Part 67
"Thats the most ridiculous story I have ever heard", says Skinner after listening to Frohike and Byers spin their tale of how they planned on freeing Scully. "There isn't even a good reason for doing what you had planned. Agents Mulder and Scully are out on bail, but they are going to be held on house arrest until I can finish clearing them." He pulls out the two ankle transmitters and hold them up for the Gunmen to see. "You just finished telling me that you helped arrange the bail money. Why in heaven's sakes would you screw this up by trying to bust in here and seize Agent Scully? I could get you in really big trouble for this you know, but I'm having a sympathetic moment for the two of you." He stares at their outfits for a moment. "Just please go home and change out of those outfits. Mulder and Scully will be at their homes by 9 tonight, so if you want to see them or call them thats fine. They just can't leave their respective residences. The transmitters are already programmed. By the way where is your third amigo?"
"He's in the van waiting out front. He is the getaway driver", says Frohike.
"Lets go you two. Theres only ten minutes before the flight arrives and the other two agents will be back by now." Skinner pushes the two of them out the door of the bathroom. "Go home. Go home now", Skinner says firmly as he watches them lope toward the main entrance of the airport.
Skinner turns to see Agents Collins and Randolph approaching. "Who in the world was that?", asks Randolph pointing.
"A couple of friends of Mulder's", says Skinner walking away.
"God, I knew things were bad with Mulder's lovelife, but I didn't think things were that bad", says Collins to Randolph.
Just then an announcement is made that Flight #110 from Las Vegas is approaching Gate #17. Skinner and the two agents wait patiently as the airplane taxis up to the gate and passengers disembark. The last people off the plane are Mulder and Scully led by the four guards.
"Quit shoving me", says Mulder glaring over his shoulder as he is stopped in front of Skinner. Scully doesn't say anything as she is led up to stand beside Mulder.
"That will be all gentlemen", says Skinner. "We'll take them from here."
He takes each agent by an elbow and turns them around. "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully. Its so nice of you to make an appearance again. I want to hear your story as soon as we get in the car and that means the entire story. What in the hell were you doing in Las Vegas?" Skinner's eyes flash at Mulder as he sheepishly looks at Scully.
"Sir, we were on our way to ........", begins Mulder.
"We were on our way to get lucky Sir", interrupts Scully.
"Lucky?", asks Skinner stopping and frowning at Scully.
"We went to Las Vegas to gamble Sir. It was my idea to go to Vegas, Mulder just wanted to go home and fill out our reports on the Bobby Smith encounter, but I used my charms on him and he reluctantly agreed", Scully lies as Mulder's mouth drops open at the deception.
"I'm really surprised at you Agent Scully. That is totally irresponsible of you. It sounds like something Mulder would do and I would never have suspected you of a closet gambler. What do you have to say about this Agent Mulder?"
"I'm as shocked as you are Sir", says Mulder giving a look at Scully as Skinner opens the door to enter the main parking lot. His look reads, 'You don't have to protect me.' Her look reads, 'I will do what I have to.'
"We did not steal any credit cards Sir", says Mulder. "Agent Scully lost her suitcase and we rented a car. After we stopped at Caesar's to eat at the all you can eat buffet we were approached by two suspicious characters and all of our money, credit cards, car and jewelry were stolen", says Mulder.
"How in the hell did they sneak up on you? You're FBI agents. Weren't you paying attention?", asks Skinner.
"Well I wasn't really feeling all that well", says Mulder as Skinner stops them next to the black sedan.
"They got everything of yours then?", asks Skinner.
"Yeah, everything", says Mulder as Skinner opens one of the backdoors.
"Apparently they didn't get all of your jewelry Agent Mulder", Skinner motions to the cross around Mulder's neck.
"Oh. Agent Scully gave it to me for safekeeping", says Mulder. "She was worried that her roommate Large Marge would wrestle her for it." Scully raises her eyebrow at Mulder's lie.
Scully and Mulder are put in the backseat with Agent Randolph in between. Skinner and Collins get in the front. The car pulls out onto the main highway. They don't see a gray Cadillac pull behind them.
Part 68
Skinner pulls their car up in front of Mulder's apartment building and gets out. He opens the backdoor. "Your ride ends here Mulder", says Skinner. Mulder glances over at Scully. He mouths the words, "I'll call you", to her and gets out. Skinner takes him by the arm and leads him up the front steps.
