Part 8

Scully restless night had made her become sick. She had woken about seven times, three times in pain from her mouth and others because she could not sleep any longer. Visions of her being put in prison, taken away from the country or being banished from the FBI were fearfully running through her mind that night. She had been sure she would have made it out, however that was not the case. Scully was distraught. She felt lost and foolish and could not get her fear for Mulder out of her mind. The worst thing was; she was still tied with her hands behind her back.

Her cell door banged open and she jumped. She wondered what she must look like. With a small nervous laugh she guessed that it wasn't like she normally would, all smart and serious. Her hair was messy and her eye make up ran because of her tears. She had hardly slept.

'Scully?' A voice said. Scully's senses reacted and recognised the low voice to be Skinner. She looked up to him and stared. She laughed quietly. Skinner did not look amused. 'Are you.. all right?' He asked tentatively. His face seemed angry however he also looked confused and fearful of her, as if she had turned mad. Scully laughed at his question.

'I'm fantastic!' She said sarcastically, then laughed it off.

'Agent Scully..' He started.

'Agent? Agent! I won't be one of them for much longer!' She said hysterically. Skinner moved towards her and in an act of desperation he knelt in front of her.

'Scully! Listen to me..' He looked at her hands and realised they were tied. 'What the hell did they do to you!' He said with anger and made his way to the corridor. 'HEY! GUARD!'

'Don't bother. I've already complained. They said that I was fighting back and that it was the right thing to do.' Scully said quietly. Skinner stopped and then turned back to her.

'They shouldn't have had to do that to you Agent.' He said fiercely.

'I know. I'm so sorry Sir.' She said weakly. Skinner looked at Scully with despair and went over to her to untie her hands. 'I thought you knew better.' He said. 'Look, they're going to have a conference with you to discuss what happened last night and what they are going to do with you.' Skinner said. Scully looked at him suddenly. She felt fear up her spine.

'They.. they're going to fire me aren't they. They're going to put me in prison.. I.. I broke the law!' She said. Skinner looked at her sympathetically.

'I don't think they will put you in prison Dana.'

Scully stared at him for a moment then lowered her head.

'I am so stupid.' She said. 'I just.. I just needed to get out and find Mulder. I know he didn't kill that man! I know he's in trouble!' She said, her voice growing louder and more desperate.

'I know.' Skinner said with sympathy to his agent. 'However, you have to do this conference. We have to sort this out. You never know, they might let you go free.'

'They wouldn't.' Scully said sadly. 'It's the smoking man. He's behind it all. He's keeping me in here!'

Skinner looked at her with a blank expression.

'I know you may think it is Scully but you can't keep making accusations!' He said. Scully sighed.

'Now even you don't believe me.'

'I didn't say that..'

'TIMES UP!' Skinner's words were cut by a voice shouted from the corridor. A guard came into the cell. 'It's time to go Agent.'

The guard held Scully and led her to a car. It was pouring with rain. Scully had packed all her belongings and she held them close to her as if it was all she had left. Skinner took her by the arm and helped her into the back seat.

'I'll take her.' He shouted through the hard rain to the guard. The guard looked at him with disapproval.

'I have to go with her.' He said.

'I am the assistant director. I am TELLING you that I am taking her from here.' Skinner said forcefully. The guard realised that he'd better not argue and nodded. He ran back to the building. Scully looked at Skinner through the window.

'You'd better behave yourself today Agent.' He said getting into the drivers seat. Scully sighed and put a hand to her head.

'I'm so sorry.' She said in a whisper.

'Don't say sorry to me. I just hope that this conference isn't the end of you.' Skinner said while revving up the engine. Scully felt so guilty. Tears stung her eyes.

'Mulder..' She whispered and closed her eyes in despair. 'What will Lisa think of me if I go to prison.' She said disappointedly.

Mulder felt himself rock back and forth. He didn't know where he was, but he could feel his arm was hurting and his head throbbing. The blood pounding in his brain was making him feel faint and he let go..

