From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new: Commitment 15/? Date: 20 Nov 1995 19:25:16 GMT I'm going to try and finish posting by the end of the week, so let's get down to business. Disclaimer and story so far: see part 14 Commitment part 15 by Jess Archibald Later that night, after the Lone Gunmen had left to take Doug back to Washington to get some equipment, promising to return early in the morning, Dana sat on the bed in the guest bedroom, eyes closed, head bowed. Robert had prevailed upon her to stay the night, chasing everyone else off with the patient aggressiveness that doctors had been known to display on occasion, but for now she was too keyed up to sleep. They were so close to getting Mulder, that, with her eyes closed, she could visualize it, hear his horrible jokes and comments, feeling with a dull ache just how much she had missed them and him. Robert's question from yesterday, was Mulder worth so much trouble, had struck her as terribly cold although she knew intelluctually that it hadn't been his intent. he had never met Mulder nor seen first hand the affection that she shared with her friend and partner. She would take any risk to save him now and she didn't think that Robert fully understood that, although it appeared he was beginning to. "Dana?" Robert's gentle query accompanied a soft knock on the door. "it's open," she called bakc, opening her eyes and lookijng up as he entered. "How do you feel?" "A little stiff, but better than before." "No more nodding off at the wrong moment?" "Not so far, though I don't think the Gunmen will let me drive their precious van anytime in the near future." Robert's face creased into a faint smile that faded almost as soon as it was born. "I talked to Margaret today. She called, wanted me to know what had happened..." Dana felt all colour drain out of her face. "what did you tell her?" "Nothing...but she's heartbroken right now, Dana. your mother thinks that you're dead...she called me before you know...last fall..." "Oh God...what am I supposed to do, Robert? I can't take the risk of going to her...if word were to somehow get back to anyone at the Bureau that I was still alive...Mom's not that good an actress..." She felt awful, worse than she ever had. It was unspeakably cruel to let her poor mother think that she was dead, especially after her father's death and her own near brushes in the past. "What am I supposed to do?" she repeated in a quiet voice. "I don't know," said the older man. "I can't tell you what to do, Dana, anymore than I could in med school. You always did what you thought was best....so far it seems to have worked pretty well." she thought of her current situation, of all the situations that had come before it, and was struck by the crazy urge to laugh, except Robert wouldn't appreciate the humour. She could think of only one person who could and she wouldn't let him down... ********* Day 26 Hoover Building 7:12 a.m. Doug practically barreled into the bullpen that housed most of the grunt workers, like him, who weren't assigned to any particular branch of the Bureau. Anthony Hess was the first person to see him and smiled broadly when he did. "glad to see you're back," he said, tossing a sheaf of papers in Doug's direction. "Here's yesterday's transcripts." "You work fast," Doug commented, shrugging out of his overcoat and throwing it over the back of his chiar. "I have to if I want to go anywhere in this business." Tony grinned. "How you doin'? Everything all right?" "Yeah, fine, just had some...um...legal troubles with my mother's estate that needed to be sorted out A.S.A.P." "Your mom's been dead for three years," Tony said in surprise. "what the hell coudl be so urgent?' Doug thought in frustration. "You know lawyers, they love to pad their bill at the end of the month." "Hmph. Isn't that the truth." Tony turned his attention back to his own work for a brief instant, lulling Doug into a false sense of security. "It wouldn't be about Scully and Mulder would it?" "What?" Doug experinced a brief but vigorous panic attack before realizing that Tony meant something different. "Oh, no. but now that you bring it up, where is Mulder?" "Word has it that he's takin' a few days off. Who could blame him, right?' I mean his partner just died...sorry, Doug. I know you knew her better than I did..." "S'okay." doug waved his hand. <'Specially since she's still alive...I think I'd feel better if I knew where our Mulder who really *isn't* Mulder was though...> ********* Raven Crest 9:22 a.m. The van was parked around the side of the building, away from where Doug had indicated Taylor's office to be. This time Frohike was driving while Langly and Byers tried their hand at hacking itnot the files. Dana was beginning to feel pretty useless, and had taken over the task of listening in on taylor's office. Nothing interesting had happened so far and the intricacies of running a facility like Raven Crest were starting to bore her. she thought, staring into space as she listened to the goings on inside the building. She hadn't slept well the night before and was running a slight temperature. she hadn't told Robert for fear he would think it was an infection and drag her kicking and creaming to a hospital before things were taken care of. however, she wasn't a complete idiot, and had checked for visible signs of infection around the wound, reassured to fidn that there wasn't any. The fever must be caused by something else, or so she rationalized. Inside Taylor's office the phone was ringing and she sat straighter as he picked up. "Taylor...oh, its' you...yes, I see..." sht thought, listening to the enigmatic half conversation. "for heaven's sake, man, don't go anywhere *near* her family...i don't think a flase show of grief would fool them for long...skinner's another story entirely..." "I've got something!" Dana called, twisting up the volume nad catching the instant attention of the others. "Tayjlor's talking to someone on the phone and he mentioned Skinner. I think it's our boy..." Taylor continued unabated, oblivious to the fact that the four were hanging on his every word. "Speaking of fooling the FBI, what about that other agent you mentioned...*what* did you say his name was!" a note of shock had entered the man's voice. "Shelton!" "Uh oh," said Frohike. "He was just here yesterday...no, he didn't ask anything like thatg...he said he was here to go over some case histories..." "Dammit," Said Langly and Dana in practically the same breath. "It can't be coincidence...something's got to be done..." Dana felt a sudden flash of fear for Mulder and Doug. "No, i don't think we could get away with killing Shelton, not so soon after Scully...no, we're nowhere near ready to kill Mulder. We'll have to move him to somewhere else...well, do you have a *better* idea...I'm calling him...dammit, I'm not taking responsibility for this...it sure as hell isn't *my* fault...yes...you do that..." Taylor hung up. "Who's 'him'?" demanded frohike. "The key to this whole mess," Byers replied. "Shhh," langly said pointedly as they heard Taylor punching buttons in his phone. "Sir, we have a problem," said the doctor. "It seems that a federal agent named Shelton has stumbled onto us. Mulder needs to be moved to another...yes, sir...that can be arranged...tonight? I see...yes, sir, just to be on the safe side...thank-you sir...I'll take care of it..." he hung up again, leaving the four hardly more enlightened than they had been and within five minutes, Taylor had high tailed it out of his office. "Do we have a cellular?" Dana asked after a moment, thoughts whirling. "Yes," Byers said, digging it out and handing it to her. "I'm going to call Doug. If Taylor comes out of Raven Crest, follow him. we have to find out what he's up to." "Yes, ma'am," said Frohike flippantly, pulling out from the curb and swingin around to the front of the facility. ********** Hoover Building 10:04 a.m. Doug watched the two women come in the room, crossing it to get to Skinner's office. By the time they stepped foot in the room, every agent knew who they were and the usual cacophony of the Bureau had died to a subdued hush. As Maragret and Melissa Scully passed by his desk, he found he had to avert his eyes for fear of giving something away that for the moment was better left unsaid. he felt eyes on him as they went by, his breath catching for a moment, unable to resist a quick little glance, seeing the younger woman looking at his with a cool regard, eyes thoughtful. And then they were gone and he breathed a sigh of relief as a bit of life began to return to the room, conversations resuming at their normal volume. Looking up again, he saw Tony hess watching him with a curious expression. "What?" "If I didn't know better, I'd say the redhead was giving you the eye, Dougie." "C'mon, Tony, use you god given gift of a brain, such as it is. I hardly think she's in the mood to be giving anyone the eye right