Chapter One -
Motivations...A successful person is a dreamer whom someone believed in...
Intensive
Care Unit
Rm.
212
Friday,
December 2, 2000
5:25
p.m.
Damn, it
is getting
late.
As he picks
up his pace
in response to the time, his loafers make a muffled click-clack sound
against
the highly polished floor, though he pays no notice.
He is more than a bit anxious about his
relatively-new partner’s state of mind, for more reasons than merely
professional, and this realization-alone-bothers the hell out of him.
Considering
the events
that have transpired over the course of the past few days her emotional
welfare
must be of my utmost concern. I wonder
what type of impact everything that has been happening is having on her
physical condition? Is she going to be
okay?
If all of
this stuff
has wigged me out, I cannot even imagine what it has done to
her! Knowing she is going to be fine is
the only
thing-at this point-which will ease my tired and confused mind. Hopefully, just seeing her will allow
me to get some sleep tonight. Why the
hell do I care so damn much anyway?
Shit!
Opening the
unguarded
door ever so quietly, Agent Doggett halts-That’s odd!-surprised
by the
vision he encounters: His partner,
Special Agent Dana Scully, is lying over the recently-exhumed body of
her
former partner, Special Agent Fox Mulder, and clutching at him tightly.
She
appears as though
her very existence hangs in the balance with the act of the calm rise
and fall
of the man’s chest as he breathes. Doggett
notes
with more than a slight twinge
of jealousy. Not that I can actually
believe he is breathing!
Agent Scully
senses
herself being watched, and looks up.
Startled by the new arrival, she acknowledges her partner’s
presence
with a bemused glance and arches an eyebrow.
What is
wrong? He
wonders,
becoming aware by the look on her face that she not only appears
stunned, but
that she has been crying. He gazes at
her with a touch of confusion, as she quickly conveys with her look: I do not care what you think at this
moment, Agent Doggett. I have Mulder
back. He is alive and he is going to be
fine. You can leave now.
She continues
to glare at
her trespasser a moment longer, before returning her full attention to
the man
in the bed and squeezing him even tighter, as if to assure herself of
not only
his continued existence, but to keep him protected from any outside
force. Thus effectively shutting out Agent
Doggett,
she places her head back onto Mulder’s thinly covered chest, and weeps
anew.
Drawing a
sharp breath,
Doggett finds himself momentarily taken aback by both the memory of her
cold
gaze upon him, and the outright display of her emotions regarding her
former
partner. He then surmises that her
actions have simultaneously caused several changes to occur to his own
essence,
though she is not conscious of the implications of her simple act of
bravado.
Not only do
her
ministrations confirm his suspicions in relation to her feelings for
the
recently revived Agent Mulder. I knew
she was in love with him! It also
causes him to immediately wonder: Great,
what now? And-finally-it breaks his
heart. Dana...Do you even realize
what you have just done to me?
Amid nary a
blink, Agent
Doggett rises to his full height and glides out of the room, with the
door
closing quietly behind him on its hydraulic arm, leaving Agent Scully
with no
idea as to what her blatant indifference has just informed her current
partner.
Doggett walks
up the
hallway-alone-away from Agent Mulder’s room; his stride showing little
signs of
the defeat he now feels thrumming through his veins.
Deftly
ignoring the
doctors, nurses, and even the Assistant Director-who looks upon him
curiously,
as he walks toward Mulder’s room in his own right-he proceeds through
the main
entrance leading to the underground parking garage, and hurries toward
his
truck. Staring at the pitted concrete
floor as he moves along deep in thought, he discerns there to still be
glass
everywhere from his earlier confrontation with a previously unknown
suspect-at
least to him.
How the
hell did my
life become such a mess? Agent Mulder is
somehow alive, and going to be fine?
Now, Dana will not even speak to me.
Some dubious individual from their
past shows up, threatens her baby, tries to kill me-only to get
away-and I
could not even tell her about it! Who is
this Crycheck person? Christ, what kind
of name is that? Where exactly
does all of this leave me, anyway? Kersh
made it more than clear this morning, after having found Mulder to be
alive,
his offer of a transfer has been taken from the table.
Maybe Dana was right. Maybe I
should have gotten out when I still
had the chance. However, didn’t that
time come and go a long time ago? God,
this entire situation is so fucked up!
He angrily
continues to
saunter over to the spot across the parking lot from his Chevy
Silverado, where
the man whom A.D. Skinner had said threatened Scully’s baby had dropped
a
mysterious vial. A vial which allegedly
contained a vaccine for Agent Mulder’s bizarre condition.
You know
what Johnny
Boy? That arrogant sonofabitch knew
what Skinner’s reaction would be to his ultimatum.
He had to have known that the A.D. would
rather see Agent Mulder dead, than have any harm come to Dana’s baby. The smug punk must have been aware A.D.
Skinner would pull the plug on Agent Mulder.
I am also willing to bet that he knew the action would actually
save the
fallen man. Where the hell did he come
from, anyway?
Doggett
stands from his
position on the floor of the garage and reverts to the direction of his
truck;
having no idea that he is being closely observed, as his thoughts
continue to
tumble in a seemingly endless litany regarding persons rising from the
dead,
alien viruses, and the vaccines that can supposedly cure them.
In a darkened
corner of
the hospital parking garage, across from the scene of his latest
deception, the
man on Doggett’s mind sits in his silently idling black sedan,
carefully
remaining hidden from anyone’s view.
Watching his newest adversary enter his own vehicle, he rubs at
his sore
jaw. A stark reminder of his earlier
encounter with the overzealous man he has been told is Agent Scully’s
new
partner.
So… Alex
Krycek’s
mind
begins to piece together, as he waits for the truck to back out. You are substituting for Mulder. I have heard about you, but do you have any
idea of the shit that is truly happening around here?
What you have been, most likely against your
will, drawn into my friend? Any idea at
all? He contemplates, smiling a
deliciously-devilish smile.
I had
better find out
exactly who you are and
what you are
up to, before I continue with my plans.
I need to learn if you will be as tough to handle, as I know Mulder and Dana certainly have a
history of being.
Quickly
placing his car
in drive, Krycek pulls out of his concealed parking spot and begins to
follow,
as Agent Doggett reaches the exit to the garage. Cautiously
maintaining a safe distance between
their vehicles, he tails the unwitting man through the quiet streets of
Why can’t
I ever just
bypass all of the bullshit, and head straight home to catch some
desperately
needed sleep?
6:01
p.m.
As Doggett arrives at the
I guess if
I am to
remain on these X-Files, I might as well conduct some research. I wonder if Dana actually has any information
on this Crycheck guy? Did he show up
because he wants confirmation that Agent Mulder is back from the dead? Or is he really after Dana and her
child? If Dana’s baby is
his true target, would that mean
that Agent Mulder’s renewed presence is a minor inconvenience? Or a
major one?
And how the hell is Agent Mulder breathing, when he was clearly dead
for so long? In a sealed fucking casket,
no less?!
Sighing,
Doggett brings a
hand to his forehead and rubs at his right temple, trying to stave off
the
beginnings of a headache.
