From: "squeak" <squeak@quackquack.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 20:30:47 -0600
Subject: xfc: Dungeons of the Heart (1 of 13)
Source: xfc


Title: Dungeons of the Heart
Author: Eva 1013
E-mail: akasha1013@hotmail.com
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Again Scully's past brings her trouble. Be prepared for some
heavy darkness.
Spoilers: Some mythology-eps and Scully-abduction-eps 
Archive: Please ask before archiving
Disclaimer: Not mine, non of them. Well, the 'new' women are.
Category: T, A, S
______________________________________________________________

The ballroom was amazingly crowded. Men in smart-looking uniforms
waltzed around the dance floor, holding on to beautiful women in
evening dresses, their bodies moving to the sound of the melodious
tunes that were created bythe small orchestra seated on the little
stage in the center of the room. The place looked absolutely
magical, silver and gold balloons were hanging from the ceiling and
large pieces of brightly colored cloth covered the otherwise dull
stone walls. Everywhere you looked there were waiters running
around, carrying trays filled with champagne glasses and young
girls in little black dresses who searched the tables for the empty
ones or handed out little exclusive snacks to the various guests.
The little round tables that were placed at the sides of the dance
floor were decorated with big and colorful centerpieces standing on
top of the purple and gold embroided table cloths as a finishing
touch. Yes, the navy sure knew how to throw a party.

Dana Scully searched the dance floor to catch a glimpse of her
brother Bill and his wife Tara, who were dancing somewhere among
the rest of the guests. When she finally spotted them she couldnt
resist a smile. They were visibly delighted to spend these few
moments together, a chance they rarely got since the birth of
Matthew. When Dana had heard about this big ball coming up she had
immediately offered to baby-sit her nephew, so Bill and Tara could
spend some time together and Bill had gratefully accepted her
offer. But then he had given her that call, telling her to dress
up, because she would not be watching the baby that night. No,
instead Bill had managed to get her an invitation to this big navy
thing as well, and she would be joining him and his wife, while
their mother stayed at home with his son. And thats why she was
sitting at the little round table on her own right now.

Of course she was thankful that her brother had thought about her,
and she knew he was only trying to show her a great time, but if
she had to be honest, having fun was the last term shed use to
describe the time she was having right now. She looked at all those
women smiling and laughing as their husbands and boyfriends spun
them around the dance floor, and she couldnt help but feel lost
somehow. She felt like she didnt belong at such an event, where
people were having careless fun, dancing with their loved ones, or
flirting with whomever it was that caught their eye. It had been so
long since she had done anything like this, and it just felt wrong
now, as if everyone was staring at her, wondering what the hell
that uptight bimbo was doing there among the normal people of the
world.

She sighed deeply, finally she had reached the status of a complete
social outcast. But she had promised herself not to let Bill know
how she felt. It was sweet of him to do this for her, so she would
pretend to have a great time,and maybe, just maybe, she would be
able to sneak out of there later under the pretence of a severe
headache. Or she could say Mulder had called, that was definitely a
believable excuse. But then, the relationship between her brother
and her partner wasnt that perfect already, so blaming Mulder for
interrupting a night she was sure Bill had looked forward to would
probably not be a very good idea. She didnt want to worsen things
that were already beyond repair.

May I have the pleasure, miss?

She looked up surprised, staring at the attractive face of a
forty-something year old man with deep brown eyes, who was holding
out his hand to her. He had a kind face, the kind of man you'd pour
your heart out to without even really knowing him, and he was
looking at her in what could only be described as an admiring
fashion. Was he asking her to dance? Would she be prom queen after
all? She felt slightly embarrassed at the fact that she was
actually exited about this, she had been so convinced that this
would be an evening of watching other people enjoy themselves, that
she hadnt even considered the possibility of doing so herself. Oh,
God, she was going to dance with an actual man! Not that she hadnt
done it at all these last few years, she had danced with Mulder,
but that was different somehow. Mulder knew her, they had a
relationship, however screwedup and indefinable it was, so dancing
with him was just well, it was definitely unusual, but because they
knew each other so well, it wasn't too weird. She knew he cared for
her, so the fact that he would want to dance with her wasn't
completely impossible to understand.

But this man asking her to dance was something altogether
different. He didnt know who she was, they had never met each other
before and knew nothing about each other, and still he had observed
her from across the room, walked up to her, and asked her to dance
with him. He had seen her and thought that she must have been an
interesting person, someone worth getting to know. Not a person
that ought to be avoided and ignored because she had a few screws
loose. Maybe he had even thought she was pretty. She smiled at the
idea, it sounded downright ridiculous, Dana Scully had been a
doctor for so many years that she sometimes forgot that she was a
woman as well, and this kind gesture was just the thing she needed
to make her aware of that fact once again.

She nodded shyly and took his hand, following him to the dance
floor. Im not a very good dancer. The man admitted. But I thought
Id take the chance and ask you anyway. You are by far the most
beautiful woman here tonight. I hope you dont think thats too
presumptuous for me to say.

Scully smiled again and thought about what he said. He was an
insightful person, she decided, since on any other occasion she
*would* have been slightly offended by a comment like that. It
wasnt just that she had forgotten to be a woman, but now she almost
resented it at times, the times when she longed for approval and
recognition for her achievements, but that wasn't the case tonight.
This night she was actually flattered by this compliment and she
violantly fought the urge to start giggling. That would be taking
this whole femininity thing just a little too far.

Im no Ginger Rogers either, so thats okay. She said, and she
embraced him to begin the dance.

Oh yes, this *was* delightful. She had always loved ballroom
dancing, the feeling of being led, of a warm male body touching
hers ever so lightly had always turned her on, in a non-erotic way,
that was. It was a feeling of closeness, of union, and her ever
strong, ever independent self loved it. The only time that that had
been different was with Mulder, in that sleazy nightclub, listening
to a greatly overrated singer. When he had pulled her onto the
dance floor it had been as if the world stopped spinning for a few
minutes, and they were the only ones left in it. She realized now
that it could have happened that night, if he had only tried. She
had been so ready for him then. But he hadnt, and she couldnt, she
was just too afraid, so it didnt happen, and she wondered if it
ever would.

She straightened herself. Dont think of that now. Look at this man,
and forget Mulder, enjoy yourself, youre having a great time. And
she was, this man had the friendliest eyes she had ever seen and
when he smiled at her, her heart nearly melted.

Im Rob. He said.

Im Dana. She replied. His smile disappeared and instead he leaned
in closely to her until hisl ips were hovering beside her left ear.

I know He whispered.

She jerked her head back. He knew? How could he know her name? She
immediately thought of Bill and scanned the crowd for him. The
bastard must have been trying to set her up and if there was
anything he *knew* she didnt appreciate one bit it was other people
meddling in to her personal life, least of all her older brother!

I came here to talk to you, Dana. Rob continued. I need to speak
with you. Her eyes grew bigger, what the hell was going on here?
Its important. Its about what happened to you, your abduction.
Youre in danger, Dana. His voice was soft, but forceful. He was
obviously planningto be heard, whether she liked it or not.

She shook her head. This wasnt happening. The one night out of the
year that she wanted to get away from everything that went on in
her life, all the drama and the horror, and then something like
this happened, it simply couldn't be real.

Who are you? She hissed.

Please step outside with me. He said. I can save your life.

She took a step back from him, trying to free herself from his
embrace, but he held on to her closely.

Who are you? She insisted.

Ill tell you, Ill tell you everything, but not here. Lets go
outside,they are probably watching us right now. He said, his voice
almost begging.

Who is? She asked. "Who is watching us?"

He grabbed her shoulders, pinching them to stress his words.Them!
The ones that took you, and the ones who deny that it ever
happened! But it did, Dana, I can prove it to you. His expression
was almost desperate, his eyes simply begged her to listen. What I
have to tell you will save your life. You are in great danger,
Dana.

She looked at him suspiciously. Six years ago she would have run
screaming from him, thinking he was a nutcase, but his words
frightened her now. So much had happened to her because of her
abduction that it wasnt hard to believe something else would and
even though every one of her instincts begged her not to, she
nodded at him, and followed him outside.

She stepped in to the cool night air and looked at Rob, folding her
arms in front of her chest.

So, what is it you want to tell me? Her voice sounded skeptic, even
though she was intrigued by his words, something told her to be on
edge. He walked up to her, putting his arms around her, directing
his mouth to her ear once more, and then he whispered. Im sorry
about this

She felt a sharp pain in her back and before she could cry out the
world turned black and she fell down to the ground.

I truly am sorry Rob whispered again, and then he lifted her
unconscious body from the ground and walked to his car.
______________________________________________________________

Mulder was just about to take a big bite out of the leggy, big-
breasted, nineteen year-old cheerleaders neck that sat on his lap
when he heard the phone ringing. Oh, shit... He mumbled and looked
up at it. Why would anyone be calling him in the middle of the
night? He decided that he wasnt going to answer it anyway; he was
simply having too much fun.

He stared into the big brown eyes in front of him and felt a
definite stir in his groin area as she batted her long lashes at
him. What is it, Fox? She said, pouting her full, red lips and
curling little strains of hair around her finger. He sighed. Oh,
this *was* good.

But the phone wouldnt hear of it. It kept on its persistent
ringing, forcing Mulder to face the harsh truth once more and wake
up. He opened his eyes and stared disappointedly to the big white
pillow he was burying his face in. So much for big brown eyes

Groggily he stepped off the couch and picked up the phone, mumbling
a grouchy hello in to it.

Agent Mulder? Its Skinner. A stern voice said. Skinner? They didnt
have anything to do with Skinner anymore, did they? Why would he
call?

Suddenly something dawned on him and he was wide-awakeimmediately.
Skinner! Skinner was calling him! Skinner, the man they had worked
under when they were still on the X-files, was calling Mulder in
the middle of the night! What else could that mean then a
reassignment, a reassignment to the X-files? Skinner was calling to
tell him that Diana and that squeaky kid Spender were kicked out,
and that he and Scully were back in! They would be back on track
again! He started to jump up and down, not knowingwhat to say to
his former boss, but before he could think of anything,Skinner
started to speak again.

Im afraid I have some bad news. He said. It took a few moments for
these words to sink in, but when they did Mulder knew right away.
Scully.

What do you mean? He asked hesitantly.

Skinner sighed deeply and cleared his throat before he continued.
ItsAgent Scully. Shes gone missing.

For a moment he was numb. For a moment his brain couldnt process
the words that were just spoken and Mulder stared at a blind spot
somewhere on the wall, not realizing the consequences of the news
he had just heard. But soon he did, and a dark fear crept up,
engulfing his brain with panicked thoughts and memories of things
from the past. Memories of serial killers stalking and abducting
innocent women. Memories of abductions that changed their lives
completely, of fatal, unknown diseases, mass-suicides, in-human
children created in secret, only to be destroyed later, all caused
by that one unfortunate event, all because he had been called on to
a case, and because he had refused to believe a man to be crazy.
Because he wanted to help him prove the claims he made about his
alien abductions.

He drove his nails into the palms of his hands at the thoughtof
Duane Barry and what he had done to Scully, and then he
straightened himself, taking a deep breath to ask Skinner what had
happened. Skinner waited for a moment, as if he was searching for
the words to use.

She was at a dance tonight with her family. When the party was
finished her brother went to look for her, but she was nowhere to
be found. She seems to have vanished without a trace.

Where was that party? Mulder asked quickly.

Skinner hesitated again, not sure how to put what he wanted to say,
he coughed softly and then continued. Maybe its not such a good
idea if you go over there, Mulder. He said, his tone of voice
already betraying his knowledge that Mulder would never listen to
his advice concerning this. I am going to assign Agent Nolan to
lead this investigation. You are too involved to do so. I think it
would be best if you took a few days off and let us do the work. Im
afraid youre not able to.

No. Mulder responded aggressively. *I* will be in charge of
thisinvestigation, *I* will find her. Im not letting some
second-rate rookie-agent screw up this case and kill my partner, Im
good at this, its what I do best, you know that as well as I do, so
*I* will be leading the investigation, and you will grant me all
the man powerI need to find her, which I will.

He stood there, his body trembling with anger and fear, waiting for
hisformer superior to reply, to tell him he wouldnt allow this. To
suspend him for his own good and hang up the phone, leaving him in
the dark,wandering what will happen to his only friend in the
world, unable to affect her fate at all.

But Skinner sighed instead. And he gave in, as he knew up front he
would. Mulder, he began, as soon as I get the idea your emotions
are gettingin the way of doing this right, Im taking you off right
away. Are we clear on that? I take it you are well aware of the
fact that Agent Scullys life is at stake here.

Mulder nodded, more to himself than to Skinner, and then said Yes,
Sir.

Okay then. The A.D. said. Im on my way over to you now, Ill be
there in twenty minutes. Be ready. And with that he hung up the
phone, leaving Mulder behind, listening to the monotone sound
coming from the broken connection.

In a dazed state he looked around and finally decided to get
dressed, still not able to fully comprehend the U-turn his life had
taken these last five minutes. He hung up the phone, and moved into
the bathroom.
______________________________________________________________

A splitting pain shoots through my head, throbbing with the same
steadyrhythm as the beating of a heart. I reach up to touch my
temples and as I make contact I think I might cry. Memories of not
long ago race through my mind, of a time when I was dying, an
aggressive force destroying me, working its way through my body
starting in my brain, seeminglyunstoppable and overpowering
everything it encountered on its way.

