Part 51
"Mulder, you look like you are in pain. Is your head still hurting?", asks Scully staring at him laying on his back with his hands over his eyes.
"No, its not that bad", replies Mulder. "I was just thinking how far we've come on this trip, but how much further we have to go."
"What do you mean?", frowns Scully.
"Do I have to actually elaborate on it Scully", says Mulder removing his hands and turning his face toward her. "Your mind is working against you. You saw an alien.....no you saw three aliens and you can't remember any of it. I even asked you if you believed me now and you nodded. I've asked you before, does it have to bite you in the ass to make you acknowledge it?"
"Mulder, what do you want me to do, lie?", asks Scully. "If I said, 'Oh my God Mulder, I saw the shape shifter turn into Janet Reno and then ask the natives to take off their masks to reveal their true faces would you be happy? Would that make your day that you finally got Dana Scully to believe in your obsession?"
"Scully, I never told you that he turned into Janet Reno and I never told you that he instructed the natives to take off their masks. You *saw* what your convictions tell you is not true, but in your heart you know it is."
Scully starts to interrupt. "But Mulder.......", she falls silent and stares straight ahead.
"I don't care what it takes Scully, but when we get home I want you to go to some regression therapy. Nothing violent was said or done to you during our *encounter* and I think you may just remember something", says Mulder sitting up.
"Mulder, hypnotism does not work on me", says Scully.
"Are you saying that your recollections of Cassandra Spender's abduction is a lie", asks Mulder. "Scully, I don't see you as one to fake anything. If so, I hope that was the only thing you were faking."
Scully smiles. "Okay, I'll admit I do have recollections of Cassandra being taken....by a light.....possibly a spaceship, but I'm not absolutely certain. If you really want me to go, I will Mulder, but only for you."
Mulder smiles. "You are really surprising me Scully. Just imagine in a week or so you will come to accept that yes, there is life on other planets."
"I've been trying to find life on this one for seven years", mumbles Scully.
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?", asks Mulder. "Was that a hint of negativity being revealed?"
"No, just a revelation", says Scully.
"Aren't you happy Scully.....with me", asks Mulder softly.
"You are asking me that question now? While we are being held captive on an island by god knows who?", asks a wide eyed Scully.
Mulder doesn't say anything. He just sits cross-legged and stares at his hiking boots.
"Theres no where I'd rather be", replies Scully.
"And you think you have no life Scully", replies Mulder jokingly.
"Mulder, when or if we get off this island you had mentioned that you were going to prove to me that our future would be more positive. How are you going to do that?", asks Scully.
"Well, for one I vow to never.......well only occasionally drag you in on Saturdays for a profile on a new case. I'll limit my slide shows to only ten slides and I promise to bring donuts and coffee to make up for the inconvenience."
"Keep going, what else are you going to do to make life better", grins Scully.
"I vow to give away all those videos that aren't mine and promise to go out on more dates", says Mulder.
"With who?", asks Scully.
"Oh I don't know, maybe I'll give Bambi a call to see if she is still available", says Mulder.
Scully punches him the arm. "Trust me Mulder this little Pathologist can kick that Entomologist ass any day."
"Actually, I prefer redheads. Short ones with blue eyes that challenge my mind", replies Mulder. "Yes, I think I'll lean more toward that profile. You know that sounds like your MO Scully. Would you by chance be interested in taking on the challenge?"
"I guess I could be persuaded", says Scully smiling. Mulder leans over and gives her a kiss.
After a moment or two Scully breaks away. "You know Mulder, we're never going to get to go out on that date if we don't get out of here."
"You know Scully, for some reason I feel like help is on the way", replies Mulder. Scully tilts her head looking at him with a look of amazement.
Part 52
"They definitely were here", says Skinner crouching down to look at a pair of tracks in the sand. "Although I can't imagine what they could have been dragging with wheels." He gets up and glances at the Gunmen. "We've got to follow these tracks and hope that they'll lead to the agents." He starts to follow the tracks and after half an hour or so they reach a spring and some trees.
"The cart tracks stop here", says Byers looking around.
"Mulder, was definitely here", says Byers picking up an iced tea bottle and tossing it to the ground.
"They were here. The question is where are they now", says Skinner. "All I can say is they better have more respect for their weapons than this." He picks up a tuna can with a hole through it. I've heard of using empty tin cans for target practice, but this is ridiculous. Is that a peach can over there?"
