Title: Devotion 6: The Search for Sam Author: Lady X. E-mail: powder_puff@hotmail.com Classification: MSR, S and some Conspiracy. Distribution Statement: Archive anywhere! Spoilers: None. Rating: PG Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. A few bad words. Disclaimer: Everyone from The X-Files belongs to Chris Carter, FOX and Ten Thirteen. I'm getting no money for this and I mean no harm! HOWEVER Ethan Gordon is my creation and if you want him, just ask first! Anna King is also my creation! Summary: Ethan gets on the inside and keeps his promise to Samantha. ROMANCE ~ MSR ---------------------- 1:00PM Washington, DC December 5, 1997 It was freezing. He dreamt about her again, and somehow, knowing that she was lost out there made him even colder. He wrapped his coat around himself, walking through the streets of Washington, DC. Although his so called father was eager to bring him into his world of conspiracy and smoke and mirrors, not everyone trusted him. He knew that he was being followed. He couldn't contact Mulder. And he decided to only do that if it was absolutely necessary. He couldn't risk letting 'Them' find out that he was a spy. Mulder wanted to get Samantha and bring them all down. That was his dream. He wanted revenge for Scully's abduction. Revenge for all his years of suffering without Samantha. And Ethan wanted revenge for a life that was stolen. His life. Being kidnapped after he was born, his so called family was a sham. And somehow, he had always known that he didn't belong in that grand house on the hill. That he should have been some where else. With some one else. He shivered, casually looking back to see if the car was still following. He slipped inside his favorite restaurant and vanished from their view. "Chris, must we really follow him inside?" David asked. Chris nodded his head, "He might be meeting Mulder in there. Mr. Gordon said that we aren't allowed to let him out of our sight." "Okay, fine with me. I'm hungry anyway." He got out of the car and followed Chris into the restaurant. It was warm in there. A nice exchange for the cold winds outside. A storm was coming. Ethan had sat down at a table, with a young woman around her late twenties or early thirties sitting across from her. Her hair was blond, she was tall, thin... looked like a regular Barbie. Chris turned to David, "I've never seen her before." David shrugged, "New girlfriend?" "Or perhaps an informant for Mulder and Scully." He hissed. They sat down, ordered and waited. They weren't close enough to hear, but they had a good view. 1:30PM Mulder's Basement Office December 5, 1997 Mulder was pacing again. She could hear him. Entering the office, she dropped her folders and files onto her desk. "If you don't stop, I'll shoot you." He turned back to her, "I want to talk." She raised an eyebrow, like she had so many times before, "About?" Mulder shook his head, "Is the office clean?" Scully shook her head, "I haven't 'cleaned' it in months. Have you?" Mulder shook his head. "Fine then. How about lunch? Get your coat, you need to relax a bit." When they were far away from the building, Mulder sighed. "I'll have the Gunmen sweep our apartments for bugs tomorrow." "And you will monitor Frohike while he does my apartment, right?" She smiled at him. "Of course!" He led her to his favorite pizza place. Anthony's. "So, what's on your mind?" She leaned back and waited. "Ethan. I really don't want him going in alone like-" "What else can we do, Mulder? He is in a position to be able to go undercover. We aren't. Remember? They hate us!" Mulder took her hand, "I can't stop thinking about what they did to Joy and your mom." "Mulder, it's fine now. I know I really was scared at the time, but nothing happened to them. Joy is fine, Mom is better." "No, that's not the point. They did it once, they can do it again. I want you to pick up Joy and get out of here." She starred at him in shock. "WHAT? Are you insane? I can't! My entire life is here!" "Shh! Scully, if anything happens to you guys, I don't know what I'll do. They've gotten to all of you, Scully. Your mom, you and Joy. I'm closer than ever to bringing these people down, Scully. As soon as it's safe, I'll bring you back." She crossed her arms over her chest, "This is for our own good, right?" He nodded. "You didn't actually think I was going to agree to this, did you?" "It's for Joy's own safety, Scully! She could die because of me! What happened to Sam could happen to her! And I don't want you to suffer-" "Mulder.... I can protect my own daughter, thank you very much!" "Scully, no one is safe from them. No one. They're literally every where and I want you two out of this city by the end of the week." She starred at him. "Are you willing to really do that? Push me and Joy out of your life? Never see us again?" He took a deep breath, "Your safety is the only thing that matters. Just for a while, Scully." "And you know that we won't be able to contact each other at all. Because they'll have phone taps." "I know." "Are you willing to pay that price? No contact with us?" "Anything as long as you're safe." He said sternly. A thousand thoughts when whirling through her head. What was she going to do? She weighed her options. Her daughter's safety compared to her world in Washington, DC. Mulder looked at her, silently pleading. "If what happened to Samantha happens to you, I'll die, Scully." "I thought we were partners, Mulder." "We are. And as your partner, it is my job to be concerned for you and to keep you safe. And that is what I'm doing." "Mulder-" "Dana, now that we have Joy things are more complicated. If you're out of sight, and I know that you are out of harm's way, I'll breath easier." She stood up, "I need to think about this. Good bye." He buried his face in his hands, "Why isn't anything ever easy!" 1:30PM White Swan Restaurant Washington, DC December 5, 1997 Ethan flashed a charming smile in the direction of the blond woman. She glanced at him, "Ethan..... what are you doing here?" He took her hand into his, "I'm being followed." She sat up straight, "By who?" She hissed "Shh. We can't talk here. Are you here alone?" "Aren't I always?" She smiled sadly. He shook his head, "How can a gorgeous charming you woman like you be alone?" "Well, let me think. I used to have a boyfriend, but since he dumped me last months, I've pretty much been on my own." She said, a hint of mock bitterness in her voice. "Anna, I did not dump you." He stated. She shrugged her shoulders, "Oh, that's not how I saw it." "I'll buy you lunch and then we can talk about this. Okay?" "Who's following?" "Huh? Oh.... I'll explain them later. Be casual." "Ethan, if this is some cheap trick- I'm going to bash your head in." He grinned, "I haven't forgotten that you pack a punch." 3:00PM Margaret Scully's House December 5, 1997 Scully approached her mother's house. The door instantly opened and Margaret came out. "Dear, what's wrong?" Scully hugged her mother. "Mom.... something..... can I talk with you?" She nodded, "Of course, Dana. Come on inside." "No, Mom. Outside. They got to your house before. I'm scared that there are taps and bugs. Get your coat and we can go for a walk?" "Of course." Margaret looked worried, but she didn't say anything. Together mother and daughter walked side by side. Like they used to in the old days. "Mom, Mulder wants me to leave." "Did you two have an argument?" She figured it was a little fight between them. "No. Not really. He's beating himself up over what happened to you and Joy. He wants us to get away.... until everything is safe." Margaret raised an eyebrow, "He's only concerned for your safety, Dana. Proof that he loves you." "Mom, Mulder and I have been 'together' for months now. I don't want to loose that." "You won't, Dana. He wants you to be safe. And he wants Joy to be safe." "You, too, Mom." Margaret linked arms with her daughter, "Wasn't life so much simpler when all you had to worry about was catching the school bus and doing your homework?" Dana sighed, "Yeah, it was." "Well, you can't go back to that. But you can give Joy that. Fearing for your life and for your daughter's for the rest of your life will kill you." "If they don't get me first." She muttered. Margaret turned serious, "I can't tell you what to do, Dana Katherine Scully. But you must take into consideration that little girl's safety." Dana nodded. "Mom, I'm sorry that you got dragged into all of this." "Sweetie.... I know you couldn't prevent it. I could never, ever blame you." "Mom.... why don't you take Joy and get out of here? Then you'll be safe and Mulder and I can-" "I know you aren't serious." Scully looked up at the gray sky, "Mom. You think I should go?" Margaret gave her daughter a hug, "Your my last daughter, Dana. I can't lose you, too." 2:00PM December 5 Ethan led Anna out of the restaurant. "You have the time for a quick stroll?" He asked. She glanced at her watch, "Yeah. I gotta be back at work in an hour." "So, how is work?" "I'm a lawyer, Ethan. I'm stressed and depressed." He looked into her blue eyes, "Stressed? Depressed? You weren't like that while we were dating." "Ethan. I don't have time for your crap. C'mon. What is going on?" Ethan bit his lower lip, "I found out something huge. And if I get in trouble, and I don't make it back, I need someone else to know as back up." "You're being dramatic, Ethan." She rolled her eyes. "He took her hand in his and walked down the paved path, "Remember when I woke up screaming Samantha?" She nodded. "And you told me that you've been having dreams about her since you were eight. I don't buy that, either. She's an ex-girlfriend, Ethan." He laughed. "Hell no! She's my twin sister. I just found out a few weeks ago." "You don't have a twin sister. You don't have any brothers or sisters." "I do. I was kidnapped after I was born. My parents were told that I died after birth. I have a twin sister, Samantha. And I have an older brother, Fox Mulder." "Oh, really?" She didn't buy it. "This is serious." His mouth became a straight line. "And how are you having dreams about your sister, then?" "I'm not sure. She's still alive somewhere, Anna. I know she is. Fox has been looking for her since she disappeared when she was eight." "What happened?" She asked seriously, she couldn't help but be interested. "He said bright lights, he thought it was an alien abduction." Anna turned on her heels, "ETHAN! You jerk! I don't want to hear this shit!" She turned to her car. Ethan ran after her, grabbing her arm and pulling he back. "I'm telling the truth." "Let me go." "No." He held her tighter. "Ethan! Stop!" He sat her down on a nearby bench. "My real father was killed, my brother was there." "Killed by whom?" "Some Alex Krycek. Joseph Gordon sent him." "Huh? You're telling me that you're adopted father killed your biological father?" "I was stolen, Anna!" He hissed. She crossed her arms over her chest, "And why do you need my help?" "Look to the left. There is a blue Camry there. In it are two men. They've been following me since yesterday." She looked quickly, turning back to him. "Yeah, right." "Anna.... I can't trust anyone else with this. Joseph Gordon is behind a huge conspiracy. Experiments are done on people. My brother's partner, Dana Scully, was abducted and disappeared for three months. Then found in a coma in some hospital. When my brother found me, Dana Scully's mother and daughter were kidnapped. To get them back, I had to return to Joseph Gordon." "You're a grown man, Ethan. Why the Hell would your father-" "He is not my father, Anna. I swear to you, on my name and my soul that I'm serious. Our government is covered with people like Joseph Gordon." "What about your brother?" "He wants to bring them down, Anna. He wants to get our sister back and he wants to expose them. He works for the FBI, he's a Special Agent." "What's his name?" "Special Agent Fox Mulder. He works on The X-Files." "And what the Hell is that?" He shrugged, "I never really understood. If anything happens to me, Anna... you have to go to him." "And tell him what?" "I'll keep on giving you information as I go. So you'll be my back up plan." "What if I don't want to?" She asked seriously. Ethan stood up, "Then my sister is already lost forever and I'm dead." Anna sighed, "I have to leave now. Meet back here tomorrow? For lunch?" He nodded, "Okay." Perhaps he had gotten through to her. Before she left he gave her a brief kiss. "Bye." She starred at him, "Uh.. bye." He watched her retreat to her car, driving off and disappearing around the bend. Those men were still there. "God damn them." 5:00PM Location Unknown December 5 Chris and David reported back to Gordon shortly after lunch. "We got these pictures." David handed Gordon the photos. "He's been with some blond woman. Don't know who she is. Should we put a tail on her, just in case she's an informant for Mulder?" Gordon shook his head, "This woman is Anna King. A lawyer. She's Ethan's ex-girlfriend." "Oh, that would explain the kiss." David said stupidly. Chris shot his partner a glance, "So what so we do about her?" "Ethan is obviously trying to win her back, she is of no importance. Don't waste anymore time on her." 5:00PM Gable & Richards Law Firm December 5 Anna disappeared into her office, closing the door behind her. She sat down on her small sofa, taking off her coat. She didn't know if she should believe him or not, or if it was all some scheme of some sort. She leaned back. A government conspiracy. It was something out of a novel. Experiments. Testing. A chill went through her. The thought made her want to scream. She remembered there serious look on his face. He looked scared. For the first time since she had laid eyes on him at her friend's party, she had seen him scared. Thoughts whirled through her head. It was like being in some movie.... or a mystery novel. 5:10PM Location Unknown December 5 Joseph lit his cigarette, leaning back in his chair. "And did you find anything?" David shook his head, "Nothing, Sir." "All right, then. Dismissed." It had been a month since they started tracking Ethan. And now they could finally bring him into the ring. "Bring my son in." He told the secretary. Ethan entered, wearing a black suit. "Yeah... Dad?" "My associates and I have decided it's time to show you a few things." "Show me a few things? Like what?" "Grab your case, we're going on a trip." "To where?" "Nevada." End of 1/? Send all coments, ideas and death threats to: power_puff@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com 2:00PM Nevada, unknown location December 6 Ethan's heart was pounding. THIS WAS IT! Or it could be a test. They had flown to Nevada in an air plane. Ethan was blind folded when they got to the cars. "Is the really necessary, Dad?" He asked. "I'm sorry, son. They insisted on it. Don't worry, soon you will be in their total confidence and have their trust." Ethan nodded, "Okay." They drove for what Ethan estimated was an hour, perhaps more. Finally he was helped out of the car, leaving the comforts of air conditioning. He felt sand under his feet. The scorching sun on him. He regretted wearing a black suit. Finally, someone took the blind fold off. He was standing in the middle of nowhere. Nothing for miles. Sand, a few dried plants and rocks. "What the Hell is going on?" For a brief second, he feared that he would be left out here to find his own way home! "We're here." One of the men said. "Here? What is 'here' exactly?" Joseph Gordon patted his on his shoulder. "It's under ground, son. Come on. Pick up your feet. Lets get out of the sun." He was amazed to see a trap door being removed. One by one, they all went down the iron ladder. Ethan wasn't expecting a huge facility, and he was surprised. It was a whole under ground station! Lab technicians all stood at attention, starring at Joseph Gordon. Ethan thought to himself. One of the lab techs, wearing a white coat, approached. She was probably five feet four inches. Her hair was brown and in a braid over her shoulder. "Hello, Sir. I'm glad you were able to make it this afternoon. We've made a break through." "Really? That's excellent, Dr. Strouss. Helen Strouss, this is my son and the newest member of our.... organization. Ethan, this is Dr. Strouss. She leads this facility." Ethan shook her hand. He half expected Dr. Strouss to bite his hand off! "Nice to meet you." She smiled back, turning to Joseph Gordon. "Would you care to see one of our examples?" "Yes. Come, Ethan." 