DATE: March 19, 1997 TITLE: In Search of A Cure AUTHOR: Marsha Bare-Taylor EMAIL ADDRESS: barelyhere@email.msn.com DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: Archive, etc. okay SPOILER WARNING: None, Alternate Universe RATING: PG CONTENT WARNING: This is an alternate universe MSR. CLASSIFICATION: C,S,R,H SUMMARY: Mulder travels to the Rain Forest in Africa to meet a doctor working on a cure for cancer which has inflicted his sister after her return from being abducted. The story came from the movie Medicine Man. If you've seen the movie you will recognize the plot. DISCLAIMER: The X-Files belong to FOX, Chris Carter, 1013. I am not making any money from this story. I am just borrowing these characters for fun. Please don't sue me. If you do I'll make you a deal on two dogs, three cats and a slightly used husband. I'm also borrowing the movie Medicine Man, no infringements intended. PERSONAL COMMENTS: After watching MM, and reading some of the dying character stories, I really wanted to see "Let's save dear Scully stories". So, I was wandering around WalMart one day and spied the movie Medicine Man. I thought it would be an interesting story so I watched the movie a hundred times and wrote the following. Thanks to Cheryl for reading it and encouraging me to send it. This is my first post ever and my second story. I'm not a writer, but I did the best I could. Give a girl a chance. If you like it, let me know. If you don't that's okay at least I tried. You can E-Mail me at marsha.taylor@USINY.mail.abb.com. Grab your popcorn and settle back for the show. ROLLEM IN SEARCH OF A CURE 1/9 IN SEARCH OF A CURE by Marsha Bare-Taylor Washington DC FBI Headquarters Fox Mulder sat in his dim lite basement office examining slides sent to him by the CDC. Glasses adorning his face, he watched as frame after frame clicked past the slides he was studying. Although he rarely worked with the CDC, a special request for his attention to a matter in the Rain Forest of Africa peeked his attention. He studied the pictures of a Medical Doctor/Botanist, Dr. Dana Scully, one time abductee. Disappeared in the rain forest to study cures for plagues of the 20th century, she had not been seen nor heard from in two years. Recently she surfaced requesting an assistant and a chromatograph no other explanation. Her funding was in jeopardy because of her absence and that she had not produced any results in the two years. Mulder was interested because his sister, diagnosed with a tumor in her nasal cavity, had no hope for survival. He hoped Dr. Dana Scully could provide answers. Her credentials were impeccable. She was a genius in the medical field. Dr. Scully won awards, in the past, for research of cures using exotic vegetation. No one really understood why this intelligent, successful, driven woman had just vanished. Fox Mulder was intrigued as well as desperate to save his sister. He would travel to the ends of the earth to save her. After her return one year ago they grew inseparable, except for his fiance. He smiled as he thought of his 5'10", blonde bombshell, Laurie. She was daughter of the Director of the CIA. He was smitten the first time she shined those sparkling green eyes his way. His dream woman. Though she wasn't the most intelligent woman he had ever met, she made up for those short comings in other area. Which made Fox Mulder smile even broader. The only problem with the relationship was Samantha. She disliked Laurie from the start and it was quite difficult trying to maintain a relationship with her and soothing Sam's disgust. "If you think with the head on your shoulders *Fox Mulder*, you would see that she is not the right wife for you. She would be good for a bureaucratic ornament, not for someone like you who needs challenge, intelligence, excitement." He could hear her weekly speech to him as he looked at the slides. "Now here's a perfect wife for me Sam. Short, plain, red haired stuffy Dr. Dana Scully. No thanks." He said to himself sarcastically. The CDC needed a volunteer to visit Dr. Scully and find out what her research had yielded for the past two years. Fox Mulder was also interested in her abduction and if she had been effected the same as Samantha. ************** Fox Mulder's Apartment 11:30 pm "Foooxxxx." Whined the very blonde, very naked woman lying next to him. "The wedding is only a short time away. Do you have to go now? Can't you wait." Laurie ran her fingers over Mulder's chest hair. She usually could wrap him around her little finger, a gift she had with men. She had set her sights on Fox Mulder even before she met him at the annual FBI dinner last year. She found out as much as she could about the handsome, mysterious, brooding man. Her father would have rather her married a Senator or Judge, but he tried to tolerate Mulder and his quirky theories -- though reluctantly. "Laurie, I told you I have to go for Sam's sake." Mulder sighed as he looked in the green eyes of his companion. "We don't know how fast the tumor will grow and time is important." He pulled her to him. "It will only be for a few weeks, then I'll be back and we can be married just as planned." He kissed her on the forehead. It seemed to appease her. Mulder thought how much she reminded him of the videos she had made him stop viewing when they became an item. She said they didn't have a plot and he was wasting his time. '*Plot* isn't why he watched them.' He thought. But since he now had his own blonde beauty in the flesh, he gladly gave up his solitary enjoyment. "Since it is our last night for a while, don't you think there are other things we can concentrate on?" He said with a leer in his eyes and a seductive voice. "Oh Fox, I believe I can give you something to think about while your gone." She giggled and allowed him to kiss her passionately. **************** Five days later Brazzaville Airport Africa Fox Mulder made his way down the crowded airport lined with people looking for their arrival partners. He noticed a man with a sign baring his name. He approached the man and extended his hand to introduce himself. The man gladly shook his hand and pointed to the door for the exit. They collected the suitcases, boxes full of equipment and supplies placed them into the Land Rover waiting for them outside. A small twin engine plane took them to the rendezvous point where he was greeted by another man with another Land Rover. Mulder thought they must need vehicles like this for the rugged terrain. He understood why as they started their trip to the river. Rain fell in a steady heavy downpour. The Land Rover splashed through mud puddles, dodged holes in the road and climbed rocky terrain. When the arrived at the river Mulder was amazed at the small boat waiting for him. A half naked native sat in the rear of the boat. Everything loaded in the small canoe like vessel they were off. It began to rain again and Fox Mulder didn't ever remember being so miserable. He was wet, tired, hungry and missed Laurie. He was not a happy man. When they arrived at the landing. 'Landing, its more like a space where someone cleared a path'. He thought as the shore line seemed to be swallowed by the lush green jungle that passed by him with every paddle stroke the native made. The native pulled along side of the cleared out terrain and jumped out of the boat. He disappeared leaving Mulder alone to unload the boat. "Great, now where do I go." Mulder said to himself in exasperation. He had not slept in over 24 hours and his patience was wearing thin. Then, it started raining again. He unloaded the boat and sat down to wait for the native or a greeting party to return. He must have fallen asleep for it was dark when he awoke with the sound of drums and chanting. Resolving himself that the native wasn't coming back he rose stiffly and walked toward the sounds toting his luggage. Mulder was amazed and a bit frightened at the scene before him. Natives dancing around a camp fire most wearing birdlike headdresses and chanting in a tongue he didn't recognize. He approached the group gazing at the fire then the participants. A bird-creature approached him. "Who are you?" Mulder asked with an apprehensive voice. "Who the hell are you?" The short creature asked not moving the head dress. "I'm looking for Dr. Dana Scully, I'm Fox Mulder from the CDC." He said. "Damn, I asked for Dr. Shonnan." A voice spoke underneath the grass and beak. With both hands the grass parted to show a woman's face in the dim light of the camp fire. "Dr. Dana Scully?" Mulder asked with surprise. She just turned and walked away. It was then Mulder noticed she staggered a bit. He followed her back to a covered building lugging his suitcases. "Are you Dr. Scully?" Mulder asked again becoming agitated. The woman took off the head dress and shook her hair. In the moonlight Mulder could see the fire red hair shining. Her eyes locked with his and even though they were a bit glazed he could see the fire they possessed. "Yes, I'm Dr. Scully, why are you here?" Two natives passed by Mulder depositing the boxes and from the boat on the open-air hut floor. "I told you I was sent by the CDC to deliver the equipment you requested and find out what research you have developed since you disappeared two years ago." His voice was showing irritation and fatigue as he spoke. "We'll talk about this in the morning before you leave. You can sleep in the hammock, I'll take the greenhouse." She said in a flat unemotional voice. He looked toward the hammock and back to where Dr. Scully was standing. She had disappeared. Too exhausted to argue, Mulder pulled his bags onto the porch. He took off his wet shoes and socks. "Fine how do you do. What a warm welcome." Mulder murmured as he took off his wet jeans and shirt draping them over a chair to dry. He then replaced the shirt climbed into the hammock and passed out from the fatigue of the last two days. The morning sun woke Mulder with start being disoriented by his surroundings. He rubbed his eyes as a young native boy came into view. The boy's eyes widened and ran away. Mulder rolled over and dropped his legs to the floor. He looked up to see a petite redhead sipping from a cup and looking through the boxes he brought with him. Mulder's first reaction was surprise at the woman before him. She wasn't plain or unattractive. Her fiery red hair cascaded onto her shoulders. Her slim frame tucked neatly under shorts and a tanktop. She had natural beauty in her face, free of stress or concern. She looked up from the box of personal items brought to her and he almost gasped at the ice blue eyes that met his gaze. "Did you sleep well Agent Mulder?" She asked as she stood and sipped her tea seating herself on a nearby stool. "How did you know I am *Agent Mulder*?" He asked in a curious voice. He remembered they had not exchanged identities other than their names the previous evening. She held up his badge. "Why is the FBI interested in my research Agent Mulder?" She asked in a curious but irritated voice. "The CDC requested I come here, as I tried to explain to you last evening, but you were a little inebriated to understand." He knew he shouldn't have said it that way, but he was still angry she had treated him so rudely. "It was a celebration, and its none of your business. What did you say your name was again?" She looked at his badge again. "Special Agent *Fox* Mulder? Well *Fox*. She was interrupted by Mulder. "Mulder, call me Mulder." He said with little emotion. She smiled at him sweetly and said. "FOX, I appreciate your bringing me this equipment and personal items, I will have the men take your bags back to the boat so you can be on your way." She said with a challenge in her eyes. "I'm not leaving. I am on an assignment and until I complete it I will not be leaving." He said defiantly. "Now, if you don't mind *Dr. Scully*, I could use something to eat and a bath. Could you help me out here?" He asked exasperated. He couldn't understand why this woman had taken such a dislike to him. He had always been able to manipulate women with his charm. She must have been out here too long. Or maybe she's just a bitch. His train of thought was interrupted by the doctor. "Okay, a bath, food and then you can leave. I don't need an FBI agent, I need a competent assistant." She said over her shoulder as she walked down the stairs and away from the cabana placing her floppy hat on her head as she walked away. It began to rain again. Mulder, angered again by her rudeness yelled after her. "Well you should be glad they sent anyone. I'm all your going to get, so make the best of it. I'm here because I'm interested in your cancer research. If you don't have viable evidence that you have found something the CDC is going to take away your funding and ship you home. I *am* your judge and jury. NOW CAN I HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT?!" He watched her reaction as she halted and stiffened her shoulders. She slowly turned to a native standing beside her and mumbled instruction to him. She never turned back to Mulder she just kept walking. When she disappeared in the bushes he let out a breath. Mulder picked up his bag and took out a pair of shorts and put them on. One of the natives brought a plate of fruit and bread type food and placed it on the lab/dining table then left. After dressing he found a teapot with warm water still in it and made himself a cup of tea to go with his breakfast. "So much for the coffee at this five-star Holiday Inn." He smirked as he ate. The rain continued, but eased off to a drizzle. Mulder finished eating and decided looked around the make shift lab/home of Dr. Scully. He noticed journals of research notes, he guessed. He looked at the antiquated equipment she was working with. "How can she find out anything useful with this old equipment. What have you been doing for two years?" He asked out loud. When he turned around a young native man probably late twenties motioned for him to follow. Mulder followed the native through a small village full of children, women, men. They stared at him as curious as he stared at them. He had never been in a village in the rain forest and was taken aback as to how primitive they lived. Half clothed, barefoot, living in grass huts. He grunted as he thought. 