UNTITLED, PART VIII

With one raised eyebrow, Jared did as he was asked and sat back, wondering what this was all about.

“Scully, would you like to begin?” Skinner shot her a glance and she nodded, turning toward Jared.

“Jared, you know that I was involved with the FBI before, as I told you. However, the X-Files was not the only thing my hus...Mulder worked on.”

“You told me he had been involved in VCS. From what I personally know of Mulder, he never went back to that section...he stayed with the X-Files, right?”

“Yes...but the other work he did was strictly off the record. I told you about what the X-Files were made for - they contained unsolved, open-but-inactive cases involving UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and a government cover-up to conceal this knowledge. I’m sure you’ve heard the story of Mulder’s sister, Samantha?”

Jared nodded, and Scully continued. “Mulder made it his personal quest to find his sister, and find and expose the men who had taken her. That has been the driving force behind this whole thing for all these years. Only he found a hell of a lot more than he bargained for, and set out to get proof of everything we've seen and experienced, if only to gain leverage against the ones responsible for her abduction. Over the years, Alex Krycek has also been involved, only on the other side. He works for what is known as the Syndicate...a secret government that absolutely runs the world. No one knows about it, except for a select few, although many suspect. It has roots in FEMA. However, nothing is left of this group, really, except one man -we once found out his name, but we’ve always referred to him as the cigarette-smoking man. Krycek works for him, although he is by no means a trust-worthy person.” She took a deep breath. “The syndicate’s main job was to prevent an alien invasion that has been plotted since before cavemen walked the earth. The group almost didn’t succeed a few times, but in reality, all they were doing was postponing invasion, not preventing it. Eventually, the deal was that they had to supply one member from each of their families to be taken. They were given an alien fetus to use for genetic experiments, but instead, they began working on a vaccine against a substance that affects anyone it attacks, a black, oily material...if the aliens used this against us, which they will when they invade, the entire human race, or those chosen to be exposed to it, will become virtual incubators for the alien progeny. I myself fell victim to this virus...” She stopped again. “My god, there’s so much we need to tell you...”

Jared looked at his hands, completely bewildered. He believed in aliens and the like, but what the hell was going on? He decided to wait until they had finished talking with him and see what they had in store.

“Anyway,” she continued, sighing as she swallowed back her tears, “Alex Krycek is also the man who killed my sister and my husband, as well as that White House employee.” She looked down for a second, tears beginning to streak down her face in salty tracks. He stared blankly at her.

“He is? Can we prosecute him for that?”

She shook her head no. “There was never any evidence against him or anyone else at any of the scenes. Because of Mulder’s work, and because his father had originally been one of the Syndicate, they were afraid to kill him at first. He has too many silent allies who were willing, sometimes grudgingly, to help him when he needed it. To get back at him, however, many times the Syndicate lashed out and hurt someone close to him, or when he got too close to uncovering the truth, they didn’t hesitate to kill to keep it a secret. I was one of those people, and I still am. Early on, about a year after I joined Mulder on the X-Files, I was abducted for a month, maybe more. Not by aliens, as he originally thought, but by this secret government. When I came back, and woke up in a hospital, no one knew what sort of medical problems I had, or would have later. I found a computer chip implanted in the base of my neck, and after I had it removed, I developed a cancerous tumor that was inoperable. I thought I would eventually die from it. When Mulder found another chip, he explained to me that that was what had caused the cancer in the first place, and I had to have it re-implanted, which sent the cancer into remission. Later on, it was discovered that I was infertile...we theorized that while I had been abducted, I had been subject to a series of procedures where they harvested all of my ova save a few. And I was not the only woman who this happened to. There are so many more...but Mulder soon found out that the ova were being used to create clones. We had no idea why that was at first until he shot a man, and almost died from exposure to his blood. This led to a series of events where we found that the clones were being used to try and create alien/human hybrids. Alien blood is toxic to humans...or so we’ve seen. The hybrid experiments were the alien race's requirement of the Syndicate. As soon as a hybrid was created, invasion would begin.”

Skinner took over from there. “Do you understand anything we’ve told you so far?”

“I think so. Basically you’re telling me that the government isn’t really the government and that this secret government is hurting the people for it’s own ends when it is supposed to be saving us? And that we're at risk of an alien invasion.”