6:00PM Dana Scully's apartment December 6 Scully carried Joy into the bathroom to wash her hands. "Sweetie, you shouldn't make a mess like that." Scully sighed. "Messy, messy! Me messy!" She sang happily. Scully kissed her daughter on her nose, "I don't find it that amusing, Joy." The door bell rang. Scully called out, "Who is it?" "It's me, Mulder." Scully put Joy down on the floor with her blocks. "Come on in." She opened the door. Joy leaped up to her feet, "DADDY!" He lifted her up, "Hey, short stuff." She hugged him fiercely. Giving him a kiss on his nose like Scully did to her. "Play blocks, Daddy?" He shook his head, "Not now, Joy. Your mommy and I need to talk." He looked over at Scully. Joy pouted, "No talk! Play blocks!" Scully took Joy from Mulder, setting her down on the floor again. "In a minute, Joy. Don't be demanding like that." Joy looked up, holding up a square blue block. "My house! This my house!" Scully smiled, "I'm sure you can afford a better house than that, Joy." Mulder took Scully's arm, leading her to the kitchen table. "Did you think about what I said?" She nodded. "And?" "And, Joy will really miss you when we leave. She thinks of you as her daddy." Mulder kissed her hand, "It'll only be for a while, Scully. And it will all be worth it when everything is over." Scully nodded, her face hidden by her hair. He pushed her hair back, seeing her tears. "Scully.... I don't want you to go. But this is for your sake, Joy's sake." She nodded, wiping them away. "I know that, but it still hurts." He hugged her close, "I'll bring you guys back as soon as I can, Scully. I promise." 5:00PM Nevada unknown location December 6 Ethan sat down in a chair while they waited. "Where did Dr. Strouss go?" He asked. Gordon glanced at his watch, "She went to get one of their test subjects." "What was the test?" "Telepathy. They started by putting implants in the subject's brain, giving them more strength so to speak." Dr. Strouss returned, "She's ready and waiting in the examining room, lets go and see her." A young nurse with blond hair opened the door for him. Ethan's eyes kept on darting around, taking everything in. He heard a little gasp. Ethan looked forward, his heart stopping. He starred at her, she looked frightened, but she obviously recognized him. Gordon approached her, "Well.... are there any other test subjects we could use?" He sounded very uneasy. He knew it was Samantha Mulder. "She's the only one who survived." Dr. Strouss interrupted him. Ethan felt a lump rising in his throat. This was her. His sister. Being treated like a guinea pig! Ethan looked her over. She had some scars on her shoulders. She looked pale. She was scared. Ethan cleared his throat, "And what were you going to show us?" "She can mentally communicate to anyone, well.... almost anyone. For some people it doesn't work, why I haven't learned yet. But, for example..." She took out a pen and paper, writing down a word. She handed the paper to Samantha, grinning. "All right, Ethan, may I call you Ethan?" He nodded, "Sure." "Okay, I wrote something down on the paper. She's going to read it and send you a message mentally. Then without looking, you'll know what it says." Samantha looked up at him, he could see her shaking slightly. The thought occurred to him. "Was it green apples?" Samantha handed him the paper. That's what it said. She looked at him again He offered a faint smile, "Anything else?" Dr. Strouss nodded, "There are other experiments that haven't been fully tested.. but the outcome looks good. For example, the psychic...." Her voice trailed off as she left the room, followed by Gordon and his men. Ethan looked back at Samantha, "It's okay." Gordon returned, "Ethan, son don't doddle." Samantha's expression changed. She looked furious He nodded, "I'll come and see you again." Quickly he was swept out of the room and into the hall way outside. Samantha sighed, fighting back the tears. A nurse came and helped her up. "Come on, Sam. You did a good job today, you should be proud of yourself. You got a lot accomplished." She thought to herself. 12:00PM Washington, DC December 7 Anna got a call from Ethan early that morning asking her to meet him in the Greshmen Park. It was another cold day, gray and cloudy. Perfect for her mood. She wrapped the coat around herself, approaching Ethan. He was in a business suit. "Hey." She pushed her blond strands away from her face, "Hey, what's up?" Ethan looked up at the sky, "Come here." He held out his arms. She reluctantly stepped into them, resting her head against his chest. "What's wrong?" "I found Sam." He whispered. She went stiff, "Really? You found her? That's great! Where is she?" "I don't know! They blindfold me and took me to a facility. I saw here there. They're treating her like.... she's not a person. She's scared. They put some implant in her brain now she can communicate mentally with other people. But they can't answer." She wrapped her arms around his waist, "Is she all right?" "She said she is." "She recognized you?" "Yeah... from the dreams and all that I think. All those times when she tapped into my brain." Anna looked up at him, his eyes were watering. "So you have no idea where this facility is?" He shook his head. "All I know that it's underground somewhere in the Nevada desert." "Underground?" "Yeah." He slipped her an envelope, shoving it into her coat pocket. "What's that?" She asked. "Some papers I got out..... I want you to find Fox and give these to him. Okay?" "But what if I'm followed?" He tucked her hair behind her ears, "Be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you." He kissed her forehead and turned around. "Where are you going now?" She called out to him. "I have to go back to see 'my dad' for a meeting. I'll see you later." She turned around, retreating to her car. As soon as she got in, she locked the doors and blasted up the heating. As soon as she was in the safety of her own home, she took out the envelope. Quickly, she opened it. Taped to the outside was a card. SPECIAL AGENT FOX MULDER. It had a number at the bottom. Friday 1:00PM Mulder's basement office December 7 Ethan had told Mulder about Anna King. He wasn't surprised when she called. "Mr. Mulder?" "Yes?" "I need to speak with you." He met her in Ethan's old art studio. The one that he hadn't used since he joined the Cigarette Smoking Man. "How can I help you?" He asked. The old loft was drafty, she wrapped her coat around her tighter. "Ethan gave me this. He said that he found Samantha....." Mulder practically leaped up, "HE FOUND HER? Where is she now?" "That's it, he doesn't know. He was blindfolded and taken somewhere in Nevada desert. The whole facility is underground. Samantha was the test subject for some mental communication experiment. Ethan says she's okay." Mulder started to pace, he thought better when he was moving around. "But he doesn't know where the facility is! How are we going to get to her if we don't know where the hell she is?" "Ah.... Ethan was able to give me this for you." She handed him the small envelope. He took it from her, "Was there anything else?" She shook her head. "I hope that you guys find your sister." Mulder nodded, "Thanks for everything." 10:00AM Seattle, Washington December 7 Scully sat alone in the house. She was in the suburbs. In Washington State. In Seattle. Far away from Mulder. She wasn't working yet. She wouldn't have to get a job for another six months. Mulder had gotten them new identities, through the Gunmen. She was now Dana Abbot, with her daughter Joy and her mother, Meg. Joy came running up, "Mommy, go home time! Go home now!" Scully lifted her daughter into her arms, "We can't, sweetie. It's not safe yet." Joy gave her a flummoxed look, "Where daddy?" "Mulder isn't here, he won't be here ever. He's at home." "Go to Daddy!" It seemed to her that the solution was that simple. "No." Scully sighed. "Why?" "It's not safe." She pouted, her little blue eyes watering. "Wanna go home now." Scully stroked her daughter's red curls, "I know you do. Me, too. Grandma, too. But we can't. Mulder and I don't want you to get hurt." Joy started crying, her little hands rolling into fists. "I want Daddy!" Margaret came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. "Aww, come here, honey. Want a cookie?" Joy continued to sob, burring her face in her hands and shaking. Scully lifted Joy up, "Come on, Joy. We'll go back home soon." "I want Daddy!" She screamed. Scully felt her chest tighten. She thought of Mulder as her Daddy. And separating her from him was breaking her heart. "Joy.... we can't go back yet. This is for your own good." Margaret took Joy from Scully, carrying the crying child to the kitchen. "I made cookies for my favorite granddaughter. Want cookies?" Joy took a large chocolate chip cookie and put it in her mouth, finally calming down. Margaret gave her a hand full, then the little girl disappeared into her play room wit her favorite teddy bear. Scully collapsed into a chair, "God, Mom. What do I do now?" "Do you ever plan on telling her that Mulder is not her real father?" Scully looked up, "Yes... I don't know! How would you like it if you thought Mulder was your father and then you find out that your real father is an insane psycho spending time in prison?" "Then you won't tell her?" "What would you do, Mom?" "I think she's fine with Fox, sweet heart. She loves him and he loves her." "I know." Scully smiled, remembering how he had given Joy her cradle. "Joy was the only good thing that came from my relationship with Ray." Margaret handed her daughter a plate of cookies, "Dear..... are you and Fox planning on staying like this forever?" "Like what?" "You in Washington State, him in Washington, DC. You have a whole country between you." Scully nodded, "I know. But we will go back soon." Margaret closed the cabinet door, "I hope so. Joy misses him... and so do you." Scully rested her head on her hands, "I can't wait to go home." "When we do go home.... are you and Mulder going to....keep your relationship the way it was before we left?" "You mean hiding it from the FBI and still working together and seeing each other? Just say it mom, I know what you're asking.... just ask if we're going to get married or not." Margaret sat down, "All right, are you two going to get married or not?" "Not." Scully answered. Margaret shook her head, "You won't get married?" "If he asked me..... I'd think about it. But mom, this is a serious thing and Mulder and I haven't talked about it." "You should. Joy is under the impression that Fox Mulder is her father. She calls him Daddy, Dana." "I know that! And as soon as everything is safe to go home, I'll bring it up with him. Okay?" "Will it ever be safe to go home?" Friday 12:00PM Nevada unknown location December 7 Samantha was once again in her 'room.' She hated it. The bed sheets had a common floral pattern, the furniture was cluttered and there was no window. She threw herself down on the bed, sighing. Sometimes she would be allowed to go and visit the green house they had. It was amazing. It was like being in a real jungle. She got up, walking towards the door. Locked. She wasn't allowed to leave today. She decided to see if she could get Ethan. Lying down on her bed, she closed her eyes and concentrated. It was like floating. She just thought about him, concentrated on him, and she would tap into his brain. Although every time she did this with him, she would feel totally drained afterwards. First she would fall into what seemed like a deep sleep. Then she would end up in a black darkness with Ethan. All she could see was him. "Sam?" "Hey." "Are you okay?" "Yeah, don't worry about me." "I made sure Fox knows that I found you. You're somewhere in Nevada. Underground." "How is he?" "I haven't seen him in months. I'm constantly being followed. I'm worried about his partner, Dana Scully, and her kid. Fox really loves her... but she's gone now." "GONE?" "He sent them away. Damn Gordon to hell!" The door in Samantha's room burst open, causing her to jump and loose concentration. Suddenly being thrown out of a trance like that, she felt like she had just run a marathon. She gasped for air, "Oh, my God!" The nurse stood there, "Samantha. You can go to the green house now if you want." She got up. She was so tired! As if she had run a race! "Okay, give me a second." The nurse gently closed the door behind her and left. Samantha sat down, letting the feeling come back to her limbs. Perhaps she should try again. But in the back of her mind, she had the lingering thoughts of Dana Scully. Friday 2:00PM Seattle, Washington December 7 Scully was asleep now. Almost. She was in the place between sleep and awake. Lying down on the sofa while Joy played in the next room. A black place.... no walls...just black.... A woman with brown hair stood in front of her. "Oh, my gosh!" She gasped. Scully looked around, feeling a chill. "Who are you?" "Samantha! Who the heck are you?" "Samantha? Samantha Mulder?" "How.... what's going on! Who are you and how did I get into your head?" "I'm Dana Scully, your brother's partner." She thought to herself. Samantha's eyes went wide, "Scully? I tapped into your brain!" "How?" "Don't know! I can't believe this! Ah... nice to meet you." Scully sighed, "What a weird dream." "This isn't a dream! It's a mind meld." "You do know we aren't living in Star Trek, right?" Samantha crossed her arms over her chest, "Wonder how this happened..." "Where are you? Fox has been miserable for decades! How can you-" "Ethan found me. He saw me. I'm somewhere in Nevada. Underground." Scully frowned, "Nevada? Ethan found you? WHY AREN'T YOU HOME YET?" "He couldn't get me out. He still isn't exactly sure... it's a long story." Scully was about to say something when the image faded away. She sat up on the sofa, Joy sitting beside her, playing with her red curls. "Napy, Mommy?" Scully sighed, stroking her daughter's hair, "Yeah, baby. Even Mommy needs to sleep." Joy tilted her head, as if seeing a different side of her, "Bad dream, Mommy?" Scully took Joy into her lap, "I'm okay, angel. Thanks for asking." All day she had an eerie feeling. Finally, she couldn't stand it any longer. "Mom, I need to talk to you." "About?" "I'm going. You and Joy need to stay here." "Going back home?" "Nevada." "NEVADA? What are you going there for?" "I have to, Mom. I'm going to contact Mulder, have him meet me there." "Dana Scully, stop!" Margaret snapped. She turned around, "What?" "Be careful." Scully gave her mom a hug. "I love you, Mom." End of 2/? write 2 me at powder_puff@hotmail.com PLEASE! I love feedback! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Frohike was surprised to get the call from Scully. He listened to her carefully. "Tell Mulder Samantha tapped into my head-" "REALLY? What was it like?" "Later, Frohike. Let him know I'm going to Nevada. Tell him to meet me there. The Tassel Inn is where I'll be staying. I already booked a room." "And will you two be sharing a room-" "FROHIKE! Pay attention! Tassel Inn, Nevada. I think we're close to finding Samantha." "Got it." TWENTY FOUR HOURS later, Mulder entered the Inn. Scully came running down the stairs and into his arms, "Mulder." He hugged her back, but then pulled away. "What are you doing? Are you crazy? I told you-" "Damn it, Mulder! We're close to finding Samantha. I had a-" She looked around. "Lets go to the room first." They sat in chairs by the desk, "Mulder, I kind of had a dream about her. She was there with me in a black place. She said Ethan found her, he's seen her... but he still isn't exactly sure where she is. All he knows that she's somewhere underground in Nevada." "Scully, I already know all of this! Ethan's friend, told me." She raised an eyebrow, "IF YOU HADN'T SENT ME AWAY, I'D KNOW THAT!" She stood up and started pacing around. "Listen...... I think we might be able to contact Ethan and get him here. Maybe he could help." "How?" "Through his friend." 