"It is", replies Frohike. "I wonder if my lovely Dana ate from this very can? What she must be going through. I don't know why Mulder drags her on these missions."
"Are you blind?", asks Langly. "Even I can see what you don't want to."
"What don't I see?", asks Frohike.
"Not in front of the AD", hisses Langly.
"Lets go", says Skinner. "We won't find any more clues here and we're running short on time. There are footprints everywhere. Is there any direction that you think they may have taken?" He turns to Byers looking for input.
"It looks like they may have headed in this direction", says Byers pointing. "A Northerly direction. Any idea where they could have gone?"
"This is the direction of the caves I was talking about", says Skinner as the walk through the jungle. All of a sudden he hears Langly scream again. "Now what?", asks Skinner in disgust as he turns around. He sees a large python one end hanging from a tree and the other securely wrapped around Langly's neck. "What else can go wrong?", asks Skinner as he pulls his gun from his holster.
"Don't kill the snake", says Byers. "Its a magnificent creature and it shouldn't be killed just because we wandered into its world."
"Kill the snake", chokes Langly.
Skinner hesitates as he looks at Langly's face which is rapidly turning blue. "I don't have much choice Byers. Its either the snake or Langly." He raises the gun.
"Shoot Langly", says Frohike. "He eats too much."
"Traitors", chokes Langly. "Just wait until you get your hand stuck again in the ........."
"Shoot the snake", says Frohike quickly.
Skinner shoots the snake and it falls onto Langly who quickly disentangles it from his body. He gasps for breath and pulls his glasses off to wipe the bridge of his nose.
"I've never felt closer to death", gasps Langly as the group starts to move through the jungle again.
They now have reached the caves and after checking half a dozen Skinner flashes his light into one that reveals the agents belongings. He sees the laptop which has long lost its power and their food supplies and blanket. "They've been here, but I don't know how recent. Its getting dark. The only thing I can think of is to sleep here tonight. Maybe they'll show up and if they don't we'll have to start over again tomorrow." He sits down and shuffles through the agents food. He comes up with a bag of cookies and sunflower seeds which he tosses aside. He digs in another bag and pulls out a can of tuna. Ten minutes later he turns to the Gunmen which have devoured all of the cookies and are working on the can of nuts. "Where the hell is the can opener?", he asks.
Part 53
Meanwhile Mulder and Scully are contemplating their fate. "You know Scully, if we only had a piece of metal we could short circuit those wires and get out of here", says Mulder examining the doorway before walking back to her.
"You do that and the whole place will turn into an inferno", says Scully. "It doesn't' take long for wood and leaves to burn. How long would we have to get out? The fire would start with the door and thats the only way out."
"Believe it or not I didn't really think of that", says Mulder. I suppose we could try to rip a side of the wall out, thats going to be backbreaking and we don't have any tools."
Scully stands up and walks over to him. "That only leaves one option." The two agents simultaneously look up to the ceiling. "It would probably be a lot easier to dig through those leaves than through the walls. It would take a lot less time too. Its time we don't have to waste."
Mulder nods. "We better wait until dark and then try it. We'd be too out in the open."
"Okay, so we wait again", says Scully in frustration. She sits down again.
"You sound like its the end of the world that we have to wait a couple more hours", says Mulder sitting down next to her.
"Its not that. We've escaped from worse situations that this, what I can't believe is we can't escape from a stupid wood and straw hut."
"Yeah, well they don't build houses like they used to Scully. Just knock on wood that we can get out of here." He knocks on the side of the hut before grinning at her.
She looks up at him. "You amaze me, you always come up with some humorous thing to try to relieve my worries."
"Thats part of my charm and thats why you love me", says Mulder.
"No, actually I its your mind that I love. Intelligence is a sexy thing Mulder", smiles Scully.
"You love my mind? Not my body?", asks a disappointed Mulder.
"Well, *yes* that too. I thought that was a given", says Scully. "Why, don't you love me for my mind?"
"Of course .......among other things", says Mulder sheepishly. "I mean I don't know anyone who can go in do an autopsy at three in the morning. Come in at seven with a full written report that sounds like it was taken right from "Gray's Anatomy" and look like she just came off the runway. You are a complete little package Scully."
