Selling Your Soul II: Giving Your Word (1/3 ) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com Please visit her homepage at http://katedyer.freeservers.com CATEGORY: S; A,R RATING: PG SUMMARY: After making a deal to save the X-Files, Scully must live with the consequences. This is a sequel to the story Selling Your Soul, which I recommend you read before reading this. TIMESPAN: US Season 5 ( I'm pretending that the movie never happened ) SPOILER WARNING: The End, Colony / End Game KEYWORDS: Scully / Krycek, ScullyAngst, UST DISCLAIMER: Although I hate Chris Carter for his obsession with obtrusive bees (if you've seen the movie, you know why), I owe everything to him and his company for the creation of Mulder, Scully, Krycek, CSM, WMM (oh, I hate Chris Carter for that too), and all other characters. I'm getting no profit from this. ARCHIVE: Go ahead, make my day. FEEDBACK: Would be very nice. WRITTEN: June 28, 1998 DEDICATION: This is dedicated to all those people who sent me feedback urging me to write a sequel. I hope the sequel does the first part justice. Selling Your Soul II: Giving Your Word (1/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com ---------------------------------------- Tuesday, October 13th, 1998 11:21 PM Suburban Hospital Silver Spring, Maryland ---------------------------------------- Dana Scully screamed and woke herself from her latest nightmare to find a man leaning over her and large hands gently holding her shoulders. The beeps of heart monitors and other typical hospital sounds filled her ears. "Alex." She breathed in relief, bringing her hand to his cheek. But there was something wrong with the face. It wasn't Alex Krycek's. She quickly pulled her hand away and frowned in puzzlement and disorientation. She reached back up to his face, and delicately brushed her fingers over his features. Her face scrunched up in perplexity and her hand stopped moving. "Mulder?" She managed to whisper. He removed his hands from her shoulders and stood up straight. Moving to the wall, he flicked the light switch, illuminating the room. Scully blinked and groaned as the light invaded her eyes. The man was, indeed, Fox Mulder. She pulled herself into a sitting position and they stared at each other until she spoke again. "How did you find me?" "Krycek. He left a message on my answering machine with your location." Mulder replied. Scully could only nod. "I talked to your doctor. He said your cancer had come out of remission." "Yeah, a malfunction with the chip." Scully said, looking at her hands which lay in her lap. "He said that you didn't have that much longer." Scully raised her eyes to Mulder, then lowered them when he met her gaze. She thought to herself. "I'm fine Mulder." Mulder laughed, a bit dazed. "I'm tired of you little..complexion." He said, searching for the words. "You're not fine. Your dying for Christ's sake!" Scully shook her head. "No, I'm not." Mulder snickered half-heartedly. "Seriously, Mulder. I've been cured. Look . . . I don't expect you to understand. They'll take tests tomorrow that will prove it. I've done fine without you." Mulder looked at her, his face full of torment. He nodded and made a small grunting noise before turning and walking out the door. Scully sighed, hating herself for blurting the last part out. She knew that she wasn't going to get to sleep anytime soon, so she took out her now well worn journal, and began to write. Tuesday, October 18th, 1998 Dear Ahab, I am confused. Lost in question and doubt. I know that Alex left. He told me that he was going to get help. `Real help' as he called it, not these `stupid doctors'. He brought a man with him today. A man that I would have liked to forget about. The man who can appear as Mulder one minute and then morph into someone else. The man that held me captive. I feared him before he cured me. I fear him even more now. When he laid his palm on my forehead, he held my life on his fingertips. And he cured me. A warmth that spread through my chest and down to my digits. I don't know how to explain what he did. I don't know if it can be explained. Just as Mulder once remarked that trusting no one made him weary, believing in science alone is tiresome. And then Alex left. From what I've put together, he then called Mulder. I don't think I can handle all of this right now. I'm being pulled in every direction. My heart tells me to find Alex. My head tells me to stay with Mulder. My conscience tells me to go back to the consortium and find a cure for the damn black cancer. Oh, Ahab, I wish you were here. Now more than ever. When I was younger, I could always come to you. What caused us to distance ourselves from each other? Was it me and my ambition? Or was it life? Yours