From: "Van Handel, Nancy" <NVanha@sjcd.cc.tx.us>
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 13:52:46 -0600
Subject: Story Submissions - Full Circle

TITLE:  FULL CIRCLE
AUTHOR:  N. Van Handel
E-MAIL:  nvanha@sjcd.cc.tx.us
RATING:  PG-13 UST
CATEGORY:  (C) XF/MILLENNIUM
SPOILERS:  NONE
KEYWORDS:
SUMMARY: Frank asks for Mulder and Scully's help in a case.

DISCLAIMER: Frank Black, Mulder & Scully belong to Chris Carter, 1013, and
Fox.  No 
infringement was intended. It's just in all good clean fun and a wild
imagination.



"Approaching the Sun, brings definitive change.
It will never again be the same. 
Appearing in our skies it is believed 
to be a prophecy of extraordinary events.
The birth of kings... The death of Empires.
After centuries... or millennia... the journey must end.
Perhaps smothered by its own dust, the dark,
soulless body continues eternally through
Space and Time. It may disintegrate and crumble
into inconsequential rubble. Or it may be lost forever; crashing 
burning... into the yellow sun.
And tonight...as I look into the sky, 
and it looks back on me... I want to know...which am I? 
I need to know...is this the beginning of the journey...
...Or the end?" 

Frank Black

Frank stood by the grave of his wife in the cold winter air. Snow had not
yet 
covered the ground but it felt like it would soon. His daughter played on
the porch 
like she didn't have a care in the world. It had been several months now
since the 
plague was discovered in Seattle. He hadn't heard from anyone nor did he
want to. 
The radio and TV gave him all the information that he needed. He had only
gone 
back to his yellow house to get his computer, nothing more. The Millennium
Group 
was still trying to find him. He had managed to keep his location a secret
from 
them, but for how long, he didn't know. He never hated anyone or anything as

much as he hated the Group right now. They took everyone that he ever held
dear 
to him. He looked down at his wedding band. Somehow it still held its
meaning. 
He turned back to face his daughter, she looked just like he mother. Her
blue eyes, 
the turned up little nose, even her hair, long and curly, was that of her
mother. He 
listened to her laughter until she stopped and looked at him. "Daddy, mommy
says 
she misses you." He tilted his head at her. He knew Catherine had told him
of 
Jordan seeing things, angels, like Lara, but he still couldn't get use to
it. She had 
seen his father and his mother several times. Now she saw her mother, too.
Jordan 
stood playing with her, Catherine, he guessed. "Daddy, mommy says she loves 
you and me." she ran over to him and jumped in his arms.
"I love her too Jordan." he said carrying her into the cabin.
"Mommy says you should go and stop them. What is she talking about, Daddy?" 
She played with his shirt button and looked at him with innocent eyes.
"Nothing, sweetie," he said placing her down. "Hungry?" She nodded and 
promptly ran to the kitchen. He fixed her a sandwich and got her some milk.
At 
least he could still go across the border and get food. Canada didn't seem
to be 
affected by this plague. It must be the cold. He sat down at his computer
thinking. 
Looking at the screen, the count down to the Millennium still showed the
days left. 
A familiar tingle traveled up his spine and the warm sensation was once
again 
behind his eyes. He shook his head as flashes of his wife telling him that
moving to 
Seattle was a good idea appeared. 'Right,' he told himself, 'it took her
life.' Pulling 
out the keyboard, he started to punch the keys. He had to get help. There
was only 
one person he knew that would want to seek the same truths as he.



Mulder sat at his computer, "Hey Scully, how do you get e-mail again?" he
asked 
looking up at her.
She walked around and showed him again for the fourth time. "Mulder, when
are 
you going to learn the new operating system? You've had it for two months
now."
"Why should I? I have you," he said smiling up at her. He looked down as it 
connected to the main mail box of the FBI and chimed "You have mail." Scully

came back around to look over his shoulder. Two were from Frohike, the other
she 
never heard of. Mulder sat back whistling. "Wow, I haven't heard from him in
a 
long time. Wonder why he's e-mailing me."
"Who?" she said a little more interested.
"A guy I knew when I first got assigned to the X-files. His name is Frank
Black. 
Used to be a really good profiler. Really good. Even rivaled my own
talents," he 
said smugly, "The guys he worked with described him as the angel Gabriel,
all his 
cases dealt with really bad news. I think they were mainly sexual abuse
cases. 
Anyway, he left the FBI after things hit a little too close to home. I guess
he 
couldn't handle it anymore. The case dealt with this guy who would go
through 
neighborhoods looking for open doors. When he found one, he figured it was
an 
invitation to come on in and kill them. He would murder the whole family
then take 
polaroids of them, sending the pictures to the police. Frank Black was the
one who 
broke the case wide open. They caught him and put him in jail. I think he's
serving 
three consecutive life terms. But then a year later, he received an envelop
in the 
mail, unmarked like the police got. It was polaroids of his wife and
daughter 
throughout town. It paralyzed him, couldn't work. That's when he retired.
From 
what I hear, he joined this group called the Millennium Group. Now, that's a
group 
of people that would make even me look normal," he said with a smile.
"You, normal?" she laughed.
"Anyway, he moved to Seattle. That's the last I heard of him."
"So what does he want?" she asked leaning down to read the message.
"He says he's coming here and wants to talk. He's not going into detail but
I guess 
it's important." He scrolled down further and read on, "His plane should be
landing 
this afternoon. Want to go meet him at the airport with me?" he asked
looking at 
her.
"Sure, why not, I don't have anything better to do."


Frank stood looking at his watch. He hated leaving Jordan, especially at a
time like 
this, but she was with Catherine's parents. They were happy to have her,
especially 
since hearing the news of their daughter's death. He picked up his bags and
walked 
outside. The air was cool and damp, as the rain gently drizzled down on him.
It 
reminded him of Seattle. Just then he noticed a small framed, red-headed
woman 
and a tall, well groomed man approaching him. He recognized Agent Mulder 
instantly and walked over to him. Mulder couldn't help but look shocked.
Frank 
was thinner than he remembered and his face held no emotion. His eyes showed
no 
life in them. "Frank Black." Mulder said holding his hand out to him. "Agent
Fox 
Mulder, you e-mailed me your arrival. It's been a while." Frank shook his
hand 
only listening. "This is my partner, Agent Dana Scully." He shook her hand
as 
well. She noticed a white band around his finger where a ring might have
once 
been. "How's the wife and kids?" Mulder said leading him to the car.
"Jordan's fine," he said coolly, and didn't say more.
They drove to the hotel where they booked Frank a room and watched as he
threw 
his baggage on the bed. Opening one, he pulled a laptop computer out and
placed it 
on the table. He hooked it up and began typing. "A man of very few words," 
Scully whispered. Mulder only shrugged and watched as Frank spoke to the 
computer. "Frank Black, the time is near." the computer clicked on and a
series of 
screens flashed till the Millennium logo appeared on the screen. He punched
a few 
keys and looked up at Mulder. "The problem I came to you with is a serious
one."
Mulder could tell by the tone of his voice that it was. They both walked
over and sat 
next to him. "How can we help?"
"First, let me tell you what is going on before you get involved."
"It couldn't be as bad as you think this could be," Scully said.
"It is." He looked at her and she noticed the dark color in his eyes.
"So what's going on?" Mulder asked.
"You know how the group operates, correct, Agent Mulder?" He pulled the 
computer around so they both could see the screen. The logo flashed the time
and 
date left till the Millennium. Scully looked shocked as she recognized the
logo, it 
was exactly like her tattoo. "Well, some things have come to light for me."
He went 
into the story of how he suspected the group of certain cover ups. How they
took 
Lara and told her their so called secrets, causing her to go insane. Scully
looked 
shocked. It didn't sound like a group, it sounded like a cult. That was when
he got 
to the plague. "Peter told me that it was found by the Russians in Africa.
They 
brought it back to their home land to develop it into a lethal biological
weapon. 
When the USSR fell, it was inadvertently exposed to nature. Unfortunately,
it 
reached the US because it was carried by birds." Mulder couldn't believe
what he 
was hearing. Frank continued, "Then in 1986 a farmer in Wisconsin died along

with his chickens. Then it disappeared till this year. A family was
discovered in 
their home dead, and also a man on a beach that I was investigating. They
both had 
the virus. Both infected by birds, I guess." Scully sat silent. He looked at
the two, 
"So."
Mulder leaned over to him. "How come we haven't heard about this on the
news."
Frank shrugged. "It's all over the news on the west coast."
Scully looked at Mulder. "You know, I did hear something about this from my 
brother when he called the other day, but I didn't think too much about it.
He told 
me it was something like the Measles."
Mulder turned to Frank. "How did you find out about this?"
"I found out I was vaccinated against this plague, but when I tried to look
into it 
with Peter Watts, we were, shall I say, distracted. By the time it came to
light for 
the both of us, it was already too late. The Millennium Group took Lara to a
hiding 
place. Peter went to go get her, but they... I really don't know what they
did to 
him. He managed to call me on his cellphone, I heard struggling so I had the
call 
traced. By the time I found the cabin, it was too late. Peter was nowhere to
be 
found. Lara was there, insane and not knowing what she was doing, she even
tried 
to shoot me, but luckily she missed. We took her to the hospital. She left a
note for 
me, though, as well as her vaccine. She saved Jordan's life. She knew what
was 
going to happen and she still did what she did anyway." Scully noticed his
tone 
change to sadness. He looked down at his hand where his wedding ring once
was. 
"What can we do to help?" she asked again.
"I need your help to stop the group from allowing this plague to spread.
They are 
controlling Armageddon. We have to find the vaccine and then stop them."
Anger 
grew in his voice. "This is all the information that I have." He punched a
few keys 
and a file flashed on the screen. Mulder and Scully read it as Frank walked
over 
looking out the window. Being a doctor, she under stood what the pathogen
was 
and that it was mixed with others. It reminded her of the Ebola virus.
Scully kept 
reading, understanding the symptoms. She looked up at Frank and watched him.

He seemed strong but yet he looked vulnerable. He touched the window tracing
the 
rain as it rolled down it. She walked over as Mulder continued to mull over
the file. 
"I'm really sorry," she said standing beside him.
He looked over at her and smiled a thank you. He looked back out as he felt
Scully 
touch his arm and then walk way. "First we need to find out what it is
exactly," 
Scully said sitting next to Mulder. "It would also help if I had a blood
sample. We 
could check it in the lab and see what we can come up with."
Frank set a small case down in front of them. Each little tube was labeled
neatly. "I 
took this from the lab that they held us in. One is mine, the other is Peter
Watts' 
blood. We were both vaccinated. That might help develop a vaccine. The other
is 
my daughter, Jordan's, and the other of my wife..." he paused looking at it,

"Catherine. She didn't have the vaccine." He turned and walked back to the 
window. He felt helpless right then.
Scully picked them up looking at them. "I'll run to the lab tonight and get
started." 
Mulder nodded. "We need more information on this and I think I know who to 
see."