"I don't have my keys", says Mulder as he reaches for the building superintendent's button. He presses it and a male voice answers.
"Yeah."
"Its Fox Mulder. I've locked myself out of my apartment."
"Some excuse, I saw the reports Mulder. You're lucky I'll even let you in the building. I'll meet you upstairs and open your door." The buzzer rings signaling the front door is open. Skinner grabs it and they walk inside and take the elevator up to the fourth floor. The superintendent is there with the key and stares at Mulder and Skinner as they approach Apartment #42.
"Agent Mulder is currently under house arrest", says Skinner. "This ankle transmitter allows him to move freely about this building only. He can go down and get the mail and most likely will get as far as the street curb outside, but thats it. If he does then the alarm goes off at headquarters and he'll be a moving target."
The superintendent opens the door. "I always thought it was a mistake renting you this apartment. Theres always something going on here. I mean lets see there's been at least two or three dead guys found in or around your apartment, then there was that weirdo writer that got the hots for your partner. She almost died in there and then the whole building went wacky after someone decided to drug the water to get to you. I thought it was a good thing to rent to an FBI agent. I would make everyone feel safer, but now I'm starting to wonder. I'm going to have to look up when your lease is up." He starts to walk away.
"And a good day to you too", says Mulder sarcastically as Skinner pushes him in the apartment. Skinner shuts the door and pulls a key out of his pocket. He undoes the handcuffs and puts them in his pocket.
"I'm sorry that its come to this Agent Mulder", says Skinner motioning him to go and sit down on the couch. He pulls out the transmitter and kneels before him. "This wasn't my idea. The director insisted that until you and Agent Scully are cleared it was best to take all possible precautions.
"Don't try to pretend you're on my side Sir, because you aren't my prince even though the shoe fits", says Mulder angrily as Skinner clicks the lock on the transmitter that he has put around Mulder's right ankle.
"Mulder, I'm doing this for you. Don't you understand? If you go out there and make a mess of the situation its going to look worse. Leave the investigation to me. We will find who did this. Understand?"
"Understand? How can I understand that I'm out on bail for a crime that I didn't commit and I'm locked up in my apartment with a dog alarm around my ankle?", asks Mulder. "What about my cases? How am I going to buy food? Go to the bank. Cripes, I can't even go to the video store."
Skinner gives him a funny look. "You'll be provided with all of the necessities. As I said before this is only temporary. Agent Scully will be in the same situation as you, but she has family that come and visit her. I can understand your frustration at being isolated, but theres always the telephone and the internet. You can call whoever you want to, but I wouldn't discuss the case with anyone besides myself and Agent Scully. Speaking of, I should go down and check up on Collins and Randolph. They are such pains." He goes over to the window and glances down into the street to look at the car. He frowns as he sees something strange. His frown doesn't go unnoticed by Mulder. He approaches Skinner from behind.
"What is it? What do you see?", he asks.
"I have to go downstairs immediately", says Skinner dropping the blinds and jogging to the door. He leaves it open as he runs down the hallway. Mulder glances out the window to see their black sedan sitting where they left it parked. The two back doors are open.
"Scully!", he yells as he drops the blinds and runs for the door. He takes the stairs and runs out the front of his building out onto the sidewalk. He runs about twenty feet away from the building towards the car when a sharp pain runs up his leg. He has been shocked from his transmitter. He stops and grinds his teeth as he sits on top of the wall that surrounds the apartment building. He pauses for only a moment and continues on approaching the vehicle.
"What happened?", he manages to say to Skinner as he grabs his leg from another shock.
"Collins and Randolph are unconscious. It looks like they've been drugged with some sort of gas."
"Where is Scully? They took her didn't they?", he asks Skinner accusingly. "How many times are they going to use her against me?" He cringes again from the ankle transmitter. "What the hell did you put on me? This thing is giving me electrical shocks. Let me tell you Skinner shock therapy is not going to help me. If you don't remove this thing right now so I can go after Scully I'm going to do it myself!" He sits down on the sidewalk and puts his head in his hands.
"I'll go after her Mulder. You have to stay in the apartment. Understand? They will use this against you. You get involved with a big confrontation with Smoking Man during this pending case and you are history. With the law, with the FBI if Kersh has anything to say about it.
