Mulder lay weak on the floor and coughed roughly. He felt his whole body ache and turned over slowly to face the large room where he was now, and the smoking man stood in front of him and smoked a cigarette slowly and threateningly. Mulder frowned with frustration as he watched him and tried to struggle out of the rope which bound his arms. He tried to remember what had happened to Scully, but he couldn't. He could remember her screaming and looking near to death, but when he had woken up she had vanished.

'I can see that you are worrying about something Mulder.' The smoking man said slowly. Mulder frowned.

'Where's Scully.'

'How many times are you going to ask me that Mulder? I have told you already, you needn't worry about her, its you I need now.'

'I can't trust you, I have no idea what you've done to her, but you'd better not have hurt her even more than you already have.' Mulder said weakly. The smoking man put his cigarette out.

'Mulder, would I hurt her? It wasn't me that hurt her..'

'Shut up you lying bastard and get on with whatever you want to do to me.' Mulder interrupted him angrily and took a deep sigh.

The smoking man paused for a while and raised his eyebrows. He went over to the end of the room and as the lights flickered on overhead Mulder realised that he had been there before. There was the huge metal door, and it was closed. The smoking man looked towards him.

'Do you remember what is behind this door agent Mulder?'

'The UFO you bastard.' Mulder grunted. The smoking man nodded.

'No need to abuse me, I have shown you evidence of extraterrestrial live Agent Mulder.' He said slowly and walked over to the wall. Mulder struggled to get free again, but the ropes just got tighter.

'I.. I forgot that it was here. I couldn't remember..' Mulder said weakly.

'I'll show you it again shall I?' The smoking man said. Mulder gasped and looked up to the door. The smoking man pressed a button and there was a huge crash as the door started to open. Mulder stared with wonder and amazement as the door revealed the large white craft which he had seen before. His heart skipped in his chest and he glared at the smoking man.

'You bastard.. why do you keep it a secret from the world! They all deserve to know!' Mulder said fuming. He turned back to the magnificent craft as it shone under the lights above it. The smoking man shook his head.

'Mulder, this kind of news would send the world crazy..'

'Not knowing about it will drive them crazy. It's been driving me crazy for years.' Mulder shouted, tears stinging his eyes. The smoking man nodded.

'Yes Fox, I know that. That is why I am showing you this now.' He said gesturing towards the craft. Mulder sighed and tried to get up but he fell in defeat. He lifted his eyes to the craft again and stared hard. He couldn't believe he was looking at something so wonderful, so creative..

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING!' Mulder shouted.

To his horror, there was a large explosion and fire emerged from the back of the ship. The smoking man looked at what was happening with a calm expression. Mulder's heart skipped a beat and he stared at the smoking man in amazement and wonder. The flames started to catch on the ship and Mulder watched in horror as the ship caught fire. He turned madly to the smoking man and but he didn't look bothered.

'WHAT'S GOING ON! IT'S ON FIRE!' Mulder screamed desperately and tired to edge himself closer to the smoking man.

'Yes Mulder. We are burning it.' The smoking man said turning towards him.

'You son of a..' Mulder shouted, but the smoking man walked towards him and knelt down next to him.

'Mulder, if people knew that I had this, and if they knew about the existence or extra terrestrials, well.. I would surely be put in prison..' The smoking man said, lighting up another cigarette calmly as the huge wall of flames towered up behind him. Mulder's face glowed orange in the light.

'Good.' Mulder chocked out. He stared at the flames and then lowered his head in defeat. The smoking man stared at him.

'It's all right Mulder.' He said in a soft low voice. Mulder gritted his teeth and wanted to hit him and throw him in the flames, but he couldn't move from his position. The smoking man got up and turned towards the flames again. 'Now, of course I can't let anyone know that you have seen this.' He said with a harsh voice. Mulder sighed and looked up at him with surprise.

'What do you mean?'

'I can't have you telling the FBI about this can I Mulder?' The smoking man said turning towards him. Mulder felt his heart race with fear.

'What are you going to do?'

'Well..' He started, but Mulder turned in shock as two men came towards him from both sides. He cried out in anger as they towered towards him then leant down and picked him up roughly. One of the men smiled as he pulled Mulder's ropes tighter. Mulder winced in pain and glared at the man with hatred, fear and emotion.

