The Burning Embers
Chapter 2
"We dance round a ring and suppose,/But the Secret sits in the middle and knows."-Robert Frost
The truth was they weren't going far. Despite their misleading the agents as to the distance of their new headquarters they were just moving across the state line into Washington, D.C. It was as the Lone Gunmen had learned long ago, a good area to check the pulse of the secret government, yet large enough to hide from big brother.
The old headquarters compromised Yves safety since they knew where it was located. The Gunmen had never tried to hide their location. They had taken steps to protect themselves, but they had never hidden themselves away. It was part of their journalistic integrity not to hide away but to be accessible to the American people they meant to inform and protect. But the paper was long gone, as were the guys, and it was up to Jimmy and Yves to keep the smoldering embers of their legacy alive. At least unlike the guys, money was no object for Yves. It would be plenty for Jimmy and herself to rebuild what was now lost, although the new would never replace that which was irreplaceable.
"Be right back," said Jimmy as he got out of the front passenger side of the car that had a U-haul attached to it. He had to give the rental key for the Takoma headquarters back to the rental agency.
So Yves and Gibson waited in the parking lot for Jimmy. She kept checking her mirrors. They had not been followed so far. Maybe they had giving up trying to locate her? Yves mentally shook her head. Her father was out there and he would not rest until he found her and brought her back. She had cost him a lot of money this last time around.
Gibson broke the silence by saying, "You miss them don't you."
It was not a hard assumption. Agents Doggett and Reyes had probably told him much of her and Jimmy's history. "Yes, I do," she said quietly trying to keep her cool façade that broke down much these days when she was alone. She had to be strong for them all, especially Jimmy. His heart was as broken as hers, but he as always was unable to hide his emotions, lock them away, as she had learned to as a small girl. He was honesty and goodness without guile was something that in her cloak and dagger life she had no experience with.
"You were hesitant about taking responsibility for me," said Gibson calmly although he felt anything but calm. He had been fine hiding on his own and it was only when these good meaning people interfered that things went horribly wrong. But then if not for them, they would still find him. They liked to think they could protect him even though he knew they were as helpless as he was.
"I read your file. I know what you are capable of. My life seems to be an open book these days so there's no need for secrecy anymore except for my whereabouts. But I'm sure you of all people can appreciate that. You came out of hiding to protect Agent Mulder, as you have protected him in the past. It is the least I can do to repay the favor. Agent Mulder is...was...a good friend of Langley, Byers, and Frohike."
Gibson looked out the car window in the backseat at Jimmy signing the paperwork through the rental agency window. "Yes, Mulder was terribly upset by their loss. He was deeply worried about Scully and their baby and thought if he stayed away they'd be safe. But we are never safe."
Gibson turned his gaze to the back of Yves' head. "You have another secret though."
Yves pursed her lips, and willed her eyes to look into the rearview mirror where she saw Gibson studying her. "I hope it can be our secret for now."
Gibson nodded his acquiesce to her wishes. "But you should tell him."
Chapter 2
"We dance round a ring and suppose,/But the Secret sits in the middle and knows."-Robert Frost
The truth was they weren't going far. Despite their misleading the agents as to the distance of their new headquarters they were just moving across the state line into Washington, D.C. It was as the Lone Gunmen had learned long ago, a good area to check the pulse of the secret government, yet large enough to hide from big brother.
The old headquarters compromised Yves safety since they knew where it was located. The Gunmen had never tried to hide their location. They had taken steps to protect themselves, but they had never hidden themselves away. It was part of their journalistic integrity not to hide away but to be accessible to the American people they meant to inform and protect. But the paper was long gone, as were the guys, and it was up to Jimmy and Yves to keep the smoldering embers of their legacy alive. At least unlike the guys, money was no object for Yves. It would be plenty for Jimmy and herself to rebuild what was now lost, although the new would never replace that which was irreplaceable.
"Be right back," said Jimmy as he got out of the front passenger side of the car that had a U-haul attached to it. He had to give the rental key for the Takoma headquarters back to the rental agency.
So Yves and Gibson waited in the parking lot for Jimmy. She kept checking her mirrors. They had not been followed so far. Maybe they had giving up trying to locate her? Yves mentally shook her head. Her father was out there and he would not rest until he found her and brought her back. She had cost him a lot of money this last time around.
Gibson broke the silence by saying, "You miss them don't you."
It was not a hard assumption. Agents Doggett and Reyes had probably told him much of her and Jimmy's history. "Yes, I do," she said quietly trying to keep her cool façade that broke down much these days when she was alone. She had to be strong for them all, especially Jimmy. His heart was as broken as hers, but he as always was unable to hide his emotions, lock them away, as she had learned to as a small girl. He was honesty and goodness without guile was something that in her cloak and dagger life she had no experience with.
"You were hesitant about taking responsibility for me," said Gibson calmly although he felt anything but calm. He had been fine hiding on his own and it was only when these good meaning people interfered that things went horribly wrong. But then if not for them, they would still find him. They liked to think they could protect him even though he knew they were as helpless as he was.
"I read your file. I know what you are capable of. My life seems to be an open book these days so there's no need for secrecy anymore except for my whereabouts. But I'm sure you of all people can appreciate that. You came out of hiding to protect Agent Mulder, as you have protected him in the past. It is the least I can do to repay the favor. Agent Mulder is...was...a good friend of Langley, Byers, and Frohike."
Gibson looked out the car window in the backseat at Jimmy signing the paperwork through the rental agency window. "Yes, Mulder was terribly upset by their loss. He was deeply worried about Scully and their baby and thought if he stayed away they'd be safe. But we are never safe."
Gibson turned his gaze to the back of Yves' head. "You have another secret though."
Yves pursed her lips, and willed her eyes to look into the rearview mirror where she saw Gibson studying her. "I hope it can be our secret for now."
Gibson nodded his acquiesce to her wishes. "But you should tell him."