"The hell with the law and FBI! Don't you understand Sir? Without Scully I have nothing and I wouldn't want to go on without her. You have got to let me go Sir. I can find her, I'm the only one that can." Mulder looks pleadingly up at Skinner.
"Agent Mulder, I could lose my job", says Skinner looking away. He looks away. and then walks around the car to shut the doors of the car. He approaches Mulder again staring at him on the ground. "Like I said Mulder I could lose my job, my pension, my reputation."
"And I could lose my lo....., my friend, my partner", says Mulder angrily as he slaps his hands on his knees and looks down to the sidewalk.
"I would suggest you go back inside Mulder and get some rest. I'll take Collins and Randolph to the hospital and call headquarters to set up a search team for Scully. You know what you have to do." Mulder whinces again as another shock comes and he sticks both index fingers between his teeth and bites down to stand the pain. He looks up to see Skinner getting into the car and closes his eyes in frustration. He opens his eyes to see the car pulling away and he glances down. Resting on his knee is the key to the transmitter.
Part 69
Skinner sits in the waiting area of the hospital. Collins and Randolph are going to be okay, but they are going to have a major headache for the next couple of days. Skinner reaches for his cell phone and calls Kimberly at headquarters. Despite the late hour of 11 PM he knows that all the stops have been pulled out regarding the disappearance of Special Agent Dana Scully.
"Have you heard anything?", he asks her.
"No Sir, Agent Kersh has put together a search team, but there haven't been any demands for ransom. Unfortunately, its been pretty quiet here. Will you be returning soon?"
"Yes, arrange for a car to take Agents Collins and Randolph home Kimberly. They are just being released from the hospital and will need transportation." He hangs up and starts to put away the phone but stops. He stares at it a moment and then reaches in his pocket for a business card. He takes a deep breath and dials the phone number.
Howie answers the phone. "Lazy Acre Trailer Park!"
"Hi Howie, its Walter Skinner. Is Kate in?"
"She is here, but I can't guarantee that she will want to talk to you", says Howie. "You hurt her pretty badly. She is a very sensitive woman Mr. Skinner and I don't want her feelings getting hurt again. So, if its just the same to you I would suggest that we forget that you even called here."
"I know I hurt her Howie. I feel badly about it. I don't think the two of you quite understand the pressure that I am under right now. Well, my job is stressful and I can't begin to explain the situation that I'm in. Agents Mulder and Scully are very special to me and Kate unintentionally put their lives and careers into jeopardy by speaking too freely to a fellow AD. He has been trying for years to discredit their work and get them dismissed from the FBI. I don't know if you have seen the news lately, but they've been accused of charging some personal expenses on a federal credit card. They were robbed and now I'm even more concerned because after their arrival in DC Agent Scully was kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?", asks Howie. "Who would do that to Miss Scully?"
"Like I said Howie, there is a lot you don't know and I've got agents working around the clock on this."
"Hows Agent Mulder taking all of this?", asks Howie.
"Not very well I am afraid", says Skinner. "He never takes these situations well anyway. She is his partner after all and they have a special bond that no one can really understand, or interfere with."
"So I noticed", says Howie. A door slams in the background.
"Is that Kate?", asks a hopeful Skinner.
"Yeah. Kate, do you want to talk to Walter Skinner? He has some upsetting news about Agent Scully."
Kate comes to the phone. "Oh, Walter I am so glad you called. I was torn whether or not I should call you, but I chose not to. I thought maybe that you wouldn't want to talk to me as I guess this situation with Agents Mulder and Scully is all my fault."
"Its not your fault Kate. It was just a coincidence. The agents got robbed in Vegas and apparently Kersh thought that it was them charging things and he put out an APB on them. They were arrested and then brought to DC where bail was arranged. I was forced to put them under house arrest in order to protect them from falling into any more traps, but I was too late. When I was busy dropping off Mulder at his apartment Scully was taken."
"Who would want to take her?", exclaims Kate.
"I told you before Kate, there are government men who will do anything to stop Mulder from finding the truth. They constantly are using Scully to get to him and this time I think something major is going to happen. I can just feel it in my bones."
"So Agents Mulder and Scully told you all about going to Vegas?", asks Kate. "Is it official?"
"What? Is what official?", asks Skinner as Collins and Randolph walk slowly out of the emergency room. They weakly put their suit jackets back on as they wait for Skinner to get off the phone.
"Ah, the case they were working on?"