Skinner sighed. Jared's tone of voice understandably held incredulity and confusion. “I know that it’s all hard to accept. The original idea of the Syndicate is not necessarily evil, and Mulder’s father was the one who suggested that they take their time creating hybrids so that they could work on a vaccine. However, some of these men became obsessed with their power, and used it to their advantage. This is the reason why we are fighting them. Mulder's quest shifted from just finding his sister to seeking and destroying the powers that have harmed so many, especially Scully. There is so much more to tell, but we’ll have to save that for another time. I can tell you, however, that Agent Scully was assigned to the X-Files originally to debunk Mulder’s work. Scully used to be a total scientist and a skeptic,” he said with a small, sad smile.

“I still am a scientist, Skinner. I just believe in a lot more than I used to.”

“So, basically what Agent Scully and I want to ask you for is your help. Before Mulder died, he made an elaborate plan to continue his work. Scully is now in his place, and she’s in danger.”

“In danger how?”

“The syndicate knows where I am. Mulder sent me and our son into hiding two years ago when his situation became increasingly precarious. We were to stay until he had completed his work, but...that didn't happen yet. They know that I have some sort of idea of what Mulder has gathered so far against them, although they don’t know that I’m the one they need to fear most right now. Worse, they want my child. I’m not sure why, but I imagine for leverage against me, as well as the fact that he was born even after they stole my ova and Mulder and I were exposed to so many extraterrestrial viruses....if they take him, I’m not sure what they’ll do to him...” Her voice broke and wavered slightly.

Skinner took her hand across his desk. “Scully, we aren’t going to let that happen. Right now, William is safe, and we’re all working to make sure he stays that way.” She smiled gratefully, and then Skinner turned toward Jared.

“Jared, I’m not sure you knew this, but Mulder singled you out a long time ago as his potential protégé. He saw in you someone who might eventually help him. Are you willing to try and fight this? It’s a silent, dangerous war and you will be in a position where you will constantly have to lie to your superiors and basically live two separate lives. It’s not an easy job, and it's most definintely a dangerous one, but if Mulder felt you could do it, then so do we.”

Jared looked dumbstruck for a second, then he sat back and rubbed his temples. He was in awe of these people and their story, and how much Mulder meant to them, both as a friend, and to Dana as a husband, but also as a commander. Even though he was gone, his opinions still mattered a great deal to them, and they were determined to carry out his plan until it was done. Now they wanted him to become a key figure...

“I don’t know what to say...to tell you that I am in absolute awe is a serious understatement. I’m honored that Mulder thought of me like this, and I want you to know that I’m more than willing to undertake this and do whatever I can.”

“Are you sure, Jared? The whole reason that I’m in Espionage is so that I can help the people on Mulder’s side escape capture. Had Skinner not told me about Mulder’s ideas, I too would have had to lie to you and challenge your trust all the time. It’s very, very dangerous. And you could lose your life...this is incredibly serious.”

“Dana, you need as much help as you can get... you’re my partner, and in being so, we’re required to help each other and be there for each other. I don’t care if it’s FBI work or this work...I’m here to help you.”

Scully sighed deeply. “Thank you. Skinner was saying earlier how he wanted to make sure there was someone close who I could rely on, and we decided that you were that person, especially after you went after Krycek.”

Skinner stood up and shook Jared’s hand. “Welcome to the team, Jared. Right now, I want you to follow Scully home and make sure the Lone Gunmen are there before you leave. Scully, please brief him on what he’ll need to know.” Scully nodded.

“Lone Gunmen?” asked Jared.

“I’ll explain on the way to the parking lot...Goodnight, Skinner. And thank you again for your help.”

He smiled. “That’s my job, Scully. I’ll see you both on Monday morning.” He already felt that she was safer, and watched them go. Then he decided he should call the Gunmen and let them know about the delay. Frohike, especially, would be worried. When he was finished making the call, he straightened up his office, locked up, and headed home.

The two agents made their way slowly to their office, not wanting to take the elevator after the latest fiasco. They finally arrived, talking all the way about what had happened, but careful to not discuss any of the secret work until they were alone. They grabbed their coats and keys, and left.

The parking lot was well lit, but even so, Scully offered to drive Jared down to where his own car was parked. He agreed and they started toward Scully’s car.

Suddenly both agents hit the ground, Jared shoving Scully down and covering her, as a single gunshot was fired. They stayed down and struggled to get behind the car to use it as a blockade as several more shots were fired after them. Chips of blacktop went flying as Jared drew his gun and shot around the side of the car. Scully followed suit and drew her gun as well, firing her entire clip. Whoever was shooting at them decided it was time to get out of there, and a seemingly parked car sped out of the lot, tires squealing.

