Mulder led Lysette into the J Edgar Hoover Building and to the elevator. Lysette looked around the immense lobby. "So this is really FBI Headquarters?"

"It sure is. This building can appear intimidating at times. But once you learn your away around here, it isn't so bad. Granted it is said that sometimes even people who have worked here for years STILL tend to get lost in here." He pushed the button. "See, if you really check this place out, it's like a maze."

"A maze?"

"Yeah. Sometimes the hallways just seem to twist and turn. Not to mention if you look at the outside, the structure is unusual."

"Yes, I did notice that."

"There was talk at one time to tear down the old building and replace it with something less monstrous. But as you can see that never happened." The elevator door opened and Mulder stepped inside.

"Yes, well I can see how one might be intimidated by such a large building as this." Lysette answered as she stepped in the elevator beside Mulder. "They say there are theatres and even opera houses that are quite large." She paused as the elevator door closed. "Have you heard of the Paris Opera?"

"A little, yeah." Mulder pressed the basement button.

"Well, that particular opera house was built right over a lake. And in fact, that lake still exists under it to this day."

"Really?"

Lysette nodded. "And originally it was used as a place to house prisoners of war. There are all kinds of catacombs underneath it as well. I'm told it's a very foreboding place under there. Hard to believe such beautiful music could come from a place with such a dark past." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe some day I'll actually perform there so I can see for myself."

Mulder gave her a smile before the door opened. "Here we are." He stepped off the elevator and waited for Lysette to follow.

Lysette stepped into the darkened hallway. "Your office is down here? In a cellar?"

"Actually, it's the basement. But you're right with all the darkness down here at times, it might as well be a cellar." Mulder led her down the hallway toward the X-Files office.

"But why would they stick your office down here?"

Mulder stopped just before the door. "Let's just say there are those in the Bureau who don't believe in what my partner and I investigate down here. And….as far as they are concerned us being down here almost makes it seem like we don't exist to them."

"That's terrible. I can't believe my uncle would be like that."

"Oh, no, no your uncle isn't."

"He's not?"

"No. As a matter of fact, he is the one person who has helped us down here. He's even prevented this office from being shut down completely. Not to mention, your uncle is a good friend to me."

Lysette smiled. "That sounds more like my uncle. He's just like a father to me and always has been."

"Yeah, he kind of treats me like his son sometimes." Mulder replied with a smile. "Well, are you ready?"

Lysette nodded. "I am."

"Now remember, there is nothing to be nervous about and don't be intimidated by my partner ok? Sometimes she can get a little…too involved in her work."

"As long as you are in there with me, I won't be afraid, Fox."

"Right. Oh and remember it's Agent Mulder not Fox ok?"

"Yes, Agent Mulder." Lysette answered with a soft smile.

Mulder smiled back at her and then opened the door. "I'm back."

Scully looked up from her laptop. "Find anything to contradict my theory?"

"Maybe. But I would rather have her speak on her own behalf." Mulder motioned to the door. "Miss Willoughby, you can come in now."

Scully put down her reading glasses as Lysette stepped in. "What the hell is this?"

"Whoa, no need to get hostile, Scully. Miss Willoughby is here for questioning in regards to this case. I would have thought you would have been thrilled at such an opportunity. I mean, you want to prove your theory right?"

Scully glared at Mulder. "We'll see just who is right and who is wrong. And you just HAPPENED to run into her on the way back right?"

"Well, actually…"

"My uncle sent me down here, Agent Scully. He told me I needed to answer some questions. And…I was on the elevator and ran into Agent Mulder."

Mulder looked at Lysette as he raised his eyebrows. He then noticed her slight wink and couldn't help but grin. "Miss Willoughby answered that question before I had a chance to. And yes, that's exactly what happened."

Scully stared at Mulder for a minute before motioning to a chair. "Please have a seat, Miss Willoughby."

Lysette took a seat in the chair that Scully had been pointing to. "Thank you."

"Miss Willoughby I take it you are aware that there was a murder last night?"

Lysette nodded. "My uncle told me this morning. He said that a stagehand was found dangling from a rope or something. That he had been strangled and cut?"

"Did you know the stage hand?"

"Bernie? Well, I guess I did a little. I mean sometimes you have so many people that work with you on a show that it's hard to see them all but…yes I vaguely remember Bernie."

"Did he…know you?"

"Me? Well, I actually don't really know. I mean…he saw me frequently I guess."

"Did he ever have feelings for you?"

"Scully!" Mulder exclaimed as he took a step forward.

"I'm just trying to get some answers in regards to this case, Mulder. That is our job, is it not?"

"No, to my knowledge he did not have any feelings for me, Agent Scully." Lysette replied with a calm demeanor.

"Can you think of any reason or any one that would want him dead?"

Lysette shook her head. "No. Bernie never did anything to anyone. He just did his job and what he was told."