"Seeing as we're in this life and death situation Mulder, do you want to know a secret?", asks Scully.
"What?", asks Mulder.
"Now don't let this go to your head, but when I worked with Jack I didn't do that."
"Do what?", asks Mulder.
"If I had to do an autopsy I washed up afterwards, but I didn't go home, change and report back to work."
"What did you do?", asks Mulder.
"I kept a change of clothes in a locker that I had been assigned and I pretty much just left my hair up in a ponytail most of the time. Writing reports was kinda secondary with all my other duties that I had, so I would usually hand them in about a week or two later."
"You were a slacker Scully?", asks Mulder amazed.
"No, I didn't need to impress anyone. Jack could care less what I did", replies Scully. "As long as he didn't get blamed that I was turning in reports a little late he didn't say anything."
"But your reports now are on my desk the day after we're done with a case. Why the change in work habits", asks Mulder.
"Well partly its because you're an impatient partner who demands constant answers, not to mention constant attention and babying, but I felt a need to ............", pauses Scully.
"Impress.......wow and I just thought you were a really good typist", says Mulder. Scully gives him a glare.
"A very beautiful, unselfish and loyal typist", continues Mulder. Scully rolls her eyes.
"Did I say brilliant?", asks Mulder.
Part 54
Shortly after midnight:
"Stop wiggling around so much Scully", whispers Mulder. The agents have initiated their plan by deciding the only way for it to go forward is to have Mulder lift Scully onto his shoulders and have her attempt to dig through the ceiling.
"Well why can't you just stand still?", hisses Scully back as she pulls some leaves down and tosses them down in front of her. They hit Mulder in the face. He spits out a leaf before he speaks.
"You've been up there for like ten minutes and well you're getting......", Mulder pauses.
"Heavy? Are you trying to tell me that I'm fat Mulder, because if you are I'd like to remind you that you've packed on a few pounds since I've known you. When we get back I think you better try to jog a little more or join a basketball league or something. I mean its just a doctor's opinion of course, but I wouldn't want to see you having a heart attack now that you're entering your forties. Combined with all that greasy food and desk work lately you are a prime candidate for a coronary."
"Enough, I'm sorry you are *not* fat", says Mulder irritated. "Just get the damn roof down so we can get out of here." She tosses a couple more leaves.
"I can see through the roof. I see the stars and they look beautiful Mulder. What a clear night. I think its the clearest night I've seen in a long time", says Scully.
"Wonderful, I'll look at stars with you anytime Scully, just not now", groans Mulder adjusting Scully's weight on his shoulders. He is tired and frustrated and for the first time in his life he considers not even solving an X-File, but just get out and go home. He starts to lose his balance and he catches himself.
"Mulder, how are you doing down there?", asks Scully as she pulls on a bamboo pole.
"Fine, just fine", says Mulder.
"You wouldn't by chance be getting tired would you", asks Scully continuing to pull on the pole.
"No, things are good. How are things coming up there?", asks Mulder in a hoarse voice as he grips Scully's knees.
"Well the leaves are gone and now I just have these bamboo poles. Damn, I can't get this thing. The frame is bamboo and neither of us......well you wouldn't be able to fit through the opening. We need to break a couple first."
"Scully, I just thought of something. If you climb up through, how am I going to get out?", asks Mulder quietly.
"I didn't think of that Mulder. You'll have to hoist yourself up. You can do it, or do you think you aren't strong enough? Hmm, when is your 40th birthday again, October 13th. You're right Mulder I think I see a bald spot starting right here", she starts to fan her hand through his hair.
"Thats it Scully, I've taken enough abuse. Get down...*now*", says Mulder leaning down and allowing Scully to hop off. "You just said you couldn't break through those bamboo rods. I'll show you how it should be done"
"You will?", says Scully sarcastically as she stand with her hands on her hips. "And how do you propose to do that *Agent Mulder*."
"Well, I don't like to brag, but since I've played basketball my entire life I can jump pretty high. My plan *Agent Scully* is to jump up, grab the pole, pull it down which will break it and then boost you up through. I will then hoist myself up and we will make our escape."
"Okay, just do it", say Scully.
"I have to warm up a bit", says Mulder jogging in place and then hopping a little bit.
"You did this before every shot?", asks Scully. "How long did the games last? Four hours?"