"Shit!" Jared exclaimed, as he drew his hand back and clutched it to his chest. She crawled over to him in time to see the blood begin running down his wrist.

"Here," she all but yelled over the screaming of the tires, "Let me see." She reached for his hand and slowly, carefully, extended it.

He groaned as hot, jagged pain worked its way up his arm. "There's...there's a handkerchief in my front pocket..." he gasped out. Scully threw back his overcoat, reached for the piece of cloth in his front pocket, and began cleaning some of the blood off the wound. It was then she saw the sharp piece of blacktop sticking out of the deep cut in his palm.

"Hang on...this is probably going to hurt a hell of a lot..." She gritted her teeth, grasped the rock, and yanked it out quickly and cleanly. His only reaction was a tensing of his body at the sharp pain.

"Thanks," he replied weakly.

"Just be thankful it wasn't a bullet wound, Jared...I think you should come back to my place so I can stitch you up, if it needs it." She wrapped the handkerchief tightly around his hand and looked around.

They got slowly to their feet and surveyed the damage done. It wasn’t as bad as she thought; there was only one bullet hole in the bumper of Scully’s car. The rest had gone over and into the blacktop.

“Shit,” was all Jared had to say. “Are you okay?” Scully shot him a look that seemed to say “Told you.”

“Yeah, I’m alright. How about you, other than the hand?”

“I’m okay. Maybe we should go in one car. This way one of us can look out to see if we’re being tailed.”

“Good idea. I don't think you should drive for a little while anyway. I can have one of the Gunmen take you back to your place, or even back here to pick up your car and drive you home.”

“Alright, doc. Let’s do that, then.”

Neither of them wanted to admit how much the incident had frightened them.

Scully opened her door, unlocked his, and sat down with a sigh. “That was a little too close.”

“Yeah, it was,” he agreed as he sat down and buckled up. “But it seemed like they were missing us on purpose...like, sort of a warning or something.”

She nodded and started the car. On the way to her apartment, they talked about everything he would need to know and do. When she mentioned Frohike doing a weekly check of his apartment, car, and the office for bugs, he smiled and said, “You guys don’t miss a thing, do you?”

She gave him a half-smile. “I wish we didn’t have to take so many precautions. But it’s necessary. We can’t live our lives in fear, but we have to take extreme caution. They could pick us off anytime they feel like it. Tonight was a prime example, and it’s going to intensify, which is why we need to work fast. Skinner will contact you privately from time to time with extra things. Like, he may need you to do a stake-out one night for one of their people, or he may just need to fill you in on some new information he received from one of the contacts.”

“So, we’re not actively, physically involved in this?”

“From time to time we’ll have to be. I believe Skinner needs us to go back into the Pentagon, which was Mulder's last plan of action before he...before he died. But right now, our purpose is to carry and relay information and to keep control of the whole situation. It’s not a lot at the moment, but it’s the most important and crucial. Also, it’s hard to be so completely involved in this and keep our positions in the FBI as well.”

“That’s true. What will I need to know? And what sort of information will I be a party to?”

“Everything that I know will eventually be passed on to you. And anything that we come across is made known to us first, then we decide who needs to know what. There was a Native American man named Albert Hostein. A few years ago, Mulder was given a file taken straight from the Department of Defense. It contained the entire file dealing with everything from Roswell to the present day. The man who passed it on was eventually murdered. What we didn’t realize was that the file had been encrypted in ancient Navaho. Mulder flipped out because he thought someone was pulling a major prank, but I calmed him and eventually found someone who could read it. That person was Albert. He had been an original coder during the Second World War because Navaho was the only language that the Nazi forces couldn’t break. Then came Roswell, and the beginning of this file. Albert memorized the whole thing while it was in our possession, and in the tradition of his people, he passed it on to several other men in his tribe. He still worked with us as well, before he passed on, especially when we needed information from those files. He translated as much as he could for us before he slipped into a coma, and now we work with one of the other men whom he passed the files on to. Eventually, when we’ve gathered enough, we’ll go public with as much of it as we feel is necessary, kill or silence the smoking man and anyone who works for him, and vaccinate the public against the black oil, hopefully, without their knowledge. And, of course, prepare against the Invasion. These are our major goals.”

“But how do you place a man like him in custody? He must be the most powerful man in the world, and yet he remains nameless. Not to mention that it seems most of his actions are government-sanctioned.”

