From: Ixnay0001 Date: 03 Sep 1999 12:36:21 GMT Subject: NEW: "Fugazi" 1/4 Title: "Fugazi" Writer: Chris Munn Category: X, R?, H? (sort of) Spoilers: Tiny reference to the story "Procedures" written by Stephanie Roberts Feedback: Hell Yes! ixnay0001@aol.com Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be dammit. If you like this, check out the X-Files Virtual Season Site. It's at www.angelfire.com/ky/ixnaysxfiles/index.html It has a new "episode" posted weekly, so be sure to visit it! Summary: After a visit to a sideshow psychic, all of Mulder's unconscious dreams appear to become reality, including ones he didn't realize he had. SEATON, MARYLAND MAY 12, 1999 It was a warm, sunny day in the small town of Seaton, Maryland. The carnival had come to town, and the town's population had come to partake in the festivities. The ferris wheel turned, and the carousel, well it turned as well. People were having fun, and the air was filled with the sounds of screaming thrill seekers and joyous children. The main attraction, however, was not one of the numerous rides, or the motorcycle stunt show. The crowd gathered around a small tent, put in the center of the fair grounds. Above the line of people, affixed to the tent, was a sign that read "Clarice The Clairvoyant." People walked in smiling, hoping to get a glimpse into their future, even though most of them knew that it was probably a sham to fool the rubes. When the people walked out, however, their attitudes had changed. They were filled with fright, dread, and terror. Their faces were white with the knowledge that what the woman sitting inside was very, very probable indeed. This, of course, made the line even larger. Inside the tent sat Clarice. She was a young woman, with long, blonde hair with a slight curl in it. She was thin, perhaps too much so, what with her face being a pale, ghostly white. She finished the reading of her current customer, and told him that she was finished. "That'll be $12.50," she stated. The man hesitated for a moment, and then pulled out his wallet. He gave her a twenty, and after receiving his change, left. As he walked out, another man walked in and stood behind the customer chair. "Good afternoon, Mr. Mulder," Clarice said as she put the money in her profit box. "Excuse me?" the man said, "but how did you know my name?" "Sit down, Mr. Mulder," she told him, "or would you prefer to be called Fox?" Mulder sat down in the uncomfortable chair and adjusted himself accordingly, "You didn't answer my question," he said. "Read the sign, Fox. I'm clairvoyant, remember. But, you don't believe that do you?" "I believe that you've been stirring quite a frenzy here at your little carnival job. Two years of 'touring' the country has earned you the reputation that you can give people glimpses into their own future." "But," she reitterated, "you don't believe me, in my gift." "No, I don't. Tell me, Clarice, why would a psychic with a gift as genuine as your's be wasting your life in a carnival side show?" "Maybe for the same reason that an FBI agent is interested in psychic phenomena, right?" "I've seen psychic abilities firsthand, and you'll have to prove your's to me. I can't do anything to you, I have no jurisdiction here, and you're not breaking any laws. I'm simply...curious." "Then let me show you what's in store for your life, Agent Fox," With these words, Clarice stood up and walked around the table. She stood in front of the sitting Agent, and placed her hands on his forehead. "Are you prepared?" "Yes, but I'm not feeling...UUNNNHHH!!" Mulder's eyes closed, and he was unable to speak coherently. Clarice had begun her work. He sat in silence for several minutes, until his head jerked back with Clarice's hands still firmly affixed. Three words escaped his mouth, "Oh...my...God," **************************************************************************** (The world was ending, and there was nothing he could do about it. Mulder ran from the invading creatures, who were killing and destroying everything in their path. He ran with Scully, hoping to get both of them out alive. ) (A fireball descended from the sky, killing dozens of people fleeing DC beside him. He stumbled out of the wrecked street, but noticed that Scully did not follow him. She had been incinerated by the fire, and now Mulder was alone.) Mulder's head jerked back once again, but this time his arm's reacted as well. He shoved Clarice against the table, freeing himself from her trance. He shot up out of his chair, in unbelief of what he had just witnessed. Was this his future? Was Scully to die in his arms? He opened his eyes, and saw Clarice standing in front of him. "Well?" she asked. "That was my future? Death and destruction?" he asked angrily. "Do you believe me now?" Mulder hesitated, "Yes." "Then do me a favor. Bring me your partner. I love to see the skeptic's turn, I really love the expressions they have," "Okay, I'll do that," Mulder said. He