Part 13
Byers has now untied Langley and Frohike. They look around, but can't seem to distinguish where they are. There are no windows and only one door with a small glass window in it which is the rooms only source of light. The only furniture was the table and chairs. Byers cautiously approaches the door and peaks out. He sees one guard sitting by the door and he is armed.
"Theres one guard, it shouldn't be too hard to disarm him. I can only guess that we are in some sort of high government restricted area", says Byers.
"Frohike stretches on his tiptoes to look out. "Its definitely standard government issue gray paint", he says. "I wouldn't be surprised its the pentagon itself."
Langley approaches, "If we are in the Pentagon do you think it wise to try to go out on foot?"
"No", says Frohike walking back toward the table. Langley and Byers follow. Frohike unzips his jacket and pulls a paper and flashlight out of his pocket. The HVAC system for the Pentagon building. He points to the vent in the ceiling and Langley pulls over a chair. Five minutes later the Lone Gunmen are crawling through the ducts. Frohike in the lead, followed by Byers and Langley in the rear.
After an hour of sweating it and two close calls of being discovered, the Lone Gunmen find their final victory, an outside vent. They quickly drop to the ground, hide behind some shrubbery and stake out their situation.
"Coast looks clear", says Byers. "Walk in a normal fashion and hopefully no one will pick up on us." They walk casually across the green grass and down a pathway that leads to a huge parking lot. Eventually they approach a gate where two security guards are chatting about a basketball game. The Lone Gunmen choose this as an opportune time and sneak through the gate one by one. Once they reach the road they catch a bus back to their secret hideout. "The first thing we've got to do is contact Mulder", says Byers. "Theres no reason to deal with Krycek anymore."
"How do we contact him", asks Langley. "I can only assume that Mulder and Scully's cellphones aren't programmed for international calls. The only way we're going to be able to reach them is to call..."
"Skinner", says Frohike.
"Do you think we can trust him", asks Langley looking questionably.
"We'll have to", says Byers. "Mulder and Scully's lives depend on us reaching them. Besides, Krycek said something about going after Skinner after eliminating us. We may even be too late."
Meanwhile somewhere in Germany Scully awakens to find herself in Mulder's arms. At first she thinks she is dreaming again, but looks down and sees her charm bracelet. She smiles to herself and she thinks about the previous evening and how they had finally given into their unspoken desires. Mulder awakens at this time and kisses her neck from behind. "Good Morning Sunshine", he says.
"Good Morning Poopyhead", she replies.
"Scully, don't call me that. I hated that nickname", says Mulder. "Call me Spooky or God forbid even Fox, but don't call me that."
Scully gives a little chuckle and sits up.
"Well Mulder, whats for breakfast", she asks as she digs through her bag.
"I'll take an egg McMuffin", says Mulder."
"How about a Snickers", says Scully waving it under his nose.
"That was my second choice", says Mulder grabbing it out of her hand.
Twenty minutes later the agents have packed what little gear they have and Mulder picks up Scully again. They haven't walked long, maybe a half hour when they hear yelling several yards away to their left. Mulder puts Scully down and immediately reaches for his gun. "Did we bring the guns", he asks Scully.
"I don't know where yours is. But mine is in my bag", says Scully digging through and finding it. She hands it to him.
"Any extra clips?" he asks as he pulls it open and looks at it.
"One", says Scully.
"Hopefully we won't need it", says Mulder as he hears the yelling get louder. He pushes Scully behind him and points the gun toward the forest. "Show yourself! United States Federal Agent! I'm armed!" he yells.
An old man comes out of the forest. He has a rifle and is yelling in a German/broken English combination. Mulder catches the words "land" and "shoot" in the mans phrases.
"You know some German, whats he saying", asks Mulder looking over his shoulder at Scully.
"He says if we don't get off his land he is going to shoot us and leave us dead for the buzzards", says Scully.
"What a great welcome wagon", says Mulder sarcastically. "Tell him what happened to us and see if he can help us, or better yet can he get us to a telephone."
Scully yells out to the man and hopes she gets the translation right. The man lowers his rifle and yells back to her.
"What did he say?" asks Mulder.
"He said that he has a small farm up ahead and he will give us food if we work for it", says Scully. "He says that the nearest telephone is three miles from his house. He doesn't have a car so we can either walk to the phone or he'll let one of us ride his mule."
"What a jackass", says Mulder.
"Thats not being very appreciative Mulder, he is going to help us", says Scully.