..Dreaming, his mind flew to the world which he wanted to return to. There was a warm bright light welcoming him in.. he saw his office and his 'I want to believe' poster. He felt reborn and fresh, healthy and without pain. As he walked into the office he took one satisfied glance around the room, and then his eyes caught the sight of a cynical Scully who was telling him that he was late again and that she had had to face the claws of Skinner alone. Mulder said his apologies however she didn't look forgiving. With one graceful movement she moved to the desk and sat down. Mulder shared a joke with her and he saw the smile return to her face. Scully sighed and told him that he was unbelievable..

'HEY! WAKE UP!' A rough voice echoed in his head. Mulder looked to his office door in surprise. Scully stood up and came over to him asking what was wrong. 'WAKE UP!' The voice shouted again and Mulder went to his door. Scully put a hand on his shoulder and looked at him with concern. Mulder turned to Scully and told her he could hear someone shouting, suddenly a huge searing pain hit his side and Mulder collapsed into Scully's arms... he cried out in pain and she looked at him with concern. She asked him what had happened and lay him down on the floor. Mulder looked at her and saw she was worried. The pain was unbearable and sharp.. slowly she started to disappear. Mulder tried to grab hold of her, touch her cheek, but his hand went through her like thin air. She was gone. The office started to disappear too until he was looking at darkness and emptiness. He wasn't in a suit anymore either, he had completely changed.. the pain came again.. he rolled over and was sick..

'WAKE UP!' The voice cried again. The man was standing over him. Mulder's eyes blurred and tried to make out the figure. Then it came crashing back to him. He was captured. Kidnapped.

'Please..' He said in pain. The man grabbed him from behind and pulled him up into a sitting position. Mulder felt sick again. He cried out in pain and put a hand to his side.

'That's better! I have been telling you to get up and you didn't listen to me!' The man shouted. Mulder sighed and felt pain sear all through his body.

'Come on now.. we've got a present for you.' The guard said. Mulder felt his area come to a stop and the rocking subsided. At that moment he realised he was in a truck and that they had just stopped. He felt himself be lifted and thrown out of the truck and suddenly he was covered with rain. It felt soothing and inviting on his tired and worn body.

'Where... where am I..' Mulder said weakly. There was no answer as he was pulled along the muddy ground. He spluttered in the rain and started to cough, his skin being cut on the stones beneath him. He tried to get up to make his own way, but his legs failed him. The large man continued to pull him along as if he was a dead animal.

Scully sat on her chair and waited. Her heart was beating fast and her mouth ached, but she wasn't going to let it bother her. She had to sort it out.

Scully couldn't believe how foolish she had been. At the time it had seemed like a good idea however if she had got free what would she have done? She wouldn't have been allowed back in the FBI and she would have had to hide. She would have been found one day. Skinner came into the room and was followed by the rest of the board. They were stern faced and unforgiving. She remembered how they had told her to leave the FBI and felt a little unnerved. That had been before she was in this position, before Mulder had been taken..

'Agent Scully. We'd like to start now. Are you ready to proceed?' A stern woman said. Scully nodded.

'Yes.' She said. The woman looked to the others and urged them to carry on. An old man took out some papers and looked at her.

'Agent Scully, why did you get put into custody?' He asked her. Scully looked puzzled, why were they asking her that?

'I.. I did not give information to the board which I should have done about agent Mulder.'

'And why not?'

'..Because I was lying for him.' She said quietly. The board all looked at each other. Skinner looked at Scully dismally.

'Was this to try to cover up what he wanted to prevent Agent Scully?' Skinner asked her. Scully looked at Skinner and thought carefully about her answer.

'He did not want the X-Files to close. He felt we were being betrayed by a man who claimed to work with the government however he was working against it and ruining out work.'

'Did you think this also?' The stern woman asked. Scully felt her heart skip.

'I thought it was true yes.' She said. 'Mulder was shot by this man.' The board looked at her with surprise.

