CHAPTER 11

RYELANDS BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY AND DISEASE RESEARCH AND

CONTROL CENTRE

15.54pm

Scully watched the hands on Doctor Berkowitz's clock tick the minutes slowly away as she waited for the results of Skinner's scan. Her cheek and eye socket throbbed with every heartbeat and was gradually turning into a skull-crunching headache. She felt sick and tired and had never wanted so much to go home.

Krycek hadn't said anything since Skinner and Berkowitz had left. He just sat on the sofa, twisted slightly to one side to avoid crushing his hands which were still cuffed behind him, staring contemplatively out of the window.

Scully's anger at Mulder had muted into concern now. She wondered where he was. What could have been so urgent that he felt he didn't have time to tell her where he was going? But then he seemed to be hiding a lot from her these days. She worried about the lengths he would go to in his pursuit of the truth, particularly when he was being reticent which could only mean that whatever he was up to, she wouldn't approve.

She didn't notice Krycek watching her.

'Mulder shouldn't have run off alone like that, you know. It's dangerous out there.'

'And just what is that supposed to mean?'

He shrugged. 'The people who are looking for me know that I'll go to Mulder. If they find him first, they'll want to know where I am. They can be very persuasive.'

'Then I think you're the one who should be worried. He won't need much persuading from anyone to give you up.'

He chuckled appreciatively. 'Perhaps. But he also knows that I'm the only one who can give him the key to everything he's spent his life searching for.' He sat up and shifted forward in his chair. 'I think your problem is that you place too much trust in this man you think you know. You'd like to believe that you come first with him, but deep down you know you don't. You never will. You underestimate his undying devotion to finding his sister and absolving himself from the guilt that has eaten him alive for more years than he probably cares to remember. Pushed to his limits, he will choose her, you know that, and that's why you're scared to death. Because he's gone, and one day, he's never going to come back.'

Scully shook her head, furious with herself because she realized he had succeeded in slipping a thin, wickedly sharp blade of doubt through her defenses. Was she merely deluding herself into believing that Mulder had changed? Were his words hollow? Maybe he did think that he loved her, but it was love on his terms. When he felt like it. When he needed it.

No. Don't listen to him.

That is exactly what Krycek wants, what he lives for – to destroy other people. To make them doubt themselves and those around them. To make everyone paranoid and afraid. Vulnerable people are more easily manipulated. She knew that Mulder loved her. She would never allow Krycek to make her doubt that.

She smiled. 'You think you're clever, don't you? You're so sick and twisted that you believe everyone views the world as you do. I pity you, Krycek. I don't expect someone like you to understand someone like Mulder, who has more humanity and integrity than a worthless killer like yourself could ever know.'

She suddenly became aware of Skinner's presence in the doorway.

'Am I interrupting?'

'Of course not, sir,' she sighed. 'How did it go?'

'Doctor Berkowitz has downloaded the results of the scan to the computer in his lab and wants you down there.'

'Sure,' she replied, getting to her feet and hauling Krycek to his.

Krycek walked ahead of her. Slowly. Allowing Skinner to move further down the corridor. Then he stopped. So suddenly that Scully almost bumped into him.

'I don't expect you to listen to a word I say,' he whispered. 'I certainly don't expect you to trust me. God only knows, we're way past that. But just think on what I said. A man shows you how he really feels with his actions. Think about what he's telling you with his.'

The MRI scan, rather than helping to make things clearer, had only complicated them. Scully gazed at the printouts from each image that were laid out across Berkowitz's desk like the pieces to an impossible puzzle. The one that caught her eye was the image from his head and neck. A tiny black smudge at the base of the neck, about the size of a dime, glared at her indignantly, daring her to say it didn't really exist or downplay its obvious significance.

'Could it be an old injury? Like a piece of shrapnel, a childhood accident?' asked Berkowitz.

'I was in Vietnam,' he replied. 'But I wasn't injured.'

Berkowitz stood back from the table, rubbing the back of his neck. 'The only way to be sure is to remove it. We could probably do it here with a mild anesthetic. It's not buried very deeply. If we are looking for some kind of receiver/transmitter, then - '

'You can't remove it, Doctor,' said Scully. 'If you do, you risk killing him.'

'On what do you base that opinion?'

'Personal experience. I can't tell you what that is exactly. Only that its purpose in still unknown and to remove it is to risk serious consequences.'

'What kind of consequences?' Skinner picked up the image and tilted it to reduce the reflection of the lights above on the glossy print.