"What case?", asks Skinner. "They told me they went to Vegas to win big. Scully even said that it was her idea which I think is a lie. She is protecting Mulder, like she always does."
"Thats not the real reason", says Kate.
"I just knew it", says Skinner. "They were on a case without permission weren't they?"
"Yes", says Kate.
"Okay, give it to me. What was the case? It better not be any zombies this time."
"I just asked if it were official, because Agent Mulder said they were going to Vegas because the King was alive", says Kate.
Part 70
"Kate, how soon can you be to DC", asks Skinner quietly.
"Well its 8 PM PST. I probably could get a flight out tomorrow morning. I might be able to make it to DC by 2 or 3 EST", says Kate flirtatiously.
"Book a ticket and I'll pay for it", says Skinner. "I miss you Kate."
"I miss you too Walter. See you tomorrow. I'll call you with the exact time that I will arrive."
"If I'm not there just leave it on my voice mail or tell my secretary, Kimberly", says Skinner. "I can't wait to see you."
"Until tomorrow then", says Kate.
"Tomorrow", says Skinner as Kate hangs up.
"Way to go Sir", says Randolph slapping him on the shoulder. Skinner gives him a glare. "You're out of line Randolph. Lets go get you back to headquarters. Someone will take you home from there. I need to go to a quick briefing on the progress on the disappearance of Agent Scully, then I'm going home. I need some sleep after all of this. Before we leave though I need to ask you one thing. Did you see anything at all?"
Collins and Randolph look at each other. Collins speaks first. "I saw a silver-gray Cadillac pull up beside us. There were two men in the car. One was about 35 years old with dark hair. He was driving. He got out of the car and approached us. I didn't think anything of it, but he sprayed a sweet smelling gas into the open window. I could't concentrate on anything. Everything was black."
Randolph nods. "I looked over at Agent Scully and she was out before I was. The dark haired guy stepped back from the car and opened up the trunk. The last thing I remember is the other guy lighting up a cigarette in the passenger seat."
Skinner nods. "Smoking man", he replies.
"I don't know Sir, all I know was that he was an old guy with a cigarette", replies Randolph.
"Lets go boys", says Skinner. He walks towards the exit. "Mulder was right", he says quietly to himself. "They're using her against him again."
"Thats the most ridiculous story I have ever heard", says Skinner after listening to Frohike and Byers spin their tale of how they planned on freeing Scully. "There isn't even a good reason for doing what you had planned. Agents Mulder and Scully are out on bail, but they are going to be held on house arrest until I can finish clearing them." He pulls out the two ankle transmitters and hold them up for the Gunmen to see. "You just finished telling me that you helped arrange the bail money. Why in heaven's sakes would you screw this up by trying to bust in here and seize Agent Scully? I could get you in really big trouble for this you know, but I'm having a sympathetic moment for the two of you." He stares at their outfits for a moment. "Just please go home and change out of those outfits. Mulder and Scully will be at their homes by 9 tonight, so if you want to see them or call them thats fine. They just can't leave their respective residences. The transmitters are already programmed. By the way where is your third amigo?"
"He's in the van waiting out front. He is the getaway driver", says Frohike.
"Lets go you two. Theres only ten minutes before the flight arrives and the other two agents will be back by now." Skinner pushes the two of them out the door of the bathroom. "Go home. Go home now", Skinner says firmly as he watches them lope toward the main entrance of the airport.
Skinner turns to see Agents Collins and Randolph approaching. "Who in the world was that?", asks Randolph pointing.
"A couple of friends of Mulder's", says Skinner walking away.
"God, I knew things were bad with Mulder's lovelife, but I didn't think things were that bad", says Collins to Randolph.
Just then an announcement is made that Flight #110 from Las Vegas is approaching Gate #17. Skinner and the two agents wait patiently as the airplane taxis up to the gate and passengers disembark. The last people off the plane are Mulder and Scully led by the four guards.
"Quit shoving me", says Mulder glaring over his shoulder as he is stopped in front of Skinner. Scully doesn't say anything as she is led up to stand beside Mulder.
"That will be all gentlemen", says Skinner. "We'll take them from here."
He takes each agent by an elbow and turns them around. "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully. Its so nice of you to make an appearance again. I want to hear your story as soon as we get in the car and that means the entire story. What in the hell were you doing in Las Vegas?" Skinner's eyes flash at Mulder as he sheepishly looks at Scully.