Skinner looked at Scully across the car. She stared out of the window and sat up straight and alert. She frowned with concentration.

'It's along here Sir. Just along here… I can remember it.' She murmured in concentration. Skinner nodded.

'We've just got a radio in from headquarters, they've identified the warehouse.' He said. Scully turned to him.

'Is it this one I mean?'

'Yes. Well done, good memory.' Skinner said with a tiny smile which was soon gone. Scully nodded and grabbed her seatbelt as the car pulled up outside the warehouse. She reached for the car door quickly and Skinner grabbed her arm. She gasped in surprise and turned to meet his eyes.

'We're the only ones here, the others are back along the street waiting for a signal remember; we have to be slow and careful, but efficient.' He said seriously. Scully nodded.

'I know. I'll get the kit out of the back.' She said, then turned from him and got out the car and went to the boot. Skinner turned off the engine and got out of the car closing the door behind him with caution of his surroundings. He went to the back of the car to meet Scully and checked around him.

'Here.' She said handing him a bullet-proof vest and gun. Skinner took it and put it on over his shirt. Scully rummaged around in the boot a little more and found the two blue FBI jackets. Skinner took one and zipped it up over his vest. Scully did the same and they both put the guns in their holsters. She looked up at him and he looked at her with a reassuring glance.

'Scully.. you have to be prepared for anything..' Skinner said with concern. Scully pushed him away.

'Don't say it. He's alive.' She said with force. Skinner stared at her with surprise. He looked at her tired eyes.

'You're going to be all right aren't you?' He asked. Scully turned to him with a glance which needed no words. Skinner nodded and sighed. 'Right.'

They made their way round the back of the warehouse and found a smashed window. Scully frowned in thought and planned what she was going to do in her head and studied the window. Skinner came up behind her and they agreed to go in. Scully pulled out her gun and held it steadily.

'Wish me luck.' She said in a whisper and pushed herself up to climb into the window pane.

'Get off me! Let me go!'

Mulder's raspy voice soared through the warehouse. He could see the burning spaceship in his memory and it broke his heart. The whole place was going to burn down, he knew it. And he also knew that he would go along with it if he was left here.

The two men ignored his cries and carried him away from the sight quickly and roughly. Mulder tried to break free but it was impossible to get the ropes looser. Mulder turned his head to the flames and looked at cancerman for the last time who he saw was watching him being taken away. He was being taken away from him quickly and after a few seconds he was out of the large room and was plunged into darkness.

The heavy breathing of the men carrying him echoed around the large walls. Mulder closed his eyes and tried to imagine he was somewhere else.. safe in his apartment or in the FBI building, with Scully.. in the office..

'Here you go Agent Mulder.' One of the men said. Mulder stared at the space in front of him and a door was opened into a small room. He stared at the room and it was all musty. There was a small window with bars on it with a small amount of light coming in. Mulder blinked then closed his eyes slowly and took a deep breath. He felt himself falling into the room and the impact of the floor hit his chest strongly, but he was used to the pain now. The wooden behind him slammed and he was left alone again, to burn.

Skinner followed Scully into the building and she went along with her gun held steady. She sighed and checked around her to see if she was safe to go forward. Moving slowly she made her way into the first corridor and heard distant shouting. Scully looked back to Skinner and saw him nod to her to go forward. She came up to the first door and looked at it blankly. It was wooden and old looking, she heard distant footsteps and trying to stay calm she put her hand on the door handle. Skinner came in front of her and walked past her and Scully nodded to tell him it was all right. With one deep breath and turned the handle and tried to open the door. Skinner looked back at Scully when he came to the next door and she nodded for him to open it. He turned the door handle and it opened easily, unlike Scully's. Skinner held out his gun and faced the doorway. The room was quite light so it was easy to see. He made his way in a little then came out again shaking his head. 'Nothing.' He said quietly.

Scully frowned in concentration and studied the door next to her. She tried to open again by pushing against it, but it wouldn't move. She started to move away when she heard a muffled voice coming from the room and she turned her head sharply to the noise and stared. Skinner came up behind her. She moved back from the door, desperate to get in. Skinner understood what she was going to do and watched her prepare. Scully frowned and moved back from the door. With one fast movement she moved towards the door and kicked it down.

