From: GeoRed Date: 28 Apr 1998 00:29:48 GMT Subject: The Garden District Murders (12 of 16) The Garden District Murders Chapter 12 of 16 Author: GeoRed@aol.com (a.k.a. Heidi W.) Rating: PG-13 Authors Notes: See Part 1. Disclaimer: See Part 1. Summary: Mulder and Scully attempt to solve a serial murder case in New Orleans. Whether they actually solve it or not is open to interpretation. CHAPTER 12 ******************** 2223 Frenchman Street Faubourg Marigne March 23, 1998, 2:30 p.m. Scully walked out of the building and over to the car. She leaned against it and closed her eyes. An hour before she had entered the building filled with hope that Mulder had gone in before her and pissed off that he had done such a thing. Now, an hour later, it was appeared likely that he had not gone in without her. There was no sign of him other than his cell phone lying in the car. There was no sign of Edwards either, which could mean about a million different things. Scully was starting to panic. She looked at her watch. Two-thirty in the afternoon. It gets dark at about 6 p.m. She had to believe that Mulder would not be harmed by the killer until after nightfall. Three and a half hours to figure out who the hell had kidnaped her partner and where they had taken him. Just then, Alex pulled up behind Scully's car and got out. "Dana, I heard Mulder's missing. Is there any news?" "No, nothing. How did you find out?" "I called the station and the lieutenant said you had called for backup and that Mulder was missing. Dana, were you and Mulder on to something? Is that why you are going through Edwards' house?" Scully sighed. "Mulder and I came to the conclusion that someone from your precinct was involved in some way with the killer. Based on the crime scene lack of detail and the fact that the killer always seemed to be one step ahead. Then, this morning I found out that the two most recent tox screens were missing. Mulder found out that Edwards' and Monahan were each involved in drug busts recently involving Rohypnol." "Oh, yeah, the date rape drug. And Mulder came to the conclusion at the bar this morning that the victim had been drugged because he was with his wife. He then proceeded to talk me into staying behind so he could do some digging at the police station." Alex said, putting it all together. "Alex...." Alex held up her hand. "Dana, I understand. It does make a lot of sense that someone on the force knows the killer. It all fits. I don't know why I didn't see it before." "Perhaps because it is hard to believe that a cop would be involved? I know how that is, believe me. Alex, I have to ask, were you involved in the drug bust where Rohypnol was recovered?" "I was only peripherally involved. I didn't go in and make the actual arrest, I was backup on the street if needed. Which I wasn't. Mulder must have had more of a reason to suspect Edwards and Monahan than just the Rohypnol bust." "Actually, I think he was just using it as a starting point. It makes sense since the last two victims had traces of rohypnol in their blood streams. It could have been something the killer picked up on the street but there just seems to be too many coincidences, what with the tox screens going missing *and* the quantity of Rohypnol reported as recovered not matching what is currently in evidence." "Well, what now, Scully?" Scully just looked at her thoughtfully. "What do you know about Edwards and Monahan's personal lives?" "Well, Edwards is constantly asking me out. He is rather annoying about it, too. Monahan's divorced and, as far as I know, not seeing anyone." "Do either of them have sisters?" "Well, Monahan does. I don't know about Edwards." Alex paused, watching Scully's face. "What do we do now? How do we find Mulder?" Scully looked at Alex carefully, debating her next move. Her mind flashed back to Mulder sitting on the bed, sick, and Alex running her hand down his arm. Her skin crawled and she shivered. Then she realized that Alex was staring at her, waiting for an answer. "We need to track down Monahan and Edwards. Mulder seemed certain that one of them was connected in some way to the killer. Let's go back to the station and start there." She put Mulder's cell phone in her purse with her own and walked to the drivers side of the rental car. As she got behind the wheel, Alex noticed that Scully's feet wouldn't reach the pedals. Scully realized it as well and it caused her to close her eyes and rest her head back against the seat. Her throat working as she swallowed back the sudden tears. Alex watched as Scully gave herself a noticeable shake and pulled herself together. "We'll find him, Scully." Alex thought as she walked to her own car and Scully pulled away from the curb. ************************ 4th Precinct, N.O.P.D. Same Day, 3:00 p.m. Scully pulled up in front of the station just as her cell phone rang. Correction, she realized as she opened her purse, Mulder's cell phone. "Scully." "Well, if it isn't the always lovely Agent Scully. What are *you* doing answering Mulder's phone, eh?" "Frohike.......Mulder is missing. He was supposed to meet me in front of a suspects house and when I got there, the car and his cell phone were there but there was no sign of him." Scully heard Frohike repeat all this to the other gunmen. "Oh man, Scully, I'm sorry. You have to find him before that vampire chick takes him apart. She is bad news, very bad." "Frohike, what do you know about this? Have you been helping Mulder with something?" "Yeah, he called us yesterday and told us about the case. Asked us to search police and federal data bases for crimes with a similar M.O. We found that very similar crimes had occurred over a six month period in San Francisco. They ended abruptly about two months ago and were never solved." He proceeded to fill her in on the limited information that he had given Mulder. "So did you find the name of the female victim who survived?" asked Scully. "No, it is not recorded anywhere. It is like they were aware of the crime but the victim declined to press charges. They never added her name to any of the computerized files, like they were protecting her or something." "What about the detectives investigating the case?" "Well," Frohike said, "the cop listed on the most recent reports was a Harry Stanton. I assume he is the man you will want to talk to about that case. Do you think that this female victim is your killer?" "It certainly seems so. The killings stopped there not to long before they started occurring here. The M.O. is so bizarre as to be uncommon and one of the victims in the attacks there claims to have been raped by a vampire. She may have been so traumatized by the attack that she believes that she is now a vampire. She may also have decided that vengeance for being attacked was best served by doing to others what was done to her." "Or she really *is* a vampire." Scully sighed. < Mulder has had a big influence on these guys.> She missed him desperately. "Whatever. Frohike, do you have anything else?" She felt bad about being so abrupt with the little man, but she was starting to feel desperate. "Don't worry Agent Scully, you will find him. You're good, Mulder tells us so all the time." Scully felt tears threatening again. "We don't have anything else for you right now. We thought that Mulder would want to talk to Detective Stanton right away. We'll keep looking." "Thanks, Frohike." "Take care, Agent Scully." Scully hit end on the phone and took a deep breath. She got out of the car and walked into the station while dialing the number for information to connect her with San Francisco P.D. ************************ Location Unknown Same Day, Same Time Mulder slowly opened his eyes and then slammed them shut again against the bright light. He had no clue what was going on, other than bright lights hurt his eyes. And that his head was going to explode into a million pieces. He cracked his eyes slightly. Sunlight. Coming in through the windows and shining on his face. He allowed his eyes to adjust to the light and realized that he wasn't in his apartment. He tried to take in his surroundings but his head hurt so badly that he could barely focus. The back of his head was sticky so somebody had clocked him. He tried to move his legs and realized that they were tied together. He was lying on his stomach with his hands handcuffed behind him and his legs tied together at the ankles. Somebody had at least thrown him down on a couch. He looked up instead of sideways and his head exploded in a fresh burst of pain. Everything got fuzzy and he dropped his head down to ease the pain. "Somebody.......Scully, help me." It only came out as a croak that caused his head to swim again. He had to try again. "Somebody help me!" Slightly louder but the pain that it caused made the world go dim.......and finally, dark. *************************** 4th Precinct, N.O.P.D. Same Day, 3:15 p.m. Detective Stanton had been out of the office when Scully had called him. She had left an urgent message for him to call her as she walked into the station's detective's bull pen. The stares of the detectives and officers present told her she had their sympathy. Then she wondered which of them she could possibly trust, who here would back her up and help her find her partner. There was a commotion in the back of the room, near Alex's desk. Then Scully saw him. Michael Edwards. She practically ran towards the back of the room. Lieutenant Joe McIntyre was standing there, talking to him. "I am telling you, I am being set up. I didn't take that Rohypnol. I don't even have a girlfriend, ask anybody. Besides, this is ridiculous. How would a girlfriend, if I had one, gain access to the drug? She couldn't go into evidence herself and get it and we checked it in immediately after the bust. It's not like I would be taking it home with me before checking it in." "Actually," said Scully as she walked up to them, "many people use Rohypnol as a cheap way to increase their high by adding it to their own drinks. It can become addictive, like any other drug of its kind. Therefore, if you had a "problem" with this drug or were looking for a way to get a better "buzz" with your beer, it is very possible that a girlfriend, or sister, could find it in your apartment and use it to her own ends. That end being kidnaping, torturing and killing my partner." Scully glared at him. "Look, Agent Scully, I am sorry about your partner but I DID NOT TAKE THE DRUGS!!" Yelling at Scully at this point was a very big mistake. She stepped right into his space and stared him down. "Listen, you son of a bitch," she said very quietly, "if anything, anything at all, happens to my partner because of something you did or did not do, you will regret the day you laid eyes on me. Now did you or did you not have custody of the Rohypnol from that bust at some point during that case." Joe McIntyre was very impressed with the petite agents ability to hold her own but felt the need to take charge rapidly. Before Edwards lost a testicle. The damn fool just might *not* know when to back down. "Agent Scully, Mike was just telling me that he had custody of the Rohypnol initially and then signed it over to Monahan to be signed in." Edwards looked at him gratefully, prematurely. "That does not, however, explain how officers at the scene found a small amount of what looks like Rohypnol in your bathroom, Mike." Edwards' mouth dropped open and Scully glared at him. "Somebody planted it. I swear I did not take the Rohypnol." Edwards looked Scully right in the eyes as he said this, begging her to believe him. "Edwards," said Joe, "I want you to stay here. Do not leave until I give you express permission to do so. Do you understand?" Edwards nodded, solemnly. "O.K. Agent Scully, follow me." Joe walked towards his office and Scully followed him. They went in his office and Joe closed the door behind Scully. "Scully, I know you are worried sick about Mulder, but I believe Edwards is telling the truth. His record is impeccable for the entire ten years that he has been with the force. He is never late, never sick and always by the book. He's a good cop, albeit annoying from time to time." "What about Monahan?" "He is a different story. He's a good cop but lately he has been out sick. In fact, he's been in and out since he and Alex started on this case." He paused, eyes widening. "Christ, why didn't I think of it before? He is so