Tangled Web - by ETangled Web By E. Livingstone After receiving a few requests for a sequel to " The Price of Truth " I put this together. If you haven't read it, I'm afraid this one won't make much sense. Spoilers: Pilot, vague reference to Irresistible Rating: PG Classification: X, UST, (Mulder/Scully/Other) Summary: After trying to find Mulder his Truth, Scully has to face the consequences of having seen too much The characters belong to Fox, Chris Carter, etc..... not me. "She just kept saying, but mom it's ok we are both gonna be doctors when we grow up. We're just practicing." Dana rolled her eyes as Dr. Daniel Morris finished yet another embarrassing story from her childhood. Fox Mulder just laughed looking at her and raising his eyebrows. "She hasn't changed a bit Danny, every time I get hurt it's, Mulder drop your pants." He said, as he walked across the porch to pick up the half empty wine bottle. "Is it my fault that it's always your ass that gets kicked." She said holding out her empty glass to him. Good one Scully, he thought silently as he refilled his glass and then sat back down, "Nah, I think you just want my body" giving her a sly little grin. Looking over at Danny he said, "Now let me get this straight you and Scully lived next to each other when you were kids, then Scully's dad got transferred and she and her family moved away." "My first broken heart." Danny replied clutching his heart dramatically. "But then years later you both end up at the same college?" "Fate is a funny thing. Imagine my surprise my freshmen year to look up in biology class and see that short little red headed girl I knew had turned into a slightly taller red headed young woman." He looked over to Dana and smiled, "Kidding. I'm kidding. The truth is when I saw you walk in that room you took my breath away." Dana blushed and looked into her wine glass. "Actually, I was never the Scully that took you breath way." She turned to Mulder, "He used to beg me to bring him home with me on holidays so he could see Melissa." "Much to her fathers dismay. The man hated me." Dana interrupted,"You could hardly blame him. Especially after the incident." Mulder sat up a little straighter, his interest peaked, "The incident?." Danny, looking slightly embarrassed replied, "Let's just say it involved nudity, Dana's older sister..and way to much wine." Mulder choked on his wine as he busted out in laughter. Scully couldn't help but join him. "Her father and I made a deal, I would take care of his youngest daughter while she was away at college and I would never come near his oldest daughter, ever again. In return he would refrain from tearing me into small pieces." Danny looked at Dana seeing the sadness enter her eyes as she thought of her sister. She loved Melissa so much and to lose her so tragically, Dana had been the one to call and tell him when she died. He didn't have the words to comfort her then and he was too far away to do any thing but listen to her cry. Setting down his glass he walked over and laid his hand across her cheek, "I miss her, too." Danny stepped back, "I have a busy day tomorrow, so I'm afraid I 'm going to call it a night. I'll see you in the morning before you go, ok?" She stood and hugged him, "Thank you, for everything." "I'd say anytime, but I never want to see you on my exam table again." He said stepping back and taking her small hands in his. Then giving her a wicked grin, "Unless of course you just want to play doctor." He kissed her lightly and went into the house. Dana slowly headed down the steps of the wooden porch. As she reached the bottom, she sat on the last step, wincing slightly at the sharp little pain that stabbed at her side. Her wounds were healing nicely, but it would be awhile before she was one hundred percent. She pushed her bare feet in to the cool green grass and tilted her head back to look up in to the night sky. Mulder watched her for a minute then joined her, following her gaze up towards the heavens. They so rarely had moments like this together. Any quiet moments under the stars usually involved a stake out. "I guess tomorrow things go back to normal." "You mean normal as in chasing murders and kidnapers." She replied still looking up at the stars. "Actually, I was thinking about mutants and aliens." "So what else is new?" She laughed lightly and looked at Mulder. A cool breeze kicked up and Scully shivered, Mulder immediately took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders, resting his hands there. He expected her to lecture him on mothering her and was surprised when she reached up and placed her hand on his. Not wanting to lose that contact he sat down on the step behind her letting his long legs stretch out on either side of her. "I'm not sure I will be up to chasing anybody, human or otherwise, right away Mulder." "Well according to Skinner our first official act when we get back is to attend some big deal party for an ambassador of....I don't know ....somewhere. Anyway, we are required to attend. And I figured if your really, really nice to me, I might just escort you." "Are you coming on to me, Mulder?" She smiled tilting her head up as she leaned back resting against his chest. His mind reeled a bit at the warmth of her body against his, but his only answer was to wrap his arms around her as they both went back to looking at the stars. Holding her made him think of how close he came to losing her and the lies he had to tell to make sure she was safe. The guilt of the lies he told her weighed on his conscience. But he knew the truth would only serve to put her back into danger. His choice had been made, he would keep the secret and the only other people that knew the truth would deny it at all costs. Well, all except one man. ************************* "Your lucky, really," The man spoke harshly as he returned to face the younger man before him, "there are a lot of very dead agents that didn't get the second chance your being offered." The younger man lifted his head with some effort, bleeding from a deep gash running along his forehead. Where there had been fear and anger in his eyes now all they held were defeat. Weekly he said, "I wont hurt her." "We are not asking you to injure her in any way. All we want you to do is use your attachment, get close, make sure she doesn't know anything. She saw things she wasn't suppose to see, we have to make sure she is not going to be a threat. If she isn't, you get to have a nice reunion. And if she is.....well, we'll be the ones to kill her." "You son of a....." A flicker of anger returned the young mans eyes. But he new his answer, it wasn't like had really been given a choice. Quietly he said,"ok" "What was that?" "Yes, alright? I'll do it." He replied with a sigh of defeat. "I'll do what ever you want." "I knew you'd see things my way." Gesturing to a couple of very large men behind him