"I'm talking about the mule Scully", says Mulder lowering his gun. "Tell Old MacDonald if he helps us we'll help him...temporarily...until we can get to Moscow.
Scully translates for Mulder leaving out the Old MacDonald part. They approach the old man and he smiles and nods motioning them to follow him.
"He says the farm is about a mile north of here", says Scully.
"The barnyard awaits", says Mulder picking up Scully as the old man gives them an odd look at Scully on Mulder's back. "I don't know if I translated the sprained ankle part correctly", says Scully.
The old man leads them towards his home. He thinks to himself that the red-haired woman who said her name was Dana can't walk herself. She mentioned that she was pregnant, but she doesn't look pregnant at all. He can't understand why a US spy would have his wife with him on a mission anyway. He smiles to himself and thinks about the last James Bond movie that he was fortunate to see. That Sean Connery is a good actor.
Part 14
Byers, Frohike and Langley have gone directly to the FBI headquarters to talk to Skinner. They enter the building and group together. "I don't think we should just go in, give our names and demand to see Skinner", says Langley. "I don't like giving out our identities. I vote we just join a tour and skip as soon as the tour guide gets distracted."
Byers nods his head. "I agree. I'm not comfortable giving our names to anyone. We can't be too careful about who we come into contact with here."
The three of them walk over to the tour counter and purchase tickets. Fifteen minutes later they are at the tail end of a tour. As they enter into the seized ammunitions showcase the tour guide begins pointing out weapons belonging to Al Capone. "And next we will be showing you one of our many crime labs..", she continues. Frohike nods to Langley and Byers and they slip away.
"Okay, we know Skinner is on the third floor", says Frohike pulling his tour badge off and replacing it with a fake FBI badge. He pulls out badges for Langley and Byers.
"We're never going to pass as agents.. well not all of us", says Byers looking at Langley's Metallica T shirt. "You could of at least tried to blend in."
"This is my best shirt", says Langley offended.
"Lets not argue. We've got to get to Skinner as soon as we can", says Frohike leading them to an elevator. "I just hope we're in the right wing." They arrive at the third floor and the three of them peek out and assess the situation. Agents are everywhere and there is no hope of not being seen. "If anyone asks I'll pretend I've been on an undercover assignment", says Langley. "Investigating supposed satanic activities relating to high profile heavy metal bands."
"Lets hope it doesn't come to that", says Byers leading them down the hallway to Skinners office. At that moment the door opens and the three of them dart around a corner into a short corridor. They see CSM leave. "That double crosser.. I knew we couldn't trust him", says Frohike. "Wait until Mulder hears this."
"We've got to tell him we're free", says Byers. "It can buy Mulder and Scully some time in Moscow." The Lone Gunmen continue back down the hall and enter Skinner's secretary's office. Luckily she is not in. They knock at Skinner's door.
"Yeah", says Skinner through the door. The door swings open and Krycek is there holding a handheld computer while Skinner sits at his desk. The distraction causes Krycek to look up thus giving Skinner the opportunity to pull his gun. "Grab the computer", Skinner yells to Byers. Byers dashes over to Krycek and seizes the computer. "Here cuff him", says Skinner tossing the handcuffs to Langley. "I always wanted to be part of a sting operation", says Langley gleefully slapping the cuffs on Krycek.
Skinner gets on the phone and calls security. He walks over to Krycek and despite having witnesses he roughens up Krycek a little bit. He slugs him in the stomach and pushes him into a chair. "I've waited so long to do that", he says. "Its not going to do you any good", says Krycek. "I'm only one of the players in this project, there will be others." "Yes, but you've been a thorn in my side ever since I paired you with Mulder.", says Skinner. The security arrives and Skinner tells them to put Krycek into high level security.
Skinner finally turns to the three of them. "I never thought I would say this to you guys, but great timing! Now what did you want to see me about?" At this time he notices the fake FBI badges that the Gunmen are sporting. "I'd ask you to please remove those badges and I'll pretend I never saw them", he says.
"We just wanted to tell you that we are free", says Byers. "We wanted to know if you have heard from Mulder and Scully."
"The last thing I heard was that they were chartering a plane to Moscow", says Skinner. "I told Mulder that I wasn't sure it was going to fly, but he was adamant about it", Skinner rolls his eyes. "I just hope I hear from them soon as we're all out of danger." He walks over to Byers and takes the palm size computer from him. "I haven't told anyone this, but Krycek had been controlling me for a long time with nanocites, small mechanical invaders in my bloodstream. Turned on to provoke me to do Krycek's bidding. I'm going to lock this in my cabinet and have Agent Scully analyze the medical data with the assistance of our computer crime lab." He walks over to a cabinet and opens it. He puts in the computer and locks the door.
