Date: Sun, 19 May 1996 19:02:39 +0000
From: Joeba (JRamos@Interaccess.com)
News group: alt.tv.x-files.creative

	Okey-dokey.  Here goes.  This is my first story, so if you
want to bash my dreams please go about it in a nice way.  E-Mail is
greatly appreciated.  :-)

Disclaimer: Okay everybody, you know the drill.  Dana Scully and Fox
Mulder belong to the mighty Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions,
and Fox Broadcasting.  No infringement is intended.  Blah, blah, blah.
The characters Abel Johnson and Steven Baines belong to me.  They're
mine I tell you, all MINE!  Heh heh heh.  Anyway, hope you enjoy it.
And on to the show!!!  :-D

<><><><><><>
Connections
By Joeba
<><><><><><>


Location: FBI Parking lot	
	Agent Dana Scully trudged her way to her car.  It had been a
long day.  She and her partner Fox Mulder had just finished a case and
had mounds of paperwork to finish.  She was glad this day was finally
over.  The only plans she had for this Friday night were to go home,
soak in a nice hot bath for a couple of hours, and watch some Brad
Pitt flicks with her dog, Clyde.  She got to her car, fumbled with the
keys awhile, and then after some struggle managed to open the door.
She threw in her briefcase and sank into the seat.  She closed, then
rubbed her eyes.  Today had been one horrendous day and she was glad
it was over.  Suddenly she heard a noise, a faint rustling.  She
froze.  She immediately reached for her gun, but before she had the
chance to grab it a strong, lean hand covered her mouth and she felt
the cold steel of a knife against throat.
	" Scream and I'll slit your throat, " the man behind her
rasped.  She felt him groping around for her gun and his grip
tightened around the knife as he found the holster.  She could see a
faint light reflecting off the gun as he held up to his eye-level,
inspecting every curve, every indentation like a kid in a candy store.
He smiled and pointed the gun at her head.
	" Shhhhh, don't panic.  I won't hurt you.  Not yet at least, "
he whispered.  " Now start the car. " she jammed the key into the
ignition and turned it.
	" Gooooood.  Now we're gonna take a little trip to your
apartment Dana, okay? " How did he know her name?  Great, just what
she needed, an obsessed psychopathic maniac.  "OKAY!? " he growled
through clenched teeth.  She managed to nod.
	" That's better.  Now let's move! "

Location: Scully's Apartment
	They slowly pulled up to her apartment.  She stopped the car.
	" Now get this straight Dana.  You are gonna escort me in, and
if you make it even *look* like I have a gun on ya I'll kill ya.  You
got me?  I won't hesitate, won't hesitate at all. " She nodded.
Suddenly she had the urge to throw-up.  Who was this guy, and what did
he want with her?  " Now get outta the car. " She got out, making sure
not to cause any suspicion.  He got out after her, slammed the car
door, and stared at her with his icy blue eyes.  His eyes seemed to
bore through her.  She stiffened as he sauntered up to her.  His worn
blue jeans, dirty white shirt, and long black trenchcoat rippled in
the faint wind.  He put his bulky arm around her.  She could feel the
gun pointed at her side.
	" Making it look as real as possible, " he assured her.  He
grinned and bent down to whisper in her ear " Remember what I told ya,
" he breathed. They walked into the building and up to her apartment,
making sure nobody noticed anything unusual.  His warning still echoed
clear in her ears.  They arrived at her door and stood outside for a
couple of moments.  His head swiveled around as he checked out the
place.  He turned his gaze to her.
	" Well, what are you waiting for? " he asked, annoyed.  She
opened the door and was greeted by a cute, little, red-haired dog.  He
bounded up to them, curious of the new playmate.  " Cute, " he said
sarcastically.  He shoved the dog aside with his foot.  He walked in
like he owned the place, his shoulders squared and his blonde head
high.  She saw his eyes gaze around, surveying the place, making
little notes of exits and objects that could be used as weapons.  She
noticed a small smile tugging at the corner of his thin mouth.
	" This'll do, " he said under his breath.  He turned towards
her and pointed the gun at her, *her* gun.  " Now why don't you sit
down like a nice little girl, okay? " Somewhere within the depths and
the darkest corners of her soul she gathered enough courage to speak.
	" Where do you want me to sit? " Okay, she had to admit when
being threatened by some insane man with a gun that it was kind of
stupid to speak, let alone be snippy.  She instantly regretted it.
	" Oh, are we gonna be that way about it?  Right on that
chair'll be nice.  That way if you try anything stupid I can easily
blow your head off! " he growled.  She slowly lowered herself into the
soft chair.  At least she had a comfortable chair to sit in while
being held hostage.  She grimly realized no one was going to help her.
Mulder probably didn't even realize she was in trouble.  The man
seated himself on the couch and looked at her with those cold eyes.
	" Who are you? " she asked meekly.  He grinned wickedly,
however his smile never reached his eyes.  They were still as chilling
as ever.  Her fate was locked in those eyes.
	" Name's Steven Baines, but you can call me Steve. "
	" What are you doing here? "
	" It may seem strange, but I'm not here to hurt you.  I need
to talk to you. "
	" What makes you think I'm going to listen? " Oh, now she blew
it.  His face grew grim and hard.  She could see a muscle tensing in
his jaw.  His face changed again.  He smiled.
	" What makes me think you're gonna listen?  Easy.  You may not
know it or even remember it, but I know you and you know me. "
	" I've never seen you before in my life. "
	" Ahhh, but you're wrong.  You had a "missing time"
experience, correct? "
	" Yes. "
	" You were gone for three months, right? " How did he know
that?  Who was this guy?
	" Yes. " Suddenly he got up off the couch and kneeled next to
her, placing a large hand on her leg.
	" I was there Dana.  I saw how they hurt you.  They hurt me
too, " he whispered. His hand moved up to her shoulder.  Suddenly a
flood of memories washed over her.  She saw a man, who was laying on a
table next to her.  Blood trickled in thin line out of his nose.  He
was screaming, his blue eyes wide with terror.  The memory was broken
by Steve's voice.  " You remember, don't you? " This was getting
really freaky.  This was the guy who was always in her dreams.  Her
dreams were coming true.  The figments and horrors that lived in her
dreams were becoming real.  She hastily brushed away a tear that had
made it's way down her cheek.
	" What do you want? " She was scared.  She had no idea who
this man was, but somehow he knew her.  The memories she desperately
tried to hide were surfacing.  She didn't want to remember.  She
wanted to go on living as the normal Dana Katherine Scully.  This man,
this man was forcing her to remember, to come face to face with the
demons.  She just wasn't ready.
	" I've been put in a mental institution.  They don't believe
me. " I wonder why, she thought sarcastically.
	" What do you mean? "
	" I told them what happened, they didn't believe me.  They
know I know too much.  The doctors there work for the government.  I
know I may sound a little paranoid, but they're going to kill me.  I
know they are.  A couple of days ago I saw some guys talking to one of
my doctors.  They were saying how they're going to kill me, and how no
one will ever find my body.  The perfect murder. "
	" Why are you telling me this? " Steve retreated back to the
couch and rested his heavy frame into the soft cushions.  He sighed
and ran a hand through his blonde hair.  They stayed silent for what
seemed like an eternity. Then he spoke.
	" I knew something like this would happen. "
	" Something like what? "
	" I knew I was taking a big leap.  I didn't know if you'd
remember me.  Apparently not. "
	" How do know who I am? "
	" Those three months you were gone, I was with you.  I know
you don't remember it, but I had to take a chance.  I need you to help
me. "
	" Why should I help you?  You sneak into my car, threaten me
with a knife and my gun, and you want me to help you? " she snapped.
	" Okay, I was a little harsh, but ya gotta help me, please. "
Suddenly she heard a knocking at the door.  Steve looked at her.
	" Ask who it is, " he hissed.
	" Who is it? " she asked.
	" Mulder. "
	" Who's Mulder? " Steve asked.
	" My partner. " Steve suddenly seemed angry.  His young
features grew grim and hard.  His eyes froze over.
	" Ask him what he wants, " he ordered, his voice low.
	" What do you want? "
	" I need those Nelson files, " came the muffled reply.
Suddenly Steve stood.  He grabbed her, pushed her towards the wall.
He pinned her arms against it.  She struggled under his grasp.  His
nostrils flared and his eyes were stone cold.  He raised his fist and
SMACK, brought it down on her jaw.  The pain radiated down her face
and chin.  He let go of her and she fell down to the floor.  He kicked
her a couple of times, knocking the wind out of her.  He slapped her,
sending her back into the wall.  He bent down, his mouth inches from
her ear.  His hot breath scorched her skin.
	" Tell him to wait a couple minutes, you're a little busy
right now, " he said harshly. " Mulder, you still there? " she asked.
	" Yeah, everything okay? " Mulder replied.
	" Yes.  Um, can you wait a moment.  I'm not decent. " She knew
it was lame, but it would have to do.  She rather have a stupid excuse
than face the wrath of Steven Baines.  She had already had enough.
	" Uh, sure. " Mulder answered, confused.  Steve nodded in
approval.  He grabbed her and shoved her into her bedroom.
	" Listen, I didn't know you were a fed.  If you tell you're
partner anything, I'll be forced to kill ya.  Got me?  I didn't come
this far to be turned in by a little red-headed woman with a badge! "
he snarled.
	" What are you going to do with me? "
	" Tie you up."  He tied her up to one of the bedposts with a
piece of twine he had retrieved from his pocket.  He smacked her
again.  Her face stung.
	" Remember what I said, " he said quickly and dashed out of
the room.  What a day this turned out to be.