Always, Starbuck. Dana Scully shut the journal and rolled off the uncomfortable hospital cot. Her strength was back, yet her legs buckled under her for the first couple steps toward the other end of the cot. She quietly slipped on the clothes she had arrived in. Moving to the door, she cracked it open and looked into the hall. She slipped out and began to head toward the elevators, envisioning her escape. Just as the doors opened with a musical `ding' someone grabbed her wrist. "Where the hell are you going?" Mulder hissed, pulling her gently back into her room. "Mulder..." She began. "And where have you been the last five months?" He murmured angrily. His dark hazel eyes bore into hers, urging her, daring her to tell him. "I made a deal." She admitted. "For you. They wanted me to work with them and in return, they would give you your sister's file and protect the X-Files..." "Damn it, Scully!" He interrupted. "I don't care about the X-Files without you as a partner!" "I saw what it was like for you when we were first reassigned. You hated it, Mulder. The files are your life!" She proclaimed. "Do you remember what I said? Before. I said that although I may not have the X-Files, at least I had you." Scully looked up at him, searching his eyes. "They said that they would save Agent Fowley. I found out about your relationship with her and how the consortium split you two up by reassigning her." "Scully." Mulder groaned, raking his hand through his hair. "You don't know the whole story." "Well, then again, no one ever took the time to explain the whole story to me." She said accusingly, her hurt evident. "She was leaving me anyway." He whispered. "What?" "She was leaving. She had already decided to request reassignment. I lost her then because I was too obsessed with my search for Samantha." He sighed and turned to face the window overlooking the hospital's parking lot. "And I lost her again because I was too obsessed with my search for you." Scully stood completely still, barely breathing. "When?" "She left a month ago. I heard some rumor about her and Spender going somewhere together." Scully raised an eyebrow. She approached Mulder and rested her hand on his forearm. "I'm going to be fine, Mulder. I'll be back to work as soon as possible." He smiled at her sadly. Suddenly, Scully found herself enveloped in her arms. "I. . . I thought you were gone. Forever." He cried into her shoulder. She patted his back and comforted him, almost maternally. "Happy birthday, Mulder." She sighed. He looked at her and began to laugh. She joined him, in relief, confusion, desperation, and hope. Friday, October 16th, 1998 Dear Ahab, The tests were conclusive. The cancer's been obliterated. I returned home with Mulder. My mother had continued to pay the bills for heat and electricity for my apartment, for some ungodly reason. So, here I am, on my couch, home sweet home. Mulder says she was devastated when I disappeared. I feel terrible for putting her through this. I've started working already. Skinner had saved my position and had let me begin without reapplying. But, I suddenly feel out of place. It's not just the fact that we're not in the basement anymore. Everything has changed between me and Mulder. I seem so out of place and out of character. I feel like the scum of the earth. I was reading an old report where Mulder had written about the consortium. It read as follows: `These people corrupt the planet. They cheat death and work with hidden agendas. They have lost all humanity and compassion toward the human race. Their hearts are as black as The Smoker's lungs. They don't deserve anything. They don't deserve life. They don't deserve death even.' I cried then. The tears slipping down my cheeks. He must hate me. Hate me for turning against him. Hate me for helping them. Hate me for aiding their pursuits. And he's right. I don't deserve death. I must sit here in purgatory, in a mist of questions and decisions, with no where to turn. Yours Always, Starbuck (End part one, continued in part two) Selling Your Soul II: Giving Your Word (2/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com *Disclaimers in part one ---------------------------------------- Monday, October 19th, 1998 6:16 AM J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building Washington, DC. ---------------------------------------- "Come on, come on." Scully muttered to the computer. She searched through the FBI's database of recent crimes throughout the country. After being at the office since four that morning, she still hadn't found what she was looking for. She got up and poured herself another cup of coffee, glancing at her watch. Hopefully Mulder wasn't coming in early. After another half hour of searching, she found two cases