From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 24 Oct 2005 01:20:25 -0000
Subject: Everything (1/2)  SSR by kimo-sabe by kimo-sabe
Source: direct

Reply To: kimo-sabe@earthlink.net


Title: EVERYTHING (1/2)
Author: kimo-sabe 
Email Address: kimo-sabe@earthlink.net
Rating: NC-17
Categories: Skinner/Scully, Romance
Archive: Okay to archive at Ephemeral, Gossamer, 
Skinnerotica.org (SIS website) and Scuttlebutts. 
Disclaimer: The characters created by 1013 are 
the property of 1013, Chris Carter and Fox 
Networks. The use of these characters is not for 
profit or any other form of compensation. 
Notes: Inspired by Requiem, but leaves canon 
far, far behind. Much thanks to Truthygirl for 
the beta!

***Dedicated to Phil and Laurie*** 
They can figure out why. :o) 


PART 1

      Moonlight cast mottled shadows across 
their skin, glistening from the night's passion, 
as they lay side by side catching their breath. 
Running her hand across his broad chest, she 
turned toward him to nestle her nose against his 
strong neck. She loved the light scrape of male 
beard against her smooth feminine skin. A large 
hand reached over to cup her shoulder, giving 
her a quick hug, before he let it trail down her 
back spinning light circles across her damp 
skin. 

      Since that day in the elevator, when she'd 
impulsively kissed him, they'd spent every 
weekend they could exploring their feelings, 
discovering their passionate depths. Now, almost 
a full year later, he'd asked her the Question, 
and she'd said Yes. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

The trip to Oregon had started like so many 
others. The promise of proof. Proof of the 
conspiracy. Proof that Mulder's belief all these 
years was justified. She wanted to believe, but 
she was so tired of the chase. Then again, maybe 
she was just plain tired.

It felt like they'd come full circle. It had 
been seven years since they'd been there, since 
she'd freaked out over mosquito bites of all 
things. Now she didn't freak out over anything. 
Not much would phase Dana Scully now. They'd 
come home empty handed, but what else was new? 
The fact that some invisible force had picked 
her up, shook her senseless, then dropped her 
like a rag doll onto the forest floor was just 
another event in the course of her career. One 
more thing science couldn't explain for her. One 
more fact that she pushed to the back of her 
mind, believing somehow, some time in the 
future, it would be explained.

Skinner hadn't been happy. In fact, he'd been 
ready to rip Mulder a new one when Krycek and 
Marita had shown up. Even their arrival hadn't 
phased Scully, and she knew whatever they had to 
share was for Mulder and Mulder alone. There was 
one thing that bothered her. Why had they 
approached Skinner, and not Mulder directly?

Now, she sat across the table from Skinner, her 
partner, the Gunmen, Marita and that murderer a 
growing sense of dread built up inside of her. 
Crossing her arms, she quietly tapped her foot 
against the carpeted floor in irritation. What 
they were saying about the alien ship rebuilding 
itself under some sort of cloaking device was 
straight out of Star Trek. But it *would* 
explain a lot. 

She got up suddenly and left the room. It still 
bothered her that Krycek walked about free and 
yet had been responsible for so many deaths. 
Well, she didn't have to share the same room 
with him. Turning at the sound of the door 
opening behind her, she looked up at Mulder as 
he reached for her shoulder.

"Mulder, if any of this is true-"

"If it is, or if it isn't- I want you to forget 
about it Scully."

"Forget about it?" How could she possibly-?

"I'm not going to let you go back out there. It 
has to end sometime. That time is now." His long 
fingers dug into her shoulders, emphasizing his 
conviction. "You have to understand, I can't 
risk losing you. Not now."

"Mulder," she started, trying to reason with 
him. She was still his partner after all. It was 
her responsibility to watch his back.

Stepping into his embrace, she felt his chin 
rest on the top of her head before she 
whispered, "I won't let you go alone."

PART 2

      He knew she'd come to help him pack, just 
hours before he'd leave to do her bidding. Her 
commitment to her partner was enviable, but he 
was beyond jealousy now. He'd loved her for so 
long, he couldn't remember when exactly it was 
that she'd captured his heart, when those 
intelligent, royal blue eyes of hers had 
mesmerized him to the point of compromise. To 
the point of selling his soul even.

      Then came the day she'd grabbed him in the 
elevator, planting that incredible, mind-numbing 
kiss on his lips. He'd stuttered and blustered 
and blushed under her gaze, sure she'd seen the 
truth in his eyes. What he hadn't been prepared 
for was the truth he'd seen in *her* eyes. 

      Setting his luggage by the front door, he 
turned and met her warm gaze. They'd agreed that 
after this last trip, they would make their 
relationshi.p public, damning the rules, 
regulations and conspirators. She was his and he 
was hers. That was all that mattered now.

      Taking her into his arms he brushed his 
lips across her soft hair, breathing in her 
scent like a life line. A sudden, overwhelming 
thought knifed through his heart, causing a cold 
shudder to course its way through him. Not one 
to fear much, the idea that this could be his 
last night with her almost made him panic. After 
all these years, he was sure they were being led 
on yet another rabbit chase. He wouldn't put it 
past Krycek to simply be yanking his chain. 

      Dismissing the wayward thoughts, he looked 
down at the woman in his arms. Scooping an arm 
under her legs, he lifted her up, smiling at her 
yelp as he took the stairs two at a time. 
Tonight was theirs and he intended to make the 
most of it.

      Setting her gently down on her feet, he 
began a slow, methodical exploration of her body 
as he stripped off each garment. He loved how 
she submitted to him, standing still, keeping 
her gaze on his. He felt his body prepare for 
her as the familiar heat coursed downward. 
Watching her nipples pucker in the cool night 
air he groaned, knowing how they would taste, 
how she would moan as his took his time with 
them. 