temperamental that I thought he was staying home because he was so pissed at me for making him and Alex do the dog and pony show at that high school in the district. Maybe he has a drug problem. Sure as hell would explain his absences lately." Scully's own eyes widened at the mention of the high school, not to mention the extended absences from duty. "*What* high school dog and pony show?" "Monahan and Alex had to do one of those assembly things, you know a "get to know the community" thing, at the high school on Magazine Street." "You mean the same high school that the first two victims went to?" asked Scully. "SHIT! GODDAMN IT ALL!" Scully took that as a yes and grabbed her purse. "Where the hell is Alex? She was supposed to be right behind me. She *never* mentioned that she had been to that high school when we were discussing the case." Scully said, as she opened the door. McIntyre followed her. "Do you think Alex has something to do with this? I don't see how she could have gotten the Rohypnol." "I don't know. Either Alex or Monahan or both. It certainly seems that Monahan is the more likely of the two based on his recent behavior. We have to get on this. I need addresses for both of them. Can you follow me to Monahan's? We can't wait for Alex, regardless." McIntyre nodded and started shouting orders to various officers in the room while Scully tried to call Detective Stanton in San Francisco again. Unsuccessfully. ********************* Location Unknown Same Day, 4:20 p.m. Mulder groaned in pain. Remembering what had happened the last time he opened his eyes, he squinted slightly with his head lying on the couch, facing outward into the room. He was in someone's living room. The couch he was lying on was against the longer wall of the room, perpendicular to the wall that the windows were set in. He noticed that it wasn't as bright as it had been. Just then he realized where he was. He realized that he didn't have much time before he found out exactly who the killer was.....and whether or not she was a vampire. He took a deep breath and was surprised when the pain wasn't as bad as he expected. He took a chance and lifted his head to look over the arm of the couch. The door was right in front of him, about 15 feet away, next to the windows. He laid his head back down and noted a large oak entertainment center directly across from the couch. The apartment was not heavily furnished and didn't have anything on the walls. His heart ached at the thought of Scully and he tried to push it aside. He looked in the direction of his feet and saw a door-less archway and what appeared to be a dining area. Perpendicular to the couch at the end where his feet were was a matching chair. His coat and tie were neatly laid across this chair. He surmised that he was in a small, shotgun house, based on how one room opened directly into the next and the narrowness of it. His head was swimming, again, and he felt sick. Mulder tried to swing his feet towards the ground so he could sit upright on the couch. In trying to sit up, he over balanced and started to fall toward the floor. He landed, hard, his knees hitting the hardwood floor followed closely by his chest and chin. All the air went out of his lungs in a whoosh and a fresh burst of pain bloomed in his head. He laid there for a moment trying to catch his breath and sweating profusely. Just then, his heart started to pound as he heard the sound of someone trying to open the front door. ************************ Patrick Monahan Residence 1887 Sixth Street Same Day, Same Time Scully and McIntyre had been sitting in Scully's car outside Monahan's house for a few minutes after knocking and had seen no movement. "Joe, I really think we need to go in. We are running out of time. I really feel that we have probable cause. If anybody gives you a problem, just blame it on me." "All right. We go in. Under protest. I hate the idea of breaking into one of my detectives houses on evidence that is not that solid." "Not that solid? Have you listened to a word I've said? My partner is missing and we have a series of events that implicate one of your detectives. Monahan is currently at the top of that list. Now are we going up there or are we going to argue?" "I'm sorry, let's go." It just went against McIntyre's cop "brotherhood" creed but he knew that Agent Scully had a point. Scully walked up to the front door of the small, shotgun house and tried the door. Locked, of course. She looked at McIntyre and, using the butt of her gun, broke the narrow strip of glass that was set in length of the door. McIntyre just closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. She then reached in, unlocked the door and pulled her arm out to open it from the outside. Gun in hand she walked slowly into the living room of the small house, McIntyre close behind her. She stood silently in the living room for a moment, listening. Not a sound. She motioned toward the back of the house and started walking slowly in that direction. As she went through the dining room she could see someone lying on the bed in the bedroom. Joe McIntyre was right behind Scully when she suddenly lowered her gun. Her shoulders drooped and her head dropped into one of her hands. Joe walked past her into the room and saw the object of her despair. Patrick Monahan was lying in his bed with a hole in his chest. He was very dead. ***********End of Chapter 12********** CHAPTER 13 Location Unknown March 23, 1998, 4:30 p.m. Mulder laid very still and held his breath as the door opened. He was shocked, but very pleased, to see Alex walk in the door with her gun drawn. "Alex?" he croaked weakly. "Mulder! My god!" Alex DuMont ran over and crouched beside him. "I don't think she's here. Where's Scully? Why isn't she behind you?" he could barely talk his throat was so dry. Alex ran her fingers through his hair briefly before digging for her handcuff keys. "We separated at Edwards' house and then as I was driving to the station I decided to check here." She unlocked the cuffs and helped Mulder sit up with his back against the couch. Mulder looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean, you decided to check here?" "Mulder, we will discuss this later. I need to check out the rest of the house, she may be back there somewhere. You look like hell. On my way back I'll get some water and a knife to try and get your legs untied. We have to get you out of here before she shows up." She started toward the back of the house, gun in hand. Mulder tugged weakly on the layers of duct tape that were wound around his ankles. He would be lucky to be able to stand, his feet were so numb due to lack of blood flow. There was no way to get the stuff off without a knife. He heard water turn on in the back of the house and drawers being opened and closed. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the couch. He hurt all over and he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Alex walked back into the room and saw him sprawled against the couch with his eyes closed. She knelt beside him and laid her hand on his arm. His eyes opened and she handed him the water. He drank greedily, until his stomach clenched. "Mulder, not so fast. I don't want you to get sick. That kinda defeats the purpose of the water." He handed the glass back to her. "Knife." he gasped. "Did you find one?" She showed him the only knife she had managed to find and started sawing on the tape. "What time is it? How long till dark?" "It's after 5. Not long enough." Suddenly she stopped and stood up. "Alex? What?" Mulder squinted at her, his vision becoming blurry. "I think I heard something.......back there." she replied. Mulder tried to focus on her but it was becoming increasingly difficult. She looked funny. Sort of scared and conflicted about what to do. She started slowly toward the back of the house. Alex walked slowly through the dining room with the knife in one hand and her gun in the other. She passed slowly into the bedroom. There was large sleigh bed to her left, its length parallel to the outside wall. There were small night stands on either side of the bed at its head. On her right, up against the other wall was a large, mirrored bureau. It was quite long and stood about stomach level to Alex. On its surface were several Styrofoam heads holding wigs of various colors. Directly in front of her and to the right of the archway leading to the kitchen there was an open closet. She could see a woman's clothes stuffed inside. She turned to the bureau and fingered one of the wigs, trance-like. She looked up, then, into the mirror. Clarice looked back at her. ************************ Patrick Monahan Residence 1887 Sixth Street Same Day, 6:00 p.m. Scully walked listlessly through the crowd of police officers swarming over Detective Monahan's house and small yard. She sat down on the passenger side seat of her car and laid her head against the head rest. A silent tear tracked down her cheek. Her heart was so heavy in her chest she only wanted to curl up and die. She had spent the last hour and a half going through Monahan's things looking for something, anything, that would give her a clue as to where to look for Mulder. Monahan's sister lived in Baton Rouge with her husband and two children. Another dead end. Even though Monahan's murder certainly indicated that he was involved with the killer, Scully was suspicious of Alex. She didn't see how she and Mulder could work with her the past couple of days and not realize she was involved. Scully didn't like Alex, but she had to attribute that to Alex's growing fondness for Mulder. All of her thoughts kept returning to Mulder. His face when they had been dancing in the street that first night. The feel of his hands on her shoulders as they stood and looked at the huge shadow on the wall of the church. His laugh that she couldn't remember hearing before. The way he sashayed through the gay bar with all the men drooling after him. His arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her, as the streetcar lurched. Pat O'Briens. Scully suddenly sat bolt upright, several things clicking into place at once. The woman who had attempted to pick him up while she was upstairs. The fact that two of the victims had been picked up there. Alex running her hand down Mulder's arm in a gesture that was familiar and disturbing. She closed her eyes, remembering the night in Pat O'Briens. She had been walking down the stairs when she saw a strawberry blond running her finger tips down Mulder's arm possessively. "Oh god, how could we be so blind." Alex was missing, as well. Maybe helping her sister? Or did she not know what her sister was up to. Scully's cell phone rang just as Joe McIntyre was walking up to the car. "Scully." "Agent Scully, Byers here. Any word on Mulder?" "No Byers, but I think I am putting it together. Did you find the name of the female victim in San Francisco?" "Yes. A Clarice Lioncourt. We had to get some contacts of ours dig deep and that is the name they came up with. They got into the personal files of one of the detectives that used to be on the case. These files were definitely not for public consumption. They think that the name is an alias, however, since nothing can be found on her in the San Francisco area." "What about Harry Stanton?" "Well, he is the most recent detective on the case. He took the case over after one of the other detectives was dismissed from that case due to personal problems." "What was this detectives name?" asked Scully. "Alex DuMont." "Oh my god. Byers, I have to go, thanks." "Agent Scully, find Mulder. We like the guy." "Yeah, me too, Byers." Scully hung up and looked at Joe McIntyre. "Why didn't you tell me that Alex had just moved here?" "She has been here for over two months, I didn't realize it was important. What the hell is going on? Is she our perp here?" "She is connected in some way with the killer. There were a series of murders in San Francisco a couple of months ago and she was originally on the investigation. She was removed due to some sort of personal problem. Now her partner here turns up dead. At least we know how Monahan is connected. He probably figured out that Alex's......friend, sister or whatever was the killer and that Alex is protecting her." "She may not know what her friend is doing." McIntyre said, defensively. Scully looked at him like he was insane. He shrugged his shoulders. He liked Alex and didn't like that he had been fooled. "Regardless, we have to find her, do you have her address?" "Yeah, let's go. I'll ride with you." ***************************** Location Unknown Same day, Same time Mulder was still sprawled against the couch since Alex had disappeared into the back of the house and hadn't reappeared. He found he didn't care. His head still hurt but he felt drunk. He knew there was something wrong with this picture, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He couldn't put his finger on anything. "I'm fucked up. I've been hit o-one too many times." He snorted. "So 'kay. I'm just a bit more fucked up than I wus before. And now I'm talkin' to myself. Fucked up *and* crazy. And a sheep...a gullible sheep. No wonder Scully doesn't want me." "Who are you talking to, Fox?" Mulder looked up toward the voice and saw Scully standing in the archway to the dining room. "Y-you're here. I doan feel good at all. Why'd you call me Fox?" Mulder asked as Scully walked over and knelt next to him. "It's your name, isn't it?