“I know. It’s difficult to understand at first, but the more you think, the more sense it makes. There are still some key pieces that I don't understand. Skinner was right when he said I was a skeptic. I still have trouble believing half of this, and yet, here it all is...right under my nose.”

They arrived at Scully’s, only to find the huge VW bus taking up three parking spaces and an anxious Frohike waiting outside.

“Scully...finally!” He raced down the steps and hugged her tight. “I was so worried.”

“Hello, Frohike. This is Jared Crighton. Jared, Frohike.” The two men shook hands. “Did Skinner fill you in?”

“Yes, we’ve all heard. Welcome to our world, Jared.” Jared looked confused, but he smiled anyway, and they made their way into Scully’s apartment.

“We ran into a little trouble on the way over,” Scully informed Frohike.

Immediately concerned, Frohike asked, “What sort of trouble?”

“Skinner told you about that piece of shit excuse for a human being.” Her eyes flared with blue fire.

Frohike nodded, amazed that Scully had uttered anything close to an expletive. Jared was equally surprised, but then remembered that she was speaking of the man who had murdered her husband. Without thinking, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and smiled, much to Frohike’s amusement. “Anyway, Jared was walking me to my car, when someone started shooting at us...we ducked behind my car and started shooting back, but they got away.”

“Just as well,” muttered Frohike. “Are you alright? Both of you?”

“We’re fine, don’t worry. Just a little shaken up, I guess. Jared got his hand injured, though, so I need to get my medical bag.”

“I’m glad that the rat-boy is in custody...I’ll call Skinner to let him know you’re here, and what happened.”

Scully handed him her cell phone, and he placed the call immediately. Needless to say, Skinner was concerned, but relieved that they were safe and being watched over. They arrived at the apartment and saw that Langley was already making himself quite at home with the TV on and a glass of something in his hand while Byers paced nervously from one end of the living room to the other. Scully smiled at the sight as Langley just finished saying that he was sure they were alright, and could Byers please stop pacing now. They both looked up as the three of them walked in.

“Scully!” Byers cried. “What took so long?”

“It’s a long story...I’ll tell you all about it later. Thanks for staying, guys.”

Byers walked over and gave her a quick hug, then blushed. “It’s no problem. We just want to make sure you stay safe.”

She smiled. “Oh! This is my partner, Jared. Jared, this is John Byers, and Langley.” Byers shook his hand lightly, seeing the bandage, and welcomed him, and Langley waved and said hello from the couch.

“Well, how was the apartment? Anything out of the ordinary?”

“Nope. Everything’s right as rain.”

She breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Jared. They exchanged a smile, then she excused herself to find her medical bag.

"So, now you've gotten to see all the sides of Scully..." Frohike laughed.

"I'm a little worried about this stitching thing..."

"Nah, don't worry...she's gentle as a lamb."

At that moment, Scully returned, black bag in hand. She led him over to the dining room table, laid out a clean cloth, rolled up his sleeve and stretched out his hand. "Do you want Novacaine, or should I just get right to work?"

"Um..." He hesitated and winced as she removed the makeshift bandage and began cleaning the wound, gently checking for any more debris..

"Trust me, you want the Novacaine..." Frohike was hanging over his shoulder, ready to watch the whole thing.

Before he could reply, Scully was already loading up a syringe. His knees felt watery, but he nodded and waited patiently as she gently swabbed an area around the wound and administered the painkiller. She then set to work, and before he realized it, she was finished.

He looked down at his hand, amazed at how precise and perfect the stitches were, still feeling her gentle hands on his. "Thanks." It was all he could manage, and somehow, it was enough.

She smiled at him. "You're more than welcome. It's the least I could have done..."

She sent him into the living room as she cleaned up the mess on her table, and joined the four men a few minutes later, carrying five glasses and a bottle of wine. They settled in and began discussing what news there was, as well as filling Jared in on a few details that Scully had missed.

By the time they were finished it had gotten late. Langley was snoring on the couch and Frohike looked like he was ready to collapse. Even Byers was yawning heavily. Scully and Jared exchanged a glance. How was he going to get back to his car?

“I can call a cab...its no big deal.”

“Oh no. Not after what happened tonight. It’s not much, but you can stay here. I have a guest room with two beds and the couch pulls out, and Skinner wants these three to stay here anyway.”

“Are you sure? I mean...I don’t want to impose or anything...”

“Of course I’m sure! Jared, in the past couple of days, you’ve been my rock. It’s the least I can do, and besides, I never thanked you for before. You very possibly saved my life while we were being shot at...”

