From: tcnyt@aol.com (TCN YT) Date: 1998/05/28 Subject: REPOST Starbuck by McCord (1/5) Archive wherever you wish, but keep my name on it. Title: Starbuck Author: McCord Email: TCNYT@aol.com Rating: PG-13 for language Category: Post-XF, Serial Killing, Romance Spoilers: Anything is fair game Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Summary: The X-Files have been shut down, Mulder has been kicked out of the Bureau, and Skinner and Scully have continued with their careers. Six years later, Mulder has finally found another partner he can trust, but can he and Scully reconcile their pain in time to catch a serial killer? Disclaimer: The non-original characters are not mine, but are instead the property of CC, 1013, and/or Fox. No money is being made: this is for entertainment purposes only. P.S. 'Shipper warning. Turn back now is you don't have the stomach. Author's Note: This is not a sequel to "Regarding Mulder." This is a seperate story line from that universe. Feedback is Appreciated. As before, constructive critcism is welcome, but no flames please. Starbuck (1/?) by McCord ********************************************************** Prologue Fox Mulder's Apartment Boston, Massachusetts April 21, 2005 5:34 A.M. Detective Fox Mulder lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling absently. He contemplated his life: his past, his present, his hopeless looking future. He still had trouble sleeping, maybe even more so since his time with the X-Files ...and Scully. Just the thought of her brought up so many unsaid feelings and thoughts, and how he'd let her down by getting kicked out of the Bureau. Because of his mistakes, their quest had ended, and the X-Files were shut down. He turned over and felt the other occupant of the bed shift slightly. 'Well,' he thought, 'at least I've found another partner I can trust after all these years.' And just as he finished that thought, the alarm went off, enticing a growl from that same partner that was laying next to him. She opened her eyes as Mulder turned off the clock, then closed them again. She laid her head back down and went back to sleep as Mulder got ready for another day of work for the Boston Police Department. ****************************************************************** Assistant Director's Office J. Edgar Hoover Building Washington, D.C. April 22, 2005 8:45 A.M. Dana Scully opened the door of the Assistant Director's office, feeling weird entering it without Mulder. Even after six years of seperation, she still felt his absence like an open wound. She missed his wit, intelligence, and insight. But she also missed how he would place his hand at the small of her back and lead her into this office, or throught an open door. She couldn't get used to the feeling of walking through this door without him. Even if it has been her office for the last two years. When Skinner was promoted to acting Director two years ago, Scully had gained a reputation as a fine field agent through her work with the X-Files, and as a superior department head through the time she had filled that role for the forensics department at Quantico. This balance, Skinner had felt, was perfect for replacing him. So she had accepted. She scanned her agenda for the day as she sat down at her desk and turned on her computer. A new serial case at just arrived at the VCS, and it was a doozy. It was almost an X-File in itself. She had her secretary call the two agents assigned to the case and the department head, Tom Colton. She sighed, knowing Colton still held a grudge against her for the Tooms case and being promoted to A.D. over him. That was the main reason she had accepted her promotion: just to piss Colton off. Colton, along with agents Rose and Horner, stepped into her office and she motioned for them to sit. She took off her glasses and took a breath. "Agent Rose, Agent Horner, I hear you're having troubles with the Father Harrison case?" "Yes, ma'am. We've found very little trace evidence at the scence. We really don't have much to go on at this point." Scully nodded. Father Matthew Harrison was found two nights ago at his home, pinned to the wall with a sword through his stomach. "We're not sure at this point if it's a random killing, or serial. On the basis of the ceremony in it, we're assuming it's the first in a series of killings." Along with the body, the only other thing at the scene was the name 'Matthew' written on the wall in blood. "Thank you Rose, Horner. Continue the good work." They nodded and left at the dismissal. "Agent Colton?" Colton stopped and turned around. "Yes, ma'am?" "We might have to bring in outside help on this one. I just want you prepared for that inventuality. Skinner's orders." "Yes, ma'am," he said, defeated, and left the office. Scully sighed and leaned back in her chair. It's going to be a long case. ************************************************************* Boston Police Office May 2, 2005 11:32 A.M. Fox Mulder sat at his desk, files covering the surface as he scribbled a few final notes in his field report from his last case. Two things never changed with law enforcement: bad coffee and paperwork. He sighed as he sipped the former and winced as the hot liquid scalded his tongue. At least it woke him up. His phone rang and he picked it up and grumbled into the receiver. "Mulder." "Age..." The voice trailed off, then cleared its throat. "*Detective Mulder, this Director Walter Skinner of the FBI." 