now, much less a federal agent..." his pager went off before Tony could come up with a retort. he thought thankfully, althought he wondered what made Melissa Scully look at him like that. A quick glance revealed a number he didn't recognized and with curiosity, he dialed it, turning his back on Hess to facilitate privacy. "Doug?" said a voice in his ear as the phone was picked up on the other end. he caught himself before he blurted out Dana's name. "Yeah?" "Can you talk?" "Not really," he replied, realizing that htis wasn't eh best place in the world to have a conversation especially since anyone in the room could pick up the phone and punch into his extension. "Can I call you back in a few minutes?" "Make it quick, Doug. We've got a problem." Her voice sounded strained but energetic, like she was on to somethin. "Five minutes, I promise," he said and hung up. "I've got to got out for a couple of minutes, can you cover for me?" "Your girlfriend?" Tony said with a thoroughly evil grin. "Yeah, that *must* be it," Doug replied in disgust. "Look, I'll go for coffee or something and I'll bring you back one, okay?" Tony peered at him. "Everything all right, Doug? "yeah, never better." "Doug?" "It's fine, Tony." Grabbing his suit coat, Doug headed out of the room, down the hall and into the Washington smog. ********* "Mrs. Scully, I can't tell you how very sorry I am." Walter Skinner wanted to wince as he heard himself say the words. He'd lost count how many times he had had to utter taht same phrase, but it never got easier and it never hurt any less. It didn't matter if he had hardly known an agent or not, it was still a blow that crushed a little bit more of his spirit. And in this case, he had known the agent better then most. Maragret Scully sat before him, almost staring off into space and it was Melissa who answered him one hand resting on her mother's shoulder, the other stroking a crystal pendant. "I know that this isn't easy fro you either," she said softly. Skinner nodded slowly. "No, it's not..." "Where's Fox?" Maragret asked, raising her eyes to meet his gaze, her look rimmed with red. This was one of the questions he had been dreading. "Agent Mulder is taking some time off..." "I don't understand." Skinner thought, a bit puzzled by Mulder's behaviour of late. "I'm afraid that Mulder blames himself for what happened..." "Ridiculous," scoffed Maragret, a bit of life creeping into her eyes. "sir," Melissa began, something lurking behind her gaze, "I have to ask, but I know that Dana's -- body --" she stumbled over the word, "hasn't been found yet...is there *any* chance that..." Skinner rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's been several days, now Miss Scully. If Agent Scully had survived...we would know by now..." She nodded, but guardedly, a thoughtful look in her eyes. ********* =========================================================================== From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new: Commitment 16/? Date: 20 Nov 1995 23:20:23 GMT here's the next bit Disclaimer: see part 14 if you're that desperate. Commitment part 16 by Jess Archibald Doug walked into the park that was near the hoover Building, pulling out his cellualr and dialing the number again. "Doug?" "I'm here, Dana. What's going on?" "Taylor spoke to the double and let your name slip -- " "Dammit." "Right. They know that something's not right and they're planning to move Mulder tonight." "This might be our chance." "I know, but we're not sure exactly how they're going to do it yet. We're following taylor right now. He left his office in a big rush after he tlaked to whoever's in charge of this whole thing..." "I'm coming back to Baltimore," Doug said decisively. "Dana, I think we need more help on this...let's fact it, there's only two of wus who can legally stop this and you don't even have a gun..." "I don't think we're going to be able to stop this be legal means. We can't bring anyone else into this." Not the words he wanted to hear. "Look, I'll be there in about an hour and a half. We can argue about it then." He paused before speaking again. "Your mother and sister are here talking to Skinner." She swore softly. "How do they look?" "Like someone just died." "Did you speak to them?" "No, but your sister was giving me a funny look though." "Whatever you do, don't talk to her." Dana sounded panicky. "I don't know how, but Missy can smell a lie at fifty paces." "I won't..." "The double...he isn't..." She faltered, but he knew what she was asking. "he's not anywhere near them. Supposedly, he's taking a couple of days off." 'Thank God." "Okay, I'm going to get my car and head back. Where should I meet you?" "I'll leave word with Robert where we'll be." She sounded reluctant to get the older man involved again, but it was easier than calling Doug every time they took another turn following Taylor. "All right. See you in a bit." he hung up and stated back to the building, seeing the Scullys coming out just as he crossed the street. he slipped in without them seeing him and headed for his desk to tell Tony he was leaving. The other agent gave him a sympathetic look as he came back in the room. "I tried to cover for you, but Skinner's on the warpath again and he wants to see you." "Now?" "Yep." Doug thought, heading for the inner sanctum. ******** Baltimore dana handed the phone back to Byers, relaying most of what Doug had had to say, watching Frohike take another turn faster than he probably had to. she didn't say anthing about his driving though, knowing that he had probably had more experinece tailing someone than half the agents in the whole FBI. "Anyone have any idea where Taylor's going?" Byers asked. "He said that he woud take care of it," mused Langly. "Which means that he's going to make arrangements for the transfer," dana said, chewing her lower lip. "He's stopping," Frohike reported, dropping down in speed a little. "In front of a holiday Inn." "Out of town help?" postulated Byers. "Not necessarily," Dana cautioned. "the FBI uses hotels to house agents on stakeouts or wiretaps all the time. It's governmental procedure." "In other words, this tells us nothing," groused Langly . she nodded unhappily, stifling a wince as a stab of pain ran up her side. It felt like an infection of some kind had settled in after all from the gunshot and it was making her slightly nauseous. She'd have to see about getting some antibiotics somehow and soon, otherwise she'd be next to useless later on. "Suggestions anyone?' Byers asked. "We wait here," she interjected before Langly could open his mouth. She knew what he would have suggested: Get someone in the hotel and try to eavesdrop on any conversation. That was too risky for right now. "We'll keep track of where he goes and *if* possible, who he sees, but we stay *here*, all right?" Langly looked sheepish, but mumbled his ascent. ********* Hoover Building Skinner watched as Shelton crept into his office and took a seat with a muttered greeting. to the assistant director, the younger man looked tired and worn out, like someone had dropped an enormous weight onto him. he realized that Shelton had been...well, if not friends with Scully and Mulder, he was certainly more than just another Bureau colleague. "Agent Shelton, I notice that you took a personal day yesterday. Is anything wrong?' A flash of guilt raced across his features, than vanished behind a bland mask. "No, sir." "Where were you?' "sir?" "You heard me. I tried to reach you several times yesterday. I thought that you might want to be kept posted on the investigation of Agent Scully's -- " Which word to use? Murder? Disappearance? he settled on the latter, reminding himself that no matter hwat he had told Scully's family, her body *hand't* been found yet. When it came to Mulder or Scully, Skinner didn't think anything was impossible. A funny look crossed Shelton's face at the mention of Scully's name, making Skinner peer a little deeper at the other man. "Shelton, what's going on with you?" "Nothing, sir." "Then why do you look like someone just told you they killed the president and begged you not to tell?" The guilty look returned, stirring Skinner's instincts that had gotten him into the business in the first place. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Shelton was hiding something and that it had to do with Scully. "Shelton, this office has been in a state of upheaval for the last few days, searching for Agent Scully. I would hate to find out that you've been with holding information about her disappearance." he donned his most intimidating look and aimed it at the younger man. "Me, sir?' Skinner said nothing, watching Shelton try not to squirm. Something was going on here and he wasn't about to let it go. ********* Baltimore 1:05 p.m. Taylor was heading back to Raven Crest, the Lone Gunmen van right behind. Following him to the hotel had given them nothing more to go on. the four hadn't seen Taylor actually speak to anyone and they couldn't prove that he had actually met with anyone. "We don't know what they have planned for tonight," complained Frohike, relieved from driving from Byers. "No we don't," Dana said simply. "We'll have to keep watch on Raven Crest, looking for any departures, especailly ones taking place this evening..." "What do we do though?" questioned Langly. "we won't be able to follow every one we see." "We'll have to pick our best bet," Byers said. "And hope it's the right one.' Dana closed her eyes for a minute. "Shouldn't Shelton be here by now/" Langly asked, changing the subject. "He should be at Robert's right now," she replied, running a hand through her hair. Taylor was back in his office by this time, their van parked behind the building. "Hold all my calls," he was saying to his secretary. "I'll be in conference for the next hour." The four listened intently, hoping that he would be in conference with someone who could reveal more information, but Taylor was actually discussing another patient's history with her family. "I'll let Shelton know we're going to be here for a while," Byers said, digging out his phone and dialing. "Shelton, it's Byers...*what*? Yes, she's here...just a second." He held the phone out to Dana, an inscrutable look on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked, taking it. he didn't reply, just shook his head. "Doug?" she said into the phone. "You'd better get over here, Dana," he said. "There's someone here who wants to talk to you." "Who?" There was a shuffling sound, Doug's phone being passed to another person. "Agent Scully?" She felt her eyes widen in shock as she recognized the other voice. It was Skinner. ******** =========================================================================== From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new: Commitment 17/? Date: 21 Nov 1995 21:53:36 GMT Here's the next piece... Dislaimer: Any characters you recognize are copyrighted 1993 by CC and 10-13 productions. The story, Shelton, and Wainwright are all mine... Story to date: Mulder really isn't Mulder, he's a government back double out to cause trouble (Oh, look a rhyme) Scully and the Lone Gunmen are looking for the real Mulder and have found him at a psych institution in Baltimore. Scully was thought dead by everyone at the Bureau after being shot and dumped in the Potomac, but she was rescued by Langly and Frohike. Skinner has just found out his agent is still alive... (Is everyone thoroughly confused now, or is it just me?) COMMITMENT part 17 by Jess Archibald Residence of Robert Wainwright 1:37 p.m. There were two new cars in Robert's driveway as the van pulled up and Dana recognized both of them. One was Doug's and the other belonged to Skinner, both with D.C. license plates. As the vehicle stopped, she got out of the back with reluctance that was mirrored in the looks the other three were giving her. "We'll be back at Raven Crest," Byers said. "Taylor should be in conference until two and we'll see what he does after that." "I'll catch up to you there then," she said, looking towards the house. "Good luck." "Thanks, Frohike. I have a feeling that I'm going to need it." Robert met her at the front door as the van drove off with a honk of its horn. "They're in the kitchen," he said with sympathy. "Thanks." She followed him inside. "Robert, do you have any antibiotics?" "Has an infections set in?" he asked with concern. "I think so, but it's only a mild one..." She peered down the hall at the enterance to the kitchen. "He's not angry if that's what you're worried about." "It's not, but thanks." "I'll be down rooting through my supplies if anyone needs anything." "All right." She hurried down to the kitchen, pushing open the door with trepidation. Regardless of what she had told Robert, she knew that Skinner had to be at least a *little* bit upset and he wasn't the easiest person to deal with when he was mad. Doug looked up with a guilty expression as she walked in. "Sorry," he mouthed with a tiny shrug. Skinner got to his feet, the mug of coffee in front of him ignored for the moment. "Agent Scully, are you all right?" he asked and she could hear the real concern in his voice. "I'm fine, sir," she said evenly. "Then would you like to tell me what the hell is going on?" he demanded, sitting back down with an irritated look. "Agnet Shelton hasn't exactly been forthcoming." She shot Doug a surprised look. "Director Skinner knew that I was withholding information," he said with an apology in his whole manner. "I'm sorry, Dana..." "It's all right," she said. "Sir, what do you know?" She sat down across from him and folded her hands onto the table. "I know that the Bureau's been looking for you for several days now and that you haven't even bothered to check in and let us know you're still alive. I know that I had to tell your family that you're dead and that Mulder's withdrawing into self blame -- " "You didn't tell him?" she asked Doug. "I thought you could explain better than I could." "Explain what?" she thought. "Agent Mulder's been kidnapped by people I can only presume work for some secret branch of the military -- " "*What*? When did this happen? I saw him yesterday -- " "Sir, the man you saw is not Mulder. He's working for whoever's behind this and has been impersonating Mulder for almost a month." Skinner was giving her a look he usually reserved for Mulder but she plunged on anyway. When she was finished recounting everything that had happened, dodging around the issue of the Lone Gunmen, he sat back and practically gaped at her. "Agent Scully, are you telling me that Mulder is currently being held in a *psychiatric* hospital?" "Yes, sir." "And that you are involved with a covert wiretap on that same facility." "Yes, sir." She met his gaze with one of her own, telling him without words that she wasn't backing down on this one. They stared at each other for a long time and Doug finally cleared his throat nervously, breaking the staring match. "The question is, what do we do now?" he said carefully. Skinner looked away and back. "Scully has a point about not being able to trut our own people *if* she's right about this..." "Sir, if I wasn't, they wouldn't have tried to kill me." "Agreed." "Our plan was to watch Raven Crest to see when and where they were planning to move Mulder and follow them from there. If we found an opening we would act upon it." "Huh." Skinner thought it over for a minute. "All right, Scully, we'll try it your way, but if I see hard evidence of what you're suggesting, I have no option but to request backup from the Bureau." She was surprised he was giving her even this much leeway. "Thank-you, sir." Robert came back in at this point and tossed Dana a vial of pills. She caught it automatically and made a slight face as she read the label. "You wanted anitbiotics," he said with a wry smile. "Thanks." She took the lid off and shook one bright coloured pill out into her palm. Doug pushed his untouched coffee in her direction and she used the now cold drink to wash it down with. "Antibiotics?" Skinner asked. "The bullet wound is slightly infected," she said matter of factly. He nodded just a bit and then stood, the other two agents following his example. His gaze met Dana's and she thanked him with her eyes, knowing that he was risking almost as much as she was by helping her. "We'd better get to Raven Crest," he said simply. ********* They were moving him. The orderly had told him as much at one point before he started flying without the aid of any man made interference. Mulder knew that hope was running out for him and so was time. ********* 9:02 p.m. Skinner had declined meeting the Lone Gunmen, saying that neither party would be comfortable knowing precisely who the other was. Dana was just as happy avoiding that epic meeting entirely. Somehow, she didn't think that the LG's antics would be a big hit with her boss and she preferred not to find out. Instead, they had split up into three groups, two people per vehicle, spread out on all sides save the front of Raven Crest in order to maximize their chances of seeing Mulder. Byers and Frohike were in the van, watching the read, Langly and Doug were on one side, Skinner and Dana on the other. "Charming place," Skinner said wryly, peering out the window. "It's horrible," Dana replied. Mulder had at one point or another expressed doubt about his sanity and she could only wonder what being trapped in a place like this was doing to him. She hadn't realized that she had spoken out loud until Skinner said, "If there's one thing I've learned about Mulder, it's that if he hasn't lost his mind by now, it's doubtful that he ever will." She looked at him for a minute then felt the corners of her mouth turn up slightly, fears slightly allayed. If Mulder could go chasing after E.B.E.s, mutants and wild beastmen without going insane then there was probably very little left that could push