'FBI! FREEZE!' She shouted, holding her gun out. Her brow furrowed in deep concentration as she looked around the room. It was dark and musty, and she stared trying to get her eyes to adjust. Suddenly she heard a soft murmur from the corner of the room and her heart caught in her throat. She turned slowly to the direction of the voice, her eyes welling with tears. She lowered her gun slowly in shock.

In a horrified whisper full of emotions she said, 'Mulder?'

Mulder lay on his back and faced the ceiling. He heard the door crash open in the distance and he saw flashes of torch light spin over head of him. He didn't know what it was, he just expected to be picked up again or killed may be. He closed his eyes and took a long breath.

Suddenly he heard people bustling about and he heard footsteps coming towards him. He looked away from the direction of the sound and prepared to be hit… but he wasn't.

Someone was touching him, not roughly and not hurting him, but as if they were trying to tell him something or help him. Mulder frowned in thought as he didn't understand. He heard a distant voice, a soft woman's voice which sounded troubled and upset. He slowly opened his eyes and turned towards the person next to him.

He looked up into the eyes of an angel.

'Mulder?' Scully pleaded. She was desperate for him to answer. Tears threatened to fall as she looked down his body to see it was clearly abused. She looked back to Skinner who was standing near the door making sure no one was coming. He looked at her.

'How is he?'

'I.. I don't know. He's opening his eyes… but I've got no response.' She said desperately. 'Come on Mulder, it's me.. it's ok.' She said softly and cupped his face in her hands.

'Mmm…' Mulder murmured. Scully stared into his eyes and saw that they were staring at her desperately. She felt a tear fall down her cheek and she smiled a little, happy that he had responded.

'Mulder, it's all right.' Scully said softly. He closed his eyes again and she felt panic grow in her stomach. 'Mulder, Mulder!' She shouted. He didn't open his eyes. Scully took a small breath of panic and turned towards Skinner. 'We have to get him out of here, now.'

'Hold that thought.' Skinner said. He was distracted by something down the corridor. Scully frowned in confusion.

'What is it?'

'Stay here, look after Mulder.' He said fiercely, and walked away. Scully opened her mouth to object but nothing came out. She turned back to Mulder in confusion and taking scared worried breaths she held him as tightly as she could, her lip trembling with tears.

Skinner held his gun tight in his hands and backed up against the wall. He started to walk slowly and cautiously. He had seen a guard just then, he was sure of it. And seeing Mulder there nearly dead had made him lose it. He was going to kill that smoking son of bitch once and for all. He'd been messed around too many times, he'd finally lost it and was going to kill him. He couldn't let it go on any longer.

Skinner gritted his teeth as he heard voices and footsteps, they sounded like they were running and the voices were worried and frightened. They were shouting at people, telling them to get out. Skinner turned the corner quickly and held out his gun. He came face to face with the smoking man himself. There was a long silence between them. Skinner clicked his gun into place.

'Well hello Walter.' The smoking man said darkly taking a drag of his cigarette.

'You're a dead man.' Skinner said, eyes blazing.

Scully stroked Mulder's cheek and pleaded him to say something to her.

'Mulder please, say something. Please tell me you're ok. Come on Mulder, wake up.'

Mulder lay quietly and his head lay on one side. She brushed a tear away from her eyes and felt rage burn inside her. She wanted to kill cancer man herself.

'Skinner's gone to find him Mulder, it'll be fine, it'll all be fine.' She said soothingly. Mulder suddenly opened his eyes. Scully let out a surprised gasp.

'Sc.. Scully… no…' He rasped. Scully frowned in concern and lifted his head higher.

'What is it.. it's all right.'

'Scully.. there's… there's a fire… a fire..' He rasped weakly. Scully didn't hear him.

'I can't hear you, it's all right you don't have to say anything.' She said softly, but gasped as he grabbed her arm.

'Scully… there's… there's a fire… you have to… GET OUT.' Mulder said forcefully, then fell back in exhaustion. Scully frowned in horror and turned to the corridor and heard for the first time the screams and shouts of people trying to get out.

'Fire! Get out! Come on!' They shouted. She turned back to Mulder and took frightened breaths.

'Ok, ok Mulder we're going to get out of here.' She said. Mulder grabbed her arm again and she jumped.

'Sk.. Skinner.' He said. Scully's stomach dropped and her brain ran through the possibilities.

'He'll be fine, he told me to look after you, and I'm not going to leave you.' She said forcefully. Mulder shook his head. 'No Mulder, I'm not going to leave you.' She said, tears coating her throat. 'You're going to have to help me here. Come on, help me get you up… come on!' She said forcefully and pulled his arm over her shoulder. With two strong heaves she managed to get him partially standing. 'Come on Mulder, help me, hold onto me.' She said gritting her teeth, he was heavier than she had imagined. Mulder grunted in pain and closed his eyes again. 'Come on Mulder, let's go!' She said pulling him out of the door. There was a loud bang and Scully turned back down the corridor in shock but saw nothing. Her thoughts ran to Skinner and panic pumped through her veins, but she needed to get Mulder out, and soldiered on towards the broken window. She started to smell smoke and it started to sting her eyes, making tears fall heavily. She sniffed and gritted her teeth as she dragged him along. 'Come on Mulder! Help me!' She shouted. Mulder grunted and tried to move his legs more. 'That's better, come on we're nearly there.'

It was getting hotter and the walls started to glow yellow. Scully tired desperately to ignore it and carried on as fast as she could. The smoke was getting heavier and she found herself coughing and turned to look at Mulder and saw he had completely passed out. 'No, come on, please Mulder.' She said with exhaustion. She caught sight of the broken window out of the corner of her eye. She took a deep breath and struggled towards it as fast as she could. She got to it and lifted Mulder slowly down onto it and put him through the hole, he fell softly down onto the ground outside. She was sure that it was only wet grass outside, and it wasn't that high. Just as she was about to climb through after him suddenly she heard a gun clicking into place and sensed someone behind her. Scully's heart skipped a beat and she reached for her gun and pulled it out of the holder. She took a deep breath and frowned in anger. On the count of three she pulled it out and turned around quickly and faced the man behind her.

Their guns pointed at each other's faces and she glared at him with anger.

'Shove off red head.' He grumbled. 'I'll kill you.'

'I don't think you will.' She said angrily, holding her gun ready. She put her finger on the trigger.

'You won't get away with it.

'Who the hell are you? Do you work for the smoking man.. no wait, you know what I don't give a damn.' She said angrily and clicked her gun into place.

'I won't let you save Mulder.' He said forcefully. Scully glared at him.

'Too late.' She said seething.

'Not too late, I'm going to kill you.' He said.

'You won't. You're not fast enough.'

Scully took a deep breath and waited a few seconds until the timing was right, then shot him in the head. In reaction the man shot into the air and hit the ceiling. Plaster fell from the roof and Scully stared at it for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm her down, the cries of men running and shouting filling her ears. Closing her eyes she gathered herself, then made her way out of the window. She fell down onto the soft grass at Mulder's side.

'Come on Mulder.' She said taking him by the arm and lifting him up again. She forced him up and carried him away from the warehouse. There was a large crash and she jolted in fright and looked back quickly to see that one of the doors had been broken down and two figures disguised by smoke came crashing out of it. Scully closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on what she was doing and dragged Mulder towards the car. Her legs and arms were exhausted but she had to get him to the car. When they reached it she grabbed the door and threw it open quickly. Scully shifted Mulder into her arms and lay him down inside the passenger seat as gently as she could. He lay down with eyes closed and his body badly beaten, a large black bruise covered his right eye. Scully sighed and brushed a tear away from her eyes and gathered her breath. She tucked his legs into the car and closed the door. Making her way to the front of the car she grabbed her mobile and punched in 911 calling for backup and medical help. She put the phone down; she closed her eyes and sank into the front seat of the car. Scully looked back at Mulder and sighed heavily, her heart ached with sorrow and with despair she ran her fingers through her hair and coughed softly, and unwillingly she started to sob.

There was a loud cry and she jumped as she recognised the voice to be Skinner's. Scully spun round towards the direction of the cry and shook her tears away. She saw Skinner on the floor being held down by a large man; the broken door she had seen crash open lay on it's side next to them and smoke billowed out of the doorway.

'Skinner!' She cried loudly and looked back at Mulder, then ran towards Skinner. She saw that the man had a crowbar and was holding it to Skinner's neck. Skinner struggled underneath him trying to get him off. While running Scully grabbed her gun and pulled it out and aimed it at the man. She cried out angrily for the man to stop and pointed it at the back of the man and pulled the trigger. It hit him and he fell with a cry onto Skinner.

Scully ran towards Skinner and pulled the man off him with all her strength. Skinner put a hand to his throat and frowned in pain.

'Sir? Sir are you all right?' She asked. Skinner coughed and nodded weakly. Something caught Scully's eyes down at Skinner's chest and saw that he was holding something, his knuckles were turning red as he was holding onto it so hard. Scully leant over him and put a hand on his arm. 'Sir, what are you holding?' She asked. She realised that Skinner was shaking and he wouldn't let it go. Scully looked at it hard and surprise flooded through her as she saw what it was. 'The files… you got them back.' Scully took a sigh of relief and took his hand. 'Sir, it's all right. Give them to me.' She said softly. Skinner took deep rasping breaths, then slowly let Scully take them. Scully took them in her arms and put them inside her vest. She looked behind her as a large crash exploded in the warehouse. She stared at as the roof started to collapse, the flames started to grow and danced in her wide eyes.

'Sir, come on, let's go.' She said, realising the need to get away. The warehouse was collapsing, and the flames were getting stronger. 'Come on, let's go… GET UP!' She shouted, and tugged on him to get up and pulled him up. Skinner nodded weakly as she pulled him up and grabbed onto her arm. 'Come on!' She shouted and they broke into a run. Skinner fell limp in her arms but she carried on pulling him over to the car. When she reached it she opened the door and helped him into the passenger seat and slammed the door closed. She looked back at the warehouse and saw the roof had completely collapsed and there was a crash as a piece of flaming metal flew up from inside into the air. Scully cried out as it came flying towards them. She scrambled with the door and jumped into the car and fumbled with the car keys in the ignition. 'Come on!' She shouted, her hands were shaking. She got it in and revved the car up as quickly as she could and slammed down the accelerator. The car jolted forward and speeded off forwards. There was a huge crash as the metal fell behind them. Skinner jumped and looked back in fright. Scully grabbed the steering wheel with determination and her heart pumped loudly as she speeded through the grass, dodging trees and groups of men running away and onto a small road. She turned right onto it and drove up it quickly. When they were a safe distance away she slammed on the breaks. With shaky hands she opened the car door and stumbled out. She turned and faced the warehouse in the distance. Skinner got out after her and stared. Scully felt her breathing get slower and she tried to gather herself, her tears stinging her eyes, emotions going overdrive.

The flames were huge now, growing more and more, a few trees caught flame. There was a huge line of smoke going into the sky and across the trees and over the distant buildings. Suddenly it happened; the huge explosion blew up into the night sky. Skinner and Scully looked across at each other with wide eyes, catching their breath. They could feel the heat even where they were. Scully lowered her head in exhaustion.

'Scully, we have to keep moving.' Skinner said quietly looking at her with concern. He saw that she was swaying. Scully shook her head.

'No, help… is coming, we have to.. have to wait for them.' She said between breaths, and in exhaustion she felt herself sway. Scully grabbed hold of the car to balance herself but closed her eyes. 'Need.. rest..' She managed to whisper, and collapsed gently down to the floor, her body refusing to work any harder, her back sliding down the side of the car and she fell into luxurious blackness.

Orange and yellow flames and pieces of metal and wood flew out in all directions, the sound of the crash echoed all around the vast open space and the night sky was left with an orange tinge, as if it was crying in pain against the flames.

Part 18

Skinner sat at his desk and stared at the agents across from him. He smiled a little sympathetically. Mulder sat with his face bruised, but a lot better than a week ago. He looked at him with a bored expression. Scully looked at Mulder with concern and bit her lip. Mulder sighed and shifted in his seat, his ankle was heavily bandaged.