      When he'd finished she took her turn with 
him. He watched her eyes grow dark, the passion 
building in her as well. She unbuttoned his 
shirt and pushed it off his wide shoulders 
slowly, stepping up to him to brush her nipples 
across his abdomen as the fabric fell to the 
floor. When she kissed his chest, and ran her 
fingers through the coarse hair there, he 
suddenly grew impatient, anxious to be joined to 
her. Yanking his jeans, briefs and socks off 
with one concerted move, he knelt in front of 
her and wrapped his arms around her waist, 
burrowing his face into her firm breasts. He 
felt her hands smooth over his strong shoulders, 
heard her gasp as he nuzzled first one then the 
other with his mouth. Slipping a hand between 
her legs, he found her more than ready for him, 
and in a rush of desire, he stood and lifted her 
into his arms. 

      She wrapped her legs around his waist and 
held on as he entered her in one swift thrust. 
He pumped hard into her, relying on his strong 
legs to hold them up as he lost himself. 
Crushing her against him as they moved together, 
he closed his eyes as she closed hers, focusing 
only on the sensations of their union. When she 
whispered 'harder' he knew she felt the urgency 
as well and obliged her, grinding and pounding 
as he came with a shout. He held her quivering 
body against his as she followed him over the 
edge and cradled her face against his shoulder 
as she gasped his name. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

Skinner closed the Malibu's door with a soft 
click, habitually cautious. Although it was 
dark, night had fallen only an hour before and 
yet he could make out no sounds at all. No 
cricket chirps, no frogs croaking, not even the 
wind rustled the leaves overhead. That alone 
would have stood his hairs on end, but combined 
with their purpose here in the woods Skinner 
found himself forcing down an apprehension that 
maybe, just maybe this was no rabbit hunt.If 
Mulder and he actually found it tonight, nothing 
would ever be the same.

He hefted the heavy canvas bag over his shoulder 
and followed Mulder into the clearing, every 
sense on alert. Eyes sweeping the open area, he 
saw nothing. He tensed anyway, an uneasiness 
rising in his gut. Bending to the first task at 
hand he unzipped the bag and pulled out the 
first of several infra-red sensors that would 
hopefully detect the undetectable. He trusted 
the Gunmen, or at least trusted their equipment. 

He kept his ears trained on the sound of 
Mulder's boots crunching the dead forest matter 
underfoot. When he gauged him to be about 30 
feet away, Skinner turned, ready to call him 
back to the clearing, but was stopped by the 
ominous sound of something coming over the 
treeline, just to the right of where Mulder was 
standing. Ominous in that Skinner had never 
heard anything like it before in his life, 
mostly likely would never hear again. 

His mouth fell open as he watched what could 
only be a real alien spacecraft slowly move over 
the forest, over Mulder to stop directly above 
him. The foreign humming noise grew in intensity 
as it hovered, and he covered his ears even as a 
bright light shone down on him.

In the distance, he could barely make out 
Mulder's voice shouting, "SKINNER!" before the 
white light faded everything from view.

His last thought before the darkness took him 
was of the woman he'd held in his arms mere 
hours before. 

PART 3

She awoke with a start, breath rushing in as she 
gasped for air. No. 

Images from the dream played themselves over and 
over before her eyes, flashing on the inside of 
her eyelids as she squeezed them trying to shut 
out the pain they caused. Trying to shut out the 
truth she inexplicably knew.

"No!" 

Covering her face with her hands she felt the 
wetness already coursing down her face and her 
body shook as great sobs racked through her and 
her heart was torn asunder.

"Noooo!"

~*~*~*~*~*~

      Consciousness returned to him as he lay 
shivering in absolute darkness, denying him any 
visual clue as to where he was. Focusing on his 
other senses he identified various sounds in the 
distance, muffled like they came through a wall 
or door. There was a metallic, somewhat sterile 
odor in the air, reminding him of his last visit 
to the dentist. His mouth was dry, and his 
tongue felt thick, but when he tried to lick his 
lips he found he couldn't do so, his body not 
responding to the mental command. 

      What the-? He tried to turn his head, lift 
an arm, move a leg - just bend a finger. No 
response at all. 

      Okay. So the body was not responding. Was 
he in a coma? He strained to make out the all 
too familiar beeps and hums of a hospital ward, 
the rhythmic symphony of heart, breath and blood 
pressure that would echo in a sparse room he 
knew would be painted god-awful green. 

      Nothing. Only the indistinct sounds he 
hadn't stopped hearing since his first conscious 
breath. Breath. It appeared his involuntary 
systems were working just fine - maybe it was 
only his voluntary acts that were inhibited. 

      But why? How?

      FBI training kicked in automatically, his 
careful, logical mind demanding facts to deal 
with whatever situation he now found himself in. 
What was the last thing he remembered? What had 
he been doing? Who had he been with?

      Mulder. He'd been with Mulder. A memory of 
blinding white light, excruciating pain in his 
ears and- Oh, God.

      Sudden realization of where he must be hit 
him, and he fought the waves of abject fear that 
coursed through his mind. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Scully." Amazing how she kept her voice so 
controlled. Closing her eyes she prayed she'd 
hear his voice on the other end of the line and 
not her partner's. Maybe the dream was just that 
- a dream. Maybe he wasn't - hadn't been-?

"Scully. It's Mulder." Please, God.

"It was there, Scully, the ship." No.

"It-," his pause made her draw bitter blood from 
the lip she was biting. "It took Skinner."

"What do you mean, Mulder?" How could she sound 
so professional? So calm?

"The ship - took him. One second he was there, 
then there was this blinding light that sort of 
made him glow- yeah, I know how that sounds, but 
he *glowed*, Scully! Then, then the ship and 
Skinner were just *gone*."

"Gone?" She winced as her voice cracked. 