Frank stood beside Scully as she worked. She wore her blue scrubs but the 
perfume she wore was the same as Catherine's. Images of her flashed in his
mind. 
She was playing with Jordan, brushing her hair, cooking dinner. Tears welled
up 
in his eyes and he turned away looking around the room. Scully sensed his 
discomfort and placed a hand on him. "Are you OK?" she asked, "Maybe you 
should have stayed at the room. Looks like you could use the rest. It was a
long 
flight."
"No, I'm fine," he said looking back down at his hand. "Find anything yet?"
"No, not yet," she replied. "Listen, it's really late, why don't we go and
get some 
coffee. Maybe that will wake us up."
"Sure," he said calmly.
She took him to a little coffee house around the corner. They sat in the
back booth 
and ordered. She got an Amaretto and he ordered plain coffee. Frank just sat
staring 
at his hands. Scully reached over and wrapped her hands around his. "You
know if 
you talk about it, it sometimes helps," she said softly.
He looked up at her with tears in his eyes. He hadn't cried or even felt
emotion 
since that day. He wouldn't let himself, he had to be strong for Jordan, but
now 
that she was with her grandparents and he alone, emotions started to flood
over 
him. He couldn't stop them. Flashes of his wife occurred again. He pulled
his 
hands away from Scully's and covered his eyes, as if trying to block them
out. She 
came around and sat next to him. She reached over touching him gently,
almost 
scared he would break. She felt him tremble. Placing her arms more firmly on
him, 
she pulled him to her. The shaking worsened. "She's gone," he sobbed, "She's

gone."
Scully held him as the waitress placed their cups down, "Is he alright?" she
asked. 
Scully only nodded and the waitress eyed him then left shaking her head.
"Here," 
Scully said, handing him his coffee. "Drink this, it won't make you feel
better, but 
I heard that sometimes it helps."
Taking deep breaths, he tried to calm himself and then took a sip. His hands
shook 
so much he almost dropped his cup as he set it down. Scully rubbed his
shoulders, 
her touch felt good. He hadn't been touched by a woman for a while.
Catherine and 
him had been separated for a year before all of this happened. They had
managed to 
make up a the cabin but never really got the chance to spend time together
like they 
use to. Now, the only woman in his life was Jordan. He loved her to death
and she 
loved him back, but she wasn't his equal. His hands stayed wrapped around
his 
cup. "I'm fine, now," he said calmly, not looking up. Scully rubbed his back

silently as if knowing it wasn't true. They sat together for a long time,
silent. 
Mulder walked in, seeing them in the back, he made his way towards them.
"Is 
this a private party or can I join in?" he asked light heartily. They both
looked up at 
him. Frank had no emotion and Scully scolded him with her eyes. "I got some 
more info if you'd like to hear it."
"What did you get?" she asked, pulling away from Frank.
"Well, it seems the guys found some very interesting information."
"How do they do it?" she asked, shaking her head in wonder.
"Remember that case when I went under cover with the CIA to catch the
terrorist 
with that lethal form of strep?" Scully nodded, remembering. "Well, it seems

they're back."
"Their back?" Frank said, finally.
"We'll explain on our way to Seattle," he said.
Scully raised her eyebrows.


The flight was long and tiring. They had to fly into Canada, then drove his
Jeep 
five hours to the cabin. Now they stood at his cabin door. Frank walked in
and 
threw his bags down. It was small, two bedrooms, and homey. "You can stay in

there," he pointed to his bedroom as Mulder walked towards it. "You can stay
in 
Jordan's room." He lead Scully in. He started pulling all the toys and
stuffed 
animals off the bed. He stopped, holding an angel. Scully walked over to
him. "We 
still haven't really talked," she said touching his shoulder.
He looked up then turned and placed it in the closet with the rest of them.
"Not 
now," he said, walking out.
Mulder was looking out the window at the woods. Frank sure had this place 
hidden. He noticed a marker outside and walked out to read it. "In loving
memory, 
a friend, mother, and wife. Catherine Black" He looked back towards the
cabin 
noticing Frank moving about inside. "So, that's why he's been so upset,"
Mulder 
said out loud. He turned and walked back in. Shivering he grabbed the cup of

coffee Scully held out to him. Winter was setting in and Frank could feel it
in his 
bones. He unpacked the supplies and turned on the radio. The news woman 
chattered on about the usual things. Scully did manage to hear that the so
called flu 
reports coming into the hospital were down as the colder months arrived.
As night settled in, so did Mulder and Scully. Frank sat alone on the couch.
He 
stared at the fire as flashes of his wife appeared again. He could still
hear the pain in 
her voice as she told him to give the vaccination to Jordan. He wished he
was the 
one who went off into the woods. Tears formed again and he tried to push
them 
back. He had broken down once, he couldn't let that happen again. He kept
telling 
himself that he had to be strong, strong for Jordan and himself. Just then,
he felt 
Scully wrap her arms around him. He dipped his head towards her. She saw the

pain in his eyes and pulled him to her. He trembled in her arms
uncontrollably now. 
She began to rock him gently, stroking his arm to calm him. He cried 
uncontrollably for a while till she thought he had no more tears left in
him. Finally, 
he looked up at her, "I ..." he hesitated, "Thank you."
She wiped a tear from his face, "I know how it is to lose someone you love."
"I miss her so much," he whispered, as his throat tightened.
"I know," she said, feeling his pain.
"I can still see her as clear as day, standing in our yellow house, and I
can still 
sometimes feel her. I guess it's 'cause I didn't allow myself to mourn for
her after 
she died. I felt I had to be strong for Jordan, plus, I couldn't stand to
let her go. 
She turned out to be stronger than me." He looked down at his hand and
rubbed the 
white band area on his finger.
Scully reached down and took his hand in hers. "She will always be with you 
Frank, you can't get rid of that. You can only live with the memories. They
will 
never go away and they will always be in your heart." She touched his chest
gently.
"But when will the pain stop?" He placed his hand on top of hers.
"It never will," she told him looking into his blue eyes.
He finally wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. She felt good in
his 
arms, comforting. They sat together for a long time till he fell asleep. She
tried to 
pull away slowly but he held her tight. She laid staring into the fire while
listening 
to his heart beat. He had so much pain inside, she couldn't really
understand how 
he had been dealing with it. He lost a lot of friends, and most importantly
his wife, 
all because of this group. She had a feeling that just finding the cure was
not 
enough. They had to stop the people who caused it, who killed his wife.
Suddenly, 
she felt a chill. Feeling her shiver, he pulled her closer and wrapped a
blanket 
around them.


Mulder woke in the morning. He didn't get much sleep. He always hated
sleeping 
on beds. He thought maybe Frank wouldn't mind trading with him. Stretching,
he 
cleaned up and got dressed. He wore jeans and a sweater his mom had given
him 
for his birthday. Walking out, he stopped as he noticed Frank and Scully
laying on 
the couch. He raised an eyebrow at them before he reached down and shook
Scully 
gently. She woke, blinking up at him, then she noticed where she was.
Pulling 
Frank's arms off of her carefully, she slipped out and followed Mulder into
the 
kitchen. "I think this was the first night of complete sleep he has had in a
long 
time," she said looking back at him. Frank rolled over curling up to the
back of the 
couch.
"I saw the headstone outside. I had no idea that she had died," Mulder said
pouring 
her a cup of coffee.
"He hasn't had anyone to talk to except his daughter and she's only a child.
He's 
had these emotions locked up inside him for so long that it all came out
last night. 
I'm just glad that when they came rushing out that at least someone was
there to 
comfort him." She sipped her coffee looking at Mulder.
Mulder reached over and pushed a strand of hair from her face, "So am I.
It's hard 
to deal with the loss of someone you love when you're alone. That I know."
"You had a lot happen to you, too, Mulder, at least your friends were there
for 
you."
"Especially you, Scully," he said softly.
She tilted her head in acknowledgment and set her cup down. "I'm going to 
shower. Then I suggest that we go to the hospitals. We should really take a
look at 
some of the records of the patients who died. Maybe we can get a starting
point."
Mulder nodded, "You're right. Once we isolate it and develop a vaccine, the
better 
off the rest of the country will be. Then we can concentrate on the
Millennium 
Group." He watched as Scully walked towards the bathroom, "Hey," he said 
following, "Need some help?" he asked, playfully.
She only closed the door in his face, not responding.


She soon emerged, smelling and looking clean. Frank was still asleep on the
couch 
and Mulder had rebuilt the fire to keep him warm. She walked over and made
sure 
the blankets were wrapped around him before they left. Mulder drove down to
the 
hospital noticing there weren't may cars on the freeway. "You notice how few
cars 
are on the highway?" 
Scully nodded, "Yeah, strange isn't it?"
He parked the Jeep and climbed out. Walking in, they noticed that the
hospital 
parking lot was also pretty empty. He walked up to the desk where a chubby
faced 
girl looked up at him. She was obviously a candy striper, he could tell by
the 
uniform. "Hello, I'm Agent Fox Mulder, and this is Agent Dana Scully. We're
with 
the FBI. We need to speak with the chief of staff."
The girl stood just smacking her gum looking at them, "Your not really the
FBI," 
she said looking at the two, "I thought they dressed in black and stuff."
"No, you're thinking of another group," Mulder said flashing his badge. "The
chief 
of staff?"
"Oh, yeah, well, she's busy right now, in the OR, I think, but anyway you
can 
wait if you like." She looked Mulder up and down as she twirled her gum on
her 
finger.
"Thanks," Scully said pushing Mulder down the hall to the waiting room.
Scully 
had to chuckle at the woman as she handed Mulder a soda. They waited for an
hour 
before a tall, dark haired woman with streaks of gray approached them.
"Hello, I'm 
Nadine Village. How can I help you."
Scully stood immediately and shook her hand. "We're here to investigate the
resent 
outbreaks in this area. We were hoping that you could let us see the medical
records 
of your first patient."
Nadine looked at them, confused, "Your people were here a few months ago.
Don't 
you guys talk to each other." she said a little irritated.
Mulder stepped in before Scully could say any more. "Well, we're the second
team. 
Just have to double check the others, you know. Can you help us?" Scully
looked 
at him not saying a word. She only wondered what he was up to.
"Sure, follow me," Nadine said, escorting them to the records department.
"Mr. 
Andros will help you from here. If you need any more help just ask for him
or 
myself. Oh, and please, next time set up an appointment." She walked away 
leaving the two in front of a young kid with headphones on.
He looked up and smiled. "Howdy, Nic Andros, so you guys really with the
FBI?"
Scully couldn't believe what she was seeing. "How long have you been working

here?" she asked.
"Believe me, lady, a long time, eight years, now. Don't let the headphones
fool 
you." He pulled them off and motioned them to come around. "Follow me, we
can 
find what you need on the computer." He sat at one of the desks and punched
the 
keys on the computer. "We had to hire some college students to help us keep
up 
with all the paper work. They come in at night and enter it in. The pays
good, and 
being college students, they need the money. Ah, here we are. Holly Night.
First 
patient admitted. She died that same day. Here I'll print out the file."
Scully turned 
when she heard the printer roar to life. Mulder pulled it off and thanked
him.
"By chance, do you happen to be linked to all the other hospitals?" Scully
asked.
"Sure," Nic said smiling at her. Mulder could tell he was taking a fancy to
her.
"Can you look and see who their first patients were?"
"Coming right up."
"Do you think we could possibly look at their blood, too, if you still have
it?" she 
asked.


