Chapter 12

The relief that Mulder felt when Scully arrived safely back home was tempered by his concern when he saw that she was limping, her eyes dull with pain and fatigue as she slowly made her way over to the couch.

His brow furrowed in consternation as he quickly moved to join her. "Scully –" He hated to chastise her but she didn't give him a chance.

"I know, Mulder. I admit - I got carried away, but we were trying to find something – anything to help solve this case. Guess I'm more out of shape than I realized." She kept her eyes down, her hands worrying the hem of her blouse.

Mulder backed off and gathered her tenderly into his arms. "Come to bed. Let's get some sleep and we'll start fresh in the morning." He was glad that he had cancelled her workout session with Jane, especially in light of the upcoming doctor's appointment just two days away. He was determined that she'd get a positive report. No setbacks – no delays. They were going to solve this case because, among other reasons, they had a wedding to plan.

Scully bit her lip as she forced herself to accept that she still wasn't superwoman and if she wanted to be able to be at Mulder's side during this investigation she'd have to respect her limits. She caught sight of her engagement ring. At least once a day she was hit by a rush of love and awe that it was there and that soon – very soon, she was going to be Mrs. Fox Mulder and if she wanted to make that transition walking on he own two feet, she'd have to be extra careful. She reached over to kiss Mulder sweetly on the lips – grateful that he wasn't upset with her for risking her recovery and even letting him carry her to the bedroom without complaint.

Despite the circumstances they managed to catch up on their sleep, staying in bed much later than either was used to. It wasn't until Mulder's phone rang that they awoke to a room bright with the mid-morning sun shining through the windows. Mulder felt the familiar twist in his gut when he saw that it was Andy's number on the display. "Aw hell," he muttered morosely as Scully propped herself up on one elbow, her brow furrowed in dismay.

After greeting Andy, Mulder was silent, putting the speaker on so that he and Scully could listen in. And it was bad news as he had expected: a third victim – forty-one year old female named Diana Mitchell, recently divorced and a teacher at the elementary school. When she didn't show up for class, the administrative secretary was sent to check on her since she lived just two blocks from the campus. She was killed in her own bed – knocked out with a blunt object. Strangled for good measure and there were no signs of sexual assault.

"What does the note say?" Scully broke in.

Andy sighed. "Same drawing of a paw print, but got a little wordier. 'Here's #3 – can't you guess #4?' Got it bagged but it looks clean – just like the whole crime scene – doesn't look like there'll be any prints but the guys are going over it with a fine tooth comb."

Mulder was seeing the room in blood red, both hands clenched in anger. When the killer started mocking them - things were definitely taking a turn for the worse and they couldn't afford to sit around and wait for a cocky killer with an agenda to make a mistake. Scully couldn't hide her own concern as she watched Mulder's reaction.

"Give us the address, Andy – we'll be over there as soon as possible." Scully took down the information, trying to give Mulder a chance to regain his composure. He thanked her with his eyes then looked down at what she had written, breathing deep and slow – trying to get a handle on his fury, knowing that he needed a clearer head if they hoped to catch the killer. Scully reached out and took Mulder's hands in hers. She, too, was angry and like Mulder, it was an anger that left her physically shaking. "Mulder – " she struggled to find the words, but he silenced her with a feather-light kiss.

"I know, Scully. I'm all right. Really." He quirked a grin at her. "Are you okay?"

Scully managed a wan smile. "Yeah. I don't miss this part of the job." She took a breath. "So, let's get it together and finish this."

Mulder pulled her close so that he could whisper in her ear. "Because as I recall, you and I are scheduled to become man and wife and I really don't think I'm going to be able to wait much longer."

That brought a genuine smile to Scully's lips and she let Mulder assist her to a standing position. They had a case to solve and not a minute to lose.

Chapter 13

Mulder had to park almost a block away from the crime scene and was about to start arguing with an unfamiliar officer when Andy came hurrying over.

"It's okay, Stockton, they're with us."

The young man didn't look to be 25, husky and sporting a chestnut brown mustache that he hoped made him look older but in fact only served to accentuate his youth.

"I'm sorry, sir – I didn't know."

"It's okay," Andy repeated. "You were on vacation. This is Agent Mulder from the FBI - an old friend helping us on this case and Agent Scully. She's been assisting with the autopsies, as well."

He quickly turned his back on his officer and led Mulder and Scully to the victim's house. He gave them a tour of the crime scene as well as a summary of statements from the officers that had canvassed the neighbors. Mulder wanted to talk to the unfortunate woman who had discovered the body while Scully was taken to the morgue. He managed to catch her eye before she climbed into the police cruiser assigned to drive her. She paused when she felt Mulder's gaze like a physical caress and felt her breath hitch in her throat. How many times – on how many cases had they communicated this way? They conveyed more emotion in a look than most people did with the spoken word. In the past, working cases together, they very often spent as much time apart as together, but now, now she hated to have him out of sight – no matter what the reason.

She sighed heavily as she settled in the passenger seat, staring morosely out the window. She had a really bad feeling about this: a third victim, and a promise for a fourth and they didn't seem to be any closer to learning the killer's identity than when they had started. She shook her head. She couldn't afford to think like this. She was better than that. She and Mulder were better than that. They would solve this. They had to.

Chapter 14

In their "war room", Mulder attached the photo of the latest victim; trying to ignore the pressure he felt building inside of him. The pressure of solving the crime with the pieces that seemingly had no relation to each other. Nothing in common – not the physical traits, personal characteristics, religion. These women – so different – but all dead and he felt no closer to learning the identity of the killer than when he first heard of the horrific crime against a woman he knew many years ago.

