Chapter 2: Files
Friday. 11:30 PM
Mulder’s Apartment
Amanda reached for the last slice of pizza, but changed her mind and sat back down on the floor against the couch instead.
“I’ve eaten way too much.” She took a long gulp from her soda. Mulder lay on the couch above her.
“Scully would hate this mess.” He said with mock gravity. Amanda smiled. That had to have been the fortieth time he had mentioned her name in the last few hours.
“She’s not the way I remember her.” Amanda remarked, she knew that she had caught Mulder’s interest because he sat up.
“I know nothing about your relationship. How well do you know each other?”
“Not as well as we used to. I hadn’t seen her for five years before now.” Amanda sighed and lay back against the edge of the couch.
“She never mentioned any English family.”
“We’re not English really. My mother was Dana’s mother’s sister. My father was a pilot in the US Air Force when they met. They married after having known each other for two months and I was born eight and bit months later. Aunt Margaret and my mother were very close and I was an only child so I often went to play with Missy. I was closer to her than I was to Dana, she was always out playing with those irritating brothers of theirs. Missy and I stayed home with our dolls.” Amanda laughed. “I did play with Dana sometimes, and that was special because I was glad that she let me. I remember sitting in her room as she showed me the stars through Charles’ telescope.”
“The stars?” Mulder questioned suddenly. Amanda turned to look up at him. He took a long gulp from a can of soda.
“Yes – she loved looking up into the night sky.” Amanda sat back against the couch again. “I remember her telling me about the Dog Star, Sirius. She started off telling me about tales of people coming to this planet from there” Mulder choked on his soda. Amanda jumped up and looked at him in concern. His coughing fit calmed and he motioned that he was okay and that she should continue. She sat down on the floor again, her eyes still flicking to him in concern. “Where was I?” She asked.
“Visitors from space.” Mulder informed her huskily, past occasional coughs.
“Right. Dana didn’t believe any of those stories, of course.”
“Of course.” Mulder repeated quietly.
“She was more interested in the astro-physics of the star.”
“That figures.” Amanda smiled, but pretended not to have heard. She moved the subject away.
“We left for England when I was twelve years old because Dad was put in charge of some new project in England. It was lonely and cramped for a spoilt little girl who was used to a big family and wide-open spaces. I got really close to my mother because of it. I missed my family terribly, especially Missy and Dana. I wish I had been able to make it over for Missy’s funeral.” Mulder squeezed Amanda’s hand bringing her back to the present. She smiled at him.
XXXXXX
The Carlson House.
England. 9 AM
“If you wont tell me anymore then where can I go to find out? Where was Amanda working?” Scully asked. She was sat at the table in the kitchen of the Carlson house.
“Leave it alone Dana-love. You shouldn’t have come here.”
“I just want to help Amanda.” Daniel Carlson laughed bitterly.
“Then go back home and help her lose herself.” His expression was grim. “It’s the only thing you can do for her.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Then you’re being very naive Dana-love. These people would kill her just for being at that dig, let alone for the items in her possession. If I had thought that anything could be done I’d have tried to trade the photos for her life, but they want her dead.”
“Why did you send her to *me*?” Scully had been dying to ask the question. Carlson looked her straight in the eye and answered grimly.
“I know what you do Dana. I know all about you and Fox Mulder.” Scully bit back a gasp. “I probably know more about you than you do.”
“How? What do you know?”
“I was Air Force liaison with an Anglo-American group investigating UFO’s.” He stated grimly. Scully stared at him, her shock was evident.
XXXXXX
Saturday. 3 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
The light from the computer screen flickered across Amanda’s face as she scanned the words. Mulder watched the play of light, fascinated – even as he questioned just what on Earth she was doing. She had left him sleeping, or thought she had.
“What are you doing?” He said suddenly into the darkness of the room. Amanda jumped and turned to face him. Her expression was a picture of guilt. <Damn She looks so much like Scully, especially in the low light>
“I thought you were asleep.” She said accusingly.
“I don’t sleep.” He stated simply. He moved to look at the screen but she tried to stop him. He shot her a look that he’d learnt from Scully – one that spelt out that he was not in a mood to be messed with.
“It’s just an email. From a friend of mine in England.” She said quietly as she stepped aside. Mulder grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.
