ACT TWO

ACT TWO - PART ONE

Scene 1 - FBI Headquarters

As every other Agent in the room had already had a brief on the matters bringing them together, Leyla Harrison had gone straight to the task they had to do.

Skinner had let her take the reins of the meeting, even if Agent Harrison wasn't in her standard FBI role in doing so -she wasn't a Field Agent or a supervisor. She had indeed returned and stayed in the accounting part of the Headquarters after her unsuccessful attempt in the X-Files unit, yet evolving brilliantly in her career. She was now a top-notch forensic accountant, tracking international criminals by their financial activities, and could every now and then be assigned to sporadic sensitive missions within the FBI.

Agent Harrison had always been gifted with a talent to notice and remember seemingly insignificant details in any circumstances, then connecting dots in a way that no one else could have done. This was how she had stumbled upon the potential case they were on. This was how she had connected spare and unspotted events that had happened in the surroundings of the FBI Headquarters during the last three months.

At first, there were only rumors, faint ones spreading out from fitness clubs located in the wide neighborhood of the Hoover building. Women in their early forties who were frequenting these places, always modern, fierce and independent ones, suddenly changed their lives overnight -switching into a more traditional woman stereotype that wasn't their usual self. Subtle changes in the beginning, even if really surprising for their relatives and acquaintances.

Then, later, more tangible facts occurred; for the following afflicted women Leyla Harrison could be aware of, the transformation became more radical along with unusual serious psychological disorders. Time passing and her curiosity triggered, Leyla Harrison gathered information and informally investigated the fitness clubs. She discovered strange associated facts, such as the disappearance of the women during one whole night without any clear explanation of that peculiar event, and persistent clues that FBI fellows were somehow involved each time. But she hadn't been able yet to exhibit more concrete facts.

Though, the investigation would be a delicate matter, for the potential FBI connection and involvement, and most of all because there were officially no victims, therefore no case. No complaints had been made.

Skinner took an attentive look at the sheet Agent Harrison had given them, summarizing the mere facts. He conceded that these ones were weak but it was worth considering them, especially with the help of Agents Mulder and Scully who definitely would dig up whatever could be.

The legendary open minds of the Agents, their efficient synergy and their unconventional career paths would be an advantage to handle the situation as best as possible. Skinner had really missed to work and interact with Mulder and Scully when they had been forced to become outlaws for years, and to remain outsiders when eventually settling down. Even if Mulder was too frequently a pain in the ass, even if -after all these years!- they would always question his loyalty, and even if the three of them had never acted as genuine buddies, the truth was that Skinner always enjoyed their companies.

Mulder, Scully and Leyla Harrison were now planning a course of action. Skinner was just supervising the whole discussion, nodding from time to time or precising some technical aspects, but essentially letting the three of them manage the details of the leads they would follow today.

In the end, they agreed to work essentially in pairs -Scully and Harrison going outside in order to encounter some victims and study the medical aspects; Skinner and Mulder staying in the Headquarters, profiling and searching clues within the Bureau.

As they were about to separate and leave the room, Skinner witnessed Mulder drawing Scully aside and exchanging whispered words, their faces very close to each other. He didn't want to spy on them but somehow their gestures had attracted his sight. There was something slightly odd between these two today and Skinner could feel it. Turning his head, he sighed, recalling that it was none of his business.

For the hours to come he will have to essentially deal with Mulder. It would be an interesting and challenging task, for sure. However, he wouldn't mind spending more time alongside Scully; a more pleasurable occasion, and surely less tainted by testosterone.

Skinner didn't develop further his thoughts about the respective merits of the two Agents, because Leyla was receiving a sudden call. It was concerning all of them.

Mrs Catherine Gem, who had disappeared yesterday evening, had returned home this morning in a complete disturbed state. A few hours later, she committed suicide with a wireless drill. In a desperate state and with an unexpected gesture, she had directly drilled into her skull.