5 hours later in Washington, DC Anna approached Ethan. "Hey." "Hey, yourself." He smiled at her. "We got something serious to talk about." "I don't like that sound of that." "Yeah, well... your brother and his partner have ended up in Nevada. The Tassel Inn. They want you to come right away." He frowned, "What the hell are they doing there?" "I'm not sure. But they need your help." Ethan took his gloved hands out of his pockets, "God damn it! I don't even know where Sam is!" Anna looked up at him, "I want to go with you." He almost laughed. "Are you crazy? No." "Why not? Your brother and his partner did." "They're trained FBI agents, Anna! You're a lawyer!" "You might need help!" "What I need is a miracle!" "I'm going, and you can't stop me." "Yes I can." "No, you can't." She turned on her heels and started walking. "I'll have all your credit cards canceled. I'll have you arrested! I can do anything, Anna!" She froze, slowly turning around. "I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU!" "And I'm trying to protect YOU!" He started walking towards her, his long coat flapping behind him. She stepped back, "If you wanted to protect me, you wouldn't have dragged me into this months ago!" "I'm sorry! That was a dumb idea." "Yeah, well now I plan on going to Nevada to find your brother and his partner." He roughly grabbed her arm, "If something happens to you, I won't be responsible." "I'm not asking you to be." She pulled her arm away. Ethan looked up at the sky, as if asking for heavenly guidance. "I'm leaving on the next flight out of here, and I'm not going to wait." She nodded, satisfied that she had 'won' this argument. "Deal." Gordon put his cigarette out. "What do you mean you can't find him?" "I can't find him." David insisted. Gordon picked up his phone, calling his son's apartment. He got the answering machine. "ETHAN! Pick up now! This is urgent!" Nothing. "Ethan!" Nothing. He slammed the phone down. "Find him! And check up on Mulder and Scully, too." Ethan entered the Inn, Anna right behind him. He booked a room, then asked for Fox Mulder. The woman behind the counter, an elderly lady with gray hair, shook her head. "Sorry, no one here under THAT name." Ethan frowned, "What about Dana Scully." "Well... we have a Dana Abbot, but other than her, no other Dana's and no Scully." Ethan sighed, frustrated. "Did-" "Ethan, over here." A female voice called. He turned around to see Dana Scully walking towards them. "Never mind." He smiled at the receptionist. Mulder wasn't far behind her. "Did you guys find anything?" Ethan asked in a whisper. Scully glanced at her watch, "I think we should get you two checked in first. "Already done." Anna said. Scully examined the taller woman, "I'm Dana Scully." She put out her hand. Anna took it, "I knew that. I'm Anna King. A friend of Ethan's." Scully looked up at Mulder, "Why don't we drop your things off in your room and then we can go and talk somewhere." Chris approached Gordon's death. It felt like Judgement Day for him. "Sir?" He looked up, the cigarette smoldering in his hand. "What?" "Mulder and Scully are... gone. She's been gone for days, he left just today. So did Ethan." Gordon's eyes flashed, "Really? Where? "Nevada." Chris answered. "Find them. I don't know what Ethan is doing, but we must find out." Chris nodded, quickly retreating, glad to get away from Gordon. Ethan took a deep breath. "I have an idea." Scully raised an eyebrow, making Mulder smile. "And?" Ethan bit his lower lip for a second, "I'll pretend to turn you guys in. That'll prove my loyalty. Then maybe I can get closer. Then I'll get you out." Mulder went stiff, "Leave Scully out of this one." She kicked him under the table, "Mulder!" He looked at her, "You have a daughter to think about-" "She thinks you're her Daddy!" Scully hissed. Mulder's mouth was set in a straight line. "Listen.... there are no guarantees that he can get us back out. In is no problem, but we might never get out!" She leaned back in the chair, "Listen to me, Mulder. I can take care of myself! I don't-" Anna cut her off, "I'd hate to interrupt this... but I really don't think we have the time for quarreling. Ethan, are you sure you can get them out?" He nodded, "I know I can." "How?" She asked him, tucking her blond hair behind her ear. "I'll convince Gordon that I can be trusted. I'll get clearance and pull you out. I've seen it done." Mulder buried his head in his hands, "You aren't going, Scully." "You aren't my boss, Mulder." "But-" "Just shut up, Mulder. We both know I'm going and a part of you wants me to go. So lets just drop it and save our breath." Mulder shut up, "Fine." Anna sighed, "Now that we got THAT resolved, more or less, lets figure out details." Ethan leaned forward, "I'll call him up, telling him that I tracked you guys here, tricked you into trusting me. Then I'll lead them here. I'll find out where the facility is, where Sam is being kept and get her out. And while I'm getting her out, I'll get you two out, also." "What about Anna?" Scully asked. "She'll be on the next flight back to Washington, DC." Ethan said. "Like hell I will! I'm not going back now!" He looked surprised, turning to face her, "What?" "I'm not leaving." "Well, you sure as hell aren't coming with us!" She crossed her arms over her chest, "How dare you drag me into this and not let me finish it with the rest of you? Is this because I'm a lawyer and not an FBI agent? Or do you not trust me?" Ethan got up, dragging Anna up with him. "We'll be back in a second." He pulled her to the other side of the restaurant and out the door. "Anna, what are you doing?" "Oh, and I embarrassing you, Ethan?" She snickered. He rolled his hands into fists, "Anna, don't make this harder than it already is. Just stay here. Where you'll be safe." "I took a woman's self defence course! You've experienced first hand how hard I can punch! I can take care of myself!" Ethan winced slightly, remembering the time she had hit him after he dumped her. He took her smaller hands into his, making little circles on the back of her hand, "I don't want you to get hurt, Anna. This is serious business." "Do you think I don't know that?" He finally looked up at her face, "I care about you too much-" A strong hand pulled Ethan back, yanking him away from Anna. "Hey!" He shouted, turning around. "Gordon isn't too happy with you, Ethan." The man said. He immediately knew that this was no friend. A tall man, brown hair. He was built like a tank! Anna stood tall, "We got Mulder and Scully for you. There in the restaurant. I suggest you try not to make a scene." The man looked baffled for a moment, then his eyes went cold, "Mulder and Scully, eh? David, go in there and see. I'll watch Ethan and Barbie here." Anna's face went stone and she took a step towards him, "My name is Anna King, NOT Barbie!" Ethan pulled her back, "Where is my dad?" "In Washington, DC." "Call him up. I want to talk with him." Gordon picked up the phone, "What?" "Sir, this is Chris, David and I found your son.... and his lady friend." "Pardon?" "We found him. He wants to speak with you." Ethan's voice spoke, "Dad? You'll be so proud of me when you find out what I've been doing." "Explain yourself, Ethan!" He snapped. "I have Mulder and Scully. Here. They have no idea what's going on. Anna and I cornered them." Gordon's mouth fell open, not that anyone would see it. "You, Ethan?" "Yeah, Dad. It's kind of my present to you. Proud of me?" He had a childish tone in his voice. "Mulder and Scully? Have Chris and David handle it. I'll be there soon." "Sure, Dad, here, talk with the goon here." He handed the phone back to Chris. "Sir?" "Chris... get Mulder and Scully. Make sure they're secured in the facility we have in Nevada." "Do we have to take precautions with Ethan?" "Minimum. Understand?" "Yes, Sir." Ethan returned to the table where Mulder and Scully were patiently waiting, whispering among themselves. Scully looked up, "Where's Anna?" "You guys, you have to come outside." "Why?" Mulder asked, his eyes opened wide slightly. "Just come on. It's important." Mulder put a few bills on their table for the waitress and followed Ethan and Scully out the door. They left the comfort of the air conditioned restaurant and were now out in the sweltering desert heat. He looked around, "Ethan, where the Hell is Anna?" "I'm here." A voice croaked from behind them. Standing behind Anna was a tall man dressed in a suit. "All of you, in the cars." He motioned to the vehicles near by. Mulder was about to bolt when a man took a gun out, stabbing it into Scully's back. "I'll blow her away if you don't get in the car now." Scully gave him a look, 'sorry.' She mouthed to him. "ETHAN! What's going on?" Mulder put on his act. Ethan turned around, "Just get in the car, Mulder. You, let Anna go. She's with me." The man shook his head, "No way, pal, she isn't going anywhere with you until we know we can trust you." "ETHAN! How can you betray us like this?!" Scully wailed, being pushed into the car. Ethan looked back at the man holding Anna, "Fine then. But I ride with her in the car. She doesn't leave my sight." He said firmly. "No deal." The man answered. "If you do anything to her, I'm going to-" "Ethan, it's okay. I'll be fine." Anna said quickly. Anna was pushed into a separate car by the taller man, and Mulder, Scully and Ethan went with the second man. Mulder and Scully were blindfolded, but Ethan wasn't this time. Samantha was pacing. She had to move around, she felt like a trapped rat! It had been so long since she'd seen Ethan face to face. Finally, the door opened and a nurse walked in. "Sam, time to go demonstrate." "NO! I don't want to!" She snapped, acting like a spoiled five year old. The nurse took out a needle, making sure that Samantha got a good look at it, "You're coming one way or another, dear, it's your choice how you go in." Samantha knew that she had to choose her battles, and this wasn't one of them. "Fine then." She stomped out of the room and into the examining room. She knew the place by heart, she'd spent so many months here. Gordon came in. Wearing his expensive suit and a cigarette was in his hand. Like always. "Is Ethan here yet?" He asked a nurse. The nurse shook her head, "No, Sir. But we got a call from your men. Then said they're on their way." He nodded, "Good. Excellent. As soon as my son and his companions arrive, everything will start." Samantha wet her lips, a sense of anger rising in her. She wanted to attack him, rip his throat out for doing what he did to her family. To her brothers! He starred at her for a moment, it was as if they were two children daring the other to blink. She didn't move, she didn't turn away. She gave him a defiant look, showing no fear. He turned away when Ethan was pushed into the room. End of part 3/? Sorry for the posting errors I had, I didn't know what I was doing! My bad! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer and Summary in part I. Note: Everyone has been asking for the first Devotion Stories. You can find them all, except for the last half of "The Search for Sam" at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html If you like them, e-mail me and give feedback! I luv feedback! ;) part 4/? of The Search for Sam~ Ethan looked up at Samantha, "Damn it, would you guys lay off!" He snapped. He had been pushed through the door, and onto the floor! Gordon helped him up, "I'll speak with you later, Chris." He said sternly. Anna was released into Ethan's arms and Mulder and Scully were kept out in the hall. Ethan held Anna's hand, "So what's going on now, Dad?" He tried to keep edge out of his voice. Ethan tried not to make eye contact with Samantha, because if he did, he knew he'd blow the whole thing and Gordon will see right through him. Mulder could be heard screaming from the hall way, "ETHAN! HOW COULD YOU! TRAITOR!" Ethan squeezed Anna's hand, "Dad? What are we going to do?" "First of all, I want to commend you on the successful *capture* of Mulder and Scully." A brief flash of Scully's little daughter went through Ethan's mind. Gordon took his cigarette and smothered it against a counter top, "We're going to try an experiment on Mulder and Scully." "What kind of experiment?" Ethan asked carefully, showing no real emotions. "The type that could be fatal. Set up the labs, prepare the DNA samples. I want them injected by the time I leave tonight." He told the nurse. She nodded, "Well, Samantha, I guess we'll just do your test later." She dragged Samantha out of the room and into a hall way. Mulder was pinned up against the wall. Ethan was in the room on the other side of the wall. When the lab tech tried to rough house with Scully, Mulder had attacked him. Remembering the FBI training he'd endured. The young lab tech was now on the floor, moaning and groaning. A nurse came out, dragging a young woman behind her. "Samantha! Stop squirming! I have real work to do and I don't need you taking up my time! Come on!" "No! Wait! I don't-" The nurse stopped walking, turning to face her, "Sam, you can go out in the green house, okay? You can spend the rest of the day there, as long as you don't cause trouble for me!" Mulder and Scully looked at them, the nurse and the woman. Scully grabbed his arm, "Mulder... I think-" "Yeah, me too, Scully." He held her hand in his. Samantha turned around to them, her eyes going wide when she saw Scully. She mouthed. Mulder wanted to chase after he, he would have, too... if the guards hadn't pulled him back and dragged him off to the cells. "SAM!" He screamed out. The guard hit him, "Shut up." Scully was carried down to another holding cell, the two being separated. "NO! SCULLY!" He shouted, trying to get to her. She couldn't respond, her guard had a hand clamped over her mouth. Mulder screamed mentally. Gordon was exhausted. Ethan and Anna had been taken to their rooms, where they would be comfortable until it was time for Mulder's experiment. Rarely he would acknowledge Ethan being William Mulder's son. William hadn't been the one to raise the boy. He put the cigarette away and got up. Chris came in, "Sir-" "Chris, make sure that Mulder, Ethan and a test subject named Samantha never get any where near each other, understand?" Chris looked confused for a bit, "Why?" "BECAUSE RESULTS COULD BE DISASTROUS!" Chris nodded his head, looking like a frantic bunny. "All right, Mr. Gordon." Samantha pulled herself off her bed and walked to the door. Half the time, the nurses kept her locked in. This was her lucky day! They had been in too much of a hurry to worry about her. She put on her slippers and walked out into the hall. It was much colder than her room, and empty. She quickly walked out to where they kept the holding cells. "Did you come back from the green house, Sam?" A male voice asked. She calmly turned around, smiling when she was Mike. Mike was a guard, an elderly gentleman, the nicest person she had ever met. "My room was much too stuffy, I felt like I was in a damned box." He nodded, "Well, there are some experiments going around here... you should get back to your room until it's all over." "Where are the experiments?" "Upper North Zone. But stay in your room, people will be running in and our and you don't want to get run over, do 'ya?" She nodded. How on Earth had Mike gotten a job here? He was kind, but not too bright. Her first days here, he had been a friend to her. Scully was in a cell. It was cold, damp and the cot wasn't fit for rats! She remained standing, trying to remain clam. A key started turning in the lock and she whirled around. "SAMANTHA!" She gasped. Samantha put a finger over her lips, "Shh!" Scully tried to keep her pounding heart in check, "Where is Mulder? How did you get here? What happened to Ethan?" She shook her head, "I saw on one of the doctor charts that you were in this cell, but I couldn't find Fox or Ethan. Get out of there, I need help finding them!" Scully was led by Samantha into a lab. She smelled chemicals, making her a bit dizzy. Samantha grabbed a coat from a rack, handing it to her. "Put this on, and act like you're my doctor." "Pardon?" She was a little fuzzy. "It's a lab coat, pretend to be a doctor." Scully did as she was told, taking Samantha's arm, the two women walked out into the main corridor. "Where do we go?" Scully asked. "Shh." A guard came down, wearing the black uniform and a gun at his side. He walked right past them. Scully couldn't help but smile, "Good idea, Samantha." Ethan turned to Anna, "Are you happy you came now?" She crossed her arms over her chest, "Don't speak to me like that! You need me, admit it!" He grabbed her shoulders, "You're going to get hurt here!" She pulled away, "Let's go find your family." She whispered. The two entered the hallway, not knowing which direction to turn, they just went straight. Ethan tried to walk like he had some authority, but inside he was scared shitless! Too many things could go wrong, too many people were depending on him and too many would get hurt if he fucked this thing up. He took Anna's arm and pulled her into a separate hall way. "What are you doing?" She hissed. "Stay here for a second, I have an idea but it might not work if they see you." "Ethan," she asked, her voice warning, "is this a trick to keep me back?" He rolled his eyes, pushing her deeper into the hall, "Just wait and don't move." A guard was coming down, and Ethan took out the I.D. card Gordon had given him, "Excuse me, could you tell me where Fox Mulder is being held?" The guard glanced down at a chart he held in his hand... "Mulder? Last check says that he was being held in cell B84." "Could you please tell me where that is?" The guard nodded, "Down the main corridor, first room on the left leads into a small wing of cells. They're all numbered." "Thanks. I'll make sure my father knows how helpful you were." He flashed a smile and the guard grinned back. "Thank you, Sir." He took his chart and disappeared into another room. Ethan grabbed Anna's hands and pulled her out into the main hall. "You okay?" He asked, concern dripping from his voice. She nodded, "Just great, let's go and get out of here." Ethan was looking for cameras, but saw none. But he was almost positive that there were cameras around here some where. Mulder, for the first time since he was a little boy, wanted to just cry for his mother. He was alone, he had no idea where his sister and brother were... and poor Scully had been taken away again. Ethan had assured them that he could get them back out once they got in, but hours had passed and Mulder knew the testing time was getting closer and closer. another voice in his head snapped. This was probably the logical/reasonable side. He wished she was here, his Scully, he missed her so much and was so scared for her. The door to his cell slipped open and Anna came in, "Agent Mulder?" She whispered. He looked up, his eyes half blurred from the dark, "ANNA?" "Sorry it took so long, things kind of got out of hand." Ethan said from behind her, "Hurry up! I don't have all day." Mulder pulled himself up and just walked out of the cell, for the first time, he got a good look at the wing he was in. Doors to other cells were numbered in black, there were hundreds of them. "Most of them are empty." Ethan pointed out. "Where is Scully? Did you find Sam? I saw her-" "I know. I talked with her for a brief moment, Scully was taken some where else, we'll have to find her." "No you won't." A familiar voice said from behind them. The trio turned around, Scully stood, wearing a lab coat and glasses. Next to her was a worn out Samantha. Mulder raced towards them, taking both into his large arms and hugging them fiercely, "I thought I'd never see you two again." He whispered. Samantha wrapped her arms around him, "I knew you'd find me." Scully looked around, "I think we should be leaving soon... we still aren't sure of where we are." "In the desert, that's positive." Anna whispered. Ethan took her hand, "I promised I'd get you guys out of here, so let's make tracks." David Allans watched the sequrity monitor, his eyes going wide when he saw Agent Fox Mulder and Samantha, the well known test subject. He immediately called up Gordon, "Sir, we have a situation." "What kind?" He asked, his voice emotionless. "Serious. Code green." "Sound the alarm. No one should be coming in, or out. Who escaped?" "The newest man you brought in, Fox Mulder... and Samantha from the Mind Reading Project." "Is my son with them?" "I can't really tell. There is another man and two other women, but they're backs are towards the camera." "My, this is a dilemma. No one gets in or out, understand? I want them back, alive if possible." Samantha jumped when the sirens went off, "THEY KNOW!" Mulder whirled around, doing a three sixty. "How do we get out of here?!" Samantha started racing down the hall, "Come one, hurry up!" The small group quickly chased after her, ducking through corridors and running through halls. Mulder could hear the pounding of foot steps, they weren't his own. "Sam, we're being followed." He gasped for air. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into a room. They ended up in a green house. "Amazing." Scully looked around in awe. "How can we get out of here?" Anna whispered. Samantha walked over to another door that led into a cold, dark room. "In here, I think there might be a door that leads outside." Mulder examined the walls, "I don't see a door, Sam." he said in alarm. Ethan looked up, "There! A hatch. Where does that go?" Samantha shrugged, "Let's find out." "I'll go first." Ethan offered, pulling himself up the ladder and to the hatch. The ladder only continued upward, until finally there was another hatch. "WE'RE OUT!" He cried, pulling himself up. Scully helped Samantha up the ladder, then pushed Anna up. Ethan was on the top, the sand was blowing into his hair and onto his face. His suit jacket was being blown off. He pulled his sister and Anna up to the top. "Are you girls all right?" Samantha threw her arms around him, "I want to go home." Anna pulled up Scully and together they helped Mulder up. "Come on, we have no idea where the fuck we are and we have to find shelter. It's night and it's going to get cold." Scully nodded, pushing her hair back, "Start walking, I guess." Gordon was furious. "Sir, they made it up through the sixth hatch and are out on the surface." "Send a team after them. Samantha is the only one who survived the experiments and we need her." "What about your son?" The guard asked bluntly. "Bring Ethan to me." Anna was exhausted, and felt like she could walk no further. Scully took her arm, "Come on, there are lights up ahead. Just a little more." "I'm sorry for slowing you down, Dana." The others were yards ahead of them, "How can you keep going?" Scully pulled Anna forward, "I have a daughter waiting for me in Washington, I have to go back to her." Anna picked up the pace, and they eventually caught up with everyone. "I know that they have jeeps lined up on the other side. If we can get one, everything will be fine." Eventually, they did make it to the jeeps. Rows and rows of them, all lined side by side. But there was no ignition. "That's good, we don't even have a key!" Mulder snapped. Ethan took out a card, running it through the little card access. The engine started and Ethan burst out laughing. "Gordon gave me this card!" Mulder took Scully's hand, helping her into the seat. "Are you okay?" He asked softly? She nodded, a tear falling down her cheek. "I have to get back to Joy. She'll need me." Mulder hugged her tight, "We're going home now, I promise." "SIR! The monitors read that one of the jeeps have been started! But that's not possible, you need a card..." Gordon's heart plummeted to his feet. How could he have been so stupid? Dan had been right, he was foolish to try to raise Ethan and continue the sham after Ethan had met Mulder. It was all over. "Start going after them." "But Sir-" "NOW! Follow them into the city if you must, but don't let them get away!" Anna whirled around, "OH MY GOD!" The others turned their heads, except Ethan, he had to drive. The sand was coming up over the wheels and they were soaring over bumps and practically flying. "We're being followed!" Four jeeps were in pursuit! In the moon light, they could see that all the men in the jeeps were wearing guard's uniforms. "SHIT!" Mulder shouted. A cloud covered the moon, dimming everything around them for a brief instant. And the bumps ceased... THEY WERE ON A ROAD! Samantha held onto her seat, fearing that she would go flying out. "Fox! Were do we go?" "We can loose them if we go into a city." "Have you fond them yet?" Gordon put down his cigarette. "No... we lost them." "Where?" "Some where in Carson City." "Sir, if Samantha gets away, it's 15 years of work and research lost from the project." A voice said from behind him. It was one of the lab doctors, her name escaped him. "I know that! Get out of my office, we have to find them." Mulder and Ethan were positive that no one had followed. They had lost their shadows in traffic and ducked into an alley. Anna was extremely nervous, and Scully and Samantha were exhausted. The had been able to contact The Lone Gunmen from a local dinner. "Byers, we are in huge trouble." "Where are you?" He asked first. "Carson City, Nevada." "WHAT? What happened?" "Our plan was to let Gordon capture us, we just escaped. The rest doesn't matter, I have Samantha and there is no way in Hell I'm letting them take her back." There was silence at the other end while Byers processed the information. "Langley says he has an idea." Byers sighed. Langley's voice came onto the line, "Mulder, my brother lives in Carson City. He can help you, he'd be happy to help you." "Okay, what do I do?" Mulder questioned. "Go check out the John Marty Fountains down town, you can't miss 'em. I'll send my brother, Elliot, a picture of you and Scully. He'll find you. Code word can be... black lace." "You are a sick man, Langley. What's your middle name?" "Classified information." "LANGLEY!" "Edgar." "What?" "I SAID EDGAR, DAMN IT!" "Fine, that's the code word then, if you really have to have one." "You can't tell anyone, Mulder." He snapped. "Sure... Edgar." Mulder could hear the distant laughing of Frohike, "EDGAR?" "Move your ass, Mulder!" Langley shouted into the phone. "Okay, got it. Bye." Scully looked at him, "Well?" "Langley's brother is going to save our asses." Samantha looked up, "Anna doesn't look so well." Ethan immediately was at her side, "Anna?" He whispered. Her skin was pale, "I'm fine. It's my nerves, this happens." "Panic attack." Scully whispered. "Come on, the sooner we can get back to Washington the better." "DC or State?" "I'm going to try Washington State." He squeezed her hand. "What's in Washington?" Samantha asked. "Our daughter." Mulder replied. End of 4/? All feedback to Quetzel/Sarah at: powder_puff@hotmail.com Disclaimer in part I Elliot Waters was waiting patiently at the fountains with the faxed pictures in his hands. His last name was different for the infamous Langley because they were only half brothers, but still very close. The two had lived alone with their mother for years before Elliot had gone off to college, his brother not far behind him. The pictures in his hand were colored. One of a pretty red head with shining blue eyes, and another one of a dark man. He looked up at the heavens for help, "I hope I can get them out of here before it's too late." A jeep pulled up in front of the park, a group of five people making their way to the fountains. He glanced at the pictures, and then up at the man leading the group and the woman by his side. He casually walked up towards them, his coat over his arm, "Edgar Langley?" The man seemed relived, "Elliot I presume." Elliot put out his hand for a hand shake, "Glad you guys made it okay." Scully could not believe that this man was related to Langley! He was so... good looking! He was tall, broad shoulders, he looked like he worked out at least three times a week! He had waves of sandy blond hair, a stubborn curl falling down his forehead. He brushed it aside, "Miss Scully? Are you all right?" He asked. She snapped out of her trance, "Yes, thanks." "Well... we don't have much time to waste. Follow me to the van." They all packed into a minivan. Elliot closed the door behind Samantha, "Everyone okay?" She nodded, "Um, thank you." He flashed her a smile and got into the driver's seat. "Where are we going?" Ethan asked, he was holding Anna in his arms. She was starting to calm down a bit. Mulder sat up front, "Yeah, where are we going?" "Some place where they will never find you. My house." "Isn't that a bit dangerous for you?" Scully asked. "Not really, they'll never find it before you leave." Elliot started driving. Samantha smiled, "I'm just glad to be out of that retched place." Scully reached out for Samantha's hand, and the two smiled. "You're never going back there, Sam." Scully and Mulder chorused together. David and Chris finally gave up the search, "Sir, it's too dark. We've combed the desert, and people are now going through the city.... chances of ever finding them are slim." "I know that. That's why you two have to return to Washington, DC and wait for them. They might eventually come back home... at least to wrap up a few things." Gordon said grimly. David put down the phone, "We're going back to Washington, Chris." Chris buries his face in his hands, "This is crazy!" David nodded, starting the engine of the car, "Back to Washington we go." Gordon through the cigarettes across the room. "THIS IS INSANE! Where could they be? Does Mulder have any connections here?" "Besides Ethan?" Dr. Strouss asked, a little smirk on her face. He turned to her, anger flashing in his eyes, "Don't you ever speak like that again." "You're son betrayed you, Sir. If we don't do something quick, it's over." She sounded like the voice of death. Gordon glared at her, "And what do you suggest we do?" "We can't really do anything at this point. But we don't know what Ethan got away with, he could have stole a lot of evidence... not to mention Samantha! They just had to take her, didn't they?" "They've searched for Samantha for years." Gordon sighed, sinking into his chair. Strouss gave him a flummoxed look, "They've known about the project that long?" "Of course not, don't be ridiculous. Mulder has searched for Samantha since the day we took her." "Why do you say that?" Dr. Strouss sat on the edge of his desk, her skirt hiking up a little up her thigh. He looked down at her leg, but then looked up at her eyes, "They're brothers and sister. Mulder is the eldest... and Samantha and Ethan are twins. All three of them are the children of William Mulder. He was trouble and so are his brats." Gordon started reaching for the bottle of liquor. Strouss leaned towards him a bit, "Well... why the hell were you raising Ethan as your own?" Gordon laughed, "It's a personal thing. I loved their mother more than William Mulder ever could... but after she had Fox, she wouldn't leave him. That boy kind of bound them together, William wasn't any good." Strouss smiled a bit, "Oh, so there is a love story in this?" He put his hand on her knee, "Isn't there always?" Her smile became brighter, "Well... I guess." "There is always some kind of love in every story. The love between family members, between friends..." Strouss moved in closer to him, "Oh." "Sir, we found Margaret Scully and Joy Scully." A voice on the intercom said. Gordon pushed Strouss of his desk, she shrieked as she made the short decent to the office floor. She moaned as she landed, "Damn it." She sighed. "You found them? Where?" Gordon asked the man on the other end of the intercom. "Seattle, Washington, Sir." "Prepare the jet." Gordon grabbed his suit jacket, "Dr. Strouss, if you want to move up the corporate ladder in this organization, sleeping with me is not the way to do it." She turned beet red, "Yeah. Okay." He held the door open for her, "You should get back to work, you aren't being paid to sit on your ass all day... on the floor." She pulled herself up, trying to walk out with as much dignity as possible... but her dignity had left her the second she sat on his desk. Seattle, Washington. 10:00PM December 9 Margaret was exhausted. Joy wouldn't sleep, the little toddler was hyper and missed her mother. "Grandmaaaaa!" She screamed, running and leaping into her lap. Margaret wrapped her arms around her granddaughter, "Joy, I'm too old for this." She laughed. Joy pulled herself up, "When Mommy comin' home?" Margaret's face fell, "I'm not sure, dear." "Where's Daddy?" "Daddy and Mommy are together... I hope." Margaret got a puzzled look from Joy, "Can I go, too?" "No, dear. You have to stay and take care of me." Joy rested her head against her grandmother's shoulder, "Sleepy time." She yawned. "Thank the heavens, I knew you would eventually tire of asking questions I can' t answer." Margaret sighed, lifting Joy up and taking her to her room. Gordon approached the house, alone. It was a nice little place, it screamed suburban. It reminded him of a house William Mulder used to own, way back when. He had sent men to scout out the territory. They knew exactly where Joy Scully's room was, and getting her would be no problem. "Are we going in, Sir?" One of the men behind him asked. "No, don't let them know we're here. Lurk around for a bit... Mulder and Scully will come back here soon enough. Scully wouldn't leave without her family. They might even bring Ethan and Samantha with them... if so, take them all." "What about Margaret and Joy Scully?" "Scully's daughter can go up for adoption, we have no use for that child." Dr. Strouss had now showed up. She looked nervous. "No, I'll take care of Joy Scully." Gordon snapped at her. She bowed her head, "Yes, Sir." "No one is to touch Joy Scully, because I have use for her." Gordon hadn't been able to keep Ethan, perhaps things with Joy would be better. Elliot Waters House 4:00PM December 9 Elliot handed Samantha a cup of hot coca, handing her a blanket. "I hope that you feel better." She smiled, "Well, I think Anna is the one you should be worrying about. She looks awful, the poor thing." "So, what is going on exactly, my brother didn't tell me." Samantha sat up straight, "It's a long story, actually. I just found my brothers after a... a long time." "You didn't know your brothers or had you lost them?" "I didn't know Ethan, and I had lost Fox. That's all I can really say." "Sounds like this tale could turn into a novel." "I guess it could, we've been through a lot." "What about Miss Scully and Miss King?" "Uh, Scully and Fox have been with each other for a while now, and Anna was recently dragged into this, of her own free will I hear. I guess you've been dragged into our little dilemma also." He put his hand on her shoulder, smiling, "My brother says that you people are worth helping. Plus, I can't resist a pretty face." She blushed, "I look like hell. No make up, nothing...." "You look cute." He smiled more. Mulder cleared his throat from the door, "Ah, Elliot, you're needed in the kitchen." Elliot left Samantha's side and vanished through the door into the brightly lit kitchen, where Scully and Anna were sitting. Samantha made room for Mulder on the bed, the room that she was sleeping in was small, but nicely furnished. Mulder sighed, "I don't like him." "Why? He seems very nice." Samantha said brightly. He glanced at her, "Sam, you didn't have much experience with men while you were... away, did you?" She raised her eyebrows, "No, I didn't. What are you getting at?" "Sam, I'm going to tell you something. All men are bad. The entire male species is evil so be cautious-" She laughed, "Is this an over protective brother thing? Because Scully was joking about this earlier this afternoon." Mulder laughed, "Well, I didn't get a chance before, so now I'm making up for lost time. Don't get caught with Elliot alone or anything." "Mulder, he won't do anything. He's a good man." Scully said, walking in with a box of cookies and Ethan was behind her carrying a trey of mugs. Samantha sighed, "Fox, you're so silly sometimes." Scully laughed, "Mulder, all men are evil? Are you not a man?" She sat down next to him, taking his hand in hers. "No, well, of course! But Ethan and I are good men because-" "Because you're big brothers. Whatever. My brothers were the same way, Samantha, they never grow out of this." Scully poked Mulder in the ribs. "Sorry, Scully, I agree with Fox." Ethan said, putting the trey down, "Sam has just come home, and she doesn't really know all that much and-" "WHY are you