From: XFMnS4ever@aol.com Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 03:56:29 EST Subject: All or Nothing-Forgotten Memories-II Source: direct Title: Forgotten Memories Spoilers: None. It might help to read my first writing called All or Nothing of this series as it will help you understand the ending a little better on this story. ? Classification: TRA / UST / MSR Rated: PG-13 Characters: These characters do not belong to me. Although I know us fanfic writers would probably do a better job! **GRIN** They belong to 20th Century Fox, Chris Carter, 1013 and the X-Files. I do not make money off of this. I have no money so please do not even bother to sue me. It's all for our fun and pleasure anyway. Author: Please e-mail me at xfmns4ever@aol.com and tell me what you think! Any comments, good or flaming, are appreciated! :D Subject: When Mulder's memories of an old love are resurrected through a past case, how will he and Scully handle the reality of it all? ********************************************* Washington, DC FBI Basement Monday, December 31, 2001 6:00 p.m. He sat at the desk absently tapping his pencil in rhythm with the ticking of the clock hanging on the wall while his head was buried in an X-File's case chart. It had been a little over six months since he had lost Monica. It still hurt...the pain was still apparent. He lifted his head from the X-File case chart and softly spoke. "Hey Scully?" Scully quit tapping the computer keys and looked up with a small smile. "Yeah Mulder?" The smile made his chest tighten. She had that affect on him...and always had as far as he knew. "You hungry? Wanna go get some dinner?" "Sure Mulder...I'll even buy this time. Where do you want to go?" "I was thinking about the little quiet cafe around the corner. It would give us a little time to discuss the wedding plans." "Mulder, we've done been through this. I..." "I know Scully. You only want a small affair. You, me and your mother." "That's right Mulder. Nothing more. I will be happy as long as we're together. That's all that matters to me." She stood up and went to the corner of his desk and took his hands in her own. "I love you." "I love you too Scully. It's just that..." "Just what Mulder?" "I want you to have the big fancy wedding. You know the kind little girls dream of when they are growing up." "First of all Mulder, I never wanted a wedding like that. You're all I want," she said as she smoothed her hand over his rough stubbled jaw. "Okay Scully...I will let it be...for now." As she backed away to retrieve her briefcase, he raised from the chair and gathered the case file. As he was getting their coats, the phone rang. He hesitated for a second before stalking out the door with Scully waiting for him. "Who was that Mulder?" "I don't know Scully. I didn't answer it." "Well why not? What if it was important?" "They can reach me on my cell phone." As soon as he said the phrase, his cell rang. "Mulder." "Agent Mulder, it's A.D. Skinner." Have you left the building yet." Puzzled, he finally spoke. "No sir. What's up?" "I need to see you and Agent Scully, if she is with you before you leave." "We're on our way up. What's this about sir?" "I will fill you in when you both get here." ********************************************* A.D. SKINNER'S OFFICE December 31, 2001 6:45 P.M. "Sir, you wanted to see us?" "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, please have a seat." "Sir, what is this about?" "Agent Mulder, I am not really even sure where to begin. I received a call today from the local field office in Wilmington, North Carolina." "What did they want sir?", Scully asked quietly. Assistant Director Skinner turned slowly and gazed apprehensively at Mulder. "Agent Angela Frakes has called regarding your input for a profile on a possible serial murderer." His intense gaze then turned to Scully, "They have also asked for your help with autopsies. They say this is like nothing they have ever seen before." "What exactly is happening sir?" "I am not sure, but since the X-Files Division caseload was light I had no choice but to send you both in to help on this case. I hesitated when Agent Frakes called, but she told me she would go over my head on this. I'm sorry about this messing with your New Years Day holiday plans. I have taken the liberty of booking two flights to Wilmington on a 7:45 flight. Mulder held the A.D.'s door open for Scully and walked out behind her. His hand in the familar spot low on her back...moving gently in slow, tender circles. When they reached the elevavor she was worried they wouldn't be alone to talk, but to her relief found the elevator empty when they entered. "Mulder, I wish A.D. Skinner could pull some strings to get you out of this. It