'Give me a couch and cable any day.' They walked up to a covered cabana where he saw Dr. Scully busy examining a woman's throat. "Come here Fox, I want you too feel something." She said not looking up from her focus. Mulder resigned himself that she wasn't going to abide by his wishes and call him by his sir name so he sighed and sat down on the bed opposite her. She placed his hands on the woman's throat. He felt nothing unusual. "What am I suppose to be feeling here?" He asked looking at the native woman. "Two weeks ago she had two large lumps on each side of her wind pipe." She said evenly. "I don't feel anything. Did they dissolve?" Mulder asked looking at Dr. Scully. "No, I gave her two injections of a formula I made and they disappeared within two days. "That's impossible." Mulder challenged the redhead seated across from him. She rose from her seat and patted the woman on the head before turning to leave. Mulder too rose to his feet and followed the doctor out of the cabana and down the path towards the lab. With no words spoken they arrived at her lab. "What is the formula you have invented Dr. Scully?" He asked with a touch of exasperation in his voice. "Patience Agent Mulder, I will show you. Right now I have to entertain the children. I promised them treats when my supplies came." She said as she climbed the stairs and opened the big box pulling out boxes of sparklers. Mulder reached the top of the stairs and turned around. Lined up at the bottom of the stairs were all the children in the village. Their eyes wide with excitement. Dr. Scully lit sparklers one after the other and handed them to the children. They ran off twirling the firesticks as they went. Mulder was amused that they received such pleasure from something so simple. When every child received a sparkler she turned back to the box and produced a basketball. Three young native boys, Mulder assessed in the late teens, stood at the bottom steps waiting for an invitation. She bounced the ball twice and threw it to them. One boy caught it and scurried off with the others after him. They called her Depswaa and other words he didn't recognize. She smiled at them acknowledging the gratitude they showed to her. "Their other ball was burst by a crocodile." She said turning back to the box again. Mulder winced mentally reminding himself to not go in the water. "You wanted a bath?" Dr. Scully asked as she closed the box and lifted her eyes to him. Mulder nodded his head in affirmation. "Come with me and I'll show you where you can bathe." She said opening a cabinet door presenting Mulder with a towel. "Here, use this, I wouldn't want you becoming a show for the women here, they are not use to such a fair skinned man in their midst. You might cause a fight between their mates." She smiled as she handed him the towel. Mulder accepted the towel, but refused to comment other than the slight blush he wore on his face. Mulder followed her to a waterfall and small pool. "It's not heated, but the warmth of the sun and hot temperature makes it comfortable. She handed him a bar of soap. The locals made this soap, its natural so it won't contaminate the water. I'll see you when you are through." She turned her back and left. Mulder watched her until she was swallowed up by lush growth. Mulder walked toward his temporary shelter. He felt remarkably refreshed. But, he realized he was hungry and still quite fatigued from his journey. When his shelter came into view, he saw Dr. Scully handing the children something brown and they put it in their mouths and ran away. She finished giving out treats and walked to the hut. Mulder handed her the towel as they met at the bottom of the stairs. She took it as she climbed the stairs. "Did you enjoy your bath?" She inquired. "Yes, but I'm hungry, is the deli open yet?" He asked trying to lighten the mood a bit. "I'm afraid Agent Mulder the deli hasn't been open for a while. I will ask Juana to bring you something to eat." She said as she hung the towel on a makeshift clothesline. "What were you giving the children?" He asked with interest. "Chocolate covered ants, want some?" She answered him. "Pass." He mumbled back to her. They sat at the lab table eating lunch in relative silence. Mulder broke the ice by saying. "They called you Depswaa. What does that mean?" Scully ate while looking into her microscope. She answered him not looking up. *Medicine Woman*. Seems I gave one of the children alkaselzer for a stomach ache and the local Medicine Man was offended. He said *I took his stick* and he left." She looked up and smiled at Mulder. Mulder was amazed at this woman. Not only was she beautiful, in a natural way, but the glasses perched on her nose were quite *sexy* he mused to himself. He could tell even without knowing her that she was strong to challenge a Medicine Man in a tribe she was not born into. She was courageous to be out here unprotected living in such primitive surroundings. He respected her for those qualities even though he thought she needed a lesson in etiquette. Why was this woman so cold and impersonal to him? Dr. Scully finished her lunch. "Fox, when you are finished I have an experiment for you to observe." She said with little emotion allowing only a glance in his direction. "I am done. What type of experiment?" He asked pushing his plate to the center of the table and stood up to follow the doctor. They walked in the direction of the first examination. Dr. Scully climbed the stairs to the raised platform Mulder imagine was high off the ground in case of flood. Glancing up at the sky he noticed it looked like rain would begin any moment. Dr. Scully bent over a cage and pulled out a guinea pig. She handed to Mulder. He accepted the large rodent holding it close to his body to keep it calm. He didn't want infection from scratches. "What did you give me this for?" He asked looking at Dr. Scully. "Feel the sides of the throat." She instructed him. Mulder did as instructed, he could feel enlarged glands on either side of the throat. "Okay, so what am I suppose to be looking for?" He asked with a bit of confusion in his face. "This animal has two tumors like the woman you examined earlier." Dr. Scully explained. "How do you know it is the same disease?" Mulder challenged. "I know, because I injected it into the animal." She said pointedly. She took the guinea pig from Mulder and put it back into the cage. She then picked up the cage and began to walk down the steps. She turned around and looked at Mulder. "Come on if you want to finish the experiment." She turned back and walked back to the lab with Mulder closely behind. When they arrived at the lab she placed the cage on the table near her microscope. She opened the cupboard and pulled out a small rectangle box. She opened it to reveal a vial of liquid. She placed the box on the table next to the caged animal. Picking up a syringe she inserted the needle into the end of the vial drawing out some of the liquid. She handed the syringe to Mulder who took it. Dr. Scully opened the cage and extracted the guinea pig. Sitting on the stool she stroked the animal and reached toward Mulder for the syringe. He handed it to her and she injected it into the throat of the guinea pig where Mulder had felt the lumps. Dr. Scully put the syringe down, stroked the animal again and placed it back into the cage. All without saying a word or looking at Mulder. "Now Agent Mulder, I will leave this experiment with you so you will know I didn't tamper with the evidence and in the morning you can examine the animal for the lumps. When you do, report to me your findings. I believe you will be quite surprised." She lifted the cage and placed it on the floor by the hammock Mulder had slept in the night before. It began to rain again. *********** By nightfall Mulder was becoming bored sitting in relatively quietness as Dr. Scully looked into her microscope and wrote notes in a journal. Mulder explored the lab looking at the different equipment. Anything to take his mind off being bored. He could surely use cable TV or even a VCR. He smiled to himself thinking he could use on of his videos right now. ANY THING. He missed Laurie. He wanted to curl up with her on the couch and watch a good basketball game right now. He had been alone for so long. His search for his sister, who disappeared when he was young, took all of his time and energy for so many years he never thought too much about a private life. But with her return, he began to feel the pang of loneliness and then Laurie came into his life. Like a gift. She shared interest such as sports, food, most entertainment. Laurie wasn't concerned about saving the world from government conspiracies. She was more interested in social aspects of big government. He smiled remembering when he tried to explain one of his theories about UFO's and she stared at him like he was from outer space and quickly changed the subject not even commenting on his theory. He decided work was work and home was home never the two shall meet unless in a social situation. Mulder's reverie stopped when he noticed journals stacked on a shelf. He picked one up and began to thumb through it. Page after page of black charcoal sketches. Pictures of the natives in the village, young and old. Mulder was amazed at the precise strokes that made the pictures almost come alive. "Excuse me, I don't believe I invited you to search through my personal journals." Dr. Scully said in a cool voice as she snatched the journal out of his hands and replaced it on the shelf. Mulder wanted to ask her what her problem was with him. He never got the chance for she walked to the lamp over her work table and snapped it off. "I'll sleep in the greenhouse, you can have the hammock." She said as she put her notes away not looking in his direction. Being a psychologist Mulder put himself in the analysis mode to figure out why she was so insistent on making him feel so unwelcomed and isolated. He was the only American around. He would hope she could share some of her research information with him. Information about her abduction, ask him about the world series, something. What made her so closed off to the world. He exhaled a loud sigh and decided he would try and sleep. He was still a bit fatigued from his trip and if things didn't improve he would be missing the same amount of sleep shortly on his way back to civilization. He took his shirt, shorts and shoes off and laid down in the hammock. He looked up as his bed swayed back and forth. Something was moving above his head. He froze for a second and then let out a loud "AHHHHHH" and jumped out of the bed. Dr. Scully ran back up the steps toward him. She asked, while looking him over, with concerned eyes. "What, did something bite you?" Mulder embarrassed pointed to the snake wrapped around the rafters above his hammock. "I hate snakes." He said with disgust. Dr. Scully just laughed as she reached up to pull the snake down. "It's only Henry, he keeps the rats out of the lab." She asked in a teasing voice. "Fox, I thought FBI agents are suppose to be fearless." She raised her eyebrow at him as she walked past him holding the snake wrapping its self around her arm. She handed the snake to Kamal standing at the bottom step. When she looked back at Mulder she noticed he was only wearing a pair of cotton boxer shorts. She looked him over and blushed fearing she would be caught admiring his sleek, toned body. She felt a stirring she hadn't allowed herself in years. But she quickly suppressed it not wanting this stranger to see her emotions betray her Mulder cringed. "Even FBI agents have phobias, mine are fire and snakes." He felt the blush creep up his face from his neck as he bared the intense gaze from this petite woman standing in front of him. He then remembered he stood before her in only his underwear. He needed to distract attention from a possibly embarrassing situation. It wasn't that he felt shy about his body, but the way she looked at him sent a strange feeling over him. He wanted to distance himself from such sensations. Not willing to be humiliated any further he decided to take control of the situation. "Dr. Scully, I would appreciate it if you would call me Mulder or Agent Mulder." He challenged her by staring into her ice blue eyes. She never flinched. Breaking eye contact she turned around and started down the steps. She called over her shoulders. "Sweet Dreams *Fox*." "Go to hell." He snarled. "I just might." She replied to herself as she disappeared into the night. He could have sworn he heard her snicker. The rain began at dawn. Mulder woke to the sound of rain pounding the tin covered with palm limb roof. He rolled out of his hammock looking around. No one in sight he pulled his shorts and shirt on. He surveyed the lab area for tea. He noticed a kettle on a burner near the cupboard. He walked over and touched the kettle, it was still hot. 'Dr. Scully.' He thought. Looking in the cupboard he found a variety of tea. He chose a flavor, put the rest back into the cupboard and closed it. He poured the hot water in a cup sitting by the kettle and placed the tea bag in it to steep. He sat down on the stool and looked around for that damn snake. No where in sight, he relaxed a bit. His eyes strayed to the guinea pig still in the cage under his hammock. He stood and walked over to where the cage sat. He bent down and opened the cage, pulled out the guinea pig and examined its throat. "Oh my God." He gasped. ************** On the other side of the camp Dana sat with some native women. "You know what I think?" Juana said in accented English. "No, what do you think?" Another dark woman questioned her neighbor as she weaved a basket out of dried grass. "I think Depswaa likes the stranger, Mulder." She said teasingly with a wicked smile on her face. "What? No I don't! I have to put up with him for a few days." Dana said with shock on her face. Both women laughed. >From a distance Dana could hear Mulder calling her. "Oh what now?" She said as she rose to make her way through the rain. Both woman laughed heartily as she rain through the rain toward the voice calling her. "Yes ma'am she like him." Juana said as she disappeared into the downpour. ************** Scully ran all the way back to the lab. She made her way up the stairs to find Mulder holding the guinea pig with a very excited look on his face. "You discovered the cure for cancer!" "I know." Dr. Scully said unemotionally. "You discover the cure of the plague of the 20th century and all you can say is *I know*." He stated astonished at her unemotional reaction to her discovery. Bromeliad, it's a plant that grows wild 100 feet in the air in the top of a tree. I saw the Medicine Man gathering ingredients for his JuJu kit. I only have one problem." She said looking discouraged at Mulder. "The only problem is I can't reproduce it." She said evenly. "What? I don't understand. What do you mean you can't reproduce it?" He said looking at her with a furrowed brow. Dr. Scully ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "The new samples, none of them work and I have very little of the original serum left. That's what I mean." She said with a defeated voice. "Wait, you found a cure and now you don't have it anymore. Please enlighten me Dr. Scully." He challenged her. She snapped her head up and looked him in the eyes with her ice blue orbs and with an elevated voice she said. "I found the cure for the fucking plague of the 20th century and I lost it okay. Haven't you ever lost something *Fox*? Your keys, your wallet, your life." She looked away as she concluded her tirade. "Do you have your notes?" He asked looking around. "Yes, I have my notes." She explained. "They must be wrong." He accused. "No they aren't." She said. He was beginning to piss her off now. He could tell by her answer. He remained quiet for a moment. "When I return to DC I will contact the CDC and have a team sent here. I'll send Dr. Pendrell to assist you. They'll set up a real lab. You can have your pick of assistants." Mulder said excited that a cure for his beloved sister had been discovered. His mind whirling about how long it would take to set up a lab and reproduce this miracle drug. Dana stopped his train of thought. "This lab is fine. I found the first sample here and I will find the answer to the elusive ingredient." She said with narrowed eyes. "This is major league. I promise you will receive full credit for the discovery." Mulder said unable to understand her refusing help. "I don't give a damn about textbook credit. Dare I insult your memory with a little history Agent Mulder? How about subtraction nine million Indians in the Amazon, several million killed by intruders with diseases." "But, they will be protected under the CDC. Precautions will be taken. You have to understand, I need this medicine. I don't have the luxury of wondering around the rain forest looking for a cure for two years. I need it now!" Mulder said waving his arms in the air and nailing her with blazing hazel eyes. Dr. Scully looked at Mulder and explained. "An eager beaver found a plant that yielded a pain killer. The company he worked for could make .15 cents on the $1.00. The corporation flew people, equipment and supplies into the village. The entire village was wiped out with swine flu. I won't let that happen again. Do you hear me Agent Mulder?" She said locking eyes with him and placing her hands on her hips to accent on the stubbornness she harbored in her mind. "The road is almost here, you can't stop this. Your finished. You need help. I have a little knowledge in biochemistry, but I am no a field researcher, I'm a damn psychologist." He shouted at her. "How can you leave when I need your help here." She said calmly trying to defuse his anger. I know you are not a field researcher, but I am running out of time. Your right, the road is coming and it will ruin three years work. By the time you go back to the states and gather equipment and come back the natural habitat will be destroyed and also will the answer to the mystery I have been looking for the past several months." Dana pleaded with her words and eyes. "I can't stay. I'm not qualified. We need help." Mulder said raising his voice again and running his hand through his hair. 