talking about me like I'm not in the room?" Samantha snapped. Scully laughed, "Don't worry, things will get better as they grow up." "Hey, what do you mean grow up?" The two Mulder brothers chorused. Samantha burst out laughing, "Maybe YOU'RE the twins! Where is Anna?" "With Elliot." Scully yawned. Ethan jumped up to his feet, "She's alone with him!" He ran out of the room, warp nine. Samantha raised an eyebrow, "If all men are like this, I wanna stay single forever." "No, not all men, just the Mulder men I guess." Scully stood up, dragging her partner up with her. "Come one, Mulder, time for bed." He followed her out, wishing Samantha good night and telling her more bits of brotherly advice, and more warnings about men. She threw a pillow at him, "Go! Dana is waiting for you." Ethan walked into the kitchen, Elliot was alone at the stove. "Hey, where did Anna go?" Elliot looked up, "If she's not in your room, she's probably in the yard. I hope you guys don't mind sharing. Miss Scully said that she and Mulder would share a room... and Miss King said the same would go for you two." Ethan raised his eyebrows, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "Really? She said that?" "Yeah, is that a problem? Because I guess if it is, I should move Samantha in with Anna..." "No, it's good. I'm going to find Anna. Night." He quickly walked through the patio doors. Elliot's house had four bedrooms, so things worked out well. Mulder and Scully in one room. Ethan and Anna in another, Samantha in her own, and Elliot in his own. He had been touched that Anna had wanted to share a room with him. They hadn't spent a night together since they broke up. Anna was alone on a swing under an oak tree. It was a romantic picture, her, alone on the swing. The moon light hit her in just the right way.... "Anna?" She looked up, "Hi." It was a bit chilly, but still pleasant. He sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "Hi. What are you doing out here, alone?" She shrugged, "Thinking." "I wish you had stayed home, Anna." She went stiff, "Oh. I understand." "No, you don't. I'm glad you're here, but at the same time, I wish you were safe at home. I shouldn't have dragged you into this." She shrugged her shoulders, "I asked for this, I knew what I was doing." "Why did you do it, Anna? You could have stayed in Washington." She didn't look him in the eye, "I love you too much to let you go through this alone." He was in shock. He tilted her head so that they were looking eye to eye, "Really, Anna? You love me?" Her eyes became glossy, "Yeah... I still love you." Ethan hugged her close to him, "I've been such a jerk, Anna. If you get hurt... if anything happens to you, I don't know what I'll do." She wrapped her arm around him, "Ethan-" "I love you so much Anna, and I just want to get you home safe and sound." "We will go home, I know it." 8:00AM Elliot Waters House December 10 Mulder woke with Scully in his arms, and he smiled. For the first time in days, he felt safe. She stirred, "Mulder, I think we should get up." He sighed, kissing the top of her head, "I don't want to, yet." A knock on the door distracted him, "Guys? It's Samantha. Are you awake yet?" "Shh." Mulder whispered. He silenced her protests with a kiss. Samantha eventually got tired of knocking and went across the hall to her OTHER brother's room. Ethan and Anna had shared the room, and at first she had found this odd, but then it dawned on her. She knocked lightly, "Ethan? Anna? Are you up yet?" She could hear Anna giggling, obviously the two were busy right now. She smirked and walked out into the kitchen, where breakfast greeted her. Elliot had made eggs and pancakes, everything was set at the table. He smiled at her, handing her orange juice, "Morning. Sleep well?" She nodded, "That room is very comfortable. Do you live alone all the time?" He nodded, "No wife, no kids. I'm an attorney, so I can afford it all." She smiled, "It's lovely, really." "Glad you think so. Sit down, eat something." "So... you play bachelor all day long?" "I had a girlfriend, until last week. Amazing how some women run after men who look like Fabio." "Fabio? What's that?" She asked. Elliot raised an eyebrow, "Fabio... the guy on the cover of those romance novels. The 'I can't believe it's not butter' guy." she shook her head, "Doesn't ring a bell." "Man, you have been away for a long time, haven't you?" She looked down, "Yeah." "Care to tell me about it?" "When I was a kid, I woke up in a hospital room. A bunch of doctors told me that my family had been killed in a car crash, and I was the only one who lived. But I never believed this, I knew it wasn't true. I could just feel that my family was alive. They took me to some... facility and I was turned into a test subject for experiments they did. That's where I've spent most of my life. They had this system set up for their test subjects who were kids, it was like a school. So we would be mentally developed as most people our age. I was told it's like going to regular school, but I don't remember much of regular school." He took he hand, "I... oh my God. What did they do to you?" "When I was about nine, I think, I made contact with Ethan. We're twins... and the experiments gave me this... thing. I could just tap into his brain. I knew what he was thinking, I could see him. I was trying to do it with Fox, but I got Ethan instead. And until that point, I had never known that Ethan existed... I didn't know he was my brother until recently." "All this, happened to your family?" She nodded, wiping her tears away, "I don't know why our family. Fox says that it has something to do with a man my father worked with. Something to do with him... I don't understand really." She burst out crying and Elliot took her into his arms. He hugged her, rocking her back and forth, "Shh, it's okay. It's okay." Mulder and Ethan walked into the room, "What did you do to her?" Ethan snapped, making his way to his sister. Anna came in behind Mulder, "Ethan, relax-" Ethan pulled his sister away from Elliot, "Sam, you okay?" She nodded, "I'm fine." He hugged her, giving Elliot a look that would kill. Mulder immediately took charge, Elliot was helping them, and he would wait a few more seconds before he punched in the other man's face. "What happened?" "She was talking about everything that you've all gone through and... just broke down." Elliot tired to explain. Anna took Mulder's arm, "It's okay, don't freak out yet. I think Scully is still in her room, will you go call her out here?" Mulder left the kitchen, Samantha had calmed down by now and was truly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I-" "It's okay." Elliot assured her. End of 5/? Send all feedback to Sarah/Quetzel at powder_puff@hotmail.com I'd luv 2 hear from U. ;) Oh, if I don't get at least five messages, I won't be posting the next part ;) Ha ha, now you gotta e-mail me! I did a quick editing job on this one, so there might be some errors. Everyone have a good weekend! ;) And write to me! I'm seriously beginning to wonder if I have any fans left out there! :( All devotions are located at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html Mulder had to get away from the chaos. He knew Sam was in good hands, so he went in to go check on Scully. She laid curled in the bed that they had slept in the night before. The blankets were wrapped around her and she looked so small. He smiled to himself, he loved it when she was calm like this. He crawled into the bed next to her, snaking his arms around her small body. Suddenly, ever muscle in Scully's body tensed and she shot up like a jack knife, gasping for air. "Scully?" He asked concerned. She looked at him, "Mulder? What happened?" He put his hands on her arm, "It's okay, we're at Langley's brother's house. Remember? Elliot?" She sank back into the sheets and pillows, "Mulder, I have to go back." "Where?" He asked, propping himself up on his elbow and laying his hand on her abdomen. "Back to Mom and Joy. Something isn't right Mulder, I have to go back." He frowned, "I thought you said they were safe in Washington Sate." "Mulder, please! We have to go get them, and if you won't come with me, I'm going alone!" She was now in a frenzy. She threw herself out of the bed and made her way to the closet where she had left her jeans and blouse. He got up and went after her, taking her hands into his, "Dana, what's wrong?" She looked up at him, her blue eyes hazy, "I can feel it, Mulder. Something is wrong and I have to go back now! I can't wait, it might be too late by the time I get there!" She pushed him aside with surprising strength and continued with her tasks. "I'll call the air line." He wasn't going to leave her for a second. And if Scully felt so strong because of a feeling she had, he wasn't going to sit around and wait for something bad to happen. Not when Joy and Margaret were concerned. 10:00AM Seattle, Washington December 10 Margaret Scully prided herself on her instinct. And felt uneasy. She found herself constantly looking out the window, suspicious of anyone who walked by. She asked herself. Joy was on the floor, playing with her dolls. Joy was a lot like Dana, when she played with dolls, she would put them through hell and back! She turned her dolls into adventurers. Climbing over walls and obstacles to get to the treasure that had been set at the other side. Margaret was sure Joy was like her mother, because lately she had been playing doctor with her dolls. Unfortunately, she would accidentally break of limbs and play doctor putting them back together. Joy sighed, putting the doll down, "Grandmaaaaa?" "Yes, love?" "Bebby won't work!" She threw the doll across the room, her leg with it. Margaret laughed, "Come here, Angel." She took the doll and replaced the leg, "All better." Joy didn't smile, she looked out the window, "Park. Wanna go to park!" Margaret nodded, "Good idea, go find your sneakers." Joy, who was delighted that her suggestion had been taken, jumped up to find her shoes. It was chill outside, but dry. A park wasn't far from their home, so Margaret walked... Joy beside her. "Gran.... they watching." "What?" The cold air seemed to get colder as Joy spoke, "They watching grandma...... that lady and that men." Margaret had to admit, her grand daughter did speak a lot for a toddler, but she casually looked around. Something in her mind went off. Triggered. Sitting in a car, not far from them, was a man and a woman. They were watching them closely. A shiver went down Margaret's spine. "Come, sweetie, time to go home." Joy didn't object, like Margaret expected her to. "I'm sleepy." She yawned, putting her head down on Margaret's shoulder. She made her way home quickly, locking the doors behind them. Dana was involved in dangerous business.... and it looked like the business had followed them here. She looked out the window again, the car was hidden among other cars down the street. Margaret Scully was a Navy Wife. She was an expert at packing quickly and efficiently. She gathered all the clothes, and Joy's toys that she couldn't live without. All the bags were set in the upstairs bedroom. Dana had given her a number, just in case if she needed help and it was an emergency. "Mom, these men will help you if you need it. Langley, Byers and Frohike. Friends of ours, we trust them." Dana had said those words, she trusted them. Margaret snatched up the phone, dialing quickly. There was no answer. The phone was slammed back into the cradle. Margaret called the air port, reserving two seats on the next flight to Washington, DC. She had four hours. Joy was swooped up, "Come, Joy. We're going away from here." She whispered. Joy gave her a flummoxed look, "Where mommy?" "We'll see her soon. I swear." 5:00PM Elliot Waters' House December 10 Mulder had made arrangements with the Gunmen. Everything was set and they would be out of there, soon. All of them. Even Elliot was going. "I think I should drop in on my brother anyway when we get to Washington, DC." He smiled. Anna shrugged, "Okay, let's go then. I think Scully is going to blow!" Mulder feared that she would get up and leave without them, on her own. "It's time to go." she said, dragging everyone up and out the door. They arrived at the air port late, checking in whatever bags they had, which wasn't much, and getting on board. She was fidgeting. Dana Scully was squirming like her daughter would in a car seat. "Why can't we get there faster?" She almost screamed. Mulder held her hand, letting her rest her head on his shoulder, "Shh, less than an hour. We're almost in Washington." The pilot announced that they were going to be landing at the Seattle Air Port in about thirty minutes. This did not comfort Scully at all. Her hand squeezed his, "Mulder, something isn't right. My poor baby girl... my mom. God, when will we land!?" Seattle, Washington 2:00PM Margaret was terrified. She couldn't take everything with her, they would see and wonder what was going on. Instead, she gathered three bags. One of them contained Joy's favorite rabbit, Dana used to have on exactly like it. She took the bags and dumped them in the car, forcing herself not to look at the people observing her actions. Then, he returned to the house to get Joy. The child was playing on the sofa, wrapped up in her own little world and not worrying about what was happening around her, outside the safe walls of the house. Margaret knew the walls wouldn't be safe for long. Before she had a chance to even get Joy up, the back door of the house burst open. She could hear glass shattering in the kitchen. Margaret couldn't remember ever moving so fast in her life. She grabbed Joy, carrying her out to the car that was ready and waiting. There was little time to strap in, she set Joy down in the passenger seat, "Hold on tight, Joy." She instructed. Joy was a smart girl, and she started reaching for the seat belt. Margaret would have smiled if the situation hadn't been so tense. Dana had taught her daughter how to put on the seat belts! Margaret pulled out of the driveway, when she turned back to look at the house, a man wearing all black clothes who had a weapon in his hand came out. 5:00PM Seattle, Washington. Gordon's Hotel Room. Dr. Strouss entered his room, handing him some papers. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have let those two idiots watch Margaret and Joy Scully. The vanished a while ago. They were tailed to the train station, but after that.... they were lost in the crowd. All the reservations are being checked to see where Margaret Scully went." Gordon looked up, "This was not part of the plane! We weren't supposed to lose them! They were to lead us to Scully and MULDER!" He threw his glass across the room, the shards scattering on the carpet. Gordon poured himself another drink, "Too bad Daniel isn't still alive.... he could have handled this." "What happened to Daniel?" Dr. Strouss asked. She had heard of his cousin, but had never met him. "I killed him." Gordon finished his drink and set the glass down on the desk, "Listen to me. I'm putting you in charge. If you don't botch this up, you can go up the ladder in this organization. Understand? Find Mulder and Scully. You can do that by finding Margaret Scully, she'll lead you to them." 5:00PM Seattle, Washington Air Port. December 10 She dialed the number, her fingers trembling. She kept her back to the crowd of people, kept Joy hidden behind her. "Hello." A voice said. "Yes, I'm looking for a Mr. Langley... or Byers or Frohike." "Who is this?" The voice asked suspiciously. "Margaret Scully, my daughter Dana said that I could call them if I was in trouble." "This is Byers. What's wrong, Mrs. Scully?" "I'm being chased! These people were stationed outside our house, just watching us. They burst in today, and I ran, Joy is with me. I went to the train station first, I'm sure I lost them. Then I took a taxi to the air port. I'm at the Seattle Air Port and I have no where to go and I have to find my daughter!" "All right.... we can figure this out. You should return to Washington, DC." "I already have tickets." "Good, we'll meet you at the air port in Washington, DC. What's the flight number. "Flight 603. I think we'll be arriving around 11:00PM DC time." "Fine then, we'll meet you there. I'll be wearing a suit, I have a brown beard and I'll be with a punk with blond hair and a short little stubby guy. Think you'll find us?" "I don't know...." "Don't worry, we'll find you. Good luck, Mrs. Scully. Be careful." "Thank you." 1:00AM Washington, DC The Lone Gunmen's Office December 11 Langley started pacing, "Well, we'll all meet them at the air port. Have you gotten hold of Mulder yet?" Frohike shook his head, "No idea where he went. You're brother isn't answering his phone. What are we going to do?" Langley sat down, "Byers, are you okay?" Byers nodded, "You know what, everything should be fine. We'll hide out here with Margaret and Joy Scully. Then Mulder will come and give instructions. So we're fine." He switched on the TV they had set up in the office. "SPECIAL REPORT FROM CHANNEL 6!" The announcer spoke, "An Assistant Director for the FBI, Walter Skinner, has just been shot. They J. Edgar Hoover building was in chaos this afternoon. The shooter is unknown, and the Assistant Director is in critical condition. We'll have more for you on that story as it develops-" Langley turned off the TV, "Oh, shit! They went after Skinner!" Byers buried his face on his hands, "He's been shot, but he's not dead. We have to find Mulder!" 