'Shit,' Mulder thought. "Sir? Why are you calling me?" "We need your help, Mulder." "Wait. Krycek showed his face again, and you need someone outside the Bureau mainstream to kick his ass, am I right?" Mulder heard the faint chuckle on the end of the line. "Mulder, we have a serial killer that no one can seem to profile. We need your expertise. You're the only one I know to turn to." Mulder sighed quietly into the receiver. "Fax me what you have, and I'll see what I can do." "Mulder, we need you in DC." 'Fuck,' he thought. 'Not exactly what I needed.' "Okay, I'll see if I can clear it with my supervisor..." Skinner cut him off. "Already done. Call me when you reach DC." With that, Skinner hung up. Mulder laid the phone on the cradle and sat quietly. 'What have I gotten myself into?' He laid his head in his hands and sighed. ****************************************************************** 20,000 feet Somewhere over New Jersey Fox Mulder squirmed in his seat as the plane continued on its flight to Washington DC. He'd collect his partner at the airport, then they'd go do this case as quickly as possible. He did not want to chance running into Scully. His mistakes during their last case together endangered her career and her life. When they had pushed to get him kicked out of the Bureau, he had not protested at all. He wasn't able to face Scully, so when he had been given his dismissal, he'd left DC without a word and gone to the Vineyard. He had sent her Christmas cards through the Gunmen, but never really said anything in them. It was to painfull just to think about her. And now he was going back to help the Bureau again. The same story, over and over. They couldn't figure it out, so they call for good ol' 'Spooky' to solve it for them. Then they'd laugh, and he'd go back to the basement and study an X-File. Except there's no basement, and no X-Files. He's only been able to have two partners in his career: Scully and his current one. Sometimes he thought it easier with his current partner, but he'd still catch himself looking up ready to ask Scully her opinion about something. Maybe he should go and blow his fucking head off and end his misery. Because that's what the last six years of his life has been: misery. He squeezed his eyes shut and sunk into the pit of his nightmares, the only place he could escape the memory of a certain petite red-head. ************************************************************ Margaret Scully's House May 4, 2005 Dana Scully pushed her food around her plate absently. She usually enjoyed the time with her mother, just talking and feeling human again. Not tonight. For some reason she felt something major was going to happen in the next few days, and she didn't know what. Skinner was hiding something from her, she was sure of it. She sighed softly. "Dana, honey, you okay?" Margaret Scully had known something was bothering her daughter, but had been reluctant to broach the subject. She had to know, though. With Bill and Charlie unable to visit often, Dana was the only family she had regular contact with. "I miss him, Mom." Margaret sighed inside for her daughter. She knew how much Fox Mulder cared for Dana, but she wished he would do more than send those cards through hidden channels. "I know you do, I miss him also." Dana smiled a little at that, then sighed again. "I had a dream, you know." Dana took a sip of water, then continued. "We'd find our Truth, bring down the men behind it all, then we'd get married and live happily ever after. But it's not going to happen, ever. And I can't date anyone; I know, I've tried. I always end up comparing them to Mulder. He's spoiled me, Mom. I don't want anyone else." She was on the verge of tears as she choked out the last sentence. Margaret just took her daughter's hand in hers and squeezed it gently. Dana continued. "I'm Assistant Director of the FBI. I could find him easily, but I would never do that to him. There's a reason he made the decision he made, and no matter how it hurts, I won't do that to him." She stood quietly. "I'm going to stay here tonight. I'm too tired to drive home. I'll see you in the morning." She leaned over and kissed her mother's cheek. "G'night, Mom." "Goodnight, sweetheart." She wathced as her only remaining daughter wearily climbed the steps, then cleared the table when the phone rang. "Hello?" "Mrs. Scully?" The voice on the other side of the phone was unmistakable. She spoke quietly, so as to not let Dana hear her. "Fox? Is that you?" "Yeah, it's me," he said, a sadness and weariness creeping into his voice. "I'm in DC for awhile, and I, uh, need to talk to you about something." She looked at the ceiling before speaking. "Okay, Fox. When?" "I don't know yet. I'll call later, okay?" "Okay Fox. I'll be waiting. Bye." "Goodbye, Mrs. Scully." He hung up as Margaret stared at the phone. 'God definately works in mysterious ways,' she thought. **************************************************** Director Skinner's Office May 5, 2005 9:43 A.M. The phone on Walter Skinner's desk rung and he plucked the receiver from the craddle. "Skinner." "Sir, this is Detective Mulder." "Hello Mulder. I take it you're in town now?" "Yes, sir. I came in last night. Um, I was wondering if we could meet outside the office. I really don't want to accidently run into Agent Scully." Skinner didn't bother to mention that Scully was now A.D. "Sure, Mulder. 