him completely and irrevocably over the edge. Or so she hoped... That dark thought reaced through her mind before she could stop it and she looked out the window again before the loss of strenght could show in her eyes. Skinner's cellualr began to ring from the dashboard. He picked it up and spoke briefly with whomever was on the other end before handing it to Dana. "I think it's for you," he said dryly as she took it. "Yes," she said into it. "There's something going on back here, Scully," Byers said urgently. "Frohike thinks you'd better take a look...wait a minute..." There was a brief shuffling noise and Frohike came on. "Dana, there's three cars out here...I can't really see who's in each of them...the windows look tinted...but I saw a man getting into one of them and it's the same guy...uh...that was on the Potomac." "Are you sure?" she asked sharply, regretting her tone instantly but if he was right then they were talking about the same man who had shot her. "Positive...his car's pulling out now and it's coming around Langly's side..." "Stay on the others," she said instantly. "We'll each have to take a car and we'll take this one...." She covered the mouthpiece for a minute, turning to Skinner. "There's a car coming around the far side...one of the men in it is the same one that shot me...there's two other cars out back and -- " "And you think we should follow this one." Skinner pulled away from the curb and turned left just in time to see the taillights of the other car begin to fade in the distance. Her heart rate was beginning to spped up and she told herself firmly that they weren't going to lose them as she turned her full attention back to the phone. "We're on him," she reported. "And we're following the other car that just left." Byers had regained control of the cellular from Frohike who was the designated driver. "It looks like they were expecting the place to be watched...uh, Scully, you do know that Mulder might not even *be* in any of these cars, don't you?" "Yes, I know, but even if he's not, whoever *is* in them can tell us where to find him...just be careful...watch where they're going but do *not* go near them...all right?" "We're not grandstanders, Scully," he said with gentle humour. "We value our lives too much and will be more than happy to let you trained professionals take the risk." "Uh-huh." "Really." "Good bye," she said pointedly and hung up, dialing Dou'gs number as she and Skinner followed the car down a busy street. "Shelton." "It's me. We're following that first car." "I thought as much. We had a pretty good view of the guy getting in to drive and Langly here said that you'd want to take this one. I tried to get through to you but I guess Byers already told you." "That he did. They're following another car..." "There's one left...it just pulled out and we're right behind...here, wait a sec..." A minute later Langly was the one on the phone. "Jeez, Scully," he said sardonically. "Where does the FBI find you guys? Shelton needs both hands to drive. Are you sure he's done this before?" She could swear she heard Doug tell him to shut up or get out and walk. Things never changed and the LG were always to be counted on for humour at odd moments. She supposed that's why Mulder liked them so much; they reminded him of himself. She also figured that's why she was glad they were around right now. "Keep us posted," she said. "All right, but tell Shelton to *not* use the speed bumps as launching pads, all right?" He hung up on her. "What's going on, Scully?" Skinner asked, not taking his eys off the car in front of them, screened by about three other vehicles and several hundred yards. "Everyone's following one of the cars. Heaven help us if we're wrong and Mulder's not in any of them..." "But as you were saying, I presume, if he isn't, we can still find out where he is through someone who is in them." "Yes, sir." "Makes sense." They drove on in silence for a while then Dana cleared her throat. "Sir? What are we going to tell the Bureau when -- " she couldn't bring herself to say 'if' " -- we find Mulder?" "Agent Scully, we wouldn't dare be anything less than truthful." The corners of Skinner's mouth twitched. "No one would dare ask us twice when they hear what we have to say. They won't believe us. I'm still having trouble believing it." She looked back out the window. "So am I, sir, so am I." ********** Byers and Frohike were bouncing along a dirt road, the van slewing sideways every time they had to make a steering adjustment. "Frohike!" Byers was complaining loudly. "Slow down or you'll drive right over them!" The car they were pursuing was about three miles ahead of them, bounding over ill used roads that threatened to send both vehicles into orbit. The only good thing was that both automobiles were throwing up dust clouds in their wake that would, with a little luck, prevent the lead car from noticing the Lone Gunmen's van. "I'm doing the best I can," Frohike snapped in return, fighting the wheel and hoping that all the jarring didn't damage any of their computer equipment. "We're getting a long ways out from Baltimore, Byers. If things heat up, we're on our own." "Not comforting, Frohike. Shut up and drive." ********** Langly yelped as he lifted several inches out of his seat and then came crashing back down with an impact that reverberated through his spine. "Sorry," Shelton muttered, not looking much less rattled. They were traveling over dirt roads that left much to be desired, striving to keep the other car in sight without tripping them off that they were being followed. "Don't be," Langly returned with a grin. "I think I'm enjoying myself" Shelton spared a second to shoot an incredulous look over at him. "You've got to be kidding me." "I am." He tossed the cellular up onto the dashboard. "We're out of the service area. I can't get through to any of the others." "Hopefully everthing's fine and they've found Mulder and are all waiting for us when we're finished chasing thse jerks all over the state." The two looked briefly at each other. "Nah..." ********** The car was jostling Mulder violently back and forth. Of course no one had bothered to consult him about a seatbelt. That would have been too humane. With his arms trapped in a straightjacket and his sense of balance seriously off center due to another injection, he was helpless to prevent his body from following whatever shift the car made. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he heard the driver snicker whenever Mulder hit the car door. Never one given to motion sickness, Mulder was beginning to develop an acute case. Through it all was a building realization that he was going to die. It didn't matter if they took him out and blew his brains out or let him rot in some nut house or another because bit by bit he was dyding as little pieces of his spirit gave up and withered away. ********** "Where the hell are they going?" Skinner demanded, following the car out of Baltimore and onto some roads that had seen better days. "I wish I knew," Dana replied, gripping the dashboard and suppressing a tiny whimper as the rough terrain get around the shock absorbers and snapped her side against the seatbelf hard enough to make her see stars from time to time. "There's nothing *out* here." "Not that we know of any way..." She gasped, cutting him off as a bright light suddenly flashed before her eyes. "What the -- " Until Skinner's question died unuttered she had thought that it was just her, but now she realized that the light was filling the windshield, blotting out the view of the road. Quickly, she lifted her wrist and looked at her watch, eyes watering against the glare. The tires shrieked as they went into a spin, Skinner loosing control as the brilliance blinded him. Even as the car spun the light was still there, growing more and more intense until the interior of the car faded into a wash of pure light. Dana felt a rush of fear, instinctual terror as she squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the car continue its spin with no one to guide it... ********** "There's nothing here!" Frohike exclaimed. "I know, I know." Byers had turned on the overhead light to squint at a road map. "I don't understand...where are they going?" "Maybe they know we're following them and are luring us out to somewhere secluded so they can off us." "Frohike, do you have to sound so enthusiastic when you say that?" "Sorry." "Besides, we reached secluded fifteen mintues ago and I don't think they're going to stop any time soon." "I hope we've got enough gas to -- " A bright flash of light cut Frohike off, filling the front of the van, making both men shut their eyes with cries of surprise and shock as Frohike lost control of the vehicle... ********** Doug experinced an intense wave of panic as the white light blinded him and the steering wheel refused to respond to his commands. He couldn't see anything, but heard Langly give a cry of