From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 6 Sep 2004 13:55:32 -0000
Subject: In the Name Of The Father (3/4) by Skinfull
Source: direct

***

PART 3

Seattle General Hospital
Basement Morgue Laboratory.
18th December 2004
9.53 PM

Scully switched the phone off and returned it to 
her coat pocket.  Sighing she walked back to the 
body and donned a fresh pair of gloves before 
beginning the Y-Incision close up. She muttered 
under her breath stray thoughts forming odd words 
that somehow found their way to her lips. Her mind 
reeled piecing the puzzle as best she could without 
seeing the whole picture. The blue twine in her 
fingers curled as she pulled the needle through the 
skin on the victim's chest. Now that the body had a 
name she couldn't help but imagine the life it had 
led before it ended up decapitated on her autopsy 
table. She closed the body and rushed through her 
shower, walking out to the reception in time to see 
the car pull up out side.

Scully waved at the night nurse who was still 
sitting at the desk studying the medical journal in 
front of him with something less than enthusiasm. 
She pulled her coat up by the collar, covering her 
neck and rushed down the path to the waiting black 
Lincoln. As she approached the door she realised it 
wasn't David's rental car or him sitting inside. 
She stopped racing and bent lower to see if she 
could recognise the driver. Mulder leaned over and 
opened the passenger door, beckoning for her to 
follow.

"Are you going to stand in the rain all night or do 
you want a lift?"

"Mulder? What are you doing here?"

"I came to collect you. Gary said you were still 
here."

"David is on his way to collect me."

"I told him I would do it...C'mon Scully, it's cold 
and wet...get in!" he urged, waving his hand at her 
again.

Hesitantly she walked over and sat into the wide 
car. The leather seats were plush and the air was 
warm. It was dark in the car and the small overhead 
light went off as she closed the door.

"Is this what they give you to drive?" she said 
pulling the smooth belt around to buckle up. 

"I am the best detective in the force. The want to 
keep me happy."

"I'm not surprised, with the training you got." It 
sounded like a shot. It sounded like a dig, but her 
tone was light, her lips hadn't vanished so he let 
it go.

"Dana..." he began pulling away from the curb.

"Dana?" she barked out a small laugh as she shook 
the rain from her coat and pulled it off from under 
the seatbelt. He couldn't help but notice how her 
blouse stretched across her abdomen and breasts, 
but he managed to tear his eyes away as she tossed 
it on the back seat without ceremony.

"Sorry I thought...David calls you..." his voice faded 
away. "Sorry."

"It's okay. What were you going to say?" she ran 
her fingers through her hair to dry the damp 
tendrils but all she managed to do was fluff up the 
curls that were bursting to be set free.

"I wanted to apologise." The car rolled to a stop 
for the red light. "For earlier."

"For the kiss?" she asked with a light voice as if 
it hadnt effect her to the core.

"The kiss? Kissing you? No I'm not sorry for that." 
He chuckled and turned to her while the car while 
still motionless. "Are you?"

"What are you sorry for Mulder?" She ignored his 
question. Her tone found a new level, a level he 
recognised even after all these years. 

Welcome Back Angry Scully. 

"For-," he began but she cut him off.

"For leaving? For not calling me? For lying to me? 
For not caring?" 

Her eyes found a dark blue hue that shone through 
him with a glare.  "Pick one Mulder because maybe 
you should apologise for all of them."

The traffic light turned green forcing Mulder to 
take his eyes off her and drive on. They travelled 
in silence for a few blocks and he stole what 
glances he could but finally it became too much for 
him.  He pulled the wheel sharply, turning into the 
car park of a bar on the corner. Switching off the 
engine he undid his belt buckle and turned to her. 
She was looking at him with a strange angry 
curiosity that he realised he missed.

"Dana...Scully...I'm sorry. I can't apologise enough 
for leaving the way I did. I can't take it back, I 
can't change it and to be honest...I'm not sure if I 
would." His hands waved in front of her emphasising 
his need for her to understand, but she watched him 
placidly pushing all her emotions to the background 
to be dealt with at a later date.  "But you'll 
never understand how difficult it was for me."

"No Mulder I won't. But you didn't give me the 
chance to."

"Give you a chance? All I was doing was surviving 
Scully."

"I spent that weekend with you Mulder because I 
cared about you, because I wanted to help you...be 
there for you. But you didn't want my help."

"No Scully I didn't. Is that so hard for you to 
believe? You can't fix everything, you couldn't fix 
me."

"You didn't let me try," she argued.

"I didn't want to. You don't have the solution to 
all my problems." Their voices were rising past 
control as Scully undid her own belt and turned 
towards him.

"What do you want from me Mulder? My forgiveness?"

"No...I'd never expect that...I'd never expect you to 
give me something I couldn't give myself." His 
hands fell to his lap and he looked out the window 
at the falling rain as it bounced in the car park 
puddles.

"Then what?" she barked back almost sorry for her 
harsh tone...almost.

"A day hasn't gone by...an hour, a minute...that I 
didn't think about you, didn't miss you. You'll 
never know-."

"I'll never know? Jesus Christ Mulder...look around 
you. The world kept turning."

She opened the door and walked out into the light 
rain ignoring the cold and walking away. He 
followed her like a flash and pulled her elbow to 
make her face him.

"Scully...don't do this. Don't push me away."

"You. Left. Me."

The rain hit her face in small drops making her 
blink quicker to get the water out of her eyes, but 
it didn't seem to make a difference as she was hit 
with an avalanche of tears. His hands reached up to 
her face, cupping her cheeks, his thumbs brushing 
her tears away.

"I couldn't do it Scully. I couldn't see you 
hurting for me. Listen to you crying for me. I 
couldn't process what had happened. I thought it 
would be easier for both of us this way."    

"Was it Mulder? Was it easy for you?" she whispered 
shakily.

"It was the hardest thing I ever had to do."  He 
leaned down and gently kissed her forehead as he 
bundled her into his arms and held her close. She 
took comfort in his warmth and clung to him 
tightly, but all too soon she felt the tension in 
his grip releasing as he pulled away.

"It's raining," he whispered, still holding her 
face in his hands and gazing into her eyes.

"I know."

"You're wet."

"I know."

"Lets get out of here."

He took her hand and bundled her into the car. 
Sitting in the passenger seat as he rushed around 
to the drivers, she felt her heart quicken and a 
dizzy wave wash over her. He started the engine 
with a nervous smile in her direction.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

"Good."

The tyres screeched with his eagerness to get the 
journey over with, and she didn't ask where he was 
taking her, just sat back and relaxed in the 
overwhelming familiarity of it all. His smell 
filled the car and she basked in it. Glancing at 
the cubby-hole beneath the radio she spotted a 
familiar wrapper. When she pulled it out she smiled 
at the half full packet of Lay's Sunflower Seeds.

"It really is you Mulder!" she joked shaking the 
packet beside him.

"Was there really any doubt?"

She let his question hang, preferring to keep it 
light and let her heart relax before racing in with 
another barrage of emotional questions and 
theories.

"So what's with the facial hair?"

"I thought it looked quite dashing...don't you?" He 
reached up and gently stroked it.

"Maybe a bit pornstarish Mulder, I dont think
dashing is the right word."

"Porn star? Well I tried that job when I first came 
out here but no dice."

She laughed aloud and he smiled at the delicious 
sound he had longed to hear, letting it whip around 
him caressing him gently. Soon he'd parked the car 
and jumped out and Scully looked out to see a 
residential apartment building.

"Where are we Mulder?" she asked as she met him by 
the bonnet of the car.

"My place."

He took her hand and led her to the door. After 
punching in a few numbers into the electronic lock 
he opened the door and walked in.  Still holding 
her hand he walked to the elevator and pressed the 
call button. It arrived almost immediately and they 
entered. She watched in mild fascination as he hit 
the button for the fifth floor and led her out to 
apartment number 57.

"Nice building. You detectives must be holding down 
good pay."

"Not to mention benefits from the city."

His apartment was dark with half drawn shades and 
little or no lights switched on, but as he led her 
past the hallway and into the open plan living room 
she smiled at the sight of the fish tank, identical 
to the one she had at her place even down to the 
small spaceship shaped filter bobbing up and down 
in the clear water. His furniture was minimal but 
cosy giving the impression that he spent a lot of 
time here. The mess suggested he spent that time 
alone. 

Over the fireplace was a familiar picture of Mulder 
and his sister that she couldn't take her eyes off, 
so as he went to the kitchen to get her a drink she 
walked over and picked it up. Her small delicate 
fingers were cold against the glass of the frame. 
She pushed away the impending tears deciding she 
had cried enough for the day but they persisted.

"Scully..." Startled by his voice she dropped the 
picture letting it fall on the corner of the marble 
fireplace below.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed.

The glass shattered on the cold hard surface 
breaking the frame joints apart, but as she bent 
down to gather it up she noticed another picture 
had been behind the display photo. Shaking she 
reached out for the small picture and turned it 
over to see her own smiling face looking back at 
her. It was a photo that had been taken at a 
Yankees Game that Mulder had surprised her with one 
weekend.  She was wearing his Knicks sweater that 
was too big for her and her hair had been whipped 
into her face covering one of her cheeks. But her 
smile and bright shining eyes were wide, giving a 
picture of happiness she rarely displayed.

"Mulder?" She glanced up at him her confusion 
clear.

"Every day...every hour...every minute...I never stopped 
thinking about you Scully."

Slowly she stood up and he put the two wine glasses 
down on the table beside them. His hands met with 
hers and slowly with close examination he 
intertwined their fingers. His thumbs stroked the 
inside palms of her hands sending soft warm 
sensations up her arms.  Carefully he brought her 
hands up to his neck, joining them at the back of 
his head and letting his fingers trail lightly to 
her shoulders. He stepped closer so their bodies 
were touching, their thighs, torsos, and her 
breasts against his wide chest.

"I can't believe you are here Scully. I keep 
waiting to wake up."

"So do I."

His hips swayed back and forth taking her with his 
motion and he snuggled his head into the crook 
between her neck and shoulder, keeping the gentle 
movement constant as he breathed her in. 

Tentatively his lips reached out to touch her warm 
skin and she shivered beneath him. So much 
conflicting emotions battling for supremacy washed 
around the surface of her body but she was 
powerless against him. When she felt his tongue 
lick her where his lips had just been, her grip 
around his neck tightened. He ran his hands down 
her back, pressing her against him and tracing her 
spine to the curve of her bottom then coming round 
to grip her waist. His head lifted off her shoulder 
to hover mere inches way from her face. 

"This is it Scully. This is everything I ever 
dreamed of. Holding you, touching you, smelling 
you, tasting you...I never thought I'd see you 
again...I never hoped...it was breaking my heart."

His voice racked by emotion, was low and scared, 
afraid he might wake up if he spoke too loudly and 
have the dream dispel around him in the harsh cold 
light of day, finding himself alone in his bedroom 
as usual.

His hand reached up to touch her hair and he 
twirled a small lock of it between his fingers. She 
noticed his eyes were distant as if he were 
thinking of days missed and friendships ruined. 

"Mulder."

"Scully." He slowly leaned down towards her lips 
but her hand moved up and stopped him, touching his 
shoulder to push him away.

"No Mulder...don't."

"Sorry, I thought...sorry." He moved away from her 
dropping his hands to his sides, then lifting them 
to his hips and dropping them again.

"Mulder it can't happen like this. I don't want to 
sleep with you in a one night frenzy."

"One night frenzy?" His smile was slight but 
teasing and she blushed under his cool gaze.

"It was tough enough to move on when you left the 
first time. When this case is over, I'll go back to 
DC." Her eyes darted over to the broken picture 
frame. "Lets not make it any harder than it already 
is."

"Okay Scully...okay. I'm sorry." He leaned over and 
squeezed her shoulder with a sad smile. "Sit down 
and have a drink, I'll get some dinner ready."