is too soon for you to be in that area again, especially after what happened to Agent Reyes." "Scully, I will be fine. I want to call and talk to Agent Frakes before we take off on our flight. I want to see if she can fax any information regarding this serial murderer so I can get an early start on this profile." Mulder guided her out of the elevator around the corner to their office door. "And Scully, who knows, maybe we can get done with this case early and kick back with some relaxing time again," he grinned mischievously giving her a leering look. "You can only hope so Mulder," she stated back. ********************************************* AGENT MULDER'S APARTMENT December 31, 2001 7:25 p.m. He heard the knock and then a key in the door. He pulled his Sig Sauer from the holster off the coffee table and hid behind the door. Slowly the door opened and he moved around to find Scully holding her suitcase and shoulder bag. "What the heck are you doing Mulder? You scared me to death!" "Sorry Scully. What are you doing here?" "Well, considering our flight is less than 40 minutes I figured I'd better come help you throw some things together in that suitcase of yours and get a move-on. I know how late you can be!" "Scully, surely you jest?", he said wounded with a pouty look. "Get on it Mulder, we don't have all day." "Oooo Scully...you said get on it. You're starting to make me feel VERY encouraged," he said raising an eyebrow. "Mulder, I mean it! NOW!" "Okay, I was just playing with you Scully. Geez, where is your sense of humor?" "I know Mulder...that's all you ever do, play with me," she said to his shocked open- mouthed look. ********************************************* AGENT MULDER'S APARTMENT December 31, 2001 7:30 p.m. "Okay Scully, I'm ready. Think we can make it to BWI Airport in less than 20 minutes, have our bags checked and get on the plane?" "No way! Are you kidding?", giving him "the look". "Well, we can always try," he said heading out the door with their suitcases in tow. ********************************************* BWI AIRPORT December 31, 2001 7:35 P.M. "See Scully, I told you we could do it. Nothing to it." "Yeah, I'm not surprised. You drove like you had led in your foot. What were you doing Mulder, 80?" "Yeah, that's one of the perks of being an FBI agent, you're always in good with the local coppers," he said grinning. Turning to the flight attendant, he spoke. "Excuse me miss, do you have a fax machine on board this plane?" "Yes sir, we do. Can I bring you something?" "What is the number please?" "It is 555-4623." "Thank you." "Who are you calling Mulder?" I forgot to have Agent Frakes send that information before we left the apartment so I am going to have her fax it now so we can begin our work ahead of schedule. See Scully, I am not a procrasinator on all things." About one hour later, they sit in silence next to each other. Scully was intently reading the ME's autopsy on the latest victim while Mulder was writing notes on the serial murderer. Mulder raised his eyes and looked at Scully who was rubbing her neck. "You want me to do that for you?" "Sure," she said appreciatively. His hands started with her shoulders moving slowly in small gentle circles. "Ah Mulder...you would have made a wonderful masseuse if you hadn't become an FBI agent. That feels wonderful." She was slowly leaning back against his hands, not realizing that he was inching closer to her. Suddenly she found herself inches from his lips. Those wonderful lips that had done wonderful things to those darn sunflower seeds. She quickly looked up and then moved away. Mulder kept his hands moving on down until he reached the arch near her lower back. He leaned back toward her inching closer to her ear and softly spoke. "What's the matter Scully, cat got your tongue?" She turned slightly to see him, the soft lighting in the airplane above their seats illuminating that handsome face she had seen every day for the past seven years. "Mulder, whatever do you mean?" "Scully, spill. You seemed to me to be enjoying this. Why did you move away and why did you say what you said earlier?" "What did I say earlier?" "About me playing with you." "Mulder, I..." The stewardess walked by at that moment. "Excuse me, miss?" "Yes? Can I do something for you?" "Yes, I was wondering how much longer until we reach Wilmington?" "Let me check for you." "Scully flipped through the pages on the case file information that Agent Frakes had faxed to them. She noticed Mulder staring at her intensely. "Is something wrong Mulder?" "No Scully. There is nothing wrong. I was just wondering why we changed the subject." "Because, Mulder." "Because why?" "Just because Mulder," she said as she sighed loudly and gave him "the