12:30 at Harley's on 22nd?" "That sounds fine. I usually only eat one meal a day, so it might as well be good, huh?" With that, Mulder hung up the phone just as his former partner entered the room. "I heard that you called in some outside help for the Harrison case, sir?" Even though there had been two more deaths, no one had made a connection between them. So they generally referred to the name of the first death. "Yes, I did. F.." Skinner stopped as he remembered the conversation he'd just had with Mulder. "He's a very proven profiler, who works for the Boston P.D. It's a shame he doesn't work for us." 'I wish I had had the power to keep him in the Bureau,' Skinner thought bitterly. "I'm meeting with him today." "Sir? Is there a particular reason you're getting involved personally?" Scully waited patiently, knowing that Skinner was hiding something. "I have my reasons, A.D. Scully. Dismissed." As she turned and left the office, Skinner suddenly felt really weary. Punching a button on the phone, he spoke to his secretary. "Hold all my calls." ******************************************************* Harley's Restaurant 12:32 P.M. Fox Mulder walked into the restaurant cautiously, his hand on his gun at his side. Even after six years of living without veiled threats, secret informants, and government conspiracies, his paranoia was no less than it ever had been. Walter Skinner noticed him and waved him over. As his former agent approached the table, Skinner noticed the bags under his eyes and the paleness and thinness of his face. The last six years had not been good for him. "How are you, Detective Mulder?" Skinner asked as Mulder slid into the booth across from him. "The same I've been for six years. Dragging myself day to day through this miserable excuse for a life. At least I have my partner to keep me some company." Skinner tried to hide his suprise. "Partner?" "Yeah, I brought her with me. I left the bitch with some friends." Skinner could not hide his shock at that comment. A second before, he had been speaking of this new partner with fondness, then he's calling her a bitch. He decided he really didn't want to know. "From what I understand, you haven't remained in contact with Scully since you left the Bureau." "No, sir. She deserved to move on and forget the pain and suffering that seemed to be the only thing I caused her. So I haven't stayed in contact, except for Christmas cards through an annoyomous source." Skinner shook his head slighty, wondering how someone so brilliant could be so dense. Skinner knew that Dana Scully had been miserable without Fox Mulder in her life. She had and still did her job with exceptional skill, but there was no fire in her anymore. Mulder interupted his thoughts. "So, what can you tell me about the case?" Skinner handed over a file while he began to speak. "The first victim was Father Matthew Harrison, a local Catholic priest. We have, so far, found two more bodies. Pastor Mark Insid was the preacher at a small Methodist church outside of DC, and Luke Harper was the preacher of a small Church of Christ in Alexandria. Harrison was found with a sword through his stomach, Insid was dragged by horses at a small farm a few miles from the church, and Harper was hung in the auditorium of his church." Mulder threw down the file and grinned. "I have a very good idea of what's going on." Skinner's eyes got wide. "What?" "Are you familiar with the Twelve Apostles?" "Only that they were the twelve disciples that Jesus of Nazareth chose to follow him, and they established the Christian church after his death and supposed resurrection. I've never really been a church-going man, myself." "Neither have I, but this topic has always captivated me. At least the parts about their martyrdoms. The killer is copying the deaths of each apostle. Matthew was killed by the sword in Ethiopia, Mark was dragged threw the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, by wild horses, and Luke was hung in Greece." "And the first names of the three victims were..." "Matthew, Mark, and Luke." *********************************************************** Peter Golon's Residence 1:34 P.M. Dana Scully watches silently as Agents Rose and Horner moved silently among the local police and searched the scene for clues. When she had gotten word of the new victim, she had left Skinner a message saying that the new profiler might want to see the scene. It was definately gruesome. The late Peter Golon, youth minister of a nearby Baptist church, hung upside down, nailed to his wall upside down through his hands and feet. She frowned, not able to make a connection that was just out of reach. It was in the back of her mind, she just couldn't seem to connect. "Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't come in here." Scully turned around and saw the officer blocking the doorway and the man on the other side flash something in his face. She couldn't see him, so she turned and looked at the body again. She jumped when she heard the voice she'd had dreams of over the past six years. "Peter." She turned suddenly and saw Fox Mulder standing looking at the body on the wall, that look of contemplation of his face that she remembered so fondly. "Mulder?" Mulder looked at her, then was shocked as he recognized her. "Scully," was all he managed to choke out. She could tell that an inner battle was raging inside him, so she turned his attention to the case...for now. "What do you mean, 'Peter'? Did you know him?" "No, but I know what our killer is up too." She watched him as he stared up at the body. "The apostle Peter was, in the classic tradition at least, supposedly crucified upside down because he didn't feel worthy to die in the same way Christ had. Matthew was killed by sword, Mark was dragged on the back of horses until he died, and Luke was hung." Realization of what the killer was doing dawned on her. "He's copying their martyrdoms." "Exactly, my dear Agent Scully." "That's *A.D.