Part 22
"He is going to know Mulder", says Scully as the two of them observe Skinner exit the trailer and talk to Kate. "Whats that in his hand?" She squints and struggles to see.
"You don't want to know", says Mulder.
"Why? What is it?", asks Scully looking up at him.
"Lets just say its the same color as that silky thing that I had fun taking off of you a while back", replies Mulder keeping his eyes on Skinner.
Scully blushes and then says, "Oh My God Mulder. What are we going to do? Why did he have to come out here? We aren't even on official business and you've paid for all of our expenses. I hate to say this because I admire Skinner, but its none of his business why we are here. We're on leave and if we chose to jet off to California to search for Bigfoot that is obviously our decision. "
"Scully, I have something to tell you", says Mulder softly.
"What? Oh no. You have that 'I'm haven't told you everything Scully' look on your face Mulder. Mulder, what aren't you telling me?", asks Scully.
"Well some, not all of our expenses may have somehow gotten on my bureau credit card", says Mulder sheepishly.
"Mulder, exactly how much of our expenses went on the card?", asks Scully.
"Well, obviously all of Kate's expenses were paid in cash", says Mulder. "But the flight may have accidentally gotten on the card."
"Mulder! You said that you paid for this yourself", Scully says shaking her head.
"I never said I wasn't going to pay for it Scully. I was just letting the bureau kinda foot the bill for a while until I could repay them."
"Oh Mulder. What am I going to do with you?", smiles Scully.
"I could think of a few good things", says Mulder moving in to nuzzle her neck.
"Mulder, look", says Scully. "What is Skinner doing now?"
Mulder looks up to see Skinner being "detained" by Kate. "I think Kate is making the moves on the Skinman", says Mulder. "Now he is walking to his trailer. Kate is going back to the office. I say we get out of here before Skinner comes this way. We've only got a couple of hours of daylight to get to the campsite again."
"We're going back there now?, Scully asks looking amazed. "
"Whats our options? Should we just go up to Skinner's trailer and say 'Sir, we know that you found our clothes all over the floor in the trailer. We're just a messy pair and you know that negligee that you found? Thats Agent Mulder's, he is a little shy about his cross dressing habits."
Scully tries hard not to laugh. "Mulder! I don't want to confront Skinner now."
"Wait, here he comes again", says Mulder as he watches Skinner climb onto the roof of his trailer. "He is fixing his antenna. Looks like maybe the tv may not be getting the reception he would like."
"Come on Mulder", says Scully pulling his arm. "I don't want another night of being stranded in the forest. I just want to get back to our little campsite."
"Okay", says Mulder as he allows himself to be drawn away from Skinner and the two agents start on the trail back to Campsite #42.
Part 23
The agents have arrived back at their campsite without incident. "Mulder, do you really think it was wise running out on Skinner like that", asks Scully. "When he catches up to us he is going to be even more angry. He knows whats gone on between us. He is not blind. I mean he found my nightgown and all our clothes around." Scully doesn't want to admit all of her fears to Mulder, but her strength is wavering. Her eyes tear up as he looks at her.
"He won't split us up Scully. I won't let him", says Mulder. "We'll think of something. We always do."
"Mulder, he is going to find us. Kate will end up telling him where we are camped and then he'll be right out here confronting us. Why didn't I let you rent another tent for me? This is going to look horrible when he arrives. We're staying in the same tent, we've crossed to the other side, we've gone against the bureau's policies, we've become involved.. sexually involved."
"We love each other", says Mulder approaching her and pulling her face up to look at him. "Never feel guilty Scully about what you feel. If others don't understand how two people that work together could fall in love with each other after seven years then its them that has a problem. Not us."
Scully nods as Mulder pulls her to him and gives her a huge hug. "I just thought of a way that maybe we could temporarily detain Skinner", says Mulder giving Scully a mischievous look and leaning down to give her a light kiss on the lips.
"How?", asks Scully suspiciously.
Mulder enters the tent and a minute later he comes out with a tube of toothpaste. He approaches the tree with the #42 sign on it. He puts the tube of toothpaste in his mouth and starts climbing the tree."
"Mulder, what are you doing?", asks Scully standing under the tree and looking up.