then began to walk out of the tent, until he heard Clarice clearing her throat behind him. He turned around, and she had her hand extended. "That'll be $12.50," Mulder paid the woman and walked out of the tent. Clarice stood at her table, watching and smiling. ****************************************************************************** End of part one... Title: "Fugazi" Writer: Chris Munn See part one for credits The drive home was strange for Mulder. He felt...different, almost like Clarice had affected his mood. He seemed happier, although he had no reason to be. About half way home, he decided to call Scully. He dialed the number for her apartment, and listened to the ring. "Hello?" a male voice said on the other end of the phone. "Hello?!??" Mulder asked, confused as to why a male with a Spanish accent would be answering Scully's phone. "Is Scully there?" "Who? Mr., I think you have the wrong number," the Spanish man replied. Mulder looked at his phone and saw that the number dialed was the right one, the one saved into his phone's memory. He started to panic, "I want to speak with Dana Scully. Where is she?!?" "Man, I've never heard of her," the man answered. Mulder then heard a click, signaling the man hanging up. Mulder hurriedly dialed Scully's cell phone number, hoping to get an answer. "Scully," she answered. "Scully, thank God!" he said, "What's going on?" "Mulder? Where are you?" "I'm in my car, where are you?" "I'm at the apartment," "MY apartment?" "Um...yeah," she answered with hesitation, "I'm waiting on you to get here." "I'll be right there," Mulder said, quickly hanging up while steping on the gas pedal. He raced back to his apartment, but didn't spy Scully's car anywhere in the parking lot. He got out of his car and ran to his apartment door. He took out his keys, but discovered that his key no longer fit the lock. "What the hell is going on?" he asked himself. He began to knock loudly on the door, "Scully! Let me in!" The door opened, only it wasn't Scully on the other end. The large, black man opened the door, facing Mulder. "Just what do you think you're doin'?" the man asked. "What are you doing in my apartment?" Mulder asked fiercely. "YOU'RE apartment? Excuse me, but just what are you trippin' on, man?" the man said, "Now I think you need to get you're ass outta here 'fore I call the cops." "Sir, I'm an FBI Agent," Mulder stated. "Yeah, and I'm in the CIA," replied the man. Mulder's cell phone began to ring, and he reached into his pocket to answer it. While he was distracted, the man slammed the door to the apartment shut in Mulder's face. "Mulder," he answered in a paniced voice. "Mulder, it's me," Scully said, "where are you? I'm still waiting for you." Mulder was beyond confused now. Had his partner not said to meet him at his apartment? How had someone taken over his home? Mulder cleared his throat, "Scully, could you do me a favor? Where, exactly, IS my apartment?" "What? Mulder, are you okay? Is there anything wrong?" "Nevermind," he replied feigning ignorance, "can you meet me at work?" ***************************************************************************** FBI HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, DC Mulder walked into the J. Edgar Hoover building and began to make his way to his basement office. He passed the same people he passed everyday, but this time things were different. They didn't look away from him like usual. Mulder was sort of a...misfit at the FBI, frowned upon by his superiors and mocked by his peers. Now, however, they seemed to have a greater sense of respect, nodding and saying hello to him as he walked through the hall. Puzzled and confused about the day's events, Mulder hardley noticed Charlene approaching him. Charlene was the secretary for his immediate superior, Assistant Director Walter Skinner. "Sir!" she said, stopping Mulder in the hallway, "Where have you been?" She grabbed Mulder by the arm and led him through the hall, into the Assistant Director's office. "What does the AD want me for?" Mulder asked her. She shot him a strange look and replied, "Funny man, it's more like who do YOU want to see," With that, she pushed him into Assistant Director Skinner's office. Only, the sign on the door read something different: Assistant Director Fox Mulder. Mulder was shoved into "his" office by Charlene, who promptly closed the door behind him. He turned to face the room's center table, and saw a suprise guest waiting on him. "Running a little late, arent' we?" the Cigarette Smoking Man asked as he drew from his Morley. Mulder stood, unsure of what to say to the man who had taken every opportunity to ruin his life. "I'm not feeling well," he finally replied. "Well, that's too bad," the Cigarette Smoking Man said, "I suppose we can speak another time." With that, the older man got up and exited the room. Mulder sat in the Assistant Director's chair, HIS chair, and put his face in his hands. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered to himself. He sat like this for several minutes, until a knock was heard at the office door. "Who is it?" Mulder asked as Charlene opened the door. "Mulder, it's me," Scully said while pushing herself past the secretary. Mulder jumped out of his seat and hurried to the door, directing Charlene to return to her desk. He closed the door and turned toward Scully. "Scully, thank God you're here," he rambled off, "What the hell is going..." Before Mulder could finish his sentence, Scully had her arms draped around his shoulders. She pulled down, kissing him with all her might. The two stood there for several seconds, fully embraced. Suddenly, Mulder broke it off and backed away. He was dumbfounded, unable to speak. He had been caught off guard, completely unexpecting what had happened. "Sweetie," Scully asked with a confused look on her face, "what's wrong?" Mulder thought back to one incident where this situation had been reversed. In a motel room several months ago, where it was himself making the advances and Scully who was unexpecting. He had discovered that night that he and Scully were not meant for romance, but now here she was. Completely giving herself over to him, ready to be with him. "Mulder? Are you okay? Fox?" But it wasn't right. Yes, Scully loves him, but not like this. She was his best friend, not his lover. And no matter how much he wanted that kiss, he didn't feel right afterward. "Scully," he finally responded, "why did you just do that?" "Mulder, you really starting to worry me," "Scully, please humor me," he said. He decided that a little lie wouldn't hurt, "Something happened to me, and my memory is all screwed up." Scully took a deep breath, "Okay, but then you have to tell me EXACTLY what happened to you." Mulder agreed and Scully sat him down, "Mulder, you and I have been partners for almost seven years. Recently, we began dating and have been engaged for about a month now." Mulder was in shock, "W-what about the X-Files?" "The X-Files," Scully continued, "was the division that you were assigned before being promoted to Assistant Director. You oversee the division now, with Agent Fowley taking our place as investigator. I have become an instructor at the FBI Academy, and you have risen up the ranks to become an AD." Mulder sat in the chair, astounded at what his 'fiance' had told him. He stared at her, unbelieving and untrustful. How could this have happened? This wasn't his life, and it never would be. Scully took his hand and stood him up, "I'm taking you to the apartment to check you out. You still haven't told me what happened to you." Mulder thought about pulling away from her. He considered pulling out his gun and raving like a maniac about how he was being decieved. He had done it plenty of times before, but this time was different. He had been exposed to mind control different times, as had his partner. Could that be the reason behind this? After a thought, he decided that maybe he should simply go along with it for a while, and see what happened. He looked at Scully and followed her out the door. *************************************************************************** End of part two.... Title: "Fugazi" Writer: Chris Munn See part one for credits MULDER RESIDENCE WASHINGTON, DC Mulder sat in the passenger side of Scully's car, unaware of their location. She had taken him to a house that he had never seen before, in an extravigantly rich neighborhood. She stopped her car and detached her seat belt, and looked at her "fiance" with pity. He was still pretending to be under the influence of a memory loss, and he was confused enough to pull it off well. "Sweetie, we're home," she said softly while touching his hand, "you can get out of the car now." The two exited the car, and Scully took Mulder's hand and led him up to the door of a house. The name on the mailbox was Mulder's. They entered the house and Mulder was led upstairs into the bedroom. His and Scully's bedroom. Scully sets him down on the bed, and she pulls a pen light out of her pocket. She shines it in his eyes, giving him a thorough check-up. "Fox," she finally said, "you never did tell me what happened to you out there. I'm worried." "It's nothing to be worried about, I think the sun got to me a little too much." "Well," she started with a grin, "I believe I may have just the thing to spark your memory." With that, she pushed Mulder back onto the bed and stradled him. Mulder began to freak out, his partner was ON TOP OF HIM! He attempted to move her, but she mis-took his desire for escape as playfulness. "I don't think so, Mr. Mulder," she said with a giggle, "You can't get yourself out of this one." After this, she began to unbutton his pants. Suddenly, the phone rang. Mulder, looking for any way possible to get out the situation, jumped up. "I'll get it!" he said as he sprang from the bed, almost knocking Scully off the bed. "Hello?" "Hey, Fox," the