Chapter Six
501 West Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana
April 23rd, 2001, 7:27 p.m.
The fifty by fifty warehouse was empty except for the half dozen people standing in it. High heels traveled quickly on a pavement to meet the men and women that quietly spoke amongst themselves. The woman's blonde hair whipped around wildly as she shut the door behind herself from the harsh northern wind. As soon as she approached them, a grave silence overcame everyone. "What do you think, Marita?" a well-educated English accent inquired of her.
"This will do," she stated and swept her eyes around the space. "But I didn't come here only for your approval, ladies and gentlemen. I came because...the FBI agents are here."
"Dear God, not now," the Well-Manicured Man lamented and swore underneath his breath.
"Yes, they are here. Our contact inside the police department called me and told me about ten minutes ago."
"Who's here?" Strughold asked.
"Scully. Mulder's here, too, but, he won't be much of a problem," Marita replied calmly.
"Hmm, well...we were able to use her before. Perhaps incorporating her services again would be wise," Well-Manicured Man surmised.
"Yes, but, that was before Mr. Mulder was returned. She is not so weak now; she would resist us. Besides, they cannot learn anything new--we removed the bodies from the morgues," Strughold argued.
Covarrubias cleared her throat and shook her head. "I'm afraid that's not true. The informant also told me that the police caught Campbell."
"I thought that that was a rash decision, anyhow," Well-Manicured Man shoved his hands into his pockets. "Street criminals can be useful to us at times, but you should have checked him out before using him, Marita."
She bit her lip and grimaced. "Yes, well, I had heard that the Chief Medical Examiner and his deputies of this town were quite sloppy. I made sure of that information before we tracked the virus to Indianapolis."
"What else did your insider have to say about Campbell?" Strughold cut in.
"He's in the local police's custody right now under the charge of drug possession."
"Well, we haven't really invested any time or money into this place yet," Strughold observed. The rest of the group agreed with nods. "Perhaps we should evacuate to a more provincial area for further testing while there's plenty of time."
"No, I don't think that will be necessary," Marita interjected. "Let's remove Campbell and continue on. There are still plenty of other test subjects to be used."
"I don't like this testing very much, Marita. Nothing seems to be working against this new strain," Well-Manicured Man said.
"Except the children," Strughold added.
"Yes, they are quite effective, I agree."
"There's got to be another way. Killing the infected was only a temporary solution, might I remind you? Or at least that's what you said, Dr. Strughold," Maria parried.
"What of Mulder and Scully? They're going to keep searching for answers," he ignored her question.
"We still have the Attorney General in our pocket. He will prevent them from further action, if necessary," Marita assured the group. "I have but to make one phone call."
"How did Scully get here in the first place?" Well-Manicured Man questioned her.
"I doubt that she came to Indianapolis purposely to investigate the project. As far as I can tell through our phone taps at the Coroners' offices, she was there by coincidence."
"Then make your phone call--to the local police and rid us of Campbell. Perhaps she'll become discouraged enough to leave," Strughold commanded. "And you're right, Marita, the renewal of the Litchfield Project was supposed to be only temporary."
"This facility is crude, but with some time and renovations, it could work very well for us," Well-Manicured Man stated. "I agree with Marita. Let's continue our interest in Indianapolis."
"No. It is not your decision to make. The committee must agree," Strughold objected.
"But it will take 2 days for everyone to arrive! Time is not on our side here," Marita exclaimed.
"That is the way it was done before, and we will continue on in the same manner. Quick, violent, and foolish decisions were made under Spender's regime because the damned fool couldn't wait. We lost all of those men and their families to the Rebels because of him," Strughold spat.
"No, Spender's downfall was his attachment to Bill Mulder's son. He became sloppy because of his colored view towards Fox Mulder," Well-Manicured Man disagreed.
"Well, no one shares any preferences for any FBI agents now. They do not harbor us any longer," Marita said.
"Quite so. New York City, the Bronx, 2 days from now," Strughold announced. "I will gather the others. Marita, stay behind for a day and clean this Campbell matter up."
"So it shall be written, so it shall be done," she responded and left.
"Are you confident in this woman?" Strughold asked the Well-Manicured Man.
"I'm not so certain I follow you."