"I'm covering up the evidence", says Mulder as he reaches the sign. Holding onto the tree with one arm he gets the toothpaste open and squeezes some onto the sign. "Okay Scully, what campsite do you want? Do you want #4 or #2."
Scully laughs and then says, "Only you Mulder would think of something like this. Ah, lets stay at number #4." Mulder smears the toothpaste over the #2 and then tosses the toothpaste to the ground.
"You know Mulder you once asked me if watching you climb trees turned me on. This is the second time on this trip you've been up a tree and I must say I find it kind of intriguing, or maybe even arousing." Mulder chuckles as he begins to climb down the tree. Just then he hears a roar and turns his head to see Bigfoot running through the forest. His first thought is of Scully.
"Scully, the Sasquatch is coming!" He slides down the tree scraping his hands and knees and jumps to the ground. He runs to the tent and grabs his gun. He emerges from the tent and looks around. Scully is no where to be seen. "Scully! Scully! Damn it Scully, speak to me!"
"Mulder!", screams Scully from somewhere. Mulder turns his head in all directions before he realizes that Bigfoot has carried off Scully. He sees trees moving in a westerly direction and he is in hot pursuit immediately.
He hears her scream again and finally he is able to catch sight of them. Bigfoot has Scully thrown over its shoulder and is about to enter the river.
Mulder raises his gun, but the shot wasn't a clear aim. He didn't want to risk hitting Scully. Bigfoot has now entered the river and is swimming to the other side. Mulder places the handle of his gun in his mouth and dives into the river. The river is wider than it looks and he can't believe how fast the Bigfoot is. Mulder is rapidly running out of strength. Years ago he used to swim laps daily, but since his life had become so complicated he just jogged.
Bigfoot has now reached the other side of the river and turns to see Mulder who is still about twenty yards from the riverbank. By the time Mulder reaches the shore Bigfoot is no where to be seen. Mulder is frantic at this point. He sees nothing and despite his excellent hearing, there is nothing to listen for. "Scully! Scully!", he desperately screams. There is no scream of 'Mulder' this time. The forest is endless and silent.
Mulder sits down on a boulder, bringing his knees to his chest he puts his head in his hands and cries.
Part 24
Skinner has fixed his antenna finally and is inside his trailer relaxing when there is a knock at the door. He gets up and answers the door and is surprised to see Kate standing there. "Is there something I can do for you", frowns Skinner.
"Howie said that you were having some problems with your antenna and I just wanted to make sure that you are getting good reception", says Kate trying not to stare at Skinner who has forgotten himself and is standing in the open doorway in his boxers and t-shirt. He sees Kate's eyes following downward and he then realizes his state of dress or undress.
"I apologize for my appearance", says Skinner embarrassed. I thought it was one of my agents coming to talk to me. "But as I can predict I don't think they will be coming to see me anytime soon."
"Thats okay", says Kate. "You look just fine. Is your antenna still messed up or is there anything else I can do for you?"
Skinner stares at Kate and finally really takes in her appearance. She is of average height with long brown hair that is up in a ponytail. Her figure is pleasing to look at. He shakes his head as he realizes that he is checking this woman out and he hopes she doesn't realize what a pathetic person he is. Anyone looking at him would think he was as sick as his top agent was.
Kate smiles at him and then says, "Are you hungry? I still have some of the pot roast that I made for dinner. What do you say?"
Skinner thinks for a moment. 'Ah what the hell? If the agents don't want to be found I'm not going to be able to do anything anyway. I may as well let my hair down. Well, its just a saying.' He runs a hand over his bald head and looks at his feet. Finally he looks up to see Kate's hopeful face. "Sure, that would be just great. Let me just throw on some clothes. Where do you want me?" He stops and flushes slightly. "I mean where should I meet you."
Kate smiles broadly and points to the trailer nearest to the office. "Thats my place. Why don't you come over in about half an hour."
"Okay, its a date", says Skinner. "Well, you know what I mean." He quickly shuts the door and contemplates what he is going to wear.
Kate turns away from the door and walks across to her own trailer. There is obviously a slight skip to her step as she approaches the door and goes in.
From the office Howie observes the exchange and the happiness that Kate has experienced as she enters her trailer. He nods to himself and smiles before turning away.
