From: DiLisky@ix.netcom.com Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 20:59:23 -0700 Subject: NEW: Psychic Connections (1/?) Title: Psychic Connections Author: Kristyn Collins Rating: R (the descriptions get a little graphic) Category: XAR Spoilers: Memento Mori Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Story Summary: The agents go to investigate a series of killings involving a group of kids that believe they are psychic. Archive: Yes! Especially at Goss, or the related Goss archives. Anyone else, ask first. Please post to ATXC Violence Rating: 3 (graphic descriptions of crime scenes) Author1s Note: This is shipper story, but I'm trying to keep it real and not sappy. AND it's my first REAL X-file. Wow! I've managed to pull my head out of the sap gutter that seemed to have sucked me in. (It1s just SO fun. Really!) MAJOR Mulderangst warning, but it has nothing to do with Scully not loving him. Oh, and in this world, Memento Mori had happened, Gethesemane has not. (How can I work with Mulder dead???) Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully and Skinner don't belong to me. All of the kids in the group (Archana/Sita, Laur, etc.) do. Ha! Ha! That's just a little revenge form my little shipper mind who is mad at Chris(t) Carter right now. NO Mulder/UnBlond. Please? Please? PUH-LEESE! Psychic Connections By Kristyn Collins J. Edgar Hoover Building, March 4, 1997; 9:00 AM The slide projector clicked on another gruesome image. A young girl, her eyes pulled from their sockets in a bloody mess. Her brain was splattered around the room in abstract patterns of pain. Her mouth had been cut and pulled apart, her tongue lay beside what remained of her skull. It was the second such image they had seen. Just another day on the x-files, Mulder thought grimly as he explained the case to his partner. "Two kids, both eighteen. Both killed in the same manner. The eyes torn out and the head smashed open. Mouth and tongue mutilated. One was a large male, the other a small female. Both attended Simpson High School. Because of the nature of this case, the Bureau has asked that we go up there an investigate." "Really? The Bureau asked for us?" Scully said, turning her head away from the image of a poor girl's smashed skull. "Actually, that's not entirely true. The friend of one of the victims asked for you and I. In particular." "Turn that off, please," she said and when the screen was dark and the lights back on she stood in front of her tall partner. "What do you mean? By name? How is that-" "By name and by description. Sounds a little spooky, huh?" "Wait, I don't understand," she began, but he put of a hand. "I don't either. But apparently both victims are involved in a small cult that works in the school. They call themselves Rhinists, after the famous parapsychologist J.B Rhine. They are actively seeking the answers to the question of psychic phenomena." "Children after your own heart." "You can laugh, Scully, if you'd like. But I haven't even gotten to the freaky part yet." "You mean, the bodies weren't freaky?" "Not the half of it," he paused as she shook herself from the remaining images of rotting tongues and bloody sockets. "It seems, along with their research, they have devised a method of turning someone into a psychic. The first two test subjects were the last two victims.The leader of the group, who calls herself Sita, asked that when the federal government was called in, that, and I quote, 'a red-haired small woman named Dana and her sad partner Fox come to save us. Only they may save us.' So, what do you think?" She sighed heavily, "I think we're going to Simpson High School." "Ding, ding. Give Dana the prize," he meant it as a joke, but she looked at him when he used her first name and mouthed it as if it were foreign to her. She glanced down. "I like how you say my name." He didn't respond except a nod and telling her that they were leaving this afternoon. Simpson, NY; 4:00 PM "We are the next wave. We are the future. We hold the future in our hands. We will find the answers that we seek," six voices chanted in unison. Mulder and Scully had arrived in Simpson just in time for the afterschool meeting of the Rhinists. One girl, dressed in jeans and a blue sweater sat at the head of a long table. The others, three girls and two boys were seated along the table. All had their eyes closed as if it were a sacred ritual. Then, the group opened their eyes as one and every head turned to the agents. The girl who appeared to be the leader stood. "Hello, Agents Mulder and Scully. Fox William and Dana Katherine. We welcome you to observe our meeting for your own education. And if for nothing else but to clear our name. The name of Rhinist is good in this community, and we are grieved over the loss of our friends." All bowed their head in silent prayer. Scully shivered. The girl was extremely captivating, but scary. She wasn't pretty in a classical sort of way, but her looks were striking. Her long black hair hung to her waist and her eyes were dark and wide. Dana couldn't even see the pupils in them, they were so dark. She appeared to be Indian or of some Asian decent. Her eyes seemed to take them in and hold them. The rest of her face was dark and small. Her nose was just a speck on her face and her mouth was thin. She furrowed her brow as she looked them over. "My given name is Archana, but I prefer Sita. Just Sita." "You are Indian, then?" Mulder asked. "Yes. I do not worship the Hindu Gods, however. But out of respect for my culture, I have chosen the name Sita to pay tribute the the Goddess of home and hearth and the perfect wife." "Are the Rhinists a religion?" She bowed her head, "We have forsaken our given religions for this worship, yes. But we are not a cult. I do not ask members to come and live with me, or eat only what I tell them. The only money we use is to buy our equipment," she paused, "We have forsaken everything." "Everything?" Scully queried. "My parents, they have-they do not like the Rhinists. They have told me I must not come here. So I moved out. Don't worry, I'm eighteen." Mulder choked, "Really? You gave up your home life for this belief?" "It is how it is. I have made my choice. Wait, what's the expression. I have made my bed and now I must sleep on it?" "Yeah," said Scully. The young woman intruiged her but at the same time she sensed the woman was hiding something. "Tell us more," Mulder prompted. "We have discovered a way to bring about the natural potential of a person to be psychic. The ways to do this involve channeling anceint knowledge, which we do with chants. Our transformations have worked wonderfully, and two- the two that have died- have been successful psychics. We are very proud. However, I must get to the meeting now, as they need me to help them chant. We channel knowledge from the Unknowns, our name for the anceint culture which helps us. They are our protectors," she paused. "Is there anything else that I can answer breifly now?" "No. We'll be in touch, so don't leave the city, okay?" Mulder said to her. She held out a hand. "Wait.. I feel, Fox William Mulder, I feel that you are not complete. What hole has been ripped in your life? Why do you not feel content?" She stared at him with her dark eyes, searching his hazel ones. Her hand touched his arm gently, and Scully watched with mixed feelings. She should be interested, but in fact she was jeleous. Why was it always someone else who connected with Mulder like that? Mulder looked at Scully for help. She took out a piece of paper and wrote down the names of the group and their address'. "We'll come to all of your houses tomorrow." "Yes," Mulder agreed. Then he led Scully out to the car. She lost it. "Mulder, what the *hell* were you thinking? She's eighteen for Godsakes! I mean, jeez, if you want to be involved with old girlfriends and every freaking agent in the Bureau, and have them all at once, it's none of my business. But keep it in your pants while we're on a case!" He looked startled. As she reached for the rent-a-car handle, he grabbed her wrist. "Scully, it wasn't like that. When she touched me, I felt like she was *inside* me. Inside