he said, "get him out of here." They forcefully lifted the battered body of the man to his feet. But before the men could exit the older man crossed the room and grabbed the young man's chin, griping it tightly, so he could not look away. He spoke in an low tone, almost a whisper. "Don't disappoint me again Ty. There will not be a third chance." ************************ Fox Mulder alternated between pacing under a sky that was threatening to rain and tugging at the bow tie that was threatening to strangle him. He watched as the cars pulled up, just to be claimed by eager valet attendants. He kept hoping each car that arrived held her so they could get inside before the rain started and he wouldn't have to face every agent he knew making little snide comments about him as they passed by. "What's wrong Spooky, been stood up?" He turned toward the voice to see yet another colleague laughing at his own joke. This one was escorting his very attractive wife, who was giving Mulder a provocative look that a married woman should not give a man, other than her husband. Mulder stepped in close to her taking her hand in both of his. "Well Myers, if my date doesn't show perhaps you would let me borrow your lovely wife?" He emphasized the last two words, not taking his eyes off the woman before him. She smiled, Agent Myers did not. Removing Mulder's hands from his wife he hurriedly got her inside. Mulder just watched them go, "Just a thought." "Are you tormenting the other agents again?" He heard her soft voice behind him and he spun around. His eye met hers and held there for a moment, he hadn't yet notice her outfit but as his gaze drifted down her body he saw the long black formfitting gown with thin straps at the shoulders and long slit up the side, exposing quite a bit of leg. The corners of his mouth turned upward into a dopey grin. As she turned to get her ticket from the valet, Mulder saw that her dress scooped down to the small of her back and his grin widened. Scully couldn't help but smile back at his obvious appreciation of her wardrobe. "You like?" She asked, knowing the answer but still wanting to hear it. "Oh yeah.....yes.....very much." He replied, nodding his head. She blushed slightly at his enthusiasm and laced her arm into his as they headed inside to the party. The party was in full swing as they entered. They made their way across the ballroom mingling and drinking complementary champagne. Mulder was talking to a Senator about the space program when Scully spotted Skinner ordering a drink at the bar. By the time she made it to him he had gotten his drink and looking out across the crowded room. Seeing her approaching, he gestured for her to join him. "Agent Scully, how are you feeling ?" "Much better sir, thank you." "I'm glad." As he spoke laid a hand gently on her shoulder. Mulder noticed that Scully had wandered off and was looking for her. Spotting her with Skinner, he watched as the older man leaned in to talk to her and still be heard over the noise the ballroom. As Mulder made his way towards them, Skinner looked up from Scully. "Agent Mulder....glad you could make it." "Don't remember it being a choice, sir." Mulder replied trying to talk over music and the crowds. A slight smile crossed the Assistant Directors lips as he listened to Mulder's words. Then turning his attention back towards Scully he said, "I'm afraid Agent Mulder's becoming a bad influence on you, Agent Scully." Mulder gave a look, to say what did I do? "In the future, the only cases I want you running off on are the ones I approve, ok?" ,then directing the next sentence towards Mulder,"that goes for both of you." Skinner didn't wait for a reply, it wasn't really a question as much as an order. He finished his drink and headed into the crowd. Mulder and Scully looked at each other knowing that they had just gotten off easy. Mulder leaned in to speak into her ear. "Did I ever tell you Skinner had a full head of hair before he met me." Mulder joked. Scully just laughed, "I believe that." The party had been going for hours as Scully watched Mulder dancing with yet another woman that had dragged him out onto the dance floor. She was starting to think he had danced with every woman in the place except her. She watched the woman with her partner, as her hands moved down to rest on his hips and then moved inside his tuxedo jacket. "Bitch." Scully muttered under her breath. Feeling kind of pathetic at her jealousy and a little light headed from the champagne, she headed toward the patio to take a walk in the gardens and clear her head. As she made her way past the couples that had come out there to make out like teenagers, she found a secluded little spot by a low brick wall. The rain, that had finally come, had made the air smell clean and fresh. Dana inhaled deeply clearing her head of any lingering effects of alcohol. "You look beautiful tonight, D." The voice startled her but she new in an instant who it was and turned to see Ty standing behind her in a black tux. His dark wavy hair had been pushed back and she could see the stitches that ran along his forehead. "I didn't think I'd see you again, Ty." She kept her tone light but was surprised at the rush of excitement she felt at seeing him again. "Did you want to?" He kept his answers short and cryptic, not knowing how much Mulder had told her about him and not wanting to volunteer anything. "You went behind my back and talked to Mulder." "How much did he tell you?" "Mulder never said anything and believe me I asked. But it doesn't take a genius to figure out you told him I had gone to St. Michael's. You were the only one who knew. But if you hadn't told him, if he hadn't showed up when he did.... Well, I'm pretty sure I would have died up on that mountain. So thank you, Ty, " As she spoke she closed the space between them. Putting her hands on his chest and then with one hand reached up lightly touching his forehead. She didn't know the whole truth. Mulder had kept his secret, but why? Unanswered questions raced through his mind, but looking down at her all his questions were replaced with thoughts of how close she was, the smell of her perfume and the heat of her body. As she looked into his eyes, he remembered the day they had said goodbye to each other, the kiss hey had shared and before he could stop himself he leaned down, his lips brushing against hers. But he couldn't get rid of the memory of her wounded body laying in that big bed and knowing that he held some responsibility for her being there. And now he was here to spy on her, to gain her trust and use it against her. His conscious got the better of him and pulled away abruptly, too abruptly, avoiding her questioning eyes as he moved to the low stone wall and sat down on it. He kept his eyes averted, so she couldn't see the guilt in them. She watched him move off and covered her disappointment