She was miraculously alive and was currently under surgery in the ICU of Georges Washington University Hospital.

Skinner sighed.

That was bad news.

Scene 2 - Coffee shop

A few hours later, Mulder and Scully entered a coffee shop a couple of blocks away from the FBI building. They both wanted to make a break in their activities and the two of them had already split with their initial pairing -Leyla and Skinner were each following leads on their own. It was Mulder who had texted Scully first and proposed to meet there.

He needed fresh air, a short walk, good coffee and muffins, and more of all, Scully.

While Scully ordered their drinks and treat, Mulder found a quiet place in the farthest corner of the room.

"Are you okay?" Scully asked when rejoining Mulder with the muffins. "You seem tired."

"Profiling for a short intense time and based on so few elements is exhausting. And I'm not sure something useful from my work will sort out at the end of the day," Mulder replied in a fatalistic tone.

"We agreed to give it a try today and to extend the investigation tomorrow if nothing comes. That's wise."

"Yeah, sure. Hoping there won't be another victim soon."

"Why, did you find something?"

"There was a slight escalation in the acts these last weeks. That makes me worry about the consequences of this slow nevertheless perceptible increasing rhythm. Especially when you notice that this week it's the International Women's Day."

"That would be significant?"

"I think our perpetrator, or perpetrators, hates women, with a big H."

"Mmm…"

"He barely tolerates them as submissive housewives…"

Mulder pronounced the last words staring at Scully, taking in and gauging her whole femininity. From day one he had considered her as a bold goddess, expelled from the sky to join him in the basement. His unique goddess combination of Aphrodite, Calypso and Persephone, and surely so many more. But she wasn't just astonishingly feminine to his eyes, she could also exhibit countless masculine attributes -as they were conservativelly considered- or genderless ones, like the complicated vibrant human being she was and that couldn't be reduced to one classification.

"Dana and F… Fo… Fox?!" the barista yelled from the counter.

Mulder sighed heavily. "You shouldn't order, Scully, it's really embarrassing."

As Scully began to rise, Mulder stopped her, putting his hand on her arm. "Don't, I'll face it. I'm a big boy."

Scully watched him move away, chat to the barista while picking up their drinks, then come back wearing a boyish sheepish grin on his face.

She was still surprised after so many years to catch glimpses of his weak spot concerning his first name, an Achilles heel deeply rooted in his childhood and his wounded relationship with his parents. She had tried to reconcile him sparsely and subtly to Fox, a name she had always liked and that suited him, an attempt to apply a balm on his invisible scars. Now, wondering whether she would ever whisper again some more affectionate Fox in his ears on impromptu occasions, she thought that maybe she had to accept this had never been her duty. That it was Maggie's one, her mom being the only person Mulder had allowed to call him by his given name without reluctance or any limitation.

Mulder and Maggie… Scully was immensely grateful to Maggie for the genuine bond she had instantly created with Mulder when she first met him, and for accepting him in her family as another son, so soon. How she missed her mom these days! How she needed the wisdom of a mother to help herself make the good choice for her future -if there were such certitude in the world. She was in her fifties, yet she was yearning to be a daughter wrapped in her mom's embrace and words. She currently had so many questions she wished she could ask her mother -alas, she wasn't there anymore to give answers and advice.

Scully suddenly felt Mulder's hand on hers. He was facing her on his seat, an air of concern on his face.

"Scully, are you okay? What's wrong?" Mulder asked softly. He had seen her eyes moisten when he had rejoined her and put down the drinks on the table.

"I'm fine, Mulder," Scully replied.

She was aware that he wouldn't buy it, so she quickly resumed their earlier conversation. Back to the case.

"So, submissive housewives?" she asked, while swallowing her last sad thoughts along with cake and coffee.

Mulder followed her on this more secure path, willing to respect her rhythm. He had also sensed that her edgy emotional state wasn't concerning the case -he suspected that it was an aftermath of their shared foolish act on the couch.