'Agent Scully what are you saying? Who is this man?' A man said. Scully felt more hopeful. 'Why did you not tell us this before?'

'I was worried what it might do to Mulder, if it would put him in danger.. but..' she started, however she felt the tears coming again, 'I.. I think that he has been captured.. by this man..', Scully felt tears run down her face. The board lost their stern looks and looked at her with concern.

'Agent Scully.. do you want a moment?' Skinner said. The stern woman turned on him.

'She is not allowed a moment. This woman has gone against the rules of custody and tried to escape. She even attacked a guard!' She said fiercely. Scully looked at her with disbelief.

'I'm sorry but I think that all of your decisions are being made by someone who has power over you! You have to investigate! Mulder is missing!' She said desperately.

'Don't be so ridiculous we make all our decisions.' The woman said quickly.

'Then it must be someone in the board who is working with this man.' Scully said. The board were silent. The woman's face was red with anger.

'THIS WOMAN IS UNBELIEVABLE! TAKE HER BACK TO CUSTODY AND THEN TRANSFER HER TO WASHINGTON PRISON!' She shouted, getting to her feet. Scully's heart dropped. She started to shake nervously.

'No.. please..' She said weakly.

Skinner was standing also, his face alight with rage.

'NO! YOU HAVE NOT ASKED HER ALL THE QUESTIONS SHE IS ALLOWED RACHEL! HOW DARE YOU STOP THIS CONFERENCE THIS SOON! I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD BE THE TRAITOR THAT AGENT SCULLY IS TALKING ABOUT IF YOU KEEP BEHAVING IN THIS UNPROFESSIONAL WAY!' He shouted back. The woman looked at him with anger.

'WELL I NEVER..!' She said furiously.

One of the men stood up and banged his files on the table.

'Will both of you please sit down! Let's sort this out properly!' He shouted. Skinner and the woman glared at each other then sat down slowly trying to push off their anger. Skinner took a deep sigh and put a hand to his head. The woman folded her arms and glared at Scully.

'I am only trying to get the truth out..' Scully said timidly. She sniffed and wiped her eyes with a tissue, her heart breaking as she thought of Mulder.

'Agent Scully do you know that Mulder came back here to tell us his side of the story when you were in custody?' The man said. Scully's let her jaw drop in surprise and she took her hands away from her eyes.

'No!' She said.

'He told us that it was his fault.

'He.. he did?'

'Do you think that he would have a reason for killing that man?' The woman said with an angry tone. Scully started to cry again.

'He didn't kill him! It must have been staged! I heard him shout out for help!' She said. Skinner looked at her as if telling her to calm down.

'What was this about Mulder being shot by this man?' The man said.

'He stole three X-Files. Mulder has been confronted by him many times and so have I. He works for the government and has betrayed and mislead Mulder numerous times. We have tried to expose him, but we couldn't. But now Mulder is in danger and he needs to be found. He's gone far enough this time.' Scully said with fierceness.

'Agent Scully, I will not go against your judgement.' The man said.

'WHAT?!' The woman exclaimed.

'But..' The man said ignoring her, 'I will have to keep you from your position of work on the X-Files.'

Scully felt faint.

'You will be working by a desk, answering phone calls from the public. You will not work out on the field until we feel it is time to trust you.' The man said. Scully felt angry however slightly relieved. At least she wasn't going to prison.

'Thank you Sir.' She said quietly. Skinner nodded reassuringly to her.

'Thank you all. Agent Scully you are dismissed and you will return to work tomorrow.' The man said. Scully smiled a little and relieved, she got up and walked slowly out of the room followed by Skinner. The stern woman got up furiously and walked briskly to the door. She slammed it shut behind her.

Skinner followed her out of the room and grabbed her arm. Scully was whisked round to meet his gaze, her eyes were full of relief and happy tears.

'They didn't lock me up.' Scully said.

'I know.' Skinner said with a small smile. 'But you're forced to work at a desk though. I hope it won't be for long. When you have proved it all about the smoking man I am sure that you will be back on the X-Files.'