"He is going to know Mulder", says Scully as the two of them observe Skinner exit the trailer and talk to Kate. "Whats that in his hand?" She squints and struggles to see.
"You don't want to know", says Mulder.
"Why? What is it?", asks Scully looking up at him.
"Lets just say its the same color as that silky thing that I had fun taking off of you a while back", replies Mulder keeping his eyes on Skinner.
Scully blushes and then says, "Oh My God Mulder. What are we going to do? Why did he have to come out here? We aren't even on official business and you've paid for all of our expenses. I hate to say this because I admire Skinner, but its none of his business why we are here. We're on leave and if we chose to jet off to California to search for Bigfoot that is obviously our decision. "
"Scully, I have something to tell you", says Mulder softly.
"What? Oh no. You have that 'I'm haven't told you everything Scully' look on your face Mulder. Mulder, what aren't you telling me?", asks Scully.
"Well some, not all of our expenses may have somehow gotten on my bureau credit card", says Mulder sheepishly.
"Mulder, exactly how much of our expenses went on the card?", asks Scully.
"Well, obviously all of Kate's expenses were paid in cash", says Mulder. "But the flight may have accidentally gotten on the card."
"Mulder! You said that you paid for this yourself", Scully says shaking her head.
"I never said I wasn't going to pay for it Scully. I was just letting the bureau kinda foot the bill for a while until I could repay them."
"Oh Mulder. What am I going to do with you?", smiles Scully.
"I could think of a few good things", says Mulder moving in to nuzzle her neck.
"Mulder, look", says Scully. "What is Skinner doing now?"
Mulder looks up to see Skinner being "detained" by Kate. "I think Kate is making the moves on the Skinman", says Mulder. "Now he is walking to his trailer. Kate is going back to the office. I say we get out of here before Skinner comes this way. We've only got a couple of hours of daylight to get to the campsite again."
"We're going back there now?, Scully asks looking amazed. "
"Whats our options? Should we just go up to Skinner's trailer and say 'Sir, we know that you found our clothes all over the floor in the trailer. We're just a messy pair and you know that negligee that you found? Thats Agent Mulder's, he is a little shy about his cross dressing habits."
Scully tries hard not to laugh. "Mulder! I don't want to confront Skinner now."
"Wait, here he comes again", says Mulder as he watches Skinner climb onto the roof of his trailer. "He is fixing his antenna. Looks like maybe the tv may not be getting the reception he would like."
"Come on Mulder", says Scully pulling his arm. "I don't want another night of being stranded in the forest. I just want to get back to our little campsite."
"Okay", says Mulder as he allows himself to be drawn away from Skinner and the two agents start on the trail back to Campsite #42.
Part 23
The agents have arrived back at their campsite without incident. "Mulder, do you really think it was wise running out on Skinner like that", asks Scully. "When he catches up to us he is going to be even more angry. He knows whats gone on between us. He is not blind. I mean he found my nightgown and all our clothes around." Scully doesn't want to admit all of her fears to Mulder, but her strength is wavering. Her eyes tear up as he looks at her.
"He won't split us up Scully. I won't let him", says Mulder. "We'll think of something. We always do."
"Mulder, he is going to find us. Kate will end up telling him where we are camped and then he'll be right out here confronting us. Why didn't I let you rent another tent for me? This is going to look horrible when he arrives. We're staying in the same tent, we've crossed to the other side, we've gone against the bureau's policies, we've become involved.. sexually involved."
"We love each other", says Mulder approaching her and pulling her face up to look at him. "Never feel guilty Scully about what you feel. If others don't understand how two people that work together could fall in love with each other after seven years then its them that has a problem. Not us."
Scully nods as Mulder pulls her to him and gives her a huge hug. "I just thought of a way that maybe we could temporarily detain Skinner", says Mulder giving Scully a mischievous look and leaning down to give her a light kiss on the lips.
"How?", asks Scully suspiciously.
Mulder enters the tent and a minute later he comes out with a tube of toothpaste. He approaches the tree with the #42 sign on it. He puts the tube of toothpaste in his mouth and starts climbing the tree."
"Mulder, what are you doing?", asks Scully standing under the tree and looking up.