The night started to settle in on them as Mulder drove back to the cabin.
Scully 
shivered as the cold air struck her face while she reviewed the file. "On
the first 
day, there were twenty reports. Mercy Hospital seemed to have the most.
That's 
located on the west side of town."
He pulled in and stopped. "Well, I guess that's as good a place as any to
start." He 
climbed out and walked in. 
Frank sat at his computer typing. He looked well rested, at least. Scully
wasn't sure 
if he had eaten, though. "We're home, honey." Mulder said smiling. "What's
for 
dinner?"
Frank looked up at him, unamused. He looked back at the computer and
continued 
typing. "So, what did you find out?" he asked silently.
"Did you eat?" Scully asked, standing next to him.
Frank only looked up at her. He could see the concern in her eyes but was 
unmoved. "I tapped into Peter Watts computer. He knew about this."
Mulder looked over his shoulder. He read the file out loud. "And from the
west the 
great pale horse rode in. The beast upon it cast a great plague upon the
land. Only 
the strong will survive, the weak will perish. This is who we are." Mulder
looked 
at them both. "This guy's some religious fanatic."
"He coded it," Frank said getting up to get a glass of water.
"What does it mean?" Scully asked.
"It means he knew," Frank sat on the couch staring into the fire. He
suddenly was 
overwhelmed by flashes of Lara in the cabin he had found her in and of the
voices 
in different languages echoed in his head. He covered his eyes as if in
pain. 
Mulder looked at Scully as she walked over to him. "Are you OK?" she asked, 
touching his arm.
He looked up, the flashes still occurred, the static was stronger this time.
He 
grimaced in pain before pushing past Scully and ran outside. "Frank!" he
heard her 
shout, as he moved into the woods stopping by his wife's grave. He fell to
his 
knees screaming "Stop!!" Scully and Mulder finally caught up to him and she
knelt 
down beside him. She was scared to touch him as they watched him tremble in 
pain. Mulder reached down and touched him lightly. Frank looked up at him, 
"Please," he pleaded to them, "Make it stop." He collapsed into Mulder's
arms. He 
picked Frank up and carried him in, placing him down on the couch. Scully
went 
into the bathroom and searched the cabinet. He hadn't been taking anything,
so she 
knew he wasn't on any drugs. Grabbing the aspirin, she crushed a couple and 
poured them into a warm cup of tea. Mulder made him comfortable and then 
watched as she poured it down his throat.
"What's wrong with him?" Mulder asked worried.
"I don't know," Scully said, stepping into the kitchen area, "I think
because he 
hasn't confronted his emotions for a long time that it's finally affecting
him 
somehow, maybe a nervous breakdown."
"We've been through a lot, too, Scully but you don't see us acting this way.
At 
least I hope not."
"Mulder," she said looking irritated at his light heartiness, "We didn't
lose 
everyone we ever cared about at once, either. We had time to grieve in
between. 
Besides, he also has a daughter. He probably felt he had to be strong for
her, so he 
pushed all his emotion aside to help her understand that her mother will
never be 
coming back."
"Alright," Mulder said, putting his hands up in surrender. "Tell you what,
I'll go 
and talk to some of the family members, if any are left. You take care of
him." He 
walked out leaving her alone as snow began to fall.


Frank dreamed of the apocalypse, of the four horsemen. They were riding
towards 
him in full fury. The land behind them, the trees, flowers, people, all fell
to their 
death. Just before they reached him, they stopped. He stood silent in front
of them. 
The horses pranced uneasy, wanting to ride on. He saw his lips move but
couldn't 
hear the words coming out. The four horsemen reached up and pulled their
hoods 
back. He stepped back in terror recognizing them. One was Peter Watts. His
eyes 
were black as night. Next was Bletcher, his old friend. He was covered with
blood 
that leaked out of his throat, just as Frank remembered the last time he saw
him. 
His eyes were white with no pupils. Then there was Lara, she had no eyes
that he 
could see of, but the last one really horrified him, his wife Catherine. Her
hair was 
covered with dirt and mud. Her eyes were red as the devils. He sat up
screaming. 
His heart pounding and fear was in his eyes. He looked around till his eyes
locked 
with Scully's. She sat before him with a damp wash cloth. "It's alright,"
she 
whispered, pushing him back down. He was in his bed now with the covers over

him. He laid his head back down on the pillows as he tried to calm his
breathing. 
"What happened?" he asked softly.
She patted his forehead, then turned handing him a glass of water and two
aspirins. 
"Here, take these." He took them silently. "Frank," she paused turning to
face him. 
He pulled himself up into a sitting position looking at her. "We want to
help you, 
but you have to talk to us. You have to stop holding everything inside."
He looked down before responding, his wife had told him the same thing
before, 
"I... It's kind of hard to explain. Even my wife really didn't fully
understand." He 
sighed heavily before continuing. "You see," he looked up at her, "I have
these 
visions."
"Apparitions?" she asked, hoping he hadn't become some religious freak.
"No, worse, more like a curse." She only looked at him in wonder, waiting
for him 
to continue. "The reason I was such a good profiler for the FBI was that I
had the 
ability to see into the criminal's mind. I became the horror, I saw what he
saw, I 
even saw what the victims saw. They would flash before my eyes like a
picture 
being taken or a miniature movie being shown. The Millennium Group
recognized 
my talents and recruited me. They forced me to use my talent, a lot. Helped
me 
understand it, live with it. I realized that they recruited a lot of people
like myself, 
Lara saw angels that guided her. After my friend Bletcher was killed in my 
basement, I began to doubt my ability. I also broke up with my wife at that
time 
too. She said I became a different person, that she didn't know me any more.
She 
knew that the Group had ulterior motives, I refused to see that. Because I
doubted 
my abilities, they tried to put me on the right track again, their track.
This time, my 
ability came back stronger, I was able to control it more. The visions of my
wife 
leaving me and Bletcher's murder finally disappeared. Now, I can't control
them. 
They come at anytime. Sometimes they are of my wife, others are of Peter or
Lara, 
but they are stronger, more uncontrollable. They are starting to hurt now. 
Sometimes they are of apocalyptic distress in different languages. The pain
is so 
great from them that sometimes I can't see."
She looked concerned at him wondering if he had a brain tumor or worse. "How

long has this been going on?" she reached into her pocket an pulled a pen
flashlight 
out.
"Basically, since my wife died." He looked out his window at the marker.
Dana crawled closer to him on the bed and started to shine the light into
his eyes. 
She never realized till now how blue they really were. His pupils responded 
normally to her test. He felt uncomfortable with her being so close to him.
She 
could feel him fidget under her and tried to ignore it. She touched his
forehead and 
felt a slight fever. She got up and went into the bathroom. Coming back, she
placed 
a thermometer in his mouth. "Is this really necessary?" he asked feeling
helpless.
"Shh," she said and started to check his pulse. Her touch was tender and
soft. 
"Well," she said pulling the thermometer out and read it, "you have a slight
fever. 
Does this happen when you have your visions?"
"I haven't really noticed. I do know that this one has been the worst."
She reached up and started running her hands through his hair, feeling for
bumps 
or soft spots. "Have you hit your head recently?"
He closed his eyes and sighed, "No."
She climbed up fully on the bed and crawled next to him leaning him forward
to 
feel behind him. She could tell he felt uncomfortable but she had to make
sure that 
he didn't have an injury that could be causing his problems. She ran her
hands 
down his neck placing enough pressure to see if any of the bones were out of
place. 
She noticed that his muscles were really tense. "Frank, I want to try
something," 
she finally said leaning around to face him.
"What?" he asked, curiously.
"Lay down on your stomach." She pushed him around and pulled the covers
back. 
He obeyed silently, wondering what she was up to. She pulled his shirt up
and 
started massaging his back. Her hands were warm and soft against his skin.
He 
started to turn back over but she stopped him. "Frank, please," she said
softly, 
"relax." She continued working on his back and neck. Frank closed his eyes
and 
tried to relax. She smiled as she felt his muscles finally giving in. She
continued to 
work his back, arms and neck till she was sure he was relaxed. When she was 
finished, he hadn't realized that she had stopped. He looked up at her, his
eyes 
softer now. "Rest," she whispered in his ear, and touched his forehead to
see if he 
still had his fever. As he turned to tell her thank you, his lips brushed
against hers. 
They were soft and as moist as a rose petal. They both stopped immediately
and 
looked at each other. Almost in unison, they both leaned in and kissed each
other. 
He pulled her to him. She returned his kiss willingly as her arms wrapped
around 
him, but he suddenly stopped and looked at her. "I... can't..." 
She stopped him from speaking any further by placing a finger on his lips.
"You 
don't have to say another word, I understand." She got up and turned to
leave but 
was stopped by his hand touching hers. She looked back and saw the thank you
in 
his eyes. She only smiled and squeezed his hand before she left him alone. 
In the living room, she sat on the couch running her finger over her lips.
She still 
felt Frank's lips touching hers. She couldn't figure out why she kissed him.
Was it 
because she felt sorry for him? She didn't know. She sat there silent for a
long time 
till she heard the Cherokee pull up. Mulder climbed out and ran inside
brushing 
snow off his shoulders. "How's Frank?" he asked, throwing his coat on the
hook 
next to the door.
"Resting, I hope," she said, fixing Mulder a cup of hot coffee. "So what did
you 
find out?"
"Not a whole lot. Most of the families didn't want to talk to me. They
seemed 
scared."
"I wonder if they got to them?" she said sitting next to him. She could feel
him 
shiver.
"Who knows, Scully. I guess the blood work is going to have to do for now. I

must have talked to twenty people today." He looked exhausted as he tilted
his head 
back, closing his eyes.
"Well, there has to be something," she said, doing the same. "It's something
we're 
missing. Do you have those files?" she asked, looking at him. He didn't
respond, 
reaching over she hit him on the chest.
He looked up, startled, and faced her. "Yeah." He reached over to his jacket
and 
pulled them out. 
She grabbed them from his hand and started going over them again. She mulled

them over for a better part of the night. With Frank sleeping soundly in his
bed 
room, Mulder had to sleep on the couch. He didn't complain. With his feet
propped 
up on the coffee table, he laid his head back and closed his eyes. She sat
next to 
him reading by the fire light till she, too, fell asleep. The papers slipped
out of her 
hand and scattered on the floor. Her head laid on Mulder's chest as she
curled up 
next to him to get warm.  Mulder instinctively reached down and placed his
arm 
around her, pulling her closer to him. He finally laid down pulling her with
him. 
She laid on top of him now, snuggling up to him. Halfway through the night
when 
he tried to roll over, he noticed her wrapped around him. He looked down 
wondering when they got in this position, not that he minded. He ran his
hand 
gently through her hair, feeling how soft it was. He looked out the window
and 
noticed the snow still falling. He looked back down at her and gently rolled
her 
over. He wrapped himself around her to keep her warm as she snuggled back 
against him. He only hoped that she didn't kick at in her sleep.