“Are you totally stupid? Don’t you know that they can trace you through these things.”
“I *know* that. I sent it via a roundabout network of people.” She drew a breath and pulled away from him. “I know there’s a big risk but I *needed* this information.”
Mulder concentrated on the screen. The note read:
< Hi Little Dove.
I analyzed the rock sample but it’s a real puzzle. I can’t find a match for it on any of the databases. The metal too – nothing. Some of the materials present in them are not found on this planet. Having said that I also cross-checked with meteorites and samples of rock from other planets in the solar system – nothing.
I handed the pic to a friend who’s a language expert. He tried to match the patterns to all known language systems, (current ones, dead ones, cave paintings, everything we could think of) but came up empty.
I’ve included the full composite breakdown if that’s any help, but I’ve never seen anything like this.
Don’t lose touch. >
“What sample is he talking about?” Mulder asked when he’d finished reading. Amanda sighed and took the pendant from around her neck.
She handed it to him.
“We found it around the neck of one of the skeletons.” She walked to the couch, leaving him standing there gently examining the pendant. She sat down. “By the end of the third day we’d uncovered six skeletons – the last one wearing that. I had planned to stay late at the site with my friend Christine, but we found that thing. I went instead to see the guy who sent that email to get him to analyse it for me. Christine died that night. Someone killed her, burnt the skeletons and all our notes. I should have been there – I should have died too. Now I have to know why they killed her. I want to know the truth.” She paused but didn’t look up. Mulder moved to sit next to her on the couch. “I left England the next day. I needed those test results. I needed the proof that they were alien skeletons and not just a faked up picture.”
“What are you going to do?” He asked.
“I thought you’d be the person to talk to about that.” She looked up at him and he could see the unshed tears in her eyes. “I noticed the shelves full of books on aliens.” She smiled, or at least it was nearly a smile.
“I saw my sister abducted.” He answered simply. She nodded as if he had said something completely normal. It knocked him back. People had reacted with derision and disbelief before but no one had ever accepted it with this normality.
XXXXXX**
11 AM
Former Dig Site
England
Scully drew her rental car up at the construction site entrance. It did not look anything like an archaeological dig, it was now just a building site. Concrete foundations for the road had already been laid. On one area of the site a small group of protesters were arguing with a policeman. Their banners and signs said things like ‘Road built on lies’, ‘You can’t bury the truth’ and ‘Alien graveyard’. Scully raised her camera and took a picture – Mulder would like those signs. A man with a tired expression approached her as she got out of her car.
“Reporters aren’t allowed on the site.” He informed her.
“I’m not a reporter. I’m looking for a friend of mine – Amanda Carlson.” The man stiffened slightly.
“You’d better talk to them.” He told her brusquely, gesturing towards the protesters. “She was one of them.” He walked off before she could anything else.
Scully was watched with scepticism as she walked over to the group. She had dressed in her jeans and a sweatshirt so that she would not attract too much attention, now she was glad of it. She approached the man holding the ‘Alien graveyard’ sign.
“Hi. I’m Amanda Carlson’s cousin…” She began.
“I haven’t seen her.” He answered dismissively. “I’ve no idea where she is.”
“That’s okay because I know.” Scully replied and watched in amusement as his gaze fixed more firmly on her. He looked her up and down with curiosity and finally nodded.
“Okay. Meet me in the cafe just back down the road at 2 PM.” Scully nodded and went back to her car.
XXXXXX***
9 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
Mulder stared at the pendant lying in his palm. He and Amanda were still sat on the couch. He didn’t know why but he’d told her about Samantha, about his father, about everything. It had just poured out. She had just listened without passing any judgements.
“Staring at it’s no good.” She told him. “It doesn’t help you find any meanings.” She laughed. “I know what I’m talking about. I’ve stared at it for hours.”
“I’m thinking about all the people that I’ve lost.” He said as an answer.
“Don’t wallow in it Mulder. They’re in a better place.” She paused. “If I didn’t believe that then I would have no strength to go on. I’ve lost my mother, my best friend and I might as well have lost my father too. I’ll probably never see him again.”
“When did your mother die?”