my head. I think that girl has a gift." "What that girl has is big boobs and pretty eyes," Scully mumbled. "Dana!" he said forcefully, "What's *your* problem!!? There was nothing sexual involved. She's a nice girl. She's a case for us. I was effected by her touch because I think she really *is* psychic." "Sure, fine, whatever," she said getting in the car. She mentally kicked herself for being so brutal, but he just pissed her off so much sometimes. But the fact that he had stammered when she touched him wasn't what bothered her. It was the fact that Mulder looked at her with genuine interest. He hung on her every word. Dana was sure that he tuned her out sometimes, and the rest of the time he certainly wasn't *hanging*. He got in the car and gave her the puppy look. The one that she just couldn't resist. She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. Forget it. I know that you looked at her with nothing but professional interest." "Thank you," Mulder answered as he drove away from the school. They were mutually silent, and Mulder gave her her space. He felt that she needed time to recover from the devestating blow that had just been delt to her. She had cancer. And it was inoperable. He didn't let him mind dwell on such things, though. It was too much for him to handle- so he didn't. Just like those years after Sam. He tried to forget, but it didn't work. He tried to forget that she had cancer, but every day he was reminded by her frequent trips to the bathroom to clear up a bloody nose. "Washing up" she called it. He called it hell. Watching her struggle to remain composed and cool when he knew that all she wanted to do was cry. But she was too proud to let herself do it in fron of him. And he respected her wishes and allowed her space. Yet lately, it seemed like they had too much. ***** Psychic Connections (2/?) By Kristyn Collins March 5, 1998 10:02 AM Mulder knocked on the door, glancing around the hallway of the apartment building. It was small, and looked quite inexpensive, perhaps even a bit seedy. They waited for five minutes, and finally, Sita came to the door, a towel around her naked body, her long hair wrapped in another. When she saw them her face turned a little red and excused herself. When she opened the door again she was wearing a small sundress, with her hair still up in a towel. At least she had modesty. "Hello, Sita," said Scully, pushing her way into Sita's apartment. Dana looked for a couch, but all she saw was a mat. Sita sat on the mat and offered a seat to the agents. Mulder declined, but Scully sat cross-legged in front of the girl. She smiled, her eyes flooded with happiness. Come to think of it, Dana did sense something in this girl. She seemed to be able to tell what you were thinking just by looking at you. But maybe she just had excellent intuition, which is what Dana sometimes had herself. "I am so glad you decided to interview me first. I am sorry if I seem overly happy, because I still do grieve over the loss of my dears, but we have made some major progress. You should have stayed, Dr. Scully, even you would have been amazed at what went on yesterday," said Sita, taking out a note pad and reading over the contents. "This is the transcript of our dealings with the Unknowns yesterday." "You channeled yesterday?" asked Mulder, who finally took a seat on the map. He took in the surroundings. The blue mat on the floor was the only piece of furniture. The walls were covered with paintings, all of them dark and foreboding. His eye caught one on the wall across from where he was seated. There were two figures. One covered in black and one being sucked in by the blackness. The one being sucked in- it had bright red hair. The cancer. The cancer is the blackness that's sucking my partner in. And I have already been lost to it, he thought sadly. Did Sita paint this? "We channel every day, Agent Mulder. Ah, you've found your painting," she stated. Scully followed Mulder's gaze to an abstract work of art. The figures inside the shadows. The red-haired one- her nose was bathed in golden light. It's me, Dana though amazed. Her hand quickly went to her nose and she felt it. The tumor, it was there, but she couldn't feel it. How could she being dying and not even feel it or see it? She looked healthy- if not a little thin. "What do you mean, *our*painting?" asked Mulder. He noticed something else about it, too. There was a smaller figure over the dark-headed one that was already behind the shadows. The figure had dark hair and was smiling. It had it's palms open and the yellow light that bathed the red-haired one's nose extended to the small one's head. Sita rose and pointed. "This is you. This is Agent Scully. This...I'm not sure who this is. I was hoping you could tell me. My gift sometimes has its shortcomings. I only see abstract images, not the full picture, so to speak. But it is this way with all psychics. Tell me, who hangs over your head that makes you sad. Who keeps you in the darkness?" Scully looked quickly at her partner. Sita knew about Samantha. How could she? How could she possibly know about her? She must be a hacker, who hacked into the FBI computer and got the file on Mulder. But there was no computer here. Scully's reason and intuition argued. said the latter said the former. Dana gave up and watched her partner's face closely. Mulder was the king of the poker face to everyone but her. While everyone else saw a cold and calculating FBI agent, Dana saw the little twitch of his eye that meant he was trying to hold back tears. When his mouth flirted with a smile, he was trying to hold back a grimace. That was their silent communication. That was their connection. And now she saw surprise mixed with fear. He was afraid that it was written clearly on his face how much it bothered him. She could also see he was speechless, so she decided to talk. "Where did you obtain information?" she asked coolly. "From here," Sita pointed to her heart. "I know, Dana. I know everything. I just do not know how it fits in with anything. I painted that before the murders. When I predicted that you would be coming. I knew. But I also knew that you had to be here for your own good, so instead of leaving it to fate, when the murders started I acted. I asked for you specifically because you interested me, as I'm sure I interest you. The Fox, so troubled by a little girl in his past. Dana, who's sickness makes her forget that there are people who care. You are here for your own good." Sita took a deep breath and let it out. "These murders are only tools of the fates to bring you to me. I know that sounds incriminating, but it is true. I also have another message from the Unknowns. They told me to tell you that the smoke will cloud over and draw you in. Do not let it for the sake of the good of humanity. That is all," she stood. "Now, away with such things. Would you like to interview me about the deaths so that I can tell you I have no alibi?" Mulder was shaking. The smoke. Cancer Man! Maybe he was behind her knowledge. But then again, Sita still struck him as sincere. And now he was more interested in her group than ever. He pulled Scully to the side. "I want to keep interviewing her. Can you check out the other houses?" "Yeah." No use in arguing that he may be interviewing her to get information about Samantha and not the murders. She knew he needed to do this, so she agreed and said her goodbyes to Sita. Then she walked out the door. As Mulder watched his partner, he sighed inwardly as she walked away. He had to face Sita now without the wall of protection that Dana provided. Could he do it? ****** Scully knocked on the first member's door. An older woman answered and Scully immediately whipped out her ID. "Hello. I'm Agent Dana Scully with the FBI. We're investigating a group called the Rhinists, that yourS" she checked the list, "...daughter Kelly is a part of. There have been two murders of the members, I would like to question her." "She's not a suspect is she?" asked the woman, her face horror-stricken. "No, of course not. I just would like to ask her if she knows anything." "Kelly?" the woman yelled, "Come here now." I