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his hair. She bent over him placed a light kiss on his jaw near his ear. Mulder felt a rush of heat in his groin. He closed his eyes and laid his head back, stifling a groan. The next thing he felt was a pair of lips on his ear lobe. She kissed it, then sucked it into her mouth running her tongue over it. Mulder's mouth dropped open and his breathing quickened. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "W-what are you doing? D-don't tease me......" She cut him off by covering his mouth with her own. Her lips opened and she teased his mouth open with her tongue. His heart was pounding so hard and it crossed his mind that he had finally gone round the bend because Scully would never do this. He placed his hand behind her head and pulled her closer, kissing her back. He had a major erection and he was so dizzy that he was afraid he would pass out. He moaned into her mouth and then pulled away slightly. "Scully, please, I can't take this if you're not....." Before he could finish the sentence "Scully" growled at him and punched him in the jaw. His head snapped back into the couch and pain flared throughout his skull. He tried to scramble away from her but she sat on his legs while he struggled weakly. When he looked at her again, dizzily, he gasped in shock. "Y-you're not Scully! My god, what are you doing Alex?" ************************** 1126 First Street New Orleans, Louisiana Same Day, 6:20 p.m. Scully pulled the car up to the curb, tires screeching. As she jumped out of the car, she looked up at the house. It was huge, a mansion. Scully thought. She and McIntyre ran up the stairs and knocked on the front door. After a few moments, an old woman came to the door and peeked out through the glass running vertically on both sides. Scully held up her badge so the woman could see. The old woman smiled and opened the door. "Hello, what can I do for you?" asked the old woman. "Ma'am, I am Special Agent Dana Scully with the F.B.I. and this is Lieutenant McIntyre with the N.O.P.D. We are looking for Detective Alexandra DuMont and this is her address on record. Do you know Detective DuMont?" The old woman had started nodding before Scully had finished speaking. "Oh, yes, Alex is a lovely girl. So serious. She rents my old slave quarters at the back of the yard but she is almost never here. That girl works some crazy hours, you know? By the way, I am Muriel Beaumont." "Mrs. Beaumont, this is a matter of some urgency," said Scully. "Could you show us the way back there and point us in the direction of Alex's rooms?" "Oh certainly, follow me." The old woman moved into the hallway of the old house, beckoning Scully and McIntyre to follow. If Scully hadn't been so focused on Mulder she would have appreciated the beauty of the house she was walking through. On some level, she noted the 12 foot ceilings and the floor to ceiling windows with beautiful molding. The walls of the various rooms were painted in the pale lavender, peach and green pastels so common to New Orleans. They passed through a huge dinning room with chandelier and table service for twenty into the kitchen. The kitchen was the size of Mulder's apartment but twice as modern. Mrs. Beaumont walked through the kitchen to the back door. Opening the door, she stepped out into the huge back yard. Anyone standing on the street would not even know that this yard existed because of how the mansions of New Orleans were constructed. The house itself was huge and, from the street, appeared to extend the length of the property. In reality, when you exited the back of the mansion there was a narrow building to the left that was flush with the back of the house and parallel to the street. This building ran the remaining length of the property but was not actually attached to the mansion. Mrs. Beaumont explained that prior to the civil war, this building had housed slaves. With the onset of the war the slaves had been given their freedom and, if they desired, continued to live in the building and were paid for their labor in the house. The building had been recently restored and was divided into two sizeable apartments. Alex apparently had the upper level with the balcony overlooking the large yard that was beautifully maintained with a small pond surrounded by magnolia trees and lush foliage. At the very back of the yard, adjacent to the end of the building was a locked gate that Alex and the other tenant used to come and go without disturbing Mrs. Beaumont. Scully and McIntyre took Mrs. Beaumont's spare key to the apartment and instructed her to go back into the main house while they approached Alex's apartment. As they climbed the steps, Scully drew her gun, much to McIntyre's dismay. He then followed suit, grudgingly acknowledging that Scully could be right. Scully stopped in front of the door and knocked. "Alex? Are you in there? It's Scully." She stood to one side of the door, McIntyre the other. There was no sound from inside the apartment. Scully took the key and unlocked the door. She pushed the door open while remaining out of firing range of anyone inside the apartment. Nothing. She and McIntyre both peered around the door frame into the main room of the apartment. Clear. Gun level in front of her, Scully stepped into the room. It was very sparsely furnished. Couch, television, coffee table with knickknacks. "Alex? Mulder?" Scully called again. McIntyre looked at her sharply, still not believing that Alex was involved. There was still only silence. Scully moved to her right towards an open door. Looking around the door frame, she realized that she was looking into a bedroom. The only piece of furniture in the room was a futon. There were clothes in the closet, but the room was frighteningly bare. Like someone only lived here part time. Scully shook her head at McIntyre, who moved to his left through the living room towards the small kitchen. He peered around the door frame as Scully came up behind him. No one. They reholstered their guns and Scully had to push down a feeling of despair that was threatening to overwhelm her. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed. "Lone Gunmen, this is Langley." "Langley, Scully." "Agent Scully! Any word on Mulder?" "No, not a trace. I need you guys to find an address for me as fast as you possibly can......." "Clarice Lioncourt, right? We're on it Agent Scully, although we suspect that name is an alias. Have you realized the significance of it yet?" Langley paused, Scully remained silent so he continued. "Lioncourt was the last name of the central vampire character in Anne Rice's series. Lestat de Lioncourt. In the stories, Louis, Lestat's cohort, spent a lot of time in San Francisco as did Lestat, although to a lesser extent. You know, Mulder reminds me of Louis. Dark, brooding, tormented, guilt ridden......" "Dear god. This woman is obsessed with Anne Rice?" "It would appear so Agent Scully. Anyway, we started looking for an address for Clarice Lioncourt shortly after the last time we spoke with you. We haven't had a lot of luck, but we are going through all the names in Anne Rice's books at the same time, hoping to get a hit. We'll call you as soon as we get one." "Please hurry, Langley, we don't have much time." she said and disconnected. She sat down on Alex's couch and rested her chin on her fist, thinking. "Well, Agent Scully. What do you think?" asked McIntyre. "I think that Clarice Lioncourt, or whatever her name is, is seriously disturbed. She is seducing young men, draining them of their blood, killing them. Her motives for these actions are conflicting to say the least. At first, she seemed to want young men solely for the pleasure of seducing them and killing them. Then, she met a man that would not be seduced. So she forced him somehow. Mulder would say mind control. She got extreme satisfaction from that and started looking for challenges. Along the way she developed an obsession with my partner. Perfect. An older man, kind, sensitive, and most of all, spoken for......" Scully clamped her mouth shut, realizing what she had just admitted to. McIntyre didn't seem to notice, as he was deep in thought as well. "Agent Scully, about the high school. DuMont and Monahan, actually Alex, had problems there with a couple of guys. They were harassing her, making suggestive comments. *If*, as you say, Alex is involved with this Clarice Lioncourt, and these young men were harassing her....." "Then Clarice would have seen this as abuse and targeted those young men. This makes sense. Clarice was brutally raped. It pushes her over the edge and into believing she is a vampire, using Anne Rice as a point of reference. She starts retaliating on men in general, but specifically those she perceives as deserving." Scully rubbed her forehead. This was a somewhat sound theory, but there were still some missing pieces. Like how Clarice and Alex are connected and why Alex would protect her. She had to be aware that Clarice was responsible for these crimes. Unless Alex wasn't sure that Clarice was here. Scully had a major headache. There was so much she didn't understand. Being Scully, she refused to consider that Clarice was actually a vampire, although that explained more about her appetites and actions than the simple 'woman driven crazy' explanation. Scully's head snapped up. Lafayette Number One. Where Mulder was attacked. ********************** Location Unknown Same Day, Same Time Mulder's head spun out of control. He was hallucinating. He had thought he had seen Scully. Now he thought he saw Alex. He knew that he had been drugged and that he was looking at the killer. He felt a tingling sensation in his mind. "Alex?" "Oh, Fox. Alex is a good little police woman, doing what she is told. She *hates* men, although she was developing a certain fondness for you. My name is Clarice. Alex is gone, forget about her. *I* am in control here and I have wanted you since I laid eyes on you. We are going to have such a good time, Fox." Mulder was totally lost. He wasn't sure what was real. The woman astride his legs looked like Alex, but she had looked like Scully before. Only now she was wearing a pure white babydoll that was sheer, with thong panties. He could not be sure what he was seeing. He only knew that he was in deep shit and his body was reacting against his will. Clarice's heart was pounding. She was nearly mad with desire for Fox. Between the Rohypnol that she had put in his water, along with a mild aphrodisiac, and his concussion she should have no problems with him. She didn't want him drugged but she didn't have much choice. Her mind control abilities were still developing. As long as he didn't start calling her Scully again they would get along just fine. She used the knife to cut the bonds around his legs and then threw it behind the couch to be on the safe side. She slid up his legs so that her wet panties were nestled up against the partial erection that was tenting his Armani pants. He groaned and his head fell back against the sofa again. He then struggled, weakly, trying to throw her off. Mulder was rapidly losing his grasp on reality. He felt so drunk and aroused that he was unable to fight her. She was in his head and on his body and he couldn't remember *why* he was supposed to fight her. Just then Clarice