Mulder gives her a sarcastic smile and jumps up. He grabs for the pole but misses. He jumps about three more times. with no better results."
"Yeah, I can really see how this is the way it should be done", says Scully as she sees Mulder jump again. He lands again.
Panting a moment he says, "I'm a little out of practice."
"A little?", asks Scully.
He jumps again, this time grabbing the pole he holds on. With his other hand he reaches for another pole.
"We may just get out of here Scully", says Mulder looking down at her as he swings from the ceiling.
"Mulder, I always said you were a monkey on my back, but this is ridiculous", says Scully.
"You won't be laughing at me when we get out of here Scully", says Mulder looking back up at his handhold. Just then there is a huge cracking noise and Mulder falls to the floor.......the ENTIRE ceiling falling in on him and Scully.
Part 55
Meanwhile Skinner is trying to get some sleep, but is awakened by the Lone Gunmen playing cards. The three of them sit in a circle illuminated with a small flashlight pointing upwards. He turns over and tries to block them out, but its no use. Finally he sits up and stares at that a moment before saying, "Don't you people ever sleep?"
"We're too paranoid to sleep", says Langly taking a card from the deck and putting it into his hand.
"Its......one in the morning", says Skinner pressing the light on his military style watch to read the face. "I want to be up and out of here at first light, which will be about six. Don't you think maybe it would be in your best interest to conserve your strength and get a few hours shuteye?"
"I'm not tired, are you guys tired?", asks Langly to the other two.
"No, not me", says Frohike stuffing a couple of potato chips in his mouth.
"I'm too wired to sleep", says Byers. "But, if we are bothering you we can put out the flashlight if you want us to."
"No, its not that", says Skinner. "I just wondered if maybe you could talk a little less thats all. Unlike you, I need rest." He lays back down and starts to close his eyes.
"Mr. Skinner, you don't have much hope of finding Mulder and Scully ......alive do you", asks Byers quietly. Frohike turns and glares at him. Langly looks down in his lap.
Skinner's eyes pop open when Byers begins to speak. "I have the utmost confidence in my agents Mr. Byers. There isn't a situation that I can think of that they couldn't handle. Let me assure you that wherever they are they are doing just fine."
******************************************************************
"Speak to me Scully. Scully?", asks Mulder sitting up and tossing aside bamboo and leaves. "Scully!", he says a bit louder.
"Hmmm, I'm right here Mulder", says Scully from underneath a large pile of bamboo.
"Why didn't you answer me right away?", asks Mulder concerned as he tosses away the debris.
"I'm under a pile of wood, what do you want?", asks Scully sitting up as Mulder gets the last of it off of her.
Mulder gets to his feet and holds out a hand to Scully. She gets up and looks up at him.
"Are you all right? Hows your head?", she asks as she checks his hairline with her fingers.
"Its okay....its okay!", he swats away her hand.
"Are you okay?", he asks her.
"I'm fine Mulder, really I'm fine", replies Scully.
"I'm okay, you're fine all right....lets get out of here", says Mulder walking up to one of the walls.
"Now whats your brainstorm Mr. Show You How Its Done", replies Scully sarcastically.
"I guess we'll just have to scale the wall now and jump down", says Mulder.
"Like Spiderman?", asks Scully.
"Just get over here Scully", says Mulder. She grins at him and walks over. He grabs her around the knees and lifts her up to the edge of the wall and grabs on. "You got it?"
"Got it", says Scully.
"Pull yourself up and I'm going to let go okay? Okay, on the count of three. One.....two.......three!" Scully holds on and pulls herself up to sit on the edge of the wall. Her feet dangle into the hut and her back faces the outside world.
Mulder backs up to the other side of the hut. "What do you think you're going to do?", asks Scully. "Run up the side of the wall?" "You're not one of your cases Mulder. Mulder?"
Mulder runs across the hut and up the wall. He grabs onto the top of the hut and swings his legs up and over the top. He sits down next to Scully. "You were saying?"
Scully just smiles. "You are so full of it." She glances over and looks over the side of the hut into the clearing. "Um Mulder, would you like to do a repeat performance?"
"Why?", he asks.
"I don't think they saw it, or if they did they want an encore", says Scully indicating the thirty or so natives surrounding the exterior of the hut.