"Sir, we were on our way to ........", begins Mulder.
"We were on our way to get lucky Sir", interrupts Scully.
"Lucky?", asks Skinner stopping and frowning at Scully.
"We went to Las Vegas to gamble Sir. It was my idea to go to Vegas, Mulder just wanted to go home and fill out our reports on the Bobby Smith encounter, but I used my charms on him and he reluctantly agreed", Scully lies as Mulder's mouth drops open at the deception.
"I'm really surprised at you Agent Scully. That is totally irresponsible of you. It sounds like something Mulder would do and I would never have suspected you of a closet gambler. What do you have to say about this Agent Mulder?"
"I'm as shocked as you are Sir", says Mulder giving a look at Scully as Skinner opens the door to enter the main parking lot. His look reads, 'You don't have to protect me.' Her look reads, 'I will do what I have to.'
"We did not steal any credit cards Sir", says Mulder. "Agent Scully lost her suitcase and we rented a car. After we stopped at Caesar's to eat at the all you can eat buffet we were approached by two suspicious characters and all of our money, credit cards, car and jewelry were stolen", says Mulder.
"How in the hell did they sneak up on you? You're FBI agents. Weren't you paying attention?", asks Skinner.
"Well I wasn't really feeling all that well", says Mulder as Skinner stops them next to the black sedan.
"They got everything of yours then?", asks Skinner.
"Yeah, everything", says Mulder as Skinner opens one of the backdoors.
"Apparently they didn't get all of your jewelry Agent Mulder", Skinner motions to the cross around Mulder's neck.
"Oh. Agent Scully gave it to me for safekeeping", says Mulder. "She was worried that her roommate Large Marge would wrestle her for it." Scully raises her eyebrow at Mulder's lie.
Scully and Mulder are put in the backseat with Agent Randolph in between. Skinner and Collins get in the front. The car pulls out onto the main highway. They don't see a gray Cadillac pull behind them.
Part 68
Skinner pulls their car up in front of Mulder's apartment building and gets out. He opens the backdoor. "Your ride ends here Mulder", says Skinner. Mulder glances over at Scully. He mouths the words, "I'll call you", to her and gets out. Skinner takes him by the arm and leads him up the front steps.
"I don't have my keys", says Mulder as he reaches for the building superintendent's button. He presses it and a male voice answers.
"Yeah."
"Its Fox Mulder. I've locked myself out of my apartment."
"Some excuse, I saw the reports Mulder. You're lucky I'll even let you in the building. I'll meet you upstairs and open your door." The buzzer rings signaling the front door is open. Skinner grabs it and they walk inside and take the elevator up to the fourth floor. The superintendent is there with the key and stares at Mulder and Skinner as they approach Apartment #42.
"Agent Mulder is currently under house arrest", says Skinner. "This ankle transmitter allows him to move freely about this building only. He can go down and get the mail and most likely will get as far as the street curb outside, but thats it. If he does then the alarm goes off at headquarters and he'll be a moving target."
The superintendent opens the door. "I always thought it was a mistake renting you this apartment. Theres always something going on here. I mean lets see there's been at least two or three dead guys found in or around your apartment, then there was that weirdo writer that got the hots for your partner. She almost died in there and then the whole building went wacky after someone decided to drug the water to get to you. I thought it was a good thing to rent to an FBI agent. I would make everyone feel safer, but now I'm starting to wonder. I'm going to have to look up when your lease is up." He starts to walk away.
"And a good day to you too", says Mulder sarcastically as Skinner pushes him in the apartment. Skinner shuts the door and pulls a key out of his pocket. He undoes the handcuffs and puts them in his pocket.
"I'm sorry that its come to this Agent Mulder", says Skinner motioning him to go and sit down on the couch. He pulls out the transmitter and kneels before him. "This wasn't my idea. The director insisted that until you and Agent Scully are cleared it was best to take all possible precautions.
"Don't try to pretend you're on my side Sir, because you aren't my prince even though the shoe fits", says Mulder angrily as Skinner clicks the lock on the transmitter that he has put around Mulder's right ankle.
"Mulder, I'm doing this for you. Don't you understand? If you go out there and make a mess of the situation its going to look worse. Leave the investigation to me. We will find who did this. Understand?"
"Understand? How can I understand that I'm out on bail for a crime that I didn't commit and I'm locked up in my apartment with a dog alarm around my ankle?", asks Mulder. "What about my cases? How am I going to buy food? Go to the bank. Cripes, I can't even go to the video store."