"I guess we'll leave", says Frohike. "If you hear anything from Mulder and Scully you let us know. We're really worried about her...I mean them", he quickly glances at Byers and Langley.
"I will contact you as soon as I hear from them, but I need a contact number", says Skinner.
"Ah, we'll call you," says Langley as the three of them exit Skinner's office.
Part 15
Meanwhile Mulder, Scully and Mr. Heinrich have arrived at his farm. Mrs. Heinrich comes running out of the farmhouse. Mr. Heinrich takes her aside and explains the situation to her. She turns and looks at Mulder and Scully and frowns. In German she asks him, "What do you mean he is a spy? Do you know what will happen to us if the government finds out that we are harboring a spy? They will take away our farm, they will jail us, they will kill us."
Mr. Heinrich looks back at the agents, "Yes, I know but from what I could understand, the woman is pregnant. She doesn't speak German very well, but she said that her and the man got into trouble and she feels as big as a house. Although, looking at her she doesn't seem pregnant. But he was carrying her."
"Well, I suppose he can't be that bad if he is so thoughtful", say Mrs. Heinrich. "But you get them out of here as soon as you can!" She approaches Mulder and Scully cautiously. She knows some English. "I will take you inside and show you where you will sleep." She uses a lot of hand signals to get them to understand. She leads them into a small farm house and shows them to a very tiny bedroom. It has a small bed that is smaller than a normal full sized bed, a small bureau and a wooden chair. "I will leave you to freshen up", she says as she closes the door.
"Mrs. Heinrich, where is the bathroom?", asks Scully. Mrs. Heinrich frowns. Scully tries to remember the German word for bathroom, but can't"
"Pretend we're doing charades", says Mulder.
"How do you describe bathroom using handsignals?", she asks.
"I can think of a few ways", says Mulder. "But Mrs. Heinrich may get offended."
Scully gives him an amazed look and finally makes the motion of tearing toilet paper off and flushing a toilet. Mrs. Heinrich still looks confused, but finally her eyes light up. "Yes, this way. Me show you." Mulder moves to pick up Scully, but she puts up her hands to ward him off. She limps through the door following Mrs. Heinrich who leads the agents outside and around the back of the house. "Mulder, I don't like the looks of this", says Scully as they are led behind a chicken coop. Finally Mrs. Heinrich points to a small wooden structure. She opens the door. Its an outhouse. "Great, just great. No indoor plumbing. This is bad enough. But do you know what this means Mulder? No running water equals.."
"No shower", says Mulder giving Scully an amused look.
Mr. Heinrich approaches at this time and smiles at Scully. "Mr. Heinrich", says Scully in careful German. "Do you have a shower..a way to bathe?" Mr. Heinrich thinks a moment and replies, "Ya, we have tub in kitchen." Scully with wide eyes looks at Mulder. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich my partner and I have to discuss something." She is not sure if they understood her, but she pulls Mulder by the arm behind the outhouse. "We can't stay here!", she says.
"What do you expect us to do", says Mulder trying not to laugh. "We are in the middle of nowhere. We've got to stay somewhere and they have food. I saw it."
Scully frowns and looks back towards the Heinrichs who are staring at them. "Okay, but we've got to get to a phone as soon as possible", she says as she walks back around the outhouse. Mulder hears a door slam and he laughs to himself.
Later Mr. Heinrich takes Mulder out to the barn and points to his three cows and then makes a motion with his hands indicating that the cows need to be milked. He passes Mulder a pail and points to a stool. He then walks out of the barn to continue with his other chores.
Mulder stares at the cows for a few minutes and then grabs the stool and approaches the first cow. "Hello Greta, I hope you find this more enjoyable than I do." He puts down the pail and takes hold of the udders. The cow gives a loud Moo and snorts. "Its okay, this is my first time. But I promise that I'll be gentle", says Mulder. The cow gives another Moo as Mulder starts squeezing the milk out of the cow. It seemed to be going rather well until the cow finally decided that she didn't like this cityboy touching her. She gave a swift kick and the pail sails back into Mulder's face causing him to fall backwards into the hay and something rather foul smelling. He sits up and brushes the hay from his clothing. He hears a laugh behind him and he sees Scully standing there trying to hide her laugh behind her hand. "I thought I had way with the ladies Scully, but this one is one big fat heifer."