by saying, "Is it the dress or what? Mulder is dancing with every woman in the joint but me, and you won't even look at me." "The dress is great... your great. I have no explanation for Mulder not dancing with you, except, as I've said before he's a fool." "And your excuse?" "I'm afraid I'm even a bigger fool than Mulder." "Look .... after St. Michael's..... I thought......well is doesn't matter...I...I'd better get back." She turned, completely embarrassed, heading back to the party. She had just reached the dance floor fighting her way through the crowds when she felt his strong hand grasp her arm. "D, wait....please." he whispered into her ear. She could feel his body pressing against her back and her breath caught in her chest. "Why?" She turned to look at him, the pain of his rejection still in her eyes. "I....I was hoping for a dance. Please, D.....one dance?" Before she had a chance to answer he moved into her, taking her in his arms. They swayed slowly to the music coming from the near by band. She could feel his heart beating against her and she relaxed into his arms, resting her head on his chest. Mulder was searching everywhere for his partner. Dammit, he thought to himself, I should have just said no to those women. Deep down he knew he was just trying to get a rise out of Scully, see if he could make her jealous. But now she was gone, or at least he couldn't find her anywhere. He started to worry that she got pissed off and left or even worse, maybe she wasn't well enough to be out yet. Just as he was about to panic he saw her. Apparently she hadn't been too concerned about him dancing with other women, because she was dancing with another man. His jaw tightened as he noticed how closely they were dancing, how she clung to him, his hands resting on the bare skin of her back. Mulder moved through the crowd to get a better look and then he saw who Scully's dance partner was. It took every thing in him not rush over and beat the hell out of him. Taking a deep breath he walked over to the couple, placing a hand on Ty's shoulder. Ty turned to see who was there and his eyes went wide. "Mulder.....small world." Mulder's eyes burned into his. But his voice was even. "Mind if I dance with my date?" The look in Mulder's eyes told Ty to step away from his partner. Before Ty could answer Scully spoke up, "I mind. This dance is taken Mulder. You don't seem to have any problem finding dance partners, so...." "Scully..." Mulder turned to her. "Look Mulder, if the lady doesn't want to dance with you...." He didn't have a chance to finish his sentence before Mulder's hand came up, gripping his the front of Ty's shirt tightly. Trying not to make a scene, he glanced over his shoulder at the curious couples dancing near by, then looked back at the younger man and said in a low voice, "Can I talk to you in private?" "Mulder, what in the hell are you doing?" Scully started, looking around embarrassed. "We will just be a minute, Scully." Ty looked at Scully, feeling bad that she had been put in this awkward position, "It's ok, D, we just have a little unfinished business to take care of." "You know what, I just remembered why I haven't gone out of my way to have a man in my life." She shook her head, suddenly very tired, "You two do what ever it is you need to do. I'm going home." Both men opened their mouths to protest her leaving, but she shut them both up with a look. As she started to leave she looked back and said sarcastically, "Oh, and Mulder, thanks for a lovely evening." Mulder was torn between going after her and having it out with Ty. His decision was made for him when Ty knocked Mulder's hand away from his chest and glanced around at the all the onlookers to their little show. "Look Mulder, we can't do this here, alright. I don't think it's a good idea to air our dirty laundry in a room full of agents. Call me paranoid, but it just doesn't seem like a good plan." "Ok Ty, I'll give you one of two choices. One, you meet me in a bar downtown called O'Malley's in two hours. Two, you never go near my partner ever again. I myself am kind of partial to the second choice." With that, Mulder headed through the crowd to try and catch Scully." The Valet was holding out the keys to Scully's car when Mulder grabbed them from him. "Damn it Mulder, what are you doing?" "I'm tipping the nice man Scully." Handing the valet some money, "Shall we?" he said gesturing towards the car. She just stared at him. "Well, I have the keys so I don't see as you have much choice." Still no response. "Scully, if you don't get in this car I'm going to have to make a scene." "You wouldn't," she said glancing around at the crowded sidewalk. Looking back at Mulder and the devilish grin on his face, she knew he would do it. With out a word she got into the passenger side of her car. Mulder spent the whole ride back to Scully's apartment trying to figure out what to say to her. Scully hadn't said a word since she got in the car, she was pissed and had every right to be. It should have been a great evening with the music, dancing and that dress. He should have spent more time by her side. And Ty, why did he have to come back. He hadn't told her about Ty's connection to the people that had tried to kill her. He honestly believed that Ty wasn't to blame for her injuries, Ty had taken a big risk to try and save her. But he was back for a reason, Mulder was sure of that. Mulder looked at Scully who was staring out the car window. He wanted to tell her to stay away from Ty, but as far as she was concerned Ty was this great guy and he would just come off looking even more like a jealous psychopath if he tried to tell her who she could and could not see. Parking in front of her building , he got out of the car and went around to walk her in. "Mulder, you don't have to walk me to the door." She was still annoyed. "Scully, is there anything I could say right now, that would make you less angry?" "I doubt it. " She looked at him and could see that he really did feel bad. "I just don't get you. You spent most of the night completely oblivious to whether I was there or not, and then as soon as I'm with someone else....." "Ty isn't just someone else." He cut in , really wishing he hadn't. "Why?" She asked hoping she might finally get a straight answer where Ty was concerned. "He just isn't, ok? " "Sure...fine, I'm too tired to fight with you any more, Mulder." "I really am sorry about tonight, Scully. This wasn't exactly what I had planned, you know?" His eyes were imploring her to forgive him. ."I know, Mulder." Her voice softened, and she decided to give him a break. "Lets just forget the whole evening ever happened, ok?" "I'll try," he said with a smile. "But I don't think I'll be able to forget that dress." She gave him a look and headed inside. **************************************** As Mulder entered the smoke filled bar, the