excitement. "It's an E.B.E." he shouted, oblivious to the fact that he was in an out of control car. Doug didn't know what the hell Langly was talking about and at this particular moment he didn't really care as he fought to regain control of a vehicle that refused to respond. The light seemed to grow and grow until it threated to swallow them up... ********** Mulder saw the light and thought his time was up. But when he felt the car lurch, he realized that it wasn't the brilliant light of the afterlife that was surrounding him, but the intense radiance of an alien craft and the old thrill returned, giving him back some of the strength that he had lost and thought gone forever. He heard the panicked cry of the driver as the car slewed out of control but Mulder wasn't afraid...at least not of the car...and strangely enough, not for his sanity... The light seemed to be warm, not the cold brilliance he had expected. And then he saw something that made him doubt what he was seeing yet again... ********** =========================================================================== From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new: Commitment 18/? Date: 22 Nov 1995 19:27:12 GMT Home stretch everyone...three to four more parts at the most...should be finished by the end of the day...I'm going to miss this...yeah, right... Disclaimer and story update: See part 17 Commitment part 18 by Jess Archibald The car horn was blaring. Skinner forced himself to sit up and that seemed to cure that problem. The light was gone and in its wake, he wondered what had caused it. The car had come to a halt against the shoulder of the road, not quite facing the way it had been before, but close enough. Through the night darkness which had returned, he could see the car they had been following, its taillights on, but it wasn't moving. "Scully?" He glanced over at the passanger seat as she stirred. "You all right?" "I'll live," she compromised, one hand reaching for her side, the other lifting slightly so she could see her watch. "Oh my God!" "What?" he asked in alarm. "We've lost an hour." "We've *what*?" he flashed back to her first assignment with Mulder and the unsubstantiated reports of time loss that they, or rather *Mulder*, had insisted happened. "I checked my watch...just as the light hit us...we've lost an hour..." Her voice trailed off as she fumbled out of her seatbelt and pushed her door open. "We've got to check that car..." Skinner got out as well, drawing his gun, part of him reveling in the adrenaline that was flowing through his system. She had a head start on him, but he caught up quickly, grabbing her arm and pulling her back, indicating that he should go first. her mouth opened, the protest automatic, but she swallowed it back at the last moment, nodding instead. Sexism had nothing to do with it; he had a gun and she didn't. he approached the car slowly, unable to see into it because of the tinted windows, the gun leveled at where the driver should be. The engine was still running but there was no sign of motion. "FBI!" he called. "Step out of the vehicle with your hands raised!" There was no response and he circled around to the driver's side, gun almost pressed against the glass as his left hand snaked over to the door handle and tugged on it. It was locked. "Open the door," he ordered but still received no response. Scully came around on the other side and tried the passenger door, shaking her head as it refused to open. he waved her back and was deciding whether or not he should shoot out the glass when she took the decision away from him by picking up a good sized rock and smashing in the window on her side with it, reaching in to open the door... ********** "Was that what I think it was?" Frohike asked in a low tone, raising his head to peak out over the dashboard and out into the night. the light had faded, leaving the two of them to gather their wits and decide their next move. "If you think it was an alien craft," Byers started, also raising his head, "then I would have to concur..." They exchanged wary grins as they straightened up in their seats. The car they had been pursuing was stopped dead bout a mile down the road. Somehow, when the light had flashed down, the van had closed the distance between the vehicles by two miles. "They're not moving," Byers commented after they had stared at the car for a few minutes. "Nope. Think they're faking?" "I'm not sure..." "Think we should take a closer look?" Byers nodded slowly. "We'll drive though..." It would be easier to make a fast get away if it came down to that. Frohike eased the van into first and was pleasantly surprised when it responded without a hitch, half afraid that the light and sudden stop had damaged the engine in some way. The car remained utterly still as they approached and when he pulled up parallel to it no one took a shot at them or waved a white flag of surrender. "I'm getting out," Byers said, doing just that, Frohike right behind. The doors on the car where all locked, the engine running, headlights blazing. Frohike found a rock and swung it into the driver's side window, taking childish pleasure in watching the glass disintegrate into little gummy shards. "I don't believe it," Byers whispered, peering inside. ********** Shelton and Langly stood on either side of the idling car from Raven crest. Langly had refused to listen to Shelton's repeated warnings to stay back and, deep down, the agent wasn't really surprised in the least; he would never admit it, but he rather liked the quirky Lone Gunman and could see a little (very little) bit of himself in the other man. "Open up!" Shelton ordered to whomever was in the car, but they weren't buying it. "Shelton, I don't think anyone's in there," Langly called across the top of the car. "If they were I don't think that they'd cower inside." "You've got a point, Langly." Shelton was tired of waiting around and since no one inside the car had said anything by way of objection and since he really didn't think there was anyone in the line of fir, he fired a round into the glass of the driver's side window, watching with satisfaction as it exploded inwards allowing him a clear view of the interior, on which he kept the gun trained. There was no one inside. ********** "There's no one here." "Where'd they go?" Byers leaned against the side of the car in frustration. "I think that light had something to do with it." "No kidding, Byers, I'm not an idiot. It was a rhetorical question." Frohike ran a hand through what little air he had left, mumbling to himself. "But why them? Why not us as well?" Byers looked over at his friend. "Maybe the E.B.E.s were offened by your sense of fashion." "Heh. Very funny. Was Mulder here, do you think?" "I don't know." He peered into the car again, noting the seatbelt that was still securely fastened but holding nothing but empty air. "From the look of things there was only one person and I think it's safe to say that Mulder wasn't the driver..." "But we can't tell for sure..." "No. We can't." ********** Dana heard Skinner mumble somthing in surprise when she shattered the window with a rock she had found lying off to one side of the road. Well, he may not like it, but she wasn't going to wait around all night while her boss stared at the car. As the glass broke, she could see that there was no one in the passenger seat, and as she bent to snake a hand in to unlock the door, she saw that the driver's seat was empty as well. Heart sinking, she pulled the door open and stooped to get a better look, unable to see anyone at all in the vehicle, a bitter feeling of disappointment mingling with fear. she thought, eyes burning as she started to stand up to tell Skinner what she saw. The groan startled her. Her head jerked up so fast that it almost hit the roof of the car as she peered into the back seat, and more specifically, at the floor of the back of the car. "Mulder!" "Scully, what is it?" Skinner had joined her and nearly got knocked over as she turned to answer him. "It's him, sir!" she exclaimed, climbing back in to get a much better look in the light from the overhead fixtures in the car. She couldn't make out much more than a huddled figure on the floor at the bakc, so she searched for the lock release, getting back out of the car, as Skinner pulled open the rear door. "Oh my God," the assistant director whispered. Dana wanted to push him out of the way, impatience brimming in her. After what seemed like an hour, but was only a couple of seconds, he holsted his gun and reached in to pull Mulder out. She had to bite back a gasp of shock as she got her first look at her friend. It was immediately obvious that he hadn't had an opportunity to shave since he was abducted and a ragged beard hid part of his face, but not the gauntness of his features. He had lost weight as well, an alarming amount from the look of him, and his skin, even in the dim light the car and the moon were giving