* Scully, Detective Mulder." He turned and raised an eyebrow. Grinning in a way that made her heart flutter, he said, "So, my bad influence finally has worn off, huh?" She saw the pain that flickered across his eyes as he said that, then saw him quickly slam a wall in its place. Mulder left the scene quietly, and Scully hurried after him. "Mulder ,wait." He turned and looked at her sadly. "We have things we need to talk about." "I know, but not yet. Soon, I promise. Now, excuse me, before my partner gets mad at me." Scully's eyes widened in shock. 'Partner?' For some reason, the idea of Mulder having a partner besides her hurt. "Where...uh, where is your partner?" "I left the bitch in the car," mimicking the phrase he had used on Skinner. And he got the same reaction that he had gotten from Skinner. Scully's eyes widened even more, if that was possible. "You want to meet her?" Mulder put two fingers in his mouth a whistled. Scully wondered what he was doing when she saw a dog coming towards them and stopping at Mulder's feet. "Scully, I'd like you to meet my partner, Starbuck." ********************************************** (2/5) Disclaimer in Part 1 ************************************************************ Dana Scully's Office 3:47 P.M. Dana Scully flopped down in her chair and wearily rubbed her eyes. Seeing Mulder again had definately brought back memories of old times. Her feelings for her former partner had faded, or so she thought. But seeing him standing there at the crime scene broke down the walls around her heart immediately. And she was deeply touched by the name he had given his 'partner' in her honor. She chuckled to herself as she remembered the line about his partner being a 'bitch,' and laughed harder when remembering Mulder saying he'd done the same thing to Skinner. She suddenly grew melancholy again at the thought of Mulder. She was going to have to be around him a lot during this case, she knew. He had agreed to meet her and discuss some things, but he had insisted it be later. She wondered why, but shrugged it off, assuming Mulder was avoiding the subject in his usual way. Or what used to be his usual way. She sighed and picked up her phone, dialing a familiar number, needing to talk to someone. "Hello?" "Hi, Mom. I was wondering if I could come by tonight? I need to talk to you about something." "Oh, honey, I'm sorry, but I, uh, have someone I'm meeting that I promised I'd be there. Can we talk now?" "Sorry, I have to much to do. I'll catch you tomorrow, okay?" "Okay honey. I love you." "I love you too, Mom," Scully said, haning up. She sighed again, opened a field report from one of her agents, and began reading. ******************************************** Margaret Scully's Residence 6:15 P.M. Margaret Scully finished setting a small dinner for two. She decided to make something simple: tomato soup and tuna fish sandwiches. She knew Fox wouldn't mind. Margaret couldn't believe she was about to see him again. He had integrated himself into her and Dana's lives so much during their partnership, then suddenly there was a void. He was back, albeit not by choice, but Margaret couldn't help but wonder why he wished to speak to her. A knock at her door interupted her thoughts, and she answered it to see Fox Mulder standing in her doorway, the familiar sheepish expression painted everywhere except his eyes. Instead, his eyes held a deep sadness to them. She motioned him in and noticed a dog leashed to the porch railing. "Is that your dog, Fox?" He shrugged a little. "I guess you could call her that. That's my partner, Starbuck." Margaret smiled a little at the name that her beloved Bill had used for Dana. "Won't you come in? I just finished putting dinner on the table. It's not elaborate, actually it's rather simple..." Mulder just smiled and said, "I'm sure it's better that what I've been eating lately, when I bother that is." It was then that she noticed the shallow cheeks and thinness to his frame. "Fox Mulder, you know bettter that to starve yourself this way. Now I'm glad I made extra. You come in and we'll fatten you up a little." Mulder just chuckled as he and Margaret sat at the table and began eating. After dinner, they moved into the living room, Mulder sitting on the couch and Margaret taking a rocking chair nearby. Mulder began to speak. "Mrs. Scully, the reason I came here tonight is because I wanted to talk to you about somethings before I ran into Sc-Dana." He took a breath, then continued. "Unfortunately, I ran into her at the crime scene today. I promised her we'd talk later, but I don't know if it's the best of ideas. It might be best if I just disappeared from your lives again." Margaret reached out and put a hand on his knee. "Fox, Dana's been miserable since you left. She has almost no friends, even though I think she drops by a few guys you two knew every once in awhile, for old times sake." Mulder nodded, knowing Scully occasionally visited the Gunmen. "We tended to spend a night every two or three weeks together before you left, but now it's once or twice a week. She misses you Fox. She misses you more than she even realizes." Mulder was floored by this news. 