After he handed her the glass of white wine he went 
back into the kitchen. She sat down onto the plush 
white couch and sipped the cool drink. Her eyes 
examining the room, memorising the niches, the art, 
the smell. He returned to the living room, having 
shed his jacket and tie and cleaned up the broken 
glass. Taking his own glass of wine from the coffee 
table he sat on the opposite end of the couch, one 
of his legs bent under him, the other dangling over 
the edge.

"So you got a new partner?"

"It's been four years Mulder. I've been working 
with David for a little over three of those years."

"What happened the X files?"

"They remained open and active for six months. But 
I was working on my own and seeing as the reason 
for my initial assignment was redundant, it just 
didn't seem viable to keep them open. I was 
transferred to ATF in June of 2001 and started 
working with David in November."

"What's he like?" he asked sipping his wine.

"You met him Mulder."

"But I want to know what you think." He glanced at 
her from over the rim of his glass before taking 
another sip.

"He's great. We work well together."

"As well as we did?"

"It's a different relationship."

He put his glass down and sat back into the couch. 
She blushed again unused to the lavish attention he 
was offering her. But as suddenly as his attention 
was offered he receded it, jumping off the couch he 
went back into the kitchen where she could hear 
plates and pans banging together.

"What are you making Mulder?"

"Pasta with chicken."

"Want a hand?"

"Sure."

She left her glass next to his and went in to the 
well-lit kitchen.  Pulling her jacket off she 
draped it over a chair and it was only then she 
noticed her white blouse, wet from the rain and 
clinging to her body. 

"Looks like you could do with a change of clothes."

"I guess I got wetter than I realised."

"Keep stirring this and I'll grab something for 
you."

She took the fork from him and stirred the sauce as 
he walked past her and disappeared into a door 
behind the couch. He was gone for only a moment and 
returned empty handed taking the fork back off her.

"I left some stuff out on the bed. You can change 
in there."

Silently she walked out to the door he'd left ajar 
and peered inside. As she pushed it open and 
stepped in she was met by a dark blue room with 
floor to ceiling windows coving one wall and a 
large low bed against the opposite wall. A stack of 
bookshelves by the bed was full holding a table 
lamp and a small alarm clock as well as books and 
journals. Resisting the urge to read the titles she 
crossed the room to the bed and lifted the t-shirt 
and shorts he'd left out for her. Peeling her top 
off, she draped it over the radiator and reached 
around to the back of her skirt to pull the zip 
down.

Mulder idly stirred the sauce listening to her soft 
footfalls move around his bedroom. He thought of 
walking into her and grabbing her and kissing her 
and throwing her onto the bed so he could...but she 
didn't want that. So he continued to stir the 
sauce, move the pasta and check on the chicken, all 
the while keeping one eye on the bedroom door. 

She undid her bra and tucked it onto the radiator 
beside her blouse; a stray thought asking if it was 
the first bra to be drying there.  She pushed the 
question aside with a smile and pulled the t-shirt 
on. The shorts were long enough to reach her mid 
thigh, but she couldn't help but wonder if they 
were the only things he could find for her to wear 
or the only thing he wanted to see her in. 

Regardless they were dry so she fixed them against 
her legs and hung her skirt on what room was left 
on the radiator. She left her shoes by the bed and 
padded out barefoot where she found Mulder bending 
over the fireplace striking a match. He didn't hear 
her silent approach and jumped when she touched his 
back. Her smile was shy, but more alluring than she 
was aware, and words stuck to his throat at the 
sight of her in his Seattle Sonics t-shirt.

"Sonics fan Mulder?"

"Yeah go Sonics! Are you cold?"

"No I'm okay. I left my stuff on the radiator to 
dry if that's okay."

"Yeah it's fine. Sit here, the fire should be going 
in a minute." He patted the corner of the fireplace 
for her to take a seat. She sat next to him and 
smiled again. He stood up and went into the kitchen 
and returned with two plates. "Here ya go."

She took the plate and inhaled the aroma of the 
cooked chicken in the mushroom sauce on a bed of 
angel pasta. It was one of her favourite meals and 
she was sure he knew it but she didn't say 
anything. He went back to the kitchen to retrieve 
the cutlery and the rest of the wine.

"This smells delicious Mulder."

"Well your stomach wont fills on smells. Tuck in 
Scully."

They ate in practical silence, sharing glances and 
smiles enjoying the heat from the fire on their 
backs. When their plates were cleared he took them 
and put them into the sink, then came back to sit 
next to her again.

"You seem...settled here Mulder," she mused as he 
filled her wine glass again.

"I do?"

"I don't know what it is. You seem content."

"Content is not a word I'd use. Restless, tired of 
running, scared...that's just a few."

"What are you running from?" He looked at her with 
arched eyebrows, his face turning into a sneer.

"You read the medical reports Scully. You know what 
happened to me.  Don't pretend you don't." His eyes 
darted away from her and focused on the wine in his 
glass.

"Maybe if you faced your troubles you wouldn't have 
to run so far...so hard. Maybe if you accepted help 
from those who cared about you, you wouldn't be so 
scared."

"I've got a routine here Scully. A nice, safe 
routine."

"A hiding place." She finished off her wine and put 
the glass down.  The picture of Samantha resting on 
the table caught her eye and she reached down to 
pick it up. "What about Samantha?"

"I can't help her now." His voice was so defeated, 
so low. 

"What about Fox Mulder?"

"Mulder...Mulder is gone."

"Detective Frank Williams." She fingered the photo 
gently, touching the smiling faces on it and 
passing it to him. "Pity. I'm not sure if I like 
you Frank."

"Scully what do you want from me?" Despair tainted 
his voice as he looked at the picture in his hands, 
tears welling up behind his eyes.

"I don't want anything from you Frank. I want 
Mulder. I want my Fox Mulder back."

Without another word Mulder stood up and went into 
the bedroom. She gaped after him wondering if she 
had pushed him too far. But as she heard the shower 
running she was confused. Thinking he needed a 
moment alone, she wandered into the kitchen to 
clean up the remainder of the mess. By the time she 
had it all cleaned up the shower was no longer 
running but no noise could be heard. She wondered 
briefly about knocking on the door asking if he was 
okay, but as she took a step towards the door it 
swung open. 

Her eyes widened at the sight of him standing 
before her. Wearing a faded pair of Levi's and a 
navy blue t-shirt. Her eyes roamed up his body over 
his cleanly shaven face and landing on his 
sparkling dark green eyes. 

"Green eyes, no facial hair...huge chip on my 
shoulder...is this what you want Scully?"

"Oh...Mulder!"

She rushed over and grabbed him into a tight hug. 
Standing on her tiptoes she could reach her arms 
around his neck so she squeezed him against her. 
His hands met at the small of her back enjoying her 
exuberant embrace in case it didn't last long.

"Scully..." he whispered into her hair before leaning 
back and looking into her eyes. He saw the 
conflicting emotions battling to rule before he 
settled his lips against her. She shivered at the 
contact then snuggled against his body, as though 
needing his warmth. His mouth played with hers, 
teasing it open, wetting it with his tongue.

No Mulder stop, flashed through her mind, but she 
didn't have the willpower to push him away; not 
this time. Instead she took his kiss and gave her 
own at the same time dragging her arms down his 
back and holding his waist.

Mulder hadn't truly expected her to respond with 
anything but refusal certainly he didn't understand 
it. Dazed and dizzy he buried the questions and 
concentrated on the pleasure of holding her. Of 
kissing her. Of touching her. 

His hands began to wandering, caressing her from 
shoulder to hips.  Her contribution was earth 
shattering and coming close to distracting him 
completely. He lifted her t-shirt enough to snake 
his hand beneath it against her warm skin and 
sighed into her mouth when she did the same. She 
wasn't going to stop him he realised while trying 
to catch his breath between kisses. Incredible.

More confident he lifted the t-shirt higher and 
pulled it off over her head. Loathing breaking 
contact with her lips he snatched them straight 
back again pressing her body against him. Then it 
seemed neither of them could get undressed fast 
enough. He walked her backwards into his bedroom as 
they deposited a trail of clothes behind them, and 
fell onto his bed, with her on her back and Mulder 
on top of her. Kisses were exchanged hungrily, 
greedily.

"I want you so much," he whispered raggedly.

He hadn't had to say it, not when she was already 
lying beneath him.  But the words lifted her to a 
higher plane of desire and she opened her legs for 
him. He put the two of them together like the 
pieces of a puzzle, curves and angles fitting 
perfectly.

He wanted to say it. I love you Scully. But she 
wasn't ready yet to hear it. She would make love 
with him but she wouldn't talk about love. She 
would he decided grimly. Before she left tonight, 
and he was sure she would leave.

Of course tonight was only a few hours away, and 
how could a man be discontented when he was deep in 
the throes of a blinding passion with the woman he 
loved? He brushed her throat with his lips licking 
the soft warm skin, and inhaling deeply.

"Oh Mulder," she whispered, aching for him. He bent 
to touch the satin of her nipples with his lips. 
She whispered his name again as the skin tautened 
in pleasure. No he wasn't discontented. The way the 
blood was rushing around his head it was a wonder 
he could think at all. He quit trying and put every 
ounce of energy into giving both Scully and himself 
pleasure. 

His mouth moved again a sweet torment that found 
her breasts, their aching tips, the smoothness of 
her belly, and the mystery of her shivering thighs. 
And when she thought that there was no more that 
she had reached the limit of her endurance he came 
back to her, murmuring her name. Now there was no 
holding back. None of the self-control that allowed 
her to function so well, now his need matched hers, 
and his body was fierce, demanding a response from 
every sinew.

Then he began moving, raising his head to watch her 
face while he loved her and at last the agony of 
desire was quenched in trembling ecstasy. They 
clung together as they tumbled down the fiery 
waterfall of their passion, plunging deep into the 
depths, sinking, drowning, and drifting into a 
peace more utterly complete than anything she had 
ever known.

***

Seattle Police Precinct
6th Avenue
18th December 2004
10.40 PM

Detective Gary Shane finished his coffee and 
slapped the cup onto the file covered table. He 
sighed loud enough for David to look up as she 
stood up and walked over to the window.

"This is one of the worst cases I've ever worked 
on."

"It is somewhat gruesome." David sat back tossing 
the pencil onto the table. Needing the break just 
as bad he stretched his back and listened.

"Sixteen years on the force, I thought I seen it 
all."

"Did Williams get over to St Oliver's Church?"

"I haven't heard."

"He called me and said he was meeting Agent Scully 
to ask about autopsy results."

"Well you know more than me then."

"How long have you been working with Detective 
Williams?" David asked turning his chair to face 
where Shane leaned against the cold glass.

"A little over three years. He's an amazing 
detective. Worked the private sector for years in 
California before he came up to 
Seattle."


"He seems a little on edge."

"That's the way he's always been." Shane touched 
the leg of the table with his foot. "He works 
better alone. You didn't work with him before?"

"No."

"It must have before you were with Agent Scully. 
They worked together before."

"Oh?" David sat up, his interest piqued.

"It was a few years back. Didn't end so well, but 
it they seem to have patched things up."

"Yeah. I think she mentioned something," David lied 
wondering why she hadn't.

"Right. I'm going to call it a night." Shane 
gathered up his coat and slipped it on with a 
grunt. He paused to look at the files spread out on 
the table and looked up at Agent McLane. "You look 
like you could do with the rest too."

"Yeah I'm about to head off too."

"Tomorrow is another day."

Shane turned and left the small office closing the 
door behind him.  McLane sat back into his chair, 
his thoughts disturbed by the rumble in his 
stomach. It was only then that he realised he 
hadn't eaten all day. While out on a case he always 
shared the evening meal with Dana and they used the 
time to mull over all the information they had 
gathered. Knowing she was now with Detective Frank 
Williams annoyed him more than he cared to realise. 
He took his jacket from the back of the chair and 
threw it on roughly. Collecting the files form the 
table he pulled his phone from his pocket and 
dialled her number.