But this is different. Even though this overwhelming headache
reminds me of the tumor almost instantly, I know the monstrous
disease Ive come to know so well does not cause it. I gently stroke
my forehead and notice that, however still fierce, the pain seems
to grow less unendurable already. I try to open my eyes but somehow
cant, and slightly panicked I stretch my arm to feel around me for
any clues as to where I am.

The floor is cold and hard, probably stone. My fingers run through
a thin layer of sand, and I realize that my eyes are in fact opened
already, but the darkness is too overwhelming to see. I cant make
out the shape of my own body as it is draped on the sand that
covers the stone floor and I feel the scraping wounds on my knees
and hands as I move, causing me to moan silently at the sudden
flashes of pain they cause. I hold still, afraid to discover more
sources of pain, and listen to thesound of a single drop of water
hitting the ground continuously, its echo moving through wherever
it is I am rapidly. I blink my eyes, trying to makeout anything at
all, but I cant. As far as I can tell the space Im in is very
large, empty and hollow. I can make out neither shapes nor sounds
and the draft that travels across the floor tells me it is not just
a room. Its like a cave or something, but I tell myself that makes
no sense, and I close my eyes again to think about how I may have
gotten here, but nothing comes to mind. Im completely blank, and it
frightens the hell out of me.

For a moment I think I hear something. I hold my breath and listen
quietly, but there is nothing, nothing but the regular sound of
that drop falling to the ground. I let out my breath and try to
move myself in a somewhat more comfortable position, which makes me
painfully aware of the many bruises that cover my body. Something
must have happened to me, I must be able to remember something
about it. I close my eyes and think back in time. What have I done?
Was I working on a case? I think of Mulder. Had he dragged me to
some little town to investigate something creepy?

I really dont know, all I can remember is sitting in my apartment
together, finishing up on some paperwork, but nothing after that.
Had there even been anything after that? Wasnt that the beginning
of theweekend? Did I go someplace? I realize I have no memories of
spending time with Mulder, so what did I do? Did I visit my family?
I visualize their faces, and suddenly realize I had seen Bill, but
where? I didnt baby-sit, I didnt go to church, I didnt spent the
night at hishouse We went out We went to some kind of party,
somewhere in a very brightly lit place, with with music Yes, music!
It was a dance. Some kind of ball.

Flashes of the evening start to come back to me. I remember
watching Bill and Tara dancing, Im sitting at this little table,
sipping on my champagne, not enjoying myself at all, but how did I
get here? Why am I sore all over and who has brought me wherever it
is I am? I try to remember every single thought I had that night,
anything unusual that happened, but its so hard, so very hard.

Then it hits me. There was a man. A man had approached me. To dance
with him. I remember his warm hand reaching for mine, pulling me
out of my seat, making some excuse about his dancing style, and he
had wanted me to come outside. He had *begged* me to come outside,
and thats where the memories stop. Thats when I must have lost
consciousness. I think he may have injected me with something, but
Im not sure and no matter how I try, I cant recall anything that
happened after I left the dance floor with him. Theres nothing.

Now I *did* hear something. Im positive I did.

I try to sit up, ignoring the flashes of pain as they hit me, and I
squeeze my eyes together, trying to make out anything in the
darkness around me, but its impossible, theres nothing to be seen,
but I still hear the sounds, sounds of something moving, coming
closer to me. Whispering, shuffling.

I want to stand up, I want to get up and run away from whatever it
is that is approaching me, but before I can, I feel something touch
my head, and I start to scream. Violently I wave my arms around,
kicking uncontrollably, trying to scare away anything that is close
to me, hitting things I cant identify, but it grabs my wrists and
my ankles, and pushes me to the ground with one swift move.

I fight and I scream, but its strong and determent to keep me down,
so eventually I stop my attempts to break free, and I let myself be
pushed back, unable to resist any longer.Im too tired. I can't do
anything but give in.
______________________________________________________________

I watch in silence as Agent Nolan turns on the small t.v. Skinner
is glancing at me, but I pretend not to see it. I dont want to tell
him Im fine any more, I dont mean it when I say it, and he doesnt
believe me anyway, so it just seems useless to play that little
game right now.

Anxiously I wait for the screen to light up; to give us some clues
as to what happened that night. Agent Nolan shoves the first
videotape in the VCR, and immediately the black and white image of
the ballroom appears on screen. The quality of these security tapes
isnt very good, but I realize that they might well be the only
thing that Scully has left right now, the only thing keeping her
alive, and so I put all my hope on them, and I focus so hard to
find anything that might help, my eyes actually begin to hurt.

I search the dance floor and the bar. I study the faces of the
people, and I even spot Bill Scully - *my* Scullys big and angry
brother - on the dance floor, holding his wife, but there is no
sign of Scully, she does not appear on any part of the tape.
Frustrated I jerk the tape out of the VCR and put in the next one,
unconsciously holding my breath, but again there is nothing that
indicates that she was even there that night.

But then I put in the third videotape, and there she is. She is
sitting at one of the little round tables, doing nothing in
particular, just looking around, watching other people, obviously
having a horrible time.

I know everyone in the room is watching me right now, but I am
unable to take my eyes off of her image on the screen. The movement
of her hands as she is studying her nails in utter boredom burns
itself in to my brain; I know those gestures so well, and it hits
me that these badly recorded ones might be the last Ill ever see
her make. I take a deep breath, but decide not to speak, instead I
just watch the tape, I watch her as she sits there all alone, and I
work hard to avoid the painful looks that are being sent my way.

Then a man approaches her. He speaks to her, and she smiles at him.
I immediately direct my attention at this person, memorizing his
every feature, picturing him wearing a beard, dark glasses, or
using any other method of disguise I can think of, but then she
takes his hand and follows him to the dance floor, and a flash of
jealousy shoots trough my body. The look on her face sends a chill
up my spine. It is a look Ive dreamt of seeing for so long, a look
she never gave me, and she is giving it now, on this videotape, to
a guy she has never met before.

He smiles, as any man would, and pulls her on to her feet, guiding
her to the dance floor, and she literally gazes at him, enjoying
every second of it, and I hate it. I simply cannot stand to look at
this stranger taking *my* Scully by the hand, pulling *my* Scully
in to his embrace, and dance around the room with her, staring in
to her deep blue eyes. Those are *my* eyes and if anyone will stare
in to them, it will be me!

This might be our guy. Skinner says. Check the guest list, find out
who he is.

I look at him, cruelly brought back to reality and realize it
doesnt matter that Scully had danced with another man. It doesnt
matter that he had gazed in to her eyes and that she had loved it.
Right now, thats the least of my problems.

She is gone. Taken. And this man Im watching on this tape right now
is our most likely suspect.

One of the agents in the room with us runs off to find a guest list
and I see how Skinner is staring at me once again. I meet his eyes
for just a second, and then turn back to the TV, seeing Scully and
the mystery-guy dance around gracefully.

He leans in, and it almost seems as if he is whispering something
in to her ear, telling her sweet things, no doubt. How magnificent
she looks, how all the other women in the room seem to fade to the
background when they are in her presence, and how dancing with her
is absolutely divine.

He *is* right of course. On all accounts.

But then she jerks her head back and stares at him with a shocked
expression on her face. What did he tell her? She looks scared
almost, and I notice she is starting an argument, but he appears to
keep calm and after a while they leave the dance floor together,
and exit the screen, walking towards the door.

And thats it. Thats the last piece of recording of *my* Scully, and
for all I know maybe the last Ill ever see of her at all.

The room has gone completely silent. All agents present are
watching the TV as it still shows the dance floor, hoping that
maybe she will reappear, but she wont. I know she wont. Scully
doesnt just go outside with strangers; it had to be a trick
somehow, and wherever it is this guy took her, hes is taking her
there as all these people are still on the dance floor, having a
good time, unaware of the abduction that took place among them.

I sit back, inhaling deeply, and then I stand up to leave the room.
Before the door closes behind me I can hear Skinner get up as well,
and he follows me quickly.

Outside I immediately approach the agent in charge of checking out
the guest list, but his face tells me in advance not to get my
hopes up. When he sees me he shakes his head slightly, and puts the
list away. Nothing? I ask and I *know my voice sounds skeptic. For
no reason, I might add, this kid wouldnt lie to me about this; the
expression on his face is an apologetic one. He is truly sorry
about the bad news and, strangely enough, the sad-looking face of
this young man offers me some comfort.

Skinner has caught up and stands next to me now, searching for
words to use, but fails. For a moment we are silent, but then I
come in to action. We will find her, damn it! Run him through the
computer. I want every database known to man checked, he *has to be
listed somewhere. The young agent nods and runs off, leaving me
behind with Skinner.

He places one hand on my arm, a faint smile on his lips.

He has to be listed, Agent Mulder. We will find her.
______________________________________________________________

I couldnt tell you how long Ive been here. It could be a few weeks,
but it might just as well be months. After a while of never seeing
the light of day, time comes to have only little meaning. Days dont
pass by anymore, they just go on and on, never ending and never
beginning, I have no idea if it is morning right now, or evening,
or the middle of the day. There is only this; darkness, nothing
else.

She kept silent for a moment, staring at the woman sitting in front
of her, her arms folded in front of her chest, and then she
continued.

You get used to it, though. The darkness, I mean. I can see your
eyes are blue, for instance, and that your hair is red. I recognize
the soft shade of green of your dress and the delicate silver
embroideries around the neckline. That is a stunning dress, by the
way, although it *is* a little smudged.

Scully smiled and nodded. Yes, I guess it is. I didnt pick it out
with being locked up in some cave in mind, though

No, the woman grinned, Im sure you didnt.

We do apologize for the rough approach earlier, Dana. Another woman
interrupted them, But you were pretty aggressive, which is
understandable, and we needed to calm you down a little. I hope we
didnt hurt you or anything?

Scully shook her head. No, thats okay. Im bruised al over as it is.

Yes, he does get kind of rough at times. Another woman said.

Scully got up from the ground, repressing a soft groan as the pain
shot through her body, and strained to see the women around her
more clearly, but for now it looked like she had to make do with
the shapes, the darkness was still impenetrable.

Where are we? What is this? she asked. The first woman stepped
forward and raised her shoulders. I have no idea where we are; none
of us has any clue. All we can tell you is that you were right in
assuming it is a cave. There are dark passages all around us,
leading God-knows-where. Weve tried to investigate them before, to
see if maybe they hide a way out, but they appear to be endless,
and even darker than it is in here.

Is that even possible..? Scully sighed, and she peered in to the
darkness, searching for the passages. Then she turned to one of the
other women that had spoken and said: You said he. Who were you
talking about? Were you abducted by someone?

We all were. Yet another woman stepped forward. We were all taken
by him, by Rob.

Scullys eyes shot open. So was I

The woman nodded. Yes, we know. He brings us all here.

But why? Who is he? And why us?

Again the first woman stepped forward. We dont know. Not really,
that is, but I think its safe to assume that he hasnt got them all
together, if you get my drift. He has these wild stories, strange
theories about something stalking us. In a way he believes he is
saving us from something, he has said so repeatedly.

Saving us from what?

Beats me. Like I said, hes a little cuckoo

Guys, maybe we should give Dana some time to let all of this sink
in, okay? Shes had a rough day. Or night. Whichever it is.

Scully looked at the blond haired woman that had joined the little
group; she was now actually able to see her eyes, all of theirs in
fact, and she was amazed at finding out how many women were
actually there.

Im fine She said softly, silently counting. Sixteen women

The woman who had first spoken reached out her hand and shook
Scullys. We havent told you *our names yet. Im Susan Crane. She
stepped aside and pointed at the blond woman. Thats Mary-Anne. Shes
our mother. Mary-Anne waved at Scully. Susan smiled. Shes the
caring type.

Mary-Anne smiled back at her. It was obvious the women were
friends, all of them seemed so close. Scully had to swallow
something away at the thought of good friends. God, what would
Mulder be going through at the moment? She was afraid to think
about it.

One by one the women approached her and introduced themselves.

Im sorry to say this, Scully said, but you all seem so unafraid.
You were abducted. Arent you at all scared of what might happen?
You dont know what that Rob is up to.

Susan shrugged. Of course we are afraid, but sitting here and cry
all day wont do us much good, will it? Besides, Ill be the first to
admit that the lights arent all on upstairs when it comes to Rob,
but I have been here for quite a while now, and in all that time I
have never seen him hurt anyone. Apart from those little bruises
from when he took us, but thats nothing. He just comes down here
every once in a while and brings us food and water. He even talks
to us sometimes.

Scully raised her eyebrows. Yes, well, friendly as he may be, he is
also a dangerous criminal. He abducted at least sixteen women,
normal people dont do that, and God knows what else he might have
done. You must always keep in mind that he might in fact be
extremely dangerous.

And you are an expert, I suppose? The short woman who had
introduced herself as Sharon Mylan stepped forward, her voice
sounding highly skeptic. Youve been here for a couple of hours, yet
you have figured out our situation more perfectly already than we
ever will? You know everything about kidnappers, do you? I should
hope so. Scully replied angrily. Im an FBI-agent.

For a moment nobody spoke, but then Mary-Anne began to laugh out
loud.