"Will she come through for us?"
"Spender gave her a very small role to play years ago, and she prospered for us then. I believe he underestimated her value. So, yes, I believe she's capable of her duties."
"Good. The last thing we need is an Achilles' heel right now," Strughold grunted.
Comfort Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana
April 23rd, 2001, 7:56 p.m.
A knock to Mulder's door did not deter him from his writing; it only paused it. "Come in, Scully, it's open."
"I know you were expecting me, Mulder, but couldn't you have taken a little more precaution?" she asked as she opened the door and brought in a familiar cardboard box.
Mulder's eyes lit up, and he sat up from his previously reclined position on the bed. "What do you mean? Ahh, Scully, it's been too long since we've shared a pizza over a case."
"Well, it was a thank you for coming. God, I'm getting paranoid--I'm turning into you," she mused. He chuckled and arose to help her take off her coat.
"You're more than welcome. Well, since you're bringing in the pizza, I now have nothing to fear."
Scully gave him a questioning eyebrow.
"You would have already tested the pizza and come to a conclusion that there are no droplets of chloral hydrate in there," Mulder teased.
"Which isn't to say I couldn't have put them in before coming to your room."
"Planning on having your way with me, eh? Scully, you don't need drugs for that. A man in love is like a clipped coupon, and it's your time to cash in." She whirled around and sized him up. He looked like a tiger ready to pounce on his prey, and that gleam in his eyes--she didn't know whether it irritated or excited her. Since she had been behaving herself all day in front of everyone and dying to give into his innuendos, she chose the latter. But it didn't hurt to make him try a little harder.
"Don't you want to try some before it gets cold?"
She pointed to the box as he inched closer and shook his head. Scully retreated back a few steps.
"Mulder, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I..."
He was so close to her now that she was practically pinned up against the wall.
"When you did what, Scully?" Thump.
Well, there's the wall. Now what? she thought.
"Now using your height like that isn't fair," she whimpered as one hand came to rest against the wall above her. He leaned down and brushed her lips with his own lightly.
"No, but neither is inviting me to come on a trip with you out of town without our son, and off of the FBI clock," Mulder's lips hovered just slightly above hers.
"Mulder, I-"
"Scully, sometimes you think too much," he chortled and teased her lips again.
"Oh, Hell. I wasn't planning on getting this suit wrinkled."
"The quicker you get out of it, the fewer there will be."
"I think that's the most logical statement I've heard all day," she smiled genuinely and flicked his nose playfully. "Come on, Mulder, work now. Play later."
"What about the phrase carpe diem?"
"See, this is the reason why I was so afraid to get involved with you when you were at the FBI," she frowned. "We'd never get anything done."
"On the contrary, talking burns more calories. And I think hearing you spout off a few physical theories would tempt me to try and attempt to break some of the rules of gravity in the act."
"Really?"
"It's been scientifically proved--I think they did a study at Harvard last year..."
"I meant the physics part."
"Hmm...well...there's only one way to prove that hypothesis..."
Finally, she could stand it no longer--Mulder could be too talkative for being a man sometimes. Scully grabbed him by the back of his head and crushed her lips to his. He was eager to taste her, but he let her set the pace. She shocked the hell out of him by picking up the tempo...fast.
Mulder broke free of her simply to breathe but could not help himself. He wanted more, and God help him, this would be the night. He silenced her questioning expression with a finger to her lips and moved much more slowly towards her chin. If this was going to happen tonight, he wanted to make it last as long as possible. He had had years to plan out his actions, and to do it right, it had to be slow.
God, why did he slow down?
She was expecting a harsh nipping to begin, like Jack's preferred method, but instead, she felt his warm breath and then the glide of his lips across her jawline. Then he started to suck--Mary Mother of God, he was so gentle. Oh, it was almost unbearable; he was nearly taking too much time. What the hell happened to the guy that watched nothing but twelve minute encounters? At his current rate, he'd probably get down south in ten minutes. Despite the long await she had, she was very thrilled and let out a sigh of pleasure.
"Mmm...you know I love you, Scully," he murmured into her neck.
"Uh...I can't do this," her pulse quickened. Scully found herself pushing Mulder's face up and away from her neck.