“Five years ago. That was the last time I saw Dana. Mum asked for her especially to come out and see us.” Amanda paused and looked at Mulder. “My mother saw things that other people didn’t. The dreams were the worst. She’d wake me up with her screaming when I was little. It got better when we moved to England – I think that’s why she wanted us to stay there even after the Air Base closed.” She looked away. “She didn’t tell me what she dreamt of until that week before her death. She was bed-ridden by then. Dana and I took her up some tea and she asked us to sit with her. She told us that her dreams had always been the same. She would see a fox being chased across miles of countryside by faceless men. They would catch him and let the hounds tear him apart. Then when he was nearly dead they would put a bullet through his skull. Mother was terrified because she did not just see the fox and the men, she could see Dana. She was crouched in a hole in the ground along with two other woman. She described the first as pretty with short brown hair and the second as very tall with red hair, like Dana’s. We were crouching in a hole in the ground while the fox got killed by the men. She was scared for us. She kept saying that “the fox” wouldn’t be able to protect them.” Amanda looked up at him again. The laser intensity of her eyes – so much like Scully’s – caught and held his. “I know what she meant now. You’re the fox and one of the other girls must be your sister.”
Mulder stared incredulously at her. He did believe in fate.
“Do you dream Mulder?” She asked.
“I don’t sleep.” He told her defensively.
“Why don’t you sleep?”
“Because …” He decided on continuing honesty. “…all the people – the people I’ve lost – they visit me. I think they mean well, but it drives me crazy.” His laugh was hollow even to his own ears. Amanda hugged up to him, which shocked him out of his reverie, but after a moment he hugged her back.
**********
2:01 PM
Maria’s Cafe. England.
Scully sat in a small booth nursing a coffee. It was dishwater thin and disgustingly bitter. She was just wishing that she had asked for a mineral water when the man from the protest walked in with two girls. The girls made their way to the counter, but the man came over to Scully and sat down opposite her.
“My name’s Dana Scully, I’m Amanda’s cousin.” She told him.
“I’m Peter Whitehead. I worked with Mandy on the dig. Is she okay?”
“She’s safe for now.” He didn’t ask where she was.
“What do you want from me?” He asked bluntly.
“Information.” Scully answered. “What happened to the skeletons?”
He laughed bitterly.
“They were all destroyed in the fire, along with all the field notes and with my fiancee.” Scully blanched.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He shrugged nonchalantly, but Scully could still see the pain he was trying to hide.
“We had some partially uncovered skeletons but when got there the next day the trenches had been filled back in and the contractors were already mixing the concrete.” He rolled his eyes. “The police said that the fire was caused by Christine knocking over her candle, but we’re not stupid. We all *knew* what we found and we could guess who might have killed her to protect their lies. When Amanda ran we knew for sure how dangerous it was. They sent most of us home. Some of us stayed to try and make people listen to us.” He laughed bitterly. “You would not believe the amount of people who worked on this dig who have died or been injured in the last few days. Of course there’s nothing to link their deaths. They were all accidents – pure random chance. With our record for random chance over the last few days we should have been buying lottery tickets, we’d have all been millionaires by now.” The expression on his face might have been intended as a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. “They’re not gonna stop us. The truth has to be told.”
“You remind me of someone I know.” Scully remarked wryly.
“You know that you’re talking to the wrong person.” He told her. “The one you need to question is your uncle. There was talk of a crashed UFO around here about nine or ten years ago. It was Daniel Carlson who turned up on TV denying it, but turning up half a dozen *not human* skeletons in a field on what used to be an Air Force base kind of suggests that it might have been true.”
XXXXXX**
10 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
Amanda woke up to find herself hugged up on the couch next to Mulder. It took her a moment to recover her bearings. The peaceful expression on Mulder’s face was almost a joy to behold after his revelations the night before. She crept away from him and went to the computer.
XXXXXX***
5 PM
The Carlson House.
Scully found her uncle in the kitchen cooking dinner.
“I hope you haven’t eaten Dana-love.”
“I haven’t.” She answered him quietly as she sat down at the kitchen table. “Were those skeletons from a crashed UFO?” She asked in the same quiet tone. He spun around to face her. The food dripped from his wooden spoon onto the floor but he didn’t even notice.
“My group didn’t expect to find what we did.” He answered apologetically when he had regained his composure. “I certainly didn’t expect my daughter to come along after ten years and dig up my mistakes.”