'Scully misses me?' He thought about it for a few minutes before responding. "All I've ever brought her was pain, and heartache. And my incompetence endangered her life in that last case..." He trailed off, and stared silently at the floor. Margaret spoke up. "She doesn't blame you for that, Fox. She knows you make mistakes, and that you'd never do anything intentionally to hurt her. Talk to her, Fox." Just then there was a knock on the door. "Hold on, I'll be right back." He nodded, thoughts speeding around through his head as she went to the door. He heard to voices, Margaret's and a man's, and went to see who it was. He immediately wished he hadn't. "What's *he* doing here?" Bill Scully, Jr. asked with vehemence, staring at Mulder with a cold hatred. Mulder just shied away, the familiar guilt and self-reproach flooding his senses. "Fox is here as a friend of mine, and a guest in my house. I expect you to treat him with respect." Bill Scully stared at Mulder for a minute, then spoke to Margaret. "I just stopped by to see how you were, Mom. I'll talk to you later." With one more icy glance at Mulder, we shut the door and left. Mulder grabbed his coat. "I should go, Mrs. Scully. Thank you for the wonderful dinner." "Fox, stay. You know how Bill is, he's just really over-protective." Mulder was about to agree when his cellphone rang. "Mulder." He nodded a few times, then put it away. "They found another body. I have to go now. Bye Mrs. Scully. Thanks again." With that, he left the house, untied Starbuck and led her to his car, and drove off silently. *************************************************** (3/5) Disclaimer in Part 1 *************************************************************************** Jacobson Residence Washington, D.C. 9:47 P.M. Fox Mulder crossed the yellow crime scene tape into Nathanel Jacobson's apartment. Jacobson, from what Mulder was able to glean from neighbors, was the lay minister at a small Methodist church nearby. He glanced at the body, or what was left of it. He knealt down, pulling a glove onto his hand. He prodded the body for a second, then stood up. He had a pretty good idea of how this person had died, but seeing the body had confirmed that. He motioned a police officer over. "The victim died by being flayed to death by a whip." The officer grimaced, nodded, and wrote the fact down on his notepad. Mulder wandered around the room, observing everything. Starbuck had been following him up until this point, but started sniffing around curiously. Dana Scully ducked beneath the tape and winced herself when she saw the body. She knealt over it herself, and pushed at the flesh where it had been torn and ripped, most likely while the victim was still alive. She noticed Mulder pacing the crime scene, trying to piece everything together. "I know exactly what he's doing, but we don't have any idea who he is." Just then he noticed Starbuck sniffing under a table, and Mulde went over to investigate. Putting on another glove, he picked up a small piece of paper. He sniffed it, then put it in an evidence bag. "LSD, I believe. Starbuck was put through normal police dog training, including drug sniffing. Maybe we can get some trace evidence from it." He stood, and left the scene, Starbuck trailing dutifully behind him. Scully hurried after him. "Mulder, wait." He turned and looked at her. "Yes?" "I thought we were going to talk." Mulder looked at her sadly, then nodded. "Lead the way." He followed her from the scene silently, dreading the upcoming conversation. She drove them to a nearby cafe, and the winded their way to a booth in the back. The sat quietly, and the waitress came over and took their drink and orders. Then Scully started to speak. "I missed you." Mulder smiled a little. "That's what your mother told me last night." "Mom?" "Yeah, she and I had dinner together. By the way, Scully, I missed you too." "Dana." "What?" "Please, Mulder, call me Dana. At least when we're not working." "Okay, Dana. But after our last case, I figured..." "You haven't forgiven yourself, have you? You're still carrying around guilt over it, I know you well enough to know that." "It was my fault, Sc.." He paused for a second. "Dana." "Everyone makes mistakes, Mulder. Even you, and me, and everyone else." She reached over and took his hand in hers. "My life has been miserable without you. Everyone I interact with, I can't help but compare to you. You had engrained yourself deeply into my life, then suddenly you were ripped out of it. It felt like someone had ripped out my soul." Mulder squeezed her hand gently, then the waitress arrived with their food. They chatted a little about small things that had happened in their lives. Scully talked about her mom and her brothers, while Mulder talked about raising Starbuck over the last few years and having her as a partner. "It's different. My partner now is horrible at investigative work, generally speaking." Scully laughed softly at this, and Mulder continued. "But she's ten times better than you and your short legs at keeping up with me chasing after a suspect." Scully glared at him for a second, and Mulder just grinned. Then her cell phone went off, and Scully answered it reluctantly. "Scully. Yes, sir. Okay, I'll have it to you in the morning. Goodbye, sir." She hung up. "Skinner?" "Yeah. He wants my