'Who says that we will?' Scully said, feeling a pang of emotion as she said 'we', as she wasn't sure if Mulder would be there. 'Sir, we have to find Mulder.'

'What do you want to do?' Skinner asked.

'I want you to help me.' She said sternly. Skinner stared at her.

'Scully you know I can't!' He said with sympathy. Scully's face lit up with rage and determination.

'I don't care.' She said. 'You are going to help me. This is Mulder's LIFE I am talking about here.' She said moving closer to him. Skinner took a nervous step back.

'Agent Scully..'

'Sir.. I'm not giving up. You're the only one who can help me.' She said. The emotion was pounding in her blood. After all this time she wasn't going to let them get away with it. She turned and briskly walked towards the lift.

'But.. Dana!' He called after her. Scully didn't react and carried on her way towards the lift. Skinner leant against the wall and then swore quietly under his breath in frustration.

The smoking man was standing in front of him. He could see a large room in front of him. The smoking man looked at him almost lovingly, as if he was his father. Mulder sighed and waited for the large doors to open. The smoking man smiled.

'This is what you've been waiting for Mulder. You and Scully have been looking in the wrong places.' He said with a laugh. Mulder felt anger in his blood. 'Open the doors.' He commanded.

There was a loud bang and a hiss from the pressure on the doors. They were large and metal, about ten feet high. Mulder looked up as they started to open, his head pounding with pain, but he shook it off. As the doors started to open he looked through the gap and saw white. As they opened more they revealed a sort of craft, not as big as a plane but shaped differently. He saw the wings, they were unusual. This craft was more rounded and more unearthly than anything he had seen before. He suddenly remembered... the flash of light... the screams of his sister... the horror...

'Here you are Mulder. Here it is. A UFO.' The smoking man said light heartedly. Mulder stared in shock. He couldn't believe it.

'It's been here all this time. You son of a bitch.' Mulder said fiercely.

'Have to hide it from the public Mulder, not show it.' He said with a laugh. Mulder shook his head.

'You have no idea what you're talking about.' He said. The smoking man lit another cigarette.

'I think I do Mr Mulder..' he laughed.

'I think I do.' He said slowly. Mulder stared at him with anger. From behind him, out of the dark came one of the men. Mulder cried out in surprise as the man tied a piece of cloth over his mouth and gagged him.

Part 9

Scully returned to her home with sweet relief. She felt so comfortable and warm in her own home. She couldn't help thinking about Mulder, which made her feel guilty. She felt she didn't deserve a nice home and a warm bed. She wondered and worried where he was and prayed for his safety.

Heating up the kettle that night, she remembered when she had last been there and when she had seen Mulder. She brushed away her guilty tears as she remembered how she had fallen asleep. She felt so guilty and alone again and just wanted to take him in her arms and tell him how sorry she was and that it was going to be all right. Although her head was full of memories, she was also very tired. Making her way to her bedroom and turned off the lights in her home. It started to rain again. Sometimes she felt that the rain signified the way she was feeling. The clambered into bed and feeling the softness on her skin she turned out her bedside lamp. She rested her head on her pillow and forced herself to sleep.

The morning sunlight was seeping through the windows. Scully made herself some toast and pulled on her suit jacket. She checked her watch and saw it was almost time to leave. She couldn't be late today seeing as it was her first day back at work and she was already in enough trouble. Scully sighed and tried to push her thoughts away from Mulder. She grabbed her coat and brushing past her table she left her home.

Scully walked to her car and opened the door. She heard the birds singing in the trees and couldn't believe how calm and happy they were sounding. The world keeps spinning even when yours comes crashing down. The sweet morning gave her a sense of hope. Sighing, she got into her car and started the engine. With one last glance at her home she drove off.

The FBI building seemed strangely homelike to her and she felt a sudden relief as she walked through the entrance. Her spirits were lifted as she remembered where she had been and the chance that she had now to find Mulder. Scully reached into her pocket and brought out her badge.