Mr. Heinrich comes in and seeing Mulder he starts to chuckle. He walks over to a peg and takes down a pair of overhauls and a red flannel shirt. He hands these to Mulder and then makes a motion for him to put them on and then meet him out in the yard. He wants Mulder to help him build a fence. First though Mr. Heinrich demonstrates how to properly milk a cow.
Scully leaves Mulder to the care of Mr. Heinrich. She walks into the house and Mrs. Heinrich is cooking something on the small stove. She has set the table for four and is now arranging some flowers on the table. She smiles when she sees Scully and motions for her to come over. She points to a covered bowl and Scully looks into it. Its rising dough. She says to Scully, "You make ready." Scully's eyes open wide and says, "You want me to bake bread?" "Ya, you bake bread.", Mrs. Heinrich replies. "But first, me get you dress to wear." She enters her own room and comes back with a homespun dress and apron for Scully to wear. At this point Scully feels like Laura, not Laura Petrie, but Laura Ingalls Wilder. She goes into her and Mulder's room and changes. She comes back into the kitchen and stares at the dough. Finally she takes it out of the bowl and kneads it. Mulder comes in to get a drink when he sees Scully.
"Quite the little domestic, huh Scully", he says saluting her with his glass of water.
"Shut up Mulder, I'm baking", says Scully.
"I can see that, but I was just wondering if you were using Pillsbury or Betty Crocker", he snickers.
Scully turns slowly and throws a handful of flour in Mulder's face and then calmly pats her dough into a loaflike shape and slaps it into the pan that Mrs. Heinrich has laid out for her.
Mulder leaves to finish the fence with Mr. Heinrich. He is having better luck doing this type of work. Its backbreaking work though and he is thankful when Mr. Heinrich announces its time for supper by making eating motions.
They enter the house and the food is already on the table with Scully and Mrs. Heinrich already seated. Their dinner consists of chicken, beans, bread and pie. After dinner Mrs. Heinrich tries to hold a conversation with the agents. "You and husband married long time", she asks.
"We are not married. We work together", says Scully looking at Mulder.
"Not married?!", ask Mrs. Heinrich. "In America baby come before marriage?", asks Mrs. Heinrich looking horrified.
"Not always", says Scully. "In my case I hope that I will be able to adopt in time", says Scully softly.
"Adopt? What is that?" asks Mrs. Heinrich.
"Caring for an unwanted child", explains Scully.
"Don't you want your own child", asks Mrs. Heinrich motioning to Scully.
":I can't have children", says Scully looking away.
"You not expecting now?", exclaims Mrs. Heinrich.
"NO!", says Scully her face flaming as Mulder stares at her.
"You were not right!", says Mrs. Heinrich hitting Mr. Heinrich in the arm.
By this time it is late and the sun is gone. Mr. Heinrich has built a fire in the fireplace and lighted some lamps. He hands one to Mulder and Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich walk toward their room with their own lamp. "Goodnight", they say in German.
Scully walks into their room with Mulder following her. She finds a long nightgown spread on the bed with a pair of longjohns beside it. "You've got to be kidding me", says Scully. "I feel like we've been put into a timewarp and we are on a wagon train headed to Oregon."
"Hey look Scully, it even has the trap door", says Mulder holding up the longjohns.
"Thats something I didn't need to know", say Scully looking now at the bed and seeing how small it is. Theres no way to avoid not sleeping close together. She doesn't mind but it bothers her that there are two people sleeping only a wall away.
"We could always sleep in the buff if you don't like the attire", says Mulder.
"Not on your life", says Scully picking up the nightgown. "Turn your back and let me put this on." Mulder does so without protest. Scully gets into the bed and faces the wall which has a window above it. Mulder quickly changes and joins her in the bed.
"Scully, I'm on the edge here. I think I may fall out if you don't move over." Scully moves over and Mulder gets more room.
"Boy, its really cold in here," says Scully pulling the thick quilt up to her chin.
"Nothing a little body heat couldn't fix", says Mulder snuggling up to her from behind. Scully gives a little laugh.
"I hate to disappoint you Scully, but I am too tired to do anything. Mr. Heinrich worked me to the limit and I am so sore. I guess I am really out of shape.
"Too many desk assignments for you", says Scully yawning. Finally the two of them fall asleep.
