From: Banve@aol.com
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 20:59:32 EST
Subject: XFiles Fanfic

Title-Nickels For Mulder (1/1)
Author-Mr. Nickels 
Rating-PG
Classification-XA
Spoilers-none
Keywords-none 
Summary-Scully saves the day.
Disclaimer-Scully, Mulder, CSM, and Skinner are not mine.  Everyone else in
the story is.  
EMail-Banve@aol.com



	Mulder and Scully walked down the corridor to Skinner's office.  
Things hadn't been going well with the case they had been working on and
something told Mulder that this little "visit" to Skinner's office had
something to do with it.  They stopped in front of his door and Scully
knocked while pushing it open.  Skinner looked up from a document.  "It's
probably just a crossword puzzle," Mulder muttered under breath and
Scully's mouth turned up trying to hide a smile.  Skinner looked from
Mulder to Scully and back to Mulder again finally ignoring the suspicion
he was being mocked.  "Agent Mulder, Agent Scully," Skinner said tiredly.  
he gestured to the chairs in front of his desk and the two agents sat,
Mulder on the left and Scully on the right.  "I think," Skinner began
slowly, "that you two need a break from each other."  He waited for a
reaction from either one, but Mulder fought to keep his face neutral and
Scully listened thoughtfully.  He continued, "So I have reassigned you,
Agent Mulder," he looked to Mulder for some sort of outburst and was
surprised when none came, "to a minor case in Juneau, Alaska.  It
shouldn't take you more than a month and that should leave Agent Scully
enough time to...get things under control."  Mulder bit the inside of his
cheek at Skinner's last comment.  He had to admit that the case they were
in now had become pretty messy, all on his account of course.  Scully was
the first to speak after the awkward silence.  "I think that...it is
something that we could...try." The words seemed painful to Skinner's
ears.  "Agent Mulder?" Mulder stared off in the distance.  He didn't like
the idea of being on a case without Scully.  She always filled the gaps
when he couldn't think of anything and always held him back when he went
to far.  Well, at least she tried to hold him back.  Skinner tapped his
fingers impatiently.  "Well," he said in an exasperated tone, "you have no
choice anyway.  What's done is done and that's that."  He shoved a folder
in Mulder's direction.  "You have four hours until your flight leaves and
you have already wasted one."  Mulder picked it up and stood.  He forced a
half-smile and walked out of the office with Scully right behind him.  
Skinner rubbed his creased forehead and sighed.

	Scully caught up with Mulder as he pushed the button for the
elevator. "Mulder it won't be that bad."  She tried to sound sincere but
it wasn't working.  She could tell Mulder was really steamed.  "Scully, we
work as a team and he can't just tear us apart because he is fed-up with
one of us."  He walked to the stairwell and opened the door.  Scully
didn't say anything, only followed him down to the basement.  Mulder
opened the door to their office and went to his desk.  He searched for
something through all the draws and slammed the last on shut when he
didn't find it.  He stormed out of the office. "Mulder, where are you
going?"  Scully called after him.  "I have to get to Alaska, Scully.  
Remember?!"

	Mulder arrived at the airport just in time to board the plane.  
He had gone home and packed only a book, toothbrush, and a pair of slacks.  
He had spent the rest of the time analyzing the report on the case.  It
was dull compared to the things he usually handled and he had gone over
the facts several times but they only seemed to slip away from him.  The
only thing he could keep glued in his head is that the factory was in
Juneau and the office building was in Anchorage.  Something about a new
drug that helped balding people regrow hair. It was being illegally tested
on young and old leukemia patients who had lost their hair due to
chemotherapy.  He boarded the plane and trudged to the back.  "Can't even
get me a decent seat," Mulder scowled as the aisle seat in the back
emergency exit row.  He huffed as he sat down and searched for his seat
belt.