"Yes, he - he disappeared - just like Teager 
did. Right before my eyes, only, Scully-" 

Her partner's voice faded to a mere murmur as 
her vision blurred and her hand grew numb, the 
phone dropping from her lifeless fingers. 
Unconsciousness veiled her mind as she fell to 
the floor in a heap. 

PART 4

      A whoosh of air chilled his naked skin 
when they finally entered the room. How many 
hours had he lain there in the dark just 
*waiting*? With no reference for the passage of 
time, he supposed it could have been days, 
though his body didn't feel weak from hunger or 
dehydrated from thirst. Curious that - he 
couldn't move his body, yet he was acutely aware 
of it.

      Several grays approached the table where 
he lay immobilized. If Skinner could have, he 
have would have gritted his teeth and worked his 
jaw a little, as was his habit before action. 
Then, he would have used his powerful, 
athletically trained muscles to ram his fists 
into the first gray that touched him. He was 
more than capable of killing with his bare 
hands.

      If he could, he would take each of the 
drills, saws and needles they were using, and 
turn them on his captors with the rage that was 
boiling within him. 

      But he could *do* nothing - and horror 
filled him as they attached what looked like an 
IV in reverse. Instead of life-giving fluids 
flowing into his body, blood slowly drained 
upwards away from his body mocking any sense of 
gravity he might have perceived. He mentally 
sighed, surely without his blood this would be 
over quickly. He instantly regretted feeling 
thankful for that, and was ashamed the thought 
even came to him.

      It wasn't the pain, or the helplessness or 
even the humiliation that brought hot tears to 
his eyes as the grays moved around him and did 
unspeakable things. 

      It was the thought of leaving her alone to 
grieve once again for someone she loved.

      As yet another cold metal device tore 
through his skin, his mind screamed the anguish 
his flesh was experiencing, while his heart wept 
for Dana Scully.

~*~*~*~*~*~

When Scully opened her eyes, she found the 
familiar face of her partner staring down at 
her, concern etched all over his expressive 
face. Blinking, she assessed herself and 
determined she was all right, just a little 
stiff -  the painful throbbing at the back of 
her head explaining his anxiety.

"W-what-?" she croaked, looking around the room, 
realizing she was in the hospital. Probably 
Georgetown University. 

"You took a fall, Scully," Mulder began, "I 
called the police when you-" He stopped, unsure 
of exactly what had happened. Handing her a cup 
of water, he waited while she sipped the liquid 
before continuing. "They, uh, they found you and 
brought you here. I - I got in a few minutes 
ago."

"What happened?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow 
at him as she struggled to sit up. Mulder could 
be evasive with her sometimes, and the look she 
threw him made it very clear this was not to be 
one of those times. 

"You've had quite a shock," he explained, 
rubbing a hand over her shoulder. "It appears 
you fainted, and as a result, suffered a 
concussion. Evidently, you hit your head on the 
coffee table when you collapsed." He paused, and 
considered his next words. "Do, do you remember 
what happened? Do you recall what I told you 
this morning?"

She gasped as memory rushed back at her and she 
clutched at the sheet covering her. White specks 
floated around her peripheral vision and she 
clung to consciousness, though her world was 
turning on its axis. It had been no dream. 
"Skinner -?"

Mulder nodded grimly, his eyes communicating his 
own pain and guilt at the loss of their boss. He 
was watching her with narrowed eyes, and she 
crumbled before him, trusting him to keep their 
secret. 

"Oh, God!" Her cry came out as a hoarse whisper, 
her throat tight with pain. Never before had she 
felt this kind of grief. Not with her Dad. Not 
even with Missy. It literally took her breath 
away and she gulped almost frantically for air 
even as her anguish expressed itself in great 
sobs, and the tears flowed freely.

Looking up at Mulder she registered the shock of 
realization on his face before she reached for 
him. 

Mulder held her about the shoulders and hugged 
her tight. As she wept he murmured assurances 
into her hair. She let it all go, seeking the 
cleansing only true unrestrained tears could 
give. She needed to release the pain, the loss, 
the guilt - if she had any hope of finding him. 

When there were no more tears left to cry she 
took a deep, shuddering breath and looked her 
partner in the eye. The defiant tilt to her chin 
and the determined gleam in her eye made him 
smile. "That's my G-woman," he whispered, 
"You've got a lot to fill me in on, but now's 
not the time."

At her nod, he sat down on the bed beside her 
and squeezed her shoulders once more. With a 
confidence born of conviction added, "Scully. We 
*will* find him."


PART 5

After arranging to meet Mulder at the Gunmen's 
that evening, Scully found herself pausing 
outside the door to Skinner's condo.  Steeling 
herself she turned the key he'd given her six 
months prior. This was the first occasion she'd 
ever had to use it.  As she stepped into his 
private space a year's worth of memories rushed 
at her, each demanding its turn to stir up the 
sorrow she'd firmly refused since that morning's 
cry at the hospital.

Squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin, she 
went about her business with professional 
detachment.  She gathered up some clothes for 
him, absolutely holding onto the hope they would 
indeed find him.  Experience had shown Skinner 
would most likely be returned, alive, naked, and 
in pretty bad condition physically, but they 
would have him back. She would have him back.  
That was all that mattered.

Scully placed jeans, t-shirt, shoes, underwear 
and socks into the carry-all she'd brought with 
her.  Next came a belt, toiletries and his extra 
pair of glasses.  Going to the closet, she 
selected a comfortable jacket and the blue 
baseball cap he preferred, then turned towards 
the kitchen to place a few protein shakes and 
power bars into the bag as well.  She already 
had a case of bottled water in the trunk of her 
car, along with her medical bag.

Without even a backward glance she closed the 
door behind her and strode down the hall to the 
elevator, her mission accomplished.  Stowing the 
carry-all next to the medical bag, she was glad 
she'd taken to keeping a blanket in her car as 
well.  