diminutive girl came bounding down the stairs. She wore jeans and a sweater ,and her blond hair bounced behind her. Seeing her, Scully felt a twinge of remorse over her nonexistent childhood. She had grown up fast, while moving around. It came to the point, about sophomore year in Highschool, when making friends didn't matter anymore. When she was this girl's age, she had lost herself in books and studying in order to become a doctor. The girl stopped dead when she saw her. "I remember you from yesterday," said Kelly. The mother remained. "Please, ma'am, I would prefer to interview your daughter alone." "Okay. Kelly," she turned to her daughter, "If you feel you are not being treated right-" "I know Mom. I'm fine," said the girl, who showed Scully to her living room. Much more comfy than the mat at Sita's house. They sat, and Dana began immediately. "What can you tell me about the Rhinists?" "We are a group of dedicated students who want to know the secrets of the mind." She leaned in close, "We have discovered the secrets of the mind. The Unknowns have unlocked it for us. Do you want to be psychic, Scully?" "No," she said flatly. "What about your leader, Archana?" "Sita isS she is amazing. She is the only one who directly contacts the Unknowns. We just contact her." "What do you mean?"Dana asked. Kelly sighed. "Sita channels the Unknowns into her body. The rest of us connect with Sita. We are only indirectly connected to Sita. We are the future of humanity." Her last words echoed the chant they had heard yesterday. "I understand now. The two that were murdered. Did they have any enemies." "As a part of the Rhinists, they believed in spiritual peace." The girl shrugged. "It is unlikely that they would have picked fights with anyone. However," she leaned in again, touching Scully's arm. Scully breathed in. The touch, it was amazing. She felt immediately peaceful. When the Kindred had touched her so many years ago, she had felt shaken. Now she felt at peace. She missed the touch when Kelly took it away. "However," she continued, "I believe that we, as a group, have many enemies. Most of which are militant Christians. I have been attacked several times." "Do you know the name of your attacker?" Scully asked. Somehow, she wasn't surprised that a small town like Simpson was opposed to these Rhinists. "No. There were two. The first wore a white hood and cloak, like the KKK. He pushed me down, screaming about my unpure ways and how I was going to hell. Then he rattled on about our leader. He called her that 'fucked up brown bitch.' That hurt- Sita is my idol, I love her with all my heart. The second was someone from my school. I don't know his name, though." "How did you become involved with the Rhinists?" "The same way all of up became involved with Sita. I saw a sign she hung up around the school. It said 'Love. Life. Come see me after school in room 79.' How could I resist?" "Was everyone accepted?" "No. Only those of us open to experimentation and willing to give up our religions. The Unknowns tell us things that the Christian church would not approve of. Things like the fact that there is no afterlife. Anyway, I won't go into all our beliefs. Plus, she wanted only eighteen-year olds." "Why?" "In case something happened. She has a verbal contract with us. We agreed to do it," she shrugged, "I guess she doesn't want to get sued." ****** Dana said goodbye to Kelly, and left her card. She hadn't learned much. The Rhinists, although they were peaceful by nature had natural enemies with the church. Neither Kelly nor Sita were logical suspects, as the first victim was a large male who was ripped to shreds. Neither of them had that strength. Dana felt it was time to pay a visit to a male member. The first on her list (there were two) was Gerald Hauffman, who lived three blocks from Kelly. Scully was tired, so she drove anyway. Upon arriving, Gerald answered the door. He was a large boy, but still not large enough to overcome another guy his size and not come out injured. There had been no traces of narcotics in the victim's system, so it was out of the question that they had been drugged and then murdered. Gerald seemed pleased she was there. "Gerald? I'm-" "I know who you are, Agent Scully. You've come to interview me about Jeff and Julie's murders. Come in, please" "Yes. What can you tell me about them?" "They were wonderful people. All of our members are wonderful. They were the first to try the experiment. I cannot tell you what it involves-" "You must. It could be important," she insisted, taking a seat at a table. "We channel a chant a certain ancient chant. The same on the Unknowns used. Then the person's chemistry is altered. They become psychic. I can't explain it. Anyway, after they were transformed and tested, they were murdered." "Tested?" "Only the truly psychic can communicate with the Unknowns. Sita could always, and Jeff and Julie could after the transformation. To see if it worked, they tried to communicate with the Unknowns, and they succeeded. As far as I know," he bowed his head, "They were killed about an hour after we completed the tests." "Thank you," she said. "I'll be in touch." As she left she had a crazy Mulder-type idea. She discarded it right away, but again her intuition stepped in. She felt it had to be true- What if the Unknowns were behind the murders? Psychic Connections (3/?) By Kristyn Collins All other info, see part 1 PS- this is esoterical, If you don't like that kinda thing, you may not like where I'm going with this Mulder sat next to the beauty listening to her chants. She had agreed to let him listen in on her conversation with the Unknowns. Or rather, listen to them talk. They were apparently not adverse to the idea either, as she slipped into unconsciousness rather quickly. Well, it was not unconsciousness really, she was still chanting, but her presence was gone. Instead, he felt a million different people around him. It was difficult to explain, but he could just feel the souls. More and more came into the room, and swept past him entering her. Her chants were beautiful When she was awake, they had been in English, but now he didn't know what language, only that they made him feel at peace. He breathed in and listened as she began to speak. It was her voice, but it wasn't. It was a million different voices infused into one. "We are the Unknowns. Ask us what you will." "Why are people dying?" "It was necessary. Next question." "Elaborate," Mulder ordered. "Do not waste our time. Accept our answer and move on," the small lips on the dark face said. Although she did not change form, the image of an old man kept popping into his head. "Why Sita? Why was she chosen?" "She was convenient. If not her, then someone else." "So she is not special?" "Not particularly. But humanity itself is special." "Why?" "You are the first of your kind on this world. Although there are many others." "Many other worlds?" Mulder had to ask it, "Are there aliens?" She, or rather they, laughed, "Not as you think, Fox William. We know what you think. There are other beings, but the universe isn't as large as you think. The name universe is deceiving. There are more than one. In fact there are many, with many versions of the humans. That is what we are. Another, highly evolved race. We needed to communicate with you." "Through Sita?" "Through someone. She had been toying with the idea of turning someone into a psychic, and seemed convenient enough, so we used her. Then she gathered followers, and we were happy because we want people to believe." "But what about the murders?" he asked. They were interesting him. "Irrelevant. Not important. Not in the scheme of things. This group will help shape the way people think and will fully alter the way people think of themselves." "How? Do you know the future?" "Yes. No. We just know." Cindy and Tina came to mind. Innocent voices saying "We just knew. We just knew." It chilled him. What if the Unknowns were evil? He discarded the idea immediately. Hell, they weren't even physical. "You said that them researching psychic ability connects to you. How is that so?" "The plane known to you as psychic ability