Mulder woke suddenly from his dream as he felt movement against him. He
looked 
down at Scully as she had managed to turn over and face him. Her breath
tickled 
his neck. He smiled and got up slowly trying not to wake her. When he was
finally 
up, he stoked the fire and noticed Frank coming out of the bathroom. He only

nodded an acknowledgment to him as he re-entered his bedroom. Mulder soon 
jumped in the shower and came out feeling much better. Meeting Frank in the 
kitchen, they both fixed their coffee. Frank motioned Mulder to his computer
and 
began to type. "I found this early this morning. I pulled the list of people
you got 
from the hospitals, the times they were admitted and what they were admitted
for." 
He pointed to the list and Mulder only nodded in understanding. "This was
when I 
noticed it. Look here, all these people went in for a flu shot in July.
That's not 
abnormal for this area, but this is, two weeks later they died." 
Mulder leaned in close to the monitor. Things started to click in his mind.
"They all 
went in for a flu shot?" Frank only nodded. "That means...who was their
doctor."
Frank smiled, knowing he was catching on, "The same doctor, but he's no
longer 
employed by the hospital."
"How convenient," Mulder said. "Looks like we'll have to find him."


Mulder, Frank and Scully arrived at the hospital. Scully noticed that Frank
seemed 
more responsive this morning. They walked in the front doors seeing the same

chubby faced candy striper at the front desk. "Oh," she said, "It's you two
again, 
and I see you brought a friend." 
Mulder smiled "Can we talk to Nic Andros, please."
"Let me call and see if he's in." She picked up the phone and dialed some
numbers. 
Looking up at Frank, she tilted her head at him, "Hey, I've seen you
before." 
Frank raised an eyebrow at her, "Yeah, you were in here with your little
girl. How 
is she?"
"She's fine," he said, with a smile, shoving his hands in his half length
leather 
jacket.
She talked on the phone for a while before turning back to them, "He said to
head 
on up. He'll meet you there."
Scully thanked her and followed the two to the elevator. Frank stopped in
front of 
them looking at his reflection. He never realized till now how much weight
he lost. 
He shook his head when he suddenly felt that familiar warmth travel up his
spine. 
Images flashed before his eyes of two men standing in front of the elevator.
They 
were dressed in black and were pulling their guns out. Frank blinked and
looked 
over at Scully. She looked back at him, worried, as he walked into the
elevator. 
Mulder looked at her, then back at Frank, wondering what was going on. As
they 
rode up, the images grew stronger. Frank blinked as he saw the two men in
black 
struggling with someone. When the door opened, the images disappeared and he

walked over to the desk. Scully placed her hand on his back gently and
rubbed it. 
"How are you?" she asked, so only he could hear.
"Fine," he said, "really."
Mulder looked around noticing Nic wasn't there yet. "Hey, Scully, lets look
for 
ourselves. Frank, you keep watch." He motioned Scully into the records room
and 
closed the door behind them. They moved about checking drawers and files.
Just 
then, she turned to Mulder, "I think I found something." She handed him a
folder 
that had part of a name scribbled over. "It was in the inactive files of the
patient 
records. Looks like they were to be destroyed."
"What timing, huh?" Mulder said, flipping through it. "Let's go." 
They soon emerged and motioned for Frank to follow. In the Jeep, they sat
looking 
over the file.
"Dr. Xavier Westfall," Mulder read, "employed early this year then
transferred to 
New York Methodist Hospital." He looked up at Scully.
She read on, "Has his usual internships, college record, previous work
history. 
There's no address, though."
"And you'll probably won't find it," Frank input.
She flipped through and noticed he was right. "Nothing." She looked at the
two, 
wondering.
"And you'll probably won't find him in New York, either," Frank said,
starting the 
Jeep.
Mulder eyed him, wondering what he knew. "What makes you say that, is there 
something in here that you see that we don't?"
"Yes," he said, "I think that everything about him has been erased. I bet if
we 
checked with the DMV that we won't even find him there, either."
"How do you know that?" Mulder asked.
"Trust me." He pulled out and knew only Scully understood what he was
talking 
about.


Frank pulled up to the police station. Inside, several of the officers
greeted him, 
shaking his hand, asking him questions. Telling them he would chat with them

later, he asked where he could find Geibelhouse. Finding his office, Frank
knocked 
on the door softly. Geibelhouse looked up from his paper work and smiled,
"Frank 
Black, long time no see." He walked over and hugged his friend. "Where have
you 
been? We've been trying to reach you," he said looking more serious at him.
"Taking care of some things," he said.
"Man, you look like," he looked over at Scully then just smiled, "you lost
some 
weight, not like you had much any way." he patted Frank on the chest. "So
how's 
the little wife and kid?" He sat back down and motioned them to sit.
Frank looked down, "Jordan's fine and Catherine's..." he trailed off not
saying any 
more.
Geibelhouse looked at him with understanding, "I'm sorry Frank." They were
all 
silent for several minutes till Geibelhouse decided to change the subject.
"So, what 
brings you here?"
Frank introduced Mulder and Scully. "They're here working on a case, I'm
helping 
them out, but we could use your help."
"Anything, Frank, you name it, you got it." Geibelhouse spread his arms out 
gesturing to everything in his office.
"We just need to find someone," Frank said, handing him a piece of paper
with Dr. 
Westfall's name on it.
"Sure, no problem." Geibelhouse got up and opened the door and yelled across
the 
room. One of the young officers walked over. Geibelhouse handed him the
paper 
and told him to find what ever he could on the man. A short while later the
young 
man appeared and handed a file over to Geibelhouse. He turned and handed it
to 
Frank who looked it over. That old familiar look returned to his face.
Images 
flashed before his eyes as he looked at the picture of Westfall. He could
see a river 
bed and grass. He looked up handing the file to Mulder.
"Was that all you needed Frank?" Geibelhouse asked, sipping his coke.
"No, I think we're going to need your forensics lab, too."
Geibelhouse looked at him in question, "What makes you say that, Frank?"
"For the body."


Scully stood by the river looking at the bloated body laying before her. It
was a 
man in this forties with a medical lab coat on. Frank was crouched down
beside it 
reading the name tag. "It's him," he said looking up at Mulder. He searched
the 
body's pockets and found his wallet. He opened it carefully and found a
family 
picture, a wife and two boys, credit cards, and an ID card. He pulled the ID
card 
and read the name. GR Chemical. 
Mulder recognized the name and turned to Scully. "They were the company that

developed the spray for the CIA," she said, out loud.
Frank looked up at her holding a half dead flower. "I found this on the
body, too. 
These flowers only grow in the mountains. They must have dropped the body
here. 
I bet they took him to his house first to destroy any of the evidence there,
then 
killed him and dumped him in the river." He stood up looking up the river.
"I think 
from up there." He pointed up river towards the mountains.
Geibelhouse leaned over to Scully and whispered, "I still can't get used to
how he 
knows, I just take his word for it." 
She nodded in response and walked over to stand next to him looking up the 
mountain. "It's an awfully big area to search," she said.
She watched the color slowly fade from his face. He squinted his eyes as if
trying 
to see clearly. The warmth behind his eyes reappeared, but this time, the
visions 
were strong. Static echoed in his mind and flashes of a road covered in snow

clouded his thoughts. He dipped his head down trying to see it more clearly.
The 
pain shot through him and he doubled over grabbing his head. "The road..."
his 
voice trailed off into a small scream of pain.
Scully reached over grabbing his shoulder to steady him. Geibelhouse stood
in 
front of him, "Frank?" He looked at Scully when he didn't respond. "Are you 
alright?" A look of worry crossed his face.
Mulder stood looking up at the mountain. He raced over and stood in front of

Frank. "What about the road, Frank, tell me more," he said tilting his head
up.
Frank's eyes were glazed over and he couldn't focus on Mulder's face. "Dirt
road, 
covered with snow, leads to..." he paused and cringed in pain, "house, two
story, 
wood, dark blue blazer in driveway. Road off of..." He fell silent and
dropped to 
his knees exhausted. Scully held him firmly and pulled him up to the car.
Mulder looked at the mountain. The answer was up there but only Frank could 
really see it.

Back in the cabin, Frank laid in his bed as his fever returned, only higher
this time. 
Scully really didn't know what to do. It wasn't anything she could see
physically, 
and from what he told her, his daughter went through the same thing for a
while. 
Just then, the phone rang. She looked over knowing that Mulder was outside 
getting the wood. She reached over and answered it. "Black residence," she
said, 
softly, sitting on his bed.
"Daddy." 
She heard a little girl's voice and knew it had to be his daughter, Jordan.
"Is this 
Jordan?" she asked, wanting to make sure.
"Yeah, is my daddy's there?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetie," she said looking at her picture, "Your daddy is sleeping
right now 
do you want to call him back?"
"The pain won't go away, will it?" she said, sadly.
Scully looked at the phone wondering how she knew. "He's fine, really," she
said, 
trying to reassure the little girl.
Suddenly, another voice appeared on the line. "Is Frank Black there?" the
female 
voice said, sounding irritated.
Scully was so taken aback by the sternness that she didn't really know how
to 
answer. "Yes he is, but..."
"Then, may I speak with him, please?" she snapped.
"Well, to tell you the truth, Miss..."
The voice cut her off again. "Now would be a good time, tell him it's his
mother-
in-law."
Scully looked over at him, sweat was rolling down his cheek as he tossed
slightly 
trying to get cool. She didn't have the heart to wake him. "Ma'am, I'm
really sorry, 
but Frank's not feeling very well, so he's resting right now. I can take a
message 
for him and make sure he calls you back," she said, hoping it was enough.
She heard her sigh and mumble, "Just like him, first he lets down my
daughter and 
causes her death and now his daughter." her voice became harsh, "You tell
that man 
that this is the last time that he is going to let his daughter down. We are
filing for 
custody of Jordan and he better not stop us. She needs a sturdy, stable home
and 
obviously it's not with him, who knows how many more women like you are 
going to come in and out of her life. Good-bye." She hung up the phone
before 
Scully could respond. Scully hung up the phone and looked at the picture.
She 
touched it gently remembering Emily, her daughter, who died. She wondered
how 
Catherine's mother could be so cold. Taking Jordan from her daddy would hurt
her 
more than what he could ever do. She looked back down at Frank and wiped the

sweat from his forehead.
"Catherine?" he moaned, turning his head to face her.
She felt so sorry for him. "No, Frank, it's Dana," she finally said, holding
his 
hand.
"Jordan, where's Jordan?" he said, sitting up suddenly. His eyes looked wild
and 
looked about the room.
Scully reached over and pushed him down gently. She locked eyes with him and

sensed his fear. "Jordan's alright. She's with your wife's parents,
remember?"
He laid back, almost relieved. "I had a dream they tried to take her from
me. I 
wanted to kill them, so I did. But when I did, I saw Catherine, instead,
along with 
Jordan laying in a pool of blood." He looked up at the ceiling then back to
her. 
"They can't take her from me, she's all I have left to hold on to."
Scully felt her heart break. How was she going to tell him that they did
want 
Jordan? She leaned down and held him. She sat beside him with his head
resting on 
her shoulder. Her fingers played in his hair as she stared up at the
ceiling. He 
closed his eyes and relaxed as she touched him. Suddenly he sat up with a
jolt. He 
turned looking at her and threw the covers off. "What, Frank?" she asked,
startled.
Climbing over her, he walked over to his closet and started dressing. She
watched 
silently, not realizing she was staring. He had muscles she never knew he
had. He 
turned buttoning his shirt when he stopped halfway, looking at her. She got
up and 
stood in front of him. They stood looking at each other for a long time. She
swore 
you could cut the tension between them with a knife. Finally she reached
over and 
finished buttoning his shirt.  Just then, he reached down and held her hands
to his 
chest stopping her, "I know where the house is."