that matched her query. Location: Richmond, Virginia Date: Friday, October 16th, 1998 Agents in Charge: Special Agent Dyer and Special Agent Herce Classification: Arson -Arson of an abortion clinic -No bodies found -One head doctor reported missing (a Doctor Karen Taylor, photo attached) Location: Newport News, Virginia Date: Sunday, October 18th, 1998 Agents in Charge: Special Agent Deguzman and Special Agent McHale Classification: Arson -Arson of an abortion clinic -No bodies found -One doctor reported missing (a Doctor Susan Taylor, photo attached) Scully printed the two summaries and moved to the large wall map at the back of the office. Using her fingers, she mapped the two cities. Both were large cities. The `arsonist' was heading South. She searched for other large cities located South of Newport News, and her finger reached Norfolk. She quickly faxed copies of the scanned pictures (they were both identical, though that was exactly what Scully had been searching for) to the respective field office and left her cell phone number. Gathering her belongings, she locked up the office and headed to her car. Upon arriving, she pulled a map of Virginia out of her glove department and took off toward Norfolk. ---------------------------------------- Monday, October 19th, 1998 7:01 AM I-95 Heading South ---------------------------------------- "Scully." Scully answered the incessant ringing of her cell phone. "Agent Dana Scully? Yeah, hi, this is Agent LaBrie from the Norfolk field office." A man's voice responded. "We found a match with that photo you sent us. It's a Doctor Beth Taylor who works at the Norfolk Women's Clinic downtown." "Great! Thanks for the swift answer. Bye." She said, hanging up and cursing the driver behind her. ---------------------------------------- Monday, October 19th, 1998 6:19 PM Norfolk Women's Center ---------------------------------------- Scully had been camped out in her car surveying the center since eight in the morning. Her legs had begun to ache and she was about to give up when she saw a car pull up beside the building. Two men got out, and one motioned the other to go around back. After they were out of sight, she quietly opened the car door and ran to the wall of the clinic. She inched her way along in the darkness until she got to the corner. She peeked around the edge and saw nothing but dancing shadows of newspapers blowing in the wind. A hand suddenly covered her mouth, and she felt a cold blade against her neck. After a second of hesitation, her captor pushed her away. "Dana, what the hell are you doing here?" Alex Krycek asked. "How do I know you're Alex? I saw two men and I know one is that guy who can morph." Scully said suspiciously. Krycek sighed and picked up the ice pick, pulling it along the skin on his ankle. Instantaneously, a band of red blood sprang forth. Scully gasped. "You didn't have to hurt yourself." She muttered, the doctor part of her taking over as she wrapped a piece of torn cloth around his ankle. "It doesn't hurt that much." He replied, smiling down at her. She took the hand that he offered her, and he pulled her to her feet. "I want to thank you. For....everything." She said. "Is that all you came to say, because I'm kinda in the middle of something right now." He said, brushing off her thanks. "I want things to be like before." Krycek looked at her in query. "I...We...Alex, I can't stay with Mulder. He...So much has happened...and...." She searched for the particular words. "God, Alex, can we love each other again, like before?" Krycek stood still, shaking his head slightly, as if to clear it. "Dana, if you're asking if we can have a relationship, the answer is no. I can't give you dozens of roses and bring you out to dinner and buy you diamond rings." "I don't want any of that Alex. You should know that." Scully replied. "Look, Dana. I can't love you. Not the way you need to be loved. Not the way you deserve to be loved." Scully stared at him as if she didn't understand. She opened her mouth as if to say something. Krycek leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Goodbye, Dana." Still, she stood in place, gazing at him sadly. Krycek grabbed a hand gun from the waistband of his jeans and raised it until it was a few inches from Scully's face. "Go!" He urged, the rims of his eyes beginning to turn red and watery. "Go back to Mulder, damn it!" Scully backed up one step and turned, quickening her pace. When she reached the front of the building, she turned back, in time for her to see Krycek quickly swipe at his eyes. She turned and ran to her car. Once inside, she lay back in the driver's seat and stared up through the sky light into to starry night. Soon, smoke began to obscure her view and she put the car