is known to us as home. We are another level of consciousness, so to speak. We are sorry, it is an abstract idea, but soon enough humans will know it to be true. All humans will know of our existence." "And Julie and Jeff? How did they fit into the picture?" "They joined us. They became part of us. Then they died." "Did that have anything to do with why they died?" "Irrelevant. They are dead, it is all that matters. What is relevant now is that you are here and we will help you. She will help you." "Sita?" "Yes. We must go now." Sita closed her eyes and Mulder felt her presence return. She smiled. "Did they tell you much?" "Yes," he said. He believed, unconditionally, in these Unknowns. He didn't know what their agenda was, but he knew that they were true. "Don't you remember?" "No. That's why we have transcripts. The other people not connected to the Unknowns ask the questions. I...well they... answer them. It is simple. Speaking of transcripts, I want you to explain about this," she took out the transcript she had shown him earlier. The one from the previous day. She handed it to him. Laura: Unknowns, are you there? Sita: Yes. We are here, as we are always here. Gerald: What can you tell us about our visitors today? S: They are sad, both of them and unsatisfied. But if you have secrets, they will know. They are very good at what they do. G: But sad? S: Yes. Very sad. One, the one you would call a man has had a loss that [Sita] has painted with our help. He will not give up this quest until it is resolved. Such is his dedication. The one you would call a woman, with firey-red hair, she is sad too. She is sick, very sick. She has the cancer and will die without assistance. She refuses assistance because she wants to be strong. She still feels the need to impress the man. It is a sad, sick existence that they lived. It is filled with obsession and death. We feel for them. L: But why are they here? S: To find the truths about our children [this refers to Jeff and Julie] and about themselves. They will find the truths to both. It is a personal growth, which is why our children died. L: You mean Jeff and Julie died to bring them here? S: Yes. To bring them to [Sita]. G: Did you cause the deaths? S: We brought them here. It is enough that you know that. We must go. Goodbye." Sita watched his face. "You are surprised?" she commented. "Yes," said Mulder. The Unknowns were behind the murder, he was sure of it. "Do you feel the Unknowns are good or evil?" he queried. Best to get how she felt about them. "Neither. They are what they are. It is like asking if humans are good or evil. We are both and we are neither. In fact, the Unknowns have compared themselves to humans many times. They simply live on a different plane and have evolved high enough to connect with different levels of consciousness. We must accept that we are not the only ones dwelling within our space. And that is what they are here to do." "To help us?" "Well, to learn as well. Tell me, what do *you* think?" Sita was a good person. He wished her a long, happy normal life. If she had been a few years older...he didn't want to think about what would have happened. said his brain. He silently cursed it. said the part of his brain that the Bureau had filled with rhetoric "I think they know more than what they say. The flat out refused to answer my questions about the murders." "But they did," she pointed to the transcript, "I don't mean to make you feel guilty, but they said Jeff and Julie were killed to bring you here." His face fell. "Oh, Fox," she paused to see his reaction to his first name. There was none, so she continued. "Fox, it is not your fault. They brought you here. Jeff and Julie died to further the project." "No," he said. "I am not responsible. I didn't do anything!" he protested. "You refuse to accept your life the way it is. You refuse to tell Dana how you feel." "You...know?" No use in denying something to a proven psychic. No use in denying anything at all to Sita, she could see right through him. "Yes. Of course. Then again, I'd know if I weren't psychic," she laughed and tiny little laugh, which Mulder found very attractive. When was the last time he'd heard Dana laugh? The first case. It must have been. Of course, then she was laughing *at* him. He couldn't remember any other time. How pathetic. He made a mental note to buy her a joke book when they got back to DC. "I guess..." he trailed off. Why was he telling Sita this? She was easy to talk to, but maybe he just needed to tell *someone*. "Tomorrow is a special day, yes?" "Tomorrow?" he thought. Tomorrow was March 6. Anniversary! "Yes. Our anniversary being partners." Sita leaned in close. "You will give her something. Something that will make her love you. Or rather, something that will make her see that she already loves you. Something other than a..." she closed her eyes and touched his hand, "key chain." He blushed. He thought it had been a nice gift. Scully had read a lot into it, but it had been a nice gift. "Is that a psychic premonition, or and order, Sita?" In response, she only winked a dark eye. ****** After she finished with Gerald, she decided it was finally time to pay a visit to the local authorities. Normally, it would have been the first place they went, but Mulder had gotten involved with Sita and she had wanted to find some answers herself. This case, and the esoteric side of it, had interested her more than she wanted to admit. She loved Sita, she really did. There was no other way to explain it, but whenever she saw her she felt an outpouring of compassion. Sita was a good person, there was no two ways about it. And it was rare that she came across a truly good person. There were people who were nice. There were people who were compassionate, but she had never met anyone truly good accept for Sita and possible her mother. She was a tad jealous of Sita, though. She couldn't admit that to herself either. Because if she did, it wouldn't be a Mulderleap to assume that she was in love with her partner. Was she? She definitely loved him, but weather or not she was in love with him was an entirely different matter. Completely different. her mind said. She found the Sheriff, who was a small woman in her mid-forties. "Sheriff London," the name tag said. She stuck out her hand and introduced herself. "Ah, Agent Scully. We were expecting you and your partner yesterday," said the dark-haired woman. "Well, we got a lead and followed it. My partner is still pursuing this lead." "I assume you'd like to take a look at the autopsy reports?" "Actually, I have a copy, but I'd like to see the bodies." "Well, our ME has today off, but-" "I'm a forensic pathologist," she said curtly. The woman hadn't done her homework. "Alright, then, let me show you to the autopsy room," she started down a long corridor. At the end was a door that lead into a room with two bodies laid out neatly. Or not so neatly. The two looked like the pictures Mulder had so lovingly shown her. The head smashed open and tongues ripped out. Eye balls pulled from the sockets and placed in the hands of the victims. The woman looked curiously at Scully, so Dana nodded her head. She could do this alone. The Sheriff left the gruesome scene. Dana checked the autopsy notes. No narcotics found. No strange substances. Something had just overtaken these people and ripped them to shreds. She pulled out a tape recorder. "After reviewing the autopsy reports and the bodies, it is my opinion that no one in the Rhinist group could have killed these kids. One is a large male and the other is a strong, young female. The killer would have to have sustained some cuts or bruises or severe injuries. None of the kids in the group could have overtaken the male victim, either. I believe that the killer is young, most likely male under the age of twenty five and is extremely strong and agile. There may even be two such males. I cannot tell from the knife wounds around the mouth weather the killer or killers are right or left handed, which is odd. It leads me to believe that they may be versatile with both hands. Also, the lack of physical evidence suggests that we are dealing with