Why can’t
I bring
myself to believe in the extreme possibility of Agent Mulder being
alive, and
possibly back to stay? I refuse to grasp
that any information located in the tiny X-Files Division office could
belong
to anyone other than Dana. Not until I
ever see that man get up and walk from that bed will I be able to even
entertain the idea. It is just
too…ludicrous!
Thinking as
such, he
decides he has the right to sort through Agent Scully’s files; even
without her
consent.
By
association…if
nothing else.
With this
thought in
mind, he parks his truck in the lower level of the Bureau parking
garage and
makes his way to the basement of the large building.
It is only then, as he exits the elevator and
reaches out to unlock the door to the small office, that he makes a
startling
realization.
This will
be their
office again. Where the hell am I going
to go? There was not even a desk in here
for Dana when I was first assigned to find Agent Mulder.
How could I possibly get another one brought
down? How the hell is this going
to work? Could I actually be performing
an act of insubordination for going through her case files? Aw, fuck it.
Clearly
agitated, he
hurries over to the filing cabinet and begins rifling through the many
folders. Growing frustrated by not
finding anything regarding his suspect in the section of files
beginning with a
‘C’, Doggett hesitates a moment, before rummaging through-and finally
finding-a
file from the K section, noting with growing interest the title of the
label
across the top.
X-File
Case Number:
X06220724 ~ Krycek, Alex ~ Classified.
So, Mister
Krycek, you
do have your own damn X-File. This
is most interesting.
Doggett
removes the
folder from the cabinet and sits down at Mulder’s Dana’s desk,
in
Mulder’s Dana’s chair. He lays
the file flat out on the desktop and begins thumbing through the pages,
indeed
finding the information to be extremely intriguing.
CASE
OPENED: 08/13/94
CASE
OPENED BY:
Special Agent Fox W. Mulder - Badge #JTT047101111
CASE
STATUS: Suspect
is Still At Large.
DIRECTOR
IN CHARGE OF
CASE: Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner, Violent Crimes
DEPARTMENT
ASSIGNED
CASE: Violent Crimes - X-Files Division
SPECIAL
AGENT(S)
ASSIGNED CASE:
1.) Special Agent Fox W. Mulder - Badge
#JTT047101111
2.) Special Agent Dana K. Scully - Badge
#JTT033161313
CASE
SUMMARY: The
following suspect is wanted for questioning in connection to various
crimes
against the people of the United States including, but not limited to:
X
Kidnapping
X
Murder
in the First Degree
X
Accessory
to Murder in the First Degree
X
Aggravated
Assault
X
Treason
SUSPECT’S
NAME: Krycek, Alex (possibly an alias)
SUSPECT’S
DOB: 07/24/65
SUSPECT’S
GENDER: Male
SUSPECT’S
HAIR
COLOR: Dark Brown
SUSPECT’S
EYE
COLOR: Green
SUSPECT’S
HEIGHT: 6’ 1"
SUSPECT’S
WEIGHT: 180 lbs.
SUSPECT’S
LAST KNOWN
OCCUPATION: Former Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation;
currently thought to be working as an assassin for hire; known to be
fluent in
Russian, as well as English. Suspected
to be a hit man for the now-defunct "Syndicate". (See
X-File 05250529 ~ Syndicate, for
more information)
DISTINCT
FEATURES (If
any): Known to wear a prosthetic left arm (as of November 1996) due to
unknown
reasons. (Though, I believe the suspect
may have lost his arm in Tunguska,
WEAPONS:
Known to
carry several handguns on his person, (prefers a .9mm Glock18C). Known to conceal a switchblade knife on his
person and is suspected to possess a stiletto.
(See X-File 05110201 ~ Smith, Jeremiah, for more
information
regarding this particular weapon).
WANTED FOR: Questioning regarding the
abduction and
eventual return of Special Agent Dana K. Scully: August ~November of
1994. (See X-File 07331700 ~ Scully, D.,
for
more information.)
WANTED FOR: Questioning in connection to
the death of
William Mulder ~ Father of Special Agent
Fox W. Mulder. (See X-File 02121102 -
Mulder, W., for more information.)
WANTED FOR: Questioning regarding the
substance known as
"Black Oil" or "Purity".
(See X-File 03100601 ~ Piper Maru, for more information.)
WANTED
FOR: Questioning regarding crimes against
the
people of the
WANTED
FOR: Questioning in connection to the
death of
Melissa Scully ~ Sister of Special Agent Dana K. Scully.
(See X-File 06215170 ~ Scully, M., for
more information.)
"Christ! This
guy is a real
nut-job! He has only one
arm? How did I fail to notice that he had
a prosthetic limb? I must be losin’ my
touch in observation. Jesus, look at
this list of alleged crimes! No wonder
the punk skipped town. Yet, with a file
like this…what the hell made him take a chance by returnin’? Did he really want to save Agent Mulduh? Is he truly after Dana’s baby?"
Apparently
you are
losing your touch.
Should you
turn
around, you would find yourself being watched, as the one you wonder
about is
so near, I could easily walk over and make my presence known without
you even
realizing the danger you have placed yourself.
Until it is too late.
Due to the
fact that
you had been so preoccupied with your thoughts while driving through
the
darkened streets of the city, you failed to notice my black luxury car
following behind; even as it was pulled in and parked-a mere three
spaces-away,
upon our arrival to the Hoover. And you
call yourself an Agent?
To make
matters worse,
if you had been paying attention, Agent Doggett, you would have
seen me
as you exited your vehicle, and been able to attempt to receive some of
your
answers at that point, before ever having to arrive in this basement
office.
I
was…disgusted…to see
that you were still lost in your own mind, and thus, having been an
agent with
the Bureau myself, I knew I could make my way around the building
without being
seen. In fact, it had been so easy to
bypass you; I was able to sneak down into this office ahead of you.
By three
minutes!
Much to my
distress.
You, you
son of a
bitch, are extremely fortunate I am not out to get you.
I can’t believe you have no idea I am
here.
You are supposed to be
backing up Dana?
Jesus, at
least Mulder
usually knew, somehow, when I was around.
You are just way too into yourself to be considered a good
backup for
her. Good thing for you all I want, for
now, is to know what type of information you are gleaning from that
damn
file. You are lucky that I have other
issues of a higher importance to deal with, or I would give you a piece
of my
mind about being so damn self-centered.
I can see, now, why she got hurt in
Unexpectedly,
he hears a
knock at the door and crowds closer to the wall beside him, as he takes
in the
startled expression upon Doggett’s own face.
Wondering how much longer he will need to keep up his stakeout,
Krycek
takes a quick glance at his watch. Six-twenty-two.
Great, now
what?
Christ,
but I do not
have time for all of this shit!
"Agent Doggett? Are
you in here?" Assistant Director Walter
Skinner quietly
calls out, as he pushes open the slightly-ajar door, and walks into the
semi-darkened office.
"Yes,
Sir. Right
here." Doggett replies, swiftly closing
the file in
his hand, before looking up quickly to see his surly boss walk through
the
door, a mixture of concern and consternation gracing his face. "How can I help you?"
Krycek crouches into a
lower position against the back wall upon seeing his former boss, and
tries not
to panic.
Shit! Can your timing be any worse, Walter? I have
to know what Dana’s new partner may or may not be learning about me! Damn it, why are you here, anyway? Did you leave Dana alone at the hospital? Sukin syn!