***

	Mulder didn't understand.  Why would Scully care how she
looked?  He had already seen her tired, muddy, bruised and beaten up.
Something wasn't right.  She was in trouble.  He could feel it.
	" Mulder!!! " he heard he faint voice through the door.
	" Yeah?!?! "
	" Mulder, help me!!! " Thoughts of Duane Barry, Donnie
Phaster, and Eugene Tooms flashed though his brain.  He took out his
gun and kicked open the door.  He saw a small splotch of blood on the
wall.
	" Mulder, I'm in the bedroom! " Scully yelled.  He ran towards
Scully's bedroom.  He found her tied up to one of the bedposts, a line
of crimson blood traced a path from her nose.
	" Scully, what happened? " He was at her side immediately.
	" Mulder untie me, " she whispered.  He kneeled beside her and
undid the twine.
	" Oh my God Scully, what happened? " She hesitated in
answering, remembering Steve's words.  Suddenly she felt light-headed.
She closed her eyes and passed out on the floor.

***

		" Mulder what happened? " she asked.  She was laying
on her bed.  Her head hurt and so did her wrists.
	" I don't know.  You tell me. " She thought over the notion of
telling Mulder or not.  Steve's face flashed in front of her eyes.
"Whatever it is you can tell me you know, " he said quietly.  " Who
hurt you? " She looked into his hazel eyes.  They were full of so much
concern.  The dams broke.
	" Therewasthisguyandhewasinmycarandhehadaknifeandhe...."
	" Whoa, slow down.  Start over. " She took a deep breath to
calm her nerves.
	" Okay.  There was this guy.  Somehow he got into my car.  He
had a knife and threatened to kill me.  We got here and he said he
knew me.  He said that he was with me when I was gone.  He said he saw
them hurt me.  He needed my help.  He said he escaped from some mental
hospital or something.  When you came he suddenly got mad.  He thought
I was going to turn him in, so he hit me and tied me up.  He said if I
told you he'd kill me.  It was so freaky. "
	" You said he remembered you from your abduction.  Did you
remember him? "
	" I don't know.  He's the one from my dreams.  I don't know. "
She bit her lip, and fought not to cry.
	" Scully? " She looked up.  " You ever heard of Regression
Hypnosis? "
	" Yes, why? " she asked him warily.
	" I was thinking this might be the way to find out who this
guy is.  Maybe he's a key to your disappearance.  What do you say? "
	" I don't know... " She suddenly remembered Melissa.  She had
wanted her to go through this.  She had tried, but it was too painful.
She couldn't go through with it, not again.
	" Scully, this might put an end to your nightmares. " She
sighed.  There was no winning here.  She knew Mulder would get her to
go either way.
	" Okay. "


The next day-
 Location: Dr. Wayland's Office
	They were sitting in a little waiting room.  She looked around
the room from her seat in one of the leather chairs.  Flower
wallpaper, magazines, all the things to make one relaxed.  Except she
wasn't relaxed.  She didn't want to do this.
	" Mulder, I'm nervous.  I don't know if I..."
	" Scully don't worry.  He's a specialist.  You don't need to
worry.  Leave that up to me. " He flashed her a lopsided grin.  She
was glad he was going.  It would make it a little easier.  Some parts
of her didn't want to know what really had happened and some parts
did.  It was all so confusing.
	" Miss Scully, Mr. Mulder, Dr. Wayland is ready to see you.
She and Mulder stood up and walked into a small office with a couch
and a couple of chairs.  Great, a couch.  Now it seemed she was in a
therapists office.
	" Hi I'm Dr. Wayland, " the small, plump man said, offering
her his hand.  She shook it and sat down.  " Are you familiar with
Regression Hypnosis, Miss Scully? " She nodded.  The doctor quickly
went over the basics even though she knew what was going to happen.
She *had* done this once before.  She regulated her breathing and
relaxed.
	" Okay, are you relaxed? "
   	" Yes. " He began the session, asking her to remember.
	" Where are you? " She paused for a moment.
	" I don't know, "she finally said.
	" Can you describe your surroundings? "
	" Yeah.  Umm, I-I'm in a small, white room.  There are lots of
tables.  There-there are lots of people.  Some are just staring, like
nothing's going on.  Some are screaming.  I-I don't like this place.
I want to go home. "
	"Do you know where you are? "
	" No. "
	" Are you scared? "
	" No, no I'm not.  I know I should be, b-but I'm not.  I-I
can't feel anything. "
	" How did you get there, Dana? "
	" I-I don't remember. "
	" Try, " Dr. Wayland urged.
	" I-I can't.  I can't remember.  They won't let me. "
	" Who won't let you? "
	" Them. "
	" Who's them? " Her breathing became quickened.  Her chest
heaved with each breath.  With each breath came a new memory.  " Who's
them? " Dr. Wayland repeated.
	" I-I don't know.  I can't see their faces.  Why are they
doing this to me? "
	" Are they human, Dana? "
	" I-I don't know.  They-they look human, but how can they be
called human when they're d-doing this?  How?  They don't even care.
They don't even care. " Her voice was small, and fragile.
	" Dana, why are you here? "
	" There is no reason. "
	" Scully, is Steve there? " Mulder asked.
	" No.  I wish he was. "
	" Dana, who's Steve? "
	" Steve is Steve, " she said simply.  Mulder glanced at
Dr. Wayland.  He just shrugged.
	" Where is Steve? "
	" I-I don't know. "
	" What are they doing to you? "
	" They-they are..... " Her voice trailed off.
	" Dana, what are they doing to you? "
	" Make them s-stop.  Please. "
	" What are they doing to you? " Dr. Wayland said again.  Her
chest rose, and her teeth gritted together.
	" They....they're p-poking needles into me.  I tell them to
stop, but they won't.  They just won't. " They were all silent for a
moment.  " Steve? " Scully asked meekly.
	" Dana, is Steve there? "
	" Yes.  They're bringing him in.  Something's wrong. "
	" What do you mean? "
	" He....he's being carried in.  He isn't moving.  Why isn't he
moving? " she asked, panicstriken.
	" What's happening now? "
	" I-I can't help him.  I can't even move.
I'm...strapped...down....to....a...table...I can't move.  I...I need
to help him. " She squirmed around in the chair.  " I can't move.
Steve?  Please be okay Steve.  Please.  C'mon Steve!  Wake up! Please.
Please! " she begged.  Salty tears poured down her face.
	" Dana... "
	" No.  Stop please!  Please!  Don't touch me! "
	" Who's hurting you, Dana? "
	" Them.  They...are....p-poking me.  Their hands are so cold.
Owww!  They taking my blood. "
	" What are they taking? "
	" Blood.  They are taking my blood.  What are they going to do
with it? " She asked.  Suddenly her breathing slowed.
	" Are they still hurting you? "
	" No.  They stopped.  Steve......Steve is so.....so cold.
He's barely breathing. "
	" Are you still in the white room, Dana? "
	" Yes.  They let me go.  I'm with Steve.  They're, they're
watching me.  I try to tell them that Steve is dying.  They won't
listen.  He's just an specimen to them, " Scully whispered.
	" Dana, what are they doing now? "
	" He's so cold, so cold.  Steve, please be okay.  You can't
die.  Not now.  God, he's so cold! "
	" Dana, what are they doing now? " Dr. Wayland repeated.
	" They're watching me.  I want to go home. "
	" Where's home? "
	" I-I don't know.  I-I can't remember, " she said quietly.
	" Dana, what happened to Steve? "
	" They hurt him.  He's so cold. "
	" What's happening now? "
	" No!  Stop!  You can't take him away!  Stop, please! " She
started sobbing uncontrollably.
	" Dana, what are they doing? "
	" They're taking him away!  Stop! "
	" Dana.... "
	" Stop please!  Where are they taking him? "
	" Dana..... "
	" Everyone's screaming.  It's....so...loud!  Steve is awake.
He's yelling.  Where are they taking him? "
	  " Dana, on the count of three I want you to return to that
peaceful place.  One...two...three. " Her clear-blue eyes opened.  She
quickly wiped away some of the tears that had made their way down her
cheeks.  Her breathing was heavy.  She was so pale.  Her eyes kept
darting around the room, remembering the monsters that plagued her
dreams.
	" I...I have to go.  Excuse me, " Scully shakily said, exiting
through the door.  Mulder got up and followed her.  He was stopped by
a slight touch on his arm.
	" Mr. Mulder.... "
	" Don't explain.  Is she going to be alright? "
	" I hope so. "

***
	
	Scully sat on a wooden bench outside the office, and just
stared.  Her breathing was back to normal, and she had managed to stop
crying.  Everything seemed so unreal, like something out of a bad
sci-fi movie.  This wasn't happening, she told herself.  She would
wake up and everything would be back to normal, or what passed as
normal.  She rested her head in her hands, and started to massage her
temples.  She had an awful headache, and it only made it worse when
she heard the faint footsteps of her partner.
	" Scully are you alrig...." She didn't want to talk to him.
As far as she was concerned this was all his fault.
	" Just take me home Mulder, " she said unemotionally.
	" But Scully I...."
	" Mulder, I said just take me home.  I don't feel like
talking. "
	" Fine. "

***

	They rode in silence.  Neither felt like talking.  Scully had
a lot on her mind.  She didn't want to think about what she
remembered.  She didn't want to think about what "they" had done to
her.  She didn't want to.  Mulder wanted her to find the truth.  He
wanted her to come to grips and realize that aliens are real and they
had taken her.  It wasn't that easy.  She had based her career and her
beliefs on the notion that all things had a scientific explanation.
Now because of what happened to her, Mulder wanted her to forget all
that and readily believe in those little gray men he was so obsessed
with.  It just wasn't that easy.