someone who knows their way around a crime scene. One member mentioned being attacked by a KKK member, and considering the ritualistic look of this crime, it is a possibility. But again, I must state the strength that someone must have had to do this to a person," she turned off the tape and shivered. Creeping into a corner, far from the bodies, she took out her cell phone. ****** "Promise me something, Sita?" Mulder asked, staring at the girl in front of her. She peered at him through her lashes. So innocent yet so wise at the same time. She knew secrets almost no one else knew of the universe and yet she was young. And that was what bothered him. It was too much burden for so young a person. At his question she cocked her head. He couldn't figure out exactly what she thought of him. She obviously felt as conncected to him as he did to her- she kept using his first name. He felt protective of her, and he felt that the Unknowns were evil, no matter what she said. He wanted her alive and healthy. He wanted to come back to this town and see her children and her children's children. He wanted her to be normal. "Anything, Fox," she said convincingly. "Give up the Rhinists. Don't contact the Unknowns anymore." She looked so startled. "But this is my life. It is what I live for. You live to find the girl, and I live to enlighten humanity." He had tole her about Samantha. She had been sympathetic and told him that she knew in her hear that Samantha was alive. That her picture proved it, since she was bathed in golden light. Mulder didn't ask her to elaborate, he just accepted her explanation of things. Probably because he wanted so much for it to be true. He touched her face, and smoothed the hair around it. "I know of obsession. I know what it can do. Please live your life. Fall in love, have a family. Be Archana and not Sita." "I cannot do that. My purpose is greater than that." "That can be a great exisitance, too." "I know it can be. I know, but not for me. For everyone else, yes. It is even what you aspire to. Me, I aspire to be heard and then die. If I am heard I will die a happy woman." He removed his hands and she stood up. They had been sitting on the mat for nearly three hours now, and he was stiff. "As long as you are happy. But does obsession make you happy. Are you happy, Sita?" "Are you?" "No," he said with force. He hadn't admitted it to anyone but her. He had never been happy with his life. "Then I am not. When you are happy, I will be." "Sita..." "What will it take to make you happy? Finding Sam? Will that make you happy? Truly, Fox. Will it?" He had to think. He had worked all his life to find Sam. But she would be Dana's age now, if she were still alive. More than likely, she wouldn't remeber him or if she did it wouldn't mean anything to her. Realistically, that probably wouldn't make him happy. He could find his Grail, but she wouldn't be a little girl anymore. What would he do once he found it? He spoke slowly, "I guess not." "Would throwing water on the cloud of smoke?" "Well, it would be nice. It would make me feel vindicated." "But happy?" "No." "Tell me, what would make you happy?" She went into her modest kitchen and held up a container of orange juice. He shook his head, so she poured a glass for herself. She stood in front of him, and even though she was nearly a foot shorter, she still seemed to be the dominate one. He laughed, "To talk to you forever." "Ah, but you can't do that." "Why not?" He teased. Her face grew sad. "My work is almost complete. My time grows short," she held up a hand, "Do not worry for me. I told you, if you're happy I'm happy. Would having Dana make you happy?" He paused. It would. Most definatly. "Yes." "Then have her and we both will be content." "I can't." "You can." "I want you to be safe, too." "I do not fear danger. I do not fear death. I welcome the changing winds of time." "Are you a goddess?" "I am your goddess," she answered. "Come back tomorrow. Bring Dana. I will help you." "Okay." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "You are a great protector. I know that is a sensitive spot for you. But you are, you know that?" "No. I am?" "Yes. Goodbye, Fox William. Where there is love, happiness will quickly follow. You remember that." "How come you don't sound eighteen?" "My mind is anceint, my soul is older. The Unknowns have bestowed on me great knowledge of how the world works. I pass that knowledge onto you. I even know the secret of life." "And that is?" "Love. If you love, you will have eternal life because you will live on in the hearts of those you have touched." "Goodbye, Sita." He left and shook himself. Eighteen indeed! She sounded more like an eighty year old who had a lot of experience. Not a young girl. She evoked in him something strange. It couldn't be described a primal, because primal was used in a sexual sense. His response to her was definatly not sexual. It was...spiritual. He felt cleansed after leaving her. *********** Psychic Connections (4/?) By Kristyn Collins All other info see part 1 WARNING: THIS GETS GRAPHIC AND SCARY. IF YOU ARE EASILY DISTURBED, I SUGGEST THAT YOU SKIP THIS CHAPTER. I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEND A SUMMARY OF THE EVENTS TO YOU. PROBABLY RATED R FOR GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND LANGUAGE. He felt more than heard the phone ring. And when he picked it up, a shaking Dana Scully responded. Not a good sign. Nothing shook his perfect partner. "What's wrong, Scully?" "Mulder, it's the bodies. They're...my God. Who could have done this?" "The Unknowns. I know you're going to think I'm crazy-" "Mulder-" "Come on, Scully. Who else could have used such force?" "I don't know. Go on. Explain." "Let's suppose that these things are energy only, as they claim. Now, they need a body. What if they used Sita's?" "Even if they infused her with super-human strength, there is still no way a girl that slight could overcome a boy this big," she said. Her voice was still shaking. "Come pick me up, Scully. Get out of there." "Okay. I'll see you in a few minutes." She hung up the phone. She was right. How could the Unknowns have killed anyone? And why? What would be the purpose? Then it hit him. His logical mind laughed, but it was the only explanation. He wished himself luck in getting Scully to believe it. Gripping the steering wheel, she pulled up next to him and got out. "You drive," Dana commanded. He nodded and opened the passenger door for her. "I've been thinking, Scully. What if these beings *are* physical?" "What are you talking about?" "Bear with me. If they're psychic, then they can make people think that they are not." "So you're saying that they are walking the Earth?" Her voice was surprisingly calm. "Yes. I think it's another group of psychic people, making the Rhinists *think* that they are alien." "Why? For what purpose?" "I don't know." "Mulder, we have no leads in that direction. I talked to one of the girls- Laura, and she said she had been attacked by a KKK member objecting to their anti-Christian rhetoric and their Indian leader. Now, if a bunch of large men came upon these two, they might be able to do it." "But why?" "Why was there a Holocaust, Mulder? There is no why. It just is." "So what do you think the Unknowns are?" "I have no doubt that these girls believe it, but whether or not it's real I can't say. However, I think you're looking in the wrong direction. Let's investigate the local chapter of the KKK first." "What if you do that and I-" "No. I won't be ditched again because you feel that maybe Sita knows something about your sister." "That isn't-" "Oh, it is and you know it," she said coolly. He was such an ass sometimes. His tunnel vision let him only see aliens when people in this town were being murder by the KKK! How could he not see it." "Okay. You're right, maybe it is but it's about me and you, too." He wasn't going to explain that to her just yet. It didn't matter because as they pulled up to the Sheriff's station, she forgot about the comment. The Sheriff was happy to answer questions. It seemed she desperately wanted answers. "Yes. There have been a few...uh...incidents that