"Why? What's the matter?"
She found herself frantically searching for the right response. "Be...because we've got work to do." Scully ducked under his arm and motioned to the table.
"Are you sure? There's nothing else? Was I being too forward?"
"The pizza's going to get cold."
"So let it, this is more important." He turned to face her and crossed his arms. "Was it because I dropped the "l" word?"
She refused to make eye contact with Mulder.
"You know, you brushed me off the last time I said it, probably because you chalked it up to the fact that I was drugged. Well, you sure as hell know that I'm not under the influence now. And by the way, I did mean it then."
"I got us some background checks on Walsh, O'Shaugnessy, and Dr. Verne from Indianapolis PD."
"Why are you changing the subject? Aren't you concerned about us?"
"I'm not so sure of what to think of us."
"Isn't it time to stop running around the issue and smash into it? I avoided the thought for almost six years--and almost three years later, you're still not sure?"
"I...I..." Scully's mouth went completely dry, and Mulder walked over to the nightstand. He opened the drawer, removed a jewelry box, and placed it onto the table next to the pizza. "What is this?"
"Open it and see, Agent Scully," he smirked.
She reached over, picked the box up, and opened the cover. The sight of the sapphire alone made her gasp, and she nearly tripped over the table. "Oh my god, Mulder. It's exquisite."
"Will it fit?"
"Where did you-" Scully removed the silver ring and gazed at it longingly.
"Man, I can't tell you what that sapphire does to me with your eyes. Put it on."
"It looks like an antique. You didn't buy this with your last FBI check, did you?"
"I spent hours looking for just the right one." Her mouth dropped open. "But no, I didn't. The last FBI check went to cover my rent."
"Where'd you get it?"
"Will you just...put the damn thing on already!"
"Mulder, I'd like to know where this ring came from first. It must have a lot of sentimental value to you if you took hours to buy it."
"I didn't buy it."
The ring slid perfectly into place onto her finger.
"It belonged to my mother," Mulder finished.
The ring came right off, went into the box, and Scully snapped it shut. "I'm sorry, Mulder. Thank you for thinking of me. It is a gorgeous piece of jewelry, but I can't accept it."
"Why the hell not?" He became angry.
"I'm a Catholic, Mulder, and we don't condone the act of suicide," she returned gently.
"What? I thought you'd like this."
"I do, but, I can't take something from someone who's violated my beliefs."
"What about your God? Doesn't He forgive and forget?"
"Of course, but it'd be like accepting a piece of treasure that was stolen."
"Scully, this wasn't stolen," his voice rose, "it came from my mother's collection of jewelry. And being her only heir left, I think I have the right to gift some of my inheritance away if I want to."
"Please understand me, Mulder, I'm not rejecting you."
"Do you think she was wearing the ring when she killed herself? Is that why you won't accept it?"
"I'm sorry, Mulder. It's just not right. I wish I could accept it; I really do because it's so beautiful. But my heart is telling me no."
"Why won't you accept my love, Scully? It's as unconditional as I can humanly make it."
"I don't know if I can bear other children, Mulder. William's birth is still a mystery."
"Scully, that doesn't matter to me. And even if you hadn't had Will, I still would have loved you the same."
"I just don't know right now. This is all very odd to me."
"How so?"
"You're the psychologist--you tell me," she growled.
"Okay, well, I bet Jack only used you as an emotional drain. Daniel used you to get away from his responsibility as a father and husband. You're feeling vulnerable right now. You're not sure where your career in the Bureau is going, and for some odd reason, you're still trying to convince yourself that you're not in love with me because it shows a weakness. Scully, you've known that for years I've never thought of you as less of a partner because you're a woman. I've thought of you as an equal FBI agent and a damn good shot. But sometimes, Scully, it's nice to feel like a man and a woman, wouldn't you agree?"
"I guess so. I'm scared, Mulder."
"Scared of what? I don't expect anything from you, Scully--you trust me and I trust you implicitly."
"I've been hurt so many other times by the men I thought I'd loved--it's...it's become more difficult for me to give my heart away throughout the years. And I'm sorry that I hadn't met you earlier in life when it was easier."
"I'm not--I didn't deserve you when I was younger."
"What?"