8:00PM Scully's Seattle House December 10. They arrived. Finally. "MOM!" Scully ran through the front door, almost collapsing over the sofa. The room had been ransacked! Books and papers lay scattered on the floor, the sofa and chairs had been ripped apart. And Margaret and Joy were no where to be seen. "Oh, God, NO!" She shrieked, running up the stairs. "NO! JOY! MOM!" They searched the house, finding it empty and silent, except for Scully's cries and sobs. Mulder wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, rocking her back and forth. "Don't worry, we'll find them." "They're gone, Mulder! I should have never left! I shouldn't have put them in danger like this! What was I thinking?!" Anna looked around, "Maybe they got away." Scully wiped her tears, "No one gets away from them, Anna. They destroy everything in their paths. God knows what happened here...." Mulder took a deep breath, "I'm calling Frohike and the guys." He whispered. Samantha helped Scully stand, "There is nothing left here, Dana, we have to get moving." Scully picked up one of Joy's dolls, the one she frequently played doctor with. Her hair had been shredded, they hadn't even spared the damned doll! "I need to stay here for a second. Gather some things. I'll see what I can salvage, I'll be out later." Samantha left her side, walking out into the darkness. They returned to the van they had rented, Mulder was on this cellular phone he had bought, tying to get hold of someone. Scully stood at the top of the stairs, sighing. She was so filled with anger and regret and fear. Fear for her mother and her daughter. How could this happen? Why had she let them do this? A shuffling behind her caught her ear. She turned in time to see a black figure leaping at her... Mulder let it ring. "Hello." A voice answered. "This is Mulder, turn off the tape recorder." "MULDER!" Byers screamed, "Where the hell have you been? All Hell has broken loose! Margaret Scully is in trouble, Joy is with her." "We're at their house right now, what happened? The place is a mess, they searched everything and ripped everything apart!" "Don't worry, Mrs. Scully and Joy are fine for the time being. They called us, they're on a plane coming to DC right now. We'll be meeting them and I won't let them out of our sight until you arrive." Mulder felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders, "Thank God! Scully and I were so worried...." "Mulder, you gotta get back to DC soon. Assistant Director Skinner has been shot! It's all over the news, Mulder. We had no way of getting hold of you." "This might be a trap.... they might be expecting us back in DC!" Mulder said. "They still might have Scully's house in Seattle under surveillance. Move out of there, Mulder. I'll arrange some form of transportation. Get out of there, where can I contact you?" Anna let out a shriek, "Ethan! Mulder! Dana's been hurt!" Ethan, not waiting a second, raced back to the house, pistol in hand. He pulled Anna back, "Get across the street." he ordered her. Ethan walked in slowly, Mulder was now behind him. Scully was at the bottom of the stairs, on the floor. Her face bleeding. Mulder was instantly at her side, "Scully, no no no! Wake up, Scully-" Ethan saw a figure running out of the closet. "THERE!" He jumped up and started chasing after it. Through the front door they went and out onto the main street. Elliot came to help him, leaping up into the air and throwing himself on the unknown man. Together, the two men were able to pin the man in black to the street. Samantha and Anna stayed back, Mulder stayed in the house with Scully. "Get something so we can tie him up with it." Less than ten minutes later, their cloaked figure was tied in a chair. Anna had called a hospital, and they were on their way to get Scully to a hospital. She was breathing, her heart beat was steady, but still she remained unconscious. The mask was removed by Ethan, and he gasped. "Strouss? What the hell are you doing here?" She looked at him with cold blue eyes, "I was trying to salvage whatever evidence I could so your father wouldn't destroy it." "That man is not my father." Ethan snapped. "Whatever. He's no friend of mine, either." "You could have fooled me!" Samantha snapped at her. Strouss looked up at Samantha, "I'm glad you're okay, Sam, Gordon was furious that you escaped. Make sure he doesn't catch you again-" "Is that a threat?" Samantha asked, defensive. "No, a warning. I am not your enemy! I'd like to help you if I could!" Samantha starred back at her, surprise on her face, "Really? You'd like to help us?" Dr. Strouss nodded, "But I can't do that if I'm tied up." Mulder burst into the room, "Okay, we are at a point when we need to start making decisions. Scully is going to be going to a hospital. I have to get to Washington, DC, AD Skinner has been shot and things are going to get worse." Ethan stood up, "I think I should go with you." Anna and Samantha looked at each other, "We'll stay with Dana." Anna spoke confidently. Elliot glanced down at Strouss, "I'll stay here. Do you two want to take Strouss here?" He asked Mulder and Ethan. Ethan frowned, "What ARE we going to do with her?" "No time to think. Tie her up good and throw her in the back of the van. Scully's second car is in the garage, the garage, I found the keys in a potted plant by the door." He handed them to Anna. Anna smiled, "You know her too well, huh?" He shrugged, "She's always used potted plants to hide keys. Get moving, Ethan. We'll take the van, you three take the second car. And Dr. Strouss is with us." Seattle, Washington Joseph Gordon's Hotel Room "Where has Dr. Strouss gone?" He asked David. "She said she was going out to get Mulder and Scully. I didn't think of taking her seriously." Gordon frowned, lighting his cigarette, "Well then, let's just see what she turns up with." Chris entered, "Sir, Skinner has been taken care of." A smile spread across the old man's face, "Excellent. At least something is going out way. Thank you, Chris, for the delightful news." Chris nodded his head and retreated out the door. When Gordon was happy, it always meant that some else was suffering. END of 6/? Send all coments, flames and whatever to powder_puff@hotmail.com All devotions can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html Disclaimer in part one, All my Devotion Stories can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html Washington, DC Air Port 4:00AM December 11 Byers waited, looking calm... but he wasn't calm. He kept on glancing about nervously, fearing that they had been followed and that they had failed Mulder. Some woman over the speaker announced the arrival of Margaret Scully's flight. She was a strong woman, and her daughter was no different. Frohike approached him, handing him a packet of M&M's, "Want some?" "How can you eat at a time like this?" Byers questioned him. Frohike shrugged, "A man has gotta eat." Langley joined his companions, "Look." All three sets of eyes fell on the little red haired girl that they recognized. She was a miniature Dana. Margaret was holding her hand. Byers approached her, "Margaret?" He asked cautiously. She nodded. Joy reached up to Byers, laughing, "Hi!" Byers was still nervous about picking her up, but he did anyway. She was older now, "Hey, kid." Frohike tickled the little girl on her chin. "Are these your friends, Joy?" Margaret asked, a faint smile on her face. "Daddy's friends, Uncle Froh... Uncle Langey and Uncle Dryer." Byers coughed, "Byers, Joy. Byers." She rested her head on his shoulder, "Where Daddy?" Frohike sighed, "Last we heard, he was in Washington State looking for you two." Margaret's eyes went wide, "Oh, my God. They missed us-" "Don't worry, Mulder is coming straight here and we are to keep you safe until he arrives and gives further instructions." Byers assured her. Langley took their bags, and Frohike carried Joy. "Come on, ladies, we have to get you out of the open." Frohike led the way to the van. December 11 Ethan and Mulder had boarded the plane and they were on their way. Dr. Strouss was with them. This was risky, and Mulder was nervous. His Scully was in a hospital in Washington State, and their daughter was in Washington, DC. He hated being this far from both of them. Soon they would be landing, and then they could make some progress. Ethan had agreed to watching Strouss while Mulder went to check in on the Gunmen and Margaret and Joy. He hadn't had a chance to call them, and he didn't even know if they had arrived safely. . Dr. Strouss glanced at him, "Mulder?" "What?" He snapped. "You know, you could be a bit nicer to me! I know you have problems but so does everyone else." He slipped out his gun and dug it into her side, "You almost killed my partner by throwing her down the stairs of her own house. You expect me to be nice to you? I don't think so. I don't trust you, I have no reason to. If you were trying to help us, why did you hurt Scully?" "I didn't know who she was!" Dr. Strouss snapped, "She could have been one of Gordon's men out to kill me for all I knew!" Mulder rolled his eyes, "Nice excuse." "Shh." Ethan hissed. They were both silent for a while, then Dr. Strouss spoke, "I'm sorry, but I will make it up to you." "Whatever." He didn't look at her. Washington, DC Dorner Hospital 7:00AM December 11 Skinner wasn't in good shape. They had barely missed his vital organs. There was lots of tissue damage, and he hadn't woken up yet. The doctors didn't know what they could do, just wait and hope the tissue swelling went down. He had gone through surgery to remove the bullet. So far he was stable. The reporters had been running around the hospital, everyone trying to get a look at the helpless Assistant Director. The doctors kept them out, no one was able to get onto the floor he was on. They could only sit and wait. And hope. But whoever had tried to get him would most likely be back to finish him off. Security was thick and no one got in or out without the proper credentials. This was serious business. Washington, DC Air Port 10:00AM December 11 Mulder took Strouss' right arm, Ethan had her left. Together they got her through the air port without incident. They didn't trust her, but they were going to use her. Gordon might want her back... They rented a car, pushing her into the passenger seat. Mulder drove, and Ethan sat in the back with a gun pointed at her head. "Where to, Mulder?" She asked him, her voice was bitter. "I'm going to leave you two at a hotel, I have some business to attend to." "Would that have anything to do with Skinner?" She asked. "I don't give a damn about Skinner. What will happen will happen, but there are some other people I have to see." "Who?" She asked. "My, you are curious!" Ethan poked the gun into her neck. She let out a whimper, "Aren't you worried about Scully?" "I know she's safe." Mulder said. But really, he didn't. What if they went after her like they did Skinner? What if he was left with nothing by the end of this ordeal? Mulder led Dr. Strouss into the motel room, it was cheap. She made a face, "We're staying here?" "Sorry it's not the Ritz." Ethan handcuffed her to desk. "You know, I am a lady-" "Shut up." Mulder told her. He handed Ethan the gun, "Shoot her when things get boring." Ethan nodded, "Where will you be?" "I'll call you when I get a chance." "Don't be too long, sweet heart." Dr. Strouss said with sarcasm. "Gag her, Ethan." Mulder said as he left the room. Ethan took duct tape and taped her mouth shut. "Much better." Ethan said, turning on the radio to a classical music station. The Lone Gunmen's Office 12:00PM December 11 Mulder knocked on the door, "Guys?" He looked into the security camera. The door flew open and Langley pulled him inside, "Thank God! What is going on now?" "Nice to see you, Langley. Did Joy and Margaret make it okay?" His voice was dripping with concern. His question was answered when Joy entered the room with her favorite bunny. "DADDY!" She screamed, throwing herself into his arms. He hugged her close, "Oh, my angel, are you okay?" She kissed his nose, "Daddy, where you go?" He kissed her forehead, "That doesn't matter, I'm here now." He held her so tight, as if the world would end if he let her slip away from him. She was so small, so fragile. Her hair smelled for strawberry scented baby shampoo, her blue eyes were shining bright. They hadn't laid eyes on him in ages, and it was a relief for him to be able to hold her again. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him as if she'd fall if she let go. Mulder returned the embrace. Margaret entered, "Fox! Thank the heavens that you are all right. Where is Dana?" Mulder frowned, setting Joy on the chair, "I have some bad news." He watched the eyes of Margaret darken, "What happened?" She asked. Byers and Frohike entered, congratulating Mulder on his success so far. "I found Samantha, Ethan has a woman named Dr. Strouss hostage, kind of. Strouss worked for Gordon. Scully, Samantha and Anna King, Ethan's friend, are in Washington State still." "Where is Elliot?" Langley asked. "With Sam and Anna. Scully had an accident. Strouss pushed her down the stairs and she's in the hospital. I want to call them and make sure they're all right." Langley handed him the phone, "Go ahead." Mulder called information, got the number. When he was finally able to get hold of Anna, he was frantic. "Is she all right?" "Yes, she's fine. Stable. She's woken up a few times. Everything looks like it's going to be okay. A few more days in the hospital at most. Is Ethan all right? Did you find your daughter and Dana's mother?" "Yes and yes. Ethan has Strouss in a hotel, she's tied up and he's baby sitting her. I'm with Joy and Margaret now. Is Sam okay?" "She's fine, everyone is in one piece. What is the next step?" "We have no idea where Gordon is. But Skinner is in the hospital, so he probably has men stationed there. I'll show up there, and see what happens." "That's insane!" Anna snapped. "I have no choice. There isn't much I can do. If everything goes okay, we'll all be together again by the end of the week." "That's insane and incredibly nieve." Anna said to him. "I know, but Joy and Margaret are safe. Everyone is safe for now, but they're still after us. I'm going to blow that bastard into bits!" "But he has friends and associates! You can kill him, but they'll still be after us-" "We'll figure something out." Mulder said to her. "Be careful, and tell Ethan I love him." Her voice was shaking. "Take care you guys, and when Scully wakes up, tell her that her mom and daughter are okay. I won't let anything happen to them." "Good bye, Mulder." Anna sighed. "Good bye." Mulder hung up. Next stop, he had to go inform Ethan of his next plan of action. Skinner's Hospital Room 2:00PM December Nurse Andrews watched the handsome man walk in, wearing black jeans and a black leather jacket. She raised her eye brows, her fellow nurses giggling. "Who is that?" Nurse Andrews questioned. The others shrugged their shoulders, watching him approach their station. They all scattered, leaving Nurse Andrews to tend to him. She smiled. His face was stern, he looked as if he had nothing to smile about. "I'm looking for Assistant Director Walter Skinner." He pulled out his badge, causing her eyes to go wide. "Wh- um, I'll show you his room. But there is limited coming and goin-" "Is he awake yet?" "Yes, he is. Been up for a while now, he can talk and everything. Except he has a bullet hole in him-" "Okay, thanks." He walked towards the guards, showing ID. They shook their heads, "Sorry, Sir. We have our oders." "Tell Skinner that Mulder is here to see him, he'll tell you." One of the two guards slipped inside, coming out a few seconds later, "Go on in." Mulder couldn't believe what he saw. A pale, sickly looking Walter Skinner. Never, in all of Mulder's years working for the man, had he seen him look so weak. "Sir-" "Mulder, what the hell are you doing here? They're going to kill you!" Mulder sat down next to him, "Scully's safe in Washington State. Her daughter and mother are hidden away... and we have one of their people." Skinner started coughing, then cleared his throat, "Mulder this is too dangerous, get out of here before you get you ass kicked." "Damn it, Sir, we can't run and hide forever! I want to get them out of our lives, I want to bring up Scully's little girl in a world where she can be safe." Skinner leaned against the pillows, "You love her, don't you?" "Scully's daughter, yes." "Scully?" "Yes." He said without hesitation. Skinner couldn't help but grin, "I guess it was all inevitable. What's your plan?" "I'm going to let them find me. I have one of their people, I want to see what I can do with that card." "God bless, Mulder." David and Chris were surprised when they found out that Mulder had actually shown his face in the hospital to see Skinner. Gordon was immediately informed, and he was leaving Washington State right away. David took his gun from it's holster, "I say we move in now." "Are you