Skinner gives him a funny look. "You'll be provided with all of the necessities. As I said before this is only temporary. Agent Scully will be in the same situation as you, but she has family that come and visit her. I can understand your frustration at being isolated, but theres always the telephone and the internet. You can call whoever you want to, but I wouldn't discuss the case with anyone besides myself and Agent Scully. Speaking of, I should go down and check up on Collins and Randolph. They are such pains." He goes over to the window and glances down into the street to look at the car. He frowns as he sees something strange. His frown doesn't go unnoticed by Mulder. He approaches Skinner from behind.
"What is it? What do you see?", he asks.
"I have to go downstairs immediately", says Skinner dropping the blinds and jogging to the door. He leaves it open as he runs down the hallway. Mulder glances out the window to see their black sedan sitting where they left it parked. The two back doors are open.
"Scully!", he yells as he drops the blinds and runs for the door. He takes the stairs and runs out the front of his building out onto the sidewalk. He runs about twenty feet away from the building towards the car when a sharp pain runs up his leg. He has been shocked from his transmitter. He stops and grinds his teeth as he sits on top of the wall that surrounds the apartment building. He pauses for only a moment and continues on approaching the vehicle.
"What happened?", he manages to say to Skinner as he grabs his leg from another shock.
"Collins and Randolph are unconscious. It looks like they've been drugged with some sort of gas."
"Where is Scully? They took her didn't they?", he asks Skinner accusingly. "How many times are they going to use her against me?" He cringes again from the ankle transmitter. "What the hell did you put on me? This thing is giving me electrical shocks. Let me tell you Skinner shock therapy is not going to help me. If you don't remove this thing right now so I can go after Scully I'm going to do it myself!" He sits down on the sidewalk and puts his head in his hands.
"I'll go after her Mulder. You have to stay in the apartment. Understand? They will use this against you. You get involved with a big confrontation with Smoking Man during this pending case and you are history. With the law, with the FBI if Kersh has anything to say about it.
"The hell with the law and FBI! Don't you understand Sir? Without Scully I have nothing and I wouldn't want to go on without her. You have got to let me go Sir. I can find her, I'm the only one that can." Mulder looks pleadingly up at Skinner.
"Agent Mulder, I could lose my job", says Skinner looking away. He looks away. and then walks around the car to shut the doors of the car. He approaches Mulder again staring at him on the ground. "Like I said Mulder I could lose my job, my pension, my reputation."
"And I could lose my lo....., my friend, my partner", says Mulder angrily as he slaps his hands on his knees and looks down to the sidewalk.
"I would suggest you go back inside Mulder and get some rest. I'll take Collins and Randolph to the hospital and call headquarters to set up a search team for Scully. You know what you have to do." Mulder whinces again as another shock comes and he sticks both index fingers between his teeth and bites down to stand the pain. He looks up to see Skinner getting into the car and closes his eyes in frustration. He opens his eyes to see the car pulling away and he glances down. Resting on his knee is the key to the transmitter.
Part 69
Skinner sits in the waiting area of the hospital. Collins and Randolph are going to be okay, but they are going to have a major headache for the next couple of days. Skinner reaches for his cell phone and calls Kimberly at headquarters. Despite the late hour of 11 PM he knows that all the stops have been pulled out regarding the disappearance of Special Agent Dana Scully.
"Have you heard anything?", he asks her.
"No Sir, Agent Kersh has put together a search team, but there haven't been any demands for ransom. Unfortunately, its been pretty quiet here. Will you be returning soon?"
"Yes, arrange for a car to take Agents Collins and Randolph home Kimberly. They are just being released from the hospital and will need transportation." He hangs up and starts to put away the phone but stops. He stares at it a moment and then reaches in his pocket for a business card. He takes a deep breath and dials the phone number.
Howie answers the phone. "Lazy Acre Trailer Park!"
"Hi Howie, its Walter Skinner. Is Kate in?"
"She is here, but I can't guarantee that she will want to talk to you", says Howie. "You hurt her pretty badly. She is a very sensitive woman Mr. Skinner and I don't want her feelings getting hurt again. So, if its just the same to you I would suggest that we forget that you even called here."