“You’d have done the same for me...” he said, blushing slightly. They left the Gunmen in the living room and went into the kitchen.

“At first, I was worried about having a partner because of all the illegal things I’d have to be doing. Now I’m glad that I have one...” She smiled at him.

“I’m glad, too,” he said. “I never in a million years thought I’d be involved in something like this. Wow. When I said that I wanted something new and exciting to do, I never thought I’d get more than I bargained for.”

“It’s going to be really rough going. Just based on what I did earlier in my career, I know that this is going to be tough work. But I think we can handle it...if I could just get past the whole feeling I have of newness. I’ve never been so nervous in my life...”

“Well, it’s only to be expected. You haven’t done this in a while. You’ll get back into the whole routine soon enough. And I have to say, you’re awesome with a gun.”

She laughed. “Thanks...I guess my reflexes kicked in a little late back there, but I’m glad I could be of some help.”

“Always.”

Scully finished up in the kitchen and they walked down the hallway toward the guest room. On the way, hanging on the wall, was a picture of Mulder, Scully and William when he was about two years old. Jared stopped to look at it.

“And I guess that that’s William?”

“Yup. My angel.”

“He looks like a great kid. How old is he now?”

“He’ll be five in May.”

“Ahhh, kindergarten time soon.”

She smiled. “Yeah. He’s getting so big. I only get to talk with him about once a week now, but he’s adjusting to my mother’s house really well. And Frohike goes out there once a week to check for bugs and stuff like that. William adores Frohike.”

“I remember seeing him just once when he was really little, a bit younger than that photo, even. You must’ve brought the little guy down for a visit. Mulder was toting him around with such a proud grin on his face...” He stopped short when he saw her eyes brimming with tears. “Oh my god, Dana, I’m sorry. I totally was not thinking...”

She covered her mouth with her hand and shakily composed herself. She took a deep breath before she spoke.

“No, no, it’s alright...I really have to start getting over all this. I just keep thinking that if I throw myself into my work that everything will be alright and I won’t have to think about anything...but that’s not exactly true...it just doesn’t work like that...” Her voice broke and she was dangerously close to losing it all over again, so he just pulled her into his arms in a tight hug. He never knew what to do when someone cried, but he figured that she needed a friendly touch.

He was right, for she hugged him back fiercely, burying her face into his chest and trying very hard not to let her emotions win her over this time. He stroked her hair and just let her hang on for dear life until she felt better and had a handle on herself. Finally she pulled away and smiled up at him, brushing away the stray tears.

“Thanks. I needed that.”

“No problem. I’m always here for you.”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek, then led him to the guest room. “With luck, you’ll end up with Byers in here. He’s the most thoughtful, quiet person I know. But the boys have to duke it out and see who gets what. Some things will never change,” she said with a sigh. She could already hear the arguing starting in her living room. Thank goodness they didn’t get physical or else she’d have a real problem.

It was finally decided that Byers would share the guest room, Langley would get the pullout couch, and Frohike was stuck with the shorter one.

“Sorry, man...you’re the shortest...”

“Shut up, you long-haired freak...”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah...narc.”

“Could you guys PLEASE stop it? It’s already done! Who cares?” Byers did his best, but there was no overpowering the other two. He shot Scully a glance that said, “You see what I have to live with?”

Scully rolled her eyes and laughed, then announced that she thought it would be in everyone’s best interest if they made up the beds and went to sleep. It was almost 3 am, and she found herself thanking whoever was listening that it was a Friday night. After they got the beds all made up, they all went around checking every window to make sure they were all locked, and then Scully went and double-checked her front door, too, just to make sure. Then they all said goodnight and went off to their rooms.

Scully closed and locked her door with a deep sigh, slightly embarrassed that she had almost broken down in front of Jared. She hated doing that more than anything, and now the poor guy would probably be overly careful about what he said whenever they talked. She changed into her pajamas and slid under her covers, too tired to move. This was far different from the past two years. There were days when she was close to going stir-crazy for lack of something to do. William had helped her through some of that, though. She became so busy finding new things for him to do that she often forgot her own boredom. And there were times where Mulder needed her help with a file or something medical, and that had helped, too. Now she was just plain exhausted. She felt out of the loop, which drove her crazy, but she knew it would be only a matter of weeks before she was pure FBI again. Well, not so pure, but she didn’t want to think about that at the moment. What she wanted most was sleep, and because she knew Mulder wouldn’t come to her that night, she finally drifted off.



End, Part VIII