	Mulder laid his head back and closed his eyes.  Technical
difficulties as usual, he thought bitterly.  They had been sitting on the
ground for half an hour.  He relaxed every muscle in his body one by one
to calm himself down and felt content for a moment.  A light tap hit his
shoulder twice and Mulder looked up suddenly.  A short, slender man stood
to his side.  He smiled, the kind of smile with a frown beneath it, and
gestured to his ear.  Mulder looked up at him, puzzled.  "Can I help you?"  
He said timidly and the man nodded. The man took out his ticket and showed
it to Mulder. The man had the seat next to him and Mulder frowned a bit.  
"Why didn't you say so?"  Mulder asked, "Cat got your tongue?"  Mulder
didn't wait for as answer and got up to let the man in.  The man grabbed
his shoulder firmly and then as if remembering his own strength let go
until he barely had a grip on him.  Mulder looked up and the man shook his
head vigorously.  Mulder had become very annoyed and frustrated. He
slammed down the call button for the flight attendant and waited.

	Mulder sat next to the emergency exit.  They were finally off the
ground and he felt like the biggest moron.  The man sitting next to him
was Bobby Nickels.  He was deaf and on his way back home from a conference
in DC He was an attractive man in a rough and rowdy sort of way.  He had
shaggy black hair that fell over his eyes concealing their colour.  He
wore a pair of faded jeans and a black sweater.  His face was a perfect
oval and he had slightly olive skin hinting at Inuit ancestors.  Nickels
had been attempting to make conversation but Mulder felt too stupid to
talk to him.  He had made a big deal out of nothing and hadn't even given
Nickels a chance to explain. Nickels tapped him on the shoulder and showed
him his legal pad where he had scrawled what he wanted to say to Mulder on
it.  Because Mulder couldn't sign the only way they could communicate was
Nickels writing what he was going to say and then reading Mulder's lips.  
So far all they had gotten to is where Mulder was going after the flight
and where Nickels was going.  Nickels had three days to spare before he
could catch another plane to his final destination Valdez, Alaska.  
Mulder looked over at what he had written.  "Need a place to stay?  I know
a good friend and he won't charge you anything. Don't worry about feeling
unwelcome, he knows I'm coming and he has plenty of room in his boarding
house." "Let me think it over," he said to Nickels in a neutral voice.

	Mulder ended up at Jeremy Detwiler's house, Nickel's friend.  The
hotel had lost his reservation and they didn't have a spot open for at
least a week.  It was the time of season where the king crab fishing boats
came in for a short stay on land and a lot of the workers had to stay in
the hotels.  Mulder had been given the room farthest away from the other
guests because he wasn't paying and Detwiler didn't want them to get
jealous when he came around for the rent and Mulder didn't pay.  Still
something had been bothering Mulder. He was enjoying Nickels' company and
his friend's hospitality but something felt not right.  As if he was being
watched.  Wouldn't the other residents understand when Detwiler didn't
collect money from him?  And how come everything seemed too coincidental?  
Nickels conveniently asking him to stay at his friends and then the hotel
losing the reservations?  Also, who was Detwiler and how come he hadn't
met him yet?  Mulder dismissed his thoughts and looked about the room.  
It was nearly bare but what little furniture that was used looked
comfortable.  It had hardwood floors with white walls.  To his right there
was a small closet with built in shelves.  Across from him was a small
desk that looked almost too small for Mulder to sit at.  On his left was a
comfortable looking twin bed with clean, green sheets and next to it was a
small table with an alarm clock and lamp.  Behind him was a chair that
looked like it could be a recliner.  Mulder dropped his bag where he stood
and walked over to the bed.  He sat on it hesitantly and bounced on it a
bit.  He got up and sat in the chair.  Much better, he thought, beds
brought back bad memories.