"No, I...I didn't. I was so driven to find the truth about my sister that I forgot about what kind of risk I was putting your life in. It was because of me that they abducted you and took away your ova. God knows what else they would have thought to try."
"Well, I've stayed with you despite that." She pulled out a chair at the table, sat, and lifted up the pizza box's flap. "Now, I wonder if the cheese has congealed yet."
Mulder understood that the subject was now closed and joined her with a sigh of resignation. "Just promise me, in the next few days, we'll discuss our future together."
"All right, I promise."
"So, what goodies did you dig up for me?" He removed a slice and proceeded to wolf it down faster than a jackrabbit on a hot date.
"I think I mentioned them before."
"It was kind of a heated moment, Scully. Sorry, I forgot."
"I managed to find a few skeletons in O'Shaugnessy's closet, but not very many. He was picked up last year for domestic abuse, and his BAC levels were quite interesting," she commented as she read from a file folder.
"Can I see that, please?"
"Yes, just please wipe off those greasy fingers first. These files belong to the Indianapolis PD. I seem to remember another time when I was handing one back to a local PD with some confectioner's sugar and jelly filling on it."
"They're cops. What harm is a little donut stain? They'd probably find it inspirational."
"Mulder," she ordered in her sergeant major tone. He shrugged and did as he was told. Scully then handed him the file.
"Was he found anywhere near Vanessa Walsh's body?"
"Oh, yeah, that's right, I forgot to tell you. Detective Cooper's call wasn't just about the missing corpse but also an arrest. He came into contact with one Everett Campbell, who happens to also have a long history in a short amount of time--one year, to be specific."
"Drug dealer?"
"How'd you know?"
"I've always been a good guesser, Scully. You women always try to attribute your feminine intuition to it, but I think it's my 'Spooky sense'."
"Seriously, Mulder..."
"Seriously, Scully," he replied with furrowed eyebrows. Then his irresistible grin followed them shortly.
"I have a gun, and I'll use it."
"Oh, yeah? You should see my pistol whip." She ignored that one. "Okay, okay, down to business. I've got a riddle for you."
"Mulder, I'm not in the mood."
"No, no, just think. I'm a high ranking official in the government, and I need something done that involves a little dirty business. Whom would I choose to take the fall in case I need to pull out of town fast?"
"I see your point--the police just want to get someone. And sometimes, they settle for the lowest position on the totem pole," she nodded.
"Exactly. Scully, you haven't touched your pizza. Not hungry?"
"I am, but..." She was scanning the other files with her eyes, but she seemed downtrodden. There was something else on her mind. "Mulder, I need to be honest with you."
"I know, I know. You think I should be serving you this pizza with nothing on while you're in the bathtub sudsing yourself away." He stopped himself from going on when he saw her despondency continue. "Okay, maybe that was my being honest with you...a little too honest, perhaps."
"There's something I must tell you, and frankly, I don't know if I can."
"Why?"
"You've just told me how much you love me. In about thirty seconds, you're going to hate me."
"Nonsense. What on earth is it?"
"Last year in September, I told you about the reappearance of the Consortium and the murders in Arizona. What I neglected to tell you is that I willingly helped them continue on with the Litchfield Projects."
"What?" He was incredulous, and his pitch raised about an octave.
"It's true. I delivered the last adult Eve of the project, who was an obstetrician, to Georgetown UH. I did it because they told me that it would bring you back."
"I don't believe it."
"I didn't think you would, at first. It's my fault that these people are dead."
"Scully, they would have perished from the virus anyhow."
"But don't you see--if I hadn't helped them, we wouldn't be sitting here and now in some hotel next to a seedy neighborhood trying to chase our tails again!"
"You don't know that. It does upset me that you didn't say something earlier when we were going to the morgue, but it impresses me even more that you have the guts to tell me now."
"But I betrayed the work that became your life at the FBI. I lied to them all: Skinner, Doggett, and the Gunmen. How can you even bear to be in the same room with me?"
"In case you forgot, I left that all behind four months ago. The truth is important; but I've learned throughout the years that the truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear."
"Meaning what?"
"Ignorance is bliss, Scully. I'm not saying that I'm happy with your choice, but you made the best one that you could in that situation. I'd rather be here with you than be dead."