They drove up to the house. It sat on top of a hill going up the mountain
and hung 
off slightly creating a waterfall into a pool below. Frank climbed out
looking at it. 
Scully came around and stood beside him looking up at it as well. Mulder
whistled 
and looked back at Frank, "How you do it I'll never know." Frank just looked
at 
him and walked up to the door. He felt the familiar tingle travel up his
spine and the 
static appear again. He place his hand on the door knob and an image flashed
before 
his eyes. It was of his daughter screaming as she was being pulled away from
him 
by two police officers. He could see Scully in the background crying. He
shook his 
head trying to concentrate on the deed before him. Opening the door, he
walked in 
and looked about. Blood was on the door and splattered out the sliding doors
to the 
pool. He followed it and looked down the waterfall to the pool. Blood was
mixed 
in the pool creating a dark spot. He turned and walked in when he was
suddenly hit 
by more images. The doctor was talking to two men in black walking over to
him 
with guns drawn. He could see that the doctor was scared as he backed into
the 
glass door. The two men opened fire and sent the doctor flying out the door.
He 
looked down at the glass under his feet and turned looking back down at the
pool. 
He could see the doctor clearly floating. He turned back and saw one of the
guys 
walk over to a painting. Pulling it away from the wall, he opened the safe
behind it 
and removed some papers and a small vial. He recognized the bluish color as
the 
vaccine. "There." He pointed to the painting as Scully was looking at the
desk. 
Mulder walked over and looked at the painting. "Ugly painting," he said,
looking 
back at Frank.
Frank walked over and pulled it off the wall revealing the safe. "They were
after 
something inside." he said, "It was a file and a container. I think it had
the vaccine 
in it."
"You sure?" Mulder said, looking inside.
"Hey, look at this," Scully said, motioning them over. Frank and Mulder
stood on 
either side of her. She held up a pad of paper to the light. "Look here,
there's a 
number on it." Taking a pencil on its side she rubbed it over the paper to
reveal the 
number.
She heard a silent gasp coming from Frank. "It's Peter's number," he said,
so 
quietly that she barely even heard him.

Frank stood in front of Peter Watt's house. He knew that Peter's wife had
moved 
away, back to her parent's house with the girls. No one that he knew of
lived there 
any more. But now someone did. Mulder walked around to the back while Scully

stayed with Frank. He stood looking at the door uncomfortably. Lights were
on 
and he heard movement from inside. A thousand questions ran threw his mind, 
then anger. Why didn't Peter contact him. He thought he had convinced him to

leave the group. He finally decided to face his demons and knocked on the
door. 
Suddenly, there was silence. Frank knocked again and there was still no
answer. 
Finally, he shouted, "Peter, I know your here. Open the door, it's me,
Frank." 
There was silence for a long time till it was finally broken by the door
creaking 
open a crack. Peter's blue eyes met Frank's. Peter could see the anger in
his eyes 
and stepped back. "How long, Peter?" he said, hurt.
"A while, Frank." Lara said, standing next to Peter.

They sat on the couch facing each other. Lara looked down at her hand as
Mulder 
continued to stare at her. She looked so much like her...Melissa... but it
couldn't 
be. She only looked up at him a couple of times, sensing his eyes. Frank sat
glaring 
at Peter. "Frank, we couldn't contact you. The group was watching us too
closely. 
You of all people should understand."
Frank sat silent. He turned, looking at Lara. She looked him in the eyes,
"Frank," 
she said, grabbing his hands, "I'm really sorry about what you went through.

When Peter was well enough and was able to leave, he came and gave me the 
vaccine. Frank, the things that are going on."
He knew it was Lara, alright. "I left you in the hospital, in your
condition... Why 
didn't you come and tell me?" he said silently.
Lara looked down at her hands covering his. She felt him squeeze hers and
looked 
back up at him. "Frank, when I gave you that vaccine, I thought..." she
trailed off 
as she saw the understanding in his eyes. "Peter came and got me out and
brought 
me up to the old man's cabin. We've been there up until two months ago. I'm 
better, now, Frank. I have a deeper understanding. You've had it all along."
Peter looked up at Mulder then at Scully. "We can't stop them. They nearly
killed 
myself and Lara just to stop Frank."
Mulder walked over and stood behind Frank. "Scully and I have been searching
for 
the truth together for years. They tried to kill us several times. They can
be stopped. 
I refuse to believe that they can't."
"There are powers at work here that not even you can understand." Peter
said, 
looking at him.
Mulder looked down at the ash tray. He noticed the Morley cigarette butts in
it and 
picked one up. "Had any guests lately?" he handed one to Scully who looked 
angrily at it. "Suppose you tell us about the Cigarette Smoking Man and why
he 
was here."
"How do you know about him?" Lara said lighting a cigarette.
Frank stood up, angry, "You're still hiding secrets, like them. Peter.
Lara," he said 
looking at them, "the bastards killed my wife."
"Frank, they couldn't control it. You know that."
"They had the vaccine," he shouted angrily at him, "I could have saved my
wife." 
Lara jumped up and grabbed Frank pulling him back from Peter, but he spun 
around and jerked away from her. Scully came up behind him and touched his
arm. 
He stood firm against her, glaring at the two. "She died and you could have 
stopped it. Lara here was the only one who tried. But a man shouldn't have
to 
choose which loved one he should sit and watch die!" Scully heard his voice
crack.
"You could have stopped this?" Mulder said looking at Lara and Peter.
Lara spun and faced him with anger in her voice, "There was nothing none of
us 
could have done."
Frank turned and looked at Scully, "I have to get out of here." He glared at
Peter 
then walked out to his patio. He stood in the cold air looking up at the
sky.
Lara started to follow but Scully grabbed her arm holding her back. "I
really don't 
think he wants to talk to you right now." she said calmly. Lara looked at
her 
wondering who she really was to Frank. Relenting she sat back down.
Mulder came around and sat across from the two, holding the butt. "Now
suppose 
you tell me about him cause I know this isn't your brand," he said looking
at Lara.
Peter looked exhausted and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. "I really don't
know 
what his connection is with the Group."
"Come on Peter," Scully said, "You are part of this group. You know more
than 
Frank does from what I understand. So do you." she looked at Lara who looked

away quickly.
Lara stood up and walked over placing her hand on the glass where Frank
stood. 
Mulder noticed her step back quickly in fear and quickly walk away. He
turned 
back facing Peter. "Then why was he here?"
Just then Mulder heard pagers going off. Seeing Lara's on the table he
picked up 
and saw only the number two thousand in the display. Scully noticed Frank
look at 
his too and turned facing the glass. He walked in and tossed it on the
table. "What 
do they want Peter." his voice sounded dead.
"We still have to work Frank." he said facing him. "I'm not going to stop
helping 
people."
"You only help the people they chose you to help." he shouted. Lara stood
away 
from Frank this time not wanting to go near him.
"I'm sorry Frank," he walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder, "But
you 
know how this works." he walked way and into the other room, closing the
door 
behind him.
Frank turned facing Lara. Her arms were crossed and she was looking at the
floor. 
Feeling his eyes bore into her, she slowly looked up till her eyes met his.
He could 
see the fear in them, "Lara," he finally said softly, "Please tell me the
truth." She 
stood quiet, not answering. Frustrated he walked out the door. 
Scully quickly followed leaving Mulder alone with her. Mulder stood facing
her, 
"He deserves to know. We all do."
"You don't understand," she said in a whisper.
Mulder walked over and grabbed her shoulders ruffly, "He's lost everything, 
EVERYTHING!" he shouted, "Don't think we're going to give up. We'll be
back." 
he turned leaving her alone.


Outside, Frank banged his fist on his hood. He was furious at Peter, but
felt more 
hurt over Lara's actions. She's helped him so much, why was she suddenly 
stopping now. She was his friend, so he thought. Scully placed her hands on
his 
arms gently. She felt him tense up then relax when he realized it was her.
"They 
haven't changed." he said hurt.
She didn't know what to say. How to reassure him. From what she seen, he was

right. "We'll find the answers, together."
He looked up at the stars. He felt the pain all over again. Tears formed in
his eyes. 
He didn't know if they were for him or for Peter and Lara. "Who is this
Cigarette 
Smoking Man Mulder keeps asking about?"
He heard her sigh before she answered, "A man who Mulder thinks holds all
his 
answers. I'm starting to believe he does. For both of us." she turned
looking back 
at the house. She saw Lara looking out the window at them before she quickly

moved away. "I think Lara still wants to help but she really doesn't know
how." 
She felt Mulder come up to stand next to them.
"Is it so difficult." Frank said angrily again.
"For her, I think so." Mulder said finally.


They drove back quietly to the cabin. Scully looked at the snow as the
moonlight 
danced across it. It always amazed her how it looked like little diamonds on
the 
ground. She remembered her and her sister, Missy, playing in it. The snow
ball 
fights, the snow angels, it was fun. A smile crept across her face. She
looked over 
at Frank. She wondered if he did the same with his daughter. He was a good 
father, he didn't seem like he wouldn't be. How could his wife's parent want
to 
take Jordan away from him. She wondered what could have made them think he 
was so bad of a father. Everything he seemed to be doing was for his family.