look" again. The stewardess walked toward her and spoke. "Miss, we should be arriving in Wilmington in about 5 minutes." The captain then chose that very moment to get over the loudspeaker and tell everyone that they were ready for descent and to please put on their seat belts. Scully was relieved that the conversation wouldn't have to go any further. Once inside the airport with their bags checked and their rental car in their possession, they were ready to find a place to stay. ******************************************** Maxel Hotel Wilmington, North Carolina December 31, 2001 8:45 p.m. When they reaching the Maxel Hotel, Mulder and Scully entered at the reservation desk. "I'm sorry sir, but every room in the hotel is booked." "Aren't there any other places around here?", Scully asked. "Sorry, but all of the area hotels are booked due to conferences in the area. There is not a room to be had...well except..." "Except what?", Mulder said impatiently groaning, just knowing Scully would blame this on him. "Well sir, it seems we have one room. Would you and the Mrs. to take it? It is the Honeymoon Suite on the top floor," he said winking. Just when Mulder was about to turn and ask Scully, she spoke. "Yes, we'll take it." "Scully, the expense reports...remember them. Skinner will have our head for this!" "Mulder, I don't care about that right now. I am tired, ready to take a shower and go to bed." "Okay Scully." Mulder handed the concierge behind the desk his personal card. "Well, I guess we can do it this way and be safe." When they entered the room, Scully spoke. "I have to say Mulder, I am impressed. You finally picked a nice place for us." "I said was never wrong in driving Scully, not picking out places to stay," he deadpanned. "Well, seeing as there is no couch. What are we going to do about sleeping arrangements," she asked. "Don't worry Scully...I got it covered. Go take your shower." "Okay Mulder. " She turned toward the bathroom for a second and then turned to tell him something important, only to find Mulder on the phone. "Oh well, it can wait", she said softly to herself hoping she would have the courage to tell him like she had planned. ********************************************* Maxel Hotel - Room 405 Wilmington, North Carolina December 31, 2001 10:00 p.m. Scully opened the bathroom door, but stayed behind the door. "Mulder, I forgot to get my pajamas. Can you please bring them to me?" She didn't hear him respond and she heard nothing but soft snoring coming from him. She didn't have the heart to yell and wake him up so she wrapped the towel around her and walked out into the room. She lifted up her suitcase on the rack below the bed and opened it. She rumaged through until she found what she thought were her pajamas. When she pulled it out, she realized she had grabbed an old shirt just for lounging in while working inside the hotel room. She rumaged some more, but couldn't find anything to put on. She stood from one foot to the other unsure about what to do. Finally, she decided to wake him. "Mulder." "Hmmmm," he asked sleepily as he grabbed around her neck and pulled her down. "Mulder! She started shaking him and finally he awoke. "What are you doing Scully?" he murmured. "Well I could ask you the same thing, but I won't." "Mulder I forgot my pajamas. Do you have a pajama top I can borrow?" "Sure Scully. "It's in my suitcase. Help yourself." Suddenly he realized she only had the towel wrapped around her and felt himself grow tight down below. He watched her as she went about the task of opening up his suitcase. She found the pajama top and was about to close the suitcase when something caught her eye. "Mulder, what is this?" "What's what Scully?" "This?", she asked as she lifted out a small tiny box. He came up off the bed and moved toward her standing right behind her. "Oh that. Skinner gave it to me in case we needed to go undercover on this assignment." She fingered the small velvet box before opening it. When she did, staring back at her was the most beautiful 1 karat diamond ring she had ever laid her eyes on. "Mulder this is beautiful. Why does Skinner think we will need to go undercover on this case?" "Not sure. According to him, it had something to do with what we were investigating." Suddenly Scully felt self-consciousness wrapped only in the towel and Mulder so close by. She could almost feel his breath on her neck. When she took one step away from him, she felt his hands clamp around her shoulders and pull her back against his bare chest. "Scully", he croaked with a hinge in his voice. "Mulder, I..." He turned her around in his arms and slowly and tantalizingly rubbed his thumbs over her lips almost caressing them. He slowly moved in. She knew