Scully pulled out a file and leafed through it. "What about Miss Cuthbert? What is your relationship to her?"

"You mean, Melinda? Well, besides us working together because we both have the same role, she is also my best friend. She actually coached me a little during the show too. She said I have great promise and she wanted to help me."

"Did you ever secretly wish that you might perform her role that night?"

"Well…yes. But what understudy doesn't?"

"What was the last thing you spoke to her about that night?"

"Well, I told her how excited I was because my uncle was going to be in the audience that night. And how I wished he could hear me sing. And she said it would happen someday and gave me a hug."

"And then you left the dressing room?"

"Yes. And then I was practicing with the ladies of the chorus and we heard this scream. When we ran back to Melinda's dressing room we found out that she had become ill."

"And how did you feel when you found out that you were going to be performing the role of Christine that night?"

"Well, at first I was in shock. But once I realized it was what I always wanted…"

"Do you have any secret admirers, Miss Willoughby?"

Mulder fixed a glare on Scully.

"No. I…I don't think so."

"You can't think of anyone who would be willing to make Miss Cuthbert become ill so that she couldn't perform?"

"Scully, that's enough!" Mulder replied angrily.

"It's all right, Agent Mulder." Lysette looked at Scully. "Agent Scully, I can't think of anyone who would commit such a terrible crime. Not to mention, have a motive to prevent Melinda from performing last night. In the theatre, we are all one big happy family. And we don't treat each other according to the roles we play. We treat each other as all being equal. We do not try and out do each other but rather we help in whatever way we can. And when we lose one member of that family…it hurts us immensely. And as for Melinda, she congratulated me on my performance last night and had no ill feelings toward me whatsoever. Because that is how theatre performers are, Agent Scully."

Scully stared back into Lysette's brown eyes. She could see no indication of her lying or showing any kind of anger. She cleared her throat. "Thank you, Miss Willoughby. You're free to go."

Lysette rose from her chair. "I'm glad I was able to be of some help, Agent Scully. And I hope you find the person who did this. For whoever did, is not a member of that theatre family I told you of." She then headed out the door.

Mulder glanced at Scully. "I'll be right back." He headed out of the office and to the elevator where Lysette was standing. "That was really quite an impressive behavioral exhibition you gave in there, Miss Willoughby."

"I apologize for the way I acted, Fox. But for someone to accuse me for being involved in such a terrible thing, I just could not tolerate that. And I meant every word I said."

"Sometimes people just need to be put in their place." Mulder answered with a smile. "And you said it better to Scully then I ever could."

"Thanks." Lysette answered with a smile.

Mulder leaned on the elevator frame. "Miss Willoughby, would it be too presumptuous of me to ask you to have dinner with me?"

"Are you speaking of a date, Agent Mulder?" Lysette answered looking up at him.

"I might be but only if you're interested?"

"I'd love to."

"Re…really?"

"Of course. Why not?"

"Well, I thought you would be too busy because of the show." He paused. "Not to mention I am older than you."

Lysette placed her hand on the side of his face. "Fox, I am free to eat after the show, you know. And I do have at least one night off a week. And as far as you being older than me, I don't care. I've been around younger men and…well I think you are much more mature than they are. I must say I'm intrigued. Especially one who is so open to other possibilities."

"Well, do have tomorrow night, free?"

"That just happens to be the one night we don't have a show."

"Great! I mean…great. So, where can I pick you up?"

"There's a place called The Cozy Inn not far from the theatre. That's where I'm staying. I'm in room 206."

"Ok, well I'll pick you at say…"

"7:00?"

"I was just going to say that!" Mulder chuckled. "I think we're off to a great start already."

"What should I wear?"

"Wear something nice. I'm going to take you out to a nice place. Want to make your stay in D.C. a memorable one."

Lysette giggled. "I can hardly wait."

Mulder took the top of her hand and kissed it. "So, until tomorrow night at 7, good day Lyssa."

"Good day, Fox." Lysette whispered before stepping into the elevator.

Mulder watched as the elevator closed around Lysette. He then brought his arm down in triumph. "Yes! I have a date!" He then quickly lowered his voice not realizing how loud he had been. He couldn't believe he had a date with Lyssa! He had a date with the most beautiful woman and who was all the talk of the city. He felt a surge of happiness swell within him as he turned away from the elevators and headed back to the office.

"What the hell took you so long?" Scully asked crossing her arms.

"Just needed to ask her a few other questions."

"I'll bet you did." Scully huffed.

"Look, Scully can we not be at each other's throats for the rest of the day?" Mulder asked with a sigh. "I wasn't happy with the questions you asked Miss Willoughby but I let you didn't I? And now we need to move on with other things."

"Such as?"

"We need to head over to the theatre and do some investigating of our own. Maybe we can get even more answers."

Scully uncrossed her arms. "I'll grab my coat."