Maybe they just didn't like him, she didn't know. When they finally pulled
up 
Mulder hopped out and quickly went inside to start the fire. Frank stopped
and 
brought more wood in as Scully went inside. She noticed his answering
machine 
blinking that it had a message. She looked back at him and caught his hand
before 
he touched it. "Frank I have something to tell you," she sounded so serious
that 
Mulder turned to face her too.
"What is it?" he said sounding worn down.
"It's about Jordan," she looked over at Mulder uncomfortably.
"Is she OK?" he asked suddenly worried.
"She called earlier, when you were sleeping."
"Did she say what she wanted."
"To talk to you."
"Why didn't you wake me?" he said wondering why she looked so concerned.
"She knew about you headaches," he looked surprised at her but she continued
on, 
"But there's more."
"Tell me." he said calmly.
"Your mother-in-law got on the phone."
"What did she want?"
"Frank, I really don't know how to tell you this," she grabbed his arms as
if to 
keep him steady, "she wants custody of Jordan."
"WHAT!" he stepped back wanting not to believe her. Mulder looked up
shocked. 
"She would never do that. She knows what Jordan means to me," he said not 
wanting to believe her.
"Listen to your message," Scully said softly.
He looked down at the machine and hit the play button. "Daddy," he sighed
relief, 
"can you call me, I miss you.. Guess what Grandma bought me a bunny, can I 
keep it. Pleeeasssse." he heard her giggle and smiled, "Oh, Grandma also
said that 
I'll be staying here for a while, are you coming too. Oh, Grandma wants to
talk to 
you too. I love you Daddy, bye," he heard it click off and looked at Scully.
She 
was right. Feeling hurt, he grabbed his keys and walked out.
Scully looked over at Mulder, "Follow," was all he said. She quickly
followed 
leaving Mulder alone.
Outside, Frank climbed in the Cherokee and started it. Before he could pull
away, 
Scully jumped in on the passenger side. "I need to be alone right now," he
said just 
looking out the windshield.
"I don't think so." she said touching his arm. Without a word, he drove
away. It 
was a long silent ride as they drove through Seattle. He drove around some 
neighborhoods before stopping in front of a two story yellow house. It was a

beautiful house with a porch swing and flower beds. He sat looking at it for
a long 
time before climbing out and walking up the steps. "You know this place?"
she said 
breaking the silence.
"Yeah." he said pulling his keys out. Opening the door, he walked in
touching the 
banister. His footsteps echoed on the wood floors as he walked in the
kitchen. He 
looked out the windows noticing his yard needed mowing. "This was  home." he

said walking up the stairs. Scully followed silent. "This was Jordan's room.
She 
liked pink." he touched the walls gently. He stood in the middle of the room
just 
looking around before he walked out into another room. It was painted yellow
and 
felt like it had a lot of love in it. He stood drinking in the feeling.
Flashes of him 
and Catherine appeared in his mind. He smiled touching a mark on the wall
that the 
head board left.
Scully stood watching him. He looked sad but yet happy. "This was your
room." 
she said in a whisper.
He nodded looking at her. "Yes. We had a lot of good time. But we also had 
fights." his voice grew sad. "When we first moved in she said it felt like
home. 
Now..." his voice trailed off. He walked out and down the stair to the
basement. 
He stood looking down the stair leading into the dark. Bletcher's dead body
looked 
up at him from the bottom. This time he wasn't scared. He walked down
towards it 
with Scully close behind. He stood in the middle looking at his filing
cabinets, now 
empty. He touched his old desk leaving his finger prints in the dust. He
walked 
over to the corner where Bletcher's body once hung. "This was where I found 
Bletcher's body."
"I'm sorry Frank."
"Don't be, this house had a lot of good time in it as well. Like it was
balanced with 
good and evil." he walked back up to the living room. "But it was our house,

now... I really don't know what it is. A place to store memories? Jordan
loved this 
house. She had me paint it yellow to match our old one. Catherine loved it.
We 
were going to build a lot of memories here, but it built seemed to build its
own. 
Now I think it's time someone else stories new memories here." he walked out

closing the door behind her.
"Frank, what are you going to do about Jordan?" she asked concerned.
"I'm going to get my daughter and leave all this behind," he placed a for
sale sigh in 
the lawn.
"Frank, you can't just run from your pain."
"I'm not running," he climbed in and started his Jeep, "I just want to start
over." 


Lara Means stood on the door step looking at the door. She wondered if she
was 
doing the right thing. She had been asking herself that question for a long
time 
now. Before she could get up enough courage to knock on the door, Mulder
flung 
it open. He stood before her motionless, silent. She looked at him scared
and 
decided this wasn't a good idea. Before she could turn to leave, Mulder
reached out 
and grabbed her holding her in place. She looked back at him trying to pull
her arm 
away. "Please, this was a big mistake." she pleaded.
Mulder stood looking at her, "You have some answers I would like to hear,"
he 
said calmly.
"I have nothing," she pulled her arm away turning back to face him.
"You must have something or why would you have followed us here."
"I..." she trailed off looking down at the ground. "I came to talk to
Frank," she 
finally finished.
"He's not here," he said leaning in the doorway.
"Where did he go?" she asked looking worried. Mulder only shrugged. "Is he 
coming back?" Again another shrug. "Well you must know something," she said
a 
little more frantic.
"Now you know how he feels," he said closing the door behind him.
She stood shivering, realizing he was right. She turned and sat on the porch
steps. 
"Your right," she said silently. Mulder sat beside her looking at the snow.
"I never 
realized that all this would happen. When I was a little girl my mother used
to tell 
me to stop talking to myself," she laughed a little at herself. "When I
tried to explain 
to her that I wasn't, that I was talking to my angel, she would punish me.
She told 
me that talk like that would hurt people, especially me." She looked up at
the stars. 
Mulder noticed the distant look in her eyes. "Then when I met Peter, he
changed 
everything for me. Told me that I had this special gift and that it could
help people. 
He introduced me to the Group and they took me in, accepting me and trained
me to 
help other. I really started to feel good about myself. Then I met Frank. He
gave me 
even more hope. He had a beautiful family, home, and security about himself
and 
his gift."
"He sees angels too?" he asked not fully understanding.
"No." she said looking at him, "his gift saves lives. Then things started to
get out 
of hand. He put questions in my mind that I didn't want to ask. His wife
especially. 
She is really down to earth. He must have stepped back from the cliff of the

world."
"Was." Mulder said looking at the marker, now half covered with snow.
"WAS!" she exclaimed looking at him for an explanation. He only got up and
lead 
her over. He couched down to uncover the words carved in it for her to read.
She 
stepped back in fear. "That's why," she said barely above a whisper.
"What?" he said standing next to her.
She quickly walked away to her car, "Tell Frank I'll be back."
Mulder followed her and stopped her before she could climb in. "You still
have to 
answer my question." She stood looking at him. "What do you know about the 
Cigarette Smoking Man?"
She looked back at the marker and quickly backed up. The look in her eyes
was that 
of terror, as if she seen a ghost. "I can't talk now, I have to go."
He grabbed her arm, holding her in place. "What are you running from?" he
looked 
over his should towards the marker.
"She doesn't want me near him."
He felt her start to shake, "Who?" he asked.
"Her," she pointed to the marker. "I wondered why back at the house I kept
seeing 
her. Guarding him. Now I know," she pulled her arm away and climbed in her
car. 
Before he could stop her, she pulled out of the driveway and was down the
road. 
He looked back at the marker.


Frank stood by Catherine's grave as he placed a rose on it. "I loved you
with all my 
heart Catherine," he said, "We had some fun times and some bad times, but 
through it all you were the one who stood by me. I'll miss that. But now, I
have a 
new road to travel, alone. I only hope that you will still be with me." He
felt a 
gently breeze and the snow shift slightly. It glittered in the moon light
just like her 
eyes. A tear traveled down his check and he whipped it away. "I'll miss
you," he 
said as his throat tightened.
Scully stood inside looking out at him. She wondered if he was really up for
this. 
He seemed so frail at times. She looked up at Mulder as he came over to join
her. 
They stood silent, watching the man who was going to fight the battle of his
life. 
Mulder looked down at Scully only to see a tear run down her check. He
wondered 
if it was for Frank or for a memory that she would never let go of.


Later that night, after they ate, Mulder sat by the fire thinking. What did
Lara really 
want. Did she come to make peace with Frank or talk him into coming back to
the 
Group. He just couldn't get over the fact that she looked so much like
Melissa 
Riedal-Ephesian. He saw Melissa dead but yet here was Lara. He shifted his 
thought to concentrate more on Lara herself. He wondered if she could truly
see 
angels or was she just saying that. He had to way the fact that she did go
insane. 
He looked over at Frank who was now sitting on the couch reading the Bible.
He 
seemed to be researching something than really taking it in. Scully sat next
to him 
silent, reading over the files again. She was convinced that the answer to
who Dr. 
Westfall was and who really hired him was in his file. Nobody was perfect,
she 
always told him. Just then he thought he saw a movement behind Frank. He 
blinked a couple of times, but nothing was there.
Just then Frank set the Bible down on the table. He found his answer. He
looked at 
the fire. So that's what Peter was trying to tell him. Why didn't he think
of it before. 
Peter was on his side, he just couldn't let the Group know. Looking down he
felt 
his pager going off. Grabbing the phone over Scully, he quickly dialed.
"Peter?" he 
said with caution. "Yeah, I'll be here." he hung up the phone and took a
deep 
breath.
"What is it?" Mulder asked looking at him.
"Hopefully my answers."

Peter stood at the door with Lara by his side. She seemed more frightened
than 
normal lately. He noticed she kept looking around as if waiting for someone
to 
jump out at her. "Take it easy Lara," he said touching her arm, "I made sure
they 
didn't follow us."
"It's not them I'm worried about," she said as the door flung open. Frank
stood 
motioning them in. Lara noticed Scully sitting calmly on the couch next to
Frank. 
She looked like a guard dog, watching over his master. But she was the least
of her 
worries. She scanned the room several times.
Mulder watched her carefully. Did she see Catherine now, or was she just
pulling 
his leg. "So what brings you two out here?" he said being the first to break
the 
silence.
"You know don't you Frank," Peter said ignoring Mulder.
"Yes," he said, "But why did you lie back there?"
"I had to. They were watching too closely." He stood behind Lara as she sat
in the 
chair huddled up. "The Group knew that one day you could come seek us out. 
They just didn't realize that it would be this long. They started to give up
till these 
two showed up." he looked at Mulder and Scully.
"Us?" She said wondering what was up now.
"You two are popular," Lara said twirling a cigarette.
"Not us!" Mulder said with a sarcastic tone.
"When you showed up, the Group got nervous. They were investigating a Agent 
Leamus and then was told suddenly to stop."
"Leamus," Scully said looking back at Mulder, "He's the CIA agent that set
you up 
Mulder. He was the one who told me the pathogen was Russian but it was
really 
one of ours."
"Yeah, I remember," Mulder said a little irritated.
"You know him?" Peter said looking at them. "Well, after we were told to
stop, 
your smoking friend showed up at my door. He said he was taking care of the
case 
and wanted all the information that I had. I gave it to him but he asked for
the 
information on the virus as well. He said it was for the better of the Group
and us 
that we do so. That was when the elder called and demanded that I do as he
asked."
Mulder sat thinking, "I wander what he's really got to do with all this?"
"So what are the real motives of the Millennium Group?" Scully finally
asked.
"Armageddon," Frank said handing her the Bible.
"Armageddon?" she asked looking at the book.
Peter sighed and came around to sit on the arm of the chair that Lara was
seated in. 
"The Millennium Group has been around for centuries. Through the works of
the 
great philosophers of ancient Rome to Nostradamos and the New Testament,
they 
felt through these teachings and predictions that they could save themselves
from 
certain death. They vowed to protect the world and hopefully change certain
out 
comes to their advantage. But most of all, they felt that if they controlled