bartender looked up and pointed to the back of the bar. Mulder suddenly realized he was still wearing his tux and guessed this dump didn't often get people in formal wear. The bar tender probably figured, two guy in tuxes in one night, their probably together. Mulder made his way to the back of the bar and found Ty sitting at a back table sipping a bottle of beer. He walked up to the table and joined him. The two men just sat in silence for a moment until Ty spoke. "So where do we go from here?," Ty asked curiously. "I'm going to need some answers." "What do you want to know, Mulder? "Who sent you, for starters? "You know I can't tell you that." "But you were sent?" "They made me an offer I couldn't refuse, as they say." His voice was a mixture of sadness and anger as he ran his fingers along his scared forehead. "What do they want you to do?" Mulder asked fearing the answer. "She saw too much, got in too deep.... there is no getting around that. They want to see how much she knows. They want to know if she's a threat." "She isn't." "Yeah....well, I wish it was that simple." "It's exactly that simple, Ty. As far as Dana knows none of what she saw at St. Michael's was real. I told her that the data was faked, that it was all a hoax." "You lied to her?" Ty said, surprised. "Hey, you are hardly one to lecture me. Besides you're the one who said it Ty. After seeing those computer files, she would never be safe again." "But the evidence?" "I destroyed it." Ty broke in to a wide grin and took a drink of his beer. "I've got to say Mulder, I underestimated you." "I'm not looking for your approval." "Look, the last thing I want to do is put her back in danger. Your secret is safe with me. If she really doesn't believe, then they won't consider her a threat and I'll be able to protect her." Mulder chuckled softly, "Any particular reason I should believe you?" "You know I care about her. The truth is, I think I...." "Don't even say it. " Mulder cut him off. "Even if you think my word means nothing, I'm still going to give it to you. Yes, I was sent to spy on her, but know this, I won't let anything happen to her." Ty continued, making sure his words were understood." In three days I'll be gone, but I will be spending those three days with Dana. And you don't have any say in that. You know these people Mulder, and you know they will be watching. Your interference will only make things worse." Ty finished his beer and stood to leave. Mulder watched him stand and said, "You can't actually expect me to just sit back and do nothing." Ty dropped down putting both hands on the table and looking Mulder in the eyes. "I know you care about her, hell, I have the scars to prove it. But for her sake, leave it alone Mulder... please." He stood and left the bar. ***************************** Mulder looked up from a stack of files as Scully entered their office. She looked around reacquainting herself with everything. "Morning Mulder, what are you up to?" "My ass, in paperwork. Care to join me?" He asked pushing a stack of files towards her. "What no mutants or alien abduction?" "We can only hope.....but until then...." He smiled at her and pushed the stack closer to her. Taking the hint she picked them up and put them on a nearby table. As she sat down to start working a secretary came in with an arrangement of red roses. She gave them to Scully with a "way to go" look. Scully looked over at Mulder, thinking it may be an apology for last night. "Don't look at me." He said raising his hands. Then he thought to himself, roses, damn, why didn't I think of that. He watched her read the card and saw the smile that spread across her lips. "Let me guess, Ty?" He made no effort to disguise his disapproval. "He wants to take me to dinner tonight." The smile was still on her face and he didn't need to ask whether or not she would go. He went back to his paper work and tried desperately not to think about the two of them spending the evening together. "Why don't you just tell me what it is between you and Ty?" He looked up at her wishing he could tell her everything and knowing he couldn't. "I have a meeting with Skinner that I have to get to, we can talk later." That was not the answer she wanted and he could see she wasn't happy that he had deflected the question. He got up and left the office before she had a chance to press the issue. *********************************** "So you really think it was a hoax? How can you be so sure?" Ty asked, after Dana had told him of her belief that everything they had seen at St. Michaels had been a sham. "Mulder told me." She replied simply as she took a bite of the fettuccine in front of her. "And that's enough for you to deny everything you saw?" "Look Ty, you know how Mulder feels about this alien stuff, he can rationalize every light in the sky being some kind of gateway to the unknown. If he could look at the evidence and say it's not real, then yes I believe him, without question." Her voice held the determination she felt. He had to suppress the happiness that was building in him. He relaxed back into his seat enjoying the light music that carried through the restaurant and the way the small candle on the table set off the highlights in her hair. He couldn't help but think things were finally going his way. "Ty, can I ask you something?" She asked, bring him back. "Anything." "Mulder won't tell me where his dislike for you comes from, maybe you could fill me in. He can be somewhat territorial at times, but this seems like more than a simple case of jealousy." "Well, I wouldn't discount jealousy. He thought that you and I were......well you know what he thought.....and then when I told him that you were up at St. Michaels....." "Are you the reason he was so bruised up when he found me up on the mountain." "He started it." He said somewhat defensively. And then with a grin he reached across the table taking her hand. "I am sitting here in a fancy French restaurant with a beautiful woman. I don't want to talk about Fox Mulder." "What would you like?" "I would like to finish our dance." He stood holding his hand out to her. Taking it, she followed him to the dance floor. ******************* Mulder paced back and forth in front of his desk, Scully was late. He knew that she had got home from her date safely, because he had called late in the evening with some lame excuse about needing a file and wondering if she had it. She had, of course, seen right though him, but didn't seem too upset about him checking up on her. She also didn't volunteer about whether or not she was alone. He had spent he whole night fighting off dreams of her, in various intimate situations with Ty. He was about to try her cell phone again when she came walking in. "Good morning Mulder.........why are you looking at me like that?" "You are two hours late....the least you could have done is called." He