point to a chapter of the KKK in our small town. I can't give out the names." "Ma'am, this is an investigation. You most certainly can, and will give out the names of those involved." "Fine. J.M. Smith was one. Here's his address." She wrote it and a few other names on a piece of paper. Mulder glanced at his watch. It was getting close to six. He nudged Scully. "It's been a long day. Do you want to call it a night? We'll get up early tomorrow." "We should keep looking for these guys. They could murder again." "Yeah, but both of us are tired. It could compromise our investigative techniques." "You're right, I guess," She grabbed the paper and followed Mulder out the door, even though she had a very bad feeling about this. ******** March 6, 12:02 AM- Mulder lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep, even though he was tired. He realized he had broke his promise to Sita and hadn't gotten Scully anything for their anniversary which was...well it was today. He groaned and rolled over. He wondered about Scully. What she was doing, what she was wearing he told himself. . Hell, she was probably wearing a tee shirt and boxers and sleeping. Not laying staring up and thinking about him. she asked herself as she rolled over. He surly wasn't asleep- Mulder never slept. Maybe he was thinking about her. Maybe not. She glanced at the clock. It was already March 6, by two minutes. March 6...why did that... she had forgotten. What should she do for him? Write a note? Get a card? Ignore it completely just a casual "Happy Anniversary, Mulder?" She fell asleep wondering if he had remembered. ******** March 6, 5:57 AM She awoke to the sound of a rapping on her door. She groaned and glanced at the clock. "Yes?" she called. "Come on, time for breakfast." "Mulder?" she said groggily. Of course it was Mulder, who else would it be? "Come on, Scully. We're going out to breakfast." She pulled the covers off her warm body and made her way slowly to the motel door. "What?" He was greeted by the sight of a sleepy-eyed Scully. She looked beautiful even with her hair falling all over her face and her tee shirt half up and half down. He promised herself that this wouldn't be the last time he saw her first thing in the morning. He repeated slowly, "We're going out to breakfast." "I know, I heard you. Why?" "Cause it's our anniversary. You remember, right?" She motioned for him to sit on the messy bed, as she grabbed some sweats and went into the bathroom. "I remember. I just wasn't ready for a wake-up knock at six in the morning." "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "We're just going to a diner, if you don't want to-" "Oh, stop it, "she said emerging in a pair of green sweats. "Stop what?" "Don't make me say it." "Say what?" he said putting on his best little boy face. "I'd love to go to breakfast with you, Mulder." "Ah, that felt good." "Shut up." It was just a small diner, really. Nothing special. But as she watched him drink his coffee and eat his Belgian waffles, she knew she was most definitely in love. The cute way he shoveled the whipped cream into his mouth, almost getting it all over the place, and that half-smile he gave when he knew that she was watching him. It was all so perfect. He was perfect. And she was going to tell him. In the middle of this gruesome and horrible case, with death and destruction all around them, she would be the one to help him. "Mulder, there's something I need to tell you." "Shoot," he said stuffing another mouth full of waffle into his mouth. "Mulder, we've been partners for six years now, right?" "Yeah." "And I mean, we're friends, right?" He didn't like where this was going. "Yeah..." "How close?" she asked. he thought. "Very close. You're my best friend," he paused. "Dana." "And you're mine, Fox," she sighed. At least he didn't cringe when she used his first name. she chided herself. Why couldn't she just tell him? After breakfast, and what Dana was now calling the Great Chicken Out in her own head, they decided it would be late enough after they both showered and dressed for them both to go back to Sita's apartment and say hi. (Mulder wanted to say hi, Dana had thought of a few more questions to ask her). So after they were groomed, and Scully was awake, they drove to Sita's apartment. Mulder's eyes darted around, always on the look out for the man in black. He checked his watch. It was eight in the morning. It was late enough. But when Scully rang the doorbell and no one answered, he thought maybe she was still sleeping or in the shower again. "What should we do, Scully? Come back later?" "No. Later we have to visit J.M.Smith. Let's see if we can find her." Scully was getting impatient. They really didn't *need* to be here, Mulder just wanted to talk to her again. Honestly, even though Scully felt such love from and to Sita, she was pissed because Mulder seemed to be completely connected to her. "Sita?" she yelled outside the door. Mulder was about to kick in the door. Something just began to not feel right. "Archana? Please answer!" he called. He glanced at her. "She could be sleeping..." "I don't think so. She mentioned that she got up at six AM." "Okay," she said nodding. Why not. Let him kick in the door. He did and the sight that greeted them was one that Mulder never thought he'd have to see. It was Sita. On the floor. Dead. Mulder ran to her side, or what was left of it. "Sita," he brushed her hair out of her smashed face. She was killed in the same manner as the others. Her mouth had been mutilated beyond recognition. Her eyes, torn from their sockets lay in her hands. And the room was just as horrible. Blood soaked the white floor staining the pureness forever. Except this was a little different. There was a ring on her left finger she always wore, and her left finger itself was now missing, the ring nowhere in site. Mulder was rocking back and forth next to her. Scully joined him and closed her eyes. It was too horrible to think. A girl, so young and so full of life was dead. She didn't deserve it. Anyone else but Sita, Scully silently cried. Mulder had already burst into tears. "Help her!" he said absently. He knew there was no hope. Her head, smashed in a few places, let the brain leak out. It reminded them both that no matter how spiritual, one still had a delicate body. Scully pulled out her cell phone and called the police. "Mulder, don't touch the body, it could be important," she said after she hung up. He sat back on his haunches. "Sita. Sita," he cried her name over and over. He looked completely lost. "Oh, Mulder. Come away. Look away." "Scully, we should have protected her." "It's not your fault," she said leading him into another room. She placed her arms around him gently, and he returned the squeeze. "It is." "It isn't," she said firmly. "God. Why? Why her? She was so beautiful and so young. She loved everything and everything loved her. I loved her." "I loved her too. I'm so, so sorry." "It's not your fault it's mine," he said pulling away. He ran back out and touched her hand. "It's not. Mulder, look at this." She had noticed an envelope that was addressed to "The Sly Fox and his Princess Dana." "What is it?" "Something addressed to us...I think." "From who?" she opened it and skimmed. It was from Sita. "From Sita. Let me begin reading." She kept reading the beautiful letter as they took her torn body away. Scully wished she hadn't given up her faith. But who could believe in a God that let such horrible things happen? END part 4 Psychic Connections (5/?) By Kristyn Collins "My dear agents," Scully read from the paper. A tear came to her blue eyes, and she brushed one off her partner's cheek. He clutched at her hand. This was their anniversary as partners, a day of hope and new beginnings, but now instead a wonderful girl was dead, torn to shreds by some ungodly force they had yet to fathom. She cleared her throat. "We should maybe go somewhere else. This place..." They were still in Sita's bloodied apartment. "There's nothing we can do here. The Sheriff is handling the cleanup and the search for physical evidence." "They won't find any," he choked out. He didn't understand why her