female voice on the other end said, "how are you doing? Dana called me earlier asking if I knew where you were." "I'm sorry, but who is this?" he asked. "Fox, it's me, Samantha. You're sister, remember?" she replied sarcastically. "W...What?" Mulder stuttered out. Nothing so far had shocked him as much as the sound of his sister's voice, "Where are you? I want to see you." "Fox, I'm at my house, calm down. What's wrong with you?" "Does Scully know how to get there?" "Yeah, Dana knows where I live," "Then I'll be right there, don't...go...anywhere." He slammed down the phone and grabbed Scully by the hand, leading her out the door. "Fox? Where are we going?" "You're taking me to see Samantha. You're taking me to see my sister." **************************************************************************** SAMANTHA MULDER RESIDENCE WASHINGTON, DC Mulder pulled Scully out of the car and led her to the house's door. The confusion he felt was overwhelmed with one desire. To see her. The sister he lost all those years ago. The two reached the porch just as the door began to open. A young woman stepped out and smiled at them. "Samantha?" Mulder asked hesitantly. "Fox," she said with concern, "Fox are you okay?" She looked at Scully, who simply shrugged. "It is you," he whispered, "This is really happening." Suddenly, a thought appeared in his mind. All this had changed after his visit to Seaton. Clarice. "It's not happening," he said with despair. He looked down, away from his sister. That's when he noticed it. "Get away from me!" Mulder yelled, pulling his gun on Samantha, "Just step back." "Mulder!" Scully yelled as Samantha stood in shock, "Mulder, what the hell are you doing?" "Both of you, back away right now," he commanded, "And drop your weapons. Both of you," Scully pulled out her gun and began to lay it on the ground. Samantha hesitated, and revealed the stilleto. The weapon used to kill beings not of this world. Scully took Mulder's interest in the knife to her advantage. She pulled her gun back up and pointed it at Mulder. "Fox," she said with caution in her voice, "Whatever you're thinking about doing, please think it over. I love you, Samantha loves you. Put the gun down, please." "I want to know just what the hell is going on," Mulder said intently. He stared at Scully, unbelieving that she would take part in this staging. This deception. He was now positive that the brain washing he speculated had taken place to his partner. Mulder and Scully stared at each other, guns drawn. Samantha, realizing that they had lost interest in her, decided to make her escape. She began to run toward her door, but not quickly enough. A shot ran out, hitting her in the back. Mulder and Scully both turned, realizing that the shot had been fired from behind them. Mulder used this to his advantage. He hit his partner across the back of the neck, knocking her down. He grabbed her keys, and jumped in the car. Scully sat up, and shot at the car as it was driving away. ***************************************************************************** SUPER AMERICA GAS STATION WASHINGTON, DC Mulder sat on the curb outside the gas station. Scully's shots had hit a tire, causing him to get a quick plug. He couldn't believe what was happening to him, but he had realized that Clarice was the key. She did something to him, to everyone around him. How could someone have such power? Not even Robert Modell had been this powerful, and Mulder had barely walked away from that confrontation alive. This was worse, much worse. Before he realized it, a person was standing beside him. He looked up and found a gun pointed at his face. "Get up, Agent Mulder," a familiar voice commanded. "Skinner?" Mulder asked in surprise, "Is that you?" "Just get up," Skinner told him, leaving the gun firmly planted on the agent. Skinner escorted Mulder away from the gas station and into a black sedan parked behind the building. The two got in the car, and Skinner put the gun away. "What the hell is going on here, sir?" Mulder asked sternly. "I shot Samantha," Skinner replied with a cold demeanor, "She wasn't your sister. Not anymore." "How do you know this?" Mulder asked. "The information kind of fell into my lap. I should have let you die, it's because of you that I'm a hunted man." "What?" "When you took over my position as Assistant Director, I was marked for death by the men in control of the government. The shadowy men from which you take orders now, including your cigarette smoking friend." "Then why are you helping me now?" Mulder asked hesitantly. Skinner said nothing and started the car. He pulled out into the street, and the car sped back toward downtown DC. "Where are we going?" Mulder asked, unsure of his former superior's mental condition. He could tell that the man was capable of snapping at any moment. He looked almost like a completely different man, no trace of the well-dressed professional Mulder had reported to only the day