Thats just wonderful! Its perfect! She giggled.

Sharon turned to her, an irritated expression on her face.

What is it, Mary-Anne? She asked. The other women nodded at this
question.

Dont you see? Mary-Anne said, a huge smile on her face. Shes a
federal agent, and he took her! The FBI will be going crazy right
now, we will get top-priority, theyll do everything they can to
find her! Theyll find us! Were out of here!

Abduction cases always have a high priority at the Bureau,
Mary-Anne, not just mine. Scully said, knowing how right Mary-Anne
in fact was. It wasnt even the FBI itself that would go crazy, but
she knew Mulder would be in charge of this investigation. Hed see
to it that he was, and when it comes to leading a thorough
investigation, no one could beat her partner. Hed find them in no
time. She sighed deeply. And if he didnt, well, no one would

She caught a glimpse of the nod Susan sent Mary-Anne and saw how
Mary- Anne took Sharon by the hand, gently leading her back, where
they sat down together. Sharon had started to cry and Mary-Anne
pulled her in to a soft embrace, whispering soothing words Scully
couldnt understand from where she stood. Susan walked up to her and
her voice had grown softer now as well, she led her away from the
other women.

Youll have to forgive Sharon for her rudeness. She hasnt been here
too long, I guess it has been a few days. Thats when it usually
hits them, the realization that these dark walls might be the last
theyll ever see. Scully looked surprised at these words and was
greeted by a warm smile.

Are you amazed I said that? Susan said, still smiling. Oh, I know
were in deep shit, believe me. But saying were not just makes this
easier somehow, you know? These women, they are afraid, the new
ones, that is. Ive been here longer than anyone, I was here when
the others still were, but they are all gone now, and these new
women look up to me, they think I know, I know how to survive, how
to deal with it.

What others? Scullys eyes were opened wide.

Susan sighed. There was another group of women here. I met them
only briefly, and they werent with as many as us, I think there
were seven of them, something like that.

A slight draft entered the space they were in, causing a chill to
run up Scullys spine. What happened to them? she asked.

Susan looked down, not knowing how to speak, and then she looked
Scully in the eyes and continued.

They were starving. Rob hadnt fed them like he does us. When I was
brought here, one of them had already died from dehydration, and
the others were about to follow one by one, it was horrifying. I
was so scared, unable to see them; I could only hear their cries,
their moans as they were dying. Then one of them decided to search
for water in the passages. Those who were still able to left with
her, and the others remained in the cave with me. They all died.

Ive never seen the ones that went into the dungeons again. And
then, just as I thought I was going to die as well, Rob came and he
found the bodies. He got hysterical, crying and screaming that he
had tried so hard, and that now they were still dead. I was
petrified, but then everything changed. Rob came in with food and
water every day, or at least on a regular basis, and he was kind to
me. He told me not be scared, and that after it had happened, and
they would be gone, I would be free again. He was doing this for my
own good. And then the others started to come. Sharon was brought
sometime last week, I guess, and now you. I take it you have no
idea what he meant by it and they, do you?

No. Thats why I think hes crazy. Look, Dana, the others do not know
about all this, so

Scully sighed and placed a hand on Susans shoulder, pulling her
closer. Susan She began. Were you ever abducted?

Susan frowned at this question, but Scully continued before she
could speak. No, no, I dont mean this. I mean before. Have you ever
been abducted before in your life, or did you disappear in some
way? Did anything unexplainable ever happen to you?

Susan nodded carefully. Yes, she began, he said that had something
to do with the reason he took me.

He told me that too, and I was missing for some time as well. It
has never been proven what happened to me, but a lot of bad things
have occurred in my life as a result. This is somehow related to
that, I just dont know how.

No Susan was thinking, letting her fingers slide over her chin.

Then footsteps came from one of the passages, followed by a sharp
ray of light, probably a flashlight. All the women turned their
heads to the passage, moving back to the other side of the cave.

Thats Rob Susan whispered, and she grabbed Scullys arm to drag her
to the others.
______________________________________________________________

Mulders eyes were glued to the thick file he held in his hands. He
knew its contents by heart now, but still went over them again and
again. Desperate for anything that might lead him to Scully. The
man they had seen on the videotape was named Robert Franklin Grant,
and he had quite a history. Birth records were extremely hard to
find, which caused Mulder to believe Grant had been adopted, but
even that seemed unverifiable. The only thing he was certain about
was the year of birth, 1954, the rest remained a mystery.

But shortly after that all of this changed considerably, and Robert
Grant went from having no records, to having tons of them, almost
over night. In 1979 he got married, and that was the first
documented fact in the life of this peculiar man, as if he appeared
from nowhere, not even a drivers license was found, but from that
moment on it almost seems as if he was monitored around the clock.

His wife, Sarah Grant, died at the age of twenty-eight in 1985. At
least thats what Grant claims happened, in fact Sarah simply
vanished in to thin air, never to be seen or heard of again. An
investigation into Grants possible involvement with her
disappearance, and her possible murder, was started soon after
that, but he was acquitted because of a lack of evidence and
subsequently released.

It went downhill from there. Grant couldnt handle his wifes
disappearance, whether he had caused it or not, and was
institutionalized not long after he was arrested. The following ten
years he spent in and out of several mental institutions, AND
standing trial against further accusations that he kidnapped and
murdered several women, but again he was released in each of those
cases. There were strange details surrounding the trials, though.
They seemed to be missing several testimonies, among which those of
the defendant, and no matter how far Mulder dug and how many people
he questioned, nobody seemed to know anything about those missing
records.

He encountered the same thing when trying to get access to Grants
psychiatric files. Of course those documents were guarded with the
highest level of security and protection of privacy, but there were
always ways to get to them, especially for a highly acclaimed
psychologist like himself. The hospital was a vault though, and
completely unwilling to even let him take a peek at the files,
leaving him in the dark on yet another aspect of this mans
character.

He took a deep breath and thought of all the women who had
disappeared over the years and had been linked to Robert Grant. Non
of them was ever found, and for some reason the D.A. was unable to
get a conviction for this so obviously dangerous man. He had
Scully, there was no doubt about that. The only problem was their
location now. Every address that Grant had ever lived was checked
thoroughly already, every single town he had visited openly was
under surveillance, but so far there was no sign of him whatsoever,
and Mulder was starting to grow more desperate by the hour.

He looked up at Frohike, Langely and Byers, who were huddled up in
front of a computer monitor on the other side of their lair. The
muffled sounds of their whispering amongst each other were too
vague to understand, but it was obvious that they had found
SOMETHING interesting, so Mulder stood up from his chair and walked
towards the enthusia

stic threesome. What did you guys find? He asked hopefully.

They turned around and exchanged telling looks before Frohike

started to speak. Mulder, this is gonna knock you straight from
your feet. He said.

Mulders eyes began to glow at these words and he came very close to
smiling. Why? What is it?

Byers took one step forward and replaced Frohike in telling the
story. You told us that you have been unable to get access to those
psych- reports, right?

Mulder nodded.

Well, we didnt. Langely grinned. You got in? Mulder asked.

Yes, my friend, we did. Frohike continued. Apparently Grant has
been receiving treatments for a delusional disorder. And he suffers
from severe paranoid schizophrenia

Not that that is necessarily a bad thing. Langely interrupted him,
receiving a deadly look from both Byers and Frohike, who continued
with his story once more.

Anyway Grant told a story over and over again when he was admitted
to these hospitals, but nobody took him serious; they just
administered more drugs and treated him to an extra hour of shock
therapy.

What story?

Frohike sighed and again the three lone gunmen exchanged looks. Its
about his wife, Sarah. He says he knows what happened to her, and
what killed her.

So she IS dead? Mulder asked.

Yes, according to him she is. Byers sighed. Grant claims that his
wife was abducted years ago. She disappeared for a while and when
she was returned she had no recollection of what had happened
whatsoever. She DID have something else, though.

An implant?

Yes. But she didnt have it removed. Like many alien-abductees she
felt a sort of love for the beings that took her, and through the
implant she felt connected to them. It turned out differently,
though. Grant claims that one-day his wife began talking about a
place she needed to be at. They were calling her, and if she went
there she would be one of them. Something like that.

Like what happened to Scully, and Cassandra Spender?

Maybe. A fact is that she indeed left one night and never returned.
Not alive, that is, until her body was found in a ditch somewhere.
Shot to death. Grant doesnt share his wifes belief in extra-
terrestrials; he thinks the government has used her as some kind of
test-subject, but he believes the test must have failed, and that
all the women who were used are now being summoned so that they can
be easily destroyed all at once.

Mulder sat back, stroking his chin with one hand. That certainly
explains why those reports were sealed. He mumbled to himself.

We found more, Mulder. Byers said. Guess what those missing
testimonies from the different trials describe?

He nodded. They wouldnt go through so much trouble if there wasnt
some truth to his story

He leaned back, staring at the wall. Then he stood up and grabbed
the file again, handing it to Langely. Can you look up these women
he was suspected of kidnapping in the past? See if they have any
similar experiences as Sarah and Scully?

Langely nodded and hurried himself over to the computer again.

Mulder grabbed his jacket and walked towards the door. Im gonna
check the missing persons database for anyone with
abduction-experiences. Maybe hell have taken more women. We might
catch him this way.

Frohike raised his eyebrows. Why would he take those women just
because they went through the same thing as his wife did? That
makes no sense.

Mulder shrugged. I dont know. Hes probably pretty disturbed from
what happened, maybe hes angry that they survived and Sarah didnt.
It could be any reason, really. But its the only thing we have to
go on right now.

And with that he left.
______________________________________________________________

Im leaning against one of the cold stone walls, my arms folded in
front of me, my eyes directed at the group of women that I share
this space with. I have adapted to the darkness perfectly, like
Susan said I would, and I watch how Mary-Anne is soothing one of
the younger women. She cant be much older than 18 and her blue eyes
are watery as she is fighting off the tears. When I first met these
women I had been amazed at their lack of pain and fear, but now I
know that that had been an act. An act they had performed for me,
as I learned they always do when a new woman arrives in this dark
cave. The amount of love and care I sense among them all is
astounding. They put aside every worry they have to make the new
one feel at ease, and they keep this up for at least three or four
days, as they have done with me, and every one that was brought
here before me.

Im one of them now. They no longer regard me as the new one and Im
no longer being spared of the desperation that lives in many of
them. Sharon is absolutely terrified, as I noticed before, and
whenever someone mentions Robs name she gets angry and starts an
argument. He has no name to her; hes just he. So we avoid talking
about him when she is within hearing distance, which isnt hard to
do, considering Ive been here for at least two weeks now, and Im
still not familiar with every inch of the cave.

Susan is quite obviously the leader of the pack. Shes not bossy,
nor do I believe she really wishes to fulfill this role, but
somehow she has grown to be the one that makes decisions and
confronts Rob with questions. She was here before any of us, as she
told me when we first met, and that gives her a certain authority.
The fact that she has spent time in this overwhelming darkness and
cold all alone has earned her the deep respect of the rest of the
women. Im still the only one who knows about the group that was
here before us. Susan has sworn me to secrecy about it and I gave
her my word, but Im not sure Im doing the right thing in keeping my
mouth shut. Those women had been here for a long time, or so they
had told Susan, and Rob had brought them food just like he has done
for us, but one day he just stopped. And they had starved to death.

If this is our fate I think the rest of us should know, but Susan
wants to protect them no matter what. What they dont know cant harm
them, she says, and I guess shes right there, but still

Ive met Rob now. Of course I already had, on that dreadful night
when he took me, but I hadnt seen him afterwards. Susan had been
right, though, he comes down here quite regularly with food and
water, and when he does he is the kindest person you could imagine.
He has tried repeatedly to win over Sharon, but she refused his
attempts, so he gave up and assured her once more that no harm
would come to her.

Ive tried to reason with him, I told him who I was and how
kidnapping a federal agent is a serious offence. Releasing us now
would build him a stronger case in court and really is the only
option he has left, but he has denied me whenever I started to talk
about it. He is definitely mentally ill, though, theres no denying
there. Like the women had told me before, he believes he is saving
us from something, and is determined to do so. We shouldnt be
afraid, because after it has happened we will be free again. I
still have no idea what it is he is talking about and what he plans
of saving us from, but Ive learned fast that its no use arguing
about it. It makes him mad and he leaves the cave to go back to
wherever it is he came from. Of course weve tried to follow him,
but he closes a big steel gate somewhere in the passages he comes
through, which locks us in, using some kind of code. And naturally,
nice as he may be, he does carry a gun whenever he comes down and
forces us to the other side of the cave with it.

Its really about time for the cavalry to show up.

I see Janine Morton stand up, her eyes focussed at the passage Rob
comes through when its feeding-time, and the other women follow her
example one by one. It seems as if they have developed some kind of
instinct which tells them when he is about to come, so I look in
the same direction, and there indeed appears the small ray of light
again. His footsteps are fast; as if something is wrong, and I
notice how Mary-Anne reaches for Sharons hand and strokes it
softly. And then his face appears.

Its time! He says, still panting from the sprint he took over here.

We stare at him in silence, not knowing what he means, and again he
speaks.

Its time! Theyre being summoned! Soon it will be over, and you will
all be released!

Susan steps forward, her hands leaning on her hips. What are you
talking about?

