Part 41
Mulder awakens with a splitting headache and realizes he is strapped down on a gurney. He attempts to yell some profanities but the attempt is useless as his mouth has been taped shut. He lifts his head and frantically looks around for Scully. He doesn't see her and his heart rate increases. He pulls on his restraints causing a racket. Just then a couple of medical attendants enter wheeling Scully in on another gurney. Her eyes are closed and he can't tell if she is breathing. He starts to struggle again and he sends a death glare in their direction as they position her gurney next to his. He forgets them for a moment before as he studies Scully lying next to him. 'Come on Scully, wake up!', he silently pleads.
One of the attendants walks over to him. "Well our male specimen has awaken a little too early." He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a syringe which he fills with a clear liquid. "Help me hold him down", he tells the other man as they walk toward Mulder who immediately starts squirming.
'What the hell do you think you're doing', silently screams Mulder as they approach him.
"This could be interesting", says the one with the needle. "Take the tape off a minute and let him say what he wants to. We need to document the entire process and the subjects' reactions to our experiments in order to gain knowledge of how they interact with each other. " The other man removes the tape from Mulder's mouth."
"What the $^#@$&** do you think you're doing to us? What the hell gives you the right to take us and inject us with God knows what? What did you do to Scully? Whats wrong with her? If you hurt her you are dead, do you understand me? Get that f*** needle away from me", he continues to yell and struggle against the restraints.
"Thats enough", says the man with the needle. "Replace the tape and record in his file that he shows a high level of hostility to us, much like that his female counterpart." He holds up the syringe and pushes it until it is ready.
"These two are quite aggressive, are you sure you want to mass produce this race?, asks the other man as he holds Mulder down.
"We need power over them to force them to assist us in the colonization process. Its the only way", says the man as he injects Mulder with the shot. Mulder frowns as he listens to their conversation before he goes into a deep sleep.
***************************************************************
Scully awakens to the sound of drums and a splitting headache and feeling of nausea. She finds herself tied up on her stomach on some type of grass mat. Its dark and she listens for any sounds that can distinguish whats going on. "Mulder? Mulder!", she hisses in the darkness. She hears a groan from a couple of feet away from her.
"Mulder wake up", she whispers. "We've got to get out of here." She painfully rolls towards the sounds of Mulder until her body slams into his.
"Oww", mumbles Mulder with his face in his own mat.
"Are you all right", asks Scully.
"I *feel* like hell", says Mulder. "What kinda drug was that? I don't know about you, but I had some very disturbing dreams."
"What kind of dreams Mulder?", teases Scully.
"Not those kind of dreams", replies Mulder. "More like being laid out on the table being experimented on, but it wasn't my brain they were interested in this time."
Scully frowns. "I didn't have any dreams. I just woke up there on my mat."
Mulder struggles to roll over on his side. "Turn around Scully."
"Mulder, I don't think this is the time to be trying to put the moves on me", replies Scully.
"Like I could. Scully my hands are *tied* behind my back. If we lie back to back maybe we could work on each other's knots."
"Good thinking Mulder", replies Scully turning over and reaching for Mulder's hands. "Hey, you are supposed to be untying", says Scully.
"Can't blame a man for trying", jokes Mulder as he works on the knots. Finally after a half an hour the two have their hands free. They sit up and work on their feet. Mulder reaches in his pocket for a flashlight which amazingly is still there.
"Thats odd", says Scully untying her feet.
"What?", replies Mulder pulling off the rope from his feet and throwing it aside.
"My shoes are double knotted. I never tie my shoes that way", says Scully.
"Maybe the natives did it so you wouldn't lose them", says Mulder knowing its a lame excuse even after he said it. A picture of Scully on a gurney flashes through his brain and he shakes it away.
"How are we going to get out of here", asks Scully.
Just then a native comes into the tent and Mulder knocks him in the head with the flashlight. He looks out and sees another one guarding their hut. Looking around he grabs this one and pulls him into the hut too and knocks him out. He starts to pull off the headdress of one as Scully stops him.
"Mulder, you don't actually expect us to sneak out of here wearing their clothing do you?", she asks.
"It worked in the Wizard of Oz Scully", replies Mulder. Just then a huge thunderclap sounds with a huge bolt of lightning illuminating the perimeter of the hut. "Besides, its dark and they'll never know its us." He pulls off the ceremonial robe of one of the natives and puts it around Scully. "Actually you'll fit right in Scully, judging by the length of these robes I can only guess that our clan here is on the shorter side. I wonder if they're related to the Pygmies."
"Mulder...", starts Scully just as a headdress is plopped on her head.
"Scully...do you trust me?", asks Mulder as he puts on his own robe and headdress.
"You're asking me that now? When we're dressed in a bunch of feathers? Why do I feel the need to throw a jar of tar over my head?", asks Scully sarcastically.
"Forget about trusting me, just cooperate with me", says Mulder looking out the entrance of the tent and motioning her over. "Okay, we go towards those rocks and then if the coast is clear we run for those trees back to the campsite." Another thunderbolt hits. Scully comes to stand behind him. She gently rests her head against his back.