Armageddon, they would be in control. They are bringing it on."
"You mean to tell me they think that what's in here is really true and that
it can be 
controlled?" she asked in disbelief. Frank grabbed the book and told her to
read the 
passages he had marked. As she read, Mulder sat up more erect as he realized
that 
what Peter was saying was true. Scully looked up at him when she was
finished. 
"You knew this?"
"I just figured it out." Frank said. "Peter's passage on his computer. He
deliberately 
left it there to tell me," he looked over toward Peter, "They advanced their
time 
schedule."
"Yes," Peter said.
"But I still wonder what our smoking man really has to do with all this?"
Mulder 
said throwing another log on the fire.
"He's involved in things that now can't be undone," Lara said finally
lighting her 
cigarette.
Mulder looked at Lara, "What things?"
"We're not quite sure," Peter said. "All the information I have can't be
really 
confirmed."
Mulder's eyes went wide, like a kid in a candy store. Finally, he may get
his 
answers. "What do you have."
Peter started to speak when suddenly Lara jumped up screaming. Everyone
flinched 
and watched in shock as she ran out the door. Frank started to follow but
Mulder 
beat him out the door. Quickly on her heels, Mulder tackled her by
Catherine's 
grave. She struggled, hitting him several times as he held her to him.
"Lara!" he 
shouted, falling over in the snow.
She looked at him as he laid on top of her. "She doesn't even want me in the
same 
room. She tells me to leave, to go away and leave him alone. She doesn't 
understand. She doesn't understand." She was crying now. Mulder sat up still

holding her. "Please Catherine, please understand, I only want to help him. 
Please." she cried out to no one. Mulder stroked her hair trying to calm
her.

Frank stood looking out the window at them. He wondered if she really need
help. 
The last time he saw her, she truly did. Peter placed a hand on him. "She
sees 
Catherine," he said calmly to him. Frank looked at him. "She says Catherine
is 
trying to protect you from her, us."
"She sees Catherine," he whispered. He looked back out and Scully could see
the 
pain raise in him again. "So how are we going to stop the Group," he finally
asked 
turning away.
"That, my friend, is a good question." Peter looked back out at Lara.

The Cigarette Smoking Man looked out his car window with Krycek in the
driver's 
seat. "A problem is developing," Krycek said.
A puff of smoke escaped his lips before he responded. "Just another
technicality," 
he said taking another puff. "Lets go."
Krycek pulled the black Lincoln away and down the snow covered mountain.

Peter and Lara finally left. They agreed to met in the morning to go over a
plan. 
Peter suggested that this time they meet at his house. He told Frank that
Lara would 
probably be more comfortable there. Mulder retired early. He laid on the
couch 
looking comfortable. Scully couldn't figure out why he liked the couch so
much. 
She always found them uncomfortable, almost like the hotel beds they stayed
in. 
But not Mulder, he was truly a different bred. Scully heard Frank rummaging 
around in Jordan's room. She stood at the door way watching as he played
with on 
of her toys. He set it down and continued looking through the closet.
Walking over 
she asked, "What are you looking for?"
He looked startled at her as he threw a stuffed bear on the bed. "Something 
Catherine gave to Jordan. It was a book. I remembered seeing it but I can't
recall 
where. It was thick and had a leather cover. She never told me where she got
it." 
Picking up the last stuffed animal he finally found Jordan's trunk.
Catherine was 
keeping tapes, pictures, little nick-knacks that Jordan either made or had.
He 
opened it smelling a strong cent of cedar. Scully saw a small pair of white
lace 
shoes sitting on top. She knelt by Frank as he picked them up. "I got these
for her 
when she was a year old. Catherine loved them." He held them gently,
touching the 
lace softly.
"Their cute," Scully said with a sad tone. She looked in the trunk and saw a
typical 
clay hand print that it seemed all little kids got to make in school. She
picked it up 
and traced the little hand. She turned it over and read the date, October 5,
Jordan 
was five.
Frank smiled at it, "She made that her first year in school. She asked me if
school 
was always that fun." Reaching deeper he pulled out more toys and books till
he 
stopped looking at a picture of him, Catherine, Jordan and her puppy Bennie.
He 
smiled sadly as he traced Catherine's face. They looked so happy then.
Little did he 
know that was all to change.
"Who's dog?" she asked looking over his shoulder.
"Bennie? Oh, he was Jordan's. I bought him to guard the house and to protect

Jordan and Catherine when I was gone. He was a real vicious one." he said
light 
hearted.
"A real ear licker huh." she said with a smile.
"Jordan was hurt when he died." he said setting it down. Just then he saw
what he 
was looking for. The book was indeed heavy. The edge of the pages were
yellow 
from aging. He pulled it out and sat back on the floor looking at it. He
could smell 
the leather as he opened it. The pages were thin like that in a regular
Bible but the 
words and pictures were all hand written. This book would have truly been a
find 
for a collector. In the back he noticed a manila envelop. He looked at
Scully who 
too had question in her eyes. He pulled it out and set the book down
carefully. He 
pulled out the two DNA slides. They weren't labeled but Scully knew what
they 
were. They matched up perfectly to each other. Frank turned to her, "What
are 
these for?"
"They are DNA strand test. Why she has two copies I have no idea. Are they 
Jordan's?" she wondered holding them up to the light.
Frank picked up the book and looked through it, he found his answer. She had

written in on the cover a note explaining it to Jordan. He closed the book
touching it 
more carefully.
"What is it?" she asked handing him back the slides.
He placed them in the envelop and then back in the book. " She was asked to
help 
with a group of young women who claimed to have aberrations of Magdalene.
One 
is of a young woman in a small town."
"Asked by the Group?"
"No. She was a clinical social worker. They heard of her work and asked her
to 
come. She wrote here that the other is of the Shroud of Taurine. She says
the 
Group believes that the young woman is a direct descendant of Christ."
Scully looked at him in disbelief, "Who did she get these from?"
"She doesn't say. Only tells Jordan to guard them well and that one day she
would 
fully understand."
They sat silent looking at the book. Frank slowly started putting everything
back in 
the trunk. Scully held the book for him and watched quietly. Finally she got
up and 
sat on the bed, flipping the pages carefully as she looked at the pictures.
They were 
beautifully done and she could see real gold flakes flutter occasionally as
she turned 
pages. Frank finally came and sat down beside her. He leaned in close to see
the 
pages as well. She could feel his chest press against her arm as he reached
over 
flipping more quickly. He was searching for something. She could see by the 
concentration in his eyes. Afraid to move, she let him continue till he
stopped on a 
page. The words hit him like a brick. They were the same words that
Catherine's 
kidnapper had spoken to her. She heard him take a long breath before
continuing. 
He finally stopped on a page towards the back of the book. He read it
carefully. 
"Here," he pointed, "read this." She read the page in silence. As she did,
he noticed 
a small gold cross around her neck. He reached over, unaware that he did,
and 
touched it. She jumped back startled and looked at him. "Sorry." he said
looking 
embarrassed.
"It's alright. My mother gave it to me for my birthday a few years back. She
said if 
I was going to be in the FBI and put my life on the line that I needed
protection."
He smiled at the thought, "Mothers never stop mothering do they." She smiled
back 
at him, "I gave one to Jordan too when I dropped her off at her
grandparents."
"How sweet." she said touching his hand. Just then they both became aware of

their closeness to each other. He remembered the kiss they shared earlier
and how 
her lips felt soft and warm. He looked up into her eyes. There seemed to be
the 
same understanding that he and his wife once shared. He reached up slowly
and ran 
his hand through her hair and then down her neck. She was soft and warm. She

held her breath wondering what would happen next. She searched his eyes for
an 
answer but only found herself locked in his gaze. His eyes were softer now,
with a 
gentle hue. He slowly, gently pulled her to him as he dipped his head
towards her. 
She resisted at first then reached for him. She could feel his lips grazing
hers when 
suddenly the book slipped from her lap and hit the floor with a loud thud.
They 
both jumped and looked at it. Taking it as a sign, Frank reached down and
picked it 
up. Slowly getting up, he held the book to him, "It's late we better get
some sleep, 
good night." he said softly. She watched him turn to leave when he suddenly 
stopped. He looked down at the book. Like a light turning on, he spun
quickly and 
set the book on the bed pulling out the envelop. "What is it?" she asked
moving to 
him.
He didn't answer, just pulled out the slides and looked at them. He looked
at her 
with a realization in his eyes, "The answer is here."
She looked at him confused, "What answer?" she asked wondering what the 
question even was.
"She had it all along," his voice sounded distant, sad and hurt.
"Frank, what are you talking about?" she asked placing a hand on him.
"The slide is the key to the vaccine," he said holding it up.
"What!" she said a little shocked and a little bewildered.
"Whoever gave this to her told her she had the key, the knowledge of the
future."
He was starting to sound like Mulder. She looked at the slide and tried to
see what 
Frank saw, she wasn't getting it. "I don't see it."
"Here," he held it to the light pointing to it, "see this strand."
She finally got it, "This usually isn't in the others that I have seen. It's
an extra 
line!"
"It's the vaccine."

Mulder heard Frank and Scully rushing out of the bedroom in a hurry. He sat
up 
blinking as the lights in the cabin clicked on. They were grabbing their
coats. 
"What? What? Is Mount Saint Helen's exploding again?"
"We have the vaccine." Scully said tossing him his coat. Realizing what she
had 
just said, he got up quickly and threw his coat on following them. "We're
going 
down to the lab to develop it."
They soon arrived at the lab where Geibelhouse let them in. Frank had called
him 
and apologized for waking him and his family but that this was life or
death. 
Geibelhouse stood before Frank now with a cup of coffee looking tired and
worn. 
Frank accepted it thankfully and took a sip. He watched Scully work with the
other 
techs helping her. This time his visions were of her. The innocent look in
her eyes 
and the way she kissed him. He blinked several times to try and clear them. 
Geibelhouse recognized the look, distant but yet seeing. Suddenly flashes of
a man 
with gray hair sitting at a desk came over him. He had a stern look and his
mouth 
was moving but nothing was coming out. Suddenly his face was blurred by
smoke 
and then the vision disappeared. He blinked wondering what it was about.  
Looking at the glass he thought he saw a reflection, a red glow. He turned
to see 
where it was coming from, but nothing was there. He smelt a faint cent of
cigarette 
smoke in the air. Mulder stood beside him stirring his coffee. Frank looked
at him 
then back at Scully. "Geibelhouse," he asked turning to face him, "Has there
been 
anyone around asking questions." his voice was soft but penetrating.
"Yeah, now that you mention it."
Mulder looked over his shoulder at him, "Who?"
"I don't know, he never really said his name," he said scratching his head,
"He just 
said he was working on a case and could use some help. He asked about  you 
Frank."
Frank raised an eyebrow, "Me?"
"Yeah, I thought it was strange too, he said he was with your Group, the 
Millennium Group?" he asked but not waiting for a response, "Anyway he was 
wondering how he could get a hold of you."
"It wasn't Peter Watts?" he asked placing his coffee down.
"Nope. Could it have been someone you haven't met yet?" Geibelhouse asked.
Frank only shrugged. Mulder looked at the ceiling, "Say, do you have cameras
all 
through this building?"
"Yep, you never know when they will come in handy." Geibelhouse looked up at

it.
Frank and Mulder only looked at each other, "Can we see it?" Frank finally
asked.