He looks as if he is about to clap his hands and answers: Its
almost over, Susan, almost! It is about to happen, and for you to
be safe I can not come here for a while. They might enter when I do
and then it will all be for nothing, I will not come to you, but
know its for the best. When this time is over, you are all free! I
bring you food and water now, be careful with it, its all youll
have until its over.

Then he takes a step back and starts for the exit.

Hey, wait a minute! Sharon has pulled herself away from Mary-Anne
and is now standing behind Susan. You cant just leave us here to
rot! How long will you be gone? Are you just going to let us die
from hunger here? You cant do that, you bastard! Let us go NOW!

Rob moves in her direction, he looks sad now. I cant, Sharon.
Believe me. You will be fine. This is for the best.

Like hell it is! Sharon screams and she runs up to Rob before any
of us can do anything. She jumps at him, her hands clawing at his
eyes, and while screaming to her to let him go Rob reaches for his
gun and takes it out.

Nooooooo! I hear Susan scream, and she jumps at him as well,
dragging Sharon away before he can fire, and then a shot goes off,
the sound overwhelming in this echoing cave, and both Sharon and
Susan fall to the ground.

Robs eyes grow big, his mouth is opened. He begins to
hyperventilate and then turns around, running away from the two
women lying at his feet, but Sharon jumps up and grabs his legs,
causing him to drop to the floor. As she climbs on top of him I
begin to run myself, and I try to drag her off of him, telling her
not to do this, but she his has gun now and before my very eyes she
squeezes the trigger and he is dead.

She drops the gun and starts to cry. Asshole Asshole. She whispers
through her tears, and gently I take her hand to pull her up and
embrace her.

Its okay I whisper. Its okay

Its not okay! I hear behind me. She killed Susan! I let go of
Sharons shaking body and turn around. Janine and Vanessa are
walking up to us, their eyes filled with tears.

That bitch has been causing trouble ever since she came here!

Vanessa screams. And now Susan is dead!

Sharon is still crying, she raises her hands, trying to apologize
somehow, but she is unable to find the words. Im sorry. She cries
hysterically. I didnt mean to Oh God

All the women are screaming now, theyre yelling at each other,
yelling at Sharon, crying because of Susans death or because of the
entire situation they are in, and Im caught in the middle of it.

Stop it! All of you stop it! I scream and I catch their attention.

One by one they become quiet and they look at me, the only sounds
escaping them the soft sobs of fear and grief. This is no use.
Fighting amongst ourselves will not do us any good, we must stick
together and think of a way to get out of here. I say.

Do you realize what Susan meant to us? Janine asks.

I nod. Yes, I think I do, and this is a tragedy. I sigh deeply. But
we have to go on, we need to get away from here as soon as
possible.

Danas right.

I watch how Mary-Anne walks up to me and takes my hand. Her eyes
are filled with tears, her shirt covered in blood. Susans blood,
who she held until she let out her last breath.

We HAVE to find a way out of here. Rob was our only link to the
outside world. Hes dead now, which means were locked in her
completely. He wont be here to bring us food and water, or to
release us after it has happened. If we are not found quickly, or
if we dont find a way to get out of here ourselves, we are all
going to die in here.

Mary-Anne wipes her cheek and then forces out a smile. We can do
this. She says.

Yes, we can. I add. We have to.

But how? Sharon asks, still sobbing.

I look around, meeting gazes with everyone and then I speak again.
Well investigate the passages. One of them has to lead somewhere.

Weve done that. One of the women says. Theyre endless.

Well do it thoroughly this time. Systematically. I say determined.
Well split up in small groups. One group will stay here in case
help shows up, the rest will search the passages for anything that
might help. If we cant find a way out, maybe we WILL find water.
Lord knows we can certainly use that.

Its a good plan, Dana. Mary-Anne says. I think we should do it. The
others remain silent for a while, but then I see Janine starting to
nod, and the rest follows her example quickly.

Okay then, I say, Lets get this show on the road.
______________________________________________________________

Mulder watched closely as Skinner read the report he had just been
handed. The AD was making little sounds in the back off his throat
as his eyes reached certain paragraphs, causing little drops of
sweat to roll down Mulders back. He was very well aware of the most
likely reaction he was about to receive, but there was no way he
could lead this investigation without the assistant-directors
approval of the requests he made in the file. This was going to
require some work, he figured.

Skinner looked up and closed the brown folder in front of him, his
eyes focussed sternly at the agent sitting opposite from him.

Agent Mulder He began to speak, Am I right in assuming that you are
asking me to close down at least twelve running missing persons
investigations?

Mulder swallowed heavily. This was it. Well, not close them down,
Sir. Im asking you to take the current S.A.Cs off them, and hand
the cases to me.

Skinner frowned. Explain to me why I would do that, agent Mulder.
Are you bored with your current assignment?

Its all in my report, Sir. Mulder replied slightly irritated. I
think these cases are all linked to agent Scullys disappearance,
and that all these women have been abducted by the same man that
took her, Robert Grant. Wherever it is that these women are, Im
convinced that Scully is there too. And since I am in charge of
finding her, I need to have all information there is about these
other abductions, and I need free access to it, without having to
beg some violent crimes-kid to share what hes got.

And you base this on the fact that these other women have like
Scully disappeared before? Skinner asked. You want me to take
twelve agents off of their cases, simply because you have made some
assumptions, based on some vague information you found about these
women, about something that may or may not have happened to them
years ago?

The assumptions I made are all but vague, Sir. Mulder answered.
Grant has been a suspect in many abduction cases over the years,
and almost every one of the women he was accused of kidnapping has
experienced a similar mysterious disappearance as agent Scully has.
There is a very distinct connection between all of them, too
distinct to be a coincidence. Especially in light of the claims
Grant made about his wife when he was institutionalized. All these
women that are missing now have also experienced such a thing,
which is why I think he took them as well.

Skinner raised from his chair and walked a few circles through his
office, his hands placed on his hips. His eyes were closed as he
thought about what Mulder had just told him and about what he had
just read.

Mulder turned around in his chair and then stood up as well. Im not
asking you to take these other agents off the cases. Im asking you
to integrate those cases in to mine. They can still lead the parts
of the investigation that were originally theirs. I mean, Im going
to need a full background check on all these women, and I want them
linked to Grant, see if there is any sign of him in their lives.
Anything that might tell us more about where he took them. Thats
going to require quite some manpower.

Skinner stood still and stared straight at Mulder. Maybe you should
step aside, Mulder. He said, an apologetic look on his face. Youre
stretching. I dont think that there is a connection between Scully
and these other women. I think you are simply looking to hard and
now you are unable to look at this objectively.

Mulder took a step backwards, pretending to be stunned by this
reaction. Of course he knew Skinner would reply like this, but
faking amazement somehow promised to be more effective.

No! He replied angrily. How can you say that, youve read the file!
Theres no way in hell that this is a coincidence. Grant has not
just taken Scully, he has taken at least a dozen other women now,
and it is very likely that he has kidnapped and possibly murdered
over twenty women throughout the years. We have to find him, and
the only way that that is going to happen is if we combine the
several investigations.

Skinner shook his head, about to interrupt, but Mulder continued.
You can take me off this case, but you know damn-well that Im not
giving up. Im going to find her, whether you help me or not.

Skinner nodded now. Okay. He sighed. Youll get those cases. But I
want to know every step you take, everything you find out will be
reported to me before you undertake action. Get that?

Yes, Sir. Mulder said, and then he hurried out the room.
______________________________________________________________

Mulder was sitting in his apartment, glued to the computer screen
as he was scanning the histories of the women Grant had taken.
Grant had been named in a few of the cases, so if there was any
doubt left that he had taken all these women, it was definitely
gone now. Outside that confirmation the files hadnt really brought
him anywhere. He was still not so much as an inch closer to finding
Scully than he was before, and again the desperation inside of him
was growing.

He thought about the dream he had had that night. It had been about
her, as every dream he had since she was gone had been about her.
Every single night he arrived in that ballroom, and every night the
same tragedy occurred there, causing him to wake up bathing in
sweat and tears. He even considered not going to sleep anymore, but
in a way these terrible dreams soothed him as much as they
frightened him. To be able to listen to the sound of her voice, to
gaze into the blue of her eyes and to feel her soft skin as if she
was really there with him, was simply too good to pass by on. Thats
why he cherished these moments, and learned to live with the less
peaceful part of the dream.
______________________________________________________________

Hesitantly Mulder walks in to the ballroom. The place lookes
magnificent and the decorations are wonderful, but they fade in to
nothing compared to that one beauty that is seated in the center of
the room. His mouth falls open as he sees her stand up. Her red
hair perfectly styled, as ever, and the green, tight fitting, but
long dress is just stunning. He is completely lost for words at her
sight, but words arent needed anymore. She gracefully moves herself
through the dancing crowd towards him, reaching out her hand for
him to take.

You look beautiful, Scully. He manages to say, and she shyly points
her face to floor as she smiles.

Thanks. She whispers, and together they move on to the dance floor.

Im glad you came, she says, staring at him. Her gaze is mesmerizing
and Mulder constantly needs to remind himself to respond.

So am I. He says, and again they smile at each other.

Slowly they glide over the dance floor, their gazes never parting.
God. He whispers, You are so beautiful

She still smiles and then leans in to him. For a moment he has no
idea what to do, but as her lips are approaching he holds her more
firmly and starts to lean in as well.

And they kiss.

His entire body responds to that first touch of their lips. First
its a light brush, a moment of taking in each others warmth and the
realization that in no longer than a few seconds their lips will
finally meet. And then she rises, standing on tiptoes, pressing her
lips on to his more firmly. Gently her mouth opens and again his
body responds violently as her tongue slips out and softly slides
across his lip, exploring the edges of his mouth. His embrace grows
tighter as his tongue slips outside as well, searching for hers,
until they carefully tease each other, touching and pulling back
again, suckling on each others lips.

His eyes are closed now, none of his senses active but the sense of
touch, and he lets his hands slide up her back, his fingers
reaching for her soft hair. Oh, Scully He whispers, but then he
notices.

She feels so cold, and he opens his eyes to look at her beauty once
again, but this is where the nightmare begins. He opens his eyes
and stares in to the lifeless face of his Scully. Her eyes death
and vacant, her body hanging limp in his arms, her cold flesh
burning on his skin.

Scully? He asks, knowing how useless it is. Scully? Can you talk to
me? But he realizes she is dead, and frightened he lets go of her
body, letting it drop to the floor. No! He begins to cry, and
behind him he hears laughing. And next to him and in front of him
and then the laughter is unbelievable, deafening, and he turns
hysterical. No! Nooooo! He screams.

And then he wakes up. Every single night, over and over again.
______________________________________________________________

He woke up, after the dream had plagued him once more, at a knock
on his door. Quickly he glanced at the black digital clock,
noticing it was 2 A.M. Still a little hazy from his nightmare he
got up and walked over to the door and unlocked it.

And his mouth fell open.
______________________________________________________________

For three hours straight they had been walking through the long,
dark passages. Mary-Anne taking the lead, as she was the only one
who had tried to conquer these hidden dungeons before. That was
back in the beginning, when she first arrived. Susan had asked her
to join her investigations, the memory of the dying women still
fresh in her memory. Thinking about it, Scully could not remember
Susan telling her how the women disappeared after they passed. She
didnt know if Rob had removed the bodies himself, or if there was
any other reason that the cave the women were locked up in wasnt
stacked with corpses.

Mary-Anne kept a high speed as she led them through the darkness,
chitchatting about nothing in particular, but doing anything to
keep the others from worrying, or from thinking about Susan.

Susan.

Scully sighed as she thought of the brave woman who had so
tragically lost her life just a few hours earlier, saving someone
elses by giving up her own. Susan had been the designated leader to
these women so Scully was told and she now realized how much she
had actually fulfilled this role. Even though they had only met
briefly, Scully was already convinced this woman would never be
forgotten. She glanced over her shoulder at Sharon who was tagging
along, or so it seemed. Her shoulders were slumped, her expression
one of acceptance. Acceptance of the fact that a woman had died for
her - because of her - and that even that sacrifice had been in
vain, since they would all follow quickly.

Scully had insisted that Sharon joined their little explorer-group.
Her part in Susans death had caused a lot of the other women to
turn against this small, terrified woman, and going against all
rational judgement Scully wasnt at all convinced of her safety,
were she to join them into the isolated chambers and passages
buried deep under the ground. She wanted to keep an eye on things,
and in favor of that presented her self as their new leader. The
women had been divided in small groups, each exploring another one
of the passages surrounding their large space, while three of them
remained where they were, ready to guide the help troops were they
to show up in the right direction to find the others.

Besides Sharon and Mary-Anne, Janine accompanied them on their
journey, walking closely behind Mary-Anne, now and then looking
over her shoulder to make sure the other two were still there.
Sharons slowness and indifference was getting on her nerves quite
obviously, and every now and again she sneered in her direction to
move it along.

Jesus, Sharon! Would you get the fuck moving! Sharon looked up, her
eyes moist. She had been dancing on the verge of an emotional
outbreak all day now and this seemed to be just the push she
needed.

Janine Scully whispered, almost unnoticeably shaking her head at
the angry young woman who turned her head in frustration and sped
things up, positioning herself in front of Mary-Anne in the
mini-parade. Scully placed her arm around Sharons shoulder. She was
now softly sobbing.