what was about to happen and she was going to let it. She had no intention of stopping him. Just as he moved in to place his own lips next to hers, someone knocked on the door of their room. ********************************************* Maxel Hotel - Room 405 Wilmington, North Carolina December 31, 2001 10:01 p.m. "Maybe they will go away." However, much to Mulder's disliking, the knocking continued at a rapid pace. "Guess not", Scully said with an almost sorry sound in her voice. After Mulder turned away to answer the door, she dropped the towel and put on the lounging clothes she had picked out of her suitcase earlier. "This had better be good!", he barked. As he opened the door he encountered two well- dressed people. "Sorry to disturb you, but I was just checking to see if you got settled in okay." At the door stood a beautiful woman, not as striking as Scully, but then he thought who could be. Scully had a beauty he had never seen before in any woman and probably never would again. "Uh, let me introduce myself," as she extended her hand. "My name is Agent Angela Frakes and this is my partner Agent Eric Matthews." "Hello, I'm Agent Mulder and this is Agent Scully. Are you the SAIC on this case?" "Yes. I was chosen for this case due to it's nature and my familiarity with it." Not understanding it's importance, Scully quietly asked. "I'm sorry. What is so special about this case Agent Frakes?" "Well, I have reason to believe this is a killer that struck here in an area about less than 50 miles from here and if I am not mistaken, one FBI agent was killed and one went missing and hasn't been seen since." At the mention of this Mulder went pale. "Agent Mulder, are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine." Scully gave Mulder her skeptical look once more knowing he would have to be watching very closely. She knew that Agent Frakes spoke of none other than Agents Doggett and Reyes. It had been a tough six months, but she had managed to help Mulder through most of his grief. She, however, on the other hand was not doing so great. She had missed John's friendship more than she would have ever thought possible. She just had to be strong for Mulder. Just as strong as he had been for her in the face of her abduction, cancer scare and inability to have her own children. He had been there for so much throughout their seven years. She owed him and she knew it. She just hoped she could be there for him like he had been for her. Finally, the silence was broken by Agent Frakes. "Agents, we thought it would be best to wait until morning. There is not much we can do right now. We have the bodies of the first two murders, Agent Scully, if you wish to come examine the bodies tomorrow morning. Agent Mulder, you and I can go examine the crime scene. The local police handled it the first time, but I believe with a new eye we may pick up something missed before. " "What time do we meet you and where?, asked Mulder. "Let's meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Wilmington PD and take it from there. I have arranged for a morgue for the examinations for you Agent Scully." With their hasty good-byes and promises to meet the next morning, the agents exited the room. ********************************************* Maxel Hotel - Room 405 Wilmington, North Carolina January 1, 2002 2:00 a.m. She could hear him on the cot across the room crying out. "No, please don't hurt her! Please stop! Please bring her back!" Scully got out of the bed and walked to the cot. She knew he was having another one of his bad dreams. She sat down beside him whispering quietly. "Mulder. It's okay. I'm here. No one has done anything to..." Before she could finish the soothing line. He started shouting out again. "No bring her back! I love her! Monica, I love you!" Scully stared in disbelief. It was then she realized that he finally wasn't dreaming about Samantha or her anymore, but about Agent Reyes. She finally coaxed him awake. He was sweating profusely, but had managed to awaken enough to take the glass of water setting beside the cot on the night stand. "Scully, I'm fine." "Mulder, how many times have I told you that and how many times have you believed me? You know you were dreaming about her." "I know I was dreaming about Samantha, Scully. I always dream about her." "I don't mean Samantha, Mulder. I mean Agent Reyes. You screamed her name out during your nightmare. Mulder, are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" "Damn it Scully, I said I'm fine and I meant it." "Okay, but just know if you need anything I'm here." She went back to the bed and laid down. It was just a few moments later she heard him speak through the darkness. "Scully, I'm scared." "You, afraid? Of what