bodies on an island that is supposed to be uninhabited. We've got a lot of things to work out. First we have to find out who these men are and get their bodies to the family members. Second we have to find out who did this and why."
"I agree. The other guy is cold. He must have been killed first ", says Mulder digging through the pockets of the body nearest him. He pulls out a wallet and flips it open. "Stanley MacKay, age 36, California license. Well he was definitely not a native Scully", says Mulder looking at her.
She raises her eyebrows and reaches into the other body's pocket. His license reveals that he is Joseph DeAngelis, age 32 and he comes from California as well. "It looks like Mr. DeAngelis was inhaling something recently", she says.
"You're incredible Scully. You can't even see his nose and you are able to determine that as a factor in the case", says Mulder shaking his head.
"I'm good, but not that good", says Scully holding a clear plastic bag in his face. "Cocaine and a lot of it. The street value is probably what both you and I make in six months.....together."
"Lets get back to the campsite and piece together the evidence. I think I'm already starting to see the starting of a profile here", says Mulder.
"We can't just leave them here Mulder", says Scully rising to her feet.
"What do you propose we do Scully? Drag them back to the campsite? I vote that we cover them with palm leaves and go back to camp. When we get back there I'll use the radio to send a chopper out and they'll take them back to California for proper identification", says Mulder rising to meet her.
"I suppose you're right. We can't do anything but call for backup", says Scully turning and pulling some large leaves off a nearby tree. She starts to cover the bodies.
"Scully, we don't need backup. We're only going to have the bodies picked up. I'm still the Special Agent in Charge of this case.......well we're co-Agents in Charge because its definitely an X-File. I don't want a bunch of incompetent idiots marching in here and ruining the chance of a lifetime", says Mulder pulling leaves off another palm tree in anger and tossing them onto the two corpses.
"Mulder, there is something serious going on here on this island and I'm not comfortable with us being out here alone now. I mean who would do something like this? You're the profiler.....tell me." She looks up at him for an explanation.
Mulder is tongue tied for a lack of words. He finally manages to say, "A sick person Scully. A very sick person. He puts his arm around her and leads her away from the bodies.
****************************
"This is Special Agent Fox Mulder on the island of Lani Lai. I repeat, can anyone hear me?" Mulder twists the control of the radio as he speaks into the receiver. "US Federal Agent seeks immediate assistance in homicide situation. Please copy." He sighs and throws the receiver to the ground.
"No luck?", asks Scully sitting down beside him.
"Nope. They assured me that this radio had a 150 mile range. I can't get one signal and no one responded at all", replies Mulder running a hand through his hair in frustration. "This is not good. If we do run into trouble we won't be getting any help until the chopper lands in four and half days." He turns to look at Scully who is staring into outerspace.
"We'll have to leave the bodies there then. There is nothing we can do", says Scully flatly. "I just hope there aren't any wild animals out there. Its getting dark."
"Yeah, well lets have a snack and hit the hay. Maybe tomorrow we can figure something out", says Mulder getting up and grabbing a bag of cookies. He comes back to Scully and sits down. "Do you want me to open another can of tuna for you?", he asks as he rips open the bag of cookies.
"No, we've got to conserve our ammo", says Scully reaching in the bag and pulling out a cookie. She nibbles it as she thinks to herself. Finally she notices Mulder's eyes start to droop. "Come on, you're going to fall over and take a nose dive into your cookies", says Scully getting up and pulling him up by the arm.
"Are you going to tuck me in Agent Scully", teases Mulder as he allows himself to be led over to the tent.
"Just get in the damn tent and crawl into your sleeping bag", says Scully as she opens the flap. Mulder enters the tent followed by Scully. "I said your sleeping bag Mulder."
Part 19
Scully is startled to awaken early in the morning by Mulder's snoring. She sighs and closes her eyes to try to get a little more sleep when Mulder starts to have a nightmare. She turns over and nearly gets punched in the face as he thrashes around. She grabs a small flashlight from under her pillow and flips it on.
"Samantha!", he yells. Obviously another nightmare about his sister being abducted she thinks as she shakes his shoulder.
"Mulder, wake up you are having a nightmare", she says gently as she tries to calm him. Finally after several moments his eyes pop open and he is disoriented.
"Scully?"
"Yes, its me Mulder. You're dreaming about Samantha again", replies Scully stroking his hair.