report on the crime scene along with the other agents in the morning. I need to go and get to work on it. I'll see you soon, okay?" "Okay, Dana. Bye." "Bye, Mulder." Mulder watched as Scully wandered out the door, then saw the waitress come over with the check. He paid, then returned to his hotel room. ****************************************************** Basement Office J. Edgar Hoover Building 2 weeks later Mulder had instinctively set his personal work space up in the basement where no one could bother him. He hadn't seen Scully much since they had talked in the diner, and only in an offical capacity at those few times. He sighed, and munched on a few sunflower seeds as he poured over crime scene photos, victim backgrounds, autopsy reports, etc. He wondered why he had not the lab report back from that trace evidence he had found at the scene of 'Nathanel' murder. Since that time, there had been five more deaths, each fitting the profiles of the apostles Thomas, Andrew, both James', and Matthias. The killer had to make a mistake sometime, at least Mulder hoped so. "Hey Spooky!" Tom Colton burst into the door out of breath. "AD Scully wants you in her office ASAP." Mulder shoved his annoyanced at Colton down when he heard that Scully wished to see him. He took the well known walk from the basement to the AD's office. He walked in and Scully smiled at him. "Hi, Mulder." "Hello Scully. What did you want to see me about?" "A missing person's report was just filed, and someone flagged it down. I thought you'd want to see it." She handed him the file, and he glanced over it. The person in question was one Paul DuMont, a seminary student that was doing some graduate work at a nearby church. Mulder suddenly burst with excitement. "This is it! We finally have a window of opportunity!" "What are you talking about, Mulder?" "The apostle Paul was imprisoned for a lengthy time before his execution. I'm betting that the killer will hold on to him for a little bit before they kill him. I need the lab results on that LSD patch. We need to get some kind of identity on the killer. Has Mr. DuMont's house been covered for trace evidence?" "As we speak, Mulder." Mulder left the office and walked down the hall briskly. Scully went to her office door and watched him walk away. As he rounded the corner, he hopped into the air, pumped his fist, and let out a joyful "Yes!" Scully smiled sadly, missing that famous Mulder enthusiasm and drive in her life. *************************************************************** Comfort Inn Washington, DC 7:30 P.M. Fox Mulder was stretched out on the bed, reading a book he rarely, if ever, read. The Holy Bible was laying open in front of his face, turned to the book of Acts. Mulder carefully studied the imprisonment of Paul, trying to figure out what the killer's next move would be. Paul DuMont had been kidnapped, and Mulder would bet money that it was the killer. As Mulder read the story of Paul, though, he was awed by the faith the man showed. 'Assuming it's a true story and not just symbolic,' Mulder thought to himself. But Mulder figured the Bible was pretty accurate and hadn't been changed over the years. He had seen the evidence for and against the theory that the Bible is close to the same document that people used centuries ago. People tended to be disinclined to change text they held as sacred. Plus, Mulder figured, if Scully can believe it, who can't? He chuckled to himself softly at this thought. The questions behind Christianity could wait, though. There was a killer on the loose, and he had to catch him: soon. This was the best opportunity. He started reading again when his cellphone went off. "Mulder." "It's me." Mulder couldn't help but smile. It had been years since he'd heard that phrase, from the only voice that could get away with it. "We got a print on that LSD patch. One Jack Warner, former Catholic priest, resided in the Alexandria area until recently. He was kicked out of the priesthood after he was caught molesting a young girl." "So, where is he now?" "No idea, Mulder." Scully sighed on her end. "We can't find any trace of him." "Okay, I'll get a call into the guys. I'll meet you at the Hoover building in a few hours, okay?" "Sure thing, Mulder. Anyone in particular you want to help with the arrest?" "Yeah. Rose and Horner deserve it, they've worked night and day to try to get this guy. Um, leave Colton out of the loop, okay? Leave a note of something, but make sure he doesn't get it until its too late." Mulder almost heard Scully's grin on the other end of the line. No lost love between Colton and Scully, it seemed. "Call Skinner and tell him also. See you at HQ." Mulder hung up and hit speed dial 2. "Lone Gunmen." "It's Mulder, turn off the tape." "It's off, Mulder." "I'm serious Langly." Mulder heard a distinct click in the background. "Okay, this is what I need. I need an address of the current residence of Jack Wagner. Former Catholic priest, kicked out of the church for molestation. And I need it ASAP." "Sure thing Mulder, we'll get right on it. We'll have it too you by the time you get to the Hoover building." Mulder frowned. "How'd you know that's where I'd be going?" "Guessed. Pretty spooky, huh?" Mulder laughed. "Yep, sounds like something I'd do. Okay guys, thanks again." Mulder hung up and whistled softly. Starbuck perked her head up, and saw Mulder throwing his trench coat on. She picked his gun holster up with her teeth and gave it too