"I'm covering up the evidence", says Mulder as he reaches the sign. Holding onto the tree with one arm he gets the toothpaste open and squeezes some onto the sign. "Okay Scully, what campsite do you want? Do you want #4 or #2."
Scully laughs and then says, "Only you Mulder would think of something like this. Ah, lets stay at number #4." Mulder smears the toothpaste over the #2 and then tosses the toothpaste to the ground.
"You know Mulder you once asked me if watching you climb trees turned me on. This is the second time on this trip you've been up a tree and I must say I find it kind of intriguing, or maybe even arousing." Mulder chuckles as he begins to climb down the tree. Just then he hears a roar and turns his head to see Bigfoot running through the forest. His first thought is of Scully.
"Scully, the Sasquatch is coming!" He slides down the tree scraping his hands and knees and jumps to the ground. He runs to the tent and grabs his gun. He emerges from the tent and looks around. Scully is no where to be seen. "Scully! Scully! Damn it Scully, speak to me!"
"Mulder!", screams Scully from somewhere. Mulder turns his head in all directions before he realizes that Bigfoot has carried off Scully. He sees trees moving in a westerly direction and he is in hot pursuit immediately.
He hears her scream again and finally he is able to catch sight of them. Bigfoot has Scully thrown over its shoulder and is about to enter the river.
Mulder raises his gun, but the shot wasn't a clear aim. He didn't want to risk hitting Scully. Bigfoot has now entered the river and is swimming to the other side. Mulder places the handle of his gun in his mouth and dives into the river. The river is wider than it looks and he can't believe how fast the Bigfoot is. Mulder is rapidly running out of strength. Years ago he used to swim laps daily, but since his life had become so complicated he just jogged.
Bigfoot has now reached the other side of the river and turns to see Mulder who is still about twenty yards from the riverbank. By the time Mulder reaches the shore Bigfoot is no where to be seen. Mulder is frantic at this point. He sees nothing and despite his excellent hearing, there is nothing to listen for. "Scully! Scully!", he desperately screams. There is no scream of 'Mulder' this time. The forest is endless and silent.
Mulder sits down on a boulder, bringing his knees to his chest he puts his head in his hands and cries.
Part 24
Skinner has fixed his antenna finally and is inside his trailer relaxing when there is a knock at the door. He gets up and answers the door and is surprised to see Kate standing there. "Is there something I can do for you", frowns Skinner.
"Howie said that you were having some problems with your antenna and I just wanted to make sure that you are getting good reception", says Kate trying not to stare at Skinner who has forgotten himself and is standing in the open doorway in his boxers and t-shirt. He sees Kate's eyes following downward and he then realizes his state of dress or undress.
"I apologize for my appearance", says Skinner embarrassed. I thought it was one of my agents coming to talk to me. "But as I can predict I don't think they will be coming to see me anytime soon."
"Thats okay", says Kate. "You look just fine. Is your antenna still messed up or is there anything else I can do for you?"
Skinner stares at Kate and finally really takes in her appearance. She is of average height with long brown hair that is up in a ponytail. Her figure is pleasing to look at. He shakes his head as he realizes that he is checking this woman out and he hopes she doesn't realize what a pathetic person he is. Anyone looking at him would think he was as sick as his top agent was.
Kate smiles at him and then says, "Are you hungry? I still have some of the pot roast that I made for dinner. What do you say?"
Skinner thinks for a moment. 'Ah what the hell? If the agents don't want to be found I'm not going to be able to do anything anyway. I may as well let my hair down. Well, its just a saying.' He runs a hand over his bald head and looks at his feet. Finally he looks up to see Kate's hopeful face. "Sure, that would be just great. Let me just throw on some clothes. Where do you want me?" He stops and flushes slightly. "I mean where should I meet you."
Kate smiles broadly and points to the trailer nearest to the office. "Thats my place. Why don't you come over in about half an hour."
"Okay, its a date", says Skinner. "Well, you know what I mean." He quickly shuts the door and contemplates what he is going to wear.
Kate turns away from the door and walks across to her own trailer. There is obviously a slight skip to her step as she approaches the door and goes in.
From the office Howie observes the exchange and the happiness that Kate has experienced as she enters her trailer. He nods to himself and smiles before turning away.