She was ready.  Pulling out of the garage, she 
headed south.

~*~*~*~*~*~

      By all accounts, he should be dead.  

      The grays had left him alone after what 
seemed like an eternity, but his rational mind 
figured to be about two hours, three at the 
most.  Intense pain radiated through his body, 
confirming his notion that he was still alive. 
What he couldn't figure was how.  

      He'd watched the crimson stream of his 
precious blood flow steadily upwards for the 
entire time they had worked on him.  He wasn't a 
doctor, but he knew with some certainty that 
without blood, he shouldn't be alive.  Yet he 
was. 

      He wasn't inclined to question that fact.

      Using all his military and federal 
training to disconnect from the pain, Skinner 
focused on survival and escape.  He performed a 
mental inventory of exactly what they'd done to 
him, knowing it would help Scully when they 
found him.  The fact that he'd survived so far 
gave him an indescribable hope.  He'd read all 
of Mulder's reports on abductions, admittingly 
skeptical at the time, but nevertheless he'd 
read them.  The odds were actually in his favor 
now.   

      Holding onto that thought, he relaxed, 
finally allowing the pain to overwhelm him into 
blissful unconsciousness.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"This is the activity we've monitored since the 
moment you contacted us, Mulder," Byers said, 
pointing to a map hanging on the wall behind 
him.  "Sightings and possible abductions from 
Oregon - down through Nevada - over through 
Kansas - to here."  The finger he'd been 
trailing along the map stopped right outside 
Louisville, Kentucky.

"From this information, can you predict where it 
should be-" Mulder cut off, looking at his watch 
and over at Scully, "in about 6 hours?"

"Yes, actually," Langley answered, turning to 
his computer monitor.  He typed a few commands 
into the keyboard before turning to Scully. 
Picking up the medical file she'd brought with 
her, Langley flipped it open to a well-worn 
page.
 
"Skinner was obviously the target and not a 
random abduction." He paused at Scully's low 
gasp to look at Mulder. "I cross checked the Big 
Guy's medical history with the States I just 
mentioned.  All of them had previous instances 
reported of a patient with unexplained 
cardiovascular trauma, distended, discolored 
veins and arteries, deteriorating condition, 
heart attack and then - miraculous recovery."

"WHAT?" Scully's sudden question caused all four 
heads to turn her direction.  "Are you telling 
me Skinner was SET UP?"  Hands on her hips, eyes 
blazing., Frohike and Byers actually took a step 
away from her.

Blue eyes turned on her partner as he spat out 
the one word they were both thinking.  "Krycek." 

"Where's the next stop, Langley?" Cold fury 
laced her voice as she took in the data 
displayed on the monitor's screen.

"Roanoke, Virginia. They should be there in 5 
and 38 minutes." The satisfied grin on Langley's 
face withered under Scully's sharp look. "Here 
are the coordinates."

"Thanks guys," Mulder said, before quickly 
following his partner out to their car.

Scully turned to him, as he started the engine 
and made to head out of town.  "Not yet.  We've 
got one more stop to make."  

PART 6

Motioning to her to take the back stairs, Mulder 
opened the door to the foyer, his weapon already 
in hand.  Scully sprinted around the building 
and took the stairs two at a time, pausing for 
one calming breath when she reached the second 
floor.  Her own weapon ready, she cracked the 
door open enough to see her partner already 
standing with his back to the wall beside 
apartment 27.  Joining him on the other side of 
the door, she nodded to him. Mulder turned to 
face the door and with one swift kick, knocked 
the door in and off one hinge.

"Freeze! Federal Agents!" she cried as she 
carefully entered the room, her eyes and gun 
sweeping clockwise seeking any movement.  Mulder 
headed for the bedroom and she turned towards 
the kitchen and living area.  Quietly making her 
way through the apartment, she heard a grunt, 
followed by silence.  Turning back she froze as 
Krycek entered the hall followed by Marita. He 
held Mulder firmly in his grasp, good hand 
around his neck, while Marita held Mulder's gun 
level in her manicured grasp. Her partner looked 
dazed, his eyes unfocused, and Krycek was 
exerting a lot of effort to hold him up.

"Drop it, Agent Scully," Marita's smooth voice 
was very calm.  "We know why you're here and it 
won't help Mr. Skinner."  She obviously thought 
she was in control.  Scully almost smiled at 
that. Instead she raised her weapon, sighting 
the beautiful woman right between the eyes.

"That's where you're wrong," Scully bit out, 
nodding minutely towards Krycek.  "Let him go, 
Krycek, or so help me God, I will shoot her.  
You know I'll do it."

"Scully," Krycek threatened, turning Mulder so 
he provided more cover for him.  "Skinner-"

The shot silenced Krycek as Marita was flung 
backwards against the wall, the gun dropping 
from numb fingers. She fell to the floor, dark 
blood coloring the white silk of her dressing 
gown near the shoulder.  Scully turned the gun 
on Krycek.  Calmly raising an eyebrow, she took 
aim.

"SHIT! Scully!! What the hell-"  Krycek gripped 
Mulder tighter, his eyes darting around the 
room.  Scully could see that Mulder had regained 
his senses and stood solidly on his own feet 
once more, waiting to see what his partner was 
going to do.

"I want Skinner back.  Tonight.  Have I made 
myself clear?"  The menace in her voice was 
unmistakable.  The Sig trained steadily at his 
head was clearer still.

"I can't just-"  Another shot, splintering wood 
mere inches from his head shut him up pretty 
quick.  

"No excuses, Krycek. You set him up. You know 
who's behind this." She motioned for him to let 
Mulder go.  He did so, and held his hands up in 
supplication.  When Mulder had retrieved his gun 
and checked Marita, he stepped up to Krycek and 
without preamble, struck him in the gut with all 
his force.  Krycek collapsed to his knees 
gasping for breath.