'I know what you're thinking. It's very, very, very annoying Mulder.' Scully said softly. Mulder sighed.

'He got away with it. He got away, again.' Mulder said. Skinner grimaced.

'He's left the country. There's nothing we can do.'

'We can't go after him?' Scully asked angrily.

'I can.' Mulder said under his breath.

'Not without me you won't.' Scully said defensively. Skinner held his hands up.

'Agents, neither of you are going to find him. He's not the FBI's responsibility anymore. I'm sorry.'

'Bastard.' Mulder said angrily.

'Well at least he didn't close the X-Files.' Skinner said quietly. Mulder and Scully looked at each other with surprise.

'You mean..' Scully said. Skinner nodded.

'You two are back on the job straight away. Full pay, full attendance.' Skinner said with a small smile, he couldn't hide his happiness. Mulder raised his eyebrows and nodded in approval.

'Full pay huh?'

'Thank you Sir. You helped us.. again.' Said Scully.

'I tried to kill him, but that son of a bitch hit me hard. With a crowbar.' Skinner said angrily. Scully raised her eye brows and sighed.

'Mulder, at least we're all ok.' She said.

'Scully, he showed me a UFO!'

'Mulder, for the last time it was probably a fake.'

'I won't believe that! I won't believe that it was fake. It was too perfect. It was.. amazing.' He said, his voice trailing off. Scully looked down at the floor with despair.

'I'm sorry.'

'Listen you two, you're both alive and we can catch this bastard. At least we got the files back.' Skinner said. Scully smiled.

'Yes, thank you Sir.'

'That's all right. I managed to grab them before a huge man with a crowbar attacked me and pushed me out a door.' Skinner said light heartedly. Mulder looked at him with sympathy.

'Sir, I'm very grateful that you got the files back.'

'That's all right. We'll get him, we will.' Skinner said with determination. 'You two can go now. Why don't you go home and have some rest.' He said. Mulder got up slowly and Scully helped him as he stumbled on his ankle.

Mulder sat at his desk and wrote on a piece of paper with a sullen expression. He looked across at Scully as she stood with her arms folded. Her face was dark and upset.

'You ok Scully?' He asked quietly.

'I'm just so angry. I can't believe what we've been through.' She said with a small smile. 'He got us both.'

'I know, but you came back to save me, even when you'd only been in hospital for a few days.'

'You know you would've done the same for me, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't survived..' She said, her voice breaking off. Mulder stood up slowly and limped over to her. He put a hand on her chin and lifted her face up to look at him. Scully smiled weakly and put a hand on his arm. She kissed it softly and buried her face in it. Mulder let out a small sigh and pulled her into an embrace.

'Thank god we're both still alive, we can stop him. We will stop him.' Mulder said holding her close. Scully felt tears roll down her cheeks and looked up at him.

'I'm sorry you didn't get to keep your spaceship Mulder.' She said softly. Mulder let out a small laugh.

'Oh you know, it probably was a fake.' Mulder said. Scully laughed and pulled him close again. 'Thank you for saving my life again.' He told her. Scully smiled.

'Thanks for being alive.' She said with a small laugh. She pulled away from him and went to sit down at the desk. She leant against it and ran a hand through her hair.

'I couldn't believe it when you were dumped at my flat, I thought you were dead.'

'I was, nearly. God knows what they pumped into me. I still dream about it, I can't get it out of my head.' She said shaking a little. Mulder sat on the other side of the desk and held her hand.

'Are you going to be all right? Are you sure?' He asked. Scully nodded.

'I'll be fine. It's made me even more determined to get the truth out.' She said softly. Mulder smiled and squeezed her hand.

'That's right partner.' He said with a wink. 'What would I do without you?'

Scully smiled as he sat down on a chair. She opened the desk drawer and pulled out a notepad and took a pen from the stationery holder.

'Well partner, what case are we going to start today?' She asked with a small smile. Mulder shook his head with disbelief and laughed happily.

'Scully, I think we need a holiday.' He said, Scully nodded and let out a laugh.

'I agree!'

THE END

..To be continued.