Im so sorry She hick-upped, burying her head in Scullys neck.

I know, Sharon, its okay She soothed, and she motioned to Mary-Anne
to hold still for a few minutes.

The other two walked up to Scully and Sharon, and they all sat
down, staring at each other as if silently debating who would take
the lead here.

It was Scully.

Lets take a little break. She said, Its been a rough day for all of
us.

Sharon had stopped her crying and looked up, carefully avoiding eye
contact with Janine. Is this really useful? She began, Weve been
walking for hours, taking turn after turn, I lost count of how many
crossroads we have actually encountered by now. How will we ever
find our way back?

Janine raised her shoulders, letting some air escape from between
her lips. Whether we die in here, or in the big cave is all the
same to me, really.

Scully ignored that comment and watched Mary-Anne, who stood up. We
need to either find a way out, *or* some water. Sitting around
there in the dark doing nothing is certainly not going to get us
anywhere.

Thats right. Scully said. Well take a few minutes, and then well go
on, okay? They all nodded, immediately accepting her authority.

They sat there in silence for some time and then Sharon spoke
again. How long do you think it will take for the FBI to find us?

Scully shook her head lightly. Theres no way I can say that. It all
depends on how much they have been able to find out about Rob, if
they even know him, and whether or not they will have linked all of
our abductions to each other. But Im sure they are doing all they
can, and if Im right my partner will be in charge, youll never meet
a more driven person than him. If he cant find us, no one will.

Lets hope that he does then Janine muttered.

He will. Scully said determined. Best agent youll ever meet.

What do you say we get this moving again? Mary-Anne asked. They
nodded and stood up.

So, Dana, Janine began, walking alongside her Are you married or
something?

Scully smiled, looking at the ground. Im afraid not. To my work,
maybe.

Anyone else special?

Im not in a relationship, if thats what you mean.

Janine chuckled. Tender subject?"

Now it was Scullys time to chuckle. Unclear subject, I guess.

Ah...

They walked next to each other for a while when Janine resumed
speaking. Im married. Couple of months ago.

Scully looked up at her and smiled. Thats great. Im happy for you.
Youll be back with your husband soon, believe me.

Thanks

Dana?

Yes?

Is it your partner?

What? She looked up surprised.

The unclear subject, is it your partner?

Why do you say that?

Just guessing. Your voice seemed to turn kind of soft when you
spoke of him, so I figured

I see Scully sighed. I guesshes not a clear subject Lets leave it
at that, okay?

Janine nodded, grinning broadly, then her face grew serious and she
placed a hand on Scullys arm. Im sorry for picking on Sharon, Dana.
But I loved Susan, you know. This whole thing is kind of getting to
me.

Scully looked up and smiled. Dont apologize to me. Tell Sharon how
you feel, Shell understand. We need to stick together, no good in
fighting amongst our selves.

Janine nodded. I know Youre right. And with that she sprinted over
to Sharon, leaving Scully to notice how the two women spoke,
walking side by side.

Hours later they were still walking, all silent now from
exhaustion. The passages had turned in to other, even darker caves
than the one they had lived in for so long. The stone walls reached
up higher, the transformation from wall to ceiling no longer
visible, and the few words that were spoken echoed through the
underground system, their volume enhanced considerably, giving the
whole situation an even creepier atmosphere than it already
possessed.

The air was damp now, which meant that they were either buried in
the ground at great depth, or water was somehow nearby. Scully
prayed for the second explanation. Finding water now fresh water
could mean the difference between life and death for her and the
other women. They could do without food long enough, as long as
they drank sufficiently. The point now was to gain time, to keep
them selves alive until they were found.

*If* they would be found.

Even though she tried desperately to repress the thought, she
couldnt help but imagine the cruel possibility of spending the
remainder of her life in this darkness. No matter how much faith
she had in Mulder and the FBIs ability in general to track down
missing persons, she couldnt help but wonder what would happen if
they were left to rot here in this cave. God, she wasnt even sure
they would be able to return to the others. They had drifted so far
from them, exploring the passages; it would be hell trying to find
there way back. But still, water *had* to be nearby, the air was so
chilly here, and the cold walls could almost be described as moist;
even wishful thinking couldnt accomplish *that* effect. If only it
wasnt so fucking dark, then maybe she would be able to make a more
educated guess as to which way to follow whenever they had to
choose between two of the passages. Now they were just taking turns
deciding, not the most scientific method to go about these things,
but as good as anything at this time.

Sharon and Janine seemed to have patched things up. They were now
walking alongside each other, apparently chatting quite pleasantly.
Exchanging experiences and memories no doubt, those things being
the only possessions they had left at this time. Scully drove up
her pace until she reached Mary-Anne, who was still leading the
little group. She glanced at her side staring surprised at the
redheaded FBI-agent, startled from her sudden appearance next to
her.

Something wrong? She asked hesitantly.

Scully shook her head. No, I was just wondering how you were doing.

Mary-Anne raised her eyebrows. What do you mean?

Well this whole thing with Susan You two were pretty close, werent
you?

She nodded. Yes, we were

Neither of them spoke for a while, they just walked next to each
other, until Mary-Anne finally looked up, her chin in the air. Ill
never forget Susan. If she hadnt been here I would not be alive
today. I would have died from nothing but fear and sadness, but
Susan wouldnt let me. She aided me from the very first moment I
arrived here. She comforted me and taught me how to deal with this,
how to avoid going crazy. I loved her. We all did, and I wont allow
her death to be completely useless, we are going to get out of
this, and when we do Ill contact Susans family. Im gonna support
them in what is going to be the hardest time of their life, because
its the least I can do. Susan has brought us all so much, we owe
her this.

Scully stared at Mary-Anne, noticing the soft haze that slid over
her eyes. She made no effort to hold back the tears that were
waiting to stream down her face, and Scully gently placed a hand on
her arm, pulling her to a stop. Janine and Sharon caught up and
passed them quietly as they noticed Mary-Annes condition, leaving
them some privacy.

Scully felt slightly awkward at the situation, but finally wrapped
her arms around Mary-Anne, who began Sobbing violently now. Its
okay Scully whispered, stroking through the thick, blond hair. Its
okay

They stood there for some time, Mary-Anne desperately clinging on
to Scully, her sobs slowly fading as Scullys consoling words were
spoken. After a few minutes Scully pulled loose gently, about to
suggest theyd get moving again, but a loud shriek beat her to it.

Shocked they jerked up their heads and saw Sharon appearing out of
the dark, running and screaming hysterically. Her cries no doubt
traveling all the way back to the big cave they started their
journey from. Her eyes were bewildered, she cried and screamed as
if she was dying, and in her uncontrollable sprint she didnt even
seem to notice the two women standing there with their mouths and
eyes opened wide.

Sharon! Whats wrong? Scully asked, jumping in front of her to stop
her wild run. Sharon was hysterical and Mary-Anne had to grab her
shoulders, as Scully pulled her arms back, pleading for her to stay
calm, but she was out of control.

Sharon! They yelled at her, almost aggressively now. Calm down,
Sharon!

As Sharon slowly regained her senses, Janine came running towards
them as well. Dana! Mary-Anne! She addressed them frantically. Its
unbelievable!

What? Whats going on? Mary-Anne asked. Whats wrong with Sharon?

Janine bent over as she reached them, breathing heavily from the
run and she motioned the two women to be patient, catching her
breath.

Theyre dead! Sharon cried now. Theyre all dead! Oh God! All of
them!

What? Scully said. What are you talking about? Whos dead?

Dana, its horrible Janine panted. Come

She grabbed Scullys arm and dragged her along, closely followed by
Mary-Anne. Sharon remained where she was, falling down to her
knees, where she sat silently crying.

They ran through a long dark corridor for nearly five minutes and
then suddenly Janine stopped. She pointed at the entrance of
another big cave. There She said, carefully avoiding to look
inside. There they are

Taking a deep breath Scully walked in, Mary-Anne next to her. The
first thing she noticed was the sound of water, driven to stream by
a gentle breeze traveling through the cave.

But then she saw them, and she gasped in terror. Oh my God She
whispered, walking deeper in to the cave, her mouth had fallen open
as she looked at the dead women that lay scattered all through this
space. The pungent smell of rotting flesh greeted her quickly and
she covered her nose and mouth in disgust. A quick counting assured
her that they had not been the only ones abducted by Rob. At least
thirty bodies were there, some older than others, but all very much
deceased. They were piled up in small heaps all through the cave,
all naked and apparently unharmed, just dead.

Oh my God She whispered again.
______________________________________________________________

Im shocked, unable to speak. With my mouth hanging half-open I
stare at the tall man standing in my doorway. He strokes his
reddish thin hair nervously; searching for words that could break
the uneasy silence between us, but fails. I take a step backwards,
wondering if I should let him in. Wondering if I will be able to
speak to him in a civilized manner.

Bill? I say, my voice truly sounding surprised. Part of me wants to
scream at him, wants to knock him down and kick in his face until
he cries and begs for mercy. *You asshole! You took her to that
stupid dance and now shes gone! For years youve been accusing me of
ruining her life, of putting her in danger, but whos responsible
now, huh? If I lose her because of you Im going to kill you, you
fucking bastard!*

But I dont, naturally. Again I take a step back and look straight
at him.

What do you want?

Agent Mulder He starts. Can I, eh come in?

Can he? Do I want the man that has been bitching about my
relationship with Scully for years in my house? The man without
whom she would not be missing? I sigh deeply, realizing how
unreasonable Im being, how exactly like Bill himself, and then I
step aside to let him enter.

He walks inside and I follow him warily. I, eh Ive got something to
show you. He says as he turns to face me.

Whats that? I ask.

Something inside me is on edge, distrustful of this obviously not
at ease man, but I know how ridiculous Im being. Bill Scully might
be a complete horses ass. He might be a narrow-minded jerk who
interferes with things he hasnt got a damn thing to do with, but he
is Scullys brother above all that. No matter how he treats me,
there is no doubt in my mind that he loves her, and that he would
not do anything to slow down this investigation. I watch how he
reaches in to his coat pocket, digging around for something.
Finally he takes out his hand again, now holding an old, faded
photograph, which he hands me.

The picture shows Bill Scully sr., Captain Bill Scully, *my*
Scullys father. He is standing in his uniform, shoulder to shoulder
with another navy-captain, both smiling happily. Behind them there
are children running, and wives chatting pleasantly, younger
officers having fun with their girlfriends and with each other. It
is some kind of barbecue on a naval base, and I hold the picture up
to the light to get a closer look at it.

And then I see him.

Behind all these people laughing and eating is a young Robert
Grant, holding a glass of wine, observing the crowd. He is wearing
the same uniform as all the other young men, his hair clean-cut,
and his face smooth-shaven.

Is that? I begin to speak.

Robert Grant. Bill interrupts me. Thats his name, right?

I nod, still stunned.

When they showed me his picture I thought he looked familiar, but
they said that I had probably seen him at the dance. I knew that
that wasnt it, though, I didnt see him that night, but I was sure I
recognized his face.

From this picture alone? I ask warily.

Sort of He replies. That dance was for naval-officers and their
families only, but he was there, so I figured he had to be in the
navy, or at least have some knowledge on how it works, theres no
other way he could get in without being on the guest list.

Yes, we checked for that. I answer. As far as we could tell he was
never in the navy.

Not as Robert Grant, he wasnt.

I raise my eyebrows. But as someone else?

Bill nods and points at the young Robert Grant in the photograph.
That man is named Jonathan Ginney. This is one of my favorite
pictures of my father, the man he is standing next to is very
highly acclaimed, he served in several wars, and my dad was very
proud to meet him. Thats why I know this picture by heart, it used
to hang in our old living room. When I saw Grants face I knew I had
seen him before, so I searched in some old stuff my dad left me,
and found this photo.

How did you found out his real name? Im really amazed by this. Is
Scullys big bad brother actually turning out to be a pretty damn
good investigator? They keep surprising you, the people in that
family. As soon as I saw him I remembered a whole lot of things. He
caused quite a controversy, actually.

Now hes really gotten my attention.

What do you mean?

This picture was taking in 1977. Shortly after this, Ginney - or
Grant was dishonorably discharged from the navy. I dont know what
happened exactly, but a lot of rumors were spread around back then.
Apparently Ginney had been involved in some very dubious affairs.
His father was arrested for attacking and raping a considerable
number of women, and Ginney is rumored to have been aware of that
happening for years. His father took the women to their home, or a
place near there, and Ginney never even so much as tried to stop
him. When his father was arrested all of this got out and the navy
got rid of Ginney. By that time he didnt have it all together
anyway, or so I heard. He was mentally disturbed, so this was the
perfect excuse for the navy to dump him without having to arrange
an elaborate screening.

So he changed his name in order to get on with his life?

I guess.

I sit down on the couch, taking all this in. A whole new life to
check, new chances for success. I repress the urge to dance around
the room with joy. *Im gonna find her, Im gonna find her, Im gonna
find her* it races through my mind. I jump up to head for my car, I
need to check Jonathan Ginney right now, and I want to sprint
outside when I remember Bill Scullys presence.

Do you thank that information is useful? He asks.

I smile so wide Im afraid it will scare him. Yes. That is very
useful information. In fact it might be what leads us to her.