***

	He hadn't meant to hurt her.  God knows he never meant it.  He
only wanted her to know the truth.  The truth behind what really
happened and the truth behind the government conspiracy.  He didn't
want to hurt her.  Oh man, he really messed up this time.

Later that night....  Location: Scully's Apartment
	She was dreaming.  She knew it, and she couldn't stop it.
Whenever she was awake she could put away the horrors she had seen,
the nightmares she had witnessed.  It was different at night.  She had
no control of her dreams.  The same thing happened every night.  Her
body and mind would separate, her mind floating into the caverns of
her memory.  The door would unlock, and the painful memories she
locked away would rise.
	She was in a room, strapped to a large metal table.  Every
inch of her body was screaming out in pain.  Her mind was fuzzy and
her senses dulled.  She could barely make out the voices screaming
around her.  She knew, only minutes before, she was one of those
voices.  Now she lay there silently, wishing it were all over, wishing
she wasn't here.  She could hear a familiar voice.  A man's voice.  He
was screaming.  It was Steve, definitely Steve.  She turned her head
and saw "them" strap him to the table.  He was still screaming and
withering around.
	" Stop it!!  Don't you touch me!!  Lemme go!!! " she could
barely make out his words.  She saw them jam a large syringe in his
arm and he instantly stopped struggling.  She closed her eyes.  She
didn't want to see them hurt him.  Not again.  Not ever again.  She
could hear him screaming.
	" NOOOOOOO!!!  AHHHHHH!  STOP IT!!!  Please, please stop it!!
" Suddenly he was silent.  She opened her eyes.
	" Why don't you help me Dana?  What are you afraid of? " he
asked softly.
	" I-I don't know. "
	" Dana help! "
	" I-I can't, I can't. "
	" Dana help me! "
	" I'm sorry. "
	" You're just going to leave me here to die, aren't you Dana?
" he accused.
	" No!! "
	" Dana help! "
	" I can't.  I just can't. "
	" Dana, HELP ME!!! " She was instantly awake.  The dream was
still clear in her mind, as clear as the morning sky.  She was soaking
with sweat and shaking.  Why did this stuff always happen to her?  She
hadn't had a nightmare for a while, so why now?  She knew the answer.
That darn hypnosis session.  She didn't even know why she had agreed
to it.  She should have never gone through with it.  She got up out of
her bed and headed for the bathroom.  The door creaked in protest as
she opened it.
	" I really need to fix those hinges, " she said aloud.  She
washed her face, letting the water wash away the last remnants of her
dream.  She froze.  She heard something.  No, she was just being
paranoid.  The door creaked again.  She quickly glanced in the
direction of the sound.  There he was, leaning against the door in the
same worn jeans, white t-shirt and black trenchcoat.
	" Miss me baby? "


Location: Mulder's Apartment
	Mulder felt really horrible about that afternoon.  He had hurt
Scully, he knew it.  Now he was trying to get some sleep on his
leather couch and all he could think about was her.  He couldn't stand
it.  He picked up the phone and dialed the familiar numbers.  He let
it ring a couple of times before he let his paranoia kick in.  Where
was she at this time of night?  Why wasn't she answering?  He hung up
the phone in fury.  She was probably mad at him.  He hopped off the
couch and headed for the door.  He needed to talk to her whether she
liked it or not.

Location: Steve's House
	She was in a small room lit only by the soft glow of a
kerosine lamp.  Did this guy ever hear of electric lights?  With her
luck he was probably a Kindred.  She was tied to a chair, which was
rather uncomfortable.  He was sitting on a stool, smoking a cigarette.
	" Ah, haven't had a chance to enjoy my daily nicotine dose
since I was put in the hospital." He not only acted insane and scary,
he also looked it.  From his wild blonde hair and chilling eyes to his
dark apartment and odd furniture.  The odd thing about the furniture
was he didn't have much.  A couple of chairs and a stuffed mattress
that lay on the floor.  He didn't have any tables, only crates that
usually doubled as foot stools.  Clothes were piled up in the corner
and even though he had a refrigerator the only thing it occupied were
old pizzas and some beer.  She had to admit this guy reminded her of
Mulder.  She squirmed underneath the ropes and apparently he noticed
because he looked up at her with those ice-blue eyes.
	" Are you uncomfortable? " he said wickedly with a small grin.
She nodded.  " So am I. "
	" Why did you kidnap me? " He seemed amused by this question.
The light of the lamp reflected off his chiseled features and made his
blue eyes dance.
	" I need someone to listen to me, to understand me.  You are
the only one who understands me. " She didn't answer.  " Okay, it does
sound weird.  You were there and I know you remember.  I need to tell
someone my side of the story. "
	" What good will that do? "
	" If you listen and understand then maybe you can get me out
of this jam I'm in.  I'm not going to hurt you, I just want you to
listen. " He paused for a moment.  " I was thinking maybe you could
protect me.  I don't want to die. "
	" *Me* protect *you*? "
	" You'd understand if you'd listen.  I-I didn't mean to scare
you.  I'm sorry, " he said quietly.  She suddenly felt a little
sadness for the guy but she quickly pushed it away.
	" Are you going to tell me what happened? " she asked quietly.
He nodded.
	" I was only seven.  Just a little boy.  They took me away
from my parents and did things to me. "
	" What kind of things? "
	" Poked me, hurt me.  That was only the beginning.  They bred
my mother like a barnyard animal.  They would visit me during the
night and take me for weeks at a time.  My parents blamed each other
and they soon got divorced.  When I got older I-I went through a lot
of Regression Hypno Therapy with this guy named Dr. Jacobson.  He told
me I was an "abductee" and I had had "missing time" experiences.
After that I was "taken" again.  All I remember was seeing bright
lights, needles, and you. " He looked down at the floor, embarrassed.
	" Go on. "
	" When I got back I was rushed to the emergency room.  These
men came to my hospital room and asked me what happened.  The next
thing I knew I was being shipped to a mental hospital.  They locked me
up and said everything I saw wasn't real.  They denied everything but
I kept persisting, kept insisting.  One day I overheard some of the
doctors say that they were going to kill me.  They knew I knew too
much.  I was a threat to them so I got outta that hole and now I'm
here. "
	" And you think I can help you? "
	" Yup.  Score one for the G-woman! "
	" You're really scary. "
	" Thank you.  Do you think I can trust you not to run if I let
you go? " she nodded.  He kneeled beside her and took out a small
pocket-knife.  He cut the ropes free.  She inhaled deeply, enjoying
the feeling of being able to breath just a little bit easier.
	" Thank you. "
	" No problem. " He walked over to the telephone that was
laying on the floor.  " I'm sorry I have to do this. " He took out the
gun, and pointed it straight at her head.  " Stand up and walk over
here, " he ordered. She did so.  He grabbed her pushed the gun to her
temple.  " You do as I say and call your partner.  You tell him that
there is this guy who's holding you hostage and he wants to be
guaranteed that he'll be safe and no one will bother him ever again,
including "them".  I also want two million dollars, cash.  Got that? "
She nodded her red-head.  " Dial. " She dialed.  No answer.
	" Where else would he be? "
	" My apartment. "
	" Alright beautiful, dial the numbers and get my request
through the lines! "


Location: Scully's Apartment
	Where was she?  Her apartment was a wreck.  Books thrown
everywhere.  Tables and chairs toppled over.  He heard a high-pitched
ringing song.  The phone!  He hastily grabbed it.
	" Mulder! " he answered.
	" Mulder, it's me. "
	" Scully where are you? "
	" I can't say, not just yet.  He won't let me. "
	" Who, Steve? "
	" Yes. "
	" What does he want with you. "
	" He said if you don't get two million dollars and ensure his
protection he'll kill me. "
	" Scully, what's his obsession with you? "
	" Mulder, I recognize him.  He's in my dreams.  He wanted me
to listen to his story.  He doesn't want to live in fear anymore. "
	" Scully listen to me, try...."
	" Try what Mr. Mulder? " a male voice asked.
	" What do you want with her! " He didn't answer.  " What do
you want with her!!! " Mulder repeated.
	" Listen.  Get your fellow feds and tell them what I want.
You don't get her back till then.  Got me?  Remember, I'm the one
who's finger's on the trigger and I won't hesitate to pull it. "
<click>.  He was disconnected.  Mulder slammed the phone down.  He
lost her once and he wasn't going to lose her again.

Location: Steve's House
	Steve lit a match.  He held it up to his eyes, and watched as
the fire danced.  Then he held in front of Scully's eyes.
	" You see this Dana? " he asked.  The flame licked higher.  "
This is fire.  So powerful, so absolutely powerful.  If I dropped it,
an accident of course, it would burn away your clothes.  Then it would
tear through your skin, dissolving every little cell in it's way.  The
fire would get bigger and bigger.  Your whole body would ignite.  Your
hair would be a pile of ashes.  Your skin would be a burnt piece of
steak.  You'd be the human barbecue.  Worst thing is you'd be alive
through most of it.  Pretty bad way to die. " He moved over to the
table and picked up the gun.  He ran his hand over barrel.  " Now this
is a gun. " He held it up in front of her eyes, and waved it around
like it was some toy.  Cold sweat beaded her upper lip.  The gun was
loaded.  " All I would have to do is aim, and fire.  One brief moment
of pain, then it's all over.  Boom, flash, dead.  Not that bad of a
way to die. " He retrieved another object from the table.  A knife.  "
This is a knife, Dana.  O!  ne of the worst ways to die, well next to
being burned alive. " He traced little circles in the air with the
blade.  Then he lowered it to his arm.  " More blood this way.  The
body has five quarts of blood.  Imagine all that blood leaking out of
you slowly, ever so slowly. " He ran the knife along his hand.  Blood
oozed out of the cut.  He raised his hand to his mouth and licked away
the blood.  He closed his eyes, and licked his lips.
	" How would you like to die? " he whispered, fixating his gaze
on her.  She didn't answer.  " Three choices.  Fire, gun, knife.
Which one? " She remained silent.  " Fine, be that way.  I'll choose.
Gun. " He again picked up the gun.  He raised it to her head, and
closed his eyes.  She knew she was going to die.  All she could think
was not now.  She had so much more life to live.  Not now. She
couldn't die now.  He put his finger on the trigger.  All he had to do
was pull.  She'd be dead.  Over and done with.  She closed her eyes.
A lone tear escaped from her tightly shut eyelids.  She felt the gun
slowly leave her temple.  She opened her eyes.  He was sitting on a
chair, shoulders slumped and his head was in his hands.  He raised his
head and stared deeply into her eyes.
	" Thank you, " she whispered.
	" I spared you once Dana.  I found a little room in my heart,
but next time you won't be so lucky. "

Location: Basement Office
	With each hour that passed, Mulder got closer and closer to
the brink of insanity.  He couldn't stand it.  He had no leads.  He
had nothing.  All he had was his faith, his faith to keep looking.
Right now that was all he really needed.