	It was 6 am when Mulder awoke the next morning.  He took a shower,
not bothering to change his clothes, and wandered into the kitchen were he
met up with Nickels who was eating a bowl of cereal and another one of the
residents who was reading the paper.  Nickels looked up at Mulder and
smiled while signing something to him.  Mulder stood there dumbfounded for
a second then went to tap Nickels on the shoulder.  "He said, 'Morning.  
How did you sleep?" The other man said without looking up from the paper.  
Mulder cocked his head at the man wondering how he knew without looking at
him.  "He says it to everyone when they first get up in the morning," the
man added as if he could read Mulder's mind.  "Okay..."  Mulder replied
not to sure what to think.  He sat at the table and wondered where
everything was.  He didn't like strange environments and plus he was
famished.  "Help your self to anything you like. Bowls are in the cabinet
to the left of the 'frig and so are the plates, glasses and mugs are next
to the cabinet with the plates, silverware is in the two drawers beneath
the cabinets with the plate and cups, cereal is in the cabinet to the
right of the 'frig as well as other breakfast foods.  If you don't want
breakfast food other stuff is in the pantry which is behind you." Mulder
got up hesitantly and opened the cabinet with the bowls.  Their must have
been a hundred plates and bowls but then that did make sense for having so
many people.  Mulder looked over at the man.  This was too weird, Mulder
thought.  He took a bowl and opened the cabinet with the cups and took out
a mug.  He absently absentmindedly opened the silverware drawer and took a
spoon out.  "So, how did you know what I was thinking, ah..."  Mulder
began hoping to get the man to say his name.  "Detwiler.  Jeremy
Detwiler," the man got up and stuck out his hand.  Mulder set the dishes
down and shook Detwiler's hand. "I'm-" Mulder began but Detwiler cut him
off in mid-sentence.  "Fox Mulder. Your hear to investigate a possible
criminal offense against Hair Grow.  My friend believes your with the FBI
but I told him the FBI wouldn't be concerned in such a petty case."  
Mulder stood there feeling like a complete fool.  This man knew a lot
about him and seemingly could read his mind.  And the last comment he made
was almost too much. He forced a smile and let go of his hand. Detwiler
sat back down and began reading where he left off.  Mulder moved to the
cabinet with the cereal and opened it browsing the million different kinds
and brands.  He selected Froot Loops and filled his bowl with them.  He
pulled the milk from the refrigerator and sat down across from Detwiler.  
"Hey, got any-" "Coffee?  Right behind you," Detwiler said in a monotone
voice.  Mulder stared behind him in disbelief and got up to fill his cup.

	Mulder headed out the door with his portfolio in his hand.  He was
still trying to figure out how Detwiler read his mind.  He opened the
right passenger door in the back and climbed in.  Detwiler sat in the
front and started the car.  Nickels sat next to him and turned up the
radio louder so the vibrations were clearer.  Mulder scrunched his knees
to fit behind the seat.  He looked over at Detwiler.  Nickels had thought
it was a good idea to bring him along to translate.  When Detwiler sat
down he seemed to grow at least three inches and some people might think
that he was six feet tall if they'd never see him stand.  When he stood up
he couldn't have been any taller than Nickels.  He had blond hair that was
parted at the side and his eyes were a deep blue that looked like glass.  
He had a thoughtful face and looked very old compared to Nickels' boyish
features.  He was a bit chunky around the waist but it almost made him
more attractive.  He made a sharp right turn and slowed down when they
began to approach a billboard.  "Watch out for the cop that hides behind
here," he gestured to the reverse side of the billboard. Mulder nodded and
looked behind the billboard to see the black and white car. "How far is
the warehouse?"  Mulder asked.  Any more of Detwiler's driving and he was
going to be sick.  "Another right turn and a couple of blocks and we'll be
there," Detwiler said as he swung around the corner and sped up.