said in a raised voice. "Well I brought a note from my doctor, if that will help." A flash of an earlier conversation passed through his mind. And with an embarrassed smile he said, "You had a doctor's appointment." "Which I told you about two days ago. "She added. "I'm sorry....I thought.....no, you don't want to know what I thought. I'm going back to my paper work now." He went to his desk and started working. He saw her wince a little as she sat down. "What did the doctor say?" He asked concerned. "He said everything is healing properly. But he thinks I should lay of any strenuous paper work for a few more days." He smiled at her, "Nice try." ***************************************** Ty was sitting on Dana's couch. Taking in every detail of her apartment. He knew there had to be surveillance devices all over the place. They would want to know what was said and not just what he told them was said. The last two days had gone perfectly. She had said everything right. And he was sure their bugs had picked up every word of it. As Dana entered the room she brought with her two cups of coffee. When she handed him the coffee their hands touched and a spark ran through both of them. There was an undeniable chemistry , but they had been doing there best to deny it. It wasn't working. Dana took his coffee back and placed it along side hers on the coffee table, then tuned back to him. He ran his hand along the side of he face and she moved to him. There lips touched lightly at first but then the kiss grew deeper, more passionate and he pulled her closer. He knew there was million reasons he shouldn't be doing this but at that particular moment he couldn't think of one. All he knew was that he was in love with her and he didn't want to stop. She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt until it hung open exposing his muscular chest. Ty's mind was screaming, this isn't right, you can't do this. Dana's mind was screaming, it's about bloody well time you did this. But then another thought went though her mind and she broke there embrace. She looked at him, he was slightly out of breath, his skin flushed and his wavy hair hung loosely across his forehead. "Do you have a...." She didn't finish the sentence and was embarrassed that she was willing to sleep with him but couldn't say the word condom to him. He knew what she meant and stammered, "No... I didn't bring anything.....I'm sorry......I didn't think.....I mean.... I didn't plan for this to happen." He realized he had just been given a reprieve, and he knew that he should be grateful, even if his body was not. "It's ok...really. Next time we'll be more.... prepared." She forced a smile, really wishing she had stopped at the drug store on the way home. She untangled herself from him and gave him back his coffee, which was now cold, and turned on the late movie. Ty wrapped his arm around her and she snuggled into his side. He glanced down at her and then around the room. He cringed inwardly realizing if they had not stopped when they did someone out there in the surveillance van would have gotten an earful. As the movie ended Dana got up stretching. "D?" "Yeah?" "Can I stay here tonight?" She looked at him, surprised. He read her expiration and added, "I was thinking about the couch." She walked over to the closet pulling out some blankets, then tossing them to him she said with a smile "Sure you were." She bent down and kissed him deeply, then stood "Good night, Ty" He watched her turn toward her room , "Good night, D." The voice was so soft it didn't wake her at first as it mingled with her dreams, but as it raised sharply she woke to an empty room. The voice was speaking in hushed tones again and she realized it was coming from the living room. She silently left her room and saw Ty sitting on the couch talking just above a whisper into a cell phone. ".....no sir, she has no idea........yes, I am aware of my duty......I have the situation under control........... look, Agent Scully is being dealt with.......tomorrow at 4:00.....I'll be there." Scully froze, a nauseous feeling building in her stomach. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted desperately to believe that what she was thinking was a mistake, but she knew this was exactly what it looked like. Ty, turned off his phone and threw it down onto the couch next to him. As he did he felt her eyes on his back. He prayed he was wrong, but as he turned he saw her , he saw the pain and confusions in her eyes. And then he saw her open her mouth. He instantly reacted, knowing he had to stop her before she spoke. Going right over the back of the couch, he dove toward her placing his hand over her mouth. His eyes pleaded with her to remain quite as he whispered " Shhhhhhhh..." He glanced around, trying to figure out his next move as Dana struggled against his grip and he knew he had to act fast. Spinning her around while keeping his hand clamped securely over her mouth, he grabbed her around the waist lifting her feet off he floor and carrying her into the bathroom. Dana kicked into empty air , her heals occasionally connecting with Ty's shin. He took her into the bathroom closing the door with his foot, as they passed through it. Dana felt the cold linoleum as her feet returned to the floor. Ty released her and she spun around to face him. Using his body he pinned her against the wall and used his free hand to turn on the radio that sat beside the bathroom sink. Then he reached in and turned on the shower. Instinctually Dana started struggling harder when she saw him turn on the shower, her mind remembering the last guy who had wanted to give her a bath. Ty could see she was starting to loose it and tried to comfort her. "D, I'm going to let you go ok, but you can't scream. Promise me?" Dana just nodded. Ty lowered his hand slowly, she remained quite, so he stepped away from her. He was about to explain his actions when her fist connected with his jaw knocking him right off his feet . He landed hard against the toilet . Dana made a break for the door, but he grabbed her as she started to open the door, slamming it back shut. She fought against the grasp he had on her arm and started yelling, "Let me go, you son of a bitch...I'm gonna..." Ty's hand clamped over her mouth, shutting her back up. Running out of options he lifted her back off her feet and carried her into the still running shower. The cold water struck her and she stopped struggling momentarily, so he let her go and took advantage of her confusion to try to get through to her. "Dana listen to me..." he pleaded with her as he grabbed her arm. "Your one of them!" She was screaming at him and pulled out of his grip trying to back up and not slip. Ty just prayed the shower and radio were enough to drown out her voice from the surveillance equipment. "What do you want with me, huh?" her anger was eclipsing her