Chapter Five

FBI Headquarters
Research and Testing Facility
Washington D.C.

"OK, Darlin, I'm going to pinch your arm, ok? I want you to watch Commander Parker, and tell her about your new school. If you start to feel uncomfortable, I want you to let me know," it breaks my heart to see this sweet little girl suffering. Darlin simply nods and rests her head on a stuffed parrot she carries. The only way I know to make her feel better is to get her justice. Justice for the murder of a girl she knew only as her sister, twin, and best friend. I put the tourniquet on Darlin's arm, and tell her to make a fist. I prep the crook of her elbow with an alcohol swab. Commander Parker's eyes light up with anger as I bring out the needle and vial.

Knowing as I do, that this process will be much easier if she plays along, she asks Darlin questions concerning her new home and new school. The girl answers easily, and talks to Jordan freely about her new life. I insert the needle and remove the tourniquet. Blood flows into the vial in my hand just as freely as Darlin speaks with Jordan. In minutes I have enough blood to test, and remove the needle. Pressing a cotton ball to the oozing pin prick, I show Darlin how to apply pressure to keep it from bleeding. When the bleeding stops, I smilingly offer her a Scooby Doo band-aid from the pocket of my lab coat.

Stepping to a window, I fill out Darlin's information and hand the vial to the technician behind the window. Rejoining Commander Parker and Darlin, I inform them that Mulder will be driving them back to Jordan's office. Almost as if on cue, Mulder steps out of the elevator.

"May I speak with you in private, Agent Scully?" Harm warned me she had a temper, and it was my guess that I was about to see it first hand. I stepped six or eight steps down the hall, away from Mulder and Darlin, who were beginning to engage in a shy, almost standoffish, conversation. Keeping our voices low I let her lead the discussion.

"Agent Scully, I was not told you would be drawing blood." Commander Parker's eyebrows knit together in anger.

"Ma'am, I realize that I have obviously upset you, but I assure you that my actions were necessary. Darlin may not be who she seems, and as a federal agent, it is my duty to find out who Darlin is and why she is here. I don't expect it to make much sense to you, but believe me… my work is imperative."

"You just keep telling yourself that, Dana." She puts heavy emphasis on my first name, enough to draw Mulder's attention to us. Darlin makes the parrot's wing's flap, drawing Mulder's attention back to her.

"Commander Parker, I would appreciate it if you could maintain a professional attitude… I don't call you by your first name, because I have not been invited to do so. I have not yet invited you to use my first name and until I do, I would prefer it if you referred to me as Agent Scully or just Scully. Getting back to Darlin, I will have preliminary test results by this afternoon, with full results in two days to a week. As her psychologist, I am extending you a professional courtesy, you will receive a copy of my findings just as soon as I have them." My ire is up, just as much as hers is.

She initiates a glaring competition with me. For several seconds she stares angrily into my eyes, and I stare back as calmly as I can manage. I'd like to put her in the Bill Scully Headlock of Doom, but I squelch the urge as best I can. Finally, she turns on her heel and marches to Mulder, ready to get the hell out of here. I watch them get in the elevator. As the doors close, her eyes catch mine, and I see the fiery rage written in them. The doors close and they are gone. With that, I go on about my lab work.

I should've put her in that headlock.