PART 24

Mulder had come up with nothing in Georgetown; nobody had seen Scully and the local PD didn't have a clue what he was talking about. He didn't know where to look next. He checked in with Skinner who was sympathetic about him not having any luck, but Mulder didn't want his sympathy. He wanted Scully. The next day he went straight to work to check if he had any messages, or if anyone had been in to see him. Nothing. He sat at his desk studying the photograph he'd taken to Georgetown of Scully. He felt so useless, he should've found her by now. He was called in to see Skinner just before lunch.

"Sir."

"Still no news?"

"No sir."

"Well, we mustn't lose hope."

"No I know, I don't intend to. I will find her."

"I have every faith that as a friend and talented Agent you'll find Agent Scully, and I'm sure she'll be fine."

"I wish I had your strong faith sir."

"You're still worried."

"I will be until I find her. Was there anything else sir?"

"Yes, I received a phone call from Georgetown, it was for you but came to my office, it was the local PD they want to see you as soon as possible."

"What! Why the hell didn't you tell me sooner! It could be a lead on Scully!"

"Don't you think I already checked that! It's about the case I had Scully and Agent Wilmore working on."

"Well where is the in-famous Agent Wilmore, I'd like to meet him and ask him a few questions of my own."

"He's out of town on another case. I'll have him see you as soon as he gets back."

"Thank you. I'll be in Georgetown if you need to reach me, oh and sir, if you hear ANYTHING about Scully..."

"I know, I'll let you know straight away."

"Thank you."

Mulder went straight out to his rented bureau car and drove off to Georgetown PD.

He didn't know why he was bothering, he didn't want to go, he didn't want to be following up a case he'd never been on for an agent he'd never met. He was angry with himself for accepting the trip from Skinner. When he arrived he was very rude to them, but they accepted it as typical FBI big-head attitude. They didn't know the real reason for his emptiness.

"And that's all?"

"Yes, the other officers told that other agent...Scully?"

"Yeah, Scully."

"They all told her all they knew. I only wish we could have given her the files there sooner, I found them after she'd left."

"Well it won't make much difference now anyway."

"I'm sorry?"

"Agent Scully is missing. She was last seen four days ago."

"Oh I'm so sorry. That's too bad, four days you say? Well, wait a minute, that can't be right?"

"What?"

"I saw her just two days ago, she was just outside DC heading South in a car with an older man smoking, I assumed he was her father."

"I know who he was."

"You think she's in trouble?"

"I think, that you need to learn when to speak up. I came in yesterday and not one person in this building could help me! Why the hell didn't you tell the bureau about this sooner!"

"Now hang on, Mulder?! I wasn't in yesterday, my wife had a baby last week and I grab every spare minute I can to be with my family sir, you obviously have no family yourself or you'd be a little more considerate!"

Mulder slowed down and took a deep breath. He couldn't believe he'd gotten so angry with him for no real reason, it wasn't his fault.

"I'm sorry sir, you're right I have no family, the only person I care about the only true

family I think I'll ever have is missing, and I have to find her. I'm sorry I took my anger

out on you I truly am. Congratulations on your new?"

"Daughter. Dana."

"Dana. That's a beautiful name sir."

"Yes it is."

"Well I'll leave you in peace, thank you for your help."

"I hope you find her."

"So do I, so do I."

Mulder went and sat in his car and rested his arms on the steering wheel, he buried his head in his arms and felt the tears streaming down his face.