fear and she started for him, pushing on his chest as she continued yelling at him, "Did you come here to kill me, to finish what they started. Wasn't this enough..." She reached down pulling her water soaked pajama top up slightly. Just enough to reveal her abdomen and the raged scar where the bullet had gone though her." Ty stared at the scar until the guilt in him made him turn away. He couldn't let them hurt her again. He looked back at her, his eyes blazing with guilt and fear. "Listen to me. You can yell and scream at me, you can kick the shit out of me if you want, but you can't do it here. This whole apartment is bugged, D. If they know that my cover has been blown they will kill us both." Dana stopped fighting him and just stood there for a moment letting his words sink in. It suddenly made sense for them to be standing fully dressed in her shower as music blared from her radio. She pushed a lock of wet hair away from her face as she looked back at him, her expression showing that she understood. Slowly she stepped out of the shower leaving a wet trail behind her as she went into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Ty heard the click of the lock on her door and he reached down to turn off the shower. He leaned into the shower wall, laying his jaw, where she had hit him, against the cold tile. Softy he whispered, "I'm screwed." It seamed like forever before she came out of her bedroom. She had changed into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, her hair still damp. She was looking around the room, her eyes searching for the bugs that she now knew where there. "I'm going to go for a walk, would you like to come." her voice sounded almost cheerful but her expression was anything but. "Yeah sure, why not." He said trying to sound casual. Dana made a point of letting Ty see her place a gun in her jacket, she wanted him to know that she was armed. Ty made sure she knew he was not. They headed for the front door and out into the cool night air. They walked in silence for a half an hour before he was sure they were alone and could talk freely. They finally came to a stop at a little park and Ty walked over to the abandoned jungle gym, trying to figure out how to make her understand why he had done the things he did. He wasn't sure it was possible. "Was I right before, are you here to kill me?" "No...D....I would never hurt you.." "You get me to let you into my apartment, my life, hell I was ready to let you into my bed, only to find out it was all a lie. You don't think that hurts?" She yelled. "It wasn't all a lie. My feelings for you are very real. Think about it, if I hadn't accepted this assignment they would have given it to someone else. Someone who didn't care about you, who wasn't in...." he stopped himself before he said it, he could barely admit it to himself. "My life used to be simple, you know. I would do what I was told, my duty, never questioning whether it was right or wrong. I never really thought it was my place. Why couldn't you walk way when I asked you to?" His voice was angry. Dana looked at him, confused, "It was real, wasn't it, Ty? Why else would they care about what I saw. It wasn't a hoax was it." "No...I don't know....God, D...who the hell knows with these people .....maybe it was real.... maybe you saw what they wanted you to see....I just don't know any more. " Ty sat down on a nearby picnic table and ran a hand though his tousled hair. "My assignment was to make sure you're not a threat. And until an hour ago that assignment was a walk in the park." He looked up at his surroundings and smiled slightly, "No pun intended." "What about the disk?" "Mulder destroyed it." "What? But it was the proof......he'd been searching so long." She was stunned and felt like she needed to sit down. "He did it to protect you. The same reason he stayed away and let me finish my assignment, to let me prove that you didn't believe what you saw at St. Michaels and that you are not a threat to them." "He knew what you were doing?" Now she really needed to sit down and did so."My god, he knew you were spying on me and didn't tell me?" The anger was building in her. It was bad enough to be betrayed by Ty, but Mulder, she couldn't believe it. "We were just trying to protect you, D." As he spoke he reached out to touch her and she pulled away, jumping back to her feet. She turned away from him. "I can't believe I was so naive to think I could walk away as easily as I did. I went up there because I couldn't let him go, I just wanted to protect him." He could hear the sadness in her voice. "Now we are all in so deep.....where will it end?" She sat down on the other side of the picnic table her back still towards him. Ty got up and walked slowly towards her pulling some paper out of his jacket, he crossed in front of her and then squatted down so he was looking her in the eyes. He could see the tears she was trying to hold back. He didn't touch her for fear she would try to get away from him again, handing her the papers in his hands, He said, "It ends here, D." She turned the papers over knowing instantly what they were. With all the traveling she did she knew they were plane tickets. In the dim light of the street lamps she could see they were for Hawaii. "You kind of picked an inappropriate time for a romantic getaway, don't you think?" "Well, I did promise you Hawaii." He was still crouched down and he smiled up at her, wishing she would smile back. His smile faded as he continued, "Tomorrow I meet with the men that sent me here." "What will you tell them?" "Anything I have to, to make sure your safe. Then I'm going to the airport and I'm going to get on a plane and disappear. I want you to come with me." "If they don't believe you?" She asked. "Then they will kill me. And you will take that ticket and get as far way as you can." He reached for her and this time she didn't pull away. He squeezed her hands trying to reassure her, "I do have a plan you know?" "Want to tell me what it is?" "No." He said shaking his head. "The less you know the better, believe me." "I can't just run away." She said holding out the tickets. "D, even if they let me go, I can't stay here, it's too dangerous. And I can't protect you if you stay. Please, take the tickets and meet me at the airport." He got up before she could answer. Looking down at her he said, "I asked you once to run away with me, to save yourself. I'm asking you again. Meet me at the airport, D. " And with that he left. Disappearing into the night. She had been walking all night. Her feet unconsciously taking her to Mulder's door. She didn't even knock, taking out her key, she opened the door. As Dana stepped silently inside, she saw him. He was asleep on his couch, a file lying across his bare cheat. She walked over, sitting next to him and gently pulling the file away, setting on the nearby coffee