'Why was this woman being so stubborn?' He thought. "What's wrong Agent Mulder, too many FBI dinners, too many stakeouts. I think you will do fine. You can follow my lead. I can help you to understand what needs to be done. We can do this. You can do this." She said with a weak smile trying to win this battle. Switching from anger to sweet persuasion. "Thank you, but I'm still leaving." He said evenly. "How?" She asked raising her eyebrow as a challenge. "You can't keep me here!" Mulder shot back. They locked eyes challenging each other silently. Dana broke the challenge by smiling mysteriously at Mulder. "You aren't afraid of heights are you *Fox*?" She said as she sweetly. ********************* Mulder and Dana approached a group of trees with ropes hanging down from what looked like the sky to him. Attached was a harness which Dana wrapped around Mulder's waist and secured it to the rope. She did the same for herself. "You pull on the rope and you will rise. Like this." Dana said as she yanked on the rope and began to rise toward the blue sky. "Oh, great, I can see it now, sorry Laurie I can't marry you for six weeks, I fell out of a damn tree." Mulder murmured under his breath as he pulled on the rope. 'Woooow!' He thought marveled how easy it was to propel himself into the air. At a landing in the trees upper limbs Dana disconnected the rope from the hoist and attached it to a rope that extended from tree to tree. She waited for Mulder to join her at the landing. He held tightly to the tree while Dana changed his harness. She pushed herself into the air secured by the makeshift chair harness. "Come on Fox, think Neal Armstrong." Dana laughed as she pulled herself along the rope. "Oh God." Mulder said wishing he hadn't started this journey to the heavens. Gliding upward from tree to tree they finally reached their destination. "My God." Mulder gasped at the beauty he beheld. "This is amazing." He said almost a prayer. He surveyed the rolling mountains, lush green topography as it extended for miles and miles. He had never seen anything quite like it before and didn't know if mere words could accurately describe the scenery before him. "Beautiful, isn't? Few people are as fortunate as we are to behold such creation." Dana said with reverence. She extended her hand pointing to the smoke not too many miles on the horizon. The black fingers of burning trees rose like a pyre toward the sky offering it sacrifice to the heavens. "It rains less and less every year. The natives asked me to pray for a deluge. Do you believe in miracles Mulder?" She asked. Mulder remained silent not knowing how to answer her. "See the river?" Dana pointed in the opposite direction of the smoke. It has never been so low. With more and more cutting of timber, the rain comes less frequently and with less intensity." Dana explained. Mulder looked at the black against clear blue. He turned to Dana and said. "Dana, I'll give you two weeks. After that, if we haven't found anything I will go back to the states for additional help." He said seriously, giving in only partially in his mind. "Fair enough." Dana said gratefully. Leaving the tree tops to the lower branches Dana stopped next to a red flower. She picked it and tossed it to Mulder who, in turn, barely caught it. "Whatever this flower needs for fertilizer it receives from this tree, insects -- God only knows what is leaking out of this tree seeping into the base to feed this flower. That's the beauty of this system Fox, you can't beat it. You can only wipe it out." She stated as she pulled herself toward more of the flowers. As she cut them from their base knocking off some of the bugs crawling in the plant she carefully put them in a plastic container. "They disintegrated on the way down if not concealed in something air tight. I don't understand why this happens, so I use controlled containment." She explained continuing gathering the flowers. With their task completed they descended to the ground. The two adults screamed and squealed like two children as they slid quickly down the ropes to the earth's floor. Mulder couldn't remember when he had so much child-like fun. After working several hours nightfall surrounded them with mirky blackness. It was hot and humid and tempers were running high. "Okay, here's the original extracts." Dana said as she pointed to the computer screen. "Do you notice anything different from then and this batch?" She asked looking to him for an answer. Mulder looked over the line of the chromatograph. The peeks and valleys of lines seem to match except for one very small peek. "Peek 37. You are missing Peek 37." Mulder points to the screen. "Did you vary the solution?" He asked. "No." She said. "Maybe Peek 37 is a fungus from a dirty test tube." Mulder was reaching for any conclusion. "No, I screened every sample." Dana said tightly. "Maybe you used a dirty test tube. There must be a 1000 variations of this flower, we need help if we are going to process the flowers and test them in a timely manner. There are too many possibilities." Mulder grew frustrated with the heat and lack of adequate help. Dana rose from her stool walked toward the steps. Before descending she stopped and looked at Mulder and said. "Isn't that what science, and in your case, investigations are -- eliminating the possibilities?" She turned back toward the steps. "Good night Mulder." She said as she disappeared in the night. Mulder laid in his hammock unable to sleep. Thinking of possibilities for Peek 37. His mind wandered thinking how much he would like to see a Knicks game about now and curl up with Laurie on his beloved couch. Hell, he would even settle for his basement office with a telephone. Allowing his thoughts to drift like the sultry humidity closing around him he hears beating of drums and chanting. The same type of chanting from the first night he arrived. He rose from his swinging bed and followed the sound to the center of the village. There sat Dana, by a camp fire, talking to the natives and drinking from a gourd. She looked so relaxed sitting there laughing and conversing with the dark men. Mulder found himself stealing a long look at the stubborn woman who acted so elusive offering nothing personal to be discussed. He thought again how beautiful she was with her smooth skin and fiery red hair shining in the fire light. He wanted to know about this mysterious package of fire he only met a few days ago. He wanted to peel back the layers and investigate the truth behind Dr. Dana Scully. He found himself forgetting about Knicks, take-out, telephones, Laurie as he spied on her from a distance. Dana Scully could feel eyes boring into her as she talked with the natives about assisting her and Mulder with the experiments. She looked up and saw Mulder staring at her. She couldn't not break the connection they seemed to have made at that moment. She struggled with her mind as it betrayed her with warm desire flooding her entire body. She felt his intensity and it scared her. She was not prepared for such an intense man to hoard in on her world. She wasn't ready to have the intruder, with the enough power, disrupt her controlled life. She was frightened. She knew she was in trouble. The silent spell was broken by her friend asking a question. She broke the gaze and answered the man seated to her left. When she looked up Mulder was gone. She sighed with relief throwing her walls up again. She would not let them down again. She would not allow the hurt descend on her spirit again. Taking the gourd in her hands she drank greedily to blot the desires she allowed her heart to feel. ********************** Morning found Mulder drinking a cup of tea as he looked over the area in front of the opened air/lab he resided in. Dana approached with several natives behind her. "You said we needed help." She said brightly smiling at Mulder. The dark men and women lined up in front of tables laid out in a cleared area near the lab, dissecting the plants reading them for testing. Mulder supervised like a mother hen over chicks. He demonstrated as he said. "Break them from the roots." He noticed bugs crawling out of the flowers. He washed the off the table with water, not wanting to be disrupted from his task by pesky bugs. Mulder noticed Dana drawing in her journal. He wanted to see the sketch, but remembered her anger at the last intrusion of her privacy. He noticed her concentration as she moved the charcoal pencil in swift strokes. Mulder remembered the dream he had of her last night. His photographic memory also remembered how it felt to communicate with her silently through the darkness the previous evening. Dana put the sketch down when several native women approached her. They looked at Mulder and laughed as Dana spoke to them in their native language. When they walked away, Mulder strolled over to find out what was so funny. "What was that all about?" He asked nodding his head toward the retreating women. "They wanted to know if you had a date for the prom." She smiled as she looked down at her paper. "What did you tell them to make them laugh?" He asked as he put his hands on his hips expecting an answer. Dana hesitated then as the blush rose up her face she said. "I, uhm, told them you were a virgin." She said it almost too low to hear. "You said what? Why didn't you just tell them I am engaged to be married." He said embarrassed a bit being the butt of a joke. "Oh, sorry I didn't know. Did you meet at an FBI function? Let me guess blonde, blue eyed, low IQ." Dana said knowing she was being catty, but she couldn't help it. "What's the difference?" Mulder said looking at the women still giggling and pointing at him. "Don't get your boxers in a twist Mulder, breeding is no substitute for intelligence, just the death of it." She mused. Here, want a drink?" She offered a glass of peach colored liquid. "What? You have an unlimited supply of that stuff?" He asked smelling the liquid unsure whether he should drink it or not. She pointed toward women sitting around a large tub spitting into the mixture. "The saliva speeds up the fermentation." Dana said as if it were a normal process. "PASS." Mulder said with disgust as he wrinkled his nose. Dana took a drink. "You might as well, we can't test this for 72 hours." She walked away towards the lab. "We can test other samples. What if the Medicine Man did something to the first sample that you copied and then forgot?" He said as he followed her. He didn't want to waste time sitting around. "I told, you I screened every sample." She looked at him with defiance. Then her face softened. "This is Peach Paranod." She waved the liquid in front of his face. "That's pronounced *Paranoe*, you must get that right when you return to your fiance. Correct etiquette is essential at the elbow rubbing functions." She turned back to the path leading to the lab. "There is one more possibility. Maybe you were too drunk on your *Peach Paranod* to know what you screened." He knew he was asking for the wrath of Dr. Scully to emerge, but he was still angry for the embarrassing virgin comment. Why, he didn't know, with anyone else he would have brushed it off. But, this woman could get under his skin with few words. He continued his verbal assault while following close behind her. "What if you harvested the flower differently?" He asked closing in on her personal space. "I counted at least three what if's Mulder." She answered. "Well, you don't start an investigation with once upon a time. I'm sure your merry men can find the Medicine Man and ask him what you have missed." He offered as a suggestion. "Agent Mulder, you said yourself that you don't even qualify as a research assistant much less roam around this jungle in search of elusive natives." She shot back at him as they reached the lab and climbed the stairs. It began to rain again. "And as you said, Dr. Scully, research is a process of elimination in an investigation." He pointed out to her. She turned around almost crashing into him. She pinned him with her eyes. "Don't you think I've questioned him? Don't presume to tell me how to follow-up, I've been trained just as you have Agent FBI Mulder. She said angrily. Turning away from him she walked away. ************** Mulder lowered his naked body in the luke warm water. He wanted to wash away the tension he had experienced with Dana. He couldn't understand why she was so adamant against talking to the Medicine Man. He felt frustration building as he needed to find answers and return home to save Sam. He wanted answers for his beloved sister. 'Why couldn't he tell the good doctor his reason for wanting the cure so quickly. He pondered the comment she made "I've been trained just as you have....." What did she mean. The enigmatic Dr. Scully was a mystery to him. A dark secret held inside her by high walls. Someone must have walked off with her heart to make her so distant.' He thought resting in the luke warm water. "Excuse me, Mulder." Mulder turned around chest deep in almost clear water to see Dr. Scully sitting on her heels at the edge of the pool. "I came to apologize about the Medicine Man. I..." She cleared her throat. "I talked to him. I tried to reason with him. All he would say *Macara* over and over. He's afraid because the Medicine Man of Macara shared his magic with the eager beaver I told you about and he believes the gods punished him by killing everyone in the village. As....as a punishment." Dana said as she looked down at the grown. "Maybe he will talk to me." Mulder offered. "You, a stranger? Ha!" Dana scoffed. "It's worth a try Dana. You know investigate, eliminate possibilities." He offered cautiously. She rose from her squatted position turning to leave. "Oh Fox, you should bathe with you underwear on. There is a small fish that anchors itself to the inside of certain places and have to be removed surgically." She tossed his boxers to him. Mulder looked around with horror in his eyes as he put them on. *********** Mulder was awakened by voices. He climbed out of his hammock walked to the edge of the lab and noticed Dr. Scully talking to Kamal. He was pointing toward his hut. Mulder climbed down the steps to following the group moving in the early morning light to the other side of the village. He slowly walked up the steps not knowing if he would be acknowledged as an intruder or friend. His eyes fell upon Dr. Scully examining a small boy. Her fingers moved carefully over the sides of his throat. Mulder made his way through the gathering to the bed and moved to stand beside her. "What is it?" He asked. "Same story as the mother. He has the growths on either side of his windpipe. He will die from choking to death before the cancer will have a chance to kill him." She answered. She rose from her sitting position and walked toward the steps. Mulder knew what she would do. He rushed to catch up to her. "You can't give him the last of the working serum." He walked beside her speaking in panic voice. "It's a tumor, it can wait. We will keep searching for the right combination." He was becoming desperate as she didn't stop to acknowledge what he was saying. Finally, he grabbed her arm and stopped her. She turn to face him with fire in her eyes that would burn any soul. "He