Location: Steve's House
	" Take a chance, " Steve said as he displayed a deck of old,
dog-eared cards.  " I make the rules. " He bit his lip, and his
eyebrows arched in thought.  " Let's see, if you get the high card you
get to leave and go home.  If *I* get the high card you die. " He said
it so simply, like it didn't matter to him.  Of course they weren't
gambling on his life.  He shuffled the deck and laid it in front of
her.  " You go first. " She swallowed her fears and withdrew the top
card.  Four.  She closed her eyes and silently cursed her luck.  A
fist curled up in her stomach.  He shrugged and placed his hand on the
deck.  " You're life is teetering on the brink on death.  One card can
affect the existence of your whole world as we know it.  One card. "
He picked up the card, and held it up for her to see.  Five.  She
gasped.  One number off!  She suddenly felt sick.  She was going to
die because of some stupid card game.  She was going to fall victim to
chance.  She was so in-depth in her!
 own thoughts of death and defeat that she barely noticed when Steve
struck a match and ignited the card, which instantly went up in
flames.  He dropped it on the floor and stamped it out.
	" Tell you what, I'll give you one more chance.  If I get high
card you die.  If you do, I answer any one question you want.  I draw
first.  Look here, a seven.  You're turn. " With shaking hands she
took the top card from the deck.  She said a silent prayer and stared
into the threshold of death.  A ten!  She got a ten!
	" Hmmmm, not bad.  A ten!  You win.  Remember one question.
Better make it good. " She thought a moment.
	" What do you want with me? " His eyes grew colder.  Shadows
cast out across his face.
	" I-I need someone to listen to me, to understand.  I want out
and you're the only way.  I can't keep living in fear: fear of being
tracked down.  I don't want them to take me back, they can't. " He
lowered his head and ran a hand through his wild blonde hair.  She
felt sympathy for this man.  Wherever, or whatever she knew him from
she did know him.  She understood him for the first time.  The smoke
and smog of doubts had finally cleared, revealing the truth.  She knew
she could trust him.

Location: Basement Office
	Mulder was at the point where he would try *anything* and
*everything* if it meant getting her back.  The only thing was he had
already tried.
 

Location: Steve's House
	" Why is it so dark in here? " Scully asked.  The lights were
all off in the tiny room.  Even the kerosene lamp was turned off.
	" The lights aren't on, " Steve replied dryly.  " You want to
know the real reason? " She nodded.  He got up and turned away from
her, hands clasped behind his back.  " When I was little I used to
shut off all the lights in the house, and pretend I wasn't home.  I
used to think that they wouldn't come for me if they thought no one
was home.  Man, was I wrong. "
	" Why do you still turn the lights off if you know they'd come
for you anyway? "
	" Hope. "
	" I don't understand. "
	" You wouldn't, " he said harshly.  He faced her, noticing the
slightest hint of shock and pain on her face.
	" I was taken too.  I do know what it feels like to be gone
for three months and not have any recollection of what happened.
You're not alone. "
	" If I'm not alone then why do I feel like I am?  No one can
ever know how I feel.  No one. "
	" That's not true. "
	" Yeah it is.  No one knows.  No one will ever know. " He
walked over to the table and turned on the lamp.  The whole place lit
up.  Their shadows danced on the wall.
	" You can trust me, " she said quietly.  He paused for a
moment, and she swore she saw a tear in his eye.  He nodded, and
opened his mouth to speak.
	" I was always alone.  Until now. "

Location: Basement Office
	Mulder watched as the dark figure approached him.  This was
his last resort.  Other than Scully, he was Mulder's only ally.  His
only link to the secrets that the government was hiding.  He didn't
even know the man's identity, or even his name, but it didn't really
matter.  It was the information he gave Mulder that mattered.
	" Mr. Mulder, I do not appreciate being woken up at this time
at night.  Whatever it is you need it better be good. "
	" My partner's missing.  I was hoping you knew something. "
	" I don't know why she was taken, but she will be returned. "
	" When? "
	" When the police find him and blow off his head. "
	" What does he want with her? "
	" How should I know? "
	" What.... "
	" Mr. Mulder, all you need to know is that you're partner will
be found, he will be killed, and everything will have a somewhat happy
ending. " The man turned on his heels, and stalked off into the night.

Location: Steve's House
	Scully was still in the same chair, still tied up.  He was off
dozing on the horrible excuse for a mattress.  This guy had more mood
swings than a pregnant woman.  He would be sincere and sad one moment,
mean and cold the next.  He groaned in his sleep and turned over.  He
was having a nightmare, she knew it.  His face, etched with pain and
anguish, was so familiar.  Yet she didn't know the man behind the
face.  She only saw the face.  In her dreams and flashbacks.  His eyes
popped open suddenly.  He looked much nicer asleep.  He didn't look as
scary.  He sat up and rubbed his gruff features.  He looked at her,
his eyes seeming to see right through her.
	" Hungry? " he asked.  She nodded.  " Well, then let's see
what we have. " He got up and stretched his arms above his head.  A
huge yawn escaped his lips.  He hobbled over to kitchen, or what
looked like a kitchen, and rummaged around a bit.  He came back with a
can of corn and some beer.  He shrugged.
	" Only thing I got, " he said casually.  He pried open the can
with his knife.  He untied her, but still had the gun close at hand in
case she tried anything.  " You know you can trust me.  I'm not here
to hurt you.  You know that.  You know how I feel.  Why don't you
trust me? "
	" I trust you, but sometimes I'm just not sure. " Suddenly he
threw the corn off the table and jumped on top of it.  He held the
knife in his hand and he placed it right under her chin.  His face
inches from hers, and his icy-blue eyes freezing her skin.
	" Listen here, you have one heck of a mouth.  Let's put it
this way.  I want my demands and quite frankly I'm tired of having to
babysit you.  Get on that phone and call Mulder.  Tell him where we
are.  Tell him I want to talk with him, get everything in order.  Tell
him if he tries anything stupid I'll kill you.  Got it? "
	" Yes. "
	" Do it! "

Location: Basement Office
	Mulder was working in his darkened office, trying furiously to
find any leads.  He ran a hand through his brown hair and in one
motion pushed everything off the desk.  He was so sick of all this.
Sick of running around.  Sick of all these psychos.  Suddenly the
phone rang.  He rushed to pick it up.
	" Mulder. "
	" Mulder, it's me. "
	" Scully are you okay?  Where are you? "
	" I'm fine. " He heard a click.  If he was disconnected one
more time he swore he'd pull his hair out.
	" Hi ya Mulder! "
	" Who are you?  What have you done with Scully?  Where are
you? "
	" Whoa, hold on.  One question at a time. "
	" Who are you? "
	" Don't you recognize my voice?  It's me Steve. "
	" What do you want? "
	" I want *you* to come *here* and we can have a little chat. "
	" Where are you? " Steve gave him the address.  " Hate to tell
you Steve, but that's in the middle of nowhere. "
	" You don't think I know that?  I'm a psycho on the run.  I
can't exactly afford the Hilton!! "
	" I'll be right there. "
	" Mulder, if you try anything stupid I'll kill her, got it? "
	" Yes, just don't hurt her. " <click>.  Disconnected again!
He cursed and dialed.  He'd have every squad car on that house in no
time.  He picked up his gun and headed out the door.
	" Time to take a little drive. "

Location: Steve's House
	He held the gun to her head.  His other arm held tightly
around her stomach, pinning her arms down.  His face was so close to
hers that she could feel him breathing.  His cold eyes fixated on the
door.  They both heard the rapping at the door.  She saw a smile creep
across his gruff features.  The door flew open.  There stood Mulder,
looking tired and rumpled.
	" Ah, so you decided to join us Mr. Mulder.  Put your gun
down.  Yes, that's it.  Gooooood.  Now step forward, and close the
door.  Good job Mulder.  Not bad for a G-man. " He took the gun off
her head, letting her breathe a little bit easier.  He pointed it at
Mulder, and she tensed up again.
	" Sit down in the chair.  NOW!! " Mulder moved to the chair
and sat down.  " Now stay there.  Dana, sit down in the other chair. "
She also sat.  " Goooood.  You two are pretty well behaved. "
	" Why are you doing this? " Scully asked.
	" I think you know. " He walked up to her and touched her
temple.  " Remember Dana, " he whispered.  Her eyes closed.  Flashes
of memories.  Pieces of the truth, broken down to tiny fragments of
the reality that couldn't possibly be the reality.  She saw them all
at once.  She saw herself.  Him.  She saw others, the others who had
no names.  She saw "them".  She could feel the intense pain as they
poked and prodded and hurt her.  She could see "them" hurting others,
others who would probably never again see another day.  She could hear
their screams, their pleas for help.  She saw him screaming and crying
as they poked at him.  She could see the pain and anguish on every
face.  Her face held the same.  She saw a young man screaming in utter
pain and then with a start she realized she was screaming too.  The
memories, the flashbacks, ended as quickly as they started.  A
solitary tear carved a path down her smooth cheek.
	" Why are you doing this to me? " she whispered, her eyes
still closed.  He remained silent.  "Why?"
	" Because I need you're help, " he said quietly.
	" STOP!!  LET THEM GO!! MOVE!!  HANDS UP IN THE AIR!!  NOW!! "
Steve swung around in disbelief.
	" You called the cops on me!! " he yelled.  He pointed the gun
at Mulder.  " You called the cops on me!! "
	" Put it down! " yelled one of the officers.  " PUT IT DOWN!!
" He dropped the gun and raised his arms.  He turned on his heels and
faced Scully.
	" Why don't you help me? " he asked.  Suddenly she remembered
her dream.  " Why don't you help me?  I need your help. " Mulder
looked over.  Her eyes were wide.  She was as white as a sheet, looked
so small and so scared.  It didn't take a brain surgeon to see that.
One of the cops grabbed Steve by the shoulder, slipped a pair of
handcuffs on him, and pushed him forward.  "Ahhh, get your hands off
me!  Let me go!!  You won't get away with this!!  Ahhhhh!!!  Let go!!"
They pushed him out of the room.
	" Scully, you okay? "
	" Mulder, he didn't do anything wrong. "
	" Scully, what do you mean?  He kidnapped you. "
	" He had his reasons. "
	" Scully are you okay? "
	" Mulder, he's scared.  He needed help.  He thought I could
help him.  I remember him.  Mulder, I believe him.  I think we should
help him. " Mulder was stunned.  She *believed* him.  She *believed*
in his story.
	" Scully, do you know what you're saying? "
	" Yes, I'm aware. "
	" Good.  Now let's go pay a visit to our little jailbird. " He
walked up to one of the police officers.
	" Do you think we could talk to him? " Mulder asked, pointing
at Steve.
	" Yeah, once he's snug in his handcuffs. "
	" What do you mean? "
	" He's wanted for murder.  A couple out in Annapolis. "
	" Murder? "
	" Yup. " Mulder talked with the officer a couple more minutes
and then walked back to where she was sitting.
	" So when are we going to talk to him? "
	" That might take a little finagling. "
	" What do you mean? "
	" Do you have any idea what he's wanted for? "
	" No.  What? "
	" He's wanted for murder.  A couple in Annapolis.
Fingerprints, DNA, all over the crime scene. " He heard her take in a
sharp breath.
	" I had no idea. "
	" You think anyone set him up? "
	" I don't know.  He said he heard some doctor say he was going
to kill him. "
	" Now bear with me here, Scully.  What if.... "
	" Oh no, not the "what ifs". "
	" Just listen a minute.  What if he found out something he
shouldn't know. " He saw Scully roll her eyes.
	" What could he possibly know? "
	" Something about the government's involvement in alien
abduction. "
	" Okay, let's just say he did see something.  Why would they
stick him in a mental hospital?  And why would they frame him when
they could just kill him? "
	" I don't know.  Maybe he was put in the hospital because they
didn't know what he knew.  They could easily frame him.  If he was an
abductee then the government would have samples of his DNA. "
	" Okay, I see where this is going.  Let's just blame the
government.  It's always their fault anyway.  Why don't we just speak
to Steve first. "
	" Sure.  Fine.  Whatever. "

Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	They walked into the small room.  Steve was sitting there,
perfectly calm.  He was wearing an orange short-sleeved shirt along
with matching pants.  He had handcuffs around his wrists, and was
sitting behind a table.  She sat down across from him.  Mulder stood.
	" Nice of you to join me, G-man, " Steve sneered.  Mulder just
nodded.
	" Tell me about these murder charges Steve, " Mulder said.
	" I didn't do it. "
	" Your fingerprints were all over the crime scene. "
	" I didn't do it. "
	" Samples of your DNA were picked up. "
	" I didn't do it. "
	" That alone could convict you. "
	" Didn't convict O.J. "
	" This is not the trial of the century and we're not the dream
team.  Give us the facts and we'll help you.  You can trust us. "
	" I didn't do it.  Dana you believe me, don't you? "
	" I don't know.  One minute you're tying me up, next you're
telling me your life's story, then I find out you're charged with
murder.  Which should I believe?  I need to know everything if you
want me to help you.  I know you can trust me. " Steve just stared at
her.
	" I was framed. " He said it so simply, so non-chalant.  Like
this was an everyday thing.
	" Who framed you? " His gaze moved upwards, towards the
ceiling.
	" Them. "

Location: Scully's Apartment
	The conversation with Steve was no help.  He wouldn't tell
them everything.  He still didn't trust them.  She knew he wasn't
guilty.  Even when he had kidnapped her he didn't really hurt her.  He
didn't *want* to hurt her.  She thought she could get through to him
like he had gotten through to her.  She was wrong.  She turned on the
t.v. in her apartment.  Luckily this case was close to home so she
wouldn't have to stay in some stuffy hotel room.  The phone rang.
	" Scully, It's me. "
	" What's up Mulder? "
	" Scully I think you should come down here. "

	
Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	As soon as she got the call she rushed to the prison, and ran
to his cell.  Mulder was standing there.
	" Mulder what is it? "
	" Just look Scully. " She looked over at the cell.  At first
she couldn't see him.  She glanced right.  In the corner was a
quivering, half-naked man, head in his hands, rocking back in forth,
whimpering.  She noticed the back of his neck was bleeding and he was
pale.  Contusions decorated his body.  The cut on the back of the neck
bothered her most.  The implant!  The one she had found in the back of
her neck.  The blankets and the cot were burned.  Intense heat.
Half-naked.  Cuts.  Testing.  He was abducted.  Though she never
jumped to conclusions this answer seemed right.  She could feel it.
She pushed past two of the guards and entered the cell.  She kneeled
next to him.  He was mumbling something.  She bent closer to hear.
	" Don't let them take me again.  Don't.  Please don't.  Don't
let them hurt me.  Stop.  Please.  Don't let them take me again.
Needles.  Don't let them take me again.  Please.  Please. "
	" Steve.  It's me.  What happened? "
	" Don't let them hurt me, make them stop.  Please. "
	" You can tell me.  You can trust me.  I believe you. " He
stopped rocking.  His hands moved downwards and he raised his head.
He just stared for a few moments.  His head slowly turned.  She
gasped.  His cold eyes weren't cold, but scared.  His brow was
furrowed in worry.  Sweat dotted his forehead and upper lip.  A line
of blood ran from his nose and down to his mouth.  Unidentified
objects found in the nasal cavity.  His jaw worked up and down
soundlessly and his eyes were glazed and distant.  His gaze moved to
her.
	" Don't let them hurt me. "
	" I won't, I won't. "

	
Location: Prison Infirmary
	He wouldn't let anyone touch him, but her.  She cleaned his
cuts.  That was basically all she could do.  His gaze was distant.  He
didn't speak.  Not even to her.  Just sat and stared.  He was wrapped
in a blanket and sat on a cot in the infirmary.  She had tried to talk
to him, but he never would respond.  She walked in and sat next to
him.
	" How are you feeling Steve? "
	" Like I went through a meat-grinder. " Now he was speaking.
She was off to a good start.  If you called that good.  At least he
was talking.
	" You want to tell me what happened? " Silence.  Not this
again.
	" You know what happened, Dana. " Why couldn't he just tell
her what happened?  What was his problem?  He was being so stubborn,
but why?  Was he afraid?  Or maybe he was angry?  Why wouldn't he just
tell her?  He knew he could trust her.
	" You know, you have a lot of nerve Steven Baines.  If you
just told me, maybe I could get you off the hook.  This would all be a
lot easier if you just talked. "
	" It's not that easy.  If I talk I'll get in trouble.  You
won't believe me anyway. "
	" I will believe.  Just trust me. "
	" It's kinda far-fetched. "
	" Try me. " Silence again.  He sighed and ran a hand through
his blonde hair.  " You can trust me, " she added.
	" You know what happened. " Argh!  She was getting so mad.  If
he didn't just answer she swore she'd rip his lungs out.
	" Are we at this again?  Why can't you just tell me? "
	" Okay, you want to know what happened?  They took me up to
their little labs, stuck things in me.  They poked and prodded.  I was
just laying there powerless, not able to do anything.  Knowing when
they returned me, I would have to live in this hole, and the way it
looks now I'm going to be here a long time.  You don't understand.
They treat *me*, they treat *you*, they treat *abductees*, like
science projects.  Like, why don't we stab here and see what happens,
or why don't we inject this into them and see how they react, and they
get away with it.  If I told everybody I met that I had been abducted
by aliens why do you think they'd react, huh?  They would give me the
"okay-I-know-you're-insane-so-I'll-just-walk-away-slowly-and-maybe-you-won't-hurt-me"
look.  Or the "what-funny-farm-are-you-from" look.  It's not easy
telling what happened.  And now I'm even doubting that *I'm* right in
the head.  I don't like spilling my guts because people make fun of me
and ridicule me.!
  I already have enough to think about.  I'm being charged with two
murders that I didn't commit.
	" Why?  Because I know too much.  I know about their tests and
I know about their government connections.  You know what I did before
this disaster?  I was a photographer.  Ever since the first time I was
taken I wanted to prove what they were doing to me and my mom, and the
hundreds of others out there.  I had proof that would bust the
conspiracy open.  I had the pictures.  I had the proof.  That's why
they locked me up.  That's why they framed me for murder.  I didn't do
it.  They did.  The government did.  Plain and simple.  I didn't do
it. " She was taken aback by his sudden outburst.  She knew he wasn't
lying.  The way he said it, the way he spoke with such passion and
anger.  He was scared.  Scared of what he was.  Just like her.  Where
did that come from?  She realized that she was just like him.  Scared
and angry and not wanting to know what happened.  Like her, he was
hanging on to his last threads of what used to be, trying not to think
of he was now.  An abductee. !
 Like her, he was trying to keep his sanity.  The way it looked, he
was already too late.  He didn't think of what happened for fear of
ridicule and finding out something that would rip the last bits of his
old life apart.  Just like her.  Not accepting what happened.  Too
afraid to accept what happened.  Just like her.  She was just like
him.  He was just like her.  That's why he came to her for help.  She
had to help him.  He needed his old life back.  Just like her.  "
Dana, just leave.  Right now you're on the road to becoming me.  They
know you know too much.  That's why you were taken.  You knew the
truth.  You were a threat.  They take what they need.  They silence
those who speak out.  Get out of this while you can.  Don't follow in
my footsteps.  Just leave when you can. "
	" I can't do that. "
	" Why not? "
	" Because you need my help.  I do believe you.  I can help
you.  So can Mulder. "
	" You mean Mr. All-American can help *me*? " She tried to
ignore that comment.
	" Yes he can. "
	" Well, then what are you waiting for?  Chop, chop, woman!
Get me outta here.  As fast as you can! " She had to smile.  At least
he had a sense of humor.
	" I'll come back later.  Call me if you need me. "
	" No problem.  And Dana? "
	" Yeah? "
	" Be careful. "
	" I will.  After all, I don't want to turn into you, " she
teased.
	" Very funny. "

Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	Steven Baines was dreaming.  He didn't dream often.  Yes, he
had nightmares, but never dreams.  He was in a bright room.  Hospital
beds were scattered about.  Peaceful pictures of the ocean and
seagulls and trees and even one with a little boy and his dog.
Soothing pictures.  Made to calm the nerves.  Then he saw a kid.
Small, probably eight.  He had brownish hair, light eyes.  Steve
stepped closer to him.  He instantly could feel the power.  It was
intense, almost blinding.  He knew the kid was aware of this because
he just stared and smiled.  He could feel him in his thoughts.
	" I'm coming.  Do not be afraid any longer.  I will be here
soon.  Make her aware.  I will be here soon.  Do not be afraid, " the
little boy said.  Suddenly he faded, like he wasn't even there in the
first place.  Then the rest of the scene faded.  The pictures of the
trees, and the ocean all faded away.  Almost like ghosts.  He woke up
suddenly, his shirt soaked with sweat.
	" That was one weird dream! " he said aloud.  That's when he
felt it.  Another presence in the room.  His head shot up.  On the
edge of his cot perched a small, eight-year old boy, with light eyes
and brownish hair.
	" Who are you? " he asked.  He didn't speak.  " Who *are* you?
"
	" Abel. " and then he was gone.

Location: Scully's Apartment
	She rolled over in bed, still unconscious of the presence in
the room.  Then, as her groggy mind refocused she realized someone
*was* in the room.  She immediately grabbed her gun off of her
nightstand.  What she saw surprised her, actually more like frightened
her.  A little boy, probably not more than eight years old, was
sitting in a chair across from her bed.  He looked up at her and
smiled.  A white light surrounded him.  He didn't move from the chair,
just stared at her.  He had intense eyes for such a young child.
	" Who are you? "
	" I am Abel.  Are you frightened of me Dana? "
	" How do you know my name? "
	" I know a lot of things. "
	" Why are you here? "
	" I am here to help. " Suddenly, as quickly as he appeared, he
disappeared.  She rubbed her eyes.  Abel, that was his name.  Did she
really see him?  Was Abel really there?  She was half-asleep, she
could have easily imagined it.  She laid the gun back on the
nightstand and noticed something odd.  Her watch had stopped.  She
picked it up and looked it over.  That was odd.  It just stopped.  A
glimmer of light caught her eyes.  A glimmer of light reflected off
something shiny, something that wasn't supposed to be there.  She
looked closer.  It was a pair of dog-tags.  Of all things, why
dog-tags?  She looked at them more closely.  There was a name
inscribed in them.  Abel Johnson.  She gasped.  It wasn't a dream!
Suddenly, she heard a whispering.  She couldn't tell where it was
coming from, but it seemed to be coming from inside her head.
	" Wear them.  They'll make you feel safe. " The whispering
stopped.  She gripped the dog-tags.  She had to talk to Mulder.


Location: Mulder's Apartment
	Somewhere in the conscious world a phone was ringing.  His
phone.  He growled and picked it up.
	" Mulder, " he mumbled.
	" Mulder, it's me. " He was instantly awake.
	" Scully, you okay? "
	" I'm fine.  Mulder, something weird just happened. "
	" What's new? "
	" No, something *really* weird. "
	" What? "
	" Mulder, an image of a little boy, surrounded by light,
appeared in my bedroom.  My watch stopped and a pair of dog-tags
appeared on my nightstand.  Weird enough for you? "
	" Dog-tags? "
	" Yes. "
	" You're right. "
	" About what? "
	" That is weird. "

Location: Scully's Apartment
	Mulder had insisted that he come over to her apartment.
	" So, you have no idea who Abel is? "
	" None at all. "
	" Then why would he be here? " Mulder asked exasperated.
	" I have absolutely no idea. " She absently fingered the
dog-tags.  She just didn't understand it.  What did he want with her?
Suddenly heat scorched her hand.  It felt as though someone stuck a
heated rod in her hand.  She screamed and hastily dropped the
dog-tags.
	" What is it Scully? "
	" The dog-tags.  They're hot. " She rubbed her burnt hand.  "
They burnt me! " Mulder bent low and touched the pair of searing hot
dog-tags.  He quickly recoiled.
	" Ow!  They are hot! "
	" Mulder, this is getting way too weird! "

Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	They had tiredly gone over possibility after possibility.
They had no idea who Abel was, how he got in her bedroom, and why he
was there.  They still had no idea why the dog-tags suddenly heated
up.  She knew Mulder had some crazy theory for this.  Quite frankly
she didn't want to know what it was.  She just wanted this all to be
over.  They had decided to talk to Steve about it, even though she
didn't think it would turn anything up.  They walked to his cell,
finding him pacing back and forth.
	" What is it Steve? " Scully asked.
	" There you are!  I need to talk to you. "
	" About what? " Mulder asked.
	" Last night I had this funky dream.  This little boy was
staring at me.  It was so intense.  He felt so powerful.  He said he
was coming, and that I shouldn't be afraid.  Then when I woke up he
was on my bed.  It was so freaky! "
	" Was his name Abel? " asked Mulder.
	" How'd you know? "
	" The same thing happened to me, " Scully said.
	" Funky.  So G-man, this an X-File? " Mulder ignored him.  He
was about to say something to Scully, when the lights went off.
Static electricity pierced through the air, making the hair on the
back of her neck was stand straight up.  A bright light momentarily
blinded them all.  When they recovered a small boy was standing, hands
clasped behind him, outside the cell.  Mulder instantly knew it was
Abel.  The boy looked at them, his light eyes calm and peaceful.
	" Did you get my message? " Abel asked.  Scully walked towards
him.
	" Who are you? "
	" I am Abel.  I am here to help. " Mulder also walked towards
Abel.  He knelt beside him.  If he was right, Abel wasn't real, but
more like an image.  He thrust his hand out and tried to touch the boy
on the arm.  His hand went straight through.
	" Abel, you're not real are you? " Mulder asked.
	" Yes I am. "
	" Then how come I can stick my hands through you? "
	" Because my mind is here, but my body is somewhere else. "
	" Astral Projection? "
	" Yes, that's what you call it. "
	" Where is your body? "
	" It is sleeping. "
	" Where? "
	" I don't know.  My body will be here soon.  I've come here to
help you.  I can help you."
	" Abel, how did you know we needed help? " asked Scully.
	" I felt it.  I have connections. " He pointed at the dog-tags
around Scully's neck.
	" Connections?  How? "
	" Through the dog-tags.  You do need help, don't you Steven? "
	" Yes. "
	" Then why are you complaining? "
	" Abel, we just..." Abel held up his hands.
	" I must go.  I will see you soon.  My body is almost here. "
He faded away.  The lights flickered back on.
	" That was definitely weird, " said Scully.

***

Location: Basement Office
	" Scully, I think Abel can astral project himself. "
	" Mulder, you're saying that this kid can make his mind move
somewhere while his body is somewhere else. "
	" Scully, you saw what I saw.  How else can you explain it? "
She stared at the wall.  They were in the office.  Right away Mulder
had documented this case.  He didn't even need a reasonable
explanation.  Of course what good is a reasonable explanation when you
can make one up?
	" What do we do now? " she asked.
	" We wait. "

Location: Unknown	
	Abel Johnson looked around the darkened, empty street.  There
was nobody here.  Not a soul.  Good.  He knew Steve's cell would be
heavily guarded.  He was prepared.  He knew Steve thought he was just
some psychic kid, but he knew much more.  Oh, so much more.  He wasn't
really human.  Well, what usually defined humans.  He had no parents.
They didn't die or anything, he never had any.  He wasn't born.  He
was created.  By "them", the government.  He was created from DNA
samples.  Half from humans, half from "them", the aliens.  He didn't
like using the word alien, after all he was half alien.  He liked to
use the word humanoid.  Humanoids had created him.  He was half
humanoid and half human.  They had created the perfect being.  Smart,
strong, the works.  They gave him special gifts.  Psychic gifts.  Some
would call him a hybrid.  However he was too engineered to be a
hybrid.  They had made him special.  He could trace back his human
genes to five single humans.  They had combined the DNA of these five,
creating a perfect person.  He even had feelings, even though he
wasn't supposed to.  They never had feelings.  That was why they made
hybrids, but again he was different.  He wasn't supposed to have
feelings whereas hybrids were, but he did have them.  The psychic
powers, all the other things that he just dubbed "gifts" were given to
him from the humanoids.  They wanted him to learn about humans, and
teach the hybrids.  He didn't want to do that.  When you create a
being with feelings, he's bound to feel rebellion.  He had already
felt it.  He saw people being tortured, being hurt.  If he stayed with
them he would only be increasing that pain.  For the first time he had
felt pain.  Now he had to help Dana and Steve.  They didn't know it,
but they were part of him.  He knew they were in trouble.  He could
feel it.  He had connections to them.  After all, they were his
parents.

 Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	Steve was laying on his cot, unable to fall asleep.  Ever
since he'd met Dana and her spooky partner he never had be able to get
to sleep.  If you asked him her partner was scary.  He and all that
psychic/paranormal stuff.  He didn't care what Abel was as long as he
helped him.  He heard one of the doors open.  Who could be visiting at
this hour?  Then he heard the voice.  It wasn't inside his head like
the last one, but he immediately knew who it was.
	" I am here! "

Location: Scully's Apartment
	They were at her apartment going over files.  They were trying
to find out who Abel was with the little information they had about
him.  If this guy Abel wanted to help her he should just show himself
so they wouldn't have to go on some wild goose chase.  There was a
light knocking at the door.
	" Who could that be? " she asked.
	" I don't know, " Mulder answered.  He took out his gun and
motioned for her to open the door.  She got up, unlocked the door, and
slowly opened it.
	" Miss me baby? "
	" Steve!?  Abel?!  How..When....What....uh....How? "
	" Shhhh.  Go inside.  We'll tell you when we get inside, "
Abel said.  She let them in, and noticed Mulder giving her a very smug
look.
	" So, what brings you two here? "


***

	No matter how many times Abel told the story it still seemed
incredibly impossible.  DNA experiments by the government to create
the perfect human.  Though she would never put it past the government.
They had done some really barbaric things.  Like tests, and
experiments on the innocent.  Things like that.  Another thing that
was bothering her was the fact that a man who is being charged with
murder was sitting in her living room drinking coffee.  It wasn't that
she believed he was guilty.  It was just that she didn't want him to
face more charges when they found out he escaped.  She got up off the
couch and headed for the kitchen.
	" Okay Abel, do you know the exact people who's DNA you're
made from? " Mulder asked.
	" Yes.  I have tried to help them.  My superiors didn't like
that idea.  They told me I shouldn't be interfering. "
	" But you did anyway, right? "
	" Yes.  I had too.  They were getting hurt. "
	" Who are your superiors? "
	" The government.  The things you call "aliens".  They are my
superiors. "
	" So, the government *is* working with aliens. "
	" Correct.  For a long time. "
	" Abel, do you know who your parents are? " He paused for a
moment before answering.
	" Yes. "
	" Do they know who you are? "
	" Maybe.  I don't really know.  Most likely they know who I
am, but don't know that we're related. "
	" Are you afraid to tell them you're related? " Mulder asked.
	" Yes.  I'm afraid they will hate me.  I'm afraid they will
not want to see me. "
	" Why would they hate you? " Scully asked.  She had just
walked in, but apparently she had heard the whole conversation.  She
sat down on the couch, next to Mulder and Steve.  Abel sat in the
chair across from them.
	" They would hate me because I am a constant reminder of the
ones who hurt them.  They would be ashamed that their genes were in
me.  I am half alien.  When they saw me they would think immediately
that their child was half alien.  That their child wasn't really
there's but four others.  Then they would look at me and remember the
faces of the men, the aliens, who hurt them.  It would be too much for
them. *I* would end up hurting them. " They were all silent for a
moment.  Abel looked up at them.
	" Who are your parents? " Scully asked.  He was silent.
	" If I told you something would you promise not to hate me? "
He looked at Scully, his light eyes pleading.
	" I promise. " Abel got up and turned his back to them.  He
stayed there for a couple of minutes, just staring at the wall.
	" Dana? "
	" Yes. "
	" You really want to know who my parents are?  Because I only
know the names of two.  The others I can't remember. " He was lying,
but he knew they couldn't tell.  He wasn't allowed to give the names
of his parents away.  Not to strangers.  But these people weren't
strangers.  Well, Mulder was, but Dana and Steve weren't.  He took a
deep breath.  He had to get on with this.  He had to tell them.
	" That's okay.  Just tell us what you know, " Mulder said.
	" Dana, you and Steve are my parents. "

	She just sat there silent.  Well, that's all she could really
do.  Steve's eyes practically bulged out of his head.  His jaw dropped
open.  All she could think was that this wasn't happening.  This was
all a dream.  This boy, this creation, was not her son.  She knew he
was telling the truth, but she couldn't bring herself to accept it.
This couldn't be happening.  This was all a dream.
	" Huh? " asked a flustered Steve.  Abel turned around and
faced them.
	" Your DNA was used to create me.  Yours and Dana's and three
others. "
	" Y-Your m-my, uh, my s-son? " Scully stuttered.
	" Yes.  When you were taken they took samples of your DNA,
blood, genetic make-up, etc.  The same with you Steve.  Then they
combined those samples.  Then they added that with their DNA and
that's how I was made. " Abel looked at them.  They looked pretty
freaked out.  "I have characteristics of every one of my parents,
including you two.  They consider it an honor for you to be a part of
me. "
	" So you mean some jerk in a lab coat glued my DNA to four
others and stuck it in some talking science project? " Steve yelled.
	" Calm down Steve, " Mulder said.  " Scully, you okay. "
	" Uh-huh, " she answered.
	" Something tells me she's lying, " Steve sneered.
	" How else am I supposed to act?  Should I start screaming
like you? " Scully yelled.
	" I'm sorry, " Abel said quietly.  " I was just trying to
help.  I thought you'd want to know.  I thought you needed to know.  I
can still help you.  I still want to help you. "
	" How did you know we needed help? " Mulder asked.  He looked
over at Scully.  She looked pale.
	" As I said, I felt it.  I have connections, almost psychic
connections, to Dana and Steve and my other parents.  I can *feel*
when they're in trouble.  The dog-tags act like a bridge. "
	" A bridge? "
	" Yes, so I can project myself. " Scully was about to say
something when a white flash lit up the room, burning their eyes.  The
light faded.  Mulder's head was spinning, and a dull throb pounded in
his temples.  As the room stopped spinning he realized something was
wrong.  Something was very wrong.
	" Where's Scully and Abel?! "  


Location: Unknown
	Scully's eyes slowly opened and registered her surroundings.
Where was she?  She tried to move but a searing pain shot through her
head and down her spine.  She groaned.  She closed her eyes and opened
them again.  Then the grim realization hit her.  She was in a room
surrounded by machines.  She was strapped to a table.  Her breath
quickened.  This couldn't be happening again.  Not again.  She
screamed even through she knew no one would be able to hear her.

Location: Scully's apartment
	Mulder held his head in his hands.  He had lost her again.
She had been whisked away right in front of him and he couldn't help
her.  What if he never saw he again?  What would he do?  What would
her mother do?  Losing her only remaining daughter would be tough on
her.  Margaret Scully had always been like a second mother to him.  He
couldn't let her down.  He had to find her.  He stood up quickly and
started pacing around the room.  What was he going to do?  How was he
going to find her?
	" Would you get a grip! " Steve growled.  He was sitting on
her couch, smoking a cigarette.  He seemed so non-chalant, so
uncaring.  His behavior enraged him.  How could he act like this when
she was gone?  Did he even care?  He swiped the cigarette out of his
mouth.
	" Yo, G-man!  What's your problem? " 
	" Do you even care that she's gone? "
	" Yes I do.  And Abel too.  Going ballistic isn't going to
help anything.  You should know that! "
	" We have to find her! "
	" Yes we do.  So, where do we start? "
	" At the beginning. "

Location: Unknown
	Why didn't they just stop?  Why did they have to hurt her?
She had been there, strapped to the table, for over an hour.  She
tried to ignore them as they touched her with their cold hands.  She
tried to ignore the excruciating pain.  Why was this happening to her?
Why did these things always happen to her?  What she would do to be
with Mulder following some lead on some unexplainable case.  Anything
was better than this.  Anything.
	" Why are you doing this to me? " They didn't answer.  They
just stared at her with their cold, dark, uncaring eyes.  " Why are
you doing this to me?  Why?  Answer me!  Please!  Just answer me!
Pleeeease. " She started sobbing.  Tears of frustration, pain, and
anguish rolled down her cheeks.  Why?
	" Don't worry child.  You will be okay, " one of them said.
	 " You will be okay, " another one added.  Somehow she didn't
believe them.

Location: Unknown
	Abel ran through the hallways of the research center.  This
was all his fault.  He had inadvertently lead them to his superiors.
He had to find her.  He knew she was in pain.  He could feel it.  The
pain of loss ripped at his heart.  He couldn't let them hurt her.  He
walked up to one of the many metal doors lining the hallway.  He
pushed it open and burst in.  Two men were sitting in a chair.  One
was smoking.  One looked surprised.  The other remained calm and took
a long drag on his cigarette.
	" What did you do with her? " he yelled.
	" Abel, nice of you to join us, " the one smoking said.
	" What did you do with her?! "
	" Abel, calm down. "
	" I won't calm down until you return her to me.  She didn't do
anything wrong. "
	" Yes she did.  She interacted with you.  You know the rules.
You shouldn't interact with any of your parents.  It's better off that
they didn't know.  You know that. "
	" I can't do that. "
	" Abel, what's happened to you? "
	" I don't know. "
	" You have feelings, don't you? "
	" Yes.  I think that's what they're called. "
	" An unfortunate side effect. "
	" I feel for them.  I-I feel weird whenever they are around.
Like I'm more of myself.  I-I don't understand it.  It's like I *need*
them. "
	" Abel, somehow your body chemistry didn't work out.  It
back-fired.  You originally weren't supposed to have these feelings. "
	" But I do and I don't want them to go away. "
	" Abel, they have to go away.  How can you function with them? "
	" I'm doing just fine. "
	" Abel, you have no choice.  We have to get rid of them. "
	" No you don't.  I want to feel.  I want, I-I want to love. "
	" You can't. You weren't designed to have feelings. "
	" That's too bad. "
	" We can't let you continue this charade.  We can't let you go
and save everyone of our abductees.  You can't save them.  You can't
save you parents.  If you don't stop this now we will have to destroy
you. "
	" You can't do that.  What you're doing is wrong!  You have to
stop! "
	" Abel... "
	" You have to stop.  Let her go!  Don't piss me off! "
	" Abel!  Where have you been?  What do you know?  Who did you
talk to? "
	" I met some people.  Some of the people you assigned me to
watch.  They fear every day, every night, because of you!  How can you
live with yourself? "
	" What we do preserves humanity. "
	" Ha!  All lies!  All lies!  You created me to be your little
dog.  Do this, do that!  You created me to do the dirty work.  The
stuff you didn't want to do.  You made me do it because you thought I
didn't have any feelings.  You thought I didn't know what I was doing.
But I did.  I did.  No one, not even you, will stop me.  I will put an
end to this!  I will! " he sneered.  He ran out of the room and
slammed the door behind him.  One of the men turned to the man smoking
the cigarette.
	" What are we going to do? " he asked.  The man took another
long drag.
	" We'll get him.  We know where he's going.  We'll get him. "

Location: Scully's apartment
	They were nowhere.  They had no leads.  They had no idea what
had occurred.  Nothing seemed to fit.  Mulder ran a hand through his
already messed up hair.  He sighed.  Why her?  Why not him?  She was
just following him around.  She didn't even believe.  So why had they
taken her?  For insurance?  To shut him up?  It was more like a
warning.  If he got any closer they would take her.  His head pounded.
Steve lay asleep on the couch.  He didn't like the man.  He was
arrogant and just a major jerk.  Mulder knew that Steve thought he was
a mental hospital reject.  Actually, that was what most people
thought.  Suddenly, the door burst open.  A bunch of people with guns
ran in.  Steve was instantly awake.
	" HANDS UP IN THE AIR!!  NOW!!  C'MON BAINES!!  UP IN THE
AIR!!!  GIVE IT UP!!  NOW!! " Steve practically fell of the couch.  He
held his arms up.  One of the officers ran over to him and slipped a
pair of handcuffs on.  Mulder could hear him reading his rights.
	" You have the right to remain silent..."
	" Yeah I know.  I watched enough cop shows in my time!  Don't
touch me!  Lay off man!  Yeah you!  Don't touch me!  Geez, man! "
	" Sir, you okay? " an officer next to Mulder asked.
	" Yeah. "
	" Glad we caught him.  Scoundrel. " Steve walked past him.  He
turned around and looked at him with those chilling eyes.
	" I'll be okay.  Just find her.  Got it? "
	" Yeah, I got it.  Wish me luck, " Mulder answered.
	" Man, you don't need luck.  She's one lucky lady, " he said
and winked.  What was that supposed to mean?  " You ain't so bad
Mulder.  Now I see why she stays.  See you around. " He was escorted
away.  Maybe he misjudged the guy.  Nah.

Location: Unknown
	She couldn't move.  Not that she wanted to.  She was still
strapped to the table.  They were still doing things to her.  Horrible
things.  She closed her eyes.  She tried to imagine a time where
everything was normal.  Where everything was okay.  Suddenly, she
heard a crashing sound.  Her eyelids flew open.  Abel!  He was
standing in the room holding a small, iron bar.  He swung the bar and
it connected with one of the machines.  Sparks flew everywhere.  He
brought down the bar on another machine and another.  They tried to
stop him.  He turned his anger on them.  He brought it down on one of
their heads.  The man slumped over, and didn't move.
	" You wanna try something?  You do and you'll end up like him.
Got me?  Good, now let her go! "  They didn't move.  " I said let her
go!! " One of them moved to the table and unstraped her.  Finally,
Scully could move.  She was free.
	" All of you leave!  Go now!! " They all scurried out of the
room.  Abel walked over to her.  His eyes were full of sadness.  The
same eyes that had been full of rage only moments before.  " Are you
okay Dana? " he asked.  She nodded.  Suddenly, a bright, white light
filled the room.  They covered their eyes with their arms.  The light
grew brighter.  She saw his eyes widen.
	" Run, while you still can.  They've found me.  Go!  Before
they get you too. "
	" What about you? " she asked.  His profile was illuminated by
the intense light.  He looked like a ghost.  Like a spirit.  Like an
angel.
	" Just go.  Forget about me!  It's better that way. "
	" But.. "
	" Just go. " She ran for the door.  She turned back to look at
him.  He was just standing there, waiting for death.  He turned his
head and saw her looking at him, tears in her eyes.  He was crying
too.  " Just go.  Forget about me.  Keep the dog-tags.  It's the only
way I can communicate with you, no matter how far away I am.  Whenever
you feel lonely or sad hold them and think that someday I will be
back.  Now go, " he whispered.  She turned around and ran.  He had
risked his life for her's.  She would always remember him.  Always.

Location: Maryland State Penitentiary
	Steve buried his head in his hands.  He hoped Mulder would
find her.  She had been the only one willing to listen to him.  The
only one who gave him a chance.  Now she was gone.  His heart felt
empty.  He heard footsteps approaching his little "cage" as he called
it.
	" Got a visitor Baines, " said the guard.  He unlocked the
door and held it open for the man.  Steve looked up at him.  Something
about him was familiar and not in a good way.  The man pulled out a
pack of cigarettes and withdrew one.  He lit it and took a nice long
drag on it.
	" Not supposed to me smoking in here. "
	" Mr. Baines, I don't follow the rules.  I make them. " The
man pulled out a gun from inside his blazer.  Steve's eyes went wide.
The man pointed the gun at him.  He pulled the trigger. <Boom!> He
felt an intense heat at his shoulder.  The man shot him!  He shot him!
	" GUARD!!! " Steve yelled. The man smiled. <Boom!> This time
the pain was at his stomach.
	" I'm doing this nice and slow.  A nice painful death for you,
Mr. Baines.  A long and painful death. " <Boom!  Boom!  Boom! BOOM!!>
Steve slumped over.  Blood dripped from the wounds that were now all
over his body.  He groaned.  The man dropped the cigarette and
crunched it with his heel.  He calmly left the cell, and nodded to the
guard.
	" How did it go, sir? "
	" Quite well. "

Location: Mercy Hospital
	She had been brought here about an hour ago.  They had done
tests, made sure she was okay.  Physically she was.  Mentally was
another story.  All she could think about was Abel's scared face as
she left.  The only thing left of him was the dog-tags.  His bridge.
He had projected himself through these.  She had barely known him, her
*son*, and now he was gone.  She choked back the tears.  Mulder had
heard news that she had been brought here and immediately drove over.
The minute he got there he started yelling at the nurses.  It took
awhile to calm him down and assure him that she was alright.  Good old
Mulder.  He was now calmly waiting in the waiting room, along with her
mother.  She still had to see the doctor to get some more tests.  She
hated tests.  Now only did they take too long and tell her what she
already knew, they reminded her of her abduction.  She shivered.  The
trauma room next to her suddenly filled with doctors.  A man was
rushed in.  Curious, she got up and looked closer.  Steve!  That was
Steve!  She ran out of the room and pushed past some nurses.
	" Oh my God, what happened to him? "
	" Do you know him? " asked one of the doctors.  She nodded.
She rushed forward and grabbed his hand.  He had been shot.  Six
times.
	" Ma'am you're not allowed to be in here, " one of the nurses
said.
	" I'm a doctor and a federal agent!  I'm also a friend.  I
think I have a right to be here! " she snapped.  Steve groaned.  " Are
you okay, Steve?  What happened? "
	" Dana? "
	" Yes, it's Dana. "
	" Listen to me. "
	" What is it Steve? "
	" Dana, what ever you do, don't end up like me.  Your headed
down that path.  Don't.  Just turn around and walk away.  Forget about
the truth.  Forget about it.  Get out while you still can.  Don't end
up like me. "
	" Steve... "
	" Just promise me that Dana. "
	" I promise. " She didn't notice the tears flooding her eyes
and threatening to spill over her cheeks.
	" Dana? "
	" Yes? "
	" Thank you. " His head felt backwards. <BEEEEEEEEEEP> His
eyes drifted closed, never to be opened again.  She gripped his hand,
trying to squeeze the littlest bit of life out of it.  Tears flooded
down her cheeks.  He was dead.  She hadn't been able to help him.  He
had trusted her and she had let him down.  She pounded on his chest,
and begged him to wake up.  She slumped over, sobbing.  Every sound
slowly faded away, except for one.  Steve's voice, small and far-away.
	" Thank you. "
 
THE END