'Dana Scully.' She said to the man by the security entrance. She gave him her badge and gun and walked through. When she was told she was all clear she picked up her gun and badge and made her way to the elevator. She pressed on the button and suddenly saw a familiar face.

'Dana?' The woman said in surprise. Scully stared as the doors opened at her friend and smiled.

'Oh hi!' She said. Scully stepped into the lift to join her.

'You're back! I never thought that you would be back so soon.. I was getting so worried about you.' She said. Scully let out a small smile and nodded.

'So was I. I was getting out of my head in that place. Did you hear about me trying to escape?' She said with a slight regret.

'No!' Her friend said in surprise. 'That must have been exciting.' She said and then laughed. Scully looked at her for a moment then felt laughter escape her also.

'Yes… but a little unpleasant when they caught me.' She said. The lift stopped. 'Well, this is my floor.' Scully said smiling. Her friend nodded.

'I heard the allegations against Mulder. Pretty heavy huh?'

'Yes… very. I think that it was staged. He may be in more trouble than we think.' Scully said with sadness. Her friend looked at her sympathetically.

'Just come and see me if you need anything.' She said putting a friendly hand on her shoulder.

'Thank you.' Scully said softly and then exited the lift. Skinner was waiting for her outside his office. Scully walked towards him.

'I've got your work for today and your table number right here.' Skinner said. Scully sighed and looked at him.

'Ok.' She said. 'Is this how it's always going to be from now on?' She said with a small smile, however Skinner did not return one.

'Go to work agent Scully.' He said sternly. Scully's smile dropped and with a feeling as if she had been punched in the stomach, she nodded and made her way towards her working area.

Scully sighed and looked across at the other workers. She felt numb and bored and she felt as if she was a clone of all of the others with headphones and a computer screen in front of them. They were all answering calls about possible problems and cases, and she felt as if she couldn't bear to answer another one. She jumped as she saw a small light on her computer light up. Sighing she pressed a button and tried to gather herself.

'FBI, how may I help you?' She said in a forced happy voice.

'Oh hello I think I.. I think I have a serious problem here!' The man on the other end said. Scully rolled her eyes. The address of the call came up on the screen.

'What is the problem Sir?' She asked trying to sound as concerned as she could.

'I.. someone is trying to rob a bank!' The man said in a hurry. Scully pulled her headphones away from her head and turned towards the other side of the room to where the men in charge were standing.

'Robbery, 34th Street..' She shouted across the room with a bored tone. She felt herself yawn. 'Its all right Sir, someone will be there to help you soon.' She said and then pressed the button to cut the caller off. The men across the room were calling to the officers downstairs who would then call the police and get it sorted out. Scully knew the drill, she'd answered four robberies in four hours.

'What a great city we have here.' She said to herself sarcastically.

'What?' The man sitting next to her said. Scully turned to him in surprise.

'Erm.. pardon?' She said confused.

'You said something to me!' The man shouted over his headphones.

'No I didn't! I was talking to myself!' She shouted back. Everyone turned to look at them. The man laughed then nodded. Scully felt herself blush and turned back to her computer. She felt herself smile a little.

'Mulder if only you'd be here to see me make a fool of myself!' She whispered to herself and then suddenly felt very lonely. This was the first time she had been at work without him for a long time.

Skinner stared at his desk and tried to focus his mind. He felt numb and afraid. He felt afraid for Mulder and afraid for himself and his job. Scully was upset about Mulder and he needed to keep her from trying to go and look for him, though however he knew that was a near impossibility. He sighed and looked at a small pile of paperwork he had to finish. He tried to pick one up but found he had no motivation. Sighing, he made his way to his door and spoke to his assistant.

'Could I have some coffee please Shelley?' He said in a tired voice.

'Of course Sir.' She said smiling, then left the room. Just then Skinner heard Scully's voice.

'I need to see him.' Scully said. Her voice was urgent.

'He's not supposed to see you agent Scully. You're not supposed to be here.' The assistant said angrily.