"Thats not the only thing I must be dreaming about right now", says Mulder. "Am I hallucinating Scully or are you in my bed?"
"We are on a case Mulder remember?", asks Scully as she quickly pulls her hand away. "You are in a tent in a sleeping bag and we just found two murdered men."
"Oh, yeah", says Mulder yawning. "Tomorrow we'll explore the island and try out the radio again." He rolls over on his side facing Scully and closes his eyes. She lays back down shutting off the flashlight she smiles.
**************************************
Later the same morning Scully awakens to the sensation of someone breathing in her ear. Reality sets in and she realizes that Mulder in his sleep has spooned himself against her. His face buried in her neck and his arm is tightened around her waist. 'Too bad I couldn't take his flirtations seriously', she thinks to herself.
"You awake Scully?"
She nearly jumps a foot in the air.
"Mulder, why didn't you say something earlier if you were awake", exclaims Scully not moving a muscle to even glance at him.
"I wanted to see how long you would let me stay here with you like this. You know Scully this feels right. Us out on a case, working together and finding out new things about each other."
"Like what Mulder", asks Scully curiously. "That you always made fun of me because I drool, but the truth of the matter is that you snore like a freight train and thrash around in your sleep?"
"Thats not what I mean Scully", says Mulder his breath against her neck causes her stomach to do a flip-flop.
"I'm not just talking about how well we work together. I recognize now that it would be even better if we could finally accept that our partnership is something that could be made even better by...." Just then the agents hear the sound of what could only be described as far-off drums.
"Mulder!", says Scully sitting up suddenly. Mulder is thrown off and his head hits the hard ground.
"Oww. Whats with the "perfect" timing on this trip", he mutters.
"Don't you hear those drums", asks Scully crawling out of her sleeping bag and reaching for the zipper of the flap. "Come on, we've got to find out where they are coming from."
"I think its a curse", says Mulder crawling out of his sleeping bag and grabbing their guns he follows her out of the tent.
"A curse?", says Scully turning to look at him. "A curse on what?"
"Me", replies Mulder.
Part 20
The agents cautiously walk through the forest with Mulder leading holding his gun out in front of him. All of a sudden a parrot flies out from a bush startling him. He gives Scully an embarrassed look and continues on a couple of steps before he stops.
"You know Scully this island is going to be really difficult to navigate. I think we need to mark our trail", says Mulder pulling out a bag of sunflower seeds and ripping it open with his teeth.
"You're going to mark our trail using sunflower seeds?", asks Scully.
"Why not?", asks Mulder dropping a couple and walking a few steps.
"Because Mulder I would rather not have my life depend on a few black and white striped food bits that are most likely not going to last ten minutes once we leave them behind. There are animals and birds everywhere. What tells you that they aren't going to eat them?"
"That only happens in movies Scully", replies Mulder as he continues to walk on.
Scully shakes her head and follows behind him. A moment a later a bird hops into view on the path.
"You know Mulder if we are really going to come into contact with this tribe there isn't any way that we are going to be able to communicate with them. They aren't going to know English or any of the romance languages for that matter."
"You know I have the same problem", says Mulder looking at her.
"You're right. The only language you speak is Martian", says Scully passing him and swatting a fly out of her face. She smacks another one off of her thigh.
"Did you bring bug spray?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah, but I forgot it in the tent. Maybe I should go back after it. You wait here I'll be right back", says Scully turning and walking in the direction they just came from.
"I'll go with you", says Mulder starting to follow.
"I'll be fine", says Scully giving him a look and indicating her gun in her hand. He relunctanly nods.
Scully trots back over the path that they have just taken. A bird flies out of her way as she follows the sunflower seeds. Just then the drums start playing again and she stops and looks back toward where she left Mulder. She bites her lip and turns to go get her bug spray when her vision blurs for a second. She shakes her head and closes her eyes a moment. Opening her eyes she stares at a palm tree that suddenly turns into two palm trees. Her palms start to sweat as her stomach threatens to rebel against her. She licks her lips and attempts to swallow but her throat feels constricted. She opens her mouth to call for Mulder but no sound comes out. Trees are now spinning as she falls to the ground. She turns over and struggles to rise to her knees, but darkness prevails.