Now I must avoid being seen at all costs, so I can make
sure no
harm comes to her in your absence! Yet,
God only knows how much of a scene it would cause if I get caught by
the both
of you. Damn it, I can’t even risk
making a call at this point.
"What are you
doing?" Skinner inquires, his
curiosity piqued by his agent’s odd demeanor, as he walks fully into
the
shadowed room.
"Catchin’ up
on a
little readin’." Doggett admits;
his combination New York-Georgian accent more distinct due to the
fatigue he is
suffering.
"
"No,
actually, it is
an old one. The case against your
suspect; Alex Krycek. I figured, after
what happened earlier today, it would be good if I became better
acquainted
with whom I am dealin’ with here. To see
if I could find a way into his head.
Once I figure out who he is, I should have a better
understandin' of how
to proceed with catchin’ him. I realize
that profilin’ is more Agent Mulduh’s style, but…"
"Agent
Doggett, I
appreciate your desire to help out with whatever it is you feel may be
going
on, however, I personally believe that you should not be making this
your
affair. Agent Scully is safe and Agent
Mulder is going to be fine. You really
need not concern yourself in this matter.
Alex Krycek is probably miles away by now, anyway.
Besides,
I can handle him, and I certainly don't need you to profile him. As you can see, he used to work here. I am…familiar…with how his mind tends to
operate."
"Are you
serious,
Sir?" Doggett asks, feeling more
flustered with each passing moment.
"I was under the impression I am still a member of the X-Files
division, and as such, it is my duty to research this guy, and do
whatever it
may take to keep him from bringin’ any harm to my partner.
Plus, just 'cause you know how he thinks,
doesn't mean I do!"
"Technically,
you
are still assigned here, but, you have no idea about the
type of
man we are dealing with. The
implications involved, if you start nosing around the man could be…"
"Which is
exactly
why I am sittin’ here readin’ this file, Sir.
I want to know the type of man I am dealin’
with." Doggett interjects, again
opening the folder; bending his head down once more to pick up where he
had
left off, thereby effectively ignoring the Assistant Director. This is getting to be quite pathetic,
actually. That I must have a reason to
gain access to a file. To any of these
files. Shit, aren’t I supposed to
know these things? I am her partner for
God’s sake!
"You do not
seem to
understand me, John." Skinner
continues, not willing to be affronted.
"You have the chance to walk away.
To get as far away as you can from this, and build a great
career for
yourself. You may not get that from
being here, unfortunately; or from reading an outdated file on an
alleged
assassin. You may not be able to
understand all of the information there is to the story laid out before
you. In order to receive any real
answers, I feel you should just leave this to me, and read my final
analysis on
the Mulder case. There are a lot of
other issues that must be taken into account; a lot of which are not
listed on the pages in front of you.
Other pervading factors you don't know, and which have
to
be taken into consideration with regard to Alex Krycek."
"Sir, I
believe that
I lost the desire to be removed from the X-Files the moment you
informed me
this nut-job wants to terminate Agent Scully’s unborn child. Frankly, Sir, I get the feelin’ that you are
hidin’ somethin’. What's in here that I
may find out which you don't want me to know?
What are these other pervadin’ factors you speak
about?" Doggett demands, while
silently berating himself. There
can't be much else, other than the fact he has lost a limb, which I
failed to
notice!
"How far have
you
gotten in your research?" Skinner
asks, deliberately skirting around the questions posed by his agent.
"Not very. Just
from what I've read, I have determined
that the suspect is a psychopath with one arm who, despite his
disability,
appears to be very efficient in his actions."
Krycek
cringes upon
hearing the man’s words, and clenches his teeth.
You
arrogant
prick! I may only have one
"real" arm; yet, I am far from disabled.
You
will learn first hand just how
efficient I can be the next time I hear you call me that,
asshole!
"Why are you
insistent that I drop this?"
Doggett continues, oblivious to the fact that the topic of his
discussion is within ear shot.
"What is it that you aren't tellin’ me about this man? What are you not sayin’,
Sir?"
"There are
simply
some things about Krycek which you're not aware of, yet it's also not
my
place in which to tell you. In time, I
am sure you will find out what they are, but, at this point you need
not be
made aware of them, nor of my intentions.
Not with Agent Mulder still lying in the hospital."
"What does
Agent
Mulduh have to do with anythin’? He is
currently comatose; practically dead.
Other than findin’ you tryin’ to keep him
from life support-based on this Krycek’s warnin’-I see no other reason
for him
to be connected to what happened earlier."
Doggett laments, highly irritated and not caring to hide it.
"Mulder has a
lot to
do with what went on today."
"Well, Sir,
considerin’ Agent Mulduh is laid up for the time bein’, and unavailable
for
questionin’, I was forced to come here and conduct research on my own
as to
this suspect’s sudden appearance, and I aim to do my job.
Now, if you would please excuse me, I have
work to do here."
"You could
have
asked Agent Scully about him, if you were really that curious on the
subject of
the man. Asked her about their
connection." Skinner replies,
trying to calm his agent’s ruffled feathers.
Even though she does not know the half of it, anymore.
Doggett whips
his head up
and stares, as the mention of Scully’s name works like a painful dagger
stabbing his heart. He inwardly winces,
but he dare not show it upon his face.
Not if he wants to keep his secret.
Especially
from Skinner.
Krycek,
however, can
sense something new from the man’s body language and proceeds to listen
more
closely, scrutinizing the pair intensely.
"I believe
Agent
Scully is a bit too preoccupied at the moment, Sir, to be of any use to
me in
this predicament." Doggett answers
in a clipped voice. Unfortunately.
"What do you
mean?" Skinner inquires, knowing
precisely what the troubled man’s answer may be. He
has had his suspicions over the course of
the past three months, and now he simply wants to hear the confirmation
for
himself from his new agent’s mouth.
Ever since
Mulder had
been found, his body lying dead in a field in
"What do you
mean?" Skinner repeats, trying to
get Doggett to open up with the quietly offered phrase, instead of
screaming
out what is in his thoughts. This is
going to be
harder than I thought.
"I just mean
that
she is not interested in anythin’ at this point in time, except for
Agent
Mulduh, and his health. Least of all
some questions I may have about a lon'-wanted suspect."
"Can you
really
blame her, Agent Doggett? She's been
through Hell and back. She's had to
deal with more pain than anyone should ever have to go through. Particularly in her condition.
And to find Mulder alive? Well,
this is truly a miracle for
her." Skinner laments.
"No, I don’t
blame
her. I don't blame her for
anythin’. Yet, how lon’ should I allow
this to go on? My not bein’ able to talk
to her is not somethin’ I am used to anymore, Sir."
"What does
that mean
exactly?" Skinner asks, no longer
sure if he should be having this conversation.
Especially about two of his closest friends; his best agents.
"For how lon’
am I
supposed to wait around for answers, Sir?
We know Agent Mulduh is alive; we know he is apparently goin’ to
stay
that way. But, what has
truly happened to him? He's not even
awake! Yet, if he does awaken, as Agent
Scully is convinced he will, what will he remember?
Anythin’ at all?