XXXXXX****
11:10 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
“Password incorrect- cannot open file” came up on the screen yet again and Amanda wanted to scream. Okay, maybe it wasn’t ethical or even nice to try to hack into Mulder’s files but she wanted to know what he knew. It might turn out to be a bargaining tool for her life. A sound came from the other room and Amanda quit the system. Couldn’t risk him catching her again, especially this time when she had no excuse.
She returned to other room just as he woke up.
“You slept pretty well for a man who never sleeps.” She remarked lightly.
“I haven’t slept that well in years.” He said, still half-asleep. Amanda took it as a compliment.
“What’s for breakfa….” The phone interrupted her. Mulder picked it up.
“Mulder.” He paused and a smile lit up his face. Amanda knew who it was before he even said anything. “How’s England?” The smile didn’t make it into his voice, which was cool and sardonic. He listened intently for a moment and commenced a conversation in cryptic sentences, then hung up.
“Well?” Amanda said.
“She said that she’s not having a very good time. They seem to be building roads over everything. The tourist information shops are interesting but there isn’t much that she didn’t already know. Your father has been *very* helpful and she’s coming back tomorrow.”
“And in English what does that mean?” Amanda asked.
“That she’s found something out from your father.”
“Oh! That’s good then.”
***********
7 PM
The Carlson House.
Daniel Carlson’s office was neat and organised. He let Scully in ahead of him, but walked past her to get to a filing cabinet. He took out several files and handed them to Scully.
“These are the reports I made to the group following the UFO crash. All the EBE’s were dead. We didn’t know what to do with them. We were told by higher authorities back in the States to take various samples from the bodies. We were given precise anatomical charts before we even began autopsies. When that was done we were told to bury the bodies deep. The pieces of the craft itself were shipped off to bases back home.”
“Ellens Air Base?” Scully questioned, looking up from the file.
“Most of it was shipped there.” He answered.
“Can I take these papers?” Scully asked, gesturing with her hand.
“No way. I’m not supposed to have them. I hoped that one day I could expose the project but I have thought of trading the files for Amanda’s life instead. Trading the pictures might not do it, but all these files would.” He looked up at Scully. “I have *something* you can take. It concerns you.” Scully was puzzled. “Do you recall a Dr. Thad Narcote?”
“The name’s familiar, from a case I think.” Scully replied vaguely.
“I’m surprised you remember him at all. You’re not supposed to. Whatever else you remember about *that* case is lies Dana. I found this out by accident, but I’ve found as much information about it as I could. I still have contacts. A test was carried out on your partner and you were involved too.”
“What test?” Scully demanded.
“A drug with some unusual side-effects. I think you need to read this. It’s the report on the test.” He handed her the papers and a video tape. “The contents of this tape will shock you Dana and it will be at your discretion as to whether or not you tell your partner.”
“Tell him what? Why don’t you just tell me?”
“Have you ever been pregnant Dana?”
“You know I haven’t!” She exclaimed.
“Are you sure?” Her uncle insisted. Before Scully could answer again the phone rang. Carlson picked it up. “It’s for you.” He said after a moment of conversation. Scully took the receiver.
“Agent Scully?” A muffled female voice at the end of the line questioned.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Meet me at the Red Lion Pub in Mapledurwell at 10 PM.” The caller hung up. Scully looked at the phone in astonishment.
XXXXXX***
12 PM
Mulder’s Apartment.
Amanda still could not figure out that password. Mulder would not be gone for long – he hadn’t said where he’d gone to. She had exhausted everything that she could think of, then a thought occurred to her. She typed “Scully” – password incorrect. She typed “Dana” – the file opened. As it did the icon for new mail came up on the screen. Curious – Amanda clicked on it instead. The message popped up to fill the screen.
< Miss Carlson.
We know where you are. If you give us the articles we know that you have in your possession we can help you stay alive. We shall be in touch. >
Amanda jumped away from the screen and ran to the window. The street was empty but she knew that they were out there somewhere. It was only a matter of time now.
***********
10:27 PM
Red Lion Public House. England.
Scully sat on a bar stool in the public bar. The woman was nearly half an hour late. Scully finished off her mineral water and checked her watch again. The woman was not going to show – she decided – so she left.
Driving back towards her uncle’s house Scully noticed an odd glow illuminating the sky. She drove faster towards the house. As she turned into the long drive she saw that the house was on fire. Fire engines were clustered outside. Scully pulled the car to a stop and ran towards the burning building. A fireman stopped her.