rocked her hips, grinding herself into his cock. He hardened painfully and groaned again. Clarice was ecstatic. He was powerless against her. She twined her fingers into his beautiful, soft hair and lowered her mouth to his pouting lips. She nudged his mouth open with her tongue and then plunged into his mouth. She gasped in shock when his tongue met hers, dueling aggressively. Mulder flipped her gently to the side, not breaking the kiss, and rolled on top of her, resting between her legs, thrusting once. He continued to kiss her, devouring her with his tongue as she sighed. Before she realized what was happening, Mulder had pulled away and was making for the door. She grabbed his belt and yanked him backwards, easily overpowering him. Mulder was stunned at her strength. Again, he felt a tickle in his head. <> Mulder lost most independent thought as Clarice took total control. She watched as Mulder pulled himself onto the couch. She was tempted to move him to the bedroom but this would do for now. Clarice looked at him. He was beautiful even while not in control of his actions. If anything, this enhanced his appeal. The lower lip pouted beautifully, giving Mulder that vulnerable appearance that made Clarice want to lick him all over. His eyes were glazed. She was on fire, burning for him. She moved to kneel between his knees. She started at the top button and slowly pushed the buttons through the holes, one by one, until his shirt was completely open. She yanked it from his pants and slid it back off his shoulders and down his arms. When she got to his elbows she had to stop to kiss him again. His arms effectively immobilized, she sucked on his bottom lip. She kissed he cleft in his chin and showered kisses along his jaw line. She removed his shirt completely and threw it on the floor. His hand moved to her breast, thumb grazing a nipple, then jerked back, as if burned. "N-no. I. I d-don't want this." Clarice growled. She was pleased with his struggles. It made her want him even more. His breathing was fast and he was watching her. As she looked back at him, she grabbed the hem of the babydoll and lifted it over her head. She threw it so that it landed on his shirt. Mulder's eyes widened and dropped to her chest. Mulder was lost. His mind was crying out to Scully to help him. His body was reacting to Clarice or Alex, whoever the hell she was. He was painfully hard, and so befuddled that he couldn't think what to do. "I can't.....I don't.....where is Scully? I want Scully." Mulder didn't realize that he had vocalized his thoughts until Clarice slapped him hard across the face, rocking his head back against the sofa back. She was pissed off. Resistance is one thing, wishing for another woman was intolerable. From her position on the floor between his legs, she reached up with one hand and started undoing his belt buckle. With the other hand, she massaged his cock through his pants. Mulder groaned and rolled his head back and forth against the sofa back. She pulled off Mulder's shoes and threw them aside. Next came the Armani pants so that Mulder was sitting on the couch in his cotton boxer briefs. Clarice drew in her breath. Judging by the outline of his cock in the revealing underwear, Mulder was everything she had hoped for. Clarice pushed Mulder to the side so that he was stretched out on the couch. He grabbed her wrist and tried to get past her but she pushed him back physically and with her mind. Mulder laid down and Clarice climbed on top of him. She pressed her burning center into his erection as she leant forward and kissed him. Her breasts were crushed against Mulder's chest, her fingers entwined in his hair and her core grinding against his cock. Mulder thrust against her helplessly, against his will. Tears leaked from his eyes. Mulder moaned softly. Clarice felt his torment and reveled in it. She felt powerful, but she wanted more. She moved back to the floor so that she could remove his boxers. She slid her hands beneath the waistband and grasped his penis firmly. Mulder whimpered and tried to get away. She jerked twice on his cock and he screamed, his teeth clenched in a heady combination of fear, resistance and arousal. She pulled his boxers off and he lay naked before her on the couch. Mulder looked at her dazedly, thinking again of escape. Her mind clamped down on that thought and pinned him to the couch. She looked at his erect cock laying against his stomach and licked her lips. Mulder watched as she smiled. To his drugged mind her eye teeth looked sharp and glittering as she smiled. She opened her mouth slightly and lowered her head to his groin, teeth glittering. He screamed. *************End Chapter 13************ CHAPTER 14 2209 Maple Street March 23, 1998, 6:50 p.m. Scully pulled up to the house registered to Clarice Lioncourt with the headlights out. It was a small, well kept, shotgun house that looked freshly painted in lavender with white trim and green shutters. As she got out of the car she pulled her gun, as did McIntyre. Scully could tell that this was the place. If Mulder ever asked she would probably deny it, but she just *felt* him. There were low lights burning in the front windows but the windows visible on the side of the house were dark. There was a small, fenced yard in the front and a narrow walkway leading around the back of the house. According to Langley, a Clarice Lioncourt had rented this house one month ago, shortly before the first murder was committed. Scully and McIntyre walked silently up the sidewalk and up the steps to the front door. Just as she was preparing to knock, she heard a scream from inside. Her heart stopped in her chest. She reacted by reaching for the door handle. McIntyre grabbed her wrist and hauled her back down the steps. Scully was furious. "What the hell are you doing? He is in there and she is hurting him. I have to get to him." she whispered. "They sounded like they were on the other side of that door. She is armed, Agent Scully. I know you want to get to him but we have to think about this." Scully knew he was right but she wasn't going to wait around for Mulder to be killed. "O.K. this is what we are going to do." she said, quietly. "Call for backup and an ambulance and get them here without the lights and sirens. You watch the front and wait for a signal from me to come in." "This is *not* sounding like a good idea." "He is *my* partner and I am going in and getting him." "You could get him killed." "He is going to be killed if I don't find a way to stop her. By going in through the back I may be able to get the drop on her. She is obviously....busy. I have to get to him before she kills him and distract her enough to help him. It will be better if it is just me. She will be overconfident. If we both go in, we *will* get him killed." "I don't like this, but........" McIntyre sighed and shook his head. He did not think this evening was going to end well. Scully started for the back of the house, gun drawn, as he called for backup. ******************* Clarice's House Same Day, Same Time When Mulder screamed, Clarice clapped her hand over his mouth. "Shhhhhh, baby, I am not going to bite you. I promise that this will feel good. No teeth." Mulder was breathing heavily, eyes wide, his mind still seeing sharp teeth aimed at his cock. Clarice, kneeling by his side, stroked his hair. His erection had wilted slightly due to the extreme fear. "Oh you poor baby. I didn't mean to scare you like that." She leaned up to touch her lips to his. She pulled his lower lip into her mouth, sucking on it, while her right hand was tangled in his hair. She thrust her tongue into his mouth, probing. Her left hand slid across his abdomen and brushed lightly past his penis to cup his balls. She caressed and fondled him so that he was moaning into her mouth, painfully erect again. Her lips left his mouth and traveled down his chest to suck on one nipple, then the other, nipping the skin around them so hard that she left marks. His head was thrown back as far as it would go, mouth open and breath coming in harsh pants. He tried to push her head away but he felt so weak, powerless, with arms like lead weights. She thrust her tongue in his belly button and he whimpered. Mulder was overwhelmed. The drugs in his system combined with two concussions in a short period of time served to make him extremely vulnerable to Clarice and unable to think rationally. He had just enough resistance to make Clarice happy. He was putty in her hands, literally. One thought kept running faintly through his head. He lost what little coherent thought he had when Clarice took the head of his penis in her mouth, swirling her tongue around the tip. She took as much of him in her mouth as she could, teeth bushing the silky skin of his shaft. He made gasping sounds and moved both of his hands to Clarice's head, weaving his fingers through her hair, thrusting his hips. He tugged slightly, trying to pull her off but she would have none of it. And she was so strong. Clarice wrapped one hand around the base of his cock and started pumping her hand in tempo with her tongue and the bobbing of her head. Her other hand was lightly scratching his chest, fingernails scraping over bite marks. "N-n-noo, no, no.......aaaarrrrhhhhhhhh!" Mulder cried as he came in Clarice's mouth. He pulled her hair again, trying to get her off of him, tears leaking from his eyes. "Stop....now.....s-stop....." "No, darling, we have just begun." said Clarice as she pulled herself slowly up his prone form. She placed a knee on either side of his waist and sat back on his groin. She leaned forward and started kissing him again, her breasts crushed against his chest. He could feel the heat of her through her panties and a rush of heat went straight to his cock which was already half erect again. "Wh-what have you done to me?" he gasped, as she kissed the tears off his face. "No rest for the weary, Fox. I had to be sure that I would be able to enjoy you all night long so I gave you a little something to help out.....or should I say, Alex gave you a little something." Mulder could not focus enough to figure out what she was implying. Only enough to know that he was in trouble and that there seemed to be nothing he could do about it. Just then, Clarice's keen hearing picked up a slight sound coming from the back of the house. She went still, listening. Sitting on Mulder's resurrected cock was not making it easy. "Fox, I want you to sit up." He just looked up at her. "Now, Fox." She put her hand behind his neck to help him. Mulder slowly sat up with Clarice still on his lap, facing him, her arms around his neck, and his back to the dining room. He couldn't hold his head up for long and it fell forward so that it rested on her breast. "Perfect, Fox, perfect. I think we have company." She threaded her fingers through his hair and lifted his head up, kissing him hard on the mouth. He pulled away. "I jus wanna go home. Let me go home now." She stopped this conversation by sucking his lower lip into her mouth again, flicking it with her tongue. He moaned just in time for Scully to hear him as she walked through the dining room, gun trained on the two of them. Scully felt her heart fall to her feet when she saw Mulder, naked, in the arms of Alex. A nearly naked, extremely beautiful Alex, wrapped around an extremely beautiful, naked Mulder. She was minus her glasses and her hair was uncharacteristically halfway down her back. "Alex, get off of him now!" she said quietly, the threat apparent in her voice. Alex (?) just laughed. Mulder blearily looked in the direction of Scully's voice as she moved towards the entertainment center, giving her a clear shot of Alex. Scully felt actual pain in her chest at the look of despair and confusion on Mulder's face. "Why Agent Scully! Can't you see you are interrupting? And it's not Alex, it's Clarice." She grinned at Scully and continually ran her fingers through Mulder's hair, his head resting against her chest again. Not lowering her gun, Scully decided that conversation was a good idea. Perhaps it would keep Alex/Clarice's mind off Mulder for a moment. "If you are Clarice, then where is Alex and what is your relationship to her?" she asked. "I sent her away and took over. She is a weak and pathetic little creature hiding behind a badge she doesn't deserve. You know, Agent Scully, you really should lower the gun. You