"Mulder, I do trust you", she says softly. He turns and she looks up at him.
He grins at her. "You look cute in feathers", he says as he pulls her out of the hut.
"Just *don't* call me your chickadee", she replies.
Part 42
The agents have made it to the rock and glance at one another before dashing to the trees. Once he realizes that they are out of sight of the village Mulder tosses the headdress aside and turns to Scully. "We made it Scully", he says turning to her and helping her with her own disguise. She nods and looks over at the fire burning bright in the middle of the village.
"We can't stay here Mulder. They may realize we are gone at anytime, besides the storm is going to hit at any second." She shivers. "I have a feeling we're being watched and I don't like it." Mulder puts his arm around her and flips on the flashlight. He leads her into the jungle looking over his shoulder every few minutes. He stops in frustration as he tries to get his bearings of where they are.
"That tree.....that tree looks like", begins Mulder.
"Like the one that we passed five times the other night", says Scully. "I know where we're going." She passes him and motions for him to follow.
"I love a woman that takes the lead", says Mulder following. Finally they reach the cave as another thunderbolt hits. Immediately it starts to pour. "Why does it seem like it rains a lot when we're together", asks Mulder.
"I don't know Mulder, maybe someone knows up there thinks there is a fire waiting to be put out", replies Scully suggestively moving backwards into the cave.
"Is that a proposition Agent Scully?", asks Mulder following her inside.
"Now thats the truth Agent Mulder", laughs Scully.
Some foliage moves beside the entrance of the cave and a figure steps out dressed in the tribe's costumes. He removes his headdress and smiles his evil grin and walks back into the jungle. He knows where they are camping now. He will come back tomorrow and take the woman. He knows that the man cannot live without her and as in the past she is the one that they need to go after.
*******************************************
Meanwhile in Honolulu Skinner has met up with the Lone Gunmen in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. The Gunmen look like typical tourists with Hawaiian shirts, shorts and leis. Langly sips a cocktail out of a coconut. Skinner gives him an annoyed look.
"I'm just trying to look in character", says Langly calmly sipping his drink.
"I've already called Craig at the helicopter company and he said that he dropped Mulder and Scully off on the island called Lani Lai", says Skinner. "Apparently they have been on the island for about four days now and he wasn't scheduled to pick them up until the day after tomorrow. I'm not sure if we should just wait and I will accompany him, or I should have him fly out there tomorrow morning. What do you think?"
"You're asking us G-Man?", asks Frohike. "Since when do we have a say in what goes down in a federal investigation. I'm sure Kersh would like to hear that you're taking advice from us."
"How do you know about Kersh", asks Skinner confused.
"We know all a lot that you aren't aware of", continues Frohike.
"Hey we broke into the National Center for UFO research and found out that the President is a subscriber to their newsletter", says Langly.
Skinner rolls his eyes. "He probably gets a complementary copy. A lot of people do. I have a copy in my bathroom."
"You have no respect for good literature", says Frohike. "We need to get Mulder back and I mean soon."
"Getting back to our plan, what would you think would be the best bet?", asks Skinner.
"I say we go in there tonight before anything happens", says Frohike. "The sooner the better."
"I vote for tomorrow morning", says Byers.
"I agree", says Langly. "I can't imagine how a few more hours is going to make a major difference, besides we will have the advantage of daylight.
"Okay, tomorrow morning it is", says Skinner looking at his watch. "Its about 8 pm now. Meet me here in the lobby at about 7 am. I'll call Craig back and let him know we want to get out there tomorrow. He nods at the Lone Gunmen and heads off to his room.
"Thanks a lot guys", says Frohike. "I think we should have been out there tonight."
"Are you sure you don't have alterior motives", asks Byers. "You've been acting strange ever since we went to Mulder's apartment."
"I'm just concerned for Dana's welfare", says Frohike.
"Mulder is with her", says Langly.
"Thats what I'm worried about", says Frohike heading off in the direction of their room.
Part 43
"We've only got twenty-four hours left Scully", says Mulder as they peer out the opening of the cave to a raging rainstorm.
"If this continues for much longer Mulder the helicopter won't even be able to find the beach", says Scully. "We could be stuck here for a couple of more days."
"Look on the bright side Scully", says Mulder putting his arm around her. "I'm actually going to stay put for a few hours. No chasing aliens or lost tribes for a while hours." Scully rolls her eyes.
"It would take a hurricane to get you to stop running", says Scully. "I wonder if the laptop ran down on its battery. I haven't made any notations since we got here." She pulls away and comes back with her laptop. Sitting down in the entrance she flips it open and smiles. "Its still working. I estimate I have about three hours of typing time left." She starts to type away on the keys.
"Well since you've decided to ditch me for one of your reports, I'm going to read", says Mulder opening a book.
"More about the Dogma tribe Mulder", asks Scully raising her eyebrow. "I think we've heard enough about tribes for a while."
"No, its about poltergeists", says Mulder flipping a page.