***

Waterville Apartments
18th December 2004 
10.35PM

The room was dark with little light seeping through 
the thin blinds. 

Scully was lying on her right side, facing the 
window, peering at it in the dim light she let her 
mind wander through the quiet stillness. Mulder, 
too, was on his right side, with his left arm 
across Scully's waist and his left leg thrown over 
hers. Unlike her, his eyes were closed.

Neither had said much after their tumultuous 
lovemaking. Mulder kept expecting her to make a 
quick exit but instead she seemed content to lie in 
his arms. He appeared calm although it was all 
show. Inside he was a mass of nerves. Was this the 
right time to talk about how he felt? About what he 
expected? Would there ever be a right time?  How 
would he know? One thing he did know was that they 
had to talk.

He opened his eyes. "Scully?"

"Hmmm?"

"Everything alright?"

It took a moment for her to answer. "Not exactly."

He rose up to his elbow to peer down at her, which 
told him little as he could only see her profile. 
"Meaning?"

She took in a deep slow breath. "Don't you feel 
weird lying here with me?"

Hesitating he finally nodded. "Yes I guess I do 
Scully." She turned onto her back to see his face. 
"I don't know. After meeting you again I started 
thinking weird thoughts. Like..." He hesitated.

"Like?"

"Like after this case was over I could keep you 
here in Seattle."

"Mulder I-," she began but he stilled her words 
with two gentle fingers on her lips.

"I know...I know." They fell silent again, but Mulder 
glanced up and caught her eyes. "Do you consider 
making love with me a mistake?"

She laughed mirthlessly. Trust Mulder to get 
straight to the point.

"I don't know what to call it. Obviously you affect 
me sexually." Her shoulder lifted in a small shrug. 
"I've got a lot on my mind. A lot to think about," 
she added after a moment. "I wish the answers would 
come out of the blue and I would suddenly 
understand myself...and what I want."

"You're saying you don't know what you want? In 
connection to your career, or what?"

"With everything, career included."

"I'm in there someplace, aren't I? Mixed in with 
all your other questions?"

She sighed again, softly this time. "Yes you're a 
part of my quandary. I never wanted to...well you 
know."

"Never wanted to?" he said in a husky whisper. 
"I've upset your equilibrium haven't I?"

"To say the least." Another sigh whispered through 
her lips. "My confusion is all your fault and...I'm 
accepting it."

"Not always."

"No. Not always. Sometimes I'm strong enough to say 
no and then something like this happens and I 
realise that I'm not always strong. Or sensible."

"But only where I'm concerned. Scully doesn't that 
tell you anything?"

"It certainly does," she said with a cynical little 
laugh. "It tells me I should stay the hell away 
from you."

He took his hand from around her waist and ran it 
down her side, clear to her knees. "I love touching 
you."

A shiver of pleasure danced along her skin. She 
couldn't help responding to his touch, sensible or 
not. "So," she said a bit breathlessly. 

"You started thinking about keeping me in Seattle 
at our meeting this morning?"

"Since my eyes fell on your beautiful familiar 
face. I have to admit when I found out you were 
coming, my first thought was to get the hell outta 
here." He spoke cautiously, unsure of how long she 
would remain lying naked next to him, tentatively 
speaking around painful subjects. "But I couldn't 
help myself. I knew you'd recognise me. I wanted 
you to...I missed you so much." His hand came back up 
to her waist and drew small circles around her 
hipbone.

"I missed you too Mulder."

She looked away turning to the window. Mulder 
watched her profile for any hint of what she was 
thinking. In truth he had hurt her. He knew he had 
hurt her very much. Now she was lying here in his 
arms.  In the arms of the man who had stolen her 
heart and trust so long ago. Mulder heard her 
rather forlorn sigh.

"What's wrong Scully?"

She gave a brief brittle laugh. "Us...like this." She 
sat up suddenly letting his hand fall away from 
her. "Mulder I need to go."

The mood swing he'd been expecting had just 
happened. Frowning he sat up. "Scully listen to me 
for a minute okay? We've got something special-."

"No," she said firmly. "We don't."

She was about to continue but the sound of her 
phone-ringing cut into her sentence. Without 
thought she jumped from the bed and rushed across 
the room to get it from her jacket that she'd 
draped over a chair in the kitchen. Mulder watched 
open mouthed at her naked form dashing through the 
door. Her voice was mumbled from the other room and 
he couldn't hear what was being said. He presumed 
it was David calling to see where she was. He would 
have done the same. 

Soon she came back into the room and slowly walked 
back to the bed, oblivious to her state of undress. 
She seemed hesitant to rejoin him on the bed but 
soon she ran out of space and sat down next to him.

"Agent McLane?" he said sneering the name around 
his lips.

"Yes."

"Did you tell him you couldn't talk because you 
were engaging in sexual activity with your long 
lost FBI partner?" Mulder whispered with a smile 
kissing her bare shoulder softly, letting his 
tongue appear to join his wet lips.

"No, I forgot to mention that."

"Don't go Scully," he said suddenly, his voice 
heavy with need. 

"Please stay." The tone of his voice raised goose 
bumps on her skin.  He tugged on her shoulder to 
get her to lie down with him again and she knew his 
body would be warm and sleek, and that he would 
offer her every physical comfort he could. He 
shifted his weight until the duvet could be pulled 
out beneath him. He smiled but she didn't see it, 
as she was looking the other way.

"Come on Scully, snuggle with me."

Sighing she glanced around at the scene he 
presented and crawled in next to him. He pulled the 
quilt around them both then burrowed his arm 
beneath her and cradled her head on his shoulder.

"Perfect," he murmured huskily, stroking the silky 
skin of her abdomen with his free hand.

Her panic died on her tongue with any declaration 
of leaving.  Besides the pleasure was unbelievable. 
The bed was a double sized soft bed, but Mulder was 
a big man taking up a lot of space and it was 
impossible for her to lie next to him and not be 
aware of every inch of his body that was touching 
hers.

He was nuzzling her ear. "I could do this every day 
of my life with you," he whispered.

So could she, she realised, biting her lip and 
frowning slightly.  But then his hand slipped lower 
on her belly and she stopped frowning. He moved his 
leg beneath hers to open her for his hand.

"Mulder," she whispered, all set to protest his 
boldness.

"Yes?" Gently he began exploring her, nipping and 
licking her neck and shoulder as far as he could 
reach. Her eyes closed and her words died on her 
dry lips. He chuckled softly in her ear. "Tell me 
you like what I'm doing."

"I think you can tell I like it," she said her 
voice hoarse and thick. She managed a challenging 
laugh. "Let's see if you like it." 

Her hand glided downward from his waist to encircle 
him. 

"Ohhh," he groaned. "Yeah I like it."

Crooking his elbow under her head he brought her 
face around for a long drugging kiss. When they 
both needed air he broke off, feeling her hot 
breath against his face as she panted beneath him. 
Her eyes were closed and a soft frown creased her 
brow.

"Scully?"

"I have to go Mulder." She made to sit up away from 
his enticing touch but a firm hand on her shoulder 
pulled her back down to him.

"No Scully, please stay."

Her eyes closed at the sound of his voice and she 
lay still. When she didn't move Mulder lay back 
down with her and tentatively put his arm on her 
waist. His head rested beside her shoulder and his 
lips brushed it lightly.

"For a while," he heard her murmur before her 
breathing relaxed and she fell asleep. He wasn't 
far behind her as he sank into her cool rhythm, her 
chest rising and falling beneath his hand sending 
him into a sleep of his own.

***

Scully woke in the darkness her mind swimming with 
sensations of a heavy weight on her belly, and hot 
air brushing against her shoulder. She turned her 
head and saw him sleeping next to her. A quick 
glance at the clock let her know it was half past 
two in the morning. Carefully she slipped out from 
beneath him, letting his hand rest on the pillow in 
her stead. 

Shivering in the cold she pulled on the Sonics t-
shirt before going to the radiator to grab her 
clothes. Stealthily making her way out to the 
living room, she called a cab using a number he'd 
written on the outside of a phone book that rested 
on the counter. She gave the address from an 
envelope and hurriedly put on her clothes. 

For a few agonizing moments she waited in the 
silence, willing the cab to hurry and when she 
could take it no more she went out to the street to 
meet the car, hoping it wouldn't be long. Luckily 
it rolled up to the curb as she got to the sidewalk 
and she climbed in calling out the hotel name. 
Looking back up to the apartment she thought she 
saw the blinds moving but expelled her paranoia 
with a sigh and sat back for the short journey. 

Fixing her jacket tighter around her she paid the 
driver and stepped out. Her keys fumbled in her 
shaking hands and she didn't hear the door to the 
room opening.  "Dana." Jumping she turned to see 
David looking at her with a worried face. 
"Everything okay?"

"David...yes it's fine."

"Where have you been?" David hated to ask. He never 
usually pried into her private life, knowing how 
much she liked to keep it private but he never 
usually had a reason to.

"I was working on the case with...Detective 
Williams."

"All this time?"

"I guess we lost track of time."

He seemed unsure of what she was saying and walked 
to her door as she opened it and stepped in.

"Detective Shane mentioned that you worked with him 
before."

"He did?" She paused her jacket hanging in her 
hands hovering over the bed.

"He said it was a few years ago on a case. Was it 
when you were on the X files?"

"Eh, yeah. Before I was with the ATF."

"Is there something going on Dana? Something you 
want to tell me?" 

She dropped her jacket and he noticed the 
basketball t-shirt she was wearing beneath her 
blouse. He was sure she wasn't wearing that before. 
"Were you involved with him?"

"No...it wasn't like that."

"Look...if this is going to be a problem I'll 
understand if you want to get off this case...go back 
to DC. At least one of us can celebrate Christmas 
at home."

"No David. It's okay. I want to stay and finish 
this case. I'm hoping both of us can be home for 
Christmas." She tried to smile but she wasn't sure 
if it was convincing enough.

"Okay, well get some sleep. I'm going over to St 
Oliver's church in a few hours to see if I can talk 
with Bishop Michael Reilly."

"I have an appointment in the hospital tomorrow 
with the toxicologist at 10."

"Okay. Goodnight Dana."

"Goodnight David."

He backed out of the room closing the door behind 
him but before it shut completely he stuck his head 
back in.

"Dana, if you want to talk...you know you can talk to 
me."

"Thanks David. Don't worry about me. I'm fine."

"I know. You're always fine."

He closed the door softly behind him and she tore 
off her blouse.  Climbing into the cool clean 
sheets of her bed she snuggled the blankets up to 
her chin already missing the warm touch of his arms 
around her. David's words spun around her head 
while the soft cotton of the Sonics t-shirt she 
wore dispelled her fears with wonderful smells and 
memories. She couldn't help the smile that curved 
her lips as she closed her eyes succumbing to the 
tiredness her whole body felt.

***

Seattle Police Precinct
19th December 2004
10.50AM

Shane slammed the files onto the tabletop and 
ignored them as they floated to the ground, landing 
in a pile beneath his desk. His face was red with 
anger and his eyes dark and tired.

"This is ridiculous. Are you sure?"

David showed him the photo of the crucified victim 
and pulled the photo of Bishop Reilly from the pile 
of pages on the floor. He slid them across the 
table side by side and the identity was 
unmistakable.

"It's him. Father Donald King will make an official 
identification later today but it's definitely 
him."

"So what your saying is that our only suspect is 
the other unidentified victim?"

"Yes."

"Jesus Christ." Shane slapped the table again 
ignoring the smack of pain that shot up his arm. 

"He was last seen leaving for Tennessee on Friday 
the 10th of December to visit a sick friend. He 
never made it. And the licence plate that was used 
for the inscription was registered to him too."

Just then Scully walked in and with a quick glance 
around the room she absorbed the tension. The file 
she held in her hand hovered over the table.

"Toxicology reports no foreign substances in the 
blood and apart from an over abundance of adrenalin 
they were clean. No painkillers or anaesthetics. 
Not even valium...nothing."