could accidentally shoot your delectable partner. That would be such a shame. He is so delicious. I can't believe you have never....." "Shut up, you bitch and get off of him." Scully could have bitten her tongue for losing her temper. *Clarice* was provoking her intentionally. "You aren't going to get away with this, Clarice, why don't you just let him go? I will make sure that you get help....." Clarice threw back her head and laughed, causing Mulder's face to constrict in fear. "You still don't believe, do you Scully."Clarice said with contempt. "I believe you are suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder, that you are delusional and that you need help." Scully replied, cautiously. Clarice scowled, causing Mulder to struggle slightly, trying to get out from under her. She had her legs wrapped around him so he didn't get far. His movement rocked Clarice into close contact with his still erect cock. She moaned and kissed Mulder deeply, rocking her clit against him again. Mulder pulled away from the kiss and looked at Scully, imploring. Scully's stomach lurched again at the look on his face. If she didn't block out the sight of his beautiful, naked body she would never get them through this. "Scu...." he started in a pleading voice. Clarice yanked his head back to her and kissed him so hard that one of her teeth drew blood, which trickled from his lower lip to his chin. She moaned again as she licked the blood off of his face. Scully's stomach clenched. Mulder was hyperventilating as Clarice licked him. Scully was at a loss. She couldn't get a shot with Mulder so close. She didn't see a weapon so she could just try to take her out but the risks were considerable. If she got to close and Clarice was stronger......she couldn't afford to lose her gun. Mulder was her best bet and she hoped he was strong enough. She held out the hand that wasn't holding her gun. "Mulder. Come here, come to me." she said as she prayed silently. He looked at her with an expression on his face that she couldn't categorize. Fear, hope, desire, despair crossed his face as Clarice kept a tight grip on him, mentally and physically. She reached between their bodies and grasped his erect cock tightly. An indistiguishable sound came from Mulder's throat as he threw his head back and bucked in her hands. Scully wasn't sure he if he was totally lost or if he was trying to get away. She kept her hand out, silently pleading with him to find the strength. "He doesn't want you, Scully. It's been five years and where have you gotten with him?" Clarice taunted her and Scully kept silent, refusing to be baited. "Mulder......" she said softly, imploringly. Suddenly, Mulder seemed to succumb to Clarice's stroking. He pushed her backwards and positioned himself on top of her so rapidly that Clarice didn't have time to take a breath. He ground his hard cock against her wet panties, kissing her roughly, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Clarice whimpered and Scully's heart shattered into a million tiny pieces at her feet as she watched her beautiful partner make love to another woman. Clarice and Scully were caught up in their feelings so completely that neither one of them realized immediately that Mulder was sliding off the couch, his diversionary tactic having the desired effect for the moment. He moved in Scully's direction.....but never made it. Blindingly fast, Clarice grabbed a handful of Mulder's hair and yanked him backwards so he was sitting on the couch in front of her and facing Scully........with a gun at his head. Clarice had hidden her (Alex's?) service revolver in the cushions of the couch, waiting for just such an occassion. She had not underestimated Scully at all. Scully thought that perhaps she had seriously underestimated Clarice.....and that it was going to cost Mulder dearly. "I am tired of this fucking game." Clarice snarled. "He is mine. I am not giving him up. Now drop you damn gun and kick it over here." Clarice's hold on Mulder was tenuous with Scully in the room and it pissed her off. Mulder looked at Scully with wide, somewhat glazed eyes. "Scully, don't....." Clarice wacked him upside the head with the butt of the gun and he swayed, eyes closing in pain. "Agent Scully. I am keeping him. If *I* can't keep him, I *will* kill him. It is that simple. Now drop your gun and kick it over here." Scully did as she was told since she didn't believe she had a choice. Clarice kicked Scully's gun under the couch, out of reach, and smiled. "Now, Agent Scully, you are going to stand there quietly and watch me fuck your partner. He really has the *most* delightful body, don't you agree?" Scully's mind was racing and she thought she was going to be sick. She had to think of something, and fast. Conversation? She didn't care as long as it delayed Clarice's rape of Mulder. "Clarice, you really need help. Can't you see that Mulder doesn't want this?" Clarice chuckled. "Can't you see that he *does*?" she replied as she used her free hand to stroke Mulder's abdomen. "What did you give him, Clarice? Besides the Rohypnol." "I didn't *have* to give him anything......" "But you did, didn't you? You came in here, he thought you were Alex, with good reason I might add, and what did you do? Give him a glass of water because he was thirsty from being tied up all day?" "Shut up, Scully......" Clarice was beginning to get pissed again, but Scully was as well. "Is this the only way you can get a man like Mulder, *Clarice*? By drugging and then raping him?" "You don't know what you are talking about, you bitch. *I* know what rape is and this isn't it!" "Yes it is. Look at yourself, Clarice. You are doing to Mulder the same thing that man in San Francisco did to you. You are taking something that doesn't want to be given. Did he say no, even once? He did, didn't he Clarice." "Shut up." "That man in San Francisco brutalized you and you snapped. I can understand that, Clarice." "Shut up, Scully!" Scully was pushing too hard and didn't seem to realize it in her anger. Even Mulder, in his drug induced haze, was starting to panic, eyes wide and panting. Extreme tension between to two women and he was naked. "He was in some twisted, violent vampire cult and when he raped you, you snapped and believed that *you* were a vampire as well." "You *still* don't get it do you, Scully? I may have snapped when I was raped. I may have felt a need to take revenge for what was done to me. But that does *not* change the fact of what I am, thanks to that bastard. I am not taking revenge *here*.......I *want* Mulder and I intend to have him." "Let him go, Clarice, he doesn't want you." "SHUT UP.....SHUT UP!" "Scu-....Sculleeee, stop. Go, please go, please......" he pleaded with her. If she didn't go, this woman would kill her. "I am not going unless you come with me, Mulder." she said calmly. "You aren't going anywhere, and neither is Mulder." said Clarice as she moved the gun from Mulder's head and pointed it at Scully. Mulder tried to jerk away from her but she held tight. She licked his neck and used her free hand to stroke and tweak his nipples. His eyes slid shut and he swallowed convulsively. He felt his cock stir again and flushed with embarrasement. A single tear slid down his cheek and Scully's heart ached. She started towards him. "Stay back, Scully. Have you lost your mind? Perhaps this will make you behave again." she said as she pointed the gun at Mulder's head again. She licked and sucked at his neck and then she smiled. Scully's breath caught in her throat. Clarice lowered her lips to Mulder's throat and found his pulse beating rapidly beneath his skin. Suddenly Mulder gasped and his head jerked back. A thin stream of blood ran down Mulder's neck onto his chest from where Clarice's lips met with his throat. "God! Mulder.....no. Stop it! Stop it, damn you!"screamed Scully. Clarice removed her mouth from Mulder's throat and smiled, her teeth bloody. Mulder continued to bleed steadily, the blood running into the sparse hair in the center of his chest. His eyes were mere slits, glazed over and he looked as if he was going to pass out any minute. "Now," said Clarice, "it is time to finish this." She raised the gun and pointed it at Scully again. "I'm really rather sorry Scully. I actually enjoyed working with you. I'm sure Mulder will miss you." she said with a smile. Clarice flicked off the safety and started to pull the trigger. It seemed to Scully that the next events occurred in slow motion. Mulder reacted on pure instinct and shoved her gun arm as the gun went off. Clarice screamed in rage as she brought the gun back around and fired again at the same time that Mulder lunged for Scully with the last strength he possessed. The bullet hit him in the back, propelling him forward into Scully's arms. She caught him under the arms but his weight, combined with the forward motion, slammed her backwards into the wall. They slid to the ground with a thump. Scully heard Clarice scream as she realized that she had shot Mulder. She looked up expecting to see Clarice standing over them waiting to finish her off, but she was nowhere in sight. McIntyre and some uniformed officers broke through the front door and saw Scully cradling Mulder in her arms. He was lying like he had fallen, face down with his head against her upper chest. More officers came from the back of the house. "Get the paramedics, now! Hurry!" McIntyre yelled out the door as more officers came in the back of the house. "Where is she?!?" "I don't know! She must have run after firing the gun. She had to have gone towards the back of the house with you coming in through the front." Scully looked down at Mulder and saw the bullet wound in his upper back, towards his left shoulder blade, and pressed her hand against the wound as her eyes filled with tears. She choked them back and started yelling at the paramedics. "He's 37 years old, AB negative. We have no exit wound on the bullet that hit him in the upper back." She moved her hand from the bullet hole so the paramedic could see it and bandage it. Mulder was bleeding profusely from both wounds. Mulder's eyes fluttered open as the paramedics tried to pull him off of Scully. "N-no....S-scully.....nooo...." he whispered as the paramedics laid him on the stretcher and prepped him for transport. "I won't leave you, Mulder. It's o.k., I'm right here." She held his hand and stroked the hair off his forehead while they put another bandage on his neck wounds. "That is a serious bite on his neck. He's AB neg, call ahead so they can have some ready." "Scullee, I dinna want too. I didn't. She made me...." "Shhhh, Mulder, I know. You're going to be o.k." "They got her, din they? I didn't like her, S-scully." he sounded drunk. The paramedics looked at her with questions in their eyes. "Rohypnol and god knows what else. She put it in a glass of water." Scully replied to the questioning looks. "I jus wanna be with you, Sculleeee. B-but she.....she....." he was starting to get more agitated. Scully's heart was pounding. She bent over and kissed his temple, trying to calm him. "It's going to be fine Mulder, honest." she said as Mulder's eyes slid shut. *********End Chapter 14********** CHAPTER 15 Mercy Hospital New Orleans, Louisiana March 23, 1998, 9:15 p.m. Scully sat in the waiting room on the surgery floor. She absently ran her fingers over Mulder's badge, not really seeing it. Joe McIntyre had brought it to her earlier when he had come to update her on what was happening. It was another mystery. Clarice had vanished without a trace. Neither Scully or McIntyre had an explanation for how she had gotten past the officers entering the house from the front and the rear. McIntyre still had cops going over the house with a fine tooth comb. Detective Stanton from San Francisco had finally gotten back to her. He said that Alex DuMont had been investigating a serial rapist/murder when she had gotten too close to the perpetrator. He had brutally raped her and nearly killed her. In an attempt to protect her, Alex's fellow police officers had kept her name out of the files. She recovered and went back to work, but only briefly. Scully had to assume that Clarice and Alex were one and the same. Either that or they were identical twins. She had ended up quitting and moving to New Orleans. Mulder was the psychologist of the partnership, but Scully felt that the severe trauma of