"Or slaves… Or whatever degrading name you would use if you were one of these awful kinds of men. Sure, even if I'm profiling, I don't want to dive too far into their minds," he answered.

"That's very wise of you," Scully approved.

Mulder sipped his coffee thoughtfully after having wolfed his muffin, then asked:

"Scully, did I ever treat you badly? Like, you know, if you were…"

He couldn't help coming back to their relationship. His emotional state was edgy as well.

"Have you ever been a macho man, Mulder?" Scully interrupted. "Always driving the damn car? Being all territorial about the X-Files and not allowing my name on our office door? Peeing all around your desk in the basement so that I cannot approach and sit in the master chair?"

"Really? I was that bad? Am I that bad with you?"

Mulder was genuinely concerned by Scully's accusations.

Scully reached his left hand and squeezed it tightly.

"No, Mulder… I'm half kidding… You're a kind and gentle man. And remember that you were a fine and good househusband for years, when you couldn't go out in the open."

"But these qualities didn't last. Soon, it wasn't for the better and it didn't do us any good. I didn't do us any good," Mulder said too fast, instantly regretting it -he didn't want to let harsh memories resurface.

Not now.

"Don't go there, Mulder. You know, and I know, that the truth is much more complicated than that."

Scully wasn't upset, she was even smiling at Mulder as she added:

"The two of us need to work, to have a purpose and sane challenges. And look, that is exactly what we have now. We are both in a better place and it does us good. So much good."

"We? Us?"

Scully let the questions float in the air.

"I think it's time for us to go back to our FBI duties, Mulder."

Obviously, that wasn't the time and the place to truly discuss their relationship, thought Mulder. But he was patient and he'll wait.

Certainly, Scully would be ready to widely open her heart. Soon.

Very soon.

Scene 3 - In the streets surrounding the FBI Headquarters

On Scully's declaration they left the coffee shop, and discussed the case while walking back to the FBI in a slow pace. They were used to exchanging information and arguments when in movement, especially when driving for long hours. The scrolling of the monotonous landscapes through glass helped their minds to analyze, make links or bring back old knowledge and memories. They had missed an occasion earlier in Scully's car, but now they could count on the sight of their feet gliding over the grey pavement to trigger their brainstorming.

Scully quickly shared the new elements she and Leyla had found about the victims. The whole case was more troubling than it had appeared earlier, when scrutinized by MD's eyes and a scientific mind. Mulder took in the information and tried to reconcile it with his own previous research. Something was odd and was puzzling him, his brain already elaborating new theories.

"So, Scully, have you a scientific or medical opinion on this whole case? Is it possible to radically change someone's personality against one's will?"

"Of course not."

"You agree that there's something unusual happening and that there must be a scientific explanation?"

"Obviously."

"And?"

"The perpetrator might have used neurotoxins, drugs, medications, or extreme psychological methods to coerce the victim's will and behavior."

"It's much more than coercing or putting The Whammy on someone. We speak about extreme alterations lasting for weeks, and that had occurred within a short time and without any recollection from the victims. A true tour de force! How's that?"

Scully didn't answer immediately, pondering what rational arguments she could add. The truth being that she was at a loss to propose a solid proof theory for the case. Scully had seen a lot of strange phenomena in the past and she was now prompt to believe in extreme possibilities, yet, she would never give up her faith in science and objective facts.

"There's surely a favorable psychological or neurological background allowing the malleability of the victims' mind," she finally said.

"Really?"

"The perpetrator must have targeted his victims precisely. He might have access to medical files."

"Have you already found facts supporting that?"

"Actually, not at all. On the contrary. All the victims we are aware of seem to have a history of perfect health. Mentally and physically."

"Does that make sense to you?"

"Honestly, not."

They made a pause in the discussion for a few minutes, thinking and walking.

