March 3, 1992
9:03 p.m.
Deserted Highway 133 - Outside of Bellefleur, Oregon:
 

The moment that Special Agent Fox Mulder looked at his watch, 9:03 p.m., he knew something was going to happen.  How he knew, in and of itself, was unexplainable.  Nevertheless, he felt it, and it bothered him immensely.  He took a sidelong glance at his new partner, Special Agent Dana Scully, sitting in the seat next to him, as she watched him and questioned his latest theory.

Then it happened.

The flash.
 

March 3, 1992
9:03:30 p.m.
Unknown location - High above the skies of Northwestern United States:
 

They were standing, dripping wet, in front of a panel of the inexplicable.

Beings of another race.

Of another realm.

Of another planet.

In other words:  Extraterrestrial Biological Entities.

Shock was more than evident on their faces, as they turned toward one another, trying to speak, but to no avail.

They could only look at one another, their bodies unmoving, and acknowledge, simultaneously:

*You were right!*

*I was right!*

The leader of the group of Beings they face followed their slight movements, with a keen interest.  It knew they were powerful.  However, It could feel that they, themselves, had no idea as to their own power.

Yet.

It took only a moment for It to look them over, catalog them, and then telepathically inform It's comrades of It's findings.

And intentions.

*The Female - She will have what We need in approximately eighteen Earth months.  The Male - His body will be able to provide Us with information in approximately eight Earth years.  We will have them then.*

*What shall we do with them for now?* A comrade questions, curiously.

*Wipe their memories of this visit and return them.  Inform our connections on their planet of their importance and the timetable I have set.  The arrangements will be made.*

*Affirmative.*
 

March 3, 1992
9:12 p.m.
Deserted Highway 133 - Outside of Bellefleur, Oregon:
 

Mulder brings the dead car to a stop alongside the wet shoulder of the road, almost unable to contain himself.

He looks at his watch:  9:12 p.m.

"We lost nine minutes!"  He declares, rushing out of the car, and into the torrential downpour.

"What?!"  Scully exclaims in disbelief, as she too exits the vehicle, mindless of the cold water penetrating her clothing.

"We lost nine minutes, Scully!"  He states, looking at her incredulously.

She, in turn, stares at him; shocked.  "That is not possible!"

As they continue to argue, she states the only thing her scientific mind can grasp.  "Time can't just disappear!  It is a universal invariance!"  She replies, not willing to give into his exuberance.

"Not in this zip code!"  He retorts, pointing to their now-powered sedan, as if to prove to her-by its very existence-that his theory is correct.

Unwilling to continue their argument in the pouring rain, they glance at each other a moment and head back to the car.

Upon reentering their vehicle, they drive off back toward their motel, still arguing.

Blissfully unaware.

Both, of where they have been, and what has just been fated to take place in their future.

~Fin~

Copyright ~ March 22, 2002

Tammy D. Aiken-Phillips