in drive and sped off toward the highway. "Who is that woman?" The bounty hunter asked Krycek as they spread gasoline through the halls of the clinic. "Trouble." Krycek tried to joke. "Dana Scully." "I know that. But is she important to the Project?" He asked. "Not particularly, why?" Krycek asked, perplexed. "I've seen a man give up a women, whom he would die for, for this Dana Scully. I've seen you give up your job and your life together for her. Why would you if she isn't important to the Project?" "The Project doesn't control everyone's lives. I'll tell you why I have done the things I've done, and likewise, why Mulder has done the things he's done: for love." "Hmm...I still don't understand." The bounty hunter admitted. "I don't think anyone understands love." Krycek said, and sighed as he lit a match and dropped it into the hall. "This is Mulder. Leave a message." Mulder's machine picked up. "Mulder, it's me. Look, I have some unfinished business to attend to. I promise I'll be back." Scully said into her phone, pulling off the highway. ---------------------------------------- Tuesday, October 20th, 1998 9:15 AM Conference Room Top Secret Military Base ---------------------------------------- "Sir." A short, brunette secretary said, entering the conference room and nodding toward the Well Manicured Man. "What is it?" He asked, slightly annoyed. "There seems to be a problem at the front gates. One of the guards is on the phone for you." She replied. The Well Manicured Man nodded to his colleagues and left the room. "Yes, what is the problem?" "There is a woman here who claims to have access to the base. A Dana Scully." The Well Manicured Man half smiled, "Tell her to meet us at the lobby." He hung up and reentered the conference room. "Dana Scully has returned." (End part two, concluded in part three) Selling Your Soul II: Giving Your Word 3/3) By Kate Dyer Athena1600@aol.com *Disclaimers in part one ---------------------------------------- Tuesday, October 20th, 1998 9:19 AM Lobby Top Secret Military Base ---------------------------------------- "Dr. Scully." The Smoking Man greeted her. "We thought you would return." "Yes, well, I gave my word. I said that I'd stay until a cure was found for the black cancer." He nodded and handed her a lab coat. Knowing her way, she headed toward the labs. "The scientists have made some headway. They're closer to a cure now more than ever. The other workers have been looking forward for your return." He replied, puffing on his cigarette. Wednesday, October 28th, 1998 Dear Ahab, I've returned to the base to work on a cure. Some must question this act, wondering why I would return after leaving. I feel it is my duty to help the world by ridding the world of this disease. And, as I told the Smoking Man, I did give my word. If I stay until they find a cure, I can return to the X-Files, which will be protected. Well, unless they break their promise. The scientists have been working very hard, and have found a prototype that weakens the cancer. This is the first step toward a cure. We all have our hopes up. I'm motivated by the fact that the sooner I find a cure, the sooner I will be able to return home. Yours Always, Starbuck ---------------------------------------- Sunday, November 1st, 1998 10:13 AM Conference Room Top Secret Military Base ---------------------------------------- "Is it terminal?" The First Elder asked. The Smoking Man nodded. "Inoperable?" Another nod. "How much longer?" He questioned. The Smoking Man simply lit another cigarette. "Not that long if you keep going at that rate." The Well Manicured Man mumbled. "It's time to start the placing of our successors." They all looked toward him. "You know what to do." "How soon can they be contacted and brought into place?" The First Elder asked. "As soon as possible. I can full some strings in the FBI and the other organizations." The Smoking Man concluded. Tuesday, November 3rd, 1998 Dear Ahab, I'm not particularly sure what has been going on, but the entire base is in chaos. I have heard that the chain of command and the power of the Consortium is being altered. They have tried to keep a seal on all rumors, but according to a technician under my command, the Smoking Man has finally been effected by all those cigarettes. They're training successors in hopes that they will take over the Consortium with the same morals (or lack there of) as the current leaders. Oh, Ahab, we are close. Close to finding a cure in the near future. My whole department is running on adrenaline and putting in extra hours. Soon, I'll be home again. Yours Always, Starbuck Friday, November 6th, 1998 Dear Ahab, From the moment I woke up, I knew something important was going to happen today. I don't know why I