Byers has now untied Langley and Frohike. They look around, but can't seem to distinguish where they are. There are no windows and only one door with a small glass window in it which is the rooms only source of light. The only furniture was the table and chairs. Byers cautiously approaches the door and peaks out. He sees one guard sitting by the door and he is armed.
"Theres one guard, it shouldn't be too hard to disarm him. I can only guess that we are in some sort of high government restricted area", says Byers.
"Frohike stretches on his tiptoes to look out. "Its definitely standard government issue gray paint", he says. "I wouldn't be surprised its the pentagon itself."
Langley approaches, "If we are in the Pentagon do you think it wise to try to go out on foot?"
"No", says Frohike walking back toward the table. Langley and Byers follow. Frohike unzips his jacket and pulls a paper and flashlight out of his pocket. The HVAC system for the Pentagon building. He points to the vent in the ceiling and Langley pulls over a chair. Five minutes later the Lone Gunmen are crawling through the ducts. Frohike in the lead, followed by Byers and Langley in the rear.
After an hour of sweating it and two close calls of being discovered, the Lone Gunmen find their final victory, an outside vent. They quickly drop to the ground, hide behind some shrubbery and stake out their situation.
"Coast looks clear", says Byers. "Walk in a normal fashion and hopefully no one will pick up on us." They walk casually across the green grass and down a pathway that leads to a huge parking lot. Eventually they approach a gate where two security guards are chatting about a basketball game. The Lone Gunmen choose this as an opportune time and sneak through the gate one by one. Once they reach the road they catch a bus back to their secret hideout. "The first thing we've got to do is contact Mulder", says Byers. "Theres no reason to deal with Krycek anymore."
"How do we contact him", asks Langley. "I can only assume that Mulder and Scully's cellphones aren't programmed for international calls. The only way we're going to be able to reach them is to call..."
"Skinner", says Frohike.
"Do you think we can trust him", asks Langley looking questionably.
"We'll have to", says Byers. "Mulder and Scully's lives depend on us reaching them. Besides, Krycek said something about going after Skinner after eliminating us. We may even be too late."
Meanwhile somewhere in Germany Scully awakens to find herself in Mulder's arms. At first she thinks she is dreaming again, but looks down and sees her charm bracelet. She smiles to herself and she thinks about the previous evening and how they had finally given into their unspoken desires. Mulder awakens at this time and kisses her neck from behind. "Good Morning Sunshine", he says.
"Good Morning Poopyhead", she replies.
"Scully, don't call me that. I hated that nickname", says Mulder. "Call me Spooky or God forbid even Fox, but don't call me that."
Scully gives a little chuckle and sits up.
"Well Mulder, whats for breakfast", she asks as she digs through her bag.
"I'll take an egg McMuffin", says Mulder."
"How about a Snickers", says Scully waving it under his nose.
"That was my second choice", says Mulder grabbing it out of her hand.
Twenty minutes later the agents have packed what little gear they have and Mulder picks up Scully again. They haven't walked long, maybe a half hour when they hear yelling several yards away to their left. Mulder puts Scully down and immediately reaches for his gun. "Did we bring the guns", he asks Scully.
"I don't know where yours is. But mine is in my bag", says Scully digging through and finding it. She hands it to him.
"Any extra clips?" he asks as he pulls it open and looks at it.
"One", says Scully.
"Hopefully we won't need it", says Mulder as he hears the yelling get louder. He pushes Scully behind him and points the gun toward the forest. "Show yourself! United States Federal Agent! I'm armed!" he yells.
An old man comes out of the forest. He has a rifle and is yelling in a German/broken English combination. Mulder catches the words "land" and "shoot" in the mans phrases.
"You know some German, whats he saying", asks Mulder looking over his shoulder at Scully.
"He says if we don't get off his land he is going to shoot us and leave us dead for the buzzards", says Scully.
"What a great welcome wagon", says Mulder sarcastically. "Tell him what happened to us and see if he can help us, or better yet can he get us to a telephone."
Scully yells out to the man and hopes she gets the translation right. The man lowers his rifle and yells back to her.
"What did he say?" asks Mulder.
"He said that he has a small farm up ahead and he will give us food if we work for it", says Scully. "He says that the nearest telephone is three miles from his house. He doesn't have a car so we can either walk to the phone or he'll let one of us ride his mule."
"What a jackass", says Mulder.
"Thats not being very appreciative Mulder, he is going to help us", says Scully.