the attack had caused Alex to feel so weak and worthless that she had created a new, dominant personality. Clarice. A very strong woman, who took charge of all situations, took what she wanted and got back at the male species that had caused Alex so much pain. The trauma and subsequent mental illness lead to her belief that she was a vampire, based solely on her survival of a supposed vampire attack. But that didn't explain what Scully saw. She had seen Clarice's teeth.......change. Scully didn't want to think about this, didn't want to examine what she had seen and how she felt about it. She wanted to bury her head in the sand and forget everything she had experienced. She was good at that. She was tired of the constant battering of her psyche and she just wanted to shove the pain deep inside herself. But she had made promises, both spoken and unspoken, that she would not live in denial any longer. Mulder needed her to be honest. She squeezed her eyes shut and a single tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away viciously. If she started crying now, she may never stop. She had to be strong, at least for now. She didn't know how Mulder was going to react to everything that had happened to him in Clarice's house. She had no doubt that he would remember, Rohypnol or no. She had no idea how to behave around him. She was terrified of the answer to that question but she thought back to their first two nights in New Orleans. They had been close, connected. She had *liked* it, and him, more than she cared to admit. They had been so.....light. A feeling that she hadn't had in a long time. She wanted it again. She made a promise to herself and to Mulder that she would try to get that back. She would not let him leave New Orleans with only the bad memories. Scully's stomach twisted. Another tear escaped from her tightly shut eyes. ************************** Mercy Hospital New Orleans, Louisiana March 23, 1998, 11:45 p.m. "Agent Scully?" Scully's head jerked up and she wiped away the tears she felt on her face. She had actually nodded off. "Doctor, how is he? Is the surgery over with? Can I see him?" The doctor smiled slightly at her. "He should be fine, he was very lucky. The bullet didn't do any serious damage. We were far more concerned with the blood loss and the repetitive head injuries. But he has been given a transfusion and the CAT scan indicates that there has been no permanent damage." Scully let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. "Doctor, could you recommend a therapist specializing in sexual assault? My partner has been through an......ordeal and I want to know how to help him." "I am aware of what transpired, Agent Scully and I will contact a woman who specializes in this area. She can probably come and meet with you right away. Agent Scully........." he hesitated as he looked at the strong looking young woman in front of him. "What Doctor? Is it something about Mulder?" "No, no, I have told you everything that we know right now. I was going to say that you should talk to Doctor Karns for *yourself*, not just for Agent Mulder. People who are very close to the victims of sexual assault are often in need of as much help as the victim. Feelings of guilt and over protectiveness are common. You may also need help dealing with his reaction to you." "I will give that some thought. Thank you, Doctor." "Why don't you follow me and I will show you where his room will be when he comes out of recovery." ******************* Mercy Hospital, Room 655 March 24, 1998, 6:20 a.m. Scully sat in a chair pulled up to Mulder's bedside. A place she....they were both....accustomed to. She had been watching him sleep for several hours, the whole time wondering what to say when he woke up. His head was turned towards her slightly and she marveled at how different he looked when asleep. She had always thought him beautiful. Once upon a time it had been an objective and distant observation. One that she dare not examine too closely. Everything looked different since her cancer. He looked different. She noticed how he moved, like he was so comfortable in his own skin. She noticed how he looked at her, like he was afraid she was going to vanish but relieved that she hadn't. At least not yet. That was so Mulder, that underlying belief that she was going to vanish into thin air, that it was only a matter of time. His physical beauty took her breath away at times. Looking at him now she saw how his eyelashes rested on his high cheekbones. How his soft hair fell over his high forehead. That nose that he hated but that somehow made his face more perfect. The lower lip......that had two stitches in it at this moment. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a shaky breath. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him naked. His body so beautiful but his eyes tortured. She had seen him naked before but never.....aroused. She hadn't thought he could be more beautiful. She opened her eyes and sucked in a harsh breath. A feeling of shame washed over her followed closely by a rage so powerful that it took her breath away. Mulder chose that moment to open his eyes, unbeknownst to Scully. The look on her face frightened him. "Sc-scully?" Her eyes snapped to his face and she gave him a radiant smile. She got out of the chair and moved closer to him. She took his hand and leaned over to press her lips to his forehead. "Welcome back. You're going to be fine, Mulder. You had me so worried." "You aren't mad at me, are you Scully?" "Of course not! I was worried about you, why would I be mad?" "You looked kinda mad." "That was not directed at you, Mulder." "Clarice, huh? She got away, didn't she." Scully was surprised at how easily he moved into this conversation and how calmly he made that statement. "Yes, so far. We can talk about this later. You need to rest." Even as she said the words she realized that she was avoiding the subject. As did Mulder. "I am tired, Scully, and I won't last much longer, but I don't want you to think that you have to tiptoe around this. I want you to talk to me. I *need* you to talk to me." "You continually surprise me, Mulder." "Life is too short, Scully. As a psychologist, I know this is going to be difficult. But Scully, the past few months have been the worst, and at times, the best of my life. Difficult is relative. Nothing can compare to almost losing you." Scully's heart lurched. This last statement was made in a whisper, as Mulder's eyelids started to flutter. He coughed and Scully grabbed the plastic water cup and filled it. She held the straw for him and he looked at it. A wry little smile crossed his face. "You know, Scully? I seem to have lost my taste for water." "You are going to be fine, aren't you Mulder. Now take a sip or I'll think you don't trust me anymore." He smiled again, taking a small sip of water. His eyelids fluttered again and he gave up the struggle of staying awake. Scully stood over him holding the water cup. He continually amazed her. She knew that their troubles with this case were not over, but she now had hope that it wouldn't be as difficult as she had feared. She sat the cup down and brushed his hair off his forehead. That was becoming her favorite gesture. His head moved into her hand, like he was reaching for her caress. She bent over and pressed her lips to his brow again. "I'll take care of you, Mulder." *********************** Mercy Hospital Office of Dr. Sara Karns Same Day, 10:00 a.m. ".....and then she....she sank her teeth into his neck and blood started running down his chest...." Scully sucked in a sob, tears running down her face. She brushed at them, angry at herself for crying. "Dana? Do you want to continue?" asked Doctor Karns. "Yes, yes. I just feel so stupid and ashamed...." "Why? Why do you feel stupid and ashamed, Dana?" "For crying. For not being able to stop her. For thinking......." "Come on Dana, say it." "I thought that Mulder was beautiful when he was naked." "Dana, that seems normal to me. He is quite attractive and my guess it that you have thought so for quite some time. I doubt very much that you focused on it at the time the assault was happening, that it was an afterthought that you are kicking yourself for, am I right?" Scully nodded sadly. "As for not being able to stop her, she was in a position of control. There was nothing you could do." "There had to have been something! I am an FBI Agent, dammit. I should have figured her out before she had the opportunity to....to...." Scully's hands flailed in the air. "Assault him. She assaulted him, Dana. What you are feeling is quite normal. But you have to realize that you are a human being that cannot prevent every bad thing that happens. It is important for you to realize that you did not *cause* this to happen. You need to realize it, because you need to help him realize it." "Oh god, he seemed normal this morning. Are you telling me that won't last?" "Let's focus on you for a moment longer, then we'll discuss Mulder. What else are you feeling." Scully just looked at the doctor. "Dana, it is very normal to have a wide range of feelings about what happened. It will help you, and in turn him, if you learn to talk about it." "Will he *want* to talk about it?" "Maybe, maybe not. There is no clear pattern of behavior for victims of this type of assault. You need to be able to talk in case he needs to." "Well, mostly I feel rage. Overwhelming rage. She took something away from me and I want to kill her." "What did she take away from you?"asked Doctor Karns, quietly. "She.....she took.....our good memories.....and she may have taken....our closeness. He may never......" Scully paused, looking down at her hands. Doctor Karns finished her sentence. "Love you?" Scully's head jerked up. "Dana, experiences like this can draw two people closer together. It can also magnify problems that were present in a relationship prior to the attack. You *will* need help with this, that is normal. You will need someone to talk to when you go back to D.C., be it a councilor, friends or your parents. Let's talk about what you can do *for* Mulder and for yourself." ********************* Mercy Hospital, Room 655 March 24, 1998, 1:15 p.m. Mulder was still asleep, but not peacefully. <<"Scully? Please Scully. Please don't go. Don't leave me here with her. I don't want her! I don't! She made me, she did." Clarice was fucking him, he couldn't get rid of her. She wouldn't stop. She wouldn't leave him alone. "You weak, pathetic fool. You let this woman seduce you and now that you have been caught red handed you say she is making you? How stupid do you think I am? What kind of man lets himself be seduced by a tramp like this?" "She drugged me, she did! It's not my fault." "Everything is your fault, Mulder. Everything. My cancer, my abduction, Emily. My life has been nothing but hell since I started working with you. And now you go and make a disgrace of yourself and me by having sex with the murderer. It's bad enough that you believe every little story that comes your way, but now this! What did she tell you? That she was an abductee and that she needed your help?" Scully turned and walked away. Mulder started sobbing, trying to throw Clarice/Alex off of his posterior. "Noooo.....Scully. SCULLY!!! Please help me, please don't leave." Scully turned and looked at Mulder one last time. "You disgust me, Mulder. Don't ever come near me again." "Noooooo.....