"I'm sorry, Mulder."
"Let's not dwell on the past any longer, Scully. So, are you here officially yet?"
"I left a message on Kersh's voicemail and briefly spoke with Doggett. He's going to ask Kersh tonight--I guess he's meeting him for a drink later."
"Scully, I see that you're checking out Dr. Verne as well. Might I ask why?"
"I'd just like to eliminate him from the police's suspect list. Why, did you already do that before you got here?"
He swallowed a lump in his throat and bit his top lip nervously. "I...uh...well, what happened to being a 'respected member of the medical community' and all that?" Mulder's fingers made quotation marks.
"That was before the bodies were stolen from the morgue. I just want to know who this guy is--isn't it my job to know?"
"It is, FBI woman."
"Uh-huh, so what's your excuse?" Up those eyebrows went again.
"I'm a criminal behaviorist...I have to do some research, too."
"Hmm...I think I heard some jealousy in that voice--as well as some guilt."
"Possibly." Mulder reached across the table and exchanged the O'Shaugnessy file for Jarod's. "Hmm...everything looks the same, here. It looks exactly the same."
"As what?"
"Either the Gunmen tapped into the Indianapolis PD's files or--..." he chuffed and studied the bottom of the page. "That's funny."
"Funny odd or funny ha-ha?"
"Both. I had an inkling about this before I left D.C., and now I think I'm right. But, it doesn't matter; he's just a small fry. He's an exceptionally intelligent fry, though," Mulder laughed and closed it. "I don't think he did it, Scully."
"How can you say that? What's in that file that makes you say that?"
"Look under education. He did his pre-med at Brown University and then continued on at Dartmouth. Then he went on to do his residency in Blue Cove, Delaware."
"Yeah, he said, he was stuck in Delaware for about ten years paying off his college bills."
"Wouldn't you think a smart guy like him would've gotten a scholarship or two throughout the years?"
"Of course, but it took me until '95 to pay mine. And yes, I had scholarships, Mulder."
"But only state schools offer those kind of scholarships. And you usually have to stay within that state working at one of their hospitals. Am I right?"
"Yes. I find it difficult to understand where you're going with this, Mulder. Are you suggesting that he was in prison?"
"Imprisoned, actually, against his will--for a helluva lot more than 10 years."
"What? No hospital in the country would ever-"
"He's not a real coroner, Scully."
"Of course he is," she scoffed and finally began to eat. After completing the slice of pizza in total silence, she caved. "All right, what do you mean?"
"While you were visiting Detective Cooper, I visited the web with our friend Jarod's photo. He's had six different jobs in the last four months."
"So? He mentioned that he's a gypsy. Maybe that hospital gave him a lot of bad memories, and he doesn't like to stay too long in a place so he can't develop any hurtful ties."
"Those weren't six other ME jobs, Scully. I meant six different professions."
"That's impossible. No one can do that."
"No one can with an IQ like you or me, Scully. This guy makes Einstein and Stephen Hawking look like Laurel and Hardy." He grabbed another slice. "I've got a story to tell you, but you're going to have to get comfortable."
"That long, huh? Should I have brought my slippers and pajamas?"
"No, but it couldn't have hurt you to have brought some beer." She rewarded him with a devilish grin and arose from her chair. "Where are you going?"
"To the car for a moment. I almost forgot."
As Scully returned to the room, she closed the door shut aptly with her foot. One hand carried a six pack of Michelob, and the other grasped her overnight bag.
"Scully!" he cooed in delight. Mulder dropped his pizza and rushed towards her for the alcohol. "Mmm...you have good taste in brew, FBI woman. Hey, I thought you hadn't checked out of your hotel."
"I hadn't earlier in the day. Besides, the room next to you will be just fine." She dangled the key in front of him and unlocked the adjoining door. "Shall I slip into something more comfortable?"
"Umm...you do that." Mulder tried to revert his thoughts back to the time of his childhood; girls are no fun. Girls are picky. Girls have cooties. Girls are pretty. Girls smell nice. Scully's going to be back in ten minutes dressed in less clothing. Damn, it isn't working! Instead, his mind pictured nothing but raging hormonal contemplations from his teenage years.