	Mulder wandered into an office.  He searched through the file
cabinets pulling various records on how this patient did and how that
patient did.  He opened one and sat down at the desk.  The pictures
appalled him.  The photo was of a small girl who couldn't have been more
than five years.  Her head was hairless but covered in rashes and scabs.  
He turned to the computer that was behind him.  He sat up in the chair and
leaned to turn the computer on.  He hoped that he could break into the
files quickly.  He didn't like this place. He felt creepy as if he should
be a rat, scurrying to hide from anyone who may be around.  He hit power
and lay back in the chair waiting for the computer to boot up.  Cold steel
hit the nape of his neck.  Mulder froze where he was. "That's right.  
Don't move," said the voice behind him.  He knew this voice, it was very
familiar.  Mulder looked down at his zipped jacket.  Maybe if I moved my
hand very slowly, he thought.  Mulder brought his hand up to the zipper
trying not to move his arm.  "I said don't move."  The gun moved to
Mulder's temple.  Mulder slowly moved his hand away from the zipper.  
"Put your hands in the air and in front of your face," the voice
commanded.  Mulder did as he was told.  "Stand up and put your hands on
the wall above the computer."  Mulder stood up and put his hands on the
wall.  He was well off- balanced.  The gun was removed but the exchange
was for a bigger one and was all too fast for Mulder to react to.  
Someone else frisked him taking his gun, a small pocket knife, toothpick,
and even his pen.  "Put your hands on your head and turn around slowly,"
the voice said.  Mulder turned around afraid of who he would face.  CSM
stood in full glory before him, cigarette lit and all. His men stood
behind him fanned out in a fashion that looked like feathers on a peacock.  
Mulder opened his mouth to ask what CSM wanted and instead received a
mouthful of metal.  "I wouldn't say anything stupid, Agent Mulder, my
'friend' here isn't as forgiving as I am," CSM replaced his cigarette and
replaced it in his mouth.  Mulder gagged the gun was shoved farther down
his throat.  He looked over to the man holding it.  Jeremy Detwiler stood
as rigid as wood staring coldly at Mulder.  "I believe you've met," CSM
said with a faint hint of a smile on his face.  Rage numbed every inch of
his body and for the first time Mulder wondered were Nickels was.  He
looked beyond the gun to see Nickels prone, bloody body on the floor with
something grasped in his left hand.  Mulder began to choke on the gun as
he tried to yell.  "That's enough Detwiler.  Just point it at his leg.  
We want him alive," CSM ordered. Detwiler looked to CSM and hesitantly
removed the gun.  Mulder slammed into him as the last inch left his mouth.  
The gun went off but Mulder didn't notice.  It clattered to the floor and
Detwiler frantically searched for it. Mulder pounded into Detwiler and had
no intention to stop until he was satisfied.  CSM's men fought to pull
Mulder off of Detwiler.  Detwiler bolted up and grabbed the gun from where
it had fallen.  He pointed it at Mulder shakily as the other men bound his
feet and hands with rope.  Mulder looked at CSM and Detwiler from between
two of the men.  He spat on Detwiler in total disgust.  He caught a bullet
in the back.

	Scully shut the door to the office and slumped into Mulder's
chair.  Work and finally got to her.  She had been overwhelmed the past
few days with angry phone calls, paperwork, and mind-boggling problems.  
She searched through Mulder's desk for and aspirin and suddenly was struck
with a pang of loneliness for him.  The phone rang and Scully groaned.  
She picked up the recover and held it a little farther from her ear
excepting an angry caller. The line was silent and Scully put the receiver
to her ear.  "Hello," she said.  The line was silent except for someone's
breathing on the other end. "Hello?  Who's calling?" she demanded.  The
breathing came in quick short gasps.  "Who's there?"  This was becoming
too eerie for Scully.  She slammed the receiver down and then picked it
back up.  She dialed *69 to trace the call.  A computerized voice came
over the line that could be classified as female.  The call you have just
received is from Juneau, Alaska.  The address was 1156 Industrial Lane.  
Push one to redial the number.  Push two to alert the police in the area
of the call.  Push three to talk to an operator.  Push four to send
emergency services to the location of the call."  The last choice caught
Scully's attention.  She pushed four quickly and hurried to Skinner's
office.