is not a test subject Agent Mulder, he is a child." She said curtly. "No, you can't and you know it. I won't let you. Use your head Dr. Scully. Give it 48 hours. We will work non-stop if we have to." He was almost shouting. The fear of loosing the only clue to possibly cure his beloved sister overtook his compassion for the ailing child. Dana unwrenched her arm from his grasp and walked toward the lab. Mulder knew he had to get through to her some way. He followed her again. When they reached the lab Dr. Scully pulled the familiar box out of the cupboard and opened the box. Mulder grabbed her hand as she lifted the syringe to check the contents. They locked eyes. "Listen to me, Dana you said yourself you found the cure for the plague of the 20th Century. It belongs to the human race, not one sick kid. You have to understand, I can't let you do this." Mulder was pleading with her both with words and eyes. "Why, Mulder? Why is this so damn important to you. Are you part of an elaborate conspiracy to control the cure? Are you in it for the money? What is the hidden agenda that brought you so far from home to leave your beloved finance and your air-conditioned office?" She hissed at him. Their eyes never broke contact but an uncomfortable silence prevailed over the scene. Mulder knew he had to confess his interest. As she called it *his hidden agenda*. He sighed and let go of her hand sitting heavily on the stool he looked at the table instead of her eyes. Mulder began speaking with a calm even voice. "When I was 12 years old my sister, Samantha, was abducted from our home. I was hopeless to save her. I searched for her for over 20 years. When she finally reappeared she developed a tumor in her nasal cavity. It is inoperable. Other women that had similar abduction experiences and tumors have died. I'm desperate to save her." He felt the pain of loosing her already and it showed through his eyes as he lifted them to look at the doctor. He continued. "I heard about your research. I read your file. You have unexplained missing time." He said as he examined her face for acknowledgment. He saw a slight surprise in her orbs as he revealed secrets of her personal life. "The CDC needed a volunteer to find out how you were progressing since no one had heard from you in a couple of years so that's why I am here. That's why I can't allow you to use the last of the serum. I can't loose Samantha again. Not if there is a way to save her." His eyes pooled with unshed tears as he pleaded with her. At that moment he seemed to see the anger turn into compassion as she averted her eyes from his intense gaze. He knew at that moment she broke the connection, he had broken though to her logical understanding. The silence was deafening as he waited for her to respond. Dr. Scully put the syringe back into the box and closed the lid. She returned it to the cupboard without a word. With her back to him she opened another cupboard taking out a cup and reached for the gourd holding the potent mixture she seem to favor. Dana sat down with a defeated sigh and poured herself a cup full of the peach colored mixture. Drinking it down in one mouthful she looked at Mulder. He could see the pain evident in her eyes. He wanted to inquire as to her pain, but was uncertain if she would be receptive of his concern. He waited for her to open the conversation. "I guess I might as well tell you about my, as you say, missing time experience since you seem to know about my personal life anyway." She said resigning herself to open up her well guarded personal life. Mulder remained silent allowing the enigmatic doctor reveal the events of her ordeal. He could tell she was uncomfortable allowing him into such an intimate part of her life. He would listen with quietness holding his questions until she ended her story. He knew from Samantha's accounts that these conjured up unsettling memories. "As you must know, I went to the FBI Academy too. I finished my residency for my doctor's degree in pathology and physics. I went straight into the academy without a break from college. Graduation was only a few months away when I met Andy. He worked at the CDC, he was a Botanist searching for natural cures instead of conventional medicines. Andy intrigued me with his intelligence and passion for finding answers to the mysterious diseases scientists have been baffled with for decades. We spent a lot of time doing research. He taught me everything I know about botanical research. I felt a connection with him like no other." She spoke quietly showing signs of uneasiness baring her soul. "His research consumed my life and I nearly didn't have the strength to finish the academy. I finally did graduate. I felt proud that I faced the challenge and triumphed under the stress. My father wanted me to work in the medical field that I worked so hard to excel in. I wanted to join the FBI and excel in other areas as well as the medical field. I *had to finish* the training at the academy, there was no other chose. *I* determined my future and wouldn't allow my father to dictate it to me." She looked up from the spot she studied on the table and locked eyes with Mulder. Silently she told him she would not allow him to dictate to her either. He knew she was a formidable woman and he felt incredibly drawn to her. Averting her eyes again, she continued. I had several areas of the FBI that applied to my trained field. But, I chose to detour my career and assist Andy with his research. Only for a year." She hesitated, but continued. "We were working on a top secret project working in a concealed area. I needed to locate a specific type of literature so I ventured down the hall to the library." Mulder could tell she was having trouble recounting the events of that night. She would narrow her eyes and furrow her brow. "I passed a man smoking a cigarette in the hallway. I thought it odd he would be smoking in a contained sensitive area, but I did not ponder the thought. I was tired from many nights of research and I wanted to find the piece of literature and call it a night. Andy and I had plans for quiet dinner and....." She trailed off looking at Mulder embarrassed at almost revealed too much. Mulder smiled at her. She lowered her gaze to the table and continued. "I opened the door, I thought, to the library. When I looked up there were tanks lining a wall. In the tanks were bodies floating with a tube attached to their nose. I knew certain research conducted on cadavers went on at this facility. But, then I saw one of them move. I gasped in fright and intrigue. Right then, I should have left and forgotten what I saw, but my ever curious scientific mind took over and I ventured into the room further. I examined the setup of the tanks and the temperature of the liquid these living being were submerged in. I asked myself what would the CDC be doing with this research. In fact, I had so many questions I was contemplating I didn't notice the men that entered the room behind me. I only recognized the stench of the familiar cigarette smell from the hall. I turned around and then black." Dana hesitated again, remembering the fear she had allowed herself to forget. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital. My mother and father standing by my bed. I found out I had been missing for three months and they had presumed me dead. I didn't return to the CDC, I couldn't bring myself to enter the building. Night after night I woke up with nightmares of bright lights, men inserting needles in my body. Pain, I could remember only in my dreams." She stopped and closed her eyes still haunted by the images of so long ago. Dana took a deep breath, steadied her emotions. "Andy asked me to come to the Rain Forest to do research with him. He had received funding from an unknown source in the CDC network. He needed an assistant and I was his first chose. I thought it was because he l...". She cleared her throat finding this incredibly hard to say. "I thought he wanted me to go because he loved me and valued our relationship. A...As well as my professional knowledge." Mulder sensed deep hurt as he studied her drawn face. "When we arrived in Macara the time passed quickly. My nightmares eased. I had plenty to concentrate on -- learning cultural changes, settling in with Andy. We explored the local vegetation. Andy's research was divided into two parts. He worked on an ingredient for a pain killer. My main research was in cures for cancer. I used my medical training so my time in school wasn't wasted. I justified my running away to the other side of the world." Dana reached for the cup of liquid she poured for herself and gulped it down hoping it would give her false courage to finish. "My research was very slow. I almost gave up a few times. I concentrated on assisting Andy with his search for a painkiller which determined the largest amount of our research funding. As we became accepted in the Macara community, Andy became acquainted with the village Medicine Man. He spent hours trying to extract secrets from the local witch doctor. He succeeded on night in extracting the information he wanted by loosening the tongue of the dark man with whiskey. He told him of many plants and combinations he used in his black magic. I never knew Andy had such a devious side to him. He searched and found the ingredient for the painkiller. We celebrated the find. The Medicine Man went into seclusion." Dana's slightly slurred speech signaled she was feeling the effects of the liquor. "We sent samples back to our funders, in a couple of weeks a representative from a drug company visited us. He made promises of protecting the populous. We explained the precautions for disease control with these immune pure people." Mulder could see the confessional took its toll on Dana as she looked tired and emotionally raw. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "We can continue this later if you want." He said gently with grateful compassion for her bared soul. "No, I need to finish this." She said as Mulder pulled his hand back and they looked into each other's eyes. There was a spooky connection between them that seem to reluctantly strengthen everyday. It made Mulder uncomfortable for it erased his thoughts of almost everything else. Even his dreams were filled with images of this woman. He tore his eyes away from her so not to bare too much of his own soul through their gaze. "Andy changed gradually. He made plans to return to the states for public appearances promoting his discovery. He sold out for .15 on the $1.00." She said with bitterness. "He left promising to return in a few months. The last I heard he is married to the daughter of the drug company. He left me as liaison between the tribe and drug company." She said quietly as she propped her head on the heel of her hand. "More and more people, equipment, diseases poured in. *Swine Flu* killed almost everyone in the village." Mulder could see the pain return to her face. He found himself with enormous admiration for this strong, courageous woman which he had never seen before in anyone. "I was lucky, they didn't kill me. My friend Juana brought me to this village. They accepted me because of her trust in me that I wouldn't allow the mistake to repeat itself." Dana raised her head from its resting place and gave a weak smile to Mulder. "Now, do you understand why I am so adamant about no intruders? I will not allow this village to suffer the same carnage as Macara. I will fight it with my life." She said with fierce determination. Mulder nodded his head. He understood clearly she was a formidable opponent that he didn't want to anger anytime soon. "What about your abduction? Did you ever find out what happened?" He asked with curiosity. She grunted with a smile on her face. She poured another cup full of the intoxicating liquid. Mulder could tell it was rapidly taking an effect on her. He wanted to continue before her walls resurfaced. He didn't know if she would ever be this open again. "I never found any answers. Andy wouldn't discuss it. The only evidence I have of the event was a piece of metal I found under the skin at the base of my neck. I had it removed." She opened a drawer under her table and pulled out a clear plastic bottle with a piece of metal lying in the bottom. She handed it to Mulder. "This is some sort of computer chip. I have no idea what or why I had it in my body." She said watching Mulder examine the chip through the clear plastic. Mulder handed the bottle back to her. "My sister had one in her neck as did the other women I have met that have claimed they were abductees." He said not wanting to intrude any further, but could not stop himself. "Have you noticed any complications from your abduction?" He asked gently not wanting to upset her. She began to laugh. "Funny you should ask Agent Mulder. Yes, I developed a nose bleed a few months ago. I thought at first it was due to stress, nothing really serious." She shrugged her shoulders. "I decided to re-emerge from the jungle and ventured to the nearest city for some tests. I found out I have a tumor in my nasal cavity such as your sister." She stopped. He could tell the alcohol was taking effect. "So you see *Fox* it isn't just your sisters fate the last of the working sample holds in its grips. It holds my fate as well. I need to find the answers as much as you do. But, I feel a desire to repay these people, even with my life, for what I helped cause in Macara." She raised her hand to pinch her temples. "I need to sleep, if you will excuse me." She tried to stand but wavered. Mulder rushed to her side and helped her stand. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her face close to his. "I'm sorry I have been so mean to you Fox. Don't take it personally, I think you are hot." She said with slurred speech. Then she went limp in Mulder's arms. He stood there with her slight body in his arms and didn't quite know what to do next. He looked around and decided to place her in the hammock since he had no idea where the so called *greenhouse* could be and too tired to find it. He placed her carefully in the hammock, with a sigh, crawled in next to her. He couldn't bring himself to sleep on the floor with snakes and other creatures roaming around his open-air bedroom. His fear of the unknown out weighed the wrath of Dr. Scully in the morning. He wrapped his arms around her, which he justified as mere comfort, being cramped together in the swinging bed. His guilt didn't last long, he was asleep in a matter of minutes. ************ When the morning sun appeared in Mulder's eyes bringing him back to consciousness he noticed two things: 1) He had slept through the night for the first time since he arrived. 2) He wasn't sleeping alone. He froze then, recounted the previous evenings activities that put him in this sensitive predicament. He felt the guilt level raise knowing Laurie would kill him if she caught him in this situation. Wrapped around the still sleeping Dana, Mulder allowed himself the pleasure of *innocent* stolen breathes of her essence. He leaned into her hair and breathed in the clean fragrance free of fruity odor. His guilt was soon released from his mind replaced by a gentle peace that flooded his soul. A peace as easy as the breeze that rocked the hammock back and forth and lulled him into restful relaxation. He did not want this moment to end. Mulder knew when she woke up the good doctor would regained her emotional barriers erected around herself hiding the soft creature he shared this moment with. He settled his face in her hair and ever so slightly tightened him arms around the slumbering doctor. Little did he know she was already awake. Dana opened her eyes and looked around. She tried to remember what had happened last evening. The child, argument with Mulder, her confession. 