"Oh sh......", he says.
"Mulder, you look like you are in pain. Is your head still hurting?", asks Scully staring at him laying on his back with his hands over his eyes.
"No, its not that bad", replies Mulder. "I was just thinking how far we've come on this trip, but how much further we have to go."
"What do you mean?", frowns Scully.
"Do I have to actually elaborate on it Scully", says Mulder removing his hands and turning his face toward her. "Your mind is working against you. You saw an alien.....no you saw three aliens and you can't remember any of it. I even asked you if you believed me now and you nodded. I've asked you before, does it have to bite you in the ass to make you acknowledge it?"
"Mulder, what do you want me to do, lie?", asks Scully. "If I said, 'Oh my God Mulder, I saw the shape shifter turn into Janet Reno and then ask the natives to take off their masks to reveal their true faces would you be happy? Would that make your day that you finally got Dana Scully to believe in your obsession?"
"Scully, I never told you that he turned into Janet Reno and I never told you that he instructed the natives to take off their masks. You *saw* what your convictions tell you is not true, but in your heart you know it is."
Scully starts to interrupt. "But Mulder.......", she falls silent and stares straight ahead.
"I don't care what it takes Scully, but when we get home I want you to go to some regression therapy. Nothing violent was said or done to you during our *encounter* and I think you may just remember something", says Mulder sitting up.
"Mulder, hypnotism does not work on me", says Scully.
"Are you saying that your recollections of Cassandra Spender's abduction is a lie", asks Mulder. "Scully, I don't see you as one to fake anything. If so, I hope that was the only thing you were faking."
Scully smiles. "Okay, I'll admit I do have recollections of Cassandra being taken....by a light.....possibly a spaceship, but I'm not absolutely certain. If you really want me to go, I will Mulder, but only for you."
Mulder smiles. "You are really surprising me Scully. Just imagine in a week or so you will come to accept that yes, there is life on other planets."
"I've been trying to find life on this one for seven years", mumbles Scully.
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?", asks Mulder. "Was that a hint of negativity being revealed?"
"No, just a revelation", says Scully.
"Aren't you happy Scully.....with me", asks Mulder softly.
"You are asking me that question now? While we are being held captive on an island by god knows who?", asks a wide eyed Scully.
Mulder doesn't say anything. He just sits cross-legged and stares at his hiking boots.
"Theres no where I'd rather be", replies Scully.
"And you think you have no life Scully", replies Mulder jokingly.
"Mulder, when or if we get off this island you had mentioned that you were going to prove to me that our future would be more positive. How are you going to do that?", asks Scully.
"Well, for one I vow to never.......well only occasionally drag you in on Saturdays for a profile on a new case. I'll limit my slide shows to only ten slides and I promise to bring donuts and coffee to make up for the inconvenience."
"Keep going, what else are you going to do to make life better", grins Scully.
"I vow to give away all those videos that aren't mine and promise to go out on more dates", says Mulder.
"With who?", asks Scully.
"Oh I don't know, maybe I'll give Bambi a call to see if she is still available", says Mulder.
Scully punches him the arm. "Trust me Mulder this little Pathologist can kick that Entomologist ass any day."
"Actually, I prefer redheads. Short ones with blue eyes that challenge my mind", replies Mulder. "Yes, I think I'll lean more toward that profile. You know that sounds like your MO Scully. Would you by chance be interested in taking on the challenge?"
"I guess I could be persuaded", says Scully smiling. Mulder leans over and gives her a kiss.
After a moment or two Scully breaks away. "You know Mulder, we're never going to get to go out on that date if we don't get out of here."
"You know Scully, for some reason I feel like help is on the way", replies Mulder. Scully tilts her head looking at him with a look of amazement.
Part 52
"They definitely were here", says Skinner crouching down to look at a pair of tracks in the sand. "Although I can't imagine what they could have been dragging with wheels." He gets up and glances at the Gunmen. "We've got to follow these tracks and hope that they'll lead to the agents." He starts to follow the tracks and after half an hour or so they reach a spring and some trees.
"The cart tracks stop here", says Byers looking around.
"Mulder, was definitely here", says Byers picking up an iced tea bottle and tossing it to the ground.
"They were here. The question is where are they now", says Skinner. "All I can say is they better have more respect for their weapons than this." He picks up a tuna can with a hole through it. I've heard of using empty tin cans for target practice, but this is ridiculous. Is that a peach can over there?"
"It is", replies Frohike. "I wonder if my lovely Dana ate from this very can? What she must be going through. I don't know why Mulder drags her on these missions."
"Are you blind?", asks Langly. "Even I can see what you don't want to."
"What don't I see?", asks Frohike.
"Not in front of the AD", hisses Langly.
"Lets go", says Skinner. "We won't find any more clues here and we're running short on time. There are footprints everywhere. Is there any direction that you think they may have taken?" He turns to Byers looking for input.
"It looks like they may have headed in this direction", says Byers pointing. "A Northerly direction. Any idea where they could have gone?"
"This is the direction of the caves I was talking about", says Skinner as the walk through the jungle. All of a sudden he hears Langly scream again. "Now what?", asks Skinner in disgust as he turns around. He sees a large python one end hanging from a tree and the other securely wrapped around Langly's neck. "What else can go wrong?", asks Skinner as he pulls his gun from his holster.
"Don't kill the snake", says Byers. "Its a magnificent creature and it shouldn't be killed just because we wandered into its world."
"Kill the snake", chokes Langly.
Skinner hesitates as he looks at Langly's face which is rapidly turning blue. "I don't have much choice Byers. Its either the snake or Langly." He raises the gun.
"Shoot Langly", says Frohike. "He eats too much."
"Traitors", chokes Langly. "Just wait until you get your hand stuck again in the ........."
"Shoot the snake", says Frohike quickly.
Skinner shoots the snake and it falls onto Langly who quickly disentangles it from his body. He gasps for breath and pulls his glasses off to wipe the bridge of his nose.
"I've never felt closer to death", gasps Langly as the group starts to move through the jungle again.
They now have reached the caves and after checking half a dozen Skinner flashes his light into one that reveals the agents belongings. He sees the laptop which has long lost its power and their food supplies and blanket. "They've been here, but I don't know how recent. Its getting dark. The only thing I can think of is to sleep here tonight. Maybe they'll show up and if they don't we'll have to start over again tomorrow." He sits down and shuffles through the agents food. He comes up with a bag of cookies and sunflower seeds which he tosses aside. He digs in another bag and pulls out a can of tuna. Ten minutes later he turns to the Gunmen which have devoured all of the cookies and are working on the can of nuts. "Where the hell is the can opener?", he asks.
Part 53
Meanwhile Mulder and Scully are contemplating their fate. "You know Scully, if we only had a piece of metal we could short circuit those wires and get out of here", says Mulder examining the doorway before walking back to her.
"You do that and the whole place will turn into an inferno", says Scully. "It doesn't' take long for wood and leaves to burn. How long would we have to get out? The fire would start with the door and thats the only way out."
"Believe it or not I didn't really think of that", says Mulder. I suppose we could try to rip a side of the wall out, thats going to be backbreaking and we don't have any tools."
Scully stands up and walks over to him. "That only leaves one option." The two agents simultaneously look up to the ceiling. "It would probably be a lot easier to dig through those leaves than through the walls. It would take a lot less time too. Its time we don't have to waste."
Mulder nods. "We better wait until dark and then try it. We'd be too out in the open."
"Okay, so we wait again", says Scully in frustration. She sits down again.
"You sound like its the end of the world that we have to wait a couple more hours", says Mulder sitting down next to her.
"Its not that. We've escaped from worse situations that this, what I can't believe is we can't escape from a stupid wood and straw hut."
"Yeah, well they don't build houses like they used to Scully. Just knock on wood that we can get out of here." He knocks on the side of the hut before grinning at her.
She looks up at him. "You amaze me, you always come up with some humorous thing to try to relieve my worries."
"Thats part of my charm and thats why you love me", says Mulder.
"No, actually I its your mind that I love. Intelligence is a sexy thing Mulder", smiles Scully.
"You love my mind? Not my body?", asks a disappointed Mulder.
"Well, *yes* that too. I thought that was a given", says Scully. "Why, don't you love me for my mind?"
"Of course .......among other things", says Mulder sheepishly. "I mean I don't know anyone who can go in do an autopsy at three in the morning. Come in at seven with a full written report that sounds like it was taken right from "Gray's Anatomy" and look like she just came off the runway. You are a complete little package Scully."