table. When she turned back to him his eyes were open and he was staring at her. He could see she'd been crying. His chest tightened, oh god she knows, the thought flashed in his mind, and he could see by looking at her he was right. She saw that she wasn't going to have to explain why she came to him at the crack of dawn. He knew. The tears she was fighting to hold back spilled on to her cheeks and he sat up, quickly taking her in his arms, holding her against him tightly. She clung to him feeling the heat of his body against the coldness of hers and the smooth skin of his back under her hands. Feeling safe in his arms, she wished she could stay that way forever, but the memory of the events that lead her here pushed at her mind and she sat back. Mulder gently wiped away a tear that ran along her cheek. "You know about Ty?" He asked tentatively. "I know about everything, Mulder. Including you." Her eyes hardened a bit as she spoke. She stood and started to pace. "I wanted to tell you Scully...but I didn't want to put you in more danger. If it makes you feel any better, I've been going crazy ever since he walked back into your life." "Well, I suppose it does help explain your behavior lately." "If I thought you were in any danger from him...you know I wouldn't have let him anywhere near you." She stopped to look at him, "You believe him? When did you two become allies." "Let's just say we have common bond. I do have a little experience with being spied on, you know." He swung his legs off the couch leaning forward as he continued, "But I trust you." "It's not the same, I never lied to you about my agenda. And I didn't wine and dine you looking for information." "You could have." "Mulder...I'm serious." "So am I...come on Scully think about it, on our first case together you came into my room in your bathrobe. The next thing I know I'm telling you my life story and all you did was give me a glimpse of you in your underwear. Imagine what you could have gotten out of me if you'd really tried." He smiled at the memory and the fact her face was turning red. Shaking her head, she went back and sat next to him. She placed her hand on his, grateful that he could brighten her mood, even now. "Well luckily I found out the truth before I...really tried, as you put it. How am I supposed to know what was real and what were lies. He says he cares about me, that he wanted to protect me, but...." "The poor guy is in love with you, Scully." Dana looked at him doubtfully, "What makes you so sure?" "I know the signs." He said not quite able to meet her gaze. There was an awkward silence for several minutes, until Scully spoke. "I'm sorry you lost your proof Mulder. You didn't have to destroy it....we could have found a way." "It was the only way. I did what I had to." He squeezed her hand and then asked the question he was dreading. "Do they know?" The fear was evident in his voice. "I don't think so. Ty said he would try to protect me." "I'm sure he'll do everything he can." "He wants me to run off with him, to disappear. He says its the only way to make sure I'll be safe." Mulder fought the panic that was spreading through him. He knew that Ty was right, but the thought of her leaving him, was too much to bare. He took a deep breath, still unable to look at her, and forced himself to say, "He's probably right." It was the last response she had expected. A surge of confusion and anger filled her. Standing back up, she crossed the room and then turned back at him. "That's it? That's all your giving me? Nice knowing you, have a good trip. What happened to us being a part of each other, to me being all you have." "Do you think this is easy? You think it isn't killing me to be so noble and let you walk out of my life." He stood, his voice raised, angry that she would think he cared so little." I meant every thing I said to you. Not long ago, you faced your greatest fears to insure my safety. Is it so hard to believe that I would do the same for you." She turned away from him, not wanting him to see how his words affected her and walked over to the window, watching the sun start to show itself. "Dana, the only thing I want more in this world than you to stay, is for you to be safe." Continuing to look out the widow she spoke in a quite voice, "I don't want to go...I don't want to leave my home...or you...but I just keep seeing my mother having to bury another one of her children...I don't think she could take it. I feel like I'm in some damn spider web, and every time I move I just become more tangled up in it." She dropped her head." I don't know how to get free, Mulder." He walked over to her touching her back gently and she tuned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm just so tiered...and I can't go home..." she whispered into his chest and her body sagged a bit against his. With out a word he took her hand in his and led her into his bedroom. He had given her an oversized t-shirt to sleep in, before she crawled in to his big bed. He gently knocked as he entered to make sure she had settled in. She looked like she was already half asleep and he stood beside the bed, looked down at her and took her hand. "You have a nice bed Mulder, why don't you ever use it?" She said in a sleepy voice. "I use it, when I...uh...entertain." "Like I said, why don't you ever use it." Her eyes were closed now and a little smile passed over lips. He watched her for a moment. When he thought she was a sleep he started to leave but she gripped his hand. He looked back at her, her eyes were still closed. "Mulder?" She asked quietly. "Yeah?" Dana opened her eyes to see him hovering above her. She reached out with her free hand to him, placing a necklace in his hand. Mulder looked at the small gold cross as the rays of the morning sunrise reflected of its shiny surface. He felt a lump in his throat . "It won't be forever." Her voice was just above a whisper and he could see sleep consuming her. "Hang on to it for me until I come back for it, ok?." Her hand slipped from his as she drifted off. He stepped back from her. He was squeezing the cross so tightly in his fist that it was about to puncture his skin. He wanted to scream, to break every thing in the place. But in the end all he could do was put the necklace around his neck, feeling the coolness of the tiny cross against his chest, and walk away. When she woke he was gone. *********************** Ty walked into the room with sense of dread. He had to make this work. As he had been told, there would not be another chance. The man before him lit up a cigarette and began to speak. "Tell me Ty, how does the situation look?" "Agent Scully believes everything she saw was a hoax. I don't see any reason she would pose a threat, now or in the future." "Did you sleep with her?" "I don't believe that was in my job description, sir." Ty responded trying to remain calm. "I just