Mulder?", she scoffed. "You aren't afraid of anything and never have been as long as I've known you. Well, at least the paranormal stuff.", she said with a grin showing through in her voice. "Scully, you have no idea how frightened I am." She noticed the urgency in his voice and realized he was very serious. He stood from the cot and paced around the room finally settling down on the bed beside her. "I have no idea of what or how I will handle this when we go to these two crime scenes." "Mulder, that's understandable. Do you want me to come along?", she queried as she reached for his hand and intertwined his long slender fingers with her own. "No", he interjected. "I have to do this on my own. It's the only way I can be free of her memory Scully." She reached over and softly rubbed his stubbled jaw and sighed. "I understand Mulder. Just know if you need me, I'll be here and that I still love you." "I love you too Scully." She leaned into him and they fell asleep peacefully cocooned in each others arms. ********************************************* Maxel Hotel Restaurant Wilmington, North Carolina January 1, 2002 7:50 a.m. "Mulder, are you sure you got enough sleep?" "Sure. I slept like a baby after we talked last night." She picked up the bagel with the low fat cream cheese and bit off a bite. She looked longingly at Mulder's big plate of breakfast food wondering how he could eat that stuff and still look and feel as good as he did. Finally realizing it was time to meet Agents Frakes and Matthews, he paid the bill and they left for the police department. Scully was shown to the autopsy bay by Agent Matthews for her use during that day. It was a nice neat clean facility, although the lighting was very dim, but that wasn't unusual in this line of work. She had left Mulder with Agent Frakes, who as giving him a head start on what they would find at the first crime scene. "Agent Mulder, we found an earring on the crime site that belonged to the victim. It was identified by the parents of the victim. There was evidence of a rape also. However, we can't be sure if the victim was alive or dead as the attack was happening. The UNSUB has struck about every six months for the last two years and doesn't pick any specific dates for the attacks as far as we can tell. We are hoping you can target the UNSUB with a profile. We've been told you are the best." "Well, that was a long time ago Agent Frakes. Things have changed since then, but I will try my best. Let's head out." Once at the first crime scene, Mulder walking around the outside parameter of the beach home which had been marked as a crime scene. As he was walking up the back of the deck something sparkled and caught his eye in the morning sun. He reached in his pocket and snapped on his gloves. He bent down to find the other small earring possibly belonging to the victim. The earring was bagged and tagged as evidence. He stood up and walked into the beach house. He sensed it immediately. There was something eerily familiar about this place, but he just didn't know what yet. Agent Frakes came in behind him. He walked to the kitchen of the beach home. He searched thoroughly not finding anything out of place or out of the ordinary until he came across two hairs on the kitchen counter. He froze when he realized they were both black. "Agent Frakes, did you mention anything about the UNSUB targeting women with specific hair color?" "No, not particularly. Why? Could that be an issue?" "Not necessarily, but it wouldn't hurt to check out past cases with regard to this. We can run a cross check and see what comes up." She dialed the buttons to Agent Matthews cell and he finally answered. "Yeah, I'll get right on it." About an hour later after the first crime scene had been thoroughly combed by all police and Mulder, Agent Frakes cell rang. She answered and a terse look crossed her face. "Okay. Thanks." "Well, did Agent Matthews come up with anything? "Yes. We know that he targets women with black hair and red hair according to the last two victims. He murders a woman with one color then the next taking turns." Mulder slumped at that piece of information knowing that Scully could possibly be the next in danger. "It also seems as if he has left a calling card besides the earring at his previous murders except the last two. He didn't leave anything at those two places and the last victim was a woman with black hair. Mulder knew he had to get to Scully quickly. He didn't need to do a profile on this UNSUB. He knew exactly who the cold-hearted sadistic killer was and why he was killing those women. This was a revenge game against him personally and he knew Donald Tucker wouldn't rest until everyone he cared about was gone and he was left alone.