"Seeing as we're in this life and death situation Mulder, do you want to know a secret?", asks Scully.
"What?", asks Mulder.
"Now don't let this go to your head, but when I worked with Jack I didn't do that."
"Do what?", asks Mulder.
"If I had to do an autopsy I washed up afterwards, but I didn't go home, change and report back to work."
"What did you do?", asks Mulder.
"I kept a change of clothes in a locker that I had been assigned and I pretty much just left my hair up in a ponytail most of the time. Writing reports was kinda secondary with all my other duties that I had, so I would usually hand them in about a week or two later."
"You were a slacker Scully?", asks Mulder amazed.
"No, I didn't need to impress anyone. Jack could care less what I did", replies Scully. "As long as he didn't get blamed that I was turning in reports a little late he didn't say anything."
"But your reports now are on my desk the day after we're done with a case. Why the change in work habits", asks Mulder.
"Well partly its because you're an impatient partner who demands constant answers, not to mention constant attention and babying, but I felt a need to ............", pauses Scully.
"Impress.......wow and I just thought you were a really good typist", says Mulder. Scully gives him a glare.
"A very beautiful, unselfish and loyal typist", continues Mulder. Scully rolls her eyes.
"Did I say brilliant?", asks Mulder.
Part 54
Shortly after midnight:
"Stop wiggling around so much Scully", whispers Mulder. The agents have initiated their plan by deciding the only way for it to go forward is to have Mulder lift Scully onto his shoulders and have her attempt to dig through the ceiling.
"Well why can't you just stand still?", hisses Scully back as she pulls some leaves down and tosses them down in front of her. They hit Mulder in the face. He spits out a leaf before he speaks.
"You've been up there for like ten minutes and well you're getting......", Mulder pauses.
"Heavy? Are you trying to tell me that I'm fat Mulder, because if you are I'd like to remind you that you've packed on a few pounds since I've known you. When we get back I think you better try to jog a little more or join a basketball league or something. I mean its just a doctor's opinion of course, but I wouldn't want to see you having a heart attack now that you're entering your forties. Combined with all that greasy food and desk work lately you are a prime candidate for a coronary."
"Enough, I'm sorry you are *not* fat", says Mulder irritated. "Just get the damn roof down so we can get out of here." She tosses a couple more leaves.
"I can see through the roof. I see the stars and they look beautiful Mulder. What a clear night. I think its the clearest night I've seen in a long time", says Scully.
"Wonderful, I'll look at stars with you anytime Scully, just not now", groans Mulder adjusting Scully's weight on his shoulders. He is tired and frustrated and for the first time in his life he considers not even solving an X-File, but just get out and go home. He starts to lose his balance and he catches himself.
"Mulder, how are you doing down there?", asks Scully as she pulls on a bamboo pole.
"Fine, just fine", says Mulder.
"You wouldn't by chance be getting tired would you", asks Scully continuing to pull on the pole.
"No, things are good. How are things coming up there?", asks Mulder in a hoarse voice as he grips Scully's knees.
"Well the leaves are gone and now I just have these bamboo poles. Damn, I can't get this thing. The frame is bamboo and neither of us......well you wouldn't be able to fit through the opening. We need to break a couple first."
"Scully, I just thought of something. If you climb up through, how am I going to get out?", asks Mulder quietly.
"I didn't think of that Mulder. You'll have to hoist yourself up. You can do it, or do you think you aren't strong enough? Hmm, when is your 40th birthday again, October 13th. You're right Mulder I think I see a bald spot starting right here", she starts to fan her hand through his hair.
"Thats it Scully, I've taken enough abuse. Get down...*now*", says Mulder leaning down and allowing Scully to hop off. "You just said you couldn't break through those bamboo rods. I'll show you how it should be done"
"You will?", says Scully sarcastically as she stand with her hands on her hips. "And how do you propose to do that *Agent Mulder*."
"Well, I don't like to brag, but since I've played basketball my entire life I can jump pretty high. My plan *Agent Scully* is to jump up, grab the pole, pull it down which will break it and then boost you up through. I will then hoist myself up and we will make our escape."
"Okay, just do it", say Scully.
"I have to warm up a bit", says Mulder jogging in place and then hopping a little bit.
"You did this before every shot?", asks Scully. "How long did the games last? Four hours?"
Mulder gives her a sarcastic smile and jumps up. He grabs for the pole but misses. He jumps about three more times. with no better results."
"Yeah, I can really see how this is the way it should be done", says Scully as she sees Mulder jump again. He lands again.
Panting a moment he says, "I'm a little out of practice."
"A little?", asks Scully.
He jumps again, this time grabbing the pole he holds on. With his other hand he reaches for another pole.
"We may just get out of here Scully", says Mulder looking down at her as he swings from the ceiling.
"Mulder, I always said you were a monkey on my back, but this is ridiculous", says Scully.
"You won't be laughing at me when we get out of here Scully", says Mulder looking back up at his handhold. Just then there is a huge cracking noise and Mulder falls to the floor.......the ENTIRE ceiling falling in on him and Scully.
Part 55
Meanwhile Skinner is trying to get some sleep, but is awakened by the Lone Gunmen playing cards. The three of them sit in a circle illuminated with a small flashlight pointing upwards. He turns over and tries to block them out, but its no use. Finally he sits up and stares at that a moment before saying, "Don't you people ever sleep?"
"We're too paranoid to sleep", says Langly taking a card from the deck and putting it into his hand.
"Its......one in the morning", says Skinner pressing the light on his military style watch to read the face. "I want to be up and out of here at first light, which will be about six. Don't you think maybe it would be in your best interest to conserve your strength and get a few hours shuteye?"
"I'm not tired, are you guys tired?", asks Langly to the other two.
"No, not me", says Frohike stuffing a couple of potato chips in his mouth.
"I'm too wired to sleep", says Byers. "But, if we are bothering you we can put out the flashlight if you want us to."
"No, its not that", says Skinner. "I just wondered if maybe you could talk a little less thats all. Unlike you, I need rest." He lays back down and starts to close his eyes.
"Mr. Skinner, you don't have much hope of finding Mulder and Scully ......alive do you", asks Byers quietly. Frohike turns and glares at him. Langly looks down in his lap.
Skinner's eyes pop open when Byers begins to speak. "I have the utmost confidence in my agents Mr. Byers. There isn't a situation that I can think of that they couldn't handle. Let me assure you that wherever they are they are doing just fine."
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"Speak to me Scully. Scully?", asks Mulder sitting up and tossing aside bamboo and leaves. "Scully!", he says a bit louder.
"Hmmm, I'm right here Mulder", says Scully from underneath a large pile of bamboo.
"Why didn't you answer me right away?", asks Mulder concerned as he tosses away the debris.
"I'm under a pile of wood, what do you want?", asks Scully sitting up as Mulder gets the last of it off of her.
Mulder gets to his feet and holds out a hand to Scully. She gets up and looks up at him.
"Are you all right? Hows your head?", she asks as she checks his hairline with her fingers.
"Its okay....its okay!", he swats away her hand.
"Are you okay?", he asks her.
"I'm fine Mulder, really I'm fine", replies Scully.
"I'm okay, you're fine all right....lets get out of here", says Mulder walking up to one of the walls.
"Now whats your brainstorm Mr. Show You How Its Done", replies Scully sarcastically.
"I guess we'll just have to scale the wall now and jump down", says Mulder.
"Like Spiderman?", asks Scully.
"Just get over here Scully", says Mulder. She grins at him and walks over. He grabs her around the knees and lifts her up to the edge of the wall and grabs on. "You got it?"
"Got it", says Scully.
"Pull yourself up and I'm going to let go okay? Okay, on the count of three. One.....two.......three!" Scully holds on and pulls herself up to sit on the edge of the wall. Her feet dangle into the hut and her back faces the outside world.
Mulder backs up to the other side of the hut. "What do you think you're going to do?", asks Scully. "Run up the side of the wall?" "You're not one of your cases Mulder. Mulder?"
Mulder runs across the hut and up the wall. He grabs onto the top of the hut and swings his legs up and over the top. He sits down next to Scully. "You were saying?"
Scully just smiles. "You are so full of it." She glances over and looks over the side of the hut into the clearing. "Um Mulder, would you like to do a repeat performance?"
"Why?", he asks.
"I don't think they saw it, or if they did they want an encore", says Scully indicating the thirty or so natives surrounding the exterior of the hut.
"Oh sh......", he says.