"So not only were these men, stoned, crucified and 
beheaded...you're telling me they were willing 
victims?"

"No not necessarily." She passed the file to David 
who leafed through it. "They could have been 
victims of hypnosis, powers of suggestion making 
them agree to something they weren't quite aware 
of."

"Hold still while I nail you to this cross?" Shane 
exclaimed unbelievingly, his eyebrows disappearing 
into his hairline.

"Suggestion is a powerful thing Detective. The 
science of hypnosis is centred on it," she replied 
smiling at the thought of a similar conversation 
she'd shared with Mulder. Only this time she was 
doing the convincing rather than being convinced.

"She's right." They all turned to see Frank 
Williams leaning against the doorframe. Scully 
blushed and looked away but David saw the colour 
creeping into her cheeks before she did. "With no 
evidence of a struggle found on any of the bodies 
and no sedatives, we can only assume they were 
willing participants or..."

"Or hypnotised?" Shane finished for him. "I'm not 
buying Frank. All I know is we're back to square 
one with our only suspect to date dead in the 
morgue. We need to get moving on this and we need 
to move now."

David sat up and gathered the files again. He 
shuffled them neatly into a pile as the room sank 
under the heavy weight of the silence.

"I spoke to the parishioners at St Oliver's and 
Holy Gospel.   
                
Possibly with background checks on the first victim 
we can find a connection. Is there somewhere I can 
get started on that?" he said rising and holding 
the files under his arm.

"Yes, interview room 4 has been set up with 
everything you need. Let me show you."

"David, I'm going to take a look at the baptism 
spot on Mercer Island that Rev. Jefferson used." 
Scully caught his wandering eyes and noticed 
something brewing beneath their cool blue surface.

"I'll take you out there." Mulder stepped forward 
to let Shane get out of the room to lead David to 
the mock office. David glanced back to see Dana's 
face at his words but he could read no reaction.

"No that's okay, I can find it."

"Well let me show you anyway." His voice was soft 
and diluted with forced pleasantness. His eyes told 
a different story and she presumed he had a few 
choice words for her, so she succumbed to his 
suggestion and walked out to the car park with him 
lagging behind her. 

David settled into the office chair before the PC 
and refused Shane's offer of coffee. His mind 
circled her face looking for clues but as usual she 
was unreadable. He had never known her to be so 
erratic and it was worrying him. Knowing she was 
close with AD Skinner he picked up the phone and 
dialled the DC FBI switchboard.

"AD. Skinner, please." He leaned back into the 
creaking chair and listened to the tinny Christmas 
carols play over the line while he waited for 
Skinner to answer.

"AD Skinners office."

"Hi it's Agent David McLane, I need to speak with 
the director."

"I'll put you through."

Skinner's gruff replay cut off another short blast 
of the seasonal music.  "Agent McLane. Is there a 
problem?"

"I'm not so sure."

"Is it Scully? Has something happened?" The level 
of concern Skinner was showing surprised David but 
he continued without saying anything.


"No sir. It's just she is a little distracted by 
this case. I was wondering if you might shed a 
little light on it for me."

"I don't understand."

"Detective Frank Williams...does that name ring a 
bell?"

"Isn't he one of the Detectives working on the case 
out there in Seattle?"

"Yes sir...but I was hoping you could tell me more. 
It seems Dana has worked with him before. She is 
somewhat distracted by him."

"I'm afraid I have no personal information on Agent 
Scully, nor would I pass it off if I had. I'm 
surprised at you Agent McLane."

"No sir it's not like that. I'm worried about her. 
She's not acting like herself."

"I will call her for a progress report but I 
suggest you concentrate on the case rather than 
Agent Scully's personal life."

"Yes sir."

David hung up the phone and rubbed his face with 
both hands groaning aloud into them. He took in a 
deep slow breath and let it out just as slowly 
before pulling closer to the PC and switching it 
on. He knew he was in the dark about something and 
he didn't appreciate all the subterfuge. She would 
speak to him in her own time he realised, but he 
wasn't sure if this case could take any more 
distractions. 

Pulling up the personnel file on Jared Wilks, David 
scanned through dates and times of arrest noting 
any ones that stuck out. He pictured them out by 
the lake, sifting through blades of grass hoping 
the answer would appear to them. Just then Shane 
arrived with coffee and donuts and pulled a seat up 
next to him.

"Yeah I know you said you didn't want any but I 
always find it helps for these background 
searches."

David smiled his thanks and sipped his coffee as he 
turned his full attention back to the screen.

***

END OF PART 3

PART 4

***

Luther Burbank Park
Mercer Island
19th December 2004 
11.50AM

A small gazebo had been built by the edge of the 
lake and a banner across the top of it colourfully 
displayed the name of the holy gospel church. It 
was painted white and had a small christening stand 
in the centre. Over by the water a makeshift dock 
sank into the water. It was also painted in many 
different colours and bending down to it, Scully 
brushed her hands along its smooth varnished 
surface. Mulder walked back to the gazebo and 
examined the contents on the christening stand but 
found it clean and empty.

"This place is immaculately clean," he said as she 
walked over to him. She was wearing a black 
pantsuit with a light blue top underneath the 
smooth black jacket that hugged her figure. He 
couldn't help but picture the colour of her skin 
beneath his hands, but she had barely said two 
words to him since they left the precinct so he 
didn't push it.

"Do you think its been cleaned deliberately?"

"Maybe the congregation keep it this clean." She 
nodded slowly her hand running along the inside 
surface of the stand. 

"Possibly."

"So far with all religious deaths and religious 
inscriptions we can assume he is well versed in the 
bible."

"He?" she queried with a small twitch in her 
eyebrow.

"I'm working under the presumption that the killer 
is a male, white male, aged between 25 and 40. 
Common profile for serial killers, especially 
religious fanatics. He's got to be a local man with 
knowledge of the activities of all men. Although 
Wilks was reported missing straight away, Bishop 
Reilly and Rev. Jefferson were missing for some 
time before the alarm was raised."

"A friend who wouldn't need to tie them up."

"A friend...who knew their movements."

"A common friend for all three men? We have yet to 
find any connection between these victims Mulder."


"The lack of a struggle, or evidence thereof is 
puzzling. Willing victims, no matter how willing 
don't lie there to be crucified." She muttered 
kicking the wet grass under her shoes as if she 
might find the missing piece beneath the mud. 
"Besides, Jared Wilks, who was stoned to death had 
abrasions on his arms and legs as if he were 
protecting his face. If he was willing to die he 
wouldn't have tried to protect himself."

"You think you missed something?"

"I'm afraid that I did. They could have been 
paralysed. Maybe with an injection on Botulium 
Toxin that in a high enough dosage can render a 
person temporarily paralysed"

"But you didn't find any trace evidence of that?"

"No. Nor could I find any injection point." She 
sighed heavily and crossed her arms against the 
cold wind. "If only there was a connection between 
the victims."

"Maybe David will pick something up today."

Scully didn't miss the sneering lilt in Mulder's 
voice. His grey eyes were back in place and he 
hadn't shaved but what little hair had grown on his 
chin did little to disguise him. She glanced at him 
wistfully and he must have sensed her examination 
because he turned and caught her eyes. 

"You don't like him do you?" she blurted out.

"Are you surprised?"

"Well yes. He's an excellent agent, Mulder."

"I'm sure he is...I just don't like him."

"Well as long as it's an informed decision you've 
made!" she said quietly, her voice dripping with an 
unusual sarcasm.

"Why did you leave?" His question was sudden and 
loud, thrust out into the expectant air with little 
thought about consequence.

"I had to get back to the motel."

"You could have woken me."

"Mulder, I-" she began but he cut her off with a 
sharp wave of her hand.

"Yeah I know. We should just be friends, it's not 
you it's me, it shouldn't have happened...I slept in, 
I got a flat tyre, my dog ate my homework."

He walked off the gazebo and over to the shoreline 
where the dark water lapped the soft ground. The 
grass beneath her feet disguised her footfall, but 
he was instantly aware her small body standing so 
familiarly against his.

"That's not fair Mulder." She looked out to the 
water with him, neither of them making eye contact, 
content to watch the small waves. "It's been so 
hard for so long. I can't switch everything back on 
all of a sudden because you are here."

"I know." His voice was low and soft barely spoken 
and almost stolen by the wind.

"I don't think I could go through loosing you 
again. It all but killed me the first time. Please 
don't ask me to do it again."

"Scully..." He turned to face her, slipping her small 
hand into his. 

"Scully I knew what was going to happen when you 
got here and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I 
could have left, but I didn't, I could have run 
again but I didn't."

"You had time to prepare Mulder." She kept her eyes 
steady on the lake.

"What can I do Scully? Go back to DC? Rejoin the 
FBI?" A small harsh laugh escaped passed his lips. 
"Reopen the Xfiles?"

"Its too much to take in Mulder. Give me a chance 
to process everything."

"I'm not sure if we have too much time."

"What do you mean?" she looked up to his half 
closed eyes.

"I can't stay here now. If you go back to 
DC...without me...then I'll move on."

"Mulder-."

"Williams. My name is Frank Williams." He said his 
name loudly, dropping her hand and walking away. 
She stared after him for a while about to chase him 
when her phone rang in her pocket.

"Scully."

"Agent Scully, I'm calling to see how the case is 
going."

"AD. Skinner. The case? It's a different case. A 
tough one to crack." She watched Mulder climb into 
the car and slowly made her way towards it, the 
phone against her ear.

"No leads?"

"What little progress we make seems to only circle 
us back to square one."

"I see. And how about you, how are you doing?"

Scully sensed an ulterior motive behind his words 
and wondered briefly if he knew what she was really 
facing out here in the cold reaches of Seattle.

"Sir?"

"How are you holding up?"

"Fine sir. Somewhat frustrated but we'll get there. 
Hopefully before another victim is found."

"Good. Well keep me informed."

"I will sir."

She reached the car and climbed into the passenger 
seat as she slid her phone into her pocket. Mulder 
started the car and put his belt on. He could feel 
her eyes on him but he ignored them, keeping his 
eyes on the road. The traffic was heavy and they 
progressed slowly and silently towards the 
precinct. But before they could get off the island 
Mulder's phone rang insistently.

"Hello?"

"Frank, you still out on Mercer Island?" Shane's 
voice boomed across the line loud enough for Scully 
to hear.

"Yeah we're just coming up to the I-90 slip road."

"Well wait a sec," Shane said. 

Mulder indicated and turned off the road parking 
against a curb on North Mercer way. Scully was 
giving him a curious look but all he could do was 
shrug his shoulders. 

"Do you know the Church of the Latter Day Saints on 
40th Street?"

"Yeah I know it."

"Reverend Hank Pearson."

"Ok."

"As far as we can tell...it seems that the victims 
were all acquaintances of his, from various city 
meetings, protests and clashed throughout the year. 
He is the only connection we can find between all 
these men."

"I'll check it out."

"Is Agent Scully with you Frank?"

"Yeah she is." Mulder risked a quick glance at her 
but just as quickly looked away.

"Okay. And Frank, be careful. We're not sure if 
this guy is the next victim or the perp."

"Alright Gary." Mulder tossed the phone onto the 
dashboard and started the car again.

"What's going on?" she asked as he did a U-turn and 
waved at a passing driver who let him out.

"It seems that the men were all connected. With one 
other name for the pot. Reverend Hank Pearson from 
the Church of the Latter Day saints."

"Suspect? Or Victim?"

"We don't know. We'll just go and ask a few 
questions."

***

Church Of The Latter Day Saints
Mercer Island, Seattle
19th December 2004 
1.05 PM

They weren't surprised to find the church doors 
open. It was a cool day before Christmas but the 
rain that had threatened to break the skies had 
just started to fall. The air crackled with unspent 
energy as they stepped through the wide oak 
doorway.

Wooden cushioned pews adjourned the red tilled 
floor, all facing up to the sparsely decorated 
alter. The window held stained glass images of 
children playing or woodland creatures and allowed 
a colourful light into the wide fresh room.