"Make the call, Krycek." Her voice was low and 
firm, handing him her cell phone.  "Roanoke, 
Virginia. Five hours."

~*~*~*~*~*~

      Memories of dancing blue eyes and red 
silky hair tickling his face comforted his mind 
even as his body refused the consciousness that 
tugged at him.  

      Ruby lips descended to taste his own 
before trailing down his chest to drop a kiss 
here and there.  Going even lower, she smiled 
when she reached her goal.  He reached down with 
his large hands to tangle in her beautiful hair, 
gasping as she took him in, pleasuring him until 
he twitched and writhed beneath her. 

      'Enough!' he'd grunted before flipping 
them both over and taking his turn with her, 
holding her tight as his tongue delved deep into 
her and his hands kneaded her breasts.  Bringing 
her almost to completion, he climbed the bed 
till he covered her completely and she wrapped 
her strong legs around him at his first hard 
thrust. 

      The dream was so much better than reality, 
and he clung to it the way she'd clung to him so 
long ago. 

END OF PART 1/2
PLEASE GO READ EVERYTHING (2/2)

EVERYTHING (Continued)
by kimo-sabe

PART 7

"Just off the 81, north of Lee Highway. 
Correct. We'll be there in about 12 minutes." 
Scully gave a relieved sigh and checked the map 
once more. "Yes, Lewis-Gale Heart Center, yes, 
I have his medical records with me - thank 
you." She clicked off the phone and turned 
around to fix Krycek with a cool, steady look.

"The CareFlight is on its way. They're equipped 
to stabilize him and transport him to Lewis." 
Her crisp words were for her partner, but the 
man in the back seat unconsciously nodded when 
she turned to him.

"He'll be there," he assured, squirming a 
little against the handcuffs, knowing it was 
futile to ask for relief.  

"All right. Talk. What did they do to him? Why 
the nanocytes?" Scully's blue eyes couldn't 
have been more icy. 
 
Although her actions and tone clearly 
communicated she'd crossed a line tonight 
Krycek refused to flinch under her gaze.  He 
was studying her and she knew he could see her 
concern wasn't just for a boss-her anxiety was 
too strong. More like she'd have for someone 
who was-

His green eyes widened in disbelief and Scully 
knew he'd put two and two together.

"Oh shit."  His whispered words caused Mulder 
to look back at him in the rear view mirror.  
Scully merely raised her weapon.  "No, I - I 
mean, Scully. We didn't know." When her 
expression didn't change he finally answered 
her questions. "All they told me was it was 
time to end the experiment. My job was simply 
to make sure he went to Oregon."

"What do you mean *end* the experiment?" Mulder 
asked, changing lanes and gripping the steering 
wheel a little harder. "They weren't planning 
on killing an Assistant Director, were they?" 
Scully remained silent, her gun held steady. 
Control was all she had and there was no way 
she'd let it slip in front of Krycek.

"No. They were going to collect the nanocytes 
and-," he broke off to look out the window. 
"They're here."

Scully followed his gaze to the north as Mulder 
moved to exit the highway. There. Just above 
the tree line she could make out a shimmer in 
the night sky.  
.
~*~*~*~*~*~

      The first thing he noticed when he woke 
up was the bone chilling cold that was causing 
him to shiver and curl up on the metallic 
floor. The fact that he 'could' curl up was 
exciting, yet the lingering pain prevented him 
from doing more than sigh in silent gratitude. 

      Running a hand down his chest and 
abdomen, then down each leg and arm, he could 
discover no evidence of the torturous wounds 
the grays had inflicted. Apparently he had been 
healed. At least that was something, and he 
gave another thankful sigh knowing Scully would 
never know the worst of it.

      The big question in his mind was still, 
"Why?"

      The vision of his blood being drained 
from him was the key.  If he could just focus 
long enough he knew he'd figure it out. But 
fatigue overwhelmed him and his eyes closed of 
their own volition as the darkness took him 
once more.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Mulder stopped the car where Krycek indicated 
and turned off the engine.  Scully got out to 
scan the tree line, heart pounding in her 
throat as she walked to the back of the car. 
Opening the trunk, she cursed her shaking 
fingers as she gathered up the blanket to her 
chest and walked slowly into the clearing. She 
kept her eyes on the curiously distorted starry 
night above her.  He was up there, she knew it 
in her bones.  

The loud humming began almost immediately 
causing all three of them to wince.  Giving a 
shout, Scully suddenly took off heading for a 
large cypress about 40 yards away.  Mulder took 
a moment to handcuff Krycek to the car before 
he followed his partner, his long runner's legs 
catching up to her easily.

They both gasped as they came up to the large, 
powerful-looking body spread out before them. 
Naked and unconscious, he appeared no worse for 
his experience, indeed, he seemed to be 
sleeping peacefully.  Shooting a confused look 
at Mulder, Scully quickly covered him with the 
blanket and knelt to take his head onto her 
lap.  

Confusion turned to alarm when she couldn't 
immediately wake him, although the strong pulse 
beneath her fingers calmed her somewhat.

Cradling him gently, she looked up to see the 
CareFlight helicopter had replaced the 
spaceship in the sky above them.

PART 8

Looking up as Mulder approached Scully stood 
and stretched, checking her watch 
automatically. It had been nearly three hours 
since they'd taken Skinner to perform almost 
every test in the book. She fought the urge to 
use her FBI clout to go see how things were 
going, aware the doctors had firm instructions 
to inform her immediately if he regained 
consciousness. He was in good hands here at the 
Lewis-Gale facility and she had to just let 
them do their jobs.

If only he would wake up.

Sighing, she turned to her partner, raising an 
eyebrow to ask how it had gone with Krycek.

"He's in custody downtown with instructions to 
hold him for FBI questioning.  Marita's at 
Hadley Memorial, in good condition, under 
guard." Mulder jerked his head towards the 
double swing doors. "He still back there?"