"I'm talking about the mule Scully", says Mulder lowering his gun. "Tell Old MacDonald if he helps us we'll help him...temporarily...until we can get to Moscow.
Scully translates for Mulder leaving out the Old MacDonald part. They approach the old man and he smiles and nods motioning them to follow him.
"He says the farm is about a mile north of here", says Scully.
"The barnyard awaits", says Mulder picking up Scully as the old man gives them an odd look at Scully on Mulder's back. "I don't know if I translated the sprained ankle part correctly", says Scully.
The old man leads them towards his home. He thinks to himself that the red-haired woman who said her name was Dana can't walk herself. She mentioned that she was pregnant, but she doesn't look pregnant at all. He can't understand why a US spy would have his wife with him on a mission anyway. He smiles to himself and thinks about the last James Bond movie that he was fortunate to see. That Sean Connery is a good actor.
Part 14
Byers, Frohike and Langley have gone directly to the FBI headquarters to talk to Skinner. They enter the building and group together. "I don't think we should just go in, give our names and demand to see Skinner", says Langley. "I don't like giving out our identities. I vote we just join a tour and skip as soon as the tour guide gets distracted."
Byers nods his head. "I agree. I'm not comfortable giving our names to anyone. We can't be too careful about who we come into contact with here."
The three of them walk over to the tour counter and purchase tickets. Fifteen minutes later they are at the tail end of a tour. As they enter into the seized ammunitions showcase the tour guide begins pointing out weapons belonging to Al Capone. "And next we will be showing you one of our many crime labs..", she continues. Frohike nods to Langley and Byers and they slip away.
"Okay, we know Skinner is on the third floor", says Frohike pulling his tour badge off and replacing it with a fake FBI badge. He pulls out badges for Langley and Byers.
"We're never going to pass as agents.. well not all of us", says Byers looking at Langley's Metallica T shirt. "You could of at least tried to blend in."
"This is my best shirt", says Langley offended.
"Lets not argue. We've got to get to Skinner as soon as we can", says Frohike leading them to an elevator. "I just hope we're in the right wing." They arrive at the third floor and the three of them peek out and assess the situation. Agents are everywhere and there is no hope of not being seen. "If anyone asks I'll pretend I've been on an undercover assignment", says Langley. "Investigating supposed satanic activities relating to high profile heavy metal bands."
"Lets hope it doesn't come to that", says Byers leading them down the hallway to Skinners office. At that moment the door opens and the three of them dart around a corner into a short corridor. They see CSM leave. "That double crosser.. I knew we couldn't trust him", says Frohike. "Wait until Mulder hears this."
"We've got to tell him we're free", says Byers. "It can buy Mulder and Scully some time in Moscow." The Lone Gunmen continue back down the hall and enter Skinner's secretary's office. Luckily she is not in. They knock at Skinner's door.
"Yeah", says Skinner through the door. The door swings open and Krycek is there holding a handheld computer while Skinner sits at his desk. The distraction causes Krycek to look up thus giving Skinner the opportunity to pull his gun. "Grab the computer", Skinner yells to Byers. Byers dashes over to Krycek and seizes the computer. "Here cuff him", says Skinner tossing the handcuffs to Langley. "I always wanted to be part of a sting operation", says Langley gleefully slapping the cuffs on Krycek.
Skinner gets on the phone and calls security. He walks over to Krycek and despite having witnesses he roughens up Krycek a little bit. He slugs him in the stomach and pushes him into a chair. "I've waited so long to do that", he says. "Its not going to do you any good", says Krycek. "I'm only one of the players in this project, there will be others." "Yes, but you've been a thorn in my side ever since I paired you with Mulder.", says Skinner. The security arrives and Skinner tells them to put Krycek into high level security.
Skinner finally turns to the three of them. "I never thought I would say this to you guys, but great timing! Now what did you want to see me about?" At this time he notices the fake FBI badges that the Gunmen are sporting. "I'd ask you to please remove those badges and I'll pretend I never saw them", he says.
"We just wanted to tell you that we are free", says Byers. "We wanted to know if you have heard from Mulder and Scully."
"The last thing I heard was that they were chartering a plane to Moscow", says Skinner. "I told Mulder that I wasn't sure it was going to fly, but he was adamant about it", Skinner rolls his eyes. "I just hope I hear from them soon as we're all out of danger." He walks over to Byers and takes the palm size computer from him. "I haven't told anyone this, but Krycek had been controlling me for a long time with nanocites, small mechanical invaders in my bloodstream. Turned on to provoke me to do Krycek's bidding. I'm going to lock this in my cabinet and have Agent Scully analyze the medical data with the assistance of our computer crime lab." He walks over to a cabinet and opens it. He puts in the computer and locks the door.