>> "NO!" Mulder jerked upright in his bed and then collapsed in pain from the stitches on his back. No one else was in the room. He curled into a fetal position, facing away from the door, tears running down his face. He sank deep into despair. ********************* Same Day, Same Time, Same Place Scully walked slowly down the hall pondering her session with the therapist. She thought she knew how to handle the situation. It was going to be difficult but she was confident. Her stomach was churning from the five hundredth cup of coffee that she held in her hand. It was making her slightly nauseous. She had gone to the cafeteria after making sure that Mulder was still asleep. Mulder. Her relationship with him was the most important of her life. She realized that and, regardless of what form that relationship took, she was not going to allow a two bit vampire wannabe steal that from her. She walked into Mulder's room to find him curled into a ball on his side, facing away from the door. His shoulders were hitching but he was silent. "Mulder? Mulder, are you awake?" She walked around the end of the bed and saw his face. His eyes were screwed shut and tears were running down his face. He had blood running from his lip where he had apparently pulled the stitches. "Oh god, Mulder. Mulder, I'm here, it's O.K. I won't let her hurt you again." She carefully touched his arm and he jerked away from her, opening his eyes. "You hate me, that's why you left. You think I am disgusting and pathetic because of Clarice.....you *saw* me. You must hate me. Why wouldn't you, after everything?" Scully's head was spinning. This train of thought was not one she had expected. She thought fast. She grabbed a tissue and dabbed at the blood. "Mulder, did you have a nightmare? Is that what happened?" The tears fell faster, leading Scully to believe that she was on to something. "Mulder, *nothing* that I saw changed how I feel about you, nothing. She drugged you, Mulder. She may have been drugging you during the entire investigation." Mulder's head jerked up. "The day after your concussion. She is the one who got the water and the aspirin that evening in my room. She could have drugged it. You slept more that night than you have in awhile. You sounded somewhat incoherent when you woke up during the night. *None* of this is your fault, Mulder. None of it." She carefully sat down next to Mulder on the bed and took his hand. He looked up at her, sleepily. "You are the most important person in my life. I have known you for five years. It is going to take a hell of a lot more than someone like Clarice to destroy our relationship." She spoke softly, intensely. "You.....you don't think I am disgusting?" He asked, fighting to stay awake. "Mulder, no. She gave you a concussion, possibly a post-hypnotic suggestion, then drugged you and took advantage of your weakened condition." He looked at her steadily. "So now you believe in post-hypnotic suggestion?" Scully laughed in spite of herself. "Mulder, again you amaze me. You are feeling better, aren't you?" He nodded. "Every time you came close to making the connection between Alex and Clarice, you got sick......hence the post-hypnotic suggestion. I should have seen it sooner." Mulder was mildly amazed, but too tired to focus on it. "You weren't there when I got sick most of the time, Scully. You didn't know." He always absolved her guilt feelings. Even while lying in the hospital in pain and half asleep. "I did have a nightmare. You hated me and you left me. You aren't going to leave me, are you Scully?" She leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek as his eye lids fluttered in exhaustion. "Not a chance, Mulder." *****END CHAPTER 15********* CHAPTER 16 Mercy Hospital Office of Dr. Sara Karns, Waiting Room March 27, 1998, 10:00 a.m. Scully fidgeted nervously. Mulder had just been released from the hospital an hour ago and was in his third session with the therapist. He seemed secure with her once he got past the fact that she was female. That and his embarrassment at being perceived as weak. Dr. Karns must have said something right. Scully was jealous. She wished her relationship with Mulder was as sound. She felt increasingly tenuous. The nightmares were the key. A roller coaster ride. One minute things were fine, they were fine. He would have a nightmare. She woke him up and he shrank away from her. She tried to talk to him about the assault but he pushed her away. He didn't want to talk and her attempts made it worse. Today Mulder was going to split his session with the therapist. The first half hour he was going to talk to her. The second half hour was going to be Mulder and Scully together. Scully was scared to death. Just then the door to the Doctor's office opened and Doctor Karns looked out. "Dana? Could you join us now?" Scully got up and walked into the office. Mulder sat in a chair in front of the desk, staring at a spot on the floor in front of his feet. His cheeks looked wet. She sat in the chair next to him as the doctor when around her desk to sit down. "Dana, as I am sure you are aware and as is to be expected, Mulder is having some problems. We have discussed them and I felt that it was important that you were brought into the discussion. I am going to facilitate this discussion and Mulder has given me his permission that nothing is to be kept from you. I must say that it took some convincing on my part." Scully looked at Mulder. "Mulder? You know I want to help. Please don't shut me out." Scully looked closely at him. "You said you needed me to talk to you. I am willing, Mulder." Mulder continued to stare at the carpet, saying nothing. Doctor Karns took the lead. "Dana, do you remember our conversation a few days ago?" asked Doctor Karns. Scully nodded. "Do you think you could tell Mulder some of what you felt that day?" Scully's eyes widened. "I....I don't.......no." Mulder looked at her accusingly. "You want *me* to talk. But you won't talk to *me*. What are you afraid of telling me Scully?" Mulder was getting agitated. He had a look of intense hurt on his face. "Mulder, it isn't like that. This isn't about me, this is about you. I want to help you." "This *is* about you. You don't understand. This is *all* about you." Mulder looked startled by his own words and looked back at the carpet. "Mulder?" asked Doctor Karns, "Why don't you explain to Dana what you just said." Mulder pursed his lips thoughtfully and didn't say anything for a moment. When he finally spoke, it was in a very neutral tone. "This is about you, Scully, because I can't imagine that you could work with me anymore after this." "Mulder, that's ridiculous." Mulder flinched, as did Scully when she realized how that sounded. "I just mean that there is no reason why I would not want to be with you Mulder. Nothing has changed Mulder. My feelings haven't changed toward you." "That's not true, Scully. You keep talking about this assault. It's the only thing you talk about. It's.......it's all you think about." "Mulder, tell me what you want from me. I only want to help you. If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't bother, Mulder." Scully sighed and rubbed her forehead. She felt she was making it worse. "Mulder. Please, please tell me what *you're* thinking about. I am so confused. I need you to tell me. I feel like I am losing you." The last part was said in a whisper. Doctor Karns watched as Mulder squirmed in his chair. She hadn't seen two people who were closer than these two in a long time. But the areas where their communication was lacking were exacerbated by this trauma. Neither one was willing to risk a step that would make them vulnerable to the other. "Dana, Mulder, I think it is important that you both are *honest* about your feelings. Dana, I really feel that it is important for Mulder to hear how you were feeling....how you *are* feeling.....about the assault and Clarice." Scully took a deep breath and realized that communication was a two way street. Why didn't she realize it sooner? After their initial conversations, she had not shared anything of herself with him....and he appeared to need it. Now she was staring at *her* shoes. "I was angry......very angry......at Clarice....or Alex. I wanted to kill her. I felt that she had destroyed.....or tried to destroy our.......closeness. I was......afraid that you would not......recover and that we would never be.......close...again. I felt that if I could do my best to help you get past this, that we could be........close again. Mulder, I had the best time when we first got here and now I am afraid that we won't have that again." Scully risked a glance up at Mulder and was surprised to see him looking at her with his mouth hanging slightly open. "Mulder?" asked Doctor Karns. "Don't you have something you want to say?" "I......." Mulder shut his mouth and pursed his lips. He started again. "I was certain........completely certain.....that you were patronizing me. That you kept harping on the assault because it disgusted you......that *I* disgusted you." "Mulder, I *told* you........." "I know, but I didn't believe you. I thought you were just trying to make me feel better. Actually, I kinda still think that. How could you not look at me with disgust? How could you not find me untrustworthy? Not to mention stupid and careless." "No, Mulder." Scully whispered. "You are still the same man that I have worked with for the past five years. The only thing that has changed is that you have been hurt by this woman and I want to help you, I........" "Scully, I feel violated, of course. But I am having a much easier time dealing with the assault than I am your reaction to it." "What? I don't......." Mulder held up his hand. "Let me get this out, Scully. The *only* thing that matters to me is your opinion of me. If Clarice damaged that........then she *has* destroyed me. If you don't find me repulsive or disgusting.......then I can get through this. I can......I mean, the assault is secondary......I.....if you don't hate me, then......." "No, Mulder, never. None of this was your fault. I care as much about you as I did before we came to New Orleans......if not more." Doctor Karns felt that it was time to interrupt. "Dana, Mulder, it is very important that you continue to talk about this. It is normal for Mulder to be in doubt about this and the troubles are far from over. You *must* be open about your feelings or the mis-communications could tear you apart. There is a tendency to project your feelings about things that happen on to the other person. Mulder, you can't rely solely on Dana for support because she is going to need a break from time to time. I think it would be a good idea if you made an appointment with a therapist in D.C." Mulder grimaced. "I really don't think....." he said slowly. Doctor Karns interupted. "Just because you and Dana cleared the air somewhat and understand each other a little better does *not* mean that this is over for you. As a psychologist you should know this. And just because you are a man does not necessarily make this easier to deal with. There are bound to be rough patches. From what I have learned about you in the short time we have talked, you are often filled with guilt and self-doubt. The assault will exacerbate that if you let it. I am not saying that you need twice a week therapy sessions, I just feel that you will need additional support to that which Dana provides. No one can rely solely on one person. It isn't fair to that person." Mulder nodded slowly at her words, studying his feet again. Scully saw him retreat, emotionally. He wouldn't burden her. She reached over and took his hand in hers and squeezed. "Whenever you need me, Mulder. No matter the time of day or night, I want you to call me." "Scully, you heard what the doctor said. I...." "Well, I am not sure you heard what she said. She said I will need a break from time to time and that you need *additional* support. She did not give you express permission to shut me out for my own good.......again." This was said very gently. "There is a middle ground, Mulder. We will find it." Mulder looked up at her and smiled slightly. Doctor Karns cleared her throat and they both looked up to see her smiling at them. "You two are making progress. Your time is up, Mulder. If you want to see me again before you leave New Orleans, just call me. If you like I can recommend a colleague in D.C. for you to see when you get back." Mulder stood and shook the doctors hand. "Thanks, doc. Perhaps that would be a good idea.......just in case." Scully shook her head slightly. Doctor Karns wrote a name and number on a card and handed it to Mulder. He tucked it in his wallet and then guided Scully out the door. *********************** Scully opened the door to her room and entered, followed closely by Mulder. "So Scully when is our flight back to D.C.?" "Sunday afternoon, Mulder." Mulder stopped dead in his tracks inside the door to the room with a questioning look on his face. "But Scully, that's two days away. Weren't there any flights available?" "I am sure there are plenty of flights. I have plans, here in New Orleans." Mulder was really getting confused at this point. "Mulder, I don't think you should travel so soon after getting out of the hospital. But beside that, I think we should stay here for a few days. We can have some more