"There's always hidden secrets, maybe you didn't find them yet. Will you dig up deeper on that medical aspect?" Mulder proposed.

"That would be difficult to have better access, as there is no official case yet. We won't have any warrant to do so. But there could be a way. First, there's Mrs Gem who committed suicide and that we should be able to interview soon. Second, Leyla had suggested trying a hypnosis regression on one other victim. It seems that the woman is not against the idea. Leyla is currently working on it. I'll tell you when it's ready for us to attend the session."

"Oh… You know I'm a sucker for hypnosis. But I'm surprised that you are not telling me it's nonsense."

"Actually, it might help us find evidence and prove that the victims were kidnapped or taken against their will. All the women are reporting and sharing an equivalent unconvincing scenario explaining their disappearance. There's too much coincidence in these facts, too much improbability in the similarities of their narratives. It's like they had been…"

"...brainwashed purposefully," Mulder interrupted. "Or, as if a predetermined specific narrative had been implanted in their mind. By remote manipulation of the brain."

Scully stopped abruptly, grabbing Mulder's arm to make him halt.

"Wait. Are you telling me that you already had a theory? Beyond the classic profiling you made?"

"I might."

"Why didn't you get straight to the point? Why didn't you object to my arguments?"

"I wanted to listen to your whole rational opinion, Scully. I always want to."

"I'm not buying that... There's more."

"Well..."

"Something you're reluctant to tell me."

Mulder took Scully's hands in his ones and faced her.

"Remember what Doctor Joyet had told us when you had your seizures. Here is the nexus of government agencies doing secret brain experiments. Maybe all this is somehow related to you… And to William."

"Oh… I see… It's what you believe?"

"I'm not sure. Right now I don't have a strong hunch about that. But it might."

"So, is this truly an X File, after all? In which we could find answers? About us?"

Mulder took in Scully's reaction for a few seconds and held his breath. Witnessing Scully's struggle as she faced possibilities of hope in the midst of dark uncertainties was always heartbreaking for him.

"Maybe, Scully... Maybe," he whispered, wishing that they hadn't just stepped in a path that would leave some more scars in Scully's heart.

Scene 4 - In the streets surrounding the FBI Headquarters

Still holding hands, Mulder and Scully had quietly resumed their walk back to the Hoover building, neither of them willing to let the other one go, and each of them having gut-wrenching thoughts about their son.

When they had arrived at the entrance of the FBI they had first stood still for a little while, both unsure of what they could say or do to lift their mutual mood. Yet, these few seconds of uncertainty and awkwardness had quickly vanished, scattered by the most simple gestures. They were indeed experienced enough to know that sometimes there was nothing much to do but squeeze hands tighter and smile warmly at each other. A simple but effective trick they could count on anytime it was needed.

Then, as they had to go back to their own fields of investigation, they reluctantly took separate paths -Mulder entering the building and Scully walking to the parking lot.

Mulder was heading towards the basement with a pang in his heart. How come he was feeling so emotional today? He was having a hard time leaving his personal feelings at bay and letting Scully follow her own line of investigation too far away from him. Today was Sunday and he and Scully weren't supposed to work at all. Not that he had planned something special, not even to spend part of the day with her. Yet, this early morning, he had expectations to join her at some point and enjoy doing meaningless and simple things together. For it was their routine lately. The first one who was longing for the other one's company, had a stimulating thought or an unexpected interest to share, or had a sudden desire to engage both of them in a homey activity, was making the call or texting to summon the other one. Interestingly enough, when doing so, the unremarkable house was most of the time their meeting place.

Meanwhile, Scully was driving with resolute gestures. She was trying to focus back on the matters of her duty, struggling to avoid thinking too much about the interlude she had with Mulder and its emotional implications. She had always been an expert at storing her feelings in a spare room of her mind and building a wall around her sensitive heart -a way to be fully operational at work. Still, she was getting weary of her behavior which was consuming so much energy and willpower. Wasn't she supposed to take a break with her pretence, especially around Mulder? To capitulate and just let him know how she was feeling, how she was craving his presence, when she sensed cracks and wounds in her inner body?

Parking the car near the George Washington University Hospital, she made a promise to herself. She would open up more easily to Mulder if need be, especially when a case on the field would sneak under her skin.

Leaving the parking lot, she hesitated for a few seconds to text Mulder, seeking his reassurance through a brief exchange, but she changed her mind.

Next time, she would.

ACT TWO - PART TWO

Scene 1 - FBI Headquarters

Mulder was now focusing on his additional theory with the help of Skinner. He was seeking clues and links between the MK Ultra Project -or other related secret experiments- and the FBI. Skinner was providing him access -as much as he could- and his deep knowledge of the complex machinery that were the Headquarters.

At first, Skinner had been hesitant about Mulder's new interest, but there was no point not following him. Before joining Scully in the coffee shop, Mulder had exhausted all the factual information they were aware of for his initial tentative profiling. Not much helpful material had sorted out and now they needed fresh insights. Plus, as Skinner had already gathered a lot of elements since their morning meeting, it was almost just a question of pinning down the most relevant ones under their new perspective on the case.

"Mulder… why do you always come back to the X-Files?" Skinner asked, gesturing to the files spread over Mulder's desk in the basement. Skinner was standing in the doorway, coming back from an errand in other parts of the building.

"Well, I assure you it wasn't my first intent. I have let room to classical profiling and to any rational explanation Scully would give me," Mulder replied with a broad smile, leaning back in his chair.

Skinner nodded and stated, still standing at the entrance of the office: "There couldn't have been any progress in these X-Files without her scientific expertise."

"Sure, Skinner. She had always kept me guessing, working hard and getting better. That's a thing that has never changed and will ever continue," Mulder said.

Then, after a beat, Mulder muttered in a lower and quivering voice: "In every single aspect of my whole damn life…"

These last words made Skinner look down at his shoes. He wasn't used to receiving such implied confidence from Mulder about his personal life.

Sensing Skinner's unease, Mulder quickly found back his more factual tone.

"Well... Scully's still searching rational explanations on our case, Skinner. Maybe she'll laugh at me in five minutes," he said. "Because she'd have found the ultimate scientific argument involving the latest discoveries in stochastic quantum nanoneuroscience."

Skinner stepped forward, smiling.

"Couldn't it simply be a Pusher-like situation?" he asked when reaching the desk.

"No. The effects of the Pusher's whammy didn't last so long, and he had to remain close to his victims," answered Mulder.

"I see."

Skinner lifted the folder he was handling and flipped the sheets of paper.

"Mulder, you could be right. Trespassing some deeper inner lines I might have found interesting information on some of our fellow employees," Skinner stated while stretching out his hand towards Mulder. "Don't spread out I'm the FBI whistle-blower."

Mulder raised from his chair to pick up the folder hanging over the desk.

"Really? That was so simple to find something?" Mulder asked.

"When you're as old as me in these walls, you notice the strangest things and you can trespass bastions. Recently there had been changes in a small subsection of our Public Corruption section. The few Agents operating there have seemingly original behaviors, according to the other fellows gravitating in this part of the building. Gossips describe this group of men as a kind of macho and misogynist sect, their chief being the guru."

"Gossips?"

"Leyla, and… er... Holly tipped me on that particular point," Skinner admitted.

"Holly? You involved her?" Mulder asked, surprised.

"Well… We can trust her," Skinner replied, a little blush pinking his cheeks.

Mulder didn't react to the insinuation and ran his eye over the file.

"This man, Brian T. Riddle?" Mulder asked while pointing at a name below a photo ID on one of the sheets.

"Yes. Look further. I was able to find he's coming from some obscure branch of DARPA, where he operated for a few years before entering the FBI. He was working in a neuro-psychological lab under the supervision of Dr Sophia. Of course, that's the only facts I could track down in such a short time."

"No more details about him? What was he doing before that?"

"There's a brick wall here. He comes out of nowhere. And I doubt it's his real name."

Mulder pondered the information.

"And, is there more about the gossip?" Mulder questioned.

"Yeah…"

Skinner raised his hand to form air quotes when adding:

"This man and his fellows -just young pawns with no specific background- 'have been assigned under an unofficial procedure in order to infiltrate the FBI and sabotage political investigations. A secret weapon or shield for the actual resident of the White House'."

"Wow… POTUS? What the hell?"

Scene 2 - George Washington University Hospital

Scully's first concern when arriving at the ICU had been to check Mrs Gem's medical state. The woman was still in a very critical condition after her surgery and it wasn't sure yet she would make the day.

As there was nothing she could do on that matter, her second concern had been to have access to the medical files about the patient, especially the results of all the brain imageries that had been made. Scully would surely have to pull some strings to succeed, but she was always glad to be challenged in a medical environment.

An hour later, she had obtained enough elements to have an idea of what might have happened to this poor woman, or, actually, to have no satisfactory ideas about medical and scientific explanations concerning her state.

Pekka Suunistus, the neurologist she had spoken with, had shown her the MRI images of the brain, displaying several oddities that couldn't be analyzed and interpreted with his actual knowledge. Moreover, the surgery had also revealed unusual abnormalities on the brain cells. All these observations were leading to further studies that had only been started. No conclusion could be stated right now, except that the patient would launch intensive scientific and medical research about her condition, in collaboration with the Helsinki Brain&Mind neuroscience hub.

Scully had then concluded that Mulder was certainly right, that this case could be a true X file and might in some way be connected to secret experiments.

Were sick people out there playing with people's brains, overturning the life of honest citizens for no reasons?

Pushing one of them -a brilliant lawyer- to an extreme action in order to ease the pain and the suffering she was going through?

Digging a hole in your own skull in a desperate attempt to restore your own normality, that was what Mrs Gem had done unexpectedly in front of her husband. She might have somehow felt that something was entirely wrong within her, but, as her discernment had been completely damaged, she had acted insanely.

How terribly awful.

On these thoughts, Scully quickly pushed away a resurfacing memory of herself strapped on a dentist chair, threatened by a mad man holding a long ice pick. But she couldn't help reliving and reflecting upon the treatment Mulder had inflicted on himself once -receiving a dangerous and insane experimental procedure from Dr Goldstein to recover childhood memories. Mulder was an intelligent man, nevertheless, in an act of ultime desperation, he had put his life in jeopardy.

So, what had happened to Mrs Gem was not so surprising, after all.

Especially when knowing that the brain was mostly an uncharted territory and that there were still so many things to discover. It was a frail organ, so sensitive to stimuli, chemicals, feelings and passions, hate and love.

Scully's own brain had recently suffered sudden seizures and been overwhelmed by unexpected visions. As for Mulder, even if he was now displaying health and stability, she had to admit that he had had his share of serious problems and disorders concerning his brain.

Thus, certainly, they were both vulnerable and would remain exposed to threats coming from inside or outside themselves.

Though, without dismissing her recent seizures, Scully was prone to believe that Mulder was the most at risk between the two of them, if just considering his recent severe depression.

Of course, she would always care for him and protect him, whatever threat would cross his path. At any cost.

Wouldn't it be better, then, to just live by his side?

Every single day and night?

In their home?

Scene 3 - Center for integrative Medicine - George Washington University Hospital

Thirty minutes later, a hypnosis regression on Mrs Laia Phoenix was about to be performed in a cozy office of the Center for Integrative Medicine, part of the GWU Hospital.

When the meeting had been put together, Mulder had promptly joined Scully and Leyla at the hospital. However, since his arrival, he had kept a low profile and had been sitting still at the back of the room, as far away as he could from Mrs Phoenix. Indeed, when he had been introduced to her, he had witnessed a subtle shudder going through her body and sensed an unconscious aversion to him. Really wanting to not miss the hypnosis session, he had then stepped away and hoped his mere presence wouldn't perturb it.

As Scully was sitting just ahead of him, partly hiding his body to Mrs Phoenix, the woman seemed now to have forgotten that he was in the room. Noticeably, she hadn't shown any sign of disturbance in Doctor Heitz Werber's presence, making Mulder conclude that there was definitely a FBI-male dread at work.

Fortunately, Mrs Phoenix was highly responsive and soon Doctor Werber had made her gone three weeks ago, the night she had disappeared.

As instructed by Leyla Harrison, Doctor Werber had tried to move backwards so they could obtain insights of the events happening days or hours before. It had been a failure. There was a two weeks time span in Mrs Phoenix's memory that seemed undecipherable. For the fateful day of her disappearance, there was a brick wall they couldn't pass through. They were unable to gather the slightest useful information about her work out session at the fitness club, and how and when she left the place.

Mulder even noticed that the vague narrative about the event itself she was producing under hypnosis was completely different from the one she had stated to Leyla.

The statement she was now narrating was suspiciously staged, as if she was displaying another kind of fake memory that had been implanted in her brain cells. As if different layers of manipulation and false memories had been performed on this poor Laia. Erasing for good and forever the truth and the objective facts concerning her kidnapping and her brainwashing.

Mulder shivered to the evil idea and all its consequences. And what if these people were really working for the actual awful POTUS? That was a nightmare.

Regaining concentration, Mulder tried to focus on the most insignificant details given by Mrs Phoenix, taking notes on his phone. Because even if they were false, a few could be meaningful or revealing a lead. Because in all this madness, they could only count on their perspicacity and their determination.

Laia's tale story was in fact a pure nightmare and it had soon reached a peak of terror and insanity. At first, Doctor Werber's voice had flinched for a little while. Then, after telling the assembly that he would ensure the woman won't remember anything of the regression, the therapist remained steady.

Mulder's hand was trembling as he tapped words on the tiny screen. He wondered if he should have taken instead a notepad and a pen, but he wasn't sure his handwriting would have been decipherable afterwards.

Scully turned her head around and launched a concerned and empathic look to him. Mrs Phoenix was indeed describing an almost typical scenario of Alien experiments on abductees, involving tight straps, a cold-like-stone long chair, blinding white lights and several horrible instruments probing and piercing flesh.

Except that there weren't Aliens but a bunch of tall white men surrounding her, and voices chanting and claiming messages about triumphant maleness overpowering degenerated and worthless femaleness.

This strange combination had triggered the most nightmarish remembrances still haunting Mulder. Because he had never forgotten the scars of lacerations his body was exhibiting in the immediate aftermath of his resurrection. Because, contrary to Scully, he had kept in mind vivid glimpses of his abduction and painful flashes of his torture sessions in a spaceship.

Mulder held a stare back at Scully for a few seconds and muttered a silent 'I'll be okay.'

And that was true. He was fully aware of his weakness, he knew he could easily be overwhelmed and disturbed -as he was right now- but he was certain to overcome quickly this uneasiness. Because Scully was close by. Because he was so steady for a few months. Because he had a stubborn determination to take care of her and their relationship.

At the end of the session, Mrs Phoenix had been handed over to her caring husband who had stayed in the waiting room. Letting Leyla and Doctor Werber take charge of this follow-up, Mulder had grabbed Scully's arm and shared his first conclusions with her.

Mostly, Mulder was convinced that they needed to bring attention to some details he was finding relevant. He showed Scully what he had highlighted on his phone, and pointed out a few particular expressions.

Among them:

'Tom'

'Ties'

'UST'

'Make Manhood Great Again'