Turning his gaze away from the pictures, he grabbed some papers and wrote down each of their names – first – middle – last – playing around with the letters. Nothing. He slammed his pen down in frustration. He felt like he was going crazy with so many thoughts swarming around his head like angry bees, so he got back on his feet to make laps around the table.

On his fourth time around, he very nearly collided with Scully who had slipped silently inside while he had been lost in thought.

"Oh – hey, Scully – sorry –" He quickly adjusted his hands to steady her when her right leg buckled slightly. His eyes automatically went to her face, making sure that she was really okay, but he was surprised to see that her face was completely blank – her eyes focused on the photos. Remembering that this was her first time in the "war room" that he and Andy had put together while she had been at Quantico doing the autopsies, he stepped aside and let her take it all in.

Fresh eyes – fresh perspective, he thought, hardly daring to hope.

Scully let her gaze slide away from the dead women's faces and settled on the papers scattered on the table. Recognizing Mulder's handwriting, she moved in to see what he had been working on – it looked like random writing.

Sensing her puzzlement, Mulder hastened to explain. "I was looking for any hidden meaning – anagrams," he told her.

Without looking up, Scully nodded, reading over what he had written. Mulder remained silent as she reached out for the papers, choosing the one that had only the first names listed. Finally she looked over at Mulder with a wry smile.

"What is it, Scully?" Mulder moved closer to see what had captured her attention.

Scully quirked her lips. "Wouldn't it be ironic if my name was on this list?" she murmured as she angled it, allowing him a clear view.

"What!" Mulder exclaimed. "What in the hell are you talking about?" He reached out to pick up the paper and read it. And reread it – adding Scully's name – her first name. What? What was he missing? What did Scully mean – what had she seen –

Suddenly he froze as the sensation of ice water replacing his blood overtook him. Time seemed to stop as his brain seemed to race, catching up to Scully's line of thinking. The horror he felt was nauseating. Nancy – Phoebe – Diana and then adding Dana's name. Mulder sank into the nearest chair with the weight of understanding pressing down on him. It was as if a fog had been lifted and he began to see thing in a new light and some things were starting to make sense. And it terrified him.

"You really think that's it?" Scully whispered, her voice strained and stunned by the sudden turn of events and the ramifications of what she had brought to light.

Mulder was pulling out his cell phone to call Andy and Skinner and working out how to get enough protection for Scully because there was no doubt in his mine that Scully was the killer's next intended target.

Chapter 15

As soon as Andy arrived, Scully got Skinner on speakerphone and both men were utterly dumbfounded by what Mulder had to say.

"Aw hell, Mulder," Andy groaned. "I wish you guys would keep this kind of shit in the big city where you got resources to handle it." He rubbed a tired hand across his face. "Let's break it down for the small town police chief here – because I'm not sure I'm seeing the big picture in its entirety."

"Unfortunately, there are some gaps in the theory," Mulder admitted.

"The 'who' – right?" Andy pressed.

Mulder nodded. "The three victims are women that have the same first name of women that I – I dated. Nancy – she was the first – and she actually lived here. The killer obviously knew of Phoebe and Diana – but not where they are now. Or maybe – was just making a point."

Andy cocked his head to one side. "Like symbolic? Meaning since Dana is here – she's next?" he slumped dejectedly in his seat. "Why?"

"Looking back at the notes," Mulder went on, "I'm pretty sure those drawing are supposed to be a fox paw print."

Scully couldn't hide the shudder his words caused. When she felt his hand reach subtly for hers under the table, she willingly took it in both of hers; trying to warm the chill she was feeling.

"So, Mulder," Skinner finally spoke. "Do you have any suspects in mind, with this new theory? Any idea at all?"

Mulder huffed in frustration. "Frankly, sir, no. because if we're operating under the theory that somebody is eliminating women I've been with – either figuratively or literally – then it seems like a revenge scenario. Implying an eye for an eye."

Andy puzzled over that – the confusion on his face obvious. "You go around taking away other guy's women a lot in your line of work, Mulder?"

Mulder jerked his head up to glare at his old friend. "No!" he snapped, peevishly.

"Done it once?" Andy continued, unperturbed.

Mulder's jaw tensed as he gritted his teeth but remained silent as Andy answered his own question.

"Yep. I know of one time."

"What are you talking about, Chief?" Skinner made no attempt to hide his indignation.

"Our first victim," Andy hastened to explain. "You said you and your friend fought over her for the prom."

Scully flinched even as she restrained Mulder before he could say something he might regret later. Andy – Mulder's friend died years ago – they were in college."

"I know – I know," Andy tried to placate Mulder who continued to glower at him. "I'm just saying. Nothing about this case is cut and dried. And it seems like whatever 'pattern' there is – is a pretty weak pattern."

"I see what you're trying to say, Chief," Skinner broke in.

Scully perked up, wanting to understand the curling pathway of their thoughts because once she put her name on the list as being in a relationship with Mulder, she couldn't see herself as the next victim. Not until Andy admitted that the pattern wasn't exact.

"Nancy," Skinner went on, "the actual person lived here. Phoebe Donahue and Diana Mitchell – right first name, but not the actual women you knew. The note is already pointing us to number 4 – Dana and she does live here."

"The killer is here. In Quononchontaug." Scully said and everyone became silent – absorbing the disturbing direction the case had taken. As terrifying as it was to learn that she was probably on a killer's hit list – Scully was just as upset that three women had been killed simply to make an insane point. That they had died as a message to Mulder.

Andy dropped his head into his hands. "What the hell kind of psycho are we dealing with?"

Mulder could only shake his head. "Extremely dangerous. In my psych textbooks, we called them nutcases."

Nobody could see Skinner roll his eyes.