"Nice digs," Mulder quipped at the sight of the 
gold lined pulpit to the left of the alter.

"This should be the way to the vestry."

Scully walked behind the altar to a small hidden 
doorway that was covered with a beautifully 
detailed tapestry. She couldn't help a second 
glance as they passed it. Knocking on the door 
softly Mulder afforded the tapestry a quick look, 
but turned at the sound of the door opening.

"Yes?"

"Reverend Hank Pearson?" Mulder asked looking at 
the young boy who eyes them with undisguised 
curiosity.

"I'm Hank Jr."

"Is your father here?"

"Not at the moment."

"I'm Detective Frank Williams, This is Special 
Agent Dana Scully with the FBI. Do you know where 
we can find the Reverend?"

"He's out on retreat and wont be back until 
tomorrow night."

"Where is the retreat Hank?" Scully asked with a 
sweet smile she hoped would help him give her the 
right answer.

"At the graveyard. Where my mother is buried."

"Ok. Thank you."

Mulder ended the conversation abruptly and took 
Scully's elbow to lead her out of the church. They 
climbed into the car in silence.  She remembered 
the quick flashes of decisions he would make during 
an interrogation, a recollection of information he 
already knew, pieces of the puzzle falling 
together, finally. She knew better than to fight 
him and instead waited for his mind to process 
whatever it was it found in its own time. 

The I-90 was jam packed with traffic and finally 
the rain that was drizzling down thundered down 
from the dark skies pounding against the windscreen 
with ferocity Scully had rarely witnessed before.

"Reverend Pearson's wife. Over a year ago she 
displayed symptoms of stigmata." His words were 
soft and pensive as if he was thinking aloud.

"Stigmata?"

"Seeping wounds on the hands and feet."

"Was it discounted?"

"By any and all that saw it."

"Did you see it?"

"No...I'm not that kind of detective anymore," he 
answered with a small smile. "Bishop Reilly, if I 
recall correctly, was the main disqualifier of her 
claims. Jared Wilks accused the Reverend's wife of 
instigating a distraction from the problems the 
church was experiencing at the time."

"What kind of problems?" she asked intrigued.

"An outbreak of teen suicides. In three weeks six 
teenagers from the Church of the Latter Day Saints 
committed suicide."

"Was there an investigation?"

"Yes of course, but all the kids were members of an 
after school club called The Beautiful People. Four 
other members from this club, who were not members 
of the Latter Day Saints church committed suicide. 
As all the victims left suicide notes, pertaining 
to a pact the investigation was closed."

"How did the Reverend's wife die?"

"She bled to death." Scully was shocked. Expecting 
to hear another murder claim she didn't prepare 
herself for other options. "Deep penetrating 
circular wounds about the size of a small railroad 
spike in each wrist between the ulna and radius 
bones...and similar wounds on the feet."

"Stigmata wounds."

"With traces of rust and iron in them."

"Self inflicted?"

"Reverend Pearson was investigated but with no 
evidence it was ruled as self inflicted."

Finally the traffic broke off the interstate and 
Scully sat quietly as Mulder navigated the small 
winding streets to get to the precinct as fast as 
possible. He parked haphazardly on the road outside 
and they went directly to the mock office David was 
still sitting in.

"You're back. Did you speak to The Reverend?" he 
asked Scully who walked in first.

"Where is Gary?" Mulder asked ignoring David's 
question.
"He just went to his office to make a call."

Mulder walked out of the room and Scully followed 
him across the station to Gary's office. David 
followed bewildered and Scully signalled at him to 
wait. There was too much information for her to 
relay in such a short time so she wanted him to 
hear it from Mulder in its entirety. Gary was just 
hanging up the phone in its cradle when the 
entourage walked in.

"Frank, did you talk to the Reverend?"

"No. His son."

"He wasn't there," Scully said.

"Reverend Hank Pearson. As in husband to Helena 
Pearson," Mulder intoned, letting Gary see the 
pieces for himself.

"Helena Pearson? Helena Pearson?" Shane rolled the 
name around his tongue and Mulder could see the 
moment he recognised it. "Stigmata claim in 2003."

"Yes."

"Stigmata?" David asked confused.

"We need to get a warrant out on the good 
Reverend," Mulder said picking up the phone as Gary 
reached for the old case file.

Scully led David out of the room as the orders were 
barked down the phone to gather the swat team. She 
explained to him the case Mulder told her about and 
how all the victims were connected to the Reverend. 
But David stood tall, his arms folded across his 
chest.

"It's all a bit circumstantial Dana. We have no 
evidence to go in after this man. We'll never get a 
warrant."

"I got Judge Maguire to sign off on a warrant, he 
will fax though     the reply straight away." They 
heard Gary saying to Mulder in the office behind 
them. "We should be ready to go within the hour."

"Team is setting up in the basement. I want to go 
down and go over it with them."

Mulder said as he stepped out of the office but his 
feet halted at the sight of Scully and David 
standing to closely speaking softly.  Her hand was 
on his upper arm, applying a soft pressure he could 
almost feel in his own arm. He tore his eyes away 
from the traitorous sight and continued to walk 
past them.

"Frank..." he looked back to where David called him. 
"Need a hand down in the basement?"

"Sure David. This way." Scully watched them walk 
towards the stairs and turned to join Gary in the 
office.

"Finally a break," he smiled as she claimed the 
seat across from him.

"With circumstantial evidence I'm intrigued as to 
how you managed to get a warrant."

"Judge Maguire is...was a golfing buddy of Bishop 
Reilly."

"Ahh. I see."

"We need to get this moving Agent Scully."

"I understand. I hope we are right."

"Nice to get back to DC for Christmas I guess."

"Yes. That would be nice."

Gary heard the insincerity in her voice, but her 
false smile told him she was trying to convince 
either him or herself so he left it lie.

***

Church Of The Latter Day Saints
Mercer Island, Seattle
19th December 2004 
4.35 PM

Mulder knelt behind the car door and fixed his 
bullet-proof vest around his chest. His police 
badge hung on a small link chain around his neck so 
he tucked it into a small pocket at the front of 
the vest. He glanced around the street and spotted 
the various members of the SWAT team in position 
watching him, waiting for his signal.  Behind him 
Scully and David crouched low holding their guns by 
their sides and watching him too.

Mulder leaned a little past the car and signalled 
for the first team to go and then a few seconds 
later the second team. It seemed like and age but 
was mere seconds when he pointed at the FBI Agents 
and jumped up dashing across the street not waiting 
to see if they followed. But as he crashed his body 
into the wall of the church he felt them land 
beside him.

The first team broke through the door followed by 
the second team who searched the church. Mulder and 
Scully walked up to the vestry door and stood 
either side of the tapestry. He counted her out 
with three sharp nods of his head and on the final 
nod, she whipped the tapestry aside and he jumped 
in front of the open doorway.

His gun was held out rigidly in front of him and he 
was about to shout Freeze when a loud shot rang out 
through the church, knocking him back against the 
altar and landing him beneath the pulpit.  Scully 
watched in slow motion horror as he flew through 
the air and landed with a sickening thud. 

She focused on the source of the shot and turned to 
the open vestry doorway where Reverend Hank Pearson 
stood with a gun to his son's head.
David rushed over to Mulder's fallen body and 
called for an ambulance. He checked for a pulse but 
the blood that he coughed up didn't make for 
hopeful thoughts.

"Reverend...put the gun down." Scully said softly, 
aware of the SWAT team that was circling in behind 
her as the second team made their way outside to 
gain another entrance.

"I give you my son..." Hank said, his hand shaking as 
he held the 9mm gun to his son's temple.

"Reverend...put the gun down, no one else needs to 
get hurt."

"Belief is a fickle thing..." He pressed the gun 
harder to his son's head and it was then that 
Scully noted the serene expression on the kids 
face. He was staring straight ahead his eyes open 
wide and not blinking. He knelt on the floor with 
his hands behind his back but Scully couldn't tell 
if he was tied up or not.

"Reverend put the gun down or I will be forced to 
shoot you!" she yelled forcefully but as she took a 
step forward the Reverend pulled the trigger.

The sound was deafening in the small vestry but she 
wasn't prepared for the sight of the kid's body 
slumping to the ground after the implosion of his 
skull, as the bullet left a large exit wound and 
lodged in the concrete wall.

The Reverend put the gun to his own head but this 
time Scully was quicker and she shot him directly 
in the shoulder, knocking him back against the desk 
with a moan.

"No, it's not supposed to end like this."

"Never is."

"It can't end like this."

He sat up with a last gasp of air one arm holding 
his injured shoulder, while the other one faced the 
gun up to Scully, but before he could pull the 
trigger Scully spotted the unmistakeable red dot on 
his chest. It was with a muffled moan that his body 
crumpled to the ground half lying over his dead 
son. Scully took a deep breath as she gathered her 
thoughts and rushed out to Mulder's side. She 
pushed her way past the small crowd that were 
standing over him and was surprised to see David 
leaning over him giving CPR.

"The bulled skimmed his vest but went into his left 
side...he stopped breathing, I think he may have 
punctured a lung. He was coughing up blood"

"How long has he been out?"

"Since the shot."

She took over the CPR, letting David pump his chest 
as she held his nose and breathed into his open 
mouth. His vest had been torn off and discarded to 
the floor above his head. Blood soaked through his 
light blue shirt, the dark stain spreading as David 
pumped him harder.

"Block off that wound, don't do the compressions 
anymore," she yelled, still breathing into his 
mouth ignoring the blood on her lips from breathing 
into his mouth. The EMT's rushed in and a member of 
the swat led them to Mulder's fallen form. They 
immediately took over, pushing Scully away, and 
placing an oxygen mask over his face.  Mulder's 
eyes were open but glazed over, seeing nothing of 
what was going on around him.

"Entry wound on the left side of the body. Just 
above the fourth rib," one of the technicians 
shouted.

"Blood in the mask."

"He's going to need to be intubated."

They scrambled for their equipment and one of them 
covered his wound while the other pulled a long 
wire from the case and began feeding it deep enough 
to get to his lungs. "Ok, tube in."

"This lung is definitely collapsed, we gotta get 
him out to the ER stat."

Scully saw everything happen in slow motion as they 
hoisted him onto a gurney and hurriedly wheeled him 
out to the waiting ambulance.  They had almost 
gotten him packed away when she suddenly realised 
she needed to be with him. Rushing out to the door 
with David on her heels she climbed into the back 
and sat next to the technician.

"Dana?" David said from the door.

"I have to go David, I have to go with him."

He nodded with a grim smile but slammed the door 
shut and watched the ambulance drive off, it's 
siren loud and ominous as its lights twisted 
brightly in the early evening darkness. Turning to 
the SWAT team, he ordered the area to be cordoned 
off and called for the coroner. He could feel 
everything from the past few days coming to a head 
and after waiting for it for so long he wasn't sure 
if he wanted it anymore.

***

Seattle General Hospital
19th December 2004 
5.05 PM

Scully was pushed out of the cubicle as the team of 
doctors worked on him. They tried to convince her 
to wait in the waiting room but she steadfastly 
refused to let Mulder leave her sight. The 
intubated tube was connected to a hand pump to help 
him breathe and a young nurse counted out his 
breathes with minute movements of her head before 
pumping more air into him. Her head swam with all 
too familiar terms as the doctors worked on him but 
all she could do was listen.

"Entry wound through third and fourth ribs and then 
into his lung."

"He's still bleeding out!"

"Suction."

The surreal sound of the suction pulling loose 
blood out of his lung and clearing spaces for the 
doctors to see stung her ears and her eyes. She 
stepped closer and tried to help but another nurse 
gently pushed her back.

"Four units of O-Neg, he's loosing too much."

"Blood pressure is too low."

"He's A Positive..." Scully said loudly. "His blood 
type is A Positive."