off, was too pale to be healthy. She knelt down beside him, hands trembling as she felt for a pulse, while Skinner wrestled him out of the straightjacket. Her thoughts were an incoherent jumble as she alternated between joy and euphoria at finding Mulder alive and white hot rage at those who had done this to him. She barely heard Skinner suggest that they get him back to their car and to the nearest hospital. she thought, allowing Skinner to pull her to her feet, helping him get the younger man supported between them. She was wrong. ********** In Mulder's apartment in Washington, the phone rang. He picked up on the second ring. "Get out now," was all that was said before the person on the other end hung up. He was out of the apartment in less than five minutes. ********** Mulder opened his eyes slowly, taking his first look at his surroundings carefully. No blinding lights assaulted him no feeling of weightlessness, no far out alien technology. In fact, it looked like he was in an ordinary hospital room. he thought with something like his usual humour. He still felt more than a little bit groggy and so he was at a loss when a doctor appeared at the foot of his bed and looked him over with the detached manner he hated so much. Especially when it came from Scully... He didn't want to think about her right now. There'd be time enough for mourning *after* he figured out what the hell was going on. This doctor, behind the cool stare, looked more...personable than the last man claiming to be a doctor Mulder had been near. "Agent Mulder, how do you feel?" It took him a couple of tries to get his voice working properly but he finally managed. "Bit disoriented. Where -- where am I?" "Baltimore General. Don't worry, the disorientation will pass. As I understand it, you've spent most of the last month on some heavy sedatives. Do you think you're up to seeing a couple of visitors? Your three friends -- the Crazed Shooter or some such moniker -- are wearing holes in our carpeting." Mulder was beginning to get a grip on what had happened and if he was right, he'd be writing articles for the group until he was old and gray repaying them. "Sure..." "What about Miss Scully? She's also quite concerned about you..." Mulder thought. "Just the three." "Yes, sir, but they can't stay long." ********** "What's taking so long?" Dana growled from her seat. "Cool down," Doug advised. "You're the doctor. you know this could take a while" The look she shot him told him that she knew that, but didn't want to be remined of the fact at this particular moment, so he offered a weak smile and shut the hell up, scanning the waiting room as he did so. Langly and Frohike were pacing back and forth while Byers sat ina a nearby chair. Skinner had left soon after he and Dana had arrived with Mulder, saying that he was going to the Baltimore Buearu to get back up for a search of Raven Crest. The other four had arrived shortly there after, following a frantic exchange of phone calls upon their return to the local service area. So far they had been left to their own devices for the better part of two hours and the strain of waiting was beginning to takes its toll. A doctor came out of the ICU and nodded at each of them in turn. "I'm pleased to say Agent Mulder has regained consciousness," he began but was overwhelmed by shouts from the LG as Dana let out a pent up sigh of relief. The doctor cleared his throat and continued. "Ahem. H's still a little dazed and we're waiting on toxicology reports but it seems that he'll be fine, given a little time. I told him that you're all quite eager to see him and he's asked for the three of you. None of you are exactly members of the immediate family, although Miss Scully is listed as next of kin, but under the circumstances, I think it would be okay for you all to see him." He indicated the LG who each turned to look at Dana. She was at a loss for words, afraid that Mulder was angry with her, after all it had taken her the better part of three weeks to even deduce that something was truly wrong... "Go ahead," she said finally, after seeing that the three were not going to go without some word from her. They went, but not completely happy with it. She turned away from Doug after they left and collapsed moodily into a chair. "Dana?" "Wonder when Skinner's going to let us know how it went?" She ignored his overtures, concentrating instead on hoping that the FBI had managed to round up the ones responsible. She'd worry about what to say to Mulder when she spoke to him. However long away that moment might be. ******** =========================================================================== From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new: COMMITMENT 19/20 Date: 22 Nov 1995 21:25:14 GMT That's right...second to last part... Disclaimer's in part 17 Commitment part 19 by Jess Archibald "Hey, Mulder.' He turned his head, saw the LG approaching the bed and felt a smile stretch across his feautres for the first time in what felt like years. "I like the bearded look," Byers commented, slipping in to stand to his right while Frohike and Langly took the other side. "You would," Mulder retorted. "Would someone tell me what the hell happened?" He wasn't ready to tell them what he had seen in the midst of that white light quite yet. First he wanted answers, not the least of which was how Scully had died. "It might take a while, Mulder," Langly chipped in. "Your doctor told us that if we stay here too long, he'd throw us all out." "And he meant it too," added Frohike. "What. Happened." He enunciated each word clearly, conveying the strength of his desire for answers. The three exchanged looks. "Ah, Mulder, now isn't the best time," Byers temporized. "I...I already know about Scully." Mulder got the words out somehow. "How...how did it happen?" "Her getting shot, you mean?" asked Langly. "Is that what happened?" "Yeah, but..." "Bastards." "Well, she wasn't too pleased either," Frohike replied. Mulder looked at him. "Excuse me?" "I said she wasn't too -- " "She *said*?" Byers looked from Mulder to Frohike to Langly. "Are we talking about the same thing here? Mulder, what were you asking about?" "How did Scully die?" The LG started to grin. "So that's why you wanted to see us," Byers said. "Uh, Mulder, she's out in the waiting room and she isn't happy about being out there while we're in *here*." Langly leaned forward to emphasize his point. "She's not dead?" Mulder began to feel a marked improvement. "Oh no...she's going to kill me, isn't she?" "After all the trouble we went through to save you life? She'd better not." Byers motioned for the others to follow him out. "We'll send her in, okay?" Mulder nodded. ********* Skinner walked back into the waiting room and nodded to Doug before coming to a stop in front of Dana. She found the energy to stand to meet him, although a bone deep weariness was beginning to leech through her; the last few days had held little time for true rest and the infected wound in her side was taking more energy than she had to spare. "Sir?" she greeted. "Taylor had already cleared out of Raven Crest by the time we got there. Somehow he was warned. There were no records of any Mr. Cooper in the computer and no one on staff that I talked to remembered seeing anyone matching Mulder's description. There was no nurse named Julia on the staff either." "So they've all gotten away," Dana said bitterly. "What about that light we all saw?" asked Doug, joining the conversation. "Whoever was driving those cars vanished when that light did." "Including the man who shot me and was driving the car Mulder was in," she concluded. "What about the double?" "Mulder's apartment is empty. I had a few agents go and check, but he was gone before they arrived." "So he's still out there somewhere..." "Hey, Scully!" Langly called coming back into the room, waving at Doug and eyeing Skinner with curiousity. No one made any moves to complete a formal introduction. "There's been a misunderstanding but we cleared it up. Mulder thought you were dead." "He *what*?" "Dead," Langly repeated patiently. "We straighted him out and I think he wants to see you now." Suddenly, Dana wasn't so sure of what to do, but Doug solved her problem by nudging her forwad with a whispered, "Go on." "We'll be down in teh cafeteria when you're done," Langly said, meaning the LG, and with that, he vanished down the hall. "I think I have a phone call to make," Skinner said and went the other way. "I'll be with the Gunmen," Doug said. "You sure you're okay?" She smiled at him with what felt like the first real warmth she'd felt in years. "Never better." ********** Mulder's response to seeing Scully was immediate. He managed to sit up straighter and grin widely at her. From the look on her face, she was equally pleased to see him. "I'm afraid I don't have a football video to give you," she said with a smile, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Things have