"Am I not to
brin’
up any aspects of this pendin’ case, merely because of Agent Scully’s
current
role as doctor? That's the feelin’ I am
gettin’ from her. I went by his hospital
room before I returned here, and I was definitely given the cold
shoulder.
"What am I
supposed
to do, now? Back off and wait until it
fits into their schedules? He may never
wake up, Sir! I want the truth, and I
want it now!"
"We don't
have many
answers to gain as of yet, John. Agent
Scully is going to broach the subject of what has happened with him at
a later
time. But she must wait until he
awakens, and he will awaken, and then she will make sure
that he
is able to answer her questions in a comfortable setting. Right now though, all she wants to do is take
it slow. Agent Mulder has been through a
traumatic enough event, without having to relive it all over again, and
so
soon.
"Of course,
that is
suggesting he even will remember what the hell
happened to
him, while he was…incapacitated. Why the
sudden concern anyway, Agent? I was
beginning to get the impression that you didn't really care one way or
the
other if he wakes up, much less lives.
"In fact, I
have
recently begun to get the feeling that not everything about you
is on the up and up, Agent Doggett."
He admits with a slight squint of his eyes, almost imperceptible
behind
the lenses of his glasses.
Oh fuck! Not
this again! Doggett thinks,
before blinking rapidly and stating, "I simply don’t want Agent Scully
to
be hurt anymore. I want her to be able
to relax, and enjoy the last few weeks of her pregnancy in peace. She should not have to deal
with Agent Mulduh’s medical condition, nor anythin’ else regardin’ this
case,
nor this Alex Krycek person. As for
bein’ on the up and up, I refuse to dignify that comment
with a
response!"
Skinner looks
at him
quizzically, before walking closer to the desk and taking the file from
underneath Doggett’s hand. Looking it
over, he winces as he reads the various reasons the young man Doggett
seems
blood-thirsty for is wanted for questioning.
Closing it, he returns it to the desktop.
"I apologize
Agent
Doggett. I have just had a very long
day, and I was thrown to find Krycek at the hospital, and you in here
once I
came back. Though I don't know if I
should be surprised or not, considering the concern in your voice, I
simply had
to wonder where your thoughts were at regarding Scully.
"You were
right to
not answer that statement, and I had no right to make it.
I am sure you're simply looking out for
Scully-as a partner. That is all there
is, correct?" Skinner queries,
returning to his station near the door; rubbing his forehead with his
right
hand while waiting for a response, all the while thinking:
Not that it really matters; I know you
have deeper feelings for her. However,
if there had ever been a chance at you winning Scully’s heart, you must
know
your chance is now lost. With the
miraculous
return of Fox Mulder to the land of the living, there is no way you
will be
able to pursue her. I wonder how long it
will take for you to realize that you need to let it go?
Krycek stands
motionless
against the far wall; listening to the conversation at hand; all the
while
knowing what is going through Skinner’s mind.
He smiles sadly to himself.
Damn
idiot, I know
just how this guy is feeling with regard to Dana Scully.
I can't believe that Skinner is going to
have to break it to him, because he is too blind to see the truth of
the
matter. Dana loves Mulder.
Always has.
Always will. Though this
conversation is definitely interesting, I hope it doesn't take all
damn night
long. Someone needs to be
watching her back!
He settles
down toward
the floor, wanting to keep the muscles in his calves from aching, yet
having a
full understanding that the slightest sound he makes could give away
his
position.
"You are in
love
with her." Skinner says as fact,
after receiving no answer from the agent to his questions.
Doggett,
stunned, shoots
him a glare. "Sir, how I feel about
Agent Scully is none of your concern, nor anyone else’s."
"You are
in love with her. That is why you didn't
want me to exhume Mulder’s casket!
That's why you called it ‘insanity’!
You were afraid of the truth. You
were afraid that we would find Mulder alive, just like
they found
Billy Miles." Skinner states,
piecing the various actions of the other man together in his own mind. "You are still afraid."
Doggett
stares at his
boss coldly. There is actual hate in his
intense gaze, and it is quite shocking to witness, hence why Walter
Skinner
starts, and finds himself moving closer to the entrance of the office,
in
surprise.
Krycek’s eyes
widen
apprehensively, astounded when the Assistant Director actually takes a
step
back from his subordinate’s stare. What the
hell is going
on here? You’re afraid of him?!
"I never
would have
thought, after everything we have been through, I would receive a look
like the
one I am currently receiving from you, Agent Doggett."
Skinner whispers, humiliated at himself for
his perceived fear of the man.
The younger
agent does
not say a word, for he knows he doesn't have to express verbally, just
how far
Skinner has overstepped the boundary into his personal life; he merely
looks
away. Confident he has made his point.
"I am truly
sorry,
John. However, you must get over your
feelings for her. Surely you realize
that unless something ever did happen to Agent Mulder-permanently-for
Dana
Scully there could be no one else."
"You don't
know
that for sure, Sir. Thin’s can change in
the blink of an eye." Trust me,
if I had my way, things would already be vastly different.
In more ways than one.
"Yes,
well...unless
something drastic happens to change her mind, I can't see her without
him by
her side."
Krycek feels
the tension
in the room rise significantly; to be so thick in fact, he begins to
wonder if
he will have to make his presence known, just to break up the fight he
feels
coming between the two men.
So much
for getting
out of here in a timely manner, damn it!
"From what I
have
gathered, she has never told him how she feels.
She may never tell him now how she feels, Sir. Therefore, until that day happens, I have
every right to believe that there is a chance I can gain
her
favors."
Man, what
the hell
kind of drugs are you taking? Krycek
ponders at hearing the agent’s words. That
statement, asshole,
makes Dana out to sound like a slut!
That in and of itself is enough for me to want to bash in your
face!
"Jesus Christ! Favors? You
make her sound like a whore, Agent
Doggett!"
"That was not
my
int…"
"You don't
get it,
do you? She will not have to tell him
how she feels! You seem determined not
to understand something here, Agent.
Those two can read each other’s minds-in a way.
They are connected by some unseen force. He
already
knows how she feels toward
him. All he has to do is look at
her. Hell, all anyone has
to do is look at her.
"Fox Mulder
may have
some weird ideas to some, and yes he may be called ‘Spooky’ throughout
the
Bureau, but one thing is certainly true about him.
Something that no one has ever debated, nor
doubted. He's extremely intelligent and
understands how to read people. He has
known for years how she feels. I can
almost guarantee it."
"Then why
didn’t he
do anythin’ about it? Can you answer me
that? Why was he insistent on continuin’
on with this fuckin’ crusade of his? Did
he not realize how unfair that was to her?
It doesn’t make any sense!"
Doggett hollers, as he stands and walks toward Skinner. "I want some answers I can actually
believe, A.D. Skinner. Not a bunch of
the mumbo-jumbo I think you are tryin’ to force feed me here!"
Krycek,
instantly
recognizing the threat in the man’s tone, watches him warily and sits
up a
little straighter. He readies himself to
pounce the agent-if need be-by making it a point to get onto the balls
of his
feet.
Allowing
them to get
into a fight is not going to help this cause any! Jesus!
Where the fuck did this guy come from anyway?
But, damn it, I can't let them see me unless
I absolutely have to, and that idiot seems to be the
shoot-first-ask-questions-later type.