“My uncle’s in there.” She insisted.
“No one could survive in there.” The fireman informed her. “I’m sorry.” Scully fell away from him in a blind shock. He was dead. Him and all his files were gone. They didn’t accept the deal. Amanda was in grave danger. She had to call Mulder.
XXXXXX
10 PM
Mulder’s Apartment.
The only light in the apartment was from the TV screen. Amanda sat huddled on the couch. She was not even aware of what she was watching. <Where is Mulder?> She was nervous. A sound outside the door startled her into action. The door opened.
“Mulder.” Amanda exclaimed and flew into his arms. “I’m scared. I’m scared that I’m going to die.”
Mulder’s heart went out to her.
“It’s okay. I’ll look after you.” He told her with as much sincerity as he could manage.
“Something’s wrong.”
“Yeah. Scully rang. Your father was killed in a fire. Him and the house are gone.” Amanda screamed and buried her head into his chest.
“I’m going to die.” She kept repeating. He looked down at the mass of red hair spread out across his head and he held her close. He lifted her face to his to tell her everything would be fine. She turned tear streaked eyes up to him and he saw Scully in her face again. *She* would never look at him in this state. *She* would remain strong and hide her feelings. *She* would never need him the way that Amanda did right now. Amanda let out a small sob. Mulder kissed her.
XXXXXX*
Sunday. 8 AM
Heathrow Airport.
Scully sat on the green plastic chair in the quiet of the departure lounge. There were very few people around. Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes but she *refused* to break down. Her entire body felt numb with shock and exhaustion. She barely noticed the woman who sat down next to her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t meet you yesterday.” The woman said. “I’m afraid I was delayed.” Scully turned to look at her but said nothing. “Dangerous people know where your cousin is. They will want to destroy the evidence that she has and they will kill her if they can.” Scully continued to watch her unemotionally. “The fox and the people he is protecting don’t have to die. We have protected them so far and shall carry on. The huntsmen don’t count us in the chase. That’s their disadvantage.”
“What do you mean ‘chase’?” Scully asked. Her voice did not sound like she cared – she did care but she could not summon up the emotion to put into her voice. The woman handed her a small polished stone with a pattern of engraved lines.
“You should have paid attention to your aunt.” The woman told her and left. Scully stared down at the rock.
“What?” She asked looking up. The woman was gone.
XXXXXX
4 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
The phone was ringing. Mulder fought to consciousness through the fog in his brain. His eyes opened with difficulty and he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the pale skin and red hair of his sleeping companion. <Scully. No – Amanda> He remembered now. <Oh shit!> That was worse. He picked up the phone.
“Agent Mulder?” A muffled female voice asked.
“Yes.” He answered.
“Your partner is in great danger. If you do not help her – she will die.”
“Why?” Mulder demanded. Amanda woke up at the sound of his angry voice.
“She obtained some files from Daniel Carlson.” The phone line went dead.
“I have to go to Scully.” Mulder said as he leapt from the bed and began to dress. Amanda sat on the bed watching him. “I’m sorry. About last night…” He began but she cut him off.
“Forget it Mulder. I needed you, and I do look awfully like Dana don’t I?” He stopped midway through buttoning his shirt.
“It wasn’t like that.” He sat opposite her on the bed.
“Don’t lie to me Mulder.” She smiled. “I don’t mind. I knew I was a replacement for her.” She took the pendant from around her neck and put it around his. “For good luck. Go save Dana.” He looked into her eyes for what seemed like forever. Then he nodded.
She watched him finish dressing and head for the door.
“Mulder!” She called out and he turned back to face her. “Time is precious. Tell her the truth.” He smiled.
“What *is* the truth?”
“You love her.” He stared.
“Do I?”
“Yes.” He nodded and left. She waited to hear the door slam before she jumped for the phone. She dialled.
“It’s me. He fell for it. I’m on my way now.” She told the receiver.
XXXXXX*
4:15 AM
On the road.
Mulder sat behind the wheel of his car, speeding through the night. <Do I really love her?> He asked himself. <Of course you do – you fool>
XXXXXX*
4:16 AM
The Airport.