of that wonderful creole and cajun food, maybe dance a little, see the sights. You never did show me Laffayette Number One, you know." Scully winced when she realized what Laffayette Number One was bound to resurrect. "It's o.k., Scully, I won't collapse if you mention Clarice. Either directly or indirectly. I think this sounds like a great idea. It will be good for us both." Scully smiled at him in relief. They were going to be fine. She had hope for that now more than she did before. "Well, buster, then get into bed. Now." Mulder's eyes widened. "What?" he squeaked. Scully blushed from head to toe. "Mulder,.......I'm sorry....I mean......you need to take a nap and rest. You just got out of the hospital. If you sleep for a few hours, we can go out for dinner. If you get enough rest today and tonight, then maybe you'll be up for a little sight seeing tomorrow." Mulder was snickering. "Scully, I *understand*. I did hope, briefly, that you were coming on to me, though." Scully blushed again. Mulder grinned at her. "I feel fine, we should go out now. We could go to Laffayette, maybe a swamp tour, shopping on Rue Royale......" "Mulder, you just got out of the hospital. You were *shot* and lost a lot of blood less than four days ago. If it wasn't for HMO's you would probably be in the hospital for another day. Even then the doctors would ask you to stay off your feet and not over do it for a few weeks. We need to take it *very* easy. Now, go to your room and get some sleep." Mulder looked uncomfortably at the carpet. "Um, Scully? Do you think.......I mean, would you mind if I slept on one of your beds, in here? I don't want to be alone right now." He blushed slightly at the confession and Scully was thrilled beyond belief that he was opening up a little more. "Of course Mulder. Will it bother you if I work on the laptop? I want to finish up our reports for Skinner." "Actually, it will help me sleep. It would help even more if we could turn on the T.V." Scully smiled at him gently. "Of course, Mulder. Go ahead." She watched as he grabbed the remote and threw it on the bed nearest the bathroom. He then proceeded to strip down to his boxers and crawl under the covers. He turned on his side so he could see the television and at the same time had his sore shoulder off the mattress. Unfortunately, the sore part of his neck, which would probably scar as well, was resting on the pillow so he wasn't entirely comfortable. Scully noticed the fading bite marks around his nipples and the little scar on his bottom lip and felt her eyes tear up. She walked to the window and looked out so Mulder wouldn't notice. She heard the bedclothes rustle and turned back to the room. Mulder had shifted so that he was lying diagonal across the bed on his stomach, head turned to the television. His hand holding the remote was curled up by his face and he was sound asleep. Looking twelve years old again. Tears fell down Scully's face as she looked at him. Her heart felt like it would burst in her chest. ************************** Ramada Inn, Room 615 Same Day, 7:00 p.m. Scully was napping peacefully on her bed, the television droning in the background. On the next bed, Mulder twisted under the sheets, moaning softly. The remote fell to the floor with a clunk and Scully stirred slightly. Mulder was whispering in his sleep. "No.....I hate you......*No*.....that's not true.....Don't touch me.....don't *do* that......I want Scully, where is she?.......I thought.....you were her....Scully?.....Scully?......Scully, please.......no." Scully heard him and moved over to the other bed, touching his good shoulder lightly. "Mulder, wake up. You're dreaming, Mulder." He moaned again, quietly. "Mulder? It's Scully, wake up." His eyes opened and he looked up at her. "Bad dream, eh Mulder?" He nodded sadly. She knew that look. She bent over and pressed her lips to his cheek, trying to forestall any uncertainty on his part. "How do you feel about a quiet dinner, Mulder?" "That sounds pretty good, Agent Scully." She cupped his face in her hand and smiled at him. "Well why don't you go over to your room, shower and shave. As attractive as this stubble is on you, you will feel better for it." "You think my stubble is attractive, Scully?" She nodded, smiling. "I will never shave again." He said, solemly. She chuckled at him. "If we dance cheek to cheek, I'll get stubble burn, Mulder. You don't want that, do you?" "Yes....No! O.K. Your wish is my command, madame." With that he hoped off the bed and headed for his room. ******************* Ramada Inn, Room 617 One half hour later........ Mulder leaned on the vanity counter, staring into the mirror. He had tried shaving, but when he got to the area around the bite marks on his neck his hands had started shaking so badly that he had to stop. Now he stared. He felt a sharp pain in his neck and could feel blood trickling down his chest. Felt it, but couldn't see it. He closed his eyes and he saw Scully with her gun pointed at him. Suddenly Mulder couldn't breath. He felt like he was choking. Mulder was hyperventilating and he sank to his knees with his arms wrapped around his chest. Scully stood outside Mulder's door after knocking for the second time. She didn't hear anything from inside the room and she was starting to worry. She got out the spare key and stuck it in the slot, opening the door. She walked in and looked to the left, into the vanity and her heart stopped. "Mulder!" Mulder was lying on the floor, shirtless, eyes wide and hyperventilating. His arms were wrapped around his chest and his knees were pulled up as far as they would come. She ran over to him and looked him over to see if he was physically hurt. She grasped his shoulders to help him up and he jerked away from her. "Don't touch me! Stay back....stay back." Mulder scooted backwards so that his back was resting against the door jamb leading into the bathroom. "Mulder, it's me, Scully. What's wrong? Talk to me, please." She spoke very calmly and quietly, trying to figure out what was going on here. "Scully.......Scully." His breathing was still very erratic, panicked. "Slow down, Mulder, it's o.k." "Scully, what if I'm like her now." "What? What do you mean, Mulder? You could never be *like* her." "What if I am a vampire, Scully? You shouldn't be around me. I could hurt you." Scully was silent for a moment, thinking. Using her rational, scientific mind to figure out how best to respond to him. Without ridicule but with compassion and humor. She couldn't decide if he was really worried about this or if it was another way to push her away in order to protect himself. "Mulder, according to Anne Rice and Bram Stoker, you aren't a vampire. You didn't drink Clarice's blood. You were outside in the daylight. And you did say you wanted jambalaya for dinner." "This isn't funny, Scully." Mulder was pouting now, a good sign. "I *know* it isn't Mulder. I am just trying to help you. I don't believe you are a vampire and you aren't getting rid of me that easily." "Didn't you see her teeth Scully? I felt them....I still feel them....just now, when I was shaving. I could feel her on me, biting me." He sucked in a harsh breath, trying not to cry. She scooted over to him and sat facing him but next to him, close enough that she could reach out and touch his face. She placed one hand on each cheek and pulled his head down so it rested on her shoulder. His arms went around her waist, her arms around his back. "Mulder, there are lots of explanations for her teeth besides her being a vampire. According to the myths and legends there are lots of reasons why you *aren't* a vampire. I think it is possible that you are focusing on the vampire aspect as a way to push me away. Mulder, I don't want to be away from you. I am staying." She pulled back so she could look him in the eye. "Mulder. This. Was. Not. Your. Fault. You are a gorgeous, intelligent man who I would be very proud to have take me to dinner. Tell me you aren't hungry for some jambalaya." He was speechless, almost. "You think I'm gorgeous?" he asked. Scully laughed quietly. "That whole long speech and the only thing you hear is gorgeous?" "Nah, Scully, I heard you. I.....I was tryin' to shave and......the marks on my neck.......I freaked out, I guess." His arms were still around her waist and they tightened as he talked about the marks. She hugged him and then helped him stand up. "I think that is probably very normal, Mulder. Just don't push me away, o.k.?" In response, Mulder pulled her against his chest and hugged her again. Scully was thrilled by the gesture. There was a warmth in the pit of her stomach that she tried to ignore. "I will finish getting dressed and we can go eat." he said as he walked back into the bedroom. He grabbed a clean shirt and threw it on, buttoning it up rapidly. Scully had followed him into the room and watched as he grabbed his shoes and shoved his feet into them. "Mulder, take it easy. There's no rush. I don't want you to over exert yourself here." "You're gorgeous too, Scully." She smiled at him. "Let's go, Mulder." "Can we play pool after dinner?" "We'll see." ************************ Mulate's 202 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana Same Day, 8:15 p.m. They sat on the same side of the table, him with his arm on the back of her chair, watching the dancers on the wooden dance floor. There was a band playing what Scully thought of as "New Orleans Style" music. Zydeco? There was even a guy playing the washboard. The music was lyrical, lilting, but wild and untamed. One pair of dancers made them both dizzy. The man was whirling the woman so fast, with footsteps so intricate that they were mesmerizing. Scully was afraid that the woman would fly out of the man's arms and into their table. "That's amazing." she mused. "I can do that." "You can not, Mulder." "Betcha I can." he said, grinning. "You're on." Scully replied. Mulder started to get up but she grabbed his arm and yanked him back down. "We will have to come back to New Orleans or find this kind of music in D.C. because there is no way in hell that you are attempting that until you are six weeks out of the hospital. I refuse to have you readmitted before I eat my blackened swordfish and jambalaya." He grinned at her. "You mean it? You would dance with me?" "Sure. Why not?" she asked. "I just never thought........I mean....." Just then the waitress appeared with two plates heaped with food and Scully sighed at the interruption. Mulder dug into his barbequed shrimp with gusto, conversation forgotten. Temporarily, she hoped. It was good to see him eating so enthusiatically anyway. She sighed again and started eating. ********************** One half hour later...... "God, that was good." Mulder was in pain he was so full. His stay in the hospital had shrunk his stomach and he had a hard time finishing his food. Scully was in the same predicament. "Why didn't I stop eating.....why?" She groaned. "Because it was good, that's why." "Quit saying that. I know it was good." She was feeling slightly grumpy and in pain. "Scully, this is gonna sound cliche but we need to burn off some of this food. Dance with me." "Mulder....." "You said you would." he said, sounding slightly petulant. "They're playing a slow one." Scully looked at him and wanted badly to dance with him. She was so full she didn't know if she would enjoy it. "O.K. Mulder. Let's do it." "Why Scully, I thought you would never ask." He took her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. He held one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her close. They swayed slowly to the haunting music. Mulder stared into her eyes, his heart pounding, the urge to kiss her overwhelming. Scully stared back, full stomach forgotten. When his eyes dropped to her lips and then came back up to eyes, her heart stopped. Mulder and Scully made a striking pair. Him in his black dress pants with short sleeved black shirt. Her, in her black leggings, white short sleeved sweater and flaming red hair. Everyone watched the couple who stared into each others eyes. A pair of green eyes, outside the restaurant looking in, watched as well. Those eyes narrowed as the man lowered his head towards the redhead and brushed his lips against hers. *********THE END*********** Heidi ::::::::with head in hands, rocking slowly:::::::::: "It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter."