Chapter Three: This Was To Be Expected

Author: ValaGillian

Disclaimer: I don't own Mulder, Scully, or the X-Files. Please do not sue me.

Summary: I however, can smell the ashes. I can hear the screams in the distance.

Author's Notes: Written at a late hour as usual. Just thought I clear up a few things on how this happened and their reaction. Not to mention Scully's condition in Season Seven. Don't get too technical w/Mulder's illness in these chapters because it's not an issue. In other words I didn't want to deal with it. I hope you enjoy this one as much as the last two and please tell me what you think. Please…


16 Hours Earlier

Deputy Director Kersh's Office

"Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, please have a seat."

This meeting was to be expected. After Mulder's complete disregard of Kersh's strict orders not to pursue any cases that may involve "so-called aliens or anything of the kind" for the time being it was almost reserved. However, I had no idea retribution would come so swiftly. And on wings of red flame. This is bad.

"Agent Mulder, please explain why your latest case report concerning your recent trip to Oregon contains detailed descriptions of so-called aliens; Alien involvement in the apparent alien abductions of Billy Miles, Theresa Hosie, Deputy Ray Hosie, and many others. Alien involvement that I strictly warned you to stay away from."

Mulder, don't screw this up. Just say you're sorry and let us leave with our jobs and lives. Please…

"I'm sorry, sir, was that a question?"

His voice sounds sure. He acts as if he doesn't hear the drums in the distance signaling our impending doom. How could he not hear? He's just sitting there composed and calm before a raging inferno.

I however, can smell the ashes. I can hear the screams in the distance. The breath that I've evidently been holding through this entire meeting comes out in a silent rush. My hands are absently brushing each other in my lap. I guess it was too much to hope for.

Kersh doesn't look surprised. This can't be good. We have been on thin ice for so long. The thinnest of ice. But still Mulder insists on wearing the sharpest of skates. We have been dancing to this deadly tango for seven years now. The ice is starting to melt. The lights are dimming. I can almost feel the heat from the scorching sun about to rise over the snow-covered hills.

"Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, I have no choice but to suspend the X-Files division indefinitely. Your misconduct and ill use of FBI resources have caused nothing but problems for the FBI. As of now, you and Agent Scully are assigned back into the mainstream division and will assume active duty after a two-day calming-down period. That will be all."

Sunrise. I swallow hard. I dare not look at Mulder. If I try to get up I will fall so I stay seated. What did Kersh think Mulder would do? He knew what Mulder would do. That's why he restricted it. This was just another way to catch the fox in the chicken coop. What will this do to Mulder? How much can he take?

"Agents that will be all."

I can hear Kersh repeating himself in the distance. His voice is fading fast and I feel dizzy. Not the vertigo again. Please don't get sick. Do not throw up. I can feel Mulder's cool hand on my heated neck and I reluctantly rise. Somehow I am able to follow him out of the office and into the Bureau hall.

I blink steadily letting my vision clear. The cool air helps and my breathing returns to normal. Mulder. He's quiet. Too quiet. People are staring at us. I give them a fuck off gesture and they go back to their own business.

"Mulder…"

I wet my lips unsure of his response. There is no response. He looks broken. Pale and disillusioned. We have to get out of here. Just as that crosses my mind I hear his voice. So cold, so distant.

"Come on, Scully. Let's go."

What are we going to do now? And how am I going to tell him? Now, after everything we just went through. How am I going to tell him I'm pregnant with his child? With his son?


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