"I know I hurt her Howie. I feel badly about it. I don't think the two of you quite understand the pressure that I am under right now. Well, my job is stressful and I can't begin to explain the situation that I'm in. Agents Mulder and Scully are very special to me and Kate unintentionally put their lives and careers into jeopardy by speaking too freely to a fellow AD. He has been trying for years to discredit their work and get them dismissed from the FBI. I don't know if you have seen the news lately, but they've been accused of charging some personal expenses on a federal credit card. They were robbed and now I'm even more concerned because after their arrival in DC Agent Scully was kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?", asks Howie. "Who would do that to Miss Scully?"
"Like I said Howie, there is a lot you don't know and I've got agents working around the clock on this."
"Hows Agent Mulder taking all of this?", asks Howie.
"Not very well I am afraid", says Skinner. "He never takes these situations well anyway. She is his partner after all and they have a special bond that no one can really understand, or interfere with."
"So I noticed", says Howie. A door slams in the background.
"Is that Kate?", asks a hopeful Skinner.
"Yeah. Kate, do you want to talk to Walter Skinner? He has some upsetting news about Agent Scully."
Kate comes to the phone. "Oh, Walter I am so glad you called. I was torn whether or not I should call you, but I chose not to. I thought maybe that you wouldn't want to talk to me as I guess this situation with Agents Mulder and Scully is all my fault."
"Its not your fault Kate. It was just a coincidence. The agents got robbed in Vegas and apparently Kersh thought that it was them charging things and he put out an APB on them. They were arrested and then brought to DC where bail was arranged. I was forced to put them under house arrest in order to protect them from falling into any more traps, but I was too late. When I was busy dropping off Mulder at his apartment Scully was taken."
"Who would want to take her?", exclaims Kate.
"I told you before Kate, there are government men who will do anything to stop Mulder from finding the truth. They constantly are using Scully to get to him and this time I think something major is going to happen. I can just feel it in my bones."
"So Agents Mulder and Scully told you all about going to Vegas?", asks Kate. "Is it official?"
"What? Is what official?", asks Skinner as Collins and Randolph walk slowly out of the emergency room. They weakly put their suit jackets back on as they wait for Skinner to get off the phone.
"Ah, the case they were working on?"
"What case?", asks Skinner. "They told me they went to Vegas to win big. Scully even said that it was her idea which I think is a lie. She is protecting Mulder, like she always does."
"Thats not the real reason", says Kate.
"I just knew it", says Skinner. "They were on a case without permission weren't they?"
"Yes", says Kate.
"Okay, give it to me. What was the case? It better not be any zombies this time."
"I just asked if it were official, because Agent Mulder said they were going to Vegas because the King was alive", says Kate.
Part 70
"Kate, how soon can you be to DC", asks Skinner quietly.
"Well its 8 PM PST. I probably could get a flight out tomorrow morning. I might be able to make it to DC by 2 or 3 EST", says Kate flirtatiously.
"Book a ticket and I'll pay for it", says Skinner. "I miss you Kate."
"I miss you too Walter. See you tomorrow. I'll call you with the exact time that I will arrive."
"If I'm not there just leave it on my voice mail or tell my secretary, Kimberly", says Skinner. "I can't wait to see you."
"Until tomorrow then", says Kate.
"Tomorrow", says Skinner as Kate hangs up.
"Way to go Sir", says Randolph slapping him on the shoulder. Skinner gives him a glare. "You're out of line Randolph. Lets go get you back to headquarters. Someone will take you home from there. I need to go to a quick briefing on the progress on the disappearance of Agent Scully, then I'm going home. I need some sleep after all of this. Before we leave though I need to ask you one thing. Did you see anything at all?"
Collins and Randolph look at each other. Collins speaks first. "I saw a silver-gray Cadillac pull up beside us. There were two men in the car. One was about 35 years old with dark hair. He was driving. He got out of the car and approached us. I didn't think anything of it, but he sprayed a sweet smelling gas into the open window. I could't concentrate on anything. Everything was black."
Randolph nods. "I looked over at Agent Scully and she was out before I was. The dark haired guy stepped back from the car and opened up the trunk. The last thing I remember is the other guy lighting up a cigarette in the passenger seat."
Skinner nods. "Smoking man", he replies.
"I don't know Sir, all I know was that he was an old guy with a cigarette", replies Randolph.
"Lets go boys", says Skinner. He walks towards the exit. "Mulder was right", he says quietly to himself. "They're using her against him again."