Scully got off the plane and felt like kissing the ground. <God, I really hate flying>
XXXXXX
4:17 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
Amanda took the Polaroid’s and placed them into the scanner. She had to hurry. There was no time left.
XXXXXX
4:30 AM
The Airport.
Mulder timed it perfectly. Scully was just coming out of the building and heading towards the taxi rank when he pulled up. He nearly knocked her over and narrowly avoided parking the car on the sidewalk.
“Mulder, what the hell are you doing?” She asked opening the passenger door.
“Just get in Scully.” She did just that and he tore off in a hurry.
“I got a call saying that you were in danger because of some files that you got from your uncle.”
“He gave me some files but they were nothing to do with Amanda.”
“What?” He demanded – a thought occurred to him. “Oh God, they’re coming for her.” He set off at break-neck speed back to his apartment. A disturbed Scully in passenger seat spent the entire journey turning to decipher what on earth he was talking about.
XXXXXX
4:40 AM
West of Washington DC
Amanda drove the red Ford Taurus she had been provided with down quiet roads and finally out onto a deserted road. The radio blasted out a rock tune. She hadn’t liked lying to Mulder, but things were best this way. The radio went haywire and she tried to tune it. A light came on in front of her as if someone had thrown a giant switch. The lights blinded her and the car swerved out of her control. It rolled several times off the road and into a ditch.
***********
4:41 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
Mulder and Scully burst into the apartment to find it empty with no sign of a fight.
“Amanda?” Mulder called but received no answer. They both trailed through into the bedroom. She wasn’t there. Mulder glanced around and headed out back out. Scully stopped and looked down at the bed. Her heart stopped. There was no doubt about what Mulder and Amanda had been doing. She told herself that she *wasn’t* jealous and *didn’t* want Amanda to be found dead.
She returned to the main room and noticed that the computer was on.
“My other gun is gone.” Mulder observed stepping back into the room. Scully tapped the spacebar and the UFO screensaver cleared.
“Mulder, look at this.” Scully called.
***********
4:42 AM
West of Washington DC.
Amanda crawled out of the wreckage of the car. The only light for miles was the headlights, still on and pointing upwards into the sky. The car exploded without warning into a ball of flame. Amanda screamed and ran. The force of the explosion knocked her back onto her knees. A triangular shaped object appeared in the sky above her and she craned her neck to look up at it. The craft had a bright light on each of the three points and smaller lights played on the ground around Amanda. A blinding light turned on from the centre and enveloped her. Sound waves became ear splitting around her and she felt herself lifted into the air. The light was suddenly switched off and Amanda was no longer there. The craft flew directly upwards into the dark storm clouds.
**********
4:42 AM
Mulder’s Apartment.
The computer screen desktop wallpaper was the Polaroid image of the alien skeleton. Mulder and Scully looked at each other.
“She left a copy.” Scully said.
“Then she knew she was leaving.” Mulder said. “Where did she go, and who with?” Scully looked up at him.
“You didn’t lose this one Mulder. This isn’t your fault.” He smiled at her.
“I love you Scully.” He said on impulse with genuine feeling. Scully’s face fell.
“What? Mulder have you gone mad. I thought you and Amanda…” She gestured to the bedroom.
“We didn’t do anything Scully.” He lied, she didn’t *need* to know the truth. “Please let me hold you.” He said and put his arms around her. She sank into them unsure of what to think. She went dizzy when she felt the hardness between his thighs, but the impact of her head hitting something hard on his chest provided a welcome distraction.
“What’s that?” She asked and he pulled the pendant out from inside his shirt.
“Amanda took it from one of the skeletons.” Scully pulled away from him and took the stone from her pocket.
“A woman at the airport in England gave me this.” She held out the stone, it was an exact match to the pendant. “She told me that the people that the fox is protecting are safe and that people are helping us.”
Mulder smiled and remembered Cynthia Carlson’s dreams.
“You should have paid more attention to your aunt Scully.” He told her.
“That’s what *she* said.” Scully replied incredulously.
“Do you believe in fate?” Mulder moved to kiss her, but she pulled away out of his arms.
“No.” She answered and picked up her bag. She walked out leaving him standing there. At the doorway she turned around and blew him a kiss. He smiled and pretended to catch it. The door closed. Scully walked off down the hall. <Do I love him?> The videotape and file in her bag were forgotten for now – but they would be remembered.