Foundation I (1/6): Laying the Groundwork

DISCLAIMER: Mulder, Scully, Skinner and CSM do not belong to me. They belong to Chris Carter, 1013, and/or Fox. This was written in my desperate attempt to get through the summer with only re-runs to keep me sane.

Author's Note: "Foundation I" has been months in the making. It has gone through several revisions, during which time I have stayed far, FAR away from ATXC, EMXC, and this fanfic list. This story is 100 percent my own creation- my baby. Please send feedback! It is the only payment I get!

Dedication: To Sandy (QMA) and the rest of the produce section....from your loving Latte.

4:43 a.m.

Location Unknown

Washington D.C.

"They must be kept safe, at all costs," the smoking man says, blowing a thin ribbon of smoke into his opponent's face. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"I understand," the other man replies. A sudden movement reflects a glare on his wire-rimmed glasses. "They're yours to fuck with."

"Quite the contrary," the smoker replies evenly, lighting another cigarette. He regards the man opposite him with slight amusement. "I understand several attempts have been made on their lives. Perhaps more attempts would persuade you to - "

"Why should I trust you?" the other mutters, his quiet voice cutting through the smoker's words. He glares angrily in the smoker's direction.

"Because you have no other choice?" the smoker suggests humorlessly. "Ms. Scully's cancer can hardly be cured if an assassin's bullet finds her first."

"Is that a threat?" His voice is cold, flat, full of fury. He clenches and unclenches his fists in an effort to control his rage.

"Merely an observation," the smoker says. "Terrible tragedy, the cancer," he adds. He appears sincere for a moment. The moment disappears.

"Send them away. These assassination attempts are convenient excuses to shut down the X Files for the next...shall we say, six months?"

"I'll give you one month."

"We are not bargaining here, Mr. Skinner," the smoker says angrily. A fleeting emotion crosses his face. Annoyance, perhaps, that he allowed his reserve to slip.

"Scully is dying," Skinner says, showing the Cancerman the full range of his fury. He emphasizes his words with a severe blow to the desk before him.

"Is she."

A statement. Not a question.

"This...absence...is to her advantage, and Mulder's as well, Mr. Skinner."

"How long?" Skinner asks coldly.

Cancerman lightly stubs out a cigarette. He lights another, seemingly unperturbed by the tension in the room.

"How long, damn you!" Skinner growls. Menace seeps through his words. Goes unnoticed by the smoker.

"I'll have something for you - for her - when they return in *two* months' time. I see that you have more than a passing concern for Dr. Scully," the smoker observes, carefully studying his opponent's face.

Skinner glares at the Cancerman, revealing nothing of his personal feelings.

He knows that Scully is one of his best agents. He feels concern for hersafety, for her health. To vehemently deny concern now would perhaps be fatal for Scully. He allows Cancerman to think what he will. To twist and pervert a healthy respect and concern for a friend.

"Upon their return they will testify, as planned, against Julian Sparks. Their testimony, while not monumental, is quite damaging and will cause Senator Sparks to spend a great deal of time locked away. Legally, of course," the smoker finishes his speech.

"Their testimony is worth this much?" Skinner asks skeptically. "To hire an assassin and - "

"No," the smoker replies patiently. "In the long run their testimony is worth nothing. I simply need them away. They will only be in the way here."

"In the way of what?" Skinner asks. "Of whom?"

"I tell you what you need to know," the smoker replies softly.

"Bullshit!" Skinner shouts. "If I send them away," he asks, lowering his voice, "Will they be safe?"

"Yes."

"And if I don't?"

"They won't."

"She could be dead in two months," Skinner says quietly.

"Our lives are full of choices, Mr. Skinner," the smoker says casually.

"Don't make the wrong choice."