him as was their rountine. He put it on, and they went to catch a killer. ******************************************************************** J. Edgar Hoover Building Conference Room # 2 8:32 P.M. Mulder strode into the conference room with Starbuck on his heels. Mulder noticed Agents Rose and Horner immediately, and saw Scully talking to Skinner at the end of the table. He stepped up to the table near them as everyone turned to look at him. Scully spoke. "So, where are we going Mulder?" "I don't know yet." Everyone's eyebrows seemed to hit the roof in suprise. What, did Scully give lessons on that look nowadays? Just then his cellphone rang. "Mulder." "No formal address, just a small abandoned boathouse off the Potomac. Here's the directions." Frohike recited them quickly, then Mulder cut the connection. "Okay, I've got it. A boat house on the Potomac, I have the directions. Scully," Mulder said, turning to her, "I need a line to a full SWAT team ASAP. Have them meet Agent Horner, Rose, and I at the directions I will write down." Scully shook her head. "Absolutely not." Mulder looked at her, suprised. "I'll get your SWAT team, but I'm going with you." Mulder nodded. "Okay. Horner, Rose, get us some vests and flashlights. Let's move people. I can practically smell the bastard, and it's time for the hunt to end." *********************************************************************** (4/5) Disclaimer in Part 1 ******************************************************************************* Comfort Inn Washington, DC 7:30 P.M. Fox Mulder was stretched out on the bed, reading a book he rarely, if ever, read. The Holy Bible was laying open in front of his face, turned to the book of Acts. Mulder carefully studied the imprisonment of Paul, trying to figure out what the killer's next move would be. Paul DuMont had been kidnapped, and Mulder would bet money that it was the killer. As Mulder read the story of Paul, though, he was awed by the faith the man showed. 'Assuming it's a true story and not just symbolic,' Mulder thought to himself. But Mulder figured the Bible was pretty accurate and hadn't been changed over the years. He had seen the evidence for and against the theory that the Bible is close to the same document that people used centuries ago. People tended to be disinclined to change text they held as sacred. Plus, Mulder figured, if Scully can believe it, who can't? He chuckled to himself softly at this thought. The questions behind Christianity could wait, though. There was a killer on the loose, and he had to catch him: soon. This was the best opportunity. He started reading again when his cellphone went off. "Mulder." "It's me." Mulder couldn't help but smile. It had been years since he'd heard that phrase, from the only voice that could get away with it. "We got a print on that LSD patch. One Jack Warner, former Catholic priest, resided in the Alexandria area until recently. He was kicked out of the priesthood after he was caught molesting a young girl." "So, where is he now?" "No idea, Mulder." Scully sighed on her end. "We can't find any trace of him." "Okay, I'll get a call into the guys. I'll meet you at the Hoover building in a few hours, okay?" "Sure thing, Mulder. Anyone in particular you want to help with the arrest?" "Yeah. Rose and Horner deserve it, they've worked night and day to try to get this guy. Um, leave Colton out of the loop, okay? Leave a note of something, but make sure he doesn't get it until its too late." Mulder almost heard Scully's grin on the other end of the line. No lost love between Colton and Scully, it seemed. "Call Skinner and tell him also. See you at HQ." Mulder hung up and hit speed dial 2. "Lone Gunmen." "It's Mulder, turn off the tape." "It's off, Mulder." "I'm serious Langly." Mulder heard a distinct click in the background. "Okay, this is what I need. I need an address of the current residence of Jack Wagner. Former Catholic priest, kicked out of the church for molestation. And I need it ASAP." "Sure thing Mulder, we'll get right on it. We'll have it too you by the time you get to the Hoover building." Mulder frowned. "How'd you know that's where I'd be going?" "Guessed. Pretty spooky, huh?" Mulder laughed. "Yep, sounds like something I'd do. Okay guys, thanks again." Mulder hung up and whistled softly. Starbuck perked her head up, and saw Mulder throwing his trench coat on. Starbuck waited dutifly by the door, and they both left to catch a killer. ******************************************************************** J. Edgar Hoover Building Conference Room # 2 8:32 P.M. Mulder strode into the conference room with Starbuck on his heels. Mulder noticed Agents Rose and Horner immediately, and saw Scully talking to Skinner at the end of the table. He stepped up to the table near them as everyone turned to look at him. Scully spoke. "So, where are we going Mulder?" "I don't know yet." Everyone's eyebrows seemed to hit the roof in suprise. What, did Scully give lessons on that look nowadays? Just then his cellphone rang. "Mulder." "No formal address, just a small abandoned boathouse off the Potomac. Here's the directions." Frohike recited them quickly, then Mulder cut the connection. "Okay, I've got it. A boat house on the Potomac, I have the directions. Scully," Mulder said, turning to her, "I need a line to a full SWAT team ASAP. Have them meet Agent Horner, Rose, and I at the directions I will write down." Scully shook her head. "Absolutely