Chapter 8
Arizona
Friday
Present Day
Assistant Director Skinner and the group of agents assisting him had arrived in the early morning hours. Agent Spence, a young rookie, with sharp good looks, and light brown sandy hair, that just came right out of the academy went to follow up a lead from the gift shop manager. Assistant Director received information from the hotel clerk who had checked Agent Mulder and Scully in on Monday. No staff had seen them since, only that the female agent was looking at brochure's and then walked out the front entrance with the other male agent the last day anyone had seen the pair. Although, housekeeping staff had serviced their room, all of their luggage and personal items had been left in the one room that was rented under Mulder's name, while the other room had been checked out from the couple Mulder so graciously gave it to.
"The Mulder party had booked two separate rooms but shared the one room because a distraught couple came in at the last minute needing a room desperately," the hotel clerk explained.
Skinner knew something was going on between Mulder and Scully, no one pulled the sheep skin over this marine's eyes. He could feel energy between the agents but he kept his mouth shut around the office as it wasn't any of his business what went on in their personal lives. Agent Spence joined the Assistant Director at the brochure stand and Skinner thumbed through the materials. One leaflet read, "Gold Fever!" another read "Ghost Town" and one in particular caught his attention, "The Dutchman's Lost Mine."
"Agent Spence, the Dutchman's mine. Let's go!" Skinner folded the brochure tucking the paper into his jacket pocket and hurried out the building, calling for the other agents whom were outside waiting.
"Alright Agents! We are directing our search at the Dutchman's Mine. No one has seen Agent's Mulder and Scully since Tuesday. Agent Spence will be giving you a map of the mine. I want all trails covered in the surrounding area," Skinner commanded. He rushed to his waiting SUV as Agent Spence handed out the pamphlets joining the other agents. Driving towards the location, Skinner scanned the vast desert looking for any sign of his agent's but saw nothing. All that was there sage brush tumbling along the landscape with sparse cactus patches littering the lonely desert. The road toward the mine was rocky and rough as they progressed through the terrain and the caravan's crawled cautiously over the loose dirt as rocks scattered under the weight of the tires.
"Their vehicle looked like it hasn't been touched in days," Skinner told his fellow agent's noticing the collection of dust. After exiting the vehicle, Skinner didn't hesitate to inspect the empty SUV. He opened the door to the driver's side and then scanned the backseat but found nothing as if they disappeared without a trace.
The other assisting agents began splitting off into four teams making their journey up and around the mine entrance then back down the valley looking for any sign of Mulder and Scully. Skinner walked toward the entrance of the Dutchman mine and ducked his head entering the mine, as he entered. He flicked on his flashlight while a pair of other agents' followed close behind him. The boards in the ceiling creaked as dust and debris started falling in front of Skinner. He grabbed a handkerchief out of his lapel and placed it over his nose and mouth as he slowly descended into the mine shaft.
Skinner slowly continued down the mine shaft when a large pile of debris stopped him in his quest. Kneeling down he noticed a body buried under the rock and the stench didn't go unnoticed either. Careful as to not disturb the scene he called out to his agent's.
"We've got a body over here!" Skinner shouted, as he sifted the dirt away from the body uncovering the face to see if it was one of his agent's. It was neither Mulder or Scully. He sighed with a relief, and rose to stand covering his mouth again and continued walking deeper into the mine.
Bath House
1888
At last the hallway was quiet again Mulder was still in the claw foot tub soaking while Scully ever vigilant listened for any intrusion as she waited by the door.
"Mulder, I think we need to get out of here." Scully said biting her lip.
"Alright, since you ruined my bath. You owe me Scully," Mulder smiled at her and got out of the tub, drying himself off. Scully turned watching him in the half lit room as he pulled on his slacks and started for his button on his pants and joined him by placing her hands on top of his. He dropped his hands to his side as she fingered the fabric of his shirt, taking her time, buttoning it up one by one.
"Scully, have I ever told you that you're the most beautiful woman I have ever met?" Mulder told her in a whisper and gazed down at her, stilling her hands she lightly stroked his collarbone with her fingertips.
"Yes, Mulder you have. Have I told you that you're a sexy beast wearing that cowboy hat?" she leaned into his chest, smelling his soapy fragrance before kneeling down picking up his hat and placing it on his head. Mulder smiled and acknowledged her by readjusting it and bending down to steal a kiss which in turn made her breathless. He gasped into her mouth and nipped at her bottom lip, placing wet kisses along her neck as she caressed his forearms, his hands settled on her hips.
"Mulder, we better get out of here before we get caught…" she quietly murmured against his lips and gave him a quick kiss. She pulled on his hand and he obliged. Opening the door slightly, cautiously stuck her head out into the hallway, looking in both directions as if expecting to see Daniel but no one was there. Scully yanked Mulder along as no threat was in sight and hurried to the back entrance. Exiting through the back door, a silhouette twenty feet watched them as they were making their mad dash to escape.