been a little too hectic for shopping." "I'd settle for a Bureau training guide right now," he replied. "I think that could be arranged." They stopped bantering for a moment. She grabbed his hand during the silence. "Are you all right?" He hadn't spoken to her in nearly a month, but he could still tell what she was saying without speaking all the words. "I'm fine, Scully. No crazier than I was before...at least not now that I'm out of that place...where ever it was..." "I'll tell you all about it in the morning." "How about now?" She nodded and began to speak. ********** Melissa picked up the phone on the second ring. She knew who it was before the receiver even reached her ear. "Hello, Director," she said. "Where is she?" ********** Skinner was waiting for Margaret and Melissa at the front entrance to the hospital. He had given Melissa the barest details over the phone and had asked her to come down and bring her mother with her. Unsure of how Scully planned to deal with the situation, he had felt it cruel to let her family keep thinking she was dead when he had had to tell half the Bureau that she wasn't. What he was keeping under wraps was the fact that there was an impostor of Mulder running around Washington. They'd have to deal with that later. He suspected that the Scullys would have to be told, but that would be a choice made by Dana and Mulder. When Melissa and Margaret arrived, he told them where Scully was and decided to make himself scarce when they found her. He was getting too old for all this. ********* Mulder decided he'd be paying back favours for the rest of his natural life and at least five hundred years of any after life. "I don't know what to say, Scully," he said. "Are *you* all right?" "I think I'm in better shape than you are." "That's not saying much." "True." They both smiled but then Mulder's expression turned serious . "Did you see anything in that light, Scully?" She looked puzzled by the question. "Mulder, I couldn't see anything. Why do you ask?" "Nothing." "Mulder, did you see something?" He looked away and then back again. "I thought...I thought I saw Sam..." "Your sister?" He nodded, not saying anything else. She sighed. "Maybe you did, Mulder, a psychological reactions to -- " "No, Scully," he said. "Not psychological. I'm sure of that." They were silent for a long moment. "I don't know if it'll mean anything to you," she said slowly after a long while, " but I know that I've seen taylor somewhere before..." "Where?" She looked him straight in the eye. "I have no idea..." "Maybe it does mean something, Scully." "Maybe..." She stood. "Get some sleep, Mulder. You won't be leaving the hospital for a while, so you might as well get used to it." "Scully, I don't think I can take much more of any hospitals right now." "It's okay, Mulder," she replied. "I'll make sure that there's always someone here we can trust." "That's can't be a long list." "Mulder..." He grinned. It was good to be back. ********** Dana found her mother and sister waiting for her when she finally left Mulder, having Doug paged and asking him to stay with her partner for the time being. He had agreed without protest and had advised her to get some rest of her own. She thought it was a very good idea until she saw her family. Without a word, she fell into her mother's open arms, raching for Melissa with her right hand. Nothing was said for a long moment. "I'm sorry," Dana whispered finally, pulling back. "It's all right," her mother said. "Director Skinner explained most of it to us." "Are you all right?" Melissa asked, but Dana suspected that her sister already knew the answer. Missy could sometimes be more 'spooky' than Mulder. "Good as new in a few days...Mulder might take a little longer than that..." "How is he?" Margaret asked, maternal concern switching gears to concentrate on the person she couldn't see at the moment. "It might take a while, but he'll be fine...physically at least...it might take a bit longer to be sure he's fine mentally, but I think he'll be back to normal before too long." Even as she sple the words, her belief in them strengthed. Physically, Mulder's only real problem looked to be malnutrition; she hadn't seen any signs of drug withdrawal and the hospital toxicology reports would be back her up on that. Mentally...with Mulder it was sometimes hard to tell but she thought that she could see signs of a frightened little boy in him...not too surprising considering whom she was dealing with. Now if only they could find that damned double. Then she'd feel the whole thing was over. ********** Pentagon Smoke was hanging heavily in the air, making the room hazy. The ashtray was filled to overflowing, but that didn't stop the man from adding a few more ashes to the heap while he waited for his phone to ring as he knew it would. When it finally did, he waited for three rings before he picked up. "What should I do now?" said a voice that sounded much like Fox Mulder's. "Get out of the country," the man said simply, as if it should be obvious. "That wasn't what I signed on for. You said that you could change my appearance..teach me how to do it..." "*After* the situation was taken care of. It wasn't" "That was hardly my fault." "No, but we might still need you as you are. Taylor's methods were far too heavy handed. We'll have to wait before we can try anything again. I'll be in touch." "How will you find me?" "Don't worry. I will." He hung up, sat back and stubbed out his cigarette. A few seconds later, he lit up another. ********** Day 37 "Absolutely not." Scully crossed her arms and blocked the way out of the room, scowling fiercely at her partner. "You are *not* leaving." "Sorry, Scully," he said with a grin, sounding anything but. "Paperwork's already done. heard you were coming and got them to rush on my discharge papers." He shrugged. "that's life." She adopted her 'Mulder, you're a complete idiot' look but he could tell that, as usual, she didn't mean ti in indignation but, he hoped, in a kind of perverse affection. He, of course, retaliated with his most innocent look which almost never failed to wear down her resolve. "All right!" she said, flinging up her hands. "*Somebody* has to drive you back to Washington." "Why do you think I was waiting for you?" "On one condition," she persevered." "What?" "No work until next week." "Okay." "Late next week." "Okay." "Promise." "*Okay*" "I don't believe you." "Where's all the trust gone?" They both froze as soon as the words had crossed his lips. She forced a smile. "It's still here, Mulder." "Is it?" "Mulder..." "I mean it, Scully. How can you be so sure that I'm who I say I am? After what just happened?" "What just happened had nothing to do with trusting *you*. It had to do with trusting someone who *looked* like you. There *is* a difference." "And how do you know that I am who I say I am?" "I know, Mulder." "But -- ?" "*Mulder*! Only you can get me so damned exasperated!" "I think I'll take that as a compliment." *********** They made a stop on the way home and Robert Wainwright finally got to meet Fox Mulder. Dana Scully was sure that she'd be hearing about the meeting from both sides for a long time to come. She couldn't wait. ********* =========================================================================== From: larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca (Jess Archibald) Newsgroups: alt.tv.x-files.creative Subject: new:COMMITMENT 20/20 Date: 23 Nov 1995 07:19:28 GMT Well, folks, we've reached the end of what, for me anyway, was an epic... Thanks go to everyone who sent me mail, begged for more and general made me feel like this story had a warm reception...you're all wonderful...that's including everyone who just reads...without all of you this wouldn't be half as much fun... and so it ends... Disclaimer: Characters copyrighted 1993 by CC and 10-13 productions. Story and the characters of Douglas Shelton and Robert Wainwright belong to me. COMMITMENT part 20 by Jess Archibald Day 39 Fox Mulder's Residence 11:46 a.m. Dana knocked on the door and waited until Mulder came to open it. The federal agents who searched the apartment while looking for the double had had to break the door down to do so. Dana had nagged Skinner until he agreed to have the Bureau pay for replacing the door and installing a new lock, but htere hadn't yet been time for her to get a copy of the key. she thought relucant to acknowledge the fact that they may never find him. If someone could make such a convincing physical match of Mulder, it was hardly inconceivable that the process could be undone, leaving them with no adequate physical description of the suspect. As it was, word at the Bureau was sketchy on what had gone on and since the fake Mulder had become a bit of a recluse after her supposed death, many agents were embracing the idea that Mulder had snapped and under gone treatment for some form of mental illness. It was closer to the truth than she, Mulder, Doug