What a
fucking great
day in the neighborhood.
"You seem to
know an
awful lot about Agent Scully’s feelin’s there, don’t you Walter? Maybe you are the one in love
with her?!" Doggett shouts,
mindless of the fact that he is throwing accusations at an Assistant
Director
capable of ending his career at any sign of insubordination.
"Come off it,
John. Stop being juvenile!
I am not in love with Dana, and you damn well
know it! However, I do care a great
deal
for her. I have been her boss, and
friend, for many years. I know what she
has been through. You were not here, so
you do not understand. Thus, you can
feel free to step down from your God damned high-horse at any moment,
Agent!"
I
understand a hell of
a lot more than you realize, Skinner. Doggett
wishes to
retort. Instead he merely turns away from
the
irritated man, and glares at the floor. God, maybe
I should
get the fuck out of this damn office, and away from all of these crazy
people! He
randomly
thinks, before turning back to stare at Skinner, without uttering
another word.
Ahh, but I
do
understand. Perfectly.
Krycek realizes,
abruptly falling back onto his butt, suddenly recalling the sad look on
Agent
Scully’s face recently, as she paid her respects at Saint Mary’s
Cemetery.
Watching
her stand
over the grave of her beloved sister-albeit discreetly-I had known then
there
will never be a way for me to find retribution for what has happened. No matter how much my heart grieves with
hers, there will be no forgiveness in my future for the acts of Luis
Cardinal.
Not for me.
Not from
her.
She will
never
understand I had been forced to attend that hit by the men who
had owned
me. I had to stand by, silently, while
her dear Missy had been sent to her God.
Christ,
how I wish I
could take that back! Of all the heinous
things I have been involved with that has to have been the
worst. I am just so thankful it was not
she who
died. Jesus, but I wish she had shot
Cardinal when she'd had the chance.
"You didn’t
see how
hard it was on Mulder when she had cancer, Agent Doggett.
How hard it was on all of us
who care about
her. To have to watch her slowly
degenerate in that damn hospital bed.
You cannot have the slightest inkling of the
pain that Mulder
felt,
because there was nothing he could do to relieve her of her
pain. How difficult it was for her to
fight to stay strong, for us. She would
not even think about herself at that time.
Always, she was thinking about us. Those
who love her. It was unimaginable! I can only pray to ever be half as strong as
she is!"
"Agent Scully
had
cancer?" Doggett asks, visibly
shaken. I don't recall anyone ever
telling me that, damn it! The fight
leaves him, as the realization of Skinner’s words strikes home.
I have
read most of
the files in the cabinet, but the one regarding her I have hesitated to
finish reading;
remembering how pissed off she became when she found out I had begun
looking
over the file on her abduction.
I was not
here for that,
either. Shit, why was I not told about
any of this? It surely would have made
my job a lot easier if I had known at least some of the
background
regarding these agents. Just being told
that Agent Mulder was missing was surely not enough to go on, with
regard to
dealing with these people on an ongoing basis.
Krycek looks
out across
the semi-darkened room at Skinner.
Though he appreciates that he can be seen by the man-should he
look
passed Agent Doggett-he watches intently nonetheless; ever more
interested in
Skinner’s story.
I know
most of the
details of what happened to her, however, I have never actually heard
about the
emotional drain the events caused her friends.
From the
side of her
friends.
Almost
everything I
have heard was always hearsay from Spender.
"Yes, she did. You didn't witness how
hard Mulder worked to
find a way to cure her. How difficult it
was on him to have to sit there in the hospital, and watch her fading
away from
him; unable to find a way to end her suffering, until the last possible
moment. All the while, believing that he
was the cause of her pain. That he
was the reason she was dying, even if he wasn’t."
"Agent Mulduh
found
the cure for cancer? What exactly do you
take me for, Assistant Director?"
Doggett asks, again quite shocked.
Jesus, just how much about these two was I not
informed?
"No, of
course
not. He only found a way to stop
Dana’s. It is a very long and intricate
story. One which I do not have time for,
at the moment. The reason I came down
here was not to explain the dynamics of the Mulder and Scully
relationship with
you, but to see how you were doing because you left the hospital in
such a
hurry.
"Now that I
know
what you are up to, I must tell you that Alex Krycek is a very
dangerous man. Until you have all of the
facts, I believe you should undeniably leave him to me."
"I think he
should
watch out for me, Sir. You haven't seen
my full blown temper. I can be a real
son of a bitch." Doggett replies
automatically. Feeling as though he
must, out of some ingrained habit, defend his ability to fight back.
Krycek bites
his lower
lip to keep from laughing out loud at the bravado in the man's attitude.
Like you
could
actually take me? Bring it on,
Buddy. I guarantee you; I have dealt
with far worse than you, and lived to tell the tale.
"Agent
Doggett. This is not a game!
This is real life, with real people, and a
very real danger. If there truly is a
threat to the life of Dana’s child, then that is what we
need to
focus on. Do you realize what would
happen to Dana if something were to happen to that child?
That child is her miracle. She was
left barren as a result of her
abduction several years ago. Thus, when
she told me she was pregnant the morning after Mulder was abducted
himself; I
vowed then and there that I would do everything in my power to keep
that child
and its mother safe, until we were able to find him.
Now, we have.
"Yet, I will
still
keep my promise until I see its beautiful face after it has been born. I will not break it for you or anyone
else. Therefore John, my advice to you
would be to just keep a tight lid on how you feel for her.
I'm sorry, I truly am. However,
you are going to have to let her
go. She is happy now.
Please leave her be, and stay the hell away
from Alex Krycek. That is an order,
Agent, not a request. Dana doesn't need
any of the added stress, and frankly, neither do I."
Doggett leans
against
Mulder’s desk, listening intently to Skinner’s little speech. Although a part of him already concedes he has
lost the fight, before it even had a chance to begin, he simply hates
to admit
when he has run out of options.
Krycek
relaxes once more,
upon seeing that the older man is defeated.
Shit, if
you only knew
the half of it, Agent Doggett. Skinner
only gave you the summarization of a piece.
I can scarcely imagine how you would react if you knew
the whole
of what is really going on with Dana and Mulder.
Doggett sighs
deeply,
immediately gaining Skinner’s undivided attention, as well as Krycek’s.
"I guess you
do have
a point, Sir. Given the current
circumstances, I can understand why it would be considered rude of me
to burden
her with any knowledge of how I may or may not feel about her. On another note, I simply don't understand
why I have to remain in the dark about certain issues.
Namely this suspect, Alex Krycek.
"In any case,
Sir. Thank you for the
clarification. I can see you have set
your mind to this and won'tbudge.
Yet, do not think for a moment that I would do anythin’ to
jeopardize
the happiness of Agent Scully. I am
merely concerned about the overall state of her mind and health, as
this all
seems too neat. Too easy."
"Too
easy?" Skinner asks,
flabbergasted. "What do you mean,
‘too easy’? Where the hell have you been
the past few days, Agent Doggett? In
some other harsh realm?
Have you not been paying attention during all of this shit? After everything that has happened, you think
this is ‘too easy’? Please elaborate
Agent, because personally, I think that these have been some of the
hardest
days in not only my life, but hers as well!"