not." Mulder looked at her, suprised. "I'll get your SWAT team, but I'm going with you." Mulder nodded. "Okay. Horner, Rose, get us some vests and flashlights. Let's move people. I can practically smell the bastard, and it's time for the hunt to end." *********************************************************************** The boathouse A little while later Mulder stood in the middle of a circel, barking out orders to the SWAT team and the FBI agents. "Rose, Horner, you're with team 2 and you'll take the back. Scully, we're with team 1 going in the front. We have a hostage in there, so be aware at all times. Let's go to it." The SWAT split into the two teams, and team 2 and the two agents went quietly to the back. Mulder drew his gun as he, Scully, and team 1 approached the front door. He nodded, and two SWAT members kicked down the door. Mulder and Scully swept into the room, scanning with their guns. "Split up. Scully, upstairs. I'll take down here." She nodded, and Mulder slipped quietly into the living room. He saw a door that most likely led to the basement, and opened it quietly. Mulder stealthily glided down the steps and looked around. He snapped his gun up as he saw a man raise an ax, getting ready to behead the man kneeling in front of him. "Hold it! You're under arrest!" The man with the ax turned and pulled something from his jacket. Mulder didn't hesitate, and shot the man clearly through his shoulder. The man hit the ground, and Mulder ran over and stood over him. Mulder realized his mistake as a searing pain ripped through his chest.... *************************************************************************** (5/5) Disclaimer in Part 1 ************************************************************************** ********** Scully heard the gunshot all the way upstairs, and sprinted down the stairs to the basement door. Opening it, she cautiously moved down into the poorly lit and followed the sound of barking. She put her gun up and saw something she wished she hadn't: she was greeted with the sight of who she assumed was Jack Wagner using an unconscious Mulder as a shield. Wagner had the gun barrel pressed to his head. "Drop your weapon of he gets it." Scully cautiously laid the weapon down as Starbuck continued to growl at the man holding her owner. "Back up the stairs, and if you try anything, he dies." Scully nodded and slowly climbed back up, trying to think of anything to do to help Mulder. Wagner led Scully out the back of the house. "Call of the SWAT team." Scully spoke into her headset, telling them to stand down. Wagner then proceeded to drag Mulder to the dock where a small boat was waiting. He somehow was able to get Mulder on the boat and start it up. Scully was wracking her brain for something to do when Wagner threw Mulder off the boat and swung the boat downstream. There was a crackle in her ear, and she heard a shot ring out from the sniper that had been sitting in the woods. The bullet caught Wagner cleanly in the back of the head. He slumped forward on the steering wheel, turning the boat to the left and onto the shore. Scully didn't notice any of this as she had been running up the dock to where Mulder had been thrown in the water. Starbuck flashed past her and leaped into the water, grabbing Mulder by the jacket. Scully leaped in also, and together they were able to get Mulder out of the water. Scully set to work on Mulder quickly, trying to stop the flow of blood from his wound. Suddenly, she was jerked away as paramedics loaded him on a stretcher and loaded him into the emergency helicopter nearby. Scully climbed into the helicopter with Starbuck, and the two of them anxiously and nervously endured the trip to the hospital.... ************************************************************************** *************** Dana Scully's Apartment Three Months Later Scully opened her door and dumped her bags on the floor. She threw her jacket over the sofa and stepped into the kitchen. She jumped when she noticed Starbuck sitting there, looking at her happily. She smiled and petted the dog, then saw the note on the table. She picked it up and started to read: 'Dear Scully, As you know, I got out of the hospital today. There are so many things I want to tell you, but now is not the time. I have to figure out what I'm going to do now. My breathing is still weak, and as you know it is not expected to improve much. I guess field work is out for now, if not forever. Skinner offered me a job as a profiler, and I am keeping the option open, but I don't know if I want to return to that life. I have to figure out where I go from here. I just wanted to ask you to take care of Starbuck for me, I know you will love her the way she deserves to be loved and cared for. And while we're on the subject, I just want you to know that I love you, Dana. I always have, and I always will. You're what keeps me going. And hopefully, someday, I'll return to you. Sincerely, Fox William Mulder Scully blinked back tears as she read the note. He loved her. After all these years, she knew for certain. "I love you too, Mulder. Always have, always will." She pat Starbuck on the head, and sighed as she saw a blue Taurus pull out of a parking space outside and drive down the road. The End ************************************************************************** ************ Coming this summer: Starbuck II Featuring: Starbuck, or course; Director of the FBI, Dana Scully, and... Mulder the Christian?