"Four units...make it now!" The IV was connected to 
his arm and the blood started to flow, but with an 
unseen wound still open his pressure remained low. 
The doctor made the relatively small entry wound 
bigger with a careful swipe of the scalpel blade so 
he could fit four fingers into the new hole. 
Another doctor stood by Mulder's head shining a 
light into his eyes.

"Hello...wake up, can you hear me? What's his name?"

"Mulder...I mean Frank Williams. His name is Frank 
Williams."

"Hello Frank can you hear me? Move your toes if you 
can hear me Frank." Scully's eyes darted to his 
feet but they remained still.

"Suction...clamp...hold this." Her attention was 
dragged back to the bullet wound where another 
doctor took the clamp and held it in place to stop 
the bleeding. "I see it...lower left lung lobe has 
been punctured, pleura is torn. Get me a kit!" he 
shouted.

The small stainless steel kidney shaped bowl was 
thrust in front of him and while his colleagues 
held the clamps in place to stop blood getting to 
the lungs, he quickly sewed up the wound. 

Pulling on the last stitch they cleared his lungs 
of any blood and pumped more oxygen into them. They 
inflated and deflated with ease so he removed the 
clamp, whilst everyone waited with their breath 
held for five agonising seconds as his blood 
travelled along newly sewn patches but his blood 
pressure didn't rise as expected.

"Roll him over, let me take a look at the exit 
wound." Two nurses pulled his body towards then so 
that he was laying on his right side, his bare back 
exposed to the doctor.

"Large exit wound higher than expected." This time 
he didn't need to make the wound any bigger as it 
was big enough for his exploration.

"Can you see it?" Scully asked anxiously wanting to 
grab a pair of latex gloves and dig in herself. 

"Left atrium, blood vessel...I'm going to need 
another clamp."

Quickly he clamped the small vessel and sewed up 
the small wound, releasing the clamp and for a 
second time they waited for his blood pressure to 
rise. Seconds seems to stop for Scully but finally 
the readouts on the monitor slowly began to rise 
and she let out the breath she'd been holding.

"Okay...he's as stable as we can get him down 
here...Get him sewn up and lets get him a portable CT 
Scan of his chest and make sure we didn't miss 
anything."

A nurse worked on pulling the jagged edges of 
Mulder's skin together in a makeshift way and 
compressed a gauze dressing on top, before the 
gurney was wheeled away to the lift. Scully turned 
to follow it, but suddenly realised someone was 
calling her name and she saw Detective Gary Shane 
walking towards her.

"Agent Scully, where is Frank?"

"He's stable." She touched Gary on the shoulder as 
he stood next to her in time to see him disappear 
into the lift. "He's gone into surgery."

"Pearson shot him?"

"Then shot his son in the head. He tried to shoot 
me but someone got to him first."

"Agent McLane is processing the scene as we speak."

"Did Pearson survive?"

"No. Shot in the chest straight through...died on the 
scene."

"Does anyone know what happened?"

"McLane said he found a diary in the vestry and it 
has detailed plans of how to go through with each 
murder. His son helped him."

"Oh god." She sighed with him and followed him to 
the seats by the door.

"Is Frank going to be okay?" he asked after a 
moment.

"Yeah. He's going to hurt like hell for a while but 
he'll be fine."

"I understand you two had a history."

"Yeah?"

"He mentioned that you worked together before but 
it ended badly."

"Yes. Something like that."

"Well when this kind of thing happens it brings it 
all back into focus don't you think?"

"Yes I do."

The silence fell between them again but this time 
neither of them disturbed it, letting it wrap 
around them keeping their thoughts warm. Hours 
passed slowly with assured monotony until finally a 
nurse came over and told them he had been 
transferred into the ICU.  They went there directly 
but were told only one could go in at a time. Gary 
looked at Scully and was about to let her go in 
when her phone rang.

"You go in. I'll take this," she said stepping back 
and pulling her phone from her pocket. "Scully?"

"Dana. It's David."

"How's it going out there?"

"Fine. How is Detective Williams?"

"He's been stabilised. His left lung was punctured 
but it's been fixed. He should be fine."

"Good, that's great news."

"Detective Shane said you found a diary," she asked 
leaning against the wall outside Mulder's room.

"Yes it details all the murders and how they were 
performed."
"Revenge."

"Yes. After the three men discounted his wife's 
claims of stigmata, then she bled to death I guess 
he just cracked."

"It still doesn't explain how he got them to remain 
still while he crucified one and beheaded another."

"No it doesn't, but I've only read through it a 
little. We can safely say there will be no more of 
these murders."

"Have you called AD Skinner?" She pushed herself 
away from the wall as the door opened and Gary 
walked out. He smiled grimly at her and waited for 
her phone conversation to finish.

"Yes just now. He said he will look forward to our 
report when we get back to DC."

"Okay David."

"Should I book flights for tonight?" he asked and 
she could tell by the expectant tone in his voice 
that he already knew her answer.

"No. Leave it until tomorrow. Anyway I'm about to 
go in and see 
Detective Williams. I'll call you back."

"Bye Dana." She slipped the phone back into her 
pocket and turned to face Gary. 

"How is he?"

"He's unconscious. In considerable shock and he 
don't look too hot but they assure me he will be 
fine. Your quick CPR action probably saved his 
life." He offered her a small smile but she stepped 
past him to look in the small window on the door. 

"I'm going back to the Church. I'll speak to you 
later Agent Scully."

Scully nodded slowly then walked into the door not 
waiting for Gary to leave. She approached the bed 
and was amazed at how familiar it all seemed when 
it had been over four years since she walked up to 
a hospital bed where Mulder lay covered in 
paraphernalia. Reaching out she stoked his hair 
away from his face, letting her fingers brush 
against his scalp, touching his gently to let him 
know she was there.

"Hey..." she whispered. 

The thick bandages that were wrapped around his 
torso covering the bullet wounds in his chest and 
back were startlingly white and were accompanied by 
the smaller bandage on his throat where the 
intubation was. Her fingers tenderly touched his 
neck, wanting to feel his pulse for herself, even 
though she could hear the heart monitor beeping 
over his head.

"Thanks Mulder," she whispered. "It could have been 
me."

Her other hand rolled down his arm to take his 
fingers as she sat on the small leather chair 
beside his bed. His skin was warm and soft and she 
interlocked their fingers to get closer to him. 
Hours passed and nurses walked by inquiring if she 
needed anything, but she just wanted to stay with 
him for as long as she could. 

They worked around her, checking his bandages and 
stitches, making sure none of them moved. His 
vitals were recorded and his pain meds reduced 
slightly, and it was nearing half past nine when a 
nurse touched her shoulder to tell her an Agent 
McLane was waiting in the corridor to speak to her. 
Scully extracted herself and walked out to him, 
rubbing the heel of her hands into her tired eyes.

"How is he?" David asked as soon as she closed the 
door behind her.

"He's stable. Just waiting for him to wake up."

"That's good." He looked at her tired dark eyes and 
small shivering cold body. "Do you want to go back 
to the motel and change?"

"No. I'm staying here," she answered firmly.

"What is it about this guy Dana? What is he to 
you?" David was tired of the dark, tired of waiting 
for the pendulum to swing so he pushed it.

"It's a long story."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"David please..." she pleaded with him, imploring for 
the time to relax, to calm down but he stood firmly 
before her. Reaching out to her he gathered her 
into a hug and she accepted the warm embrace.  
"Just give me some time."

"Okay Dana." His hand stroked her hair and he 
pressed a small kiss onto her forehead. "I know 
something is going on...I just don't want to see you 
get hurt."

"Don't worry David."

"I will worry. You know I will."

"Yeah I know."

"Do you want me to wait with you?" he asked knowing 
she was about to spend the night here in the ICU 
ward at Seattle General hospital.

"No thanks. I'll be fine." David released her from 
his hug but held onto her hands.

"This is going to be one of those late night 
stakeout stories isn't it?" he joked loving to see 
the small smile traverse her lips.

"Something like that."

"Goodnight Dana." He let go of her hands and walked 
away. Watching him for a while she soon returned to 
Mulder's side. She took his hand again and sat back 
into the chair. A nurse walked in to check his 
vitals again and she smiled warmly at her.

"Would you like a blanket Dana? It can get pretty 
cold in here."

"No thanks I'm fine."

"Well give me a call if you need anything."

The room was silent again except for the soothing 
sound of his heartbeat as the monitor beeped 
rhythmically into the stillness of the room. She 
rubbed his hand with her thumb and watched his face 
for any sign of consciousness but it all became too 
much for her and she drifted off into a restless 
sleep.

Faint impressions of people walking around her and 
a heavy warm feeling all over her body soon were 
enough to drag herself back into the waking world. 
Her eyes blinked heavily and she snuggled deeper 
into the blue blanket that one of the nurses must 
have draped over her. Glancing at the window, she 
saw it was still dark so she knew she couldn't have 
been asleep for too long. Her eyes darted back to 
Mulder who was still out. Sitting up on the chair 
she pulled the blanket tighter around her 
suppressing the small shiver that shook her body. 
Taking his hand again she let his warmth seep into 
her and reached over to stroke his hair. 

"Mulder, you have to wake up, you can't stay there 
forever."

His brow twitched and creased into a small frown. 
She stilled her hands and watched him, willing him 
to come back to her.
"Mulder? Can you hear me?"

"Leave me alone...all of you...leave me alone." 

She froze. The words that had haunted her since she 
first heard them four years ago in his apartment 
stuck her to the ground and rattled her body with 
fear. She knew then instantly that Mulder had never 
gotten over it, that his nightmares were still 
there, still tormented him and ruined his life. 

"Mulder, its me Scully. Can you hear me?"

She gently squeezed his shoulder as his head lolled 
to the side. His frown deepened and his lips moved 
again, but this time no sound came out. He blinked 
slowly at first as if trying it for the first time 
and eventually his eyes opened enough to see her 
standing over him.  His face screwed up in fear at 
the sight of her standing over him and he tried to 
roll away but he couldn't move.

"No, leave me alone."

"Mulder...it's me."

Her voice penetrated through the haze that tainted 
his vision and slowly his body relaxed. Cautiously 
turning to her he looked up to her face and read 
what he expected. The worry and fear were obvious, 
but the anger more prominent.

"Do you know where you are Mulder?"

"Heaven?" he said with a raspy voice and a small 
smile.

"Not quite." She smiled down at him. 

"What happened?"

"You were shot. Damaged lung and fractured ribs."

"I was wondering why it hurt to breathe."

"How do you feel?"

"Roughed up a bit...but I guess I'm going to survive 
right?"

"Yeah you will survive." They shared smiles as she 
brushed her fingers through his hair. "I better 
call the doctor and tell him you're awake."

"Wait Scully..." She turned back to face him, her 
hand still on his. 
"Thanks for waiting with me."

"That's okay."

"Reverend Pearson, is he dead?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Don't worry about that Mulder, just concentrate on 
getting better."

"You're going back to DC aren't you."

It wasn't a question. She didn't have a reply 
anyway, not the one he wanted to hear. Instead she 
turned and walked out the door. Soon after her 
exit, doctors came in and tested his eyes, pulse 
and blood pressure. They tried explaining all the 
procedures that were performed on him but the words 
flew over his head. He was alive, he was breathing 
albeit painfully and Scully was leaving. 

That was all that swam around his mind over and 
over, until finally the medical team left and he 
was on his own. He waited for her to come back to 
speak to her again but the pain killers were making 
him drowsy and without choice he wandered back to a 
physically painless sleep.

***

The Sleepy Hallow Inn
20th December 2004
8.06 AM

Scully slid the key into the lock and pushed the 
stiff door open with a loud creak. Almost 
immediately after she closed it there was a soft 
knock from the other side. She knew it was David 
and he had been waiting up for her so she beckoned 
for him to call in.

"How is he?" David asked immediately watching as 
she kicked off her shoes and went in to the small 
bathroom to switch on the shower.

"He's going to be fine. After some rehab."