"Yeah."

Unbidden tears welled up as she took a 
shuddering breath, her control slipping away.  
Slumping back into her chair she rested her 
head against the wall and closed her eyes.

Mulder sat next to her, taking her hand into 
his gentle grasp.

"You want to tell me about it now?"  His soft 
voice caressed her weary nerves. 

"Mulder, I-," Opening her eyes, she nodded, and 
gave his hand a grateful squeeze. "It started a 
year ago, when you were lost in the Triangle."  

~*~*~*~*~*~

      They were touching him again.

      Fury welled up as his mind screamed 
enough is enough.  Remembering vaguely that 
he'd regained the use of his body, he struck 
out with a powerful arm and grabbed a gray by 
the shirt.  

      Shirt?  

      That was wrong. Clinging to the material, 
he tried opening his eyes, but the brilliant 
light shining down on him proved too much. 
Squinting against the searing pain, he moved 
his mouth trying to form the first word, the 
only word he wanted to say.

      "S-Scully."

      Human voices - in a language he should 
understand - began a loud chatter all around 
him.  More hands touched him, but he slowly 
began to understand they were not doing him any 
harm. The light above him dimmed and he was 
able to open one eye enough to see he held a 
male nurse in his strong grip. Kind eyes looked 
down at him, and Skinner saw the man's lips 
moving for several seconds before he was able 
to make out his words.

      "Welcome back, Mr. Skinner."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The incredulous look on her partner's face was 
priceless.  

"You *kissed* him?"  

Scully didn't answer, knowing it was 
rhetorical. He'd been repeating it for the last 
few minutes anyway.  

"Okay. Then what?" he asked after shaking his 
head once more.

"Well, you should have seen him, Mulder," she 
smiled, recalling the shock, the stiffness in 
her flustered A.D. "He blushed, and stuttered, 
he was- cute." Scully nearly laughed out loud, 
watching Mulder roll his eyes. "Then, the 
elevator doors opened, and Kersch was there in 
the hallway, and Skinner acted all surly and 
gruff and stormed off.  But he'd come through 
again for you, Mulder! I had the information, 
and you know how close it was when we pulled 
you out of the water."

Mulder's expression grew pensive, and Scully 
knew he was thinking of his own words to her 
when he woke from his trauma. "Mulder, I know 
you meant what you said. I know you love me." 
Placing a hand over his, she quickly added, 
"And I love you, too. Just- it's more like a 
brother, you know?"

He nodded his head, the open look in his eyes 
confirming he felt the same kind of closeness 
with her.

"When I kissed Skinner - I thought it was an 
impulse at first. Just an overwhelming 
gratitude. But, I - I couldn't stop thinking 
about it. I caught a glimpse of truth on his 
face before he closed up on me.  So-" she 
sighed, suddenly grateful to have someone know, 
truly know how much Skinner meant to her.  It 
was right that Mulder found out first. "When he 
came to Bermuda, I made up an excuse to visit 
his motel room.  We-"

"Wait. Scully," holding up his hands, Mulder 
chuckled. "I don't think I'm ready to hear 
about you and Skinner and hot monkey love! But 
I do want to know how you managed to keep it a 
secret all this time, and - yeah, I want to 
know when you - how'd you - whoa." He shook his 
head, obviously still trying to picture Skinner 
and herself together.

"Actually, it was rather easy, Mulder," she 
blushed a little, remembering that night in 
Bermuda. "I know I've got that nickname at 
work, and Skinner's professionalism is 
absolute. I think anyone who might have 
suspected simply couldn't believe it. And then, 
of course, we didn't really go *out*. He either 
came to my apartment or I went over to his 
condo. After that first night, whenever we 
could, we'd share the occasional dinner, watch 
a movie, talk, and, well-" she was really 
blushing now, "Anyway, we're actually very much 
alike, did you realize that?" 

"Yeah, I can see that," he agreed, settling her 
against him. Scully knew it could still be some 
time before they had any word on Skinner's 
condition, and Scully was grateful for his 
comfort. "You know, I've actually known Skinner 
held some very strong feelings for you for a 
long time." At her look, he added, "Since your 
cancer, at least. But that was years ago, and I 
thought, hell, I don't know what I thought."

He shifted to help her be more comfortable, 
adding softly, "Why don't you try and get some 
rest? We can talk later."

Scully nodded her agreement, resting her head 
against his shoulder. As she relaxed in the 
unique strength of her partner and friend, 
fatigue from the last 48 hours caught up with 
her.  As her body gave in to sleep her eyes 
closed and flashes of memory coalesced.


      She followed him to his motel, yet 
hesitated some time, not really sure what she 
was going to say.  She only knew it was 
imperative she confirm what she glimpsed in the 
elevator.  At her knock he opened the door, 
wearing only his cotton pajama bottoms.  Her 
mouth had gone instantly dry, her tongue 
sticking to the roof of her mouth.  The 
powerful broad chest before her, his unshielded 
eyes and bare feet tugged at her femininity 
with unmistakable masculine force.  Skinner 
blinked as if he couldn't quite believe she 
stood before him before stepping aside to let 
her in. 
 
      Warmth invaded her slumber, recalling 
even in her dream, that neither of them had 
spoken that night - unless you count the many 
groans and moans that passed for verbiage 
between them.  

      Recognizing the desire in her eyes, 
Skinner acknowledged the unexpected opportunity 
before him by swooping her up in the most 
breathtaking kiss she'd ever imagined. She 
responded in kind, the firm press of his 
physique causing her head to spin, arousing her 
swiftly, completely.  She soon felt his hands 
tugging gently at her clothes and his arousal 
digging into her stomach. Silently shedding 
their clothes, they-

"Miss Scully?" 