**************************
Mulder glances at his watch. "Fifteen minutes, she has been gone fifteen minutes. Thats too long." He jogs down the path and stops when he sees the crumpled form of his favorite redhead lying on the ground ten yards in front of him. He dashes over to her side and pulls her into his arms resting her head on his knee.
"Scully? Scully, whats wrong?" He gently pats her face and then strokes the hair out of her eyes as she blinks.
"I don't know Mulder. I was just walking along and I got really cold, but my palms were sweating. I passed out", she says with a raspy voice. She struggles to swallow and closes her eyes. "Now I'm hot......I'm burning up Mulder", she whispers.
He feels her head and realizes that she is right. She has a temperature and a high one at that.
"I'm taking you back to the tent", he says putting his arm under her knees and lifting her into his arms.
"You've got to find out what those drums are. Our discovery can't be forgotten", says an insistent but weak Scully.
"To hell with the drums", replies Mulder as he carries her back toward their campsite.
"Now aren't you glad that I insisted on bringing this collapsible cart with us?", asks Scully as Mulder pulls it behind them. "I mean your bottles of iced tea must weigh twelve pounds alone."
"I'm not arguing Scully", says Mulder glancing around at the tropical trees. A parrot caws in the distance. "Where do you want to set up camp?"
"I don't know, do you feel comfortable camping in the middle of the amazon here or would you rather camp back at the beach where we landed?"
"Well, I don't think we're going to want to bake out in the sun. I think we would be less conspicuous hidden away out here somewhere. Besides, we aren't all that far from the beach in case we need to send a distress signal. Which reminds me. I did buy flares", replies Mulder.
A few minutes later the agents hear water running and come upon a natural spring its source being a waterfall. Tropical flowers and vines surround it. "Now this is paradise", says Scully as she leans down and runs a hand through the water. "I vote we set up camp......over"
"Here", says Mulder already unpacking their gear under three large palm trees.
"Why does it seem like you can always read my mind?", asks Scully coming over to stand beside him. She places her hands on her hips as he pulls the poles to the tent out of its bag.
"I can't always read your mind, trust me. If I did I would probably be a very bored man", replies Mulder screwing the poles together.
"What does that mean Mulder?", asks Scully.
"You always keep me guessing Scully", smiles Mulder. "Now do something useful and help me put the rest of this tent together. Scully rolls her eyes but assists him in completing the tent. After ten minutes the tent is completely put together.
"Mulder, this is not the tent on the picture", says Scully looking at the package. "I thought we agreed on the four person tent with a zippered partition. This tent is only for two people and there is *NO* divider!" She tosses the picture in his direction and he catches it in midair.
"Oh, damn I must have picked up the wrong package. Sorry Scully I guess that means I'll have to put up with your snoring. Don't worry I can live with it."
"My snoring! Thats hardly an issue here! I mean five days in a tent....a pup tent at best with you is going to cause me to go bonkers!", says an annoyed Scully.
"I know Scully it will be a challenge, but I know you can do it. Just don't concentrate on my chiseled body and I promise to not think about yours", says Mulder grabbing their sleeping bags and crawling into the tent.
"Mulder! This is totally inappropriate. I mean does Skinner even know we are on this trip? You haven't mentioned him at all." Mulder crawls out again.
"No, I didn't bother to tell him. I figured he wouldn't approve the case, so why change", says Mulder.
"Mulder, don't you think there is a remote possibility that Skinner may wonder we are? I mean we are going to be gone for what...seven days altogether?", asks Scully her eyes flashing.
"Oh, I didn't tell you? I put in vacation requests for the two of us. Don't worry Scully I have it covered. Listen, lets forget about Skinner for a while."
"I agree", says Scully turning and grabbing her suitcase and putting it in the tent. "I'm really hungry, why don't we have some lunch?"
"Good idea", says Mulder sitting down and leaning against one of the palm trees. "Woman, make me a sandwich." He closes his eyes to take a quick snooze when he feels something cold and wet falling over his face. He looks up to see an angry Scully pouring a bottle of iced tea over his head.
"Scully!", yells Mulder jumping to his feet.
"I'm not your woman Mulder", replies Scully turning away from him. He reaches out to stop her grabbing her wrist. He pulls her to him.
"Yes, but would you be if I wanted you to be? Thats the question Agent Scully", says Mulder.