before. "Away from them," Skinner replied while pointing in the mirror. A car was following them, and was being rather obvious about it. The cars both sped up, making the pursuit into a high speed chase that resembled something out of a Lethal Weapon movie. Skinner's driving was insanely creative, but whoever was driving the second car was even more so. "Listen to me, Mulder," Skinner said while turning the wheel, "The men following us now are a part of the government that operates solely on it's own and answers to no one. They believe themselves to be the supreme power withing the country. What they don't know is that there is another syndicate within the government that opposes them. These men are no better than the ones trying to kill us, but they have protected me. They believe that the even though the date is set, the world still has a chance." With those last words, Skinner careened around a corner, and barely missed hitting a passenger bus. He swerved, running off the road into a small tree. Mulder shook the impact off, but realized that Skinner had been knocked unconscious. Mulder climbed out of the damaged car, but was stopped by the black sedan pulling up behind him. The driver rolled down the window and revealled a gun. "Get in," The back door opened, and Mulder realized that he had little choice but to follow the instructions. He sat down in the car, and the door locked beside him. He looked to his side, and saw the Cigarette Smoking Man lighting up. ************************************************************************ End of part three.... Title: "Fugazi" Writer: Chris Munn See part one for credits SAMANTHA MULDER RESIDENCE WASHINGTON, DC Scully stood over the dead body of Samantha Mulder and thought about what her partner had just done. How could it have all gone to hell so quickly? They had finally gotten the leverage against the conspirators that they had always strived for, and Mulder decided to go off the deep end. She stood in silence, unsure of what to do next. The police and paramedics scampered around her, but she was oblivious to them. Suddenly, her cell phone rang. "Hello?" She stood, listening intently to the voice on the other end. She then hung up the phone and ran toward one of the many FBI vehicles parked around her. ****************************************************************************** Mulder adjusted himself in the seat as the driver put the car in reverse and sped down the street. "You are beginning to worry me, Mr. Mulder," the Cigarette Smoking Man said after exhaling a billow of smoke, "You're beginning to worry us." "Listen to me, you smokey son of a bitch," Mulder said heatedly, "I don't know exactly what's going on right now, but I do know that I would never call you my superior!" "Mr. Mulder, I know that Skinner probably told you some very convincing lies. But that's exactly what they are...lies. The project is going as scheduled, and I need to know if you're part is still within our time table." "My part?" "The same part that your father played all those years ago...the part of the collector," "Let me out of this car," Mulder said sternly. The driver glanced in the rearview, and continued driving. Mulder noticed that the driver was heading out of DC, into Maryland. "Wait!" Mulder said with a start, "Sir, I can explain everything," the sound of his words made the bile creep up in his throat. "I'm not exactly myself, and I can tell you why," Mulder told the elder, whose curiosity had been piqued. Mulder leaned toward the sinister man and smiled, "How would you like a new guinea pig in psychic control research?" The Cigarette Smoking Man smiled. "I found a woman, this morning, in Seaton, Maryland. Her name is Clarice, and I've experienced her power. She's the real thing, and I'm sure you would be interested in her." The Cigarette Smoking Man looked away from Mulder and motioned at the driver, "Seaton, you said?" ***************************************************************************** Scully sat in her car, waiting for the man that had contacted her. He had claimed to have knowledge about Mulder's whereabouts, and she had to find him herself. Without the police, and without the FBI. This was her fiance, and she wouldn't let him be taken to jail unless it was absolutely necessary. Suddenly, the passenger side door opened, and a man with a gun slid inside the car. She looked up and recognized Skinner. "Skinner?!?" she said with shock. "Drive Scully, and you'll find Mulder," Scully started the car, and the two began to head out of Washington. ******************************************************************************* SEATON, MARYLAND MAY 12, 1999 Mulder and the Cigarette Smoking Man exited the car, and surveied the carnival around them. The driver followed them, as the three entered the carnival gates. Mulder led the way to a small tent in the middle of the fair grounds. A tent that read "Clarice the Clairvoyant" across the top. "Wait out