"The
resurrection of
Agent Mulduh is what I am referrin’ to."
Doggett replies calmly.
"Sir, how do you suppose the antivirals were able to help him? How was it possible, when just hours
beforehand it had seemed that only this supposed vaccine you spoke
about,
would? Can you explain that?
Can you explain how he was able to be revived
when he had been in a sealed coffin for three months,
and
his body appeared to be dead for days
before we
even found him in Helena?!" Doggett
demands to know, shaking his head and swiftly losing his cool, again.
Getting
fired would
probably be for the best anyhow. At
least it would leave me time to focus on other, more important issues. Like showing one Dana Katherine Scully just
how much I do care for her. Surely
she would not fall for all of this
shit as easily as Skinner seems to have done.
Agent Doggett
shakes his
head to clear his mind of ridiculous images of roses and candlelight
dinners,
and continues with his opinions regarding Mulder’s reappearance to the
land of
the living.
"You know,
Sir, it
is amazin’ to me that both this place and the hospital are not crawlin’
with
media personnel. Or the CIA, or NSA, for
that matter. Wantin’ answers to some
pretty large questions! I realize that
this is supposed to be hush-hush, but please.
Let us not insult our intelligence, shall we?
I mean, a man rises from the dead
and no one takes an interest?
Not even highly religious folk? I'm
surprised we are not battin’ down the hatches to keep from bein’
bombarded
by people who would like to try to convince us that Agent Mulduh is the
Christ
Child returned! Seems rather shady to
me! If Agent Scully-as a medical
doctor-can’t even explain it, how the fuck am I supposed
to believe
it?"
"Oh, so this
little
interrogation is about your beliefs?"
Skinner inquires, deliberately ignoring the rest of Doggett’s
tirade. Granted, I realize that these
are some pretty tough and legitimate questions being asked of me, but I
also
realize that this is not the time to be analyzing over the answers to
those
questions.
"Sir, if I
may be
blunt, I don’t know what the hell to believe anymore!"
Doggett retorts, throwing his hands above his
head in anger. "I have had about
enough of this goin'-nowhere conversation."
"Just believe
me
when I say this, John. Things will work
out and Agent Scully will be happy.
Those of us who care about her are not about to let anything, or
anyone
for that matter, harm her or her child.
You must believe in that, at least.
Now that Agent Mulder has been returned, and will make a full
recovery,
she will have some peace of mind. Do not
try to look for all of the answers to your questions, Agent Doggett. You may never find them, and those that you
do find you may not like. I can tell you
this much, however. You have become a
member of the X-Files Division, and as such, you will see a lot of
things that
may ‘test your beliefs’, so to speak. I
suggest you find a good psychologist or priest you can talk with. Just, don't push Dana for answers. You may not like what she has to say. She is a believer now, a reluctant one
notwithstanding, as I was, but a believer nonetheless.
"The next
matter we
should be concentrating on is finding out why this has
all
happened in the first place. Not
worrying about things-or persons-beyond our current control. I'm not saying that your beliefs are
insignificant, nor your questions invalid.
I am merely suggesting that we place our energies elsewhere. We must find out why these events are taking
place, and work on finding a way to prevent them from happening to
anyone
else."
"Is that why
I am
here? To help you find the answers to
thin’s that cannot possibly be plausible?"
Doggett questions, again flustered by the conversation. Jesus, how come I can never get a straight
answer from these people? This is about
as enjoyable an assignment as having a root canal!
"You are here
because you are an excellent agent, John, and because you at least have
a
willingness to search for the truth."
Skinner rejoins, while trying to remain calm in spite of the
asinine
questions he has to answer. Getting
angry is not going to solve anything.
"The truth?
How can I search for the truth, when I don’t
even know where to begin the search; what it is I am supposed to be
lookin' for
in the first place?" Doggett
implores, shaking his head in confusion.
Krycek stares
at the man,
questioningly. What the hell is it
about you that seems so off? You sound
so…naïve. There is something strange
going on here with you. What the hell is
it? There is no way you can be this
skeptical!
Not even
Dana was ever
this bad!
Hell, at
least she was
always willing to listen to Mulder, even if it did take her years to
believe in
the aliens' existence.
Skinner doesn't know how
to respond to Doggett’s questions. Not
without revealing things that are not to be known as of yet. Therefore, he chooses to stay silent and take
the brunt of his subordinate’s anger.
"That is what
I
thought. No one has the answers, do
they? So, we just keep ploddin’ around,
fightin’ bad guys whom we do not even see, until they are standin’ in
our
face." Doggett says, before pausing
for a moment to prevent himself from laughing out loud at his own
remark.
"Fightin’ off
thin's
that pretend to be Assistant Directors of the FBI, until a certain
petite
redhead just manages to kill one, and he…It…turns into a
pile of melted
green
Jello. If those are our ‘aliens’, would
it not be about time that we went in search of Them?
Instead of Them comin’ after us? By
‘us’ I mean Agents Mulduh and Scully. Seein’
as how I have been with this division
for how lon', and am only now bein’ informed of a
suspect named
Alex Krycek? A man existin’ who is also
a threat to their safety? This has got
to stop! If I'm to be a part of this
team, then I think I should be treated as a member, and
not seen
as a replacement for a man who clearly appears to not
need
replaced!"
Krycek tenses
again at
the angry tone of Agent Doggett’s voice.
Shit! I
had hoped this conversation would be in its
final chapter. Instead it is beginning
to take on some ugly connotations. Damn
and I thought I would be able to keep my silence. If
that guy does not shut up right now, I will
have to separate them. Jesus, I thought I
had balls when I was an agent. Shit,
the very thought of looking at Skinner used to scare me, and
this guy is
yelling at him?
Slightly
grinning, he
gets back onto the balls of his feet; preparing to keep them from going
at each
other, if need be.
"You do
have an ego, don’t you?" Skinner
asks rhetorically, his voice rising as his anger begins to get the
better of
him. "You think you are here to replace
Agent Mulder?" He questions,
laughing bitterly, while he begins pacing the small section of flooring
in
front of said agent’s desk.
"Don’t you
get
it? No one could ever
replace Agent Mulder. You were brought
in to find him or keep him from being found, I am not sure which at
this
point. But never to
replace him and now that he is found…you are still here. Of your own accord, I might add!
You had the option of getting out, just this
morning!
"In fact, if
you were
a replacement you would be gone by now, whether you wanted to be gone
or
not. You are here as an addition to our
team. You have great talent as an
investigator,
I will give you that, and you have even somehow managed
to earn
the trust of Dana Scully, in only a few short months.
I will give you that, too. However,
you better get off that fucking
pedestal of yours, John, and realize that you are here because we want
you here. No one is being replaced,
as you so eloquently put it!
"We need all
of our members, Agent Doggett. Mulder,
as the open minded one. Dana, as the
analyzer, and you as the apparent skeptic.
I am also considering asking Agent Reyes to transfer here,
though I don't know yet in what capacity.
Nonetheless, you are a valuable member to this team and I expect
you to
stay that way. I have come to rely on
your skills of seeing things in black and white, just as much as I did
on Agent
Mulder’s skills to see things that could happen, whether or not they
could be
explained. I rely on Agent Scully to be
able to place everything into a scientific light, so that I
am
able to grasp the reality of it all.