She sighed, her breath shuddering and tight in her chest. 'Sir, I think you know. What happened to me, my illness, was linked to the implant that was placed in my neck. I can't explain it even now, but you read Mulder's report.'

'I didn't believe…' he started to say, but trailed off when he realized how empty and pathetic the words were now.

Scully tossed the photograph back onto the table as she approached Skinner. 'Can I take a look, sir?'

He turned around and opened his collar to allow her to pull his shirt lower at the back. Just below the third cervical vertebrae, the same small lump could be felt just beneath the skin. There was no scarring, but nonetheless she knew. As she stepped away, Skinner could already see the answer in her face.

'When could they have done this? I've never had any experiences like the ones you described in your reports.'

'There was that time when you blacked out, sir. That period when you were undergoing treatment for your sleep disorder. You never did recall what happened that night.'

'No. No, this is ridiculous. It must be shrapnel. Maybe I just didn't notice before.'

'Forgive my interruption,' said Berkowitz, 'but if something like that had happened, we would be seeing some kind of entry wound, or inflammation of the tissue around the foreign object. That's not evident here. I can't be clearer than that without removing it.'

Scully slid into a chair and began tapping her fingers on the desk. Was this chip in Skinner's neck the same as hers? Was it the main control behind the Nanites? She wished Mulder was here. He would understand the implications of this more than she would. He would probably have some explanation to offer.

She glanced up at the clock. Almost five. He'd been gone a long time without a word. What the hell were the supposed to do now?

Skinner was leaning on the edge of the desk, staring at some point in space, his hands folded across his chest. Krycek just looked tired and bored with the whole thing.

'Doctor Berkowitz, I wonder if it wouldn't be too much of an imposition to have a few minutes alone with my colleagues, please?' she said.

'Of course,' he smiled. 'I'll be in my office.'

Scully waited until the door closed behind him.

'Alright, Krycek. What the hell is going on here?'

'Why are you bothering to ask me? What does it matter what I say to you? You don't believe a word I say anyway.'

'I'm sick of your games, Krycek. I'm sick of hearing you complain about your treatment. I'm sick of your smart mouth. Actually, you know, I'm just goddamned sick of you. If you're going to continue to be this useless, then I don't see much point in us dragging your sorry ass around the country while we try to figure this thing out. Do you know about the implant in AD Skinner's neck or not?'

Krycek sighed, leaned his head back against the wall. 'Yeah,' he admitted. 'They put it there. But I don't think it controls the Nanites. It was designed for a different purpose. I don't know what. They only told me what I needed to know.'

'Why?' Skinner was incredulous, angry, violated, helpless - everything Scully had experienced herself.

'You know why! You were warned what would happen if you didn't step into line. You can't outmaneuver these people. I learned that lesson the hard way. Be grateful they chose this route with you.'

'What is that supposed to mean?' asked Scully.

Krycek glanced at Skinner for just a moment before looking away. 'It doesn't matter. All you need to know is that it has nothing to do with the Nanites, and that's what we're here to try to stop. We know what they are, and what they are capable of, but for all this expensive equipment and all the Ivy League degrees I'm seeing all over the walls, they haven't figured out how to get rid of them.'

'You know, Krycek, a little more respect wouldn't go amiss when you are relying on these Ivy Leaguers to save your life. Science takes time. It would help if you had been more forthcoming in the first place and then we wouldn't have wasted so much time.'

'I tried to tell you. I tried telling Mulder. All any of you really seem to be interested in is putting my fucking medical insurance up. This is wasted time. You've activated that thing. Have you forgotten those chips can be traced?'

'The implants? I thought you told us the device was traceable.'

'Implants, device,' he shrugged. 'What's the difference?'

'It makes one hell of a difference, you goddamned son of a bitch!' said Scully.

'You kiss your mother with that mouth?'

'You lied to us! You told us the device was traceable, and that they were coming after you because you were in possession of it. Now you're telling us that the implants are traceable? That changes things somewhat, don't you think?'

'I don't see how.'

'It makes me question the reasons why you would put yourself in jeopardy by staying with us when they wouldn't be able to find you if you stayed away.'

He looked away from her, lowering his gaze to the photographs on the table.

'Yeah,' he sighed. 'Maybe that's something you need to consider. The point is that both Skinner and you are traceable, so they will be on their way here soon. We need to keep moving. Can't we leave what we have with Doctor Berkowitz and try to find out where Mulder's gone?'