or Skinner would have liked but there wasn't too much they could do to correct these assumptions. Mulder finally pulled open the door to let her in, giving her time to take in his appearacne with a mild frown. The beard was gone, but the unhealthy pllor remained. She wondered briefly if she could scout up an X-File that would take them to California or somewhere sunny and then added good cuisine to the mental list. His weight wasn't back up to anywhere near what it should be. "Are you coming in, Scully?" he asked with bemusement, chuckling a little as she brushed past him only to stop short in amazement at the sight of the living room which was clean for the first time she could remember seeing it. "Relax, Scully," he said, inching past her to enjoy the stunned expression on her face. "I just wanted to make sure anything that was *his* got removed as evidence or taken to the nearest incinerator. That's all." "It sure as hell better be," she replied, shaking her head to clear it. "You said you wanted to see me. is something wrong, or did you just want company?" Mulder seemed to need to have people around him lately and she was the first person he called when he needed to talk to someone. "Right," he said, going over to the desk by the indow, which was still as messy as ever, pushing through files looking for something. "Aha!" He tossed a small box over to her which she caught automatically. "That's yours." "What is it?" she asked suspiciously. Mulder giving gifts? Something was seriously wrong with this picture. "Something I got from Taylor," he said expression darkening. Now she was confused, and dropped onto the couch to open the box. A delighted grin lit up her face when she saw the small gold cross inside. "So that's where it went! I thought it was on the bottom of the Potomac." "Sorry I didn't give it to you sooner, but the chain was broken and I wanted to get it fixed first." "You didn't have to." "I know. But I'm claiming it as a business expense." They both laughed and she took it out of the box and put it back on while Mulder produced a file and waved it at her. "I wanted to talk to you about this." She recognized it as the file on the UFO sightings and disappearances in Kentucky which she had shown to the Lone Gunmen what seemed like months ago. "Mulder, no business," she said. "That case is nearly a month old." "Scully these disappearances...the first one happened the night I was taken." "What are you saying? That the government knew you would investigate that case and wanted you to stay out of the it? They sure as hell could have picked an easier way to divert you!" "I don't know. Maybe...I guess we'll never know, will we?" They stared at each other for a long time. ********** Day 42 Hoover Building 9:03 a.m. Mulder walked into his office and took a deep breath. It was like coming home. Scully was hard at work at the computer, but she looked up when he entered. "Mulder, what are you doing her?" she asked in surprise. "You're not supposed to be back until next week." "I got bored," he said, tossing his coat onto a hook by the door. "There's only so many football games a guy can watch before they all look the same." "You still shouldn't be here," she scolded. "YOu still need rest -- " "Scully," he protested, "I've had more than enough rest...besides, Shelton tells me that you shouldn't be here either...something about healing bullet wounds?" She made a face and switched off the computer. "Fine. Then we should both leave before Skinner sees us." "Too late." Skinner came in behind Mulder, scowling at both agents. "I left word at the front desk that I should be notified if either of you stepped foot in the building before next week. Imagine my surprise when I get a call saying that not one, but *both* of you are here in violation of my orders." The partners exchanged glances and Scully was relieved to see the familiar spark of amusement in Mulder's eyes. "Out of here, both of you," Skinner said ina no-nonsense tone, waiting impatiently until they had gathered their coats and preceded him out. He escorted them as far as the elevator. "One more thing..." MUlder thought, bracing himself. "It's good to see you back, Agent Mulder, although I wish your taste in neck ties was as subdued as you double's." He indicated Mulder's alarmingly bright yellow paisley print with an expression of distaste. The partners managed to get into the elevator and get the doors shut before they started to laugh. ********** Offices of the Lone Gunmen 10:37 a.m. They'd stopped for coffee before deciding to pay a visit to the LG. Mulder was surprised that Scully ahd agreed so readily. An argument was raging when the stepped through the door and they both waited patiently, listening to the theories flying back and forth. The object of contention was one of the miracle defrosters that had been advertised on television for the past several months, the type that involved no heating elements, just a metal sheet that would somehow thaw frozen foods by drawing on the ambient heat in the air. From the sound of the *discussion*, the LG had run a metal analysis on the tray and had discovered that it was somposed of an iron alloy that contained something else that defied indentification. The debate was whether or not the material was alien in origin or merely the government's way of testing a new compound without the public knowing about it. Frohike and Langly were for the former, leaving Byers to defend his position all by himself. "Several manufactures have all come out with a similar product at the same time," Byers was saying. "It's highly improbable that they all could have gotten access to alien technology within the same time period. It's much more likely that the government fed them all the data on a new material they wanted tested out." "With all the information that we have on the government we would have already seen evidence of that," argued Langly while Frohike bobbed his head in agreement. "Unless of couse it was an alien compound and the government is the one distributing it," said Mulder from the doorway. That stopped the debate cold for a moment as the three looked at him and grinned widely. "Is that what you think, Mulder?" asked Frohike. In lieu of a greeting, they were drawing him into the debate. "Why not." Scully exhaled noisily. "What do you think, Scully?" asked Langly in a mocking tone softened slightly be a wry smile. She joined Mulder in the center of the room, leaning on the edge of Byers' desk. "Why can't you just give credit to the manufacturers and admit that they have outstanding research departments?" "yeah, right," siad everyone else in unison. "More than one company at the *same* time launching a similar invention?" said Mulder in askance. "Industrial espionage," she countered. That shut him up for a moment, but by that time, the LG had rallied and launched a joint assault on her theory which left her too busy defending herself to see the grin that crept onto her partner's face as he plunged back into the debate on the side of the LG. The discussion ended about an hour later with the LG claiming victory, leaving Scully shaking her head in disgust and Mulder laughing silently at the interplay between the others. Langly mentioned that Shelton had made plans to drop by later in the week to discuss the latest in wiretap technology. Frohike was back to his obnoxious self, flirting with Scully at every interval until she was bout ready to kill him or at least arrest him for sexual harassment of a federal officer. Mulder decided that leaving was a good idea. It was time to move on. ********** THE END!!! Whew...now I can go study... Okay, I'm not going to leave things like this...there's still the matter of the Kentucky situation and that pesky double's still on the loose (snicker..oh, we're going to have *fun* with that) here's what I've got in the works: MISSING: This takes place during and after Scully's abduction and introduces another new character of mine, Zoe Bateman, a federal agent who meets Mulder just after the events in "3". COLLUSION: the sequel to Commitment in which Mulder, Scully, Shelton and Bateman had to Kentucky. This will have some more clues as to just what the double really is... SINS OF THE MIND: A killer leaves no physical trace at any of the crimes scenes and forms an unusual bond with one of the agents investiagting the crime...any guess as to which one? I'm thinking of writing a brief "Going Down" story based on events in Commitment...you're partner and best friend returns seemingly from the dead after you receive a warning someone close to you will kill you...if you were Scully and if *you* know there's a double of your friend out there what would you do? Anyone interested? Okay, enough teasing. I have to actually write them first...keep pestering me...I'll get 'em done...just let me finish my term papers first, okay?...please?...I'll be good.... Thanks again for all the support Jess larchiba@unixg.ubc.ca