was wondering if your judgment could have been clouded." "No sir." "I'm sorry Ty, much as I'd like to believe you. I think I'm going to need a second opinion." Ty froze for a second, then knowing what he had to do, he went with plan B. "With all do respect sir. My opinion is the one you will go with." The other man looked shocked that he would question his decision. Ty pulled an envelope, stained with blood out of his jacket handing it to the man before him. "Do you recognize it? It's the envelope that Agent Scully smuggled out of St. Michaels. You know the one with the disk, with all that incriminating evidence on it. I was told to destroy it but the oddest thing happened, the disk disappeared from the envelope before I got the chance. And what's even stranger when it reappeared it was in a safety deposit box." "Do you have some kind of death wish?" The man said angrily stubbing out his cigarette. "Just the opposite, sir. In the case of my untimely demise, the bank has been instructed to give the contents of the box to the press. The same applies for Agent Scully. I'm making it easy for you, sir. All you have to do is leave it alone, I'll disappear, you will never hear from me again. Your secret will stay a secret and everyone will be happy." The older man lit up another smoke and smiled. "Maybe I should call your bluff." "Try it." A cocky grin pushed a the corners of Ty's mouth, "Did you really think I wouldn't keep some insurance?" There was a long silence between them, until the older man looked up and said, "Alright Ty, I will take your word about Agent Scully, besides she's the only thing that keeps Mulder from going over the edge." He handed Ty back the empty envelope and added in a menacing voice, "But if I ever see you again, I will kill you myself and take my chances, is that clear?" "As a bell, sir" Ty turned to leave, trying to look confident as he walked towards the door. Inside he just wanted to bolt from the room as fast as his feet could take him. ******************** Ty walked trough the airport feeling like every step was getting him closer to freedom and when he saw Dana in the distance he almost broke into a run. But when he got close enough to see her eyes and that she had no baggage, his heart sank. "I was getting worried." She said obviously relieved he was still alive. "Your not coming?" He asked knowing the answer. "I can't Ty, my life is here. I won't run. If that means they will come after me...." "They won't." He interrupted. "They didn't buy my, she poses no threat speech, but when I showed him this he came around. "He pulled out the blood stained envelope and handed it to her. "I told them that I had the disk and would give it to the press if anything happened to either of us." "You mean you had the other disk this whole time?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Oh, god no.... I'm just an excellent actor." He replied with a little grin. Dana started laughing as relief washed over her. "Remind me to never play poker with you." She looked at the envelope again."Who's blood? "I cut my self shaving, it adds to the whole effect don't you think?" "Yeah, I suppose it does. So what happens now?" "This is the part where you kiss me good bye, and I leave forever." He was trying to make the moment light but he couldn't hide the sadness that was in his eyes as he reached out and touched her face. "I don't know what to say to you...to be angry or grateful...I wish things could be different...but...." He lowered his head, cutting her off as his lips met hers. She melted into him, kissing him deeply. As they parted she could see the tears in his blue eyes. He took one of the tickets from her, "I wish things could have been different, too." He said softly, then turning away from her, he headed for his plane. She stood there watching him go. "Good bye, Ty. " she said quietly. ******************************************** As the cab pulled up to her apartment she could see Mulder sitting on the steps in front of her building. She paid the cabby and without a word she walked over, sitting beside him. "How did you know I would be back?" She asked giving him a sideways glance. "Come on Scully, I know you'd never leave me". He said, leaning back against the step behind him. "There really is no need to pretend.... I know your crazy about me." "Well one of us is crazy about you, I'll give you that." He looked over at her, a huge grin braking across his face. Impulsively he sat up and kissed her on the cheek. Standing, he extend his hand to her and said, "Come on Scully, I had your apartment de-bugged for you." She stood, stepping up on one step higher than Mulder and turned so they were face to face. "You really knew I wouldn't leave?" He looked at her tenderly, "You know me Scully, always pinning all my hopes to a miracle." "You don't believe in miracles." "Didn't I tell you, I've found religion." He held out the little cross that hung around his neck. Brushing past her he headed inside. "I'm gonna want that back." She said with a smile, following him through the door. He was undoing the clasp on the necklace as he headed into her apartment. "So, you want to here about our new case?" "Our new case?" she asked following him inside. He turned to look at her, looking almost giddy, "A werewolf on a killing spree Scully." "Your kidding, right?" "He's right here in DC. They found a body this morning. Tomorrow, you can do the autopsy on ...well, what's left of the body...." She was just staring at him. The moonlight was poring through the window making her hair glow a deep shade of red. "Scully?" "I was just thinking of Ty and the South Pacific, white beaches, those drinks.....you know the ones with the little umbrellas...I could have gone you know? I really could have." "What and leave all this?" He said waving his hands around dramatically. In one hand hung her necklace. He stepped up to her and reached around her neck replacing the chain. There eyes met. "How did you know I wouldn't leave?" She said softly, wanting a real answer from him. His hand trailed down the chain till it reached the cross. He fingered it, then looked into her eyes again, "I didn't know..... I just hoped." He gave her a little smile and walked over to her stereo, slipping in a CD. "I owe you something, Scully." He walked back to her and the stereo started playing Van Morrison's 'Moondance'". As the music picked up he grabbed her hand spinning her around a couple of times then pulling her into his embrace. She giggled against his chest. Then, looking up into his eyes, her smile widened and she said, "You know Mulder, there's no such thing as werewolves." He laughed and then suddenly dipped her low. "Good to have you back, Scully." Pulling her back up into his arms, they continued dancing in the moonlight. THE END I would love some feed back. Please send to Exduck@llano.net Back to the Fan-Fic