"Yes, there
are some
things out there that have yet to be explained, however I am confident
that my
team; all of you, will be able to provide me with the
answers to
whatever case you happen to be working on.
Answers which will be satisfactory to those whom I must report
to
myself." Skinner informs
vehemently, as he finally stops pacing and leans against the door. Though still fuming at the fact that Doggett
is being so egotistical and arrogant; he smirks to himself. Just
like
Mulder in a
way.
After a
moment, Doggett
laughs. Is this guy for real? "Like who? Deputy
Director Kersh? Kersh doesn't believe
ninety percent of what
anyone in the X-Files Division has to say about anythin’! He even thinks I am now full of
shit half the time, and I've only been here for six months!"
Skinner
stares at
Doggett, pondering his response.
"Kersh is a whole other matter which must be discussed. But not right now. I
want Agent Mulder to be well on his way to
recovery, before I touch that issue. I
also need to approach Agent Reyes about the transfer request. Nevertheless, do you understand me, Agent
Doggett? You are not a
replacement." He pauses, as he
walks up to the irritated agent, noting the sudden stiffness of the
other man
with curiosity.
"What else do
you
want me to say, John? What kind of answers
do you want? It has become clear to me
over the past few months, since you were assigned to the X-Files that
you don't believe in the possibilities of what you have been shown to
exist. Maybe I can help you to understand
a few
things. The answers have something to do
with Agents Mulder and Scully. These
answers could very well affect our future.
What those answers are I am sure will come to
light, if we
all just focus our minds on finding them.
It will not be easy, by any means.
However, the answers are there.
We just need to come together, as a whole, and find out what the
hell
they could possibly be. Yet, how is
anything I may say to you right now going to change your disbelief, if
even
Agent Scully, whom you have just admitted you are in love with, could
not do
that herself?"
Krycek stares
at Skinner wryly. Wow, a
make-it-or-break-it-moment.
What the
hell are you going to say to that, Agent Doggett?
Sensing he
must move in
order to keep from missing whatever the agent says next, Krycek takes a
risk
and edges in a little closer, thankful his position still allows him to
be
hidden by the shadows of the back of the office.
"Because it
is insane
to believe that we are being invaded by little green men!"
Doggett states firmly. God, how
can someone so smart be so damn
dumb when it comes to what the real threats are to mankind? Like nuclear war, or famine, or…Jesus, even
mad cow disease is more plausible than this shit!
"Grey." Skinner
cannot quietly resist pointing out,
with a smirk.
You just
have to be a
smartass, huh, Walter? Taking over for
Mulder? Krycek wonders, struggling to
force himself to
stifle the
laugh which he knows could get him killed, if heard.
He just manages to succeed by biting the
flesh of his right hand.
"What was
that?" Doggett asks, suddenly perplexed,
causing
Krycek to start violently, believing his presence has been revealed.
"Nothing, I
just
said they are grey. But please, do
continue." Skinner replies, trying
desperately to keep from chortling at the absurdity of their
conversation. However, having been in the
Marines, he is
well trained on how to keep his feelings in check behind a
façade of
seriousness on his face.
"Listen to
yourself,
Sir! Do you even realize how
preposterous this whole thin’ sounds comin’ from your
mouth? Answers?
You talk about findin’ answers?
All I have are more questions! So
far, all I have seen is a bunch of cult-like people livin’ in tents in
the
middle of
"Another man,
your
Agent Mulduh, who was found dead in a field and buried
for three months in a sealed casket, is exhumed and
found to
actually be alive?
Sleepin’ soundly at this point under the ever-watchful eye of
Doctor
Scully?
"Oh yes, and
finally…a nut-job, one-armed psychopath who seems to think he is God’s
gift to
medicine by bringin’ forth a miracle cure for some unknown virus! Yet, he will only provide it upon the death
of an unborn child? Not to mention, he
tried to run me down in the damn parkin' garage of a hospital!
This entire scenario is fuckin’ ludicrous!"
Doggett states vehemently, as he wipes a hand
across his brow. Catching his breath he
stares at the Assistant Director; surprised that he has actually voiced
his
true opinions regarding the situation he finds himself to have been
thrown
into.
Shit! That
was a lot more information then I should
have given him, regarding my own qualms with this assignment. He will have me transferred for sure! Actually, maybe that would be a good thing.
Good God,
he makes me
sound so damn sinister. Do I
really come off as such an asshole? I
didn’t even hit him with the damn car!
The story he reiterates greatly changes in its perception when
it comes
out of someone else’s mouth. Of course,
there are vital pieces missing from it; pieces that I must find
a way to
explain to….
Krycek reflects, perceptive as to what his
intentions actually are, but also conscious of the fact that only a
select few
truly understand at this point in time his motives. Damn it,
there is no
sense in beating myself up now, not when things will be explained soon
enough.
God willing.
"Where is the
proof
of aliens, Sir? Everythin’
I have seen could have happened here on Earth in some remote corner of
the
country somewhere. Like
"Where are
the
ships? Who are They? Where
are They from, if there is a They, and
why can’t anyone truly answer these questions?" He inquires, extremely exasperated at the
circles their conversation is making. I swear to
God, I am
going to kick Kersh’s ass for getting me into this damn situation.
"I cannot
explain
the whys or the hows, John. However, I
can assure you that I have seen the evidence!
I watched with my own eyes, as Agent Mulder was abducted from
that forest
in
"John, I was
just like
you for a long time. I would sit in my
office and listen with half an ear, as Mulder would rattle off his
latest
theories on certain events which pertained to a case.
If the case involved any type of UFO or alien
sightings or abductions or whatever, I would roll my eyes and think to
myself;
‘Here we go again.’ It was mind-numbing
at times to listen to him ramble on, because he was never able to
actually prove
anything to me with concrete evidence.
Every time he had it, it would simply disappear, in one way or
another. Always before I
was able to see it for myself. Until
Noting the
faraway look
beginning to cloud over the Assistant Director's gaze, Doggett speaks
quickly,
wanting to keep the man's focus on the current conversation. "What exactly happened
in
"However, I
would be
interested now, considerin’ all that has happened.
Why were you there and not
Agent Scully?" He calmly asks,
noticing the way that Skinner appears to have come back from being lost
in the
past.
Tell me
damn it! What was wrong with Dana? Doggett thinks,
wishing that for once he was telepathic, as he had heard from the
bullpen that
Mulder had been.
Krycek, now
lost in his
own thoughts, as well; remembers the last time he actually spoke with
Dana and,
of course, Mulder.
We were in
Walter’s
office upstairs with The Lone Gunmen. He
went to
He looks up,
forcing
himself to focus back on the conversation at hand.
Needing to shake the feelings of melancholy
that threaten to take power over him-as now is simply not the time for
a
breakdown regarding things beyond his control-he clenches a fist, and
allows
the pain in his palm from his nails to act as a calming focal point to
his
raging emotions, and he again watches the two men before him.
"Mulder truly
believed that if Dana went to
"What the
hell do
you mean?" Doggett asks, leaning
against the desk once more, as he watches the A.D. pace a hole into the
floor;
seriously interested in where this conversation is now leading. "I thought she had been taken by the
government? By this 'Syndicate' group
listed in the files? Why would she be a
target of these 'aliens'?"