Thats good He sighs. Mulder, ehh He continues hesitantly. I just
wanted to say that Im, well Im very grateful for what youre doing.

I look at him, not-understanding. What do you mean? I ask.

Trying to find Dana. Ive asked to be informed about what went on
exactly, and all Ive heard was praise for the way youve handled
things up until now. I dont know precisely what you found, they
wouldnt tell me, but they did say youre putting all your time into
this. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate that. Ive
said things in the past that I had no right saying. I apologize for
that.

I wave my hand in the air. Thats okay. I mumble.

He stands there, his hands in his pockets, head awkwardly pointed
at the floor.

Well, Im, eh Im gonna go now. Youll let me know once youve found
anything, right?

I will. I say.

He turns and leaves my apartment, hurrying down the hall quickly. I
wonder if Bill Scully would be so forgiving if he knew what almost
happened in that hallway he is now passing through. The thought
strikes me as funny and I chuckle softly to myself. I wait a few
minutes and then leave as well, on my way to run a full background
check on Jonathan Ginney, filled with new hope.
______________________________________________________________

I watch absentmindedly how Sharon and Janine are pulling laps in
the small underground lake we uncovered. Well, its not so small
actually, but since we stepped in to an even greater darkness than
before Im unable to tell where this water ends. It could go on for
miles. I assume that is doesnt, though. It is a little easier to
feel safe when you can overlook the situation, if we were in
swimming in some underground sea, somehow I think that would be a
tad difficult.

Im sitting on the other side of the cave we are now in, still
shivering a bit from my own dip in the cold water, but I feel
great, all things considered. For the first time in weeks I am
clean; no more dirt or curdled blood sticking to my body, my
ravished evening dress fresh but very wet again, and no longer
reeking of sweat and God knows what else. I push a wet strain of
hair out of my face and smile as I see the two women splashing
water at each other, laughing like they are in a local swimming
pool instead of some godforsaken underground place.

When we found the bodies, it took Mary-Anne and me at least an hour
to calm Sharon down. The sight of decay and the smell of death were
too much for her to handle and she fell down to the ground, crying
hysterically. We dragged her out of the cave and stroked her hair,
soothing her with soft voices, while Janine was pacing up and down
the passage we were in, mumbling to her self to repress the
hysteria she felt welling up inside.

Finally Sharon regained control over her emotions and she sat in
Mary-Annes arms for a while, waiting for her body to stop
shivering. I stepped back, watching them, and suddenly I remembered
the first thing I had thought when I entered that cave of death.

The sound of water. It had been soft, but very clear, and I
instantly ran back in, motioning the others to stay where they
were.

I was amazed at myself as I walked passed the piles of corpses. I
of all people should have no trouble with death. I spend my days
slicing and dicing, cutting open those poor souls that land on my
examining table, but as I walked through that cave and I smelled
the unmistakable aroma of putrefaction, the nausea silently crept
up on me. Those bodies I perform autopsies on are somehow
incomparable to these dead women I was surrounded by. Theyre not
living beings, but organic, lifeless things, hiding a wide variety
of mysteries, dark secrets that biology has created for us. As I
cut into their cold flesh, nothing reminds me of a human being, not
even vaguely. Its just a source of information, nothing more.

But this All these women, all death from dehydration, starvation
All these women that spent such a long time in the same situation
that Im in now, all of them full of hope of being saved no doubt,
but instead they died. One by one.

For a few seconds I was overcome with emotions. If I had followed
my most primal instincts at that moment, I would have fallen down
on my knees and cried for hours on end. For the very first time I
think I felt true desperation, the possibility of dying there in
that cave hit me full in the face and I turned around to run back
to the others as fast as I could.

I didnt do it, though. I stood there for some time, taking a couple
of deep breaths and then I directed my eyes at the ceiling,
avoiding facing the horrors around me, and I walked to the other
end of the cave.

There was a small passage again, very narrow and unbelievably even
darker then the others. I entered and walked for maybe five
minutes, and then there was another huge cave, the one we are in
now. I looked around, letting my eyes adjust to the renewed lack of
light, until finally I heard it again.

Water.

I sprinted in the direction the sound came from and found the lake.
I could have danced with joy at this life-saving discovery, and I
raced back to the others in a matter of minutes.

Naturally we were all overjoyed, we drank and bathed and then
decided to get all of the others, but that turned out to be harder
than we thought. We decided that Mary-Anne and Sharon would stay in
the cave I didnt want to put Sharon through another ordeal like
before and Janine and myself would go back. So thats what we did.
We walked for hours taking turn after turn, until finally we
somehow arrived back with Mary-Anne and Sharon and that delicious
water. We tried again, and again after that, but for some reason it
turned out to be impossible to find our way back to where we
originally began our journey. The only change in our searches was
the fact that each time we went out it was harder to get back to
the two women that we left behind, so eventually we gave up. For
the time being, that is. Splitting up the already small group we
were in seemed like a bad idea and thats why we are now sitting
here, just the four of us.

Sharon climbs out of the water, still giggling from her fight with
Janine, and walks towards the wet clothes she has spread out on the
ground to dry. She picks up her still soaking jeans and raises her
eyebrows in an overly dramatic way as the water drips on the floor.
Great. She mumbles, but her tone of voice betrays her actual
amusement.

Well, at least theyre clean. I call out to her and she turns around
to face me before walking up to me.

Yeah, I guess thats something. She giggles.

She sits down next to me and points at Mary-Anne, who is crawled up
behind me, sound asleep. Thats cute. She smiles, and I nod.

Janine joins us and we sit and talk for some time, and - as weird
as it may sound - Im actually really enjoying myself. Just chatting
with some girls has been ages ago for me, and against my own
expectations I do like this a lot.

Janine is telling us all about her marriage, about her husbands
completely unoriginal, but very romantic proposal underneath the
Eiffel Tower, and about her cute little niece who was a bridesmaid
at her wedding. Its so girlish, we all laugh and say ah at the
right times, were taking turns sharing secrets, and before I
realize what Im doing Im answering questions about the man in my
life.

You got a thing for him, Dana, I can tell by the way you spoke of
him earlier. Janine is grinning at me, trying to drag the
information out of me.

Is he cute? Sharon asks eagerly.

I look at her and smile back at the both of them. Yes, hes cute,
and no, I do not have a *thing* for him.

You so do.

I so do not. And if you knew him youd know why. Hes not exactly
thing-material.

Gay?

I suddenly get the image of Mulder in a loving position with
Frohike in my head, and a loud cry of laughter escapes me. No, not
gay. I chuckle. I cant really explain it, hes unusual.

Ah. Janine says meaningfully. Thats the best kind. The more
anti-social, the better in bed. Its like shoe sizes.

Im still laughing and soon they join me, the three of us rolling
over the floor over something not even that funny. It is indeed
like Im back in back high school again. For minutes not a sane word
comes from our lips, only hysterical hick-ups and giggles, but
after a while we manage to somewhat regain ourselves, and I sit up
straight again.

You want to know what he is? What we are? They both nod in
agreement. I swallow and without thinking about it the words come
flowing out of my mouth. Weve worked together for six years,
getting to know each other inside out. If we had met under
different circumstances, we would never have gotten any kind of
relationship at all. We come from different worlds, and look at
life in different ways. But we had no choice now, we were stuck
with each other, and so we tried to make the best of it. And we got
close against all odds, overlooking everything that stands between
us, and now I can not imagine a life without him. I dont know if
thats a thing, as you call it, or love. Im not sure its friendship
either. I believe that there isnt a word that could classify what
we have. Im not necessarily hoping that we will get together or
anything, but at the same time I cant stand the thought of ever
again starting something with another man. Somehow we are linked
together, a bond that no one but us can break, and that lasts
forever.

Youre right, that doesnt sound like a thing at all. Thats good
old-fashioned true love. Janine grins.

Again I smile.

Maybe. I dont know. Like I said, its unidentifiable. Hes very
important to me.

Obviously.

I feel Im beginning to blush and nervously I face both of them in
turn. Lets move on now, shall we?

They stop pushing me - thank God and we see how Mary-Anne is waking
up. Morning sleepyhead. Sharon smiles as she joins us.

Anything happen?

Nothing.

Oh.

We resume our pleasant chat and fill in Mary-Anne on the earlier
conversations and revelations. For a couple of hours we sit there,
now and then walking over to the water for a little sip, talking
and gossiping about people only one of knows.

And then I hear it; some kind of noise coming from deep within the
system of dark passages, people calling. I jump up and run towards
the exit of this particular cave. Come on! I yell over my shoulder.
Its help!
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Reaching new highs in the all time history of frustration Mulder
stormed out of the little wooden cottage, aggressively making his
way through the high grass of the neglected, rectangular lawn. He
paced up and down, pushing aside the hip-high weeds that surrounded
him, while driving his nails in to the palms of his hands until
they seemed to dig brutally through his flesh.

Inside the shack the SWAT team was busy searching the few rooms the
place consisted of, their consecutive 'clear'-yelling stating the
obvious: not a soul had set foot in that place since Kennedy was
shot. Or somewhere around that time.

A young agent, dressed in the all-to-familiar dark blue FBI jacket,
appeared on the threshold, his shoulders slumped apologetically.
"Nothing, Sir. Not a sign of Grant or any of the women." He said
regretfully.

"Well then you're not fucking trying hard enough!" Mulder exploded.
"I want this entire forest turned inside out, I don't care if you
have to cut down every goddamn tree in it, get your men to lift
themselves off their asses and in to those woods!"

Hesitating for a few short moments the agent stared at the now
purple coloured SAC, but then decided it was best to obey here. He
turned and walked back in to the cabin, ready to assembly his men
for a thorough search of a couple of hundred acres of thick,
impenetrable forest. So much for being home around dinner time.

Mulder felt his heart racing towards a new speed record, blind rage
at no one in particular making him deaf for any sounds and immune
against any rational thoughts that tried to convince him that
keeping his calm in this situation would really be the best thing
to do. He shook his head, like it would matter somehow, shutting
his eyes to block those tears from showing up uninvited again. This
was so fucking unbelievably turning out to be a worse-case-scenario
if there ever was one. Only one, *ONE* address was found for
Jonathan Ginney. Grant had been so good in changing his identity,
Mulder had been unable to find any record for Ginney. The little
house they were now investigating was Ginney's fathers, the rapist,
but other than that there was nothing useful that the discovery of
Grant's alter ego had brought them. The shack was empty, and with
that so was the supply of resorts to turn to in this desperate
search for that one person without whom not just one life would be
lost.

*Fuck, Scully. Why did you go to that fucking dance with that
jackass brother? Why did you not carry a gun and shoot the son of a
bitch on the spot? And why did I drag you in to all of this? Why
has that one event, that one man that I believed and encouraged,
who took you and threw you in the claws of a fate I couldn't have
dreamed about in my most frightening nightmares, marked the rest of
your life. Why did I condemn you to tragedy and pain until
eternity? Did I finally kill you now? Is this the end, is my work
done?*

He was about to sink down on his knees and cry when soft footsteps
came up behind him. "Mulder..." The deep low voice said, and he
turned around to look at Skinner. "It's not over yet." He said,
placing his hand on Mulders arm.

He looked at the tall, bald man before him, thinking about a
fitting answer, but his mind had gone blank. He focussed on the
AD's face and then answered clinically: "Isn't it?"

"The forest is big, Mulder, and we'll lift every brick until every
last inch is searched. They have to be here somewhere, and we'll
find them."

Mulder forced a smile, a sign of appreciation at Skinners attempt
to cheer him up, but he knew those words were complete bullshit.
These woods were indeed huge, and even if they searched for days in
a row, every last inch could never be checked. They might be only
20 feet away from Scully and never know it.

He turned around and walked back up to the house, followed closely
by Skinner. The interior was sober, no furniture except for an old
brown couch and a damaged coffee table. He walked over to a corner
that someday had functioned as a kitchen and opened one of the
drawers, rummaging through some of the junk that had been casually
thrown in there.

"They've checked all that..." Skinner said.

Mulder didn't answer, instead he closed the drawer and headed for
what could be cynically referred to as the master bedroom. There
was a big, but apparently ancient bed that pretty much filled the
space they were in, a thick layer of dust spread out over the
smudgy sheets. He looked around the room and then left, entering
the next, where the same routine was performed; a look around, and
exit.

"Mulder..." Skinner said forcefully, but kind. "All of this has
been done. You won't find anything in here. If you want to search
for her, go outside."

Mulder ignored the AD completely, now inspecting the last room,
where another bed - a single - was collecting dust. A small closet
stood in the corner and as if drawn to it he hurried in it's
direction, opening the two doors to be greeted by nothing but four
empty shelves. He sighed out loud, but held his breath when he
spotted a tiny piece of white paper. "Look..." He said, more to him
self than anyone else, but as Skinner ran up to him he took out the
paper and unfolded it.

/181679/

"What do you think it is?" Skinner asked.

Mulder shrugged. "I don't know, maybe something we can use..." He
pushed the note in to his coat pocket, and began to make his way
out of the room, but stood still halfway, his eyes looking up as if
he heard something.

"What is it?"

"I don't...know..."