here," the Cigarette Smoking Man said to his driver. He then entered the tent, with Mulder bringing up the rear. "Hey," Clarice said as her customer was leaving, "no cutting in line!" Mulder entered the tent, and a spark of recognition came across Clarice's face, "Agent Mulder, back again so soon? I said to bring your pretty partner, not the Marlboro Man." A gunshot was heard outside, and the Cigarette Smoking Man opened the tent to see what was happening. The driver laid dead on the ground, and Skinner stood with Scully as his hostage. "Both of you come outside, right now!" Skinner demanded, "Or Agent Scully will be on the recieving end of the autopsies she so loves to perform." The Cigarette Smoking Man looked at Mulder, who had drawn his gun on him. "Walk outside," Mulder commanded. The two men walked out of the tent, confronting Skinner. "How did you know where we were?" Mulder asked, gun still on the Cigarette Smoking Man. "The satellite system around the earth can pinpoint anyone doing anything anywhere. My superiors simply used it to find you, and they relayed the information to me. Agent Scully was a necessary hostage." "Let her go," Mulder said. "No problem," Skinner said coldly. With that, he shoved her to the ground and discharged a bullet into the Cigarette Smoking Man's chest. The older man fell the ground, and blood began to pool around him. Skinner dropped his gun, and began to walk away. "Wait," Mulder yelled, "Stop right there!" Skinner turned around, and motioned at Agent Scully, "You might be better off watching those closer to you." Mulder looked down and saw that Scully had grabbed the driver's gun, and had it pointed at her partner. "Mulder," she said with tears streaming down her face, "put the gun down. Please, don't make me shoot you," Mulder backed away, and re-entered the tent. He was suprised that shots hadn't followed him, for Scully had not hesitated to shoot him once before. He turned and faced Clarice, who was still sitting in her chair, smiling. "What did you do to me?" he asked quitely, gun still in his hand, "What did you do to my life?" "I only did what you asked, Agent Mulder. I proved my power to you, do you believe me now?" Mulder noticed that the noise of the carnival had ceased, and that the tent was completely silent. The silence was broken by Clarice, who began to laugh hysterically. Wind began to blow papers and clothing around the room, and Clarice sat laughing. Mulder, unable to cope with what was going on, did the only thing he could think to do. Clarice was a threat, using potentially dangerous telekinetic abilities. He raised his gun, and shot into the middle of Clarice's chest. Out of the wound came not blood, but a bright light. A light that engulfed everything. ****************************************************************************** Mulder's eyes jumped open, and he saw Clarice standing in front of him with her hands on his head. He pushed himself back, and shot out of the chair. The tent had reverted back to normal, and it appeared that nothing had happened. "What did you just do to me?" Mulder asked. "I showed you the truth, Mr. Mulder," Clarice responded, "I don't know what you saw in the few moments that I had connected, but it revealled something personal about yourself." "Is this the future? Is this what I should expect to happen??" "No, the future is what you make of it," she told him, "but there are truths to be read into it. These things will all come to pass, just not the way that you saw them today and possibly not at the same time." "I'm leaving now," he said, "but I will be back." With that, Mulder walked out the tent opening. He walked a few feet and turned back around. His jaw opened, and he felt a sense of shock running through out his body. The tent was different on the outside. It no longer read Clarice's name, but had that of a freak show on the tent marqui. He walked back to the door, looked in, and saw the freak show commencing. He walked to one of the ushers, and asked what had happened to the psychic that was serving as an attraction. The usher told him that the carnival didn't have a psychic this year. The previous psychic had died around this time last year. "What was the psychic's name?" Mulder asked the usher. "I don't remember. Crystal or Cassie or something like that," Mulder thanked the usher, and walked out of the carnival. He got in his car and sat for several moments, trying to wrap his brain around the days events. He looked at the clock in his car, and saw that he had only been gone about fifteen minutes. The entire day had been a hallucination, brought on by a psychic who died over a year ago. "These things will come to pass," Mulder muttered to himself. A cold chill ran down his spine. An hour later, he started the car and began to drive home. THE END. There you have it! Feedback is much appreciated, and I hope to recieve any good or bad. Also, be sure to check out the X-Files Virtual Season!