	Mulder awoke to cold and pain.  And light.  He saw a figure open
the back of the truck as the light poured in.  Mulder shielded his eyes
with his bound arms.  The figure stepped into the hold of the truck along
with another. "How's it going back here, Fox?"  Detwiler's voice echoed
off the walls.  He smiled sickly down at Mulder.  The man behind him
handed him a bucket.  Mulder swallowed hard to try and reply but it felt
as if his throat had collapsed in on itself.  "Bet your pretty thirsty by
now, huh?"  Detwiler moved towards Mulder as if he was a wild beast
trainer and Mulder was the rapid wolf.  He put his hand on Mulder's
shoulder lightly.  He took pleasure in realizing that Mulder didn't have
the energy to even lift his pinkie.  Detwiler pulled Mulder roughly into a
sitting position.  Mulder yelped in pain as his back slammed into the side
of the truck.  Unsure of Detwiler's next move, he tried to wriggle from
his grasp.  Detwiler only tightened his grip.  He dipped a cup into the
bucket, the same one Mulder had used the morning he met Detwiler. Detwiler
grabbed a fistful of Mulder's hair and pulled his head back.  He poured
ice cold water down Mulder's throat and laughed quietly as Mulder choked
on the liquid.  He let go of Mulder and stared down at him.  "Pretty boy,"
Detwiler sneered as he left Mulder.

	Scully unclipped the small walkie-talkie as she moved towards the
Anchorage Business Complex.  "Officer Fredrick?  Fredrick, are you there?"
she said into the device.  "I'm here and all set, Agent Scully,"
Fredrick's nasally voice came back through the walkie-talkie.  "You've
alerted security?"  "Uh-huh." "Your men are ready to search every floor?"  
"Yes'm" "Wait for my signal, I'm moving in."  "Copy that."  Agent Scully
clipped the walkie-talkie and moved towards the front entrance.

	CSM listened to the sound of shuffling feet and slamming doors all
around him.  "Get everything into the truck.  Leave him.  We're going,"
CSM informed a lounging man.  He looked to Mulder.  He had taken pity on
Mulder by not letting them tie him to a chair.  The friction from the back
of the chair to his back would have killed him slowly in agony.  He had
let Detwiler and the rest of them have too much fun with Mulder, knocking
him around until he had blacked out.  He had only wished Nickels would
have left the shooting to Detwiler.  That man could be almost too
possessive of his title.  CSM put two bullets into his revolver.  He had
chosen an elegant weapon for Mulder's death, he felt it suited the event.  
CSM aimed the gun at the back of Mulder's head and cocked the hammer.  
"So long-" CSM began as Scully burst through the door.  "FREEZE!"  She
yelled.  CSM directed the gun to her.  "Put the gun down," she demanded.  
CSM directed the gun back to Mulder.  "Back off, Agent Scully.  You don't
want to get involved."  CSM backed towards the door directly behind him.  
Scully's gun dropped the point of her gun to aim at the floor as she
weighted her options.  CSM bolted out the door to the stairwell. Scully
ran out onto the stairwell and looked up.  Then she looked down.  Which
way did he choose?  The upper floors or the subbasement?  Scully
questioned to herself.  She holstered her gun and returned to Mulder.  
She had backup to catch him.  Mulder didn't look as if he could even
survive the capture of his kidnapper.

	Scully's heels clicked as she walked down the spotless hospital
hallway.  She turned into the Intensive Care hallway and looked for
Mulder's room.  She turned into 5530 and looked to the four beds that
occupied the room.  She walked to the last bed on the left and sat beside
it on the right.  She looked over to Mulder.  He looked so serene it was
incredible.  Morphine is a wonderful invention.  She stroked his hand,
fiddling with his ID bracelet the doctors had been keeping him in an
induced coma to speed up the healing process but they decide yesterday
that they could stop the sedatives.  Even so, Mulder hadn't woken up yet
and Scully hoped he would.  She leaned back in the chair and stared out at
the snow covered landscape.  "Scully."  The voice was so faint that she
wondered if she was hearing things.  "Scuullyyy."  She looked over to the
bed and smiled.  Mulder looked groggily back up at her. "How'd you get
here?"  He asked.  "Ha ha, Mulder," Scully said sarcastically. "Really,
Scully.  I think I've missed out on quite a lot."

END. Questions?  Comments?  EMail Mr. Nickels at Banve@aol.com.