that dense? The guards are still there... we'll get him when he's alone. Preferably an elevator." Chris snapped. David wet his lips, "I have an idea." "What?" Chris questioned. "Just let me take care of it." It was late in the afternoon. Mulder was exhausted as he waited by Skinner's bed side. They sure were taking their time! He was getting frustrated. Mulder stood up, walking out into the hall to get a drink of water or a cola. Nurse Andrews ran up to him, "Sir... Mr. Mulder, I just got a call from someone. They said your partner, Scully, was attacked-" Mulder's eyes went wide, he grabbed the small nurse's shoulders, "WHAT?" "Sir, you are to call your brother right away-" Mulder pushed her aside and started searching for the phone. His heart was caught in a grip of fear. If anything happened to her, he wouldn't be able to make it. His sweet Scully, she must be so scared.... he should have stayed with her. Mulder was cursing when he got to the elevator, and by the time he reached the lobby, he had finally begun to wonder... who had called and how had they known where he was? The elevator doors opened, revealing a white hall way. Two men entered the elevator, pushing him up against the wall. "Don't move, Mulder, you're pretty little partner will be fine just as long as you don't do anything stupid." Washington DC 3:00PM Joseph Gordon smiled to himself. Things were looking brighter. Things might actually go his way. Although there was one problem, Dr. Strouss hadn't reported in yet. But he did have Mulder. For once, Chris and David had done something right. He'd have to remember to promote them later. Skinner was still in the hospital, but his condition was improving, unfortunately. They'd have to take care of him later. So far, there had been no word of Ethan. He was not't sure what he was going to do with his... former son, but he knew that the boy was going to be punished. No more tricks. No more trash. This was it. He walked into the hospital, taking the elevator down to the basement. That was where Chris and David had stashed Mulder. He was most likely comfortable in basements, Gordon snickered to himself. It was dark, damp and cold. This basement contained little, just boxes in the corners and a few tables. It didn't look like anyone would be coming down here any time soon. He lit his cigarette, "Good evening, Mr. Mulder. I'm glad you could come." "Fuck you." He spat. "I wonder, where is Miss Scully?" "Leave her out of this!" "And her family, little Joy and Margaret." "If you-" "Enough of that. I really have no need for Joy Scully, I would have never laid a hand on her. Except... maybe I could use her to take Samantha's place! Ah, that would be lovely. I'll give you Samantha back, but in return, I need Joy to fill her space. What do you think about that, Mulder?" "You aren't getting any of them! You don't know where they are, they've all scattered!" He blew a cloud of smoke in Mulder's face, "Well, it's only a matter of time before I find them. We have vast recourses, Mr. Mulder. You're a lot like your father, but we all know what happened to Bill...." "I have Dr. Strouss." He challenged. For a brief moment, Gordon froze, "Strouss? Really? I was wondering why she hadn't checked in." "You wouldn't want her back by any chance, would you?" "No, go ahead and keep her. She was rather annoying." Inwardly he cursed. Strouss was the only doctor who could lead the tests, it would take years to train another person as well as she was trained. "I have a question for you." He leaned against the wall, remaining calm, "What?" "Why did you take Ethan? Why did you steel him from my parents?" "Because... I could." "That's not it, why did you do it?" He realized that the cigarette wasn't working anymore, he was getting worried, "Why do you think I did it?" "I have no idea. Did you hate my father so much that you had to steel two of his children?" He started laughing, "David, Chris... leave." The two men gathered their coats and exited, leaving Mulder tied in the chair, and Gordon circling him like a vulture. "Why did I take Ethan? Why? Because Bill already had a son, why did he need another one?" "WHAT?" "You know, Fox, I loved your mother a thousand times more than Bill Mulder ever could, but she refused to leave him. She should have, he treated her like garbage. And I know that the Mulder family life wasn't very.... cheerful. Christmas must have been retched. Would you have wanted Ethan to grow up as you had?" "WE WOULDN'T HAD GROWN UP LIKE THAT IF YOU HADN'T EVER WALKED INTO OUR LIVES!" Mulder screamed. "You destroyed everything! For my parents! For Sam and for me! You took from us and you took from us.... now my father is gone and you want to take all of us to hell with you!" "Your family life was probably the exact opposite of Miss Scully's, humm?" "What does that have to do with anything?" "Aren't you worried about her, Mulder? Aren't you curious as to what tests we ran on her? While she was away... I remember how you fought to have her back. How touching that was. I think I would have cried... if I hadn't thrown up first. I could kill her without even moving. I just have to give the orders, and the toxins we put into her will take effect!" "You're bluffing!" Mulder screamed. "And she had a child, that's just excellent. The same toxins are in Joy's system, too. That's why she would be perfect to replace Samantha." "LIAR!" "How do you know? I can clone humans. I can make the truth disappear. WHAT makes you think that I can't do this?" "You'll need Strouss, won't you?" "Perhaps." He puffed his cigarette once more. "I have her... I could return her to you-" "Why would you do that? For what?" "What do you have?" "I have everything, Mr. Mulder." "Then why do you need us?" "Perhaps it's because I like watching you suffer? I don't know, it's hard to put my finger on." Chris and David immediately returned, "Mr. Gordon, the INNER CIRCLE is gathering. The latest project was wrapped up and they have a meeting. They are requesting you at headquarters-" "Thank you, Chris. Both of you, stay here and watch Mulder. If he moves, shoot him." FOUR HOURS LATER: Mulder was scared. What if he had been telling the truth about the toxins in Scully and Joy? For now, Joy was safe and sound, she was in good hands. Scully was in the hospital in Washington, they wouldn't find her there. Mulder thought of them often, his beautiful girls. Scully, he loved her so much and he had to protect her. And Joy, so small and innocent. The two men who were supposed to be guarding him stood up, "I've got better things to do than to hang around here." David said, getting up. "Hey, you can't ditch me!" The other one snapped. "I don't think he's going any where. Just wait here." Nurse Heather Andrews watched the tall man come out of the basement. She asked herself. She had always been the curious kind, so she went down to see. Carefully, she walked down the steps. There was a dim light in the room, a tall man was tied in a chair, another man was pacing around him. She let out a little whimper, "Shit." Quickly, she scurried back up the steps, running to the security team. "You would never believe this-" Mulder was falling asleep. His neck was killing him, as well as his back. He thought to himself. The door burst open and he could hear the sound of feet pounding on the wooden steps. "What's going on here?" A voice boomed. Chris looked up, surprised. "What the hell-" He was too late for his gun, the two security guards had him pinned in the corner and they were patting him down. The nurse came running to him, cutting him lose, "Sir, are you all right?" He nodded, rubbing his wrists, "I didn't think they would find me any time soon, thanks." Mulder didn't have time to sit and answer their questions, he whipped out his FBI badge and started giving orders, "There is another man, dressed in a suit. He's this guy's partner. Find him and keep them both in custody until I return." "Sir-" The nurse was saying, "perhaps we should give you an examination to make sure you're all right-" He shook his head, "No time. I have other things to do." He vanished up the stairs before they could catch him and pull him back down. Lone Gunmen's Office 7:00PM Mulder pounded on the door until Frohike opened it, "Hey man, you're still alive!" He laughed. Mulder pushed his way in, "I'm going to kill those bastards, all of them. And nothing is going to stop me." He was a ball of rage and felt as if he would explode. Joy raced in, wrapping her arms around his leg, "Daddy?!" He pushed her away, "Not now, Joy." The little girl fell backwards, the tears spilling from her deep blue eyes immediately. Mulder regretted his actions and swept her up into his arms, "Sorry, baby. I didn't mean to do that." He stroked her red curls, she was so much like Scully. He hugged her fiercely, "I'm doing this all for you, Joy. You and your mom, we are not going to raise you in a world where we're scared to let you play in the front yard." Mulder kissed her cheek, "Go now, I have work to do." Frohike watched him, his heart melting. "So old man, now what?" "I'm going to blow all those bastards into bits, Frohike. Literally. I need enough dynamite and explosives to burn down a building." Mulder was a bit worried when Frohike didn't seem surprised, "It's about time! I'll get to work on it. Where are you going?" "To find Ethan. Strouss will know which building to blow up." Motel 6 7:30PM Washington, DC Ethan examined her, she was finally wearing down. "You know, you're much more attractive when you're silent." She glared at him. "Fine, I'll remove the gag." He untied it, letting her speak. "Remind me never to help you again. This is no way to treat a guest!" "Whatever." The door slid open and Ethan reached for his gun, relived when Mulder appeared, "Damn, I could have killed you." "Remind me to teach you how to use one of those." Mulder motioned towards Ethan's weapon. "What's to learn, just pull the trigger!" "The safety was on." Mulder rolled his eyes. He walked towards Dr. Strouss, "You want to help us?" "After the way your friend here has treated me, maybe not." He shook her, "Listen to me, this is important. Tell me where the main building for your operations is in DC." "There only is one building, it's far out in the country-" "That's lovely. Where?" "Why? What will you do?" "I'm going in." He said simply. "They'll blow a thousand holes through you before you can get through the gate." "I'll take that risk. Now listen to me, where is that building? If there was a huge meeting going on, where would it be?" She looked up at him, "Well... all meetings are at head quarter, that's the building I was speaking of. Actually, it's a four buildings. They'd be in the main one, it's called Lexina." "Could you show me where it is?" She nodded her head, "Yeah..." "If a project is finished, who comes to the meetings?" "OH, everyone! Gordon, his associates and everyone on up." He nodded his head, "Great." This was the last time they would get the better of him, now the tables were turned and Mulder wasn't going to let Gordon destroy his family anymore! The war ends here! End of 7/? ALL DEVOTIONS CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer in part I. I know it's been ages since I last posted for this story, lucky you! All of 'ya can find my Devotion Series Here http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html 4:00PM Seattle Hospital Dana Scully's Room She rested. Her back was aching but her head was no longer throbbing. "Mulder?" She called out. There were people every where. One was a doctor, Anna King stood at her right, Samantha Mulder to the left and Elliot Waters was at the foot of the bed, chatting with the doctor. "Mulder." She called out again. Samantha took her hand, "Dana, shh. It's going to be all right. Don't worry." "Where is he? I-" The doctor looked down at her, "I'm going to take her off the drugs," he said, "maybe she won't be so disconnected and her head will clear up." "Thanks, Doctor Williams." Anna smiled at him. Scully looked around, the room smell of the typical hospital smells. Rubbing , medicines and death. "What happened to Mulder?" Elliot looked over at Anna, "I think you should tell her." "He's in Washington, DC. Your mother and your daughter are safe and sound, Mulder has taken care of everything. They're all right. Ethan went with him. And the woman who pushed you down the stairs, Mulder and Ethan have her." Scully tried to sit up, but the pain was too much. "Anna.... what happened? What's going on?" Elliot looked down at his watch, "I'm going to see what your situation is and when we can get you out of here. I'll be back in a few minutes." He left the room, closing the door behind him. Anna took a deep breath, "Both of you listen to me, this is important. Mulder and Ethan are doing something drastic. Mulder said that Skinner had been shot. I don't know who this is, but Mulder says it's going to be okay. Skinner survived and is doing well. They caught him, but he got away. Now Ethan, Mulder and some friends of theirs... the Gunmen I guess, are going to blow up Gordon's Head Quarter." Scully moaned, "God. He'll be hurt... he might not make it home-" Samantha starred at them, "What? Is he insane? How could he do this!" Scully wiped her tears, "He's Mulder. He doesn't think clearly when he should." Anna wrapped her arms around the two women, "It'll be okay. We have to prey and keep our hopes up. Scully, at least your mother and daughter are safe and sound." "Where are they?" "Mulder didn't say but Margaret will get hold of us when she's ready. Your daughter is safe." Scully continued to sob, "But what is she going to do without her daddy?" 9:00PM Washington, DC Location Unknown Mulder was surprised, the Gunmen never ceased to amaze him. In such a short time, they had gathered a small army of 14 men. Frohike had two older brother who were almost exactly like him. Mulder almost laughed at himself. The trio had another group of friends, Maxwell, Richardson and Quinnton. They were almost copies of the Lone Gunmen, except they called themselves the Terrible Three. Not very creative, but something they did. The other four were men who subscribed to the Gunmen's magazine and who insisted on joining when they heard, Frohike had let the word slip. Mulder started pacing, Ethan watching him. "Ideas?"" How many explosives did you say we had?" He turned to Richardson, a short man who resembled Frohike. "We have enough to blow up their entire campus." He said proudly. "I'm not even going to ask where you got them." Byers sighed, starring up at the cold night's sky. Richardson smiled, "Good, because it wasn't exactly legal." "Don't worry, I won't arrest you." Mulder continued to pace. Ethan finally stood up, "So, lets just get into the vans, blow the place up and run." Byers laughed, "It's not that easy. There are so many things we have to consider. They have four buildings, pretty small. I didn't expect them to be so small. Anyway, we need a way to get in. We need a way to get out. And back up plans." Mulder turned to all of the men, "You know, you might not come out alive." They all looked at each other, Richardson speaking for them, "We just want to put a dent in their plans if possible, and we want to find out for ourselves what the hell is going on." Gordon glanced at the men sitting around the table. They were going through information about latest experiments and final plans for the new experiments. He sighed . The entire group had gathered and they were all going through reports. Gordon thought. Strouss glanced at her watch, "Do you want me to try and go in?" "Not without me." Ethan snapped at her. She frowned, "Don't get so pissy! Fine, lets go." She handed Richardson and Byers cards, "These are entry cards for VIPs. You can use them to get in, and if anything goes wrong... you should shoot them before they have a chance to alert anyone." "Wait." Mulder said, "we need to get a distraction. How much explosive power do we have?" "I believe it's enough to blow up the entire campus!" Frohike said. "Byers, is he exaggerating?" Mulder questioned. Frohike seemed insulted that his words were doubted, "It's true, Mulder. We can blow all four buildings. What's your idea?" Byers asked. "Frohike trio," Mulder said to Frohike and his two brothers, "get with Strouss in the first car. Ethan, you too. Ethan and Strouss will go inside, you guys drive to the building on the end, the brick one. I don't care how you do it, just blow it up. Then stay low until you have a chance to get out of here. Understand?" The three nodded their heads and started getting into the first van with Strouss and Ethan. Strouss took her access card from her back pocket and smiled at Ethan, "I'm surprised you guys didn't find this. Lets move." Ethan escorted her to the car, he took the gun and pointed it at her, "Do understand this is nothing personal, but we still aren't sure we can trust you." She nodded, "I get it. You guys probably don't get out much." She started the car and drove to the front gate. A guard stood there in the guard booth, "Tag please." He said. She handed him her card, and he ran it through some scan machine. "DR. STROUSS! Everyone has been looking for you. Please go on in, Lexina building they're having a conference and