"Miss Lily Rose! Wait!" Daniel pleaded.
He caught her off guard when she rounded the corner to the saloon heading towards the hotel. Scully stopped in her tracks as Mulder bumped into her side, both looking at Daniel in shock.
"You thought you could get away this time didn't you Miss Lily?" Daniel stated through clenched teeth as he surveyed Mulder's robust frame.
"I believe you need to take the next outbound stage coach out of here and fast, Pecker Pole," Mulder's terms of words were tame none the less.
"You must be a pathetic loser cowboy. I suggest you leave before you get hurt, Mail Order Cowboy," Waterson responded in a demeaning tone as he glared at Mulder.
"This has gone on far enough, Daniel!" Scully exclaimed.
"What is he going to offer you? A quick roll in the hay and what after that? He isn't going to marry you. He's just another cowboy looking to get a piece of ass for the night. I'm not like that Miss Rose and this cowboy here, probably don't have enough wealth to keep you comfortable, - like I will." He pleaded his case to Scully, glaring at Mulder. Mulder held his tongue for as long as he could. Mulder looked on as Daniel tried to woo Scully but then stepped into his space, and confronted Waterson.
"You heard the lady. Get lost." Mulder said clenching his jaw.
"You need to mind your own business before I put a hole in your head." Waterson threatened him and ignored Mulder continuing to inch closer reaching for Scully's hand that was settled on her hip.
"I declare this man is persistent ain't he, Miss Rose?" Mulder's accent surprised Scully and she blushed while Mulder, never taking his eyes off the intruder, slugged him, and knocked him to the ground. As the dust settled, a rider came out from the shadows followed by another, galloping towards them. Daniel lay on the ground holding his jaw slowly rose to his feet and stumbled a few steps looking at the approaching men. It was the sheriff and his deputy as they arrived back in town sooner than Scully thought. Mulder never had the opportunity of meeting them face to face.
"What's going on here?" The sheriff said pulling on the horse's reins, stopping the animal and dismounting. The large men wore tight jeans, cowboy boots and a dust, heavy overcoat that mostly hid his starched white shirt. A spark of recognition flared in Scully.
Mulder did a double take as the sheriff did resemble Assistant Director Skinner just like Scully had told him. He was rough looking with a small beard and wire rimmed glasses and wore a Stetson hat. The deputy was in his early thirties, a nice looking man with a scar above his eye. The sheriff tipped his hat at Scully smiling out of respect then turned his attention back towards Daniel, who was holding his jaw in pain.
"What's the trouble here?" the sheriff asked as he strode up towards the trio.
"I believe this gentleman got his spurs twisted." Mulder joked smirking with a shit eating grin.
"I was trying to talk to Miss. Lily. But this crazy love sick cowboy started a fight with me!" Daniel wiped the dirt off his trousers.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Scully countered in the argument.
"You better part separate ways stranger or else you're going to be locked up for the night for causing a ruckus out here." Skinner looked at Mulder sternly.
"Sure thing but first you better put a damn leash on that Barrel Boarder or he'll be picking cactus needles out of his ass," Mulder spat at Daniel taking a hold of Scully's hand, and linked her fingers with his. Daniel seethed out of jealously as his prize was whisked away into the darkness, her long flowing dress trailing behind her as she vanished once again. However, Waterson had another trick up his sleeve, as he had a couple extra bodyguards located inside the hotel. Mulder and Scully rushed towards the hotel, hand in hand, climbed the steps giving each other a quick smile, relieved they were not going to jail.
"Mul…. Austin that was a close one," Scully squeezed his hand in hers as she looked up at him. A patron exited the doors and down the steps, eyeing the couple, suspiciously.
"Yeah, if he follows you here so help me." He warned but Scully hushed him by placing her fingertips upon his bottom lip, then guided him towards her giving him a deep kiss.
"You know Scul….Miss. Lily Rose tonight you owe me since my bath was rudely interrupted." He whispered against her lips then began kissing wet trails down her neck nipping at her clavicle and sucking lightly as she braced herself against his forearms, digging her fingernails into his flesh.
"I think we better get a room or at least inquire about one," she insisted.
"Darlin' you don't have to tell me twice." He growled in her ear.
The two figures stood ever vigilant from opposite sides of the spacious area, hiding in the shadows. When Mulder and Scully approached the hotel registry clerk, he rang the bell but not a soul was in sight. The concealed men made their approach from behind and knocked Mulder out cold with a club then taking a handkerchief smothering Scully until she lost consciousness. Both figures lay helpless on the floor. The two men revealed their selves to be, none other than the men who took Scully prisoner over at the mine, CGB Spender and Theo. They stood over their unconscious bodies while everything faded and went black.