"Mulder, stop kidding around", says Scully pushing her hands against Mulder's chest to get away. "This is not a game."
"I agree Scully I'm sick of playing games", replies Mulder tightening his grip on Scully's waist.
"Mulder, what are you saying?", asks Scully leaning back and looking at him.
"I'm saying Scully that I think its time that you and I......."
"Whats that sound?", asks Scully looking over her shoulder.
"I didn't hear anything", says Mulder in frustration as Scully disentangles herself from Mulder and moves toward the tent where she grabs her gun and circles the campsite aiming at every bush that moves.
"Scully, like I was saying......", continues Mulder.
"Ssssh", says Scully. "I think I heard something out there. After ten minutes she gives up and lowers her gun.
"Now what were you saying Mulder?", asks Scully approaching him.
"Forget it Scully, the thrill is gone", says Mulder walking away and digging through the bags of food. He pulls out his loaf of bread and the jar of peanut butter. "Damn I forgot to buy a knife to spread this." He gets up and reaches into his pocket pulling out a pocket knife which he opens with his teeth.
Scully stares at him as he does this and then walks over to pull out her loaf of wheat bread, a can of tuna and a can of peaches. She walks over to sit on a rock and she opens the loaf of bread pulling out two slices. She picks up the can of tuna and exclaims, "What the hell was I thinking?"
"What?", says Mulder unscrewing the top of the peanut butter jar.
"I forgot to bring a can opener Mulder", says Scully looking at the can and then at him.
"I tell you what, if you make me a sandwich I'll make yours", says Mulder approaching her and holding out the jar of peanut butter.
"You've got to be kidding? You are really determined to have me make a sandwich for you in this lifetime aren't you. Well, if you remember I already did! Remember that Tooms stakeout case? I made you a liverwurst sandwich or have you conveniently forgotten? Besides, I'll have yours made in two minutes and how in the world are you going to get my tuna and peaches open?"
"Just make me my peanut butter sandwich and let me worry about that", replies Mulder still holding out the peanut butter jar.
"Fine, whatever", replies Scully grabbing the jar out of his hand and handing him the cans. She gets up to go get his knife and bread.
Five minutes later Scully is spreading the peanut butter on the bread and glances up. "Mulder! Isn't there a better way?"
"Nope, its this way or no way Scully", says Mulder aiming his gun at the two cans sitting on top of the rock that Scully had just been sitting on. First he fires on the tuna can which splits open after falling to the ground. Next he fires on the peaches and juice sprays in all directions.
"Oh Mulder", says Scully sadly.
"Give me my sandwich Scully and oh your bread too", says Mulder.
Part 17
"Hey Joe, look at those fools! And you say they're supposed to be FBI agents? Man I feel real confident in our government: ,says Hank looking through the leaves of a large bush. He watches Mulder as he shoots a can of tuna off of the rock and as the two agents sit down to eat their sandwiches.
"Yeah, this is going to be really fun", replies Joe. "I mean we've gone undetected on this island for what, for two years now? No one even suspects that we're running a cocaine drug ring using that old wives tale. Hey, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"I just heard some twigs breaking over there", says Joe looking around nervously. "When is Jose coming?"
"Not for ..... eight more days", replies Hank counting on his fingers.
"Ahhhh.....Hank behind you!" Hank turns and is instantly beheaded by a machete. Joe cowers and backs away. "No, please....please don't do this", he begs as the machete closes in on him.
*********************************
The agents sit next to the spring finishing their lunch.
"Hows that peanut butter sandwich Mulder?", asks Scully.
"This is the best peanut butter sandwich I have ever eaten Scully", replies Mulder smacking his lips. "And how is the tuna?"
"Actually I think I picked up the wrong can, I swear it tastes like its smoked", says Scully smiling.
"I bet you CSM would really like it then", replies Mulder giving her a little playful elbow. He picks a white tropical flower and twirls it around in his fingers.
"His lungs probably look like that smoked herring that you always see in the deli", says Scully. "But anyway Mulder I really have to say that so far with the exception of the shark scare and the sunburn I find this atmosphere most refreshing." She closes her eyes and just listens. "This place has a sound to it all its own. Its quiet, but its full of noises just the same."
"Why Agent Scully, are you saying that I actually did something right for a change", asks Mulder with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"Well, I suppose there are worse places that we've wound up in before", says Scully turning to him. "We've been in danger of freezing more than once and I guess being stranded on a tropical island isn't so bad."
"Even with me?", asks Mulder looking her straight in the eye.
"Mulder, I've never said I didn't want to be with you, so don't even start with the guilt trip thing", says Scully. "You know there isn't anyone I would rather chase natives with than you."
"Is that all I am good for Scully? A companion to chase after weird stuff? Someone to fill your work schedule with? Do I fit in there somewhere between the electric pencil sharpener and the tape dispenser?"
"Mulder? Are you feeling neglected lately? Excuse me, did I forget today is National Feel Sorry for Mulder Day?" Mulder chuckles and looks around before looking at Scully again.
"No, I'm just wondering if you view me as a fixture in your life", replies Mulder.
"How do I view you? I view you as an asset......to me professionally and personally. You always are one step ahead of me on cases. I admit I stop to look at the science of it and you've already got it figured out before I can even get the lab results back. That is something that is invaluable to being a good agent Mulder."
"And personally? How do you view me personally?", asks Mulder leaning toward her and tucking the flower behind her ear.
"Personally? Um....you 're my strength, you're my best friend. You know that", mumbles Scully looking down.
"I'm your strength, but you know what I've been trying to tell you since New Years Scully?", asks Mulder.
"What?", asks Scully looking at him in suspicion. "This better not be true confessions because if you've been thinking what I think you've been thinking I don't want to hear this", says Scully rolling her eyes.
"No, you've got it all wrong Scully. I want to tell you that you are my one weakness in life."
"Your one weakness? Are you saying that I am a hindrance to your work? I know CSM is always trying to use me against you, but I never thought you viewed me in that way." She looks away with a tear in her eye. She bites her lip as she doesn't want him to see her emotional. "Scully, like I said you have it all wrong. I care about you and I want you to know that I......." Just then they hear a scream in the jungle. The two agents look at one another. "What was that?!", asks Mulder sarcastically.
"I don't know but it didn't sound like any parrot that I've heard before", says Scully getting quickly to her feet. She dusts herself off and watches as Mulder jogs over to the rock where they had left their guns. He grabs the two of them. Dashing back over to her he hands Scully her gun. He puts his finger to his lips as a signal of silence and makes a motion for her to follow. They move toward the sound of the scream with guns ready.
Part 18
Scully follows behind Mulder as they venture into the dense jungle. It seems like behind every bush is a potential target. She nearly crashes into Mulder when he stops.
"What is it?", she whispers.
He turns his head to look at her. "Something horrendous has happened. I can feel it." They walk about ten more yards when he stops again. Looking down into the path he covers his face with his hand and turns his face away in disgust.
"What do you see?", asks Scully attempting to look around him. She pushes past him. "Oh my God..........Mulder they've been decapitated."
"I can see that. The $10,000 question Scully is where are their heads?", asks Mulder as Scully kneels down and touches the hand of one of the bodies. It is lukewarm to the touch. Mulder kneels down and touches the hand of the other one.
"He feels like he has only been dead for a short time Mulder. He must have been who we heard screaming. What I can't understand is what they were doing out here?"
"Maybe they were on a three hour tour Scully. I've heard tour guides can be pretty demanding", replies Mulder.
"Mulder, I hardly think this island is in the Triple A brochure. Get serious, there are two dead bodies on an island that is supposed to be uninhabited. We've got a lot of things to work out. First we have to find out who these men are and get their bodies to the family members. Second we have to find out who did this and why."
"I agree. The other guy is cold. He must have been killed first ", says Mulder digging through the pockets of the body nearest him. He pulls out a wallet and flips it open. "Stanley MacKay, age 36, California license. Well he was definitely not a native Scully", says Mulder looking at her.
She raises her eyebrows and reaches into the other body's pocket. His license reveals that he is Joseph DeAngelis, age 32 and he comes from California as well. "It looks like Mr. DeAngelis was inhaling something recently", she says.
"You're incredible Scully. You can't even see his nose and you are able to determine that as a factor in the case", says Mulder shaking his head.
"I'm good, but not that good", says Scully holding a clear plastic bag in his face. "Cocaine and a lot of it. The street value is probably what both you and I make in six months.....together."
"Lets get back to the campsite and piece together the evidence. I think I'm already starting to see the starting of a profile here", says Mulder.
"We can't just leave them here Mulder", says Scully rising to her feet.
"What do you propose we do Scully? Drag them back to the campsite? I vote that we cover them with palm leaves and go back to camp. When we get back there I'll use the radio to send a chopper out and they'll take them back to California for proper identification", says Mulder rising to meet her.
"I suppose you're right. We can't do anything but call for backup", says Scully turning and pulling some large leaves off a nearby tree. She starts to cover the bodies.
"Scully, we don't need backup. We're only going to have the bodies picked up. I'm still the Special Agent in Charge of this case.......well we're co-Agents in Charge because its definitely an X-File. I don't want a bunch of incompetent idiots marching in here and ruining the chance of a lifetime", says Mulder pulling leaves off another palm tree in anger and tossing them onto the two corpses.
"Mulder, there is something serious going on here on this island and I'm not comfortable with us being out here alone now. I mean who would do something like this? You're the profiler.....tell me." She looks up at him for an explanation.
Mulder is tongue tied for a lack of words. He finally manages to say, "A sick person Scully. A very sick person. He puts his arm around her and leads her away from the bodies.
****************************
"This is Special Agent Fox Mulder on the island of Lani Lai. I repeat, can anyone hear me?" Mulder twists the control of the radio as he speaks into the receiver. "US Federal Agent seeks immediate assistance in homicide situation. Please copy." He sighs and throws the receiver to the ground.
"No luck?", asks Scully sitting down beside him.
"Nope. They assured me that this radio had a 150 mile range. I can't get one signal and no one responded at all", replies Mulder running a hand through his hair in frustration. "This is not good. If we do run into trouble we won't be getting any help until the chopper lands in four and half days." He turns to look at Scully who is staring into outerspace.
"We'll have to leave the bodies there then. There is nothing we can do", says Scully flatly. "I just hope there aren't any wild animals out there. Its getting dark."
"Yeah, well lets have a snack and hit the hay. Maybe tomorrow we can figure something out", says Mulder getting up and grabbing a bag of cookies. He comes back to Scully and sits down. "Do you want me to open another can of tuna for you?", he asks as he rips open the bag of cookies.
"No, we've got to conserve our ammo", says Scully reaching in the bag and pulling out a cookie. She nibbles it as she thinks to herself. Finally she notices Mulder's eyes start to droop. "Come on, you're going to fall over and take a nose dive into your cookies", says Scully getting up and pulling him up by the arm.
"Are you going to tuck me in Agent Scully", teases Mulder as he allows himself to be led over to the tent.
"Just get in the damn tent and crawl into your sleeping bag", says Scully as she opens the flap. Mulder enters the tent followed by Scully. "I said your sleeping bag Mulder."
Part 19
Scully is startled to awaken early in the morning by Mulder's snoring. She sighs and closes her eyes to try to get a little more sleep when Mulder starts to have a nightmare. She turns over and nearly gets punched in the face as he thrashes around. She grabs a small flashlight from under her pillow and flips it on.
"Samantha!", he yells. Obviously another nightmare about his sister being abducted she thinks as she shakes his shoulder.
"Mulder, wake up you are having a nightmare", she says gently as she tries to calm him. Finally after several moments his eyes pop open and he is disoriented.
"Scully?"
"Yes, its me Mulder. You're dreaming about Samantha again", replies Scully stroking his hair.
"Thats not the only thing I must be dreaming about right now", says Mulder. "Am I hallucinating Scully or are you in my bed?"
"We are on a case Mulder remember?", asks Scully as she quickly pulls her hand away. "You are in a tent in a sleeping bag and we just found two murdered men."
"Oh, yeah", says Mulder yawning. "Tomorrow we'll explore the island and try out the radio again." He rolls over on his side facing Scully and closes his eyes. She lays back down shutting off the flashlight she smiles.
**************************************
Later the same morning Scully awakens to the sensation of someone breathing in her ear. Reality sets in and she realizes that Mulder in his sleep has spooned himself against her. His face buried in her neck and his arm is tightened around her waist. 'Too bad I couldn't take his flirtations seriously', she thinks to herself.
"You awake Scully?"
She nearly jumps a foot in the air.
"Mulder, why didn't you say something earlier if you were awake", exclaims Scully not moving a muscle to even glance at him.
"I wanted to see how long you would let me stay here with you like this. You know Scully this feels right. Us out on a case, working together and finding out new things about each other."
"Like what Mulder", asks Scully curiously. "That you always made fun of me because I drool, but the truth of the matter is that you snore like a freight train and thrash around in your sleep?"
"Thats not what I mean Scully", says Mulder his breath against her neck causes her stomach to do a flip-flop.
"I'm not just talking about how well we work together. I recognize now that it would be even better if we could finally accept that our partnership is something that could be made even better by...." Just then the agents hear the sound of what could only be described as far-off drums.
"Mulder!", says Scully sitting up suddenly. Mulder is thrown off and his head hits the hard ground.
"Oww. Whats with the "perfect" timing on this trip", he mutters.
"Don't you hear those drums", asks Scully crawling out of her sleeping bag and reaching for the zipper of the flap. "Come on, we've got to find out where they are coming from."
"I think its a curse", says Mulder crawling out of his sleeping bag and grabbing their guns he follows her out of the tent.
"A curse?", says Scully turning to look at him. "A curse on what?"
"Me", replies Mulder.
Part 20
The agents cautiously walk through the forest with Mulder leading holding his gun out in front of him. All of a sudden a parrot flies out from a bush startling him. He gives Scully an embarrassed look and continues on a couple of steps before he stops.
"You know Scully this island is going to be really difficult to navigate. I think we need to mark our trail", says Mulder pulling out a bag of sunflower seeds and ripping it open with his teeth.
"You're going to mark our trail using sunflower seeds?", asks Scully.
"Why not?", asks Mulder dropping a couple and walking a few steps.
"Because Mulder I would rather not have my life depend on a few black and white striped food bits that are most likely not going to last ten minutes once we leave them behind. There are animals and birds everywhere. What tells you that they aren't going to eat them?"
"That only happens in movies Scully", replies Mulder as he continues to walk on.
Scully shakes her head and follows behind him. A moment a later a bird hops into view on the path.
"You know Mulder if we are really going to come into contact with this tribe there isn't any way that we are going to be able to communicate with them. They aren't going to know English or any of the romance languages for that matter."
"You know I have the same problem", says Mulder looking at her.
"You're right. The only language you speak is Martian", says Scully passing him and swatting a fly out of her face. She smacks another one off of her thigh.
"Did you bring bug spray?", asks Mulder.
"Yeah, but I forgot it in the tent. Maybe I should go back after it. You wait here I'll be right back", says Scully turning and walking in the direction they just came from.
"I'll go with you", says Mulder starting to follow.
"I'll be fine", says Scully giving him a look and indicating her gun in her hand. He relunctanly nods.
Scully trots back over the path that they have just taken. A bird flies out of her way as she follows the sunflower seeds. Just then the drums start playing again and she stops and looks back toward where she left Mulder. She bites her lip and turns to go get her bug spray when her vision blurs for a second. She shakes her head and closes her eyes a moment. Opening her eyes she stares at a palm tree that suddenly turns into two palm trees. Her palms start to sweat as her stomach threatens to rebel against her. She licks her lips and attempts to swallow but her throat feels constricted. She opens her mouth to call for Mulder but no sound comes out. Trees are now spinning as she falls to the ground. She turns over and struggles to rise to her knees, but darkness prevails.
**************************
Mulder glances at his watch. "Fifteen minutes, she has been gone fifteen minutes. Thats too long." He jogs down the path and stops when he sees the crumpled form of his favorite redhead lying on the ground ten yards in front of him. He dashes over to her side and pulls her into his arms resting her head on his knee.
"Scully? Scully, whats wrong?" He gently pats her face and then strokes the hair out of her eyes as she blinks.
"I don't know Mulder. I was just walking along and I got really cold, but my palms were sweating. I passed out", she says with a raspy voice. She struggles to swallow and closes her eyes. "Now I'm hot......I'm burning up Mulder", she whispers.
He feels her head and realizes that she is right. She has a temperature and a high one at that.
"I'm taking you back to the tent", he says putting his arm under her knees and lifting her into his arms.
"You've got to find out what those drums are. Our discovery can't be forgotten", says an insistent but weak Scully.
"To hell with the drums", replies Mulder as he carries her back toward their campsite.