death hurt him so much. She was a beautiful person, who saw death around her and still felt there was hope to live on, but nothing personal to him. Of course, Sita could read both him and Scully like a book. She claimed that they had been brought to her to heal wounds. Mulder needed to heal something now. He remembered her dark eyes, clear and black. And he remember some of the last words she said, He wasn't happy. He couldn't be happy. Then he remembered something else she had said: He choked back another sob and stared at a spot on the mat where a piece of her brain lay. She couldn't help him with anything now. Or maybe she could, there was the letter... As if sensing his distress, Scully squeezed his hand again, and touched his cheek. "Fox, I think we should go and read the letter at the motel." "Okay, Dana." "Okay," she whispered back. ****** After they left the grizzly scene, it was mutually agreed upon (although silently) that they wouldn't talk about the crime- not yet. Both needed time to come to grips with what had happened, and what had been taken from the world. So they drove back to the motel and sat on the bed in Scully's room. Mulder always felt safer in her domain than he did his own. He liked her apartment and her family more than his. She sat at a chair and turned on a light. He lay on the bed. The tears had stopped long ago, but the deep pain remained. She cleared her throat once again. "My dear Agents. I call you dear for you are as dear to me as any family member ever was. I loved you both, and I go home with that love in my heart. I am already dying, my body lays in a heap on the floor. I felt the need to say goodbye and I need to clear some things up. I was not completely truthful during our interviews. You see, there are no Unknowns. They do not exist." Mulder sat up, strait as an arrow. Sita couldn't have lied. She seemed incapable of it. Scully looked at him and continued. "Well, that is not exactly true, but they do not exists as I have shown them to you. They are an ancient race. One of spiritual learning. One from when humanity reached its spiritual peak during the reign of the people you call Egyptians. There was a special group called the Unknowns, but they were not energy being living on a different plain. They were simply psychic people. They wanted the world to be all psychic, and evolve to a higher state of learning. They accomplished this among the small town in which they lived. However, they were greedy and they wanted to expand. They became corrupt, and overrun with power. "And this is where I come in. I was one of them, so many years ago. Sita was my name. I felt that they needed to be stopped, and I needed to choose a place in which to experiment to stop them. Being evolved higher than normal men, I can project my mind into the future and the past. I came to this time period because this was where Archana was being born. Archana was a beautiful person, and her beauty resonated throughout the time line. She has been born many times, but I won't get into that. No, instead I will explain that I inhabited her body in order to continue experiments. Julie and Jeff. I turned them into psychics, and found a way to destroy them. I feel awful about it, but I can now destroy the Unknowns in my own time. I also had to destroy Archana. But do not worry, my Agents. All this death, this destruction, it will come to some good. I see it. Keep your promise to me, Fox. Trust me when I say that they sacrificed their lives for the greater good. They way the time line had been altered by my group- the horrors are unimaginable. I do love you both, and will always carry with me that love. And dear, dear Fox, please remember our conversation. The secret of life is love. Oh, and I did one last thing before I left your time. Fox, look in my apartment there you will find a way to gain what you've been searching for. Love always in all time, Sita. May you find your own greater good." Scully stopped. She looked at Mulder who was still wide-eyed. She didn't know what to do. There was a body, but nothing science could do to help it. Her medicine and science could do nothing this time. Nothing at all. So Dana sat next to Mulder and asked him what the last part had meant. "Oh, from a conversation we had. What would make me happy." "Is she going to give it to you?" He looked her up and down and shook his head sadly. "No it's one of those things I have to do myself." "What else d you think?" "She killed Julie and Jeff. She killed them to save herself." "It said she killed them to save the world," Scully reminded him. "Do you believe?" he asked, touching her hand. "I don't know if I can. Do you believe?" "I want to believe. I want to think that these deaths serve a greater good. God, Scully, what are we supposed to do? That can't serve as a confession." "I know. We may still have a murderer," but she didn't sound so convinced herself. "You really think so? How do you explain the note?" "Maybe she really was dying and went crazy from the pain." "Aside from the fact that she was missing a finger and had no eyes." "Well...maybe someone else wrote it." "I'll check out the handwriting," he said. Maybe it really wasn't hers. Maybe they really were chasing a murdered affiliated with the KKK. It seemed easier to believe than information that could turn his world upside down. But then again, he wanted to believe that she had died for something. That it had not been so senselesss. END PART 5 Psychic Connections (6/6) By Kristyn Collins Well, folks, the long journey's almost over. Thanks for coming along with the ride :) (one other thing. I did not make up J.B. Rhine, but I did make up everything the professor tells them. The Unknowns did NOT really exist) Mulder stared at the note again. It was her handwriting, the specialist said it had to be, she was ninty-nine percent sure. The Rhinists had now disbanded, at a loss for what to do without their leader. They all mourned her loss, but no one mourned it more than Fox Mulder. He had loved her so much, even though he had only known her for two days. She had gotten where no one else had gotten. Not even Scully knew him that well. He laughed a sick little laugh. Dana didn't know him at all. She didn't know that he lay in bed at night, thinking about her and only her in every position possible. Them, together, in her bed, his bed, the kitchen floor, the basement office on the desk. She didn't know that he wanted to give her something but didn't know what- to declare his undying love for her. Within the death and despair that was their lives, that love could arise was a miracle. A true miracle. As was Sita. Now, he just wanted to know if she really was an Egyptian priestess. And that's where Scully had gone. She had a friend who was a professor of ancient history at Brown, which was close to Simpson. Now he had to go to Sita's apartment and look for the thing she referred to in her letter as "what you are looking for." What he was looking for was Sita. Something to remember her by, and something to give Dana. To tell her what he couldn't with words. He ducked under the crime scene tape and stared for a moment at the bloodied walls again. There was a team of specialists looking for physical evidence again, but he knew for a fact that none would be found. He was almost sure that it really was Sita who killed Julie and Jeff and then herself. She said it was to save the world. But she had destroyed his. When he reached her room, he opened a few drawers here and there before coming across a note addressed only to him. Not to Dana this time. He opened it up and read again, feeling an extreme sense of deja vu. "Fox- I hope you will excuse the fact that I had to leave this apart from the other. We wouldn't want Dana finding out your little secret, would we? Actually, we would. And that's what this letter is for. I know that you didn't get her anything for your anniversary. I know that because you didn't have time last night, and this morning must have been hard for you. So, my dear, dear Fox, I have chosen something for you and something for her. I know you think there is no possible way I can be alive. But I am. I live on