'Oh, no did I tell him about Andy? What else did she say?' She thought as she closed her eyes against the cruel sunlight. Maybe if she didn't wake up until tomorrow it would all go away and she could continue her search alone the way she wanted it to be. 'Is that the way you want it? You've been alone for a long time. Aren't you enjoying the comfort of the closeness you are experiencing right now?' Her subconscious voice spoke in her head. She felt Mulder move his face to the top of her head and she heard the deep breathe he took into his lungs. 'That's the trouble, I enjoy this too much.' She confessed to herself. She felt a panic when his arms slightly tightened around her. She had to break this contact before her emotions, as well as her body, betrayed her. She allowed the walls, so carefully constructed, to fall last night. She could not allow that again. The repercussions would be unbearable. She pushed down her pleasure and replaced her crumbled walls with all the effort her will would yield. She tensed her body and tried to move out from Mulder's embrace. Much to her dismay he tightened his arms around her yet again. 'Is he awake? Why is he torturing me like this. I've got to put a stop to this.' She thought gaining more strength as her brain cleared from the effects of the alcohol. The self loathing began to take over as she chided herself for allowing this vulnerability with a man she barely knew and who was engaged. Anger fed her determination to move out of the desirable, but painful situation. "Mulder, would you let go of me?" She said evenly. Dana felt him tense knowing he had been caught taking liberties with their closeness. He moved his face away from her hair and lifted his arm from where it had been draped a round her waist. She quickly bailed out of the hammock. She ran her hands through her hair deciding whether to face him or run. The self loathing of her weakness assaulted her again and she chided herself again for not facing the challenge before her. "Umm, sorry about last night. I need to check on the boy this morning." She knew it was a weak excuse, but enough to allow her a dignified exit. She moved quickly to the edge of the platform and down the steps. Before Mulder could react she disappeared through the lush natural curtain of the jungle. Mulder sighed and slapped his forehead with his hand. 'Stupid, stupid, what do you think your doing?' He thought about kicking himself physically if it were possible. 'Didn't you listen to anything she said last night. How could you put her in a situation like she awaken too.' Mulder covered his face with his hands and let out an audible groan. 'You insensitive bastard.' He thought of Laurie. He thought of Dana. He thought he might loose his mind. Resigning himself to forget the feelings he allowed himself this morning as just missing Laurie and sympathy for Dana's broken heart, he rose to face a new day whatever it may bring. He needed to focus on the business at hand hoping it would block the distraction of one Dr. Dana Scully from his mind. 'Samantha, cancer, cure, Medicine Man, wedding. Wedding!?!' He closed his eyes knowing Laurie, at this moment, probably had every available FBI agent looking for him. She would certainly not be pleased for his continued absence as the wedding drew nearer. A sudden icy panic washed over Mulder. His entire body felt chilled to the bone. He brushed it away as the first sign of cold feet. He told himself he loved Laurie, and he anxiously awaited their nuptial in little over a month. 'Then why do you feel like a trapped animal all of a sudden?' He subconscious spoke up. Before he had time to ponder the question, his train of thought was broken by voices coming towards him. Dana climbed the stairs grabbed a towel and walked back down the steps. Mulder could tell something was bothering the petite woman so he followed her. "What's the matter, why is everyone looking anxious?" He asked. "Kamal took his son to find the Medicine Man." She answered continuing her path. Dana stopped at the shallow end of the bathing pool and pulled off her sneakers. She laid her towel down on top of them. She then stepped into the pool of water and walked over to the waterfall allowing the water to flood over her fully clothed body. "Does Johousa know where the Medicine Man is? We have to find them. We have to talk to the Medicine Man." Mulder called after her from the edge of the pool. "I can't hear you." She shouted back continuing her bath. She was not going waste precious time begging the Medicine Man for answers he would not give her. Frustrated with her lack of cooperation, Mulder pulled off his shoes and waded to the waterfall. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She jumped at the contact. "Can you hear me now?" Mulder shouted as their eyes locked in a fierce dance of stubborn will. "I won't go." She said stubbornly. "Why not? You have a history with this man. You want to sit around drinking Peach Paranod for the next week wishing for Peek 37. Maybe he will talk to you, to me. We have to try." Mulder reasoned with her. She thought for a moment still connected with Mulder's eyes then she averted her eyes and nodded in agreement. Mulder removed his hands from her shoulders and stood there looking at the water wash over her. The shirt she wore was almost translucent and he could see her breast underneath the thin fabric. He felt an urge to crush her to him thanking her for giving in the his request. But he refrained, turned and walked away. Mulder walked back to the lab soaking wet from his confrontation with Dana. He picked up his backpack from underneath the hammock and pulled out a fresh T-shirt, underwear and khaki shorts. He looked around for an audience before removing his clothes. Dana walked back toward the lab drying her hair with the towel she brought with her to the bathing pool. She looked up in time to see Mulder pulling clothes out of his luggage. She stopped and watched him curiously. He turned around and searched the area with his eyes. He began to pull his clothes off. Frozen in place, Dana could not make her self move or look away. Mulder took his shorts off and his underwear followed. Dana gasped at the sleek form he possessed. An aching pain of longing flushed over her covering the guilt of invading his privacy. When he finished dressing she forced her feet to walk towards the lab again. Rubbing her hair vigorously with the towel again, pretending she hadn't seen anything. Though she knew, in her heart, she could never erase the sight of Fox Mulder in his birthday suit. "When do we leave?" Mulder asked as he sat on a stool and slipped on his shoes. "Jahousa will take us as soon as we're ready." She said as she draped the wet towel on a hook to dry. "What I wouldn't do for a washer/dryer." She mumbled to herself? "What?" Mulder asked. "Nothing. Are you ready to go? We shouldn't be away very long so pack light. The journey can be exhausting." She explained as she picked her backpack and began to fill it with provisions. ************ Mulder was amazed at the beauty of the lush forest. He walked between two gigantic trees. He stopped and raised his eyes to see the height of the tree. "How old do you think these trees are Dana?" He asked. With an aggravated sigh, the petite woman stopped following her guide and walked back to where Mulder stood observing the trees. "I don't know, 100 or so years. I may have learned a lot about botany, but guessing tree age isn't my expertise." She said while examining the tree. Mulder shrugged his shoulders and began to follow her again. He pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. "What's wrong now?" Dana asked rolling her eyes. "Headache." He answered. "You should have focused on the ground." Dana explained. "Thanks for telling me now." Mulder said sarcastically. "Jahousa, he has a headache." She called to the guide. He tossed a wooden tube to Dana. She caught it and walked over the Mulder who was resting on a tree stump still rubbing his head. "Here, drink this." She said as she handed him the vial. He opened the container and sniffed. Wrinkling his nose in disgust, he said. "Pass." And pushed it away. "Drink, it is Yoco. It has 3% caffeine in it. It will cure headaches and fatigue among other things." She said as she pushed it back towards Mulder. "PASS, I'll take some aspirin." He shot back. "It's perfectly safe Mulder, it's made from the Yoco tree growing wild in the forest." Dana explained. "PASS." Mulder said pushing the vial away again defying her with his eyes. Dana grew tired of Mulder's whining. "You will take this, or I will have Jahousa pin you on the ground and I will personally pour it down your throat." She challenged him with her eyes as well as her words. Mulder looked at her then Jahousa. He noticed Jahousa had a wicked grin on his face. He took the vial and turned it up swallowing a large gulp of the liquid. "Yuck." Mulder's face reflected the terrible taste the medicine left in his mouth. "Do you have any gum? That stuff is awful." He whined. "Sorry, the convenience store is a little far. Let's go, I want to make it to the area where Jahousa thinks the Medicine Man resides before night fall." Dana said recapping the vial of headache medicine and tossing it back to Jahousa for safe keeping. She turned to following her guide again. Mulder rose slowly to follow. ****************** One half hour later "WuuuWeee. This stuff is great! What do you call it?" Mulder asked full of energy almost bouncing through the forest. "Yoco." Scully answered becoming agitated at the over active man trailing behind her. "This stuff could put Maxwell House off the market." Mulder said thinking of a hundred drinks he could make for long stakeouts. Mass marketing. "Hey, they don't spit in this stuff do they?" He asked jumping over another fallen tree. "No, they don't spit in it......." Dana started to say, but was interrupted by her zealous friend. "No, don't tell me." He shot at her afraid of her answer. "But you know, we'll have to put sugar in it. Your version taste like shit." Mulder was talking to himself as well as anyone who would listen. Mulder picked up a dried pod full of dried seeds. He began to rattle them like maracas. "Yoco, expresso, Yoooocooo..... Hey Dana, you could market this as a sexual enhancer. Men would buy lots of this stuff. It would probably turn them into the Energizer Bunny." Mulder shook his pod of seeds again not seeing the look Dana threw at him over her shoulder. "Are you sure the Medicine Man isn't on this on this hill?" Mulder stopped and looked at the scenery. "Wow, I would live on the next hill in that penthouse." He said excitedly taking in the panoramic view. "No, he lives in the valley." Dana grew irritable by the minute. She murmured. "It's quieter down there." Mulder stopped and sat down to adjust his shoes. When he stood, he slipped down an embankment on soft dirt, just a little. "Ahhh, I'm okay." He said as he tried to pull himself up. Dana looked back, but kept following Jahousa. "Is it hard to process the Yoco tree?" He asked as he tried to pull himself up the embankment. "AAHHHHHHH. Help." Mulder yelled as he slid down the hill and landed on his back. He didn't move. "Oh what now?" Dana said as she motioned for Jahousa to follow her. She saw the dirt where Mulder slid down. She inched her way to where she heard him groaning. When she reached him she gasped. "Mulder, don't move. Jahousa, throw me the harness." Dana grew frightened as she viewed Mulder lying on top of a tree limb about 150 feet above a river. Not knowing how deep the river would be Dana worked quickly to rig the harness for Mulder. Mulder turned and yelped. "Was that a girlie scream Mulder?" Dana tried to take his mind off the fact he could fall to his death at any second. "I hate heights." Mulder said in a frightened voice. "It's okay Fox, I'll throw this line to you. Slip it around your waste and we'll pull you back up." Dana said hoping to ease his fear. She threw the harness and rope to him. Mulder had a death grip on the tree limb. "I can't move." He confessed. He felt as if his heart would stop at any moment. "Second plan." Dana said as she took another harness and rope from Jahousa. She inched her way down to where Mulder dangled in the air holding fast to his protection from a long drop. Dana reached him and slipped the harness around his waist. She could see the fear in his eyes as she passed over him securing him for their decent to the water below. "Okay, when I tell you, roll over and we'll be lowered into the water below slowly." She assured him trying to believe everything would turn out fine herself. She let go of the limb and swung over the side of the tree dangling in mid air. "Okay Fox, let go now." She encouraged him. "No, I...I can't." Mulder said as he held tight. "Agent Mulder, you have got the believe me. This is the only way we are going to get down from here. So dammit, let go of that tree and roll!" She demanded. Slowly Mulder let go of the first grasp of tree his hand held onto. He turned over and rolled off the tree with a loud. "Shhhhiiiiitttt." He dangled next to Dana. His fear seemed to abate some. They began to lowered themselves to the water below. About 25 feet above the water their lines stopped. "Hey, what's going on?" Mulder asked in a rising fearful voice. "We're not going anywhere. Do you call this a rescue?" He began yelling at Dana. "At least I could hold onto something where I was. What were you thinking Dr. Scully? I think I hate you, you know." He grew angry at his rescuer. Dana pulled out a knife and began sawing the rope above Mulder's head. "What the hell are you doing now?" He screamed as he fell to the water below. Dana cut her own rope and dropped next to him. They both came out of the water gasping for breathe. "You can swim can't you Fox?" Dana tried to say sweetly, but wanted to wring his neck instead. They dragged themselves to the bank and out of the water. Breathing deeply for a moment to regain their balance and strength. After a few moments they made their way up the embankment where Jahousa waited with a grin on his face. ************ Later that evening Mulder held a cup in one hand and a gourd half-full of liquid in the other. He drank large gulps as he looked into the fire he was drying by. "I lost it up there. I'm sorry." He said apologetically to Dana. Dana busied herself with preparing for the night and didn't answer him. She understood his fear, but she did like to see him squirm a little. "That's Peach Paranoid." Dana said and tried to take it from him. "So, I'm not driving." Mulder pulled it out of her way. Dana could tell he was getting quite drunk off the sweet liquid. She snickered thinking how his finance should see him now. Sitting in the forest half drunk in his underwear. She would certainly love the sight. The Director would be real happy to see his soon-to-be-son-in-law at this moment. Dana couldn't help but admire again his sleek body almost fully exposed to her at this moment. Mulder tried to stand and fell back down. Dana jumped to her feet to help him. "We don't need you to fall and hurt yourself, let me help you." Dana said as she took the drink from him and supported him by pulling his arm over her shoulder. She walked to the hammock and helped him lay down. His weight threw her off balance and she landed in the hammock on top of him. She tried to scamper off him, but he pulled her down on top of him. She knew he was drunk. The harder she struggled, the tighter he held on. "Let me go Mulder." She said as she squirmed to get up. 'This closeness isn't helping at all.' She thought. They lay there face to face with Dana on top of Mulder. He gazed in her eyes and began to sing. "That old black magic has me in it's spell." He sang off key and slurred. Come on Dana, sing with me." He encouraged her still holding on tight. She knew if she didn't give into his request, this uncomfortable closeness wouldn't cease. So she sang a few bars of the song with him. "Fox, you need to get some sleep." She said quietly. She had to get out of this situation fast before she gave into her desire and kissed him. She was so close she could smell the peach mixture on his breathe. She looked into his glassy eyes and wanted nothing more than stay there all night as she remembered how comfortable she felt waking up wrapped in him before. "I usually don't allow people to call me Fox." He said slurry voice and hooded eyes. "But I like the way it sounds when you say it." He confessed. "Dana, you are a beautiful woman. I want to kiss you. Can I kiss you Dana?" He asked. Dana was beginning to panic. 'Oh what the hell. Why not he won't remember it in the morning anyway.' She thought. She leaned down and claimed his lips with hers. It was a soft pleasure of warmth Dana had never felt before. Fox reached up and pressed her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. Dana moved her hands to his hair and tangled them in the dark follicles. She was about to loose herself in his embrace and kiss which she was enjoying way too much. She remembered his fiance. Breaking the kiss took all her will power. She pulled back and looked at Fox as his eyes closed and he passed out. "Damn, I never knocked anyone out before." Dana chuckled as she detangled herself from Mulder and laid down in her own hammock. 'I'll, at least, have something to dream about tonight.' She thought with a sly smile on her face. During the night Mulder dreamed he was awaken by the Medicine Man looming over him. He saw his fingers come close to his face and he felt a pinch. Too scared to move, he believed it to only be a dream. When he woke with a gasp, Dana stood over him looking at his newly pierced ear. A feather dangled from his lobe as he rose and cradled his hungover aching head. "Ohhwww." Mulder said as he made his way to the river to throw cold water on his face. "Do you think we are in the Medicine Man's area." He said bending down at the water. "Oh, I think he is in the neighborhood." Dana said with a smirk on her face looking at Mulder's ear ornament. "How do you know?" Mulder asked as he splashed water on his face then caught his reflection in the water. "What the....." He said as he reached up and touched the pierced ear. "I thought I dreamed it." He said turning to look at Dana. Dana heard a noise and turned to see the Medicine Man holding two large sticks. 'Well, they looked more like poles.' She thought. She turned back to Mulder. "You wanted to asked him questions. I think there is going to be a fight." She said raising her shoulders and lowering them in resignation. "With who, that three foot man? Who is going to fight him? He asked as his voice raised a notch. "You wanted answers, so I guess you will have to fight to get them." She said almost enjoying this way too much. "I'll kill him." Mulder said walking over to Dana. "Did you ever insult your professor and then need a grant?" She asked him. He nodded his head. "Well, he wants his stick back." She said flatly. "Oh, you mean this is an *eat crow, kiss ass* kind of fight? I have to let him win." He questioned the doctor. "Exactly." She stated flatly. Mulder moved to where the short native stood. He threw Mulder the pole. Dana spoke up. "Fox, don't get your head cracked open. Your finance would never forgive me." She knew it was catty, but she didn't care. After that unbelievable kiss last night she was feeling a bit jealous. She dreamed about kissing him lastnight among other things. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him if he wasn't drunk. The Medicine Man took a couple of jabs at Mulder who blocked them. Jahousa said in their native tongue. "Father, you know all things." He stopped when the Medicine Man took another couple of jabs at Mulder who tried hard to not to jab back. "The boy is sick, needs JuJu medicine." Jahousa spoke to the short native. "Fox, don't hit him." Dana winced as Mulder took a swing at the short man. "Don't call me Fox." Mulder turned his eyes from the native to direct his exasperation at Dana for using his first name. The Medicine Man took this as opportunity and jabbed Mulder in the foot. "Owww." Mulder yelled. He blocked a couple more jabs. "You go into flowering tree, for JuJu medicine." Jahousa tried again to coax an answer out of the Medicine Man. "Mulder, watch out." Dana said. Mulder took another jab in the other foot this time. "Ow, Dr. Scully, would you stop distracting me." He demanded loudly. "I was just trying to help." She said innocently. "Well, don't." Mulder said blocking a jab to his head. He had had enough of this and pinned the Medicine Man's pole to the ground. He looked straight into the dark eyed man with a feather stuck through his nose. The small man spoke only a few words to Jahousa. Stood up and began to walk away. "What did he say?" Mulder confused turned and asked Dana and Jahousa. "He said, no JuJu in tree flower only home for bugs. Dr. Scully is a fool." She said quietly with a defeated voice. Mulder stood straight and leaned on his pole for support. "What did I do wrong, the ass kissing or eating crow?" He asked trying to lighten the doctor's spirit. "Back to square one." Dana said with resignation of defeat from the Medicine Man. "Well, it wasn't a total loss." Mulder said as he pointed to Kamal holding his son in the clearing a few feet from them. *************** As they entered the village once more, they were greeted by the natives as they escorted Kamal and his sick son to their hut. Mulder was stopped by a rather angry large and almost naked native woman. She spoke harshly to him in her native tongue. Mulder felt as if he had just been cursed out by the best. He turned and went back to the lab. He wanted to began tests again because time was running out for Sam and the boy. When he arrived at the lab he waited for Dana to join him so they could began again from the beginning. He was fast becoming frustrated because they had wasted two precious days. Even though it was his idea to go in the first place. His foot still hurt where the Medicine Man jabbed him. He rubbed the swollen bruise on the top of his foot. **************** Dana stumbled into the lab after dark. Mulder was running the newest lab samples from the harvested flowers gathered before they left to find the Medicine Man. "Oh, aren't you a hard worker." Dana teased as she sat down with her cup and gourd filled with Peach liquor. "Get drunk somewhere else, I don't have time for this." Mulder snarled. "This is my home and you are my guest remember?" Dana snarled in her slightly slurred speech. Besides, I tried to get drunk at Kamal's, but I tired of them praying over his son." She said as she poured more of the liquid into her cup. "So, I said, why not visit the FBI's finest Fox Mulder and his protected tabernacle of imperial." She mused. "I'm not a monster, Dr. Scully." He hissed at her. "I know, and I am sorry if I have indicated that I think you are." Dana said as she waved her cup and gourd in the air. I bet I can picture you at Amand's age. Sitting in the dark on your bed trying to convince yourself you aren't afraid of the dark. "I don't believe in ghost, I don't believe in ghost." Dana said looking at Mulder who looked back at her with disgust in his eyes. "Where was I when you were in the dark?" She hissed lowly at him. "Probably hiding like you are now. What are you hiding from here in the jungle Dr. Scully. Can you tell me that?" He said flatly. She looked in his eyes and then turned away not wishing to finish this conversation that suddenly took a personal turn. "No, tell me, why are you hiding? Do you want to blame yourself for all the wrong that happened to the village at Macara? Are you hiding with a broken heart afraid to let anyone close to you again. Safe and hidden is that how you want to live the rest of your life?" He said with an angry voice. He was tired of her evasiveness and he wanted answers. Dana just sat there not moving. She couldn't tell him how the fear and pain of rejection had stolen her pride and will to fight anymore. She was safe from harm among these friends who loved her. She couldn't reveal to him that she hated herself for failing at finding the elusive cure and the relationship with Andy. She never failed at anything before. This was too painful to face. Mulder realized he would get nothing from her. Frustrated he said. "I'm tired, Dr. Scully I have to set my clock for early call so we can check on the boy." "Don't bother, he'll be dead by morning." She said quietly. They looked up hearing the noise of foot steps. Jahousa stood at the base of the steps. He muttered something in his native tongue and left. "We have been invited to a prayer meeting at Kamal's house. I'll make your excuses Agent Mulder." She said as she rose to her feet and walked down the steps. Mulder climbed into his hammock and stared at the ceiling. He heard the drums and gourds of dried seeds as the natives danced around the fire chanting trying to draw powers from their gods to take the disease out of the boy's body and save him. After a while, Mulder rose from the hammock resigning himself that he could not allow a child to die even though it meant his beloved sister may not survive. He pulled out the syringe and made his way to the hut where the boy lay gasping for air. Dana was asleep beside the bed. Mulder shook her to wake her. She looked up into his eyes knowing what he intended for her to do. She took the syringe from him and moved to Amand's side. She checked the air in the syringe and injected the boy with the fluid. She put the needle down and sat next to Mulder. He drew her into his arms and they fell asleep on the floor huddled together against the night. Mulder woke with a start. His consciousness attributed to the noise of people running back and forth in the village. He looked for Dana, she wasn't in sight. Mulder turned to the boy and felt of his neck. The lumps were gone. Relief and sadness fell over him as he rose to find out what seemed to be causing the commotion in the village. He met the boy's mother at the steps. She spoke to him in her native tongue. Mulder answered her. "Yes, he is okay. The lumps are gone." She continued her speech, which Mulder could not understand. She pointed toward the trees and said. "Smoke." Mulder understood immediately and quickly ran down the steps and towards the harnesses where they climbed to the top of the trees for the flowers. When he reached the top Dana and Jahousa were already there. Jahousa helped Mulder find safe braces so he could see the black fingers of smoke as they neared the area. "Times almost up." Dana stated. Then she turned and slid back down the rope with Mulder close behind her. Later that night Dana mixed yet another batch of flower substance for testing. She wiped her brow from the heat of the evening. They had been running test for several hours with no luck. Mulder picked up her journal and noticed a picture of him sketched on the page. "Is this suppose to be me?" He asked pointing to the picture. "Yes, I think it is a very good likeness. I flattered your prominent nose by idealizing your forehead. But, a woman in love would not notice the disparity." She said as she looked into her microscope. "A woman in love?" He questioned as his heart clenched in his chest. "Yes, your finance. "I'm sure she sees your nose exactly as I have drawn it. She probably doesn't notice that your left ear is lower than your right one. One that is smitten doesn't notice those things. Take it to her if you would like." Dana answered. "No you can keep it." He answered feeling strangely disappointed. He felt something for this petite red-haired beauty that he couldn't allow himself the luxury to explore. 'He had uhm, Laurie, that's her name.' He chided himself temporarily forgetting the woman whom he planned to marry in a few of weeks. Mulder walked over to the spot abandoned by the doctor and sat down mixing another batch of flower serum. He looked up when Dana asked. "What are you running?" "Another base line." He answered tired and not into 20 questions. "Why?" He asked "What did you use?" She inquired. "Sugar solution." He answered. "Where did you get the sugar?" She asked her voice becoming excited. "Over there." He answered and pointed to the silver sugar bowl. Dana quickly moved to the bowl and knocked off the lid. There in the sugar moving around were the same bugs that lived in the bromeliad flower. With a sudden realization she understood what the Medicine Man told her about the bugs not the flower. She agreed, she was a fool. They looked at each other. Dana moved back to the table and turned the screen towards Mulder. Peak 37 finally resurfaced. Mulder looked at her with huge surprised eyes. "My God, we did it." He exclaimed. He grabbed Dana and pulled her into a fierce hug. They danced around in a circle holding on to each other like a life line. "We have to stop the road." Dana said as she rushed to detangle herself from Mulder. "The road can wait." Mulder said as he pulled her back into his embrace and looked into her eyes. He bent over and kissed her gently, but firmly. His arms snaked around her and pulled her closer. She moved her arms around his waist and held him. A million thoughts ran through her mind. Mulder pulled back and whispered while looking into her eyes. "Thank you." He said with a husky voice. Dana confused by the words asked. "For what?" "For finding a cure for my sister." He said. He felt her immediately loosen the grip on him. "Oh, your welcome." She said not looking into her eyes. She quickly moved away from him. Dana walked to the cupboard and pulled her hat off the hook still looking at the floor. She did not trust herself to look into his eyes for he would see her disappointment with his answer. "I'm going to talk to the construction crew and see if we can stop them for a couple of days." She said over her shoulder as she walked off. Mulder stood there watching her disappear in the night. He didn't understand what he said that upset her so. He ached seeing the sadness creep over her face. With a resigned sigh, he knew she would not return that night, but crawl further into her inner self where she was safe from the outside world. He moved to the table and picked up a container to capture the ant-like insects to mix a new batch of serum. He looked up several times hoping Dana would return. But, she did not. *************** Morning brought rain and thick dampness. Mulder woke up rubbing his eyes from the unrestful sleep he had endured all night. He had nightmares about standing in endless receiving lines at parties from hell. He tossed and turn, which wasn't easy to do in a hammock. He threw his legs over the edge of the hammock and stood. The lab was empty, no Dana. He moved to the cupboard to find a cup for tea. 'Uhmm the pot is still hot, she's been here.' He thought as he placed the tea bag into the cup and poured hot water over it. Mulder turned around to see Dana Scully climbing the steps toward him. "Mulder, we should have the serum prepared by tonight if you want to plan to leave tomorrow. I've kept you long enough from your life. You promised me two weeks but, since we have successfully found the missing ingredient I won't keep you any longer. She said not looking at him, as she searched for her writing journal. "I will send a message to the CDC, by you, of what I need to continue my research. I appreciate your help." She stated. Dana picked up her journal and turned to leave. "Dana, aren't you coming back with me? You have the cure. Don't you think the world deserves to know about it?" Mulder said trying not to sound as if her were pleading with her. "Uhmm, no, that's part of my request for the CDC. I will request an assistant to write the speeches and deliver them. That's not my expertise." She looked up and gave him a thin smile. "I need to continue my search of why the insects produce the ingredient for the cure. The construction crew will not stop their destruction for the road. I have to salvage as much as possible before they move us." She moved toward the steps. "The Medicine Man has promised to show me another place where the insects live. I have to stay." She started down the steps. "I'll see you in a while." Dana called over her shoulder as she walked away. Mulder stood at the edge of the lab watching her walk away. He felt lost all of a sudden. Why did he feel like his life just walked away with very few words spoken? "I've got to go home. I've been here too long." He spoke to himself. Then he turned and walked toward his luggage opened it and started cramming clothes inside. The more he crammed inside the more his anger grew. He didn't understand why he was so frustrated. He told himself he would be glad to be rid of the stubborn, drunken, Dana excuse me, Dr. Dana Scully. Then he stopped cramming clothes in his luggage as he remembered the kiss they shared last night. It was amazing to him, the tenderness and closeness he felt as he kissed her. She felt like nothing he'd ever experienced before. The warmth that passed between them in the short span of moments was nothing he had ever felt with anyone. It was like coming home. Except to no home he had ever known. He just wanted to thank her. He really hadn't intended on kissing her on the lips, just the forehead. But, when he looked in her eyes, he lost his focus and could only focused on her lips drawing him into the kiss. 'What kind of crazy notion could that have come from. She obviously didn't want anything to do with him or she would consent to coming back to the states with him instead of staying in the jungle.' His tried to trick his mind in believing. Besides, he had Laurie to go home to. He tried to muster up joy of seeing his blonde finance. But, the thoughts were interrupted by the memory of waking up with Dana cradled in his grasp in the hammock. He could only see the night she kissed him when he had too much Peach Paranoid after the fall into the river. He knew he was in deep trouble. "What am I going to do?" He asked himself. **************** A couple of hours passed and Mulder saw no sign of Dana. He walked through the village and down to the waterfall. There he saw her bathing in the water. She was completely without clothing and he marveled at her beauty. He felt a bit guilty watching her from his blind spot. She seemed to be enjoying the peaceful solitude. He watched as she swam gracefully baring her body to the sun that warmed the water she bathed in. Mulder froze in place unable to tear his eyes from her pale skin. He thought it interesting that she resided in a jungle and yet had perfect light skin. He noticed the perfect curve of her waist to her hips that flared only slightly. He swallowed hard at the sight of her body as she glided through the water. He wondered how any man could have left alone such a beautiful, strong intelligent woman as this doctor before him. She swam to the side of the bank preparing to pull herself out of the water. Mulder found strength to move away before he got caught spying, and had to explain his actions. Dana would not appreciate or accept any weak explanation he could conjure up. When Dana arrived at the lab, he acted as if nothing had happened. She smiled when she saw Mulder sitting at the lab table eating lunch. "Agent Mulder." She greeted him with a non-emotional voice. Mulder felt de ja vu of their first meeting -- professional, cool. "Dana, I want to apologize for taking advantage of you last evening." Mulder said sheepishly. "There is no need to apologize Mulder. Just forget it happened. We need to mix the serum, and; I have letters to write. If you would be so kind to mail them for me when you arrive home." She said in a cool business like tone. Resigning himself to accept her coolness for the moment, he agreed with a nod. "What do you want me to do?" He asked with a slightly defeated voice. **************** They worked in silence for the next few hours. Each time Mulder tried to engage in conversation, Dana answered only with minimal words and evaded personal questions all together. Mulder became frustrated with the formidable walls she erected around herself and gave up. Continuing in silence, Dana kept her distance avoiding casual brushing touches. Dana felt tense, scare, angry, sad. She didn't want Mulder to leave, but could not ask him to stay. He had commitments in the outside world. She was not a part of that world and a fling in her private world would only yield sadness which she would not allow herself to relive. The pain she felt in her heart summoned tears to her eyes more than once and she became tired of fighting them back. The only thread of hope for keeping them pushed down was the fact that he would be gone by morning and she could again hide in her lonely existence safe and closed off from the pain of failure. But this failure would hurt most of all. She felt a different kind of longing for the man standing so close to her. She had never experienced, and believed she may not again, the feel of complete contentment when she kissed Mulder. 'No.' She yelled at herself in her mind. 'Don't go there. The pain is too great.' She thought lost in her own despair. "Dana. Dana, is there something wrong?" Mulder asked looking at the doctor as she seemed lost in another world. Dana snapped her head up and looked at him. Her resolve almost melted as she looked in his warm concerned eyes. "Sorry, I..... I need to take a break." Dana said as she stood and pushed away from lab table. Moving to the edge of the steps she said in a low voice. "I have to check on Adman." She said disappearing once more in the lush green forest. "Damn." Mulder said loudly. He sat down heavily on the stool. What would he do to break through the ice wall Dana Scully placed around herself. What could he do to make her see she didn't have to hide from him. He didn't want to leave her with ill feelings of him. If he were honest, he didn't want to leave her at all. Mulder attributed this again to missing Laurie and dismissed the feelings he could not seem to rid himself of for Dana. ********** After gathering all of his belongings, Mulder became bored and decided to take one more look at the beautiful sky line above the trees before nightfall. Picking up his camera from his bag, he made his way toward the trees. He walked slowly to the tree where the harnesses swayed in the breeze. He fastened the belt around his torso and lifted himself in the air. Mulder arrived at the top of the trees to discover Dana sitting alone gazing at the panoramic view. She seemed lost in thought, again, as he came near to her. Dana turned toward him with a start drawn out of her reverie. "Oh, it's you." She said with a thin smile and turned back to her observation of the lush vegetation. "I wanted to take one more look around and take a few pictures." Mulder said raising his camera to snap pictures. Mulder turned the camera and snapped several pictures of Dana as she sat motionless. Dana turned to look at him and smiled a warm smiled as he continued to snap shots of her. "You should take pictures of the scenery instead of wasting them on me." She said almost morose. "I can't think of anything more beautiful to take a picture of." Mulder said before thinking of what he actually let slip. Dana shifted uncomfortably. 'Don't do this to me.' She thought. She moved to lower herself to the ground. "I need to finish up the serum for you. I want to pack it securely to avoid breakage. I will fill out the proper forms for customs. I have a friend who will administer the serum to your sister. I've written a letter to him. He knows my work and I'm sure he will be willing to help you." Dana explained moving toward her decent. Mulder reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her. Their eyes locked when she looked up. "I wish you would reconsider coming back with me. Even if just to visit your family. Don't you need a break? Who will take care of administering the serum to you?" He asked the string of questions while pleading with his eyes. Dana looked into his pleading eyes and for a moment she allowed her resolve to crack. She felt herself being drawn to Mulder once more. She desired nothing more than going with him back to civilization. The tension between them grew thicker as Mulder pulled her closer to him. Dana could feel the warmth of his body as she closed in on his personal space. Their eyes never left each other as their faces drew only inches away from each other. Just as their lips were close to meeting a jerking motion came from the rope at the bottom of the tree. Dana pushed away from Mulder as the spell was broken. "I....appreciate your concern for my well being, but I can take care of myself." She said weakly allowing the rope to lower her to the ground. She looked up at Mulder as she sped toward the surface below. He snapped another picture of her. "Damn." He said again aloud. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid.' He told himself for toying with both their emotions carelessly. He shook himself unnerved by uncontrollable attraction he held for Dana. Mulder turned back to his panoramic view, snapped a few more pictures, calmed his awakened arousal and made his way to the earth's floor below. He unhooked the belt that secured him to the harness. Looking around for signs of the doctor he walked toward the lab. As he passed through the village he shot scenes of parents with their children packaging up their meager belongings. Ready to move when the construction crew would force them from their homes in a few short hours. He wanted to share with Laurie and Sam this simple life he felt fortunate to have experienced for a brief time. He wanted to remember injustice didn't only affect his world, but reach the world round. That people could be blinded to the destruction of precious life whether it be a human being with cancer or a rain forest with fire and smoke. Mulder felt sympathy for these people. But at the same time he felt a twinge of jealousy for their non-complicated life. For the closeness they shared as a tribe. Trusting each other not allowing the detour of loosing their home break their spirit. But simply pick up and move to another part of untouched beauty to begin again. Such acceptance of a simple life was alien to him. 'No wonder Dana loves these people and would fight to the end of her life to save them from destruction.' He thought as he walked toward the Lab. He admired her commitment and love. A pure sacrificial love unseen before by him, matched only by his devotion to Sam and finding her all the years she was absent. 'Samantha.' He thought. It warmed his heart to know he would be able to save his beloved sister. The debt of gratitude he felt to Dr. Dana Scully would never be paid, for giving him a gift of renewed life for Samantha. Mulder snapped out of his thoughts by the sight of Dana packing small boxes into a larger one. He watched her from a distance as if it would be the last time he would behold her beauty. He wanted to file away in his photographic memory every detail of the petite doctor. He remembered the sight of her in the bathing pool, and how much he would like to remember her in a more intimate way. He smiled as he formed a fantasy of him joining her in that pool to share her bath. Swimming to her taking her in his arms, bare skin to skin......... "Mulder, is there something wrong?" Dana asked as she watched him standing in the distance in a trance like state with a goofy grin on his face. "Huh?" Mulder answered pulling his mind back to the present. "No, nothing. I was lost in thought." He said as he felt heat rise from his neck. He felt as if the cookie jar lid would fall on his hand at any minute. "Obviously, it must have been a very nice thought." She teased him. "Make no mistake, it was a very nice thought." He said with a wickedly little smirk on his face. Dana allowed the conversation to die. She did not want to know about an obvious sensual thought of his fiance. It pained her enough to know he would be leaving her in the morning. She wanted nothing more than to continue the kiss they almost shared in the tree top. Dana felt the pain of loneliness slamming it's way into her heart again as she had when Andrew left her. But this time it went even deeper. No matter how she tried to push down the desire for the man before her, it continued to resurfaced. She felt exhausted keeping her walls planted firmly. She wanted to loose herself in his embrace. To touch the firm sleek body she had stolen glances of from her hiding place. She almost groaned outwardly as inwardly chiding herself for this torturous thought process. She didn't realize she also looked as if in a trance. "Dana." Mulder said carefully to her noticing the pained look in her eyes and frown on her lips. 'Oh God how he wanted to take away the pain.' He thought as he reached out to touch her arm. "Huh." Dana shook her head and flinched as Mulder's hand touched her. "You look like you are in pain." Mulder said as he pulled his hand away from her. "Are you okay, is it your.... your..." He stammered. She cut him off. "No, it isn't my ..... No, Never mind." She said looking at the floor and shaking her head. Not wanting to continue the train of thought or discussion, Dana changed the subject. "I've packed three vials of serum in this box." She picked up the box she had been packing when he arrived and handed it to him. "I sent extra serum, I would appreciate your holding on the unused portion." She said turning away from him straightening the mess she created mixing the serum. Mulder took the box and walked across the room stuffing it inside his tote bag. "What do you want me to do with the unused serum?" He asked hoping secretly it would cause further contact between them. "I have written a letter to the Director of the CDC explaining my research and the importance of continuing further endeavors. If she requires evidence, I would appreciate your giving her the serum. Since this is not recognized by the FDA, you must be careful about the use of this drug on Samantha. I don't want my friend to encounter repercussions for using an unsanctioned drug, so confidentiality if most important." She looked at Mulder seriously as she spoke. He nodded in confirmation. Mulder moved back to the lab table and seated himself next to where Dana busied herself. He wanted to.. 'What?' He asked himself. He felt torn between happiness of returning to civilization and sadness of leaving. He reached for Dana's hand grasping it firmly to stop her activities and listen to him. He noticed her freeze and stiffen in his grasp. "Dana, I........." Dana cut him off in mid sentence. "What, Fox? What do you want from me?" She said as if she were annoyed at being disturbed. "I don't know. I just....just feel sad leaving you." He confessed looking at her with concern at her noticeable irritation. Dana thought for a moment. She took a deep breath, licked her dry lips and spoke with a low calm voice. "Fox, I know we have spent quite a bit of time together in the last couple of weeks. I could lie to you and say I haven't enjoyed your company, but I won't." She raised her eyes to his speaking with a confident facade. "I've been closed off for so long, it has been comforting to have you here. I know this is merely an interlude to your life you will return to tomorrow. I do not wish to be an interlude in your life." She finished her sentence and dropped her eyes to the table. Dana moved away from his grasp. She tried to pass him as she moved toward the steps for a quick get away. Mulder once more extended his hand to stop her. "I don't want you to be an interlude in my life. I just want you to know, I will miss you." He said lifting her chin wanting to drown in her blue eyes on last time. Dana looked at him with a betrayal of her emotions failing to keep her walls firmly in place. Mulder rose from his seat placing his hand behind her neck never loosing eye contact. He bent his taller frame to allow their lips to meet. He wanted to drink in her essence, and lock it in his memory forever. Their kiss was tender. It was as if they were sharing parts of their souls as the kiss continued. Arms closing around each other as natural as breathing, fitting perfectly in each other's embrace. Feeling heat and passion forbidden in their circumstances. The kiss ended too soon for either of them, but with mutual unspoken agreement to not soil the special relationship they shared with reckless actions. Mulder pulled away from Dana and released her, quelling the desire rising in his body for more of the beautiful woman. The spell was once more broken by a welcomed intruder. Jahousa spoke to Dana in his native tongue. She nodded with out a word and moved toward the steps. As she descent she turned to Mulder. With a low voice she said. "Jahousa will want to leave early in the morning. Good-bye, Fox, I'll miss you too." Dana moved quickly down the stairs. She walked with control urgency to the edge of the forest not wanting Mulder to see the tears beginning to stream down her face. Mulder sighed as he exhaled a resigning breath. He knew he would not see her again. *************** Dana crept softly into the darkened lab. She walked to the hammock occupied by the sleeping Fox Mulder. Dana bent over his luggage and placed envelopes with letters to the CDC, Dr. Martin, who would take care of Samantha, and a letter to her mother. Dana stole a glance at Mulder as she rose completing her shadowed covert task. His hammock swayed in the light evening breeze rocking him as a baby. Dana felt again the pain of loss. She could only allow herself one last look of his handsome features before she slipped away in darkness and await his departure. **************** Mulder was awaken out of his slumber by hands shaking him. He opened his eyes to see Jahousa looming over him. Mulder answered with a nod in confirmation of their wordless communication. 'Time to go.' He thought. He threw his legs off the hammock, placing his feet on the wooden planks making up the lab floor. "Where is Dr. Scully?" He asked knowing she would not make an appearance. "She gone." Jahousa answered with no further explanation. Mulder didn't bother to ask any more questions, for he knew the bond Jahousa and Dana shared. He did not wish to break the confidence between them. 'Besides, Jahousa probably wouldn't tell him anyway trying to protect Dana.' Mulder thought resting in the knowledge that Dr. Dana Scully would be protected by the loving friendship of the tribe she had been adopted into. Pulling on his traveling clothes and shoes, Mulder gathered his luggage and followed Jahousa to the river for his journey home. ************ Two weeks later CDC Office Washington DC Fox Mulder entered the office of Dr. Cheryl De Luca, Director of the CDC. "Ah, Agent Mulder, thank you for coming. Have a seat." She said as she extended her hand to him. Mulder accepted her firm hand shake. She motioned for him to have a seat. "Thank you." Mulder answered seating himself across the desk from her. "Do you have a report for me?" She asked looking at the large manila envelope in his lap. "Yes, I completed it yesterday. I'm sorry it is tardy, but I arrived home exhausted from the trip. I did send the letter Dr. Scully sent you, did you received it?" He asked as she scanned the report. Dr. De Luca nodded her head in understanding. "Yes, I did receive it. We are very excited about the Dr. Scully's discovery. I have requisitioned the necessary equipment for shipment to her." She explained. They sat in silence as the director review his report. Mulder fidgeted nervously wanting to make a request, but didn't know exactly how to phrase it. Dr. De Luca noticed his uneasiness and stopped her reading. "Is there something you want to ask me Agent Mulder?" She inquired. Knowing he must speak his mind without unwavering conviction he lifted his head and set his jaw with determination. "Yes, Dr. Scully has been absent from her family for quite a while now. I encouraged her to return with me for much needed rest. She refused." He stopped to gauge the director's reaction. "Agent Mulder is there a personal reason you wish to have Dr. Scully return to the states, or is this merely professional observation." She asked smiling to herself watching Mulder squirm a little. "Prof....Pers...maybe both." He confessed lowering his eyes to the floor for moment then looking up to see an amused director looking at him. "I'll see what I can do." She said with a warm smile. "I think I have taken up enough of your time Agent Mulder. Is there anything you would like to add to your report before you leave?" She asked. Mulder thought about the serum left over from Sam's treatment. The director had not asked if he had samples. He didn't know whether to offer the serum or keep it. But he also didn't know how long it would stay active with it's natural ingredients. He thought about the miraculous cure he held secretly about his sister's cancer. Samantha's treatments had eliminated her tumor in a matter of one week. Dana's friend was amazed how quickly it rid Samantha's nasal cavity of the deadly intruder. The doctor shook his head in amazement when he viewed Sam's x-rays not finding a trace of the tumor. "Amazing." He said shaking his head. Mulder smiled conjuring up a sight of an amused Dr. Scully at the reaction of her friend's disbelief. Samantha too, stood in front of x-ray almost in shock at the absence of the tumor that threatened her life. "Perhaps this serum could be manufactured in a controlled atmosphere here to allow her to return and prevent further destruction to the rain forest and the fragile people inhabiting it." He suggested. "Perhaps Agent Mulder, I will see what can be done. If I have any questions about your report, I will contact you. Thank you again for your assistance with this project." Dr. De Luca said as she rose from behind her desk and extended her hand in good-bye to Mulder. He shook her hand one more time and left her office. ***************** "Fox. Earth to Fox." Samantha waved her hand in front of her daydreaming brother's face. Fox looked at his sister with surprise. He had been thinking about a certain waterfall again. "Fox, what is wrong with you? Since your return, I can't seem to carry on a decent conversation with you. You are always lost in another world. Are you sure *you* weren't abducted while you were traipsing around in the rain forest?" Sam said with a grin. "Sam, can I confess something to you?" He asked. "You know you can." She answered. "I am having second thoughts about getting married." He said looking at his hands laying on top of the table in the outdoor cafe they frequented. "It's about time. I have been trying to stop you from making the fatal mistake since you told me you were marrying Laurie. Don't get me wrong." Sam quickly continued. "I like her. She has many good qualities and will make someone a wonderful wife. But, not you." She stated looking seriously at her unhappy brother sitting across from her. "What am I going to do? We are to be married in one week. I can't just break it off. Can I?" Mulder asked hoping for guidance out of the deliquet situation he had found himself in. "Would you rather hurt her now? Or wait until after your married. Fox, since you returned you are different. I sense an almost forlorn attitude. You are always a million miles away from any conversation I try to engage you in. I've noticed with Laurie you aren't as devoted to her every whim as you were before you left. What happened to you in the jungle?" She asked trying once more to drag out of her begrudgingly private brother. "Is it a certain Dr. Dana Scully you spoke of with such fondness?" She inquired with a smirk on her face. Sam noticed the sound of her named seemed to bring life back into her brother's forlorned eyes. "She is amazing Sam. I've never seen such love, strength and sacrifice in a woman before. She freely gives without expecting anything in return. She's beautiful inside and out." Mulder spouted praises of the doctor he'd left behind. "Oh, I understand now." She teased him with a raised eyebrow. "Fox, listen to your heart. It will guide you to the right decision." Sam said as she reached for his hand and squeezed it for reassurance. Mulder nodded his head in resignation without a word. How would he break the news to his finance. ***************** One month later FBI Headquarters Fox Mulder sat at his desk reading a case file. His computer beeped acknowledging a new E-Mail message. He put down the papers he was reading and turned to his computer opening his mailbox. A message from Dr. Cheryl De Luca with an attached file. He quickly opened the attachment. CDC is proud to welcome Dr. Dana Scully at the Ritz Carlton, Washington DC on June 7-10, 1997. She will be sharing her research findings in the field of Oncology. Dr. Scully's discoveries of natural healing versus chemical therapy will be discussed in the main ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Hotel from 8:00am - 5:00pm each day with a reception on June 6 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm. We are very fortunate to have this rare visit from Dr. Scully. She has spent more than two years in the rainforest researching cures for cancer. Please readjust your plans to attend this meeting. RSVP is required no later than June 1, 1997. Mulder printed the message with a smile on his face. He looked at the calendar, June 5. He stood and grabbed his coat on his way out the door. He had plans to make. *********** Ritz Carlton June 5, 1997 6:30pm Dana Scully walked into the bathroom to start her bath. She arrived earlier in the day and looked forward to her first real tub soak in a long time. She adjusted the water temperature and opened the bottle of scented bath oil compliments of the hotel. Her expansive luxury suite was impressive, with it's expensive furnishings, fresh fruit basket and assorted chocolates waiting for her upon arrival. She looked forward to sleeping in a real bed. After so many years sleeping in a hammock she wondered if she would have a hard time adjusting. The trip had taken its toll on her coupled with over a month of virtually restless sleep constantly dreaming about a certain FBI agent. She looked at the swirling water as the tub filled feeling sad as her thoughts turned to Fox Mulder, married by now. She quickly shook her head. Dana would not allow that train of thought to enter her mind. When the tub filled to a comfortable level, she took off her robe, also compliments of the hotel, and stepped into the steaming water. An audible sigh escaped her lips as she laid back in the water closing her eyes and reveling in the comfort she felt at the moment. She raised the sponge floating in the water and squeezed out it contents on her chest allowing the warm water to ease her tense muscles. Her quite relaxation was interrupted by the telephone ringing. Dana picked up the phone, she was expecting her mother to call. "Hello." She said. "Dana." The voice of her mother rang through the phone like an angel speaking. It had been over a year since Dana had spoken to her mother. "Mom, it's so good to hear your voice. I can't tell you how much I've missed you." She said with a strain voice. Her eyes threatened tears as her emotions assaulted her. "Dana honey, I've missed you too. How was your trip? How are you feeling. Is everything okay?" Her mother fired questions at her faster than she could answer. Dana smiled at her concern. "I'm doing fine Mom. The treatments have eliminated the tumor. I am a little tired from the trip. In fact I'm in the bathtub soaking right now. I'm going to bed early tonight. How about if you meet me here in the morning. We can spend most of the day together." She offered. "Great, I'll see you then. Bye honey." She said and hung up the phone. Dana put the receiver back into the cradle. She closed her eyes again and allowed her tired body to relax. She would concentrate on the seminar tomorrow. She had already prepared for several days. She typed her speech with the new laptop sent from the CDC. The equipment they rushed to her, after they received her results, was unbelievable. Dana was half asleep lulled by the warmth and comfort of the water when the doorbell chimed. She opened her eyes to make sure she heard correctly. A knock sounded. "Great." She said rising out of the water, drying quickly with a towel and pulling her robe on she walked to the door. She looked out the peep hole to see a large bouquet of flowers. She opened the door and the hotel staff member walked past her placing the flowers on a marble table next to her sofa. He handed her the card and turn to leave. "Wait." Dana said looking for her purse. "No need, it has been taken care of already." He said with a smile and closed the door after him. Dana opened the card. She looked suspicious at the handwriting. *Prepare for Dinner, 7:30pm.* That was it. She didn't have any idea who would send such a note. The only one she hoped would send it.... No she would not allow that thought. Dana groaned. She did not feel like company of any kind tonight. Especially someone from the CDC group. Business could wait until tomorrow evening. She put the card down and walked back into the bathroom. Glancing at the clock 7:00pm. She let the water out of the tub and turn on the shower to wash her hair. **************** At 7:30pm sharp the door bell sounded it's chimes. Dana walked to the door in a pair of blue jeans, pull over shirt and barefoot. She didn't feel like dressing up for anyone tonight. The waiter rolled the food laden cart completed with candles into her room. Dana was impressed with the fine linens that dressed the table. An expensive bottle of wine rested in a bucket of ice accompanied by two glasses. Confused by who would go to all this trouble, she looked at the waiter and said. "Do you know who ordered this for me?" Before the waiter could answer a voice from the door answered her. "I did." Fox Mulder said with a grin. He noticed how her eyes grew large at the sight of him. "I, how, what...." Dana stammered trying to think of something to say. The waiter finished setting up the dinner and turn to leave. Mulder handed him a few bills as he passed closing the door behind him. "Hello Dr. Scully. It's nice to see you again. How are you?" Mulder said with an almost seductive voice. Dana regained her speech control. "Agent Mulder, how are you?" She said with a noncommittal voice. She didn't know why he was here with a new wife at home. Had she misjudged the man she spent weeks with in the jungle. She carefully studied him. He still looked as handsome as she remembered. The familiar pain was beginning to take a hold of her when he moved closer to her. Mulder could see the confusion in her face. He remembered she didn't know he never married Laurie. "Dana, I didn't get married. I couldn't, not when I was in love with someone else." He explained. Like a light turning on, Dana's face softened as her brain processed what he said. A broad smile spread across her face. She closed the distance between them. "I'm fine now." She said. Mulder drew her into his embrace and claimed her mouth with his own. Dana wrapped her arms around his neck. They clung to each other almost desperately. Afraid if they let go they would disappear. Dana ended the kiss gently. She into Mulder's eyes where she saw evidence he, in fact, mirrored her feelings. She smiled and whispered. "I love you too." Then she kissed him again. THE END That's about it. I hope you enjoyed my version of the movie. Please let me know. ****************************************************************************** *********************** "If we weren't all crazy, we would go in sane...............Jimmy Buffett