"I guess we'll leave", says Frohike. "If you hear anything from Mulder and Scully you let us know. We're really worried about her...I mean them", he quickly glances at Byers and Langley.
"I will contact you as soon as I hear from them, but I need a contact number", says Skinner.
"Ah, we'll call you," says Langley as the three of them exit Skinner's office.
Part 15
Meanwhile Mulder, Scully and Mr. Heinrich have arrived at his farm. Mrs. Heinrich comes running out of the farmhouse. Mr. Heinrich takes her aside and explains the situation to her. She turns and looks at Mulder and Scully and frowns. In German she asks him, "What do you mean he is a spy? Do you know what will happen to us if the government finds out that we are harboring a spy? They will take away our farm, they will jail us, they will kill us."
Mr. Heinrich looks back at the agents, "Yes, I know but from what I could understand, the woman is pregnant. She doesn't speak German very well, but she said that her and the man got into trouble and she feels as big as a house. Although, looking at her she doesn't seem pregnant. But he was carrying her."
"Well, I suppose he can't be that bad if he is so thoughtful", say Mrs. Heinrich. "But you get them out of here as soon as you can!" She approaches Mulder and Scully cautiously. She knows some English. "I will take you inside and show you where you will sleep." She uses a lot of hand signals to get them to understand. She leads them into a small farm house and shows them to a very tiny bedroom. It has a small bed that is smaller than a normal full sized bed, a small bureau and a wooden chair. "I will leave you to freshen up", she says as she closes the door.
"Mrs. Heinrich, where is the bathroom?", asks Scully. Mrs. Heinrich frowns. Scully tries to remember the German word for bathroom, but can't"
"Pretend we're doing charades", says Mulder.
"How do you describe bathroom using handsignals?", she asks.
"I can think of a few ways", says Mulder. "But Mrs. Heinrich may get offended."
Scully gives him an amazed look and finally makes the motion of tearing toilet paper off and flushing a toilet. Mrs. Heinrich still looks confused, but finally her eyes light up. "Yes, this way. Me show you." Mulder moves to pick up Scully, but she puts up her hands to ward him off. She limps through the door following Mrs. Heinrich who leads the agents outside and around the back of the house. "Mulder, I don't like the looks of this", says Scully as they are led behind a chicken coop. Finally Mrs. Heinrich points to a small wooden structure. She opens the door. Its an outhouse. "Great, just great. No indoor plumbing. This is bad enough. But do you know what this means Mulder? No running water equals.."
"No shower", says Mulder giving Scully an amused look.
Mr. Heinrich approaches at this time and smiles at Scully. "Mr. Heinrich", says Scully in careful German. "Do you have a shower..a way to bathe?" Mr. Heinrich thinks a moment and replies, "Ya, we have tub in kitchen." Scully with wide eyes looks at Mulder. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich my partner and I have to discuss something." She is not sure if they understood her, but she pulls Mulder by the arm behind the outhouse. "We can't stay here!", she says.
"What do you expect us to do", says Mulder trying not to laugh. "We are in the middle of nowhere. We've got to stay somewhere and they have food. I saw it."
Scully frowns and looks back towards the Heinrichs who are staring at them. "Okay, but we've got to get to a phone as soon as possible", she says as she walks back around the outhouse. Mulder hears a door slam and he laughs to himself.
Later Mr. Heinrich takes Mulder out to the barn and points to his three cows and then makes a motion with his hands indicating that the cows need to be milked. He passes Mulder a pail and points to a stool. He then walks out of the barn to continue with his other chores.
Mulder stares at the cows for a few minutes and then grabs the stool and approaches the first cow. "Hello Greta, I hope you find this more enjoyable than I do." He puts down the pail and takes hold of the udders. The cow gives a loud Moo and snorts. "Its okay, this is my first time. But I promise that I'll be gentle", says Mulder. The cow gives another Moo as Mulder starts squeezing the milk out of the cow. It seemed to be going rather well until the cow finally decided that she didn't like this cityboy touching her. She gave a swift kick and the pail sails back into Mulder's face causing him to fall backwards into the hay and something rather foul smelling. He sits up and brushes the hay from his clothing. He hears a laugh behind him and he sees Scully standing there trying to hide her laugh behind her hand. "I thought I had way with the ladies Scully, but this one is one big fat heifer."