The nurse's unexpected words startled them 
both. Scully blinked, trying to reconcile 
reality with her vivid dream. Mulder took her 
hand as they stood in preparation for whatever 
the nurse had come to say. Scully held her 
breath. 

"Mr. Skinner is asking for you." 

~*~*~*~*~*~

Pausing outside the door to Skinner's room, 
Scully felt her partner's reassuring hand cup 
her shoulder. She looked up at him and he 
stepped back with a nod of his head, giving her 
hand a quick squeeze.

"You go. I'll be in after a few."

Slowly pushing the door open, Scully felt her 
composure evaporate when she saw him look up at 
her, dark eyes shining with his own unshed 
tears. Rushing to his side, she clung to him as 
he wrapped his strong arms around her, tears 
coursing down her chin to wet his face.

"It's okay, babe." His low bass vibrated 
against her cheek, now resting on his broad 
chest. She reveled in the up and down motion of 
his steady breathing, the warmth of his 
powerful body, the resonant sound of his voice. 
"I'm okay."

"Oh, Walter," she hugged him fiercely before 
straightening to look him in the eye. "God, I 
was- I-" Choking as sobs burst through, all she 
could do was lay her head on his chest once 
more.

"Shhhh," he whispered. "I know, hon - I know." 
He rubbed his hands over her back, pulling her 
tight. The wonderful warmth of his body 
encompassed her, pushing the last two days away 
like one horrible nightmare. Relaxing into his 
strength, she sighed. He was back.  

PART 9 

"I am not sure I understand what you're saying, 
Doctor," Skinner straightened up in his 
hospital bed, trying to assimilate the myriad 
of facts and test results his doctor and Scully 
had been discussing for the last half hour.

Looking at Scully, he simultaneously raised an 
eyebrow in question at her and scowled. A man 
of high intellect, familiar with reports of all 
kinds, he was irritated that something was 
obviously getting past him. 

The doctor glanced hopefully at Scully, and she 
nodded, before walking over to Skinner's side, 
taking his hand in both her own.

"Walter," she began. Her face lit up. Gone was 
his stoic Scully, replaced by this 
extraordinarily expressive Dana. 

"What he's saying is this. The nanocytes are 
gone. In fact, he's unconvinced you ever had 
them." She reached for his medical file, taking 
it from the doctor. "Thank you, doctor." 

Understanding he'd been dismissed, the doctor 
left with another shake of his head. Skinner 
watched him leave before turning back to 
Scully.

"How can that be?" he asked, shaking his head. 
How could an abduction by aliens, the abject 
horrific torture he'd been subjected to, leave 
him-?

"Krycek told me-"

"Krycek!" Skinner had to stop himself from 
jumping out of the bed. "What's he got to do 
with this?"

"He set you up." She hesitated, and he saw the 
flash of anger in her eyes before her lips 
turned up in a half-smile. "Mulder and I 
discovered you'd been targeted for abduction 
and went to Marita's to find him. He- wasn't 
very cooperative, at first, but after I shot 
Marita, he was *very* talkative."

"You *shot* Marita?" He scowled even more, 
adding in his best AD voice, "I think you 
better fill me in now, Agent."

Grinning wide at his surly attitude, Scully 
pulled herself up to sit next to him, watchful 
of his I.V. tubing. 

Irreverent woman, but my God he loved her. 

Skinner listened as Scully proceeded to tell 
him just exactly how they spent their time 
searching for him, Marita's current condition 
and Krycek's arrest and detention. Her voice 
cracked as she related how they found him in 
the clearing, shivering in the cold night.

Taking her in his arms, he held her close, 
whispering, "I love you, Dana. It's okay. It'll 
all be okay." Snuggling into his warmth, he 
felt her relax. They lay together a long time, 
and he sighed, so thankful to touch her, to 
hold her, not merely dream of her.

"Walter?" Her murmured voice was so soft he 
almost didn't hear her.

"Yes?" he answered gently, rubbing her back and 
running a hand through her hair.

"Do you remember what they did to you?" She 
looked up into his unshielded eyes. He knew 
without his glasses, he wouldn't be able to 
hide anything. So he simply spoke the truth.

"Everything."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mulder," Skinner said, halting their progress 
towards the double doors leading to the jail 
cells. "I'd like to speak with him first." 

"Of course, Sir," his agent replied, stepping 
aside to let the A.D. pass. 

Skinner nodded at him before turning to Scully, 
giving her a long look. "He's been informed of 
his rights?"

"Of course."

"Good." Glancing left to right, Skinner passed 
through the door and flashed his I.D. at the 
security guard, waiting to be admitted to the 
interrogation room they'd reserved. Working his 
jaw a little he fought to control the 
conflicting emotions churning in him. When the 
buzzer sounded he stepped through the door, 
bringing himself up to his full height, 
creating as imposing a picture as he could 
muster. He was admittingly still worn out by 
his ordeal, but it would be a cold day in hell 
before he let Krycek see that.

PART 10

Skinner strode down the hallway on a mission, 
dark trench coat flapping about his legs.  He 
was there not as an A.D. of the F.B.I., though 
his credentials provided him access. No, he was 
simply there as a man. A man fed up with being 
played the pawn in a game he didn't understand, 
a game choreographed by men with no names, men 
above the law he served.

He'd seen enough evil through the years, evil 
perpetrated by men who loved control, to 
recognize it, smell it. And the stench grew 
thicker with each step he took.

Closing the door behind him, he fixed Krycek 
with his patented scowl. Keeping his face 
averted, shoulders hunched against the imposing 
A.D., Krycek flinched at Skinner's swift 
approach.

Krycek's cowardice disgusted him. Skinner 
resisted the violent urge to strike him hard, 
just as he'd done one evening so long ago. 
Instead, he abruptly reached out with a 
powerful grip and dragged the surprised man to 
his feet. Pushing him back the few paces to the 
wall, Skinner held him firmly by the shoulders, 
lifting him easily a few inches off the floor.