Mulder operated the remote. He knew who Frank was looking for and could 
recognize the bastard at sight. And there he was, standing in the lobby
talking to 
Geibelhouse. Mulder pushed pause before Geibelhouse could tell him. "You
guys 
know him?" he asked.
"I do." Mulder said staring at the frozen image.
"Do you two care to tell me what's going on." Geibelhouse said stepping in
front of 
the screen.
"He has a connection to what has been happening here in Seattle," Frank said
flatly.
"Wait a minute, you lost me."
"What part?" Mulder asked, "Was it the part where you click you heels three
times 
and say 'There's no place like home.'"
"Funny man huh, well funny man I have a joke for you..." Geibelhouse said a
little 
irritated.
Frank placed a hand on his arm to calm him, "This is a little hard to
explain but here 
it goes. This flu virus that the hospitals have been saying that is going
around is not 
a virus."
"What is it then?" he asked a little confused.
"Something worse," he went on to explain the whole horrid story to him.
Mulder 
saw the anger, shock, and sympathy in Geibelhouse's face as Frank spoke. 
"Luckily we found the vaccine."
"And your so called Group friends knew about this?" Frank only nodded. "So
what 
does this guy have to do with anything?" he turned pointing to the screen.
"Don't know yet." Mulder said eyeing the screen as well. "You said he asked
about 
Frank and how to get a hold of him, did you tell him?"
"Nope, really didn't know how to get a hold of you myself," he said looking 
towards Frank. 
"Have you seen him since?" Frank asked turning off the tape.
"Nah, he vanished as quick as he came in."
"So he has some tie to the Group," Frank said looking at Mulder.
"I still think Peter Watts knows something," Mulder said walking out the
room.
"I'll ask," Frank said stopping at the lab. He looked in and saw Scully
walking 
towards them. She looked tired and worn around the edges but she still
managed to 
have a soft glow about her. Just then he thought he saw more movement
reflecting 
on the glass. This time a woman with long hair, a lot like his wife. He spun
around 
quickly and saw nothing. He felt Scully's hand touch his shoulder and he
turned to 
face her. "How did it go?" he asked handing her a cup of coffee.
"We're almost finished. The only problem is we won't know if it works or not

unless we test it," she said burning her lip as she took a sip.
"We can test it with Catherine's blood," he said.
She nodded sitting down in a chair. Her feet throbbed as she pulled her
shoes off 
and began rubbing her foot. Frank reached over and pulled her legs to rest
on his. 
Gently, he began rubbing her feet. His touch felt so good that she didn't
even 
protest.
Mulder walked over sitting backwards in the chair across from them.
"Geibelhouse 
said he could tell his officers to keep a look out of him. If they see him,
they'll call 
me."
"Good." Frank said continuing to work on her feet.
"Who?" she asked sounding tired.
"Our black lunged friend." Mulder ran his fingers through his hair.
"He's here?" she asked a little shocked.
Mulder only nodded, "I'm going across the street with Geibelhouse to get 
something to eat, want anything?"
"Yeah." she said eagerly. Mulder soon disappeared with their order telling
them 
he'll be back within the hour. Geibelhouse offered Scully his couch to rest
on and 
she thanked him kindly. Frank sat next to her as she relaxed on the couch.
"You 
haven't had any more of your visions lately have you?" she finally asked,
breaking 
the silence.
"Yes I have," he said looking at her with soft eyes, "nothing to worry about

though. I took some aspirins in case my fever returned. Their not as painful
lately."
"Good." she said laying her head back as he resumed rubbing her feet. A soft
moan 
escaped her lips and he smiled. Catherine used to do the same thing. When he
tired 
on Jordan, she just giggled. He suddenly remembered Jordan. What was he
going 
to do. Catherine's parents wanted her but he needed her. She was all he had
left to 
truly keep him sane. Scully noticed he stopped and opened her eyes. She felt
him 
get up and walk over to use the phone. She laid silent not wanting him to
think she 
was listening.
He dialed the phone and waited. She suddenly saw a smile creep across his
face. 
"Hi darling," he said hearing Jordan's voice.
"Are you coming to get me Daddy?" she asked with energy.
"Yes sweet heart. Today." he said softly. He heard a scream of happiness
coming 
from the phone.
"I missed you Daddy." she said suddenly sad.
"I missed you too," he matched her tone, "is Grandma there? I'd like to
speak with 
her."
"Ok Daddy, I'll see you later?" she asked delight.
"Yes, bye Jordan," there was a pause then another female voice appeared.
"Thanks 
for watching Jordan for me but I'm coming to get her today," he said with 
conviction.
"Frank," he heard a pause before she continued, "about earlier... I'm sorry.
I was 
just angry and hurt still about Catherine."
"I know." he said calmly.
"Frank, I don't blame you for being angry. Please at least tell me you are.
What I 
did was totally out of line," she only heard silence from his end, "Frank?"
"I was angry," he said finally, "and hurt. I love Jordan with all my heart
and soul. 
You should know by now that I do the things I do for her, I did them for 
Catherine."
"I know Frank. I know. I just worry. Catherine told me about your break down

before, I was just scared that it was happening again."
"No, it's not. I'll be there this afternoon to get her. I'll see you then."
"Alright Frank. Frank?" she asked.
"Yes."
"You know we love you too and consider you like our son. Please don't be a 
stranger." 
He heard the pain in her voice, "I won't. I promise." Setting the phone down
he 
stood looking at it for a while before he came back and sat down. Scully sat
up next 
to him and touched him gently. "Everything is alright," he said looking at
her.
"I'm glad," she said laying back down.
Frank laid his head back staring at the ceiling. His thoughts wondered
about, not 
resting to long on any one thing. Soon his eyes closed and he dreamt of
Jordan. 
They were more pleasant dreams than that of before. He was suddenly jolted
awake 
by someone shaking him. It was Geibelhouse. "Breakfast is served," he 
announced. Frank looked down at Scully who had managed to turn around and
use 
his lap as a pillow. Geibelhouse walked out leaving them alone. Frank
watched her 
sleep. She reminded him of Catherine. Her face soft and caring. He played
with her 
hair gently, pushing it behind her ear. She stirred slightly and murmured a
few 
words. Reaching down he shook her gently. She stirred, waving her hand,
"Later 
Mulder, I'm resting." Frank smiled and shook her again. She blinked, opening
her 
eyes. She looked up at him. 
"Breakfast is here," he said pushing another strand behind her ear. She
didn't move 
though, just looked up at him silent. He locked eyes with her for a long
time till 
Mulder tapped on the window holding their plates. They both looked at him
and 
waved that they will be there. Frank got up and found himself soon hungrily 
devouring his food.
Scully ate light and quickly returned to the lab. She returned a couple of
hours later 
with a wiry smile on her face. "It works."
Frank looked up tired as well then smiled. A great relief spread over him,
washing 
away a great fear.

Later that day, back at the cabin, Peter met with Mulder alone. Lara had
disappeared 
without a trace. Peter was worried but had a feeling that the Group had her.
He told 
Mulder that he couldn't find out who or what the Cigarette Smoking Man
wanted. 
Mulder told him that he had been asking for Frank and posing as a member of
the 
Group. Peter thought on it and said he would look into it. He told Mulder
that he 
could call and would also continue to look for Lara. He asked that Mulder
not 
mention Lara's disappearance to Frank. He had a feeling he was part of the
reason 
why as well. Mulder agreed and watched as Peter left. That was when he
spotted 
Frank's Jeep pull up. Scully climbed out as did Frank. But a little bundle
of energy 
with soft curly hair jumped out too from the back seat. 
She ran to the door and stopped in front of Mulder. "Your a good guy aren't
you," 
she said with a smile.
Mulder smiled down at her, "Yep, and you must be the little angel."
She smiled at him and ran inside. Frank walked past him carrying her bags
which 
were filled with toys and new clothes from her grandmother. Scully stood
beside 
Mulder and watched him enter. "Anything new?" she asked.
"Lara's missing," he said calmly.
"Does Frank know this?"
"Nope, and Peter asked that we don't tell him. He thinks Frank is the reason
why."
Scully only nodded and walked in. Frank stood hugging and tickling Jordan.
She 
was screaming and squirming in his arms. She suddenly stopped and hugged
him. 
There was so much love in the cabin right now that it seemed brighter. He
set her 
down looking up with a smile on his face. It was the first time in a long
time that 
she saw a true smile on his face.
The day progressed as normal. Mulder and Scully ran the vaccine to the
hospital. 
They started administering it to their patients with a thank you. When they
returned, 
it was late. Inside Mulder laid on the couch exhausted. Scully peeked in
Jordan's 
room and saw Frank sitting on the bed next to Jordan reading a book. The
little girl 
was asleep in his arms but he continued to read. He stopped looking up
seeing her 
standing there watching. Her stance reminded him of Catherine. He smiled
setting 
the book aside and looked down at his little girl. He pulled her down to the
center 
of the bed and pulled the blanket up under her chin. Turning the lights off
he 
walked over standing in front of her. "You look happier." she said above a 
whisper.
"I have my little girl," he said looking back at her.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked following him into his bedroom.
Setting the book down on the bed, he sat down thinking. He never thought
about 
that. What was he going to do? He still hadn't figured out how to stop the
Group, 
but at least Peter was still there to keep him apprised of their actions. As
far as the 
Cigarette Smoking Man, well he was another case. What was his connection? 
Frank felt Scully sit down beside him. He looked at her as he pondered his 
questions. "I really hadn't thought about it."
"Mulder and I will be returning to D.C. Tomorrow. He thinks that he can find
some 
of his answers there."
Frank just looked at her. Finally, "I never really thank you for being there
for me," 
he said touching her hand, "Thank you." 
She only smiled at him, looking into his blue eyes. She saw a light in them
that she 
hadn't seen before. She looked down at his hand and saw his ring on again.
She 
touched it gently. He looked down then back at her. "You still have your
ring?" she 
asked softly.
He looked over at the picture by his bed. "I guess I'm just not ready to let
her go." 
"I can understand," she said moving slightly away from him. Just then the
book 
slid to the floor. They both reached down to pick it up, only to bump heads.

Stopping, they faced each other. He could see in her eyes that she wanted to
kiss 
him. He leaned in grazing his lips against hers. She closed her eyes and
pressed her 
lips to his more firmly. Her lips were soft and moist. When they finally
parted, she 
saw the softness in his eyes. She touched his check tenderly. His hand
covered 
hers, "I think I know what I'm going to do." Her eyes asked the question,
what. "I 
should have never run the first him," he continued. She understood what he
was 
talking about. He was going to return to where it all started. He was
returning to the 
FBI.