'I don't care this is important. Please, just one minute.'

'No!'

'What's the problem?' Skinner said appearing between the two women.

'Sir, she wants to see you!' Skinner's assistant said. Skinner let out a small sigh and then smiled at Shelley.

'It's all right, she can see me.' Skinner said. Scully's eyes lit up and she smiled gratefully.

'Thank you very mu..'

'But Sir!' Shelly interrupted in an angry tone. Skinner ushered his assistant out of the door.

'It's all right.' He repeated. Shelley went along the corridor. Skinner turned around to face Scully but she was already in his office.

'Agent Scully I hope you aren't expecting anything from me.' Skinner said as he entered the office and closed the door behind him.

'You know exactly what I am expecting.' She said in a low voice. Her eyes were fierce and determined. Skinner kept his ground and looked around nervously. Her gaze was beginning to make him uneasy.

'Dana..' He started. Scully shook her head.

'Don't. I don't want any of that, I just want your help.' She said. Her hair shone bright and silky in the sunlight from the windows. Skinner sighed and sat down at his desk.

'You know that I can't help you with Mulder.' Skinner said in a timid voice. Looking down at his lap he could feel Scully's eyes burning onto him.

'Yes.' Scully said quietly. Skinner could sense a feeling of anger in her voice. 'Yes you can!' She said loudly. Skinner shook his head then held it in his hands.

'Dana..'

'Don't give me that! Don't say that! Don't you dare! You know just as well as I do that Mulder needs us! He needs us to help him!' She said desperately. Skinner didn't move. 'Are you going to let him die?' She said, tears choking her throat. At that Skinner looked up.

'He won't die.' He said soothingly.

'How do you know that!' She said frantically. 'We know that he's in danger.. what about the hair that was sent to me!'

'I had that analysed. It's Mulder's hair and blood, but nothing else is on it.' Skinner said quietly. Scully nearly fainted again. 'I.. I don't know if he's going to die or not.' Skinner said helplessly.

'I need your help Sir!' She said banging her hands down on his desk. Skinner jumped at the noise.

'Agent Scully,' Skinner started. He rose as he spoke. Scully's eyes were brimming with tears. 'You are not supposed to be here, you are not allowed to be here. You are being watched and observed by people who are above me and so they are watching me also! I don't want you to lose your job in this department!' He said fiercely. Scully stared at him seriously.

'What job?' She said. Skinner looked at her with confusion. 'What job do you think that I have here Sir? I have nothing!' She said with her eyes wide with despair.

'Yes you do Agent.' Skinner said angrily.

'No I don't! The X-Files have closed and now I have nothing to do!' Her face was reddening. Skinner suddenly looked very stern. Scully felt herself lose a bit of confidence as Skinner bore down on her.

'Are you complaining about your punishment Agent Scully?' He shouted. Scully let out a sob.

'No. I didn't.. didn't mean that.' She said brushing away her tears. She sat down and held her hand over her eyes.

Skinner sensed her desperation. 'I am as worried as you are too. I don't want you to get into danger also.' He said.

'I just want to find him. I can't do anything without him.' She said weakly. Skinner sighed.

There was a silence between both of them for a moment. Skinner looked down at the floor, thinking. Scully cried softly into her hand. The clock ticked loudly on the wall. Skinner looked up and opened his mouth to speak.

'You'd better not let this get out.' He said quietly. Scully suddenly stopped crying and slowly removed her hand from her face. She felt her heart skip a beat, felt her whole body surge with hope.

'Sir?' She said in a high voice. Her eyes searched his desperately for an answer. Skinner nodded and let out a small smile. 'You're.. you're going to help?' She said.

'I'll try and find out where he is.' He said in a calm voice, though his heart was beating madly with fear and anxiety. He knew that it wasn't a good idea.

'Oh, Sir.' She said gratefully. Skinner smiled then went back to his desk.

'Now get back to work agent Scully.' He said with his authoritative tone. Scully pushed a loose strand of red hair away from her eye and smiled.