in your past. I had to find a way to kill those who joined the Unknowns, and learned to communicate with them. You will see how necessary it was soon. Anyway, before I left, I cut off my finger and took the ring from it. My silver band. That is for you. And then I had a heart locket engraved for Dana. Trust me, you would have given this to her had you had the time. I know. I love you. I will miss you, Fox. Sita The Prophet (that is my Egyptian name)" He put the note back and the envelope and took out the ring. It was way too small for his finger, so he decided as soon as he and Scully returned to D.C. he would get a chain and wear it around his neck always. For now, he tucked into his pant's pocket. Then he saw the jewelry box on top of the dresser. He opened it and saw the heart locket that Sita had spoke of. It was engraved: "Dana-All I have left to give is my heart" He put that in his pocket at well and heard his telephone ring. ****** Scully shook the professor's hand. She hadn't seen him since her college days, when they had dated ever so briefly before becoming friends. "Day, how are you? You're with the FBI? I thought you were medical." "Yes, well, I was recruited out of medical school. My parents...suffice it to say they weren't happy. But I don't regret it." "What did you want to talk to me about?" "Well, Kevin, I'm kinda here on official business." "Yeah? Cool, I'm working with the FBI!" She laughed, he could always put a smile on her face before. "Well, I need any information you have on a remote religious group called the Unknowns that operated in Ancient Egypt. I don't know exactly what time period but-" He face went white. "What's wrong?" "It kind of weird that you should mention them, Day. Until now, it was thought that they had managed to convert most of the known world to their beliefs at the time. They were extremely powerful and extremely corrupt. It's said that the leaders began to indulge in human sacrifice to give themselves more power. Horrible things happened to their sacrifices. They were eaten alive or had their heart ripped out still beating. We thought they had spread nearly all over the world and killed many people along the way for several thousand years in the Early Old Kingdom. But recently, as recently as yesterday, evidence to the contrary was found." "What kind of evidence?" "Well, I mass grave was discovered near Memphis. The bodies were all mutilated in the same way. The head was smashed in, and we believe that something may have happened to the eyes because of the bone structure of the sockets. I mean, there were hundreds, all murdered in the same way. It seems that from parchment buried with them that they were the leaders of this group. They were all killed much earlier than we had originally thought. It was weird, Day. It was almost like..." he shook himself. "Like someone went back and changed history?" Dana offered. So Sita had told the truth. How? How was it possible that she was? He nodded slowly. She excused herself and called Mulder. "Hey, Mulder it's me. Yeah, I have some interesting news." "And I have something you need to have. But later." "You have me curious. Will it make me happy, or is it bad news?" "I hope it will make you happy." "Well, anyway, it seems that Sita told the truth in her letter. The Unknowns did exists and they were killed in a mass grave like Julie and Jeff. The historian thought they had controlled that area for much longer than the really did. Kevin said it was almost as if history had been changed. He also said they were extremely corrupt, and began desecrating humans for sacrifice." "Really?" "Yeah. What do you think we should do?" "Do you believe now?" he asked. He certainly did. This was hard evidence. The handwriting sample, the history, everything matched up. "I don't know," she said carefully. Time travel was impossible, and they didn't have any hard evidence that she came from Ancient Egypt, but all the evidence they did have pointed in that direction. "The handwriting?" "Almost a perfect match. I think we should go back to D.C." "Why?" "Our case is closed. Even if this were all a lie, we have no physical evidence to begin to point to a killer. How could Sita know that she would be killed?" "You're right. But the case is not closed. We can't write this in a report. Skinner will have us committed!" "Fine. We'll think of a story. Dinner tonight when we get back. My place. I'll book us the first flight out of this Godforsaken town." "Good idea." ****** "So what do we tell Skinner?" she said as they sat down together at a table. It was a relatively nice restaurant, and they had dressed up just a little. She guessed this was another of Mulder's anniversary meals. Why he had bothered to take her out to breakfast this morning, she didn't know. Maybe he just got some sick thrill out of seeing her just out of bed. Oh, well. She was more or less happy. And she had decided that tonight she would tell him how she felt. That she loved him unconditionally and would forever. "I think we should tell him that we went up there, met with the locals and were unable to stop a third killing because of lack of physical evidence. And then we left because there was still no physical evidence, and that we turned it over to local authorities with a profile of the killer." "Guess what?" "What?" "You get to write the report." "Thanks, Scully. You're so kind." They sat in silence enjoying their meal. Mulder was shifting and fidgeting nervously. Then he took out the jewelry box. "What's this?" "Look, Scu-Dana. I'm just going to give this to you and let you draw your own conclusion. You can consider it an act of friendship or something else. But it was picked out by Sita, with you in mind. I won't pretend to know enough about jewelry to pick out something so beautiful." He handed her the box. She opened it and gasped. It was a solid gold heart locket, with an inscription inside. "Dana-All I have left to give is my heart." She read it and stifled a tear. Mulder had given her everything- his trust, his respect, his confidence, but he had never given her his heart. It was what she wanted most in the world. The locket meant nothing- it was just a catalyst for a deeper significance. He loved her. That's what he was telling her. She leaned over and kissed him hard, pulling him closer and closer and almost getting his tie in her food in the process. "Want to know what I think?" she asked playfully. He smiled. She had kissed him, his head was swimming, and he couldn't do much else at the moment. "I think," she continued, "That this means that you, Fox Mulder, love me. True?" Still unable to think coherently his nodded. "Then I love you, too." He leaned over and kissed her again. She loved him, what a revelation! The happy couple left the restaurant hand in hand, and went back to Scully's place. Somewhere, sometime, a spirit smiled down from the heavens. She had brought these two together because their souls both needed healing. She had also saved the world from the corrupt Unknowns who had threatened to eat her alive. She had sent her spirit out and killed them each in the way she had killed her children from the future. When the experiments were done with, Julie and Jeff had been just as corrupt as the Ancient Unknowns. They had to be destroyed. But now, now that her work was done, she watched them walk out of the eating place. They were so happy. Mulder thought that she and he had a psychic connection. Oh, no, he had not experienced connection yet. That was something he would discover with Dana, among other things. Happy, the spirit turned her attention to another time period where people suffered. She could get used to this. ATTENTION GOSSAMER ARCHIVISTS: Please archive under the following information: Title: Psychic Connections Author: Kristyn Collins Rating: R Category: XAR Spoilers: Memento Mori (briefly) Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Story Summary: Mulder and Scully investigate a number of killings linked to a group of students who believe they are psychic. However, in the small town of Simpson, they discover truths about themselves and the anceint past that they may not be ready for.