"And I suppose you're going to give me a history lesson", says Scully pausing to look at him before she starts to type again.
"No, I wouldn't want to *bore* you", replies Mulder.
"Okay Mulder, lets have it", says Scully flipping the laptop shut and staring at him.
"Well I wouldn't want to interrupt your little report writing project", says Mulder innocently.
"Mulder....", says Scully.
"Well if you insist Scully. Activities of poltergeists have been documented since ancient times. The actual word poltergeist is derived from the German words polter and geist which literally translates into "racketing ghost" as poltergeists are not shy. They are said to cause knocking, rapping, trampling and can set fires, hurl stones, break dishes, bang doors, jiggle latches, open windows and doors, overturn and displace furniture and can shake and levitate beds and their occupants."
"Mulder, you just said that in one breath", says Scully.
"I'm just getting started Scully", smiles Mulder. "Often the poltergeist will connect with one person, often a adolescent boy or girl in the residence and will follow that person wherever they go. Incidents actually decrease as the person leaves a specific location and then resume when they return. With this outlook its enough to assume that the poltergeist has actually formed a psychic connection to the person and the need to stay with them is overwhelming."
"I knew what you are going to say......", says Scully putting her chin in her hand.
"You know me too well Scully. Parapsychologists can't explain the poltergeists' abilities to move objects in a manner that defies the laws gravity. They can only hypothesize that these feats are caused by *PK or psychokinesis*. Even the best people that hold this talent can't perform the feats that poltergeists do. These people have been studied in laboratories Scully and no one can prove them wrong. Some have been even scrutinized by professional magicians."
"Mulder, I'd like your book to disappear", smiles Scully. "If I said agra-ca-dab-ra and wave my magic pen and it disappears would you say I have telepathic powers."
"No Scully I would just say you are anti-literacy", replies Mulder. "Besides, what else could I expect? You are laughing at me and I don't appreciate it. I need to take a walk." He gets up and grabs a jacket and puts it over his head.
"You've got to be kidding me", says Scully. "Its pouring out there Mulder. We may even be having a hurricane. If you go out there you may just blow away."
"Maybe I'll land somewhere over the rainbow", says Mulder as he leaves.
Scully watches him go. "Don't pick up any munchkins............unless you see a Dunkin Donuts."
Part 44
"What do you mean we can't leave this morning!", yells Skinner to Craig from the helicopter service.
"I can't take the chance", says Craig firmly. "The winds are upwards to sixty miles per hour. I'm not flying out over the ocean in that. We'll have to wait a couple of hours and see how it goes. If the winds die to about thirty-five or forty, maybe we can take a shot."
"Great, just great", sneers Skinner. "I'll be back in two hours." He turns from the counter of the helicopter agency and walks to the door. He opens his umbrella and heads to the Saturn that he and the Lone Gunmen have rented. He gets into the driver's seat and shuts the door.
"Whats the story AD?", asks Frohike from the backseat.
"We can't take off yet. We're going to have to wait a couple of hours for it to let down. The weather is too bad and I have to admit he is right. I almost got blown over trying to get to the car. You would have to be crazy to be out in something like this.
**************************************************
Mulder trudges along in the rain. He is soaked to the skin and he wonders why he wanted to come out here. He is drawn to the tribe's site and doesn't see any activity. Actually iit is silent and becoming curious he wanders in and cautiously circles the parameter of the hut that Scully and himself had been held captive in. He slowly opens the flap and glances in.
"What the hell?", he asks himself. He glances around and all of the tribal outfits are hung around on hangers on bamboo racks. A light bulb goes off in his head. "These people aren't tribal members", says Mulder to himself as he closes the flap. "Where are they? Scully!" He suddenly gets an idea of who they are and what they are doing on the island disguising themselves as natives. He turns and runs into the rain to reach Scully, fearful that his theory is correct he hopes that he isn't too late.
**************************************************
Scully types away on her computer. She finally pulls her glasses off and rubs her eyes. First looking at her watch and then out into the pouring rain she wonders what Mulder is doing and why he isn't back yet. Just as she is about to go get a rain slicker and chase after him he dashes into the cave. He tosses his wet jacket aside and looks at her.
"Mulder, where have you been? I actually wondered if you had drowned out there", says Scully getting up and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Ah, I found something", replies Mulder disentangling himself from her hug. "I think its something you should see."
"You've got to be kidding me", says Scully I am not going out in that rain.
"I say you are", says Mulder closing in on her. She frowns.
"Mulder, whats gotten into you. You sound pushy", says Scully as he corners her against the side of the cave.
"I said that I wanted to you to come look at something and I want you to come.....*now*", replies Mulder with a nasty glint in his eye.
"I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me what you've found", says Scully. "Mulder, you're scaring me. Now stop acting like I'm the enemy."
"Thats because you are", replies Mulder.
"What? Are you feeling okay or are you getting that quick illness that I had?" She attempts to feel his forehead, but he slaps her hand away hard.
"Don't touch me", he replies.
"Mulder, I think you've sustained some sort of injury. I want you to calmly back away from me and allow me to examine you with some of my medical instruments", says Scully pleadingly.
"This plan isn't going quite the way I anticipated. For one I am not Mulder", says the Alien Bounty Hunter shape shifting into his usual profile. Scully gasps and backs away. She instinctively reaches for her gun, but its in her backpack further back in the cave.
"Where is Mulder! What have you done with him?!", yells Scully. "If you have hurt him.......so help me God!"
The bounty hunter grabs her by the arm. "The only way for you to save him is to come with me *now*!" He forces an unwilling Scully out into the rain.
Part 45
Mulder races out of the pouring rain into the cave. "Scully! I've got it all figured out now! Scully?! Damn it Scully where are you?" He looks around and notices her laptop still open. "What the hell happened here?", he asks himself as he frantically looks around for any clues. He dashes over to his dufflebag and leans down to pull his gun out of his bag. 'I've got to find Scully', he thinks to himself as he checks the clip for ammunition. Just then he gets knocked from behind and falls face down. He groans as he starts to get up, but one blow to the head and he slips into unconsciousness.
********************************************
An hour later in Honolulu:
"Finally its starting to let up", says Skinner looking out the window of his hotel room. The Lone Gunmen have searched the entire room for possible surveillance devices and are now sitting watching 'The Twilight Zone' on the SciFi Channel. "I'm calling Craig. Did anyone hear me?", asks Skinner turning away from the window and staring at the Gunmen sprawled out on the two double beds.
"Byers, hand me the Doritos", says Langly.
"I heard you", says Frohike popping up off a bed and racing over to Skinner. "Lets just head over there and put some pressure on Craig. Can't you just use your federal status to force him to fly us there? After all, the rescuing of two special agents is official FBI business.....correct?"
"Well yes, technically it is, but we're not supposed to wave our badges in their faces and order people to obey our every desire", replies Skinner. He sees the crestfallen look on Frohike's face. "But of course I am an Assistant Director and I could always threaten to get the Attorney General involved."
"Any guy would be quite willing to avoid Janet Reno", replies Frohike. "When do we leave?"
"How does right now sound", asks Skinner pulling the Saturn keys from his pocket and tossing them up in the air then catching them.
"I thought you'd never ask", replies Frohike. "Come on guys, lets go. Dana and Mulder need our help." He walks over to the tv and shuts it off.
"Yes Oh Short One", says Langly getting up.
"Watch it Dorito breath", says Frohike stepping up to Langly and giving him a challenging look.
"Stop arguing, we've got to go", says Byers following Skinner out the door.
"I refuse to ride in the backseat with him", says Frohike. "I'm taking the front." He opens the door and gets in.
"Thats not fair, your legs are short and I need the leg room", says Langly opening up the rear door and scrunching in. Byers goes around the other side and gets in.
"Will you all please SHUT THE HELL UP?! I can't wait until this is all over and I can get rid of you three morons!", yells Skinner as he starts the car and slams his hand on the steering wheel.
Twenty minutes later they arrive at the helicopter agency. The four of them enter the door with Skinner in the lead. A young woman stands at the counter. "Can I help you Sir", she asks nervously.
"I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the Federal Bureau of Investigation." He flashes his badge to the woman who quickly glances over her shoulder into the back room and then back at Skinner. "I was here earlier today and I spoke to Craig about flying myself and three ...........deputies of mine out to the island of Lani Lai to investigate the disappearance of two of my special agents."
"My husband told you that its too dangerous to fly out there", replies the young woman firmly before looking over her shoulder again. "My husband is a responsible pilot Sir and he knows when not to take chances. You'll have to abide by his decision and come back tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be cleared up by morning, so he can fly you then."
"I'm sorry ma'am but this is official government business and Uncle Sam doesn't take 'No' for an answer", says Skinner walking around the back of the counter to look down at the startled young woman.
"You can't just force him to fly his helicopter. We've got rights", says the woman. "Hey, I didn't say you could go back there!", she yells as Skinner walks through the door behind her. He sees Craig working on a spare part at his workbench. Skinner walks over and Craig turns around with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He quickly puts it out. Skinner wrinkles his nose as he gets a whiff of the lingering smoke.
"What can I do for you Mr. FBI man", asks Craig with a slight slur to his voice.
"I need you..........someone to fly me out to the island now and I mean now", says Skinner. "The wind and rain have died down substantially. There is no excuse for not flying us. The federal government is quite willing to pay you for your services and I don't want to have to use force, but I will if necessary. I'm sure your local drug enforcement officer would be interested in your smoking habits as well." Skinner leans over and picks up the ashtray and sniffs it before looking at Craig again.
"I still can't fly out there. Its too bad", says Craig. "but, my friend Stan has a small plane that he takes tourists out in on the side. I'll call him and see if he can be down here in say twenty minutes?"
"That will be just fine", says Skinner tossing the ashtray down and walking back through the door to see the Gunmen trying to flirt with the young woman who disappears when Skinner walks in.
"We should have a pilot in twenty minutes", replies Skinner as he sits down on a couch and pulls open an aviation magazine.
Mulder awakens with a splitting headache and realizes he is strapped down on a gurney. He attempts to yell some profanities but the attempt is useless as his mouth has been taped shut. He lifts his head and frantically looks around for Scully. He doesn't see her and his heart rate increases. He pulls on his restraints causing a racket. Just then a couple of medical attendants enter wheeling Scully in on another gurney. Her eyes are closed and he can't tell if she is breathing. He starts to struggle again and he sends a death glare in their direction as they position her gurney next to his. He forgets them for a moment before as he studies Scully lying next to him. 'Come on Scully, wake up!', he silently pleads.
One of the attendants walks over to him. "Well our male specimen has awaken a little too early." He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a syringe which he fills with a clear liquid. "Help me hold him down", he tells the other man as they walk toward Mulder who immediately starts squirming.
'What the hell do you think you're doing', silently screams Mulder as they approach him.
"This could be interesting", says the one with the needle. "Take the tape off a minute and let him say what he wants to. We need to document the entire process and the subjects' reactions to our experiments in order to gain knowledge of how they interact with each other. " The other man removes the tape from Mulder's mouth."
"What the $^#@$&** do you think you're doing to us? What the hell gives you the right to take us and inject us with God knows what? What did you do to Scully? Whats wrong with her? If you hurt her you are dead, do you understand me? Get that f*** needle away from me", he continues to yell and struggle against the restraints.
"Thats enough", says the man with the needle. "Replace the tape and record in his file that he shows a high level of hostility to us, much like that his female counterpart." He holds up the syringe and pushes it until it is ready.
"These two are quite aggressive, are you sure you want to mass produce this race?, asks the other man as he holds Mulder down.
"We need power over them to force them to assist us in the colonization process. Its the only way", says the man as he injects Mulder with the shot. Mulder frowns as he listens to their conversation before he goes into a deep sleep.
***************************************************************
Scully awakens to the sound of drums and a splitting headache and feeling of nausea. She finds herself tied up on her stomach on some type of grass mat. Its dark and she listens for any sounds that can distinguish whats going on. "Mulder? Mulder!", she hisses in the darkness. She hears a groan from a couple of feet away from her.
"Mulder wake up", she whispers. "We've got to get out of here." She painfully rolls towards the sounds of Mulder until her body slams into his.
"Oww", mumbles Mulder with his face in his own mat.
"Are you all right", asks Scully.
"I *feel* like hell", says Mulder. "What kinda drug was that? I don't know about you, but I had some very disturbing dreams."
"What kind of dreams Mulder?", teases Scully.
"Not those kind of dreams", replies Mulder. "More like being laid out on the table being experimented on, but it wasn't my brain they were interested in this time."
Scully frowns. "I didn't have any dreams. I just woke up there on my mat."
Mulder struggles to roll over on his side. "Turn around Scully."
"Mulder, I don't think this is the time to be trying to put the moves on me", replies Scully.
"Like I could. Scully my hands are *tied* behind my back. If we lie back to back maybe we could work on each other's knots."
"Good thinking Mulder", replies Scully turning over and reaching for Mulder's hands. "Hey, you are supposed to be untying", says Scully.
"Can't blame a man for trying", jokes Mulder as he works on the knots. Finally after a half an hour the two have their hands free. They sit up and work on their feet. Mulder reaches in his pocket for a flashlight which amazingly is still there.
"Thats odd", says Scully untying her feet.
"What?", replies Mulder pulling off the rope from his feet and throwing it aside.
"My shoes are double knotted. I never tie my shoes that way", says Scully.
"Maybe the natives did it so you wouldn't lose them", says Mulder knowing its a lame excuse even after he said it. A picture of Scully on a gurney flashes through his brain and he shakes it away.
"How are we going to get out of here", asks Scully.
Just then a native comes into the tent and Mulder knocks him in the head with the flashlight. He looks out and sees another one guarding their hut. Looking around he grabs this one and pulls him into the hut too and knocks him out. He starts to pull off the headdress of one as Scully stops him.
"Mulder, you don't actually expect us to sneak out of here wearing their clothing do you?", she asks.
"It worked in the Wizard of Oz Scully", replies Mulder. Just then a huge thunderclap sounds with a huge bolt of lightning illuminating the perimeter of the hut. "Besides, its dark and they'll never know its us." He pulls off the ceremonial robe of one of the natives and puts it around Scully. "Actually you'll fit right in Scully, judging by the length of these robes I can only guess that our clan here is on the shorter side. I wonder if they're related to the Pygmies."
"Mulder...", starts Scully just as a headdress is plopped on her head.
"Scully...do you trust me?", asks Mulder as he puts on his own robe and headdress.
"You're asking me that now? When we're dressed in a bunch of feathers? Why do I feel the need to throw a jar of tar over my head?", asks Scully sarcastically.
"Forget about trusting me, just cooperate with me", says Mulder looking out the entrance of the tent and motioning her over. "Okay, we go towards those rocks and then if the coast is clear we run for those trees back to the campsite." Another thunderbolt hits. Scully comes to stand behind him. She gently rests her head against his back.
"Mulder, I do trust you", she says softly. He turns and she looks up at him.
He grins at her. "You look cute in feathers", he says as he pulls her out of the hut.
"Just *don't* call me your chickadee", she replies.
Part 42
The agents have made it to the rock and glance at one another before dashing to the trees. Once he realizes that they are out of sight of the village Mulder tosses the headdress aside and turns to Scully. "We made it Scully", he says turning to her and helping her with her own disguise. She nods and looks over at the fire burning bright in the middle of the village.
"We can't stay here Mulder. They may realize we are gone at anytime, besides the storm is going to hit at any second." She shivers. "I have a feeling we're being watched and I don't like it." Mulder puts his arm around her and flips on the flashlight. He leads her into the jungle looking over his shoulder every few minutes. He stops in frustration as he tries to get his bearings of where they are.
"That tree.....that tree looks like", begins Mulder.
"Like the one that we passed five times the other night", says Scully. "I know where we're going." She passes him and motions for him to follow.
"I love a woman that takes the lead", says Mulder following. Finally they reach the cave as another thunderbolt hits. Immediately it starts to pour. "Why does it seem like it rains a lot when we're together", asks Mulder.
"I don't know Mulder, maybe someone knows up there thinks there is a fire waiting to be put out", replies Scully suggestively moving backwards into the cave.
"Is that a proposition Agent Scully?", asks Mulder following her inside.
"Now thats the truth Agent Mulder", laughs Scully.
Some foliage moves beside the entrance of the cave and a figure steps out dressed in the tribe's costumes. He removes his headdress and smiles his evil grin and walks back into the jungle. He knows where they are camping now. He will come back tomorrow and take the woman. He knows that the man cannot live without her and as in the past she is the one that they need to go after.
*******************************************
Meanwhile in Honolulu Skinner has met up with the Lone Gunmen in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. The Gunmen look like typical tourists with Hawaiian shirts, shorts and leis. Langly sips a cocktail out of a coconut. Skinner gives him an annoyed look.
"I'm just trying to look in character", says Langly calmly sipping his drink.
"I've already called Craig at the helicopter company and he said that he dropped Mulder and Scully off on the island called Lani Lai", says Skinner. "Apparently they have been on the island for about four days now and he wasn't scheduled to pick them up until the day after tomorrow. I'm not sure if we should just wait and I will accompany him, or I should have him fly out there tomorrow morning. What do you think?"
"You're asking us G-Man?", asks Frohike. "Since when do we have a say in what goes down in a federal investigation. I'm sure Kersh would like to hear that you're taking advice from us."
"How do you know about Kersh", asks Skinner confused.
"We know all a lot that you aren't aware of", continues Frohike.
"Hey we broke into the National Center for UFO research and found out that the President is a subscriber to their newsletter", says Langly.
Skinner rolls his eyes. "He probably gets a complementary copy. A lot of people do. I have a copy in my bathroom."
"You have no respect for good literature", says Frohike. "We need to get Mulder back and I mean soon."
"Getting back to our plan, what would you think would be the best bet?", asks Skinner.
"I say we go in there tonight before anything happens", says Frohike. "The sooner the better."
"I vote for tomorrow morning", says Byers.
"I agree", says Langly. "I can't imagine how a few more hours is going to make a major difference, besides we will have the advantage of daylight.
"Okay, tomorrow morning it is", says Skinner looking at his watch. "Its about 8 pm now. Meet me here in the lobby at about 7 am. I'll call Craig back and let him know we want to get out there tomorrow. He nods at the Lone Gunmen and heads off to his room.
"Thanks a lot guys", says Frohike. "I think we should have been out there tonight."
"Are you sure you don't have alterior motives", asks Byers. "You've been acting strange ever since we went to Mulder's apartment."
"I'm just concerned for Dana's welfare", says Frohike.
"Mulder is with her", says Langly.
"Thats what I'm worried about", says Frohike heading off in the direction of their room.
Part 43
"We've only got twenty-four hours left Scully", says Mulder as they peer out the opening of the cave to a raging rainstorm.
"If this continues for much longer Mulder the helicopter won't even be able to find the beach", says Scully. "We could be stuck here for a couple of more days."
"Look on the bright side Scully", says Mulder putting his arm around her. "I'm actually going to stay put for a few hours. No chasing aliens or lost tribes for a while hours." Scully rolls her eyes.
"It would take a hurricane to get you to stop running", says Scully. "I wonder if the laptop ran down on its battery. I haven't made any notations since we got here." She pulls away and comes back with her laptop. Sitting down in the entrance she flips it open and smiles. "Its still working. I estimate I have about three hours of typing time left." She starts to type away on the keys.
"Well since you've decided to ditch me for one of your reports, I'm going to read", says Mulder opening a book.
"More about the Dogma tribe Mulder", asks Scully raising her eyebrow. "I think we've heard enough about tribes for a while."
"No, its about poltergeists", says Mulder flipping a page.
"And I suppose you're going to give me a history lesson", says Scully pausing to look at him before she starts to type again.
"No, I wouldn't want to *bore* you", replies Mulder.
"Okay Mulder, lets have it", says Scully flipping the laptop shut and staring at him.
"Well I wouldn't want to interrupt your little report writing project", says Mulder innocently.
"Mulder....", says Scully.
"Well if you insist Scully. Activities of poltergeists have been documented since ancient times. The actual word poltergeist is derived from the German words polter and geist which literally translates into "racketing ghost" as poltergeists are not shy. They are said to cause knocking, rapping, trampling and can set fires, hurl stones, break dishes, bang doors, jiggle latches, open windows and doors, overturn and displace furniture and can shake and levitate beds and their occupants."
"Mulder, you just said that in one breath", says Scully.
"I'm just getting started Scully", smiles Mulder. "Often the poltergeist will connect with one person, often a adolescent boy or girl in the residence and will follow that person wherever they go. Incidents actually decrease as the person leaves a specific location and then resume when they return. With this outlook its enough to assume that the poltergeist has actually formed a psychic connection to the person and the need to stay with them is overwhelming."
"I knew what you are going to say......", says Scully putting her chin in her hand.
"You know me too well Scully. Parapsychologists can't explain the poltergeists' abilities to move objects in a manner that defies the laws gravity. They can only hypothesize that these feats are caused by *PK or psychokinesis*. Even the best people that hold this talent can't perform the feats that poltergeists do. These people have been studied in laboratories Scully and no one can prove them wrong. Some have been even scrutinized by professional magicians."
"Mulder, I'd like your book to disappear", smiles Scully. "If I said agra-ca-dab-ra and wave my magic pen and it disappears would you say I have telepathic powers."
"No Scully I would just say you are anti-literacy", replies Mulder. "Besides, what else could I expect? You are laughing at me and I don't appreciate it. I need to take a walk." He gets up and grabs a jacket and puts it over his head.
"You've got to be kidding me", says Scully. "Its pouring out there Mulder. We may even be having a hurricane. If you go out there you may just blow away."
"Maybe I'll land somewhere over the rainbow", says Mulder as he leaves.
Scully watches him go. "Don't pick up any munchkins............unless you see a Dunkin Donuts."
Part 44
"What do you mean we can't leave this morning!", yells Skinner to Craig from the helicopter service.
"I can't take the chance", says Craig firmly. "The winds are upwards to sixty miles per hour. I'm not flying out over the ocean in that. We'll have to wait a couple of hours and see how it goes. If the winds die to about thirty-five or forty, maybe we can take a shot."
"Great, just great", sneers Skinner. "I'll be back in two hours." He turns from the counter of the helicopter agency and walks to the door. He opens his umbrella and heads to the Saturn that he and the Lone Gunmen have rented. He gets into the driver's seat and shuts the door.
"Whats the story AD?", asks Frohike from the backseat.
"We can't take off yet. We're going to have to wait a couple of hours for it to let down. The weather is too bad and I have to admit he is right. I almost got blown over trying to get to the car. You would have to be crazy to be out in something like this.
**************************************************
Mulder trudges along in the rain. He is soaked to the skin and he wonders why he wanted to come out here. He is drawn to the tribe's site and doesn't see any activity. Actually iit is silent and becoming curious he wanders in and cautiously circles the parameter of the hut that Scully and himself had been held captive in. He slowly opens the flap and glances in.
"What the hell?", he asks himself. He glances around and all of the tribal outfits are hung around on hangers on bamboo racks. A light bulb goes off in his head. "These people aren't tribal members", says Mulder to himself as he closes the flap. "Where are they? Scully!" He suddenly gets an idea of who they are and what they are doing on the island disguising themselves as natives. He turns and runs into the rain to reach Scully, fearful that his theory is correct he hopes that he isn't too late.
**************************************************
Scully types away on her computer. She finally pulls her glasses off and rubs her eyes. First looking at her watch and then out into the pouring rain she wonders what Mulder is doing and why he isn't back yet. Just as she is about to go get a rain slicker and chase after him he dashes into the cave. He tosses his wet jacket aside and looks at her.
"Mulder, where have you been? I actually wondered if you had drowned out there", says Scully getting up and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Ah, I found something", replies Mulder disentangling himself from her hug. "I think its something you should see."
"You've got to be kidding me", says Scully I am not going out in that rain.
"I say you are", says Mulder closing in on her. She frowns.
"Mulder, whats gotten into you. You sound pushy", says Scully as he corners her against the side of the cave.
"I said that I wanted to you to come look at something and I want you to come.....*now*", replies Mulder with a nasty glint in his eye.
"I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me what you've found", says Scully. "Mulder, you're scaring me. Now stop acting like I'm the enemy."
"Thats because you are", replies Mulder.
"What? Are you feeling okay or are you getting that quick illness that I had?" She attempts to feel his forehead, but he slaps her hand away hard.
"Don't touch me", he replies.
"Mulder, I think you've sustained some sort of injury. I want you to calmly back away from me and allow me to examine you with some of my medical instruments", says Scully pleadingly.
