I had my ducks in a row, finally. After reviewing the scans and print outs provided by Dr. Cenetta, I was in complete agreement. The results of the test were abnormal, only in that they were normal, and they shouldn't have been. The cause of Mulder's lack of memory was psychological, not physiological. I explained as much to Skinner and Agent Doggett with the preface that this was a good thing.

"How is having a psychological problem better than one that might be fixed with surgery or medicine?" Skinner asked.

"Sir, the nature of the amnesia, although very rare, has been closely studied. What Mulder is experiencing is called dissociative fugue. Although, he hasn't made an attempt to create a new identity for himself, the symptoms clearly fit. The good part of this is that the duration of the symptoms is certainly finite. They could last from only a few hours to a few months. But, they will end at some point." I was relieved to have the explanation for myself and I could tell that Skinner was relieved as well. But, Agent Doggett…

"So, what you're saying is that eventually he'll remember where he's been for the last month and we can clear up this whole thing? Put an end to it?"

"No, Agent Doggett, I'm not saying that. It's very rare that people recover memories of events that led to the fugue state. Obviously, Mulder experience an inordinate amount of psychological trauma that led to this dissociation in the first place. The brain may never choose to remember how it got there." I breathed and waited. I knew Agent Doggett, the Marine, the cop. He really was a very good cop.

"Look, I'm really glad that Mulder's going to be Mulder again. But, that doesn't help me find the bastards who did this to him. Kersch expects me to find bad guys. And I like to find bad guys, it's my job." I could relate. My first few years on the X-Files were a blur of frustration at rarely, if ever, being able to pin a crime on someone who would pay the price for evil deeds inflicted on innocent people. I felt bad for Doggett, but I was also frustrated. This hardnosed agent had been pushed on us and at times more of a hindrance than a help.

"Agent Doggett, I've told you before that your normal methods of investigation aren't going to get you far on this case. It's an X-File. And frankly you don't know sh-…" Skinner put his firm hand on my shoulder to still me.

"What Agent Scully is trying to say here, Agent Doggett, is that we would both appreciate a little bit of patience from you. We want to get to the bottom of this as badly as you do. However, it may not as simple as finding the bad guys."

I saw Agent Doggett's lips tighten and his posture straighten. I realized that he had no reason to believe.

"I agree with you there, Sir. Nothing about this is simple. But, someone took Mulder from that forest and someone put holes in his face and cut him open. A lot of people in this world are sick individuals and Mulder had a knack for pissing those people off. And you're also right, Agent Scully. This is an X-File. So, that's where I'm going to start, with Mulder's files." He pivoted and strode out the door reaching for his cell phone. I stared after him and then met Skinner's gaze.

"Oh he'll find the answer in those files alright," I smirked at Skinner and he nodded back. "But he won't recognize it when he sees it."

….