"Boy," he gritted out between clenched teeth, 
"I don't know whether to kill you, or-"

His jaw worked a little as fury over being 
abducted warred with the exaltation of being 
delivered from the nanocytes. Skinner briefly 
closed his eyes, keeping a strong grip on 
Krycek. So many questions, so many answers to 
demand, and yet, there was only one that truly 
mattered.

Setting Krycek roughly back on his feet, 
Skinner took a step back.

"Why?"

Green eyes met determined brown, and Skinner 
knew Krycek was considering what he might do if 
he refused to answer. Folding his arms across 
his chest, Skinner relaxed just a little to 
show Krycek he was ready to wait a good long 
time if necessary.

Krycek paced to the right and back again before 
saying, "We didn't know. How the hell could we 
know?"

Skinner remained still, giving no outward 
evidence he had no idea what Krycek was talking 
about.

After studying the A.D. for a few moments, 
Krycek looked away. 

"The nanocytes were an experiment," he began. 
"You were selected as a subject to keep you on 
the fence. You - they were angry that you kept 
helping Mulder."  

When Krycek turned to face him, Skinner was 
astounded at the emotion on the boy's face. "I 
- I was under orders. I, I was compromised a 
long time ago, and they have a hold over me 
you'll never understand."

"Krycek. If there's one thing in this world 
that I do *not* want to understand it's you." 
Skinner said coldly. He could still picture the 
expression on Krycek's face as he'd slowly and 
painfully been killed by the nanocytes. An 
expression of pleasure that denied the words 
being spoken now.

Nodding, Krycek sat down. "The experiment was 
called off. A recall," he added with a snort, 
"It was all a f*cking recall."

His blood. That's why he'd been drained of all 
his blood. That still didn't explain the other 
agonies he was subjected to.

"Krycek-" the menace in his low voice 
unmistakable. "That doesn't-"

"I know about Scully." The whispered 
interruption held a desperate tone, like Krycek 
was playing his last trump.

"What exactly do you know?" Skinner had 
perfected his neutral mask, and gave nothing 
away. He and Dana had already decided to come 
public with their relationship. Whatever Krycek 
knew didn't matter now.

"That she loves *you*." Krycek grinned now, 
shaking his head in disbelief. "They didn't see 
that comin'!"  

Skinner had no doubt who *they* were. Suddenly 
tired of the dance he shot one last hard look 
at Krycek before striding to the door.

"Tell them-" Turning, Skinner fixed him with a 
passionate glare, eyes dark with fury. "If 
anything happens to her - *anything* - I will 
hold you personally responsible. She'll be my 
wife by the end of the month."

Skinner watched with some satisfaction as 
Krycek's mouth fell wide open. Yeah, you tell 
'em, boy.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Moonlight filtered through the drapes casting a 
dreamlike spell over the lovers as they reached 
for each other in the dark. He lay back as she 
ran her hands over every inch of his skin, 
almost like that first night in Bermuda. That 
night had been a night of discovery, of passion 
held check too long and finally unleashed. 
Tonight they were rediscovering each other, 
with a passion all too aware of how precious 
the time was, how suddenly it could end.

Starting at his shoulders she ran her hands 
simultaneously down each arm, stroking, 
healing. He knew she was unaware of exactly 
what they'd done, but with an intuition born of 
love she paused at the exact places they used 
their instruments of torture. 

He loved how she enjoyed the rough hair that 
covered him and he closed his eyes as she 
trailed her fingers sensuously along his 
forearms before moving up to run her hands over 
his broad chest. Dropping a kiss here and 
there, she made her way down his flat stomach, 
nestling her nose in the hair there before 
moving lower.  

Again on instinct she paused, kissing each 
knee-cap while she kneaded his powerful thighs. 
He didn't question how she knew he needed her 
healing touch there, he simply accepted it.

When she moved to take him in her mouth he 
remembered the vision or dream he had of her on 
the ship and moaned in anticipation, twitching 
at her first soft touch.

She needed this to minister to him and he 
allowed her to bring him close before grunting 
and pulling her swiftly up and off of him.  As 
he covered her their eyes met. A deep 
understanding of what it felt like to be 
completely, utterly out of control, to have 
your 'self' stripped away, passed between them. 
She comprehended, more than any other possibly 
could, his need for total control now.

She raised her arms, allowing him to hold her 
still as he entered her warmth. Laying still, 
she simply opened herself wide to him, holding 
him only with the love shining in her eyes.  
Each powerful thrust renewed his sense of self, 
his masculine identity that had been sorely 
abused. Each groan wrenched from his throat 
replaced the screams his mind had silently 
shouted in the dark. 

As he spilled himself into her with a shout he 
let her arms go, only to feel them wrap tightly 
around his shoulders as she also shook with the 
intense pleasure of life. 

Smiling down at her as their breath came in 
gasps he gently touched her face, running his 
thumbs along her chin. She reached up to cup 
his face, drawing him down to her lips for a 
tender kiss before closing her eyes.  He almost 
laughed when he realized she'd fallen asleep, 
but knew just how tired she must be after the 
three days of hell they'd been through.

Pulling her close, he spooned up against her 
back and held her tight. She was everything to 
him, and the knowledge that he was everything 
to her healed the last vestige of his ordeal.

He was always one to move on, not dwell on the 
past, its pain or possible ramifications very 
long. He didn't like digging deep for any 
hidden truths.

The only truth he needed was right here in his 
arms.

~~~~~~~~~
THE END
~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed the read!  
Please email me at kimo-sabe@earthlink.net 
and let me know whether you enjoyed this or 
even if you didn't.  
ALL feedback greatly appreciated!

www.kimosabesplace.com has my other fic posted 
there if you liked this one.  
Have a great day - Kim O