'Thank you.' She said. Skinner nodded. Suddenly the door opened. Scully jumped at the noise then felt herself gather her emotions. She wiped her eyes and sniffed.

'Get back to work agent Scully!' Skinner shouted fiercely. The two male agents standing in the doorway looked at Scully in surprise.

'Yes.. Yes Sir.' She said quietly and with one quick movement she slid past the men and left the room.

LATER

Skinner sighed and looked at the screen. He felt his heart skip every time he heard the slightest noise, terrified that he would get caught. It was late and only the lights in the streets were on now. Skinner was supposedly alone in the building. 'Working late'; he'd called it when Shelley had asked.

He drummed his hands nervously on the desk as the computer searched for any sightings or arrangements deep in the government to abduct or capture a male agent. He found nothing. His eyes were starting to get sore so he took off his glasses and rubbed them with his fingers. He sighed and leant back in his chair.

'What have you found?' A loud voice said. Skinner shouted out in shock and turned to the door way. His heart beat was strong in his chest and he felt sweat gather on his temples.

'GET OUT!' Skinner shouted at the figure at the door. He put on his glasses to help him see. The figure didn't move. Skinner felt himself shake.

'Well, I didn't expect that welcome.' The voice said. It was low and severe. Skinner recognised it immediately. 'Or,' the figure said while reaching into his pocket and lighting another cigarette, 'may be I did.'

'YOU SON OF A BITCH!' Skinner shouted and rose from his seat. The smoking man laughed.

'Now, now.' He said in a mocking tone. Skinner's face was red and fuming. He picked up his desk phone.

'I'm calling security! I'm telling them everything!' Skinner shouted. The smoking man took a step into the room.

'Walter.' He said simply. Skinner stared at him with rage. 'You know that's not a good idea.' The smoking man said. Skinner felt himself shake and tried to decide what to do. His thoughts were messed up and unsure.

'Just.. just tell me where Mulder is.' Skinner said in a wavering voice. The smoking man sighed and lifted the cigarette to his lips again. Two men entered the office. Skinner looked them with fear and tried to defend himself by putting his arms out desperately.

'Stay away.' Skinner said sternly. The two men didn't take any notice and suddenly they brought out guns and aimed them at Skinner's head. 'Hey!' Skinner exclaimed and put his hands up in protest.

'Shut up!' One of them said. Skinner stood, helpless. He was outraged.

'WHAT'S THE NEED FOR THIS CANCER MAN!' Skinner shouted angrily. The smoking man turned to face him.

'That's not my name.' He said slowly. 'Ok, you want Mulder, you'll get Mulder.'

'What?' Skinner said in shock. 'Where is he!'

'He's coming.' The smoking man said. Skinner stared at him with rage. Suddenly he felt an urge to grab the guns from the two men, but he knew that meant death.

'Bullshit.' Skinner shouted. The smoking man let out a small laugh and puffed smoke from his lips. Skinner wanted to break the feeling of tension in the room, it was getting too much for him.

'You'll have to learn to trust me Walter.' The smoking man said. Skinner looked around himself in fear. 'Well, here he is.' He said. Skinner felt himself tense up.

He stared at the door. The smoking man was looking beyond it and he was smiling to himself. Skinner felt sick at the sight. Suddenly there was a sound of heavy breathing and a muffled command of, 'come on' from outside the office. Skinner felt himself nearly shout out for Mulder, but his voice was caught in his throat. The muffled voices and heavy breathing got louder and Skinner realised that the breathing was painful and sounded as if the person was having a huge struggle. The muffled voice was louder now and Skinner heard a cough. It was Mulder. It had to be. Skinner felt fear rise in his chest. The smoking man moved backwards as if giving the people coming towards the room space to enter. Skinner's eyes were wide with anxiety. A rough looking man came into view and he was pulling something along by a rope. But no, it wasn't just something he was pulling along behind him. Limp with exhaustion, with a piece of rope tied around his two hands binding them together.. was Mulder.