'Mulder is okay. He knows what he's doing. I suggest we stay here. We won't be able to accomplish anything if we keep moving around,' Skinner said. 'Even if they do trace us here, they won't create a fuss in so public a place.'

'No. I don't trust that doctor. Or Mulder. Not when it comes to me. You can sit here and wait for the end like cowards and pacifists if you like, but I'm leaving.'

'You're not going anywhere without us, Krycek,' said Scully. 'You're under arrest, suspicion of murder and treason. Amongst other things.'

'Yeah? So shoot me, then.'

Scully pulled her gun. Aimed it at his heart. 'Don't think I won't.'

'Do you really think it makes a difference who fires the bullet? I'm already dead.'

And then her cellphone rang on the counter. She glanced at the display.

'It's Mulder.'

'So answer it,' said Krycek. 'I'll wait until you get back. My curiosity is killing me.'

She scowled at him as she holstered her gun, grabbed the phone, and went out into the hall to answer it.

'Scully.'

'Hey. Is everything okay?'

'Is everything okay? What the hell do you think you're doing? After everything we talked about last night? Did nothing I said matter to you?'

'I'm sorry, Dana, but there was no time. That phone call I had, the warning, I know who it was. I thought it would be a way of proving whether or not Krycek could be trusted. I came out here for you.'

'For me, huh? And that's how you justify this to yourself?'

'I'm being cautious. Thinking before acting. I learnt that from you, I thought that's what you wanted.'

She closed her eyes and sighed, rubbing her forehead. Her headache was blinding. 'Where are you?'

'Is there anyone else with you?'

'No, they're in the other room. Where, Mulder?'

'Nevada, a town called Oak Springs. My contact is out here, someone I can trust, someone who will tell me the truth. I can't see them until tomorrow though, so I'll be here at least until then.'

'Great. I hope you enjoy yourself.'

'I just wanted to let you know that I was okay, and to make sure that you were. I'll call you again later. Where are you staying tonight?'

'I don't know yet. I hadn't thought that far ahead. We ran the MRI scan. Skinner has a chip in his neck, too.'

'Really? Jesus…are you sure?'

'Of course I'm sure.'

'But you can't remove it, you don't know - '

'I have no intention of removing it. Not after what happened to me. I don't want to tell you anymore over the phone. Just get whatever you want in Nevada and get back up here.'

'Is he alright?'

'He's fine. For now.'

He was silent for a long time. She began to think she'd lost the signal or he'd hung up on her. Then she heard him sigh. 'I'm sorry, Dana. I should have told you I was leaving. Look, call me, okay? Let me know where you're staying.'

'Sure.'

'I love you.'

'Yeah,' she said, tears burning in her eyes for reasons she didn't want to think about. 'I love you, too.'

She hung up and took a few moments to compose herself again before going back into the lab.

'Mulder is okay, sir. But he won't be back until tomorrow.'

'Did he say where he's gone or what he hopes to find?'

'No. He just wanted to know that we were okay.'

'Yeah. Right,' said Krycek. 'And I bet the first words out of his mouth weren't "I'm okay, don't worry about me", huh? What a swell guy.'

Both Scully and Skinner ignored him.

'Sir, I've been thinking. When you were first infected, the doctor in the ER ran tests on your blood. Do you remember his name?'

'It was a while ago, Scully. I don't...um...Morgan, was it? Doctor Morgan?'

'That does sound familiar. I'll speak to Doctor Berkowitz. See if I can use his office. Will you be alright here, sir?'

'I'll be fine, Agent. Do what you have to.'

She was gone around half an hour. When she returned, she looked worn and tired.

'Doctor Morgan was there, but I caught him at a bad time. The records have been archived and he won't be able to dig them out until tomorrow. And Doctor Berkowitz needs to go home soon. The lab doesn't usually stay open this long on a Saturday, but he's offered to come in for a while tomorrow when things should be quieter and we can probably get more done. So, it looks as though we're going to need to find a motel.'

'It's probably not a bad idea, Scully,' said Skinner. 'I think I've had just about enough for one day anyway.'

'There's a place we saw on the way in. The Liberty Tree, I think it was called. Doctor Berkowitz says he can meet us there tomorrow morning to drive us in.'

'Great,' Krycek sighed. 'I guess this means that I get to spend the night on the floor then, huh?'

'No, of course not. We're civilized people here,' said Skinner. 'I was thinking the bathtub. Maybe I'll throw you a towel to keep you warm.'