"This plan isn't going quite the way I anticipated. For one I am not Mulder", says the Alien Bounty Hunter shape shifting into his usual profile. Scully gasps and backs away. She instinctively reaches for her gun, but its in her backpack further back in the cave.
"Where is Mulder! What have you done with him?!", yells Scully. "If you have hurt him.......so help me God!"
The bounty hunter grabs her by the arm. "The only way for you to save him is to come with me *now*!" He forces an unwilling Scully out into the rain.
Part 45
Mulder races out of the pouring rain into the cave. "Scully! I've got it all figured out now! Scully?! Damn it Scully where are you?" He looks around and notices her laptop still open. "What the hell happened here?", he asks himself as he frantically looks around for any clues. He dashes over to his dufflebag and leans down to pull his gun out of his bag. 'I've got to find Scully', he thinks to himself as he checks the clip for ammunition. Just then he gets knocked from behind and falls face down. He groans as he starts to get up, but one blow to the head and he slips into unconsciousness.
********************************************
An hour later in Honolulu:
"Finally its starting to let up", says Skinner looking out the window of his hotel room. The Lone Gunmen have searched the entire room for possible surveillance devices and are now sitting watching 'The Twilight Zone' on the SciFi Channel. "I'm calling Craig. Did anyone hear me?", asks Skinner turning away from the window and staring at the Gunmen sprawled out on the two double beds.
"Byers, hand me the Doritos", says Langly.
"I heard you", says Frohike popping up off a bed and racing over to Skinner. "Lets just head over there and put some pressure on Craig. Can't you just use your federal status to force him to fly us there? After all, the rescuing of two special agents is official FBI business.....correct?"
"Well yes, technically it is, but we're not supposed to wave our badges in their faces and order people to obey our every desire", replies Skinner. He sees the crestfallen look on Frohike's face. "But of course I am an Assistant Director and I could always threaten to get the Attorney General involved."
"Any guy would be quite willing to avoid Janet Reno", replies Frohike. "When do we leave?"
"How does right now sound", asks Skinner pulling the Saturn keys from his pocket and tossing them up in the air then catching them.
"I thought you'd never ask", replies Frohike. "Come on guys, lets go. Dana and Mulder need our help." He walks over to the tv and shuts it off.
"Yes Oh Short One", says Langly getting up.
"Watch it Dorito breath", says Frohike stepping up to Langly and giving him a challenging look.
"Stop arguing, we've got to go", says Byers following Skinner out the door.
"I refuse to ride in the backseat with him", says Frohike. "I'm taking the front." He opens the door and gets in.
"Thats not fair, your legs are short and I need the leg room", says Langly opening up the rear door and scrunching in. Byers goes around the other side and gets in.
"Will you all please SHUT THE HELL UP?! I can't wait until this is all over and I can get rid of you three morons!", yells Skinner as he starts the car and slams his hand on the steering wheel.
Twenty minutes later they arrive at the helicopter agency. The four of them enter the door with Skinner in the lead. A young woman stands at the counter. "Can I help you Sir", she asks nervously.
"I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the Federal Bureau of Investigation." He flashes his badge to the woman who quickly glances over her shoulder into the back room and then back at Skinner. "I was here earlier today and I spoke to Craig about flying myself and three ...........deputies of mine out to the island of Lani Lai to investigate the disappearance of two of my special agents."
"My husband told you that its too dangerous to fly out there", replies the young woman firmly before looking over her shoulder again. "My husband is a responsible pilot Sir and he knows when not to take chances. You'll have to abide by his decision and come back tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be cleared up by morning, so he can fly you then."
"I'm sorry ma'am but this is official government business and Uncle Sam doesn't take 'No' for an answer", says Skinner walking around the back of the counter to look down at the startled young woman.
"You can't just force him to fly his helicopter. We've got rights", says the woman. "Hey, I didn't say you could go back there!", she yells as Skinner walks through the door behind her. He sees Craig working on a spare part at his workbench. Skinner walks over and Craig turns around with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He quickly puts it out. Skinner wrinkles his nose as he gets a whiff of the lingering smoke.
"What can I do for you Mr. FBI man", asks Craig with a slight slur to his voice.
"I need you..........someone to fly me out to the island now and I mean now", says Skinner. "The wind and rain have died down substantially. There is no excuse for not flying us. The federal government is quite willing to pay you for your services and I don't want to have to use force, but I will if necessary. I'm sure your local drug enforcement officer would be interested in your smoking habits as well." Skinner leans over and picks up the ashtray and sniffs it before looking at Craig again.
"I still can't fly out there. Its too bad", says Craig. "but, my friend Stan has a small plane that he takes tourists out in on the side. I'll call him and see if he can be down here in say twenty minutes?"
"That will be just fine", says Skinner tossing the ashtray down and walking back through the door to see the Gunmen trying to flirt with the young woman who disappears when Skinner walks in.
"We should have a pilot in twenty minutes", replies Skinner as he sits down on a couch and pulls open an aviation magazine.