"Good."

A silence heavy with unspoken thoughts clung to the 
air threatening to overspill if it weren't 
addressed. She removed her jacket and walked into 
the bathroom. Closing and locking the door behind 
her she almost wished David would force her to 
speak. She wanted to tell him everything and let 
him know exactly what was going on, but she just 
didn't have the strength. 

Eventually emerging barefoot and wrapped in her 
robe she saw him sitting on the edge of her bed.  
Sympathy flowed through her suddenly so she walked 
over and sat next to him. He nudged her with his 
shoulder, catching her weary eyes with his own.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay David."

"Sure?"

"Yeah...I will be."

"So...should I book the flight for today?"

"Yes. After lunch. I need to go back to the 
precinct and tie up some loose ends."

"Get some rest Dana. I'll arrange everything."

Thankful for his taking charge Scully stood and 
went to the head of the bed to pull down the 
sheets. David walked out already grabbing his phone 
and booking flights.

The cool sheets stung her legs but she forced them 
to stay in the bed and warm it up. His words 
circled her mind again in the raspy voice he used. 
All this time he had battled alone, ignoring the 
warning signs, running when it got too tough and 
now she was leaving. Is that what he wanted? He 
already told her she couldn't fix him that; she 
didn't have the solutions but it didn't seem that 
he was searching too hard for them himself.

She tossed in the bed for hours rolling thoughts 
around with her mind as she tried to gain new 
perspective, but to no avail. Finally giving up, 
she dragged her tired body out of the bed and 
decided on another shower to wake her up. She 
dressed quickly and called David.  He was on his 
way back to the motel and said he'd meet her in the 
diner across the road for lunch.

Waiting for him in a window booth she ordered eggs 
on toast and a glass of orange juice. Her meal had 
just arrived when David sat across from her with a 
warm smile.

"How do you feel?"

"Tired."

"I went to see Frank." Her eyes shot up to him, a 
piece of toast hovering before her mouth. "He was 
asking for you but I said you were packing and 
sorting out reports."

"I'll go see him before we leave."

"I'm not sure there will be time. Flight leaves in 
an hour and a half."

"But David I have to finish my reports at the 
precinct."

"I filed reports and told Detective Shane you'd fax 
through yours from DC."

"I need to see the files from the case."

"I have our copies."

He seemed to have covered all the usual things at 
the end of a case but she wasn't happy at having it 
all planned out for her. She bit into her toast and 
dropped the rest onto the plate. Slapping her hands 
together to get rid of the remaining crumbs. 

"Give me the keys."

"Where are you going?" he asked as he fished them 
out of his pocket and held them out to her.

"I'm going to see...Frank."

She dashed out of the diner and cursed the 
midmorning traffic for slowing her journey. 
Eventually the hospital was in sight and she parked 
in the set down area abandoning the car without 
care for a ticket. Glancing at her watch she saw 
that it was quarter past one as she stepped off the 
lift and made her way to his room. She stood 
outside and smoothed down her top before opening 
the door slowly in case he was asleep. He didn't 
move as she closed the door behind her and crossed 
the room with careful steps.

"Mulder?" He made no response. "I came to say 
goodbye." She was almost glad he was asleep, 
knowing how hard it would be to leave if he was 
awake. "My flight is in a little under an hour so I 
can't stay long."

Her hand reached out and tentatively touched his 
arm. He was facing away from her but she could see 
his eyes were closed and his chest moving in slow 
shallow breaths.

"I wish...I wish..." Her voice faltered but she choked 
back her tears and continued. "I wish I could stay 
longer...I wish you would ask me to help you. I know 
I could if you let me."

A nurse came in and stalled at the sight of Scully 
leaning over Mulder's still form but she walked 
over and started to take his vitals. Scully rubbed 
her cheeks with her fingers to hide the stray 
tears, but the nurse had seen it all before and 
knew what had happened.

"Did he sleep all night?" Scully asked.

"Yes, woke earlier for pain meds but went back down 
then. It's normal for the body to want to relax 
after what he's been through."

"Yes." Scully looked away from the young nurse and 
back to Mulder. 

"Goodbye Mulder. I'll miss you so much."

Slowly she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his 
temple before standing and rushing out. The nurse 
looked after her in confusion wondering why she 
called him Mulder but thought little of it as she 
left herself.

Mulder rolled his head over to look out the door. 
His voice caught in his throat and as he tried to 
take a deep breath to call out, a sharp stinging 
pain centred in his chest and quickly deflated his 
injured lung. Hastily, ignoring the pain he reached 
for the call button. He pressed it roughly and held 
it down until the nurse came in.

"Get her back! Get her back!"

"Who? Who is it Frank?"

"Scully...the lady who was here a minute ago...get her 
back!" he yelled as much as he could without 
rupturing something.

The nurse ran out to the corridor and caught a 
glimpse of Scully as the elevator doors closed. 
Dashing for the stairwell she burst through the 
door bouncing down the steps as fast as she dared 
shooting out at the ground floor with a burst of 
energy that surprised the people in the corridor. 
She rushed to the elevator and saw it was empty so 
she ran for the front door only to see Scully 
driving off into the city traffic.

Returning to Mulder with considerably less gusto 
than she left with she shook her head at him as she 
crossed the small room to his bed.

"I'm afraid she's gone." Mulder closed his eyes 
against her concerned face and let his head fall 
back onto the pillow. "Can't you call her?"

"No...she's gone..." His head fell back to the side 
facing the window and the nurse left in silence. 

***

Georgetown Washington DC
24th December 2004 
9.15 PM

Scully's apartment was adorned with the usual 
Christmas decorations, gold shining stars hanging 
from the ceiling and a real six-foot tree in the 
corner by the window. The lights lay in a puddle by 
its foot with David hunched over them trying 
earnestly to undo the knots from the previous year. 
Scully searched through the boxes of tree 
decorations for the tinsel strips and baubles to 
hang on the full branches. 

She sat on the edge of the couch and sipped her cup 
of hot chocolate; her heart not in the task. 
Somehow her mother had been convinced that she 
wanted to spend Christmas at home, but David took 
no such hints. He arrived at her doorstep a little 
over an hour ago with a grin and insisted on 
helping her decorate when he saw the boxes 
scattered around her living room. She poured him a 
glass of wine and succumbed to his force, handing 
him the bundle of lights with a smile. Watching him 
now fight with the knots she was almost glad for 
the company.

"So why aren't you spending the night with Janet?" 
she asked.

"Janet is stuck in Boston. Can't get a flight out 
because of the storms."

"Will she make it tomorrow?"

"I hope so. We're supposed to be eating Christmas 
Day dinner at her parents and they would be 
disappointed if she couldn't make it. What are you 
doing for dinner tomorrow?"

The question she was expecting him to ask since he 
arrived this evening finally made an appearance. 
She sipped her hot chocolate to give the unhurried 
air of nonchalance before she answered.

"My family are all gone out to San Diego to my 
brothers house. So I'll make something here and 
relax for a while."

"You mean stay in on your own and dwell in the 
loneliness that's been festering around you since 
we got back from Seattle?"

"I'm not lonely David. I just want to be on my own. 
Is that so hard to understand?"

"Yes." He smiled grimly watching as she took 
another sip of her drink and sat back on his hands. 
He took a deep breath about to say something but 
the knock at the door stalled his words.

"Santa?" she joked.

"No Dana, he only comes to see good little girls." 
She tossed a pillow at him as she stood to get the 
door. "He might be here for me though."

She opened the door a little and peered around, not 
knowing what to expect. Her face fell at the sight 
of him standing all cold and a little guiltily in 
her hallway.

"Are you going to invite me in?" Mulder's voice was 
whispered into the hallway through a half smile and 
shoulders covered in snow.

"What are you doing here?" she managed to say as 
her shock subsided enough for her to speak.

"I came to see you."

Slowly she stepped back and he walked in. He 
stepped around her without touching her and his 
eyes absorbed the scene that was set out before 
him. David sat sipping wine with the lights still 
bundled in his lap and the tree was empty with 
boxes of expectant decorations beneath it. As soon 
as David saw him he stood to his full height, 
letting the lights fall to the floor.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked his 
voice laced with tension as his hands grabbed his 
hips.

"David, don't." Scully closed the door and turned 
to meet them both standing almost toe-to-toe in her 
living room.

"Hi David," Mulder said holding his hand out 
waiting to be shaken.

"Frank Williams." David took the outstretched hand 
and shook it firmly.

"It's Fox actually. Fox Mulder."

Their shaking hands froze as David stilled, his 
eyes moving slowly over to Scully who stood to the 
side her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes 
closed.

"Dana?"

"It's true. This is Fox Mulder."

David took his hand back and couldn't help being 
annoyed at the smile on Mulder's face.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I eh, I wasn't sure what was happening. I'm sorry 
David," Scully stammered.

"Well I have to admit it explains a lot of what was 
going on last week."

"It was quite a shock. She didn't know I was 
there." Mulder took a step back making a circle 
with the three of them in the living room.

"I bet it was a shock."

David caught the stolen glances between the both of 
them and decided it was time to leave. He took his 
coat off the couch and draped it over his arm. 
Scully stepped over to the door with him and opened 
it.

"Do you want me to stay?" he asked in hushed tones.

"No David it's okay. I'll be fine." She squeezed 
his arm and smiled warmly at him.

"Call me if you need me." He winked and walked out 
pulling on his coat.

Scully turned back intro the living room where she 
saw Mulder glancing around the room. His eyes 
absorbed the familiar furniture with only a few 
additions since he had last stood in her living 
room. Different magazines adorned the table and a 
newer computer on the desk but then he expected as 
much. 

His fish tank on her sideboard by her kitchen 
entrance caught his attention; dragging him towards 
it with the strong desire to touch it, feel its 
cold glass under his slender fingers. He didn't 
imagine the fish swimming inside were the same ones 
he had left in her care four years ago but that 
wasn't what mattered. The mere fact that they had 
sustained a prime position in her home was what 
warmed his heart.

"Mulder?" she asked again making him pull his eyes 
around to face her. Then at the look in his eyes 
that she couldn't place she said, "Frank?"

"No Scully...don't say that...don't..." he took a step 
closer to her but his head hung low in shame, 
hiding his eyes, pushing back his emotions.

"I don't understand, what's going on?"

"I came to ask you...something."

Scully somehow managed to break her gaze at him and 
walked over to the sofa. She took the still warm 
mug from the table and held it with both hands, 
concentrating on the bubbly froth on the top of her 
drink rather than face him. He followed her to the 
couch and sat next to her. 

"I need your help."

"My help Mulder?" she sneered trying no to sound as 
harsh as she was sure it was appearing. "I don't 
have the solutions to all the problems."

"I deserved that." He conceded her point with a wry 
smile but persisted moving himself from the couch 
to the table in front of her. "I'm sorry 
Scully...what can I say...I was wrong."

"About what Mulder? Tell me exactly what is it you 
want from me?" 

"Four years ago...I had an experience." He stammered 
with his words searching for the right ones and 
still struggling to push them past his lips. The 
shame he still felt casting as pale shadow over his 
face, his eyes deeply sad over all it had cost them 
both.

"I tried my best to face it but it hurt too much...so 
I ran. I ran away from my life, I ran away from my 
problems and I ran away from you."

Scully looked up at him from over the rim of her 
drink wanting to toss it to the side and grab him 
into a hug, but instead she just stared at him, 
barely daring to breathe.

"I thought I could deal with it and in some ways I 
did...by pushing it away I found I could ignore it, 
function normally, hold down a job..." he laughed 
derisively. "It took me a while to do even that."

"Mulder-."

"No let me finish. But they came back. They always 
come back. I stopped sleeping, I stopped living...I 
stopped caring." He paused and took a deep shaky 
breath. "Until you arrived. The other night in my 
apartment. It was the first good nights sleep I had 
in four years."

Her eyes sprang up in surprise as she recalled the 
feeling of lying back against his warm body, the 
contented feeling of his chest breathing against 
her back as he slept deeply and soundly.

"I want more of it...I want to sleep like that 
again."

"You want to sleep with me again? That's how I can 
help you?" she said surprised.

"No...well yes...but that's not what I mean!" He 
laughed, happy for the release of tension and let 
out another breath from the bottom of his lungs.

"What is it you want from me?" she asked in a timid 
voice to afraid to know to afraid not to.

"I'm going to do this properly...I'm going to get 
help...but I don't think I can do it alone...I don't 
think I want to."

"Are you seeking this help in...Seattle?"

"No. No I've arranged to meet a Dr. Keith Morrison 
here in DC twice weekly for two months then on a 
provisional basis after that...depending on 
progress."

"Here in DC? You're moving back to DC?"

"Scully I've never spoken of...about...what happened to 
me. I never told a soul. You're the only one who 
knows, probably the only one who cares." He looked 
away from her his feet bouncing to an irregular 
rhythm, as the hands that lay clasped between his 
knees fidgeted.  She put her cup down and took his 
hands in hers. But he still refused to look up. "I 
will understand if you don't want to but I'm 
asking...for your help."

"Mulder," she said reaching out to his chin to 
force him to look up. "Of course I will help you."

All of a sudden the emotions were too much for him 
and he let out a breathy, shaking sob that forced 
tears to cascade down his cheeks.  He wept loudly, 
letting his head fall down again and she guided him 
over onto the couch. His arms snaked around her 
waist and his head fell onto her lap. She rubbed 
his back feeling the bandages that were still there 
and threaded her fingers through his hair as he 
cried openly and fearlessly.

They stayed like that for what seemed an eternity 
and it was as if his tears dried up, his cries 
became dry and raspy but his body still shook with 
emotion. He began to shiver with all the emotion 
spent. She touched his cheek and wiped away the 
damp trails of his tears.

"Mulder, sit up, let me get you a drink."

Silently he sat up wincing with the small pain 
moving caused his chest. Sitting back against the 
couch he buried his face into his hands and rubbed 
it vigorously, shaking his hair and letting his 
fingers lock at the back of his neck. She returned 
by his side with a cup of hot chocolate for him and 
he took it with a grim smile. He sipped it gingerly 
and licked the traces off his lips before putting 
it down on the coffee table.

"Nothing like a hot chocolate after a groundswell 
of spent emotions!" he said lightly, looking into 
the flickering flames of the fire.

"I could make it a little Irish chocolate if you'd 
like?"

"Sounds good to me." She disappeared into the 
kitchen and returned with a bottle of whiskey. 
"Always keep one of those here?"

"You never know." She poured a healthy shot into 
his drink and another into her own. He smiled at 
her and held out his cup for her to clink with.

"Here's to...to...painful times ahead?" he suggested.

"Light at the end of the tunnel?" she countered.

"New friendships?"

"Old friendships renewed?"

"Here's to you Scully...for letting me in."

"Here's to you Mulder for coming back in. To me."

They clinked their cups together and watched each 
other as they sipped the now sour drink.

"Whoa that's more than a little Irish right there." 
He said sipping his drink again. She smiled and put 
her cup down before walking to the fire to stoke 
the dying flames. Throwing a few more logs on she 
passed the bundle of lights to him.

"Here seeing as you ran my last helper, you can 
untangle these."

"Thanks Scully."

He put down his strong drink and sat down onto the 
floor. She caught the small wince as he crouched by 
the tree and started to sort out the lights.

"How is your chest?"

"It's a little tender."

"Can I take a look at it?"

"It's a little soon to get my clothes off but if 
you insist..." She shook her head as she knelt down 
beside him and helped him take his shirt off. They 
pulled it gently over his head and he moaned a 
little as he stretched his arm up over his head.

"Now it's your turn!" he leered at her in his old 
familiar way.

"This is gonna sting..." she peeled the bandage 
gently back pulling the sticky tape off his back. 
The bruising was still evident and it was slightly 
swollen but the stitches were magnificent, small 
and linear leaving little scar tissue. "It looks 
good. Does it hurt?" She pressed her fingers 
against his hot skin testing the wound with a 
little pressure. 

"Only if you keep pressing it!"

"Sorry." She stuck his bandage back on and handed 
him back his sweater before rolling back onto her 
heels. "It should heal up completely. Any trouble 
breathing?"

"No. It's a little shallow still and I do get out 
of breath a bit easier than before...so I guess yes...a 
little trouble breathing."

"Don't worry that will go." Moving back to the 
couch she leaned her back against it and pulled the 
box of decorations closer.

A silence fell between them and they both relaxed 
into it lazily enjoying the familiar sensation of 
each other's company. Eventually Mulder connected 
the lights up to the plug and had them all lit and 
untied.

"Ta daa!"

"Thanks Mulder, you know where they go."

With a grunt he stood and began to drape the lights 
around the tree starting at the top and coiling it 
down to the last branch. When he was finished he 
stood back to admire his handiwork and smiled at 
Scully who was now standing beside him.

"Here," she said handing him the small white angel 
to perch on the top branch. He took it from her 
small hands and tenderly sat it into its place. 
Joining her side once more he caught her sad smile 
and draped an arm around her shoulders. 

"Do you think I can make it?" he said softly not 
looking down at her.

"I know you can." Squeezing her shoulders he turned 
her into his chest for a hug and she felt the shaky 
breath he took in, the fierce beat of his heart. 
"What are you going to do Mulder?"

"What do you mean?" His hug loosened enough to look 
down to her face.

"I mean about work? Living? What are you going to 
do?"

"I have a lot of money saved. I'll get an apartment 
somewhere. As for a job...I don't know...I haven't 
really thought about it."

"You haven't?"

"Well I wasn't sure if you were going to help me 
Scully. All I knew was I was going to ask you...if 
you said no...I would have hightailed it back to 
Seattle."

"Hightailed it?" she said laughing.

"You know what I mean."

"What about the FBI?" she said tentatively.

"I dunno Scully." He released her totally and sat 
back onto the couch.

"Look forget it, you don't need to worry about that 
now." He glanced up at her with a disbelieving 
expression. "There are some people you need to call 
though."

"The Lone Gunmen?"

"Yes."

"I called them this morning. I needed to make sure 
you were still living here."

"They never said. I spoke to Frohike this morning."

"I asked them not to." Mulder looked a little 
sheepish.

"What about Skinner?"

"No...I haven't quite gotton the courage to call him 
yet."

"He'd be pleased to hear from you."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Are you pleased?"

"I eh, yes I'm pleased."

"You don't sound to sure." He stood up and 
approached her.

"I'm confused," she admitted. "It's all so fast."

"I know. Look maybe I should go." He reached to get 
his coat but she stalled him with a hand on his 
arm.

"It's late Mulder." She sighed unsure if she wanted 
to continue with what she was about to say. "Where 
are you going?"

"I was going to get a room in town."

"Stay here. You're exhausted. And you are not long 
out of the hospital." Just then he yawned and they 
both laughed. "When did you leave Seattle?"

"Yesterday. My flight was delayed and they lost my 
baggage. Hence I came here empty handed."

"Look just stay here. It's Christmas Eve. What kind 
of Christian would I be if I turned you away?" He 
smiled and dropped his coat back onto the chair. 

"Okay. Thanks."

"Get some rest Mulder, we can talk in the morning."

She led him into her room and threw back the 
covers. In the bathroom she fetched a glass of 
water and returned to see him sitting on the soft 
mattress staring at the pastel coloured carpet.
"You okay?"

He nodded as she reached past him to put the glass 
on the dressing table. Without warning his arms 
grabbed her and he pulled her over to him. His head 
pressed into her stomach and his arms overlapped 
around her back but he squeezed her tighter and 
rocked her gently.  She let her hands fall onto his 
back one of them tracing soft circles onto his 
shoulders the other reaching into his hair.

"I can't believe you are here Scully. I can't 
believe I am."

"Everything is going to be okay," she whispered 
kissing his head through his hair.

"Is it?"

"It's going to be tough Mulder. It's going to be 
really tough but I'm here for you. Whatever you 
need all you need to do is ask."

"Thanks Scully." His voice was muffled against her 
stomach and his breathing uneven. She wasn't sure 
if he was crying but she didn't care. All she knew 
was the comfort he was seeking was in her touch so 
she offered it all to him. 

Eventually he released her and let her step back. 
She helped him off with his sweater knowing the 
discomfort he was in, but when he kicked off his 
shoes and undid his trousers she looked away, 
making an issue of closing the curtains. The soft 
bed moved beneath his weight as he curled beneath 
the covers. She stood at the door while he got 
comfortable and switched off the light.

"Goodnight Mulder."

"Night."

Scully returned to the living room and cleaned up 
the empty decoration boxes. The twinkling lights 
brought a sense of peace to the room as she 
gathered the cups and washed the saucepan she'd 
used to make the hot chocolate. As she placed the 
clean cups into the cupboard she froze at the sound 
of a subdued yell. It was guttural and low but the 
source was unmistakable. Dropping everything she 
rushed into her bedroom where she saw Mulder had 
kicked away the covers and was balled up near the 
foot of the bed.

Tentatively she reached out to him but he bucked 
away. His skin was cold and clammy and she knew she 
had to wake him rather than leave him 

"Mulder!" she said more firmly this time and when 
he flinched under her touch, she only pressed 
harder. His voice got stronger and his yell more 
painful. She climbed onto the bed next to him and 
curled around him, almost spooning his hunched 
form. "Shhhh...I got you."

He tried to get away from her but she clung to him 
tightly, whispering soft words into his ears and 
rubbing small circles into his chest. Eventually he 
stopped moving and his breathing became slow and 
shallow. She held him for a moment longer and made 
sure he was calm before letting go. Getting off the 
bed, Scully made him drag his body back up to the 
top and lie on the pillows. Pulling the quilt back 
over him, she covered his shivering body and was 
about to turn away when his arm reached out to her.

"Stay..." he whispered, his eyes closed and his mouth 
hidden beneath the blanket. "Stay with me please..."

She couldn't refuse so she nodded. 

"I'll be back in a second."

She went out to the living room and locked up 
before returning to his side by the bed. She pulled 
off her sweater and stepped out of her jeans as 
they pooled by her feet. He lifted back the covers 
for her to climb into and smiled at the sight of 
his own Sonics t-shirt on her.

"Sonics fan Scully?"

"Yeah go Sonics."

She leaned onto the bed and lay down flat next to 
him. He rested a tentative arm around her waist. 
His head found a comfy spot on her shoulder. With 
his body pressed next to hers, she could feel his 
whole form shivering with cold or fear; she wasn't 
sure which. Her arm reached around his back and 
pulled him closer and he leaned in as her other 
hand found his chest.

"Get some sleep Mulder. I'm here for you."
"I know Scully. I know."

***

The End.
Skinfull 2004
www.undergroundtales.com

Authors Notes: Lets say...for the sake of artistic 
licence... 
*Yes Mulder's Landlord is called Mr Floyd...I may or 
may not have made it up!

*Mulder's Mother is dead in this story and the 
timeline is significant only in the expanse of 
years gone by as opposed to the actual year.

*I always find religion an interesting aspect for 
an Xfile with so many choices and phenomenon 
attributed to the search for god. I apologise in 
advance for any offence caused I can only assure 
you it was unintentional.
*The story of Mulder's time in captivity is 
Pleasure In Pain Rated NC 17 for violence and adult 
sexual situations. 

It can be found at Ephy: 

http://www.ephemeralfic.org/ephemeral.phtml?dir=Des
cending&ordr=Date&max=10&start=0&sfield=Title%2FAut
hor&search=Pleasure+in+pain

However this will be fine as a stand-alone fic.

***Ahh Lisa you taught me how to spell! YAY!!!

Thanks to jmillington for all the wonderful info on 
Seattle and the entire team of medical guru's on 
Mulder's Refuge for the medical advice and facts.