He turned, eyes on the ground, and slowly walked back, placing his
feet on the same spots of the wooden floor as before, his finger
lifted in the air, demanding complete silence. Skinner held his
breath watching him, his eyes questioning, but there was no answer,
no explanation.

Then Mulder suddenly stood still. "Here." He said and kneeled down,
placing his ear against the sandy wood.

"What?"

Mulder tapped the wooden boards softly with his knuckles, using his
other hand to motion Skinner to sit down beside him. "Listen..." He
said.

Arching his eyebrows, Skinner slowly walked up to him and sat down
on the ground, watching closely as Mulder knocked on the floor a
little louder. His eyes grew big. "It's hollow..."

Mulder smiled faintly and looked up. "Yeah. Give me hand opening
this up, will you."

"How do you suppose we do that?"

"You wouldn't happen to have a crow bar on you, do you?" Mulder
asked dryly, his fingers trying frantically to slip between two of
the boards.

"Not right now, I'm afraid."

"Shit." Mulder sat up straight, thinking. He looked down at the
solid floor and then up at Skinner, whose expression was as blank
as his own. Then - without any words - he took out his gun and shot
a hole in the floor.

"Mulder!" Skinner tried, but was too late even before the first
syllable had left his mouth.

"Help me." Mulder said, and he stuck his hands in the hole,
carefully pulling the first board out. Skinner waited for a moment,
still a little hazed from the sudden shot, but then bent forward to
firmly grab the second board and he pulled it loose.

As the hole grew bigger and bigger the outlines of a small, dark
passage appeared and after fifteen minutes Mulder could finally fit
himself in to the hole, making his way through the narrow passage
on his hands and feet, Skinner following closely. After a while of
crawling, just before their limbs were getting cramped, the ceiling
traveled up higher, until they could easily stand up straight.

"What the hell is this?" Skinner asked no one in particular as they
walked through complete darkness with nothing but Mulder's tiny
flashlight to guide their way.

"It's cold stone." Mulder said, touching one of the walls "Looks
like the entrance to a cave or something."

After a few minutes they arrived at a junction. "Left or right?"
Mulder asked. Skinner shrugged, they exchanged looks and finally
decided to go left.

The left passage wasn't too long and after only a few minutes they
encountered an unlocked door. Mulder opened it and was instantly
blinded by the bright light of day, and the amazed looks of three
agents, who were - as was instructed - thoroughly inspecting the
area.

"Agent Mulder?" One of them exclaimed dumbly, but Mulder was too
exited to call him on that.

"Get a few men over here." He ordered. "I think we've found
something."

Without waiting for the adequate back-up Mulder and Skinner
returned to the darkness, now joined by two of the agents, the
other one assembling a small team that would follow soon. They
reached the junction again and now proceeded to travel in the other
direction, until eventually a big steel gate appeared. Skinner
fumbled with the lock for a while, but nothing happened. Then he
noticed the little plate of buttons.

"Mulder, have you still got that piece of paper?"

Mulder dug around in his pocket for a while, searching for the
note. He pulled it out and walked past Skinner towards the gate.

1... 8... 1... 6... 7... 9...

For a few seconds nothing happened, the little red light stayed
inexorably red, but just as Mulder was about to let a new stream of
R-rated words flow out of his his mouth, the harsh red turned in to
what must have been the nicest shade of green he had ever layed
eyes upon. With a soft click the lock sprung open and they pushed
through the big doors. Mulder sped up now, running through the long
dark passage, the small ray of light flying up and down as he tried
to take something of his surroundings in as he raced forward.

The way was long, but straight, no turns or junctions, and as they
travelled farther they began to hear the voices, voices of women
talking. Mulder peeked over his shoulder at Skinner. "This is it!"
He said joyfully and he drove up his speed a little more, the
little group following him closely. Finally the passage grew wider
and they entered a big cave.

"It's help!"

The women in the cave jumped to their feet and came running up to
the small group of federal agents that had magically appeared to
save the day.

"Oh, thank God, we're saved!" One of them cried out, and they
swormed around the four men.

"We're with the FBI." Skinner said firmly. "You will all be fine."

Mulder ran past the women, searching the place desperately for
*her*, but found nothing. He came running back and grabbed one of
the women by her shoulders forcefully.

"Is Dana Scully here? Do you know her?" He asked with a shaky
voice.

*Please God, please let her be here! I can't have been wrong all
this time, she must be here along with the other women!*

"Yes." The woman said. "Then where is she?" Mulder said
impatiently. "Why isn't she here?"

"Mulder..." He heard Skinner warn, but ignored it.

The woman looked as if she would start to cry. God knows how long
she had been locked up in this darkness; having some rude FBI-agent
scream at you when you're rescued must be tough. He couldn't help
himself though. The wait had taken long enough and he was fed up
with it now.

"We split up in groups..." The woman stottered. "To find a way out.
But four of us never returned..."

"Is Scully one of those four?"

"Yes. And Mary-Anne, and Janine, and Sharon."

"And you have no idea where they are?"

*Fuck!fuck!fuck!*

She pointed at one of the fourteen passages that came out in this
cave. "They went that way."

Mulder let go of the poor woman and ran in the direction of the
passage she had pointed out.

"Mulder!" Skinner called out. "It must be a maze in there, we need
to wait for back-up before we get ourselves in trouble!"

Mulder ignored him again and disappeared in to the darkness without
speaking a word. Letting out a huge sigh Skinner ordered the two
men to bring the women to safety and then he followed Mulder.

"Agent Mulder!" He yelled, in hope that the speeding agent would
slow down a little. He cought up and they walked side by side
through the darkness, following the thin ray the flashlight sent
out for them.

For hours they walked, sometimes speaking a little, but mostly in
silence. Mulder let out deep sighs after every turn they took that
led to more empty darkness, and Skinner debated internally if he
should speak soothing words to the agent walking next to him, or if
he should just leave it be. He decided to the latter, so not a word
was spoking for hours on end, untill Mulder finally held still,
like he had done in the house when he discovered the hollow space
underneath the floor, and he looked up again, listening.

"Do you hear that?" He whispered.

Skinner held his breath and strained to hear anything.

There it was, very soft and faint, but undeniable.

"Sounds like water..." He said.

"Uh-huh... Besides that..."

Mulder took a few steps forward and placed his ear against the
wall.

He was right. It was there. Streaming water, but something else to,
something even softer, unexpected.

Voices...

A smile broke out on his face and again he started to run.
"Scully?!" He called out. "Scully, are you there?!" There was no
answer and he kept on running, untill finally, *finally*, he
entered another big cave. He stared up at the high ceiling, amazed
at how deep under the ground they must be, and called out her name
again. "Scully!"

Nothing.

Skinner had cought up once more and was inspecting the space they
were in. "Mulder. Take a look at this." He said with a
pain-stricken voice.

Mulder walked up to him and gasped uncontrollably when he saw the
stacks of bodies that were spread all over the place.

"Jesus..." He mumbled. Panick-driven he ran close to them,
inspecting each of the dead women's faces, making sure she wasn't
one of them. Violantly he dug through the piles of corpses,
throwing them to the floor, carefully studying their physique,
their expression. "Mulder..." Skinner tried to reason, but knew how
useless that effort would be.

Suddenly a loud voice sounded behind them. "We're saved!"

They jumped up and turned around to stare at the other end of the
cave, where a small blond woman came running towards them. "Dana,
Mary-Anne, Janine! It's help!"

*Dana. She said Dana. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, she said Dana!*

Immediately another woman appeared from around the dark corner, a
brunette who ran straight to Mulder and wrapped herself around him,
crying hysterically. "Oh, thank you, Lord! Thank you so much!" She
cried out, burying her face against his chest, her nails digging
themselves in to his back as she clutched on to him, but he could
not comfort her, he could only look at the other side of the cave.

There she was.

Walking next to another woman, Scully appeared from the darkness
like a vision, a faint smile on her face as she held hands with the
woman next to her, slowly making their way up to their saviours.
The woman with Scully let go of her hand - her beautiful soft hand
- and came running towards the two men as well. Mulder politely
tapped the sobbing mess clinging on to him on her back, fighting
off the urge to throw her to the ground and run up to the one thing
that mattered here. The one person that all of this had been for.
At that moment Skinner gently placed a hand on Sharon's shoulder,
leading her away from Mulder and soothing her with soft words,
letting the agent do what he had to do.

Scully had stopped a few feet away from them, watching how the
three women were saying their prayers and thanking Skinner over and
over again. She slowly directed her gaze at the man that stood
there silently, watching her closely, taking her in completely as
if he had forgotten what she looked like.

The almost unnoticable smile was still there, and when she spoke
her voice was soft and comforting. "What took you so long?"

He smiled and looked at the floor quickly, before focussing on her
again. The green rag she was wearing was drenched with blood and
other stains, and her cheeks were covered with dirt, her entire
body was. God, she looked so thin, so exhausted, and he knew it
wouldn't be long before he started crying.

"You know me..." He replied softly. "Busy, busy, busy..." She
nodded, still smiling, and then she walked up to him, wrapping her
arms around him without saying another word.

He buried his face in her hair and felt the hot tears forming in
his eyes, but did nothing to stop them.

"Oh, Scully..." He whispered, and he stroked her hair as he felt
her crying against his chest, hanging on to him as if her life
depended on it.

Behind them back-up had arrived, and the three women were being
examined by the paramedics already. One of the men walked up to
Mulder and Scully, ready to treat her wounds, but before he could
reach them, Skinner grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back. "You
can do that later." He whispered. "Take these women out of here."

With a smile on his face Skinner watched how his two agents cried
as they held eachother, softly whispering words in each others
ears, gently kissing and stroking each others hair. He turned
around and walked out of the room, giving them some privacy, until
they finally joined him, and the three of them made their way out
of the darkness, back in to the light.
______________________________________________________________

Epilogue
______________________________________________________________

I'm willing to go on
but not alone Not now
I'm so aware of everything
but nothing seems for real
And as long as you're in front of me
then I'll watch the fingers of our hands
And I'm grateful that it's me
Holding on and on
I believe in me

K's Choice - Believe
______________________________________________________________

I glance over at Scully sitting next to me, her head leaning
carefully against the car window, staring out at the trees that fly
by as we speed across the silent country road.

She doesn't say a word. She hasn't since I picked her up at her
apartment barely an hour ago and neither have I. Her silence drives
me crazy, but I can't seem to break it myself at this point, I'm so
insecure about the situation I am now in that I have no idea how to
even begin a conversation with that silent figure in the passenger
seat.

We're on our way to Robert Grant's house. Or Jonathan Ginney's,
whichever you prefer.

Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. She called me this afternoon
and came straight to the point. "I want you to take me back to the
place." she said.

I was stunned, as you can imagine. It hasn't been three weeks since
she was released from that cave; only three weeks ago what must
have been one of the biggest nightmares of her life ended, and now
she's asking me to hop in a car and drive back there for God knows
what reason.

Of course I tried to reason with her. I asked her repeatedly why
she wanted this and if she was sure that she would be able to
handle facing that horror so soon again. But she couldn't answer
me. She couldn't explain why she felt the need to go back, she just
did. And it wasn't like she begged me or anything, she wasn't
hanging on the phone in tears, working on my conscience and
compassion to give in to her. She simply stated her wish to me. "I
want you to take me back to the place." And if I had refused, that
would have been it. She wouldn't have tried to convince me, or talk
me in to it, she would have simply hung up the phone, and gotten
into her car. And she would have done it alone.

And that's why I'm here. Not because I think this is a good idea, I
don't. I think going back to that place is going to bring back
memories and emotions she hasn't had time to deal with yet and this
is going to affect her more than she is willing to admit right now.
Contrary to popular belief she is not superwoman, this is
inevitably going to hurt.

I'm here because she is doing it no matter what, and if Scully is
hell-bent on traveling down the bumpy road, I will not allow her to
do so alone like all those times before. I will be there when the
hit comes and I will catch her this time. This time she is not
going to be alone.

The thick tree line of the forest is appearing on the horizon and
out of the corner of my eyes I see her gaze directing itself in
that direction. I push up the speed a little and race towards it.

I'm ready to get this over with.

We drive through thick vegetation for at least two hours, my senses
working overtime as they try to recall which path to take, but as
if lead by a higher force we succeed at the first try, and before I
really know it the car has pulled to a stop in front of the little
wooden house where it all started from.

"This is it..." She whispers and I try to meet her gaze.

"You don't have to do this..." I say, but - as I knew she would -
she opens the door and steps out of the car. I take a deep breath
and then follow her example.

She has begun to make her way over to the door, but stands still on
the porch where she turns around to face me.

"Mulder..." she begins, "Would you mind waiting out here? I need to
do this alone..." She says it in that soft, but determined voice.

Oh no, Scully, don't do this, not again. Don't push me away, let me
be there for you. I can. I want to. I can't stand to see you
hurting alone, not anymore. I want to scream it at her, I want to
fall to my knees and grab her by the leg, begging her to accept my
support, but I'm frozen. The coldness of her words, the admittance
that - as always - she does not need me, not even now, has silenced
me completely. So I nod and walk back to the car as she opens the
door and enters the cottage.
______________________________________________________________

The wooden floor creeks as I step over the threshold and enter the
small house. The traces of a thorough FBI-investigation are still
visible - to the trained eye, that is - and it almost seems as if
this is somebody's peaceful summer cabin I'm going to spent a
lovely weekend in. Of course I don't really believe that, in fact
I'm painfully aware of the history that clings to this house.
Mulder has told me the stories about the women that were raped and
murdered here and strangely enough that knowledge was somehow
comforting to me. It makes what happened to us seem not so bad
compared to it.

I look around the small living room. The worn-out brown couch, the
old coffee table, the kitchen, they're all reminders of Rob. The
thought that he once sat on that couch, that he slept in one of the
tiny bedrooms that come out into this room, throws me completely.
The memory of him seems so unreal now, a figure from another world
that descended from above every now and then to bring us food and
water. Dead now.

That scene has played itself out in my head over a thousand times.
Sharon's hysterical attack and Rob pulling that gun, Susan jumping
in front of it. It had all happened so fast, within three seconds
the entire tragedy had occurred, but in my mind it all happens in
slow motion, every detail still clear as if I imagined them myself.

But I haven't. Susan is dead and so is Rob.

I think of what Mary-Anne has told me, about approaching Susan's
family to help them in coping with their loss. I wonder if she has
gone ahead with that. I'm almost sure she has, Mary-Anne would not
be able to live with herself if she didn't do whatever she could to
somehow give meaning to her friend's death. I can't though. I want
to put this all behind me as soon as I can and coming here this
last time is going to have to help me in doing so. I hate the word
'closure', it means nothing and yet everybody uses it these days,
but it's the only thing I can think of right now. When we were
saved everything happened so hasty, we were dragged out of the cave
at the speed of light and transported to a hospital immediately,
unable to look back and let the realization of it being over sink
in.

It was good to be home. It was nice to take a long warm bath, turn
on the lights in my apartment and to hear the soothing sound of my
mothers voice again. It was good to feel Mulders arms around me and
the warmth of his tears against my cheek, and that first night I
wanted nothing more than for him to stay with me and talk to me
until dawn. I wanted to cuddle up against him like I used to do
with my father after he came back from his long journeys when I was
young, and I wanted to have him whisper calming words in my ear.
And he would have. He asked me a hundred times if I was alright, if
I didn't want him to stay, but I simply couldn't say it. I couldn't
admit it and I still don't know why. I have no idea why I refuse
his comfort time after time, I just know that something inside me
refuses me that pleasure, something I cannot disobey, so he left
that night, like so many nights before.

But I didn't get a chance to think things true, to really decide
for myself what had happened and what I needed to do to get over it
as soon as possible, which is why I'm here now. I know it doesn't
make a whole lot of sense, but I just had to, that's all I can say
about it.

I slowly walk past the bedrooms, the kingsize bed still covered in
a thick layer of dust. I stand still on the threshold for a minute
and stare at it. How many women had died in that bed? Flashes of
every attack I've had to endure in my life appear before my mind's
eye - Eugene Tooms, Donny Pfaster, Duane Barry, all of them - and
shocked I take an abrupt step backwards. Settle down, Dana... You
can do this...

I'm there. The room that leads to the huge underground system I've
come to know so well. Hesitantly I walk inside, heading straight
towards the big hole in the floor where Mulder and Skinner tore
away the boards to gain access. I kneel down and stare at the
closed door behind which an entirely different world lies. It's
hard to believe that we were so close to civilization all those
weeks, separated from it by nothing but a gate and a wooden door.

Shit. Behind this door is that darkness. That fucking darkness that
drove me absolutely crazy, and I can't get myself to open it, to
face it. I'm pathetic.

I remain there on my knees for a few minutes, my eyes glued to the
door. All I need to do is reach out and I will be able to grab the
handle and open it, laughing loudly in the face of every single one
of my demons as I bravely walk inside, blind to the darkness and
memories that await me there.

Come on. Just open the door, walk inside, and all of this will be
in the past. It's not that hard...

I smile bitterly. *Yes, you just keep telling yourself that and
maybe one day you'll believe it. This IS fucking hard. Too hard,
and there is no way in hell that this door is going to be opened
today. Not by you, in any case. Because you're coward. Dana Scully
is a fucking coward.*

I get up and make my way over to the exit with controlled,
aggressive steps. I have no idea what on earth I was thinking
coming here, but whatever it was I am very sorry about it now.
Whatever strength I thought I had inside me to guide me through
this has apparently left through the back door unnoticed, seeing
how I'm chickening out here, absolutely terrified.

As I step back on to the porch Mulder immediately starts to walk
towards me, but he stops halfway. He sees it in my eyes of course.
I dragged him out here, only to prove to myself that I am a coward.

"Did you...?" He asks hesitantly. I shake my head. "No.... I
couldn't..."

Oh shit, I think I'm going to cry... Not here, not now... It's bad
enough to have Mulder see me fail like this, please God, don't let
me cry in front of him as well...

I direct my eyes to the ground and slowly fall down on one of the
stairs that lead on to the porch, my head resting in my hands,
praying for the tears not to come. He is still standing there a few
feet away, staring at me. But then he begins to make his way over
to me. Surprised I look up as he carefully climbs the stairs and
sits down next to me.

"Scully..." He begins. "You came here... You chose to come here
yourself, do you know how much courage it takes to wilfully come
back to a place you have nothing but bad memories of? Do you know
how many people wouldn't even dream of doing that?"

I look at him, not-understanding, but he continues before I can say
anything.

"Being here with me doesn't change that fact, and not going inside
that cave doesn't either. What matters is that you are not running
away from this. You have confronted it by coming here, you are
dealing with it. And if you are not comfortable with going further
than this then you shouldn't do it. That doesn't make you a
failure, or less strong. It makes you human."

Again that bitter smile appears on my face. "Mulder... I couldn't
even come here on my own. I needed my 'watchdog' with me, like I do
always. I am not so strong as you like to think..." He sighs deeply
and smiles back at me.

"Scully, doing everything alone isn't what makes a person strong.
Anyone can keep their feelings bottled up. *That's* the easy part.
Going out and telling other people about what you feel is the real
struggle. There's nothing harder than admitting you need help, I
know that, and you hate to do it, but you can't solve every problem
on your own. There will be times in your life when you need the
support, that's something you'll have to realize sooner or later. I
just hope it's sooner for your sake." "Yes..." I mumble. "That all
sounds very nice in theory...."

Yes, that was below the belt, I know. But that unreachable part of
me still won't allow me to do as he says. I Cannot simply break
down and pour out my heart here, it's not who I am. It's not what I
do.

Silently I stare at the dark trees that surround us, listening to
the soft, distant sound of a lonely car traveling down that same
abandoned road we took to come here.

Mulder has given up on me. He rises and towers over me for a few
seconds, staring at that same tree line. I'm sure he is going to
walk to the car and sit there, waiting until I'm ready to leave,
and he will most likely not say another word to me all night. Who
could blame him really...

But he doesn't. Instead of walking back he turns around, moving a
few steps up the stairs, where he sits down again, behind me this
time. His long legs still reaching the ground on both sides of me.
He stretches his arms and very gently pulls me back, until I lean
against his chest.

Oh my God.

"Mulder..?" I say, but he makes a soft 'shhshing'-sound and wraps
his arms around me, letting them rest on my stomach, softly
whispering something in my ear. I'm too shocked to hear it though,
I'm crushing my brain trying to figure out what the hell he is
doing.

"Try not too think so much..." He whispers, his lips hovering
closely to my left ear. I can feel his soft breath sliding over my
cheek.

"What...?" My voice sounds dizzy, his warmth behind me and the ferm
grip he has on me make me feel drunk almost, it's as if I can feel
my brain slowing down.

"Just go with it, Scully... Don't think, just do... Act on your
instincts..." He whispers in that low, hoarse voice.

My lips begin to move, trying to formulate another highly
articulate 'wha...?', but then I feel it. Very slowly his hands
move over my stomach, drawing small circles, his fingers carefully
pressuring my flesh as they move, teasing the edge of my
belly-button ever so lightly.

Oh dear God in heaven....

Very gently he plants a kiss on my temple, letting his lips slowly
slide down to my jaw line, drawing it's soft, wet trail there. This
can't be real. I tell my self it over and over again. This cannot
be real. His lips enclose themselves around the soft flesh in my
neck, gently sucking, causing my blood to rise, lingering there for
what must be minutes. Jesus... I'm actually getting a Fox
Mulder-hickey....

His right hand has wondered off now, travelling down my body
rapidly. I have to get up, smack him maybe, anything to get out of
here, but right as I decide to actually do so his hand reaches the
edge of my pants and slips in.

Oh Mary Sweet Mother of Jesus....

He's touching me. My partner, my friend, my Mulder is touching me
where I haven't been touched in God-knows-how-long, and I dare say
even he won't remember. My back has arched itself, the stairs
uncomfortably pressing against me, but it's the least of my
worries.

I know I just moaned softly and I know that there is no way Mulder
didn't hear it. We must be in the fucking twilight zone or
something.

"Mulder...don't..."

Almost a cohesive sentence, we're getting there, finish it, Dana,
this has to stop, say it.

But he shhs-es me again and makes a sudden move between my legs,
destroying whatever hopes I had to put a hold on this. Shit... Why
is he so fucking good at this?

Very gently he pushes a finger inside me, his thumb continuing the
slow circular movements on my clit, and he slowly begins to move
within.

I moan again and receive a light kiss on my cheek as a result. The
continuous movements of his skilled fingers are sending cold
shivers through my veins, making my hairs stand on end all over,
and I'm shocked to discover my hands are now enclosing both his
arms, following the movements as one of them caresses my belly and
the other works it's magic at my core. My head limply rests again
his slowly heaving chest, his now full grown erection barely
touching my back.

Oh God... This isn't happening...

I'm breathing heavily, my fingers lightly tickling his upperarms as
he increases his speed and I groan softly.

But then he pulls back. His right hand appears in sight again,
leaving my throbbing and wanting center and I want to protest, but
before I can Mulder takes my hand in to his and guides it back
down.

"We'll do it together..." He whispers hoarsely, "Not just me, not
just you... Both of us..." And before I can respond he presses my
finger down and starts to move my hand in that similar fashion as
his did earlier. His finger stroking me next to my own, parallel to
each other and a shudder shoots through my spine at this
unbelievable double contact.

Tiny kisses still rain down on my face, sweet words sounding in my
ear. He again increases speed, softly forcing my hand to move
faster, slipping both of our fingers inside, and I'm getting so
incredibly close to something I haven't experienced in such a long
time I'm surprised I recognize the feeling at all.

"Mulder..." It escapes my lips so softly, it's nothing but a
whimper, but he reacts to it immediately and drives up his forceful
speed once more.

"Just go with it, Scully..." He whispers again and now we both
speed up, and what I'm feeling is no longer centrated between my
legs. It rapidly spreads itself all through my lower body, an
unnatural warmth, travelling down my legs, to my stomach, my
breasts, my arms, my brains, and I feel a tear welling up from the
total loss of control I'm experiencing and it feels so fucking
good.
______________________________________________________________

She's taking over now. Her hand no longer guided by mine, but
moving along with it simultaneously, taking the lead slowly but
determined. Her breathing consists of short, loud gasps and her
warm body is pressing against me, painfully rubbing my throbbing
erection. God, I want to make love to her, flip her over and be
completely one with her, but I have to restrain myself, this isn't
about me, it's about her, and she is really getting the idea here.
Faster and faster she moves, thrusting her and my finger inside her
wetness, pushing deep and rapid, until she finally collapses. Her
body shoots up in a spasmic jerk, head thrown back, and she lands
back against my chest heaving and gasping from the sudden explosion
inside. For a moment she stays like this, her muscles still tense,
breathing heavily, but then I feel her relax against me, her clammy
body softly laying backwards, head resting against my chest.

We are silent for some time. It's not until after what must be at
least 5 minutes that she whispers in a husky voice.

"Oh my God..."

I can't help it, but that makes me burst out in a fit of
un-controllable laughter. I made Dana Scully whisper the name of
the Lord in the afterglow, now that's an achievement if I ever had
one...

She breaks free from me and stands up, looking semi-offended, her
arms folded in front of her chest, eyebrows frowned in classic
Scullystyle. Still giggling - I can't think of another word to use
- I stare up at her, trying to get my expression back to it's
normal state, but I get stuck on a big cocky smile.

"You okay?" I say, and I know I'm having a far to evil twinkle in
my eyes right now.

She gives me that deadly look I always get, but then lets a big,
beautiful smile light up her still rosy face and her arms drop
down.

"I'm fine, thank you." She answers.

"Good." I say, a little more serious now.

She looks over my head at the closed door of Grants abandoned
cottage. I turn around and look in the same direction for a second,
immediately directing my gaze back at her. Her eyes are focussed on
the old wooden door, her lips pressed together as if she is
deciding upon something. Then she takes a step up, standing on the
porch and there she turns to me.

"I think I get your point now..." she says softly.

I stand up and walk next to her. "What do you mean?"

She looks at me, her beautiful blue eyes staring straight in to my
soul it seems. She reaches out and takes my hand inside hers.

"Not just me... I can't do this alone..." She says.

I can only stare at her, unable to find the appropriate words.

Then she opens the door, and softly speaks again. "Not alone... But
I *can* do this. We'll do it together...Both of us..."

And holding hands we walk inside, heading for the darkness.

Strong together.
______________________________________________________________

END OF STORY