need requested your attendance." "Really? I've been out of town and out of touch. Thanks. Don't bother informing them, I'll call Gordon on my cell." He nodded at her and waved them through the gate. Around the corner of one of the buildings where there was little sequrity, Strouss and Ethan got out, giving the van and explosives up to Frohike and his brothers. Strouss wiped the sweat from her brow, "I've never driven an explosive van before." Ethan grinned, "You did it well. Now come on, we need got them in, now we gotta get them out. How are we to do that?" She looked up at the sky, "Once they blow this building, everyone will be too shocked to think. Normal human reaction. When this blows, they should start setting the explosives around the other buildings. Do you realize we're killing hundreds of people?" "But they're bad people." Ethan reasoned. She nodded, "Some of the didn't know what they were doing, some didn't mean it." "Don't get sentimental on me, Strouss." Frohike looked up, "We're setting the explosives. When we give the signal, run like hell!" The three brothers went around the building, there was hardly any security! And when they ran into a guard, Strouss would run up and distract them. It was almost childish. Frohike's brothers set the last of the explosives, the whole job took half an hour. "Okay. Who has the remote control?" The two brothers looked at each other, then looked at Frohike, "We thought you had it." They chorused. Frohike's face went pale, "WHAT?" He hissed. They smiled and handed it too him, "You think we're dumb or something, little brother." Frohike and Ethan got Strouss, they all calmly headed towards the back gate, where they were safe from the explosion. Frohike pressed the button, and they all ducked! Mulder watched as the building went up in smoke. "Yes! Come on, get in the other three vans and start setting up the rest of the explosives." He went in with Byers and Maxwell, Richardson and Quinnton. Richardson handed him a card, "This is an permission card that can get you in." Mulder nodded, there was a guard there while other people ran about to attend to the building that was on fire." The guard was only half paying attention and he waved them through, Mulder could smell that the man was drunk. He took this as a sign from God and continued on his way. Gordon jumped up when he heard the explosion, "What's going on?" He asked. The others followed him to the window, but they could see nothing. "Must be on the other side." Dr. Strouss entered the building, smoothing down her hair, "I'm sorry I'm late, I was tied up." Gordon's eyes went wide, he took her arm, "I thought Mulder had you-" "He did. But I'm a clever girl, Mr. Gordon, I got out okay. Although think I should get a raise." "Strouss, what was that explosion on the other side of the campus?" One of the higher officers asked her. She took a deep breath, "A tanker was coming in bringing a shipment of experimental chemicals. We were testing a reaction to fire, so we lit the tanker. Boom! It's all right, everything is under control and they are cleaning up the mess now. It was pretty far off from the buildings, so it's no problem." "We weren't informed of this." Gordon snapped. She nodded, "You were, I believe, the paperwork must have gotten lost or something. But anyway, gentleman, I have come across new research in the mind communication project we were working on. I would like to take it one step more..." Ethan looked around, "Strouss left! Damn it! We-" Frohike stood up and he saw his chance to get out. "Guys, that gate is blown open! We can just run through, get out to the cars and scat! What do you think?" Ethan glanced at his watch, he took out his phone and dialed Mulder. "Ethan, move it! Get out of there, the rest of us will follow you when we can!" Mulder shouted at him. He winced, his brother knew him too well! "All right, this is the plan. RUN!" The four men stood up and started racing towards the gate, never looking back at the fire they had started. Mulder took another look at his watch, the other buildings had been rigged, almost everyone had been sent to the burning building, half the people were standing around in awe and too preoccupied to noticed the group of men running around who shouldn't have been there. Mulder was sure that God was on his side, otherwise they would have been toast by now! "Are we ready?" He spoke into the walkie talkie Frohike had provided. "Yup. Roger." They all answered. Mulder took a deep breath, "I don't care what you guys have to do, get out of here after the explosions. Just get out of here, don't worry about us." The other buildings went off and Mulder could feel the heat. The fire rose up and smoke was every where. The people who were outside the buildings and farther away from the explosions were too panicked to do anything, a crowd started running out towards the gates. Mulder and Byers were the last ones to detinate the bombs, "Everyone out!" He shouted. Byers pushed the button on the control timer, "Run Mulder!" He shouted. Together they raced towards the outer gates, not stopping and never slowing. Strouss looked down at her watch, almost time, too close way too close! "Excuse me, gentlemen, I must powder my nose." She got up and left the room. Gordon was about to follow her out when he was startled by another explosion, "WHAT WAS THAT?" "There is fire all around this Lexina building!" One of the men shouted. By then Strouss was already running down the stairs and out the front. She saw Mulder and his companion running off towards the gate. Not even sparing a glance back at the building that she could have died in, Strouss raced after them. Kicking off her high heeled shoes and running as fast as he could. Mulder pushed Byers into the car, the others were ready and waiting with the engines started. "WAIT! It's Strouss!" Byers shouted. Mulder turned back to see her running up the hill. He opened the car door, "Start the car and drive towards her, Byers. We'll pick her up." Byers put his foot on the gas and sped towards the form of the running woman. She stopped and Mulder pulled her into the car, "Are you okay?" She gasped for air, collapsing against him, "I can not believe it! You guys just vanished on me!" Mulder pulled away from her, "We'll sort all that out later. We got everyone, which is more than I expected. Come on, lets get out of her!" Lone Gunmen's Office 1:00AM December 12. Margaret was alone with Joy. The little girl crawled up onto the sofa, "Nappy time?" she asked with a yawn. Margaret pulled her close, "Yes, love. It's bed time, very late." Joy rested her head against her grandmother's lap and fell asleep. Margaret closed her eyes and dozed off for a bit. She was woken up with a jolt when she heard the door bursting open. Fear in her heart, she grabbed Joy and prepared to bolt. "Margaret? Joy?" Mulder called as he raced into the room. He was covered with sweat and dirt but he had a huge smile on his face, "Joy!" She opened her eyes and pulled herself off the sofa and ran towards him, "Daddy?" He picked her up, smothering her with kisses. She pulled back, dirt on her small white hands, "Daddy get messy?" Everyone laughed, "Yes, baby, Daddy got really messy." Margaret took Joy back, "Fox, what happened?" Her voice was dripping with concern. "We did it, Margaret. We blew them into smithereens!" Byers pulled out some wine. Margaret frowned, "What?" "KABOOM!" Frohike laughed as he pulled out glasses for the wine. "Get some juice for Joy." Langley commented as he went to go get cleaned up. Mulder wiped his face, "I'm gonna get washed up, I'll be back in a second, but first I want to call Scully." After a while on the phone, Mulder was able to get hold of Anna. "Oh my God! Are you all right?" She asked, her voice sounded close to tears. "Anna, we're fine. Everything is fantastic! Here, Ethan is dying to talk to you." Ethan snatched the phone from his brother, "Anna, are you okay?" He asked her first. "AM I OKAY? WHAT ABOUT YOU! What were you thinking, running around blowing everything into bits! Ethan you're an idiot!" "Thanks honey, I love you, too." She let out a sigh, "Are you all right? Did you break anything?" "No. A few cuts and bruises, but I'll live. Everyone got out okay, God was on our side tonight. Fox and I are making arrangements for you to come home soon." "So is it over?" "I believe it is, my dear!" There was silence for a moment, then Ethan could hear Anna crying. He took the cordless phone into another room so he would have some privacy. The others had whipped out the wine and drinking. "Anna, sweet heart, what's wrong?" "I was so scared for you. Damn it, I wasn't sure if I'd see you again. Or ever hear from you again." "Angel, I'm fine. Everything is wonderful. We can live normal lives now. I have you, Samantha, my brother and Dana Scully and her family are fine. Plus, I've made some new friends. Sweet heart, we'll be bringing you home soon. So don't worry." After a while, Scully was on the phone. "Ethan is that you?" "Yes, how are you feeling?" "Just fine, get Mulder's ass on the line, right now please." She waited patiently as Mulder picked up the other phone, "Scully? Are you okay?" "I'm fine, don't worry about ME! How are YOU? How is my mother and my daughter?" "Everything is fine, Scully. We're all safe in DC. We're going to fly you home soon and everyone will be together. Joy and I miss you so much. Soon, Scully, you'll be home soon." End of 8/? Hi Marianne! This is 4 U! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Disclaimer in part I. Three Days Later 6:00PM Washington, DC Airport. Scully was finally able to travel, although doctors were a bit worried. Anna, Elliot and Samantha were traveling with her. Elliot had decided to pay his brother a visit. The fact that he was traveling with Samantha made Mulder nervous, Ethan also. Joy was wearing her pretty blue dress, her arms wrapped around Mulder's neck. "Daddy, where Mommy?" He kissed her forehead, "Soon Joy, just a little bit more." Joy rested her small head against his shoulder, making Langley laugh, "Never thought you'd be a family man, Mulder." Mulder smiled, "Everything has finally worked out for me. I have my sister, I don't have to worry about 'Them' anymore, and I got my two favorite girls." He kissed Joy again. She let out a little yawn, covering her small rose bud mouth with her tiny hand. Byers smiled, "She's cute." "For sure she isn't his biological child." Ethan grinned. Mulder hugged her, "I don't care, I'm the only father she's ever had and I plan on always doing that." "Now arriving, flight 561 from Seattle, Washington." A woman on the speaker said. Mulder jumped a little, "That's them." The five men stood side by side, Mulder let Joy stand on the floor. Groups of people came in through the gate, Scully, Samantha, Anna and Elliot were the last ones off. Joy released Mulder's hand and ran forward, "MOMMY!" Scully dropped her hand bag and swept her girl into her arms, "My little angel, I was so worried about you. I didn't know what happened." She hugged her tight and kissed her over and over. Joy pointed to Mulder, "There Daddy." Mulder came forward opening his arms to let Scully in. She hugged him, burying her face in his shoulder, "God, it's good to see you." He wrapped mother and daughter in his arms, "It's okay now, everything will be fine." Langley greeted his brother, Ethan and Mulder both hugged Samantha and Ethan wrapped Anna in his arms, "I'm never letting you go." He whispered. "Ethan-" Before she could finish her sentence, he dropped to one knee and handed her a velvet box, "Anna, marry me." He said the simple sentence. Scully's mouth fell open, "Look Joy, a proposal." Joy clapped her hands, "YES YES!" Anna started laughing, "You heard the girl." The males of the group congratulated Ethan and Anna, Scully and Samantha gave them both hugs. "Come on, lets go home." Mulder took Joy and Scully's hands into his own. Samantha linked arms with Elliot, which caught the eyes of her brothers, but they didn't cause a scene, much to her gratitude. The group went home, Samantha was going to stay with Mulder and Scully for a while. Elliot with Langley. Anna and Ethan were going to be spending the night at her apartment. "Lets go." Byers led them forward. December 17 3:00AM Scully's apartment. Mulder kissed the top of her forehead, "Feeling better?" She let out a sigh, "You know, we're going to have to get a bigger place." "Why?" Mulder asked. "Well... your sister will be staying with us, won't she?" Mulder sat up in the bed, taking her hand, "You wouldn't mind?" "Of course not! Mulder, finding her became my quest also. And now that we have nothing to do, we can play happy family." She leaned on him. He wrapped his arm around her, "I want to quit the FBI." "So do I." "Then we'll talk to Skinner soon. We can buy a nice town house or something." Joy, who was sleeping in the baby bed next to their bed, woke up sniffling. "Mommy..." Mulder went across the room to pick her up, "Hey little girl, what's wrong?" "No sleepy." She moaned. Mulder handed her over to Scully, "Angel face, you aren't sleepy?" She shook her head, burying her face in her mother's hair, taking in the strawberry scent. "Bad dream." Joy started sucking on her thumb. "Shh. Bad dreams go away. Want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy?" She was already making herself comfortable between Mulder and Scully, looking up at the ceiling. Mulder stroked her soft red curls, "I can not believe this little girl calls me her Daddy." Mulder said in a whisper. Scully smiled at him, "You're a wonderful Daddy." She took his hand. "Scully, I love you." "I love you, too, Mulder." "Scully... what are you thinking?" "I'm thinking that Samantha and Elliot would make a cute couple." She said bluntly. He moaned, "Not my little sister." "God, Mulder, you're adorable. But I think it's inevitable." "No, doesn't have to be." He snuggled into the blankets with Joy and Scully, closing his eyes. Scully looked down at him, "Well, if Samantha doesn't take Elliot, I'll have him." His eyes snapped open, "What?" She giggled, "Kidding, Fox. Go to sleep. I love only you." THE END. Silly ending? Perhaps. Whatever! I didn't really want to write the whole thing, it took 4 ever! Send all coments and feeback to powder_puff@hotmail.com All Devotions can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html Devotion 6: The Search for Sam parts 1-9 are dedicated to Marianne, 'cause if she wasn't always reminding me, I would have never finished. Thanks M! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Archive any where! I don't mind. All parts 1-9 and this final notice can be archived as long as my name is on it! (me, Agent Quetzel!) Mulder walked towards Dr. Strouss, who was waiting for him in his office. Mulder was now officially a FORMER Agent for the FBI. Scully, too. She smiled at him, "So, what's up?" "The Cigarette smoking SOB told me that... they had put some toxins in Scully. And he could kill her..." She shook her head, "No, I was there to read all the reports on her, nothing was done that will effect her now. Just samples taken. She'll be fine. And don't worry about her daughter, Joy will be fine also." He sighed, his heart beating again. Strouss looked around the office, "Obviously you're packing up. I wonder... what will you do now?" "Scully and I are going into teaching. That's pretty safe. Maybe I'll even write a book... science fiction of course." She nodded, "Of course. Wouldn't expect anything else from Fox Mulder." Mulder took a breath, "I'm sorry about the way Ethan and I treated you, but we couldn't be sure." She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't blame you, I would have been suspicious, too. But I would have been a bit nicer about it. You and your brother had me tied and gaged!" Mulder grinned, "Anyway I can make it up to you?" She shook her head, "You already helped me, by getting rid of Gordon and his pals." "What are you going to do next?" "Get out of town, never coming back. I'm leaving all this behind me. Starting all over." He nodded, offering his hand in a shake, "Good luck." She smiled, taking his hand, "You, too. Take care of your sister and Scully and Joy." "One more question." Mulder said as she exited the door. She turned back for a second, "huh?" "What about Sam? Is she going to be normal again?" "Hard to say... they way I look at it, she'll be having this gift all her life. The mind reading and communication. She's lived with it for a while now, it'll be okay. But just in case," Strouss handed him a card, "this is where you can find me if anything is wrong." Mulder took the card from her, his hand shaking, "Thanks." "Good bye, Mulder. Maybe we'll see each other again. Hopefully next time you won't tie me up and gag me." She waved at him and left the office. Mulder took a final look. Five years down here... now it was over. No more strings to be pulled, he was out of here. Starting a new life with his family. The quest was finally over. Now his life could begin. THE END FOR REAL! Send me feedback powder_puff@hotmail.com Archive this any where! Find all Devotions at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/elystan/99/quetzel.html ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com