thought that, but there was a certain electricity in the air. It happened around noon. I was approached by the Well Manicured Man, which isn't entirely unusual, because he usually comes down to check on the progress of our work. But today was different. Today he had an offer for me. Not another deal, an offer. If I was confused before, I am lost now. He offered me a job. To help run the Consortium. They have people from different agencies and blood line relatives, but they need a trained scientist. He said that I was perfect. That they needed me. Could I live with myself doing such a thing? Working as a head of evil itself? But, then again, I can keep an ace up my sleeve. With a little urging and persuasion, I can keep Mulder and the X-Files entirely free of all harm. I can play them to do my bidding. He told me that I could wait and think about it. And I have thought of it. A lot. And I'm still undecided. Yours Always, Starbuck ---------------------------------------- Sunday, November 8th, 1998 11:21 AM Conference Room Top Secret Military Base ---------------------------------------- "Good, we are just waiting for Ms. Covvarubias, and then we will begin." The First Elder said, shuffling the papers he held in his hands. The room began to buzz with whispered conversations among the members seated around the large conference table. They were all hushed when the door to the room slammed open, revealing Dana Scully. As she faced the elders, she couldn't help but smile. "We have found a cure. That works." She proclaimed, her voice echoing in the large room. Even the elders themselves smiled and the younger members, which she had just noticed, cheered. "Good work, Doctor Scully!" The Well Manicured Man congratulated her. "Oh, let me introduce you to the men and women that will eventually take over our places here." He said, motioning to the younger members of the room. "I believe you know Agent Spender." Scully nodded and shook his hand. "And this is Samantha Mulder," He said, moving on. Scully raised her eyebrow. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you." Samantha looked at her in query. "I work. I worked with your brother." She explained. "And, Alex Krycek and Marita Covvarubias will be here shortly." The Well Manicured Man finished. Scully looked up at the mention of Alex's name. "Isn't he with the bounty hunter?" She asked. "We have connections, Doctor Scully. Krycek was needed, so we sent for him." Turning to the others, he introduced Scully, "This is Doctor Dana Scully, hopefully soon to be a member of our group." He said, looking toward Scully for an answer. She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I gave my work to Mulder that I would be back. I finished my part of the deal. I'm already packed. I'm leaving tonight." She said before walking out of the room. Sunday, November 8th, 1998 Dear Ahab, It is strange how life works out. How relationships unfold and how deals work themselves. I'm sure that in working with the X-Files, I will once again meet the Consortium members. I'm sure that I'll see Alex again. I'm sure that Samantha is alive, since I saw her with my own eyes. I'm sure that these people aren't void of heart and compassion, for I was one of them. They are working for their cause, as Mulder works for his. Upon returning home, I found a dozen fake roses on my counter, with a note explaining that Mulder didn't know when I'd be returning, so he hadn't wanted them to die. Life isn't black and white. Now, more than ever, there are questions to be answered. But now, I'm sure that the truth is out there, and that one day, Mulder and I will find it. As long as we search for it. As long as we are together. Yours Always, Starbuck ---------------------------------------- Monday, November 9th, 1998 1:22 AM Mulder's Apartment Alexandria, Virginia ---------------------------------------- Scully pounded her fist on Mulder's apartment door, hoping that she wouldn't wake his neighbors. He answered almost immediately, and she cold see that he hadn't been sleeping. They just stood there for a second, looking a each other, before Mulder wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her to him. She curled her arms around his waist and enjoyed the warmth of his body. "I've been waiting for you, Scully." The End. . So, how was it? Personally, I think the first part was better, but it usually always is (even for Chris Carter and co.). So, should I make it a series? Should Scully leave again and go rule the Consortium? ~Kate Dyer~ They've given enough to hurt you, with all the things they say, so you put on your armor, and stand in the rain. You're wearing the target it took so long to earn, you start looking sideways, but you never turn. 'Flower Man' by Tonic