"Because that
is
what They were doing. They were taking
previously abducted individuals; whether the victims had been
taken
by the Syndicate, or Themselves, it didn't seem to matter.
The implants used for tracking were the
same. The aliens are who the chips
originally came from. The two factions
had been working on a joint venture for so many years regarding
Colonization;
Mulder was not willing to take the risk.
The Syndicate Elders felt that by working with the aliens, they
had
reached an understanding of sorts. That
They would leave all 'Syndicate Abductees' alone. Mulder,
though, was afraid the risk was too
high and he would lose her again, this time permanently, and he could
not bear
the thought. Neither could I.
So, I went with him to
investigate the
new findings in the case. It was not
until it was too late that Dana realized They were actually after
persons who
had suffered from some sort of brain abnormality, which Mulder had been
a
victim of earlier in the year, as well as previous 'Alien Abductees'.
"They were
removing
all evidence of Their existence from the planet. Unfortunately,
she ended up in the hospital
before she could warn Mulder or me in time.
She had fainted while working with the Gunmen."
He pauses in both his step, and his speech, to let out a deep
breath. Damn it,
if only she had been able to make that call! Shaking
his head to dismiss thoughts of the
‘what-ifs’, he then moves to the doorway and leans against the doorjamb.
Doggett notes
the man’s
unease and is just about to voice his concern; afraid the man will stop
his
explanation, when Skinner abruptly continues.
"The next
morning,
after Mulder had been abducted, I went to face her.
However, somehow, she had already been
informed about Mulder’s abduction. That
is when I promised her that I would find him.
At all costs. I told her I was so
very sorry that I could not stop what had happened, and I promised her
I would
not deny what I had seen. Then she threw
me for an even bigger loop. She informed
me she was pregnant. It was her
pregnancy that had caused her to faint.
She had no idea, and I think she still doesn't know how her
pregnancy
came to be, but it does not matter.
Either way, I have made a promise which I intend to keep. I will protect her and her child." He pulls away from the door and looks at
Doggett squarely.
"Okay, there
you are
in one little summary, and as for you?
John, right now she is the happiest I have seen her in months,
so please
leave her alone. Give her a chance to
catch
up with all that has transpired, and to make sense of it herself; in
her
own
mind. The last thing she needs right now
is for you to go about making her life even more difficult with the
added
knowledge of your feelings, or any persistent questions regarding Alex
Krycek."
Doggett, for
once, does
not know what to say. Nor how to
feel. Shit, I have just received more
insight into Dana Scully in the past hour, than I have in the past six
months
that I have been working alongside her.
This is certainly a lot to process.
Krycek sits,
stunned. He, too, has no idea what to
feel, at this point. Except regret for
all of the pain that he has caused the woman. I will do
what ever it
takes to make it up to you, Dana. I
promise.
He creeps
back a few
feet, while thinking of Scully; wondering what he will do once he is
able to
leave the confines of the office.
There has
got to be a
way for me to be able to talk to her, without getting myself shot in
the
process, or cause her blood pressure to rise.
"I will back
off,
but I don’t know if I can just ‘leave her alone’.
Not until I know one hundred percent that she is out of any type
of
danger from this Alex Krycek person."
Krycek’s eyes
narrow
toward the man, and he suddenly wishes he could make his presence
known-very
badly.
Jesus, I
would love to
beat you to a bloody pulp! You
asshole! The last person on this planet
whom I would intentionally hurt is Dana Scully!
Oh, if I could only get my hands around your damn neck!
Krycek shuts
his eyes in
an attempt to cage the rising anger he feels toward the other man, and
clenches
his right hand into a fist, again. At least
there is
someone I can trust who believes that I would never harm a hair on that
woman’s
head.
Not that that helps me any, for
the moment.
"Agent
Doggett, I
have had my say for the time being, and you know where I stand. Therefore, don't come back to me later and
ask me why I did not warn you about the struggle ahead, because I just
did. And John?"
"Yes?"
"Leave Alex
Krycek
to me. I have my own reasons for the
request, and I expect you to honor it for me."
With that,
Walter Skinner
turns to the door, and after darting a quick look toward the back,
leaves the
semi-darkness of the basement office.
Doggett
stares at the now
empty space before him, in wonder.
Contemplating all that he has heard, and what his next plan of
action
should be. I wonder
if there is
anyway possible, I could change Kersh’s mind and get the hell out of
this
place. These people are simply
too…insane!
I can’t believe this
division has even survived this long!
Aliens, abductions, resurrections?!
Jesus,
for once I wish I had stayed in
What have
I just done? How can I keep this Division
from becoming
even more of a joke around the Bureau, than it already is?
Damn it!
Shit, now I had better get back to the hospital and check in on
Mulder. Skinner
thinks,
while he takes the elevator to the fifth floor and walks toward his
office. Better leave a message with
Kim that I will be unreachable for the rest of the evening.
I certainly hope that I have done the right thing, by letting
Doggett have
some
real insight as to what has truly been happening to Dana and Mulder.
After sitting
and
listening to the conversation that has just taken place, Krycek decides
that he
has heard enough for one day, and waits patiently for Doggett to finish
his
business. This had
better not
take all night.
He muses, looking at his watch. Seven-seventeen? Damn,
I have been here almost an hour? Shit!
Instead of
trying to
sneak his way passed the contemplative agent, he settles against the
wall and
maintains his silent demeanor.
Deliberating about how he could possibly redeem himself, in
light of all
of the tragedy that has transpired in his wake.
Would
merely sitting
and telling her the truth make a difference?
How could I possibly do that, anyhow?
How could I get her to stay in the same room long enough to
listen to me,
without killing me first?
He tenses
once more
at hearing Agent Doggett release a deep sigh.
Then, realizing the man is merely lost in his thoughts; he
relaxes a
bit, and
leans his head against the wall; preparing to wait out the Agent's
activities
so that he may leave-unseen.
What the
hell am I
doing here? Am I making the worst
decision of my life by being the one who takes on these X-Files? I don't even believe in this
shit. If Monica were here, she would
probably think I was losing it. I can't
believe I am allowing myself to be manipulated into this assignment,
even
further than I already have been. Maybe
I am losing my mind.
Knowing that
he will no
longer be able to concentrate on his research, and still worried about
Agent
Scully, Doggett stands straight and puts the file in his hand away,
albeit
reluctantly, before proceeding to grab his jacket from the coat rack. As he is about to leave another thought occurs
to
him; I should take that other file with me; the one labeled
'Syndicate'. See if I can find some
answers there that may be able to fulfill my curiosity regarding Alex
Krycek.
He returns to
the
cabinet, sorts through the folders, takes the one he wants from the
drawer, and
shuts it. He then grabs his keys and
leaves the office; making sure the door is securely locked behind him,
before
proceeding to the elevator.
I am
sorry,
Mulder. I had no idea everything would
turn out like this. All I have ever
wanted is peace, even if that Cigarette Smoking Son of a Bitch would
never
allow it to
happen. Well, now he is dead and I am finally
my own man. I will right all the wrongs
I have done to you and Dana. I would
never harm her child. Never, Tovarisch.