Mr. Heinrich comes in and seeing Mulder he starts to chuckle. He walks over to a peg and takes down a pair of overhauls and a red flannel shirt. He hands these to Mulder and then makes a motion for him to put them on and then meet him out in the yard. He wants Mulder to help him build a fence. First though Mr. Heinrich demonstrates how to properly milk a cow.
Scully leaves Mulder to the care of Mr. Heinrich. She walks into the house and Mrs. Heinrich is cooking something on the small stove. She has set the table for four and is now arranging some flowers on the table. She smiles when she sees Scully and motions for her to come over. She points to a covered bowl and Scully looks into it. Its rising dough. She says to Scully, "You make ready." Scully's eyes open wide and says, "You want me to bake bread?" "Ya, you bake bread.", Mrs. Heinrich replies. "But first, me get you dress to wear." She enters her own room and comes back with a homespun dress and apron for Scully to wear. At this point Scully feels like Laura, not Laura Petrie, but Laura Ingalls Wilder. She goes into her and Mulder's room and changes. She comes back into the kitchen and stares at the dough. Finally she takes it out of the bowl and kneads it. Mulder comes in to get a drink when he sees Scully.
"Quite the little domestic, huh Scully", he says saluting her with his glass of water.
"Shut up Mulder, I'm baking", says Scully.
"I can see that, but I was just wondering if you were using Pillsbury or Betty Crocker", he snickers.
Scully turns slowly and throws a handful of flour in Mulder's face and then calmly pats her dough into a loaflike shape and slaps it into the pan that Mrs. Heinrich has laid out for her.
Mulder leaves to finish the fence with Mr. Heinrich. He is having better luck doing this type of work. Its backbreaking work though and he is thankful when Mr. Heinrich announces its time for supper by making eating motions.
They enter the house and the food is already on the table with Scully and Mrs. Heinrich already seated. Their dinner consists of chicken, beans, bread and pie. After dinner Mrs. Heinrich tries to hold a conversation with the agents. "You and husband married long time", she asks.
"We are not married. We work together", says Scully looking at Mulder.
"Not married?!", ask Mrs. Heinrich. "In America baby come before marriage?", asks Mrs. Heinrich looking horrified.
"Not always", says Scully. "In my case I hope that I will be able to adopt in time", says Scully softly.
"Adopt? What is that?" asks Mrs. Heinrich.
"Caring for an unwanted child", explains Scully.
"Don't you want your own child", asks Mrs. Heinrich motioning to Scully.
":I can't have children", says Scully looking away.
"You not expecting now?", exclaims Mrs. Heinrich.
"NO!", says Scully her face flaming as Mulder stares at her.
"You were not right!", says Mrs. Heinrich hitting Mr. Heinrich in the arm.
By this time it is late and the sun is gone. Mr. Heinrich has built a fire in the fireplace and lighted some lamps. He hands one to Mulder and Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich walk toward their room with their own lamp. "Goodnight", they say in German.
Scully walks into their room with Mulder following her. She finds a long nightgown spread on the bed with a pair of longjohns beside it. "You've got to be kidding me", says Scully. "I feel like we've been put into a timewarp and we are on a wagon train headed to Oregon."
"Hey look Scully, it even has the trap door", says Mulder holding up the longjohns.
"Thats something I didn't need to know", say Scully looking now at the bed and seeing how small it is. Theres no way to avoid not sleeping close together. She doesn't mind but it bothers her that there are two people sleeping only a wall away.
"We could always sleep in the buff if you don't like the attire", says Mulder.
"Not on your life", says Scully picking up the nightgown. "Turn your back and let me put this on." Mulder does so without protest. Scully gets into the bed and faces the wall which has a window above it. Mulder quickly changes and joins her in the bed.
"Scully, I'm on the edge here. I think I may fall out if you don't move over." Scully moves over and Mulder gets more room.
"Boy, its really cold in here," says Scully pulling the thick quilt up to her chin.
"Nothing a little body heat couldn't fix", says Mulder snuggling up to her from behind. Scully gives a little laugh.
"I hate to disappoint you Scully, but I am too tired to do anything. Mr. Heinrich worked me to the limit and I am so sore. I guess I am really out of shape.
"Too many desk assignments for you", says Scully yawning. Finally the two of them fall asleep.